Thursday, April 30, 2020
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We should all seek to have sacred experiences – which are so sacred that they cannot – nor should be expressed!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Until everyone has the opportunity – to equally share their uniqueness – our world will continue to fall short of its potential!!
Monday, April 27, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We cannot come together as an international society – until we learn to appreciate the unique value of every individual!!
Sunday, April 26, 2020
ALMA’S BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS (HELAMAN) 2
In the verses we examined last week Alma the son of Alma, recounted to his son Helaman the miraculous events which led to his being born again and becoming a new creature in Christ. His account to his son Helaman contained many marvelous events which included: having a life changing encounter with an angel, suffering even unto the pains of hell, gaining a remembrance of the teachings of his father Alma, receiving the Light of Christ which filled him with wondrous joy and even believing to have seen God upon His throne.
It should be easy for us to understand why he was able to declare unequivocally to his son Helaman that he knew for himself of the truthfulness of the way to eternal life as taught by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
During the Thought this week we will examine more of Alma the son of Alma’s blessing upon the head of his son Helaman as found in the remainder of The Book of Alma chapter 36 and the beginning of chapter 37.
Chapter 36
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
If the process of conversion is to be complete it must include both those things in our life we are converted from along with those things we are converted to.
During the formal education years I had a section of a course called Valuing. In that class I learned that the confirmation of, or when a person really knew they had made a value part of themselves was when they became a proselyter of the value. It becomes clear from Alma the Son of Alma’s declaration of what followed his conversion that the Plan of Exaltation had become one of his values.
It seems to me this becomes an easy way for us to evaluate the depth of our own conversion.
26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.
This verse brings three thoughts immediately into my mind: First, is tasting and seeing as many of those who believed upon the words of Alma a necessary part of total conversion? Second, is tasting and seeing essential to one’s conversion to Heavenly Father’s Plan? Third, what yet do I lack for my mortal conversion task to be complete?
27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
One of the misconception of those who have entered into the Kingdom of God is that their troubles have now ended and from that point on their lives will abound with blessings and miracles. Alma’s declaration of the afflictions which followed his conversion demonstrate that not only do our trials and tests not end with our baptism, but they may even increase.
28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever, for he has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea; and he led them by his power into the promised land; yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time.
29 Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
30 But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word.
We who enjoy the blessings (and tests) of being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints often hear the latter-day Apostles and Prophets remind us of the trials and faith of our pioneer forefathers. Since we read of Alma the Son of Alma reminding his son of the faith and trials of his ancestors we could easily conclude that one of the ways to remain committed to our conversion is remembering the histories of those who have lived so that we might have access to the truths of the gospel.
With this understanding it is little wonder that we are so often admonished to search the scriptures.
Chapter 37
1 And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;
2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—
4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.
5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.
From previous times when the sacred records were passed from one generation to another we also know that with them went the commission of becoming a prophet over the church which was established among them.
One can only wonder what Alma knew and what Helaman thought when Alma declared that the record would go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Likewise, one can only wonder why those who are living in the day of the fulfillment of this prophesy do not more fully appreciate the miracle which attends it.
It is sad that we who are living in a day when all or part of The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ is published in more than 100 languages often fail to see the hand of the Lord in this miraculous fulfillment of Alma’s words.
It is likewise sad that there are still so few of Heavenly Father’s children who have read even one
word of the book.
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
Although Alma referred to the work of the writer’s The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ a small thing, today there are millions who consider what they did with the help of the Lord a marvelous and great thing.
Likewise, although Joseph Smith Jr. considered himself but a small and insignificant instrument in the work of the Lord, we now witness the fulfillment of the work the Lord did through him quickly flooding upon the whole earth.
During those days when we might sink to consider are time on this beautiful world as being of little significance, remembering what the Lord was able to wrought from the small contributions of others should fill our hearts with courage and hope.
8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
It almost becomes a task equal to counting the stars in the Universe, when one attempts to count the number who have been convinced of the errors of their ways and brought unto repentance by that which Alma referred to as small and insignificant, but we can now attest that his estimate of thousands being brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God was very short sighted and now must be counted in the hundred’s of millions.
11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.
12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is cone eternal round.
We become aware that he was not short sighted at all and our admiration for Alma the Son of Alma only increases as we witness his unwillingness to conjecture about things not revealed. We could all take a lesson from his example and refrain from teaching that which the Lord has not yet revealed.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
It should be easy for us to understand why he was able to declare unequivocally to his son Helaman that he knew for himself of the truthfulness of the way to eternal life as taught by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
During the Thought this week we will examine more of Alma the son of Alma’s blessing upon the head of his son Helaman as found in the remainder of The Book of Alma chapter 36 and the beginning of chapter 37.
Chapter 36
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
If the process of conversion is to be complete it must include both those things in our life we are converted from along with those things we are converted to.
During the formal education years I had a section of a course called Valuing. In that class I learned that the confirmation of, or when a person really knew they had made a value part of themselves was when they became a proselyter of the value. It becomes clear from Alma the Son of Alma’s declaration of what followed his conversion that the Plan of Exaltation had become one of his values.
It seems to me this becomes an easy way for us to evaluate the depth of our own conversion.
26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.
This verse brings three thoughts immediately into my mind: First, is tasting and seeing as many of those who believed upon the words of Alma a necessary part of total conversion? Second, is tasting and seeing essential to one’s conversion to Heavenly Father’s Plan? Third, what yet do I lack for my mortal conversion task to be complete?
27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
One of the misconception of those who have entered into the Kingdom of God is that their troubles have now ended and from that point on their lives will abound with blessings and miracles. Alma’s declaration of the afflictions which followed his conversion demonstrate that not only do our trials and tests not end with our baptism, but they may even increase.
28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever, for he has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea; and he led them by his power into the promised land; yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and captivity from time to time.
29 Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power, delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance, as I have done, their captivity.
30 But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word.
We who enjoy the blessings (and tests) of being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints often hear the latter-day Apostles and Prophets remind us of the trials and faith of our pioneer forefathers. Since we read of Alma the Son of Alma reminding his son of the faith and trials of his ancestors we could easily conclude that one of the ways to remain committed to our conversion is remembering the histories of those who have lived so that we might have access to the truths of the gospel.
With this understanding it is little wonder that we are so often admonished to search the scriptures.
Chapter 37
1 And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;
2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—
4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.
5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.
From previous times when the sacred records were passed from one generation to another we also know that with them went the commission of becoming a prophet over the church which was established among them.
One can only wonder what Alma knew and what Helaman thought when Alma declared that the record would go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Likewise, one can only wonder why those who are living in the day of the fulfillment of this prophesy do not more fully appreciate the miracle which attends it.
It is sad that we who are living in a day when all or part of The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ is published in more than 100 languages often fail to see the hand of the Lord in this miraculous fulfillment of Alma’s words.
It is likewise sad that there are still so few of Heavenly Father’s children who have read even one
word of the book.
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.
Although Alma referred to the work of the writer’s The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ a small thing, today there are millions who consider what they did with the help of the Lord a marvelous and great thing.
Likewise, although Joseph Smith Jr. considered himself but a small and insignificant instrument in the work of the Lord, we now witness the fulfillment of the work the Lord did through him quickly flooding upon the whole earth.
During those days when we might sink to consider are time on this beautiful world as being of little significance, remembering what the Lord was able to wrought from the small contributions of others should fill our hearts with courage and hope.
8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.
9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?
It almost becomes a task equal to counting the stars in the Universe, when one attempts to count the number who have been convinced of the errors of their ways and brought unto repentance by that which Alma referred to as small and insignificant, but we can now attest that his estimate of thousands being brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God was very short sighted and now must be counted in the hundred’s of millions.
11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear.
12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is cone eternal round.
We become aware that he was not short sighted at all and our admiration for Alma the Son of Alma only increases as we witness his unwillingness to conjecture about things not revealed. We could all take a lesson from his example and refrain from teaching that which the Lord has not yet revealed.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Friday, April 24, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We will all have days which seem so difficult – that if it were not for our faith we would have difficulty continuing onward!!
Thursday, April 23, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
There is no such thing as punching a clock to start – or – stop one’s time dedicated to being a disciple of Jesus the Christ!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Refusing to be moved by new – or – additional insights – will always be a barrier to progress!!
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Disciples have a tendency to mimic the manners – and – words of their mentors!!
Monday, April 20, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Becoming a one trick pony – or – hobbyist by concentrating on one doctrine of the Gospel Plan – could stifle one’s progression!!
Sunday, April 19, 2020
ALMA’S BLESSINGS TO HIS SONS (HELAMAN) 1
Sunday, April 19, 2020
There are some chapters in the Holy Scriptures which need be covered verse by verse if one is going to be blessed with their full impact. There must have been times when during my teaching career in The Church Education System that some students had to wonder, as we were covering chapters like these, if we would ever get through some sections of the scriptures. This is exactly the dilemma I am faced with as I begin to write Thoughts based on chapters 36 – 42 of The Book of Alma in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In these chapters the Prophet Alma, the son of Alma, in the twilight years of his life pronounces upon his sons Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton, his blessing as their Father and Patriarch.
When I opened The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, to chapter 36 of the Book of Alma, I immediately recognized that I was about to embark on chapters which could not be covered in one week because of the self imposed restrictions I have placed on my Thoughts, but obviously would extend into a series of Thoughts. Therefore. as I typed the title of this Thought I immediately added the (1), knowing full well these wonderful chapters held an abundance of material and numerous weekly Thoughts would be needed to cover them.
We begin with chapter 36 of The Book of Alma, which contains the first part of his blessing to his eldest son Helaman.
1 My son, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.
2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
There are some testimonies which are only stamped upon one’s soul because of life long experiences. When Alma boldly swears to his son that keeping the commandments would yield prosperity, he was able to do so because of the fulfillment of the promise in his own life.
Although we often are tempted to limit the blessings of prosperity to the material things of life, many are blessed with prosperity of knowing the truthfulness of the gospel, or the prosperity of contentment, or the prosperity of joy as they were blessed to have the gulf between this world and the Eternal World narrowed.
Alma had also gained an undeviating understanding of the value of studying the lives of those who have paved the way for us. He admonishes us to not only know of their sacrifices, but of the importance of knowing that God is actively engaged in their lives.
I don’t even pretend to know how or how much our Heavenly Father is actively involved in all of his children’s lives during their mortal sojourn, but I have a personal witness that there have been heavenly interventions in the journey to which Kathleen and I have been blessed during our lives together. I follow the admonition of Elder Scott, who once told us, that like Mary there are some things we must keep in our hearts, but we are grateful.
4 And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of God.
To do justice to this verse it would require a theses of extended chapters, but since my purpose of writing my Thoughts is to hope some will be tempted to study and ponder upon the doctrines and principles which I briefly cover, I trust some personal study will happen.
Let me at least express my gratefulness to the Prophet of the Restoration Joseph Smith Jr. for having restored the knowledge that in our pre mortal state we had bodies of spirit material, with minds that could comprehend and were capable of making decisions which carried with them eternal significance. Through the revelations he was blessed to bestow upon us, we also understand that our spirit premortal body resides within our mortal body which becomes a veil between our mortal minds and our spiritual minds.
He also gave us the understanding that through obedience the mortal or temporal mind can receive understanding from our spirit mind. My personal belief is that it is only by having our mortal mind come in tune with our own spiritual mind can we receive instruction and revelation from our Heavenly Father while we abide in this earthly sphere as mortals.
5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things; but God has, by the mouth of his holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of any worthiness of myself;
6 For I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church of God; but behold, God sent his holy angel to stop us by the way.
7 And behold, he spake unto us, as it were the voice of thunder, and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet; and we all fell to the earth, for the fear of the Lord came upon us.
8 But behold, the voice said unto me: Arise. And I arose and stood up, and beheld the angel.
9 And he said unto me: If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God.
10 And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs.
11 And the angel spake more things unto me, which were heard by my brethren, but I did not hear them; for when I heard the words—If thou wilt be destroyed of thyself, seek no more to destroy the church of God—I was struck with such great fear and amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the earth and I did hear no more.
12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am bin the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God.
As Alma relates the process of the beginning of his born again life it would be good for each of us to remember that process will always be individualized for each of us by our Heavenly Father so that the results will help us maximize our potential as his servants.
I doubt many of us will have a born again experience like those of the Apostle Paul or the young Alma and there seem to be many who the gestation period of being born again extends well into our post mortal state, but I have a personal testimony that our Heavenly Father will labor with us as long as we are striving to reach that state.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
There are some chapters in the Holy Scriptures which need be covered verse by verse if one is going to be blessed with their full impact. There must have been times when during my teaching career in The Church Education System that some students had to wonder, as we were covering chapters like these, if we would ever get through some sections of the scriptures. This is exactly the dilemma I am faced with as I begin to write Thoughts based on chapters 36 – 42 of The Book of Alma in The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In these chapters the Prophet Alma, the son of Alma, in the twilight years of his life pronounces upon his sons Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton, his blessing as their Father and Patriarch.
When I opened The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, to chapter 36 of the Book of Alma, I immediately recognized that I was about to embark on chapters which could not be covered in one week because of the self imposed restrictions I have placed on my Thoughts, but obviously would extend into a series of Thoughts. Therefore. as I typed the title of this Thought I immediately added the (1), knowing full well these wonderful chapters held an abundance of material and numerous weekly Thoughts would be needed to cover them.
We begin with chapter 36 of The Book of Alma, which contains the first part of his blessing to his eldest son Helaman.
1 My son, give ear to my words; for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.
2 I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.
There are some testimonies which are only stamped upon one’s soul because of life long experiences. When Alma boldly swears to his son that keeping the commandments would yield prosperity, he was able to do so because of the fulfillment of the promise in his own life.
Although we often are tempted to limit the blessings of prosperity to the material things of life, many are blessed with prosperity of knowing the truthfulness of the gospel, or the prosperity of contentment, or the prosperity of joy as they were blessed to have the gulf between this world and the Eternal World narrowed.
Alma had also gained an undeviating understanding of the value of studying the lives of those who have paved the way for us. He admonishes us to not only know of their sacrifices, but of the importance of knowing that God is actively engaged in their lives.
I don’t even pretend to know how or how much our Heavenly Father is actively involved in all of his children’s lives during their mortal sojourn, but I have a personal witness that there have been heavenly interventions in the journey to which Kathleen and I have been blessed during our lives together. I follow the admonition of Elder Scott, who once told us, that like Mary there are some things we must keep in our hearts, but we are grateful.
4 And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of God.
To do justice to this verse it would require a theses of extended chapters, but since my purpose of writing my Thoughts is to hope some will be tempted to study and ponder upon the doctrines and principles which I briefly cover, I trust some personal study will happen.
Let me at least express my gratefulness to the Prophet of the Restoration Joseph Smith Jr. for having restored the knowledge that in our pre mortal state we had bodies of spirit material, with minds that could comprehend and were capable of making decisions which carried with them eternal significance. Through the revelations he was blessed to bestow upon us, we also understand that our spirit premortal body resides within our mortal body which becomes a veil between our mortal minds and our spiritual minds.
He also gave us the understanding that through obedience the mortal or temporal mind can receive understanding from our spirit mind. My personal belief is that it is only by having our mortal mind come in tune with our own spiritual mind can we receive instruction and revelation from our Heavenly Father while we abide in this earthly sphere as mortals.
5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things; but God has, by the mouth of his holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of any worthiness of myself;
6 For I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church of God; but behold, God sent his holy angel to stop us by the way.
7 And behold, he spake unto us, as it were the voice of thunder, and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet; and we all fell to the earth, for the fear of the Lord came upon us.
8 But behold, the voice said unto me: Arise. And I arose and stood up, and beheld the angel.
9 And he said unto me: If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God.
10 And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs.
11 And the angel spake more things unto me, which were heard by my brethren, but I did not hear them; for when I heard the words—If thou wilt be destroyed of thyself, seek no more to destroy the church of God—I was struck with such great fear and amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the earth and I did hear no more.
12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am bin the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God.
As Alma relates the process of the beginning of his born again life it would be good for each of us to remember that process will always be individualized for each of us by our Heavenly Father so that the results will help us maximize our potential as his servants.
I doubt many of us will have a born again experience like those of the Apostle Paul or the young Alma and there seem to be many who the gestation period of being born again extends well into our post mortal state, but I have a personal testimony that our Heavenly Father will labor with us as long as we are striving to reach that state.
(To be continued)
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, April 18, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Thinking that we are solely a product of our own intelligence – and – talents is probably one of the highest forms of pride!!
Friday, April 17, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
It doesn’t really matter how inspired – or – powerful a speaker might be – there will be no change in the lives of the listeners – until they are moved to action by the Holy Spirit!!
Thursday, April 16, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
No matter how many mentors we will have who nurture – and – guide us – they will never replace the importance of being mentored by Jesus the Christ – through the Holy Spirit!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
If we separate – or – dismiss the doctrines which apply to the merciful Atoning act of Jesus the Christ – we dismiss the most climatic event – if this earth’s history!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
It should not surprise any of us – that just as the smallest of organisms are drawn to the light – we are likewise – or – eventually will be drawn to Jesus the Christ the Light of the world!!
Monday, April 13, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The truth – and – assurance humility gives us – will always be a great protection against criticism – and – persecution!!
Sunday, April 12, 2020
SACRAMENT MEETING TALK
21 February 2016
Revised and published Sunday, April 12, 2020
I thought it would be fun to add the outline I had made for the Sacrament Meeting talk which generated the previous six Thoughts. There are two reasons I wanted to share this outline: first, I wanted my posterity to know how people in the days before talks were written out completely and read from pulpit, prepared an outline and then spoke from the points on that outline and second, since I only had seven minutes to speak when I went to the pulpit before the meeting was scheduled to end, I wanted everyone to know the extent which I had to modify my prepared talk so that the meeting would end in time.
As things turned out I ended up bearing a short testimony about my conviction to some of the points in the talk, since I finished at the appointed minute.
Maybe my frustration for being able to only give an abbreviated version of my talk was the reason I wrote the six Thoughts for a Sabbath Day, based on the talk and published them twice. Anyway I am grateful for those who have stayed with me as I fulfilled my need to share.
My original copy had key words highlighted in red, but since the places I publish my Thoughts don’t use print colors other than black I have put those key words in bold type. In those long ago days once having gone over the talk in preparation many times, when at the pulpit the speaker only needed to glance at the key words to know what to say. For those of that generation it felt more personal and made it easier to commune with the Spirit.
INTRODUCTION:
Take large stack of papers to the podium – Brother Fagan told me 5 times that I was to be finished by 5 minutes after the hour, so I thought I would give him a bit of a fright!
I wanted to make one addition to the introduction Kathleen gave about us a few weeks ago – she mentioned that we had five boys and a girl – but she failed to mention that her personal needs always came eighth, after making sure the children and me were cared for.
BODY:
1. The subject I have been asked to speak on is – The Plan of Salvation – Kathleen asked me how I was going give this talk without a visual with circle and lines on it. I assured her I would be taking a much different approach.
My prayer is that from my brief remarks someone will have just a little bit of understanding added to that which they now have.
I begin with a very familiar scripture from the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price.
Chapter 1 verse 39
For behold this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
I think a great deal of understanding can be gained by also including the verse which precedes this very familiar one.
Chapter 1 verse 38
As one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.
I believe the principle of there being no end to his works – applies to individuals as well as worlds without end.
The Plan of Salvation is difficult to understand logically if we confine Gods work to mortality alone.
There are too many of his children who for one reason or another never hear or never have a chance to live the principles of His Gospel during mortality. The Plan just doesn't seem to universally apply when we try to make all of Heavenly Fathers children’s eternal existence dependent on time spent in mortality.
My current privilege in the Temple has burned into my soul the testimony of His work having been a great part of His childrens’ pre mortal existence, their mortal existence (no matter how brief or extensive) and will continue for as long as needed in their post mortal existence – until our Father in Heaven can say His work with each child has been completed.
I think we should prayerfully ponder and consider, if Heavenly Father never ceases his work of trying to help us gain Eternal Life – then why should we give up the hope which causes us to keep trying. Why would we be so foolish as to give up trying when our Father never will?
Alma shortly after he had joined the remnants of the people of Zeniff with the main body of Nephites in Zarahemla taught them the following in Mosiah 26:30.
Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.
They whom we sustain as living Apostles and Prophets – have repeatedly told us that it is never too late.
2. If it hasn’t occurred to you already – there needs to be some thought given to how what I have just said is consistent with the teaching in the book of Mormon – that this life is the time to prepare to meet God.
Let me site a lesser used scripture from the Book of Mormon on this subject. A careful reading of:
Alma Chapter 12 verse 24 might help us extend our understanding the meaning of our probationary time.
And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death…
Nevertheless there is a space granted unto man in which he might repent…
Therefore this life (I believe in context he is speaking of the Spirit World) became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.
Brigham Young made the statement – it wouldn't surprise him if it took millions upon millions of years as we count them – after he passes from mortality – before he would be prepared for exaltation.
There is no doubt for those who have the privilege of hearing and understanding the gospel during mortality – this is part of their day of their probation – as was every day of their premortal lives and as every day of their post mortal lives will be.
For we who fit into the category spoken of in Doctrine and Covenants Section 82 verse 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.
It should not surprise us that the Lord almost immediately admonishes us to WATCH and pray continually (Alma 13: 28).
His counsel to WATCH reminds me of what I often refer to as Zen Mormonism – being always and forever in the moment of striving to put on the attributes, characteristics and perfections of our Father and His Son Jesus the Christ.
3. Just one final scripture
1 Corinthians Chapter 15 verse 19
And if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
In his final Lecture Elder Maxwell mentioned that he was looking forward to getting off the bench and back into the action.
Christ himself went immediately to preach to those who had perished in the flood and established the missionary program which exists in that space after our mortal death and prior to our final resurrection mentioned by Alma, and outlined in section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
If there is no progress in our pre mortal lives and our post mortal lives as well as our mortal span – The Plan of Salvation is difficult to understand logically – and the soon to be 150 operating Temples have little need to open their doors.
My prayer is that with our limited vision and meager understanding of The Plan of Salvation we will not put the borders of mortality around the Eternal-ness and Everlasting-ness of our Heavenly Father’s work and Glory.
In the name of His son Jesus the Christ – Amen.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Revised and published Sunday, April 12, 2020
I thought it would be fun to add the outline I had made for the Sacrament Meeting talk which generated the previous six Thoughts. There are two reasons I wanted to share this outline: first, I wanted my posterity to know how people in the days before talks were written out completely and read from pulpit, prepared an outline and then spoke from the points on that outline and second, since I only had seven minutes to speak when I went to the pulpit before the meeting was scheduled to end, I wanted everyone to know the extent which I had to modify my prepared talk so that the meeting would end in time.
As things turned out I ended up bearing a short testimony about my conviction to some of the points in the talk, since I finished at the appointed minute.
Maybe my frustration for being able to only give an abbreviated version of my talk was the reason I wrote the six Thoughts for a Sabbath Day, based on the talk and published them twice. Anyway I am grateful for those who have stayed with me as I fulfilled my need to share.
My original copy had key words highlighted in red, but since the places I publish my Thoughts don’t use print colors other than black I have put those key words in bold type. In those long ago days once having gone over the talk in preparation many times, when at the pulpit the speaker only needed to glance at the key words to know what to say. For those of that generation it felt more personal and made it easier to commune with the Spirit.
INTRODUCTION:
Take large stack of papers to the podium – Brother Fagan told me 5 times that I was to be finished by 5 minutes after the hour, so I thought I would give him a bit of a fright!
I wanted to make one addition to the introduction Kathleen gave about us a few weeks ago – she mentioned that we had five boys and a girl – but she failed to mention that her personal needs always came eighth, after making sure the children and me were cared for.
BODY:
1. The subject I have been asked to speak on is – The Plan of Salvation – Kathleen asked me how I was going give this talk without a visual with circle and lines on it. I assured her I would be taking a much different approach.
My prayer is that from my brief remarks someone will have just a little bit of understanding added to that which they now have.
I begin with a very familiar scripture from the Book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price.
Chapter 1 verse 39
For behold this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
I think a great deal of understanding can be gained by also including the verse which precedes this very familiar one.
Chapter 1 verse 38
As one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.
I believe the principle of there being no end to his works – applies to individuals as well as worlds without end.
The Plan of Salvation is difficult to understand logically if we confine Gods work to mortality alone.
There are too many of his children who for one reason or another never hear or never have a chance to live the principles of His Gospel during mortality. The Plan just doesn't seem to universally apply when we try to make all of Heavenly Fathers children’s eternal existence dependent on time spent in mortality.
My current privilege in the Temple has burned into my soul the testimony of His work having been a great part of His childrens’ pre mortal existence, their mortal existence (no matter how brief or extensive) and will continue for as long as needed in their post mortal existence – until our Father in Heaven can say His work with each child has been completed.
I think we should prayerfully ponder and consider, if Heavenly Father never ceases his work of trying to help us gain Eternal Life – then why should we give up the hope which causes us to keep trying. Why would we be so foolish as to give up trying when our Father never will?
Alma shortly after he had joined the remnants of the people of Zeniff with the main body of Nephites in Zarahemla taught them the following in Mosiah 26:30.
Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.
They whom we sustain as living Apostles and Prophets – have repeatedly told us that it is never too late.
2. If it hasn’t occurred to you already – there needs to be some thought given to how what I have just said is consistent with the teaching in the book of Mormon – that this life is the time to prepare to meet God.
Let me site a lesser used scripture from the Book of Mormon on this subject. A careful reading of:
Alma Chapter 12 verse 24 might help us extend our understanding the meaning of our probationary time.
And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death…
Nevertheless there is a space granted unto man in which he might repent…
Therefore this life (I believe in context he is speaking of the Spirit World) became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.
Brigham Young made the statement – it wouldn't surprise him if it took millions upon millions of years as we count them – after he passes from mortality – before he would be prepared for exaltation.
There is no doubt for those who have the privilege of hearing and understanding the gospel during mortality – this is part of their day of their probation – as was every day of their premortal lives and as every day of their post mortal lives will be.
For we who fit into the category spoken of in Doctrine and Covenants Section 82 verse 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.
It should not surprise us that the Lord almost immediately admonishes us to WATCH and pray continually (Alma 13: 28).
His counsel to WATCH reminds me of what I often refer to as Zen Mormonism – being always and forever in the moment of striving to put on the attributes, characteristics and perfections of our Father and His Son Jesus the Christ.
3. Just one final scripture
1 Corinthians Chapter 15 verse 19
And if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
In his final Lecture Elder Maxwell mentioned that he was looking forward to getting off the bench and back into the action.
Christ himself went immediately to preach to those who had perished in the flood and established the missionary program which exists in that space after our mortal death and prior to our final resurrection mentioned by Alma, and outlined in section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants.
If there is no progress in our pre mortal lives and our post mortal lives as well as our mortal span – The Plan of Salvation is difficult to understand logically – and the soon to be 150 operating Temples have little need to open their doors.
My prayer is that with our limited vision and meager understanding of The Plan of Salvation we will not put the borders of mortality around the Eternal-ness and Everlasting-ness of our Heavenly Father’s work and Glory.
In the name of His son Jesus the Christ – Amen.
THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY
EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, April 11, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Humility stands among the most important – and – perhaps the most difficult characteristics – we must acquire!!
Friday, April 10, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The time may come when we may have the opportunity to be a comforter to others – when such appropriate moments happen we may be prompted to share some precious words – about when we have been comforted by the Holy Spirit!!
Thursday, April 9, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Those who have the privilege to be comforted by the Holy Spirit – would benefit from recalling those moments more frequently!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The moment we choose to lean upon the strength of the Savior – our own weaknesses will become more apparent to us!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Our Lord Jesus the Christ is often referred to as our Savior – but – never as our condemner!!
Monday, April 6, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Because of the Atonement of Christ – The Lord knows us better than anyone else – including ourselves!!
Sunday, April 5, 2020
ANOTHER LOOK AT HEAVENLY FATHER’S ETERNAL PLAN 6
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Revised and republished Sunday, April 5, 2020
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 in 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. 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 countless 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 ourselves, 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
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Revised and republished Sunday, April 5, 2020
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 in 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. 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 countless 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 ourselves, 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
❣️THINK + PLAN + PREPARE + DO + HUGS + PEACE + JOY + LOVE + INTEGRITY + FAITH + HOPE + CHARITY❣️ = 💞THE GOOD LIFE💞
Saturday, April 4, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
The Spirit at times can overcome us so completely – tears are forced from our eyes!!
Friday, April 3, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
Although I have always been an advocate of the necessity of giving our bodies – and – minds time to Re-create – I have also gained great admiration for those who are able – to find Re-creation through productivity!!
Thursday, April 2, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We will probably all suffer from shock when we discover – those things we might have valued least were of the greatest value!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!
We will probably all suffer from shock when we discover – those things we felt were of greatest value – were actually nothing but froth!!
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