Press Forward Saints

My beautiful wife and I have been married for just 5 months, during this time we have been able to build a life together we have developed some habits and routines. One of our favourites, is sitting down together and watching an episode of the ABC Kids show, Bluey!

We both love Bluey! The other week we watched an episode called “Shadowlands”. The premise was simple, Bluey and her friends were in the park, and they decided to play a game where in order to get back to their parents, they could only step on the shadowed ground. Using trees, bushes, clouds, and at one point a car to assist their efforts. However, as their pathway became more challenging, one of the friends asks if they can change the rules to make it easier. But the others say no. This happens a couple of times as they come across new challenges, and the same general response is given: “it is no fun if the rules keep changing.” Eventually, things work in their favour, and they are all able to return to their parents, playing by the fun rules already established.

This principle is true for all games that are played. A great example is chess. Chess players don’t look at a board and think “Half my pieces only move forward one square at a time, while these horses move in a L shape, how silly!”. Instead they see a goal, a sophisticated challenge and think “How fun!”. As it is for all of us, we can look at set rules as an arbitrary restriction upon what we can and cannot do, or we can accept the rules, embrace the challenge, and increase our knowledge and wisdom. Developing greater awareness of oneself and increasing our self-control, all the while realising what we need to do better in order to play a stronger game and win more regularly.

In the premortal council, our Heavenly Father laid out a monumental challenge for us all: to receive a physical body and be challenged and tested in new and unknown ways. An earth was made for us to dwell upon, and as the Lord says in the Book of Abraham:

“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
…and they who keep their second estate (or, they who are obedient while here in mortality) shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever.” (Abraham 3:25-26)

These commandments, like rules, are for our benefit and growth, that we may become more like our Heavenly Parents and Saviour Jesus Christ. As we study the scriptures, and prayerfully seek to understand all of which the Lord has commanded us, we will soon find associated blessings that are directly attached to our obedience. The best part about it all, is the promise of the Lord, found in section 82 of the Doctrine and Covenants:

“I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (D&C 82:10)

Through eternity, the Lord has taught his children through either his own voice, or the voice of his servants, all things that we ought to do. We may find many examples throughout the scriptures, but these teachings are highlighted simplistically in what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount in the New Testament, or the Sermon at the Temple in The Book of Mormon. The commandments sound straight forward, and the blessings are glorious. One would do well to master these teachings.

“And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:5-10)

As the sermon continues, the commandments seem surprisingly straight forward. They will take considerable effort, of course, but we know the sacrifice is worth it. Our hopes are high, until verse 48:

“Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” (3 Nephi 12:48)

“Such celestial goals seem beyond our reach.” teaches Elder Holland, “that we want to go back to bed and pull the covers over our head…Here in mortality, perfection is still pending.…Jesus did not intend His sermon on this subject to be a verbal hammer for battering us about our shortcomings. No, I believe He intended it to be a tribute to who and what God the Eternal Father is and what we can achieve with Him” (Be Ye Therefore Perfect – Eventually, General Conference, October 2017)

Nephi really said it best when he declared: “I know the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

The realisation of these blessings may not come in this life, but we can know that we will all be perfected through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As taught in the Book of Mosiah:

“...there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” (Mosiah 3:17)

While these truths are plain and simple, there are forces in this world hoping to keep many of God’s children from a knowledge of our loving Heavenly Father, and the strength that is found through the Atonement of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The war in heaven that followed the premortal council, was not a war of physical nature, instead the war was fought with words, ideas, debate and persuasion. This war continues today, and it falls upon us as individuals to “choose this day whom [we] shall serve.” (Joshua 24:15)

In his book, The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis wrote from the perspective of a senior devil offering advice to his junior counterpart, “…Remember, the only thing that matters is the extent to which [man is separated from God.] It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters. pp 60-61)

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should be well aware of the attacks of the adversary within society today. The adversary is manipulative, and will impress upon the hearts of men many falsehoods and incorrect teachings, fulfilling that which the prophet Isaiah saw:
“[Those who] call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
...them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
...Which justify the wicked for reward and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Isaiah 5:20–23)

Or as the footnote explains, “deprive him of his legal rights” (5:23c)

The world is seeing all manner of social movements and organisations increasing their presence and voice, with the rise of a 24 hour news cycle, and social media fuelling this fire. Many of these organisations appear to support ideologies that are based around righteous causes, but in fact stand in direct opposition to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the restored Gospel. We would do well to identify them and stand clear of them.

Elder Jörg Klebingat of the Quorum of the Seventy taught:

“We can accept and respect others without endorsing their beliefs or actions that do not align with the Lord’s will. There is no need to sacrifice truth on the altar of agreeableness and social desirability.

…With faith in Christ, we need not fear the reproach of men or be afraid of their revilings. With the Savior at the helm and living prophets to lead and guide us, “who can be against us?” Let us be confident, not apologetic, valiant, not timid, faithful, not fearful as we hold up the Lord’s light in these last days.” (Valiant Discipleship in the Latter Days, General Conference, April 2022)

As we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and become more valiant in our discipleship, we will find the strength of character and peace of mind that we need to press forward through the trials of this fallen world. Perfection may not be obtainable here, but it is certainly our goal in the life to come. As we make and keep sacred covenants in the waters of baptism, and in Holy temples, we are endowed with power from on high.

“[This] is not an event that happens in a day or two.” President Nelson taught, “It happens over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ. We cultivate faith in Jesus Christ by repenting daily and keeping covenants that endow us with power. We stay on the covenant path and are blessed with spiritual strength, personal revelation, increasing faith, and the ministering of angels....As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Saviour lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace, and rest.” (Overcome The World and Find Rest, General Conference, October 2022)

We have been blessed during these last few years to have the prophetic guidance of President Nelson, his focus on the temple, the covenant path, and the increased spirituality we can all experience as we learn to love the Lord and follow his commandments. Through obedience, we truly can overcome the world and find rest. With these teachings in mind let us again return to section 82 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

“Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreadeth his dominions, and darkness reigneth;
I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you;
Or, in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation.
I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” (D&C 82:5, 8-10)

More importantly than playing shadowlands or chess, in the regular game of life it is my hope and prayer that we can press forward in faith towards our saviour Jesus Christ. The time will come where we will personally feel the nail prints in his hands and bathe his feet with our tears. Knowing with surety, as many others before us have, that he is the God of Israel and the God of the whole earth. He is our Saviour and our Redeemer.

Of these things I bear testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

From a talk in Sacrament meeting in Adelaide, South Australia.