are the little "why's" important?

When Habakkuk learned that the Lord was raising up the Chaldeans to overtake Israel, he’s like, “Seriously? Have you seen these guys? They’re way worse than us!”

Why is it that the Lord would do this? How can this be? Why would the Lord use one wicked people to punish another? Sheesh! There's a lot that God does that doesn't make immediate sense to us.

I think when we wonder about the mechanisms through which God chooses to accomplish his will, it’s helpful to reflect on Jacob 4:8—

“Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.”

How many things do we trouble ourselves over, which have no relevance to our salvation, but can become huge stumbling blocks if we focus on them to distraction?

There are many things that we don’t understand about life. We may have valid questions about the history of the earth, the church, or a strange story in the scriptures that just doesn't make sense to us. In these cases, I think it’s important to consider the following:

1.       Is this crucial to my salvation, or just trivia?

2.       Will knowing/understanding this increase my understanding of God’s plan for me?

3.       Will knowing/understanding this make me a better person?

If the answer is “yes,” then seek further study! Pray, read up on what the scriptures and modern revelation have to say. The Lord wants you to have increased knowledge in this life. In D&C 130:18-19, he says—

“Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.

 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.”

If the answer to any of those questions is “no,” then be willing to let it go. It’s okay to wonder, but don’t fixate. Remember, we were meant to live by faith. 

Whatever you do, don’t let go of the things you do know to be true, over a few things you don’t have the answer for right now.

Christ promises to reveal all when he comes:

“Yea, verily I say unto you, in that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things—

 Things which have passed, and hidden things which no man knew, things of the earth, by which it was made, and the purpose and the end thereof—

 Things most precious, things that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven.” D&C 101:32-34

Obadiah

Obadiah 1:17, 21

17 ¶But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

 21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

What is Obadiah talking about? Who are the “saviours,” and what is “mount Zion?”

Obadiah is referring to the saving work to be performed for the dead, in the Lord’s temples. At this time, on the earth, the authorization to perform ordinances for the living and dead, has been restored. We call it the “priesthood.” Through those who hold the priesthood, these ordinances can be performed. Many of them are done in our temples, which are dedicated, holy places, specifically built for this work.  

We participate in these ordinances, first for ourselves, then for our ancestors who have gone before us; those who did not have the opportunity to receive them while they lived.

This is a crucial part of Christ’s church, and part of who he is. He would never condemn his children who didn’t have the opportunity to learn of him, while they lived. Jesus Christ is an equal opportunity savior.

To those who are unfamiliar with this concept, it isn’t new to Christ’s church. Paul says:

1 Corinthians 15:29:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?”

Paul is speaking of the “lost” practice of baptism for the dead, wherein worthy members are baptized, by proxy, for those who missed this opportunity in life, but need it—just as we do—to return to live with God.

In Doctrine and Covenants 128: 5, 15, the prophet Joseph Smith explains:

“You may think this order of things to be very particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel.

And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.”

So, we are the “saviours” Obadiah referred to, and “mount Zion” is the temple. Our dead depend on us for salvation, and this work we can do in our temples is necessary for our own salvation.

For a better explanation, see here.

Daniel

Both Darius and the Lord preferred Daniel because of his integrity. Daniel had shown himself to be loyal to the Lord over the king, and the king respected that. It meant that Daniel understood loyalty, and was not afraid of men who challenged it. 

I think that Darius also saw that Daniel was not ambitious, so that he didn't have to worry about being surrounded by “yes-men.” Darius knew that Daniel was honest, and would die before he betrayed what he believed in. these are qualities that a valuable to both God and men.

We know that Darius recognized the power of Daniel’s god, and even had faith in him. We know this by his response to Daniel’s sentencing to the lion’s den sleepover. He said,

“Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”

This is kind of an amazing thing. We learn more in Daniel 6:18-20

“18 ¶Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”

What happens next is perhaps more amazing, when Daniel’s protection from the lions has been verified:

“25 ¶Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

 26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

 27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

It is good to remember this, as we go about our lives. We serve this same god. He is a living God, and he works actively on our behalves to deliver and save each of us.

Here's a link to a 5 minute clip that mentions Daniel near the end. It's pure gold!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-079-eyewitness-news-at-six-600-bc?lang=eng

Gathering of Israel...

For your consideration, Jeremiah 46:27–28; 50:17–20, 33–34, 41

27 ¶But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

 28 Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the Lord: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.

17 ¶Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.

 18 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will punish the king of Babylon and his land, as I have punished the king of Assyria.

 19 And I will bring Israel again to his habitation, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan, and his soul shall be satisfied upon mount Ephraim and Gilead.

 20 In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.

34 Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

 35 ¶A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the Lord, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wisemen.

41 Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

Now lets look at D&C 110:11

After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.

In these passages in Jeremiah, we see the Lord’s promise that, although Israel will be punished and scattered, they will also be restored. Those who have scattered Israel will also be punished.

We also see that there is a promise that a nation will come from the north, and many kings will be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

In the account given in D&C 110, we see that Moses gives the keys of the gathering of the house of Israel to Joseph Smith. It is interesting to note that shortly afterward, Heber C. Kimball was called to serve the first mission outside of local or regional areas—to Great Britain. And so the gathering of Israel began…and so it continues.

Was Great Britain the “north” that both of the scriptural accounts refer to?

What is known is that in a few short years from the restoration of the keys of gathering Israel, Elder Orson Hyde was commissioned to journey to Jerusalem, and officially dedicate the land for the return of Israel. 

Jeremiah

I don't think Jeremiah got invited to many parties...nevertheless, I found a message of hope in my reading this week.

In Jeremiah 29:11-14, it says:

“11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.”

In Deuteronomy 4:29-31:

“29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

 30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

 31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.”

Here the Lord speaks to the Jews that have been carried away captive to Babylon, due to their insistent disobedience.

How can we apply these words of tenderness and mercy to those who are captive to sin? 

Well, I think it leads into a principle that I keep knocking my head on in the Old Testament, which is:

The Lord never turn his back on us, no matter how often we turn from him.

He gave us commandments, he warned us what would happen if we chose to disobey…and he still wants us back, and continues to provide opportunities for us to return to him.

Oh, Isaiah, you got me again!

A few thoughts this week on some related scriptures, starting with a passage from Isaiah.

Isaiah 55:8-11

8 ¶For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Jacob 4:8

 8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

These verses are comforting to me because I am a big, dumb idiot. I am so grateful that there is a God, and that he knows all, and is accessible, and wants me to turn to him for guidance; so I can be saved from my own stupidity.

I can know God through the scriptures, and by the love and comfort I feel when I pray. This love makes me want to know him better, and be worthy of the things he does for me.

One of the ways we know that God’s ways are higher than man’s ways is by observing trends in morality throughout history. We have seen a departure from ideals that more closely resembled the laws that God has outlined, and seen an interpretation that has been more and more accepting of degrading, evil practices. This has happened by degrees, but at this time, those who uphold God’s laws of sexual morality are in stark contrast with the rest of the world. God’s law, however, has not changed. It cannot, just as truth is invariable. Man changes, shifts, justifies, excuses. God does not. This is just one example of the difference in the natures of God and man.

Because I am a big dummy, I am especially grateful to be loved and cherished, despite my weaknesses. I am grateful for a God who extends mercy when I make mistakes, so I can hopefully get better and better, and eventually become worthy to return to him. I am grateful that he knows what I am capable of and where I can do the most good. I am grateful for the talents he has given me, and the opportunity to develop those he wants me to have. Thank goodness his thoughts are higher than mine, his plans are better than mine, and he continually takes the time to correct me, and show me that I can slowly become who he wants me to become.

Thank goodness he is higher, so he can reach down and pull me up. 

Here is a great video that's related:

Isaiah 40-46

Having read through some of Isaiah, I wouldn't say that I've studied it like I'd like to.

That being said, I'm really grateful for the opportunity and exposure that I have had in these past couple of weeks.

Here are some of the highlights I've gleaned from Isaiah 40-46...

Mentioned names of Jehovah:

• the Lord God
• he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth… that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in
• the Holy One
• the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
• the Lord, the first, and with the last
• thy God
• thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel
• the Lord that created thee
• thy Saviour
• the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King
• he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins
• the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts… the first… the last
• the Lord, thy redeemer
• he that formed thee from the womb
• the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth
• a just God and a Saviour
• God, and there is none else
• God, and there is none like me

Here are some of his attributes and characteristics, according to these chapters:

Our creator, someone who never has--and never will--stop fighting for us. He feeds us and gathers us and carries us. He is with us, to strengthen, help, and uplift us. He will destroy the wicked; but he will also remember his promises to the righteous. He will redeem us.

I think these are the most powerful, fierce, and tender passages of scripture I have ever read. As I read them, I could not help but weep. I was surprised. I love the scriptures, and I'm not a complete robot, but I can't say that I find myself crying all that much when I read. As I read, I felt so, well, loved. 

I would challenge anyone who is feeling discouraged, or beaten by life, or just unloved—to read these chapters. Pay attention to the names of the Lord, then look at what this King, this universe-builder, has promised to do for you...that should help.