Tuesday, August 17, 2004

In Israel, God WILL Be Glorified

1 Ne. 21: 3

3 And said unto me: Thou art my aservant•, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

There is no question in my mind that the Lord will be glorified in Israel. He said He would do it when he blessed Abraham. He will, in the end, prevail. Israel has its struggles, its ups and downs, its times of being scattered and gathered, but God WILL BE GLORIFIED without fail.

I like that, and I want to be a part of it too.

This earth is designed to glorify God. It is His earth. His work and glory. Now why don't we just buy into that goal. All things are created with a purpose - an end in mine.

In Israel, God will be glorified.

Thursday, August 12, 2004

God Lets His Prophets See The Future

1 Ne. 10: 17

17 17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the awords• of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a bvision•, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the cMessiah who should come—I, Nephi, was ddesirous• also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the eHoly• Ghost, which is the fgift of God unto gall• those who diligently seek him, as well in times of hold• as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men.

Having a dream and seeing into the future is what prophets do. I would like to do that... I need to have the right reasons - not to "consume it upon my lusts" that is. I need to have the correct priorities - for God's Glory and Kingdom.

I have to remember that I am in a "business" for God's profit here, and I'm like a servant who wants to be an employee. Prophets are employees of God. Missionaries are too. Some leaders too.

I would love to be employed by God. I guess I am... in my own home.

So pray for the sins and repentance of others and have visions of the future. Can it happen to me?

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

If You Know It's a Commandment, Then You Know It Can Be Done

Nephi teaches us a great principle, And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I awill• go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no bcommandments unto the children of men, save he shall cprepare• a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." http://scriptures.lds.org/1_ne/3/7#7

Are there any commandments that you have that you are not doing? If you know that it is a commandment, then you can know that you can do it. It's the epitome of faith. Faith in God.

I have been commanded to have charity. I have also been commanded to pray for it will all my heart. I must be able to attain the gift of charity if I have been commanded to have it!

That is good news!

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Prophets Pray For Others To Repent

"Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people."

A true prophet is filled with the weight of the sins of his loved ones. He prays for their repentance. He weeps for their souls and their salvation.

What point of view does it require to be this way? What is the motivation? How is one filled with this anxiety for the souls of others? Where does it come from? Is it a desire? Is it charity?

Perhaps it is what is felt by those who have the gift of charity.

I know that I have a ways to go to get there. I'm too selfish, too uncaring, too proud to think that it is any of my business.

I'd like to change that.

Monday, August 09, 2004

Evil Is Often Branded As Good

The irony of the Tower of Babel is that these folks were not recruited to build a tunnel to hell. They were recruited to build a tower to heaven. Now doesn't that sound like an inspired calling? Well, God was not pleased and cursed the people for participating in that project.

Evil is usually not branded as evil. It's usually branded as good in order to deceive you. We even may deceive ourselves occasionally because of our good intentions. So how does one discern the evil in an objective? That's the rub. How good are you at discerning something is evil although it is branded to be good?

What is good is what is God's will. We have a responsibility and an accountability to not be deceived. If we allow ourselves to be deceived, we are guilty of perpetuating evil. Integrity is in those who discern intentions and motivations that are righteous. We must expose those who exercise unrighteous dominion.

"We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous• dominion." See http://scriptures.lds.org/dc/121/39#39

Don't be deceived when evil is branded as good and your leader trys to sell you what is not righteous or motivated with charity.

Sunday, August 08, 2004

Studying The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a controversial publication. I have been fortunate to know of its existence.