Our Spiritual Journey; Elder Bednar

[MaidservantX]

Today I read this in the November 2007 Ensign, the report of October 2007 General Conference.

This is from Elder David A. Bednar's talk. (p81 in the Ensign)

"Our Spiritual Journey.

"The gate of baptism leads to the strait and narrow path and to the destination of putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). The purpose of our mortal journey is not merely to see the sights on earth or to expend our allotment of time on self-centered pursuits; rather, we are to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4), to become sanctified by yielding our hearts unto God (see Helaman 3:35), and to obtain "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

"We are commanded and instructed to solive that our fallen nature is changed through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. President Marion G. Romney taught that the baptism of fire by the Holy Ghost, "converts [us] from carnality to spirituality. It cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul . . . Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and water baptism are all preliminary and prerequisite to it, but [the baptism of fire] is the consummation. To receive [this baptism of fire] isto have one's garments washed in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ" (Learning for the Eternities, comp. George J. Romney [1977], 133; see also 3 Nephi 27:10-20).

"Hence, as we are born again and strive to always have His Spirit to be with us, the Holy Ghost sanctifies and refines our souls as if by fire (see 2 Nephi 31:13-14,17). Ultimately, we are to stand spotless before God."

I can't add much more to that, other than to say that I believe that. I believe that we can be, and are meant to be, literally changed -- spiritually, bodily, mentally, relationally, etc. -- by the atonement and the reception of the Holy Ghost. I hope to be sanctified. I feel I still don't pay nearly enough attention to this ultimate journey of mortal life -- I give my time and such to other pursuits. I am thankful for the Savior's forgiveness of me.

[Guest tomk]

As members, we DO believe in becoming "new creatures."

I suspect that many members don't fully comprehend how literal the "new" part is.

I believe our mental pathways can be changed. So that we think and act differently!

Consider what these scriptures are ACTUALLY SAYING. They are amazing:

Prov. 3: 3 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Prov. 7: 3 3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

Jer. 31: 33 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Heb. 8: 10 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Heb. 10: 16 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

2 Ne. 4: 15 15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

I think we scarcely understand the POWER of the Atonement as a people!

[skalenfehl]

I can't add much more to that, other than to say that I believe that. I believe that we can be, and are meant to be, literally changed -- spiritually, bodily, mentally, relationally, etc. -- by the atonement and the reception of the Holy Ghost. I hope to be sanctified. I feel I still don't pay nearly enough attention to this ultimate journey of mortal life -- I give my time and such to other pursuits. I am thankful for the Savior's forgiveness of me.

Note the sacrament prayer in D&C:

D&C 20: 76-79

76 And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:

77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

78 The manner of administering the wine—he shall take the cup also, and say:

79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Although we use water instead of wine, note that every time we partake of the sacrament tokens we renew those covenants that we made at baptism, renewing our "cleansing, healing and purifying the soul" as Marion G. Romney said above, and as promised in the prayer "that they may have His Spirit to be with them".

This is a wonderful aspect of the Atonement. To be able to continually repent every time we stumble and fall; sin. To be able to renew our covenants and partake worthily is to be sanctified and strengthened in the Lord to endure to the end.

[Guest tomk]

D&C 20: 76-79

76 And the elder or priest shall administer it; and after this manner shall he administer it—he shall kneel with the church and call upon the Father in solemn prayer, saying:

77 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

78 The manner of administering the wine—he shall take the cup also, and say:

79 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Why the difference in wording?

BREAD:

that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

WATER:

that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

[Guest tomk]

I have read that the exsanguination of Christ is significant.

He continued to live even though His Body had been almost completely drained of blood!

And He woud have kept on living, by virtue of His Divine Parentage!!!

[skalenfehl]

I don't know why they vary in the D&C but consider the same in Moroni.

Moro. 4: 3

3 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

Moro. 5: 2

2 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.

I have read that the exsanguination of Christ is significant.

He continued to live even though His Body had been almost completely drained of blood!

And He woud have kept on living, by virtue of His Divine Parentage!!!

Might be worthy of discussion in a new topic.