Enduring well and to the end...

There has been a phrase that has followed me throughout my life. It was a mild chastening given to Oliver Cowdery when he failed in his attempt to translate some of the Book of Mormon from the golden plates. The Lord said to Oliver in verse 5 of the 9th section of the D&C, "behold, it is because that you did not continue as you commenced....that I have taken away this privilege from you."

From a very young age I have run into the problem of being a great starter but a poor finisher. I look back with some regret on unrealized potential. The famous quote of John Greenleaf Whittier come to mind, "For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these 'it might have been'." When I dwell on opportunities past or lost I find myself becoming a bit melancholy and even depressed. It is at these times we need to look forward and resolve one more time to make the changes we know we need to. This life is all about endurance. It is about moving forward and making today better than yesterday and this year better than the last. It is never too late to begin again.

I am inspired by the powerful examples found in the scriptures of men and women who went through incredible trials and challenges and remained faithful. Job, Abraham, Nephi, Esther, Sariah, and most importantly Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith lamented the trials in his life and in the lives of those he loved and the Savior promised, "all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." I am increasingly taken aback by the incredible examples to be found in our ward. We have members that are dealing with Alzheimers, job loss, death of children, the passing of a spouse, cancer and other serious health issues, various addictions, divorce and abuse. I can think of very few families or people in our ward that are not facing significant challenges...and in all likelihood those I am considering probably have just done a good job of hiding things.

Brothers and sisters, we are not meant to pass though this life without difficulty...opposition is part of God's plan for his children. I know it is hard to stay the course, it is a daily challenge for me to be doing the things I know I need to do, but we need to try...when we fall we get back up...when we slip we repent...we never ever give up! Bind the Lord, claim the blessings!

In Paul's letter to the Hebrews he writes:

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

We need to continue as we righteously commence. We need to not get frustrated when we do not see immediate blessings...God is in control...his promises are sure...We will see their fulfillment in our lives if we can stay the course and endure to the end. Let us be found keeping the commandments. Let us pray like everything depends on the Lord and then work as though everything depends on us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

 

Words of wisdom from a fortune cookie...

I was sitting down in the faculty lounge eating some vegetables when I noticed a box of fortune cookies sitting in the middle of one of the tables. I grabbed a fortune cookie on my way out and cracked it open. I pulled out the fortune and was struck immediately by the words which were written on the slip of paper, it read, "Be careful, you are easily tempted".

I was shocked for a few moments as I thought about those words. It occurs to me that there is a lot of truth in that statement and wise counsel for all of us. Satan, the master tempter, is intimately aware with our areas of weakness and will constantly be nudging and hinting...carefully trying to lead us into situations where we will be most vulnerable to our particular vices. Even wonderful and faithful Nephi exclaimed in the 4th chapter of 2nd Nephi:

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.

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

 None of us are immune to falling prey to the temptations of the deceiver. Moroni beheld weakness of a different sort but the words of the Lord to him about his perceived shortcomings are just as applicable to us regardless of where our weak points are:

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Let us all heed the warning of the fortune cookie and be careful, because we are all easily tempted in some areas. There is an oft quoted promise found in 1 Corinthians that reads:

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

but in Alma 13 we are given further instructions: 

But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;  

We can get ourselves into situations where our ability to resist a particular temptation will be compromised. we need to exercise caution (watching) and avoid places where temptation will be prevalent. We need to be actively praying and then the Lord's promise that we will overcome is of full potency. Let us be faithful brothers and sisters.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Receiving revelation in our lives

In Elder Richard G. Scott's most recent conference address he says:

One of the great lessons that each of us needs to learn is to ask. Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received.

As I was reading his talk this morning I recalled some thoughts I had last year while studying Jacob in the Book of Mormon. I recorded these thoughts at the time in the online journal available in the study notebook the church website provides and include some of that entry here:

Jacob inquired and as he inquired he received revelation for those within his stewardship. Chapter 1 says he was addressing them "after he had obtained his errand from the Lord". We also have the right and responsibility to seek inspiration on behalf of those whom we are called to serve. It is our duty to deliver to them the words the Lord would have them hear.

I am entitled to inspiration and revelation for the ward, each auxiliary organization is entitled to receive and more importantly responsible to obtain direction from a loving heavenly Father for their stewardships. If we are trying to run our programs independent of the Lord then our efforts will be far less effective than they would otherwise be.

I think it is even more important to consider the role revelation should play in our families. It begins as we seek revelation for ourselves. What can we do better? What do we have going on in our lives that may be impeding our ability to hear and feel the promptings God is sending to help us with our individual challenges. Elder Scott said:

When I am faced with a very difficult matter, this is how I try to understand what to do. I fast. I pray to find and understand scriptures that will be helpful. That process is cyclical. I start reading a passage of scripture; I ponder what the verse means and pray for inspiration. I then ponder and pray to know if I have captured all the Lord wants me to do. Often more impressions come with increased understanding of doctrine. I have found that pattern to be a good way to learn from the scriptures. 

There are some practical principles that enhance revelation. First, yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost. Those emotions must be eliminated, or our chance for receiving revelation is slight.

He further states:

On the other hand, spiritual communication can be enhanced by good health practices. Exercise, reasonable amounts of sleep, and good eating habits increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation. We will live for our appointed life span. However, we can improve both the quality of our service and our well-being by making careful, appropriate choices. It is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the Spirit.

We need to be seeking the Lord's guidance. Let us obtain personal revelation to guide us in our responsibilities. Parents, strengthen your marital bonds through revelation, obtain revelation to guide and direct and bless your children. Find inspiration to serve in your callings. Let God give you a vision of the importance of your service.

Finally some concluding words from Elder Scott:

The scriptures depict how an individual’s capacity to conquer difficulty, doubt, and seemingly insurmountable challenges is strengthened by the Lord in time of need. As you ponder such examples, there will come a quiet confirmation through the Holy Spirit that their experiences are true. You will come to know that similar help is available to you.

I have seen individuals encountering challenges who knew what to do when it was beyond their own experience because they trusted in the Lord and knew that He would guide them to solutions that were urgently required. 

The Lord has declared: “And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.”² The words sanctify yourselves may appear puzzling. President Harold B. Lee once explained that you can replace those words with the phrase “keep my commandments.” Read that way, the counsel may seem clearer.³

It is my hope that each of us will live to be worthy to receive divine guidance and that we will be active in asking for that direction.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Lessons from Peter walking on the water

Brothers and Sisters,

I think we are all familiar with the story from the bible (Matthew 14) about Peter walking on water. There have been many analogies given and I have felt like it would be beneficial to mention a few things about this experience to give us greater understanding about the ways of the Lord. The story begins shortly after Christ feeds the 5000 with five small barley loaves and two small fishes. We read:

22 ¶And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

The way our Savior conducted his life is worthy of emulation. The Son of God frequently seeks sincere communication with His Father in private prayer. The greatest man to ever walk the earth had need of the direction, comfort, and guidance God could provide. This example brings to mind another scripture from the New Testament found in the first chapter of Mark verse 35 which reads, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed". There is always time and reasons to pray, even if it requires us to get up a great while before day!.

Continuing with the experience of Peter walking on the water:

 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

The Sea of Galilee is prone to such storms and as fisherman Peter and other of the disciples were no strangers to the dangers such storms presented. The fourth watch of night places us between 3:00 and 6:00 AM, the disciples had been in the midst of the storm for some time. According to the account of this event recorded in John they had been rowing since the adverse wind  did not allow them to put out their sail and so had traveled around three and a half miles in 8 hours. Imagine the fatigue and fear you would have if you found yourself in this situation. It is here that Christ comes to his followers walking on the water amidst the waves.

 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
 29 And he said, come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Lets look at the verses in order. First, Peter expresses a desire to come unto the Lord and expresses a willingness to accept an invitation from Christ to do the seemingly impossible if asked to do so. So many of us are in the same situation, we have desires to come unto Christ and he has extended an invitation to all of us. This coming to Christ really is an impossibility without his help though. We all sin and fall short but are invited to "come unto Christ and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32).

Like Peter there will be times on our journey to our Savior, to eternal life, when we will feel overcome by the winds and storms of life. We may find ourselves sinking. We might be having trouble with children, with a spouse, with our health, with employment, with addiction or any other of a myriad of potential difficulties this life presents. We need to follow the example of Peter and cry out, "Lord, save me"! Christ's reaction will be the same for each of us as it was for Peter, "immediately" He will stretch forth his hand and catch us up. This hand may take many different forms. The prophets have said that often times our prayers are answered through other people. The reality is when we sincerely ask the Lord for help, then help will be forthcoming.

The last thing I would like to touch on from the account of Peter walking on the water is sometimes overlooked. After Christ takes Peter's hand they are still out on the water some distance from the ship and the storm is still raging. The same dangers Peter perceived as he walked towards Jesus are there but when the Savior is lending us support those hazards look manageable and far less threatening. Bottom line is Peter was still walking on water to get back to the ship...he was still doing something miraculous but was performing without much comment since with the Savior by his side he was at peace.

It can be the same with us. There are many of you who set the example for me. As I see you handle the difficult challenges in your life with confidence and grace. I am struck with wonder and amazement at your humility and faith. Thank you for the example of your faithful lives. May the Lord bless us all to seek for help when we are in need is my prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

April 2004 Elder Oaks asks...

I was studying in Matthew today and came across the parable of the 10 virgins, I remembered a talk given by Elder Oaks a few years ago and upon reviewing that talk the following paragraphs really struck me:

What if the day of His coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow—through our premature death or through His unexpected coming—what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgivenesses would we extend? What testimonies would we bear?

If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained? If our lamps of preparation are drawn down, let us start immediately to replenish them.

We sometimes find ourselves complacent, waiting for a reason to make a change when the act of breathing combined with a testimony of the Gospel should be enough to get us up and headed in the direction we know we should be going. Let us do as Elder Oaks suggests and if there are changes we would be willing to make if we knew the savior would be here by the end of the month lets make them now while there is time.

Living the Law of the Fast

Brothers and Sisters,

I was reading about my responsibilities as Bishop and one of the primary duties is the administration of the Bishop's storehouse. According to Bishop Burton this particular resource is not even available to the 1st Presidency but is the exclusive responsibility assigned to Bishops. As I read further in the Handbook of instructions I was directed to study Isaiah 58.

I include some of the relevant passages here:

3 ¶^aWherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not?wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your ^bfast ye find ^cpleasure, and^dexact all your labours.
 4 Behold, ye fast for ^astrife and ^bdebate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not ^cfast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.

The key part of these verses is the last part of verse 4...I have the impression that we need to make more of our fasting or we shall not be able to make our voices heard on high. Some may find themselves going through the motions of the fast, observing the outward ordinance with no real humility. It has been said that fasting without prayer is just going hungry.

What then are the promises associated real fasting, Isaiah illuminates further:

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the ^abands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go ^bfree, and that ye break every yoke?
 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the ^ahungry, and that thou bring the ^bpoor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from^cthine own flesh?
 8 ¶Then shall thy ^alight break forth as the morning, and thine^bhealth shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy ^crereward.
 9 Then shalt thou ^acall, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the ^bputting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
 10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the ^ahungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light ^brise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
 11 And the Lord shall ^aguide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in ^bdrought, and ^cmake fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a ^dspring of water, whose waters fail not.

What incredible promises if we truly observe the Law of the Fast! There are requirements and one of those that is possibly more overlooked is repeated in the above verses several times. We need to open our hearts and "deal our bread to the hungry", and "draw out 'our' souls to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul".

We have many in our ward boundaries that are struggling and are in need of assistance, but I am more concerned about those in our ward that are in a position to be generous and choose not to be. Brothers and Sisters great are the promises to those that give generously of their means. "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise" (D&C 82:10)

Let us claim the promised blessings and be found doing all that we can to sanctify our hearts and purify our lives. I know as we do so the Lord will bless us abundantly.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Bishop Asay