#Finding hope in Doctrine and Covenants teachings

[trberman]

Trusting God’s Purpose: Lessons from Doctrine and Covenants 3–5 in Church History

Photo by Rachel Strong on Unsplash Life has moments when everything feels uncertain, and as humans, we often wrestle with mistakes and doubt. Doctrine and Covenants 3–5 reminds us that God’s purposes remain steady, even when our own choices falter. These sections, given during pivotal moments in Joseph Smith’s history, teach us about trusting in the Lord, the power of repentance, and how divine…

[nerdygaymormon]

Hey I sent some anons yesterday about the church's treatment of LGBT people and you answered them in great detail and I wanted to thank you for that and your perspective. I'm sorry to hear about how you and others have suffered and I too hope there continues to be rapid positive change. I'm also surprised to hear the celestial kingdoms used as threats... I've asked missionaries about that and they said the levels were more like sorting people by how dedicated they are to the Church's mission so you're around similarly-minded people, and that the only real motivation to aim for higher levels is that it will provide a greater sense of fulfillment and provide structure for a happier mortal life. I also asked about being separated from loved ones and they told me that while you can't visit a higher level, people in higher levels can go down and visit others because why would Heavenly Father want to make people suffer through separation like that? I'm in SLC so I'm assuming whoever is teaching these missionaries is close to the source, right, and that gives me some hope, I think.

For so long, as you said, the Celestial Kingdom was used as a threat, so much so that many people started talking about a "sad heaven" if their kids didn't make it to the Celestial Kingdom with them. There's an intense pressure not to let your family down by making choices that break apart your Celestial family.

This is not official doctrine, but there is an idea that progression doesn't end at death. That perhaps there can be progression between kingdoms. After all, did God really create a plan meant to separate most of the children away in lower kingdoms?

For me, personally, I recognize that no one knows if there is a heaven, or what heaven is like. No General Authority can answer what day-to-day life is like in heaven. What I find emphasized in the scriptures as what is important to Christ is different from the Covenant Path and temple sealings that the LDS Church emphasizes. The answers I receive about being gay are different than what the Church taught me. Plus, things have changed in the LDS Church on LGBTQ topics and I expect more change to come. I no longer worry about my place after death. It will be what it will be.

I'm glad you find much comfort and hope in what the missionaries are teaching and I hope you'll find a welcoming community where you can grow and be your best self. When the LDS Community is at its best, it is a really marvelous group to belong to.

[andiroo42]

The Investigative Judgment and The Gospel

Let’s face it—many Adventists either avoid the Investigative Judgment or quietly wrestle with it, unsure how to make sense of a doctrine that feels more legalistic than liberating. But maybe the problem isn’t the judgment itself. Maybe it’s our lens. What if our confusion comes not from the idea of a pre-Advent judgment, but from the way we understand the gospel?

New to the Investigative Judgment? Don’t worry—it’s not about God snooping through your record to decide if you’re “in” or “out.” At its core, it’s about revealing who truly belongs to Christ, and that only makes sense if salvation is more than a private, individual decision.

Whether the idea of judgment feels terrifying or hopeful often depends on how we define the gospel itself. So let’s reframe the conversation. We’ll look at three gospel frameworks: Calvinism, Arminianism, and a third option to explore why this uniquely Adventist teaching hinges on how we understand the Good News.

⸻

Calvinism: Judgment as Declaration

In 5-point Calvinism, God has already chosen, before time, who will be saved (the elect) and who won’t. Christ’s atonement is limited to them, and the elect will inevitably persevere. Once you're saved, you're are always saved.

How it shapes judgment:

Judgment isn’t about discovery or evaluation—it’s a formal declaration. God already knows who’s saved. There’s no investigation, no possibility of change. In this view, an Investigative Judgment makes no sense.

⸻

Arminianism: Judgment as Assessment

In contrast, Arminianism, where Adventism traditionally falls, teaches that God offers salvation to all, but each person has free will and must choose to accept it—and can fall away.

How it shapes judgment:

Judgment becomes a thorough review of individual choices. Did this person believe? Repent? Remain faithful? It’s real, meaningful, and carries weight. But it can also become highly individualized—focused on behavior more than belonging.

⸻

Corporate Solidarity: Judgment as Covenant Affirmation

Now enter a different lens: corporate solidarity, a biblical framework that sees salvation not just as an individual transaction, but as being part of a new humanity in Christ. In this view, Jesus as the new Adam represents the whole body of believers, and through union with Him, we inherit His righteousness and destiny.

How it shapes judgment:

Judgment is less about isolated performance and more about relational union. Are you “in Christ”? Are you part of the covenant community? The focus shifts from “Did you do enough?” to “Did you abide in the One who already did enough?”

⸻

So What About the Investigative Judgment?

In Seventh-day Adventist theology, the Investigative Judgment is a pre-Advent, heavenly phase of judgment that began in 1844. It is not about God finding out new information, but about revealing who belongs to Christ before He returns.

Why it fits best with corporate solidarity:

It reviews those who are “in Christ”—not to catch them failing, but to affirm their identity in Him.

It’s not just about individual deeds, but about covenant faithfulness—a collective reality.

It prepares a people to be received by Christ at His return—a united, faithful body.

This concept doesn’t quite fit within Calvinism, where all outcomes are predetermined. And while it shares some ground with Arminianism, it goes further—offering a deeper, relational lens where identity in Christ comes before individual behavior.

For Adventists trying to force the Investigative Judgment into a purely Arminian framework, it’s no surprise we end up imagining a courtroom where every sin must be dragged out in agonizing detail just to be forgiven.

⸻

It’s About How You See the Gospel

If salvation is an individual checklist, judgment becomes a performance review.

If salvation is God picking favorites, judgment becomes a formality.

But if salvation is an open invitation to union with Christ, through faith and shared identity, then judgment becomes a moment of recognition—God declaring, “They are in My Son, and that is enough. These are My people. They are ready.”

Your understanding of the gospel determines how you view the judgment.

And your view of judgment reveals what you really believe about grace.

“There must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement.”

— The Great Controversy, p. 421

[hlmowrer]

Week 29: Life is interesting, except when it's not

I don't have a lot of commentary for this week.  Since I've been in Michigan, I've often called family members and asked what's new...only for them to tell me that not all that much has changed.  This has always thrown me for a loop, since mission life always brings something new/interesting/weird to talk about on the daily.  However, this week, I really don't have very much to say.  Sometimes, the secret to life is to keep enduring what comes your way.  

Those of you that have good memories may recall my first letter from Kalkaska, in which I talked about Emily, the grandmother of a big family in our branch.  I included the following comments in that letter:

On Saturday we visited Emily, the elderly matriarch of a big family in our branch for dinner who had been asking for missionaries.  She's on hospice care now, and has late stage dementia so she had great difficulty keeping even a simple conversation.  For much of the dinner she had very little to say and couldn't answer questions.  But then Elder Jorgensen asked her what she thought the most important thing about life was, and she could NOT say enough about how much she loves the Gospel and the Church. With help from her granddaughter she told us how she was one of the first female missionaries in California, and how hard she tried throughout her life to support the missionaries and share the joy the Gospel brought her.  I felt the spirit so strongly around her, and I cannot tell you how much joy it brought me to see someone who has truly endured to the end.  I pray she gets to go home and reap the rewards of her hard work on this Earth soon.  I shared the following verse from the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 31:20.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I told her how proud I was of her for being one of the precious souls to actually fulfill her baptismal covenant to endure to the end.  I bore testimony of the experience in church on Sunday as I introduced myself to the branch, and teared up as I did it.  It wasn't the most dignified thing I've ever done but the spirit was present in the room for sure, and I think her family was touched.

Emily passed away a few days ago, and I was reminded of this truth.  I've been very bad at being patient with God's timing lately.  I want things to move forward and happen, and sometimes they just don't.  But I teach people every day about the doctrine of Jesus Christ, which ends with the divine command to "endure to the end".  This life is long, and despite our efforts there are seasons when not a whole lot happens to boost us up.  These times feel drawn out and rather useless...at least as far as we can see.  Every piece of our precious mortal lives are important, and these times can help us endure towards our return to our Heavenly Father just as much as the interesting and victorious times can.  For me, the memory of a lifelong missionary finally reaping the eternal rewards of a century of faith in her Savior has at least helped me think about the reality of my life.  I was the very last missionary Emily ever met, and I can't help but think the Lord would like me to find meaning in that.  

I think I'll leave it there, friends.  All my love to you this week.  <3

-Elder Beren Mowrer

[eternal-echoes]

Catechism of the Catholic Church

III. The New Law or the Law of the Gospel

1965 The New Law or the Law of the Gospel is the perfection here on earth of the divine law, natural and revealed. It is the work of Christ and is expressed particularly in the Sermon on the Mount. It is also the work of the Holy Spirit and through him it becomes the interior law of charity: "I will establish a New Covenant with the house of Israel. . . . I will put my laws into their hands, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."19

1966 The New Law is the grace of the Holy Spirit given to the faithful through faith in Christ. It works through charity; it uses the Sermon on the Mount to teach us what must be done and makes use of the sacraments to give us the grace to do it:

If anyone should meditate with devotion and perspicacity on the sermon our Lord gave on the mount, as we read in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, he will doubtless find there . . . the perfect way of the Christian life.... This sermon contains ... all the precepts needed to shape one's life.20

1967 The Law of the Gospel "fulfills," refines, surpasses, and leads the Old Law to its perfection.21 In the Beatitudes, the New Law fulfills the divine promises by elevating and orienting them toward the "kingdom of heaven." It is addressed to those open to accepting this new hope with faith - the poor, the humble, the afflicted, the pure of heart, those persecuted on account of Christ and so marks out the surprising ways of the Kingdom.

1968 The Law of the Gospel fulfills the commandments of the Law. the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, far from abolishing or devaluing the moral prescriptions of the Old Law, releases their hidden potential and has new demands arise from them: it reveals their entire divine and human truth. It does not add new external precepts, but proceeds to reform the heart, the root of human acts, where man chooses between the pure and the impure,22 where faith, hope, and charity are formed and with them the other virtues. the Gospel thus brings the Law to its fullness through imitation of the perfection of the heavenly Father, through forgiveness of enemies and prayer for persecutors, in emulation of the divine generosity.23

1969 The New Law practices the acts of religion: almsgiving, prayer and fasting, directing them to the "Father who sees in secret," in contrast with the desire to "be seen by men."24 Its prayer is the Our Father.25

1970 The Law of the Gospel requires us to make the decisive choice between "the two ways" and to put into practice the words of the Lord.26 It is summed up in the Golden Rule, "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; this is the law and the prophets."27 The entire Law of the Gospel is contained in the "new commandment" of Jesus, to love one another as he has loved us.28

1971 To the Lord's Sermon on the Mount it is fitting to add the moral catechesis of the apostolic teachings, such as Romans 12-15, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Colossians 3-4, Ephesians 4-5, etc. This doctrine hands on the Lord's teaching with the authority of the apostles, particularly in the presentation of the virtues that flow from faith in Christ and are animated by charity, the principal gift of the Holy Spirit. "Let charity be genuine.... Love one another with brotherly affection.... Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."29 This catechesis also teaches us to deal with cases of conscience in the light of our relationship to Christ and to the Church.30

1972 The New Law is called a law of love because it makes us act out of the love infused by the Holy Spirit, rather than from fear; a law of grace, because it confers the strength of grace to act, by means of faith and the sacraments; a law of freedom, because it sets us free from the ritual and juridical observances of the Old Law, inclines us to act spontaneously by the prompting of charity and, finally, lets us pass from the condition of a servant who "does not know what his master is doing" to that of a friend of Christ - "For all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you" - or even to the status of son and heir.31

1973 Besides its precepts, the New Law also includes the evangelical counsels. the traditional distinction between God's commandments and the evangelical counsels is drawn in relation to charity, the perfection of Christian life. the precepts are intended to remove whatever is incompatible with charity. the aim of the counsels is to remove whatever might hinder the development of charity, even if it is not contrary to it.32

1974 The evangelical counsels manifest the living fullness of charity, which is never satisfied with not giving more. They attest its vitality and call forth our spiritual readiness. the perfection of the New Law consists essentially in the precepts of love of God and neighbor. the counsels point out the more direct ways, the readier means, and are to be practiced in keeping with the vocation of each:

(God) does not want each person to keep all the counsels, but only those appropriate to the diversity of persons, times, opportunities, and strengths, as charity requires; for it is charity, as queen of all virtues, all commandments, all counsels, and, in short, of all laws and all Christian actions that gives to all of them their rank, order, time, and value.33

[know-the-way]

I know it’s really stupid of me but I was kind of hoping for a redemption arc for Faustus. 😅😢

It’s not stupid, not at all! It’s natural to want to see the best in people, particularly when you believe they can be better than what they are now, so it’s completely understandable.

And, ya know, if the show gets picked up - he may have one yet still, we don’t know!

To me, this season really highlighted what the purpose of Faustus’ character is supposed to be, imo. Thinking of episode 4, we’re shown three different levels of corruption through three different characters.

The first is Harvey. Pure, sweet, golden boy Harvey is revealed to have some deep-seeded hatred of witches. Does he have any reason to hate witches? Well, let’s check - he lost a brother, got manipulated, controlled, and lied to by his first love, and has been in an endless cycle of extreme danger for the past year of his life. I think it’s fair to say we all understand that prejudice is not okay, but is it equally understandable why Harvey has some hang-ups about magic and witches? I personally think it is. (Not to the point of joining a literal witch hunt or angrily accusing your distressed best friend of killing your dad at her 17th birthday party 🙃, but understandable nonetheless.)

I personally think the intention with Harvey’s character being a cadet in Blackwood’s army was to demonstrate how, even when we believe someone to be morally good and just, they can become someone else when they endure pain and that pain is never properly addressed.

Did Sabrina apologize to Harvey for everything that happened between them? Yes. But did she repeat the same troublesome behaviors in different ways after that? Also yes. She didn’t demonstrate change in her actions, and a loootttt more happened with Harvey and the witch world in a negative way beyond his relationship with Sabrina, so the mistrust he feels isn’t entirely unjustified.

Then - “oh wow, oh my God, my second love has also hid being a witch from me, can I catch a fucking break here? Why should I ever trust another witch in my life?”

Answer: because they are humans, none being wholly good or bad, and they love you.

Roz talks to Harvey, tells him she believes he’s good, and demonstrably proves her own “goodness” by sacrificing herself to save others at Dr. C’s. Roz shows Harvey that she means what she says and her feelings for him are real - that she is a scared, broken human like him, just trying to do her best with what life has given her. Hence, when the moment of truth comes - Harvey remembers his humanity and proves his own “goodness” by saving her. But if Roz had never spoken to him, never acknowledged what he’d been through and that his feelings were valid... if no one had ever truly cared about his pain? It seems apparent that Harvey would have continued down a very dark path.

Which brings us to...

Mary. Mary has been literally murdered, had her identity hijacked by a demoness, her fiancé is dead, she doesn’t remember several months of her life, and her previous favorite student is a witch who has seemingly performed magic more than once on her.

Mary has every right to fear witches at this point. She has had zero trustworthy interactions with the witch world and from her perspective - her entire life has been stolen and no one cares. No one checks in on Mary, no one validates her pain, and as a result - no one in the witch world seems to have any compassion, humanity, or kindness in them. Enter the Pilgrims of the Night, who recognize her pain and fear without even knowing her, acknowledge it, and offer her solace in their congregation on the basis that her experience with witches is shared by the Reverend Lovecraft and his flock.

They prove themselves to her when the advice the Reverend/Faustus gives her (“let the dark in”) saves her life. My God, someone finally seems to care if she lives or dies!

People who care about others are good, so the church and the reverend’s mission must be good, too. Therefore, she is absolutely invested in whatever is asked of her and will blindly follow their lead in order to protect others from experiencing what she has. To me, Mary in the perverted universe represented the crossroads of corruption - where you truly believe what you’re doing is the right thing, even if it hurts others because those “others” have hurt you... and they will surely hurt again if you don’t stop them.

However, I think if Mary was finally told the truth - the full truth - and Lilith herself apologized for being the first piece in the puzzle... along with all the other witches... AND they showed that they actually cared about her well-being... Mary could find her way back through forgiveness. Or, at the very least, she could understand and process everything so that she could find a way to heal that doesn’t involve persecuting others.

And now, there’s Faustus. We aren’t entirely clear on Faustus’ history altogether, but we do know he’s had many experiences of being slighted by the churches of darkness (despite following the rules to a T).

He was rebuked by Edward for wanting to marry Zelda after mentoring him for who knows how many years, lost the office of high priest to him, and when he finally gets the title - here comes Edward’s self-righteous brat to fuck him over again. There he is trying to carry out the Dark Lord’s request to get Sabrina to sign her name in the Book of the Beast, even though she insults their doctrines and faith at every turn, and the coven and academy he’s had working like a well-oiled machine for the past 16 years is being slowly ripped apart. Why is the Dark Lord allowing this? Why is he having to endure a meddlesome child’s antics? Why is he not being rewarded for doing exactly as he’s been asked and returning the Church of Night to stability after Edward nearly destroyed it altogether? Like hello Dark Lord, can you throw me a fucking bone here?

Small victories - he finally secures Zelda’s hand in marriage and an audience with the anti-pope. This is what his life should’ve looked like two centuries ago, but no matter. He’s correcting it all now and by Satan, nothing is going to stop him this time.

But then...

Oh cool, Sabrina is here to intervene again and has presented the text of his old rival for consideration along with his (clearly superior) manifesto. What’s that, you say? Oh, she’s also gonna crash my wedding, accuse me of murder, and spread claims about my manifesto without having even read it? Wow, ahaha, sounds hilarious... except why am I not laughing?

He arrives in Rome and gets an inkling that the Dark Lord may finally be taking action about this heretical little monster because he’s offered the title of anti-pope by the unholy high council themselves. Finally, some appreciation! He just needs to hang on a little longer, eliminate these small meddlesome threats, and soon he will reside over a peaceful kingdom far removed from anymore mortal nonsense.

Oh, for fuck’s sake, what do you mean Sabrina convinces the council he’s unfit to be anti-pope? This is bullshit, man! You know what? Fuck this place, I’m gonna make my own damn church and ensure no other headstrong witches like Sabrina Buzzkill Spellman can ruin it. That’ll finally return things to ord- MY WIFE KEPT MY OWN CHILD A SECRET FROM ME?! WHAT THE FUCK?! Alright, that’s it, The Spellmans are clearly here to poison others (ironic foreshadowing) - time to wash my hands of them completely, I am so over thi- what’s that? The Dark Lord’s here? GOOD. About time this asshole showed up to set people straight and remind them that the values of his unholy church, which Faustus has exemplified perfectly, must be respected.

You mean for me to bow down to whom now? The halfbreed brat who has been directly and willfully wreaking havoc on the congregation he’s patiently and painstakingly lead back to greatness? Are you fucking serious, m8? No. Absolutely not. No. I’m getting out of here, and since I won’t have the little twat poison anyone else, I will literally poison them instead. Be free, sheep!

It’s up until this point that I believe Faustus was still mostly at the crossroads stage, same as Mary. He believed everything he was doing was the right thing, based on the teachings from the religion he devoted his entire life to, and that he’d be rewarded for serving the Dark Lord so faithfully - until the Dark Lord proved several times in succession that his religion was all a lie. That three+ centuries worth of groveling and abiding and waiting has meant absolutely nothing.

So now we have the Eldritch terrors. Beings more powerful than the oldest gods. He spends 15 years isolated in a time bubble purifying himself, devoting everything to them, and won’t it be so glorious when they welcome him into his ranks? He’s set them free now, after all, they owe it to him.

But doing the same action over and over and expecting a different result is what? The definition of insanity, friends. Of course the Eldritch terrors reject him, too... of course Sabrina gains their attention and veneration instead... of course he should have tried to seize their power for himself a long time ago... so, fuck it all, he’ll do that now. There is no right and wrong, there is no observed justice - if there was, he would have been rightfully recognized for all the time, effort, and pain he’s endured only to receive nothing in return.* No one ever acknowledged his pain... no one ever even considered it. Over time, that takes its toll.

(*Clearly, I mean this to be from Faustus’ perspective and not my own.)

Of course, he has inflicted more than his fair share of pain himself and I am of the personal belief he needed to pay for that, but... equally imagine being hurt over and over and watching those who did it walk away, not only without reprimand, but with the belief that they were right and just to do it? Could it slowly drain on one’s soul to watch the rules apply to some and not others? Debatable, I suppose, but I personally think yes.

So... I say all of this only to point out that there is still potential to acknowledge his pain. And thus, there is imo still potential to understand, communicate properly (I am very interested in any conversations he and Sabrina may have had during their training - I know he said she took a vow of silence, but clearly some talking occurred for Sabrina to learn so much about the void from him), grow, and finally - for him to be given the chance to repair everything he had a hand in breaking. It wouldn’t be an easy or painless task to get to that point, and no one would be faulted for not trusting him to do so, but I think there is potential for it. If they get picked up and they want to finally allow the characters some time to reflect and process shit, they could include Faustus in that.

[godsporncollection]

Saturday GC Sessions Summary

Topics, quotes, and summaries of the talks given in the Saturday sessions of the fall 2020 General Conference (with occasional commentary in parenthesis)

*This is (mostly) written from a TBM pov, so I’ve glossed over many... unsavory things. That said, if you’re gonna quote this, definitely proofread it first because I occasionally switch to exmo pov. 

Sunday Sessions (long version)

Sunday Sessions (shorter version)

Russel M Nelson

Hopeful, holy bullshit/look at all the spiritually awesome stuff we're doing/gonna do. (idk, there didn't really seem to be much of a talk there)

David A Bednar

Tests in school are as important as the tests of us living on earth. 

"Prove, examine, and try."  

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." 

Susan and I looked over our food storage and learned that we did well in most areas, but found some expired things we were afraid would unleash another global pandemic. 

Remember, when loved ones die, and you don't know why, god does. It's a lesson in faith. 

Scott D Whiting

How to be more like christ. 

Wife and I were in Japan, hiking up a mountain; it was hard because altitude. 

One step at a time is how we become more like christ. 

Honesty is important, honesty with ourselves.

You can ask others how they view you, but god is a better person to ask, with his perfect view of us. 

REPENT! to be the best version of ourselves. Change your heart and mind to be like christ. 

Choose one attribute to focus on at a time. Constantly ask god for help, but don't be selfish. 

"Be the tide that raises all boats in the harbor." 

Recognize that desired attribute in others. Put in a lot of effort. 

Caution- don't feel guilty, unworthy, or unloved; that is not what life is about. 

You are good enough and loved, but that doesn't mean you're a perfect version of yourself.

Michelle D Craig

Story of Elijah for allegory of struggling to see how god is in your life. 

Wait and trust in god. Pray for the lord to open your eyes. Understand how god sees you. 

Ask yourself: what am I doing that I should stop and what should I be doing? 

Stop looking at your phone. I think it's a good time to multitask, but the spirit told me to stop and the next day, while in line at the grocery store, I looked at the people around me instead. I saw old man and struck up a conversation with him based on what was in his cart (cat food). He said it was his birthday so I wished him a happy birthday. This guy needed me to see him. 

A story of a friend who separated from her husband and hoped nobody would talk to her at church. A young woman kept looking back at her and came up to her after sacrament meeting. The young woman told her she loved her and they became friends and it helped her because she felt noticed and cared about. 

Ask god to help you see others and act to affirm their lives. This is how we identify our own purpose.

Quentin L Cook

Righteousness. Female followers of brigham young found career opportunites in Utah and friends in the native americans. (Gave a whole bullshit Utah thanksgiving story, complete with rewriting history so white people can feel better about themselves for feeding the natives). There is unity in respect. Historically, we have not been perfect, but that is the goal. We don't need to have all the blessings of god to be righteous. Love god and fellow man to live in eternal peace and happiness with god. "Historical record" in 1 nephi shows there were no happier people because of righteousness. But then that society was destroyed so much that mormon asked how they would avoid punishment. We live in that latter time, not unity. Our challenge is to lift and bless society as a whole. Demonstrated by ethnic harmony and an all inclusive doctrine. Unity and diversity are not opposites. All races and colors are children of god. Laws written in god's chosen land (US) were written by imperfect men, but inspired by god for equal treatment of all men. Remember that we were onced very opressed because we wanted to share jesus' love. If you are not united, you are not god's children. Gosple culture is greater than regional cultures. We honor pioneers because of their struggles.

Ronald A Rasband

Supplying the world with temples is a holy duty. 

Sacred ordinaces lead to exaltation. 

"Temples rise above the ways of the world. Every temple... stand as testaments to our faith and eternal life and the joy of spending it with our families and heavenly father. They increase understanding of the godhead and the everlasting gospel and commitment to live and teach truth and our willingness to follow the example of jesus." 

I learned an important lesson while visiting my father in law as he was dying; that temple recommends are important, even while dying. 

The worthiness interview "is not about do's and dont's. It is about finding your worthiness and to testify of your devotion to the gospel teachings." 

(I stopped paying attention for a while.) 

Hunter said his biggest desire was to have every member hold a temple recommend. 

Come get yo rec's! "Whether you have access to a temple or not, it is still important to remain and prove your worthiness." 

(I'm really struggling to pay attention to this guy and holy shit he stressed "be patient" while I was typing that.)

Dallin H Oaks

"The lord's teachings are for eternity and for all of god's children." 

My examples will be US-centric, but I'm sure that the issues the US face are universal, right? 

Destrucitve behavior in political statements are not good. 

Remember that JC said to love your enemies. Contention is of the devil, not JC. It isn't easy. Seek and ye shall find the strength to love. 

Follow the laws of man. 

Nobody can make us angry, it is our choice to be angry. 

(Reference to The King and I-) learn about other people's culture. 

Don't participate in rioting. 

Wait, he's supporting the first ammendement- oh, the stress here is on the word "peaceful". We must do better to end racism. But remember to be peaceful! No violence. Anarchy is evil. Lincoln said "there is no greivance that is a fit object of redress by mob law". It undermines individual rights, not protects. 

The US was started by diverse people! We're inherintly diverse! Here's a diverse (british) example!

AFTERNOON SESSION

D Todd Christofferson

There's a 2030 sustainable development agreement thingy. It's got 17 goals including- no poverty, no hunger, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and decent work. It is interesting and important. 

More important is a sustainable society. 

Two biblical examples: 1. The city of enoch. They were of one heart and one mind. 2. The 1st generations of nephites an lamanites. No envies nor strifes. No murders or lying. No happier people than them. Love thy neighbor. Every man seeking the interests of his neighbor. Virtues uphold these societies. 

Then they became exceedingly wicked and millions died in wars amongst themselves. 

"When people turn from a sense of accountability to god and begin to trust instead in the arm of flesh (?)", disaster lurks. 

A good life is more important than a long life. 

I'm so fucking blessed, so this really isn't a good topic for me, but here we are. 

The light of christ is what uneducated people call a consience. 

"When one has no higher god than himself, and seeks no greater good than satisfying his own appetites and preferences, the effects will be manifest in due course. A society, for example, in which individual consent is the only constraint on sexual activity is a society in decay. Adultery, promiscuity, elective abortion and out of wedlock births are but some of the bitter fruit that grow out of the immorality sanctioned by the sexual revolution." This leads to poverty and fatherless families, sometimes in multiple generations, and deficient education and mental destruction. 

"Our joyous message is that there is a better way through god... (the core truths of this message are) god lives, he is the heavenly father of our spirits, that as a manifestation of his love, he's given us commandments that lead to a fullnes of joy with him, that JC is the son of god and our redeemer, that he suffered and died to atone for sins on condition of our repentance, that he rose from the dead, bringing to pass the resurrection of human kind, and that we will all stand before him to be judged."

Steven J Lund

My son had cancer. It was hard. He was in lots of pain, but still wanted to go to church even when his mom suggested he stay home. He knew he inspired others when they saw him there, representing the savior by willingly suffering to serve. 

All youth programs are there to help them be more like JC. 

They are surrounded by things that keep helping them do that, but they're still making mistakes, so parents and leaders need to step up (potterheads grab your wands).

Gerrit W Gong

Family of 10 is hated by neighbors, nobody likes them until their house burns down. Then they were showed kindness, hope, and understanding by their neighbors helping them. 

"Our 2020 bicentenniel proclamation begins with the profoundly inclusive promise that god loves his children in every nation of the world. Each of us in every nation... god promises covenants, and invites us to come partake of his abundant joy and goodness. God's love for all people is affirmed throughout scripture that love encompasses the abrahamic covenent, gathering his scattered children, and his plan of happiness. In the house of faith, there are to be no strangers, no foreigners, no rich and poor, no outside others. As fellow citizens with the saints, we're invited to help the world for the better, from inside out; one person, one family, one neighborhood at a time. This happens when we share the gospel." 

Church materials are available in many regions and languages. We're gonna focus on that for a while. (And I stopped paying attention again. This dude is boring af. And I have a high threshold for boring right now) 

Talking about how members do charity work.

W Christopher Waddell

Some kid said it was the greatest day of his life to meet this guy who talks to the profit a couple of times a week. The story is given with the obvious topic of "we thank thee oh god for a prophet". 

Prophets tell us to prepare for crisis. 

We understand your struggles and want to express that there are better days ahead. Church leaders can help you. 

The lord loves effort. 

Have stores of food and money, but don't go to extremes in your efforts to establish those things. 

We have a brochure on finances with quotes from people about how god will provide. 

Remember Joseph in Egypt. 

"All things are spiritual to the lord and not at any time has he given us a law which is temporal." 

Manage your finances and have food storage.

Matthew S Holland

The feeling of Alma remembering his sins are as painful as passing a kidney stone (?!). 

Repentance will bring us relief. 

We have no idea how bad our suffering will be if we don't repent. 

"Medical science, professional counseling or legal rectification can help alleviate such suffering but note, all good gifts including these, come from the savior. Regardless [of] the causes of our worst hurt or heartaches, the ultimate source of relief is the same: JC. He alone holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing." 

When you feel like nobody could understand your suffering, remember that jesus can. 

"Suffering in righteousness helps qualify your for, rather than distinguishes you from, god's elect."

William K Jackson

An Indian dude didn't want to turn his back on his culture in order to convert with the rest of his family. But JC was able to open his eyes to a different viewpoint. 

Our original culture is the culture of Adam and Enoch. It is the greatest of all cultures. There is no "us v them" mentality in the greatest of all cultures. 

"We believe that we are responsible and accountable for ourselves, each other, the church, and our world. Faith in JC is the first principle of our culture, and obedience to his teachings and commandments is the outcome.” 

“It is a culture of covenants and ordinances, high moral standards, sacrifice, forgiveness, repentance, and caring for the temple of our bodies. It is a culture of the preisthood, the authority to act in god's name, the power of god to bless his children. It edifies and enables individuals to be better people, leaders, mothers, fathers, and companions- and it sanctifies the home. In the culture of christ, women are elevated to their proper and eternal status. They are not subservient to men, as in many cultures in today's world, but full and equal partners here and in the world to come.” 

“The family is the basic unit of eternity. The perfection of the family is worth any sacrifice" because, as has been taught, "no other success can compensate for failure in the home." 

This culture is concerned with things of lasting worth. 

It is inclusive, not exclusive. 

"Because this culture results from the application of our savior's teachings, it helps provide a healing balm of which our world (cue crying) is in such desperate need. What a blessing it is to be a part of this grand and (voice wavering) *noble* way of life. The church is hardly a western society or an american cultural phenomenon. it is an international church, as it was always meant to be. New members from around the world bring richness, diversity, and excitement into our ever-growing family!" (hallelujah!) 

Indian dude joined the church, of course. 

"What a marvelous heritage (quiet sob) we all share!"

Dieter F Uchtdorf

Because of a threat from the US military, the SLC temple was buried during constrution. When the threat had passed, they excavated it and found that many stones in the foundation had cracked and were replaced. "Finally, the saints could sing How Firm a Foundation and know their holy temple was built on a foundation that would last for generations.” 

“This story can teach us how god uses adversity to bring about his purposes." Which is an appropriate topic these days.

We mourn with those who have lost loved ones to covid. 

"My message today is that even though this pandemic is not what we wanted or expected, god has prepared his children and his church for this time." 

We will do more than survive, we will move forward and we will be better as a result. 

We are like seeds that must be buried before they can sprout. "The love of god and blessing of the restored gospel of JC will bring something unimaginable to spring forth." 

Hardships strengthen our character. 

"What we learn from biblical examples? 1. The righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow... 2. Our heavenly father knows that we suffer, and because we are his children, he will not abandon us..." 

"Our best days are ahead of us, not behind us. This is why god gives us modern revelation." 

(I stopped paying attention during an aviation allegory.) 

Stories of new/potential converts going to appointments early because of excitement. "Our missionaries are busier than ever."

WOMEN'S SESSION

Sharon Eubank

Story of a kid rewarded with his favorite pie for doing chores. He was selfish when his sister asked if she and her friend could have some because they didn't earn it, but changed his mind later. This showed that he was willing to change and show kindness to those who didn't deserve it. 

"By union of feeling, we obtain power with god." 

I don't like this world. It sucks and I want to make it better and sometimes I feel powerless, but I have done lots of soul searching and have three suggestions. 

1. Have mercy. Jacob 2:17, but replace the word "substance" with the word "mercy". We need more mercy in our ministering. "If you would have god have mercy on you, have mercy on each other." 

2. Make your boat swing. Rowing definition: "swing" is when all are rowing in such perfect unison that not a single action is out of sync. Somehow, individuality is crucial to this; clones couldn't do it. "Differences can be turned to advantage instead of disadvantage." This makes you go fast and they won because of that. 

3. Clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow. Jacob 5: good tree is planted in good ground but was corrupted. A servant asks that the tree be given another chance and then the tree grows good fruit. JC is like the owner of the vinyard, and gives us mercy, if we can give it to each other. 

"I believe the change we seek in ourselves and in the groups we belong to will come less by activism and more by actively trying every day to understand one another" because we're building zion. 

As women, we have broad influence to remove prejudice and build unity. "I offer this invitation: be part of a collective force that changes the world for good." We're supposed to help others. "The women of this church have the potential to change society."

Rebecca M Craven

(I... I can't focus on this woman long enough to piece together what the fuck she's saying. Sorry.) 

I think the overall topic is changing yourself to atone/repent.

Cristina B Franco

This year has given us many surprises that have left us broken. 

Personal story about getting a piano. One of the delivery guys slipped and broke it. The delivery guys went back to arrange the delivery of a new piano, but her husband asked if it could just be repaired instead. The manager said "the wood is broken, and once the wood is broken, it can never sound the same." 

We are like the broken piano, feeling broken and that we'll never be the same again. "However, as we come unto JC by exercising faith in him, repenting, and making and keeping covenants, our brokenness, whatever it's cause, can be healed [by the savior's healing power to make us better than we were.]." Faith in god heals us. 

Story of Alma where god promised to ease their burdens. 

(Really long quote  from Alma that she doesn't source). 

The savior is a refuge from the storm. 

(Is there a rule that women can't have more than 20% original content in their talks? What is with all the quotes from other people, with barely anything to make them relate to each other?)

THAT'S MY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR TEACHER DIRECTING THE SEPT 2014 CHOIR!!!

Bonnie H Cordon

JC is the light and the life of the world; the light that shines in the darkness. 

Shit's been hard these last few months, but we see you praying and working hard to seek out JC.

Video

Gloomy shit and then "inspiring/soothing" pics of JC, then those same gloomy people are shown being happy while doing normal, everyday stuff. Lots of black people to show diversity and even a deaf woman signing in a video chat on her phone. (It's driving me crazy that i can't remember the song that's playing.) Then back to a pic of JC.

Henry B Eyring

"Every day we are approaching closer to the glorious moment when the savior JC will come to earth again." 

"As the beloved daughters of heavenly father, and as the daughters of the lord JC in his kingdom, you will play a crucial part in the grand times ahead." 

Prepare to live as the people in the city of enoch did. 

Another unsourced quote of "what will happen in this last dispensation of the fulness of times": (was that wording really necessary?) dark skies, earthquakes, etc, but chosen people will be fine. They'll all be gathered into one place (that we could... maybee.... do something to? jk. unless...?). 

Women will be at the heart of creating that society. 

Quotes about the importance of women and the relief society. 

Quotes about how pure and faithful the city of Enoch was. 

"My experience has taught me that heavenly father's daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of god and with the love of god they engender in those they serve." (fuck you) 

Seeing a household without a preisthood member gave me glimpse of zion because the women were supportive and loving.

Why is it Oaks again?

"In the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, i have overcome the world." 

Today, "we are also troubled on every side, and we also need that same message not to despair, but to be of good cheer." 

JC knows your wants and fears. 

"Be of good cheer." 

"Be of good cheer." 

"Be of good cheer." 

Opposition is essential (anyone know of that musical 'my turn on earth' or am i just old? I've got 'opposition' stuck in my head). 

Shit sucks right now. Covid and election shit, the election shit is bad "the most severe many of the oldest of us can ever remember." People are dealing with "the many adversities of mortality: poverty, racism, sickness, job loss, wayward children, bad/no marriages, and the effects of sin" but "be of good cheer." (broken record much?) 

Poor JS had lots of adversities! But he still managed to "maintain his native cheery temperament and the love and loyalty of his people." The pioneers had it hard, too, but they still "were of hope and good cheer." 

(If I heard this right) The orignal missionaries were sent out for up to 7 years. 

The presidency loves you and cares about you and we pray for you (y'all should look up 'ill pray for you' by Jaron Lowenstein, btw. i promise it's hilarious). 

"There is boundless power in the doctrine of the restored gospel of JC. Our unshakeable faith in that doctrine guides our steps and gives us joy. It enlightens our minds and gives strength and confidence to our actions. This guidance and enlightenment and power are promised gifts we have recieved from our heavenly father. By understanding and conforming our lives to that doctrine, including the divine gift of repentance, we can be of good cheer as we keep ourselves on the path of eternal destiny, reunion, and exaltation with our loving heavenly parents." (sidenote- I typed that quote really fast with very few mistakes and I'm very proud of myself. I'm sure I've never typed that fast and correctly in my life.)

Russel M Nelson

Shit's been hard and different than normal. 

We greive with the women who have experienced loss. 

Social media is evil for young women, but "many of you have found ways to encourage others and share our savior's light." 

The future gonna be lit, yo. 

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." 

"Moroni prepared his people in three essential ways:”

“1. He helped them create areas where they would be safe; places of security, he called them.” "Create a home that is a place of security." 

“2. He prepared the minds of the people to be faithful unto the lord.”  "Each time we have the faith to be obedient to god's laws, even when popular opinions belittle us, or each time we resist entertainment or ideaologies that celebrate covenant breaking, we are exercising our faith, which in turn increases our faith." "Life without god is a life filled with fear. Life with god is a life filled with peace." 

“3. He never stopped preparing his people; physically or spiritually." "The adversary never stops attacking, so we can never stop preparing. The more self-reliant we are, temporally, emotionally, and spiritually, the more prepared we are to thwart satan's relentless assualts." 

"We have so much to look forward to. The lord placed you here, now, because he knew you had the capacity to negotiate the complexities of the latter part of these latter days. He knew you would grasp the grandeur of his work and be eager to help bring it to pass. I am not saying that the days ahead will be easy, but I promise you that the future will be glorious for those who are prepared, and those who continue to prepare to be instruments in the lord's hands." 

"Embrace the future with faith."

[enlargemycoast3]

Ezekiel was shown in chapter 47, a river that “could not be crossed” by foot, but would “have to swim” due to the depths of it. The Holy Spirit is always wanting to bring us out into the deeper waters of His Spirit so we can know Him, know all that we have in Him, and know WHO we are in Him. If we’re not growing our spirits through “living the Word”, we end up living on or around the banks of the river where it’s shallow, therefore our understanding and knowledge of Him will remain shallow and limited. Ezekiel says( vs.3), “the spirit measured 1000 cubits beginning at ankle deep waters and on to a river that would submerge him completely.” How wonderful that is! In Ephesians, Paul speaks of “having the eyes of our heart enlightened so we can know Him”. 2Peter 3;18, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.” Allow the Holy Spirit to take you out deep. (2 Corinthians 3) As we are always moving from glory to glory) Always Grow in your knowledge of Him through knowing and understanding His Word. John 6:63 “His Words are spirit and they are” life.” If we do not grow, we will spiritually die. (Read Romans) Tell the Holy Spirit to stretch out in you. Give Him permission. He won’t just come in and take over, you have to allow Him and make room for Him. He’s there, but He wants you to want to be with Him and learn of Him. “He’ll teach you all things” the word says (John 14:26). Spend time with Him through His Word and prayer. Develope your spirit man. So much that’s out there today speaks to our emotions. This will keep us from growing. Gods love is not emotional, it’s solid. If it were, would you want to build your house upon The Rock (Him) ? I wouldn’t. Lol You wouldn’t be able to trust Him. God created us with emotions, but we are to live by the Spirit. He speaks only to our spirit, not to our emotions, which is your flesh. The things of the flesh are against the things of God. (Read Romans). The flesh can’t even understand the things of God. It’s only through our spirits can we know Him. Get out there in the depths of His love and let Him submerge you. Spend time with Him. Let the revelation of all that He is spring forth from His Word into your heart. The greatest weapon against the enemy and the greatest blessing at the same time is to know WHO you are in Christ. You are the righteousness of God! Study in the epistles. Learn about Sonship! We’re the New Testament Church. Paul’s writings in the epistles lets us know of our New Covenant with Christ and that is Christ. The doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is what grows you. If you are listening to ones that keep you “working on yourself” constantly..run. Run from that. If you are in Christ, the Lord already sees you as perfect and holy as He is perfect and holy. (Read Ephesians) You are accepted in The Beloved. Find a place of worship where the gifts of the Spirit are used. We all have a gift, if not more than one. If I was put out on an empty corner with no one there, I’d still teach. Yea I get nervous still sometimes after 18 years, but I enjoy it. The River begins to flow out of me and I have to tell of the good news of Jesus. I have to tell of His Word. His Word is more precious than silver, more costly than gold. I love the Word. I love growing in it and learning it. No.. haven’t attained yet. If Paul hadn’t while he was on earth, we certainly haven’t. I love Growing in it with my helpmate. We love The Word. I encourage you to learn your gifts and use them. I hope this has encouraged someone. Learn..grow..be blessed!

[fleurabeille]

from the perspective of someone that isn’t catholic in the slightest and dislikes the church: how do you balance all of the stuff about the church that can be really harmful with the good principles and teachings of christ? like how do you deal with the whole homophobia and misogyny and the other shortcomings of the church without it being a “no true scotsman” type of thing? i really admire your faith and i think it’s really cool that you’re involving yourself in something that’s so meaningful to you, i just find it really surprising that you’re catholic now because i didn’t ever really see you as the type of person to feel so strongly about a higher power. do you kind of define catholicism for yourself and do your own thing, or do you follow the church and the bible strictly?

hello, love! thanks for the question, and sorry in advance for the long answer, but i like to be really thorough with how i talk about my faith. 

firstly, i totally get the dislike of the church. i spent my entire life strongly, strongly disliking christianity in general, especially catholicism. i still have many many many things that i take issue with within the catholic church. as for balancing the harmful parts of the church with Christ’s love and good teachings, i don’t balance them. if a preacher is saying something that goes against Jesus’ teachings and against what we believe to be God’s word, i don’t listen to it. i do not believe that being homophobic is God’s want for any of us, in fact i think he condemns it. and quite honestly Jesus never mentioned homosexuals in The Bible, even though homosexuality was very prevalent in society then (and now!). i won’t say that there aren’t homophobic teachings in the church, because there certainly are. what i will say is that homosexuality is not condemned in the catechism, and there is not sufficient scripture to condemn it within The Bible. (and don’t come at me with Leviticus because it has lost its clarity of whether it is about same-sex attraction, or pedophilia through the years). because of this, here is what i have come to understand about homosexuality (also i’m bisexual and not at all ashamed or sinful because of it): God did not make it plain and clear whether we (we as in humans) should only partake in straight relationships. if you have a relationship with another human being that is driven by love, that is consensual and kind, i believe it glorifies God. i don’t think gender matters, i think actions do.

as for misogyny, i don’t think the church is misogynist. i know, i know. hear me out: if the church is misogynist, it is also just as misandrist (misandry being the hate or dislike of men). there are traditional roles for men and women in the church. it is a defining characteristic of catholicism. that is absolutely true, and a lot of people don’t like that. that’s totally fine! i am not a believer that catholicism is the one true denomination, if you’re better off as a methodist, that is just as wonderful. we have a lot of things that women, in a traditional catholic church, don’t take on. we have SO MANY (i think more) things that men don’t take on. for example, i veil my head at mass because in catholicism women are seen as holy because we have the power to create life. at mass, holy object are veiled (the tabernacle, the communion, the altar, etc) to show their status. women don’t have to veil, but they are welcomed to because of their holiness. men, on the other hand, may not veil because they do not (most men, that is) have the gift of bearing and birthing life. there are many ways that the church glorifies women, and it’s part of why i love it.

as for your last question, i definitely do not define catholicism for myself. part of why i’m drawn to being catholic is due to its firm and deep rooted traditions and values. that being said, nothing i believe is taken at face value. every single part of the church that i subscribe to (i can’t say i follow every teaching because there are thousands and i don’t know them all) is researched for many many hours to make sure i fully understand it, and also that it isn’t a faulty teaching (humans are faulty! and we are far past the days where Jesus walked the earth, so the things we’ve “tacked on” to christianity aren’t always very theologically sound. particularly the hateful teachings.). i follow the actual teachings of the catholic church and the bible as best as i can, as far as i have studied. of course i stumble, and i absolutely question everything. i make sure i can agree and understand what i’m doing before doing it. also, catholic church doctrine is NOT what your local priest says. it isn’t even what the Pope says. it is the words in the catechism. that is the only place you should 100% trust to find the actual beliefs of the church. a lot of priests break their covenant with God by spewing hateful rhetoric and leading members away from The Lord, and it is an absolute shame. 

as a final note: i believe the relationship that i have with God, through my religion as a catholic, is what i should put my faith in most of all. God has never called me to be hateful, to condemn someone’s lifestyle, sexuality or gender, to make others fearful and ashamed. He has only ever called me to show others the unfailing, inconceivable love of Jesus, and let them choose how best to live their life and interact with God. i only hope the love they receive from me will lead them toward a place of peace, love, happiness, and compassion.

[banana-with-a-bow-tie]

Our Blessed Hope Part 2: The Pre-tribulationist Position

In part one of this series of posts, I tried to briefly explain from Daniel 9:27 and some of the descriptors of Revelation 6 that during the seven year Tribulation period, God is doing two unique purposes, restoring national Israel and judging the wicked world system. In this post, I will try to demonstrate the arguments for the rapture taking place before this period.

Christians who believe in a pretribulational rapture find great hope in this definition of the Tribulation because the Church is not identified as a recipient of this phase in God’s plan. The Church already has redemption in Christ and therefore is not guilty of rejecting him. The Church was not even in existence when these prophecies of the Tribulation were first given and is not mentioned directly in the book of Revelation; we were a mystery (Eph 3:6), and as such we received different promises which give us hope in looking toward Christ and his coming, rather than fear and dread. Careful study of Scripture shows us that only when these promises are fulfilled will God’s time of judgment begin.

Different Prophetic Programs

Those who believe that Christ will return to collect his Church before the Tribulation recognize that, in these and other discourses in Scripture regarding the Tribulation, the Church, the body of believers God is assembling in this age, is nowhere directly mentioned. Instead, the promises are made to Israel who God consistently sees as being distinct from the Church. Certainly, God could fulfill his purposes for both groups at the same time, but as Benware notes, certain texts demonstrate that this is not God’s intention. Paul writes in Romans 11:25–27,

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

The majority of the Jewish people have hardened hearts toward the gospel. They were broken off from God’s grace so that Gentiles could be grafted in and receive his blessings (v 17). Only when God has completed his purposes for the Gentiles will he begin the work of saving Israel and fulfilling his covenant to them as he promised in Daniel 9:27.

Imminence of Christ’s Return

This promise in Romans 11 is only one of several verses in the New Testament that seem to indicate that the fulfillment of the Church Age is the next item on God’s prophetic timetable. This doctrine, known as the doctrine of imminence, is defined by one author as the teaching that “as of this present moment, [the rapture] could happen at any time because based on what God has revealed to us about His Word up to this point, we currently don't see any prophesied event in Scripture that absolutely must happen first.”[1] Repeatedly, believers are commanded in Scripture to wait and watch, not for a sign or a treaty or a political leader, but for the Lord’s return. For example, Paul encourages the Church in Philippi with the hope of the rapture, stating in Philippians 3:20–21, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Paul included himself in this exhortation to wait for the Lord to transform our bodies, demonstrating that he expected to experience this miraculous event in his own lifetime.[2]

This is seen again in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 when Paul proclaims “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” Paul speaks as if he believes that he would still be alive when Christ returns for his church, as if Christ could catch us up to meet him in the air at any time. Furthermore, Paul commands the Thessalonians to encourage each other with these words (v 18). If the judgments of the Tribulation must occur before the rapture, this doctrine is hardly a word of encouragement since Revelation informs us that the majority of believers will be persecuted and martyred (Rev 6:9–11; 7:9–14). If any of these events did need to occur before the appearing of Christ, certainly would have informed the Church of this so we could watch for it and know when Christ was about to return. Instead we are told only to wait for the blessed hope of Christ’s glorious appearing (Titus 2:12).[3]

Waiting for the Bridegroom

One other place we see this concept of imminence in a rather unique way is a statement from Jesus himself in John 14:2– 3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” Contrary to the posttribulationist claim that Christ will catch us up only to bring us back down to earth again where he will set up his earthly reign, Jesus here explains that the place he is preparing for us is in heaven with the Father, so in order to experience the blessings of that place, Christ must return and take his Church there to be with him.

Beyond this, certain commentators have noticed a connection between Jesus’ words here and a running theme in Scripture that describes his relationship to his Church, namely that we are called “the bride of Christ” (2 Cor 11:2). This is a worthy comparison, especially in light of the Jewish wedding traditions during the time of Christ. In those days, a Jewish man would travel from his father’s house to that of his potential bride’s and offer a significant dowry to marry her. Upon the acceptance of the man’s offer, the two of them would become legally betrothed but separated for a time as the groom returned to his father’s house to build a home in which he and the bride would live. When the father decided everything had been adequately prepared, he would send the son back to the bride, heralded by a trumpet blast to announce his arrival, at which point the groom would take the bride back to their new home where they would enter their wedding chamber for seven days. After the seven days, there would be a great feast to celebrate their union.[4]

In the same way, Christ came from the Father’s home in heaven and dwelt among us on earth (John 1:2,14), paid the price for his bride by shedding his blood for us (Rev 5:9), united us with him through that sacrifice (Eph 2:13), is currently building a place for us in his Father’s house (John 14:2–3), will return for his bride with the sound of a trumpet (1 Cor 15:52), and after a period of seven years will celebrate the wedding feast in which all the faithful left on the earth will be invited (Rev 19:9). Of special interest is the fact that only the son’s father could decide the right time to fetch the bride, just as only God the Father knows the hour in which He will send the Son of Man (Matt 24:26). The role of the bride is not to look for a sign or look forward to some other event, but to wait eagerly and expectantly for her groom’s arrival. In the same way, we should not be setting our eyes on a date, or a sign, or political movement, but setting all our hope in the day Christ comes for His Church.[5]

Sources

[1] Greg Lauer, “The Ins and Outs of Imminence,” accessed October 6, 2020, http://alittlestrength.com/articles/2020/2006-imminence.htm.

[2] Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy, 228

[3] Ibid.

[4] Todd Hampson, The Non-Prophet’s Guide to the Book of Revelation, (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2019), 49–51.

[5] Ibid.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

10th November >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

 Tuesday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

    or

Saint Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor 

Tuesday, Thirty Second Week in Ordinary Time

  (Liturgical Colour: White)

     (Readings for the feria (Tuesday))

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

    First Reading

Titus 2:1-8,11-14

You must preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine

It is for you to preach the behaviour which goes with healthy doctrine. The older men should be reserved, dignified, moderate, sound in faith and love and constancy. Similarly, the older women should behave as though they were religious, with no scandal-mongering and no habitual wine-drinking – they are to be the teachers of the right behaviour and show the younger women how they should love their husbands and love their children, how they are to be sensible and chaste, and how to work in their homes, and be gentle, and do as their husbands tell them, so that the message of God is never disgraced. In the same way, you have got to persuade the younger men to be moderate and in everything you do make yourself an example to them of working for good: when you are teaching, be an example to them in your sincerity and earnestness and in keeping all that you say so wholesome that nobody can make objections to it; and then any opponent will be at a loss, with no accusation to make against us. You see, God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race and taught us that what we have to do is to give up everything that does not lead to God, and all our worldly ambitions; we must be self-restrained and live good and religious lives here in this present world, while we are waiting in hope for the blessing which will come with the Appearing of the glory of our great God and saviour Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from all wickedness and to purify a people so that it could be his very own and would have no ambition except to do good.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

    Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 36(37):3-4,18,23,27,29

 R/ The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

If you trust in the Lord and do good,

 then you will live in the land and be secure.

If you find your delight in the Lord,

 he will grant your heart’s desire.

R/ The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

He protects the lives of the upright,

 their heritage will last for ever.

The Lord guides the steps of a man

 and makes safe the path of one he loves.

R/ The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Then turn away from evil and do good

 and you shall have a home for ever;

The just shall inherit the land;

 there they shall live for ever.

R/ The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

    Gospel Acclamation

Matthew 4:4

Alleluia, alleluia!

Man does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Alleluia!

  Or:

John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him, 

and we shall come to him.

Alleluia!

    Gospel

Luke 17:7-10

You are merely servants

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”? Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”? Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told? So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty.”’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

——————————————

     Pope Saint Leo the Great, Doctor 

  (Liturgical Colour: White)

     (Readings for the memorial)

(There is a choice today between the readings for the ferial day (Tuesday) and those for the memorial. The ferial readings are recommended unless pastoral reasons suggest otherwise)

    First Reading

Ecclesiasticus 39:6-10

The wise man will be remembered for generations

If it is the will of the great Lord,

 he will be filled with the spirit of understanding,

he will shower forth words of wisdom,

 and in prayer give thanks to the Lord.

He will grow upright in purpose and learning,

 he will ponder the Lord’s hidden mysteries.

He will display the instruction he has received,

 taking his pride in the Law of the Lord’s covenant.

Many will praise his understanding,

 and it will never be forgotten.

His memory will not disappear,

 generation after generation his name will live.

Nations will proclaim his wisdom,

 the assembly will celebrate his praises.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

   Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 36(37):3-6,30-31

 R/ The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.

If you trust in the Lord and do good,

 then you will live in the land and be secure.

If you find your delight in the Lord,

 he will grant your heart’s desire.

R/ The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.

Commit your life to the Lord,

 trust in him and he will act,

so that your justice breaks forth like the light,

 your cause like the noon-day sun.

R/ The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.

The just man’s mouth utters wisdom

 and his lips speak what is right;

the law of his God is in his heart,

 his steps shall be saved from stumbling.

R/ The just man’s mouth utters wisdom.

    Gospel Acclamation

Mark 1:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Follow me, says the Lord,

and I will make you into fishers of men.

Alleluia!

    Gospel

Matthew 16:13-19

You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[a-queer-seminarian]

summing up Polity

this is another post that’s probably only of interest to other PCUSA folks -- it’s a compilation of the most important polity-specific notes that i took in my Presbyterian Heritage and Polity class last spring.

“Reformed” = our theology; “Presbyterian” = our polity

“The polity provides the architecture for the things I find precious.” - Cliff Kirkpatrick

Our theology connects to our life through the organization that polity provides

The Presbyterian Church has split up many times; some of those splits have been reunified over time, and some have not.

our polity leaves room for differences, but the question of what issues are worth splitting over is always in the background

we leave room for argument – “argument is an important ingredient in trying to discern God’s will for us” – Amy Pauw

The Constitution of the PCUSA consists of the Book of Confessions & the Book of Order, the latter of which is divided into principles of polity; form of government; the directory for worship; and the rules of discipline.

Recent changes to the Book of Order reflect a move from a church-centered polity to a missional polity, and from a polity based on common structures and procedures to a polity based on common principles (allowing for more flexibility based on context)

HISTORY: Calvin and Polity

Calvin was less about new theology and more about new polity

He wanted to change how power structures in society as a whole worked

Priests and bishops etc. had much power over not only their congregations but over society as a whole

Calvin made it clear that when you are ordained you are not endowed with special access to God

priesthood of all believers

a priest is called to a specific kind of priesthood – functional, not ontological; you don’t become a different kind of person, you step into different role

Calvin and other reformers also wanted to flip the monastery inside out

Monks spent their whole lives studying scripture -- let’s bring that to everyone, so everyone is studying scripture all the time

instead of saying God’s grace is focused on specific objects wielded by priests, see God’s grace as everywhere

The more each believer can have access to what’s in the Bible, the less susceptible they’ll be to the manipulation of those in power

if we don’t know the Greek and Hebrew, they can tell us anything is in there and we’ll have to take their word for it

THE BOOK OF CONFESSIONS

jk jk i already talked about the confessions yo!! see this post!

Great, now we can dive right in to the less interesting...

THE BOOK OF ORDER

What’s in this thing anyway? Basic outline:

F - Foundations of Presbyterian polity

G - Form of Government

W - Directory for Worship

D - Rules of discipline

Okay, time to dive into the most notable details in each of those above parts. Let’s throw it under a readmore cuz it’s boring to anyone who doesn’t need the info to like. say. pass a super important exam or conduct a session meeting or whatevs

Foundations of Presbyterian Polity

Each section has chapters whee!

F-1: The Mission of the Church

F-1.01 talks about God’s mission! “The good news of the Gospel is that the triune God...creates, redeems, sustains, rules, and transforms all things and all people. ...The Gospel of Jesus Christ announces the nearness of God’s kingdom...proclaiming the Lord’s favor upon all creation” ... “Human beings have no higher goal in life than to glorify and enjoy God now and forever, living in covenant fellowship with God and participating in God’s mission.”

The next few sections talk about who Christ is in charge of the Church and gives it life & hope, how the Church is the Body of Christ...

F-1.0302 -- the Marks of the Church -- we’re “one holy catholic and apostolic” -- meaning God’s gifts to the church are unity, holiness, catholic (universal), and apostolic (sharers of the gospel).

Unity is a gift; being joined to one another “is to become priests for one another”; “Division into different denominations obscures but does not destroy unity in Christ” so the PCUSA strives for ecumenical relationship

“In the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God overcomes our alienation and repairs our division.“

“The Church bears witness in word and work that in Christ the new creation has begun, and that God who creates life also frees those in bondage, forgives sin, reconciles brokenness, makes all things new, and is still at work in the world.” -- we are called to “participate in God’s new creation, God’s kingdom drawing the present into itself”

F-1.0303 -- the Notes of the Reformed Church

“Where Christ is, there is the true Church. Since the earliest days of the Reformation, Reformed Christians have marked the presence of the true Church wherever:

the Word of God is preached and heard,

the Sacraments are rightly administered, and

ecclesiastical discipline is uprightly ministered”

F-1.0403 - Unity in Diversity

“The unity of believers in Christ is reflected in the rich diversity of the Church’s membership. In Christ, by the power of the Spirit, God unites persons through baptism regardless of race, ethinicty, age, sex, disability, geography, or theological conviction. There is therefore no place in the life of the Church for discrimination against any person. The PCUSA shall guarantee full participation and representation in its worship, governance, and emerging life to all persons or groups within its membership.”

F-2: The Church and Its Confessions

2.01 - In the confessions “the church declares to its members and to the world who and what it is, what it believes, and what it resolves to do.”

2.02 - the confessions are subordinate to the authority of Jesus who is the Word of God, “as the Scriptures bear witness to him.”

We’re open to reform of doctrine and governance

Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei -- “The church is reformed, always to be reformed according to the Word of God”

F-3: Principles of Order and Government

3.0101 - God is Lord of the Conscience -- and so “rights of private judgment” are “universal and unalienable”

3.0103 - Officers (i.e. “ordered ministers”)

Jesus appointed officers to preach the gospel, administer the Sacraments, and to exercise discipline

3.0104 - “By their fruits ye shall know them” -- “there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty”

3.0105 - mutual forbearance

people of good character may have differences in belief, so we should respect that yo

3.0202 - “the church shall be governed by presbyters, that is, ruling elders and teaching elders (also called ministers of the Word and Sacrament).”

elders are chosen by the congregation to help guide it towards the Word of God and to help nurture its faith

Ministers of the Word and Sacrament teach the faith in word and in deed, equipping the people of God for their ministry and witness

The Form of Government

G-1: Congregations and their Membership

1.0101 - “The congregation is the basic for of the church, but it is not itself a sufficient form of the church. Thus congregations are bound together in communion with one another, united in relationships of accountability and responsibility, contributing their strengths to the benefit of the whole, and are called, collectively, the church”

so for 100+ years before this change, we were saying that the Church is the church universal; congregation is the particular church; only 6 years ago or so did we start saying congregations are the foundational church

this evinces a new prioritization and recognizing the importance of congregations as core to church’s mission

Congregations should be agents of God’s mission in the world

“The congregation reaches out to people, communities, and the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ, to gather for worship, to offer care and nurture to God’s children, to speak for social justice and righteousness, to bear witness to the truth and to the reign of God that is coming into the world.”

G-1.02 - The Organizing of a Congregation

only done by a presbytery in response to application from potential members

issues nowadays that we discussed in class: alienation from structures and organization; nowadays lots of informal groups worship instead of seeking to fit under a structure.

There’s currently a goal to get 1001 new communities in America (CCC is one and so is Elmer’s home churches; there are a lot of unorthodox ones like bar ministry, tend to be much more inclusive)

G-1.03 The Membership of a Congregation

 Faith and baptism as the keys to entrance into membership (G-1.0301)

“A congregation shall welcome all persons who trust in God’s grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the fellowship and ministry of his Church” (see also F-1.0403)

Membership comes with responsibilities (1.0304), including proclaiming the good news; supporting the ministry of the church with money, time, and talents; and (an item added a couple years ago) caring for God’s creation

G-2: Ordered Ministry, Commissioning, and Certification

G-2.0101 - Christ’s ministry shows us that ministers are “not to be served but to serve.” The whole people of God are called to be ministers -- “form whose midst some are called to ordered ministries, to fulfill particular functions”

and then they define deacons and ruling elders and teaching elders yeet

G-3: Councils of the Church

Four councils: sessions, presbyteries, synods, General Assembly

G-3.0101 - Councils as an expression of the unity of the church

“Councils of the church exist to help congregations and the church as a whole to be more faithful participants in the mission of Christ.”

G-3.0105 - Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly, Revised, except when it is in contradiction to this Constitution.”

G-4: The Church and Civil Authority

there’s stuff about property here and stuff

G-5: Ecumenicity and Union

G-5.0101 - The PCUSA “will seek to initiate, maintain, and strengthen relations with other Reformed and Christian entities.”

G-5.0102 - The PCUSA “at all levels seeks new opportunities for conversation and understanding with non-Christian religious entities” because of “God’s intention for the wholeness of all humankind and all creation.”

G-6: Interpreting and Amending the Constitution

G-6.02 - The General Assembly provides authoritative interpretation of the Book of Order

Directory for Worship

Preface

“This Directory for Worship reflects the conviction that the faith, life, and worship of the Church are inseparable.”

W-1: The Theology of Christian Worship

W-1.0101 - “Christian worship gives all glory and honor, praise and thanksgiving to the holy, triune God. We are gathered in worship to glorify the God who is present and active among us—particularly through the gifts of Word and Sacrament. We are sent out in service to glorify the same God who is present and active in the world”

W-1.0302 - “The mystery and reality of God transcend our experience, understanding, and speech, such that we cannot reduce God to our ways of speaking. Yet we are compelled to speak of the glory, goodness, and grace of the God who is revealed in the world around us, in Scripture, and above all, in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament speaks of God in personal ways, as creator, covenant-maker, comforter, liberator, judge, redeemer, midwife, mother, shepherd, sovereign, bearer, begetter. It addresses God as “Lord,” a word that conveys the sovereignty of God while standing in for the hidden name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. It also borrows images from nature, describing God as rock, well-spring, fire, light, eagle, hen, lion. The Gospels show how Jesus used and adapted these images when speaking to and about God, particularly in his intimate use of Abba, Father. He also claimed some of these terms in speaking about himself—as good shepherd, bridegroom, and Son of Man. In worship the church shall strive to use language about God that is intentionally as diverse and varied as the Bible and our theological traditions. Language that appropriately describes and addresses God is expansive, drawing from the full breadth and depth of terms and images for the triune God in the witness of Scripture. Language that authentically describes and addresses the people of God is inclusive, respecting the diversity of persons, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that flow from God’s creative work. Such language allows for all members of the community of faith to recognize themselves as equally included, addressed, and cherished by God. Since Pentecost, the Church of Jesus Christ has been a community of many nations and cultures, united by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore our churches worship in many languages. The words we use in worship are to be in the common language or languages of those who are gathered, so that all are able to receive the good news and respond with true expressions of their faith. Through the rich variety of human speech we bear witness to God’s saving love for all.”

W-1.0304 - “Christian worship is contextual—emerging from a particular community and incorporating the words, images, symbols, and actions that best convey the good news of Jesus Christ in that gathering of God’s people. It is also cross-cultural—reflecting the diversity of traditions and cultures within and beyond the community of faith. Christian worship is transcultural—proclaiming the universal message of God’s grace in Jesus Christ and rooted in common elements of human life that transcend all cultures. It is also countercultural—asserting the scandal of the gospel and anticipating God’s reign of righteousness, justice, and peace. Finally, faithful worship should be an intercultural event—fostering mutuality, dialogue, and equality among all people.”

W-2: The Ordering of Reformed Worship

W-2.0102 - “Christian worship has always been marked by a tension between form and freedom. ...Fixed forms of worship are valuable in that they offer consistent patterns and practices that help to shape lives of faith and faithfulness. More spontaneous approaches to worship are valuable in that they provide space for unexpected insight and inspiration. In whatever form it takes, worship is to be ordered by God’s Word and open to the creativity of the Holy Spirit.”

W-2.0202 - “The gifts of the Spirit are for building up the Church. Every action in worship is to glorify God and contribute to the good of the people. Worshipers and worship leaders must avoid actions that only call attention to themselves and fail to serve the needs of the whole congregation.”

W-3: The Service for the Lord’s Day

W-4: Pastoral and Occasional Services

W-5: Worship and Christian Life

We worship not only in church but at home; communally and individually. We also provide education.

Also called to evangelism and “compassion” -- feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, etc. Also to seeking justice and caring for creation 

W-5.0401 - “The Church’s activities do not bring about God’s realm; they are our grateful response to the grace of God at work in the world. We seek to worship and serve God faithfully, with the confidence that God’s reign has already been established and the hope that it will soon be revealed in fullness and glory.”

Rules of Discipline

D-1: Principles of Church Discipline

“The purpose of discipline is to honor God by making clear the significance of membership in the body of Christ; to preserve the purity of the church by nourishing the individual within the life of the believing community; to achieve justice and compassion for all participants involved; to correct or restrain wrongdoing in order to bring members to repentance and restoration; to uphold the dignity of those who have been harmed by disciplinary offenses; to restore the unity of the church by removing the causes of discord and division; and to secure the just, speedy, and economical determination of proceedings.”

D-2: Judicial Process Defined

D-3: Jurisdiction in Judicial Process

D-4: Reference

D-5: Permanent Judicial Commissions

D-6: Remedial Cases

D-7: Trial in a Remedial Case

D-8: Appeal in a Remedial Case

D-9: Request for Vindication

D-10: Disciplinary Cases

D-11: Trial in a Disciplinary Case

D-12: Censure and Restoration in a Disciplinary Case

D-13: Appeal in a Disciplinary Case

D-14: Evidence in Remedial or Disciplinary Cases

Whew. We get it, there are lots of rules when you gotta discipline someone

[nerdygaymormon]

Do what mattereth most - a talk given by David on May 15, 2022

The stake presidency asked me to speak about Sister Craven’s talk from General Conference titled “Do What Mattereth Most.” I’ll share principles from her talk and then elaborate on them from my point of view.

“Do What Mattereth Most.” The first word of that phrase is “do.” Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires more than hoping or believing, we are to be “doers of the word.” Doing something is a way of exercising faith.

I’ll give you an example. If you look around and notice someone not here and think, “I wonder if they’re sick, I hope they’re okay.” That’s not enough. Pull out your phone and text them. “Hey, missing you at church, things okay? If you’re feeling under the weather, I made a pot roast, more than enough to share. I can drop some off for you and the kids.” Be a doer.

When people are learning more about our church, meeting with the missionaries and considering converting, we ask them to do things. We ask them to read scriptures, to pray, to attend church. These are ways of finding answers to their questions and for them to exercise faith.

Many of us who are members have questions. We can do the same things we ask potential converts to do, to study, to pray, to do the weekly Come Follow Me, and so on. Another tool available to you is your ward family.

We’re a congregation and take the sacrament together in a communal act each week. Many people here have had questions and doubts and worked through them. They may have a perspective that can help you.

In fact, our church community is a powerful tool. There are things that are easier to do if you have others to do them with you. That can be exercise or studying the Come Follow Me lessons. Sometimes as individuals we face tasks or challenges that are too much for us and we can turn to church friends for assistance, or to the Relief Society and Elders Quorum. Together we can do things which may not be possible for the individual. Be there for each other.

Several times in the Doctrine & Covenants, in response to questions the Lord responds, “It mattereth not.” Not everything we do is something that matters. In order to “do what mattereth most,” we have to recognize what “mattereth not.”

Here’s a way of using the principle of some things matter more and some things matter less. The scriptures were written over thousands of years by many individuals who describe their encounters with the Divine and important lessons their societies learned. There’s contradictions in the scriptures. There’s things in the scriptures that wouldn’t be okay in today’s world. There’s some crazy stories in the Bible. How are we to make sense of all this?

Think to yourself what are the big overarching themes in the scriptures, the principles that come up again and again. Those are the things that “mattereth most.” Use these to help you think through the more troubling parts.

God is love; God doesn’t play favorites; we’re all alike unto God; we’re all created in God’s image; we’re all one in Christ; if you do it unto the least of these, it’s like you’ve done it unto me; love your neighbor as yourself; do unto others as you’d have others do unto you, love one another.

How many ways has God tried to teach us the same lesson? Using this lesson, let’s think about slavery. Slavery is in the scriptures. Does slavery fit with this important teaching of loving one another? No, let’s leave slavery with those ancient cultures. Leave behind the racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and all those things that divide us, we need to give them up. Knowing what matters most helps us see that.

Another way I use this concept of some things matter more and some things matter less comes to the fact we all make mistakes, none of us are perfect. Whether we’re talking about being a parent, learning a musical instrument or to play a new sport, we’re going to make a lot of mistakes. Those mistakes are part of learning. We recognize the mistakes and work on them and then work on a new set of mistakes. This is part of the struggle that leads to learning, growth, becoming.

Many years ago I used to teach at the Missionary Training Center (the MTC). I helped missionaries learn Korean. The missionaries at the MTC, they would compare themselves to each other and think they’re so far behind, that person is so much better and get frustrated, think they aren’t ever going to get it, that they aren’t good enough, they’re not worthy enough. In reality, they were all beginners, not that far apart from each other in their ability. Those differences in their language ability. I think that’s like how we view ourselves verses how God views us.

That perceived gap isn’t what mattered most. They were learning Korean. If they would look at what they had could speak & read today compared to a month ago, they would see they were progressing, they were advancing. Then they could use that knowledge to have confidence they could learn this new concept. Instead, by focusing on what they thought was their deficit, it robbed them of that sense of accomplishment and confidence.

We all do this. If you want to read the scriptures for 15 minutes each day for a month, but we missed 3 days, don’t focus on the 3 days. Recognize you read for 27 days. The three missed days don’t undo the hours of reading. Focus on the accomplishment, not the gap. Progress is progress. Build on that success.

The final point is that if we follow Jesus, we will be guided to “do what mattereth most.”

I don’t usually announce this from the podium. Some of you already know that I’m gay. I don’t always feel like I am wanted or fit in this church.

As a gay member I can’t complete the covenant path. I’m not sealed to a partner. What makes church important to a lot of people is denied to me. My spiritual journey looks different from yours.

My focus is on Jesus. Many years ago I came to the conclusion that Jesus is doing work in the world today and I want to be a part of that. So get out there and join in the work

We have a lot of people who feel on the peripheries of our church community. LGBTQ individuals, divorced, people who never married, people of color, people with disabilities. They’re here with us at church, but they don’t often see people like them in the lessons or in the leadership, they may not feel fully included or welcomed.

I think about how Christ treated people on the peripheries of His community. He ate with them. He walked with them. He healed their wounds. He cried with them. He validated them. He listened to them. Those are things we can do. Often those small things are what mattereth most.

People on the margins walked away being uplifted by their interaction with Christ. I think that’s a worthy goal for all of us, to leave people feeling uplifted from interacting with us. We don’t have to be perfect to do that.

 We don’t often have someone gay speaking at the pulpit, so I’m taking the opportunity to say a few things to everyone who is LGBTQIA.

You aren’t broken. You are not required to erase yourself in order to be in this church or to have a relationship with God. God already knows you're trans or bi or ace or in whatever way you're queer. The Book of Mormon teaches we are to have joy in this life, and that's hard to do if you can't accept yourself.

You will have to make some really difficult choices in regards to church that non-queer people don't face. Most queer people leave this church, that may be your path, too. I’ve seen that Jesus is doing work both in and out of the church. As long as you're here, I want you to know you're not alone. I'm not even the only grownup gay member in our stake, there's several of us. There are also family & friends of queer people who are here and are allies, and that includes our stake president.

You are the one responsible for your spiritual growth. Use the things that matter most to help you make sense of the rest. When things are said in church which bother me, I ask “Does that fit with the 2 great commandments to love God, love my neighbor & love myself?” “Does that sound like the God I know?” If it fails those tests, I can set it aside.

I know there’s hard things you deal with and are going through, but I also know things get better. You'll grow up and get to make your own choices for your life. In the darkest moments, hold on & the sun will rise. Find someone you can talk with. If you can’t talk to someone in your life, message me

Btw, our stake has an LGBTQ group that meets every other month, you’ll see it on the stake calendar as LGBTQ Come Follow Me. It's a safe space for queer members & their family and for allies. If you'd be interested in attending, please message me to get information. Go to the church directory and look up the stake presidency and you’ll find me there listed as the stake executive secretary

 Okay, back to speaking to everyone.

Think about where you are and the person you’ve become and the things you understand compared to where you were 5 years ago, 10 years ago. Recognize you’ve grown and count that as a win. Build on that success by being open to learning and doing better. Focus on Christ and becoming Christlike. Treat others how you’d want to be treated.

Don’t worry how you’re doing in comparison to anyone else. It’s not a race, it’s not me against you. We’re all on our own journey. We each have our own situations. We grow at our own speed.

Ask yourself what is your next step? How do you move forward? Where do I need to improve?

Be “doers of the word.” Recognize there are things that don’t matter much, and choose to do the things that “mattereth most.”

[pamphletstoinspire]

Entertaining God: The 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, as we continue to accompany Jesus on his fateful journey to Jerusalem in the Gospel of Luke, we are confronted with a pair of Readings in which human beings host a meal for God: Abraham for the LORD in the First Reading; Martha and Mary for Jesus in the Gospel. But is it really possible for us to “do God a favor” by giving him a nice meal? We are going to discover that, while God graciously accepts our services, it’s really about what God does for us, not what we can do for him.

1. The First Reading is Gn 18:1-10a:

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them; and bowing to the ground, he said: “Sir, if I may ask you this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and then rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves; and afterward you may go on your way.” The men replied, “Very well, do as you have said.”

Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah, “Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls.” He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it. Then Abraham got some curds and milk, as well as the steer that had been prepared, and set these before the three men; and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.

They asked Abraham, “Where is your wife Sarah?” He replied, “There in the tent.” One of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son.”

This very beautiful and mysterious narrative has always suggested a mystical appearance of the Holy Trinity in the Christian tradition, and countless icons have taken their inspiration from it.

Certainly there is an intriguing interplay of one and three in the text. The text says, “The LORD appeared to Abraham,” in the singular; but three men show up. When Abraham greets the men in Hebrew, he begins by addressing them in the second person singular (“you”) and then switches to second person plural (“y’all”). So are they one or three? Yes!

The context of this meal is important. In the immediately preceding textual unit (Genesis 17) God had re-made his covenant with Abraham (first made in Genesis 15), introducing some revised terms, such as circumcision as the mark of the covenant. God also incorporates the promise of kingship as a term of the covenant, and specifies that the son of Sarah—Abraham’s first-and-should-have-been-only wife—will be the heir of the covenant. Now, in our present chapter, the LORD shows up to have a meal with Abraham.

Meals are important covenant rituals. Covenants form unrelated persons into family members. Families eat together. It is a sign of communion and relationship. Having formed a covenant with Abraham, the LORD now appears to share a family meal with him. In this meal, Abraham is eager to serve the LORD and feed “them” well. He wants to be a good host. But this meal is not about what Abraham can do for the LORD. Do we really think these three angelic visitors needed material food? Instead, this meal is about what the LORD can do for Abraham: provide him a son and heir, in fulfillment of his covenant promises.

2. The Responsorial Psalm is Ps 15:2-3, 3-4, 5:

R. (1a) He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

One who walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. One who does these things shall never be disturbed.

R. He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Since the First Reading and Gospel are both about sharing intimate communion with God (in fact, sharing a meal with God), the Psalm reminds us of what sort of persons we need to be to have this privilege of “living in the presence of the LORD.” To live in the presence of the LORD requires that we do justice, think the truth, refrain from slander, from harm, and criticism of others, from usury and bribes. It requires that we encourage those who honor the LORD and refrain from honoring atheists and those who mock faith in God (“the reprobate”).

These “rules” are not meant as a restraint on our lifestyle, but as a path to happiness. Can the man truly be happy who commits injustice to others; believes in falsehoods; slanders, harms, and criticizes those around him; charges unfair interest and takes bribes; who mocks and humiliates those who worship God, and encourages blasphemers and atheists? Can that person be joyful and content? Even if he is successful for a while in avoiding retaliation from all those he has harmed, I submit that man cannot be happy because he cannot have interior peace. The practice of evil is its own punishment, even apart from the negative consequences it inevitably provokes.

3. The Second Reading is Col 1:24-28:

Brothers and sisters: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God’s stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. But now it has been manifested to his holy ones, to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; it is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

At this time in the Lectionary cycle, we are reading semi-continuously through the Epistle to the Colossians. Today’s reading is profound, but we will focus on just one striking statement by St. Paul: “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ.”

In an essay on the topic of faith and works, Dr. Michael Barber quotes St. Thomas Aquinas on this passage of Colossians:

[This could be misinterpreted as teaching] that the passion of Christ was not sufficient for our redemption, and that the sufferings of the saints were added to complete it …. But this is heretical, because the blood of Christ is sufficient to redeem many worlds…. Rather, we should understand that Christ and the Church are one mystical person, whose head is Christ, and show body is all the just, for every just person is a member of this head: “individually members” (1 Cor. 12:27)…. We could say that Paul was completing the sufferings that were lacking in his own flesh. For what was lacking was that, just as Christ had suffered in his own body, so he should also suffer in Paul, his member, and in similar ways in others. [Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Colossians (trans. F. R. Larcher; Naples: Sapientia, 2006)].

This is one of the places in Scripture that teach us the doctrine of redemptive suffering, that as Christians we will and indeed must suffer in this life, but our sufferings are participations in the suffering of Jesus, and as such have value in God’s eyes and advance the salvation of the whole world.

The truth of redemptive suffering is lost in Christian groups that teach “salvation by faith alone” understood as a path to heaven that involves believing, but not necessarily a transformation of one’s thought and behavior, much less the endurance of suffering for Christ’s sake. This was the kind of Christianity I was partially raised in. Thankfully, however, on a practical level there was a greater recognition for the need to transform behavior than there was on a theoretical level. Sometimes one’s religion can be better than one’s theology.

The theology of redemptive suffering spoke powerfully to my wife and I, especially to my wife, who has had more than the “usual” share of suffering in life. It was part of what led to her conversion to the Christian faith. The famous Austrain psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, a survivor of the Holocaust and the Nazi death camps, argues in his rightly famous book Man’s Search for Meaning that almost any suffering can be endured by the human psyche provided the human sufferer sees meaning in it. I think Frankl is right, so far as it goes, but what is lacking in his book and his counseling method, called logotherapy, is that he does not provide a metaphysical reason to believe that there is meaning in life. He would help his patients invent their own meaning, but this is unsatisfying, because finite creatures cannot make a meaningless world meaningful by an act of their will—its just an exercise in imagination, and we know it. What Frankl and logotherapy needs is the Christian faith. The Christian faith is the best framework for psychiatric health in world civilization, because the the cross provides the way to find meaning in any situation of suffering. If God can bring the salvation of the world out of the worst evil in human history—the shameful torture and execution of the only perfectly innocent human being ever to live—than surely he is able to bring good out of the lesser sufferings we face. The Christian faith asserts and provides evidence to believe that there is a God who has a purpose to this creation—a good purpose, capable of incorporating even the tragedies that we witness into a larger goal of making human beings suitable to dwell forever in the presence of furnace of God’s love, i.e. heaven.

4. The Gospel is Lk 10:38-42:

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

In this part of Luke, Jesus has begun his “death march” to Jerusalem, where he will celebrate the great familial meal par excellence that will form the New Covenant. On his way, he stops in the home of Mary and Martha to share a meal with them.

Like Abraham, Martha and Mary have the opportunity to host God at a meal in their home.

Martha and Mary have different attitudes toward Jesus in their home. Mary is concerned about what Jesus can give to her, and sits soaking up his teaching. Martha is concerned with what she can do for Jesus, and is busy about serving the food.

But does a man who can multiply loaves to feed 5,000 really need someone to bring him food?

Martha is not ill-intentioned, and Jesus treats her gently. “Martha, Martha …” — the repetition of her name is a sign of affection and love. He understands her mindset and knows that her desire to serve is ultimately also an expression of love for him, even if misguided.

“You are worried about many things, but there is need of only one thing.”

What is the “one thing”? Some suggest Martha was serving an elaborate meal and Jesus is suggesting a single dish would have sufficed. Perhaps that is true. But Scripture has layers of meaning. On a deeper level, the “one thing” that is necessary is communion with God. Finally, this is the only thing that matters, and it is all we will do and enjoy in eternity.

Martha’s great business causes her to lose communion with Jesus. So busy serving, she is not spending any time with him.

There is a pleasing illustration of Martha’s attitude in an excellent German film marketed in the US under the title “Mostly Martha.” The lead character — not accidentally named Martha — is a German cook obsessed with perfection, who has forgotten that food and eating are ultimately forms of communion with other persons, an expression of love and fellowship. In the course of the film — and through much pain — she learns to open herself to a communion of love with her young niece and a fellow chef who becomes her husband. She comes to understand meals not simply as a chance for her to display artistic and scientific prowess, but as opportunity for the communion of persons. The whole movie is very much applicable to the themes of this Sunday’s Readings.

But back to the Gospel reading: Martha’s problem is that she is too concerned about what she can do for Jesus, when it is really about what Jesus can do for her.

Mary seems to understand this, as she sits at Jesus’ feet. About Mary, we can apply a pleasing interpretation of an important Old Testament text. After the Sinai Covenant was solemnized in Exod 24:1-8, the leaders of Israel went up on Mt. Sinai, and they shared a meal with God: “They beheld God, and ate and drank” (Ex 24:11). Some ancient Rabbis took this to mean, “They looked at God and in this way they ate and drank.” In other words, the Beatific Vision was their sustenance. We can apply this verse to Mary: while Martha tries to prepare a physical meal, Mary beholds Jesus and that is sustenance enough for her. We can meditate on this concept in Eucharistic Adoration.

This Sunday, we hear these words proclaimed at the Mass, our own covenant meal with God present. Yet we need to remember, the Mass is not something we do for God, nor is it a meal we host for God. The Mass is something God does for us; He is the host of the meal.

We don’t do God a favor by showing up for Church on Sunday and throwing something into the plate. This does nothing for God. It does not enhance his dignity or add anything to his power or glory.

God does us a favor by hosting a meal for us every Sunday in which he offers Himself to us as food, in the most intimate act of communion with Himself imaginable.

Mass is not about what we do for God, but about what God does for us. At this Sunday’s Mass, let’s pray more intensely for God to work in our hearts, to forgive our sin and transform the way we think and act, that we can become like the man of Psalm 15 who is suitable to dwell in God’s presence; or like Mary, who understood the “one thing” necessary and was willing to say “No” to distractions and demands in order to soak in the presence and teaching of Jesus.

From: www.pamphletstoinspire.com

[tryingtoescapereality007]

Okay so I know this is gonna sound totally weird, but just go with me here. So everybody knows today's Easter, and since my family (not me by any means, just clarifying) is Christian, we all sat down as a family and talked about Jesus and the Atonement and all that shit. Well as we were taking, my stepdad brought up something that made me think. He said that leading up to when they were gonna crucify Jesus and stuff, Satan was really against it, and he tried everything in his power to stop it.

May not seem like anything important, but to my fanfiction shipping ass, it sounded like ship material. And if you think about it, it kinda makes sense. Now I don't claim to be a religious expert by any means, all I have is my years of childhood Mormon conditioning and scripture reading, but I know a thing or two, and by what knowledge I have, this ship makes sense.

Let's start from the beginning when everybody was in heaven and God hadn't created the Earth yet. As some of you may know, God gathered everybody, told them his plan, and then said that he needed a volunteer pretty much to do the whole Atonement thing. Out of everybody there, only two people offered. Jesus and Lucifer. Jesus was the golden boy. He was pretty much like, "God choose me cause I'm a good boy I'll do whatever you say. I love everybody so I'll die for them and shit." But Lucifer was having none of that. He was all like, "No God choose me. I'll take your good plan, and make it better. This way everybody can come back to live here." Now, most people think that Lucifer said this because he was jealous and angry and evil and all that, but he never spoke until after Jesus spoke. Notice that. Maybe that was because Jesus spoke first, maybe it was because he couldn't stand to see his crush go all Katniss on him. Maybe he volunteered himself because he would rather go than have Jesus go. I mean, nobody else but those two stood up. Nobody else volunteered. And despite what it seemed, he cared about those souls in heaven. They were his siblings. He loved them. So, of course, he would see the fact that not everybody would be getting back as a flaw in the plan, a flaw that his plan fixed. And yes it wasn't the best idea but at least his way involved everybody getting back home.

But as you know God picked Jesus because he didn't like Lucifer opposing his plan. And then Lucifer took 1/3of the population and left. Again, most people think that this was because he was evil, but maybe he was just angry. Angry that God had chosen Jesus, his crush, instead of him. Angry that God had rejected his plan so completely, not even considering the idea before rejecting it. Angry that now his crush was going to go die a painful death and repent for sins that weren't his, have to suffer alone, without him. So yeah, he was angry, and he was stupid and reckless. He got some followers and said, "We're leaving this shithole." So they left. He left. And Jesus stayed. Jesus stayed.

Fast forward to when Jesus is on Earth, from a young age Lucifer seemed to tempt him, try to get him to mess up, sin, use his powers for bad, for selfish reasons. But every time Jesus stayed strong and kept on the path. Now some may say that Satan did this because he's Satan, he's evil and just wants to destroy all the good in the world. But maybe that's not the reason.

Maybe he knew that God's plan relied on Jesus' purity, his innocence, his perfection. So he knew that if he broke that perfection if he got him to make just one little mistake, then God's plan would be ruined. He'd have to find someone else, try again or something. Jesus would be free. He wouldn't be bound to that agreement, that promise anymore. All throughout the scriptures, Lucifer never really tempts him to do super awful things like killing someone or anything that extreme, just small things. Like make that rock shine, turn this into food, etc.

Actually, I remember one scripture chapter thing that pretty much was just Satan trying to tempt Jesus into sinning. He tried everything. Mind you, Jesus at this point had been fasting for like 40 something days or more, without food or water, just like praying on a mountain or something. Satan had probably been watching the whole time. And he probably was like, "Okay, enough is enough." And then he pretty much just appeared and was like, "Make this rock into some food, turn this into water, etc. "Just small things. But the food and water thing, why that specifically? Why not a bug, or a plant, or whatever? People say it was because he wanted him to eat/drink it and break his fast, which I think is true. He wanted him to break his fast because he couldn't stand to watch any longer as Jesus just wasted away and refused to take care of himself. I mean, 40 something days seems a little excessive, don't you think?

Also in that scripture, he wanted Jesus to jump off a cliff and see if the angels would catch him. I think he was trying to prove a point. That there was no way out. That this agreement was binding, and even death couldn't stop it. He was trying to make Jesus realize the extent and extremity of what he had naively gotten himself into.

But, unfortunately, Jesus remained pure and got crucified. He went to the garden of Gethsemane and atoned for everybody's sins. He died for all mankind. But then he came back. Three days later he came back and visited the people a little bit before leaving back to heaven. God's plan worked. And now Jesus was his little puppet, his golden boy, his favorite, his "Only-begotten Son". He forgot about Lucifer, no, not forgot, it was worse than that. He hated him.

He hated him. God had made him out to be the enemy, and as far as Jesus knew, his father, God, had never failed him, had never lied to him, so why would he lie about Lucifer?

And God described the place that Lucifer ruled as hell, as a terrible, horrible place where all the bad people went. But that wasn't accurate. Hell wasn't terrible, and it wasn't hot. In fact, it was cold. Very cold. And lonely. And the only people that went there were the misfits, the runaways, the people society deemed "odd" or "weird" or "crazy". The people that didn't conform, didn't follow God's prechosen plan. And since God didn't like that, he sent them down to live with the only other person he knew who didn't follow his plan either, Lucifer, or Satan, as he was so dubbed.

And they say that Lucifer and his followers roam the Earth trying to get us to sin, to do bad things and that everything bad and not good in the world is them, and is because of them, but that's not true.

It's just another lie made up by God.

They do, sometimes, roam the Earth, but they do so in order to warn us, to open our eyes to God's manipulation, so that we don't follow the same path as Jesus.

And Lucifer does roam the Earth occasionally, but only in hopes that he'll catch a glimpse of Jesus, or that he'll be there when the Second Coming happens so that maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to see him one last time, talk to him, and save him.

Author's Note: Okay. So before you, all get all hissy pissy at me, I just want to disclaim a few things. I do not, as stated above, claim in any way shape or form to be a religious expert. I am not. All I have is my very limited knowledge and my imagination. Also, in case you guys are wondering, the references I am using come from the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine of Covenants, the Bible (King James version) and other Mormon-related teachings and lessons. Also, most of this I made up. Like all of this is just me and my thoughts and my ideas and imagination, so don't take any of it as facts. Finally, I do not mean to offend any Christians or Mormons or anybody else who celebrates Easter for religious reasons. I understand the significance of this day to such people and do not mean to offend them in any way shape or form. I'm sorry if what I've said offends you. Happy Easter and goodnight/morning/afternoon depending on what time you read this.

[lesfeldickbiblestudy]

  Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 3 * BOOK 69 REDEEM, REDEEMED, REDEMPTION – PART 3 Various Scripture References For those of you joining us on television again, we want to welcome you to a Bible Study that we trust will help you to learn to study on your own.  I’ve said over and over, it’s not that difficult.  Just learn to separate some of these things.  You can’t just keep it all jumbled up.  It’s not an impossible Book, not by any stretch.  Remember, we use all the Bible for our learning, but Paul’s books, Romans – Philemon, are for our Grace Age doctrine. We want to thank you for your prayers, your letters, your financial help, every one of you.  We love you.  We pray for you from coast to coast.  We know that we couldn’t do it without you.  Same for all of you who come in for these tapings.  How we appreciate this!  We know that the Lord is using you to use us. Okay, we’re going to continue on with our theme of redemption.  First we saw that Adam and Eve needed to be restored to fellowship, but Adam of course plunged the whole human race into a need for redemption.  This is going to be our next program, how that Christ in the work of the cross is going to redeem not just Israel but the whole human race.  After Israel experienced the national redemption of the Red Sea, we still have that hope of a spiritual redemption in their future. All right, we’re going to jump in, to start this half hour, in Isaiah chapter 59 verse 20.  We know that Job spoke of a redeemer, one of the earliest books written in our Bible.  But now, Isaiah in verse 20 says: Isaiah 59:20a “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion,…”  That’s a future promise from Isaiah’s point in time 700 years before Christ.  A redeemer would be coming to Jerusalem to Mount Zion. Isaiah 59:20b-21a “…and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, (or in the Nation of Israel) saith the LORD.  21. As for me, this is my covenant with them,…” That is Israel.  Now, I can never emphasize enough, and you know that this has been my teaching from day one, that with the onset of the Abrahamic Covenant all of God’s dealing was primarily to the Jew.  There were some Gentile exceptions, but that’s what they were, they were exceptions.  God has been dealing with the Nation of Israel.  He’s going to continue to deal with Israel even as Christ makes His appearance for His earthly ministry. Isaiah 29:21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them, (Israel) saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” That’s almost a word for word repetition from Jeremiah 31:31 where He calls it a “new covenant I will make with the house of Israel.” All right, let’s jump all the way up to our New Testament and jump into Luke chapter 1.  Again, if you really get this concept of Scripture, the four Gospels are not that much different from the Old Testament, especially from Genesis chapter 12, the call of Abraham on.  It’s all tied to Israel.  Everything is God dealing with Israel.  He hasn’t left the Gentiles out of His mind, but He’s going to have to deal with Israel first, and then He’ll deal with the rest of the world. All right, Luke’s Gospel chapter 1, and I want to drop in at verse 68.   The setting for this little portion of Scripture is the father of John the Baptist.  He was one of the priests laboring at the Temple.  When the little fellow was born, they asked the mother what his name would be.  Elizabeth said, “John.”  Well, that threw them a curve.  Nobody has ever been called John before. So they look up old Zacharias who has been stricken speechless throughout the nine months of gestation. They find him up at the Temple compound.  They asked him, what’s going to be the name of this baby?  And he wrote the name, “John.”  Well, they were all shook up, of course, but now the Lord gives him back his speech.

  I guess, in that case, we’d better start at verse 67.   Now, Zacharias has gotten his speech back. Look what he says. Luke 1:67-68 “And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, (So, everything he says is God moved.  This isn’t just the voice of a wishful thinking Jew.  This is the word that God wanted spoken.) and prophesied, saying, (or he spoke forth saying) 68. Blessed be the Lord God of (The world?  No.  That’s not what it says.) Israel; (Now we’ve got to keep Scripture in its context.  We have no validity whatsoever in saying, well, He meant everybody.  No.  He meant what He said.) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and (What?) redeemed his people,” Well, this is prophecy ready to be fulfilled.  Isaiah said, “The Redeemer would come to Jerusalem.”  And here He is!  He’s in their midst.  John the Baptist will in short order be announcing Him to the Nation of Israel.  “Your King is in your midst.”  He’s ready to fulfill all the promises made to the Patriarchs and to the prophets. Here He is!  So, Israel is put on the spot.   All right, let’s read a few of these. Luke 1:69 “And He hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.”  Now again I always ask the question.  How many Gentiles in the House of David?  Not a one!  This is all Jewish.  This is Jewish ground. Luke 1:70-71 “As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, you name them.) who have been since the ages began: (What did the prophets say?) 71.   That we should be saved from our enemies, (The physical enemies, their neighbors, the Arab world, the Roman world, Israel was to be saved from all those Gentiles enemies.) and from the hand of all that hate us.”  Which were, again, the same people. Luke 1:72-73 “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73. The oath which he swear to our father Abraham.”  Now you see, everything goes back to Genesis 12.  You can’t separate it.   It’s just an on flowing of those Old Testament statements.  Now verse 74. Luke 1:74-78 “That he would grant unto us, that we (the Nation of Israel) being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75. In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76. And thou, child, (speaking of John the Baptist) shall be called the prophet (the forth teller) of the Highest: (John would be the forerunner of the Messiah.) for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,” All right, so here is the beginning of Christ’s earthly ministry, which is directed completely to Israel with only two exceptions, the Canaanite woman and the Roman centurion.  It was all Israel.  Everything in His earthly ministry is spoken to the Jews who are now under the Old Testament economy of the Law.  The Temple is operating.  The priesthood is operating.  Into that comes Jesus of Nazareth (Gal. 4:4). For the sake of our study this afternoon, we haven’t got time to go through His earthly ministry, so we’re going to jump all the way over to the Apostle Paul, because Israel has now rejected the Messiah out of hand when they said in so many words, “we’ll not have this man to rule over us.”  You know, once in a while the Lord is patient with me.  In His own time He revealed it.  I made that statement on a program a long time ago and people wrote and said, “Les, where did you get that statement, we’ll not have this man to rule over us?  It’s not in the Bible.”  And you know, I looked and I looked and I looked and I had to admit, you know I’m wrong.  I must have pulled that out of the woodwork someplace.  But the other night I was reading in one of the Gospels and there it was!  It was in one of His parables. When the husband went to a far country and he sent his son and so forth and then the statement was made, “we’ll not have this man to rule over us.

”  Well, it was a direct reference to Christ, but I was remiss in quoting Him as such, although He is the one who said it in the parable. So, they rejected Him.  They crucified Him.  Peter comes back in the early chapters of Acts and he pleads - repent of the horrible sin of killing your Messiah.  I had someone write me the other day.  They said, “Peter preached death, burial, and resurrection.”  And I have to write right back and say, “But not for salvation!”  He had to preach resurrection. Otherwise, how could he tell the people of Israel that their king was still coming?  A dead person can’t rule.  So, the first thing Peter had to convince Israel was the one they crucified was alive.  Indeed He was.  And He would still come and fulfill the promises.  But Peter never associated it with salvation.   Never.   He just simply says, “the One you killed, God raised from the dead.”  He doesn’t say - believe it with all your heart for your salvation like the next apostle, Paul, does.  Paul says, you believe it if you want salvation! All right, now we’re going to look at the approach of this whole idea of redemption not just for Israel, not just for the Gentile, but for the whole human race.  That’s why I’ve got it up on the board now - Humanity.  The whole sphere of humanity comes under this work of redemption.  That is when God the Son took on flesh and ministered for three years to the Nation of Israel, was rejected, crucified, shed His blood.  He was buried, raised from the dead. All right, now what have you got?  You’ve got the three attributes, again, of redemption.  The person?  Jesus Christ.  The blood?  Calvary’s cross.  The power?  Resurrection morning.  Now we’re all set to proclaim redemption to the whole human race.  This is for everyone! All right, Romans chapter 3 and I almost have to start, whenever I go into chapter 3, I just can’t leave verse 19 alone.  I can’t help it.  I wasn’t intending to use it today, but I’m going to have to. Romans 3:19a “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:” Well, Beloved, there was only one group of people whom God put under the Law.  Who was it?  Israel!  Israel alone had the Temple.  Israel alone had a priesthood.  Israel alone rested on the prophets and the Old Testament.  That has nothing to do with us Gentiles except as it’s going to unfold now through this Apostle.  Now Paul is making it so plain that Israel was under the Law, the Ten Commandments.  But, since it is God’s moral law for the human race, it didn’t stop at Israel’s borders. It put the whole human race under condemnation.  Read on. Romans 3:19b-20 “…that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world (not just Israel now) may become guilty before God. 20.  Therefore by the deeds (or the keeping) of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge (Of salvation?  No, it’s the knowledge--) of sin.”  Now, this is the complete opposite of what even most of Christendom is preaching today.  “Just do the best you can.  Keep the commandments and God might let you in.”  Isn’t that the hope of most people?  What a travesty. The Law was never given to get anybody to Heaven, except to bring him under condemnation where he recognizes his need.  That’s all the law the can do.  The law is a convicting power.  The law condemns every one who breaks it.  And how in the world do people think they’re going to make it to Heaven by keeping something that no man can keep? So, Paul makes it so plain that “by the law there shall no flesh be justified.”  Not one, because only Christ Himself was sinless and never failed in the keeping of the Law.  All right, now verse 21, here’s the flipside.  We covered it in one of our “But Now’s”.  Romans 3:21a “But now the righteousness of God…” This is the verse we used when we were looking at Adam’s salvation back in Genesis. That when God brought in the sacrificial lamb and shed its blood and saw Adams’s faith, He clothed

him with what?  Righteousness!  Well, it’s the same righteousness that Paul deals with - “The righteousness of God without the law.”  Now don’t miss that. Romans 3:21 “The righteousness of God without the law (Leave it where God put it, as a condemnation and nothing more.) is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.”  Of course, this Bible is a progressive revelation.  You don’t take one page out of this Book.  I’ll come back to the mosaic.  You keep every little stone of the mosaic in place.  You don’t ever take a portion of Scripture and say, well, that’s irrelevant.  I can throw it away.  No, you can’t.  It’s a complete composite of the Word of God.  All right, now verse 22. Romans 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ  (The faithfulness that Christ accomplished everything that needed to be done and it will never faileth.  Now we know that you can put money in banks and a bank can fail and you lose it all.  You can put your faith in an MD who is nothing but a renegade.  He’s not what he claims to be and you lose it all.  And all through life we can have experiences with men and women that are not faithful to what they’re supposed to be.  But God will never let us down.  He is always faithful. Romans 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ (And this righteousness of Christ is imputed to--) unto all and upon all them that believe:” See how simple that is?  There’s nothing else in there. This righteousness comes upon all them that believe plus nothing.  And, oh, they muddy it up.  They goof it up.  But it’s so simple.  It’s to those who place their faith or believe it.  Then verse 23, beginning with Adam, because of Adam-- Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;” The Ten Commandments prove that.  No man can go through life without breaking those Ten Commandments.  It just proves that he’s a sin-natured individual. I made the comment in one of my seminars here the other day.  I haven’t done it for years and years on the program. But you know, when that little baby is born and first brought in from the hospital, they’re sweet.  Oh, they’re innocent.  They’re loving.  They’re cuddly. But how long until that Adamic nature shows its head?  Not long and they have a temper.  Oh, they can get angry! Then it isn’t very long and they can lie like a rug.  Who teaches them to lie?  I know no Mama is going to say, “Now look honey, when I ask if you’ve taken a cookie, all you have to do is just tell me no you haven’t.”  That’s the way you do that?  No, that isn’t the way it works.  They know how to lie.  I’ll go one step further. They hear the neighbor’s kid use a bad word.  Do they know where to use it?  You better believe it!  They know where to use it!  You don’t have to teach them.  Why?  We’re born with that Adamic sin nature.  Everyone one of us is.   All right, now read on.  Here’s the blessed hope. Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely (without a cost) by his grace through the (What?) redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”  Redemption – the same word that Isaiah and Moses used.  It is the same word that Adam experienced.  It’s the process where God is going to buy back that which He lost.  He’s going to pay the price.  He’s going to exert the power necessary to get it done.  That’s our redemption.  That’s where we are.  “Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”   Now, what did Christ Jesus do? Romans 3:25a “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood,…” His shed blood - you can’t take that out of the Gospel of salvation.    Denominations take it out, but this Book doesn’t.  Some of the new translations take it out.  But God’s Word in its original purity hasn’t.  So, we have to have faith that His Divine sinless blood was shed as the redemption price for our salvation.  Never forget that! That’s why we have to maintain Christ’s Deity, that His blood was Divine.  It was sinless blood.  That’s why He had to be virgin born.

  Have you ever thought of that?  Had He been born of an earthly father, his blood wouldn’t have been any more perfect than mine or yours.  I mean, it’s impossible for a human being to have the Divine blood that was necessary for redemption.  So, he had to be absent a human father.  That’s where the virgin birth came in.  Mary was impregnated by an act of God.  Not by a human father.  That’s intrinsic to our whole plan of salvation.  He had to be virgin born, without an earthly father to pollute his blood.   All right, so it was through His Divine sinless blood that He could-- Romans 3:25b “…to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” All right, now that word “propitiation” I don’t dare just fluff off.  I’ve got to show that.  If you’ve ever done a study with me, or anybody else, of the tabernacle out there in the wilderness, I hope you can picture it in your mind’s eye.  Here was that beautiful white fence all around the altar and the little tent in the center with the laver of cleansing, and all these things that made up the Temple or the tabernacle complex.  Every last jot and tittle of it was a picture of Christ in one form of His work of redemption or another.  Every last bit of it was a picture of Christ. Well, not only was it a picture of Christ the person, the Redeemer, it was a picture of His finished work.  In other words, when the animal was killed and the blood was shed and it was laid on the altar, what was it a picture of?  His own death at the cross.  When the priest comes in and stops at the laver of cleansing, what was it a picture of?  Who alone can cleanse us from our sins?  God the Son.  All the things in the tabernacle, everything about it, were not only a picture of Christ Himself in His physical appearance, but in His work.  Everything He did was right there in that little tabernacle.  Everything!  And that’s the word – propitiation.  All of that comes together for the act of redemption for us even today, for the whole human race. All right, now I can’t leave without using verse 26, even though we’re moving on from the word redemption now.  But in verse 26 Paul says: Romans 3:26 “To declare, I say, at this time his (the Redeemer’s) righteousness: that he (the Redeemer, God the Son, Jesus the Christ) might be just, (absolutely fair) and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.”  Do you see that?  God will never cut corners when it comes to our sin.  He’s going to deal with it.  But He’s going to deal with it and declare us just and justified, not when we’ve kept the commandments, but when we’ve what?  Believed Paul’s Gospel.  That’s all.  Then God moves in and does all the work of transforming our lives and our appetites and all that goes with it. All right, now let’s move ahead a little bit in the few minutes we have left to Galatians chapter 3. We have yet another reference to this work of redemption.  Galatians chapter 3, let’s start at verse 10. Galatians 3:10a “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse:…”  Now Beloved, stop and think a minute.  How many people today are exactly in that position?  It’s sobering.  It’s frightening.  The multitudes of Christendom are trying to approach God with a works religion.  That’s law.  And what are they under?  The curse of God.  Now that’s strong language, but that’s what the Book says.  Not my idea.  If you’re going to make Heaven by keeping the commandments, you’re not going to make Heaven. You’re going to be under the curse. Galatians 3:10b “…for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” In other words, if you’re going to make Heaven keeping the Ten Commandments, and you so much as steal a dime’s worth of something, you’re doomed.  You’ve broken the Law.  You’re under condemnation.  You’re under the curse.  All right, now verse 11, but that’s not the way it is.  Praise the Lord, that’s not the way it is!

Galatians 3:11-12 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, (Why?  Because even from the Old Testament economy--) The just shall live by (What?) faith.  12. And the law is not of faith: (The law is works.  Do this and do that and don’t do that and so forth, that’s law.  That’s not faith.) The man that doeth them shall live in them.”  Again, if you’re going to make Heaven with works, then you can’t break one single commandment one time in your whole life.  Well, you know, it’s impossible.  Okay, now here comes the word we’re looking for. Galatians 3:13a “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law,…”  What’s the word?  Redeemed us!  He has paid the price of redemption with His shed blood on the cross of Calvary.  And you and I have been set scot-free.  Now, we’ve got more verses to look at, but we’ll have to pick that up in the next half-hour, because I’m not ready to let this drop.  We’ve got to come back in our next program.