THE GAMBLE OF UNBELIEF
By Brad Morgan
If the grave is the end
And judgement day a myth,
What does it matter how we live?
If the grave is but a sleep
And immortality awaits us,
What matters more than how we live?
If the grave is the end
And it mattered not how we lived,
We'll never know how we lived.
If the grave is but a sleep
and judgement awaits every deed,
How will we wish we had lived?
Showing posts with label choices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label choices. Show all posts
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Monday, September 26, 2016
What Our Prophet Taught in April 2016
President Monson's remarks were brief, largely due to his failing health, however he did give some great council that we should take to heart. Below are a few of the things that he said:
- "We are the recipients of a sacred trust [as Priesthood holders]. Much is expected of us."
- We must guard/protect this Priesthood and be worthy of its blessings.
- "Before you put yourself and your priesthood in jeopardy by venturing into places or participating in activities which are not worthy of you or of that priesthood, pause to consider the consequences."
- "Remember who you are and what God expects you to become. You are a child of promise. You are a man of might. You are a son of God."
- We must always be worthy to use the Priesthood for we never know when we will be called upon to use it!
- "It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny."
- "May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the adversary—a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals."
- Use the gift of repentance when you fall short.
- "May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."
- Always choose Christ.
From the following talks in the April 2016 General Conference:
Friday, February 5, 2016
Choose Eternal Life
Lehi teaches his family the Plan of Salvation, and gives a powerful testimony of agency and the importance of choosing to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I think 2 Nephi 2:27 is powerful as it clearly illustrates the destination we will attain depending on our use of agency. Lehi says:
Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
After describing this choice to his sons, he exhorts them to "look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words." Then with the pleadings of a loving parent who knows he will soon pass away, Lehi says, "choose eternal life."
It's true that this may seem overly simplistic. We don't just decide, "I'm going to choose eternal life," and then we're set. But along with this simple plea, he does provide instruction for accomplishing this important goal. He points his sons to the Savior, Jesus Christ, and he exhorts them to obey the commandments. This reminds me of the third article of faith: We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Turn to Christ and obey His commandments. Choose Eternal Life!
Sunday, January 24, 2016
A Land of Liberty
In 2 Nephi 1:7, Lehi prophesies about their new land of inheritance that the Lord had given him and his posterity. Lehi says, "Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever."
This scripture is not referring to the idea of American Exceptionalism; rather, there is also a spiritual aspect to this promise that applies to people throughout the world. Whenever we serve God and keep his commandments, we obtain liberty, even if it's spiritual liberty. Paradoxically, the more we submit to God, the more free we become. Contrast this with those who serve him not and keep not the commandments. They become bound by sin, brought down into captivity - the exact opposite of those who obey God.
By this interpretation, any land can be a land of liberty for a people who are followers of Christ, even if the laws of the land are restrictive or less conducive to Christian living.
This scripture is not referring to the idea of American Exceptionalism; rather, there is also a spiritual aspect to this promise that applies to people throughout the world. Whenever we serve God and keep his commandments, we obtain liberty, even if it's spiritual liberty. Paradoxically, the more we submit to God, the more free we become. Contrast this with those who serve him not and keep not the commandments. They become bound by sin, brought down into captivity - the exact opposite of those who obey God.
By this interpretation, any land can be a land of liberty for a people who are followers of Christ, even if the laws of the land are restrictive or less conducive to Christian living.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
In Which Tree of Life Group Do You Want to Be?
In Lehi's vision in 1 Nephi 8, he sees and describes four different multitudes of people striving to reach the tree of life and partake of its fruit. Each multitude can represent a different group of people in our day, and the distinctions between the groups is instructive.
Group 1: Lost Their Way in the Mists of Darkness
In 1 Nephi 8:21-23, the first group was "pressing forward that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree." Like all of us, they were seeking for the truth, trying to find the right path for their lives to obtain happiness and salvation. But unfortunately, as they did "commence in the path that led to the tree,...there arose a mist of darkness" that caused them to "lose their way." Because of this mist, they "wandered off and were lost."
From the interpretation given by the angel in 1 Nephi 12:17, we learn that "the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost." This interpretation helps us understand that the first group of people are those who seek the truth, but fall into temptation and lose their way before they are able to achieve their goal. This group never tastes of fruit and does not achieve baptism to make covenants with God.
Group 2: Partook of the Fruit and Were Ashamed
In 1 Nephi 8:24-28,34, the second group was able to overcome the temptations or mists of darkness by "clinging to the rod of iron." This group, like the first, had an interest in following the path that leads to the tree of life; however, by clinging to the word of God (the iron rod) or scriptures and teachings of modern prophets, they are able to navigate the world of temptation successfully without losing their way. Because of their diligence, they are able to partake of the fruit. These are baptized members of the church.
Unfortunately, there was a great and spacious building full of mocking, ridiculing people within earshot of the tree of life. After partaking of the fruit, the second group "cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed...because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost." This is a lesson in enduring to the end. For members of the church, baptism and temple covenants are no guarantee of salvation. If we allow ourselves to give into peer pressure and focus on the things of this world, we are in danger of falling away. We need to learn how to resist the world and its enticements. This group has fallen into inactivity and no longer keeps the covenants they made at baptism.
Group 3: Partook of the Fruit and Heeded Not the Scorners
In 1 Nephi 8:30,33, the third group is the one of which we want to be part. Similar to the second group, the third group overcomes the temptations or mists of darkness by "continually holding fast to the rod of iron" until they are able to partake of the fruit. This group also notices the great and spacious building full of scorning, mocking people, but the key difference is that this group "heeded them not."
I find it interesting that the group that succeeded actually faces the same challenges as the first two groups. No shortcut or easy path was taken to bypass the challenges and safely arrive at the tree. They experienced the same mists of darkness (temptation), had to persevere along the same straight and narrow path, and then had the same building of mocking people pointing and scorning them after they partook of the fruit. The difference is that this group clung to the word of God during their journey, and then chose to pay no attention to the scorners upon their arrival. They cared more about God's work than the world, more about what God thought of them than what the world thought of them. This group is able to experience the true joy that comes from the fruit of the gospel.
Group 4: Were Feeling their Way to the Great and Spacious Building
In 1 Nephi 8:31-33, the final group was less a group and actually described as "other multitudes." These were lost in the darkness "feeling their way towards the great and spacious building." Lehi says that "great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building" but also "many were drowned in the depths of the fountain" or "lost from his view, wandering in strange roads" while making their attempt towards the building. Those that arrived at the building successfully, immediately pointed "their finger of scorn" at those who were partaking of the fruit.
This group never even faced the challenge of holding to the rod or withstanding the world while partaking of the fruit. They never even desired the fruit. Their focus from the start was on getting to the great and spacious building. This group had the same opportunities, for surely they could have chosen the straight and narrow path, but they used their agency to choose misery and death. These are they who never look for happiness by giving God's gospel a chance. They look for joy in the pleasures of the world that are impossible to satisfy and then exacerbate their situation by mocking those who are on the right path, trying to make them miserable like unto themselves.
Group 1: Lost Their Way in the Mists of Darkness
In 1 Nephi 8:21-23, the first group was "pressing forward that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree." Like all of us, they were seeking for the truth, trying to find the right path for their lives to obtain happiness and salvation. But unfortunately, as they did "commence in the path that led to the tree,...there arose a mist of darkness" that caused them to "lose their way." Because of this mist, they "wandered off and were lost."
From the interpretation given by the angel in 1 Nephi 12:17, we learn that "the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost." This interpretation helps us understand that the first group of people are those who seek the truth, but fall into temptation and lose their way before they are able to achieve their goal. This group never tastes of fruit and does not achieve baptism to make covenants with God.
Group 2: Partook of the Fruit and Were Ashamed
In 1 Nephi 8:24-28,34, the second group was able to overcome the temptations or mists of darkness by "clinging to the rod of iron." This group, like the first, had an interest in following the path that leads to the tree of life; however, by clinging to the word of God (the iron rod) or scriptures and teachings of modern prophets, they are able to navigate the world of temptation successfully without losing their way. Because of their diligence, they are able to partake of the fruit. These are baptized members of the church.
Unfortunately, there was a great and spacious building full of mocking, ridiculing people within earshot of the tree of life. After partaking of the fruit, the second group "cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed...because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost." This is a lesson in enduring to the end. For members of the church, baptism and temple covenants are no guarantee of salvation. If we allow ourselves to give into peer pressure and focus on the things of this world, we are in danger of falling away. We need to learn how to resist the world and its enticements. This group has fallen into inactivity and no longer keeps the covenants they made at baptism.
Group 3: Partook of the Fruit and Heeded Not the Scorners
In 1 Nephi 8:30,33, the third group is the one of which we want to be part. Similar to the second group, the third group overcomes the temptations or mists of darkness by "continually holding fast to the rod of iron" until they are able to partake of the fruit. This group also notices the great and spacious building full of scorning, mocking people, but the key difference is that this group "heeded them not."
I find it interesting that the group that succeeded actually faces the same challenges as the first two groups. No shortcut or easy path was taken to bypass the challenges and safely arrive at the tree. They experienced the same mists of darkness (temptation), had to persevere along the same straight and narrow path, and then had the same building of mocking people pointing and scorning them after they partook of the fruit. The difference is that this group clung to the word of God during their journey, and then chose to pay no attention to the scorners upon their arrival. They cared more about God's work than the world, more about what God thought of them than what the world thought of them. This group is able to experience the true joy that comes from the fruit of the gospel.
Group 4: Were Feeling their Way to the Great and Spacious Building
In 1 Nephi 8:31-33, the final group was less a group and actually described as "other multitudes." These were lost in the darkness "feeling their way towards the great and spacious building." Lehi says that "great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building" but also "many were drowned in the depths of the fountain" or "lost from his view, wandering in strange roads" while making their attempt towards the building. Those that arrived at the building successfully, immediately pointed "their finger of scorn" at those who were partaking of the fruit.
This group never even faced the challenge of holding to the rod or withstanding the world while partaking of the fruit. They never even desired the fruit. Their focus from the start was on getting to the great and spacious building. This group had the same opportunities, for surely they could have chosen the straight and narrow path, but they used their agency to choose misery and death. These are they who never look for happiness by giving God's gospel a chance. They look for joy in the pleasures of the world that are impossible to satisfy and then exacerbate their situation by mocking those who are on the right path, trying to make them miserable like unto themselves.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Balancing Family and Career
This is an interesting dilemma faced by millions of the world's working men and women. Jesus Christ gave some great instruction that can be prayerfully applied to this dilemma. It's found in the New Testament and also in the Book of Mormon. In fact, it is one of the first things the Savior taught to the Nephites when he visited them after his resurrection. I'm referring to his teachings in 3 Nephi 13.
Jesus taught:
Jesus talks about the lilies and the birds and how they are provided for without worrying. His point is not that we shouldn't need to work, but rather that we should do the best we can, and he will provide for us (3 Nephi 13:25-32). Too many people fear that they will suffer financial hardships if they do not have their career as top priority. The opposite is true- when you put God and family first, your career improves (as does every other aspect of your life).
Remember: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (3 Nephi 13:34). As I said before, put God and family first and the rest will fall into place. That's a promise from God.
Jesus taught:
"19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;What do you treasure? For what treasure do you pursue your career? Is it something that can be corrupted or stolen? Or is your treasure of an eternal nature? Remember that status, riches, fame, and everything the world offers is just temporary while our families can be together eternally (see http://mormon.org/family). Wherever you place your treasure, or whatever you value most, that's where your heart will be. From personal experience, the greatest happiness and peace comes from putting God and family first.
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 3 Nephi 13:19-21
"24 No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." 3 Nephi 13:24Who is your master? Who do you chose to serve? I have a feeling this question can be answered by how you spend your time and resources. Serving God and making him your master will place your family at the forefront of your life. Other master's are not so generous.
Jesus talks about the lilies and the birds and how they are provided for without worrying. His point is not that we shouldn't need to work, but rather that we should do the best we can, and he will provide for us (3 Nephi 13:25-32). Too many people fear that they will suffer financial hardships if they do not have their career as top priority. The opposite is true- when you put God and family first, your career improves (as does every other aspect of your life).
Remember: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (3 Nephi 13:34). As I said before, put God and family first and the rest will fall into place. That's a promise from God.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Why Are There So Many Rules?!
From Elder Arnold's talk "What Have You Done With My Name". This is one of his wife's stories:
I really like this story because of the message it teaches. It is so easy to see the happy hours, late nights out, and Sunday boating that our friends enjoy and thing to ourselves, "The grass looks so much greener outside the fence." Satan is skillful at making sin (both sins of commission and sins of omission) appear glamorous and fun. He does everything in his power to get us to forget that "wickedness never was happiness." If we see the rules, guidelines, prophetic counsel, laws, commandments, etc as a restrictive fence keeping us from the "pleasures" of the world, our perspective can and likely will lead to a fatal and foolish end as we "break through the fence" to our own demise. God knows that the other side of the fence contains nothing but misery and therefore has given us the fence to protect us from that misery. It is important to keep this in perspective so that we can be grateful for the fence and it's protective influence in our lives rather than resenting it and looking for any way to climb over or break through it.
God has given us Holy Scripture and inspired Prophets to protect us as we journey along the path that will keep us happy and lead to eternal joy. I know that obedience leads to happiness. Jesus taught that you too can know this for yourself: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine... John 7:17".
“When I was 15 years old, I often felt that there were too many rules and commandments. I wasn’t sure that a normal, fun-loving teenager could enjoy life with so many restrictions. Furthermore, the many hours spent working on my father’s ranch were seriously dipping into my time with my friends.
“This particular summer, one of my jobs was to ensure that the cows grazing on the mountain pasture did not break through the fence and get into the wheat field. A cow grazing on the growing wheat can bloat, causing suffocation and death. One cow in particular was always trying to stick her head through the fence. One morning, as I was riding my horse along the fence line checking on the cattle, I found that the cow had broken through the fence and gotten into the wheat field. To my dismay, I realized that she had been eating wheat for quite some time because she was already bloated and looked much like a balloon. I thought, ‘You stupid cow! That fence was there to protect you, yet you broke through it and you have eaten so much wheat that your life is in danger.’
“I raced back to the farmhouse to get my dad. However, when we returned, I found her lying dead on the ground. I was saddened by the loss of that cow. We had provided her with a beautiful mountain pasture to graze in and a fence to keep her away from the dangerous wheat, yet she foolishly broke through the fence and caused her own death.
“As I thought about the role of the fence, I realized that it was a protection, just as the commandments and my parents’ rules were a protection. The commandments and rules were for my own good. I realized that obedience to the commandments could save me from physical and spiritual death. That enlightenment was a pivotal point in my life.”
I really like this story because of the message it teaches. It is so easy to see the happy hours, late nights out, and Sunday boating that our friends enjoy and thing to ourselves, "The grass looks so much greener outside the fence." Satan is skillful at making sin (both sins of commission and sins of omission) appear glamorous and fun. He does everything in his power to get us to forget that "wickedness never was happiness." If we see the rules, guidelines, prophetic counsel, laws, commandments, etc as a restrictive fence keeping us from the "pleasures" of the world, our perspective can and likely will lead to a fatal and foolish end as we "break through the fence" to our own demise. God knows that the other side of the fence contains nothing but misery and therefore has given us the fence to protect us from that misery. It is important to keep this in perspective so that we can be grateful for the fence and it's protective influence in our lives rather than resenting it and looking for any way to climb over or break through it.
God has given us Holy Scripture and inspired Prophets to protect us as we journey along the path that will keep us happy and lead to eternal joy. I know that obedience leads to happiness. Jesus taught that you too can know this for yourself: "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine... John 7:17".
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Agency- The Freedom to Choose
One thing I love about God's plan for us is that he gives us agency. Agency can be simply defined as the freedom to choose for ourselves. God will never force us to make a decision or do something. We choose our actions (but not the consequences).
God could have created a different plan where we would be forced to choose good all the time. There could have been no suffering, sin, or evil. But how would we learn? How would we grow? Without sickness, could we really understand and appreciate health? There must be opposition so that our mortal experience is full of learning and growth.
Ultimately we are choosing daily to follow God or to follow Satan by the actions we make. When we help someone in need, we are obviously following God. When we say unkind words, we are following Satan. The sum of our smaller actions determines the path that we are on.
Lehi, in the Book of Mormon, taught:
This teaching clearly explains the consequences of choosing to follow God's plan (through Jesus Christ, the great Mediator) versus that of devil. The choice really is up to us. Living righteously is not the "popular" thing in today's world, which makes it tough. But it is the only way to obtain liberty and eternal life. All other paths, no matter how glamorous they appear, lead to captivity and death (spiritual death).
CTR: Choose the Right!
God could have created a different plan where we would be forced to choose good all the time. There could have been no suffering, sin, or evil. But how would we learn? How would we grow? Without sickness, could we really understand and appreciate health? There must be opposition so that our mortal experience is full of learning and growth.
Ultimately we are choosing daily to follow God or to follow Satan by the actions we make. When we help someone in need, we are obviously following God. When we say unkind words, we are following Satan. The sum of our smaller actions determines the path that we are on.
Lehi, in the Book of Mormon, taught:
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and call things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."
2 Nephi 2:27
This teaching clearly explains the consequences of choosing to follow God's plan (through Jesus Christ, the great Mediator) versus that of devil. The choice really is up to us. Living righteously is not the "popular" thing in today's world, which makes it tough. But it is the only way to obtain liberty and eternal life. All other paths, no matter how glamorous they appear, lead to captivity and death (spiritual death).
CTR: Choose the Right!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Why Do People Sin When They Know It's Wrong?
After a short period of righteousness among the Nephites, they began to become wicked again. This verse describes their actions:
Why do people sin when they know it is wrong to do so? I would love to hear any thoughts that readers of this blog might have- feel free to leave a comment!
I know there are dozens of reasons. Pride, for example, could cause someone to do something wrong knowingly because he or she has a reputation to keep. Someone may justify sins as he or she seeks for power, riches, or prestige.
Satan is a tricky devil, a very good devil at that. He has been doing what he does for a long time, and he has learned how to put attractive wrapping paper and flashy ribbons on the most dangerous packages. One may think that a single pornographic image is harmless, one drink of alcohol won't hurt, or a few slots at the casino is "just for fun". However, any of these actions would allow Satan to tie a small, weak string around your wrists. It is easy enough to break free at any time, so it doesn't worry you. When you take another look at that picture, go out for another drink, or move to the poker table, another small, weak string is added. You know you can break free of those weak strings so you disregard them. As this pattern continues, you find yourself trapped, imprisoned to the father of all lies, the devil. Though it's easy to break free of a couple weak strings, it is near impossible when it becomes a rope.
I guess to summarize that story in a way that answers the question, we too often underestimate "little sins" because we underestimate the devil who is working full time to bring us into captivity to himself.
This reminds me of what the prophet Nephi taught:
Too often we have a sense of false security and allow ourselves to be led "carefully down to hell." We don't realize it until it's almost too late.
It is never completely too late, unless we die in our sins, because Jesus Christ atoned that we might be forgiven of our sins if we will repent and follow His gospel.
We can never say "the devil made me do it" but most of the time we can say "the devil convinced me to do it, but I made the choice." Satan won't pay the price of justice for the sins we commit, we will.
Let us open our eyes and realize what little things we may be doing in our lives that put small, weak strings around our wrists. Let's discover the tricks that Satan uses to deceive us and "convince" us to sin.
"Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God."
3 Nephi 6:18
Why do people sin when they know it is wrong to do so? I would love to hear any thoughts that readers of this blog might have- feel free to leave a comment!
I know there are dozens of reasons. Pride, for example, could cause someone to do something wrong knowingly because he or she has a reputation to keep. Someone may justify sins as he or she seeks for power, riches, or prestige.
Satan is a tricky devil, a very good devil at that. He has been doing what he does for a long time, and he has learned how to put attractive wrapping paper and flashy ribbons on the most dangerous packages. One may think that a single pornographic image is harmless, one drink of alcohol won't hurt, or a few slots at the casino is "just for fun". However, any of these actions would allow Satan to tie a small, weak string around your wrists. It is easy enough to break free at any time, so it doesn't worry you. When you take another look at that picture, go out for another drink, or move to the poker table, another small, weak string is added. You know you can break free of those weak strings so you disregard them. As this pattern continues, you find yourself trapped, imprisoned to the father of all lies, the devil. Though it's easy to break free of a couple weak strings, it is near impossible when it becomes a rope.
I guess to summarize that story in a way that answers the question, we too often underestimate "little sins" because we underestimate the devil who is working full time to bring us into captivity to himself.
This reminds me of what the prophet Nephi taught:
"And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell."
2 Nephi 28:21
Too often we have a sense of false security and allow ourselves to be led "carefully down to hell." We don't realize it until it's almost too late.
It is never completely too late, unless we die in our sins, because Jesus Christ atoned that we might be forgiven of our sins if we will repent and follow His gospel.
We can never say "the devil made me do it" but most of the time we can say "the devil convinced me to do it, but I made the choice." Satan won't pay the price of justice for the sins we commit, we will.
Let us open our eyes and realize what little things we may be doing in our lives that put small, weak strings around our wrists. Let's discover the tricks that Satan uses to deceive us and "convince" us to sin.
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