Tag: Joy

The Lord God Hath Sent His Holy Prophets among All the Children of Men

~ Richard Rowley

King Benjamin teaches that God, prior to Christ’s birth, sent prophets among all peoples to declare the meaning of what Christ would accomplish.

“…The Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy, even as though he had already come among them.” (Mosiah 3:13)

Questions:

-How many cultures had the ability to record the words of these prophets that were sent among them in the B.C. years?

-What is the probability that the words of these prophets would have been written down?

-What is the probability that those words, which were written down, would survive to our time?

They May Dwell with God in a State of Never-Ending Happiness

~ Richard Rowley

After warning of the consequences of rebelling against God and His Spirit (see previous post, Those Who Rebel Against God…), King Benjamin touches on the joy in store for those who whole-heartedly receive God’s commandments and Spirit.

“…I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” (Mosiah 2:40-41)

Questions:

-How easy is it to be lulled into a false sense of security when it comes to one’s spiritual welfare?

-What does it take to “hold out faithful to the end” in keeping the commandments of God?

-Is a state of never-ending happiness possible without an element of progression?

Ye Are Eternally Indebted to Your Heavenly Father to Render Him All That You Have and Are

~ Richard Rowley

A second time, during his sermon to the Nephite people, King Benjamin teaches about each individual’s true standing with God.

“…Ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are.” (Mosiah 2:34)

Questions:

-Is it easy for you to wrap your mind around what Benjamin is teaching about each individual’s debt to God? Or, is indebtedness to God a foreign concept for you?

-Is it demeaning to be in a position in indebtedness in relation to Deity? Has God given all He has to us grudgingly? Or, is His giving inspired by perfect and eternal love?

-If joy is tied to connecting with the truth, does Benjamin’s teaching give you insight into why those who are grateful find greater joy in life?

-What does it mean to give all that you have and all that you are to God?

Teachings of Latter-day Prophets, Seers, and Revelators:

“How can we ever repay the debt we owe to the Savior? He paid a debt He did not owe to free us from a debt we can never pay. Because of Him, we will live forever. Because of His infinite Atonement, our sins can be swept away, allowing us to experience the greatest of all the gifts of God: eternal life.

“Can such a gift have a price? Can we ever make compensation for such a gift?” (“Earthly Debts, Heavenly Debts,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 43).

This Is the Last Time I Shall Nourish My Vineyard

~ Richard Rowley

Jacob quotes the words of the prophet Zenos (who is not found in the Old Testament but likely had writings in the Brass Plates) regarding the last days before Christ’s Second Coming.

“And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few. And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.” (Jacob 5:70-71)

Questions:

-How many in the world are laboring in God’s vineyard with their might?

-What is the significance of the servants being few?

-Do you believe that Christ’s Second Coming will occur soon?

-Would many reprioritize their life focus is they believed a labor was available to them that would yield eternal fruit?

Latter-day Prophets, Seers, and Revelators

“The saints of the Most High are not yet, as a people and with organized congregations, established upon all the face of the earth. When the day comes that they are, they still will not compare in [earthly] power with the forces of evil. Even then, as Nephi foresaw, ‘their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw’ (1 Nephi 14:12)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Millennial Messiah, 55)

The One Being Is as Precious in His Sight as the Other

~ Richard Rowley

Jacob teaches that those who have treated others poorly—due to a misguided mindset where wealth and achievement are evidence of being superior to others—are acting sinfully in God’s sight. He then provides the reason why this is so.

“…The one being is as precious in his sight as the other. And all flesh is of the dust; and for the selfsame end hath he created them, that they should keep his commandments and glorify him forever.” (Jacob 2:21)

Questions:

-How many treat others in a way that is consistent with the truth that every person is equally precious in God’s sight?

-What kind of spiritual power comes into a person’s life when they consistently repent to the standard of thought and conduct provided by this verse?

-Do you believe that the highest path in life (and the greatest source of joy and peace) is to glorify God?