Our standing before God is not determined by how far along the path that we have progressed, but by which direction we are moving, and our determination to get there.
.
Saturday, 31 May 2014
Gospel Buffet
Perhaps one of the strangest things to me is the concept of the pick and choose Gospel Buffet. It is a phenomena that has flooded our society to such an extent that anyone who doesn’t have a mixed conglomeration of doctrines is considered unenlightened and untrustworthy.
This modern way of thinking has permeated most all aspects of life, not just religion, but sports, business, relationships, engineering, etc. It is rare to find pure knowledge now in modern society, as if there is a push to adulterate everything. Often examples are cited which show an improvement in a certain area stemming from mixing two different methods. So we see improvement can be made, yet, if a knowledge comes from a God who has achieved far beyond what mortals achieve, and generations of Gods have already mixed and matched and arrived at the solution that works, can we not then have perfect faith in that conclusion?
There is no magic formula. The answer is simple: If you want to achieve what God has achieved, you must follow the same pattern that He has followed, as all Gods have followed. We must give up our sins, and be perfect. There is no other way. It is completely possible and achievable. If you have made mistakes in the past, acknowledge that and completely repent of them, and then move on. You can move on. You can progress.
It bothers me so much, when I hear people say that they cannot progress because they have done terrible sins in the past, or currently. That is such a lie! It is time to overcome that lie. Because of this lie, people seek to find salvation in excuses and justifications, but this just takes them further from the truth.
Perhaps an over-simplified analogy would help.
The prophets of old were real. They quenched the violence of fires, moved mountains, shut the mouths of ferocious beasts, stood in the presence of God, performed miracle after miracle, not because they had never sinned, but because they turned completely from their sins and faced God, never looking back. Those legendary prophets of old followed the unadulterated plan that was followed by all the Gods, which is why they could do those legendary feats. And the way is open for anyone who follows that same plan, even today.
We can all progress. The way of the Gods is open to us. All we need to do is to turn completely to God, completely forsaking our sins, and have absolutely perfect faith in Christ, perfect faith in His methods, and of course, to follow that method ourselves.
Look to God. Do not fall for the popular method of justifying and making excuses. Go directly to God in person. He is there with you. He will accept you.
.
This modern way of thinking has permeated most all aspects of life, not just religion, but sports, business, relationships, engineering, etc. It is rare to find pure knowledge now in modern society, as if there is a push to adulterate everything. Often examples are cited which show an improvement in a certain area stemming from mixing two different methods. So we see improvement can be made, yet, if a knowledge comes from a God who has achieved far beyond what mortals achieve, and generations of Gods have already mixed and matched and arrived at the solution that works, can we not then have perfect faith in that conclusion?
There is no magic formula. The answer is simple: If you want to achieve what God has achieved, you must follow the same pattern that He has followed, as all Gods have followed. We must give up our sins, and be perfect. There is no other way. It is completely possible and achievable. If you have made mistakes in the past, acknowledge that and completely repent of them, and then move on. You can move on. You can progress.
It bothers me so much, when I hear people say that they cannot progress because they have done terrible sins in the past, or currently. That is such a lie! It is time to overcome that lie. Because of this lie, people seek to find salvation in excuses and justifications, but this just takes them further from the truth.
Perhaps an over-simplified analogy would help.
There were two best friends who went to train with a famous Olympic coach. This coach had trained many people in his lifetime with many of them becoming gold medalists. The two best friends trained hard and quickly progressed to winning local events. They were both on their way to the top.
Yet, something unexpected happened along the way. One of the friends fell in love with the adulation of their home town. Their city had been so kind to them. Inviting the friends to host popular city events, like galas and grand openings. During all this attention, it was noticed that one of the friends rarely came to any of the events, but instead was continuing training with the coach. As time went on, the boy who was in the public eye became the standard to which all the people looked. And the other boy, even though he went on to win many Olympic gold medals, was mocked and became known as a zealot.
Both men eventually retired and opened gyms and attracted customers, but most people joined the gym that the popular friend ran. And with all his political connections in the city, the laws were changed to favour his gym. The popular man focused on easy answers and telling his clients that they were just fine the way they were, while the unpopular friend focused on hard work and training. It wasn’t long before the rules were changed to favour the popular gym, and all that was left of the achievements of the Olympians of old were the legendary feats written about in discredited books.
The prophets of old were real. They quenched the violence of fires, moved mountains, shut the mouths of ferocious beasts, stood in the presence of God, performed miracle after miracle, not because they had never sinned, but because they turned completely from their sins and faced God, never looking back. Those legendary prophets of old followed the unadulterated plan that was followed by all the Gods, which is why they could do those legendary feats. And the way is open for anyone who follows that same plan, even today.
We can all progress. The way of the Gods is open to us. All we need to do is to turn completely to God, completely forsaking our sins, and have absolutely perfect faith in Christ, perfect faith in His methods, and of course, to follow that method ourselves.
Look to God. Do not fall for the popular method of justifying and making excuses. Go directly to God in person. He is there with you. He will accept you.
.
Friday, 23 May 2014
The Power Of Fasting
The first person that I met personally that told me of a Second Comforter experience, was a woman that I had met while I was serving a mission. Judy told me of a lady that she knew who had fasted and prayed every Sabbath for five years before the Saviour showed Himself to her. I believe that Judy was talking about her own experience and I was very happy to finally meet someone who knew God was real. I felt so much less alone. She was a wonderful lady who was raising wonderful children up to the Lord.
I really needed her witness. I was so often surrounded by people who just went through the motions, but didn’t really believe that God was real; practicing a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. And I was starting to question if I had really even had heard the voice of God, or seen visions, or experienced any miraculous events, or if it were just all in my head. But this beloved Sister’s witness re-inspired me that our Heavenly Father was indeed real, and that He is alive and working for the salvation of His children. This experience prompted me to keep moving forward for my own Second Comforter experience.
I related this story to someone, who seemed to get quite annoyed with me and he replied that, ‘there must have been something more. It couldn’t have been just fasting that qualified the lady for a visit from the Saviour.’ And he is correct.
Fasting is a very powerful tool. It helps us draw nourishment from Heaven to feed our souls. With this spiritual nourishment we grow and progress toward our Heavenly Parents, toward our full potential. But fasting is not the end all and be all. It is not a magic formula that just automatically endows us with “power from on High”, but it is a magnifier of what is already in our hearts. We cannot expect just to fast and pray and the Lord will appear to us in His full Glory for that reason alone, but we must bring our hearts into tune with His. We must become like Him. Our heart must become like His heart. It is our hearts that matter most!
Fasting magnifies what is truly in our hearts. Therefore, when we fast, we should use the utmost caution to only want the Father’s will, to only want good and holy things, to only feel pure compassion and holy emotions, to keep our minds pure and focused on the works of the Saviour, to only speak and communicate things that will encourage people to become like our Heavenly Parents, to only do the works of the Saviour during our fasts, nothing else.
It wasn’t the fact that Judy fasted every Sabbath for five years that qualified her for the Second Comforter. It was the fact that she brought her heart into tune with the heart of the Saviour. Fasting for five years only magnified and grew what was already in her heart.
The thing is, Judy’s experience is Judy’s experience. It was what was needed for her. She listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the directions of the Spirit of God, and that is what led her to her Saviour. And it is the same for every person. Go to God yourself, directly, in person. Approach Him with full confidence, and ask Him to put you on the path to see your Saviour with your own eyes. Then follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit precisely, and, by and by, you will see your Saviour.
.
I really needed her witness. I was so often surrounded by people who just went through the motions, but didn’t really believe that God was real; practicing a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. And I was starting to question if I had really even had heard the voice of God, or seen visions, or experienced any miraculous events, or if it were just all in my head. But this beloved Sister’s witness re-inspired me that our Heavenly Father was indeed real, and that He is alive and working for the salvation of His children. This experience prompted me to keep moving forward for my own Second Comforter experience.
But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.
I related this story to someone, who seemed to get quite annoyed with me and he replied that, ‘there must have been something more. It couldn’t have been just fasting that qualified the lady for a visit from the Saviour.’ And he is correct.
Fasting is a very powerful tool. It helps us draw nourishment from Heaven to feed our souls. With this spiritual nourishment we grow and progress toward our Heavenly Parents, toward our full potential. But fasting is not the end all and be all. It is not a magic formula that just automatically endows us with “power from on High”, but it is a magnifier of what is already in our hearts. We cannot expect just to fast and pray and the Lord will appear to us in His full Glory for that reason alone, but we must bring our hearts into tune with His. We must become like Him. Our heart must become like His heart. It is our hearts that matter most!
Fasting magnifies what is truly in our hearts. Therefore, when we fast, we should use the utmost caution to only want the Father’s will, to only want good and holy things, to only feel pure compassion and holy emotions, to keep our minds pure and focused on the works of the Saviour, to only speak and communicate things that will encourage people to become like our Heavenly Parents, to only do the works of the Saviour during our fasts, nothing else.
It wasn’t the fact that Judy fasted every Sabbath for five years that qualified her for the Second Comforter. It was the fact that she brought her heart into tune with the heart of the Saviour. Fasting for five years only magnified and grew what was already in her heart.
The thing is, Judy’s experience is Judy’s experience. It was what was needed for her. She listened to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and the directions of the Spirit of God, and that is what led her to her Saviour. And it is the same for every person. Go to God yourself, directly, in person. Approach Him with full confidence, and ask Him to put you on the path to see your Saviour with your own eyes. Then follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit precisely, and, by and by, you will see your Saviour.
.
Monday, 19 May 2014
Some Things Cannot Be Written
I have the deepest respect for those who seek the truth, then adapt to that truth when they find it. Accordingly, I love to read and hear other people's first hand accounts of their experiences with God, and I love to share my experiences too. But there are some things that cannot be explained, cannot be written, cannot be spoken, but must be experienced to be understood. Those things must be acquired directly from God.
There are many things that God wants to reveal directly to each of us personally, and there are things that He needs to reveal directly to us in person.
Go directly to Him, and He will reveal all things to you!
.
There are many things that God wants to reveal directly to each of us personally, and there are things that He needs to reveal directly to us in person.
Go directly to Him, and He will reveal all things to you!
.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Mother's Day
It has taken me a long time to get around to writing this post. I had thought about writing it several times, but I just couldn't find the words. It's not that I didn't want to, nor that I was forbidden, but it was, and is, because how can this experience be put into words?
This past Sunday was Mother's Day, and as I sat in church listening to the speakers honouring mothers everywhere, my mind went to my earthly mother and what I would say about her if I were asked to speak. Then I began thinking of a teaching of Brigham Young about our first mother Eve, and as I sat there contemplating his teaching, my mind opened and I was corrected on my understanding of our Mother Eve.
It was shocking to me to learn that I had thought so poorly of her and Adam all these years. I did not think as I had often heard from others, that Mother Eve and Father Adam transgressed and were removed from the Garden thereby bringing sin and suffering into the world. That is just foolishness and such a shallow, wicked description of our first earthly parents. But my thoughts had been that leaving the Garden had been a necessary part of the plan, and that was understandable and acceptable to me. But what bothered me most was how they did it, or rather, how I thought they did it. Owing to the false teachings, or perhaps I should say my misunderstanding of generations old teachings, I was under the false impression that Adam and Eve had betrayed each other.
Although, nothing could be further from the truth of this matter.
Tears flowed down my cheeks, as the scene was unfolded before me. I learned that Adam loved Eve with a pure love, and Eve loved Adam with a pure love. There was no enmity there; nor was there any betrayal. Our mother, the mother of all living, was the most loving creature to ever walk the earth. I would like to express how events unfolded in the Garden of Eden, but I have neither the eloquence, nor the vocabulary to write it, and so I will leave the subject for the time being, and commend any who read this, and long to know the most fantastic love story ever, to seek it from it's source.
This revelation prepared me for an even more astounding discovery. On Monday (the 12th) I was reading a blog of a woman whom I respect and admire very much, and her most recent post Honoring my Heavenly Mother Today touched my soul.
I too desired to know of my Heavenly Mother, and so I made it a matter of prayer and took it to God. And while in the Spirit, our Heavenly Father and His Son stood with me and in the distance, beyond another veil, I could feel a presence. It was my Heavenly Mother! As she drew nearer, the veil grew thinner and I could hear her. "Hear" is the only word I can think of to describe it. She has a harmonic vibration that resonates from her.
As she drew near to the veil, my heart cried out, NO! Don't let her see me.
I longed to see her, to be in her presence, but how could I ever contaminate her with my presence. I knew of nothing, save my filthiness. I could feel the love emanate from her from beyond the veil, and I was not worthy of that love. To let my Mother see what I have become was a truly terrifying thought.
I asked Heavenly Father to tell Her that I loved her. But instantly told him not to use my name. There was no way that I wanted my filthy name pronounced in her presence, to soil her perfect ears.
But I longed for that love that I could feel emanating from beyond that veil. I could feel it get stronger and stronger as she approached. I cannot describe the amount and purity of love that emanates from Her, but I can say that standing between Heavenly Father and the Saviour is bliss, and our Heavenly Mother's presence exceeds them both. I felt that if she were to show Herself in Her full glory, I would instantly disintegrate.
I couldn't take it any more. I had to be in her presence, no matter the cost.
Then in the most sweetest mercy, my Mother and Father and others, laid their hands upon my head.
...
I am so very sorry for ever saying, thinking, feeling, or doing anything against Mother Eve. And I will stand as a witness for Her and Her love for us forever.
I learned so many things. Things that I cannot figure out how to even relate. I have tried several times to write a simple sentence, but it just isn't working. I cannot do it justice. So I will try my best to describe one last thought and tell all who read this, go to God for clarification.
Our Heavenly Mother is the most loving person to ever have walked this earth. She is the Mother of all Creation. She is Love. She is the source from which all life flows. And all Her daughters are destined to be as She is.
To the men, I say, don't you dare say anything about Her daughters. It is your destiny, your highest glory to exalt your wives, as our Heavenly Father does.
See your Heavenly Mother for yourself, and learn in person who she is.
.
This past Sunday was Mother's Day, and as I sat in church listening to the speakers honouring mothers everywhere, my mind went to my earthly mother and what I would say about her if I were asked to speak. Then I began thinking of a teaching of Brigham Young about our first mother Eve, and as I sat there contemplating his teaching, my mind opened and I was corrected on my understanding of our Mother Eve.
It was shocking to me to learn that I had thought so poorly of her and Adam all these years. I did not think as I had often heard from others, that Mother Eve and Father Adam transgressed and were removed from the Garden thereby bringing sin and suffering into the world. That is just foolishness and such a shallow, wicked description of our first earthly parents. But my thoughts had been that leaving the Garden had been a necessary part of the plan, and that was understandable and acceptable to me. But what bothered me most was how they did it, or rather, how I thought they did it. Owing to the false teachings, or perhaps I should say my misunderstanding of generations old teachings, I was under the false impression that Adam and Eve had betrayed each other.
Although, nothing could be further from the truth of this matter.
Tears flowed down my cheeks, as the scene was unfolded before me. I learned that Adam loved Eve with a pure love, and Eve loved Adam with a pure love. There was no enmity there; nor was there any betrayal. Our mother, the mother of all living, was the most loving creature to ever walk the earth. I would like to express how events unfolded in the Garden of Eden, but I have neither the eloquence, nor the vocabulary to write it, and so I will leave the subject for the time being, and commend any who read this, and long to know the most fantastic love story ever, to seek it from it's source.
This revelation prepared me for an even more astounding discovery. On Monday (the 12th) I was reading a blog of a woman whom I respect and admire very much, and her most recent post Honoring my Heavenly Mother Today touched my soul.
I too desired to know of my Heavenly Mother, and so I made it a matter of prayer and took it to God. And while in the Spirit, our Heavenly Father and His Son stood with me and in the distance, beyond another veil, I could feel a presence. It was my Heavenly Mother! As she drew nearer, the veil grew thinner and I could hear her. "Hear" is the only word I can think of to describe it. She has a harmonic vibration that resonates from her.
As she drew near to the veil, my heart cried out, NO! Don't let her see me.
I longed to see her, to be in her presence, but how could I ever contaminate her with my presence. I knew of nothing, save my filthiness. I could feel the love emanate from her from beyond the veil, and I was not worthy of that love. To let my Mother see what I have become was a truly terrifying thought.
I asked Heavenly Father to tell Her that I loved her. But instantly told him not to use my name. There was no way that I wanted my filthy name pronounced in her presence, to soil her perfect ears.
But I longed for that love that I could feel emanating from beyond that veil. I could feel it get stronger and stronger as she approached. I cannot describe the amount and purity of love that emanates from Her, but I can say that standing between Heavenly Father and the Saviour is bliss, and our Heavenly Mother's presence exceeds them both. I felt that if she were to show Herself in Her full glory, I would instantly disintegrate.
I couldn't take it any more. I had to be in her presence, no matter the cost.
Then in the most sweetest mercy, my Mother and Father and others, laid their hands upon my head.
...
I am so very sorry for ever saying, thinking, feeling, or doing anything against Mother Eve. And I will stand as a witness for Her and Her love for us forever.
I learned so many things. Things that I cannot figure out how to even relate. I have tried several times to write a simple sentence, but it just isn't working. I cannot do it justice. So I will try my best to describe one last thought and tell all who read this, go to God for clarification.
Our Heavenly Mother is the most loving person to ever have walked this earth. She is the Mother of all Creation. She is Love. She is the source from which all life flows. And all Her daughters are destined to be as She is.
To the men, I say, don't you dare say anything about Her daughters. It is your destiny, your highest glory to exalt your wives, as our Heavenly Father does.
See your Heavenly Mother for yourself, and learn in person who she is.
.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
The Widow's Mite
Remember the poor widow who cast into the treasury two mites? Of her Jesus spoke:
"Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury."
This poor widow gave all that she had, and God judged her on her heart, not on her money.
God is wise enough to judge on percentage!
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Valuing The Gifts Of God
It hurts me to see some of my family and friends waiver in their faith, because of a misunderstood principle. So I would like to expound just a little on a sometimes overlooked principle.
I often heard it said that we don’t have to keep the Word of Wisdom, because it was given by way of greeting, not by commandment or constraint, but by way of wisdom, and by that logic, that is correct. Of course, commandments are only given to the wicked, to get them out of hell and move them toward heaven, so by the use of that same logic of only following direct commandments, and snubbing our noses at any other advice the Lord gives, will just barely get us out of hell and into the outskirts of heaven.
How willing would an employer be to promote a worker who wouldn’t take advice? How willing would a parent be to rehire a babysitter who wouldn’t take advice?
Of course, I am not talking about turning the Word of Wisdom into a commandment, or applying punishment and reward to the Word of Wisdom, but I am saying why would anyone want to turn away from advice offered from a man who has overcome all things and has made it His sole concern to help others overcome all things?
If our Heavenly Father has offered a gift of advice, why not accept it for what it is? Why fight against it? Why ask for any blessing, when the Lord gives you the instructions of how to get those blessings, and you turn those instructions away, and say, “You didn’t say Simon says!” That attitude is more than a little foolish, not to mention out-right rude.
Why get upset when you don’t get the blessings that you want, when the Lord has given the instructions to you of how to get that blessing, and you just won’t follow those instructions????
What would you say about a man who asks the Lord for more intelligence, a faster mind, and the Lord tells him to eat a certain food that will help his brain function better and faster, and the man says, ‘I don’t like that food. I like eating different food.’ And the man refuses to eat the food that the Lord suggested?
At the end of the Word of Wisdom, the Lord lists a few blessings that will naturally flow from following the advice He gives.
This post isn’t really about the Word of Wisdom, it is about the principle of valuing the gifts the Lord gives us. It’s about valuing our Heavenly Father. It is about Eternal progression.
How many times have I heard my friends say that God doesn’t answer them, that He won’t speak to them to give them further light and knowledge, only to find out that they rejected His counsel in the past, and continually look for reasons to not take His counsel now?
If we want the Lord to answer us, we really should be willing to follow the advice that He gives us. The more we follow His advice, the more He will answer us. If we draw closer to the Lord, He will draw closer to us.
If you want the Lord to answer you, then repent completely and start right now keeping all the commandments and advice that He has given to you in the past, and approach Him with a totally broken heart, and completely contrite spirit, perfectly willing to follow any and all counsel that He gives to you from this moment forward, and if you will do this, I promise you in the name of the Lord, He will start working with you again.
.
I often heard it said that we don’t have to keep the Word of Wisdom, because it was given by way of greeting, not by commandment or constraint, but by way of wisdom, and by that logic, that is correct. Of course, commandments are only given to the wicked, to get them out of hell and move them toward heaven, so by the use of that same logic of only following direct commandments, and snubbing our noses at any other advice the Lord gives, will just barely get us out of hell and into the outskirts of heaven.
How willing would an employer be to promote a worker who wouldn’t take advice? How willing would a parent be to rehire a babysitter who wouldn’t take advice?
Of course, I am not talking about turning the Word of Wisdom into a commandment, or applying punishment and reward to the Word of Wisdom, but I am saying why would anyone want to turn away from advice offered from a man who has overcome all things and has made it His sole concern to help others overcome all things?
If our Heavenly Father has offered a gift of advice, why not accept it for what it is? Why fight against it? Why ask for any blessing, when the Lord gives you the instructions of how to get those blessings, and you turn those instructions away, and say, “You didn’t say Simon says!” That attitude is more than a little foolish, not to mention out-right rude.
Why get upset when you don’t get the blessings that you want, when the Lord has given the instructions to you of how to get that blessing, and you just won’t follow those instructions????
What would you say about a man who asks the Lord for more intelligence, a faster mind, and the Lord tells him to eat a certain food that will help his brain function better and faster, and the man says, ‘I don’t like that food. I like eating different food.’ And the man refuses to eat the food that the Lord suggested?
At the end of the Word of Wisdom, the Lord lists a few blessings that will naturally flow from following the advice He gives.
And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.
This post isn’t really about the Word of Wisdom, it is about the principle of valuing the gifts the Lord gives us. It’s about valuing our Heavenly Father. It is about Eternal progression.
How many times have I heard my friends say that God doesn’t answer them, that He won’t speak to them to give them further light and knowledge, only to find out that they rejected His counsel in the past, and continually look for reasons to not take His counsel now?
If we want the Lord to answer us, we really should be willing to follow the advice that He gives us. The more we follow His advice, the more He will answer us. If we draw closer to the Lord, He will draw closer to us.
If you want the Lord to answer you, then repent completely and start right now keeping all the commandments and advice that He has given to you in the past, and approach Him with a totally broken heart, and completely contrite spirit, perfectly willing to follow any and all counsel that He gives to you from this moment forward, and if you will do this, I promise you in the name of the Lord, He will start working with you again.
.
Saturday, 3 May 2014
Go To Church!
I’ve heard it said, “If you wanna be a Saint, you’ve gotta live among the sinners.”
~ Ned Flanders
(I hope I got that quote correct.)
Jesus didn’t come to earth and live a peaceful life, then say, ‘I’m wonderful, follow me.’ He lived perfectly through persecution, and that’s what made him a begotten.
Job stands tall because he remained righteous through all the trials that were heaped upon him.
So, if we want to be Saints, all we need to do is be perfect, loving and forgiving everyone, no matter what any other nut case at church does. The bigger the trials, the brighter the jewels in the crown.
How much respect would there be for a heavenly being who says, ‘I didn’t go to church, because dealing with others was too hard, so I stayed home and was perfect all by myself’? Jesus certainly didn’t!
Church is a great place to go. It is an amazing organization that provides an opportunity to work out our salvation. Church provides a great place for us to work on all those things that Jesus told us to work on, like the beatitudes. Where else, but at church, can we find such an eclectic and dogmatic array of characters, often including our own, to provide the opportunity for us to actually live and conquer the beatitudes? After all, if we don’t acquire the beatitudes for ourselves, then we don’t get the attached blessing. So, if we want the blessings of being the children of God in heaven, then let’s go to church and personify the beatitudes!
.
~ Ned Flanders
(I hope I got that quote correct.)
Jesus didn’t come to earth and live a peaceful life, then say, ‘I’m wonderful, follow me.’ He lived perfectly through persecution, and that’s what made him a begotten.
Job stands tall because he remained righteous through all the trials that were heaped upon him.
So, if we want to be Saints, all we need to do is be perfect, loving and forgiving everyone, no matter what any other nut case at church does. The bigger the trials, the brighter the jewels in the crown.
How much respect would there be for a heavenly being who says, ‘I didn’t go to church, because dealing with others was too hard, so I stayed home and was perfect all by myself’? Jesus certainly didn’t!
There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—If we want the results, we have to put in the work.
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
Church is a great place to go. It is an amazing organization that provides an opportunity to work out our salvation. Church provides a great place for us to work on all those things that Jesus told us to work on, like the beatitudes. Where else, but at church, can we find such an eclectic and dogmatic array of characters, often including our own, to provide the opportunity for us to actually live and conquer the beatitudes? After all, if we don’t acquire the beatitudes for ourselves, then we don’t get the attached blessing. So, if we want the blessings of being the children of God in heaven, then let’s go to church and personify the beatitudes!
.
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