The Rock of our Redeemer

August 26 – September 1: the Rock of our Redeemer

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I’ve seen this in my own life when I put God first and I am righteous God blesses me and we prosper. It’s so easy to become prideful and wicked and make choices that can lead you to destruction and suffering and then you are forced to be humble to God will bless you again.

There are examples of this in helaman 1 – 6

Helaman 3: 33–34; 4:11–13. Pride entered into the hearts of the people who “profess to belong to the church of God” they began to make fun of other members at the church – The more humble people began to suffer by those who were members of the church; the prideful.

The question is do I see similar evidence of pride in myself? I’ve been times when I care about my position and status in the world. Perhaps this is the lesson that this trial has helped me overcome more than any or at least has help me begin to overcome it. Now I need to learn how to still be ambitious, but not to be seeking glory and honor. The glory and honor is fleeting anyway. People don’t honor you, they become envious and hate in persecute you. There really isn’t a pot of gold at the end of the success rainbow that is sustaining. So I can say that, with authenticity, that I no longer care about seeking Power and glory or the honors of men. I do want to focus my attention on helping others but doing it for the right reasons always.

What are the consequences of pride and wickedness? The church begins to suffer and shrink people stop believing in profits and revelation” the judgment of God did stare them in the face.” We become weak and the spirit of the Lord no longer preserves us. It withdraws from us because “the spirit of the Lord death not dwell in unholy temples”. God no longer preserves me by his miraculous and matchless power –because Faith is required for this to happen! Helaman 4:26 teaches us” and this had they fallen into this great transgression; yay, thus had they become weak, because of their transgression, in the space of not many years.” I believe this is also the lesson of king David and the Old Testament. Transgression Will weaken you because it weakens your faith and the Lords promises of perseveration and protection are directly proportional to a man’s faith.

What are the consequences of humility and repentance? These are some of the most inspirational verses in the book of Mormon.

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—

30 And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven, to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out.

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

Someone that is humble Will call upon god with sincerity in their heart. They read the scriptures often and hold onto them. They understand and study them. They listen to modern day profits and understand and study them. These things lead”The man of Christ in a straight and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked” the promise is that “laying hold upon the word of God” Will land your souls at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven with all the holy prophets forever more

In short someone that is humble/ meek Will fast, pray, read and study the word of God, Will grow their humility and by doing so will become firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ. They will purify and sanctify their hearts. This sanctification is a result of yielding their hearts unto God. Wow!

We are reminded by Helaman to do the following:

Keep the Commandments of God

Teach others about god, his gospel, and his commandments, and what it means to be a disciple of Christ

Remember who your named after including my grandfather and Christ

Remember that I have a legacy of good faithful ancestors

Do that which is good. Live a life that your grandchildren will be proud of

Do these things for the right reasons. To lay up a treasure in heaven not to be seen of men

Remember Christ always and remember he atoned for our sins. He redeemed the world.

Repentance is the key to tapping into that power

Build your life upon the rock, redeemer the son of God even Jesus the Christ.

If you build a life on this foundation when trials are experienced you will have the strength to overcome them and learn from them. This is the only foundation where on “if men build they cannot fall.”

If I remember these things I believe I can prevent myself from becoming prideful in my success and accomplishments. Someone that keeps the commandments of God, puts others first and teaches them about the gospel, remembering your legacy and ancestors, living a life that others will be proud of being a part of, doing things for the right reasons, remembering Christ and his atonement, always repenting every day and building all that you do upon the foundation of Christ; if I do these things I will have the strength and perspective to avoid pride and if I avoid pride my heart will always be soft and if it’s soft I have stepped out of the pride cycle. This is the promise if I build my life on this foundation I will not fall.

I need thee every hour most gracious lord no tender voice like thine can peace afford I need thee i need thee hour i need thee oh bless me now my savior I come to thee…

Psalm 143

David prays for favor in judgment—He meditates on the Lord’s works and trusts in Him.

A Psalm of David.

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

2 And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

8 Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

—

President Benson “beware of pride”

“Pride is the universal sin, the great vice. The antidote for pride is humility.”

President Benson makes a statement that a prideful person doesn’t look to God for truth but looks sideways to man and argues who is right.

He says someone who has pride has these characteristics:

What do I want out of life?

It is self-will

It is the fear of man

The applause of the world

Self-centeredness

Conceit

Boastfulness

Arrogance

Haughtiness

Competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s will.

Cannot accept the authority of God giving direction in their lives

Wish God would agree with them

Are not interested in changing their opinions to agree with gods.

Enmity towards God and towards our fellow man–the Central feature of pride (enmity means hatred towards, hostility two, or a state of opposition)

Examples of someone that has enmity towards God:

Rebellion

Hardheartedness

Stiff neckedness

Unrepentant

Puffed up

Easily offended

Sign seekers

Examples of someone that has enmity towards their fellow man:

A temptation to elevate yourself above others

To diminish others

Make every man their adversary by comparing their intellect, opinion, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others

Getting pleasure of being above the rest

Only getting pleasure of having more of something than someone else rather than deriving pleasure out of having something

Someone who has humility has these characteristics:

What would God have me do with my life?

What is God’s will?

Having the fear of God

The applause of Heaven

Focus on gods judgments and the needs of those around us

President benson’s wife reminded president benson when the world was criticizing him “Don’t worry about the world’s opinion of you as long as you are right with the Lord.” This idea can serve me well right now when I am being harshly criticized by some members of the eAssist community am I right with the Lord?

Matthew 11:29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lonely and heart: and you shall find rest into your souls.

This was one of my favorite scriptures as a missionary when I discovered it I still remember teaching a family when I was been by the spirit of meekness knowing that Christ brought rest unto my soul.

Pride brings about the destruction of nations. And one of the Central purposes of the book of Mormon is to teach us this we are to beware of pride or else we will be destroyed like the Nephites of old.

Satan rebelled against God. He rebelled because of his pride. In my life when I have rebelled it is for the same reason. Find the Meek will inherit the Earth.

President Benson makes the case that many of us are sinning in ignorance concerning our pride. Another word there is no such thing as righteous pride.

Good reminder of what humility brings is industry found in alma 38 12. “Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that bridal all your passions, that you may be filled with love; see that you refrain from idleness.”

The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment then of gods judgment

The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment then of gods judgment.

Doctrine and covenants 30: 1 – 2

1 Behold, I say unto you, David, that you have feared man and have not relied on me for strength as you ought.

2 But your mind has been on the things of the earth more than on the things of me, your Maker, and the ministry whereunto you have been called; and you have not given heed unto my Spirit, and to those who were set over you, but have been persuaded by those whom I have not commanded.

Does the thought what will men think of me? Way heavier in my mind then the thought what will God think of me? If so I am prideful.

The Scriptures have many examples of people that did things to look good to others from the bedding of John the Baptist to the death of Abinidi.

The proud” Love the praise of men more than the praise of God”. See John 12:42–43

The secret to avoiding pride is to do well to have pleasing God as our motive, rather than trying to elevate ourselves above others.

When pride has a hole on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder and the whispering of the Holy Ghost.

The proud let go of the iron rod.

—Pride is manifest in many ways

Here are some:

Fault finding

Gossiping

Backbiting

Murmuring

Living beyond our means

Envying

Coveting

Withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another

Being unforgiving

Jealousy

Disobedience; a power struggle against someone in authority over us

Selfishness – –” however everything affects me”

Contention, arguments, fights

Unrighteous dominion

Generation gaps

Divorces

Riots and disturbances

Easily offended

Hold grudges; they withhold forgiveness to keep another in their debt and to justify their injured feelings

Do not receive council or correction easily

Are defensive

Depend upon the world to tell them whether they have value or not. Their self-esteem is determined by where they are judged to be on the ladders of worldly success

Secret combinations are the result of the sin of pride. And short it means that people stay in power, avoid judgment, avoid consequences to sin like adultery, murder, etc. And is the cause of the fall of many nations. I think of the Clintons and the 50 or so people that have been killed that they know. I think of the Biden and the $27 million that the family was able to bring in once Joe Biden was elected vice president. I think the Clinton foundation that received millions of donations once Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State but when she lost it dried up. These are all examples of secret combinations and will bring down our country foretold Scripture and by profits both modern and old.

Proverbs 28

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

Proverbs 13

10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

The scriptures testify that the proud are easily offended and hold grudges

First Nephi 16

1 And now it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had made an end of speaking to my brethren, behold they said unto me: Thou hast declared unto us hard things, more than we are able to bear.

2 And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center.

3 And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.

The proud depend upon the world to tell them whether they have value or not. Their self-esteem is determined by where they are judged to be on the ladders of worldly success. Pride is ugly. It says”If you succeeded, I am a failure”

The promise of a prophet is if we love God, do his wheel, and fear his judgment more than men’s, we will have self-esteem.

—

Pride limits or stops progression

Someone who is prideful cannot progress because they cannot learn . In order to progress, we need to be learning. Alma 12:10–11 says that if you have a hard heart, you receive a lesser portion of the word until you know nothing of God‘s mysteries; then you are taken captive by the devil and lead to destruction. This is what is meant by the chains of hell. But someone that is not prideful learns more and is given more insight until he knows the mysteries of God and knows them in full!

Someone that is prideful does not look to God to understand things and inquire of the Lord. Another words, they don’t seek knowledge from God by asking God to give it to them.

My progression has been stopped for years and I now truly feel like I’m back on the right track acquiring of the Lord is what I do every morning when I read the scriptures and take notes and seek for inspiration. A prideful person doesn’t read the scriptures they don’t inquire of the Lord.

Pride damages our feelings towards God and towards our fellow man. It divides us by ranks according to our riches and our education keeps us from being unified we’ve seen much pride come into America and it’s people with a division between the 99 and the one percent white versus black, etc. it all started under the Obama administration I saw. We were unified until then. All of a sudden the media went after the one percent and different races and started separating us based on our race and where we were from etc. short pride was introduced or was flamed throughout these lands.

My trial really was a trial of rebellion. It was a trial of pride, Alma 10:6 says “therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month…” I was hurt, I felt rejected, I felt lost, and was devastated. So I explored rebellion rather than humility–and by so doing I stopped my progression. Imagine who I could be right now if eight years ago, I had chosen a different path? Now imagine eight years from now who I will be now that my heart is being purified and sanctified every day, I’m seeking the Lord for every day, I am making time to fill my heart with the spirit every day.

—The antidote for pride is humility

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

In Lehi‘s dream, the great and spacious building represented the pride of the world. And people in that building embracing pride were pointing their fingers at the righteous who were partaking of the fruit of the tree of life. Remember those that parade around and pride embrace pride, our prideful that they are involved in a universal sin – – the great vice. They will always always make fun of disciples of Christ. They are the opposite of Christ asks us to be.

Alma 7:23

This really is the answer and description of someone who is humble. They are submissive, gentle, and easily be approached, and asked to do things, they’re full of patience, they are temperate in all things, they are diligent and keeping commandments at all times, they aren’t afraid to ask for what they need spiritually and temporally in prayer and they are grateful to God for everything that they’ve been blessed with.

The humble person also has a broken heart and a contrite spirit. . In other words, they are willing to trust God with the trials that he faces in his life and won’t rebel against God when he faces those trials.

Summon that is humble also his remorse for inappropriate behavior. They are affected by guilt and become better because of it. They recognize their weaknesses and have a desire to overcome them. They have a “broken heart and contrite spirit“

The warning is from a profit “God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble, or we can be compelled to be humble. Alma said, blessed are they who humbled themselves without being compelled to be humble.” I do not want to be propelled to be humble. I must choose to be humble every day.

How can we demonstrate humility?

Not being upset towards my fellow man

Seeing my fellow man is equals

Lift up my fellow man as high or higher than I am. “Sucker the week, lift up the hands that hang down, strengthen the feeble knees.“

It’s amazing stuff! Hum person that is strong, and the spirit seeks after those are a week to help edify them in meekness so that that person without the spirit may become strong also

We receive council and chastisement

Forgiving those who have offended us

Rendering selfless service

Going on missions and teaching others about the gospel

Go to the Temple more frequently

Is patient

Confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God

And short, a humble person is someone that is born of God. They come out of the mist of darkness and a deep sleep to find light – – find that their souls are illuminated. A humble person experiences a mighty change in their heart. They become spirit they born of God. God’s image is in their countenance.

A humble person becomes perfected in Christ

—Faith in Christ to fill my soul with joy.

Humble people are patient and giving, kind, and happy. Their lives are more fulfilling. They are more satisfied with what they have and share willingly.

Prideful people began to persecute other people and cause contention and destroy communities and nations.

—I can honor the savior’s name

I have always found an inspirational to know that I’ve been named after my two grandfathers James and Victor. There was a moment when I was a kid and I was doing something rebellious, my mother told me you don’t deserve to have James name that was some really good parenting I mean it. It made me realize I’m named after a great person and who my mother revered. There have been many times in my life where I wanted to make sure that I did not let my grandfather down. Helaman 5:6–7 teaches the same principles. He says he named his kids after their first parents so that they may remember who they were and live up to that standard.

The name, James means greatness to me. He was an entrepreneur, a salesperson with integrity, a hard worker, a faithful, latter-day saint, a great father and a wonderful grandfather. Someone who I am proud to be named after. Victor means to me someone who was trying to be good, he was trying to be faithful, he struggled with self purpose, self-esteem, but wanted to better himself.

I can best honor my grandparents by forgiving myself of my transgressions and actively striving to be my best self while creating a legacy that others will be proud to name their own kids James Victor

But even more importantly, how do I honor Christ’s sacred name when I take it upon me every Sunday when I partake of the sacrament? Maybe the answer is found and how I felt as a missionary when I had his name on my chest, I did not want to do anything to misrepresent him or the church I wanted to be my best self. So perhaps when I take the sacrament and make a promise to take his name upon me for the week, that I really am putting on the name tag and strive to act in a way to bring honor to him. I can be kinder and more patient I can listen more. I can be absolutely honest. I will keep his commandments and keep my covenants.

What covenants are made at baptism?

Take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ

Always remember Jesus Christ

Keep his commandments

Serve him to the end

What are my covenants made during the endowment?

The law of sacrifice (which means sacrificing to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.)

The law of the gospel (Exercising faith in Jesus Christ; Repenting daily; Making covenants with God by receiving the ordinances of salvation and exaltation; Enduring to the end by keeping covenants; Striving to live the two great commandments. These are to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and to “love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39).–the higher law that Christ taught while on earth.

The law of obedience Got it

The live Chastity

The law of consecration (which means that members dedicate their time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed them to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the Earth.)

What covenants are made with the Temple marriage?

The law to be faithful to Andrea

To live in Christ like ways

To honor all gospel covenants that I have made

To have children

What covenants are made when I receive the priesthood?

That I will magnify my calling

I’ve made 14 covenants with God. 4 when I was baptized. 1 when I received the priesthood. 5 when I received my endowment and 4 when I was sealed to Andrea. the covenant path consist of 14 covenants.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2012/07/understanding-our-covenants-with-god?lang=eng

—If I make Jesus Christ, my foundation, I cannot fall.

One of my favorite scriptures in the book of Mormon is Helaman 5:12. I am reminded to build my foundation, or to build my life on “the rock of our redeemer“. Another words to build it on Christ and his teachings to be a disciple of Christ I found great strength in my life by falling Christ teachings. It has kept me from destroying everything that is good in life that I have been blessed with. My family, my wife, my marriage, my children, my focus, my desire to improve myself, my ambition, my desire to help others and serve others, selflessness, courage, Hopekindness, patience, stability, diligence, confidence… Everything that is good in this world that I have been blessed with or I have experienced has come from building upon those choices that emanate from Christ as the foundation for all that is good in my life.

What experiences have helped me build my foundation on Christ? Of course my mission taught me to fill the spirit and still small voice every day and how important it is. The cares of the world pulled me away for a season. Trials and disappointments kept me from feeling this. But I’ve rediscovered it recently eight years of being in the darkness and “it is delicious to me.” this feeling is what I remembered feeling when I was a missionary. I’ve learned that I don’t need a calling to fill this way. All I need is discipline and time to come under God every day and thoughtful learning and prayer. this is how I’m knocking on the door and perhaps knocking three times is symbolic of how it requires consistency before you begin to feel it. like exercising, you don’t become fit just doing it once. You need to do it many times before you notice the benefit. You need to make time with consistency to be with God and to learn of God before the door is opened and you feel his light.

President Russell M. Nelson explained:

“Saints can be happy under every circumstance. We can feel joy even while having a bad day, a bad week, or even a bad year!

“… The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.

“When the focus of our lives is on … Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.”

President Nelson has said it’s a really simple formula. If you want to be happy keep the commandments. Try it this week! Keep commandments every day and see what happens to your happiness. Most likely you’ll be more patient you’ll be kinder. You’ll be more submissive. you’ll be happier.

President Nelson continued, “It becomes a rather simple formula: If you want to be happy, keep the commandments.”

Doubt is an enemy of faith and joy. Just as warm ocean water is the breeding ground for hurricanes, doubt is the breeding ground for spiritual hurricanes. Just as belief is a choice, so is doubt. When we choose to doubt, we choose to be acted upon, yielding power to the adversary, thereby leaving us weak and vulnerable.

It is my hope that this week make keeping Commandments and filling the spirit fundamental to my worldview. I need to remember to knock three times is symbolic of discipline of coming onto the Lord every day and by doing so the joy that comes from his light will be part of my light I will honor his name and be a disciple of Christ who has built every day on his foundation.

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