I’m not going to say too much more about this topic, but I received ANOTHER message from my friend Luke tonight. I didn’t even read it – had Becky read it out loud to me, but the gist was him asking me what I thought a false prophet was.
I’d already stated to him that it boiled down to one main fact – either Joseph Smith had a vision or he didn’t. I believed that he had and that, through his fruits, primarily the Book of Mormon, all other things he restored were true as well.
His message caused a bit of contention between Becky and I, mostly due to my pride in wanted to “show” Luke that what we believe is right and he’s wrong.
PRIDE, PRIDE, PRIDE!
This is NOT how Christ handled things when he taught amongst the unbelievers.
Becky eventually encouraged me to do as Jesus did when asked rhetorical questions that were only meant to trap Jesus in His words – to say nothing.
I did some research at LDS.org about Apostasy and the Restoration of the Gospel. For the sake of time, it being 1:45 a.m., I won’t share all the things I found; rather just the links to the articles.
- The Message of the Restoration
- Why Do We Need Prophets?
- Restored Truth (this is so powerful and direct – “Either it’s true or it’s not – there’s no middle ground; it’s not really that complicated…”)
What I found through all of this reading was a confirmation of what I’ve already done with Luke and what I plan to do – say nothing.
In fact, in the very LAST talk I read by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, I had this experience:
Wow, THIS is the ANSWER I was looking for tonight in my study:
So let us have patience and faith as did Lehi who saw pointing fingers of scorn directed at those who grasped the iron rod, which rod, ironically, some of those same fingers once grasped (see 1 Ne. 8:27, 33). But, said Lehi, “we heeded them not.” So it should be with us! Brothers and sisters, being pointed in the right direction, we do not need to worry about being pointed at! (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “From the Beginning“, Nov. 1993, bold added for emphasis)
Elder Maxwell goes on to say this:
We can best express our gratitude for this glorious fulness by developing a more full love for all of humankind. And why not, for the Restoration tells us who our neighbors really are! Let our gratitude likewise be expressed by striving to become, attribute by attribute, more and more as Jesus is (see 3 Ne. 27:27). By so living, ours will not then be a mere appreciation of Jesus, nor a modest admiration of Him. Rather, ours will be an adoration of Jesus expressed by our emulation of Him!
27 And know ye that aye shall be bjudges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what cmanner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even das I am.
There you have it.
I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m grateful for the Restoration. I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of God, written by the ancient inhabitants of the Americas who were guided by God just as we are today.
I know that as I live my life, I will recognize opportunities to “get my work done”. I feel in my heart of hearts that my work is to not be afraid to open my mouth and share the good news of the restored gospel. I feel that my mission will be an ongoing process, that I will have opportunities to share my testimony and stand for what I know to be right and true.
I don’t need to “win” or “prove” that what we have is truth – it speaks for itself.
I don’t need to get all caught up and dwell on…may I say “evil intentions”.
I just need to continue my study of the truth and live it the best I can.
I want to repent and submit my will to God every moment of every day.
I want to be the best father and husband my family could ever ask for.
And that’s that. Hasta manana!
Nate
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