Kittens and Obedience

For the last several years I have been pursuing a project of transcribing the Book of Mormon verse by verse, and commenting on each verse as I go.  I have discovered that as I do this the thoughts and understandings which flow into my mind are often well beyond the words in the verse.  Sometimes they are not even really related to the verse at all.  The blessings from reading the Book of Mormon far transcend the marvelous testimonies in that book.  I believe that at least part of the reason is because when we read the Book of Mormon we are obeying the counsel of God's prophets, apostles, and other leaders.

Recently I read an opinion piece in the newspaper about a rather controversial topic of the day.  The piece implicitly supported the position of the Church leadership on this particular topic.  After completing the article I read some of the responses from other readers.  Most opposed the positions stated in the article, a few supported them.  As is usual, many of the comments were more hysterical than reasoned.  However, as I considered what was written I noticed that some of the opposing views raised some valid questions.

As I thought about those opposing views I started formulating in my mind how I, through a written response to the article, could enter into a discussion about the merits of those points.  I felt that a thoughtful investigation might be beneficial to me.

After a couple of hours, though, I found something alarming had happened.  Suddenly I was not just contemplating a thoughtful discussion, but full-blown doubts about the position of the leaders of the Church were entering my mind.  It was as if I had paused merely to let a small house cat rub against my leg, and suddenly found myself on the ground wrestling with a fully enraged Bengal tiger.  The intensity and the suddenness of the attack was frightening, and I quickly had to bring to bear all the elements of obedience which are necessary to counter such an event.  I prayed, immersed myself in the scriptures, and reflected on what I know to be true.

Soon enough the crisis passed, but I was left to wonder why things had happened so quickly and so violently.  I had the impression that, just as the good that comes from reading the Book of Mormon far surpasses merely the words read, so the danger in contemplating these opposing views was much greater then merely the words of the views might suggest.

I contemplated why this might be so, and came to a rather unexpected conclusion.  Although the authors of the opposing views may not have intended it, they were speaking ill of the Lord's anointed leaders.  By so doing they were putting themselves in opposition to the word of God.  Even though I thought I was giving a very measured consideration of their views, by admitting any legitimacy I was allowing myself to be drawn into the same position of opposing the Lord's will.

It was a powerful and valuable lesson.  I still need to think critically about all things, and seek for as much light and understanding as I can.  However, I need to avoid even the slightest shadow of criticism of the Lord's leaders if I wish to receive the blessings that come from sustaining them.

The Vine and the Branches

As I listened to the talk by Elder José A. Teixeira from the most recent conference I was struck by something he said.  He referred to the metaphor of the Savior as the Vine, and us as the branches.  The reference is in John 15:

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Because I have been thinking of the atonement and how it relates to me today I saw something in this example that has never before caught my attention.  If we can picture the vine growing, and a branch laying on the ground, it is clear that it is meaningless to expect that branch to produce anything.  I have always understood that portion of the picture, even if it hits me a little harder now.  But the other part of that is, if you picture the branch connected to the vine, there is no sudden moment when the vine imparts strength to the branch, and in fact there is no time when the branch is not being nourished by the vine.  So in very fact, we are constantly nourished and strengthened by the atonement of Jesus.  The atonement is not just present in our lives, it is central to our lives.

Orange Juice - A very brief play in one act

Orange Juice

A very brief play in 1 act

Cast of characters:

Me (played by me)
A friend (played by a friend of mine)

Friend:  I sure am thirsty!

Me: Here, have some of this orange juice I'm drinking.  It's really good.

F: Oh, no.  I won't drink that orange juice.

M: Why not? You said you were thirsty.

F:  But that orange juice is clearly mislabeled.

M: What do you mean, mislabeled?

F:  What does it say right there? (pointing to the label)

M: (Reading from label) "Made from oranges imported from Bolivia."

F:  See?  That proves it!

M:  (Now thoroughly confused) What does that prove?

F:  There is no proof that those oranges came from Bolivia, nor indeed that there are any juice oranges from Bolivia.

M:  Well, OK, I can't trace this particular bottle, but I've eaten oranges in Bolivia.

F:  But those aren't oranges used for making juice, and there is no proof that that company ever imported oranges from Bolivia.

M:  Well, OK.  I don't know much about making orange juice, I guess.  But won't you try some anyway?

F:  Oh, no.  I would rather be thirsty than to drink a lie!

The End

Alma 5:45-47 - A Testimony

 45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I ^aknow of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

 46 Behold, I say unto you they are made ^aknown unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have ^bfasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of ^crevelation which is in me.

 47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.

I have had a serious reflection recently about testimony - what it is, what it means to me, how to gain one, how to strengthen one.  Let me start with an example:

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of all men.

I can say that because of the witness that has been born to me of the Holy Ghost that that statement is true.  How have I received that heavenly communication?  Through thoughts, impressions, and feelings.  I cannot point to one moment, one event, which defines that testimony.  It is an accumulation of years of studying, praying, and pondering on the life and mission of Christ.  However, it is not only knowledge in the abstract; I have felt the results of the atonement of Jesus in my life as I have repented of sins and been granted cleansing from them.  Although this does not directly relate to Him as the Savior of all men, I can see no reason why I should be a unique case; therefore, if His healing can extend to me I must assume it available to every member of the human family.

What does this mean to me?  In the first place, it means that there is communication from God to man - me - and that I am a part of something far larger than what is visible to my temporal senses.  It also means that I can depend on God, a supreme Being, for light and strength in this life.  It means that I can have confidence in basing my life on His teachings and commandments.

So how do I get a testimony?  There are two paths, both of which must be followed.  First, I pray, and expect to receive help from heaven to understand if the principle is true.  But also I must commit myself to obedience to divine commands so that my life is consistent with the existence and power of a Savior.  The results are also two-fold.  I feel things in my mind and spirit that reinforce the idea that Jesus is God, and the Savior of mankind, and I see results in my life, that I become better and more capable as I follow His teachings.  The result of this is that, although I can express my testimony to you, the only way you can gain your own testimony is to follow the same steps.  So a testimony cannot be gained without personal commitment, or even personal risk, since you must put your own life into the experiment.

How do I strengthen a testimony?  Once gained, a testimony is still not a static thing.  Like any knowledge it can fade if I do not reinforce it.  It's utility in my life can weaken if I do not apply its principles.  So to maintain and strengthen a testimony I continue in the path that first brought it to me - pray, study, ponder, and obey.  As I do these things the divine witness is renewed daily, and the positive influences in my life are manifested daily.

A testimony, then, is knowledge and it is power.  It is a result of and a motivation for a way of life.  It is a solid rock upon which I can base my thoughts, beliefs, and actions, and find hope and protection in any circumstances.  It is a fruit of the Spirit, and it is precious to me.

Moroni 7:29-31

And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. For behold, they are subject unto him, to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness. And the office of their ministry is to call men unto repentance, and to fulfil and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he hath made unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ unto the chosen vessels of the Lord, that they may bear testimony of him.

Much of the rest of Christianity understands angels to be some distinct class of beings, and has invested them with wings, originally symbolic of their speed in doing the work of the Lord. In fact, the gospel teaches us that angels are people like us, and that the angels that minister in this world have lived or will live on this earth as humans. I mention this to emphasize the fact that God does not work by magic, but his miracles and servants abide by eternal law which seems magic to us because we do not always understand the laws on which their behavior is based.

We should not expect to see a cessation of miracles in our lives, and it is appropriate in some circumstances to pray for miracles, whether it be healings, intervention on behalf of one who is wandering in sin, or other matters of import. God's concern extends to each of us, but His ability to help us depends upon our faith and our faithfulness. God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to be constant in seeking His help and His grace to aid us on our way.

Although miracles are given to bless the believers, we should not expect miraculous intervention in every matter about which we pray. If every prayer were miraculously answered it would actually prove to be a hindrance to the exercise of agency. And so we pray in faith, asking for the miracle, but we also work in faith to do as much as we can to provide the desired outcome.

Moroni 7:28

For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

In the New Testament when the phrase "the law" appears it almost always refers to the law of Moses, and certainly Christ answered the ends of the law of Moses. However, in this case I do not believe that Mormon is referring only to the law of Moses, because Christ answered the ends of all law so that He could claim all those who have faith in Him. Because of the atonement of Christ we all belong to Him.

The depth of the relationship between Christ and His true disciples is profound. He changes our very nature so that we do not desire evil, but naturally cleave unto every good thing. Without that divine influence we are prone to be attracted to the things of the world, and lose our way. It is true that the rebirth in Christ whereby we reject all unrighteousness is not instantaneous, nor even necessarily monotonic. Even when we are embraced in His love if we do not watch ourselves, our deeds, our words, and desires, we have the agency to depart from Him and be enmeshed again in the cares of the world. We must avail ourselves of the gift of repentance continually, with the promise that if we do so Christ pleads our cause continually before the Father, and we can be restored to grace.

The great Plan of happiness is eternal, so we cannot comprehend its grandeur and extent. We can only approach the infinite through faith on One who does comprehend the infinite. However, as we do so minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, then year by year, Christ's grace is sufficient to cleanse us from the stains of this world, and mould us into Celestial beings, until we are prepared to live with Him and His Father eternally.

I testify to the efficacy of Christ's atonement. I also testify to the need to watch and pray always lest we fall into temptation. Finally, I testify to the completeness of God's plan, which encompasses human weakness and human desire, allowing us a space for learning and a space for repentance, so that eternal exaltation is within the grasp of all, and indeed He desires that all of us avail ourselves of this plan so that we may dwell with Him in eternal joy.

Moroni 7:27

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?

There are really two reasons why this verse attracts me. First, of course, is the implication from the question that miracles continue, even today. I have seen enough of the Lord's miracles in my own life and in the lives of others that I also know that miracles continue, even today.

But I am also intrigued by the phrase "his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men". We understand that Christ's atonement is necessary for our salvation, and that He performed it because He had power over sin. However, it is interesting to consider the fact that He also has rights in relationship to His atonement. Since He paid the price voluntarily He has the right to bless, guide, and protect us. If we consider what a blessing it is in our lives to render service to others, it can help us understand how precious this right must be to Him.