Book of Mormon Sampler: Alma 30:44

Alma 30:44
“All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator”

Mormon Messages: Look to the Light

What a great message of hope, that no matter what trials we are faced with, we can look to the Savior for help!

Can a Man See God?

As a young 14 year old boy, Joseph Smith wondered which church he should join. As he was reading in James, he read a passage of scripture that made a deep impression on his heart and mind. "5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5 Joseph believed the promise of this scripture, and determined to ask God which church he should join. One spring morning he went to a grove of trees and prayed. In answer to his prayer, God the Father, and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Some have questioned this experience, saying that they didn't believe a man could look at God and still live. Can a man see God? Can a man see God and withstand His glory? Could Joseph Smith have seen God?

The Bible records a couple of different events in which people were allowed to see God. Jacob was allowed to see the face of God. "30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Genesis 32:30 Moses also saw God face to face on Mount Sinai. "11 And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend..." Exodus 33:10

After translating the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God, Joseph Smith went on to start a translation of the Bible. While translating the book of Genesis, Joseph received a revelation which today is known as the Book of Moses. In this account of Moses we get a more detailed account of his experience upon Mount Sinai.
"1 The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain,
2 And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.
10 And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before Moses did again receive his natural strength like unto man; and he said unto himself: Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed.
11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him. " Moses 1:1,2,10,11
This account explains more fully how a person could withstand the glory of God, should they see Him face to face. It is only through the glory of God, that a person is able to withstand the glory of God. Moses, Jacob, Joseph Smith, and others were given this opportunity. The Bible teaches that in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall all things be established. Here are three that testify that God lives, for they have seen Him face to face.

Quote of the Day: John Taylor

John Taylor speaking of peace:

"Peace is the gift of God. Do you want peace? Go to God. Do you want peace in your families? ... If you do, live your religion, and the very peace of God will dwell and abide with you, for that is where peace comes from and it doesn’t dwell anywhere else." ( The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G.Homer Durham [1943], 340–41).

Book of Mormon Sampler: Alma 5:37-41

This is an interesting dialogue that was delivered, not to the world, but to the members of the church who were not living as they should:

Alma 5:37-41
37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!

38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

39 And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.

40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.

41 Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him

Mormon Messages: The Infinite Power of Hope

Latter-Day Hymns: O Thou, Before the World Began

O Thou, Before the World Began

1. O thou, before the world began,

Ordained a sacrifice for man,

And by th’eternal Spirit made

An off’ring in the sinner’s stead;

Our everlasting Priest art thou,

Pleading thy death for sinners now.

2. Thy off’ring still continues new

Before the righteous Father’s view.

Thyself the Lamb forever slain;

Thy priesthood doth unchanged remain.

Thy years, O God, can never fail,

Nor thy blest work within the veil.

3. Oh, that our faith may never move

But stand unshaken as thy love,

Sure evidence of things unseen;

Now let it pass the years between

And view thee bleeding on the tree:

My Lord, my God, who dies for me.

Text: William H. Turton, 1856–1938
Music: Frank W. Asper, 1892–1973