Abide in the Doctrines of Christ

There have always been those who profess to know the truth when what they are really spreading is lies. They purposely set out to deceive believers and bring them to their side which is not the side of Christ. One example of this is the warning that John gives in 2 John 1:7 “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” The story behind why John was warning the people of these deceivers is quite interesting.

The deceivers were the Docetists. They were Gnostick heretics who persisted in teaching that Christ was a phantom. The said that all of the miracles and ministering that he did were in appearance only. They believed that matter is evil and therefore Christ could not have been a material being because that would make him evil. I find it a little ironic that Christ organized matter in order to create the world. By their reasoning even the very earth that Christ created would be evil.

John warns the people to not believe anyone who says that Christ did not come in the flesh. At the time this was a good litmus test to know if they were teaching false doctrine. If they taught this doctrine, that Christ did not come in the flesh, then the proverbial well was poisoned and they should not trust anything that this group of people preached because they were the antichrist.

Had the people believed his doctrine it would have undermined the whole atonement. If Christ was not of the flesh then he would not have actually suffered in Gethsemane. It would only “seem” like he suffered. If that is true then the whole purpose of him coming to earth to save us all would have been in vain.

John goes on to council the people on how to detect if someone is or is no of God. The first test, and this even works today, is to look at their life. Do they follow the teachings of the doctrines of Christ? If they do then they are most likely of God. But if their acts be contrary to the doctrines of Christ then they should not be welcomed into our homes and lives. 

We have the responsibility to protect ourselves from evil and avoiding those who do not follow the doctrines and commandments of Christ in their everyday living is one way we can protect ourselves and our families.

The Savior’s Instruction about the Holy Ghost

Today I am studying about the Holy Ghost in John 14-16. There are many things listed about what the Holy Ghost does and what the disciples of Christ must do to receive the Holy Ghost. Here is a list that touches on each of these points:

• John 14:15–17 –Jesus will pray to the Father to give us the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We are expected to keep the commandments so that we may be worthy of this gift.
• John 14:26–27 – The Holy Ghost will help us remember the things that we have been taught. He will also teach us all things that we need to know. Finally, the Holy Ghost will bring us peace. All that is required of us is to receive this gift and to not get caught up in the troubles and fears of the world; or in other words to have faith. 
• John 15:26–27 – The Holy Ghost comes from the Father and is the spirit of truth. He testifies to us in our hearts and in our minds of the truthfulness of the gospel and of Christ. To be worthy of this gift we must share our witness of Christ and testify of Him. 
• John 16:7–8 – The disciples of Jesus did not have the Holy Ghost with them when Jesus was with them. There was no need to have two members of the Godhood there at that time. The Lord promised that when he was gone the Holy Ghost would then be their companion. This is for their own good and ours. Without the companionship of the Holy Ghost we would be left in darkness.
•  John 16:13–14 – The Lord teaches us here that the Holy Ghost is a guide that will direct us to truth and help us see what is to come so that we can be prepared. The Holy Ghost’s mission and purpose is to testify of Christ. We need only to listen to his promptings and follow them.

Further insight can be gained from the Institute Manual for the New Testament.

“The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

“In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit.” (Pratt, Key to the Science of Theology, p. 101.)

As we keep the commandments we can trust the Holy Ghost to be our companions throughout our lives on earth. He will instruct, enlighten, bear witness of the truth, and reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God to us. He will protect us and encourage us as we face the trials and challenges of this world.

When the Savior was crucified the apostles and disciples were left without a member of the Godhood and would have quickly fallen into apostasy had it not been for the Holy Ghost. He was their constant companion when they taught the gospel, when they were imprisoned, and when they were challenged and tested. He helped to strengthen them and helped them to remember what they had learned at the feet of the Savior so that they could fulfill their mission.

We too need to live worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I remember, as a young married girl, a time when my husband was out to sea. I was all alone for months on end and it was a very lonely time for me. I struggled emotionally and physically. One day while my husband was out to sea, I was outside sweeping the garage. I must have twisted wrong because I suddenly felt this strong pain in my back. I dropped the broom and hobbled into the house. Nothing seemed to ease the pain so I laid down on the floor in the living room. Suddenly this made my back lock up and I could not move. 

This was a time before cell phones so I had to inch my way to the phone that hung on the wall. It took me almost 2 hours to go about 10 feet. The pain was unimaginable! I finally knocked the phone down so I could call someone but could not remember a single number. I could not even remember to dial 911. 

I said a prayer asking for peace and to help me remember the phone number of my visiting teacher. Instantly my soul was comforted. I knew everything would be ok and I remembered her phone number. Although I spent the next few months in a wheel chair I knew that I was not alone and was able to endure the pain with the help of the Holy Ghost. I know that I was not alone when I hurt my back and that all I had to do was call upon the Spirit for help and he was there.

The Trial of Our Faith is More Precious than Gold

Let’s face it, life just isn’t fair! I cannot even count the times I have said this. For some, the question is often asked, “Why do I have to have so many trials?” And others cry out, “I’m tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments!” This post is directed at myself and others who have had similar thoughts and frustrations. 

For years I have struggled with the heartache of being unable to have a child. Infertility can be especially challenging when you belong to a church that puts so much emphasis on family, posterity, and parenting. It can be a trial of faith when you see drug addicts and child abusers able to conceive and yet you remain barren. In 1Peter 1:6-7 we read “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ”.

To me, this scripture means that our trials are just for a season (although for me this season is my entire earthly existence). I love how Peter recognizes the “heaviness” of our load and that this is a “trial of your faith” for indeed it has been heavy and an incredibly challenging trial of my faith. 

However, I know that there is a bigger plan and that, if I continue to live worthy, the Lord will bless me for my faith and patience through this trial. As I become stronger and endure it well I will receive all of the blessings the Father has in store for me including the opportunity to have children in the next life. There are some days when eternity seems so very far away but I still hold fast to my faith.

Enduring our trials is one thing but what of those who ridicule or mock us especially when they are not perfect in keeping the commandments themselves? For guidance on this we need look no further than the Savior himself. How many times was he mocked or ridiculed by those who professed to know more than him and yet he bore their constant attacks with patience and charity. 1 Peter 2:23 reads “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”. The Lord never retaliated against those who reviled or threatened him and neither should we.

So what do these two things have in common? Once, many many years ago, someone once told me that I was infertile because of some sin I had committed and that this was the Lords way of punishing me. I don’t think any words have ever stung me quite like these did. 

A few months later it came out that this same person was having an affair. I could have been smug and undignified and confronted the person about judging me while doing what she was doing but that is not the Lord’s way. 

My heart ached for her and what her family was going through. Her children and husband were humiliated. Her reputation was destroyed. It was a heartbreaking mess to be sure. However, they were able to push through the challenge and so was I. 

Bad things happen to good people. And sometimes very smart people make stupid choices. We’re all on this ride together and the more we can show love and compassion to those who are struggling the better the ride of life will be for us and those with whom we associate. May we all strive to be more Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and deeds. May we all recognize that the trial of our faith is more precious than gold.

What Can I Give

In Mark 14:3-9 and Matthew 26:6–13 we are taught about a woman who anointed the Savior with “very precious” (costly) ointment. Why did she do this? What did she understand about the Savior? Why did some of the disciples feel indignant and call her action a “waste”? To understand this story we must start at the beginning.

There are some people who recognized Jesus as the Savior of all mankind. They were familiar with the scriptures and knew that he would be sacrificed to save us all. The woman in this story understood this. She recognized Jesus and the role he would play for the world. Because of this she came and anointed his head with very expensive oil. In those days it was the tradition to anoint the body with oil after death. This was her way of honoring the Lord and acknowledging her testimony of him.

Some of the disciples were upset with her actions because they did not understand not only why she did what she did but also that Jesus was the Christ. This lack of clarity caused them to jump to conclusions and to even judge the woman. They accused her of not caring for the poor by selling this valuable oil and donating the funds to a good cause.

Jesus explained to his followers that she had done a good thing and she would be remembered for it so the whole world could learn from her example. So what can we learn from this humble woman? Perhaps the lesson is to give to the Lord through our tithes and offerings. This shows our faith in him and allows his stewards to care for his kingdom on earth as is needed. 

Jesus made a point of saying that they poor would always be with them but he would not always be there. To me this means that there will always be a good cause that we can contribute our time and money to but the most important cause is remember Christ in all we say and do and making him the focus of our lives. We do this by devoting our time, money, and talents to building his kingdom.

For me, my time and my money are of value. I can show my love for the Savior by paying a full and honest tithe of ten percent of all my income. I can also pay a generous fast offering so that my bishop can use those funds to help others. I can share my time and talents with my family and community to help bring the gospel into their lives through my example. I can spend my time doing as the Savior would have me do including serving others and showing love. How will you emulate the woman who anointed the Savior?