12:1
Jesus chooses twelve men who received the “power and authority to baptize.” Jesus encourages the people to follow them. “Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water.” I think it’s interesting that he introduces them by explaining that they were chosen to minister unto them and be their servants. I think this statement was likely as much for the apostles as it was for the people. He could have introduced them as leaders, guides, mentors, prophets, etc. I think he consciously introduced them as servants so they have the right perspective from the beginning. Their positions were not positions of power but of service.
12:2
“And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.” Why would the indirect testimonies be more blessed?
One reason is the increased faith that it requires. If our testimony is about being true to what we know, there is character development. If our testimony is based on faith, our character development is more thorough. That’s what this life is about for most of us - will we be true to something we believe rather than know.
The premortal world was about being true to what we knew. The mortal world is about exercising our faith.
12:3-10
I love the Beatitudes. I think there is a vital point to each one. I’ll attempt to write a couple of sentences only.
“Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Why the connection between “poor in spirit” and “kingdom of heaven?” I think that the kingdom is the destiny of those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Only those people will be humble and teachable enough to follow the Lord in all things. The poor in spirit have an infinite amount of repentance in them.
“And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Part of the plan of salvation is opposition. To feel true joy, we must feel sadness so we have perspective. The positive side of mourning is we know what it means to be comforted. Also, this life is filled with much suffering. Everyone of God’s children will be more blessed as they correctly see that all of the bad things that happen to us will “be but a moment.”
“And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” I think this is similar to being poor in spirit. I think that this is a clever way of painting a picture that the reality of the plan of salvation is opposite to the plan of the world. In the world, the bold and dominant and assertive and powerful are those who control the earth. God’s plan doesn’t work that way.
“And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Those who are desperately trying to be righteous are those who receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Needing righteousness as much as we need food and water is an illustrative way of showing what qualifies us for “full” companionship of the Holy Ghost.
“And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” This is true in this life and at judgment. If we are in a habit of forgiving others, we will more easily forgive ourselves. We will not be held back by guilt. Being merciful is being like Christ. If we are striving to be like Christ, we will obtain mercy.
“And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The pure in heart are those who see God in all things. The pure in heart see God in creation and in our relationships and in consequences and in opportunities to serve. We will see the events of our lives through the lens of God and our relationship with Him will strengthen.
“And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” We are children of God. We are all brothers and sisters. As we get closer to God, this brotherly or sisterly lens will be more clear to us. We will treat others as family. We will naturally be more forgiving and understanding and look for opportunities to serve. God’s perhaps greatest quality is his selfless desire to work for us to be like him. For us to build that quality in ourselves, it starts with being peacemakers.
“And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” As I read about those who have been persecuted by others for being disciples of Christ, I recognize the “patience” that they have. In Peter, we read that being a disciple is about faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, temperance, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity. I used to think that the patience part of that dealt with patience with other people. I’ve learned that the patience listed here is more about having patient with God’s timing. Think of the patience that Job displayed. Or Alma and Amulek. Or Paul in prison. Or Joseph Smith. Being patient in tribulation is the same as being “poor in spirit.” There’s no wonder why those two qualities have the same reward in the Beatitudes.
12:11-12
“And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake; For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.” If this life is building faith in Jesus Christ and becoming selfless and teachable, suffering persecution on His behalf is one of the greatest character-building activities we can do. To be persecuted for our discipleship in Christ means that we are choosing Christ above the things of this world. Perhaps we’re choosing our discipleship over our own mortal lives. This, perhaps, is the greatest expression of faith.
12:13-16
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor wherewith shall the earth be salted? The salt shall be thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men.” As disciples of Christ, we are meant to be different than the rest of the world. If we are absorbed into the normalcy of worldliness, we have nothing to offer. If we go with the crowd, what do we have to offer that crowd?
As disciples of Christ, we will always be separate from the world. This is going to become more and more obvious as the world continues to decline in morality and we stay fixed where we are.
The thing about salt is that it’s good for nothing if it stays contained in the salt-shaker. It’s only when salt is applied to something else that the benefits happen. We cannot keep our discipleship bottled up. Our testimonies should be spread.
He reinforces this principle in his candle analogy. “Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.“ People will be positively influenced if they can see your example. Of course, it shouldn’t be for you own glory but the glory of God.
12:20
“Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” This is an important principle. We are supposed to “come unto” Jesus. We must have a “broken heart and a contrite spirit.” Is that it? Is that all we must do? It depends on how you look at it.
If I come to Jesus with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, I will naturally desire to repent. My repenting means that I am aligning my will to God’s. Part of that is keeping His commandments. So, yes, if you come unto Jesus with a broken heart and contrite spirit, you will enter the kingdom of heaven. Inherent in coming to Jesus is following his commandments.
A person who sincerely cones unto Jesus but ignores his commandments doesn’t exist. Those two things can’t exist in the same person. It would be like saying I sincerely love my wife and also abuse her. If I did abuse, it don’t truly love.
12:22
“But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” THIS is my problem. If Eric has a core sin, this is it - especially when I drive. When I drive, I see other drivers as idiots. They seem clueless and oblivious to the world around them. I assume they are narcissistic jerks who don’t care if they are holding up traffic for an entire freeway.
When I am in public, I get frustrated when I’m in a crowded sidewalk and folks will stop dead in front of me. They don’t seem to be aware that there is a world of people around them who are walking. It doesn’t occur to them that their stopping suddenly may interfere with everyone else.
I feel the same way when folks congregate at the entrance of a building and other people have to work their way around them.
I could provide many examples of situations where I get mad at the public. I’m actively working on this and attempting to see others as children of God and that I can’t judge their apparent stupidity and carelessness.
Jesus is explicit here. It’s important that I overcome this weakness. This problem could affect my eternal trajectory. Will I be willing to work for the immortality and eternal life of billions of idiots? Will I desire to do whatever is necessary to develop them fully as God does? God loves ALL of his children and is working to save them. I must develop that same selfless love.
12:26
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence until thou hast paid the uttermost senine. And while ye are in prison can ye pay even one senine? Verily, verily, I say unto you, Nay.” I think this is also describing the challenge of progression in the spirit world. If we are in “spirit prison” it is difficult to repent and progress.
Without temptations, trials, and bodies, how does one progress? As I learned in General Conference today, mortality matters. This is the arena that provides the most opportunity to progress. Spirit prison isn’t a great venue for development. Just like it’s difficult to earn money from actual prison, it’s very challenging to earn progress in spirit prison. It’s possible of course but much more difficult.
12:28-30
“But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, to lust after her, hath committed adultery already in his heart. Behold, I give unto you a commandment, that ye suffer none of these things to enter into your heart; For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.” Jesus is teaching an important principle about thoughts and intentions. Our thoughts and intentions develop into actions which lead to our character.
So, if we don’t commit adultery but want to constantly, how is our character affected? It’s like we are obeying the letter of the law but not the spirit of the law.
Lusting after someone will do damage to a heart. My heart is devoted to Marci. If I let other thoughts enter in, my heart is being slightly splintered. If I let those thoughts build, how devoted to Marci will I feel? How will that affect my actions? Whether I act on those thoughts or not, it will affect me.
For those who have the burden of a lustful nature, “ye should deny yourselves of these things.” They must carry this cross.
12:39-41, 43-44
“But I say unto you, that ye shall not resist evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also; And if any man will sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also; And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.” This is very hard. We humans have a desire for fairness. When we are wronged, we feel it is right to wrong the offender. That balances the scales.
If someone cuts us off on the freeway, it’s okay to cut them off in response. If someone cheats us, we want to sue. If someone speaks unkindly about us behind our back, we like to respond in kind. To rise above that and do good to those who harm us is unnatural for the natural man. But, how good is this training in becoming like our Heavenly Father. We humans disrespect Him all of the time. We ignore his commandments and have turned his name into a curse word. Yet, every one of us is hoping that he will respond with kindness and not attempt to get even.
“And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy; But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.”
How would the world change if we were all like this. We see escalating, retaliatory attacks in the Middle East. What if one side followed Jesus’s instruction? How would our political landscape change? We should all follow this. It could change the world!
12:45-48
This instruction has been misunderstood often. “That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled. Old things are done away, and all things have become new. Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” How are we meant to be perfect? In context, it appears that we are meant to be perfect in treating everyone with kindness and mercy.
God “maketh the sun rise on the evil and on the good.” God is no respecter of persons. If we want to be like him, we should be Christlike to everyone, regardless of how they treat us. We can be perfect in this way. We won’t become perfect in every way in this life, but we can strive to be kind to everyone - friend and foe alike.
13:1-4
Giving alms can be any good deed. Our motivations for why we do a good deed matter. “Verily, verily, I say that I would that ye should do alms unto the poor; but take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when ye shall do your alms do not sound a trumpet before you, as will hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest alms let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth; That thine alms may be in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly.” The focus of the giving should be to bless others. If blessing others is our motivation, then we are becoming more Christlike. If our motivation is to be noticed by others, our good deed does nothing for helping develop our Christlike nature.
If we want to look good to others, pride is our motivation. Needless to say, if we’re doing good deeds to raise our social standing among our peers, we will certainly receive that. We will look good for others. What kind of a reward is that? How does this result help us to be more Christlike - which is the purpose of life?
If we do good dees to simply bless others and if there isn’t an opportunity for anyone else to know, we know that our motives are sincere. We are truly becoming more selfless.
13:5-6
“And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” This is a similar point as the previous one about alms. Our motivation really matters when we’re dealing with core priority of faith.
Becoming selfless is a core priority for this life. So is our relationship with Heavenly Father. How important is a strong relationship with God? Certainly, it is vital - just like becoming selfless is vital to our mortal experience. I think this is why Jesus warns people to avoid being prideful in these areas. He wants to reinforce the purpose and importance of these core priorities of faith.
13:16-18
He warns of the same thing when it comes to fasting. “Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” Fasting must also be a core priority of faith. What better way to understand, on a deep level, our reliance on God and his goodness.
Also, how many ways are there to make our faith a priority over our physical needs? The most natural thing in the world is for us to eat. We must do it regularly. If we don’t do it, we feel hunger pains. Our bodies do not like to go without food. If we are able to set those needs aside and position our spiritual needs above our physical needs, how does that strengthen our ability to do exactly that in other scenarios. Does it become easier to resist the desire to relax, be endlessly distracted, lust, overeat, and seek after the prideful things of this world?
13:19-21
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Seeing this world as what it is another “core priority of faith.” (I don’t know why I’m using that phrase so much in this week’s CFM?” If we see this world through an eternal lens, there are a few benefits:
We will not be as troubled when things aren’t working out for us. We will be able to withstand trials and tribulations knowing that there will be an end to those things.
We won’t be so tempted by the things this world has to offer.
Our primary goal will not be wealth and power and prestige. Our priorities will match the eternal world rather than this fallen world.
We will make our spiritual development THE priority of our lives. We will more readily dedicate time to scripture study, prayer, service, etc.
We must see our income as a means to an end. We must see our possessions as temporary. We must never put possessions (or the work to receive them) in the center of our life.
13:22-23
How important is it what we look at? Just like a bit in a horse’s mouth, our eyes lead us around through life. There’s a phenomenon in cycling where, if you look off the side of the road, your bike will naturally drift that direction. It can be dangerous when you’re cycling on the edge of a cliff! “The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” What we look at is what we will be drawn to.
Will we look for the weaknesses of our spouses? Or will we strive to see their strengths? Whatever we’re looking for, we’ll see. It matters if we are looking at pornography or the scriptures. If we are fixated on the possessions of others, it’s more likely we’ll become covetous. It matters if our eyes are engaged in “doom scrolling” or scripture study. If we are watching TV and movies that drive the Spirit away, that will have an effect.
Set a goal this week to really pay attention to what we’re looking at. Notice where your eyes are pointed. If we are mostly looking at dark things “how great is that darkness?”
13:24
“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.” For many of us, we think we can keep one foot in the world and one in heaven. What does that look like? Do you do that? How are ways that you deliberately settle?
If I can’t be kind to the idiots in my life then I can never be “all in” in the gospel. How pure can my life be if I allow vulgar language in my home through the TV? This isn’t about perfection but it is about eliminating any mammon from your life that you could easily do but you kinda like it. I view deliberately settling as a type of rebellion and rebellion is dangerous.
Jesus was also talking about literally centering our lives on getting ahead in this world. Our successful career cannot be the center of our lives. Sure, it can be the biggest time requirement - but it shouldn’t be the center. If we are focused on worldly success, we cannot be focused on God at the same time.
13:25
Jesus makes this point in the extreme to the apostles. “And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” He doesn’t want them to even think about providing for themselves. He wants them to focus on their ministry only. Marci and I look forward to the day when we can, again, go into the mission field and live this way. It’s actually a beautiful life.
13:33
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Our priority must always be the kingdom of God. If we are, then we will also be successful in this world. We will work to educate ourselves and progress and serve. We will want to develop our talents. People, including employers or employees, will be drawn to us.
All of this almost always leads to financial success.
13:34
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.” Many of us feel anxiety. Frankly, our anxiety is usually based on things that don’t actually transpire. Or, we worry about things that we have no control of.
I have a simple rule that I do not worry about things I cannot control or influence. I think this is a skill based in my laziness but it’s worked out. :)
I do know people who are constantly worried about the future. They can become depressed and overwhelmed. They don’t see how things will get better. My advice is usually to make one good decision after another - in the here and now. Set a goal to make good decisions today. If you string enough of “good decision days” together, you’ll find that the arc of your life is moving upward.
14:3-5
“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” We’ve all heard this one many times. The word “behold” is not the same meaning as “notice.” To behold is to really fixate on and think about. We’re putting some effort into pondering why our brother’s mote is there and why it’s so big and how it affects me and how infuriating it is that he doesn’t even believe that he has a mote!
Of course, we’re not giving any thought that our vision might be flawed or biased because of the beam in our own eye. We don’t give our own flaws a moment of consideration. Everyone likes to think that they are the hero and the other person is the villain. It’s never that simple. There are beams and motes everywhere! No one is immune!
I think if we FIRST cast the beam out of our own eye, we clearly see that this was the problem all along. Let us fixate on our beams rather than waste time beholding the motes of others - which we can’t really influence anyway…
14:6
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” There have been a few times in my life that this scripture has come to mind. These are time when I’ve considered teaching or explaining a truth about the plan of salvation. For example, teaching someone that there is a Heavenly Mother or that each of us have divine potential to become like our Heavenly Parents. I had the impression that they wouldn’t believe it and would mock the concept and then use it as a weapon against the church in future conversations with others.
Some mysteries of heaven and sacred truths are not meant to be shared frivolously. If someone is feeling the Spirit and has a sincere desire to learn, perhaps. But, if the spirit of contention is there, there is no point in sharing a precious pearl to someone who will just mock it.
14:29
“For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” This is a similar concept to what I’ve written about we see what we are looking for. I do know that we will not find what we aren’t seeking. We must continually look towards heaven if that’s our desired destination. The doors we are knocking on will open, eventually.
This is not to say that we receive whatever we pray for. I cannot pray for my son to reconvert to the gospel and it will soon happen. But, I can pray for wisdom in what to say to him to build our relationship of trust and see opportunities to uplift and strengthen. That will absolutely be given to me. It is a righteous desire that is aligned with God’s will. I have 100% faith that this will happen. God won’t give me a serpent instead.
14:12
“Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.” This is the golden rule. Treat others as you want to be treated. Do unto others…
It’s interesting to me the last part of this line: “…for this is the law and the prophets.” This is likely sounding backwards to those who had been practicing the law of Moses. What had happened in Jerusalem is that the law and the prophets had become God. Now, Jesus was saying that all of the law and the prophets hung on just being kind to each other. That is a serious reframing of perspective.
If any of us get caught up in the jots and tittles of the gospel and start seeing things as checklists and gain our self-worth from that rather than how we treat other people, that’s a problem and goes against what Jesus is teaching here. So, when I study, study, study and then get in my car and immediately get frustrated at the slow driver going down our hill, I’m not following this.
14:13–14
“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Christ is teaching that there are a thousand paths that all lead to hell. There is only one path that leads to heaven.
The plan of salvation is about self-selection. Agency is at the heart of the plan of salvation. We each choose to follow Jesus or we don’t. Jesus is saying that the majority of people will not follow him. That’s saying something.
We know that EVERY knee will bend and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ. So, doesn’t that mean that EVERY person will follow him on his path. Obviously not since there are only a few who find the strait and narrow path. There must be many people who will acknowledge what Jesus did for them but aren’t willing to follow Him.
Does that really sound unbelievable? How many people are professed Christians but aren’t Christlike? Most? It’s one thing to understand that Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, it’s another thing to be willing to be as selfless, humble and obedient as he is.
14:15-20
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.” This is very great. This is a good test of whether the Church we belong to is God’s church. What does the church do for this world?
On the other hand, consider what other anti-church groups are doing? What fruits do they bring? I think the best they can say is that they offer an echo chamber or collusion. To listen to others who believe the same way that we do is comforting! It feels good to belong. We must belong to something. So an anti-church support group fills that need.
But what other fruits do they offer? Are they bringing others to Christ? What do they stand for? What do they rally around? From what I can see, they stand against a church. That is their title of liberty. I don’t see the charity work they’re doing. I don’t see the organizations of learning where their members volunteer their time selflessly for others. I don’t see the programs for helping young people understand who they are and whose they are. How do these groups inspire others to become more? What is the goal that they are striving for? What is the purpose of life according to them?
Their primary fruit is comfortable collusion.
14:21-23
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” I can’t help but think of the televangelists that heal folks on TV. These same televangelists will claim that if you repeat a short prayer you are saved. They are careful not to offend their clientele by stating the gospel truth. They don’t call to repentance. They want to make others feel good about themselves. If people can leave a service feeling better about themselves, they are more likely to reciprocate with donations.
I suspect that the prophecies and exorcisms and wonderful works were done for a reason other than bringing glory to God. Intentions matter. If we are studying and being valiant in our callings and attending every church meeting to maintain our status in the community, we may be disappointed with how much Christ knows us - or how much we know him. Passionately declaring our testimonies doesn’t mean we have a real relationship with Christ.
The work of getting to know Jesus Christ is an intensely private process. It isn’t done on a stage or holding a microphone. Many Christian leaders aren’t Christian doers. What matters is if we DO the will of our Father in heaven.
14:24-27
“Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand— And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” If we build the foundations of our lives on the teachings of Christ, we will have a sure foundation that will outlast any winds of trials or waves of affliction. That’s saying a lot because this world can get pretty bad.
On the other hand, if we build the foundation of our lives on anything else other than what Christ taught, we are officially on unstable ground. How easy is it to lose wealth or lose a spouse or get fired or get chronically sick or terminally ill? That stability of wealth and health and even family can be wiped off of the board by a single tragedy. If your entire existence has to do with being the CEO of a company, if that company goes bankrupt, where are you?
My father started a company that I worked at for 16 years. I played a critical role in opening 150 locations across the country. My dad sold it and, three years later, the new owners fired me in a five minute meeting. I drove away thinking, “Now that I’m jobless, who am I?” So much of my identity was wrapped up in that job. It was a big loss for me.
Thankfully, I had the belief in the plan of salvation to put things in perspective for me. I was still a child of God. That was my identity. I was able to move forward quickly from that setback.
15:9
“Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.” Jesus is the law. He gave the law of Moses and he gave a new law in his teachings in Jerusalem and Bountiful. The law that he is teaching is the law of the universe. God follows certain laws and Christ’s will aligns God’s will which aligns with these set laws.
Not knowing these laws is a dark place. Christ is the light. He illuminates truth so that we can always be aware of our bearings and how we can strive. We can know how we are progressing as we exercise our agency in submitting our will to God’s. If we can do this until the end, that path of progression will extend into eternity. If we ever decide that we are too old or tired or worldly-wise to continue striving, we are settling on a slighter trajectory of growth. That path of progression will also extend into eternity.
16:1-3
Jesus makes it clear that he also visited other people that weren’t the Nephites/Lamanites. “And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister. For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them. But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them.” I wonder what other people did Jesus visit? Why are there no records of this? Did he visit Africa? Was it Asia? This is very interesting.
16:10-12, 18-20
“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.” This is directed at America. We are getting closer and closer to this description - if not there already. This isn’t talking about the Church itself. We know that the gospel will not be removed from the earth in this dispensation. I can easily visualize a time where missionaries are no longer sent to states in America because they are rejected, mocked, and unsafe.
Verse 11-12 shows what Christ intends at that point. “And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel.“ The Jewish people will finally embrace the gospel. We are seeing this begin even now. It’s a good example of “the first will be last and the last will be first.” In the beginning, it was first the Jews and then the Gentiles. Before the second coming, it will be first the Gentiles and then the Jews. Of course, this verse is also talking about the remnant of the house of Israel in this hemisphere. The descendants of the Lamanites are the focus of this prophecy.
In the end, it will all be right and fair and good. “Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion.” Our prophets will see clearly what is happening. They will see before we see. We must listen to our watchmen.
The ending is good. “Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.” If we are true to our covenants, the Lord has promised that the day of comfort and redemption is coming.
“The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God.” I love the thought of all nations finally seeing the truth in all its glory. There will be no more disputations about what is truth. Christ will reign. There will no longer be endless debates about right and wrong. There will be no question. The primary challenge will be to align our will with Christ’s. No more wandering in the dark trying to figure out the purpose of life. What an interesting world that will be.
Just a final thought about Jesus quoting Isaiah. Why would the source of all light and truth quote one of his apostles? The same reason we should weave scriptures into our preaching. The people were familiar with the scriptures and had some access to them. Once Jesus was gone, the people could continue to increase in knowledge and strength by studying the scriptures that they had already.
We should view our preaching the same way. We should weave scriptures into our teaching, testimonies, and even everyday discussions. I find that I am remembering scriptures as I consider how to advise another person. If we can teach a principle and, at the same time, refer to a scripture, we may create the added benefit of turning others to the scriptures and highlighting their usefulness in our everyday lives.
A couple of days ago, my son was telling me about all of the stress and anxiety he is feeling as he considers the future. A scriptures came to mind (probably because I had just read it). It is found back in chapter 13 (and Matthew). “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” That advise was much better than anything my creative mind could have conceived.
This spurred a conversation about the scripture’s meaning and the usefulness of scripture. He even said, “Man I gotta go back and actually read a good translation of the Bible. Well specifically the New Testament. It’s been a long time since I took the time to read a decent translation of it and it was muuuuuch better.” I made this father’s heart grow a bit to read this from him. There is much opportunity and potential benefit to referring to the scriptures as much as possible. I am grateful for the scriptures in many ways!
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