Personal Revelation

As the discussion of all of the upcoming changes in our ward and new stake is abounding throughout the neighborhood, I am reminded of a lesson once taught to me in a Doctrine & Covenants class at BYU. We were discussing the powers and possibilities of personal revelation, and the professor asked, “Is it possible for any of you to receive revelation about who the next Bishop or Stake President should be?”

Since I was sure I knew the answer, I quickly raised my hand and answered that we only get revelation concerning those things for which we have stewardship. For example, I can receive revelation for myself, my family, and my calling. In other words, my answer to the professor’s question was, “No.”
My reasoning was that it’s the job of a general authority to receive such revelations, not mine. Such personal claims would undermine the line of authority and divine inspiration of the Prophets.

As I was sure the professor would agree with my answer and then essentially explain my thought process to the rest of the class, I was instead surprised at his silence. He looked at me, offered a partial nod of the head, and then searched the room for another answer. No-one attempted. He then smiled and said, “you most certainly can and SHOULD receive such revelation.”

I was rather stunned by his answer. I didn’t know what to think? How was he going to explain that answer? For a split-second I actually thought, “he’s about to undermine the line of authority and divine inspiration of the Prophets!”

What he did teach was a powerful lesson in personal revelation. We CAN know things like who the next Bishop will be so that when we raise our hands to sustain that brother in his new calling, that its not just a good-will gesture. It is an opportunity to have the Holy Ghost provide a “personal witness” to us an individuals, so that we can truly cast that sustaining vote. He pointed out that we are NOT choosing this person, but sharing in the divine inspiration.

Needless to say, I have that a lot about that experience this week. I have also been pondering and preparing myself to be apart of this process that is going on here in our ward. Not the process of extending callings (obviously), but rather, taking part in the divine inspiration that will be available to me and for me.

As I was thinking about all of this today, I was reminded of a talk by Elder Bruce R. McConkie entitled, “How To Receive Personal Revelation.” It was given at a BYU devotional many years ago. It’s not only appropriate for these next few days / weeks, but for our ALL of our days. I encourage all who read this blog to give it a listen. (I’ve provided a link for download below)http://download.yousendit.com/FD4D0B4D6219B4ED

---Tom

The Quickening

I have noticed a change in a number of my brothers in the gospel lately. More of us seem to be doing our home teaching. I know of many of you who diligently attend the temple every week as a group of brethren. Topics of a spiritual nature are creeping into conversations regarding football and pop culture. It feels like the level of spirituality is increasing in many members of our ward.

Why is this the case? Nephi prophesied of a time when the power of the Lamb of God "descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory." Robert Millet, author of "Men of Valor", suggests that that day and time prophesied by Nephi are upon us.

The recent changes I've noticed are evidence of that fact. As we become converted to the Lord, we naturally desire to be in his temples. As we become converted, we desire to serve the Lord and gain a relationship with Him. We can't afford to be complacent. The stakes are too high for us and for our families.

It is not enough to merely have a testimony of the gospel. A testimony is a necessary but insufficient condition for salvation. Even the devils "believe and tremble" (James 2:19). It is time for us to "awake from a deep sleep, arise from the dust and be men." It is time for us to "put on the armor of righteousness", for we are truly at war against the adversary and his minions.

"We have a world to awaken, a society to save, an ensign to erect, a message to deliver - a message containing glad tidings of great joy." (Men of Valor)

If you have not felt the Spirit working on your heart, I ask you if you can feel it now? It is time to ask yourself, "What kind of man have I become." Even more important, it is time to ask yourself, "What kind of man do I want to be?" Perhaps most important, "What kind of the man does Heavenly Father and the Savior need me to be?"

Truly, as the revelations attest, "the enemy is combined" (D&C 38:12), and modern Israel's righteous force will be successful in deflecting the fiery darts of the adversary only to the extent that the men of God take their rightful place as "mighty men of valor."

The priesthood is the power and authority of God, delegated to men on earth, to act in all things pertaining to the salvation of the human family. It is God's power, loaned for a season to you and me, to make a difference in a world that desperately needs it. It is the Almighty's authorization, a divine investiture of authority, to bless people and preserve goodness and decency in our society.

If ever there was a time, if ever there was a season, if ever there was a cause that cried out for men of purpose and men of purity to step forward and draw upon the powers of heaven, it is today.

The God of us all expects those who have been ordained to stand in the office to which they have been called; to take up their cross daily - to deny themselves of ungodliness and every worldly lust; to occupy their minds with uplifting thoughts, to ponder upon that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise; to avoid places and influences and even people that would degrade or dilute the power of the priesthood; to rise up and reach out to make a difference; and to allow the holy priesthood to be felt and enjoyed by every member of the family, thereby creating within the home a bit of heaven on earth.

It is time for us to awake, to nudge our consciences, to educate our desires, to call us to higher ground, and to provoke us to glimpse and grasp the power with which we have been endowed.

If we will let Him, Jesus Christ will shine his kindly and Kingly light upon us and through us. The time to step forward and be counted is now.

It is my hope that each of us can strive to follow the counsel of President Hinckley and strive to "Stand a little taller" each and every day. Thank you for your examples and inspiration that you have provided me. I highly encourage everyone to read "Men of Valor" by Robert Millet. It will surely inspire you and help you on your quest to become more like the Savior. I look forward to His glorious Second Coming and pray that we all might be ready.

Owen Mecham

The Peacegiver

I have to thank Jason Christensen for a great book recommendation. "The Peacegiver" provides a totally unique view of the Atonement and the power it has in our lives. The story is compelling and the examples from the scriptures shed a perspective on the Atonement that I had not read before. Without giving it all away, here is a summary of some of the insights I gleaned from this book.

1. We are each of us sinners, entitled to nothing but hell and therefore utterly and equally dependent upon the mercies of the Lord.



2. I can receive of the Lord's mercy - and the happiness, healing, and peace that attend it - only to the extent I extend the same to others.



3. The Lord mercifully removes any justification for failing to extend mercy to others. For the Lord has taken the sins of others upon his own head and personally atoned for them. What possible justification could there be for demanding more for others' sins than the Lord has given?



4. I can recover mercy by remembering Abigail's offering, the Lord's question to Jonah, and my own sins, the memory of which brings me to the Lord and invites me to rediscover his mercy and peace.

This book is a quick read but I promise that it will provide insights into the Atonement that will make you think more about the Lord's sacrifice on your behalf.

Our Beloved Prophet

I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the impact that President Hinckley has had on my life. When I heard the news, my first reaction was sadness, because I had lost such a great leader. Those feelings quickly turned to joy as I imagined the sweet reunion of the Prophet and his eternal companion. I have no doubt where our prophet is and who he is with.

One of my favorite things about President Hinckley is his upbeat and positive attitude. He was always the optimist amidst a world of chaos and turmoil. His message was always one of encouragement, to "stand a little taller". That's what I want to focus on this year. To do a little bit better tomorrow than I did today.

I had the opportunity to teach in Elder's quorum today, and the discussion centered on President Hinckley and on the restoration of the gospel. During the prophet's funeral services, I couldn't help but notice that the first thing that was mentioned in the opening prayer was thankfulness for the restoration. The restoration was mentioned numerous times throughout the service. Having a testimony of the first vision and the prophet Joseph Smith is central to being a member of this faith.

In his last two addresses, the prophet bore strong testimony of the restoration. The prophet said "To you, this day, I affirm my witness of the calling of the Prophet Joseph, of his works, of the sealing of his testimony with his blood as a martyr to the eternal truth. Each of you can bear witness of the same thing. You and I are faced with the stark question of accepting the truth of the First Vision and that which followed it. On the question of its reality lies the very validity of this Church. If it is the truth, and I testify that it is, then the work in which we are engaged is the most important work on the earth."

Thank you President Hinckley for your life, for your tireless work in building the kingdom of God. I have come to know more of the Savior by listening to your council and applying it to my life. God be with you til we meet again!

Ballard Encourages members to use Blogs

Why is there a Jordan Meadows Elders Quorum blog? Quite simply, there is not enough time to discuss everything that we would like to during our lessons. This blog will give those who desire the opportunity to focus on gospel related topics throughout the week, and not just for a few hours on Sunday.

Elder Ballard also recently urged members of the church to discuss issues related to the church in blogs or other forms of new media. See the article here.

Elder Ballard said there were too many conversations going on about the Church for Church representatives to respond to each individually, and that Church leaders “can’t answer every question, satisfy every inquiry and respond to every inaccuracy that exists.”

He said students should consider sharing their views on blogs, responding to online news reports and using the “new media” in other ways.

But he cautioned against arguing with others about their beliefs. “There is no need to become defensive or belligerent,” he said.

If you would like to be able to make posts to this blog, send an email to owen@brashers.com with the email address that you use to access your blogs. If you would like share your blog or another website with the rest of the quorum, forward the information to me as well.

Owen Mecham

Foreordination of Joseph Smith

After Sunday's lesson, I have not been able to stop thinking about Joseph Smith and his mission here on earth. It was suggested that if Joseph Smith had not restored the gospel, that the Lord would have had someone else fill that void. At the time, I couldn't think of any reason why that would not be the case, but I have since come to the realization the only Joseph Smith could have brought to pass the restoration of the gospel. This is because he was foreordained in the great council in heaven to be the prophet of the restoration. He was very specifically mentioned in 2 Nephi, chapter 3. His name would be Joseph and his father's name would also be Joseph. Just as Christ was the only one capable of performing the Atonement on our behalf, Joseph Smith was the only person able to bring to pass the restoration of the gospel, as he was foreordained to do so by the Lord.

The Lord Jesus Christ called Joseph Smith as a prophet to prepare the way for His coming in glory. Joseph Smith's life is a testimony to the reality of that calling. "I was called of my Heavenly Father to lay the foundation of this great work and kingdom in this dispensation, and testify of His revealed will to scattered Israel."

"This 'dispensation'" is our time—the time prophesied when God will "gather . . . all things in Christ." Ancient prophets foretold a final gospel dispensation and prophesied of Joseph Smith, who would lead it. Jesus Christ and His prophets Moses, Moroni, and Joseph of Egypt are just a few that spoke of a great prophet to come.

Joseph Smith was foreordained by God to restore His work from all previous dispensations. "Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world," taught Joseph Smith, "was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose that I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council."

I invite anyone who is doubting their testimony of the prophet Joseph to read 2 Nephi 3 and the testimony of the prophet and pray for a witness of the divinity of the prophet's calling. You can also visit http://josephsmith.net to learn more information about the life of the prophet. I testify that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration and that without his sacrifice and labor on our behalf, we would not have the opportunity to live the gospel today.

Owen Mecham