“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