Individual Repentance

“Prophecy tells us that things are going to change and that there is nothing we can do to stop it. Certain things are going to happen. Must we therefore resign ourselves to our fate? Not at all. There is a vital rule that leaves the door wide open to effective individual repentance and escape. We have Professor Heisenberg to thank for that. He found that though you can predict with absolute certainty how masses of particles are going to act, you can never predict how any one particle is going to behave. That is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which used to be called the ‘free will of the atom.’ The single particle is unpredictable; only the mass is absolutely bound to behave according to the unimpeachable laws of physics. In the same way one can prophesy with absolute certainty what a nation of people or society is going to do: you can talk about aggregates and predict the behavior of the masses, but you can never deny any individual the freedom to repent and go the other way. ‘Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.’ The prophets and Professor Heisenberg show us the way out. You do not have to wait for the group to change. for the society to repent, nor do you have to change your ways to comply with theirs; the individual is free to ignore the multitude, and only he is free. Only an individual can repent. Repent is reflexive verb — you can’t repent someone else or force somebody else [to repent]; you just repent…” — Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion, pp. 416-417

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Newel Knight (Part 4)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

Newel Knight

The Prophet and the early missionaries were not the only individuals to suffer physical attacks at the hands of the adversary. In what has come to be known as the “first miracle of the Church,” Newel Knight had a rather strange physical encounter with Lucifer. In the History of the Church, we find the following reference to the event:

Amongst those who attended our meetings regularly [in April of 1830], was Newel Knight. . . . Newel had said that he would try and take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting; but when we again met together, he rather excused himself. . . . Accordingly, he deferred praying until next morning, when he retired into the woods; where, according to his own account afterwards, he made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do so. . . . He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body, until, upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him. I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner; his visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment, and tossed about most fearfully.

His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to me, and with great earnestness requested me to cast the devil out of him, saying that he knew he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out.

I replied, “If you know that I can, it shall be done;” and then almost unconsciously I rebuked the devil, and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from him; when immediately Newel spoke out and said that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight. . . .

This scene was now entirely changed, for as soon as the devil had departed from our friend, his countenance became natural, his distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were opened to his view. . . .

All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and satisfaction. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1978), 1:82–83; see also B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Orem, UT: Sonos Publishing, 1991), 1:199–202.)

Knight confirms the History of the Church account in his autobiography, where he not only acknowledges that the event took place but also speaks in detail of the subsequent June 29, 1830, trial in which he was called as a witness and interrogated regarding the aforementioned Luciferian encounter. (See Newel Knight, Newel Knight Autobiography, 3–4, 8–9, 13, L. Tom Perry Special Collections; see also Smith, History of the Church, 1:91–93; Roberts, Comprehensive History, 1:207.)

Although Newel’s experience may seem more like demonic possession than satanic attack, clearly he was being physically accosted. Not only was his body actually distorted and disabled by the experience but also he notes that Satan physically lifted him off the floor and “tossed” him about the room as if he were a rag doll.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1)
Read: Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)
Read: Wilford Woodruff (Part 3)

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Wilford Woodruff (Part 3)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

Wilford Woodruff

Not unlike the experiences of Joseph, Heber, Orson, Willard, and Isaac, Elders Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith were physically attacked by the devil during the winter of 1840 as they labored in London. Elder Woodruff spoke of this assault on numerous occasions. On October 18, 1840, he wrote the following in his journal:

We [Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith] retired to rest in good season and I felt well in my mind and slept until 12 at night. I awoke and meditated upon the things of God until near 3 o’clock and while forming a determination to warn the people in London and overcome the powers of Darkness by the assistance of God; A person appeared unto me which I considered was the Prince of Darkness or the Devil. He made war with me and attempted to take my life. He caught me by the throat and choked me nearly to death. He wounded me in my forehead. I also wounded him in a number of places in the head. As he was about to overcome me I prayed to the father in the name of Jesus for help. I then had power over him and he left me though much wounded.

Three personage dressed in white came to me and prayed with me and I was immediately healed and [they] delivered me from all my troubles. (Journal of Wilford Woodruff, October 18, 1840, 1:532)

Although he doesn’t mention it in the foregoing account, on later occasions, Wilford indicated that Satan did physical harm to both him and George A. Smith—and had it not been for “three holy messengers . . . dressed in temple clothing” who gave them each a priesthood blessing, both of them would have been killed by Satan on that occasion. (Wilford Woodruff, March 3, 1889, discourse, in Stuy, Collected Discourses, 1:218; Wilford Woodruff, Leaves from My Journal (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881), 109–10; Wilford Woodruff, October 19, 1896, discourse, in Study, Collected Discourses, 5:236–37.)

 

For some reason, no reference to this event by George A. Smith has survived. However, Elder Woodruff states that he and Elder Smith were sleeping on cots some three feet apart when Satan appeared to them that night. Thus, George was probably aware of what happened.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1) 

Read: Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

We should not be surprised to learn that the Prophet Joseph was not the only member of the early Church to be attacked by Lucifer (see Part 1). Indeed, Elder Kimball’s aforementioned conversation with Joseph regarding physical satanic attacks did not come up at random. Rather, the conversation was provoked by an encounter Heber had while serving a mission to the British Isles. Brother Kimball spoke of this experience on numerous occasions, each time sharing additional and different details. Because space will not allow us to provide each of Brother Kimball’s many descriptions, what follows is an amalgamation of the salient points of the experience.

Heber C. Kimball

In 1837, Elders Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Orson Hyde, and Isaac Russell were laboring as missionaries in Preston, England. They were sharing a three-story flat on Wilford Street when the unthinkable happened. On Sunday, July 30, sometime around daybreak, Elder Russell rushed into the room of Elders Kimball and Hyde, waking them, and claiming that he was so afflicted with evil spirits that he would not live long if someone did not cast them out. The two brethren administered to him, rebuking the devil and petitioning the Lord for relief from the enemy that held Isaac bound. Elder Kimball was voice during the blessing. Near the end of the administration, his voice began to falter, and then his tongue was bound so that he could no longer speak. Suddenly he began to tremble and reel back and forth. At that moment, some invisible force threw him forward onto the floor. As he hit the floor, he let out a deep groan and then lay prostrate as though he were a dead man. Elder Hyde, with the assistance of Elder Russell, immediately laid hands on Elder Kimball, blessing him and rebuking Satan—at which point Heber regained consciousness but had only partial strength. He noted that as he regained his senses, sweat began to roll from him so profusely that it was as though he had just stepped out of a river. Elders Hyde and Russell lifted Elder Kimball and placed him on his bed. However, his physical agony was so intense that he pulled himself back onto the floor. Reaching his knees, he began to plead with the Lord for intervention.

At some point during these bizarre happenings, Elder Willard Richards awoke and made his way up to the third floor where the events were unfolding. Elder Kimball noted that, having finished his prayer, he sat on his bed, and, to the surprise of all present, they were wrapped in a vision of the “infernal world.” The four brethren said that they saw “legions” of evil spirits, company after company of them. According to Heber, these demonic hosts “struggled” to attack the elders and “exerted all their power and influence” to destroy them. These spirits were in the shape of men, with fully formed bodies, hands, eyes, hair, ears, and every other human feature—though some had hideous distortions in their face and body. With knives, they “rushed” upon the brethren “as an army going to battle.” Elders Kimball and Hyde testified that they saw them as plainly as one would see a person standing in front of them. These demonic assailants came toward them, foaming at the mouth and “gnashing their teeth upon” the elders. Orson Hyde noted that there were also numerous snakes accompanying the satanic hosts, hissing, writhing, and crawling over each other. Willard Richards, who had his watch on his person, noted that these “foul spirits” remained in the room threatening the brethren for an hour and a half. Elder Kimball indicated that the following day he was so weak from the physical attack that he could scarcely stand.

Years later he spoke in detail of the encounter and then added, “I cannot even now look back on the scene without feelings of horror; yet, by it I learned the power of the adversary, his enmity against the servants of God, and got some understanding of the invisible world.” Similarly, nearly two decades after the experience, Elder Hyde wrote: “Every circumstance that occurred at that scene of devils is just as fresh in my recollection at this moment as it was at the moment of its occurrence, and will ever remain so.” Although much of the foregoing account was visionary, rather than tangible, Heber was quite clear that he was physically assaulted with a force that felt like being punched in the face by the fist of a strong man—to say nothing of the faltering voice, bound tongue, and physical weakness he encountered.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1) 

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ The Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

The Prophet Joseph Smith

Of course, the reader will be familiar with the first and most sacred of events tied to the Restoration—namely the appearance of the Father and Son to the Prophet Joseph Smith. That spring morning of 1820, Joseph had a very physical encounter with the adversary—an experience that left Joseph with no doubts about Satan’s power in the physical realm:

"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, . . . and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light." (Joseph Smith—History 1:15–16)

Joseph describes here what must have been a terrifying and unimaginable encounter. Among other things, he notes that he was “seized upon” and was “entirely” overcome by Satan. He states that Lucifer bound his tongue so that he could not speak or cry out. Elsewhere, Joseph noted that during this experience, the devil caused his tongue to physically swell up and cleave to the roof of his mouth. He also spoke of hearing distinct footsteps walking toward him as he began his prayer, but he could not see Satan’s person. In one account of the experience, the Prophet noted that throughout the ordeal, he was “severely tempted” with “improper pictures,” and his mind was “benighted . . . with doubts”—all via the devil’s influence.

This was certainly not the Prophet’s only encounter with the adversary. Although we do not know all the details surrounding each of these experiences, we do know that Joseph confided to at least one of his brethren that Satan had made repeated attempts to physically destroy him. President Heber C. Kimball states: “Brother Joseph . . . told me that he had contests with the devil, face to face. He also told me how he was handled and afflicted by the devil.” Heber shares the details of one of the many demonic encounters the Prophet had suffered:

"I will relate one circumstance that took place at Far West, in a house that Joseph had purchased, which had been formerly occupied as a public house by some wicked people. A short time after he got into it, one of his children was taken very sick; he laid his hands upon the child, when it got better; as soon as he went out of doors, the children was taken sick again; he again laid his hands upon it, so that it again recovered. This occurred several times, when Joseph inquired of the Lord what it all meant; then he had an open vision, and saw the devil in person, who contended with Joseph face to face, for some time. He said it was his house, it belonged to him, and Joseph had no right there. Then Joseph rebuked Satan in the name of the Lord, and he departed and touched the child no more."

Thus, the record shows that Joseph experienced Satan in a very real and tangible way. This was not isolated to the very strange encounter in the Sacred Grove; on the contrary, the devil—apparently on multiple occasions—physically and violently accosted the Prophet “face to face.”

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Don’t Look at Me…

“Does not one person need repentance more than another? Ezra and Baruch protested to God that while Israel had sinned, the Gentiles had acted much worse, and asked why they should be let off so much more easily. But God was not buying that argument. You can always find somebody who is worse than you are to make you feel virtuous. It’s a cheap shot: those awful terrorists, perverts, communists—they are the ones who need to repent! Yes, indeed they do, and for them repentance will be a full-time job, exactly as it is for all the rest of us.” — Hugh Nibley, “Great Are the Words of Isaiah,” CWHN 1:217

Sin Is...The Good News (Part 5)

If you ever see someone standing on top of a mountain you can be sure that he did not fall there. — Anonymous


In regarding some of the characteristics of sin we readily can determine for ourselves that we “like sheep,” “…have all gone our own way.” We all have and do sin. The responsibility to always keep his commandments and always remember him can grind our hopes for exaltation to a halt. Fortunately for us, the gospel truly is “good news.” I am personally so grateful to know that, because of one who did not sin, we can yet be reconciled to God.

“…God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.” (Alma 42:23)

In the end, it will be shown through the desires of our hearts what our resolve and resolutions are regarding overcoming sin. If we will strive to go forward and consistently try our best not to sin — not to disobey external principles, not to rationalize bad choices or pervert eternal truths, not to fight against laws and principles that cannot be changed, or waste our limited personal resources on things of lesser worth – we can sever the ties that may have presently bound us to a state of unhappiness. Jesus Christ makes this possible.

It is obedience to eternal truths that will bring us eternal rewards — and joy. Obedience frees us from sin; it removes perverse misconceptions of true principles; it helps us to stop being premature or perilous with our choices; and, happily, it makes the most of our brief sojourn here on this telestial sphere.

Alma (and I) concludes his heartfelt instruction to Corianton with these timeless words:

“…I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God, but do let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart…” (Alma 42:30)

That we may be and live humbly, repentant, and obedient is the charge. It will bring about the demise of sin and the blessed state of happiness. That we may fight sin and live happily is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.

By Stephen Anderson

Emergency Preparedness

I am that guy. I am the one who thinks the sky is falling. I am the one who believes in storing food, water, fuel, medicine and medical supplies, clothes, weapons, solar panels. I am that guy. There are no doubt some here who will, before I sit down, be convinced my tin foil hat is on too tight. But I make no apologies.

I do not wish to talk about food storage, or how to make lemon marangue pie using only wheat. I do not wish to discuss how many pounds of powdered milk you need per person (30) or whether honey is better than powedered sugar.

Instead I wish to talk about sacrifice and obedience. Throughout time, the Lord has given us the fullness of the gospel. From time to time he has had to take the fullness away and give us lesser law. But the fullness has been on the earth in every dispensation. Along with that gospel came Prophets to lead, instruct, relay the will of the Lord, call to repentance, and warn us of calamities.

In every dispensation, the living prophet gives us instruction in addition to what has been given before, and in addition to scripture. We receive this every conference. One of the reasons for this counsel is to help us deal with the reality of our current situation. As useful as it is to read the words of Brigham Young for example, they are less useful to us than the last conference address by President Monson. He is speaking to us for this day.

Preparedness is a temporal principle. It teaches us to be ready for the challenges of modern society where systems are so complex and interdependent, that a slight disturbance can create a huge disruption in the delivery of goods. But in addition to being a form of temporal salvation, it is more importantly a principle of obedience. The following story illustrates what I mean here.

A few years ago I was talking with some people of Rexburg, Idaho, about the devastating flood following the bursting of the Teton Dam.

The story of one woman is especially interesting in terms of obedience. I asked this woman if her family had been seriously affected by the flood, She drove me to a hill overlooking the city to which citizens had rushed when the flood warning was given. From there they could watch the wide path of raging water and follow the destruction of their own homes in its wake.

“Yes,” she exclaimed, “we were seriously affected. But first let me give you some background.”

Then she told me that the family had struggled for years to get adequate housing for their growing family. At last there came a day when a fine house was finished with appropriate bedrooms and storage. They had worked out a remarkable facility for their year’s supply of food and commodities.

One morning shortly before dawn broke, they smelled smoke. Their new home on rural acreage was consumed by flames. The fire took everything but their lives and the night clothing they were wearing. Everything-including the food storage gathered at the counsel of a prophet.

“But, it was wonderful to see the Lord’s blessings unfold,” she continued. “Before the day was over we had clothes to wear and places to sleep with neighbors. Within a year we were able to build another house and fill it with our children and our newly acquired year’s supply of staples.” 

“That is wonderful,” I agreed.

“Yes, but shortly after we moved in the Teton Dam broke. We were right in the path of that raging mile-wide broom that swept this valley clean. From this hill where we stand, we watched our house go. We had binoculars, but because we were crying they weren’t much good.”

A neighbor who didn’t understand gospel principles had scoffed at this family’s futile preparations for some future time. When trouble came, their food storage had burned or washed away. Now that neighbor said to the family, “What good is it to collect all that food storage, all those emergency supplies? If you go through that ridiculous process again, that is your business, but don’t tell me about it. It hasn’t done you any good. Why go to that trouble if you can’t eat it when you need it?”

My friend was thoughtful before such an accusation. Then she firmly replied, “Nobody told me I had to eat it.”

In my mind, obedience to the principle of preparation is a subset to the principle of following the prophet. This woman and her family were obedient, even if the obedience DID NOT PROVIDE TEMPORAL SALVATION. They obeyed.

The second part of obedience is sacrifice. In order to be obedient, this family sacrificed other things. New cars, boats, trailers, quads. They focused on home and food storage first. I am not suggesting that we not have the other things, but rather that we prioritize them. To follow the Lord’s priorities, we must sacrifice some of the priorities the world would place on us. Economist Daniel Kanaman notes that making choices like this feels painful and that is why we avoid them. We avoid these choices because they are painful. If we do them out of love for those we will save rather than fear, we might be more successful.

If we accept that obedience is a key spiritual principle, let me talk to that component of temporal salvation through preparation. If you can look at world events and not see the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the last days and the second coming of the Lord, you are simply NOT paying attention. We are inundated by indications that the times of prosperity are short, and that we are looking at austerity, and foretold destructions. The prophecies of the last days are many and frankly quite frightening. Read D&C 29 and 45 before bed tonight if you want some interesting dreams.

So what will food storage and preparations mean in these trying times? Here are the words of modern prophets.

"Maintain a year's supply. The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year's supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days. How many of us have complied with this? We strive with the Lord, finding many excuses: We do not have room for storage. The food spoils. We do not have the funds to do it. We do not like these common foods. It is not needed -- there will always be someone to help in trouble. The government will come to the rescue. And some intend to obey but procrastinate." The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.375

BTW one of our key training memes is, “Do NOT go to the Superdome. No matter what, don’t go to the superdome.” Government agencies, no matter how well intentioned, do not have your best interests at heart.

"Should the Lord decide at this time to cleanse the Church -- and the need for that cleansing seems to be increasing – a famine in this land of one year's duration could wipe out a large percentage of slothful members, including some ward and stake officers. Yet we cannot say we have not been warned." (ETB, God, Family, Country, p. 383.)

"The revelation to produce and store food will be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." Pres. Ezra Taft Bensen

When the lord commanded Noah to go into the ark with his family, he sealed the ark. Why? Because Noah could no doubt hear the plaintive wails of his neighbors and even his family begging to be admitted. But it was too late. The Lord sealed the ark.

If the pattern established here is true, we cannot expect our neighbors to save us if we fail to do as we are commanded. The parable of the 10 virgins illustrates that those who are prepared (spiritually and temporally) could NOT share their oil with the foolish virgins.

A common reaction, when people see my food storage is to say, “Hey buddy, I am coming here when things go bad.” I typically laugh hysterically and say, “Ha Ha, That’s a good one. But seriously, you have to have a better plan than that. What are you going to do?”

It will not be selfishness that keeps the prepared from sharing with the unprepared. I believe there will be other factors at work. If it were up to me, I would welcome all who are in need to my house. I just do not believe that will be an option.

The commandment to store food and supplies is as valid and important today as the ark was to Noah. If that is the case, I hope and pray we will be as obedient as Noah, who built his ark when there were no storm clouds, enduring derision from friends and family who thought he was crazy. I am that crazy guy. Crazy like Noah. Act in faith, not in fear. Fear causes you to make stupid mistakes. Fast, pray, and seek the will of the Lord in these matters. Obey what you are given. If we are faithful, we will live to see the great and terrible day of the Lord, when he returns in his glory, and we will be called to go forth and build the city of Zion.

By Trackster, AVOW, July 19, 2013

Do Mormons Celebrate Ash Wednesday or Lent?

According to Wikipedia - Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting, is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days (40 fasting days, if the 6 Sundays, which are not days of fast, are excluded) before Easter and can fall as early as 4 February or as late as 10 March. Ash Wednesday is observed by many Western Christians, including Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Anglicans, and Presbyterians.

According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus Christ spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Lent originated as a mirroring of this, fasting 40 days as preparation for Easter. Every Sunday was seen as a commemoration of the Sunday of Christ's resurrection and so as a feast day on which fasting was inappropriate. Accordingly, Christians fasted from Monday to Saturday (6 days) during 6 weeks and from Wednesday to Saturday (4 days) in the preceding week, thus making up the number of 40 days.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday, and placing them on the heads of participants to the accompaniment of the words "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return".

I invite you to watch this video to see if Mormons Celebrate 

Ash Wednesday or Lent and WHY

Follow the Prophet featuring the Book of Mormon Prophets

Lehi was a prophet. He dwelt in a tent.

Tried to warn his city, but they would not repent.

God made a special compass to guide them on their way.

It led them by their faith to the promised land to stay.

Nephi was a prophet, faithful as a boy.

He did many hard things and trusted in the Lord.

He went and got the brass plates, made tools and built a boat.

He wrote books of scripture, from them we often quote.

Enos was a prophet, went hunting all alone,

Knelt in mighty prayer and prayed the whole day long.

A Voice came unto Enos, repentance was his goal.

Thy sins are all forgiven. Thy faith hath made thee whole.

Benjamin was a prophet and a righteous king,

Humbly served his people and taught them precious things.

When ye are in the service of your fellow men,

You're only serving God--like good king Benjamin.

Abinadi was a prophet. He testified in chains

To the wicked Noah. His efforts were in vain.

His words made Noah angry and so it was too late.

Condemned to death by fire is how he met his fate.

Alma was a prophet, believed Abinadi.

He escaped into the wilderness to hide.

There he preached the Gospel to those who came to hear;

Baptized many souls in waters that were near.

Helaman was a prophet, concerned for liberty,

Commander of the armies to keep the Nephites free.

He led the stripling warriors, courageously they fought.

They were all preserved. By their mothers they were taught.

Samuel was a prophet, a righteous Lamanite,

Stood upon a wall and testified with might.

He prophesied destruction if they did not repent.

Their arrows could not hit him--then we don't know where he went.

Mormon was a prophet. He abridged the plates.

Tried to save his people, but it was too late.

He led the Nephite army up to Cumorah's hill,

Fought the final battles and there the plates concealed.

Ether was a prophet, the last great Jaredite.

Keeper of the records, their hist'ry he did write.

They came across the waters, in barges --there were eight.

The Lord touched stones to light them, and blessed them on their way.

Moroni was prophet, the last Nephite to write

In the Book of Mormon and there he did invite

All who read its pages to ask if it is true.

The Holy Ghost will witness its truth to me and you.

by Joan Elizabeth Cahoon Yarrington

Choose Ye This Day...

…every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow-creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is, it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other. (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, pg. 87)

The tree is symbolic of the Love of God while it's fruit is the atonement. The tall and spacious building is representational of the vanity of the world. The rod of iron is the word of God. Though the people, the spacious building, and the distractions change throughout history, the path to eternal life stays unchanging forever. While the path towards vanity and pride may look bright, it is nothing in comparison to the tree of life. Many of the people who are clinging to the rod are also holding torches. The torches represent the Light of Christ that we can hold in our countenances. They make the path clear, and others can follow them toward the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. People of all races and nationalities gather around those with the lights.

Dream of the "Tree of Life."

Egyptians Understood the Nature of the Planets

And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom (D&C 76:7).

There is a prevalent notion in the world today that before the time of Columbus, Galileo, and Copernicus, all ancient people believed that the earth was flat and the center of the universe. From the writings of the Scriptures, and more especially those which have come to us in this dispensation, we know that the ancient peoples, when they were guided by the Spirit of the Lord, had the true conception of the universe. The Lord revealed to Abraham great truths about the heavenly bodies, their revolutions, times and seasons, and these were published by the Prophet Joseph Smith before modern astronomers were familiar with these facts. From the writings of Abraham we learn that the Egyptians understood the nature of the planets. Moses also recorded much about this and other worlds, but because of the unbelief and apostasy from truth, these writings were eliminated from his writings. In the Book of Abraham we find the following: 

“But the records of the fathers, even the patriarchs concerning, the right of Priesthood the Lord my God preserved in mine own hands; therefore a knowledge of the beginning of the creation, and also of the planets, and of the stars, as they were made known unto the fathers, have I kept even unto this day, and I shall endeavor to write some of these things upon this record, for the benefit of my posterity that shall come after me.” (Abraham 1:31) 

We learn from the Book of Mormon (Helaman 12:13-15) that the Nephites understood the nature of the planets. It was not until apostasy and rebellion against the things of God that the true knowledge of the universe, as well as the knowledge of other truths, became lost among men.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 118-119

Sin Is...Waste (Part 4)

It is correct to say that sin is waste. The consecration of our “time, talents and everything with which the Lord has blessed us” represents our determination not to waste our precious mortal probation. To fritter away our relatively short time on this earth in search of vain and selfish desires is sin, indeed. Any prompting that disobeys, ignores, refutes, fights, or wastes those principles designed to bring about our eternal happiness and eternal association with God is a thought or prompting that we should resolve in turn to disobey, ignore, refute, fight, or let wither out of our personal reach.

Loss of virtue is waste of trust. Failure to nourish relationships is waste of learning about love. Failure to serve is wasted opportunity to grow. The list is long…. Suffice it to say that refusing to abide by the principle will bring waste to our lives.

By Stephen Anderson

Sin Is…Rebellion (Part 3)

[Classic “good gone bad” is an age-old story in our world. Sin….can be a resulting perversion of….laws and principles that manifests itself through the desires of our hearts.] (Sin Is...Perversion, Part 2)

Should we choose to disbelieve this or strike out on our own - we will come to realize that we are just “kicking against the pricks.” The imagery of kicking against thorns is quite vivid to me. The thorns of a rose, for instance, are very much there – in abundance. To ignore them in attempting to obtain the rose can be “prickly” painful. There is only one way to possess such a beautiful flower – do not touch the thorns! Yet we find ourselves prematurely grabbing only to be hurt. More often than we would like we may find that the pain exceeds the perceived joy.

We have been instructed by knowing prophets that there is only one way to bring about immortality and eternal life – true joy — to man. That is through the atonement of Jesus Christ and keeping the commandments, laws, if you will. The full effect of the atonement can only be brought about through our choosing to accept its precepts. We cannot force anyone to heaven, neither can we legislate righteousness. We must freely see the wisdom and love and then show a commitment to abide by the principles that will lead us to the joy we so desperately seek. It is through our choosing to accept the Bearer of the atonement and he who sent him that will free us from the effects of sin. This way, indeed, we can “have it all” — that is, all that is worth having.

By Stephen Anderson