Grace For Grace

 

This is another Post from John. It is good for us to remember this principle.
Shayne

 

There is an intriguing formula given in D&C 93 whereby Christ received a “fullness of the glory of the Father” for He “received not of the fullness at first”.

The fullness of the Father was when Christ received “all power, both in heaven and on the earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.” In other words, by receiving a fullness, Christ became perfect and acquired the full power of the Godhead. He became “one” with the Father.

Christ took upon Himself the work and mission of the atonement, and the process of sanctifying Himself in oneness with the Father, so that “we”, those whom the Father gave Him to save, (John 17:24) would likewise have the ability, through the atonement of Christ, to come unto the Father and become sanctified even as Christ was sanctified. Listen to the rest of John 17:

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou has sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, and that thou hast loved me.” (John 17: 20-23)

John, whom we call the Baptist, explains that Christ received “grace for grace”. We know that this grace was a gift from the Father because Christ “received” it. He didn’t earn it, but qualified for it by acts of grace among His fellow-man.

It works like this; Christ attuned Himself to the voice of the Father so that He truly did nothing except what the Father commanded Him. (John 8: 28-29) When the Father sent Christ to teach, heal or bless, Christ obeyed the Father and thereby dispensed grace to fellow mortals – for which the Father then gave Christ an increased gift of the Father’s grace. Thus, Christ received a little more of the “fullness” of the Father, and became a little more “one” with with Father by each act of grace. In other words, He received grace for grace – the Father’s grace in response to Christ’s grace given to men.

The process is exactly the same for you and I. When we are born we arrive in mortality with a certain set of abilities, gifts and talents. These things constitute our mortal tool chest. Some people are physically strong and able to push a handcart across the plains. Some are born with great love, or the gift of teaching, prophecy, faith to heal, or even music and science. The list of human gifts is vast even though each of us only has a few. These are our mortal gifts which we are able to grant to others as grace. When Christ, through the Holy Spirit, asks us to serve someone by using one of our gifts, then we are giving grace to that person.

So, when we dispense our small grace to another mortal as prompted by Christ’s voice – we bake them cookies, support someone in their struggles, or help someone mow their lawn – then Christ dispenses His grace to us: His eternal grace in exchange for our mortal grace. The difference is that our gifts are cookies, and His are steps to exaltation.

The second step of this grand process is that we grow from “grace to grace”. Just as Jesus Christ “received not of the fullness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fullness;” (D&C 93:13) We are powerless to obtain a fullness on our own. There is no other process of good works, service, ordinances, or church service that will bring us to a fullness. The only pathway to “a fullness” is to obtain continual grace from Christ, so that we grow from “grace to grace”.

It is true that service, good works and ordinances are vital to the process, but they must be done in obedience to the voice of Christ in order to activate this divine law of “grace for grace”. Good things done for lesser motives on our part, or even as selfish accomplishments, are not grace, and do not trigger the divine mainspring of atoning and enabling grace.

Christ grew from one gift of the father’s grace, to another, until He obtained a fullness, and so can we.

And thus we receive grace for grace, and grow from grace to grace, until we obtain a fullness. The key is always the same – Hear His voice, and obey.

Brother John

Becoming As The Savior

I was reading my scriptures this morning in Ether 12, which I highly recommend for everyone to reread. It is instructive how the Lord talks with Moroni about his weakness, one of which, was in writing. I immediately thought to myself wow, he is a great writer. I on the other hand struggle with what to say and how to say it. I struggle with proper placement of commas and periods and everything else in between. I now notice great writing and editing.
 
Hopefully my writing will improve with time, but what is truly important, is my sure witness of the Father and Son. They live and love us more than we will ever know. I am surprised how involved they are in our lives. The little things mean something to Them, because they mean something to us. I am humbled by the grace and mercy they give to all of their children, regardless of obedience. I see people changing their lives, little by little, getting better, being kinder to their spouse and children. I weep when they leave the Bishop’s office in gratitude for a loving Father in Heaven. He truly cares and loves them unconditionally. I feel that unconditional love He has for them and me. I know that is how we need to be.
 
Our spouse is the first one that needs to feel this unconditional love, then children and then the people around us, especially if we are an employer or church leader. We need to treat our employees as we would want to be treated. We have a sacred trust when we have the power to fire someone or dictate what wage we pay them. Be generous and the Lord will be generous with you, a hundred times more.
 
In closing I want to leave you with a thought from President David O. McKay. It is from a private blog that has incredible material and people on it. Joshua Mariano runs the blog. He was the person that researched all the quotes and material for the Book: “The Triumph of Zion”. He is a wonderful person.
 
I want everyone to think about the light that emanates from us, does it have a brightness that people will notice and will want to know more? It cannot be faked, it is a direct result of the righteous thoughts and desires we have.
 

Pres. McKay:
 

“Every person who lives in this world radiates light, which affects and influences every other person in the world. Our choices in life determine what we really are. The radiance of the light that emanates from our countenance is determined by the choices we make, and is a powerful force in human relationships. And every person is the recipient of that radiation. The Savior was conscious of that reality; and to a degree so are we.
 
Whenever Jesus came into the presence of an individual He was conscious of a light emanating from that person’s soul, and which was mirrored in his countenance. He knew the behavior and conduct, and the choices a person had made because that behavior and those choices were reflected by the radiating light in one’s countenance. My dear brothers and sisters, we must make nobler choices. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. Every moment of life we are affecting, to a degree, the life of every other person with whom we may come in contact, and who comes within the sphere of our influence.
 
Every person is affecting every other person who lives. We cannot for one moment escape this emanation, this radiation of light that emanates from our countenance. Life is a constant state of radiation and absorption of light. To exist is to radiate light; to exist is to be the recipient of light. And we choose the qualities we permit to be radiated by the light within us, determined by our behavior, and by the choices we make.”

[The Prayer of Adam and Eve by Jeffrey M. Bradshaw (A. F. Segal, Paul, p. 152. President David O. McKay)]

A Single Step

Terri is compiling many of John’s Posts into a new book. This post is one of the many that will be included.
Shayne

 

Every journey begins with a single step. No matter how distant or near the destination, that first step is not optional. To fail to make it is to fail the entire journey. Failure of this one thing is failure of all things.
 

With the process of obtaining great priesthood blessings and the stature of righteousness, that first step is learning to hear and then to obey the voice of revelation in one’s soul. There is no other first step. There is no other process. There is no other path. I think the reason the Holy Spirit has moved me toward this topic so many times on the UnBlog is because this concept is key to everything else we can discuss, everything else we can even hope to achieve.
 

Every precept of the gospel which I have learned from the very existence of God, to the meaning of temple truths, has come to me because long ago our gracious Savior led me down a long pathway to teach me to listen to His voice. Over the last few months I have related quite a few of these experiences, and each one taught me in one way or another to listen carefully, and to obey with all of the courage I can bring to bear. I’m certainly not as good at it as I wish to be, but over the years, the sum of obedience literally opens the heavens and pours out great blessings.
 

Now we live in a dispensation of the gospel whose primary objective is to build a society worthy to dwell in the presence of our returning Christ. When we actually understand what we are being asked – commanded – to do, it is a calling and obligation that is so far beyond our present understanding of our capacity as to make it incomprehensible. It is somewhat like trying to make a goldfish comprehend feathers and flight.
 

The difference is that the Holy Spirit is in our lives specifically to lift us from the fishbowl of our inadequacies and to not only give us wings, but to make us worthy to possess them.
 

The process is very simple. When we allow Christ to become our shepherd by taking His voice as our guide, then He begins to change us. This is the empowering aspect of the atonement. He not only causes us to see our potential; he vastly upgrades it. He doesn’t just forgive us of our sins; he armors us against them. He not only shows us that goldfish really can fly; he causes us to grow wings, to become something that belongs in the air and can’t wait to get there. Every time we yield our will to Christ’s, something divine happens – we become more and more like Him.
 

Not only do we grow wings through this process, but we grow eyes that can see the things of eternity, and ears that can hear the things of God.
 

When you read the scriptures, and survey the lives of the noble and great ones of previous gospel dispensations, you are not reading the lives of the extraordinarily talented. You are reading the lives of the extraordinarily obedient. They all started with no greater advantage or genius or strength than most of us.
 

Their great first step was when they learned to hear, and then they learned to obey, and then to fly.

Seeking your Audience with the Lord, Part 3

When I began seeking the fulfillment of D&C 93:1 in my life, I inadvertently enrolled in the school of hard knocks.  I had to learn some lessons — often painful lessons — to teach me to trust in the Lord.

Here are some of the lessons I learned:

Orienting

Do not view the path to obtaining such a blessing as easy, or something which can be done casually.

You may be tempted to disregard, minimize or forget many of the concepts and teachings that will move you forward in a significant way.  Even if you put them to the test, you may stumble and fall every now and then.  I have, and I still do.

My advice: Don’t look down. Keep looking up. As you continue, you will be strengthening and solidifying your spiritual muscles. Over time, incrementally, you’ll feel stronger. You’ll grow in your confidence of the being whose presence you will feel more often and his familiar, gentle voice that you will hear more clearly.  As one wise friend once told me, “When you’re on this path, you should know two things: First, you are as of the dust of the earth. You are weak and sinful.  Second, despite those facts, you continue to seek the Lord’s face with a perfect brightness of hope.”

Along these same lines, I think it’s important to remember that each person’s path back to the Lord is individualized, customized and personalized.  Like snowflakes, no two paths are exactly alike.

I have a friend who is deeply, deeply interested in others’ personal, sacred experiences with the Lord.  While I suppose that learning from their accounts may have some value, the greater value lies in pursuing your own path.  Sure, you may experience similar signs (such as D&C 93:1) on your path.  However, it will (more likely than not) differ from another’s.

“Yea, verily I say, let all these take their journey unto one place, in their several courses, and one man shall not build upon another’s foundation, neither journey in another’s track.” (D&C 52:33)

Receiving

Do not see such an event as a “goal” or another “worthy objective” to obtain, as if it was something to be listed on a resume or a bucket list.

To illustrate: Almost seven years (to the week) ago, I was laid off my job.  I was really distraught, and didn’t know what I would do.  One of my first inclinations was to go get a priesthood blessing from a good friend. In the blessing, I was told that I could go out and get a job, and that I would obtain one.  However, if I received the Lord’s counsel and did certain things with respect to my spiritual development, I would be blessed with a job via a friend — a job that was beyond my expectations, and would receive many blessings from it.

I chose to receive the Lord’s invitation, and do the things He was asking of me while I searched for a new job.  Sure enough, six weeks later, I was offered a job through a friend of a friend — a job which continues to bless me to this day.

As mortals, we are conditioned from an early age to obtain things.  When I picture the word obtain, I see peoples’ hands extending in a grabbing position, palms down.

Being blessed with a testimony of Christ in the flesh is not something we obtain, grab or take, but instead, we receive, allow and exhibit patience.

I think we would do better to view life as a process of receiving (not obtaining), with hands extended and palms up, being grateful for all that the Lord gives to us, on His timetable.  Obtaining seems selfish; receiving seems patient and grateful.  I hope that makes sense.

Doing

Do not view simply “asking” for such a blessing as a prime prerequisite.  While speaking of D&C 93:1, Pres. Spencer W. Kimball once stated,

“…no man will ever see God by just wishing it, wanting it, asking for it — nobody with just ordinary interest or curiosity.  The Lord doesn’t go around just showing Himself — like you go to a show and see something you pay for.  The Lord doesn’t.  But every soul may see Him and know that He is, if that soul will do the things the Lord will require of him.” (Elder Spencer W. Kimball, “See His Face”, Santa Monica Stake fireside on November 18, 1973; http://toadland.net/1er/way/Kimball_face.pdf)

In my opinion, the Lord knows full well what the desires of your heart are.  It’s no surprise, it’s not news to Him that you wish to have an audience with Him.  Instead, He wants you to seek Him, and in so doing, your actions will speak louder than words; they’ll be your calling card.

No Guarantees

You have no guarantee that you’ll have an audience with the Savior in the next week, month, year or decade.

But I have no doubt that, by doing what the Lord has invited you to do, He will live up to every promise He’s made you…and then some (rarely, if ever, have I seen the Lord not exceed His promises to me).

In His due time, and at a time when you least expect it, He may very well appear to you, call you by name, embrace you, minister to you and bless you as you wash His feet with your tears and develop an unshakable testimony of Him, despite anything and everything the world and Satan can and will throw at you.

What about you?

What lessons have you learned on this path?  I’d love to read your advice.

Seeking your Audience with the Lord, Part 2

Evolving from “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence” to “Enjoying the Light of Christ’s Presence”

This very doctrine — that we, too, can have an audience with the Savior — has been a beacon of light to me for most of my life.

It has also been a foundational cornerstone since the Restoration’s opening minute, and is a central theme of the Book of Mormon and the narrative in the temple.

Yet when I’ve discussed it with other members, I’ve more often than not received blank stares, as if I’m an alien from another planet.  It leaves me wondering sometimes if there are some among us Latter-day Saints who are (frankly) closer to being “Latter-day Aint’s” in that they don’t believe in such possibilities.

Others believe that only prophets, apostles and maybe seventy or temple presidents can enjoy such special revelatory experiences.

I couldn’t disagree more. Such beliefs fly in the face of statements about which the Lord and his servants have consistently testified.

“God is no respecter of persons. He will give revelation to me and to you on the same terms and conditions. I can see what Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon saw in the vision of the degrees of glory-and so can you. I can entertain angels and see God, I can receive an outpouring of the gifts of the Spirit-and so can you.” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, October 1969 General Conference; emphasis mine)

“. . . God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 149; Elder Bruce R. McConkie, October 1969 General Conference; emphasis mine)

“After the true saints receive and enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost; after they know how to attune themselves to the voice of the Spirit; after they mature spiritually so that they see visions, work miracles, and entertain angels; after they make their calling and election sure and prove themselves worthy of every trust – after all this and more – it becomes their right and privilege to see the Lord and commune with him face to face. Revelations, visions, angelic visitations, the rending of the heavens, and appearances among men of the Lord himself –all these things are for all of the faithful. They are not reserved for apostles and prophets only. God is no respecter of persons. They are not reserved for one age only, or for a select lineage or people. We are all our Father’s children. All men are welcome.” (McConkie, “The Promised Messiah”, p. 575 as quoted in “The Triumph of Zion”, p. 105 ; emphasis mine).

An Unblog Invitation

At a fundamental level, the Unblog is an online journal of experiences and testimonies which bring us back to Christ.

Yet I’ll admit: Some things are so sacred, that it’s difficult to adequately discuss them online.  Some experiences are better left implied and not detailed in this venue.  I hope you understand — especially in the case of this post.

Yet what we can do is share and testify of several things we have learned along the way — strategies and actions you can read, ponder and pray about — which could help you take a step closer to a loving Savior who is more anxious than you are to hold you in His arms again.

Seeking your Audience with the Lord, Part 1

Do You Have Enough Light To Make It Through The Last Days?

If you’re like me, you can’t help but be a little concerned about current affairs, both at home and abroad.  The news is bad, and getting worse everyday.

And if you’ve read Isaiah in-depth, you understand that what we’re seeing now is barely the tip of the iceberg.

This may have been what Heber C. Kimball (a counselor to Pres. Brigham Young) had in mind in 1856, when he warned the Saints that the time would come when no man nor woman would be able to endure on borrowed light.  Each must gain a personal knowledge of the truth and be guided by the light within himself/herself.

Yet his statement begs the question: how much light do we seek?  Do we seek the “bare minimum”, perhaps just enough light to get by spiritually?   Or do we rely solely on the light obtained by church leaders, book authors and such?

This may be why many tend to limit their potential experiences with the Lord.  We may cast stones at ourselves because of our past or present, believing we are not worthy of greater light.

Despite your past or your present, the Lord’s message to you never wavers.  He sees in you far, far greater potential — more than you can comprehend.  He is more kind, more loving, more understanding, more forgiving, more motivating than you can imagine.  He is your best best friend, who gave His life for you.  He stands beside you, rejoicing in every little step you take in the right direction.  He never gives up on you.

He is always inviting you, beckoning you to do these three things:

Aim Higher.  Reach Farther.  Attain Greater.

I invite you to not only see, but also feel, what He is saying to you:

“Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” (D&C 88:63)

“Seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (D&C 88:63)

“Sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.” (D&C 88:68)

(Then there’s my favorite scripture, which we will discuss in-depth at some point in the future):

“Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;” (D&C 93:1; emphasis mine)

Yes, despite being that imperfect person with a lifetime of sins and weaknesses, He is anxious for you, He repeatedly invites you, to seek Him like you never have before.  And in so doing, someday, you will see His face.  You will hear Him call you by name.  You will taste the fruit which many, many others (past and present) have tasted as you melt in His arms, with tears streaming down your face, and know that He lives.

Spiritually create that moment.  Return to it over and over again — and fully expect the physical moment to happen…

…someday.

Am I Willing To Sacrifice All Things Part 2

We have come to the point in our journey where the covenant to sacrifice all things has distilled upon our souls. Precious promises have been given to us. This is the start of a magnificent journey, which the Lord will use to refine our souls even more. You will find your spirit is pointed outward to bless people, because inside you burn with the fire of the Holy Ghost, and the Lord says come follow me.
 

 

Remember you are not perfect, you still sin but you are more aware of the Savior’s atonement in your life. His life is too precious and His suffering too great to ignore. The Savior’s name is Sacred to you; it has power in your life as never before. You bow your head in reverence at the mere mention of His name.

 

 

I have had many friends start on this journey and then back away because it became too hard, the price too high to pay. I say unto to them as I say unto you, endure it well, press forward and hold on to your faith and do not give up.

 

 

As President George Q. Cannon said: “No matter how serious the trial, how deep the distress, how great the affliction, [God] will never desert us. He never has, and He never will. He cannot do it. It is not His character. He is an unchangeable being; the same yesterday, the same today, and He will be the same throughout the eternal ages to come. We have found that God. We have made Him our friend, by obeying His Gospel; and He will stand by us. We may pass through the fiery furnace; we may pass through deep waters; but we shall not be consumed nor overwhelmed. We shall emerge from all these trials and difficulties the better and purer for them, if we only trust in our God and keep His commandments.” (“Remarks,” Deseret Evening News, Mar. 7, 1891, 4); see also Jeffrey R. Holland, “Come unto Me,” Ensign, April 1998, 16–23).

 

 

I promise you from sacred experience that the journey is worth every trial which you will endure. It will strip from you what the world deems important and leave you a disciple of Christ. This process of purifying will be with you the rest of your life.
 

 

I close with the  Lectures on Faith. I was given to study Lecture 6 by Heavenly instruction and it literally changed my understanding of so many things, especially faith. I would encourage all to read Lecture 6 on a weekly basis. Here is a portion of that Lecture that I love.

 

 

[Lec 6:7e] “When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has for the truth’s sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice, because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain.”

 

 

What a wonderful promise to all seekers of truth. This is the most joyous journey we can embark on in this life. It is worth every trial that we will have, because it will make us in the image of Christ.
Shayne