Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Matthew 24

As the Savior -

"...sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (New Testament Matthew 24:3)

To which the Savior warned -

"...Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (New Testament Matthew 24:4 - 5)

"...For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (New Testament Matthew 24:24)

As the Savior provides his disciples some signs of his coming he explains their purpose saying -

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." (New Testament Matthew 24:32 - 33)

Signs of his coming included -

"...ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars...for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows." (New Testament Matthew 24:6 - 8)

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (New Testament Matthew 24:12)

"...this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (New Testament Matthew 24:14)

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken..." (New Testament Matthew 24:29)

As these things transpire, the Savior counseled -

"...see that ye be not troubled..." (New Testament Matthew 24:6)

And then he teaches how, for -

"...whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived..." (Pearl of Great Price JS-Matthew 1:37)

To not be deceived we must -

"...stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)" (New Testament Matthew 24:15)

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (New Testament Matthew 24:44)

"For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (New Testament Matthew 24:27)

Monday, February 26, 2007

Matthew 23

The Savior said to the scribes and Pharisees -

"...woe unto you...hypocrites!" (New Testament Matthew 23:13)

Why were they hypocrites?

"...for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (New Testament Matthew 23:13)

"...for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." (New Testament Matthew 23:14)

"...for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves." (New Testament Matthew 23:15)

"...for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." (New Testament Matthew 23:23)

"...for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess." (New Testament Matthew 23:25)

"...for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets." (New Testament Luke 11:43)

"...for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (New Testament Matthew 23:27)

"...for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them." (New Testament Luke 11:44)

"...because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets." (New Testament Matthew 23:29 - 31)

To these the Lord said -

"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" (New Testament Matthew 23:33)

And in modern day he has again said -

"...wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.
7 Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;
8 But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:6 - 8)

Warning all the saints -

"Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:9)

What is a hypocrite -

Elder Mark E. Petersen said -

“As God condemns immorality, so he denounces hypocrisy, which is one of the worst forms of dishonesty. When he describes the hell of the world to come, he specifies that dishonest persons will go there. As no unclean thing can enter the presence of the Lord, so no liar nor cheat nor hypocrite can abide in his kingdom.
“Dishonesty is directly related to selfishness, which is its origin and source. Selfishness is at the root of nearly all the disorders that afflict us, and man’s inhumanity to man continues to make countless thousands mourn.” (Mark E. Petersen in CR, Oct. 1971, pp. 63–64.)

I have come to know a few liars where there lies have spun out of control. Sterling W. Sill clearly explained this -

“I know a young man who is ruining his own success as well as the lives of others because he greatly exaggerates his own virtues and self-importance. He tolerates a serious selfishness and continually excuses his sins and weakness. He takes credit for imagined abilities that are based on false assumptions.
He always blames others when things go wrong. And for something to seem right to him, it needs only to appear to be in his own interest. But his problems of false witness to himself are fast getting out of hand. Reason is becoming more and more difficult for him as he is rapidly losing the power to undeceive himself.” (Sterling W. Sill, Church News, 8 Jan. 1966, p. 9.)

Woe means "to express grief, regret, or distress"

Woe to the hypocrites unless they repent.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

John 12

The obedient rich man asked the Savior -

"...All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" (New Testament Matthew 19:20)

To which the Savior taught -

"...Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me." (New Testament Luke 18:22)

In the last week of his ministry, the Savior taught in parable at the temple -

"...Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." (New Testament John 12:24)

He was not only speaking of Himself but also to his disciples explaining -

"...He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." (New Testament John 12:25)

The Savior then teaches how this applies to that which we lack yet -

"If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour." (New Testament John 12:26)

I have recently read arguments by popular evangelists that the gospel of the Savior is that we are saved by grace upon accepting the Savior and nothing more is required. I will not argue that we are not saved by grace. But if one really studies all the words of the Savior, one will fine that much more is required than just believing and accepting him. He talks over and over of repentance, keeping the commandments, servants to others, consecration of your time and finances, sacrifice, even losing your life on his behalf. Joseph Smith taught -

“. . . after the testimony of the Scriptures on this point, the assurance is given by the Holy Ghost, bearing witness to those who obey Him, that Christ Himself has assuredly risen from the dead; and if He has risen from the dead, He will, by His power, bring all men to stand before Him: for if He has risen from the dead the bands of the temporal death are broken that the grave has no victory. If then, the grave has no victory, those who keep the sayings of Jesus and obey His teachings have not only a promise of resurrection from the dead, but an assurance of being admitted into His glorious kingdom; for, He Himself says, ‘Where I am there also shall my servant be’ (see John xii).” (Smith, HC, 2:19. Italics added.)

The words of Nephi provides the must simple summary -

"...we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:26)

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23)

As the Savior said -

"...that ye may be the children of light..." (New Testament John 12:36)

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18

Three of the gospel writers recorded the event of a certain ruler that came -

"...running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (New Testament Mark 10:17)

To which the Savior answered

"...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (New Testament Matthew 19:17)

The man seemed to sincerely ask "Which?", to which the Savior generally answered -

"...Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (New Testament Matthew 19:18 - 19)

Following which the obedient man answered -

"...All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" (New Testament Matthew 19:20)

I think that question has great significance to us all - "what lack I yet?" I assume the ruler was pretty confident or prideful that his obedience to the laws of the Prophets was pretty much all that was required. Maybe he was looking for some confirmation of the that his strict obedience was sufficient and should be praised. I'm sure he was somewhat shocked and set back as the Savior answered -

"...If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (New Testament Matthew 19:21)

This was quite disturbing to the ruler as -

"...he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." (New Testament Matthew 19:22)

Nothing is recorded afterwards to suggest the eventual outcome. One would hope that these words eventually sunk deep in the man's heart and he ended up following the Master. As I ponder the words -"what lack I yet", it seems to suggest a greater effort is required for eternal life than just keeping the basic commandments and laws. We see this with -

"...whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (New Testament Matthew 16:25 - 26)

And -

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (New Testament Luke 12:48)

Much like his apostles that -

"...left all, rose up, and followed him." (New Testament Luke 5:28)

I see this is being advance laws of sacrifice and consecration. Doing more than just keeping the commandments of paying tithing, living the law of chastity, keeping the word of wisdom, being honest, going to the House of Prayer on His holy day and offering sacraments, and so forth. It is doing more like paying offerings and donations, letting virtue garnish thoughts unceasingly, attending leadership and stake conference meetings, so forth. Consecrating your time, talents, and financial means in a manner where we -

"love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.
[and]...love thy neighbor as thyself." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:5 - 6)

What lack I yet?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie said -

“It is our privilege to consecrate our time, talents, and means to build up his kingdom. We are called upon to sacrifice, in one degree or another, for the furtherance of his work. Obedience is essential to salvation; so, also, is service; and so, also, are consecration and sacrifice.” (CR, Apr. 1975, p. 76.)

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Matthew 20, Luke 15

The Savior taught four parables that seem to be a somewhat the same, three teaching differing conditions and the other an issue of when. To the Pharisees and scribes the Savior spake these parables -

"...What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." (New Testament Luke 15:4 - 7)

He follows the first parable with -

"...Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (New Testament Luke 15:8 - 10)

And then he spake -

"...A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (New Testament Luke 15:11 - 24)

The conditions of each of these parables vary in a significant way. The first condition was the sheep that seemed to innocently stray, probably distracted while in pursuit of life essential matters like "grass". The second condition was of no fault of the coin. It was lost due to the negligence and care of one who was responsible. The third condition was due to intentional and open carelessness and rebellion. What is common in all cases is upon the finding or return of that which was lost, was a great deal of happiness and rejoicing. I believe it is the same for our Father in Heaven when one of his children, repents, and returns with an understanding and commitment to the truth.

For -

"...ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 62:3)

It would be unfair not to include the teachings of President David O. Mckay on these parables -

"Sheep go where grass is. It seems apparent that the sheep in the parable was not lost through willful disobedience or careless neglect; it simply strayed away in search of greener pastures and soon was lost.
I ask you tonight, how did that sheep get lost? He was not rebellious. If you follow the comparison, the lamb was seeking its livelihood in a perfectly legitimate manner, but either stupidly, perhaps unconsciously, it followed the enticement of the field, the prospect of better grass until it got out beyond the fold and was lost.
So we have those in the Church, young men and young women, who wander away from the fold in perfectly legitimate ways. They are seeking success, success in business, success in their professions, and before long they become disinterested in Church and finally disconnected from the fold; they have lost track of what true success is, perhaps stupidly, perhaps unconsciously, in some cases, perhaps willingly. They are blind to what constitutes true success.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1945, p. 120.)

“In this case the thing lost was not in itself responsible. The one who had been trusted with that coin had, through carelessness or neglect, mislaid it or dropped it. There is a difference, and this is the one-third, which I think applies to us tonight. Our charge is not only coins, but living souls of children, youth, and adults. They are our charges. . . . Someone may be wandering because of the careless remark of a girl of her age in Mutual (and I have in mind a case), and the president of the Mutual lets her go, fails to follow her next Tuesday night and invite her to come. Another may be lost because of the inactivity of the Sunday School teacher, or the indifference of the Sunday School teacher who is satisfied with the fifteen people there that morning, instead of thinking of the fifteen who are wandering because of neglect.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1945, pp. 121–22.)

“The third parable is the prodigal son, the ‘younger son, we are told, so he was immature in his judgment. He was irking under the restraint, and he rather resented the father’s careful guiding eye. He evidently longed for so-called freedom, wanted, so to speak, to try his wings. So he said, ‘Father, give me my portion, and I will go.’ The father gave him his portion, and out the lad went.
Here is a case of volition, here is choice, deliberate choice. Here is, in a way, rebellion against authority. And what did he do? He spent his means in riotous living, he wasted his portion with harlots. That is the way they are lost.
Youth who start out to indulge their appetites and passions are on the downward road to apostasy as sure as the sun rises in the east. I do not confine it to youth; any man or woman who starts out on that road of intemperance, of dissolute living will separate himself or herself from the fold as inevitably as darkness follows the day.
‘My spirit shall not always strive with man’ (Gen. 6:3), says the Lord. ‘My spirit will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle.’ He who tries to live a double life, who does live a double life in violation of his covenants, to quote one author, ‘is either a knave or a fool.’ Often he is both, because he himself is using his free agency to gratify his passions, to waste his substance in riotous living, to violate the covenants that he has made in the house of God.
In such cases there is little we can do but warn and plead until the recreant, as the prodigal son, at last ‘comes to himself.’” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1945, pp. 122–23.)

The last parable is reflection of timing when one chooses to return -

"...the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen." (New Testament Matthew 20:1 - 16)

I think it is important that in a eternal sense, it doesn't matter when one chooses to repent and return to the Lord. The promises are the same for all of his children - Thank goodness for us all.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Luke 12:15 - 31

The Savior warned his disciples -

"...Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." (New Testament Luke 12:15)

Much of how the world judges people and success is in what the possess, not necessarily who they are and what they have become. Much like the philosophy - "in the end, he who has the most toys, wins." To teach his warning, the Savior gave the following parable -

"...The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry." (New Testament Luke 12:16 - 19)

Obviously, the rich man's purpose in acquiring wealth was for his own ease and pleasure not for Him that provided the rich man such riches. In the parable, there does not appear to be any gratitude on the part of the rich man. He seems to have said to himself, I did all this. The Lord has said -

"...in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59:21)

As the Savior finishes his parable of the rich man, he informs the rich man of mortal fate -

"...God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?" (New Testament Luke 12:20)

The moral of the parable is -

"...So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." (New Testament Luke 12:21)

Are riches bad? The Savior taught that first -

"...seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." (New Testament Luke 12:31)

The real test is -

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (New Testament Luke 12:34)

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Luke 12:11 - 12

To his disciples the Savior said -

"...when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say." (New Testament Luke 12:11 - 12)

I've thought about that promise on many occasions. We know that it is essential that whatsoever we speak is in accordance with the will of the Father. The will of the Father is given through the Holy Ghost. The Savior poised the question -

"...he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:17)

He answers the question -

"...if it be by some other way it is not of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:18)

"Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22 Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:21 - 22)

Some may assume that as long as we have faith, the Spirit will always instruct us and give us what to say. But I believe that their is an additional burden placed upon us. In modern revelation, the Lord instructed -

"Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:85)

Notice the additional clear requirement, "but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life." To have the Spirit give us that portion to be meted out requires us to -

"...feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 32:3)

And as we feast upon the words of Christ continually, as we -

"...lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;
6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 100:5 - 6)

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Luke 10:25 - 37

On one occasion -

"...a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (New Testament Luke 10:25)

In turn the Savior asked the lawyer -

"...What is written in the law? how readest thou?" (New Testament Luke 10:26)

The lawyer was well versed in the commandments given by Moses and answered with the first great commandment -

"...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind..." (New Testament Luke 10:27)

And then followed with the second -

"...and thy neighbour as thyself." (New Testament Luke 10:27)

The Savior then simply answered that which the lawyer already knew -

"...Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (New Testament Luke 10:28)

In an attempt to justify himself, the lawyer asks the Savior -

"...who is my neighbour?" (New Testament Luke 10:29)

The Savior answers with one of His great parables -

"A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." (New Testament Luke 10:30 - 35)

The Samaritans were as despised or in a sense unworthy as the gentiles, yet the Savior's parable was as undisputely clear to the lawyer as the Savior asked -

"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" (New Testament Luke 10:36)

In direct conflict to many of the doctrine taught by the scribes and Pharisees, the lawyer understood and answered -

"...He that shewed mercy on him." (New Testament Luke 10:37)

Again the Lord responded -

"...Go, and do thou likewise." (New Testament Luke 10:37)

As I pondered the parable, the action by the Samaritan that seemed to seperate himself from all others was that he -

"...went to him..." (New Testament Luke 10:34)

Many express compassion. Many want to help their fellowman. But it all began as the Samaritan actually went to him. It is very difficult of any of the saints to profess discipleship until we are willing to get and go to those in need.

Just another thought, the first great commandment is not to love our neighbor as ourselves, it is to -

"...love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind." (New Testament Luke 10:27) This is the first and great commandment. Love thy neighbor as the self is the second. In the world today, it is the second great commandment that seems to get the most attention and is the most politically correct. But all falls short of the first great commandment - this is the one that is not mentioned or is not politically correct. I believe our society is really missing the boat on this one for the Lord has said -

"...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." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 64:34)

President Ezra Taft Benson also said -

“The world largely ignores the first and great commandment—to love God—but talks a lot about loving their brother. . . .But only those who know and love God can best love and serve his children, for only God fully understands his children and knows what is best for their welfare. Therefore, one needs to be in tune with God to best help his children. . . .Therefore, if you desire to help your fellowmen the most, then you must put the first commandment first. When we fail to put the love of God first, we are easily deceived by crafty men who profess a great love of humanity. . . . (CR, Oct. 1967, p. 35.)

Monday, February 05, 2007

John 10:1 - 18

The Savior introduces great analogy as he compares priesthood and gospel leadership to a shepherd with his flock, teaching -

"...he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep." (New Testament John 10:2)

But -

"...He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (New Testament John 10:1)

Entering by the door means that the Shepherd doesnt' do anything secret, but openly and straightforward, for the Lord has said-

"I have not spoken in secret; from the beginning, from the time that it was declared have I spoken..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 20:16)

"To him the porter (or keeper of the gate) openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out." (New Testament John 10:3)

And how is it that he leadeth them out? -

"...he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." (New Testament John 10:4)

I think there are two important points here. One is the shepherd goes before and leads. Leading demonstrates example, love, or in a real sense -

"...come, follow me..." (New Testament Luke 18:22)

One that is just in charge of sheep or -

"...he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." (New Testament John 10:12 - 13)

But a true shepherd sayeth -

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (New Testament John 10:14)

Even to the point -

"...I lay down my life for the sheep." (New Testament John 10:15)

The second, I think is the burden of the sheep - to know his voice. To know ones voice is not necessarily to recognize the voice, but to hear and trust the voice. Which requires hope and faith. As his disciples struggled with the meaning, the Savior explained -

"...I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (New Testament John 10:7 - 11)

This great analogy also applies to all gospel leadership. President James E. Faust said -

"...The priesthood quorum presidents and their counselors are also shepherds of the sheepfold and bear the responsibility to lovingly care for the members of their quorums. The bishops of the Church are some of the watchmen on the tower."

In closing, as the Shepherd, the Savior testifies of this great truth -

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father." (New Testament John 10:17 - 18)