September 09, 2005
Pre-existence
So, if we existed as spirits before this life, why do some people refer to the pre-mortal world as the pre-existence?
September 07, 2005
Continue to Minister
While reading my scriptures this morning on the bus ride to work, I came across a scripture that made an impression on my mind and heart.
When it comes to home teaching, the scriptural support we hear frequently for this practise are such things as the elders are "to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church" (D&C 20:42).
A scripture I read this morning gave me added hope that my seemingly fruitless efforts are purposeful. The words I read are direct from the resurrected Saviour and found in 3 Nephi 18:31–32:
The Saviour's words express the love He has for all humankind, even the unrepentant sinners. His words express His apprehension with the chance the sinner could spiritually harm His people, yet at the same time He recognises the worth there is in people attending church and receiving spiritual nourishment. He illustrates to us that we should make the sinner feel welcome at church, going so far as to proactively helping them. He extends this to a statement of hope by telling us that we cannot tell will return to his fold, but when they do, they could very well be ready to roll up their sleeves, lace up their boots and go to work building the kingdom of God.
He's preaching to the converted on this point. I grew to understand the importance of home teaching years ago when I was first called into an elders quorum presidency shortly after my mission. The saviour's words simply reiterated what I already know and that to which I am already committed.
There are some people I have been home teaching for over three years (the length I've been in this ward) and they have never come to church. They turn down all my requests to come out to ward socials and to come out to church. Yet I go there every month as a representative of the ward leadership and, hopefully, a disciple of the Christ. I pray daily that these spiritual siblings of mine might have their hearts pricked and return to church where we can sit side by side as brothers and sisters armed in the battle against evil.
I hope I can be there the day my prayers are answered.
When it comes to home teaching, the scriptural support we hear frequently for this practise are such things as the elders are "to teach, expound, exhort, baptize, and watch over the church" (D&C 20:42).
A scripture I read this morning gave me added hope that my seemingly fruitless efforts are purposeful. The words I read are direct from the resurrected Saviour and found in 3 Nephi 18:31–32:
[If] he repent not he shall not be numbered among my people, that he may not destroy my people, for behold I know my sheep, and they are numbered. Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.
The Saviour's words express the love He has for all humankind, even the unrepentant sinners. His words express His apprehension with the chance the sinner could spiritually harm His people, yet at the same time He recognises the worth there is in people attending church and receiving spiritual nourishment. He illustrates to us that we should make the sinner feel welcome at church, going so far as to proactively helping them. He extends this to a statement of hope by telling us that we cannot tell will return to his fold, but when they do, they could very well be ready to roll up their sleeves, lace up their boots and go to work building the kingdom of God.
He's preaching to the converted on this point. I grew to understand the importance of home teaching years ago when I was first called into an elders quorum presidency shortly after my mission. The saviour's words simply reiterated what I already know and that to which I am already committed.
There are some people I have been home teaching for over three years (the length I've been in this ward) and they have never come to church. They turn down all my requests to come out to ward socials and to come out to church. Yet I go there every month as a representative of the ward leadership and, hopefully, a disciple of the Christ. I pray daily that these spiritual siblings of mine might have their hearts pricked and return to church where we can sit side by side as brothers and sisters armed in the battle against evil.
I hope I can be there the day my prayers are answered.
Deserving
There's been a lot of talk of Katrina in the Bloggernacle this week, even here (also here and here). There's been enough commonality among the posts that I've often seen the same question asked: should we donate to a Katrina-specific cause or keep paying fast offerings?
The same thought keeps popping in my head each time the question comes up, so I thought I better post the though here before I forget.
My initial response is, "why should it matter". The Church will use fast offering monies to fund any relief efforts they initiate, so in directly or indirectly, they'll use your money. But more importantly, should we be removing our beneficence from one person and giving it to another? Is one family devastated by Katrina's wrath worse off (or more deserving) than some other family who would receive assistance of some sort from fast offering funds? Is it right of us to rank those in need? Is it more important to help one family in Louisiana who needs 10,000$ than 100 families who need 100$?
I'm not sure I'm ready to do that.
The same thought keeps popping in my head each time the question comes up, so I thought I better post the though here before I forget.
My initial response is, "why should it matter". The Church will use fast offering monies to fund any relief efforts they initiate, so in directly or indirectly, they'll use your money. But more importantly, should we be removing our beneficence from one person and giving it to another? Is one family devastated by Katrina's wrath worse off (or more deserving) than some other family who would receive assistance of some sort from fast offering funds? Is it right of us to rank those in need? Is it more important to help one family in Louisiana who needs 10,000$ than 100 families who need 100$?
I'm not sure I'm ready to do that.
September 05, 2005
Gospel
Several years ago, I received an email from someone spouting off something or rather, trying to be negative about the Church. I can't remember what it was exactly he said, but it was along the lines of the-church-is-a-cult-and-joe-smith-is-a-paedophile type of email. Anyhow, we wrote back and forth a few times, and at one point, he brought up how we use the term 'gospel' incorrectly. He used 1 Cor. 15:1–l4 to point out that the term 'gospel' referred to Jesus' dying, being buried and being resurrected.
It must have stuck with me because last night during companionship scripture study, I came across another scripture that seems to indicate the definition of 'gospel' is a bit more expansive.
So if the definition of 'gospel' extends to more than just the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, perhaps that explains why we as members have gone so far to expand its definition to be synonymous with 'the Church'.
It must have stuck with me because last night during companionship scripture study, I came across another scripture that seems to indicate the definition of 'gospel' is a bit more expansive.
And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom. (D&C 39:6)
So if the definition of 'gospel' extends to more than just the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ, perhaps that explains why we as members have gone so far to expand its definition to be synonymous with 'the Church'.
Shirt
My birthday present was ringer T-shirt from my HotPepper.ca store.
I think my children (6 and 4) were more excited about me opening it than I was. Now they think (since we bought a shirt for the baby a few weeks ago) that they should get some and that Mary should as well. A hot pepper family. Cute.
In a birthday present to everyone else, I've removed all markup from the ringer T-shirt. If you want one, you can get it at cost for the next week or two (until I feel like cancelling the offer). It comes with an orange collar and sleeve cuffs, or you can get blue or black as well.
Oh, and feel free to buy one of the more than 30 other items available. Just so I get a buck or two.
And maybe, just maybe, if I ever get enough, I'll actually spring and buy a domain for Our Thoughts. If I can ever get the Scottish side of me asleep long enough.
I think my children (6 and 4) were more excited about me opening it than I was. Now they think (since we bought a shirt for the baby a few weeks ago) that they should get some and that Mary should as well. A hot pepper family. Cute.
In a birthday present to everyone else, I've removed all markup from the ringer T-shirt. If you want one, you can get it at cost for the next week or two (until I feel like cancelling the offer). It comes with an orange collar and sleeve cuffs, or you can get blue or black as well.
Oh, and feel free to buy one of the more than 30 other items available. Just so I get a buck or two.
And maybe, just maybe, if I ever get enough, I'll actually spring and buy a domain for Our Thoughts. If I can ever get the Scottish side of me asleep long enough.
For such a time as this...
So, I've started reading the Book of Mormon [again]. True to form, I'm late to the party and behind the congregation (or am I?) To switch it up a bit, I started in 3rd Nephi.
I am impressed by the timely call of our prophet. Even before the tragedies left in Katrina's wake, we were given a call to search our scriptures. Amid the daily sadness in the world, we have the oppurtunity to find insight and personal revelation in another testament of Christ.
How cool is that?
I am impressed by the timely call of our prophet. Even before the tragedies left in Katrina's wake, we were given a call to search our scriptures. Amid the daily sadness in the world, we have the oppurtunity to find insight and personal revelation in another testament of Christ.
How cool is that?
September 01, 2005
America's Dilemma
Okay, I've been reading on a number of bulletin boards and blogs from Americans complaining about how they send relief to help other countries, but no countries are returning the favour with the hurricane situation, or are not reacting fast enough.
I can't help but wonder, how much better would the situation be if you had, say, another million troops in country - rather than running around in a desert somewhere?
How about, wouldn't there be more money for relief if you weren't spending a billion dollars every year on the occupation of another sovereign state?
Look, I never asked the US to act like super-heroes of the world - and I certainly appreciate that their hearts may be in the right place. The problem is that all of that self-righteousness that the US has put on international display recently is coming home to roost. You actually expect help from France or Germany? Are you kidding me? The kicker is that many of these countries are in fact preparing relief efforts (Canada is preparing huge amounts of help).
Like all things American, this is fast becoming a 'we could do this so much better than you' situation. The only problem this time is that the US can't very well step in and show us all how it should be done this time. Oh my lord, give me a break.
I love our neighbours to the south. We are intricately linked in so many ways. I'm embarrassed for these people shooting off their mouths, and I think they're trying to pick a fight when there's work to be done.
I can't help but wonder, how much better would the situation be if you had, say, another million troops in country - rather than running around in a desert somewhere?
How about, wouldn't there be more money for relief if you weren't spending a billion dollars every year on the occupation of another sovereign state?
Look, I never asked the US to act like super-heroes of the world - and I certainly appreciate that their hearts may be in the right place. The problem is that all of that self-righteousness that the US has put on international display recently is coming home to roost. You actually expect help from France or Germany? Are you kidding me? The kicker is that many of these countries are in fact preparing relief efforts (Canada is preparing huge amounts of help).
Like all things American, this is fast becoming a 'we could do this so much better than you' situation. The only problem this time is that the US can't very well step in and show us all how it should be done this time. Oh my lord, give me a break.
I love our neighbours to the south. We are intricately linked in so many ways. I'm embarrassed for these people shooting off their mouths, and I think they're trying to pick a fight when there's work to be done.
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