we believe but do we understand? 4

[gwoods]

I Will Go No Further! 4

Our time in this life is intended, according to scripture, to be a time of choosing, a time of experiences, a probationary period afforded us for working out our salvation.

Alma 12:24 “…there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead”.

Alma 34:32 “…the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. 33 …do not procrastinate the day of your repentance …which is given us to prepare for eternity,”

This is our time to “prepare for eternity”, there is however, for those that understand probation and have concern about their “state …after the resurrection,” a subtle danger.

Our mortal existence seems to be fraught with milestones that when reached, make us feel content, for a season, with what we’ve accomplished, where we’re satisfied and subsequently feel less anxious about our own progression. In scriptural accounts of the pre-mortal war in heaven, there were those that declared a halt to their own progression by rebelling against Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption.

“…a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency; And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels; And, behold, there is a place prepared for them from the beginning, which place is hell”.

We’re taught that some rejoiced when the plan was presented and the Lord Jehovah was anointed to be our Savior and Redeemer. There must have also been, with our jubilation, sadness; we must have felt heart-breaking grief, as we watched our rebellious sibling spirits declare, by their choice to rebel: “I will go no further.” In spite of the impending penalty, of being cast out of Heavenly Father’s presence, numberless spirit beings chose to rebel; consequently limiting themselves to an eternity long spiritual death. Lacking the courage to believe and devoid of faith these beings sought for glory without effort by attempting to become a law unto themselves.

It would’ve been fortunate for us, if that weakness, the impulse to plateau, had been purged from the family of man when, “a third part of the host of heaven …were thrust down”. Instead, in this mortal realm, many seem to stop progressing once they achieve or have overcome enough of their wicked nature that they can rationally say, “I’m a good person.”

Whenever we, like a third of our spirit family, attempt to disregard, disbelieve, or rebel against the eternal laws that even God is subject to, are in danger of a fate different than theirs, but just as permanent. The deceived are content to allow the adversary to discount the validity and the power of a final Judgment Day. Desiring to live worldly ways and to maintain stiff-necked traditions some are content with the preaching of the day: “don’t worry everything’s gonna be okay.” Even good kids grow up with some bad habits and have a tendency to experiment with a “little sin.” As they grow up and develop more adult-like behavior, they are tempted by the doctrine: “I will go no further.” To succumb to this anti-doctrine is rebellion that is as dangerous now as when it was practiced by our pre-mortal siblings.

Men and women marry, begin the building of a family, then they focus on the chores of life. Considerable time and energy is devoted to social, emotional, and financial needs. Diligent attention to these needs by the world’s standards, make up the dynamics of a good life. When all these elements are in place, life is good, and seems to be complete. The urge to pursue spiritual needs is often left to those that recognize the need for salvation; those with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Most seem to drift along content that “everything’s gonna be okay ‘cause “I’m a good person.” Others, those that recognize the promptings of the spirit, feel the need not just be a “good person” but to be saved. These “I need to be saved”, feelings prompt some of us to seek redemption.

The danger of allowing ourselves to coast to a stop is that everything we hold dear is at risk. The Lord has given us, not just the commandments but also examples, formulas, and priesthood ordinances, and we are required to overcome and to repent. How then, do we avoid life’s plateaus? Is regular church attendance an assurance that our progress is acceptable? Is there any danger in an, “I’ll just live my life and hope for the best attitude”? When we realize that we’re drifting off course; that we’re not as focused on eternal life as we should be, when job, leisure, and recreation begin to interfere with Sabbath-day observance and our church callings what do we do?

The Lord provided section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants as His answer for these questions. This section contains instruction for the Ordinance of the Sacrament. Verse 75 sets the criteria for observance of this ordinance: “It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus;” Per this verse, “it is expedient”; necessary for our salvation that we participate in this ordinance, often. Weekly we are allowed to renew our covenants with the Lord and to recommit to full repentance; given one more chance to stay the course.

The next verses contain the covenant that, when diligently observed and properly prepared for, can be the Lord’s formula for mortal progression. When kept, the covenant of the Sacrament prevents our being lulled into carnal security and aids in our battle with temptation. According to verse 77 we, by “always remembering” the Lord and for keeping “his commandments …may always have his spirit to be with” us.

The required degree of commitment is evidenced by the Lord’s use of the word “always”. We are making a covenant to remember the Lord each minute of every day. Weekly we covenant with God to remember Him in each choice, with every decision, and to search all thoughts and feelings for their source. This is to determine whether they come from the Lord or if their origin is our adversary. And, to do all this, beginning with our morning prayer and ending with the final clearing of our mind to allow for slumber.

A covenant of this magnitude warrants attentive preparation. Nothing casual applies to a covenant that involves all of anything, especially our time. Proper preparation would include prayer and pondering the moment. Preparation for this ordinance is, in itself, keeping the covenant to always remember Him. The ordinance of the sacrament is a time for reflection, a time for searching our souls and for analyzing our standing before the Lord. It is an opportunity for course correction and the perfect chance to plan the coming week of repentance. It is our sure course; if we make this covenant the focus of our week, each week, the Lord promises that we “may” have His spirit to be with us “always”.

Elder Henry B. Eyring said; “Even a child can understand what to do to have the Holy Ghost as a companion. The sacramental prayer tells us. We hear it every week as we attend our Sacrament Meetings. The Holy Ghost remains with us only if we stay clean and free from the love of worldly things. Pride and rebellious choices to be unclean repel the Holy Ghost. The Lord’s spirit dwells with and aids, by revealing all things, only those that truly seek salvation by the correct course.

The Prophet Joseph Smith, in an interview with the President of the United States, when asked, “wherein we differed in our religion from the other religions of the day,” answered, “the gift of the Holy Ghost”. Our weekly challenge is to, much more than just partake of the sacrament, it is to adequately prepare for and then to honestly renew our covenants. The great promised blessing of this ordinance is, that if we “always” remember Him we “may always” enjoy the companionship of His spirit. Within this generous ordinance the Lord has promised spiritual nourishment and has provided the sure pattern for our salvation, especially for times when our testimony has stalled or when temptation threatens to overcome us.

This is the “Gift of the Holy Ghost,” the ordinance of the Sacrament is the key to having the Holy Ghost as a constant companion, and, the Holy Ghost is the key to returning to our Heavenly Father’s presence. How gracious of the Lord to provide, for those of us that “believe” and that desire exaltation, this grand plan of redemption and with it, countless examples, sure formulas, and the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. This is, for us, a familiar spiritual whisper that offers comfort and tells us “this is for you”. How appropriate it is for those that have made sacred covenants, as we learn and live the laws of the celestial kingdom to begin each week with a sacramental covenant, not to forget.

May we “always” remember Him that we can have His spirit to be with us, “always”.