While Out Walking

The other day I was walking around the middle of Melbourne and on two opposite corners there were two groups of people. On one corner were a few men of the Islamic faith hand out pamphlets and talking to people. On there other were two people with loud speakers condemning the men on the other side of the street to hell in the name of Jesus. I was quite saddened by what I saw. As a Christian I must say I felt a little embarrassed about how these people were putting down our Muslim brothers.

I see it on the Internet everyday, when I go out in the street, hear it in conversations and see it in the media. I really don't like it when people decide that someone else is doctrinally wrong and they need to bring them down. I don't see a problem with discussion about religion; I quite often talk to those of other faiths about issues of doctrine and by the end I usually feel uplifted by it. But I think that those who follow a faith and discuss their beliefs with those of another aren't really the root of this issue. There are, course like I saw in the street, exceptions to this but I feel that in Australia there is a general fear or dislike towards religion.

I was speaking to a Stake President (leader of a a number of congregations in the LDS Church) over the weekend about a few things. He mentioned that he had met with a member of parliament to discuss some important issues facing the church and they started down an interesting tangent. He mentioned that they spoke about how most people in Australia followed a faith of some description 30 years ago and now those who follow some kind of religious belief is sharply declining and those who actively participate is a smaller fraction of that again. Furthermore they reflected about how much the morality within society has degraded within that time as well.

Now as someone in their twenties, I don't really have much to compare with but I do realise how easy it is to lower standards. I have been a part of that myself, I think everyone has at some stage. But what matter is how we take that and move forward. Do we accept our drop and continue, or do we strive to improve and pick up what we lack? This Stake President mentioned in his address to the larger group that night that in previous generations had to look for and out effort into doing things which degrade morality. You had to sneak around and keep things secret to avoid embarrassment. Now you don't have to hide it, you can simply speak about your activities and sometime your don't even have too leave your house to commit immoral acts. Society is changing but the truth of the matter is, the standards of righteous living set by The Lord don't change.

Two weeks ago, Elder L. Tom Perry said the following:

Today we find ourselves in another war. This is not a war of armaments. It is a war of thoughts, words, and deeds. It is a war with sin, and more than ever we need to be reminded of the commandments. Secularism is becoming the norm, and many of its beliefs and practices are in direct conflict with those that were instituted by the Lord Himself for the benefit of His children.

...

God reveals to His prophets that there are moral absolutes. Sin will always be sin. Disobedience to the Lord’s commandments will always deprive us of His blessings. The world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change. They are immutable and unchanging. Men and women receive their agency as a gift from God, but their liberty and, in turn, their eternal happiness come from obedience to His laws. As Alma counseled his errant son Corianton, “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).
Elder L. Tom Perry - Obedience to Law Is Liberty, April 2013

His words are strong but ring true. The only way which we can truly be free and partake in real happiness is to be obedient to the law which The Lord has revealed. I know that when we do, you can really feel it. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from following it all of the time but I do my best. It's hard to keep going sometimes and taking the path of least resistance can seem like the easier option but when we strive to keep the commandments we receive assistance from The Lord.

Be Thou an Example of the Believers

I have just started a new job today working at a bank. Today was the "company induction" where you get to learn about the company and meet a bunch of people working in different areas of your division. During lunch I grabbed some Japanese from a local takeaway shop and found a place in the lunchroom and sat with some people who were there for the same induction program as me. We talked about our backgrounds, previous jobs and the like and I mentioned that I spent a couple of years in Japan. Both of them are really interested in Japan so we talked about it for a while. One of the people I was talking with asked me if I had a girlfriend there and did I get around and have fun with the girls? I mentioned that part of my missionary service, I didn't have relationships or date while I was a missionary. This guys then asked if I am abstaining from sex before I am married and I said that I was. In a tone far from mocking, he said that he really respected that. He commended me that I could believe something and stick to it because not many people stick to what they believe in.

This got me thinking during my commute home. I could have stayed away from that question, put it away as too personal or just changed the subject. But I didn't and feel happy that I shared my experiences and put forward some fundamental beliefs about my faith. I remember a quote from Sister Ann Dibb from the most recent conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she puts forward as a personal slogan:

I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.

Ann M Dibb (I know it. I live it. I love it. October 2012)

It may seem a little cheesy or utopian, but I really like the way she put it. It is a simple way of expressing how I feel about living the restored gospel of Christ. I really do love it. It brings be so much happiness that I am not ashamed to tell people about the standard that I keep, even though it may not be in line with what the world sees as acceptable. I had a very positive experience today, but it is not always easy. There have been many times where people have given me a hard time because of my faith. There have also been times where co-workers and friends not of my faith have stood up for me. 

Part of this mantra also led me to think about the words of Peter the Apostle where he said:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you...

1 Peter 3:15

It can be hard to be prepared for any and every doctrine based question that can come before us, but we can prepare ourselves when people want to know about the hope that is in us. It doesn't matter whether we are Christian, Jewish or Muslim, it would benefit us if we could find ways to share that happiness that is with us. I know that if we do, people can see it. Those with open hearts, like my co-worker, will be able to respect the choices that we make in our lives and will be able to see the good.

I haven't written in a long time and I was thinking about this on the train home this evening and felt like I needed to start wiriting again. I hope to write on a more regular basis in the coming weeks. I do challenge you to find ways to share that hope that you have in you, whether that is actively finding those who will listen or providing a good example and talking to those people who are interested. Take every opportunity to uplift others and in turn, you will also be uplifted.

Sacrifice Part 2

We see sacrifice in our everyday lives around us. Many people put themselves out to help other people in some way. We have those who are in the armed forces who have sacrificed their own life, there are people who give to the poor when their own finances may be justification for the opposite or someone stepping down to give someone who would not otherwise have the opportunity a chance. It comes in many forms and faces.

Fifteenth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley said the following:

Sacrifice is the very essence of religion; it is the keystone of happy home life, the basis of true friendship, the foundation of peaceful community living, of sound relations among people and nations.

Gordon B. Hinckley (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 565)

If we go through life and look out for no one else except for ourselves, our societies would never get anywhere.

Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master (Jesus Christ) and our fellowmen.

Dallin H. Oaks (Sacrifice, April 2012)

Giving service is a show of who we really are. It shows our character.

When I was in Japan during the East Japan Great Earthquake of 2011, it was hart-warming to see so many people let their true character shine though when it really mattered. I heard stories of many of my friends sacrificing much to save people from tsunami waters of damaged buildings. These people sacrificed their safety to help others. There were also many who sacrificed their lives to help others.

There are many who sacrifice a bit of their time to their whole lives to a cause. But why do people give comforts, safeties, time and even their lives up for certain causes? Everyone has their different reasons. With myself, I enjoy the feeling I get when I can even lend a hand by sacrificing a bit of time. Some people may enjoy the feeling of making a difference in the world, some enjoy the accolades that can come with high-profile service and sacrifice. Whatever the motivations for sacrificing, I feel that the most noble motive to give up something is love. This can be seen the most in the home within a family.

Perhaps the most familiar and most important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in our families. Mothers devote themselves to the bearing and nurturing of their children. Husbands give themselves to supporting their wives and children. The sacrifices involved in the eternally important service to our families are too numerous to mention and too familiar to need mention. (2012 April General Conference, Sacrifice, Sat. Morning Session - Dallin H. Oaks)

Another sacrifice that all of us can feel and partake in is the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for all of us. Elder Oaks referenced a verse of a hymn that was written by Eliza R Snow

His precious blood he freely spilt;
His life he freely gave,
A sinless sacrifice for guilt,
A dying world to save.

Eliza R. Snow "How Great The Wisdom And The Love" Hymn #125

Jesus Christ made the Ultimate Sacrifice for humankind. I don't know how it works, but I feel the effects of it everyday. Christ voluntarily took upon Himself all of the sins and pain of us all. Isaiah penned these famous words found in the Old Testament.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Isaiah 53:3-7

Christ didn't just sacrifice for those who believe on Him. He sacrificed for all, regardless of race, belief or sexual preference. We all can be healed thought the power of Jesus Christ. Christ allowed the pains of all mankind to come upon Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, He let the Romans abuse Him, He let them crucify Him but he "opened not his mouth". Many of of the world don't esteem Christ as the Saviour of the world, but He still loves them. As a missionary, I would see hundreds of people a day reject that great sacrifice for them either through indifference or direct opposition. But it is available for all of us. We can take full advantage of the redeeming power that Christ offers us by sacrificing ourselves and following Him.

I'd like to just finish with the word of the ancient prophet, Alma, from the Book of Mormon.

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.

Alma 7:11-12,14-16

Living a Life of Integrity

Today, I thought that I would write today about living a life of integrity. What does that mean? Living a life of integrity? It means different thinking to different people. On a general level it can be defined as a firm adherence to a code of moral values (see Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary).

And as President James E. Faust puts it. "It connotes soundness and incorruptibility. It is the mother of many virtues. It begins when we deal justly with ourselves." (1982 April General Conference, Integrity, the Mother of Many Virtues, Sun. Morning Session - James E. Faust)

It is a virtue that the world seeks in people. It's a value that goes deeper than just being honest in your life. Whether within the gospel or within our everyday lives, we need to appreciate the need to incorporate that mother of all virtues into out lives for others, ourselves and our Father in Heaven.

Elder Richard G. Scott said the following:

The bedrock of character is integrity. (And a) worthy character will strengthen your capacity to recognize the direction of the Spirit and to be obedient to it. Your consistent exercise of faith builds strong character. A secure foundation for your growing character is laid by making Jesus Christ and His teachings the center of your life. 

Richard G. Scott - The Transforming Power of Faith and Character, Oct 2010

Integrity is something that is needed for us to live a life that is worthy and directed by the Spirit. And the laying of that essential integrity is faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

So now that we have looked why this is important, let's look at some doctirine about integrity.

President Faust continues:

Integrity is the value we set on ourselves. It is a fulfillment of the duty we owe ourselves. An honorable man or woman will personally commit to live up to certain self-imposed expectations. They need no outside check or control. They are honorable in their inner core.
Where does the soul play its part best? Is it in outward show? Or is it within, where no mortal eyes can penetrate and where we have an inner defense against the tragedies of life?
Integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. It is the strength of duty within us. 

James E. Faust - Integrity, the Mother of Many Virtues, April 1982

Integrity is not only that outward action of living the tenets of the gospel, but it is also that inner struggle we have to put of the natural man within us. That we can become one with our Father in Heaven within our souls as well as out outward actions. This doesn't mean that displaying the outward actions of a gospel centred life comes from a life fallacy. When we follow the commandments of the gospel, it has come at some stage from within us and is being shown on the outside. But one of the true displays of integrity is when we live a life of exact obedience in every aspect of our life, even when no one is watching.

As President Faust said, Integrity is the light that shines from a disciplined conscience. When we have developed the virtue of integrity, it really shines in us.

As a missionary, comments would often come from those we were teaching, like: You two just seem so happy. You just look different. It seems like what you are sharing is important. These things were quite often mentioned to us and I know that it is because of our constant effort to develop integrity and live the gospel of Jesus Christ 100% of the time. Although we do not have that prophetic calling to preach the gospel, we still have that prophetic instruction to share it with those around us. I know that as we do our best to live the gospel in all situations in our lives, those around us will see it and new opportunities to share the gospel will arise.

One fantastic example of integrity was Joseph Smith. As a teenager, Joseph Smith wanted to know the truth concerning his Father in Heaven and wanted to know which direction to go. In his search for truth, he found himself praying in a grove of tree and had a marvellous spiritual experience where he met God and His Son Jesus Christ. He describes the experience as such:

I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. … When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Joseph Smith—History 1

At the time, Joseph was laughed at for being a delusional young kid, claiming that he had seen God and received revelation. But he showed integrity, doing what he needed to do alone and then standing up to the multitudes and declaring his bold and true testimony. He remarked about his own integrity:

So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.

Joseph Smith—History

Joseph was sound and incorruptible, right up to his martyrdom in the Carthage Jail.

In Ezekiel it reads:

But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, …
And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment; …
Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel. 18:5, 7, 9

As we live out lives full of integrity, we surely will live together in the eternities with our Father in Heaven. I know this to be true.

President Faust winds up his comments by saying:

God help us to be honest and true. May we always be thoroughly dependable, standing firm and upright though others may fail, and be fearless, constant, and just. May we say with the much-tested Job: “Till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” (Job 27:5.)

I know that as we do our best to live a life of integrity, we will be happier with ourselves. We can get to a point where we feel comfortable with ourselves and then we can truly grow as we learn of ourselves on a deeper lever. I encourage everyone to find ways to live with more integrity, you will be glad that you did!

PS. Part 2 of my thoughts on sacrifice are still in the works

Sacrifice Part 1

Sacrifice is something that can sound a bit heavy for most people. I'm not going to lie, part of me realises the hard meaning of this word. It means that if I sacrifice, I'm gonna loose out on something good. There is truth to this mentality, but the real fact is, you are gaining so much. Sacrifice is a principle handed down from the mouth of God from the very beginning of humankind on the earth.

And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

MOSES 5:5-6

So from this, I could gather the following:

1. Sacrifice is a commandment.
2. Sacrifice is involved with worship.
3. Sacrifice is an offering from us of our best.

So with just two small verses of scripture, we can see to the very core of what sacrifice really is. It is a central principle in the worship of God in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic worlds, it is something godly. If I might apply it to Christian doctrine, the scripture continues to talk about sacrifice.

And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.

MOSES 5:7-8

So from the next couple of verses, we learn a bit more:

1. The Saviour was a sacrifice.
2. We conuct our own sacrifice in the similitude (likeness or similarity) of the Saviour's sacrifice.
3. Sacrifice is somehow linked to grace and truth.
4. Do all we do in the name of the Son (Like sacrificing...)
5. Sacrifice is somehow linked to repentance.

So from here, we start to find some relevance to sacrifice for us. I really feel that as we sacrifice something, we are filled with grace and truth. That is, however, if we sacrifice for a reason. Sometimes we are forced to do without for some reason by another person. We can react positively or negatively. I can definitely say that when people are negative, they are not filled with grace and truth. When we truly sacrifice for out God in the name of Chrsit, we also gain spiritual ground for ourselves through repentance. When we make mistakes in this life, we know that Christ will overcome all if we follow Him. We show the Saviour that we are willing to follow Him if we sacrifice in the name of Christ. We become better people because we are thinking about things other than our immediate needs. We are becoming more Christlike through our actions.

In modern times, the Church doesn't sacrifice lambs or anything like that anymore, but there are many ways that we can sacrifice (like fasting). If you have been attending an LDS congregation long enough, you have probably heard the term "natural man" used a bit. Here is were it comes from:

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

MOSIAH 3:19

When we sacrifice, we "putteth off the natural man" and become at one with God through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is done but putting God first through sacrifice and then letting the Holy Spirit enter into our hearts. When we get this right, we can enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost throughout our lives. We also a better prepared to take on life's challenges.

Sacrifice is a priciple I try to apply to my life every day. Sometimes it is hard to sacrifice in our lives. But every time that I have made a sacrifice, it has been worth it in the end.

I want to continue this topic some other time, as I have some personal experiences that I would like to share as well as some words from modern day prophets.