Pride and Humility

Talking about the drought in Utah and the people's hearts. What might it all mean? What can we learn?

           

A Contrite Heart and a Broken Spirit

Sharing some recent experiences about the hearts of men, dreams that foreshadow what's happening in the world, and talks about recent events in the news and what they mean in this 11th hour. So how do the dots connect? Watch to find out.

The Benefit of the Benefit of the Doubt!

With all the hate and division happening in the headlines, comments, and social media, let's talk about the blessings & transformations attached to replacing judgement and criticism with love. It's so worth it! Also, what recent events, patterns, weather phenomenon, and signs should we be paying attention to? Watch to find out. 

 

Bittersweet Change

Last weekend as my husband and I were talking about our anticipation for the announcement of our new prophet, he said, "I really hope President Uchtdorf doesn't get removed, that would be really sad." 

I replied, "I'm sure the counselors will stay the same, during my lifetime they always have." 

He responded, "That doesn't mean things couldn't change."

On Monday he flew out to Orlando on business and from opposite sides of the country we watched live online, as Russel M. Nelson took his place as the new president and prophet of the Church. To our surprise President Eyring was made Second Counselor and Elder Oaks was called as First counselor.

As I looked over at President Uchtdorf now sitting among the twelve, (the only one with his legs crossed making him stand out) I must admit I felt a bit sad to no longer see him with President Eyring, sitting next to the prophet. I wondered if I was to still refer to him as "president" or "elder"? In my mind I heard, "things are changing." 

I thought about how sad my husband would be. He has had such a connection with President Uchtdorf, naturally as they are both German. We always enjoyed telling our non-member friends and family who live in Germany that the Second Counselor of our church was German! It was always a foot in the door to generate interest about the gospel. Being in the presidency, meant at least 2-3 talks each general conference - and boy is it a treat to hear President Uchtdorf speak. 

Shortly after the announcement my husband texted me, 

No more Uchtdorf :(

I replied with encouragement, 

He'll still speak in conference and travel. We'll still see him. Maybe he'll go back in when there are changes again in the future. For some reason, the Lord needs Elder Oaks in there.

As the changes started to sink in, I looked at the new presidency and again heard, "things are changing."

2017-2018 began a shift. I have written about it on my blog and talked about it in my videos. Things are speeding up now, as we prepare for the return of the Lord. With the changes we have already seen in the church over the last several months with visiting teaching, Relief Society, missions, etc. it is clear to me that the leaders are preparing us to prepare ourselves and those around us to live closer to the Spirit and rely more on personal revelation. We are demonstrating our loyalty and dedication to the gospel. The wheat and the tares separation is happening and continues. 

Our last presidency was full of compassion and known for expressing genuine love for all - the wayward, the downtrodden, the youth, those who are different and feel out of place, and those not of our faith. Their legacy was Christ-like and a reflection of our Savior Himself. As my eyes fell upon our new presidency, I saw and felt a more firm type of love. I believe it to be a forecast of what lies ahead in these last days and for the Church. It feels as though we are entering times where we will need a firm type of love to chasten the members and stand bold against the storms that lie ahead. It is often chastening that separates the wheat from the tares. I believe that our new leadership will help the "fence-sitters" on many issues. There will no longer be gray members. There will be black or white. Those with testimonies and those without. No longer those who aren't sure. 

We are in a new era right now, and we have been given a new presidency to handle the last days challenges that are just around the corner. I have such a strong feeling that the days of candy coating the gospel are now in the past. The scripture that came to mind was, 

2 Nephi 28:24-28

Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!

Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! 

And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

I believe we are at that point in time where we can no longer be at ease in Zion. We can no longer live mediocre and practice the gospel on the fence or when it's convenient. I think the changes coming with this new leadership will reflect that, and I'm excited to witness the days ahead. 

I fully support and sustain our new presidency. They are incredible men with amazing strength, zeal, and confidence and I am thrilled to see what unfolds for their legacy. Having said that (for those of you who haven't watched yet), I wanted to end this post with the very last address that President Uchtdorf and his wife gave before the new presidency was announced - this was Sunday night to the Young Adults. During this address he knew that he had not been called again to the First Presidency of the Church. He had already accepted his new assignments in the Quorum of the Twelve. Realizing that while listening to his address can bring peace to those who may be struggling with the change. Though he looked very tired and not full of his usual vibrance (early that morning the apostles were called and set apart at a special meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. President Nelson said it was a unanimous decision and a very sacred and humbling experience), I truly feel he is at peace with his new call, and we should be as well. You may find comfort in his own words from his Sunday night address when he said, “I can assure you, the Lord Himself is at the head of His Church."

I testify that is true. In Jesus' name amen. 

Hope on the Horizon?

This morning I received some revelation about an issue our nation is facing. Before I share what I received, I'll ease you into that message.

As 2017 nears the end,  I have been quietly reflecting on the blessings and progress our country has made this year. I usually remain silent about my political views but something happened today and I have felt this strong need to express my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. So here we go.

You see, I feel that the current administration has done a wonderful job and deserves far more credit than has been given. The president and his office have been working so hard to build up and strengthen our nation - and I feel that there is not enough credit offered or appreciation extended for their efforts.

I quietly watch as many Americans reap the blessings and benefits of a stronger and stable economy while spewing hatred, anger, accusations, and false information about the very leadership that is working so hard to improve their standard of living and increase their freedoms. It's had quite the effect on me as it's like nothing I have ever seen in all my 36 years of life.

The majority of us exercised our voice on November 8th 2016 and our voice was heard loud and clear. Yet, every TV channel and every social media site I visit will have me believe that I am the minority, and I better keep my voice silent if I want to be liked. The host of every late night show, talks to me through the TV screen as if I share his same political views. As if he doesn't realize his constant bagging on the president isn't considered funny to everyone. The vocal ones in Hollywood and music are those who oppose the President, and they are
applauded, praised, and promoted for doing so. It makes you wonder about the silent portion of celebs. The one's who don't say anything at all. Could it be that they are silent supporters? Feeling like a prisoner - unable to express their feelings and views. Too much to risk, too much at stake. Can't be at odds with the hand that feeds you.

Growing up, I was never one to go with the status-quo. I have always been one to root for the underdog, and always known to support the opposite of whatever is popular and promoted among celebrities and the media. In High School and Jr. High I chose not be a follower but a leader - often times, it was a lonely path. Still to this day, I speak what feels right and true - even if it ruffles some feathers.

Most of you have heard me tell my bullying stories before. I experienced bullying in elementary school, junior high school, high school, and even a few years ago. In junior high I was confronted daily in the locker room and hallway by the same female bully. In high school it went from one bully to an entire group of boys and girls. It got to the point where I needed to shield my face with books, and call on security at work before I finally went to the school administration and a female vice principal who had a bone to pick with bullying became my ally and put a stop to it all in one day. And a few years ago it took a near trip to the ER (from anxiety and exhaustion) before I took a stand and said "no more."

Always being the underdog pulled me in to always rooting for the underdog. Being in that minority section has always made me strive harder, and aim higher which again has made me a target for bullies. With a past that's all too raw, I don't take bullying lightly. As I see it happening all over America - those who are permitted to talk down to supporters of the president and even encouraged to discriminate against them, I watch as they are given a free pass and even heralded as heroes. Whatever people decide to call it, "defending", "demonstrating", "freedom of speech", "humor", it's nothing other than bullying.

It wasn't that long ago when another president who was leading this country was very disliked. President Obama's approval rating was at 57% when he left office. Despite what many viewed as failed promises, failed policies, and turning a blind eye on Israel and Christian conservatives, his biggest sore spot among Americans was his lack of effort to repair the nation's racial and ethnic divides.

Though I wasn't a fan of President Obama, I have always respected the office of President of the United States, enough to write this blog post in 2010 about the importance of being respectful to our current president and government leaders as per Article of Faith #12, and to sustain the law and honor it always. This is something I haven't seen reciprocated from the other side of the aisle.

No certain party is innocent, I have seen the ugliness of hatred spilled out from all sides over the years - something I choose not to participate in. It is my goal to focus on hope. Hope that we can put the "United" back in "United States". Hope that before we are party members - we can remember that we are Americans first. And to take it a step further - before we are Americans, we are children of God. Spiritual brothers and sisters.

This post isn't to persuade political views, or convince anyone that they have been in error. It's simply to focus on the good, pull from the truth, and together, search for that ray of hope.

This morning I woke up early and felt the need to write in my journal about the Lord's hand on our nation right now. I felt I was to list all the blessings and benefits we are receiving as a people and then verbalize that gratitude in prayer. Here is a summary of my list:

• The economy has come back to life and the stock market continues to hit record highs, helping more Americans build and secure their futures.

• Manufacturing unemployment is at the lowest it has been in 17 years.The manufacturing industry has added 171,000 jobs in 2017. Hispanic unemployment is the lowest it has been in all history (see here).

• Large corporations are coming back to the U.S. because of the efforts of our current administration. This will increase our job growth and economy which almost always results in a lower crime rate. 

• Our president is working hard to give power back to the states where it rightfully should be. Recently he gave us Utahans our land back to allow our people to decide what is best for our own land. Many rights, powers, and freedoms that have been taken from the people and from the states, are being restored. 

• Over the years our nation has become a nation of regulations which has tightened the grip on our freedoms and made it difficult to do business here. In 1960, there were approximately 20,000 pages in the Code of Federal Regulations. Today there are over 185,000 pages. These increased regulations have cost the country trillions of dollars, millions of jobs, countless American factories, & devastated entire industries.As those regulations are being loosened and lifted we will reap the benefits of that freedom. 

• President Trump made it his focus to cut taxes and this he has accomplished. By lowering tax rates, simplifying the tax code, and repealing the tax on lower- and middle-income households, this legislation will grow our economy, raise wages, and promote economic competitiveness. The typical family earning $73,000 a year will see a tax cut of $2,059.

• My husband is a green-card holder, so we understand the sensitivity to this area, however we also understand the ramifications that current policy has had on this country. He went through all the proper hoops and channels to enter this country legally with the intent to contribute, and has done a wonderful job in doing so. The president is currently working to put an end to Chain Migration – whereby one immigrant can bring in their entire extended families, who can also bring in their families and so on. Over the years this system has de-skilled the labor force, put downward pressure on wages, and increased the deficit. It has also undermined national security, by failing to evaluate entrants into the United States.

• Our president is the first since John F. Kennedy, to donate his entire salary to charity. Trump donated his first quarter salary of about $78,000 to the National Park Service. Funds went toward restoring two projects at a national battlefield. He then donated his second quarter salary toward hosting a camp for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students at the Department of Education. The president then donated his third quarter salary to the Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to combat the opioid crisis. Unfortunately, this is something that the media hasn't felt the need to share.

That's only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more good that this president has accomplished that the media isn't interested in sharing. For example, his demonstrated love, respect, and support for our veterans. The devotion he has to personally travel from state to state, and connect with the people and hear their voice. The genuine friendship he has extended to Israel (something that scripture and prophecy tells us regarding Israel, in Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."), and his decision to emphasize we are nation under God, while bringing prayer back into the oval office.

In Ether 2:10, 12 we are told,

For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off; for it is the everlasting decree of God. And it is not until the fulness of iniquity among the children of the land, that they are swept off.

Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written

Never have I seen a president work so hard to prove all of his critics wrong. Considering all those who have been against him, it's next to near short of a miracle that President Trump has accomplished all that he has, and continues to stay determined. The criticism appears to work in his favor. I would consider this Divine intervention which has been attached to our president and his administration since the day he was elected (a miracle in itself). His many fulfilled campaign promises and good works get ignored by the media on a daily basis.

More than 90% of media coverage on our president is negative opinion mixed with false information. Those who support the president experience discrimination on college campuses, from businesses, and in the workplace. They have learned to keep quiet about their support for the president. Wearing a "Make America Great Again" sticker can cost you a grade, your business, and even your job. The people's hearts are hardened against our president, and hardened against the truth.

We finally have a president who says what he means and means what he says. He is brutally honest which is a quality we need in the oval office. He is not intimidated, fearful or cowardly.  He can't be bribed or blackmailed. He calls out injustice when he sees it. He is financially independent and therefore isn't manipulated by "the powers that be". He isn't a puppet or a bait and switch. What you see is what you get. There are no smoke and mirrors as we have seen with leaders in the past. He has an incredible track record of keeping and carrying out his campaign promises which is very rare indeed for a president to do. Despite all of this, he has come under attack like no other president we have seen before.

I have shared before in past posts and videos that whenever the enemy attacks, you know there is something good on the horizon. The level of intensity of attacks will tell you how important this is to the adversary. If it's important enough for the adversary to give it his all,  it's because he knows the Lord is about to do something powerful!

We know that we are living in the day of "the restoration of all things". I truly believe that God is using President Trump as a tool to restore our nation back to what it once was - a nation under God. He doesn't always choose the qualified, but over time, He qualifies the chosen. God is preparing this nation to be a place where He can prepare a people for the Savior's return. This land plays a significant role in those prophesied last day and Millennial events. Are we using our efforts and gifts to build up the nation, or tear it down? Are we spreading good words or slander? Are we resisting or allowing? Are we serving the Lord's purposes or Satan's?

While reflecting upon all of this in my journal this morning, I was reminded of the continual fires burning in California. I was saddened for my friends who live near the fires, and saddened for all of those who have already lost all they have including their lives. The local news station made mention of the many celebrities and wealthy citizens of California who if have not already lost their homes and business, are at high risk of losing them. I asked the Lord why all of this was happening and I heard in my mind "turn to Jarom 1:3".

As I read the words of this scripture, I felt goosebumps on my arms:

Behold, it is expedient that much should be done among this people, because of the hardness of their hearts, and the deafness of their ears, and the blindness of their minds, and the stiffness of their necks; nevertheless, God is exceedingly merciful unto them, and has not as yet swept them off from the face of the land.

When God needs to reach us, but our hearts are hardened, our ears refuse to hear, and our eyes refuse to see; in His mercy He will allow the powers of the Adversary to "shake us" so that we will be humbled enough to hear Him. He gives us chance after chance but if we continue to ignore Him and ignore His commandments, we learn in Jacob 5:

46 And now, behold, notwithstanding all the care which we have taken of my vineyard, the trees thereof have become corrupted, that they bring forth no good fruit; and these I had hoped to preserve, to have laid up fruit thereof against the season, unto mine own self. But, behold, they have become like unto the wild olive tree, and they are of no worth but to be hewn down and cast into the fire; and it grieveth me that I should lose them.

47 But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened mine hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all the day long, and the end draweth nigh. And it grieveth me that I should hew down all the trees of my vineyard, and cast them into the fire that they should be burned. Who is it that has corrupted my vineyard?

77 And when the time cometh that evil fruit shall again come into my vineyard, then will I cause the good and the bad to be gathered; and the good will I preserve unto myself, and the bad will I cast away into its own place. And then cometh the season and the end; and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire.

In this allegory, the vineyard represents the world, the branches represent different groups of people, and the fire represents the judgment of God. It was impressed upon my mind to notice the symbolism of the many California vineyards that burned in the October fires. I heard in my mind, "and my vineyard will I cause to be burned with fire." Even a few months later, California continues to burn.

The headlines over the past couple months have greatly emphasized California Governor Jerry Brown's disdain for President Trump. A timeline over the past several years shows how quickly California has turned it's back on the word of God through the several laws it has mandated. When you turn your back on God, you pull away from His hand of protection and favor. During this time California has experienced severe droughts. In fact, weather radar shows moisture hitting an "invisible wall" around the L.A. region and being dispersed in other directions. The moisture is there but something is diverting it away from where it is needed. California is not getting the rainfall it needs to heal the land. Could this be symbolic of a spiritual drought?

If the people of this nation continue to ignore the commandments of God, I truly feel that more humbling experiences will be in store for us in 2018. The Book of Mormon shows us a pattern that when the people became prosperous they quickly forgot the Lord. As a nation we are headed on a road to great prosperity and wealth. Our nation has a great destiny and we need not be fearful. Those who know God now will thrive, and those who have turned their back will have opportunities to be humbled. Let us be grateful for God's mercy and realize that none of us are immune to pride. We must call upon the Lord for daily humility so we can flourish in Spirit, in the prophesied days to
come.

Separation from God leads to separation of all,
United we stand and divided we fall.

Let us remember this always.

Peace in All Things - And How I Spent October 31st!

Looking for peace in your marriage? Peace in your job? Peace in your family? Peace in your ward? Peace on social media? Peace in the world? Then I think you are going to like this week's video message. Also, see how I spent October 31st!

Have a great weekend!

The Three Types of Tares

During conference I had the thought come into my mind that I needed to write a post titled, "The Three Types of Tares". Right after this thought, three different personality types came into my mind of people I had recently encountered last week, and I felt the Spirit teach me that in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, there is more than meets the eye.

Over the last few weeks I have stumbled upon numerous Near Death Experience testimonies in which the person having the encounter said that they were shown Hell, and were taught something very surprising.

In one particular testimony, a man shared that while visiting Hell, the Lord had shown him a woman who resided there and was reading her Bible.

The man asked, "Who is this woman, and why is she reading a Bible in Hell?"

The Lord replied, "During her life on Earth she was an incredible evangelical missionary - the very best. In fact, she brought more people unto me, than any missionary that has ever lived!"

"Then why is she in Hell?" the man asked in a puzzled tone.

 Somberly, the Lord replied, "Because she could not forgive."

I am reminded of the prodigal son. The second brother had stayed true and faithful to his father yet was filled with bitterness. The prodigal son however, made error but repented and was welcomed into his Father's Kingdom to receive an inheritance.

Doctrine & Covenants 64:9-10

9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.


10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

None of us are perfect and if we fall short in this life, we can rest assured that if we have extended the hand of mercy to those who have offended us, there is hope for us.

Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

In another testimony, a woman was shown many Christian saints who were suffering in a state of agony and darkness. She was told by the Lord that these Christians attended church every Sunday, read their scriptures daily, prayed often, and kept the commandments. When she asked why they were in Hell, the Lord replied that even though they said and did all the "right" things to resemble a good Christian life - they never knew Him. They were void of the Spirit. The religious symbols and rituals became their idols. They loved and worshiped the lifestyle & images, more than the Lord.

Matthew 7:22-23

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

After writing this blog post, I was reading the other day in Days of Awe (which I have shared on this blog before), and I found it interesting that the author brought up the Parable of the Sower and mentioned three personality types. She said,

"The final, lingering question that Latter-day Saints ask is always the same.With all this clear, testifying imagery, why didn’t the Jews recognize their own Messiah? The Savior Himself answered that question with the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3; Mark 4:3; Luke 8:5). Many Jews did recognize the Messiah. They were those who received the seed into fertile ground. Many of those were the valiant founders of the Lord’s Church, willing to face any hardship
to serve the Christ."

"The Savior speaks of a second type of personality — he who receives the word, but fails to nurture it. The “fear of the world” overcomes this person, and he fails to be valiant."

"The third personality in the Lord’s parable is a hardened one who might actively fight against the truth. Such were those certain wicked priests of the Sanhedrin, desiring to protect their power and position by any means available to them. Such a person was Saul, the Pharisee and lawyer, who became the Apostle Paul when his eyes were opened."

The second and third personality type sound very much like the second and third types of tares that I have listed below. In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares we learn:

Doctrine and Covenants 101:65-66

65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

66 While the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire.

Doctrine and Covenants 86:1-7

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:

2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;

3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.

4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—

5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;

6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.


7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.

So, what exactly are tares and why are they so undesirable? I did some research and here's what I discovered;

The darnel weed (" Lolium Temulentum" AKA the "tares") grows plentifully in Syria and Palestine. Before it comes into ear is very similar in appearance to wheat. It grows right in with the wheat blending in and going undetected until the ear appears - that's when the difference is noticed. It actually uproots the wheat. Even then, the farmers do not try to separate it from the wheat. If eaten, it produces convulsions, and even death.

"Zizania", another type of tare, has been supposed to be degenerated wheat. On the near approach of harvest it is carefully weeded out from among the wheat by the women and children. Zuwan is commonly used as chickens' food; it is not poisonous to human beings unless infected with the mold ergot.  http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/tares/

In these last days, the tares are Christians and members of the Church who blend in and appear on the outside to be faithful and true. However, on the inside they hold opposing beliefs which are counteractive to gospel and doctrine of the Church. As they become attached to true and faithful members of the Church, they become destructive, and slowly pull their roots from the gospel. Once their roots have been pulled, a spiritual death begins.

As the harvest goes forth, the angels (the reapers) pluck out the wheat and burn the field.

Doctrine and Covenants 45:57

"For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."

In our day, the tares have come to ear and are currently being exposed from the wheat. Through political upheaval, local and national turmoil, dislike and non-support of the counsel of local leaders, prophets and apostles, and leaning to blur the lines of black and white (right and wrong), there is a process happening. Many members have lost their testimony of the true doctrine of the gospel, and are inwardly void of the Spirit. As these events of the last days unfold, the tares seek to uproot their fellow church members from the gospel.This apostasy can have three outcomes - their own free choice of leaving the Church (tare #1), unwilling excommunication (tare #2), or slipping quietly into inactivity (tare #3).

It's important to be clear that the tares symbolize a wicked & rebellious heart. Not all who leave the Church are a tare. Some may be deceived and others may have fragile hearts, some may have experienced abuse or unkind treatment from other members (tares). We cannot judge another's heart - only our own. In the end we are judged by what's in our heart. If we know Christ, He will lift us up to be with Him.

Tares can also belong to other churches (other Christians). The parable is to say that tares are those who love wickedness more than righteousness.  It's not members vs. non-members or less active. It's about our hearts. In these last days, the Lord is gathering the pure in heart into Zion.

“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:47-48).

I have recently witnessed this week, the separation of wheat and tares happening on a wider scale. I have noticed a large number of people being offended by recent conference talks, people fighting over differing views and opinions on growing political matters, people fighting over differing opinions and views on philosophical matters, medical matters, doctrinal matters, educational matters etc. to the point that marriages are being broken up, family relationships are being broken, friends are no longer speaking, professionals are verbally attacking their colleagues,  and people are vocally leaving the church. I counted fourteen people just today, who have declared they no longer want to be members of the Church. Perhaps tares who had already apostatized inwardly and tarried until the "right moment" to make their exit. As the various matters for contention continue to increase I keep hearing in the back of my mind..."And the love of men shall wax cold".

President Joseph Fielding Smith pointed out that the tares are not just limited to certain church affiliations. He said, “even in the Church the tares are to be found. It is the tares which are to be gathered up and burned from all over the world, but those in the Church will also be gathered out and find their place in the fire. (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:354.)

In 1894 President Woodruff stated: “God has held the angels of destruction for many years, lest they should reap down the wheat with the tares. But I want to tell you now, that those angels have left the portals of heaven, and they stand over this people and this nation now, and are hovering over the earth waiting to pour out the judgments. And from this very day they shall be poured out. Calamities and troubles are increasing in the earth, and there is a meaning to these things. Remember this, and reflect upon these matters. If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we’ll have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and in safety.” (Young Women’s Journal, Aug. 1894, pp. 512–13.)

Years later in response to President Woodruff's statement above, President Joseph Fielding Smith said, “The Lord said that the sending forth of these angels was to be at the end of the harvest, and the harvest is the end of the world. Now, that ought to cause us some very serious reflections. And the angels have been pleading, as I have read it to you, before the Lord to be sent on their mission. Until 1893 the Lord said to them no, and then He set them loose. According to the revelation of President Woodruff, the Lord sent them out on that mission."

“What do we gather out of that? That we are at the time of the end. This is the time of the harvest. This is the time spoken of which is called the end of the world.” (Signs of the Times, pp. 116–21.)

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrine-and-covenants-student-manual/section-81-89/section-86-the-parable-of-the-wheat-and-the-tares?lang=eng

Three Types of Tares 

Last week the Spirit impressed upon my mind, three types of tares that we are to be aware of.

1) Wicked - These are those whose hearts' desire are pure wickedness. They have chosen the other side of the fence. The wolves in sheep's clothing. They knowingly do evil and willfully sin. They desire to lure and persuade others away from the truth. Led away by sin without a desire to repent. These are those in the Great and Spacious building - mocking things that are sacred.

2) Self-Righteous - These are those who often are unknowingly doing the devil's bidding.  They believe they are on the right side of the fence, but are deceived. They actively and unknowingly fight against truth, and are easily offended. The pharisees of our modern day. They twist doctrines and present themselves as faithful members of the Church but are in reality servants of Satan. Often hypocritical, and quick to point out the faults of others. They are on a mission to attack other members who do not share their same perspectives. A justified crusade of self-righteous anger displayed through manipulative tactics. So passionate are they about being "right" that they lose the Spirit as it swallowed up in their own pride. They become a source of temptation to the faithful and tend to choke or corrupt the word of God, or the good seed that is sown.

3) Ignorant - These are those who refuse to learn and accept truth because of fear. They have received the word but fail to nurture it. They live the gospel when it's convenient. Often they are the ones who are easily lured away from the iron rod, by those in the Great and Spacious Building. In their mind it is safer to be "in the dark" to avoid accountability. They want to participate in Babylon without feeling "guilty" for doing so. They want to be on both sides of the fence, but because that is not possible, they settle for the middle. Their hearts are rooted in the world instead of the gospel. They enjoy the benefits of being a member of the church - the traditions, the social aspects, the fun activities; but they also value the opinions of the world. They try to serve two masters.

Conclusion

The purpose of this post is not to go about your day looking to label those in your family, ward, and community with these tare titles. We are commanded to love one another. Rather, it is to help you look inward at your own faults and short comings and seek to improve. Do you see yourself in any of these descriptions? What is written in your heart? How can you change?

We can love ourselves and all of God's children without tolerating the darkness. I have experienced recent bullying from all three types of tares in the last month. The Spirit has impressed upon me to not publish their comments, to block their contact, and then pray for them. Pray that they will be able to encounter the real love of Jesus Christ. That they will no longer be void of peace and happiness. I try my best to see them through the eyes of my Heavenly Father, and the truth of who they really are and the potential of who they can become.

Though we are not called to judge, we are called to warn our neighbor. Elder Christopherson has wisely counseled, "While the duty to warn is felt especially keenly by prophets, it is a duty shared by others as well. In fact, “it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." We who have received a knowledge of the great plan of happiness—and its implementing commandments—should feel a desire to share that knowledge since it makes all the difference here and in eternity. And if we ask, “Who is my neighbor that I should warn?” surely the answer will be found in a parable that begins, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves,”and so forth."

We have seen amazing examples of tares transforming into wheat such as was the case of Saul of Tarsus and Alma the Younger. The real battle is not between God's children, but between good and evil. Without the influence of evil, we would experience all of our brothers and sisters in God's truth. No, it's not our job to judge, but rather it's our great responsibility to warn and to bring Light into this world. That Light is God's truth. Our job is to reflect the Light of the Lord and shine it throughout the world. Only the Light and Love of Christ can change this world. In the end love conquers all.

The harvest is happening now. We are seeing the separation take place. Let us find peace in the words of President Woodruff, "If you do your duty, and I do my duty, we’ll have protection, and shall pass through the afflictions in peace and in safety.” Though we may not be immune to every coming storms & affliction, and we most likely will experience some level of discomfort, inconvenience, sorrow & loss; we certainly don't have to suffer. We can experience the peace that is promised through our Lord and Redeemer Jesus Christ. He is mighty to save. He can make us whole.

The Truth

There always seems to be one person in my facebook network who (for reasons never stated) decides to no longer believe in God and be very, very vocal about it. I have known three in the last 2 years. The things that they each have in common is that they were all married in the temple at one point, are returned missionaries, have been divorced, and now are very open about their love for alcohol, getting drunk, sexual activities and use very vulgar language in their status updates.

What's very good about it is that no one cares to judge them or question their new lifestyle but for some reason these three people feel the need to continuously attack the gospel and all of it's principals. They are very defensive even though no one is criticizing. It's almost as though they are looking to stir the pot and create contention. It seems as thought they must feel some sort of guilt and this is how they deal with it. It's as if they are not happy but they want to convince everyone they are. At least that's how it started.

They post status updates several times a day about how ridiculous the gospel is and in a sense they mock it. Then after that gets old and they aren't getting a reaction anymore - they then claim that now they no longer believe in God. Instead of leaving it at that - they make a big effort to convince other people to do the same. They become consumed by the topic and all their status updates only have to do with denying God, and "the foolishness of people who believe in God".

This has been pressing on my mind lately. It's one thing to believe something and it's another thing to attack others all day long for not believing the same as you. If you were truly happy with your beliefs, why would you feel the need to put others down? It's almost as if you are not happy. Deep down you are torn apart - yet you are trying to convey to others that you are happier than you have ever been and you finally have found the truth and have been liberated! It's as though deep down you really don't believe what you are preaching. You know that the message you are sending isn't the truth. It's a just a truth that you have made your own truth.

The Holy Ghost is a witness of truth. When the Holy Ghost stands behind your message you are building up others, not tearing them down. You are looking to spread positive news, not negative. You have an open mind and are not looking to argue or prove a point. You are humble about it and loving. That is how you discern truth from error.

Without the Holy Ghost you are quick to be deceived. Satan preaches that whatever is convenient and benefits YOU is the way to happiness. The Lord's way is not always convenient or easy and usually involves helping OTHERS.  When you deny God - then you have no one to answer to. You create your own rules - whatever makes you happy. After all, there is no sin if there is no God - right? How appealing to those who do not want a guilty conscience, or have to face responsibility or accountability for their choices.

When I heard President Uchtdorf''s CES talk today titled "What is Truth?", I couldn't have been more happy to hear him nail this subject right on the head. This is very worth your time if you have 30 minutes. The Spirit is powerful in his words.

By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

Matthew 7:16-20 

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

This scripture has been ringing in my mind over the past few days. There are a handful of people that I know who at one point were faithful saints and now live lives contrary to the gospel and commandments of God. I can't help but notice the similarities between them.

• They seem to be on the "attack" approach - always poking fun and making light of the gospel or people who live the gospel. 
• Associating with groups or organizations who dislike the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and/or the laws of God
• They are very verbal online. Always looking to comment on anything and everything that opposes their lifestyle or choices
• Speak as though they have a chip on their shoulders. Bitter about a plethora of things.
• Find amusement or get a rise out of "shock value" such as participating in filthy language, lude pictures, behaviors and comments especially towards those whom they know would take offense
• Always seek to make bad look good and good look bad - justifying their behaviors and looking to find others who agree with them and will support them
• Spewing anger towards those who question or disagree with them on any issue
• They are hyprocrites - pleading for understanding and tolerance but not granting it to others
• Prideful - when all the signs are pointing in the wrong direction, and the facts are against them, they will continue in that direction regardless.
• Not open or respectful of other oppinions

 I had been noticing a pattern of the similarities above and realized that all of these people were people who had left the church or no longer practice their faith. It was a testimony to me that the gospel provides true everlasting joy, happiness and peace. When you walk away from the gospel, you walk away from joy, true happiness and peace. Therefore it eats at your soul when you know what you could have vs. what you have been choosing. Giving up that happiness and those blessings removes peace from your life. No matter how you try and justify it, there will always be a hole in your spirit. This explains the chip on the shoulder or bitterness towards those who live and love the gospel.

I have been blessed with the gift of discernment and the spirit is quick to testify to me truth and error. People who emulate the light of Christ and those work against him. I can read right through people and I know their true intentions whether good or bad. I have been grateful for this gift as it has helped me avoid hazardous situations and sometimes real danger.

Unfortunately there are many who cannot easily detect truth vs. error. They can be easily deceived or persuaded my the philosophies of men and the cunningness of the adversary. Feeling guilty for supporting something that is not popular or questioning whether or not they really do believe in ALL the principals of the gospel. This can be a slippery slope to apostasy.  We know that Satan carefully leads souls away. Before you realize what has happened he has a firm grip on you and as stated in 2 Nephi 28:21 "he leadeth them away carefully down to hell".

So how can we avoid getting caught in Satan's grip? By learning how to detect good fruits vs. bad fruits. Are the people or groups you are associating faithful in serving God? Do they keep the Sabbath day holy, use clean language, watch clean movies, pray often, seem at peace, are polite and respectful towards others, love to serve, refrain from sexual sin, are chaste etc. These are good fruits. You will know these people are of God by their good fruits. On the contrary, if they gossip, complain often, cheat, lie, use vulgar language, spew hate towards and person or group, participate in sexual sin, are not chaste or virtuous, are violent or generally not at peace, they are a contentious adulterous people. They produce bad fruits and are serving the adversary whether they purposely do so or not.They are not guided by the spirit and while living in sin without confessing or forsaking their sins, will not be able to feel or recognize the spirit as they are not searching for truth through the light of Christ.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said (as featured in my recent post on July 6th) in cautioning about the misapplication of love and tolerance:

"Carried to an undisciplined excess, love and tolerance can produce indifference to truth and justice, and opposition to unity. What makes mankind free from death and sin is not merely love but love accompanied by truth. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). And the test of whether we are the Lord’s is not just love and tolerance but unity. The risen Lord said, “If ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). To follow the Lord’s example of love, we must remember his explanation that “whom I love I also chasten” (D&C 95:1). And we must remember that he chastens us “that [we] might be one” (D&C 61:8).

 Political correctness and pandering will send you into the wrong side of the battle of good vs. evil or right vs. wrong. If you have a wicked and adulterous spirit, you will choose wrongly every time. So what can you do to always be prepared to recognize the spirit discern good from evil?

Apostle Royden G. Derrick suggested in his 1984 conference address the following:

"May I suggest a formula for bringing forth good fruit and helping one to gain eternal salvation? (1) have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in yourself, (2) study eternal truths, (3) ponder and pray for understanding, (4) strive to incorporate principles of truth into daily living, (5) exercise integrity in all that you do, and (6) strive to do everything you do to a standard of excellence."

Be bold, be brave and stay true to the gospel. When you are searching for truth and living your life in line with the teachings and principals of the gospel you will know truth and you will not be deceived. You should never feel guilty or embarrassed for standing up for truth and righteousness. Surround yourself with people who bear good fruits and you will be blessed.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

Life Changing Article - How Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall

We all have strengths and gifts that have been given to us to help bless others and build up the Kingdom of God. Has it ever crossed your mind that if not careful, sometimes your strengths can become your spiritual downfall?

Today I was reading my patriarchal blessing when a sentence in there stood out. I wanted to study this sentence more. When I typed it into a search engine, this article came up. I was so happy to have read this article and I think Elder Oaks' wisdom can be for all of us. We can all fall into one of these categories he mentions - very easily. 

This is a topic I haven't heard too much about (at least in this sort of detail) so I was grateful that the Lord guided me to it. As you read it, do so in a humble manner. Elder Oaks' words really take a stab at pride, so if you go into reading this with all your pride set aside and a humble heart and open mind, the Spirit will help you recognize areas of improvement in your life. You will be blessed!

From an address given at a Brigham Young University eighteen-stake fireside on 7 June 1992 in Provo, Utah.

The Lord warned the first generation of Latter-day Saints to “beware concerning yourselves” (D&C 84:43). I seek to remind each of us of the mortal susceptibilities and devilish diversions that can unite to produce our spiritual downfall.

Lehi taught that “it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, … righteousness could not be brought to pass” (2 Ne. 2:11). In the realm of spiritual progress, that opposition is often provided by the temptations of Satan. We learn in modern revelation that “it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves” (D&C 29:39).

Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Marion G. Romney of the Quorum of the Twelve taught: “Latter-day Saints know that there is a God. With like certainty, they know that Satan lives, that he is a powerful personage of spirit, the archenemy of God, of man, and of righteousness” (Ensign, June 1971, p. 35). President Joseph F. Smith described one of Satan’s methods: “Satan is a skillful imitator, and as genuine gospel truth is given the world in ever-increasing abundance, so he spreads the counterfeit coin of false doctrine” (ibid., p. 36).

Satan uses every possible device to degrade and enslave every soul. He attempts to distort and corrupt everything created for the good of man, sometimes by diluting that which is good, sometimes by camouflaging that which is evil. We generally think of Satan attacking us at our weakest spot. Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve described this technique when he said: “Lucifer and his followers know the habits, weaknesses, and vulnerable spots of everyone and take advantage of them to lead us to spiritual destruction” (The Miracle of Forgiveness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969, pp. 218–19).

Like the fabled Achilles, who was immune to every lethal blow except to his heel, many of us have a special weakness that can be exploited to our spiritual downfall. For some, that weakness may be a taste for liquor, an unusual vulnerability to sexual temptation, or a susceptibility to compulsive gambling or reckless speculation. For others, it may be a craving for money or power. If we are wise, we will know our weaknesses, our spiritual Achilles’ heels, and fortify ourselves against temptations in those areas.

But weakness is not our only vulnerability. Satan can also attack us where we think we are strong—in the very areas where we are proud of our strengths. He will approach us through the greatest talents and spiritual gifts we possess. If we are not wary, Satan can cause our spiritual downfall by corrupting us through our strengths as well as by exploiting our weaknesses. I will illustrate this truth with several examples.

Gospel Hobbies

My first example concerns Satan’s efforts to corrupt a person who has an unusual commitment to one particular doctrine or commandment of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This could be an unusual talent for family history work, an extraordinary commitment to constitutional government, a special talent in the acquisition of knowledge, or any other special talent or commitment.

Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve has likened the fulness of the gospel to a piano keyboard. He has told us that a person could be “attracted by a single key,” such as a doctrine he or she wants to hear “played over and over again. … Some members of the Church who should know better pick out a hobby key or two and tap them incessantly, to the irritation of those around them. They can dull their own spiritual sensitivities. They lose track that there is a fulness of the gospel … [which they reject] in preference to a favorite note. This becomes exaggerated and distorted, leading them away into apostasy” (Ensign, Dec. 1971, p. 42).

We could say of such persons, as the Lord said of the Shakers in a revelation given in 1831, “They desire to know the truth in part, but not all” (D&C 49:2). Beware of a hobby key. If you tap one key to the exclusion or serious detriment of the full harmony of the gospel keyboard, Satan can use your strength to bring you down.

Misapplication of Spiritual Gifts

Satan will also attempt to cause our spiritual downfall through tempting us to misapply our spiritual gifts. The revelations tell us that “there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. … All these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God” (D&C 46:11, 26). Most of us have seen persons whom the adversary has led astray through a corruption of their spiritual gifts. My mother shared one such example, something she observed while attending Brigham Young University many years ago.

A man who lived in a community in Utah had a mighty gift of healing. People sought him out for blessings, many coming from outside his ward and stake. In time, he almost made a profession of giving blessings. As part of his travels to various communities, he visited the apartments of BYU students, asking if they wanted blessings. This man had lost sight of the revealed direction on spiritual gifts: “always remembering for what they are given” (D&C 46:8). A spiritual gift is given to benefit the children of God, not to magnify the prominence or to gratify the ego of the person who receives it. The professional healer who forgot that lesson gradually lost the companionship of the Spirit and was eventually excommunicated from the Church.

A Desire to Know All

Another strength Satan can exploit is a strong desire to understand everything about every principle of the gospel. How could that possibly work to our detriment? Experience teaches that if this desire is not disciplined, it can cause some to pursue their searchings beyond the fringes of orthodoxy, seeking answers to obscure mysteries rather than seeking a firmer understanding and a better practice of the basic principles of the gospel.

Some seek answers to questions God has not chosen to answer. Others receive answers—or think they receive answers—in ways that are contrary to the order of the Church. For such searchers, Satan stands ready to mislead through sophistry or spurious revelation. Persons who hunger after a full understanding of all things must discipline their questions and their methods, or they can approach apostasy without even knowing it. It may be just as dangerous to exceed orthodoxy as it is to fall short of it. The safety and happiness we are promised lie in keeping the commandments, not in discounting or multiplying them.

A Desire to Be Led in All Things

Closely related to this example is the person who has a strong desire to be led by the Spirit of the Lord but who unwisely extends that desire to the point of wanting to be led in all things. A desire to be led by the Lord is a strength, but it needs to be accompanied by an understanding that our Heavenly Father leaves many decisions for our personal choices. Personal decision making is one of the sources of the growth we are meant to experience in mortality. Persons who try to shift all decision making to the Lord and plead for revelation in every choice will soon find circumstances in which they pray for guidance and don’t receive it. For example, this is likely to occur in those numerous circumstances in which the choices are trivial or either choice is acceptable.

We should study things out in our minds, using the reasoning powers our Creator has placed within us. Then we should pray for guidance and act upon it if we receive it. If we do not receive guidance, we should act upon our best judgment. Persons who persist in seeking revelatory guidance on subjects on which the Lord has not chosen to direct us may concoct an answer out of their own fantasy or bias, or they may even receive an answer through the medium of false revelation. Revelation from God is a sacred reality, but like other sacred things, it must be cherished and used properly so that a great strength does not become a disabling weakness.

Honors Can Sometimes Turn to Our Detriment

The honors we sometimes receive from our peers are potentially a strength, but we need to remember that Satan can turn these to our detriment also. We must be careful that we do not become like the prophet Balaam. The Apostle Peter said that Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet. 2:15), which Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve interpreted as “the honors of men and the wealth of the world” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1973, 3:361). Honors may come, but we should beware that they not deflect our priorities and commitments away from the things of God.

A Desire to Sacrifice More Than Is Needful

A willingness to sacrifice all we possess in the work of the Lord is surely a strength. In fact, it is a covenant we make in sacred places. But even this strength can bring us down if we fail to confine our sacrifices to those things the Lord and his leaders have asked of us at this time. We should say with Alma, “Why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?” (Alma 29:6). Persons who consider it insufficient to pay their tithes and offerings and to work in the positions to which they have been called can easily be led astray by cults and other bizarre outlets for their willingness to sacrifice more than is needful.

Social Consciousness Not Tempered by Other Values

Some persons have a finely developed social conscience. They respond to social injustice and suffering with great concern, commitment, and generosity. This is surely a spiritual strength, something many of us need in greater measure. Yet persons who have this great quality need to be cautious that it not impel them to overstep other ultimate values. My social conscience should not cause me to coerce others to use their time or means to fulfill my objectives. We are not blessed for magnifying our calling with someone else’s time or resources. We are commanded to love our neighbors, not to manipulate them, even for righteous purposes.

In the same way, we should not feel alienated from our Church or its leaders when they refrain from using the rhetoric of the social gospel or from allocating Church resources to purposes favored by others. We should remember that the Lord has given his restored Church a unique mission not given to others. The Church must concentrate its primary efforts on those activities that can only be accomplished with priesthood authority, such as preaching the gospel and redeeming the dead.

An Intense Focus on Goals

There is great strength in being highly focused on our goals. We have all seen the favorable fruits of that focus. Yet an intense focus on goals can cause a person to forget the importance of righteous means. When I was serving in a stake presidency, a man bragged to me about the way he had managed to preserve his goal of perfect attendance at our stake leadership meetings. On one occasion, he was required to report for work during one of our stake meetings. When the employer denied his request for permission to attend this Church meeting, he told me with pride that he “called in sick” so he could come anyway.

I kept an eye on that man after that. I wondered if he would steal money in order to pay his tithing. That may be an extreme example, but it illustrates the point I wish to make. We cannot be so concerned about our goals that we overlook the necessity of using righteous methods to attain them.

Popular Teachers and the Potential of Priestcraft

Another illustration of a strength that can become our downfall concerns charismatic teachers. With a trained mind and a skillful manner of presentation, teachers can become unusually popular and effective in teaching. But Satan will try to use that strength to corrupt teachers by encouraging them to gather a following of disciples. A Church teacher, Church Education System instructor, or Latter-day Saint university professor who gathers such a following and does this “for the sake of riches and honor” (Alma 1:16) is guilty of priestcraft. “Priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion” (2 Ne. 26:29).

Teachers who are most popular, and therefore most effective, have a special susceptibility to priestcraft. If they are not careful, their strength can become their spiritual downfall. They can become like Almon Babbitt, with whom the Lord was not pleased, because “he aspireth to establish his counsel instead of the counsel which I have ordained, even that of the Presidency of my Church; and he setteth up a golden calf for the worship of my people” (D&C 124:84).

Neglect or Distortion of Family Duties

The family, the most sacred institution in mortality, is a setting in which Satan is especially eager to use strengths to bring about our downfall. My first illustration under this heading is addressed to breadwinners. The Bible says it is a gift of God to rejoice in our labors (see Eccl. 5:19), but that gift can be corrupted. Our labors, and the prosperity and recognition we achieve by them, can easily become a god we place before him who said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). Carried to excess, a love of and commitment to work can become an excuse to neglect family and Church responsibilities. Most of us could cite more than one illustration of that reality.

At an even more sensitive level, a man’s righteous desire to act in his position as a leader in his family, if not righteously exercised, can lead him into self-righteousness, selfishness, dictatorship, and even brutality. A timely warning against this danger is the Lord’s blunt instruction that it is the “nature and disposition” of those who have a little authority to “exercise unrighteous dominion” (D&C 121:39). We must all heed the direction that priesthood authority must be exercised “by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned” (D&C 121:41).

By the same token, a woman’s righteous and appropriate desires to grow, to develop, and to magnify her talents—desires strongly reinforced by current feminist teachings—also have their extreme manifestations, which can lead to attempts to preempt priesthood leadership, to the advocacy of ideas out of harmony with Church doctrine, or even to the abandonment of family responsibilities.

Excesses in Giving

Another area in which strengths can become our downfall concerns finances. We are commanded to give to the poor. Could the fulfillment of that fundamental Christian obligation be carried to excess? I believe it can. I have seen cases in which persons fulfilled that duty to such an extent that they impoverished their own families by expending resources of property or time that were needed for family members.

Perhaps this excess explains why King Benjamin, who commanded his people to impart of their substance to the poor—“feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally”—also cautioned them to “see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mosiah 4:26–27). Similarly, a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he was translating the Book of Mormon cautioned him, “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate” (D&C 10:4).

Accomplishment and Pride

Other illustrations of how our strengths can become our downfall concern the activity of learning. A desire to know is surely a great strength. A hunger to learn is laudable, but the fruits of learning make a person particularly susceptible to the sin of pride. So do the fruits of other talents and accomplishments, such as in the fields of athletics or the arts. It is easy for the learned and the accomplished to forget their own limitations and their total dependence upon God.

Accomplishments in higher education bring persons much recognition and real feelings of self-sufficiency. But we should remember the Book of Mormon’s frequent cautions not to boast of our own strength or wisdom lest we be left to our own strength or wisdom (see Alma 38:11; Alma 39:2; Hel. 4:13; Hel. 16:15).

Similarly, in referring to “that cunning plan of the evil one,” the prophet Jacob remarked that when persons are “learned,” which means they have knowledge, “they think they are wise,” which means they think they have the capacity for the wise application of knowledge. Persons who think they are wise in this way “hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves.” In that circumstance, the prophet said, “their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Ne. 9:28–29).

Distorted Faith

An unusual degree of faith in God, which is a genuine spiritual gift and strength, can be distorted so as to seriously detract from scholarly pursuits. I have known persons who began their academic studies with great momentum but, as time went by, did not continue to invest the necessary time in their studies. They supposed they had developed such great faith that if they simply did their Church work the Lord would bless them to achieve their academic objectives. In this way, the supposed strength of their faith became the cause of their academic downfall. We might say to them as the Lord said to Oliver Cowdery when he failed in his efforts to translate:

“It is because that you did not continue as you commenced. …

“You have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. …

“You must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:5, 7–8; see also D&C 88:118).

Here the Lord counsels us on balance. Faith is vital, but it must be accompanied by the personal work appropriate to the task. Only then do we qualify for the blessing. The appropriate approach is to study as if everything depended upon us and then to pray and exercise faith as if everything depended upon the Lord.

Inordinate Church Service

A related strength that can be corrupted to our downfall is a desire to excel in a Church calling. I remember a graduate student who used his Church service as a means of escape from the rigors of his studies. He went beyond what we call Church-service time and became almost a full-time Church-service worker. He consistently volunteered for every extra assignment, giving help that was greatly appreciated in the various organizations and activities of the Church. As a result of this inordinate allocation of time, he failed in his studies and then mistakenly blamed his failure on the excessive burden of Church service. His strength became his downfall.

Similarly, I remember the concerns President Harold B. Lee expressed to me when I was president of BYU. Shortly before the Provo Temple was dedicated, he told me of his concern that the accessibility of the temple would cause some BYU students to attend the temple so often that they would neglect their studies. He urged me to work with the BYU stake presidents to make sure the students understood that even something as sacred and important as temple service needed to be done in wisdom and order so that students would not neglect the studies that should be the major focus of their time during their student years.

All-Consuming Patriotism

Love of country is surely a strength, but carried to excess it can become the cause of spiritual downfall. There are some citizens whose patriotism is so intense and so all-consuming that it seems to override every other responsibility, including family and Church. I caution those patriots who are participating in or provisioning private armies and making private preparations for armed conflict. Their excessive zeal for one aspect of patriotism is causing them to risk spiritual downfall as they withdraw from the society of the Church and from the governance of those civil authorities to whom our twelfth article of faith makes all of us subject.

Materialistic Self-Reliance

Another strength that can become our downfall stems from self-reliance. We are told to be self-reliant, to provide for ourselves and those dependent upon us. But success at that effort can easily escalate into materialism. This happens through carrying the virtue of “providing for our own” to the point of excessive concern with accumulating the treasures of the earth. I believe this relationship identifies materialism as a peculiar Mormon weakness, a classic example of how Satan can persuade some to drive a legitimate strength to such excess that it becomes a disabling weakness.

Not Really Following the Prophet

A desire to follow a prophet is surely a great and appropriate strength, but even this has its potentially dangerous manifestations. I have heard of more than one group so intent on following the words of a dead prophet that they have rejected the teachings and counsel of the living ones. Satan has used that corruption from the beginning of the Restoration. You will recall Joseph Smith’s direction for the Saints to gather in Kirtland, Ohio, then in Missouri, and then in Illinois. At each place along the way, a certain number of Saints fell away, crying “fallen prophet” as their excuse for adhering to the earlier words and rejecting the current direction. The same thing happened after the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, when some Saints seized upon one statement or another by the deceased Prophet as a basis for sponsoring or joining a new group that rejected the counsel of the living prophets.

Following the prophet is a great strength, but it needs to be consistent and current, lest it lead to the spiritual downfall that comes from rejecting continuous revelation. Under that principle, the most important difference between dead prophets and living ones is that those who are dead are not here to receive and declare the Lord’s latest words to his people. If they were, there would be no differences among the messages of the prophets.

A related distortion is seen in the practice of those who select a few sentences from the teachings of a prophet and use them to support their political agenda or other personal purposes. In doing so, they typically ignore the contrary implications of other prophetic words, or even the clear example of the prophet’s own actions. For example, I have corresponded with several Church members who sought to use something President Ezra Taft Benson was quoted as saying as a basis for refusing to file an income tax return or to pay income taxes.

I have tried to persuade these persons that their interpretation cannot be what President Benson intended, because all who have held that sacred office, and all of the General Authorities, have faithfully filed their income tax returns and paid the taxes required by law. The servants of God are under the Master’s commands to follow him and to be examples to the flock (see 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3). We should interpret their words in the light of their works. To wrest the words of a prophet to support a private agenda, political or financial or otherwise, is to try to manipulate the prophet, not to follow him.

Misapplication of Love and Tolerance

Other strengths that can be used for our downfall are the gifts of love and tolerance. Clearly, these are great virtues. Love is an ultimate quality, and tolerance is its handmaiden. Love and tolerance are pluralistic qualities—encompassing all—and that is their strength, but it is also the source of their potential distortion. Love and tolerance are incomplete unless they are accompanied by a concern for truth and a commitment to the unity that God has commanded of his servants.

Carried to an undisciplined excess, love and tolerance can produce indifference to truth and justice, and opposition to unity. What makes mankind free from death and sin is not merely love but love accompanied by truth. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). And the test of whether we are the Lord’s is not just love and tolerance but unity. The risen Lord said, “If ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). To follow the Lord’s example of love, we must remember his explanation that “whom I love I also chasten” (D&C 95:1). And we must remember that he chastens us “that [we] might be one” (D&C 61:8).

Preventing Strengths from Becoming Our Downfall

As I conclude, I need to caution myself and each of my readers that the very nature of this message could tend to the same downfall that it warns against. The idea that our strengths can become our weaknesses could be understood to imply that we should have “moderation in all things.” But the Savior said that if we are “lukewarm,” he “will spue [us] out of [his] mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Moderation in all things is not a virtue, because it would seem to justify moderation in commitment. That is not moderation, but indifference. That kind of moderation runs counter to the divine commands to serve with all of our “heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2), to “seek … earnestly the riches of eternity” (D&C 68:31), and to be “valiant in the testimony of Jesus” (D&C 76:79). Moderation is not the answer.

How, then, do we prevent our strengths from becoming our downfall? The quality we must cultivate is humility. Humility is the great protector. Humility is the antidote against pride. Humility is the catalyst for all learning, especially spiritual things. Through the prophet Moroni, the Lord gave us this great insight into the role of humility: “I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).

We might also say that if men and women humble themselves before God, he will help them prevent their strengths from becoming weaknesses that the adversary can exploit to destroy them.

If we are meek and humble enough to receive counsel, the Lord can and will guide us through the counsel of our parents, our teachers, and our leaders. The proud can hear only the clamor of the crowd, but a person who, as King Benjamin said, “becometh as a child, submissive, meek, [and] humble” (Mosiah 3:19), can hear and follow the still small voice by which our Father in Heaven guides his children who are receptive.

Those who engage in self-congratulation over a supposed strength have lost the protection of humility and are vulnerable to Satan’s using that strength to produce their downfall. In contrast, if we are humble and teachable, hearkening to the commandments of God, the counsel of his leaders, and the promptings of his Spirit, we can be guided in how to use our spiritual gifts, our accomplishments, and all of our other strengths for righteousness. And we can be guided in how to avoid Satan’s efforts to use our strengths to cause our downfall.

In all of this, we should remember and rely on the Lord’s direction and promise: “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10).

I testify that this is true, even as I testify of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose atoning sacrifice has brought to pass the Resurrection and will bring to pass all righteousness.

Illustrated by Cary Henrie

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