If it is According to the Spirit of God

This morning I read Alma 11.  In verse 22 Amulek says that he will only answer Zeezrom's questions if it is according to the Spirit of the Lord, which is in him.  That he would say nothing which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord.

I thought to myself, could this be a principle that I could apply in my daily living?  It reminded me of President Eyring counseling us to say only uplifting things to others.  I wonder if one could practice only saying things that are according to the Spirit of the Lord?  We could remain silent if what we had to say wasn't in the right spirit, wasn't uplifting.  I wonder if we did this that we might please God and bring about more miracles in our lives and the lives of others.

For example, as Amulek answered Zeezrom's questions it gets to a point where Amulek declares that to Zeezrom that he has lied.  But Zeezrom persist in weaving his web.  Amulek responds with a wonderful synopsis of how Christ is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.  At this point, the miracle begins to occur.  The people began to be astonished and Zeezrom begins to tremble. Zeezrom is silenced.

Amulek, with the help of the Spirit of the Lord has "caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy him".  Later (v.7 of chapter 12) Mormon states that Alma and Amulek "know the thoughts and intents of Zeezrom's heart" and that this power was given them according to the spirit of prophecy.

What does all this mean? If we have the Spirit of the Lord with us we can turn the tables when those with malicious intent are trying to deceive us.  Because of our faith, we remain calm, and perhaps silent until the Spirit - which we believe will come - comes upon us.  We then know what to say and do.  We don't take things into our own hands.  We patiently wait upon the Lord.

Miracle of Forgiveness - Putting it into Context

The Miracle of Forgiveness, - I have never been able to read that book.  It was very discouraging to me.  I like what President Kimball told Elder Monson to do in the excerpt below.  It shows that President Kimball  might have accidentally over-targeting his audience.  It looks to me that President Kimball's primary target in writing his book was to reach a group of people that needed the fear of God put into their hearts. I say this because many people's 'take away' from his book was that receiving forgiveness may never happen to them.  But, President Kimball's response to Elder Monson was very enlightening: to immediately forgive them.

Correspondence - We All Are Waiting for ... What?

Hi Joseph,

Regarding Zion, one thing that I am beginning to believe is that no one, right now, needs to run faster than he has strength and that everything is to be done in order.  This needs to be remembered by those that are zealous.  Giving too much when one is poor or middle class is over zealous. With that said, if we all felt part of a united cause that honestly wanted to be all in common (no poor among us, equal, etc.) we would all re-prioritize our spending and time.  What holds us back? Alma felt that those wearing fine twine costly apparel had not caught the vision.  This (no vision people) also has a dampening effect on the rest of the believers: "If they can have it (not share) why can't I?"  When that same group mocks the humble and is into envying others in the same group as they walk in the pride of their hearts, what are the humble followers to do?  They, according to Alma, are to take it on cheek.  Stay humble and meek.  Then who is supposed to correct the matter?  The leader.  It is always the leader, the judge.  With this said, what is the difference between this car or that car, this house or that house, this nice thing and that nice thing?  For the middle class it isn't much.  Everybody gets good fortune (a new car) at different times.  It is hard to judge righteously.  To be meek is not to judge.  If I get a nice thing, do I want everybody to judge me?  As our hearts change, as we are taught Zion, as we feel part of a unified effort, we will do better at doing the right thing.

Scott

On Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 11:50 AM, Joseph Balden <josephbalden@gmail.com> wrote:

Nice,  God is not a micro manager....  I think that some peoples faith relies on being told what to do.  If they had to make a choice they fail or just go back to waiting to be told exactly what to do.  We even feed off each other to know what the "normal" person in the ward does.  I wonder if no one had mediocre examples, what everyone's definition of Christan would be, and if they would then live it.  Question is how does one personally muster up the effort to 'take Zion seriously' when it is not an exact definition of something we are told to do.

Don't cry because its over. Smile Because it happened
-- Dr. Seuss

Joseph Balden
801-735-2163

On Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 11:17 AM, Greenscooter <srnelson1513@gmail.com> wrote:

I finished listening to one of the podcast on race from the Maxwell Institute.  Fascinating.  A big mess of views and theories and possibly mistakes (Kimball 1968).

Final views: God allows mistakes to be made.  God is not a micro manager.  People become so convinced that things are based on God when they are really man’s ideas that they become self-righteous and begin to persecute another race.  We become inherently racist.  God permits Man to make mistakes (lost pages Martin Harris, Israel wanting a King, J.S. with Kirtland anti Banking society).  Racism was probably a mistake.  Orson Pratt said that agency is all important, multi-generational cursing can’t be right.

The lady said, I don’t believe in a perfect gospel with perfect understanding suddenly bestowed on Joseph Smith.  It comes line up line and precept upon precept.

We are all uninformed.  We all seem to believe that what we understand about the world around us and neatly wrapped up Mormonism is all there is,  I know I am speaking for myself.  When P. Uchtdorf says that true Christians are having visions, revelations, dreams, signs, wonders and miracles, most of us should pause and consider whether or not we a true Christians (humble followers of Christ).  For some reason I thought that only very special people has signs, wonders and miracles happening in their life.  I realize now that it is the norm.  This is the separation of the wheat and the tares.  This the separation of the ten virgins.  This is the good man of the house caught unaware.  This is the division of the Saints.  Either we have the recipe right in our lives or we don’t.  It is pretty simple.  When one is granted awareness that these things (signs, wonders and miracles – 2 Nephi 26:13 and Jacob 4:6) are needed, that they follow faith and that they are not happening in his or her life – that person can then begin to pray to God with all sincerity and with real intent (Uchtdorf, October Conference, 2014) and receive an answer.  But the continuing answer is continuing evidences that make our faith unshaken, which hope maketh an anchor to our souls (Ether12:4).  If we have this reoccurring in our lives, we quit worrying about the apostasy of others and what they say.  We know that the gospel and the Church truly bring a delicious feast (2 Nephi 9:51) and has undeniably left its mark on our hearts.

I like the D. Todd Christopherson quote.  

"it will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen-Zion will come only as they happen" (D. Todd Christopherson, October Conference, 2008)

Everybody who actually takes Zion seriously is waiting for somebody else to do something bigger than our average charity.  Perhaps our average charity is enough at this time.  If the General Authorities want more from the Church, then teach us.  A few quotes, here and there will not suffice. (Of course, this is my opinion only and I could be wrong).  I believe that giving us a  higher goal (unified, temporally equal, no poor among us) is the best thing the leaders could do.  But, the Holy Ghost will have to impress upon the leaders that it is time.  And timing is everything.  Could you imagine all the false American and Mormon traditions that would need to be jettisoned?  I believe it would take five years of concerted effort on the part of General Authorities to get all-in-common-ism galvanized in the minds of the listening Saints.  Apostasy would be rampant.  Gifts of the Spirit would also be rampant.  That would be a wonderful time.  The Saints would have a collective focus again.

--
Posted By Greenscooter to Scott Nelson Blog - Unrefined at 3/31/2015 10:17:00 AM 

Correspondence - The Changing Church

Craig,

I dropped Denver.  He appears to have gone apostate.  Perhaps he was always apostate.  I don’t know. 

Here’s what I believe is substantive: If my faith and testimony are evidenced by the spiritual things happening in my life, I then don’t care what malcontents think.  It doesn't really matter.  If signs, wonders and miracles are following my faith why would I doubt the gospel and the Church?  People bothered by the Church seem to have missed the mark.  Evidences of faith indicate that one has faith or is trying to have faith (Jacob 4:6, 2 Nephi 26:13).  If one is discontent, ask God what you’re doing wrong.  Ask God to order and maintain your life.  Be meek and humble.  Be positive, hopeful, kind and loving.  Discontent people are not that.

The Church is changing.  I believe for the good.  Those fifteen at the top have power and authority to make whatever changes are necessary for the Church to progress.  My intellectual friends will say,"it doesn't conform to Joseph Smith, the Apostles are changing doctrine".  My zealot friends will say, "the Church is following the world, they are all going to hell".  My liberal friends will say, "The Church needs to go further and offer women the Priesthood and seal gay people".  My NRA Captain Moroni Warrior Cult friends will say, "The government is going to round us up!  The Constitution is not being followed!  When they declare martial law, they'll have to tear my gun out of my cold, dead hands" (actual quote)".  The humble followers of Christ say, "Stay calm, stand in holy places, let the Spirit guide, fear not".

Everybody (but the Humble Followers) have some level of ..... mental illness?  Nibley thought the same thing was happening to the Jews in Christ's time under the subjugation of Romans.  Many Jews were going crazy.  "We are the chosen people", "The Messiah will come and destroy the bad guys", "If I keep every rule, God is with me (Pharisees)", "Let's attack the Romans at night (Zealots)", "Let's depart into the wilderness to avoid everything (Essenes)".

Remember, there's just as many stories of willful, humble subjugation (Christ's teachings, Limhi, Helam, Anti Nephi Lehi's, Ester, primitive Christians, etc.)  in the scriptures as there are stories of fighting for one's liberty.  He who fights by the sword (in the last days) will die by the sword.  Where was the Captain Moroni archetype in 1913?

Love,

Scott

From: Scott Nelson [mailto:srnelson1513@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2015 11:24 AM
To: Nelson, Scott R.
Subject: Fwd: [Scott Nelson Blog - Unrefined] Thoughts on

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Craig Nelson <craignelson8@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 31, 2015 at 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: [Scott Nelson Blog - Unrefined] Thoughts on
To: Greenscooter <srnelson1513@gmail.com>

Scott,

Thank you for the blog.  I agree, especially about "eliminate poverty among us."  The only problem is that some people will try to "eliminate" them instead of helping and serving them.

What's happening on the Denver S. front.  I keep hearing comments but no real substance.  For someone that did not want to start a church, he has done a pretty good job at starting a church [fellowship].

Thanks,

Craig


480-497-0003
CraigNelson8@gmail.com

Thoughts on Race, All in Common

I finished listening to one of the podcast on race from the Maxwell Institute.  Fascinating.  A big mess of views and theories and possibly mistakes (Kimball 1968).

Final views: God allows mistakes to be made.  God is not a micro manager.  People become so convinced that things are based on God when they are really man’s ideas that they become self-righteous and begin to persecute another race.  We become inherently racist.  God permits Man to make mistakes (lost pages Martin Harris, Israel wanting a King, J.S. with Kirtland anti Banking society).  Racism was probably a mistake.  Orson Pratt said that agency is all important, multi-generational cursing can’t be right.

The lady said, I don’t believe in a perfect gospel with perfect understanding suddenly bestowed on Joseph Smith.  It comes line up line and precept upon precept.

We are all uninformed.  We all seem to believe that what we understand about the world around us and neatly wrapped up Mormonism is all there is,  I know I am speaking for myself.  When P. Uchtdorf says that true Christians are having visions, revelations, dreams, signs, wonders and miracles, most of us should pause and consider whether or not we a true Christians (humble followers of Christ).  For some reason I thought that only very special people has signs, wonders and miracles happening in their life.  I realize now that it is the norm.  This is the separation of the wheat and the tares.  This the separation of the ten virgins.  This is the good man of the house caught unaware.  This is the division of the Saints.  Either we have the recipe right in our lives or we don’t.  It is pretty simple.  When one is granted awareness that these things (signs, wonders and miracles – 2 Nephi 26:13 and Jacob 4:6) are needed, that they follow faith and that they are not happening in his or her life – that person can then begin to pray to God with all sincerity and with real intent (Uchtdorf, October Conference, 2014) and receive an answer.  But the continuing answer is continuing evidences that make our faith unshaken, which hope maketh an anchor to our souls (Ether12:4).  If we have this reoccurring in our lives, we quit worrying about the apostasy of others and what they say.  We know that the gospel and the Church truly bring a delicious feast (2 Nephi 9:51) and has undeniably left its mark on our hearts.

I like the D. Todd Christopherson quote.  

"it will be necessary (1) to become unified in one heart and one mind; (2) to become, individually and collectively, a holy people; and (3) to care for the poor and needy with such effectiveness that we eliminate poverty among us. We cannot wait until Zion comes for these things to happen-Zion will come only as they happen" (D. Todd Christopherson, October Conference, 2008)

Everybody who actually takes Zion seriously is waiting for somebody else to do something bigger than our average charity.  Perhaps our average charity is enough at this time.  If the General Authorities want more from the Church, then teach us.  A few quotes, here and there will not suffice. (Of course, this is my opinion only and I could be wrong).  I believe that giving us a  higher goal (unified, temporally equal, no poor among us) is the best thing the leaders could do.  But, the Holy Ghost will have to impress upon the leaders that it is time.  And timing is everything.  Could you imagine all the false American and Mormon traditions that would need to be jettisoned?  I believe it would take five years of concerted effort on the part of General Authorities to get all-in-common-ism galvanized in the minds of the listening Saints.  Apostasy would be rampant.  Gifts of the Spirit would also be rampant.  That would be a wonderful time.  The Saints would have a collective focus again.

A Penny for a Day

I watched the new Bible Video on Laborers in the Vineyard. I could not understand it. So I went to Elder Holland's talk (2012) and found some insights.

This is a parable about jealousy. The first laborers, that worked all day were contracted for a penny. The last laborers didn’t know what they were going to get when they went out. At the end of the day the Lord of the vineyard paid them all a penny. The first laborers were upset that they had to work all day. The Lord of the Vineyard asks, "Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind? Being kind is good thing." In those days a penny is a day’s labor. In the morning, the first laborers were so happy to get that penny to feed their families. The last laborers were over looked over and over again. They weren't going to be able to feed their families. The ones that weren’t chosen at all - now they didn’t get anything.

So why do we feel envious when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or special recognition? We are not in a race against each other. We are in a race against sin and envy is a most universal sin.

So we need to stop pouting, coveting or tearing others down because it does not elevate our standing. We are just unhappy. We should be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.

Elder Holland then says:

My beloved brothers and sisters, what happened in this story at 9:00 or noon or 3:00 is swept up in the grandeur of the universally generous payment at the end of the day. The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours—real or imagined—fall away in the abundance of the final reward. Don’t dwell on old issues or grievances—not toward yourself nor your neighbor nor even, I might add, toward this true and living Church. The majesty of your life, of your neighbor’s life, and of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be made manifest at the last day, even if such majesty is not always recognized by everyone in the early going. So don’t hyperventilate about something that happened at 9:00 in the morning when the grace of God is trying to reward you at 6:00 in the evening—whatever your labor arrangements have been through the day.

The story is a story about God’s mercy and goodness, especially when we didn’t expect it or deserve it. It’s a story about forgiveness and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It’s a story of not looking back. We arrive at this faith at different times in our lives. Good things like tender mercies happen to us but happen at different times.

http://scottnelsonunrefined.blogspot.com/
http://greenscootersimplelife.blogspot.com/
http://greenscooter1513.blogspot.com/

My Soul Delighteth

I was reading the scriptures this morning and found these verses in 2 Nephi 11:

5 And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.
6 And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
7 For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time.

I like verse 5 because he delights in grace and mercy. Why would I delight in grace unless it was active in my life where I continue to sin?



I like verse 6 because I like proving that all men must perish without Christ.





I like verse 7 because it shows the relationship between God and creation. However creation happened it had active involvement with God. If not, the atheists are right. No need for God. Non-God involved evolution undermines everything (no God, no Christ, no Justice, no Mercy, no right or wrong….). God involved creation is very important. If not, everything unravels. Satan knows this.