Hold to the Rod

There is a song in the LDS Hymnbook titled “The Iron Rod” (Hymn 274) some of the words are:

While on our journey here below,

Beneath temptation's pow'r,

Through mists of darkness we must go,

In peril ev'ry hour.

Hold to the rod, the iron rod;

'Tis strong, and bright, and true.

The iron rod is the word of God;

'Twill safely guide us through.

The song was inspired by 1 Nephi chapter 8 where the prophet Lehi describes a dream he had of the “Tree of Life”. In that dream he saw a tree that had fruit on it that “was sweet, above all that I ever before tasted” (1 Nephi 8:11). He said there was a straight and narrow path (vs. 20) that lead to the tree and along the path was a rod of iron (vs. 19). He saw “numberless concourses of people that were moving along the path”. Those that were not holding fast to the rod of iron got lost in the mist of darkness (vs. 23), others managed to hold onto the rod of iron and make it to the tree and partook of the fruit but afterwards were ashamed and fell away. These individuals were ashamed because of the people in “a great and spacious building” (vs. 26-27) were mocking those who had partaken of the fruit.  Lehi said that those who did not fall away after partaking of the fruit were those that did not give “heed” (vs 33) to the people that were mocking them.

Lehi's Dream of the Tree of Life

We learn later (1 Nephi 11) the fruit of the tree represented the “love of God” (vs 22) and that the rod of iron was the “word of God” (vs 25). We also learn that the mists of darkness represented the temptations of the devil (1 Nephi 12: 17) and the great and spacious building represented the “vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men” (vs 18).

From these scriptures we learn that if we want to partake of the fruit of the tree of life (the love of God) we must get on and stay on the straight and narrow path that leads to the tree (we do that by being baptized by those having the priesthood authority). We stay on the path and get through the mist of darkness (temptations of the devil) by holding onto the rod of iron (reading and understanding the word of God). Once we make it to the tree and partake of the fruit, we must not give in to the mocking of those in the great and spacious building (those seeking to destroy religion and mock those who keep the commandments). One of the ways we can know if we are staying on that path that leads to the tree of life is if we sustain and follow the Lord’s prophets and apostles.

This weekend our student stake had stake conference. Our Stake President, Boyd Rowley, quoted from a talk that Neal A. Maxwell gave in 1978.

“But make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters; in the months and years ahead, events will require of each member that he or she decide whether or not he or she will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions (see 1 Kings 18:21).” (“Meeting the Challenges of Today”, Neal A. Maxwell, BYU Devotional, October 10, 1978)

Elder Maxwell continued:

“President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had “never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional, or political life” (CR, April 1941, p. 123). This is a hard doctrine, but it is a particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ.”

Note that this talk was given in 1978, sounds like he was describing what is happening today. There are many members of the LDS Church that have let go of the “iron rod” and are getting lost in the “mist of darkness” and listening to the mocking of those in the “great and spacious building”. We also have a few members that have been influenced by the mocking and pointing finger from those in the great and spacious building and have become ashamed and have left the church (Salt Lake Tribune Article).

If you are questioning your testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, if you find yourself disagreeing with the Lord’s prophets and other church leaders. I would ask you to consider the following questions. When was the last time you read the scriptures? When was the last time you fasted and prayed to your Heavenly Father asking him if you are on the right path? When was the last time you attended church or the temple? When was the last time you raised your hand to sustain the church leaders both general and local? If you have not been doing these things you have let go of the iron rod and are getting lost in the mist of darkness and are giving in to the mocking of those who want to destroy your faith. I invite you to come back on the straight and narrow path that leads to the tree of life, hold onto the iron rod and heed not the mocking of the world. Then you will have the opportunity to partake of the fruit of the tree of life and see the light of Christ burn in you again.

President Rowley also quoted from a talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson in 1979. Speaking of our day he said that “God has held (the members of the Church) back to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord.” President Benson then said:

"All through the ages the prophets have looked down through the corridors of time to our day. Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us. Make no mistake about it—you are a marked generation. There has never been more expected of the faithful in such a short period of time as there is of us. Never before on the face of this earth have the forces of evil and the forces of good been as well organized. Now is the great day of the devil’s power, with the greatest mass murderers of all time living among us. But now is also the great day of the Lord’s power, with the greatest number ever of priesthood holders on the earth. And the showdown is fast approaching.

"Each day the forces of evil and the forces of good pick up new recruits. Each day we personally make many decisions that show where our support will go. The final outcome is certain—the forces of righteousness will finally win. What remains to be seen is where each of us personally, now and in the future, will stand in this fight—and how tall we will stand. Will we be true to our last-days, foreordained mission?" (“In His Steps”, Ezra Taft Benson, BYU Devotional, March 4, 1979)

Again it seems that President Benson was looking to our day. Just a few days ago terrorist killed 129 people and wounded 352 people in Paris (CNN Article). From January 2015  to November 13, 2015 there have been 289 terrorist attacks (Wikipedia Article). It sure seems that we are living in the days of the devil’s power and mass murders.

The Lord has said that his prophets will always know what is coming and they will tell us what we need to do to stay safe. If we follow the prophets and apostles, stay on the straight and narrow path, cling to the iron rod, and ignore the mocking of the world we will be able to make it through the challenges that face us. Once we have the opportunity to taste of the fruit of the tree of life we will come to know the love of God and understand the blessings God has in store for us.

I welcome your comments and questions.

Christ’s Church or Man’s?

Once again the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is in the news and those within and with out the church are all up in arms about a change in policy dealing with children living in homes with parents in a same gender relationship. My purpose today is not to debate the policy but to pose a question to everyone that is saying this policy is one of hate and they are leaving the church. Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the restored gospel of Jesus Christ (as the church declares) or is it simply another church of man’s making? For those who want more information on the policy itself go here:

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/handbook-changes-same-sex-marriages-elder-christofferson?HP_FR_11-6-2015_dPAD_fCNWS_xLIDyL1-A_

or

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865640934/Elder-Christofferson-explains-updated-LDS-Church-policies-on-same-sex-marriage-and-children.html?pg=all

For some of the best discussions about the policy check out these:

http://blog.fairmormon.org/

and

http://gaymormonguy.blogspot.com/2015/11/waiting-on-lord-same-sex-adoption.html?m=1

and

http://wellbehavedmormonwoman.blogspot.com/2015/11/response-to-new-church-policy-gay-marriage-children-baptism.html

For now, back to my question, is the LDS church really Christ’s Church today or not. If it is his church, and Christ is the Head of the Church then he directs the affairs and policies through his chosen leaders – the living prophets. If it is Christ’s Church, and I testify that it is, then there is a reason for the policy and it is one of love, not hate and no amount of posturing or protesting will effect His commandments. If the LDS Church is not Christ’s Church but just another church founded by a man for whatever reason, then everyone can go on protesting and threatening to leave the church hoping that the leadership will will come to their senses and realize the error of their ways and change.

So there is no misunderstanding where I stand on this question; I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s Church on the earth today. President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord’s Prophet and speaks for him to all of God’s children wherever they are – to all nations, kindred, tongues and people. I stand with the church’s leaders, the policies, practices, teachings and programs. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord and his prophets.

The simple reality is if this is Christ’s Church, then everything about it is true; if it is not Christ’s Church then it is all false and it really does not matter what the church does or does not want to do. There is no middle ground. Parts of it cannot be true and other parts not true. God does not work that way. One of the teachings that the resurrected Lord taught the people here in America was what the name of his church should be:

Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day;

Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name…

And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. (3 Nephi 27:5-11)

The first way to tell if it is Christ’s Church is it will bear his name, not the name of a man or something else. The second test is if it is built on his gospel. Christ himself testifies of the restoration through the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;

And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets—

And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. (Doctrine and Covenants 1:17-18, 30, 38)

Let me share the story of Saint Denis, the patron saint of Paris, to illustrate my point. The story says that Saint Denis was martyred in A.D. 250. After his head was cut off, Denis is said to have picked up his head and walked ten kilometers (six miles), preaching a sermon the entire way (News That Matters). The number of miles he walked does not matter. If the story is true, the number of miles has no bearing on the validity of the story; if he indeed was able to pick up his head and take that first step is all that matters. If he did that, then he could also walk the ten kilometers.

The same argument can be made as to the validity of the LDS Church; if God and Christ did indeed appear to Joseph Smith, if the Angel Moroni did appear to him and give him the gold plates, if he did translate the gold plates into the Book of Mormon, and if he did receive the priesthood to restore Christ’s Church again on the earth; that is all we need to know because the rest is true as well.

Every member of Christ’s Church needs to know for themselves if these things are true and then commit to sustain and follow the Prophet, the Twelve Apostles and other general and local leaders. Any member who has a testimony of the truthfulness of these things understands that Jesus Christ leads this Church through His Prophet. The policies, commandments, ordinances, priesthood authority are his and only He can change them. It is not changed through any protest or pressure from an individual, group, or government.

It saddens me to see friends and family covering their Facebook profile pictures with rainbow colors in support of same gender relations, coming out in opposition to, and threatening to leave the church. Either they never had a real testimony that this is Christ’s Church or something has happened in their lives that has caused them to lose the Holy Ghost that they once had and the light of their testimony has gone out, or they are simply going along with the crowd in support of political correctness.

The scriptures teach that in the days before the Lord’s return even the elect will be deceived. I invite those who are struggling with this policy or any other aspect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go to the source of truth and not the voices of apostates, or those who have no concept of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their agenda is to spread lies and animostity about the purpose of Church doctrine and policies. Go to the Lord and ask him in faith, test the Lord by keeping his commandments and see if this is Christ’s Church or Man’s. I testify that it is Christ’s Church.

Your comments and questions are welcome.