He is Here!

"He is Here!" Born of Mary. The Son of the Most Highest. He is our Savior, our Atoner, our King.

He is not a distant memory, nor a story of long ago, but is alive and real today. He lives. He is amongst us. He is in our temples, our churches and our homes.

In the Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 he said ... "...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

While serving in the temple, I heard story after story from our temple president of how frequently the Savior visits His temple. Although I have never seen Him with my physical eyes, I have seen Him with my spiritual eyes. I know He lives. I know He is real. I have been in His presence. I have walked where He has walked.

He is interested in us personally, and wants us all to return with Him to the presence of the Father. I bear my witness of one who has come to know, that He is real. He paid the ultimate price, the eternal price, which, if we are faithful, we will walk through the gate into His heavenly kingdom. He is the keeper of the gate. And it will be our honor and privilege, if we are worthy, as we approach that gate, to give Him the signs and tokens, which will open the gate to let us through.

Beyond the gate lies our next adventure. We will be given our own piece of the Universe to continue what we began on this earth, that of bearing spirit sons and daughters and helping them get into their own places of habitation, planets upon which they can live, learn and grow, and to learn by faith.

All of this was made possible by a Gethsemanatic act of ultimate kindness, a payment of great price.

As all the excitement of opening presents and playing with new toys and gifts starts to fade a bit today, ponder and reflect upon the ultimate gift that never fades and never breaks. It is the key that will open the gate into our next adventure.

Love,

Dad

The More We Give, The More We Receive

At this time of year, I have been thinking a lot about my Savior. At times, to me, I am overwhelmed with His love. I can't fully understand His great sacrifice, His bearing of all my sins, my pains and my anguish. All I know is that I will ever be eternally in His debt for the price He paid for me, a price that allows me the opportunity to move forward along the path which leads to the Tree of Life.

So "because I have been given much, I too must give." I hope I can remember that every day.

Last Tuesday night I took the youth Ice Skating. As I was walking up to the entrance of the ice skating rink, I noticed a lady with her arms full of paper cups and napkins, being followed by her son who was struggling to carry a large drink container. I didn't say a word but just walked over and grabbed a handle of the container, and some of her paper cups. I smiled, as they thanked me, and walked into the facility with them, and then walked away after setting the items down.

It wasn't much, but it helped me to realize and understand what the Savior meant when He said "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matt 25:40) It made me feel warm inside. I don't share this to boast, but share it as an incident that I realized needs to be repeated everyday in my life. I need to be looking outward to help others and not focusing on myself. "For whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt 16:25)

I hope we as a family can look for the simple acts of kindness we can perform everyday, and not focus as much on our own issues or needs. I don't completely understand how it all works, but it seems...

"...the more we give, the more we receive."

Love,

Dad

The Wonder of our Universe

We've all talked from time to time about the universe and how immense and wondrous it is. Some of us have read the book the Kolob Theorem, and have pondered our own Milky Way Galaxy, which is just one of billions of other galaxies in our Universe. I continue to be amazed with how small we are in comparison to the billions and billions of stars in our Universe, and yet our Heavenly Father instills in us our greatness and importance.

Throughout history, the Lord has opened the eyes of the prophets, and have allowed them to gaze into the Universe and see the immensity of it. They knew that creation goes on and on, and that there is no space in which there is not a kingdom.

To Moses he said "And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come, and there is no end to my works, neither to my words." (Moses 1:38)

"And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten." (Moses 1:31-33)

To Enoch: "And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, is would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thous are there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou are just; thou are merciful and kind forever." (Mose 7:30)

To the Prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said: "And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or lesser kingdom." (D&C 88:36-38) (This quote could be a whole new discussion; maybe for another time) To me, it is hard to comprehend the size and scope of God's creations, because they have no end.

And yet, we have the promise, as we remain faithful, that "all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." (D&C 84:38)

 I've collected some facts about the Universe in which we dwell, which to me, boggles the mind:

• Our Milky Way Galaxy is approximately 100,000 light years in diameter. To understand how really big 100,000 light years are, consider this: Light travels at a speed of 186,000 miles a second or 700 million miles an hour. And we are only one of billions of galaxies.
• Our Milky Way Galaxy has approximately 400 billion stars (Suns) and it is estimated by astronomers that there are as many as 500 billion other galaxies in the universe.
• As quoted to prophets on the earth by the Lord, there are more stars than all of the grains of sand on earth.
• Most of the elements found in the human body originated in stars; we are literally made of stardust. Or to put it another way, the earth was made from other planets and stars, and we were made of the dust of the earth.
• Our Universe is expanding and growing. The galaxies are moving away from each other, allowing room for the creation of more galaxies. Thus, as we are faithful, we will have kingdoms of our own.

So, think about the great blessings and promises that await each of us, as we are faithful, grow and develop in the Gospel, that we can have worlds without end that will provide a place for our offspring. It's kind of hard to understand, but it is what awaits us.

Love,

Dad

The Olive Tree

At Teresa's request, my post this week is on the Olive Tree, it's symbolism and it's place in the Gospel.

About 15 years ago I read a book called "The Allegory of the Olive Tree," produced by the "Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS)" It was probably one of the most comprehensive books I've read on the subject of the Olive Tree, Olives and the oil they produce.

When you stop and think about it, the olive tree and the sacred oil it produces, plays a very important part in our spiritual development. The olive oil is used to heal the sick and to anoint worthy members in the temple to become divine royalty, based upon their endurance to the end. In early Christian tradition, olive oil is symbolic of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost is the sealer of eternal ordinances. It is the testator and bearer of truth and righteousness. It is a conduit or avenue in communicating spiritual messages. As we endure to the end and prove ourselves worthy, the Holy Spirit of Promise (The Holy Ghost) is what seals us up to Eternal Life. It is His stamp of approval that the Father and Son recognizes as the final approval of exaltation.

So why olive oil and it's source, the olive tree? Let me share some things I have learned about this tree, and as I share these insights, look at them from a "deep" symbolic nature.

The tree of life in Lehi's dream is said to be an olive tree, as well as the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, that Adam and Eve were forbidden to partake of after they partook of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. So the fruit of these trees are the olive. In the case of Lehi's dream, we are told that Lehi and some of his family "pressed their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fuit of the tree." Nephi, desiring to know the meaning of the dream his father saw, was visited by the Spirit of the Lord and was carried away to an exceedingly high mountain (Symbolically the temple, a place where God can reveal his higher ordinances and blessings). When Nephi asked about the meaning of the tree, he was told that the tree was a representation of the Love of God, and that it's "fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits: yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

So what is the greatest of all the gifts of God? It is Eternal Life and Exaltation in His kingdom. So as we partake of the fruit, we are partaking or receiving the stamp of the Holy Spirit of Promise that we have the promise of Eternal Life. That's why, when Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden had transgressed, that God protected them from partaking of the fruit of the Tree of Life, because had they done so, they would have "eternally" remained in their sinful state eternally, having not had the blessing of the Atonement yet in their life, and God's plan would have failed, and He would have failed as a God. So God wisely would not allow that to happen.

There is further "deep" symbolism of the Olive tree, the olive and it's oil. During early jewish times, olive oil has been used for nourishment, light and physical comfort. It should then be considered that olive oil, down through the centuries, has come to be a symbol of life and of the spirit which gives life. Also, the fact that olive trees are known to live for centuries rather than for decades, is a fit symbol for eternal life.

When Nephi asked the angel the meaning or symbolism of the tree of life that his father saw, the angel then proceeded to show Nephi the birth, atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Therefore the tree also is a representation of the Love of God (Christ) and His unconditional love for each of us. To further tie in the symbolism of Christ and the tree of life, the term Messiah, in Hebrew form is defined as "The Annointed One."

To produce olive oil in ancient times, the olives had to be crushed in a press. It took immense pressure to squeeze out the little bit of oil from the olive. In like manner, Jesus was considered the olive, who was beaten, brused and suffered greatly in the Garden of Gethsemane, until, like the olive in an olive press, had so much pressure upon him, carrying the weight of everyone's sins, that he finally bled from every pore, symbolically producing the oil (Holy Ghost) that will give us the promise and sealing of Eternal Life. Speaking of Gethsemane, the hebrew definition of the name means "olive press."

There are SO many other symbolic parallels, that there is not time to share. Maybe we can have a further discussion on this face to face. I will give you a couple of other things to ponder concerning olive oil. It was used as a oil in lamps, to light the way. It was olive oil that the 5 unwise virgins ran out of and hence missed the arrival of the Bridegroom. The House of Israel, who we are a part of (think of your temple covenants), are grafted into the olive tree in the Lord's vineyard, as outlined in Jacob 5. So we become part of the Tree of Life, as our grafted branches take hold and start to produce our own fruit. ("By their fruits, shall you know them.")

There is a lot here to deeply think about and ponder. Isn't it wonderful how the Gospel fits together so perfectly through symbolism. The temple, and it's ordinances are full of symbolisms, layers and layers of symbolism.

"... I wonder if the cross was made out of olive wood?"

Love you all, Dad

"My Father Dwelt in a Tent"

Since accepting Teresa's challenge (Thanks again Teresa!), it has been interesting to visit with some of you about the things we are reading, and (Oh my golly, new scripture!) the new insights and understandings we have not noticed or learned before. Isn't it interesting how the Spirit enlightens our understanding as we put forth the effort to read, ponder and pray.

I feel that the Lord is blessing our family with great understanding and scriptural wisdom as we work at completing Teresa's challenge.

A couple of days ago I received a text from Becca which said, "Just a thought from last night (We had talked about how long of a journey it was for Nephi, Lamen and Lemuel, to return to Jerusalem from the borders of the Red Sea, a journey of about 260 miles) When Lamen and Lemuel were told about going back to their home in Jerusalem, and complained about it being a hard thing, it really was a hard thing if it was a months journey. Just our two day journey backpacking was hard. Can you imagine a month. I wonder if I would've complained."

We all have finished 1 Nephi by now. One thing that caught my attention, was the phrase that Nephi used 4 times in 1 Nephi, "and my father dwelt in a tent." I remember reading some research on this awhile ago, so I revisited the research and thought I would share some things that I learned about this phrase.

Dwelling in a tent for a desert nomad, was a thing of great importance. A nomad's tent was a place of gathering, of prayer and worship. It was a center for the family. In Lehi's case, it could have also been a symbol of his obedience and humility to the Lord, as he was a very wealthy man, having had great possessions and a nice "stationary/fixed" home in Jerusalem. The upper class dwelt in homes built from materials, while the poor dwelt in tents.

The late Hugh Nibley, writes this in his book "Lehi in the Desert:"


The editors of the Book of Mormon have given a whole verse to Nephi's laconic statement, "And my father dwelt in a tent" (1 Nephi 2:15), and rightly so, since Nephi himself finds the fact very significant and refers constantly to his father's tent as the center of his universe. 35 To an Arab, "My father dwelt in a tent" says everything. "The present inhabitants of Palestine," writes Canaan, "like their forefathers, are of two classes: dwellers in villages and cities, and the Bedouin. As the life and habits of the one class differ from the those of the other, so do their houses differ. Houses in villages are built of durable material; . . . on the other hand, Bedouin dwellings, tents, are more fitted for nomadic life." 36 An ancient Arab poet boasts that his people are ''the proud, the chivalrous people of the horse and camel, the dwellers-in-tents, and no miserable ox-drivers." 37 A Persian king but fifty years after the fall of Jerusalem boasts that all the civilized kings "as well as the Bedouin tent-dwellers brought their costly gifts and kissed my feet," 38 thus making the same distinction as the later poet. One of the commonest oaths of the Arabs, Burckhardt reports, is "by the life of this tent and its owners," taken with one hand resting on the middle tent pole. 39 If a man's estate is to be declared void after his death, "the tent posts are torn up immediately after the man has expired, and the tent is demolished," while on the other hand "the erection of a new tent in the desert is an important event celebrated with feast and sacrifice." 40 And the cult of the tent was as important to the Hebrews as well. Indeed, the Hebrew word for tent (ohel) and the Arabic word for family (ahl), were originally one and the same word. 41 "The Bedouin has a strong affection for his tent," says Canaan. "He will not exchange it with any stone house." 42 So Jacob was ''a plain man, dwelling in tents" (Genesis 25:27), though, let us add, by no means in squalor: "Casual travelers in the Orient, who have seen only the filthy, wretched tents of the tribeless gypsy Bedouins . . . would be surprised, perhaps, at the spaciousness and simple luxury in the tent of a great desert sheik." 43
So with the announcement that his "father dwelt in a tent," Nephi serves notice that he had assumed the desert way of life, as perforce he must for his journey. Any easterner would appreciate the significance and importance of the statement, which to us seems almost trivial. If Nephi seems to think of his father's tent as the hub of everything, he is simply expressing the view of any normal Bedouin, to whom the tent of the sheikh is the sheet anchor of existence. 44 "A white flag," we are told, "is sometimes hoisted above his tent to guide strangers and visitors. All visitors are led directly to the tent of the [sheikh]." 45 When Nephi urged the frightened Zoram to join the party in the desert, he said: "If thou wilt go down into the wilderness to my father thou shalt have place with us" (1 Nephi 4:34). The correctness of the proposal is attested not only by the proper role of Lehi in receiving members and guests into the tribe but also in the highly characteristic expression, "thou shalt have place with us." For since time immemorial the proper word of welcome to the stranger who enters one's tent has been ahlan wa sahlan wa marhaban, literally (perhaps), "a family, a smooth place, and a wide place!" 46 Equivalent expressions are found in the Old Testament, as when Abraham invites his heavenly visitor to sit beneath his tree (Genesis 18:4), and here too such details are authentic touches of Bedouin life. But none of the Bible expressions are as typically "Arabic" as Nephi's invitation.


Knowing that we all are on a tight reading schedule, I won't expound any more on this subject. But I do recommend, when you have more free time, to study more on this topic.

I look forward to reading your comments and thoughts on this or any other topic you have gained this past week from reading the Book of Mormon. We could spend years just talking about Lehi's dream of the Tree of Life. Matter of fact, I'll reserve this topic for later discussion, after we have completed our B of M reading assignment. However, just a seed of thought to think about. Think about the symbolism of the Tree of Life in Lehi's dream. And think of how many similar trees there are through out the scriptures and in the temple. (A few hints: The olive tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the tree spoken of in Alma 32...)

Love, Dad

What is Glory?

Okay, here is one of many topics I've been pondering lately.

I've actually been pondering on this and related topics for sometime; such things as light and knowledge, intelligence, light and truth, to mention a few.

In D&C 93:36 it reads, "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth."

What exactly is glory? Who has it? How does it grow? Why is it important? Questions that create more questions.

Let's first start with "what exactly is glory." Based on the scripture above, we know that it is intelligence, and light and truth. We know that the faithful, those who are not cast out into Outer Darkness, receive one of the Three Degrees of Glory, The Celestial, Terrestrial or Telestial Kingdoms. Glory then is a condition, a possession, as well as a place. The ultimate goal is to receive the highest Degree of Glory and belong to the Church of the Firstborn.

56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; (D&C 76: 56)

God has all glory. He is the glory of the Sun, Moon and Stars. One cannot behold all his glory, save they are overshadowed by the Spirit.

" 5 Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son—

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;

7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;

9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;

10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.

11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—

13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (D&C 88:5-13)

Who has it?

According to the following scripture, is is something we don't obtain until the next life:

(D&C 130:2) 2 And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.

How does it grow? Or, how can we obtain the greatest amount of glory?

As we learned before, "the glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth."

In D&C 130:18, 19 we read, "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."

So as we gain more knowledge, and are diligent and obedient to God's commandments, we grow in intelligence and will receive the greater glory in the life hereafter.

Our whole life should be in pursuit of living the higher laws of God, by living the commandments, attending the temple and keeping our covenants.

It is God's primary purpose: " For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

I've learned several things this morning, but also have many more questions. This should give you some things to think about and ponder.

Love, Dad

My new blog to post my ponderings.

I've decided to put together this blog which will only be viewed by my family. It will be a place to post things that I've pondered, studied and learned about eternal principles. It is my hope, that by sharing my ponderings, it will enrich our minds and develop our testimonies.

I encourage you, my family, to participate, by studying the subject material and adding your own thoughts and feelings about the related topics. In doing so, we should all progress together, hopefully reaching the eternal goal of exaltation together in the Kingdom of God.

The title of this blog is an important one. The Lord expects us to take time away from our busy lives, to ponder upon the things of eternity. I've learned that my most growing/learning experiences come when things are quiet and I'm able to think, ponder and pray, allowing the still small voice to whisper true concepts into my heart and soul.

So let's join together, as we ponder the things of eternity.

Love, Dad