"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matt 7:24-25)
It's no surprise that Christ's teachings could sometimes be considered cryptic. However, this little parable makes a great deal of sense, if we can just understand what "the rock" is that Christ is referring to. On a separate occasion, Christ was speaking with his apostles and asked, "But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matt 16:15-18) In this case, Christ was referring to revelation as the translation for 'rock'. It was revelation that helped Peter know that Jesus was the Christ and the Savior of the world. It was through revelation that the prophets of the Old Testament led the church and their people. It is by revelation that prophets lead God's church today. It was by revelation that I was chosen to go to Japan. And it is by revelation that I, like Peter, know that Jesus is my Savior. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is operated by men. Men inspired by revelation. Revelation is the rock of this church. And, as Christ said, because our church is based on revelation, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
One of the frustrating things about reading The Bible and Book of Mormon is that there are so many symbols that have varying meanings; as is the case with Christ's geological symbol. "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalms 18:2) Throughout the scriptures, Christ is cited as being a rock; he is the rock of our salvation (Hel 5:12), a refused building stone that became the headstone (Psalms 118:12), rock of offence (Isaiah 8:14), etc. I think it's safe to say that Christ, as well as revelation, is our rock.
Either way, should you build your house on these rocks, it will not fail, but withstand any storm or disturbance it is attacked with. Build your family around the teachings of Christ. Seek for his guidance in leading your family. This still applies to you if, like me, you are a family of one. I seek to keep Christ in my life always. I have scripture study every morning with my roommates, and when I'm not reading my scriptures, I'm thinking about them. Often, this extended meditation leads to revelation in the most unexpected circumstances and in regards to the most random subjects.
Christ is our rock. He is our salvation. You are entitled to revelation. Ask for it, and build your foundation on steel reinforced with an indestructible witness of our Father in Heaven's existence and his love for you.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
The Tokyo Approach
This afternoon, upon returning home from church, I decided to watch a wonderful film called The Saratov Approach. For those who haven't seen it, WATCH IT! It's available for instant streaming on Netflix. It's the story of 2 missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who were kidnapped while serving in the Saratov area of Russia. It follows the events that happened to them over the course of the 5 days they were imprisoned. It may not have been the greatest movie ever filmed, but it truly was inspirational to watch a dramatization of not only their faith, but their families' as well. Their faith helped them know that their God cared for them as well as their kidnappers.
I, too, spent 2 years in service as a missionary. I was not kidnapped. I wasn't beaten. Nobody spat on me. I was ridiculed for my belief in Christ. I had doors slammed in my face. If Japanese people swore, I'm sure they would have sworn at me. There were some that were rather rude, however. I got discouraged. I wondered how I could help Japanese people if I couldn't even speak Japanese. In a land so void of Christianity, I truly felt alone with my companion some days walking down the streets. I felt pointless when we ended the day without any physical, or numerical proof to express our efforts of the day.
New Investigators-0
Lessons Taught-0
Lessons Taught with a Member Present-0
Referrals Received-0
Referrals Contacted-0
Too many days ended this way. When I first got to Japan, my planner looked like this for MONTHS. I felt helpless. I wanted to do something but didn't know what was going on.
In the movie, the thought patterns of the missionaries is laid out very clearly. First, they fear they will die. Their faith kicks in and they begin to pray. They understand that what they're going through has to be harder on their family and friends than themselves, so they pray for their families. And, unavoidably, they pray for their kidnappers.
I was never afraid for my life, but I did follow a similar progression. For a time, I was stuck and confused. Then, my thoughts turned to family and friends I had left behind. Some may have missed me. However, I was sure that everyone was too busy to be concerned about me. Nonetheless, I prayed for my family and friends. But there came a time during my service that I began praying for the people around me. I prayed for my companion. I prayed for the people we were teaching. I prayed for the people at church. I prayed for the people in the city to listen to me. When I developed that charity, my attitude and mission changed. I began working out of my love for every person I saw. I wanted them to know that our Heavenly Father loves them.
I wasn't the best missionary. Not by a long shot. But I worked hard. I did what I could. I know that I was able to help someone somewhere. Even if nobody in any of my areas remembers me, even if I didn't actually help anyone, I was converted during those 2 years in Japan. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church on the Earth. I love Christ's gospel, and I know it to be true. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the outstanding impact it has had in my life. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He lives. And, because He lives, you and I, too, can live.
I, too, spent 2 years in service as a missionary. I was not kidnapped. I wasn't beaten. Nobody spat on me. I was ridiculed for my belief in Christ. I had doors slammed in my face. If Japanese people swore, I'm sure they would have sworn at me. There were some that were rather rude, however. I got discouraged. I wondered how I could help Japanese people if I couldn't even speak Japanese. In a land so void of Christianity, I truly felt alone with my companion some days walking down the streets. I felt pointless when we ended the day without any physical, or numerical proof to express our efforts of the day.
New Investigators-0
Lessons Taught-0
Lessons Taught with a Member Present-0
Referrals Received-0
Referrals Contacted-0
Too many days ended this way. When I first got to Japan, my planner looked like this for MONTHS. I felt helpless. I wanted to do something but didn't know what was going on.
In the movie, the thought patterns of the missionaries is laid out very clearly. First, they fear they will die. Their faith kicks in and they begin to pray. They understand that what they're going through has to be harder on their family and friends than themselves, so they pray for their families. And, unavoidably, they pray for their kidnappers.
I was never afraid for my life, but I did follow a similar progression. For a time, I was stuck and confused. Then, my thoughts turned to family and friends I had left behind. Some may have missed me. However, I was sure that everyone was too busy to be concerned about me. Nonetheless, I prayed for my family and friends. But there came a time during my service that I began praying for the people around me. I prayed for my companion. I prayed for the people we were teaching. I prayed for the people at church. I prayed for the people in the city to listen to me. When I developed that charity, my attitude and mission changed. I began working out of my love for every person I saw. I wanted them to know that our Heavenly Father loves them.
I wasn't the best missionary. Not by a long shot. But I worked hard. I did what I could. I know that I was able to help someone somewhere. Even if nobody in any of my areas remembers me, even if I didn't actually help anyone, I was converted during those 2 years in Japan. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church on the Earth. I love Christ's gospel, and I know it to be true. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the outstanding impact it has had in my life. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He lives. And, because He lives, you and I, too, can live.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Knowing God
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
What does it take to know God? Can we know God?
In Japan, many of my friends perceived God as an influence that was not one being, but in all aspects of nature. Christianity and some other religions hold on to a monotheistic belief. No matter their belief, everyone seems to understand their God as an omnipotent, ever-present force. They fear it. They respect it.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ, we are the same. We fear God. We worship God. We pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ. We love God. However, we also cherish the close, personal relationship we can have with God, which is evident in how we prominently refer to him as our "Heavenly Father."
To some, it may seem odd, but I have come to know God through the hard times in my life. I came to know that God loves me. I escaped from a family get-together one evening after once again being targeted by everyone in the room. I was livid, and was determined never to see any of them ever again when I grew older and moved away. The anger built up inside of me was unhealthy. I knelt down at my bed and was instantly calmed. An odd sensation filled my body and I knew that God was telling me that he loves me, but that he expects more from me.
I know God listens to my prayers. The last few months, I have shouldered more responsibilities than the average college student should. I've turned to my Heavenly Father in prayer for help. He didn't do my homework for me. He didn't do everyone else's homework. He didn't assign home teaching. He didn't run the Engineering Club. He did give me strength and focus to do everything I needed to and several things I wanted to. Everyone looked at me as a firm support to rely on. I was a source for help to a lot of people. I was expected not to ask questions, but to answer them. I became frustrated. I wasn't necessarily growing tired of helping people, but I began waiting for someone to come help me. When they didn't come, I was so aggravated. But, as I have come to habitually pray, I turned to God and he kindly reminded me that He was, is, and always will be there to help me.
I know God answers my prayers. As missionaries, we prayed to know where to go. We prayed to find people to share our message with. I never saw a vision while I was sleeping of a building we were meant to visit. I never looked at the map and suddenly thought, "THAT is where we're supposed to go!" But, on numerous occasions, I told my Father where I was going, and pleaded with him to place people in my path that would listen. On more occasions than I can count, we found an investigator on our way to a planned proselyting area, and then didn't have success where we intended to go. As a college student, I have voiced my concerns and dreams with my God. He knows my ambitions, and I know he answers my prayers because he is helping me live my dreams.
Everybody has different experiences at different times in their lives. Each encounter means more to you than it will mean to anyone else because there are feelings attached to those memories that nobody else felt. No matter the trouble or the guidance, you can know God. You can have a relationship with him. He knows you. He's just waiting for you to get to know him.
What does it take to know God? Can we know God?
In Japan, many of my friends perceived God as an influence that was not one being, but in all aspects of nature. Christianity and some other religions hold on to a monotheistic belief. No matter their belief, everyone seems to understand their God as an omnipotent, ever-present force. They fear it. They respect it.
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ, we are the same. We fear God. We worship God. We pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ. We love God. However, we also cherish the close, personal relationship we can have with God, which is evident in how we prominently refer to him as our "Heavenly Father."
To some, it may seem odd, but I have come to know God through the hard times in my life. I came to know that God loves me. I escaped from a family get-together one evening after once again being targeted by everyone in the room. I was livid, and was determined never to see any of them ever again when I grew older and moved away. The anger built up inside of me was unhealthy. I knelt down at my bed and was instantly calmed. An odd sensation filled my body and I knew that God was telling me that he loves me, but that he expects more from me.
I know God listens to my prayers. The last few months, I have shouldered more responsibilities than the average college student should. I've turned to my Heavenly Father in prayer for help. He didn't do my homework for me. He didn't do everyone else's homework. He didn't assign home teaching. He didn't run the Engineering Club. He did give me strength and focus to do everything I needed to and several things I wanted to. Everyone looked at me as a firm support to rely on. I was a source for help to a lot of people. I was expected not to ask questions, but to answer them. I became frustrated. I wasn't necessarily growing tired of helping people, but I began waiting for someone to come help me. When they didn't come, I was so aggravated. But, as I have come to habitually pray, I turned to God and he kindly reminded me that He was, is, and always will be there to help me.
I know God answers my prayers. As missionaries, we prayed to know where to go. We prayed to find people to share our message with. I never saw a vision while I was sleeping of a building we were meant to visit. I never looked at the map and suddenly thought, "THAT is where we're supposed to go!" But, on numerous occasions, I told my Father where I was going, and pleaded with him to place people in my path that would listen. On more occasions than I can count, we found an investigator on our way to a planned proselyting area, and then didn't have success where we intended to go. As a college student, I have voiced my concerns and dreams with my God. He knows my ambitions, and I know he answers my prayers because he is helping me live my dreams.
Everybody has different experiences at different times in their lives. Each encounter means more to you than it will mean to anyone else because there are feelings attached to those memories that nobody else felt. No matter the trouble or the guidance, you can know God. You can have a relationship with him. He knows you. He's just waiting for you to get to know him.
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