A Voice of Reason – Fireside Chat – Sunday, 31 January 2016

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

This life is not meant to be spent focusing on ourselves, but rather our focus and attention, and indeed our greatest blessings in this life, come from serving others. If we proclaim to be Christians and say that we are striving to emulate the Savior in our daily walk, then we must also understand that the Christian life brings with it the duty and the privilege of a lifetime of service.

Jesus Christ is Our Great Exemplar

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did not come to be served, but rather His mission was to be about His Father’s business by being a servant to others. His entire ministry – from raising the dead, to healing the lame, to opening the eyes of the blind and the ears of the death, to His intercessory prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, to giving His life as a ransom for many while hanging upon a cruel Roman cross on Golgotha’s lonely hill – was centered on others.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a Gospel of action. Therefore, true disciples of Jesus Christ are not passive people. They are a people of action. They are actively engaged in helping to build up the Kingdom of God on earth, and one of the best ways that they can do that is by serving others. As King Benjamin taught in his sermon, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).

The Savior Himself said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). What exactly did He meant by this? He was not saying that to show our love for our friends that we literally have to die, but the lesson that He was teaching is that we lay down our lives for our friends every time we willingly put the needs of others ahead of our own. He also commanded us to “love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). And so, keeping that thought in mind, the word “friends” can be understood to be everyone we meet.

There are Many Opportunities to Serve

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have many opportunities to serve. We can do small and random acts of kindness for our neighbors, take part in community service projects, fulfill and magnify our Church callings, contribute to the Church’s humanitarian efforts, and there are some who serve our country in the military. These are but a few ways that everyone can have an opportunity to serve. As we give service, we not only bless the lives of others, but we are also blessed in many ways. Service allows us to do for others as the Master has done for us. The words of a familiar hymn (Hymn 219, “Because I Have Been Given Much”) reminds us that:

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from thee with ev-‘ry brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

Are We Not All Beggars?

Perhaps there are those who may say that they don’t have the time, the talents, or the abilities to adequately be of service to others. Or perhaps they ask, “Why should I give of my time and/or abilities to be of service to others?” I would direct their attention to one of my personal favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 4:19-24), and the words of King Benjamin:

19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.

21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.

22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.

23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.

24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.

Every opportunity that we have to serve others should be a reminder to us that Our Heavenly Father often allows us to be the answer to another person’s prayers. As we serve others we should also be reminded of the words of the Savior Himself. Said He, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

Serving Others is the Lord’s Way

President Spencer W. Kimball once explained: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs” (“The Abundant Life,” Tambuli, June 1979, 3). President Thomas S. Monson has taught us, “Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler. There are others who need your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save.” (Thomas S. Monson, How Firm a Foundation, Ensign, November 2006). President Monson also taught us in his October 2009 General Conference address titled “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” that serving others is the Lord’s way. He remarked, “Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and, figuratively, lose their life, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their life.” And the Prophet Joseph Smith is quoted as having said, “If my life is of no value to my friends it is of none to myself.”

Now, someone may ask, “What about the person that seems to have everything that they need? Can we still offer service to that person? Do we need to offer service to that person since they don’t seem to need any help?” I offer this wise counsel as something for us all to think about – sometimes those who seem not to need any help, are some of the people whose needs are the greatest. We should never assume anything.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that everyone benefits from serving and being served by others. Service is not only about filling a need, but it is also about showing charity – the pure love of Christ – to our brothers and sisters. Christ taught, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). And so, the way that we show our love to our Heavenly Father is by serving one another.

Brothers and sisters, the service that we give doesn’t have to be something that is grandiose, but even the little things that we do for another can make a huge difference in his or her life. The beauty of following Christ’s example is that we don’t need to test who, when or how we serve, we just act. Service can be planned or it can be spur of the moment. Service can be for someone we know or for a total stranger. It really doesn’t matter. And may I add one other warning? It is not the quantity of service that necessarily makes the difference, but rather, the quality of service. The question that we should ask ourselves is, “Do I give service to another merely out of obligation, or do I give service to another because of my genuine love for them as my brother or sister?”

I close with these last thoughts. True service is rendered without expecting any personal recognition or reward. The true motivation behind any service that we give should be the love that we have for our brothers and sisters, and the love that we show to our Father in Heaven.

I leave these thoughts with you humbly in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Serving one another leads to a path of peace in our lives. When we serve others, not only are their lives blessed, but our lives are blessed as well.

Nuggets of Wisdom – Sunday, 31 January 2016

For the Love of Our Brother

It has been wisely said, “Service is the rent we pay for our own room on earth.” We should be carefully reminded that the rent is due on a daily basis, and because of that, we will never receive a receipt that is stamped “paid in full.”

Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught:

It is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowman, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves. In the midst of the miracle of serving, there is the promise of Jesus, that by loosing ourselves, we find ourselves. (Spencer W. Kimball; “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, December 1974, p.2, 5).

Have you ever stopped to wonder what it is that truly motivates you to do the things that you do? Do you go about life seeking only those things which will gain you some type of personal recognition, or do you do the things you do, thinking not solely of yourself, but with the best interests of others at heart?

For example, I have been blessed with the talent and ability to be able to share my thoughts and feelings through the things that I write and share with others. But, sometimes I have to take a step back and ask myself if I am writing in hopes that someone will recognize my talents and abilities, or am I writing in hopes that someone will read what I have written and be blessed by what they have read. I pray that the latter will always be true. I pray that I will always live my life with the realization that it is not about me and what I may be able to do, but what I can do to be a blessing to others. Even with my writing I am in some small way rendering a service to others. Russell C. Taylor, a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ, taught, “Service opens windows in your life instead of just mirrors that always reflect yourself.” Therefore, I strive to live my life in such a manner that the things that I do are not just for me, but because of the love that I have in my heart for my brothers and sisters.

I personally believe that to a certain extent we all want to be recognized for the things that we do. However, sometimes we can get so caught up in ourselves that we fail to see anyone else but ourselves.

Even sometimes when we are preparing a message or a lesson for Church, we tend to feel that it has to be the greatest message ever delivered or the greatest lesson ever taught. Afterwards, if we are not careful, we can feel as though what we said or taught was ineffective, especially if no one comes to us and thanks us for our “great” efforts. If we find ourselves in this situation, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves, “Was the message that I delivered or the lesson that I taught for my glory or for His glory?” If we look at things in the proper perspective, of being in His service and bringing Him glory, our entire approach – from preparation, to delivery, to finish will be different. We will experience a certain peace unlike any other. A peace that “can come to both the giver and the receiver as we follow the promptings of the Spirit to serve one another.” (Barbara W. Winder; “Draw Near unto Me through Obedience,” Ensign, November 1985, p. 96).

Along those same lines we need to ask ourselves what audience we are intending to reach with our message. Do we expect that our message will reach the world, or do we focus on reaching the one who desperately hungers for the spiritual bread that we have that can satisfy that hunger? Our concern should not be for any type of self recognition, but our focus and concern should be for the love and edification of another – for the love of our brother. Even when we are delivering a message or teaching a class, we are rendering a service to our brothers and sisters.

President Spencer W. Kimball taught,

God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.” (Spencer W. Kimball; “Small Acts of Service,” Ensign, December 1974, p. 5).

And Elder Richard G. Scott taught,

If you would be loved, love another. If you would be understood, show understanding to another. If you would find peace, harmony, and happiness, lift another (Richard G. Scott; “The Power to Make a Difference,” Ensign, November 1983, p. 71).

In every area of our lives – in the home, on our jobs, at school, in the community in which we live, and in the Church that we attend – we have the opportunity to be of service to our brothers and sisters. Some of our acts of kindness and service may be great, some may be small. Some may be noticeable, and some may not be noticeable at all. In some cases the one receiving the service may be totally unaware as to who rendered the service, but as President Thomas S. Monson has taught, “Loving service anonymously given may be unknown to man – but the gift and the giver are known to God.” (Thomas S. Monson; “Anonymous,” Ensign, May 1983, p. 57.)

Perhaps Bryant S. Hinckley summarized it best when he said:

Service is the virtue that has distinguished the great of all times and which they are remembered by. It places a mark of nobility upon its disciples. It is the dividing line which separates the two great groups of the world – those who help and those who hinder, those who lift and those who lean, those who contribute and those who only consume. How much better it is to give than to receive. Service in any form is comely and beautiful. To give encouragement, to impart sympathy, to show interest, to banish fear, to build self-confidence and awaken hope in the hearts of others, in short to love them and to show it, is to render the most precious service. (Quoted by Homer S. Ellsworth; “The Love That Never Ceases to Be,” New Era, June 1975, p. 14).

As we journey through this life, it is my humble prayer that we may do so realizing that we are not the center of the universe and the sun does not rise nor set merely upon us. If in our lives we are able to help our brothers and sisters to lighten the heavy load that they may bear, in even the smallest of ways, then our living will not be in vain. Let us live our lives realizing and understanding that it is not all about “me.” The real blessings in life come when we forget about ourselves, and focus on doing things that will help lift another – when we do things for the love of our brother.

Nuggets of Wisdom – Saturday, 30 January 2016

The Hatred Needs to Stop!

I humbly believe that there are many good hearten people who are equating love for their brothers and sisters to mean acceptance of lifestyle or behavior. I can love my brothers and sisters (as I am commanded to do), but that does not necessarily mean that I accept their actions and behaviors. They, like myself, have their free agency, and are free to choose their path in life. You will not get any argument from me on that matter. Therefore, I refuse to hate, demean, belittle, degrade, or even condemn any of my brothers and sisters to hell as it were because of their life choices and decisions. I do not claim, nor will I purport to be their judge or jury. Regardless of the path that any of my brothers and sisters choose to follow, I echo the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he said, “I choose to love, because hate is too great a burden to bear.”

I do not pretend to know the heart of another person. I have enough to do to make sure that my heart is in the right place. I do not pretend to understand the life of another person or the choices that he or she makes. I have enough to do to make sure that I keep my life in order, make the right choices, and stay on the right path.

Therefore, I cannot justify trying to clean out the corners in somebody’s house, when there are cobwebs in my own that perhaps need cleaning out. Let us remember that we are all imperfect people in need of a perfect Savior. Let us not fall into the trap of judging other people because we feel that the size of their sin is perhaps greater than our own sin, or because we do not practice certain behaviors, we somehow feel that we are better or superior to others.

Now, there will be some who will argue, “By loving your brothers and sisters regardless of their lifestyle and choices in life, aren’t you really condoning their behaviors and conforming to the world?” The short answer is a resounding NO! Love is compassion. It is not conforming to anything. I can have compassion for someone, help and support him or her as one of my brothers and sisters in any way I can without accepting those things which are contrary to my own personal believes and morals.

I guess what I am saying is that we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. The truth of the matter is that all of our neighbors do not live by the same morals, standards, or believes that we do, but that does not give us a poetic license to shun them, hate them, or treat them as societal outcast. Through our love and compassion we are demonstrating how we can be in the world, but not of the world.

We need to stop always focusing on the negative aspects, and start focusing on the good in people. We need to try to build more bridges of hope and understanding, instead of adding mortar and brick to walls of division, contention, and strife.

Dear friends, all the bickering, arguing, and hatred needs to stop!

Nuggets of Wisdom – Friday, 29 January 2016

Bridging the Chasms that Cause A Great Divide

If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you. — Winnie the Pooh

It Does Not Matter What Anyone Really Thinks About Us

It does not matter what anyone really thinks about us. They have their opinion, whether it be right or wrong. What does matter is that we know who we are, and more importantly, Whose we are. We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. It is His stamp of approval that we should seek, and not the approval or disapproval of man.

None of us are exempt from life’s trials and challenges. We all face our own battles – our own Goliath – as we travel on this pilgrim journey. Whether or not people understand our struggles ought not be our main concern.

I have come to realize that those who truly care and want to understand will do their best to understand, and those who don’t care are not worth spending the time and energy to extend an explanation, as no explanation would suffice anyway.

At the end of the day, whether we are true to ourselves is what matters, and not being overly concerned about what others say about us, or think about us. God, our Heavenly Father loves each of us, and to Him, we are all special.

~ Keith Lionel Brown

Coca-Cola Gay Anti-bullying Campaign

The short video below will not get any air time in the United States, nevertheless, Coca-Cola is making a big gay bold statement in Latin America with a new short film and advertisement called “The Text.” The film, written and directed by Dustin Lance Black for Coca-Cola, centers on bullying and two gay teens in love.

Dustin Lance Black is an American screenwriter, director, film and television producer and LGBT rights activist. He has won a Writers Guild of America Award and an Academy Award for the 2008 film “Milk.” Dustin, 41, and his long-term boyfriend, Tom Daley, 21, have recently announced their engagement. Tom is an English diver and television celebrity. His specialty is the 10 metre platform event, and he was the 2009 FINA World Champion in the event at the age of 15. He started diving at the age of seven and is a member of Plymouth Diving Club. You can read an article in the Huffington Post where Tom sat down with The Guardian for a revealing interview in which he discusses coming to terms with his gay identity in the public eye, his relationship with Dustin Lance Black, and his life as an athlete.

Coca-Cola recruited Black to direct three short films for the company to air in Latin America that would challenge young people to choose compassion over bullying. He told AdWeek that one of the campaigns was specifically “aimed at the LGBT community.” He further stated that the intent was to show “a crossroads moment where you’ve got to make a decision: Are you going to go the way of kindness, or are you going to go for the easy joke when someone’s having a tough time?” The moral, he says, “If you do something with acceptance and kindness, you can create a true friendship.”

Source: Best Gay News; Category – Youth

Gay Youth Coming Out Stories

No importa lo que realmente piensa de nosotros

No importa lo que alguien realmente piensa acerca de nosotros. Ellos tienen su opinión, ya sea bueno o malo. Lo que importa es que sabemos lo que somos, y lo más importante, de quién somos. Todos somos hijos de un amoroso Padre Celestial. Es su sello de aprobación que debemos buscar, y no a la aprobación o desaprobación del hombre.

Ninguno de nosotros está exento de pruebas y desafíos de la vida. Todos nos enfrentamos a nuestras propias batallas – nuestro propio Goliat – mientras viajamos en esta peregrinación. Sea o no la gente a entender nuestras luchas no deben ser nuestra principal preocupación.

Me he dado cuenta de que los que realmente se preocupan y quieren entender lo hará su mejor esfuerzo para entender, y los que no les importa, no vale la pena gastar el tiempo y la energía para extender una explicación, ya que no hay explicación sería suficiente de todos modos.

Al final del día, si somos fieles a nosotros mismos es lo que importa, y no estar demasiado preocupado por lo que otros dicen de nosotros, o piensan de nosotros. Dios, nuestro Padre Celestial ama a cada uno de nosotros, y para él, todos somos especiales.

~ Keith Lionel Brown

Nuggets of Wisdom – Thursday, 28 January 2016

The True Content

We can no more discover the contents of a book based on its title alone, than we can decide the character of a person based only on his or her outward appearance. Sometimes the title of a book can lead a person to think that the book is about one subject, but upon perusal of its pages, the reader discovers that the content discusses something entirely different. In the same way, we cannot judge a person based solely on comments made about his or her race, nationality, culture, or even preconceived ideas about the type of person he or she seems to portray – comments, remarks, and preconceived ideas that can sometimes be unfair, unjust, and unwarranted – but rather we must take the time to “read” the person – to get to know the true content of his or her character. Just as the actual contents of a book tell what the book is about, so does the character of a person tell what type of person he or she truly is.

~ Keith Lionel Brown

Fame Pro Veritatis – Judging Others – Examining Ourselves

Scripture References: Romans 14:3, 10, 13

3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.

Whether we are realize it or not, we live in a very judgmental world. We are all judged in one way or another — by the way we talk, the way we walk, the way we dress, the way we act or react in given situations, the people we associate with, the car we drive, the house we live in, the music we listen to, the type of job we have, our level of education, and on the list goes. Not only are we judged, but whether we are willing to admit it or not, we all tend to be a bit judgmental at times of others for one reason or another. The act of judging even reaches into the Church. Often times the level of someone’s faithfulness as a member is unfairly based on the perceptions of others. Too often we are quick to criticize what we think someone else is doing wrong, but fail to see, or refuse to admit, our own short comings.

Before rushing to judge someone else, we should take a step back and place ourselves on the witness stand and do a little cross examination of our own lives. What makes us so holy, righteous and perfect? Are we doing everything that we are supposed to do to live up to the standards that we use in judging the behaviors of others?

During the cross examination of our lives we should perhaps ask ourselves questions similar to the following:

First, is the type of music that I listen to uplifting and edifying? Are the lyrics of the songs in harmony with gospel principles that I have been taught, and does the music I am listening to help to strengthen my testimony in any way? Is this the type of music that I would feel comfortable listening to if my church leaders or other church members were around to hear? Is the music that I am listening to really any better than the music that someone else listens to, and I am quick to judge them for listening to that type of music?

Second, are the types of movies that I watch in harmony with my standards and beliefs? Are they edifying and uplifting? Do I use wisdom and discernment in choosing the types of movies that I watch? Or, do I turn a deaf ear and a blind eye and dismiss the fact that there may be such things as nudity and profanity in the movie, or even an excessive amount of violence? What exactly do I consider to be a good movie? Are some of my movie choices really that different from the ones that I criticize and judge others for watching?

Third, let us not forget about our internet activity. The internet is a great tool. Unfortunately, just as it can be used for good, there is a lot of darkness that lurks within its many pages. Before judging others for their internet activities let’s ask ourselves about the places that we visit on the internet. Do we avoid places that we know we should not tread, or do we take the attitude that a “little peak” won’t hurt anything? Do we take the attitude that no one will ever know that I visit certain sites? Do we tell ourselves that it is OK because we are not really hurting anyone when in reality we are indeed hurting our own testimonies?

Fourth, what about our conversations with others? Do we enjoy listening to profanity or off color jokes? Do we use profanity or initiate off color jokes? Do we tolerate certain conversations so that we can appear to be a part of the crowd? In our conversations do we make jokes about or say unkind things about others (even if we know what we are saying is not true) just to gain favor of our “friends”?

The bottom line is that we should examine our own lives and see whether or not we measure up to the standards that we are trying to hold others to. We need to first make sure our own houses are in order and then we will be more capable of helping others put theirs in order.

I am reminded of the words found in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 29:12, “Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man, for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not always just.” I am also reminded of the words found in 1 Corinthians 6:2-5:

Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

And finally, the words found in John 8:15-16, “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.”

Nuggets of Wisdom – Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Ostentatious Facades Give Impetus to Search for Truth

From a young age, I have always been fascinated by books. One of my favorite pastimes is visiting different bookstores and perusing books of various subjects. I equate my spending time in a bookstore to a little child in a candy shop trying to decide which of all the candies is his favorite, and which of his favorites he will be able to buy with the allowance he has been given. Like the little child, I find myself mulling over which book or books I am able to buy and not exceed my spending limit.

The decision of which books to buy and which ones to buy at a later date is not always easy, I may select several books and put them in my shopping basket, but before I reach the checkout counter, I look at my selections carefully to choose the one or ones that I believe I would be most interested in reading. To help me make that decision, I glean as much information as I can about the books that I plan to buy by reading the front, inside, and back covers of each. Sometimes the title of the book alone is enough to spark my interest to buy it. Other times it is the short synopsis of the book on the inside or back cover of the book that will wet my appetite enough to buy it. Whatever the case, I find that my decision to buy a book is generally influenced by what is written on its cover. I have discovered, however, that sometimes what is written on the cover of a book is spot on about what the book is about, but there have been a few instances when I found that the cover was nothing more than a pretentious façade to entice people to buy the volume only to discover that the contents may not be exactly what was expected.

And so it seems that the cover of a book alone may not necessarily show its true contents. In the same vein, we should not live under the pretense of believing that we know everything there is to know about a person judging solely by his or her outward appearance. Just as we must open the cover of a book and look at its contents to learn what it is about, we must take the time to get to know a person and the true content of his or her character, and then we may find that our previous judgments of that person were unwarranted. The cover, or the outward appearance of a person may show some things about a person, but it is the content of their character that defines who they are.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people find it easy to judge others for one reason or another. Oftentimes the judgments that they make are superficial, not factual. For some, it is easier to be critical and condemning of another, than  to try to understand and help lift up another. These are they who incessantly point out the flaws in others, but fail to acknowledge their own. Matthew 7:1-5 teaches:

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

The scriptures also exhort us, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37), and “judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).  In the exercise of our moral agency, we each make some sort of judgment every day.  We make judgments about who we choose as friends, what career path we will follow, how we will spend our time and money, and for those who are single and seeking a mate, judgments are made about who the right choice for a mate would be. However, we must use caution that our judgments of people are intermediate and not final, and that the judgments we make are righteous judgments. Righteous judgments will be guided by the Spirit of the Lord, not by anger, revenge, jealousy, or self-interest. Moroni 7:15-16 in the Book of Mormon teaches:

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks. in a talk delivered at Brigham Young University on 1 March 1998 titled “”Judge Not” and Judging,” taught that “there are two kinds of judging: final judgments, which we are forbidden to make, and intermediate judgments, which we are directed to make, but upon righteous principles.” He further admonished, “these judgments are essential to the exercise of personal moral agency. Our scriptural accounts of the Savior’s mortal life provide the pattern. He declared, “I have many things to say and to judge of you” (John 8:26) and “For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see”(John 9:39). He continued by commentating that, “the Savior also commanded individuals to be judges, both of circumstances and of other people. Through the prophet Moses, the Lord commanded Israel, “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour” (Leviticus 19:15)”.

Doctrine and Covenants 1:10 reminds us that the day will come when “the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.” Therefore, if the Lord uses His own criteria for judging us, we are assured of a just and merciful judgment (Psalms 103:8; John 5:30). The question that then begs an answer is, “Are we confident enough with the criteria we use in judging others that we are willing to have the Lord judge us according to our criteria and not His own?” Do we want Him to judge us in the same way we judge others? If not, then perhaps we should be less hasty to criticize and condemn others.

The summation of the matter is this: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:1-3) “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of [his] brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” (James 4:11-12)

Nuggets of Wisdom – Tuesday, 26 January 2016

The Blessings of Work

There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. ~ Ecclesiastes 2:24

There are those who immensely enjoy the work that they do, and then there are those who consider the work that they do to be pure drudgery. For the latter, just getting up out of bed every morning to go to work is misery, as they do not look forward to yet another day of what they consider to be menial labor. To them, the work that they do is a job that earns them a salary to be able to sustain life and nothing more. If everyone were to see their vocation as a part of God’s plan for a purposeful life, then they would be able to view work in an entirely different perspective. Even in the midst of what seems to be drudgery, they could find joy and a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

If a person only considers their vocation to be an opportunity to gain wealth and to achieve a certain level of social status, then they will soon find themselves echoing the words of the writer of Ecclesiastes, “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 2:17).

The 19th century British author Charles Kingsley wrote,

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being required to work, and doing so to the best of your ability, will breed in you self-control, diligence, contentment, and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know.

Earl of Chesterfield stated, “Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” The job that we do may seem insignificant or meaningless by comparison, however, if we work “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23), He will use our labors to not only provide for all of our needs, but we will also have a means by which we can help others in need. Therefore, any type of wholesome work can be a blessing!

Brigham Young taught the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Daily toil, however humble it may be, is our daily duty, and by doing it well, we make it a part of our daily worship.” Remember, the Master was a worker with daily work to do; and if you would be like Him, you must be zealous too. Someone has wisely said, “To leave lasting footprints on the sands of time wear work shoes.”

Nuggets of Wisdom – Monday, 25 January 2016

Mormons and Misconceptions of Interracial Marriage

Article content by Melissa Muse

The week of 12 June marks a special week for people who are a part of interracial marriages. On 12 June 1967, in the landmark civil rights case of Loving v. Virginia, the decision rendered by the Unites States Supreme Court invalidated all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in sixteen U.S. states citing, “There can be no doubt that restricting the freedom to marry solely because of racial classifications violates the central meaning of the equal protection clause.” Thanks to the efforts of the Loving family, Loving Day, though not yet an official recognized holiday by the United States government, is the biggest multiracial celebration in the U.S.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomes those who choose to marry that are of different ethnicity. However, acceptance of miscegenation, or interracial marriage, took a while to occur in the States, thus also affecting relationships within the Church as well. A question to ask is, what is the Church’s standpoint of the topic? Here is a discussion about the Church and what fellow members have said about their feelings about interracial relationships and marriage.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Interracial Marriage

A remarkable trend these days is that an increasing number of people are accepting interracial marriage as a suitable choice for couples to make. How does this relate to The Church of Jesus Christ?

Brigham Young was the first President of the Church to state that men who were Black and of African descent were no longer to be ordained to the priesthood. Despite the conditions, Blacks still could join the Church through baptism and could receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Many church presidents following Brigham Young upheld the restriction for Black men to get the priesthood and for Black members to receive temple ordinances.

It was a big day in Church history when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that Black members of the Church could finally receive the priesthood and temple blessings. In June of 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball, along with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, received revelation from Heavenly Father that all brethren, no matter their race, are entitled to having the priesthood as long as they are worthy. Additionally, all members who are worthy, no matter their race could enter the temple and take part in the holy ordinances performed there.

What does this mean for those within interracial marriages? It means that those who are of different race can take part in all the blessings that are provided to them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.There are no restrictions placed on any worthy male member from obtaining the priesthood, or any worthy member, regardless of race, from participating in sacred temple ordinances. Regarding race, LDS.org, the official website of The Church of Jesus Christ, states:

In theology and practice, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints embraces the universal human family. Latter-day Saint scripture and teachings affirm that God loves all of His children and makes salvation available to all. God created the many diverse races and ethnicities and esteems them all equally.

In lieu of this statement, I believe that God fully accepts and is happy when two people decide to marry, and that race is not a negative factor when two people are to marry as one.

I still had some questions in mind. So I reached out to a couple of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have helped in answering my inquiries.

What does interracial marriage mean to you?

I have met several people and grew up with friends who have married outside of their cultural or racial background and they are doing well with their marriages. Most have children and are happy with how life is going for them. My belief is also that it helps to have the gospel perspective before marrying not only someone of a different ethnicity, but any person in general.

I asked Sister Dumdi Baribe, a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about her feelings about interracial marriage. Her response was:

I feel that love sees no color and two people from two different cultural backgrounds can be united in marriage, as long as they love one another and share common interests, morals, and values.

Sister Dumdi Baribe

Born in Nigeria, and the oldest sister of six siblings, Sister Baribe feels that this is true, especially since she has stated that she has dated outside of her ethnicity before.

I also interviewed Brother Keith Brown, who is a convert of nearly seventeen years to the Church. He is an honorably retired 30-year United States Navy veteran, having been officially retired from the United States Armed Forces on 1 September 2010. His heritage is predominantly Methodist and Lutheran, but he grew up Baptist. He shared his feelings that love can transcend race and culture. He said:

I do not believe that the color of a person’s skin makes the person, but rather it is the character of that person that tells who he or she truly is.

He further stated:

I will admit that there will be cultural differences within such [interracial] marriages, but those can be dealt with and overcome. However, both the husband and the wife have to be willing to work together to better understand one another.

And he also adds:

Before marrying anyone, a person must take the time to make it a matter of sincere prayer, and seek the Lords guidance and direction. If the Lord’s blessings are not on the marriage union, then it does not matter what race the couple is, that marriage is built on a sandy foundation from the start.

Brother Keith L. Brown

Their beautiful responses hit the nail on the head. I feel the same: that no matter what color you are, love can transcend boundaries, including interracial ones. I also feel that loving anyone within a marriage, whether it is with someone who is of a different race or of the same, the feelings should be the same. There are no restrictions that should keep one person from loving another, especially race.

The History of the Church and Interracial Marriage

I understand there was much joy for those who married someone outside of their own ethnicity when the announcement was made that priesthood requirements were extended to men of any racial background and that temple ordinances can be performed by any worthy member for anyone. For example, there is the story of Robert Stevenson, a convert who married outside of his own ethnicity before the ban on Black men having the priesthood was lifted. He and his wife celebrated the day that President Kimball gave the word to allow all men the ability to receive the priesthood. He and Susan Bevan, his wife, were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple almost a year later.

God does want what is best for his children and that means that it was important to Heavenly Father to allow Brother and Sister Stevenson to be married in the temple, as well as other brothers and sisters seeking the same blessings.

Has the Church fully accepted interracial marriage?

Today, I understand that several of my friends who have married outside of their own race are comfortable in their decision, and are allowing others to see that they are just as happy as can be with their marriage as any couple who marry within their own ethnicity.

However, there is that unfortunate instance where interracial couples may face discrimination from fellow members. Brother Keith Brown shared his thoughts about whether the Church has fully accepted interracial marriage:

There are some who have accepted and embrace interracial marriages, but sadly, even within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are some who probably will never accept interracial marriages. I have personally dealt with a few in the social media world.

Sister Baribe, who is the only active member of her family at the moment, gave her thoughts about this issue and stated:

I think the Church itself has accepted interracial marriage to some level but not necessarily fully. There have been times when I have heard talk about how we should marry in our own culture, in the Church.

I fear that this may be a trend within the Church, that people of different races are discouraged from dating or marrying people outside of their race and culture. My hope is that people within the Church can be more accepting of those who date or marry outside of their race. My thoughts are that it is the Christ-like thing to do.

I liked what Brother Brown says here:

I think through the years, the Church has made great strides in understanding different races and cultures and are perhaps more accepting today of interracial marriage than they might have been in the past.

He also mentioned a group called the LDS Genesis Group, which is presided over by a General Authority of the Church, and shares that many interracial couples make up this group. He also feels that the Church follows the teachings of the scripture where it states: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9). Brother Brown continues to say in this profound statement:

When God sees a marriage union, He sees the couple as one. He is not concerned about race or any other such thing.

My personal hope is that we see beyond color and accept everyone as sons and daughters of God. There is no doctrine opposing two people from getting married based on the fact that they are from different ethnic groups. If God accepts it, then so should all. It is unwise to discriminate where God has not done so.

Does ethnicity matter when two people are in love?

With being in love with my husband, I may have an advantage to say what is and what isn’t love, but could I have fallen in love with someone of a different ethnicity? If that was within God’s plan for me, maybe that might have happened, but I did marry someone of the same color. I feel inclined to say that God works in mysterious ways sometimes and I feel that it is normal for people of different races to fall in love. Love transcends color, and with any marriage, difficulties will arise and problems will need to be solved. Interracial marriage is no different from a marriage between those of the same race.

Sister Baribe’s feelings are that she thinks ethnicity does not matter. She commented:

There are clear differences and different obstacles to overcome when dealing with two different ethnicities, but those things can certainly be worked with when two people are in love.

Brother Brown answered emphatically that he personally does not think that ethnicity should make a “difference if two people are truly in love.” and believes that “as long as the two people treat each other with dignity, respect, and self-worth, the color of their skin should not play a part in their romance.”

My favorite statement Brother Brown gives:

I also firmly believe that the heart only knows the color of true love, not the color of a person’s skin.

He follows this by pointing out that if people of the same race and culture cannot make it through marriage or dating, then why should people of differing races have the same results? He mentions that “if I truly love someone, it does not matter to me what ethnicity that person is. I see her as a daughter of God” (emphasis added). He also feels that it is important to look past the “barrier of ethnicity” and see each other as sons and daughters of the “same Heavenly Father.”

Love is a beautiful feeling when that connection is felt between two people, even if that attraction is between people of differing races.

How do interracial marriages affect the dynamic of the Church?

My clear opinion on this is that I believe that interracial marriages benefit the Church. First, I think that it allows for people to have the opportunity to be more accepting and loving to all our brothers and sisters, no matter their race or culture.

Sister Baribe who is also a returned missionary who served in San Jose California, said:

Honestly, I believe that it gives the Church and the members an opportunity to learn about and experience different cultures than they (some of the members) have always known. We need more of that in the Church. That way, people can be more open-minded about members and non-members from different cultural backgrounds.

Brother Brown said in response to this particular question: “Honestly, I think that having interracial marriages strengthens the dynamics of the Church by allowing more diversity and opening new windows of understanding among the different races and cultures.” He continues:

I think that interracial marriages helps people to see and understand that true love is not color blind. And interracial marriages helps in many ways to bring about unity in the Church as people begin to realize and understand that we are all brothers and sisters and our ethnicity should not separate us, but rather unite us.

You can check out his blog here to read more what Brother Brown has stated about interracial marriage and the Empirical Triangle of Marriage.

God felt it was time to allow church members of different races to be given more privileges, so thankfully not only Blacks, but other ethnic groups, can take part in saving ordinances within the temple and have the priesthood. This allowed church members the opportunity to not feel limited as to who they could fall in love with. Miscegenation may not be common within the Church, but I believe that it is important to love everyone equally and not discriminate. Welcoming everyone, no matter their background or race, should be a key part of how God wants His Church run.

The Lesson to Learn

It is crucial that church members try to be more accepting of those who marry outside of their race or culture. To do that, it is important to abolish all prejudices and be fully compliant with interracial marriage. There is no church policy or doctrine refusing people of different ethnicity to get married or date. My challenge is to reach out to those brothers and sisters who are part of an interracial relationship. Be Christ-like in your actions and words to these dear brothers and sisters. To wrap up, on lds.org, again, it also states about race that:

God is ‘no respecter of persons’ (Acts 10:34) and emphatically declares that anyone who is righteous–regardless of race–is favored of Him.

This article was written by Melissa Muse. Melissa is a loving wife to her husband, who to her, is also her “muse.” She is also a recent college grad from Brigham Young University–Idaho with a degree in English, Creative Writing. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, and current resident of Utah, she luckily finds herself back in her birth state. She has love for cats and enjoys music and sewing/crafting.

A Voice of Reason – Fireside Chat – Sunday, 24 January 2016

Amazing Grace: The Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ

In the Bible, in Romans 5:8-11 are recorded these words:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the third Article of Faith states,

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws of the Gospel.

President Marion G. Romney once stated that, “The atonement of the Master is the central point of world history. Without it, the whole purpose for the creation of the earth and our living upon it would fail.” (IE, December 1953, p. 942) George Q. Morris further stated that, “The principal question before us is not do we comprehend the atonement, but do we accept it.” (CR, April 1956, p.112) Sad to say, there are those who do not accept it.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the Apostle Paul confidently affirms that the Gospel he taught was that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” Let us take just a few minutes and learn from the scriptures seven reasons for believing that Christ actually died and rose from the dead.

Reason # 1: A Public Execution Assured That He Actually Died

During the Jewish feast of Passover, Jesus was swept away by an angry crowd into a Roman hall of Justice. As he stood before Pilate, the governor of Judea, religious leaders accused Him of claiming to be the king of the Jews. The crowd demanded His death. “And Pilate answered and said again unto them, “What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the king of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him.” (Mark 15:12-13). Jesus was beaten, whipped, and sentenced to a public execution. On a hill outside of Jerusalem along a public road, He was crucified between two criminals. Brokenhearted friends as well as mocking enemies witnessed His death. In the four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus’ death is clearly stated. In Matthew 27:50 and in John 19:30, the writers said He “yielded” or “gave up “His spirit. The other two accounts record that He “breathed His last” (Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46).

As the Sabbath evening neared, Roman soldiers who were experts in crucifixion were sent to finish the execution. To quicken death, they broke the legs of the two criminals. “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they break not his legs:” (John 19:33). As a final precaution, “one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:34) When Joseph of Aramathea asked for the body of Christ so that he and Nicodemus could bury Him, Pointus Pilate ordered a centurion to verify that Jesus was dead (Mark 15:43-45). The Roman governor would not release the body to Joseph until the centurion was certain that all signs of life were gone. You can be sure that an officer in the Roman army would not make a mistake about an important matter like this in his report to such a high official as Pilate. To do so would have meant his death.

Reason#2: High Officials Secured the Grave Site

The next day, religious leaders met with Pilate once again. They said that Jesus had predicted that He would rise in three days. To ensure that the disciples could not conspire in a resurrection hoax, Pilate ordered the official seal of Rome to be attached to the tomb to put grave robbers on notice. To enforce the order, soldiers stood guard (Matthew 27:62-66). Any disciple that wanted to tamper with the body would have had to get by the guards, which would not have been an easy task. The Roman guards had good reason to stay alert—the penalty for falling asleep while on watch was death.

Reason#3: The Grave Was Found Empty

There were several eyewitnesses to testify to this fact. The first to see and report the empty tomb were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, who “had brought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.” (Mark 16:1) John and Peter were the next to witness that the tomb was empty. John, it should be noted, is the one who wrote this account and recorded it in chapter 20 of his Gospel. What better eyewitness could be asked for?

Reason#4: Many People Claimed to Have Seen Him Alive

About A.D. 55, the Apostle Paul wrote that the resurrected Christ had been seen by Peter, the 12 apostles, more than 500 people (many of whom were still alive at the time of his writing), James, and himself (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). In addition the New Testament in other places records the following witnesses to the resurrection: Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18), several women near the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10), two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), Peter (Luke 24:33-35), ten disciples in the upper room (Luke 24:36-43), eleven disciples in the upper room (John 20:26-31), seven men at the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25), eleven disciples on a mountain (Matthew 28: 16-20), and an undisclosed amount of disciples near Bethany (Acts 1:9-12; Luke 24:52). The book of Acts begins its history of Christ by stating that Jesus “shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” (Acts 1:3).

Reason #5: His Apostles Were Dramatically Changed

Within a few weeks, they were standing face to face with the ones who had crucified their Master. Their spirit was like iron. They became unstoppable in their determination to sacrifice everything for the one that they had called Savior and Lord. Even after they were threatened, imprisoned, and forbidden to speak in the name of Jesus, the Apostles said to the Jewish leaders, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42)

Reason # 6: Witnesses Were Willing to Die For What They Knew to Be the Truth

While many will die for what they believe to be the truth, few if any will die for what they know to be a lie. Jesus’ disciples died for their claims to have seen Him alive and well after His resurrection. They died for their claim that Jesus Christ had not only died for their sins, but He had risen bodily from the dead to show that He was like no other spiritual leader who had ever lived. Peter was crucified upside down. Mark was dragged through the streets to his death. James was beheaded. Thomas was pierced with a lance. All of these men were willing to die for the One who overcame death for them—and for us!

Reason#7: Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Was Clearly Predicted

In the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, in Alma 7:11, 12 are recorded these words:

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith that he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

The prophet Isaiah also predicted Jesus’ death and resurrection. In the twelve verses that comprise Isaiah 53, he refers to Christ as the Servant of the Lord and teaches us four important lessons about this Servant. In Isaiah 53:1-3, we learn about the Servant’s submission; in verses 4-6, the Servant’s substitution; in verses 7-9, the Servant’s sinless nature; and in verses 10-12, the Servant’s satisfaction.

President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:

No member of this Church must ever forget the terrible price paid by our Redeemer who gave his life that all men might live – the agony of Gethsemane, the bitter mockery of his trial, the vicious crown of thorns tearing at his flesh, the blood cry of the mob before Pilate, the lonely burden of his heavy walk along the way to Calvary, the terrifying pain as great nails pierced his hands and feet, the fevered torture of his body as he hung that tragic day, the Son of God crying out, “Father forgive them , for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.)

This was the cross, the instrument of his torture, the terrible device designed to destroy the Man of Peace, the evil recompense for his miraculous work of healing the sick, of causing the blind to see, of raising the dead. This was the cross on which he hung, and died on Golgotha’s lonely summit.

We cannot forget that. We must never forget it, for here our Savior, our Redeemer, the Son of God, gave himself a vicarious sacrifice for each of us.  (“The Symbol of Christ,” Ensign, May 1975, p.93.)

In Matthew 16:13-16 are recorded these words:

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

People all over the world today have many different views about who Jesus Christ really is. Many are skeptical and critical about the life of this One who lived a perfect, sinless life and gave that life as a ransom for the world that the world might be redeemed from sin and have a means by which to one day return to their Father in Heaven. However, in spite of all of the skepticism and criticism, I believe that it is safe to say that almost everyone would agree that Jesus Christ was not just an ordinary man. His life had a major impact on the entire world.

When I was stationed in the country of Greece several years ago while serving on active duty in the United States Navy, it was common to greet people during the Easter season by saying, “Christos Anesti!” (Χριστός Ανέστη!) and their response would be, “Alithos Anesti!” (Είναι όντως ανέστη!) That is to say, “Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!” Let us rejoice and celebrate the glory of His Glorious Resurrection. He gave His life for us as a ransom for sin’s debt so that we might live. He, who knew no sin, became sin for us. He paid a debt that He did not owe, a debt that we could have never paid.

I close with this testimony:

I know that Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer — the Holy One of Israel is Alive and He Lives forever more seated at the right hand of God the Father. I am eternally grateful for His amazing grace and His great atoning sacrifice. It is because of His tremendous love for me that I can stand before the world and boldly testify that He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Lord, and my King. If I could only recall one verse of Scripture out of the entire canon of Scriptures that we have, it would be my humble prayer that I would always have written on my heart the words of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Contained within that one verse is the summation of everything that has been discussed in this treatise. He is the Son of the Living God! He is the Christ! Of these things I do so testify and bear solemn witness in the sacred name of Him who is the Resurrection and the Life –Even Jesus the Christ. Amen.