A Game of Hot and Cold

I remember playing a guessing game when I was little where the person who was “it” had to find an object that someone else had hidden. The only clues given were to tell the person searching whether they were close or not by simply saying, "warm, warmer, hot," or "cold, colder, freezing." The hotter you were, the closer you were to finding the object.

I like to compare this game of “Hot and Cold” with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Listening to the Holy Spirit is much like getting subtle impressions of how close we are to doing what is right. Listening for the directions can help us make corrections when necessary and stay on track. However, when we give in to temptation, we tend to stop listening to the directions given by the Holy Ghost. That is when we are in danger.

Months ago, I spoke with a friend about his experiences with the Holy Ghost. I asked him if he had faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. His answer surprised me. “I believe it is true,” he said, “but I don’t know it is true.” Silently I wondered how my friend could doubt so much to not believe that he had already been given knowledge. We discussed his testimony a little further and I gave him a few suggestions to ponder.

As each of us considers the strength of our personal testimonies, I believe there are three questions that can secure our faith. The first question is, “Can God lie?” The answer is a resounding no. He cannot lie or He would cease to be God. The second question is, “Can God speak to us?” The answer is a definite yes. At a minimum it is like playing Hot and Cold. But He can also give us instruction and inspiration. Then the third question, “Will God lead us astray?” Again the answer is no. The opposite defies reason. Everything God does is to help us return to His presence.

When we find ourselves in good circumstance, those who have faith are not likely to question these answers. However, when we are in the middle of a trial, they are the first truths we attack if our faith is weak. This is not to say that we don’t have faith, but rather our faith needs strengthening after being tested.

We may hear ourselves say, “I thought Father said He would take care of us and provide for us if we kept His commandments.” “Maybe He didn’t really speak to me, maybe I imagined it.” Or, “How did I get here. This is not where I thought I would be. I expected to be happier and safer.” Suddenly we question ourselves and Father. We begin to doubt and fear replaces our faith.

If we can remember these three questions before we are tried and tested – and be certain of their truth when we feel the Holy Spirit – it will help us to be patient and remember that the Lord will keep His promises, in His due time.

If we believe the answers to these three questions, and we believe that we have received answers to our prayers, then we can say with assurance that we have knowledge and not just faith – knowledge that God has spoken to us. We may not know the outcome of our choices, but that is where faith returns. Father allows us the opportunity to believe Him and have faith that what He said is true.

You may not be completely comfortable with those three questions yet, and if that is the case, that’s okay. There is still room to find out for yourself. The Savior’s invitation to ask God has been given to every dispensation. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

The follow up question I ask myself in relation to the first three is, “If the Lord does speak to me, how can I know for sure when He is speaking to me?” If I have impressions that tell me, "warm, warmer, hot," or "cold, colder, freezing," how can I be sure it really is Father? If I can answer that, I will have the start of a testimony.

Having learned the answer for myself, I can say I know that God lives, and I know He will not leave me, because the Holy Spirit has already confirmed to me that this is true. The key is to learn how to listen. Following are some key principles that were revealed to Joseph Smith regarding personal revelation and how to receive it.

The Lord has assured us that His words will be fulfilled. “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself….” Other things may change, but His word will not change. Knowing that He is committed can be the foundation of our testimonies if we believe that God cannot lie. (D&C 1:37-38)

In the Doctrine & Covenants, the Lord told Oliver Cowdery that as often as he had inquired of the Lord, that he received instruction of the Spirit. A witness of this is that his mind was enlightened. (D&C 6:14-15) Because the Lord is not a respecter of persons, each of us can learn if we will inquire through prayer. We can receive a witness of peace. The Lord further told Oliver, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:22-23)

When we pray, we should anticipate being enlightened. We should watch for inspiration to come. If we desire to know if this is from God, we should focus on how we feel and watch for the witness of peace in our hearts.

Both the mind and the heart are required to receive revelation. The Lord said, “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation….” (D&C 8:2-3) When we receive revelation from the Lord, the thoughts in our minds and the feelings in our hearts will be consistent.

Another important key to receiving revelation is contained in direction given by the Lord to Oliver Cowdery while he was assisting Joseph Smith in translation. We need to take an active role in seeking the answer. “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong….” (D&C 9:7-9)

To avoid being deceived, the Lord also gave additional council to make sure the thoughts and feelings of our hearts and minds are consistent with His heart and mind. To Hyrum Smith He said, “And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.” (D&C 11:12-14)

Receiving revelation, and gaining a testimony, requires time and practice. Placing oil in our lamps, in this case, is done a drop at a time. As we follow these principles, and find ourselves getting closer and closer to the Holy Spirit, the light of Christ will grow warmer and warmer in our hearts.

Occasionally when we play a game of hide and seek, where the truths we are seeking seem to elude us, we may get frustrated. We might be disappointed because we are not receiving the answers we desire, or we might be frustrated that our personal testimonies are not as strong as we would like. In either case, persistence in the correct course will pay off.

A testimony will lead us like a candle. The fact that it can lead us suggests that our actions will often follow after the light. In other words, sometimes our actions will lag behind our beliefs or our faith. We know what to do, but we don’t always do it. Because our beliefs and actions are not aligned does not mean we are hypocrites. If our hearts are pointed towards the thing we have not yet mastered, we are still followers. We need not worry unless our hearts are turned opposite from the things we say. Disciples are not required to be perfect to follow. Discipleship is the path that leads to perfection. We grow spiritually as we try to follow the Savior Jesus Christ by walking in His light.

In those moments when we feel that the hot and cold directions are not so clear, we should look closely at why. It is possible that we are not receiving direction because we have turned our hearts from the Lord. In this case, the answers may not come until we repent. Another possibility is that we are being tested to see if we are really listening and are ready to follow. He may just be checking the alignment of our hearts.

If I want to perform a quick alignment test on my car, I take both hands off of the steering wheel while I am driving, albeit only briefly. If the wheels are out of alignment, the car will veer ever so slightly to one side or the other. Typically it won’t go careening off the road. The misalignment may be very small – it may not even be detectable when both hands are on the steering wheel – but it will result in unnecessary wear on the tires which will require them to be replaced sooner.

Similar to the alignment of a car, our hearts need adjustment from time to time. When the Spirit withdraws temporarily, and we are left to our own devices to make a decision, we gain experience in studying out the matter for ourselves. Without the help of the Spirit to steer us, our actions make our alignment very clear, whether we are straight or veer slightly to one side. If we choose not to correct our hearts, we add undue stress to our choices.

The matter of spiritual alignment is critical in receiving revelation. It is no different than pouring water into a glass from pitcher. If we are not aligned, the water continues to flow, hitting the outside of the glass and doing nothing to fill it. When our glass is properly oriented, we will be filled to overflowing. The Lord told Joseph Smith, “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things. Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.” (D&C 88:67-68)

While the promise spoken of in these verses is great, the pathway that leads to that promise is full of revelation. One revelation will lead to another, line upon line, until we have received a fullness. The closer we get to Father, the more He can tell us. When we repent and are ready to follow His direction, the answers do come. The game of Hot and Cold becomes more of a pursuit. As we get closer to obtaining our goal, we are only satisfied with “warmer” and “hot” as answers. We never want to be cold again. Fortunately, we don’t have to as long as we take the Holy Ghost as our guide.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Well, What Do You Know?

There are some days that what you know is more important than what you think. Occasionally, as much as you hate to, you admit to yourself that you can’t do everything you would like. Sometimes you just have to acknowledge that your wife is right. Today is one of those times. My wife truly is a blessing. She has a knack for being right.

I have had a number of ideas swirling around in my head today, some of which I thought were really close to sharing. Unfortunately, I am having a difficult time extracting those thoughts to put in my own personal pensieve to look at. (Pardon the Harry Potter reference for those of you who may not have read the writing of J. K. Rowling, but it is a perfect analogy for what I am feeling.) Some thoughts need a little more time and energy to simmer before they can make it to print. I think that is where I am at the moment.

Liz and I had a wonderful experience today. We had three different speaking appointments where we were able to share some thoughts that were close to the heart; each was slightly different, but all were very rewarding. We have been with people we love very much, and that was a great blessing. As much as I like sharing ideas in print, I wouldn’t trade our experience today for the stamina to write a better blog post tonight. Instead, I’ll admit to myself that some thoughts will have to wait for another time. This time, what I have to share is simply what I know.

Father in heaven hears and answers prayers. Sometimes it happens by the way I feel when I ask Him a question and immediately after I have a thought or an impression come to my mind, accompanied by a peaceful and calm assurance that the impression is true. It is the feeling of the Holy Spirit. It sounds so simple, but it is true. It is also very comforting to know that it is possible for Father to speak to us. Today, Father answered three prayers for me this way. It is always beautiful, no matter how simple the question or the answer.

Sometimes Father answers my prayers through unique opportunities to do something for a friend, or a family that I home teach. That happened to me today. I have a friend that I have often asked if there was something I could do for him. Usually there isn’t. Today, however, there was. It was a small request, but I was grateful for the opportunity to finally do something for my friend. The short-notice request was an answer to prayer.

I have noticed that sometimes Father answers my prayers by a friend who calls late at night just to talk, or a friend that makes a special effort to see me during the day. Those are the times that I stop and recognize that Father is watching and allows good things to happen when I need them most. Both happened to me today at just the right times, and I am very grateful.

Sometimes I need help managing a difficult schedule while trying to accomplish everything I think I need to get to. I offer a simple prayer for some assistance to see a better way so I can focus on the things that are most important. I hope to make a difference to someone else – to share the feeling of the Comforter. I ask for help to accomplish everything I want to do, including the blog post that isn’t quite what I expect, and then I stop. I stop to count my blessings, recognizing that there are three more requests that Father has answered today. If my tally is correct, that brings my total to at least nine, just for today. There are probably more if I really thought about it. Sometimes it is good to stop and count. Today was definitely one of those days.

I can easily say that Father hears and answers prayers. I also know that He cannot lie when he says that He is not a respector of persons, but will answer anyone who asks in faith. If there are times when I feel that He is not listening or is not answering, perhaps I should think again and focus on what I know to be true. It may be that I didn’t take the time to count. Maybe it is just me who wasn’t listening because I didn’t hear the answer I expected. Sometimes He does pause a bit before answering, simply because the pause is part of His answer. Recognizing that, and appreciating it, can be a beautiful experience as well.

Either way, this much I know, that God lives. He is our Father. He wants us to check in from time to time, and usually that means multiple times a day. Father wants us to depend on Him, to trust Him, and counsel with Him. At the end of the day, when we offer our last prayer, He knows we will be closer to Him if we do. We will be more like Him when we demonstrate our faith. And each time we make the effort to talk to him, we are that much closer to getting back home.

This much I know. It is true.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Wherever Your Desires May Lead

“Be careful what you wish for,” is familiar enough advice that it usually elicits the same cause-and-effect response, “you just might get it.” The prophet Alma seemed to understand this principle a little clearer than most. You have likely heard the expression before, and possibly even used it yourself. But how much do you believe it?

“O that I were an angel,” is an intriguing exclamation by Alma, in chapter 29 of his record, when you compare it with the history that preceded and succeeded this statement.

We learn from the record of King Mosiah that Alma was a “wicked and idolatrous man,” and, “he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.” (Mosiah 27:8) His friends, the four sons of Mosiah did much to destroy the church of God. They were “the very vilest of sinners.” (Mosiah 28:4) Alma, himself later states that he rebelled against God and “murdered many of his children, or rather led them away to destruction.” (Alma 36:13-14) But he changed.

Not long after the peak of Alma’s wickedness was this statement made about him, “Alma did walk in the ways of the Lord, and he did keep his commandments….” (Mosiah 29:43) The reason for the change was a visit by an angel in answer to his father’s prayers. In this visit, Alma was severely chastened. He became weak and helpless for three days. However, in this experience, the words of the angel awoke in him a realization of his misplaced desires along with the eternal consequences that were bound fast to his choices. One thing that makes Alma unique is how quickly he fully repented and began to repair the damage he had caused.

Between ten and twenty years later, Alma, as the high priest over the church, visited a city of people who lived after the manner of his former example. The people of Ammonihah were hardhearted and wicked, and they refused to listen to Alma. As Alma was weighed down by the burden of confronting the effects of his own sins a second time, through the sins of those people, an angel again appeared to him. It was the same angel that visited him before. The angel encouraged Alma and commanded him to return to Ammonihah again because there were people who yet needed to be saved, just as Alma had.

Alma knew the power of an angel. He also knew that he had personally done terrible damage in his earlier years. Recognizing that Alma was the beneficiary of a ministering angel on at least two occasions adds great significance to his wish. “O that I were an Angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people.” (Alma 29:1)

A unique detail of Alma’s story is the fact that the manner of his death is not fully known. In abridging the Nephite record, Mormon said that Alma departed out of the land and was never heard of more. “As to his death or burial we know not of. Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses.” If that were the case, Alma got his wish.

While the history of Alma is interesting and worth reading, particularly the role that angels played in his life, it is not the part that I tend to focus on most. For me, the most important part about his story is the lesson on desire.

In the few verses that follow Alma 29:1, Alma says he sins in his wish because he ought to be content and isn’t. In verse 4 he says that Father grants unto men according to their desires with decrees that are unalterable. The word unalterable has a certain sense of finality – not that he will decree a judgment on us that is unfair, but that he will ultimately give us exactly what we want, because he is more than fair. This type of decree merits a closer look at what desire really is.

One may argue that desire is merely wanting. Perhaps it is. Yet we may receive according to our desires proportionately to their magnitude. Thus if our desires are great, the likelihood that we will realize them increases dramatically.

If a person who is close to death has a desire to live, and has any hope of doing so, their efforts to ensure that they do will likely be anything but casual. Survival becomes almost instinctive. People are willing to do almost anything to preserve their lives when they desire to avoid death. Whether it is our lives or other needs that we are willing to protect and preserve, we guard the things that are dearest to us. We keep these things carefully secured within the room our hearts with our desires. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Our desires and passions typically lead us to action. Just as faith without works is dead, desire without action may only be whimsy. We are beings that do what we want. If we want to work, we do. If you don’t want to work, but go anyway, be the judge if you are really working or just going through the motions. If this is true, we can more carefully measure what our desires are, not by what we want, but by what we do.

It is so important for us to watch our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. Each of them eventually shapes our desires. Alfred Lord Tennyson said, “The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.” Because this is true, and is consistent with what we are taught in scripture, it is worth a constant watch with accompanying prayer that we are not deceived. In addition to watching our desires, we need to watch for the adversary’s efforts to tempt us. A good friend of mine recently told me, “Desire is a good motivator, but like all things good, Satan loves to twist.” If we do not watch and pray always, Satan desires to have us, and he will use our desires to work against us rather than for us.

In contrast to the danger of misplaced desire, consider the instruction from the Lord to Joseph Smith regarding our wants. “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.” (D&C 88:67) As we focus on what the Lord wants, trusting that He truly wants us to be happy and is doing everything He possibly can to allow us that choice, our hearts change. They become new, and we become new creatures.

An interesting verse in the Book of Mormon tells us the importance of aligning our wants with God’s will. When Jesus appeared to the people on the American continent after His resurrection, He taught them to pray more sincerely. In 3 Nephi 19:24 we read that the people prayed without ceasing, and “they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire. If our desires are not aligned with God’s we can ask for help to change. When we do, He can teach us how to pray more sincerely. He can fill us with desire to do what is right. But, this can only happen when we are willing to turn our hearts to Him. We have to be willing to align our eyes so they are single to His work and His glory – to bring about our eternal happiness and exaltation. To have faith in Him is to trust that He is always right.

Remember, that when Alma changed and turned his heart to God, his exquisite and bitter pains were replaced with exquisite and sweet joy. He was filled with marvelous light, and was born of God. It was after he turned his heart and tasted of the goodness of God, that he knew he would be supported under his trials, his troubles, and his afflictions, and would be lifted up at the last day. (Alma 36:3, 20-21, 23)

Moreover, Alma taught his son, “see that ye bridle all your passions that ye may be filled with love….” (Alma 38:12) As we do, we learn to sing the song of redeeming love. The atonement becomes active in our lives and our hearts are sanctified that we cannot look upon sin except with abhorrence. In this process, we truly become like our Father.

Desires are a beautiful thing. They enhance the spiritual experience Father intended each of us to have on this earth. These desires are divinely given to help us become like Him. It is imperative that we remember why they are given so that we don’t consume them upon our lusts. Father has decreed that He will grant us according to our desires. Alma taught that what He grants is our choice, “whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yet decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.” (Alma 29:4) We are always safe when we choose to look to Father, ready to listen and obey.

Be careful what you desire, because your life will inevitably go wherever your desires may lead. That much has been decreed.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Prone to Wander

Everyone should wear a blindfold once in a while. You learn to trust your remaining senses when you can’t see with your eyes. You discover new things. Just be careful where you go when you choose not to see. I will never be able to think about blindfolds again without thinking about Washington Lake.

Years ago, when I was a Scoutmaster, I took a troop of Boy Scouts on a camping trip in the Uinta National Forest in Utah. One activity, a simple five mile hike, will always be a favorite Scouting memory for me. The hike involved maps, compasses, and blindfolds. The Assistant Scoutmaster, who was a good friend of mine, assisted me in tying blindfolds on each of our Scouts. We then drove to our starting point and helped the boys get out of the vehicle. With compasses and maps in hand, we led them through a grassy meadow in the forest until my vehicle was no longer in sight. That is when the blindfolds came off.

The instructions that followed were simple. “Okay, find your way back to camp.” That was it. We told them that our camp at Washington Lake was about five miles away, but no more. Like a boomerang, this retrieved some looks that varied from incredulity to worry, and then to something that conveyed the meaning, “You are joking, right?” Nope. It was no joke. We stayed with the boys to make sure they didn’t do anything stupid (not that boys would do such a thing if left to their own devices.) We didn’t offer much help.

The first few attempts at trying to figure out what to do weren’t very fruitful. We went a few paces this way, followed by a few paces that way, and then the boys did a few paces in their minds before coming to a complete stop. In addition to temporarily losing sight, some lost their confidence. Things were topsy-turvy. Those that were used to leading by popularity were suddenly confused, while those who liked to think emerged as new leaders.

Without giving anything away – and we were pretty stingy with our advice – we suggested that they look for landmarks they might recognize on the map. At that point they couldn’t see any landmarks because we were still surrounded by forest. So, we gave one more suggestion. “Why not climb some place higher where you might be able to see better?” That was the first principle that got things started.

On higher ground, the boys identified some small ponds, streams, and mountains that might be on their maps. They were guesses to start with, but they were at least attempts to see how they fit into the context of the map. This was the second principle we wanted them to learn.

From there, the guess work continued. They deduced that this pond and that stream next to that mountain could either be this place on the map or that one. Believing that the map was valid, they took some risks to see if their guesses were right. This was the third thing we hoped they would learn, and it worked. Some of their guesses were better than others. Occasionally we would have to back track because of an error. For the most part, though, they did pretty good.

Our boys learned how to use their tools with a little intuition, which I think is a really good combination. The compasses were generally helpful to make sure that we were still going the right direction when we had to descend back into the trees of the forest. The maps gave us some indication of how far we might have to go before finding the next landmark. Our intuition gave us the drive to keep going when we weren’t quite sure if we were still on track.

Fortunately, the fourth thing we hoped they would discover worked out as well. After a few hours of walking with nosebleeds, scratches, and mild dehydration, we successfully arrived back at our camp. They had a new appreciation for Washington Lake. It was nice to be some place with more certainty, comfort, and of course, food.

I have often looked back at that experience with gratitude. It was definitely one worth keeping in my pocket. There was really only one thing we wanted the boys to discover when we started, and that was how to get back to camp. The other three things sort of came up as we went along. While they were principles that my friend and I had learned when we were younger, we hadn’t identified them as specific things we hoped to teach. You might say that we learned to teach by doing, just as our Scouts learned to hike through their own experience. Perhaps that is another reason why that trip was so memorable. Both the teachers and the learners were edified.

Reflecting on this story caused me to think of the words from one of my favorite hymns, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Transposing a couple of the lines from the second verse, it says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love…” “Let thy goodness, as a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to thee.”

Like my Scouts, I wonder how inclined I am to wander when I don’t’ take an appropriate guide. It is in our natures to choose things that are often not in our best interest. Left to our own devices, we seem to be attracted and enticed by things that will do us harm. I am learning that it is not because the things we choose are always wrong, as much as how we try to meet our needs. We are learning to make appropriate choices, which often involves some risk. When I make mistakes by choice, I am often prone to wander.

Moses led the ancient Israelites out of Egypt, just so they could experience what it is like to wander for forty years. I’m sure that isn’t quite what he had in mind when he told Pharaoh, “Let my people go,” but there they were. Moses was weary, and the people were weary, and it took a long time to do it. They had two choices, to wander or not to wander. They chose to harden their hearts against their guide, the Great I Am.

On one occasion when the Israelites were whining about wandering, “the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people,” and many of them died. They repented a little and asked Moses to pray for them, so he did. The Lord then told Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole” so that “every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.” (Numbers 21:5-9) Sadly, because of the hardness of their hearts, in spite of the easiness of the way, they did not believe and would not look and live, therefore they perished.

Sometimes we blindfold ourselves without meaning to. We become blinded by our appetites, our desires, and our ambitions. We set our hearts upon the things of this world so much that we fail to recognize the voice of the Master. Then, before we are aware, we are left to our own devices, “to kick against the pricks… and fight against God.” (D&C 121:35, 38)

It is hard to see afar off until we get to higher ground. When we elevate our thoughts to be more in line with Father’s, we can see much clearer. We begin to recognize where we are because of landmarks that were meant to be familiar. If we are wise, these landmarks will encourage us to look for the Savior in the symbols, and then act.

Until I become perfect, I am still growing and learning. I am still like a little child that needs to depend on my Father for direction, because I know that He knows all things. Until I can see further past the forest, I am learning to trust His all-seeing eyes. In those moments when I forget, I wonder just how long I wander. Hopefully it is not forty years.

The ancient American prophet, Alma, taught us to “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” (Alma 37:37) Similarly, the prophet Jacob taught, “seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.” (Jacob 4:10)

Like the Scout hike in the Uintas, each of us can remove our blindfolds and use the tools we have been given. We have the prophets who can see afar off and will give us direction. Thankfully, they are not very stingy, but prefer to share with the whole world. We also have good maps of scripture that help us identify landmarks for our faith. We have a moral compass which is enhanced by the Gift of the Holy Ghost to point us in the right direction. And finally, we have our agency that can be applied intuitively to our circumstances.

Whether it is living prophets, the scriptures of old, or the Holy Ghost that speaks to our hearts, they all speak the words of Christ. Our intuition is only as good as our faith, heed, and diligence in following His voice.

Alma continues by telling us that these things are not without a shadow. For, “it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to [us] a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for [his] fathers” to follow the Liahona, or for a troop of Scouts to follow their compasses. If it was easy for the Israelites to look at a serpent on a staff and live, can it be any easier for us to pick up the scriptures and read so we might live? Or perhaps we prefer wandering, merely because we are prone to do so. As Jesus said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15)

If I choose not to blindfold my eyes, I hope it is so that I can use the tools I have been given. When I choose to wear a blindfold once in a while, hopefully it is so I can trust Father’s eyes all the more.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

To Behold What Isaiah Saw

If you have read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover, have you every wondered why an ancient American prophet would find the writings of Isaiah so important that he would include a third of them in his personal record? Just under 5% of the Book of Mormon quotes or makes reference to this prophet of Israel. Few prophets have been quoted as much as Isaiah in any book of scripture, particularly by the Savior, Jesus Christ, himself.

Ironically, if you are like me, you have heard many running jokes about how difficult these writings are to understand and apply. Misunderstanding may be like the prickly part of a pineapple that surrounds a delicious fruit. Regrettably, this difficulty stops many from going deeper than the surface.

Personally, I find the writings of Isaiah to be exquisite and beautiful. While I don’t pretend to understand everything, I have learned a few simple keys that unlock the fruit and make it easier to digest. First, consider why the fruit is worth the effort.

Early in the writings of Nephi, we learn that he was commanded by the Lord to keep two separate records. The Large Plates of Nephi contain the record of his father, their journeyings in the wilderness, and the history of Nephi’s people. The Small Plates of Nephi contain a record of his ministry and his prophecies, as well as the prophecies of Isaiah, because they will more fully persuade us to believe in Jesus Christ. Nephi teaches us to liken these scriptures to ourselves that we may also find hope in the promises of the Lord. (1 Nephi 19:23-24)

Near the conclusion of the Book of Mormon, Moroni finishes the record of his father, Mormon, and gives us some council relative to these writings. In Mormon 8:23, he says, “Search the prophecies of Isaiah. … those saints who have gone before me… shall cry, yea, even from the dust will they cry unto the Lord; and as the Lord liveth he will remember the covenant which he hath made with them.” Moroni knew that both the writings of Isaiah and the faith of his fathers in those writings would be fulfilled and would not be in vain.

In subsequent verses in this chapter, Moroni continues, “Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled. Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.” (Mormon 8:33-35) What wonderful instruction we have been given from a prophet who not only believed but has seen our day.

If it were not enough to have the validation of the first and last prophets to write in the Book of Mormon regarding Isaiah, the Savior, Himself, instructed us to search Isaiah’s writings with a promise that they would be fulfilled. During His visit to the ancient people of the Americas following His resurrection, He said, “Ye remember that I spake unto you, and said that when the words of Isaiah should be fulfilled — behold they are written, ye have them before you, therefore search them — And verily, verily, I say unto you, that when they shall be fulfilled then is the fulfilling of the covenant which the Father hath made unto his people, O house of Israel. And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them. (3 Nephi 20:11-13)

Jesus adds emphasis to this instruction in 3 Nephi 23:1-4, and Isaiah becomes the only prophet I know of whom the Lord commands us to search his writings specifically. “And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake. Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.”

Being told that Isaiah’s writings are important does not make them any easier to understand. If anything, it makes the task more daunting. When we are told to do something we don’t know how to do, it is not uncommon to freeze and do nothing. However, the prophet Nephi recognized this and provided some keys to help improve understanding so we can liken them to ourselves. 2 Nephi chapter 25 provides a summary of the things Nephi felt were important about Isaiah’s writings.

Key #1 – Look for Symbolism
Nephi said, “Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.” (2 Nephi 25:1) The manner of prophesying among the Jews often used symbolism – using an object that the people were familiar with to represent something else. The association enhanced meaning. While we may not be as familiar with the cedars of Lebanon today, we can still glean meaning from Isaiah’s reference.

In Isaiah 2, or 2 Nephi 12, Isaiah speaks about the proud who walk in their own way rather than walking in the light of the Lord. His reference to the cedars of Lebanon in verse 13 might be completely lost unless we realize it isn’t the cedars he is concerned with. In 2 Nephi 12:13 we read, “Yea, and the day of the Lord shall come upon all the cedars of Lebanon, for they are high and lifted up; and upon all the oaks of Bashan.” The important part of the verse is that the cedars are high and lifted up. In this chapter, other examples are cited, but it is the adjectives that are important, not the symbols. Lofty, haughtiness, proud, lifted up, and high are used repeatedly. While knowing what the symbols meant would provide additional insight and depth, Isaiah has already told us what the symbols mean.

Looking at this chapter as a whole provides a beautiful contrast between the work of God and the work of His children. While Isaiah refers to high mountains as a comparison of pride, he begins the chapter with a reference to the Lord’s mountain, or the holy temple – a subtle message that we should seek the Most High God rather than supplant him with our own ambition. In 2 Nephi 12:2-3 we read, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths….”

Because of his choice of contrast, perhaps Isaiah intended to suggest that we are proud when we do not worship in holy temples. Isaiah will often contrast symbols with other symbols.

Key #2 – Seek for the Spirit of Prophecy
Nephi describes the next key in 2 Nephi 25:4. “Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy.”

The apostle John tells us “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Revelation 19:10) Remember, the spirit of prophecy was not intended to be a mystery. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to reveal the mysteries, not create them. When we receive a testimony of the Savior, we gain a comfort and an assurance of things that will happen that may not have happened yet. When we gain a knowledge about a law or principle of the gospel, such as tithing, we know the Lord will bless us for our sacrifice, based on previous experience in obeying the law.

Nephi tells us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that “he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost….” (1 Nephi 10:18-19) The Lord may not reveal to us every detail of a mystery, but he will certainly show us the parts that are pertinent for our application, if we seek them. Thus, we don’t have to know everything, we only need to see the parts the Lord wishes for us to apply.

Pray for the spirit and look for applications without having to have a complete understanding. Look for the gist, not the full explanation. This, at least, is a great place to start.

Key #3 – Learn More about the Jews
Nephi explains that another difficulty in understanding Isaiah has to do with training. “Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews.” (2 Nephi 25:5)

Years ago, I remember asking my seminary teacher what would be the best way to be taught the manner of things the Jews were taught. His response was both profound and simple, and was something to the effect of, “Rather than take a class about the Jews, why not just study their scriptures. If you want to understand Isaiah, spend a little more time reading the Old Testament.” As you begin to understand their context, you will see allusions and references more clearly.

In Isaiah 7, or 2 Nephi 17, we learn of a little dilemma for the kingdom of Judah. “And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it. And it was told the house of David, saying: Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.” (2 Nephi 17:1-2)

If you don’t know anything about Jewish history, this passage will offer very little that can be applied to today. Between names, geography, and poetry, these first two verses of the chapter can be a little intimidating. Understanding Isaiah requires that the reader slow down a bit and focus a little more on what is being said. Anyone who loved and admired the teachings of Elder Neal A. Maxwell can appreciate the pace required to comprehend what is being said.

A few minutes in the Bible Dictionary looking under Israel, Kingdom of, will help unlock the meaning of this chapter. This summary will help explain how the kingdom of Israel was divided into two kingdoms. At the time of Isaiah, Ahaz was the king of Judah, or the southern kingdom. Unfriendly to the southern kingdom, Pekah, who was a prince of the northern kingdom had established an alliance or confederacy with the neighboring country of Syria. Their purpose was to depose Ahaz and set another king in his place. Simply put, there are three countries, two of which are plotting against the kingdom of Judah where the temple was.

The Lord tells Isaiah to meet with Ahaz and prophesy that the alliance will come to not. Isaiah also prophesies that the northern kingdom will no longer be a country within 65 years. He further warns Ahaz of a similar fate for Judah. History shows that the northern kingdom was carried away by Assyria and become known as the “lost tribes of Israel.” Part of the southern kingdom was later taken into captivity by Babylon with Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego, under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar.

In the following chapter, the Lord tells Isaiah, “Say ye not, A confederacy, to all to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of Hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” The important thing for us to remember is not the geography lesson; it’s the idea that a confederacy against the Lord, or his people, is not a good idea. We are better off siding with God than turning to the world to form an alliance.

Look for the lesson hidden in the specifics.

Key #4 – Look at a Map
Most Nephites including Nephi’s brothers, Jacob and Joseph, had never been to Jerusalem. Nephi, however, lived in Jerusalem and knew concerning the regions round about. While Nephi chose not to teach his children after the manner of the Jews, he had insight into the scriptures that was helpful to understand. (2 Nephi 2:6)

A phrase that is used a number of times in the Old Testament, though not in Isaiah, is “from Dan even to Beer-sheba.” A look at the Bible Maps under The Division of the 12 Tribes will show that these two locations are at opposite extremes of Israel, Dan in the North, and Beersheba in the south. The expression is the equivalent of “from one end to the other.”

Isaiah will often make references to geographical locations. Sometimes these are very important, and sometimes they are merely used as examples that have no required relevance for our day. A good rule of thumb is to know where countries like Syria or Babylon are in relation to Israel. An awareness of some capitol cities can also be helpful. Understanding that Damascus is a city in Syria, or that Nineveh is the capitol of Assyria, will help bring meaning to Isaiah’s comparisons. Lesser known cities may not be as critical for the application. A good rule of thumb is to look for an obvious meaning. If it isn’t there, look to see if there is a general reason that Isaiah is giving a geography lesson. Chances are that his point really has nothing to do with geography.

Key #5 – Watch for the Signs
When Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith as a resurrected being to tell him about the record that he would translate, Moroni quoted the words of Isaiah and said his words were about to be fulfilled.

In addition to Moroni, Nephi gives us similar assurance that these words have great relevance to our day. In 2 Nephi 25:7-8 he said, “in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass. Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.”

Those who are watching will see and understand. While some things may not be as clear, as the prophecies of Isaiah begin to be fulfilled, they will be very clear and of great worth in the last days. Watching will allow us to make greater connections between our lives and the prophesies of hundreds of years ago.

Isaiah wrote during a time when the house of Israel was turning from the Lord. His purpose was to turn them back. Thus, his message contains important scriptures relating to the role and mission of Jesus Christ and the covenants He has made with His people. Many of those covenants would not be fulfilled in Isaiah’s time but would be remembered later, in our time.

Deciding to decipher Isaiah may be considered an act of faith. Like the parables the Savior taught, even his disciples didn’t understand them and had to ask what they meant. Each time they asked, Jesus taught them. After giving his disciples the parable of the sower, Jesus said, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” His disciples asked why he spoke in parables, and he replied, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

“And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of [Isaiah] which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive…. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not hear them.” (JST Matthew 13:9-18)

As I study Isaiah, I try to keep a few things in mind. The Savior himself commanded us to search his writings because of the power of the covenants made by the Father to His children. Moroni emphasized that these writings were about to be fulfilled. Nephi stated that his writings would be of great worth and he gave us some valuable keys to unlocking the meaning. Jesus tells us that we will only receive if we seek to understand, and to him who seeketh shall be given more.

Understanding doesn’t come all at once, but setting a course and following that direction consistently will help us arrive at the appropriate destination. It will help us to behold what Isaiah saw, both in understanding and in fulfillment of prophecies given hundreds of years ago.

In addition to understanding what Isaiah meant, I have gained great peace and comfort in knowing that God makes and keeps His covenants. Though we may forget Him from time to time, He does not forget us. “For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.” (2 Nephi 19:12, 17, 21) Father loves His children and He wants to bless them. Jesus has worked out an infinite sacrifice and has graven us on the palms of His hands. These images and symbols are real, and reading Isaiah makes beholding these things even clearer.


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