Our Father in Heaven has a purpose to all of his creations. He especially has a grand purpose for His children. This is something that many God-fearing people understand and believe. One thing that we cannot forget is that Satan is just as real. He seeks to confuse the purposes of God, and he does so very persuasively.
How, in times of change and uncertainty, can we stay firm on the foundation that God has made? The Bible provides us with an understanding and a partially firm foundation. I say partially, because there are churches using the same Bible who conflict in their teachings. Some churches teach of the sanctity of Marriage between a man and a woman. Other churches teach that a homosexual lifestyle is just as good, just as important, and just as equal to that of a traditional heterosexual marriage. "After all," they say, " we are all God's children and he has made us different ways for different reasons."
Neither will the Book of Mormon alone establish this firm foundation we desire. For this reason, I turn to a passage in the Bible that also is an important source that will provide us with a more firm foundation. Ephesians 4:11-15 -
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (why?)
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
I place an emphasis on portions of this scripture for a reason. The Lord gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Why were these men given? To help us come to a unity of the faith... that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
It is no wonder that the church began to be divided when the ancient apostles and prophets were killed and were no more. After they died, there was no longer unity among the faith, and men were easily led, tossed to and fro by every word of doctrine. Efforts were made to unify the faith by Constantine and others, but there was still division, which division is still sadly here today.
So why were apostles and prophets so important? (I know I'm on a tangent, but this is a very important tangent:-) Apostles were special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world. They were witnesses of Christ's Divinity and of his bodily resurrection from the dead. Though there were others who were witnesses of Jesus Christ, these apostles were chosen and ordained by Christ Himself to be these special witnesses of Him. It was these men who received revelation from Christ for the whole church, to ensure that the truth was taught in its' purity, that all disciples of Christ would be unified in Him (as he prayed for so beautifully in John 17).
We bear witness that Christ has called prophets and apostles today just as He did anciently. These men are special witnesses of the the divine reality of Jesus Christ. The Lord has called
them, among many reasons, to bring unity among the followers of Christ, "that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." Of many things that these prophets and apostles of the Savior, Jesus Christ, have done, they recently have written a proclamation to the world on the family. For reference to the entire proclamation, it may be found at this website -http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html
Among many things, these men teach of the Eternal and unchanging truths that "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.... Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.... We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.... The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."
Isn't it wonderful that God still speaks to us today, and reveals truths that apply to us in our day!?
These men, as special witnesses of Christ, are humbly declaring these things as revealed truth from the Creator of us all. We know that for some, this is new news. Some have not thought of there being men like Peter, James, and John today, but we testify that there are, that the same Savior who felt it important to call apostles and prophets after his resurrection, has seen it fit, in His love, to call men for these same purposes today. The family is Eternal. God has ordained marriage to be between a man and a woman. The fact of the way God has physically made us testifies of this. And we testify of this. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
1 comment:
So you know that someone reads and contemplates your efforts and appreciates them... here I am.
Way to go that as a family you add a strong and very pertinent voice to answer the questions and confusions of these days. We are now in a time of extreme dearth. A lack of spirituality, reverence, and tolerance for religion envelops us and is a much bigger problem than simple economic woes.
Society is in jeopardy, thank you for stating the simple truth.
Love you Jonny, remember that our kids need to grow up together, and you're going to invite my wife and I to dinner in January to welcome us back to the Y.
Post a Comment