"I Bear Record of the Father", part 2

Part 1

If Jesus bears record of the Father through the Light of Christ, how do you use it? What do you need to know before you can use it? In Moroni 7, Mormon gives an excellent sermon on the Light of Christ. I believe an extensive quotation is necessary.

 5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also. 

 6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing. 

 7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness. 

 8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God. 

 9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such. 

 10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift. 

 11 For behold, a bitter fountain cannot bring forth good water; neither can a good fountain bring forth bitter water; wherefore, a man being a servant of the devil cannot follow Christ; and if he follow Christ he cannot be a servant of the devil. 

 12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. 

 13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 

 14 Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. 

 15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. 

 16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. 

 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. 

 18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. 

 19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

"I Bear Record of the Father"

In one of the opening declarations of His doctrine, Jesus said, "I bear record of the Father" (3 Nephi 11:32). You must ask yourself when and how this happens. If this is part of the Doctrine of Christ - the only doctrine that can save you - it could be critical that you understand every part of it. The scriptures show that this witness from Jesus Christ happens sooner and more often than you might think.

Moroni 7:16 says, "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man…" D&C 84:45-46 confirms this. “For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world…” (See also D&C 93:2) Literally everyone in the world has access to this Spirit or Light of Christ.

How is this possible? D&C 88:6-7 gives a clue. “He [Jesus Christ] 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; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ…” This is the same process that Alma 7:11-12 describes. “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind…he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of 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.”

As the Lord descended below all things and suffered all things, He comprehended all things. He learned how to help literally everyone in every possible circumstance. It’s not just a nice thing to know that Jesus went through everything you have. The knowledge that He gained in going through all those things for you does not go to waste. There is a reason that “light” and “knowledge” often go together in the scriptures and in the temple. The Light of Christ transmits the knowledge that Christ gained and it can guide you from moment to moment. In all the ways that the Light of Christ guides you, He bears record of the Father (John 5:19; 8:28).

The Light of Christ is one of the principal effects of the Atonement. D&C 18:11 says that the Lord "suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him." Without the Light of Christ it would probably not even be possible for you to repent. Do not let the Light of Christ go to waste. It can enlighten you continually. Bask in it and use it to repent.

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

"Ye Must Repent"

The all-encompassing theme of the Doctrine of Christ is the commandment to repent. That commandment specifically shows up three times in the few verses where Jesus lays out His doctrine in 3 Nephi 11. Numerous other verses of scripture attest to the primary importance of repentance  (Mosiah 18:20; Mosiah 25:22; Helaman 13:6; D&C 6:9; D&C 11:9). Judging by the importance of this critical component of the Doctrine of Christ, it is seems imperative that you understand it.

But first we must begin by explaining what repentance is not. Repentance is not a checklist of five steps. You might need to recognize what you did wrong. You might feel bad about it. You might find yourself "confessing" to someone. You might provide restitution to a victim. You might end up promising to never do something again. As tempting as may be to turn repentance into a formula, true repentance can't become a list of items that we memorize and check off in sequence.

Repentance is simply turning to God. I'll quote two very good definitions for repentance. The LDS Bible Dictionary says, "The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined."

Wikipedia says, "In Biblical Hebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נחם nacham (to feel sorrow). In the New Testament, the word translated as 'repentance' is the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia), 'after/behind one's mind', which is a compound word of the preposition 'meta' (after, with), and the verb 'noeo' (to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing). In this compound word the preposition combines the two meanings of time and change, which may be denoted by 'after' and 'different'; so that the whole compound means: 'to think differently after'. Metanoia is therefore primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind and change of conduct, 'change of mind and heart', or, 'change of consciousness'."

Turn to God, for He has the answers that you seek. Let Him change your mind and your heart. In other words, repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand (i.e. very close in proximity - Luke 17:20-21).

"Become as a Little Child", Part 3

Part 1 | Part 2

Little children are nothing if not honest. They will always tell you exactly what they think, even if it means making comments that would seem extremely rude or offensive to an adult. So you hear things like, "This food is really gross", "You're getting really old, Grandma", and "Why is that guy so fat?". 

Part of the honesty of little children is the ability to never cease asking for what they need. They will tell you exactly when they feel the slightest bit of hunger, when they're having trouble with something, or when they are hurt. Sometimes those notifications will be verbal. Little children rarely believe they can handle everything on their own and so they are often correct. If there is no assistance whatsoever given to a little child in need, eventually that child will die. So it is with you (Mosiah 2:21).

Part of your repentance might need to include this childlike attribute of continually depending upon and asking God for all of your needs without worrying about offending Him. Even though God knows exactly what you need before you even know (Matthew 6:8), He still wants you to ask. In Alma 34, Amulek teaches how far this doctrine should be taken:

 17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

 18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

 21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

 23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

 26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

Revelation 3 also teaches the importance of knowing what you need and asking:

 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  

The scriptures invite you to become as a little child and become keenly aware of the things you need. Shamelessly ask for those things. That is part of the repentance described in the Doctrine of Christ.

"Become as a Little Child", Part 2

Part 1

A wonderful (and kind of dangerous) thing about my children is that I can teach them something that goes against everything they have ever understood about the world, but they will believe me and change their mind. Adults rarely, if ever, accept revolutionary concepts as children do. Adults prefer to stick with what they grew up understanding, at almost any cost.

Jesus wants you to become as a little child because little children would actually believe the things He would teach them. Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." If your understanding of the order of Heaven hasn't been informed by heavenly beings, it might be inadequate. Joseph Smith said, "Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 324) If you believe that you already understand how to be saved in God's Kingdom, then you might not be as a little child and you might not receive the things that God offers you. The understanding you already have could be taken away (Alma 12:9-11).

Become as a little child and allow the Lord to change your entire understanding of how He operates and how He intends to save you. The brother of Jared was only allowed into the presence of the Lord after he said that he would believe anything the Lord would tell him (Ether 3:11-13). If you don't believe what the Lord would tell you, because you're already set in your beliefs and traditions, you might not get to meet Him to receive His testimony (D&C 76:101). Follow the Doctrine of Christ, become as a little child, and be prepared to let go of everything you thought you knew about Heaven and Earth.

Part 3

"Become as a Little Child"

One component of the Doctrine of Christ is the instruction to become as a little child. 3 Nephi 11:37 says, "And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things." "These things" that require becoming as a little child are the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost and the testimony that it brings (3 Nephi 11:35-36). 

Many other scriptures confirm the need to become as a little child. Here is only one from Matthew 18:

 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I have four little children, ranging in age from just a couple of weeks to 6 years. One only needs to observe little children to discover the attributes that Jesus is trying to help us develop. It is true that little children have their moments of difficulty, sometimes to the extreme. Is Jesus really including those moments when He asks us to become like little children? Jesus makes no exceptions in His doctrine and He is not a liar so He is indeed including those moments. 

There is a huge difference between a difficult child and a difficult adult. A little child will very soon return to an amiable condition and forget the entire ordeal. The adult will continue making things difficult for an extended period of time, or even a lifetime, and will remember well whatever it was that set him off. Jesus knows that we will have our difficult moments as we come unto Him. He expects us to overcome those difficult moments quickly, as a little child does.

If you can't let go of something that has made life difficult for you and you can't be legitimately friendly to those who may have been at fault, you might considering repenting and becoming as a little child to receive the things that Jesus offers, including the Holy Ghost. Turning to Christ enables you to receive His grace which gives you power to instantly forgive offenses that used to seem unforgivable. It will allow you to move on as little children always do.

Part 2 | Part 3

"I Will Declare Unto You My Doctrine"

Out of all the things contained in the holy scriptures, there is only one specific set of doctrine that the Lord defines as His own. Throughout the scriptures, this doctrine has been appropriately named the "Doctrine of Christ". The purpose of this blog is to identify the Doctrine of Christ, expound it, and advocate the liberal application of it. For an introduction, here is how Jesus Himself described His own doctrine in 3 Nephi 11:

 31 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine.

 32 And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me.

 33 And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

 34 And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned.

 35 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost.

 36 And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one.

 37 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things.

 38 And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

What if Jesus was telling the truth? What if He meant exactly what He said in the foregoing description of His doctrine? This is worth careful consideration because the Kingdom of God might be at stake, depending upon how you respond to these few verses of scripture. The amount of love you have for the Lord, and how much you believe Him, will determine how much heed you will give to these things. I pray that we will all come to know of the doctrine of Christ, and thus, come unto Him.