11-12-11 “He did deliver me from bondage” Step Nine

11-12-11    “He did deliver me from bondage”  Step Nine: Blessed are all the Peacemakers

“Living the principles we have covered so far in this course will have the effect of establishing Zion within each participant’s heart.” 

This is a pretty big claim, and I can honestly say that I believe it’s true.  I have felt a desire for every member of my Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to participate in this program.  These steps are actions steps to Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and Repentance.  (4^th Article of Faith)  In the early days of our Church’s history the Elders and teachers were told to only teach Faith and Repentance.  I believe this is also true today.  There are members that like to pontificate on how God became God and who God’s father is- yet they do not know how to ‘liken scriptures unto ourselves’.  They have not yet learned how to pull the mote out their own eye, or ‘turn the other cheek’.  These are the very most basic principles of the doctrine of Christ, regardless if which religion you belong to.  These steps are the beginning for all those who would hope to be worthy to call themselves Christian’s.  Even though we have differences of specifics, Christ is common to us all.  If we truly want to follow His teachings and grow closer to Him, then this is the way to begin for all Faith’s.  I believe these steps are where we can unite and agree that Jesus is the Christ, and this is how we become like Him.  I also think that those who are already members of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints CAN gain this knowledge for themselves if they will follow the Prophet and read their scriptures ‘likening all things unto themselves’ and seeking ‘to receive the Holy Ghost’.  Far too few do.  The statistics prove this fact by the numbers who pay their tithing or attend the temple.  If they were living the gospel in their hearts and their homes, it would show in the numbers as a small indication of the greater part of their unseen private religion.  So until those of my religion realize the precious pearl of great price they hold and have rattling around in their scripture bag, then I invite all to come and see.  Come and be changed; come and be healed.  Come, so that we may bring again Zion and ‘shorten the time’ till our Savoir comes.  Is there something else you want more than this ultimate treasure?  For myself, there is nothing I hold dearer or hope more deeply than to see His face when He comes again.  Please come.  Lay down your shovel for a while; set aside the cares of this world for a time and come drink from living waters so that your heart may find peace and bring a profound sense of meaning to all the other things we much do in this lifetime to sustain life.  What ever your pain, who ever you are, what ever you have done, where ever you are along the path of the journey of life; this is the place to begin.  I would treasure the chance to walk this journey with you.  Come, let’s journey together. 

"THE ABILITY TO WALK PEASEABLY WITH OTHERS BEGINS WITHIN"

I have felt this very truth before: that Zion begins in my heart and swells outward.  I love how she talks about not fighting evil and the need to stop focusing on the fly in the car along the drive through the Grand Canyon.  This is so right for me right now on my journey.  With my studies of Gandhi I am seeking to learn ahimsa (non-violence).  I believe she’s right when she said that it would not be Zion to not allow them their turn to speak or to boot them out.  I do feel it important to cast Satan out, but if we continue to cast out those who erroneously follow him then how can we rescue them and bring them Home?  Father loves them just as much as He loves me.  Who will rescue them if we reject them?  I agree that we should let them have their voice, and then continue undeterred strong and sure toward the North Star.  Don’t heed the untruth they say, be patient, and allow them to learn for themselves.   

I love the story I read the other day. (Ch.9 of “Daughters of my Kingdom”)  President Kimball was sitting with a reporter in an interview and the reporter (who had the viewpoint of the world) asked President Kimball, “Have you ever seen heaven?”  Maybe the reporter was hoping for some spectacular vision or amazing story.  President kindly replied, “Yes I see glimpses of heaven every day.  I saw it just this morning as I sealed a man and wife in the temple for their marriage ceremony.  I see it when I see a family kneel down for family prayer.”  He told the reporter of the small and simple ways that God’s hand is manifest  President Kimball helped the man see that truth in not in the grand and amazing, but in the small and simple.  Then he taught about the principle of heaven by defining what it is.

I love this story because it shows how we can handle times when we are asked questions from the perspective of the world, and how we can gently teach the truth.  I see this is the way to call people out of that great and spacious building, lovingly showing them there is a better way, instead of hitting them over the head with a club and telling them they’re doing it all wrong.  That tactic will push them further away from Christ because they feel rejected.  This is how to persuade with love, like President Kimball did.

This is classic what she said to those voices on her committee: 

“I recognize you have a right to be, to exist.  God allowed you to be on my committee.  There must be something I can benefit from by having you established in my memory.  God accepts you the way you are, allows your attitudes and choices to be just as you want them, but He doesn’t pay any attention to the lies you still believe and speak.  He recognizes them for what they are and goes on with His own work.  I desire to be like Him in every way. ..”

That’s all for today.  More tomorrow…