Who Was This Man?

As I was driving earlier in the week, a thought came to my mind. Historically and factually, nearly every Muslim, Jew, and Christian will agree that 2,000 years ago there walked a man on the earth who fundamentally changed history. Factually and historically, nearly everyone would agree that a man named Jesus Christ drew vast followers and even attracted the attention of the Roman Empire.

Some called him a prophet, some called him a great and wise man, and others called him the Son of God.

It's not whether Christ is real or not, historically and factually, nearly everyone would agree that he was real. The REAL question is: Who was this man? Was he indeed who he claimed to be...the Son of God?

If he was the Son of God, and I emphatically proclaim that he was LITERALLY the Son of God, then why would we persist in our stubborn ways? If we agree that he was real and if we believe that he was the Son of God, then what he taught was also real. Why do we continue to justify things in our lives that draw us away from Him if we believe that he was real?

This morning I read 2 Nephi 28:14 and it causes me to reflect on my own life as Nephi describes our day: "They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of PRIDE and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a FEW, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in MANY instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men."

If we're willing to look internally, repent, and start looking to Christ, that's when the power of Christ can start to really take hold in our life. Then it can begin to grow within us as described in Alma 32. That's when hope will begin to replace doubt and depression, that's when light will begin to replace darkness, that's when we can begin to really develop Charity and learn to love as Christ loves.

Liken the Scriptures to Ourselves

I share at least one similar trait with Nephi and that is the idea that there's great value in likening the scriptures unto ourselves.

In 1 Nephi 19:23 he says, "I did liken ALL scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

Last week, the teacher in Sunday School said that he thinks that those of us who attend church and are trying will be fine. Although I understand what he's trying to say, I believe that type of statement misses the point of what Nephi's teaching and invites complacency.

When I think to myself, all isn't well in Zion, it causes me to want to repent and be a better disciple. It doesn't deprive me of hope, it instills new desire and hope to repent of my many sins and errors.

Jacob, the brother of Nephi, goes on to teach in 2 Nephi 9:41 that "the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel and he employeth no servant there."  Certainly he employeth servants to accomplish many other parts of his work such as the administration of the church (printing of BOM's, temple construction, church buildings, etc.), helping the poor and needy, raising families, helping a neighbor, etc. BUT, when it comes to passing through the gates to our exaltation, HE EMPLOYETH NO SERVANT THERE. As we see in the temple, it is the Savior who will welcome us into exaltation.

When we tie this altogether, the path of discipleship will get narrower and narrower. If we apply ALL scripture unto ourselves, then they will teach us the doctrines of exaltation and we'll see the narrow path before us. By applying and likening the scripture unto ourselves, it should cause a burning desire in us to repent and stay on that path until we enter in at THE GATE. When scriptures are applied to ourselves, they should open the windows of revelation to teach us how to be a better parent, spouse, neighbor, church member, citizen, etc. BUT, if we casually apply the scriptures to others, they lose most of their value in helping us walk this narrow path of discipleship.

Something to Study: Contention vs Charity

Since this blog is primarily kept for my future posterity, let me suggest a sequence of scripture to study during your own time when you have a few minutes.

During Sacrament Meeting there was a quartet that sang, "Love at Home" and I realized again that this isn't just a nice song, this is teaching an exalting principle. We need to figure out how to be filled with love and charity towards our own family and all men.

Below is a beautiful trail of scripture and study that touched my life.

Start:
1. 3 Nephi 11:29.    Isn't it interesting that when Christ visits the people on this continent, this is one of the very first principles He chooses to teach. How prevalent is contention in our society?

2. The Tenth Parable by Denver Snuffer. There are several major learning points in that parable, but none greater (for me) that the first couple of pages. What starts the whole testing process is the fact that there is harmony and love in his home.

3. D&C 121:34 - 43.  Here the Lord again reminds us that charity and love are more than just a good idea, they are one of the KEY principles of exaltation. As you read, think about this, "many are called, but FEW are chosen". Chosen for what? Why are most not "chosen"? It should cause us to ponder.

4. Moroni 7:44-48. This is a beautiful outline of Charity and what it is. Moroni reminds us again that charity is greater than them all and that we should pray unto the Father with all our energy of heart, that we may be filled with this love.

End or Continue on your own inspired study :)

This was a simple study I had the other day while sitting by the fire-pit looking at the mountains. The gospel is a beautiful and wonderful thing.

Walk In The Light Of The Lord

This morning I drove our 4-wheeler up a hill nearby our home to watch the sunrise. It was a chance to step back, reflect, and pray. It's always a beautiful experience to watch the sunrise and see that amazing process as the orange rays of the sun crest the horizon.

I pondered the words of Nephi as he quoted Isaiah in 2 Nephi 12:5 "O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord; yea, come, for ye have all gone astray, every one to his wicked ways.". I likened this unto myself and reread it to say, "O Rob, come and walk in the light of the Lord, for you and many others have gone astray, every one to their wicked ways."

Rereading it this way caused me to reflect on the invitation "Come and walk in the light of the Lord". This morning I once again witnessed the sunrise and watched light dispel darkness. The instant the first ray of light crested the horizon, there was warmth and a blinding light. The invitation is for us to experience the same thing spiritually, to experience the light of the Lord and cast off any unclean thing. To experience his brilliance, warmth, and all encompassing light.

The second part of this scripture deals with our wickedness. What are the habits causing you and I to "go astray" or that are preventing us from walking in His light? Are there traditions in our personal lives that we have justified? Are there habits that we have justified away by saying, "that's just who I am"? If the Lord gave us an errand or personal direction to do something, would he trust us to get it done?

It is my testimony that no matter how dark our personal lives may get, no matter what habits we may have, he can heal us. He can bring light into our lives and dispel darkness. The invitation is extended to us all to walk in the light of the Lord.

This chapter goes on to talk about the mean man that boweth not down and the great man who humbleth himself not. If we will cast away our idols, humble ourselves, and bow down before the Lord...He can soften our hearts and His light will flow into our life.

May you have a wonderful week!

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

We completed a Trek with our Stake and it was a marvelous experience with spirit filled activities. One of those was to gather all the young men and young women for a devotional.

We all sang together the poignant song A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. I was especially touched when we were reminded of Joesph's final hours on this earth in Carthage jail. He asked John Taylor to sing this beautiful hymn. Upon finishing the song, Joseph appeared to be so moved that he asked John Taylor to sing it again. Shortly after that, the mobs burst into the jail and murdered the prophet and his innocent brother.

We sat in a green meadow surrounded by beautiful waving aspen trees. The orange and red rays of the sun bathed our group as it began to set on the distant horizon. As we sung this beautiful hymn, I looked out over the valley and pondered the majesty of the Lord's creations. Rarely do we sing more than the first few verses of this touching hymn. Tears flowed from my eyes as we sang together the seventh verse. The whole point of the song is in that verse.

Below is a picture of the meadow in which we sang

Please read the words of the song and then listen to them sung in the video below:

A poor wayfaring Man of grief  Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief  That I could never answer nay.
I had not pow'r to ask his name, Whereto he went,  or whence he came
Yet there was something in his eye That won my love; I knew not why.

Once, when my scanty meal was spread, He entered; not a word he spake, Just perishing for want of bread. I gave him all; he blessed it, brake, And ate, but gave me part a-gain. Mine was an angel's portion then, For while I fed with eager haste, The crust was manna to my taste.

I spied him where a fountain burst Clear from the rock; his strength was gone. The heedless water mocked his thirst; He heard it, saw it hurrying on. I ran and raised the suff'rer up; Thrice from the stream he drained my cup, Dipped and returned it running o'er; I drank and never thirsted more.

'Twas night; the floods were out; it blew A winter hurricane aloof. I heard his voice abroad and flew To bid him welcome to my roof. I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest And laid him on my couch to rest; Then made the earth my bed, and seemed In Eden's garden while I dreamed.

Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death, I found him by the highway side. I roused his pulse, brought back his breath, Revived his spirit, and supplied Wine, oil, refreshment--he was healed. I had myself a wound concealed, But from that hour forgot the smart, And peace bound up my broken heart.

In pris'n I saw him next, condemned To meet a traitor's doom at morn. The tide of lying tongues I stemmed, And honored him 'mid shame and scorn. My friendship's utmost zeal to try, He asked if I for him would die. The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill, But my free spirit cried, "I will!"

Then in a moment to my view  The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in his hands I knew;  The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,  "Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;  Fear not, thou didst them unto me."

After reading the words of the hymn, please watch this short clip and imagine Joseph during the final hours of his life reflecting on the words: