Hello
Brandon and EwiseY, @It
is Wednesday,
7/22/15, 4:40pm and I am at the FHC. @Some
day I hope to get Y over hear so he can refocus on accomplishments in
this world and build up some treasure in heaven. @I
just finished commenting on the following talk and adding a little
letter to the end on a different subject. I hope that the following
will be received with open hearts and that you know my mind is devoid
of offense of any kind towards you. @~~~The
Sabbath Is a Delight @By Elder Russell M. Nelson @By the
end of each week, my hands were sore from repeatedly scrubbing them
with soap, water, and a bristle brush. I also needed a breather from
the burden of a demanding profession. @v-I had never imagined
sore, overscrubbed cracking hands for a surgeon. Woah, what a
surprise! Every profession has its drawbacks/ liabilities. EricY has
to wear gloves if he wants to keep his hands from getting black.-car
mechanic. His back got sore and bothered him for years until he
started to care for it with exercising and stretching, yoga etc.
Teaching school I had 3 biggies: 1-constant pressure/stress about my
next lesson and unit. 2-braindead at night and reclusive on. 3-lost
muscle tone/ sore back. As a painter I had dirty hands, bad poisons
inhaled, brain unstimulated. Imagine being a guard: perhaps jail
guards are different but standing guarding, how boring! No physical
exercise and no brain stimulation. Could anything be worse! There is
no beautiful job when you are done like in painting, and there is no
exposure to dialog and wonderful new ideas, and building minds like
in teaching. For some people work really is miserable, toilsome,
unrewarding boring, work. I waited tables and talk about a sore back
and frustration through slow/ no customer hours! In '90 I
reconsidered teaching Jr. High. I thought working for the National
park service would be wonderful.-v@What did the Savior mean when He
said that “the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the
sabbath”?2 I believe He wanted us to understand that the Sabbath
was His gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily
life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave
us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest
from duty, with physical and spiritual relief. @v-I love this
idea. AS I listened to this talk I realized that banks being closed
on Sundays and Post Office and doctors are really a blessing!-v @In
Hebrew, the word Sabbath means “rest.” The purpose of the Sabbath
dates back to the Creation of the world, when after six days of labor
the Lord rested from the work of creation.3 When He later revealed
the Ten Commandments to Moses, God commanded that we “remember the
sabbath day, to keep it holy.” @v-I love the statement they
are the 10 commandments, not the 10 suggestions. And then the idea
that they are the lower law and not the higher law really puts
merchandizers to shame. Working at Denny's I saw many 7th day
adventists come in after church for a meal in their Sunday clothes.
My respect was tainted for a brother looking for a video on Sunday
when I had to take mine back over a decade ago. Bishop Kendall Jensen
encouraged us to be kind and non judgemental about what we saw taking
place in the park in our back yards on Sundays.-v@ Later, the
Sabbath was observed as a reminder of the deliverance of Israel from
their bondage in Egypt.@v-Boy, I am beginning to see how fast we
forget and how badly we need reminders of God's miracles!-v Perhaps
most important, the Sabbath was given as a perpetual covenant, a
constant reminder that the Lord may sanctify His people. @v-This
one is newer to me-v @In addition, we now partake of the sacrament on
the Sabbath day in remembrance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.7
Again, we covenant that we are willing to take upon us His holy
name. @The Savior identified Himself as Lord of the
Sabbath. @v-Cool, he is my God. I own him. I declare my loyalty
to him. -v@ It is His day! Repeatedly, He has asked us to keep
the Sabbath or to hallow the Sabbath day. We are under covenant to do
so. @v-this is a covenant I have carefully kept for decades. No
TV at my house. -v@It wasn’t until later that I learned from the
scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted
a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. I simply asked myself,
“What sign do I want to give to God?” That question made my
choices about the Sabbath day crystal clear.@-v beautiful secret and
concept.-v@How can you ensure that your behavior on the Sabbath will
lead to joy and rejoicing? @v-joy and rejoicing?-v@We make the
Sabbath a delight when we teach the gospel to our children. @No
other work transcends that of righteous, intentional
parenting! @v-Remember how a minute ago I was describing
drawbacks of specific professions? Work!-v@As you teach the gospel,
you will learn more. This is the Lord’s way of helping you to
comprehend His gospel. @v- this is so so true. You would not
believe how I have benefited from sharing with you my understandings
and commitments. -v@ Such study of the gospel makes the Sabbath
a delight. @When Isaiah described the Sabbath as “a delight,”
he also taught us how to make it delightful. He said:“If thou turn
away … from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath
a delight, … and shalt honour [the Lord], not doing thine own ways,
nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: @“Then
shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.”@Not pursuing your “own
pleasure” on the Sabbath requires self-discipline. You may have to
deny yourself of something you might like. If you choose to delight
yourself in the Lord, you will not permit yourself to treat it as any
other day. Routine and recreational activities can be done some other
time. @Think of this: In paying tithing, we return one-tenth of
our increase to the Lord. In keeping the Sabbath holy, we reserve one
day in seven as His. So it is our privilege to consecrate both money
and time to Him who lends us life each day. @Faith in God
engenders a love for the Sabbath; faith in the Sabbath engenders a
love for God. A sacred Sabbath truly is a delight. @Now, as this
conference comes to a close, we know that wherever
we live we are to be examples of the believers among our families,
neighbors, and friends.23 True believers keep the Sabbath day
holy. @v-When I had to work on Sundays at Denny's I thought that
to really show my commitment/ my sign to God I could donate all my
earnings to the church as Fast Offerings. I am ashamed to say I never
had that courage. -v@ Hello Brandon, I know you have been
working on the Sabbath Day. I am proud of you. As I have listened to
this talk over and over there were things in it that I just admired
and wanted to emphasize and share with you. My home teaching
companion is someone I would love to share it with as well. As you
can see, I did not include his whole talk, and I commented along the
way to make it more interesting to read and to encourage you to
comment and internalize as well. WE mark ourselves as Christians by
wearing garments, keeping the Sabbath and many other things. Since I
am going to give this to EY as well I am going to write something
about EwiseY that I find astounding. And from what I have heard and
seen of Varlo Davenport he is the same. I suspect that these are two
men, who have conquered their lusts. Here is my evidence. D-just
glossed over this topic when he taught an elder's quorum lesson and
we went on to deeper relationship with Christ and family relationship
concepts. It was just not an issue for Varlo. AS you know Brandon it
was the biggest issue of my personal life! So to have Varlo just pass
it off when I have had to learn extensive coping and conquering
techniques shocked me. You have heard me teach and declare my live
long challenge with that handicap and my joy at overcoming it more
than a decade ago. There was one day in EQ when Alan Averett put his
arm around me as I sobbed in joy about conquering that demon. Next, Y
enjoys beautiful jazz music. He would be perfectly fine with
listening to his jazz station everyday. He was kind enough to his
partners in their docks that he switched off every other day. Y-
loves technology and for years he was the sound system expert in the
ward. And as one piece of technology after another came out he was
first on the bandwagon. He and Jeff Whipple used to share stuff back
and forth. So why aren't D and Y addicted to sex? How have they
overcome that pervasive male addiction? I have no clue. But I am so
proud of them. GBY-BPS-EWY-vj
7/23/15
Hey Brandon, It is Thursday! You may have seen some beautiful
diagrams of the plan of salvation. I came across one the other night
and when I went hunting for it thinking I could send it to coz
Jpaul'68, I couldn't find it. I spent an hour or two looking! No
luck. But I did find about 50 new ones on Googleimages. Surprise! So
I sorted through them and found a nice pretty simple one to send him.
And then I sent him another one that I liked that was a little more
complex but cool. Jpaul wrote me back that he knows I believe that
with all my heart but, BUT he can't reconcile it with 1 Cor 15!! I
thanked him for daring to even consider it last night and went to
bed. Today I came over to the FHC and started a batch of II. But as I
worked my mind started asking myself, what is wrong with Chapter 15?
I couldn't delay any longer. I had to go analyze 1Cor15! It was scary
but fun. I did not know what I was going to find and whether or not I
would even understand the chapter. I was unfamiliar with which one it
was. So starting from scratch I began. Here are my results. I sent
this to Paul just now so later I'll see what he has to say. This is
the first time I have embarked on a journey like this with someone,
especially a relative, so it is very absorbing, interesting,
intriguing to me. I hope you feel a little of that. @~~Good
morning JPaul, Tomorrow is Friday, July
24, a Utah holiday commemorating the 1847 arrival of the first
pioneers. We call it Pioneer Day. @TEASE: Since we have made so much
progress on the Incredible Man (Exemplary) let’s switch to 1
Corinthians! : ) @Untease: Since you pointed me to Ch 15 I can’t
help but want to share with you my take on it. : ) To start I pasted
the chapter summaries leading up to 15. @I am on google drive and see
a little button that says comments in front of the left justification
sign. I have never used it before. By clicking on this comment button
it
opens another box for a reply. Could be useful if we were to learn
how to use it. @So this is what I believe about Paul the Apostle. 1
He persecuted the original saints. 2 He was totally committed! 3 Most
of us would not do an about face like Paul did. But HF n JC knew that
Paul was sincere and so, a personal visit from the resurrected Jesus
was not only a miracle but caused a miracle inside Paul himself. He
changed horses midstream. And then he went hog wild as an apostle of
Jesus Christ for the rest of his life. Just imagine how empty our
understanding would be without his writings. The appearance of Jesus
to Paul is just as wonderful a miracle to me as Jesus walking on the
water and inviting Peter to join him. Anyone who can believe these is
an awesome wonderful faithfilled soul! @Alma Jr. in the BoM was the
exact same type personality. So cool. And no, NO there was no way a
23 year old boy could have made up that story! : ) @Chapter
12 @The
Holy Ghost reveals that Jesus is the Christ—Spiritual gifts are
present among the Saints—Apostles, prophets, and miracles are found
in the true Church. @Chapter
13 @Paul
discusses the high status of charity—Charity, a pure love, excels
and exceeds almost all else. @Chapter
14 @People
should desire spiritual gifts—Tongues and prophecy are
compared—Prophecy is the greater gift—Paul
says,
You may all prophesy; covet to prophesy. @Chapter
15 @Christ
died for our sins—He rose from the dead and was seen by many—All
men will be resurrected—Paul speaks of baptism for the dead—The
three degrees of glory are described—Victory over death comes
through Christ. @Chapter
16 @Paul
counsels, Stand fast in the faith; let all things be done with
charity. @Chapter
15 @Christ
died for our sins—He rose from the dead and was seen by many—All
men will be resurrected—Paul speaks of baptism for the dead—The
three degrees of glory are described—Victory over death comes
through Christ. @1
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; @2 By
which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto
you, unless ye have believed in vain. I BELIEVE THESE WERE SAINTS WHO
HAD ALL BEEN BAPTIZED AND HAD HANDS LAID ON THEIR HEADS FOR THE GIFT
OF THE HOLY GHOST. AND BY GRACE THEY WILL BE SAVED AND BECAUSE OF
THEIR LOVE FOR CHRIST THEY WISH TO PLEASE HIM AND OBEY THE
COMMANDMENTS. BESIDES THAT OBEYING THE COMMANDMENTS IS EMPOWERING. @3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how
that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; SO SWEET,
PAUL SHARED WITH THEM THE MOST WONDERFUL THING IN HIS LIFE! @4 And
that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to
the scriptures: MIRACULOUS RESURRECTION. THE FIRST FRUITS OF THEM
THAT SLEPT. @5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
NOTICE HE LEAVES OUT THE WOMEN. OOPS. NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY, YOU ARE NOT
BEING POLITICALY CORRECT PAUL. (TONGUE IN CHEEK) Paul, is this
Cephas, Peter?vj @6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred
brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present,
but some are fallen asleep. @7 After that, he was seen of James; then
of all the apostles. @8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of
one born out of due time. I SUSPECT THIS MEANS AFTER EVERYONE ELSE.
@9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called
an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. CONFESSION. I
LOVE MEEK, GENUINE, CANDID MEN. JOHN WAS SO HUMBLE HE NEVER NAMED
HIMSELF IN HIS GOSPEL. AFTER DOING PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR 5 YEARS I SEE IT
IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT BUT IT IMPRESSED ME AS A TEENAGER BECAUSE I
DIDN’T WANT TO USE “I” TO MUCH IN MY WRITING. @10 But by the
grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed
upon
me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet
not I, but the grace of God which was with me.WE CAN ALL SAY THIS
CAN’T WE. I am what I am IT IS SORT OF A WAY OF ACCEPTING OUR
SHORTCOMINGS AND SAYING, OH WELL. HE THEN WORKED DANG HARD BUT GIVES
GOD THE CREDIT. YES! THIS IS THE WAY TO BRAG/ PROCLAIM/ DECLARE GOOD
WORKS APPROPRIATELY. @11 Therefore whether it
were
I
or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. VARIOUS AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVES TAUGHT THEM. @12 Now if Christ be preached that he
rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead? NOW HE STARTS TO TEACH THEM. @13 But if
there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: @14
And if Christ be not risen, then is
our
preaching vain, and your faith is
also
vain. @15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we
have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not
up, if so be that the dead rise not. @16 For if the dead rise not,
then is not Christ raised: @17 And if Christ be not raised, your
faith is
vain;
ye are yet in your sins. @18 Then they also which are fallen asleep
in Christ are perished. LOGIC! @19 If in this life only we have hope
in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. NICE CONCISE CONCLUSION
AND APPLICATION. @20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become
the firstfruits of them that slept. THE TRUTH. CONTRAST WITH THE ABOVE
OPPOSITE. THIS STRENGTHENS OUR MIND /BELIEF. @21 For since by man
came
death,
by man came
also
the resurrection of the dead. ADAM AND EVE BROUGHT DEATH INTO THE
WORLD. JESUS FIXED IT BY OPENING THE DOOR OF RESURRECTION. @22 For as
in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. NOTICE
ALL! @23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. UP UNTIL AND
INCLUDING CHRIST’S 2ND COMING IS THE MORNING OF THE FIRST
RESURRECTION. THESE ARE THE RIGHTEOUS. MANY CAME FROM THE TOMBS WHEN
HE DID! HE OPENED THE GATE. ONLY A GOD COULD OPEN THE GATE. ONLY THE
RIGHTEOUS WILL BE RESURRECTED TO BEGIN WITH.@ 24 Then cometh
the
end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the
Father; when he shall haveput down all rule and all authority and
power. AFTER CHRIST RULES FOR 1K YEARS SATAN WILL BE LOOSED AND
DEFEATED AND JESUS WILL PRESENT THIS PLANET TO THE FATHER. ITS WORK
WILL BE COMPLETE. @25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies
under his feet. MILLENIUM @26 The last enemy that
shall
be destroyed is
death.
WE WILL ALL BE IMMORTAL. @27 For he hath put all things under his
feet. But when he saith all things are put under him,
it is
manifest
that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. CHRIST
HAD/HAS POWER OVER ALL. @28 And when all things shall be subdued unto
him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all
things under him, that God may be all in all. HEAVENLY FATHER PUT
JESUS CHRIST IN CHARGE OF THIS WORLD. @29 Else what shall they do
which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are
they then baptized for the dead? JUST LIKE US THEY BAPTIZED FOR THE
DEAD. ALL MUST BE BAPTIZED TO BEGIN THEIR MEMBERSHIP IN GOD’S
KINGDOM. JUST LIKE CHRIST WAS BAPTIZED TO FULFILL A RIGHTEOUSNESS. TO
SHOW US THE WAY. TO BE THE PERFECT EXAMPLE. @30 And why stand we in
jeopardy every hour? @31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in
Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. WE SIN. @32 If after the manner
of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me,
if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
LOGIC AGAIN. @33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good
manners. OUR WORDS CAN CONDEMN US. WILL CONDEMN US BECAUSE WE ARE
FLAWED /FLESH. @34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have
not the knowledge of God: I speak this
to
your shame. YOU KNOW OF GOD AND ARE STILL SINNING. STOP IT. @35 But
some man
will
say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? @36
Thou
fool,
that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: @37 And that
which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare
grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
@38
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed
his own body. ALL LIVING THINGS HAVE THEIR OWN KIND OF BODY. @39 All
flesh is
not
the same flesh: but there
is
one
kind
of flesh
of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and
another
of birds. SAME. @40 There
are
also
celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the
celestial is
one,
and the glory
of
the terrestrial is
another.
NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE UNIVERSE AND THE ULTIMATE REWARDS. @41
There
is
one
glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of
the stars: for one
star
differeth from another
star
in glory. ALL BORN IN THIS LIFE WILL INHERIT A KINGDOM OF GLORY. A
MANSION APPROPRIATE TO OUR LIFESTYLE AND FAITH. @42 So also is
the
resurrection of the dead. It is sown incorruption; it is raised in
incorruption: OUR PERFECT SPIRITS CAME DOWN BY BIRTH TO BE
@FLESH-CORRUPTION / DECAY / DIE. BUT OUR RESURRECTED BODIES WILL BE
PERFECT AND NEVER DIE. @43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in
glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: SAME. @44 It is
sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a
natural body, and there is a spiritual body. OUR SPIRIT IS PUT IN A
BODY WHEN WE ARE BORN. WE HAVE BOTH. A SOUL IS A BODY AND A SPIRIT.
WE ARE WHOLE, COMPLETE WHEN JOINED SPIRIT AND BODY. @45 And so it is
written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was
made
a
quickening spirit. ADAM RECEIVED A BODY. CHRIST HAD POWER OVER DEATH
BECAUSE
HE WAS A GOD-JEHOVAH WITH A MISSION TO PERFORM TO BRING TO PASS THE
FATHER’S PLAN. @46 Howbeit that was
not
first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward
that which is spiritual. WE HAVE A VEIL BLOCKING OUR MEMORY OF THE
SPIRITUAL LIFE WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. SO WHEN WE THINK BACK WE
DON’T REMEMBER. @47 The first man is
of
the earth, earthy: the second man is
the
Lord from heaven. @48 As is
the
earthy, such are
they
also that are earthy: and as is
the
heavenly, such are
they
also that are heavenly. @49 And as we have borne the image of the
earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. HEY, YOU GUYS!
JUST LIKE WE HAVE A BODY AND WERE BORN TO THIS EARTH, THERE IS A LIFE
AFTERWARDS. HEAVEN IS THE REAL PURPOSE FOR THIS EARTH. THIS IS JUST A
STAGE, THE ONLY ONE WE KNOW, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER STAGE AS REAL AS
THIS ONE WHERE JESUS IS RIGHT NOW! @50 Now this I say, brethren, that
flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth
corruption inherit incorruption. @51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We
shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, @52 In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall
sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed. @53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must
put
on immortality. @54 So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then
shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory. ALL WILL BE RESURRECTED. @55 O death, where
is
thy
sting? O grave, where is
thy
victory? HAH, HAH, CHRIST WINS! @56 The sting of death is
sin;
and the strength of sin is
the
law. BUT SIN HURTS US. THE LAW, THE COMMANDMENTS
EMPOWER
US. @57 But thanks be
to
God, which giveth us the victorythrough our Lord Jesus Christ. YOU
AND I PAUL, BOTH CAN CHEER WITH THIS ONE! @58 Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in
the Lord. NO GOOD WORKS WILL GO UNREWARDED IN THE NEXT LIFE! FOR
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS THERE WILL YOU HEART BE ALSO. @SO OUR BODIES
ARE MADE OF DUST, EARTH, ELEMENTS WHICH WILL RETURN TO THE EARTH. BUT
SOME OF THEM WILL BE OURS FOREVER WHEN WE ARE RESURRECTED. OUR
SPIRITS ARE MADE OF A MATTER MORE FINE. OUR SPIRITUAL BODIES ENTER
PHYSICAL BODIES WHEN WE COME DOWN TO THIS WORLD FROM HEAVEN. OUR
SPIRIT LEAVES OUR BODY WHEN WE DIE. UNLESS WE GET TWINKLED AT
CHRIST’S 2ND COMING WHEN A BODY WOULD JUST BE CHANGED. @WE HAVE A
CHAPTER ELABORATING THE DEGREES OF GLORY IN THE DOCTRINE AND
COVENANTS 76. CELESTIAL, TERESTRIAL, TELESTIAL. AND IN EACH OF THOSE
DEGREES OF GLORY THERE WELL BE INFINITE VARIATIONS MATCHING US. AND
THE 3 MEMBERS OF THE GODHEAD WILL BE AVAILBLE IN THE CELESTIAL
KINGDOM. THE SAVIOR AND HOLY GHOST IN THE TERESTRIAL AND THE HOLY
GHOST ONLY IN THE TELESTIAL. @Well Paul, that is my take on the
chapter. What is yours? @Thank you for this opportunity.~~@
gby-bltpjs-vj
