JBb ŽURNĀLS

House for Sale...

2011-03-20T09:39:00.000+02:00

ADDRESS: Heaven

FEATURES:

Many rooms with a master suite

Spacious love

Open floor plan for peace

Large eat-in grace

Fenced in mercy with room for expansion

Son room with a marvelous view of salvation

Pool of milk and honey in the back

Pearly gates in front

DIRECTIONS:

Faith, loyalty and a sincere

love for thy fellow man.

PRICE:

$0.00 - Owner financing

COMMUNITY:

Friendly angelic neighbors.

Great family and friends.

Praise the Lord all day and night.

BONUS:

Crown of stars, new luxurious robe and golden

slippers with matching wings.

Bring a friend and get a reward.

For more information, call your local

agent or representative -

Name, address and phone

number listed below.

NAME: Heavenly Father

ADDRESS: Repent Highway and Streets of Gold

PHONE: Dial John 3:16

LDS lapa jauniešiem

2011-01-27T11:23:00.006+02:00

Internets mūsdienās ir pārbāzts ar informāciju, un liela tās daļa ir tukša un nelietderīga, bieži pat graujoša un degradējoša. Ir grūti ātri un viegli atrast ko labu, pozitīvu un ko tādu, kas paceltu garu un noskaņojumu. Viena šāda pozitīva vieta internetā ir Pēdējo Dienu Svēto Jēzus Kristus Baznīcas mājas lapa, kurai ir arī sadaļa veltīta tieši jauniešiem. Jāsaka, jaunieši ir mūsu sabiedrības visievainojamākā un neaizsargātākā daļa, tāpēc jo īpaši lieku uzsvaru uz viņu garīgo un laicīgo labklājību. Iesaku apmeklēt šo lapu: https://lds.org/youth?lang=eng (Tiesa gan, lai to saprastu, jums būs jāzin angļu valoda).

Ja meklē Ziemassvētkus caur internetu...

2010-12-20T10:15:00.005+02:00

Īstā lapa, kurā smelties Ziemassvētku garu... http://lds.org/topic/christmas/
The Bible Christmas Story
Luke Chapter 2, King James Version

Luke 2 in the New Testament is the sacred account of the birth of Jesus Christ. With links to songs, articles, and videos, you can now experience the familiar story in a new way.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city
of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Debesu veikals

2010-12-12T19:20:00.003+02:00

Ilgu laiku atpakaļ, ejot pa dzīves taciņu, es ieraudzīju izkārtni uz kuras stāvēja uzrakstīts „Debesu veikals”. Kad piegāju tuvāk, atvērās durvis, un pirms pamanīju biju jau tur iekšā. Tur visapkārt ap mani es redzēju eņģeļus! Viens no eņģeļiem man iedeva groziņu un teica: „Tu vari izvēlēties visu, ko tu vien gribi. Šajā veikalā ir viss ko vien sirds var iekārot un ko tu Šodien nevari panest vari rīt paņemt.”
Pirmais, ko es paņēmu, bija „Pateicība” un tad „Mīlestību”. Abi atradās vienā plauktā. Drīz pēc tam es atradu „Izpratni, un to arī es paņēmu, jo to vajag gandrīz visur. Bez tam vēl es izvēlējos 2 kastītes „Gudrību” un 2 maisiņus „Ticību”. Arī „Svēto Garu”, kurš bija visapkārt, es neaizmirsu. Es arī atradu laiku, lai groziņā ieliktu „Spēku” un „Drosmi”, jo tas darba dzīvē ļoti palīdz. Kad mans grozs jau bija gandrīz pilns, es atcerējos, ka man vēl vajag nedaudz „Žēlastību” un „Labsirdību”. Tie tur tika lielā vairumā piedāvāti. Protams, ka es paņēmu pietiekoši, lai pietiktu gan tev, gan man. Tad es devos uz kasi, lai maksātu. Netālu no kases es ieraudzīju „Lūgšanu”. Lai gan man jau bija pilns grozs, es tik un tā to iestūmu iekšā grozā. Es zināju, ka man tā noderēs. „Miers” atradās pēdējā plauktā. Arī to es paņēmu. „Prieks” karājās pie grieztiem un es paņēmu mazu gabaliņu no tā.
Kad es biju pie kases, es jautāju: „Cik tas maksā?”
Kasiere smaidīja un teica: „Ņem vienkārši savu grozu visur līdzi, lai kur arī tu ietu.”
Tad es jautāju vēlreiz: „Labi, bet ... cik man patiešām ir jāmaksā?”
Viņa tikai smaidīja un teica: „Tev par to vairs nav jāuztraucas. Jēzus jau sen ir rēķinu samaksājis.”

„Un visu, ko jūs ticībā lūgsit, to jūs dabūsiet.”
/Mateja ev. 21:22/

Antismēķēšanas reklāmas

2010-12-11T09:56:00.002+02:00

Mācība un Derības 89:8 - "Un vēl, tabaka nav nedz ķermenim, nedz vēderam, un nav laba cilvēkam, bet ir augs sasitumiem un visiem slimiem liellopiem, lai tiktu lietota ar saprātu un iemaņām."
Un zemāk redzamas anti-smēķēšanas reklāmas:

MINI lapa

2010-12-09T09:46:00.001+02:00

Esmu izveidojis, burtiski dažas dieanas atpakaļ, jaunu mājas lapu veltītu MINI markas mašīnām. Iesaku to apmeklēt un novērtēt, jo īpaši ja esat MINI fani. Pagaidām tur iz pavisam nedaudz materiāla, bet es to aktīvi apstrādāju un papildinu, lai jau pavisam drīz tā būtu bagātīgas informācijas krātuve ar praktisku raksturu. Lūk links: http://minithecar.blogspot.com/

Šo mājas lapu esmu izveidojis daļēji jo esmu MINI fans un daļēji biznesam. Esmu mākslinieciska dvēsele, un viens no tiem cilvēkiem, kurš ir gatavs maksāt arī par ideju, ne tikai par materiālu. MINI savā klasē, pēc tehniskajiem rādītājiem, ir padārga mašīna. Bet, kā jau minēju iepriekš, cenu veido ideja un dizains. Man MINI ir sava veida mākslas darbs, dizaina objekts. Ir doma izveidot MINI blogu arī latviešu valodā, bet to vēl redzēšu kā sanāks ar laikiem. Ja no maniem lasītājiem ir kādi, kas labprāt MINI blogu vēlētos redzēt latviešu valodā, lūdzu atstājiet komentāros ziņu.

Skaista mūzika

2010-11-25T14:53:00.002+02:00

Staigājot pa LDS lapām uzdūros skaistai vijolspēlei. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABvwE1MrbFw
Mūzika ir brīvi lejupielādējama un kopējama, kamēr vien tas netiek darīts peļņai.
Un tad vēl viena.
http://www.mormonmusic.org/
Arī šajā lapā var par brīvu lejupielādēt kolosālu mūziku, kuru var droši klausīties, jo nebūs nekādu nepiedienīgu, neķītru vai lamu vārdu.
Šeit jau ir daudzpusīgāka mūzika. Par David Archuleta noteikti jau būsi dzirdējis(usi). Viņš piedalījās Amerikāņu Elks šovā un guva pasaules atzinību. Lūk viņa oficiālā mājas lapa http://www.davidarchuleta.com/us.

Iedvesmojoši stāstiņi

2010-11-25T08:31:00.002+02:00

Esmu izveidojis blogu ar iedvesmojošiem stāstiņiem. Tur visi ir angliski. Latviskos es likšu šajā blogā.
Lūk links uz minētajiem stāstiņiem http://jbb-inspiringstories.blogspot.com/
Ja arī jums ir iedvesmojoši stāsti, raksti, vai kas līdzīgs, droši sūtiet man uz e-pastu bulumiss@jbbdesigns.com un es tos ievietošu blogā lai arī citi to var izlasīt.

Dīvainākās galda tradīcijas ārvalstīs - TOP 10

2010-11-08T08:51:00.007+02:00

Citās zemēs pie galda valda citādas tradīcijas. Tas, kas pie mums ir ne tikai normāli, bet arī pieklājīgi, citviet var būt pat ļoti nepiedienīgi.

Vēlākais kopš Džūlijas Robertsas slavenās filmas "Skaistā sieviete" ir skaidrs, ka vieta, kur cilvēks var izgāzties tā, kā nekur citur, ir smalks restorāns zemē, pilsētā vai sabiedrības slānī, kura tradīcijas nepārzinām. Tomēr jāatceras, ka tas, vai kāda darbība ir pieklājīga vai nepieklājīga, atkarīgs no mūsu pašu izpratnes par to. Desmit dažādas tradīcijas un pieklājības izpausmes pie galda:

1. ASV ēdot pieņemts turēt vienu roku brīvu. Par šīs tradīcijas izcelsmi vēsta stāsts, ka savulaik mežonīgajos rietumos ceļotājiem un vietējiem iedzīvotājiem uz katra stūra uzglūnējuši bandīti un ikvienam draudēja briesmas iekļūt apšaudē. Tieši tāpēc cilvēki ēšanai izmantoja tikai vienu roku, lai ar otru turētu klēpī pielādētu šauteni. Vai tā ir patiesība vai nē, nav skaidrs, tomēr droši zināms tas, ka mūsdienās daudzi amerikāņi steiku vai cepeti no sākuma pilnībā sagriež un tad ar dakšiņu vienā rokā to pa gabaliņam nogādā līdz mutei. Otra roka pa to laiku tiešām nav aizņemta. Protams, mūsdienās tajā nav ieroča. Papildus tam ASV nav ierasts pirms maltītes novēlēt labu apetīti, kā arī tad, ja ēšanas laikā vajag uz tualeti, to noteikti nevajag pieminēt. Atliek paziņot, ka drīz atgriezīsies, un bez tālākiem paskaidrojumiem doties turp, kur jādodas.

2. Japānā pieņemts skaļi strēbt zupu, jo tas veicina garšas izjušanu. Tiem, kas pirmo reizi viesojas uz maltīti japāņu ģimenē, šķitīs pārsteidzoši, ka, tiklīdz tiek pasniegta tradicionālā nūdeļu zupa, sākas skaļa strēbšana. Pie mums par šādu uzvedību pie galda tiek norāti bērni, bet Japānā to uztver kā labsajūtas pazīmi. Japāņi domā, ka zupas aromātu pilnībā var izjust tikai tad, ja to skaļi strebj. Pretēji citām Āzijas valstīm Japānā gan nav pieņemts izdot trokšņus pie galda citos gadījumos. Cita tradīcija nosaka, ka ir ļoti nepieklājīgi sojas mērci liet tieši uz rīsiem. Pavisam traki ir pasniegt blakussēdētājam kādu ēdienu ar savu ēdamkociņu. Šāda rīcība japāņiem atgādina budistu bēru rituālus, kuru laikā tiek šķiroti aizgājēja kauli.

3. Smalkākajos Indijas restorānos parasti ēd ar nazi un dakšiņu, bet mājās arī augstākajos sabiedrības slāņos tā nedara - Indijā valda uzskats, ka ēdienu no sākuma izbauda ar acīm, pēc tam ar pirkstiem un tikai beigās ar muti. Tieši tāpēc ēd ar pirkstiem. Ēsts lielākoties tiek ar labo roku, pie tam cilvēki cenšas pēc iespējams mazāk notraipīt roku. Kreisā roka skaitās netīra, tāpēc ēdot to neizmanto pilnīgi noteikti - indieši izmanto kreiso roku, lai notīrītos pēc tualetes apmeklējuma. Ar kreiso roku ēdienam pieskarties nedrīkst pat netieši, tāpēc ar to arī nepasniedz bļodiņas un traukus. Absolūti normāla Indijā ir atraugāšanās pēc ēšanas. Ja maltīte notiek brīvā dabā, tad pēc krietnām pusdienām daži indieši labprāt krietni nospļaujas uz zemes.

4. Daudzi eiropieši uzskata, ka Ķīnā nepastāv nekādas galda manieres. Skaļa ēšana un strēbšana ir ļoti normāla, tāpat arī runāšana ar pilnu muti un smēķēšana maltītes laikā. Šāda uzvedība atbilst ķīniešu uzskatam, ka maltīte vienkārši ir jāizbauda. Neskatoties uz to, arī Ķīnā ir spēkā noteikumi, kas jāievēro pie galda. Piemēram, ir normāli vienā rokā turēt ēdamkociņu un otrā - kūpošu cigareti, bet nav pieļaujams pēc aizsmēķēšanas atkal nolikt cigarešu paciņu prom, nepiedāvājot to pārējiem. Ķīnā arī nedrīkst iespraust ēdamkociņus rīsos - šāda ceremonija notiek bērēs, tāpēc to uztver ne tikai kā nepieklājīgu uzvedību, bet pat kā sliktu zīmi. Un, kaut arī strēbšana un skaļa ēšana ir pieņemama, deguna šņaukšana pie galda gan nē - lai to izdarītu, jādodas uz tualeti.

5. Lai sastaptos ar dīvainām galda tradīcijām, nav jādodas uz eksotiskiem galamērķiem - pilnīgi pietiek doties uz Franciju, kur pēc daudzu uzskatiem valda paši stingrākie un tieši tāpēc dīvainākie galda manieru noteikumi visā pasaulē. Francijā pie galda nav pieļaujama ne mazākā šmakstināšanas pazīme, nedrīkst pūst zupu, lai to atvēsinātu, nedrīkst ēst augļus un vistu ar rokām. Parasti pēc galvenā ēdiena tiek pasniegta siera plate - no tās drīkst pagaršot maksimāli trīs siera veidus un nekādā gadījuma nedrīkst apēst visu. Bageti nedrīkst griezt ar nazi, no tās ar rokām jānoplēš piemērota lieluma gabaliņi. Vienīgā reize, kad Francijā maltītē var justies mazliet brīvāk, ir tad, ja tiek saņemts ielūgums uz privātām brokastīm. Tad ir pieļaujami pamērcēt kruasānus vai bulciņas kafijā vai kakao.

6. Afganistānā spēkā ir tradīcija, ka svarīgākais maltītes dalībnieks sēž vietā, kas ir vistālāk no durvīm. Parasti tas ir viesis, nevis namatēvs vai namamāte. Ja ģimene ietur maltīti bez viesiem, tad goda vieta pieder vecvecākiem. Maltīti vienmēr uzsāk viesis - atšķirībā no Latvijas, kur ciemiņi gaida signālu no mājasmātes. Pie mums pieņemtā pieklājīgā vilcināšanās Afganistānā ir nevietā. Namatēvs un namamāte maltītē ēd vismazāk un uzsāk ēšanu kā pēdējie. Ja maltīte tiek ieturēta uz zemes, tad pēdas nedrīkst norādīt uz citu cilvēku - tas ir nepieklājīgi un tiek uztverts kā apvainojums.

7. Krievijā tukšs šķīvis nozīmē to, ka viesis vēl ir izsalcis. Tieši tāpēc tie, kas jau jūtas paēduši, uz šķīvja atstāj kādu mazu drusciņu ēdiena, lai signalizētu, ka ir labi paēsts. Tiklīdz šķīvis ir tukšs, tas atkal tiek piepildīts un tā visu laiku. Tiek sagaidīts, ka viesis nogaršos visus sagatavotos ēdienus, tāpēc noteikti nedrīkst paēst tikai no uzkodām un pēcāk atteikties no citiem ēdieniem.

8. Arī Etiopijā pirms ēšanas tiek mazgātas rokas, tomēr "attīrīšanās rituāls" tiek veikts kopīgi pirms maltītes. Tradicionāli etiopiešu maltītē uz viena šķīvja tiek pasniegta pikanta gaļa un dažādi dārzeņi, kas jāēd kopā ar etiopiešu plāno maizi. Tieši maize arī tiek izmantota gan kā šķīvis, gan kā ēdamrīki - uz tās liek gaļu un ar to paņem dārzeņu pastu.

9. Korejā visi ēdieni vienlaicīgi tiek salikti uz galda bez īpašas secības. Katrs drīkst pacienāties no tās bļodiņas, kuras vēlas. Tomēr maltīti drīkst uzsākt tikai tad, kad to ir izdarījis vecākais no galdabiedriem. Citāda rīcība būtu pavisam nepieklājīga. Ēšanas laikā pie galda valda klusums - etiķete atļauj tikai mazliet runāšanas, jo pilnībā jākoncentrējas uz ēšanu.

10. Itālijā spageti lielākoties ēd tikai ar dakšiņu. Tāpat nav pieklājīgi griezt spageti vai nokost daļu no tā, kas uzrullēts uz dakšiņas. Tiem, kas nav droši par savu spageti ēšanas prasmi, ieteicams vienā reizē uztīt uz dakšiņas tikai trīs vai četrus spageti makaronus. Protams, restorānā var pasūtīt kādus mazāk sarežģītu pastas veidu, piemēram, farfalle vai penne, un spageti ēst tikai mājās. Pie mums daudzi ņem palīgā karoti, lai ar tās palīdzību uztītu uz dakšiņas garos makaronus.
Rakstiņš ņemts no portāla Delfi

Es izvēlējos Tevi

2010-11-03T23:44:00.007+02:00

Kādu svētdienas rītu, dievkalpojuma laikā, 2000 draudzes locekļi bija pārsteigti ieraugot baznīcā ienākam divus vīrus. Abi bija tērpušies melnā no galvas līdz kājām, un rokās turēja automātus. Viens no vīriem izsaucās: ‘Ikviens, kurš ir gatavs mirt Jēzus dēļ, palieciet, kur esat!’ Tai pašā brīdī, no baznīcas izskrēja ārā visi draudzes koristi, tāpat arī diakoni un liela daļa draudzes. No 2000 palika tikai 20 cilvēku. Vīrietis, kurš bija kliedzis, atsedza seju, paskatījās uz mācītāju un teica: ‘Nu re, mācītāj! Tikām vaļā no visiem liekuļiem. Tagad jūs varat atsākt vadīt dievkalpojumu. Lai jums jauka svētdiena!’ Un abi vīri devās ārā no baznīcas.
Jocīgi, cik vienkārši cilvēks spēj novērsties no Dieva.... un tad brīnīties, kāpēc pasaule ir tieši tāda, kāda tā šobrīd ir...

Jocīgi, kad ticam visam, ko raksta avīzes, bet apšaubām to, kas rakstīts Bībelē.
Jocīgi, ka ikviens vēlas nonākt debesīs, bet bez ticības un domām, vārdiem, darbiem, ko māca Bībele.
Jocīgi vai baisi???
Jocīgi, kā viena daļa apgalvo: ’Es ticu Dievam’, bet tik un tā seko sātanam (kurš, starp citu, arī ‘tic’ Dievam).
Jocīgi, ka mēs varam sūtīt tūkstošiem dažādu jociņu pa e-pastu un tie ātri izplatās, bet kad jānosūta kāda ziņa, kas saistās ar To Kungu, cilvēki ilgi pārdomā, vai ar to dalīties vai nē.
Jocīgi, kā rupjās, vulgārās un neķītrās lietas brīvi darbojas interneta vidē, bet publiskas diskusijas par Jēzu tiek nomāktas gan skolās, gan darba vietās.
Jocīgi, vai ne? Jocīgi, ka spējam aizdegties ticībā uz Jēzu svētdienās, bet apklusināt to pārējās nedēļas dienās.
Vai tev tas neliekas smieklīgi?
Jocīgi, bet tu noteikti nepārsūtīsi šo ziņu daudziem no saviem paziņām, jo neesi pārliecināts par viņu ticību, vai to, ko viņi padomās par tevi.
Jocīgi, ka mūs vairāk uztrauc tas, ko citi cilvēki par mums domā, un nevis, kā mūs redz Dievs
Vai tu pārdomā to visu?
Vai tu padalīsies ar to arī ar citiem cilvēkiem? Vai nē?
Es izvēlējos tevi. Es saņēmu norādi nosūtīt šo ziņu cilvēkiem, kurus vēlos lai Dievs svētī, un es izvēlējos tieši tevi. Lūdzu, pārsūti to cilvēkiem, kuriem tu novēli Dieva svētību.

Ebreju numeroloģija

2010-10-10T22:11:00.005+03:00

Ebreju valoda ir pilna simbolismu, it īpaši ar skaitļiem. Zemāk minētie ir tikai daži piemēri.. Tos saprotot, mēs varam labāk izprast Svētos Rakstus. Tomēr, nevajag pārāk aizrauties ar simbolu meklēšanu visā ko sastopat.
/tulkojums skaitļu nozīmēm sekos vēlāk/
1 Unity; New Beginnings
2 Union; Division; Witnessing
3 Divine completeness and perfection
4 Creation; the world
5 Grace; Pentateuch
6 Weakness of man; evils of Satan
7 Resurrection; Spiritual completeness; Perfection
8 New birth
Atver rakstu, lai lasītu vairāk...

9 Fruit of the Spirit
10 Testimony; Law and responsibility
11 Disorder and judgment
12 Governmental perfection
13 Apostasy; Rebellion
40 Trials, probation, testing
119 Spiritual perfection and victory (7x17=119)
1000 Divine completeness and Father's glory
7000 Final judgment
144,000 Those numbered of Israel (12x12x100)

Šķistība

2010-10-08T08:18:00.008+03:00

Šīs bildes es atradu internetā un padomāju, ka šī bloga lasītājiem arī šāda statistika varētu likties interesanta, varbūt pat noderīga. Plus vēl labs vizuālais izpildījums.

Lūk linki uz vietnēm internetā, kurās runa iet par pornogrāfiju un tās ietekmi uz cilvēku:
Finding recovery from porn addiction

Combating pornography

We are precious soles, each of us. There is no person that would be not important to God. Yes, you are important.

Chastity should be our life stile.

"The law of chastity requires that sexual relations be reserved for marriage between a man and a woman."

"As you live the law chastity, you will:

* Invite the Holy Ghost into your life

* Develop greater self-respect as you exercise self-sontrol

*Have greater confidence in your relationships

* Increase in love for those around you"

"Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God /D&C 121:45/"
"Regardless of what you have done in the past, great blessings are available to you if you begin now to live the law of chastity."

Pravieša uzruna ievadot Vispārējo konferenci

2010-10-04T08:52:00.010+03:00

Šis ir Augstākais prezidijs Pēdējo Dienu Svēto Jēzus Kristus Baznīcā. Zemāk ir ievadruna no Pravieša Tomasa S. Monsona, ievadot 2010.gada oktobra konferenci.

Tiem, kas nepieder PDSJK Baznīcai: Viņš ir arī jūsu Pravietis. Pravietis Tomass S. Monsons ir vispasaules Pravietis ar ziņu visiem zemes cilvēkiem, tāpēc acinu arī jūs ieklausīties viņa teiktajā. Konfernču runas ir pieejamas arī latviski:

http://www.jezuskristusbaznica.lv/2010-aprila-konference.htm

Bet šit to var skatīties un klausīties angliski:

http://new.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much.

My beloved brothers and sisters, we welcome you to general conference, which is being heard and seen by various means throughout the world. We express thanks to all who have to do with the complicated logistics of this great undertaking.

Since April when we last met, the work of the Church has moved forward unhindered. It has been my privilege to dedicate four new temples. Accompanied by my counselors and other General Authorities, I have traveled to Gila Valley, Arizona; to Vancouver, British Columbia; to Cebu City in the Philippines; and to Kyiv, Ukraine. The temple in each of these locations is magnificently beautiful. Each one is blessing the lives of our members and is an influence for good upon those not of our faith.

The evening prior to each temple dedication, we were privileged to view a cultural celebration, participated in by our young people and some of our not-so-young people. These events were generally held in large stadiums, although in Kyiv we met in a beautiful palace. The dancing, singing, musical performances, and displays were excellent. I express my commendation and love to all who were involved.

Each temple dedication was a spiritual feast. We felt the Spirit of the Lord at all of them.

Next month we will rededicate the Laie Hawaii Temple, one of our oldest temples, which has undergone extensive renovations during many months. We look forward to that sacred occasion.

We continue to build temples. This morning I am pleased to announce five additional temples for which sites are being acquired and which, in coming months and years, will be built in the following locations: Lisbon, Portugal; Indianapolis, Indiana; Urdaneta, Philippines; Hartford, Connecticut; and Tijuana, Mexico.

The ordinances performed in our temples are vital to our salvation and to the salvation of our deceased loved ones. May we continue faithful in attending the temples, which are being built closer and closer to our members.

Now, before we hear from our speakers this morning, may I mention a matter close to my heart and which deserves our serious attention. I speak of missionary work.

First, to young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and to you young men who are becoming elders: I repeat what prophets have long taught—that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary. Keep yourselves clean and pure and worthy to represent the Lord. Maintain your health and strength. Study the scriptures. Where such is available, participate in seminary or institute. Familiarize yourself with the missionary handbook Preach My Gospel.

A word to you young sisters: while you do not have the same priesthood responsibility as do the young men to serve as full-time missionaries, you also make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome your service.

And now to you mature brothers and sisters: we need many, many more senior couples. To the faithful couples now serving or who have served in the past, we thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. You serve willingly and well and accomplish great good.

To those of you who are not yet to the season of life when you might serve a couples mission, I urge you to prepare now for the day when you and your spouse might do so. As your circumstances allow, as you are eligible for retirement, and as your health permits, make yourselves available to leave home and give full-time missionary service. There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master.

Now, my brothers and sisters, may you be attuned to the Spirit of the Lord as we hear from His servants during the next two days. That this may be the blessing of each, I pray humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The cult of busy

2010-09-24T16:53:00.001+03:00

Scott Berkum

When I was younger I thought busy people were more important than everyone else. Otherwise why would they be so busy? I had busy bosses, busy parents, and always I just thought they must have really important things to do. It seemed an easy way to see who mattered and who didn’t. The busy must matter more, and the lazy mattered less.

This is the cult of busy. That simply by always seeming to have something to do, we all assume you must be important or successful.

It explains the behavior of many people at work. By appearing busy, people bother them less, and simultaneously believe they’re doing well at their job. It’s quite a trick.

I now believe the opposite to be true. Or the near opposite. Here’s why:

Time is the singular measure of life. It’s one of the few things you can not get more of. Knowing how to spend it well is possibly the most important skill you can have.
The person who gets a job done in one hour will seem less busy than the guy who can only do it in five. How busy a person seems is not necessarily indicative of the quality of their results. Someone who is better at something might very well seem less busy, because they are more effective. Results matter more than the time spent to achieve them.
Being in demand can have good and bad causes. Someone with a line of people waiting to talk to them outside their office door at work seems busy, and therefore seems important. But somehow the clerk running the slowest supermarket checkout line in the universe isn’t praised in the same way; it means they’re ineffective. People who are at the center of everything aren’t necessarily good at what they do (although they might be). The bar of being busy falls far well below the bar of being good.
The compulsion to save time may lead nowhere. If you’re always cutting corners to save time, when exactly are you using the time you’ve saved? There is this illusion some day in the future you get back all the time you’ve squirreled away in one big chunk. I don’t think time works this way. For most Americans it seems most of our time savings goes straight into watching television. That’s where all the time savings we think we get actually goes.
The phrase “I don’t have time for” should never be said. We all get the same amount of time every day. If you can’t do something it’s not about the quantity of time. It’s really about how important the task is to you. I’m sure if you were having a heart attack, you’d magically find time to go to the hospital. That time would come from something else you’d planned to do, but now seems less important. This is how time works all the time. What people really mean when they say “I don’t have time” is this thing is not important enough to earn my time. It’s a polite way to tell people they’re not worth your time.

This means people who are always busy are time poor. They have a time shortage. They have time debt. They are either trying to do too much, or they aren’t doing what they’re doing very well. They are failing to either a) be effective with their time b) don’t know what they’re trying to effect, so they scramble away at trying to optimize for everything, which leads to optimizing nothing.

On the other hand, people who truly have control over time have some in their pocket to give to someone in need. They have a sense of priorities that drives their use of time and can shift away from the specific ordinary work that’s easy to justify, in favor of the more ethereal, deeper things that are harder to justify. They protect their time from trivia and idiocy. These people are time rich. They provide themselves with a surplus of time. They might seem to idle, or to relax, more often then the rest, but that may be a sign of their mastery not their incompetence.

I deliberately try not to fill my calendar. I choose not to say Yes to everything. For to do so would make me too busy, and I think, less effective at what my goals are. I always want to have some margin of my time in reserve, time I’m free to spend in any way I choose, including doing almost nothing at all. I’m free to take detours. I’m open to serendipity. Some of the best thinkers throughout history had some of their best thoughts while going for walks, playing cards with friends, little things things that generally would not be considered the hallmarks of busy people. It’s the ability to pause, to reflect, and relax, to let the mind wander, that’s perhaps the true sign of time mastery, for when the mind returns it’s often sharper and more efficient, but most important perhaps, happier than it was before.

This post was inspired by Marrissa Bracke‘s essay Why I stopped working with busy people.

Raksts ņemts no Skota Berkuma bloga.

To Walk with Heads Held High

2010-09-22T08:01:00.000+03:00

"For those who eschew evil and live good lives, who strive for a brighter day and keep the commandments of God, things can get better and better even in the face of tragedy. The Savior showed us the way. From Gethsemane, the cross, and the tomb, He rose triumphant, bringing life and hope to us all. He bids us, 'Come, follow me' (Luke 18:22)."President Thomas S. Monson has counseled: 'If we are to walk with head held high, we must make our contribution to life. If we are to fulfill our destiny and return to live with our Father in Heaven, we must keep His commandments and pattern our lives after the Savior. By so doing, we will not only achieve our goal of eternal life, but we will also leave the world richer and better than it would have been had we not lived and performed our duties' (Thomas S. Monson, used with permission)."
Keith B. McMullin, "Our Path of Duty," Ensign, May 2010, 13

Jaunā LDS mājas lapa. Beta versija

2010-09-19T21:28:00.005+03:00

Beidzot ir pieejama jaunā LDS mājas lapa. Tā kā esmu viens no tiem cilvēkiem, kam ir svarīgi, kā izskatās ar mani un manu dzīvi saistītās lietas, tad īpaši priecājos par jauno LDS mājas lapas izskatu. Lūk ekrāna bilde ar jauno dizainu:

Visu tās skaistumu un "ergonomiku" var izbaidīt tikai par to pasērfojot. Pagaidām gan tur vēl nav pilnīgi visa informāciju. Es ļoti labi zinu, cik daudz laika aizņem informācijas ievietošana mājas lapās, kad tās tiek taisītas no nulles, tāpēc nemaz nebrīnos, ka par dažām lietām lapas administratori saka, ka strādāšot visu cauru 2011.gadu. Personīgi man ļoti patīk jaunais izkārtojums un informācijas pasniegšanas veids. Viss ir sakārtots loģiskā secībā un kārtībā, kā tas piedienas Tā Kunga baznīcai. Baznīcas locekļiem ir vairāk pieejamās informācijas šajā lapā, ja ir savs Baznīcas lietotājvārds un parole. Kā to var iegūt, varat prasīt savu draudžu prezidentiem.

Kijevas Ukrainas Templis: Previetojums piepildīts

2010-09-19T20:23:00.006+03:00

1991 gadā Apustulis pravietoja, ka Ukrainā, bijušajā Padomju Savienības Valstī, tiks uzcelts templis. Šodien, tikai 19 gadus vēlāk, šīs pareģojums ir ticis piepildīts. Prezidents Tomass S. Monsons iesvētīja Kijevas Ukrainas Templi 2010.gada 29.augustā. Tas piepildīja 19 gadus atpakaļ izteikto pravietojumu, kuru izteica Prezidents Boids K. Pakers, Divpadsmit Apustuļu kvoruma Prezidents.

Lūk vairāk informācijas, bet tikai angliski:

A Prophetic Promise

On September 12, 1991, then-Elder Packer and Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stood on a hillside near the center of Kyiv, Ukraine, with a few other Church members. There President Packer offered a prayer of dedication and blessing upon Ukraine. In his prayer he said, “We see the day when there will be scattered in the villages here and there a member and yet another member and then a gathering and then a branch and, in due time, stakes of Zion set firmly and permanently upon the fertile soil of the Ukraine. And in due time, the spires of temples will be seen across this great land.”

He went on to pray, “As we dedicate this land, our Holy Father, we remember those who have lived here in generations past and now are gone. We pray that this moment might be the beginning of an emancipation of their spirits in the world beyond through the sacred sealing ordinances of the work for the dead that Thou hast revealed. We pray that there will be an outpouring of the Spirit of Elijah, that the names will come forth, the records made available, and the ordinances performed for them in temples in other lands and, in due time, in temples in this land.”

Earnest Prayers for a Temple

The swiftness of that prophecy’s fulfillment is breathtaking. Just 7 years after President Packer’s prayer, the First Presidency announced in 1998 plans to build a temple in Ukraine. And now the temple has been built and dedicated. With the exception of the early temples in Kirtland and Nauvoo, in no other country has a temple been built within 20 years of the gospel being introduced there.

For those who have watched closely as the Church has grown in Ukraine and the other Eastern European countries, it is obvious that the Lord’s Spirit has brooded over these countries.

In 1994 Elder Oaks returned to Ukraine and spoke at a Church conference in Kyiv. “While on my feet,” he remembers, “I felt impressed to say to these people that at the rate of growth they had established and with the remarkable people they are . . . if they remained faithful, they were likely to see a house of the Lord, a temple, in Ukraine in their lifetime. I told them to pray for that day, and the sister who offered the closing prayer began that tradition.”

Blessed by a Temple in Ukraine

Those prayerful petitions—beginning with President Packer’s prayer and continuing with the many prayers offered by Latter-day Saints throughout Ukraine—were answered quickly and even dramatically. Contrary to attitudes pervasive in Eastern Europe in 1991, the people in Ukraine, Russia, Bulgaria, and elsewhere began to turn their hearts to their ancestors. Records that could easily have been destroyed in the chaos of revolution and repression were found preserved. At great sacrifice Latter-day Saints in Ukraine began traveling to the Freiberg Germany Temple, a journey of two days, to do temple work for themselves and their deceased loved ones.

Now a temple of God graces the city of Kyiv. With shorter travel times, at less expense, members in Eastern Europe can visit the house of the Lord more often. Many more people, living and dead, will be blessed as they receive the ordinances of the temple.

It is a labor of love initiated by a prophetic blessing given barely 19 years ago.

Most of the information in this article comes from an article written by Gerry Avant and published in the Church News on August 28, 2010. See “Temple Fulfills 1991 Prophecy,” 3–4.

Es tulkoju grāmatu!

2010-09-11T10:39:00.005+03:00

http://musulaimesmeklejumi.wordpress.com/
Links uz vietni, kurā es tulkoju vienu lielisku un viegli saprotamu grāmatu.

Papildinājums /5.Nov.2010./
Izrādās, ka mans draugs jau vairākus gadus atpakaļ šo grāmatu ir iztulkojis uz latviešu valodu, tāpēc, tagad tikai atliek to pārskatīt, izrediģēt un uztaisīt par viegli un patīkami lasāmu materiālu. Domāju, ka ātrāk par nākamā gada otro pusi tas nenotiks. Sekojiet līdzi jaunumiem...

Atjauninājums: Kā izrādās, kāds mans draugs šo darbiņu jau sen kā paveicis. Domājams, ka nākamgad gada otrajā pusē būšu ticis pie tulkojuma, un ja nebūs nekādu legālu šķēršļu, šī grāmata elektroniskā veidā nonāks augstākminētajā bloga vietnē. Pagaidām atliek vien jums to meklēt un lasīt angliski. Man jāpameklē, kur esmu nogrūdis linku uz vienu krievu saitu, kurā daudzas labas grāmatas tulko entuziasti. Kad atradīšu, pielikšu pie linkiem.

THE MAN IN THE GLASS

2010-09-07T22:15:00.006+03:00

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn't your wife or family or friend
Who judgment upon you must pass;
The man whose verdict counts most in the end
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may think you a straight-shootin' chum
and call you a person of place
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the face.
He's the man to please, never mind all the rest
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.

Cik daudz mēs ciešam...?

2010-09-07T22:14:00.001+03:00

He came walking up the aisle on little brown legs, with serious determination in his eyes. I stopped speaking and the congregation was as quiet as death. The boy spoke to me: “You asked me what I would have done if I had been in the crowd when Jesus fell under the weight of His cross?” He was a Mexican lad, eight years of age. His father was a miner, and his mother was an outcast from descent society. I had been preaching on Simon Cyrene: and when I asked the audience to determine in their own minds their reaction to the scene, little Pedro had begun moving toward me. I lifted up my arm and cried: “Yes, and if you had helped Him carry the cross, the cruel Roman soldiers would have beaten down across your back with their whips until blood ran down your heels!” He never flinched. Meeting my look with one of cool courage, he gritted through clinched teeth: “I don’t care; I would have helped Him carry it just the same!” The crowd snickered a little at his verbal bravery.
Two weeks later, at the close of a service in the same building, I stood at the door greeting people as they left. When Pedro came by, I patter him affectionately on the back. He shrank from me with a little cry: “Don’t do that, my back is sore.” I stood in astonishment. I had barely touched his shoulders. I took him in the cloak room and stripped his shirt to the waist… criss-crossed from neck to the waist were ugly blood welts. “Who did it to you?!” I cried in anger.
“Mother did it,” he said. “She whipped me because I wanted to come to church, but I came anyway.”

THESE THINGS I WISH FOR MY GRANDCHILDREN

2010-09-07T22:10:00.001+03:00

(Paul Harvey)

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I’d like better. I’d really like for them to know about hand-me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meatloaf sandwiches. I really would.
My cherished grandson, I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated. I hope you learn to make your bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are 16. I hope you have a job by then.
It would be good if at least one time you can see a baby calf born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it’s all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he’s scared, I hope you let him. When you want to see a Disney movie and your younger brother wants to tag along, I hope you’ll let him.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely. On rainy days when you have to catch a ride I hope your driver doesn’t have to drop you two blocks away so you won’t be seen riding with someone as uncool as your mom. If you want a slingshot, I hope your dad teaches you hoe to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use those newfangled computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head. I hope you get razzed by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what Ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on the stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I hope you get sick when someone blow cigar in your face. I don’t care if you try beer once, but I hope you don’t like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandpa and go fishing with your uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and the joy of holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through a neighbor’s window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster of Paris mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you – tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. Are we friends or are we not? You told me once, but I forgot. So tell me now and tell me true. So I can say…..”I’m here for you.”

THESE THINGS I WISH FOR EACH OF YOU.

Jaunas veb vietnes ar informāciju par Jēzus Baznīcu

2010-09-06T11:33:00.000+03:00

http://mormonji.wordpress.com/
Vietne, kurā var atrast atbildes uz dažādiem jautājumiem par Baznīcas mācībām un citām svarīgām lietām. Vietne pagaidām ir jauna, bet tiek regulāri papildināta ar jaunu informāciju.
http://musulaimesmeklejumi.wordpress.com/
Vietne vienas grāmatas tulkojumam.

Iesaku apmeklēt.

Pravietojumi, Jāņa atkl. 8:6-12

2010-08-26T20:31:00.001+03:00

6 Un septiņi eņģeļi ar septiņām bazūnēm gatavojās bazūnēt:
7 un pirmais bazūnēja, un krusa un uguns, asinīm sajaukta, tika mesta uz zemi. Trešā daļa zemes sadega, trešā daļa koku sadega un visa zaļā zāle sadega.
8 Un otrais eņģelis bazūnēja, un kā liels kalns, degošs ugunīs, tika gāzts jūrā; trešā daļa jūras tapa par asinīm,
9 un trešā daļa jūras radījumu, kam bija dzīvība, nomira, un trešā daļa kuģu tika izpostīta.
10 Un trešais eņģelis bazūnēja, un no debesīm krita liela zvaigzne, degdama kā lāpa, tā krita uz upju un ūdens avotu trešo daļu.
11 Zvaigznes vārds saucās Apsints, un trešā daļa ūdeņu tapa par vērmelēm; nomira daudz cilvēku no ūdeņiem, jo tie bija tapuši rūgti.
12 Un ceturtais eņģelis bazūnēja, un trešā daļa saules un trešā daļa mēness un trešā daļa zvaigžņu aptumšojās; to trešā daļa tapa tumša, un dienas trešā daļa nespīdēja un nakts tāpat.

"Trešā daļa" tiek pieminēta ļoti bieži. Zinām, ka Sātans pēc sacelšanās Debesīs, aizvilināja sev līdzi 1/3 daļu no Debesu Tēva gara bērniem. Manuprāt tam ir tieša saistība ar šiem pareģojumiem, tā ir līdzība un zīme.

Vēl mani ieinteresēja šis Apsints (zvaigzne) [angļu valodā Wormwood, tulkojas kā vērmeles, rūgtums]. Cilvēce ir aizrāvusies ar domu par pasaules galu no meteorīta, un liekas kas līdzīgs ir arī gaidāms. Jau tagad šis pravietojums piepildās milzu lēcieniem un nesenā naftas katastrofa ir vien no pierādījumiem. Zemeslode ir pamatīgi saindēta un pie tā esam vainīgi mēs, cilvēki.

Pēti pravietojumus un gatavojies lielajai dienai. Ieklausies praviešu teiktajā!

Kā atnāks Jēzus Kristus otrās atnākšanas laikā?

2010-08-25T19:56:00.003+03:00

Lasot grāmatu "65 SIGNS OF THE TIMES LEADING UP TO SHE SECOND COMING" (David J. Ridges), uzgāju interesantu pravietojumu no Džozefa Smita par jūdu atgriešanos. Rakstīšu oriģinālvalodā lai neiztulkoju kaut ko nepareizi:

"Judah must return. Jerusalem must be rebuilt, and the temple, and water come out from under the temple, and the waters of the Dead Sea be healed. It will take some time to rebuild the walls of the city and the temple, &c.; and all this must be done before the Son of Man will make His appearance. There will be wars and rumors of wars, signs in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, the sun turned into darkness and the moon to blood, earthquakes in divers places, the seas heaving beyond their bounds; then will appear one grand sign of the Son of Man in heaven. But what will the world do? They will say it is a planet, a comet, &c. But the Son of Man will come as the sign of the coming of the Son of Man, which will be as the light of the morning cometh out of the east."

(Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts, 7 vols. [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-51], 5:337)

Izceltā daļa ir tas, kas man likās visinteresantākā. Nekad nebiju tā īsti aizdomājies, kā tieši Jēzus atnāks... veids, kādā viņš to izdarīs. No šī pravietojuma ir skaidrs, ka pasaules gudrie prāti domās, ka tās ir kāds debess ķermenis, kā planēta vai komēta. Gribētos to redzēt.

Pēdējo dienu svētajiem!!!

2010-08-09T15:37:00.001+03:00

http://www.101saints.com/countdown/

Reģistrējieties!!!

Piedošana

2010-07-30T09:35:00.005+03:00

Nevaru pat iedomāties sevi šī vīrieša vietā.

Izpirkšanas nozīme

2010-07-28T12:15:00.014+03:00

Šī runa nav oficiālā baznīcas nostāja, bet Kleona Skauzena kā baznīcas locekļa un BYU reliģijas zinātņu profesora viedoklis, kas balstīts uz mūsu Baznīcas Svēto Rakstu un mūsdienu praviešu teiktā izpēti.

Kleona Skauzena runa

Kādā Vispārējā priesterības sesijā prezidents Kimbals iesāka runāt par tēmu, kas parasti netiek pārrunāta un kuru es vēlētos izvērst, jo tā ir pamatā Lieldienu notikumiem, kas nekad netiek apspriesti. Lai gan mēs esam vienīgie, kas par to zina, mēs vienkārši par to nerunājam. Kā Baznīcas mācība tā tikpat kā ir zaudēta. Tāpēc es jutos tik pacilāts, kad prezidents Kimbals mūs ar to iepazīstināja. Viņš teica: „Es vēlos, lai ikviens no jums saprastu, ka šīs dzīves laikā mēs darbojamies ar ļoti ierobežotām priesterības pilnvarām. Daudzi rituāli mums tiks atklāti tikai pēc šīs dzīves. Viens no tiem ir augšāmcelšanās rituāls. Mums nav ļauts izpildīt šo rituālu šeit.
Taču tas ir priesterības rituāls un tas mums tiks dots tur. Pēc šīs dzīves mums tiks atklāts arī rituāls, ar kuru mēs varēsim radīt garīgos bērnus ar garīgajiem ķermeņiem, tas ir kas tāds, kas mums nav pa spēkam šeit. Mēs varam radīt fiziskos ķermeņus, bet ne garīgos.” Tad viņš pievērsās tēmai, kas, esmu drošs, svešām ausīm šķistu nedaudz dīvaina. Viņš teica: „Jūs spēsiet piekļūt Visuma saprātiem, organizēt tos, radīt planētas un izveidot valstības.”

Šī ir skaista mācība, un ir pienācis laiks to apspriest pamatīgāk. Ja mēs sapratīsim šo principu, tas palīdzēs aptvert, kādēļ mums nepieciešama Izpirkšana. Nezinu, vai tas satrauc arī jūs, taču kā mazs zēns es, dzīvojot Kanādā, Svētdienas skolas skolotājiem, kas aprakstīja briesmīgās ciešanas, ko pie krusta izcieta Jēzus, vaicāju: „Kurš to gribēja? Kam bija vajadzīgas visas šīs ciešanas? Visi runā par šīm ciešanām, taču kādēļ tās bija vajadzīgas? Kuru tām bija jāapmierina?” Un mani skolotāji atbildēja: „Tām bija jāapmierina Debesu Tēvu.” Taču tā nebija pietiekami laba atbilde pat uz manu bērnišķīgi formulēto jautājumu. Man šķita, ka, ja jau Debesu Tēvs vēlējās, lai mēs nāktu uz šo Zemi, Viņš vienkārši varētu katram, kas nožēlojis grēkus, teikt: „Nāc nu atpakaļ, tu esi paveicis labāko, ko spēj!” Kam mums tur augšā būtu vajadzīgas visas šīs ciešanas? Es domāju par šiem jautājumiem visu dzīvi, vismaz, kamēr devos misijā.
Kad devos misijā, es (Kleons Skauzens) visus savus bērnības dienu jautājumus saistībā ar Jēzus ciešanām uzdevu savam misijas prezidentam Džeimsam Vidso. Es viņam jautāju, kādēļ bija nepieciešamas visas šīs sāpes. Prezidents Vidso atbildēja: „Šis ir dziļākais jautājums saistībā ar Jēzus Kristus evaņģēliju, un uz to nevajadzētu atbildēt pirms cilvēks ir spējīgs pats izrādīt par to interesi, lai nepalaistu atbildi gar ausīm.”
Atbilde uz manu jautājumu saistās ar prezidenta Kimbala teikto priesterības sapulcē. Viņš gan nesaistīja to ar Izpirkšanas tēmu, taču tas, ko viņš teica, ir tās pamatā. Turpmāk minēti Svēto Rakstu panti, kas atbild uz jautājumu par Izpirkšanas sāpēm. Jūs tos spēsiet novērtēt daudz vairāk, ja uzmanīgi izlasīsiet katru no tiem, nevis vienkārši teiksiet: „Nu es zinu, kur tas ir.” Izlasiet katru pantu un jūs ieraudzīsiet, kāds brīnišķīgs patiesības okeāns, kāda lavīna, īsts patiesības ūdenskritums līst pār Pēdējo Dienu Svētajiem, un daļai no tā mēs esam ļāvuši aizplūst caur pirkstiem, nenovērtējot, kas mums īsti atklāts.
Un tā, no sākuma pievērsīsimies 2. Nefija gr. 2:14. Mēs varam lasīt: „Un tagad, mani dēli, šo es runāju uz jums jūsu labumam un mācībai; jo Dievs ir, un Viņš ir radījis visas lietas, gan debesis, gan zemi, un visas lietas, kas tur ir; gan lietas, lai tās darbotos, gan lietas, lai uz tām iedarbotos.” Patriarhs Lehijs skaidro, ka Visumā viss ir radīts no divu veidu lietām. No tā mēs iegūstam jēdzienu par „celtniecības blokiem”: lietām, kas darbojas, un lietām, uz kurām iedarbojas.
Nākamā atsauce ir M&D 93:29: „Cilvēks arī bija sākumā ar Dievu. Saprāts jeb patiesības gaisma netika radīta vai izveidota, nedz arī varētu tikt.” Tas, kas darbojas, tiek saukts par „mūžīgajiem saprātiem”. Tieši daudzskaitlī – mūžīgajiem saprātiem!
Nākamā atsauce ir M&D 93:30: „Visa patiesība ir neatkarīga tanī jomā, kur Dievs to ir nolicis, lai rīkotos pati, kā arī viss saprāts, savādāk tur nav esamības.” Šie saprāti ir neatkarīgi un darbojas brīvprātīgi. Tie netiek piespiesti. Debesis gaida, kamēr tie pakļaujas. Gluži kā mēs, tie nerīkojas, kamēr nav tam gatavi! Un mūsu Debesu Tēvs ir izveidojis visu šo Visumu no šiem darboties spējīgiem elementiem. Visuma enerģijas faktors ir saprāts, un tas darbojas vienīgi tik ātri, cik vēlas, un dodas vienīgi tanī virzienā, kurp vēlas.
Tagad ielūkosimies Ābrahāma 3:19: „Un Tas Kungs sacīja uz mani: Šīs divas esamības pastāv, ka ir divi gari, viens ir saprātīgāks nekā otrs; tad ir arī cits vēl saprātīgāks nekā viņi; Es esmu Tas Kungs tavs Dievs, Es esmu saprātīgāks nekā viņi visi.” Šie saprāti iedalās attīstības pakāpēs no zemākā uz augstāko. Pats augstākais ir Paša Dieva saprāts, un mēs esam kaut kur pa vidu. Daži saprāti ir piesaistīti elementārdaļiņām, citi - augu valsts formai, vēl daži piešķirti dzīvniekiem, bet tiem, kas ir Viņa īpašie, pārākie, ekstra klases saprāti, tiek piešķirti ķermeņi pēc Viņa līdzības. Un tie esat jūs. Jūs esat ļoti, ļoti, ļoti īpaši. Džozefs Smits par to raksta Baznīcas dokumentārajā vēsturē (4. sējumā, 519. lpp.). Viņš saka: „Un es izskaidroju Divpadsmit apustuļu kvorumam un apustuļu sievām mācību par saprātu mūžīgo progresu.” Taču viņš nepastāsta, kāds ir šis skaidrojums. Tādēļ mums jāvēršas pie Brigama Janga, Pārlija Preta un Hibera C. Kimbala, un viņi pastāsta, kas viņiem paskaidrots, taču šī mācība sākotnēji nāk no pravieša.
Mūsu nākamā atsauce ir no M&D 93:33: „Jo cilvēks ir gars. Elementi ir mūžīgi, un gars un elements, nedalāmi savienoti, saņem prieka pilnību.” Tas, uz ko iedarbojas, tiek saukts par „mūžīgo elementu” (vienu no diviem celtniecības blokiem) jeb matēriju. Džozefs Smits teica, ka matērija eksistē divās dimensijās: smalkākais elements tiek saukts par garu, bet raupjāko elementu sauc par laicīgo jeb fizisko matēriju, kas mums dota šeit, uz zemes (M&D 131:7-8: „Nav tādas lietas kā nemateriāla matērija. Viss gars ir matērija, bet tā ir smalkāka jeb tīrāka, un var tikt atšķirta tikai ar tīrākām acīm; mēs to nevaram redzēt; bet, kad mūsu ķermeņi tiks šķīstīti, mēs redzēsim, ka tas viss ir matērija.”) Tas viss ir matērija, taču eksistē divos līmeņos, gluži kā ledus un ūdens. Tie abi ir viens un tas pats, bet pastāv atšķirīgās dimensijās. Viss ir radīts, savienojot saprātu un matēriju. Tie ir Visuma celtniecības bloki. (Skat. Ābrahāma 4:10,12,18 un Helamana 12:8-9)
Ja jūs interesē zinātne, jūs būsiet sajūsmā par turpmāk minēto informāciju. Mūsu spējīgākie zinātnieki-praktiķi ar ārkārtīgi precīziem pētījumiem nesen apstiprinājuši, ka tā ir taisnība. Viņi apgalvo, ka matērija nedarbojas mehāniski, tai, saskaņā ar franču filozofa Anrī Bergsona traktējumu, piemīt individuāls saprāts. Tas spēj atšķirt, izvēlēties, tas ne vienmēr rīkojas saskaņā ar likumiem. Dažiem no šiem mazajiem elementiem ir tikpat nejauks raksturs kā man vai jums. Tie blandās, kur ienāk prātā, bet mēs apgalvojam, ka, kopumā ņemot, tie darbojas pēc ķīmijas likumiem. Kopumā ņemot, tā ir, taču palūkojieties uz tiem atsevišķi un redzēsiet, ka tie laiž muļķi. Roberts Miligans ir teicis, ka, ja visi elementi pakļautos visiem ķīmijas likumiem, mēs būtu nemirstīgi. Jūsu miesā notiek sacelšanās! Tās tiek sauktas par „nāves sēklām”, iespējams, esat par tām dzirdējuši.
Taču saskaņā ar Dieva pavēli, elements, kas uzņēmis sevī noteikto saprātu, pakļaujas Dieva pavēlei. Vēlaties pārvietot kalnu? Pasakiet tam: „Pavirzies!” Un atbilde būs: „Klausos, kungs!” Tas pavirzās, ja pavēl Dievs vai saskaņā ar piešķirtajām pilnvarām to dara Viņa priesterības nesējs. Ja Dievs pavēl, šie elementos ietvertie saprāti paklausa. (skat. Jēkaba gr. 4:6; 1. Nefija gr. 20:13)
Tagad ieklausieties, kā šo principu skaidro Brigams Jangs: „Visai matērijai visu mūžību garumā piemīt dzīvība jeb saprāts. Tas ir akmenī, smiltīs, ūdenī, gaisā, gāzvielās un, īsumā sakot, visā, kas attiecas uz matēriju un tās organizāciju, lai tā būtu cieta, šķidra vai gāzveida. Daļiņa mijiedarbojas ar daļiņu.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 368-369. lpp.) Pēkšņi mūsu skatam paveras vīzija par Dieva brīnumaino radīšanas spēku. Viņš dodas ārējā tumsībā, kas sastāv no neorganizētiem saprātiem un neorganizētām elementu daļiņām un savieno tos tā, ka maziņajām, sīciņajām elementu daļiņām nu ir pievienoti saprāti un tagad tiem var pavēlēt savienoties noteiktā veidā. Tas Kungs tiem visiem dod noteiktu struktūru, kas kļūst par likumu, pēc kura tie darbojas. Daži uztver elektrību, citi to atgrūž. Daži apvienojas ar sev līdzīgiem, un mēs iegūstam ķīmisko savienojumu, kas sastāv no divām daļām ūdeņraža un vienas daļas skābekļa, ko mēs saucam par ūdeni. Tas notiek tādēļ, ka šīs daļiņas ir tā organizētas. Tās ir tik brīnumaini organizētas, ka vienu mazītiņu komplicētu organizāciju, ko sauc par šūnu, apaugļo kāda cita šūna, un deviņu mēnešu laikā, pateicoties DNS uzbūvei, ko izveidojis ārkārtīgi saprātīgs Debesu Tēvs, izaug triljoniem šūnu liels veidojums, ko sauc par CILVĒKU. Un tas viss notiek saskaņā ar ieceri. Aptverot šīs organizatoriskās struktūras iespējas, mūs pārņem godbijība Debesu Tēva priekšā.
Tagad ļaujiet man parādīt jums brīnumu. Vai redzat šo roku, kas izveidota no pīšļiem? Ja vēlaties redzēt inženierzinātnes un dievišķā spēka brīnumu, palūkojieties uz šo roku! Tā ir izveidota no pīšļiem! Un mūsu Debesu Tēvs var uzrunāt visus šos mazos saprātus un acumirklī pārvērst tos atkal pīšļos. Vai arī Viņš, tāpat kā gadījumā ar Mozus roku, var tiem pateikt: „Mani bērni, organizējieties tikai līdz pusei, ne līdz galam, bet līdz pusei!” Varbūt kā lepras gadījumā? „Mozu, iebāz roku azotē!” Viņš to izdara, un Tas Kungs saka: „Uz priekšu, mani bērni! Mozu, izvelc roku!” Lepra! Piloša, neārstējama! Atgriešanās pie pīšļiem! „Mozu, iebāz vēlreiz roku azotē!” Tad Tas Kungs saka: „Tagad, mani bērni, atgriezieties savā vietā kā iepriekš! Izvelc roku, Mozu!” Ak! Skaista, tīra, spēcīga, iesārta miesa. Tas ir Dieva brīnums. Mūsu bērni ir brīnums. Viss mums apkārt ir brīnums, un beidzot mēs sākam to izprast. DIEVS RUNĀ, UN TIE PAKLAUSA. Lietas ir veidotas no tā, kas darbojas, un no tā, uz ko iedarbojas. Tagad mēs zinām, kā tos sauc, un prezidents Kimbals saka, ka pēc šīs dzīves mums būs pieeja šiem saprātiem, lai organizētu pašiem savas dižās sistēmas.
Mūsu Debesu Tēvs vaicā: „Vai zināt, kas mani dara par Dievu?” Jūs droši vien vēlēsieties to piefiksēt. Dieva spēka avots ir atrodams M&D 29:36, kā arī Mozus gr. 4:1,4, kur Viņš runā par Sava spēka avotu, par to, kas dara Viņu par Dievu. Kā jūs domājat, kas tas ir? Kas dzīvu būtni pēkšņi vai arī laika gaitā var padarīt par Dievu? MANS GODS IR MANS SPĒKS. Mans Gods ir mans spēks. Tā nu, kad es runāju, sakot: „Ūdeni, lūdzu, pārkārtojieties vīnā, augstākā labuma vīnā!” nav nekādu problēmu. Tie pārkārtojas. Mēs to saucam par brīnumu. Taču tas nav nekas vairāk kā vien paklausīgi saprāti. Tāda ir mācība.
Paturot prātā M&D 29:36, padomājiet, kas notiktu, ja Tēvs šo saprātu uzticību nodotu? Kā jums šķiet, kas notiktu? Neviena baznīca zemes virsū nav uzdrīkstējusies pasludināt Almas grāmatas 42. nodaļā ietverto mācību. Neviena baznīca nav uzdrīkstējusies pieņemt, ka Dievs varētu krist. Taču mūsu Debesu Tēvs saka: „Es gribu, lai jūs zinātu, ka Es nepārtraukti staigāju pa Celestiālā likuma naža asmeni, lai saglabātu uzticību un godu, ko Man parāda visi tie, kas Man uzticas. Tādēļ, ka tas ir Mana spēka avots.” Tas sniedz mums pavisam jaunu izpratni par mūsu Debesu Tēva personību. Viņš to atkārto atkal un atkal Almas gr. 42:13,22,25 un Mormona gr. 9:19. Kas notiktu, ja Viņš būtu netaisnīgs, ja Viņš būtu kaprīzs, ja Viņš būtu kaut mazākajā mērā nepatiess? VIŅŠ PĀRSTĀTU BŪT DIEVS. Kurš uzdrošināsies apgalvot, ka varētu notikt kaut kas, kas sašūpotu visvarenā Elohima, Augstākā Dieva, varu? Mūsu Debesu Tēvs saka: „Es vēlos, lai jūs Mani saprastu. Es darbojos pēc ļoti stingriem noteikumiem. Man jārīkojas tā, lai baudītu viņu uzticību un to nepārkāptu.”
Tagad pievērsīsimies Almas gr. 34:9: „Jo ir vajadzīgs, lai Izpirkšana tiktu veikta; jo, saskaņā ar Mūžīgā Dieva diženo ieceri, ir jātiek veiktai Izpirkšanai, vai arī visai cilvēcei vajadzēs nenovēršami iet bojā; jā, visi ir krituši un zuduši, un visiem būtu jāiet bojā, ja nebūtu Izpirkšanas, kurai noteikti vajag tikt veiktai.” Tēvs saka: „Nosūtot jūs uz otro stāvokli, es zaudēšu spēju atvest jūs atpakaļ.” DIEVS TĒVS NEVAR MŪS GLĀBT. Tā ir Baznīcas mācība, uz ko mēs reti kad raugāmies no šīs perspektīvas. Taču tā tad arī ir Lieldienu būtība. Tas ir patiesais Lieldienu stāsts. Faktiski, minētajā pantā teikts, ka, ja nebūtu ceļa, kā atgriezt mūs Tēva klātbūtnē, ja tas tiktu atstāts Tēva ziņā un Viņš nespētu mūs atgūt, mēs beigu beigās nonāktu ārējā tumsībā pie Sātana un viņa pulkiem. Mēs aizietu pa to pašu ceļu, ko mērojuši viņi. Un viss, ko Tēvs organizējis saistībā ar mums – mūsu Zeme un citas zemes, kur atrodas daļa no šīs ģimenes, kā arī visas radības, kas ar to saistītas – sairtu un atgrieztos, no kurienes nācis – ārējās tumsības neorganizētajā stāvoklī. Tā vēsta Svētie Raksti.
Un tas palīdz mums saprast, ka radīšanā nav nekā maģiska. Pēkšņi mēs (cik nu mūsu ierobežotais prāts to spēj) varam saprast radīšanu. Pēkšņi mēs mūsu Debesu Tēvu uztveram kā daudz racionālāku, daudz saprotamāku būtni, un mūsu atzinība sāk strauji pieaugt, sākot saprast, cik Viņš ir lieliska, brīnišķīga un spēcīga personība.
2. Nefija gr. 9:9 teikts, ka, ja nebūtu Izpirkšanas, mēs beigu beigās nonāktu pie Sātana un viņa eņģeļiem. Mūsu Debesu Tēvs nespēj pacelt un atgriezt Savā klātbūtnē Savus bērnus, kas paklupuši, mācoties atšķirt labo no ļauna, jo Viņam jādarbojas saskaņā ar likumu. Citādi visi pārējie saprāti teiktu: „Tēvs, viņi ir grēkojuši un vairs nav Tavas Slavas cienīgi. Viņi nevar atgriezties. Atceries visus tos likumus, kas reiz liedza mums kļūt attīstītākiem! Mēs nevarējām kļūt par cilvēkiem, mēs tikām ieskaitīti zemākā esamības kategorijā. Vai atceries? Vai atceries likumus? Tu vienmēr runā par likumiem.” Šie saprāti pieprasa taisnīgumu un neļauj mums atgriezties. Un, ja Dievs mēģinātu paņemt mūs atpakaļ pie Sevis, tad, kā teikts Almas grāmatā, viņi pārstātu Viņu godāt un Viņš PĀRSTĀTU BŪT DIEVS!! Tāda ir mācība.
Ko tad mums darīt? Ko mums darīt? Almas gr. 34:11: „Tad nu nav neviena cilvēka, kurš var upurēt savas asinis, kas izpirktu citu grēkus.” Nav neviena cilvēka, kurš varētu izciest par otra cilvēka grēkiem, tāds ir likums. Likums saka, ka neviens cilvēks nevar izciest par otra grēkiem. Tas ir tas, ko saka mazie saprāti – „tāds ir likums.” Mirkli padomāsim, kādēļ tas ir tā. Ja es veiktu ļoti nopietnu pārkāpumu, vai mans brālis varētu par to mirt, lai apmierinātu šo auditoriju? Pat ja mēs mīlam viens otru un mans brālis saka: „Nē, neļaujiet viņu nogalināt, es miršu viņa vietā!” Vai jūs domājat, ka visi par to priecāsies? Nē, tas aizskar mūsu taisnīguma jūtas un arī visu mazo saprātiņu taisnīguma jūtas. Almas gr. 34:11 teikts, ka neviens cilvēks nevar mirt vai tikt sodīts par citu grēkiem, lai tas tiktu pieņemts par taisnīgumu.” Vai redzat? Pastāv taisnīguma prasības. Tieši tā rīkojās šie mazie saprātiņi: „Ir pastrādāts pārkāpums, viņi nevar atgriezties, Tēvs.” Vai saskatāt problēmu?
Un tagad palūkosimies uz ģeniālo risinājumu!
Dievi zina, ka šie mazie saprātiņi ir spējīgi uz līdzjūtību. Viņi ir līdzīgi mums. Saprāti ir spējīgi uz līdzjūtību. Tādēļ Izpirkšana balstās nevis uz likumu, bet gan žēlastību, kā teikts Almas gr. 34:15. Citiem vārdiem sakot, mēs mēģināsim piekļūt šiem mazajiem saprātiņiem, lai pārvarētu taisnīguma prasības. Kādā veidā? Mēs pārvarēsim taisnīguma prasības ar LĪDZCIETĪBU un ŽĒLASTĪBU, kā teikts Almas gr. 34:15. Dievi to noteikti īstenojuši jau pirms neskaitāmām mūžībām arī ar citām ģimenēm, tas ir modelis. Vai atcerieties, kas notika, kad tika izvēlēts Glābējs un pieteicās Jēzus? Sātans teica: „Vai zini, Tēvs? Tas viss ir ļoti vecmodīgi, tas vienkārši nav nepieciešams. Mēs varam apmierināt Visuma saprātus. Vienkārši ietērpsim mūsu bērnus trako kreklos un dabūsim cauri otrajam stāvoklim. Lūk, kādu lielisku ideju es esmu izdomājis! Man šķiet, ka esmu pelnījis saņemt par to atlīdzību, jo es visai ģimenei - visai cilvēces ģimenei - piedāvāju drošības garantiju. No Tevis es prasu vienīgi to, lai ģimene atteiktos no savas nebeidzamās pieķeršanās izvēles brīvībai. Tas būs nepieciešams tikai uz īsu brīdi. Mēs ietērpsim viņus trako kreklos, izvedīsim cauri otrajam stāvoklim, un tad neviens vairs nevarēs likt viņiem šķēršļus. Mēs nosūtām viņus lejā, viņi iegūst ķermeni, mēs neļaujam viņiem pārkāpt nevienu likumu un atvedam viņus atpakaļ. Tas ir tik vienkārši!”
„Nē!” atbildēja Tēvs, „tas nav tik vienkārši. Ar šādām metodēm, visa kosmiskā Visuma priekšā ienesot mūsu mūžīgajā Glābšanas plānā vardarbīgas metodes, izmantojot jebkāda līmeņa piespiešanu, tu nenovēršami sēj ... ko? Revolūcijas un sadalīšanās sēklas! Viss, kas ir Visumā, kustas saskaņā ar savu gribu. Tikai tā mēs varam izvairīties no revolūcijas.”
Tad Sātans teica: „Nu tad es sākšu revolūciju!” Un viņš to uzsāka. Es nebūtu pārsteigts, ja uzzinātu, ka Tēva patiesie sekotāji kādu laiku bija mazākumā un lielais vairākums saglabāja neitralitāti. Jēzus teica: „Tēvs, es paveikšu to saskaņā ar Tavu gribu, es izdarīšu to tā, kā tas vienmēr darīts. Mums būs zaudējumi, tas tiesa, taču mēs saglabāsim brīvprātīgas iesaistīšanās principu, kā Tu vienmēr līdz šim esi darījis. Un es zinu, ka kādam būs jācieš, lai paveiktu Izpirkšanu, kas radīs šo līdzjūtību. Es to paveikšu.”
Mūsu starpā izcēlās liela nevienprātība, un atklāsme vēsta, ka karš debesīs patiesībā bija sanāksme, kur mēs liecinājām un cits citam teicām: „Tēva ceļš ir pareizais ceļš. Jūs nevēlēsieties pielietot piespiešanu. Ja sāksiet piespiest, kas noteiks, kur ir robeža? Lucifers mēģina sagrābt mūsu Debesu Tēva troni, tādēļ viņš vēlas iegūt godu. Šis virziens mums nesīs vienīgi sacelšanos un iznīcību.” Galu galā mūsu pusē nostājās divas trešdaļas. Es nebūtu pārsteigts, ja vīzijā atklātos, ka sākumā mūsu bija mazākums. Taču beigu beigās mūsu pusē nostājās divas trešdaļas, bet atlikusī trešdaļa nolēma paļauties uz „drošības garantiju”. Viņi negribēja riskēt kopā ar mums.
Labi, bet kā tad īsti darbojas šī Izpirkšana? Pievērsiet uzmanību tam, kā darbojas šis princips. Jūs esat saprāts un jūs esat spējīgs uz tādu līdzcietību un līdzjūtību, ka pārstājat pieprasīt katru drupatiņu, kas jums pienākas saskaņā ar likumu. Vai esat to ievērojuši sevī? TAS DARBOJAS!
Galvenais ir nākamais princips. Viņiem (saprātiem) nepieciešama bezgalīga persona, kāds, kas, kā teikts Almas gr. 34:10, ir bezgalīgi mīlēts. Bezgalīgi mīlēts nozīmē, ka visi viņu mīl un atzīst. Te nu ir gars, kas ir tik augstu attīstīts, ka kalpo par Debesu Augstākā prezidija pirmo padomnieku. Viņš ir tik augstu godājams, ka tad, ja Tēvs vēlas, lai kaut kas tiktu padarīts, Viņš runā ar šo personu un tas visiem saprātiem pasaka, ko darīt, tādēļ Viņš ir pazīstams kā VĀRDS. Viņš ir tas, caur kuru tiek pavēstīti Dieva vārdi. Visi viņu mīl un ciena, tāpat kā Tēvu. Un mēs uzticam šo uzdevumu Viņam. Viņu bezgalīgi mīl. Viņš nonāks uz otro stāvokli, nodzīvos nevainojamu dzīvi bez neviena pārkāpuma, lai varētu atgriezties pie Tēva, un, kamēr darbosies cilvēces ģimenes labā, Viņš izjutīs tik briesmīgas ciešanas, ka mazie saprātiņi visā Visumā būs sašutuši. Viņa izjustās ciešanas bija tik briesmīgas! Viņi Viņu mīlēja. Kā teikts Mormona Grāmatā, pat zemes elementi nevarēja to izturēt, tie tricināja zemi, līdz visa tās ziemeļpuse mainīja savu izskatu. Elementi vaidēja, redzot, kādām briesmīgām mokām tiek pakļauts tas, kuru viņi mīl. Taču tas viss notika saskaņā ar Ieceri. Tāda bija Jēzus Kristus misijas būtība. Viņā ciešanas bija tik lielas, ka tad, kad Viņš nāks un lūgs par tiem, kas darījuši labāko, ko spēj (to sauc par grēku nožēlošanu), šie mazie saprātiņi teiks: „Nu, saskaņā ar taisnīgumu viņi nedrīkstētu atgriezties, taču, ja Tu to vēlies, tad pēc visa tā, ko esi izcietis viņu dēļ ... labi, viņi var doties augšup.” Tā tad arī ir Izpirkšana.
Ieklausieties praviešu balsī, kas dzirdama Alma gr. 34:15! Šie pravieši saprata un plaši sludināja šo mācību, ko mēs savā Baznīcā, šķiet, tikpat kā vairs nesludinām. Ieklausieties šajā paziņojumā: „Un tā Viņš nesīs glābšanu visiem tiem, kas ticēs Viņa Vārdam; šis ir Viņa pēdējā upura nolūks – īstenot žēlastības pilnību.” Kādu žēlastību? Žēlastības pilnību. Kā žēlastības? Mūsu Debesu Tēvs pret mums vienmēr ir izjutis žēlastību. Tas taču ir Viņa Plāns! Mums tā Viņā nav jārada. Mums tā jārada tajos, kas pieprasa taisnīgumu: „Tēvs, viņi ir grēkojuši, viņi nav cienīgi saņemt Dieva godu.” Tie mums ir jāmudina uz žēlastības pilnību, kas pārspēj taisnīgumu jeb taisnības prasības „un dod cilvēkiem iespēju, lai tiem varētu būt ticība grēku nožēlošanai. Un tā žēlastība var apmierināt taisnības prasības un ieskauj tos drošībā savās rokās, kamēr tas, kas neizmanto ticību grēku nožēlošanai, ir pilnībā pakļauts taisnības prasību likumam; tādēļ tikai priekš tā, kam ir ticība grēku nožēlošanai, tiek īstenota lielā un mūžīgā pestīšanas iecere.”
Pievērsīsimies M&D 45:3 un ieklausīsimies, ko šajā sakarā saka Glābējs: „Uzklausiet to, kas ir aizstāvis Tēva priekšā, kas aizstāv jūsu lietu Viņa priekšā – sacīdams: Tēvs, redzi Tā, kurš nav darījis grēku, pie kura Tev labs prāts, ciešanas un nāvi; redzi Tava Dēla asinis, kas tika izlietas, Tā asinis, kuru Tu atdevi, lai Tu varētu tikt pagodināts; tādēļ, Tēvs, saudzē šos Manus brāļus ...” Pievērsiet uzmanību Viņa vārdiem! „Saudzē šos manus brāļus, kas tic Manam Vārdam ...” Viņš nelūdz par tiem, kas netic. Viņš to nevar, tas nav ļauts, tas būtu pret taisnīgumu. „ Saudzē šos manus brāļus, kas tic Manam Vārdam, lai viņi varētu nākt pie Manis un tiem būtu mūžīgā dzīve.” Un Debesu Tēvs to var, nepārstājot būt par Dievu. Pateicoties kam? Žēlastībai!
Es vēlētos sniegt piemēru tam, kā tas darbojas. ASV Pilsoņu kara laikā kāds 19 gadus vecs kareivis sardzes postenī aizmiga. Visa Ziemeļu armijas vienība šajā noteiktajā sektorā tika noslaucīta no zemes virsmas. Viņš zaudēja daudzus labākos draugus, un tas viss tādēļ, ka viņš aizmiga un pretinieks negaidīti uzbruka tieši šim aizsardzības spēku flangam. Viņš šajā kaujā izdzīvoja un kara tribunālā tika nosodīts uz pakāršanu par nevērīgu attieksmi pret saviem kareivja pienākumiem – gulēšanu sardzes laikā. Tāds bija kara laika likums. Nāves spriedums un rīkojums par tā izpildi nonāca uz prezidenta Linkolna galda, un viņš gatavojās to parakstīt. Daudzi vērtīgi vīri gāja bojā, jo deviņpadsmit gadus vecais kareivis aizmiga sardzes laikā. Taču tad ar prezidentu Linkolnu sazinājās maza, veca sieviņa. Šī māmuļa prezidentam Linkolnam teica: „Pirms uzsākās karš, man bija vīrs un seši dēli. Sākumā es zaudēju vīru, un tad gāja bojā mani dēli – pieci no sešiem. Man ir palicis vairs tikai viens dēls, un viņu taisās nonāvēt par nevērīgu attieksmi pret saviem pienākumiem. Viņš jūtas briesmīgi par nodarīto. Viņš zina, ka ir pelnījis mirt, prezident Linkoln! Taču es padomāju, ka, ņemot vērā jums piešķirtās konstitucionālās tiesības apžēlot, jūsu sirds varētu atmaigt un jūs atļautu man saglabāt to, kas atlicis no manas ģimenes ... manis dēļ.” Prezidents Linkolns atbildēja: „Jūsu dēļ es apžēlošu jūsu dēlu. Es lūdzu Dievu, lai viņš karā izdzīvotu un būtu jums par svētību visa mūža garumā!”
Vai redzat, kā darbojas līdzcietība? Tā pilnībā pārspēj taisnības prasības. Un šajā gadījumā, uzzinot par mazās māmuļas lūgumu, neviens prezidentam Linkolnam nepārmeta apžēlošanas tiesību izmantošanu. Un tā notiek arī ar visiem mums.
Un tagad es apstāšos uz kādu mirkli, lai pajautātu: „Kā jūs domājat, kas ir saprāts? Kas ir saprāts?” Patiesību sakot, mēs to īsti nezinām. Tā ir kaut kāda brīnišķīga, maza, mūžīga esamība, kas apzinās sevi, sakot: „Es esmu”. Jūs šeit redzat mani – Kleonu Skauzenu, kurš klusējot un ar cieņu zaudējis visus savus matus. Bet no tā, ko jūs tagad redzat, es diezgan drīz ceru atbrīvoties. Es varu diezgan labi noteikt, kur atrodas mans mazais „es esmu”, kas eksistējis vienmēr. Es pieskaros savam zodam, un tas ir ārpus un zem manis. Aizveriet acis un pieskaraties savai labajai ausij! Vai tas esat jūs? Vai tas ir pa labi no jums? Vai pamanījāt? Uzlieciet roku uz sava galvvidus. Vai tas esat jūs vai kaut kas virs jums? Vai nav interesanti? Pastiepiet savu roku un paskatieties uz pirkstiem. Vai tas esat jūs? Vai arī tas ir ļoti, ļoti, ļoti tālu no jums? Kā redzat, „es esmu” ir mūsos iekšā, tur atrodas valdnieka tronis. Vai vēlaties zināt, kas ir saprāts? Lūk, kur tas ir, tas esat jūs! Un jūs esat viens no ļoti attīstītiem saprātiem. Jūs esat tik attīstīts, ka viens no jūsu brāļiem šajā attīstības līmenī domāja, ka ir tikpat gudrs kā Tēvs un mēģināja sagrābt Viņa valstību. Citiem mazajiem saprātiņiem tas pat neienāktu prātā. Tēvs mūs ir pacēlis tik augstu! Cik aizgrābjoši ir atrasties šeit, uz Zemes! Lai mūs šurp atvestu, bija vajadzīgas neskaitāmas mūžības. Un katrs no mums ir tik vērtīgs! Mūsu Debesu Tēvs saka: „Ja redzat, ka viens no viņiem cenšas tikt uz augšu un krīt atpakaļ, no jauna mēģina tikt uz augšu un atkal krīt atpakaļ, darbojaties ar viņu un, ja nepieciešams, piedodiet 70x7 reizes.” Kamēr vien viņš cenšas, neatmetiet ar roku, pabīdiet viņu uz augšu! Galu galā mums var izdoties tikt līdz augšai. Kas zina? Iespējams, mūsu priekšā veidojas vēl viens Alma.
Pievakarē viņi devās pēdējās vakariņās. Viņi ēda Pashā jēru. Jēzus palūkojās uz saviem divpadsmit apustuļiem un teica: „Viens no jums mani nodos.” Pēteris teica Jānim: Tu Viņam esi vistuvākais, pajautā Viņam, kurš tas būs!” Un mīļotais Jānis jautāja: „Mans Kungs, kurš?” Glābējs pačukstēja: „Tas, kuram es maizi mērcējis došu.” Un Viņš paņēma gabalu maizes, iemērca, pasniedza Jūdam Iskariotam un teica: „Jūda, lai ko tu taisies darīt, nekavējies!” Jūda piecēlās un izgāja. Diezin vai viņš nojauta, ka, iespējams, Jēzus nojauš. Mēs nezinām, bet domājam, ka viņš nenojauta. Viņš jau bija saņēmis 30 sudraba gabalus, viņš jau bija piekritis nodot Kristu. Viņš izgāja un aizgāja tikties ar pilsētas vecajiem. Un kā teikts Svētajos Rakstos, Jēzus kļuva ļoti nomākts, Viņš piecēlās un noskaitīja to skaisto Augstākā priestera lūgšanu, kas atrodama Jāņa evaņģēlija 17. nodaļā, kurš Viņš Tēvam lūdz: „Svētī viņus, Lai visi ir viens, itin kā Tu, Tēvs, Manī un Es Tevī, lai arī viņi ir Mūsos.” Un Viņš teica: „Svētī arī tos, kas caur viņu vārdiem Man ticēs, kuri nav Mani redzējuši, lai arī viņi ir viens, lai mēs visi būtu viens. Es nelūdzu par pasauli, bet par tiem, ko Tu Man esi devis, lai viņi ir viens.” Viņš izteica šo lūgšanu lielākajās ciešanās un mokās. Pēc tam Viņš teica: „Iesim, Man jālūdz!” Un tā viņi no tās pilsētas daļas, kur dzīvoja trūcīgie (mēs pieņemam, ka tas notika tieši tur), devās pāri tempļa laukumam, ārā pa zelta vārtiem uz pilsētas austrumu pusi, lejup pāri Kidronas strautam un augšup uz Eļļas kalna virsotni. Bija jau tumšs, un, tur ierodoties, Jēzus teica, lai astoņi no Viņa mācekļiem paliek pie vārtiem. Kopā ar Pēteri, Jēkabu un Jāni Viņš devās uz dārzu, lūdza tiem būt modriem un devās vēl augstāk pa kalna nogāzi uz birzi. Acīmredzot vienīgi Jānis palika nomodā un dzirdēja, kā Viņš nokrīt pie zemes un lūdz: „Aba, Tēvs! Tu spēj visu. Ņem šo biķeri no Manis! Tomēr ne ko Es gribu, bet ko Tu gribi.” Viņa vārdi būtībā bija: „Tēvs, Tu esi Dievs, Tu esi visvarens, Tev viss ir iespējams. Neliec Man iet tam cauri! Mēs varētu to atrisināt citādi.” Eņģelis, kas atnāca, lai Jēzum kalpotu, noteikti paskaidroja ko tādu, ko Viņš bija aizmirsis – Viņš bija aizmirsis Savu pirmszemes dzīvi. VIŅŠ BIJA DZIMIS, LAI CIESTU UN MIRTU!
Lai gan mūsu rīcībā nav šīs vēsts, es nebūtu pārsteigts, ja eņģelis noteikti un nešaubīgi būtu pateicis kaut ko līdzīgu šim: „Ak, Jehova, Tu, Dieva Dēls, Tev tas nav jādara, ja Tu to nevēlies. Taču Tev jāzina, ka, ja Tu neizpildīsi Savu uzdevumu, Tēvs zaudēs ne vien šo ģimeni – visu šo ģimeni – bet arī visu radību, kas ar to saistīta. Planētas, augi, dzīvnieki – viss, ko Tu ar Savām rokām esi radījis, tiks zaudēts un atgriezīsies haosā un ārējā tumsībā, no kuras nācis.” Tādēļ, kad eņģelis beidza savu vēsti, Jēzus teica: „Tad lai notiek Tavs prāts!” Un Viņš pārklājās asins lāsēm. Viņa dzīvības spēka kanāli vairs nespēja saturēt šo plūsmu un tā spiedās cauri sviedru dziedzeriem uz Viņa ādas lielu asins lāšu veidā. Cik gan intensīva bija tā brīža agonija! Ne jūs, ne es to nespētu izturēt. Mums nav ne mazākās nojausmas, cik tas bija briesmīgi. Jēzus sniedz mums nelielu ieskatu, kā tas bija, Mācībā un Derībās 19:15-19, kur Viņš saka: „Tādēļ Es pavēlu tev nožēlot grēkus – nožēlo, lai es nesistu tevi ar Savas mutes rīksti un ar Savām dusmām, un ar Savu niknumu, un tavas ciešanas nebūtu smagas – cik smagas, tu nezini, cik skaudras, tu nezini, jā, cik grūti būs paciest, tu nezini. Jo lūk, Es, Dievs, esmu izcietis tās par visiem, lai viņi varētu neciest, ja tie nožēlos grēkus; bet, ja viņi nenožēlos grēkus, viņiem nāksies ciest tāpat kā Man; šīs ciešanas lika Man, tieši Dievam, lielākajam no visiem, trīcēt aiz sāpēm un asiņot katrā porā, un ciest gan miesā, gan garā – un gribēju, lai Es varētu nedzert to rūgto biķeri, un izvairīties – tomēr, gods lai ir Tēvam, un Es baudīju to un pabeidzu Savus sagatavošanas darbus cilvēku bērniem.”
„Vai jūs to tagad pieņemsiet? Vai ļausiet man nomazgāt jūsu grēkus? Es to varu. Ja vien jūs būsiet pietiekami paklausīgi, lai nožēlotu grēkus, Gars jūs attaisnos un Es jūs iesvētīšu. Esmu to paveicis jūsu labā. Nāciet pie Manis!”
Pēc tam atnāca Jūda ar kareivjiem, un Jēzus dzirdēja viņu tuvošanos. Viņš nokāpa lejup un atrada Savus mācekļus cieši aizmigušus. Mēs nezinām, kas vēl tobrīd notika (arī Jānis bija aizmidzis, viņš bija noguris). Jūda nāca tuvāk Jēzum. Bija nakts, un viņiem bija lāpas. Viņi bija redzējuši Jēzu tempļa laukumā, bet tagad bija nakts. Viņi gribēja būt droši, ka noķers īsto, jo, līdz ko viņi kādu sagrābs, pārējie aizbēgs. Tādēļ Jūda pienāca pie Jēzus, apskāva Viņu un teica: „Esi sveicināts, rabi!” Glābējs palūkojās uz Viņu un vaicāja: „Jūda, vai tu skūpstīdams nodod Cilvēka Dēlu?” Kareivji sāka kliegt: „Grābiet viņu! Grābiet viņu!” un visi aizbēga kur kurais. Tur bija kāds zēns, kas, tik tikko pamodies, skrēja Glābēju brīdināt. Šķiet, ka tas bija mazais Jānis Marks, jo viņš vienīgais to piemin savā evaņģēlijā. Mazs, segā satinies zēns, kas atskrējis brīdināt Glābēju. Iespējams, viņš bija redzējis kareivju ierašanos (tas ir tikai pieņēmums). Tā vai citādi, visi mācekļi aizbēga, taču mazais zēns palika, nezinot, ko iesākt. Viņi jau bija sagrābuši Glābēju, laikam jau zēns bija atskrējis par vēlu. Kareivji viņu sagrāba, taču viņš izrāvās no segas, atstājot to viņu rokās, un pazuda nakts melnumā. Domājams, ka tas bija Marks. Tas bija mazais Jānis Marks, un mēs domājam, ka viņš bija nācis brīdināt Glābēju.
Pēc tam Glābējs tika aizvests uz Annas namu un mēs visi zinām, cik briesmīgu nakti Viņš tur pavadīja. Jūs noteikti atceraties Pētera trīskārtējo noliegumu. Pēteris bija pārbijies, viņš nekad sev nepiedos šos noliegumus. Nākamajā rītā Sinedrija priekšā notika pretlikumīga tiesa. Viņi nevarēja Jēzu nonāvēt bez Pilāta piekrišanas, tādēļ Viņu aizveda uz Antoniju – lielu cietoksni, kas tā nosaukts par godu Markam Antonijam un atrodas pa labi no tempļa laukuma. Un tieši šajā atklātajā laukumā viņi nodeva Jēzu Pilāta rokās.
Pilāts centās mīkstināt cilvēku sirdis, liekot Jēzu šaustīt un uzliekot Viņam galvā ērkšķu kroni. Asinis lija pār Viņa seju, visas Viņa drēbes piesūcās asinīm, un Pilāts izveda Viņu pūļa priekšā, sakot: „Redziet, kāds cilvēks!” Bet viņi bļāva: „Sit Viņu krustā (ar to nepietiek), sit Viņu krustā!” „Atnesiet man ūdeni! Redziet, es mazgāju savas rokas nevainībā!” „Sit Viņu krustā!” Un viņi aizveda Jēzu, iedodot Viņam krustu, un Viņš nesa to, kamēr vien Viņa salauzītais ķermenis spēja paciest sāpes. Beigu beigās Viņš tika uzvests kalnā, ko sauc par Pieres vietu, Viņu pienagloja pie krusta un pacēla augšup. Abās pusēs Jēzum bija krustā sistie noziedznieki. Zeme tika satricināta un turpināja ik pa laikam ietrīcēties, un, lai gan bija pusdienlaiks, debess aptumšojās un līdz pulksten trijiem dienā bija tumšs. Tajā pašā laikā Amerikas kontinents un jūras salas sašutumā trakoja.
Tuvojoties nāvei, Viņš kliedza: „Man slāpst!” Viņi pacēla sūkli ar etiķi, tam vajadzēja nedaudz mazināt sāpes. Nāves agonijā Viņš palūkojās uz leju un teica: „Jāni, redzi, tava māte! Sieva, redzi, tavs dēls!” (acīmredzot Jāzeps tad jau bija miris). Viņa vārdi nozīmēja: „Jāni, parūpējies par manu māti, Mariju!” Bet apkārtējie Jēzu nelika mierā, mocīja un izsmēja: „Kāp no krusta zemē! Izdziedini sevi!” To visu mēs varam lasīt 22. psalmā, to visu redzēja Dāvids. Viņš pat zināja, ko tieši teikts Jēzus.
Agonija kļuva tikpat kā nepanesama, tuvojās krēsla un viņi taisījās lauzt mocekļu lielus, lai tie ātrāk mirtu. Pēkšņi Jēzus palūkojās augšup un izsaucās: „Ēli, Ēli, lamā zabahtani? Mans Dievs, Mans Dievs, kāpēc Tu esi Mani atstājis?” Dieva Gars bija šo cilvēku pametis, atstājot pavisam vienu karājamies pie krusta. Taču pēc pavisam īsa brīža Dieva Gars Viņu atkal piepildīja, lai teiktu: „Mans Dēls, Es esmu šeit! Mēs to paveicām!” Jēzus pacēla galvu un teica: „Viss piepildīts! Tēvs, Es nododu Savu garu Tavās rokās!” Un Viņš nomira.
Ar šo brīdi JĒZUS KĻUVA PAR KRISTU. Viņš paveica visu nepieciešamo, lai apmierinātu taisnības prasības, lai mēs varētu atgriezties. Viņš to paveica! Un, visā pilnībā izmantojot milzīgo spēku, ko Viņš bija ieguvis, pēc trim dienām un naktīm Jēzus atguva, augšāmcēla, šķīstīja un pagodināja Savu ķermeni. Cik gan saviļņojoši iztēloties, kā Marija Magdalēna nāk un atspiežas pret kapeņu sienu, zinot, ka kāds nozadzis Viņa ķermeni, domājot, ka tas, iespējams, varētu būt dārznieks, un, caur asarām redzot kādu tur stāvam, lūdz: „Kungs, ja tu Viņu esi aiznesis, tad pasaki man, kur tu Viņu esi licis, lai es Viņu dabūtu!” Un šis cilvēks atbild: „Marija!” Viņa palūkojas augšup un sauc: „Kungs!” Viņš saka: „Neaizskar Mani, jo Es vēl neesmu aizgājis pie Tēva; bet ej pie Maniem brāļiem un saki tiem: Es aizeimu pie Sava Tēva un jūsu Tēva, pie Sava Dieva un jūsu Dieva.” Un Viņš aiziet.
Tas tad arī ir Lieldienu stāsts.
Cik ļoti tonakt cieta mūsu Debesu Tēvs, kad Ģetzemenes dārzā, guļot uz lapām zem olīvkokiem, Viņa Dēls lūdza: „Aba, Tēvs! Tu spēj visu. Ņem šo biķeri no Manis!” Mūsu Debesu Tēva ciešanas bija tik lielas! Viņš vēlējās, lai vismaz viens no Viņa bērniem uz zemes zinātu, kā Viņš tonakt jutās. Tādēļ Viņš teica mūsu dižajam priekštecim Ābrahāmam: „Ņem savu vienīgo dēlu, kuru tu mīli, Īzāku, un ej uz Morija zemi un upurē to tur par dedzināmo upuri uz kāda no kalniem!” „Kādēļ? Visu mūžu man mācīts nepienest cilvēku upurus. Manu dēlu, kuram tu apsolīji, ka viņa pēcnācēji būs kā smiltis jūras malā? Man jānogalina manu vienīgo dēlu un mantinieku?! Un jāsadedzina?!” Un, nesakot Sārai ne vārda, Ābrahāms aizveda puisi, kuram tolaik visdrīzāk vēl nebija pat piecpadsmit, uz vienu no Morija zemes kalniem. Un Jozefs Flāvijs, kuram bija pieeja visām grāmatām, kas glabājās Templī, raksta, ka Ābrahāms savam dēlam esot teicis: „Mans dēls, bez īpašās Dieva svētības tavai mātei man tevis nebūtu. Un Dievs, kurš man tevi sūtīja, nu lūdz man sūtīt tevi atpakaļ. Ne slimības, kara vai vecuma rezultātā, bet gan kā ziedojumu Viņam no tava tēva rokas. Un tagad es sūtu tevi pie Viņa.” Viņš pacēla nazi. Ak, cik lielas bija šī tēva ciešanas! Un Mormona Grāmatā, Jēkaba gr. 4:5 ir teikts, ka tas tika darīts kā līdzība tam, ko juta Tēvs un Dēls. Tas tika darīts ar nolūku, lai vismaz viens cilvēks zinātu, kādas mokas un sāpes tēvs izcieta tonakt, kad Jēzus Ģetzemenes dārzā lūdza: „Aba, Tēvs! Tu spēj visu. Ņem šo biķeri no Manis!”
Tagad es noslēgšu savu runu. Jūs, iespējams, jau sākat saprast šo brīnišķīgo mācību, par kuras pamatiem priesterības sesijā runāja prezidents Kimbals: mācību par Visuma saprātiem, to faktu, ka Dievu par Dievu padara saprātu izrādītais gods un ka, ja Viņš zaudētu šo saprātu uzticību, Viņš pārstātu būt Dievs. Tās ir atjaunotā evaņģēlija pamatmācības. Un kādēļ gan mums nerunāt par Izpirkšanu vairāk, kā teikts Jēkaba gr. 4:12?! Mēs runājam par augšāmcelšanos, tad kādēļ ne par Izpirkšanu? Es domāju, jūs visi piekritīsiet, ka mēs parasti nerunājam par to, kas īsti ir Izpirkšanas pamatā. Mēs runājam par to kā par pierādītu faktu, ne reizi nemēģinot iedziļināties un teikt: „Debesu Tēvs, man šķiet, ka es vismaz nedaudz saprotu. Man šķiet, ka es saprotu.”
Nezinu, kādu iespaidu tas atstāj uz jums, taču man šīs zināšanas ir palīdzējušas iemīlēt savu Debesu Tēvu tā, kā nekad agrāk. Es esmu iemācījies mīlēt mūsu Glābēju Jēzu Kristu, kā nekad agrāk. Zināšanas par to, ko šie divi brīnišķīgie cilvēki darījuši manā un jūsu, mūsu bērnu un visas šīs pasaules iedzīvotāju labā, man palīdz saprast, ka bez viņu upura šī planēta, uz kuras mēs dzīvojam, un visas skaistās lietas, ar ko Viņi mūs svētījuši, tiktu iznīcinātas un zaudētas. Tāpēc es Viņus mīlu. Un es liecinu jums, brāļi un māsas, ka JĒZUS IR KRISTUS. Mums ir Debesu Tēvs, kas mūs mīl. Izpirkšana ir reāla. Izpirkšana ir efektīva. Izpirkšana darbojas. Mēs piedzīvosim augšāmcelšanos. Grēku piedošana ir iespējama. Lai arī mūsu grēki būtu sarkani kā asinis, ja mēs patiesi nožēlojam, mēs varam tikt atjaunoti un atvesti atpakaļ pie mūsu Debesu Tēva tīri kā balts sniegs. (Jesajas 1:18.) Es lūdzu mūsu Debesu Tēvu, lai Viņš mums palīdzētu Viņu nepievilt, lai mēs nenodotu Kristu, lai mēs būtu labi misionāri un izplatītu šo lielisko ziņu savu kaimiņu vidū! Es lūdzu, lai mēs būtu Izpirkšanas un Jēzus Kristus atjaunotā evaņģēlija cienīgi! Jēzus Kristus Vārdā, āmen.

Pornogrāfija ir postoša

2010-07-07T16:06:00.015+03:00

Divi videoklipi/reklāmas, kas parāda pornogrāfijas iznīcinošo ietekmi. Tie kas atrunājas, ka skatoties pornogrāfiska satura materiālus viņi nevienam nekaitē... ir dziļos maldos. Tieši tie, kas P. izmanto ir tie kas veicina tās izplatīšanu. Ja ir pieprasījums, būs arī piedāvājums. P. sagrauj cilvēka iekšējo pasauli, pašcieņu, respektu pret līdzcilvēkiem, drošības sajūtu, morāles normas un Dieva likumus.

1 WORD

2010-05-23T17:09:00.004+03:00

Pentecost Video from Sharefaith on Vimeo.

Adam-ondi-Ahman

2010-05-23T09:05:00.009+03:00

Maza informācija par to, kas tad īsti ir Adam-ondi-Ahman.

(Adam-ondi-Ahman ir ieleja, līdzenums Amerikā, kur Jēzus nāks satikt Svētos Otrās atnākšanas laikā, pirms parādīsies pārējai pasaulei. Šo vietu ir norādījis Pravietis, tāpēc man par to nav šaubu. Gatavojamies, jo neviens nezin to stundu, kad tas notiks, bet tas botiks drīz...)

Chronology of Events in Adam-ondi-Ahman

Adam lived in Adam-ondi-Ahman after being cast out of the Garden of Eden
Adam offered sacrifice as commanded of the Lord
Adam was baptized, received the Holy Ghost and temple ordinances
Three years before he died, Adam met with his righteous posterity and gave them the temple ordinances
May 19, 1838, Joseph Smith revealed the location of Adam-ondi-Ahman
June 25, 1838, saints living at Adam-ondi-Ahman were organized into a stake of Zion
Latter-day Meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman

Latter-day Discovery

History of the Church, 3:34-35

Saturday, May 19, 1838 -- This morning we struck our tents and formed a line of march, crossing Grand River at the mouth of Honey Creek and Nelson's Ferry. Grand River is a large, beautiful, deep and rapid stream, during the high waters of Spring, and will undoubtedly admit of navigation by steamboat and other water craft. At the mouth of Honey Creek is a good landing. We pursued our course up the river, mostly through timber, for about eighteen miles, when we arrived at Colonel Lyman Wight's home. He lives at the foot of Tower Hill (a name I gave the place in consequence of the remains of an old Nephite altar or tower that stood thee), where we camped for the Sabbath.

In the afternoon I went up the river about half a mile to Wight's Ferry, accompanied by President Rigdon, and my clerk, George W. Robinson, for the purpose of selecting and laying claim to a city plat near said ferry in Daviess County, township 60, ranges 27 and 28, and sections 25, 36, 31, and 3 0, which the brethren called "Spring Hill," but by the mouth of the Lord it was named Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said He, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet.

D&C 116 May 19, 1838

SPRING Hill is named by the Lord Adam-ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days shall sit, as spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

Robert J. Matthews (Professor, BYU)

Elder Dyer also has gathered reports of early brethren and residents of Daviess county which describe Adam-ondi-Ahman as the site of two ancient altars (neither of which is now to be seen) used by Adam. One of these, an "altar of prayer" he locates not far from the Lyman Wight house on Tower Hill. The other, an "altar of sacrifice," is said to have been situated a mile or so away near the top of Spring Hill. (BYU Studies, Vol. 13, No. 1, p.31)

Leland H. Gentry (CES Teacher)

Abraham O. Smoot, a member of the survey team for Adam-ondi-Ahman, is quoted as having said that Joseph
Smith was not present when "Adam's Altar" was discovered: President Smoot said that he and Alanson Ripley, while surveying at the town [i.e., Adam-ondi-Ahman], which was about 22 miles from Jackson County, Missouri, came across a stone wall in the midst of a dense forest of underbrush. The wall was 30 feet long, 3 feet thick, and 4 feet high. It was laid in mortar or cement. When Joseph visited the place and examined the wall he said it was the remains of an altar built by Father Adam and upon which he offered sacrifices after he was driven from the Garden of Eden. He said that the Garden of Eden was located in Jackson County, Missouri. The whole town of Adam-ondi-Ahman was in the midst of a thick and heavy forest of timber and the place was named in honor of Adam's altar. The Prophet explained that it was upon this altar where Adam blessed his sons and his posterity, prior to his death. (BYU Studies, Vol. 13, No. 4, p.565)

Adam-ondi-Ahman
Like the Kirtland Temple

Heber C. Kimball

The Prophet Joseph called upon Brother Brigham, myself and others, saying, "Brethren, come, go along with me, and I will show you something," He led us a short distance to a place where were the ruins of three altars built of stone, one above the other, and one standing a little back of the other, like unto the pulpits in the Kirtland Temple, representing the order of three grades of Priesthood; "There," said Joseph, "is the place where Adam offered up sacrifice after he was cast out of the garden." The altar stood at the highest point of the bluff. I went and examined the place several times while I remained there. (Life of Heber C. Kimball , pp. 209-210)

A Most Holy Place

Elder Alvin R. Dyer

I have been privileged to feel the nearness of President McKay's spirit. I have felt the majesty of his soul as we stood in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, observing in the short distance a place there known as Spring Hill, referred to in Section 116 of the Doctrine and Covenants as the place where Adam, Michael, or the "Ancient of Days," in accordance with the prophecy of

Daniel, shall in the due time of the Lord visit the earth for an important reason, and while there hearing President McKay utter quietly, "This is a most holy place." (Conference Report, October 1967, p.41)

Adam-ondi-Ahman and Far West

Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr.
and John J. Stewart (Author)

Elder Dyer, whom President McKay subsequently ordained an apostle and later set apart as a counselor in the church presidency, offered some interesting after-thoughts on Far West:

"In connection with President McKay's visit at Far West, it is to be noted that while there the President appeared somewhat overwhelmed. The place made a deep impression upon him; so much so that he referred to Far West a number of times in the ensuing days as a place of deep impression.

"The feeling that President McKay had at Far West registered upon me once again, but now with greater impact. The events that transpired there are significant: (a) The Lord proclaimed Far West a holy and consecrated land unto him, declaring to Joseph Smith that the very ground he stood on there was holy. (b) The Prophet Joseph Smith contended with the devil face to face for some time, upon the occasion of the power of evil menacing one of his children in the Prophet's home just west of the temple site. Lucifer declared that Joseph had no right to be there, that this was his place. Whereupon the Prophet rebuked Satan in the name of the Lord, and he departed and did not touch the child again. (c) The overwhelming feeling that President McKay had when he visited this sacred place.

"The Answer: I have often pondered the holy significance of Far West, and even more so since President McKay's visit. The sacredness of Far West, Missouri, is no doubt due to the understanding that the Prophet Joseph Smith conveyed to the brethren, at these early times, that Adam-ondi-Ahman, the place to which Adam and Eve fled when cast out of the Garden of Eden, is where Adam erected an altar unto God, and offered sacrifices, and that Far West was the spot where Cain killed Abel.

"This information tends to explain why the Lord declared Far West to be a holy consecrated place; and no doubt explains why Satan claimed that place as his own, as it was here that he entered into a covenant with Cain, resulting in the death of Abel, the first of mortal existence [to die] upon this earth.

"It would appear that President McKay while there felt the spirit and significance of this holy place." (The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith, p.340 )

Adam's Sacrifice
Offered in Adam-ondi-Ahman

Moses 5:4-8

And Adam and Eve, his wife, called upon the name of the Lord, and they heard the voice of the Lord from the way toward the Garden of Eden, speaking unto them, and they saw him not; for they were shut out from his presence.

And he gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.

Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.

Wilford Woodruff

<> What is the gospel as taught by Jesus himself? The very first principle was faith in the Messiah; this was the first principle ever taught to man. When Adam, after being driven from the garden of Eden, went to Adam-ondi-Ahman to offer sacrifice, the angel of the Lord asked him why he did so. Adam replied that he did not know, but the Lord had commanded him to do it. He was then told that the blood of bulls and goats, of rams and lambs should be spilt upon the altar as a type of the great and last sacrifice which should be offered up for the sins of the world. The first principle, then, ever taught to Father Adam was faith in the Messiah, who was to come in the meridian of time to lay down his life for the redemption of man. (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, p.18)

At a conference of the Sunday School children in the old Tabernacle on the 30th of March (1873), Elder Woodruff reported Brigham Young as saying, "Joseph, the Prophet, told me that the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri. When Adam was driven out he went to the place we now call Adam-ondi-Ahman, Daviess County, Missouri. There he built an altar and offered sacrifice." (Wilford Woodruff, p. 481)

Joseph Fielding Smith

Of necessity the first sanctified temples were the mountain tops and secluded places in the wilderness. If we are correctly informed, Adam built his altar on a hill above the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman. At that place the Lord revealed to him the purpose of the fall and the mission of the Savior. [ Doctrines of Salvation, 2, p.232]

Adam Received Priesthood Ordinances
in Adam-ondi-Ahman

Moses 6:64-68

And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water.

And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man.

And he heard a voice out of heaven, saying: Thou art baptized with fire, and with the Holy Ghost. This is the record of the Father, and the Son, from henceforth and forever;

And thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years, from all eternity to all eternity.

Behold, thou art one in me, a son of God; and thus may all become my sons. Amen.

Ezra Taft Benson

When our Heavenly Father placed Adam and Eve on this earth, He did so with the purpose in mind of teaching them how to regain His presence. Our Father promised a Savior to redeem them from their fallen condition. He gave them the plan of salvation and told them to teach their children faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. Further, Adam and his posterity were commanded by God to be baptized, to receive the Holy Ghost, and to enter into the order of the Son of God. (See Moses 6.) To enter into the order of the Son of God is the equivalent today of entering into the fulness of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which is only received in the house of the Lord.

Because Adam and Eve had complied with these requirements, God said to them, "Thou art after the order of him who was without beginning of days or end of years" (Moses 6:67). ["What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About the Temple," Ensign 15 (August 1985): 8]

Adam's Meeting with Posterity

D&C 107:53-54

Three years previous to the death of Adam, he called Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, and Methuselah, who were all high priests, with the residue of his posterity who were righteous, into the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there bestowed upon them his last blessing.

And the Lord appeared unto them, and they rose up and blessed Adam, and called him Michael, the prince, the archangel.

Joseph Smith

This is why Adam blessed his posterity; he wanted to bringthem into the presence of God. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.159)

Ezra Taft Benson

Three years before Adam's death, a great event occurred. He took his son Seth, his grandson Enos, and other high priests who were his direct-line descendants, with others of his righteous posterity, into a valley called Adam-ondi-Ahman. There Adam gave to these righteous descendants his last blessing.

The Lord then appeared to them.

The vast congregation rose up and blessed Adam and called him Michael, the prince and archangel. The Lord himself declared Adam to be a prince forever over his own posterity.

Then Adam in his aged condition rose up and, being filled with the spirit of prophecy, predicted "whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation." All this is recorded in section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants (verses 53-56).

The Prophet Joseph Smith said that Adam blessed his posterity because "he wanted to bring them into the presence of God." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book co., 1938, p. 159.)

How did Adam bring his descendants into the presence of the Lord?

The answer: Adam and his descendants entered into the priesthood order of God. Today we would say they went to the House of the Lord and received their blessings. ("What I Hope You Will Teach Your Children About the Temple," Ensign 15 [August 1985]: 8-10)

Latter-day Meeting at Adam-ondi-Ahman

Joseph Smith

Daniel in his seventh chapter speaks of the Ancient of days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam, Michael, he will call his children together and hold a council with them to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the father of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council. This may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head of the human family. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.157)

Joseph Fielding Smith

It was in the night vision that all this was shown to Daniel, and he saw the Son of Man come to the grand council, as he did to the first grand council in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and there he received the keys from Adam "and there was given to him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (Dan. 7: 13-14.) In this council Christ will take over the reigns of government, officially, on this earth, and "the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him," even Jesus Christ. Until this grand council is held, Satan shall hold rule in the nations of the earth; but at that time thrones are to be cast down and man's rule shall come to an end -- for it is decreed that the Lord shall make an end of all nations. (D.C. 87:6.) Preparation for this work is now going on. Kingdoms are already tottering, some have fallen; but eventually they shall all go the way of the earth, and he shall come whose right it is to rule. Then shall he give the government to the saints of the Most High.

This council in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman is to be of the greatest importance to this world. At that time there will be a transfer of authority from the usurper and impostor, Lucifer, to the rightful King, Jesus Christ. Judgment will be set and all who have held keys will make their reports and deliver their stewardships, as they shall be required. Adam will direct this judgment, and then he will make his report, as the one holding the keys for this earth, to his Superior Officer, Jesus Christ. Our Lord will then assume the reins of government; directions will be given to the Priesthood; and He, whose right it is to rule, will be installed officially by the voice of the Priesthood there assembled. This grand council of Priesthood will be composed, not only of those who are faithful who now dwell on this earth, but also of the prophets and apostles of old, who have had directing authority. Others may also be there, but if so they will be there by appointment, for this is to be an official council called to attend to the most momentous matters ' concerning the destiny of this earth. (The Way to Perfection, p.289-291)

John Taylor

A great council will then be held to adjust the affairs of the world, from the commencement, over which Father Adam will preside as head and representative of the human family. . . .

Then they will assemble to regulate all these affairs, and all that held keys of authority to administer will then represent their earthly course. And as this authority has been handed down from one to another in different ages, and in different dispensations, a full reckoning will have to be made by all. All who have held the keys of priesthood will then have to give an account to those from whom they received them. Those that were in the heavens have been assisting those that were upon the earth; but then, they will unite together in a general council to give an account of their stewardships, and as in the various ages men have received their power to administer from those who had previously held the keys thereof, there will be a general account.

Those under the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have to give an account of their transactions to those who direct them in the priesthood; hence the elders give an account to presidents of conferences; and presidents of conferences to presidents of nations. Those presidents and the seventies give an account to the twelve apostles; the twelve to the First Presidency; and they to Joseph, from whom they, and the twelve, received their priesthood. This will include the arrangements of the last dispensation. Joseph delivers his authority to Peter, who held the keys before him, and delivered them to him; and Peter to Moses and Elias, who endowed him with this authority on the Mount; and they to those from whom they received them. And thus the world's affairs will be regulated and put right, the restitution of all things be accomplished, and the kingdom of God be ushered in. The earth will be delivered from under the curse, resume its paradisiacal glory, and all things pertaining to its restoration be fulfilled. [The Gospel Kingdom, p.217]

Adam-ondi-Ahman teksts PDF dokumentā.

Foto manipulācija

2010-05-23T08:54:00.002+03:00

Cits skats uz grūtībām dzīvē

2010-05-16T15:53:00.004+03:00

Dzīve grūta? Noskaties video.

2010-05-05T18:03:00.006+03:00

The Seven Deadly Heresies by Elder Bruce R. McConkie. Heresy four.

2010-04-19T18:52:00.003+03:00

Heresy four. There are those who believe that the doctrine of salvation for the dead offers men a second chance for salvation.

I knew a man, now deceased, not a member of the Church, who was a degenerate old reprobate who found pleasure, as he supposed, in living after the manner of the world. A cigarette dangled from his lips, alcohol stretched his breath, mind profane and bawdy stories defiled his lips. His moral status left much to be desired.

His wife was a member of the Church, as faithful as she could be under the circumstances. One day she said to him, "You know the Church is true; why won't you be baptized?" He replied,

"Of course I know the Church is true, but I have no intention of changing my habits in order to join it. I prefer to live the way I do. But that doesn't worry me in the slightest. I know that as soon as I die, you will have someone go to the temple and do the work for me and everything will come out all right in the end anyway."

He died and she had the work done in the temple. We do not sit in judgment and deny vicarious ordinances to people. But what will it profit him?

There is no such thing as a second chance to gain salvation. This life is the time and the day of our probation. After this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. For those who do not have an opportunity to believe and obey the holy word in this life, the first chance to gain salvation will come in the spirit world. If those who hear the word for the first time in the realms ahead are the kind of people who would have accepted the gospel here, had the opportunity been afforded them, they will accept it there. Salvation for the dead is for those whose first chance to gain salvation is in the spirit world. In the revelation recently added to our canon of holy writ these words are found:

“Thus came the voice of the Lord unto me, saying: All who have died without a knowledge of this gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; Also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom; For 1, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” [D&C 137:7-9]

There is no other promise of salvation than the one recited in that revelation. Those who reject the gospel in this life and then receive it in the spirit world go not to the celestial, but to the terrestrial kingdom.

Par Mormona Grāmatu...

2010-04-18T17:03:00.007+03:00

The Seven Deadly Heresies by Elder Bruce R. McConkie. Heresy three.

2010-04-18T15:50:00.010+03:00

Kādu laiku atpakaļ es sāku postot McConkie runas par cilvēku nepareizi saprastajām mācībām. Tad tagad es to turpinu darīt... trešā daļa:

Heresy three. There are those who say that temple marriage assures us of an eventual exaltation. Some have supposed that couples married in the temple who commit all manner of sin, and who then pay the penalty, will gain their exaltation eventually.

This notion is contrary to the whole system and plan that the Lord has ordained, a system under which we are privileged to work out our salvation with fear and trembling before him. If we believe and obey, if we enter the waters of baptism and make solemn covenants with the Lord to keep his commandments, we thereby get on a strait and narrow path that leads from the gate of repentance and baptism to a reward that is called eternal life. And if we traverse the length of the path going upward and forward and onward, keeping the commandments, loving the Lord, and doing all that we ought to do, eventually we will be inheritors of that reward.

And in exactly and precisely the same sense, celestial marriage is a gate that puts us on a path leading to exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world. It is in that highest realm of glory and dignity and honor hereafter that the family unit continues. Those who inherit a place in the highest heaven receive the reward that is named eternal life. Baptism is a gate; celestial marriage is a gate. When we get on the paths of which I speak, we are then obligated to keep the commandments. My suggestion in this field is that you go to the temple and listen to a ceremony of celestial marriage, paying particular and especial attention to the words, and learn what the promises are that are given. And you will learn that all of the promises given are conditioned upon subsequent compliance with all of the terms and conditions of that order of matrimony.

Mēs visi esam Dieva bērni

2010-04-18T15:40:00.005+03:00

Mēs esam svētīti ar zināšanām par patiesību!

2010-04-18T07:48:00.008+03:00

Prezidents H.B.Brauns

1939.gadā, neilgi pirms otrā pasaules kara Prezidentam H.B.Braunam bija iespēja piedalīties intervijā ar vienu no Anglijas augstās tiesas tiesnešiem. Šis tiesnesis palūdz Prezidentu sagatavot tādu kā aizstāvību faktam par Pravieša Džozefa Smita vīziju, tikšanos ar Dievu un Jēzu kristu, jo viņš to nespēja pieņemt.

Lūk, daļa no viņu sarunas:

„Vai varu turpināt pieņemot, ka esat kristietis?”

„Esmu.”

„Es pieņemu, ka jūs ticat Bībelei-Vecajai un Jaunajai derībai?”

„Es ticu!”

„Jūs sakāt, ka mana ticība tam, ka Dievs ir runājis uz cilvēku šajā laikmetā, ir fantastiska un absurda?”

„Priekš manis tas tā ir.”

„Vai jūs ticat, ka Dievs jebkad ir runājis uz kādu?”

„Noteikti. Viscaur Bībelē ir šādas norādes.”

„Vai Viņš runāja uz Ādamu?”

„Jā.”

„Uz Ēnohu, Noa, Abrahāmu, Mozu, Jēkabu, Džozefu un caur praviešiem?”

„Es ticu Viņš runāja uz katru no viņiem.”

„Vai jūs ticat, ka kontakts starp Dievu un cilvēku pārtrūka, kad Jēzus nāca uz zemes?”

„Nē, šī komunikācija sasniedza savas virsotnes tajā laikā.”

„Vai ticat, ka Jēzus bija Dieva Dēls?”

„Viņš bija.”

„Vai jūs ticat, kungs, ka pēc Jēzus augšāmcelšanās kāds advokāts, kurš bija arī telšu taisītājs no Tarsas vārdā Sauls, ceļā uz Damasku sarunājās ar Jēzu no Nācaretes, kurš bija krustā sists, augšāmcēlies un atgriezies debesīs?”

„Es ticu.”

„Kā balsi Sauls dzirdēja?”

„Tā bija Jēzus Kristus balss, jo tā Viņš stādījās priekšā.”

„Tādējādi,... es jums apgalvoju visā nopietnībā, ka tā bija standarta procedūra, kādā Dievs Bībeles laikos runāja ar cilvēku.”

„Domāju, ka es tam varu piekrists, bet tas beidzās īsi pēc pirmā Kristietības ēras gadsimta.”

„Kā jūs domājat, kāpēc tas notika?”

„Nemāku teikt.”

„Vai domājat, ka kopš tā laika Dievs vairs nav runājis?”

„Esmu pārliecināts, ka nav.”

„Ir jābūt iemeslam; vai varat man dot iemeslu?”

„Es to nezinu.”

„Vai varu ieteikt dažus iespējamos iemeslus:

Iespējams, Dievs vairs nerunā uz cilvēku tāpēc, ka to nespēj. Viņš ir zaudējis spēku.”

„Protams tā būtu zaimošana.”

„Tad, ja jūs nepieņemat šādu variantu, Viņš nerunā uz cilvēkiem tāpēc, ka vairs mūs nemīl. Viņu vairs neinteresē cilvēku lietas.”

„Nē, Dievs mīl visus cilvēkus un tos nešķiro.”

„Tādā gadījumā, ja Viņš spēj runāt un mūs mīl, es redzu tikai vienu skaidrojumu, kā es to saprotu, ka mums Viņš vairs nav nepieciešams. Mēs esam tik tālu attīstījušies zinātnē, esam tik ļoti labi izglītoti, ka mums vairs nav vajadzīgs Dievs.”

Un tad [tiesnesis] atbildēja trīcošā balsī, domājot par tuvojošos karu:

„Brauna kungs, pasaules vēsturē nav bijis tāda laika, kad Dieva balss būtu vajadzīga vairāk kā tagad. Iespējams jūs man varat pateikt, kāpēc Viņš nerunā.”

Pr Brauns atbildēja:

„Viņš runā. Viņš ir runājis, bet cilvēkam ir nepieciešama ticība lai Viņu sadzirdētu.”

THE ATONEMENT

2010-04-16T23:02:00.005+03:00

Talk By Cleon Skousen

[Kleo Skauzena uzstāšanās par tēmu "kāpēc bija vajadzīgs Jēzus upuris?". Labākā runa, kādu esmu dzirdējis un lasījis. No sirds iesaku to lasīt pirms tam lūdzot par sapratni un gara vadību.]

President Kimball introduced one subject in General Priesthood Meeting that isn’t generally discussed that I want to comment on because it’s the whole foundation of Easter that’s never discussed. We just don’t talk about it, and we’re the only people that know about it. And we’ve almost lost it as a doctrine of the Church. So I was quite thrilled when President Kimball introduced it. He said:

“I want everybody to understand that in this life we only have a very limited amount of priesthood authority to function with. There are many ordinances that as yet must be given to us in the next world. One of them is the ordinance of resurrection. We’re not allowed to perform that ordinance here. It’s an ordinance of the priesthood, we’ll get it over there.

Over in the next life we’ll also have the ordinance of begetting spirit children with spirit bodies and that’s something that we have no power or capacity to do here. Physical bodies, yes, but not spirit.”

Then he got onto a theme that I’m sure may have sounded a little strange to some ears. He said:

“You’ll be able to have access to the intelligences in the universe and organize them and make planets and organize kingdoms.”

Now this is a beautiful doctrine that it’s time we discussed a little bit more because if we understand that principle, it will help us to comprehend why there had to be an atonement. I don’t know whether this bothers you or not, but as I was a little boy sitting in Sunday School and they talked about the terrible suffering of Jesus on the cross, I would say to my Sunday School teacher, “Who wanted that? What was all the suffering for? Everybody talks about all the suffering. What was it for? Who was it to satisfy?” And my teacher said, “Well, it was to satisfy Heavenly Father.” And that didn’t answer my childish questions either. Seems like if Heavenly Father wanted us to come down on this earth, after we’d repented, He’d just say, “Come back on up, you did the best you could.” What did we need all this suffering up there for?

When I (Cleon Skousen) went on my mission I asked James Widtsoe, my mission president, all my childhood questions concerning all the suffering of Jesus. Why all the pain? President Widtsoe said, “This is the most profound question of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it shouldn’t be answered unless people are first capable of at least wondering about it so they can hear the answer. The answer to this question is what President Kimball was talking about in priesthood meeting. He didn’t associate it with the subject of the Atonement, but it’s the foundation of it.”

The following are passages in the scriptures–the answers to the questions of the pain of the atonement. If you look each one up you will appreciate them much more than if you just say, “Now I know where.” Actually read each passage and you’ll begin to see what a marvelous ocean, an avalanche, a veritable waterfall of truth has poured out upon the saints in the latter days, and some of it we’ve allowed to run off without appreciating what it really represented. Now, first of all, is II Nephi 2:14. This is what you’ll read:

And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and He hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

Father Lehi says that everything in the universe is made of two things. This is where we get our “building blocks” concept–something to act and something to be acted upon. Now the next reference is D&C 93:29.

The thing which acts is called “eternal intelligences”. In the plural– eternal intelligences! The next one is D&C 93:30.

These intelligences are independent and act voluntarily. They are not compelled. The heavens wait on them until they obey. They don’t do anything until they are ready, just like us! And our Heavenly Father built the whole universe with this element of action, this energy factor in the universe is intelligence and it only operates as fast and in a direction that it is willing to follow. Now Abraham 3:19.

These intelligences are graded from the lowest to the highest and the highest is God’s intelligence Himself. And we’re in between. Some of the intelligences are assigned to the elements, and some were assigned to plant life and some were assigned to animals and those that were his very special, superior, super deluxe intelligences were given bodies in his image. And you are they. You are very, very, very special people. Now Joseph Smith describes this in Documentary History of the Church Vol. 4, p. 519. He says:

“And I explained to the Quorum of the Twelve and their wives the doctrine of the eternal progression of intelligences.”

Then he doesn’t tell us what the explanation was. So you have to go to Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt and Heber C. Kimball and they tell what was explained to them but they got the doctrine from him. Our next one is D&C 93:33.

That which is acted upon is called “eternal element” (two blocks–act, acted upon)–element, matter. Joseph Smith said that matter exists on two dimensions– the very refined element is called spirit. And the more coarse element is called this temporal matter we’ve got here, physical (D&C 131:7-8). It’s all matter but it exists on two planes. Like ice and water. They’re the same thing but they’re on different dimensions. Everything is made up of a combination of intelligence and matter. They are the building blocks of the universe. (Abraham 4:10,12,18; Helaman 12:8-9)

Now if you’re interested in science, this will be very exciting information. Our most advanced research scientists in the pure research area have just proven this to be true. Matter does not function mechanically. It has an element of finite intelligence in it, they say. That’s what Bergsen called it–the French philosopher. It can distinguish, it can choose, it doesn’t always do what the rules say. Some of these little elements are just as ornery as you and me. They go wandering around–and in the aggregate we say that that’s the law of chemistry. In the aggregate, yes, but you look at them individually and they’re fooling around. As a matter of fact, Robert Milligan said that if all the elements were obeying all of the rules of chemistry, you would never die. Through rebellion in the flesh. And they’re called seeds of death–you may have heard of that before. Now at God’s command, element which has received intelligence attached to it, at God’s command it will obey. You want a mountain to move? Talk to it. “MOVE!” “YES, SIR.” And they move when God commands it, or his priesthood does it by his authorization. When God commands, these intelligences obey, in the elements. That’s Jacob 4:6; I Nephi 20:13.

Now listen to Brigham Young discussing this principle. There is life or intelligence in all matter through the vast extent of all the eternities. It is in the rock, in the sand, in water, air, the gases, and in short, in every description and organization of matter whether it be solid, liquid, or gaseous. Particle operating with particle. Now, all of a sudden, we begin to catch the vision of the miracle of God’s creation. He goes up into the outer darkness of unorganized intelligences and unorganized bits of element and combines them together so that a little tiny bit of element has an intelligence attached to it and now you can command it. They’re combined in certain ways. The Lord has given to all of them a pattern, which becomes the law by which they operate. Some will accept electricity and some will resist it. Some will combine with various things and you get a combination–2 parts Hydrogen and 1 part Oxygen–and we call it water. That’s because they were organized in that way. They’re so marvelously organized that you can take one single little complex organization–it’s called a cell–and it’s fertilized by another cell. And within 9 months because of the DNA organization that is set up there by highly intelligent Heavenly Father, that will grow into trillions of cells, called a human being. All by design. You can almost stand in a worshipful feeling toward our Heavenly Father as you realize what is possible in that organizational structure. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p.368-369)

Now let me show you a miracle. See that hand? That is made of dirt! You want to see a miracle in engineering and Godly power, it’s in that hand. That is made of dirt! And our Heavenly Father can speak to all those little intelligences and He could turn them back into dirt that fast. Or He can say to them–as to the hand of Moses–”My children, halfway, not all the way, just halfway.” Like leprosy, maybe? “Moses, put your hand into your bosom.” So he puts it in and the Lord says, “Now, my children, Moses, take your hand out.” Leprosy! Dripping, incurable, on the way back to dirt. “Moses, put your hand back into your bosom.” Then the Lord says, “Now my children, as you were–everybody back in your places. Take your hand out, Moses.” Ah! Beautiful, clean, strong, pink flesh. That’s the miracle of God. Children are a miracle. Everything around us is a miracle, and for the first time we’re beginning to understand. God speaks and they obey. Things are made of that which acts and that which is acted upon, and they’ve been identified for us by name and President Kimball said that in the next world–that’s where we have access to these intelligences to organize our own great systems. Now, our Heavenly Father says, “Do you know what makes me God?” You might want to put this down. The source of God’s power is D&C 29:36, Moses 4:1,4.

Here he talks about the source of his power–what makes him God. What do you think it turns out to be? What makes a being suddenly or over the process of time a God? MY HONOR is my power. My honor is my power. So that when I speak and say, “water, reorganize into wine–a very high grade of wine, please,” there’s no problem. They reorganize. We called it a miracle. It was nothing in the world but obedient intelligences. That’s the doctrine.

Now keeping that in mind, that’s D&C 29:36, what would happen if the Father violated the confidence of those intelligences? What do you think would happen? No church on the face of the earth has dared to announce the doctrine contained in the Book of Alma, Chapter 42. No church has dared to suggest that God could fall. And our Heavenly Father says, “I want you to know that I walk the razor’s edge of Celestial Law continually in order to maintain the confidence and the honor of all these who trust me because that’s the source of my power.” This gives us a whole new understanding of our Heavenly Father. In Alma 42:13,22,25 he repeats it over and over again. And in Mormon 9:19 it is repeated. If He were unjust, if He were arbitrary, if He were false in any sense, He would what? CEASE TO BE GOD. Who dares to suggest that anything could happen to challenge the power of the almighty Elohim, chief of the Gods? Our Heavenly Father says, “I want you to understand me. I work within very strict rules. I have to function so that I enjoy their confidence and do not violate it.” Now Alma 34:9.

The Father says, “Once I had put you down into the second estate, I lost complete control over the possibility of bringing you back Myself.” God the Father cannot save us. These are doctrines of the church that we seldom put in these dimensions. But this is the Easter story. This is really the Easter story. In fact, it says there that if there had not been some way to get us back to the presence of the Father, and it had been left to the Father and He had been helpless to get us back, we would have ended back in outer darkness with Satan and his hosts. We’d have gone the same route they went. And everything that had been organized by the Father in connection with us, our earth and the other earths on which part of this family is located and all of the creations connected with it, would have disintegrated and gone back to outer darkness, disorganized, That’s the scripture.

Now this takes all the magic out of creation. All of a sudden, we can understand it, in our finite way. All of a sudden, our Heavenly Father becomes much more rational, comprehensive, and our appreciation begins to accelerate as we begin to realize what a remarkable, beautiful, powerful personality He is. II Nephi 9:9 is where it says we would end up with Satan and his angels were there no atonement. That it is absolutely beyond the capacity of our Heavenly Father to lift children who have stumbled while learning the difference between good and evil back into His presence. Because He has to operate according to law and all the other intelligences would say, “Father, now they have sinned and come short of Thy glory. They cannot come back. Remember all the laws that held us back? We didn’t get to be those top people, we were graded down. Remember? Remember laws? You kept talking about laws . . .” These are they who demand justice and will not let us return. And should God try it, as it says in Alma, they would cease to honor Him. And He would cease to be God. That’s the doctrine.

Then how do we do it? How do we do it? Alma 34:11. No person can suffer for the sins of another person, that’s the law. The law says no person can suffer for the sins of another person. That’s what these little intelligences are saying–”that’s the law.” Now, you just stop and think why that is so. If I commit a very serious offense could my brother die for it and satisfy you people? Even though we love each other and my brother says, “No, don’t let him be killed, I’ll die for him.” Do you think everyone would be happy about that? No, it would violate your sense of justice. And it does all these little intelligences. And Alma 34:11 says, “No person can die or be punished for the sins of another person and have it acceptable as justice.” See, there’s demands of justice. That’s what these little intelligences are doing. “There’s an offense there, they cannot come back, Father.” Everybody see the problem?

Now, the genius of the solution. The Gods know that these little intelligences have a capacity for compassion. Compassion–just like you and me. Intelligences have a capacity for compassion. Therefore, the atonement is based not on law, but mercy. That’s Alma 34:15. In other words, we’re going to try and get to these little intelligences in some way so that we can overcome the demands of justice. With what? Sympathy, mercy–so that we’ll actually overcome the demands of justice. That’s Alma 34:15.

Now, once the families of Gods–and they must have worked this out eons and eons ago with other families, so this is a pattern. Remember when they were selecting the Savior? Jesus volunteered, but Satan said, “You know, Father, this is very old fashioned, this just isn’t necessary. We can satisfy the intelligences of the universe. Just put our children in straight jackets and get them through the second estate . . . it’s a great idea, I thought of it. I really would like to get credit for it because I’m offering the whole family, the whole human family, insurance. All I’m asking you to do is to give up the hang-up that the family has always had on this free agency thing. It’s only for this little bit of time. We’ll put them in a straight jacket, get them through the second estate– no body can object to them then. We’ve taken them down, they’ve got bodies, we’ve prevented them from violating any laws . . . bring them back . . . it’s that simple.”

“No!” the father said, “it isn’t that simple.” Apparently implying that if you introduce compulsion into our eternal plan of salvation, or into the cosmic universe, you put coercion there. Anyway, your sowing the seeds of what? . . . Revolution, disintegration. Everything we have out there is moving as it is willing to move. You don’t get revolution that way.

Then Satan says, “I’ll start a revolution.” And he does. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the real followers of the Father there, for a while, were a minority. And we had a big uncommitted, in the middle, majority. Jesus said, “Father, I’ll do it your way–I’ll do it the way they’ve always had to do it. We do have casualties, true–but, at least we maintain a voluntary participation that you’ve always done in the past. And I know someone has to suffer in order to have that atonement, and create that sense of compassion, but I’ll do it.” And so we had a big argument, and the revelation says that the war in heaven was a testimony meeting.

As we said one to another, “The Father’s way is the right way. Now you don’t want to introduce compulsion. If you start compulsion, who says where it could end? Lucifer’s trying to steal the throne of our Heavenly Father and he wants the glory for it and there’s nothing in that direction but rebellion and destruction.” We finally got 2/3’s on our side. I won’t be surprised when we see this in the vision if we only had a minority to begin with. But we finally got 2/3’s. And the other 1/3 went for no-risk insurance. They wouldn’t take a chance with us.

All right, now, how does this atonement work? Watch how the principle functions. Now you’re an intelligence. You are capable of being subjected to so much sympathy and compassion, you’ve stopped asking for every pound of flesh that the law permits. Ever notice that in yourself? It works–first the principle. They must have a person who is infinite as it says in Alma 34–one who is infinitely loved. Infinite means completely–everybody recognizes this. So we take a spirit who is so superior He’s first counselor in the first presidency of heaven. He’s so honored that when the Father wants something done He speaks to this person and he tells all the intelligences what to do. And He’s identified as the Word. He’s the one through whom the word passes. He’s loved and respected by all, just like the Father. So we use him. He is infinitely loved. And we have Him come down into the second estate and live a perfect life without offense so that He can return to the Father and incidental thereto while laboring among the human family, we have Him suffer so terribly that the little intelligences of the entire universe are revolted. It’s abhorrent–the suffering that He went through. They loved Him. As it says in the Book of Mormon, even the elements of the earth couldn’t stand it, and churned back and forth until the whole face of the land northward was different than before. The very elements were crying out against this terrible torture of someone that they loved. And all this was by design. That’s the mission of Jesus Christ. You must suffer so much that those little intelligences, when you come and plead on behalf of someone who did the best that he could, which is called repentance–they’ll say, “Well, they really shouldn’t go back, but if you want them, after all you went through for them . . . yes, they can go up.” That’s the atonement.

And so listen to Alma 34 as we hear the prophets who use to understand and preach this doctrine extensively, which we’ve kind of stopped preaching among ourselves. Listen to this statement here. Alma 34:15.

“And thus He shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on His name. This being the intent of this last sacrifice–to bring about the bowels of mercy.” Whose mercy? The bowels of mercy . . . whose mercy? Our Heavenly Father already has mercy toward us. This is His plan. We don’t have to create that in Him. We have to create it in those that are demanding justice. “Father, they’ve sinned–come short of the glory of God.” There’s where you must arouse the bowels of mercy, which overpower justice, being the demands of justice. “And brings about the means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice. And encircles them in the arms of safety. While he that exerciseth not faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice. Therefore, only unto them that hath faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.”

Now let’s turn to D&C 45 and listen to the Savior telling about it. Verse 3–listen to Him who is the advocate with your Father–who is pleading your cause before him saying, “Father, behold the suffering and death of Him who did no sin. In whom thou wast well pleased. Behold the blood of thy Son, which was shed. The blood of Him who thou prayest that Thyself may be glorified, Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren”–see how He does that? “Spare these my brethren that believe on my name.” He doesn’t plead for those who don’t believe, He can’t–He’s not allowed to–it would rob justice. “Spare these that believe on my name, that they may come to me and have everlasting life.” And the Father can do it without ceasing to be God. Because of what? Mercy! Let me give you an example of how that works. During the Civil War there was a 19 year old soldier who went to sleep on guard duty. A whole section of the Union army was wiped out in that particular sector. He lost many of his very best friends all because he went to sleep and they were able to make a surprise attack on one flank of that particular defense effort. He survived the battle. He was court-martialed and sentenced to be hanged for neglect of duty for going to sleep while servicing as a guard, which was routine military law. The death sentence and order of execution was placed on the desk of President Lincoln and he was prepared to sign it. We lost a lot of valuable men because a 19 year old soldier went to sleep. President Lincoln was communicated with by a little old woman. This mother said to President Lincoln, “When this war started, I had a husband and 6 sons. First I lost my husband, then I lost my sons–5 of them. I just have one son left. And he’s about to be executed for neglect of duty. He feels terrible about what he did. He knows he deserves to die. President Lincoln, I wonder if, maybe, because you have the pardoning power under the constitution, you could find it in your heart to let me have the last of my family–for my sake?” President Lincoln said to the mother, “For your sake, I pardon your son. I pray God he’ll survive the war and be a blessing to you all the days of your life.” See how compassion works? We completely overcame the demands of justice. And nobody criticized President Lincoln for using his pardoning power in that case once they found out what the plea of that little mother had been. And that’s the way all of us are.

I just pause at this moment to ask the question, “What do you think an intelligence is?” What is an intelligence? Well, we don’t know. It’s a wonderful, self-knowing, eternal little entity that says, “I am.” You see me up her, but what you’re really seeing isn’t me–this is mine. And the little “I am” that always existed–I can locate him pretty well. I touch my chin, and that’s outside and below me. Shut your eyes and touch your right ear– is that you? Or is that to the right of you? Notice that? Put your hand on the top of your head. Is that you or is that above you? Isn’t that interesting? Put your fingers out here–is that you or is that way, way, way out from you? You see, “I am” is right in there–that’s the seat of power. Want to know what an intelligence is? That’s it, that’s you! And you’re one of the very advanced intelligences. You’re so advanced that one of our brothers on this level thought that he was as smart as the Father, and tried to take over the Father’s kingdom. Those other little intelligences wouldn’t have thought of that. But the Father’s elevated far beyond us. I tell you, this is an exciting place to be, and it took eons to bring us here and everyone is so precious. Our Heavenly Father says, “If you see one of them trying, then backsliding, then he tries, keeps backsliding, you work with him if you have to forgive him 70 x 7 — as long as he’s trying–keep in there, push him–we might make it eventually–maybe we’ve got an Alma in the making. Who knows?”

Toward the evening they went to the last supper. They partook of the passover lamb. And he looked out over his 12 apostles and He said, “One of you will betray me.” Peter says to John, “You’re closest. You ask Him, who?” And John the Beloved said, “Master, who?” The Savior whispered, “He to whom I give the sop.” And He picked up a piece of bread, dipped it in the gravy, handed it to Judas Iscariot and said, “Judas, whatsoever thou doest, do thou quickly.” Judas got up and went out. I wonder if he suspected that maybe Jesus suspected. We don’t know. We don’t think so. He’d already received the 30 pieces of silver–he’d already approved to betray the Christ. He went out. He went to see the elders of the city. Now it says that Jesus became very depressed. And then rose up and he gave that beautiful high priest prayer found in John, Chapter 17, where he pleads with the Father to, “Bless these, that they may be one as thou, Father, art in me and I in Thee– That they also may be one in us.” And He says, “Bless those who shall believe on their words, who have not seen–that they also may be one, that we all may be one. I pray not for the world, but for those that thou hast given me out of the world. That they may be one.” And in the greatest of anguish and suffering He pleaded with that prayer.

Now, He said, “Let us be gone. I need to pray.” And so they went from the part of the city where the poor people lived–we think that’s where it really was–across the temple square, out through the golden gate on the eastern side, down through the brook Cidron, and up unto the top of the Mount of Olives. It was dark now, and as He came in, He told eight of his disciples to stay by the gate. He took Peter, James and John and went into the grove. Then He had them watch, and He went further up the hillside into the grove, and apparently only John stayed awake. And John heard Him fall full-length on the ground and said, “O Father, all things are possible unto thee. Take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Thy will be done.” What He’s saying is, “Father, You are God. You’re all powerful–all things are possible unto Thee–don’t make me go through this. We can work it out some other way.” And that angel that came to minister unto Jesus, undoubtedly, explained to Him something He’d forgotten–He’s forgotten His preexistence. He was born to suffer and die. What the angel must have said, and undoubtedly did, though we don’t have the message–but I won’t be surprised if it was something like this, “O Jehovah, Thou Son of God–You do not have to do this, unless you wish. But you should know that unless you fulfill this assignment, the Father will lose not only this family, this whole family, but the entire creation associated with them. The planets, the plants, the animals, everything that you used your hands to create, will be lost to the Father and go back to the chaos of outer darkness from which it came.”

Because when the angel had finished ministering to Him, He said, “Then Thy will be done.” And He sweat drops of blood. The channels of His lifestream couldn’t even contain the fluid of life and it spilled out into the sweat glands and poured out on His skin as it were great drops of blood. The agony of that moment. Now you and I couldn’t have endured that–we don’t have any idea how terrible that was. But Jesus has given us some idea of what it was like in the 19th Section of The Doctrine and Covenants, in which He says, verse 15, “Therefore, I command you to repent. Repent lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth and by my wrath and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore. How sore you know not–how exquisite you know not. How hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent. But if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble with pain and to bleed at every pore, and suffer both body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparation unto the children of men.” “Now will you accept it? Will you let me blot them out? I can, if you’ll be obedient through repentance, the spirit will justify you, and I will sanctify you. I’ve done it for you. Come unto me.” After that, Judas came with the soldiers, and Jesus heard them coming–He came back and here were His apostles sound asleep. We don’t know what else happened– John didn’t stay awake. He was tired. Judas came up to Him. It was night– they had torches–they’d seen Jesus in the temple square but it was night time and they wanted to be sure and get the right one because the others will all flee as soon as they grab somebody. And so Judas came up to Him, Took Jesus in his arms and said, “Hail, Master.” And the Savior looked down at him and said, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?” The soldiers screamed, “Seize him! Seize him!” And everybody fled. Then the Savior was taken up to the house of Ananias and we all remember the terrible night that He spent. We remember the three denials by Peter–he was petrified–Peter will never forgive himself for these three denials. The next morning there was an illegal trial before the Sanhedrin. They can’t kill Jesus without the consent of Pilate, so they take Him into the Antonian, named after Mark Antony and this was a big fortress that’s part of the temple square, and right in the open square they brought in Jesus and turned Him over to Pilate.

Pilate tried to create sympathy in their hearts by flogging Him and putting a crown of thorns on His head and blood running down His face, His robe is just saturated with blood and they bring Him out and say in Latin, “Behold! Behold the man!” And they scream, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him! That’s not enough.” “Bring me water–see ye to it–I wash my hands of this judgment.”

“Crucify Him!” And so they took Him with the cross–carried it as long as His broken body could endure the pain and finally they took Him up to the place of the skull and there they nailed Him to the cross and swung it into position. Two thieves were crucified on either side. The earth trembled and the sky grew black at noon and remained black with the ground trembling occasionally clear up until 3 o’clock.

Over in America, the whole continent was in turmoil as were the islands of the sea. Towards the end, He cried out, “I thirst.” On a sponge they put vinegar up because that was supposed to alleviate the pain a little bit. He looked down in His agony and He said, “John, behold thy mother; mother, behold thy son.” Apparently Joseph had passed away. He’s just saying, “John, take care of my mother, Mary.” And then, after they’d tormented Him and pestered Him, “Why don’t you come down? Why don’t you heal yourself?” All of this is in the 110th Psalm–all of it was seen by David. He knew the very words Jesus would say. And then almost when the agony was beyond bearing, and it was getting toward dusk when they would have to start breaking their legs so they would die fast, suddenly Jesus looked up and said, “Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The Spirit of the Father had withdrawn from this man– left Him absolutely alone, hanging on that cross. But just for a moment–and then the Spirit of God surged back into Him, to say, in effect, “My Son, I’m here–we did it!” He lifted up His face and He said, “It is finished. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” And he departed.

At that moment Jesus became the Christ. He had done what was necessary to overcome the demands of justice so we could go back. He did it. And by the power of that great force that was in Him, He now had three days and nights and would have that body lifted, resurrected, purified, and glorified, and it’s such a thrilling thing to contemplate Mary Magdalene coming and leaning against the wall of the tomb–she knows that someone stole the body. She thinks maybe it’s the gardener and she sees that person standing through her tears, standing there. She said, “Master, if thou hast born Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him and I will bear Him away.” And the person said, “Mary.” She looked up and said, “Master!” He said, “Touch me not. I am not yet ascended to my Father who is in heaven. But go and tell the brethren I ascend unto my God and their God.” And he was gone. That’s the Easter story.

And our Heavenly Father suffered so much that night in Gethsemane when that Son of His lay among the leaves underneath the olive trees and said, “O Father, if it be possible, take this cup from me.” Our Heavenly Father was suffering so much that moment that He wanted at least one of His children of the earth to know what that was like that night for Him. And so He said to our great ancestor, Abraham, “I want you to take your best, beloved son up onto the top of Mount Moriah and I want you to offer him unto me as a sacrifice.” “My son! To whom you promised his seed might be like unto the sands of the seashore. Mine only son and heir. I kill him? And burn him?” And without telling Sarah, he took this young man, probably in his early teens, up to the top of Mount Moriah. And Josephus, who had access to all the books of the temple, says that he said to his son, “My child, I wouldn’t have had you without a special blessing from God to your mother. And He, having sent you to me, now asks that I send you back–not by disease, or war, or old age, but as a sacrament unto Him at the hands of your own Father. I now send you to Him.” And he raised the knife. Oh, the anguish of that father! And in Jacob 4:5 of The Book of Mormon it says that that was done to symbolize the feelings of the Father and the Son. That was specifically done so that at least one human father would know what the pain and anguish was like that night in Gethsemane as Jesus said, “O Father, all things are possible unto Thee–take this cup from me.”

You know as you begin to understand this beautiful doctrine–the intelligences in the universe, the fact that their honor of God is what makes Him God–the fact that if He lost their confidence, He’d cease to be God–these are basic doctrines of the restored gospel as it says in Jacob 2. Why don’t we talk about the atonement more? We don’t talk about the real basis of the atonement–we talk about it as a proven fact, without ever reaching out and saying, “Heavenly Father, I think I understand just a little. I think I understand.” I don’t know what it does for you but it has made me to love my Heavenly Father like I’ve never loved Him before. And I’ve learned to love the Savior Jesus Christ like I’ve never loved Him before. Now that I know what those two wonderful people did for me and you and our children and all the people of this world, the planet on which we live–and all the beautiful things that He’s blessed us with. It would have all been destroyed and lost if those two people hadn’t done what they did. I love them for that.

I bear witness that Jesus is the Christ. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us. The atonement is real. The atonement is effective. The atonement works. There is a resurrection. There is forgiveness of sins. Though our sins be as scarlet, if we will truly repent, we can be restored and taken back to our Heavenly Father cleansed like white snow. (Isaiah 1:18) I pray our Heavenly Father that He’ll help us so we won’t let Him down, so we won’t betray the Christ, so we’ll be good missionaries and spread this great message to our neighbors. I pray that we may be worthy of the atonement and gospel of Jesus Christ which has been restored for us, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Read D&C 128:23)

Dziesmiņa

2010-04-16T20:57:00.010+03:00

Sacramento Templis

2010-04-14T09:44:00.003+03:00

Šis ir Sakramento templis.

by MMGoode

The poem behind the painting of the ten virgins.

2010-04-13T21:59:00.005+03:00

Which Virgin?

by Barbara G. Dykstra

A parable the Savior told to his disciples long ago

Of wise and also foolish ways, of signs and saints in latter-days.

The things He saw, we too can see, when next he come to you and me.

Ten virgins bearing lamps alight awaited the bridegroom through the night.

Invited, honored guests they came, some wise - some foolish, not the same.

Those who have eyes will surely see, they're much the same as you and me.

The first bears palms for homage true, an olive branch, a lily too.

Her voice speaks peace; she's humble, meek; she often turns the other cheek.

So pure in heart, oh, could it be - that his first virgin could be me?

The second crowned in burial white, seems searching for a heavenly sight.

The sacrament - her gift of love; the wheat and water decreed above.

Her repentant heart we all can see; perhaps this virgin could be me?

The third in Priesthood blue and gold concerns herself with young and old;

Ordinances for the living and the dead, two doves she brings the Prince who weds -

The Holy Ghost and sealings' key, this lovely virgin must be me.

Tall and fair with scrolls and lyre, the fourth seeks truth and knowledge power.

She sets her goals on talents bright, keeping eternity in sight.

She'll reach her goals and grow to be the kind of virgin I would be.

But wait, more wise than any others, the fifth give charity to her brothers.

Quietly, gently, her fruits are shared with all who need her loving care.

Even the foolishes' need she sees; oh, that this virgin might be me.

The sixth in proud and rich array lack for naught along life's way.

The treasures of the earth she brings; 'tis more to earth that heav'n she clings.

In her I see a part of me; is this the virgin I will be?

The seventh is surely pleasure's child, in dress and pose, not meek or mild.

It's time for eat and drink and fun; there's ample time ere the bridegroom comes

Her foolishness she cannot see; do other see that part of me?

The eighth has much to overcome - addictions and excess have quite undone

That temple holy her soul once was, now all eroded for sins' own cause.

If I'm not careful as can be, this foolish virgin will be me.

The virgin nine who loves the dark, in secret seeks to leave her mark.

Drawing others from the light, she sees all things with Satan's sight.

Her foolishness is sad to see; don't let her be a part of me.

Should I become a virgin ten, with power over the acts of men.

A troubled conscience I might know, as though the busy world I go;

All ego and dishonesty is what the world expects of me.

Am I more foolish or more wise? Am I living in disguise?

Do I gather oil ever bright, to keep my gospel flam alight?

When the bridegroom come, I pray He'll see one wise virgin will be me.

Viens Vārds visumā.

2010-04-12T09:29:00.006+03:00

Viens vārds visumā. Vienīgais caur kuru mēs varam atgriezties mājās.

Name Above All Names Christian Music Video - Sharefaith from Sharefaith on Vimeo.

Kāda ir cilvēka dzīves vērtība?

2010-04-12T09:20:00.004+03:00

Lielisks video par to, kāda ir cilvēka vērība pasaules acīs un kāda tā ir mūsu Radītāja acīs. Padomājiet...aizdomājieties...dzīvojam tikai vienreiz un tagad...

Priceless Christian Music Video Sharefaith from Sharefaith on Vimeo.

Deep doctrine... vai vajag?

2010-04-11T21:33:00.004+03:00

Atradu kādu ļoti labi citātu par dziļajām mācībām:

"I used to be really into studying the “deep doctrines” but it did not help me. We are told that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Our Knowledge of those things will not save us. It is how well we know the Savior. Through serving him we come to know Him. It is that simple. That is how we have His Image in our countenance."

Mani interesē padziļinātas mācības evaņģēlijā, bet tai pat laikā atceros, ka tas ir kā saldais no kura nevar veselīgi paēst. Lai to pilnvērtīgi varētu izbaudīt, vispirms ir jāpaēd pamatēdiens.

Atgriežoties pie jautājuma, vai vajag, es teiktu ka vajag, bet tikai tad, ja ir ielikti kārtīgi pamati. Mani pamati tiek likti nu jau astoņus gadus un no dienas dienā tie tiek stiprināti. Esmu ticis tik tālu, lai varētu pamazām apgūt dziļākas lietas. Katrs no jums, kas studē svētos rakstu pats labi zin savas spējas un jūt vai var "pavilkt" lielāku vezumu.

Esmu bezgala pateicīgs par tām neskaitāmā Gara norādēm un pamudinājumiem, kad man ir bijuši kādi nopietni un smagi jautājumi. Atbildes kā likums ir nākušas negaidīti un ne tā kā biju domājis tās saņemt.

Apostasy

2010-04-05T10:41:00.007+03:00

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affirms to the world that after the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the subsequent death of His Apostles, there was a falling away—an altering or a rejecting of His revealed word. The long night of apostasy lasted well over a millennium. During this period, man-made creeds and practices were substituted for the plan of salvation that Jesus had taught.

* The Savior organized His Church and taught saving principles and ordinances during His earthly ministry.

See Ephesians 2:19–21; 4:11–14; John 3:5; Acts 2:37–38;

1 Corinthians 12:28.

* A great apostasy from the Savior’s Church was foretold.

1. Old Testament prophets predicted an apostasy (see Isaiah 24:5–6; Amos 8:11–12).

2. New Testament prophets warned that mankind would turn away from the gospel (see Acts 20:29–30; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 2 Peter 2:1–3).

* A universal apostasy occurred after the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.

1. Early Apostles warned of growing apostasy within the Church (see Galatians 1:6–8; 2 Peter 2:1–3; 1 Corinthians 1:10–12; 11:18–19; 2 Timothy 1:15; Revelation 3:14–16).

2. Latter-day revelation confirms the reality of the Apostasy as foretold by Christ and His Apostles (see Joseph Smith—History 1:19).

Mormon messages

2010-02-01T11:25:00.004+02:00

Iedvesmojošas īsfilmiņas no PDS Jēzus Kristus Baznīcas.

LDS Jauniešu lapa

2010-01-10T20:40:00.003+02:00

Šeit ir links - https://beta.lds.org/youth/abny/download?locale=eng - kur var lejupielādēt vienreizēji skaistu mūziku jauniešiem un ne tikai. Noteikti iesaku!!!

NEw web page for youth

2010-01-09T11:44:00.006+02:00

Ir atvērusies jauna veb lapa jauniešiem: https://beta.lds.org/youth?locale=eng Tiesa gan angliski, bet ļoti laba un īpaši vajadzīga mūsdienu jaunatnei arī baznīcā.

Validation

2010-01-04T23:10:00.005+02:00

Decoration for trees

2010-01-02T08:39:00.003+02:00

New year party in Riga

2010-01-02T08:35:00.004+02:00

Quotes

2009-12-30T08:04:00.002+02:00

*Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

*Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

*Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

*Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

*Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

*Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

*When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

*Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

*Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

*No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

*Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".

*What other people think of you is none of your business...

*Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

*However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

*Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

*The best is yet to come.

*No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

2009-12-29T22:32:00.002+02:00

Paldies Matīsam par man iesūtīto linku. Tagad varu arī ar jums ar to padalīties. Nekad nebūtu domājis ka viens ūdens piliens var būt tik aizraujošs...

“If Christ was born in the spring, why do we celebrate Christmas in December?”

2009-12-27T19:12:00.005+02:00

Richard O. Cowan, “Q&A: Questions and Answers,” New Era, Dec. 1974, 10–11

Answer/Brother Richard O. Cowan

First let us review how we know the Savior was born in April. As directed by revelation, the Church was organized on April 6, 1830 (a Tuesday), which was “eighteen hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh.” (D&C 20:1.) Thus we schedule general conference sessions on April 6 each year; we are not only marking the anniversary of the Church’s organization, but we are commemorating the Lord’s birth as well.

The Book of Mormon bears a similar testimony. The Nephites dated their calendars from the time of Christ’s birth. (See 3 Ne. 2:8.) Then, the sign of Christ’s crucifixion was given “in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month.” (3 Ne. 8:5) This meant that Jesus Christ’s mortal life lasted almost exactly 33 years, and therefore his birth and crucifixion occurred in about the same season of the year. This would have been early spring because the New Testament indicates that Christ was crucified at Passover time, which falls in that part of the year.

Bible scholars generally agree that Jesus was not born in the winter.

“It could not … have fallen in January or December, since at this time of the year the flocks are not found in open fields during the night. … Moreover, a census which made traveling necessary, would not have been ordered at this season.” 1

Well, then, why do we celebrate Christmas in December? The answer lies in the early centuries when missionaries first carried Christianity to the peoples of northern Europe. Pope Gregory (a.d. 590–604) instructed these missionaries: “Remember not to interfere with any traditional belief or religious observance that can be harmonized with Christianity.” 2 Such instructions opened the door to many pagan ideas and practices being introduced into Christianity. The observance of Christmas provides several examples.

December 25 was at the heart of the northern European mid-winter festival. There was a fearful superstition that as autumn days became shorter and shorter the sun might sometime completely disappear below the southern horizon and never return. Each year the coming of the winter solstice dispelled this fear, and the people rejoiced that the sun would again come back to warm their northern lands. Early Christian missionaries chose to link this important pagan celebration with the birth of Christ.

“The Christmas tree was a substitute for the sacred oaks and other trees used in pagan rights … interpreting the evergreen as the symbol of the everlasting Christ, in place of the leaf dropping trees of paganism. The green, gold and red lights which the pagan used in their trees to coax the sun-god to return, were re-interpreted to represent the frankincense, gold, and myrrh which the wise men brought to Jesus.” 3

Thus, as the Encyclopedia Britannica concludes, the observance of Christmas “is attended with secular customs often drawn from pagan sources.” 4

Some might ask if we are wrong in celebrating Christmas in December. Actually we should think about the Lord and his mission throughout the entire year—including December 25. Perhaps our greater concern ought to be how rather than when we commemorate the Savior’s birth. In a Christmas message the First Presidency counseled us:

“… may the true Christmas spirit rest upon each of us this season. May we help reverse the trend toward the gross commercialization of Christmas by gathering our families about us and reading and reflecting on the beautiful story of His birth. May we demonstrate our love for others not only with thoughtful gifts and messages, but also with expressions of love and kindness. May we demonstrate our love for God by worshiping Him in spirit and truth and by obeying His commandments.” 5

Members of our family have tried to more adequately remember Christ and share the true spirit of Christmas with others by acting out the events surrounding Jesus’ birth as described in the opening chapters of Matthew and Luke. We have also enjoyed a special home evening reading the Christmas story in the Bible and singing carols.

1. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature
(New York: Harper Brothers, 1872), 7:877.

2. Quoted T. Edgar Lyon. Apostasy to Restoration,
Melchizedek Priesthood Manual, 1960, p. 218.

3. Ibid.

4. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1973 edition, 5:704–5.

5. Church News, December 18, 1971, p. 3.

2009-12-26T13:04:00.004+02:00

What Do You Want for Christmas? | A Short Film from Andy Miller on Vimeo.

2009-12-20T21:35:00.002+02:00

Visi 16 PDS baznīcas bijušie un esošais pravietis. Debesis ir atvērtas un mēs atkal saņemam atklāsmes no Debesu Tēva. Ir dzīvais Pravietis uz zemes, kurš saņem no mūsu Radītāja norādījumus kas cilvēkiem jādara lai gūtu panākumus dzīvei uz zemes. Viņš mūs nav atstājis vienus. 1830. gada 6. aprīlī tika atjaunota oriģinālā Jēzus Kristus baznīca uz Zemes. Tā pati organizācija ko radīja Jēzus jaunās derības laikos.

2009-12-20T21:01:00.004+02:00

Kas Z-svētkos ir pats galvenais? Noskaties video!

2009-12-09T13:21:00.003+02:00

I am happy to know truth!

Because I am living in country where Church is young and members are just few compering to same USA, I am most of time spending with nonmembers. I am working in shop that sells Indian idols and other things from their belief. Well, because I am christian and believe in God and Jesus Christ I have once in a wile small talks about what I believe. I know that idolatry is sin and that is what I teach and share in proper way to those who wants to know the truth.

Such opportunity I had last Sunday on market in one hotel (usually we don't work on Sundays) and I met really cool guy from Italy who believes in God. We had nice talk on topic and promised to stay in touch. I love to meet people who share same love to Heavenly Father as I have. Truth is sweet wile not always on first moments easy.

These days are the days of predicted cataclysms in all world, and I am sure, wherever you live you are touched of one or another worlds problem. This is really special time, this is time Prophets, like Isaiah and John (revelator) spiked about describing future. Huge weather cataclysms, rumors of wars, peoples hearts hard as cold wax and so on... You will ask why I am happy to know the truth? Because I know the truth about why this happens I am happy. I know what is promised to be in the end of this trial. I know how to find peace and love in such a times. It is not easy task, but it is worth that. This blog is created to give tips and share my feelings and knowledge about life and our place in it.

I love you all, well sometimes it is hard, but I am learning... :)

2009-11-30T00:36:00.002+02:00

X-mas coming!!!

Tik cik paši to ļaujam

2009-11-24T10:15:00.002+02:00

Sātans ir bezspēcīgs un vājš tikmēr kamēr mēs viņām sakām nē. Par to liecina kaut vai fakts ka mums ir ķermeņi, bet viņam nav. Viņa vienīgais trumpis ir cilvēku pierunāšana un pārliecināšana. Viņš izmanto mūsu pašu vājumu. Fiziski viņš pats vai viņa pakļautībā esošie gari paši neko mums nevar nodarīt. Tie izmanto cilvēku vājības pret laicīgām lietām, nedrošību, nepārliecinātību... Vai esat kādreiz aizdomājušies, ko tieši notiek grēks, tieši jūsu izdarīts? Viss sākas ar domu un tad seko darbība kas noved pie kāda rezultāta. Sātans padod mums domu un mēs to sākam apstrādāt. Nereti gadās, ka diskutējot pašām ar sevi pārliecini sevi, ka nekas jau slikts no viena maza grēciņa nebūs. Un varbūt arī nekas liels nebūtu ja nesekotu nekas tālāk, bet dzīvē tā nenotiek. "Iedod velnam mazo pirkstiņu un viņš paņems visu roku". Tieši tā tas arī notiek. Viņš pie lieliem grēkiem noved caur mazām lietām. Bet viss sākas ar domu.

Domas veido mūsu raksturu, to kas mēs esam. Ja daudz domāt par kaut ko, tas sāk ietekmēt dzīvi visās tās jomās. Cilvēki, kuri regulāri domā pozitīvi, meklē palīdzēt citiem un ir mīloši, tādi būs visu laiku, jo tāds ir izveidojies viņu raksturs, viņu būtība. Tiem kas visu laiku ir noskaņoti negatīvi, saskata apkārtējā pasaulē negatīvo un nosoda visu pēc kārtas, attiecīgi arī rīkosies un izpaudīs sevi pasaulei. Domu spēks ir varenāks kā varam iedomāties. Pats esmu par to pārliecinājies.

Ar domām mēs varam ietekmēt to, vai sātanam būs/ir vara pār mūsu dzīvi vai nav. Protams viņš var mūs ietekmēt caur citiem cilvēkiem, kurus viņš ir pakļāvis savai gribai, bet arī mēs viņus varam ietekmēt... pozitīvi. Gribam mēs to vai nē, bet visi esam karalaukā starp labo un ļauno. Palīdzēsim cīņā pret ļauno, jo mūsu pusē ir lielākais spēks visumā... Tas Kungs un Dievs ar visiem kas atrodas debesīs.

Neļaujieties lai jūs ietekmē tas, kura vienīgais mērķis ir padarīt jūs nelaimīgus un nožēlojamus. Nav viegli, bet tas ir tā vērts cīnīties par savu laimi!

Kāpēc "mormoņi"

2009-11-20T23:09:00.003+02:00

Patiesībā tas nav pareizi mūs tā saukt. Esam pēdējo dienu svētie. Par "mormoņiem" esam iesaukti dēļ Mormona Grāmatas. Mormons bija pravietis senajā Amerikā, un viņa vārdā tiek saukta grāmata, kurā ir apkopoti Amerikas kontinentā agrāk dzīvojošo Praviešu un ķēniņu raksti. Lielākā daļa šīs grāmatas satura ir veltīts garīgām lietām, jo tā ir vēl viena liecība par Jēzu Kristu. Tāpēc ka mums Mormona Grāmata ir vēl vieni Svētie Raksti, mūs ir iesaukuši par "mormoņiem". Tas ir viens no centrālajiem iemesliem.

2009-11-19T23:41:00.002+02:00

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving.

Par ko mēs katrs esam pateicīgi? Video, kurš lika man aizdomāties par ko es varu būt pateicīgs, un man ir daudz par ko pateikties manam Radītājam un maniem līdzcilvēkiem un draugiem.

http://www.lds.org

2009-11-12T21:43:00.004+02:00

Create

2009-11-08T09:16:00.002+02:00

Vienrezēja grāmata par PDS Jēzus Kristus Baznīcu

2009-11-07T10:11:00.003+02:00

Patreiz mana lasāmviela ir šī grāmata: "Our Search For Happiness". Gaidu kad tā būs pieejama latviešu valodā, jo tajā ir tik vienkārši un lakoniski paskaidrotas pamatmācības LDS baznīcā. Nav nekas na par maz ne par daudz cilvēkam, kurš ar mums saskaras pirmoreiz vai praktiski neko nav dzirdējis par atjaunoto evaņģēliju. Esmu dziļo mācību cienītājs, bet šī grāmata mani pamatīgi aizrāva. Var teikt, ka katru rītu braucot uz darbu izlasu vidēji divas nodaļas, jo pa vakariem parasti neatliek tam laika.

Oops

2009-10-27T14:06:00.002+02:00

A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street.

"But officer," the man began, "I can explain.."

"Just be quiet," snapped the officer. "I'm going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back."

"But, officer, I just wanted to say...,"

"And I said to keep quiet! You're going to jail!"

A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, "Lucky for you that the chief's at his daughter's wedding. He'll be in good mood when he gets back."

"Don't count on it," answered the fellow in the cell.

"I'm the groom."

Does Evil Exist?

2009-10-26T22:23:00.002+02:00

Does evil exist? The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists? A student bravely answered: “Yes, He did.” “God created everything?” the professor asked. “Yes sir,” the student replied. The professor answered:” If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil.” The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quiet pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more, that the Christian faith is a myth. Another student raised his hand and said: “Can I ask you a question, professor?” “Of course”, replied the professor. The student stood up and asked: “Professor, does cold exist?” “What kind of question is this? Of course it exists! Have you never been cold?” The students snickered at the young man’s question. The young man replied: “In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 F or -237 C) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction in that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat.” The student continued: “Professor, does darkness exist?” The professor responded: “Of course it does.” The student replied: “Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton’s prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark it is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn’t it correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present.” Finally young man asked the professor: “Sir, does evil exist?” Now uncertain, the professor responded: “Of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man’s inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.” To this student replied: “Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness or cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have love of God present in his heart. It’s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light. The professor sat down. The young man’s name – Albert Einstein.

23 QUESTIONS ANSWERED

2009-10-26T22:03:00.005+02:00

by The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ

• Does the Bible contain all of God's word? (2 Nephi 29 [pp.109-11].)

• Who were the "other sheep" referred to by Jesus as recorded in John 10:16? (3 Nephi 15:13-24 [pp.437-38].)

• How can a person know that the Book of Mormon is true? (Moroni 10:3-5 [p.529].

• How can a desire to believe develop into strong faith? (Alma 32 [pp.288-91].)

• What is the purpose of man's existence? (2 Nephi 2:25 [p.59].)

• How can God be both just and merciful? (Alma 42 [pp.311-13].)

• What happens to our spirits at death? (Alma 40:11-14 [p.308].)

• How can a person turn his personal weaknesses into strengths? (Ether 12:27 [p.510])

• What happened in America when Jesus was born in Bethlehem? (3 Nephi 1:15-21 [p.408].)

• What happened in America when Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem? (3 Nephi 8:5-23 [pp.422-23].)

• What do we witness "unto the Father" by being baptized? (2 Nephi 31:10-14 [pp.113-14].)

• Why was Jesus Christ baptized? (2 Nephi 31:4-9 [p.113].)

• Just what is the gospel of Jesus Christ? How did the Savior explain what it is? (3 Nephi 27:13-21 [p.459].)

• Why was the atonement of Jesus Christ necessary? (2 Nephi 9:4-14 [pp.72-74]; Alma 34:8-17 [pp.293-94].)

• To what extent are men accountable for their choices and their actions? (2 Nephi 9:25-27 [p.75]; 2 Nephi 2:27 [p.59]; Helaman 14:30-31 [p.403].)

• Do little children need repentance and baptism? (Moroni 8:1-24 [pp.525-26].)

• Does the Lord always protect the righteous from the unrighteous? (Alma 60:12-13 [p.359].)

• How did a prophet who lived 600 B.C. describe our day? (2 Nephi 28 [pp.106-09].)

• What should we pray about? (Alma 34:17-28 [pp.294-95].)

• Why should we not procrastinate our repentance? (Alma 34:30-41 [pp.295-96].)

• What will our bodies be like in the resurrection? (Alma 40:23 [p.309].)

• Are we saved by grace, by works, or both? (2 Nephi 25:23 [pp.99-100].)

• In a world with so many conflicting voices, how can a person judge what is good and what is evil? (Moroni 7:14-19 [p.522].)

Templis, kuru cēla 40 gadus

2009-10-24T18:09:00.004+03:00

Šo templi cēla 40 gadus. Ir pieejama filma par to, kā tas notikās un kāpēc tas aizņēma tik daudz laika. Atrodas tas Salt Lake City.

Ja kādam ir vēlēšanās šo bildi nopirkt, to var izdarīt caur šo linku.

2009-10-16T14:08:00.003+03:00

Anchored from lindsey olivares on Vimeo.

Pareizais piegājiens

2009-10-16T14:04:00.004+03:00

Kanādieši uztaisījuši skaidru un saprotamu reklāmu par vienu no smagākajām problēmām arī Latvijā. Liek aizdomāties.

Hellmann’s - It’s Time for Real from CRUSH on Vimeo.

Dzīves momenti.

2009-10-16T11:31:00.002+03:00

Mūsu dzīve ir viens liels mazu momentu sakopojums. To ir tik daudz un tie ir tik dažādi: prieks, bēdas, laime, nelaime, saviļņojums, vienaldzība, vilšanās, panākumi... Patiesi laimīgs ir tas, kurš spēj novērtēt katru dzīves mirkli un atrast tajā ko labu.

Temptation

2009-10-16T11:24:00.002+03:00

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Kārdinājumi vienmēr ir tik "gardi"!

Elkdievība un mistiskie dievi

2009-10-15T21:36:00.003+03:00

5.Mozus gr:

"Un tur jūs kalposit dieviem, kas ir cilvēku roku darbs - koks un akmens, kas ne redz, ne dzird, ne ēd, ne ož." Tas ir attiecināms uz divu veida ticīgo grupām. Pirmie ir tie kas pielūdz elkdievības, kā, piemēram, Indijā Ganešu, Budu, Hanumanu u.c. Bet otrie ir tie, kas pielūdz Debesu Tēvu nezinot viņa īsteno dabu. Noaugstā citētā panta mēs saprotam ka patiesais Dievs kas redz, dzird, ēd un ož. Neviena reliģija izņemot vienu vienīgu nevar pretendēt uz patiesā un vienīgā Radītāja pārstāvniecību šeit uz zemes, jo viņi pat Viņu nezin. Tā vienīgā baznīca, kura iztur visus kritērijus ir Pēdējo Dienu Svēto Jēzus Kristus Baznīca.

Paskatīsimies, kā tad Dievu apraksta kristīgās pasaules baznīcas:

*Katoļu baznīca:

Jaut. Kas ir Dievs?

Atb. Dievs ir Gars, mūžīgs, neatkarīgs, bezgalīgs un nemainīgs, visur esošs, redz visas lietas un valda pār visumu.

Jaut. Kāpēc jūs sakāt, ka Viņš ir Gars?

Atb. Tāpēc ka viņš ir augstākais saprāts, kuram nav ne ķermeņa, ne veidola, ne krāsas, un kurš nevar tik jūtu ietekmēts.

*Metodistu baznīca:

Ir tikai viens dzīvais un patiesais dievs, mūžīgs, bez ķermeņa un daļām, ar neierobežotu spēku, gudrību un labestību, visu lietu radītājs un sargātājs, redzams un neredzams; un savienībā ar šo Dievišķīgumu ir trīs personas vienā substancē, spēkā un mūžībā, Tēvs, Dēls un Svētais Gars.

*Prezbiteriāņu baznīca:

Tas pats kas katoļiem un metodistiem.

*Pareizticīgie:

Tas pats. Arī uzskata ka trīsvienība ir viena persona (kas protams ir maldīgs uzskats).

Nu man te ir tikai viens komentārs. Mozus teica (pravietoja), ka tas notiksies. Un te nu ir pasaules kristietība... pielūdz Dievu, kurš par neeksistē.

Es varu Liecināt ka Debesu Tēvam un Viņa Dēlam ir ķermeņi no miesas un kauliem, tā pat kā mums (protams ar dažām izmaiņām lai būtu pilnīgi un mūžīgi). Svētais Gars ir gars. Visas šīs trīs personības ir individuālas personas. Katra pilda savas funkcijas, un tai pat laikā viņas ir viens vesels tajā izpratnē, ka viņiem visiem ir viens kopīgs mērķis. Es priekš sevis esmu saņēmis liecību savā sirdī par šīs mācības patiesumu.

LDS Temļi

2009-10-15T13:05:00.002+03:00

Sekojot šim linkam: http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/galleries/ jūs nonāksiet pie visu esošo tempļu fotogrāfijām labā izšķirtspējā. Bez fotogrāfijām tur ir vēl cita noderīga informācija.

Choose This Day

2009-10-14T11:58:00.004+03:00

Watch and share a new Mormon Messages video, " Choose This Day, " in which President Henry B. Eyring urges us to seek God’s help to overcome complacency and discouragement and find joy in serving Him today.

Signs for Christs Second Coming.

2009-10-13T20:25:00.002+03:00

These are the signs for Christs second coming.

Prophesied Sign

1. Discovery of America, Establishment of USA(1 Nephi 22:7, 3 Nephi 21:4) (D&C 77:6)

2. Coming forth of the Book of Mormon (Ezekiel 37:16-19)

3. Restoration of the Priesthood (Malachi 4:4-6, etc.)

4. Restoration of the True Church (Acts 3:19-21)

5. Church will grow to fill the whole Earth (Daniel 2:35, 44-45)

6. Scattered Israel will be gathered (1 Nephi 10:14, etc.)

7. Lost 10 tribes return (D&C 133:26-34, etc.)

8. Times of Gentiles fulfilled (D&C 45:25, etc.)

9. Jews return to Jerusalem (D&C 133:13, etc.) (1948)

10. Jews accept the true Gospel (2 Nephi 30:7, etc.) (at the 2nd coming)

11. Elijah will come (Malachi 4:5-6, etc., D&C 110, Passover Apr 3, 1836)

12. Christ will come to His temple (Malachi 3:1, etc.)

13. Genealogical research increases (Malachi 4:6, etc.)

14. Sun darkened and moon becomes as blood

(Matt. 24:29, Revelation 6:12, etc.) (What does this mean?)

15. Diseases, plagues, pestilence to sweep the earth (D&C 45:31, Joseph Smith—Matt. 1:29)

16. Knowledge, science, etc. to increase (Daniel 12:4)

17. Wars and rumors of wars (D&C 45:26, etc.)

18. Famines, tornadoes, earthquakes, natural disasters to abound (D&C 45:26, 33, etc.)

19. Strikes, anarchy, violence to increase (Mormon Doctrine, pg 726)

20. Sexual immorality, homosexuality, etc. abounds(2 Timothy 3:3, 6, etc.) (Satan switches vocabulary using politically correct terms: Satan’s Words: Pro-choice, Free Love, Consenting Adults, Significant Others, Alternative Lifestyles, Sexual Preference, Safe Sex, Sexual Activity)

21. The Spirit to stop working with the wicked (D&C 63:32)

22. Peace taken from the Earth (D&C 1:35)

23. Jerusalem to be a “cup of trembling” to people around it (Zechariah 12:2, etc.)

24. False churches, false prophets (even in the church) abound (Revelations 13:13-14, etc.)

25. People refuse to believe the signs of the times (2 Pet. 3:3-4)

26. Signs and wonders on Earth and in the heavens (D&C 45:40) (Rocket ships, etc.)

27. Lamanites to blossom as the rose (D&C 49:24)

28. New Jerusalem to be built (Moses 7:63-64) (Independence, Missouri)

29. Many temples to be built (Pres. Benson, Elder McConkie, April conference 1980)

30. Temple to be built in Jerusalem (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg. 286)

31. Battle of Armageddon (Zecharaiah 12, etc.)

32. Meeting at Adam-ondi-ahman (Daniel 7:9-14) (Who?D&C27:14)

33. Two prophets killed in Jerusalem (Revelation 11) (3½ days resurrected)

34. Mount of Olives divides (Zechariah 14:4, etc.) (whole earth will tremble)

35. Righteous taken up (D&C 88:96) (Literally taken up to meet the Savior)

36. The wicked burned (Malachi 4:1, D&C 5:19)

37. Everyone sees Christ coming (Revelations 1:7, etc.) (Spotless, not perfect—Alma 34:33 &36)

The Seven Deadly Heresies by Elder Bruce R. McConkie. Heresy three, four, five, six, seven.

2009-10-11T22:16:00.002+03:00

Heresy three:

There are those who say that temple marriage assures us of an eventual exaltation. Some have supposed that couples married in the temple who commit all manner of sin, and who then pay the penalty, will gain their exaltation eventually.

Heresy four:

There are those who believe that the doctrine of salvation for the dead offers men a second chance for salvation.

His wife was a member of the Church, as faithful as she could be under the circumstances. One day she said to him, "You know the Church is true; why won't you be baptized?" He replied,

He died and she had the work done in the temple. We do not sit in judgment and deny vicarious ordinances to people. But what will it profit him?

Heresy five:

There are those who say that there is progression from one kingdom to another in the eternal worlds or that lower kingdoms eventually progress to where higher kingdoms once were.

This belief lulls men into a state of carnal security. It causes them to say,

"God is so merciful; surely he will save us all eventually; if we do not gain the celestial kingdom now, eventually we will; so why worry?"

It lets people live a life of sin here and now with the hope that they will be saved eventually.

The true doctrine is that all men will be resurrected, but they will come forth in the resurrection with different kinds of bodies – some celestial, others terrestrial, and others telestial, and some with bodies incapable of standing any degree of glory. The body we receive in the resurrection determines the glory we receive in the kingdoms that are prepared.

Of those in the telestial world it is written:

"And they shall be servants of the Most High, but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end" (D&C 76:112).

Of those who had the opportunity to enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage in this life and who did not do it the revelation says:

“Therefore, when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven; which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory.

For these angels did not abide my law; therefore, they cannot be enlarged, but remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.” [D&C 132:16-17]

They neither progress from one kingdom to another, nor does a lower kingdom ever get where a higher kingdom once was. Whatever eternal progression there is, it is within a sphere.

Heresy six:

There are those who believe or say they believe that Adam is our father and our god; that he is the father of our spirits and our bodies, and that he is the one we worship.

The devil keeps this heresy alive as a means of obtaining converts to cultism. It is contrary to the whole plan of salvation set forth in the scriptures, and anyone who has read the Book of Moses, and anyone who has received the temple endowment, has no excuse whatever for being led astray by it. Those who are so ensnared reject the living prophet and close their ears to the apostles of their day. "We will follow those who went before," they say. And having so determined, they soon are ready to enter polygamous relationships that destroy their souls.

We worship the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost; and Adam is their foremost servant, by whom the peopling of our planet was commenced.

Heresy seven:

There are those who believe we must be perfect to gain salvation.

This is not really a great heresy, only a doctrinal misunderstanding that I mention here in order to help round out our discussion and to turn our attention from negative to positive things. If we keep two principles in mind we will thereby know that good and faithful members of the Church will be saved even though they are far from perfect in this life.

These two principles are:

(1) that this life is the appointed time for men to prepare to meet God-this life is the day of our probation; and

(2) that the same spirit which possesses our bodies at the time we go out of this mortal life shall have power to possess our bodies in that eternal world.

What we are doing as members of the Church is charting a course leading to eternal life. There was only one perfect being, the Lord Jesus. If men had to be perfect and live all of the laws – strictly, wholly, and completely, there would be only one saved person in eternity. The prophet taught that there are many things to be done, even beyond the grave, in working out our salvation.

And so what we do in this life is chart a course leading to eternal life. That course begins here and now and continues in the realms ahead. We must determine in our hearts and in our souls, with all the power and ability we have, that from this time forward we will press on in righteousness; by so doing we can go where God and Christ are. If we make that firm determination, and are in the course of our duty when this life is over, we will continue in that course in eternity. That same spirit that possesses our bodies at the time we depart from this mortal life will have power to possess our bodies in the eternal world. If we go out of this life loving the Lord, desiring righteousness, and seeking to acquire the attributes of godliness, we will have that same spirit in the eternal world, and we will then continue to advance and progress until an ultimate, destined day when we will possess, receive, and inherit all things.

Now I do not say these are the only great heresies that prevail among us. There are others that might be mentioned. My suggestion, relative to all doctrines and all principles, is that we become students of holy writ, and that we conform our thinking and our beliefs to what is found in the standard works. We need to be less concerned about the views and opinions that others have expressed and drink directly from the fountain the Lord has given us. Then we shall come to a true understanding of the points of his doctrine. And if we pursue such a course, we will soon find that it proceeds in a different direction than the one that the world pursues. We will not be troubled with the intellectual views and expressions of uninspired people. We will soon obtain for ourselves the witness of the Spirit that we are pursuing a course that is pleasing to the Lord, and this knowledge will have a cleansing and sanctifying and edifying influence upon us.

Now, in order to have things in perspective, let me identify the three greatest heresies in all Christendom. They do not prevail among us, fortunately, but they are part of the gross and universal darkness that covers the earth and blots out from the minds of men those truths upon which salvation rests.

The greatest truth known to man is that there is a God in heaven who is infinite and eternal; that he is the creator, upholder, and preserver of all things; that he created us and the sidereal heavens and ordained and established a plan of salvation whereby we might advance and progress and become like him. The truth pertaining to him is that he is our Father in heaven, that he has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's, that he is a literal person, and that if we believe and obey his laws we can gain the exaltation that he possesses. Now that is the greatest truth and the most glorious concept known to the human mind and the reverse of it is the greatest heresy in all Christendom.

The Christian heresy, where God is concerned, is that Deity is a spirit essence that fills the immensity of space; that he is three beings in one; that he is uncreated, incorporeal, and incomprehensible; that he is without body, parts, 'Dr passions; that he is a spirit nothingness that is everywhere and nowhere in particular present. These are concepts written in the creeds had in the churches of the world.

The second greatest truth in all eternity pertains to the divine sonship of the Lord, Jesus Christ. It includes the eternal verity that he was foreordained in the councils of eternity to come to earth and be the redeemer of men, to come and ransom men from the temporal and spiritual death brought upon them by the fall of Adam. This second greatest truth is that Christ worked out the infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice because of which all men are raised in immortality and those who believe and obey are raised also unto eternal life.

Now the second greatest heresy in all Christendom is designed to destroy the glories and wonders of the infinite and eternal atonement. It is that men are saved by some kind of lip service, by the grace of God, without work and without effort on their part.

The third greatest truth known to mankind is that the Holy Spirit of God is a revelator and a sanctifier, that he is a personage of spirit that his assigned ministry and work in the eternal Godhead is to bear record of the Father and of the Son, to reveal them and their truths to men. His work is to cleanse and perfect human souls, to burn dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire. We call that the baptism of fire.

Now the opposite of that is the third greatest heresy in all Christendom. It is that revelation has ceased, that God's mouth is closed, that the Holy Ghost no longer inspires men, that the gifts of the Spirit were done away with after the death of the ancient apostles, and that we no longer need to follow the course they charted.

I simply name these things; I think you will want to weigh and evaluate what is involved. I think you will want to ponder and wonder and search the scriptures. After Jesus had been teaching the Nephites as a resurrected person, giving them as much truth as in his wisdom he felt they could absorb at one time, he counseled them to go to their homes, and to ponder in their hearts the things he had said, and to pray to the Father in his name to find out if they were true, and then to come again on the morrow and he would teach them more.

Now that gives us the pattern by which we should operate in the Church. We come together in congregations, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, studying the revelations, reading the scriptures, and hearing expressions of doctrine and counsel given by those who are appointed. These teachings ought to be delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit. They ought to be received by the same power. And if they are, then the speaker and the hearer will be mutually edified, and we will have true and proper worship.

Then when the meeting is over, the "amen" should not end it. We should go to our homes and to our families and to our circles, and we should search out the revelations and find out what the Lord has said on the subjects involved. We should seek to get in tune with the Holy Spirit and to gain a witness, not solely of the truth and divinity of the work in which we are engaged but also of the doctrines that are taught by those who preach to us. We come into these congregations, and sometimes a speaker brings a jug of living water that has in it many gallons. And when he pours it out on the congregation, all the members have brought is a single cup and so that's all they take away. Or maybe they have their hands over the cups, and they don't get anything to speak of.

On other occasions we have meetings where the speaker comes and all he brings is a little cup of eternal truth, and the members of the congregation come with a large jug and all they get in their jugs is the little dribble that came from a man who should have known better and who should have prepared himself and talked from the revelations and spoken by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are obligated in the Church to speak by the power of the Spirit. We are commanded to treasure up the words of light and truth and then give forth the portion that is appropriate and needful on every occasion.

I do not think that the heresies I have named are common in the Church. I think that the great majority of the members of the Church believe and understand true doctrines and seek to apply true principles in their lives. Unfortunately, there are a few people who agitate and stir these matters up, who have some personal ax to grind, and who desire to spread philosophies of their own, philosophies that, as near as the judges in Israel can discern, are not in harmony with the mind and will and purpose of the Lord. It is incumbent upon us to believe the truth. We have the obligation to find out what is truth, and then we have the obligation to walk in the light and to apply the truths that we have learned to ourselves and to influence others to do likewise.

Now the glorious and wondrous thing about this whole system of revealed religion that the Lord, our God, has given us is the fact that it is true. There isn't a grander, a more glorious, a more wondrous concept than the simple one that the work in which we are engaged is true. And because it is true it will triumph and prevail, and the knowledge of God and his truths will roll forth until it covers the whole earth as the waters cover the sea. We do not expect to have a perfect society among us until the millennial day dawns. But that is not far -distant. And when that day comes, we will all, as the scriptures say, see eye to eye and speak with one voice, and the Lord himself will dwell among us. He could not dwell among us now because we are divided and we are not living in that perfect harmony and unity and with that devotion that prevailed among the Saints in the city of Enoch.

God grant that we may be wise in what we do, that we may seek truth, that we may live in harmony with the truth, that we may bear testimony of the truth, and that we may, as a consequence, have joy and peace and happiness here and now and be inheritors, in due course, of eternal reward in our Father's kingdom. This is my prayer for myself and for all of you, and for all of the members of the Church, and for honest truth seekers everywhere, and I offer it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.