The Universal Nature of the Resurrection

This Sunday we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are many important gifts that Jesus Christ has given us, but nothing is as important as the resurrection.

In speaking of the atonement of Jesus Christ, of which the resurrection is one of the most important aspects, Elder Bruce R. McConkie has written: "Nothing in the entire plan of salvation compares in any way in importance with that most transcendent of all events, the atoning sacrifice of our Lord. It is the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things; it is the rock foundation upon which the gospel and all other things rest."

I think it is hard for us to really comprehend the special act that Christ committed in unlocking the door of death and providing all mankind, no matter how good or how evil, the gift of reuniting our spirits with our physical bodies. This gift is not just for mankind, but to all of God's creations.

The resurrection even applies to the earth itself (see D&C 88:17-18, 25-26) and to everything that has ever lived on this earth. Some leaders of the Church have suggested that the resurrection of Jesus Christ also applies to everything that has ever lived on any of the earths created by Jesus Christ.

Joseph Fielding Smith stated: "The Savior is not going to save only mankind. Everything God has created must be restored, . . . everything the Lord has created. . . . Everything that has life [was] created in the image of its spirit, and is a living soul, and therefore entitled to the resurrection."

The Lord states in section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants that

"all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea . . . for it is the workmanship of mine hand" (D&C 29:24-25).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has taught: "Just as the creative [power] and [the] redemptive powers of Christ extend to the earth and all things thereon, as also to the infinite expanse of worlds in immensity, so the power of the resurrection is universal in scope. Man, the earth, and all life thereon will come forth in the resurrection. And the resurrection applies to and is going on in other worlds and other galaxies."

The resurrection is universal to everything that is under God's power. What an absolute mind-boggling principle. In addition to trying to understand and comprehend the universal nature of the resurrection, is the process of the resurrection itself. Somehow, through the power of the priesthood, by someone who is authorized by the keys of resurrection, will command the elements to reorganize and reunited with one's spirit and become an eternal being.

Regarding this, President Heber J. Grant make this interesting statement, "In the resurrection, they (husband and wife) stand side by side and hold dominion together. Every man who overcomes all things and is thereby entitled to inherit all things, receives power to bring up his wife to join him in the possession and enjoyment thereof" (Mormon Doctrine Plain and Simple, 1888, p. 51).

As we husbands remain faithful, honor our priesthood, we, as patriarchs to our family, will play a significant role in the salvation process of our wife and children. We will have the sacred duty to bring our eternal companion into the Celestial World. Think of the veil process we went through with our companion when we were married in the temple. Remember, the temple ordinances are symbolic in nature, teaching and training us for eternity.

As you celebrate Easter, give thanks to your Savior for this wonderful gift he has given you, that of the reunification of your spirit and your body, a process that puts you one step closer to Godhood.

Love, Dad

 

Increased Powers through the Celestialize Spirit

Over the years I have learned, and have been taught, how marvelous it will be when we are no longer confined to the limited powers of perception of our mortal physical body. Those who are on the other side of the veil, our faithful kindred spirits, are learning at the speed of light, amazing concepts and doctrines that we, at this point, can't begin to understand with our limited powers.

I once read a very interesting statement by Orson Pratt. By sharing it with you I hope to arouse you to a lively perception of who you are and who you will become if you keep the commandments. One of the best ways I know to keep the commandments is to know why and who we are. Orson Pratt said:

Suppose He should give us a sixth sense, a seventh, an eighth, a ninth, or a fiftieth. All these different senses would convey to us new ideas, as much so as the senses of tasting, smelling, or seeing communicate different ideas from that of hearing. [Journal of Discourses, 2:247]

Orson Pratt spoke of the ability to obtain and consider many different ideas at the same time instead of thinking in a single channel only and of following only one course of reasoning. Elder Pratt said:

Knowledge will rush in from all quarters; it will come in like the light which flows from the sun, penetrating every part, informing the Spirit, and giving understanding concerning ten thousand things at the same time; and the mind will be capable of receiving and retaining all. . . . Not one object at a time, but a vast multitude of objects rush before his vision [the vision of a celestialized soul], and are present before his mind, filling him in a moment with the knowledge of worlds more numerous than the sands of the sea shore. Will he be able to bear it? Yes, his mind is strengthened in proportion to the amount of information imparted. It is this tabernacle, in its present condition, that prevents us from a more enlarged understanding. [Journal of Discourses, 2:246]

Elder Pratt continued by explaining that celestial beings have the ability to perceive with all parts of their bodies:

The spirit [like the eye] is inherently capable of experiencing the sensations of light. . . . I think we could then see in different directions at once, instead of looking in one particular direction; we could then look all around us at the same instant. [Journal of Discourses, 2:243]

When I first read this, I remembered I’d read something similar—Philo Dibble’s statement that Joseph Smith told him, after receiving revelation, “My whole body was full of light and I could see even out at the ends of my fingers and toes” (cited by N. B. Lundwall, comp., The Vision [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft Publishing Company, n.d.], p. 11).

 The following scripture, found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, further confirms the Prophet's statement: “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things” (D&C 88:67).

A statement by Brigham Young, who said something similar:

I long for the time that a point of the finger, or motion of the hand, will express every idea without utterance. When a man is full of the light of eternity, then the eye is not the only medium through which he sees, . . . nor the brain the only means by which he understands. When the whole body is full of the Holy Ghost, he can see behind him with as much ease, without turning his head, as he can see before him. If you have not that experience, you ought to have. It is not the optic nerve alone that gives the knowledge of surrounding objects to the mind. . . . I shall yet see the time that I can converse with this people, and not speak to them. . . . We are at present low, weak, and grovelling in dark, but we are planted here in weakness for the purpose of exaltation.[Journal of Discourses, 1:70–71]

Again, Parley P. Pratt, in his book Key to the Science of Theology,says that we will move from one place to another without a loss of time by willing ourselves to be there: “There is no apparent limit to the speed attainable by the body when unchained, set free from the elements which now enslave it, and dictated by the will” (5th ed. [Liverpool: John Henry Smith, 1883], p. 162).

Brigham Young, in another statement, said that we can move instantaneously to any point in time:

The brightness and glory of the next apartment (The Spirit World) is inexpressible. . . . They (The spirits)  move with ease and like lightning. If we want to visit Jerusalem, or this, that, or the other place . . . there we are. . . . If we want to behold Jerusalem as it was in the days of the Savior; or if we want to see the Garden of Eden as it was when created [and notice we’re not only moving through space, we’re moving through time], there we are, and we see it as it existed spiritually, for it was created first spiritually and then temporally, and spiritually it still remains. . . . We may behold the earth as at the dawn of creation, or we may visit any city we please that exists upon its surface. [Journal of Discourses, 14:231]

There are many wonderful gifts and powers that await us on the other side. Our duty is to endure to the end, remain faithful, to receive all that the Father has. (D&C 84:38)

As we work together, as a family, we'll all make it, and together share in these great and glorious gifts and powers.

Love, Dad

Parenting - The Lord's Way

Becoming a parent is a solemn responsibility, which doesn't seem to come with any manual or clear cut guidelines on how to raise our children. Or so we think. There seems to be hundreds of parenting books and seminars on how to raise a child.

Your Mom and I feel we raised some amazing children, aside from our parental mistakes we made along the way. From time to time we have had other parents come to us and say "I have observed your family from a distance, and I am amazed with the wonderful family you have. What did you do to raise your children to have them turn out the way they did?"

I've had a couple of the Emmons kids mention to me, on several occasions, that they wished they had our family, because we always seem to have so much fun together.

Our response has often been, "We really aren't sure. We feel the Lord sent us some amazing spirits."

But, as I have pondered what formula we may have followed, I come back to two scriptures that I feel we have tried to use throughout our parenting experience. Before I review these with you, please realize that we were not perfect parents, and did make mistakes along the way. Just ask Sarah about the time she stood in front of the mirror to look at the red, welted hand print on her backside. Not one of my cherished moments as a Dad.

The first scripture is D&C 121:41-44:

41 No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;

42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—

43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

There are some important parenting characteristics in these verses: 

• Persuasion (Not force)
• Long-suffering (Not impatience)
• Gentleness (Not hardness or roughness)
• Meekness (Not over-bearing or prideful)
• Love (Not hate)
• Kindness (Not unkindness)
• With pure knowledge (Not ignorance)
• Without hypocrisy (Not "do as I say, not as I do")
• Without guile (Living the example, living the commandments)
• Reproving only by the spirit (Not in anger) 

The next verse, verse 45, leads me to my second scripture:

45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity...

As a parent we need to have charity, the pure love of Christ, as we lead and teach our children.

Moroni 7:45

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

A lot of these characteristics are similar to those found in the 121st section of the D&C.

Suffereth long - Patient 

Envieth not - Not possessive or resentful

Not puffed up - Not prideful, but meek and lowly in heart

Seeketh not her own - Serving others before self.

Not easily provoked - Not quick-tempered

Thinketh no evil - Lives the commandments and always has pure and clean thoughts.

Rejoiceth not in iniquity - Abhors sin, loves righteous living

Rejoiceth in the truth - Honest and forthright

Beareth all things - Will to carry your load, as well as others

Believeth all things - Does not doubt but has total belief in the Lord

Hopeth all things - Has the firm faith to move forward

Endureth all things - Stays the course and finishes the race

This may seem like an extensive list. And a lot of things to remember, many of which are really hard to do sometimes. I think if we just ask ourselves this question when confronted with parental challenges with our children, "what would Jesus do or say?" and then follow what you think he would do. I think if you do that, your children will love you and ultimately follow you anywhere.

Build trust with them, by listening and trying to understand them. As you serve them, they will serve you. Spend one-on-one time with them. Going out for ice cream is always a favorite.

As parents we are not just raising our children, but generations that come after them. It is interesting to note, that parents who abuse their children, their children will usually abuse their children, and so on for generations. The opposite is also true. As you love your children and respect them, they will in turn love and respect their children for generations to follow.

As I observe how you are raising my grandchildren, I am so proud of the wonderful parents you are. You are certainly a level higher than I was. For that I admire, love and respect you. You've made me a proud father and grandpa.

Love, Dad

Our Bodies and Spirits - A Walking Testimony

Last year in the April Conference, Elder Russel M. Nelson talked about our amazing bodies and spirits, how they are the absolute creation of a Heavenly Father, a marvelous gift to each of us. In refuting the Theorists and "big-bang" supporters he asked, "Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary? The likelihood is most remote. But if so, it could never heal its own torn pages or reproduce its own newer editions!"

These gifts, our body and spirit, yet so powerful in their design, are even more powerful in what they can produce. As we learn the hidden powers that they each contain, and grow the ability to use those powers, it will be amazing what things we will accomplish, both in this life and the next. 

Here is an excerpt from Elder Nelson's talk:

Physical Gifts

Our Heavenly Father loves His children.15 He has blessed each with physical and spiritual gifts. Let me speak of each type. When you sing “I Am a Child of God,” think of His gift to you of your own physical body. The many amazing attributes of your body attest to your own “divine nature.”

Each organ of your body is a wondrous gift from God. Each eye has an auto-focusing lens. Nerves and muscles control two eyes to make a single three-dimensional image. The eyes are connected to the brain, which records the sights seen.

Your heart is an incredible pump. It has four delicate valves that control the direction of blood flow. These valves open and close more than 100,000 times a day—36 million times a year. Yet, unless altered by disease, they are able to withstand such stress almost indefinitely.

Think of the body’s defense system. To protect it from harm, it perceives pain. In response to infection, it generates antibodies. The skin provides protection. It warns against injury that excessive heat or cold might cause.

The body renews its own outdated cells and regulates the levels of its own vital ingredients. The body heals its cuts, bruises, and broken bones. Its capacity for reproduction is another sacred gift from God.

Be we reminded that a perfect body is not required to achieve one’s divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail or imperfect bodies. Great spiritual strength is often developed by people with physical challenges, precisely because they are so challenged.

Anyone who studies the workings of the human body has surely “seen God moving in his majesty and power.” Because the body is governed by divine law, any healing comes by obedience to the law upon which that blessing is predicated.

Yet some people erroneously think that these marvelous physical attributes happened by chance or resulted from a big bang somewhere. Ask yourself, “Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary?” The likelihood is most remote. But if so, it could never heal its own torn pages or reproduce its own newer editions!

If the body’s capacity for normal function, defense, repair, regulation, and regeneration were to prevail without limit, life here would continue in perpetuity. Yes, we would be stranded here on earth! Mercifully for us, our Creator provided for aging and other processes that would ultimately result in our physical death. Death, like birth, is part of life. Scripture teaches that “it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.” To return to God through the gateway we call death is a joy for those who love Him and are prepared to meet Him. Eventually the time will come when each “spirit and … body shall be reunited again in … perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame,” never to be separated again. For these physical gifts, thanks be to God!

Spiritual Gifts

Important as is the body, it serves as a tabernacle for one’s eternal spirit. Our spirits existed in the premortal realm and will continue to live after the body dies. The spirit provides the body with animation and personality. In this life and in the next, spirit and body, when joined together, become a living soul of supernal worth.

Because one’s spirit is so important, its development is of eternal consequence. It is strengthened as we communicate in humble prayer with our loving Heavenly Father.

The attributes by which we shall be judged one day are all spiritual. These include love, virtue, integrity, compassion, and service to others. Your spirit, coupled with and housed in your body, is able to develop and manifest these attributes in ways that are vital to your eternal progression. Spiritual progress is attained through the steps of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, including the endowment and sealing ordinances of the holy temple.

Just as the body requires daily food for survival, the spirit needs nourishment as well. The spirit is nurtured by eternal truth.

It is my hope and desire that we each utilize our minds, bodies and spirits to their fullest capacity in serving God, our families and our fellowman. In doing so we will assist the Lord in "bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man," and find ourselves exalted. 

Love Dad

A Visit From a Dove

As you all know, whenever I see a beautiful sunset, I always refer to it as a sign. I've had many beautiful sunsets over the course of my life, that have been signs to bring me comfort and assurance that God knows me and my circumstances.

This past week, as I was struggling with the challenges of life, Heavenly Father sent me a sign, but this time in the form of a dove. This dove landed on the railing of our back deck. Mom saw it first, and called to me downstairs to come up and see this dove. I had a few things to finish on my computer, and then I went upstairs.

To my amazement was a dove perched on the railing of the deck. To my knowledge, we've never had a dove land on our back deck. Why this dove? And why now? It faced towards us, as if to be speaking to us. I watched it for several minutes, exchanging glances, then I left for work.

As I was driving to work I pondered about the significance of this dove and the doves in the scriptures. It was a dove that was present at the baptism of Christ, as it descended as the Holy Ghost. A dove brought Noah an olive branch as a sign from God that the waters were receding, and that he was about to embark on a new life with his precious cargo.

The prophet Joseph Smith said this about doves: "The dove was the emblem chosen from the beginning to represent truth, innocence, and the Spirit itself."

Throughout history, Heavenly Father has sent doves, as representations of his spirit, to give comfort.

As I was pondering this, I had the Spirt whisper to me that this dove was sent from Heavenly Father to me personally, assuring me that all will be well, letting me know that he knows me and my needs personally. I was overwhelmed with the thought that Almighty God, who is all powerful, would take notice of me, and send me a sign in the form of a dove.

I don't quite understand how he can give each of his children personal attention like this. How can he answer everyone's prayers and have a perfect understanding of all our needs. I don't have answers on how he does.

This much I do know... last week he sent me a dove. And because of this I know that he knows me and my needs, and will do what is best for me. All I need to do is to cast away my doubt and fears, and put my trust in him.

Love, Dad