Context and Controversy

47 East South Temple Street

What follows is yet another example of what is becoming commonplace in our loss as a nation of "fair and balanced" reporting in the mainstream media.

You can validate this yourselves.  When you hear a new story about which you have particular and specific knowlege on any topic, you can benchmark what you know against what is reported.  Invariably you discover the only thing that makes it into the news story is the controversial piece designed to create a headline with little or no substance to back up the conclusions reached.

Here's another glaring example of this spreading phenomenon of irresponsible journalism:
Context and Controversy

Living on Borrowed Light

"They that are wise. . . have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide" (D&C 45:57).

We live in a glorious day in the earth's history.  But we also live in perilous times when wickedness abounds.  In the preface to the Book of Commandments (now the Doctrine and Covenants) the revelation reads:  "For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men" (D&C 1:2).  Imagine that!  God speaks to all men!  He is speaking and will continue to speak.  The question is how many are listening?

Learning to discern, to recognize and to receive personal revelation is a challenging quest, but it is possible.

The revelation introducing the Doctrine and Covenants continues:  "And the voice of warning shall be unto all people" (verse 4).

What's the warning about?  A few verses later we read:  "Wherefore the voice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth, that all that will hear may hear:  Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh; And the anger of the Lord is kindled, and his sword is bathed in heaven, and it shall fall upon the inhabitants of the earth." (D&C 1:11–13).  A sword that is "bathed" is unsheathed and ready for action.

So what is it we should be prepared to deal with?  We learn:  "[I] will that all men shall know that the day speedily cometh; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth, and the devil shall have power over his own dominion."  (D&C 1:35).

We now live in that day.

Two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul saw and wrote about our day.  He said, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1).

President Gordon B. Hinckley

General Conference followed within a month after the attacks on September 11, 2001.  In that conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley made the following statements:

"Wonderful as this time is, it is fraught with peril. Evil is all about us. . . .

"We live in a season when fierce men do terrible and despicable things. . . ." (President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Living in the Fulness of Times," Ensign November 2001, 5, 6).

"I do not know what the future holds. I do not wish to sound negative, but I wish to remind you of the warnings of scripture and the teachings of the prophets. . . . The time will come when the earth will be cleansed and there will be indescribable distress."  (President Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Times in Which We Live," Ensign November 2001, 73–74).

President Boyd K. Packer

In early 2004, President Boyd K. Packer addressed the religious educators of the Church and also spoke of the day in which we live:

"The world is spiraling downward at an ever-quickening pace.  I am sorry to tell you that it will not get better. . . .  These are days of great spiritual danger for our youth. . . .  I know of nothing in the history of the Church or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances.  Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now.

"Words of profanity, vulgarity, and blasphemy are heard everywhere. Unspeakable wickedness and perversion were once hid in dark places; now they are in the open, even accorded legal protection.

"At Sodom and Gomorrah these things were localized. Now they are spread across the world, and they are among us."  (President Boyd K. Packer, "The One Pure Defense," 4).

Nothing in the history of the world or the Church that compares to our present circumstance? That's a sobering conclusion and gives some much-needed insight into why President Packer is speaking so forcefully in General Conference when he warns about the LGBT agenda.  The Lord, knowing all these things, has sent forth the warning voice from the earliest days of this dispensation of the gospel.

We can spend a lot of time discussing how dark and dreary the path ahead seems.  There is ample evidence to suggest things will not be improving.  The Church is filled with people who focus on all the signs we see.  But for those who are living the gospel the best they know and are clinging to the iron rod of the word of God, the troubling warnings are for the wicked, not for them.  Instead, they may find comfort in knowing in advance what the looming conditions will be without the attendant fear and anxiety.

Those are but two statements presaging what is yet to come.  But here's a scripture chain to offer hope, and it's only a small sampling:

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." (1 Nephi 14:14).

"For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power. . . . Wherefore, the righteous need not fear." (1 Nephi 22:16–17).

"The Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst." (D&C 1:36).  (This verse follows the one saying Satan shall have power over his dominion.)

"And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it." (D&C 45:66–67).

"The gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, [will] be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth." (D&C 115:6).

Prespective in the ongoing unfolding process is much needed and is available through personal revelation to all who seek to know what is to come.

Wedding Feasts

There is a book in my library I have found invaluable in helping me to understand the Middle East culture and the rich symbols and metaphors from which the Savior drew his parables and many of his teachings.  Particularly insightful is this description about weddings:

[Middle Eastern] marriages usually take place in the evening. . . .

During the day the bride is conducted to the house of her future husband, and she is there assisted by her attendants in putting on the marriage robes and jewelry. During the evening, the women who have been invited congregate in the room where the bride sits in silence, and spend the time commenting on her appearance, complimenting the relatives, discussing various family matters, and partaking of sweetmeats and similar refreshments.

As the hours drag on their topics of conversation become exhausted, and some of them grow tired and fall asleep. There is nothing more to be done, and everything is in readiness for the reception of the bridegroom. . . .

The bridegroom meanwhile is absent spending the day at the house of one of his relatives. There, soon after sunset, . . . his male friends begin to assemble, . . . to spend the evening with the bridegroom and then escort him home. The time is occupied with light refreshments, general conversation and the recitation of poetry in praise of the two families chiefly concerned and of the bridegroom in particular. After all have been courteously welcomed and their congratulations received, the bridegroom, about eleven o'clock, intimates his wish to set out. Flaming torches are then held aloft by special bearers, lit candles [or small hand lamps] are handed at the door to each visitor as he goes out, and the procession sweeps slowly along towards the house where the bride and her female attendants are waiting.

A great crowd has meanwhile assembled on the balconies, garden-walls, and flat roofs of the houses on each side of the road. . . . The bridegroom is the centre of interest. Voices are heard whispering, "There he is! There he is!" From time to time women raise their voices in the peculiar shrill, wavering shriek by which joy is expressed at marriages and other times of family and public rejoicing. The sound is heard at a great distance, and is repeated by other voices in advance of the procession, and thus intimation is given of the approach half an hour or more before the marriage escort arrives. . . . As the house is approached the excitement increases, the bridegroom's pace is quickened, and the alarm is raised in louder tones and more repeatedly, " He is coming! He is coming!"

Before he arrives, the maidens in waiting come forth with lamps and candles a short distance to light up the entrance, and do honour to the bridegroom and the group of relatives and intimate friends around him. These pass into the final rejoicing and the marriage supper; the others who have discharged their duty in accompanying him to the door, immediately disperse, and the door is shut.  (George M. Mackie, Bible Manners and Customs, 123–26).

Wise and Foolish Virgins 

This description provides meaning and significance to the parable of the ten virgins found in Matthew 25.  It is always useful to ask, as the Prophet Joseph did, what drew the parables forth from Jesus (see TPJS, 276).

Only days before His crucifixion, Jesus was on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem with His disciples.  Some commented on the magnificent beauty of the temple.  Surprising them, Jesus declared the day would come when "there shall not be left here one stone upon another." (Matthew 24:2). Together they left the city through the east gate, walked down through the Kidron Valley below, then climbed the Mount of Olives immediately east of the Temple Mount.  As they rested, the disciples, now clearly troubled, asked Jesus to explain what he had said earlier:  "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (verse 3; see also JS–M 1:3–4).

Two topics -- when and what's the sign going to be of your coming again?

Jesus gave the answers to their questions in great detail in what later came to be known as the "Olivet Discourse."  When he is done, he then immediately likens the kingdom of heaven unto the ten virgins.  (See JST–Matthew 25:1).  That's the background of the parable, and it's important to have that context to understand what follows.

Here are the highlights:

•  There were ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom, who is Jesus (verse 1).  (President Spencer W. Kimball said the ten virgins represented members of the Church, see Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 183).  I once heard him say in a candid moment, "They were all good girls, they were all virgins, who else could they represent?" as he further elaborated on his interpretation.

•  Five of the ten were wise, and five were foolish (verse 2).  They all had small hand lamps, but those who were wise had brought an extra supply of oil in anticipation of the bridegroom's late arrival.  The foolish ones had no more than about an hour's supply of oil and were foolish for not having made provision in advance.

•  At midnight, when the cry went up that the bridegroom was coming, all ten arose and trimmed their lamps (verse 7).  "Trimming" is making sure the wick is laid properly in the oil and there is sufficient oil in the lamp.

•  It was then the five foolish realized their lamps had "gone out" and asked the others to share their oil with them (verse 8).  The wise said if they did that, there wouldn't be enough for their own lamps (verse 9).

•  While the five foolish were gone to try to buy oil, when the bridegroom came, "and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut" (verse 10).

•  When the five others finally returned, they begged to have the door opened so they could enter, but the bridegroom said, "I know you not," and they were excluded from the marriage supper (verses 11–13).  Joseph Smith corrected that verse in the Inspired Version to read, "Ye never knew me."  (We are informed from other verses that the “marriage supper” represents the Second Coming of Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon the earth (see Revelation 19:7-16; D&C 58:11; 88:92-94).

The Oil of the Spirit

The key element in this parable is the oil.  The five wise had extra oil, the five foolish did not.  So what does the oil represent?  All ten of the virgins had lamps; all ten had oil, but only half had the foresight to bring extra.  What's the lesson for us?  The Prophet Joseph supplies the answer in this revelation:

"At that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
"For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived — verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day"  (D&C 45:56–57).

The oil represents the Holy Spirit and the truth He brings.  The symbol for light is the oil.  The Holy Ghost brings us light and truth.

President Spencer W. Kimball

Some unknowing commentators have suggested the five wise virgins were not very "Christian" because of their unwillingness to share what they had.  But President Kimball explains why this could not be:

"The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant. . . . This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. How can one share obedience to the principle of tithing; a mind at peace from righteous living; an accumulation of knowledge? How can one share faith or testimony? How can one share attitudes or chastity, or the experience of a mission? How can one share temple privileges? Each must obtain that kind of oil for himself.

"The foolish virgins were not averse to buying oil. They knew they should have oil. They merely procrastinated, not knowing when the bridegroom would come."  (President Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 255–56).
President Kimball compares the oil to spiritual preparedness.  How does the Lord prepare us for the perilous times in which we live?  The oil is the symbol for light, or personal revelation.

President Kimball further explored the implications and applications of the parable for us today:

"In the parable, oil can be purchased at the market.  In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living.  Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years.  Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures — each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store.  Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity — these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.

"Midnight is so late for those who have procrastinated."  (Ibid., 256).

We Cannot Live on Borrowed Light

President Harold B. Lee

President Harold B. Lee often quoted President Heber C. Kimball on this topic:

Years ago when I served as a missionary, we had a visit from Dr. James E. Talmage of the Council of the Twelve. . . .

On one occasion he said to us, "I want to tell you missionaries something. The day of sacrifice is not past! The time will come, yet, when many Saints and even Apostles will yet lose their lives in defense of the truth!"

I've had occasion many times since that remark was made to remember those words, and I've come to see the reality of it. There's a testing for every human soul. And there's a test every year, every month in the year, for the Saints of the Most High God. And their blessing and progress will depend only upon whether or not they pass the test.

President Heber C. Kimball

President Heber C. Kimball, speaking about this matter, said this:

"We think we are secure here in the chambers of the everlasting hills, where we can close those few doors of the canyons against mobs and persecutors, the wicked and the vile, who have always beset us with violence and robbery, but I want to say to you, my brethren, the time is coming when we will be mixed up in these now peaceful valleys to that extent that it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy to the people of God. [Mark well that statement!] Then, brethren, look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall; for I say unto you there is a test, a test, a TEST coming, and who will be able to stand? . . .

"Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. This Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of the work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand. Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself."  (Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 143–44).

The reference to borrowed light is, of course, a reference to the parable of the ten virgins.  President Lee concluded:

"This is the time of which President [Heber C.] Kimball spoke, when each will have to stand on his own feet, and no man will be able to exist and stand on borrowed light. Each, for himself, must have an unshakable testimony of the divinity of this work if he is to stand in this day!" 

If we are living each day seeking to understand the voice of the Lord in our lives, then all shall be well with us as midnight and the approaching wedding draws nearer.  We will have the light we need day by day, year by year.  As much as we would love to share it with others, particularly with those of our own family, this store of light and truth is only available on an individual basis.  Like manna it is extremely perishable and will not sustain us without gathering all we can.  Having made no such methodical and consistent preparations, the unwise virgins among us cannot hear, recognize or respond to the voice in time.

The judgments foretold are looming, there seems little can be gained by ignoring those realities, but we know Him as our Heavenly Father.  He loves us; He knows us; He cares for us; He desires to bless us, and He offers this promise to all who walk in the light of His Spirit:

"For thus saith the Lord — I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.
"Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.
"And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
"Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. . . .
"For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will — yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man." (D&C 76:5–8, 10).

Five Steps to True Conversion

To be fully and truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ is to change.  People fear and try to avoid change, typically, because it represents having to move beyond something feeling quite comfortable into something new and strange sometimes.  We are constantly rubbing shoulders with people in the world and within the Church who are converted and those who are not.  You can attempt to tell them apart if you will, but it's hard to tell the difference from the outside.  Some contend Mormons are not well versed in this doctrine of being born again, but The Book of Mormon is full of it.  True conversion depends upon it.  We must change from our carnal and fallen condition into a sanctified son or daughter of God to be truly converted.  Since it is Sunday, as part of your scriptural study today, consider reading all the scriptural passages you can find about the necessity of being born again.

Step One:  All Mankind Must be Born Again

I'll give you a headstart on your reading assignment.  Nicodemus came seeking Jesus at night to clarify this teaching he had heard.  (See John 3:1-21).  But begin your reading in Mosiah 27.  There you will find the account of Alma the younger.  He was visited by an angel in answer to his father's prayer for his welfare and he was smitten and went into a trance.  He was in that condition a couple of days while his father, Alma the high priest, and the members of the Church fasted and prayed for his recovery.  Alma the younger, who had obviously been baptized in his youth, came out of the trance and said, "I have been born again."  This is significant because it appears he did nothing to merit such an outcome.  He explains to everyone that the Lord says that all mankind — men, women, children — have to be born again or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.  He's very specific about what is involved here.  He says men must be changed from their carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness, being born again, becoming the Lord's sons and his daughters.  This is a perfect description of what it means to be truly converted.

Every single person who has ever been born into this world, who arrives at the years of accountability without being baptized, dies spiritually.  Universally, since the Fall of Adam, according to our revelations, all accountable men, women and children have become carnal, sensual, and devilish by nature.  It is in our fallen nature, imprinted in our very DNA, we inherit the tendency to commit sin.  King Benjamin referred to this condition in Mosiah 3:19 as "the natural man."  To be truly converted is to put off the natural man and to become a Saint by the power of the atoning sacrifice of Christ.  That's an axiom we should hear coming out of the mouths of every Primary child -- "I can become a Saint by the power of the atonement."  It is the definition of being "born again."  We are changed from a carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness.  I love how the Apostle Paul describes it.  We crucify the old man (Romans 6:6).  We die as to the things of the world and we become alive as to the things of righteousness.  It cannot happen unless and until we receive the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost.

Step Two:  Receive the Holy Ghost

Only in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can one receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It is a supernal gift from Heavenly Father.  He does two things in our lives:  He is a witness to truth and he bears the testimony of the truth.  That is how we get a testimony.  We receive revelation from the Holy Ghost.  Secondly, the Holy Ghost is the sanctifier.  He has power to cleanse and perfect the human soul, to wash evil and iniquity out, and to replace it with righteousness.  As we are sanctified by degrees week by week as we partake of the emblems of the sacrament, we are truly converted.  When we receive the Holy Ghost, we get a testimony.  That member of the Godhead tells us the work of salvation and exaltation is true.  He testifies of the truth to our souls and we grow in light and truth thereafter.

When we receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, we are cleansed from sin and are born again and become converted to the truth.  It's rather a glib statement to assert we always have the constant and unerring companionship of the Holy Ghost, since no one is perfect in this life, but we do the best we can and we have from time to time the unmistakable assurance our walk in life is approved despite our imperfections.  That is what the Comforter is all about.  Though we remain imperfect, we are in that strait and narrow path doing all we can to stay on it.  Our sins are gradually burned out of us, as though by fire.  We often hear the expression "the baptism of fire," meaning the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  That is rich symbolism meaning dross and evil are burned out of human souls as if by fire.  The consequence of this process is the individual becomes a new creature of the Holy Ghost, as Alma explained. So you become a new creature.  There has been a change.  There has been a conversion.  In the past you walked after the manner of the world, but now you walk as becometh a saint of God.

We bear our testimonies to one another routinely in the Church.  We don't do it often enough, however.  We hear people saying all the time, "I know the gospel is true, etc."  In every ward it should be this way.  We strengthen one another when we bear testimony of what we know to be true.  When we have the Spirit of the Holy Ghost burning in our heart and soul like a fire and we bear testimony the work is true, then everybody who hears us who is in tune with the same Spirit also knows and can bear witness of the same things we know.  The speaker and the hearer are edified and strengthened alike.

Step Three:  Testimony

Often times when I was teaching years ago I was more anxious to get the information out than to bear my testimony.  In more recent years things have changed.  I have come to the conclusion there may be only one person in my class or audience who is seeking an answer to a perplexing or difficult problem.  I am trying to so live that I can be the conduit to that answer for perhaps only that one person.  While the doctrine is important to dispense, and all we do in teaching must be founded in true doctrine, the application to our individual lives through the bearing of our testimony is often more critical.  Sharing testimony will help lift up the sagging hands and arms and take the weight off the drooping shoulders.  This is especially true when it comes after a true doctrine has been taught.  The connection between doctrine and testimony is a close one, and the Spirit will bear witness that what has been taught is not only true, but true in that moment of searching and hoping for a much-needed answer.

Step Four:  Conversion is a Process

We often hear about miraculous conversions -- Alma and Paul are examples -- but for most true conversion is a lifetime process.  President Kimball reminded us that oil in our lamps cannot be gathered at the last minute at midnight.  (See Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 255–56).
Rather, we must be adding oil to our lamps daily to have sufficient light when darkness engulfs us.
 
With most people, true conversion is a process.  We go step by step along the strait and narrow path.  We learn a little here, a little there, we move degree by degree, grace to grace, receiving grace for grace.  And one day, a great distance from where we began, the day finally comes when we can discern in ourselves that the disposition to do evil has for the most part been extinguished within us.  We overcome one sin today and another sin tomorrow.  We gradually perfect our lives a little bit here, then a little bit there.  We patiently await the harvest of good things to come, rather than being self-indulgent in our fallen state.  We overcome in the undertaking.  One day we become, literally, as King Benjamin instructs, saints of God instead of natural men (Mosiah 3:19).

We need to remember and to be patient.  It is not enough to say we have a testimony.  Prisons are full of people who have a testimony, who believe in Jesus as their Savior.  Being truly converted, however, requires an added measure of faithfulness.  We read in the vision of the degrees of glory (D&C 76:71-80) about those who inherit the terrestrial kingdom.  These have a testimony.  But we learn they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus, obtain not the crown in the kingdom of our God.  That could mean even some members of the Church who are lukewarm.  Enduring in righteousness in valiant testimony to the end of our mortal probation is required to be truly converted.

There are many in the Church today who know this work is true, but they don't do much about it.  If you railed against the Church in their presence, they would stand up in righteous indignation and defend the kingdom, but they would still have a lot to say about this or that Apostle who ought to keep his mouth shut on this or that topic.  If effect, they put out the "gone fishing" sign on their testimonies and they are persuaded more by the things people say in their pursuit of the things of this world instead of putting first in their lives the things of God's kingdom, the things of righteousness.  They are good people, but not valiant.

The way to be in the celestial kingdom is to be valiant in testimony.  We must work at it.  It must be more than a Sunday exercise.  The whole purpose of the gospel is that it is to become our lives in every particular.  It isn't an important part of our life, it is life.  We are to become involved based upon the guidance we receive from the scriptures.  (See John 15:7-14; D&C 76:5-6).

Step Five:  Self-Examination

Here's a test.  Alma delivered a "test" to his people -- it consists of forty-two questions in the fifth chapter of Alma.  It was designed by Alma to help you know if you have been born again and if you are truly converted.  If you answer those forty-two questions honestly, you will know if you have been truly converted.  You will know if the things of the spirit are as rich and as valuable to you in your life as they were to Alma in his.  Count all the question marks -- there should be forty-two.  Ask yourself the questions.  Take the test.  I've issued this challenge before.

Religion is not just theological or philosophical gas.  It is not just a matter of analyzing and debating a few passages of scripture in high priests group every Sunday.  True religion is a matter of doing something and becoming something.  We often say the things we can see and discern with our five senses are the things in the "real world."  However, the things that are real are out of sight and are only known and understood by applying the gifts of the Spirit to discern them.

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).  That's two things:  It is to be doing something by involving ourselves in the lives of others for their betterment and blessing, and it is becoming something -- pure and holy in the doing -- "without spot."

We can thank James for these expressions that we show our faith by our works (James 2:18), and that we are not hearers only, but doers (James 1:22), or should be.  If all that is involved in religion is this matter of theology, of studying and analyzing passages of scripture, then you can be content to be a hearer and a believer.  But if you are a doer, you are up and doing something every day to bless the lives of those around you.  You are a hearer, if all you have is testimony.  Doers, however, add to their testimony a true conversion that includes doing something about what you profess with your lips. 

The Holy Ghost has been given in full abundance in our day.  We have the companionship of that member of the Godhead available to us in all places and in all things to the degree we seek it.

True conversion, then, is being involved in the things of the Spirit.  We participate; we serve; we bless; we feel the promptings of the Spirit; we work miracles; we heal our sick; we receive the gifts and fruits God showers upon His children who seek them.

And thus, we are truly converted.

More or Less

The Story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She went for a walk in the forest. Pretty soon, she came upon a house. She knocked and, when no one answered, she walked right in.

At the table in the kitchen, there were three bowls of porridge. Goldilocks was hungry. She tasted the porridge from the first bowl.

"This porridge is too hot!" she exclaimed.

So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.

"This porridge is too cold," she said

So, she tasted the last bowl of porridge.

"Ahhh, this porridge is just right," she said happily and she ate it all up.

After she'd eaten the three bears' breakfasts she decided she was feeling a little tired. So, she walked into the living room where she saw three chairs. Goldilocks sat in the first chair to rest her feet.

"This chair is too big!" she exclaimed.

So she sat in the second chair.

"This chair is too big, too!" she whined.

So she tried the last and smallest chair.

"Ahhh, this chair is just right," she sighed. But just as she settled down into the chair to rest, it broke into pieces!

Goldilocks was very tired by this time, so she went upstairs to the bedroom. She lay down in the first bed, but it was too hard. Then she lay in the second bed, but it was too soft. Then she lay down in the third bed and it was just right. Goldilocks fell asleep.

As she was sleeping, the three bears came home.

"Someone's been eating my porridge," growled the Papa bear.

"Someone's been eating my porridge," said the Mama bear.

"Someone's been eating my porridge and they ate it all up!" cried the Baby bear.

"Someone's been sitting in my chair," growled the Papa bear.

"Someone's been sitting in my chair," said the Mama bear.

"Someone's been sitting in my chair and they've broken it all to pieces," cried the Baby bear.

They decided to look around some more and when they got upstairs to the bedroom, Papa bear growled, "Someone's been sleeping in my bed,"

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed, too" said the Mama bear

"Someone's been sleeping in my bed and she's still there!" exclaimed Baby bear.

Just then, Goldilocks woke up and saw the three bears. She screamed, "Help!" And she jumped up and ran out of the room. Goldilocks ran down the stairs, opened the door, and ran away into the forest. And she never returned to the home of the three bears.

THE END

* * *



There are many statements in the scriptures about five topics mirroring this old fable about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 

1.  “This is my gospel. . .” (3 Nephi 27:13-22; D&C 76:40; 1 Corinthians 15)

2.  “This is my doctrine. . .” (D&C 10:67-69; 2 Nephi 31; 3 Nephi 11:31-40)

3.  “And truth is. . .” (D&C 93:24-25)

4.  “The revelations I have given unto you. . .” (D&C 124:119-120)

5.  “The constitutional law of the land. . .” (D&C 98:6-7)

In each case, whether we are talking about the gospel, the doctrine of Christ, the truth, the revelations, or the Constitution of the United States of America, we are specifically warned, “Whosover declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. . .” (D&C 10:68).

Relative to the path toward salvation and exaltation we are told, “This is the way; and there is none other way nor name given. . ." (2 Nephi 31:21).

When we discuss the doctrine of Christ, what He taught, and what constitutes His doctrine we learn, “Whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil. . .” (3 Nephi 11:40).

If the topic is truth, what it is and where to find it, we also learn, “Whatsoever is more or less than this is the spirit of that wicked one who was a liar from the beginning. . .” (D&C 93:25).

The revelations that have been showered down upon the heads of the Church since the Restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith are similarly situated: “That which is more or less than this cometh of evil, and shall be attended with cursings and not blessings. . .” (D&C 124:120).

This government of the United States of America was rooted in the Constitutional principles revealed to inspired men who planted the seeds of freedom and liberty so all mankind thereafter could be blessed by their efforts, and we are told, “Whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil. . .” (D&C 98:7).

Examples of “more than:”

In each case excesses can be identified.  "More than" the gospel?  Endless checklists of good things to do, while desirable and righteous, ultimately lead to misplaced zeal and enthusiasm for things that matter least.  Elaborate parties, decorations, handouts, while good and desirable, distract from the simplicity intended by the Lord.  The gospel takes on definitions that go far beyond the Lord's plain and simple declarations in the Word.  Revelation after revelation confirms "the gospel" to be an essential restatement of the 4th Article of Faith.  It is what it is:  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of the hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Anything "more than" that is evil and wrong.

"More than" the doctrine?  It is specious, speculative and uninspired interpretation of scriptures based upon men's wisdom and not anchored in the Word we have received.  One example:  The age of the earth, how it was created and the possibility of the existence of pre-Adamites.  The endless debates in high priest groups about trivial minutiae never founded upon scripture, going over the top in stretching for meanings never before revealed.  Some talks in the Church should be prefaced with "I will now proceed to discourse upon a subject about which the Lord has revealed little or nothing."  Example of "more than" the plain and simple doctrines of salvation can be found each week in the average high priest group meeting.  There seems to be a presumption among us that we must go beyond what the Lord has revealed to display our gospel scholarship.  Such ideas add to the "more than" doctrine category.

"More than" the Constitution?  It is creating legislation requiring free citizens to buy health insurance from the government, as one example.  Now that it's being challenged in the courts, the defense attorneys for the government are arguing it is merely "a new tax," (which it is), refuting earlier claims when it was under consideration that there were no new taxes involved.  Releasing $600 Billion in new currency, as the Federal Reserve authorized last week, flooding the markets with more worthless paper with the ultimate effect of weakening the value of the dollar.  Hyper-inflation cannot be far behind.  The appointment of "czars" as regulators in the massive bureaucracy of the federal government who are neither elected nor approved for confirmation by the Senate in its constitutionally granted authority to "advise and consent" on Executive Branch appointees.  Activist courts making, rather than interpreting, laws.  This is a very long, long list of "more than" excesses.  These are but a few.  As a nation we have gone far beyond the intent language of the original Constitution which was to insure limited government, leaving most functions to state and local government closest to the people.  Does the new House of Representatives have the courage, grit and determination to begin to put us back on the path to the properly defined role of government?  Time will tell.

"More than" truth?  If a little truth is good, how could "more than" the truth be bad?  Can you think of some examples here?  If Christ is filled with mercy (which He is), then He will surely forgive us at the last day and will not require individual accountability for our sins.  We must collectively work toward the reformation of society, curing its evils by levelling the playing field, raising the standard of living for the poor through a redistribution of wealth, and transforming our society to make it more accessible and equitable for all.  We must permit all men and women to do as they choose without interference or correction, because they have their free agency to act as they please.  We will merely take our "few stripes" for our indiscretions, but in the end His mercy will satisfy all the demands of justice.  We are free, in the meantime, to do as we wish, live our lives in pursuit of happiness as we desire and in the end be saved.  Do you understand how pervasively this "more than" doctrine is playing out among the LGBTs? 

"More than" Christ and the atonement?  What would that look like?  There are those who would have us believe Christ's atonement is not sufficient to heal us, to sanctify us and to purify us.  These are people who are modern-day Pharisees.  Like Saul of Tarsus before his encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, they anchor their performance in the requirements of the long list of the law of commandments.  They believe only after "all they can do" will Christ's atonement click in for them, like someone adding the cherry on top of the crowning creation of their perfect chocolate sundae.  These folks tend to be judgmental of others.  They measure their performance against those around them.  They are routinely certain about how righteous they are by comparison to their fellow ward members and neighbors.  They do not understand how desperately they need Christ in their lives because they are convinced Christ and His Church need them more than they need Christ.

 "More than" the revelations?  How could we have more than what we have?  It's those who would make the revelations say more than they do.  It's those who go beyond the simple requirements of the Sabbath day or the interpretations of the Word of Wisdom or tithing.  They are list makers.  They find comfort in "fleshing out" what may only look like a skeleton in the revealed word.  Or they may be a gospel hobbyist who has mastered the knowledge associated with where the lost 10 tribes of Israel have been situated, and at a moment's notice will be happy to take you on whimsical fantasy tour unfounded by the revealed Word.  Joseph Smith, with just such an one as this, when asked for the location of the lost 10 tribes, on a starlit summer's eve pointed to the North Star and said that's where they were.  Of course, he was joking but some maintain he's a fallen prophet for that faulty "prediction."

Conversely, many examples could be cited in the "less than" categories too.  I'll leave that exercise to you to think through.  Here's one example to get you started.  What is "less than" the atonement of Jesus Christ?  Is there anything that looks like the "opposite" of the atonement?  Consider this:  If you are a secular humanist, atheist, agnostic or non-believer, you embody the spirit of the "anti-Christ."  Anything, anybody, any philosophy, or idea, or erudite explanation about anything having as its root the diminishing role Christ performs as our Redeemer and individual Savior, is something "less than" or in direct opposition to Christ.  These are nothing more than sophistries in the first rank:  Plausible argumentation that is false.  I assert these ideas are "less than" true, and our society today is filled with the spirit of the anti-Christ.  When government presents itself as the cure-all, end-all, be-all to every human condition, we are very close to having displaced Christ as our Redeemer and Messiah.

"I stand at the door and knock"

“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad is the way which leads to death, and many there be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work.” (3 Nephi 27:33).

“For none of these [the Gentiles] can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the strait path which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.” (2 Nephi 33:9).

That we may enter in at the strait gate and walk the strait path thereafter is a lifetime of worthy endeavor.  There is danger, however, on either side of that path.  Too much, too little, too hard, too soft, too hot, too cold, too big, too small; none of that on either side is "just right." 

The "just right" gospel, the doctrine, the truth, the revelations and the Constitution have all been defined by the Lord in the Word.  In each case they are perfect as they stand, and we can accept them as revealed and defined with absolute confidence in the Author.  May we always be found doing what is "just right" in modeling what we have been given in its accurate, pure and absolute content.

Anything "more or less" comes from the source of all evil.

The Scriptures: Like a "Big Daddy Hug"

We have a family website we use to keep in touch with each other.  For ten years we have compiled letters, stories, pictures, and intimate pleas for faith and prayers for each other.  We have shared each other's lives and kept in touch, though the miles have separated us as an extended family. 

Patsy reminded me tonight about an e-mail exchange dating back several years.  She is preparing for a Relief Society meeting tomorrow night.  Her topic is the value of scripture study.  She recalled this story and asked me for a copy of it.  As I re-read the words, I thought it might be useful to many others and decided to share it here.

For each of us there is always a "big daddy hug" when we seek solace in the scriptures:

January 1, 2004

Dad,

I just wanted to take a second to thank you for all you do to keep us in touch with each other. I just spent a while today (two separate times) trying to catch up on some of the letters and journal pages from the past month or so. What a blessing it is in my life to be able to turn this computer on and feel close to not only you, but Mel and Jake [a sister and a brother then serving as missionaries] who are on the other end of the earth. Their journal pages and letters, and your letters to them are truly inspiring. As I read these amazing experiences and testimonies of these younger brothers and sisters I just can't help but admire them for the wonderful people they have become and the awesome examples they are to me. I can't believe that I was ever called "the brilliant one" because I really feel like the dumb bell now.

I am thankful for the experiences I have had these past few months and years and can see the wisdom of a loving Heavenly Father in allowing me to have them. I especially appreciated your letter to Mel and Sis. Sorenson about being healed and the will of the Lord. I have been a brat, whiny, wondering why I have to go through these things, why I have to do all these things I find no joy in, etc. But I have come to realize that through these experiences, I have gained a greater understanding and compassion for people who suffer with depression. Before I always just thought why can't they get over it? or they just must not have enough faith. It is amazing to me how judgmental we can all be even when we don't think we are.

It has been an interesting experience being in this calling and now being released this past week. I have come to the conclusion that we may always feel like we could have or should have done more in a calling, but we can also feel like we have served well and done the best that we could have done with the other circumstances in our lives. As I have reflected on this past almost 2 years in the YW, I came to the conclusion that I really did accomplish what I set out to do and what I was challenged to do by my bishop. He told me to love the girls through good and bad, to love the Lord and share that love and my testimony with the girls, to get them focused on the path that leads them to the temple and to help them to "come unto Christ."

Someone made the comment to my friend Linda this week about how great the new YW pres will be because she has so much enthusiasm and will be so fun. I was grateful that Linda came back with "Well Emily has brought a spirituality to the Young Women that I for one (as a mother of one of the YW) am grateful for." It is true, I probably wasn't very fun for some of the girls, I cut a lot of the fluff, but I don't think the girls could ever deny that I love them and that I shared my testimony with them and that we were focused on the temple. It just frustrates me that some people have to be so critical. Why is it that we can't just appreciate each other for our unique talents and abilities and realize that we are all human and therefore prone to be imperfect. It is these people that think they do everything right and have perfectly well-behaved children who are all "shoulding" on me that drive me crazy. Can't we all just love? I am actually really looking forward to getting outta here and moving on. I am excited about my new, bigger house and a new and fresh ward to start over in. I have let a few too many things get in the way lately of what is really important and look forward to this new experience and year to set some of my priorities back in order. I will miss some of the people here, but we've been there done that and I know we will see them all again eventually (whether in this life or the next) and hey, that's what Christmas cards are for right?

Anyway, I don't know exactly where that all came from because really I just wanted to tell you that I love you and am so thankful for your influence in my life. This was sort of a rushed holiday season, so I didn't get much out to others, but I did eat a box of orange sticks in honor of you and I have spent a lot of time counting my blessings. My family is at the very top of my list of those blessings. Thank you for showing us, not telling us. Thank you for your patience with me. I have felt that I have really struggled with a lot of basic things this past year and am so thankful for the foundation that you and mom have given me to help combat that. This depression thing really sucks sometimes. I find myself barely able to cope with the most simple things sometimes and I never used to be like that. I have been thankful that Di and Mom talked me into seeing a counselor because she has helped me to see things in a different light and realize that I can do things for myself and discover again who I am and what my talents are. She also has given me some techniques to use to help pull me out of the funk - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but it is good advice nevertheless. Thank you for your love and support.

I did want to tell you an experience I had a few months ago.....it was one night when everyone had gone to bed and I was feeling especially low, sad, and really lonely. Jay was tired and had gone to bed without telling me he was going and all I could think was that I just really wanted a big hug from my daddy. Just a big hug that says I love you and everything will be okay. It was late and I knew it couldn't happen because you are so far away physically. My Book of Mormon was laying on the side of the couch and I thought well, if my dad can't be here in person to give me a hug, maybe if I open this book I can feel closer to him and to my Father in Heaven as well. And it worked, it settled me down and lifted my spirit and filled me with love and hope. I also made that connection because I knew of your love for the B of M and the gospel of Jesus Christ. When I told my counselor about the experience her comment was "What a wonderful thing that you have an earthly father that is so wonderful that you get a glimpse of the love our Heavenly Father has for us too. And that you can make that connection so easily. Many people don't get that from their fathers and therefore have a totally different take on what our Heavenly Father is like." So in a sense, I felt like you were there with me that night when I needed a hug, because of the things you had taught me in my youth and because you had taught me where to look for comfort and support.

I love you, daddy of mine. There have been days when I wish I could just go back in time and be the carefree little girl again, instead of the mommy. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful childhood and providing me with such a happy home. You really made it look a lot easier than I am finding it is to provide for my own children. I hope you have had a great holiday season and look forward to being closer so we can see you more often.

Love, Em

* * *

Fast Forward 7 Years

Em --

How I love you, and your sweet expressions in your e-mail this morning. I was particularly humbled by your story about finding that big daddy hug in the Book of Mormon. There have been so many times in my life when I felt all alone, and like you, I have found the guidance and comfort I was seeking again and again in the Book of Mormon.

I remembered when I read about your therapist's comments an experience so many years ago when George and Janice [not their real names] were going through their winter of discontent with their parents on both sides. George made a comment to me once about his father, who was emotionally and physically abusive. He said he had never been able to visualize a loving and compassionate Heavenly Father because of the abusive nature of his relationship with his earthly father. I am so grateful to have not repeated that pattern in my children's lives -- hopefully so far so good anyway. . .

When I pointed out to George and Janice the pattern the scriptures reveal of who our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really are, he could scarcely understand it. Interestingly though, somewhere along the line he must have discovered the truth, because today I see him fulfilling his role as a father with great success and happiness, even though he missed it in his own life. That's the lesson, I suppose, to do for our own families what we missed in our childhood. I know we weren't perfect -- maybe your memory is simply fading away after all these years -- but I am grateful for whatever degree of happiness you have received because that was always our greatest desire to help you find happiness and fulfillment.

Em, let me share one other important insight. I smiled when I read the part about feeling like the dunce these days. Let me assure you -- it only gets worse. I wish I had the self-assurance I felt when I was nineteen as a green missionary. No matter how long we live and no matter whatever degree of success we may attain in the world's eyes, we are only happy if we achieve what we alone determine with our companion is the definition of our success. If we set our standard for measurement by anyone else's expectations, we are sad and frustrated most of the time because we never measure up to those false traditions and standards that others may superimpose upon us. It is only by looking deep within ourselves that we finally and accurately determine what we will define as success in our own lives, and thus finally and accurately determine what Heavenly Father's purposes in our lives can be magnified with our submission to his will. He will always make of us something far greater and finer than we can ever make of ourselves in the eyes of others.

I can't begin to tell you how pleased Mom and I have been as we have observed the step-by-step spiritual process that you and Jay have undertaken in the last several months to finally arrive at this point of embarkation on another important step in your progress as you move to Rexburg. We could sense for so long your collective frustrations with the NFL imperatives that took Jay away from home so often, particularly on Sunday. Looking back now, you can both readily observe the Lord's hand in it, guiding you step by slow and tortured step to this decision. That will be even truer in the years ahead, I believe. And we are grateful that in it all you have found the keys to receiving answers to your prayers.

We often wonder why it has to be so painful, and I can tell you both by my own experiences this past year how valuable the chastening can be in our spiritual progression. God only chastens us when he is determined to show us his love for us. The chastening is what produces the true disciples, because only in the chastening are we purified. It's a true principle, and he only chastens those he loves most who are seeking membership in his kingdom.

I know this move will require sacrifice, and in the sacrifice will emerge the blessings you seek as a family. How often have I wondered what might have been if we had stayed in SLC, living in relative ease and comfort in our spacious home. What if? We can always speculate endlessly on the question, can't we? But I truly believe after all these years of observing the consequences of that choice to move to our wilderness home in Woodland, that we took the path "less travelled" and that truly "has made all the difference." And so it will be for you and Jay. I cannot accurately forecast today what the future will hold for you both and for your children, but I do know this much -- God is in the details, and now you can embrace him more fully having chosen him first.

This morning we are buried in snow. There are two feet on the back deck that was shovelled off two days ago! The prayers for moisture have been answered in Utah. The wind was blowing all night last night and drifting snow everywhere!

All my love, and hugs and kisses to Logan, Katelyn and Spencer -- I loved your pictures!!

Dad