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