Son Worshipers

I spent some time outside today working on the yard.  I noticed some sunflowers and begin thinking about how this bright, happy flower is also known as a sun-worshiper.

Sunflowers are called sun-worshipers because the face of these glorious flowers, follow the movement of the sun across the sky from East to West, each day.  If you watch a bunch of young sunflowers just after sundown, their faces will be pointing to the West, as they have worshiped or followed the sun all day long. 

Oh, the lessons we should be learning from the Sunflower!  

We each have a little glory within us, as we receive light from Jesus, the Father and Creator of this Heaven and Earth.  The reason we are able to have our life here on this Earth, is because Jesus is keeping us alive from moment to moment.  Jesus is holding all flesh in His hands.  Jesus is also keeping this creation (Sun, Moon, Planets, Earth and stars) alive.  He is the Father and God of our creation.  We should be worshiping and honoring Him, just like the rest of this creation continues doing each day.  We should be seeking to learn about His will for us and working to follow His advice and guidance.  Jesus is the creator of this Heaven and Earth.  He is Alpha and Omega.  He existed before this world was created and is full of light and truth.  Why wouldn't we want to benefit from His experience and knowledge? Only a fool would try to make it here, in this fallen world, without asking for help and guidance from the Great Jehovah. 

Jesus has asked us to worship Him, by following the many examples He provided during His mortal life.  Jesus shared with us the way to live and love one another, during His lifetime upon this very Earth.  Jesus has asked us to provide for the poor, to help the widows and orphans and to share of our substance with others.  Jesus has asked us to speak kindly to each other, to be patient with one another.  Jesus has asked us to give glory to God, which means to praise God.  To be thankful for what we receive from God.  He has asked us to provide each other with mercy and to forgive one another.  The love and kindness that He expects from each of us, He modeled for us during His life.  Jesus asks us to live like He lived.  He asks us to seek His will, the same way He sought out His Father's will.

We have been asked to be like little children.  I believe the childlike attributes we should take from this example include: being humble, meek, and submissive, seeking to please our parents, trusting our parents to lead us.  You know the way a small child seems to worship their parents?  We need to worship our Heavenly Parents in this same manner.  

Jesus also taught us that we will be unable to know the Master (Him), whom we have not served.  Jesus has asked us to draw near unto Him, and has promised that if we will draw near unto Him, that he will also draw near unto us.  How do we expect Him to draw near unto us, if our actions are nothing like His actions?  If our mode of living is nothing like the humble, peaceful, kind and charitable lifestyle He lived?  If our desire is to really walk with our Lord and Savior, our actions must honor Him.  Our words and deeds must honor Him.  In order to walk with Him, we need to be like Him (kind, patient, loving, merciful, long suffering, and forgiving).  We need to be constantly checking in with Him, attempting to figure out His will and following His instruction.  

I like the way John Eldredge described following Jesus: Our shepherd, Jesus, is telling us:  "You need to do more than just believe in me.  Believing is not enough. You need to stay close to me.  You need to listen to my voice.  You need to let me lead you".  

Hence we become true followers of Christ.  True worshipers of the Son.

earnestmormon.com

Personal Revelation

The vision of the Tree of Life that was shared by Nephi and his father, Lehi, in the Book of Mormon, contains important truths. In the third chapter of First Nephi, verse seven, the vision is explained from Nephi's point of view. https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/3

Nephi learns the meaning of the iron rod, while he is experiencing a vision and speaking with angels. He also sees the tree of life, in vision, and learns the tree represents the love of God in an interesting way. Nephi is shown a beautiful, pure woman (Mary), the earthly mother of Jesus. What does the Tree of Life have to do with Mary and the Love of God? These are some things to think and pray about. Nephi sees in vision Mary, approximately 600 years before Jesus would be born. This wonderful vision that Nephi and his Father, Lehi share, allows us to consider both Nephi and Lehi as true Seers. They are able to see in the spirit, events that would take place 600 years later.

For the tree of life to be an accurate representation of the love of God, the tree would need to include both Gods (our Mother God, and her husband, our Father God). In other words, the Elohim (Gods), a husband and wife, joined together in perfection. We have a Mother in Heaven, in addition to our Father in Heaven. Together, they sustain, bless and work to redeem our fallen Earth and Heaven. When we pray, we are heard by both (Mother and Father in Heaven). In addition, when we receive guidance and answers from Heaven, the communication we receive is from from both, (Mother and Father in Heaven). Our spiritual Mother is Mary and her husband, Jesus, is our spiritual Father. During their mortal lives Jesus and Mary followed the will of their spiritual parents, in all things. Each of us, during our mortal lives, must also follow the will of our spiritual Father and Mother in all things. According to the King Follett Discourse, Joseph Smith taught that Jesus followed what Jesus saw His Father do, which was attaining to the resurrection. The spiritual Father that Jesus followed, is our spiritual Grand Father. The spiritual Mother that Mary followed, is our spiritual Grand Mother.

Nephi learns in vision, the rod of iron represents "the word of God" and there is a straight and narrow path, that follows the iron rod directly to the tree of life.

In the same chapter, verse ten, https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/3

"and it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God."

The importance of the iron rod is also explained during the vision, as something to reach for and hold on to, when the mists of darkness are sent to distract, and lead mortals off into forbidden paths. There are many paths available, each leading to destruction, once the traveler releases their grasp of the iron rod, and loses sight of the straight and narrow path, leading to the tree of life. There is only one way to salvation, only one way or path, and Jesus Christ is the way. He is the only path to salvation. Jesus has attained unto the resurrection and He is able to lift us out of this fallen world.

In Chapter four, verse five https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/4

"And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction."

Found in chapter two, verse ten, https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/1nephi/2

"And I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a world.

And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood.

And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree..."

I read a great book from John Pontius called Following the Light of Christ into His Presence. In the book, John provides practical advice and tools for learning to become better at hearing the Lords voice. Some people call it receiving promptings or having a feeling. Some groups describe this phenomenon of receiving direction from heaven as "receiving the spirit". All of these ideas are correct, but the truth of the matter is this: the voice you hear in your head, that teaches you, protects you, and helps you to be more Christlike, is Jesus. The voices you hear that appeal to pride, create confusion, and take you away from being Christlike, are from the dark side. Praying to Jesus should not be a one time event before bed. It should involve all day long communication between us and the heavens. We should be checking with Him, talking to Him, asking Him questions and following the answers we receive from Him, all day long, every day.

If we pay attention to the voice of Jesus, and even ask Him questions throughout each day, He will guide us back into His presence. This is why "the Word of God" or the Rod of Iron is so important. The voice of Jesus should be the most important influence in our lives. The instructions we receive from Jesus are specific and individually catered to our own situation, to whatever is going on, in our lives. How could any other message we receive in this fallen world, be more important than instructions from God? According to John Pontius, each personal revelation we receive from Jesus, is the most important message that we will ever receive. Right up until we receive another message from Jesus. And another message from Jesus, etc.

I loved reading your book John! Thank you for sharing this great advice. 

earnestmormon.com

Zion

There is a spiritual outpouring currently underway, all over the world! The Father of Lights is busy waking up His children from the darkness and spiritual slumber that is plaguing our whole planet.

The events that have been prophesied since the beginning of this Earth and creation are beginning to come forth. We are about to witness the glorious events that will include the establishment of Zion and the destruction of the Earth as we know it.

We have recently received a small dose of the hardships and tribulations in store for our generation. If we survive the floods, earthquakes, plagues and worldwide mass destruction that is rapidly approaching, our next goal would be fleeing to Zion for peace and protection.

The resources provided in earlier posts, including Avraham Gileadi, regarding Isaiah's prophecies and some of the books from PR and Pontius, provide a grim view of just how bad things are about to become. Outside of Zion, there will only be death, destruction, chaos and lawlessness.
https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/31
from verse twelve: And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.

For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.

And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.

Our journey to Zion, must be more than a physical one. There will be a spiritual journey required as well. Getting past the gate, and existing, where Jesus Christ dwells, is going to require more than an affiliation with some organized group. The Lord defined His requirement for seeing Him, in the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon at Bountiful:

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Third Nephi chapter five, verse seventeen: "And blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." from: https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/5

Here's the test on whether or not we will be able to walk into Zion, once it's established. Are we able to see Jesus right now? If we are able to walk and talk with Jesus, right now, then we will be able to enter Zion.

If we are unable to stand in His presence right now, then we need to figure out how to make our hearts pure. We need to make a spiritual journey!

Some spiritual milestones to think about:

Are our motives pure? Do we serve others? Do we take care of the poor and the needy?

Do we mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who are in need of comfort?

Have we been baptized by water?

Have we been baptized by the Spirit?

Have we received our second comforter (standing in His presence)?

Do we share of our abundance with others?

"For if ye are not equal in Earthly things, you cannot be equal in obtaining Heavenly things".   from: https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/70

"Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld". from: https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/61

"That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things".. from: https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/section/70

Those who will be coming with Jesus, when he returns, are living a Terrestrial Law. If we want to survive the burning that is surely coming, we also need to be living the higher law (Terrestrial), while residing on this fallen Telestial, Earth.

We must rise up and become holy, If we wish to endure the glorious ones who will be coming with Jesus, when He comes again to purify with fire, and Baptize this fallen Earth upon which we dwell.

We should be actively preparing for that day, working to make ourselves holy right now.

A good explanation of the personal behavior required for individuals seeking to assist in bringing about Zion, is given in revelations to Joseph Knight and Hyrum Smith found in the Joseph Smith History part 14:

..Behold, I speak unto you and also to all those who have desires to bring forth and establish this work, and no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble, full of love, having faith, hope and charity, being temperate in all things whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care.

..And now verily, verily I say unto you, put your trust in that spirit which leads to do good, yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my spirit.  Verily, verily I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my spirit which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy, and then shall you know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me which is pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith, believing in me that you shall receive.

https://scriptures.info/scriptures/tc/jshistory/14

earnestmormon.com