Overcoming Spiritual Death

I am contemplating how the Lord works with us. How long is He patient with us? 3 Nephi 9:13 was on my mind yesterday and it still is today. I have so many things to repent of. Now is the time to repent, truly change, be a better father, husband, home-teacher, better w/ the teacher's quorum, etc. I'm grateful for the Lord's mercy He extends to us but I realize His hand may not always be there. I must be moving in the right direction. I'm grateful for His mercy. I pray for strength to overcome my sins and weaknesses and then be healed by Him. I love this verse:
"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" (3 Nephi 9:13). This is a continual process over and over again. The more we become like Jesus, the more we see there is to change in our lives. I love Him. I am grateful for Him.

"Return Unto Me" 3 Nephi 9:13-14

3 Nephi 9:13-14

After Jesus Christ was resurrected and visited the inhabitants in the Americas, he told those that were still living in the land, "O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me" (3 Nephi 9:13-14).

This points out that we all are on the road of discipleship if we are turning to Him and coming unto Him. Ether 12:27 explains that if we come unto Him, we will see our weakness. As we repent, we are forgiven and healed. I have felt this and desire to receive this again and again as I repent fully of my many sins.

Many do not believe this doctrine. They believe it is as simple as confessing Christ and then you are forgiven and healed. Amulek spoke with Zeezrom, a wicked lawyer, and told him, "the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins" (Helaman 5:10). He doesn't redeem us "IN" our sins but "FROM" our sins that we have given away to know Him (Alma 22:18).

The story of the converted Ammonites and their swords becoming bright is the perfect metaphor for true repentance. The Lamanites had been a blood-thirsty people but heard the word of God and buried their weapons of war. They said, "it was all we could do to repent [Greek; to change one's mind or purpose] sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain--" (Alma 24:11). He could not heal them or forgive them if their swords were still bloody. Faith without works is dead, being alone (James 2:17-18).

This doctrine leads me to my knees, for there are many sins I still struggle to overcome. I have faith that I will receive the help I need from the Savior to support me as I struggle to turn to Him and be healed, just as He has done with other sins that I have eventually overcome through Christ and then received of His blood to cleanse me. Then the Holy Ghost has come in with greater abundance and sanctified my heart more and more as these sins have become stains washed away. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. He is my hope and salvation.

King-men vs. Freemen

King-men vs. Freemen

King-men:

Desire power and authority (Alma 51:8; 60:16, 17)

“they were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land” (Alma 51:5).

“Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people” (Alma 51:8).

A feeling of pride and nobility (Alma 51:17-18).

Refuse to take up arms in defense of their country and liberty (Alma 51:13).

Were glad in their hearts to see outside forces coming down to battle against them (Alma 51:13).

“professed the blood of nobility” (Alma 51:21).

“they have used great flattery, and they have led away the hearts of many people,…they have withheld our provisions, and have daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you” (Alma 61:4).

They drove out Pahoran, the governor (Alma 61:5).

Political maneuverings to become king (Alma 61:8).

Prevent Nephites from dispersing enemies (Alma 61:16).

Freemen:

“the freemen had sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of their religion by a free government” (Alma 51:6).

“I seek not for power, but to pull it down, I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country” (Alma 60:36).

Seek to retain judgment seat to preserve the rights and liberties of the people (Alma 61:9).

Recognize God for being the source of freedom (Alma 61:9).

Resist those seeking to destroy liberties with words and then with swords (Alma 61:10-14).

"Who Overcome by Faith," (Doct. & Cov. 76:53).

I have been pondering the Church's stand on immigration, conversations I have had with priesthood leaders on hiring illegal immigrants, and other guidance I have received from my priesthood leaders. I have come to the conclusion that I know very little. One thing I do know is that my salvation depends upon Jesus Christ, my repentance and humility and willingness to submit to every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. As Doctrine and Covenants points out, those that will receive eternal celestial glory will be those who "overcome by faith" (Doct. and Cov. 76:53). My faith is in Jesus Christ, who will judge me according to my works and the desires of my heart.

The Fight for Freedom, Agency

I have contemplated deeply the level of my political involvement. I have stood at arm's length, learning much about the Constitution and the founding fathers, etc. I feel the urgency for all of us to be righteous and turn to God for His guidance and help. That is the first thing and continuing thing we ought to do to ensure His blessings upon us and this great nation. But, I also think more is required. Look at Moroni's letter to Pahoran through the lens of asking if it is okay to just be righteous and raise a good family or if we have a civic duty to become involved with our community, state, and national governments:

10 And now, my beloved brethren—for ye ought to be beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for ^aknown unto God were all their cries, and all their sufferings—

11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain.

12 Do ye ^asuppose that, because so many of your brethren have been killed it is because of their wickedness? I say unto you, if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it is to your condemnation;

13 For the Lord suffereth the ^arighteous to be slain that his justice and ^bjudgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God.

14 And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly that the judgments of God will come upon this people, because of their exceeding ^aslothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain (Alma 60:10-14).

That is an interesting commentary. I believe I have been guilty of not taking on an active role in the political process of protecting liberty and freedom. As Moroni stated, "ye ought to have stirred yourselves more diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people" (Alma 60:10). That is us! Yes, we need to focus on keeping the commandments, but as Cpt. Moroni saw it, part of keeping the commandments was responsibly seeking to guard our precious freedoms. We do this by understanding the Constitution and the intent of it by learning the intentions of the founding fathers. I have been reading, "The Real George Washington." It has taught me more about the Constitution and the intent thereof than any other book besides The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon teaches the doctrinal foundations of liberty, agency, and the necessity and purposes of those gifts from God...to allow us room to grow and develop through repentance and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ. If we don't have freedom to choose and live according to the dictates of our own conscience, then how do we really exercise agency? George Washington and the other great founding fathers understood these doctrines and principles. I am amazed as I learn more about them.

Here is a talk given by my brother that sums up very nicely our responsibilities and blessings:

Why give a talk on freedom and patriotism? What does that have to do with the gospel? Freedom has everything to do with the gospel. It is a foundational doctrine that differentiates God’s plan from Satan’s plan. Freedom has been the issue since the war in heaven and it rages on today as the fundamental basis of who we are and hope to beome.

I’ve broken my talk today into three sections. 1) God’s hand in establishing America. 2) Principles of Freedom 3) Patriotism.

1) God’s hand in establishing America

Is there any evidence that Heavenly Father really was directly involved in establishing our free country? How about a primary source – a first-hand testimony? D&C 101: 80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

“I established the Constitution.”

J. Reuben Clark had this to say about this verse of scripture CR Apr 35

“The statement of the Lord, “I have established the Constitution” puts it in the position in which it would be if it were written in this Doctrine & Covenants itself. This makes the Constitution the WORD OF THE LORD to us.”

A little over a year ago, it dawned on me that I had read the scriptures over and over again but I hadn’t ever read the Constitution. The thought hit me, “How can I be informed and understand the true principles of liberty if I haven’t read and studied about the Constitution?” As I’ve read and studied the Constitution it has become very clear to me that the Constitution was established by God himself because the principles in there are true gospel principles.

“…wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose.”

What of the wise men whom He raised up to the very purpose of establishing a free land? Do they offer any testimony that God’s hand was evident in our nation’s founding? Once again, we can read straight from their own words:

In George Washington’s Inaugural address, April 30, 1798 he said, “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.”

It’s interesting that as an elected official and speaking as the President of the United States, George Washington had no problem acknowledging God’s hand in our behalf – he did so publicly and without any reservation.

Constitutional Convention situation. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest man present, arose and stated his faith in an overruling Providence and in the power of prayer, and then said:

I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: That God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?

We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . .

I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business . . . (Speech to the Constitutional Convention, June 28, 1787)

James Madison put it this way, “It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it a finger of that Almighty hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the revolution” (The Federalist, no. 37

As many of you know, Pres Wilford Woodruff had a remarkable experience in the temple with our Founding Fathers. He said, “Another thing I am going to say here, because I have a right to say it. Every one of those men that signed the Declaration of Independence, with General Washington, called upon me, as an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Temple at St. George, two consecutive nights, and demanded at my hands that I should go forth and attend to the ordinances of the House of God for them . . .Would those spirits have called upon me, as an Elder in Israel, to perform that work if they had not been noble spirits before God? They would not." (Wilford Woodruff, Conference Report, April 1898, p. 89-90.)

It is clear to me that the Lord really did raise up these righteous men to a very important purpose. It seems popular now days though to put down our Founding Fathers in an attempt to discredit them and to discredit the divine principles they stood for. Pres Ezra Taft Benson had some pointed words in response. “When one casts doubt about the character of these noble sons of God, I believe that he or she will have to answer to the God of Heaven for it!" (“God’s Hand in Our Nation’s History” 307-09; This Nation Shall Endure 18-19 )

I have spent a significant amount of time lately studying these good men and their words and I can personally testify that they were some of the noble and great ones spoken of by Abraham.

2) Principles of Freedom

God’s eternal truths are established over and over again in the founding documents of our country. We are familiar with these words from the Declaration of Independence, “…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men” As Latter-day Saints we recognize the fundamental doctrines contained in these two sentences.

It is interesting that what the Lord taught Thomas Jefferson he also taught to Joseph Smith. D&C 134:1 and 2 states, “We believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man. …We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.” Does the Declaration of Independence and D&C 134 sound similar to you? It should. Why – because they are God’s true doctrines and principles.

Both the Declaration of Independence and D&C 134 define freedom to be the protection of individual rights and both clearly explain that those rights come from God – not from government – and that governments role is simply to protect those God-given rights. D&C 134:4 states, … “the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.”

To what end? To the end that we might truly be free and exercise our agency – in other words so we can have freedom. Freedom to do what? Freedom to worship, freedom to progress, freedom to act and not be acted upon, freedom to proclaim the gospel, freedom to choose the right, freedom to teach our children the truth, the list goes on and on. No wonder God is so interested in establishing a nation that respects and fosters freedom. It is the essential element that differentiates His plan from Satan’s plan.

D&C 101:78 puts it this way, “That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment”.

Marion G. Romney stated, “We who hold the priesthood must beware concerning ourselves, that we do not fall into the traps that Satan lays to rob us of our freedom. His main attack is still on free agency. When he can get men to yield their agency, he has them well on the way to captivity. We must be careful we are not led to accept or support in any way, any organization, or cause which would jeopardize free agency, whether it be in politics, government, religion, employment, education, or any other field. CR Oct 60

A clear view of freedom and its principles opens the door for us to more fully appreciate, understand, and fight for what our predecessors gave their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to provide for us - FREEDOM.

3) Patriotism

A fair question seems to be, “So, knowing what I know about God and His interest and involvement in principles of freedom and the Constitution (or, if you are like me the more accurate question would be, “knowing what I don’t know about freedom and the Constitution”) what is my duty? For years, I have had deep feelings about the Constitution and freedom and yet I haven’t known really what to do about it. Isn’t that the essence of patriotism - actually doing something about what you feel for your country?

Let me give you a few motivational quotes that talk about our general responsibility and then I will follow that up with specifics about what to do. And, don’t worry if these quotes make you feel a little uncomfortable. As Harold B Lee put it, “apparently the gospel of Jesus Christ is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

David O McKay stated, “Next to being one in worshipping god, THERE IS NOTHING in this world upon which the Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution.” Pres. David O. McKay — Instructor 1956 pg. 94

"Maybe the Lord will never set up a specific Church program for the purpose of saving the Constitution. . . .

"The Prophet Joseph Smith declared it will be the elders of Israel who will step forward to help save the Constitution, not the Church. . . .

"Brethren, if we had done our homework and were faithful, we could step forward at this time and help save this country. The fact that most of us are unprepared to do it is an indictment we will have to bear. (Conference Report, April 1965, Era, p. 539; as quoted in An Enemy Hath Done This, pp. 278-279.)

The fight for freedom is God's fight. . . . When a man stands for freedom he stands with God. And as long as he stands for freedom he stands with God. And were he to stand alone he would still stand with God—the best company and the greatest power in or out of this world. Any man will be eternally vindicated and rewarded for his stand for freedom." “An Enemy Hath Done This,” p. xi, 1969.

"Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the prophet and hence keep the priesthood off balance, ineffective, and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of perverse reasoning.

"For example, he will argue, 'There is no need to get involved in the fight for freedom;all you need to do is live the gospel.' Of course this is a contradiction, because we cannot fully live the gospel and not be involved in the fight for freedom.

"We would not say to someone, 'There is no need to be baptized—all you need to do is live the gospel.' That would be ridiculous because baptism is a part of the gospel. How would you have reacted if during the War in Heaven someone had said to you, 'Look, just do what is right; there is no need to get involved in the fight for free agency.' It is obvious what the devil is trying to do, but it is sad to see many of us fall for his destructive line.

"The cause of freedom is a most basic part of our religion. Our position on freedom helped get us to this earth and it can make the difference as to whether we get back home or not." (Pres Ezra Taft Benson, BYU address 1966.)

And finally, President Benson has warned: "One of our most serious problems is the inferiority complex which people feel when they are not informed and organized. They dare not make a decision on these vital issues. They let other people think for them. They stumble around in the middle of the road trying to avoid being 'controversial,' and get hit by traffic going both ways. In this mighty struggle each of you has a part. Every person on the earth today chose the right side during the War in Heaven. Be on the right side now. Stand up and be counted." (Ezra Taft Benson. Stand Up for Freedom. Assembly Hall, Temple Square, Feb. 1966)

Are you still with me?

In General Conference, 1987, Ezra Taft Benson said, “We are fast approaching that moment prophesied by Joseph Smith when he said, “Even this nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground, and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin, this people will be the staff upon which the nation shall lean, and they shall bear the Constitution away from the very verge of destruction.” Are we reading the Constitution and pondering it? ARE WE TEACHING IT’S PRINCIPLES TO OTHERS?

Could we defend the Constitution? Do we know what the prophets have said about the Constitution and the threats to it? Have we studied the Federalist papers? IT IS OUR SACRED RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS PERPETUATED so that the Church may more easily flourish in the future.

I reverence the Constitution as a sacred document. To me it’s words are akin to the revelations of God. I testify that God sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundations of the government, AND HE HAS NOW SENT OTHER CHOICE SPIRITS TO HELP PRESERVE IT!”

. You may think you can do little about the national economy or the actions of our government and the moral weakness all about us, but we must all remember that the Lord has placed great responsibilities upon the elders of Israel in the preservation of our Constitution.( Source: Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson 622; from an address given at a Young Adult Fireside, Logan, UT, 11 Feb 1979 )

So, specifically, what can we do?

1. We must be righteous and moral. We must live the gospel principles—all of them. We have no right to expect a higher degree of morality from those who represent us than what we ourselves are. In the final analysis, people generally get the kind of government they deserve. To live a higher law means we will not seek to receive what we have not earned by our own labor. It means we will remember that government owes us nothing. It means we will keep the laws of the land. It means we will look to God as our Lawgiver and the Source of our liberty.

May I add George Washington’s sound statement, “of all the dispositions of habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” And John Adams who stated, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

2. We must learn the principles of the Constitution and then abide by its precepts "If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be." - Thomas Jefferson

3. We must become involved in civic affairs. As citizens of this republic, we cannot do our duty and be idle spectators

4. We must make our influence felt by our vote, our letters, and our advice. We must be wisely informed and let others know how we feel. We must take part in local precinct meetings and select delegates who will truly represent our feelings. We must do as the Lord instructs in D&C 98:10, “Wherefore honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold.” ( "The Constitution—A Heavenly Banner,"Brigham Young University, 16 September 1986)

Here are some other good quotes:

President McKay when he said, “Next to being one in worshiping God there is nothing in this world upon which the Church should be more united than in upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States” (CR, October 1939, p. 105. also Quoted by Elder L. Tom Perry BYU Sept. 1987) Why then do we talk so little about the constitution and the principles behind it? One explanation is because some feel the church has no business in politics and they take offense when the two are linked, and so we hesitate to discuss anything touching on politics together lest we offend someone. This is a lie, to which President Benson said, “Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the Prophet and keep the priesthood off balance, ineffective and inert, using perverse reasoning. For example, he will argue, ‘There is no need to get involved in the fight for freedom –all you need to do is live the gospel.’ This is a contradiction, because we cannot fully live the gospel and not be involved in the fight for freedom” (Ezra Taft Benson BYU speech Oct 25, 1966). We were recently reminded of this by Elder Costa in the October 2010 general conference where he said, “The prophet can receive revelation on any matter—temporal or spiritual.”

Alma 60:21-24, These are great verses which teach us we ought to be up and doing. As Pres. Hinckley taught, "It is not enough to be good, we must be good for something" (see, speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=2923)