Last Wednesday evening I took a few minutes to watch Shaun White claim another gold medal in the men's half pipe. He is an amazing athlete and has worked hard to earn the gold medals he proudly wears. Life has been good to him. For some reason my thoughts turned to Joseph Smith in the Liberty Jail. Probably because I attended Dr. Holzapfel's class earlier that day and the lecture was on Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. I couldn't help comparing the two men. Both have known fame, both are remarkable athletes. But the world adores one and persecuted the other.
From December of 1838 to April of 1839 Joseph Smith was imprisoned in Liberty Jail which is located at Liberty, Missouri. Anyone who has had the opportunity to visit the restored jail can try to imagine what the experience would have been like. Liberty Jail was a dungeon. There were no windows or doors in the confined space Joseph and his companions were forced to live in. The ceiling was so low Joseph could not stand up. He and those with him were not only isolated from family and friends, they were isolated from all sunlight. They were in an environment that was constantly cold and dark. For five long months they lived by candle light. There was no heat for them that winter and Liberty Jail was so cold it was turned into an ice house after it no longer served as a jail. There were no nice beds with clean sheets and blankets to sleep in, just straw, filthy straw. There was no bathroom with running hot water, no baths, just a bucket that was lowered as needed. There was no privacy. Time must have ground to a screeching halt.
It would have been easy for Joseph to become angry and bitter, but he didn't. He endured. He had time to reflect on many things during those long months. He must have wondered if he would ever see his family, friends, and sunlight again. He wondered why he was forgotten by the very God he loved and served. "Oh God, where art Thou?" (D&C 121:1)
Liberty Jail was the refiners fire for Joseph. While there he discovered who he was, but more importantly his relationship with God was strengthened. Some of his greatest insights and revelations came from his greatest suffering. He emerged from those fires a stronger man, a different man. He became stronger in faith, purpose and resolution to do the Lord's will. It was mentioned that after Liberty Jail, Joseph no longer needed Sidney Rigdon to be his mouth piece. After Liberty there were not as many revelations, but more sermons from Joseph. Apparently Joseph became quite an orator after Liberty. He organized the Nauvoo Legion to protect the Saints so that they would never be at any one's mercy again. After Liberty Jail I'm sure Joseph never wanted to see the inside of another jail. But Carthage beckoned and Liberty Jail gave Joseph the courage to face it.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
A God of Mercy Loves Us
In Doctrine and Covenants section 137 the Lord clarifies who will qualify to dwell with him in the celestial kingdom, which is the highest degree of heaven. He declares that, "All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."
It was also made known to Joseph Smith in this revelation that all children who die before they reach the age of accountability are also saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven. How comforting it is to know that little children, like my granddaughter Ella, who died in her infancy, will be welcomed, not rejected, into the celestial kingdom. This revelation opens the door of savlation to all.
How merciful! How great the wisdom and the love! Think of all those who have died never knowing about Jesus Christ. Through this revelation the Lord proves once again He loves all his children, not just those few who were fortunate to be baptized.
This revelation was extraordinary! It drastically changed the way members of the early church viewed salvation. Suddenly the celestial kingdom in heaven became more real, more beautiful, and much more populated. It still stands in stark contrast to what many Christian faiths believe today. Many teach that unless you are baptized in this life, you are damned with the gates of heaven continually shut before you. The Lord proclaims otherwise.
D&C section 137 also reveals that we will be judged according to our thoughts and actions. The Lord refers to them as our "works." This goes back to the instruction He gave during his mortal ministry. The first and great commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. And the second commandment is like unto it, we are to love our neighbor as our self. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. It's that simple. If we truly love God, we keep His commandments and treat his children with love and respect. This is the gospel of Christ, to live our lives with compassion, love, tolerance, and continual service to all. The bottom line is how we treat each other...especially family members.
It was also made known to Joseph Smith in this revelation that all children who die before they reach the age of accountability are also saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven. How comforting it is to know that little children, like my granddaughter Ella, who died in her infancy, will be welcomed, not rejected, into the celestial kingdom. This revelation opens the door of savlation to all.
How merciful! How great the wisdom and the love! Think of all those who have died never knowing about Jesus Christ. Through this revelation the Lord proves once again He loves all his children, not just those few who were fortunate to be baptized.
This revelation was extraordinary! It drastically changed the way members of the early church viewed salvation. Suddenly the celestial kingdom in heaven became more real, more beautiful, and much more populated. It still stands in stark contrast to what many Christian faiths believe today. Many teach that unless you are baptized in this life, you are damned with the gates of heaven continually shut before you. The Lord proclaims otherwise.
D&C section 137 also reveals that we will be judged according to our thoughts and actions. The Lord refers to them as our "works." This goes back to the instruction He gave during his mortal ministry. The first and great commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. And the second commandment is like unto it, we are to love our neighbor as our self. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. It's that simple. If we truly love God, we keep His commandments and treat his children with love and respect. This is the gospel of Christ, to live our lives with compassion, love, tolerance, and continual service to all. The bottom line is how we treat each other...especially family members.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Books are our friends
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!
I love this poem by Emily Dickinson. In it she explains the power of books. Like most relationships, books are taken for granted in today's society. They have become so common place that we scarcely notice them even though they surround us. You see them in grocery stores, in yard sales, discarded at Deseret Industries, and of course at the library and waiting in popular book stores. Most everyone has books. We collect them, burn them, abuse them. But do we realize that for most of the world's history only a few select people could own one? Also for most of the world's history the masses were illiterate. The few who could read and write were scribes. It was my privilege to learn about the evolution of books as I attended a class lecture last week that was held at the special collections department in the Harold B. Lee library at BYU. Thank you Dr. Holzapfel.
Anciently people wrote on papyrus which is made from a plant strongly associated with ancient Egypt. It was very durable but could not be folded. They also wrote on animal bones, turtle shells, and clay tablets. Eventually people discovered how to write on metal. The special collections department has a set Roman metal plates that granted a soldier Roman citizenship after 20 years of service. What an intriguing link to the past. It was then discovered that animal skins could be useful to write on and make books out of. The skins would be carefully prepared by first scraping away the fur. The best animal skin to write on was that of an unborn calf, or veal. This was because the skin was thin. It was called "vellum." Before Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in approximately 1436, it took 11 years to copy a bible. Obviously the work was very labor intensive.
During the Middle Ages, books were copied by hand in monasteries by monks and in convents by nuns. It was interesting to learn that many monks and nuns came from poor families who could not afford to feed their children. Very young children would be left there and then spend the rest of their lives in the monastery or convent.
Unlike today, most people in the past never owned a book. Books were rare. Often they would be chained to a shelf to prevent theft. Proof of this was a book that still had part of the chain dangling from it. Resources for writing books were scarce, so if the vellum had a hole in it, or was torn, it was used anyway. The scribe would simply write around the hole, or repair the tear by sewing it. There were some fine examples of this. Sometimes the initial writing would be scraped away so the vellum could be reused to produce a different book.
Boards would make the front and back covers of books. Often they would be covered with leather. The spine is the bound edge and pages made of vellum or later, paper, constitute a book. By the way, we have the Chinese to thank for inventing paper.
What intrigued me the most about some of the books was the artwork. Often gold leaf was used. The books themselves were literally works of art, not just on the pages, but also on the edge of the pages. One book had two different landscape scenes that you could enjoy depending on how you turned the book. They were exquisite.
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!
I love this poem by Emily Dickinson. In it she explains the power of books. Like most relationships, books are taken for granted in today's society. They have become so common place that we scarcely notice them even though they surround us. You see them in grocery stores, in yard sales, discarded at Deseret Industries, and of course at the library and waiting in popular book stores. Most everyone has books. We collect them, burn them, abuse them. But do we realize that for most of the world's history only a few select people could own one? Also for most of the world's history the masses were illiterate. The few who could read and write were scribes. It was my privilege to learn about the evolution of books as I attended a class lecture last week that was held at the special collections department in the Harold B. Lee library at BYU. Thank you Dr. Holzapfel.
Anciently people wrote on papyrus which is made from a plant strongly associated with ancient Egypt. It was very durable but could not be folded. They also wrote on animal bones, turtle shells, and clay tablets. Eventually people discovered how to write on metal. The special collections department has a set Roman metal plates that granted a soldier Roman citizenship after 20 years of service. What an intriguing link to the past. It was then discovered that animal skins could be useful to write on and make books out of. The skins would be carefully prepared by first scraping away the fur. The best animal skin to write on was that of an unborn calf, or veal. This was because the skin was thin. It was called "vellum." Before Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in approximately 1436, it took 11 years to copy a bible. Obviously the work was very labor intensive.
During the Middle Ages, books were copied by hand in monasteries by monks and in convents by nuns. It was interesting to learn that many monks and nuns came from poor families who could not afford to feed their children. Very young children would be left there and then spend the rest of their lives in the monastery or convent.
Unlike today, most people in the past never owned a book. Books were rare. Often they would be chained to a shelf to prevent theft. Proof of this was a book that still had part of the chain dangling from it. Resources for writing books were scarce, so if the vellum had a hole in it, or was torn, it was used anyway. The scribe would simply write around the hole, or repair the tear by sewing it. There were some fine examples of this. Sometimes the initial writing would be scraped away so the vellum could be reused to produce a different book.
Boards would make the front and back covers of books. Often they would be covered with leather. The spine is the bound edge and pages made of vellum or later, paper, constitute a book. By the way, we have the Chinese to thank for inventing paper.
What intrigued me the most about some of the books was the artwork. Often gold leaf was used. The books themselves were literally works of art, not just on the pages, but also on the edge of the pages. One book had two different landscape scenes that you could enjoy depending on how you turned the book. They were exquisite.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Bring It On!
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.
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.
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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