"What is the Lamp"

Continuing the discussion of the oil and the lamp – what is the lamp? What is the vessel which we need to carry our oil or water? It’s the mortal body – it contains the water which in turn gives us each life in a mortal sense of the word. Without a mortal body we would need no water – i.e. the Savior appeared to the Apostles and all others after the resurrection with a body of flesh and bone and without blood! When Captain Cook was killed in the Pacific Islands it was because when he fell and cut himself he bled and the legends and oral lore (and written records) allowed those living there to know the Great God did not bleed – indeed as he’d done with other he’d allowed them to touch him and place their hands in the holes of the nails and the spear thrust in his side. One can then see the relationship in the parable of the ten virgins* and to our day – the oil = water; the lamp (or vessel) = body! However what then gives the light – we know that the lamp’s purpose was to provide light – even today a lamp will provide light with a bulb and a source of energy. Therefore where or what gives off our light if it be not the soul. This spirit which we knew in the preexistence and covered with the clay of mortality – we call our lamp.

Cased within we’ve what we always have been and will be – we either can put forth light or we cannot. Light is most often referenced to truth and intelligence – the ability to lift others to further life giving knowledge – and to allow us to see clearly the Iron Rod and hold fast to it. Our lamp is trimmed or not by our obedience – and is most often dimmed by poor maintenance or poor choices. The better the choice – the more obedient – the fullness of our light will shine forth – so that all can see and we cannot then hide under a basket or out of sight. Often times the light our lamp produces is found offensive to those who cannot tolerate hard Gospel truths – and thus our lamps get struck and bent and hurt – but yet our light will only go out of us upon our death and at the bar of judgment if we’re true and faithful in all things and endure to the end. Never-the-less we’ve the choice – the same as the virgins – we can keep our lamps lit and full of oil (water) and perform as Father would have us do – or we cannot. Many feel they can do both – be unspotted from the world – yet be part and parcel of the worldly – walking on both roads. What is failed to be understood when on the worldly road we burn our fuel and dim our light – our need for water increases beyond our ability of our resources to provide. Our food storage and especially our water storage get put off for another day and then another. We replace the food storage with other ‘things’ with manmade excuses to fit our needs and then when the bridegroom calls we go to the market place while the wise go to the Lord. Man cannot ever give us what the Lord can – it may seem appealing and that he can satisfy our needs – but it’s only for the moment. The water in our storage and the food in our storage is for more than the moment – and when at some time when we’re in isolations due to Chemical or Biological Warfare or some other means – when the marketplace is closed off – and the home is our only place to be – we then will know with sureness of being obedient to the Lord or to the wiles of men.

The lamp tells many of where we are – but only on the outside – on the surface – most of us do not have the lamps of the movie stars or those who pander to the artificial – yet they will be more of the parents who’ve raised children – borne children – worked hard and endured the persecutions of men who desire our souls for their master and their dominion – while we’ve resisted. When we’ve had so many hurricane warnings – some choose to stay in their homes which are in flood zones because they’ve heard the warnings before – and cannot be found after the storm no one will be saying to them “I told you so!” all that will be said is amen! What story our lamp tells is best read by our loved ones and the Lord. Some of us are dumpy (smile) but yet hopefully we’ve bright shining lights – and that all may be as the five wise virgins – caring for the lamp – having storage as we’ve been directed and commanded – in the movie “Mountain of the Lord” young Michael is being told by the Prophet what they’re going to do in regards to the railroad – and he’s contesting a bit – when his friend and mentor – gently rebukes him, “Michael this is a Prophet of God and this is what we’re going to do!” Can we sustain a Prophet of God and not be found in full obedience – I think not – and only if we are will our lamp put forth wonderful light then – now and forever! c/ork


“What is the Lamp?”

cji
11/01/08

What is the vessel
what protects each
wherein is this life
called mortality;

Where is the soul
where found light
showing forth truth
showing forth each;

Found the body now
mortal and frail to be
in service somehow
our lamp/vessel to be!
Copyright © 2008 – cji

"What is the Oil"

When one thinks of the parable of the Ten Virgins* – five who were wise and five who were not the main item they were missing was the oil. They each had lamps and all were in working order. And within the parable almost anyone alive at the time could easily understand the need for oil in a lamp – and also knowing what it meant to trim one’s lamp at the coming of the bride groom. All ten took their lamps – five had oil and five had not! The way it reads is that – five took no oil with them – did this mean they left it behind – mostly it refers that they didn’t have it when they needed it. I’ve often felt about this might be a Temple Recommend – and I’ve also tried to relate it to other things as they relate to our day. However even a Temple Recommend if one has one and forgets it – can through proper authority have it confirmed prior to entering the Temple and they would still be able to enter. Thus my quandary was the oil – and finally in my thinking I related it to water! Water is a term used in many parables within the teachings of the Savior. First without water one cannot live in a mortal body. Water is a fluid item and one can easily see a relationship to the oil of the Old and New Testaments and Book of Mormon. In those days it was a clear substance which could burn when in a controlled environment of a lamp or a vessel. Not all lamps had wicks – but simply were in a hollowed metal dish and the oil itself was lit – but this cannot be what the Savior was referring to as to be able to trim – one has to be able to control the flow of the oil or the size of the flame. Second water is necessary to the strength of an individual – on short rations we know that one’s strength is not as good as when on full rations and water being the most important of the rations. When referring to the oil the Savior was referring to refined oil or oil outside of its original form within either the scale or any other source. Impure water will be harmful to a person who partakes of it – so one can gather this cannot be just any water – but pure water – unspotted from the world.

Thus today we need to have water – one can buy it at a store – get it from a well – or a stream, river, pond or lake. One can even get water from an ocean - but cannot live on ocean water in a mortal form without massive distillation and purification. This might also be said of some of the other sources of water mentioned on our list. If one contaminates the drinking water of a town, village, city or a nation – then one will only have the water supply they’ve already set aside. One must recognize even some of that water set aside will only be potable water good for washing, cooking, rinsing but not for drinking. The body without water cannot live in mortality! You might have some – even hoard some – but without using and drinking it you will die!

In the parable one recognizes without the oil – even new purchased oil – the Lord or bridegroom knew not the five unwise virgins – one could think of this as a deathbed sentence. Called before the bar of justice – some who’d lived the commandments – kept themselves unspotted from the world – and had sufficient oil for light to go unto the bridegroom or the Lord – were found acceptable and welcomed. While those who’d lived the commandments – kept themselves unspotted from the world – but did not have sufficient light were turned back into the night. This presentation is much too short to go into all of the ramifications – but to keep it short and concise – the five unwise virgins did not have an inner light within their soul and not sufficient water to keep their mortal body alive and therefore their souls departed the dead body when being called to the bridegroom. Their lamps were empty! Many of the parables found in the scriptures readily discuss those who call unto some or many in the Lord’s name in the end are unknown to Him – why because even though they lived to the rules of men they did not live to the Commandments of God!

It is through obedience that we maintain food storage and a sufficient supply of fresh drinking water. Yes over time we rotate and replace this water – we may with the invention of new methods have ways to purify water to make its shelve life longer – but we first have to be obedient in all things – even the small things – not seen unto the world or of men – but only within our own homes. The oil in this thinking then relates well to the water in our food and home storage – it’s needful – necessary and we’ve been spoken to by a Prophet of God to have it! (Actually many Prophets of God have told us to do this and to do it now!)


“What is the Oil?”

cji
11/01/08

Clear and ever pure
virgin one might say
understood and sure
none able to delay;

Water in our storage
clean and ever pure
no longer able to forage
understood and sure;

Our life’s blood need
our souls to refresh
commandments to heed
within our mortal flesh!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

*Matthew 25: Jesus gives the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.
1 aThen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten bvirgins, which took their clamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all aslumbered and bslept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the abridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their alamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps aare gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were aready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was bshut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I aknow you not.
13 aWatch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Oil in Our Lamps (if you read nothing else that I send - please read this) chuck

“Oil in Our Lamps”

cji
10/31/08

So often to hear
so little understood
yet we know it’s us
spoken to and of;

Oil in our lamps
what does it mean
how does it apply
to us of this today;

Thoughts to wonder
unspotted need to be
similar to a virgin
in this world to live;

Which many are found
living righteously now
then what is the oil
and what are our lamps?

For years I’ve pondered this scripture – and over and over I’ve linked it with works of service – helping others – doing good – but this is only but a part and I’ve always been left thinking there is more! We’ve been warned for years now of having a year’s supply of home storage – everything needful to take care of each member of our family! Even here over the years we share with others in need as it arises for two very good reasons – one is shelf life and turnover of needs. Yet we need to be doing this for a reason – if there’s a major war – or a flood – or an natural disaster most will be destroyed. If there’s a depression of this magnitude the food will be used up and with little left at the end of a year or even sooner when sharing with others (which we would do). Thus it has to be something which would cause isolation of a kind not seen in the US in decades if not longer. An epidemic where none can share or mix with others until it’s over. There’s several kinds of this which could happen – with a major one called a pandemic which almost all are familiar. Yet even this isn’t enough – for some parts of the nation might be hit and yet others might not – what would affect all parts of a nation? At my backdoor has been part of the answer all of my adult life. I’ve studied, taught and evaluated Chemical and Biological Weapons – man-made and lethal where many may be left dead but more frequently the majority will be quarantined to protect them and others. This will mean no one will be going out – for easy preparations can defeat most types of Chemical or Biological Weapons and time is the greatest enemy to both which can be man disseminated. Cleanliness and isolation thus would protect the majority of the population, i.e. not going outside one’s home – or if doing so for only immediate areas around one’s own home. The streets would be vacant – the stores closed and only those with adequate food storage, water and immediate needs of medications, etc. would survive in relative security. Others will survive but the trial will be much more difficult – risks will be taken to get to the basic essentials – chaos will exist in major urban areas and in the more rural areas law enforcement should be adequate to maintain any short term lock down – if this be a number of days or weeks. Once it gets into months it’ll be more difficult but months is not a term associated with Chemical or Biological Weapons for the most part that can be man delivered.

Three things will occur – first it will be accomplished with little or no notification thus with on warning it’ll have a greater chance of spreading quickly in the immediate strike areas. Second it’ll most likely occur during a peek time of the day when traffic congestion will be heaviest – which would mean Noon on the Eastern Seaboard of the US – this would affect the early flights – and spread across the US in major Urban areas. This does not mean that rural America won’t be included – but most likely it’ll be an airborne for the rural areas – while in the major urban areas airborne will be only one of the means. The water supply – cluster bombs – timed devices in heavy traffic areas and or as suggested by Tom Clancy in trade shows around the nation with a slow reaction vector or chemical. Lastly, it will cause a panic which will last for several hours, days or weeks (which event would be the most disastrous). It depends on how quickly there’s a recognition of the problem and restrictions on travel and movement are put into place. Or how quickly one person can be isolated from another in a controlled manner.

The above has taken time to finally understand the parable of the five wise virgin and the five who were unwise. All were virgins – all had access equally to the oil referred to – it could be purchased in the market place – and the five unwise virgins had the funds to do so. Acts of service can be neither purchased nor sold – they would not be found in the market place. Only supplies are found in the market place – items one can buy or sell. One can then use or store!

Our lamps are our homes and the oil is our ‘food storage’ – we’ve been both warned – over and over – and it makes real sense. c/ork
Copyright © 2008 – cji

“Rules Not Exceptions!” 10/22/08 (with talk by President Boyd K. Packer)

“Rules Not Exceptions!”

cji
10/22/08

Let us be an example
of the rule only true
others can be exceptions
their risk is their own
we’ve ourselves first
worthy to be found
and our families too
in righteousness bound
rules not exceptions
keep one unspotted
virtuous and clean
we then should live
rules not exceptions!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

What follows is a talk given by President Boyd K. Packer in 2006:

Children of God
PRESIDENT BOYD K. PACKER Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
This address was given at the BYU Women’s Conference, May 5, 2006.
© 2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For further information write:
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Beloved sisters, the very sight of you and the influence you have is overpowering.
The Twelve Apostles are called to “set in order” (D&C 107:58) and “regulate all the affairs of the [Church] in all nations” (D&C 107:33) under the direction of the First Presidency. That is not always easy to do.
I feel much as King Benjamin must have felt when he saw dangers among the people and said, “[I came not] to trifle with . . . words” (Mosiah 2:9). It can be very uncomfortable when we see thickening clouds and feel responsible to protect our families.
Nephi said, “I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, . . . for my soul delighteth in plainness” (2 Nephi 31:2–3).
And Jacob said, “Wherefore I, Jacob, gave unto them these words as I taught them in the temple, having first obtained mine errand from the Lord” (Jacob 1:17). I too made that same preparation, as best I could, and obtained my direction from the same source. 2 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jacob and Joseph “had been consecrated priests and teachers of [the] people” (Jacob 1:18; see also 2 Nephi 5:26). They expressed concern for “the hearts of [the] tender wives” (Jacob 2:35) and for the children.
Whenever we speak of home and family and motherhood, we fear we might wound the tender hearts of those who may never marry or those whose marriages have failed. There are those who are greatly disappointed with their children. There are heartbreaking gender problems, untimely deaths, abortion, abuse, pornography, and, in addition, an endless list of things which almost dissuade us from speaking with the plainness that the scripture commands us to do.
I return, as I have on countless occasions, to the inspired words of a Relief Society president. I will ever be grateful to Sister Alberta Baker. A convert of the Church, she was mission Relief Society president when I was mission president in New England. She was a very small woman and walked with a very pronounced limp from childhood polio.
We had sixty Relief Societies scattered across the mission. Some of them were off-course and some of them were little more than sewing circles and a few had lost their way entirely. Sister Belle Spafford, president of the general Relief Society, provided some simple guidelines that could be followed.
We called the Relief Society leaders together in the chapel at the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in Vermont. I asked Sister Baker to explain the changes we were asking them to make. She gently invited the sisters to conform more closely to the patterns set for the Relief Society.
One sister stood and said defiantly, “That doesn’t fit us. We’re an exception!” She repeated with more emphasis, “We are an exception!”
It was a very tense moment, something of a crisis. Sister Baker turned to me for help. I was not interested in facing a fierce woman, so I motioned for her to proceed. Then came the revelation!
With gentle firmness, she said: “Dear sister, we’d like not to take care of the exception first. We will take care of the rule first, and then we will see to the exception.” She continued to explain what a Relief Society should be.
Later I told her I would be quoting her all over the world. And so I have. In many challenging moments, some very tense, I have quoted the revelation that came to that sweet, little Relief Society president.
Today I will speak of the rules first and later consider the exceptions.
I see in the tender hearts of women transcendent power. Listen to these words written by William Ross Wallace more than 125 years ago. They speak of you, and I agree with what they say:
Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place; 3 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy’s the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother’s first to guide the streamlets,
From the souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.1
That is far more than just a poetic compliment. Later I will speak of an uncertain future in which mothers will be our protection.
President J. Reuben Clark Jr. described a pioneer family. Always last into camp at night, the wife was about to be a mother, the husband taking such care as he could to ease the jolting of the wagon. Then the baby came:
“Morning came when from out that last wagon floated the la-la of the newborn babe, and mother love made a shrine, and Father bowed in reverence before it. But the train must move on. So out into the dust and dirt the last wagon moved again, swaying and jolting, while Mother eased as best she could each pain-giving jolt so no harm might be done her, that she might be strong to feed the little one, bone of 4 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
her bone, flesh of her flesh. Who will dare to say that angels did not cluster round and guard her and ease her rude bed, for she had given another choice spirit its mortal body that it might work out its God-given destiny?”2
The rules and principles are in the scriptures. The revelations make it very clear that mankind is the offspring of Heavenly Parents. We have in God our Father and a Heavenly Mother the pattern of our parentage.
After being away four years, I came home from World War II and wanted, even yearned, to be married. In the years during the war, I became mature enough to realize that rather than making a list of specifications by which to measure a future companion, I should concentrate on what I myself must do. How could I be worthy of and able to fulfill the dreams of one with enduring values centered in home and family who would want to be my companion?
After more than fifty years, I am still trying to be worthy of her and good to her.
We were in school and had little material things to offer one another. We had our love and our faith and a determination to live the principles of the gospel—all of them, the difficult ones as well as the easy ones. We planned our life together and determined that we would accept each child born to us.
I remember clearly this incident: We had three small children. I had a very modest income. The bishop’s wife, who was close to Donna’s family (Donna’s father was a counselor to the bishop), came to see her mother and said, “I’ve cried all morning. I heard that Donna is expecting again.” We would not trade the child that came (it was our first girl) or the six that followed after, for anything you can imagine.
Once we said: “Perhaps if we plant a tree each time a child is born and pass that tradition to the coming generations, we may live in a small forest.”
Now fifty-eight years later, it has come to pass in our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who now number one short of 100. We live in a house that the real estate agents describe as old, sheltered under the trees at the end of a lane that reminds you of a forest.
I pay tribute to my wife. Now, I am bound to tell the truth. (I am on Church property!) I have without hesitation described her as being perfect. And so she is! She has borne each of our ten children; each is a child of God. And now they and their partners to whom they are sealed, and the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren that have come, all honor her.
We got by during difficult years because my wife, in matters of food and clothing and shelter, was able to make something good and usable out of very little—sometimes out of almost nothing at all.
We are all children of God. It is just as simple as that! We are, in fact, children of God.
Some years ago, I returned home to find our little children were waiting in the driveway. They had discovered a newly hatched batch of chicks under the manger 5 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
in the barn. When they reached for them, the mother hen, as mothers do, protected her brood. So they had come for reinforcements.
I soon gathered a handful of little chicks for them to see and to touch. There were black ones and yellow ones and brown ones and gray ones.
As our little girl held one of them, I said in a teasing way, “That little chick will make a nice watchdog when it grows up, won’t it?” She looked at me quizzically, as if I didn’t know much. So I changed my approach: “It won’t be a watchdog, will it?”
She shook her head, “No, Daddy.”
Then I added, “It will be a nice riding horse.”
She wrinkled up her nose and gave me that “Oh, Dad!” look, for even a four-year-old knows that a chick will not be a dog or a horse or even a turkey; it will be a chicken. It will follow the pattern of its parentage. She knew that without having had a lesson or a lecture or a course in genetics.
No lesson is more manifest in nature than that all living things do as the Lord commanded them in the Creation. They reproduce after their own kind (see Moses 2:12, 24–25). They follow the pattern of their parentage. Everyone knows that. Every four-year-old knows that! A bird will not become an animal nor a fish. A mammal will not beget a reptile, nor “do men gather . . . figs of thistles” (Matthew 7:16).
In all that you do as women, do not forget that we are all children of God. If you get that doctrine in place, with that rule established, it will serve you well in times when you are confronted with those who equate humankind with animals.
I had another lesson from a child. Two of our little boys were wrestling on the rug. They had reached that pitch—you know the one—where laughter turns to tears and play becomes strife. (I see you do know!) I worked a foot gently between them and lifted the older boy (then just four years of age) to a sitting position on the rug, saying, “Hey there, you monkey! You had better settle down.”
He folded his little arms and looked at me with surprising seriousness. His little-boy feelings had been hurt, and he protested, “I not a monkey, Daddy. I a person!”
It is just that simple! I thought how deeply I loved him, how much I wanted him to be “a person,” one of eternal worth, for “children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalms 127:3). Each is a child of God. He is not a monkey; neither were his ancestors.
I have often thought that much of what I know that is most worth knowing I have learned from our children.
In the very beginning, God created both man and woman. He said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18; Moses 3:18; Abraham 5:14) and “they twain shall be one flesh” (Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:8; D&C 49:16).
Our destiny is so established that man can only find complete fulfillment and fill the divine purpose for his creation with a woman to whom he is legally and lawfully
married. The union of man and woman begets babies that are conceived and cross that frail footpath into mortality. 6 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This divine pattern was planned and the gospel designed from “before the world was” (D&C 49:17). The plan provides for us to come to the world into a mortal body. It is “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). We did not design it. If we follow the pattern, happiness and joy will follow. The gospel and the moral standards are set to prevent us from straying into unworthy or unnatural behavior that will result in disappointment and unhappiness.
The virtue of tolerance has been distorted and elevated to a position of such prominence as to be thought equal to and even valued more than morality. It is one thing to be tolerant, even forgiving of individual conduct. It is quite another to collectively legislate and legalize to protect immoral conduct that can weaken, even destroy the family.
There is a dangerous trap when tolerance is exaggerated to protect the rights of those whose conduct endangers the family and injures the rights of the more part of the people. We are getting dangerously close to the condition described by the prophet Mosiah, who warned:
“Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people.
“And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land” (Mosiah 29:26–27).
Tolerance can be a dangerous trap.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said to the first Relief Society, “There must be decision of character, aside from sympathy.”3
It suits the purpose of the Almighty to let it be that some will not have a marriage or find it broken through death or mischief. Some have great difficulty having any children, and some will not have children of their own—that is, it will not happen in mortal life. But in the eternal scheme of things, it will happen as surely as the commandments are kept. Those yearnings unfulfilled in mortality will be filled to overflowing in the life beyond where there is eternal love and eternal increase.
The Lord has spoken to His servants, and they have framed “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”:
“The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. 7 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed [not to be redefined or rearranged]. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.
“The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”4
These lines from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” to me have taken on the stature of scripture.
There is another dangerous trend as mothers, sometimes beyond their control, are being drawn out of the home. What could a mother possibly bring into the home that can equal her being at home with the children while they grow and mature?
We may learn from events of the future that “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.”
Recently there was printed in an international publication an article under the strange title of “Babies Win Wars.”5 It chronicled several centuries of the history of countries that lost population. When they had difficulty in sustaining their population and themselves, they became vulnerable to invasion and occupation.
Now the birthrate is declining in every country in the world. In order for a nation’s population to remain stable, the birthrate must be just over two children per woman of childbearing years.
In more than thirty countries in Europe, the birthrate is below the replacement rate. In several, it is hovering barely above half that replacement rate. The population of some countries is declining at an alarming rate.
The United States is barely above the replacement rate. Only because of immigration and the higher birthrate among the Hispanic people do we maintain our population.
All East Asian countries are currently below the replacement rate.
Latin America has witnessed a dramatic decline in birthrate in the past thirty years.
Virtually every social security and medical system in the developed world is facing bankruptcy. An aging population can neither work to sustain the people nor fight to protect them.
That trend is seen in the Church. Worldwide, the birthrate among members married in the temple is notably higher than in the world, but this rate too has been 8 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
declining. In one European country with a sizeable population of Church members, for example, the birthrate among temple-married members, although higher than the national average, is below the replacement rate. Worldwide, the birthrate of Church members is only slightly higher than the world at large.
Like the rest of the population, members of the Church must suffer the consequences of these trends. We face a particular set of issues because the pool from which missionaries are drawn is in steady decline.
The First Presidency has written, “Marriage is ordained of God, and the paramount purpose of this sacred principle is to bring into the world immortal spirits to be reared in health and nobility of character, to fill the measure of their mortal existence.”6
Mankind has gotten into an almost impossible predicament. In the ordinary home and the ordinary family, in almost every conceivable way, the destroyer leads humanity carefully away from the source of all happiness. The prophecy is now being fulfilled of wars and rumors of wars and plagues and pestilence (see Matthew 24:3–8).
Teach the children the plan of salvation, the sacredness of the body, the supernal nature of the power to give life. Mothers, guide them, warn them against misusing those sacred powers in your gentle way. The future of the family depends on how those powers are protected.
The devil has no body. He and his angels try to possess the bodies of mankind.
When the sacred power to give life is used immorally, unnaturally, or in perversion, one stands in jeopardy of failing the test of mortality. Even then, through true repentance, the mercy of the Holy One has power to reclaim and to heal.
“The hand that rocks the cradle [does rule] the world.”
“The plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ” (Alma 22:13), was unfolded in the Creation. In the very beginning, man was created, and because “it is not good that the man should be alone,” the Lord created a wife, “an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). In the scriptures, the word meet means equal. Man and woman are separate but equal, complementary to one another. Both the equal and the separate natures are essential to the onrolling of the great plan of happiness.
Do not envy a man his manhood or his priesthood. Foster and encourage, in every way you can, his role and the role of your sons in the destiny ordained for them.
To women is given a most supernal part of the plan of redemption. “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living; for thus have I, the Lord God, called the first of all women” (Moses 4:26). Foster in yourself and in your daughters the exalted role of the woman, the incomparable gift of creation that attends motherhood.
The man was given to provide and protect; the woman was given to make it all worthwhile. 9 ©2006 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Publication, distribution, or reproduction for other than incidental noncommercial Church or home purposes requires the permission of the Copyrights and Permissions Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Be it Truth” 10/18/08

“Be it Truth”

cji
10/18/08

Have you read
or allowed another
not a sister/brother
you spiritually feed?

Be you old or youth
pray and ask Father
learn from Father
if this is the truth!

Copyright © 2008 – cji

THE SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI
CHAPTER 33

Nephi’s words are true—They testify of Christ—Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi’s words—They shall stand as a witness before the judgment bar. Between 559 and 545 B.C.

1 And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I amighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man bspeaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.
2 But behold, there are many that aharden their bhearts against the Holy cSpirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught.
3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great aworth, and especially unto my people. For I bpray continually for them by day, and mine ceyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.
4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it apersuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life beternal.
5 And it speaketh aharshly against sin, according to the bplainness of the truth; wherefore, no man will be angry at the words which I have written save he shall be of the spirit of the devil.
6 I aglory in bplainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath credeemed my soul from hell.
7 I have acharity for my people, and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgment-seat.
8 I have charity for the aJew—I say Jew, because I mean them from whence I came.
9 I also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of athese can I hope except they shall be breconciled unto Christ, and enter into the cnarrow dgate, and ewalk in the fstrait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of gprobation.
10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also aJew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and bbelieve in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall cbelieve in Christ ye will believe in these dwords, for they are the ewords of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they fteach all men that they should do good.
11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with apower and great bglory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his akingdom at that great and last day.
13 And now, my beloved brethren, all those who are of the house of Israel, and all ye ends of the earth, I speak unto you as the voice of one acrying from the dust: Farewell until that great day shall come.
14 And you that will not partake of the goodness of God, and respect the words of the aJews, and also my bwords, and the words which shall proceed forth out of the mouth of the Lamb of God, behold, I bid you an everlasting farewell, for these words shall ccondemn you at the last day.
15 For what I seal on earth, shall be brought against you at the ajudgment bar; for thus hath the Lord commanded me, and I must bobey. Amen.

“Two Witnesses” (not just one) 10/15/08

“Two Witnesses”
(not just one)

cji
10/15/08


Going before a court
public opinion or men
how many witnesses
two never just one;

Thus it is common law
that the Scriptures too
must have more than one
many reject the second;

Denying the word of God
satisfied with man’s word
claiming they’ve enough
willing to pay man’s price!

Copyright © 2008 – cji


THE SECOND BOOK OF NEPHI

CHAPTER 29

Many gentiles shall reject the Book of Mormon—They shall say: We need no more Bible—The Lord speaks to many nations—He will judge the world out of the books thus written. Between 559 and 545 B.C.

1 But behold, there shall be many—at that day when I shall proceed to do a amarvelous work among them, that I may remember my bcovenants which I have made unto the children of men, that I may set my hand again the csecond time to recover my people, which are of the house of Israel;

2 And also, that I may remember the promises which I have made unto thee, Nephi, and also unto thy father, that I would remember your seed; and that the awords of your seed should proceed forth out of my mouth unto your seed; and my words shall bhiss forth unto the cends of the earth, for a dstandard unto my people, which are of the house of Israel;

3 And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A aBible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.

4 But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a aBible; and it shall proceed forth from the bJews, mine ancient covenant people. And what cthank they the dJews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?

5 O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have acursed them, and have bhated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.

6 Thou fool, that shall say: A aBible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?

7 Know ye not that there are more anations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the bisles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the cearth beneath; and I bring forth my dword unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?

8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the atestimony of btwo nations is a cwitness unto you that I am God, that I remember one dnation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two enations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.

9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the asame yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my bwords according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one cword ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my dwork is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.

10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my awords; neither bneed ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.

11 For I command aall men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall bwrite the words which I speak unto them; for out of the cbooks which shall be written I will djudge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written.

12 For behold, I shall speak unto the aJews and they shall bwrite it; and I shall also speak unto the Nephites and they shall cwrite it; and I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it; and I shall also speak unto dall nations of the earth and they shall write it.

13 And it shall come to pass that the aJews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews; and the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the blost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.

14 And it shall come to pass that my people, which are of the ahouse of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the blands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in cone. And I will show unto them that fight against my word and against my dpeople, who are of the ehouse of Israel, that I am God, and that I fcovenanted with gAbraham that I would remember his hseed iforever.



THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET
EZEKIEL

CHAPTER 37

16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one astick, and bwrite upon it, For cJudah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and dwrite upon it, For eJoseph, the fstick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:

"The Idle (Rich or Poor?)" 10/14/08

Over the years this statement taught as truth about the ‘idle’ in the Bible (Scriptures) is being passed as to who the ‘idle’ in the Bible are. Thus in a recent email once again the subject was broached – and I’ve thought to address it – c/ork “… the Bible teaches that he who does not work, does not eat” The emphasis is that the ‘idle’ (or he who does not work) referred to are the ‘poor’ and this is wrong! Only in one place when dealing with the word ‘idle’ does the Bible refer to hunger and that’s in Proverbs 19:15 – however in the Doctrine and Covenants 42:42 we find the scriptures most are alluding to with this thought and condition.

As found in the Scriptures:
“Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Doctrine and Covenants 42:42 Thou shalt not be idle; for he this is idle shall not eat the bread nor wear the garments of the laborer.”

To determine that the ‘idle’ referred to are the ‘poor’ as to the things of this world is incorrect – the idle in the Scriptures refer to the idle rich or those not being anxiously engaged in doing good work in the service of others (as in James 1:27) – not the idle poor. Mostly the world chooses the poor over the rich and most religions harp on this to define who’s worthy and who’s not. The idle poor in the US are a new class developed from the welfare system of the Government in the 1930’s. There were no idle poor ‘per se’ prior to this. There were those who could not find work – could not get to work – were too sick to work – but as the word ‘poor’ references a ‘state of mind’ and not a condition – there were very few – never enough to make a class of people. We’ve always had those who were ‘broke’ which is a temporary condition – but very few who either did not want to work or could not – other than the ‘idle rich’.

With the advent of the Theory of Evolution which was quickly followed by Survival of the Fittest (Herbert Spencer “Principles of Biology – 1864*) – we then (in England first) referred to the ‘idle poor’ as those who could not work because the ‘idle rich’ shut down their businesses because of cold weather and then other excuses. The workers in the mines and industries of Europe and especially England were extremely harsh – debilitating and dehumanizing. The hours were very long and there were no breaks for lunch or other necessities – if one had Sunday off they worked a double shift on the following Sunday especially the children in the mines. People were used up by their 30’s if they survived that long – many were embarrassed to go out and certainly they couldn’t go to the parks or the churches of the day. Thus the media/press (owned by the rich) would label them as ‘lay bouts’ or worse. With only marginal pubs to go to the story of them being drinkers, etc. who forced their children to work sounded good and was passed on to those who could read and write as being idlers and poor and costing the nation in resources – thus expendable to some. They had debtors prisons and impounded many aboard their ships either for war or trade.

The quest for labeling the idle poor then grew in the US after the Civil War – many were freed – many had been pressed into the military (this is not just about blacks or whites) and after the war found they had neither work nor homes to return to – either on the North or the South. Many went to the West – never heard from again but were productive in raising to life that part of our nation. They worked on ranches – building towns and most especially the mines. One must remember the working conditions at the turn of the 19th to the 20th Century were among the worst in the Northeast and in any of the major cities of the East Coast. This caused the Unions to strive for better conditions – where upon more were unemployed in the rage of the owners who protested any chip in their profits to provide for the safety of their workers.

In both Europe and the US in the 1800’s and early 1900’s the owners demanded life and soul of their workers – comes to mind of Tennessee ‘Ernie’ Ford’s song, “16 Tons.” At the same time workers tired eek out – some use the word ‘steal’ time and or resources from the owners. This was not a win-win situation and the owners were never punished while workers were punished wickedly. Add to this the manmade wars – depressions – and the sicknesses associated within the workplaces along with fires, etc. and the mass of people involved causing many to be treated worse than slaves ever considered. Ownership was held in the paycheck – the paycheck provided no room or board – it only meant you had been paid whatever the owner determined to pay and nothing more.

What changed in the early 1900’s – first the Depression of 1906 where the ‘idle rich’ got richer by creating money out of nothing while at the same time taking over more and more ownership of land, stock and markets. By the time of Great Depression (where again the idle rich got richer paying five (5) cents on the dollar for stocks) we had large segments of our population with everyone in the work place – and the advent of a new rich class called mobsters. But let’s return to the time of 1906 – recall the movie the ‘Newsies’ and the number of children in the work force. This changed with the ‘public school system’ and the work laws denying those under the age of 16 to be in the work force. Thus any of the families who were creating new opportunities – now were forced to put the mother in the work force and the kids in forced education. Yes it looked good on paper but still today in most major cities the dropout rate continues to climb and the crime in the schools continues to grow – while some get a quality education most continue to get little or none of much value.

In the 1930’s we get the Welfare System – whenever it created jobs the workers came and worked hard and well. As then and in the past men/women have never been adverse to working to help themselves and their families. With WWII – many went into the military but many more went to work in the industries. Yet Welfare didn’t go away – and some found it more advantages’ than to work. In the 1950’s and 1960’s Welfare and the idea of getting something for nothing continued to grow as did the new class of rich the mobsters. Drugs were introduced nationwide – till today our streets, prisons and school are a harvest place of this new culture glamorized by Follywood and music.

Thus by the end of the 1960’s we indeed had a new class of people in the US – the idle poor – a group whose soul was generated by welfare and narcotics – aided and mothered into adulthood by Congress, Judges and special interests. There’s a whole industry just to give services to this new and still growing class of people. Never before has the world in all its history had a class such as the one which now exists in the US. Still being given new life – new programs – new incentives to stay in this major class at the will of those who demand their votes in appeasement. The Congress enacts laws to punish them if they go out and earn income – get job training – and now with the advent of the illegal immigrants it’s only going to get worse.

Therefore the usage or any recognition to the Bible or the Savior or the Prophets referring to the ‘idle’ it’s not the poor never has been – but the rich who live off of the slavery or sweat of others and do nothing and give nothing in return. However in today’s terms we now have two groups of idlers – one among the rich – those who inherited wealth – and those who have inherited the welfare culture – the drug culture and the sickness of poverty instead of a desire to raise above these chains. One is exalted by the media/press – Follywood while the other is condemned and yet paid to stay where they are – and to give power to those who entitle them.

This will continue to get worse – one need only to read and understand the Scriptures – and then see the greed and lusts of those who desire increased power. c/ork


*A whole other essay could be written on this as accepted as it’s found it’s not true either in the real world or the world of evolution.


“The Idle”
(Rich or Poor)

cji
10/14/08

To forsake learning
condemned to pelf
feeding on another
a sister or brother;

Ignoring the law
feelings supreme
the idle then drift
none thus to lift;

To some in wealth
to some in spirit
which to be found
worldly then bound!


Copyright © 2008 – cji

“Pass – Fail in Spiritual Preparedness” cji 10/13/08

So many attend regular Sunday services or Sabbath Day meetings – either as a ritual or family tradition – one must need wonder how many go willingly and wanting to learn about the Savior and the Eternal Plan of Salvation. Since there are no tests given – no essay questions or multiple choice (or guess) how many then prepare to pass or fail prior to their meetings and participation in these meetings. How many have prayerfully studied and read the week’s lessons and the attendant scriptures for these lessons? How many are willingly ready to participate in discussions and to glean further intelligence and light – further truth and understanding? Or rather how many attend to be taught or lectured to without any effort of their own to add to the classes or lessons?

In discussing this I’ll refer to the church I attend “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” for much of what I’ve to say or better write. In the beginning of each of the lesson manuals both student and teacher are comments from a Prophet of God and his two Counselors. These comments direct us to prayerfully prepare – to read the study manual during the week preceding the lessons and to be spiritually prepared to participate and to learn or grow in understanding. Some might suggest that these are only advice and not given in commandment – they would be wrong! When a Prophet of God in his calling as such – he doesn’t have to suggest – he speaks with the authority to which he’s been called in the name of the Lord and all should follow what he’s said. To follow what a Prophet of God has written or said is to never be led astray and to further open the windows of heaven in our individual lives and those who we interact with if the spirit is present.

Therefore why is it that week after week – month after month and class after class – most only sit and wait on the teacher to read the lesson material to them? Salvation is an active word and one must fully participate to the best of their ability(s) in endeavoring for Eternal Life and Salvation. To sit idly by would be like a member of a ‘crew’ to never lift his/her oar and expect to continue to be on the ‘crew’. It won’t happen – and even though after years for some – decades for others to have sat idly by it would mean the same end result – failure in either enduring or passing into Eternal Life. When in any church one sits back and lets another lecture or preach to them – pays their offerings and never questions – or prepares for full participation it’ll be the same. Some will say one doesn’t ask questions of a Priest or Minister or Pastor or Rabbi or whatever – for they know and we don’t. This is not true – for who was the greatest teacher ever on this earth? Jesus Christ and as he taught he also answered questions and got those around him to participate as he taught. Seldom did he lecture or preach – he was a teacher and knew through active participation others (especially his children) learn the best.

This is a pass – fail system – either one is obedient or they’re not – one cannot be obedient in one thing and disobedient in another and say they’re obedient – it doesn’t work in eternal matters. Obedience requires self discipline – one must be able to control their passions and appetites - otherwise someone else will control them for them. The end result of gaining a pass is to return to the presence of the Father and the Son – to have a physical body of flesh and bone and to be with our families eternally being like them – this is what is taught in the Scriptures. (See and read the following Scriptures: 2 Nephi 31: 18, 20; John 6: 54, 68; Ether 12: 32, 34, 37; and John 14:2.)

For those who choose to believe they’ll be playing harps – riding on clouds – they’re wrong – this is the rhetoric of those who know but little of heaven and/or hell and teach as if they do. The characters which reside in the comics and the in the teachings of men are wrong – yet too many have chosen to believe them instead of the Scriptures – which men too have changed and altered – edited and deleted – subjecting them to the wisdom of men/women and denying their goodness and truths.

Many hold classes – many teach of the philosophy of men/women and inject only bits and pieces of the doctrines of salvation – and many are beguiled because they’ve prepared not to learn, discern and return unto the Father and the Son – but only onto being ‘saved’ which is through no effort of their own – but through the Atonement of the Savior.

Which grade will you receive? Will you ‘pass’ or will you ‘fail’ – the choice is yours – remembering passing is to return to the Father and the Son – as a family unit – eternal and forever – enjoying life with them and to be like unto them in all ways and manners – having a body of flesh and bone. One need only reflect on Genesis 1:27 to understand this and other great teachings. Also see Genesis 3:21 – for further edification on who we are and what we can become.

In the above I’ve only touched on some of the teachings and lessons we can learn and participate in the classes we attend and those we teach (to our children and friends) or classes when called to do so. We can teach and learn from the Scriptures or from the concepts of men – one which lead to eternal life and one which leads to the rewards which men/women can give and not eternal life. We choose daily which we’ll do after this life in mortality – we will not judge ourselves – however we will not be able to deny which way we choose to live our lives and to be obedience in all things or just some. With one last Scripture I leave you, Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of flood or the gods of Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” One could substitute, ‘… either the gods of the heathens or the gods of mammon…’ for “whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of flood or the gods of Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: …” In the name of Jesus Christ amen – c/ork

“Without a Grade”

cji
10/13/08

Without a grade
no test to be given
only by self driven
into truth to wade;

Seeking after life
called eternal forever
mortal ties to sever
while amid its strife;

Which to choose
man or God’s way
choose ye this day
either to gain or lose!
Copyright © 2008 – cji
http://www.jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/
"http://dailypoems1.blogspot.com/"
(new site to access poems)
http://cjames127.blogspot.com/
(to access essays)
"Forgetting is often the error of future decisions - when one knows his duty and chooses not to remember it," cji 10/5/08http://iwvpa.net/ingersoncj/index.phphttp://scriptures.lds.org/http://whispersofthespirit.yuku.com/forums/40 (photos)

“Read the Scriptures” cji 9/22/08

“Read the Scriptures” cji 9/22/08

Ever wonder what an angel of God visiting you today would say? Would guess many do not expect an angel of God to visit them – yet they continue to implore them for guidance while ignoring the Prophets and most of all the teachings of the Savior while on this earth. So many expect to have some doctrine of salvation presented with a ‘sign’ or ‘lightning strike’ – maybe the rumbling of thunder. Surely some man could not bring forth an answer to our prayers – some eternal guidance – something too simple to be contended by others? Yet in the pureness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – there’s nothing complicated or presenting in some beguiling presentation. Thus the command to read the Scriptures – ponder them – savor them – treasure them – but this is an individual commandment – not one of collectively hiring someone to teach them to us – telling us what they say – and what they don’t!

Now with tongue in cheek one must understand for all of the proclamations of man that the “Bible” cannot be changed, added to or taken away from have repeatedly ‘revised’ them at their will – thus one is at the mercy of the current revisionist’s view depending on beliefs to choose from. My personal preference is the KJV (1769) which is the one which The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints uses as part of their Scriptures. Of course if one can read Greek – Assyrian – one might be able to go back to the various ‘original’ sources as a text for the Bible. However here one would find many books (remember the Bible is a collection of books of the Old and New Testaments – neither complete or the only word) either missing or there not found in one of the newer editions – mostly missing would be the rule. The “Quad” which represents the Standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – i.e. The Bible – The Book of Mormon – The Doctrine of Covenants – and The Pearl of Great Price – which are all cross-indexed and assembled by a Prophet of God on the earth today. The Bible section is the KJV (1769) and the others are direct translations from the original texts from which they represent. In any event use the Bible – as most are familiar with it and the reading will convey what’s needed in reading and pondering.

Why the Scriptures? First whenever the Savior taught he referenced and quoted the Scriptures to open them to those in attendance to listen. The Savior never varied from them nor have His or His Father’s Prophets! Scripture comes from Revelation to the Prophets of God for the benefit of those living upon this Earth. If they’ve been watered down – altered – removed – there’s still truth to be found within them to help us to learn of the Father and the Son and to learn of who we are – where we came from and where we might be able to go and/or attain after this life. Thus the reading and pondering of our own is most important and the only place where this information in written form can be found. Once one reads and ponders – prays – researches – puts themselves in the place and considers how they would’ve heard these revelations – then they begin to learn the Voice of the Lord – it becomes familiar – something they can recognize and understand by themselves – and when they hear a Prophet today they’ll recognize the Voice – as the church bells from one’s hometown – they’ve a familiar ring when heard again after years of travel.

Reading the Scriptures opens to us the Gifts of the Holy Ghost – increases the Faith and the associated power which attends faith and then understand the idea of ‘good works’ – in the service of the Father and the Son! One might spend hours – days – weeks – months to prepare for an exam in the temporal world – training in classrooms for a ‘skilled profession’ – mandatory 12 years in elementary education – or till the age of 16 in most states of the US (not sure in other nations). Yet how much time is spent studying the saving doctrines of why we came to this earth for our mortal probation? Which is more important – ‘Tom Sawyer (or something similar)’ or the Scriptures? Many in our society today would choose the first and give the familiar disaccreditation to the Scriptures as being something to either have another preach on Sunday/Saturday or at some convenient time or that they’re there but without any merit. To teach this disaccreditation of the Scriptures has been part and parcel of the ‘educational system’ for centuries. Most especially since the Early Greek Schools of Rhetoric and more recently under the Dewey System of Education in the US from the early 1900’s.

When one takes the Gifts of the Holy Ghost from one’s own life or another’s they commit a terrible crime! When they change the definition of Faith to a passive word and the only criteria for being Saved – yes one doesn’t have to do too much to be Saved – i.e. Everyone is Saved if they don’t deny the Holy Ghost or commit murder (which is the shedding of innocent blood). However if being Saved were all it were about then Satan’s Plan would’ve been plenty for this world – but it’s not and never would be – yet so many stop with the idea of being saved. They then go on to take the name of the Lord in vain (peer pressure or to be accepted); the violate the law of the Sabbath Day – yes they go to Church (some of them) but then they go to the store(s) – go to the ballgames – go sailing – play golf – watch secular television – go to movies – visit restaurants - do yard work, etc. Dishonor their parents – care not for the sick, the homeless – the orphan – the naked the widow – they find reasons to violate many of the other commandments as well – with the exception of not to kill or commit adultery. Taught in the secular world – one is thus convinced that we’ll be beaten with a few strips but none-the-less all will be forgiven and certainly isn’t everyone else doing and not all can be damned – can they?

First it’s important to know that not all have fallen into the secular traps and temptations – or to peer pressure- thus the Scripture, “Many are called – but few are chosen”
1. Matt. 22: 14
14 For many are acalled, but few are bchosen.
2. 1 Cor. 1: 26
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the aflesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are bcalled:
3. D&C 121: 34-46
34 Behold, there are many acalled, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their ahearts are set so much upon the things of this bworld, and caspire to the dhonors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the arights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be bcontrolled nor handled only upon the cprinciples of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to acover our bsins, or to gratify our cpride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or ddominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens ewithdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to akick against the pricks, to bpersecute the saints, and to cfight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the anature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little bauthority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise cunrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but afew are chosen.
41 No apower or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the bpriesthood, only by cpersuasion, by dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By akindness, and pure bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the csoul without dhypocrisy, and without eguile—
43 aReproving betimes with bsharpness, when cmoved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of dlove toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;
44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of adeath.
45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant acompanion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of brighteousness and truth; and thy cdominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

Excuse are plentiful in the secular world – however in the Scriptures there are no excuses – all is explained – all can be found clear – simple to obey and open to all –if they but come unto the Father – with a contrite heart and openness to learn and grow. This cannot be delegated – it cannot be purchased (i.e. the Ten Virgins) – and it cannot be ignored nor denied! To read the Scriptures and to learn for oneself – is imperative and most important for each to do. William Tyndale worked and gave his life so that ‘even a plowboy’ would be able to understand the Scriptures – he was first strangled and then burned at the stake for having done so – but the religious leaders of the day – many others also suffered a similar fate – even little children whose parents had read the Scriptures to them. When I read the Scriptures the penalty could’ve been excommunication (mid-1950’s) – however I had gained permission (guessing that I wouldn’t read them – and if I did so I wouldn’t stay with them). How many now with the openness of the Scriptures to all – read them at all – yes many claim to study them – but to read them would be too much. Yet in some lands of the world to even own a copy of the Bible – Book of Mormon – Pearl of Great Price – Doctrine and Covenants – means death – and immediately to happen if caught. In Israel – one cannot teach any other religion to anyone – in the Middle East – there is no exception to the law of death for anything but the Qur’an.

There’s no religious toleration – among established religions of men – hatred – contention – denial – rhetorical reason – and simple ignorance precludes anyone to do anything on their own. Yet the Scriptures are quite clear that they’re there for all to partake – no secrets – just sacred blessings and understandings.

Read the Scriptures – partake of them – learn of them – ponder them – get them into your life – learn the Voice of the Lord – for without this – one is left to the buffetings of the world – the wind and the waves – and most especially to the secular world and the great adversary even Satan who desires us all! c/ork

“The Ten Commandments”

“The Ten Commandments[i]”

cji

10/12/08

Gospel Subjects: Obedience; Commandments; Commanded; Absolute; Temptations; Slothful[ii]; Reason; Common Sense; Man’s Wisdom; Foolishness; Forgiveness; Eternal Life; Being Saved; Atonement;

Prelude: The premise of this essay is that Jesus Christ[iii] is the Savior of the world and indeed the literal Son of Heavenly Father[iv] born in the flesh of a woman[v]. For the Father and the Prophets testified of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ testified of the Father! Further the premise of this essay is that Jesus Christ was resurrected with a body of flesh and bone – he ate, was touched and spoke with his Apostles, the throngs of people in the lands of his birth and here on this the American Continents before ascending once more unto his father[vi]. And lastly with His Father he came to the earth once more to restore His Gospel in its fullness to the Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr. as he told his Apostles and Disciples he would in the last days. Therefore the Ten Commandments are indeed Commandments – and we need to be found in full compliance with them in our lives – internally and externally.

Discussion: There is no written history based on truth of fact which has ever proven the above premise to be incorrect in any way. Men have written profusely to deny much or all of the above but never in 7,000 years plus of history have they ever disproved part or the entire premise. Men have written numerous creeds to display the wisdom and thinking of those of intelligence to the ideas of Greek Philosophy and to the political ends of their selfish desires. They’ve rewritten or removed complete Prophets from the Old and New Testaments till what we have in 1769 King James Version of the Bible. Since the late 1880’s to the present date men have rewritten – renamed – simplified – changed and altered the Bible to that one could pick up and read over a hundred different versions all claiming that no one has any revelations today and therefore having done so without any authority from the Father or the Son.

In doing much of the above they’ve also changed the Ten Commandments from being Commandments to being a ‘guideline’ or a ‘code’ one should try to live by – meaning that one doesn’t have to keep them in fullness but only as they see them applicable in their lives. In actual fact they’ve changed the Bible (comprising the Old and New Testament) into a handbook and no longer Revelations and Eternal Truths. They’ve in turn denied the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as being untrue and deny any from reading it and also not reading it themselves. Too many have taken either the stand that there is no other reason for the scriptures to give a history (which even then they deny parts of it) or a book of myths and superstitions. Instead we find the Philosophies of Men taught intermixed with some Scripture as the doctrines of men. We find the use of Rhetoric (lies taught as truth) which was bestowed upon the world by the Greeks (who received it from those before them – even back into the days of Cain) and then taught and still is taught in the schools (Universities, Colleges) until it’s the only belief system taught or allowed to be taught in most educational centers of the world.

How does this affect us or our families? When the law of the land requires that we send our children to schools and the world of men requires us to attend these same schools having to pass for our livelihoods – then they’ve taken control of what we and our children must learn to achieve in their sphere’s and not Father’s. The most greatly attacked in these schools are the Ten Commandments. Rhetoric in order to be successful must be believable or to present something which offers immediate satisfaction if accepted. Those seeking an easy way – a comfortable excuse – will readily accept a ‘lie’ clothed as a ‘truth’ for immediate satisfaction. In turn they’ll reject a ‘truth’ and call it a ‘lie’ if it will further their satisfaction. Satisfaction can be found in many ways – most easily called the path of least resistance and peer acceptance. Thus the Ten Commandments and obedience to them are not found as either easy or satisfying.

Most generally the Ten Commandments are violated starting with the First to the Last. People constantly take the name of Lord in vain or swear by His name or that of His Son – one cannot go to a movie or even watch TV without hearing these abuses. Violation of the Sabbath is now routine and justified by the multitude in going to sporting events – causing others to work at Malls or Stores. Honoring one’s parents is almost non-existent in today’s music and other venues. Stealing, Cheating, Coveting and Lying are common themes in novels and so to in many lives. Most only think violation of the commandment not to kill is the one to avoid and the others can all be forgiven after a few strips. Many today do not even know their neighbors and would prefer not to know them. Loving one’s self has taken on a new meaning in the world today – from one of unselfishness to one of total selfishness.

Thus one can see there’s confusion in what one must be about doing and behaving while in the probationary mortal estate. Confusion comes from Satan and his minions[vii]. Order is way of the Father and the Son – we must always be found therefore obedient to the Commandments, Laws, Statutes and Covenants with the Father and the Son. The Scriptures are replete with examples and warnings of those who’re not in complete obedience with all of the Commandments, Laws, Statutes and Covenants made with Heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Possibly this thought might be the best to guide us in understanding and being found obedient in all things as they are bound in knowing and loving the Father and the Son. We’ve been commanded to study all things out – in our heart and the best books – and then to pray in asking Father for the wisdom to KNOW and understand eternal and absolute truths. Faith gives us the fortitude to venture into these areas of seeking eternal and absolute truths – it sustains as we fight the storms of the adversary and untangle the mazes which are presented within this world. Yet faith without works – is dead! The work is to study – learn – pray – discern – and this applies to eternal and absolute truths. There is however an easy litmus test - always ask the questions; “Does it make sense?” “Would a child understand it?” “Is it reteachable and would I want to teach it to others?”

One of the first principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that of Repentance – many ask, “Repentance of what or for what?” So many are found in actions attending events to help others – saying the right things – letting others see them in doing ‘good’ and therefore find no need to repent. Some go to ‘confession’ once a week or less frequently confessing to a man/woman of ‘sins’ which unfortunately they confessed of the week before and will confess to the week following. Others shout how good they are and represent this by their social standing, power or just plain wealth. Few it seems understand the meaning of the act of repentance.

“Bible Dictionary: Repentance: The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin, and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God (D&C 18: 9-22; D&C 20: 29; D&C 133: 16). The preaching of repentance by John the Baptist formed the preparation for the ministry of our Lord. See Matt. 3: 2; Matt. 4: 17; Mark 1: 4, 15; Mark 2: 17; Luke 3: 3,8; Acts 2: 38; Acts 3: 19; Acts 8: 22; Rom. 13: 11-14; James 5: 1-6; Rev. 2: 5, 16; Rev. 3: 3, 19; cf. Isa. 1: 16-20; Jonah 3: 5-10; Jer. 3 - 5; Jer. 26; Ezek. 18: 19-31; Ezek. 33: 7-20; Hosea 13: 14; Hosea 14; Joel 1: 8; Joel 2; Zeph. 2; Zech. 1; Mal. 1 - 4.”[viii]

Thus a complete change from being carnal nature into one of obedience to the Commandments of God! This requires one to acknowledge their errors of judgment – evil deeds – contention – murmuring – turning oneself into a better person – more Christlike in their actions – deeds and most importantly their thoughts. The way a person thinks determines more who they really are than any overt actions for the world to see. One should deny the use of rhetoric and think and speak only the truth – and if they don’t know or are unsure they should pray and research diligently asking God (as in James 1:5) for guidance and a sure knowledge of what is true.

Repentance is an action word – internal and external for each individual – one cannot be passive in seeking repentance, ever! One needs to ask questions and then seek to find the correct answers. Many fear asking questions – being content in not knowing (thinking then they are unaccountable) what is truth. Or they depend on others with like interests to guide them into feeling good about not being found in obedience to the Commandments. When one pursues real repentance the above is impossible to hold fast in any way – peer pressure – social likability – lusts – private gain and power seeking have no place. Being internal and individual this is a soul searching and cleansing which is required in the Plan of Salvation for all those who’ve come to this earth. There will be no excuses – no pardons – no final absolutions – for what we knowingly do or don’t do in this mortality we will be accountable for eternally.

The exceptions to repentance if there be any (and there are) would be for little children (under the age of 8 years old) – for those mentally incapable of decisions – for those without knowledge to make decisions (those in nations where the teachings of the Savior are forbidden or have never been taught. Additionally those subjected to the power and dominion of others who deny them both rights and freedoms – those in forced conditions other than their own choice – and others who for no fault of their own understand not the teachings of Savior. This does not de-obligate one to being found good to their understanding of good and doing right to their understanding of doing right. And little children are found obedient to the teachings of their parents if these are righteous teachings. (Note: Please understand these are my comments and thoughts only.)

Repentance and Obedience are one and the same in knowing and following all of the commandments, statutes and laws of God. You cannot do one without doing both. Every day we should seek to repent for any and all wrongs, bad decisions, possible offenses to others – for we are mortal and subject to the things of the flesh. We do this correcting wrongs – asking forgiveness of those we might’ve offended – and to forgive those who might’ve been harsh against us. Then in obedience to the will of the Father we should be showing forth love and respect – meaning we should be actively engaged in doing what He would want us to do – being unselfish in all things. In James 1:27 we read, “Pure areligion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To bvisit the cfatherless and dwidows in their eaffliction, and to keep himself funspotted from gthe hworld.” Can we be found living so in our lives? If not then how can we repent and thus be found?

At the core then of the Plan of Salvation are the Ten Commandments – clear – concise – simple – understandable – and all encompassing. To obey them in all ways – leads to happiness and Eternal Life! Do not mistake Eternal Life with being Saved – for all men/women are saved who’ve a physical body in mortality through the Atonement of the Savior – but being saved is only the first step towards Eternal Life. To disobey even one of the Ten Commandments is to invite the opposite or a world on unhappiness and without hope of Eternal Life! Also when one chooses one not to obey how much easier is it then to pick another and then another?

Conclusion: Father has given us the opportunity to choose for ourselves to do or be good or evil. Had Satan had his way none would’ve had this choice and all would’ve been saved and the honor would’ve been his. We choose to be able to choose for ourselves and rejected Satan’s plan. Now in our mortality in order to choose to return to Father we find we must choose to be obedient to the Ten Commandments and to Father! He’s given us a way to accomplish this and that’s through repentance and service. Satan of course plays on this obedience – saying you can also choose to do a little wrong and then go back and repent – nothing will be lost! But this is not true – much will be lost – especially if one is found liking the evil (for all wrong is evil) and delaying one’s repentance. Satan encourages mass meetings of his minions to call one just to say, “I believe” or something similar – or for giving so much money all is well. Satan teaches any church will get you home – which he knows is a lie – but never-the-less it’s believable and those in these churches are good people and they do teach some of the truth mixed with men’s philosophies – so how can these be ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’. Any road will work – and yet how can this be true? Father’s house is a house of order – not one of confusion or contention – yet many choose to believe this is not the case. However, if one finds themselves in true obedience to the Ten Commandments – calling upon the Father in the Savior’s name – seeking repentance – they’ll soon learn many truths – great truths which can lead them to Eternal Life. They’ll freely partake of all of the revealed Scriptures now upon this Earth and not restrict themselves to just a few and then only parts of the few.

There’s a Scripture which reminds me on a daily basis of the importance of being on the road to Zion and not even looking towards Babylon;

“D&C 121: 39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the anature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little bauthority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise cunrighteous dominion.

40 Hence many are called, but afew are chosen.

41 No apower or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the bpriesthood, only by cpersuasion, by dlong-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By akindness, and pure bknowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the csoul without dhypocrisy, and without eguile—

43 aReproving betimes with bsharpness, when cmoved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of dlove toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of adeath.

45 Let thy abowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let bvirtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy cconfidence wax strong in the dpresence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the edews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant acompanion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of brighteousness and truth; and thy cdominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.”[ix]

How oft I reflect on how easy it might be to not be found obedient in today’s world – yet ever stronger I turn to the Ten Commandments – seeking earnestly to be found willingly compliant to the Father’s will and not mine. I leave these thoughts with you in the name of Jesus Christ – amen c/ork

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[i]The Lord reveals the Ten Commandments—Israel is to bear witness that the Lord has spoken from heaven—They are forbidden to make gods of silver and gold—They are to make altars of unhewn stones, and to sacrifice to the Lord thereon.

1 And God aspake all these bwords, saying,

2 aI am the bLord thy cGod, which have brought thee out of the land of dEgypt, out of the house of ebondage.

3 Thou shalt have ano other bgods before me.

4 Thou shalt anot make unto thee any bgraven cimage, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5 Thou shalt not abow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a bjealous God, cvisiting the diniquity of the efathers upon the fchildren unto the third and fourth generation of them that ghate me;

6 And shewing amercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my bcommandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the aname of the Lord thy God in bvain; for the Lord will not hold him cguiltless that dtaketh his name in vain.

8 Remember the asabbath day, to keep it bholy.

9 aSix days shalt thou blabour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy astranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in asix days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord bblessed the sabbath day, and challowed it.

12 ¶ aHonour thy bfather and thy cmother: that thy ddays may be elong upon the fland which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not akill.

14 Thou shalt not commit aadultery.

15 Thou shalt not asteal.

16 Thou shalt not bear afalse witness against thy bneighbour.

17 Thou shalt not acovet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s bwife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s

1 Thou shalt not raise a afalse report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

2 ¶ aThou shalt not bfollow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest cjudgment:

3 ¶ Neither shalt thou acountenance a bpoor man in his cause.

4 ¶ If thou meet thine aenemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bbring it back to him again.

5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely ahelp with him.

6 Thou shalt not awrest the bjudgment of thy poor in his ccause.

7 Keep thee far from a false amatter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not bjustify the wicked.

8 ¶ And thou shalt take no agift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.

9 ¶ Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:

11 But the aseventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the bpoor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.

12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the aseventh day thou shalt brest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.

13 And in all things that I have said unto you abe circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other bgods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

(Ex. 34: 28; Deut. 10: 4). The Hebrew name for these is the “Ten Words,” hence the name Decalogue. They are also called the Covenant (Deut. 9: 9) or the Testimony (Ex. 25: 21). The giving of the Ten Commandments by God to Moses, and through him to Israel, is described in Ex. 19: 16 - 20: 21; Ex. 32: 15-19; Ex. 34: 1. They were engraved on two tables of stone, which were placed in the Ark; hence they were called the Ark of the Covenant (Num. 10: 33). There had been a difference of opinion as to the way in which the commandments were divided into ten. The Roman Church, following the example of St. Augustine, unites what we know as the first and second, and divides the last into two. Our Lord, quoting from Deut. 6: 4-5 and Lev. 19: 18, has summarized the Ten Commandments in “two great commandments” (Matt. 22: 37-39). To get their full significance we must read them in the light of our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount (see also Mark 2: 27 and Matt. 15: 4-6 for interpretation of 4th and 5th), where it is shown that they are intended to control our thoughts and desires as well as our acts.

ii D&C 42:1

1 Hearken, O ye elders of my achurch, who have assembled yourselves together in my name, even Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, the Savior of the world; inasmuch as ye believe on my name and keep my commandments.

D&C 43: 34
34 Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the aSavior of the world. bTreasure these things up in your hearts, and let the csolemnities of deternity erest upon your fminds.

[iv] Matt. 6: 1, 9, 14, 26, 32
1 aTake heed that ye do not your balms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

9 aAfter this manner therefore bpray ye: Our cFather which art in heaven, dHallowed be thy ename.

14 For if ye aforgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

[v] [v] Alma 19: 13
13 For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have aseen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be bborn of a cwoman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit.



[vi] 55 But he, being full of the aHoly Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the bglory of cGod, and dJesus estanding on the fright hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I asee the heavens bopened, and the cSon of man standing on the right dhand of eGod.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their aclothes at a byoung man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they astoned bStephen, ccalling upon dGod, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my espirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and acried with a loud voice, bLord, lay not this sin to their ccharge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son, John 5: 22, 27. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power, Acts 10: 38. Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world, 1 Pet. 1: 20 (Ether 3: 14). Christ has the keys of hell and of death, Rev. 1: 18. All men become subject unto Christ, 2 Ne. 9: 5. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning, Hel. 14: 12. Christ came by the will of the Father to do his will, D&C 19: 24. Jesus received a fulness of the glory of the Father, and he received all power, D&C 93: 3-4, 16-17 (John 3: 35-36).

[vii] James 3: 16
16 For where aenvying and bstrife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

D&C 132: 8
8 Behold, mine house is a house of aorder, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.

[viii] The Official Scriptures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © 2006 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

[ix] http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/121/40#40