Knowledge Unto Salvation

Moroni, a Book of Mormon prophet, writes in 3 Nephi 5:20, "that [God] hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls." I find this phrase interesting. When I think salvation I typically do not think of knowledge as the means of attaining it. But after thinking about it for a moment, it makes sense. When we have knowledge of something we are enabled and empowered to act. In order to perform a surgery a physician must first have specific training on the functioning of the human body. In order to develop computer software a programmer must first learn how to code. Once there is understanding there can be action and eventually a finished product.

In verse 25 of the same chapter Moroni talks about a specific kind of knowledge, knowledge of the covenant. In order for us to live with God and partake of salvation we too must gain an understanding of these covenants. And after doing so, if we are faithful, we can obtain the greatest of all the gifts of God, eternal life. 

Coming Up On Conference

With General Conference coming up in only a few days, I was just reviewing some of my notes from last October (something I should do more often). A couple things stood out to me that I feel would be easy to start doing:

1. Read Joseph Smith History often (Neil L. Anderson)
2. Watch less TV. Read more books (Tad R. Callister)
3. Ask, "Will this make me a better person?" (Quintin L. Cook)
4. Set goals to be good, not applauded by the world (Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

The overarching theme I pulled from these notes and from my institute of religion class today is this: We need to focus on the use of our own agency and not be overly concerned with how others use theirs or how they view us. If we make sure our lives are in order then we can be sure that God's blessings will flow and we can stop worrying about making every little thing work out perfectly.

Alma says it best in Alma 41:14, "Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren, deal justly, judge righteously, and to good continually; and if ye do all these things than . . . shall ye have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again . . . ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.

In the following verse he continues, "For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again..." 

Getting What You Want

"Ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof." - Alma 32:39

In our lives, we all desire certain things. It might be a successful career, a happy family, or eternal life. In order to get what we want, we have to put in time and effort to make it happen. Christ said, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." If we truly want something it will be manifest by our actions.

We may profess to want an eternal family but if we are not willing to "nourish the tree" then we "cannot have the fruit." This principle is known as the law of the harvest. Basically, the law of the harvest states that what you get out of something is proportional to what you put in.

The key word there is proportional. Because, if we got out exactly what we put in, there would not be any point in putting any work in at all. But that is what is wonderful about Alma's analogy. When nourished, a single seed may grow into a tree bringing forth an almost infinite number of similar seeds.

When we work along side God and Christ they can magnify our efforts and through Christ's atonement we can partake of the most precious fruit of all, eternal life.

Life is a Painting not a Puzzle

Life is full of trials: we make mistakes, we get sick, we lose people we care about. Sometimes my tendency is to view life like a puzzle, something to be solved. When I lose a piece, I'm sunk. Once a piece is missing, there is essentially no way to complete the picture.

However, a more correct comparison would be to say that life is like a painting. We may make a mistake here or there but a true artist can easily turn those blemishes into an overall beautiful picture. 

Elder Bednar relates the following in one of his conference addresses:

"In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting."

Each day we paint a little bit more. And hopefully we don't get discouraged if things maybe don't turn out how we planned or if we feel like we messed up. With God's help, we can improve our lives/paintings each day. 

Owning Up to Our Actions

I recently had a very interesting experience... It all started when I was in the shower.. I had woken up just like any other morning but while in the midst of my morning routine I remembered that I had parked my car in a nearby lot that is only open to the public on weekends. Long story short, I ended up paying $75.00 to get a boot taken off my car.

As I waited for the company to come remove the boot I kept trying to think of ways it wasn't my fault, looking for a reason why I shouldn't have to pay the fine. But ultimately I came to the conclusion that there was me, and only me, to blame so I paid the fee and went on my way 75 dollars poorer. 

We make choices every day. Sometimes our actions are in line with the commandments of God and other times they aren't. It's my experience that we are quick to take credit for the good that we do but even quicker to make excuses when things go south. Perhaps all we need is to be a little more honest with ourselves and own up to our actions. And remember to move your car when you need to.

The College Student and the Concept of Zion

For those of us in school right now it's easy to get caught up thinking about ourselves. What classes am I going to take? What should MY career be? What shirt should I wear today? None of these questions are bad, they're a necessary part of our lives. But they sometimes make it hard for us to think about people besides ourselves.

In the scriptures we read about the concept of Zion. The Doctrine and Covenants speaks repeatedly on establishing Zion. Enoch built a city that was called 'Zion'. D&C 97 refers to Zion as, "the pure in heart". And we sing hymns about Zion in church on Sundays. So with that said I want to share this scripture...

"But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion, for if they labor for money they shall perish (emphasis added)." - 2 Nephi 26:31

As students, we are preparing ourselves to enter the work force. We know that we have a duty to provide for our future families but sometimes I think we get caught up in future fortunes instead. This scripture reminds us that our labor should always be to build God's kingdom, not ours.  In the end, money isn't important but people are and I hope that we won't forget it.

Knowledge is Freedom

I've heard it said before that "knowledge is power" and I don't disagree. I would simply like to add that "knowledge is also freedom".

In 2 Nephi 2:26 it states that Adam and Eve became free forever, knowing good from evil. When we gain knowledge we are free to make more educated decisions, freeing us from choices that lead to sin. Thus, one of the sole purposes of our existence on this earth is to learn how to tell the difference between good and evil, righteousness and wickedness.

It appears to me that making this distinction has become increasingly difficult as of late. In the world we see many that call good, evil and evil, good.  See Isaiah 5:20 for his prophecy on the subject. Society no longer looks to the laws of God or to His doctrine for answers on issues of morality. Instead, we are encouraged by the world to "choose what is right for us". This dangerous doctrine of doing whatever works was taught by none other than Korihor, an anti-christ in the Book of Mormon (see Alma 30:17, 60 to find out what happens to him...).

The truth is, there is a law. There are rules, commandments that God has given us. As we learn to keep them and to distinguish good from evil we are becoming more and more like Him. We are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death.. Pick whichever one you want.