One of my favorite movies is "Fiddler on the Roof." It tells the story of a Jewish community in Russia. Due to persecution the Jews were forced to leave their homes. As bewildered Jews leave behind the only home they have known, a matronly matchmaker exclaims "Oh how we suffer!" In 1833 Missouri mobs drove all Latter-Day Saints not only from their homes, but from the state of Missouri. The persecution was so bitter that many did not even have time to put on shoes before they were forced out of their homes. Their feet left bloody footprints across frozen ground for 200 miles. All their possessions were confiscated. Horrible things happened to them. In D&C 101 the Lord explains that their afflictions were in consequence of their transgressions. OK...so the message is: if you sin you suffer. Does that mean if you are diligent in keeping God's commandments, you won't suffer? No. Consider the following:
In Genesis 47:7 Joseph introduces his father, Jacob, to Pharaoh. During that initial meeting Pharaoh asks Jacob how old he is. Jacob replies, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been". I have always been intrigued by Jacob's response. How could a righteous man like Jacob have "evil" days? What did he mean?
Jacob served Laban seven years for Rachel, the woman he loved. On the wedding night Leah, Laban's oldest daughter, was given to him instead of Rachel. Imagine Jacob's surprise, anger, and outrage when he discovered the deception the next morning. Laban agreed to let him marry Rachel too, but he had to serve an additional seven years. There was great competition and strife between Leah and Rachel. Leah was afflicted because she was not the favored wife. Rachel was afflicted because she was barren. Finally, after many years when Jacob was old, Rachel bore a son, Joseph. She also bore a second son, Benjamin, who she died giving birth to. Jacob favored Joseph which created harsh feelings among his older sons. At 17 Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers who then told Jacob he was killed, or at least implied it. Jacob was so distraught he rent his clothes and refused to be comforted. He mourned Joseph's loss for years. These are just a few of the trials Jacob suffered. His days were "evil" because that's how he described the sorrows of his life.
So we suffer when we sin. We suffer when we diligently keep the commandments. It seems we are in a lose-lose situation here. Why is it that those who are trying so hard to keep God's commandments suffer the most? They seem to have more than their fair share of suffering. And why is it that there are a lot of...well... not so good people who appear to "have it all" and are enjoying the good life? I don't get it!!!! Did some of us accidentally stand in the "BRING IT ON" line in heaven? You know, the line you stand in just before you're born that determines what kind of life you'll have? I meant to stand in the "beautiful, rich, and famous" line, like the supermodels did, but somehow I got distracted and must have wandered over to the "bring it on" line instead.
Suffering changes us, some for better some for worse. This is how it has changed me. First, it has stripped away all the frivolous things in my life. I am no longer distracted by what is not important and I've learned not to sweat the small stuff. I've become more tolerant of others. Second, I have drawn closer to God and have developed a great love for Him and His son, Jesus Christ. I have also developed a great appreciation for the atonement. I thank God every day for the gift of His son. Because of the atonement of Christ we have hope. Ether 4:12 states, "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God." There will be no suffering in the next world. D&C 101:29 states, "And there shall be no sorrow because there is no death." Why does God allow us to suffer? Because through suffering He refines us, sanctifies us. Then, and only then, can we return to His presence.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Patriarchal Blessings and the Doctrine and Covenants
A Patriarchal Blessing is a sacred privilege and blessing given to worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints though a "Patriarch". A Patriarch is a male member who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood and has lived his life so that he is worthy to receive revelations from God. In order to be worthy he must be living so righteously that he is cleansed from sin through the atonement of Christ and qualifies for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It is by this Spirit that the inspiration for the revelations come for the blessings. Members receiving this blessing must have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and be diligently striving to keep His Commandments.
Before he died, Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, laid his hands on the heads of his 12 sons and pronounced a parting blessing on each of them. This is recorded in Genesis chapter 49. Since many members of the Church are literal descendants of Jacob, and those who aren't are adopted into the house of Israel upon becoming members of the Church, one's lineage is declared in their Patriarchal Blessing. Through my Patriarchal Blessing I know that my heritage is of the tribe of Ephraim. I am a literal descendant of Ephraim, as are millions of other members of the Church.
I remember fasting before receiving this sacred blessing. When the Patriarch placed his hands on my head and gave me my blessing, I can still remember the strong presence of the Spirit of the Lord that seemed to flood my entire body. Patriarchal Blessings can serve as a guide and a comfort to you throughout your life, as mine has for me.
How is a Patriarchal Blessing similar to the revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants? Both were given through the power of revelation from God. Both required great faith and righteousness on the part of Joseph Smith and the Patriarch. The revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants were for the guidance of individuals living in Joseph Smith's time, however, we can liken them to ourselves. Patriarchal Blessings are given for the guidance of those living today and often contain warnings to individuals. Patriarchal Blessings are conditional. They will only be realized if one lives righteously. I have met members of the Church who have fallen away from the Church and later claimed that it is not true after all because their Patriarchal Blessings did not come to pass. They failed to recognize that living worthy is vital to receiving the blessings pronounced upon them. Also, since we are spiritual beings having a mortal experience on this earth, most blessings will not be fully realized in this life.
How are Patriarchal Blessings different from the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants? Most revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were given through Joseph Smith. Patriarchal Blessings are given through the Stake Patriarch. Revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants were given in the 19th century. Patriarchal Blessings are continuing revelations given to individuals today.
Before he died, Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, laid his hands on the heads of his 12 sons and pronounced a parting blessing on each of them. This is recorded in Genesis chapter 49. Since many members of the Church are literal descendants of Jacob, and those who aren't are adopted into the house of Israel upon becoming members of the Church, one's lineage is declared in their Patriarchal Blessing. Through my Patriarchal Blessing I know that my heritage is of the tribe of Ephraim. I am a literal descendant of Ephraim, as are millions of other members of the Church.
I remember fasting before receiving this sacred blessing. When the Patriarch placed his hands on my head and gave me my blessing, I can still remember the strong presence of the Spirit of the Lord that seemed to flood my entire body. Patriarchal Blessings can serve as a guide and a comfort to you throughout your life, as mine has for me.
How is a Patriarchal Blessing similar to the revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants? Both were given through the power of revelation from God. Both required great faith and righteousness on the part of Joseph Smith and the Patriarch. The revelations given in the Doctrine and Covenants were for the guidance of individuals living in Joseph Smith's time, however, we can liken them to ourselves. Patriarchal Blessings are given for the guidance of those living today and often contain warnings to individuals. Patriarchal Blessings are conditional. They will only be realized if one lives righteously. I have met members of the Church who have fallen away from the Church and later claimed that it is not true after all because their Patriarchal Blessings did not come to pass. They failed to recognize that living worthy is vital to receiving the blessings pronounced upon them. Also, since we are spiritual beings having a mortal experience on this earth, most blessings will not be fully realized in this life.
How are Patriarchal Blessings different from the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants? Most revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants were given through Joseph Smith. Patriarchal Blessings are given through the Stake Patriarch. Revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants were given in the 19th century. Patriarchal Blessings are continuing revelations given to individuals today.
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