Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Jesus Christ, the Creator 1 Nephi 20:12

1 Nephi 20:12
Jesus Christ, the Creator
What
 12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, for I am he; I am the afirst, and I am also the last.

You have a calling as a chosen people. You are called to serve. I am Jesus Christ, I was there at the creation and will be there at the final judgement.

Why
Jesus is identifying himself as the God of the Old Testament and a member of the Godhead and the final judge.

Pattern
Rev. 1:17
17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
22:13
13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the firstand the last.
Ps. 89:27
27  Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
Isa. 41:14
14  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, andye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Ps. 96:13
13  Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
D&C 29:1
1  Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;
D&C 39:1
1  Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ—
3 Ne. 11:14
14  Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the Godof Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

Christ
Jesus Christ is the God of this earth , the creator and the final judge. He did it with the direction of God the Father.

Conference
10/16 Cook
Valiant in The Testimony of Jesus Christ
A stumbling block is “an impediment to belief or understanding” or “an obstacle to progress.”4 To stumble spiritually is “to fall into sin or waywardness.”5 A stumbling block can be anything that distracts us from achieving righteous goals.
We cannot afford to have our testimonies of the Father and the Son become confused and complicated by stumbling blocks. We cannot fall into that trap. Our testimonies of Them need to remain pure and simple like my father’s simple defense of the power pole on the ranch where he grew up.
What are some of the stumbling blocks that confuse and complicate our pure and simple testimony of the Father and the Son and keep us from being valiant in that testimony?

One Stumbling Block Is the Philosophies of Men

We are committed to knowledge of every kind and believe “the glory of God is intelligence.”6 But we also know that the preferred strategy of the adversary is to lead people away from God and cause them to stumble by emphasizing the philosophies of men over the Savior and His teachings.
The Apostle Paul was a sure witness of Jesus Christ because of a miraculous and life-changing experience with the Savior.7 Paul’s unique background prepared him to relate to people of many cultures. He loved the “frank simplicity” of the Thessalonians and the “tender sympathy” of the Philippians.8 He initially found it more difficult to relate to the intellectual and sophisticated Greeks. In Athens on Mars’ Hill, he attempted a philosophical approach and was rejected. To the Corinthians he determined to simply teach “the doctrine of Christ crucified.”9 To use the Apostle Paul’s own words:
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
Heber C. Kimball was one of the original Twelve Apostles of this dispensation and First Counselor to President Brigham Young. He warned: “The time is coming when … it will be difficult to tell the face of a Saint from the face of an enemy to the people of God. Then … look out for the great sieve, for there will be a great sifting time, and many will fall.” He concluded that there is “a TEST coming.”14
In our day, the influence of Christianity in many countries, including the United States, is significantly reduced. Without religious beliefs, there is no feeling of accountability to God. Accordingly, it is hard to establish universal values about how to live. Philosophies which are deeply held often conflict with each other.
Unfortunately, this also happens with some members of the Church who lose their bearings and become influenced by the cause of the moment—many of which are clearly not righteous.
In line with Heber C. Kimball’s prophecy, Elder Neal A. Maxwell said in 1982: “Much sifting will occur because of lapses in righteous behavior which go unrepented of. A few will give up instead of holding out to the end. A few will be deceived by defectors. Likewise, others will be offended, for sufficient unto each dispensation are the stumbling blocks thereof!”15

Another Stumbling Block Is Refusing to See Sin in Its True Light

One of the unique and troubling aspects of our day is that many people engage in sinful conduct but refuse to consider it sinful. They have no remorse or willingness to acknowledge their conduct as being morally wrong. Even some who profess a belief in the Father and the Son wrongfully take the position that a loving Father in Heaven should exact no consequences for conduct that is contrary to His commandments.

Looking beyond the Mark Is a Stumbling Block

The prophet Jacob referred to ancient Jews as “a stiffnecked people [who] despised … plainness, … killed the prophets, and sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall.”24
While there are many examples of looking beyond the mark,25 a significant one in our day is extremism. Gospel extremism is when one elevates any gospel principle above other equally important principles and takes a position that is beyond or contrary to the teachings of Church leaders. One example is when one advocates for additions, changes, or primary emphasis to one part of the Word of Wisdom. Another is expensive preparation for end-of-days scenarios. In both examples, others are encouraged to accept private interpretations. “If we turn a health law or any other principle into a form of religious fanaticism, we are looking beyond the mark.”26

Conclusion

If we are to be valiant in our testimony of Jesus, we must avoid the stumbling blocks that entrap and impede the progress of many otherwise honorable men and women. Let us determine to always be in His service. While seeking knowledge, we need to avoid the philosophies of men that lessen our commitment to the Savior. We must see sin in its true light and accept the Savior’s Atonement through repentance. We need to avoid looking beyond the mark and focus on Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, and follow His doctrine.
One writer suggests that stumbling blocks may be made into “stepping-stones to a noble character and to Heaven.”31
For us, being valiant in our testimony of Jesus is a stepping-stone toward qualifying for the Savior’s grace and the celestial kingdom. Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven by which we may be saved.32 I bear my sure witness of both His divinity and His supernal role in the Father’s plan. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Apply
Never stop praying, Never stop studying His words, Never stop repenting.
In other words. Keep praying and studying and obeying the commandments.

Some people say that there is no God because they cannot see Him. That is like saying here is no internet because we can't see it. Or there is no wind because we can't see it.
Keep the commandments, learn of Him every day so you can feel of His spirit and know Him. Remember who you are. A son or daughter of God. Love the Lord the God.
The following scriptures give us great counsel.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart:Deut. 6:5; ( Moro. 10:32D&C 59:5; )
God is love:1 Jn. 4:8;
  • We love him, because he first loved us:1 Jn. 4:19;
  • Christ suffereth because of his loving kindness towards men:1 Ne. 19:9;
  • Press forward with a love of God and of all men:2 Ne. 31:20;
  • Ye will teach your children to love and serve one another:Mosiah 4:15;
  • If ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, can ye feel so now?:Alma 5:26;
  • Be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming patient, full of love:Alma 13:28;
Hymns
87-God Is Love
62-All Creatures of Our God And King
86- How Great thou Art

Children
231 All Things Bright and Beautiful





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