There is a reason that the first principle of the gospel is faith. (Hebrews 7-13)

7:4, 11, 14-17, 19-27

The author intends to demonstrate there was a higher priesthood that Melchizedek possessed. His example is how Abraham paid his tithing to Melchizedek. "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."

He then shows that the Aaronic priesthood and the law of Moses didn't lead to perfection and so there was a need for a higher, Melchizedek priesthood. "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?" The New Living Translation says it better: "So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?"

He then suggests that Jesus held the Melchizedek priesthood and was not from the tribe of Levi. He is talking about Jesus. "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest." Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi. Moses designated the tribe of Levi to serve as priests and hold the priesthood and administer the sacrifices to the Lord.

However, Jesus is different. He was not meant to continue in the law of Moses. He was made to fulfill the law, not continue to perform those ordinances or rituals. "Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." Jesus was a different kind of priest. He did not fulfill the requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi. Instead, his authority came from the "power of an endless life."

The author then shifts to speaking specifically about the weakness of the law of Moses. "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." The law of Moses was obviously necessary but it "made nothing perfect." By following the law of Moses, people could become amazing at controlling themselves as they lived the 613 commandments in the law of Moses. As far as making them selfless and humble, it didn't do so much for that. Becoming selfless/loving and humble/submissive is the path to perfection.

What makes us perfect? The gospel of Jesus Christ and his atonement. The law didn't make anyone perfect "but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." The law of Moses was about being obedient. The gospel of Jesus Christ is about becoming like our Heavenly Father. It is a "better hope." This hope and the gospel of Jesus Christ is how we "draw nigh unto God."

7:21-24

The author further explains the difference between the lower and higher priesthood. The lower priesthood was given simply by being born into the tribe of Levi. The Melchizedek priesthood was given another way - through the laying on of hands and a promise to live worthy of the priesthood they were receiving. "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)"

The covenant of receiving the priesthood is a better system. It connects the receiver to the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." This priesthood was not constrained by the lifespan of a Levite priest. "And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death." Their priesthood and the effects thereof died when they died. What Jesus offered lasts forever. "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

This new priesthood was endless. It contained the power to perfect us. It allows us to return to God. It will last forever because Jesus will live forever. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

7:25-26

The sacrifice that Jesus offered was different than the sacrifice that the priests offered. First of all Jesus was very different than any other priest. The JST is more clear. "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made ruler over the heavens."

Obviously, Jesus's position as creator of the universe and his ability to remain sinless in the sinful world gave him the ability to offer up a truly perfect sacrifice - one that didn't require repetition. "And not as those high priests who offered up sacrifice daily, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people; for he needeth not offer sacrifice for his own sins, for he knew no sins; but for the sins of the people. And this he did once, when he offered up himself."

I can't help but consider the priesthood that I currently hold. It is the Melchizedek priesthood. It is the same priesthood that Jesus held. It is through the Melchizedek priesthood that Jesus healed. It is through this same priesthood that he saved us. It is through this same priesthood that he created the universe. I hold that same priesthood. Consider the responsibility of that! It makes me ask two questions:

1. How should I act as a holder of the Melchizedek priesthood? How am I acting that may not be worthy of a Melchizedek priesthood. If I was more mindful of my role as a priesthood holder, I would behave better I think. What is my role in this home as a priesthood holder? How does that impact the level of example I should be?

2. What miracles could be performed at my hand if I had the faith? I obviously have the power to do any miracle if I had the faith, authority and it was the will of God. I should keep this in mind when I offer blessings. I should keep this in mind in more frequently offering to give blessings. God is a God of miracles and I am one of his chosen priesthood holders!

9:13-14

"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" The old sacrifices were meant to clean people's bodies from ceremonial impurity. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ cleanses our conscience from sinful deeds.

The one is about our flesh and the other is about our spirit. One is about the surface and the other is about what's inside. Our mortal bodies are terribly temporary. Our bodies eventually break down, die and decay - so purifying our bodies is eventually a futile action. Our spirit will outlive our mortal bodies and continue to progress in the spirit world. At our resurrection, our spirit and immortal body will be reunited. Our spirit is the only element that exists in all three states: mortality, spirit world, and immortality. So, simply based on that, which is more important that we cleanse - our physical bodies or our spirit? I suggest it's our spirit and this is why Christ's sacrifice is supremely important for us.

9:28

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." The NLT version of this reads, "So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." This is an interesting way of looking at Christ's coming to earth.

The first time was about dealing with our sins. His ultimate act on earth was his atonement for us. He suffered and died that we may all may live eternally.

His next arrival will not be about sin. It will simply be about salvation. He will come and his coming will bring with it multitudes of resurrected people - finally reuniting their spirits with their immortal bodies. He will come to save the Jews from imminent destruction. He will save us at a time when almost all hope is lost. Where his mortal visit was about sin, his return will be about salvation.

10:1

The law of Moses, with it's rituals and restrictions and laws, was a shadow of the good things that were coming - not the good things themselves. "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect." I think this is relatable to us. If we think that the "commandments" connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is how we become like Christ, we are misaligned. Becoming like Christ is not a checklist. Some may think that they will be saved if they:

• Serve regularly in the temple.

• Do a good amount of family history work.

• Attend church on Sunday.

• Read the scriptures and pray daily.

• Minister to those we are assigned.

• Pay tithing.

• Be valiant in our callings.

• Conduct family home evening each week.

• Not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco or do drugs.

• Obey the law of chastity.

These are programs and requirements and restrictions and recommendations that will assist us in avoiding unnecessary trials and should help us develop into Christlike disciples. They are not ends unto themselves. They are helpful and protecting - but do not contain salvation. Salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ and becoming like him. We cannot fall into the same trap that the early Israelites did where they focused on the commandments rather than the Savior. Not only did it slow their development, but it actually led to them rejecting their Messiah!

11:1

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This verse has always been a mystery to me. I've just always had faith that it meant something... :) I think I've figured out, at least for me, what this is saying. It describes faith in two ways:

1. "Substance of things hoped for." If I hope for something, what good does that hope do if it remains a simple hope. Faith is adding something to that hope. It is adding action. If I have hope that flipping a light switch will turn on the light, that hope is dormant and useless until I act by flipping the switch. The action is the key. The action is what gives hope substance. How do I know I am going to finish this blog? The fact that I am typing is the substance of my hope that I will indeed finish.

2. "Evidence of things not seen." What evidence is there that there is a creator? I suggest that there is a lot. We can look at how creation moves in the opposite direction of entropy. It appears that everything in this universe degrades, falls apart, becomes more disorganized. Creation gets more complicated, more advanced. Creation progresses while the nature of the universe is to digress. We can look at how there is such a distinction from us and every other life form on this planet to see that something is very unusual about that. We can look at the mathematics of the universe. For example, phi is a ratio that appears in all creation: from the angle of our galaxy arc to the ratio of elements of our fingers to how sunflower seeds are arranged. Google phi, it's very interesting. We can look at the odds of Joseph Smith writing the Book of Mormon in the 1820's as a young man I could list a thousand things that logically don't make sense unless there is a creator. Yet, we haven't seen the creator - only the evidence. Why is that? Because this is meant to be a time when we are separated from God. We've already passed the stage where we are with God. We progressed as far as we could go while being in his house. Just like our own teenagers, they cannot progress fully while living in our house. They have to go out on our own. We had to go out on our own, If we saw God in the sky each day, it would be the same as the premortal world and we wouldn't progress.

Both elements of faith are key to our development. Now, the author illustrates different examples of faith:

• 11:3: "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Again, faith is the evidence of things not seen. We cannot witness the creation but we can see the results. It's important to know that faith was used to create the universe. The same faith that is used when receiving a blessing was used for all of creation. How important is it that we develop faith?

• 11:4: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous." Abel offered the sacrifice that God wanted while Cain offered what HE wanted. It takes faith to submit to God's will. We cannot worship in the way that best suits us.

• 11:5: "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." Enoch's faith didn't begin when he was translated, it happened before the miracle. Our faith precedes the miracle. If it happened in reverse, what growth comes from that?

• 11:6: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." How do we move towards God except by faith? How can we please God except by exercising our faith in him?

• 11:7: "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." Faith is demonstrated when we simply heed a warning. Reverencing the warnings of God is a very good example of faith.

• 11:8-10: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Faith is about taking steps into the dark. We walk the path without seeing the entire path. Abraham received this glorious promise but soon found himself struggling in the desert, living in tents. Often, as we demonstrate faith, we necessarily receive trials in the middle of it. What development would happen if we were instantly rewarded with a bag of gold every time we chose the right? We would be right back into the conditions of the premortal world!

• 11:11: "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised." Often, exercising faith is about doing something that doesn't make sense to our rational mind. We can exercise faith by following promptings of the Spirit even when those promptings make no sense to our rational mind. In fact, when we go against our own logic, our faith is enlarged more. When we accept that God's ways are not our ways, we progress faster down the path of faith.

• 11:17-19: "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

• 11:24-27: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

The author did a really good job of illustrating the different forms or elements of faith through real-world examples!

11:13

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." This is having an eternal perspective. The blessings that we are promised of health and happiness and peace and joy and eternal progress are ours AFTER this life. Everything that we are promised are promises that take effect after mortality. In mortality, we are not guaranteed health and happiness and peace and joy and progress on earth. We could be perfectly righteous and get cancer, lose our job and spouse and have all of our friends and family turn against us.

We must see "them afar off" and walk towards them until we die. But, we should die in faith. To some, that may sound depressing. Again, it is about perspective. If we view ourselves as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," the timing of promised blessings makes sense. If I promise you that you'll become a doctor if you go to medical school, you're not frustrated that you don't enjoy being a doctor throughout your education! You're not waking up each day upset that no one is paying you to diagnose illness. You know it's coming. Knowing that the blessings will come motivates you to endure the trials you're currently facing. Our current state is temporary - very temporary.

11:32-40

I love the end of this chapter. The author contrasts how faith affects the faithful in opposite faith. He illustrates that, through faith, we can perform miracles AND endure severe trials. Both are an example of faith. In these three verses, he illustrates some miracles. "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith:

• subdued kingdoms,

• wrought righteousness,

• obtained promises,

• stopped the mouths of lions,

• Quenched the violence of fire,

• escaped the edge of the sword,

• out of weakness were made strong,

• waxed valiant in fight,

turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection." What amazing miracles can be wrought through faith.

There is another side to faith: the faith to endure.

"And others had

• trial of cruel mockings and scourgings,

• yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

• They were stoned,

• they were sawn asunder,

• were tempted,

• were slain with the sword:

• they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins;

• being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:)

• they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."

This list is not a feel-good list. These are the worst types of trials. These are, for anyone, the lows of life.

Faith is needed for miraculous victories and miraculous survival. Most of us can relate with the second list more than the first. Most aren't performing miracles. But ALL are enduring overwhelming trials. Everyone is miraculously carrying visible and invisible burdens. For most of us, our faith is what helps us endure.

"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." Whether we receive the blessings of our faith in this life, ALL will receive a "good report through faith." Our reputations will be established through our faith. Our faith will help us hear those amazing words, "well done, thou good and faithful servant."

12:1-2

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." We have great examples of faith in the scriptures. We can learn from them in how we respond to trials. Truly we are all encompassed "about with so great a cloud of witnesses." We don't have to figure out faith on our own. We have many examples to learn from.

The ultimate example is, of course, Jesus Christ. He endured every trial. He did not experience the blessings of his faith in in mortality. He was scourged and crucified. His mortal story didn't end well. He also had to look forward with and eye of faith. He saw the big picture. He knew that the blessings from his faithfulness would come AFTER this life. He is now "set down at the right hand of the throne of God." His eternal perspective strengthened him and gave him joy - even during his trials.

I love the phrase "run with patience!" Running suggests high effort. We aren't wandering or moping through the race. We are leaning into this mortal experience. Yet, we are running with "patience." As we give all that we have, we must be patient in knowing that we will experience the blessings in the future. We must be patient in trials. We must be patient with God and trust that the "race that is set before us" is perfectly matched for our benefit.

We must think about Jesus. "For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Jesus endured hostility from sinful people. This hostility culminated in his death. We have not been asked to give up our lives. What an example Christ is of how we should be patiently running in our lives.

12:11

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." It's hard to enjoy trials when we are in the middle of them. Yet, when it is over, almost every trial contains the "peaceable fruit" of experience, strength, wisdom, empathy, etc. We should keep this in mind as we face affliction.

12:15

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." We should be actively looking for those who are struggling in the faith. At church, we should be "looking diligently" for those who need support. As we live our lives in public, we should have our "feelers" out - searching for opportunities to lift others.

I think that many of those who have left the church and are now bitter would have a different story if there was someone who was "looking diligently" in their direction and offering support, acceptance, listening, and love.

13:1-2

"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." We don't know the story of the stranger in front of us. We can safely assume that his or her story is inspiring. We can assume that every person we meet is a "chosen vessel" to the Lord and worth saving.

I think a measure of our true Christlikeness is how we treat strangers. It's easy to be Christlike to our friends. It's harder to be Christlike to a stranger, especially one who is driving slow in the left lane! If I ever want a litmus test of how Christlike I am, I just need to go to a public place where there is a crowd of people. My Christlike progress is immediately on display.

13:9

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats." Strange doctrines don't build faith. They may be interesting, but they aren't strengthening. Preaching faith and repentance is the way to strengthen someone and help them feel the grace of God. Talking about Heavenly Mother and the Church of the Firstborn won't.

Many of those who are anti-Mormon are caught up in "divers and strange doctrines." They get into the specifics of unknowable doctrine and attempt to pick it apart. They are unmoored from the simple truths of the gospel and are permanently in a spiritual tangent. It's very frustrating to watch.

13:14

"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." Again, nothing in this world continues. It all ends. All of the great and spacious cities that we see will all be turned to glass. None of us should be focused on building this worldly city but should work towards the kingdom of God that is surely coming.

13:17

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Learning to submit to our leaders is an eternal skill that will be employed as we increase in submission to the will of our Heavenly Father. We may not understand or agree with what is taught, but it is our duty to follow. We should always give them the benefit of the doubt that they know something that we don't. I don't see myself as having the wisdom or ability to see beyond what President Nelson see. I will follow the prophet, even if I don't understand.

A third of the hosts of heaven thought that they could see better than Heavenly Father. Satan questioned God's plan. He thought he had a better plan. Others joined him in disagreeing with God. I suspect that there will be more who disagree in the spirit world. Children believing that they are smarter than their parents is a problem that has existed since the beginning. It is connected to pride. We must beware of pride when considering whether we should follow the prophet, or our Heavenly Father.

This problem of second guessing our church leaders will become a bigger and bigger problem. It is part of living in the last days. The cycle of the Book of Mormon will happen again where we live in peace and prosperity, get prideful and rebel. I see that we are definitely in the "get prideful and rebel" stage. I am committed to sustaining my church leaders to the end. I hope you are too. :)