May 29, 2011

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. 2 Nephi 1:81 

When I consider the beautiful things of creation I marvel at God’s wisdom and mercy. He could have made the earth all one color or no color at all. Things could be quite dull and uninteresting and simply perform their function with no form that catches the eye or brings pleasure to the other senses.

But not only is there variation in all created things, there is contrast. Lehi preached that there was in creation an opposition in all things. The beautiful and the unattractive, the sweet and the bitter, the strong and the weak were all given to us that we might recognize the distinction between good and evil. He then gave purpose to life by giving us the freedom to choose liberty and eternal life or to choose captivity and death.

May 22, 2011

Wherefore, I said unto you, Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 14:4

The Lord established feasts as part of the old law to commemorate important prophetic Biblical events so that future generations would remember God’s greatness and mercy toward them. In this way the Lord prepared his people to recognize Christ’s fulfillment of the law.

We have the opportunity to feast, not just a few times a year, but daily as we open the sacred texts that have been preserved for us. When David declared “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” he understood the importance of ordering our lives according to the holy word of God.

May 15, 2011

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Mat 5:48

Alma made the comment, “Time only is measured unto men.” For thousands of years man has devised methods of keeping time, from observing sunrise and sunset, to sundials, water clocks, escapement clocks and quartz clocks. The current method used by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is a cesium fountain atomic clock which neither gains nor loses a second in more than 60 million years. This is the standard for all timepieces around the world.

Jesus sets a perfect standard that is even more precise than the NIST atomic clock. Just as all clocks are compared to the standard, we must compare our thoughts, words and deeds to His divine standard if we are to achieve the goal of eternal life.

May 8, 2011

And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much, and prayed much, that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, That they might be an instrument in the hands of God, to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth; Alma 12:14-15

Having left the comfort and prestige of their homeland, Alma and the sons of Mosiah accepted the Lord’s call to take the gospel to their Lamanite brothers. After fourteen years of laboring, often under harsh circumstances, they reunited for a time of fasting and prayer that they might be even more effective in their efforts.

The ministry of the local has spent a number of hours studying the subject of fasting and prayer and is in agreement that the congregation could benefit much from exercising more fully this avenue of approaching our Lord. Let us consider this both individually and as a group that we might rise to a higher spiritual plane and be blessed with greater wisdom and understanding.

April 24, 2011

And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. Mark 16:6

The resurrection of Christ is the most important single event in the history of mankind.  As the Apostle Paul said, “If there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen… and your faith is also vain.”  Mankind would be forever condemned for the sin of Adam with no hope of eternal salvation.

But with Christ’s victory over death and the grave there is newness of life through him, “whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day, hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.” Mormon 3:29

April 17, 2011

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalms 19:1

I love to see the apple trees in full bloom, the redbuds against the deep green of the spruce, the lily of the valley proudly emerging from their winter’s rest; all signs of God’s creation returning to life. The annual rebirth of nature serves to remind us of the gift of regeneration promised to all who will humble themselves and pledge their lives to Christ.
 

Likewise Christ, speaking of his death and resurrection, said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." All of creation symbolizes the greatness or our merciful God.

April 10, 2011

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.  Psalm 84:10

We were recently shown a photograph of a man standing in front of the main entrance to a large office building.  His only task was to open the door for the CEO of the company, and no one else was allowed to enter through that door.  It caused me to wonder who had more joy in his life, the doorman or one of the richest men in the world.  The glamour of wealth and fame draws many to do whatever is necessary to achieve it, but it can bring suffering and heartache. 

The above verse serves to remind us that it is the humble servant of the Lord who experiences the greatest joy in this life. With a new conference year ahead of us let us renew our resolve to labor for the spreading of the gospel.  God has given us gifts and talents and by exercising them in His service we can experience the joy of being a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.