|
VIEW PERSONAL BELIEFS
|
|
POSTED BY:
|
sixpacktr
|
|
DATE:
|
07.09.2008 |
|
SUBJECT:
|
Knowing but I would not know.. |
|
LOCATION:
|
New York, United States
|
|
A talk of mine on being fully converted...
Talk on I knew, but I would not know…
When I was in Japan on business in May, Pres XXXX sent me an e-mail stating that due to certain changes in the ward, I needed to call him immediately. When I called him, he told me that it was irregular to extend a call over the phone, but I don’t think that doing things in an irregular manner ever stopped Pres XXXX. That is why we love him, because we know that his intentions are driven by a love of the Lord and his church. My main fear was that he would call me to be Elders Quorum President again, a position which I have held 3 different times, and I was prepared to tell him that my family and I were moving to Japan, just so that I could avoid that calling. When he asked me to serve with Bishop XXXX, I was floored. I’m not a High Priest. I got the sleeping thru church thing down cold, but I had always held HPs in a kind of awe. They were too high up the totem pole for me. That phone call changed my perception of things, particularly of me.
Prior to this calling I was the SS teacher for the 14-15 year olds, and was able this year to teach the greatest book ever written, the Book of Mormon. During the next couple of days after receiving my call, I was reading in the BOM and found this scripture. It literally leaped out of the page at me, and I have been pondering its meaning ever since.
This is found in Alma 10:4-6, and Amulek is speaking:
4 And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.
5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart,
(Book of Mormon | Alma 10:4 - 6)
The reason this struck me so hard is that Amulek is describing me. In fact, I believe that he is stating the feelings of every church member: “I knew, but I would not know”. I know what I am supposed to do, but I don’t want to. It is too hard. I envisioned Amulek saying this, either out of laziness, apathy, and/or out and out rebellion, but in D&C 39: 8-10, we get a little more of the picture of what it means to “know, and yet not know”. Here, the Lord is addressing James Covill, recently converted to the church at the time of this revelation:
And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right before me at this time; and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head;
9 Nevertheless, thou hast seen great sorrow, for thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world.
10 But, behold, the days of thy deliverance are come, if thou wilt hearken to my voice,
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 39:8 - 10)
So “knowing, but would not know” is rooted in pride, that pride that Pres Benson called THE great sin and vice of the world in his talk Beware of Pride.
The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment. (See D&C 3:6-7; D&C 30:1-2; D&C 60:2.) “What will men think of me?” weighs heavier than “What will God think of me?”
The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.
Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s
Fear of men’s judgment manifests itself in competition for men’s approval. The proud love “the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43.) Our motives for the things we do are where the sin is manifest. Jesus said He did “always those things” that pleased God. (John 8:29.) Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?
Pride is the universal sin, the great vice. Yes, pride is the universal sin, the great vice.
All of us have pride, in the form of our “favorite” sins, the ones we keep in our back pocket and take out every once in a while. The ones we use when we are feeling that “the Lord will beat us with a few stripes, and then, in the end, we will be saved.” After all, I pay my tithing. I do my home teaching for the most part. I attend my meetings, and put in my time for the Lord. Unfortunately for those of us with that attitude, this is what the Lord had to say in Luke 18: 9-14:
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
(New Testament | Luke 18:9 - 14)
Pres Talmadge in Jesus the Christ states that the great sin of the Pharisee lies not just in his condescending attitude towards others, but his telling God that God owes him! He acts as if he is doing more than is required of him, and he doesn’t want our Heavenly Father to forget it. Just as our Savior was speaking to those that “prayed with themselves”, those that were (and are) supposedly “the righteous ones”, Pres Benson was speaking to us. I doubt that there were many not of our faith that were listening to that talk. I have full confidence that many, if not most of us, are striving to keep the commandments and be as Christlike as we think we can or need to be. Are we really that prideful? Are we caught in the trap of “knowing…but would not know?”
Pres N Eldon Tanner addressed this in his talk “For They Loved the Praise of Men More Than the Praise of God,” and gives us a glimpse of what may be behind our pride:
It is hard to imagine and impossible to calculate the tremendous influence we would have if every one of us would honor his priesthood, and magnify his calling, and really try every day and in every way to use his influence to meet the onslaught of Satan. Too many of us seem to take the priesthood which we hold for granted; we fail to realize what the Lord expects of us, or we don’t have the conviction, courage, and fortitude to stand up for the right and be counted, to be different when necessary.
Someone said to me the other day, “Why is it that people who know what they should do and seem to have a testimony of the gospel are not prepared to live it and haven’t the courage and strength to stand up against opposition?” My reply was, “There are many reasons, it seems to me, that cause people to favor and to do things which are contrary to their teachings and contrary to their beliefs.” Then I referred him to two or three scriptures.
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.” (D&C 121:34-36.)
The next: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5.)
And finally:
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
“For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43.)
Nephi states this precept in 2nd Nephi, 26: 10-11:
And when these things have passed away a speedy destruction cometh unto my people; for, notwithstanding the pains of my soul, I have seen it; wherefore, I know that it shall come to pass; and they sell themselves for naught; for, for the reward of their pride and their foolishness they shall reap destruction; for because they yield unto the devil and choose works of darkness rather than light, therefore they must go down to hell.
11 For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul.
(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:10 - 11)
Both Pres Tanner and Nephi say the same thing: we sell themselves for naught, or for nothing. In other words, we prize that which is of no real worth, things which “moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal”, instead of “laying up for (ourselves) treasure in heaven”.
In his talk entitled “The False Gods We Worship” Pres Kimball states:
One young man, when called on a mission, replied that he didn’t have much talent for that kind of thing. What he was good at was keeping his powerful new automobile in top condition. He enjoyed the sense of power and acceleration, and when he was driving, the continual motion gave him the illusion that he was really getting somewhere.
All along, his father had been content with saying, “He likes to do things with his hands. That’s good enough for him.”
Good enough for a son of God? This young man didn’t realize that the power of his automobile is infinitesimally small in comparison with the power of the sea, or of the sun; and there are many suns, all controlled by law and by priesthood, ultimately—a priesthood power that he could have been developing in the service of the Lord. He settled for a pitiful god, a composite of steel and rubber and shiny chrome.
An older couple retired from the world of work and also, in effect, from the Church. They purchased a pickup truck and camper and, separating themselves from all obligations, set out to see the world and simply enjoy what little they had accumulated the rest of their days. They had no time for the temple, were too busy for genealogical research and for missionary service. He lost contact with his high priests quorum and was not home enough to work on his personal history. Their experience and leadership were sorely needed in their branch, but, unable to “endure to the end,” they were not available.
And so it often seems to be with people, having such a firm grasp on things of the world—that which is telestial—that no amount of urging and no degree of emergency can persuade them to let go in favor of that which is celestial. Satan gets them in his grip easily. If we insist on spending all our time and resources building up for ourselves a worldly kingdom, that is exactly what we will inherit.
In both examples, these people, members of the Lord’s church knew what they should be doing: the young man should be serving a mission; the older couple should be serving and strengthening their branch. But they would not know. They refused to accept the challenge the Lord had placed before them. They settled for that which provides short term happiness, but no long lasting or eternal happiness. And as Pres Kimball stated, if we want that which is worldly, that is what we will receive.
We, thru our pride and thru our anxiousness to be caught up in the things of this world, refuse “to know” that which we have been taught. And the results are disastrous to our eternal salvation, as stated by Elder Neal A Maxwell to Pres Tanner in a letter dated Aug 12, 1975:
Unless we are continually on guard we will find ourselves gradually off the straight and narrow path until we have completely gone astray, becoming a great disappointment to ourselves, our families, and the Lord, and certainly not what we had anticipated or intended or wanted to be.
We find examples of this so often where a person, forgetting who he is, wants to be popular with his peers and wants their praise. This craving for praise and popularity too often controls actions, and as they succumb they find themselves bending their character when they think they are only taking a bow.
The straight and narrow way is just that—straight and narrow. It is an arduous up-hill journey. The way to hell is broad and wide and slopes ever so gently, and those who walk that path scarcely notice the descent; sometimes they don’t notice the descent because praise of men distracts them and they do not see the warning signs! The choice is still between the golden calf and the Ten Commandments.” (Unpublished letter dated Aug. 12, 1975, “Some Thoughts,” from Neal A. Maxwell to President Tanner.)
And this from the Doctrine and Covenants, Sec 64: 34-36:
Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.
36 For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out.
(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 64:34 - 36)
So what is the antidote to this poison of pride, which causes us to know, and yet not know? The Lord states that he wants from us our “heart and a willing mind”. In other scriptures with which we are all familiar, the Lord requires of us a “broken heart and a contrite spirit.” In other words, the Lord requires of us Humility, a recognition of and, more importantly, a dependence upon him for our spiritual and temporal sustenance.
Pride states that I don’t need anyone else, I can do it on my own; Humility states that I am of worth, but without the Lord I am nothing.
Pride elevates self above all others, many times for no other reason than we don’t want someone else to have something we don’t have; Humility elevates the will of the Lord above our individual will, and serves others.
Pride leads to competitiveness, anxiety and self love; Humility leads to peace, joy, and a realization of where we stand before the Lord.
Humility means being obedient. Pride is puffed up and self important; Humility understands that the Lord gave us weakness in order to be humble, to depend upon the Lord to make them strengths.
We would do well to remember the example of Ammon. In my mind, if there was ever anyone that had something to boast of, or to be prideful, it was Ammon. If I had been able to save the kings flocks single-handedly, as well as be the instrument in the conversion of some of my bitterest enemies, I think it would be rather hard to stay humble. I might even think that the Lord thought a little more of me than of his other children. But here is what Ammon said, in Alma 26: 11-12:
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
(Book of Mormon | Alma 26:11 - 12)
How do we cultivate this humility that is so important for our eternal salvation? I thought of some things that can help us achieve this:
Listening to the spirit. When I was in Findlay, I had an assignment to speak. I had my talk in my head, yet when it came time to write it out, I had that stupor of thought that told me that I wasn’t to speak on that topic. I stayed up till late that Saturday night, determined to write down what I wanted, until I finally changed my topic, because I couldn’t write what I wanted to write. I had to speak on what the Lord wanted me to speak on. And the words just flowed. It was the topic the Lord wanted delivered that day. I could have stuck to my guns and talked about what I had originally wanted to, but until I became humble enough to listen to what the Lord wanted me to speak on was I able to finish and deliver the message.
Serving others:
King Benjamin tells us in Mosiah 2: 16-18:
16 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
18 Behold, ye have called me your king; and if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?
(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 2:16 - 18)
Holding strong in the face of adversity:
A story that Pres Tanner told in his talk I mentioned earlier illustrates that importance of being strong:
It is most important that we be on guard all the time and never abandon our standards in order to be popular or to enjoy the praise of men. One of the General Authorities, whom I will call George, was telling an experience he had when a priest. A friend of his was taking his girl home from a party, and her younger sister was going with them. He asked George to accompany them. George accepted. He said that shortly after they arrived home and were sitting in the living room together, the girl whom he took home went over, turned off the lights, came back and sat on his lap, and started to make advances. He said that though he knew he would be unpopular and even offensive, he excused himself, got up, and went home. As he was telling the story, he said that he knew that many young men today would consider him a sissy, but he remembered so well the story of Joseph who was sold into Egypt.
“And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
“And she [Potiphar’s wife] caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” (Gen. 39:11-12.)
We remember how he was made to suffer for this but how the Lord blessed him.
Then George said: “I shudder to think what might have happened if I had stayed with her and have concluded many times that I might never have been here as a servant of the Lord.”
Looking past the sins of others. If we take the time to realize that “the beam in our eye (precludes) us from seeing the mote in others eyes.”, we can begin to develop humility and a love of our fellow men.
There is much truth in the old saw about marriage: go into marriage with your eyes wide open, and after that keep your eyes half shut. The same can be said of all our interactions with others, and especially within our associations with those in this ward. It is a given that at some time or other, someone in the church will offend us. They will say or do something to upset us, and we may even, if that person is in a position of authority, be given to think that somehow the truthfulness of the gospel is attached to this person’s actions. As Pres Maxwell said not too long ago, the Lord had a perfect church until he decided to let us in. Let us be forgiving of others, and realize that we are all beggars before the Lord.
Pres Benson gives us some advice in his talk on pride:
God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, “Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble.” (Alma 32:16.)
Let us choose to be humble.
We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. (See Jacob 4:10; Hel. 15:3; D&C 63:55; D&C 101:4-5; D&C 108:1; D&C 124:61, 84; D&C 136:31; Prov. 9:8.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Ne. 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16-17.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. (See Alma 4:19; Alma 31:5; Alma 48:20.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.
We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. (See D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25-26; Alma 5:7-14, 49.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. (See 3 Ne. 11:11; 3 Ne. 13:33; Moro. 10:32.)
Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.
My dear brethren and sisters, we must prepare to redeem Zion. It was essentially the sin of pride that kept us from establishing Zion in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was the same sin of pride that brought consecration to an end among the Nephites. (See 4 Ne. 1:24-25.)
Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion.
In my opinion, Alma 5 is one of the greatest sermons on what is means to be a member of the church that has ever been preached, along with Moroni 7. If we only had these two chapters in the Book of Mormon, I believe it would be sufficient in teaching us our duties as Saints of the Most High God. Alma states in verse 27 the following:
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
(Book of Mormon | Alma 5:27)
Humility is a state in which we say that we cannot do it all ourselves; that “it is by grace that we are saved, AFTER all we can do”. Pride is what keeps us from believing we need a Savior, but if we ponder what Alma had to say, humility and accepting Christ as our Savior to save us go hand in hand. It shows that we are dependent upon our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for our salvation.
Brothers and Sisters, let us change our lives around, and change our motto from “I knew, but I would not know”, to “I know, and I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”
(Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 3:7)
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
|
|
|
|
FairLDS.org
LDS.org
MormonWiki
Mormon Encyclopedia
FARMS