I recently went on a trip to Rome, the Vatican, Florence and then over to northern Spain (where I served a proselyting mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). I wondered why I was there. I knew it would be enjoyable but there had to be something more, some deeper purpose for me being there. I had a constant impression sink deep into my heart and mind as I toured these wonderful places.
We walked around the beautiful ruins of Rome. I love how Rome has left evidences of the past all around their beautiful city. It is a great reminder of what once was and now is. We went to the Vatican and saw where the Romans once had their chariot races and would torch Christians on burning stakes so they could light up the venue for their games. In this same area, now surrounded with statues of Christian saints, sainted by the Catholic Church, is the center stage where the pope will speak to the Christian world. Just a few feet away from this stage is the Basilica where it is believed that Peter was crucified upside down, declaring his testimony of the risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. A Christian church or temple built on the exact spot of a faithful, Christian martyr. What a contrast! What happened? Christian martyrs were now held up as heroes where once they were persecuted, mocked, and murdered.
My mind went to the past and the Lord pieced history together for me and rested it upon my soul. I will let you do the research and put the dates on the timeline but here is what settled upon me...The children of Israel were given light and knowledge from the Lord beginning with Abraham, their father. He was persecuted by his father and had to flee to save his life. Then he had children and eventually had a great nation that was put in bondage in Egypt. Then Moses was raised up to free the children of Israel from the persecution and bondage in Egypt. The children of Israel were miraculously preserved by the Lord and settled the promised land in Israel where a fresh body of water empties into a salt body of water. They rejected the greater truths Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai and only wanted Moses to commune with God for them, thus, they were given a Levitical priesthood and the associated laws that would help prepare them for something greater, greater laws and blessings. This nation came to be the Jews in Jerusalem. In time, the Jews were the ones that rejected the greater light and truth that John the Baptist came to give them in preparation for receiving Jesus Christ and the fulness of the gospel. Those that believed in Jesus Christ were called Christians. The Jews persecuted and even murdered the Christians. The Jews later were persecuted and murdered by Nazi Germany for their beliefs. The Christians that accepted Jesus Christ originally were murdered by the Jews and Romans. Later, from among these same Christians, God raised up individuals with greater light and knowledge. These were knows as reformers...Tyndale, Luther and others were persecuted and even murdered for seeking to spread God's word to the people and give them greater power through light and knowledge. These followers created the great Protestant churches we have today. In time, individuals from these Protestant churches recognized there was something missing and further light and knowledge would come. It did and greater light and truth was given to a young boy, Joseph Smith. As Joseph shared his message some received it. Of those that did, many were persecuted and even murdered for joining the Church of Christ that Joseph Smith restored, known today as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
So, there is an interesting pattern that has developed over the centuries. God gives light and truth to individuals. They accept it and are persecuted and even killed for it. The same groups that come from these enlightened individuals and are persecuted for believing are eventually the same people that persecute and even kill those that spring from their own groups with further light and knowledge. Over and over this pattern has been consistent.
On my trip to Spain I visited the Inquisition Museum. I saw the depravity of man and the degeneration as individuals hate those that go against the norm of their day and are willing to bring forth more light and truth. Truly the verses in scripture that describe why Jesus was killed can apply to the faithful martyrs who stood firm to the light and truth God gave them. The Gospel of John reads, "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 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).
The Book of Mormon gives a profound warning to Zion, "Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well! Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall. Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost. Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts" (2 Nephi 28:24-32). The whole chapter needs to be read, pondered over and prayed about.
In my studies of the Book of Mormon, searching for the enemies of Christ that President Ezra Taft Benson told us it uncovers, I have noticed unbelief is one of the major enemies to Christ. My prayer is that we will always believe in the gifts of the Holy Ghost, continue in fasting and prayer, repenting of our sins, and offering our whole souls unto God that we might prepare for the coming of our Lord and recognize Him because we will be like Him, having received all the light and truth He is anxious to give us. As President Russel M. Nelson recently exhorted us to do, just as the scriptures do too, seek the mysteries of the kingdom, even the secrets of the universe (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” by Russell M. Nelson, April 2018 General Conference). That we might ever be faithful to God and not to man is my humble prayer, in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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