Thresholds in life...

Life is an exciting adventure.

NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge

We have shared moments and we have unique experiences. If you believe in God, and if you have been reading this blog you know I do, our ultimate destination is to return back to Him.

One of our friends in our office described a conversation that he had with one of his young adult sons. He used an analogy of having New York City as a destination for a vacation. Knowing what our destination is part of our growing process. Agreeing with others about that destination might be another struggle we may have to overcome. When this particular parent talked to his son, using New York City as an example, the destination was easily agreed on but the route to travel on was not as easy. The son didn't want to travel with or anywhere near his father. The road the son chose to travel on wasn't smooth nor direct. In fact, at times, it even appeared circuitous. Although my friend tried to show his son a better route, one that he knew would be more direct and less hazardous, his son chose to pick his own way. This wise father realized that it was time to back away and let his son experience and grow from his own choices. He understood that his son would make his own way but also understood that his final destination, if he successfully completed his road, was the same as his.

Each of our roads are different. In this case a comparison to fingerprints is appropriate as no two fingerprints are alike neither are two roads alike. The only two guaranteed shared moments that we have had and will go through is birth and death. These are our thresholds in life.

Why do I refer to them as thresholds? When you ponder those two events the only real experience is the precise moment of birth and the precise moment of death. All experiences prior to those two moments are quite different for each individual. In one of my 'past lifes' (work experiences) I was a director of maintenance for a skilled nursing facility- a nursing home. The last one I worked at had two "memory care" wings for those who had some form of dementia. While their I witnessed the onset of dementia and the sometimes slow debilitating route that it takes as it goes through someones mind and body. In those situations the process of dieing was sometimes long and drawn out. In another situation I had an elderly friend who was in his early to mid 80s. K was a hard working man who still put in a good work week while taking care of his wife who was ill with a myriad of issues. One Sunday, after church, K had a nice steak dinner. Following his steak dinner he sat in his recliner, turned on the TV, and fell asleep... for the last time.

I mention these two examples in pointing out that although the process is different the very moment when they approach and cross that particular threshold- it is the same....

Next- Examples in all things...

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We believe...Article 5

"We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."

Does man call man to tend to the affairs of God? Or does God have input into how He would like things done here on earth? Before I list some examples from the scriptures I would like to make some simple observations that I have noticed from my studies of the scriptures and from some thoughts that I have had over the years.

John the Baptist

One thought that passed through my younger mind was regarding the requirement that some religions place on those who may have a desire to serve in their respected religion. In many faiths their is an education requirement necessary for them to become a minister, pastor, or priest. In some cases the requirement is beyond a bachelor's degree and towards some type of graduate degree. As I grew up that was something that particularly bothered me especially as I read the New Testament. In the New Testament I read about Peter, James, Andrew and John and found out that their occupation was that of fishermen (see Matthew 4). Moses, who grew up in the shadows of Pharaoh, wasn't called from the influences of wealth and prestige. He was called at a much older age while working for his father-in-law as a shepherd (see Exodus 3). David, the youngest of several sons and also a shepherd, wasn't chosen because of his skills with a sling. It is found in the Old Testament that David was actually chosen before his confrontation with Goliath (see 1 Samuel 16).

In the case of Peter, Andrew, James and John the Savior directly called them to serve. The Savior, who Paul refers to as being the "Apostle and High Priest of our profession" (Hebrews 3:1) ordained them as Apostles. David was anointed by the prophet Samuel. Moses had direct contact with the Lord on more than one mountain.

These were humble men who the Lord chose to establish His Church. It is the same today. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints young men, beginning at 12, are interviewed, and if found worthy, are ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. This is the same Priesthood that John the Baptist held and it was by his hands, as a resurrected man, who restored this Priesthood to Joseph Smith, Jr., and Oliver Cowdery:

     "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron,
     which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of
     baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken from the earth,
     until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness."
     (Doctrine and Covenants 13)

This Priesthood is sacred. It is through the higher priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood, where the Gift of the Holy Ghost is administered. In the book of Acts a man by the name of Simon saw Peter and John exercise this Priesthood in administering the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He then tried to offer them money for the privilege to do the same. Peter admonished him and through the Holy Ghost was able to discern this man's heart and intent (see Acts 8).

It is a privilege to have this Priesthood. It is such a privilege that I have had for 30 some years. With this Priesthood I have had the privilege of baptizing my children and giving them the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is through this Priesthood that I was able to ordain my sons to the Priesthood. It is through this Priesthood that I have been able to bless my children and wife when sick, prior to the beginning of school years, and to give them comfort as a father. It is a privilege worth having and keeping...

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Being a More Christian Christian (part 2)

Jesus finding the one

The following is the conclusion of Elder Hales' address from Sunday October 7, 2012:

"To be who Heavenly Father wants us to be, we follow Jesus Christ. I testify that He is continually calling us to follow Him. If you are just learning about the Christian commitment of Latter-day Saints or if you have not been fully participating in the Church and want to follow Him again—fear not! The Lord’s first disciples were all new members of the Church, newly converted to His gospel. Jesus patiently taught each one. He helped them fulfill their responsibilities. He called them His friends and laid down His life for them. And He has already done the same for you and for me.

I testify that through His infinite love and grace, we can become more Christian Christians. Consider the following Christlike qualities. How are we doing in strengthening them within ourselves?

Christian love. The Savior valued everyone. Kind and compassionate to all, He left the ninety and nine to find the one,¹² for “even the very hairs of [our] head are … numbered”¹³ to Him.

Christian faith. Despite temptations, trials, and persecutions, the Savior trusted our Heavenly Father and chose to be faithful and obedient to His commandments.

Christian sacrifice. Throughout His life the Savior gave of His time, His energy, and ultimately, through the Atonement, gave Himself so that all of God’s children could be resurrected and have the opportunity to inherit eternal life.

Christian caring. Like the good Samaritan, the Savior was continually reaching out to rescue, love, and nurture people around Him, regardless of their culture, creed, or circumstances.

Christian service. Whether drawing water from a well, cooking a meal of fish, or washing dusty feet, the Savior spent His days serving others—lifting up the weary and strengthening the weak.

Christian patience. In His own sorrow and suffering, the Savior waited upon His Father. With patience for us, He waits upon us to come to ourselves and come home to Him.

Christian peace. Throughout His ministry He urged understanding and promoted peace. Especially among His disciples, He taught that Christians cannot contend with other Christians, notwithstanding their differences.

Christian forgiveness. He taught us to bless those who curse us. He showed us the way by praying that those who crucified Him would be forgiven.

Christian conversion. Like Peter and Andrew, many recognize the truth of the gospel as soon as they hear it. They are instantly converted. For others it may take longer. In a revelation given through Joseph Smith, the Savior taught, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day,”¹⁴ the perfect day of our conversion. Jesus Christ is “the light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth.”¹⁵

Christian endurance to the end. In all His days, the Savior never gave up doing His Father’s will but continued in righteousness, goodness, mercy, and truth to the end of His mortal life.

These are some of the characteristics of those who hear and heed the Savior’s voice. As one of His special witnesses on the earth, I give my Christian testimony that He is calling to you today, “Come, follow me.”¹⁶ Come walk the path that leads to eternal happiness, joy, and everlasting life in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, amen."

For a full text or video of Elder Hales address, or for the footnotes,  follow this link.

Next: We believe...Article 5...

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Being a More Christian Christian (part 1)

Elder Robert D. Hales

As I had mentioned earlier in the week The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints held their semi-annual conference the first weekend in October. Tradition in the Philippines, also because technology isn't quite up to speed, is to watch conference the following weekend. This weekend Marcia and I were able to watch conference with the other senior missionaries that are located in the Quezon City mission. The following is an excerpt from a talk given by Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles.




Being a More Christian Christian

"What does it mean to be a Christian?

A Christian has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the literal Son of God, sent by His Father to suffer for our sins in the supreme act of love we know as the Atonement.

A Christian believes that through the grace of God the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, we can repent, forgive others, keep the commandments, and inherit eternal life.

The word Christian denotes taking upon us the name of Christ. We do this by being baptized and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding His priesthood authority.

A Christian knows that throughout the ages, God's prophets have always testified of Jesus Christ. This same Jesus, accompanied by Heavenly Father, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the year 1820 and restored the gospel and the organization of His original Church.

Through the scriptures and the witness of Joseph Smith, we know that God, our Heavenly Father, has a glorified and perfected body of flesh and bone. Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son in the flesh. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit whose work is to testify of the Father and the Son. The Godhead is three separate and distinct beings, unified in purpose.

With these doctrines as the foundation of our faith, can there be any doubt or disputation that we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, are Christian? Yet for every Christian, a simple question remains: what kind of Christians are we? In other words, how are we doing in our quest to follow Christ?"

Next- Christlike qualities in becoming a more Christian Christian...

(To watch Elder Hales or obtain a full copy of his talk follow this link. His talk is the first one in the Sunday afternoon session.)

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