Holiness to the Lord

The theme for the book of Leviticus could look something like this:

Sanctify yourself and be ye holy, even as God is Holy.  

Be ye separate from the World!

What does it mean to be holy and sanctified?  Holiness, when referring to a place means set apart for a sacred purpose.  I think it means similar when we are speaking of a person becoming holy.  We should set ourselves apart for a sacred purpose.  Holy means the opposite of common or profane so we should avoid things that are common in the world and profane.

Sanctification is the process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean and holy through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  We can work toward sanctifying ourselves through Christ.  

"Jesus came to sanctify the world" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:41)

"Sanctification cometh to those who yield up their hearts unto God. (Helaman 3:33-35)

Why could Jehovah command His followers to be holy? He can ask us to become holy because He made it possible.  Without His atonement, we would not be able to repent and sanctify ourselves. Also, He can command that we be holy because He was holy.  He asks that we become holy, even as He is holy.  (Leviticus 11:44)

What could we do today to avoid the same downfall? 

We need to do 4 things:

Obey the commandments

Repent

Study the Scriptures regularly

Pray

How can the principles from the book of Leviticus help you become holy? I can see that I need to live differently than the rest of the world.  I am His.  I want to live in a way that separates me from the worldly ways.  I must be clean and pure.

Leviticus 19 and 20 list many commandments.  I have listed them below and highlighted the ones that I think the world struggles the most to obey today.  

Honor Parents

Keep Sabbath Holy

Not worship idols - (though the idols of today look differently than the golden calf)

Do not make graven images

Don't steal

Don't lie

Don't profane God's name

Don't rob neighbor

Be Honest

Don't curse Deaf or cause the blind to stumble - Bullying

Judge in righteousness

Don't hate your neighbors

Don't avenge or bear a grudge

Love thy neighbor as thyself

Obey the commandments

Obey the laws of intimacy

Don't cut your flesh

Don't prostitute yourself or your children

Reverence sanctuary

Don't commit adultery

Don't participate in homosexual relationships

If I had to pick one of these commandments that I most want to improve myself on, I would look closely at the commandment to not avenge or bear a grudge.  I think it is common for the natural man to want to get even or hang on to hard feelings of anger, distrust and resentment.  These feelings are holding us back from purity and sanctification.  It goes right along with the commandment to judge in righteousness. I want to try to let hard feelings go and forgive freely so I can continue to progress toward sanctification. 

The Ten Commandments

I have had a great week studying the Ten Commandments.  I love how relevant they are to us still, though they were given to Moses THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO!!! 

I know that these commandments can serve as a guide from a loving Father in Heaven 

to help us attain a full and happy life.

In Matthew 22:36-40, the Savior teaches that there are two great commandments.

1.  Love the Lord thy God With All Thy Heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

2. Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself

As we look closer at the commandments that Moses was given, 

each fits inside one of these two "Great Commandments."

Love God
1. Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me.
2.  Thou Shalt Not Make Unto Thee Any Graven Image.
3. Thou Shalt Not Take the Name of the Lord Thy God in Vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath Day, and Keep it Holy.

The first four commandments help us know how we can show Love to our Father in Heaven.  

Love Thy Neighbor
5. Honor thy Father and Thy Mother
6. Thou Shall not Kill
7. Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
8. Thou Shalt Not Steal
9. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness
10. Thou Shalt Not Covet.

The last six commandments instruct us on how to Love our Neighbors.  

Many of these commandments are largely ignored by the world. 

I think the three most neglected commandments are:

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.

3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord, thy God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it Holy.  

First, it was prophesied that idolatry would be a major characteristic of this generation.  We have certainly seen that come true, though the idols of today differ from those of Moses's time.  I love the scripture in Matthew 6: 19-21, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  I understand this to mean - that which we spend the majority of our free time doing becomes our priority.  Are we giving priority to God through studying His word, and serving others in our free time?  We are commanded in Matthew 6:33 to "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."

Many today take God's name in vain.  Even individuals who believe in the Bible and worship God on Sunday, often fail to honor Him with their language throughout the week.  Obeying this commandment means that we hold a deep and reverent attitude about God and we do not use his name lightly.  Profanity is incompatible with reverence.

Finally, the Sabbath Day was given to us for rest and worship.  However the world sees it as just another day of the week.  During the Mosaic dispensation, the punishment for violating the Sabbath was death.  This shows us what an important principle it is.  It is a sign between the Lord and His children forever.  We can not follow after those in the world and fail to give the Sabbath it's due importance among the commandments.

It's interesting to reflect on these and other commandments and wonder what the world would be like if God's children followed them.  If all the world followed the 2nd commandment to not worship graven images, there would be time for so much better activities.  We would have a world full of people helping others and less selfishness and pride.  If the world followed the third commandment to not take God's name in vain, the spirit would be available more freely and we would share a deeper reverence for Holy and sacred things.  If all of the world kept the Sabbath Day Holy, what a wonderful day that would be!  There would be no need for stores to be open on Sunday, and families could enjoy some time together, serving others and worshiping the Almighty.

I believe someday we will live be able to enjoy a world where those who remain here will attempt to follow the commandments exactly.  I will love to see what that kind of world looks like and feel the abundance of spirit.  I know these commandments are calculated to prevent misery and promote happiness.  Through obedience, blessings are available to each of us.

Leadership and Delegation

There are some great principles taught in the book of Exodus.  One that stood out to me in my reading this week was the story of Jethro (Moses' Father-in-law) counseling Moses.  This story is found in Exodus 18.

The story goes like this:

Jethro came to visit and observed Moses sitting upon the judgement seat from early in the morning until late each evening.

He was doing a great thing.  He was working so hard and advising all the people and helping them each know what God wanted for them.  After observing Moses for a while, Jethro asked what he was doing.  Moses explained in verses 15 and 16, 

"The people come unto me to inquire of God.  

When they have a matter, 

they come unto me; and I judge

 between one the another,

 and I do make them know the statutes

 of God and his laws."

After listening to Moses explain his routine, Jethro said, (verse 17)

"The thing that thou doest is not good."

Jethro went on to explain to Moses that this responsibility was too difficult for one man and that he could not do it all on his own.  This is where Moses' true character shines.  Instead of taking offense and reminding Jethro of his greatness and his leadership among these people, Moses was humble and wise to listen to this older man and take his advice.  

Jethro advised Moses to find men to be lesser judges.  He told Moses to look for these kind of men:

(vs. 21)

Men who fear God

Men of Truth

Men who hate covetousness

Jethro counseled Moses to teach these judges the ordinances and laws, and show them the way they must walk and the work that they must do.  Then Moses was told to allow these lesser judges to judge  the people in all small matters, and that only great matters should be brought to Moses.  (vs. 22)  I love what Jethro says at the end of that verse, "and they shall bear the burden with thee."

This account in the scriptures is still a crucial principle of the modern church.  It would be so difficult for a Bishop of a Ward to meet the needs of each member of his ward.  He relies on the men and women at the head of each auxiliary to help and administer so he can deal only with matters of most importance.  

Likewise, Relief Society Presidents and Elder's Quorum Presidents and High Priest Group leaders can not meet the needs of each individual in their group.  They rely on faithful Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers to assist them in this work.  

The load our Prophet carries is heavy and hard to bear, but he has help in the other leaders who serve with him and help him with these responsibilities.  There are his counselors, the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, the Area Authorities, and the General Auxiliary Presidencies who serve with him, each doing their part to help the work to go forward.  

In 1 Corinthians 12: 14-22 we read,

"For the Body is not one member, but many...

But now hath God set the members of every one

of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  

And if they were all one member, where were the body?

But now are they many members, yet but one body. 

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:

nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

Nay, much more those members of the body, 

which seem to be more feeble, are necessary."

I love this lesson, taught by Jethro.  We should not be expected to do more than we can.  God does not want us run faster than we have strength.  We each have a work to do and, no matter our contribution, we are furthering this work and administering to those in need.  We are laying the foundation of a great work and we each have a part to play, we each have a offering to give.

A Contrast Between Two Brothers

I love the story about Rebekah.  I named my youngest daughter, Rebekah after Isaac's wife.  I told my Bekah that she should marry a guy named Isaac someday.  She didn't seem convinced.  (She's only 4)

In Genesis 25, we learn that Rebekah and Isaac married and had two sons, named Esau and Jacob. Esau was the oldest, and therefore would be natural heir to the birthright.  Esau was described as red, hairy, and a great hunter.  ( I wonder if "hairy" was a sought after trait for a husband back then?) We are told that Jacob favored Esau.  Jacob was described as a plain man, dwelling in tents.  The Hebrew word, "plain" means whole, complete or perfect, so Jacob sounds like a pretty well-rounded individual. Rebekah favored Jacob.

In Genesis 25:32, the story is told of how Esau traded his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage.

I used to be really surprised by this story.  Now I have teenage boys and I have seen how ravenous they get when they are hungry.  Sometimes the act like they are going to die if they don't get some food immediately!  This story also shows how little value Esau put on the birthright. His immediate needs seemed more important to him than the rights of the covenant.

So, poor Esau gave up his birthright for a mess of pottage... 

In Genesis 27, Isaac is getting old and can not see very well.  He calls for Esau and asks him to go hunting and prepare some delicious meat for his father, and tells him that he wants to give him a blessing.  Rebekah overhears this conversations and tells Jacob to play the part of Esau to receive this special blessing.  Great lengths are taken to put hair on Jacob so Isaac will think he is Esau and will give him the blessing.  Their plan works and Jacob and Rebekah tricked Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing.  

My heart kind of goes out to Esau at this point.  However, Rebekah knew from previous personal revelation that Jacob was to be the son of the covenant (Genesis 25:23) - so she must have felt justified in this act.  I would have liked to be there for Esau during this time.  He would have needed a trusted friend to help him find his place in all this and understand the best course of action.  I would have tried to help him see that his father had the opportunity to revoke the blessing and give it to Esau.  However, Isaac did not offer that and instead gave a different blessing to Esau.  I would want Esau to know that, though it seemed unfair, it was for the best and what God wanted. I am sure Rebekah helped Esau through these feelings and helped him understand.  At the time, however, Esau was angry and wanted revenge, but Jacob was sent away until Esau's feelings cooled down.  

This story can teach us a lot about prioritizing the most important things in our lives.  Esau traded his birthright for something that satisfied only temporarily.  What modern day examples are there where we sometimes sacrifice things of critical importance for things that do not satisfy in the long run?  

Here are a few examples that I've thought of.  

Pornography - so many people are addicted to pornography - that which never satisfies - usually sacrificing important relationships until they are left with emptiness.

Time Management - We get so busy with critical things that we often don't save time for that which can really save us - the scriptures, prayer, service, etc.  

Service - We get so caught up in what is going on in our lives and often feel down - and like life has little meaning.  When we look for opportunities to serve, life makes better sense.  

So Jacob disappeared to go win over a wife (or 4) for several years. When he returned, he was nervous that Esau would still desire to kill him.  However, "Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept." (Genesis 33:4)  I love this verse.  It made me cry a little.  Family.  Isn't it a pretty magical thing?  

Old Testament

Hello Friends!  I am currently taking an Old Testament Class and part of my homework is to post my thoughts and research to a blog...  So - for the next few weeks I will be posting about what I am learning about in the Old Testament.  I am really enjoying this book, so I am kind of excited to share some of this stuff with you.