He was The Firstborn
Flesh of her flesh, blood of her blood
He was her Son...their Son.
Reviled, denied, despised. Rejected by his own.
She watched helplessly as he was nailed to a cross.
The only begotten Son.
His Son.
The mother wept as she witnessed the suffering of her Son.
As He hung in silent agony enduring the will of His Father,
They both suffered.
He for a fallen mankind, she for her Son.
In His pain, he sensed hers, "Woman, behold thy son!"
And Mary wept in quiet dignity.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Exodus of Ancient and Modern Israel
Not Like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
This sonnet "The New Colossus" was penned by Emma Lazarus and is inscribed on a bronze plaque located in the Statue of Liberty exhibit. When I was little my parents used to have a small replica of The Statue of Liberty; a souvenir my father picked up during his earliest years in the military. I was always intrigued by it. With childlike naivety I pictured our great country, the United States of America, welcoming everyone.
The United States of America is a land choice above all other lands. But it has not always welcomed exiles, or "huddled masses yearning to breathe free", or the homeless. In fact, there are two groups of people that have been driven out of its "sea-washed sunset gates." The first group was the Native Americans. Starting in 1831 thousands were forced from their homes. The Trail of Tears began after Andrew Jackson implemented the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The second group was the Mormon people. Starting in the winter of 1846, they were also forced from their homes. Both peoples were stripped of their rights and forced to leave the United States because of bitter persecution.
For seven years I tutored high school age Native Americans. This new generation of Native Americans have not forgotten their ancestor's sufferings and would frequently mention their trials. As a daughter of Utah pioneers, I empathised what their people went through because the Mormons and Native Americans share similar experiences of an exiled people. One of my ancestors, Joanna Lewis, was a widow who lived in Nauvoo, Illinois. Her husband, Benjamin, was killed in the Haun's Mill massacre. She died, at age of 40, just a few days before the Mormons were forced out of Nauvoo. Her six children crossed the plains without her. They, and thousands of others, endured a 1,400 mile trek across the plains to a land no one wanted. Fortunately, they were led by Brigham Young.
Brigham Young was a modern day prophet who led the covenant people of the Lord across the wilderness, just like Moses. Why were the Mormons the "covenant" people? Because they made sacred covenants with the Lord in a temple, like the ancient children of Israel. Temple ordinances were frantically performed in the Nauvoo Temple, 24 hours a day, because of mob pressure to leave as soon as possible. They were performed until the moment of departure.
Nauvoo was located on the edge of the wilderness. When the Saints were driven out of the Untied States, there was no place to go but into the wilderness. Similarly, when the children of Israel left Egypt there was no where to go but into the wilderness. Both ancient and modern Israel depended on the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob for guidance and survival, especially while traveling in the wilderness.
Moses organized the children of Israel into companies with captains over hundreds, etc. so did Brigham Young, see D&C 136:3. Both were the Camp of Israel.
The Saints were commanded to "walk in all the ordinances of the Lord" (D&C 136:4) and "to keep all the commandments and statues of the Lord our God" (D&C 136:2), just as the ancient Israelites were commanded to "Be holy, live righteously, love thy neighbor, keep the commandments" (Leviticus 19).
Anciently, there were miracles performed in behalf of the children of Israel while they were in the wilderness. There were also many miracles that occurred among the Saints along their 1,400 mile trek to Utah. One miracle especially resembles the Exodus. The Saints were very hungry, food was scarce. Out of nowhere, thousands of quail appeared providing nourishment, just like in Numbers 11:31, when the Lord provided quail for the ancient Israelites.
It was necessary for the children of Israel be isolated for 40 years in the wilderness in order to become the Lord's sanctified people. The Saints were also isolated in the wilderness for at least a decade. This isolation allowed the Saints to become strong in faith and principle. Then they carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. From humble beginnings in 1830, when there were just 6 members, membership has grown to over 11 million members world wide. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is no longer a "Utah" religion.
When Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, one of the first things he did was pick a location for a new temple. It would take 4o years to build. Isn't it interesting that the Saints, who were driven out of the United States, fled to the Rocky Mountains and built a temple to Israel's God? Well did Isaiah prophesy "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the house of of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths"...(Isaiah 2:2-3).
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
This sonnet "The New Colossus" was penned by Emma Lazarus and is inscribed on a bronze plaque located in the Statue of Liberty exhibit. When I was little my parents used to have a small replica of The Statue of Liberty; a souvenir my father picked up during his earliest years in the military. I was always intrigued by it. With childlike naivety I pictured our great country, the United States of America, welcoming everyone.
The United States of America is a land choice above all other lands. But it has not always welcomed exiles, or "huddled masses yearning to breathe free", or the homeless. In fact, there are two groups of people that have been driven out of its "sea-washed sunset gates." The first group was the Native Americans. Starting in 1831 thousands were forced from their homes. The Trail of Tears began after Andrew Jackson implemented the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The second group was the Mormon people. Starting in the winter of 1846, they were also forced from their homes. Both peoples were stripped of their rights and forced to leave the United States because of bitter persecution.
For seven years I tutored high school age Native Americans. This new generation of Native Americans have not forgotten their ancestor's sufferings and would frequently mention their trials. As a daughter of Utah pioneers, I empathised what their people went through because the Mormons and Native Americans share similar experiences of an exiled people. One of my ancestors, Joanna Lewis, was a widow who lived in Nauvoo, Illinois. Her husband, Benjamin, was killed in the Haun's Mill massacre. She died, at age of 40, just a few days before the Mormons were forced out of Nauvoo. Her six children crossed the plains without her. They, and thousands of others, endured a 1,400 mile trek across the plains to a land no one wanted. Fortunately, they were led by Brigham Young.
Brigham Young was a modern day prophet who led the covenant people of the Lord across the wilderness, just like Moses. Why were the Mormons the "covenant" people? Because they made sacred covenants with the Lord in a temple, like the ancient children of Israel. Temple ordinances were frantically performed in the Nauvoo Temple, 24 hours a day, because of mob pressure to leave as soon as possible. They were performed until the moment of departure.
Nauvoo was located on the edge of the wilderness. When the Saints were driven out of the Untied States, there was no place to go but into the wilderness. Similarly, when the children of Israel left Egypt there was no where to go but into the wilderness. Both ancient and modern Israel depended on the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob for guidance and survival, especially while traveling in the wilderness.
Moses organized the children of Israel into companies with captains over hundreds, etc. so did Brigham Young, see D&C 136:3. Both were the Camp of Israel.
The Saints were commanded to "walk in all the ordinances of the Lord" (D&C 136:4) and "to keep all the commandments and statues of the Lord our God" (D&C 136:2), just as the ancient Israelites were commanded to "Be holy, live righteously, love thy neighbor, keep the commandments" (Leviticus 19).
Anciently, there were miracles performed in behalf of the children of Israel while they were in the wilderness. There were also many miracles that occurred among the Saints along their 1,400 mile trek to Utah. One miracle especially resembles the Exodus. The Saints were very hungry, food was scarce. Out of nowhere, thousands of quail appeared providing nourishment, just like in Numbers 11:31, when the Lord provided quail for the ancient Israelites.
It was necessary for the children of Israel be isolated for 40 years in the wilderness in order to become the Lord's sanctified people. The Saints were also isolated in the wilderness for at least a decade. This isolation allowed the Saints to become strong in faith and principle. Then they carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. From humble beginnings in 1830, when there were just 6 members, membership has grown to over 11 million members world wide. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is no longer a "Utah" religion.
When Brigham Young arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, one of the first things he did was pick a location for a new temple. It would take 4o years to build. Isn't it interesting that the Saints, who were driven out of the United States, fled to the Rocky Mountains and built a temple to Israel's God? Well did Isaiah prophesy "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the house of of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths"...(Isaiah 2:2-3).
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Quiet Miracles
There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry:
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul!
Emily Dickinson is clever in her description of a book. I love books. They are like good friends who come to visit but are taken for granted. I collect books, all kinds. They line my book shelf quietly waiting for attention. The fact that most of us can read is really a miracle since for most of mankind's history only a select few have been able to read and write.
How is it that we can read, write and own books? Because a man named Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468) invented the printing press. Visiting the Crandall Museum taught me just how important his invention was and how he changed the world. Until Gutenberg came along, books were hand written, very labor intensive, and expensive. One book would have cost the equivalent of four months wages in the Middle Ages. It took 11 years to produce one copy of the bible. Often books were chained to shelves to prevent theft.
Gutenberg was truly an inspired man. For 436 years no one was able to improve his invention! His formula for printer's metal is still used today, 80% lead, 13% Antimony, and 7% tin. He not only figured out how to make a printing press out of an olive press, he figured out how to make the removable lead-based letters, and a new kind of ink made from boiled linseed oil and soot. Because he set up six printing presses and taught others his secret, thousands of books, especially the Bible, were printed within a relatively short time and became available to the general public.
It is very interesting that the printing press was invented when it was because something happened shortly after in 1492. What? Columbus sailed the ocean blue...and America was discovered. Religious immigrants brought their Bibles to the New World. Joseph Smith's family had one and read it constantly. It shaped him, giving him a strong foundation of Christian faith that was vital to the restoration of the gospel.
After translating the gold plates Joseph Smith came in contact with a man named E.B. Grandin who just happened to own a printing press. And it just so happened that the Erie Canal, which was recently finished, passed right by Palmyra, New York, making it possible for a printing press to be easily transported there. And it just so happened that the first edition of the Book of Mormon, 5,000 copies of it (an unprecedented amount), was printed by E.B. Grandin in a very miraculous way. But that is another story. The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ could not have taken place without Gutenberg's printing press. Some would call all these interesting developments just a coincidence. What do you think?
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry:
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears the human soul!
Emily Dickinson is clever in her description of a book. I love books. They are like good friends who come to visit but are taken for granted. I collect books, all kinds. They line my book shelf quietly waiting for attention. The fact that most of us can read is really a miracle since for most of mankind's history only a select few have been able to read and write.
How is it that we can read, write and own books? Because a man named Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468) invented the printing press. Visiting the Crandall Museum taught me just how important his invention was and how he changed the world. Until Gutenberg came along, books were hand written, very labor intensive, and expensive. One book would have cost the equivalent of four months wages in the Middle Ages. It took 11 years to produce one copy of the bible. Often books were chained to shelves to prevent theft.
Gutenberg was truly an inspired man. For 436 years no one was able to improve his invention! His formula for printer's metal is still used today, 80% lead, 13% Antimony, and 7% tin. He not only figured out how to make a printing press out of an olive press, he figured out how to make the removable lead-based letters, and a new kind of ink made from boiled linseed oil and soot. Because he set up six printing presses and taught others his secret, thousands of books, especially the Bible, were printed within a relatively short time and became available to the general public.
It is very interesting that the printing press was invented when it was because something happened shortly after in 1492. What? Columbus sailed the ocean blue...and America was discovered. Religious immigrants brought their Bibles to the New World. Joseph Smith's family had one and read it constantly. It shaped him, giving him a strong foundation of Christian faith that was vital to the restoration of the gospel.
After translating the gold plates Joseph Smith came in contact with a man named E.B. Grandin who just happened to own a printing press. And it just so happened that the Erie Canal, which was recently finished, passed right by Palmyra, New York, making it possible for a printing press to be easily transported there. And it just so happened that the first edition of the Book of Mormon, 5,000 copies of it (an unprecedented amount), was printed by E.B. Grandin in a very miraculous way. But that is another story. The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ could not have taken place without Gutenberg's printing press. Some would call all these interesting developments just a coincidence. What do you think?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
After Liberty Jail
Today I spent the morning checking out a few details about the Doctrine and Covenants. I wanted to know:
1. When did Joseph Smith start receiving revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants? Answer: Summer of 1828.
2. How many revelations did he have each year that became scripture? See details below.
3. How many sections are not revelations given to Joseph? See details below.
4. When did Joseph stop having recorded revelations that were added to the Doctrine and Covenants? Answer: After July of 1843. He was martyred June 27, 1844
I discovered that almost all of the Doctrine and Covenants is comprised of revelations the Prophet Joseph Smith received before he spent five long months in Liberty Jail. Not all the sections in the Doctrine and Covenants are revelations given to Joseph Smith. I didn't know this until a recent honors Doctrine and Covenants class. Here are a few sections that are exceptions:
D&C 2; an extract from the words of the Angel Moroni to Joseph Smith
D&C 13; records the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood
D&C 102; minutes of a High Council meeting
D&C 109; Prayer offered at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple
D&C 113; Answers to questions given by Joseph Smith
D&C 121; Prayer and prophecies given by Joseph Smith while in Liberty Jail
D&C 123; Joseph Smith's instruction to the Saints in relation to persecution while in Liberty Jail
D&C 134; Declaration of belief
D&C sections 127-131 are epistles and instructions given by Joseph Smith in 1842 and 1843, during the Nauvoo years. Why did these sections become scripture?
The information below reveals that after Joseph Smith left Liberty jail in the spring of 1839, there were only four more revelations that were added to the Doctrine and Covenants; D&C 124, 125, 126, and 132. Liberty Jail changed Joseph. It burnished him, it was a refiners fire. The Joseph that entered the jail was not the same Joseph that emerged after a long winter of suffering. While confined, Joseph had time to evaluate everything. He caught the Lord's vision of how he needed to guide the struggling, persecuted church. After Liberty Jail Joseph no longer needed Sidney Rigdon to be his mouthpiece. After Liberty, Joseph taught through sermons more than revelations. While at Liberty Joseph finally realized that as a prophet, seer, and revelator, "Thus saith the Lord," and what he, Joseph, taught were the same thing, "Whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38) This explains why Joseph's Nauvoo teachings became scripture. Emerging from a dreary Liberty Jail, back into the light, Joseph knew what had to be done. The Lord's people needed to be sanctified in order to become an exulted people. A temple had to be built, one that would be very different from the Kirtland Temple. He headed east to join the poverty stricken Saints and built Nauvoo.
Years Joseph received recorded Revelations that became scripture:
1828 D&C 3 & 10
1829 D&C 4-18 (D&C 10 given in 1828)
1830 D&C 19-37
1831 D&C 1, 38-72, 133
1832 D&C 73-88, 99
1833 D&C 89-101, 133 (D&C 99 given in 1832)
1834 D&C 103-106
1835 D&C 107 & 108
1836 D&C 110 & 111, 137
1837 D&C 112
1838 D&C 114-120
1839 D&C 122 (given while Joseph was still in Liberty Jail)
1841 D&C 124-126
1843 D&C 132
1. When did Joseph Smith start receiving revelations recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants? Answer: Summer of 1828.
2. How many revelations did he have each year that became scripture? See details below.
3. How many sections are not revelations given to Joseph? See details below.
4. When did Joseph stop having recorded revelations that were added to the Doctrine and Covenants? Answer: After July of 1843. He was martyred June 27, 1844
I discovered that almost all of the Doctrine and Covenants is comprised of revelations the Prophet Joseph Smith received before he spent five long months in Liberty Jail. Not all the sections in the Doctrine and Covenants are revelations given to Joseph Smith. I didn't know this until a recent honors Doctrine and Covenants class. Here are a few sections that are exceptions:
D&C 2; an extract from the words of the Angel Moroni to Joseph Smith
D&C 13; records the restoration of the Aaronic priesthood
D&C 102; minutes of a High Council meeting
D&C 109; Prayer offered at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple
D&C 113; Answers to questions given by Joseph Smith
D&C 121; Prayer and prophecies given by Joseph Smith while in Liberty Jail
D&C 123; Joseph Smith's instruction to the Saints in relation to persecution while in Liberty Jail
D&C 134; Declaration of belief
D&C sections 127-131 are epistles and instructions given by Joseph Smith in 1842 and 1843, during the Nauvoo years. Why did these sections become scripture?
The information below reveals that after Joseph Smith left Liberty jail in the spring of 1839, there were only four more revelations that were added to the Doctrine and Covenants; D&C 124, 125, 126, and 132. Liberty Jail changed Joseph. It burnished him, it was a refiners fire. The Joseph that entered the jail was not the same Joseph that emerged after a long winter of suffering. While confined, Joseph had time to evaluate everything. He caught the Lord's vision of how he needed to guide the struggling, persecuted church. After Liberty Jail Joseph no longer needed Sidney Rigdon to be his mouthpiece. After Liberty, Joseph taught through sermons more than revelations. While at Liberty Joseph finally realized that as a prophet, seer, and revelator, "Thus saith the Lord," and what he, Joseph, taught were the same thing, "Whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38) This explains why Joseph's Nauvoo teachings became scripture. Emerging from a dreary Liberty Jail, back into the light, Joseph knew what had to be done. The Lord's people needed to be sanctified in order to become an exulted people. A temple had to be built, one that would be very different from the Kirtland Temple. He headed east to join the poverty stricken Saints and built Nauvoo.
Years Joseph received recorded Revelations that became scripture:
1828 D&C 3 & 10
1829 D&C 4-18 (D&C 10 given in 1828)
1830 D&C 19-37
1831 D&C 1, 38-72, 133
1832 D&C 73-88, 99
1833 D&C 89-101, 133 (D&C 99 given in 1832)
1834 D&C 103-106
1835 D&C 107 & 108
1836 D&C 110 & 111, 137
1837 D&C 112
1838 D&C 114-120
1839 D&C 122 (given while Joseph was still in Liberty Jail)
1841 D&C 124-126
1843 D&C 132
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Joseph Smith...Prophet, Seer and Revelator
On December 25, 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation known today as D&C 87. This revelation foretold about wars and future destruction to come. "And the days shall come that war will be poured out upon all nations" and "will cause the death and misery of many souls." These wars were to begin in South Carolina when the "southern states shall be divided against the northern states" and "slaves who are held in bondage shall rise up against those who hold them in bondage." This predicted war occurred in 1861, almost 3 decades after the Prophet Joseph Smith was given the revelation. The Civil War was caused over divisive issues concerning slavery and remains one of the most destructive wars in American history. It is interesting to note that much of the persecution of the early Saints, especially in Missouri, was due to their abolitionary views which were in direct conflict with their slave owning neighbors.
Joseph Smith was more than a prophet. He was also a seer and revelator. What's the difference? According to the Bible dictionary a prophet acts as God's messenger and makes known God's will. Part of the prophetic office is to preserve and edit the records of the nation's history. Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible was in accordance to his prophetic calling. In Mosiah 8:16-17 we learn that a seer is a revelator and a prophet. A seer knows of things past and things of the future. Through seers "shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known."
Joseph Smith's revelation continues, "And then with the sword, and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine and plague, and earthquakes, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath and indignation and the chastening hand of an Almighty God.
Have these prophecies been fulfilled? Have we witnessed famine, plague, bloodshed, and earthquakes? Absolutely. The revelation Joseph received over 178 years ago describes current conditions today. This new year alone has witnessed massive destruction from earthquakes, and the year has just begun. Millions were killed during the past century because of warfare and plagues like the Spanish influenza which killed between 50 to 100 million people starting in 1918. World War One was supposed to be the war to "end all wars." Unfortunately it was just the beginning of warfare in the 21st century. What about plagues besides the Spanish Influenza? Aids has destroyed millions and continues to do so. It leaves a wake of destruction in it's path, especially on the African continent. These are just a few examples of Joseph's revelation being fulfilled, there are many, many more.
Through all this destruction the saints of God are admonished to stand in holy places. What are holy places? The temple is one, churches are another. Our homes need to be holy places too. They must be a haven and refuge from the worldly and perverse, from the onslaught of evil that is ever present. They need to be a safe place for all. There is another place that should be holy... our mind. Pure thoughts and speech can also buffer us and protect us from worldly influences.
Toward the end of this revelation we learn that we must "stand in holy places and be not moved until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord". If the second coming was "at the doors" 178 years ago, we must be close, very close.
Joseph Smith was more than a prophet. He was also a seer and revelator. What's the difference? According to the Bible dictionary a prophet acts as God's messenger and makes known God's will. Part of the prophetic office is to preserve and edit the records of the nation's history. Joseph Smith's translation of the Bible was in accordance to his prophetic calling. In Mosiah 8:16-17 we learn that a seer is a revelator and a prophet. A seer knows of things past and things of the future. Through seers "shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known."
Joseph Smith's revelation continues, "And then with the sword, and by bloodshed, the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine and plague, and earthquakes, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath and indignation and the chastening hand of an Almighty God.
Have these prophecies been fulfilled? Have we witnessed famine, plague, bloodshed, and earthquakes? Absolutely. The revelation Joseph received over 178 years ago describes current conditions today. This new year alone has witnessed massive destruction from earthquakes, and the year has just begun. Millions were killed during the past century because of warfare and plagues like the Spanish influenza which killed between 50 to 100 million people starting in 1918. World War One was supposed to be the war to "end all wars." Unfortunately it was just the beginning of warfare in the 21st century. What about plagues besides the Spanish Influenza? Aids has destroyed millions and continues to do so. It leaves a wake of destruction in it's path, especially on the African continent. These are just a few examples of Joseph's revelation being fulfilled, there are many, many more.
Through all this destruction the saints of God are admonished to stand in holy places. What are holy places? The temple is one, churches are another. Our homes need to be holy places too. They must be a haven and refuge from the worldly and perverse, from the onslaught of evil that is ever present. They need to be a safe place for all. There is another place that should be holy... our mind. Pure thoughts and speech can also buffer us and protect us from worldly influences.
Toward the end of this revelation we learn that we must "stand in holy places and be not moved until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord". If the second coming was "at the doors" 178 years ago, we must be close, very close.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Waiting
Last Wednesday the students of Dr. Holzapfel's honors Doctrine and Covenants class had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Art on the BYU campus. We studied the art exhibit "The Image Speaks." I'm grateful Dr. "H" arranged this insightful and educational experience. We were fortunate to have Rita Wright take the time to help us understand the powerful symbolism that is prevalent in religious art.
I was struck by two different depictions of the parable of the Prodigal son. One painting showed the joyous reunion of a father and son, the father symbolically descending down stairs to greet his wayward, repentant son. I couldn't help but think that the father was a widow. Had the mother been alive she would have been the first to greet her son. She would have been the first to spot him in the distance because she prayed at least a hundred times a day for his safe return. There is no greater anguish and sorrow than that which a mother experiences after investing so much of herself, sacrificing her education, ambition, a second income, etc. to teach her children correct principles, then witness her children reject truth and light. There is no greater anguish.
The plight of the prodigal was cleverly depicted by the two paintings we studied. I was impressed by the second painting that was purely symbolic. Three panels or times were depicted. The middle one was blurred, fuzzy. Those of us who have children who succumb to drug abuse know all too well how the drugs distort perception and behavior. This was a powerful insight on the part of the artist. Not only can drug abuse distort our perception, but loosing the guidance of the Holy Ghost will leave us without a clear understanding of what is right. Some us us easily confuse wrong with right. We have the distorted view that bad is good and good is bad, just like Isaiah foretold.
The last panel depicted the return of clarity once the repentance process begins and spiritual sight is restored. Rita told us to be aware of how fabric is depicted in art. In the second painting the fabric did not blur in the second panel like everything else. It remained clearly situated at the top of each panel. For me this was symbolic of the atonement of Christ, unchanging, always beckoning.
I felt a sense of relief studying the third panel as all things were restored to sharp focus. There was a cow in it, symbolic of the fatted calf that was slain upon the prodigal's return. I'm still waiting for the prodigals in my life to return, they have been gone a long time. When they do, more than one fatted calf will be slain.
I thank God every day for the atonement of His divine son. I'm grateful for the examples of those who are not prodigals in my life. They light the path for me.
I was struck by two different depictions of the parable of the Prodigal son. One painting showed the joyous reunion of a father and son, the father symbolically descending down stairs to greet his wayward, repentant son. I couldn't help but think that the father was a widow. Had the mother been alive she would have been the first to greet her son. She would have been the first to spot him in the distance because she prayed at least a hundred times a day for his safe return. There is no greater anguish and sorrow than that which a mother experiences after investing so much of herself, sacrificing her education, ambition, a second income, etc. to teach her children correct principles, then witness her children reject truth and light. There is no greater anguish.
The plight of the prodigal was cleverly depicted by the two paintings we studied. I was impressed by the second painting that was purely symbolic. Three panels or times were depicted. The middle one was blurred, fuzzy. Those of us who have children who succumb to drug abuse know all too well how the drugs distort perception and behavior. This was a powerful insight on the part of the artist. Not only can drug abuse distort our perception, but loosing the guidance of the Holy Ghost will leave us without a clear understanding of what is right. Some us us easily confuse wrong with right. We have the distorted view that bad is good and good is bad, just like Isaiah foretold.
The last panel depicted the return of clarity once the repentance process begins and spiritual sight is restored. Rita told us to be aware of how fabric is depicted in art. In the second painting the fabric did not blur in the second panel like everything else. It remained clearly situated at the top of each panel. For me this was symbolic of the atonement of Christ, unchanging, always beckoning.
I felt a sense of relief studying the third panel as all things were restored to sharp focus. There was a cow in it, symbolic of the fatted calf that was slain upon the prodigal's return. I'm still waiting for the prodigals in my life to return, they have been gone a long time. When they do, more than one fatted calf will be slain.
I thank God every day for the atonement of His divine son. I'm grateful for the examples of those who are not prodigals in my life. They light the path for me.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sanctify Yourself
There is a book in heaven with the names of the sanctified recorded. To be sanctified you must "fill the measure of your creation" and keep the Law of Christ. Those who become sanctified are of the celestial world. How do we know this? Through a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith on December 27, 1832 known as D&C 88. To be sanctified is to be prepared for celestial glory. What is celestial glory? It is to be in the presence of God the father. Those who are not sanctified through the Law of Christ will inherit a different kingdom, either the Terrestrial or the Telestial, depending on which law they choose to abide by. If we do not abide by a celestial law we cannot abide a celestial glory. That which is governed by law is perfected by that law. All kingdoms have a law given and there are many kingdoms.
That which abideth in sin cannot be sanctified. They are as darkness that cannot comprehend the light, even though The Light invites them to "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me." We have a sacred connection with our Lord. He informs us, "I am the true light that is in you and that you are in me, otherwise ye could not abound." It is his light that guides us through mortality and gently leads us to eternal life. "Behold that which you hear is the voice of one crying in the wilderness...my voice is Spirit. My Spirit is truth, truth abideth and hath no end...if your eye be single to my glory, your whole body shall be filled with light; and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." Darkness never has been able to comprehend The Light.
We are commanded to sanctify ourselves so that our minds become single to God. If we do this the days will come when we shall see him; he shall unveil his face to us in his own time and way. We must be patient and diligent. The sanctification process involves not only keeping the law of Christ, but we are to cast away idle thoughts and to purify our hearts, hands and feet. This initial step will allow Christ to pronounce us clean from the blood of this wicked generation. By doing this Christ fulfills his promise to us.
We are also given the commandment to continue in prayer and fasting and to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom; to seek knowledge of things both in heaven and on the earth...things which have been and are to come, things which are abroad, wars and the perplexities of nations. We are to obtain a knowledge of counties and kingdoms so we can be prepared to build God's kingdom.
We are commanded to "entangle not yourselves in sin but let your hands be clean until the Lord come." This revelation reveals fascinating events leading up to the second coming of the Lord. Much destruction shall take place prior to his coming. Amazing things will happen, like the resurrection of all sanctified people who ever lived. Graves shall be opened and they shall be caught up to the pillars of heaven to descend with Christ at his second coming. Sanctified people living at the time will be "quickened" and caught up to meet him. God is no respector of persons. The living and the dead will join Christ in his second coming. This time he will appear as he is, a celestial being with power and great glory. Just as an angel announced Christ's first appearance, so an angel will announce his second appearance, but this time with a voice of a trump that all the inhabitants of the earth shall hear together. That's got to be some trump.
That which abideth in sin cannot be sanctified. They are as darkness that cannot comprehend the light, even though The Light invites them to "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me." We have a sacred connection with our Lord. He informs us, "I am the true light that is in you and that you are in me, otherwise ye could not abound." It is his light that guides us through mortality and gently leads us to eternal life. "Behold that which you hear is the voice of one crying in the wilderness...my voice is Spirit. My Spirit is truth, truth abideth and hath no end...if your eye be single to my glory, your whole body shall be filled with light; and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." Darkness never has been able to comprehend The Light.
We are commanded to sanctify ourselves so that our minds become single to God. If we do this the days will come when we shall see him; he shall unveil his face to us in his own time and way. We must be patient and diligent. The sanctification process involves not only keeping the law of Christ, but we are to cast away idle thoughts and to purify our hearts, hands and feet. This initial step will allow Christ to pronounce us clean from the blood of this wicked generation. By doing this Christ fulfills his promise to us.
We are also given the commandment to continue in prayer and fasting and to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom; to seek knowledge of things both in heaven and on the earth...things which have been and are to come, things which are abroad, wars and the perplexities of nations. We are to obtain a knowledge of counties and kingdoms so we can be prepared to build God's kingdom.
We are commanded to "entangle not yourselves in sin but let your hands be clean until the Lord come." This revelation reveals fascinating events leading up to the second coming of the Lord. Much destruction shall take place prior to his coming. Amazing things will happen, like the resurrection of all sanctified people who ever lived. Graves shall be opened and they shall be caught up to the pillars of heaven to descend with Christ at his second coming. Sanctified people living at the time will be "quickened" and caught up to meet him. God is no respector of persons. The living and the dead will join Christ in his second coming. This time he will appear as he is, a celestial being with power and great glory. Just as an angel announced Christ's first appearance, so an angel will announce his second appearance, but this time with a voice of a trump that all the inhabitants of the earth shall hear together. That's got to be some trump.
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