Putting off Darkness

"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?"

~Galatians 4:9

When speaking to the Galatians Paul brings up a good point: Why in life do we continue to turn our backs on the light we have received and turn back towards the darkness? Why can't we remain true to the light we have received and put off the natural man on the very first attempt? It's not that easy though. Even those who we revere as great men had to work at overcoming the natural man. The prophet Nephi had these same struggles:

"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.

"I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

"And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins;

                                                                ...

"O then, if I have seen so great things ... why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

"And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?"

~2 Nephi 4:17-19, 26-27

Change is a process, not a one time event. The key is where our heart is and where our sights are set to. As we climb the mountain of life we will fall at times. We'll get cut and scratched up, but if we keep going up the mountain our strength will increase and we will not fall as low. Our mistakes and sins will move on from being sins of commission to sins of omission. The light in our eyes and character will increase as we come closer and closer to the Son, and further and further away from the Prince of Darkness. 

And as we come closer to the light let us head the words of Paul to the Galatians:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

~Galatians 5:1

And exclaim with Nephi:

"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

"Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

"O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

"May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

"O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way--but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

"Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

~2 Nephi 4:28-35

Charity: The Pure Love of Christ

Often we speak about a person who is always giving of themselves and serving others as a charitable person.  But is being charitable the same as possessing charity?

Paul describes that a difference does exist between having charity and being charitable:

"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."

~1 Corinthians 13: 3

You can be charitable and do good deeds and still not have charity. So what is charity then?

"Charity is the pure love of Christ."

~Moroni 7:47

Meaning it is Christ's love. It belongs to him. It is a love so pure and perfect that when we receive it from him it fills our whole souls with light, it casts out all fear (Moroni 8: 16-17), and makes us anxious to bless the whole human race with it that they too may partake of its goodness (Joseph Smith). It is the exceedingly great joy that fills Nephi's soul as he eats the fruit of the tree of life. It is sweet above all that is sweet and white above all that is white and pure above all that pure. It is the fruit of the Atonement (Ether 12: 33-35). It fills us with unspeakable joy. It is pure forgiveness. It is no respector of persons. It is completely selfless. It is grace and mercy. It is the love that the Father bestows upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ. It is requisite in becoming a son or daughter of God (Moroni 7:48). It is the attribute of perfection.

It is the epitome of Christ. It is Christ.

Understanding this suddenly makes the scriptures come alive with new meaning:

"Christ suffereth long, and is kind; Christ envieth not; Christ vaunteth not himself, is not puffed up, 

"Doth not behave himself unseemily, seeketh not his own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 

"Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 

"Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

"Christ never faileth.

...

"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

(meaning the love we have and the charity we exhibit to others is only the beginnings of true and pure charity offered from Christ).

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child (selfish instincts/motives): but when I became a man, I put away childish things (selfishness and acquired selflessness).

"For now we see through a glass (mirror), darkly ; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

~1 Corinthians 13: 4-13

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.”

~Moroni 7: 48

A Man without Eloquence

"...When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men."

~2 Nephi 33:1

From this scripture we learn that there are dual requirements for learning the things of God. The first requirement requires that the speaker allows the Spirit to speak through them by not getting in its way. And the second requirement requires the hearer to allow the message from the Spirit to come into their hearts. 

On my mission in England I learned about the importance of getting out of the way of the Spirit and allowing it to preform it's sacred role as the teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many times I was stubborn and attempted to teach others with my own learning and understanding, striving to prove the scriptures to them.  However every time I did this I got in the way of the Spirit teaching and the results were always frustration  and a lack of edification on both sides. 

On the contrary when I acknowledged my weaknesses and allowed the Spirit to speak through me without trying to interrupt it's message both I and the listeners were edified together. Many times the Spirit even taught me truths as I spoke.

President Brigham Young illustrates a perfect example of how a man without eloquence created a pure channel for the Spirit to speak through, resulting in President Young's own conversion.

Paul reiterates this first prerequisite requirement in his epistle to the Corinthians and then also mentions what keeps us from accomplishing the second requirement for learning the things of God:

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God....

"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God....

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, except he has the Spirit of God.

"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

~1 Corinthians 2:1, 4-5, JST 11, 12-14

Thus to learn by the Spirit and allow its teachings into our hearts we must put off the natural man. King Benjamin teaches us how:

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

~Mosiah 3:19

Following the Leader

"The best leaders are the best followers." This principle is demonstrated by the church in Thessalonica. 

1 Thessalonians 1:5-7

"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 

"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

"So that ye were ensamples to all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia."

The church in Thessalonica became followers of Paul and Silas. 

Paul and Silas were followers of Christ.

Christ was the perfect follower of God.

Because Christ was the perfect follower of God, he became a perfect leader to follow (John 8:26-28,38; 14:20, etc.). Prophets in like manner, both anciently and today are the leaders that we follow, because they are perfect followers of Christ. The chain is continuous forever as we align our will with God's, through Christ's, through Prophets. As we adhere to the words of the prophets, and scriptures we become followers of Christ, and leaders (lights) for others to follow.

When we think of role models and the attributes that they possess we see them as great leaders. However a closer look into their lives would reveal that the reason they are great leaders is because they became great followers of a leader/role model before them.

This chain down through the ages links the fathers to their children, and ultimately our Heavenly Father to His spirit children. Insomuch that we can become like Him and receive His image in our countenance. (Mal 4:6; Alma 5:14,19).

Gifts of the Spirit

This past week I had the opportunity to learn about the gifts of the spirit. They are a lot more common than we realize. In fact nearly every time the Priesthood is used a spiritual gift is being demonstrated.

Before diving in I give full credit to W. Jeffrey Marsh in his book The Light Within for ideas and the resource of information.

What are Spiritual Gifts:

• Spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Holy Ghost. 
• They are given as a witness to us that our baptismal covenant is being honored

Are there pre-requisites for obtaining spiritual gifts:

• Yes, having the Holy Ghost as a companion is pertinant
• Additionally is the aspect of being born again through: Faith, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and receiveing the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Humility before God
• Seeking, Asking and then exercising gifts at the appropiate time and according to God's will
• 1 Cor 13 teaches that unless we have Charity all spiritual gifts profit us nothing

Who has them:

• All who receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism are entitled to receive at least one spiritual gift. More can be given
• Those who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints can also receive these gifts temporarily, although the greatest of spiritual gifts are available onle to members of Christ's church.

Why are we given them/ What is their purpose in the Plan of Salvation/ For what purpose are they used/ Why are they necessary:

• Spiritual gifts are given to perfect us and others
• They are given for our benefit and others, that all may be profited thereby
• They help us live more spiritually and enable us to be of greater service to others

How do we recognize what gifts we have been given:

• Patriarchal blessings
• Counseling with the Lord
• Through Prayer
• Through loved ones
• Through our leaders
• Through those who know us best
• Pondering Priesthood blessings
• Remembering the promises made to us when we are set apart for callings

Are there varying levels of spiritual gifts:

• Yes. 1 Cor 14 teaches how the gift of prophecy is greater than the gift of tongues
• The greatest gift is that of a seer. (Mosiah 8:16)

Why do some have one gift while others another:

• We are all at different levels in our pathway to perfection. Gifts are given in relation to our spiritual progression and maturity. 
• 1 Cor 12:12-31 teaches how we are all members of the body of Christ, and we are given different gifts to complement,enrich, and edify each other. If we all had the same gift then no one would be edified.

Gifts of the Spirit mentioned in the scriptures

Exodus 31:1-6

Wisdom

Understanding

Knowledge

All manner of workmanship

Devise cunning works

Work in gold, silver, brass

Cut and set precious stones

Carve timber

Wisdom to make all that God commands

D&C 46:13-25; Moroni 10:9-16; 1 Corinthians 12:5-10

Knowing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

Believing the testimonies of those who know Jesus is the Christ

Administration in the kingdom of God

Discerning whether trends in society are of God

Possessing wisdom

Having knowledge and understanding to know how to teach it to others

Faith to be healed

Faith to heal

Understanding the working of miracles

Prophesying

Discerning spirits

Speaking in tongues

Interpreting tongues

Teaching the word of wisdom

Teaching the word of knowledge

Exercising exceedingly great faith

Working mighty miracles

Prophesying concerning all things

Beholding angels and ministering spirits

Daniel 2; 1 Nephi 2:2; 1 Nephi 8; Joel 2:28

Dreams

Visions

Jacob 4:6; Moses 7:13

Faith to command the elements

Mosiah 8:16-17; Moses 6:35-36

Seers to see all things both physical and spiritual

Mosiah 18:16,26; 27:5; Moroni 10:32-33

Filled with the Grace of God

Alma 9:21; D&C 100:5-8; Mosiah 28:11,13-16

Converse with angels

Speak/Teach/Preach by the Spirit

Translate Languages

2 Nephi 32:2-3

Speak in the tongue of angels

Moroni 6:9

Conduct meetings by the Spirit

Moses 6:5

Write by the Spirit

3 Nephi 29:6

Power to heal

Mormon 9:24

Power to cast out devils

Protection against poisonous serpents

Power to lay hands on the sick and bless them

D&C 124: 100

Power to raise the dead to life

D&C 93:1; 67:10

See God

Is there any connection between the Priesthood, Miracles and Spiritual Gifts:

Yes. When priesthood power is made manifest spiritual gifts are made manifest. Look at the above list and see how many gifts tie into the Priesthood. Additionally miracles both ancient and modern are signs of spiritual gifts.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said:

"When we serve in the Priesthood with all our heart, might, mind and strength, we have a promise of sublime knowledge, peace, and spiritual gifts. As we honor the Holy Priesthood, God will honor us, and we will 'stand blameless before [him] at the last day." 

How do we develop the gifts we have been given:

"Many times callings are extended to help us nurture and exercise spiritual gifts we may not even know we have. It takes a lot of prayer and practice to develop spiritual gifts. The Prophet Joseph said that "times and circumstances" are required to develop and "to call these gifts into operation." Accepting and fulfilling Church callings helps provide us with the "time and circumstances" to develop spiritual gifts."     -W. Jeffrey Marsh

How do we receive additional gifts:

“How many of you are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to bestow? How many of you, when you bow before your Heavenly Father in your family circle or in your secret places, contend for these gifts to be bestowed upon you? How many of you ask the Father in the name of Jesus to manifest Himself to you through these powers and these gifts? Or do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any faith whatever, content to be baptized and be members of the Church and to rest there, thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this?...

“If any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. Have I imperfections? I am full of them. What is my duty?  To pray to God to give me the gifts that will correct these imperfections. If I am an angry man, it is my duty to pray for charity, which suffereth long and is kind. Am I an envious man? It is my duty to pray to seek for charity, which envieth not. So with all the gifts of the Gospel. They are intended for this purpose. No man ought to say, ‘Oh, I cannot help this; it is my nature.’ He is not justified in it, for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lacks wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning His children. He wants His Saints to be perfected in the truth. For this purpose He gives these gifts, and bestows them upon those who seek after them, in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth, notwithstanding their many weaknesses, because God has promised to give the gifts that are necessary for their protection.”     -President George Q. Cannon

When there is a lack of spiritual gifts it means that the Holy Ghost is not functioning in a society. When spiritual gifts and the Spirit cease to function among men, all is vain. (Moroni 7:37) 

“True greatness, from an eternal standpoint, is measured not in wordly station nor in ecclesiastical office, but in the possession of the gifts of the spirit and in the enjoyment of the things of God.”      -Elder Bruce R. McConkie

“God knows our gifts. My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve others that God provides us. But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve.”     -President Henry B. Eyring