Joseph Smith

Class today was interesting. I'm repeatedly humbled by the opportunity teaching Gospel Doctrine gives me to grow and learn. It teaches me HOW to read the scriptures. It creates the curiosity in me to look deeper, research more. Every Sunday, I am the biggest recipient of knowledge.

I'm basically a straight arrow person. And I have to say that getting a testimony of Joseph Smith's vision did not come easily to me. In taking the missionary lessons forty years ago (holy cow - how did that happen? 40 years??!!), there were things that I did not question. I believed that that we should still have prophets and apostles. I believed that I had a "father" in heaven - a personal, loving parent - not some ethereal formless god. He had looked after me for years and I spoke to Him.

I wasn't sure about the Book of Mormon. It was hard for me to read. But - I received a witness that David O. McKay was the living spokesperson for the Lord. He was a prophet. In order for that to be true, all the rest had to be true and I accepted it in faith. I've wondered why my testimony started in that way - but it was enough. For most stuff.

When I went on my mission, we had to memorize the discussions. We had to testify to the fact that we knew that Joseph Smith DID see a vision, that he WAS a prophet. I could repeat his testimony almost word-perfect. But I couldn't bear witness. I COULD (and did) bear testimony that I believed those things to be true. And I felt badly about it. I felt like a phony.

I thank that same loving Heavenly Father for sending me to New York for my mission. I was born in Missouri, the "show me" state. Doing always teaches me more hearing or seeing. I got to see the birthplace of the Restoration. I walked the Sacred Grove - in the snow. I will never forget that day. I felt the spirit there. I didn't get my testimony, but I WAS touched. He knew what I needed.

I came back to California and went to school. I attended church. Sitting in Relief Society, one Sunday, I got my testimony of Joseph Smith. I don't know what the lesson was on that morning. They weren't talking about the Restoration. But the Spirit took me back to that grove and gave me a witness that what I had been testifying to actually DID happen. Faith wasn't necessary any more. I knew.

And there I was today - teaching this wonderful experience - WITH a testimony of it's truthfulness. I don't know. It was just so choice. It was the way I always WANTED it to be like while I was on my mission. I could stand there and FEEL the power behind his words:

"I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."

Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith History 1:25

In our little branch we talk a lot about the importance of having a personal testimony of this. We believe that times and occurrences in the world are such that we won't be able to stand the things to come without this personal witness. I know what it is like to be able to say that I know the church is true and yet not be able to say that I KNEW Joseph Smith did indeed have a vision telling him that what he was looking for wasn't on the Earth at that time. I know the peace that knowledge brings. I hope the same is true for you.

We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ. He lives and looks after it as a bridegroom cares for His bride. It's true.

Alma's Skill as an Editor

Hugh Nibley: “The Book of Mormon goes to great lengths to describe just what a wicked society looks like and how it operates, with enough examples to type it beyond question; and with clinical precision it describes the hysteria that leads to its end. It also tells us how to recognize a righteous society, usually presenting the two types to us in close proximity. With these two images firmly in mind we are told why this presentation is being given, for whose benefit, and why it is so singularly important. The authors do not ask us to make comparisons and see ourselves in the picture, because that would be futile: the wicked-er the people are, the more they balk at facing their real image and the more skillful they become in evading, altering, faking, and justifying. So the book does not tell us to make the comparison—it does it for us, frankly and brutally.”

I shared this quote earlier and found my notes from my Gospel Doctrine class. I wanted to post them before I lost them again. Mormon tells us over and over that he is passing on only a hundredth part of what records he had available to condense. Giving the difficulty in transcribing the records, we need to ask why he included the stories he did. We need to ask what we can learn from those stories. He chose them for us.

So in looking through our reading assignments so far I found these comparisons (in close proximity).
King Benjamin's rule compared to King Noah's.

Alma's reaction to Abinadi's message compared to the other judges of King Noah.

Ammon's missionary experiences compared to his brothers' (they ended up in prison).

Abinadi's devotion to teach the gospel compared to the priests of King Noah.

Abinadi's knowledge of the scriptures compared to the priests of King Noah.

The behavior of the people following Alma and the trials they encountered compared to the people who followed Limhi.

The Church of God compared to the Order of Nehor.

Alma's missionary successes in Zarahemla, Gideon and Melek compared to his experiences in Ammonihah.

What do you find?

Do you ever feel "stuck"?

I noticed something when we were studying 1st Nephi in Gospel Doctrine. I found my notes during the move and felt I should share them here.

In chapter 2 Lehi takes his family into the wilderness. They travel about 200 miles away from Jerusalem. They make camp and build an alter.

Chapter 3 the sons return for the plates.

Chapter 4 their sons come back withthe plates and Zoram.

Chapter 7 the boys return the Jerusalem (without murmuring and complaining) for women.

Chapter 8-15 contains visions. prophecy, explanation of dreams and instruction.

Chapter 16 the sons marry.

So - from chapter 2 through 16 the family campsite doesn't move. They receive no further direction in their journey. WHY?

Because they hadn't completed ALL the commandments that they had been given. In chapter 16, verse 8 they record (after the sons had married) that Lehi had fulfilled ALL the commandments of the Lord which had been given unto him

BAM! They are on the road again! The next morning they receive the Liahona and it's time to move! Do you ever feel spiritually stuck? Maybe there is something the Lord still wants you to do or to learn. We each have our own "deserts" that we camp out in from time to time - on our way to OUR promises. They aren't meant to be a permanent dwelling. How fast we travel depends on how well we listen and obey.

Let's ALL stay on the road!

Alma and Amulek

I so love this story! There are so many aspects to look at. I think of Alma, the Younger, leaving Ammonihah so "weighed down with sorrow" for their unbelief. WHY? He hadn't always been in that frame of mind; he truly HAD been like the people of Ammonihah. He knew what awaited them if they didn't repent and change. He spent three days in a very bad place due to HIS activities and choices. And in the depths of his "tribulation and anguish of soul," WHO comes to him? Someone who knew EXACTLY how far he had come in his spiritual development! The same angel who had appeared to him in his earlier period. Talk about back-up and support! He helps Alma remember how far he truly has come and how much the Lord loves him. And gives him an assignment. Unlike Jonah, he RUNS to fulfill it.

He comes into the city from another entry point and meets his new missionary companion, Amulek. He had been going to visit a family member when an angel (suppose it is Alma's angel?) tells him that Alma is coming and to help him. He listens. He obeys and counts it as a blessing. Alma sets up a local MTC in Amulek's house. I'm touched by his candor and honesty in telling his neighbors his history in the church. There is no doubt his life has been changed and he know the hour, day and date it happened.

I found a quote regarding Alma and Amulek's relationship:
"Sometimes meetings with other people and the intertwinings of our lives in mortality are more than chance - they are heaven-sent blessings.

Elder Parley P. Pratt described the "sympathetic affinity" we feel around such people: "In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit. No matter if the parties are strangers, entirely unknown to each other in person or character; no matter if they have never spoken to each other, each will be apt to remark in his own mind, and perhaps exclaim, when referring to the interview - "O what an atmosphere encircles that stranger! How my heart thrilled with pure and holy feelings in his presence! What confidence and sympathy he inspired! His countenance and spirit gave me more assurance, than a thousand written recommendations, or introductory letters." (Parley P. Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p.100-102. W. Jeffrey Marsh, Meridian Magazine, Lesson 23.)"

I was overcome with the realization that Claire Douglas is that to me. She is Alma (without the rebellion) to my Amulek. For such a long time I shared Amulek's past: "I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart..."

She was my role model and personalification of a Gespel Doctrine teacher. She helped me develop the faith and courage to follow my own path with the Lord. Isn't that what we all SHOULD do to others? Uplift, inspire, encourage? Bring the "sound of water being poured" by the Savior into their lives? Be the kind of person who makes others see the Savior THROUGH our actions? I hope so.

"Splashing of water in a basin..."

I'm still thinking about my Sunday School quote. I just love where the images takes me. What could be more of having "His image on our countenances" than having our actions reflect His love for someone else. That they would look at US, but see the Savior. Not raise us up for our actions, but feel HIS love for them, though us. Surely there could not be a greater gift. Maybe it's our hands, but we reflect His love. Isn't that what the Savior was indicating when the Plan of Salvation was presented? Moses 4: "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever."

Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances?”

Gospel Doctrine class went well today. It was Lesson #22 “Have Ye Received His Image in Your Countenances?” (Alma 5-7). My little branch isn't big on participation. Sometimes I have a hard time even getting them to read scripture selection. So any time they volunteer and share experiences is a TEN!

I did most of my lesson around the coolest quote that I had found this week. It was made by Leslie Weatherhead, a British minister, whose church was gutted by Nazi bombs during World War II. “When I am hot and rebellious, bitter and cynical and sarcastic; when it seems evil can win in the world and the battle is to the strong; when it seems as though pride possesses all high places and greatness belongs to those who can grab the most; when it seems that faith is mocked and humility is trodden in the dust, when pity seems weakness and sympathy folly, when a foul egotism rises up within me bidding me assert myself; serve my own interest and look out for number one; then, O my God, as I listen down the corridor of the years for the voice of the Almighty, may I hear the gentle splashing of water in a basin and see the Son of God washing His disciples’ feet.”
“The world is sick of power that struts. It is hungry and searching for power that serves. Through whom, in your life, have you heard the gentle splashing of water? Who in your life has heard the gentle splashing of water through you?” (http://www.lwml.org/docs/Prayer_Service_2008.pdf)

Seems particularly inspired in this election year.