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.

March 27, 2011

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3

The words that we read here are of a mature Simon Peter, half a lifetime away from that dreadful night that he claimed he didn’t know the Savior.  As the first called by Christ and an eyewitness to the entirety of Christ’s ministry he provides an insight perhaps unparalled in the Holy Scriptures.

Peter’s exhortation to the ministry of the Church is brief but abundant in content.  The concepts of spiritual oversight, teaching by example and serving without pay are central to our understanding.  Please pray for the ministry as they prepare to meet in the days following our General Conference that they may come to a greater understanding of the work they are called to in the coming year.

March 20, 2011

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  James 3:13

A course in public speaking teaches that to be a persuasive speaker one must instill confidence in his audience.  When we hear a discussion of a controversial topic it is often difficult to determine who is telling the truth because the delivery is so convincing.  In this chapter James has been discussing the damage that can be done by how we speak and the importance of carefully choosing our words.  As he continues in this verse he extends that thought to include our actions as well as our words, which is the correct interpretation of the word conversation.

If we are to be considered truly wise, knowledge and persuasion are not sufficient.  It becomes necessary to show in every aspect of our lives the truth of the Gospel that we believe, in all meekness and humility.  Instead of envy, hypocrisy and conflict, our lives must reflect an attitude of purity, peace, patience and mercy.  A humble life is more convincing than persuasive words.

March 13, 2011

And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with
another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one
faith and one baptism; having their hearts knit together in unity and
in love, one towards another. Mosiah 9:54

It is a custom in the Church of Christ that following a baptism the new member is greeted by each one present with a handshake or embrace, often accompanied by tears of joy. During that time we often sing the hymn, “Blessed Be The Tie That Binds.” This gives us an opportunity to remember the precious bond that we share in the Body of Christ.

As we grow spiritually, we have an intense desire to accomplish the Lord’s will and come to a fuller understanding of His holy word. Regrettably this can cause contention as differences of interpretation arise. It’s at times such as these that we need to knit our hearts together in God’s gift of charity that “is not easily provoked,” that with the direction of the Holy Spirit we may come to a unity of understanding.

Your servant, Dan

February 27, 2011

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. Psa 61:1-3

The ground was covered with snow this morning, crusted over from the freezing rain. As I looked out the back window I saw a young doe huddled under a large cedar.  Immediately it entered into my mind the hymn, “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.”

Often we feel overwhelmed by the storms of anxiety, frustration or offense.  We want to correct the situation but on our own are helpless.  We’re instructed to go in prayer to Jesus the Rock, for He is our strong and mighty tower, our sure defense, our shelter.

Your servant,

Dan

 

February 20, 2011

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. Wherefore, man could not act for himself, save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. 2 Nephi 1:81,100

The predominant attitude in the world is that there are no absolutes, that everything is a matter of opinion. Perhaps in choosing your favorite chocolate chip cookie it doesn’t matter, but in most situations there is a spiritual component, something that determines correctness.

Are there grey areas? Can something be right for me and wrong for you? Lehi instructed his firstborn son Jacob that in his decisions he would be influenced by either the Holy Spirit or the spirit of the adversary, “And men are instructed sufficiently, that they know good from evil.” God’s word is the absolute standard of right and wrong for all people. We have the freedom to choose and I pray that we will choose the good and abhor the evil.

Your servant,
Dan

February 13, 2011

And finally, I can not tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin: for there are divers ways and means, even so many, that I can not number them. Mosiah 2:48

King Benjamin’s words were a foreshadowing of the concept that Christ’s law would be one of a spiritual attitude rather than an endless list of actions and consequences. The underlying theme of the Sermon on the Mount was the fulfillment of the Old Testament law. Just as the old law could not list every manner of sin, Christ taught us that all sin was a result of our thoughts and attitudes.

Human nature leads us to look for exceptions to rules so that we can do what we wish. This is why we’re told that since the natural man is an enemy to God we need to eliminate that attitude and be submissive, meek, humble, patient and full of love. King Benjamin’s solution was to watch our thoughts words and deeds and observe to keep the commandments of God.

Your servant,

Dan

February 6, 2011

And when they had ministered those same words which Jesus had spoken--nothing varying from the words which Jesus had spoken--behold, they knelt again, and prayed to the Father in the name of Jesus, and they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them. 3 Nephi 9:10

We have been conditioned by the mass media to have many desires, whether it be for the newest appliance or the tastiest hamburger. James tells us “ye desire to have, and cannot obtain . . . because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” His solution is profoundly simple: “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” We ask amiss when our greatest  desires are not spiritual.

Just as our Nephite brothers’ greatest desire was to receive the Holy Ghost, we should have this as our highest priority as we meet at the Lord’s table this day. Let us remember God's promise if the prayers offered over the emblems - that His Spirit might always be with us.

Your servant,
Dan

January 30, 2011

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Cor 11:28

Christ our savior has made it clear that those who partake unworthily of his body and blood are in grave spiritual danger.  Since Jesus said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you,” we must conclude that there is an avenue to worthiness.  He stated his doctrine three times in 3 Nephi: “Ye must repent and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child.”

If we will spend time this coming week in fasting and prayer, repenting of our sins and relying on Him, then the Lord will prepare us to come together next Sunday with a broken heart and contrite spirit, that we may partake worthily of the bread and the cup.

January 23, 2011

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts 17:23-24

As the Apostle Paul walked the streets of Athens, he beheld innumerable altars and statues dedicated to the Greek deities, so many that “his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” All his life he lived by the commandment “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” So superstitious were the Athenians that they built altars to an “unknown god” lest a god be offended that he had not been worshipped.

We need to take care that in our daily walk we do not elevate anything to the status of a god, whether it be a person, an idea, a desire or a material object. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

January 9, 2011

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. II Corinthians 12:9

The Apostle Paul repeatedly approached the Lord for relief from “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” In Galatians he referred to this affliction as a temptation in his flesh. Although he was blessed in many ways, Paul was not relieved of this burden, but was told that through endurance comes strength from the Lord.

Moroni was told by the Lord, “I give unto men weakness, that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” We suffer trials in this life to remind us to be humble and wholly dependent upon the Lord.  As David said, “I Will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”