D&C 56

I have certain scriptures that are pivotal to me - of critical importance and I use them to judge or evaluate other scriptures.

Moses 7 is one such pivotal scripture and John 3:17 is another.

In Moses 7 we find God weeping and when Enoch asks how and why God weepsiphon the short answer he is weeping because of how mankind is treating one another "wherefore should not the heavens weep, seeing the shall suffer?"

God is angry because of their choices but his response is too weak because he knows their choices cause suffering!

John 3:17 follows the beloved verse God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Then comes the qualifier - the pivotal verse:

For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved.

The following verses in John chapter 3 explain that those who reject light suffer through their choices. Condemnation is the natural site of bad choices. Jesus came to save us from these bad choices - to show us a better way.

Using these verses as my standard I reject scripture that portrays God is wrathful, punishing the center. The God I love knows we cause our own suffering and he is sad for us but is hopeful that his perfect plan will allow us to learn from our mistakes and come home where he is waiting, longing for our return.

D&C 54:5

We could do without passages like this - that language that was so prevalent in the 1800s:. And whoa to him by whom this offense [ breaking a covenant] for it had been better for him that he had been drowned in the depths of the sea.

People have the right to change their minds about their membership in the church without being condemned, harassed,

The same holds for those who choose to join the church. They don't deserve condemnation by their friends and family. Respecting the agency of others does not equal tolerating choices I disagree with. Respect in these circumstances means to show regard or consideration for, to refrain from intruding a pond, or interfering with. The opposite of respect is criticism or disdain.

We can appreciate that choices have consequences. When Lehman Copley changed his mind it affected a lot of people. But no, it would not have been better that he had been drowned in the depth of the sea.

He is still a beloved Son of heavenly parents who love him as much as anyone else.

Today we know better and should not be judgmental of the choices of others.

D&C 52:15-17

Dr Julie Hanks posted on Instagram the following:: how do I counter harmful narratives my kids receive at church?

Answer: the same way you counter harmful narratives at school, through the news, or other media. Have meaningful discussions and help them to fill up critical thinking skills and to develop their intuition. Debrief after church. Ask questions like:

What did you learn?

 How do you feel about that?

What are other ways to think or feel about that?

Who benefits from this belief/ teaching?

Who does this teaching hurt?

I believe these verses in section 52 gives us permission to do just exactly what Dr Hanks is talking about. It sets some parameters for us:

IF

We are faithfully living the gospel and are contrite and meek (not bashing the church or others with whom we may disagree)

We are using a defined language, seeking to build faith and testimony

We are staying close to the Lord and seeking his help and strength

THEN

We may explore ideas and doctrines, practices and what others say -seeking Truth for ourselves and by so doing we may "bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom."

D&C 51: 3, 9

Wherefore, let my servant Edward partridge, and those whom he has chosen, in whom I am well please, a point unto this people their portions, every man equal according to his family, according to his circumstances and his wants and needs.

Let every man deal honestly and be alike among this people, and receive a like, that you may be one, even as I commanded you.

As the early saints became a community and gathered together they had to deal with the realities of every day - housing, food, clothing being the basic needs. Many were immigrants arriving with very little. Some were disowned by their families as they embrace this new religion.

The Lord asked them to take care of each other, to love their neighbor as they love themselves. They were called upon to be faithful, just, and wise Stewart's.

What does this mean for us, the law of consecration as they lived was abandoned a long time ago. But I also have consecrated all I have to the lord. I made that promise in a holy Temple and I take it seriously. Just recently Lynn and I rededicated our home. We wanted to be a place where all who enter feel loved and where all the things we own are used to bless others. We each pray during that we dedication - a lovely experience to share as husband and wife.

D&C 49;20

But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world life in sin.

This is the great sin of our day. If the wealth of America which amounted in 2019 to 92.4 trillion dollars - if this money was equally distributed to all Americans it would be $343,000 per person.

But the reality is that the top 20% own 77% of the wealth. And in that group the top 1% on 29% of the total wealth. Think about those numbers and then look at these statistics

9.2% of the world or $689 million people live on $1.90 or less a day.

In 2020 the covid pandemic added $120 million people to the numbers living in poverty

Who are the poor? Four out of five of them live in rural areas. Half our children. Women represent a majority. 70% of the global poor aged 15 and over have no schooling or only some basic education

Half of the global poor live in sub-Saharan Africa in nigeria, the drc, tanzania, Ethiopia and madagascar.

40% of the poor live in economies affected by fragility, conflict and violence. That number is expected to rise to 67% in the next decade.

132 million people live in areas with high flood risk

Poverty in the United States in 2020 was 9.2%. By group, flights have 6.6% poverty rate, blocks have 15.2% in Hispanics 13.8%

If you look at the poverty guidelines in the United States in 2021 by size of household those numbers are:

One person $12,880

Two persons $17,420

Three persons $21,960

Four-person household $26,500

Five person $31,040

This means that a person earning that amount of money or less is considered poor. But the reality of that means that if your household income is $12,880 and you were working full-time you would have earned $6.19 per hour. Likewise the two person would be earning $8.37, the three person is earning $10.29, four person is earning $12.77, and for the family of five that person is earning $15 an hour.  

These are the rates at which you qualify for help. These are also the rates or the incomes that come with no benefits too much of the time.

Say you have a mother and a father with three children making $31,000. If only one of those parents were working then that person would be earning approximately $15 per hour but if both parents in that family are working the reality is they are only earning and average of seven dollars and 50 cents per hour.

Income inequality is the Hot topic right now and you can see why. It reflects a spiritual deficiency because huge amounts of wealth do not bring happiness. But alternatively poverty is a great cause of sorrow, anxiety and depression.

There is a middle ground where basic needs are met and the daily worry over bills is gone. That is where the human spirit is free to grow, to create, to enjoy life. Everyone deserves that.

EACH EVERY ALL

'As we strive to lift those around us it is helpful to see each individual as a child of god. The word humanity is at the root of the word humanitarian. This means that as humanitarians, we work to see each individual as a child of god. Every person deserves a chance to have a happy and productive life.

Weather globally or in our backyard, we recognize a person's humanity when we

One. See individuals as God sees them

Two. Seek to understand their experiences

Part of having humanitarian eyes is seeing that the place that all humanity lives on hyphen our earth - is also taken care of. We are agents to act in valuing all of God's creation. "Facebook post on Latter-Day Saint charities May 15th 2021

D&C 50:24

That that which is of God is light and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

The symbols of light and darkness are used a lot in the scriptures. It is an analogy that we know and understand well.

I personally love the summer months when the days are long. I thrive in the light. It allows me to be outside - in nature - in God's world of creation.

But winter always comes. There is a melancholy that surrounds me as the days grow shorter and the dark hours come.

The lights of Christmas get me through december. Then I must consciously create a plan for january. By February you can feel the change has begun. Just the few little minutes more of light each day hold the promise of long summer days to come.

So it is with spiritual light. Jesus said in John 8:12 I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but she'll have the light of life.

During The Long Winter days our home is filled with light. Modern life has made this easy, we walk into a dark room and turn on a switch and there it is.

Life is often filled with darkness - dark moments of doubt, despair, desperation.

I have found the light I needed to navigate those times in the words and teachings of jesus. He has lighted my way through many dark nights. His words echoed through my mind so many times.

Forgive 70 times 70 

Love one another

I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead yet shall he live.

Peace I live with you, my peace I give unto you

Come unto me, I'll eat that labor and are heavy laden

Bless them that curse you

For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

As much as I crave the long days of summer, I seek equally and earnestly the light of the world.

D&C 46 Gifts of the Spirit ( Also 1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Verses 11-12:

. . .  to EVERY man is given a gift by the spirit of god. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.

. The gifts of the Spirit are given universally to all. My mother had the gift of being able to connect to other people. She could start a conversation with the person and the line at the grocery store and make a new friend.

Lynn has a similar gift. He is curious about people. He just starts asking questions and soon knows so much about whoever he is with.

I am more introspective. I like to do what I am doing right now - reading and studying and thinking about what I read.

We each have different gifts and to the extent we are open to others - all others - we are blessed by their gifts.

Think about how when you are on a committee you see that work. Someone will automatically start taking notes. Someone else will lead the discussion. Someone will start creating a plan. It's amazing how those gifts work together.

As you continue to read this section through you may be left wondering what it is talking about.

Differences in administration

Diversities of operations

The gift of tongues

The word of wisdom

This is a good example of looking for the principal being taught and then using common sense to apply this to your own experiences and understanding.

In the February 2002 conference elder Robert D Hales suggests the following:

The gift to ponder, looking to God for direction.

The gift to hear and respond to the spirit

The gift to be calm, to curb anger

The gift of charity

I find my own gifts mentioned in my patriarchal blessing. But I also have spent a lifetime coming to understand myself, to know how I respond to life and how my heart reacts and how my mind thinks. I see my gifts in those moments.

Now here is the best quote I have read about gifts of the Spirit!

"Spiritual gifts are traces in us of our divine natures, aspects of ourselves in which we more fully reflect our Heavenly Parents . . . I have seen how drawing on these unique gifts can bring us closer to god, perhaps because they call on parts of ourselves that are closer to God already."  BYU magazine spring 2021 page 24

Talk about expansive thinking! I think about my own gifts - my search for knowledge and understanding and peacemaking. Those are attributes of my Heavenly Parents! Wow! I share that with them.

Further in the same article, the author talks about ways we may feel the Spirit. It is the first talk that I have heard/read that made me happy and hopeful that the Spirit indeed touches my life.

"Forget for a moment receiving some great answer to prayer. Have you felt the spirit even a little as you have sought the Lord in prayer? Have you felt the spirit convey to you that God loves you or that he understands you, or that he has great hopes for you or that he sorrows with you or that he rejoices with you, or that he appreciates your gratitude to him or your kind deed for someone else? Have you felt the Spirit open your mind to help you learn something new, or turn you to something good, or inspire you to perceive something beautiful or reassure you that things will be okay, that you aren't lost, that God knows exactly where you are? If you have ever had any of these experiences or myriad others like them, you have effectively experienced our Father's plan of salvation in a grain of sand.

You have been shown that God is real, that your life has a purpose and that Christ atonement is making it possible for you to feel God's presence a little more fully.

What does spiritual thriving mean to me? Very simply, it means seeking, recognizing, and enjoying experiences with the Spirit of God. It means being mindful of the breasts of ways the Spirit moves us and then being responsive to its inspiration, perhaps by drawing on our unique spiritual gifts and perhaps by learning to perceive God's presence even when we are preoccupied by other concerns.

My conviction is that if you have experiences with the Spirit, even ones that are only still and small, that God is choosing to abide with you."