Plain and Simple Gospel Truths
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon
Jacob was the third prophet of the Book of Mormon. He called his people together in the temple to chastise them for their wickedness, and their failure to live the gospel that had once defined them. To help them see the risks they faced, he also prophesied of the future challenges faced by the Jews in Jerusalem, which is where his people had come from themselves. He warned them some of the Jewish people would reject the Savior when He came because they were looking for someone different from the person they saw and for a gospel more complex than what He was offering.
Instead, the Savior would offer a gospel that was filled with plain and simple truths. The complexities of the Law of Moses would be removed. The intellectualism some craved would not be a part of the gospel. Those who wanted a gospel too hard to understand would be disappointed, because the truth is not complex. However, we can see from Jacob’s warning that God would give them what they wanted, if they insisted on it, but to their own detriment.
“14 But behold, the Jews were a stiffnecked people; and they despised the words of plainness, and killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble. (Jacob 4)
http://scriptures.lds.org/en/jacob/4
While God glories in our intelligence, which He gave us, we must not allow intellectualism or a desire for the complex and fancy to overshadow our need for the very basic, very beautiful in their simplicity, gospel truths. Sometimes people who wish to attack the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will focus on small fringe ideas, ideas which were never canonized, but only speculated on by early leaders and others, as intelligent people sometimes do. They entirely miss the heart of the gospel, which begins when a young boy kneels in the woods and God appears, introducing young Joseph Smith to His Son, Jesus Christ. This simple moment in unpretentious, God-made surroundings, teaches the heart of the restored gospel. God lives. Jesus is His literal Son.
From this other simple truths were taught over time. God loves us with all His heart. Jesus redeemed us out of love. God sends prophets to teach us even today because He loves us. He has given us the Holy Ghost, if we choose it, to allow us to communicate directly with God anytime we choose, and this too, because He loves us.
The plain and simple truths of the gospel are the ones centered in love, and they are the heart of the gospel that is truly taught by the restored gospel. Don’t look beyond the mark, as the early Jewish people sometimes did, and miss what is right in front of you: The truth, in all its simplistic glory.
Can Prayer Really Tell Me What’s True?
Sometimes people will ask me why I decided to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a Mormon, as some call us. I explain how I studied the religion and then turned to God in prayer to find out if the church was true. Often, they respond, “Oh, I’ve been taught not to do that because you can’t tell if the answer is from God or from Satan.”
When I hear this, my mind often turns to a scripture found in the Book of Mormon:
And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. (2 Nephi 32:8 in the Book of Mormon)
God knows the truth of everything, and while man might lead you astray, God never will. For this reason, Satan is very afraid of having people pray about truth. Once they receive truth from God, their faith can become so strong he finds it difficult, if not impossible, to reach them. So it’s in his best interests to discourage us from praying—but it’s certainly not in our own best interests. If we’re unwilling to pray about truth, we are forced to trust mere men.
Throughout the Bible, God instructs us to pray. Never does He say to avoid prayer for fear you won’t recognize the answer. The scriptures regularly assure us that if we have faith and learn to know the Father, we will recognize God’s voice.
Have you ever met someone briefly and then, when you met them again, didn’t recognize them? They weren’t recognizable to you because you didn’t know them well. Have you ever developed a close friendship with someone, gotten to know their heart, and then been separated for many years? When you encounter them again, you remember them, even though you haven’t seen them in years. The difference is in how well you know them.
This is how it is in our relationship with God. When we build a relationship with Him, when we study the scriptures, ponder in our hearts, and spend time talking to God, His voice becomes more familiar to us. In time, we know Him so well there is no doubt who is speaking to us.
God has given us the ability to recognize His voice through the Light of Christ. When we pray, sincerely seeking truth for all the right reasons, and committed to doing whatever God tells us, the Light of Christ will whisper in our hearts that it’s true. Satan can’t bring true peace, so when we feel peace, joy, or contentment, we know the answer is from God.
God wants you to ask Him what is true and He’s prepared to give you an answer you will recognize as His. I know this because I know God can do anything at all, including this, and I’ve tried it. Would you like to try it too? Read How Can I Know This is True?
Jesus is the Literal Son of God
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon
And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. (2 Nephi 31:21)
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called “Mormons,” do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity. God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three distinct individuals. So what does the above scripture from the Book of Mormon mean?
On LDS.org, we learn what it means to say God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are one God:
“Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father’s divine plan of salvation.”
People learning of the church for the first time are sometimes puzzled by this belief, and it can be helpful to understand more about why we believe as we do on this subject.
Joseph Smith, the first prophet of modern days, learned of the true nature of God and Jesus when he was fourteen years old. Confused about which church to join, he followed the advice of the Bible (James 1:5) and went to the woods to pray about the problem. As he prayed, God and Jesus came to him to answer his question. You can read more about this at Mormon.org.
Because he saw God and Jesus, Joseph understood that they were separate beings. When the Bible speaks of Jesus as God’s Son, Joseph realized this was a literal statement. When Joseph grew up and was called by God to restore the gospel to the earth, He learned more about this fascinating subject.
Harpers Bible Dictionary, a non-LDS authority on the Bible, says the trinity is not found in the Bible. (Paul F. Achtemeier, ed. (1985), 1099) Instead, it was defined as a part of Christian doctrine in 325 BC at the Council at Nicaea. The Nicene Creed, which developed from this council held by various scholars to unify the various Christian beliefs circulating, contained the doctrine of the Trinity and was passed along to Christians as if it had come from the Bible. It is the result of argumentation, debate, and decision, not prayer or prophecy.
There is indeed confusion in the Christian world over this doctrine, but Christ Himself felt no confusion about it. He said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38, King James version of the Bible.) There is no clearer statement that Jesus knew He and God were distinct individuals.
For more on this subject, read Apostasy and Restoration by Dallin H. Oaks.
Salvation is Free; Exaltation is Earned
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon, Teachings
As Lehi prepared to die, he counseled his sons for the last time. He spoke to Jacob, his fifth son, about salvation.
“…And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.
And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.” 2 Nephi 2:4-7
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles recently explained this scripture in general conference:
“To be saved—or to gain salvation—means to be saved from physical and spiritual death. Because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death. People may also be saved from individual spiritual death through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by their faith in Him, by living in obedience to the laws and ordinances of His gospel, and by serving Him.” –Russell M. Nelson, “Salvation and Exaltation,” Ensign, May 2008, 7–10
We can see that everyone will be saved, good or bad, regardless of choices made here on earth or lives lived. There is no need to say they believe, no need to act in accordance to the laws of God. This gift God gives to each of His children as a gift of pure love. We all agreed to come here to be tested and to try our best to return home, and in return for making the correct choice initially, we’re all guaranteed the right to live forever.
Living forever, however, isn’t what most Christians want most. It’s a wonderful gift, but those of us who love God and the Savior want more than mere life that never ends. We want to be with our Heavenly Father and Jesus for eternity. God cannot be where evil is, and so, this higher gift is one that must be earned. We can’t send evil into God’s presence.
This higher gift is known as exaltation. Exaltation allows us to return all the way home, back to the presence of God. It allows us all the greatest gifts God has to offer his children. There is no curve. Everyone could make it there if he or she chose to do what is required. Jesus repeated again and again during his mortal ministry that we must obey the commandments.
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your ajoy might be full. .”—John 15: 10-11
In order to experience the fullness of joy, we want to abide in God’s love—in His very home when the time comes. How can we proclaim that we love Him and are worthy of spending eternity with Him if we’re not trying to live as he asked us to live? Love involves work, and working for God should not be a hardship. The greater our love, the easier obedience is.
Exaltation is a personal responsibility. No one can exalt you. You must be do the work yourself, over time and often on your knees, building a relationship with God and the Savior.
Some of the steps to exaltation include:
1. Faith in God. Believing in God and learning to trust Him to guide you, rather than any man you might encounter, is the first step.
2. Repentance: We all sin. Part of returning home is to repent of those sins and move closer to perfection. This must be true repentance, not just going through the motions.
3. Baptism: Baptism by full immersion, and by someone given true authority from God is required in order to be exalted. Baptism removes all previous sins from your history—God completely erases them—and allows you to start over, being held accountable for your new knowledge, but not for what happened in the past, before you know what was required of you.
4. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can come to stay with you all the time, guiding and comforting, and helping you get through life successfully. Again, this must be given by one who has true authority from God.
5. Living the gospel to the best of your ability all your life.
The Book of Mormon offers a tremendous guide to the subjects of salvation and exaltation. A careful study of the book will give you a clear understanding of both the Savior’s part and your own in this process.
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
9 Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved.
10 And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—
2 Nephi 2:6-10
Opposition in All Things
Filed under: Frequently Asked Questions, God in the Book of Mormon, Teachings
Sometimes people wonder why God allows bad things to happen. This is sometimes even used as an excuse for not believing in God. Some people will suggest that if there is a God and He loves us, He will make everything pleasant and happy all the time.
An important aspect of mortality is agency. This subject will be addressed in more detail in my next post, but for now, it’s important to remember that we didn’t come here on an extended vacation. Our life is more like school. Our job in mortality is to gain experiences and develop faith in God, and the ability to live the gospel even when we aren’t in God’s presence. We’re to be tested and to learn and grow.
Parents know it’s irresponsible to over-protect a child. If we shield our children from every sadness, every trial, every mistake, he will never grow into a well-balanced, confident, self-sufficient person. He will be a terrible adult unless allowed to make mistakes and face hardship during his learning years. Often people who face the hardest challenges become the strongest people.
Heavenly Father is not an irresponsible parent. He is perfect and therefore His parenting is perfect. He knows that if He protects us from everything, we will never learn or grow. We aren’t puppets. We don’t want our earthly parents controlling every aspect of our lives, and we wouldn’t want God to act like a puppeteer entertaining Himself. We want Him to be parental. These are our learning years and life has no purpose if we’re not given agency.
And so, because we have agency, we can choose to do what God wants us to do, or we can choose to disobey. We accept the consequences of our choices, since we can choose our actions, but not the consequences.
In addition, we can’t choose who our decisions affect. Seldom do we make our choices in isolation. They nearly always affect others. This means that sometimes people suffer due to the choices of others. The only way to prevent this from happening would be to take away agency and become puppets. That was how Satan wanted it, but it wasn’t God’s way.
Lehi, the first Book of Mormon prophet, explained it this way to his son Jacob:
11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.
13 And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away. 2 Nephi 2
Throughout the story of Lehi and his family, we see how the agency of the two oldest brothers brought sorrow to a valient family. They had agency and chose to use it poorly. Those who chose well were blessed for their choices, but still suffered from the bad choices of the two oldest brothers.
It’s often easy to accept that we have to suffer for our own poor choices; it’s less easy to accept that we sometimes also suffer for the poor choices of others. We see the parallels in many aspects of our life, however. The only way we can guarantee the free practice of our religion, for instance, is to guarantee it for everyone else. The only way we can have agency is to allow others to have it, too.
It’s critical to remember that God is always in charge. He doesn’t always step in to stop bad things, since agency must be allowed, but He is very good at “Plan B.” When your agency is altered due to the poor choices of others, God can work with that if you’ll work with Him. Every trial can become a blessing when you pray to find out how God wants you to use the trial.
As pleasant as a trial-free life might seem, we don’t really want one. We would give up far too much for the privilege, and any plan championed by Satan is not one we want to follow.
Here, then, is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.” (James E. Faust, “Refined in Our Trials,” Ensign, Feb 2006, 2–7)
Saved After All We Can Do
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon
23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25)
This particular scripture, found in the Book of Mormon, has become a point of controversy among those who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some religions teach that no acts of any kind are required to receive salvation. The Latter-day Saints also believe nothing at all—not even the act of accepting Jesus as your Savior—is required to be resurrected from the dead. This is a free gift given by God and Jesus to us. However, most of us want to return to God’s presence, and this indeed requires action.
Those who believe in grace alone generally do actually require one act: Accepting Jesus as their Savior. Therefore, most don’t really believe no acts are required. However, the Bible makes it clear more is required than to say the magic words.
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
(James 2, King James Version of the Bible)
The Bible teaches us many commandments. From the moment Adam and Eve were created, laws and commandments were given, and consequences for obedience or disobedience were explained. God is a God of order, not a God of confusion. We all understand the chaos and danger that would occur if nations and families had no rules, or if there were rules, but no consequences. God understands this too, being perfect. For that reason, He made laws and required us to keep them. He explained through His prophets the blessings that would come if we obeyed and the consequences that would occur if we didn’t. God’s kingdom is one of order and there must be commandments. This is part of the Plan of Salvation.
The scriptures often tell us that if we love the Savior, we must keep His commandments. Our obedience is one way we show God and Jesus we love Them. Not everyone is motivated by love, however, so again, there are consequences. Every story in the Bible is a story of consequences. Noah built the ark when commanded, so he was saved from the flood. Others refused to listen, so they died. Moses took his people on a very long journey and when they were righteous, they prospered, but when they weren’t, they got lost and suffered.
The Savior promised, along this same pattern, that those who kept the commandments (works) would receive the right to return to God’s presence. Those who chose not to obey would indeed be resurrected, and receive a wonderful eternity, except for a very few who have committed crimes so horrible they lose the right to be in heaven, although they still will live. But they can’t be with God. God can’t be where evil is. We will be in Heaven the same person we are now, and if we’re in God’s presence, we must be worthy to be there. If those who choose to live self-centered lives are with God, Heaven will be no different than the life we live right now, surrounded by both good and bad people. Will God spend eternity with those who willfully choose to defy his commandments and who refuse to respect Him?
Nearly everyone, including those who don’t believe acts matter, do believe at least one act is required—that of accepting Jesus as their Savior. However, can they really accept Jesus as their Savior and then do nothing He has asked? Certainly our works, done with the proper spirit, and not one of hypocrisy, are an outward demonstration of inward faith.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great. (Luke 6)
Modern Idolatry
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Teachings, Written for Our Day
In 2 Nephi 12:8, we read:
8 Their land is also full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.
In this passage, Nephi, the second prophet of the Book of Mormon, is quoting from Isaiah 2. Isaiah is chastising those who worship false gods. Today, many people skim over these passages, thinking they don’t apply to them since they don’t worship statues. However, modern leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes incorrectly called the Mormon Church, warn us that many today are idolatrous. They may not worship Baal, or other ancient false gods, but they often put materialism into a place of honor, even over God in their own lives.
Many people today choose to follow the examples of celebrities instead of God. When they need advice or want to know what to believe, they don’t turn to the scriptures, but to the latest popular self-help book, their political party, or their social organizations. These people or groups who have achieved worldly fame can be considered today’s idols, a name even used in popular culture.
Too many have allowed moneyto become their false idol. The longing for wealth—not for enough to sustain a decent life, but enough to sustain a life of luxury—is a modern idol. Some have allowed money to become so important it is their god, and matters more than anything else. A love of money quickly takes people away from a focus on the true God. The need, or rather the perceived need to earn excessive income, can overshadow the need to visit God’s home for Sunday services. It can overshadow the need to serve others and to treat them kindly. It can overshadow even the need to care for our families through time and attention. In short, it becomes the center of a person’s world, and so becomes their god.
Spencer W. Kimball, a previous prophet, wrote often on this subject. He said,
“The Lord has blessed us as a people with a prosperity unequaled in times past. The resources that have been placed in our power are good, and necessary to our work here on the earth. But I am afraid that many of us have been surfeited with flocks and herds and acres and barns and wealth and have begun to worship them as false gods, and they have power over us. Do we have more of these good things than our faith can stand? Many people spend most of their time working in the service of a self-image that includes sufficient money, stocks, bonds, investment portfolios, property, credit cards, furnishings, automobiles, and the like to guarantee carnal security throughout, it is hoped, a long and happy life. Forgotten is the fact that our assignment is to use these many resources…to build up the kingdom of God…to raise our children up as fruitful servants unto the Lord; to bless others in every way, that they may also be fruitful. Instead, we expend these blessings on our own desires, and as Moroni said, “Ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not.” (Morm. 8:39.)” (Spencer W. Kimball, “The False Gods We Worship,” Ensign, Jun 1976, 3)
In some ways, modern day idolatry is harder to avoid than the earlier worship or gold or silver statues. Those statues could simply be avoided by those who wanted to repent of their ways. Today’s idols are all around us, and it can be challenging for people to know where the line is drawn. When do you stop needing more money to provide a decent life and start worshipping money, seeking after more than is needed? How do you decide what to keep and what to share?
Avoiding idolatry of worldly goods requires constant vigilance and prayer. God knows how much you and your family really need, and by paying close attention to the answers you receive in prayer, you will be able to balance the various parts of your life and keep your center where it belongs. While there is nothing wrong with seeking advice from other human beings, that advice should be part of the research you do as you make a decision to present to God. Then let God make the final choice. Avoid becoming too dependent on the advice of those who aren’t taking their advice from God.
Avoiding modern idolatry is a challenge, but one that helps us to stay on the path back to our Father in Heaven.
Why You Must Listen When God Speaks
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Teachings
The Book of Mormon speaks often of the importance of gaining a personal testimony of the gospel and of being open to receiving the truth. God wants us to know what’s true, but He can only tell us if we invite Him to do so. This is more than a mere token effort. We have to want to know the truth so badly we will do anything to obtain it, and will gladly act on that truth once we learn it.
It can be an unnerving experience to put aside our own will and agree to bend to the will of God the Father. This requires quite a lot of trust in people who were built to want to take charge of their own lives. The best way to learn to trust God is to spend a lot of time with Him, and to watch for His hand in your life. Notice all the ways He is looking out for you. Read the scriptures to learn more about God and Jesus. Spend more time on your knees praying.
As your relationship with God strengthens, you’ll find it easier to trust Him. You’ll gain an understanding of how to recognize the answers He gives you when you pray—because what is the point of going to God for help if you don’t learn to recognize His answers? You’ll soon discover the warm, safe feeling in your heart is God’s confirmation that you’re on the right path.
It’s critical, if we ask God for information or advice, that we act on that advice. The Book of Mormon warns us that if we refuse to act on what we know, or even refuse to ask God what is true—we will be held accountable for that decision. We have a responsibility to seek God’s word. There are many people and church’s competing for your membership and only God’s word can be trusted. He certainly knows best what is true. A person who decides not to ask because he doesn’t want to be held accountable will be held accountable for not being willing to learn the truth and do it.
31 And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.
32 Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also.
(2 Nephi 9)
When we love God, we want to do all He asks of us. We want to demonstrate our love by following the Savior’s example and by always staying on the path back to God. This means we must have the courage to put aside our own desires and instead align our lives with God’s desires.
Justice and Judgment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon
And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.” (2 Nephi 9:15)
What would happen if your country decided to do away with all laws and all courts of justice? Suppose people could do anything they wanted to do and never be judged or required to pay a price? How many people would continue to live as they live today? Some might, but most people would feel free to do anything they wanted to do, regardless of how it affected themselves or others. In a generation or two, when adults no longer remembered living under the law, they wouldn’t even have the help of good habits to keep the behaviors in line. People, being the imperfect beings they are, need guidelines and consequences.
Because God loves us, He didn’t send us to earth without rules, which are known as commandments in the spiritual world. He let us know, through His prophets, what He expects of us, and what the rewards (blessings) will be for obedience to those laws. He also makes clear what the consequences of disobedience will be. God is a good parent, and this is what good parents do.
Just as people wouldn’t generally do the right thing if there were no laws, most people also wouldn’t do the right thing if there were laws but no consequences. They would choose the laws they liked and obey those, ignoring the others. This is one reason we must have blessings and consequences for our obedience or disregard for God’s laws.
God is a just God, and so there must also be consequences to satisfy justice. A price must be paid for each act of disobedience, however small. God knew we wouldn’t be perfect and He knew we’d not be able to atone for each of our sins, so He sent His Son to atone for our sins instead. Jesus Christ suffered extraordinary agony as He atoned for each sin, one by one.
This, however, does not mean we’re now free to do anything we want, sin as much as we like, without being expected to do anything on our own part or pay any sort of price. It would be an extreme act of dishonor if we allowed the Savior to pay all the price without making any effort ourselves. What an unkind way to thank Him for the gift He gave us!
Elder D. Todd Christofferson said:
To have effect, the gift must be accepted: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).
Thus, it is not that we earn these gifts, but rather that we choose to seek and accept justification and sanctification. Since the Savior paid for our sins and satisfied justice for us, we become debtors to Him rather than to justice. We must therefore meet the stipulations He has established for forgiveness and cleansing. Otherwise, He withdraws His proffered mediation, and we are left to deal alone with the demands of justice, lacking the means to become pure. One must choose Christ to receive what Christ offers. D. Todd Christofferson, “Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, Jun 2001, 18
We will have to answer for all sins we’ve not repented for. Repentance is our part of the process. When we feel a true sorrow for those things we’ve done wrong, we want to confess them to God and to follow the process of repentance. Those sins, then, are erased.
Elder Christofferson explains that we don’t accept the Savior’s gift to us just once. We can’t “accept Jesus as our Savior” one time and then go on our way, doing as we please. Instead, we must, each day, accept the gift, trying to do what’s right, and repenting when we temporarily fail.
Paul taught in the Bible:
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. (Romans 2)
It is made clear in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, that there is a law and that we will be held accountable for obeying that law. Jesus Christ will be our judge. He is a fitting judge because He has lived on earth, experiencing mortal life, and also atoning for our sins. As the One who satisfied justice, we now owe our eternal lives to Him, and so He is the One who will judge us.
Learning to Trust God
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Teachings
Nephi, the first writer of the Book of Mormon, vowed, in the Psalm of Nephi, that he would trust God forever.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. (2 Nephi 4)
Nephi learned trust in God from his earthly father, the prophet Lehi. When God told Lehi to leave his comfortable life of privilege and go out into the world to be a prophet, he did so, even when his life was threatened. When God told him to leave his nice home and comfortable life, he did so, without any thought or sorrow. He packed up only the most essential items for survival and took his sons, including those who didn’t want to go, into the wilderness. He went from having a lovely home and successful material career to living in a humble tent, homeless and moving through the wilderness to a place unknown.
Young Nephi, a teenager when these events occurred, watched how his father led his life and then followed his father’s example. He too trusted God, even when the task seemed impossible. At one point in the journey, Lehi was told by God to send the boys back to Jerusalem to get some records (including the scriptures) from a distant relative. The other boys felt it was too difficult to travel back so far and to approach Laban, the relative who had the records. Clearly the man had a reputation that worried them.
Nephi chose a different approach however. He explained that if God told him to do something, then he would trust God to tell him how to do it. The boys had some failed attempts, but then, when the others gave up, Nephi decided to let God help him accomplish the task, and he was successful.
Throughout Nephi’s life, we see this pattern of trusting God. It’s not easy. There have been many times in my life when I prayed and didn’t like the answer I got. The plan God had for me didn’t happen to match my own. I’ve learned though, that when I trust God, blessings come that I could never have imagined. When I don’t, I struggle and suffer.
How can we learn to have Nephi’s trust in God? The first thing we have to do is to find out what God wants of us. This means that instead of just moving mindlessly or doing anything we personally want, we have to slow down and conference with God. First we need to think through the decisions we face, praying for inspiration. Then we must make a decision, as we did before. However, the next step isn’t to carry it out; it’s to ask God if it was the right decision. Once you have confirmation, you can proceed. If God says no, you start over.
Doing this takes longer, but is far more effective in the long run. God sees the larger picture and knows things we don’t know.
The answers God gives us may not always seem to make sense at first, but when we decide to trust Him, we will eventually begin to see the benefits of this method. Over time, as we see again and again the hand of God in our lives, our trust will grow.