Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Enduring vs. Magnifying--by Ivan Yorgason
The words “marriage” and “family” are not the most well defined words in modern society. The 1828 version of Webster’s Dictionary defines marriage as “the act of uniting a man and woman for life.” The same dictionary defines family as “a household, including parents, children and servants, and as the case may be, lodgers or boarders.” In Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord added a conditional definition for marriage and family. This new definition and the conditions on which it is valid changed the Latter-day Saint view of marriage and family.
The new definition presented is found throughout Section 132. In verse 19, the Lord says that this new definition is called “the new and everlasting covenant.” Some characteristics of this new definition of marriage from verse 19 are that “it is sealed …by the Holy Spirit of promise, by him who is anointed, unto whom I (the Lord) appointed this power and the keys of this priesthood”, it lasts through “time, and through all eternity”, it “shall be of full force when they (the married persons) are out of the world”, and “they (the married persons) shall pass by the angels, and the gods, which are set there, to their exaltation and glory in all things, as hath been sealed upon their heads, which glory shall be a fullness and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever.” This new definition of marriage automatically gives a new definition of family. Under the new and everlasting covenant, family members are sealed together and families last throughout time and all eternity. This completely changed the view of marriage for Latter-day Saints. After this revelation, they realized that they would have the opportunity to not have their marriages end at death.
The idea that a marriage could literally last forever removed the inclination to only endure or tolerate the marriage until death. Speaking about the persons married through the new and everlasting covenant in verse 20, the Lord says, “Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting.” With this in mind, the persons married to cannot just tolerate each other. The eternal marriage cannot only be endured. Things that are endured are temporal or time dependent. They always end. Hence, in 3rd Nephi 15:9, the Lord says, “Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.” Marriage through the new and everlasting covenant does not end, therefore it cannot be endured.
With the inclination to endure a marriage removed, a new idea of how to manage marital relationships came about from the conditions on which the newly presented definition of marriage is valid. In verse 7, the Lord says that the conditions are that it be “sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power.” This allowed the Saints to have a clear goal for their marriages. At the reception of this revelation, they came to realize that, in order to have their marriages be eternal, they needed to have their marriages sealed by the Holy Spirit. Their marriages needed to be holy. Instead of enduring their marriages, they now began the quest of magnifying their marriages. Enduring ends with time, while magnifying is an eternal process.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Source Report--by Ivan Yorgason
Title:
Holland, Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. “However Long and Hard the Road.” Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 18 January 1983.
Summary:
President and Sister Holland presented wonderful doctrine in regards to enduring to the end. Sister Holland specifically spoke about “becoming” and personal development instead of worrying so much about not being married. President Holland had a more general focus of mortal and, more importantly, eternal life. He spoke of how eternal goals and dreams can help us all hang in there throughout this life. He shared the example of high divorce rates as a problem, symbolic of a lack of determination and endurance. As examples of determination and perseverance, President Holland spoke about the life of Joseph Smith, the lives of the early Saints, and the building of the Salt Lake Temple.
Insight:
This article directly ties into the sections assigned for today’s reading. In sections 124,125, and 126, the Saints had been expelled from Missouri. They had been forced to rebuild their entire community yet again. The embodiment of determination and endurance is represented in the lives of these Saints. The very idea that President and Sister Holland were trying to share is portrayed through the Saints in these sections. We are often counseled to apply the scriptures to our lives. Sometimes it may seem difficult to apply them. President and Sister Holland apply these sections to our lives for us.
Quote:
“The baking of life’s best cakes takes time. Don’t despair of tarrying and trying. And don’t ‘burn your lips’ with impatience.”
I feel this quote is particularly powerful and relevant because it completely covers all of the ideas shared by President and Sister Holland. All of life’s worthy causes are represented by “life’s best cakes.” If you give up at any time along the way, you won’t end up succeeding in those worthy causes. Impatience in life also leads to failure and hurt. By enduring to the end, not giving up, and avoiding impatience, we can all take part in “life’s best cakes.”
Response:
The words of President and Sister Holland were not especially poignant to my current life situation. I don’t have a lot of difficulties or trials. Life is going pretty much according to plan and I don’t feel like I have suffered unnecessary pain or suffering. Because of this, I have gained something different from their words than maybe most people would. As I read, I began to reflect on what things I have given up on in my life, what I possibly am giving up on, and what I may give up on in the future.
I believe that I need to think about this more often in life. What is worth continuing? What is worth giving up on? I can’t do everything in life, but I can do more than what I am currently accomplishing. There are many good things in this life, but as Elder Oaks taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.” While the words shared by President and Sister Holland referred to enduring to the end, they prompted me to not only endure, but endure well.
Determination, patience, and longsuffering can get us to the end of the race. I feel that we must also consider what condition we want to be in when we finish the race. Did we take advantage of every “best” thing that we could have? Did we endure well? The lives of the early Saints and the life of Joseph Smith are great examples of people who endured well. Not only did they persevere, but they also took advantage of the many righteous opportunities around them. After having this chance to read and learn about the importance of enduring patiently life’s trials in order to achieve life’s worthy causes, I too want to be able to endure well the lot I have been handed.
Holland, Jeffrey R. and Patricia T. “However Long and Hard the Road.” Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. 18 January 1983.
Summary:
President and Sister Holland presented wonderful doctrine in regards to enduring to the end. Sister Holland specifically spoke about “becoming” and personal development instead of worrying so much about not being married. President Holland had a more general focus of mortal and, more importantly, eternal life. He spoke of how eternal goals and dreams can help us all hang in there throughout this life. He shared the example of high divorce rates as a problem, symbolic of a lack of determination and endurance. As examples of determination and perseverance, President Holland spoke about the life of Joseph Smith, the lives of the early Saints, and the building of the Salt Lake Temple.
Insight:
This article directly ties into the sections assigned for today’s reading. In sections 124,125, and 126, the Saints had been expelled from Missouri. They had been forced to rebuild their entire community yet again. The embodiment of determination and endurance is represented in the lives of these Saints. The very idea that President and Sister Holland were trying to share is portrayed through the Saints in these sections. We are often counseled to apply the scriptures to our lives. Sometimes it may seem difficult to apply them. President and Sister Holland apply these sections to our lives for us.
Quote:
“The baking of life’s best cakes takes time. Don’t despair of tarrying and trying. And don’t ‘burn your lips’ with impatience.”
I feel this quote is particularly powerful and relevant because it completely covers all of the ideas shared by President and Sister Holland. All of life’s worthy causes are represented by “life’s best cakes.” If you give up at any time along the way, you won’t end up succeeding in those worthy causes. Impatience in life also leads to failure and hurt. By enduring to the end, not giving up, and avoiding impatience, we can all take part in “life’s best cakes.”
Response:
The words of President and Sister Holland were not especially poignant to my current life situation. I don’t have a lot of difficulties or trials. Life is going pretty much according to plan and I don’t feel like I have suffered unnecessary pain or suffering. Because of this, I have gained something different from their words than maybe most people would. As I read, I began to reflect on what things I have given up on in my life, what I possibly am giving up on, and what I may give up on in the future.
I believe that I need to think about this more often in life. What is worth continuing? What is worth giving up on? I can’t do everything in life, but I can do more than what I am currently accomplishing. There are many good things in this life, but as Elder Oaks taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.” While the words shared by President and Sister Holland referred to enduring to the end, they prompted me to not only endure, but endure well.
Determination, patience, and longsuffering can get us to the end of the race. I feel that we must also consider what condition we want to be in when we finish the race. Did we take advantage of every “best” thing that we could have? Did we endure well? The lives of the early Saints and the life of Joseph Smith are great examples of people who endured well. Not only did they persevere, but they also took advantage of the many righteous opportunities around them. After having this chance to read and learn about the importance of enduring patiently life’s trials in order to achieve life’s worthy causes, I too want to be able to endure well the lot I have been handed.
A House for the Most High--by Matthew James
The early Latter-day Saints were chased from their homes on more than one occasion and many times were commanded to build a temple. Now temples dot the Earth, with over 140 either operating or under construction. What is it about the temple that makes it important? Why would the early Saints risk their lives, and their worldly wealth to build them?
In revelation as early as section 88 we begin to learn about the importance of the temple, “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.” The Saints were greatly blessed as they labored on, and finished this house. The Lord himself came to accept the offering of the Saints, “For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.” (D&C 110:7) The Saints were not able to enjoy this house for long; soon after they left Kirtland in hope of finding Zion elsewhere. They were commanded and attempted to build other temples, but with each attempt came mobs and heartache.
In section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lords commands another temple to be built in Nauvoo. In verse 28 the Lord says, “For there is not a place found on earth that [I] may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you.” The Saints are commanded to bring the best of what they had to build this temple. What did they think as they learned of this new command? They did not grow despondent as one might expect given their past. Instead, they rallied around their leaders and did their best to contribute. All of the trials that the Saints experienced seemed only to intensify their desires to receive the blessings of the temple.
What are these blessings? Section 124 marks the beginning of the Saints understanding of the temple in terms that we are familiar with. Looking in verse 38, “For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle… that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.” One of those ordinances was baptism for the dead. Through this ordinance, those who had died without knowledge of the gospel might be able to accept it in the afterlife. The revelation specifies that this and other ordinances for the dead should be completed in the temple. We begin to see the temple go from a meetinghouse, to a more sacred kind of building.
In our own time, the prophet has spoken about the importance of temples. In conference, April 2011, President Thomas Monson said, “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy.” He also states, “The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.” At a personal level, there is no difference between choosing not to attend the temple, and not having a temple to attend. Truly, we have been blessed by the sacrifices of those who came before us.
In revelation as early as section 88 we begin to learn about the importance of the temple, “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.” The Saints were greatly blessed as they labored on, and finished this house. The Lord himself came to accept the offering of the Saints, “For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.” (D&C 110:7) The Saints were not able to enjoy this house for long; soon after they left Kirtland in hope of finding Zion elsewhere. They were commanded and attempted to build other temples, but with each attempt came mobs and heartache.
In section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants the Lords commands another temple to be built in Nauvoo. In verse 28 the Lord says, “For there is not a place found on earth that [I] may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you.” The Saints are commanded to bring the best of what they had to build this temple. What did they think as they learned of this new command? They did not grow despondent as one might expect given their past. Instead, they rallied around their leaders and did their best to contribute. All of the trials that the Saints experienced seemed only to intensify their desires to receive the blessings of the temple.
What are these blessings? Section 124 marks the beginning of the Saints understanding of the temple in terms that we are familiar with. Looking in verse 38, “For, for this cause I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle… that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before the world was.” One of those ordinances was baptism for the dead. Through this ordinance, those who had died without knowledge of the gospel might be able to accept it in the afterlife. The revelation specifies that this and other ordinances for the dead should be completed in the temple. We begin to see the temple go from a meetinghouse, to a more sacred kind of building.
In our own time, the prophet has spoken about the importance of temples. In conference, April 2011, President Thomas Monson said, “Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy.” He also states, “The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.” At a personal level, there is no difference between choosing not to attend the temple, and not having a temple to attend. Truly, we have been blessed by the sacrifices of those who came before us.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Kirtland Temple Keys--by Erin Collet
During their visitation from four heavenly messengers Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received important keys for the building up of the Church in this dispensation. Christ first came and accepted the Kirtland temple. Following the Savior’s visit Moses appeared and gave them the “keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.” In his talk “The Gathering of Scattered Israel” Elder Nelson points out that missionary work is a vital to accomplishing the gathering of Israel. In this way I think that the keys restored by Moses are related to the keys used to dedicate new countries for missionary work today. By spreading the gospel people from the lost tribes are being brought back into the house of Israel. It is interesting to me that Moses was the one to restore those keys instead of Jacob. Perhaps it is because he was the one who led the children of Israel to the last place they were all gathered together.
After Moses, Elias came to commit the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham. The Bible Dictionary says that this Elias was a man who lived at the same time as Abraham. Because Abraham lived so long ago it does not surprise me that a record of Elias’s existence has not remained to this day. The Bible Dictionary also tells us that a dispensation is a “period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys.” From this definition and the footnotes from D&C 110:12 I think that Elias gave Joseph Smith the power to access the keys that were given to Abraham by the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant blesses us even today to receive eternal inheritances. Thus, I think that the keys Elias had in a sense opened the door for the keys that Elijah brought.
D&C 110 tells us that Elijah brought “the keys of this dispensation.” As later use of these keys show, these are the sealing keys. Elijah held these keys in his mortal life and later gave them to Peter, James, and John. This is somewhat confusing to me—why would keys that had existed previously be called the keys of this dispensation? Perhaps these keys are the crowning restoration of this dispensation because they have the power to give exaltation. Additionally these keys allow us to link back through generations, and thus provide the opportunity for the whole human family to be exalted, which is part of the mission of this last dispensation.
One new thing I learned while studying these keys is that it seems to me that each needed the others to be complete. The Abrahamic Covenant brings blessings to all who are members of the Church, and in order for more and more people to receive these blessings Israel must be gathered. Also, I think that in order for the Abrahamic Covenant to be in full effect and receive eternal inheritances we must be sealed by the sealing power brought by Elijah. This is the first time that I have noticed these connections and I feel like I better understand why these messengers came on one day in one grand spiritual experience. By studying these different keys I have also reflected on how all things had to be restored one at a time, or precept up on precept, in the grand restoration of the Gospel. Truly all of the keys restored in the Kirtland temple bless our lives today.
After Moses, Elias came to commit the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham. The Bible Dictionary says that this Elias was a man who lived at the same time as Abraham. Because Abraham lived so long ago it does not surprise me that a record of Elias’s existence has not remained to this day. The Bible Dictionary also tells us that a dispensation is a “period of time in which the Lord has at least one authorized servant on the earth who bears the holy priesthood and the keys.” From this definition and the footnotes from D&C 110:12 I think that Elias gave Joseph Smith the power to access the keys that were given to Abraham by the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant blesses us even today to receive eternal inheritances. Thus, I think that the keys Elias had in a sense opened the door for the keys that Elijah brought.
D&C 110 tells us that Elijah brought “the keys of this dispensation.” As later use of these keys show, these are the sealing keys. Elijah held these keys in his mortal life and later gave them to Peter, James, and John. This is somewhat confusing to me—why would keys that had existed previously be called the keys of this dispensation? Perhaps these keys are the crowning restoration of this dispensation because they have the power to give exaltation. Additionally these keys allow us to link back through generations, and thus provide the opportunity for the whole human family to be exalted, which is part of the mission of this last dispensation.
One new thing I learned while studying these keys is that it seems to me that each needed the others to be complete. The Abrahamic Covenant brings blessings to all who are members of the Church, and in order for more and more people to receive these blessings Israel must be gathered. Also, I think that in order for the Abrahamic Covenant to be in full effect and receive eternal inheritances we must be sealed by the sealing power brought by Elijah. This is the first time that I have noticed these connections and I feel like I better understand why these messengers came on one day in one grand spiritual experience. By studying these different keys I have also reflected on how all things had to be restored one at a time, or precept up on precept, in the grand restoration of the Gospel. Truly all of the keys restored in the Kirtland temple bless our lives today.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Priesthood and Quorums--By Devon Stern
Verses 30 and 31 of D&C 107 give us insight to the way in which priesthood quorums are to make decisions together. “The decisions of these quorums, or either of them, are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity” (v. 30.) The promised blessing is that “if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord” (v. 31.) These verses mirror very closely 2 Peter 1:5-8, and a similar promise is given that “if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 8). It’s interesting to see how the Lord’s methods of operation in His church are the same in all times and for all people. We are always to do things in faith, patience, virtue and love, and if we do then we will be blessed with knowledge from God on how to act.
These verses in section 107 immediately brought to mind section 121 verses 41-42 wherein we are told that the priesthood cannot have power or influence over another except by persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge. This is a scripture that I think we should all read often and try to apply in our lives, but it is especially important for priesthood leaders to read and apply often. I have seen in my service as elders quorum president how easy it is to see others as problems rather than people. You focus so much on trying to help them do what they need to do that you sometimes forget the real goal of helping them become what they need to be. Sometimes that become frustrating, and you need to read these verses again and strive to reach out to them in love unfeigned, with kindness, meekness and patience. President Monson gives us great advice when he encourages us to “see others as they may become” (“See Others as They May Become”, Ensign, Nov 2012, p. 68) and “never [to] let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved” (“Finding Joy in the Journey”, Ensign, Nov 2008, p. 86.)
We see this counsel to act with Christlike attributes as priesthood leaders repeated often in the New Testament, when the apostles were trying to establish the correct pattern of priesthood ministering. 2 Cor. 6:4-6 state that to approve ourselves as the ministers of God, we must act in patience in any affliction and possess love unfeigned. In 1 Peter the chief apostle admonishes the elders to “feed the flock of God...neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (5:1-3.) He speaks also specifically to husbands, which is a priesthood leadership role, to dwell with their wives according to knowledge, to honor them, to be of one mind, to have compassion, not to return railing for railing, but rather to return a blessing (3:7-9.) We are constantly reminded in every position of authority not to seek power, but to act in love and in the best interest of those we serve and to maintain patience and kindness, even suffering a long time if we must.
I believe these principles that are repeated over and over in the scriptures are important not only for priesthood leaders, but for any disciple of Christ. This is how we become like Him: through practicing and developing the attributes He possesses in full. They also apply to anyone who is called to lead another, whether it be as a young women’s advisor, a Sunday school teacher, a mother, or a ward choir director, or even something that isn’t church related at all. These are true principles in whatever leadership capacity we serve in.
I also find it interesting how much these verses emphasize having correct knowledge and acting thereon. We are to continually seek knowledge from God in doing right in His eyes. The only way we can know for sure what the right thing to do in any situation is is to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is right. We need to be fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord (D&C 107:31) in order to live our lives right in preparation for returning to live with Him.
These verses in section 107 immediately brought to mind section 121 verses 41-42 wherein we are told that the priesthood cannot have power or influence over another except by persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge. This is a scripture that I think we should all read often and try to apply in our lives, but it is especially important for priesthood leaders to read and apply often. I have seen in my service as elders quorum president how easy it is to see others as problems rather than people. You focus so much on trying to help them do what they need to do that you sometimes forget the real goal of helping them become what they need to be. Sometimes that become frustrating, and you need to read these verses again and strive to reach out to them in love unfeigned, with kindness, meekness and patience. President Monson gives us great advice when he encourages us to “see others as they may become” (“See Others as They May Become”, Ensign, Nov 2012, p. 68) and “never [to] let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved” (“Finding Joy in the Journey”, Ensign, Nov 2008, p. 86.)
We see this counsel to act with Christlike attributes as priesthood leaders repeated often in the New Testament, when the apostles were trying to establish the correct pattern of priesthood ministering. 2 Cor. 6:4-6 state that to approve ourselves as the ministers of God, we must act in patience in any affliction and possess love unfeigned. In 1 Peter the chief apostle admonishes the elders to “feed the flock of God...neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (5:1-3.) He speaks also specifically to husbands, which is a priesthood leadership role, to dwell with their wives according to knowledge, to honor them, to be of one mind, to have compassion, not to return railing for railing, but rather to return a blessing (3:7-9.) We are constantly reminded in every position of authority not to seek power, but to act in love and in the best interest of those we serve and to maintain patience and kindness, even suffering a long time if we must.
I believe these principles that are repeated over and over in the scriptures are important not only for priesthood leaders, but for any disciple of Christ. This is how we become like Him: through practicing and developing the attributes He possesses in full. They also apply to anyone who is called to lead another, whether it be as a young women’s advisor, a Sunday school teacher, a mother, or a ward choir director, or even something that isn’t church related at all. These are true principles in whatever leadership capacity we serve in.
I also find it interesting how much these verses emphasize having correct knowledge and acting thereon. We are to continually seek knowledge from God in doing right in His eyes. The only way we can know for sure what the right thing to do in any situation is is to receive a witness from the Holy Ghost that it is right. We need to be fruitful in the knowledge of the Lord (D&C 107:31) in order to live our lives right in preparation for returning to live with Him.
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