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This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . . Eternal Progression D&C 124, 129-132.
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This is a review of the slides we used while discussing . . .Eternal ProgressionD&C 124, 129-132
If a man learns nothing more than to eat, drink and sleep, and does not comprehend any of the designs of God, the beast comprehends the same things. It eats, drinks, sleeps, and knows nothing more about God; yet it knows as much as we, unless we are able to comprehend by the inspiration of Almighty God. If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves. I want to go back to the beginning, and so lift your minds into more lofty spheres and a more exalted understanding than what the human mind generally aspires to (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 343).
Abraham 3 Kolob The Great Ones -Near unto God (v. 2) -Governs ALL (v. 3) -1st Creation (Facsimile #2, fig. 1) -Gives light (Facsimile #2, fig. 5)
Abraham 3 Kolob The Great Ones -Near unto Kolob (v. 2) -Governs (v. 3) -Gets light from Kolob (Facsimile #2, fig. 5) -Gives light of Kolob (Facsimile #2, fig. 5) -Near unto God (v. 2) -Governs ALL (v. 3) -1st Creation (Facsimile #2, fig. 1) -Gives light (Facsimile #2, fig. 5)
Abraham 3 Christ Great & Noble -Like unto God (v. 24) -Rules/Governs (v. 21) -1st Born (D&C 93:21) -More intelligent than they all . . . (v. 19)
Abraham 3 Christ Great & Noble -Like unto God (v. 24) -Rules/Governs (v. 21) -1st Born (D&C 93:21) -More intelligent than they all . . . (v. 19) -Those with Christ (v. 24) -Made rulers (v. 23-24) -Were ‘Good’ (v. 23-24) -Intelligent (D&C 88:40 - ‘worship’)
Usually the Lord gives us the overall objectives to be accomplished and some guidelines to follow, but he expects us to work out most of the details and methods. . . Today those spiritually alert look at the objectives, check the guidelines laid down by the Lord and his prophets, and then prayerfully act -- without having to be commanded ‘in all things.’This attitude prepares men for godhood. Sometimes the Lord hopefully waits on his children to act on their own, and when they do not, they lose the greater prize, and the Lord will either drop the entire matter and let them suffer the consequences or else he will have to spell it out in greater detail. Usually, I fear, the more he has to spell it out, the smaller is our reward (Elder Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April ‘65 p. 121-122).
Obedience-that which God will never take by force-He will accept when freely given. And He will then return to you freedom that you can hardly dream of-the freedom to feel and to know, the freedom to do, and the freedom to be, at least a thousandfold more than we offer Him. Strangely enough, the key to freedom is obedience (Boyd K. Packer, Speeches of the Year [Provo, 7 Dec. 1971]).
I would expose you this morning to some tender, innermost feelings on this matter of agency. Perhaps the greatest discovery of my life, without question the greatest commitment, came when finally I had the confidence in God that I would . . . yield my agency to Him-without compulsion or pressure, without any duress, as a single individual alone, by myself, no counterfeiting, nothing expected other than the privilege. In a sense, speaking figuratively, to take one's agency, that precious gift which the scriptures make plain is essential to life itself, and say, ‘I will do as thou directs,’ is afterward to learn that in so doing you possess it all the more (Boyd K. Packer, Speeches of the Year [Provo, 7 Dec. 1971]).
The perfect formula for obedience was stated by our Lord in the pre-existent council when he volunteered to follow the Father's plan and be the Redeemer of the world: ‘Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever’(Moses 4:2.) (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 539).
While [Joseph] was still in the East . . . [h]e also spent several days with Elder ParleyP. Pratt who was in Philadelphia arranging for the publication of several books. ParleyP. Pratt remembered: ‘During these interviews he taught me many great and glorious principles concerning God and the heavenly order of eternity. It was at this time that I received from him the first idea of eternal family organization. . . . It was from him that I learned that the wife of my bosom might be secured to me for time and all eternity’ (Church History in the Fulness of Times, p. 221).
“Let us plan for and teach and plead with our children to marry in the house of the Lord. Let us reaffirm more vigorously than we ever have in the past that it does matter where you marry and by what authority you are pronounced man and wife. . . . the temple ordinances are absolutely crucial; we cannot return to God’s presence without them” (Howard W. Hunter, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 88).
Someone has said that happy is the man who has found his worship, his wife, and his work, and loves all three. Do you realize that during your comparatively young years, you will probably be making three of the most momentous decisions of your life? You will be deciding on the role of the Church or worship in your life, selecting a wife or husband, and--particularly for you men--choosing your life's work (Ezra Taft Benson was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this fireside address was given at Brigham Young University on 4 March 1979).
