Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 190 - Penitence and Justification

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to the rest of Psalms.  We discuss penitence and justification, and the ethical dilemma of godlessness.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-190-penitence-and-justification?si=089d6898495c48eba75568232a32faca&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 167 - Think On Me When It Shall Be Well With Thee

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Genesis 37-41.  We discuss Joseph being sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned, and interpreting Pharoah's dream.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-167-think-on-me-when-it-shall-be-well-with-thee?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 164 - Remember Lot's Wife

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Genesis 18-23.  We discuss Sodom and Gomorrah and the sacrifice of Isaac.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-164-remember-lots-wife?si=0437b821b83a441dad01b2f6ae0fbce5&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 100 - Let the weak say "I am strong"

 This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Ether 12-15.  We discuss faith, hope, making weak things strong, and a worthless prize.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-100-let-the-weak-say-i-am-strong

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 82 - A little effort from the shoulders of giants

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Alma 36-38.  We focus on the blessing of not having to reinvent the wheel, the danger of secret combinations, and how to resist.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-82-a-little-effort-from-the-shoulders-of-giants

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 81 - Honing Spiritual Senses

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Alma 32-25.  We focus on humility, spiritual senses, and the atonement of Christ.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-81-honing-spiritual-senses

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 73 - You are not your sins

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Mosiah 25-28.  We discuss how scriptures strengthen the church, how unbelievers bind people to their sins, and Alma the Younger.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-73-you-are-not-your-sins

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 62 - The Doctrine of Christ

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to 2 Nephi 31-33.  Here, Nephi teaches with crystal clarity the doctrine of Jesus Christ.  We discuss faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring on the covenant path.  Study with me!

Anchor.fm:
https://anchor.fm/brett-jensen/episodes/Ward-Preacher-Podcast-Ep-62---The-Doctrine-of-Christ-eb689t

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-62-the-doctrine-of-christ

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 47 - The verse that changed the world

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to the book of James.  We discuss pure religion, faith without works being dead, and the verse that changed the world.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-47-the-verse-that-changed-the-world


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 046 - Adding Substance to Hope

This week, our Come Follow Me curriculum finishes Hebrews.  We discuss priesthood and faith, exploring what is meant by the substance of things hoped for.  Study with me!

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-046-adding-substance-to-hope


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 32 - Is grace truly a "free gift?"

The Come Follow Me curriculum brings us to Romans 1-6.  We dive into Paul's counsel about human nature, being servants of sin or righteousness, and what is meant by grace being a "free gift."  Study with me!

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-32-is-grace-truly-a-free-gift

Youtube:

Is it OK to question the admonition to question everything?

In the past decade, a large number of lessons in church that encourage individuals to follow the prophet have been swiftly accompanied by the caveat but it's OK to question.

That is not to say questioning is bad... it's not.  Certainly, the practice of questioning... of challenging assumptions... has an important place.  Questioning methods has led to better and faster production in industry.  Questioning ideas has led to better understanding in science and technology.  Even in the context of the church, the first vision came in answer to a question.

Questioning also provides protection.  If a person claiming to have a terrific investment opportunity asks for some money, it would be wise to ask questions before draining your life savings.  If a politician seeking your vote makes promises, it would be wise to inquire whether they are able (let alone likely) to fulfill these promises.

For some people, questioning is so important that they admonish people to question everything!

On the surface, this may seem like a reasonable idea.  After all... what ideas are people not allowed to question?  Simply suggesting a subject that is off limits to inquiry is likely to stir curiosity... which is very convenient for opponents of modern prophets who encourage faith in Christ and obedience to the commandments of God.

But is it OK to question the admonition to question everything?

Perhaps there are some things that do not require intense skepticism at every single point...  For example...

• What if expired sushi from the gas station doesn't make me sick?
• How do I know that heroin would be addictive to me?
• Is murder actually wrong if I can get away with it?
• What if, in spite of past experience, McDonald's serves edible food today?
• Perhaps a faith that has encouraged me to improve my behavior, give service to others, extend forgiveness, and bring me closer to God, and have happiness for all of my life is secretly trying to control me or ruin me...

Life in modern society depends on a degree of trust.  We trust that restaurants we patronize will bring us good food.  We trust that as we drive on the highways, the majority of people will try to follow basic traffic signals.  We trust that the new movie we've been excited about will entertain us.

No one can truly live huddled in a corner, fearing that everything is likely to be a lie, and though there can be bad experiences with food, cars, and cinemas, even a questionable instance should not drive us away from driving to dinner and a movie ever again.

It is good to be cautious when someone wants us to disregard the accumulation of our spiritual experiences on account of an instance that might seem confusing.  We need not rush to doubt and skepticism.  While it is OK to question, it is OK to question the admonition to question everything.

President Uchtdorf put it best: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends—please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." ("Come Join with Us" - October 2013)

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 16 - The Fall and Rise of Jesus Christ

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum covers the story of Easter.  We discuss this from the perspective of the Apostles, to whom the death of the Messiah was the worst case scenario.

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-ep-016-the-fall-and-rise-of-jesus-christ


Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Ep 11 - The Prince of Peace declares he is bringing a sword

This week's Come Follow Me curriculum covers Matthew 10-12, Mark 2, Luke 7, 11.

We emphasize the calling of Apostles, how the peace of Christ may not always be accompanied by peaceful circumstances, and why God rewards humble seekers of understanding.

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-podcast-ep-11-the-prince-of-peace-declares-he-is-bringing-a-sword

Youtube:

Ward Preacher Podcast Episode 10 - The storms can't hurt Jesus

This week, the Come Follow Me curriculum covers Matthew 8-9 and Mark 2-5.  We cover our shared obligation to work to come to Christ, that Jesus casts out a Legion of evil spirits, and that the storms can't hurt the Son of God.

Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-961318159/ward-preacher-ep-10-the-storms-cant-hurt-jesus

Youtube:

How to Survive the 2016 Presidential Election

Let me begin by explaining my perspective.  Even if you disagree with my positions, I hope you find value in my suggestions for dealing with this election.

For those who know me, it is no secret that I am politically conservative.  I have supported Republicans in elections since I have been eligible to vote.  The principles of limited government as defined by the Constitution and the Federalist Papers have resonated with me the more I have studied them.  Though they predated me, conservatives such as Davy Crockett and Calvin Coolidge have inspired me.  While Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush were not perfect leaders, I supported much of what they did.

I did not support John McCain in the primaries of 2008, but I voted for him in opposition to Barack Obama.  I did not support Mitt Romney in the primaries of 2012, but I voted for him with similar opposition in the November election.

Then came 2016.

Early in the race, I recall being frustrated with people who were already saying there were no candidates they wanted to support.  If you believed everything Barack Obama said about himself, you could support Hillary.  If you wanted to ignore every failure of socialism hoping that this time it would be different, you could support Bernie Sanders.  If you wanted someone outside of politics to make a difference, Ben Carson fit the description.  If you wanted someone who had political experience and constitutional principles, Ted Cruz was the man.  If you wanted a compromiser who could relate to younger voters, Marco Rubio was viable.  If you wanted an establishment Republican, there was Jeb Bush.  Finally, if you wanted to flip people off, there was Donald Trump.

Through a series of events I am not sure I understand yet, the two parties lifted up Trump and Clinton as the nominees.

Any frustrations I had with people who said there were no good choices disappeared.  On the one hand, Hillary Clinton has been tied to pay-for-play corruption in the State Department.  She has obfuscated and lied about things even when she did not need to (such as her pneumonia episode).  Even Democrats who supported socialist Bernie Sanders recognized her corruption in the primary process.  For non-democrats, Clinton represents every flaw that accompanies big-government politics.  On the other hand, Donald Trump is a crude individual who has used personal attacks and media manipulation to propel himself.  He and his campaign promoted insane conspiracies that Ted Cruz's father might have been involved in the JFK assassination, and unnecessarily shameful attacks about Cruz's wife.  His record with infidelity and morality directly conflicts with the standards that Republicans have typically tried to espouse.  Even worse, his ideas for policy are all based on large government solutions including large tariffs, undefinable immigration changes that may or may not include a wall, and confusing foreign policy positions that have difficulty differentiating between friends and foes.  Essentially, Americans are being given the choice between two Democrats... two unlikable Democrats.

Third party candidates have risen to try to position themselves as viable alternatives.  Of course, Jill Stein of the Green Party is even further to the left of the major party nominees, but Gary Johnson has, in an attempt to court disenfranchised voters, put himself in roughly the same position as Trump and Clinton in terms of policy.  He praised a lot of the Bernie Sanders strategy, and is left of Clinton on immigration.  His foreign policy understanding is famously lacking, and his major priority is the legalization of drugs.  Essentially, the major third party candidates have offered us two more Democrats from which to choose.

This, among other precedent, has led many people to conclude that the best thing they can do with their vote is to oppose one of the two major political candidates.  The media is all over the Trump tapes (that reveal nothing new; Donald Trump has always been a crude man) to encourage people to prevent Trump from becoming President.  Conservative sites have a target-rich environment to show Hillary's record of corruption (that also reveal nothing new; Hillary Clinton has always been a corrupt manipulator) that they use to encourage people to prevent Hillary from becoming President.

I completely understand wanting to prevent either one of these people from becoming President.  Frankly, I understand wanting to prevent some of the third party candidates from becoming President as well.

That having been said, let me suggest the following:

1. Don't make excuses for any candidate.  I know that Hillary Clinton will cause awful harm as President of the United States.  That doesn't excuse Donald Trump's awful behavior.  Additionally, I know that Donald Trump is unlikely to keep any of the promises he has made, and would be a disaster for America.  That doesn't mean Hillary's dishonesty and criminal activity was OK.  Acknowledge the imperfections that each person has.

2. People who have opposing political views are not incompetent racist traitor bigot liars (necessarily).  Of course it is possible to find Trump supporters that are hateful lunatics, and Hillary supporters that actually hate America, but it is likely more productive to talk about ideas, principles, and values rather than slinging disrespect.  If you have to become an awful person to show that someone else is an awful person, then what have you really accomplished?

3. The Government is incapable of solving most of our problems.  Having voted for or against a candidate does not absolve an individual of personal responsibility.  You must still help other people.  You must still be decent and law-abiding.  You must still work hard.  You must still try to better yourself.  Ultimately, the most significant sources of improving people (and in turn, society) are Jesus Christ, and strong families (in that order).  The most important education, the preservation of values, the way people of different races, genders, and backgrounds can improve interactions... all of these things are best improved by fathers and mothers who love one another and their children.  Religious institutions that promote faith and family, as well as charity, honesty, respect, virtue, and forgiveness support families in these efforts.  These elements will do the most to solve the problems our society faces.

4. Don't let political frustration discourage you.  It is easy to become cynical.  It is easy to avoid participating in elections or political conversations.  Sometimes, it seems justified.  The outlook on the 2016 Presidential Election is not encouraging, regardless of which party wins.  That does not mean that you should stop caring.  That does not mean that your conscience is unimportant.  That does not mean that America is beyond redemption.  This nation has been in precarious situations before, and we have triumphed when enough people did the right thing when it was difficult.

5. In the end, the good guys win.  I don't want to suggest that life will be sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows... There will be perils, disasters, tragedies, and horrors... many of them will be perpetrated by people (2 Timothy 3:1-7).  I do want to suggest that, in the end, God will make everything right.  No one will "get away with" their crimes.  No injustice will go uncorrected.  No wound will remain unhealed.  No hurt will persist.  In the end, good will triumph over evil.  Have faith.  Have confidence.  Even if it doesn't look good right now, Jesus Christ is coming... and he will save us all.

The point of pointless suffering

The story of Job is one of the most confusing stories in the Old Testament.  God and Satan seem to make a bet on the faithfulness of a man being dependent upon his circumstances.  In this seemingly cruel "experiment," Job was stripped of his possessions, many of his family were killed, and he was afflicted with terrible pain.

Modern Christians seem to be fond of platitudes such as "everything happens for a reason," or "he never said it would be easy, he only said it would be worth it."

These ideas initially seem to fall apart in the situation of Job.  He just suffered for no apparent reason.  His friends turned against him in accusation to add insult to injury.  In the end, his problems all went away and he was blessed, but for what reason were these things done to begin with?

The same questions are frequently asked regarding modern tragedies.  When children suffer from diseases beyond their control, or people are afflicted with poverty and hardship through no fault of their own, people wonder why God, who is supposed to love us, would allow these difficulties if he were truly omnipotent.

Toward the end of the story of Job, God asks him a set of rhetorical questions to illustrate the point that Job has relatively no power and but little understanding.  In Job 38, the Lord asks the following:

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7)

Instead of offering words of comfort and consolation, or reason and explanation, the Lord highlighted Job's ignorance.  Why?

People get so involved in their current circumstances that they tend to forget the investment that God made when he forged the earth and sent humanity to live on its surface.  He speaks with power because he is conveying the idea that the circumstances of life are not an accident, and there is no person whose birth or existence on this world is based on a whim.  These questions allude to a truth that is fundamental to understanding the difficulties of mortality:

"When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Combined with the understanding that we have from other prophets, that humans are the offspring of God (Acts 17:26-29), this means that there was a time in which we sang together before the foundations of the world... and that we shouted for joy.  Contemporary prophesy teaches the cause of our joy was our Heavenly Father's grand plan of happiness: a course that could lead his children to become "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:16-17)

As we were, it would have been impossible for us to inherit the gift of eternal life.  We needed to become more... to undergo a physical and spiritual rebirth (John 3:3-5).  The challenges of life are specifically designed to alter us, and purge us from the ungodly (Malachi 3:2-3).

The details of how circumstances can help us prepare for the kingdom of God are frequently beyond our immediate comprehension, but a complete understanding is not necessary (1 Corinthians 13:12).  What is necessary is having enough faith and desire to do what is right regardless of the circumstances (Hebrews 11:6).

The difficulties that came upon Job were not without purpose.  In his extremity, he learned that he could hold to what was right and true even when it was excruciatingly difficult.  He trusted that, no matter what, God would make things right in the end:

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation" (Job 13:15-16)

Ultimately, the question for each Christian is "will I follow the Lord only when it is convenient?"  If faith is conditional, it is not strong enough to bring the changing power of Jesus Christ.  As he explained, only those who hear and do that which he taught will have a strong enough foundation to weather the tempests of life (Matthew 7:24-27).

In the end, the purposes of all things will be understood, and those who, like Job, keep faith regardless of circumstances, will be as they were before the foundations of the earth... they will sing together and shout for joy!

Divine Intervention

I have known several people who lose their faith in God because of the lack of divine intervention when catastrophes strike.  It does not seem unfair, if God is all-knowing and all powerful, to ask why he does not intervene when a terrorist activates a bomb, opens fire on a public building, or guns down innocent people at a school.  If murder is such a serious sin, why not prevent it?  If human life, especially that of innocent children, is so precious, why not protect it from malevolent force?

Events of violence that seem to be increasing in frequency certainly seem to contradict the message of Christians who claim that God loves us and seeks our happiness.  It is little comfort to the families of victims to hear that God loves them when it seems that he does not love them enough to spare them pain.

The confusion can be compounded when a person opens the scriptures and discovers numerous times in which God did intervene.  Though people go hungry today in many parts of the world, he sent manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:35).  Though people are driven from their homes today, God send an angel to smite the invading Assyrians in the days of Hezekiah (Isaiah 37).  Though people are filmed being burned alive by brutal regimes such as ISIS, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were spared the afflictions of Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace (Daniel 3).

Why does God intervene in some cases and not in others?  An examination of the first real crime is in order.

Adam and Eve had taught their children about offering sacrifices to the Lord.  Abel did as the Lord directed and offered the firstlings of his flock, but Cain offered the fruit of the ground, which was not what the Lord had asked.  Cain was furious that God had not respected his offering.  The Lord spoke to Cain using this language:

"Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." (Genesis 4:6-7)

God knew exactly what would happen next.  He recognized how Cain was being manipulated by Satan, and warned Cain against following the Lord of sin.  He did not however warn Abel.  Cain indulged in his wrath and murdered his brother.

Why did God not protect Abel?  Why not stop Cain before he could commit this horrific crime?

Obviously, God was never a fan of murder, otherwise he would not have decreed the death penalty for those who committed this crime ("Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." Genesis 9:6).  This means that more than preventing murder, he wanted something else.  This is not limited to the case of Cain and Abel... more than preventing harm, he wants something else.  

People become frustrated that God does not answer prayers asking to spare them pain and loss, but God is not playing favorites...  Ultimately, this something else was more important than the torture and murder of his own son.  Jesus Christ also prayed that the cup might pass from him: "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done... And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:42-44)  God allowed his son to be betrayed, tortured, and murdered... and all this even though Jesus was innocent of any crime.

The suffering and death of Christ does not necessarily explain why God has at some times offered intervention.  Why free the Hebrew children from Egypt?  Why cleanse Naaman the Syrian of leprosy?  Why feed 5,000... but only on rare occasions?

Perhaps God intervenes more than people realize.  The servant of Elisha was surprised when he beheld the mountains filled with chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17), and even greedy Balaam found deliverance when his animal warned him of an angel in the way (Numbers 22:27-31).

Additionally, Jesus Christ is now alive and well... and in the end, all the righteous who have trusted in the Lord (including Abel) will rise again and live beyond the power of pain and loss or crime and abuse.  From the beginning, life on earth was always meant to be provisional.  We are born, we live, we die, but this was never the end or purpose.  Injustice can, in its worst manifestations, be only temporary.  Ultimately, there is something else that drives purpose here.

When confronted with tragic circumstances, it is easy to ask why God did not intervene, but it is very difficult to focus on the something else that God hopes to achieve.  

What is that something else?  It is the thing that governs Divine Intervention.  It is the cause for which the world was forged.  It is the purpose humans learn by experience to love goodness, kindness, selflessness, justice, and honor.

That something else is the hope that you can become something more than you are:

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21)

In other words, those who have faith and persist in following Christ will have access to Divine Intervention... Jesus is, in fact, trying to save us all.

Do prayers actually help?

Recently, there has been a lot of talk decrying the thoughts and prayers offered in the wake of the tragic shooting in San Bernardino, California.  Perhaps the most widely spread is the controversial cover of the NY Daily News which claims "God isn't fixing this."

I have seen a renewed effort among leftists and activist atheists to try and discredit prayer, and mock those who pray.  One of the most recent efforts I read involved an "experiment" like this (paraphrased):

Many Christians explain that God answers prayers in one of the following ways: (1) Yes, (2) No, or (3) Not now.  This type of thinking can be applied to anything though.  If you pray to a milk jug for a million dollars and you get it, you could say that the milk jug answered your prayer.  If you don't get it, you could say that the milk jug said no.  If you get it much later, you could say that the milk jug answered your prayer by saying "not now."  Rational people understand that because these types of "answers" can be assigned to anything, it shows that God is not real.

Similar "tests" have been proposed such as praying to Zeus that flipping fifty coins in a row will produce all "heads" results, and comparing the observations from that test with a similar prayer to Jesus.  If we conclude that Zeus is fictitious, we must therefore (to be consistent) conclude that Jesus is also fictitious.

Of course, these tests are completely illegitimate.  Let's apply the "milk jug" logic to something else:

If you go to your parents and ask them for a million dollars, they might respond in the same way as the milk jug.  If they are extremely affluent, they might say "yes."  Probably they will say "no."  If perhaps they become affluent later, and give you money in the future, you could say that the answer was "not now."  Because these are the same responses that Zeus, God, or a milk jug might give, therefore, your parents are not real.  They are most likely an elaborate scheme you came up with in order to explain your existence.

 More important than identifying flaws in the thinking of people who would tear down your faith, individuals should learn how prayer actually works.  Then when the next completely invalid test of prayer appears, it can be recognized.  Consider these principles:

1. People sometimes want things that are harmful to them.  Any parent of young children has probably had to deal with a child that begs not to have to go to bed, or not to have to eat their vegetables, or that the limits on dessert foods be removed.  Even as we age, there are times we do and/or say things that initially seem desirable, but are afterwards regretted.  I have known people who regret things from abusing drugs and alcohol or indulging in infidelity, and also people who regret watching "just one more episode" of a binge-worthy series on Netflix.  Would a loving parent give their child something they new would lead to pain and regret later?

2. Prayer is not designed as a mechanism to "get stuff" from God.  Most people know a person who only seems to be available when they need things.  It is difficult to have genuine friendship for someone who only asks for favors, and does not seem to ever appreciate them when they are given.  Why would people think this type of relationship is appropriate with God?  Jesus taught that people should use prayer as a form of worship.  He said, "After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13)  He gave thanks before he called Lazarus to come forth from his tomb.  He refused to use prayer as a "test" for God (Matthew 4:1-10), and even after leading a perfect life, when he begged his Father to remove that bitter cup from him, he added " if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)  If not even Jesus could get everything he wanted from God, why should anyone think themselves more deserving?

3. People are fickle, and sometimes ask for conflicting favors.  In a moment of determination, a person might give all of their sweets to a friend.  In a moment of weakness, they might return to their friend and demand their sweets back.  This trope has been used in a number of comedies, and it is funny because everyone can relate to how difficult self-control can be.  Whether it is quitting smoking or sticking to a diet or exercise routine, people tend to be inconsistent.  Before the world was, humanity rejoiced at the opportunities that mortality would bring.  God has made a huge investment giving us a world in which we could be as we are, and where we could learn for ourselves.  Of course he would like to rush in and spare his children from tragedy.  Of course he does not enjoy the savagery that some of his children perpetrate against others in the forms of shootings or terrorist attacks or bombings or all manner of other cruelty.  That having been said, he is not going to undo the state of mortality into which he has spent so much time and energy, and because of which he allowed his only begotten son to suffer and die.  That would conflict with our previous request to participate in this mortal experience.  In fact, in allowing prayer, he pushes the limits of faith-based mortality.  Not only that, but he sends prophets and apostles to beg people to pray more... Persistence and diligence are vital to success with prayer.  This leads us to the final principle...

4. God says yes far more than people realize.  Jesus taught this: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11)  Of course, some people might say "why doesn't he heal all the sick?" or "why doesn't he stop cancer?" or "why doesn't he bring back the victims of San Bernardino or Paris or Boston?"  These seem like legitimate requests to offer a totally omnipotent being who loves us perfectly.  So, would it be acceptable if God brought back all of the victims of these tragedies, healed every injury, and cured cancer permanently, but you had to wait two days before it would happen?  Would it be acceptable if you had to wait ten days... to heal everyone, and bring back perfectly every victim of every tragedy ever?  Could you wait a month?  Is there a period of time that, if you had to wait, you would say "never mind, that's too long... don't heal the sick or bring back the dead or cure anyone..."?  If there is a duration that is too long, then that isn't really God saying "no"... is it?  And ultimately, this is the point.  In the end, God will heal every wound, mend every flaw, remove every defect, and bring back everyone who has ever been lost.  To all who have prayed for San Bernardino, or for Israel, or for peace on earth... to all who are praying for a child, a parent, a wife, a husband, a sibling, or a friend... the answer is YES!

Prayer may not be a replacement for helping others, and it is not an excuse for withholding service from those in need... but prayer does have power to augment the abilities of those who seek to help others, and those who are trying to serve those in need.  Prayer allows people to access divine power, and ultimately, begin to perceive the relationship of humanity to the throne of Heaven.  If you have felt like God is distant... pray.  If you have felt like your prayers have gone unanswered... pray some more...  If you have felt like your prayers aren't doing enough, pray some more, and then work to make life better.  God is indeed a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Restoration and the Strait and Narrow Path

Shortly after returning from my mission, I recall hearing about a scandal in the Catholic Church where their clergymen were participating in and covering up heinous crimes.  On one occasion, I watched a news program that had a number of guests.  One of these guests was a representative of an organization of members of the Catholic church that actively worked to affect change in doctrine, policy, and practice.  I could hardly believe that such an organization would exist... I mean, if you believe that the leadership of your church is inspired, and receives direction from God himself, why would you want to form a group that wants to alter such inspiration?

At the time, I thought to myself how glad I was to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, after all, for the most part we understood that the church was led by revelation, and that organizing groups to affect change was completely foolish.  Of course, about ten years later, I have learned of the existence of a number of groups of "Mormons" that actively try to alter the doctrines, policies, and practices because they are under the impression that the leadership of the church could be more inspired if it listened to them.  

Some of these individuals have even gone to the length of being excommunicated from the church to promote their views.  To me, this seems completely idiotic.  It's like Frodo giving the One Ring to a Nazgul, because they can bring it to Mordor faster than a hobbit.  It's like cutting off your own hand to convince people that Captain Hook wasn't such a bad guy.  It's like eating at McDonald's...  That's all I had for that one, but that's pretty bad, right?

Anyway, back when I heard about the Catholic controversies, I was under the impression that apostasy and restoration were best described as events.  These events had happened more than a century previously.  What I have come to recognize as I have seen some members of our own faith openly fighting against the prophets and apostles they claim to sustain, is that apostasy and restoration are better described as forces.  They represent two factions of a very real and very ancient conflict.  They are not limited to a pair of events in relatively recent history... but even now, the forces of apostasy are seeking to displace the forces of restoration.

To add to the difficulty in this conflict, apostasy seems to have the upper hand.  Less than 1% of humans alive today are members of the restored Church of Jesus Christ, and while the church is growing, there are so many ways that the forces of evil can lure people away from the blessings of restoration.  Some individuals get hung up on century-old statements, others are offended by things like misspellings in revelations, or others by who is allowed to hold the priesthood.

On the other hand, there is a very specific path that must be followed in order to receive the blessings of restoration.  The pattern that is repeated over and over again in restoration is this: 1. Search the scriptures.  2. Pray.  3. Believe in the power of God.

Consider the First Vision: Joseph Smith searched the Bible and came across James 1:5, then he went to the sacred grove to pray...  While he may not have anticipated the appearance of the Father and the Son, he knew that God had power to answer his questions, and grant him the wisdom he lacked.

Consider the Restoration of the Priesthood: Joseph found passages in the Book of Mormon describing the authority to baptize, then he went and prayed with Oliver Cowdery...  While they did not know that John the Baptist would appear and restore this power, they believed that God was the ultimate source of authority.

Consider the methods our missionaries invite people to use to gain testimonies: They read select passages from the Book of Mormon, they are asked to pray to ask God what is true, and if they ask with faith and real intent, then the truth is manifested by the power of the Holy Ghost, just as Moroni promised.

With many ways that lead to apostasy, and only one that leads to the truth of the restoration, it is just as Jesus said: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way which leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.  Because strait is the gate and narrow the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be which find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Because restoration is not a one time event, it is worth discussing each of these steps that lead to the strait and narrow path.  

First: search the scriptures.

I have heard many stories of individuals that had questions or trials and flipped open their scriptures to find a verse that provided the perfect words to help them.  I have never personally experienced this, and I propose that more often, the answers that we need come from regularly searching the scriptures... not just reading... but searching the scriptures.

With more scripture available to us in this dispensation than ever before, the question should be for what should I search?

Let us return to the example of Joseph Smith.  Here is his description of what he found after reading James 1:5:

"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.  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..."

I suggest that the feeling that came to him is the thing for which we should search.  The connection to Christ that comes from reading the Word of God is what led Joseph to the grove of trees.

Please also note that the same scripture that inspires one individual, may not be the most inspiring scripture for another.  This is by design.  Some people need to know of the love of God, and stories of mercy such as Christ blessing the Nephite children, or the mercy that God extended to Nineveh after Jonah's preaching, or the pleading of God that Israel return to him to be healed.

For me, I find confidence in God as I read stories of him sending fire from heaven, or dividing the red sea so that there was a wall of water on either side of the Israelites, or in the way he saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego from Nebuchadnezzar's burning fiery furnace when they boldly held to their faith.

The more that individuals search for and find the scriptures that help them to feel a connection to God, and an assurance that he is real, the easier it becomes to recognize the blessings of the restoration, and walk the strait and narrow path of which Christ spoke.

Second: Pray.

Jesus was not the sort of person that needed a lot of answers or understanding, but even he was a huge advocate of prayer.  He not only preached of it, but he practiced it... and he practiced it frequently.  It makes his advice on the subject the most valuable of any.

Jesus taught:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:5-13)

After giving advice on how to make prayer effective, he then offered an incredibly bold promise:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:7-11)

As the greatest expert on prayer, Christ was clear in saying that God answers them, and that the answer is probably a yes.  It is not necessary to distinguish between "not now" answers and "right now" answers...  When a prayer is offered in the manner which he taught, the answer is yes.  Praying to have a family, or that your family will receive help, or that sickness or infirmities will be removed will result in an answer of yes.

Is it any wonder that prayer is so important in the force of restoration?

Third: Believe in the power of God.

There are people who read the scriptures and offer prayers, but that can come away with the impression that participation in the true Church and the blessings of the restoration are unimportant.  That is undoubtedly why Joseph Smith was persecuted when he shared his experiences with individuals in a community where religious devotion was important in the lives of every person.  Prayer and scripture study were known throughout the region, but the power of God was not.

Mormon taught on this subject in Moroni 7:33-37:

" And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me. And he hath said: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and have faith in me, that ye may be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, if this be the case that these things are true which I have spoken unto you, and God will show unto you, with power and great glory at the last day, that they are true, and if they are true has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain."

Please do not misunderstand me.  I am not suggesting that you should demand an angelic visitation, or that you should withhold your faith until you have experienced a miracle.  Sign-seeking is bad.

I am saying that when you are on the Lord's errand, the Lord can help you... and not just by offering comfortable speech or the type of motivation you find on a pretty picture in a corporate office... he has real power.  The gift of tongues, prophecy, revelations, visions, healings, and the interpretation of tongues do not even scratch the surface of what God is capable of giving to you if you take part in the divine work of restoration.

Whether your role in this work emphasizes restoring those that have passed on to the blessings of ordinances in the House of God, or undoing the damage of apostasies ancient and modern by proclaiming the gospel to those around us, or in striving to bring our families and ourselves closer to Christ, the power of God will aid those that are engaged in his divine work... and that believe in him.

With so many apostate influences seeking to bring men away from the restored truths, it is important to know how to find the path that leads to God.  It is just as Christ taught: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way which leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.  Because strait is the gate and narrow the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be which find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

It is also important to note that the methods of searching the scriptures, prayer, and believing in the power of God are not the path... they are methods to find the path, or to stay close to it if it has already been found.  The path is something separate... Oh, it leads people back to God... but it has a different name.

The name of the Strait and Narrow Path that leads to God is Jesus Christ.  He is the way, the truth, and the life... and no man cometh unto the Father but by him.

For those that accept his invitation to enter at the strait gate... for those that strive to forge bonds with him through searching the scriptures, prayer, and believing in his power, and persist in following him, he will lead them back to the presence of our Heavenly Father, never more to part.