The CTR Pumpkin

Here is a picture of a pumpkin I carved two years ago. I am still quite proud of it, if I say so myself.

The Lord's Children

Here is another sample. Again, this is one that was taken out of the book before publication, so it isn't actually a part of the book. But it's a good example of what to expect.

Our children are not our own—they are the Lord’s.

I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. (Psalms 82:6)

Molech was one of the false gods worshipped by Israel’s neighbors, often by making a child “pass through the fire,” a rite which the Lord specifically warned against (Deuteronomy 18:10). Worship of Molech among the children of Israel was present at least in the days of Solomon (1 Kings 11:7) until the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 23:10). Jeremiah reminded the Israelites that worship of Molech by the perverse ceremony of passing through fire was forbidden (Jeremiah 7:31). His fellow-prophet, Ezekiel, also condemned it. But Ezekiel’s passage adds something that makes it more meaningful. In all other passages condemning Molech worship, God warned the people not to involve their children in the rite. But through His prophet Ezekiel, He said, “thou hast slain my children and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire” (Ezekiel 16:21, emphasis added). The Lord reminded the Israelites that the children really weren’t theirs—they were His. Elder H. Bryan Richards explained, “We are stewards of those sons [and daughters] held in reserve for this day. The Lord has entrusted them to us, and we will be held accountable for them” (H. Bryan Richards, “As For Me and My House, We Will Serve the Lord,” Ensign [Nov. 1998], 43).

Eternity - Poem

Eternity

There they are—
The pages filled in earthly books
About great men of old,
Those who fought in battles large,
Or gave grand speeches bold—
Slowly turning,
Simply turning:
Life’s great stories told.

But I wonder—
What’s off in a far eternity,
The future without end,
When all is said and done and been,
No other acts to lend?
Who can say it?
Who can know it?
Nothing more to mend.

Isn’t there more?
The pages flash before my eyes
Of some infinity—
Children of a heavenly Being
In plain felicity:
“Thank you so much;
I owe you so much;
Thanks for helping me.”

So it’s true then—
The simple things we do each day,
Amid the tears and strife,
To help and build, assist all else,
The music of the fife.
So important,
Simply meaning
The purpose of our life.

Selfishness vs. Selflessness

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. - Romans 8:16-17

I was thinking recently about deification. We're somewhat unique in the Christian world for taking Paul's statement about being heirs and joint-heirs quite literally. That is, exaltation actually means that we enjoy the life that God enjoys, with the same privileges and powers. But in the past, other religions have believed that mortals could become gods. Take, for example, the Pharaohs. The Egyptians actually recognized the Pharaoh as a god.

What I find so interesting is that in these other cultures, the only way a person could be deified (falsely so, of course, so they weren't really gods at all) was by the ultimate act of selfishness -- recognizing complete and utter superiority in oneself, glorifying oneself in the extreme, and requiring others to serve one unconditionally. How ironic that the real path to deification is exactly the opposite. We must follow in the steps of Christ by utterly humbling ourselves, glorifying only God, and serving others unconditionally. In reality, we must become as selfless as possible.

Eternity (Poem)

There they are—
The pages filled in earthly books
About great men of old,
Those who fought in battles large,
Or gave grand speeches bold—
Slowly turning,
Simply turning:
Life’s great stories told.

But I wonder—
What’s off in a far eternity,
The future without end,
When all is said and done and been,
No other acts to lend?
Who can say it?
Who can know it?
Nothing more to mend.

Isn’t there more?
The pages flash before my eyes
Of some infinity—
Children of a heavenly Being
In plain felicity:
“Thank you so much;
I owe you so much;
Thanks for helping me.”

So it’s true then—
The simple things we do each day,
Amid the tears and strife,
To help and build, assist all else,
The music of the fife.
So important,
Simply meaning
The purpose of our life.

100 Tweets -- Bearing Witness of the Savior

So a few days ago, I realized that I was about to post my 100th Tweet. So I thought... what should I tweet about? Of course, it seemed that it should be something important, and I so I chose one of my favorites:

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. - Job 19:25

Several individuals retweeted it. While I regularly have my tweets retweeted, I think this was the one that has gotten the most retweets. And for good reason too!

@Maserati_SMI responded with D&C 76:22-23: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!  For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father."

Thanks for joining me with sharing the scriptures via Twitter! If you aren't already, be sure to follow me @mftscriptures.

Peter and Revelation

Here's another thought from Sunday School this past week, something that the teacher brought up again.

When Peter had the revelation in which he discovered that God is no respecter of persons, he describes receiving his revelation while in a "trance" (Acts 10:10). Later, in Acts 12, he is led out of prison by an angel, but he thinks that he's in a dream.

What this means is that Peter, although head of the church (and very capable), was still relatively new to revelation. He was still learning. And so when we are sometimes a little confused trying to understand personal revelation, it's okay to recognize that it can be difficult or unclear. What's important is that we do as Peter did and follow revelation when it is received.