Covenants With God That May Appear as Foolishness to Others

I’m in Alma 24 this morning. I was pondering the Anti-Nephi-Lehis and how their covenant to bury their weapons of war was unique to them. They felt deeply that this is how they would draw closer to God, to make a covenant to God to bury their sins by staining their swords no more with the shedding of blood. In our paths we make oaths and covenants with God to stay away from the evil sins we have committed in the past. These oaths and covenants are in general terms in the ordinances but at the individual level, we should be very specific as we bury every sin that separates us from God. Sometimes the covenants we make with God may differ from other believers. For example, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and the Nephites both are seeking to keep the commandments and covenants they’ve made with God. In this instance one decides not to go to war and the other does go to war. In fact, the Nephites go to war to protect their brethren who won’t go to war. It may be tempting for one party to condemn the other party for not doing what they have felt the Lord wanted them to do. If they become someone else’s judge, then they have crossed their lines of stewardship. It is best that we let others seek God and do the things they feel He is asking them to do. Our paths to Him are so individual. I believe this is why the Lord’s servants teach doctrines and principles and let the people govern themselves. We just don’t know all the details of other’s lives and it’s best we let God work in others according to His will, their will and the timing of the Lord. 

Highly Favored People and Spiritual Patterns

It is interesting in Alma 9 who Alma says the Lord is angry with. He will be merciful unto the Lamanites because they are living their lives according to the false traditions of their fathers. It is true they are cut off from the presence of the Lord because they are not keeping His commandments but the Lord will be merciful and prolong their days that they might have a chance to repent and come unto Him. Here are his words unto them, “Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have been cut off from the presence of the Lord. Now we see that the word of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land.

15 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life than for you, except ye repent.

16 For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land.

17 And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name” (Alma 9:14-17).

Contrast the Lord’s feelings for the Lamanites with His feelings for the Nephites in Ammonihah. His anger is kindled against them. Here is what Alma says unto them as he carries forth the message the angel delivered unto him:

“Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all--he has commanded you to repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce anger he will not turn away.

13 Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord...

18 But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter 

destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord” (Alma 9:12-13, 18). 

We see this pattern in scripture. The righteous become prideful and the Lord uses the wicked, who are wicked because of the false traditions of their fathers, to come down and destroy those that had greater light and knowledge. He prolongs the days of the wicked that they might repent but uses them to destroy those that should have known better. The Book of Mormon and the words of Isaiah are full of this pattern. 

What do the Nephites in Ammonihah need to repent of? He’s angry with them because of turning from the light and knowledge they have received (Alma 9:19). What specific light and knowledge have they turned from? Here is what the account says, “Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come;

21 Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;” (Alma 9:20-21). 

In our culture are we the Lamanites or the Nephites? I ask this question for several reasons, one of which came to mind because of Alma 9:25,

“And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;”

What would happen to a person that would stand up in your congregation and say, “An angel visited me last night and told me to cry unto you that we need to repent of our ways because the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand.”?

Reread verse 21 above and think about the gifts that these Nephites had turned away from. It’s interesting that the Old Testament word for repentance is to turn back to God. Have we individually turned from these things? Do we really believe the gospel of Jesus Christ? The end of verse 21 says the “gift of translation.” Is that translating ancient records or is that referring to becoming a translated being or is it both?

In light of this consider these verses in Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-27

“19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;

24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.

25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;

26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.”

There are patterns in the scriptures and patterns in how the Lord’s people receive Him and reject Him. I pray for strength to put my faith and trust in Father and His Son and to repent each day and invite the Lord into my life more fully that I might receive all that He wants to give me. What wonderful blessings He has for us and Pres. Nelson alluded to them in his general conference address as he quoted the scriptures about the mysteries of the kingdom being revealed to us and he quoted another prophet, Neal A. Maxwell, as he shared that God wants to reveal the secrets of the universe with us. 

How To Partake of the Bitter Cup Without Becoming Bitter

I have pondered Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s quote about partaking of the bitter cup without becoming bitter. The talk he gave below shares his marvelous thoughts on this. I also posted a video of Sister Joy Jones who speaks of enticements. The opposition we fear or fight against is so often the perfect curriculum to help us grow and develop and become as Father is. We practice becoming grateful for all things, as the Doctrine and Covenants teaches us to do. Truly, we are grateful as we come to realize how perfectly these enticements come into our lives to nurture us along the meaningful path of mortality. For me, only when I’m focused enough to see through the perspective of becoming like Father have my personal trials been worth facing and seeking to endure well. Otherwise, I truly would shrivel up in bitterness of soul. I’m so grateful for my Redeemer who lifts me up and sustains me as I turn to Him completely.

“Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ”, October 1997, General Conference.
Neal A. Maxwell
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Found here:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1997/10/apply-the-atoning-blood-of-christ?lang=eng

Sister Joy Jones:
https://youtu.be/2n0u0MPqWYE

Why Bring to Light the Hidden Things of Darkness?

Why I or anyone else should bring to light the hidden things of darkness and share true doctrine:

“13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven--“ (Doctrine and Covenants 123:13).

“61 For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment--that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

62 Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:61-62).

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.

The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior...That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” (Boyd K. Packer, “Little Children,” November 1986, Ensign).

“36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.

37 Light and truth forsake that evil one...

39 And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.

40 But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:36-37, 39-40).

We should share the hidden things of darkness, the false traditions that are creeping into society and the true doctrines of the gospel that we might lift God’s people out of Babylon and into Zion. We must share these things with love. Paul taught to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 1:15). I seek to share the things God prompts me too in the spirit of love and understanding, hoping that these things may be of benefit in helping someone draw closer to Heavenly Father and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. 

Even though Jesus brought to light the hidden things of darkness in perfect love and clarity, it cost Him His life. We read, 

“19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God” (John 3:19-21).

“All things that he spake have been and shall be”

In 3 Nephi, Jesus Christ teaches us of the importance of spiritual patterns in the history of the children of Israel. He even gives a commandment to study the words of Isaiah and all the prophets. “I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. (We, the children of Ephraim, are the Gentiles. The Book of Mormon was brought forth through the Gentiles. The nations of Europe that came to America are the Gentile nations. See 1 Nephi 13-14; 1 Nephi 15:13; 2 Nephi 30:3; 3 Nephi 21:5-6; 3 Nephi 26:8). 

“And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things“ (3 Nephi 23:1-5).

Jesus establishes to the Nephites that were spared in America, that Isaiah spoke to the house of Israel and the Gentiles. We are the Gentiles and we will benefit by understanding Isaiah because “all things that he spake have been and shall be”. Then He, Jesus, adds that many of the prophets have testified of these things that “have been and shall be.” The prophets would be those prophets that wrote after the five Books of Moses in the Old Testament. 

Once it is established deep in our minds and hearts that the Lord has given us a commandment to study the words of Isaiah and the prophets of the Old Testament, then we start to feel an urgency to understand these things that we might know what is to come. 

I think many times we let ourselves feel intimidated of Isaiah’s writings because of cultural traditions and because of what Nephi said, “Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews” (2 Nephi 25:1). Jesus revealed a great mystery and key to Isaiah when He said, “all things that he spake have been and shall be.” Once we understand that, we can take his words at face value and understand that the same things that happened to the children of Israel will happen again. This opens up the scriptures to us. Further, Nephi taught that the words of Isaiah, “are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy” (2 Nephi 25:4). 

This is another great key to making Isaiah plain and easy to our understanding. Nephi said Isaiah’s words are plain unto those filled with the spirit of prophecy. So, how do we receive the spirit of prophecy. We learn in the Book of Mormon how the sons of Mosiah were filled with the spirit of prophecy. The record states, “they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation” (Alma 17:2-3).

We live in a society of microwave dinners, instant messaging, photos sent across the globe and even transporting ourselves halfway around the world in less than 24 hours. A society that has everything at our fingertips, is a society that teaches, without even trying to teach, the philosophy of instant gratification. We get used to instant gratification. But, many times the things of God are learned little by little, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. We grow into the spirit of prophecy and revelation by giving our hearts to God and then studying, pondering, praying and even fasting. For me at least, the great spiritual truths that have been opened up for me in the scriptures by the power of the Holy Ghost have usually taken time and effort. It’s wonderful after the truth is received because it is burned deep into the heart. But, each time I am seeking more light and knowledge, I find myself wanting the answer quickly so I can move forward with the next step. 

Joseph Smith taught this, which I believe we can apply to the teachings of Isaiah, “It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it” (History of the Church, 5:387; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on May 14, 1843, in Yelrome, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff).

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (History of the Church, 6:306–7; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 7, 1844, in Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, Thomas Bullock, and William Clayton; see also appendix, page 562, item 3).

Though we will learn even beyond this life, the Savior taught us that Isaiah’s writings will reveal to us what will happen in the last days. There is an urgency to qualify for the spirit of prophecy and revelation, that we might grow into understanding these important truths that God is desiring to reveal to us. I don’t claim to understand all of Isaiah, but I have felt the Spirit settle upon my feelings and teach me some important truths that he reveals to us. I’m grateful for his writings and the Savior’s teachings about their importance to us in these latter days. I have come to recognize in part why the Lord commanded us to study the words of Isaiah. Nephi, Jacob, Moroni and Jesus all endorsed Isaiah (see 1 Nephi 19:23-24; Mormon 8:23; 2 Nephi 6:4; 3 Nephi 23:1-3) and I believe there is a reason they did not expound and reveal what he revealed. I believe it’s the same reason Jesus spoke in parables. 

Attaining and Accessing the Power of God

I really like this. I believe Brother Clare shares some wonderful insights and quotes in this talk from Women’s Week at BYU.

https://www.byutv.org/player/2210043a-9050-4d23-a898-acfe5f2f15b8/byu-womens-conference-david-clare-2014