In the midst of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in the form of the Lord’s Prayer. One line in that prayer deals specifically with relationships that we are to foster with our fellow brothers and sisters in the gospel. Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. In modern vernacular that verse may be stated simply, forgive us in the same manner we forgive others. This is the spring board for the discussion that ensued in my Institute class regarding the counsel given in Section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Historically speaking the early saints were curious about who should be allowed to attend their sacred services of Sacrament meetings and Confirmation meetings. On a side note, Confirmation meetings were gatherings when those who had recently been baptized received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, or were confirmed members of the Church. At that time people were baptized and then allowed a “proving” time to see if they... Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for the ‘zion’ Category
Spiritual Consecration
As we have been discovering in class, by studying the early history of the LDS Church with regard to the revelations received by the prophet Joseph Smith through the valuable resource we now know as the Doctrine and Covenants, it is plainly manifest that the saints of that time had a realistic goal in mind. The goal that they so desperately wanted to achieve, enough to “pray for it continually”, was that of a Zionist Society, one in which they could share the sociality of the Savior continually in their midst. They understood the reality of this goal because of the restored doctrine taught to them through the revelations contained in the Pearl of Great Price, more specifically in the book of Moses as Joseph Smith, through the blessing of continued revelation, added back those “plain and precious truths” that were inadvertently removed from the records of the Old Testament. The goal of Zion was taught more fully through the example of the great prophet Enoch and the progress... Read the rest of this entry »
Go Up To Zion With an Open Heart
“And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men.” D & C 64:22 The Lord wants us to go up to Zion. If we go up to Zion with an open heart we will be held blameless. Zion is in a place that requires that we elevate ourselves from where we now stand. We must enter and remain there with an open heart. What is an “open heart”? Is that like an open mind, willing to learn and consider an opinion or truth other than our own? Zion would be the place where truths are taught. If we have an open heart, we can fill it with truth and light. After all the Lord requires our heart in its entirety. Read More →
Go Up To Zion With an Open Heart
“And after that day, I, the Lord, will not hold any guilty that shall go with an open heart up to the land of Zion; for I, the Lord, require the hearts of the children of men.” D & C 64:22 The Lord wants us to go up to Zion. If we go up to Zion with an open heart we will be held blameless. Zion is in a place that requires that we elevate ourselves from where we now stand. We must enter and remain there with an open heart. What is an “open heart”? Is that like an open mind, willing to learn and consider an opinion or truth other than our own? Zion would be the place where truths are taught. If we have an open heart, we can fill it with truth and light. After all the Lord requires our heart in its entirety. Read More →
Let Zion Rejoice
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” Moses 7:18 “Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion – THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all wicked shall mourn.” D & C 97:21 One heart and one mind, this description reminds me of the Godhead. They are one in purpose. I think we as married couples are meant to be of one heart and one mind. I don’t think this means we must like all the same things and have the same interests, but I think in the grander picture we must be headed in the same direction leading our families. When a couple is of one heart and one mind they try together to do those things which will lead the family to God. When one is distracted and forgets to call for family prayer or scripture study the other is there as a fall back. The goal is the same, but the means of lifting, encouraging... Read the rest of this entry »
Let Zion Rejoice
“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.” Moses 7:18 “Therefore, verily, thus saith the Lord, let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion – THE PURE IN HEART; therefore, let Zion rejoice, while all wicked shall mourn.” D & C 97:21 One heart and one mind, this description reminds me of the Godhead. They are one in purpose. I think we as married couples are meant to be of one heart and one mind. I don’t think this means we must like all the same things and have the same interests, but I think in the grander picture we must be headed in the same direction leading our families. When a couple is of one heart and one mind they try together to do those things which will lead the family to God. When one is distracted and forgets to call for family prayer or scripture study the other is there as a fall back. The goal is the same, but the means of lifting, encouraging... Read the rest of this entry »
The Unity of Zion: Members of LDS.net Meet for a Meal
On Thursday, June 26 (2008), I drove from my home in Arizona the several hours it took to arrive at 5:00 p.m. at Sandy, Utah’s Southe Towne Center. I was just in time for dinner at the Olive Garden. You know hanne_line? She is from Norway. She was visiting the United States. Since she was coming so far, she wanted to meet as many LDS.net members that could make it to the gathering. I sat across from HiJolly (and I found out that he and I are shirttail relatives!). Honor was on my right hand, and skalenfehl’s lovely wife was on my left. pam was diagonally across from me. The rest of the friends at the table were VisionofLehi, Fernni, hanne_linne, skalenfehl, Elphaba, Strawberry Fields, Nyal (and Nyal’s brother – not an LDS.net member – yet!), AND prisonchaplain (who was vacationing in Utah with his family and seeing Temple Square for the first time; prisonchaplain is from Washington). Honor even had checkerboy on the cell phone for a minute or two for a shout out. Jonathan, Karen... Read the rest of this entry »