"And he (Christ) received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him......I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness." (D&C 93:17-19)
Many are familiar with the saying by Jesus that is recorded in the New Testament where he says "And ye shall know THE TRUTH and THE TRUTH will make you free." (John 8:32) Many who read this scripture miss the deeper meaning of this passage entirely. They think that "the truth" is that which is not false. To them, the truth is a set of facts that are accurate. However, this understanding of the passage is a profane or carnal understanding. In another passage, Jesus says "... I AM the way, THE TRUTH, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Thus, the deeper (spiritual) meaning is that the truth is Christ himself. According to the passage, we have to KNOW Him (Christ) to become free. This idea is stated openly a few verses after the original passage, albeit it seems that almost none notice the words... "And ye shall know the truth and the truth will make you free... If THE SON therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."(John 8:32-36)
Another example of this symbolism is in the familiar story of Lehi’s dream in the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi chap. 8-15). Most are aware that the "iron rod" that leads beside the path to the Tree of Life represents the "word of God" (1 Nephi 15:23-24) and that it is by clinging to this rod that one is able to make it through the dark mists that are cast upon the path. Again, the profane (carnal or natural) meaning of this passage is that which seems to be the most obvious. Many think that the iron rod is the scriptures (words of the prophets), but in reality this is the (natural) understanding that brings damnation rather than life eternal.
A higher (spiritual) meaning lies in Jesus himself as being the word (the meaning of the rod of iron).... "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, THE WORD, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."(1 John 5:7) Thus, it is Christ himself that is represented by the rod of iron in Lehi’s dream to which all must cling to reach the Tree of Life. In reality, Jesus condemned those who relied upon the scriptures rather than clinging to the true "rod of iron".... "(Ye) Search the scriptures; for in them ye THINK (carnal understanding) ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And YE WILL NOT COME UNTO ME THAT YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE." (John 5:39-40) Most should notice that this is a restatement of the idea that "salvation cometh by none other than Jesus Christ" (John 14:6).
I've been thinking about this for quite a while now. According to my Patriarchal Blessings, it states that my Heavenly Father will bless me with words that will come into my mind and grant me wisdom and the faith with courage to be bold in my testimony.
Bold is defined: of a person, action, or idea - showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous.
Being bold doesn't necessarily mean it's always good though. In fact, we might be thinking we're being bold, but in reality we're being judgmental. Just because we feel something strongly, it doesn't give us the license to confront someone. If we do that, we could be mistaken as being judgmental or plain rude. So how can we use bold faith? We can find that in the Book of Mormon in Alma 38 verse 12:
"Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."
Spencer W. Kimball once stated: "Sometimes we forget that it is better to risk a little ruffling in the relationship of a friend than it is to deprive them of eternal life by leaving them silent. Besides, our missionaries generally follow the counsel in the Book of Mormon: "Use boldness, but not overbearance."
Bridle all your Passions
Satan would like us to believe that to be religious we must "stifle" all our passions. He teaches that religion demands that we be monk-like, emotionless, boring, and incapable of any strong feelings. This of course, is a typical twisting of the truth. A bridle is placed so that the horse's direction can be controlled. A bridle does not slow the horse's speed, it just points it in the right direction. So it is with our emotions and passions. The Lord does not expect us to stifle them. He does not expect us to be emotionless, Impassionate robots. Rather, he wants us to express our passions and deepest emotions in the proper channels, within the bounds that are appropriate for their full expression.
Boyd K. Packer once said: "A bridle is used to guide, to direct. Our Passion is to be controlled - but not controlled by extermination, as with a plague of insects; not controlled by eradication, as with a disease. It is to be controlled as electricity is controlled, to generate power and life. When lawfully used, the power of procreation will bless and it will sanctify" (The Things of the Soul, p. 109)
Conclusion
Being bold is not a bad thing. In fact we are counseled to "Be Valiant in the Fight of Faith." We're even commanded to become "A Voice of Warning" to the people. However, love always comes first. A single act of kindness will seldom be enough. The Lord described the love we must feel, and that those we invite must recognize in us, with words like these: "Charity suffereth long," and it "beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things" (1 Cor. 13:4,7.)
This will probably be one of my worse blogs ever. Why? Because I'm just going to be straight forward - BLUNT - on what I need to say about "Judging Others". You may judge me if you like - I give you permission :)
I think many have taken advantage of this situation, especially when President Dieter F. Uchtdorf presented his talk, The Merciful Obtain Mercy.
"To evaluate behavior in relation to the principles of the gospel; to decide; to discern good from evil."
With that said - how do we do that without being accused of being judgmental to others? Believe me - I struggle with this - so don't think I have an answer for this particular question. We have heard it all, read it all, we "think" we know it all - but yet, we are still being accused of being a judgmental people. What if we were to say nothing? What would happen then? Are we to stay quiet because we don't want to be accused of being judgmental?
"Judge not, that ye not be judged" (Matthew 7:1)
Doug Towers shares his insight: "This sounds simple enough. But does this interpretation make sense? We actually want to be judged, or how do we go to be with God? We also want to be judged correctly by others. We like receiving credit where credit is due, for starters.
So obviously this would be better interpreted to say that we shouldn't judge with a condemning heart, so that we won't be judged by a condemning heart.
This could also be looked at to say that if we judge others with a condemning and unforgiving heart, that we will judge and condemn ourselves by the same standard: We won't really accept in our hearts that Christ's atonement can cleanse a person who has made errors (which includes ourselves).
As Christ stated: "...Forgive, and it shall be forgiven you" (Luke 6:37) or "Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Matthew 6:12)
We will notice that others have done evil to us or others. Recognizing that others have done evil isn't a bad thing. How can we avoid doing evil ourselves if we don't know or recognize evil? But Christ is saying to forgive.
Christ warns, "but beware of men..." (Matt 10:16). He is saying to be wary of people in our dealings with them. This requires judgment.
So how do we judge righteous judgment?
Isaiah says in regard to Christ "...he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears." (Isaiah 11:3)
We have the tendency to judge people by their actions and words. Yet he is saying this isn't fair judgement. This then requires us to learn to judge by the intent of their heart and the perception in their mind. It is impossible to judge such a way without either an ability to see inside others or to use the Holy Ghost or both.
Moroni states the following: "For look, my brethren, it is given to you to judge, that you may know good from evil... so, I show to you the way to judge; for every thing which invites to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forward by the power and gift of Christ; so you may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God." (Moroni 7:15-16)
So Moroni is telling us how to judge. He's gone on in verse 17 to declare that those who subject themselves to the devil can be determined by the criteria of judgement he has set forth. Obviously, therefore, he hasn't regarded Christ's statement as posing that we don't judge people.
Either way I wish to stress again that the Holy Ghost is best used in any judgement we make and if our judgement is made with a view to helping others move on from mistakes, we will accept our mistakes with the same attitude. [close quote]
I think that was nicely said by Doug Towers. What concerns me the most is that some people are not standing up for what is right. Especially when asked. You're probably wondering - what do you mean by being asked? Haven't you noticed when people ask you a question and then you give them your opinion, they choose to get offended? I mean c'mon people. Would you rather have me lie? No, but I should be more kind about it - right? Well - I am. But when people choose to get offended - it's not kind at all. All of a sudden - the tables turn and you're the bad guy. Yes - I am talking about Social Media People!
The point of this blog is perhaps we are getting too offended and we are too quick to tell others they're being judgmental. Isn't that also being a judgmental person? Aaah, you see how that works both ways? I was recently told that I was not "Christlike" for not giving a helping hand to someone who is going through poverty. This individual posted a donation site where you're able to donate money electronically and whomever would like to help - they can help. This isn't the first time I've seen this. There was another time when a "couple" needed money for their son to go on a mission. Do you see where this is going? These are people who claim to be from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yes, this is the church I go to. The true Church of Jesus Christ.
Am I saying these people are absolutely lying? No. I am not. What I'm saying is that there is better ways on doing this. The Church itself provides help for those who are in need. This is why we give Fast Offerings. I find it interesting when I try to give them advice about this, they begin to say negative and mean things about the Bishop or church members. Basically saying they're new to the church and are being treated as if they're not wanted and that they don't want to help them. I'm truly very suspicious about that because - how is it that everyone doesn't like you and doesn't want to help? You mean to tell me that the Stake President doesn't like you either? I've even asked them if I can get their address and phone number to the church they reside at so I can help them through their leaders. Do I get a response? Nope! I sure don't. So what does that tell you? Am I being judgmental? Well of course I am. This is a judgement I have to make. Is it righteous or unrighteous? The point is that we need to take precautions. We can't make foolish judgments and say, "Okay, how much do you need?"
Look, if you want to give people money electronically, by all means, more power to you. That there is TRUE FAITH! I am sure God will bless you for it. As for me, I cannot take that chance. I have a family to provide and I'm barely making it myself. Giving money electronically is a no no for me. There is too much fraudulent going on in this world. I can't risk to give my debit/credit card number online to people I just don't know. Sorry. It's my choice, my agency and well you have yours.
The best talk I've read about judging was by Elder Dallin H. Oaks on "Judge Not" and Judging". He said: "I have been puzzled that some scriptures command us not to judge and others instruct us that we should judge and even tell us how to do it. But as I have studied these passages I have become convinced that these seemingly contradictory directions are consistent when we view them with the perspective of eternity. The key is to understand that there are two kinds of judging: final judgments, which are forbidden to make, and intermediate judgments, which we are directed to make, but upon righteous principles..."
I truly encourage you to read his talk. It will help you discern how to make righteous judgments.
Well then - I hope I didn't offend thee. I'm a very straight forward guy. I tell it like it is, and I'm sorry if you do not agree with this blog. It's okay if you don't - I'm actually waiting to be judged LOL
Since the beginning of time, God has given authority to Prophets to teach truth.
"God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:27)
"And Enoch walked with God" (Genesis 5:24)
"Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations" (Genesis 6:9)
"The Lord has blessed Abraham in all things" (Genesis 24:1)
"And there arose not a prophet since in Israel, like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deuteronomy 34:10)
However, many people have rejected the true messages taught by these prophets of God. Most Prophets have been persecuted for the faith which they have taught, and some have been killed. Each time God's Prophets has died, the truth and the authority to speak for God have been lost creating a period of apostasy. Yet, each time an apostasy has occured, God has mercifully called another Prophet to restore the truth to the earth. This pattern of apostasy and restoration happened until Jesus Christhimself brought about another restoration.
"And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ." (Matthew 1:16)
"Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52)
"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)
Jesus Christ taught the truth, established his church, and gave his Apostles priesthood authority to spread the gospel message of salvation. However, following Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, He returned to God's presence. All of his apostles who had authority to preach the gospel and performed sacred rituals like baptismwere killed. This loss of truth and authority brought about another apostasy, which had actually been prophesied!
"The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant." (Isaiah 24:5)
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." (Amos 8:11)
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
How would a loving God respond to this Great Apostasyof truth that followed the destruction of Jesus Christ's early Christian church? God would follow his pattern of calling a Prophet to restore the true gospel of Jesus Christ!
In the Spring of 1820 in New York, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.
Jesus Christ, through Joseph Smith, restored His priesthood authority and church. Joseph Smith became the Prophet of the Restoration.
Jesus literally stands at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so it could be said that he is a Mormon. He guides the church through living modern-day Prophets and Apostles. He restored his true gospel, church and priesthood authority through the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr. When one understands the pattern of Apostasy and Restoration that has been occurring since the beginning of time, it will be much easier to accept Joseph Smith as Prophet. A restoration of truth was necessary because there had been a great apostasy from the truth that Jesus established when he was on the earth. Those who reject the Prophet Joseph Smith would have likely also rejected Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, all other ancient prophets and possibly Jesus Christ as well. Thus, if you reject Joseph Smith, you are unfortunately rejecting Jesus Christ modern-day prophet and messenger. I hope this sobering thought will give you desire to seriously investigate these claims.
JESUS CHRIST CONTINUES TO LEAD THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS TO THIS DAY
I'll never forget the day of my baptism. I can still remember it as if it were yesterday. On that day, I felt the love of my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The Spirit was so strong, I knew and felt my Savior witnessing my new birth to a life in Christ.
The moment I put on the white jumpsuit on and looked down at my bare feet - I knew then, they were not my feet. It was my Lord and Savior carrying me to the waters of baptism. The more I looked down, while walking, I knew more and more, it was not me. It was indeed Him. That is how powerful I felt the Spirit around me. That is how powerful I knew He was there witnessing this big moment of my life.
Carl S. Hawkins shares his thoughts on baptism: The fourth Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints declares that "baptism by immersion for the remissions of sins" is one of the "first principles and ordinances of the Gospel. We believe that baptism is an essential initiatory ordinance for all persons who are joining the Church, as it admits them to Christ's church on earth (John 3:3-5; D&C 20:37, 68-74). It is a primary step in the process, which includes faith, repentance, baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, whereby members may receive remissions of their sins and gain access to the Celestial Kingdom and eternal life (Mark 16:15-16; 2 Nephi 31:13-21; D&C 22:1-4; 84:42, MD, pp. 69-72).
Baptism must be performed by one who has proper priesthood authority. The major features of the ordinance include the raising of the right hand, the reciting of the prescribed baptismal prayer by the one performing the baptism, and the complete immersion of the candidate (3 Nephi 11:23-26; D&C 20:71-74; 68:27). Baptism symbolizes the covenant by which people promise to come into the fold of God, to take upon themselves the name of Christ, to stand as a witness for God, to keep his commandments, and to bear one another's burdens, manifesting a determination to serve him to the end, and to prepare to receive the spirit of Christ for the remissions of sins. The Lord, as his part of the covenant, is to pour out his spirit upon them, redeem them from their sins, raise them in the first resurrection and give them eternal life (Mosiah 18:7-10; D&C 20:37).
The rich symbolism of the ordinance invites candidates and observers to reflect on its meanings. Burial in the water and arising out of the water symbolize the candidates faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the future resurrection of all people. It also represents the candidates new birth to a life in Christ, being born of God, thus born again of the water and of the spirit (Romans 6:3-6; Mosiah 18:13-14; Moses 6:59-60;D&C 128:12-13).
In addition to relying on information in the Book of Mormon or Doctrine and Covenants, Latter-day Saints follow the New Testament teachings on baptism. Jesus taught that baptism is necessary for salvation. He told Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:1-5). He required baptism of to those who professed to become his disciples (John 4:1-2). His farewell commission to his apostles was that they should go to all nations, teaching and baptizing (Matthew 16:16). Paul, after his miraculous vision on the road to Damascus, was taught the gospel by Ananias who told him to "arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16). To the penitent multitude on the day of Pentecost, Peter proclaimed, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remissions of sins" (Acts 2:38).
The authority to baptize was restored by John the Baptist to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery on May 15, 1829 (JSH 1:68-72). From the early days of the restored Church, missionaries have been sent to "declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism" (D&C 19:31; 55:2; 84:27, 74). "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not, and is not baptized, shall be damned" (D&C 112:29). This is the central teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ (3 Nephi 11:31-40)." [close quote]
I know deep inside this is the way. It is through Christ. We are to learn from His example. Jesus walked on earth as a perfect human being - sinless - and still, he was baptized. Why? Why would Jesus do that? To fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). Jesus knew this principle. The moment I went under water and was raised up - I felt cleansed. Everything I did in the past was erased - gone! It's like it never happened. I believe that. I have been born again, through Christ, my Savior, Amen.
