The Gospel Doesn't Change



This is what the old one looks like.



New Book.



Alright, I had a neat experience.  A few days ago I happened across an old book entitled Gospel Principles.  This book is what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints used in the 1970s to teach the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a Sunday School class.  Nowadays, in the same Sunday School class, we use a book called Gospel Principles.  The newest edition went into use at the beginning of the year 2010.  That was last year.  A lot has changed in all those years.  Even with the book, the cover and the pictures have changed almost 100%.  But I got to thumbing through the book.  It turns out that all the chapters of this manual are in the same order they were 40 years ago.  What impressed me more was that the words in it were almost exactly the same as the newer version.  There have been a few updates based on cultural and grammatical changes but really nothing has changed. 

It surprised me at first, but as I thought about it, it makes a lot of sense.  The gospel hasn't really changed at all.  It's still exactly what Jesus Christ taught when He was on the earth.  We could go back even further though.  Christ taught the same teachings to prophets in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon.  And in our day, that gospel and all of the truths of it have been restored to the earth.

A lot has changed in the world in the past 40 years but some things will never change.  Jesus Christ is our Savior.  The Principles of His gospel are set in stone and will never be altered or adulterated within His restored church.  Jesus Christ is at the head of our church and through His priesthood it is led.

All About Mormons: What Makes Them Different?

"What makes the LDS church different from other Christian churches?"

If you've ever wondered this, or even if you haven't, I'm gonna answer it.  A lot of people notice a difference in Mormons from others.  Some notice our focus on families, some our extreme zeal for sharing our faith, and others think we are weird because we don't drink, smoke, swear, or fornicate.  I'm not saying that nobody else in the world lives by those standards.  But, as a missionary, people have mentioned these differences to me. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is Jesus Christ's church on the earth today.  It wasn't born from another church, it wasn't thought up by a man. God called Joseph Smith as a prophet.  Through him, God restored His church.  All of the doctrine and organization of Jesus Christ's church is now available in simplicity to all the inhabitants of the earth.  For more on this restoration, click here. 

The reason Mormons are different than others is because they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ.  We seek to understand the will of God and do our best to live accordingly. The Lord has made it known on multiple occasions that the members of His church will be a peculiar people (click here).  Dictionary.com defines "peculiar" as " distinctive in nature or character from others".  Considering that, it shouldn't be so surprising that members of Christ's modern church are are seen as being different from everyone else.

I bear witness that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true.  It's God's kingdom on the earth.  That's what makes us different.

Gravel

The other day my companion and I were doing some service in the community.  We were helping out somebody shovel a big pile of gravel.  We were moving the gravel, with the help of a trusty wheelbarrow to another spot around the building.  At first, the work wasn't all that difficult, just fill the wheelbarrow, roll it around, and dump it.  But as fatigue set in I became a bit discouraged.  Every time we went back to that pile of gravel, it looked exactly the same.  I didn't feel that my efforts in transporting that gravel were accomplishing a whole lot. 

I think a lot of people fall into this trap when trying to help others.  We don't see the immediate results of our efforts so we become discouraged.  Just like the gravel pile, those we are trying to help don't always look or act a whole lot different right away.  Even in our day-to-day interactions with them, we may not recognize how much we really are helping.  However, the Lord has told us to "be not weary in well-doing, for [we] are laying the foundation of a great work" (D&C 64:33). 

So I'll fast-forward to the end of our gravel story.  The gravel will eventually be laid out to make a walkway leading up to a doorway.  Although it doesn't seem very productive at the time, our efforts will help people comfortably get from their cars to the doorway of that building. 

I know that as we continue to help others, God will bless us.  It may be difficult or frustrating, but our efforts are appreciated.  We will come to know that "out of small things proceedeth that which is great"!  And that's a promise!

"Forgive, and Ye Shall Be Forgiven"

Forgiveness is a hard thing.  People are really mean sometimes.  It's really hard to forgive someone for doing something that makes your life difficult or inconvenient.  Trespasses against us range from the menial to the severe.  But forgiveness is essential to any disciple of Christ.

Jesus Christ shared a parable about a king and his servant.  The servant owed his king a very large debt.  The time of reckoning eventually came and the king wanted his money.  The servant begged for forgiveness.  The merciful king "was moved with compassion ... and forgave him the debt".  This is a great manifestation of the principle of forgiveness.  Just like this servant, we can be forgiven of all our sins, when we disobey God's commandments.  But the story goes on.  The forgiven servant remembered a debt one of his "fellowservants" owed him.  This debt was much smaller than the original amount owed to the king.  This unrighteous man demanded the money.  Similar to his creditor, the debtor begged for mercy, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all".  The unrighteous servant would not forgive him but "cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt".

We don't want to be like this wicked servant.  When we feel the peace and mercy of Christ's love in our lives, we should show that to others.  We should follow our Savior's example and forgive others.  We don't need to hold grudges or seek revenge.  We can know true happiness with others when we master the art of forgiveness.  In fact, to be forgiven of our own sins we must learn to forgive others.  We must school all our feelings and follow the example of our savior. 

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6: 37)

Articles of Faith #13

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things"

So this is the last Article of Faith.  It kinda sums up everything we, as members of Jesus Christ's church, try to do and be.  We believe it is important to be a good person.  We believe in being honest and true in our dealings with our fellow men.  We believe that chastity, benevolence, and virtue should "garnish [our] thoughts unceasingly" (D&C 121: 45). In short, we believe in following the example set by Jesus Christ.


Jesus Christ is perfect.  Although He was tempted, He never broke God's commandments.  He was baptized by John "to fulfill all righteousness".  Christ spent his entire life going "about doing good" (Acts 10:38).  He caused the blind see, the lame to walk, and the deaf to hear.  He brought people back to life, walked on water, and miraculously fed vast multitudes.  Christ understood perfectly what His Heavenly Father expected of Him.  Our Savior showed this by taking upon Himself the sins of the world.  Just before His suffering on the cross was over he uttered the words: "it is finished" (John 19:30).  Our Lord and redeemer Jesus Christ truly finished His work on this earth. 

We believe that we need to follow Christ's example.  He did His work and we need to do ours.  He is the embodiment of faith, hope, and charity.  As members of His church we are to build those qualities in our own lives.  He spent His entire life in service to His fellowmen.  It is our purpose, as Christ's church, to provide needed help to all of God's children.  Jesus Christ set the perfect example and we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe we should follow Him.  Just like the original disciples, Christ invites us to follow Him. 

Just like our savior, we need to help others in any way we can.

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.  I know that His church is restored.  God has called a prophet in these latter days.  God speaks through His prophet!  I firmly believe when we do our best to follow Christ's example "the windows of heaven" will be opened unto us.  Of this I humbly and sincerely testify.

For more on The Articles of Faith see http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/.

Articles of Faith #12

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law"

We firmly believe that earthly governments and authorities ought to be respected and upheld.  The Lord said, in a revelation to His prophet, that "the law of the land ... is justifiable before me" (D&C 98: 5).  We have a duty, as God's children, to live according to the law and be upstanding members of society.  In addition to simply living within the confines of the law, we believe it is important to participate in the process as much as we can.  It is important to vote on whom the "kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates" are.  We are to stand up and have our voice heard on issues of law and government.  We are to defend our rights of worship, morality, speech, and many others.  But as we do so, we are not representing the church.  We are fulfilling our duty as citizens of our respective societies.

I believe that Jesus Christ lives!  I know His church and His priesthood are restored to the earth.  I know that as we follow His example and live the laws of the land, we can be true representatives of Him.

For more on the Articles of Faith, see http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/

Articles of Faith #11

"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may"

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints believe in religious freedom.  We claim that right for ourselves and we don't try to stop anyone from exercising that right for themselves.  There are millions of different religious beliefs and no matter the faith, we, as a church, are accepting.  All are free to "worship how, where, or what they may". 

Now, as a missionary, I have been challenged on this point.  Some accuse me (and other missionaries) of trying to infringe upon that basic right of humanity.  They believe that we want to "force" everyone to believe what we believe.  In this I answer that we are following the example of Jesus Christ.  He did not force anyone to believe.  He did not encroach on any church's right to believe in whatever they wanted.  He simply taught the truth and invited people to accept and act on that truth.  In fact, we as missionaries, are not discouraging people to exercise their freedom of worship but actively and diligently encouraging others to use this freedom.  It is great to live in a society where we, as citizens, can gather all the information we want (scholastically and spiritually) and use that knowledge to act "according to the dictates of our own conscience".  Like Christ, we simply teach the truth and invite others to take advantage of this wonderful freedom that we have.

I know that Christ's church is restored.  I know that His priesthood is on the earth.  I know that God is merciful and will help us when we come to Him in prayer.  I pray that all can exercise their freedom of worship and do just that.

The Articles of Faith #2

"We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression."

God gives us commandments.  Most notably, the Ten Commandments, but there are many others.  God gives us commandments and expects us to live by those standards.  When we disobey, God is displeased; but when we follow His commandments He is happy with us.

There is a time in the future (after we leave this earth) when we will all come before Jesus Christ and be judged.  The Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, teaches that we will "be judged according to [our] works".  If we have done good  in this life (kept the commandments, served God), then we will "be restored unto that which is good".  But if our works have been not good, or "evil", then we will be rewarded accordingly.  Alma then explains how to make sure our "works" are good: "If [you have] repented of [your] sins, and desired righteousness until the end of [your] days, even so [you] shall be rewarded unto righteousness" (Alma 41:3-6). 

This is what it means in the second Article of Faith by saying we "will be punished for [our] own sins".  God sets forth eternal laws, and violation of those laws brings sure punishment.  The only way to overcome this is through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.  We do not believe that we will be punished for the mistakes of our fathers but for our own sins and transgressions, based on decisions we have made.

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is available to everybody.  I know that obedience to the commandments of God, as revealed through His prophets in ancient and modern days, will bring blessings in this life and eternal joy in the life to come.

for more on the Articles of Faith, see http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith/.

Look to the Light

This Video is great.  It shows how Christ can make a difference in anybody's life.  It shows how anybody can find Christ and refocus on what is important.

Merry Christmas.

Joy to the World

It's Christmas time!  It's the best.  I love seeing all the lights around the neighborhood.  I love the Christmas trees lit up in people's windows.  I love the seasonal cookies.  I love the fresh snow (except when I'm behind the wheel).  I like fudge too.  But the best part of Christmas is the music.  I firmly beleive the immortal words of the movie Elf, "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"!

Heavenly Father sent His son to the earth.  Jesus Christ is truly the Savior of the World.  This time is set apart by christians (and some non-christians) everywhere to celebrate His coming into the world.  One song that illustrates the joy we should all feel is Joy to the World. 

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king!
Let every heart prepare him room,
And saints and angels sing.

I love this hymn.  Jesus Christ is the king of kings.  I hope we can all follow the advice given here and "prepare Him room" in our hearts.  That is the true Christmas spirit, when Christ enters our hearts.  When this happens is when "saints and angels sing" together the praises of our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ.

I invite anybody reading this to take time amidst all the cookies, fudge, lights, presents, and reindeer to listen to and ponder on these oft-sung Christmas carols.  Your burdens will be lightened and your life will be happier as you more fully understand and accept the importance of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Fulfil all Righteousness

Before Jesus Christ began His ministry on this earth a prophet was sent to "prepare the way" for the Savior of the world.  This man's name was John.  He is commonly known as John the Baptist.  He taught about repentance and he baptized his disciples unto repentance.  John the Baptist held the priesthood authority required to perform this saving ordinance. 

Early in the New Testament account of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry he traveled "from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him".  John recognized the sinless man coming forth to be baptized and didn't feel worthy to perform this act.  Our savior taught a glorious truth when he replied to the baptist, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness" (Matthew 3:13-15).  (Also see 2 Nephi 31: 5-7 in the Book of Mormon)

I know that the words of Christ are true when he said "except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).  I know that baptism is required of God to return to live with Him in His kingdom.  I know that God's priesthood authority is necessary in performing this sacred ordinance.  I also know that this priesthood has been restored "to fulfil all righteousness" in these latter days.  Jesus Christ lives and His church is restored.

The Restoration

The central message that missionaries share with people is the message of the Restoration.  This restoration is referring to Christ's church on the earth.

When Christ was on the Earth He set up a church.  This was not the first time His church was on the earth (nor would it be the last).  But, as we know, Christ was rejected and crucified.  He left His twelve apostles to govern the church.  These men held the priesthood of God and through them Jesus Christ continued to run His church.  Over time, these twelve men were rejected and killed.  With them went God's holy priesthood.  Without the priesthood on the earth Christ's church was lost.  People set up their own churches and professed them to be the true church.  Many of these pepole were honest, truth-seeking people attempting to do God's work.  Much good has come and will continue to come from these churches.  But without the priesthood of God, they could not act in the name of our savior Jesus Christ.

After nearly 2,000 years, our Heavenly Father showed His love to us by restoring that original church.  God called a prophet through whom He restored that priesthood authority held by Christ's original apostles.  There is a prophet on the earth today.  He is assisted by twelve modern-day apostles.  God loves us.  He has restored His church.  I know this to be true.

God is Our Loving Heavenly Father

God loves us.  He really is our Father in Heaven.  We truly are His children.  I am grateful for this knowledge.  We lived with Him before we came to this Earth.  We are separated from Him now, and we must walk by faith if we hope to return to live with Him someday.

In the Book of Mormon today, I read an example of somebody who has felt God's love.  The prophet, Alma, attempted to teach the wicked people of Ammonihah but was rejected.  He leaves Ammonihah without intending to ever return.  He is obviously pretty upset about the whole situation.  The scriptures recordthat while Alma was "wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul ... an angel of the Lord appeared unto him".  The angel comforted him and told him that he has "great cause to rejoice; for [he had] been faithful in keeping the commandments of God" (Alma 8: 14-15).  So it is with us.  God is happy with us when we do what is right.  He is unhappy when we disobey his commandments.  However he loves us equally either way.  I so bear witness in the name of my savior Jesus Christ.

Is it for a good reason?

I was reading the Book of Mormon today and I came across an interesting verse.  In this verse the prophet, Alma, is fighting in a war with his people, the Nephites.  At this point Alma is fighting one-on-one with the leader of the opposing army.  As is common in life-threatening situations Alma cries to God to protect him, "O Lord, have mercy and spare my life".  Clearly Alma doesn't want to die right at this moment.  But what caught my attention was Alma's purpose to continue living.  He continues, "spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people" (Alma 2:30).  Alma wasn't fearing death, he simply had more to do with his life.  He was the leader of the Nephite Government and the Church at that time.  He knew that his life being preserved would be a great blessing to many others.

The most important part however is how Alma backed up this statement.  He eventually gave up his role as the "Chief Judge" to devote his life to the ministry to which he was called.  He convinced many to come unto Christ and enjoy the blessings of the Gospel. 

So when we really want something; riches, talents, knowledge, etc. ; we need to consider why we want it.  If it is to fulfill God's purposes, God will likely assist us in attaining that when we come to Him in prayer.

I know that as we seek to do God's will, we will see His hand in all we do.

The Iron Rod

In the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi and later his son, Nephi, see a vision of a "Tree of Life".  Leading to this tree is an "iron rod".  This rod provides guidance along the only path to the Tree of Life.  There are many distractions along the way but only by holding fast to the rod of iron can anybody hope to taste of the fruit of the Tree of Life.

In explaining the symbolism of this vision, Nephi says that the "iron rod is the word of God".  "The word of God" as recorded by His prophets is called scripture.  In the light of the restored Gospel we have four books of scripture which we call the Standard Works.  These include The Holy Bible, The Book Of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.  In addition to these books of scripture, Christ's living Prophets and Apostles provide us with "the word of God" for daily guidance and direction for our time.

If we can ever hope to reach the Tree of Life we must hold fast to the iron rod.  We must treasure the word of God.  We must read and learn from the scriptures.  We must follow the counsel of modern-day prophets.  We must resist ALL distractions that can and will come along our ways.  To dwell with Heavenly Father for eternity and truly enjoy the fruit of the Tree of Life we must stay on the strait and narrow path leading to Him.  Luckily, we have an iron rod to help us along the way.

And when temptation's power is nigh
Our pathway clouded o'er
Upon the rod we can rely
And Heaven's aid implore
(Hymns #274)

None can escape the mist of darkness.  But as we proceed, holding fast to the iron rod, we can make it.  I add my testimony that Jesus Christ lives.  He has spoken to His prophets in ancient times and He does so now.  Following the counsel of these prophets is how we return to live with our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.