Monday, April 20, 2015

All the Stars that Glitter

This post is an excerpt from the words of Orson F Whitney.  He speaks of the creation of this world and others like it.  He shares the perspective that God's work is to save and exalt the human family.  It is a beautiful perspective.  I also share with you the thoughts of a scientist on the creation (see video).




"We are placed in this world measurably in the dark. We no longer see our Father face to face. While it is true that we once did; that we once stood in His presence, seeing as we are seen, knowing, according to our intelligence, as we are known; the curtain has dropped, we have changed our abode, we have taken upon ourselves flesh; the veil of forgetfulness intervenes between this life and that, and we are left, as Paul expresses it, to “see through a glass darkly,” to “know in part and to prophesy in part;” to see only to a limited extent, the end from the beginning. We do not comprehend things in their fullness. But we have the promise, if we will receive and live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, wisely using the intelligence, the opportunities, the advantages, and the possessions which He continually bestows upon us—the time will come, in the eternal course of events, when our minds will be cleared from every cloud, the past will recur to memory, the future will be an open vision, and we will behold things as they are, and the past, present and future will be one eternal day, as it is in the eyes of God our Father, who knows neither past, present or future; whose course is one eternal round; who creates, who saves, redeems and glorifies the workmanship of His hands, in which He Himself is glorified.



Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Joseph Smith: Prophetic and Personal

There’s nothing worse than reading a biography to know a person better and coming away disappointed.  This happened when I read a biography about C.S. Lewis having already been blown away by the depth and clarity of his words.  The biography followed the timeline of his life and left his heart out.
Joseph Smith by D A Weggeland - used with permission
This post is about Joseph Smith, an American prophet.  There is much written about the timeline of his life.  I won’t go into that.  I want to share with you his heart.  As a man “thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)  The ideas that came out of Joseph’s heart were beautiful.  I love how his earnest, generous, loyal, and courageous character is revealed.

Joseph was both a prophet and a man.  As a prophet, he spoke of heavenly visions and repeated verbatim the words God gave him.  As a man, he was quick to tell people that he wasn’t perfect.  “I never told you I was perfect; but there is no error in the revelations which I have taught.” (45:522)

Here is something he said about himself, “It is my meditation all the day, and more than my meat and drink, to know how I shall make the Saints of God comprehend the visions that roll like an overflowing surge before my mind.  Oh! how I would delight to bring before you things which you never thought of!” (45:520)  He was a serious student of the Bible.  He also spent a lot of time as a student of the Holy Spirit learning directly from God.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Easter Promise

None saith, Restore. (Isa 42:22)

O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, 
I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Isa 43:1)


Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands  (Isa 49:16)

[I] was wounded for [your] transgressions. (Isa 53:5)


Say to the prisoners, Go forth; 
to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves  (Isa 49:9)

I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. (Isa 49:26)

[I] poured out [my] soul unto death (Isa 53:12)

I, even I, am he that comforteth you (Isa 51:12)

Thus saith thy Lord — the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again  (Isa 51:22)



For a small moment have I forsaken thee; 
but with great mercies will I gather thee.  (Isa 54:7)

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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Solemn Gethsemane

The solace of Jerusalem, a peaceful grove of ancient olive trees

Strengthened by angels, Jesus knelt to pray for the sins of all men and women while friends slept

A pressing time where blood came from his every pore