Sunday School 42 - Ether 12-15
Faith and Reason CS Lewis wrote...
"In getting a dog out of a trap, in extracting a thorn from a child’s finger, in teaching a boy to swim or
rescuing one who can’t, in getting a frightened beginner over a nasty place on the mountain, the one
fatal obstacle may be their distrust.... We ask them to believe that what is painful will relieve their pain, and that which looks dangerous is their only safety. We ask them to accept apparent impossibilities: that moving the paw farther back into the trap is the way to get it out—that hurting the finger very much more will stop the finger from hurting, that water which is obviously permeable will resist and support the body… that to go higher and onto an exposed ledge is the way not to fall."
God asks that we use our faith to combat the reason that incorporates our fear to cause that internal wrestle, do we trust God or our senses?
Martin Harris wrestled with his faith and he taught proof over and over again but it was not proof that allowed him to see an angel or the plates but faith. Do we demand proof of our physical senses ignoring that our spiritual senses have already witnessed the things that we wanted from God? Sometimes he asks what we think is impossible. For Nephi, Noah and Jared, it was build a boat, Daniel faced lions, Jonah faced a whale, and Jesus faced a garden and cross. Did they know the outcome? (I know you are thinking well, Jesus did, but the others did not.) God asks us to trust him even when reason says don't.
Remember the rod of iron was in the dark with Lehi and Nephi in the vision of the tree. Hold on in the darkness to the things you know are true. Light will come when you least expect it and will light your path. I know for myself I felt that my journey was like a sidewalk in the dark and I haven't always seen the street lights of insight, comfort or personal revelation, but slowly I have gain a testimony that the light is there, the Holy Ghost is a mere whisper away, and forgiveness is immediate to the penitent heart.
Brothers and sisters, perdition moments may come but we must be like the brother of Jared, loyal, always coming back when we are called and gathered like a hen to her chicks. The prodigal son was received with open arms. We should not let sin inebriate us so that we can only see our temporal self, the carnal sensual and devilish side of us but but seek the immortal, spiritual self that was once with a loving Heavenly Father and Savior.
Jared could not be helded without the veil because of the level of trust that he had. His faith allowed himself to behold the face of Christ and harken to his words and this because he was willing to show the Lord what he had to offer so it could be magnified. In our prayer do we say, "here am I" when he calls us to harken to the words of a loving parent? Have we sought the Savior in magnifying our talents or to illuminate our path in our callings? Do we harken to his instructions and take his chastisements with an open heart?
When we say faith, hope and charity, what does it mean? Does the thoughts lead us to thoughtful prayer? Do we plead for wisdom and insight. I reflect on some insights that I got this week. At times we see ourselves like a tomato. A tomato is a fruit but if we see ourselves as a fruit only and not as the peculiar fruit the tomato is, we will demand the Lord to put us in the fruit salad to bless and edify the other fruits and then be angry that we were put in a hamburger. Question not our circumstances but ask the Lord how we can bless and edify others, praising God and be a good example to those around us.
Alexander the Great was once attributes saying quote, "Upon the conduct of each, depends the fate of all." We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. No one is above the other, there is no higharchy. We are all important and the Lord wants us all to help others return to see a face so familiar yet forgotten, to be embraced by arms unfelt in such a long time, it's only a dream. We must strive to help others see such thought and strive it also in the way that they know how.
It is said in the film, Prince of Egypt, "Though hope is frail it is hard to kill." It might also be small like a seed like mustard but it is also resilient. We will go though hard time that will try and challenge us to our own personal breaking point but we must endure hanging on the deep resounding and resilient trust that God has given us. I know he also gave us weakness (Ether 12:27) but remember that is a gift, not a curse or thrust upon us but a generous gift that allows us to be ourselves to choose our path.
Do you remember the Disney film Mulan? She was given weights and asked to climb a pole and at first it seemed impossible but with time she was inspired with a solution. We are asked to come to heaven with faith and loyalty. For some its a weight and the task difficult. Our weakness and shortcomings could be anything but if you think of it, it was being human, a being who could be tempted, hurt, seduced, swayed, threatened, and yes, even killed, and for what? The best experience we could of imagined. We are like the painting of Adam and God, given a chance to touch heaven and see a face we long to see.
Remember desire leads, to belief, to faith, and finally knowledge. Start where you are and build from there. In some things you may be at the desired state, other things you might be at belief, or faith and or knowledge. You have the means to see the or hear the Lord when you harken and behold the things he has already shown us. He doesn't ask us to just read the scriptures but study the books of scripture for our benefit.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/book-of-mormon-seminary-teacher-manual-2024/48-ether-12-15/481-teacher?lang=eng
Moroni saw his weakness, do we see ours? I still think I am a ADD writer, but a dear friend said how poetic my writing was. Press forward with your talents and skills. You may not always hear the comments for what you do seemingly alone. God watches as does your family and friends, they just might not show it. God said to Ether I will make weak things strong, not take it away. Maybe we will curse our humanity. Be patient with the ones that have not discovered how much a blessing our humanity is. God really loves us. Embrace our duality. We are spirits and flesh, weaklings and strong powerhouses, loyalists and sinners. It's ok that we are on a path of learning. Life isn't being perfect but to stay on the path of perfection.
This week was a real treat with the wars and disputes but I thought I'd give you a little more the helped the brother of Jared and Ether. Know I prayer for you and your success. You guys are awesome brothers and sisters. Bless you, your homes and friends.
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