Cain was given the title, Mahan, or "master of the great secret" which is that we can choose to destroy others for gain. After he killed his brother, Abel he gloried in what he had done. "And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness. And Cain went into the field, and Cain talked with Abel, his brother. And it came to pass that while they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and slew him. And Cain gloried in that which he had done, saying: I am free; surely the flocks of my brother falleth into my hands." (Moses 5:31-33) The power of Satan is the power to take from others through their destruction. We all have power, we only choose how we are going to use it -- to create and build, or kill and destroy. The story of these two brothers is the story of Satan and Christ. Cain, like Satan, chose power in destruction. On the other hand, Abel, like Christ, chose power in love, becoming a martyr.
Destructive Power
The power of Satan is the power to destroy. Indeed, he is known as "the Destroyer" in scripture. Everything he does is destructive. At no time, and in no way does he ever build up. He is the personification of destruction in all of its forms. Some of the words used to denote his power include:
Destroyer
Accuser
Chains
Hell
Lies
Enemy
Suffering
Hatred
Damnation
Pain
Death
Torture
Lost
Fallen
Plotter
Adversary
War
Storms
Firey darts
All the powers that bind, block, prevent growth, separate or destroy are associated with the power of Satan. He has power, and his power is real, as real as an atomic bomb. The bomb can do nothing but randomly destroy everything in it's path. It has no mercy at all. This power is so huge it can destroy anyone and anything in its path. Nobody is immune, or can resist. There is enough power to destroy the Earth itself. No building can shelter from its destructive power. It is real, ongoing and relentless.
The Power to Create
On the other hand, the power of God is the power to build. God does not destroy, He only builds. He is a Father, above all. He loves, meaning He will make sacrifices in order to build up His children rather than allow them to be destroyed. He is growing by building up all around Him. He has power to create all things, even life itself. He creates worlds where life can grow. All of His efforts are spent in growing and building, never in destruction or cessation of growth. Some of the words used to describe the power of God include:
Counselor
Creator
Grace
Love
Word
Life
Happiness
Truth
Eternal
Father
Peace
Almighty
Life
Glory
Advocate
Joy
Mercy
All of these denote power to build up, improve, connect, and grow. God's power is just as real as Satan's. However, it is different. Satan uses power to force, bind, and destroy, whereas Gods power comes from love. He requests, counsels and entices, but never uses force. His power is gentle. He is meek, meaning He doesn't use His power to force or coerce. He draws men to Him with love. His power is the respect all things have for Him so they willingly obey Him. His commands are love, and always respect the boundaries of choice.
Choice limits power
Life is choice, for without the ability to choose, there is no will and no difference -- everyone and everything is the same, there would be no purpose in creation. As the French say, "Vive le difference!" By giving them agency, God limited His own power to providing options for His creatures, allowing them to make a choice. He can use no coercion, force, or compulsion on any of those He loves. Satan himself is a child of God who used his agency given by God to choose the power of destruction and bondage over the power of life and growth. Satan exists as the Destroyer because God, his creator, gave him the freedom to choose. God entices His children to do good by promising more power to learn, grow, and connect with others. His power is gained not by seeking your own, but rather by building up others, then they give you power through respect and love. They choose to obey.
The freedom to choose limits power on both sides. Satan has limited power because he can only influence those who choose his way, to destroy. There are boundaries through which he cannot pass; his power is in darkness and blindness. Those who see the Light, and choose to follow it, are immune to his influence. Light dispels darkness; the more light and knowledge one has, the less power Satan has over him. Knowing of the destructive power, and choosing light and growth completely destroys the work of Satan. He only has power when those who have the ability to choose, choose the destructive power. Those who see the light, like Lucifer, and choose darkness become as Cain, filled with destructive power. Satan entices people with power, the power of destruction, and leads them to their own demise and damnation. The enticement is to grow in power by taking it from others. They are forced to obey.
The Fall of Power
Those with the power to build can fall and turn to destructive power. The same power that can be used for good, can also be used for destruction. Evil can easily be defined as the use of power in a selfish manner. Nations, or people, may innocently use power, even destructive power and be justified for self-defense or protection from being destroyed. However, threatening or using destruction to get gain is always evil. Fighting and wars are evil because they have a single purpose -- plunder. World War II was purported to be a gold grab, plundering all of Europe, America, and Asia. In the process, the United States became a global empire with colonies everywhere. Millions died. Death and destruction were everywhere.
Prior to this, America was a chosen nation, blessed by God with freedom and wealth beyond any previous empire. However, seventy years ago, an incredible power to destroy was used to obtain world domination. Reporters who went to Hiroshima and Nagasaki soon after the blasts were so awestruck by the destructive power that they sat down and cried. A whole nation fell to the power of destruction. No longer do our "alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears." Tears were shed at the loss of innocence, the use of force, or killing to get gain. The United States became Master Mahan. "The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost, they took the last train for the coast, as everyone was singing, bye bye Miss American Pie, Satan was laughing with delight. The music died."
From that point on, everything changed. Our nation no longer worships the God of life. Our worship has turned to the gods of destruction; we seek selfish gain in destroying life. We worship the Epicurean god, abusing each other's flesh, and then sacrificing the children created by this behavior to the god of expediency. Millions of children die every year before they even take a breath. Millions more are given over to those who don't love them so parents can worship the god of money and get more for themselves. Our laws are no longer for the purpose of protecting the innocent, rather to plunder and get gain at the expense of others. We willingly and regularly give up our freedom to choose, the essence of life, for the promise of carnal security, bringing only bondage. We have taken the one true God, who has the power to build us up, out of our national conversation, and banished Him to churches, synagogues, and temples. We worship gods with power to destroy so destruction is imminent. Truly, our nation is fallen.
Power to rise again
The power of redemption from the fall can only come from one Source. The Lord, Jesus Christ, has the power to save the whole Earth, every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Every individual, every nation, and every family falls under His care. He has all power to raise up, to build up, to resurrect, or save. We are lost. We are lost as a people. Our nation is lost and fallen. Each individual is lost and fallen. We have gone into the territory of Satan's power, but all is not lost. The power of love is greater than the power of destruction. While we cannot pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, we can turn to the power of God and submit to Him. He has the power to help.
He has power if we will choose Him. Though we are a fallen nation, we can still choose life by turning to the Lord of all. Salvation is a choice, a conscious decision, that comes from repentance: a whole nation searching the Scriptures for the word of God, and being obedient to it. It is all people, in all places, at all times, praying to the God of life for forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love. It is everyone -- individuals, groups, corporations, and all of society -- giving up the power of destruction to get gain, and using the power to build, grow, and improve. Only death is found in the power of the devil, the power to destroy or kill. Life is found in the power of God to build up, grow, learn, and improve. Life is good.
Let go of the power to destroy. Give up the power of death, to kill and get gain. Avoid all coercion or bondage and debt. Hate all destructive power. Don't try to satisfy your own desires, needs, and wants; reject your own kingdom and turn to God. Seek love. Look for meekness. Be humble. Give rather than take. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hurt you. Bless those who seek your destruction. Search the Scriptures, the word of God, every day for knowledge, wisdom, and truth. Seek the power of love, the power to build, the power to grow, nurture, and improve. Seek the very power of God, to create. Pray for forgiveness if you have used your power to abuse others. Pray for God to build you up. Ask Him to supply your needs. Pray for those around you. Pray for your country. He has the power of love. He is Omnipotent to bring you out of the destructive power, and create a new and powerful you. Turn to God, and live!
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Saturday, May 9, 2015
A Significant Life
Over the past several weeks I have been thinking about Karyn's half-century birthday. I wanted to do something specific and significant, and not just give her a crock pot. I prayed for a gift that would be meaningful, to express how much she has done for me, but I was given so much more.
This morning I woke up with the thought: What if Karyn wasn't even born? I thought of how tragic that would have been. I thought about all the people that would be affected. It occurred to me how much she has influenced the world in fifty years. Like I usually do, I started writing. As I wrote, more things just came to me, and I wrote them down. I would like to say that I wrote it, but it would be more truthful to say it was dictated to me. Only when I got to the last sentence there was a word I wanted to use but the word "incredible" was given and I heard Eddy's voice. Then, I looked back and realized that he had given me the whole thing. There are signature words, phrases, and references, such as using the middle names of all of his children. So, this is a gift to Karyn, from us. Happy 50th Birthday!!!
To Karyn Camille Garza Hughes
Think of all the amazing things you have done in fifty years. Think of all your travels, all your children, all your friends, all your family members, and how you have influenced them for good. Think of all they have been able to do because of what you have done, and all the people they have and will influence for good. The things you have taught, the way you have lived your life, thus far, has been a tremendous blessing to so many people in the entire world!
If you had not come into the world 50 years ago:
There would be no Heather Camille Hughes
There would be no Meaghan Elise Hughes
There would be no Christian Edward Hughes
There would be no Sarah Nicole Hughes
There would be no Kehli Noel Hughes
There would be no Heidi Marie Hughes
There would be no Micah Thomas Hughes
There would be no Shannon Michelle Hughes
There would be no Ethan Daniel Hughes
There would be many thousands of people from all over the world -- Argentina, Canada, Chile, and coast-to-coast in the United States -- who would not come to know God in this life.
Mike Chen would not be serving a mission.
I would still be searching for love in all the wrong places.
Because of you the world is a better place:
There is more love.
There is more peace.
There is more joy.
There is more happiness.
Because of you Heaven is greater:
More people are baptized.
More people go to the Temple and make covenants with God.
More families are sealed together.
More of God's work is done.
God has more glory.
To have such a powerful and great influence over the whole Earth in your generation is significant. Your life is significant. You are great. You have changed lives for the better, and for GOOD! --many lives! By doing God's work, teaching your children to do His work, and influencing those around you to do His work you have already become great in His eyes:
You are the salt of the Earth that brings savor to all of society.
You are the leavening that causes all the world to rise.
You are a true disciple of Christ, a real Christian, a servant of the most high God, and an ANGEL.
You do not yet even know how much good you have done. These few things we have mentioned here can only scratch the surface of the treasures in Heaven you have accumulated in your half-century on Earth. At a future time, you will know. You will know forever and ever as you enjoy your treasures for all ETERNITY.
You will be able to fully understand when you have incredible joy in the Kingdom of God with all of your "children" or those you have brought with you (including me).
Love,
Scott and Eddy
This morning I woke up with the thought: What if Karyn wasn't even born? I thought of how tragic that would have been. I thought about all the people that would be affected. It occurred to me how much she has influenced the world in fifty years. Like I usually do, I started writing. As I wrote, more things just came to me, and I wrote them down. I would like to say that I wrote it, but it would be more truthful to say it was dictated to me. Only when I got to the last sentence there was a word I wanted to use but the word "incredible" was given and I heard Eddy's voice. Then, I looked back and realized that he had given me the whole thing. There are signature words, phrases, and references, such as using the middle names of all of his children. So, this is a gift to Karyn, from us. Happy 50th Birthday!!!
To Karyn Camille Garza Hughes
Think of all the amazing things you have done in fifty years. Think of all your travels, all your children, all your friends, all your family members, and how you have influenced them for good. Think of all they have been able to do because of what you have done, and all the people they have and will influence for good. The things you have taught, the way you have lived your life, thus far, has been a tremendous blessing to so many people in the entire world!
If you had not come into the world 50 years ago:
There would be no Heather Camille Hughes
There would be no Meaghan Elise Hughes
There would be no Christian Edward Hughes
There would be no Sarah Nicole Hughes
There would be no Kehli Noel Hughes
There would be no Heidi Marie Hughes
There would be no Micah Thomas Hughes
There would be no Shannon Michelle Hughes
There would be no Ethan Daniel Hughes
There would be many thousands of people from all over the world -- Argentina, Canada, Chile, and coast-to-coast in the United States -- who would not come to know God in this life.
Mike Chen would not be serving a mission.
I would still be searching for love in all the wrong places.
Because of you the world is a better place:
There is more love.
There is more peace.
There is more joy.
There is more happiness.
Because of you Heaven is greater:
More people are baptized.
More people go to the Temple and make covenants with God.
More families are sealed together.
More of God's work is done.
God has more glory.
To have such a powerful and great influence over the whole Earth in your generation is significant. Your life is significant. You are great. You have changed lives for the better, and for GOOD! --many lives! By doing God's work, teaching your children to do His work, and influencing those around you to do His work you have already become great in His eyes:
You are the salt of the Earth that brings savor to all of society.
You are the leavening that causes all the world to rise.
You are a true disciple of Christ, a real Christian, a servant of the most high God, and an ANGEL.
You do not yet even know how much good you have done. These few things we have mentioned here can only scratch the surface of the treasures in Heaven you have accumulated in your half-century on Earth. At a future time, you will know. You will know forever and ever as you enjoy your treasures for all ETERNITY.
You will be able to fully understand when you have incredible joy in the Kingdom of God with all of your "children" or those you have brought with you (including me).
Love,
Scott and Eddy
Thursday, April 16, 2015
The Universal Bad Word
I'm going to speak today about a bad word. This word has been used in every language, every time period, and every place in the world, to the consternation of all. It is hardly spoken out loud because everyone cringes. It is hateful, hurtful, and terrible. People frequently die for using it; indeed it has caused the death of many of the greatest men and women in the world, it even caused the death of God, the greatest of all. The prophets and apostles tiptoe around this word so as not to offend; even from the pulpit it is only spoken in euphemisms. It is found in nearly every scripture written by every prophet, but nobody knows what it means; and they don't ask. It's meaning is kept well-hidden, even from the righteous! Nobody wants to hear it, or understand it. When used properly even the faithful will walk out. Sailors who pepper every sentence with all sorts of foul gutter language will gasp and be angry if they hear this word. It's bad. Really bad. In fact, I think it's the only truly bad word that is found in every language. What is this terrible, horrible, hateful, hurtful, bad, mean, ugly, awful, and deadly word? It's a command:
Repent!
Today, I will boldly use this word, and give you the full meaning. I expect you all will either walk away, or stone me. Peter was crucified upside-down for preaching repentance to gentiles. Jesus was crucified right-side up for the same offence to His own faithful family. Jonah ran the other way! Many prophets were cast out, stoned, burned, and imprisoned for telling their own or other people to repent. So, do to me what you will, I'm going to tell you anyway.
"It's for you"
Nobody wants to hear that repentance applies to them; everyone wants to feel like they are OK. Repentance only applies to those people, out there. Rather than apply the principle of repentance to ourselves, we prefer to point the finger, either actually, or in our hearts, at others, even those we love. "He needs to change." "She needs to change." "They need to change." We will not acknowledge our own need to change. Couples who go to counseling invariably are pointing the finger at each other. Neither wants to repent. Neither wants to make the sacrifice, even for love. The heart of stone is stronger. Every religious and secular community is filled to the brim with people who use their own religion to justify themselves while pointing the finger of repentance at others.
We all want to feel like we are good just as we are. Only those who are humble will be able to see their own need to change. They look inward, like the apostles of Jesus, when revealed that one of them would betray Him, they asked, "Is it I?" They didn't look around the room, trying to guess which one of the others would do the dirty deed.
Even in church we are taught about the five steps of repentance and avoid actually learning what it means to repent:
1. Recognize that you shouldn't have stolen that candy from the store.
2. Feel sorry
3. Make restitution -- give it back... or pay for it!
4. Ask for forgiveness
5. Never do it again
I always thought that this was really cool! I never stole anything from the store so I had no need to repent! Ha Ha! Repentance wasn't for me, it was for all those shoplifters out there! I didn't commit adultery so I don't need to repent. I'm good! This is how I passed half a century going to church every week and never learning about repentance. Since none of my teachers had repented, they couldn't teach me about it. I had to start from scratch, on my own, first learning why we need to repent, or what we need to repent of.
"Look at me!"
From the very young to the elderly it seems that all have a basic need to be noticed. Parents are constantly being pulled in one direction or another to notice the work, words, play, or accomplishments of a child. The book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie begins with this step. People need to be acknowledged. We need to hear our name. We need to feel like we're a part of something bigger than ourselves. We are born with a foundation of what we are inside. We experience the world and become able to express ourselves in the various ways, through art, language, music, work, and so forth.
One of my professors in medical school was older and very wise. He talked about healing, basing his lecture on a song by The Who called Listening to You:
See me,
Feel me,
Touch me,
Heal me.
His philosophy was that a doctor needed to be able to do more than listen in order to heal, he or she needed to experience the patient in other ways, to notice, or to acknowledge who they are and give them significance, and then the healing would begin.
Life is vain
However, all of this that we do, our natural foundation, is not solid because in the world everything is constantly changing. We have to live with loss of all kinds. I know many who live in the past, their "glory days" because their present is not good for them. We are very unstable because we are in a world of corruption, a world "where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal." (3 Nephi 13:19) We could die any minute, we don't know when. Moreover, whatever we created could easily be destroyed, lost, or stolen. Any foundation of our hearts, whatever we have our hearts set on will be lost at some point. Thus, the existentialist philosophers have noted that without the concept of eternity, life is simply a cruel irony.
"Dostoevsky once wrote: “If God did not exist, everything would be permitted”; and that, for existentialism, is the starting point. Everything is indeed permitted if God does not exist, and man is in consequence forlorn, for he cannot find anything to depend upon either within or outside himself." (Jean Paul Sartre)
Even Biblical philosophers, David and Solomon, noted the same:
"Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." (Psalm 39:5)
"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh..." (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4)
When we maintain a life based on our own hearts, our own wants, needs and desires, we can find no foundation, no rest, no peace, no love -- and we see that all our efforts are useless. Feelings change. People change. People die. We change. All we are inside is as passing as the sandcastles we built as children on the beach -- no matter how awesome they were. All is lost. All is worthless. Everything is nothing.
Seeking Eternity
When we come to realize the vanity of what is in our own hearts, that "all we are is dust in the wind," and all we have is temporary, then we may start to look outside of ourselves for something more permanent. To repent is to let go of what is temporary, and take on those things of Eternity. All the things we sacrifice are not really a sacrifice because they don't exist in eternity anyway. They will all be lost, sooner or later. Inscribed on the wall of the chapel at Stanford University is the following:
"An eternal existence in prospect converts the whole of your present state into a mere vestibule of the grand court of life; a beginning, an introduction to what is to follow; the entrance into that immeasurable extent of being which is the true life of man. The best thoughts, affections and aspirations of a great soul are fixed on the infinitude of eternity. Destined as such a soul is for immortality, it finds all that is not eternal too short, all that is not infinite too small."
What we gain through repentance is wonderful beyond imagination. It is real. It is solid. It is good. We go into a world of light, truth, and love. All things become possible. Life becomes full, rich, and fulfilling. There is value, huge value in life that is so far beyond anything the world has to offer. It is a foundation that is built on bedrock, the Rock of Eternity that lasts forever and ever, and will never be lost or shaken. We can have all that is eternal only as we give up all that is temporary.
"What is real?"
Alma preached repentance to a fallen people; "And it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures." (Alma 14:1) What were they searching for? The words of Eternal Life. The real process of repentance is giving up all that is temporary, and replacing it with things that are eternal in nature. It is the sacrifice of the heart. Nobody wants to hear about repentance because the sacrifice is too great, it's too hard. People will do all the performances, rituals, and sacrifice others such as friends, enemies, or their own children before they will sacrifice what is in their hearts. Instead of being recognized for our contribution, we must be humble and let go of all that we do, all that we are, and all that we ever hope to accomplish. False religion sacrifices others, while true religion is the sacrifice of our own heart, all we know and love, on the altar of God.
Preach repentance
The Lord told His disciples in the latter days, "I command you that you preach naught but repentance." (D&C 19:21) Some of them understood, and were hated and persecuted, driven and killed. Others didn't. We still don't really understand if we haven't repented ourselves. We will instead be found pointing the finger at the obvious need for others to repent. We don't want to be the bearer of bad news. We don't want to use the dirty word, the only bad word that nobody likes. We don't want to even know what it really means. However, it is the single most important word in the world. Without it, we are lost and fallen forever.
Without repentance we cannot reach our potential, or power, nor can we live. We can have nothing permanent; all we have and all we are is temporary without repentance. We will die with all that is in the world. All that we seek to receive recognition will be lost with us. The significant life has nothing to do with being a great artist, philosopher, philanthropist, or businessman, rather it is finding our eternal destiny.
Thus, this most important word is not just spoken by all the holy prophets down through the ages, not only Jesus, but the God the Father Himself said it: "the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent!" (3 Nephi 11:32) How do we do this? I understand four steps are required.
1. Humble yourself -- be willing to give up everything that is required of God.
2. Believe in Christ -- though I don't have the power to change, He can change me.
3. Let go of your wants, needs, and desires that are temporary.
4. Search for all that is Eternal, and hold fast to it!
Humility is hard-won
One important lesson I learned is that we don't choose our sacrifice, God does. I have sought repentance for many years. I realized that I needed to start with humility so I prayed for it and was soon in the middle of a lawsuit that I lost, and subsequently lost my medical licence, the business I had worked so hard to build from the ground up, and my income to feed my family. I was devastated! However, rather than "curse God and die" I decided to accept the lesson in humility and learn how to forgive, and let go. Later, my wife asked for a divorce and I even lost my family. I tried to put the pieces back together, but it was useless fighting. I had lost everything! I had no control. There was only one thing that the Lord actually asked me to sacrifice of my own will -- the house I had built with my own hands! The sacrifices I was asked to make just happened in the course of life. I didn't choose them, and all I could really do was to let go and accept the will of God as it unfolded.
All I had to do, really, was to see the hand of God in answering my prayers, and helping me to repent, and be grateful for the loss, for the pain, and for all I had to suffer because of it. Looking back, I can see that I had to give up all that I had my heart set on of the world so that I could begin to learn the things of eternity. In a short period of time, I had lost everything that was important to me. All the things that made me what I was. My art, my creativity, my uniqueness, my accomplishments, the very heart of me. I was broken. He broke my heart. Acceptance of the circumstance we are given is the process of letting go of control, our hearts, and the things of the world.
The story of repentance
I love The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, because it tells the story of repentance so well. Pi hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wants to be baptized. Subsequently he goes through a process of losing everything, even his "tiger," and ends up with an incredible story to tell. These are the real stories of life. Everyone who has sought the Lord and repented has an amazing story. I think it is instructive that Pi had important decisions to make along the way, but mostly he had to let go and trust in God.
The greatest story of all is that of our Lord because He is our perfect example to follow. Most don't realize that He had to go through the process of letting go of the things of the world. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." (Hebrews 5:8) Satan tempted Jesus with satiating His flesh, recognition, and power, but He had learned to submit to His Father.
Jesus explained His final submission, "I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (3 Nephi 11:11) To "suffer" means to "allow." In the Garden of Gethsemane he allowed the pain of all mankind to come to Him. He didn't cause it, He allowed it, "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39)
Because He did this, we can repent. We can change. We can leave our hearts on the altar of God, and take His heart. We can trust in Him, letting go of all that is temporary, and search for all that is Eternal. We can stop seeking our own, "look at me!" and start seeking His glory. It is a process.
Repent!
OK. Here goes. You can stone me if you want, but you need to repent! If you are a child (over 8) you need to repent. If you are poor you need to repent. If you have never done anything wrong you need to repent. If you are an ordained minister you need to repent. If you are Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, or atheist you need to repent. No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what you believe, no matter what you think, you NEED to repent! I join the voices of all the holy prophets who every lived: Believe in Jesus Christ, have faith in Him, put your trust in Him, and REPENT!
Repentance is not about stealing, lying, or committing adultery. It is about getting rid of all that is temporary and replacing it with Eternal things. It's sacrifice. This is like birth. There is suffering, there is travail, and, yes, it's hard! No woman says, "I'm not interested in the baby, I'm just looking forward to labor and delivery!" That's why repentance is a bad word. However, on the other side of repentance is life, Eternal Life. Paul explains, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) It's good! It's really good! Those who have never had a child can never know the pain, nor can they know the joy of bringing a new life into the world. Don't focus on the pain of a broken heart, look instead to the joy of Eternal Life!
I commend all who read this to repent, to seek life, to make the change, to make the sacrifice. Search the Scriptures for all that is Eternal, and then allow the will of God to take over. Pray for repentance. Let go of your desires, or your heart. Allow the temporary to crumble, and build on the Rock of Eternity. Do only those things that are Eternal. Seek only things that are forever. Live life to the fullest. It's worth it! If you do, the universal bad word will become the greatest, most wonderful and glorious word ever spoken!
Repent!
Today, I will boldly use this word, and give you the full meaning. I expect you all will either walk away, or stone me. Peter was crucified upside-down for preaching repentance to gentiles. Jesus was crucified right-side up for the same offence to His own faithful family. Jonah ran the other way! Many prophets were cast out, stoned, burned, and imprisoned for telling their own or other people to repent. So, do to me what you will, I'm going to tell you anyway.
"It's for you"
Nobody wants to hear that repentance applies to them; everyone wants to feel like they are OK. Repentance only applies to those people, out there. Rather than apply the principle of repentance to ourselves, we prefer to point the finger, either actually, or in our hearts, at others, even those we love. "He needs to change." "She needs to change." "They need to change." We will not acknowledge our own need to change. Couples who go to counseling invariably are pointing the finger at each other. Neither wants to repent. Neither wants to make the sacrifice, even for love. The heart of stone is stronger. Every religious and secular community is filled to the brim with people who use their own religion to justify themselves while pointing the finger of repentance at others.
We all want to feel like we are good just as we are. Only those who are humble will be able to see their own need to change. They look inward, like the apostles of Jesus, when revealed that one of them would betray Him, they asked, "Is it I?" They didn't look around the room, trying to guess which one of the others would do the dirty deed.
Even in church we are taught about the five steps of repentance and avoid actually learning what it means to repent:
1. Recognize that you shouldn't have stolen that candy from the store.
2. Feel sorry
3. Make restitution -- give it back... or pay for it!
4. Ask for forgiveness
5. Never do it again
I always thought that this was really cool! I never stole anything from the store so I had no need to repent! Ha Ha! Repentance wasn't for me, it was for all those shoplifters out there! I didn't commit adultery so I don't need to repent. I'm good! This is how I passed half a century going to church every week and never learning about repentance. Since none of my teachers had repented, they couldn't teach me about it. I had to start from scratch, on my own, first learning why we need to repent, or what we need to repent of.
"Look at me!"
From the very young to the elderly it seems that all have a basic need to be noticed. Parents are constantly being pulled in one direction or another to notice the work, words, play, or accomplishments of a child. The book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie begins with this step. People need to be acknowledged. We need to hear our name. We need to feel like we're a part of something bigger than ourselves. We are born with a foundation of what we are inside. We experience the world and become able to express ourselves in the various ways, through art, language, music, work, and so forth.
One of my professors in medical school was older and very wise. He talked about healing, basing his lecture on a song by The Who called Listening to You:
See me,
Feel me,
Touch me,
Heal me.
His philosophy was that a doctor needed to be able to do more than listen in order to heal, he or she needed to experience the patient in other ways, to notice, or to acknowledge who they are and give them significance, and then the healing would begin.
Life is vain
However, all of this that we do, our natural foundation, is not solid because in the world everything is constantly changing. We have to live with loss of all kinds. I know many who live in the past, their "glory days" because their present is not good for them. We are very unstable because we are in a world of corruption, a world "where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal." (3 Nephi 13:19) We could die any minute, we don't know when. Moreover, whatever we created could easily be destroyed, lost, or stolen. Any foundation of our hearts, whatever we have our hearts set on will be lost at some point. Thus, the existentialist philosophers have noted that without the concept of eternity, life is simply a cruel irony.
"Dostoevsky once wrote: “If God did not exist, everything would be permitted”; and that, for existentialism, is the starting point. Everything is indeed permitted if God does not exist, and man is in consequence forlorn, for he cannot find anything to depend upon either within or outside himself." (Jean Paul Sartre)
Even Biblical philosophers, David and Solomon, noted the same:
"Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." (Psalm 39:5)
"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh..." (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4)
When we maintain a life based on our own hearts, our own wants, needs and desires, we can find no foundation, no rest, no peace, no love -- and we see that all our efforts are useless. Feelings change. People change. People die. We change. All we are inside is as passing as the sandcastles we built as children on the beach -- no matter how awesome they were. All is lost. All is worthless. Everything is nothing.
Seeking Eternity
When we come to realize the vanity of what is in our own hearts, that "all we are is dust in the wind," and all we have is temporary, then we may start to look outside of ourselves for something more permanent. To repent is to let go of what is temporary, and take on those things of Eternity. All the things we sacrifice are not really a sacrifice because they don't exist in eternity anyway. They will all be lost, sooner or later. Inscribed on the wall of the chapel at Stanford University is the following:
"An eternal existence in prospect converts the whole of your present state into a mere vestibule of the grand court of life; a beginning, an introduction to what is to follow; the entrance into that immeasurable extent of being which is the true life of man. The best thoughts, affections and aspirations of a great soul are fixed on the infinitude of eternity. Destined as such a soul is for immortality, it finds all that is not eternal too short, all that is not infinite too small."
What we gain through repentance is wonderful beyond imagination. It is real. It is solid. It is good. We go into a world of light, truth, and love. All things become possible. Life becomes full, rich, and fulfilling. There is value, huge value in life that is so far beyond anything the world has to offer. It is a foundation that is built on bedrock, the Rock of Eternity that lasts forever and ever, and will never be lost or shaken. We can have all that is eternal only as we give up all that is temporary.
"What is real?"
Alma preached repentance to a fallen people; "And it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures." (Alma 14:1) What were they searching for? The words of Eternal Life. The real process of repentance is giving up all that is temporary, and replacing it with things that are eternal in nature. It is the sacrifice of the heart. Nobody wants to hear about repentance because the sacrifice is too great, it's too hard. People will do all the performances, rituals, and sacrifice others such as friends, enemies, or their own children before they will sacrifice what is in their hearts. Instead of being recognized for our contribution, we must be humble and let go of all that we do, all that we are, and all that we ever hope to accomplish. False religion sacrifices others, while true religion is the sacrifice of our own heart, all we know and love, on the altar of God.
Preach repentance
The Lord told His disciples in the latter days, "I command you that you preach naught but repentance." (D&C 19:21) Some of them understood, and were hated and persecuted, driven and killed. Others didn't. We still don't really understand if we haven't repented ourselves. We will instead be found pointing the finger at the obvious need for others to repent. We don't want to be the bearer of bad news. We don't want to use the dirty word, the only bad word that nobody likes. We don't want to even know what it really means. However, it is the single most important word in the world. Without it, we are lost and fallen forever.
Without repentance we cannot reach our potential, or power, nor can we live. We can have nothing permanent; all we have and all we are is temporary without repentance. We will die with all that is in the world. All that we seek to receive recognition will be lost with us. The significant life has nothing to do with being a great artist, philosopher, philanthropist, or businessman, rather it is finding our eternal destiny.
Thus, this most important word is not just spoken by all the holy prophets down through the ages, not only Jesus, but the God the Father Himself said it: "the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent!" (3 Nephi 11:32) How do we do this? I understand four steps are required.
1. Humble yourself -- be willing to give up everything that is required of God.
2. Believe in Christ -- though I don't have the power to change, He can change me.
3. Let go of your wants, needs, and desires that are temporary.
4. Search for all that is Eternal, and hold fast to it!
Humility is hard-won
One important lesson I learned is that we don't choose our sacrifice, God does. I have sought repentance for many years. I realized that I needed to start with humility so I prayed for it and was soon in the middle of a lawsuit that I lost, and subsequently lost my medical licence, the business I had worked so hard to build from the ground up, and my income to feed my family. I was devastated! However, rather than "curse God and die" I decided to accept the lesson in humility and learn how to forgive, and let go. Later, my wife asked for a divorce and I even lost my family. I tried to put the pieces back together, but it was useless fighting. I had lost everything! I had no control. There was only one thing that the Lord actually asked me to sacrifice of my own will -- the house I had built with my own hands! The sacrifices I was asked to make just happened in the course of life. I didn't choose them, and all I could really do was to let go and accept the will of God as it unfolded.
All I had to do, really, was to see the hand of God in answering my prayers, and helping me to repent, and be grateful for the loss, for the pain, and for all I had to suffer because of it. Looking back, I can see that I had to give up all that I had my heart set on of the world so that I could begin to learn the things of eternity. In a short period of time, I had lost everything that was important to me. All the things that made me what I was. My art, my creativity, my uniqueness, my accomplishments, the very heart of me. I was broken. He broke my heart. Acceptance of the circumstance we are given is the process of letting go of control, our hearts, and the things of the world.
The story of repentance
I love The Life of Pi, by Yann Martel, because it tells the story of repentance so well. Pi hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and wants to be baptized. Subsequently he goes through a process of losing everything, even his "tiger," and ends up with an incredible story to tell. These are the real stories of life. Everyone who has sought the Lord and repented has an amazing story. I think it is instructive that Pi had important decisions to make along the way, but mostly he had to let go and trust in God.
The greatest story of all is that of our Lord because He is our perfect example to follow. Most don't realize that He had to go through the process of letting go of the things of the world. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered." (Hebrews 5:8) Satan tempted Jesus with satiating His flesh, recognition, and power, but He had learned to submit to His Father.
Jesus explained His final submission, "I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (3 Nephi 11:11) To "suffer" means to "allow." In the Garden of Gethsemane he allowed the pain of all mankind to come to Him. He didn't cause it, He allowed it, "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39)
Because He did this, we can repent. We can change. We can leave our hearts on the altar of God, and take His heart. We can trust in Him, letting go of all that is temporary, and search for all that is Eternal. We can stop seeking our own, "look at me!" and start seeking His glory. It is a process.
Repent!
OK. Here goes. You can stone me if you want, but you need to repent! If you are a child (over 8) you need to repent. If you are poor you need to repent. If you have never done anything wrong you need to repent. If you are an ordained minister you need to repent. If you are Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, or atheist you need to repent. No matter who you are, no matter where you live, no matter what you believe, no matter what you think, you NEED to repent! I join the voices of all the holy prophets who every lived: Believe in Jesus Christ, have faith in Him, put your trust in Him, and REPENT!
Repentance is not about stealing, lying, or committing adultery. It is about getting rid of all that is temporary and replacing it with Eternal things. It's sacrifice. This is like birth. There is suffering, there is travail, and, yes, it's hard! No woman says, "I'm not interested in the baby, I'm just looking forward to labor and delivery!" That's why repentance is a bad word. However, on the other side of repentance is life, Eternal Life. Paul explains, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) It's good! It's really good! Those who have never had a child can never know the pain, nor can they know the joy of bringing a new life into the world. Don't focus on the pain of a broken heart, look instead to the joy of Eternal Life!
I commend all who read this to repent, to seek life, to make the change, to make the sacrifice. Search the Scriptures for all that is Eternal, and then allow the will of God to take over. Pray for repentance. Let go of your desires, or your heart. Allow the temporary to crumble, and build on the Rock of Eternity. Do only those things that are Eternal. Seek only things that are forever. Live life to the fullest. It's worth it! If you do, the universal bad word will become the greatest, most wonderful and glorious word ever spoken!
Monday, April 13, 2015
Finding Truth
My brother, Chas, was telling me that the difference between Christianity and New Age religion is found in the truth. New Age religions teach that all of us have our own inner reality that is truth, and we live by our own truth, or how we feel inside. It's all selfish. We take all we feel and know, and allow others the same privilege, accepting them for the reality they have inside. It is entirely inward thinking. Namaste is a term that means: I accept your reality for you, and you accept my reality for me. "Live and let live." "I'm OK, you're OK." We all go to Heaven after this life, where we receive all of our deepest desires, each getting his own things. We are gods. We are powerful, if that's what we want. We are each the center of the Universe. We have the power within to make our own dreams come true. We can have all we want.
These concepts are so pervasive in our society, they can even be seen in many churches who call themselves "Christian." The heresy that God loves us so He accepts us into Heaven just the way we are is leading astray masses of people. The world is becoming more wicked because of these teachings that do not seek and do the will of God. It's not that there are more murders, lying, cheating, and so forth, but rather that people, even in the "church" are seeking their own internal reality. The Lord told Joseph Smith, the Prophet, in 1830,
"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall." (D&C 1:16)
Seeking External Truth
True Christianity, on the other hand, is just the opposite. We only become Christian by rejecting our inner knowledge, understanding, and feelings. One foundation of Christianity is that we are lost and fallen, and that our very nature is evil. We are born in sin, natural enemies to God and all truth. "The natural man is an enemy to God." (Mosiah 3:19) We must repent. Therefore, we have to "crucify the flesh" and be baptized, burying the old creature. We have to give up our thoughts, words, works, and feelings. We sacrifice the deepest desires of our hearts on the altar of God in order to do His will. All truth is external to us, it comes from God. Every thought is from Him, and to Him. We are not our own, but are bought with a price. The essence of Christianity is that we need to sacrifice all inward things in order to find the truth that is outside of ourselves.
Moreover, we are instructed to teach others to make this same sacrifice. We tell everyone, everywhere, that they must repent. We do not accept their inner reality, but rather teach the truth of God, and help them to sacrifice themselves on the same altar. Thus, those who are of the worldly religions consider Christians to be "forcing their religion on others." They feel judged, and rejected. Christians are thought to be hateful for not accepting others as they are. Whereas Christians say, "I can't even accept my own inner reality, much less yours!"
Repentance is hard!
A friend of the family was raised to know God. She served a mission for eighteen months, helping others to come to know the truth about God. However, she felt inside that she was not being true to herself because she is attracted to other women. After struggling with this for a few years, she finally gave up and decided that God would have to change because she wouldn't be able to; He would just have to accept her inner reality, to accept her just the way she is. She decided that her inner feelings were the truth so she began dating women. She expected God to change her feelings, not understanding that the real sacrifice of the heart often requires that we follow Him in spite of how we feel.
In reality her situation is not different from another friend, a young man, in a similar situation. He also was raised to know God, and also served a mission for two years, helping others to come to know Him. However, his inner reality included a need for comfort in sexual relations. He was caught up in pornography and would use women for his comfort whenever and wherever he could. He also gave up seeking external realities to "walk after the image of his own god." The gods we worship are supposed to save us from suffering, pain, loneliness, and death; but these internal gods are not true, they only bring brief respite from suffering, at best. It's like eating; no matter how much we eat, we will get hungry again, and most of our "comfort foods" cause us to feel worse afterwards.
The philosophies of the world are alluring because they teach that we are acceptable just the way we are and don't need to change. Repentance is a terrible word. Nobody wants to change. Change is hard. Change hurts. We want to hear that we are good, that God loves us, and accepts us just as we are. We can have anything, and everything, we want, our hearts' deepest desires. When I was a missionary in Venezuela a man stumbled up to my companion and I and slurred, "I'm not going to join your religion, do you know why? Because my religion lets me do anything I want!" He knew we would teach him about the need to sacrifice his desire for liquor in order to find God. In reality, he will not find God as long as he depends on alcohol for comfort. This is the problem with all religions taught by man, internal reality isn't true, and always leads to failure.
Love and Acceptance
The confusion mostly comes in our concept of "love." When we are told that "God is love," and that he loves us unconditionally, we assume that means He accepts us as we are -- but that is most assuredly not true! Love is one thing, acceptance is completely different. The Scriptures assure us that "no unclean thing can dwell with God." (1 Nephi 10:21) He does not accept any who are seeking their own inner reality, and not His. Only those who have completely submitted to His will are acceptable. The altars that have always existed with true worship represent sacrifice, and submission. Indeed, to worship God requires repentance. We must change, or we are not acceptable and cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven, in spite of His love for us.
Light comes as we seek it, and in ways we may not expect. All knowledge comes from God so we must turn to Him to find all truth. There are steps to be taken.
Acknowledge that we don't know anything.
Be willing to give up all we have.
Read, study, and ponder on the words of Christ, including Scripture, the words of prophets, and our personal revelation.
We do this not because we feel like it, not because it is part of our inner desire or feeling, but rather because we want to know truth in spite of our own feelings and desires. Both the young woman who was attracted to women and the young man who wanted comfort in sex gave up searching because they thought God would remove their natural desires, that they would automatically feel differently. Truth, however, is knowable in spite of how we feel. The internal sacrifice for the external truths may mean that we continue to feel the needs of the flesh, but cease to believe that it will bring us to light, understanding, love, wisdom, and freedom. In other words, we must continually reject our carnal desires, repenting and accepting instead the will of God for us. Paul explains this concept from his own experience,
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Paul was told that he would continue to have weaknesses while he lived, but that as long as he didn't give in to them, he would have grace through Jesus Christ. He didn't become "good" and "acceptable" as long as he lived, in spite of his knowledge, wisdom, and service to God. He didn't become strong inside himself, rather God made him strong.
I'm not OK, and you're not OK. None of us are acceptable. We are all guilty. We all need repentance. We all need the Lord, Jesus Christ, to make us fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. All reality is outside of ourselves. We must be completely and totally unselfish. Each must make the same sacrifice of the heart where he "yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19) The truth is not to be found inside of us, but rather outside, in God.
The truth is out there!
In the early 1800's there was a man, Oliver Cowdery, who had a visit from an angel sent from God. He tells of his experience, explaining the difference between the internal and external realities:
"Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind. The assurance that we were in the presence of an angel, the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus, and the truth unsullied as it flowed from a pure personage, dictated by the will of God, is to me past description, and I shall ever look upon this expression of the Savior's goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while I am permitted to tarry; and in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease."
(Joseph Smith-History, Oliver Cowdery's account)
As soon as we see the light of truth, then darkness is dissipated and we know. Truth is not inside us. What we are is not reality, but rather darkness that keeps us from learning all of the truth that exists outside of ourselves, our experiences, our knowledge and understanding. Instead of being helpful in learning truth, what we know actually prevents it so we must give it all up in order to be able to see in the light. When we see the light it is marvelous, wonderful, and awesome!
The doctrine of Christ is the opposite of all other religions. "And this is my doctrine... that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me." (3 Nephi 11:32) He is the external reality. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) We are not acceptable, nor can we ever be by ourselves. We only become acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We need to change and become like Him, making the sacrifices He made, and doing the will of the Father in all things, in spite of our inner feelings, wants, needs, and desires. Repentance is the real difference between Christianity and all other religions. Only by rejecting our inner reality can we come to know truth.
These concepts are so pervasive in our society, they can even be seen in many churches who call themselves "Christian." The heresy that God loves us so He accepts us into Heaven just the way we are is leading astray masses of people. The world is becoming more wicked because of these teachings that do not seek and do the will of God. It's not that there are more murders, lying, cheating, and so forth, but rather that people, even in the "church" are seeking their own internal reality. The Lord told Joseph Smith, the Prophet, in 1830,
"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall." (D&C 1:16)
Seeking External Truth
True Christianity, on the other hand, is just the opposite. We only become Christian by rejecting our inner knowledge, understanding, and feelings. One foundation of Christianity is that we are lost and fallen, and that our very nature is evil. We are born in sin, natural enemies to God and all truth. "The natural man is an enemy to God." (Mosiah 3:19) We must repent. Therefore, we have to "crucify the flesh" and be baptized, burying the old creature. We have to give up our thoughts, words, works, and feelings. We sacrifice the deepest desires of our hearts on the altar of God in order to do His will. All truth is external to us, it comes from God. Every thought is from Him, and to Him. We are not our own, but are bought with a price. The essence of Christianity is that we need to sacrifice all inward things in order to find the truth that is outside of ourselves.
Moreover, we are instructed to teach others to make this same sacrifice. We tell everyone, everywhere, that they must repent. We do not accept their inner reality, but rather teach the truth of God, and help them to sacrifice themselves on the same altar. Thus, those who are of the worldly religions consider Christians to be "forcing their religion on others." They feel judged, and rejected. Christians are thought to be hateful for not accepting others as they are. Whereas Christians say, "I can't even accept my own inner reality, much less yours!"
Repentance is hard!
A friend of the family was raised to know God. She served a mission for eighteen months, helping others to come to know the truth about God. However, she felt inside that she was not being true to herself because she is attracted to other women. After struggling with this for a few years, she finally gave up and decided that God would have to change because she wouldn't be able to; He would just have to accept her inner reality, to accept her just the way she is. She decided that her inner feelings were the truth so she began dating women. She expected God to change her feelings, not understanding that the real sacrifice of the heart often requires that we follow Him in spite of how we feel.
In reality her situation is not different from another friend, a young man, in a similar situation. He also was raised to know God, and also served a mission for two years, helping others to come to know Him. However, his inner reality included a need for comfort in sexual relations. He was caught up in pornography and would use women for his comfort whenever and wherever he could. He also gave up seeking external realities to "walk after the image of his own god." The gods we worship are supposed to save us from suffering, pain, loneliness, and death; but these internal gods are not true, they only bring brief respite from suffering, at best. It's like eating; no matter how much we eat, we will get hungry again, and most of our "comfort foods" cause us to feel worse afterwards.
The philosophies of the world are alluring because they teach that we are acceptable just the way we are and don't need to change. Repentance is a terrible word. Nobody wants to change. Change is hard. Change hurts. We want to hear that we are good, that God loves us, and accepts us just as we are. We can have anything, and everything, we want, our hearts' deepest desires. When I was a missionary in Venezuela a man stumbled up to my companion and I and slurred, "I'm not going to join your religion, do you know why? Because my religion lets me do anything I want!" He knew we would teach him about the need to sacrifice his desire for liquor in order to find God. In reality, he will not find God as long as he depends on alcohol for comfort. This is the problem with all religions taught by man, internal reality isn't true, and always leads to failure.
Love and Acceptance
The confusion mostly comes in our concept of "love." When we are told that "God is love," and that he loves us unconditionally, we assume that means He accepts us as we are -- but that is most assuredly not true! Love is one thing, acceptance is completely different. The Scriptures assure us that "no unclean thing can dwell with God." (1 Nephi 10:21) He does not accept any who are seeking their own inner reality, and not His. Only those who have completely submitted to His will are acceptable. The altars that have always existed with true worship represent sacrifice, and submission. Indeed, to worship God requires repentance. We must change, or we are not acceptable and cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven, in spite of His love for us.
Light comes as we seek it, and in ways we may not expect. All knowledge comes from God so we must turn to Him to find all truth. There are steps to be taken.
Acknowledge that we don't know anything.
Be willing to give up all we have.
Read, study, and ponder on the words of Christ, including Scripture, the words of prophets, and our personal revelation.
We do this not because we feel like it, not because it is part of our inner desire or feeling, but rather because we want to know truth in spite of our own feelings and desires. Both the young woman who was attracted to women and the young man who wanted comfort in sex gave up searching because they thought God would remove their natural desires, that they would automatically feel differently. Truth, however, is knowable in spite of how we feel. The internal sacrifice for the external truths may mean that we continue to feel the needs of the flesh, but cease to believe that it will bring us to light, understanding, love, wisdom, and freedom. In other words, we must continually reject our carnal desires, repenting and accepting instead the will of God for us. Paul explains this concept from his own experience,
"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Paul was told that he would continue to have weaknesses while he lived, but that as long as he didn't give in to them, he would have grace through Jesus Christ. He didn't become "good" and "acceptable" as long as he lived, in spite of his knowledge, wisdom, and service to God. He didn't become strong inside himself, rather God made him strong.
I'm not OK, and you're not OK. None of us are acceptable. We are all guilty. We all need repentance. We all need the Lord, Jesus Christ, to make us fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. All reality is outside of ourselves. We must be completely and totally unselfish. Each must make the same sacrifice of the heart where he "yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19) The truth is not to be found inside of us, but rather outside, in God.
The truth is out there!
In the early 1800's there was a man, Oliver Cowdery, who had a visit from an angel sent from God. He tells of his experience, explaining the difference between the internal and external realities:
"Man may deceive his fellow-men, deception may follow deception, and the children of the wicked one may have power to seduce the foolish and untaught, till naught but fiction feeds the many, and the fruit of falsehood carries in its current the giddy to the grave; but one touch with the finger of his love, yes, one ray of glory from the upper world, or one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes it all into insignificance, and blots it forever from the mind. The assurance that we were in the presence of an angel, the certainty that we heard the voice of Jesus, and the truth unsullied as it flowed from a pure personage, dictated by the will of God, is to me past description, and I shall ever look upon this expression of the Savior's goodness with wonder and thanksgiving while I am permitted to tarry; and in those mansions where perfection dwells and sin never comes, I hope to adore in that day which shall never cease."
(Joseph Smith-History, Oliver Cowdery's account)
As soon as we see the light of truth, then darkness is dissipated and we know. Truth is not inside us. What we are is not reality, but rather darkness that keeps us from learning all of the truth that exists outside of ourselves, our experiences, our knowledge and understanding. Instead of being helpful in learning truth, what we know actually prevents it so we must give it all up in order to be able to see in the light. When we see the light it is marvelous, wonderful, and awesome!
The doctrine of Christ is the opposite of all other religions. "And this is my doctrine... that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me." (3 Nephi 11:32) He is the external reality. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) We are not acceptable, nor can we ever be by ourselves. We only become acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We need to change and become like Him, making the sacrifices He made, and doing the will of the Father in all things, in spite of our inner feelings, wants, needs, and desires. Repentance is the real difference between Christianity and all other religions. Only by rejecting our inner reality can we come to know truth.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Fear of God and Man
In the Scriptures I find a remarkable contradiction. We are told to fear God, but we are told not to fear. Those who fear are damned.
"I, the Lord, have said that the fearful... shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (D&C 63:17)
This is a scary thought. As I read more carefully, it seems to me that there are two kinds of fear:
1. The fear of man
2. The fear of God
Those who are fearful of man are afraid of the suffering in the body. Pain, loss, suffering, hunger, fatigue, hatred, reprisal, shame, and all the attendant repercussions that come with them are a motivating force for action. If we base our actions on the fear of the things that are in the world, we will suffer in the spirit all that we want to avoid in the flesh. This is because the fear of the world is always based on a false premise.
Ignorance brings fear because we don't know what will happen, or even the possible outcomes. "Fearing the worst" is the result of our lost and fallen state. We cannot see, so we guess -- and when we fear we always guess wrong. Some common fears, and their realities include:
Loss of life -- we will all live forever.
Reprisal of others -- they are not our judges.
Loss of status -- we are all in the same boat.
Failure -- we cannot fail in the things of the world.
Loss of control -- God is in control.
Pain -- Jesus Christ has taken on all pain and suffering.
Loss of loved ones -- we are all eternal beings and cannot lose each other.
"Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."
D&C 122:9
"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth."
Luke 21:26
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."
2 Nephi 8:7
There is even a false fear of God: "Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men..."
2 Nephi 27:25
Fear God. (1 Peter 2:17)
As Peter said, we are commanded to fear God, and not to fear man. Fear of God is based on the truth. When we know who we are in relation to God, we will come to Him in fear and trembling. We need Him for everything, being totally dependent on Him for all things. Nothing good can come to us without Him. Without him all is lost, fallen, hopeless, lonely, and worthless.
Without Him we really are lost.
Without Him we really are fallen.
Without Him we really have no power.
Without Him we really are nothing.
Without Him we will lose everything.
Without Him we will die every death.
Without Him we are alone.
Without Him we will suffer untold and immeasurable pain.
Without Him we can only fail, no matter how much effort we expend.
Fearing God, then, is fearing the reality of what we are, lost, alone, powerless, and suffering. These are the real things to fear. God has all power over every sense of our salvation so it is logical and reasonable to fear Him, to fear His judgment. All the things we fear in the world are really under the control and power of God. It's His judgment we need to fear.
"I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me." (D&C 76:5)
The antidote for the fear of the world, is knowledge. We don't need to know everything that will happen, only that God knows, and He loves us and will care for us. If we understand in our hearts the truth of our own situation, where we stand before God and man, we would never fear man, but rather we would fear God. Our concerns would be to Him, asking, "What does God think of me?" The fear of God would drive all of our actions, and we would come to know Him and love Him. Even in love we maintain that fear, knowing that He would never let us down, but that we may fall by our own volition. By remaining fearful we continually submit to His will, giving up our own, "even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)
One of the most intelligent children I have ever met is Ethan Daniel Hughes. I became his step-father when he was four years old. He had lived his life during a time of great difficulty in the family because his father had cancer and was slowly dying. He was a child that needed guidelines, but all the different caretakers had no consistency, and he was left without a foundation. Several times I had to use brute force to restrain him, or move him. One time I picked him up and put him in his room. He sat there and looked at me, and I could see what he was thinking, "This guy is stronger than me, and I cannot win a fight with him..." This impeccable logic led him to submit. He has since become an amazingly obedient and happy child.
To "put the fear of God" into another is to show them how useless it is to resist His love. Pride only brings the very things we fear -- sorrow and suffering. The humility of a child submitting to his father is the relationship between man and God that brings happiness, peace, and complete fearlessness. The fear of God removes all fear of the world, allowing us to fearlessly face all the vicissitudes of life.
"I, the Lord, have said that the fearful... shall have their part in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (D&C 63:17)
This is a scary thought. As I read more carefully, it seems to me that there are two kinds of fear:
1. The fear of man
2. The fear of God
Those who are fearful of man are afraid of the suffering in the body. Pain, loss, suffering, hunger, fatigue, hatred, reprisal, shame, and all the attendant repercussions that come with them are a motivating force for action. If we base our actions on the fear of the things that are in the world, we will suffer in the spirit all that we want to avoid in the flesh. This is because the fear of the world is always based on a false premise.
Ignorance brings fear because we don't know what will happen, or even the possible outcomes. "Fearing the worst" is the result of our lost and fallen state. We cannot see, so we guess -- and when we fear we always guess wrong. Some common fears, and their realities include:
Loss of life -- we will all live forever.
Reprisal of others -- they are not our judges.
Loss of status -- we are all in the same boat.
Failure -- we cannot fail in the things of the world.
Loss of control -- God is in control.
Pain -- Jesus Christ has taken on all pain and suffering.
Loss of loved ones -- we are all eternal beings and cannot lose each other.
"Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."
D&C 122:9
"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth."
Luke 21:26
"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart I have written my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings."
2 Nephi 8:7
There is even a false fear of God: "Forasmuch as this people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me, and their fear towards me is taught by the precepts of men..."
2 Nephi 27:25
Fear God. (1 Peter 2:17)
As Peter said, we are commanded to fear God, and not to fear man. Fear of God is based on the truth. When we know who we are in relation to God, we will come to Him in fear and trembling. We need Him for everything, being totally dependent on Him for all things. Nothing good can come to us without Him. Without him all is lost, fallen, hopeless, lonely, and worthless.
Without Him we really are lost.
Without Him we really are fallen.
Without Him we really have no power.
Without Him we really are nothing.
Without Him we will lose everything.
Without Him we will die every death.
Without Him we are alone.
Without Him we will suffer untold and immeasurable pain.
Without Him we can only fail, no matter how much effort we expend.
Fearing God, then, is fearing the reality of what we are, lost, alone, powerless, and suffering. These are the real things to fear. God has all power over every sense of our salvation so it is logical and reasonable to fear Him, to fear His judgment. All the things we fear in the world are really under the control and power of God. It's His judgment we need to fear.
"I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me." (D&C 76:5)
The antidote for the fear of the world, is knowledge. We don't need to know everything that will happen, only that God knows, and He loves us and will care for us. If we understand in our hearts the truth of our own situation, where we stand before God and man, we would never fear man, but rather we would fear God. Our concerns would be to Him, asking, "What does God think of me?" The fear of God would drive all of our actions, and we would come to know Him and love Him. Even in love we maintain that fear, knowing that He would never let us down, but that we may fall by our own volition. By remaining fearful we continually submit to His will, giving up our own, "even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)
One of the most intelligent children I have ever met is Ethan Daniel Hughes. I became his step-father when he was four years old. He had lived his life during a time of great difficulty in the family because his father had cancer and was slowly dying. He was a child that needed guidelines, but all the different caretakers had no consistency, and he was left without a foundation. Several times I had to use brute force to restrain him, or move him. One time I picked him up and put him in his room. He sat there and looked at me, and I could see what he was thinking, "This guy is stronger than me, and I cannot win a fight with him..." This impeccable logic led him to submit. He has since become an amazingly obedient and happy child.
To "put the fear of God" into another is to show them how useless it is to resist His love. Pride only brings the very things we fear -- sorrow and suffering. The humility of a child submitting to his father is the relationship between man and God that brings happiness, peace, and complete fearlessness. The fear of God removes all fear of the world, allowing us to fearlessly face all the vicissitudes of life.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
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.
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.
Friday, February 13, 2015
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.
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!
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)
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.
The spiritual part of our re-birth happens after three requirements are fulfilled.
- Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Repentance of all our sins.
- 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.
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.
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