I missed the first day. We receive and give by consecration. Acquistion is very dominant in our culture.
D&C 42 would be the strategy and D&C 51 would be the tactics.
We need to awaken! Consecration makes sense. We offer the rest to others. This is called surplus.
Wants and needs in 1832 edition of Webster's Dictionary are more like our needs in these days. Personal tastes are okay.
D&C 59 - The Lord has aesethics - gladden the heart and please the eye.
D&C 42:32 - We are to have sufficient for himself and his family.
D&C 48:4 - Putting aside for retirement okay. Must be obtained in righteousness and saved in righteousness. After one has enough it becomes surplus. Saving for the the future is part of the plan. Idler will not eat the bread of the working man. D&C 104 talks about going into debt just this once.
D&C 42:35 - Purposes of the Law of C.
v. 55 - We decide what is more than we need.
The Lord's storehouse is the time, talents, resources of the Latter Day Saints!
D&C 51 - Implemntation of the Law of C.
People are free agents with their stewardships. No one tells you what to do. You are not to be micro managed.
D&C 52 - talks about deeds to Titus Billings and deeds from Titus Billings. Most property was deeded to the Bishop and deeded right back to same person. Billings said, "I want to spend and be spent in the cause of my blessed masters."
Three legs of the Law of C.
1. Free will, free agency
2. Stewardship, owner one moment and the Lord's the next moment. Nothing changes.
3. ?
Thursday
The United Firm (order)
No one will ever make you live the Law of C. It is beyond the culture in which we live. You account to God for you stewardship.
History of the Church 1:364-365 - JS to Partridge.
You can opt in or our. It always will be this way. What do you do with circumventors?
D&C 85 - Those who don't obey....
D&C 42 and D&C 51 - keep track of the people who choose to live the law of the Lord.
Pres. Hinckley speaking to Salem, UT members: "what do you think you're doing living in these homes?
We should ask ourselves, how will we explain it to God (the use of our stewardship)?
D&C 70 - "Literary firm",just a corporation to bind the scriptures and sale them.
v. 1 men (touble & benefits to the men)
v. 7 more than needful - then give it to the storehouse.
v. 10 none are exempt
D&C 72 - 2nd Bishop - Newell K Whitney - he has assets, a big thriving store.
he is an excellent manager, can handle properties, loves God, without guile, business sense, never exploits others. JS didn't have all these. JS was weak in temporal things. We need the same type of people in our day.
D&c 78:9 Call for a meeting. Ohio and Missouri about economics.
The manuscripts were purposefully ofuscated. Like any business, they don't want everyone to know about the churches liabilities. The Whitney store were the assets and the Misouri land to be purchase were the liabilities and the literary firm. The assets were to be funneled to the church's liabilities.
D&C 82:11 a group of men are named to belong to a united firm or order. It was a corporation that was created to amass assets. 1832-1834 - United Firm (Order).
D&C 104:4 - the covenant was broken. Using the Lord's assets (Whitney) to fund the Lord's liablities (Partrige in MI). It was a beautiful idea. It is happening today.
v.13-v.19 - the three legs of the Law of Consecration:
1. Steward - the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness there of. He uses Mine and my to show this.
2. Agency. Voluntary consecration of those who have. Agency is given to the steward.
3. Accountability
v. 16 the ancedent 'it' - must be done in the Lord's way.
v.18 - the idea is counter cultural. its 'mine'. This idea that it is mine is rejected by King Benjamin and by the Lord.
Luke 16:23 - Lazarus and Dives
D&C 104 - Dives was used when first written down. Dives mean riches or rich man. Early christians gave the rich man a name. JS later changed it 'the wicked'. But 104 does tie to the story of Lazurus and the rich man.
You don't end the law of C. In order to be part of the Celestial Kingdom, one must live the law. The United Order ended but not Consecration.
D&C 105:34 - suspends the moving to Missouri. this doesn't suspend the law of Consecration. The Lord doesn't give laws that the Saints can't keep.
Wilford Woodruff on consecration.
- nothing changed hands
-outward forms don't change. The attitude or heard changes.
-everything is the Lord's
-to become a lawful heir of the Kingdom of God, we live this law.
Friday
Amply supplied and then one returns the surplus to the church.
Titing - We pay first and then we are blessed.
1838 - Missouri - JS moves
D&C 119 - 'all their surplus' (this is consecration)
v.3 - This is the beginning
v.4 - 'tithed' after paying surplus properties
v.5 - After that, you pay 10%
This is a standing law forever
v.5 - surplus + tithing
v.6 - IF....don't keep covenants, Zion won't be a land of Zion unto you.
Do the IFs... When will Zion be established? Just as soon as we are ready to live the law of Consecration.
Impass - we think going to Zion is going the MI, but the Lord says 'whenever the Saints want it".
Introduction to D&C 119
The introduction blurred the line between Consecration and the United Order. The United Firm was a very specifice group of elders. D&C 42 is for all saints. D&C 82 is the United Order. D&C 104 nullifies the United Order.
"many' - who is the writer talking about?
Introduction is not accurate. 104 only nullfied the United Order, not the law of consecration.
Read the book,"Making Sense of the Doctrine and Covenants" by Steven Harper
"instead" = bad sentence. D&C 119 is not instead of D&C 42. D&C 82 is a handful of men accordingto the Lord.
'own free will' in D&C 42. The Lord will never force us to live the law of C.
Feb 9,1831 - The Lord has commanded us.
President Hinckley in General Conference: "The law of Consecration not rescinded, never was"
JS- "Let them judge themselves regarding what is surplus property"
"When will we be willing to keep the covenants will Zion be a Zion unto you"
Why haven't the prophets told us" They have to their great frustration.
"We can do as much as we want" - Marion G Romney
Nibley, Approaching Zion, p. 390, p. 173.
"Observe the Law, what is there to stop me?"
Clark V. Johnson - Doctrine of Exaltation, p. 112
If you ask what is the minimum, you don't get it. We should as ourselves, what is all that I have to offer? The Lord is not asking you to take a vow of poverty but we will have to explain our actions to Him.
The change is a change of heart - willing and obedient. The Lord is measuring the heart.
consecrate is to make sacred. JS told the saints in Iowa not to consecrate. What he meant was to that they had been kicked out, exterminated and needed to regroup and put in your crops as soon as they could. They were to go back to work.
Some people use what JS said to these saints as proof that the law of consecration was rescinded. But this is a lie.
To some the law of C. is difficult. This is because of our human nature. We live in a consumer culture and the culture is repressive. Read Maxwell in April 2002 Conference.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Fasting
I am trying to understand fasting and how to fast with real intent. I seem to get so hungry that I think I don't fast correctly.
(Robert L. Simpson, Ensign, March 2010, reprint Oct 1967) The law of the fast is a perfect law, and we cannot begin to approach perfection until we decide to make it a part of our lives.
One of the most neglected and yet most needed laws for this troubled generation in a modern world of acceleration and distraction is the law of the fast. Fasting and praying have been referred to almost as a singular function from the earliest times. Adam’s generation fasted and prayed, as did Moses on Sinai ([see] Deuteronomy 9:9–11). …
… Following the Master’s visit … to the Western Hemisphere, the people were told to continue in “fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord” (4 Nephi 1:12). So complete and sincere were the people in obeying His commandments “that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus” (4 Nephi 1:13). Wouldn’t it be thrilling to enjoy such a condition today!
Satisfaction Comes with Obedience
… Have you ever noticed how satisfying it is way deep inside each time you are obedient to Heavenly Father’s desires? There can be no equal to the peace of mind that always comes as the reward for obedience to truth.
The world needs self-discipline. You can find it in fasting and prayer. Our generation is sick for lack of self-control. Fasting and prayer help to instill this virtue.
The world’s future depends upon an urgent return to family unity. Fasting and prayer will help to guarantee it. Each person has greater need for divine guidance. There is no better way. We all have need to overcome the powers of the adversary. His influence is incompatible with fasting and prayer. …
Competent medical authorities tell us that our bodies benefit by an occasional fasting period. That is blessing number one and perhaps the least important. Second, we contribute the money saved from missing the meals as a fast offering to the bishop for the poor and the needy. And third, we reap a particular spiritual benefit that can come to us in no other way. It is a sanctification of the soul for us today just as it was for some choice people who lived 2,000 years ago. I quote briefly from the Book of Mormon: “Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35). Wouldn’t you like this to happen to you? It can, you know!
Did you notice it said that those who do this have their souls filled with “joy and consolation”? You see, the world in general thinks that fasting is a time for “sackcloth and ashes,” a time to carry a look of sorrow, as one to be pitied. On the contrary, the Lord admonishes:
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
“That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
… I join my testimony with Alma of old when he declared:
“Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
“Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:45–46).
Elder Wirthlin (July 2001) says the following:
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are encouraged to fast whenever their faith needs special fortification and to fast regularly once each month on fast day. On that day, we go without eating or drinking for two consecutive meals, commune with our Heavenly Father, and contribute a fast offering to help the poor. The offering should be at least equal to the value of the food that would have been eaten. Typically, the first Sunday of each month is designated as fast Sunday. On that day, members who are physically able are encouraged to fast, pray, bear witness to the truthfulness of the gospel, and pay a generous fast offering.
We observe that in the scriptures, fasting almost always is linked with prayer. Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation.
Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions.
(Ezra Taft Benson): "I don’t mean just missing one meal, then eating twice as much the next meal. I mean really fasting, and praying during that period. It will do more to give you the real spirit of {who you really are} your office and calling and permit the Spirit to operate through you than anything I know.”
And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance.” 5
Book of Mormon prophets taught the law of the fast: “Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.”
(the four sons of Mosiah): They shared the secret of their success. They “searched the scriptures” and “they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting.” What was the result? “They had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.”
When we fast, brethren and sisters, we feel hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel. When we give to the bishop an offering to relieve the suffering of others, we not only do something sublime for others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well. King Benjamin taught that as we give of our substance to the poor, we retain “a remission of [our] sins from day to day."
Listen to the rich blessings prophesied for those who live the law of the fast: “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. … The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, … and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
The purpose of our fast may be a very personal one. Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins. It can help us overcome our weaknesses—help them become strengths. Fasting can help us become more humble, less prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others. It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and help us be less prone to criticize others. Or our fast may have a focus on a family challenge. A family fast might help increase love and appreciation among family members and reduce the amount of contention in the family, or we might fast as a couple to strengthen our marriage bonds. A purpose of our fast as priesthood holders might be to seek the Lord’s guidance in our callings, as President Hinckley has demonstrated, or we might fast with our home teaching companion to know how to help one of our families.
Throughout the scriptures the term fasting is usually combined with prayer. “Ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth” is the Lord’s counsel (D&C 88:76). Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours. But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power.
When the disciples were unable to cure a boy who was possessed of an evil spirit, they asked the Savior, “Why could not we cast him out?” Jesus responded, “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:19, 21).
In addition to a beginning and ending prayer, we should seek the Lord often in personal prayer throughout the fast.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isa. 58:6).
If we fast and pray with the purpose of repenting of sins and overcoming personal weaknesses, [loosing the bands of wicked traditions], [loosing the bands of emotional and mental inhibitions caused the wickedness of others], [undoing the feeling of being yoked down by our own emotional and mental barriers caused by sexual, physical, emotional abuse of others during our formative years], [being released from oppressive acts inflicted upon us], surely we are seeking to “loose the bands of wickedness” in our lives.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isa. 58:6).
If we fast and pray with the purpose of repenting of sins and overcoming personal weaknesses, surely we are seeking to “loose the bands of wickedness” in our lives.
The Lord continues describing the proper fast:
“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Isa. 58:7).
It is truly a wonderful thing that through our fast offerings today we can feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the naked.
If we fast properly the Lord promises:
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; …
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. …
“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity [fulfill my mission in life], and thy darkness be as the noonday:
“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, … and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not[walk my life in peace and happiness]” (Isa. 58:8–11).
It is my prayer that we can improve our fasts so that we can enjoy these beautiful promised blessings. It is my testimony that as we “draw near” to the Lord through our fasting and prayer, He will “draw near” to us (see D&C 88:63). I testify that He lives, that He loves us, and that He wants to draw near to us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
It is a sanctification of the soul for us today just as it was for some choice people who lived 2,000 years ago. I quote briefly from the Book of Mormon: “Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35). Wouldn’t you like this to happen to you? It can, you know!
Did you notice it said that those who do this have their souls filled with “joy and consolation”? You see, the world in general thinks that fasting is a time for “sackcloth and ashes,” a time to carry a look of sorrow, as one to be pitied. On the contrary, the Lord admonishes:
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
“That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
Now, we turn to the most important part of this great law. So far we have only discussed those areas that bless us. The real joy comes with the blessing of the poor and the needy. For it is in the fulfillment of this wonderful Christlike act that we practice “pure religion and undefiled” spoken of by James [see James 1:27]. Can you think of a better or more perfect Christian function than “pure religion and undefiled”? I can’t.
The Lord, speaking through Moses, observed:
“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
“But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8).
Then He goes on to promise him who gives: “The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto” (Deuteronomy 15:10). He concludes: “Therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). …
(Robert L. Simpson, Ensign, March 2010, reprint Oct 1967) The law of the fast is a perfect law, and we cannot begin to approach perfection until we decide to make it a part of our lives.
One of the most neglected and yet most needed laws for this troubled generation in a modern world of acceleration and distraction is the law of the fast. Fasting and praying have been referred to almost as a singular function from the earliest times. Adam’s generation fasted and prayed, as did Moses on Sinai ([see] Deuteronomy 9:9–11). …
… Following the Master’s visit … to the Western Hemisphere, the people were told to continue in “fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord” (4 Nephi 1:12). So complete and sincere were the people in obeying His commandments “that there was no contention among all the people, in all the land; but there were mighty miracles wrought among the disciples of Jesus” (4 Nephi 1:13). Wouldn’t it be thrilling to enjoy such a condition today!
Satisfaction Comes with Obedience
… Have you ever noticed how satisfying it is way deep inside each time you are obedient to Heavenly Father’s desires? There can be no equal to the peace of mind that always comes as the reward for obedience to truth.
The world needs self-discipline. You can find it in fasting and prayer. Our generation is sick for lack of self-control. Fasting and prayer help to instill this virtue.
The world’s future depends upon an urgent return to family unity. Fasting and prayer will help to guarantee it. Each person has greater need for divine guidance. There is no better way. We all have need to overcome the powers of the adversary. His influence is incompatible with fasting and prayer. …
Competent medical authorities tell us that our bodies benefit by an occasional fasting period. That is blessing number one and perhaps the least important. Second, we contribute the money saved from missing the meals as a fast offering to the bishop for the poor and the needy. And third, we reap a particular spiritual benefit that can come to us in no other way. It is a sanctification of the soul for us today just as it was for some choice people who lived 2,000 years ago. I quote briefly from the Book of Mormon: “Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35). Wouldn’t you like this to happen to you? It can, you know!
Did you notice it said that those who do this have their souls filled with “joy and consolation”? You see, the world in general thinks that fasting is a time for “sackcloth and ashes,” a time to carry a look of sorrow, as one to be pitied. On the contrary, the Lord admonishes:
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
“That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
… I join my testimony with Alma of old when he declared:
“Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
“Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit” (Alma 5:45–46).
Elder Wirthlin (July 2001) says the following:
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members are encouraged to fast whenever their faith needs special fortification and to fast regularly once each month on fast day. On that day, we go without eating or drinking for two consecutive meals, commune with our Heavenly Father, and contribute a fast offering to help the poor. The offering should be at least equal to the value of the food that would have been eaten. Typically, the first Sunday of each month is designated as fast Sunday. On that day, members who are physically able are encouraged to fast, pray, bear witness to the truthfulness of the gospel, and pay a generous fast offering.
We observe that in the scriptures, fasting almost always is linked with prayer. Without prayer, fasting is not complete fasting; it’s simply going hungry. If we want our fasting to be more than just going without eating, we must lift our hearts, our minds, and our voices in communion with our Heavenly Father. Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation.
Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. It can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions.
(Ezra Taft Benson): "I don’t mean just missing one meal, then eating twice as much the next meal. I mean really fasting, and praying during that period. It will do more to give you the real spirit of {who you really are} your office and calling and permit the Spirit to operate through you than anything I know.”
And so long as the saints will all live to this principle with glad hearts and cheerful countenances they will always have an abundance.” 5
Book of Mormon prophets taught the law of the fast: “Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.”
(the four sons of Mosiah): They shared the secret of their success. They “searched the scriptures” and “they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting.” What was the result? “They had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.”
When we fast, brethren and sisters, we feel hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations they might feel. When we give to the bishop an offering to relieve the suffering of others, we not only do something sublime for others, but we do something wonderful for ourselves as well. King Benjamin taught that as we give of our substance to the poor, we retain “a remission of [our] sins from day to day."
Listen to the rich blessings prophesied for those who live the law of the fast: “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. … The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, … and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”
The purpose of our fast may be a very personal one. Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins. It can help us overcome our weaknesses—help them become strengths. Fasting can help us become more humble, less prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others. It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and help us be less prone to criticize others. Or our fast may have a focus on a family challenge. A family fast might help increase love and appreciation among family members and reduce the amount of contention in the family, or we might fast as a couple to strengthen our marriage bonds. A purpose of our fast as priesthood holders might be to seek the Lord’s guidance in our callings, as President Hinckley has demonstrated, or we might fast with our home teaching companion to know how to help one of our families.
Throughout the scriptures the term fasting is usually combined with prayer. “Ye shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth” is the Lord’s counsel (D&C 88:76). Fasting without prayer is just going hungry for 24 hours. But fasting combined with prayer brings increased spiritual power.
When the disciples were unable to cure a boy who was possessed of an evil spirit, they asked the Savior, “Why could not we cast him out?” Jesus responded, “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:19, 21).
In addition to a beginning and ending prayer, we should seek the Lord often in personal prayer throughout the fast.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isa. 58:6).
If we fast and pray with the purpose of repenting of sins and overcoming personal weaknesses, [loosing the bands of wicked traditions], [loosing the bands of emotional and mental inhibitions caused the wickedness of others], [undoing the feeling of being yoked down by our own emotional and mental barriers caused by sexual, physical, emotional abuse of others during our formative years], [being released from oppressive acts inflicted upon us], surely we are seeking to “loose the bands of wickedness” in our lives.
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” (Isa. 58:6).
If we fast and pray with the purpose of repenting of sins and overcoming personal weaknesses, surely we are seeking to “loose the bands of wickedness” in our lives.
The Lord continues describing the proper fast:
“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” (Isa. 58:7).
It is truly a wonderful thing that through our fast offerings today we can feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and clothe the naked.
If we fast properly the Lord promises:
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; …
“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. …
“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity [fulfill my mission in life], and thy darkness be as the noonday:
“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, … and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not[walk my life in peace and happiness]” (Isa. 58:8–11).
It is my prayer that we can improve our fasts so that we can enjoy these beautiful promised blessings. It is my testimony that as we “draw near” to the Lord through our fasting and prayer, He will “draw near” to us (see D&C 88:63). I testify that He lives, that He loves us, and that He wants to draw near to us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
It is a sanctification of the soul for us today just as it was for some choice people who lived 2,000 years ago. I quote briefly from the Book of Mormon: “Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God” (Helaman 3:35). Wouldn’t you like this to happen to you? It can, you know!
Did you notice it said that those who do this have their souls filled with “joy and consolation”? You see, the world in general thinks that fasting is a time for “sackcloth and ashes,” a time to carry a look of sorrow, as one to be pitied. On the contrary, the Lord admonishes:
“Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
“But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
“That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:16–18).
Now, we turn to the most important part of this great law. So far we have only discussed those areas that bless us. The real joy comes with the blessing of the poor and the needy. For it is in the fulfillment of this wonderful Christlike act that we practice “pure religion and undefiled” spoken of by James [see James 1:27]. Can you think of a better or more perfect Christian function than “pure religion and undefiled”? I can’t.
The Lord, speaking through Moses, observed:
“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
“But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8).
Then He goes on to promise him who gives: “The Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto” (Deuteronomy 15:10). He concludes: “Therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land” (Deuteronomy 15:11). …
Friday, August 13, 2010
Article on Being Bored and Slowing Down
I really like what Bergman has to say about technology. The ipad can be used as metaphor for all things that are addicting and take up too much of our time. The word 'boredom' that Bergman uses can be substituted for "silence" or "being still".
People are moving too fast and need to slow down. Inspiration comes when we slow down.
-Scott
Why I Returned My iPad
8:30 AM Wednesday June 16, 2010 | Comments ( 192) http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2010/06/why-i-returned-my-ipad.html#comments
A little more than a week after buying the iPad, I returned it to Apple. The problem wasn't the iPad exactly, though it has some flaws. The problem was me.
I like technology, but I'm not an early adopter. I waited for the second-generation iPod, the second-generation iPhone, and the second-generation MacBook Air.
But the iPad was different. So sleek. So cool. So transformational. And, I figured, since it's so similar to the iPhone, most of the kinks would already be worked out.
So at 4 PM on the day the 3G iPad was released, for the first time in my life, I waited in line for two hours to make a purchase.
I set up my iPad in the store because I wanted to make sure I could start using it the very moment I bought it. And use it I did. I carried it with me everywhere; it's so small and thin and light, why not bring it along?
I did my email on it, of course. But I also wrote articles using Pages. I watched episodes of Weeds on Netflix. I checked the news, the weather, and the traffic. And, of course, I proudly showed it to, well, anyone who indicated the least bit of interest. (That could be a whole post in itself. We proudly show off new purchases as though simply possessing them is some form of accomplishment. Why? I didn't create the iPad. I just bought one.)
It didn't take long for me to encounter the dark side of this revolutionary device: it's too good.
It's too easy. Too accessible. Both too fast and too long-lasting. Certainly there are some kinks, but nothing monumental. For the most part, it does everything I could want. Which, as it turns out, is a problem.
Sure I might want to watch an episode of Weeds before going to sleep. But should I? It really is hard to stop after just one episode. And two hours later, I'm entertained and tired, but am I really better off? Or would it have been better to get seven hours of sleep instead of five?
The brilliance of the iPad is that it's the anytime-anywhere computer. On the subway. In the hall waiting for the elevator. In a car on the way to the airport. Any free moment becomes a potential iPad moment.
The iPhone can do roughly the same thing, but not exactly. Who wants to watch a movie in bed on an iPhone?
So why is this a problem? It sounds like I was super-productive. Every extra minute, I was either producing or consuming.
But something — more than just sleep, though that's critical too — is lost in the busyness. Something too valuable to lose.
Boredom.
Being bored is a precious thing, a state of mind we should pursue. Once boredom sets in, our minds begin to wander, looking for something exciting, something interesting to land on. And that's where creativity arises.
My best ideas come to me when I am unproductive. When I am running but not listening to my iPod. When I am sitting, doing nothing, waiting for someone. When I am lying in bed as my mind wanders before falling to sleep. These "wasted" moments, moments not filled with anything in particular, are vital.
They are the moments in which we, often unconsciously, organize our minds, make sense of our lives, and connect the dots. They're the moments in which we talk to ourselves. And listen.
To lose those moments, to replace them with tasks and efficiency, is a mistake. What's worse is that we don't just lose them. We actively throw them away.
"That's not a problem with the iPad," my brother Anthony — who I feel compelled to mention is currently producing a movie called My Idiot Brother — pointed out. "It's a problem with you. Just don't use it as much."
Guilty as charged. It is a problem with me. I can't not use it if it's there. And, unfortunately, it's always there. So I returned it. Problem solved.
But it did teach me something about the value of boredom. And I'm far more conscious now of using those extra moments, the in-between time, the walking and riding and waiting time, to let my mind wander.
Around the same time I returned my iPad, I noticed that my eight-year-old daughter Isabelle was unbelievably busy from the moment she got home from school to the moment she went to bed. Bathing, reading, playing guitar, eating dinner, doing homework, she was non-stop until I rushed her off to bed. Once in bed she would try to talk to me but, worried about how little sleep she was getting, I would shush her, urging her to go to sleep.
We have a new ritual now, and it really has become my favorite part of the day. I put her to bed 15 minutes earlier than before. She crawls into bed and, instead of shushing her, I lie next to her and we just talk. She talks about things that happened that day, things she's worried about, things she's curious or thinking about. I listen and ask her questions. We laugh together. And our minds just wander.
People are moving too fast and need to slow down. Inspiration comes when we slow down.
-Scott
Why I Returned My iPad
8:30 AM Wednesday June 16, 2010 | Comments ( 192) http://blogs.hbr.org/bregman/2010/06/why-i-returned-my-ipad.html#comments
A little more than a week after buying the iPad, I returned it to Apple. The problem wasn't the iPad exactly, though it has some flaws. The problem was me.
I like technology, but I'm not an early adopter. I waited for the second-generation iPod, the second-generation iPhone, and the second-generation MacBook Air.
But the iPad was different. So sleek. So cool. So transformational. And, I figured, since it's so similar to the iPhone, most of the kinks would already be worked out.
So at 4 PM on the day the 3G iPad was released, for the first time in my life, I waited in line for two hours to make a purchase.
I set up my iPad in the store because I wanted to make sure I could start using it the very moment I bought it. And use it I did. I carried it with me everywhere; it's so small and thin and light, why not bring it along?
I did my email on it, of course. But I also wrote articles using Pages. I watched episodes of Weeds on Netflix. I checked the news, the weather, and the traffic. And, of course, I proudly showed it to, well, anyone who indicated the least bit of interest. (That could be a whole post in itself. We proudly show off new purchases as though simply possessing them is some form of accomplishment. Why? I didn't create the iPad. I just bought one.)
It didn't take long for me to encounter the dark side of this revolutionary device: it's too good.
It's too easy. Too accessible. Both too fast and too long-lasting. Certainly there are some kinks, but nothing monumental. For the most part, it does everything I could want. Which, as it turns out, is a problem.
Sure I might want to watch an episode of Weeds before going to sleep. But should I? It really is hard to stop after just one episode. And two hours later, I'm entertained and tired, but am I really better off? Or would it have been better to get seven hours of sleep instead of five?
The brilliance of the iPad is that it's the anytime-anywhere computer. On the subway. In the hall waiting for the elevator. In a car on the way to the airport. Any free moment becomes a potential iPad moment.
The iPhone can do roughly the same thing, but not exactly. Who wants to watch a movie in bed on an iPhone?
So why is this a problem? It sounds like I was super-productive. Every extra minute, I was either producing or consuming.
But something — more than just sleep, though that's critical too — is lost in the busyness. Something too valuable to lose.
Boredom.
Being bored is a precious thing, a state of mind we should pursue. Once boredom sets in, our minds begin to wander, looking for something exciting, something interesting to land on. And that's where creativity arises.
My best ideas come to me when I am unproductive. When I am running but not listening to my iPod. When I am sitting, doing nothing, waiting for someone. When I am lying in bed as my mind wanders before falling to sleep. These "wasted" moments, moments not filled with anything in particular, are vital.
They are the moments in which we, often unconsciously, organize our minds, make sense of our lives, and connect the dots. They're the moments in which we talk to ourselves. And listen.
To lose those moments, to replace them with tasks and efficiency, is a mistake. What's worse is that we don't just lose them. We actively throw them away.
"That's not a problem with the iPad," my brother Anthony — who I feel compelled to mention is currently producing a movie called My Idiot Brother — pointed out. "It's a problem with you. Just don't use it as much."
Guilty as charged. It is a problem with me. I can't not use it if it's there. And, unfortunately, it's always there. So I returned it. Problem solved.
But it did teach me something about the value of boredom. And I'm far more conscious now of using those extra moments, the in-between time, the walking and riding and waiting time, to let my mind wander.
Around the same time I returned my iPad, I noticed that my eight-year-old daughter Isabelle was unbelievably busy from the moment she got home from school to the moment she went to bed. Bathing, reading, playing guitar, eating dinner, doing homework, she was non-stop until I rushed her off to bed. Once in bed she would try to talk to me but, worried about how little sleep she was getting, I would shush her, urging her to go to sleep.
We have a new ritual now, and it really has become my favorite part of the day. I put her to bed 15 minutes earlier than before. She crawls into bed and, instead of shushing her, I lie next to her and we just talk. She talks about things that happened that day, things she's worried about, things she's curious or thinking about. I listen and ask her questions. We laugh together. And our minds just wander.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Foundation of Loving One's Self
Karen asked me a question this morning. If the foundation of loving others is loving yourself, what is the foundation of loving yourself. I took some thought before responding and came up with this: the foundation principle of loving one's self is being accepted by the authority figures around you. When you make the childhood mistakes, the authority figures are fine with it. They even laugh with you about it. This makes the child's true self feel secure in his environment. It is perfectly acceptable by the authority figure and others for the child to explore his world and try new things. Everyone, especially the authority figures, are delighted with the child's creativity and imagination.
Children, I believe, are resilient. They can take a lot of negative feedback and still develope normally. But, there comes a point where the balance is tipped and the child's true self recedes and finally disappears deep inside the child's unconsious. This happens when the environment the child is in is sufficient negative or when traumatic experiences occur in the child's life. We call these experiences forms of abuse: mental, emotional,spiritual, sexual and physical.
The stage that follows loving acceptance is for the authority figure to foster growth of the child's inner knowing. The child has already felt secure and accepted. He has a foundation to try new things without any feeling of recrimination.
When a child has been traumatized, his true self hides deep within. A this point the genuine, loving overtures of the authority figure to foster development and creativity, don't work. The child either is unresponsive (fights back) or goes along believing the authority figure that the proposed course of action is as good as any. The child is inadvertently gambling on manipulations and whims of others to decide his future. He has given up his own direction. He no longer is his own authority figure.
Children, I believe, are resilient. They can take a lot of negative feedback and still develope normally. But, there comes a point where the balance is tipped and the child's true self recedes and finally disappears deep inside the child's unconsious. This happens when the environment the child is in is sufficient negative or when traumatic experiences occur in the child's life. We call these experiences forms of abuse: mental, emotional,spiritual, sexual and physical.
The stage that follows loving acceptance is for the authority figure to foster growth of the child's inner knowing. The child has already felt secure and accepted. He has a foundation to try new things without any feeling of recrimination.
When a child has been traumatized, his true self hides deep within. A this point the genuine, loving overtures of the authority figure to foster development and creativity, don't work. The child either is unresponsive (fights back) or goes along believing the authority figure that the proposed course of action is as good as any. The child is inadvertently gambling on manipulations and whims of others to decide his future. He has given up his own direction. He no longer is his own authority figure.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Seminary Graduation
Julia graduated from seminary yesterday, May 23, 2010. I was an amazing meeting . I enjoyed all the speakers but especially President Webb. He spoke of the need to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We need to prepare ourselves each day and learn the language of the Holy Ghost. We don't demand that He learn our language. We learn His language. The reason why we read our scriptures each day and say our prayers and ponder is align ourselves with the Spirit. As we do this and remember Christ each day (walk a Godly walk as best we can each day) we will begin to hear the promptings. Parley Pratt eloquently said the Holy Ghost expands all of our faculties, talents, and abilities. It purifies our passions and desires. I need to find the quote. The Holy Ghost will guide us in all things that we are to do. The other option is to make our own decisions and tie ourselves up in knots. After many years of doing that, we are so tied up that we start pleading with the Lord for help. But it takes awhile for the Lord to untie all the knots. Since I am prone to make important decisions on the fly or based on limited knowledge, I find that I need to be still, silence my mind and wait on the Lord - before making any decision, major or minor. Maybe as I slow down, the answers will come and all my life knots can be unraveled.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Good Things
1. I was able to stay calm and peaceful thoughout the day.
2. I choose to exercise and keep a routine going.
3. We gave a gift. I like to do some kind of gift or service everyday.
4. I was able to watch the Duke vs. Butler game. I was an intense, exciting game.
5. I learned of new websites that might help in producing an income.
2. I choose to exercise and keep a routine going.
3. We gave a gift. I like to do some kind of gift or service everyday.
4. I was able to watch the Duke vs. Butler game. I was an intense, exciting game.
5. I learned of new websites that might help in producing an income.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Faith and Demons
I have been thinking lately about my approach to faith and hope. Three things come to mind: the faith of Nephi, mellowing out, and the movie, 'A Beautiful Mind'.
First, the faith of Nephi, shows that many times God does not come through for a person that is exercising faith until after the tribulation has occurred. Nephi also demonstrates his faith by his steadiness. He has a firm hope, trusting in his
God, that their is a promised land to inherit.
Second, I believe that staying calm and mellowing out is a demonstration of faith.
Third, in the movie, 'A Beautiful Mind', the main character has to first become aware of and then master his demons. His demons were mental apparitions of individuals that feed his various fears.
So, how do these things help me with my life? At times, the Lord reveals to me what I need to do in advance, counseling me to take a specific action. This might be considered an errand of the Lord. Other times (or during the errand), the Lord doesn't give any direction (counsel or deliverance)until after the crisis has occurred. This is what is meant by the scriptures stating that miracles don't occur until after the trial of our faith. I may want to guided and inspired so smooth sailing will always occur but this is not scriptural. So, what demonstrates that I have faith? That I can remain steady, calm and believing up to and during the 'fire'. Of course, keeping the commandments is a given.
But, how does one stay calm when things aren't going well? How does one not go into despair (unbelief, hopelessness)? Everyone has their own 'demons' that immediately manifest themselves when the going gets rough. Like in the movie, these mental demons can overwhelm us. The man in the movie has to first become aware of their existence and then learn to keep them at bay. He mastered the ability to keep them at a distance rather than letting them control him and his life. In the same way, we too must become aware of our personal demons (weaknesses, emotional states, etc.) and learn to keep them at bay. As we practice (exercising faith and maintaining hope) we eventually become masters at it.
But my tribulation is truly despairing! There is no way out of it! What you are really saying is that God really doesn't exist and cannot help you is this particular case. Your case is special. God helps other but not me. But the truth is that you haven't been granted to gift of seeing your demons. You believe that your particular demons are just part of your personality. They came upon you so fast, when the affliction or trial occurred, that you didn't even recognize what just happened. You believed in the demon (depression, fear, foreboding, paranoia, injustness, shame, jealousy, envying, coveting, anxiety, hatred, rage, apathy, judging, mocking, pride, self-condemnation, etc.) and gave it room in your inn and let it take up its abode inside of you.
Keeping your demons (negative emotions) from overwhelming you takes practice. It may require you to stop what you are doing and immediately reaffirm your faith in God, that the feelings that you are having are neither permanent nor useful. They may seem very real but they serve no useful purpose. My goal is learn to be aware of them coming upon me, keep them at bay, and give them no heed. All they will do is hinder your progress. Nephi had to leave his brothers outside the walls because they were complaining that the errand couldn't be done. We need to put despair and unbelief aside also. When Nephi and his brother were returning home with Ishmael and his family, Nephi wasn't delivered until after he was tied up left to die. The Lord was testing and growing Nephi's faith by bringing the brink. This happens over and over where Nephi keeps the faith, stays calm, trusts in the Lord and stay optimistice (hopes all things).
Where do we start on our journey? The first step is just to believe. Believe you are worthy. Believe that God is aware of your problem. Believe that He will help. Believe that He will at times take to all the way to the edge to see if you will be steadfast in your faith in Him. Believe that faith preceeds the miracle. Be aware that the miracle that was waiting for you will not appear unless your faith is strong enough and that you will probably never realize what the miracle was if you fall into despair and unbelief.
So, stay calm, be believing, trust in God and wait on the Lord!
First, the faith of Nephi, shows that many times God does not come through for a person that is exercising faith until after the tribulation has occurred. Nephi also demonstrates his faith by his steadiness. He has a firm hope, trusting in his
God, that their is a promised land to inherit.
Second, I believe that staying calm and mellowing out is a demonstration of faith.
Third, in the movie, 'A Beautiful Mind', the main character has to first become aware of and then master his demons. His demons were mental apparitions of individuals that feed his various fears.
So, how do these things help me with my life? At times, the Lord reveals to me what I need to do in advance, counseling me to take a specific action. This might be considered an errand of the Lord. Other times (or during the errand), the Lord doesn't give any direction (counsel or deliverance)until after the crisis has occurred. This is what is meant by the scriptures stating that miracles don't occur until after the trial of our faith. I may want to guided and inspired so smooth sailing will always occur but this is not scriptural. So, what demonstrates that I have faith? That I can remain steady, calm and believing up to and during the 'fire'. Of course, keeping the commandments is a given.
But, how does one stay calm when things aren't going well? How does one not go into despair (unbelief, hopelessness)? Everyone has their own 'demons' that immediately manifest themselves when the going gets rough. Like in the movie, these mental demons can overwhelm us. The man in the movie has to first become aware of their existence and then learn to keep them at bay. He mastered the ability to keep them at a distance rather than letting them control him and his life. In the same way, we too must become aware of our personal demons (weaknesses, emotional states, etc.) and learn to keep them at bay. As we practice (exercising faith and maintaining hope) we eventually become masters at it.
But my tribulation is truly despairing! There is no way out of it! What you are really saying is that God really doesn't exist and cannot help you is this particular case. Your case is special. God helps other but not me. But the truth is that you haven't been granted to gift of seeing your demons. You believe that your particular demons are just part of your personality. They came upon you so fast, when the affliction or trial occurred, that you didn't even recognize what just happened. You believed in the demon (depression, fear, foreboding, paranoia, injustness, shame, jealousy, envying, coveting, anxiety, hatred, rage, apathy, judging, mocking, pride, self-condemnation, etc.) and gave it room in your inn and let it take up its abode inside of you.
Keeping your demons (negative emotions) from overwhelming you takes practice. It may require you to stop what you are doing and immediately reaffirm your faith in God, that the feelings that you are having are neither permanent nor useful. They may seem very real but they serve no useful purpose. My goal is learn to be aware of them coming upon me, keep them at bay, and give them no heed. All they will do is hinder your progress. Nephi had to leave his brothers outside the walls because they were complaining that the errand couldn't be done. We need to put despair and unbelief aside also. When Nephi and his brother were returning home with Ishmael and his family, Nephi wasn't delivered until after he was tied up left to die. The Lord was testing and growing Nephi's faith by bringing the brink. This happens over and over where Nephi keeps the faith, stays calm, trusts in the Lord and stay optimistice (hopes all things).
Where do we start on our journey? The first step is just to believe. Believe you are worthy. Believe that God is aware of your problem. Believe that He will help. Believe that He will at times take to all the way to the edge to see if you will be steadfast in your faith in Him. Believe that faith preceeds the miracle. Be aware that the miracle that was waiting for you will not appear unless your faith is strong enough and that you will probably never realize what the miracle was if you fall into despair and unbelief.
So, stay calm, be believing, trust in God and wait on the Lord!
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