What's Next

I started this blog over the summer, and have been so pleased to be able to return to the project. This has been an amazing, interesting, crazy year for me.  I've been back from my mission just over a year and reorienting myself at times was a challenge.  I came back from my mission with allot of questions, but have felt so blessed to have found so many answers through studying The Book of Mormon throughout the year. As I've answered my questions I've found new questions, better questions that I know will strengthen my testimony even more in the coming year. No book has inspired me quite like the Book of Mormon. I hope to continue this blog after I've dived deep into a new set of questions and share the answers I find next time I begin writing. Thank you for reading, and best of luck in your studies.

-Jake 

Good Things To Them That Ask

Trusting in the Lord can be difficult. When things don’t go our way it can be easy to blame God, or question why he would do this to us. The Lord has promised however, that he will never give us more then he can handle.  In Moses 1:39 the Lord says his purpose is to “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” The Lord then would never give to us anything that would keep us from achieving this final goal. 

He teaches this in 3 Nephi 14:9-11 when visiting the Nephites.  “Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” 

While we would true our earthly parents to do what is best for us, we most also trust that our Father in Heaven cares for us with the same love and consideration that they do.  I had allot of things that I wanted my way as a kid. My parents however were wise not to meet my every demand as they knew that parenting like this would not be for my betterment.  Likewise, I have several ideas about what I want from my life. The Lord however, may often have different plans. He does not meet our every demand because he is inconsiderate, or because he is ignoring us, but rather because he knows how to teach us in a way that is best for us. 

The Lord knows how to give good gifts. Even in the hardest of trails the Lord always has a way of teaching us meaningful lessons that help us grow. The Lord doesn’t us to meet the expectations of the world, but rather live up to our divine potential. By trusting in the Lord we no longer feel stress over situations out of our control because we can have peace in knowing that all things are for our benefit so long as we steadfastly look to the savior in all things. At the end of every trial is a lesson and in all things there is a gift. As we ask for good things from our Heavenly Father in faith, he will always provide a means to achive rightous ends. 

Perfect even as I am

How is it possible to be perfect?  3 Nephi 12 is perhaps the climax of the Book of Mormon as Christ comes in the flesh to teach and minister to the Nephites. Chapter 12 and the chapters that follow are jammed packed with beautiful council, but the question I want to focus on in regards to perfection comes from 3 Nephi 12:48, “Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” This logic seemed almost counter-intuitive me because by the definition of the atonement all men fall short of perfection and therefore need Jesus Christ and the atonement. I believe Christ taught this doctrine to set an example for us, but did not mean perfection in the same sense that we may. 

When we think of being perfect like unto Christ it’s easy to imagine an impossibly high standard.  Many in the church may even cause themselves and others a great deal of stress trying to reach this standard. If we try to accomplish all that Christ did, we are quite simply going to fail. We are not Jesus Christ, and that’s okay. God created each of us with and individual talent and an individual purpose. Steven Covey talked about our individual purposes in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  In the Book Covey discusses how each person finds themselves in their own sphere of concern.  A sphere of concern is all that worries someone in their present circumstance.  One can not change or effect all that is within their sphere.  Inside however, is another sphere, our sphere of influence. Within the sphere of influence one has the power to effect change. As one lives their lives to the fullest their sphere of influence expands, thus expanding their influence. This can only be done by living in harmony with virtue. 

I believe what Christ meant is that in whatever station in life you find yourself seek to exercise your potential their to the fullest. Christ and the Father perfectly fulfill their roles. While our responsibilities may pale in comparison to that of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we can still be all that we can be within our appointed station. As we do so were progress and grow thus continuing to become more like our Savior through following his example in the stewardships that have been given to us. 

I had a biology teacher who lived by the motto, perfection is rare, but excellence can be achieved daily. Excellence may not be perfection, but it means to do all that we can to accomplish the task assigned to us. I firmly believe that we grow closer to the Lord as we strive to be excellent in our discipleship. It is resilience in this endeavor that truly does bring us closer, line upon line, precept upon precept to becoming perfect even as he is.  

Let Us not Harden Our Hearts

Alma Chapter 12 is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon and is a big inspiration behind starting this blog. During a time where I was confused about some of my gospel questions, I felt like I was struggling in my faith for awhile.  Stumbling upon Alma 12 was monumentally helpful in gaining the perspective and patience I needed to work through my questions and accept that gospel learning takes time and humility. 

This chapter takes place on the mission of Alma and Amulek.  Together they are fielding the questions of a group of lawyers that intended to trick and Alma and Amulek in an attempt to make them look foolish. Together they end up preaching with great power tying together the concepts of humility, knowledge, and the atonement. 

Alma explained that all men, just our unjust will live again in the resection.  After the resurrection all men will be judged according to their actions. In order to prepare men for this judgment God gives all men access to receiving revelation. 

While it is our privilege to receive revelation, one can not receive greater light and knowledge with a hardened heart. Pride prevents men from learning the mysteries of God. It can even lead men to reject the truth that they already know and lose the light of the gospel. If this is to happen then one has fallen to Satan as they have become blind to the ways of righteousness. 

It is only through humility that we receive greater light and knowledge. God is willing to reveal all mysteries to us if we have the patience to diligently seek answers and accept the things that we have not learned, knowing that all things will be revealed to us through enduring to the end. 

While all men are fallen in Adam, all men may be raised up in Christ. Christ’s sacrifice is made available to all that are willing to believe on him and repent. Doing so requires that one not have a hardened heart. If one is to prideful to accept the savior, then the fullness of his blessings can not be shared. 

Life then, is a time to prepare to meet God.  Here we know that we can learn and grow, that we can repent and overcome sin. After this life however, there comes a point where it is to late to repent and one must accept the consequences of their actions. Christ gives us ample opportunity to come unto him and repent, so it is in our best interest to do all that we can to prepare to return to live in the presence of Christ and Heavenly Father again after this life. 

Subjectivist Ethics Foretold in the Book of Mormon

I study philosophy and I consider the most dangerous school of ethics to be an idea known as subjectivism.  Subjectivism is the idea that there is no law and no God to fear, or at least that God does not car about what we do. Because of this, for a subjectivist, all actions are equal and there is no objective right and wrong. I’ve heard it said many times that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. As I read through the Book of Mormon this time I looked for instances of warnings for our day. Subjectivism worries me because more and more it is becoming a popular ethic of our day.  In our society more and more becomes justified in the name of self-expression or acceptance. In the pursuit of acceptance, we forfeit judgment between right and wrong, the very discernment that makes us human. 

While the ethic of subjectivism may be on the rise it is certainly not new. Subjectivist morality actually made several appearances in the Book of Mormon.  The first character to teach subjectivism in the Book of Mormon was Nehor, who while not claiming that there was no God, taught that there was no God and evil.  By this teaching all men could be saved without good works of any kind.  This idea became incredibly popular and lead Nehor to starting his own church. People are naturally drawn to the idea that are no consequences to their actions. It is appealing because it does away with pesky emotions like guilt and personal responsibility. The trouble with subjectivism is that it has no limits.  This is seen in the story of Nehor, while his ideas were popular he could not defend them. Nehor was challenged by a wise old man by the name of Gideon. He was powerless against Gideon’s objections to his flawed philosophy and killed Gideon.  Nehor quickly saw that actions have consequences, as he as tried for murder and put to death. 

His story is contrasted to the Nephites who followed a system of law and order.  Through following correct and aimless principals they were able to become an incredibly prosperous people and gain more than enough wealth to care for their every need. Through following virtues instead of their own subjective desires to eat drink and be marry the were not only able to care for themselves and their families, but to care for the poor and needy in their communities. 

This story proves the old adage, by their fruits ye shall know them. In the short-run, subjectivism and eat drink, and be merry ethics may lead to temporary pleasures.  In the long-run however, values and virtues lead to true and lasting success.  One gains mastery of the hardest institution to conquer, the self, and in doing so gains a greater sense of worth, provides a better life for their family, and becomes a more productive and useful member of the community.   

As a Child

In my last entry I discussed the law of justice which applies to all men, all that is with the exception of little children.  In Mosiah chapter 3 King Benjamin discusses how by the law men are fallen, but can be saved through Christ as they become as little children.  In this entry I’m going to break down King Benjamin’s sermon on the atonement and discuss why one should to strive to become as a child.  

Benjamin preaches that Christ, the son of God, will soon come amongst the children of men.  He will be a perfect example and leader, but be rejected and crucified by those he came to teach. Christ lived a perfect life and died for the sins of all man kind. Because of this great sacrifice all could be saved, but only through  repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It is impossible to be saved without him. 

Christ sent prophets to the Hebrew people to prepare the way for his coming.  All then could receive the blessings of Christ even if they died before his coming. Many were stiff-necked and did not understand the message of the prophets. Christ then had to give them the rigid code known as the Law of Moses. The law of Moses taught the Jews the importance of sacrifice in preparation for the great and last sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They failed to see however, that the Law of Moses itself was only an empty symbolic gesture if it’s ultimate sacrifice, the atonement of Jesus Christ, was not fulfilled.   The Jew’s practiced sacrifice as a form of atonement. An offering was given on behalf of the sins of the people.  Christ’s sacrifice was known as the final sacrifice because his life was an infinite and eternal sacrifice that ended all further need for such offerings. 

Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to save all who repent.  All but little children have need of the redeeming power of the atonement.  While some may be concerned that unbaptized children will not be able to go to heaven Benjamin clarifies that little children are saved in Christ, while those that can not humble themselves to become as children are dammed. Such individuals Benjamin terms “natural men” who are an enemy to God.  Natural men are blinded by pride. They pursue carnal desires and value that which the world desires.  Putting off the natural man entails saying no to the things of the world. It is denying the counterfeit virtues that entice the hearts of man, and as King Benjamin says that one, “putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” 

King Benjamin does not mean that we should become simple and naive, but rather to put off pride and the enticings of the world freely choosing to follow Christ. In becoming like a child one freely submits their will to Christ, and in doing so gains ultimate freedom.  It is pride and the endless pursuit of trying to please the world that one finds themselves in the bonds of captivity.  Christ’s grace is sufficient to save all of those who become as children and follow him thus breaking the bonds of the world and leading men towards eternal life. 

Redemption Through the Savior

Redemption Through the Savior 

In the early chapters of 2 Nephi, Lehi is on his death bed and uses his last hours with his family to say his good byes and teach them some final gospel truths.  In 2 Nephi 2 Lehi teaches his son Jacob about why Christ is needed in the atonement. Lehi explains that Jacob has endured much hardship, however he knows he will be saved through the atonement of Jesus Christ. While Christ would come nearly 600 years after Lehi he taught that the spirit is always the same, therefore all have access to the redemption of the Savior. 

Lehi teaches that there is a law and that all men are subject to it. C.S. Lewis begins his book Mere Christianity by discussing this law.  Lewis explains that at the root of every argument is the mutual recognition that there is a moral code.  He explains that disputes are never over whether or not this code exists, but rather soccer because one party believes the other has violated the ever present code. This fundamental premise that there is a moral law is central to both the religious philosophy of C.S Lewis, and Lehi’s explanation of the atonement. 

Lehi taught that because there is a law, we are all subject to, and held accountable to that law.  We must adhere to the law in order to return to the Father.  Our Heavenly Father is perfect, so therefore the standard of the law demands perfection. Some when learning of the demands of the law may try to strive to perfection.  This is not the point of the law however. No matter how hard we try, we will never reach the perfect standard of the law, and the perfect standard of our father. No man alone can make it back into the Father’s presence. 

This is why we need an atonement.  There was only one man who ever lived who was perfect, Jesus Christ. It was only through his life, and sacrifice of his life that one was able to meet the standards of the law, and in doing so satisfy justice. By laying down his life, Christ paid the price for the sins of man and gave men a chance that they may be free. The point of the gospel then is not to strive for perfection, but to follow Jesus Christ, and in doing so become more like him.  We will always fall short of his moral excellence, but our discipleship towards him is the best way to express our gratitude towards him and accept the sacrifice that he freely offers to us.  

Christ needed to sacrifice himself because of the law.  Lehi explains that this law exists because of choice.  If there was only righteousness there would be no need for a law.  This means that because choice exists sin exists.  Because sin exists it’s opposite righteousness exists as well. Lehi further explains that because there is righteousness, this brings about happiness.  This teaching was also supported by the great philosopher Aristotle who taught that happiness came as a result of virtuous living. Lehi continues that if there is virtue and happiness then there must exist punishment and misery as a result of going contrary to virtue. Through establishing this metaphysical grounding for a universal law, Lehi concludes that this means that there is a God in which that law is backed in who created agents to act, and be acted upon. 

By agents to act and be acted upon Lehi means that through opposition we have the power to exercise choice. There could be no progress without choice. This is why Adam and Eve needed to partake of the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The all knowing God did not place the tree in the garden just to see what would happen, he placed it there because opposition was needed to teach his children to exercise agency. Adam fell so that men could have the opposition necessary to learn agency, men are that they might have happiness, and as mentioned before happiness comes through living virtuously in adherence to the law. 

Lehi concludes his discourse by explaining that, “Men are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through Christ, or captivity and death according to the devil.” The Law is not meant to restrict, but rather it is there to make men free as the learn to put of the natural man and become an heir to God.