Superstition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CFuCYNx-1g&feature=em-share_video_user

The history of human beings is filled with superstition.  We regularly create and maintain wrong beliefs partly because we don't know, and also because we want to believe the falsehood.  Our ignorance causes us to attribute improper causes to the effects we see.  Every generation thinks it has knowledge, but in reality, it is mostly superstition, with very few exceptions.

Superstition comes about because of a lack of knowledge.  People believe "step on a crack, break your mother's back" because they don't know why back pain happens.  People believe that if they go out without a coat they will catch a cold because they don't know why colds happen.  People believe life happened randomly because they don't know how it appeared.  Ignorance causes or allows all superstition, and all superstition causes pain and suffering.

Today's superstitions are not unlike yesterday's.  We believe the Earth, the Universe, and life was created ex nihilo as a random process of events, that we are a happy accident.  We call this "science," which means "knowledge," but it is really the same ignorant superstition taught over two thousand years ago that God created everything out of nothing.

Let's look at some more superstitions we have created:

Colds happen in the winter because someone coughs on us, or the temperature drops.
We gain weight because we don't exercise.
Organic evolution is how we by chance appeared in the world.
Space is empty.
Drugs cure illness.
If we are sick, we need more of something.
A shot will prevent the flu.
Health is given by doctors.
We should eat five small meals every day.
Sex is love.
Governments create prosperity.
Declining health is inevitable.
Talent is random.
Back surgery fixes pain.
Life is automatic.
Living is retirement, and rest.
Happiness is chemical.
Poking a person with needles brings health.
Love is like the wind.
A laugh track is entertaining.
Satisfaction comes from more.

The list could go on in every area of our society.  We teach these superstitions in schools, in our universities, in business and in books, movies, and radio.  The information disseminated has a purpose to bind people down to ignorance.

Some are not ignorant themselves, but they try to keep everyone else ignorant so they can dispel their superstitions and maintain power.  The problem with superstition is that we believe we know something and we act on that belief.  Rather than bring us knowledge, wisdom, health, and vitality, and growth, it brings only loss and poverty.  Those who want to keep power prefer to be ignorant.

Since I'm in the health-care field, I will use an example from my own experience.  As noted above, I have already stated a few superstitions that persist in health care in spite of evidence to the contrary.  People act on these to their own eventual demise.  Drugs do not bring health, but rather decline and death.  We know this.  We have lots of evidence for this, but the superstition that we can take a pill and get healthy is too tempting.  So, instead of being healthy we lose everything, gradually declining in physical and mental function until we end up like a baby, being spoon-fed, and butt-wiped.

This happens because those who are selling drugs want everyone to believe that patent medicines are good, "safe and effective," and bring health and wellness.  They advertise to the world such superstitions.  They make deals with doctors and pharmacies to pay lots of money to support them.  They put ads on television and in every newspaper and magazine.  We see them over and over.  Though we don't believe them in our heart, we believe in our head, and act on them.  We fear we might have a stroke if our blood pressure is high.  We fear a heart attack if our cholesterol is high.  We spend billions of dollars on the superstitions that drugs will prevent these horrors.

Superstitions persist because it takes a generation to dispel the old myths, and there are powerful forces that want to maintain the superstition so they can hold on to their power.  At the same time, new superstitions are created, and it will take a generation to overcome those.  It makes one wonder, can we ever live in a free society where there is no superstition?  Can we ever know the truth?

We don't have to live in superstition.  Today, knowledge fills the Earth.  Everywhere we look there is new knowledge on every subject.  The problem now is that every single superstition that has ever existed shares the same stage with truth.  How do we know what is true and what is false?

The ultimate source of knowledge, and therefore happiness, is God.  Seeking His knowledge dispels all of the superstitions.  In spite of all the knowledge available, or rather because of it, we need, now more than ever, to seek God, and ask Him to guide us to find true knowledge and wisdom.

Becoming Children of God

Adam is not a son of God. Adam was formed from the dust of the Earth. He was created. His body was made as a sculpture out of clay, and his spirit was put there. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7) Adam was not born of man and woman, he was created from Mother Earth. Subsequently, a rib was taken from his side and a woman was made from it. Eve is part of Adam, also created, not born. They are not children of God, but rather of the Earth.

Likewise, we are not children of God in the flesh. As children of Adam and Eve we are also of the dust, of Mother Earth. "For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Genesis 3:19) 

God has one Son. There is no other. Jesus was born of a woman, Mary, and His Father is God, our Heavenly Father.  Gabriel told Mary, "the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)  It is essential to know that there is only one Heir to the throne of God -- Jesus Christ.

Adoption
However, one purpose of our existence is to become children of God. We were not born into His family so we must be adopted into it as His children. The entire eighth chapter of Romans is a treatise on the manner of our adoption into the family of Christ. "Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:15-17) The Apostle Paul goes on to explain that belief in, and obedience to, Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain this adoption. He showed us the way. He fulfilled His mission, taking upon Himself all of the justice of the world so that we can choose to be with Him, to be adopted into the family of God.

Those who will not submit to the Word of Christ remain children of the dust, in opposition to God. They cannot enter into His kingdom, but rather have a place outside where there is no glory -- only weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. The mercy and grace of God is to prepare a way for us to become His children.

Becoming a child of God is similar to becoming a child of our earthly parents.  As with the flesh, we must be born into the family of God. This is called being "born again." The first birth is to the family of Adam, receiving the flesh, and the second birth is when we are born to Christ, to become His sons and His daughters.  This birth is entirely our choice to join the family of God -- or not!

Born Again
Those who want to be adopted into the family of Christ have two requirements, as Jesus told Nicodemus, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)

We become the sons of Adam when our body is born of water in the womb, the water breaks, and we come out, receiving our spirit, "the breath of life." Thus, we are born of the water and the spirit. Our re-birth has the same elements.

Baptism is the outward ordinance of being born again. Jesus Himself was baptized, though He did not need to be born again because He already was born into the family of God. Rather, He was baptized to show us the way. "But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments." (2 Nephi 31:7) Baptism is the beginning of being born into the family of God.

The next step is to be born of the Spirit. We must have both. If a baby is born of the water, coming out of his mother's womb, but doesn't receive a spirit, it is born dead. There is no life without both the body and the spirit. In the same way, our birth into the family of God also requires that we are baptized in water, and by the Spirit of God. As a metaphor for this, Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea, representing the baptism of water, and then the children of Israel had to go through the River Jordan before they could go into the Promised Land. This represents the spiritual re-birth.

Spiritual Re-birth
The spiritual part of our re-birth happens after three requirements are fulfilled.

1. Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.
2. Repentance of all our sins.
3. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by one who has the authority.

Once these three are met, the Spirit enters into the heart. It is the Spirit of promise. We have no control over it. It is like the wind to us. First we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by one who holds the priesthood authority, then we pray and ask the Father for His Spirit, and God sends the Holy Ghost to change our hearts, to cleanse our souls and make us into children of God. Once we are born of the Spirit, the second birth is complete, and we are born into the family of God, becoming His children, heirs to His Kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven.

Endure to the end
This is not the end; it is only the beginning. Birth is just entering into our new family and world, from there we need to grow and mature and become like our Father. Like any form of growth, our spiritual development happens over time. Having a right to the Throne, and actually inheriting it are two very different things. We must remain faithful to Him in order to inherit His Kingdom. If we turn from Him we will lose our inheritance because the promise is conditional, depending on our faithfulness. We are on probation. We fulfill the promise only if we endure to the end, when we actually inherit Eternal Life.

 

We are born into this world as the children of Adam, a lost and fallen man, created from dust, having no rights to any kingdom. Our whole family is lost and fallen. However, through our Lord and Savior we can be born again into His family, with rights to the very throne of God, the Kingdom of Heaven. As the Only Begotten Son of the Father Christ is the only One who can help us. If we choose Him to be our Father we are adopted into the family of God. Jesus Christ is the Father of our re-birth, and God is His Father. We can thus become one with God only through Christ, our Redeemer, and our Father. There is no other way.

Love and Choice

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son..." (John 3:16)

God loves the world. That means everyone. This is not about "good" people, it's about everyone. Jesus Christ was sent for everyone to give us a choice. Everyone may be saved by Him. The love of God is manifest in His Son, a gift that is Eternal in its scope, and universal in its application. Nobody is not saved by Christ. Let's discuss Salvation.  There are four distinct forms of Salvation

1. Salvation from physical death.
2. Salvation from suffering for our sins.
3. Salvation from hell.
4. Salvation from damnation.

Each of these is separate, distinct, and are gifts given on different conditions.  As parents give their children different gifts depending on their abilities, we are given the form of salvation for which we are prepared. We prepare ourselves to receive the gifts by submission and growth through making and keeping covenants with God.

Salvation from physical death

Because we are mortal, we all must die, where our spirits and bodies are separated. The body doesn't function without the spirit, and the spirit is powerless without the body. The spirit needs the body, and the body needs the spirit. It is not a happy separation. Three days after His death on the cross, when His lifeless body was laid in a tomb and His spirit was in Heaven, He returned with power and authority to enter into His body and be resurrected. He became immortal, never to be separated again. And, because He was resurrected, every person ever born on the Earth will also follow Him and receive their immortal and complete body to live forever in Eternity. It is a gift. Everyone gets it. The reason all are worthy of it is because we all made a covenant with our Father in Heaven prior to being born on the Earth. Based on this covenant we are given this gift no matter how we live our lives on the Earth.

Salvation from suffering

The power of God is found in His perfect justice. He cannot deny justice its due, or He would cease to be God. We are sinners, and have created pain for ourselves and others. We have been disobedient in many ways, doing our own will instead of God's. Now, we must pay for our crimes through suffering to the full measure all the suffering we have caused to others. As the ripples of water flow out forever when a rock is dropped into a clear lake, the suffering we cause continues to affect others -- generation after generation. There is no end to suffering -- except for one thing. Jesus Christ was innocent, but suffered all the pains of a damned soul in hell. That is unjust. Because He did this, He can plead our case before God. God must be just. Jesus suffered innocently so justice requires that He be compensated. His only desire for compensation is that those who believe on His name be spared from suffering. He stops the ripples. He rights the wrongs. He dries every tear. He heals every wound. We are spared from Eternal torment through His suffering. This requires only that we ask. Even those who go to hell can be spared suffering if they ask Christ for mercy.

Salvation from Hell

Hell is separation, it is emptiness, nothingness, a lack of connection with others. It is being alone for all Eternity. Jesus can save us from this fate through His wonderful Atonement which means to bring together as one. Without the Atonement we are forever doomed to being separate and single with no hope of ever connecting with others. Christ takes us out of Hell, and brings us into Heaven, where we can become a functional body with others. The minimum requirement for this is written, "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." (Romans 14:11) Those who are willing to bow the knee to Jesus Christ, and confess His leadership, can enter into Heaven. The three glories of Heaven have different requirements, all of which require bowing to the will of God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Salvation from damnation

The misunderstood term "damnation" literally means what it sounds like. As a dam holds back water, damnation is to be held back from growing and learning, to be stopped in our progress. Damnation doesn't only apply to hell, though all the souls in hell are damned because they cannot grow, however, it also applies to some places in Heaven.

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14)

Thus, to gain Eternal Life is not the same as salvation from Hell, or going to Heaven. There are many in Heaven, by far the most, who are damned. They are stopped in their progress. They don't move on. They stay just as they are, saved from suffering and hell, having a measure of glory and connection, but not progressing on to receive more.

 

The greatest salvation is given to those who believe in Him.  "...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16).   Only those few who believe in Jesus Christ can receive "eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (D&C 14:7). The requirement for Eternal Life is to make and keep all the covenants of the Holy Priesthood, up to and including the covenant of Eternal Marriage, becoming one with your spouse. Only those who follow Jesus all the way without stopping may gain this Exaltation and continue with Him forever.

 

Thus, the love of God is manifest to all, from the greatest to the least, through His Son. I am amazed by His mercy and love. When Jesus said, "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) He included Himself. He is the perfect example of "doing good to those who hate (reject) you" because He saves even His enemies, and offers them all forms of salvation, even Eternal Life. He suffered for the damned souls in hell just as much as those who gain Eternal Life. He sends no one away. 

Condemnation

After Jesus told Nicodemus about how God loved the world, He added:

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)

Jesus is the Judge of the quick (living) and the dead, He doesn't, however, condemn any of us. Rather, He is the standard by which all are measured. We measure ourselves by Him. If we measure up, we are worthy, prepared, or ready to enter into the Kingdom of God. If we don't, we have another place in Heaven prepared for us. If we refuse a place in Heaven, then we can opt to stay out with Satan and his followers. Jesus does not cast us out nor condemn us to die. Instead, He prepared a place for each to receive our desires. We can have all we want through Him. He allows us to choose Heaven or hell. He doesn't condemn the sinner, but rather offers the means for repentance. He wasn't sent to condemn, but rather to save every one of us to the degree we desire. Because of Him we have a choice.

Mortal life is like a journey through a city, starting in the low areas filled with slums, and progressing on to the mansions in the hills with servants swimming pools.  Our Guide, who owns everything in the city, tells us He will give us a free house anywhere we desire.  We start with a large group, but as we go, people begin to file off where they want to stay.  Some stay in the ghetto; most see a modest neighborhood as desirable; while few press on to the large mansions.  We stay where we are most comfortable.  Each is given the gift he desires.

There is good reason to "stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me." I can have my desires through Him. He does not condemn, reject, or cast out anyone, but rather saves each one in every way possible. He saves us from death, suffering, hell, and gives those who desire the opportunity for Eternal Life. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done in the past, by learning of Him and following Him all possibilities are open to you. He loves you and will give you all you desire of Him. It's your choice.

Insatiable Appetite!

Last night Karyn was trying to talk to me and there were several kids around her that were distracting her. She wanted to be alone, but the children insisted on being with her. In spite of being home all day with them, they just had to hang around her still -- they still needed her. She exclaimed, "Their appetite is insatiable!" I believe this is true of all needs.

I work with people every day who love food. They need food. They eat more so they need more. They enlarge their stomachs and can fit more in -- as the hole gets bigger, the need increases. The more they eat, the more food they need. The more variety they have, the more diversity they need. The more "taste sensations" they have, the more flavors they need. They have all become insatiable! This is why they have diseases, and come to see the doctor.

I woke up this morning feeling that life is so hard. Why is it so hard? Because I'm not getting a need filled.  Those who have never eaten chocolate cannot desire it.  We need to experience something before we can crave it.   I suppose that such a lack for any one of my needs would make life hard. If I had no food. If I had no water, or shelter, or air, or any basic need I would feel how hard it is. My needs determine how I feel about life. Life is easy when I have all my needs met.  But, looking for others to fill the need is not the truth, no human can truly fill my needs. It's not possible. My appetite is insatiable. The more I have, the more hungry I get, the more I need. It's a viscous, downward spiral that doesn't end.

Because of this, people eventually come to this conclusion and, as Thoreau stated, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." People are either continually trying to fill it, and killing themselves in the process, or they give up trying because it's too hard, and just keep wishing, hoping, and dreaming. It's easier to give up and just remain hungry all the time, never getting your needs filled. Either way, by struggling hopelessly against an insatiable appetite, or giving up trying, we become depressed. Depression is common, even universal!

There is another way, however, through choice. We can choose to stop. We can fast. My advice to my patients who are filled with diseases of indulgence is to stop. Stop eating. Stop filling your stomach. Stop drinking wine. Stop eating sugar. Stop all the food. Eat simple foods. Eat natural foods. Eat small amounts, and give up your indulgences altogether. Fast periodically. When I stopped eating sugar -- for I had such a sweet tooth -- I found that simple foods had their own sweetness, such as carrots, almonds, and green vegetables. It is possible to go back to a simple need, but you'll always be hungry for more. Hunger is so important!

And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. (3 Nephi 12:6)

Hunger is the most blessed state of life. To be hungry for food, water, clothing, drugs, shelter, money, love, warmth, light, sex, music, alcohol, or any appetite is the only way to actually become permanently filled. Being hungry is the key. Fasting is a state of happiness... "that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full." (D&C 59:13) It is simplicity. It gets down to the basics. It's having the need, but not filling it -- by choosing not to. By choosing not to fill our own needs when we could, we are able to look to another Source of fulfillment -- God.

The only way to fill any need is with God. No matter what the need, God can fill it, permanently and completely. He is infinite. He is love. He is all things to all people. He gives good gifts. He is Eternal. If we are filled by Him, we are filled indeed! There is no lack. There is no need. There is no appetite He cannot fill.

 

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)

Perhaps, then, the purpose of our fasting, our lack, our unfulfilled need, is to bring us to God. If we continue to search in the world for fulfillment, we get only more insatiable appetite. However, if we choose to not fill our own needs with that which is in the world, and turn to the Lord, He will fill the need so fully and completely that there is no more lack, no more need, no more desire -- only fulfillment. This is the only way to relieve an insatiable appetite.

Are Mormons Christian?

There has been a controversy from the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as to whether we are Christian or not. Those who are Catholic, Protestant, or other Christian denominations have argued that since the Mormon Church didn't begin as other Christian sects, as well as the fact that we don't look at Christ in the same way they do, they conclude that we are not truly Christian. Their argument is correct. The Mormon Church is totally different from all Christian denominations in several key ways that are very important to both Christians and Mormons.

God

The Godhead of Christians is very different from that of Mormons. Christians see their God as Jesus Christ. He is the manifestation of God in the flesh. He is one form of God; the other forms of God being a Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and the Father, who is without body parts or passions, whose center is everywhere, and whose circumference is nowhere, who is large enough to fill the Universe, but is so small He can dwell in your heart. God can take on any form because He is all-powerful. He is the same God manifesting in different ways; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost -- one God.

Mormons, on the other hand, see God very differently. The three manifestations of God, or the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are separate persons with individual identities, wills, and beings. "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." (D&C 130:22) Their unity is found in will and purpose. Jesus Christ is God because He has submitted His will to that of the Father. Also, the Holy Ghost only does the will of the Father. This makes them one. There is only one God. "... of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." (2 Nephi 31:21)

The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit who has a specific duty to manifest God to us. He is the comforter, He is the purifier, He is the instructor, giving knowledge and information. He ministers to the children of God, teaching them who their Father is, and how they can return to Him. This is done by speaking to the spirit of man, not to the senses of the body. He leads us along "the straight and narrow path" back to God. He is our constant connection with God.

Jesus is the Son of God -- literally. He looks just like His Father. He is the only One who is God's Son. Our Father in Heaven had no other children in the flesh, not Adam, not any. Jesus was born in the flesh of a mortal mother, and God the Father. He lived in submission to the will of His Father at all times. He learned, and grew up a little at a time, just like everyone else, the difference being that He did not transgress at any time the will of our Father in Heaven. By so doing, He showed us the path we need to take to return to our Father, to be like Him. He is the only One to tread that path so there is no other way to reach the Father. He suffered for the sins of all mankind, taking upon Himself the consequences of our misdeeds so we may repent and follow Him on the path. He didn't want to do it, but He submitted His will to that of the Father, making Him God.

God is the Father of our spirits so we are all brothers and sisters who are born on the Earth. Our Heavenly Father has a body like our mortal bodies, but it is perfect, complete, and whole. He has all power because He knows all things. He knows the end from the beginning of every road. He sees all things from the greatest to the smallest. He knows every consequence. All things bow to Him, obey Him, and worship Him. We cannot become one with Him unless we submit our will to His. He is the One we come to in prayer. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace..." (Hebrews 4:16) We do not pray to the Virgin Mary, or Jesus, or the Holy Ghost, or our ancestors, or anyone else but our Father. Our purpose in life is to come to know Him and submit our will to His as Jesus did. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

Objective

The goals of Christians and Mormons are also totally different. Christians have the goal of being with Christ as His servants, whereas Mormons look to being equal with Christ as gods in Eternity. The goal of Mormons is to become gods, not servants. We are to grow up to become like our Father in Heaven, just as we can become like our Earthly father. These goals are radically different. The Apostle Paul tells us that the early Christian church had this goal. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." (Romans 8:17) This puts us on the same level as Christ, a member of the Godhead.

The purpose of life, therefore, is not to be servants of Christ, but rather to be like Him, becoming one with our Father. "And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (D&C 84:38) God Himself set this goal for us, it is His goal, and His work to help us be like Him. It is how we glorify Him. "For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) "Eternal Life" is the life God, our Father, lives.

Lost knowledge

There is a difference between Christians and Mormons because the knowledge of Heaven was lost when the Apostles were killed. Most Christians today can only understand the lower "mansions" of Heaven because "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 2:14) The knowledge of God was lost, and only those things which could be understood by the natural man remained. Paul spoke of three glories in Heaven, "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars..." (1 Corinthians 15:41) But Christians today are only aware of two: the glory of the stars refers to those who live selfishly, and the glory of the moon refers to those who live honorable lives. Paul speaks of the "third Heaven," but explains that this knowledge is not spoken, or given generally. "I knew a man in Christ... caught up to the third heaven... and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) This is why an understanding of the "glory of the sun" was completely lost, until it was restored by the Prophet, Joseph Smith.

The actual difference, then, between Christians and Mormons is this higher glory. It changes everything. It gives us a higher goal. It tells us why we follow Christ. It gives us freedom and reason -- a purpose in life. God gave us life, and through His Only Begotten Son will give us Eternal Life, if we so desire. But, we cannot be saved in ignorance, we must learn what our goal is and how to reach it. Our goal is God. How to reach it is Jesus Christ. There is no other way. For this reason, "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) Only through Him can we become like our Father, reaching our highest potential, the reason for our existence.

Because of the restoration of the greater knowledge, Mormons are not like Christians. We have different goals, and a different understanding of God and Christ. Philosophically, we are as far apart as Christians are from Jews. The term "Judeo-Christian" refers to all those who use the same Scriptures and quote the same prophets, but that is mostly only in terminology. There is a fundamental difference in beliefs, objectives, and purpose. It is for this reason that Mormons are not thought to be Christian, which is true: we are not much like Christians of the dark ages, nor like those reformed Christians. However, Mormons are very much like Christians of the Apostolic times, and all the times before Christ when the truth was revealed to Prophets.

The Paradox of Exaltation

The greatest paradox of all is aspiring to greatness. Lucifer became Satan because he conspired to be like God:

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." (Isaiah 14:12-15)

Ironically, though, we are commanded to seek these same things for which Lucifer was struck down. We are ordered by Jesus Christ to become like God:

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

"Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?" (John 10:34).

Paul added,

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)

The most explicit scripture was given by God to Joseph Smith in regards to Eternal Marriage:

"Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them." (D&C 132:20)

So how is it that Lucifer could be fallen because he aspired to be as God, and yet we are commanded to aspire to become like God? Indeed, the whole purpose for our existence is to grow up to become like our Father in Heaven.

It seems the difference between good and evil is not in the object, but the means. We are told, and are sure, that "the ends justify the means." However, this is totally false -- and not only false, but actually the converse is true -- the means justify the ends.

Means and Ends

The end result of what you do can be forgiven, if you learn the lesson from it. Repentance is the process of change. One who is completely outside of the will of God can become a servant to Him only through this process. It requires faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, because it is only through Him that sins can be forgiven. Those who think they can fake or buy their way into Heaven without going through the gate of repentance and baptism will be bounced out. Jesus explains:

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 22:11-13)

In other words, if we somehow show up in Heaven unprepared because we get there by some way other than faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism, we will be kicked-out. It will be obvious that we don't belong, there's no way to fake it. When one is escorted out of Heaven he is cast into outer darkness, not into another kingdom of Heaven.

It isn't how you end up, but rather how you get there. The process of learning and growth is what creates the ends. You cannot get to Heaven by any other means than doing good. The sacrifice must be made. The lessons must be learned through experience. Each must take the Holy Ghost for a guide through the process. Those who want to take shortcuts may find a way, but, as Lucifer, in the end will not endure.

 

Thus, we can end up with everything, or nothing, depending on the process we go through to get there. Lucifer wanted to force everyone to "be good" by taking away their right to choose. He thought the end result of everyone going back to Heaven would justify this breech of the greatest law of life -- agency. Without choice, there is no life. So, instead of being the hero, he was cast into outer darkness. The ends certainly do not justify the means.

Justified by Him

To aspire to greatness in the Kingdom of God only requires following Him who "marked the path, and led the way." When we do it in the way that He did it, doing the will of God, He can let us into Heaven and make us gods. We become like our Father in Heaven in the same way we become like our father on Earth. We submit to His will and do as He says. Jesus said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) We must do as He did.

We cannot breech a single Eternal law and still go to Heaven. If we do break a law of God, or disobey even once, we are unworthy, unfit, and unprepared to be with Him. This is the miracle of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Through His awesome atonement we are able to repent of all our sins and still return to God. Not only that, we are able to be received into Exaltation and become like our Father in Heaven. We cannot justify ourselves, we must go through Him. It is the wonderful Atonement that allows us to choose, make errors, correct those errors and be washed clean again.

Becoming Great

The choice is to live or die. Actually, life requires that we aspire to greatness! Those who aren't exalted die, or end. They are no longer growing. They are damned, meaning "stopped." Jesus tells us that "strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:14) The paradox is that if we look to become great as a leader, telling others what to do, or not do, we lose the possibility. The true way to leadership is just the opposite -- it is to be humble and to serve others.

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:4)

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." (Matthew 23:11)

Greatness comes from submission and service because everyone is free to choose. Nobody can be forced in the slightest degree, if so everyone will cease to obey. A true leader must have influence that is never force. This is where Lucifer lost everything; by removing choice, he removed life . Life is all about agency so true leadership requires humble submission to the agency of others, as well as being able to provide a benefit. The leader must have something others want. God presents a plan to His children and asks them to accept it. The plan is: "If you do what I tell you, I can show you how to become more than you are." Those who don't want to grow simply stay where they are, whereas those who do what He says become greater eternally. Everyone can choose.

Thus, aspiring to greatness, or Eternal Life, requires two qualities:

1. Desire
2. Humility

 The Few

Why do so few find the way to Eternal life? Most choose death out of laziness. "Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." (Matthew 7:13) Destruction refers to not fulfilling their purpose. Most of the children of God don't aspire to greatness, and are content with staying as they are. They don't want to change. They don't want to grow. They only want to do as they are told, and be able to rest. They don't want the difficulty of growth nor the pain of leadership. It's a battle they don't want to fight and are thus willing to give up their freedom for security and predictability.

Those who desire greatness, but are not willing to submit their will to God become as Satan, trying to destroy as much freedom as possible. These aspire to greatness in their own way and in their own eyes. They are filled with pride so they refuse to submit to the will of God. "These, having not the law, are a law unto themselves." (Romans 2:14) Thus, they are limited to what they can do by themselves and their coercive tactics. As Satan has ends and boundaries they are blocked by walls as in a prison.

The "few" are those who have both a desire to grow, and are willing to submit to the will of God. If we take God as our Life Coach to teach us each step on the straight and narrow way, and do exactly as He tells us, we end up where He is. The means by which this happens is not by force or by will, but through desire, humility, submission, and obedience. These means justify their end, which is to live forever in the full sense of the word, LIFE. Those who choose life continue to grow, learn, build, reproduce, improve, and add influence. They direct others to do their work. They experience the height of joy, and the depth of sorrow so they feel all things. They know all things so all things are subject to them. When done in the right way, through humility and sacrifice, this is the potential of every person born into this world. Thus, every son and daughter of Adam can aspire to greatness by fulfilling the greatest commandment -- to love God; every child of God can "be like the Most High."

Enjoy the ride!

As children, we go to school and continually fight against the teachers' instructions. Then we grow up and go to work, and, again, fight against our bosses instructions. We seek the advice of tutors, counselors, coaches, and doctors to help us in our lives, and then continually fight against them. I find this all the time. People pay me to tell them what they need to do to be healthy, and they understand and know, but they don't do it. The fight of wills is not only outside us, but inside as well.

The object of life is to be continually in the will of God. Jesus said, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) If we are to follow Him, we are to do the same. The question comes to mind, how do we know what is the will of God? AAAAHH! There's the rub! Many assume they know the will of God by thinking they know what is right, just, and good. The problem comes when that which seems good, is bad. It may seem good to "take from the rich and give to the poor," but this is stealing. On the other hand, it may seem wrong to sacrifice our business, family, or home. The paradoxical nature of good and evil make our decisions difficult. How, then, can we know the will of God? I think there is an easy way.

Keep the commandments

When a rich, young ruler asked Jesus what he could do to obtain Eternal Life, he was told, "Keep the commandments." The ruler answered, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." (Matthew 19:20-22)

We also ask, what are the commandments? ...And immediately think of the Ten Commandments, "Thou shalt not..." as the will of God, but this is really a very basic start, like a parent giving a child the simple rules that he must always follow. Beyond these is the ultimate commandment -- to love God. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him." (D&C 59:5) The rich young ruler was not willing to take that step.

Your path of Love

How do we love Him? How do we serve Him? I would submit to you that the will of God is the path of your life. God is in all things. The Prophet Joseph Smith revealed:

"He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever." (D&C 88:41)

All means all, and all is all all means. This doesn't leave anything out. In other words, He is in our lives. He knows all things. He knows the end from the beginning. There is a plan, and that plan is carried out exactly, to the letter. We cannot surprise Him. He will never say, "Gee! I didn't know that was going to happen!" He knows every blade of grass, and every gnat. He knows His children well, and each path is known to the end.

If this is true, then the course of our lives is known by Him, and we are given all we need to be the best we can be. I have always imagined how my life was going to be, and it turned-out to be very different. I have been resisting what I thought was the wrong way. I have thought I was driving a car, but really I am strapped into a roller-coaster ride. I'm thinking, "Left" but the car I'm in is going right so I resist. I want it to stop. I want to rest. I want to back up and take a different road. But, none if this can be. I don't have control.

Doing the will of God, therefore, is allowing what is, to be. It is staying with the roller-coaster car through every twist, turn and loop-de-loop -- and loving it! It is being content with what we are given. It is being grateful for everything. It is praying for our Eternal salvation, and then letting God guide us. We don't do anything. We don't control the car. It's on a track, and God is the switch man. He decides what track we go on next.

The rich, young ruler was not willing to give up his own control and put his trust in God. He didn't do as he was told. To do the will of God, then, is to seek his counsel and simply be willing to do whatever He says. He tells us of Eternal Life, and we decide. We say, "I want that" and ask Him for gifts of the Spirit that will help us on our path. Keeping the commandments is doing exactly as He directs each day of our lives as we go through our journey.

Most of this direction is not a voice or Jesus telling you to "go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor," but rather it is the direction of our roller-coaster car. We are placed in situations where we need to make choices. We feel the need, and do it, then He will switch us to a different track. We let go of our own ideas and begin to understand His. This process happens gradually, over time. "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2 Nephi 28:30) The rich, young ruler will lose everything he has, sooner or later. But if he chose to do God's will, his track would have been very different!

May I submit that we often do the same? We ask God for gifts, but when we find out the sacrifice required to obtain them, we opt out, or fight against it. We think that it isn't right. But, whatever God does is good -- by definition. When I asked for the gift of charity, and was told to sacrifice my business, family, home, and everything I had built up, I resisted. However, I listened to the Spirit, and eventually gave in. I thought that would be all, but now I find the need to give more. It never ends. Each road we go down is a sacrifice, and a blessing. Jesus said, "And every one 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) It may feel wrong, but we have to put our trust in Him.

 

We aren't in control. When we try to be in control, we resist the will of God. He is in control. In order to know His will, we need to let go of control and put our trust in Him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6) When I was young I was afraid of roller-coasters until my best friend, Ronne, told me what his dad told him, "They don't make them to kill people." They are made to be safe, and fun. So, we went on the brand-new Revolution at Magic Mountain, and I immediately wanted to go again. It was exciting! We went four times in a row. By letting go of control, and putting my trust in the creator of the ride, I found it fun. I am a witness that God does direct our paths; indeed, He created the paths we go down. This is His will. There is no need to resist the course of our lives, or try to be in control. Trust in Him. Do His will. Let Him direct your paths. Let go of your own will, and enjoy the ride!