I enjoy very much the words of Alma the younger found in the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 5. I've often read and pondered upon his words. Here I will share some of my favorite versus from this chapter.
First, verse 14:
"14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"
Have you spiritually been born of God? This question is strongly linked to another question in this verse. Have you experienced this mighty change in your hearts? Every person who is spiritually born of God will experience a mighty change of heart. The change is so great that this person will have no more desire to do evil but to only do good continually.
It does not mean the person is perfect and will never make mistakes. It doesn't even mean that others observing their actions won't see actions that appear to be evil in nature.
I will use an example from my imperfect life to illustrate this point. I am divorced. My children's mom asks me for favors that I am not comfortable with because there are certain things about her and me that have not changed. One of those is that when we are together we end up arguing about one thing or another. It isn't that I want to argue but I have to say something when she tries to do something that I don't agree with. I am not trying to hurt her, not to do evil to her, although I quite likely am, and to an observer some of my decisions may seem cruel, vengeful, and evil. So, I tend to avoid talking with her and interacting with her because I believe it is best to avoid arguments.
One specific example is she asked if she could come over to my house on the 25th of December so that she can chat with our oldest son Willem via Skype. She says she does not have Internet at her place. I told her no because I know there will be arguments and/or she will say things about a lack of cleanliness in my house and try to engage me in conversations of how to raise our children. I am past wanting to hear her comments about things she does not approve of. In all my experience nothing I ever did was good enough for her. Our views on raising our children are diametrically different. And so I told her no because our children, and myself, and her don't need all of those problems. I do not deny her this chance out of malice nor with the intent to deprive her of the opportunity of talking with Willem. We only get two per year during his two year mission. People who don't know the entire situation might see me as being mean. I even suggested to her that she could go to McDonalds or somewhere else where free WiFi is available and use her lap top.
Because I know I have no desire to do evil to her or to anyone else for that matter that I have been born of God and have experienced a mighty change of heart.
The question in the middle of this verse is very interesting. Alma asks, Have ye received his image in your countenances? I believe that there are those that are observant enough that they can tell the difference between someone who has been born of God and those that have not. I am not one of those people, at least not that I know of. I have read stories and heard about people who said they could tell their was something different about a certain person. I believe what they notice is the image of God in the countenance of the person they observe to be different in a good way. I believe I have this countenance and because I do have it and have had it for a long time this is the reason people often remember my name when I don't remember them and this is also the reason I can easily befriend almost any child. The children can tell, always.
Then with verse 26 Alma asks another interesting question.
"26 And now behold, I say unto you my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
He asks can you feel this now. I think this question refers not only to the song of redeeming love but also about the change of heart. This tells me that this change of heart should remain with us always and also that this change of heart can be lost and so we must carefully ensure that we never lose this change of heart.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Saturday, November 21, 2015
The Book of Enos in the Book of Mormon (Perfect Communication With Godhead)
In the Book of Mormon is found in the Book of Enos the powerful example of Enos communicating with Jesus Christ. I have studied a lot over the past few months. This week in Pathway the reading assignment included the Book of Enos. Here are things I have understood from Enos during this time and including this week.
I am particularly interested in Enos' experience because I am working to improve my understanding of answers to my prayers and other messages from the Godhead. While I don't expect to have an experience like Enos I also don't rule out the possibility.
I will start with Enos 1:1-4
"1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man - for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord - and blessed be the name of my God for it -
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forest; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplications for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens."
Among the things I learn from this is that Enos had a good father who taught him about Jesus Christ. At this time he was reflecting upon things his father had taught him and his sins. Enos felt a great weight because of his sins. It seems to me that these sins were not of the nature of him persecuting the righteous but more of the kind that kept him from a joy he earnestly desired and lacked. His sins were unsettling him as his mind dwelled upon them and this had become so great that he felt a need to do something about them.
Remembering what he was taught he kneeled down and prayed. It is here that I visualize his actions and as I do I see a man praying as the sun goes over him and sets. I fail to see him pause for anything. This tells me that in addition to praying he was very likely fasting.
The next verse becomes very interesting.
"5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed."
What interests me so much is how Enos progressed from his sinful state to be blessed to hear Jesus speaking to him. I wish we had the words of his prayer. In any case I believe that his fasting helped to prepare him.
As I read more I see that Enos had a conversation with Jesus.
"6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: Because of they faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. ..."
There is much more to be learned by studying his various conversations with Jesus. But I will end now with this one which clarifies how the above communication took place.
"10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold the voice of the Lord came into my mind again..."
Here we learn that Enos was hearing Jesus speak to him in his mind. I am convinced this was not him having a conversation with himself as if he were two people as sometimes people do. Enos in fact conversed with Jesus, hearing his voice in his head. I seek to understand how much faith played a role in this and how much if any fasting did and anything else that brought him to this pivital moment in his life. I believe that understanding this could improve my understanding of communications from the Godhead.
What else do you think helped Enos to have the experiences he had?
I am particularly interested in Enos' experience because I am working to improve my understanding of answers to my prayers and other messages from the Godhead. While I don't expect to have an experience like Enos I also don't rule out the possibility.
I will start with Enos 1:1-4
"1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man - for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord - and blessed be the name of my God for it -
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forest; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplications for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens."
Among the things I learn from this is that Enos had a good father who taught him about Jesus Christ. At this time he was reflecting upon things his father had taught him and his sins. Enos felt a great weight because of his sins. It seems to me that these sins were not of the nature of him persecuting the righteous but more of the kind that kept him from a joy he earnestly desired and lacked. His sins were unsettling him as his mind dwelled upon them and this had become so great that he felt a need to do something about them.
Remembering what he was taught he kneeled down and prayed. It is here that I visualize his actions and as I do I see a man praying as the sun goes over him and sets. I fail to see him pause for anything. This tells me that in addition to praying he was very likely fasting.
The next verse becomes very interesting.
"5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed."
What interests me so much is how Enos progressed from his sinful state to be blessed to hear Jesus speaking to him. I wish we had the words of his prayer. In any case I believe that his fasting helped to prepare him.
As I read more I see that Enos had a conversation with Jesus.
"6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And he said unto me: Because of they faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. ..."
There is much more to be learned by studying his various conversations with Jesus. But I will end now with this one which clarifies how the above communication took place.
"10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold the voice of the Lord came into my mind again..."
Here we learn that Enos was hearing Jesus speak to him in his mind. I am convinced this was not him having a conversation with himself as if he were two people as sometimes people do. Enos in fact conversed with Jesus, hearing his voice in his head. I seek to understand how much faith played a role in this and how much if any fasting did and anything else that brought him to this pivital moment in his life. I believe that understanding this could improve my understanding of communications from the Godhead.
What else do you think helped Enos to have the experiences he had?
Purpose Of This Blog
The purpose of this blog is to learn truths about God, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, the gospel, and the things written in the scriptures. I make it public to share what I learn with others and to include others of similar beliefs so that they can learn and contribute with me.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Often referred to as Mormons or LDS. I accept the Bible (I use the King James Version), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as scriptures and will quote from them. I also accept the words of latter-day prophets, apostles, and other general authorities as containing the word of God to us in our day. I know that there are other sources of truth which include other ancient records and personal revelation that is available.
I have the gift of the Holy Ghost and have years of practice discerning when He is confirming truths to me. I always feel such confirmation when reading or listening to the above mentioned scriptures. Truths that are shared here that come from other sources the Holy Ghost will also confirm to me. This then will be my guide as I post to this blog.
There are those who do not share my beliefs and while I will do my best to respect the beliefs of others I will not have my blog posts here become a place of contention nor allow comments that can destroy the beliefs of others. As such if I feel a contribution impedes my efforts to learn and share I will delete it. I will delete contributions that contain links. This is a place to share what you know and have learned not what others have placed on the Internet. Nor is it a place for self promotion.
If you are sharing specific scriptures please site the book, chapter, and verse and the source where it came from. If any who read it or want to confirm what is there they can search the web. No link should be posted.
Here are some examples of comments that I will delete:
If you comment that Jesus Christ was not the son of God I will delete that. This is not the place to debate this. I know he is the son of God. Here on these posts I intend to discuss his attributes and get to know Him better.
If you say that God does not exist I will delete that comment. This is not the place to discuss that. I know that He does exist.
Comments that put down the Church I am a member of, or its doctrines and policies, or the latter-day prophets will be deleted. This is not the place for those disaffected from the Church to post your anger or frustrations. I have learned for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true and was restored by God through the prophet Joseph Smith.
In this blog I intend to post questions about doctrine, principles, and possibly policies of the Church. This is not because I am trying to disprove any of them but because I am seeking to understand them better and at the time I post them I do not understand them to my satisfaction.
I welcome all seekers of truth to join me here as we learn together the mysteries of God.
I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Often referred to as Mormons or LDS. I accept the Bible (I use the King James Version), the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price as scriptures and will quote from them. I also accept the words of latter-day prophets, apostles, and other general authorities as containing the word of God to us in our day. I know that there are other sources of truth which include other ancient records and personal revelation that is available.
I have the gift of the Holy Ghost and have years of practice discerning when He is confirming truths to me. I always feel such confirmation when reading or listening to the above mentioned scriptures. Truths that are shared here that come from other sources the Holy Ghost will also confirm to me. This then will be my guide as I post to this blog.
There are those who do not share my beliefs and while I will do my best to respect the beliefs of others I will not have my blog posts here become a place of contention nor allow comments that can destroy the beliefs of others. As such if I feel a contribution impedes my efforts to learn and share I will delete it. I will delete contributions that contain links. This is a place to share what you know and have learned not what others have placed on the Internet. Nor is it a place for self promotion.
If you are sharing specific scriptures please site the book, chapter, and verse and the source where it came from. If any who read it or want to confirm what is there they can search the web. No link should be posted.
Here are some examples of comments that I will delete:
If you comment that Jesus Christ was not the son of God I will delete that. This is not the place to debate this. I know he is the son of God. Here on these posts I intend to discuss his attributes and get to know Him better.
If you say that God does not exist I will delete that comment. This is not the place to discuss that. I know that He does exist.
Comments that put down the Church I am a member of, or its doctrines and policies, or the latter-day prophets will be deleted. This is not the place for those disaffected from the Church to post your anger or frustrations. I have learned for myself that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true and was restored by God through the prophet Joseph Smith.
In this blog I intend to post questions about doctrine, principles, and possibly policies of the Church. This is not because I am trying to disprove any of them but because I am seeking to understand them better and at the time I post them I do not understand them to my satisfaction.
I welcome all seekers of truth to join me here as we learn together the mysteries of God.
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