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Salvation
Understanding our Faith
Salvation
(Talk for church 21st October 2000)
The Olympics had a huge impact on me. Ever since I was a boy I
loved to watch the physical perfection represented in the
Olympics. Peak Performance on Demand as Franklin Covey calls it.
Quality as Zen Buddhism might call it. To see the best in the
world all at the same time representing their countries for
honour. Truly inspiring in most people book, as witnessed by the
large numbers that watch it. So Inspiring I couldn't just watch
it from here I needed to see it for myself. So Tazman at a week
old and Lyndi and I went to Sydney to see it. The feeling was
electric and cheering on the competitors was a thrill, felt like
you were part of their anguish, trial and also their glory. A
wonderful experience.
Undoubtedly one of the favourite events of the Olympics is the
athletics and in the athletics the crowning event is the hundred
meters. It is a global standard of excellence. Ask anyone and
they will know about the hundred meters, even those imperial
Americans will easily be able to tell you the rules and roughly
show you the measurements. Things are relatively clear in the
Olympics distances, times, heights and weights are generally
standard. You know when someone has won and when someone has
lost. Gold Silver Bronze and to contrast the glory is the
anguish. The only problem is find an everyday use for those
skills! The high jump, could those guys jump as high if it was a
razors edge they were jumping? Long since fighting with your
hands has been popular and transport limited to horses or boats,
we still mark it as a triumph. Don't get me wrong excellence is a
thing worth striving for it takes discipline, courage and
integrity.
Did you know that you were in a Race? It is called the Human
Race, and many prophets have written of it, here are some
examples.
1 Corinthians 9:23-24
And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker
thereof with you.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If you were to compare life to an event in the Olympics what
would you pick?
The 100 meters, over in just a matter of seconds?
A marathon long and arduous requiring pacing and endurance?
Perhaps the hurdles up and down?
Or maybe the pentathlon a range of skills that you have to
master?
Where would the start line be birth, age of accountability,
marriage?
Where would the finish line be, old age, death, or beyond?
Who wins, the fastest, the slowest, the one with the most money?
What does the prize look like, the Garden of Eden, eternal bliss,
or your own home?
I can imagine the Stadium full of spectators but very few
competitors, and I don't think the competitors would be nearly as
supportive as the
When we talk about Salvation, or Eternal life we are also talking
about the purpose of life. In fact you really cant understand the
process of Salvation without clearly understanding what the end
goal is. But what is the purpose of life? Like trying to compare
life to a race, a million people will give you a million
different answers To confuse matters, Satan does his best to try
and get us to believe the purpose of life is somewhere that it is
not. For instance the winner is the one with the most
possessions, or controlled the most amounts of people, or had the
most extreme experiences, or reached the most altered state with
chemical drugs.
Being a member of the church gives us a huge advantage to
figuring out the purpose of life. Modern revelation and scripture
such as the book of Mormon give us an understanding of a pre
mortal existence with a purpose for all of us being here and also
a knowledge of the need for the fall of Adam to aid in that
purpose. Most of Christianity today understands little of any
life before birth and view the fall as a terrible tragedy, one in
which they are personally trying to rectify. It would be fair to
say that most Christians idea of Heaven (or eternal life) would
to be to live in the condition that Adam and Eve were before the
fall.
For Latter Day Saints, conditions before the fall would not
constitute fulfilling the purposes of God. From the scriptures we
have learnt that our ultimate goal is to be like God, be perfect
like He is, to have Eternal Life or in other words the life that
He has.
Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are
the children of God:
17 ¶ 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.
Matthew 5:48
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in
heaven is perfect.
Galatians 3:26-29
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
Galatians 4:6-7
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his
Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir of God through Christ
All of these scriptures suggest a state of being "If it so
be that we suffer with him" "BE ye therefore
perfect" "IF ye BE Christ's" We will touch on this
later as it is the essence of true Salvation
These scriptures have not escaped the notice of the earnest
searcher. Christian theologian C.S. Lewis recognized the logical
and theological extension of being transformed by Christ.
"The Son of God became a man," Lewis pointed out,
"to enable men to become sons of God."
Further, Lewis explained: "The command Be Ye perfect is not
idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is
going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He
said (in the Bible) that we were 'gods' and He is going to make
good his words. If we let Him-for we can prevent Him, if we
choose-He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god
or goddess, dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all
through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot
now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God
perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own
boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be
long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for.
Nothing less. He meant what He said."
This life has all the ingredients to make godhood possible,
opportunities to put us in the parent role, struggles that
stretch our faith, joys that lift our desires heavenward. Yet
there is a dilemma, while our lives provide for much
understanding, this increased knowledge comes at a high price. We
are tainted by the very existence we live in, our surroundings
encourage unworthiness and cloud our judgment. We know from the
scriptures that no unclean thing can enter the presence of God,
and the presence of the Holy Ghost can not dwell with someone who
is unclean. Without the Spirit we will not have access to the
revelation needed to acquire the understanding and attributes
that will make us like God. So God provided for a plan of
salvation, a way to get us back to his presence with all the
qualities that would make us whole. Firstly this involved an
Atonement an eternal sacrifice that could deliver us from our
surroundings. Second a way to in act this atonement in the lives
of individuals who sought it. Third experiences that would shape
us into glorious people with revelation through the Holy Ghost.
The First and foremost is the Atonement, the infinite eternal
sacrifice of the Saviour on our behalf. This deserves a whole
discourse on its own, we have had several wonderful speakers on
this topic in the last few months, and so in the interests of
time I am not going to talk about atonement today.
The Second "a way to enact this sacrifice" comes about
through Ordinances and covenants. Last week Jamie gave a
wonderful explanation of what an ordinance and what a covenant
is. And you have just heard from Koro how Covenants can transform
us.
When I was travelling to the states this last time, because Lyndi
and the boys had gone on ahead I traveled by myself. My seat
assignment gave me the window in the 747 with two young adults
beside me, Dixon and Laura. Dixon got on the plane with a Bible
in his hand, and I found that they were heading home to the
States after going to Bible college in Cambridge. I thought that
was fascinating and we soon struck up quite a conversation. I was
really interested in what they had learnt and when they found out
that I was a Mormon after the initial apprehension we discussed
some great things. I was really impressed with Dixon, he asked
some really insightful questions with a real desire to understand
what I believed. He had heard lots of stories about Mormons, but
coming from an eastern state where members were a very small
minority he didn't have any LDS friends. When he figured out that
I was open and candid he satisfied his curiosity. Asking
everything from what makes us different to why were there so many
Mormons in Utah? We both talked about our conversions to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and he asked me what Mormons believed
about being saved and what they believed about other Christians
not of our faith. Two very excellent questions, I thought.
Now "being saved" or another term is "born
again" aren't phrases that we use in Mormon circles very
often, I think we see it as being a little bit out there, plus we
don't really understand the two expressions of salvation that
exist in the New Testament.
The answers to Dixon's questions come best from the 3rd Chapter
of John where Nicodemus comes to Jesus asking the very same
questions.
John 3:1-5
1 ¶ THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler
of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we
know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do
these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Jesus Percieved that Nicodemus had some knowledge of God and
wanted to know about what Jesus's concept of salvation was, the
very same question Dixon was asking me.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of
God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?
can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God.
In these few passages Christ taught a great wealth of doctrine.
Although verses 3 and 5 seem almost identical, their differences
tell us an incredible amount. To SEE the kingdom of God you must
be born again, But to ENTER the kingdom of God you must be born
of the water and born of the spirit. There is a big difference
between seeing and entering on both spiritual and temporal
levels. Using Acts 2.37-38 I think it is easy to see what is
being referred too.
Acts 2:37-38
37 ¶ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men
[and] brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Being born again is having that change happen in your life
brought about by sincere faith and repentance or being
"pricked in their hearts.... [and asking] what shall we
do?" With this great change it is possible to see and
understand a part of the beauty of the Kingdom of God, enough at
least so you can desire it. But that is not enough we must be
born of the water and born of the spirit. Being Baptized and
receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost allow a person to enter the
Kingdom of God and have all the resources to strive for the goal
of godhood. Hebrews goes on to clarify that Baptism and the gift
of the Holy Ghost are part of the road to perfection.
Hebrews 6:1-3
1 ¶ THEREFORE leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Paul the apostle put it really nicely in Phillipians 3:12-15,
showing that for himself, though he had been 'born again' and had
that mighty change in his life as he accepted Jesus as his
saviour, still there was more to "be".
Phillipians 3:12-15
Not as though I had already attained, either were already
perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for
which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus.
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if
in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this
unto you.
What about Dixons second question, what do we think of other
Christians 'salvation'? I repeated the same thing Jesus told
Nicodemus. If anyone had the right attitude and have been born
again showing repenting and having faith in Christ they would see
and perhaps understand the kingdom of God...... but why marvel
from a distance when you could enter?
Covenants
Covenants make this all possible. When an individual makes a
covenant with God they agree to follow God and keep his
commandments. This contract allows for God's assets to swallow up
all debt or in other words a forgiveness of all sin. This
remission of sins also means the person is then worthy to be in
His presence (and certainly have a member of the God Head
physically with them). Because fulfilling of the covenant is
difficult and the person will not be able to do it without help,
God gives them the Holy Spirit.
Ordinances establish these covenants. They are spiritual
signatures on these very special Godly contracts. Ordinances are
marked by symbolic acts and designed to remind individuals about
Jesus Christ and the nature of the covenant. Such as baptism,
gift of the Holy Ghost and sacrament.
Baptism is a symbol of the death and resurrection of the Saviour.
It involves an immersion of the person under water (burial) and
then a coming out of the water anew (resurrection). The water
also symbolizes a cleanser and the person as we have already
stated is often said to be born of the water.
The Gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands.
While baptisms tends to symbolize a physical event. The reception
of the Holy Ghost tends to be more internal. It is often referred
to as the Baptism of Fire or being born of the spirit. As the
Holy Spirit is given as a constant companion to the individual it
also sanctifies and even purge's sin.
Sacrament is a spiritual "meal" symbolizing the flesh
and blood of Christ sacrificed on our behalf. While baptism and
the Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost are one off
events, sacrament is an ongoing commitment or renewal of the
covenants made at baptism. In this way continued willingness to
follow God will result in remission of sin and companionship of
the Holy Ghost.
A good example of this process is in the First few Chapters of
Acts
Acts records the conversion of thousands of converts after
Pentecost. Their experience in the church was a very exciting
one. Peter gave the command to repent and be baptized, with the
promise that the Holy Ghost would be given them and that is
exactly what they did. After their baptism they followed the
apostles in prayer and breaking of bread (presumably sacrament).
These were important features of their membership. The last
comment that "the Lord added to the church daily such as
should be saved" is an interesting one.
Acts 2:37-47
37 ¶ Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men
[and] brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all
that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying,
Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
42 ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were
done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things
common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
[men], as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with
gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the
Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Part of spiritual perfection comes from the worthiness of the
person which God grants immediately (whenever covenants are
made), the Godlike understanding and attributes come from
fulfilling the covenant which happens over time. In this way you
are forgiven of sin every time you make or renew a covenant with
God and yet the real benefit of making the covenant is becoming
like God.
Once we have enacted the Atonement in our lives through
Ordinances and covenants we Thirdly need experiences that would
shape us into glorious people with revelation through the Holy
Ghost. 2 Peter chapter one is probably my favourite New Testament
passage, in it Peter gives us a fantastic step by step recipe of
how to achieve this in our own live.
2 Peter 1:3-11
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things
that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of
him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious
promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine
nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust.
5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith
virtue (good works); and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance (self control); and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness
charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that
ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar
off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your
calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall
never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly
into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ.
It is interesting that Peter lists these attributes as necessary
to gaining a knowledge of Jesus and an entrance into his Kingdom
Now we come full circle. True salvation is about becoming.
Ordinances and covenants are essential in that without them we
could not be close enough to God to be both motivated enough and
guided sufficiently, to do that which would be necessary to
develop those attributes that would make us like Him. Being is
certainly more important than doing, but a wise person will also
recognize that it is impossible to be something without doing.
While we were in the States Lyndi's Grandfather died. We were
able to spend his last couple of weeks with him. It was a great
experience, he was happy to die, he loved his family honored his
priesthood even Joked on his deathbed despite his pain and
discomfort. He had run a good race, he was at peace with what he
had become, maybe he had already past the finish line and as
Peter said collected his calling and election?
The gold medal of these,
Human Olympic Games.
Ganesh Cherian
Understanding
our Faith
(Talk for church Sunday
18th March 2001)
Coming to a testimony meeting can be an interesting experience if you are not a member of the church. We say some peculiar things like: We know this is the only true church on the face of the earth, we know that Joseph Smith/ Gordon B Hinckley is a prophet of God, that The Book of Mormon is Scripture. I once had a family I visited who would avoid Testimony Sunday because they could not reconcile these things.
Recently I had the opportunity of sharing my beliefs with Tili an Assemblies of God woman at work. She asked lots of questions and I tried to give the best answers possible. After a while I realised that I knew very little about what she believed and so undertook to do some research. The Internet is a great place to learn about others, within a few minutes I looked at several pages from complementing Pentecostal faiths. Needless to say I was impressed. I found their reasons for belief were very well thought out and well presented. Many of there teachings were a kin to mine and thought that if I did not have a faith I might certainly be drawn to their high moral code and doctrinal position.
Then I thought of Joseph Smiths testimony of how as a young man of 14 he was drawn to the Methodist sect and 'felt some desire to be united with them' I don’t think that I have ever understood that passage very well, but I felt very close to it at this time.
I then went on to explore what other churches which I had seen around believed, since I pass the Church of Christ when I drive back from Haitaitai to Karori I thought I should know about them (especially since they had such a familiar name). I was impressed at their website also. Their main tenant of belief was a desire to return to the 'true' New Testament Church that Christ established. I found that fascinating, since it is also what I adhere to.
I then went on to read about the Greek Orthodox Church and its belief of unbroken succession of authority from Christ. Authority from God, another important thing to me.
I also thought back to my time at the Jewish Temple on Ghuznee St and understanding that the Jews have about being the people of God and thought of how I felt that was important too.
Sound familiar? A modern day parallel to the boy Joseph's experience.
Joseph Smith History 1:7-13
7 I was at this time in my fifteenth year. My father's family was
proselyted to the Presbyterian faith, and four of them joined
that church, namely, my mother, Lucy; my brothers Hyrum and
Samuel Harrison; and my sister Sophronia.
8 During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to
serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings
were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all
these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often
as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became
somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to
be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife
among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a
person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things,
to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was
wrong.
9 My mind at times was greatly excited, the cry and tumult were
so great and incessant. The Presbyterians were most decided
against the Baptists and Methodists, and used all the powers of
both reason and sophistry to prove their errors, or, at least, to
make the people think they were in error. On the other hand, the
Baptists and Methodists in their turn were equally zealous in
endeavoring to establish their own tenets and disprove all
others.
10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I
often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these
parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of
them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?
11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by
the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day
reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse,
which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him.
12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the
heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to
enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I
reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person
needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and
unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never
know; for the teachers of religion of the different sects
understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to
destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to
the Bible.
13 At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain
in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs,
that is, ask of God. I at length came to the determination to
"ask of God," concluding that if he gave wisdom to them
that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I
might venture.
I think that many people are in that same situation today. Kept
from the truth for they no not where to find it. We are blessed
today to have such an accurate connection to information about
peoples belief. But this does not necessary make the problem of
finding truth any easier. Joseph Smith got his revelation through
prayer, he had done significant research but his desire to know
for himself, from God, lead him to the first vision. A seeker of
truth relies on revelation and we need to know for ourselves that
the Church is true through this same revelation.
Paul worte in Ephesians 1:15-18
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of
your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my
prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may
know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the
glory of his inheritance in the saints,
We can not expect to be effective in sharing the Gospel unless we first have had a witness that what we believe is true.
But once we know, what then do we have to offer? Joseph Smith in response to a request of information about the Church by a Chicago Paper wrote Thirteen concise statements of LDS belief which is now commonly known as the Articles of Faith.
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3 We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Some of these we share with the rest of Christianity, some of these we are unique in. It is important to know what our commonalities are, because one of the first steps to sharing the Gospel is to build on common beliefs. It is also important to know what our differences are so we can show where our beliefs lead us to a fuller understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The articles of faith that really stand out as being different to the casual observer involve our belief in extra biblical scripture, and from that continuing revelation.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
When you start to think about it scripture is really a defining measure of each persons respective faiths. Or in other words what we belief is divinely inspired, defines our place in the religious world. For instance: If you believe that Gods writings begin with Genesis and end with Malachi then you are a Jew. If you believe in Both the Old and New Testaments and your Old Testament includes the Apocrypha then you are a Catholic or Orthodox. If you believe just in the Old and New Testaments you are a Protestant. If you believe in the Old Testament and the Koran then you are a Muslim. If you believe in the Bible and the Book of Mormon and you believe in continuing revelation you are a Mormon. Most religions therefore are a reflection of when they felt God had stopped talking. Or maybe a more accurate assessment is when they stopped listening.
It has always been much easier to believe in prophets past than ones that are present. Many prophets and indeed Christ were not revered as such until centuries after their deaths. Moses now honoured as one of the greatest Prophets of all was continually challenged in his ability to be spokesman for the Lord. He had to wait a whole generation before he could really spiritually lead the children of Israel. Likewise the Christians of the 1st century had an uphill battle trying to convince their fellow citizens that the promised Messiah had come and revealed more than the 'Law and the Prophets'. We are no different today, millennia on, we question why those who were contemporaries to Moses or Jesus could not see the prophet or the Lord through the man, but there are relatively few today who believe there is a prophet among us. Christianity echo's the same sentiments of its cousins Judaism and Islam 'God had finished revealing his word to man'.
In the myriad of belief and doctrine available it is hard to see that anything is missing or for that matter that anything is complete. Chances are that if someone is active in their church they will be unlikely to join us. They probably believe in so many great truths already, that it will be difficult to see any difference. But there are many that are not satisfied with loose ends, that demand consistency, that long to be near the Saviour, sitting at his feet, and not in other room, regardless of how close.
That is why the Book of Mormon is so exciting. Having it allows us to proclaim from the roof tops 'God is not dead, he was mindful of a lot more people than you know and he is mindful of you now'. That is why it is described as the Keystone of our religion, without it we would be just another interpretation of the Bible, another sect trying to make sense of the writings of centuries past. But there is more, the true crown of our belief comes with the Doctrine and Covenants. It is described as the capstone, because continuing revelation makes this church, real, able to get direction from the source.
This is what we have to offer. A chance to stand in a living church directed by a prophet and an ever-living head, Jesus Christ. Whether you had been born today, 2000 years ago or 4000 years ago, it matters not. Whether the time of Moses, the time of Christ or now it is the same. You have the same access (perhaps more) to God that people of almost all ages have had. You don’t have to wonder what it would have been like to live in the first century New Testament Church or to have Moses directing you from Mt Sinai, you can live it.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever, and so is his church.
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