Theology – Page 5 – Ammon Shepherd

No More Disposition to do Evil

Back in May of this year I started to search through the scriptures about what it means and how to obtain a state where I no longer have a disposition to do evil. One definition of “disposition” is “an inclination or tendency.” Much too often my disposition is to give in to temptations. I’m no where near the level of Nephi, and I all too often must cry out “O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins…” [2 Nephi 4: 17-19].

King Benjamin preaches about the Gospel of Jesus Christ to his people.

I was reading in Mosiah and came across the people who have been taught by King Benjamin. After hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in such plainness they desire to be baptised, and covenant to follow Jesus. They exclaim great joy at their “mighty change within [them], or in [their] hearts, that [they] have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” [Mosiah 5: 2]

So, taking that phrase as a theme for gospel study (no more disposition to do evil), I set about finding scriptures to enlighten and help me learn how I can have such a change in my heart. I found over two dozen scriptures and came away with six points to creating such a change in myself. I’ll go through them and my thoughts about them this week.

The need for a restored Church of God

Mark 2: 21-22 gives an analogy for why the church of God needed to be restored. Jesus has been asked why his disciples do not fast, but those of John and the Pharisees do. Jesus responds with an analogy that those with a bridegroom do not fast, but only when he is not present. He then expounds, in the aforementioned analogy, that the bridegroom, referring to himself, will not be with the people always. But that he, Jesus, will return again. And when he does, it will not be to the same organization that is a remnant of what he left. As he says, new cloth should not be sewn into an old garment because the new cloth is stronger and will make the hole worse. New wine is not stored in old wine bottles (usually made of leather), because the old leather will not stretch as the wine expands during fermentation and will break the bottle.

Jesus shows that there will be an Apostasy or a time of separation from him and the truth when he says in Mark 2: 20, that the bridegroom will be taken away, and in that time they shall have to fast.

When the gospel and Christ’s church is restored to earth, it will need to be done in a new vessel. The truths restored would break the old church. It would not be able to support the changes needed to be made. They would not be able to support the restored gospel, rules, structure, mentality, organization and way of life required by Christ’s true church. A completely new structure was needed. Built from the ground up, piece by piece with someone in charge who was completely dependant upon Christ for direction and understanding. Why not take a young, barely educated boy and make him the leader and builder of the restored and eternal organization of Christ’s gospel?

James 3: 4 teaches that it is a small helm that guides a large ship. It must be a small and simple person to bring about the great restoration.

In 1 Nephi 16: 29, Nephi teaches us with the story of the Liahona, that it is by small means that great things are brought to pass when done with faith and diligence.

Alma warns in Alma 37: 7 and 41 that we must not forget that the Lord works by small means to confound the wise, and to use our faith and diligence in remembering this fact.

The Lord provides encouragement in a revelation (D&C 64: 33) to Joseph Smith on September 11, 1831. He counsels us to not be weary in doing good things, for it is by our small and simple acts that he brings about his great work.

Joseph Smith was the small and simple person, chosen by God to restore his church on the earth. He built the church anew, reestablishing the doctrines, ordinances, covenants and organization that had existed before, but were lost due to the Apostasy.

[Personal Study Journal, June 17, 2008]

God is the God of all people

Paul is a powerful preacher and prophet. I finished Acts and have started Romans, and I’m astounded by the works of Paul. Despite constant tribulation he keeps the faith.

In Romans chapter 3, he speaks to the believers and non believers in Rome. He testifies of Jesus Christ. He tells the people that it doesn’t matter if they are Jew or Gentile (non-Jew), because “is he not also [God] of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also” (Romans 3: 29). So God is the God of all people, not just the Jews. The acts and teachings of Jesus were for every human being, not just the Jews.

Why then the special situation of the Jews? Paul explains that it had been the “advantage” for the Jewish population to have “committed” unto them the oracles of God. It was to this people that God gave the prophets, the seers, the revelators. To these people were given the “advantage” to be have the mouth piece of the Lord.

Does this mean salvation is only for the Jews. Of course not. Salvation is available for all human beings. How does it come? Through strict obedience to the Mosaic laws? No! But through faith on Jesus Christ.

Romans 2: 27-28

27 Where is ^aboasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is ^ajustified by ^bfaith ^cwithout the deeds of the law.

Does this mean we only need to have faith to be saved? Yes, that’s what it means. Salvation does not depend on how well we follow the laws of Moses. Salvation depends upon how we have faith in Jesus.

So what does it mean to have faith in Jesus? I’ll be looking at that through out this week.

He will save the day

Today was Fast Sunday for us, since Stake Conference is next Sunday. Jonas was sitting next to me, and when there was a lull in people bearing testimony I asked Jonas if he wanted to go. He got quiet and solemn. I could tell he wanted to, but was a bit afraid. When the next lull came, I gave him a nudge. He jumped up and walked up to the podium (we sit on the third row back, so it wasn’t that far away). He stood there for a second or two, trying to think about what to say. He then looked out at the congregation and got real sacred. He looked at me with the beginning of tears in his eyes and motioned for me to come help. I went up there and told him to say he loves his family and Jesus. He did so in a quiet and somewhat shaky voice. Before he could run off, I told him to close in the name of Jesus Christ. He did so, and then came to get a big hug and comfort. Another boy bore his testimony, and then I bore mine as well.

As I did so I realized that the experience Jonas and I just had was an allegory of our relationship with God. I bore this as my testimony:

I had prompted Jonas to do something important. Then at the proper time, I gave him a little nudge in reminder. He immediately went to do it. While trying to do what he was supposed to, he found that he did not have the ability to do it himself. He asked his father for help. His father rushed to his aid and helped him complete his task.

God is always preparing us for important things to do, to help His kingdom roll forward. At the proper time He gives us a nudge. We can choose to be like Jonas and immediately go and do what we know we should. He showed me the scripture in real life, that we should all become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” [Mosiah 3: 19] Jonas was submissive and humble and willing to submit to the thing I wanted him to do (bear his testimony). We must be submissive and humbe and willing to submit to the Lord. When we do so, we may find ourselves in a situation that we can’t finish or complete by ourselves. We can give up, be discouraged or frustrated, or, like Jonas, we can look earnestly to our Father and plead for help. And He will come rushing in to save the day.

I love Jonas. He is a wonder boy, full of love and a great desire to do what is right. He teaches me often through such great examples.

As an epilogue, later in the meeting I commented to Jonas how great it was that he could get up there to bear his testimony, and how scary it can be. He replied almost in a huff and slightly under his breath, “they weren’t all supposed to be looking at me.” Well, my son, they always will be. You will be a strong and upright example for many many people. Point them to Christ and you need not fear.

The Offspring of God

Paul proclaims a lost truth. God is a physical personage, he is known (or can be known) to us. In Acts 17: 23, Paul proclaims to the people of Athens (who worshiped idols and an Unknown God) “him declare I unto you.” God is not impersonal, he is not invisible, insofar as we seek him. He wants us to know him, the same way that Moses did, face to face.

God is also a personage of physical proportions. He has a tangible body. Paul declares in Acts 17: 28-29, that we are the offspring of God. He is the creator of our spiritual beings, our earthly parents are the creators of the physical bodies that house our spirits.

Sunday lessons

I’m just going to comment on a few things I learned yesterday at Church.

1. In Sunday School, our teacher started in on the war chapters of Alma. One thing she mentioned (well, actually reiterated again and again) is that the main purpose of the Book of Mormon is to teach us about Christ, the Fall, Atonement and Resurrection. Everything in the Book of Mormon is there to teach us about those three things, mainly about Christ. So Moroni’s story, of strengthening the weakest cities, of raising the title of liberty, of fighting the Lamanites, is all about how we can gain a testimony about Christ. I’d like to take this thought as a scripture study idea. Look at each chapter in the Book of Mormon and see how it tells about the Fall, Atonement, Resurrection, or some other aspect of Jesus Christ or his Gospel.

2. I need to do much better at getting to know the Elders in the Quorum, to interview them often and find out how they are doing, their families are doing, and how their home teaching families are doing. That should be my main concern.

3. A High Council man spoke in our Sacrament meeting. He used several stories to show how we need to look after the individual members of the Ward. There was one in particular that spoke to me, but I can’t remember it now… I’ll need to contact the Brother and get a copy of the talk or something.

Darkness Dispelled is a Call to Action

I read the First Presidency message, May We So Live, for this month in preparation for Home Teaching tonight. President Monson talks about death, resurrection, and the fragility of life. All of these things are reminders and should the impetus that moves us to doing good.

First we realize that death is a reality (the one thing everybody, regardless of anything, is assured to pass through). Death happens, it can be tragic, sudden and unexpected. Because it is such, it is often dreaded. Because those who are dead are out of communication with the living, it could be terrifying. Not knowing what will come next, or if anything does.

Second we realize and have hope and faith that the resurrection is a reality. Jesus, the first and only one with power, overcame death. That means he had the knowledge and spiritual and physical power to undo the affects of death. Physical death is a separation of body and spirit. The body we know well, the physical matter from which it is made, the physical properties it contains. The spirit is less known, scientifically unquantifiable. It is the dark matter of our selves. Yet the spirit is real, and connected with our bodies. It is the substance of us. It gives us our character, our wills, it is where our knowledge is stored. Death is the separation of spirit and body. With out the spirit to animate it, the body is useless, a lump of clay. Jesus had the knowledge and power to decide when this separation would happen, and to put them back together. He was the first of the resurrection. We will all be resurrected. This means our spirits and bodies will reunite, but this time they will never again separate. Our bodies will be of finer and greater make this next time. They will never tire, get sick, endure pain, age, and never be separated from our spirit again. I digress….

With that knowledge of the surety of death, the temporariness of life, we should endeavor to fill our life with good works. To do good things for others, to fill our hearts and minds with service. As President Monson says: “Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved.”

So, what can I do today to help someone else? How can I be of service?

What, Why, and How of the Gospel

Our Elders Quorum lesson this last Sunday was about faith, hope and charity. The instructor had some great thoughts about these three attributes and related them to a scripture.

Faith = What

Hope = Why

Charity = How

See Ether 12: 4

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with ^asurety ^bhope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which ^chope cometh of ^dfaith, maketh an ^eanchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in ^fgood works, being led to ^gglorify God.

We see that faith is what we are hoping for, what we believe will happen if we do good works. Faith is an action, we put forth effort. (See Bible Dictionary: Faith) Hope is why we believe, and charity is how we believe. We do good, we love our neighbors, we do things that glorify God.

Prayers

I’m trying to improve my prayers. I want to move away from the rote and repetitive one-sided speech I have now, and have a conversation with Heavenly Father. I read in John 11, today, where Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. As he stood before the open tomb, Jesus said aloud to his Father that he was thankful he had heard him (v 41-42). This presupposes that Jesus had a conversation with his Father before hand. He obviously had the best relationship with Heavenly Father out of all people who have ever lived on the earth. His example is to be emulated. So how can I improve my prayers and my relationship with God?

I’ve decided to do a study of prayer in the scriptures. I’m going to note all instances of people praying and conversing with God, and then study and analyze the results in an effort to improve my own relationship with God. My favorite words about prayer come from the Bible Dictionary.

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7: 7-11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings. [Prayer, Bible Dictionary]

It is this type of relationship that I want to have, my will being brought into correspondence with the Father’s.

Other Sheep

I read today in John chapter 10, perhaps the most convincing evidence of the Book of Mormon. John 10: 16 is where Jesus speaks about other sheep he has which are not of the fold of the Jews. Very clearly Jesus states that there are other groups of people that believe on him. Very clearly he states that he will visit these people personally. Very clearly he states that one day all people will be united under him.

There is much I could say, but have not the time. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Written by inspired prophets and followers of Jesus Christ. How can it be denied for other people throughout the whole history of the world what was given to the Jews. If a people believe so strongly on Jesus Christ, would he not lead and guide them with prophets? He gave the people of Israel Moses, Abraham, Isaiah, and many, many others.

There were other groups of people who believed in Jesus Christ. They were given prophets to testify, lead, and officiate. One of these groups of people were decendants of Jews from Jerusalem. A prophet at Jerusalem, around 600 B.C., was commanded to take his family and others and leave Jerusalem. They were guided to America. Their decendants were part of a great nation that at times believed and other times fell away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After Christ’s resurrection, he visited these people, called twelve apostles and healed and blessed them, as he had at Jerusalem.

Why is it so hard to believe that Jesus would visit other people, set up his church among them and instruct them to write? Why is it so hard to believe that the writings of these people are scriptures, when they clearly and directly testify and clarify the word of God? They explain in greater detail and with more spirit the truth about Jesus Christ. Are you like the Pharisees who could not believe Jesus was the Son of God, even though they personally witnessed the miracles?