Jesus Christ & His Gospel

"And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, 
and hearken unto his great commandments; 
and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, 
according to the will of his Holy Spirit" (2 Nephi 2:28)

I learned something super cool this week -- well, not learned, so much as understood. It's like a little light bulb went off,  just like in the cartoons. 

We were studying in Moses and Genesis this week, reading and learning more about the Fall in depth. It amazes me how much we adore and appreciate Mother Eve, I love how much we can look up to her and find her exemplar. In other religions, such gratitude is not frequent for the choice Eve and Adam made. But with modern revelation, translations, and living prophets, we know that the Fall was part of the Lord's plan and is something we are eternally grateful for -- because without it, we wouldn't be here today, becoming like our Father in heaven through mortality.

"And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, 

but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. 

And all things which were created must have remained in the same state 

in which they were after they were created; 

and they must have remained forever, and had no end. 

And they would have had no children; 

wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, 

having no joy, for they knew no misery; 

doing no good, for they knew no sin." (2 Nephi 2:22-23)

What a difference it makes to have more records, witnesses, and revelations of why the Fall occurred and the how -- now we are able to understand more so, how "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things" (2 Nephi 2:24).

Anyway, that's just a side note -- we learned a lot this week. What blew my mind the most, is the understanding of a temporal law and an eternal law. 

"Don't eat the fruit" is a temporal law in Eden. It does not determine salvation -- Adam and Eve will still be able to achieve Celestial glory despite having ate the fruit. It is also temporary because it was only a law in the Garden of Eden. 

"Multiply and replenish the earth" is an eternal law. It is a commandment passed down through all generations of time. It is the higher law -- the law Adam and Eve must fulfill. The commandment we still have today.

The choice between these two laws is agency building. The Lord is saying that if they want to stay in the garden, they cannot eat the fruit; but if they want to enter mortality, then the choice to eat the fruit is given to them. 

Ah, I just love that. What a settling truth to help expand and strengthen our testimonies of the fall.

Also, another quick side note:  Ever wonder why Christ is called "Son of Man?" Because it is shortened from the Adamic language, "Son of Man of Holiness." ♥

Jesus Christ & the Creation

"Behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things."

2 Nephi 2:24

I love this painting -- Adam and Eve are leaving the Garden and walking in to a whole new world of life full of pain and joy, good and evil. Adam, right beside Eve and lovingly guiding her, as Eve looks back to what they chose to leave. Ahead of them, the purpose of this life unfolds. What courage and confidence in the Lord and His detailed planning. That's the only way His Plan could have worked, with salvation as the ultimate, righteous gift. Purposefully planned, prepared, and carried out by trustworthy and noble children of God, the Lord placed Adam and Eve on the Earth He created. 

The Plan of Salvation was known in full to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as they carried out the Creation. As they placed Adam and Eve upon the Earth, they were sure to give their children the guidance and knowledge necessary. Angels were sent to teach Adam and Eve of the Plan, and as they went about they learned. With no transgression, all things would have stayed in the same state as they were created (2 Nephi 2:22) -- with no progression nor regression, with no opposition nor righteousness, with no sadness nor joy (2 Nephi 2:11). By partaking of the fruit, Adam and Eve successfully helped the Lord "bring about His Eternal purposes" (2 Nephi 2:15), for "all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things" (2 Nephi 2:24). The Fall was part of the Plan of Salvation from the beginning -- that's why the Atonement was planned and why choices matter. That is how each one of us will one day be able to return to our Father in Heaven, our Savior Jesus Christ, and all our loved ones. 

The Creation was part of a Plan of Happiness. Happiness you will have.

"You were created 'that you might have joy.' Joy you will feel when you worthily return to your Heavenly Father and Savior and step in to their warm embrace" -Elder Randall K. Bennett

I know that we are spiritual children of a loving Father in Heaven and He has an extensive, beautiful plan for each one of us. He wants us to be happy, in all that we do. To have good lives, full lives, and eternal joy. Though a difficult life, full of ups and downs, our Lord is all-knowing, all-loving, and desires nothing more than our eternal life to be full of joy and rejoicing. As part of His plan, we have the opportunity to come to know Him and our Savior and all that they have done for us.

"And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God." (Moses 5:9-11)

What a miraculous blessing, knowledge, and comfort.

The Cosmic Christ & Coming Forth of the Bible

This week I was reading in the Pearl of Great Price, more specifically in the book of Moses. Though there are many perspectives, doctrines, and principles within the chapter, a certain few verses caught my attention. Many focus their attention on where Moses has conversations with the Lord and with the Devil, when he is called Son of God verses man. I love these scriptures and they speak truth to my heart and mind, however, this time around I focused more on the conversation later in the chapter,rather than what Moses is called. When the devil is speaking to him and clearly berating the conversation Moses just had with the Lord,  Moses' response is clear: "I can judge between thee and God" (Moses 1:15). 

Just as Moses, we have (and can have) the power and gift of discernment. We'll be able to judge between what is of God and what is evil. As we come to know and recognize the characteristics of our Father in Heaven, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Spirit, we will be able to recognize their presence and guidance throughout our day to day lives. Though we will still be temped, we also have the follow-up response Moses used, "Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not" (Moses 1:16). These are statements of truth and testimony, and with their powerful words and the faith to support them, we too can have these gifts of the Spirit to discern and protect. We, too, must "lift [our] eyes unto heaven, being filled with the Holy Ghost" (Moses 1:24). We know, through many experiences and records (see 3 Nephi 17:24), that as we lift our eyes toward heaven seeking guidance, direction, and comfort, it WILL come.

I'd like to close with one of my favorite quotes, because let's be honest, what would my writing be without a quote.

"Through His counsel and our prayers, we can reach into the heavens and personally commune with the infinite. Through faith, heaven itself can be moved in our behalf. Doors will be opened and answers received." --Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin