Not Ashamed

First Fruits and the Stewardship of Time

“Wherefore I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.” – Section 59:2a

I attended a time management course many years ago and the instructor challenged us with a simple question: “If you had a 25^th hour each day, how would you spend it? I like most of those there answered with items like: study the scriptures, pray, write a letter to a friend, call someone special, etc. The instructor then asked “Why do we put off to the 25^th hour those activities that are the most meaningful and important to us?” That thought has never left me.

There is no question, our lives our busy. What we choose to fill our lives with though is important. The opening verse of the 59^th section says that when we pass from this life and rest from our labors, our works will follow us. A sobering thought for sure. How have we spent our time? What are our works? Are they for the benefit of the kingdom or some other purpose?

God wants our first fruits. He wants and needs our best. We too often offer Him only the small fragments and pieces of life that are left over after we take care of everything we want to do and justify as necessary. He wants us to take the activities that we would put into the 25^th hour and put them into every hour of every day. He wants ALL of our heart, might, mind and strength and surely He is worthy of every effort we can make in this life to honor Him and promote the kingdom.

It really is just a matter of our focus and priorities. If we can see the bigger picture and understand the true meaning and purpose of our sojourn on earth, then our choices will most certainly change. We labor and toil in worldly affairs because we want to be profitable. King Benjamin taught that all God requires is for us to keep his commandments and if we would do so we would prosper. Alma taught that our days on earth are days of probation and we are here to work out our salvation and live in thanksgiving daily. Much of what presently consumes our time has no lasting or eternal value. If the kingdom is to be a reality in our midst, our focus and priorities must change. We need to be better stewards of our time here on earth.

What a blessing it is to have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light. Our indebtedness to Him is great and while we will never be able to repay the ransom that was paid for us we should labor diligently with all our heart, might, mind and strength for the cause of the kingdom and by so doing become lively stones that are fitly framed together into a spiritual house … the very kingdom of God.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Sometime in the Fall of 1926 my great grandmother, Nettie Gault, wrote to Elbert A. Smith and asked him to provide a short article for a Religio periodical called “The Echo.” Brother Elbert’s reply was dated October 20, 1926 and is a precious heirloom. The article that he wrote for “The Echo” follows. It’s message I’m sure was timely and addressed needs that existed in the body of Christ at that time. As I read through it recently I found Brother Elbert’s message timeless and also relevant for the body of Christ today and worthy of our contemplation and consideration.

Building the Tower
by Elbert A. Smith

Two things Jesus emphasized: stability of character and continuity of purpose. At one time he said: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” – Luke 14:28

We have seen instances where men have begun to build without counting the cost, and then have tired of the project. A ruined foundation is left, to be known as “John Doe’s Folly.”

A ruined house that has held life and served the end of its creation is not nearly so pathetic as the ruin of an incomplete building that never sheltered life or in any way filled its intended mission. To an old and broken down man who has done his work well, lived his life, builded in his generation, we may give honor and reverence. A man who lost his purpose and abandoned his work before it was finished is a pitiful sight.

Some people begin building the tower of Christian character in a moment of religious fervor. They count the blessings and not the cost. They see the promise of great blessings in this life and eternal salvation in the next world. They fail to count the cost in sacrifice, suffering, toil, self-denial, and self-discipline. Not having counted the cost they soon tire of the enterprise and abandon it. A great tower is not built without toil and sweat and concentrated and sustained effort.

We should select the foundations of life with care. It has been truly said on that point: “Other foundation can no man lay that that is laid, which is Christ Jesus.” His philosophy, his beliefs and assurances concerning immortality, and our relations to God and our fellow men furnish quite the only adequate foundation on which to build the tower of Christian character – true manhood or womanhood. Having begun to build we should persist, perhaps slowly, but by all means certainly, until it is finished.

Christ’s words on the cross: “It is finished”, were significant. So few lives are really finished. Men dwindle out or become discouraged and turn aside. “You ran well for a season” was the epitaph of the Galatians.

Some men are born with a certain stability of character. In his wonderful poem on Lincoln, Markham said that he had “the rectitude and patience of the rocks”, that he “Held the long purpose like a growing tree – Held on through blame and faltered not at praise.”

We may develop stability and continuity. All have to learn to stand erect and walk alone. We can learn to stand erect morally and persist in our chosen course, being always careful to determine that it is a course to be persisted in, and wasting time on no other course.

Perhaps nothing will help us more that during times of peace to lay deep our resolutions against the time of stress. Then when in the Garden of Gethsemane remember the Mount of Transfiguration.

When your body is strong, your mind clear, the Spirit of the Lord illuminating you, choose the better course, plan your life, begin to build your tower. Then if later you find yourself with a body weary, mind confused, the Spirit darkened, remember the resolutions made when you were at your best and highest, and say, “This is no time to make new decisions. I will abide by the decisions made in the best hour I have ever known.”

For most of the Christian world the Book of Mormon is relegated to the same status as the Muslim Koran or Hindu Bhagavad Gita. It is a work of man masquerading as a work of God. While we feel and know differently, does our testimony betray us? How do our lives demonstrate the profound principles, prophecies and witness of Jesus Christ made clear in this marvelous work? Joseph the Palmyra seer said that it was the “most correct book on earth” and the “keystone of our religion.” Is it the keystone of your life?

Sadly, many who proclaim belief in the Book of Mormon, do not give it the prominent place in their lives that it should have. Some have not read it and those that have do not read it regularly nor follow its principles and teachings nor share its wonderful message with others. This treasure from heaven, delivered by the hand of an angel and translated by the power of God, collects dust on too many shelves.

The Book of Mormon came forth not just as an added witness of Jesus Christ. While it certainly is that it is much more. The preface which is a literal translation taken from the very last leaf of the plates is the best definition of it’s purpose; “to shew unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever; …”

It came forth to fulfill the promise that God made with the house of Israel; “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.” (Isa 54:7) And it came forth to be the standard around which latter-day Israel should gather, and the messenger that would prepare the way for the coming of our Savior.

The book cannot take itself to scattered Israel so the Lord call his church out of the wilderness, established the cause of Zion, restored the priesthood and commissioned them as ambassadors, hunters and fishers to seek out lost Israel to unstop their ears and open their eyes and make them clean by washing them in the waters of baptism and place within them the gift of the Holy Ghost that they might once again become his covenant people. For those that profess a belief in the Book of Mormon, this is the work whereunto they are called.

September is an important month in the history of the Book of Mormon because it is the month that plates were delivered to Joseph and as we recently learned in Sunday school the Book of Mormon is “The latter-day trumpet-call sent to invite repentance and warn the Gentiles …” and was “presented to the Palmyra Seer on the Feast of Trumpets, the very day set aside in the Mosaic Law to call Israel to repentance by sounding the trumpet. (see “The Latter-Culmination” by Bob Moore, page 22) The blowing of the trumpets was understood by former day Israel to be a call to repent and prepare oneself to stand trial before God who would execute his judgment ten days later on the day of atonement. The Feast of Trumpets begins on the new moon which this year is September 8.

It is clear perhaps to each of us that the latter-day judgments have already begun. Latter-day revelation makes it clear that judgment would be like a whirlwind and begin on his house (the church) and then go forth from there. Today we find the church fragmented and broken into many pieces and despite our best efforts we continue to fragment and break apart; a clear indication that the whirlwind judgments of God are upon us. In many ways we are also seeing the beginnings of the judgments coming upon the world. Terrorism, economic failure, disease, and natural disasters are all part of the headline news each day and seem to be growing in frequency and scale.

What should our response be to the judgments that are upon us? Is your Book of Mormon dusty?

I’d like to suggest that together we use the month of September to rekindle our passion for the Book of Mormon and ultimately discover in ourselves how we can engage in the great work that it calls us to. It’s message clearly calls (trumpets) us to repentance but it also calls us to thrust in our sickle with our mights and reap while the day lasts.

There are a couple of specific activities that we can participate in:

We can attend the Book of Mormon festival that will be held September 10-11. (Details have been provided as inserts into our bulletin.)

Additionally, we can spend time just reading and studying. I plan to dedicate a minimum of 30 minutes each day in September to reading and studying the Book of Mormon. I want to read it completely through at least once this month. Will you join me? Make reading it a family activity. Gather together around the kitchen table or on the floor in your family room and spend 30 minutes together each day reading this wonderful work. Discuss how its principles can be applied to your lives and how you can build and share a witness of this book with another. You might have to give up 30 minutes of television or some other activity but in the grander scheme it is a small sacrifice for the blessings that will surely come.

“… let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.” (Moroni 9:6)

Corporations spend a great deal of time and effort to develop strategic frameworks and at the heart of any strategic framework are vision and mission statements. Visions define what an organization wants to become and give shape and direction to the organizations future. Westin hotels vision is; “Year after year, Westin and its people will be regarded as the best and most sought after hotel and resort management group in North America.”

Underneath vision statements are mission statements that are precise descriptions of what an organization does. They are definitions of why organizations exist. Westin’s mission is; “In order to realize our vision, our mission must be to exceed the expectations of our customers, whom we define as guests, partners, and fellow employees.”

Strategic frameworks are further defined by values that shape actions, strategies that support the mission and goals and action plans that guide daily and weekly activities. Studies have shown that corporations that have well defined strategic frameworks that are communicated and understood by all are significantly more successful than corporations that do not.

The admonition in Proverbs is true; “Where there is no vision, the people perish; …” We see it with corporations, and there are countless case studies in scripture and the historical record that also prove this to be true. Perhaps this is why the Lord has been so clear to articulate in his word and through the ministry of his son what our vision should be.

Many scriptures could be cited but an oft quoted one comes from latter day revelation:

“… make known his wonderful works among the people, call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth; that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth; wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, may be glorified in heaven, so on earth, that thy enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.”   — Section 65:1d-f

The kingdom of God on earth is our vision and to support this vision the Church has been given very specific missions. The savior himself stated our primary mission when he said; “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:14) In our day this mission has been rearticulated:

“Send forth the elders of my church unto the nations which are afar off; unto the islands of the sea; send forth unto foreign lands; call upon all nations; firstly, upon the Gentiles, and then upon the Jews. And, behold, and lo, this shall be their cry, and the voice of the Lord unto all people: Go ye forth unto the land of Zion, that the borders of my people may be enlarged, and that her stakes may be strengthened, and that Zion may go forth unto the regions round about; yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom. Behold, and lo, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord.” – Section 108:3a-d

The actions that we take in fulfilling our mission are shaped by values that qualify us to participate in the work of the Church and they too are given in scripture as faith, hope, charity, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, humility, and diligence.

Even specific strategies to support our mission and vision of the kingdom of God on earth are given in latter day revelation. We are told to buy up lands, organize stakes, establish storehouses, and send elders two by two. These are not ends in themselves but are enablers that support the overall mission of the Church.

Districts and branches often set short term goals and activities that further support the overall vision and mission. Planning a preaching series or witnessing weekend are good examples.

While the vision, mission, values and strategies of the Church are clear to most we get lost sometimes in what specifically we can do personally or as a branch. Should we also have a personal vision or a branch vision and mission? I think the clear answer is yes. And they should be aligned with the overall vision and mission of the Church.

I plan to make it a matter of prayer and work with the priesthood and membership of our branch to better define what our specific branch mission should be. We can then define strategies, goals and action plans to work towards our mission. Your thoughts and comments are wanted, needed and welcome.

May the Lord bless us as we endeavor to do his will.

WORSHIP

In the fourth and fifth chapters of Revelation, John is permitted through vision to see the throne of God. He says that a “door was opened into heaven” and what he sees is an astonishing sight. He describes God’s throne. Thunder and lightning are coming from the throne, telling us that this is a place of majesty and awesome glory.

“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sits on the throne, and worship him that liveth forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying, Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:10-11)

Worship literally means acknowledging the worth of something or someone. It means recognizing and saying that something or someone is worthy of our praise. Arthur Oakman writes, “To recognize Deity as worthy of adoration, as demanding righteousness, as a redeeming God, and one of purpose in creation and then to come into his presence with self-dedication is the beginning of worship.”

When we begin to glimpse and understand the reality of God, our natural inclination and reaction should be to worship him. When that reaction is absent it is a sure sign that we have not as yet grasped who he is or what he has done for us especially in sending his only begotten son to die for our sins.

Worship is our exclamation of praise that rises to God on his throne from us, his creation, in acknowledgement of the triumph of Jesus the Lamb and Savior of all mankind. Our praise is expressed in our music and hymns, reading of scripture, our prayers, and our preaching. Every time we meet for worship, every ‘service” we hold, is an occasion to recognize and celebrate the whole story of creation and salvation.

It is an old adage. We become what we worship. When we gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, we soon take on the character of the object of our worship. We see in the world those that worship, money, recognition and power and it is easy to see what they become. There are also old and present day examples of those that choose to worship creation and not the creator.

What happens to us then when we gaze in awe, admiration and wonder at the creator of heaven and earth? We are already made in his image, but we still grow from grace to grace, and are more perfectly formed into his image and countenance. He blesses us.

One of the primary responsibilities of the church is to prepare places of worship and to extend invitations to come and worship the true God and his son Jesus Christ, the creator and redeemer. Worship should be at the very center of our living. We are called to love God with all our heart, might, mind and strength. It does matter that we learn more about who God is so that our worship becomes fuller and richer.

F.Henry Edwards has written that, “Worship is the distinctive concern of the church. If the art and practice of worship are lost, then all is lost. But if our private and social worship is sound and searching and creative as our Father intended it to be, then all our other deficiencies will, in time be overcome.”

Worship is personal and it is corporate. Both are vital and important. God is worthy of our private meditations, study, fasting and prayer and he is worthy of our gathering together. We should cultivate an active and personal faith as well as take advantage of the opportunities provided by the church to worship together in the fellowship of one another and his spirit. Our worship draws us into his presence and there is no greater blessing during our sojourn on earth that to be in the presence of God.

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Revelations 5:11-13

When we peer into a mirror we see an exact image of ourselves. Sometimes we like what we see, sometimes we do not. Every hair that is out of place is clear and evident. Generally, we (society) spend a great deal of time, money and energy worrying about this outward image.

The gospel teaches us that it is not what is on the outside that is important, it is what is on the inside that matters to God. Peter wrote “Let your adorning be not that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” [1 Peter 3:3-4] The Pharisees were warned that they made “clean the outside of the cup, and of the platter; but within [were] full of extortion and excess.”

It is important that we clearly see and understand our “inward man” because “A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things.” [Matthew 12:30]

Edward M. Bounds puts it this way; “Conduct is what we do; character is what we are. Conduct is the outward life. Character is the life unseen, hidden within, yet evidenced by that which is seen. Conduct is external, seen from without; character is internal – operating within. In the economy of grace conduct is the offspring of character. Character is the state of the heart, conduct its outward expression. Character is the root of the tree, conduct, the fruit it bears.”

Is God concerned about our conduct? Yes. Then should we be concerned about our character? Yes. But how do we understand our character, our real inner self? Is there a mirror for our soul? How do we see and view the image of our inner-self? How is it that we can understand our true character, our true self; the self that is not veiled by outward appearances? Somehow it must be revealed.

One way that our true self can be revealed is by examining our conduct, the offspring of our character, when we are tried. That is perhaps why Peter stated that “the trial of [our] faith, [is] much more precious than of gold.” [1 Peter 1:7] Trial allows us to see our true inner self. When we are “pressed by every foe” our real nature is revealed. It becomes evident and we can examine it, understand it, and correct it if necessary.

Abraham is a great example of someone whose character was revealed thought trial. In Genesis we read that “God did try Abraham” by asking him to “Take now thy son, thine only Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering, …” [Genesis 22:1-2] Abraham was faced with the severest trial imaginable. The request did not fit his theology. Human sacrifice was pagan. Isaac was the son of promise, a miracle from the barren womb of Sarah. Why would God go to great lengths to enable a man and a woman nearing 100 years of age who had been barren all their life to produce a son and then ask that son be killed? Why would God make a promise to Abraham that he would be the father of nations and the seed that would come out of his loins would number as the sands of the sea and the stars of the heaven and then kill the only child he had?

The whole idea was absolutely bizarre. All hope of progeny in old Abraham would die. All hope of promise would die. Abraham would be killing his love, killing God’s promises, striking a blow at God’s word, striking a blow at the character of God, striking a blow at the covenant faithfulness of God, killing the promise of God and cutting off the line of Messiah. And what makes it the severest trial ever is not that Isaac was to die, but that Abraham was to kill him with his own hand.

What would you do? How would you respond?

We know how Abraham responded. Without delay, without arguing or questioning, without disputing or any reaction whatsoever, Abraham was submissive and obedient. His character was revealed. He was a man of faith and became the father of the faithful.

We cannot escape trial. It is part of our sojourn on earth. What are you like when difficulties come? Are you bitter, angry and resentful or does the love of God shine in your countenance no matter the circumstances of life.

Understand that trial can have a wonderful purpose in our lives. It helps us understand the strength of our faith and take a spiritual inventory. Through the refiners fire we see, our conduct makes our character evident, and we are able to purge the dross from our souls “ … for without sufferings [we can] not be made perfect.” [Hebrews 11:40]

Our theme for August is the “Word of God.” Scriptures have been selected to ponder and consider that that will help remind us of its importance in our lives. Perhaps one of the more cited verses about scripture is found in Paul’s second letter to his frequent companion Timothy:

“And all scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The phrase “inspiration of God” is a translation of the Greek word theopneustia. A more literal translation would be “God-breathed.”

In describing the usage of theopneustia Norman Geisler states; “The sacred Scriptures are all expressive of the mind of God. The sacred Scriptures are the ‘God-breathed’ revelation of God which result in their practical outworking in life.” (“A General Introduction to the Bible” by Norman Geisler and William Nix, page 34)

He further states; “So, in biblical terminology, inspiration is the process by which Spirit-moved writers recorded God-breathed writings.”

Commenting on the Greek word that is translated as “perfect” in the above passage from Timothy, E.W. Bullinger states: “This is another word which occurs only once, and again in reference to the Word of God. It is rendered ‘perfect,’ but it means fitted … [or] fitted out, as a vessel for a voyage, fully equipped, completely furnished. … One who studies man’s books will become a man of men; but he who studies God’s book will become ‘a man of God.” Moreover he will be equipped for every emergency, fitted out against every need, ready to meet every contingency; just as a vessel when fitted out for a long voyage has to be provided for calm and storm, ready to help a friend or defeat an enemy, prepared for fire and every accident, so the man of God, who truly profits by the study of Scriptures, is equipped and furnished, prepared and ready for every emergency.” (“Number in Scripture” by E.W. Bullinger, page 74)

God loves us so much that he sent His son to die to save us from our awful nature and sinful lives. He also loves us enough that he inspired holy men with His word and asked them to write it and carefully preserve it that we might clearly understand who He is and what he requires of us in our days of probation. The word of God teaches us and provides for us every needful thing for life’s journey.

We learn about where we came from and the different destinations that are available to us … some good and some not so good and that our mortal existence is not the end of our living. We learn how to deal and interact with each other, how to handle our gifts, talents and goods, and even guidance for our health is found in the Word of God.

We understand what our life’s work and mission ought to be, how the Church is to be put together and what its work and mission are and many other mysteries and wonders that are too numerous to attempt to enumerate here.

We are fortunate to have a corrected version of the Bible, the Book of Mormon as well as the latter-day “God-breathed” revelation of God as it is found in the Doctrine and Covenants. There are many great discourses in these three collections of the Word of God. Beginning in September, on the first Sunday evening of each month, two men will be asked to bring an expository sermon or talk on a particular selected discourse from the word of God. We will also be publishing in advance what passage of scripture will be used for a given evening. This will give everyone an opportunity to spend time in study, meditation and prayer about the passage prior to our evening of worship.

On the first Sunday evening in September we will be considering Alma 16:152-173 that begins “Now we will compare the word unto a seed.”

If we plant the word of God in our hearts we will find that we will be “fitted out” and “fully equipped” for life’s difficult and precarious journey.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of the world; a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. … let your light so shine before this world, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16-18

In January of this year, I flew to Zurich to participate in a workshop. Our focus was the evaluation of a software system that our company was considering purchasing. Technicians came to demonstrate the capabilities of their system and they had even built a “live” instance so that we could see it working.

For three days we asked questions and watched as someone who was very skillful and knowledgeable addressed our questions and showed us how our unique needs could be fulfilled.

We had all read the literature, seen the power point marketing pitches, talked to other users, but none of that was enough to convince us. We needed a real visible and tangible demonstration to help us make up our minds. We are a society of skeptics. It is our nature to want to “kick the tires” before we buy.

The world about us has tremendous needs. Nations are in distress and fear is causing men’s hearts to fail. They need a new system. The old ways have never worked. The world needs something that will solve the difficulties, evils and troubles of our day.

Man’s systems have been weighed in the balance and found wanting and are beginning to crumble before our eyes. A viable alternative is needed. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to what ails mankind. How do we let them know?

We too can create web sites, tracts, and hand out Bibles and Book of Mormons and these are all valuable and needful “marketing” activities. These will peak the interest of many and even bring them into our sanctuaries for a closer look … but will they buy?

What the world really needs to convince them to turn their hearts to God is the visible expression of what our literature says. Much like doubting Thomas, they will not believe until they see.

We are purveyors of the Gospel and we have become skilled and knowledgeable in its practical application. But the competition is fierce and more than ever, we need to become the “live” example of its transforming power.

A.W. Tozer described our present dilemma when he wrote: “In the world of men we find nothing approaching the virtues of which Jesus spoke in the opening words of the famous Sermon on the Mount. Instead of poverty of spirit we find the rankest kind of pride; instead of mourners we find pleasure seekers; instead of meekness, arrogance; instead of hunger after righteousness we hear men saying, ‘I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing’; instead of mercy we find cruelty; instead of purity of heart, corrupt imaginings; instead of peacemakers we find men quarrelsome and resentful; instead of rejoicing in mistreatment we find them fighting back with every weapon at their command. Of this kind of moral stuff civilized society is composed. The atmosphere is charged with it; … A whole world of literature has been created to justify this kind of life as the only norm alone.”

Have we received His image in our countenances? Have we experienced a mighty change in our hearts? Do we exercise faith in the redemption offered by He who created us?

As judgments are poured out upon all nations in the days that are immediately before us, there will be many seeking answers and solutions. May our lives become the demonstration of the light and power and majesty of our God to stand as a witness and testimony of the redemption He offers and desires for all mankind.

In the end it is not what we say but who we are that bears the greatest testimony.

After the martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr. and Hyrum Smith, the usurpation of power was clearly evident in men like Brigham Young. As he rose to power he coerced, forced and even threatened the saints to pay ten percent of their annual income as tithing. Because of this, in the early days of the Reorganization, many were reluctant to follow the financial law. During this difficult time, Joseph Smith III wrote a tract to the Church instructing them on the basic tenants of the law of tithing and letting them know that only when leaders were in apostasy that it was not appropriate to pay tithing.

Many have had similar feelings during the past 25 or so difficult years. Without a Bishop and feeling that our liberties were in jeopardy we gave some to our local Branches but wondered whether or not (or how) we should pay our tithing. Given the recent events in the life of the Church and the appointment of a Bishop’s Agent in our Branch, perhaps the wise counsel that Joseph gave the early saints of the Reorganization is worthy of our consideration today.

In his tract he concisely states the law of tithing; “Here, then, is the law and the only law, by which Zion and her stakes can be built up. The ‘standing law’ for the priesthood, as well as the people ‘forever.’ 1st. The saints are to be tithed of their surplus. 2nd. Those who have paid their surplus are to pay one tenth of their ‘interest [which is their gains] annually.’ 3rd. The tithing and consecrations are to be used for the relief of the poor, ‘for their support,’ also for the building of the temple, laying the foundation of Zion, for the priesthood, &c. 4th. The tithings and the consecrations should be laid before the bishop and his counselors; and, therefore, not be put into the hands of the president of the church. 5th. Those who gather to Zion, or her stakes, and will not obey this law, ‘shall not be found worthy to abide among you.’ 6th. Every man is accountable to God, ‘a steward over his own property,’ whether he gained that property by his own labors or received it by gift (consecration), from the bishop.”

Our nature wants us to view the law of tithing as onerous. We want the bounty and goods that the world offers and we find it difficult to give because we will not be able to get what we want. What we fail to see is that this is bondage. The principle of stewardship and the law of tithing are what free us from the bondage of materialism and want. When we realize that what we possess does not belong to us but rather belongs to Him who gives us life and breath, giving becomes what we want.

Again in his tract, Joseph III says; “The law of tithing, when faithfully executed, oppresses no one, deprives no on of any thing they really need. It is designed to supply want, instead of creating and increasing it.”

“The law of tithing, as found in the books, proclaims equality, and ‘liberty to the captives’ (Isaiah 61:1). It lifts up, and gladdens the heart of the poor, of the aged, and of the infirm. As it is the offspring of love, so it is sustained by love. The church cannot be organized fully without it, and Zion cannot be sanctified without it; and if the saints, in their gathered condition, are not organized to it, ‘they will be cut off’ (D. & C. 51:1a).”

Jesus clearly taught the same principles in the parable of the foolish rich man.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. … If then God so clothe the grass, which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast in the oven; how much more will he provide for you, if ye are not of little faith? Therefore, seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind; For all these things do the nations of the world seek after; and your Father who is in heaven knoweth that ye have need of these things.” (Luke 12:17, 30-32)

Our focus in February will be on stewardship and the law of tithing. Scriptures have been selected for Sunday’s and Wednesday’s for your consideration. Early in the month, Doug Trahern, our Bishops Agent will be teaching a class on the mechanics of filing a tithing statement. For many of us, this is not something that we have done in a number of years.

As we begin this year and especially this month, we would like to encourage each member of our Branch to give serious and prayerful consideration to the law of tithing and the principle of stewardship. And, whether you have done so every year, or have not done so in a number of years, to give the same serious and prayerful consideration to filing a tithing statement.

The promise is sure; “…whoso is found a faithful, a just, and a wise steward, shall enter into the joy of his Lord, and shall inherit eternal life.” (Section 51:5b) Let our richness be toward God.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” John 10:27-30

No one can argue that we live in a difficult day. Decadence is on display just about everywhere. Moral decline is not just evident; it is wanted and sought after. Conservative Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert H. Bork chronicles our plight in his book “Slouching Towards Gomorrah.” In it he states “So unrelenting is the assault on our sensibilities that many of us grow numb …”

Individualism that is unconfined by religion, morality and law will end up in hedonism. Our world is approaching the day when the Machiavellian pursuit of pleasure will be all that matters.

The word of God bears record; “as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:44) And as it was in the days of Noah, judgment will certainly be poured out. Perhaps it has already begun on His house.

Jesus knew. He was well aware that the frailties of our flesh, the nature that we inherit at birth, and the uncertainty of our situations would collide with a force of devastating strength and determination. He knew we would see the “sights that dazzle” and the “tempting sounds” that we would hear. He knew that self-confidence, that affluence, that pride, that self-pity, that power would provide the green grass that attracts wandering sheep. He knew that the enemy – crafty, deceptive, evil, polluted, hateful and attractive – would do anything and everything to draw us away.

The metaphor is correct – like sheep, we are “prone to wander” and prone to “leave the God we love” and I’m sure that Jesus knew that there would be times in all of our lives when we would stray, when we would doubt, when events of pain and catastrophe would wedge a crowbar against our resolve.

That is why He holds us so tight.

There is something wonderful about the mental picture of our Savior wrapping his omnipotent hand around each of us, and of the Father wrapping his own almighty hand around his. We become “encircled about with the matchless bounty of His love” (Alma 14:95) and our “life is hid with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

The story of Noah and his family’s preservation provides an example. When the ark was finished, God shut Noah inside. The storms of judgment fell in all their fury. The “fountains of the great deep [were] broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened,” (Genesis 8:36) but Noah was safe. He was in the ark. The waters of judgment fell on the ark, not on him.

Our salvation, security and protection are sure if we listen to his voice. His limitless grip will encircle us and hold us tight. His love will never let us go. He will never relinquish control.

“O my people, saith the Spirit, Hear the word of God today; Be not slothful but obedient; ‘Tis the worlds momentous day! Unto honor I have called you – Honor great as angels know; Heed ye, then, a Father’s counsel, And by deeds your purpose show.

Time is ripe! My work must hasten! Whoso will may bide the hour. Naught can harm whom God protecteth – Elements confess his power. Up ye, then, to the high places I have bid you occupy! Peril waits upon the heedless, Grace upon the souls who try!”

Despite the difficulties that we see and even experience, his promises are sure and the glory of His coming waits to break upon our day.