Tuesday, January 30, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is sad to realize – how often we have to guess – what is going on around us – as our faculties begin to diminish!!

Monday, January 29, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It will be fascinating – when the day comes – we finally find out how much of our personalities – are a result of our premortal progression – and – how much is a result of our mortal experience!!

Sunday, January 28, 2018

DESIRES OF LOVING PARENTS

For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.

And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him. And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.

And he came down by the borders near the shore of the Red Sea; and he traveled in the wilderness in the borders which are nearer the Red Sea; and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam. And it came to pass that when he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water. And it came to pass that he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God.

And it came to pass that he called the name of the river, Laman, and it emptied into the Red Sea; and the valley was in the borders near the mouth thereof.

And when my father saw that the waters of the river emptied into the fountain of the Red Sea, he spake unto Laman, saying: O that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness! And he also spake unto Lemuel: O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!

Now this he spake because of the stiffneckedness of Laman and Lemuel; for behold they did murmur in many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart. And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them. Neither did they believe that Jerusalem, that great city, could be destroyed according to the words of the prophets. And they were like unto the Jews who were at Jerusalem, who sought to take away the life of my father.

And it came to pass that my father did speak unto them in the valley of Lemuel, with power, being filled with the Spirit, until their frames did shake before him. And he did confound them, that they durst not utter against him; wherefore, they did as he commanded them.
(1 Nephi 2: 1-14)

Even after having gone through the learning stewardship of parenting five sons and a daughter with Kathleen, while the number abiding under our roof shifted between two and eight, it still causes me to wonder when I read the account above.

It clearly states that Lehi was filled with the Holy Spirit during this exchange. Yet, there seems a vast disconnect between the desires he has for his two oldest sons, Laman and Lemuel and the reality he has about who they are and the wrong choices they continually make.

This same disconnect seems to be a pattern starting with father Adam, whose blessing to Cain seems to be out of line with the choices his eldest son makes. I have even wondered about Heavenly Father bestowing the name of Lucifer or Son of the Morning upon his son who became the author of all lies, even Satan.

Some of the wonderings which have passed through my mind are:

Are parents supposed to let eternal hope and desire reign over current reality during their tenured stewardships?

When the Holy Spirit has revealed the eternal nature of a child to parents are they to relate to the child ‘as if’ the child was manifesting those eternal characteristics, even while struggling in darkness?

When the Holy Spirit has revealed the eternal nature of a child to parents when does is it appropriate to explain this to a wayward child?

When is it appropriate for parents to withdraw and refrain from commenting and allow their child to suffer the consequences of their own decisions?

When the deportment of a child negatively impacts a sibling, what is the appropriate reaction of parents?

When a child completely extricates themselves from the beliefs a parent knows to be true, what is the appropriate reaction of parents?

How are parents supposed to react when they have come to know the corrective changes their children make will turn out to be but momentary pauses in known patterns of wrong choices?

Why does agency include the right of all children to know or not to know the reality of the existence of God?


As our connected posterity hastens toward the inclusion of fifty souls, I personally find myself grateful for the existence of an eternity of time where the mystery of parenting might become less cloudy and I will at last see more clearly.

This mystery of mastering parenting gives me one more reason to marvel at the majesty of our Heavenly Parents, who, if I understand their roles correctly, perfectly handle these parenting situations millions of times daily.

Although I clearly understand that this Thought leaves us with zero solutions to the queries presented, I am sure that the pondering of them will cause us all to have a great deal to think about. I have found this dilemma to be true of many passages of scripture. If we really search and ponder them, we are often left with more questions than answers.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY


Saturday, January 27, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Of all the words which have lost their original meaning – FATHER – MOTHER – FAMILY – are among the saddest – which have had their meanings changed!!

Friday, January 26, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

No matter how well rules and laws are explained – there will always be those – who will never be convinced – they apply to them!!

Thursday, January 25, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Being busy is relative to every individual – no one can determine – what being busy is – for a neighbor!!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Once we have been called – to a stewardship by the Lord – we never need to fear – we will be working alone!!

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It usually takes a lot of good works – shining over our bad works – for many of those who are observing our actions – to be able to see clearly who we are!!

Monday, January 22, 2018

LIFE' LESSONS LEARNED!!

Sadly – in the eyes of many – our bad works – dull the brightness – of our good works!!

Sunday, January 21, 2018

TENDER MERCIES

If what the statisticians say is correct, I am in a definite minority when it comes to the number of books I have read after finishing my educational reading. I won't attempt to have anyone believe that all of my reading has been in the categories of faith promoting, educational or enlightening, but I did find a great deal of enjoyment, excitement and entertainment as I escaped into the imaginary worlds of my favorite authors of fictional writings.

During my retirement years I have attempted to go through the volume of the Great Books of the Western World by following the outlined 10 year course. I did very well in getting through the first six years, but Tolstoy’s War and Peace slowed me down and I have found myself struggling to get very far into the seventh year.

I may be misremembering, but I don't believe other than reviewing chapters for tests I have ever read a text or any other non-scriptural book more than once. I have no idea whether that is a good thing or not!

Gratefully, my employment kept me grounded in those writings which were faith promoting, educational and enlightening. However, I long ago gave up on arriving at an accurate number for the times I have read the Holy Bible, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon along with the holy writings of the major non-Christian religions of the world and some writings of very minor or ancient religions.

What follows in this Thought are some ponderings I have spent many hours wondering about and some very personal conclusions with which I have felt secure and comfortable. However, I hasten to say that these conclusions came from my journey and I in no way want anyone to feel like they have any universal applications.

The Old Testament – Pearl of Great Price


I will start by expressing my gratefulness that it is mainly from these two volumes of scripture that we gain the testimony of two of the three pillars, upon which Elder Bruce R. McConkie indicated the salvation of all mankind rests. Therein, we find the words of the prophets testifying that the Creation happened by the power of God and the Fall came about that men might be able to go through a probationary period with a physical body.

All too often, when reading the Old Testament and its second witness of the actuation of the Creation and the purpose of the Fall found in the Pearl of Great Price, I find myself feeling like the Nephites, who Nephi said couldn't understand the writings on the Brass Plates (a parallel volume to portions of the Old Testament) because they did not understand the thinking of the Jews. My problem is that I constantly come away from reading the Old Testament with more questions than answers which may in part be attributed to another teaching of Nephi, that there would be many plain and precious teachings changed or lost from the Old Testament.

Questions like:

I know there are consequences attached to choices, but God as described in the Old Testament often appears to be very selective in which of His children He favors. Where is the inclusive God I believe in?

The Lord of the Old Testament seems to not only bless people because they are obedient to His commandments, but because they are able to defeat other nations in war. Where is the God of Peace I believe in?

The commotion and confusion, stench and filth which attend the most sacred religious ceremonies as explained in the Old Testament definitely revolts me since I do not have the mind of a Jew. Where is the spiritual serenity which I believe to be necessary for the proper attitude of worship?

I too often find myself going through an exercise of picking and choosing as I tread the pages of these scriptural volumes.

The New Testament:

As I have read and taught from this volume of scripture, I am grateful that as Jesus the Christ fulfilled the Law in mortal sojourn, He also dramatically changed the tenants of the gospel from an emphasis on all that we should avoid doing to those things we should be doing.

From the Sermon on the Mount, He gives us a lifetime challenge of attributes of Godliness which we should be attempting to inculcate into our lives and make them an eternal part of our being.

The Savior’s summation of all the words of the law and the prophets being included in the commandments of loving the Lord God with all our might and strength and our neighbors as ourselves brings beauty in its simplicity to religion. In spite of the doubt which scholars place on the authorship of the books of the New Testament, there is little doubt of the change which has been wrought upon millions and millions of hearts because of the loving messages credited to those writers.

I have long felt that if we come away from studying the New Testament without an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the Atonement of Jesus the Christ along with His being uniquely qualified to accomplish that wonderful act of salvation and possible glorification for all of humanity, and that if it is to be but a behavioral manual for good people, we have not as yet gained the wholeness of this New Testament.

Because of non-acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity and our belief in the Godhead being made up of three distinct beings, I have often had to be careful not to leave a study or teaching of the New Testament finding that I had supplanted the importance of The Father with and overenthusiastic admiration of The Son. Gratefully the Son often reminded us of His subservience to the Father.

Doctrine and Covenants:

It is a well-established fact that no structure will ever exceed the strength of its foundation. Likewise, organizations and nations cannot succeed if the foundation established by their formers is faulty. As the Doctrine and Covenants approaches its 200th anniversary of publication in one form or another and with the knowledge that the words found in this book are revelations received by Prophets of God, the strength of this foundation stands as a support upon which all the revelations of the Latter-Days have been built.

Although the Doctrine and Covenants is the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I have found its greatest value comes when we personalize the instructions and conform our lives to the concepts found therein.

I am convinced it is only after we have a testimony of the origin of this foundational document, that we will also be able to adhere to the additional instruction which comes from the Lord to the continuing line of Apostles and Prophets.

I am grateful that the commission found in the Doctrine and Covenants, to teach and invite all to come unto Jesus Christ, amplifies the inclusiveness of His kingdom.

The Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Once I left the four year curriculum rotation of the Seminary classrooms and entered those of the Institute, I regularly found myself using the Book of Mormon as the subject matter for the classes I taught each year. My class load each semester would rotate over several years to include the other courses, but every semester at least one class I taught was on the Book of Mormon.

I know I am bordering on being flippant when I say the Book of Mormon ‘hums’ to me, but there is absolutely no doubt that the understanding and the love of God which fills my heart has its beginning and ending in my love for the Book of Mormon.

In the very beginning of his writings, Nephi declares he is going to show us the tender mercies of the Lord. (1 Nephi 1: 20) and as Moroni finishes his record he gives us the exhortation to remember the tender mercies of the Lord. (Moroni 10:2, 3)

It is that Father and that Son who have filled me with Their love and caused my love for Them to consume my being.

The teachings in the Book of Mormon bring remembrances of times before my mortal birth when counsel and instructions were received from Loving Parents and noble and great, spirit brothers and sisters.

The prophets boldly proclaim Heavenly Father is the God of all mankind and that He has been active in all nations among all peoples.

The Book of Mormon causes the light of the Plan of Happiness to burn brighter and illuminates the path I must walk to enjoy the fruits thereof.

I can declare with what certainty I am presently privileged to have, that I have indeed been blessed with an abundance of knowing the tender mercies of the Lord.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

Saturday, January 20, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is but – one Heavenly Father of us all – the lives of all our brothers and sisters – matter!!

Friday, January 19, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is a wonderful thing to have mountains of memories – but – it is a better thing – to be able to remember – when you have lived a long life!!

Thursday, January 18, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

: It is a wonderful thing – to live long enough – to have a mountain of memories!!

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

I never thought the day would come – when my biggest concern – would be how to adjust the number of dried plums – to take on a given day!!

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Being on a better road tomorrow – depends a great deal – on how wise your choices are today!!

Monday, January 15, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There is no connection between God being All Knowing - and – He being the cause of the troubles of the world – even though – He pre-announces events through His prophets!!

Sunday, January 14, 2018

GOODLY PARENTS

As Nephi begins his history keeping at the beginning of the what we now have recorded in the Book of Mormon, he makes the declaration that he had been born of ‘goodly’ parents and then goes on to give his testimony that they had fulfilled their duty in preparing him for the trials he would face in life and a foundation necessary for understanding the mysteries of God.

We don't have to turn very many pages before we discover that his older brothers Laman and Lemuel did not come out of the experience with their parents, Lehi and Sarah, having the same appreciation for their efforts nor ending up on the same path as their younger brothers.

When father Lehi gives his final blessing to the off spring of Laman and Lemuel he pronounces that whatever cursings might come because of their wrong choices would be put upon the heads of their parents. (2 Nephi 4:3-8)

If we were having one of those days when we felt that every wrong decision or action our children made was our fault, we might go into some depth of depression thinking that we had not only done ‘badly’ parenting, but would be under condemnation for the wayward decisions of our children, we might also wonder why would we embark upon such a venture?

We get a little bit of clarification in Doctrine and Covenants 68: 25-29 when the Lord places the cursing upon those parents who failed to teach their children righteous ways. That would give Lehi and Sarah an out and eliminate their having to suffer the cursings from the rebellious acts of Laman and Lemuel. After all, Nephi had proclaimed them to be ‘goodly’ and having fulfilled their duty to teach their children.

It doesn't necessarily add total clarity to one’s ponderings when we read in the Doctrine and Covenants 101: 78 that everyone has moral agency and is, therefore, accountable for their own decisions.

If we let our minds go to the extremes of the problem, we find that in spite of what would have been perfect dedication and teaching from our Heavenly Parents, there were many of their spiritual off spring who made and continue to make decisions contrary to their ’Godly’ parent’s teachings. Yet we can search the scriptures and will never encounter any indication that Heavenly Father came under any condemnation because of the choices and actions of His children.

I think the problem we encounter in pondering this principle is that we fail to concentrate on the object in Nephi’s beginning statement. The object in his sentence wasn't the child (Laman – Lemuel – Nephi – Sam) but the Parents. Think about it being that we were never sent to earth to learn to become ‘goodly’ children, but ‘goodly’ parents.

Adam and Eve, who, in spite of their efforts, had a few children who chose alternate paths to walk upon, were obedient to the Lord’s instructions to teach their children (Pearl of Great Price – Moses 6: 1-9). It would be a very heavy burden indeed if our first parents were to bear the cursings of all of mankind, but instead we find the scriptures giving us constant reassurance of Adam and Eve’s dedication in striving to be ‘goodly’ parents.

As we read the account of Adam and Eve, we find very early in their earthly mission they were given dominion (to govern after the manner of the Lord) over all living things, we begin to gain a glimpse of why Nephi would want to open his account declaring the existence of ‘goodly’ parents.

Taking our understanding of dominion to be to govern after the manner of the Lord, which sadly has been changed to mean we are given some kind of permission to dominate (oh how that word has lost its original meaning) and to rule with force and control over other’s ability to make choices, we also need to return to the original meaning of ‘goodly’ parents or God-like parents.

I hope that little bulb above each of our heads just added a degree or two of illumination, or if you prefer we just had a bit of an ‘a-hah’ moment.

Since we have been gifted with the words Joseph Smith spoke as he spent lengthy hours in the School of the Elders teaching about the characteristics, attributes and perfections of God (Lectures on Faith), along with the scriptures we have ample instructions on our main purpose for enjoying the gift of our sojourn on earth.

The mortal curriculum designed to help us learn to become God-like parents, thereby helping us fulfill the main purpose of our present existence and give us a foundation for eternal life as Eternal Parents, could possibly be designed to follow the following steps:

1. We would spend most of our time in our preparatory ages when we live with our parents, observing their ‘goodly’ parenting and gaining a desire to pattern our parenting after theirs. This seems to be quite different than modern tendencies of children, or maybe not so modern since Cain, Laman and Lemuel did likewise, to constantly look at all the failings and weaknesses in their parents or try to blame all of our failings and weaknesses on them.
2. This early time of life is then followed by an intense on the job training where we try to practice the patterns we observed in ‘goodly’ parents. We spend a lot of these years coming to realize that it really was a very good and difficult thing our parents accomplished during the days when we were the experiment which allowed them to gain a degree of ‘goodliness’.
3. Our nest becomes empty or perhaps a place of occasional visitations, but we realize that our earthly course work designed to help us become ‘goodly’ parents is a cradle to grave schooling experience. Lehi leaves us with little doubt of the total life experience of learning to be ‘goodly’ parents when, during his last mortal moments, he continues in his efforts to bring his children unto righteousness. (2 Nephi 1-4)
4. We, somewhere along the line before or after passing from mortality’s frail existence, figure out that this life is not only a time to prepare to meet God, but is the beginning of our schooling which will eventually qualify us for the Eternal Parenting roles of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal lives of children. (Moses 1:39)

When we concentrate on the main subject of Nephi’s opening sentence to be ‘goodly’ parents, we understand why David O. McKay taught. ‘No success in this world can compensate for failure in the home’ and why the Lord’s servants continue to press for the preservation of the family unit; for therein we will find the main pathway which leads to becoming like our Heavenly Parents.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

Saturday, January 13, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We should never think that – since – Heavenly Father is All Powerful and All Knowing – that the many horrific events during the history of the world – are part of Hid Plan – we must remember His Plan – includes giving His children their agency – and – these troubles are due to the choices we make!!

Friday, January 12, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

None of us will ever – come up with a plan of happiness – better than the one the Savior has outlined for us!!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The remarkable thing about the attributes and characteristics of our Heavenly Father – is not that He is able to enjoy them in His state of perfection – but – that He allows us to enjoy a degree of their everlasting blessings – during our mortal lives!!

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The work that is done – in helping another come unto Christ – is not only so that we can share Eternal Joy – but – so that we can share happiness – during our earthly sojourn!!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

All of life’s goals – gain greater meaning – when they are founded on – the goal of Eternal Life!!

Monday, January 8, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Personal acts of repentance – will not only make our own lives happier – but – will cause happiness to flow – into the lives of many others!!

Sunday, January 7, 2018

CONVINCING OF JEW AND GENTILE

When you first open the scriptural volume known as The Book of Mormon you encounter two title pages. The first bears the recently added title page which reads The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The second or original title page of the book contains the following statement:

Book of Mormon

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BY THE HAND OF MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ. ”

For those who are just now taking notice of this traditional title page, one of the first things you should learn is that although these words appear at the very beginning of the book they were actually the last words Moroni inscribed on the gold plates before sealing them up and putting them into the stone box on what we today call the Hill Cumorah.

The words from his final statement which I have put into bold print declare the purpose of the book to be the convincing of the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.

Perhaps a short explanation about all nations being categorized into two groups has its origins in the foundational teachings upon which Lehi (the father of the major Book of Mormon peoples) and all the subsequent writers built their teachings. The Jews of 600 BC, which is the year the history found in the Book of Mormon begins, believed that there were but two groups of people on the earth, those who descended from Abraham and were keepers of the covenant and all others. Therefore you were either Jew or a Gentile. Moroni’s statement becomes even bolder when we understand that he was addressing his comments to all people of all nations.

I have had the privilege of spending the vast majority of my professional and ecclesiastical life which is now well into its sixth decade, trying to convince Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ. The Book of Mormon has been and remains the most powerful instrument and witness as an aid in the pursuit. I should note that those people the world refers to as Mormons and whom the Mormons refer to as Saints have their own tradition founded definitions which alter the two groups of the world into covenant keepers and those who need to become covenant keepers, because they have been convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

I have found while interacting with what I am sure are groups which now number in the thousands and perhaps using some Book of Mormon language in the tens of thousands, that even though we use the two very general groupings as part of our understanding, in reality there are many different personalities, methodologies and time frames which make up the journey which both covenant keepers and those who need to become covenant keepers take on their way to being convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

Depending on your perspective, I will now present a partial or perhaps to some an exhaustive listing of the paths I have witnessed people plodding along during my life.

Believing Spirits – Not one of the more common types to be found among the humanoids, but we do come across them periodically. These are they for whom the veil between their present state of mortality and their previous pre mortal estate is extremely transparent. Therefore, their process of being convinced seems to involve two brief steps, being reminded and remembering.

First Reading
– I suspect the kinship of this group is very close with those of the Believing Spirit group. The main difference seems to be for this group the thinness of the veil seems to be less universal and more particular. They have not nor do they necessarily continue to have an open channel between this and their previous estate, but for some eternal reason with just one reading of the Book of Mormon they were convinced of its truthfulness and therefore had a jump start on being convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

External Evidences – I don't think you have to have a scientific bent to your intellect to be in this group, but it seems to be a commonality among many of those who begin this type of journey towards becoming convinced that Jesus is the Christ. There are so many physical descriptions in the Book of Mormon that it becomes fascinating to those of this group to make a list and check off the discoveries as archeologist dig further into Book of Mormon times. This group needs to be cautiously reminded of Joseph Smith’s admonition that it would fall to the world to prove the archeological existence of the Book of Mormon and that the members had a very different mission. Another caution that members of this group need to be aware of is that it can become so fascinating that the checking off of artifacts supersedes the true purpose of the book.

Internal Evidences
– Like the closeness of the kinship between those of the Believing Spirits and the First Reading groups the Internal Evidence group has a very close relationship to the External Evidence group and, therefore, the same cautions which are given to the previous group should be noted by this group. Likewise, the same admonition and reminder of the purpose of the book to convince us that Jesus is the Christ should be hearkened. The obvious difference is that rather than digging in the ground for evidence this group is devoted to digging into the book as a volume of literature and comparing what they discover to the ancient cultures and writing styles of the writers of the Book of Mormon. We often find writers, poets, linguist and English teachers congregating in this area. They find great delight in discovering commonness in such things as Chiasmus, poetic styles and consistency with Old Testament history.

Roller Coaster – If you have ever found yourself in line at the current most popular ride at an amusement park, you will understand that those found in this group seem to make up several lines waiting for several popular rides. Like those amusement park rides I have found this group to be very popular. This group could have been labeled with the biblical words hot and cold. There are times in their journey when everything is absolute and within a short period of time doubts seem to dominate the degree to which they are being convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

Here a Little There a Little – Once again we find this group having much in common with the Roller Coaster group, but vary in that they always seem to be on the upward part of the trail. They do have a tendency to pick and choose the portion of the gospel they prefer and, therefore, fall short of being totally convinced that Jesus is the Christ because they do not thrust in their all.

My own personal journey has been one which I would not necessarily recommend to others. I have been a certain type of the Here a Little There a little group. My testimony has grown continuously and still is added too frequently, but each step is what I feel the scriptures describe as a wrestle. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God – as far as I currently understand its teachings and doctrines – then the wrestle – I yet lack so much understanding in so many ways.

Just before Moroni sealed his writings and during the same period when he wrote the words found in original title page of the Book of Mormon he inscribed the path he felt one should take to become convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
(Moroni 10:2-7)

It seems that no matter with which group we might currently identify, whether found in this Thought or some obscure unidentified one, ultimately we will need to dedicate ourselves to adhering to Moroni’s exhortation to ask of God if we are to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ.

THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

Saturday, January 6, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Lacking sufficient information – will always result – in making less than satisfactory decisions!!

Thursday, January 4, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Adding numbers to any group – will usually result – in a corresponding reduction – in the group’s talent level!!

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Fasting is an activity – where we tell our physical body – it will be denied of something for a time – so our spirits can have a moment – to occupy our full attention!!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Vain repetition in prayers – has to be more of a practice – where we are trying to impress others – than thinking an Omni-listening Father – might need to have our words repeated!!

Monday, January 1, 2018

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Along with His other Omni’s – being Omni-listening – has to be one of Heavenly Father’s attributes – therefore – it is hard to imagine Him – ever getting tired of listening to His children!!