Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Honoring Our Covenants



A covenant is a sacred and enduring promise between God and His children.

Making covenants—meaning to commit, to promise, to pledge, to vow, to agree, or to contract.

Keeping covenants is an expression of our discipleship as we serve and strengthen one another. “When we realize that we are children of the covenant, we know who we are and what God expects of us,” said Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “His law is written in our hearts. He is our God and we are His people.”
 “As we make and keep sacred covenants, we become instruments in the hands of God; we will be able to articulate our beliefs and strengthen each other’s faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ” (VT Message, October 2012).
From the Scriptures
1 Nephi 14:14; And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

Mosiah 5:7; And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
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Baptismal Covenant—Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins is a covenant to keep the commandments of God and take upon us the name of Christ. (Quote) “Those of us who have entered into the waters of baptism and received the gift of the Holy Ghost have covenanted that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ and keep His commandments.”
Sacramental Covenant—This ordinance was introduced so that we can renew our covenants to serve Him, to obey Him, and to always remember Him.  (Quote) “The sacrament is the ordinance that replaced the blood sacrifices and burnt offerings of the Mosaic law, and with it came the Savior’s promise: ‘And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost’” (3 Nephi 9:20).
Oath and Covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood—When a man receives the Melchizedek Priesthood, he enters into the oath and covenant of the priesthood. He covenants to be faithful, magnify his calling, “give diligent heed to the words of eternal life,” and “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” Those who keep this covenant will be sanctified by the Spirit and receive “all that [the] Father hath.” (See D&C 84:33-44.)
Endowment Covenant—The endowment is an ordinance performed in our temples. It consists of two parts: first, a series of instructions, and second, promises or covenants that the person receiving the endowment makes—promises to live righteously and comply with the requirements of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Celestial Marriage Covenant—Another temple ordinance is that of celestial marriage, where wife is sealed to husband and husband sealed to wife for eternity.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference, October 2012—Of Regrets and Resolutions
"Declaring our testimony of the gospel is good, but being a living example of the restored gospel is better.

Wishing to be more faithful to our covenants is good; actually being faithful to sacred covenants—including living a virtuous life, paying our tithes and offerings, keeping the Word of Wisdom, and serving those in need—is much better.

Announcing that we will dedicate more time for family prayer, scripture study, and wholesome family activities is good; but actually doing all these things steadily will bring heavenly blessings to our lives."

Monday, October 15, 2012

Book Review--The Prime Ministers by Yehuda Avner



An Intimate Narrative of Israeli Leadership

I have always been interested in Israel mostly because of my study of the Old Testament and my belief as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly called Mormon) that the Jewish people are the “chosen” of the Lord as part of the children of Israel.  I must confess that being raised in Wyoming and now living in Utah, I knew almost nothing of Israel or its history before reading this wonderful book and I am shocked at the anti-Semitism shown by certain individuals and cultures in its pages.

I enjoyed The Prime Ministers more than any book I have read in a long while.  I am in awe of Avner for his meticulous documentation of the events of his observance and work with these men, as well as his voluminous memory and fluent writing style.  After about the first third of the book, I started keeping a list of words that I wasn’t sure of the meanings numbering over 60 words.  So, I not only gained much knowledge of the history of Israel but also I enjoyed the literary excellence of just reading the words.

The book is not an autobiography and we are given only the “bare facts” concerning Avner’s life.  We know he was born in Manchester, England in 1928 (see Avner’s blog) and went to Jerusalem in 1947 with a Jewish youth group where he is thrown into the beginnings of Israel’s War for Independence.  He returns to England, gets married in 1953 and a year later he and his wife move to a Kibbutz in Israel.  A few years later, in 1959, he joins the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the beginning the author lists all the main characters in the book.  He also lists key events of each time period for all three parts of the book and for the four prime ministers that he serves under (a clue that he is right brained and detail oriented).

Part I (1939-1952) reveals Menachem Begin’s early life as the head of the Irgun National Fighting Organization while the British were still occupying Palestine.  He becomes a wanted man hated by many but desperate for a “Jewish homeland” for all the refugees flowing into the area after WWII.

Part II (1959-1977) chronicles the years of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol (1963-1969). This time includes the six-day war in September 1967.  During this war the Israel Defense Force (IDF) returns a divided Jerusalem to the Jewish people; the entire West Bank was captured from the Jordanians; the entire Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from the Egyptians; and the Golan Heights from the Syrians. 

Golda Meir was Prime Minister from 1969 to 1974.  She was an avid Socialist who sent envoys to Africa to help the new governments and people there.  She was accused of not being prepared for the Yom Kippur War in October of 1973 and resigned in 1974.

Yitzhak Rabin (1974-1977).  Henry Kissinger negotiated with Rabin and Egypt for Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula.  The most interesting event during this time is the Entebbe, Uganda rescue of the Jewish passengers held hostage on a hijacked Air France airplane from Tel Aviv to Paris.  Rabin was elected Prime Minister again in 1992 and was assassinated in 1995 by a Jewish extremist. 

Part III (1977-1983).  Menachem Begin is the real focus and hero of this book.  I love this man.  He is religious—often quoting scripture.  He adhered to a kosher diet; was observant of the Shabbat holy day; was a moral man often preaching to the Knesset or anyone who would listen; was a real patriot of Israel and a fierce negotiator with his friends and enemies.  He met with Anwar Sadat in Jerusalem and later signed the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel.  He professed his belief in God and said, “How else to account for our success in accomplishing the virtually impossible” meaning all that led up to the establishment of the State of Israel.

I can’t help but contrast Begin with Obama.  When Shlomo Argov, the Israeli ambassador was shot in London in 1982 by Palestinian terrorists, PM Begin immediately took revenge.  When the US ambassador in Libya and three others were killed in Bengasi this past September 11th, we were told it was because of an American video and that an investigation was continuing.  Also, Begin said after he was elected prime minister: “This government has come to serve not to reap.”  Our president has added over 5 trillion new debt in the last four years. Obama has also suggested that Israel return all land to their pre-1967 borders which Israel’s prime ministers have adamantly refused to do.

It’s much more fun to read about these remarkable prime ministers whose words, thoughts and actions were remarkable in themselves, than to dwell on the present.  But, the real champion is Yehuda Avner.  His blog says this book will be made into two movies and another book is in the works.  I can’t imagine it will be any better than this, but we will have to wait and see.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Book of Mormon Stories--Signs of Christ's Crucfixion and Resurrection



Nephi, the keeper of the records, being a just man, began to reckon the time after the signs had been given by Samuel the Lamanite of the birth of Christ, which was now thirty-three years.  And once again, the people began to doubt and dispute among themselves even though many signs had already been given (3 Nephi 8:1-4).

In the thirty-fourth year, in the first month on the fourth day a great storm arose in the land such as had never been seen before.  There were whirlwinds, terrible thunder and lightnings, and the whole earth began to shake.  The great city of Zarahemla was on fire, the city of Moroni was swallowed up into the sea, the city of Moronihah became a great mountain, and the whole face of the land was changed.  Many of the inhabitants were slain and their places “were left desolate” (8:5-16).

Finally, after three hours, the thunderings and lightnings of the storm and the quaking of the earth ceased and a thick darkness covered the land.  There was neither light at all from fire, or candles, or torches nor any light from the sun, the moon or the stars because of the great “mists of darkness” for the “space of three days.”  And the people began to howl, weep, and mourn “because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them.”  They were heard to cry, “O that we had repented before this great and terrible day” and had not killed the prophets “then would our mothers and our fair daughters, and our children have been spared” (8:19-25).

And a voice was heard among the inhabitants of the earth crying: “Wo, wo, wo, unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of my fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen” (3 Nephi 9:1-2).  The voice of the Lord speaks to them of all the cities and people who have been destroyed.  And “the many great destructions” he caused to come on the land and the people because of their “wickedness and abominations” (9:3-12).

Now, he addresses those who were spared because “ye were more righteous than they” [the wicked who were slain].  And he exhorts “if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life.  Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me” (9:13-14).

Then, he identifies himself, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God.  I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.”  He explains that he was “from the beginning” with the Father and has now “come unto my own” [the children of Israel] and they “received me not” [completed his mission].  And he tells them he is “the light and life of the world …Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” and in Him the scriptures concerning his coming are fulfilled and also “in me is the law of Moses fulfilled” (9:15-18).

Thus, the blood sacrifices and burnt offerings are done away and he gives them the “new” sacrifice which is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  “And whoso cometh unto me [with this sacrifice]...will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost.”  Now our Savior speaks of his purpose, “Behold I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.”  And he tells them if they will come unto him as a little child, “him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God… and for this purpose have [I] laid down my life, and have taken it up again” [I have been resurrected].  And again he pleads, “therefore, repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved” (9:19-22).

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Book of Mormon Stories—Gadianton Wealth Redistribution Epistle

After the signs of the birth of Christ prophesied by Samuel the Lamanite were fulfilled, many of the Nephites repented of their sins, were baptized, and there was peace throughout the land.

Thirteen years later [A.D. 13] there began to be wars and contentions in the land because the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous (3 Nephi 2:11).  This group of outlaws [modern-day terrorists], named for their leader, were experts in murder, robbery and plunder “who had entered into a covenant that no one should know” [reveal] their secret combinations and works (Helaman 2:3-4). 

For the safety of both the Lamanite converts and the Nephites they were forced to unite together [and all were called Nephites] and take up arms against the Gadiantons. They did this for the safety of their lives and their families, to maintain their rights, and the privileges of their church and worship, their freedom and their liberty (3 Nephi 2:12).  War between the robbers and the people of Nephi continued with the Nephites driving the robbers back out of their lands into the mountains and their secret places (2:17).  However, in the sixteenth year from the coming of Christ [A.D. 16] the righteous leader of the Nephites, Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received an epistle from the leader of the Gadiantons (3 Nephi 3:1).

In this letter, (1) the Gadianton leader, Giddianhi, at first flattered Lachoneus by praising him “for the firmness of your people, in maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty;...as if ye were supported by the hand of god, in the defence of your liberty and your property and your country, or that which ye do call so”—[In other words, what you call yours is really ours] (3 Nephi 3:2).  Next, (2) Giddianhi calls Lachoneus foolish and vain to think that he can stand against “so many brave men” who are anxious for his word to go down and destroy the Nephites because of  “the many wrongs which ye have done unto them” (3:3-4).  Now, (3) this thief and murderer writes his desire “that ye would yield up unto this my people your cities, your lands, and your possessions,” rather than be destroyed by the sword.  And, (4) then “unite with us, become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us—not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance” (3:6-7).

This is an interesting situation. Lachoneus was astonished at the boldness of Giddianhi and the threats of their “avenging the wrongs of those that had received no wrong, save it were they had wronged themselves” [by joining with the wicked band] (3:11).  It is also interesting to note that the Gadianton robbers lived in the mountains; they produced no food or goods other than meat from wild beasts or game.  Their only other source of sustenance was from robbing, plundering and killing, yet they demanded the Nephites give up everything they built, worked for and possessed so the robbers could redistribute it to all as their “brothers and partners” (3 Nephi 4:5).

The great commander of the Nephite armies was a man of revelation and prophecy named Gidgiddoni (3:18-19).  When the people pleaded with him to let them go to the mountains and the wilderness and destroy the Gadianton robbers in their own lands, he said to them, “If we should go up against them the Lord would deliver us unto their hands.”  Then, he  told them his plan: “We will prepare ourselves in the center of our lands, and we will gather all our armies together, and we will...wait till they shall come against us;...as the Lord liveth, if we do this he will deliver them into our hands” (3 Nephi 3:21).  And, for a year they prepared by gathering all their horses, chariots, cattle, flocks, herds, grain and all their substance into the appointed place.  They built fortifications all around them and placed guards to watch day and night.  They made weapons of war of every kind and armor and shields to protect them. “And, a great many thousand people who were called Nephites [gathered] themselves together in this land.”  They repented of all their sins and prayed continually to the Lord their God that he would deliver them when their enemies came against them to battle (3:14-26).

When the robbers came down from the mountains and found the Nephite cities deserted and desolate with nothing left for them to plunder for food, Giddianhi commanded his armies that they go up to battle against the Nephites.  As the battle commenced, it was the greatest slaughter “among all the people of Lehi since he left Jerusalem” (3 Nephi 4:1-11).  But, the Nephites prevailed and pursued the robbers and killed all they found.  Even Giddianhi was overtaken and slain. Eventually, all the Gadianton robbers were surrounded by the Nephites and could not retreat to the wilderness (4:12-30).  All those who surrendered were cast into prison.  There “the word of God was preached to them.”  If they repented of their sins and entered into a covenant of peace [would murder no more], they were set free.  Those who refused were “condemned and punished according to the law” (3 Nephi 5:1-6).

Thus, the wicked, secret, and abominable combinations of the Gadianton robbers finally came to an end.  And, the hearts of the Nephites swelled with joy and many tears were shed “because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies” (3 Nephi 4:33).

Book of Mormon Stories—Samuel the Lamanite Prophet



About 6 B.C., on the American Continent, Samuel the Lamanite prophet preached to the Nephites of the birth of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.
 
Both the Lamanites and the Nephites were descendents of Lehi who, with his family and others, left Jerusalem about 600 B.C. when the Lord warned them that their city was shortly to be destroyed.  After wandering in the wilderness for eight years, Lehi’s son, Nephi, was directed to build a ship for a voyage to “a choice land.”  After many months on the ocean, they arrived in a land somewhere in the Western Hemisphere.  Nephi was a righteous man but his brothers Laman and Lemuel and their families and followers became a wicked and rebellious people.  Nephi was told by the Lord to take the records they brought with them from Jerusalem, and those written by Lehi and Nephi in the new world, and separate themselves from the wicked Lamanites, and go far away from them into the wilderness, which they did. 

Now, after almost 600 years and many wars between the two nations, the Nephites had become “ripe in iniquity” and the Lamanites had been converted to the Church and were living the commandments of God (Helaman 13:1). 

Samuel was a righteous Lamanite.  He was called to preach to the Nephites in the land of Zarahemela, the seat of their government.  And, for many days he preached repentance to the people, but they wouldn’t listen and they threw him out of their city (Helaman12:2).  As he was about to return to his own land, the voice of the Lord came to him telling him to return again and prophesy whatever was in his heart, but he was barred from the city.  Determined to fill the Lord’s commandment, he jumped upon the high wall and began to cry in a loud voice:

“Behold, I, Samuel, a Lamanite, do speak the words of the Lord which he doth put into my heart;…the sword of justice [punishment of the Lord] hangeth over this people” (Helaman 13:5). 

He told them that within 400 years all of their people would be destroyed and nothing would save them except repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, who would shortly come into the world, and be slain for his people.  He said, “An angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul” (13:6-7).  And he told them the Lord would smite them with the sword [wars], famine and pestilence (13:9).  “Ye are cursed because of your riches…because ye have set your hearts upon them, and have not hearkened unto the words of him who gave them unto you” (13:20-21).  And Samuel declared unto them, saying, “O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you?…Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?” (13:29) and he prophesied of many more things that couldn’t be written (Helaman 14:1).

Because the Lord desires to save these wicked Nephites, he commands Samuel by an angel to prophesy of the signs accompanying his birth.  Samuel said: “Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name....Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night...and it shall be the night before he is born” (14:3-4).  “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you” (14:5).  And the Lord told him to “cry unto this people, repent and prepare the way of the Lord” [prepare to let him into their hearts] (14:9). 

Samuel gives them another sign, “a sign of his [the Lord’s] death. (14:14).  There will be no light from the sun, the moon or the stars upon the face of the earth for three days and there will be thunderings and lightnings for many hours. The earth will shake and tremble with mountains laid low and valleys made into mountains.  Cities will become desolate and graves of the saints will be opened and they will appear unto many (14:20-27).
 
He explains that Christ must die “to bring about the resurrection of the dead [temporal death] that thereby [through repentance and the atonement] men may be brought [back] into the presence of the Lord” [spiritual death]—this because of the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord when he and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden for eating of the forbidden fruit. (14:15-18).

Finally, Samuel tells them if they believe, they can be saved but those who will not believe, “bring upon themselves their own condemnation.”  He reminds them that they are free to choose; “ye are permitted to act for yourselves....He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you” (14:30-31).

Many of those who heard the words of Samuel believed on his word and went to find Nephi the third, a prophet of the Lord, confessing their sins and desiring to be baptized.  Those who refused to hear and believe grew angry and threw stones and shot arrows at him upon the wall.  However, the Lord was with Samuel so that the stones and arrows could not hit him.  This caused many more to be converted and they were also baptized by Nephi.  But more did not believe.  As they tried to capture him, Samuel escaped from the wall and went back to preach to his own people and was never heard of again among the Nephites (Helaman 16:1-8).

Samuel has prophesied that “for five years more” the signs of the birth of Jesus Christ would be given.  But the majority of the people became “more hardened in iniquity” and argued that there was no such being as a Christ which “is a wicked tradition” to keep them in ignorance.  And they discounted the many signs, wonders and miracles that had already been given to the people (16:13-21).  Some began to say “the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.”  But the righteous saints watched for the sign of a day and night and day in which there was no darkness that their faith “had not been in vain” (3 Nephi 1:4-8).  Now the unbelievers set apart a day that all those who believed in Samuel’s prophecy would be put to death “except the sign should come to pass.”  As the day drew near, Nephi prayed mightily to the Lord on behalf of his people, (3 Nephi 1:9-12) and the voice of the Lord came to him saying:

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world” (3 Nephi 1:13).

And that night there was no darkness and a new star appeared in the sky.  Now the people knew that the prophecy was about to be fulfilled and the Lord would be born the next day.   “And the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord....And thus the people began again to have peace in the land” (3 Nephi 1:19, 21-23).