Learn wisdom

Today's scripture mastery is a short one, but the earlier we can learn and apply this in our life, the better.  Alma 37:35 is the scripture mastery today:

 35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

The commandments of God have been given to us not as a restriction or to make us miserable--but rather to keep us free from the pain and misery that God knows will come if we do the things that we have been commanded not to do.  I touched on that principle in my post back on Dec 17th, so I won't talk too much about it, other than to say that the wisdom that Alma is talking about is that we can be free from those traps that Satan wants us to become mired in, if we keep the commandments of God.  The sooner we do that, the sooner we can have the peace promised by the Savior, and the happier we will be.

If we keep the commandments of God, that does not mean that we will be free of trials and difficulties, but we will have the peace in our hearts, and we will be comforted in our trials.

How God does His work

Alma 37:6-7 is today's scripture mastery:

 6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

God occasionally does great and grand wonders for all the world to see (such as when Moses parted the Red Sea for example.)  However, He usually works in small and simple ways.  He often does His work through others, and does it in quiet and simple ways.

A good example of this is the restoration of His Gospel in these latter days.  He chose a young man of 14 years of age to reveal himself to, rather than to someone who was well educated and respected, or even to a High ranking and powerful person in the government.  The Lord's church has been restored, and it continues to grow, and spread across the world.  Those that spread the gospel are not anything special.  The gospel is spread typically not in large, miraculous ways, but rather simply the the Holy Ghost touching the hearts and minds of those who hear the message, and then change whatever needs to be changed in their lives to come in to His church.

I hope that my simple messages here are an example of that--I know that the words that I put down here on this blog are not anything grand or spectacular.  I know that I am not a fantastic writer, but I do know that I do have a conviction that what I say is true.  I hope that through this blog (and the many others which are out there who are sharing the gospel) that lives will be touched, and that the salvation of souls may even be accomplished.

Share your simple and small talents that you have with the world.  Through them the world is blessed!  If you have a testimony of the gospel as I have, don't hesitate to share it with others--for it is through the small and simple things that great things are brought to pass!

Now is the time. Don't Procrastinate!

Alma 34:32-34 is the scripture mastery for today:

32 For behold,this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea,behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
33 And now,as I said unto you before,as ye have had so many witnesses,therefore,I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life,which is given us to prepare for eternity,behold,if we do not improve our time while in this life,then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
34 Ye cannot say,when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent,that I will return to my God. Nay,ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life,that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

We can not procrastinate something as important as preparing NOW.  As life is so unpredictable, we never know when we will be "heading home"  If we have not prepared ourselves by repenting, and by keeping God's commandments, it will be too late for us.

God is very merciful, but he is also just.  He gives us this time to learn of Him, and to repent, and come to Him.  If we don't take advantage of this time to do that, we won't have the chance later. . .If we have heard of Him, and know of Him, we are obligated to act.

If we were someone who didn't have the opportunity to learn of Him before we pass on, God being merciful, has given them the opportunity to repent and learn of Him afterwards--but for those of us who do know of Him. . .We have our chance now. . .

Don't procrastinate repentance until it is too late!

Faith

Alma 32:21 is today's scripture mastery.

 21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

Here in life, we are often asked to believe in things that we may not yet have proof of.  We must have faith in things that we can not see.  Take the fourth article of faith as an example:

 4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

The very first thing that we must do in the gospel is to have faith.  And not just any faith--it must be faith in Jesus Christ.  The Bible Dictionary has a great definition for faith.  It starts by saying this:

Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb. 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation.

How do we gain the required faith?  Alma taught us much about faith.  He taught us how we can gain faith.  According to Alma, the first step is to have a desire to believe.   Alma teaches much better than I can what we must do next.  In verses 26-43, he teaches us how we can have our faith go from a mere desire, all the way to having a "perfect knowledge."  Those verses I referenced are a little too long to quote here, but I encourage you to click on the link, and read Alma's words yourself.  It is probably one of the best sermons on faith that you will ever read/hear.

Continue in the Faith and Endure to the End.

Today's scripture mastery is Mosiah 4:30

 30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.

This is a common theme in the scriptures.  After we begin to follow Christ, and start to keep his commandments, we must continue to keep the commandments.  We must not stop believing in, and trying to emulate Christ--even until we are done here on earth.

Here are a few other scriptures that teach us that we must endure to the end:

Matthew 24:13
13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mark 13:13
13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Doctrine and Covenants 20:25
25 That as many as would believe and be baptized in his holy name, and endure in faith to the end, should be saved—

That requirement to endure to the end can be a difficult task--but it is not one that is impossible.  It is doable by everyone, if they do what I mentioned in yesterday's post, and lay our burden on the Lord.  If we take up His yoke, He will help us to make it.  He does not want any of us to perish.  So let us watch our words and our deeds.  Let us continue in faith in Christ, and keep His commandments!

The Natural Man

After a few days off to spend time with family and enjoy the Christmas Holliday, I am back with the next scripture mastery.  Today's verse is from Mosiah 3:19

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

This verse explains the challenge that we all face in life--we all battle the "natural man"  It is not easy to put off the desires and appetites of the natural man.  The things of the world are things that naturally pull us away from God.  If we are not careful, they can take over our whole thought process.  We can spend every waking hour pursuing those things that "moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal" (Matthew 6:19)

It takes faith and work to overcome the natural man.  As Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 2:14,

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

It is not easy to overcome the natural man.  In fact, it can sometimes be very very difficult.  However, with the Lord's help, it is definitely possible.  Sister Elaine S. Dalton, in her General Conference address in October 2008 started her talk with this statement:

Last general conference, I was called by President Monson to be the new Young Women general president. As I stood in the presence of a prophet of God and was given this sacred trust, I pledged that I would serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. Prior to this calling, I had a small plate inscribed with a motto that read, “I can do hard things.” That little plate bearing that simple motto gave me courage. But now if I could change that motto, it would read: “In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things.” ¹ It is on that strength that I rely today as I stand at this sacred pulpit.

I really like that statement.  And it applies to all of us.  "In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things!"  YOU can do all things as well!  Even those hard things, such as putting off the natural man.  Hard things, such as becoming humble, meek, and submissive to the will of the Lord.  Hard things, such as overcoming temptations, and selfishness, and even addictions.  All these and more are possible to overcome with the help of Christ.  Christ taught how we can overcome the natural man in Matthew 11:28-30:

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Let us lay our burdens on Christ.  Let us overcome our tendencies to be the natural man, and instead enjoy the fruits of the spirit, and enjoy the rest that Christ offers.

Service to others

Mosiah 2:17 is today's scripture mastery.  It is a short one, but I like it.

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

And this parable of Christ found in Matthew 25:31-40, teaches the same principle.

 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

There are a lot of blessings promised to those who serve and help others--but for those who do not, the outlook isn't nearly as rosy. . .Here Christ continues the parable for those who are not serving and helping others (Matthew 25:41-46)

 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

That parable by Christ inspired a man named James Montgomery to write the lyrics to one of my favorite hymns, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. Please click on that link, and listen to the music.  Here are the words to the hymn:

1. A poor, wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.
I had not pow’r to ask his name,
Whereto he went, or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love; I knew not why.

2. Once, when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake,
Just perishing for want of bread.
I gave him all; he blessed it, brake,
And ate, but gave me part again.
Mine was an angel’s portion then,
For while I fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.

3. I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; his strength was gone.
The heedless water mocked his thirst;
He heard it, saw it hurrying on.
I ran and raised the suff’rer up;
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o’er;
I drank and never thirsted more.

4. ’Twas night; the floods were out; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof.
I heard his voice abroad and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof.
I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest
And laid him on my couch to rest,
Then made the earth my bed and seemed
In Eden’s garden while I dreamed.

5. Stript, wounded, beaten nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side.
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment—he was healed.
I had myself a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.

6. In pris’n I saw him next, condemned
To meet a traitor’s doom at morn.
The tide of lying tongues I stemmed,
And honored him ’mid shame and scorn.
My friendship’s utmost zeal to try,
He asked if I for him would die.
The flesh was weak; my blood ran chill,
But my free spirit cried, “I will!”

7. Then in a moment to my view
The stranger started from disguise.
The tokens in his hands I knew;
The Savior stood before mine eyes.
He spake, and my poor name he named,
“Of me thou hast not been ashamed.
These deeds shall thy memorial be;
Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”

During the Christmas season, it is easier to think about others, and to serve them, as there are many good service opportunities available.  There are many opportunities for service available during this time of year from many different charitable organizations. Take advantage of those oportunites to serve and help lift and help those less fortunate! 

However, please don't let this be the only time of the year that we do service for others.  Let us lift and comfort others all year long--just as Christ did.  He spent his whole earthly ministry healing the sick and serving others.  We should do our best to follow His example in all we do.