Monday, December 21, 2015: True charity – may in the end – be seen by Heavenly eyes alone!!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015: Most of us will never become greater – than the cumulative teachings of those we allow to be our mentors!!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015: Those who wish to maximize their potential during mortality – will choose the Master Mentor to be their teacher!!
Thursday, December 24, 2015: For our own welfare – we should pray – that our hearts will never be closed to the suffering of others!!
Friday, December 25, 2015: Because we sang of silent nights, angels, shepherds, the little town of Bethlehem and the babe who was born on that first Christmas day!!
Monday, December 28, 2015: When we can no longer see the needs of our neighbors – we need to seek Heavenly help – that our vision might be improved!!
Tuesday, December 29, 2015: Since technology has brought almost everything to our finger tips – it is more imperative than ever – we discipline ourselves – in what we allow to impact and invade our personal space!!
Wednesday, December 30, 2015: As I write the final phrases to last year’s chapter – I understand the ink I used – was indelible – and will forever be part of my story!!
Thursday, December 31, 2015: A new year is not a new beginning – but a continuation – how much I allow my past to affect my future – is entirely in my personal power!!
Friday, January 01, 2016: Although my past has been written in indelible ink – whether it becomes a foundation or a wall – is entirely in my hands!!
Monday, January 04, 2016: Just like in all previous chapters of my life – this new one will likewise – be written in indelible ink – by every choice I make – every moment – of every day!!
Tuesday, January 05, 2016: There are instances in today’s world – what is now called modern thinking – would have been in times past been called corrupt!!
Wednesday, January 06, 2016: Most titles we seek after in mortality – will have a very short shelf life – therefore – wouldn't we be wiser to seek after everlasting titles!!
Thursday, January 07, 2016: It is difficult to lift another – when we are standing on shaky platforms!!
Friday, January 08, 2016: If the high place I am standing upon – is built of faulty materials – I will probably be responsible for the fall of others – when I come crashing down!!
Monday, January 11, 2016: The only safe way to lift another – is first to make sure you are standing on a firm foundation!!
Tuesday, January 12, 2016: The path to readiness is lengthy – and cannot be travelled in the moments – when emergencies impact our lives!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2016: Although Heavenly Father knows all – we can only become aware of what he wishes to bestow upon us – if we sincerely ask – and humbly learn to listen to His counsel!!
Thursday, January 14, 2016: Those who have found places of refuge – where they can retreat – to find peace, love and comfort – should always remember to count this as part of their abundant blessings!!
Friday, January 15, 2016: The words we feel cannot always be expressed – by the inadequate vocabularies of mortals!!
Monday, January 18, 2016: Happiness is not dependent on having the answer – to all of life’s puzzling questions – it often comes because we find comfort – in the little we know!!
Tuesday, January 19, 2016: Peace often comes most powerfully – when we are able to be grateful for the limited understanding we have been given – accompanied by a belief that through our patience – we will yet be blessed with further knowledge!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2016: No matter how realistic technology makes it – virtual reality – is not reality!!
Thursday, January 21, 2016: The lack of hope – may be the biggest roadblock to progress!!
Friday, January 22, 2016: Hope can move the most dominated person – to break the chains that bind!!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
ANOTHER LOOK AT HEAVENLY FATHER’S ETERNAL PLAN 6
I don’t know how I got into the sixth installment of this Thought. I am now ‘way beyond the ideas which were included in the talk I prepared for Sacrament Meeting several months back.
Oh, I remember, Kathleen had asked me if I thought there might be those who would use the principles connected with Heavenly Father’s work and glory to bring to pass the eternal life of His children being on going and everlasting, as an excuse to not get involved in worrying about working on positive progression during mortality.
During last week’s Thought I spent some time writing about how there might be some areas beyond well-defined commandments, which those of us who have been blessed with our three score and ten and beyond, to worry about processing during this mortal probationary period. I wrote a few lines about one of those areas which is the test of how we choose to use our time, talents and resources.
The other principle which I believe we as a people who have been given much need to be more diligent is in our ‘Watch’. I will refer to this as the principle of ‘inclusion’ versus ‘exclusion.’
Since the beginning of the recounting of mankind’s comings and goings started to be traced on walls and scribbled on skins, our ancestors have left evidence that all generations have struggled with the concept of ‘them’ versus ‘us’.
Just as I stated when discussing time, talents and resources I feel that the choices we make concerning who will be included in our tribe and who will be excluded is likewise one of those difficult to define, but, nevertheless, is one of those universal laws which by its nature is included into all of the laws and the prophets.
The number of scriptural verses which advocate the principle of Heavenly Father’s children becoming one are numerous and I admonish a prayerful searching be done by us all. I think it will not be a stretch to believe that one of the conclusions we will come to in this study, will be all the laws and the prophets have been given for the purpose of helping all of ‘them’ become all of ‘us.’
It would be laughable if it were not so sad to consider principles of darkness the adversary has used to divide and put into factions the brothers and sisters of our Eternal Father.
The number of books we have read – The name of the institution of higher learning we attended – The shade of our pigmentation – The height of the steeple on the building where we worship – The label attached to the garments which cover our nakedness – The side of the mountain or river we were born on – The size of wall we have built to keep others out!!
The list could be extensively added to; however, I have promised myself I will not write a seventh Thought in this series.
It seems that if a reason to exclude someone from our circle of inclusion does not exist we will use our imaginations to make one up. Even with the aid of the marvelous cyber helps we have it is almost impossible to keep up with the formation of groups, which are built up to identify someone’s exclusiveness and thereby become another neighbor excluding organization.
The Lord’s answer to the question in Luke 10, which had been asked by one seeking to find a formula to be able to live the commandment to love your neighbor one of exclusion, after giving the parable of the Good Samaritan, gave his answer with a question of His own.
Which now of these three, thinketh thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?
And he (the one who had asked the first question) said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise. (New Testament – Luke 10:36, 37)
I sincerely believe as we attempt to be more inclusive of all of Heavenly Father’s children in disseminating our time, talents and resources, we will find ourselves closer to fulfilling the purpose of our mortal probationary period.
A recap of the principles covered during the past six weeks of Thoughts
Another Look at Heavenly Father’s Eternal Plan
1. There was neither beginning nor will there be any end to the
declared work of our Heavenly Father to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children.
2. If Heavenly Father is unwilling to end His work on our behalf, then neither should we cease our progressive efforts.
3. Every moment of our pre-mortal, mortal and post-mortal states is a preparatory day. Therefore, whatever state in which we find ourselves we need to be fully engaged in the practices of preparation for our eternal state.
4. Only by extending the days of our preparation can we truly appreciate the meaning and extent of the mercy of the Father and His Son.
5. The work done in the Houses of The Lord would have little meaning if His work didn't exist before mortality and didn't extend beyond mortality.
6. Those who have the blessing of long mortal lives and who have been given much need to take full advantage of this privilege and opportunity to add to their eternal progression.
7. The use of our time, talents, and resources as well as how inclusive we are in our brotherhood and sisterhood may be a major part of living the First and Second great commandments which are founded on a Christ like love.
My prayer is that, even with our limited vision and meager understanding of our Heavenly Father’s Eternal Plan we will refrain from putting the walls and borders of mortality around the Eternal-ness and Everlasting-ness of His work and His glory.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
Oh, I remember, Kathleen had asked me if I thought there might be those who would use the principles connected with Heavenly Father’s work and glory to bring to pass the eternal life of His children being on going and everlasting, as an excuse to not get involved in worrying about working on positive progression during mortality.
During last week’s Thought I spent some time writing about how there might be some areas beyond well-defined commandments, which those of us who have been blessed with our three score and ten and beyond, to worry about processing during this mortal probationary period. I wrote a few lines about one of those areas which is the test of how we choose to use our time, talents and resources.
The other principle which I believe we as a people who have been given much need to be more diligent is in our ‘Watch’. I will refer to this as the principle of ‘inclusion’ versus ‘exclusion.’
Since the beginning of the recounting of mankind’s comings and goings started to be traced on walls and scribbled on skins, our ancestors have left evidence that all generations have struggled with the concept of ‘them’ versus ‘us’.
Just as I stated when discussing time, talents and resources I feel that the choices we make concerning who will be included in our tribe and who will be excluded is likewise one of those difficult to define, but, nevertheless, is one of those universal laws which by its nature is included into all of the laws and the prophets.
The number of scriptural verses which advocate the principle of Heavenly Father’s children becoming one are numerous and I admonish a prayerful searching be done by us all. I think it will not be a stretch to believe that one of the conclusions we will come to in this study, will be all the laws and the prophets have been given for the purpose of helping all of ‘them’ become all of ‘us.’
It would be laughable if it were not so sad to consider principles of darkness the adversary has used to divide and put into factions the brothers and sisters of our Eternal Father.
The number of books we have read – The name of the institution of higher learning we attended – The shade of our pigmentation – The height of the steeple on the building where we worship – The label attached to the garments which cover our nakedness – The side of the mountain or river we were born on – The size of wall we have built to keep others out!!
The list could be extensively added to; however, I have promised myself I will not write a seventh Thought in this series.
It seems that if a reason to exclude someone from our circle of inclusion does not exist we will use our imaginations to make one up. Even with the aid of the marvelous cyber helps we have it is almost impossible to keep up with the formation of groups, which are built up to identify someone’s exclusiveness and thereby become another neighbor excluding organization.
The Lord’s answer to the question in Luke 10, which had been asked by one seeking to find a formula to be able to live the commandment to love your neighbor one of exclusion, after giving the parable of the Good Samaritan, gave his answer with a question of His own.
Which now of these three, thinketh thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?
And he (the one who had asked the first question) said, He that shewed mercy on him.
Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise. (New Testament – Luke 10:36, 37)
I sincerely believe as we attempt to be more inclusive of all of Heavenly Father’s children in disseminating our time, talents and resources, we will find ourselves closer to fulfilling the purpose of our mortal probationary period.
A recap of the principles covered during the past six weeks of Thoughts
Another Look at Heavenly Father’s Eternal Plan
1. There was neither beginning nor will there be any end to the
declared work of our Heavenly Father to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children.
2. If Heavenly Father is unwilling to end His work on our behalf, then neither should we cease our progressive efforts.
3. Every moment of our pre-mortal, mortal and post-mortal states is a preparatory day. Therefore, whatever state in which we find ourselves we need to be fully engaged in the practices of preparation for our eternal state.
4. Only by extending the days of our preparation can we truly appreciate the meaning and extent of the mercy of the Father and His Son.
5. The work done in the Houses of The Lord would have little meaning if His work didn't exist before mortality and didn't extend beyond mortality.
6. Those who have the blessing of long mortal lives and who have been given much need to take full advantage of this privilege and opportunity to add to their eternal progression.
7. The use of our time, talents, and resources as well as how inclusive we are in our brotherhood and sisterhood may be a major part of living the First and Second great commandments which are founded on a Christ like love.
My prayer is that, even with our limited vision and meager understanding of our Heavenly Father’s Eternal Plan we will refrain from putting the walls and borders of mortality around the Eternal-ness and Everlasting-ness of His work and His glory.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
Sunday, June 12, 2016
ANOTHER LOOK AT HEAVENLY FATHER’S ETERNAL PLAN 5
Sometime during the editing of the first parts of this Thought, Kathleen asked me if it might be possible for someone who would be reading to wonder about just going ahead and wasting this mortal probationary period, spending it enjoying all the carnal pleasures which were neither available in our pre-mortal nor will be available in our post-mortal probationary periods, thinking God will bring to pass our eternal life eventually anyway.
Our conversation reminded me of when the topic of ‘only being accountable for the laws which we are given’ would come up in a class. Invariably one of the students would make a comment about not learning any more laws, so that they would have less to be accountable for.
Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no commandment; and where there is no commandment the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; and they are delivered by the power of him. (Book of Mormon – 2 Nephi 9:25)
The answer seems to be the same for both queries.
First: During our mortal probationary period we are not all being measured by the same measuring rod.
As I have previously stated, the standard by which our mortal probationary period will be measured will be determined by the amount of the Lord’s laws, knowledge and understanding we have been given and I would quickly add the opportunity we are given to adhere to those laws.
Although I have always believed that having an understanding of the laws which govern our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness as a guide during mortality to be more of a blessing than a curse, there is definitely an accountability and responsibility which attends the receiving of any portion of His laws.
Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (Doctrine and Covenants 130:18, 19)
It only takes a bit of pondering to connect the dots between the advantage the Savior and the noble and great ones gained during their pre-mortal probationary estate over those who were not so valiant to understand how that applies to those who have been blessed with and take advantage of the opportunity of having been given much during their mortal probationary period.
Thus, for that boy who was born in Pocatello, Idaho, of goodly parents, having been taught the laws of the Plan of Happiness all the days of His life, adherence to the philosophy of Zen Mormonism is especially important everyday he is blessed to sojourn in mortality.
Second: The verses following Doctrine and Covenants 83:3 where the Lord is talking about this principle of there being a differentiation between our individual responsibility and accountability, depending on the amount of the laws of our Father which have been available to each of us, are interesting and helpful to our understanding why the mortal probationary period will be of much greater importance to some of His children than others.
Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and justice and judgement are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.
Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all; Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth. (Doctrine and Covenants 82:4, 5)
I suspect those who are reading these Thoughts, having paid the price of finding them on Face Book or on my blog pages after I was shut down from my email blasts on Yahoo, are to some degree aware of the laws of the Plan of Happiness. Therefore, I would like to spend a few lines writing about at least two principles which fall into the category of things we need to ’watch’ and which we may not usually consider as part of the challenge which attends we who have been given much and have a sufficient period of life during our mortal probationary period.
I have written in previous Thoughts about the influence Elder Maxwell had on me as a mentor and the way he taught about the principle of time. He felt that during our mortal probation the restraints of time placed upon us are a strange phenomenon, since it was not relevant during our pre-mortal and will not be relevant to us during our post-mortal probationary states.
There is no doubt regarding the use of time along with the use of our talents and resources as significant tests of our diligence in ‘watching.’ Like the principle of love, our obedience to all the laws and the prophets, likewise, seems to hang on the test bound up in these the principles of using time, talents and resources correctly.
It is not much of a stretch to say that every choice we are faced with will involve an evaluation of how our decision will affect the amount of time, talent and resources we will be asked to commit to fulfilling the requirements of that choice.
It is easy to understand that being obedient to the law of tithing is going to demand a decision about the use of our resources. However, it is a defined principle which says obedience demands 10% of our increase. Once we have been given the law we are expected to live the law.
It should be easy to grasp the principle involved with the living of the word of wisdom. We are to abstain from partaking of those elements which are harmful to our spiritual and physical welfare and partake of those elements which are beneficial to our spiritual and physical welfare. Once we have been given the law we are expected to live the law.
However, there are instances when we are given the opportunity to serve, where the commitment of time, talents and resources are not so well defined, and each of us is left to determine how much of our precious time, talents and resources we will spend fulfilling the callings and opportunities for service we have been given.
There are few moments during our daily routines when we are not making choices of how much of our time, our talents and our resources we are going to spend on self-fulfilling activities and how much we will spend on service to others and how much we have little control of because of the obligations of our life sustaining duties.
Since the existence of time, talents and personal resources seems to be a reality of our mortal probation and not necessarily one which we will be tested on in our other probationary states, it seems for those of us who have been given a fair portion of eternity to spend in mortal bodies it becomes an area we need to become particularly aware of its constancy and importance.
The choices of how we use our time, talent and resources are indeed one of those loosely defined areas of our mortal life where we need to be carefully ‘Watching’ lest we fall into the dominion of the adversary.
(To be continued)
Our conversation reminded me of when the topic of ‘only being accountable for the laws which we are given’ would come up in a class. Invariably one of the students would make a comment about not learning any more laws, so that they would have less to be accountable for.
Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no commandment; and where there is no commandment the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; and they are delivered by the power of him. (Book of Mormon – 2 Nephi 9:25)
The answer seems to be the same for both queries.
First: During our mortal probationary period we are not all being measured by the same measuring rod.
As I have previously stated, the standard by which our mortal probationary period will be measured will be determined by the amount of the Lord’s laws, knowledge and understanding we have been given and I would quickly add the opportunity we are given to adhere to those laws.
Although I have always believed that having an understanding of the laws which govern our Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness as a guide during mortality to be more of a blessing than a curse, there is definitely an accountability and responsibility which attends the receiving of any portion of His laws.
Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection. And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (Doctrine and Covenants 130:18, 19)
It only takes a bit of pondering to connect the dots between the advantage the Savior and the noble and great ones gained during their pre-mortal probationary estate over those who were not so valiant to understand how that applies to those who have been blessed with and take advantage of the opportunity of having been given much during their mortal probationary period.
Thus, for that boy who was born in Pocatello, Idaho, of goodly parents, having been taught the laws of the Plan of Happiness all the days of His life, adherence to the philosophy of Zen Mormonism is especially important everyday he is blessed to sojourn in mortality.
Second: The verses following Doctrine and Covenants 83:3 where the Lord is talking about this principle of there being a differentiation between our individual responsibility and accountability, depending on the amount of the laws of our Father which have been available to each of us, are interesting and helpful to our understanding why the mortal probationary period will be of much greater importance to some of His children than others.
Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and justice and judgement are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.
Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all; Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth. (Doctrine and Covenants 82:4, 5)
I suspect those who are reading these Thoughts, having paid the price of finding them on Face Book or on my blog pages after I was shut down from my email blasts on Yahoo, are to some degree aware of the laws of the Plan of Happiness. Therefore, I would like to spend a few lines writing about at least two principles which fall into the category of things we need to ’watch’ and which we may not usually consider as part of the challenge which attends we who have been given much and have a sufficient period of life during our mortal probationary period.
I have written in previous Thoughts about the influence Elder Maxwell had on me as a mentor and the way he taught about the principle of time. He felt that during our mortal probation the restraints of time placed upon us are a strange phenomenon, since it was not relevant during our pre-mortal and will not be relevant to us during our post-mortal probationary states.
There is no doubt regarding the use of time along with the use of our talents and resources as significant tests of our diligence in ‘watching.’ Like the principle of love, our obedience to all the laws and the prophets, likewise, seems to hang on the test bound up in these the principles of using time, talents and resources correctly.
It is not much of a stretch to say that every choice we are faced with will involve an evaluation of how our decision will affect the amount of time, talent and resources we will be asked to commit to fulfilling the requirements of that choice.
It is easy to understand that being obedient to the law of tithing is going to demand a decision about the use of our resources. However, it is a defined principle which says obedience demands 10% of our increase. Once we have been given the law we are expected to live the law.
It should be easy to grasp the principle involved with the living of the word of wisdom. We are to abstain from partaking of those elements which are harmful to our spiritual and physical welfare and partake of those elements which are beneficial to our spiritual and physical welfare. Once we have been given the law we are expected to live the law.
However, there are instances when we are given the opportunity to serve, where the commitment of time, talents and resources are not so well defined, and each of us is left to determine how much of our precious time, talents and resources we will spend fulfilling the callings and opportunities for service we have been given.
There are few moments during our daily routines when we are not making choices of how much of our time, our talents and our resources we are going to spend on self-fulfilling activities and how much we will spend on service to others and how much we have little control of because of the obligations of our life sustaining duties.
Since the existence of time, talents and personal resources seems to be a reality of our mortal probation and not necessarily one which we will be tested on in our other probationary states, it seems for those of us who have been given a fair portion of eternity to spend in mortal bodies it becomes an area we need to become particularly aware of its constancy and importance.
The choices of how we use our time, talent and resources are indeed one of those loosely defined areas of our mortal life where we need to be carefully ‘Watching’ lest we fall into the dominion of the adversary.
(To be continued)
Sunday, June 5, 2016
ANOTHER LOOK AT HEAVENLY FATHER’S ETERNAL PLAN 4
Having written about our days of probation during our pre-mortal estate we will now consider the two remaining periods of our preparatory periods leading up to our final resurrected state.
THE SHORT PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF OUR ETERNAL EXISTENCE WE SPEND IN MORTALITY:
I am now into the early 400s of the Thoughts I have written, which have abundantly covered the importance I place on the choices we make and how we treat one another during this mortal period of our eternal existence.
I have also explained in the earlier parts of this look at Heavenly Father’s plan how I feel about the illogical and unjust position of thinking that all of our post-mortal existence hinges on what happens to us during mortality.
Therefore, I will just add some thoughts on the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 82:3.
For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
There you have it. That little boy who was born in Idaho, taught the gospel by goodly parents, received a degree in Ancient and Modern Scripture and taught the word of the Lord most of his days will find that his mortal preparatory phase counts for a great deal more than that boy who lived his few mind destroying, glue sniffing days living in the sewers of Bogota, Colombia, or that child of Heavenly Father who spends but brief moments in this mortal sphere.
For behold, and also his blood atoneth for those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. (Book of Mormon – Mosiah 3: 11)
It seems that Benjamin was well aware that there are adjustments made for whatever short period of our eternal existence we each spend in mortality and the circumstances which attend those days.
It should be comforting for all of us to realize that the perfect justice of our Heavenly Father’s plan makes allowance for all contingencies of his children’s varying experiences during their eternal existence and provides us hope not only for our own past, present and future probationary periods, but for that of all our brothers and sisters who will spend whatever time they are given and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves during this mortal phase of our eternal lives.
THE EVERLASTING PERIOD WE WILL SPEND IN OUR POST-MORTAL PROBATIONARY ESTATE:
Brigham Young, the prophet of God who led the latter-day-saints to their home in the tops of the mountains, once gave a sermon in which he stated that it wouldn't surprise him if it took millions upon millions of years as we count them, after he had passed from mortality, before he would be prepared for his final resurrection.
While I have little doubt that I will in no way be prepared to handle all that my Father wishes to bestow upon me, it gives me great comfort to understand He will still have His arms of grace and mercy outstretched to gather me in during my next estate.
It seems to me that all of us will continue our education and preparation long after we lay our mortal aside. The only questions seem to be what class room we will be in and whether we will be instructing or receiving instruction.
Joseph F. Smith who was at the time the senior living apostle of the Lord on the earth, had the eyes of his understanding opened and the Spirit of the Lord rest upon him and he was privileged to glimpse the conditions which exist in the Spirit World or that world where our preparation for our final resurrection continues.
Among the things he saw were: (Doctrine and Covenants 138)
Heavenly Father’s children arrive there in an immense diversity of stages of progress.
The fullness of the gospel will be preached by those who have been commissioned.
The gospel of the redemption will be taught to all of the dead.
Agency will continue to affect the progression of Heavenly Father’s children.
Through this expanded preparatory period the great work which is done in the Temples of the Lord will plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers.
Those who repent will be redeemed and they will become heirs of salvation.
It is of little wonder that Neil Maxwell, after suffering from the effects of battling cancer during the last few years of his life, declared that he was looking forward to the day which would shortly come when he could get off of the bench and back into the action. There is no doubt in my mind; he is among those whom the Prophet Joseph F. Smith saw who were appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to the spirits of men.
I am struck with the foolishness of men who are so quick to give up on themselves and their brothers and sisters. If our loving, merciful Father who is full of grace continues eternally in his efforts to bring to pass the immortality and eternal lives of his children, why then would we give up the hope which will keep us trying. Why would we ever give up trying when our Heavenly Father never will?
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
THE SHORT PROBATIONARY PERIOD OF OUR ETERNAL EXISTENCE WE SPEND IN MORTALITY:
I am now into the early 400s of the Thoughts I have written, which have abundantly covered the importance I place on the choices we make and how we treat one another during this mortal period of our eternal existence.
I have also explained in the earlier parts of this look at Heavenly Father’s plan how I feel about the illogical and unjust position of thinking that all of our post-mortal existence hinges on what happens to us during mortality.
Therefore, I will just add some thoughts on the scripture found in Doctrine and Covenants 82:3.
For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
There you have it. That little boy who was born in Idaho, taught the gospel by goodly parents, received a degree in Ancient and Modern Scripture and taught the word of the Lord most of his days will find that his mortal preparatory phase counts for a great deal more than that boy who lived his few mind destroying, glue sniffing days living in the sewers of Bogota, Colombia, or that child of Heavenly Father who spends but brief moments in this mortal sphere.
For behold, and also his blood atoneth for those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. (Book of Mormon – Mosiah 3: 11)
It seems that Benjamin was well aware that there are adjustments made for whatever short period of our eternal existence we each spend in mortality and the circumstances which attend those days.
It should be comforting for all of us to realize that the perfect justice of our Heavenly Father’s plan makes allowance for all contingencies of his children’s varying experiences during their eternal existence and provides us hope not only for our own past, present and future probationary periods, but for that of all our brothers and sisters who will spend whatever time they are given and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves during this mortal phase of our eternal lives.
THE EVERLASTING PERIOD WE WILL SPEND IN OUR POST-MORTAL PROBATIONARY ESTATE:
Brigham Young, the prophet of God who led the latter-day-saints to their home in the tops of the mountains, once gave a sermon in which he stated that it wouldn't surprise him if it took millions upon millions of years as we count them, after he had passed from mortality, before he would be prepared for his final resurrection.
While I have little doubt that I will in no way be prepared to handle all that my Father wishes to bestow upon me, it gives me great comfort to understand He will still have His arms of grace and mercy outstretched to gather me in during my next estate.
It seems to me that all of us will continue our education and preparation long after we lay our mortal aside. The only questions seem to be what class room we will be in and whether we will be instructing or receiving instruction.
Joseph F. Smith who was at the time the senior living apostle of the Lord on the earth, had the eyes of his understanding opened and the Spirit of the Lord rest upon him and he was privileged to glimpse the conditions which exist in the Spirit World or that world where our preparation for our final resurrection continues.
Among the things he saw were: (Doctrine and Covenants 138)
Heavenly Father’s children arrive there in an immense diversity of stages of progress.
The fullness of the gospel will be preached by those who have been commissioned.
The gospel of the redemption will be taught to all of the dead.
Agency will continue to affect the progression of Heavenly Father’s children.
Through this expanded preparatory period the great work which is done in the Temples of the Lord will plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers.
Those who repent will be redeemed and they will become heirs of salvation.
It is of little wonder that Neil Maxwell, after suffering from the effects of battling cancer during the last few years of his life, declared that he was looking forward to the day which would shortly come when he could get off of the bench and back into the action. There is no doubt in my mind; he is among those whom the Prophet Joseph F. Smith saw who were appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to the spirits of men.
I am struck with the foolishness of men who are so quick to give up on themselves and their brothers and sisters. If our loving, merciful Father who is full of grace continues eternally in his efforts to bring to pass the immortality and eternal lives of his children, why then would we give up the hope which will keep us trying. Why would we ever give up trying when our Heavenly Father never will?
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
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