Adam and Eve

I've been reading in Moses. It has helped me think about the temple ordinances a little more, but at my own pace. I think I ought to do this more often. It may help my time in the temple be more valuable to my growth.

Just a thought.

The Tribe of Levi

Acts 4:34-37 - Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the mony, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

I am studying both the Old Testament and the New Testament right now and it has brought some interesting insight. Moses and company are on their journey toward Canaan. I looked ahead to see how the tribes were divided across the land once they had settled in and noticed that there was no region that could be called the Levites. I instantly recalled that the Levites were spread throughout all the tribes so that they can take care of the responsibilities of the Levitical, or Aaronic priesthood. I also remembered that this is primarily where the Sadducees, or High Priests descended from at the time of Christ. At a minimum, Joses Barnabas was a kinsman of sorts of the Sadducees, even if he had no dealings with them, or even believed as they believed. But it is interesting that what amounts to a paranthetical insertion about Joses Barnabas, is actually quite significant in that it demonstrates that not all the tribe of Levi had perceived themselves as being above the populus. Two words, but with a big story to tell.

Be Strong and of a Good Courage

I went on the new, church sponsored website on Monday, youth.lds.org. It lays out this years mutual theme, "Be Strong, and of a good courage," and has several messages and songs with regard to this theme. I found myself this morning with the song stuck in my head, but instead of "Be Strong," I was singing "Be Small." I don't think it's supposed to work that way.

Joshua 1:9 - Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.

Doctrine of the Priesthood

As I read for a few moments before my lovely wife returns with our children, on our 7th anniversary, I read in D&C 121. It is the night before I am made 2nd counselor in our Bishopric. I am confident nobody reads this blog. A few used to, but I killed it for a time and am now picking it up again as kind of a journal of thoughts. I was pondering on what it would take for me to be able to fulfill that calling, and there is some good instruction in that section.

(Vs. 21, 22) That the rights of the priesthod are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven; and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the eavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

I have never known a time when I have to be able to listen more than I do now. To understand, and gain people's trust. To be able to listen to the Spirit. To arm myself with the word of God. If I hope to do what the Lord wants me to do in this calling, I have to be a better person. Does this mean I have to change? Yes, but only the aspects of me that need to. Hopefully I'll be able to listen to the Spirit and be able to increase in my understanding of the "Doctrine of the Priesthood."

(Vs. 45, 46) Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

Single to My Glory

"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you..." (D&C 88:67) As I was pondering this today, I was thinking how easy it is to see people that aren't completely filled with light. But I was also thinking of some people, several people in fact, that I couldn't say that they aren't completely filled with light. But common sense got the best of me to know that people are not perfect and that all the people I was thinking of probably weren't really perfect, or even completely "filled with light." (I'm not sure they have to be synonymous.) But the second part of that scripture helped me think back to some earlier parts of that section. "... and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things." So perhaps you can only comprehend to the level at which your own light is filled, and recognize that level of comprehension in others. Verse 49 states "The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not..."

I guess the point of my thoughts is that we all have a responsibility to increase the light within us. The counsel is given in verses 118 and 119. "And as all have not faith seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."

"For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth widsom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own;" Doctrine & Covenants 88:40

Moral Discipline

One of my favorite talks from conference (October, 2009) was that by Elder D. Todd Christofferson titled "Moral Discipline." I think his discussion on how society erodes without proper moral discipline (defined by him as self-discipline based on moral standards) is extremely accurate as to how society has progressed the past 200 years. It's not just technology that has progressed, but the fall of religion and the inability of people to maintain the definition of moral right and wrong, true and false, sin and righteousness, and overall good and evil. This progression has made it necessary to try and define laws that will cover every loophole and to protect every member of society. An impossible task, unless everyone lives by the same moral code. The simple battles of defining "freedom of religion" in the courts systems is only one of many examples. We are continuing to see the courts define freedom of religion as "freedom from religion" over and over. The eroding of the moral basis of a society will only serve to bring that society into bondage. Not bondage by bull whip, but volunteered inservitude for the first generation, accepting inservitude by the second generation, and revolutionary outbursts by the third generation.


"Societies will struggle in vain to establish the common good until sin is denounced as sin and moral discipline takes its place in the pantheon of civic virtues" - D. Todd Christofferson