I discovered another thing about God from the title page of the Book of Mormon. Moroni wrote, "that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever." Covenants must be linked to our way back 'home'. Since Moroni was writing by way of commandment, this tells me that God knew we would get off His covenant path, that we needed a way back. This record was to help us remember and re-learn what we must have known before we ever arrived on this earth.
This tells me that God is not leaving our development here on earth to chance, that is . . . unless we choose it to be that way. He did not just let us out the door to figure things out on our own. By our own choices, we separate ourselves from God. He knew this was inevitable and put things in place for us, to help us along our mortal journey, if we choose to seek. Covenants are two-way promises. The Book of Mormon helps us discover what those promises are -- our Promises to Him and His promises to us.
God has a plan for us. God has put things in place for us to not only return, but to return fully developed. If he wanted us to learn of His covenants, they must help us along the way. If we didn't come to earth to become a better person, why did we leave in the first place? We don't send our children off to school so they can come back the same. We want them to learn, to gain knowledge and wisdom, to grow and develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, to reason and analyze, to think for themselves and gain confidence in their abilities. Isn't God the same type of parent? Doesn't he expect us to return home more developed?
The God I worship has a plan for us -- He has provided covenants for us to fully access His power as we sojourn here on Earth.
Some time ago in South America, a seasoned group of missionaries was asked, “What is the greatest need in the world?” One wisely responded, “Is not the greatest need in all of the world for every person to have a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with Deity?” Having such a relationship can unchain the divinity within us, and nothing can make a greater difference in our lives as we come to know and understand our divine relationship with God and His Beloved Son, our Master. (James E. Faust -- I added the italics)
I began this blog with the intent of sharing what I personally know and have learned about God and His Son Jesus Christ from the pages of the Book of Mormon. I need to say upfront that while I may talk about God separately at times from Jesus Christ, I believe that they are so intimately connected that to speak about one is to speak about the other. I believe the Son has developed all the qualities and attributes of His Father. Although they have different roles, I believe their interests in us are the same. They are "one" in all ways imaginable, yet physically they are two separate glorified beings with tangible bodies of flesh and bone. Have you ever known a couple that could finish each other's sentences? That knew where each other's thought processes were going with one or two words, or even a look? THAT is intimacy, and I believe that Jesus Christ shares the highest sense of intimacy with His Father. Could I ever get to know God this well? John sure seems to think this would be a good idea: He records in John 17:3 some of the words of a prayer that came from Jesus' lips: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
Bruce R. McConkie, a modern day apostle, wrote in his book Mormon Doctrine: "Man’s purpose in life is to learn the nature and
kind of being that God is, and then, by conformity to his laws and ordinances,
to progress to that high state of exaltation wherein man becomes perfect as the
Father is perfect." [s.v. “God,” 318]
Brigham Young, 2nd President of the Restored Church believes that we used to know God. He said, "When you . . . see our Father, you will see a being with whom
you have long been acquainted, and He will receive you into His arms, and you
will be ready to fall into His embrace and kiss Him. . . . " (Journal of Discourses 4:54–55) If we knew God before coming to this earth, isn't possible to come to know Him again?
Lastly, Joseph Smith, the first prophet of this Last Dispensation said, "Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to
approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the
character of God, and know how to come to Him, He begins to unfold the
heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to Him,
He is ready to come to us.” (History of the Church, 6:303–5, 308; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on Apr. 7, 1844, in
Nauvoo, Illinois; reported by Wilford Woodruff, Willard Richards, Thomas
Bullock, and William Clayton).
Modern day apostles and prophets believe that it is possible for mere mortals to come to know God on a personal level. Doctrines of men have invented all sorts of interpretations of God, so it's no wonder the world is starving for truth. Joseph Smith revealed in Doctrine & Covenants 123 that "For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—"
My relationship with my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ is a real, tangible thing. This has brought me peace and it flows like a river, steady, sure, moving in and around stumbling blocks, bringing me closer and closer to my destination. Learning about these two deities has made ALL the difference in my life. Where did I find this truth?
We have two written witnesses of God and His Son Jesus Christ - The Bible and The Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is an ancient record of compiled accounts that records God's dealings with America's inhabitants long ago. I have learned much about the God I worship in its pages, and I have felt the sweet testifying influence of the Holy Ghost letting me know that it is a sacred, true volume of scripture.
So . . . . this blog. Again, my purpose is to share what I know and have learned about my Father in Heaven and His Son. And I wish to share through a second witness of Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon. I have learned these things (that will follow) by the Spirit which has testified to me of many wonderful things that have infused a sense of deep peace into my life. The knowledge I have of the God I worship and His Son the Living Christ, is one of the most precious gifts I have.
