POOR IN SPIRIT

 

“To be poor in spirit is to feel yourselves as the spiritually needy, even dependent upon the Lord for your clothes, your food, the air you breathe, your health, your life; realizing that no day should pass without fervent prayer of thanksgiving, for guidance and forgiveness and strength sufficient for each day’s need.

“It is indeed a sad thing for one, because of his wealth or learning or worldly position, to think himself independent of this spiritual need. Being spiritually dependent is the opposite of pride or self-conceit.

“Thus, if in your humility you sense your spiritual need, you are made ready for adoption into the ‘Church of the Firstborn’ and to become ‘the elect of God’.

-        President Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, p 343-4

The greatest path in life to learning what it means to be poor in spirit seems to come through lack. This has certainly been the journey of my life. I have always felt a closeness to God and felt the need for spiritual nourishment which I sought and received through the Gospel, but when I experienced years of financial hardship as a single-mother I learnt what it means to be ‘poor in spirit’, in other words dependent upon the Lord.

I will recount three events in my life that taught me this. The first was when I was newly divorced and just beginning to understand what was ahead of me in the temporal sense. One particular week I needed money which I didn’t have, to fill my car with gas. I prayed one morning for $20 for this purpose. When lunch time came at work, my co-worker came to me and put $20 on my desk. When I asked why, he said he was coming back to work after lunch and saw $20 on his path. He picked up the bill and wondered what he should do with it and I came to his mind instantly.

The second time I needed help was when my household bills amounted to $1,000. Again, I prayed for help. The next day a friend and her business partner knocked on my door telling me that they had just reviewed their accounts for the month which showed a $1,000 surplus. They wanted to know if I could use that money.

The third time, when I was in need, taught me the greatest lesson in being reliant on God. I had to register my car and found myself $320 short. I felt embarrassed going to the Lord in prayer again asking for help so I opted to ask my friend and her husband for a loan. They too were having financial challenges but I felt strongly they were the only ones to ask.

When my friend came back to me after consulting with her husband, she told me that unbeknownst to her, he felt impressed some months prior to put aside all his loose change. He obeyed the impression and saved all his coins. When his wife approached him about my need, he immediately knew where the money for it was. Yes, the saved amount came to $320. They taught me a great lesson that day when they said I didn’t need to repay it because the money was from God and not from them.

I think of ‘the widow’s mite’ story when I think of being spiritually poor (Mark 12:41-44). This woman who had nothing gave all she had, and she knew who to give it to. Do you think she survived well?

How can I explain the lightness of my being,

When you lift me up on wings of faith?

My love for You knows no limits,

My honour, no bounds;

In need I reach for heaven's door,

To concede, in spirit, I am forever poor.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Window's Mite by James Christensen)

THE POWER OF CHOICE

 

 

I continue to be amazed by the tolerance and longsuffering of our God. How patiently He waits for us to turn ourselves around, to make the right choice, to forsake our path to destruction. How it must pain His merciful heart when that right choice that would lead us to our better end never eventuates!

Reflect on how the principle of the Saviour’s longsuffering played out in Nephites’ time. Their demise and unfortunate end did not happen in 400 A.D. but in 360 A.D. when they made the choice that guaranteed their end. Between 327-50 A.D. the Saviour suffered their wickedness and spared them three times granting them three victories over the Lamanites through which they could recognize His protection (Mormon 2:16,25,27). It did not work.

The second chance came by peace. According to the Mosaic observance of the Jubilee year which happened every 50 years, the land was allowed to rest and was restored to its original inherited line of ownership (see Leviticus 25). During the three hundred and forty ninth year, heading into the Jubilee year, a 10 year peace treaty was made between the Nephites and the Lamanites as the land of their inheritance was divided (Mormon 2:28,29).

During the ten years of peace Mormon was commanded by the Lord to call the people to repentance so they can be spared when the time of peace ended (Mormon 3:1,2). Mormon did so but the people did not recognize that ‘it was the Lord that had spared them, and granted unto them a chance for repentance’ (v 3). What could have been a quite time of contemplation and retrospection, turned into a comfort zone of negligence and pride.

Even though they were granted three more victories over the Lamanites, they still refused to repent ‘boasting in their own strength’ (Mormon 3:13).  From there their thirst for killing headed them into the direction of death as they ‘delighted in the shedding of blood continually’ (v 8,10; 4:11).

And so in 360 A.D. the Lord declared that the Nephites ‘shall be cut off from the face of the earth’ (Mormon 3:15). It was not that they had exhausted the Saviour’s abundance of mercy but that they had made a choice from which there was no return. When we make a choice and intently pursue it to the end, we eventually reap its reward.

As it happened with the Nephites, very often we don’t recognize our opportunities and chances for repentance. And very often we don’t realise that there is such a thing as a point of no return. Mormon realized 40 years before the end that ‘the day of grace was passed’ with his people and the story was finished (Mormon 2:15). Nephites had learnt the worst lesson of all: that it is possible for time to run out as the Spirit of God will not always strive with man (D&C 1:33).

This is the lesson we can take away from this sad part of history, the day of repentance can pass: “…..sin is intensely habit-forming and sometimes moves men to the tragic point of no return…As the transgressor moves deeper and deeper in his sin, and the error is entrenched more deeply and the will to change is weakened, it becomes increasingly near-hopeless, and he skids down and down until either he does not want to climb back or he has lost the power to do so” (President Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, [1969], p 117)

Did Your heart break

As on the cross You hung

Knowing many lambs will go astray?

Did you know they will reject

Your blood and all You had to pay?

 

And still You hoped

And still You sorrowed

Over godly well-known fears

For all they’ll have to suffer

To pay the ransom for

Your sacred tears.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Gentle Saviour by Greg Collins)

THE SACRED MARRIAGE

 

Have you ever wondered why the Saviour chose the marriage metaphor for His covenant relationship with us, His Church? I think it is because there is no holier union of any individuals than that of marriage. A marriage union is one of love, sacrifice, unity and endurance. Or so it is meant to be.

Marriage in this life is a great teaching opportunity. It can help us reflect on our ‘marriage’ union with the Saviour himself. Let me explain.

We are told that if we want to get to celestial kingdom, we need to start living by its principles now. The same goes for a celestial marriage. Marriage will not make itself celestial overnight or by the wave of a magic wand when we walk through the pearly gates. A celestial marriage starts in this life and not only through the temple ceremony but through every day sacrifices, mindfulness and love.

I remember one prophet saying years ago that if each person put their marriage partner before themselves, both would win, and that marriage would be successful. If each partner is in pursuit of the other’s happiness, there would be no divorce.

However, the very opposite is unfortunately true. Often we allow our personal issues to navigate our response to our marriage partner disregarding their feelings or the effects that response would have on them. Likewise, when we are in the moment of self-gratification, we seldom think of how we are affecting God.

The same principles of a successful marriage apply to our relationship with the Saviour. He is the husband and we are the bride. We know that His pursuit is our ultimate happiness: “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Has he not ensured that already as He taught us, covenanted with us, hung on the cross for us? Is He still not ensuring that by the inexhaustible gift of forgiveness through our repentance?

I have reflected a lot this week on what I could do to make the Saviour happy. The more I thought of this marriage metaphor, the more I could see how giving up anything unworthy of my relationship with Him would not only ensure His happiness but would in turn benefit me and ensure mine too. I saw the things of this world that I was clinging to as amazingly insignificant compared to this principle.

We know when we are not in alignment with God, we are not really happy. When we are in alignment with the world or the natural man, the pay off we get from it never lasts and lack of self-respect, depression, anxiety and dissatisfaction is sure to follow.

If we suffer any of this on continual basis, we are not happy, and we are not making the Saviour happy either. He has suffered all these things for all so that we need not suffer (D&C 19:16). This is an act of a true loving husband. So what then should be the act of a true loving wife?

The wedding is at hand. Are we ready to be arrayed in a wedding garment of ‘fine linen, clean and white’? (Rev. 19:8). Are we ready to forsake spiritual Babylon and prepare ourselves to “go forth to meet the Bridegroom”??? (D&C 133:5,7,10,14). Are we worthy to be called His bride???

 

I have no life but this,

To know Thy approving glance;

To kneel at Thy feet,

To know there is a chance.

I have no life but this

To follow the path to Thy throne

To be greeted with a holy kiss,

And know the reality of such bliss.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Filling Her Lamp by Dan Burr)

THE PURPOSES OF OUR GOD

 

“The works, and the designs and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught” (D&C 3:1). Throughout history, when the forces of evil raged the worst, God has preserved the way for His purposes to be accomplished. And He has done it through humans.

Consider Mormon who was raised in the most evil society of ancient America. Consider a 10 year old boy before whom ‘a continual scene of wickedness and abominations was before his eyes since he was sufficient to behold the ways of man’ being the only person to be called upon to preserve the ancient record of his people (Mormon 2:2,3,18).

Until 321 A.D., the history of ancient people of America was preserved on golden plates from father to son or brother to brother, as in the case of Ammaron who inherited the plates from his brother Amos (4 Nephi 47). This suggests that Amos had nobody worthy in his immediate family to pass the records onto and neither did Ammaron.

The Book of Mormon does not mention any relation between Ammaron and Mormon. It means only one thing, the society was so evil that a 10 year old boy with no family relation was the only choice to inherit the responsibility of the plates.

It would seem that God puts His most valuable and righteous children in the midst of the most wicked, to create a balance and to preserve His purposes. Think of Noah who preached repentance for 120 years (Genesis 6:3; Moses 8:17).

How could not even one person repent in that time? And how amazing is it that his family remained righteous in the midst of such evil people who had to be destroyed? Imagine if there was no Noah or if his children became ripe for destruction too….but God knew Noah and He knew what period of earth’s history to put him into.

The world is in a bad shape. We are witnessing the spread of evil at such an alarming rate that we are becoming ripe for destruction. Besides the good people of the earth who create a balance, the Lord has preserved His covenant people who will stand at the forefront to establish His purposes.

We, members of the Church with the covenant upon us, need to be ready to take on the mantle of Zion when He comes. According to His foreknowledge, the Lord knew who He could trust to prepare the way, to establish and perpetuate the kingdom. Without Him we are nothing, but with Him we are everything. He accomplishes His work through us, His covenant people.

May we look forward to the day when ‘the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy’ (D&C 45:71). Then we shall sing “the new song of Zion”:

“The Lord hath brought again Zion; The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel….Glory, and honour, and power, and might, be ascribed to our God; for He is full of mercy, justice, grace, and truth, and peace, forever and ever…..”  (D&C 84:98-102).

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Second Coming by Jechoon Choi)

THE CRUCIBLE

 

I sobbed yesterday through Elder Hale’s conference talk entitled “Mortality Works”, not because of any new fresh perspective, but because of the sheer, raw admittance that this life is incredibly hard.

I cried reflecting on my own life and the many, many times I wished I could be free of it and I learnt that it is ok that I felt this way. Over the years I had come to believe that I am a weak person because I wished for the sweet escape of death and freedom from this world. Yesterday I realized I am in actuality a strong person because I am still here.

I cried for every person on this earth who has endured suffering, beyond my understanding for I know some people have had experiences far worse than I have had. Most certainly for those who suffered in silence the effects of abuse and had no escape and no clear understanding as to why God was allowing them to suffer at the hands of another.

Certainly Elder Hale’s experience proves that sometimes, our trials are not just for our own ultimate gain but also for others as we stand as testaments and witnesses of God’s eventual deliverance and power to grant freedom.

Such unfair experiences, as Elder Hale was subjected to, enlarge the caverns of our hearts to embrace compassion for others. Through them we gain invaluable Christ-like traits such as forgiveness, understanding and mercy towards sinners and oppressors who unjustly afflict us.  

I cried at Elder Hale’s recollection of his mother and her difficult life and even more so of the unfair end of her life, because this is the ending I fear for myself. It’s the ending that my own mother had. She too had a difficult life, suffered from dementia and died alone in a nursing facility.

I cried when I read about the dream that Elder Hale had of his mother who was beautiful beyond his ability to describe now that she is in the spirit world awaiting ‘a glorious resurrection’ because of the valiant endurance of her mortality. This reward is something I aspire to, as we all should.

I cried the most for the Saviour who was flung into the bottomless pit of human suffering during His mortality for the sake of my soul. The endurance of the unfairness of His life is beyond my comprehension.

I too have experienced His healing power and deliverance through the crucible of my life which would have been impossible for me had He not suffered through Gethsemane and had not accepted the bitter cup that was given Him. Yes, because of Him, mortality works.

In our darkest hour, our wish to escape is honoured by the God who is the most acquainted with grief . His compassion is ever affixed for us and His desire to lift us higher ever present. He understands and He suffers with us through it all.

My close friend who has been through a crucible of her own has penned this beautiful poem which resonates with me and I hope it does with you too.

TAKE ME TO ANOTHER PLACE by Desley Innis:

Take me to another place

And let me rest awhile,

Let me feel the gentle sway

Of a new, immortal tide.

May I leave this Earthly space

For a hundred, thousand hours,

To run through grassy meadows

And smell the cosmic flowers.

 

I could stay forever,

A millennial of years,

Help me to escape, for now,

This veil of constant tears.

I will seek a lowly spot

To lay my weary head,

And leave behind

This restive world,

For a finite time at least,

Help me to attain, again,

A quiet, inner peace.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Peace In His Embrace by Greg Collins)

STATE OF THE HEART

 

“And there were no envyings, nor strife, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness…..and they had all things common among them; therefore there were no rich and poor…. they were all made free…..and they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God….and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God” (4 Nephi 1:3,16,17).

This was a Zion society amongst the Nephites of old akin to the city of Enoch, but in just 200 years they went from that idyllic picture to this:

“And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride…and from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them (4 Nephi 1:25). This pride of the people led to division into classes which led to the buildings of may churches which led to denial of the true church of Christ (vs 24-27).

It has to do with the heart. During the two hundred years of peace and unity and no contention, the love of God dwelt in the hearts of the people (v 15). Mormon was clear on the reason: “…they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord” (v 12). So instead of contention, this formula produced miracles and the love of God (vs 13,15).

It took two hundred years for two generations post Christ’s visit to die out and for Satan to step in to get ‘hold upon their hearts’ (v 28). His success to make them weak was based on the inverted formula which once made them strong. First came Church inactivity (v 20), then pride (v 24) and then iniquity (v 28).

The people hardened their hearts to such an extent that they sought to kill the apostles despite the mighty miracles performed by them (v 31). And here is why: they ‘hardened their hearts because they were led by many priests and false prophets to build up many churches and to do all manner of iniquity” (v34). In other words, they listened to voices other than that of Christ.

Once many churches arose and they sold themselves into iniquity, there came about ‘a great division among the people’(v 35). This division led the Nephite civilization to destruction as Lamanites and all manner of ‘ites’ came back amongst the people together with the secret oaths of Gadiantons (vs 36-38, 42-46).

Fast forward to 2024 and the picture of our day: “And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumours of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them….and the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound” (D&C 45:26,27).

We, the members of Christ’s latter-day church should learn from the Nephites. We have a chance of survival and indeed a very bright future that awaits us in New Jerusalem if we take care of the state of our hearts. That chance starts with obeying the very first commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

The more we love God, the more of His love will be planted in our hearts. That love can only be motivated, by both parties, through obedience to His commandments and His will.

Once we love God and He fills us with His love, the love for others follows and our hearts are knit as one. We are on our way to Zion.

You knock at the door of my heart

And I often forget to turn the key.

With sorrowing steps you retreat

Hoping that one day

I will remember Thee.

Of my undying love

I give Thee a token,

I will keep the door open.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Knocking Generated with AI by masterofmoments)

THE SACRIFICE OF ALL THINGS

 

 

“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation; for from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things.” (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Lecture 6:7)

You are no doubt familiar with two short but yet important stories in the New Testament. They are polar opposites. They speak of a rich young ruler and a poor penniless widow.

There was a very rich young man who approached Jesus asking Him what he needed to do to have eternal life. The Saviour listed all the commandments but the young man claimed he had lived them all since youth but he felt he still lacked something. Jesus told him, if he wished to be perfect, to sell everything he had and give all the money to the poor. The young man went away sorrowing choosing his earthly possessions over eternal life (Matthew 19:16-26).

Contrast this story with the story of a poor widow who cast into the temple treasury all the money she had whilst the rich came and cast in much to be seen of men. Jesus pointed out this hypocrisy to His disciples claiming the poor widow gave much more than any of them because she gave her ALL despite her ‘want’ (Mark 12:41-44). In other words, she donated all her money to God, disregarding her own needs, when she could ill afford it. To her, eternal life was more important than even the meal on her table.

What God requires of us most is our hearts and not our riches. He requires the sacrifice of our inner selves: our sins, our weaknesses, our disobedience, our self-will, our appetites, our passions, our selfishness. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught the meaning of offering ourselves to the Lord: “Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed!”  (In Conference Report, April 1995, 91 or Ensign May 1995, 68)

The sacrifice of anything that is a stumbling block to our progression leads to a holy nature: “We are still commanded to sacrifice, but not by shedding blood of animals. Our highest sense of sacrifice is achieved as we make ourselves more sacred or holy. (President Russell M. Nelson, “Lessons from Eve”, Ensign November 1987, 88)

The cost of sacrifice of all things might be high but consider the reward:  “And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29). This is what Joseph meant when he spoke of all consuming sacrifice. He spoke from his frame of reference and that of the early pioneers of the Church.

Sometimes even though when we are living the Gospel, there is that one thing that keeps us away from wholly belonging to God, some earthly attachment that is demanding our constant attention and pre-occupation: whether it be possessions, friends, career, sin, weakness, pleasure, unhealthy relationship, a demanding hobby or addiction.

The young rich ruler obeyed all the commandments from youth but there was this one thing he would not do and it cost him eternal life. The poor widow on the other hand gave ALL: her desire, her intent her deed. That’s called ‘being consecrated to God’. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: The Widow's Mites by Liz Lemon Swindle)