Agency

There are two principles of prime importance in the plan of salvation, that of free agency and the role of our Savior, who atoned for our sins. Free agency is an essential component in the plan of salvation and is of utmost importance to our Heavenly Father as it is an inherent component of the nature of God.

As we know, in the beginning before we came to earth, we lived with our Heavenly parents. Our Father in Heaven presented a plan of salvation wherein we would come to earth to learn from our experiences here. We would be given the agency to choose whether we would follow God's commandments or not. Because we would at times make the wrong choice, He would provide a Savior for us, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, we could return to God's presence. Allowing us our agency meant that some may not choose to return to God's presence. Satan proposed his own plan. He said he would save us all, that none would be lost. This plan was rejected and Satan and those who chose to follow him were cast out. 

We learn a lot from this experience in our premortal life. I would like to read a quote from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' website:

"The premortal Council in Heaven is an excellent case study that demonstrates the character of God. There our Heavenly Father presented His plan for our eternal progression. Key elements of that plan included agency, obedience, and salvation through the Atonement of Christ. Lucifer, however, proposed a different approach. He guaranteed that all would obey--none would be lost. The only way to accomplish this would be through tyranny and force. But our loving Heavenly Father would not permit such a plan. He valued the agency of His children. He knew that we must make mistakes along the way if we are to truly learn. And that is why He provided a Savior, whose eternal sacrifice could cleanse us of sin and permit our entry back into the kingdom of God. 

"When our Father in Heaven saw that many of His beloved children were seduced by Lucifer, did He force them to follow His plan? Did he intimidate or threaten those who were making such a terrible choice? No. Our all-powerful God could surely have stopped this rebellion. He could have forced His will upon the dissenters and made them comply. But instead, He allowed His children to choose for themselves."

I think this is very interesting to consider that even in this most crucial decision of such eternal consequence, the Lord would still not force His children to choose Him. Thus we see that our Heavenly Father values our agency and how important the principle to choose for ourselves truly is. Why is it so crucial? Heavenly Father's plan could not be accomplished without it.

I recently read another take on Satan's plan. It proposed that while Satan may have thought to force us to comply, to force us to be saved, that really was an impossible feat. To quote Jeffery M. Bradshaw: "the principle of agency is part of humankind's eternal nature and continues to operate even in the most coercive situations imaginable." (https://interpreterfoundation.org/what-was-the-nature-of-satans-premortal-proposal/) 

The desire for agency, freedom of choice, lies deep within our hearts. Wars have been fought, countries created, all over man's desire for freedom. Look at Christians in China, who despite laws against practicing their religion, still meet in secret; despite Bibles being forbidden, find ways to obtain even just pages of God's word and will memorize it to keep it in their hearts. It truly would be impossible to force all to salvation or subject them against their will. Jeffery M. Bradshaw states that more likely what Satan was proposing to do, his ultimate plan to save all of God's children, was not to force people to choose to be saved, but rather to save them no matter what they chose. Thus Satan's plan was to save them in their sins. This is in stark contrast to God's plan which would save us from our sins. That is a very important preposition, in our sins vs. from our sins, and makes a huge difference in the plan and what it can accomplish. In Satan's plan, if we were saved in our sins, then it would also frustrate the purpose of agency in transforming us.

I don't know if you've ever been in a situation where you had two choices and neither one really affected the outcome, so in effect, it really didn't matter what you chose. In such a situation, however, there was no responsibility, there was no learning to be gained by making that choice either way. That is in effect how Satan's plan would operate if we were to be saved in our sins, meaning, we all could do what we like. Choosing to follow God's law or not to follow God's law wouldn't affect the outcome as all would be saved. There is no growth in such a plan.

God's plan is the opposite. He knew the importance of our agency. God knew that we had to experience opposition in all things. In 2 Nephi 2:11 we read, "For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things. If not...righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad." To know the good and to do good, we had to become acquainted with evil and make mistakes. Even Satan as he tempted Eve understood that to become like God, we must know good and evil. We all have had to partake of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in this mortal life. However, this knowledge is essential. God knew that we would learn from our mistakes and that the process of turning our hearts to Him, of repenting for those mistakes, of having faith in our Savior to heal us, has the power to transform us.

There are two other laws that Satan's plan ignored, the laws of justice and the law of mercy. These laws are eternal, divine laws within which God operates and must operate to be God. To deny either law would not only make God cease to be God, but would frustrate the plan of happiness which is designed to help us become like God.

Both laws center around agency. The law of justice allows us to choose but requires that we receive the consequences of those choices. Through the law of justice, we are blessed for good choices and punished for sin. As all will sin, the law of mercy allows a Savior to step in, to suffer for our sins, to share of His perfection with us, that we may be saved through His mercy without denying the law of justice. The law of mercy does however require our agency as well. Mercy can only be applied on our behalf as we choose to accept Christ as our Savior, as we choose to accept His sacrifice, as we choose to exercise faith in Him and repent, and as we choose to allow His atonement to work within us and change us.

So Satan's plan, though certainly evil and rebellious, was also utterly ineffectual. You see God doesn't just want us to conform to a certain set of behaviors. As C.S. Lewis wrote: "We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules; whereas He really wants people of a particular sort." As President Uchtdorf stated, "He wants to change more than just our behaviors. He wants to change our very natures. He wants to change our hearts." God wants us to become like Him.

Only God's plan has the power to change our very natures. Force or compulsion, the lack of accountability or consequence, does not have the power to change our natures. Thus Satan's plan was rejected. Not only because of his rebellion, his pride, his desire to frustrate the plan of God and to seek his own glory, but simply because his plan could not make of us what God desires for us to become. In fact it denied the laws by which God must operate, and by which we must operate to become like Him.

Satan claimed he could save us all, but save us to what? We are taught that no unclean thing can stand in the presence of God. Certainly Satan's plan would not cleanse us of sin, and thus ultimately, no matter how hard we might try, we would ultimately remain unclean before our Father and unable to live in His presence. His denial of the eternal laws of justice and mercy would not allow us to become like our Heavenly Parents. So what would we be saved to? Definitely not what we desire and what our Father in Heaven desires. And that is to return to His presence, to live with Him, to have our hearts and our very natures changed, from fallen man to glorious eternal beings who have the ability to progress until we become like our Heavenly Parents. That is the purpose of God's plan and that can only be achieved through our divine agency and the gift of our Savior.

With that perspective, we can gain greater insight into the trials and hardships we all must face during this life. If we have come to earth to gain knowledge of good and evil, a necessary knowledge if we are to become like God, then we can find purpose in all that we suffer, both as a result of our poor choices and that of others, as well as just the conditions of living in a mortal body in a fallen world. 

Elder Orson F. Whitney said: "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted...All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable...It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire."

I love that so much. Elder Wakolo in his conference talk in April 2021 stated, "I will no longer refer to my challenges as trials and tribulations but as my learning experiences...I will no longer refer to my shortcomings and lack of abilities as weaknesses but rather as my development opportunities." I think that is a wonderful perspective to have. It helps us remember that these things will give us experience and are meant for our growth and ultimate good. It reminds us to show ourselves some compassion as we navigate this road back to our heavenly home.

In his talk, "Light Cleaveth unto Light," Elder Dyches says, "Life presents challenges and setbacks, and we all must face some dark days and storms. Through it all, if we 'let God prevail in our lives' the light of the Holy Ghost will reveal that there is purpose and meaning in our trials, that they will ultimately transform us into better, more complete individuals with a firmer faith and brighter hope in Christ, knowing that God was there with us in our dark days all along. As President Russell M. Nelson has counseled, 'The increasing darkness that accompanies tribulation makes the light of Jesus Christ shine ever brighter.'"

I am so grateful for the principle of agency. I am so grateful for the plan of our Heavenly Father that provides the way for us to become like Him. I am profoundly grateful for my Savior who is the way and who provided the Atonement whereby mercy could satisfy justice on our behalf. I'm grateful for the opportunity to know good because we have known sin and to know joy because we have known sorrow. I'm grateful to know that all these things shall be for our good and enable us to become like our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother so that we can return to Their presence and receive all that They desire to give us.

Judge Not

One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is the story of the woman brought before Jesus accused of adultery. In John 8:2-11 it reads:

"And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 

They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

It has been postulated that perhaps what Jesus wrote on the ground were the names and individual sins of each of the accusers. Recognizing their own sins and Jesus' knowledge of them, they were "convicted by their own conscience" and left.

I love the way Jesus handled both the accusers and the woman accused. In every instance, he exemplified that which he had taught in Luke 6:41-42:

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

"Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."

Who were these accusers? The Bible Dictionary describes the Pharisees as a religious party among the Jews. "They prided themselves on their strict observance of the law and on the care with which they avoided contact with things gentile...The tendency of their teaching was to reduce religion to the observance of a multiplicity of ceremonial rules and to encourage self-sufficiency and spiritual pride. They were a major obstacle to the reception of Christ and the gospel by the Jewish people."

The Pharisees thought they were better than others because of their strict observance of the law. But their focus solely on observing the rules and the law, as well as their spiritual pride, blinded them to the higher law that Christ desired to give them. What was this higher law? In Luke 6:37-38 Christ teaches:

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again..."

There is only one who can judge, because His judgement is perfect. His judgement comes from knowing us perfectly. He has suffered everything we will ever suffer. He has felt everything we will ever feel. Only He can truly know our hearts and the circumstances that may have led us to sin or to fall short. Only He can know of our true desires and intentions. Only He can know of our true repentance.

That is why we can not judge others. We usually know nothing of their struggles, their intentions, their circumstances. We don't know anything of their private personal relationship with their God. We only know what we see and that perception is often clouded by our own weaknesses and false beliefs or assumptions. It is usually far from the true picture that God sees.

I love the phrase "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over." When one measures something, more can fit into the container when it is pressed down or shaken. The way we deal with our fellow man will determine how we are dealt with. Do we try to give them the least amount we have to, or do we press down, shake it together and even let it run over? I believe this scripture is not only referring to the charity we give, but also to the mercy we give. The justice we mete out is the same we will receive.

Christ gives His mercy so freely to those who are humble before Him and have faith. In fact, many times in the scriptures He proclaims, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." Often this refers to a physical healing that person received, but I believe He uses this phrase to also allude to their spiritual healing. He often proclaimed that their sins were forgiven them when they were healed of a physical ailment. What heals us both physically and spiritually? Our faith in Christ. It is Christ who heals and makes us whole. His mercy is running over. May we extend such mercy to our fellowman and seek to extend our love and forgiveness rather than our condemnation and judgement.

New Year's Resolutions

It is the New Year.  This time of year is a wonderful time to reflect on those things we would like to do better.  People set all kinds of goals with the hope to become better, to be happier, to accomplish something they've wanted to do. 

This morning as I was reading the scriptures I read something that really struck me.  I would like to share it with you.  It was a phrase in Helaman 13:38. 

In this chapter, Samuel the Lamanite is preaching to the Nephites of their wickedness.  He is warning them that because they have set their hearts upon their riches and do not remember the Lord with hearts drawn out in thanks unto Him for their prosperity, but instead they cast out the prophets and seek to do their own will, rather than the will of the Lord, that they will be destroyed and their riches will be lost. 

When that day comes, they will wish they had listened to the prophets during their days of prosperity.  They will wish they had repented when they were warned by the prophets of their iniquity.

In verse 38 it says, "But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head."

The phrase I've highlighted really struck me.  Do we seek for that which we cannot obtain?  Do we spend our days seeking for something we will never find?  I thought about my goals for the coming year.  It made me wonder about the type of resolutions I set and my motivations for wanting to achieve them.

Do I seek for that which I cannot obtain?  Do I seek to find happiness in ways that are contrary to the will of the Lord?  Perhaps in making my resolutions I should consider the state of my heart.  Is my heart set on the things of the world or do I seek to know and do the will of the Lord?  Do my goals and ambitions reflect my desire to remember Him and be like Him or are they evidence that my heart is set on the things of the world?

I think we all want to be happy  I'm not saying that we shouldn't lose weight or set a goal to obtain something we've always wanted.  I think Heavenly Father wants us to be healthy and He wants to bless us with the things of this earth.  But those things do not inherently bring us happiness.  What brings us true happiness can only be found by conforming our will to His.  True happiness comes by living in accordance with His commandments.

What do we do now that is not in line with His commands?  That is perhaps a great starting point for setting our goals.  A couple years ago, I realized that I was not being obedient in having daily prayer and scripture study.  I set the goal to change that.  I'm not perfect yet, but it has become my morning habit to pray and read my scriptures every day before I do anything else.  I cannot tell you how that has blessed my life.  It has been the source of joy and knowledge and personal revelation.  My life is forever altered by seeking to be obedient in this aspect.

The best part is that we don't have to change overnight.  Through small steps we can make huge changes.  When I set the goal to pray and read, I started by saying I would read even just one verse.  I figured I could definitely take the time to read one verse and by so doing would be able to make it a habit more easily.  It worked.

I think we often overwhelm ourselves.  Start small and once you've mastered that, add more.  Pray for Heavenly Father's guidance to know what to change and how to begin. 

May we all seek for those things that will bring us true happiness.  May we recognize the futility of seeking for happiness in doing iniquity.  May we know the only source of true happiness is to align our will with our Heavenly Father's and to obey His commandments and may we know how best to do that in our individual lives.

Happy New Year!  May it be your best yet!

Response to "The Great Divide" from RationalFaiths.com

I don't normally do this, but an article I read about a so-called "Great Divide" in the LDS church made me want to respond.  What started out as a simple comment to my friend sharing the article on Facebook, became a long commentary that I felt was perhaps better suited as a blog post. 

It may be helpful to read the article that precipitated my spending a few hours of contemplation to form my response, which you can find here.

Here is my reply:

Interesting article, however, I think the author is incorrect to assume that a "Traditionally Believing Mormon" or "TBM" doesn't test what they are taught or directed to do against revealed scripture and seek to receive their own confirmation of the truths taught by their leaders.  I don’t think the example he gave of the difference between how a “TBM” and a “New Order Mormon" or "NOM” would respond to the Stake President in the scenarios given is necessarily accurate.  I wouldn’t consider myself a “NOM,” but I would have the same response to the Stake President changing the temple recommend interview.  I would venture to say that most “TBMs” don't follow blindly, but rather trust that those who God has ordained as prophets and apostles do have a different vantage point, and understand that they definitely are not perfect and may say things of their own opinion which are not necessarily always through the inspiration of the spirit, nevertheless they are chosen to reveal God's will for the church and are given revelation through the direction of the spirit.  

I agreed with all the quotes from the past church leaders stating that they are not perfect and we should confirm all teachings through the spirit.  I don’t know that there has been anything different taught.  We are always told to find out for ourselves.  Personal revelation is a fundamental principle of the gospel and we are taught to seek it.  The church and the scriptures teach that we should ask and we will receive answers.  The Book of Mormon concludes with the exhortation to ask to know for ourselves if it is true and the promise that we will know through the Holy Ghost the truthfulness of all things.  The gospel was restored by a 14 year-old boy’s desire to ask God to know for himself what was true.  I don’t quite understand how the author of this article could claim that we are not taught to question and receive our own answers.  

There is a difference between questioning and being critical.  The author says his meaning of criticism is not a negative version, but a thoughtful evaluation similar to that mentioned above to confirm God’s will.  Once again, I don’t believe that sort of criticism has ever been frowned upon in the church.  What is frowned upon is criticism that comes from pride, from assuming that you know better.  Are there changes that have been made in the church and that will continue to be made in the church?  Of course.  To imply that “TBMs” assume that God is completely happy and the church has no more progress to make is false.  But I believe there is a difference in how we believe it should go about.  Revelation often has come through recognizing a need, for example with the Word of Wisdom.  In fact, that is usually how it comes, since I believe the Lord lets the church grow and progress just as He allows us to individually—line upon line, precept upon precept as we are ready to receive it.  Seeing a need for women to be more involved and asking the church leaders to consider how that should happen through the direction of the Spirit is one thing.  Deciding yourself how it should be done and requiring it of our leaders is another.  One shows humility and the other shows pride.  Humility is the only way we can receive and accept the Lord’s will. 

Sometimes we don't completely understand why things are the way they are, but as we act in faith and obediently do those things, we can come to know of the truthfulness.  "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.".John 7:17.  Jesus here himself acknowledged the possibility of a man to speak from God or of himself, but the way to know is often to do the will and then we will know the doctrine.  Faith, humility, and obedience are critical principles taught throughout scripture that will lead to profound growth, knowledge and understanding.

I liked the author’s analogy of seeing the church as a child sees their parents compared to how an adult sees them.  I think it is a pretty adept analogy of how most of us come to see the church as we get older or learn more.  I feel like I, too, can see the “flaws,” or evidences of the fallibility of leaders within the church, but still believe it is the Lord’s church, so I don’t see the difference between us really on that point.  

  

I'm not sure why the author would say the “TBM” relies on his church leaders for salvation and a “NOM” takes responsibility for his own salvation.  I don’t ever remember being taught that I should rely on my leaders for my salvation.  I have only ever been taught that Christ is my salvation and is the only means by which I will be saved.  I have only ever been taught that it is my individual responsibility to follow Him and to have a personal relationship with Him.

I do believe the Lord chooses prophets and servants to reveal His will.  That is a pretty foundational principle of the gospel in every dispensation.  If the author is implying that following the counsel of church leaders means I am relying on them for my salvation, then he is definitely mistaken about most “TBM’s” understanding of the role of a prophet and the apostles.  They only point us to Christ, who is the author of our salvation.  

I do agree that we need to be cautious not to alienate others who question or are critical.  We are not all the same and the best place for all of us to be is within the same church walls serving each other and showing love to all.  This article was a good reminder to me to be more loving and inclusive when someone is questioning or expresses views that are different than mine and not to see it as a threat to my beliefs nor necessarily an indication that they are falling away or want to leave the church.  It is an opportunity for both of us to be accepting of one another despite our differences and to focus on our mutual love of all that we find good in our church. 

I realized by reading how people felt they had changed since becoming a "NOM" that, as someone they would likely deem a "TBM", I have not really felt many of the things they felt, at least not in the same way, so their departure from those feelings of insecurity and not fitting "the mold" or of being judgmental or less loving is good, since I don't think we are all meant to be exactly the same and we all have different personalities, weaknesses and strengths.  Our challenge is to accept others, especially those who are different, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  

I love Jesus' teaching on this subject:  "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."  (Matt. 5:44-48)  

Just as we should be cautious not to alienate others who question, however, I also believe that those who find themselves often disagreeing with the prophets and apostles should perhaps also be cautious that they truly are seeking to know God's will and not being led astray by their own will and/or the cunning devices of the devil.  The devil can be subtle and is patient.  We may not even realize the course we are taking until it is too late.  "...yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever."  (2 Ne. 26:22)  

Remember, what it says in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."  We are here to learn to conform our will to that of the Lord's, not to reconcile His will to ours.  That is the challenge for all of us regardless of where we stand in "the great divide."   

2 Nephi 28 is a great chapter warning about apostasy in the last days and the many false doctrines and precepts of men that will be taught.  It talks of the devil cheating men's souls and leading them carefully down to hell.  It also ends with this warning, which I believe could again be applied to either side:  "Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." 

  

One of my very favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-7:  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil."

One conclusion I have come to in studying the scriptures is that the key to avoid being misled is true humility and avoiding the vain things of the world.  Pride truly does come before the fall.

Isaiah 1:18 -- "Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet"

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

This is one of my very favorite scriptures.  Is there any more beautiful expression of the miracle of the Atonement and the hope it brings to each of us?

The Lord petitions us to come reason with Him.  D&C 50:10 says: "And now come, saith the Lord, by the Spirit, unto the elders of his church, and let us reason together, that ye may understand."

The Lord wants us to truly understand this doctrine of forgiveness, in fact it is the most important topic in chapter one of Isaiah.

This chapter is laid out in a chiasmus, which is defined in the dictionary as "a rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form."  This pattern is found repeatedly throughout the writings of Isaiah and often takes this pattern: a, b, c, d, d, c, b, a --where each letter represents a different theme.  The central point, or d, is the most important point to be made. Chapter one is an example of this literary construction and verse 18 is the central point, even repeating the theme within the verse: "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though the be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

In the previous verses of chapter one, the Lord has been condemning and chronicling the wickedness of His people. But what is the Lord's true purpose in this chapter?  We discover this in verses 16-18.  He wants to entreat them to turn to Him and be clean again.  His purpose is to make them understand that even though they have committed horrible sins, He will forgive them.  The point of the construction of this chapter is to say that all those things won't matter, if you will come to Him and let Him make you clean.

In Ezekiel 18:21-22 it says:
     "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
     "All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live."

I love the analogy of our sins, being as scarlet, becoming white as snow.  Anyone who has tried to clean a red stain out of white carpet knows how formidable a task and an often impossible one it is.  We may look upon our sins in much the same way.  The sins we commit may seem too great, the way back may seem too hard, it may appear impossible that we can ever be clean again.  Certainly, if the task were up to us to make ourselves clean, it would be impossible.

But that is what is so beautiful to me in this verse.  It is not impossible through the Atonement of Christ.  Even the reddest of red can be made white again.  This is the hope the Lord desires to give us.  This is the purpose of the Atonement, indeed the purpose of our life here on earth.  We will sin and fall short, but He has provided a way to be clean and white and pure again.  It is only accomplished when we turn to Him and accept the gift of His Atonement and seek to walk in His ways.  But when we do, we have this promise:

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." 
(D&C 58:42)

Isaiah 1:16-17 -- "Wash You, Make You Clean"

16.  "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17.  "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."

After condemning the sins of His people, the Lord now instructs them in verses 16 & 17 on how to correct themselves.  By instructing them to wash and make themselves clean, he is commanding them to repent and be baptized.  He tells them to put away their evil doings and give up their sins.

The commandment to repent and be baptized is repeated throughout scripture for it is the gateway to eternal life.  In 2 Nephi 31:17-18 we read:

"Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter.  For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

"And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive."

I like the phrase, "Learn to do well" in Isaiah 1:17.  To me, it shows the patience and mercy of the Lord.  "Learn to do well" seems to me to imply that doing well will take time.  We may not get it immediately.  It may take time to learn to truly be obedient, but our continued effort and repentance is what is necessary.

How do we learn to do well?  The Lord has said, "...seek learning, even by study and also by faith."  (D&C 88:118)

2 Timothy 3:15-16 says:

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." 

I believe we learn to do well as we study the scriptures.  We come to know the doctrine and have it written in our hearts, which leads us to want to do those things we are instructed to do.  It is only through the spirit that we can truly learn and change.  Studying the scriptures not only teaches us how we should act, but brings the spirit into our lives so that we can have the strength and ability to do well.

The scriptures, as Timothy teaches, are also a wonderful tool to show us our mistakes.  They reprove us and correct us, helping us recognize when we have erred.  This recognition is important as we "learn to do well."  This knowledge is gleaned through experience as we turn from our mistakes and choose to do better.

Continuing in Isaiah 1:17, "seek judgement" means to seek justice, and the footnote referenced for "judge the fatherless" states, "give a just verdict to the fatherless," in other words, defend their cause, "plead for the widow."  In verse 17, the Lord is telling us to be proactive in comforting and defending those who stand in need of our help.  This reminds me of a verse: D&C 58:27:

"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;"

"Anxiously engaged," as well as all the action verbs in Isaiah 1:17, indicate to me that doing well is not just about not sinning, but is about actively doing good, seeking out the needy, coming to their aid.  As the Lord states in the previous verse (D&C 58:26):

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward."

Isaiah 1:16-17 shows the progression we must make to become like Christ.  As we repent and turn from our sins, we enter into the gate through baptism.  We learn to do well through study and experience, requiring continued repentance when we make a mistake.  As what we learn becomes written in our hearts, we are changed and will seek to turn our faith into action, actively seeking to do good beyond what we've been commanded.

I Will Give Away All My Sins To Know Thee

A certain phrase of scripture has been in my mind for quite awhile now.  It is the response of a king to the teachings of Aaron.  Aaron had taught him many things, particularly that there is a God, who gave men commandments, that men were fallen and that because of their transgressions, God had prepared a plan of salvation and a Savior to redeem them, if they would believe in Christ and follow Him.
 

In Alma 22:15-18 we read the King's response to Aaron's teachings:

15. And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

 16. But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.

 17. And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying:

 18. O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day. 

"...And I will give away all my sins to know thee..."  This is the phrase that has been in my heart for awhile now.  

There are many, many good people today.  I am often amazed by the goodness and kindness of strangers.  And yet we are in a wicked world.  As I look around, trying to figure out what it is that is wicked in us, myself included, I ask, what is it that keeps us from truly knowing Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father?  What is it that elevates us from being "good" to being "holy" and true followers of Christ?

This phrase, "I will give away all my sins to know thee" has stuck with me because it is the sacrifice we must make if we truly want to know Christ.  Perhaps we are good.  Perhaps we avoid many of the great sins.  But do we give up our small sins, or those we justify as small?  Are we willing to truly sacrifice our will in order to know Him and be like Him?  

I love a talk by Elder Robert C. Gay in the October 2012 General Conference.  The title poses a very strong question, "What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"  What small sin, or "guitly pleasure" are we willing to trade for our soul?  Is any thing or act truly worth what the Lord has promised us in exchange for our obedience?  Do we believe Him when He says that all that He has is ours, if we will but follow Him and turn our hearts and wills to Him completely?  Could anything be greater or of more worth than what He desires to give us?

For me this question has been a great way to find the courage and strength to give up my sins.  Is there a TV show anywhere so good and entertaining that it would be worth losing the spirit in my life?  No.  Is there any possession I have that is worth the treasures the Lord has in store for those who inherit His kingdom?  No.  Any sin, great or small, is not worth my soul or the happiness I can have in this life and the next.  

As I endeavor to give away all my sins, I pray that the Lord will guide me to recognize them and give me the strength to abandon them.  I know there are things I do that perhaps I have justified to the point of not recognizing the sin in myself.  It will be a process, and I will have to humble myself to recognize my sins.  My pride will be another thing I have to sacrifice to be successful.  But I am committed to try.

The crazy thing is that in the end, I think it will be like giving up a nickel in exchange for a mansion.  We will wonder why it was so hard to give up that nickel.  But with our limited mortal perspective, sometimes it is.  Remember our sins are but nickels and when we are one day restored to an eternal perspective, we will mourn our loss to have held on to something of such little value when we could have given it for something of much much greater worth.

I pray we will not have our perspective clouded.  That we will see our sins for what they are and that we will say in our hearts:

Lord, I will give away all my sins to know thee for that which thou will give me will be much greater than anything I may sacrifice.

Nephi

I just finished reading 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  I love Nephi.  He is one of my heroes in the scriptures.  Maybe it's because I have read and reread Nephi many times in my attempts to read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover, so I am very familiar with his writings, but I feel like I know Nephi and I certainly have come to love and admire him.  This morning I read the last chapter in his writings.  I was so touched by his parting testimony, so I wanted to share some of it.

I love Nephi's humility and his faith.  He acknowledges that he is not mighty in writing, but has faith that these words are of great worth and will be made strong unto those who read them.  "...And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth 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 eternal."  (2 Nephi 33:4)

I love these words:  "I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.  I have charity for my people and great faith in Christ that I shall meet many souls spotless at his judgement-seat." (v. 6-7)

Then he says he has charity for both Jew and Gentile.  "...But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.  And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ.  And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.  And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye--for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, 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.  And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day."  (v. 9-12)

I know these are the words of Christ.  I am so grateful for the scriptures.  I'm so grateful for men like Nephi, who sacrificed and gave all, to write these words and to do the will of the Father for our benefit.  I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father to have this precious book and the beautiful doctrines taught within.  I'm so grateful for the Bible and the way the Book of Mormon and the Bible testify of each other, reveal God's plan for us, and clarify doctrine.  What a beautiful gospel!  What hope and happiness come from knowing it and living it!  This is why I share my feelings here as well, "that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day."

If you would like to read the Book of Mormon, which I reference in most my posts, please request a free copy here.  If you have any questions or comments for me, please feel free to email me at kristanner@hotmail.com.  Please reference this blog so that I will not dismiss it as spam. 

At Ease In Zion

Today as I was doing my daily scripture study.  I read 2 Ne. 28.  In verse 24-25 it says:  "Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!  Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!"  The previous verses spoke of the devil and the various ways he deceives men.  In verse 21 it reads: "And others will he pacify , and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well--and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell."

I have always believed the verse "wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion" to mean those who are complacent.  Verse 21 goes along with what I imagine is the danger of complacency, in that we are here to grow and to be challenged and through those challenges we progress and come closer to God.  Certainly the devil would cheat us of our growth and stop our progress by leading us away into complacency.  I do believe the warning for those who are at ease in Zion does include complacency.

But I also believe there is more to it.  As I thought about it this morning, I thought it was interesting that we aren't to be at ease in Zion.  Yet Zion is the home of the Lord's people, it is supposed to be made up of those who are following Him.  The Lord frequently says that He will prosper Zion and comfort them.  That they should not fear, for He will be with them.  I thought, certainly with these promises and comfort, it would not be hard to feel at ease in Zion and despite adversity be able to say that "All is well!" much as the pioneers sang as they crossed the plains.  Being at ease and proclaiming all is well could be both a blessing from the Lord and a danger that removes one from Him.  What makes the difference?

Verses 26-30 in 2 Nephi give a little more insight to what the difference may be between those for whom it is a blessing and those for whom it is a curse.  It warns of those who deny the power of God, specifically in proclaiming that they have already received enough and need no more.  Those who are built upon His rock "receiveth it with gladness."  The Lord explains that He gives to us little by little and those who listen and receive it are blessed--"for unto him that receiveth I will give more, and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."  Certainly one's ability to accept more instruction from the Lord with a heart open to receiving His counsel will aid in one's progression and bring comfort.

I also gained some additional insight from a cross reference given for verse 24.  It points to Amos 6:1, which reads:  "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria..."  I like the reference to an additional warning, which is also stated in 2 Ne. 28:31.  Both warn of trusting in the arm of flesh, or as in Amos 6:1, trusting in one's own strength, not in God.  Certainly being at ease because one assumes they are powerful enough to deliver themselves from danger, rather than trusting in God, would lead to their destruction, as it has throughout history, both literally and spiritually.

But there was an additional insight I found further in verses 4-6 about the people for whom being at ease has become a danger.  It describes them thus:  "That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."

To me these verses describe those with a life of comfort.  They have the finest things and seem to have what they need without much hardship.  Is that in and of itself a sin or a danger?  No.  The last line describes what makes it so:  "...but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph."  In other words, they have no concern for the afflictions of others.  They concern themselves only with their own comfort and do not seek to alleviate the suffering of others.  Certainly this can be easy to succumb to.  Even those in Zion who seek to be obedient and are thus prospered and comforted by the Lord, can easily fall prey to being "at ease" and forgetting others. 

With so much suffering in the world, this charge can be at times overwhelming.  I believe when we seek to be in tune with the spirit, to deny not the power of God but receive His counsel, we can be led to know how to fulfill this mandate, whether in the lives of a neighbor or family member, or in the world abroad.  He will guide us if we let Him. 

As we observe the various warnings to avoid the dangers of complacency, receive additional instruction from the Lord, trust not in the arm of flesh, and to have concern for those around us, we may thus be able to enjoy the prosperity and comfort promised by the Lord to His people and still progress and become like Him.