Christ lifts us but we must let him. (D&C 106-108)

106:3

We’ve had some changes recently in our financial situation. I’ve had to get back to working full time. Making money has become a central purpose to each day. In the past dozen years or so, I’ve enjoyed an open schedule where my time was very flexible. This allowed us to fellowship, study, serve how we wanted to - when we wanted to. It was easier to be a disciple of Christ.

Now that I am working a lot, it’s harder to be valiant in my calling. It’s harder to be in deep with the scriptures. I don’t have the time to listen to various podcasts that expanded my gospel knowledge. Basically, I’m in the same boat as everyone else in the world. I have to work on my discipleship alongside my other mortal responsibilities.

It’s taking more discipline. It’s taking more diligence. It is a challenge. But I’ll grow from it. It is part of the plan for me. I kind of wish I was in a situation like Warren A. Cowdery - the Lord told him, regarding his calling, that he should “devote his whole time to this high and holy calling, which I now give unto him, seeking diligently the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all things necessary shall be added thereunto; for the laborer is worthy of his hire.” I would love a calling where my whole focus should be the kingdom of heaven. I would have faith that all things necessary would be added to me.

Part of this mortal life is about distraction. It is not meant to be easy. It’s not an effective proving ground if we all have limitless time to study and pray and fast and learn and serve. We are meant to live by the sweat of our brow and STILL be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s a good lesson I’m learning right now. I’m grateful that I am seeing it for what it is and not just a trial. It seems like I generally can’t do that until after the trial has passed.

106:6

“And again, verily I say unto you, there was joy in heaven when my servant Warren bowed to my scepter, and separated himself from the crafts of men.” This world has natural distractions. Earning a living, taking care of our health, sleeping - these are all parts of living in this mortal world.

However, there are other distractions and temptations that can be categorized as the “crafts of men.” These are secret combinations of men that are intent on trapping us some how - usually for their financial gain. Whether it is a get-rich-quick scheme, or a cult leader, or a manipulative boss, or an addiction like cigarettes, or a company using sexuality to sell products, or a video game maker determined to get us addicted to playing games. Men use craftiness to get our money or fame or power. It is up to us to separate ourselves from them.

106:7-8

“Therefore, blessed is my servant Warren, for I will have mercy on him; and, notwithstanding the vanity of his heart, I will lift him up inasmuch as he will humble himself before me.” I like the sound of that. I have a little bit of vanity. It’s been hard to shake and I continue to work on it. I’m glad it sounds like it’s not a damnable offense!

Ironically, I am also teachable. I don’t know if I would say I’m humble but I have some degree of humility. When it comes to spirituality, I am humble. I think I have a lot to learn and even more to improve. As I strive towards humility, I should remember that it is not my humility that will lift me. Instead, it is the Lord that lifts. I just have to put myself in a position to be lifted through humbling myself.

A good analogy may be getting on a ski lift. Not one would take credit for getting to the top of a mountain using a ski lift. It is the lift that is doing the work. But, I do need to put myself in a position to allow the ski lift to work.

On this same point is verse 8. “And I will give him grace and assurance wherewith he may stand; and if he continue to be a faithful witness and a light unto the church I have prepared a crown for him in the mansions of my Father. Even so. Amen.” All good things come from the Lord - whether that is character strengths like grace and assurance or actual rewards like crowns or mansions. We don’t earn any of it but we must receive what is being given.

107:19, 49

“To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.” These are spiritual blessings tied to the Melchizedek priesthood.

One of the blessings are to “enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.” This is a big statement. We have the opportunity to enjoy communion with God and Jesus. This is an exciting promise and should inspire us to receive this greatest of all mortal blessings. I can’t imagine a greater blessing that can happen in mortality than this. I would like to see them and it is important that I know that this is a possibility.

Enoch enjoyed being in the presence of God. “And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated.” Does Enoch have any special privileges that are withheld from me? No he does not. Can you imagine being with the Lord “continually” for 365 years? What a blessing! I would love that but would settle for a single visit.

107:30-31

There is a solid list of character qualities in this verse. The first five are:

1. Righteousness.

2. Holiness.

3. Lowliness of heart.

4. Meekness.

5. Longsuffering.

I’m not sure that I have read these five qualities together in a list like this. Certainly, decisions of any priesthood quorum should start with these. There shouldn’t be any degree of wickedness or pride or impatience in the decisions of priesthood quorums. It would probably be good, if I am ever leading a priesthood quorum to consider this list before proceeding with any decision.

The second list of qualities is taken directly from 2 Peter 1:5-7 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” These are the qualities that Elder Robert D. Hales said was the path to discipleship of Christ. So, our meetings should embody the qualities of discipleship.

“Because the promise is, if these things abound in them they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.” If these qualities exist in us and in our quorums, we will do good deeds. Our actions will match our knowledge. It is possible to have “knowledge of the Lord” that don’t bear any fruit. I could say that, for much of my life, I had knowledge but wasn’t bearing much fruit. Why? Because these qualities were not abounding in me.

107:99-100

We should be valiant in whatever calling we serve in. This is part of living the law of consecration. This is part of putting the kingdom first. It’s part of our development in becoming more like the Savior. “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so. Amen.”

This is a reminder to be diligent in our callings. At some point, we will be working 100% of the time (or at least 6 out of 7 days) for the immortality and eternal life of others. That desire isn’t going to suddenly spring up from inside of us. It will spring from our selflessness and charity that exist inside of us. It is true that charity is a gift but we receive that gift by practicing being charitable.

If we are slothful in our callings, it is a kind of litmus test that helps us know if we have the right perspective on our mortal life and how much we love the Savior. If we love him fully, being valiant in our callings will be an automatic result of that love.

108:7

“Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.” This is something that I am actively working on. I see interactions with others as opportunities to strengthen them. There are opportunities everywhere: at church, at work, inside of our homes, chance meetings with others.

The question is how? Here are some things that come to mind:

• Be an example of Christ.

• Actively look for opportunities to compliment.

• Ask thoughtful questions.

• Listen intently.

• Weave scriptures into your conversation.

• Give assurance and promise blessings.

• Testify of Christ at every opportunity.

• Express gratitude.

• Listen carefully to promptings of the Spirit.

Obviously, many of these things can’t be done with the cashier at the store. But some can.

Our relationships are built on conversations. So, if we can view every conversation with every person, including your spouse, as significant - we will definitely notice many more opportunities to strengthen those around us.