Learning From the Early Apostates

I know, it's been six months since my last post. Things have been a bit crazy on this end. After giving my bro-in-law a hard time about semi-annual posts, I guess I should update my own blog a bit more frequently.

I'm working on my lesson for the 28th, which is about avoiding deception and apostasy (lesson 24). The manual uses a couple of illustrations from early Church history of people who apostatized and discusses the various reasons. Because I really enjoy Church History, and knowing I won't be able to cover everything during class time, I thought I would go through a few examples here.

As I have been collecting stories and examples from Church history, I've seen a few common threads through the lives of those who fell away. By studying these men, I hope to recognize potential warning signs to help me stay faithful. I'm sure none of these men started out with the intent to become apostate.

My first example, which is not covered in the lesson, is that of William E. McLellin. Shortly after meeting Joseph Smith, he wanted to receive a revelation from the Lord and came up with five questions to which he wanted answers. He asked Joseph to inquire of the Lord on his behalf, without informing him of the questions, and section 66 of the Doctrine and Covenants was received as a result. William wrote of the experience, "I now testify in the fear of God, that every question which I had thus lodged in the ears of the Lord of Sabbath, were answered to my full and entire satisfaction."

Less than a month later (November 1831), William spoke out against the language of the revelations in the Book of Commandments (now the Doctrine and Covenants). Joseph received a revelation challenging anyone, especially "him that is the most wise among you" (see D&C 67:6-7)to imitate even the least of the revelations.

Joseph wrote later, "William E. McLellin, as the wisest man, in his own estimation, having more learning than sense, endeavored to write a commandment like unto one of the least of the Lord's, but failed."

In 1835, William wrote a letter criticizing the First Presidency and had apostatized by August of 1836 "...because the leading men to a great extent left their religion and run into and after speculation, pride, and popularity... I quit because I could not uphold the Presidency as men of God." He later said this lead him to quit praying and keeping the commandments, and that for a time he had indulged in sinful lusts. I suggest he had the order reversed, and that he stopped praying and keeping the commandments first, and then lost faith in the prophet and presidency.

A couple of short illustrations of how far he had fallen:

First, while Joseph was imprisoned in Liberty Jail during the winter of 1838-39, he wrote to Emma saying he did not have a blanket and pleaded for one. Emma replied that while he was gone, William McLellin had plundered the house and taken all the jewelry and blankets, leaving only one quilt and blanket.

Later, when Joseph was imprisoned in Richmond, Missouri, William asked the sheriff for the privilege of flogging Joseph. The sheriff granted permission on condition that Joseph was willing to fight. Joseph agreed on condition that his irons be removed. William then demanded he have a club, and Joseph again agreed to the terms, but the sheriff wouldn't permit the fight as he felt William would have too great an advantage. Personally, I don't think William would've had a chance, even with a club.

So, what was the catalyst to William's apostasy? It seems from the accounts that he was determined to find faults in the Prophet Joseph as well as the brethren of the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12.

Wilford Woodruff once taught, "...the very moment that men in this kingdom attempt to run ahead or cross the path of their leaders, no matter in what respect, ... they are in danger of being injured by the wolves. ... I have never in my life known it to fail." (Journal of Discourses 5:83).

The Prophet Joseph said, "I will give you one of the keys of the mysteries of the Kingdom. It is an eternal principal, that has existed with God from all eternity: That man who rises up to condemn others, finding fault with the Church, saying that they are out of the way, while he himself is righteous, then know assuredly, that man is in the high road to apostasy; and if he does not repent, will apostatize, as God lives." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pg 156-57). Such was the case with William E. McLellin.

How do we avoid making the same mistake in our lives? One of the first steps on that path is finding fault in our leaders, whether they be a bishop, stake president, or even the prophet. Inherent in finding fault is the assumption that we could have done better had we been in their place. Are the leaders infalible? No, they are imperfect men and women. The difference is they have been called of God to serve in their current assignment, and as President Monson has often said, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."

The Lord Himself has said, "...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same (D&C 1:38-39)."

We should adopt the attitude of David when he was admonished to kill Saul, the king.

"...for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?

"...The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed..." (1 Samuel 26:9, 11)

How can we find fault or speak "against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?"

On a somewhat lighter note, William never denied his testimony of the Book of Mormon. Three years before William died, he wrote a letter to J.T. Cobb in defense of the Book: "I have set to my seal that the Book of Mormon is a true, divine record and it will require more evidence than I have ever seen to ever shake me relative to its purity...

"...When a man goes at the Book of Mormon, he touches the apple of my eye. He fights against truth - against purity - against light - against the purist, or one of the truest, purist books on earth... Fight the wrongs of LDSism as much as you please, but let that unique, that inimitable book alone."

William also counseled him to "cease your opposition and strife against the Book [of Mormon], ... for you might just as well fight against the rocky mountains as the Book!"

Jesus Christ, Our Deliverer

I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity this year to study the Book of Mormon as I prepared to teach the lessons. I have many post-it notes in my scriptures with ideas and insights gained as I studied the material each week.

One of the themes that really stood out this year is Christ's role as not only the Savior, but also the Deliverer.

I am a big fan of goal-setting and motivational literature and sometimes fall into the trap of believing that if I put my mind to 'it' and work hard enough, I can get through whatever problems I face. But that doesn't always work. Sometimes in life we find ourselves in situations or face challenges that no amount of positive thinking can resolve on our own.

"...I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27)

Let me illustrate a spiritual principle with a temporal example. Contrast the bondage experiences between the people of King Limhi and the followers of Alma the Elder.

King Limhi was the righteous successor to his wicked father, King Noah. The Lamanites held the people in bondage and imposed a heavy tax on them. Limhi's people tried three times to free themselves with the sword, but were unsuccessful. After their third attempt, "they did humble themselves even to the dust... even in the depths of humility and did cry mightily to God; yea even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would deliver them out of their afflictions." (Mosiah 21:13-14). The Lord prospered them "by degrees" (Mosiah 21:16) until finally making it possible for them to escape.

Alma the Elder was a priest of King Noah who believed the words of the prophet Abinadi at the risk of his own life. Alma and his group of converts eventually flee into the wilderness after "having been warned of the Lord that the armies of king Noah would come upon them" (Mosiah 23:1). Eventually they find themselves in bondage to the Lamanites as well. Alma and his people immediately turn to the Lord for deliverance and are given the strength to "bear up their burdens with ease" (Mosiah 24:15) until the time they were delivered.

I think it is safe to say that we will all be required to experience hardships and trials that we will be unable to overcome on our own.

As a side-note, I find it curiously interesting how many people blame God for what they feel are unjust circumstances in their lives when everyone will have to experience their own custom-made tests. It would only be unfair if someone were made exempt from the testing process. The actual tests may differ, but I believe the degree and intensity will be the same for all.

Anyhow, we can choose to try finding the way out on our own, as did Limhi's people. We can charge repeatedly against a problem or situation, only to get beaten back repeatedly. Or we can skip that part as did Alma and his followers and move straight to the submissive, willing obedience and rely upon God for strength. Notice, He did not immediately remove the burdens, but gave them strength to bear their trials before eventually delivering them. When we are faced with the trials and tests, can we "submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord"? (Mosiah 24:15)

Trials and hardships are inevitable. Jobs will be lost, loved ones will at some point leave this life and sometimes violently or unexpectedly, illnesses and injuries will come and go. We can either "curse God, and die" (Job 2:9), or "look to God and live" (Alma 37:47). One of the recurring themes in the Book of Mormon is that deliverance comes only through willing and faithful submission to Christ.

"...behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (2 Nephi 25:20)

"What will ye that I should do...?"

I think the experience of the brother of Jared in Ether 2 & 3 is one of the greatest examples of problem solving we can find in the scriptures. He had just completed the construction of eight barges "according to the instructions of the Lord" (Ether 2:16) and now had three problems to take to the Lord (Ether 2:19).

1. There is no light.
2. How will we steer?
3. We won't be able to breathe.

Notice the Lord's answers. In verse 20, He instructs TBOJ to make a hole in the top and bottom of each vessel. When they need air, they simply unplug the top hole (I find it very amusing that he was told to plug it again if water started coming in). I assume they knew what to do with the hole in the bottom, because it isn't explained. Problem #3 solved, they now have a way to get air.

In verse 24, the Lord explains that the barges will be driven as a "whale in the midst of the sea". Problem #2 solved, the Lord will be doing the steering.

Which brings us back to problem #1; what do we do about getting light into the barges? The Lord asks him, "What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?" (vs. 23). Having light was obviously a worthy objective, the Lord didn't say they had to go in the dark. He had already shown TBOJ how the other two problems would be resolved, but now He asks for his input. He instructs TBOJ that they can't have windows because they'd get broken, and they can't use fire. So the only two man-made sources of light available had just been ruled out.

So, what did he do? He went to a mountain known for its "exceeding height" (Ether 3:1) and moltened out 16 small, clear stones and carried them to the top of the mountain before asking the Lord to touch them. He reasoned that if the Lord touched the stones, "they [would] shine forth... in the vessels... that we may have light" (Ether 3:5). TBOJ's faith is so strong, he is permitted to see Christ's finger as He touches the stones. The vision that follows is a topic for another discussion. I want to focus on the decision-making process at work here and what we can apply to our own lives.

1. TBOJ had questions and discussed them with the Lord in prayer. How many of our concerns and problems would be resolved if we would first pray about them?

2. Realize that the answer isn't always going to be handed to us. It is interesting to me that God answered the last two problems, but not the first. He could very well have asked, "What do you think you should do in order to get air inside the vessels?" Elder Richard G. Scott taught in October 1989 General Conference:

"When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us—perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us."

As He did with TBOJ, the Lord gives us clear guidelines which we can use to form our decisions. He tells us what is and isn't acceptable (ie. 'you can't use windows or fire') and leaves us to our agency. What would TBOJ have missed if the Lord had just handed him 16 glowing rocks? What would we have missed?

3. Go to the "mountain of the Lord" (Isaiah 2:3) when you need divine direction. TBOJ went to the top of an exceedingly high mountain to talk with the Lord and receive needed assistance. The temple is a house of learning where the Holy Ghost can be poured out more abundantly. To make things even more interesting, TBOJ took the stones he obtained at the base of the mountain with him to the top of the mountain.

What if you can't go to the temple? We have been taught that our homes should be second only to the temple in holiness.

"In addition to temples, surely another holy place on earth ought to be our homes. The feelings of holiness in my home prepared me for feelings of holiness in the temple." (Elder James E. Faust, “Standing in Holy Places,” Ensign, May 2005, 62)

So, this scriptural experience gives us keys to handling decisions in our own lives; pray, put in your own effort, and go to the temple.

Lesson Learned?

I've had many talks with my brother-in-law about preparing lessons. We both have been puzzled about the seeming contradiction that comes when "Saturday Night Specials" (where we remember it's our turn to teach the lesson on Sunday) turn out better than lessons for which we have prepared diligently all week. We both agree that the intent is not to teach us to procrastinate the day of our lesson prep. Perhaps it has something to do with being more reliant on the Spirit both during the preparation and during the delivery of the lesson.

Well, a few weeks ago I had some extra time to put into my lesson and decided I'd really throw everything I had into it. I pulled apart the scriptures so I'd have a better understanding of what was going on. It was a tremendous learning experience as I gained new insights and had questions come to my mind that encouraged me to study further. I had enough material gathered that I could do a whole lesson out of the first 10-15 verses in the material. It was a very familiar passage to everyone, so I figured it would be a good idea to walk the class through the process I had taken to study.

It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. From the first one or two verses we covered, I could tell things were falling apart. I couldn't understand why it wasn't coming together as well as it had while I was studying and by the end of the lesson I'm sure I lost most of the class. It was a very disheartening experience spending all week getting everything ready only to have it crash and burn.

Then today's lesson went very well with lots of class participation and things just seemed to flow, and I have to admit that it was another Saturday Night Special. So, it would seem to reinforce the procrastination angle but that's not what I think I'm supposed to take away from the experience.

I think I'm beginning to learn the subtle difference between insights for my own enrichment and insights to help the lesson. I'm also learning to follow the lesson manual more than I have been. My train wrecks have usually happened on lessons where I have had my own agenda.

So hopefully I can apply what I've learned without having to be reminded again...

The Nephite Beatitudes, Part II

Just a quick commercial for the Scriptures: CD-ROM Edition 1.1. The price is right, the word-search is really good, 12 different languages, and I really like the notes feature...

Anyhow, back at the ranch...

3. "Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (3 Nephi 12:3)

The Greek renders it better (in my opinion) as "spiritual beggars" rather than "poor in spirit".

"For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have…?" (Mosiah 4:19)

So, we need to recognize our own spiritual dependence on the Lord, but that is only the first part. The second, and most vital, part is the phrase that was left out of the Matthew account, "...who come unto me...". What good is it to recognize your spiritual dependence if you do nothing about it?

The Savior's invitation "come unto me" is repeated more often in the Book of Mormon than any other book of scripture. Christ bids us to "come unto me" so we can:
-find rest (Matt 11:28)
-drink of the Living Water (John 7:37)
-receive of His mercy (2 Nephi 28:32)
-receive the place prepared for us in the mansions of the Father (Enos 1:27)
-receive eternal life (3 Nephi 9:14, Ether 4:18, Moroni 7:34, D&C 45:5)
-be healed (3 Nephi 18:32)
-be numbered among His people (3 Nephi 21:6)
-be sanctified by the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 27:20)
-receive a remission of your sins (3 Nephi 30:2)
-receive hidden knowledge (Ether 4:13)
-be shown our weaknesses in order to be made strong (Ether 12:27)

The Lord does not expect us to do something without first showing us how to do it. So how do we come unto Christ?

"Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day." (3 Nephi 27:20)

Notice in the scriptures the Lord never invites us to "come unto me" to be chastised or punished.

4. "And again, blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." (3 Nephi 12:4)

This one may not make sense either. What's so great about being depressed? Are we supposed to be sad all the time? Isn't the Gospel the 'good news'? The "plan of happiness" (Alma 42:8)? So why are the mourners so blessed?

Let's look at the scriptural examples of those who mourn:
-Nephi mourned because of the unbelief and wickedness of others (2 Nephi 32:7)
-The people of Limhi mourned because of their own afflictions (Mosiah 7:23)
-Alma the Elder taugh we should mourn with those that mourn (Mosiah 18:9)
-Alma the Younger taught we would mourn over our unrighteous works (Alma 5:36)
-He also taught his son to let his sins trouble him "with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance" (Alma 42:29). Elder Richard G. Scott referred to this as "healing sorrow" (Gen Conf, April 1995).
-The Nephites mourned several times over the loss of family members due to wars, famine, or natural disasters (see Alma 28:12, 3 Nephi 8:23-25)

So why should any of those examples make us feel blessed? There is no inherent blessing in just mourning. I believe the key is found in Doctrine & Covenants 136:29, "...if thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that your souls may be joyful."

Just as being poor in spirit profers us nothing without coming unto Christ, so mourning brings us no blessing without also turning to the Lord. As an example, when Alma and his followers were subjected to harsh burdens from the Lamanites, they turned to God, who "did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." (Mosiah 24:15)

Therein lies the blessing. If our mourning leads us to the Savior, then we too can be strengthened to bear whatever burden we are called to carry. Christ suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind... that his bowels may be filled with mercy... that he may know ... how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught, "We can confidently cast our cares upon the Lord because, through the agonizing events of Gethsemane and Calvary, atoning Jesus is already familiar with our sins, sicknesses, and sorrows. He can carry them now because He has successfully carried them before." (General Conference, Oct 1987).

How comforting it is to know that there is nothing we can experience in mortality that Christ has not already experienced on our behalf. And because of His experience, he knows perfectly how to comfort and strengthen us as we go through our own experience.

The Nephite Beatitudes, Part I

Look at me, getting the lesson material up before Sunday's lesson (3 Nephi 12-15)...

Here, Christ gives the Nephites the equivalent to the Sermon on the Mount with a few subtle differences that give more light and meaning to the original version (like to which audience He was speaking and when, the chosen 12 or the multitude in general). I don't have room to go through all of it, so I'll just focus on the beatitudes.

I don't think many people recognize the first two as actually being part of the beatitudes, but they fit the pattern.

1. "...Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water; and after that ye are baptized with water, behold, I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost; therefore blessed are ye if ye shall believe in me and be baptized, after that ye have seen me and know that I am." (3 Nephi 12:1)

God has again called and authorized servants in our day. We are led by a living prophet and 12 apostles. The promise applies as much to us in our day that if we will heed their words, "I will baptize you with fire and with the Holy Ghost."

Wilford Woodruff once taught that, "the very moment that men in this kingdom attempt to run ahead or cross the path of their leaders, no matter in what respect, the moment they do this they are in danger of being injured by the wolves. ... I have never in my life known it to fail." (Journal of Discourses 5:83)

There is safety and security in following the counsel and direction from the Lord's prophet, for "whether by [God's] voice or the voice of [His] servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)

2. "And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins." (3 Nephi 12:2)

This one confused me a bit, but I think I'm starting to catch on. Initially, it almost sounds like Christ is saying it's better to have 2nd-hand knowledge than 1st-hand experience, but I don't think that's where He's going with this.

There are several examples in the scriptures of those who fell away after seeing miracles, angels, or other manifestations. Laman and Lemuel heard the voice of God and saw an angel, but still couldn't soften their hearts. On the other hand, the wife of King Lamoni believed her husband would rise again simply because Ammon said so. "...I have had no witness save thy word... nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.

"And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites." (Alma 19:9-10)

Orson Pratt said: "If I had seen angels, I might doubt, without having the Holy Ghost. I might doubt if I had seen great miracles, without the Holy Ghost accompanying them; and I might doubt if I saw the heavens opened, if I heard the thunders roll; and I might go and build a golden calf and worship it: but when the Holy Ghost speaks to me and gives me a knowledge that this is the kingdom of God, so that I know it just as well as I know anything else, then that knowledge is past controversy." (Journal of Discourses 8:313)

So, as I understand this, we're being taught that the witness that comes from the Holy Ghost is more powerful than seeing signs or angels. "What greater witness can you have than from God?" (D&C 6:23)

Also enshrined in this beatitude is the charge to share our faith and testimony with others, "because that ye shall testify that .... ye know that I am."

"Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah..." (2 Nephi 2:8)

"Come Unto Me"

This week's lesson focused on 3 Nephi chapters 8-11. The Savior's visit to the Americas is one of my favorite passages in all of scripture. The Nephites experienced three days of darkness and destruction that corresponded with the time between Christ's death and resurrection. During this time, at least 16 Nephite cities were completely destroyed by fire, flood, or being buried in the earth "to hide their wickedness and abominations from before my face" (3 Nephi 9:8).

During the three days of darkness, Christ spoke to the people who had been "spared because [they] were more righteous" than the wicked who had been destroyed (3 Nephi 9:13). If you think about it, that's not really a glowing endorsement to say someone is more righteous than those who had "[cast] out the prophets, and stone[ed] those whom [God] did send" (3 Nephi 9:10).

Imagine a voice calling out of the darkness, "...will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

"Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." (3 Nephi 9:13-14)

I love the imagery in those verses. I picture the Savior standing with his arms outstretched, wanting so much to heal us if we will only come to him. It ties in wonderfully with Chapter 10 when He uses the imagery of the mother hen. "...how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you." (3 Nephi 10:4) Then again, "...how oft would I have gathered you..." (3 Nephi 10:5, notice the change in verb tense between these three passages). And again "...how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." (3 Nephi 10:6).

The other part from this week's lesson that touched me was 3 Nephi 9:20:

"And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost..."

Before I get into that one, I want to lead in with another scripture. This one is from Isaiah 53:5, where he speaks of Christ, "...he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (See also Mosiah 14:5)

The Hebrew word for 'bruised' is actually dakka, which means 'to be crushed'. Christ was not merely bruised for our sins, he was crushed under their weight. Remind me later and I'll talk about the significance of this with respect to Gethsemane...

Why do I bring this up? Because the Hebrew word for 'contrite' is dakka. This, for me anyway, ties together the sacrifice offered by Christ with the sacrifice He asks of us. Fortunately, this is a qualitative comparison and not a quantitative one. There is no way we can ever carry the burden He bore for us, but it seems that we are expected to be crushed, or brought down, with the weight and recognition of our sins as we come unto Christ. If we don't realize how much of a 'tab' we have accumulated, we will never really appreciate what Christ has done in settling our account.

In contrast to the Law of Moses where one could sacrifice an animal on their behalf, Christ now asks us to sacrifice of ourselves. He lovingly invites us to give Him our broken hearts so that he make us whole again.