The Ten Virgins and the Trained Scholars

Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide... (Micah 7:5)

By now most of you have heard about the talk given by Elder M. Russell Ballard about a month ago at a conference of the 235 stakes in the Utah South Area. In that talk, he compared himself to Paul issuing an epistle to those members. In his own “epistle” Elder Ballard praised them for their intense commitment to religion, and for their temporal successes. He then, as Paul did generations before him, gave warning of evil forces in the world:

“I raise my warning voice, as Paul did, that there are those “that trouble you”—people that “pervert the gospel of Christ.” I would be shirking my duty if I did not raise my voice to warn you of the challenges we face today.”

He then gave some advice on how to deal with that situation. To his credit, he suggested prayer and fasting, reading the scriptures, and providing service as ways to stay in tune with the Gospel.

However, he then went on to say:

“When I have a question that I cannot answer, I turn to those who can help me. The Church is blessed with trained scholars and those who have devoted a lifetime of study, who have come to know our history and the scriptures. These thoughtful men and women provide context and background so we can better understand our sacred past and our current practices.”

Additionally:

“It is hard for me to understand why anyone turns to other voices on the Internet without first turning to voices of the scriptures or the voices of the living prophets and apostles.”

And finally, he counseled to spend time together as families, stop texting so much, and love your neighbor.

This got me thinking... about what he did NOT say. About who he did NOT tell the members to turn to. Did you notice as well?

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. (2 Ne. 28:31)

Then came General Conference. This narrative started by Elder Ballard seemed to pick up some steam... Elder Ballard himself rehashed his “Old Ship Zion” talk, in which he advised trust in church leaders, and reminded all of us that they are human, make mistakes, but trust in them anyway. Sister Neill Marriott, Elders Robert D. Hales, Bradley D. Foster, Hugo Montoya, Vern P. Stanfill, Ronald A. Rasband, D. Todd Christofferson, Sister Carole M. Stephens, Elder Kim B. Clark, and, of course, Elder David A. Bednar (who recently proclaimed “I am Scripture.”) all talked on one fashion or another about members relying on friends, trusted scholars, parents, and general authorities to develop their testimonies and build their own spirituality.

I have been thinking a lot about this, and a lesson I taught in Gospel Doctrine came to my mind. I would like to discuss with you a parable taught by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that is on point.

We have all read or been taught the Parable of the Ten Virgins. In most cases, we've been taught that this is a parable of preparation... I have heard it used to promote everything from reading scriptures to gathering in food storage. All of which, of course, are incorrect.

Let us look hard at this parable. In Jesus' time, when folks got married, the bridegroom and his friends would escort the bride from her home to the home of the bridegroom. Along the way, the friends of the bride waited to join them. When they arrived at the bridegroom’s home, they all went inside for the wedding. These weddings usually took place in the evening, so those waiting for the bride and bridegroom carried small lamps fueled by oil.

In this parable, ten virgins are waiting for the Bridegroom to come to the Wedding Feast. Five brought oil with them, and five (being foolish) did not. When the Bridegroom came, the foolish ones asked the others for some of their oil, and they declined to give it. Then, the foolish ones sought to buy oil, but it was too late, and they were not able to get oil, and be admitted to the Feast.

This oil would have been olive oil. There is a great deal of symbolism in the use of olive oil in this parable, which would take a great deal of reading on your part to get through, so I won't go into it in detail here. Suffice it to say, that olive oil is universally accepted to symbolize the Holy Spirit. Recall that in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ suffered the weight of the sins and agonies of the world to the point where he bled from every pore. The crushing weight of all that is symbolized by the way that olive oil is made- by crushing the olive in a stone press, and gathering that oil which comes out. The use of the olive oil in this parable is to represent to us the necessity of preparing ourselves to enter into the Church of the Firstborn, or in other words, to accept Christ as our Savior and become one with Him, which is represented by the Wedding Feast. If we have not earnestly sought to fill our lamps with oil, or, in other words, to build our testimonies and our faith through communion with the Holy Spirit, we will not be invited into that Feast.

Note that the foolish virgins first asked the others for some of their oil, and were denied. Why were they denied? It is not possible for one person to give the messages they have received of the Holy Spirit to another. Can I give you my testimony? Can I increase your faith? Am I able to give you confirmation in your soul that Jesus is the Christ? The answer is, simply, no. You have to obtain that for yourself.

Here is an analogy for you: What if your car doesn't start in the morning and you are late to work? Assume that you have never worked on a car before in your life. Is it going to be possible at that late hour to learn enough about auto mechanics to diagnose and repair the car in time to get you to work? I think not. Can you call your brother or friend and ask them to give you the comprehensive knowledge of cars that you need? Or to repair your car for you from afar? These are impossibilities. No man can give you a conviction in your soul any more than he can teach you auto mechanics in one short telephone call.

I cannot save you. You cannot save me. No man can save his wife, nor can she save him. No person can save any person, no matter how close they are or how much they love each other. We are all responsible to gain knowledge, light and truth, for ourselves. We read in Ezekiel, chapter 14 verse 14:

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.

These are three of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. And yet, the Lord states, they cannot deliver anyone but themselves. Think back to the scripture I gave you earlier: cursed is he that trusts in the arm of flesh (other men) and blessed is he that trusts in the arm of the Lord.

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, 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; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. (2 Ne. 9:41)

And so it is that I am troubled by the counsel of the Brethren (and Sister-ren?) to place your trust in the arm of flesh. I think it's not correct doctrine. No learned scholar, no YW/YM leader, no friend, parent or teacher, can save you. If Noah, Daniel and Job cannot save you, then neither can any modern day prophet. No, it is your own responsibility to develop your knowledge of, your testimony of, and your relationship with Jesus Christ. Only then can you enter His presence.

And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. (Mosiah 3:17)

Anyone that will tell you to look in any other place for your portion of olive oil, as it were, is not giving you sound advice. I admonish you to carefully consider the parable Jesus taught, and be very discerning in where you turn for your spiritual replenishment. Turn unto Christ for your edification. Know HIM. He can save you. You must seek after Him.

I love you all. Peace be unto you. Until next time...

Feast of Tabernacles -- The Blood Moon -- And Jesus

Hello my friends...

Yesterday, in conjunction with the Blood Moon of which so much has been written and said, was the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. It is the seventh and final festival given to Israel, and is more formally known as Sukkot (סוכות). The word is derived from the Sukkah (סוכה), or booth, which symbolizes or calls to mind the booths or huts the Israelites lived in during their 40-year exodus from Egypt in the wilderness.

And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 23: 41-43)

To the average observer of the Jewish faith, this holiday represents a time of renewed fellowship with God, remembering his sheltering provision and care for us as we wander here in this "desert." The feast or festival lasts for eight days, during which they will "dwell" in the Sukkah, described below, which also signifies reliance on God's care and sustenance. Meals are partaken of there, and special daily blessings are spoken.

The most important part of the Sukkah is the roof, or "schach"(from the same root word as sukkah). The roof must be made of items that grow from the ground and are not manufactured into something new. Typically the Sukkah is a square or rectangular structure, with some sort of wall on two sides plus at least a hand-breadth on the third side. The roofing material must cover at least half of the roof space, producing at least some shade during the day, but leaving enough gaps to see the stars at night. None of the gaps or holes should be more than a hand-breadth of space. Finally, the shach should not be tied down or wired in any way, and should rest upon a wooden frame.

The walls can really be made of any material, and should reach close enough to the ground that a goat will not try to crawl under (three hand-breadths or less) and the top gap should be smaller than that.

The meaning or representation here is that the Sukkah is halfway between earth and God, the interface between the two. That's why the structure is halfway between man made and a growing thing: to symbolize the interface between Nature, or Creation, and our man-made world.

The meanings here have significance when we think of The Feast of Tabernacles in the time of Christ. The Feast is also known as a Feast of Gathering or Feast of Joy, where all nations are invited to come up to Jerusalem to pray and celebrate the Harvest, or gathering in, together. There would surely have been huge numbers of people gathered there, and the atmosphere one of great thankfulness and rejoicing.

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.(Isaiah 56:7)

Feasts in Jerusalem were given to the Jews as commemorative as well as instructive celebrations. The activities and rituals performed during the feasts were designed to call to mind historical events as well as events prophesied as yet to come. The timing of this feast coincided with the harvest, which reminded the Jews of both the time when God gathered Israel out of Egypt as well as the time of the final harvest when Israel and all nations should be gathered unto the Lord.

There were four major aspects or activities associated with the Feast: 1) dwelling in the Sukkah, as described earlier; 2) lighting of enormous candelabra in the Court of Women; 3) additional sacrifices and offerings during the week; and 4) drawing water from the Pool of Siloam and pouring that water on the altar of the temple. Again, each of these activities was designed to incite feelings and recollections of events and prophecy.

On the evening of the first day of the feast (concidentally, the timing of our feast yesterday lined up perfectly with this), after the evening sacrifice, the temple gates would be left open so that the public could enter the Court of Women, which was between teh court of the Gentiles and Nicanor's gate. This was supposedly the most popular place in the temple to worship.

There were four giant (70 ft. tall) candelabra located there, and each day, including the first, priests would climb ladders and fill four giant bowls at the top with oil. The wicks were made of old clothing worn by the priests. The light was so bright that it was said to light up every courtyard in the city of Jerusalem. The lighting was accompanied by much rejoicing, dancing and song, which would last till the wee hours of the morning.

Additional sacrifices were made during the Feast: 70 bullocks, 14 rams, 98 lambs and 336 ephahs of flour (notice each number is divisible by 7, which signifies completion or perfection), more than any of the other feasts. The sacrifices were designed to remind participants of the great and last sacrifice which would point them toward their Savior.

Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the claw of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away. And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.(Alma 34: 13-14)

The last significant event is the water pouring at the alter of the temple. This may have been the most noteworthy event during the Feast. A group of priests would form up in procession, and travel from the temple to the Pool of Siloam, where he would fill a golden container with water. All the while, a choir would sing, and festival-goers would join in the procession. Much singing and rejoicing would accompany the procession back to the temple, where someone would blow the ram's horn (shofar) loudly. The priest would then take the water, along with a container of wine, to the altar of sacrifice. The priest would then place or pour the water, along with the wine, on the southwest corner of the altar, while the procession circled the altar, waving their lulavs (a bouquet of the four sacred species: citron, palm frond, myrtle branches and leafy willow tree branch).

The significance of this event is great. First, the pool was fed by a spring (Gihon Spring) and thus was "living water." It is likely that the pool was a "mikveh" or a ritual bath for purification, rather than a pool from which drinking and bathing water was taken. Thus, the living water, directly from God, was used to sanctify the person who cleansed himself in the pool, as well as the altar, during the ceremony. This parade and ceremony was not performed on the last day of the Feast, which was a Sabbath.

With all that as backdrop, let's look at the Savior's visit to the Feast of Tabernacles. I will assume that you all have read and are familiar with John chapters 7-9, which will form the foundation of the rest of this article.

At the time of the Feast, Jesus sent his disciples ahead to the feast, then went up alone later (John 7:10). This reminds us of another time when Jesus appeared to earth dwellers without disclosing his identity. Recall that He appeared to two disciples on the Road to Emmaus, which has been discussed at length. I posit that the reason for these visits was at least in part to teach/remind us that when he comes, it will be without fanfare or hooplah, and that if you are not prepared to see him, you simply won't recognize him.

Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.(John 7:25-27).

Jesus went to the temple about the midway point of the feast (v. 14) and began teaching. John records very little of the teaching that took place. On the last, or "great" day of the Feast, when there was no water pouring ceremony, Jesus "stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink (v. 37). He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, ouot of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (v. 38)." On the day when man did not pour living water, Jesus proclaimed himself to be the source of living water for all men who would seek after him. John further clarified in v. 39 that the living water Jesus mentioned was the Holy Spirit, which testifies to those who would receive.

But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. (D&C 63:23)

And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. (Helaman 5:45)

For those who will receive the Spirit, the Lord freely shares. He is the source, after all. And once we are filled, we have that desire and ability to share it with others, as if with fire, and speaking marvelous words. Jesus further amplified his Messianic declaration in Chapter 8, which takes place shortly after the Feast, when the great candelabras had been extinguished, when he stated: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (v.12)." Instead of the great candelabra in the Court of Women, Jesus himself is the great light of the world, that can fill every corner with light, and thus with courage, hope and comfort.

For the sake of brevity, let us skip ahead in the narrative to Chapter 9 of John. Shortly after conclusion of the Feast, Jesus is leaving the temple. He notices "a man which was blind from his birth (v.1)." This man had never seen light. Regardless of the reason for his blindness, the Savior used this moment to teach not only the man, but his disciples as well. In verse 5, he states "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." He reminded them again, thus, that the source of spiritual learning was Himself, and only through seeking that light can one receive the knowledge required to find everlasting life.

Jesus then made clay from the soil, anointed the eyes of the blind man, and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. Note the great symbolism here: Jesus had just barely said, in verse 4, "I must work the works of him that sent me..." Now look at verse 7 again, which tells us that Siloam is translated to mean "Sent." So, Jesus, sent by the Father to do works here, "sends" the blind man to the living water of Siloam, meaning "Sent." By cleansing his eyes with the water, his literal eyes were opened, and he received light, or in his case, vision.

Thus, the Pool of Siloam becomes a symbol of the Savior Himself, and we can see what great meaning this has in regard to the cleansing of the altar in the temple each day with water drawn from that pool. By washing away the stains of the world, with living water drawn from the Savior, we can have our own eyes opened, receiving light and eternal salvation.

The Savior has superimposed himself on most aspects of the Feast, reminding us that all signs and symbols in the gospel point to him, and that by partaking of the water, the Spirit and the knowledge that he offers we can obtain the fountain of salvation. 

The signs in the heavens, the symbols of the Feast, all of these have been placed in front of us for our learning and education... there is so much for us to learn, if we will simply allow ourselves to be "sent" to the pool...

They did point the finger of scorn...

This message is for all who will read. Please understand that this topic has been in my cranium for quite some time, and that I can't make it go away. It is meant with the best intentions, and no offense is intended.  I include myself in this admonition.

We simply must stop turning our meetings, associations, and studies together into an excuse to bash the LDS Church.

Seriously, it has to stop.

Those who know me might say: "That's easy for you to say. You haven't been on the receiving end of the persecutions and unrighteous dominions that we have."  And this is all very true. I still attend my ward each week. I play the organ every third week. I teach Gospel Doctrine once a month. My whole family still has "one foot in the pool."

But the other side of that, is this: I, too, have been angered, appalled, saddened, and thunderstruck by the treatment some of you have received at the hands of representatives of the Church. My dearest friends in the world had callings revoked and temple recommends yanked for simply knowing too much about the gospel. Other friends and acquaintances have had similar, but more drastic, things happen to them, including being excommunicated for simply being married to a blogger. These are things that Jesus Christ would never condone, and those who have perpetrated these atrocities in his name shall be called to stand for their misdeeds.

The issue, to me, is this: it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The church of JESUS CHRIST. Despite what men have done to the Church over time, it is still the Church of Jesus Christ. He has not disowned it. He has not discontinued it. He has not banished it from the world, caused it to be destroyed by flood or fire, or caused it to be hewn down and cast aside.

Christ called it his own church. In D & C 115: 3-4 the Lord states:  "And also unto my faithful servants who are of the high council of my church in Zion, for thus it shall be called, and unto all the elders and people of my Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scattered abroad in all the world;

 For thus shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

“My church.” “My church.”

Regardless of where you stand in relation to the Church as an organization, we must remember that, at its origin and its heart, this is the Church that Christ established in the Latter-days to facilitate the restoration. The Lord has stated that the Church has received certain keys and covenants. (D&C 42:67-69).  In that respect alone, it is still worthy of our respect, no matter what “the arm of flesh” has done to it.

But that is not all. We purport to be seeking a Zion society- we aim to become that Zion that must  be restored before the Lord can come again. Does a Zion people snipe or backbite at other peoples? Do they hold ill will, grudges, or an attitude of mocking or belittling to others?

Nay.

The Lord has commanded: “Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil.” (D&C 18:20).  Additionally, He has told us to “…see that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking.” (D&C 20:54). Finally: “Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another.” (D&C 88:124).

We need to bear in mind the words of Alma the Younger as he taught in Zarahemla and ultimately throughout all the land: 

“And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

“Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?

  “Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.

“Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared; and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an one is not found guiltless.

“And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?” (Alma 5:26-30).

It is as if we are become the finely-appareled folk in Lehi’s dream, mocking and pointing and bringing shame to others.

This is decidedly not Zion-like action.

Finally, and most importantly, what the Church does, as a corporation or entity, has not one whit of relevance to our eternal salvation. No man, no church, no organization can save you. No man, no church, no organization can damn you. Whether the Church chooses to feed all the orphans in the whole world, or build a shopping center or housing development, or to even build a temple next to every Starbuck's in the land, it does not matter to us. It does not change our desire to draw unto Christ, and to become one with him and the Father. In short, the presence or absence of the Church, with all its strengths and weaknesses, is not relevant to Zion. Let us leave it out of our conversations.

Look unto Jesus Christ Himself for an example to follow. When subjected to the most hateful of insults, the most grievous of pain, and the loss of his life and all that surrounded that event, what did he do? Did he mock those that spat on him? Did he point his finger at Pilate and call him names? Did he make jokes about the soldiers nailing him to the cross? No, he most assuredly did not. Quite the opposite: “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34).

If we are, indeed, to become a Zion people, to create an environment into which the Lord can come, and to meet him face to face, we must put off the urge to condemn, criticize, mock or joke about the institution that, frankly, opened the doors to us being here in the first place. Again, the men associated with leadership positions of the Church have done things that they will have to answer for at some point in the future. There is not a doubt about that. But, what does that fact have to do with our own progress, salvation, and learning? Nothing. Not a damn thing.

All we do when we get caught in the temptation to make a wise-crack about the Church, or to turn a lesson into a condemnation of the Church, is to dilute our message and reduce our effectiveness.

Brethren, Sisters, please. To the extent that we are not exhorting each other to do better, or warning of dangerous or false doctrine, let us cease our negative speaking about that institution. It does nothing to draw us unto Christ, or to make us better people. I beseech you, let us stop. I promise that I, myself, will make conscious effort to avoid those thoughts and words. Please, won’t you join me?

Courage - It's always darkest before the dawn...

I ask you, Gentle Reader, to remember that this blog is a tool for me to teach and pass along information primarily to my own children, while inviting all to read these words. This entry will be the same - I hope that my own offspring will read and take the meaning of this heartfelt confession of fear.

It is apparent that many things are happening these days that give one cause for fear. Me included. I have been an active member of the Church since January 25, 1975. Forty years. I used to just go along with the flow, attending my church meetings, avoiding all (well, mostly all) of the items deemed "taboo" by the Church, doing the odd service project now and then, and sleeping in on Stake and General Conference Sundays. Sometimes. When I could get away with it.

Then, two things happened, both in January.

First, I started working with an old friend of mine, from way way back in my mission days. He is a good and trusted friend, one whom I respect very much and thoroughly enjoy working with and sharing conversations about a wide variety of topics, including religion.

Second, I started teaching Gospel Doctrine classes. In fact, on the 40 year anniversary of my baptism, I was teaching a lesson called "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord."

It's kind of strange- teaching and public speaking really don't cause any fear in me at all. I very much enjoy teaching. I enjoy discussing my lessons with the person mentioned above, then passing along newfound understanding to the people in my class.

But, there are other things that frighten me. For example, through my discussions with my friend above, I have come to have my eyes opened a bit to the fact that if I am to be saved, and my family, we are going to have to go a lot further in our gospel study and knowledge than we ever have up to now. I have also learned that those who try to learn gospel truths that are not convenient for the powers that be, sometimes (well, actually, at an alarming rate) find themselves being removed from the Church.

I am saddened that people can be booted out for simply studying the Gospel too much. In the past few days, I have knowledge of at least four families that are being affected by leaders that cannot tolerate the fact that folks might actually have questions about the way things are being run, and that want to grow and rise up and grab the end of the iron rod that Christ has placed in front of us that leads back to Him.

So, that makes me afraid.

Because I know that we, too, might be faced with that consequence if we continue to advance down this path that we have barely started. And so, I read scriptures and study blogs and listen to talks and read books. But I am afraid to ask if this is true. I fear the consequences.

I fear the drastic change that must be undergone if I find that this new path is the correct one. I mean, I've got 40 years of following what I've been told to follow under my belt. It's a close friend that has been diagnosed with a terminal disease. If that friend dies, there will be mourning and loss. Sadness and emptiness. That process will have to be gone through. I feel like it has already started.

I fear the ramifications for all of you. I see what struggles are being endured by other families that are simply seeking truth. There is mocking, and ostracism. I can handle that. I cannot handle it when my people suffer.

I fear the loss of friends. If I (we) continue on the path, and find that it's the true path, and experience what that will inevitably lead to, I know that I have friends that will not tolerate that sort of change. I will find that we speak less and less. No more fishing. No more lunches. No more texts or emails. I feel like that will probably happen to most of us.

Most of all, I fear heaven. If we find that this is all true, that carries heavy consequence and responsibility.  I feel almost like the Israelites in the wilderness, when Moses invited them to go up the Mount with him, into the black smoke and lightnings, to meet God. No thanks, they said. Seeing God will kill us. You go for us, they said. I kind of think... that's me right now.

Or maybe it's just that fear is the darkness caused by Satan, when he tries to dissuade us from doing big, great, important things.

Remember what happened to Joseph Smith as he started to pray in the Grove. Do you recall?

"I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction."

Joseph then called upon God to save him from what he felt would be certain destruction. Or, rather, to save him from the temptation of fear. If Satan could make Joseph fear what comes next enough, Joseph would turn away and forget he ever made the attempt to get to know God.

So, what is fear? I have heard it called the opposite of love. The opposite of courage. The opposite of faith. It is the opposite of a lot of things, all of which come from God. So, fear, necessarily, is of the devil. He uses it to get us to doubt ourselves, to lose confidence, and to think twice about making contact with the Heavens.

Satan might also get even more tricky about this particular temptation. Think back to Lehi's dream. Do you remember that in the beginning of the dream, Lehi found himself in a dark and dreary waste. Then:

"5 And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.

6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.

7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.

8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.

9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious field." (I Ne. Ch. 8)

Some spirit, intent on leading Lehi away from light, truth and knowledge, appeared in a white robe and seduced Lehi into following him into the dark and dreary waste. Lehi, like Joseph, called upon God and was delivered from the darkness.

Later, as Lehi sees the remainder of the vision of the Tree of Life, he sees the tree, the fruit, the path, and the rod. He sees his family and desires them to receive the fruit that he has. So he hopes that they will find the rod, and grab to it. However, they, too, are lost in the darkness. He calls out to them and they are able to find him and the tree, and partake of the fruit.

The Lord does not wish for us to be cowardly. He wants us to have courage. Thus, in order to overcome fear, let fear become humility. Humility leads to seeking and asking and crying unto the Lord:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12:27

This is how we grow courage! If we are humble and faithful before the Lord, he will strengthen us and teach us! Then those things which make us afraid (OK... make ME afraid) will turn to things we can see as blessings.

There will be no sadness at the death of a friend, only rejoicing that we can sacrifice for Christ's sake. There will be no loss of friends for those who will not stand beside us as we grow were never truly friends anyway. There will be new friends around us with the same heart and the same mind who earnestly seek to draw closer to Christ and to build Zion. And, finally, there will be no fear of the Heavens, for we will be there. 

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matt. 5:11)

Blessed will we be when we do these things. So, I will do it. I will challenge myself to study, ponder, and seek the personal revelation that the Lord promises us in James, and Moroni. We must study, ponder and ask, and the Lord will give all things, upbraiding not. 

Simple in concept. Complicated in practice. But it needs to be done. With courage, nothing wavering.

Won't you join me?

Faith - Food for Thought

Let us operate under the assumption that everything we do, we do as a matter of faith. Because that is a true principle. Joseph Smith wrote: "If men were duly to consider themselves, and turn their thoughts and reflections to the operations of their own minds, they would readily discover that it is faith, and faith only, which is the moving cause of all action, in them; that without it, both mind and body would be in a state of inactivity, and all their exertions would cease, both physical and mental."

So it is that everything we do, we do in faith. Think about that for a minute. Why do we drive down the road? We have faith that it leads to our destination. Why do we go to work? We have faith that we will get paid. Why do we have children? We have faith that they will grow, progress, and fulfill the measure of their creation.

But let's hone it down to something simpler than that...

Why do we breathe? Why do we take that next breath?

Faith.

In reality, it's the perfect example. We breathe because we need air (or oxygen, if you want to be more precise, I suppose). What is the definition of faith we were taught in Primary and continue to recite our entire lives? "Faith is a belief in things which are not seen, which are true."

It is true that air is all around us. It is true that we cannot see it (unless you live in Northern Utah in the winter. Then it's pretty apparent).  So then, why do we take that next breath? It's an automatic, unconscious act of faith. We believe that we will be rewarded on our exercise of faith by receiving a lungful of sweet, life-giving air.

We have done it enough, with the same effect, that it has become a rote, subconscious habit that we don't even think about.

But, it is faith, nevertheless.

So when the Savior said "verily I say unto you, If ye have ^bfaith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this ^cmountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be ^dimpossible unto you. (Matt. 17:20), we need to take heed of the size of that faith. But not for the reason you might think.

Often, we confuse the parables relating to mustard seeds. At least, we've been taught that way through the years. We've confused the parable of the sower, who plants the little mustard seed and it grows to a big tree, with the actual parable of the mustard seed, which I quoted above. 

Note that no reference to the size of the faith is actually made in the parable I quote. We've worked in the size of the thing over time, and we've had repeated stories pounded into our brain about having tiny faith (translated: unbelief).

The fact of the matter is, any faith AT ALL is sufficient to move the mountain. There is no minimum size requirement. It either is, or it isn't. 

How big is the faith required to take the next breath? 

How big is the faith required to move that mountain?

How big is the faith required to summon an angel?

Think about that...

Topic of the day: Music and Church

Today I attended church in a ward I have never been to before, and hold no plan to attend again. I was there in capacity of supporting a friend who was speaking there. As I entered the chapel, I noticed that this building was equipped with an actual pipe organ. I counted a dozen large wooded pipes, six on either side of the center fixture, which featured, by my count, at least 75 steel pipes arranged in a typical fashion, smallest to largest. I looked forward to what I would hear from that organ, being an organist myself.

As the meeting commenced, we started, as we always do, with an opening hymn. On this day, the hymn was "Our Mountain Home so Dear." As we started to sing, we slipped into a steady, slow, dreary rhythm that has become the hallmark of LDS music today.

Folks who know how to read music understand that there is a designation on the top left of the sheet music indicating how the composer intended for the piece to be played/sung, and a suggested pace for the song. For this particular hymn, the notation indicated that the hymn should be played at 84-96 beats per minute. A decent, but not breathless, clip.

I pulled out my metronome app on my iPhone (yes, I know, stop playing with your phone in church!), and timed it out-- just under 60 beats per minute. Dreary.

The other hymns followed suit. "I Stand All Amazed" took about ten minutes to get through, as did the closing "We Will Sing of Zion."

Additionally, all three songs were "registered" the exact same way, which is to say, the organist opened the same few stops on the organ for all three songs, leaving out any expression, boldness or joy that should accompany hymns to the Lord.

Which is what hymns are, after all. The Lord said, in revelation to Emma Smith: "And it shall be given thee, also, to make a selection of sacred hymns, as it shall be given thee, which is pleasing unto me, to be had in my church. For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (D & C 25: 11-12)

The song of the righteous is a prayer unto the Lord. So, when we pray, do we drone our many thanks and blessing requests and salutations as though we were reciting our times tables, or do we "cry" unto the Lord as we have been instructed to do? Nephi, the Brother of Jared, and many other prophets did set us an example of "crying" unto the Lord. We are instructed "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support: yea, let all they doings be unto the Lord..." (Alma 37:36).

To me, "crying" unto the Lord indicates deep feeling, emotion and purpose. It indicates humility and a willingness to seek the counsel of the Lord, and abide by that counsel.

"Crying," when equated to church music, means that we need to infuse life into our hymns. Music in many of our wards, and in much of our worship, has come to such dreariness that it must offend the gods when we sing The Spirit of God as though we just woke from a Nyquil-induced three-hour afternoon nap.

Let us cry unto the Lord when we sing, or perform, music and hymns in our homes, in our meetings, and in our worship. Are the doctrines sacred? Absolutely. Are the messages spiritual? Yes. Is singing in church and in worship designed to teach lessons, help us grow, and to feel the teaching hand of the Spirit? Without question.

BUT, does it say anywhere, in any scripture or teaching, that it must be toned down to a point of inducing coma? NO. NO NO NO.

"...Praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving." (D & C 136:28).

Singing, music dance. Praise and Thanksgiving. We ought to be as the heavenly hosts, singing Hallelujas to the Most High. Raise our voices in joy and happiness. Raise the chapel roof, as it were, with exultant praise and thanksgiving to our Lord and Savior, and to our Father who gives us everything. That is what hymns and music should be.

"Cry" unto the Lord in song!

Today marks the first day I have accepted my own inner challenge to keep a record of my thoughts and learning in a place where I can refer back to it, where others can aid in the learning and correct my false notions, and I can reach out to my scattered progeny and fulfill the ongoing duty I have unto them to teach them of correct gospel principals.

I am grateful for good friends and family members that have encouraged this project and have given their thoughts and advice. I treasure and enjoy my relationships with all of them, and have more gratitude than they know (primarily because I don't vocalize it properly, or enough). I hope that the things that I learn from each of you, from our fellowship and association, can be recorded here in a fashion that is understandable and easy to read, and that we call all learn a thing or two from this project.

You should know, at the outset, that my filters don't work very well, and many times I speak my mind without realizing that what I am saying may not sit well with others. This is good and bad. On the one hand, we are commanded to speak with boldness when teaching true and correct principles, or sharing the testimony of Christ. On the other, boldness can sometimes be misunderstood, and interpreted as other traits. So, while I will attempt to write with some degree of caution so that I may not be misinterpreted, I will also write as my own self, for better or worse.

I shall also attempt to write as often as possible. I am a poor journal keeper. This is one of the reasons I have opted to use this forum to record my learning. This means that I may write once a day, or more, or have gaps in the regularity. I make no promises as to the consistency of my writings. I will do my best. That is my promise and commitment to myself and my family.

I welcome all who wish to read these posts. I will speak truth as I understand it. Feel free to disagree with me, or to correct me. I appreciate well-reasoned and civil dialogue. However, strifes and contentions will not be tolerated. Please participate in a Zion-like fashion here.

To those that have inspired me to do this, I thank you. I hope that I can be at least partially as inspirational, informational and educational as you have been to me.

And lastly, to my family: I do this for you. Please take the time to read what I write to you. It is for your benefit and learning.

 ...And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom, seek learning even by study and also by faith; Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord, that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord, that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High...

(D & C 109: 7-9)

Please feel free to interact with this forum. Tell me your thoughts. Help us build our house of learning here. Let us create a house of order and a house of God. I love you all!