Christ's Parable about Suffering

Studying Matthew chapter 13, I thought that the following parable relates to suffering: 

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 24-30)

Why does the steward not remove opposition? It is because it would destroy the product of his field. His field would be more fruitful if he waits until the harvest to sort out the enemy's seeds in the end.

Characteristics of a Disciple

What is a disciple? a follower of Jesus Christ

• Jesus comes first before friends and family.
• Serve others before yourself.
• Humble & Modest   
• Seek no glory. Glory be to God.   

Why? To get to heaven.   

Obedience: Habits or rituals?

Live the commandments with purpose.   

What are the reasons that you are obedient to each commandment?   

Bonus:

Life is streamed live before the Heavens, and God can only edit it by your repentance & faith.

For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. (D&C 128)

Institute: Marriage (edited notes)

Marriage   

The marvel is eternity.  Man can be married for time and all eternity.

The congregation called Shakers reject marriage. Parley Pratt was sent to preach to them.

We teach the following about marriage:

Marriage is ordained of God, a partnership with God to raise his children. A student shared that his parents changed their habits of competing ideas, which may have contributed to his troubled nature; however, they united by practicing the following pattern: discuss, decide, & a confirm by revelation and prayer.

Eternal progression is a sole blessing of exaltation. All other glories have a limit to their progress, a damnation of sorts. Earth is created to be full, enlarging the human family.

The Doctrine of Mortal Suffering: Part 4

This talk on suffering by Francine R. Bennion is longer than expected. She questions general assumptions, making the following statement.

"If we believe suffering shouldn’t exist, but it does; or suffering is God’s way of testing and teaching, but what can a wailing infant be proving or learning; or prayer should cure the problem, but it hasn’t—then it is not only the suffering that troubles us but also the great cracks in a universe that should make sense but doesn’t." (A Latter-day Saint Theology of Suffering: Francine R. Bennion)

Is suffering only an aspect of mortality? When I read this, I made the following simple note: Don't ignore consequences. There are consequences to all decisions. Some have good results, and some have bad results. Most people would think enduring negative consequences is suffering. Negative consequences rarely affect one person; even, personal issues affect others. If this is the case, how can existence in Telestial, Terrestrial, or Celestial Kingdoms be absent of suffering? Telestial & Terrestrial Kingdoms are definitely full of imperfect immortal people, and the Celestial Kingdom is full of perfect immortal people; however, some Celestial beings are part of the marriage covenant, enabling them to have children. Will all of the children of God be perfect? No. It is a common Christian belief that one third of all of God's children chose to follow Satan. Spirit children before mortality exercise agency. How much anguish did God suffer at the loss of one third of his children? It must be tremendous. I expect that God feels a lot if not all that we go through by empathy. This empathy and suffering does not destroy all happiness and joy.

The Doctrine of Mortal Suffering: Part 3

Continuing my study of suffering, I have learned that a universal answer to suffering is important because it reflects on our understanding of and relationship with God. Some perceptions of Him that are brought up in the talk are depressing and false. The following are examples:

- Thirty-five years ago, one of my schoolteachers would not take medical help for a lump in her thigh because “God had given it to her.” 
- In Relief Society one Sunday last year, a class member told us we shouldn’t concern ourselves with events in the newspaper because God is planning destruction before the Millennium anyway, and all we should concern ourselves with is our own righteousness and that of our children, and then we’ll be all right. 
- A few years ago, one young woman’s confusion about God and suffering was central to her anguish and paralysis in the face of repeated violence: “I don’t know what it is God’s trying to teach me with my husband’s temper.” (A Latter-day Saint Theology of Suffering: Francine R. Bennion)

God does not delight in our suffering and misery unlike Satan. Heavenly Father desires man to have freedom, stability, peace, and prosperity; teaching them the way to achieve such a life. Man has their agency, and God granted them this gift, which he rarely intervenes. Earth is man's stewardship. Satan seeks to make mortality as miserable as possible, designing destruction. 

People of Diversity are chosen of God.

Last night I started to read the chapters for "Come, follow me," and I realized that one of Christ's original disciples was a Canaanite. 

"In the case of Matt. 10:4 and Mark 3:18, which refer to Simon, one of the Twelve, the word should be Cananean rather than Canaanite; it has reference to his political attachments rather than his lineage or geographical point of origin. Simon is also called a Zelote in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13, Zelote probably having reference to the Zealots founded by Judas of Gamala, which sect was called the Cananeans, and who openly opposed the census of Cyrenius. In other instances, Canaanite refers to land of origin or lineage through Canaan, son of Ham, as in Gen. 10:6–19; 12:5–6; and Abr. 1:21." (Bible Dictionary, Canaanite)

Nevermind, Simon's lineage is not of the Cananeans; however, Christ's apostles come from very diverse backgrounds. Jesus Christ ordaining of these people should help them feel embraced. People of many different cultures should feel comfortable in the church of Jesus Christ.

The Year-round Transportation, a Cycling's Advantage over Motorcycling

Last Saturday, I asked a motocyclist coworker about riding in the snow. He explained that bicyclist have an advantage in snow cycling because bicycling is an aerobic exercise; therefore, the body generates heat. Motorcyclists do not generate heat by physical exertion; therefore, they would feel the pain of the freezing climate. Motorcycling doesn't seem to be a year round means of transportation while I have found that it is at least in my residence of Portland, OR. I don't advise cycling on ice.

Looking for 50 GB Free & Affordable Cloud Storage

At work I had thoughts to back up the data of my external hard drive to cloud storage. Looking online, I found that Degoo gives 100 GB for free, but I could not transfer my files through my USB cable to my iPad. Degoo only allows people use their service if they use their app, or pay to use their service; lastly, a computer program is provided, if they invite ten people to use the service. That would be simple, but I did not want to deal with it. 

Apple only allows their users to transfer photos over USB. I think that Apple only allows that because they have an odd scheme. They have a "service," gathering individuals' photos. Apple syncs all the photos among devices. I think that this service is unnecessary. The scheme incentivizes people to pay for Apple cloud storage and phones with higher memory. They also make it difficult to delete individual photos. One practicely has to delete one at a time. Many dumb things like this makes Apple ridiculous. They have many little things that make their ecosystem difficult to get out of. This syncing of photos among Apple devices encourages people to upgrade to a more expensive device and subscribe to cloud storage.

Another cloud storage company that I considered is MEGA. They give additional storage space, if an individual is loyal to other products available. Their offer was satisfying my need, but a footnote soured it. The additional storage was a limited time offer, which is 180 days. 

I was looking for 50 GB, and I have been using OneDrive for sometime. Checking out Microsoft's offer, I found exactly what I was looking for, but their service cost 2 dollars a month.

This slowed down my day a lot, but I know that my data and files will be safe.

The Doctrine of Mortal Suffering: Part 2

7 March 2019

Today I studied more about suffering. Francine R. Bennion, the professor, taught that a quality of theology and religion is that it needs to answer questions universally. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints still doesn't have an official doctrinal answer to suffering; although, this speech was given one hundred years ago.

"There is no single theology of suffering in our church, one framework uniform in all respects in the minds of all leaders and all other members. Though we may share the same scripture, the same revelation, prophets, and belief that God and Christ are real, we have various frameworks for putting them together and for seeing suffering, either our own or someone else’s. One person thinks God sends suffering to teach us or to test us. Another thinks God or Satan can affect only our response to the suffering, and some think it is Satan who is causing the suffering. Others think there should be no suffering at all if we are righteous and certainly no misunderstanding at all about why it is happening. These are only a few of the varieties of LDS belief about the origins of suffering, and however contradictory they be, each can be supported by fragments of scripture."

I have not finished reading the talk, but the quote above offers some answers.

I will expound on these thoughts below.

"One person thinks God sends suffering to teach us or to test us."

Mortal life is hard, and the general term suffering can mean very different things for each of us. Difficult experiences vary for everyone. Many people rely on the school of hard knocks, learning from their mistakes. "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church." (Doctrine & Covenants 100:15) Who will walk uprightly before God? Who will trust God despite hardships, remaining faithful? This belief is a generic belief applicable to many mortal situations, but it may not be satisfactory to all.

"Another thinks God or Satan can affect only our response to the suffering, and some think it is Satan who is causing the suffering."

Each person's suffering can bitter or humble man, and both God and Satan will send their spirit to prompt them according to their influences. One may struggle to choose between the opposite enticing. I don't think that this explains suffering.

"Others think there should be no suffering at all if we are righteous and certainly no misunderstanding at all about why it is happening."

This is a utopia type belief, which I believe only exists in the Terrestrial and Celestial stages of the Earth. This belief is not applicable to our current life in the Telestial stage of the Earth.

Your Divine Nature (Institute notes)

Defend your divine nature.   

Does man's divine potential diminish or exalt God?    

God's ability to guide us in his grace & divine assistance to his nature is glorious.   

Man is changeable, yet the world would have you doubt that, thinking that God is flawed like mortal men.   

Christ had to learn how to figure out mortality too.   

Grace is divine assistance. Be anxiously engaged in a good cause. The more influence an individual obtains the more we should seek God's grace to continue to progress.   

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2-3)

Divine Potential verses

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?  (John 10:32-34)

Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.   

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17)

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.   

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Temple covenants maximizes man's potential  

Bonus thoughts

Temple ordinances guides us to our Savior.   

How can I do more?   

D&C 124:37-42   

Mountains were temples.   

Reveal ordinances   

sacred place for their administration   

Reveal that which was lost   

The original endowment took all day.   

Bonus thoughts 1

My work is to enable my wife to express her divine nature.   

Deep sweetness. Purity in charity.  

Bonus thoughts 2

unique uses of the 13 articles of faith

• A tool for missionary work
• guide to study the gospel   
• a tool for evaluating testimony   
• a witness of the restoration  

The Doctrine of Mortal Suffering: Part 1

Listening to the Mormon Channel Talk Radio this morning, I was introduced to an inspired woman's speech, which I started reading. The woman is Francine R. Bennion, and she was a professor, addressing the doctrine of mortal suffering. 

I was unable to pin down an edifying insight, so I decided to read it. The document exposes that there are contradiction or opposition in all things even scriptures, citing several. Thinking about it, I see contradiction or opposition in all things may be a doctrine. Prophets say that all things testify of God as an athiest say that all thing testify against God. Man's scientic theories have a lot of  studies backing them, yet it does not testify of God. Lehi speaks of opposition in all things, but what about contradiction in all things? Contradiction does not mean that their are falsehoods in God or science. Science is based on theories; although, the theories are based on evidence. It does not mean that they are completely true. God's gospel is true, yet the Earth is created with opposition and contradiction. 

Man needs to endure opposition in all things to understand happiness, peace, and joy. They cannot be understood; unless, man experiences sadness, dispair, and misery. The radio discussion said that fruits of suffering gives man empathy to understand each other and God, coming close to them. There was more to the podcast, but I don't know what more to write about it. I will most likely write more as I continue my study of the sermon.

God is just.

One scripture impressed me a couple days ago. It is Alma 6:13.

"For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God."

The Book of Mormon is so plain, teaching that God does not deny the agency of man to maintain temporal justice. If people make bad choices, it reflects on them. God's justice is not served immediately, and life is not fair in many temporal situations; however, God is just. Be faithful to him, and he will fulfill his promises unto you.

This is faith to live by your spiritual knowledge, assurances, and revelation.

I started reading Matthew chapter 8 per the schedule of "Come, follow me." If God were living on Earth, would you ask him to bless one of your loved ones? I think that this would be as natural as prayer. The following story impressed me: 

"And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 
And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 
The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 
When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour." (Matthew 8:5-13)

The centurion knew Christ can heal his servant, and he asked him to do so. The miracle would not have happened, if he had not asked. This is faith to live by your spiritual knowledge, assurances, and revelation. 

I tend to write a lot about this because an accounting teacher taught what faith really is. Faith is so abstract according to the general understanding of society that the teacher's explanation of the true understanding was enlightening. Faith is a principle to live by; not a general belief. We live it by trusting in the word and revelation that God gives man. I trusted that he would provide for me, so I worked at it to let him provide my current life situation including my career and family. That is one example of practicing faith.

The Sermon on the Mount: My CTR 5 Lesson

The following four precepts were the lesson topics: Golden Rule, Your Treasure is where your Heart is, Prayer, and Wise man & Foolish man. I was planning to bring a box of my treasures, but I forgot the box at home. I almost ditched that part of the lesson, but I thought to draw a treasure chest on the black board to have a good discussion. The children were impressed by my drawing. 

I told the children a story that the person, who sealed my wife and I, shared at my wedding. He said that after buying land he learned that a gigantic rock made excavation difficult. Consulting architects, he had them design his house with the rock as the foundation. The property was in California. When the 1989 earthquake came, all of the houses around fell apart except his, since his house had a rock foundation. I asked a child about what the rock represents, and he said that it is the courage to be righteous.

The treasures in my box were the following: a stone from Delta Stone products, a fabric elephant keychain, miniature art mannequin, a wooden box from Jamaica, a ceramic pot, and an appointment paper from my sealing. I felt a little emotional, telling Jessica about my treasures. The stone from Delta Stone Products represents that I treasure God's guidance in my education and career. The fabric elephant is from Thailand representing my treasure of family. The miniature art mannequin represents my talent, hobbies, childhood, and upbringing; which I treasure. The wood carven Jamaican box represents my missionary service. The ceramic pot was made by a high school friend expressing my friends are a treasure of mine. The appointment paper represents the  treasure of my marriage. Health is another treasure, but I could not think of a good item to represent it. Hints of my treasures are all over my apartment. 

The True Application of Faith

I finished reading Alma 58 this morning. Chapter 58 of Alma in the Book of Mormon is a great chapter to learn the true application of faith.

Helamen and his troops were not supported well by their nation due to pride. They were far from the safe capitol. Not being informed of the situation, they had to fend for themselves. Their small army feared the numerous armies of the Lamanites. 

"Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him. And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty." (Alma 58:10-12)

Helamen and his armies now had knowledge and an assurance that their endeavors will succeed. This is faith. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (JST, Hebrews 11:1) Assurance comes from revelation. Trust in your faith, and continually cultivate it to maintain  the fruits of hope. Read the whole chapter for full context.

Prioritizing Heavenly Things Over Vain Things

The following verses Matthew chapter six impressed principles of prioritizing Heavenly things over vain things:

Twenty-two

"The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."

One can obtain the glory of God, if the individual seeks unity. He said himself; "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) Sharing his glory is his desire. He wants us to join him in eternal life.

Twenty-four

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."

A principle of human relations requires a choice. Choose to be good or bad. One can't choose both. An individual will truly be faithful to one.

Twenty-five (Joseph Smith Translation)

"And, again, I say unto you, Go ye into the world, and care not for the world; for the world will hate you, and will persecute you, and will turn you out of their synagogues."

Don't worry about what people say, if they are presecuting you for Christ's sake. One may lose their worldly station, but they are securing their station in Heaven.

Twenty-seven (Joseph Smith Translation)

"And your heavenly Father will provide for you, whatsoever things ye need for food, what ye shall eat; and for raiment, what ye shall wear or put on."

God will provide. Serve him with your might. Don't seek for temporary needs, for God provides graciously for his servants. Focus on the Heavenly treasures of temple and family history work, missionary work, service and humanitarian work, & so forth.