The Lord directed section 25 of the Doctrine of Covenants to Emma Smith, wife of Joseph Smith. Considering the historical context of this revelation, Emma was truly a modern woman. In a time when women did not even have the right to vote, the Lord gave this revelation to a woman. This revelation shows that God is not a respecter of persons. He considers man and woman equally.
In the first verse of this section, the Lord calls Emma Smith his daughter. The Lord considered her equal because He had called Joseph Smith His son. He didn’t call her the wife of My son Joseph. He didn’t call her wife of the prophet. He called her His daughter. What love God has for us since we are his children. We as LDS Church members believe that we are literal children of God, created in His image. This means that our bodies were patterned after His. I believe all people would act differently if they truly believed that they were a literal son or daughter of God. This knowledge changes how I act and behave when I am alone and with others. This is not only evidence that woman are equal to men but that we are all children of our Father in Heaven.
The Lord asked Emma Smith to be a scribe. Women in the 19th century did little but cook, clean, and care for children. I’m sure it was a shock to Emma Smith for the Lord to command her to be a scribe for her husband. Women at that time simply didn’t do that. In my opinion, this is evidence that the Lord has tailored a specific earth experience for each of his children here on the earth. However, the Lord leaves it to us, to decide how we will live. Emma had a specific role to fulfill and it was more than housework.
Verse 7 also provides more evidence that Emma was truly a modern woman. The Lord says, “thou shalt be ordained under his hand to expound scriptures, and to exhort the church, according as it shall be given thee by my Spirit.” These words must have blasted Emma away. Not only was she to be a scribe, but she was to “expound scriptures” and “exhort the Church” and it would be “given” her “by the spirit” and not by Joseph. These powerful words show that Emma, a 19th century woman, was equal in the Lords sight. It also instructs us that women should be equal in our sight too.
I’m grateful for the women in my life, especially Carly whom I married this past July. I strive to treat her everyday with the equality that the Lord expects. I want her to know that she is a daughter of God. He knows her and her situation here on Earth. I hope she can find her role as a woman in the 21st century. She is smart and very capable in whatever she does. I hope she can find what roles the Lord would like her to play. She is the love of my life and I want her to be happy. I love living life with her. I love her!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Articles and Covenants of the Church: D&C 20
Section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants is a powerhouse revelation. This section is significant to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because it tells a short history of the church, it gives a short summary of what the Church believes, and it gives instructions on how to govern the church. It is important because it gives a short summary of the church for anyone who would want to join it.
The first verses of Doctrine and Covenants section 20 gives a short history of the Church to that point in time. God relates to that he appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820, that the Angel Moroni appeared in 1823, and that Joseph Smith had received the Book of Mormon in order to translate it. These three events are important because they formed Joseph Smith’s knowledge of what he was supposed to do. It allowed him to understand that he was going to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, anyone by reading section 20, can understand what Joseph Smith experienced and realize that he was a prophet of God.
Besides containing a short history of the Church, section 20 also contains the basic doctrines of the Church. In verses 21-24 it explains how Christ, the Son of God, came to earth was crucified and resurrected. In verse 25, God explains that all need to be baptized. This forms the basis of the Church of Jesus Christ. That all men need to believe on his name and be baptized in his name. Section 20 laid explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who wonder what we believe.
Lastly, section 20 explains how such ordinances of the Gospel should be administered. It explains how to bless the sacrament and how to baptize. We believe, just as Jesus taught by his example, that all men must be baptized by immersion. God, through section 20, gives us directions on how to perform such a baptism.
These three reasons are why section 20 is important to us, Latter-Day Saints. It helps us understand where we have come from, what we believe, and what we are to do. The section creates a path, which helps anyone, member or not, determine where they are in relation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is therefore, not surprising that God commanded the early missionaries of the Church to take this section with them so that others might be able to read and understand their own position in accordance to the Church of Jesus Christ. It is a powerhouse revelation that has governed the Church since its revelation.
The first verses of Doctrine and Covenants section 20 gives a short history of the Church to that point in time. God relates to that he appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820, that the Angel Moroni appeared in 1823, and that Joseph Smith had received the Book of Mormon in order to translate it. These three events are important because they formed Joseph Smith’s knowledge of what he was supposed to do. It allowed him to understand that he was going to restore the Church of Jesus Christ. Therefore, anyone by reading section 20, can understand what Joseph Smith experienced and realize that he was a prophet of God.
Besides containing a short history of the Church, section 20 also contains the basic doctrines of the Church. In verses 21-24 it explains how Christ, the Son of God, came to earth was crucified and resurrected. In verse 25, God explains that all need to be baptized. This forms the basis of the Church of Jesus Christ. That all men need to believe on his name and be baptized in his name. Section 20 laid explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who wonder what we believe.
Lastly, section 20 explains how such ordinances of the Gospel should be administered. It explains how to bless the sacrament and how to baptize. We believe, just as Jesus taught by his example, that all men must be baptized by immersion. God, through section 20, gives us directions on how to perform such a baptism.
These three reasons are why section 20 is important to us, Latter-Day Saints. It helps us understand where we have come from, what we believe, and what we are to do. The section creates a path, which helps anyone, member or not, determine where they are in relation to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is therefore, not surprising that God commanded the early missionaries of the Church to take this section with them so that others might be able to read and understand their own position in accordance to the Church of Jesus Christ. It is a powerhouse revelation that has governed the Church since its revelation.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Marvelous Work
“Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.” Doctrine and Covenants 4:1.
In the revelations to Joseph Smith, the Lord repeats this sentence many times. At a glance, I saw four different sections that started with this sentence. Why is it so important?
As we’ve been discussing in one of my religion classes, “the marvelous work which” was “about to come forth” was the Book of Mormon. Many people find it wrong that we, being Christians, read the Book of Mormon. They feel that since we have the Book of Mormon, we ignore the Bible, but that simply isn’t true. We read both of them. Here are some reasons why I read and cherish the Book of Mormon along with the Bible.
1. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ.
a. Have you ever wondered if Christ really lived? Was he really the Son of God? When you read the Book of Mormon along with the Bible, you discover that Christ really lived. You learn that He is the Savior of the World. You come to understand His Atonement, and it allows you to feel it in your life today. The Book of Mormon as I have read it with the Bible has strengthened my personal testimony of Jesus Christ. It has helped me understand him and his mission. If you are struggling to understand Jesus Christ, his mission, or if we even need him, read the Book of Mormon and you will discover that he truly lives.
2. The Book of Mormon helps us determine if Joseph Smith was a prophet.
a. If God were to have a man on the earth that filled the role of a prophet like Moses, or Isaiah, or Jeremiah, would it not be important to have a way to determine if he was true or not? Luckily, God has provided such a way to determine if Joseph Smith was a prophet. If we read the Book of Mormon, with “real intent” meaning with sincere desire to understand its message of Christ, and if we pray sincerely asking God if it is true, he will tell us if it is a true book. If it is a true book, Joseph Smith was a true prophet and God established His church through him. It is imperative that people read for themselves with sincerity the Book of Mormon in order to discover if Joseph Smith was a prophet. Without true intent reading the Book of Mormon is wasted energy. But if you truly want to know, if you sincerely ask God, you will get an answer. Also if Joseph Smith was a prophet, it means that we have a prophet today. It means that God speaks to men today, just as he spoke to Moses. If that isn’t important, I don’t know what is.
3. The Book of Mormon helps me see what is important.
a. Just as there are many stories in the Bible from which we can gain personal application, the Book of Mormon too contains stories that help us in our lives today. One of my favorite may be Abinadai. He was chosen by God, to preach to a wicked King. He testified of Christ and of the King’s need to repent. The king burned him at the stake for his words. I like this story because of Abinadi’s personal character. It has taught me to be faithful to God and my morals in any situation. I’m thankful for the Bible and the Book of Mormon stories.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Being Faithful to God
As I’ve begun reading the Doctrine and Covenants for a class I’m in, I can’t help but think what it was like for Joseph Smith to receive revelation from God. For a little background, I am a Latter-Day Saint, or Mormon. We claim that God the Father and Jesus Christ called Joseph Smith as a prophet. It was a shock to young 14-year old Joseph when God and Jesus Christ appeared to him, when he was simply praying to find forgiveness of his sins. After many years and much personal growth, Joseph Smith discovered that God church was not on the earth and that he was to be a modern day prophet. He translated the Book of Mormon, established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and fulfilled God’s purposes. Joseph Smith received constant revelation from God. It appears in many ways such as the Book of Mormon and temple worship services. The Doctrine and Covenants is more revelation given by God, to us, through the Prophet Joseph Smith and other latter-day prophets.
At the beginning of his translation of the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris, the scribe, asked Joseph if he could take 116 pages of translation to his wife, in order to convince her of Joseph’s legitimacy. As we have learned in class, Martin Harris was somewhat rich and had promised Joseph money for the publication of the Book of Mormon. Martin was pressuring Joseph, and I’m sure Joseph was afraid of losing the promised money. Joseph, after having been told by the Lord not to give the 116 pages to Martin, lent Martin Harris the manuscript. In section 3 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord chastised Joseph for not listening to Him.
How many times do we make this same mistake? How many times have I been peer pressured into doing something that I know isn’t the best thing to do? The Lord said, “behold, you should not have feared man more than God…you should have been faithful…” Thankfully, the Lord gave Joseph and us the gift of repentance through his son Jesus Christ. We are able to learn, move on, and not make such a mistake again.
I am reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who didn’t make such a mistake but were faithful to God and said, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King, But if not be it know unto thee, O King, that we will not serve they gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful to the Lord and promised to follow him, even if there was no miracle to save them from the fiery furnace. What faith and what allegiance they showed.
We have the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to teach us what to do when our values are being jeopardized. We have Joseph Smith to teach us that if we do make a mistake, we can come back. I’m thankful for prophets who teach. I’m thankful for prophets who struggled through mortality just like every other human on earth and therefore, more able to teach us the truths of Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of his translation of the Book of Mormon, Martin Harris, the scribe, asked Joseph if he could take 116 pages of translation to his wife, in order to convince her of Joseph’s legitimacy. As we have learned in class, Martin Harris was somewhat rich and had promised Joseph money for the publication of the Book of Mormon. Martin was pressuring Joseph, and I’m sure Joseph was afraid of losing the promised money. Joseph, after having been told by the Lord not to give the 116 pages to Martin, lent Martin Harris the manuscript. In section 3 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord chastised Joseph for not listening to Him.
How many times do we make this same mistake? How many times have I been peer pressured into doing something that I know isn’t the best thing to do? The Lord said, “behold, you should not have feared man more than God…you should have been faithful…” Thankfully, the Lord gave Joseph and us the gift of repentance through his son Jesus Christ. We are able to learn, move on, and not make such a mistake again.
I am reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who didn’t make such a mistake but were faithful to God and said, “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King, But if not be it know unto thee, O King, that we will not serve they gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up” (Daniel 3:17-18). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful to the Lord and promised to follow him, even if there was no miracle to save them from the fiery furnace. What faith and what allegiance they showed.
We have the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to teach us what to do when our values are being jeopardized. We have Joseph Smith to teach us that if we do make a mistake, we can come back. I’m thankful for prophets who teach. I’m thankful for prophets who struggled through mortality just like every other human on earth and therefore, more able to teach us the truths of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
I'm Alive
I know nobody even follows this blog but I am going to try and become a blogger. I needed to do a blog for a class and this was it. I've decided to try and pick up the habit again. I've changed the name because I was married about a month and a half ago. Married life is wonderful. I married the most wonderful woman. Her name is Carly. I love her! I'm so lucky that she wanted to marry me. This blog will follow our lives together. Hopefully it will be interesting. I'm not sure. We came to the conculsion today that we were interesting enough to be the stars of a reality show so hopefully we'll be interesting enough to catch the attention of blog readers. Maybe not. Anyway. Peace out. Hope you like it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Week of Easter
This has been a terrible week. Homework and tests piled on since we only have two days left until the end of the semester. Last night I was worried with how much I had to do. I had to study for a test, revise a paper which is 40% of my grade, and complete a few chores. I felt overwhelmed and I was only thinking of myself.
Our Elders Quorum, which is a group of men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, had a service project. They were going to work at Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, I had written it off. I didn't have time. I needed to study. But then, I was reading in the Book of Mormon.
Every night before I go to bed, I read from the Book of Mormon. The last few nights, I've been reading from the translated Polish version, Ksiega Mormona. I started reading in a book called Mosiah in the third chapter. This spot in the Book of Mormon is about a king named Benjamin. He was talking to his subjects because he was about to die. He taught them about Jesus Christ about whom he had had a vision the night before. The people of King Benjamin's kingdom, immediately begin to believe in his words. During part of the sermon, King Benjamin said,
"For behold, are we not all beggars? Bo we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"
"And behold, even at this time ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with you, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."
"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye out to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."
As I was reading this passage I thought to myself, "I am so selfish. Here it is Easter week, Good Friday even, and I'm worried about a few tests and some papers." I was worried about trivial things, which do have meaning, but not eternal, lasting meaning. I decided to go to the Habitat for Humanity house in Provo. I truly feel better when I serve others.
Who knows what will happen in the future? Will I help a stranger like the Good Samaratin? Will I help my friends? Will someone help me when I need it? May we serve others more quickly and fervently this week as we get closer to Easter Sunday, when Our Savior served us.
Our Elders Quorum, which is a group of men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, had a service project. They were going to work at Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, I had written it off. I didn't have time. I needed to study. But then, I was reading in the Book of Mormon.
Every night before I go to bed, I read from the Book of Mormon. The last few nights, I've been reading from the translated Polish version, Ksiega Mormona. I started reading in a book called Mosiah in the third chapter. This spot in the Book of Mormon is about a king named Benjamin. He was talking to his subjects because he was about to die. He taught them about Jesus Christ about whom he had had a vision the night before. The people of King Benjamin's kingdom, immediately begin to believe in his words. During part of the sermon, King Benjamin said,
"For behold, are we not all beggars? Bo we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"
"And behold, even at this time ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with you, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."
"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye out to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."
As I was reading this passage I thought to myself, "I am so selfish. Here it is Easter week, Good Friday even, and I'm worried about a few tests and some papers." I was worried about trivial things, which do have meaning, but not eternal, lasting meaning. I decided to go to the Habitat for Humanity house in Provo. I truly feel better when I serve others.
Who knows what will happen in the future? Will I help a stranger like the Good Samaratin? Will I help my friends? Will someone help me when I need it? May we serve others more quickly and fervently this week as we get closer to Easter Sunday, when Our Savior served us.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
General Conference Weekend
This past weekend was the 179 Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was able to learn so much this past weekend. You can view it in english at http://lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference04-2009&event=april179&lang=english
I had many favorite talks was from President Thomas S. Monson from the sunday morning session. He told a story about a woman from Prussia who had to leave her home. She lost her husband during WWII and she had to make the trek to Germany with her four children by herself. On the way to Germany, all four of her children died. She wanted to committ suicide but she felt compelled to pray. And she did. While she was praying, she felt God say that He loved her. How often do we feel that God has abandoned us? He hasn't. He is there waiting to listen to our prayers.
My favorite song during this past conference was "My Redemeer Lives" by the Mormon Tabernacle. They sang it during the Saturday Morning Session of Conference. It is q short song but I really like the arrangment. It was beautiful.
I'm thankful for a prophet today-- one that speaks the words that God and Jesus Christ would say to us. God has always had prophets on the earth, and I truely believe that God has a living prophet today. He gives us peace and counsel in a world that is full of trials. I'm am greatful for that and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet.
I had many favorite talks was from President Thomas S. Monson from the sunday morning session. He told a story about a woman from Prussia who had to leave her home. She lost her husband during WWII and she had to make the trek to Germany with her four children by herself. On the way to Germany, all four of her children died. She wanted to committ suicide but she felt compelled to pray. And she did. While she was praying, she felt God say that He loved her. How often do we feel that God has abandoned us? He hasn't. He is there waiting to listen to our prayers.
My favorite song during this past conference was "My Redemeer Lives" by the Mormon Tabernacle. They sang it during the Saturday Morning Session of Conference. It is q short song but I really like the arrangment. It was beautiful.
I'm thankful for a prophet today-- one that speaks the words that God and Jesus Christ would say to us. God has always had prophets on the earth, and I truely believe that God has a living prophet today. He gives us peace and counsel in a world that is full of trials. I'm am greatful for that and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet.
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