167: COME UNTO CHRIST: Elder Richard G Scott Part I

Notes taken from Elder Richard G Scott talk given on

May 17, 1992 Layton Northridge Stake Priesthood Meeting

Elder Scott started by explaining that he had been on the phone to South America to a branch president who had gone to the church building that day and had found a note giving the names of several leaders of the church in that area and startign that if they proceeded to hold church that day that those people on the list would be killed. He stated that we in the safety of the Wasatch Mountains have no idea of the challenges the members in other parts of the world are experiencing. Is it possible that we are too comfortable? He also said he did not really know why he was in our stake conference; that it was a last minute change of assignment, and that he usually does not come to Utah Stake Conferences unless there is something necessary to teach or a major change to make.

Elder Scott then wrote on the blackboard "COME UNTO CH _ _ _ _ " and then said "Brethren, I am concerned about a very serious problem in the church and it is that we have been teaching each other to Come unto What? We said he feared we have been teaching each other to Come Unto Church, when we should have been teaching each other to Come unto Christ. He stated thtat he has attended many Testimony Meetings and Sacrament Meetings letely where the members will bear testimony that they believe the church is true, but hardly anyone ever testifies that they believe in Christ, nor do they tell of their love for Christ.

Then he drew a picture on the Blackboard like the one pictured here:

He asked the Priesthood leaders present in the meeting, "Where on this picture are you (as a Leader) supposed to be in relation to Christ and one of His Children?" One of the brethern said, "We should be behind the member helping him to come unto Christ." and another brother said,  "We should be at his side bringing him with us."

Elder Scott said those were good thought, but then quoted President Harold B Lee when he said that if you want to lift someone, you must be on higher spiritual ground. Therefore Priesthood leaders should be on higher ground, but he drew the leader's figure off to the side helping the member. He said, "Now here is the point I want to make. DO NOT PUT YOURSELF BETWEEN CHRIST AND ONE OF HIS CHILDREN, so that you block the path. AND DO NOT PUT THE CHURCH IN THE PLACE OF CHRIST."

He elaborated on how we as leaders are really servants, to teach other how to establish "A DIRECT LINK TO CHRIST". He explained that the real purpose of the Church was to bring the members unto Christ and that our only purpose as leaders was to serve the members by teachign them how to get to Christ and to live the fulness of the Gospel. Elder Scott emphasized that a righteous priesthood leader always strives to lead people to Christ and never to look to himself as a  source of truth. He also pointed out how leading or helping other to Christ, brings both the peope he helps and himself to the source of revelation and truth. He warned strongly against anyone who, through thinking they were in a powerful position, might begin to block the way to Christ, by teaching that the people had to go through himself or other leaders to get to Christ. He then explained how we establish that direct link to Christ is by direct communication with Him through personal revelation, the rock upon which our own personal salvation is built.

to be continued.

166: OBSERVING CONDITIONS

The root meaning of the word ‘observe’ is to watch over, to notice, to attend to, to perceive. An observer is “one who watches and takes notice”. Unfortunately, too many things go unnoticed by the majority. However, for a few. it is difficult NOT to notice things that most do not see. For even a smaller few, to observe things generally can be given as an assignment or a calling, and then to report back on the conditions of things.

In a conversion with a friend of mine, we talked about some of our observations that we see happening within the church. Without a doubt, the Lord is hastening his work. Currently there are two things going right now at the same time… A large gospel net is being cast over the world... with all kinds of fish being brought in. Yes, the Church is putting forth an additional effort and focus on spreading the gospel through missionary work. The second is some are being prepared who have “broken hearts and contrite spirits” and angels will be picking through the net for these few. The rest will be left. “Then shall be fulfilled that which is written, that in the last days, two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left.” JST Matthew 1:44. This process will be undetected, it is like a thief in the night. While those who recognize and hear His voice are gathered, none will know beforehand what is taking place, or when or where it is to happen,… so that neither Satan, nor his followers, can attempt to thwart the LORD’s plans.

When a net that is cast includes all fish, the separating of the fish is a daunting process for the fisherman. The fish are divided into categories. The desirable fish are kept and preserved; the carp, trash and sucker fish as well as too small of fish are discarded and sometime cast back in the water.

It is interesting that observations could be made of active members of the church. This would constituent less than half of the members on the records of the church. These are the active members who go to church more than once month. In general, there seems to be four main divisions of these active members that you find in a typical sacrament meeting. For ease of referring to these categories, I will refer to them as Truth Seekers, Busy Church Enthusiasts, Appearance Oriented, and the Disoriented Drifters. Observations can easily be determined by what each group is connected to and focused on.

• The first group are truth seekers, and those who seek the face of God. They are focused on gaining a connection with God. They are the ones who study and thirst for further light and knowledge.
• The second group is focused on the church institution. They are busy at home, work and at church. They have little time for personal study but have solid testimonies of the gospel. Life is chaotic for them and many of them feel overwhelmed.
• The third group is focused on themselves. They go to church for the appearance of doing what is right. Church has more of a social aspect for them.
• The last group is focused on the world. They are disinterested in spiritual things and find themselves aligned with the opinions, orientations, and direction that the world is headed.

The work that needs to be done is to help others become converted. Not just converted to the Church and gospel teachings, but converted unto the Lord. To be truly converted means there is a “transformation” not just an opinion change. Elder Bednar in a recent conference address talked about the warlike Lamanites who were taught by Ammon in Alma 23 who were converted unto the Lord and never did fall away.

He said:  “Note that these Lamanites were not converted to the missionaries who taught them or to the excellent programs of the Church. They were not converted to the personalities of their leaders or to preserving a cultural heritage or the traditions of their fathers. They were converted unto the Lord—to Him as the Savior and to His divinity and doctrine—and they never did fall away.”

Like Elder Richard G Scott said in a Utah Regional Conference: “We have a serious problem in the church. We have been teaching one another to come unto Church, when we should have been teaching one another to Come Unto Christ.

165: DOES THE LORD REQUIRE ANYTHING FROM US?

I get comments from people that are not posted on this blog. I appreciate the feedback and learn from their words. Here is part of a recent comment regarding the last post entitled "Everything must be put on the altar".

“I don't believe that He is looking for a level of obedience or sacrifice or performances from me that will merit His favor. We needn't worry about "how much" we are willing to place at the altar, or sacrifice in the name of "righteousness." Free is free, at least in my mind.”

I agree with part of this comment. The Lord's mercy and love is greater than anything I can imagine or even merit. and I also agree that His grace is sufficeint and that free is free.

When it comes to describing the Savior there is this verse in the Book of Mormon in Alma 7:20: “He cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong."

If  the Lord asks something of us, we are free to choose whether or not to obey or not. His love does not change for us, but our progression might. It is not about "how much" we are willing to place on the altar, but it might matter if it is “less than” or “opposite to” what is being asked.

We are free to choose to do the Lord’s will or our own will. Since the time of Adam and Eve, altars were built and sacrifices made. Instructions were given and men could chose to be in alignment with or divert from it. Abel was obedient in offering what the Lord asked of him, Cain offered a different sacrifice. Cain choose what he wanted to offer, it is not wanted the Lord asked of him. Abel’s was accepted and Cains was not.

So my question is…. What does the Lord require of us if anything?  If he does require things, do we need to be obedient or can we act contrary to the things of God and act on our own desires?

I think the Book of Mormon answers this question really well. The voice of Christ was heard among the inhabitants of the earth saying “ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” Blood sacrifice and burnt offerings are done away with from that time forth, but from that time forth we are now asked to offer our broken heart and our contrite spirit.

What does that mean? I am sure there are many that have great answers. I just want to mention one... the broken heart. The word broken is interesting to me. When a horse is referred to as being “broken” it means the horse is now trained and ready to ride. The horse has been “broken” of its wild “natural man” behavior and his own desires. How well the horse has been broken” is determined on how well he actually “listens” and obeys the Masters voice.

164: EVERYTHING MUST BE PUT ON THE ALTAR

There is a tragic story in Acts 5 about Ananias and Sapphira, a husband and wife. They are seldom mentioned, but we can learn an important lesson from their mistakes. For those not familiar with their story, they lived during a time when the saints were trying to live the "united order".  Ananias and Sapphira entered into this sacred covenant to live the law of consecration. They had  the sufficient faith to sell their property.  However, they "kept back part." thinking that no one would notice. Because Ananias and Sapphira “kept back part” of their proceeds from their possessions, they were both suddenly killed separately, but within hours of each other.

We usually tend to think of living the Law of Consecration in terms of material property and/or money. For many it will probably be very difficult to give all, and thus want to keep a little in reserve for themselves.  There are so many ways of "keeping back part" and so many things we can withhold things from the Lord besides material possessions. The natural man's desire to "hold back" may occur even after one’s having given a great deal, as likely had Ananias and Sapphira. Even though we have given much, even "almost" all...  many of us might mistakenly think it is all right to hold back a remaining part. Unfortunately, the remaining part is usually our will of the natural man.

Jesus allowed his will to be “swallowed up” in the will of the Father.

We read in Mosiah 15:7: “Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father”
"Some presume we will lose our identiy if we are totally “swallowed up”. Of course, our individuality is actually enhanced by submissiveness and by righteousness. It is sin that grinds us down to sameness- to a monotonous, single plane." Neal A Maxwell.


“When the will, passions, and feelings of a person are perfectly submissive to God and his requirements, that person is sanctified. It is for my will to be swallowed up in the will of God, that will lead me into all good, and crown me ultimately with immortality and eternal lives.”( Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. 2:123, April 17, 1853)

163: LIVE IN CONFORMITY WITH THE LIGHT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

You have to live in conformity with the light you have been given. If the light you have been given is neglected, the light will be lost. If there is an unwillingness to repent, and turn back and live in conformity with what light you have, then you can be mislead.  Some have been given spiritual gifts. Spirtual gifts is merely a conduit through which both light and dark can come. The spiritual gift does not contain the guarantee that everything you receive is truth. People who are out of harmony in their inner vessel are likely to be unable to distinguish between Light and darkness. If they are allowing anything and everything in, and saying simply because I have spiritual gifts, experiences, and/or a conduit they think they can trust whatever comes through it..... they are likely to be misled, deceived, and led astray as someone without any gifts.

Discerment is so important. Both the Light and dark has to be separated inside you based on the light that is within you. For example, Moses, on the Mount Sinai rebukes Satan.  He says to Satan, "Where is your light, because it is darkness to me". He is not talking about the physical appearance of Satan. who is an angel of “Light”. He is talking about the content of the message that is darkness to Moses which is that Satan is trying to interject himself between him and God, and that is darkness to Moses.

Moses on the Mount had to deal with Satan, Joseph Smith dealt with this in the First Vision. Everyone seeking higher spiritual manifestation will encounter this.  The First Vision  talks about how thick darkness gathered around Joseph which sought to bring about his destruction.  A friend of mine who has done research shared with me that Joseph elaborated on his experience in a conversation that he had with Orson Pratt. Orson Pratt said that Joseph's mind was flooded with a bunch of improper images, with a bunch of improper thoughts, ambitions and desires. The possibility of becoming something great in this world, or becoming something notable was tempting. 
It is never about being great. The Lord uses the small and simple.

The people who will be gathered will be servants. They will not be anyone who is trying to get the chief seats. They will be someone kneeling and washing other peoples feet. They will be someone who sole interest is the redemption and salvation of others. And you can tell what the difference by what it is they do. Do they say, respect me, uphold me, sustain me, notice me, read my articles, look at me, aren’t I great, or do they say instead, Look to Christ, forget about me.

What comes out of the mouth reveals the abundance of the heart. If what comes out is a consistent message and theme that points to Christ and helping led them to salvation alone, then you know what the inner vessel contains.

162: THE LOSS OF THE PRESIDING PATRIARCH TO THE CHURCH

Eldred G. Smith, who served for 32 years as Mormonism’s "presiding patriarch," died Thursday evening in Salt Lake City. At 106, Smith was the oldest living and longest-serving LDS general authority.  He is the great great grandson of Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith's brother.  LINK

The Church as undergone tremendous changes since Joseph Smith, including the gradual dissolving of the office of Patriarch of the Church. The Patriarch of the Church was used to ordain the President of the Church using the hereditary priesthood line running back to Joseph and Hyrum. Last year on February 7, 2012.  I had a chance to meet with him for a few hours. I feel that it is appropriate now to share some of my thoughts and notes from our conversation.

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His office is in the Joseph Smith Building. (no longer in the Church Office Building). The plaque says Church Patriarch. (He was first called the Presiding Patriarch to the Church,  then called Patriarch to the Church.. to now just Church Patriarch). 

Walked into Patriarch Smith’s office. I was impressed with how good he looked. More like in his 80’s, not 105. He was eating chocolate and reading the current month’s Ensign.

One of the first things Eldred brought up was the fact that when he arrived this afternoon, his secretary’s desk, printer, and file cabinet were gone.  Neither Eldred  or his secretary were informed.  “They just took it away.” he said.  Neither of them knew who took it or why.  He seemed frustrated about it.

Kind of reminded me of ongoing saga of the character Milton in the  movie “Office Space.”. Little by little things are being taken away from him. I thought the event was symbolic that it happened just hours before we met.

I was very impressed with him.. Still very alert and looks healthy. Speaks clearly and still remembers a lot.

Here are some things he shared.

Question:

Most people have concerns and/or fears with the situation we find ourselves in today’s world and with the church…

His response was 
“Why do you have fear? Just don’t. If your spouse is living the gospel and your children are living the gospel.. why would you fear?

Question:

 What is your current position you hold as Church Patriarch? 

Eldred said that “they” told him he was just a stake officer, but that is “NOT TRUE.”  There is a difference between the office he holds and a Stake Patriarch. He is “still a presiding patriarch” and should preside over them.

Question asked about priesthood passed through lineage from father to son. (Patriarchal Order)

Eldred cited examples from Bible where that is so…. and said that the Lord doesn’t change.

Question:

Why did the patriarchal line for the office of Presiding Patriarch of the Church skip a generation (John Smith to Hyrum G Smith) skipping Hyrum F. Smith,?

Answer: “Tobacco.”  Said that the President at the time  (Heber J Grant) was unfavorable to tobacco and was trying to instill the Word of Wisdom in the members.   Heber J Grant was very strong about the Word of Wisdom. It was one of the main reason why he appointed Joseph F Smith II instead.

Question: 

What about the reported accuracy of Heber J Grant’s sustaining of Joseph Fielding Smith’s II … and then his subsequent release from the office?

Answer:

 Eldred never said homosexuality, but he did skim over the issue when we got to that part of the succession and said that Joseph was “not living to church standards” or something to that effect.  It seemed a confirmation of that report).

Eldred Said the Quorum of the 12 “runs the church.”  They have to agree on items 100 percent.  It used to be that there was a majority vote, but not anymore.  They all have to agree.

When speaking of the Q12, said, “We all make mistakes, even Presidents of the Church.” 

Eldred . said that Heber J. Grant wanted to name J. Reuban Clark as his successor.  He wanted to make him acting president of the church.  “David McKay was in the way.” “He wanted to put him (Clark) ahead of George A. Smith and then release him (Smith). 

Why?

Grant did not approve of the father to son succession.  “Neither did some of the past Presidents.  He didn’t believe in the Doctrine and Covenants either.  He wanted to change it, but you can’t change the Doctrine and Covenants, can you?”

When the final decision for the office of the Presiding Patriarch to be dissolved.. no reason was given to him… and it seems like it was not up for vote with the Brethren to have a unanimous decision. However, from what I understood, that today.. most if not all the power lies in the Quorum of the 12 and not necessarily with the President of the Church.

Question:

There is a common belief in the church that the Brethren meet each week in the upper room in the Temple and the Lord guides and directs them in the affairs of the church.

Answer: The Brethren’s Thursday meetings in the Temple. The reason why is that Thursday used to be the day that the church would fast..  It was the fast day in the church.  Not on first Sunday of every month like we have now. They meet for Testimony meeting in the Temple. Tradition carried over from when it used to be used for Fast and Testimony Meeting with the General Authorities.

Question:

Could you share any spiritual experiences from those meetings.

 E. said, “No, its just a testimony meeting like you would have in your ward.”  I asked if wives come – “NO wives.  They aren’t General Authorities.”

I asked how the G.A.s treated him.  His response, “They accepted me until change were made.”  He felt he would eventually not have his job anymore.”  This came true.

His release was never discussed among the Q of 12, it was just announced in Conference. 

Reiterated that we all make mistakes and the church has also.  “You need a testimony to get through it.   I wish the Lord would come tomorrow and fix things in the church.”

E – We’re all mortals.

D- We need to forgive them.

E – Yes.

Question:

 Do you think the office of Patriarch will ever be restored?

E – It’s still here!  I’m alive aren’t I?

D- rephrases question….

E- Depends on what the next President will do.

Question:

Does he anticipates any continuation of the Office of the Presiding Patriarch to the Church at any point in the future.. NO

E. then discussed how the Q12 changed the name from Presiding Patriarch to Patriarch to the Church.    He believes that name doesn’t explain what his calling is.

Told about a trip he made to Mt. Etna and had a picnic with sister missionaries on the slopes.

Discussion of succession of President:

The patriarch would ordain the President.  D. said that those with less priesthood should not ordain those who have more priesthood.  E. seemed a bit defensive to this comment.  He asked if the General Authorities have less priesthood than him?  No.  There is no more or less.  D. explained that he meant authority, not more or less priesthood.

Packer’s health is “so bad.”  He in in wheelchair.  L. Tom Perry is next in line. 

D. – pointed out that the current way they do succession is not how the Lord intended.

E. “They had a hard time with decisions in the early days.”  He then got out the Deseret News Almanac and started to look up Apostles.

E. made the comment “Brigham Young made himself President.”

Then “they” changed and omitted the patriarch “in a hurry.” 

When the announcement was made for his emeritus status, he was “relieved, but not released.”  There was no discussion.  He called the First Presidency’s office because he wanted “to know where (he) stood.”  E. said, “Of course, they wouldn’t let me through.”  I got a call back from the secretary to the First Presidency.  (Hancock?)  “I’m calling you on behalf of the First Presidency to inform you that they never wanted you to stop giving blessings.  They want you to continue giving blessings.”

The Twelve control everything.  Monson is a good man, patient, and kind, but “he is not strong enough to control the twelve.”

D. asked who were the strongest of the apostles then.  E. answered, “I don’t know.”

 

HIS ORDAINING:

E. said that his father wanted to ordain him in the middle of the night one night.  E’s mother discouraged him from doing so because she thought that E.’s father would live through the next day and that the approval of the 12 was needed as well as a witness.  However, E’s father did not live through the night.. Instead it would be years later that George Albert Smith would ordain him.

 

Question:

What does he anticipate the church becoming in the future, given its current trends toward less of what it was at first.

Answer:

Still build temples and continuing to expand around the world. I wanted to ask him his thoughts about the changes made to the temple ordinances, but I was restrained in doing so.

D. asked if E. thought that compared to the beginnings of the Church if we have more or less light – i.e. knowledge and revelation.  E said, “Well, I’m not making any decisions, so the Lord is not giving me any revelations.”

Then, E. went on to explain that he does have angels on his shoulders and watching out for him.  He told a story of how he ran out of gas in the middle of the intersection on 7^th East and 4 men in a tow truck pulled him over and helped him out.  They then got in the car and left.  He also mentioned that in the Depression he never missed a meal.  He was married in 1932 with no job, but he and his wife were blessed.

Advice to his great-great-grandchildren?

He has 19 great great grandchildren.

Keep the commandments

Live the way the Lord said to.

Question:

Do you have a goal on how long you want to live?

Hopes to live to 110.

Favorite Scripture?  E. said that he doesn’t have any.  They all have their place.

However, his favorite and most accurate Church History book is The History of the Prophet by His Mother.  He has an original copy.  Brigham Young tried to destroy all the books.  “Brigham Young wanted to destroy it because it didn’t mention him.”   When he left on his mission, his Dad brought him the book.  He had had it under lock and key.  He told him to read it, but hide it and don’t show it to anyone.    The original is different than later versions.

What is different, for example?

Lucy gives a thorough description of the Urim and Thummim.  He read the newer version and went to Charles Nibley (He said Hugh, but it was Charles who was the historian) and said, “Why did you omit the description of the Urim and Thummim?”  E. said the response was, “We thought it wasn’t accurate.”  E. responded, “But she handled it!  Who better to give an accurate description that someone who had held it and looked at it.”

BLESSINGS:

asked if he would give blessings to anyone.  He said that he would refer the person to the local leader, home teacher, etc.

DISCUSSION OF FLAG OF MORMON BATTALION:

Took pictures with him and of some of the artwork in his office. He has in his possession the original flag used in the Mormon Battalion. It is nine feet long. He has a photo replica of it in his office. The flag has the stars and stripes like the American flag.. but used to have the  beehive painted in the blue square with 13 stars surrounding the hive (representative of bees) However, an eagle was painted over the hive to best show the allegiance to the United States.  John Smith was the standard bearer.  He has a photo of him holding the flag while sitting on a horse.  Flag was within one foot of the ground.  The flag has no sewing on it.  It is painted on one piece of linen.  It was the flag of Deseret and they painted over it to become a military flag.  An eagle was painted over the beehive.  The California bear was painted on the center.  The words LIFE GUARDS were painted on it. The battalion carried it to California and back.  E. said the 13 stars were symbols of bees around the beehive.

Final Question: "What is the FUTURE OF CHURCH?"
Eldred's response: “Who knows.”
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161: PATIENCE: TRUSTING THE TIMETABLE OF THE LORD

Patience requires that we have trust. It is defined as trusting in the timetable of the Lord, instead of our own. In the world which we live.. everything is instantaneous. We get instant answers to our questions via technology. We no longer know how to wait. We no longer are patient. However, the Lord almost always tries our faith and patience until its needed that he must provide “just in time deliverance” We must demonstrate faith-nothing doubting until we need the deliverance-then the Lord comes.

We don’t control WHEN so we are left to learn patience. Sometimes God even tells us something-just so we can learn patience. For example, put yourself in Abrahams shoes. He was promised he would have children, that he will have great posterity. 18 months passed... and nothing, 5 years nothing, 10 years nothing…finally the blessing came.

Patience is actually the “fast way,” Doing our will actually delays what could have been.

In Doctrine and Covenants 101: 38 it states:

"And seek the face of the Lord always,

that in patience ye may possess your souls,

and ye shall have eternal life."

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A current song that I enjoy listening to is called "I will wait".  Here are some of the lyrics that I think are highly symbolic and beautifully said:

So tame my flesh.  And fix my eyes. That tethered mind free from the lies.
But I'll kneel down. Wait for now. I'll kneel down. Know my ground.
Raise my hands. Paint my spirit gold. And bow my head.  Keep my heart slow.

 
Cause I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you
And I will wait, I will wait for you

Here is the entire song:

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O man of God,..

Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

I Timothy 6: 11

160: CASTING CALL ADDENDUM

I received the following email today from the LDS Church Media Department. I thought some might be interested if you have read the previous post on the auditions/casting call to be in the new video about sharing your testimony about our  "Special Witnesses".

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Dear Talent File Participant,

We have received relatively few applications for this project to date.  As such, I would like to invite you, once again, to consider sharing your thoughts about our Special Witnesses as outlined below. 

The due date is this Monday, April 8th.  

The director has requested that you include one more item to your submission video as well. 

Please take another minute to answer this question:  Why is having a living prophet important?

Also, here are some answers to a few Frequently Asked Questions:
(1)    You do not need to be a native English-speaker.  Accents are beautiful and welcome.
(2)    If you are submitting as a native Spanish-speaker, you may submit in your video in either Spanish or English: your choice
.(3)   Please remember to mark your video “Unlisted,” and list the complete URL address in your form.  Do NOT mark your video “Private,” or we will not be able to view it.

Thank you for your continued support of LDS Church Media!

159: CASTING CALL

I found this interesting.

Applications and Video Auditions are currently being accepted for members of Church to share their "testimony about God’s Special Witnesses on the earth today!" that will be shown at the Special Witnesses Kiosk.

From the email I recieved from the LDS Motion Picture Studio, they are looking for members of the Church of all ethnicities to be part of a new video to be shown at the Visitors Center where they will  "share their thoughts and testimony about our Special Witnesses—our modern-day apostles—in a very casual, natural way: in your own words." The email emphasises that there’s no acting involved. Just be yourself and share your testimony about our Special Witnesses. I have always been interesting in understanding what is meant by "Special Witnesses." Does that mean they have seen the Lord? Do we hear them actually say that.. or do we just assume it?

I think what took me offguard from this casting call is when did we start bearing testimony of God's Special Witnesses instead of Jesus Christ? Why in the world it is being allowed to have members testifying of men.. and allowing it to be filmed and shown at our Visitors Center. It is my opinion that God's Special Witnesses would not want people to share testimonies about them, but instead of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Below is the email and link in case you would like to submit your application:

FORM url address: https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=iaiAffApRweHRM%2AzXVs5RA

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From: LDS Casting <AVDCasting@ldschurch.org>
Date: Sat, Mar 23, 2013 at 8:43 PM

We Need Your Help!

Please submit your application no later than Monday, April 8, 2013. (Earlier is better!)

PROJECT: Special Witnesses Kiosk

WHAT: These are INTERVIEWS. There’s no acting involved. Just be yourself and share your thoughts and testimony about our Special Witnesses—our modern-day apostles—in a very casual, natural way: in your own words.

PLEASE APPLY: This is a perfect opportunity to serve even if you have no acting experience. We just want YOU—your personality, your thoughts, your words.

NEEDED: English-speakers and Native Spanish-speakers. Men and Women, ages 16 and older.

ALL ETHNICITIES are WELCOME. As this will be used throughout the world, we will be looking for ethnically-diverse individuals to represent all areas of the globe.

REMUNERATION: As you will be imparting your testimony, this work is non-paid, volunteer. We will, however, offer a small stipend for travel if you come from a distance.

WHERE: The shoot will take place in Provo, Utah.

WHEN: Dates are flexible. Currently, the third week in April is the goal.

PURPOSE: One of the experiences in LDS Visitor’s Centers is a Kiosk highlighting our modern-day prophets and apostles. The purpose of this project is to create an introduction from the perspective of a normal, everyday person about why these leaders are important. This is designed for non-members to help them understand who and what they are about to see.

TO APPLY!

FIRST, make a video of yourself! Take one minute or less to tell us about a recent General Conference address that impacted your life. This is what we’re looking for:

(1) “Talking Head.” Make sure your FACE is well-lit. It only needs to be your head-and-shoulders speaking directly to the camera.

(2) Your Name. Please state your name at the beginning and anything about yourself you’d like to share. (Where you live; how many in your family; your age; are you a convert? Etc.)

(3) Be personable. Relax. Smile. Show some humor.

(4) Be sincere. Speak the truth from your heart.

(5) Be succinct. Convey your ideas clearly and without a lot of hash. You may wish to practice a bit before recording. Remember, longer is not always better. Short and succinct is the way to be.

Please Note: We are NOT looking for long quotes or citations from these talks. We want your reactions to them and how they impacted your life. (All in less than a minute!)

SECOND, upload your video! You may use any online service you prefer. We recommend that you make the video “accessible via URL link” which creates a degree of privacy without the need for a password. In effect, only those with the direct link can see the video. Add the link to your video to your FORM (see step #3) and viola! Done!

THIRD, fill out this FORM and upload a current photo of yourself. There are areas in the form to do this.

DATE DUE: Please submit your application no later than Monday, April 8, 2013. (Earlier is better!)

THANK YOU for your willingness to share your testimony about God’s Special Witnesses on the earth today! We look forward to viewing your application!

Best regards,

Alisa Anglesey
Publishing Services Casting Producer
LDS Motion Picture StudioAVDcasting@LDSchurch.org
(801) 240-9300

FORM url address: https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=iaiAffApRweHRM%2AzXVs5RA

158: THE SACRIFICE OF ALL EARTHLY THINGS

"Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things. It was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice because he seeks to do his will, he does know, most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not, nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life."

Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith 6:7

The way in which we gain faith is by making sacrifices, faith is obtained in no other way. The Ancients were examples of this kind of sacrifice which produces faith. The kind of faith like Abraham means that we have to put ourself into God’s hands and do what God wants us to do, no matter what, no matter how painful, no how much we may dislike it, or wish that cup might be removed from us.  The purpose of making sacrifices is to obtain faith, and the purpose of obtaining faith is so that we can then make even greater sacrifice, and the purpose of the greater sacrifices is so that we can obtain greater faith, and the purpose of obtaining greater faith is so that we are prepared then to make greater sacrifice still until at last we are prepared to lay everything, our own life not spared on the altar in order to do what the Lord would have us do, no matter how much we may not want to do what the Lord would have us do.

So that, nothing doubting, we are approved of God and doing as He would have us do. Everything else is incidental to that process, everything else. Therefore, the final purpose of sacrifice is to know God. Because that is only way that anyone including the Ancients obtained the faith necessary to know God. No one is going to Them and Their Glory until they have like manner made the same sacrifice in order to obtain the same faith that allowed them to be what the Lord would have them be. And part of that process involves being completely misunderstood, rejected, despised by people who ought to know better. And then, being tempted to step to the left or to the right on a path that is intended to only be strait and narrow. And its every bit of it requires you to focus on one and only One Thing. Jesus Christ. That is what the Lord would have you do and be, nothing else, and not to try and make more or less what He would have you do...

157: VERNAL EQUINOX 2013

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Photo taken of the moon just hours before the official start time of 5:02 AM of Spring Equinox. A day of balance. A day of rebirth, A day of equal light and dark. The moon tonight is a beautiful sign of this years Vernal Equinox. I will write more about this.

156: TO WHOM DO WE LOOK?

Last night my family watched part of the History Channel's, 'The Bible'. It is a 10 hour miniseries airing on Sunday nights. While I am not necessarily recommending it due to the excessive violence and alot of the false historical interpretations, it has been one way for my kids to remember some of the Old Testament Stories.

One story that our family was not familiar with is the story about the woman named Rahab. If you look up in our LDS Bible Dictionary, it only states, Rahab: the harlot who hit the spies at Jericho. I realize that Bible definitions need to be concise, but there is alot more to this woman's story then what we read in the dictionary. First of all, not many female names are mentioned in the Old Testament, so when a woman's name is mentioned, it is important. Rahab lived in the city of Jericho. When Israelite messengers entered her city, she hid them, saving them from being killed. For her kindness, she was told that if she put a "scarlet line/thread" in her window, she and  her family would be saved from the coming destruction when the walls of her city "come tumbling down".

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"Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee. 

And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho." Joshua 2:18; 6:25

There is a connection with the scarlet thread that Rahab placed in her window, to the red blood of the Passover lamb smeared on the doorways of the Israelites in Egypt.  Both were a type and shadow of the blood ultimately shed by Christ for the human race that saves us.

Just an interesting sidenote: I read that every other occurence for the Hebrew word for “line” (thread) is is translated “hope” or “expectation.”  Faith is associated with hope. So not only the Rahab's hope/faith by placing the scarlet line (the symbol of Christ) that saved her family; so was the red blood on the doorways that saved the first-born of the children of Israel. Their all-important faith in these red symbols were but shadows of the ultimate faith in the precious blood of Christ which “saves” us today.

So, my question today is To whom do we look for our protection and safety? To whom do we have hope in? To whom do we have faith in?

155: DECADENCE: DECLINE OF A SOCIETY

Next week is the one year anniversary of the dedication of the LDS Church's City Creek Center. In light of that I thought I would post some thoughts:

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Everyone knows why the Roman Empire fell. It became decadent. Decadence is a luxurious self-indulgence. It is often used to describe a decline of a society due to a focus on self and worldly gain instead of a focus of being self-less and helping those in need.

The Book of Mormon repeatedly point of the four things that will destroy a civilization. It is the lust for power, riches, popularity and the desires of the flesh. Nibley addresses this in his book "Approaching Zion."

Below is an image of City Creek Center. Visible in the photo is Tiffany's, the premiere store to buy gold and silver. In Alma 31:24 we read, "Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved, for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.

The antithesis and antagonist of Zion is Babylon. Its worldliness and its focus on the outer appearance all combine to make Babylon the symbol of decadent societies and spiritual bondage.

Babylon was, in the time of ancient Israel, a city which had become sensual, decadent, and corrupt.

Below are two billboards that are advertising the City Creek Gym. Now, I want to make it clear that the Church does not own the Gym (unlike the one it operated across from the Temple called Deseret Gym), but this new Gym is part of the City Creek Mall, and uses the tagline, The Gym at City Creek. These huge billboards are hard to miss and are located off of 500 South as you enter into downtown Salt Lake. Funny how I feel I should apologize for posting them, but these are advertisements drawing people to what has been justified as a place to beautify the surrounding area of the Temple. 

What do we worship? The God of Abraham?..or the god of this World?

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I found this talk given in General Conference in 1971.. over 40 years ago.

"Many thoughtful people are deeply concerned about the religious and social conditions that prevail in our society. It is the contention of some students of history and men of learning that our civilization is rapidly deteriorating and we are drifting into a decadent period of existence.

The thing that is needed more than anything else today is a return to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the gospel plan that he gave. Today, as perhaps seldom if ever before, civilization is in need of a knowledge of the true and living God. Yes, the cure for the ills that beset the world today is true religion. We need the humility of prayer, and a determination to learn God’s will and to keep the commandments that he has given. We need faith that our Savior lives, faith in his redeeming sacrifice. In other words,  Christ and his teachings should become the center of our lives.

Oct 1971 Conference Talk by Joseph Anderson on The Living Christ

Sidenote: 

I sent a letter over a year ago to the President Bishopric about my concerns about City Creek. I thought I would post the response letter I received: 

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Dear Brother,

I have been asked to respond to your letter to the Presiding Bishopric expressing concern about City Creek Center advertising.

When the project was first announced in October 2006, Church leaders were careful to explain that City Creek, as a mixed-use enterprise of office space, residences and retail stores, would operate under commercial business standards. They repeatedly made plain that City Creek is fundamentally different from the ecclesiastical properties at Church headquarters.

City Creek Reserve, Inc. (CCRI), a real estate investment arm of the Church, has sought to create a place of beauty and economic vitality that is welcoming to all Salt Lake City residents and visitors, whether members of the Church or not.  We have worked with our retail partner, Taubman Centers, Inc., with city leaders and with other downtown stake holders to design, construct and operate a combination of businesses that will revitalize and enhance downtown for decades to come.

In their advertising, Taubman is inviting a broad, diverse audience, many of whom are not Latter-day Saints, to come and enjoy this new shopping and dining destination. Taubman wants everyone to feel welcome, including those who interpret what is tasteful and acceptable in fashion and dining in ways that differ from Church teachings. Of course, Taubman must abide by state and city decency laws, but you can readily appreciate that standards required by law are not the same as Church standards.

Thank you for all you do to teach and uphold the standards of the Church in your calling and in leading your family

Sincerely,

Director, Communications and Marketing.

City Creek Reserve, Inc.

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

15 E. South Temple St. Rm 800

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

154: INCOMPLETE PERSPECTIVE

The word 'perspective' comes from the Latin preposition 'per' and the Latin verb 'spicio'. 'Per' is a preposition which means "thoroughly" … and the verb 'spicio' means "to see" or "to observe". So the root meaning of the word 'perspective' is to "observe thoroughly".

Sometimes our perspective on things is not accurate, and rarely, if ever complete. Many times we see from a certain vantage point and think that it is all there is know about a subject. As mortals, we don't observe thoroughly.. our perspective is incomplete.

Here is a good illustration. Below are some photographs of Mt. Olympus taken from different angles and at different times of the year. They are all of the exact same mountain, yet the mountain looks completely different depending on your viewpoint and the time of year. Mount Olympus is where I was born and raised. I have hiked this mountain with my dad, as well as with my wife. I know the mountain well, but even I still have not seen the mountain from every angle.

Someone could be viewing the mountain from the front, and his description of the face of the mountain would be accurate, another could be viewing the mountain from the side and his view would be accurate as well, but would differ from the others perspective. We would do well to learn from all perspectives, not limit our views. It is my opinion that Zion will be comprised of people who all know the "mountain".. and have reached the summit, but possibly from different vantage points and have taken different trails to reach the top... What is then so beautiful, is that we can learn from each other and have a more complete perspective.

 Views of Mount Olympus in Salt Lake City

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That beginning said... the various earthly perspectives of this mountain is only the beginning. All things should be viewed with a heavenly perspective. Below are a few photos I took of this same mountain, Mt. Olympus with the sun. No longer does the mountain become the focal point, but it is the light of the sun and colors that create the beauty. These are examples of what it looks like when heaven meets earth. Our perspective increases when we view things from an eternal perspective.

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May we have our eye more fully opened, may we have ears more fully tuned, may we be more open to see things from all perspectives, and may we be humble and teachable to learn more about our true nature and our divine mission in helping to connect heaven to earth, and with God to Man.

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153: THE TRANSITION... MOVING TO THE NEXT STAGE

Today is 3.1.13.

I’ve been working on this post for a few days and thought today would be a good day to post this. I think it is important for many reasons. I took the above photograph because I think it is highly symbolic. You can see two hands, a younger looking hand on the left, and a more adult hand on the right. The young hand can either be interpreted as letting go of the rod, or actually reaching up and trying to grab it. I think it represents both.  The rod then seems to vanish and then is replaced by an actual hand which is parting the veil. I use this photo to hopefully illustrate a few stages in the progression of faith. These stages are based off of James Fowler’s book, Stages of Faith written in 1981. While some might already be aware of his research, I think it might be useful to a few that might understand more fully what is currently happening in masses within the LDS Church, as well as other religions. The Lord is hastening his work and it is beautiful to witness and be a small part in what is happening.

The following is a brief synopsis of each stage we go through in our development of Faith. Stages 3, 4, 5 are the most important to understand  for us at this time. I have taken some liberty in expressing some variations to Fowler’s work, but the main concepts remains the same.

Stage 1: Primal Faith: (birth to child):

In this first stage, we develop basic faith and trust in those we love, primarily our parents who provide our basic needs for life. For example, if I cry, Mom will feed me or pick me up. Simple concepts of good and bad are taught. We learn that obeying the “rules” is important because it means avoiding punishment. Rules are seen as being fixed and absolute. It is in this stage that we learn the most basic ideas about love and God.

Stage 2: Child-like Faith: (child to teenager):

Faith increases outside of the family structure. We continue to accept the ideas about God in very literal ways. God lives up in the sky with the angels. He is our Heavenly Father. We are his children. The Devil lives in Hell and he tempts us to do evil. Decisions are made based on the principle of "What's in it for me?" Obeying the rules is important because we receive rewards. "If I follow the rules, God will give me a good life." "If I pray, God will grant my wish." In this stage, we begin to sort out the “real” from the “make-believe.”

Stage 3: Institutional Faith: (teenager to adult)

At this stage we rely on a religious institution to give us stability and to give us answers to our questions about things we don’t understand. If those in authority say it is so, it must be true. We tend to have a hard time seeing outside our “box”. The authority of the leaders is emphasized to the individuals or groups that represent one's beliefs.. We become attached to the forms of our religion and get extremely upset when these are called into question. This is the stage in which many people never move beyond it. This stage can also be called "Conventional/Group Faith", meaning that most people in this stage see themselves as believing what "everybody else" believes and would be reluctant to stop believing it because of the need they feel to stay connected with their group. Here authority is located outside the self - in the church leaders, in the government, in the social group.

In this stage, the church is like a wise and protective parent; we trust it implicitly

Most of the people in traditional churches are at this stage. Religious institutions "work best" if the majority of their congregation is in Stage 3 and the institutions discourage people from questioning since it threatens the viability of the institution if people start questioning!)

When a person cognitively realizes that there are contradictions between some of his authority sources and is ready to actually reflect realistically on them, he begins to be ready to move to the Fourth Stage.

Stage 4 – Skeptical Faith (questioning adult):

In this stage, we begin questioning what we took for granted in Stage 3; most experience negative emotion toward Stage 3 experiences. This is the tough stage, when people start seeing outside the box and realizing that there are other "boxes". They begin to critically examine their beliefs on their own and often become disillusioned with their former faith. Ironically, the Stage 3 people usually think that Stage 4 people have become "apostate" when in reality they have actually moved forward. Those who break out of the previous stage usually do so when they start seriously questioning things on their own. A lot of the time, this stage ends up being very non-religious and some people stay in it permanently. Religious groups are always trying to discourage people from making this step.

In this Stage, the church is like a parent whose flaws and mistakes are exposed at their worst

Stage 5 – Mystical Faith: (maturing adult):

It is in this stage that acceptance or reconciliation is reached. It is coming to terms with what we learned in Stage 4 and transcending above it. They start to accept the paradoxes in life. They begin to see life as a mystery and often return to sacred stories and symbols but this time without being stuck in a theological box. People at this stage sometimes disobey what were previous rules in stage 3, if they find them to be inconsistent with their paradigm shift. They have experienced connection with heaven, and have been comforted from the pain they experienced in Stage 4. Most people in stage 3 do not like people in stage 5. Stage 3 perceive Stage 5 people to be off the mark, misguided, unruly, and apostate.

In this stage, the church is like a sweet grandparent that sometimes says wise things, sometimes funny or antiquated things, but is a benevolent forebear, and we excuse their shortcomings and failures.

Stage 6 –Transcendental Faith: (selfless adult):

It is in this stage that we gain complete internal peace and wisdom, becoming a whole person with spiritual power and insight. Those who do live their lives to the full in service of others without any real worries or doubts. Few people operate at this stage all the time. It is the ability to put oneself in other people's shoes, and actually become a mediator for them. At this stage, people have a principled conscience and will follow universal ethical principles regardless of what the official laws and rules are.

Stage 7: Completed Faith: (graduated adult):

I have added this additional stage. (mainly because I like the number 7 as the number for completion.) This is just my opinion, but I feel in this stage, the person is willing to and sometimes even are required to die, becoming a martyr for the cause.

In closing:

I wanted to post the above photograph and label it to what I see as a great illustration of the Stages 3, Stage 4, and Stage 5 look like. I know that most of the posts on this blog have been to leading Stage 3 people into Stage 4. I have learned that leaving stage 3 before the person is ready can be damaging. It actually can do more damage than good. Each stage is very important to go through. The journey should be individual and on their own terms. Focusing on pointing and helping the stage 4 people into Stage 5 should be a work that all of us should be engaged in, if not only personally, but also in helping others.