324: DARKNESS BEGINS TO TRIUMPH OVER LIGHT

A week ago today was the summer solstice.  This week is the beginning when darkness begins to triumph over light. For the next six months, we will gradually lose more and more light each day. It will be three months before we get around to the time of the autumnal equinox, when darkness catches up to light and there is a brief point of balance between the two extremes. After the fall equinox, darkness will be greater than light up until the winter solstice on December 21st. After the winter solstice, light begins to triumph over darkness.

Some could point out that less than positive things have happened during the week of the summer solstice while good things happen in December. The summer solstice was at the time when Joseph Smith was killed, while it was the winter solstice when Joseph Smith was born.

This has been a historic week. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued the long-awaited ruling giving same-sex couples the right to marry in all 50 states.

The White House, the symbol of our nation's Leadership,  was lit with the colors of the rainbow Friday night in honor of the Court’s ruling that marriage equality is a constitutional right throughout the country. “Tonight, the White House was lit to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to progress and equality, here in America and around the world,” the White House said in a statement.

Many other landmarks were illuminated in gay-pride colors overnight including the spire of the 1,776-foot World Trade Center, Niagara Falls, and several city halls, including San Francisco’s and Denver’s.   Here is a link to a blog post about these colors usurped from a sacred covenant symbol.

The White House on June 26, 2015

 

The newly rebuilt World Trade Center in New York City

 



The "legalized' family structure has forever been changed in our country. Heaven Help Us.
 ......................................................................................

Sidenote: (A belated Happy Father's Day 2015 post)


A couple of days before Father's Day, I followed a family of Canadian Geese in our neighborhood. I enjoyed watching this daddy Gander teach his seven little goslings. Below are a few photos of this Dad teaching his children to walk, swim and then eventually fly.  We can learn a lot from observing nature and God's creations. Canada Geese, like swans, are monogamous and they mate for life. They raise and protect their young together and also protect each other throughout their lives. When a Canada Goose loses its mate or eggs, they have been observed to mourn. They may remove themselves from the flock and stay by themselves and swim around in despair honking mournfully. Canada Geese are extremely devoted and  look out for each other. When a mate is injured or dying, its partner will stay with them, even if the flock is moving on. Adults begin communicating with their young while they are still in the egg. When migrating they honk encouragement to each other, and indicate directions.

Teach me to walk:



photo taken of a family of Canadian Geese in our neighbors yard.

 

Teach me to walk in the light of his love;

Teach me to pray to my Father above;

Teach me to know of the things that are right;

Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.

 

Teach me to Swim:

 

photo taken of the same family of Canadian Geese in river behind our neighbors yard. 

 

Come, little child, and together we'll learn

Of his commandments, that we may return

Home to his presence, to live in his sight--

Always, always to walk in the light.

 

Teach me to Fly:

 

photo taken of the same family of Canadian Geese near our home.

. 

Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day

For loving guidance to show us the way.

Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight!

Gladly, gladly we'll walk in the light.

...................................

 

323: SUMMER SOLSTICE 2015

Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice. (It is also Father's Day which I will post on later) 

Last Sunday I hiked up early with some friends to see the Sunrise. It was seven days before the summer Solstice. Here are some photos.

photo taken last Sunday on June 14th, 2015. Seven days before the Summer Solstice.

photo taken last Sunday on June 14th, 2015. Seven days before the Summer Solstice.

photo taken last Sunday on June 14th, 2015. Seven days before the Summer Solstice.

All things – our lives, our beings, our breath – comes as gifts from God. Of ourselves we have nothing. All our notions that we “own” anything is an illusion. We are not sovereign but completely dependent. Everything we have, every moment of our lives has been given to us. Our experience here on this earth is a gift from God. Everything we “own” has only been entrusted.

Every heartbeat is borrowed. Everything we dwell on or work for in this mortal world will pass away. Therefore the meaning of this life is not found in anything of this life, but only in Him who lies behind it. And the purpose of this life is not found in seeking anything of this life, but only in seeking Him who gave it.

I recently heard this song. I think the words are powerful. You can listen to the music on the link at the end of the lyrics:


Sky Spills Over

There's a rose in the desert, blooming red in the drought
There's a quenching rain in the wings of the gathering clouds
 Lift your eyes, look to the horizon now
There's still a hope for us, each up from the dust and call it down

Can you hear? Can you hear that thunder?
Sing His name, sing it out
Till the sky spills over

I may just be dry bones, stripped of sinew and skin
But the wind of His spirit, will raise me up again

I lift my eyes, I look to the horizon now
Oh, there's still a song to sing
Fall down on your knees and cry aloud

I hear the rolling thunder, Feel the pouring rain
My heart is filled with wonder, Only You remain
I see a new horizon, coming up my way

Oh, I can hear, I can hear that thunder
I'll sing Your name, sing it out
Till the sky spills over, over

322: TOP THREE WORLD RELIGIONS

The top religion in the world is Christianity. Estimates suggest there are currently approximately two billion practicing Christians. About half of these are Catholics, and the majority shares of other Christian faiths include Protestants and Anglicans. In total, roughly 33% of those in the world practice Christianity in some form. Mormons claim to have over 15 million members. While my numbers might be off some, the world population is approximately 7,000,000,000. This means that 0.21% of the world's population is Mormon.

Islam comes in as the second most popular religion in the world, with approximately one billion members. Some Islamic people claim that there are actually more practicing Muslims than practicing Christians. This depends on how one defines the word “practicing.” A person who cites his/her religion as Christianity might not, for example, attend church regularly. This to a Muslim might seem like failure to practice the religion.

In the United States, however, Islam is the fastest growing religion. Roughly 80% of the mosques in the US were built within the last 20 years.

Today is the first day of Ramadan for the Muslim Faith.  Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting and lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon. Once the moon rises, a practicing Muslim begins his fast.  Once the moon sets, they can break their fast.

photo taken from our driveway this evening on June 18th, 2015

Fasting is "obligatory" for adult Muslims, except those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding. While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations with one's spouse.

Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behavior that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech (insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting. Food and drink is served daily, before dawn and after sunset. Spiritual rewards for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of prayers and reading their holy writ.

One could say that all of the above practices during Ramadan are "good fruits" ...and if so that their religion must be true. (the "good fruits = true religion" is a reference to a recent Boise talk given this past Sunday)


The third largest group of the population is considered non-religious. About one billion people consider themselves to not regularly practice any religion, or to be atheists. This is actually a diverse group, including agnostics. Atheists only represent a small portion of the one billion. Many are simply unsure what faith is the right one for them, and also may have problems with organized religion in general.

Sidenote:

One of the Christians denominations are the Baptists. They have recently taken a bold stand on some political issues recently. It was reported on FOX news that the Southern Baptists cannot and will not affirm anything that deviates from God's designs.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/06/17/southern-baptists-urged-to-reject-any-laws-legalizing-gay-marriage.html

Here is  one quote from the Fox news article…"While affirming their love for all people — regardless of sexual orientation, the former Southern Baptist presidents said they 'cannot and will not affirm the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior or any behavior that deviates from God's design for marriage.'  'Our first duty is to love and obey God, not man.'"

I compare that bold statement  that to this new billboard that can be seen in the heart of Salt Lake City along the 1-15.

Taken on June 17th in Salt Lake City, UT

A friend of mine emailed this thoughts yesterday,

"I think the LDS church would consider "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" a groundbreaking document in support of marriage in it's time.  I agree that perhaps it was then but I think in recent times they have found themselves reacting to the zietgiest of the population and trying to fit in rather than our the president (prophet) taking bold moral stances in a public way.  Absent a strong voice from leadership, the "proclamation" has been a great go-to document in a pinch.  If you remember, the proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting in 1995 and he is now, dare I say, dead, so that may totally invalidate that document.  If the living prophets trumps the deceased you'd think a bold sturdy statement would be in line.  Come to think of it, I'm not really sure where the church stands on it given their statements from a few months ago - (Mormons free to back gay marriage on social media, LDS apostle says  - plus issues revolving around scouting).  Seems like in scripture the prophets were the first out of the chute to identify and teach Christ's message to any and all who would listen, even at the risk of their life let alone popularity.  We became a bit gun shy I think with prop 8 in CA.  so "luke warm" seems to be the most comfortable stance to take.  I think Christ had something to say about "luke warm" -  Anyway, it's amazing to watch."

321: COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT

The other day while driving into work,  I saw two Salt Lake Officers writing up parking ticket violations. I noticed their uniforms looked a little different than other police officers. Written across the back of their uniforms were the words, "COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT".

photo taken in Salt Lake City on June 2015

 

Seeing these new uniforms with the words "Compliance Enforcement" triggered an emotional response in me. It seems like there has be an incremental intensity of "power" titles given over the years to those who are to "preserve the peace" and "protect the innocent."

We have gone from Peace Officers to Compliance Enforcement.

 

 

These “Compliance Enforcers” remind me of the Stormtroopers in the Star Wars movies. A stormtrooper was a cloned Authority figure who were sent to put down revolts and protect the established Imperial authority. Their power is not to protect the innocent, but to destroy the non-compliants. Dressed in symbolic white and clean uniforms, they do the dirty work. They silence anyone who might be perceived as a threat to the “Kingdom”

  

 .

This type of enforcement is Anti-Christ. It is a tool of the Satan to use compulsion and to force compliance. It flies in the face of agency.

  

There has been a lot of commentary on the internet this week of a recent meeting held in the capital city in the State north of Utah. The meeting was recorded and after listening to it, I literally became physically sick. I am saddened by what is happening to my friends who are perceived to be threats and are being “destroyed” by those in Authority positions. These "Compliance Enforcers" are doing their duty by silencing and casting out those who don’t comply with the establishment and handbook of conduct.

  

At the time of Christ, the religious establishment, the hierarchy, the temple, the priestly class, the learned Rabbis and the schools of thought were rotting. They were nothing like what would be required to produce fruit. They were religious but heretical. They were in positions of authority and respond warmly to flattery telling them they are righteous.  When someone is sent by the Lord of the vineyard calling for repentance, those in authority reject him. They cast him out and say he is an apostate, a sinner and a false prophet.

 

"Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil. (Hel. 13: 27-28.)

 

Peace Officer vs. Compliance Enforcement

 

320: APOLOGY

In the revelation given to Joseph Smith, truth is defined as knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. (Doctrine and Covenants 93:24). This knowledge of truth is absolute. Absolute truth is unchanging, fixed, and unalterable facts. Truth that is independent for all people, even if it is not recognized it to be true. 

The opposite of absolute truth is relative truth. To say that something is relatively true means that it can be true for one person and not for another. It is “true” according to differences in perception and consideration. 

When two well intentioned people see things completely different, conflict can arise, especially if one professes their “relative truth” as absolute truth.   

For example, one could define a "hero" as someone who doesn’t leave his village in its time of need. He stays to help and hopefully save his family. He does all that he can to make it a better place. He ministers for his love of the common people, not necessary for the mayor and city leaders. On the other hand, one might define a true hero as someone who bravely leaves his hometown to stand for truth. Which one is the hero?

I think everyone would prefer to be a hero rather than the coward. We would prefer to do what is right than to do what is wrong. To quote a recent apocalyptic movie, “Where must we go, we who wander this wasteland, in search of our better selves?”

We are all wanderers in this lone and dreary world. We are all in search of our better self.. but what is your better self? 

Our better self is one who forgives and repents. 

Part of forgiving is to say, I Love You.
Part of repenting is to say I am sorry.. I apologize. 

Hugh Nibley taught: “We don’t need to go on forever suffering the same nonsense in order to see the things we can be tested for, namely the two things and the only two things we are good at: we can forgive and we can repent. These are the two things the angels envy us for…..What defines a righteous man? Who is righteous? Anyone who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been, if he is repenting he is a righteous man. There is hope for him. And no matter how good he has been all his life, if he is not repenting, he is a wicked man. The difference is which way you are facing. The man on the top of the stairs facing down is much worse off than the man on the bottom step who is facing up. The direction we are facing, that is repentance; and that is what determines whether we are good or bad.

Some of the Lord’s first words to Adam were: “Thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore” (Moses 5:8). When the Lord came to the Nephites, among his first words to them were these: “This is the gospel, that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent” (3 Nephi 11:32).

We all need to repent, we all need to forgive more. Heaven help us.

If I am in error, I want to be corrected. If I have been deceived, I want to be taught the truth. If I have been prideful, I want to be humbled. If I don't understand, I want to comprehend. If I am unkind,  I pray to have charity. If I get angry, I want to have more patience. If I have been wronged by someone, I want to forgive them. If I mess up, I want to apologize.

319: COINCIDENCE?

When my little sister got engaged, she decided that she wanted a summer wedding and have her reception in our backyard. (thanks to the movie, Father of the Bride)  Although my parents tried to discourage her, my sister persisted. My parents knew that our yard and home were not ready to host an outdoor reception and would require alot of work. In the months leading up to the wedding, every weekend was spent preparing our home and yard. Planting, raking, pruning, painting, digging, moving, weeding. The wedding day finally came and the weather forecast did not look good. Alternate plans were put into place for moving the reception indoors. My sister thought.. how could this happen? We spent so much time getting our home ready for this wedding and now it is going to rain? Didn't the Lord hear our prayers? Was the inclement weather a sign that we did not have heaven's blessing? While it rained the day of her wedding, by the time the reception started, the storm had passed. Coincidence or Divine intervention?

 I don't necessarily believe that things in nature, like the weather, is always a sign from God. Storms are a natural part of this world. They happen all the time and it rains on the just  and the unjust. (Matthew 5:45) Everyone at one time or another has had "rain" on their parades. That being said, when things happen in nature that are unusual, I do take notice.

 I took notice of this: The National Weather Service announced a 3 day WINTER WEATHER WARNING for the Grand Mesa area in Colorado. The warning starts today and goes through Sunday. Winter warnings are not unusual for Colorado, however, in the middle of the May.. it is unusual. And to have a Winter Warning last for 3 days is also unusual. Here is the report.

Active Advisory: Winter Storm Warning Active Notice: Public Information Statement

 

 

I wouldn't normally post something like this, but thought it might be important for some to take notice of this. 

It is quite possible that this weekend's weather in Western Colorado, primarily near the Grand Mesa is just a coincidence,  or it could be divine intervention, or it could be an opportunity for those who feel they have received Divine approval to use their faith to control the elements. We tend to interpret the signs to fit our own paradigm and I will allow the  reader to make that decision for themselves.

318: FIXED AND IMMOVABLE

Last weekend, I watched my daughter perform at her Spring Ice Show.  She skates on a synchronized ice skating team. . There are 18 of them on the team, all under the age of 12. They all try and stay together in unison despite being different heights and builds. It is fun to watch them practice their skills in an unforgiving sport performed on ice. They glide, turn, dance, and spin. One of the more interesting things to watch is the forming of a large spinning wheel.



 In order to form a spinning wheel in synchronized skating, one of the skaters plants her toe pick deep into the ice to secure her skate so it will not move and become an anchor. It becomes the fixed and immovable point were all the skaters have a sure place of origin to spin from. Every skater must rotate around this common center point. As the skaters begin to link their hands together in an spin, the middle person basically stands unmovable while the other skates begin to rotate around quite fast.. The very outer skaters get whipped around really fast. The farther you are away from the center, the faster and faster you will spin.. It is easy to fall and hard to hold on when you are on the outer parts of the wheel. 



I have thought about this metaphor that past couple of days. If only we can rely and hold onto Christ as that center anchor in our lives.

In reading recently Joseph Smiths' history, I think we are so similar to the revivals at during Joseph Smith time. He said... “and great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, “Lo, here!” and others, “Lo, there!”

We have been given advice in when we read in Matthew 24 that in the last days… “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

There is only ONE.. and just like in the example of the ice skating metaphor, there is One who stands in the center who we need to connect to and that is Jesus Christ. Without a tight grip on Him we could find ourselves spinning out of control.... or participating in circles that it might not be wise to do so.

A division has begun. On one hand you have people steeped in tradition, closed minded. and slow to learn anything new especially if it doesn't come form the mouths of our current living leaders. On the other you have almost too open minded people who will believe in just about anything spiritual without using much discernment.  Various groups are forming, not unlike what we read in the Book of Mormon when there were divisions among the people.

Just like when someone is hungry for food, they will do anything to feed their mouths and will eat just about anything. When someone is spiritually hungry they too will do anything as well. They will believe in doctrines that resembles light and truth even though much could be full of deception. I have many well meaning friends who participate in all kinds of gatherings currently taking place attending gatherings, reunions, symposiums, conventions, retreats, lectures, trainings, and classes.

...or spending a considerable amount of time online in: facebook groups, forums, reader groups, blogs.

Here are few things I read recently:

Enthusiasm for spiritual knowledge can lead to impatience. Impatience causes those who ought to await direction from the Lord to charge ahead and be destroyed.

But it is better for the impatient to be drawn away than gather to destroy the work of God.

A strait and narrow way will be found by only few. To find it the few will confront dozens of voices imploring them to diverge from what God has underway crying “Lo, Here!” and “Lo, There!” It is required for the few to reject false offers of salvation, purported higher knowledge, pacifying doctrines, flattery and errors coming from teachers who command people to hearken to their precepts.

How the Lord can accomplish His work in this fallen place will be a wonder to behold. None in this generation seem to have the patience to allow Him to do as He has promised.
If we try and move ahead in front the Lord, we actually are working against him. wo, to those who really thing they speak on behalf of the Lord, but have either been deceived and are taking the Lord's name in vain.

Yes, doubt everything other than truth taken from the scriptures. They are the standard by which all things should be measured

 Because this generation does not understand their precarious situation, they are unable to repent. But it is only repentance which can save some few souls. People are so quickly and easily drawn away from the challenge to repent before God into some other vain and foolish track. That is necessary, however, because in Joseph's day we failed in Kirtland, failed again in Missouri, failed in Nauvoo and then lost Joseph. In Brigham's day we failed in Salt Lake. The effort to save great numbers has not and will not work. There have always been comparatively few who have the patience and devotion to allow the Lord to do His work. Men and women charge into the upward pass and are slain by the beast who guards the way generation after generation, while God works patiently to save some few. In the meantime, if great numbers can be persuaded to wander off or charge impatiently, then so be it. Had they remained, they would have spoiled what lies at the top of the mountain. It is better, therefore, that they be taken in their vanity than to bring it with them into a society where such things would be ruinous.

 Given the vanity and pride of mankind, it seems unlikely there will ever be people who are willing to strictly observe only what He asks as He asks it. It is a mistake to think we can improve on what He gives us, and yet we do.

Vanity, pride, looking beyond the mark, self-will, arrogance, and reckless enthusiasm all proceed from a lack of gratitude to God for what He gives us. Instead of accepting in gratitude and practicing it with patience, we demand more, insist we can improve on His ways, and charge ahead into the pass to be destroyed by the beast. The chosen of God remain scatterlings, unable to dwell in the House of God with Him, because it cannot be built with the unclean hands of a wayward generation.

We have moved into a season of increasing light now. But I do not think mankind has yet reached its winter solstice. From all I have seen, darkness continues to hold sway among even the very elect.

317: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY!

Today is May 1, also referred to as "May Day". May Day is an ancient spring festival in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s an astronomical holiday, one of the year’s four cross-quarter days, or day that falls more or less midway between an equinox and solstice – in this case the March equinox and June solstice. The other cross-quarter days are Groundhog Day on February 2, Lammas (festival of the wheat harvest) on August 1 and Halloween on October 31.


Mayday is also the word used around the world to make a distress call via radio communications. Mayday signals a life-threatening emergency, usually on a ship or a plane, although it may be used in a variety of other situations. Procedure calls for the mayday distress signal to be said three times in a row — Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! — so that it won’t be mistaken for another word or phrase that sounds similar under noisy conditions. A typical distress call will start with mayday repeated three times, followed by all the relevant information that potential rescuers would need,.

Mayday got its start as an international distress call in 1923. It was made official in 1948. It was the idea of Frederick Mockford, who came up with the word because it sounded like the French word m’aider, which means “help me.” Sometimes a mayday distress call is sent by one vessel on behalf of another vessel in danger. This is known as a mayday relay. A mayday relay is sometimes necessary if the vessel in danger loses radio communications. If a mayday call is repeated and not acknowledged, another vessel hearing the call may attempt to relay it again and again until help is reached. A mayday call is not something to be taken lightly.

I consider one the prayers that was given at yesterday's  Washington: A Man of Prayer event a MayDay call for help. It was given by Rabbi Jonathon Cahn.  (The “Washington: A Man of Prayer” commemorates the events of April 30, 1789, when, after being sworn in at Federal Hall, President Washington, accompanied by Congress, proceeded to St. Paul’s Chapel where they “offered dedicatory prayers to God in divine services on America’s behalf.”)

Cahn’s words of warning referred specifically to the Supreme Court justices who are currently hearing arguments on whether the U.S. government should mandate recognition of homosexual “marriage” across the country.

 He said: “The justices of the Supreme Court took up their seats [in a hearing] on whether they should strike down the biblical and historic definition of marriage,” he said. “That the event should even take place is a sign this is America of [George] Washington’s warning … a nation at war against its own foundation.” Washington’s warning was the smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation “that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself hath ordained.”

He noted the Supreme Court opens sessions with the words, “God save the United States and this honorable court.”

“If this court should overrule the word of God and strike down the eternal rules of order and right that heaven itself ordained, how then will God save it?” he asked. “Justices, can you judge the ways of God? There is another court and there another judge, where all men and all judges will give account.

“If a nation’s high court should pass judgment on the Almighty, should you then be surprised God will pass judgment on the court and that nation? We are doing that which Israel did on the altars of Baal,” he said.

“We are exchanging our light for darkness.”

He said America’s biblical foundation was affirmed throughout history and the nation came into existence “solely for the glory and purposes of God.”

“No historian can rewrite that. No president can expunge that,” he warned. “If a thousand angels swore on a thousand Bibles that this was not the case, it would in no way alter the fact. … America was brought into existence for the will and purposes of God.”

He explained ancient Israel turned away from God.

“They drove God out of the government. They worshiped idols and served other gods. They celebrated immorality and they persecuted righteousness. The blessings of God were removed and replaced with judgments,” he said.

Now, he said, “America has made the same mistakes.”

He cited the deaths of 55 million through abortion.

“What we were warned never to do we now have done,” he thundered.

Moving to directly confront President Obama, whose pro-abortion and pro-homosexual agenda has been unparalleled in American history, he questioned what happens when a leader places his left hand on the Bible to assume to highest office in the land but with his right hand “enacts laws that violate the laws of God.”

“Mr. President, when you address the House, look up above the senators and the representatives, above the Supreme Court justices, you’ll see a face, the only full visage in that wall. It is the face of Moses. … It would say this, ‘No man can overrule the laws of God. No judgment of man can stand against the judgment of God’.”

 America, he warned, is faced with a critical decision, “Choose you this day whom you will serve … if the Lord be God, then follow Him. If Baal, then follow him and go to hell.”

Believers, he said, will “not bow down our knees to Baal,” the politically correct or anything other than God.

“Jesus the Messiah,” he said, “is the only answer, the only chance that America has that it might once again shine with the presence of the living God … and not go to hell.”

Only time will tell if we find ourselves all yelling, MayDay, MayDay, MayDay!

316: WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I SEE

"Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry,
so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ."
Ezra Taft Benson, 1987.

....

"Just as a man does not really desire to see until he knows he is blind,

so he does not desire to see the Lord until he knows it is possible to find Him."

Bare Record, 2015

 

Amazing Grace is a beautiful hymn about being redeemed regardless of sins committed. The lyrics penned by John Newton describe that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God. The history of this song and Newton's personal story of redemption is worth reading.

This hymn was sung by the early Saints. It was included in the collection of sacred hymns selected by Emma Smith for the original LDS Hymn Book. It was hymn number 118.  It is unfortunate that this hymn was later removed. It is no longer found in our current hymn book.  It seems like when Mormonism increased its emphasis on works instead of grace, other hymns were included like "Put your shoulder to the wheel".  :)

One of word in this song is "wretch".  I looked up the definition and a wretch is a banished person, or a stranger in exile. The word reflects the sorry state of someone no longer in the presence of God, who is "in misery, and sojourning in a foreign land. " Nephi uses this word to describe himself in the Book of Mormon. We read in 2 Nephi 4: 17 "Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities."

 

One of the best renditions of Amazing Grace is sung by the four tenors called, Il Divo. Below is a video created using footage from the DVD, The Eternal Christ which was filmed in the Holy Land. However, the closing shot is not from the Holy Land. The footage is of an ocean's wave. There is symbolism in how it is used.

The lyrics to this hymn contain the phrase "was blind and now I see". You will see in the video these words three times. The number three is important and symbolic. Each time you see the word "see" in the video, it is in relation to LIGHT and increases in intensity. (from an olive oil lamp, to the sun, to then translucency and emulating light over water.






Since Amazing Grace song is full of gratitude of one who used to blind but now can see, I wanted to share the following post written yesterday by one of my close friends who writes a personal blog. I do so with his permission.

"Sunday School this week was amazing. The lesson was taught on the experience of the healing of the blind man in John 9. But, seeing the entire story at once, suddenly something significant came to my mind that never before had been considered by me.

Story Summary: Christ spit in the dirt, made clay, wiped it on the blind mans eyes, and instructed him to wash in the spring named Siloam (translated meaning "Sent"). Those knowing the blind man asked him how it came to be that he could see. He told them.

Interestingly, they bring him to the Pharisees (the church institutional authorities at the time). And now the Pharisees question him asking him how he regained his sight. The man said again, Christ did it, and then testified of Christ possibly being a prophet. The Pharisees told him that Christ couldn't be a man of God since he healed on the sabbath. Christ didn't follow the protocols of their institution (craziness, right?).

The Pharisees now bring the blind man before the Jews. Remember the Jews are now the body of the church. They ask again, how are you now able to see? In frustration the blind man responds, "I have told you already, and ye did not hear; wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?" In other words, "I told you already. Are you asking again for the purpose of being Christ's disciples?" The blind man is questioning the intentions of the crowd. He's questioning their hearts. An indirect customized test, but perfect for revealing their true desires.

The Jews revile the blind man saying, "You follow Christ, ...BUT WE FOLLOW MOSES!" And they eventually cast the blind man out, not only out of their presence, but out of their congregational fellowship (excommunicated). They would choose a Moses figure over the Savior Jesus Christ himself.

Then Christ comes to the blind man, seeing that he was cast out for His names sake, and Christ reveals himself to the blind man in his true identity as savior to the world. Is this the blind mans second comforter? His calling and election made sure? Yes sir!

Insight: Christ healed the blind man twice. The first was his physical blindness. And the second, when Christ revealed his true identity as the Savior, was his spiritual blindness. Between the restoration of the physical and the spiritual sight, the blind man was persecuted 3x for Christ's name sake, not having a perfect knowledge before hand. It wasn't until the blind man was completely cast out (excommunicated) for testifying of Christ that the scales of darkness of his spiritual eyes were removed. Christ came ...to him. Now, he was able to see with pure eyes, having known Christ.

Conclusion: This is not a story about "the blind man." The blind man's identity is irrelevant. Because the blind man is YOU! You, like the blind man in the story, have come through the veil "... having been blind from birth." Those who recognize this seek Christ to heal their blindness. But those who don't, think they can see just fine. "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth."

Those who recognize they are blind are those who humble themselves before Christ and have faith in Him, and Christ's grace was sufficient to make weak things strong (Ether 12:27). However, those claiming that they know God, when they avoid studying, pondering, conversations, seeking to know God's mind and will in all things, ...these belong to the large and spacious building in Lehi's dream. And they depend on an institutional salvation, substituting the opportunity to partake of the fruit of the tree of life (Christ), casting out those who know Christ, ...hoping that obedience to their institutional laws will provide salvation. Which are you?"

315: PATIENCE AND FORGIVENESS

Patience doesn't seem to be a popular virtue today, especially when we expect things to happen instantaneously. We can get upset when we have a slow internet connection, or traffic is backed up due to an accident, or family members are demanding.

However, patience does not mean suffering while we wait to get what we want, that is more like impatience. When we are truly patient, we kindly and lovingly allow others the time they need to reach their full potential. We don't resent the fact that progression is a process and resist in putting on undue pressure and unrealistic expectations on others or on ourselves knowing that it will only hinder growth and create frustration. Patience means not despairing when mistakes happen, it means making room for change as we all learn a better way. It means that sometimes we will be offended, but we won't harbor resentment or anger as we work out a solution. Patience inspires us to give people a second chance and the benefit of the doubt, just as we hope they will do for us. Patience is the power that comes from hope and confidence that things will in time improve. 

some thoughts from today's, The Music and the Spoken Word

314: BLOOD MOON ON PASSOVER AND EASTER WEEKEND

I just received an email from my friend that I wanted to share along with some photos:

"I just checked every lunar eclipse since the death of Jesus Christ (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_lunar_eclipses ). Today appears to be the first time since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ that Easter Sunday also falls on Easter on the Priest Calendar (1 Jachin) on the day following Passover on both the Hebrew and Enoch Calendars on which there was a partial or total eclipse of the the moon.  Jachin means "Upright" and apparently refers to the dead again standing upright at the resurrection.  On the average, only one Easter Sunday in 24 occurs on that date.  The one possible exception is Sat 12 April 814 (Gregorian) which may or may not have been Passover on the Enoch Calendar. I write this only to show how rare today is and that in some sense it is "exactly" like the weekend of the Resurrection and rare indeed."

Interesting times,
John

 

Here are a few photos I took on our early morning hike in the mountains above Salt Lake City.

The 3rd blood moon in the tetrad taken just before 6:00 AM

The blood moon above the Salt Lake City valley.

Final stages of the lunar eclipse as it descended near the Great Salt Lake.

313: THE SUSTAINING OF CHURCH OFFICERS

In the April 1979 General Conference, the vote of Church Officers consisted of  sustaining 16 men as prophets, seers and revelators. The Patriarch to the Church, Eldred Smith was always sustained as a prophet, seer and revelator along with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. I came across this calendar that was given to members prior to Conference. It states, "As you listen to or watch general conference with your family, see if you can identify each General Authority who speaks by referring to the photographs on this calendar page."

That was the last General Conference that Eldred was sustained as a prophet, seer and revelator. In October of 1979, Eldred Smith was "honorably relieved of all duties and responsibilities pertaining to the office of the Patriarch".

 

Here is the transcript of the sustaining vote:

It is proposed that we sustain President Spencer W. Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All in favor, please make it manifest. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.
Nathan Eldon Tanner as First Counselor in the First Presidency and Marion G. Romney as Second Counselor in the First Presidency. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

It is proposed that we sustain as President of the Council of the Twelve, Elder Ezra Taft Benson. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

As the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Ezra Taft Benson, Mark E. Petersen, LeGrand Richards, Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, Boyd K. Packer, Marvin J. Ashton, Bruce R. McConkie, L. Tom Perry, David B. Haight, and James E. Faust. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

The counselors in the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

 Spencer W. Kimball as trustee-in-trust for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.

As Patriarch Emeritus, Eldred G. Smith. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, if there be any, by the same sign.


..........................


 The following year in the October 1980 General Conference, an interesting thing happened. There were some in the Tabernacle who did not raise their hands to sustain President Kimball, but opposed using the same sign. Here is the transcript. 

"It is proposed that we sustain President Spencer W. Kimball as prophet, seer, and revelator, and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All in favor, please manifest it. Contrary, by the same sign.

[A call of “no” from several in the congregation]

Elder McConkie: President Romney, it appears that there are three negative votes. This is to advise those so voting that they may meet with Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve following this session. Thank you.

President Romney: Thank you."
Elder McConkie continued to read the rest of the sustaining for the remaining Church officers, and then said. "It seems, President Kimball, that the voting has been unanimous, with the exceptions already noted, in favor of these officers and the General Authorities."

 .................

What is really interesting, that after there were votes of dissent in that conference, the next SEVEN conferences the sustaining votes did not name President Kimball, nor his counselors, nor the Quorum of the Twelve... but only a vote for those who were newly called or released,.. This is how the sustaining was read:

"With the exception of these brethren whom we have just sustained, there have been no other changes is the General Authorities since the last conference. It is proposed, therefore, that we sustain all of the General Authorities and general officers of the Church as at present constituted. Those in favor please manifest it. Those opposed by the same sign. Thank you."

 .................


 It wasn't until April 1984 Conference that we again sustained Spencer W Kimball by name and the rest of the Brethern . By then, President Kimball's health was failing.  However, in the following conference in October, when the sustaining vote was read, the following "disclaimer" was given which I find it very interesting... especially with the situation we find ourselves today with the health of President Monson:

"Some people, most of them not members of the Church, worry because the President of the Church is an elderly man. I want to assure you that, under the organization put in place by the Lord himself, there is no need to worry. The President has two counselors. So long as either of them is able to function, there will be an active First Presidency with full powers of decision in all matters affecting the Church.

Associated with the Presidency is the Council of the Twelve Apostles. At times in the history of the Church, when there was no First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve governed its affairs. As a matter of fact, these were some of the most difficult and demanding times in the history of the Church, notably, when our people left Nauvoo, crossed Iowa, established Winter Quarters on the Missouri, and then made their historic odyssey to this valley in 1847. It was not until Brigham Young returned to Winter Quarters that he was sustained as the President of the Church.

The Lord will not allow his work to suffer. He will not allow it to be led astray. He has made that clear. There is much of flexibility and resiliency in this inspired organization. It can accommodate almost any imaginable set of circumstances. It is moving forward in a remarkable and wonderful way. The priesthood of God is upon the earth, and the strength of the Church lies in the power that comes therefrom and in the personal faith and testimony which reside in the hearts of its members." 
 .................

Tomorrow there will be another sustaining vote most likely in the Saturday Afternoon session. I know that there has been alot of concerns of the current leadership lately. Local Bishops and Stake Presidents have disciplined members for not sustaining the Brethren. To combat the problem that have found ways to help their congregations understand the importance for doing so.. including wearing button that say I Choose as written on this blog. Or including quotes in the Sacrament Meeting Program. Below is a the backside of the Sacrament Program from a ward in our area.

 

Whether you choose to sustain, or to oppose or avoid voting all together in the Saturday Afternoon Session of Conference... use your agency and vote your conscious. While the votes might not be written down here on earth, or even noticed.. I think it is noticed in Heaven.  

 .................

312: ALIGNMENT OF EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

 The third "Blood Moon" occurs this Saturday morning on April 4, 2015. It will be visible to most in North America. From beginning to end, it will last for 3 1/2 hours. The moon will begin to eclipse around 4:15 AM and the maximum eclipse will be at 6:00 AM. The moon will set during it's final phase of eclipsing at 7:11 AM.

Passover is also this weekend. While many calendars mark the 4th of April as Passover, this sacred day always begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Passover on the sunset of Friday, the 3rd of April.  (which is also Good Friday, the day when Christians commemorate Jesus Christ's crucifixion).

Easter Sunday this year is observed this Sunday on April 5th. Beside Christmas, Easter Sunday is one of the most sacred days among Christians worldwide. It commemorates Jesus Christ's resurrection from death.  (Sidenote: For those who would like to see the sunrise on the top of a mountain on Easter Sunday, you can take the Snowbird tram up to Hidden Peak. The first Tram will depart at 5:29 a.m., and the last Tram will depart at 6:43 a.m. There is a short sunrise service that will begin at 7:00 a.m and the sun will begin to rise at 7:03 AM. It is free to the public. Observers should dress warmly. There is no cost for this event.)

All of this events coincide with the 185th  LDS General Conference this Saturday and Sunday.  (not to mention that  on April 6, 1830, is the date on which The church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized.

Sidenote: I am curious to know if  the President of the United States, Barack Obama will observe in any of these religous events. He is scheduled to make his first trip to Utah this week as commander-in-chief. He has never visited our State since being elected president in 2008. I find it odd that he would be coming in this weekend, of all weekends. Here is the link to the story: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=34034428

311: SYMBOLS AND SIGNS

 One of the most common symbols used in the scriptures is a tree. In fact, the Bible contains more references to trees and wood (over 525) than to any other type of living organism except humans.  Tree references are found from the first book of the Bible, when Adam and Eve were introduced into the Garden and God presented them with two trees, the tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  We also read many references to trees in the Book of Mormon. Lehi was showed in vision a tree that represented the Love of God. One of the greatest allegories in all scripture which is found in Jacob 5 is all about the tame and wild olive tree. Trees are used by the Lord to teach us.

Today is Palm Sunday. Historically, the palm tree is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life.  We read in John 12 that when Christ entered into the Holy City, the people "took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord."  In the ancient Egyptian religion, the palm was carried in funeral processions and represented eternal life. The palm branch later became a symbol of Christian matryrs and their spiritual victory or triumph over death.

Below are a few photos of some tree taken on a hike in the mountains last week on the Spring Equinox. Trees typically grow very slow and can live for thousands of years. I wrote about the bristlecone pine here. Until 2013, the oldest individual tree in the world was Methuselah, a 4,845-year-old bristlecone pine in the White Mountains of California.

What causes one tree to live for thousands of years while another tree dies before reaching full maturity?  Some probable causes are the lack of essential nutrients, rotting and decay, infiltration of insects.. and/or the tree is cut down by man.



Photos taken on March 18, 2015 on a hike in the Wasatch Mountains.

 On the hike last week, I came across a lone tree that was cut down many years ago along the banks of Lake Mary up Big Cottonwood Canyon. I wrote about the importance of this lake here. The stump is currently exposed in the deep snow, but normally it would be submerged underwater. When the natural Lake Mary was damned up to make a larger reservoir, trees were cut down that normally grew along the waters edge. Now that Lake Mary is now empty, the trees that were cut down are now visible. I walked up the stump. I was surprised to see small pine cones from a tree which had been cut down. If you look carefully you can see them on right side in the below photo. The pine cones are seeds for the tree to replenish itself and grow again.