"I pray the power of the Holy Ghost will be with each of us—that we may think what we need to think, feel what we need to feel, and learn what we need to learn so we can do what we know we should do and ultimately become what the Lord yearns for us to become." - David A. Bednar
It's a stand or tower where the Zoramites gave their rote prayers saying how grateful they were that they were better than everyone else. When Alma and Amulek viewed the scene of such wickedness and arrogance, they were filled with sorrow.
Alma described that the Zoramites "were a wicked and a perverse people... their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods...their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride... they cry unto [God], and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. ... they cry unto [God] with their mouths, while they are puffed up even to greatness, with the vain things of the world." - Alma 31:24,25,27
This kind of pride is so tragic, so tragic that when Alma witnesses it he cries out with his own prayer, "O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross wickedness among the children of men?" - Alma 31:26
When I read these things, I can't help wonder what the Rameumptoms of today might look like. I don't think they would be physical towers. But what other means could we use to rise above the crowd and boast? How are we channeling attention to ourselves and away from the Lord?
After reading Alma 31 and Proverbs 16:18-19 this morning, I found a quote from a lead pastor that says, "Pride is that ugly part of your heart that causes you to be more concerned about yourself and your own reputation than you are about Christ and his." - Sam Storms (Christian Living - May 6, 2015 - How Pride Poisons the Soul)
Interesting how this pastor describes arrogance as "that ugly part" and Alma describes it as "gross". Perfect descriptions, I think!
Now, Alma's mission wasn't completely full of gross and depressing scenes of wickedness. He also met those who were repentant, who "took no thought for themselves" who had great faith and focus on Christ, so much in fact that in every affliction they were, "swallowed up in the joy of Christ". (Alma 31:37-38)
It must have been a breath of fresh air for Alma to meet those who had been humbled. In fact, I know it made him very happy because in Alma 32:6 it says it says he beheld them "with great joy".
From my own experiences, I can see a world of difference, night and day difference, when I meet people who "take no thought of themselves" who are truly and sincerely focused on the Savior. They are the ones that shine to me, and they don't even know it. They have discovered where real, lasting beauty resides.
These last couple of days I haven't been able to decide on a scripture to ponderize for the week. After this evening, I have finally chosen one.
I attended a cottage meeting tonight that Big Ocean hosted where two of my friends presented. Mother and author, Nicholeen Peck, spoke and so did JaKell Sullivan, who has been a strong voice against Common Core for many years now. My friend Kim Ells, assistant for Family Watch International, showed an informative and extremely disturbing video on what is entailed in the Comprehensive Sex Education Curriculum that the Federal Gov. is trying to push in every State. (They've already succeeded in some.)
It wasn't really new information to me since I heard a great deal about these teachings when I went to the United Nations and World Congress last year. I knew these disgusting publications were being distributed to youth through the International Planned Parenthood Federation and our own Planned Parenthood. It's just now their teachings are getting published into our education system and encapsulated in words like "sexual health" so it's "easier" for schools to choke it down their throats.
It grieves my soul and inflicts great sorrow upon my heart to see something so wonderful, so beautiful, so sacred, this very real sacrament with God, cheapened, trampled, exploited, and dragged through the mire. It's a clear shot bullet to the heads of our innocent children.
This is a very real war and the firing squad is mowing down our babies. People just don't understand how very serious this is. I would encourage every parent I know to get informed. http://www.comprehensivesexualityeducation.org/
Sometime tomorrow I should be able to get access to the 20 min. video my friend Kim showed tonight. When I do, I'll be certain to share it.
I have no doubt that we will witness in the next few years a massive division take place all across the globe. It's happening now. But we must not lose heart... with that division also means there will be a great unification. People of all faiths, all nations, all races and backgrounds are coming together to combat these attacks. I've seen it.
I really need a verse that is hopeful to ponderize this week to help me remember this:
"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion."— D&C 101:16 - 18
I didn't realize how much of the Book of Daniel speaks of the last days before the Savior returns. I want to share some things I learned today and my own interpretation of them. Please take it with a grain of salt because I'm not a scholar by any stretch of the imagination.
Anyway, I found some really interesting verses in Chapter 11. In this chapter and the previous ones, there are lots of prophesies about kingdoms of the earth being at war with one another. It makes mention of this one great kingdom "of the north" that is greater than all the others and is very proud and boastful. (I think it's talking about America.)
In Daniel 11:30 it says that this king (ruler(s) of America or possibly rulers in the United Nations) will "have indignation against the holy covenant... and have intelligence (or show favor) with them that forsake the holy covenant."
To me this sounds like the government will turn their backs on the covenant keeping members of the church and show favor to the apostates.
But this is not all... in verse 31 it says that this government or kingdom will with "arms stand on his part" (In other words... armed forces will rise up) and "they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength (our beautiful Temples!!) and shall take away the daily sacrifice and they will place (or set up) the abomination that maketh desolate."
Is it hard to believe that we could get to the point where the U.S. Army would be called to keep us from our temples or maybe even destroy one?
Has it been so long that we have forgotten Kirtland or Nauvoo and the army's attempt in Salt Lake City?
It goes on to say in verse 32 that the wicked will corrupt the apostates or those who have violated their covenants "by flatteries."
Lest this all be doom and gloom, don't lose heart.... their is good news that follows:
In the second half of verse 32 it says, "But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits (or firmly resist the flatteries)."
Verse 33 "And they that understand among the people shall instruct many" and it says that some will be martyrs.
But look here in Chapter 12 verses 3 and 10. I love this: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they shall turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."
Daniel 12:11-13 says that most of this will happen within the span of just about four years which I find interesting because that's the length of a U.S. president in office. We are coming up on an election year...hmm. I'm just saying. (Again, take it with a grain of salt.)
Well, no matter what happens in the next several years. I'm reminded of a wonderful talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland entitled "Terror, Triumph and a Wedding Feast" he says:
"We should watch for the signs and read the meaning of the seasons, we should live as faithfully as we possibly can, and we should share the gospel with everyone so that blessings and protections will be available to all. But we cannot and must not be paralyzed just because that event and the events surrounding it are out there ahead of us somewhere. We cannot stop living life. Indeed, we should live life more fully than we have ever lived it before. After all, this is the dispensation of the fullness of times.... The first is from section 101 of the Doctrine and Covenants. If you recall, this revelation came as the Saints who were gathered in Missouri were suffering great persecution—were at the very height of their persecution. Mobs had driven them from their homes. Hostility, even hatred, followed them from county to county as they sought refuge. These frightened Saints lost land, livestock, clothing, furniture, crops, and a host of personal possessions. Threats of death were heard every day. I suppose, at its worst, this was the most difficult and dangerous time—may I say “terror-filled”—that the Church had ever known. Later on names like Haun’s Mill and Liberty Jail would take their place in our vocabulary forever. Yet in that frightening time the Lord said to His people: Let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion— And all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled. [D&C 101:16–19]" - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland - Sept. 12, 2004
I saw this coming. When we made the change-over into 2015, I felt it so clear: "There will come a threshing within the church this year that will try the faith of the people." And just before October's General Conference, I was discussing with my friend, Carol, "There is so much change in the air. Can you believe we will be getting three new apostles? But don't you sense there is more to this? I feel like there will be policy changes that will try the faith of the saints. They may not necessarily be announced during conference but certainly will be just a few weeks after."
She affirmed that she had been having the same impressions.
Sure enough, there was a policy change on November 5th that has indeed been a threshing among members.
This morning I read in D&C 88:79-80 where the Lord commands us to get an education "Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms— That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling where unto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you."
I had the opportunity to go to the United Nations in March of this year. That was an education I wasn't expecting. There my eyes were opened to the face of pure evil in the form of highly sophisticated organized groups operating under many institutions, nations, and names.... Names that no one would ever suspect because on the outside they "appear" to be doing a lot of good. But the truth is they are "ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing" and underneath their motive is wicked, primarily driven by money and power. The tragedy is that so many err because they are uninformed or misinformed and good people become pawns in the hands of these organizations. If only people could catch a glimpse of what is really going on with the push for sexual rights. It is an all-out fully-loaded cunningly devised attack to exploit and shred to pieces all that is sacred and holy.
Just over two weeks ago, I had the opportunity of attending World Congress of Families IX. It was far more uplifting than some of the meetings I attended at the UN. Instead of being a panel of talking heads banging themselves up against each other, it was refreshing at the WCF where everyone was unified on the real solutions to our social ills. This was an international gathering of world and religious leaders who all agree on our need for a restoration of faith in God, protection of the family, of moral principles, and more protection of our religious liberty if we want to find healing in our homes and in our countries.
People may accuse me of being a conspiracy theorist but that doesn't bother me. It's no surprise, we see this pattern in The Book of Mormon of which Joseph Smith said,
"The downfall of two great American civilizations came as a result of secret conspiracies whose desire was to overthrow the freedom of the people. 'And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking,' says Moroni, 'and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.” (Ether 8:21.)
Many factors that led to the destruction of the people could have been pointed out but notice how it was secret combinations that was the main cause. President Benson warned, "The greatest threat to... peace, prosperity, and the spread of God's work... is the godless conspiracy. There is no conspiracy theory in the Book of Mormon —it is a conspiracy fact." This is one of the reasons why I esteem the Book of Mormon to be so crucial and valuable. Those who make it their serious regular study will not be surprised in these last days to see all that will unfold. Moroni says, “Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you” (Ether 8:14.)
As much as I've witnessed "behind the curtains" there are those who have seen and do see so much more. No one on the earth has been more educated of "things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations" than those who have been anointed as prophets, seers, and revelators. These men have been called of God to stand as vigilant guards.
Last week, I read in Ezekiel 33 where it speaks of these great "Watchmen" and how they have given us such fair warning: "When I bring the sword upon a land if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head." - Ezekiel 33:2-4
It's a sad day when the words of the prophets are rejected. The mentality is just like my little "Revised Hymn" I wrote several years ago:
Ezekiel 33:30-33 says this "...your people [the prophet's people or members of the Church] are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the Lord.’ My people come to you [the prophets], as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice." (New International Version)
I believe the words of the living prophets and apostles. I think we tread on dangerous ground when we take their counsel lightly or when a policy it set in place to label it as one brought on by fallible mortals. As seers they have a clearer view of "things as they really are"... for they see that which is unseen. Oh how we need to trust this! I sustain them and uphold them with all my heart. I am not afraid to speak the truth for the truth is my sword in battle. These watchmen stand guard to protect the city not to control it. I choose to listen and obey.
In our ward scripture study this morning we read the great lament of Mormon when he cries for his people “O ye fair ones, how could ye have departed from the ways of the Lord… how could ye have rejected that Jesus… how is it that ye could have fallen!” Mormon 6:17-19
“They were once a delightsome people and they had Christ for their shepherd…. but now they are led about by Satan.” - Mormon 5:17-18
HOW?
This is how….
4 Nephi - Mormon 4
began to be lifted up in pride, the wearing of costly apparel, and … all manner of the fine things of the world. (their “appearance” mattered most) - 4 Ne. 1:24
had their goods no more common among them (caught up in competition or selfish indulgence) - 4 Ne. 1:25
began to be divided into classes (they became “clicky”) - 4 Ne. 1:26
they built up churches unto themselves (more concerned about having “followers” than being a disciple of Christ.) - 4 Ne. 1:26
began to deny the true church (it became “inconvenient” for their “lifestyle”) - 4 Ne. 1:26
they hardened their hearts (this is what happens when pure love or charity is absent) - 4 Ne. 1:34
led by many priests and false prophets - (people who made them feel “comfortable” in their iniquities and in their view of the "inconvenient gospel") - 4 Ne. 1:34
they smote the people of Jesus (this could also mean verbal “smack”) - 4 Ne. 1:34
they did dwindle in unbelief (no faith- no action - leads to less and less believing and more and more wickedness) - 4 Ne. 1:34
eventually they did willfully rebel and taught their children that they should not believe (by their words and by their example) - 4 Ne. 1:38
hated the things of God and taught their children to hate it too - 4 Ne. 1:39
built up secret combinations - 4 Ne. 1:42
proud in their hearts - filled with vanity - 4 Ne. 1:43
wanted nothing to do with the Lord’s beloved disciples - Mormon 1:13
sorrowed that the Lord would not suffer them to take happiness in sin - Mormon 2:13
didn’t recognize the Lord - Mormon 3:3
boasted in their own strength - Mormon 3:9
boasted of their own strength - Mormon 4:8
repented not but persisted in wickedness continually - Mormon 4:10
As I read these things a couple of talks from the Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to my mind on how to prevent this downfall:
"And as you labor to know [God] and to know that He knows you; as you invest your time—and inconvenience—in quiet, unassuming service, you will indeed find that “his angels [have] charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up.” (Matt. 4:6.) It may not come quickly. It probably won’t come quickly, but there is purpose in the time it takes. Cherish your spiritual burdens because God will converse with you through them and will use you to do his work if you carry them well." - Jeffrey R. Holland - The Inconvenient Messiah
