Christ's Organized Chruch





Some people have a problem with organized religion and it is their personal feelings towards it but today I wish to talk about the Church of Christ that existed when He was upon the earth.  He taught the people His true gospel, He called Apostles and gave them the priesthood authority, and ordinances such as baptism were performed.  This and more consisting of the organization of Christ's church.  In Ephesians chapter 2 it teaches what the church is founded on, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" I know that is the foundation that existed then and exists today.  These apostles and prophets have the power and authority of God to direct His church and the people of the world, which is why after the death of Christ and His apostles there was much confusion and corruption.  Christ's church also consisted of the correct mode of saving ordinances.  One great example of this was the baptism of Christ Himself; He went into the water and was baptized by John.  He was completely immersed and baptized by someone who had the proper authority to do so.  Christ taught the people as well of the basic principles of the Gospel.  He taught of faith, repentance, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This same organization existed before Christ's life on earth, during and exists today.  During all those times Christ was and is at the head of the Church, He directs it today and it is His church.  Today it is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   

Pattern of Prophets

 Some might ask the question, "Why is a prophet important?” hopefully through this we can come to see the significance of having prophets in our life.  All throughout history there has been a pattern of prophets.  From Adam down to the present day, God has called prophets and those prophets teach the world the will of God, specifically true principles of the gospel of Christ, which are: faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Now the pattern is that those prophets and the teachings are rejected and the world falls into a state called an apostasy.  This is when they are without the truth and for a time the Lord's church is not found on earth.  But because God loves us He always calls another prophet on the earth.  Without a prophet the world is without the full truth and is in spiritual darkness.  Having a prophet is a great blessing if we follow their counsel.  One simple example of this is Noah.  Noah was a prophet and the Lord warned him of the flood that was coming.  As he tried warning the people to repent and follow him, they rejected him and disbelieved his words.  The flood came as he prophesied and everyone was destroyed.  We can relate this to our lives, we have council and guidance from prophets today and in the past and as we heed their words we can avoid the "floods" of the world that are present daily.  Another key element of a prophet is that they hold the priesthood of God.  This priesthood gives him the power and authority to act in the name of God and can only be given by the laying on of hands.  I know and testify that we have a prophet today, Thomas S. Monson.  He is our prophet and speaks the will of God.  If we follow his counsel we will be blessed immensely. 

Families Are Forever

We know we are all part of God's family as His children, but also as we come into this world we are part of our own family here on earth.  Now not every family situation is ideal and there are dysfunctions in every case but that is why the gospel of Jesus Christ is so important in family life.  The teachings of Christ can solve family problems and bring the joy desired within the walls of a home.  It is important to understand that family life doesn't have to end with death but that families can be forever.  When a man and a woman are married in a Latter-Day Saint temple that marriage will last forever as well as the bond with their children, if they live worthy of it.  Having this knowledge of eternal families can help have the desired environment of a home.  Through prophets today the Lord has told us, "Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities."(The Family: A Proclamation to the World) 

My parents always taught these principles to me growing up and they have always blessed my life and the life of my family.  Do we always get along? No. Are there still problems that arise? Of course.  But that's okay because we have knowledge of God's plan for us.  Now that I am without my family for 2 years I truly realize more than ever how important they are, I guess the sayingn that goes "you never know a good thing util it's gone" is so true, I love my familly so much.  Having that eternal perspective helps us cherish each other and always work things out for the best.  A home should be a place of safety and security from the evils of the world around us.  The prophet Isaiah taught this concerning families, "And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.  In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee."(Isaiah 54:13-14)  Parents can bless their children by teaching them of Christ and that in turn will bless generations to come.  I know that families can be together forever when sealed by proper authority.  I know that peace and joy can be found in a home when founded on Christ and His gospel.  Visit this link to find out more about the family unit.  http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng   

"I will give you rest"

With all that we do in life, we have things that try to weigh us down.  Think just for a moment on those things that emotionally, mentally, or physically affect you all the time.  Wouldn't you just love to rid yourself of these things and feel free from them?  I know I would.  Whether it's past sin, the emotional damage of your loss or the stress of day to day life; there is way to find peace and rest.  That peace and rest is found with our Lord, Jesus Christ.  He gives us this invitation in the Bible, "come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."(Matt. 11:28)  Our Savior truly knows what we are going through.  He is the One who can bring us that feeling of relief that we all desire.  Sometimes it is just letting go of what we have held on to for so long, we know that we can all "cast thy burden upon the Lord".(Psalms 55:22) By turning to Him and applying the sacrifice that He made for each one of us, then we can be free from the burden we carry.  I have had to turn to my Savior many times in my own life and I can testify that there is peace and joy found there.  I can't even describe it but as you let Christ help you carry the load, then you will feel His love fill your life and replace the things you wish to dispel. This song is one of my favorites and teaches us to go to the Lord.

Love of God

Have you ever felt alone, depressed or feel like there is no hope?  We all have felt this at sometime and I hope that by reading this we can all remember that we are never without the love of God.  This subject is difficult to talk about because I can't even begin to imagine or comprehend the love that God has for all of us.  It is so great and incredible that I could never do it justice.    In the common enlish language we say, "I love my family" and also "I love chocolate cake", but in the Greek language there are 4 different forms of love. These forms of love seperate the word, they are eros, storge, philia, and agape. Agape is the highest form of love and the love that God has for all of His children.  This is an unconditional love for others in spite of their flaws and weaknesses.  Our Heavenly Father loves us no matter what and always will.  Some think they are not loved but that is because they look at what the world offers and not God.  He blesses us so much.  Too often we let what others think drive the veiw of ourselves.  I believe that we need not worry what they think because they do not know our hearts but the Lord does.  As the Lord said to Samuel in the Bible, "...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."  A modern prophet said this, ^" I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely."-Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," , (October 3, 2009).
I wrote this of God's love:

You and I, God's children from above

Sent from Him but never without His love

As a nourishing mother would care for her young one

God is our Father, each of us a daughter or a son

Day by day some wonder if He's even there

He is and day after day He does care

So much sorrow upon this earth but we need not fear

Protecting and guiding us is our Father, oh so near

Physically there seems to be a seperation

But spiritually there is an eternal connection

His love surrouds us, allow it to embrace you

Loving all, never ending, no matter what we do

Turning to Him, we can feel of His love

There is lasting joy with Him found above

---

Early on in my mission I felt alone and needed His love.  I went to Him in earnest prayer, He answered.  At that moment I was filled with immense love that can't be described.  I was no longer alone.  I was no longer afraid.  I had more joy than ever before.  This is available to each of us. Go to Him and feel of His love.  I know God loves us more than imaginable.  He does live and watch out for us.
Also check out the poems page for another thought about love.  God's love is everywhere sometimes we just need to look.