Charity and the Apostles 1 Corinthians 11-16

1 Corinthians 11-16

In the past few months I have taken the challenge to read and reread the words of our modern day Apostles.  For a few of the prized quotes I used some of my photos to create image meme’s that help to share the deep emotion their words bring.

My quest began with the April 2015 General Conference addresses. As I pondered the varied topics and realized that not one of these men are assigned the topic of their talks but rather speak from their own hearts, my love for these men began to grow. For the first time I saw them as men whose lives have not been without tribulation but rather have been given in service, sacrifice and as examples to the rest of us as how to live in this dispensation of gospel time, how to live midst the trial and difficulties we must all face. 

 

The Apostle Paul who lived almost two thousand years ago said it best,

            

 “ Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

These men have chosen to be followers of Christ. Their actions, their service, their leadership of family, and their lives of integrity reflect their high moral characters and the true desires of their hearts.  While many of the topics of their talks are universally pertinent, a few could not be found in the indexes of our sacred scripture. Topics such as social media or “The Proclamation on the Family” are distinct to our social time.   As I read their words, my hope returned and I saw that if they could learn to serve our Savior through all of their trials then I could, in this time and place, do the same. While I revere the testimony of the many ancient prophets and their words will forever ring true, the words of the modern day prophets give needed direction for the choices we face in our day and time.

When Paul spoke to the Corinthians, it was if he was speaking at a General Conference. He spoke on the topics that were pertinent to the church during his time. He spoke of the need to preserve marriage (11:3-15), of the accepted length of a woman's hair, reverencing the sacrament ( 11:20-30), of Spiritual gifts (12-14) and of the resurrection.

This past weekend we had the privilege of visiting our daughter’s congregation where she, as the Sunday School Teacher, taught a beautiful lesson. She grabbed the class’s attention by asking what topics of discussion had been covered at the last General Conference of the church and comparing Paul's teachings in Corinthians to a General Conference.  As the class responded I pondered all of the topics I had studied. The list was long and varied.

And I began to marvel at how the Lord in his infinite wisdom has drawn on the diversity of the church to feed and reach those members who seek his love. I thought if only the Prophet had spoken, we would have only learned about temples and the priesthood. No doubt these are pertinent subjects but how many more souls were lifted up by being able to hear about the Young Adults, or integrity, or Elder Teixeira’s talk on  "Seeking the Lord" amidst the myriads of social media distractions. I am always amazed at how at least one or two talks seem to be directed at my life and serve to answer to the  difficulties I am facing.

My daughter’s genuine smile is large and contagious. As she led our class through the many lessons of Paul she kept reminding us of the upcoming October conference and how once again we will have the privilege of hearing wise words of our Apostles meant for our day. As she taught I felt her joy for the gospel and I felt gratitude for the grace of God that we have such a church which gives us not only instruction for our day, but opportunities for growth and learning. 

I truly felt God’s charity for me and my family. As I enjoyed the lengthy class discussion on charity and the many other gifts of the spirit, I found a renewal of my faith to seek charity within myself and share it with others in my family and social circles.

Paul’s words on charity remind us that of all the gifts this is the most prized. Why?

It has to do with how charity changes both the giver and the receiver. While the gift of tongues bridges cultural communication gaps, it cannot change hearts the way charity can. And while some are given to wisdom and others knowledge, miracles, or prophecy all of these call attention to the bearer of the gift, but charity alone gives back what it receives and bonds the giver to the receiver. Still, all gifts, like all parts of the body are needed.

I love to think about how charity brings us closer to God, for we truly cannot have charity without having a relationship with God. We need God’s love to help us suffer long, to be kind, especially in difficult or negative relationships, to find contentment in our possessions and social situations, to not puff ourselves up. Charity teaches us to be humble and to be strong in the midst of provocation. It teaches us to think only good, even when evil is present. We may recognize the evil, but we choose to think only good.

Charity rejoices in truth and through the power of he atonement learns to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things.

Paul goes on to say that prophecies and tongues, and knowledge may cease but charity never faileth. 

And that is when I realized that from the Apostles at General Conference I found charity. Charity for my weakness for they have had to live through their own. Charity for my lack of knowledge for I am still a toddler in the gospel. Charity for my wisdom for I err in my judgment often. Charity is the gift that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us when he instructs and nurtures us. 

 

Now as we begin to prepare for yet another conference of topics that come from the heart of these chosen men of God, I will look for answers to my prayers that these men will speak to our day yet again. And that they will borrow from the wisdom of the ages and the experience of this day and age and give me the guidance to help me follow them, even as they follow Christ.

The Gifts of Prayer Alma 31-33, Enos. JSHistory

My three year old daughter expresses her joy at her birthday gift-
a daisy dress with matching head band-a gift from her grandparents. 

I love gifts. I love most how they change my life for the better. I love how they connect me to family and help create relationships. It seems we always remember the wonderful gifts given us.

Gifts are lovely things. They entice us. They surprise us. They fill us with joy.  Prayer is a gift and like a well presented gift it will surprise us with the joy of God's love in our life.

Gifts were meant to be opened and prayers were meant to be given.  When we take time to open the gift of prayer, the gifts of God make themselves "present" (no pun intended) in our lives. How many of us would receive a gift from a dear and loving friend and then say to them, I'll open it later. God gives us the daily gift of prayer so that he can bless us daily and lead our lives with the guidance of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Prayer is a gift that brings peace.

Gifts present us with new opportunities and treasures. Prayer does the same. But we must learn how to open the gift of prayer and allow it to help us feel and see God's presence in our lives.

Alma prayed that he and his brethren might have success in their Zoramite people. He understood that when we invite God to be a part of our desired goals, and then invite him through prayer, we invite success. (Alma 31)

Alma prayed

Alma understood the power that prayer brings to one's life work. Alma prayed for strength, (vs30), comfort and patience (vs31), success and the ability to bear their afflictions (vs 32-33), and power and wisdom (vs35) to help them help the missionary work.

When Alma taught the Zoramites (Alma 32) on the hill Onidah in the land of Antionum, he said that he "had never beheld" such a manner of worship. The Zoramites had allowed their pride to alter their beliefs as to whom they prayed and ultimately their manner of prayer.

All of the Zoramites had helped build their synagogues and their tower of prayer known as the Rameumptom. But only one person at a time on one particular day of the week was allowed to offer one rote prayer. And only those members who were rich enough, stylish enough, popular enough, or good enough were allowed to use the Rameumpton. It reminded me a little bit like our modern way of dealing with one another publicly- like playing "king of the Mountain," or a popularity contest.

Their craft of worshiping did not allow for personal prayers, for the hope of redemption, or even for salvation for others not of their faith. In fact it really didn't allow for the salvation of many of the poor of their faith, but it did require the poor to help in the labor and maintenance of their synagogue.

The Praying Mantis is so called because of his
front legs that are ever ready to offer prayer. Anywhere.

When Alma discovers these poor who had been divided out from them and not allowed into the synagogue for worship, he rejoiced at the opportunity to teach them correct principles of prayer.

He taught them that they could use the gift of prayer at any time, in any place, for any purpose
and for any amount of time. He quoted the Old Testament prophet Zenos, "

Thou art merciful, O God, for thous hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness;...when I did cry in my field...thou didst hear me. and in my house, and my closet.
Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them." Alma 33: 3-8

Alma goes on to explain how Zenos' prayers were heard by God in "congregations," or when "cast our or despised by mine enemies." As he explained that the gift of prayer did not require a specific setting or presentation of place, he helped them understand that prayer to God requires a simple sincerity and honesty of heart.

He also explained how Zenos taught how prayer to God the Father is connected to his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ's life was more than an example, Jesus became the mediator between us and God.  Zenos explained, "for thou hast turned they judgments away from me, because of thy son."

Prayer is a gift that is given to us by our loving Heavenly Father. It requires that we thank him, our Heavenly Father for the blessing he sends, then ask Him for what we stand in need of, and then to close our offering in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer is a gift that is given to anyone who believes or desires to believe in God and his son Jesus Christ. It is not reserved for a select few. It is not only for the educated. All that is required is a sincere desire to have a personal relationship with God.

Gifts often bring us new ways of looking at and appreciating the world around us. Sometimes we receive items that have instructions or require work. Prayer requires work. Enos tells us "I cried unto him in mighty prayer...all the day long..and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heaven."(vs4)  Sometimes we don't receive answers in the time or manner that we expected. That is why the answers we receiveare a gift.

Gifts are often misunderstood. In this era of entitlement many believe that gifts should be tailored to the desires of the one who will receive. But gifts were never intended to only appease the insatiable desires of a child's heart. When given and received with humility and with respect gifts can offer great insights into the givers heart. It can help the receiver to grow in ways he would not have known. In fact gifts are meant as a way of guiding us along our earthly journey of growth. They were first given not just for the joy  of receiving the unexpected but also of offering needed items of sustenance and survival.

Prayer is one of those gifts essential for survival. Again Enos taught "for he said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." (v15) Prayer provides us with joy and with the opportunity for personal growth. It provides us with insights and new perspectives. But mostly it provides us with a window into God's truth.

Farmers are aware of the power of hard work, knowledge and prayer. Only God can give us all that we truly need.

The prophet Joseph Smith learned firsthand of the power of prayer when he read James 1:5, "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all me liberally (freely) and upbraideth not." Because he read and believed James invitation to pray, he walked into the woods near Palmyra New York and like Enos knelt in sincere prayer. He asked of God. And he received of God.

Prayer changes things. It's a positive force for good in our lives. Prayer is the gift that keeps on giving.

Neglect not the gift 1 Timothy 4: 14-16

Gifts! They come in every form, shape, size, value, and ability. Gifts... they are only worthwhile when we accept them, unwrap them and then use them. They are only of value to us when we learn to value them. 

Gifts come to us because of celebrations, inheritance, position, choice or hard work.  No matter why we have the gift, we must learn to keep it honed and ready for service. 

Of all the gifts that we could receive, the Holy Ghost stands as the greatest. For with the gift of the Holy Ghost all of our other gifts become endowed and blessed by God's love and wisdom.

Paul cautions Timothy to not forget that the Holy Ghost is a great blessing for one who is called to serve as Timothy has been.   It can be a great blessing to all who remember to honor it and sustain it's place in our quest for godliness. 

As I contemplated the writing of this post, I thought about the gift (talents really) of music, mathematics, art, education, sports, etc. that each of us have. I thought it might be possible to write about how I have been guilty of neglecting the gifts that God has given me.  I have heard this scripture referenced many times in relation to talent and this stuck with me. 

But as I let God's spirit lead me, as I listened, I learned wisdom. Paul is speaking about  the Holy Ghost and how it is meant to guide, protect, comfort, teach and testify to us. When we ignore the Holy Ghost it looses its ability to share with us the joy of God's love. 

How do we nurture the gift of the Holy Ghost?

We meditate (we be.... still, ponder, contemplate, consider listen)

give ourselves wholly to it (allow it to guide our thoughts and actions) 

that all might profit  (when we work with the H.G. we serve, teach, and uplift one another)

How do we neglect it? many  ways., but mostly we forget to meditate and listen. We allow things to noise out  the tuning frequency of the Holy Ghost. Each generation has its own devices that steal the messages of the Holy Spirit from our hearts. This generation must deal with texting, computer, gaming, telephones, television, radio, Ipods, tweets, cell phones, etc. 

Elder Bednair taught of the sacred nature of the Holy Ghost today in this mornings conference. He said that Holy Ghost's mission is to guide us in wisdom's path and that when we receive it (neglect it not) we have the 

1. blessing of having Christ's spirit with us 

2. companionship 

3. light and knowledge 

4. help us to always remember Heavenly Father and his son 

5. the ability to communicate 

I believe that each of us has the right to this beautiful gift. We each have the ability to learn how to recognize the Holy Ghost, use it to bless our lives and others, and find growth and joy because of it. 

This gift is the greatest gift we could ever receive. It will bring all other gifts to our awareness

The Gifts of God: Let Go and Let God!

1 Nephi 10

Two Gifts

I. Our church ward recently witnessed the conversion of an entire family. The father had spent the previous two years studying the scriptures. He bears testimony of how he knew the scriptures well, of how he attended (a different) church weekly, and yet he felt something was missing? He described his conversion as one of recognizing and accepting the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

II. The world believes that Christianity dates back to the birth of Jesus Christ. The world (because it does not believe and have faith in God nor his prophets) does not understand that the Messiah was promised "from the foundation of the world"(vs. 18). Jesus Christ is God's Gift to redeem the world.

I am aware of many gifts of God. As a child I was made to count them. I often counted them as butterflies, sunbeams, dogs, smiles, and food. But Nephi saw two other gifts of God. He recognized that God gives the Holy Ghost to those who believe in his words, and that the Messiah was a gift that came as part of the plan of salvation.

Today I learned how God uses the gift of the Holy Ghost to help me recognize all of his other gifts. Today (finally after how many years) I saw that when I am connected to God (through the Holy Ghost) I am connected to life. Life becomes more meaningful when I have eternal understanding. Life takes on a new purpose when I am filled with the Joy of God's love.

I am grateful to Nephi for helping me understand these greater gifts. (and Adena with whom I was speaking with this morning)

(Words and Phrases)

concerning the Jews (vs. 2) Nephi was a Jew. This is significant because Lehi is going to expound to him all that is going to happen to, through, and because of the House of Israel. The Lord is able to give his gifts to mankind because of the faithful prophets from the House of Israel. The Jewish people gave us many gifts: the Bible, the prophets, the prophecies, eternal perspective, the law of Moses (my Dad's specialty), traditions, culture, language, and so much more.

they should return again (vs 3)- I am of the House of Israel. I am not Jewish by religion, but the blood of the House of Israel runs through my veins. As I read about how the Jews were "carried away into Babylon", I am reminded that they returned again. I can liken this unto my own cycle and struggle with faith. I am often carried away.. only to return again. But Lehi's prophecies are not metaphorical, they are literal. History teaches us these things all took place. History teaches us how God used the Jewish nation to bestow and teach His gifts.

concerning the prophets (vs 5) - (how great a number that testified)

What of the prophets that taught of the Savior? What other gifts do prophets have? Clearly they have the gift of the Holy Ghost and an understanding of the mission of Jesus Christ, so what sets them apart?

They cultivated the desire to not only find the gifts of God, but to learn how to use them daily in their lives. I want to be like Nephi. I want to be desirous to see, and hear, and know of these things. Is this a bad thing? Why when I say it does the world want to put me down for it? Would God think it a bad thing?

I am so grateful we have prophets today. I am grateful for men who diligently seek out the Lord's will concerning men, and teach us truth not only through words, but through example. I am grateful to understand the power by which the prophets work. Nephi taught that it is available to all "those who diligently seek him"(vs 17). It was "in times of old", it is today, and it will be when Jesus Christ returns. Why because the course of he Lord is "one eternal round".

lost and fallen state (vs. 6) What does it mean to be in a lost and fallen state? If you are lost then you have need to be found? If you are fallen then you have need to be lifted up? How does the Holy Ghost and the Redeemer change things?

What I see is this: As humans in a physical state we see the world purely physically. We understand with reason, fact, and rational. We live to eat. We eat to work. We work to sleep. And we sleep to live. But this is a dreary way of life. Life eventually wears you down. Where is the Joy?

The Joy is found in God's gifts. They change us, our views, our thoughts, our spirits, our perspective. By believing there is more than the natural and physical cycle to life, we lift ourselves up to a spiritual plane. Nephi spoke of it in verse 17 when he stated, "the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God."

We are all "lost and fallen" until we learn to believe in the power of the Holy Ghost which will bear witness to us of the divinity of the Son of God's mission as our Redeemer. We are lost because we have no plan, no road, no course to follow. Fallen because we cannot go where God's love dwells.

rely on this Redeemer (vs 6) - How do we rely on this Redeemer? "by the power of the Holy Ghost which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him."(vs 17). The two work in tandem. If I accept the power of the Holy Ghost then I will know of the power of our Savior's Redemption. If I have faith to believe in the Savior's redemptive power, then I have faith to receive the Holy Ghost. By relying on either of these gifts I am entitled to have the power of both in my life.

the way is prepared for all men (vs 18) - How is the way prepared for me? Where is God's plan for me? Without the Holy Ghost or the belief in God's redemption my time here on earth takes on a view of finality. What a wonderful thing it is to know... (through faith) of God's power of Redemption and of his comforter (the Holy Ghost). I don't have to do any of this alone. I am part of the "all men". I am part of God's plan. When I use faith to ask, the Holy Ghost teaches me. When I falter, God's redemption lifts me up.

which power he received by faith (vs. 17) How does faith bring power? How does faith bridge the gap between our earthly world and God's gifts of the Holy Ghost and His redemptive love? I believe that power comes to those who believe like it comes to the seed who sprouts it's root deep. It comes to those who exercise their own power to let go of worldly views and believe in something that will lift them higher. We do not always have to understand the power, we only have to believe in it for it to benefit us. I.E. I don't understand how jets fly, but I believe they will fly me to my destination. Faith in God's power is like this, we may not understand the mechanics of it, but we only have to believe that it will help us reach the desires of our heart for it to begin to work within us. Unlike the gift of airplane-flight, the gift of faith requires that we participate. We must be the generator of the power. By believing, the power is made stronger and we gain even greater heights of understanding.

the mysteries of God (vs 19)- What is a mystery? Is it something to one but something different to another? Does it rely on our experience? Does it rely on faith to understand?

Are the mysteries of God like the mysteries of science?

I have experienced many mysteries that I have not understood. As a child I remember watching in bewilderment as a plate glided effortlessly across the table. As a pre-teen I remember learning to listen to a "still small voice" as it whispered to me that answer to a prayer on where to find the key I had lost.

God is no more mysterious than the laws of science. We need only to "diligently seek" to find. We need only to believe in God's love and gifts. He waits patiently for us to not only to open them, but to learn how to use them.

As I think about how I have used the gifts of God in my life, I am reminded of many different occasions when the Holy Ghost has prompted me to change my course while driving in the car, to call someone on the telephone (only to discover they had great need), to stop what I was doing and to pray for a child (and learn later they had a near miss accident), to learn to forgive myself and let God carry the burden for me.

My mother has a wonderful adage she tells me often.

"Let Go and Let God". In letting Go of my life, I must learn to rely on the Holy Ghost as it directs me down my path. In Letting God, I have learned to allow God's love carry me, so that I don't have to carry my burdens of mistakes.

What gifts have you been made aware of this day? What have you done to Let Go...

to Let God?