Alexander's Verse

How Can I Find Happiness?

2009-06-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time

2009-05-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Obedience and Law

2009-05-03T14:02:00.000-07:00

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." - Romans 3:20-31

All sin and are condemned by the law. It is by our faith in Jesus Christ that we can be justified. This does not make the law void. We are still required to be obedient to the law, but we should be aware that it is the atoning blood of Christ that will save us. Our obedience then is an act of love and respect for him. Obedience is also evidence of and a building block for our faith.

Faith of our Father

2009-02-20T09:41:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year President Uchtdorf had this to say about the faith of our Father:

"I testify that the doctrine of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the faith of our Heavenly Father. It is His truth, revealed to His servants the prophets from the days of Father Adam until our own time. The Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith to restore the faith of our Father on this earth, never to be taken away again. God desires that all of His children receive it, irrespective of their background, culture, or tradition. True religion should not originate from what pleases men or the traditions of ancestors, but rather from what pleases God, our Eternal Father." - Faith of Our Father, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2008

1 Timothy 4:12

2009-02-17T15:36:00.000-08:00

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12

All on the same terms

2009-02-14T09:22:00.000-08:00

"And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God." - D & C 20:29

We all come to God on the same terms. The way to God is centered on Christ. We must trust in him to the point that we are willing to repent and endure to the end in faith.

"But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also." - D & C 20:32-34

No one is exempt from temptation and apostasy. We must constantly nourish our faith through prayer, scripture study, and following the counsel of living prophets.

Gordon Hinckley - Lessons I Learned as a Boy

2009-02-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

What an excellent message! The world would be a much better place if we were all a little nicer.

Come, follow me

2009-02-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

"VERILY, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;" - D & C 93:1

His call in the new testament was "come, follow me"(Luke 18:22). What better way to follow the Savior than to strive to be more like him by applying his counsel and teaching? Those that seek to follow the Savior in this way will "see [his] face and know that [he is]". This is a remarkable promise.

Unity and Children of God

2009-01-25T14:16:00.000-08:00

I would like to share some of my thoughts on President Eyring's talk last October (2008), entitled Our Hearts Knit as One.

"The Lord Jehovah will return to live with those who have become His people and will find them united, of one heart, unified with Him and with our Heavenly Father." - President Eyring

I have typically thought of the Lord's people as some discrete group, that may differ based on the context. It is interesting that President Eyring indicates that the Lord will come to "those who have become His people." This poses the question, What must we do to qualify ourselves as His people? President Eyring offers an excellent explanation. The Lord "will find [His people] unified, of one heart, unified with Him and with our Heavenly Father." If we want to become the Lord's people, we must be unified with each other, with the Lord, and with our Heavenly Father. Just as Christ is unified with the Father. This is the unity that will ultimately establish Zion.

"And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.": - Moses 7:18

In Mosiah 18:22 we read that Alma's people "became the children of God." How did they become the children of God?

"Everything Alma and his people were inspired to do was pointed at helping people choose to have their hearts changed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That is the only way God can grant the blessing of being of one heart." - President Eyring

Alma loved the Savior. Alma loved his people. He wanted them to experience the joy and blessings of becoming a child of God.

"That is why Alma commanded the people to teach faith and repentance. That is why my children came to expect in every lesson in family night that I would find a way to encourage someone to testify of the Savior and His mission. Sometimes the parents did it. On our best nights we found a way to encourage the children to do it, either by presenting the lesson or answering questions. When testimony about the Savior was borne, the Holy Ghost verified it. On those nights we felt our hearts being knit together." - President Eyring

Our families can be united as we teach and practice faith in Jesus Christ and repentance through His atoning sacrifice. Together we will help each other along the path to become the children of God.

Righteous Choices

2009-01-17T10:12:00.000-08:00

"And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of the Lord, and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and there was continual peace through the land." - Mosiah 29:43

This is part of why we are counseled to let our light shine. Our righteous influence will bless not only us, but those around us as well.

Blessed, Protected, and Directed

2008-12-31T10:50:00.000-08:00

"We are promised that if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God’s will, we can be blessed, protected, and directed." - Elder David A. Bednar, Pray Always, October 2008

Notice he did not say that we are granted what we want just by praying about it. He said that "we can be blessed, protected, and directed" (in what ways he did not say) if we seek to do the will of God in our prayers. The blessings and protection come according to the will of our Heavenly Father. The direction comes to align our will to the will of the Father. What a remarkable promise we have as we pray sincerely!

See also 3 Nephi 18:20 and D&C 19:38.

Obedience, Repentance, and the Atonement

2008-12-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

This post is in response to a comment on my last post.

Obedience does not lessen the atonement. Obedience to God's law shows our love for him (John 14:15). In the book of Leviticus we read "And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins." (Leviticus 26:21). In Matthew 7:21 the Savior says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

You mentioned that God justifies by faith. How is that faith manifested if not by obedience and repentance? Certainly it is not a mere belief. We read in James that even the devils believe. Why are they not saved by Christ? They rebel against him. If we were to continue reading in James we would see that Abraham was justified by his obedience. He was not justified by his faith in God alone, but because he was willing to offer his son as a sacrifice to God as he had been commanded to do. Obedience it not a trivial thing. We cannot be saved while we refuse to obey the word of God. We must allow him to save us.

Amulek bore a powerful testimony of the atonement. I will share part of it with you. "And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal. And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption. Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save." (Alma 34:14-18) From this we learn that our faith in Christ and his atonement will lead us to repentance.

The question we must ask now is, What is repentance? The LDS Bible Dictionary defines the word repentance as, "The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin, and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God. The preaching of repentance by John the Baptist formed the preparation for the ministry of our Lord." It is through repentance, when we have failed to be obedient that we are brought to God. Our repentance is the way that Christ's infinite atonement is made to work in our life.

I know that I am nothing without the atonement of Christ. He enables me to be more than I am on my own. For me this has been accomplished though prayer. I have poured out my whole soul to him and acknowledged my own nothingness and unworthiness before him. I have plead for the mercy and the power of Chist's atonement to change my heart. I have felt an actual change it my heart. I cannot say that I never sin, but I can say that with the help of Jesus Christ I do better everyday. I feel sorrow at the thought that my disobedience has caused my Lord and Savior to suffer intolerable pain. I know that I will be saved in the kingdom of God. I have accepted the great sacrifice of Jesus, been obedient to his commandments, and repented when I have fallen short. I know that God lives. Jesus Christ is the Savior of us all. He atoned for us, and with his stripes we are healed.

Good bye religious freedom

2008-10-18T15:57:00.000-07:00

In 2000 the state of California voted that marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman. This year (2008) the California Supreme Court decided that the voice of the people was unconstitutional. (LA Times Article) Now that same sex marriage is legal things are changing.

It has now been ruled by the California Supreme Court that a doctor in California cannot decline to give reproductive medical assistance based on religious belief. (LA Times Article)

I don't like where things are going. I thought there was supposed to be a system of checks and balances in our government. There is no balance here. The court is imposing itself on the people. It is taking away the freedoms this country was built on.

Unfortunately, this sort of thing is happening in other places as well. In Massachusetts, Catholic Charities have stopped their adoption services. (Boston Globe Article) This is another case where religious freedom is being taken away from the people.

Here are some other articles:
Attempt to force Methodist group to use private church camp for lesbian civil union rites
Bible publishers sued
Our children really will be taught about same sex marriage in school
Massachusetts Supreme Court calls for same sex marriage
Connecticut legalizes same sex marriage

Prop 8 Video Marriage Discussion

2008-10-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

Elder David A. Bednar and a group of young adults from California discuss Proposition 8.

View

Resurrection and Works

2008-09-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

"But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord." - Helaman 14:17

The resurrection is vital to our salvation from physical death. Without it we would have an end when we die. Because of it, death is merely a step in the process and we are brought before God to be judged of our works and we will live forever in that glory which our works merit. It isn't because our works were wonderful, but Christ paid the debt. As we accept his atonement it is a powerful force to change us into the person he would have us be. It also cleanses us by removing the stain of sin. This allows us to be in the presence of God.

So then how do our works really come into play? It is through our obedience to the commandments of God that accept the atoning sacrifice of his Son. We are commanded to offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We must acknowledge our faults and our dependence on the Savior to overcome them. It is in this attitude that we must approach our Father for forgiveness of sins. Our willing and natural obedience is then a manifestation of the change which has taken place in our heart.

Decline

2008-09-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

"For [Nephi] had been forth among the people who were in the land northward, and did preach the word of God unto them, and did prophesy many things unto them; And they did reject all his words, insomuch that he could not stay among them, but returned again unto the land of his nativity. And seeing the people in a state of such awful wickedness, and those Gadianton robbers filling the judgment-seats—having usurped the power and authority of the land; laying aside the commandments of God, and not in the least aright before him; doing no justice unto the children of men; Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills— Now this great iniquity had come upon the Nephites, in the space of not many years ..." - Helaman 7:2-6

We read that the Nephites turned to wickedness "in the space of not many years." I wonder how similar their degeneration was to our society. It seems that people have been drifting for a long time without realizing it. Now, there are many who do not realize the significance of the issues we face. Things are presented in a distorted fashion. Many who stand for good and truth are deemed as ignorant, intolerant, and disrespectful.

Rewarded Unto Righteousness

2008-08-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

"And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved." - Alma 41:6-8

We are able to choose for ourselves whether we will desire good or evil. The way has been prepared by Christ. We will be "rewarded unto righteousness" if we repent and are obedient to his will. The main thing is that if is our choice. We determine our outcome in the next life by the choices we make now.

The scriptures bring us to Christ

2008-08-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

"And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer." - Alma 37:8-9

The scriptures are a powerful tool in bringing others to Christ. This is because they contain the words of the prophets which were received by the prophets from God. These powerful words invite the Holy Ghost. The scriptures also contain the testimonies and good examples from the prophets. These sacred writings also invite the spirit and strengthen our resolve to keep the commandment and to build our relationship with God. Plus, the scriptures were written specifically for the purpose of bringing us to God. As a result those who study the scriptures and apply the principles will come to know God. (See also John 17:3 and John 7:17.)

Obedience brings peace

2008-07-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

"Now their dead were not numbered because of the greatness of their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites numbered—but it came to pass after they had buried their dead, and also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and it was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout all the land. Yea, and the people did observe to keep the commandments of the Lord; and they were strict in observing the ordinances of God, according to the law of Moses; for they were taught to keep the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled." - Alma 30:2-3

Peace comes as a result of obedience. As we are obedient to God we will find peace.

Defining Family

2008-07-04T19:51:00.000-07:00

"... The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. ..." - The Family: A Proclamation to the World

There should be no confusion as to how the family is defined. We have it defined by prophets of God as marriage between man and woman where children are born into the bonds of matrimony. This isn't a fairy-tale definition, it is how our Father intended it to be. This family, we learn, is central to his plan for our eternal destiny.

It is interesting that we are told that the family unit is central to God's plan. As a key component of the plan we can know that it is something that is very important. It is not a trivial thing to redefine the family to fit personal situations and feelings. In so doing we risk bringing the judgments of God upon us.

Overcome Pride

2008-07-01T07:20:00.000-07:00

"Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you." - Jacob 2:17

This is great counsel on how to overcome and avoid pride. It is also an excellent way to develop charity.

Sacred Ordinances Point Us To Christ

2008-06-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

"Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. " - Alma 13:16

Alma tells us that in Christ we have a "remission" of sins. We know that Christ will take away the sin and stain from our lives if we come to him, but that does not prevent us from going back to our old ways. Not only will Christ take our sins, he will also take away our desire for sin; if we submit ourselves to him. When this change happens in our life we must be vigilant in following Christ. As we continue in the word of Christ, we will have the power given to us from him to stay clean from and avoid the captivity of sin. Keeping free of sin will enable us to one day enter into "the rest of the Lord."

It is also interesting that Alma says the ordinances of the gospel, a key ordinance being baptism by immersion, were given so that we might know how to "look forward on the Son of God." All ordinances given by the Lord to his people have been for this purpose, in addition to providing for his people an opportunity to make sacred covenants with him. Knowing this, it is no surprise that God provides us with so many opportunities to participate in sacred ordinances.

Saved

2008-06-20T06:17:00.000-07:00

"I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins." - Alma 5:21

This is the one and only way to be saved in the kingdom of God. If we are not worthy we will not be redeemed. We become worthy by cleansing ourselves with the atoning blood of Christ and keeping his commandments.

Obtaining Guidance

2008-06-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

"And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead? To the law and to the testimony; and if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
" - 2 Nephi 18:19-20

Seek God. There will be many other purported options when looking for guidance, but they lead to the darkness of apostasy. We can obtain the guidance we seek by approaching our Heavenly Father in prayer, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, studying the scriptures, and listening to the counsel of God's living prophets and apostles.

Waiting on the Lord

2008-06-01T16:01:00.000-07:00

"And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their faces towards the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." - 2 Nephi 6:7

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." - Lamentations 3:25-26

"For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee." - Isaiah 64:4 & D&C 133:45

"But as it is written, 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." - 2 Corinthians 2:9

"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will—yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man." - D&C 76:10

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15

There are great and marvelous things prepared for those who are obedient. These things are so great that they do not enter into the heart of men except it is given him by the Holy Ghost.

True belief brings obedience

2008-05-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

"Wherefore, it came to pass that I, Nephi, did take my family, and also Zoram and his family, and Sam, mine elder brother and his family, and Jacob and Joseph, my younger brethren, and also my sisters, and all those who would go with me. And all those who would go with me were those who believed in the warnings and the revelations of God; wherefore, they did hearken unto my words." - 2 Nephi 5:6

Those that blieved in the warnings and revelations of God were also obedient. Obedience is an indication that you truly believe in the principles of the gospel. Those that followed Nephi were obedient "in all things." In 2 Nephi 5:10 it states: "And we did observe to keep the judgments, and the statutes, and the commandments of the Lord in all things, according to the law of Moses."

It is because of their obedience that they were blessed of the Lord. Continuting in 2 Nephi 5:11,13 we read: "And the Lord was with us; and we did prosper exceedingly; for we did sow seed, and we did reap again in abundance. ... And it came to pass that we began to prosper exceedingly, ..."

The words of his father

2008-05-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Nevertheless, I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, mine anxiety is great for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been. For I have exhorted you with all diligence; and I have taught you the words of my father; and I have spoken unto you concerning all things which are written, from the creation of the world." - 2 Nephi 6:3

Jacob taught the people the "words of [his] father." We read that Christ also taught the words of his father.

John 12:50

John 5:19-20

John 8:26-28

John 8:38

The teaching received from a father is indispensable. It becomes the foundation for all learning and teaching.

Blind Man

2008-05-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." - John 9:1-3

The works of God were first made manifest in him when he was healed of his blindness (John 9:6-7). The greater work was when the man believed "on the Son of God" (John 9:35-38). Everything Jesus did was geared at bringing God's children back into his presence. This miracle caused faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This faith is the building block and the staring point for all who will come to God.

Redeemed

2008-05-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

"But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." - 2 Nephi 1:15

Encourage Obedience

2008-05-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

"Wherefore, I, Nephi, did strive to keep the commandments of the Lord, and I did exhort my brethren to faithfulness and diligence." - 1 Nephi 17:15

Nephi was not content to be obedient on his own. He encouraged others to be obedient as well.

Cross Reference

2008-04-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen." - Moroni 7:48

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 6:40

"And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell? Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the amouth of Abinadi? And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them? And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true. And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the dend; therefore they were saved. And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" - Alma 5:14

"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 8:16-17

"I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." - Psalms 82:6

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

Patriarch / Father

2008-04-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

"And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." - John 6:39
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the resurrection of the just at the last day." - JST John 6:40

The role of the patriarch is a compliment of this. As a patriarch we labor to bring the family we have stewardship over to Christ. They will need to see him and believe on him to have everlasting life. We have taken his name through baptism and his power and authority by accepting the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood. They should see Christ through us and the doctrine of Christ we teach as well as the examples we share of other faithful patriarchs. They will also need to develop faith in Christ. This will be accomplished through our love, teaching, and example. It will take time, but this is our stewardship. The Father sent Christ and Christ has sent us. We have committed through sacred covenant.

It is interesting to note that our Heavenly Father is known as "Father" just as we are known. Our role of Father should take definition from his role and will for his children.

Revelation through the Holy Ghost

2008-04-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

"And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me. And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God. I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name." - Alma 5:45-48

We can receive revelation through fasting and prayer by the manifestations of the Holy Ghost. It is the Holy Ghost, according to John 14:26, that will "teach you all things."

All that the Father hath

2008-04-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

"The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand." - John 3:35
"And he who believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and shall receive of his fulness. But he who believeth not the Son, shall not receive of his fulness; for the wrath of God is upon him." - JST John 3:36

In verse 35 we see that the Father "hath given all things" to his Son. In verse 36 we see that those who believe "on the Son hath everlasting life." Those who believe on the Son will also receive the fullness of the Son. The fullness of the Son according to verse 35 is the fullness of the Father. This means that those who believe one the Son will receive all that the Father hath and have everlasting life.

We also get the same concept from the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood in the Doctrine and Covenants.

"And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." - D & C 84:37-38

The desire of Abraham

2008-04-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers." - Abraham 1:2

Abraham became a rightful heir (Romans 8:14-17) by first seeking after the "blessings of the fathers." He had been a "follower of righteousness," he desired more. It seems he must have learned of the covenants (D & C 84:33-44) that the fathers had entered into with God. He desired to make and keep these covenants so that he might be blessed as they were blessed.

Abraham also wanted to "possess a greater knowledge" and receive "instructions". The instructions he would receive as personal revelation would lead him to become one who did possess great knowledge.

Another key take away from this vers is that he was striving to be obedient. We cannot receive the blessings until we are obedient (D & C 130:20-21). Especially when a covenant is made. Covenants raise the stakes in all respects. The rewards and the penalties are greater. Abraham saw the great reward and desired to have it. He had faith that he could obtain it through obedience to the commandments and by being true and faithful to the covenants he made. It is by keeping our covenants that we can obtain the blessings of Eternal Life (John 17:2-3). It is the atonement that cleanses us so that we are in a position to make such a covenant with our Father in Heaven. It is also the atonement that allows our Father in Heaven to give us the opportunity to make covenants with him.

Blind

2008-04-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. - 1 Nephi 13:29

The apostasy didn't happen over night. It was a process. One of the key elements, after killing the 12 Apostles, was to slightly alter or remove certain things from the doctrine of Christ. It is no wonder that people become confused with some of the teaching that comes from the Bible. Parts have been removed and others altered. The blind have lead the blind and now both have fallen into the ditch (Matthew 15:14).

I'm so glad we have Prophets, Apostles, personal revelation, and the Book of Mormon, in addition to the Bible. It is harder to be confused when you have multiple sources for learning he gospel of Jesus Christ. (See also Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 42:16, Amos 8:11-14, Matthew 7:21)

Becoming Clean

2008-04-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

"And these twelve ministers whom thou beholdest shall judge thy seed. And, behold, they are righteous forever; for because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood." - 1 Nephi 12:10

It is faith that is cited as to why the garments of the 12 apostles are made clean in the blood of Christ. To be more precise, they had faith that they could be clean through the atonement of Christ. The repented and exercised faith to this end. Then it is said that "...because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood."

It is the sacrifice of Jesus that affords us the opportunity of becoming clean. It is repentance and the exercise of faith that make use of his great atoning sacrifice in our life. We will repent and exercise faith when we "...shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise."(Moroni 7:41) We can gain faith and hope on Christ by a prayerful study of the scriptures.

Nephi's Resolve

2008-04-07T21:15:00.000-07:00

"And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men." - 1 Nephi 10:7

I find it interesting that Nephi was not content to just be taught by his father. He wanted to "see, and hear, and know" for himself. He had the faith that if he sought diligently, that is would be made known to him by the power of the Holy Ghost.

We should have the resolve of Nephi. I have received answer to my prayers when I have requested additional understanding. I know that our Father in Heaven will reveal his mysteries to those that seek them.

Motivations

2008-04-06T12:42:00.000-07:00

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." - 2 Nephi 25:26

This is one of my favorite passages. To me it outlines one of the key motivations of the writers of the Book of Mormon; testify of Christ so that others may be drawn to him. My testimony has grown as I have studied and pondered their words.

I am very grateful to the time, effort, and sacrifice given to bring us these special writings. I am especially grateful for their examples of finding Christ. They show how to let him be a part of our life and live by his teachings.