Week 3: The Fall

Week 3 

The Fall: A Misunderstood Part of God's Plan

We live in a world that hates everything about the Fall of Adam and Eve. Many denominations and sects of religion believe that this was the greatest travesty of all time. However, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we see the Fall not only as a great blessing, but as one of the great pillars of Heavenly Father's plan for us. 

In the book of Moses, we read this commandment from God to Adam and Eve: "But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die" (Moses 3:17). The underlined part of this passage is very interesting to me because it is not in the Bible; why would this be left out? I am not sure why, but the word nevertheless makes the second part of this commandment more important than the first. So, in the words of our Father, this command  had a very important part of for them to choose. One thing I know is that this choice was not an easy one, but without it, we could not be (2 Nephi 2:23-25);  we know that without leaving the Garden, Adam and Eve would not be able to have children.  

While other see this a travesty, a destructive part of God's plan, I know that God knew this would happen, and He is in control. I know that, because of this foreknowledge, our Father prepared a Savior for us, even Jesus the Christ. I invite all who see this post to pray to know that these things I say are true. I promise that if you do, you will feel the power of their truthfulness and will provide you will the joy our Father in Heaven wants for you!

Week 2: The Testaments

Week 2: Christ and the Testaments of Him

In class this week we discussed Christ as seen through the words of the prophets. One scripture the spoke to me this week was in 2 Nephi 29:3. This is God speaking to the prophet Nephi about the Bible. In this verse God tells Nephi that, his "...words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible." It iis very ironic because Bible comes from the greek meaning "a little library." So the people are say "A little library! A little library! We have got a little library, and there cannot be anymore little libraries." 

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we declare that God's word is not limited to "a little library," but that His word is continuous and is contained in more that just the Bible. We know, as God stated latter in that chapter of 2nd Nephi that, "the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that (He) am God, that (He) remember one nation like unto another... speaking the same words unto one nation like unto another" (2nd Nephi 29:8). Christ and His Gospel are not only in the Bible, but in the words of Book of Mormon prophet and also to modern day prophets as seen in the Doctrine and Covenants and discourses given by those prophets today!

I encourage you to see out all of those testaments of Christ, that ye may know Him!

Week 1: Who Am I?

Week 1: Who Am I?

Moses 1

We live in a world where the question of "who am I?" is a very difficult question. Many philosophers and soul-seekers spend there entire lives traveling and searching for the answer. I love reading Mose 1 because it gives us the answer.

While God is speaking with Moses face to face, God calls Mose, "my son" not once, not twice, but three times (verses 5,6, & 7). This Hebrew superlative helps Moses see that this is true. He even goes further to tell Moses what he wants for each of His children and that "(His) work and (His) glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Mose1:39).

Now, how can that help us? These passages of scripture are not only applicable to Mose, but to us as well. We need to remember that like Moses, we are Sons and Daughters of this same God. He wants everything for us. He wants us to have joy in this life and to enter back into His presence.