GOD'S WINGS

 

I find it very endearing that following the chastisement and prior to His immediate appearing on the American continent, the Saviour compared His love and care for the House of Israel to that of a mother’s greatest attribute of protection, and accompanied that statement with anguish of rejection: “…..O ye people of the house of Israel….how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens and ye would not” (3 Nephi 10:4,5).

The Saviour would have us know that his heart is like a mother's: loving to the point of self-sacrifice, relentlessly caring and aggressively protective. He would have us know that within the shadow of His wings, He gathers us and protects us from the world which seeks to tears us down.

Consider the characteristics of a mother hen that the Saviour used as an example of His care:

“Keeping Safe by Mother’s Side:

·        After the first three days, the chicks develop a fear of new things, an instinct that keeps them safe from danger. However, mother hen’s presence makes them feel secure, and she provides a safe base from which they can explore and learn about the world.

·        A mother hen gives special alarm calls when she senses danger relevant to her brood’s age. She adjusts these calls as chicks mature, so that she only calls for small predators when they are a danger to them.

·        In addition to providing warmth and protection, researchers have found that a mother hen provides an important source of social learning for the chicks she is raising. Three important tasks are guidance over food, synchronization of resting and active periods, and mitigation of fear.

·        It appears that the security offered by a mother hen promotes the healthy behavioural development of the chicks she is raising. A confident mother can help her chicks to grow up with appropriate behaviour for their environment, leading to a happy and healthy life.” (Tamsin Cooper, Raising Chicks with Mother Hen, 18 Aug 2021)

Can you see the Saviour in what you have just read? Does He not provide knowledge that can lead to a happy and healthy life? Does He not send prophets to warn us of present danger? Does He not offer security through His commandments and His gospel? Does He not dispel fear and offer protection through the power of His spirit? Does He not make us feel secure in the knowledge He has given us of our eternal nature and eternal destiny? Has He not provided everything that is needful for us through the power of His creation? Does He not promise us safety from the calamities that are yet to engulf the world and its wickedness when He appears? Could He possibly do more in His capacity as a saviour to ensure our ultimate success?

Notice that His lament was directed at the House of Israel only. The Saviour came to minister to the lost sheep of this chosen race whose privilege it is to receive the blessings of the priesthood and who are charged to bring the gospel to the nations as pertaining to the Abrahamic covenant. As such we belong in the shadow of His wings, protected and preserved to bring the knowledge of the truth to the world.

 

Thou art our everlasting God

Jehovah, our King,

Who has loved us and chosen us as Thine own;

We bow before Thee and bend the knee,

In solemnity we offer our hearts to Thee.

Keep us as the apple of Thine eye,

Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings

That we might never stray again

And cause Thee sorrow;

And help us wait for Thee

In the dawning of tomorrow.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: I Would Gather Thee by Liz Lemon Swindle)

THE CROWNING EVENT

 

I wondered the other day what I would answer if someone asked me what may favourite Book of Mormon story was. I reflected on the most impactful ones such as Alma’s conversion and Captain Moroni, Helaman and his 2,000 stripling warriors but I could not deny that Christ’s visit to America was the crowning event of the Book of Mormon.

I cannot read of the three-hour physical disturbance and destruction without imagining how terrifying that would have been, especially experiencing three days of total and utter darkness (3 Nephi 8:5-23). The crying and howling of the people would have been horrifying to listen to for that long: the sorrow and anguish over the dead, the regret of disobedience and stoning of the prophets, the loss of loved ones, the panic of not being able to locate your children or receive help if you were hurt. No wonder the righteous will be caught up to meet the Saviour at His coming, because I imagine the destruction that will happen at that time will be gruesome.

Many people today who believe in Christ imagine He will come with mercy bearing a bouquet of roses but this is far from the truth. When the inhabitants of the Americas heard the Saviour’s voice following the destruction that occurred, He articulated 12 times that He was the one that caused the death of all the people naming 15 cities which He destroyed (3 Nephi 9:3-12). Notice He spoke in first person in every instance saying “I” did this, leaving no doubt as to who or what caused the destruction.

It was only after the more wicked people were disposed of, that mercy was extended to the remaining population (v 13, 14). And with extended mercy came an abolishment of animal sacrifice and a request for a broken heart and a contrite spirit instead (v 20). In other words, mercy is only extended to the repentant.

Every time we repent of a sin or a weakness, we place it on the altar of sacrifice. Just as the fire consumed the animal placed thereon, the Holy Ghost purges that sin from our souls and purifies our hearts, making us anew. We will want to be ‘new’ when Jesus returns and we will want to be caught up to meet Him. The time to offer our hearts on the altar of sacrifice is now.

No event in the Book of Mormon is more impactful and powerful than the three days of darkness at the onset of Christ’s visit, witnessing that ‘the light and the life of the world’ conquered death and darkness on the hill of Calvary (v 18). And because He had conquered, He could then say: “….come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.” (v 13)

 

Where is the sting of death,

The enemy of righteousness,

And humanity’s foe?

The fire of its power lies in ashes

Quenched at Calvary long ago.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: One Shepherd by Howard Lyon)

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

 

I want to testify of the sacred role of the Holy Ghost who reveals all truth to the true followers of Jesus Christ……the Revealer, the Comforter, the Spirit of God, by whom all revelation is given to the children of men through his power.

It came to me recently to understand something that has corrected my misunderstanding of the Saviour’s nature. For a while now I have been of the opinion that the Saviour is excessively merciful and tolerant towards us. This error was brought to my attention unexpectedly through the story of King David. I don’t know why, but this story flooded my mind, in the middle of the night as I slept, and taught me something I had not seen before.

To recap…..there was not a king who loved the God of Israel more than King David. When he conquered Jerusalem he brought the ark of the covenant into the city ‘with gladness’ and led a procession of Israelites playing instruments, shouting, singing and dancing ‘before the Lord with all his might’ in praise of the God he worshipped (2 Samuel 6:12-15). No king of Israel was more free from idolatrous inclinations or practices than David. Because of this, he became the standard of excellence that all subsequent kings came to be measured by.

David’s valour and his accomplishments as a king were outstanding. His reign is known in the annals of history as ‘the golden age of Israel’. His love for the God of Israel can leave you breathless through the psalms he wrote about him. And who can forget his valiant Israelite spirit as he slew Goliath exclaiming: “Is there not a cause in Israel?”

David’s fall from grace we know well. What is less observed in that moment of history is his godly sorrow and repentance. Equally impressive is his rejoicing and his hope of a lesser degree of eternal reward praising God because ‘He will not leave his soul in hell’ (Acts 2:25-26). This hope of the resurrection of the unjust is known as ‘the sure mercies of David’ (see Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p 272).

I can think of no one who would have wept more when this tragedy unfolded than the Saviour himself. To lose someone with so much promise and faithfulness would have been agonizing to Him. If there was anyone the Saviour could have been excessively merciful to, it would have been David. But where would that have left Uriah, and his innocent blood that was spilt? One truth remains….mercy cannot rob justice (Alma 42:25).

I always thought I understood the relationship between mercy and justice but now I understand it at a deeper level because I was taught through the medium I would understand. David’s story has always tugged at my heart.

Can you see the perfect nature of a God that we worship and trust through this story? On Judgment Day, the balance between justice and mercy will be so perfect that we will not be able to question it…..for our God knows all: He knows our hearts, our capabilities, our intents, our souls, our pains, everything that could induce mercy….but yet He obeys all the laws that He himself is governed by and ensures there will be no one left without justice.

This understanding of the Saviour’s perfect character came to me through the power of the Spirit. My intent is to bear witness that the Holy Ghost can teach us what we need to know and more importantly, he can broaden our vista of knowledge of God. And this is why it is important for us to know Him: “Three things are necessary in order for a person to exercise faith in God unto life and salvation: 1. The idea that He actually exists; 2. A correct idea of His character, perfections, and attributes; 3. An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to His will.” – Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Lecture Third.

 

ODE TO THE GOD WHO SEES MY SOUL:
You who know me well
Teach me all that I need
And send me Him
My soul to feed.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Spirit of God by LDS ART)

A DISCIPLE

 

 

“Behold, I am Mormon…..I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God…”  (3 Nephi 5:12,13, 20)

I don’t know that anyone in the Book of Mormon deserves the title of the ‘disciple’ more than Mormon. Consider the meaning of what being a disciple means:

“To be a true disciple [of Christ]…..is the most demanding regimen known to man. No other disciple compares…in either requirements or rewards. It involves the total transformation of a person from the state of the natural man to that of a saint, one who loves the Lord and serves with all of his heart, might, mind and strength.” (Chauncey C. Riddle, ‘Becoming a Disciple’, Ensign Sept 1974, p 81)

A Christ’s disciple is someone who possesses absolute, unrestrained devotion to His teachings and a sacrifice of all that is necessary to maintain such a commitment. It is someone who is willing to take up his cross and follow Him up the hill of their own Calvary for being a disciple of Christ can bring to us a certain special suffering. Only the cross has the power to transform  us into the likeness of Him whom we follow.

Consider the life of a man called Mormon, who 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).

Not only did Mormon continue to love and serve his people who had descended into the pit of hell and who refused to repent, but he fought along-side them knowing they were doomed and when the Nephites went down to complete destruction, he went down with them.

This alone is exemplary but the spiritual warrior within him is more so. His driving force should inspire us all the days of our lives to fight the battle to the end remembering the echo of his words to Moroni, his son: ”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). 

Is this not being a disciple of Jesus Christ????

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Master's Call by Phil McKay)

A HOLY PLACE

 

 

What would your answer be if someone asked you what you would do to prepare, if you knew the Saviour was coming tomorrow? I know what it should be: NOTHING! What could you possibly do in one day to make up for years of not doing it?

Consider what Elder Dallin H. Oaks said we should be doing in preparation for the Saviour’s return: “Are we following the Lord’s command, ‘Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly’? (D&C 87:8).

“What are those ‘holy places’? Surely they include the temple and its covenants faithfully kept. Surely they include a home where children are treasured and parents are respected. Surely the holy places include our posts of duty assigned by priesthood authority, including missions and callings faithfully fulfilled in branches, wards, and stakes” (in Conference Report, April 2004, 7-8 or Ensign May 2004, 9-10)

How many of the things he has mentioned could we cram into one day? Could keeping the temple covenants for one day obliterate years of neglect? Could loving and respecting our children and parents for one day wipe away all the impatience, intolerance, anger, abuse, disobedience or animosity that we might have been inflicting on each other for a prolonged time? How about fulfilling a mission in one day or faithfully fulfilling a calling?

In the abovementioned talk, Elder Oaks says that “we need to make both temporal and spiritual preparations for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming”. He also said that the preparation most likely to be neglected is the spiritual one. The Book of Mormon teaches us the importance of this.

Sixteen years after the signs of the Saviour’s birth, the Nephites faced a huge threat of extinction by the Gadianton robbers. The governor of this band, Giddianhi, made a lofty demand of the governor of the land, Lachoneous, that the Nephites surrender all their lands. Lachoneous refused and made elaborate preparations for defense arming his people to the teeth (3 Nephi 3:13,14).

 By all accounts they should all have felt incredibly secure. But lucky for them Lachoneous was a God-fearing man and he warned his people that no matter how much physical protection they had, if they did not repent and turn to God, they will in no way be delivered out of the hands of Gadiantons (v 15). So powerful was this man that great fear came upon the people and they did all in their might to do exactly as he said (v 25).

Two other things most worthy of mention are these: 1. They appointed as the chief captain of their army someone who had the spirit of revelation and was a ‘great prophet among them’ and; 2. They gathered themselves together in ‘one land, and one body’ (v 19, 25). In other words, they were united and they had a prophet at their head. Does it remind you of the Church? Because it should.

When the most perilous times come, we will not want to be found in the world, but the most important holy place, in the Church, following the counsel of the Prophet…..only we can’t wait until the calamities strike. We need to ensure our place in the Church now and be in tune with the voice of the Prophet, now. Because after all, the calamities have already started……

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Second Coming by Brent Borup)

THE RISING GENERATION

 

 

It took just three years for the Nephites to begin to forget the signs and wonders which they witnessed heralding Christ’s birth (3 Nephi 1:4; 2:1). Positively chilling, isn’t it???

It is true that following revelation, opposition will always rear its ugly head. No sooner had the night appeared without darkness and a new star given, that Satan increased his influence in spreading lies to ‘harden the hearts of the people that they might not believe in the signs and wonders which they had seen’ (3 Nephi 1:19-22).

The more part of the people did believe and were converted unto baptism, except they had one problem. The Gadiantons who infested the land were so strong that people could not overpower them (3 Nephi 2:27).

By the second year following the signs, they had grown incredibly large in number because of the Nephite dissenters who fled to them in their mountain retreats, and among them…..the rising generation (v 28, 29). And this is the saddest part: the faithful, staunch Lamanites decreased in faith and righteousness ‘because of the wickedness of the rising generation’ (v 30). Such a contrast to the 2,000 stripling warriors….makes you want to weep….

Consider the seriousness of this: “The young people of the Church….hold the future in their hands. The Church has always been one generation away from extinction. If a whole generation were lost, which will not happen, we would lose the Church. But even a single individual lost to the gospel of Jesus Christ closes doors for generations of descendants, unless the Lord reaches out to bring some of them back.” (We Must Raise Our Sights, (Church Educational System conference on the Book of Mormon, Aug 14, 2001; see CES addresses on the Church website).

I know so many young people in the Church who have gone inactive, my daughter included. I have another daughter who is an active member of the Church and a mother of three and I can see her legacy of faith in her children. I have great hopes for them and pray for them daily that they will grow up to bless and honour God’s name. That hope is very much fostered by the faithfulness of their parents.

I also know many adults who have gone inactive and shattered their childrens’ belief in the reality of eternal family. It is difficult to stay the course when your parents negate all the testimonies they have born at the Church pulpit. It is difficult to still believe and keep going when your parents are negative about the Church. I know one such boy who lasted a few years past his parents’ inactivity but in the end abandoned the Gospel himself despite having been a highly successful missionary.

We cannot make our children’s choices for them once they reach the adult years but we can hold up the light of Christ that it may shine unto the world’ and most importantly unto our children and we can be a ‘light on a hill that cannot be hid’ and so many of us today are becoming ‘hid’ (3 Nephi 18:24; Matthew 5:14-16).

So it is up to us, the older generation, to be exemplary in living the gospel we proclaim to be true. It is no guarantee that our children will remain in the gospel but it is our contribution to the future. The plant is strongest when it has strong roots. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art by Jeffrey Hein [1974]

GOD OF LIGHT

 

Samuel the Lamanite could not have possibly given a more apt sign to the Nephites of the Saviour’s birth than the withholding of darkness (Helaman 14:3). His words were fulfilled 6 years later when the day before Christ’s birth ‘there was no darkness when the night came’ and instead, only light reigned (3 Nephi 1:15).

It is only fitting that this sign was given to herald the God of Light coming into the world to save mankind by proclaiming: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life…the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world….the Light that proceedeth froth from the presence of God and giveth life to all things” (John 8:12; 1:7,9; D&C 88:12-13).

Equally fitting was Samuel’s prophecy of darkness that would envelop the American continent for three days as the sign of the Saviour’s death (Helaman 14:20). Thirty-three years later the God of nature suffered and tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals attested to the crucifixion and death of the Saviour of the world and darkness reigned for three days (1 Nephi 19:12; 3 Nephi 8:5-19). The God of Light had withdrawn from the earth.

Such a poignant witness of His death reminiscent of His descent into darkness of hell to gain “the power to carry the lowest of the lowly back up into the light of salvation. Christ placed himself in darkness, not only below the most disobedient of mortals, but below the accumulated darkness of all sins committed throughout the history of time” (B. Grant Bishop, The LDS Gospel of Light, p 96).

When the Saviour comes for the second time, there will be no last-minute warnings, signs or miracles. He will come as ‘a thief in the night’ (1 Thessalonians 5:2). The world will be in commotion and destruction will come upon them but we will not be in darkness because we are ‘children of light’ (v 3-5). Instead of signs and wonders in the sky, we have been admonished to prepare thus that we might ‘be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (v 16-22) :

·        Rejoice evermore;

·        Pray without ceasing.

·        In everything give thanks;

·        Quench not the Spirit;

·        Despite not prophesyings;

·        Hold fast that which is good;

·        Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And when He comes, Zion will rise to a Millenial glory, and the ‘sun shall be no more our light by day; neither for brighteness shall the moon give light unto us, but the Lord shall be our everlasting light….(Isaiah 60:19)’, the true light which lighteth every man (John 1:9), the King of Heaven will be a light unto us forever (2 Nephi 10:13,14), the light and the Redeemer of the world (D&C 93:9).

Should the stars fall

from heaven,

And the sun refuse

to give its light;

Should the earth become

the darkest night,

You will ever be

My only guiding light.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Bridegroom by LDS ART)