Our eyes were opened and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand the things of God...D&C 76

The truths revealed in D&C 76 answer some of the deepest questions of the soul. For many of the early saints, this composite revelation on the kingdoms of glory answered questions that they didn't even know they had. In other words, it was very surprising and a lot to digest! Brigham Young had to literally put the revelation on his shelf for a time until he could come to grips with it. He didn't rebel, as he continued to live the Gospel, but he knew that wrestling too hard with some of his questions could threaten his testimony. Most people believed in one heaven and hell as comprising the final destination of our souls, but the revelations in D&C 76 expanded this view to many degrees of glory in the heavens depending on our faithfulness and level of acceptance of Christ. The doctrine essentially make us the most liberal Christians out there (and this could be one thing many had a hard time accepting) because even in the lowest degree of glory, a kingdom so marvelous we can't grasp it with our current imaginations, those who committed grievous sins of all sorts will be welcomed. D&C 76 reveals both complete justice and mercy by God. Now I will mention that the view of going to heaven or hell after death is not incorrect as this describes perfectly the spiritual realm before the resurrection: going to paradise or spirit prison.
When Joseph Smith was translating the Bible he came to realize that the sacred book is not infallible. There were truths lost, likely through both accidents and misfortune along with deliberate changing of passages. As he and Sidney Rigdon were going through St. John chapter 5 they came across verse 29. Joseph received inspired changes to let the verse read: "And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust." This simple verse led to them marveling and truly pondering the resurrection and life after that. While meditating the Lord opened their understanding to the degrees of glory and 5 incredible visions ensued creating the composite revelation we know as D&C 76. In a powerful teaching method, the Lord opened their spiritual eyes to the glory of the highest, or celestial, kingdom first. Then followed a view of outer darkness where the devil and others who fully rejected Christ after fully knowing Him reside. Then followed a vision of the celestial kingdom again which surely emphasized the brightness and supreme glory of that kingdom when outer darkness is considered in between. With the visions of the terrestrial and telestial kingdoms, the revelations are complete.
One of the simple truths elucidated by D&C 76 is that progression does not need to end. By following the gospel path, making and keeping covenants, repenting continually, and fully accepting and striving to become like Christ, we can through the Plan of Salvation literally become like Him and our Heavenly Father. This requires entering the highest degree of the celestial kingdom and is referred to as exaltation, or eternal lives. Eternal life differs from eternal lives because exaltation is not possible when you are all alone--it requires families!
D&C 76 also shows how incredibly loving God is since the kingdoms of glory enable Him to give His children as much as possible...as much as they would accept. He loves all of His children and I know that through Christ all the gates are open to progression, to being in His presence, and to become like Him. I am grateful for the clarity and expanded view of the Plan of Salvation afforded by D&C 76!

Appreciating Creation

The natural world around me is fascinating to me. I find the smallest detail on a fallen leaf intriguing along with the contours of the largest mountains. I believe in a Divine Hand guiding the formation of the world and the creation of all the living things on land and in the sea.
D&C section 59 contains insight and counsel on appreciating the created world around us. At the end of the section the revelation states that God isn't offended except by those who "confess not His Hand in all things, and obey not His commandments." Recognizing the Hand of God in the food we eat, the sunsets we see, the gardens we grow, and the trees we cut is an important action to worshiping Him. God created the world not for our abuse and neglect and love of destroying. A key theme to D&C 59 seems to be cheerfulness and rejoicing. When we use anything from the fulness of the earth, the Lord is pleased as long as we do so with thankfulness and "with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion" (vs. 20). I believe anybody with a sensitive conscience does have a good sense of when they are wasting food, unnecessarily killing some living thing, or using some resource in excess or by extortion.
The early saints were in a situation where much of this revelation was actually quite radical. As the U.S. expanded West most everyone never had the thought cross their mind that they could run out of trees or the seas of bison or the seemingly endless tracts of land. They used what they wanted or whatever they had, slashing, burning, planting and moving on. So many settlers slaughtered the bison as a sport and didn't respect or show gratitude for the land and its resources. In this respect, the early Saints began to be set-apart in yet another aspect of their lives as they learned through this revelation and perhaps others the need to use resources in moderation according to their needs and with gratefulness. Mormons became different from the mainstream thought earlier than most in this respect, similar to how they became different from the mainstream customs of drinking alcohol/hot drinks and smoking (due to the Word of Wisdom - D&C 89).
Lastly, on this idea of truly appreciating Creation, D&C 59 reveals that the fulness of the earth is for our use! All of it. All types of meat, all types of animlas, all types of herbs and other "good things which come of th earth" (vs. 16-17). And one thing I think is really important to understand on top of this is in vs 18-19, after the Lord essentially says all things are for our good use: "Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul." In other words, there is nothing wrong with planting beautiful flowers in our yards to make the yards pleasing to the eye, or putting a flower in someone's hair (uh, girls only please), or trying to look good and not just be all about everything functional. Spices for better taste and diverse foods and things that just enliven the soul are there for our use and enjoyment. I believe God wants me to not live so plainly that I don't truly appreciate this incredibly diverse and beautiful world He has created. God is pleased by our use of all these things, as long as we recognize His Hand through gratitude and as long as we use them with judgement and moderation.

Typifying of Christ

The BYU Museum of Art currently has a powerful exhibit including paintings and other works that typify of Christ. Our guide was Rita Wright; she opened my eyes to new ways at looking at the artwork and elicited group participation that allowed many insightful perspectives and comments to be shared. If you are not very experienced interpreting artwork I would recommend going with a couple other people and discussing what thoughts and feelings come. We spent enough time on a much smaller number of works than were diplayed to really learn something and appreciate what we were seeing. The tourist who tries to see everything in a crammed amount of time may regret not just visiting a couple things in earnestness.
I was probably captivated most by the multi-layered meaning in pieces we viewed due to symbolism in colors, objects, juxtaposition of things, and the subjects or allusions involved. The large bronze cast at the entrace to the exhibit beautifully depicts a man either grasping or letting-go of the iron rod (symbolic of the word of God) while a Christ-like figure reaches through a veil towards him. His other arm reaches the opposite direction creating a cruciform shape. This majestic, strong figure parting the veil to reach towards the man in the precarious position provides hope and serenity to the situation. We looked at a couple pieces showing the "bread of life" and the "living water." Then I was moved by discussion of the prodigal son with two different paintings full of symbolism. Both shed light in unique ways on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how through Him we can start our lives anew, fresh, and in a more abundant way than any life of sin could provide. The last two paintings we discussed and pondered were of Christ carrying the cross and then of Christ appearing to Mary "the moment after." The first is incredibly moving. Christ is depicted in such a real way, with a real body and emotions. It captures sorrow and power, imminent death and His immortality and divinity. He has carried our crosses. I felt the Spirit confirm through this painting that Christ has carried my burdens in a very real way.
If you are anywhere near Provo I would highly recommend using this (free) great resource to learn through the powerful medium of art.

Old Testament Exodus vs. Latterday Exodus

Comparing Moses and Joseph Smith is not some recent idea. In the Book of Mormon, nearly 600 years before Christ, Lehi is speaking to one of his sons about a prophecy of Joseph of Egypt and references Joseph Smith. He is refering to "a choice seer" that will come from his lineage and says "And he shall be great like unto Moses, whom I have said I would raise up unto you, to deliver my people, O house of Israel." (2Ne 3:9)
The Exodus that Moses began is also strikingly parallel to the exodus began by Joseph Smith with the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Moses led his people from Egypt through the wilderness to the mountains where they received the Law. This was the day of Pentecost, or 50 days after leaving Egypt, and was an outpouring of revelation and spiritual experiences...a pentecostal season. The same pattern followed 50 days after Jesus died (passover) when in Acts chapter 2 the Holy Ghost filled the Apostles and great spiritual outpourings occurred. After Moses and the House of Israel were wandering in the wilderness for 40 years they approached the promised land. Joshua finished the journey leading the people who were not of the rebellious generation across the Jordan River (which connects a living lake to a dead lake) into the Promised Land. In greater symbolism, Joshua, who's name (Yeshua, "Jehovah Saves") refers to Jesus Christ, led the people through the "veil" or Jordan River, which parted the way into the Celestial Kingdom, or Promised Land. Christ parted the veil and made it possible for all who have faith in Christ and follow Him to enter the presence of God, or the Celestial Kingdom.
For the Saints of the Restoration, their exodus was also just as tangible and symbolic. Led by Jospeh Smith, who was also seeking to establish a zion-like society of Saints living by Celestial law, these Saints followed the Prophet first out of New York to gather in Kirtland, Ohio. New York is like Egypt, as one reason they were leaving was to avoid their enemies and growing persecution. The Church had a truly pentecostal season of great spiritual outpouring, receiving the Law (D&C 42, as the Lord had promised in previous revelation (D&C 38:32) that in Ohio he would give His law), and being endowed with power...like the Apostles in Acts ch. 2 sensing the Spirit in a great rushing wind, speaking in tongues, etc. This receiving of the Law for the Saints occurred in parallel with the building of the Kirtland Temple, and temples are known as "mountains of the Lord." So Mt. Sinai for modern-day Israel was a temple, which is very fitting. The Saints continued to "wander" from place to place seeking Zion and peace...their promised land. Eventually they traveled the vast distance to the Salt Lake valley under the guidance of Brigham Young (the next prophet, like Joshua after Moses). In the Salt Lake valley you have another living lake (Utah Lake) connected to a dead lake (Salt Lake...like the Dead Sea) by a river...fitttingly called the Jordan River. There is no other place in the world with such a set-up except for in the Middle East where the ancient children of Israel crossed the Jordan River. The parallels between these two journeys of ancient and modern-day Israel are fitting and powerful. From Telestial to Terrestrial to Celestial this journey parallels our spiritual journey back into the rest of the Lord, or His presence. Moses sought with his might to prepare all his people to enter the rest of the Lord and enjoy God's presence, but they generally rejected this blessing. Joseph Smith had the same calling. He restored the fulness of the Gospel including temple ordinances (as the Priesthood authority for these was again on the earth!) that were crucial for again enjoying the presence of God (D&C 84: 22). Refering to this pathway to God through Priesthood ordinances, authority, and the power of Godliness brought through such, D&C 84:23-24 states: "Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; (24) But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in His wrath, for His anger was kindled against them, swore that that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of His glory." Thus they received the lesser preparatory Law, the lesser Priesthood, and lesser blessings.
Today the fulness of the Gospel is at our fingertips and the invitation is to all: prepare yourself to enter the rest of the Lord. The exodus of the Saints of the Restoration reminds me of the need to press forward, keep my covenants, and help more fully establish the kingdom of God.

5 questions with 5 answers: D&C 42

D&C 42 is a composite revelation received in part on February 9th, 1831 then further two weeks later on February 23rd, 1831. The original printed revelations from 1835 contained this revelation in a more complete version with 5 question and 5 answers. These are the general questions:
- Should the Church come together in one place?
- How are Elders to take care of their families while the Elders serve missions?
- What is the Church's position on gathering?
- How should the restored church of Christ interact and deal with the "world"?
- What should they do to prepare for receiving Saints coming from the East?

Some of these questions are not pertinent to the Saints today simply because they don't apply to our situations. But studying this revelation is profound in teaching about the process of revelation. As President Uchtdorf mentioned today in his Church Educational System devotional, practically all the revelations are answers to questions. President Uchtdorf was addressing the concern of dealing with questions about the Church, doctrine, parts of your testimony, etc. President Uchtdorf said that we are a questioning people--it is in our nature. The revelations, with D&C 42 being a classic example, teach us that if we take our questions to the Lord in faith, having searched, pondered, prayed, and came in righteousness, God will answer our prayers. He will guide us. I loved how President Uchtdorf remarked that if we didn't have any questions about the doctrine, Plan of Salvation, or other aspects of the Gospel, then we might wonder if it just isn't some man-made scheme. To sum it up in my college-oriented mind, learning about God and His plans and works is not some one-credit class you can just take and be done with!

D&C 42 reveals plainly the process of receiving, transcribing, and publishing revelation. The revelation also contains some great doctrine and commadments. The saints were promised in moving to the Ohio (D&C 38:32) that they would there receive "my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high." In Kirtland, Ohio, in the presence of twelve elders, Joseph Smith received "the law" as D&C 42. This was during a pentecostal period for the Church where a great outpouring of spiritual experiences and revelations came to the members. D&C 42 exhorts missionaries, tells them to use the Bible, Book of Mormon, and articles and covenants (D&C 20) in their missionary labors, gives 10 commandment-like commandments, begins to teach about how to be a consecrated people (taking care of poor, imparting your substance to others), tells purposes to Gathering, talks about stewardships, testifies of asking and receiving revelation, consequences of breaking 10 commandment-type laws, and gives other great counsel.
Though I cannot quite put myself into the shoes of any of the early saints, I can imagine this was a powerful witness of Joseph's role as prophet and revelator, the mindfulness of God over His people, and the importance of following God's commands to be worthy of His greatest blessings.

Power in the Printing Press

On Tuesday Oct 20 I attended the presentation at the Crandall Printing Museum on Center St. in Provo. I rushed there from my Spanish class feeling a little skeptical on how they could effectively keep my attention for 2 hours. I highly underestimated the museum!
Since I know right now I won' be able to capture the real experience here, I will start by strongly encouraging any reader to attend the Crandall Printing Museum tour. Go with family, friends, ward members, etc. Plan the trip with at least 15 people and the cost is only $3/person. Location: 275 East Center Street, Provo, Utah, 84606. Phone: 801-377-7777 (call to schedule a group). You won't regret it!
When I arrived there was a man dressed-up like an early 19th century person and another kind man who welcomed me with such warmth and seemed so excited I was there. I immediatley knew these men really cared about what they had to share and that some of that would surely rub off on me. I watched as another historically-dressed man told the amazing story of Johannes Gutenberg inventing the first printing press. This was a process, not an event, and the story is told in an incredible replica of the original print shop. The presentation was very real and brought you back in time to truly appreciate the reality and innovative nature of the printing press. Thinking about Gutenberg's sacrifices to make not just one but six working printing presses and then to go out of business because of financial constraints was humbling. I agree with the presenter's assertion that Gutenberg was inspired because with six presses and all the men trained to work them led to the spread of the technology. And the museum's order of presentations was even more powerful with the reference point of the Gutenberg press since the printing press technology really didn't change for four hundred years after that.
We were led to a few different rooms after the Gutenberg print shop: Ben Franklin's Print Shop, E.B. Grandin's Print Shop, and a brief stop in the Deseret News print shop. Ben Franklin's story was no less powerful than Gutenberg's. I felt deep appreciation for the founder's of our nation and gratitude for the Hand of God in guiding men's lives like Ben Franklin to have the skills, knowledge, and moral compass in place to influence profoundly the birth of the United States. Their sacrifices were huge! And the printing press had a key role in keeping the continental soldiers on board when most would likely have abandoned the cause of the revolution. All the leaders put their lives at stake. Then I got to feel actual metal type all set-up in a replica of the original press used to create the U.S. Constitution!
The things I learned and felt in the shop telling the story of the printing of the Book of Mormon also were incredible. As we passed through time I saw more clearly how the Lord prepared so many things for hundreds of years, from the birth of the printing press to the birth of this free country to prepare the time for the Restoration and coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I know God has a Hand in our lives and that impossible tasks (like printing 5,000 copies of an over 500 page book in a frontier town) are made possible through our faith and hard work coupled with God's tender mercy.

G a t h e r i ng!

The early Saints in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gained testimonies of Joseph's role as a prophet similar to ancient Israel's view of Moses or other prophets. With this testimony came the invitation from the Prophet to gather with the saints into a community where the Church could be organized, or later, strengthened. That sounds simple, but moving even with our modern conveniences in travel is always a big deal. Many early members were not able to sell farms and other property before moving so just left it at times in obedience to the call to gather. The Saints gathered to avoid their enemies and persecution and to receive strength, build temples, and receive more revelation and power from God. Their exodus from New York to Kirtland is like Moses' people in Egypt leaving Egypt and entering the wilderness where at Mt. Sinai they received the Law. The Saints received the Law in Kirtland along with other Pentecostal outpourings. Other parallels between ancient Israel's journey and the modern exodus of this restored Church are fascinating. For example, there are only two places on the earth that have a living lake connected to a dead lake by a river...Israel and Utah. Anyway, the early Saints were a gathering people who literally came into one place, and this gathering was rather crucial for "jump-starting" the Restoration. Joseph Smith needed a body of Saints to build a temple and receive further restored doctrines and power, along with having a group to create a more fully organized Priesthood and Church from. Though literal gathering is not as it was in the 19th Century, many types of gathering continue in this true and living Church as people still gather for worshipping, for listening to General Conference, as families, generally to the one house/one faith/one baptism...to the united faith made possible by an authorized Prophet and leaders. As a missionary I helped gather those who would respond to the message of the Restoration and spiritual confirmations given from the Book of Mormon and other fruits of the Restoration. I am part of a family that gathers immediately and as extended family regularly for greater reasons than just create memories together; we believe in an eternal gathering of families immediate and through generations.
Still, the gathering of the early Saints affects me in other profound ways. Their sacrifice and obedience built a very strong foundation for this Church and my testimony. I never get tired of hearing stories of faithful early members who gave everything to heed the call of a Prophet of God. Their demonstration of faith is inspiring and remembering them helps me stay faithful. Because of them the Church was able to thrive amidst great persecution and hardship. Just as ancient Israel remembered Moses' people for hundreds and hundreds of years to stay true to their roots and preserve their identity, remembering the early Saints of this dispensation has often strengthened my commitment to stay active in the Church and keep pushing through trials I may have. I have (approx) great-great grandparents who responded to faithful missionaries in eastern Germany in the mid-19th century and joined the Church. Because of great persecution mainly from Protestant faiths in their small-town and the practice of gathering to Utah still at the time, they left everything (including a very beautiful small town!) to come to Blackfoot, Idaho...dry and barren! I am grateful for their true conversion and willingness to leave everything to gather with the Saints and start a rich heritage for their posterity.