Come Forth and Be Baptized

Jesus Christ invites everyone everywhere to come unto him and be baptized. The requirements are simple and are not controlled or managed by men or institutions . . . only by God himself.

“Those who believe Christ's doctrine will need to have the baptism you will minister to survive the judgments to come. This is the only way they can face Him when He comes again.” Preserving the Restoration page 21

So what is the doctrine of Christ?

“Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me. And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me, and is not baptized, shall be damned. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost are one. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and become as a little child, and be baptized in my name, or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Therefore, go forth unto this people, and declare the words which I have spoken, unto the ends of the earth.” 3 Nephi 11:31-41

After being taught the doctrine of Christ, this is what Alma did:

“And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord. And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. And now it came to pass that Alma took Helam, he being one of the first, and went and stood forth in the water, and cried, saying: O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart. And when he had said these words, the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he said: Helam, I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into acovenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he has prepared from the foundation of the world. And after Alma had said these words, both Alma and Helam were buried in the water; and they arose and came forth out of the water rejoicing, being filled with the Spirit.” Mosiah 18:7-14

If this is the desire of your heart, come forth and be baptized :)

“And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them. Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery; For, behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts; Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely. Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church. And now, behold, whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And now, remember the words of him who is the life and light of the world, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Amen.” D&C 10:64-70

Our Daddy's Beard

A couple weeks ago I was talking to my little Emma about her dad. She said, “My dad, bued.”

I questioned, “Your dad builds?”

“No! Bued!”

“Oh, your dad has a beard.”

“Ya, my dad has a bued :)”

Yesterday as I was resting on the couch, Emma wanted to lie next to me. It wasn't too comfortable for me because her fuzzy hair kept tickling my face. I told her that she had a fuzzy face. She corrected me, “No, me don't have a fuzzy face. . . Dad has a fuzzy face.”

I'm going to write about the new addition to our family . . . John's new beard. A few months back he had a feeling to start growing a beard and since then we've learned a lot about beards. BTW, I think he is quite handsome with his new beard. Wouldn't you agree?

Here's a few things I found out about beards. It is in no way a comprehensive list. I've never thought too much about beards, but now it is an interesting topic.

Throughout the course of history, societal attitudes toward male beards have varied widely depending on factors such as prevailing cultural-religious traditions and the current era's fashion trends. Some religions (such as Islam and Sikhism) have considered a full beard to be absolutely essential for all males able to grow one, and mandate it as part of their official dogma. Other cultures (while not officially mandating it), view a beard as central to a man's virility, exemplifying such virtues as wisdom, strength, sexual prowess and high social status. However, in cultures where facial hair is uncommon (or currently out of fashion), beards may be associated with poor hygiene or a "savage," uncivilized, or even dangerous demeanor. Wikipedia - Beard

In the bible, having your beard shaved or plucked is seen as a sign of disgrace.

1And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead.

2Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.

3And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it?

4Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle,even to their buttocks, and sent them away.

5When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. 2 Samuel 10:1-5

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6

The Iranians were fond of long beards, and almost all the Iranian kings had a beard.  Wikipedia - Beard

In ancient India, the beard was allowed to grow long, a symbol of dignity and of wisdom (cf.sadhu). The nations in the east generally treated their beards with great care and veneration, and the punishment for licentiousness and adultery was to have the beard of the offending parties publicly cut off. They had such a sacred regard for the preservation of their beards that a man might pledge it for the payment of a debt. Ibid

The ancient Greeks regarded the beard as a badge or sign of virility. Ibid

In the Middle Ages, a beard displayed a knight's virility and honour. Ibid

Beards also play an important role in some religions. Ibid

Christianity: Iconography and art dating from the 4th century onward almost always portray Jesus with a beard. Ibid

Latter-Day Saints: Since the mid-twentieth century,The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has encouraged men to be clean-shaven, particularly those that serve in ecclesiastical leadership positions. The Church's encouragement of men shaving has no theological basis, but stems from the general waning of facial hair's popularity in Western society during the twentieth century and its association with the hippie and drug culture aspects of the counter culture of the 1960s, and has not been a permanent rule. Ibid

"In the minds of most people at this time, the beard and long hair are associated with protest, revolution and rebellion against authority," Oaks said in that 1971 speech. By the 1980s, beards were more a matter of style than protest and mainstream Americans — including many Mormon professionals and converts — went with them. Standards of Dress and Grooming by Dallin H. Oaks, How beards became barred among top Mormon leaders By Peggy Fletcher Stack The Salt LakeTribune

“Being clean-shaven is generally a requirement for men to be Mormon temple workers . . . The temple-worker policy parallels requirements for the faith's full-time missionaries and has become the standard for the church's seminary and institute teachers as well as its top governing hierarchies. Indeed, starting in 1951, every LDS "prophet, seer and revelator" has been clean-shaven, as has nearly every apostle. That standard has trickled down to the local level, even though facial hair is not mentioned in the church's Handbook, which lays out institutional rules and guidelines. It remains despite the fact that nicely trimmed beards are popular again across the generations and professions — including doctors, lawyers, advertising executives, teachers, sports figures and many others.” Ibid

Joseph Smith said, “I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite.” TPJS Section Six 1843-44, p.303 

Judaism: In Judaism, shaving with a razor is a prohibition that is based on rabbinic interpretation of Leviticus 19:27, which states; You shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. The Mishnah interprets this as a prohibition on using a razor on the beard.This prohibition is further expanded upon in kabbalistic literature. Shaving in Judaism

Sikhism: Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, commanded the Sikhs to maintain unshorn hair, recognizing it as a necessary adornment of the body by Almighty God as well as a mandatory Article of Faith. Sikhs consider the beard to be part of the nobility and dignity of their manhood. Sikhs also refrain from cutting their hair and beards out of respect for the God-given form. Wikipedia - Beard

Rastafari Movement: Male Rastafarians wear beards in conformity with injunctions given in the Bible, such as Leviticus 21:5, which reads "They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh." The beard is a symbol of the covenant between God (Jahor Jehovahin Rastafari usage) and his people. Ibid

So, Sweetie there might be a lot more to your beard than making you more handsome than you already were :)

True Followers of Christ? Apostasy?

I've been thinking . . . There's so much talk about apostasy, and there's a lot of finger pointing. How is someone to identify a true follower of Christ? I've heard it said, “We can't go wrong! God has promised us that we can't be led astray!” That doesn't make sense. God gives everyone a choice.

There are a few people who did not choose to turn away from God. “And Enoch and all his people walked with God, and he dwelt in the midst of Zion; and it came to pass that Zion was not, for God received it up into his own bosom; and from thence went forth the saying, Zion is Fled.” Moses 7:69

Now, there's another group of people who chose God for a long time. We read about them in 4 Nephi, but eventually even these people chose to apostatize and turn away from God? 4 Nephi 1:20-49

What are the characteristics of these people when they were choosing God?

1. There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another. 4 Nephi 1:2
2. They had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift. 4 Nephi 1:3
3. They did heal the sick, and raise the dead, and cause the lame to walk, and the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear; and all manner of miracles did they work among the children of men; and in nothing did they work miracles save it were in the name of Jesus. 4 Nephi 1:5
4. There were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. 4 Nephi 1:16

This is what I would expect from any group who claims to be God's people. Anything less than this would be categorized as some form of apostasy.

Melchizedek found himself among a wicked people. Look at what he did . . .

Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness; But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.Alma 13:17-18

Finding myself among an apostate group where do I start? It would seem sensible to start with myself . . . then my marriage . . . then my family . . . and then my community. It's time for us to rise up and become the happiest people among all the people who have been created by the hand of God. 

Pray Unto the Father in the Name of Jesus

Here is a conversation I had with a friend. I have only included those parts of the conversation that are relevant to this topic.

Friend: You said that you wrestled with Jesus over your concern. How? Do you pray to Jesus? Because that is not the example Jesus set for us. Do you pray to Heavenly Father?

Me: Read 3 Nephi 19:18

Friend: Keep reading. What did Jesus do?

Me: Where does it say anything about being evil or wrong to talk to Jesus? I am not understanding your question "What did Jesus do?" Did Jesus tell them not to pray to him? What was the result of their prayer? Do you worship Christ?

Friend: What did Jesus do in 3 Nephi 19: 19-23? He prayed unto the Father. Jesus is the perfect example. That is why I am trying to follow his example. Jesus is our brother, god is our Father. 3 Nephi 18:16.

Where did we get the idea that it is inappropriate to talk to Jesus? Where did we get the idea that Jesus is our older brother? I started asking questions, and this is where it led me.

In 3 Nephi 18:19 Jesus teaches the people “Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;”

Then in 3 Nephi 19:6-7 the twelve teach the multitude the same thing, “And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. And the disciples did pray unto the Father also in the name of Jesus. And it came to pass that they arose and ministered unto the people.”

The disciples clearly understood to pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus. So why did they pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God? Why didn't Jesus correct them and say, “Hey wait, pray to the Father not to me.” Not only does Jesus not interrupt their prayer, Jesus is pleased. “Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them.”

And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them. And it came to pass that he spake unto the multitude, and commanded them that they should kneel down again upon the earth, and also that his disciples should kneel down upon the earth. And it came to pass that when they had all knelt down upon the earth, he commanded his disciples that they should pray. And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God. And it came to pass that Jesus departed out of the midst of them, and went a little way off from them and bowed himself to the earth, and he said: Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I have chosen them out of the world. Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words. Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me; and thou seest that they believe in me because thou hearest them, and they pray unto me; and they pray unto me because I am with them. And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one. 3 Nephi 19:15-23

It might be said that the only reason they prayed to Jesus is because he was with them, but it can be reasoned that “I am” is another name for God – “I am (God) with them”.

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham, I am. John 8:58

I think the disciples knew who their Father was. We see great and marvelous blessings poured out upon the disciples and the multitude after they pray to Jesus.

Jesus came again to the disciples, and said unto them So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief. Verily I say unto you, there are none of them that have seen so great things as ye have seen; neither have they heard so great things as ye have heard. 3Nephi 19:35

What distinguished the believers from the unbelievers?

I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. D&C 93:19

It is important to know how to worship and what we worship. Is the model in 3 Nephi19 the best explanation of how to pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus? How do we come unto Jesus? What does it mean to receive the Son?

No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just. JST, John 6:44

What blessings can come when we understand who we are praying to? What does it mean to call upon the name of the Lord?

And then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord, and the Lord blessed them; Moses 6:4

Why is it the Lord Jesus Christ who grants that their prayers may be answered?

And may the Lord Jesus Christ grant that their prayers may be answered according to their faith; and may God the Father remember the covenant which he hath made with the house of Israel; and may he bless them forever, through faith on the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Mormon 9:37

Who is the Holy One of Israel? Who is the Lord God?

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. 2 Nephi 9:41

Time and Eternity

Time and Eternity seem be be describing two different dimensions. This would explain why it is difficult for those who view the world in time to comprehend things in eternity.

Here a High-School Student explains the 4th Dimension

4th Dimension explained

Even having the 4^th dimension explained, it is challenging to visualize the 4^th dimension. If you lived in the 4^th dimension you see all sides of a three dimensional object, before, behind, and through.

Is this John's attempt at describing heaven? Or a dimension higher than earth?

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. Revelation 4:6

I'm not saying that heaven is in the 4^th dimension, but it seems that heaven is in a higher dimension than the earth. That is why the things of eternity are often misunderstood and confusing to those who only see the natural world.

Does our flesh live in time? Does our spirit live in eternity? Are the things of eternity only to be comprehended while in the Spirit?

This is the end of the vision which we saw, which we were commanded to write while we were yet in the Spirit. But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory. Doctrine and Covenants 76:113-118

Eternal, spiritual, no end neither beginning, and heaven seem to be words describing the dimension of eternity. Temporal, beginning of my work – last of my work, natural, carnal, sensual, and earth seem to describe the dimension of time.

For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal— First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work—Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed. Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created. Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual. Doctrine and Covenants 29:31-35

And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers. Helaman 5:8

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Is eternity a covering because those in time don't see into eternity? Abraham, Sarai, Lot, and their caravan were protected in eternity. Jesus could easily escape his enemies by stepping into eternity. Philip was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord.

Therefore, eternity was our covering and our rock and our salvation, as we journeyed from Haran by the way of Jershon, to come to the land of Canaan. Abraham 2:16

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, Luke 4:29-30

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:59

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

Certain things need to happen in the dimension of time that also need to happen in eternity

And he that receiveth these things receiveth me; and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity. Doctrine and Covenants 39:22

And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity. Doctrine and Covenants 72:3

And it came to pass that Enoch looked; and from Noah, he beheld all the families of the earth; and he cried unto the Lord, saying: When shall the day of the Lord come? When shall the blood of the Righteous be shed, that all they that mourn may be sanctified and have eternal life? And the Lord said: It shall be in the meridian of time, in the days of wickedness and vengeance. And behold, Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, even in the flesh; and his soul rejoiced, saying: The Righteous is lifted up, and the Lamb is slain from the foundation of the world; and through faith I am in the bosom of the Father, and behold, Zion is with me. Moses 7:45-47

This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things— Alma 13:7

Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, or in other words, in eternity; He was also slain in the meridian of time. He made his preparations (D&C 19:19, 128:5) both in time and in eternity.

To understand and comprehend the things of eternity, it is important to listen to the spirit within even God.  I am coming to believe that attachment and focus on earthy substance is a hindrance in comprehending God. 

And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of God. Alma 36:4 

The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. Doctrine and Covenants 88:13

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15