REMEMBER

 

I was reminded today by a beloved friend that some days we need to rely on remembering our special moments because it is all we have. It is the days we feel unloved, forsaken, directionless, and alone in our suffering. My special moments are my glimpses into heaven. They keep me going when I wonder, despite all my knowledge and testimony, is all this worth it….

It would seem that heaven thinks remembering is the way to go too because I don’t think there is a more significant word in the Book of Mormon that is repeated more often than the word ‘remember’. It was an important concept amongst the ancient Israel who used festivals, harvests and commemoration days for this purpose.

King Benjamin spoke of ‘remembering’ 15 times in his speech to his sons and to the people gathered to hear him (Mosiah 1:3,4,6,7,17; 2:40 twice, 41 twice; 4:11,28,30; 5:11,12; 6:3).  Alma used the verb ‘remember’ 6 times in speaking to his sons (Alma 37:13,14,32,35; 42:11). Helaman used it 11 times in speaking to his sons in Helaman 5. The legacy of remembrance passed on from Alma to Helaman was so strong that Helaman named his sons Nephi and Lehi for this very purpose (Helaman 5:6).

Perhaps the greatest example of the importance of this word comes from Alma and this is why. As he lay unconscious he ‘remembered’ his father’s prophecy concerning the coming of Jesus Christ and when he pleaded with Christ to have mercy on him, he could not ‘remember’ his pains anymore (Alma 36:17, 19). Remembering brought Alma to Christ.

When we pass on from this life, we hope we will be remembered for ‘something’. None of us want to be forgotten. Nephi is remembered for his obedience, Alma for his repentance, Helaman for his strategic warfare, Captain Moroni for his passionate patriotism, Mormon for his discipleship, Moroni for his endurance, but one thing they all have in common…….they remembered Christ, always….in all their endeavours.

I don’t want accolades at my funeral. I am hoping that people will ‘remember’ what I have taught them about the Saviour and that they will talk of Him. My fear is that I would be remembered for not enduring to the end. I know remembrance of my glimpses into heaven are crucial for my endurance.

The Saviour died over 2,000 years ago and He is still remembered by many but many are also trying to forget Him. He, however, will never forget us…..because….He has graven us upon  the palms of His hands  and He has worn the crown of thorns on His head (Isaiah 49:16; John 19:2). In the words of a dear friend Bonnie Lake Bloomfield:

 

I don’t know how the sun remembers to rise,

Or how the stars remember their places.

I don’t know how the flowers remember to bloom,

Or how in spring the leaves fill their spaces.

It’s enough for me to know who created it,

And I’ll never be the same;

Because I know I have a God who loves me

And a King, who remembers my name.

 

My King, who remembers my name;

A mighty King, who remembers my name!

He is the Lord of all creation,

And yet, my King remembers my name.

I’m a small creature compared to His greatness;

I’m only one and the same,

But I’ll always be His, and He will be mine –

A King, who remembers my name!

 

I look at the world today with people

Rushing about without thinking of why;

Why we’re all here, and what is life about

And where we all go when we die.

But I know, and I’ll ever be thankful

That I know from whence I came.

I’ll go home to heaven once more,

To my King, who remembers my name.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Crown of Thorns by Mindi Oaten)

PURE AS HE IS PURE

 

I have of late been studying about the nature of God which has led me to deeper understanding of the principle of sanctification. It came through doctrinal study and a personal lesson.

“Joseph Smith, along with Oliver Cowdery, saw God and declared, “his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun” (D&C 110:3). In January 1836 Joseph Smith and others saw “the celestial kingdom of God and the glory thereof…the transcendent beauty of the gate….like unto circling flames of fire; also the blazing throne of God, whereon was seated the Father and the Son.” (“History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” edited by B.H. Roberts, 2:380)

These accounts, along with others such as Moses’ encounter with God in the Pearl of Great Price (Moses 1), help us to understand that the Father is an exalted being made entirely of light of truth (see also D&C 50:24). Because of this ‘no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God’ (1 Nephi 15:34). We cannot live with God in Celestial Kingdom if we are not sanctified.

Firstly, because God cannot abide the least degree of darkness. Light and darkness cannot co-exist. Hence the need for sanctification which purges all darkness from us due to our fallen state and sinful nature.

Secondly, because God is pure and His light is brighter than the sun, it would consume anything that is not pure in His presence. It consumes every corruption, the same as the light of Christ will consume all corruptible beings when He returns to earth (Malachi 4:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; D&C 5:19; 29:9; 63:34; 133:4-49)

Sanctification comes in two stages. The first stage happens in this life and is very much connected to remission of sins (D&C 43:11). Repentance is cessation of sin while sanctification is purging of its resultant darkness. It’s only a remission because we are still exposed to temptations of this life and are liable to sin again (D&C 43:11; see also Daniel H. Ludlow, “A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, 2:248-49)

The second stage happens following judgment which will be permanent and will afford exaltation to those who are deemed worthy. Both stages of sanctification are exacted through the power of the Holy Ghost.

In one of my recent posts I wrote how I have in recent years come to form a connection with each member of the Godhead separately. This has afforded me immense closeness with the Father like I had not known before. This closeness, however, developed something in me I didn’t expect, a fear that I might be spiritually lost one day.

I couldn’t understand this for a long time. I had never had this fear before. Recent clarity, however, helped me see that once I had revived in my heart the closeness I once had with the Father, I started to fear that I would miss out on this for all eternity if I didn’t make it. As I could plainly see this reason, I was given confirmation that the Father acknowledges our bond and the fear I had lost its power.

I know my need and desire for sanctification will be honoured one day when I stand before God to be judged of all the offences I have committed against Him, no matter how small or great. Every bit of darkness will be expunged from my soul and forgiveness through the grace of the Son will make me pure as He is pure so that I can be numbered in The Book of the Names of the Sanctified and be in Father’s presence forever (D&C 35:21; 88:2; Malachi 3:16). My gratitude knows no bounds.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Father by FluxPro.art)

A CLEAR VIEW

 

My greatest point of gratitude as a member of the Church is my access to the true doctrine and in turn, the ultimate truth. I don’t know of any other Church that has the amount of scripture that we do. I am surprised though that not everyone in the Church takes advantage of this.

We have The Book of Mormon, The Bible, Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price to correlate between to get a clear view of the doctrine of Christ and in turn the mysteries of His kingdom.

I love the Bible because it speaks to my Israelite roots. Having been raised in Croatia, I relate to the pastoral way of life. I know what harvests are and what seasonal festivals are and what shepherds are. And I understand many spiritual truths that were taught by the Saviour using the metaphors that related to the agrarian way of life.

My favourite book of scripture is the Old Testament. I love history and historically and spiritually speaking, it covers amazing events and people. Most importantly, it is the root of the covenant that we as the House of Israel live by. It is the place I go to meet father Abraham for an example of righteousness and devotion to Jehovah.

The New Testament is to me the most spiritually charged book of scripture because it is about Christ and His mortal life and His supreme sacrifice.

I understand the importance of the Book of Mormon as the second witness of Jesus Christ and I understand why the members of the Church read this book the most. It is so much easier to understand than the challenging texts of the Bible. I love the way it clarifies a lot of Christ’s doctrine.

I say the Bible texts are challenging because as Joseph said, “certain errors had crept into the Bible through ignorant translators, careless transcribers, or designing and corrupt priests” (Joseph Smith Teachings, p 327). Joseph understood this so well that he invested himself into correcting, under inspiration, a lot of incorrect translations contained therein. There is a scripture, in my opinion, that is primarily the reason he saw fit to do this.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Joseph corrected this scripture to read: “And all scripture given by inspiration of God……” (JST 2 Timothy 3:16a). A huge difference in just one simple word such as ‘is’.  Such a subtle correction but it completely alters the meaning and proves Joseph’s theory. I revel in studying the Bible and finding new gems such as this.

And this might blow your socks off. Joseph also said that the book of Revelation is ‘one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written’ (in “History of the Church”, 5:342). There is only one explanation for this belief which comes from Bruce R. McConkie:

“…only those enlightened by the power of the Holy Ghost gain the full meaning and intent of the written word, for scripture is both given and understood by the same holy power, the power that comes from the Lord through his Spirit.” (“Mortal Messiah 2”, 267-8). This is the ultimate way of being taught.

The second is the prophets. If we truly believe that Joseph Smith was the prophet of this dispensation, we will retreat to his translation of the Bible more often for greater understanding. And Doctrine and Covenants testifies that he was…..

The Saviour would have us know and understand His doctrine of salvation. His word is not an important word, His word is the ONLY word….

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Master Blueprint by Mindi Oaten)

INEXPRESSIBLE JOY

 

My patriarchal blessing tells me that my voice was heard singing praises to our Heavenly Father ‘when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy’ as we rejoiced about the Plan of Salvation.

I have often wondered what it was that I was singing. Does ‘praises’ mean my individual expression of gratitude or does it mean a set song that we all learnt and sang in unison? The fact that the Lord told Job that we sang together would mean it was a set song (Job 38:7). There is another indication that this might be correct.

We are told in Doctrine and Covenants that the righteous will be gathered out from among all nations and come to New Jerusalem singing songs of everlasting joy at the onset of the Millenium (D&C 45:66-71). In particular, we are told we shall sing a NEW song indicating that it will supposedly supersede the OLD song we sang in pre-earth life (D&C 84:98-102).

Whereas the old song we sang heralded our joy of journey’s beginning made possible by Christ our Redeemer, the New Song will shout our grateful praise to Him who has fulfilled all promises made to us so long ago.

This song will be so powerful and edifying that ‘no music has yet been produced that will compare with the music for this song’ (Smith, “Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:345; Doctrine and Covenants Student Manual p 185). Here are some of the words of vs 98-102:

“The Lord hath brought again Zion;

The Lord hath redeemed his people, Israel,

According to the election of grace,

Which was brought to pass by the faith

And covenant of their fathers.

The Lord hath redeemed his people;

And Satan is bound and time is no longer.

The Lord hath gathered all things in one.

The Lord hath brought up Zion from above.

The Lord hath brought up Zion from beneath.

For he stands in the midst of his people.

Glory, and honour and power, and might,

Be ascribed to our God, for he is full of mercy,

Justice, grace and truth, and peace,

Forever and ever, Amen.

 

We who will have begged the Saviour to come and had waited anxiously for His return will sing praises to His name with inexpressible joy. We will rejoice that we are at the threshold of the Millenial era of peace where our God and our King will reign in our midst with righteousness, peace and glory. Get ready…..

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Second Coming by Jechoon Choi)

MERCY

 

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind, and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he wil take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people....."

- (Alma 7:11-12)

Will You come and carry me
When all my strength is gone?
Will Your mercy spill from You
When I can walk no more?

Will Your love lift me higher
To glimpse my eternal home?
Will I see my soul there
Before Your gilded throne?

When the sum of my life is done
Will You bring me home to keep?
I'll want to kneel and honour You
Before your godly Mercy Seat.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Carried by Christ by Gabriel Heaton)

TEARS AND FEATHERS

 

Before I left
You tried to tell me
Of the tears I would spill
But when I see a flying feather
I should surrender and be very still.

Now when a tear falls
I remember You,
My God and my King,
And I find Your loving comfort
In the shadow of Your wing.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

(Art: Under His Wings by Ron DiCianni)