LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It makes for a much happier life – if we seek – for those things we have in common with one another – rather than concentrating – on the differences!! ----- When we come to appreciate – the difference – and – uniqueness of one another – as a positive thing – our lives will become richer!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Trust in the Omniscience of God – may be – the ultimate manifestation of faith!! ----- Faith gives us courage – to go forward – even when – we feel success is beyond our reach!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Not even Satan – has been given the power to supersede the Agency – of a child of God!! ----- Therefore – why would any of us – believe we have the right – or – power to supersede the Agency of another??

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is unwise – too take lightly – the wondrous gift – of living during a time – when living prophets – are upon the earth!! ----- Attempting to explain – the way one’s faith has developed – to an unbeliever – may be similar – to a computer nerd – trying to explain – computer language – to an old man!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We usually listen to the concepts – which give answers to the questions – which bother us!! ----- There never has been a stumble – which moved us – closer to our goal!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We usually listen to the concepts – which give answers to the questions – which bother us!! ----- There never has been a stumble – which moved us – closer to our goal!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There will never be an evil challenge – which is not met by the Comforter – with a greater gift of strength to resist!! ----- Since I initiated my fall into temptation – it will also be up to me – to initiate my rising from it!!

ISAIAH – A BOOK FOR ALL SEASONS

One of the more fascinating experiences I have in Sunday School classes is when the book of Isaiah is being studied. It gets especially entertaining when the instructor or one of the students expresses with absolute authority how certain verses or certain chapters should be interpreted.

The prophet Nephi in the first two books of the Book of Mormon included sections of Isaiah’s writings from the Brass Plates which had been obtain from Laban, but before doing so he wanted to make sure we were aware of a very important principle which needed to be understood by those who were studying Isaiah’s words.

Now it came to pass that I, Nephi, did teach my brethren these things; and it came to pass that I did read many things to them, which were engraven upon the plates of brass, that they might know concerning the doings of the Lord in other lands, among people of old.

And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written. (1 Nephi 19: 22-24)

Nephi is clear that the scriptures in general and the book of Isaiah in particular are of most value when the individual who is searching them ‘likens’ the contents unto themselves for their individual profit and learning and to give them reason to have hope. He also indicates that a personal bias he has is to use these words to persuade his people to believe in their Lord and Redeemer.

During His visit to the descendants of Lehi after His resurrection Jesus the Savior, before quoting some passages from Isaiah, gave the following admonition to those who were gathered at the Temple in the land Bountiful.

And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles. And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.

Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. (3 Nephi 23: 1-5)

I believe the Savior is just as clear as was Nephi that the words of Isaiah and as He likewise notes, all the words He has given us through his prophets, should be searched and harkened to for the individual progress of all of Heavenly Father’s children.

Perhaps a small reminder would be appropriate that to the writers of the Book of Mormon the world consisted of only two groups of people. Those who had aligned themselves with the covenants of the House of Israel and those who had not, whom they referred to as Gentiles.

Therefore, it is well to remember, whenever one is doing individual searching of the scriptures, especially the book of Isaiah, the more we can individualize the teachings into generations, nations and peoples, the greater will be the benefit to our progression towards understanding the path which leads us unto Christ.

ISAIAH – A BOOK FOR ALL SEASONS

For those who lived as contemporaries of Isaiah during the 8th century B.C. and continuing down to the advent of the Savior in the Flesh, the book was a reminder of the wars and the consequences of those wars which were continually being waged between neighbors in an effort to determine the power of their god or gods. The rabbinical scholars of that and subsequent eras have found very different and individual meanings from the words of Isaiah for the House of Israel than those of other dispensations.

In the Book of Mormon we find the words of Isaiah being quoted so frequently that Fawn Brodie remarked in her book, ‘No Man Knows My History’, ‘whenever Joseph Smith ran out of ideas he just inserted passages of Isaiah to fill pages.’ Those who believe Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God, however, believe Nephi’s and the Lord’s explanations as to why the Book of Mormon contains chapters from the book of Isaiah. The prophets and teachers of the Book of Mormon era found very different and individual meanings from the words of Isaiah for the House of Lehi than those of other dispensations.

Those who wrote about the Savior’s mission in the flesh, especially the Apostle Matthew, used the words of Isaiah to verify to the House of Judah during the meridian of time that the Son of God had come to earth to open the doors of salvation to all. The Disciples, Sadducees and the Pharisees found very different and individual meanings from the words of Isaiah for the House of Judah than those of other dispensations.

For Centuries post Constantine Christianity representatives have used the words of Isaiah to justify changes and charges, destinies and destructions which vacillated almost as frequently as the filling of decades. Popes, Priests, Pastors and Preachers through the centuries have found very different and individual meanings from the words of Isaiah for the House of Christianity than those of other dispensations.

During the period of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, members of the Church of Jesus Christ have become fond of talking about Isaiah in one of two ways. Either we hear them say, ‘I can’t understand the words of Isaiah’ or ‘let me tell you exactly what these words of Isaiah mean’. Therefore, depending upon whether you attend Sunday School in Eli, Nevada, Bountiful, Utah, Bogota, Colombia or some other isolated unit of the church you will find some variation of the ‘not understanding’ or the ‘exact interpretation’ mode being espoused which will vary widely and be preach with individual meanings about the words of Isaiah for the House of Latter Day Saints than those of other dispensations.

I cannot say for certain, but I have a suspicion that those who live during the millennial dispensation after the Second Coming of Jesus the Christ will receive very different and individual meanings when reading the words of Isaiah than any other dispensation of this world’s history.

During the coming months when we are led into the words of Isaiah by one of the writers of the Book of Mormon, my prayer is that I might be faithful as I write my Thoughts to four guiding principles; first, that I might succeed in my efforts to demonstrate what Nephi was trying to have his people understand from the passages of Isaiah he was quoting; second, I will be able to faithfully include Elder Bruce R. McConkie’s chapter preface statements in the English LDS edition of the Bible with some additional brief personal comments which will not distract from his interpretation of Isaiah’s words; third, that I might succeed in my efforts to communicate a very personal meaning I am receiving at the moment; and fourth, that perhaps I might succeed in my efforts to provide a stimulus for whoever might be reading my Thoughts that week to seek their own individual instructions from the words of Isaiah.

I have a solemn testimony that the words of Isaiah as well as the words of all scripture are of most benefit when they speak to us individually and sink deeply into those areas of our beings which need to profit from learning about the purposes of our existence and which will inspire us to align our thoughts, words and actions with the gospel of Jesus the Christ.

ISAIAH – A BOOK FOR ALL SEASONS


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The Atoning act – and – loving mercy – of our Lord Jesus the Christ – was performed to help us – find relief from pain – not only in the afterlife – but – also during mortality!! ----- It is not a casual concept – that the Holy Ghost – is also called the Comforter!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

As certain as death – and – taxes – is the certainty – that we will have less energy – as we age!! ----- Although pain often comes to us – because of the decisions of others – the relief from pain – will always come – as a result – of our own decisions!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The only blessings – we should be counting – are those – we have been given ----- The only safe way – of never getting lost – is to stay – on the well-marked path!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Criticism – and – skepticism – may at times be appropriately used – but – when they dominate our views – and – opinions – we will undoubtedly – find ourselves being shut off – from a great deal of wisdom – and – beauty!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Rejection of proffered loving efforts – is most often – a cry for help – from a broken heart – that needs help mending!! ----- The shortest path – to receiving continual – and – frequent – inspiration from the Holy Spirit – may be upon the stepping stones – of attentiveness – and – obedience!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The infinite love – Heavenly Father – and – His Son Jesus the Christ – have for all humanity – will keep them from ceasing – to strive to bring any of us unto Eternal Life!! ----- The example of the Father’s – and – His Son’s – unceasing efforts – generated from Their infinite love – should be an example – to all of us – in our relationships!!

LEHI – AN EXAMPLE OF FATHERHOOD

As I entered the date this Thought would be published, it came to my attention that it would fall on the Sunday marked as Father’s Day on the calendar. I have been prone in the past to make some off- hand remark about how little is done to remind us that there is anything that would cause us to make this day any more special than any other day.

This woe feeling was quickly replaced with a strong realization that Fatherhood is a responsibility and not an activity which makes anyone deserving of being pampered or honored. The thought also came forcibly upon me that Fatherhood along with Motherhood are a sacred privilege and, as far as I know, the only Exalted Eternal callings which Heaven Father allows His children to be tested in while they dwell in mortal bodies.

Therefore, if fathers were to engage in any special activity on this Sunday, it should probably be in expressing gratefulness for the opportunity and privilege they have been given. A thought that just entered my mind is that much like having a special Thanksgiving Day expressing gratefulness for the opportunity and privilege of participating in the Exalted Eternal Office of Fatherhood while still being a mere mortal, should be something we constantly and continuously have in our hearts, minds and souls.

After spending the first 5 ½ months of this year reading, pondering and writing about Nephi’s account of his father Lehi’s Fatherhood activities and in anticipation of a few more months observing his history from the far reaches of millennia, I feel it to be an appropriate use of time on this Father’s Day to rehearse Lehi’s example as he struggled with attempting to perform Eternal Exalted Works while enveloped in a mortal body. While likewise reminding ourselves of the many Fatherhood mantles we should be thankful for.

Although it is the first of his examples to be mentioned, it should always remain at the very top of the privileges of our apprenticeship towards having bestowed upon us the Exalted Eternal Office of Fatherhood, the very essence of Exalted Beings, that being Creators of Life. Along with Sariah who joined with Lehi in becoming a complete being they gifted mortality to sons and daughters.

Sadly, all too many men, very shortly after begetting a child begin to fail in their apprenticeship towards the Exalted Eternal Office of Fatherhood, and quickly turn from the responsibilities which must be met and the growth which can come by immersing themselves into the joys and sorrows which attend our faltering probationary steps.

Although I will be concentrating on Lehi in this thought, we must always remember Sariah, she who made him whole, walked every step with him.

And he was blessed!!

The Scriptural and Rabbinical writings forcefully teach that the cloak of Fatherhood, besides giving life to children, also brings with it the responsibility to insure their offspring are provided for, the children are taught that they needed to increase the prosperity of the family and that when one’s life comes to an end go to their rest having the assurance that the earth is a better place than when they were born. We don’t have a lot of details of the early period of Lehi and Sariah’s union, but since they had built up quite a surplus that Laban liberated from their sons,
And he was blessed!!
We know that Lehi is progressing well through the trials of his apprenticeship when he is privileged to receive revelatory direction from a heavenly messenger about how to keep his family from being destroyed.

And he was blessed!!

His devotion to faithfully follow inspired directions is profoundly demonstrated when he willing gives up all his worldly possession which he had spent his lifetime accumulating and go into the wilderness to dwell in a tent.

And he was blessed!!

He never mourned for the loss of his worldly goods, but suffered gravely when his children had to suffer the consequences of their poor decisions.

And he was blessed!!

Not only did Lehi lead his family out of Jerusalem which would shortly fall leaving many of its inhabitants destroyed and others carried away into slavery, but he received an instrument which directed him to guide his family safely across the deserts and desolations which they had to traverse during their mortal testing. We may not have a Liahona, but we all can be thankful for prayer and the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

And he was blessed!!

He faithfully taught his children that there are consequences to their decisions and encouraged them to strive to hold to the truths which would lead them to feel of the love of Christ which would give them the strength to complete their apprenticeship in preparation to becoming Eternal Exalted Fathers and Mothers.

And he was blessed!!

I have always admired a trait in Lehi which is seldom acknowledged, which is how he recognized when it was time to pass the torch of leadership to the next generation. Although, because the agency of his offspring remained inviolate and he could not control what that passing would bring to pass, he never the less, let go of the scepter that others might have opportunity for growth toward becoming Eternal Exalted Fathers and Mothers.

And he was blessed!!

I will yet spend abundant time pondering and writing Thoughts about the blessings Lehi bestows upon his children when he is about to go the way of all the earth, but for now I just want to point it out as an example of enduring to the end in our apprenticeship toward becoming Eternal Exalted Fathers and Mothers.

And we will be blessed!!

It is little wonder that even though generations have passed, since his day of apprenticeship in his probationary experience of working towards becoming an Exalted Eternal Father there are millions who refer to Lehi not only as Father of Nations, but Prophet and Revelator!!

And we will be blessed!!

Just a final note from my pondering as I write this Thought. I would hope that I would not treat this day when I am writing nor the day when I review this script before publishing it as the only moments I let my heart, mind and soul be filled with thankfulness for the wonderful part of Heavenly Fathers plan which allows us all the opportunity to participate to one degree or another in putting on the characteristics, attributes and perfections of Eternal Exalted Fathers and Mothers during this mortal part of our probationary apprenticeship. My hope also contains the prayer that this might be the quest of each of us every moment of every day.

And we will be blessed!!



THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It would be well for us to strive – to emulate Heavenly Father – who has overcome all pride – while – implementing humility – in all His dealings – and – doings!! ----- If the organization – and – offices – of the Lord’s Kingdom – are given for the perfection of the saints – the constant – and – frequent – repetition of basic principles – in our Church meetings – may be a barometer – of the difficulty of this task – and - a judgement of our progress!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It doesn’t take long to realize – that lack of humility – and – an abundance of pride – are identical twin offspring – of the same father – with different names!! ----- These twin offspring – of the father of all lies – lack of humility – and – abundance of pride – may well give birth – to all the sins – and – shortcomings of mankind!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Lack of humility – is undoubtedly – the father of rationalization!! ----- Limiting the effects – of lacking humility – to fathering rationalization – would be like – limiting the effects of pride – to a single sin!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2018: It always amazes me – no matter how wonderful a Church meeting has been – a well presented musical number – will make it an even more special meeting!! ----- Humility – like most virtues – or – vices – may be difficult to define – but – easily identified!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It may well be – the more we view ourselves – as being well along – the path towards perfection – the more difficult it becomes – to be a conduit – for the Holy Spirit!! ----- There is a strong possibility – if we didn’t sing America the beautiful – the Sunday nearest the 4th of July – or – Come Come ye Saints on a Sunday near the 24th of July – or – Come Ye Thankful People Come on a Sunday near Thanksgiving – every Christmas song in the hymnal during December – that both the chorister – and – the organist – would be released!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are times – when no matter how well you slept the night before – it is impossible – to stay awake – during some talks – in Church meetings!! ----- Some speakers in Church meetings – take themselves so seriously – that it is impossible to feel – that they are acting – as a conduit – for the Holy Spirit!!

BEAUTIFUL – GLORIOUS – GOOD

I have spent many wonderful hours pondering about how Heavenly Father went about readying this earth as a place where His children could abide as mortals.

I do not delude myself into thinking I have come anywhere close to uncovering even the minutest understandings of how He and His Son caused this marvelous planet to have its seemingly endless ability to sustain life. However, I have come to the understanding that the work of the creation is done more as a molder and refiner and organizer, but never as a magician.

After the Father and Son formed the elements, regulated the days and seasons with the lights which govern the earth’s movements, divided the waters from the waters with mountains and valleys, put lushness upon them with plants of all kinds, brought forth creatures to swim the seas and animals to roam the earth They declared Their work to be glorious, beautiful and good. It was formed and made ready in such a magnificent manner that it would be able to sustain the lives of His numberless children who would spend their probationary days upon His marvelous Blue Marble.

Male and Female, Father and Mother, Adam and Eve now had a place to sojourn and physically embody the Spirit Children of Heavenly Parents and in Holy Text it declares those begotten to be a little lower than the angels.

Just like so many dramas the one which has been, is and will continue to play out upon our Earthly Home Sphere, the story of This Earth had a beginning filled with so much beauty, hope and promise, but hundreds of scenes which have, are and will be played contain vistas which surely sadden the eyes which once viewed This Earth as glorious, beautiful and good.

As the centuries have passed and the sons and daughters of Deity have desired more and more acreage, higher and higher vistas to build their mansions upon, we have witnessed glorious forestation chopped, burned and wasted. The seas and waters have become cesspools and we witness sea life growing sick and dying. Countless numbers of beautiful species have lost their habitat and existence due to the unquenchable lusts of man. In their desire to have higher and higher abodes we see man attempting to find places among the stars in order to expand their ability to look down upon all.

As wanton as has been our destructiveness upon all the beautiful, glorious and good which Heavenly Father and His Son shaped upon this Earth, we seem to have saved our most wanton destructive activities with scenes of horror which depict man’s lack of reverence for the sanctity of the lives of our Heavenly Parents’ children, which They have declared to be Their crowning creations. These scenes of violence upon Their children now fill volumes, nay, now fill shelves of volumes, nay, now fill countless libraries containing shelves filled with volumes of our unholy acts upon one another.

We view scenes of huts and hovels being plowed under so that masters can expand crops and build mansions. Volumes tell of tear-bringing accounts as scenes are written about adults and children who have learned the demeaning art of bullying brothers and sisters. Shelves are filled with volumes which are filled with scenes of man’s expanding ability to eradicate more and more brothers and sisters with powerful destructive devastating efficiency. We continue to build spacious library buildings in order to give storage place to house the shelves, which hold the volumes, which give explicit details of scenes of man’s seemingly unending inhumanity to This Beautiful world and the children of Heavenly Parents who inhabit it.

The supreme scene of man’s utter disrespect for the Beautiful, Glorious and Good Earth Heavenly Father and His Son so carefully molded as a habitation for our Heavenly Parents’ children’s to abide during their mortal experience is spoken of in many passages of scripture, but the verses which stimulated this Thought for this Sabbath Day is found in First Nephi 19: 7-9.

For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels. And behold he cometh, according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem. And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.

We not only have shown our irreverence for the plants, animals and one another, but we even fail to withhold our crudeness from our very Savior and Redeemer.

That Most Perfect Being of all who would come to earth to dwell,

He who is full of grace and love,

He who suffered that His brothers and sisters need not,

He who brought salvation to all,

He who we testify is Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Those who have even faint desires to be Publishers of Peace have always been, are and always will be needed to put forth their efforts to stem the ugliness of the dysfunctional acts we demonstrate to each other.

We need to be voices against discord and promote understanding.

We need to share words which edify and build rather than demean and destroy.

We need to bear witness that that which God formed is beautiful.

We need to bear witness that that which God formed is glorious.

We need to bear witness that that which God formed is good.

I have a strong testimony that in spite of our capacity to turn the beautiful, glorious and good works of God into trash, we likewise have the capacity to publish words of peace which declare and amplify the beauty, glory and goodness of all He has framed.

I end this Thought with an admonition to myself, but which I am also willing to share with you, that we never yield to anyone the power to make us think we are anything but beautiful, glorious and good spirit brothers and sisters, offspring of Heavenly Parents and most especially, I pray, we will strive to deny them the power to in any way make us believe that any of us are trash.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

With three – or – four wards meeting in the same building – there are times when it would be a wonderful idea – to have someone called – as a foot traffic director!! ----- Renaming the gyms in Church buildings – and – calling them cultural halls – did not create greater sportsmanship – nor – cushion the sound of children running across the floor – while another ward is trying to reverently – participate in the Sacramental Ordinance!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The real meaning of chaos – might be best understood – by observing the commotion in the chapel – between Sacrament Meeting – and – Sunday School!! ----- If you want to experience the sound of silence – pay attention to the noise level – when a Sunday School teacher – asks for a volunteer – to say a prayer!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If you ever want to see pure panic – just watch what happens – when a family has to change pews – for a church meeting!! ----- If you want to help someone – understand the difference between silence – and – noise – just have them observe the reverence just before amen is said to close a meeting – and – the moment after – when the organist begins the postlude music!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

I wonder if when – Heavenly Father divided His children – into groups – by confounding their languages – if it was a test – to see if somehow – we cold find a way – to become one again?? ----- I wonder if Heavenly Father – has ever been reluctant to cross a border – to help one of his children??

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is difficult to have things – turn out right in our lives – when we are constantly choosing – the wrong!! ----- It is difficult to have – a feeling of being on the right track – when we are constantly allowing others – to turn us away!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When those you call friends – become so numerous – that you have difficulty finding time – to count who are not your friends – you can consider yourself blessed!! ----- There are no clauses – in the act of the Savior’s Atonement – which exempted any of Heavenly Father’s children – from the blessings of His sacrifice!!

CHOOSING THE EASY WAY

I know it is somewhat dangerous to reveal the strange workings of one’s mind, but on occasion I have wondered why our Heavenly Father’s Plan sent us to a Telestial World where there would be a profound abundance of carnal-ness, selfish-ness and devilish-ness rather than perhaps to a Terrestrial World where the propensity would be for the citizenry to be good and honorable. As reason quickly brings my mind back to reality, I remind myself that in order for Agency to be kept absolute in our testings, we would need to be exposed to the extremes of both good and evil.

Being in a world where such extremes dominate our choices, along with all the variable shadings in the Telestial - Celestial spectrum, I have had to pause many times along the journey to ponder Nephi’s statement found in 1 Nephi 17:41.

And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

As I review in my mind the history of the descendants of Jacob who had not only been in slavery for several generations and were at the time of this event living in a desert which would make desolation seem like paradise, I am almost undone by Nephi’s rebuking them for their having failed to apply the simplest and easiest of solutions.

I suspect one of the universal experiences we share is when we are at one of those points in our lives when we are feeling beaten down by the testings we are undergoing in a Telestial world, it seems very difficult for us to consider the solutions offered by the Lord as being either easy or simple.

The reason I suspect this dilemma to be universal is because during the 50 plus years when I was continually working with students of all ages who were in the process of trying to do what was necessary for a change to be wrought upon their Telestial bodies their shared comments gave me to understand that we share many moments of mortality when the way seems hard and difficult.

I remember one particular classroom situation when we were studying the words of Neal A Maxwell, wherein he taught with emphasis that the problems which come upon us in life are usually because of the choices of others or our own choices. He went on to teach that the only choice we have when the choices of others drop heavily upon us is how much we are going to let them affect us. Of course he added with emphasis we have absolute control when it comes to our own choices and their attending consequences. All of which while we are on the journey seem anything but simple and easy.

And yet, we are reminded several times in the scriptures of the easiness of the way.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mathew 11: 28-30)

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. (James 3:13-18)

The problem doesn’t seem to be that the way is hard, but the decision to choose the easy way is made hard because we seem to struggle against giving up our Telestial-ness in order to place our feet firmly on the simple and easy way.

And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received. And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. (Alma 7:22-24)

Although the words which were recorded of Alma’s teachings as he went throughout the Nephite Kingdom trying to bring them unto the easy ways consist of several chapters, I think these few verses sum up all the essentials of The Way. Our problem doesn’t seem to be whether the tests and trials of mortality are easy or difficult, it seems more to be whether we choose to follow the nature of our Telestial Bodies as they seek the pleasures of a Telestial World or seek to be easily entreated to place our feet firmly on The Easy Way of the Lord.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:12, 13)

In the verses which in the latter days would be referred to as the Psalm of Nephi, we discover that the universality of the battle to put off the Telestial and walk upon the way is not bounded by time, space or persons.

Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time. And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. (2 Nephi 4: 16-35)

As we attempt to give an account of our own struggle to overcome our Telestial-ness and walk upon the Easy and Simple path of the Lord, I am sure we will not wax as eloquent as Nephi in expressing our journey, but I do believe he may have expressed what is universally our struggle to Choose The Easy Way.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When cultures – are blended perfectly – and – harmoniously – the result is like a beautiful patchwork blanket – warm – and – comfortable – and – calming!! ----- As the church has assimilated – a larger variety of cultures – into its congregations – for those who allow themselves to be enriched – by this blending – are greatly blessed – and have grown as a child of God!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When we all recognize – and – accept – our roles as cultural perpetuators – in one another’s lives – the whole world – will take on added brilliance!! ----- When we demand – that others assimilate – the cultures of the majority of a nation – the result will be – the loss of potential brilliance – for the whole populous!!