The Restored Gospel and christian History Lesson 3 & 4

Lesson 2 I learn about the Apostasy, why it happened, and how I can avoid personal Apostasy.

The Doctrinal Mastery Core Document says,

              "The need for the latter-day Restoration of God's truths, priesthood authority,
                and Church arose because of apostasy. Apostasy occurs when one or more
                individuals turn away from the truths of the gospel."

https://www.lds.org/manual/doctrinal-mastery-core-document/doctrinal-topics.p70?lang=eng

I would like to point out that it is when the individual turns away from God, God does not turn away from us even when we sin. His love endures all. We may become offended, or question God's commandments, doctrine or a prophet's counsel. Perhaps we suffer from selective obedience.

A talk that impressed me on obedience is from April 2014 conference called, "If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments" by Elder Robert D. Hales. He discusses the types of obedience and one of them is "selective obedience". He says:

"At times members may participate in “selective obedience,” claiming to love God and honor God while picking and choosing which of His commandments and teachings— and the teachings and counsel of His prophets—they will fully follow. Some obey selectively because they cannot perceive all the reasons for a commandment, just as children do not always understand the reasons for their parents’ counsel and rules. But we always know the reason we follow the prophets, for this is the Church of Jesus Christ, and it is the Savior who directs His prophets in all dispensations. As our understanding of obedience deepens, we recognize the essential role of agency. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed three times to His Father in Heaven, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” God would not override the Savior’s agency, yet He mercifully sent an angel to strengthen His Beloved Son."

It is our covenants that protect us from personal apostasy. When we are keeping our covenants, the promises we have made to the Lord, we have His spirit with us, and we are becoming like Him.

President Russell M. Nelson said something profound I have been pondering for a few days. In his talk "Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives" April 2017

"We also increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision. Our covenants bind us to Him and give us godly power. As faithful disciples, we repent and follow Him into the waters of baptism. We walk along the covenant path to receive other essential ordinances. And gratefully, God’s plan provides for those blessings to be extended to ancestors who died without an opportunity to obtain them during their mortal lives"

Our covenants, covenants the Lord is willing to make with us, "will bind us to Him." Can you think of any other way that we are linked to Him other than through covenant. We must not turn away from the Lord, and be watchful of how we act, not criticizing, or being in contempt or willfully rebellious against truth.

I have felt the power of keeping my covenants with the Lord in my life. I feel greater peace and I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, is eager to assist me through the challenges of life. Giving up or thinking it is all too difficult to manage is listening to a voice that wants us to fail. If we reach out to the Savior when we need help He will help us.

The Restored Gospel and Christian History Lesson 1 & 2

Starting a new course called The Restored Gospel and Christian History". I am looking forward to learn from the early saints, prophets, and the Holy Ghost this semester.  Brother Matthews had us read from the Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge section in the beginning of our Study Journals. It starts out by saying:
                       "Because our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to progress toward
                        becoming like Him, He has encouraged us to "seek learning, even by study
                        and also by faith" (D&C 88:11)"

What I learn from this is, our Heavenly Father wants to teach us and we can trust "Him and rely on His wisdom, His love, and His power to teach and bless us."

In order for us to learn by the spirit there are certain conditions that are more favourable to learn by the Holy Ghost and learn spiritual things.

1. Act in Faith

"We act in faith when we choose to trust God and turn to Him first through sincere prayer, a study of His teachings, and obedience to His commandments."
It has been my experience that we must prepare to learn, and act upon the promptings which we will get. As I study the scriptures, I may receive promptings to act or to work on a character flaw maybe even call a friend, and it is these acts that my Heavenly Father has tutored me to become more like Him. I have a long way to go, but I feel closer to the Lord, and come to know His character through service. Our Savior, Jesus Christ teaches us through active learning.

2. Examine Concepts and Questions with an Eternal Perspective

I don't know everything, and I enjoy learning more about the doctrines and principles of the gospel. I am ok with not knowing the big whys to life's questions. "To examine doctrinal concepts, questions, and social issues with an eternal perspective, we consider them in the context of the plan of salvation and the teachings of the Savior."
This is a good way to judge a principle or a worldly believe, how does it fit in alignment to the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, His prophets and the Plan of Salvation.

3. Seek Further Understanding through Divinely Appointed Sources

What I was most impressed with as I read this section was how the Lord has prepared the way for us to learn and progress in a safe way here on earth.

"As part of the Lord's appointed process for obtaining spiritual knowledge, He has established sources through which He reveal truth and guidance to His children. These sources include the light of Christ, the Holy ghost, the scriptures, parents and Church leaders. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles-the Lord's prophets upon the earth today-are a vital source for truth. The Lord has chosen and ordained these individuals to speak for Him."

I thought of the many people who have encouraged me and help me guide my way through challenges while gaining and strengthening my testimony. Parents, leaders, scriptures, and words of the living prophets have our BEST interest at heart. We may know people who say something that we feel isn't quite right or we may not know their intentions. The Savior has put people in our midst that we can trust their counsel. The prophets teach us correct principles, and encourage us along the way. Preaching repentance, (we need that message) and teaching us to obey the commandments. These consistent messages will help guide us on our journey here, and build our faith in Jesus Christ. This is the goal to become like Him.