Our Dear Friend Repentance

     For today’s blog entry, I want to talk about repentance.  One of the most important fruits of faith is repentance.  When people think of repentance, they often consider it a deplorable word that means they have been bad and have to make amends for it.  This isn’t the way we should be thinking of this wonderful gift given to us by Jehovah.

     I want you to think of repentance in a different light.  Consider the state of your soul without this wonderful gift.  You left the presence of God in order to come to this earth and prove yourself worthy of becoming like God.  You would be able to gain eternal (God-like) glory with the ability to have spirit children yourself.  You would have the ability to create your own worlds.  Your creations could become innumerable just as the sands of the sea, just like God’s are.  You would have perfect knowledge and perfect wisdom.  All that was required was that you prove yourself God-like in nature.

     The problem with this is that God is perfect and you are flawed.  How are you ever going to prove yourself God-like if you can’t be perfect?  The answer came through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  He offered Himself as the one and only sinless and perfect being to live in the mortal condition on this earth.  He gave up His blood, His body, His will, and His life for a sacrifice to atone for our sins.  And this made it possible for us to prove ourselves God-like in spite of imperfections. 

     And how are we to prove ourselves God-like in spite of our imperfections?  There is only one way, and you’ve probably guessed it.  It is repentance.  There is no way to prove ourselves God-like in nature and worthy of becoming like God without repentance.  This is because we don’t start out as perfect beings with God-like natures, but through repentance we develop ourselves into God-like beings with perfect natures.

     What is repentance that it should be able to do this?  Repentance can be thought of as the process of forsaking the natural inclinations of an imperfect body in order to pursue the higher inclinations of a perfect and God-like being.  In other words it is giving up our natural desires to follow the perfect path of God.  It takes time.  It takes effort and persistence.  And it takes the support and assistance of Jesus the Perfector. But as we call upon the name of Jehovah and persist in pursuing the paths of righteousness, we will find ourselves aligning our will to the perfect will of God.  And we will find ourselves becoming perfect beings.

     So repentance is not a loathsome process we must do in order to be forgiven.  It is in fact a wonderful process that helps us eliminate our imperfect selves.  It is a precious gift that helps us develop our perfect natures.  It is a dear friend that assists us in becoming like God.  And we should be thanking Jehovah the Precious One for granting us such a priceless gift through His great sacrifice.

     Now the truth is that repentance would mean nothing unless we had the promise it would mean something.  And before I end this blog entry, I want to make sure you know you have that promise.  There are many places in the scriptures where this promise is given.  One of these can be found in Isaiah chapter 55 (found in the Old Testament section of the King James Version of the Holy Bible).  For the sake of space and time, I won’t quote it.  But I recommend you read it.  It’s a short section of scripture, being only thirteen verses long.

     In these verses the Lord implores us to repent quickly (verse 6).  He promises us prosperity and glory if we repent (verses 12 and 13).  He promises we will find the Bread of Life and the Everlasting Water, even Jesus Christ, if we repent (verses 1, 2, and 4).  He promises us mercy and life if we repent (verses 3 and 7).  And these verses even carry the promise that, when He gives a promise, it carries substance that we can rely on (verse 11).  His promises are kept.

     I promise you that repentance is not a deplorable necessity that we have to do.  It is a precious gift and a dear friend.  Through repentance we have the ability to become perfect beings capable of being like God.  Cherish this precious gift.  Thank your dearest Friend Jesus for this wonderful gift.  And use it daily in your life.

Faith in the Face of Uncertainty

     Over the past couple of weeks, I've had a particular subject weighing heavily on my mind.  I have two stories to share that explain the reason they've been on my mind so much.  The first is a story about a former bishop of mine, and the second is about me.
     In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are certain geographical divisions that divide the congregrations of church members into managable sizes.  The smallest units are called branches or wards, depending on the size of the unit.  Each ward has a bishop that serves as the head of that branch.  My wife and I were in the same ward at the time I was courting her.  Our bishop was an excellent bishop.
     This bishop had an excellent job within the management of a local business that happened to conduct its business in the national arena.  He started having feelings that it was time for him to leave this excellent job.  These feelings kept growing within him until he determined they were promptings from Heavenly Father.  He didn't have a plan, and had no idea what he would do if he quit.  All he knew was that Heavenly Father was directing him to leave his job.
     So, with faith in his heart, our bishop quit his job.  I don't know a whole lot about what took place for him after this.  I know he took a job with a family member for a time.  And I know he was called as a mission president (the adult leader of the mission fields where young men and women are called by God to preach the messages of Christ to those willing to hear them) where he currently serves.  About four years after this decision to leave his work, however, I had a chance to speak with him and learned he was very happy with his decision.  It was the right thing to do.
     My story isn't such a story of success.  I had a job working for a company in the Denver, Colorado, area.  As I started this job, I found it was really difficult to please my boss.  I would be given details of the expectations the company had of me.  I would exceed those expectations.  Then I would be told I was falling short of the expectations.  So my boss let me know I had 30-days to correct the problem or I would be terminated.
     Approximately 30 days later, I started having feelings I needed to quit my work in order to ensure I had two more weeks of employment.  I put off doing so for the next three days.  Then it was too late.  I received my termination notice.  I feel the reasons given to me for my termination were unjustified, but maybe they weren't.  Either way, I delayed acting on the promptings I was receiving and found myself out of work sooner than I would have had I acted on the feelings.
     There have been four different times in my life, including this one, where I have found myself out of work.  Once this had to do with following what I felt were the promptings of the Spirit.  Another time it was simply the way things happened in the course of life.  The last one was because I was a heart-broken young man (who had been dumped for the first time in his life) and allowed myself to be a terrible employee who was justly fired.
     The time I was fired was the first one.  I placed my trust in God at that time, believing He would help me out of my situation and everything would be all right.  I admit that I didn't know it was true and I had several doubts.  But everything worked out just fine and I found myself where God wanted me in spite of my foolishness. 
     In each of the  cases after that, I've placed my hopes and faith in God.  And each time everything has worked out fine.  In one or two cases, I can't say it had anything to do with intervention from God.  I truthfully don't know if He simply sat back and allowed life to take its course or if He placed circumstances in my path to help me out of my difficulties.
     But I can tell you with absolute certainty that God intervened in my behalf on at least two of the situations I found myself in.  Had I not had divine help, I would not have ended up where I did. 
     So we now come to the point.  We live in an uncertain world.  I don't know of anybody who doesn't face uncertainty at some point and in some way.  Most people must face uncertainty when it comes to employment and careers.  A choice to have a family brings uncertainty.  Feelings to quit a job when you have nothing to replace it bring uncertainty.
     But there is at least one guaranteed constant in this world.  And that is that when you act with faith in God, believing you are doing His will, you can't go wrong.  You simply can't.  I don't care what it is He has asked you to do.  If you listen, everything will be just fine.  If you ignore Him, you're going to pay some price, just like I did.  Sometimes the price won't be too costly.  But sometimes that price is going to sting like you can't imagine.
     So, first and foremost, if God asks you to do something, put aside your doubts and fears.  Step forward in faith and do as He has asked.  You will be rewarded.
     Second, if you've come to a time of uncertainty in your life, ask God what He wants you to do.  He may or may not answer.  If He does, do as He directs and you won't go wrong.  If God doesn't answer, then make a decision yourself and ask Him if it's right.  Again He may or may not answer.  If He does answer, then again do as He directs and you can't go wrong.
     If you have made a decision and asked God if it is right and get no answer, then it is time for you to act.  You see, God has promised faithful people His guidance and direction.  So if you are striving to live the laws of God you are entitled to it.  If He hasn't told you no when you've given Him a direct decision, then you have the right to act and He is bound by His own promises to either stop you or uphold your decision.  So act.  And God will either stop you or uphold your decision.
     So let me end by stating, have faith in Jesus Christ.  Do as He directs and you can't go wrong.

Sharing Faith

     Most people love to listen to music as they travel in their car or as they work.  They enjoy the pleasant sounds coming from their speakers.  Sometimes I also listen to music on the radio also, but usually I choose to listen to talk radio.  I enjoy driving along or sitting at work and hearing the political news, financial discussions, or family advice that talk show hosts choose to discuss.
    One of the many things that I've been impressed with as I've listened to these radio personalities is the number of them that choose to share their zeal for religion over the air.  Financial guru Dave Ramsey always ends his show by saying, "There is really only one way to financial peace, and that's through our Lord, Christ Jesus."  (The quote may be slightly off, but it carries the point of what he is saying.)  As you listen to his show, you'll learn that he councels people to trust in God when making their financial decisions.  I've heard him say many times that he would make one choice given the set of circumstances that the caller is presenting and that the caller should also, unless God is telling them otherwise.  And Dave Ramsey always emphasizes that last part.  You can listen to him and know that he knows, loves, and trusts his Lord and King.
     Dave Ramsey isn't the only one either.  Dennis Prager loves to share his beliefs as a Jew through his radio.  This intelligent man regularly devotes an hour of his show to discussing family values and relationships between men and women because he believes it is eternally important.  In addition, he often devotes an hour of his show to discussing verses from the Bible.  Dennis Prager loves God and wants the world to know it.
     I've also heard other talk show hosts share their religious beliefs.  Examples include Doctor Laura, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Steve Kelley, and so many others.  Talk show hosts aren't the only ones so open with their religious beliefs either.  Politicians, such as Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum aren't afraid to share their zeal for religion.  Religious leaders are also very open with sharing their faith in God.  Examples include the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Thomas S. Monson and Pope Benedict XVI of the Catholic Church.  And then there are the millions of people who quitely work behind the scenes sharing their faith in God with the world.
     In the world we currently live in, nobody can deny the need for sharing religion with the world.  So many people are striving with all their might to strangle religion and remove it from every part of our lives.  We can use the United States of America as a perfect example of the fight against religion today.
     No matter how much people want to deny it, it is a fact that the United States of America was founded as a nation under God.  The founding fathers of the United States believed in and loved God.  They were not ashamed to announce it to the world either.  This is why the Declaration of Independence, composed by these founding fathers, opens with two references to the rights given to man by God.  It also closes with an appeal to God for aide in declaring independence.  And a fourth reference to God comes immediately after the appeal to God, as the founding fathers declare they are relying on God for protection.
     Does anyone reading this miss the significance of these words written in the Declaration of Independence?  The men who acted in courage to defy the most powerful nation on the earth had the courage to do so because they believed God supported their cause.  The had faith He would support them.  And they courageously announced to the entire world with written documentation that they were calling on the Supreme Being for support in their case for freedom.
     If you examine the history behind the war for independence in the United States, you will also recognize that freedom from Britain would not have been won without divine intervention also.  There is no way the farmers of America could have beaten the hardened troops of Britain without help.  The Americans were outmanned, outgunned, and lacked the needed supplies, training, and support.  They won only because God intervened.
     This nation has stood under God ever since.  The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag declared it.  United States currency has declared it.  Prayers were common place before political venues.  And our history demonstrates it because of the many times the United States would have fallen without divine intervention.  I can quote multiple instances where this has been the case.
     Yet we now stand in a world where the Pledge of Allegiance cannot be spoken in the schools of America.  Attempts are being made, seemingly successfully, to remove God from our currency.  Our current president has declared we are no longer a religious nation, but entirely secular.  Religious and family values are mocked and denigrated.  And the dividing line between those who live with faith in God and those who don't is growing ever more divisive.
     In such a world where faith is under constant attack, it takes faith to stand up for God and religion.  This is why it's so impressive that talk show hosts, political leaders, religious leaders, and so many others are so willing to stand up and declare to the world their faith in God.
     I submit to you that world needs more people willing to stand up and declare their faith in God.  Pick your venue and do so.  There are so many ways to stand up for God, religion, and faith.  You can start speaking up in public arenas.  You can discuss religion with your friends and neighbors.  You can start a blog.  You can write a book.  It doesn't matter how you do it, but the world needs your voice for God.  Share it.

Easter Faith

     Easter is upon us!  I love Easter.  I have a very difficult time deciding if I like Easter or Christmas more.  After all, Christmas celebrates the birth of our Lord and King, while Easter the sacrifice of our Redeemer and Savior, who suffered and died to reclaim our souls.  Doesn't it make sense that it would be hard deciding which to like more?
     Since today is Easter Sunday, I want to spend a little time talking about the sacrifice Jesus the Christ made on behalf of the world.  You can read about these events in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Each tells a different part of the story, and together they give a very informative picture of the events that took place during the last days of the life and ministry of Jesus.
     I don't want to spend my time focusing on the details told about the last events of the life of Christ as told in the gospel accounts.  I want to instead focus on the faith it would have taken for Jesus to submit to the will of Heavenly Father at this time.
    Take a few moments and imagine yourself in the shoes of Jesus.  You have the power of God at your call.  You have proven many times that you have the power to simply remove yourself from danger.  And now the hour comes that you are supposed to suffer for the sins of the world.  You know this suffering will be the greatest suffering anybody has ever endured.  You also know that immediately after this suffering, the time will come when you will need to submit to the authorities and allow yourself to be slain by prejudice and hatred.  Would you do it?  Could you even do it?
     I would like to think that I could and would, but I know I wouldn't have the willpower.  I am not that selfless.  And I doubt any other person who has walked this earth other than Jesus Christ would have to admit they couldn't either if they were fully honest.
     I know Jesus Christ was perfect in every way as He walked on earth.  I have no doubt this is true.  But I also know Jesus had to learn and grow in faith just like any other person who has walked this earth.  He may not have made the mistakes the rest of the world makes, but He was required to live, learn, and grow just like us.  It was the only way He could truly understand what we go through so He could succor us in our hour of need.  It was the only way He could be presented with temptation so He could overcome it and prove His worth.  It was the only way the eternal plan of Heavenly Father could be fulfilled.
     So Jesus walked by faith throughout His life.  And that faith led Him to a time when He was presented with the need to suffer in Gethsemane and die on the cross at Calvary.  The wonder of these events is made far more miraculous to me when I realize that Jesus had to exercise faith at these times.  He was certainly very familiar with the scriptures.  He certainly was very close to God.  And He certainly knew this was His destiny.
     Yet I know that Lucifer the great Devil was at large in the world at that time just as He is know.  And He would have focused every ounce of His energy upon Christ at that time to try and stop the most important events in history.  So I have no doubt that Jesus would have been given every temptation the hosts of Hell could muster to try and convince Him not to go through with it.  And that is a lot of power against Jesus, for the power of Lucifer is real.
     So isn't it all the more marvelous to you to realize that Jehovah, the Son of God, had the power to overthrow the most demonic forces the world has ever known?  Don't you find it marvelous to realize that, inspite of the pain Jesus knew was coming, He threw aside Himself and acted on behalf of the world?  Isn't it marvelous to know that Jesus was so pure He could submit to the will of God at His darkest hour?
    I tell you it is marvelous.  I can't help but marvel.  And I can't help thanking my Heavenly King for this wonderful gift.
     You may try to erase these events from history, claiming they never took place.  You may argue the scriptures aren't true, or Jesus was simply a good man and these are metaphors. 
     But I testify to you they are true.  I know they took place just as sure as I know I exist.  No, I didn't live back then.  No, I haven't seen these events in a vision.  I have simply read them in the scriptures, heard testimony from others about them, and chose to believe they were true.  And from these I have had the Spirit of God testify to me they are true. 
     I know without a doubt that Jesus walked this earth.  I know without a doubt that He came to the hour when the weight of the world would fall upon Him.  I know without a doubt that Lucifer and the hosts of Hell tried to stop Him.  And I know without a doubt that Jehovah forsook Himself and followed the will of God to save all who would come unto Him.  And this is what we celebrate at Easter time.  This is your gift from the Holy Son of God.  All you have to do is accept it through repentance and obedience.

Prophets Today

     Last week's post focused on Joseph Smith's first vision from God.  One of the miracles of this vision was that it led to God calling Joseph to minister unto the world as the prophet of God.  He would later receive the priesthood keys necessary to act in this capacity.
     Through revelation Joseph learned the pattern for passing the priesthood keys on to future prophets so this divine authority would continue until the Savior came to reign personally upon the earth.  Through the Lord's revealed method of conferring the priesthood keys upon others, the divine role as prophet has continued in the earth until today.  These prophets serve in the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
     The First Presidency is comprised of the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his councillors.  The president is called as the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as the prophet to the world.  He is the primary person responsible for receiving revelation from God for and in behalf of the entire world.  Today Thomas S. Monson has received this divine mantle.
     The president generally has two councillors to serve with him in the First Presidency.  However, the number of councillors is subject to change depending upon the needs of the Lord.  Each of these councillors is called as a prophet, seer, and revelator in addition to the president.  Under the direction of the president, they can receive direction from the Lord for the world as well. 
     The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is comprised of twelve men also called to serve as prophets, seers, and revelators.  They act as prophets under the direction of the prophet as well.  The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency work in conjuction with one another.  Each member, being called as a prophet, can receive revelation for and in behalf of the people of the world.  Such revelation generally involves clarification of the laws of God.  However, God obeys the laws of order, so important revelation comes first and foremost through President Monson.  It is then confirmed through the other members of the two quorums.
     These men at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started out in the same condition everybody starts out.  They had to exercise faith in Jesus Christ.  They had to trust Him and do His will.  As they did, their faith in Him grew to knowledge.  There are still times they have to act in faith until their faith becomes knowledge.  But they have exercised their faith in Jesus Christ to the point they do know Him.  Everybody can have that same privilege by exercising their faith in Jesus Christ.
     Now let me summarize these past few entries for you.  If you love the scriptures and study them, you know the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.  You also know He always called prophets in the ancient days.  This means He would call prophets today.  It's an easy thing to connect those dots.
     God has called prophets today.  If you truly love Jesus Christ, you will want to know if this is true for yourself.  Then you'll know where you can go to hear His messages today.  And only then can you fully hear the voice of your Lord and Master, Jehovah.
     So quit putting it off.  Open the link to the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Search for the words of the prophets.  Study them.  Then ask if they are the words of God.  If you ask with faith and hope, listening for an answer to your prayers, you will receive a witness they are the words of God.  And if they are the words of God, the men who have spoken them must truly be what they claim to be.  They must be the prophets of God.  And I know they are.

     When we speak of the keys of the priesthood, we are not speaking of tangible keys.  The keys of the priesthood represent divine authority given by God to righteous priesthood holders.  These keys grant to the holder the authority to bless the sick and afflicted with strength, comfort, and even healing.  They grant the authority to preside in the absence of Jesus Christ.  And they grant the authority to administer in the ordinances of salvation set forth by Jesus Christ when He walked on earth in Jerusalem.