Messenger
Volume 4, Issue 2 – January 2010
Posted on 2/8/2010 at 10:08:22 AM
Read the latest issue below:
Contents
Poetry -
Posted in Issues | Comments Off
Archive for February, 2010
The Spirit
Posted on 2/7/2010 at 5:45:13 PM
The Spirit sometimes comes in a whisper
Sometimes it comes as a feeling of peace
at other times it comes like crashing thunder
Sometimes it comes like a wave of relief
We feel it through the burning of our heart
through the promptings for us to do right
It enters into our bodies – into every part
and it brightens our own internal light
Sometimes it tells us to cast our mind back
to the answer we already had before
It is there to help keep us on the right track
to open our minds, to reveal to us more
Sometimes it works within us silently
even when we are busy or in slumber rest
Its calm influence working on us slowly
bringing about in us all that is for our best
However it comes, in whatever form
whether by peace or joy, dreams or visions
Whether we seek it for emotional comfort
or to help us make difficult decisions …
It is a divine gift from a loving God
It is our companion and our close friend
It is there to help us hold to the rod
and it will be there beside us to the very end
Posted in Faith Promoting | Comments Off
Our Rights
Posted on 2/7/2010 at 5:42:26 PM
“Human law, … is not binding upon any honest man”
All men should be entitled to two kinds of rights: – natural and artificial. Natural rights are embraced in life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness. Artificial rights consist of powers granted by legislative enactment; hence the machinery of government. …
Men do not enjoy all their rights in any government now existing. They waive the right by appointing men to make laws for the safety and convenience of the whole, allowing the majority to govern. But this is no criterion, or standard to suit the wants and capacities of the people. Every man is above the law, and can act as he pleases if he does not interfere with his neighbor’s right.
This is clearly taught in the great foundation of all law, the ten commandments. Human law, the artificial contrivance of the intellect, is not binding upon any honest man; nor should it be any more than the creeds and dogmas of bigots. Laws are for transgressors. …
Men have a right to petition and protest, and if either is unheeded by those entrusted with powers, they, the people, (oppressed) have what is denominated the reserved right of protecting themselves from insult.
Nor is it less legal for an insulted individual or community to resist oppression. For this reason, until the blood of Joseph and Hyrum Smith has been atoned for, by hanging, shooting, or staying in some manner, every person engaged in that cowardly, mean assassination, no Latter-day Saint should give himself up to the law: for the presumption is, that they will murder him in the same manner. The government has not redeemed the broken faith of the State; but upon the contrary, allowed an indicted murderer to sit in the legislative halls, whereby the whole state becomes accessory to the crime! The partaker is as bad as the thief.
Neither should civil process come in to Nauvoo, till the United States, by a rigorous effort, causes the state of Missouri and the state of Illinois to redress every man that has suffered the loss of lands, goods, or any thing else, by expulsion and the robbery from the one state and martyrdom and state plunder in the other. Commissioners can be appointed to regulate, where the clandestine forms of law might require the strange work of God to rebut it.
Let it be proclaimed to the ends of the earth that the lives of the Saints are their own property, and that they are bound to protect them, and that they will in the name of Israel’s God.
If any man is bound to maintain the law, it is for the benefit he may derive from it. No man can be compelled in a free country, to support a law that deprives him of his natural rights, when, enjoying them is no disadvantage to his neighbor. “Thus,” says Blackstone, “the statute of King Edward IV, which forbade the fine gentlemen of those times (under the degree of Lord) to wear pikes upon their boots and shoes of more than two inches in length, was a law that savored of oppression.”
Well, our charter is repealed; the murderers of the Smiths are running at large, and if the Mormons should wish to imitate their fore-fathers, and fulfil the scriptures making it “hard to kick against the pricks,” by wearing cast steel pikes about four or five inches long on their boots and shoes, to kick with, that’s the harm?
John Taylor, The Nauvoo Neighbor, 23rd April 1845.
Posted in Thought Provoking | Comments Off
Convictions or Preferences
Posted on 2/7/2010 at 5:39:35 PM
When filling in forms, such as those you are given when staying in an American Hospital, one question, amongst the myriad that ask for such information as your Ethnic origin, preferred title and diet requirements, is that of Religious ‘preference.’ A friend found herself filling in one of these forms recently, and it caused her to pause and think, “Is my religion just a preference. Do I prefer to be LDS today, maybe Baptist tomorrow? Or do I have Religious convictions?”
The United States Supreme Court classifies all religious beliefs as either preferences or convictions. According to the court, only convictions are given the full protection of the First Amendment.
When is a Belief a Preference?
A belief is a preference when, under certain circumstances, that belief can be changed. A belief may be strong and intense and may still be a preference. The five circumstances noted by the court that most often cause one to change his beliefs are: peer pressure, family pressure, litigation pressure, jail pressure, and death pressure.
Peer Pressure – When the disapproval of others causes one to bend their beliefs, their beliefs are simply preferences.
Family Pressure – It is often pressure from within a family – from a spouse, parent, or child – that will cause one to lessen their beliefs. The court held that if family pressure causes one to change ones beliefs, then those beliefs are merely a preference.
Litigation Pressure – When one faces an intimidating legal battle, he often re-evaluates his beliefs. If a lawsuit changes your beliefs, they are preferences.
Jail Pressure – Would you be willing to suffer a jail sentence for your belief? If not, your belief is just a preference.
Death Pressure – The ultimate test of a belief is whether you would be willing to die for it – like many Christian martyrs have done throughout history. Would you be willing to die for your belief? If not, your belief is not a conviction.
When is a Belief a Conviction?
Convictions are self-determined – The court held that if you need other people to stand with you, your belief is not a conviction. A conviction must be self-determined, not influenced by what others do or by what others ask of you.
Convictions are nonnegotiable – If you are willing to even discuss the option of dishonouring your belief, your belief is not a conviction but only a preference.
Convictions are victorious – Victory is standing for what you believe is right, regardless of the cost. The court held that if you need earthly victory to remain true to what you believe, you do not have a conviction.
Convictions are lifestyles – The court held that if a man holds true to his beliefs, those beliefs will evidence themselves in a life which is consistent with those beliefs.
Convictions must control a person’s life.
If religious liberty is to be passed on to the next generation, it is critical that we study the Gospel so that we can understand what it teaches, live consistent lives according to those teachings, and stand firmly for Gospel principles. Only then will the world recognise God’s people to be people of conviction and only then will we find our faith is sufficient to pass the test of conviction versus preference.
This story was previously printed in
the British edition of Messenger magazine (2:1).
It was written by a previous editor.
Posted in Thought Provoking | Comments Off
Out of Myself
Posted on 2/7/2010 at 5:38:05 PM
No more I trust myself in life’s dim maze;
Sufficient to myself in all its ways,
I trust no more, but humbly at Thy throne
Pray, “Lead me, for I cannot go alone.”
Out of myself, dear Lord, O lift me up!
I faint, the road winds upward all the way
Each night but ends another weary day.
Give me Thy strength, and may I be so blest
As on “the heights” to find the longed for rest?
Out of my weary self, O lift me up!
Though other hearts with love are running o’er;
Though dear ones fill my lonely home no more;
Though every day I miss the fine caress;
Help me to join in other’s happiness.
Out of my lonely self, O lift me up!
Help me to feel that Thou are always near;
E’en though ‘tis night and all around seems drear,
Help me to know that, though I cannot see,
It is my Father’s hand that leadeth me!
Out of my doubting self, O lift me up!
Joseph F. Smith
Posted in Faith Promoting | Comments Off
The Tree of Life & Plan of Salvation
Posted on 2/7/2010 at 10:01:31 AM
The Setting for Lehi’s Vision
Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life is one of the most memorable visions in all of Mormonism. Beginning in chapter eight of the first book of Nephi, the vision sets the stage for everything that follows in the Book of Mormon. It is a testament to us that God’s plan for His children is for us to withstand the test of mortality, to be able to once again return to His presence; this is the Plan of Salvation.
The literal interpretation of the vision is that if we hold to the rod we will be given the opportunity to partake of the love of God. Through Nephi’s prophetic interpretation of the vision, we are able to gain an in-depth understanding of its meaning, as well as a glimpse at the grace of God. However, the vision and its meaning are so significant that if we dig a little deeper, we can find greater meaning and clues that shed light on some of the steps we must take in order to be worthy of the promises God has made to us.
Lehi’s dream isn’t just about the Nephites or any other particular group of people. It is about each and every one of us.
Posted in Thought Provoking | No Comments »
The One Mighty and Strong
Posted on 2/7/2010 at 9:13:31 AM
Who is this controversial character?
Of all the characters mentioned in scripture, no other figure has had so much mystery surrounding his identity than the “One Mighty and Strong” spoken of in Section 85 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Indeed a statement issued on behalf of the First Presidency stated that:
- “Perhaps no other passage in the revelations of the Lord, in this dispensation, has given rise to so much speculation as this one.”1
Because of this we may all too easily ignore the importance of this section and fail to see its relevance. Yet, because of the controversy which surrounds it, it is all the more important for us to gain a correct understanding of this person and events it is referring to.
In Section 85 we find what may be one of the most important prophecies ever made by Joseph. It is up to us to study it carefully and we must watch to be ready for the events that await us, for if we are unprepared we will not be able to meet the challenges that are coming.
We don’t need to delve too deeply, or search for obscure quotes to find additional information that clarifies what is being said, the scriptures and Church history available to most of us provide us with a sufficient answer. Let us begin by quoting the most disputed portion of it:
- 6 Yea, thus saith the still small voice, which whispereth through and pierceth all things, and often times it maketh my bones to quake while it maketh manifest, saying:
- 7 And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the sceptre of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;
The most obvious question we would begin by asking is, “who is the One Mighty and Strong?” There have been many different interpretations on this matter, and no shortage of people claiming that title for themselves.
Posted in Deeper Doctrine | No Comments »