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.

 

310: VERNAL EQUINOX 2015

 

Photo taken on the morning of March 18, 2015.

Yesterday morning, the sun rose at 7:35 AM and the sun set last night at 7:36 PM. It was the closest day to having equal sunlight and darkness. Day and Night were divided into roughly 12 hours each. Tomorrow the world observes the Spring Equinox, a time when the sun is exactly at zenith over the Equator. While some observed this yesterday, others believe that it is tomorrow at 4:45 PM (MST). Whether you go by a heavenly calendar or the world’s calendar, it is important to observe.

 While it has been an unusually mild winter in Utah, there is still plenty of snow up in the mountains. A hike that usually only takes about 2 hours, took over 5 hours yesterday in the snow. Hiking in the winter months, there is no easy trail to follow, and in the backcountry you need to forge your own path. The goal yesterday was to summit to Lake Katherine passing Lake Mary. Last year, Lake Mary was completely dry. I wrote about it HERE. Right now, the mountain lakes are still frozen and snow covered. It was a serene and beautiful solitary hike and time to receive much needed answers to prayer.

 
 




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309: THE UPPER ROOM IN THE TEMPLE



Photograph taken on March 13, 2015 from a video display in the South Visitor Center on Temple Square.

 The First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles meet each Thursday morning in this room. It is called the “Council Room” and is located above the Celestial Room in the Salt Lake Temple. 

 

A news article printed in the Church owned Deseret News stated, "Every major decision in the church is made on Thursday mornings in the temple by the Council of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. Every decision of the council must be unanimous, according to a scriptural mandate. That can take time.” Elder M Russell Ballard is quoted in this same article, "None of the Twelve are shrinking violets. We each have strong personalities. So when we are unified in a decision, you can rest assured that we have counseled together and come to that decision after much prayer and thoughtful discussion." 

 

In Websters 1828 Dictionary, the word 'revelation' is defined as communication of truth to men by God himself. It is sacred truths which God has communicated to man for His instruction and direction. It is important that we dont confuse a consensus in voting with revelation from God.

 

Todays announcement must have reached an unanimous decision in order for an Apostle to make a public statement. Elder D. Todd Christofferson said that Mormons who support gay marriage are not in danger of losing their temple privileges or church memberships.  This possibly will open a can of worms for members who need to answer "no" to the temple question: Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Brethern will need to revise this question.

 

 

In the above photo, it is hard to miss this huge portrait of President Monson.  I think this life size portrait would be somewhat distracting to sit in a solemn meeting trying to recieve revelation from the Lord.  I highly doubt that Joseph Smith would commission a painting of himself to hang on the walls of a Temple especially in a sacred room above the Holy of Holies where you go  humbly in prayer to recieve revelatioin.. Personally I think Joseph would find it to be arrogant and vain to hang such a portrait. When there is an intense devotion to a particular person it is called "cult of personality". It's purpose is to create an idealized, heroic, and at times, worshipful image, often through unquestioning praise or flattery. Do we do this?

 

Sidenote:

 

A few weeks ago my nephew recieved a letter in the mail that he was excited to show all of us at Sunday dinner with our extended family. Before showing us the letter he explained that as part of their Family Night lesson, he drew a picture illustrating a talk President Uchtdorf gave in the most recent General Conference. For fun, they sent his drawing to the Church Office building hoping that maybe it would make it into the hands of President Uchtdorf. A few weeks later a large letter came in the mail addressed to my nephew. Enclosed was a letter and an autographed picture.  Elder Uchtdorf has personally autographed a photograph of himself and expressed gratitude to my nephew for taking the time to read and draw a picture of his talk. My nephew has now framed the picture and has in hanging in his room. When my nephew showed us this picture, you would have thought it was more valuable to him than getting an autographed photo of Tom Brady or Michael Jordan.

 

 

308: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS: SUNDAY,MARCH 08 (3.08)

Early this morning at 2:00 AM we switched to Daylight Savings Time. The power of men through congressional law control us to move our clocks ahead one hour. We use the friendly and positive term "spring forward"... (but in reality we lose an hour, but gain it back in the fall). By advancing the clock one hour, the sun appears to set later in the evening. Of course, it also rises one hour later in the morning. The day of the big switch used to be the first Sunday of April, but in 2005, Congress revised the rule as an energy-saving measure.

Men feel powerful when they can control things. They become prideful. We might think we have power to control, like changing/altering the time... but we don't control we only manipulate the things of God.

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."

Romans 13:1

Here are a few photos taken this morning.

 

"But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom,

and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life."

Doctrine and Covenants 63:23

   

 

"That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory.

Moses 6:59

 "For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified.  Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment."

 

Moses 6:60-61

307: ALIGNMENT WITH GOD

Photo taken on February 11, 2015 of the setting sun perfectly aligned through a small hole in a rock overlooking a cliff.
 

On Friday, March 20, 2015, there will be a total solar eclipse. This cosmic event occurs when there is a perfect alignment of the earth, moon and sun. A total eclipse of the Sun can only occur when the Moon is closest to the Earth, in order for the size of the Moon to be big enough to cover the entire disc of the Sun. At the peak of the eclipse also called the ring of fire, darkness will cover the earth with the moons shadow. This eclipse of the sun will be visible in the high northern latitudes of the earth. (near Greenland and Iceland). Two blood moons have preceded this event and two more blood moons will follow. The next blood moon will be 15 days later on April 4, 2015, which happens to be on the Jewish Passover and Easter weekend. It is also the weekend of the LDS General Conference.

This total solar eclipse occurs hours before the first day of Nisan. Nisan is name of the first month on the Jewish calendar. Nisan 1 is like our New Years Day but instead of the day beginning at midnight, the day begins and ends when the sun sets. The first sunrise of the new Jewish year will be onn the morning of March 21 . For most, this would also be the first sunrise of spring even though the exact Vernal Equinox happened a few days earlier. Another interesting fact about Nisan 1 which was the first anniversary of the Exodus out of Egypt, Moses raised up the Tabernacle and the glory of God descended down from Heaven upon the Tabernacle.

While planetary alignments are important for us to take notice, it is more important for us to take notice of our personal alignment with God.

Since God does not change, the responsibility delves on us to align ourselves with Him. Unfortunately, we prefer to have God to align to us. It is easier and doesn’t require us to change nor have direct contact with Him. For example, we believe we know God’s will once a unanimous decision has been reached by those who hold “keys”. We then consider the decision to be revelation.

In each one of the standard works is the warning to us to not put our trust in the arm of flesh. See (Jeremiah 17:5; 2 Nephi 28:31; 2 Nephi 4:34; 2 Chronicles 32:8; Doctrine and Covenants 1:19). If we do, our hearts have departed from the Lord and we are cursed. We typically think that this warning is directed to rank and file to avoid dependence on their leaders instead of the Lord. Could the warning possibly be directed at the leaders to not use and depend on the opinions of the rank and file members? Do the leaders make decisions based on the results of surveys, focus testing, and opinion polling from its members? If they do, are the leaders also guilty of trusting in the arm of flesh?

Oh the arrogance and vanity of man compared to the wisdom of God. But I digress.

I believe nature has something to tell us. I try to observe and listen. I think the volume has been turned up recently. I can hear it loudly. I am grateful for a loving God who is in and through all things. In the upcoming weeks I hope to be more aligned with the Lord. An alignment is required for a thread to pass through the eye of a needle. A similar alignment is needed to enter the Lord's presence. While it might seem impossible, unlikely, even unattainable. I believe it is indeed possible, even necessary. 

Photo taken on February 11, 2015 of the same rock  in above photo as the setting sun pierced through a small hole a rock.

From another blog: “Nature testifies endlessly of the Lord. It also invites us endlessly to turn back to Him. This continuing patience and enduring invitation shown in nature is a reminder of how loving and patient, how persistent and committed the Lord is to our salvation. Salvation is predicated upon the same, universal standard for all who would return to Him. In that respect it is as exact and unchanging as the cycles of nature. Despite its exacting requirements, it is endlessly inviting and continually encouraging us to accept that standard and to live it. Not just to say, but to do.”



A photo taken last night from our backyard of the full moon rising above Mount Olympus on March 5, 2015.

The full moon last night on March 5, 2015 was the smallest full moon of the year. It is called a full Worm Moon. Last night's full moon was 30,000 miles farther away from Earth than it will be on this year’s closest full moon – the full supermoon (Harvest Moon) on September 28. Every month for the next seven months, the full moon will come closer and closer to Earth. So the seventh full moon after the March 2015 micro-moon will give us the year’s most “super” supermoon on September 28, 2015. It also will be the last of the four blood moons that started last year on April 15, 2015.

 



306: SOLITARY AND WEATHERED

Photo taken on February 12, 2015 on a solitary trip to Southern Utah.

In 2008, I read a book that changed my life. It set me on a journey that to this day I am still traveling. The book was a collection of parables that used symbolism to illustrate profound truths.  It was written in a language that I understood. It is a language that I speak. Here are a few paragraphs taken from parable number 5 entitled The Weathered Tree from the book Ten Parables.

"A solitary tree grows in a crack of this cliff. The tree lives in the most difficult spot. To look at it, it appears there is too little soil for the tree to have begun life there. Once life began, it looks as if there would be too little water to sustain it. And even if its life were possible, the wind never stops blowing at the place, pushing the tree in one direction, then another, never stopping. The tree has been buffeted and blown relentlessly throughout her difficult life. The tree on the cliff is weathered and beaten. It could not grow straight, but was twisted by the buffeting of the wind as it grew. The weathered tree spiraled as she grew upward. Once she was struck by lightning, which charred a side of her and tore her original upward reaching arms. Though she suffered injuries which would kill most trees, she miraculously returned to life bearing a dark scar from the lightning on her side and injuries to her up reaching arms.

Year after year the trees all grew. Some trees reached heights, while the weathered tree fought for more root space in the granite in which she was planted. Her height was stunted as her energy was spent in the struggle for root space and her lack of available water. She was twisted, so that her height was further limited by the turns her difficult life had taken. The forest trees below mocked the weathered tree. They lived in companionship with each other, strong and straight. The solitary tree above had her shameful, twisted body on display for all the other trees to see and mock. “It was right to have this tortured tree kept apart from the rest,” they said, “for she would never fit in with our beautiful forest below.”

 The weathered tree remains there today. She is crooked, windswept, scarred and standing alone on a granite cliff. But her life’s sufferings and many injuries have made her wise, and her children regard her as the greatest beauty in the forest. It does not matter she stands alone, for she lives in harmony with her family. Because of them she is never alone. Because of her, they are never without hope."

Photo taken on February 12, 2015.

 

305: DEPARTED INTO A SOLITARY PLACE

 

 

We read in the scriptures that Christ would rise up very early in the morning (a great while before day) and depart into a "solitary place" to pray. Mark 1:35 states, " "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out,  and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." If the Creator and Redeemer of this world found the time and needed to pray to His Father, we would be wise to find our own solitary places to connect with Heaven and cry out to the Lord. In Alma 34 we read Amulek's teaching on prayer. He says,"ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness."

 

Here are a few photos taken this past week taken in the desert in southern Utah

near Canyonlands National Park:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

304: NO PANNING, NO STANDING.

 

NO PANNING

...

 

New signs are now being posted throughout Salt Lake City asking the community to not give money to those who extend their hand for help. The signs say in bold letters : PLEASE DON'T SUPPORT PANHANDLING.  The sign asks that you give to agencies instead.  The list of agencies are listed on the slchost.org website. Recently, the Utah State Legislature passed a bill cracking down on beggars making it illegal to ask for money in certain areas.

 

I am reminded of King Benjamin's sermon in Mosiah 4 which reads: "For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"

His sermon reminds us that we are forbidden from turning away the beggar. We are forbidden from judging them. We have but one duty toward them; that is to help them. Not through a third party agency but to help them one on one. What if the Good Samaritan decided not to help the man stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead along the road.. but told the man.. I can't help you because I already donated money to a local agency instead.

 

 

....

 

NO STANDING

The hymn `Called to Serve' has become an anthem for members of the Church, especially for those serving missions.  It is  customary for the missionaries to stand and sing it at the Missionary Training Center as well as on their missions. The entire congregation even stood when it was sung at General Conference a couple of years ago. (See below video).

A friend of mine whose son is currently serving a mission shared the following withe me. The Elder reported back this past week to his family that in their zone conference, an Apostle and a General Authority were both in attendance.  When it was time for the closing song, all of the missionaries stood up to sing "Called to Serve". Everyone stood up except the Apostle and the General Authority. After the song was over, the Apostle got up and told the missionaries that we are not to stand when we sing the hymns. He continued to teach the missionaries that if they looked up on the stand and noticed that they were not standing, they should have known that they should not have stood up as well. It was one more example of how we are to look to our leaders and follow them in all what they do.

 

 

...

Clarification: The Apostle did not say that we are no longer to stand when we sing "Call to Serve" but just like the handbook states, that it should be the Presiding Priesthood Holder who should determine whether or not we stand as a congregation.