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Showing posts with label purpose of life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose of life. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
An FYI
A few months ago I created a short e-book explaining, in brief, the purpose of life. For those interested in reading this - you can find it by clicking on the picture below:
Monday, October 1, 2012
McConkie on Life's Purpose
While reading Andrew C. Skinner's "Third Nephi - The Fifth Gospel," I came across the following quote by Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
"Viewed from our mortal position, the gospel is all that is required to take us back to the Eternal Presence, there to be crowned with glory and honor, immortality and eternal life. To gain these greatest of all rewards, two things are required. The first is the atonement by which all men are raised in immortality, with those who believe and obey ascending also unto eternal life. This atoning sacrifice was the work of our Blessed Lord, and he has done his work. The second requisite is obedience on our part to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Thus the gospel is, in effect, the atonement."
What I believe he is saying is that the entire purpose of life is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which can be toned down to two parts: The atonement and our obedience. The atonement was Christ's role to play, and he did so, In Gethsemane he atoned for our sins, on Golgotha he died, and in the sepulcher he was resurrected.
That leaves the second part, for us to obey the commandments of God. In order to obey them though, we must know what they are. Often I think when we hear the word "commandments" we think of the ten commandments as set forth by the Law of Moses:
Learn More:
Click the link below to read more about the Atonement:
https://ourpurposeinlife.wordpress.com/why-were-here/atonement/
Click the link below to read what more people have to say on the purpose of life:
http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-life/
"Viewed from our mortal position, the gospel is all that is required to take us back to the Eternal Presence, there to be crowned with glory and honor, immortality and eternal life. To gain these greatest of all rewards, two things are required. The first is the atonement by which all men are raised in immortality, with those who believe and obey ascending also unto eternal life. This atoning sacrifice was the work of our Blessed Lord, and he has done his work. The second requisite is obedience on our part to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Thus the gospel is, in effect, the atonement."
What I believe he is saying is that the entire purpose of life is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which can be toned down to two parts: The atonement and our obedience. The atonement was Christ's role to play, and he did so, In Gethsemane he atoned for our sins, on Golgotha he died, and in the sepulcher he was resurrected.
That leaves the second part, for us to obey the commandments of God. In order to obey them though, we must know what they are. Often I think when we hear the word "commandments" we think of the ten commandments as set forth by the Law of Moses:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3; Mosiah 12:35)When Christ came to live out his mortal ministry on earth he brought with him the higher law, one to replace the fulfilled Law of Moses. This higher law was given during the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon includes the Be-attitudes, and greater commandments. This sermon can be found in the New Testament's book of Matthew chapter 5. It is by following these commandments set forth here by the Savior that we may inherit the rewards of immortality and eternal life talked about by Elder McConkie.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. (Exodus 20:4; Mosiah 12:36)
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain. (Exodus 20:7; Mosiah 13:15)
4.Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8; Mosiah 13:16)
5. Honour thy father and thy mother. (Exodus 20:12; Mosiah 13:20; Matthew 19:19)
6. Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13; Mosiah 13:21; Matthew 19:18)
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14; Mosiah 13:22; Matthew 19:18)
8. Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15; Mosiah 13:22; Matthew 19:18)
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. (Exodus 20:16; Mosiah 13:23; Matthew 19:18)
10. Thou shalt not covet. (Exodus 20:17; Mosiah 13:24)
Learn More:
Click the link below to read more about the Atonement:
https://ourpurposeinlife.wordpress.com/why-were-here/atonement/
Click the link below to read what more people have to say on the purpose of life:
http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-life/
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Purpose of Life - Video
This is a video I recently created and placed on YouTube, but I'd like to put it on my blog as well so that those readers here may see it.
Click the link below to learn about the purpose of life
http://mormon.org/faq/purpose-of-life/
In The World, But Not of The World
There is a popular phrase among the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that goes, "In the world, but not of the world." This short line holds two important ideas. The first being that we live in the world, and the second being that we try to not be of the world. The popular phrase comes from the scripture in the Bible that says, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:16). I want to take this simple line and separate it into its two parts. And after talking about each part I'll talk about why they are important together.
In The World...
To explain why we must be in this world, must be born at all, we would need to explain the very purpose of life on earth. To briefly share it, when we were in heaven, before life on earth, we were only spirits. Our God was the only one with a physical body, all of us only had a spirit. God proposed a way for us to obtain a body as well as a spirit, which plan is called the Plan of Salvation. God's plan was for us to come to this earth and live with a physical body, proving we can overcome the temptation that come with these bodies, and make it back to his presence. If we do so, following His commandments to the best of our abilities, we are then granted Eternal Life, or Salvation. But a body was needed, otherwise we are incomplete, only a spirit. This was taught by Joseph Smith when he said, "No person can have this salvation except through a tabernacle" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 306).
(To read more on the Plan of Salvation, visit OurPurposeInLife.wordpress.com)
...But Not of the World
When Christ or a prophet or an apostle speak of not being of the world they are often referring to moral standards. Gordon B. Hinckley, former prophet of the Church, has shared the following passage on this topic:
"They live at a time when a great tide of evil is washing over the earth. It seems to be everywhere. Old standards are discarded. Principles of virtue and integrity are cast aside. But we find literally hundreds of thousands of our young people holding to the high standards of the gospel" (The Church Grows Stronger, April 2004 General Conference).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has published a pamphlet with the name, "For the Strength of Youth." This pamphlet contains 19 sections, each focusing on one standard or area (i.e. Honesty, Music, Language, etc). These are not all the standards that are talked about inside the Church or world, but they are some of them. At the same time that members of the Church hold to these standards, those that are of the world are lowering these standards. Lying, cheating, stealing, promiscuous activity and many other things have been increasing world-wide. While this is going on, the Church teaches being not of the world, meaning we need to stick to the higher standards.
The Importance of the Two Together
I go to the Bible and Book of Mormon to help explain the importance of these two phrases together.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16; see also 3 Nephi 12:14-16).
I will explain it a little backwards now. We must not be of the world, not lower ourselves to the standards of the world, so that we may have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. And we must be in the world, with that Holy Ghost, so that we can be a light and example unto those that do not have this Holy Ghost that may want it through us. Earlier I quoted President Hinckley, and now I finish that passage with, "They are improving their minds with education and their skills with discipline, and their influence for good is felt ever more widely" (The Church Grows Stronger, emphasis added). With the light of Christ in our lives we can spread the happiness of the gospel.
In The World...
To explain why we must be in this world, must be born at all, we would need to explain the very purpose of life on earth. To briefly share it, when we were in heaven, before life on earth, we were only spirits. Our God was the only one with a physical body, all of us only had a spirit. God proposed a way for us to obtain a body as well as a spirit, which plan is called the Plan of Salvation. God's plan was for us to come to this earth and live with a physical body, proving we can overcome the temptation that come with these bodies, and make it back to his presence. If we do so, following His commandments to the best of our abilities, we are then granted Eternal Life, or Salvation. But a body was needed, otherwise we are incomplete, only a spirit. This was taught by Joseph Smith when he said, "No person can have this salvation except through a tabernacle" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 306).
(To read more on the Plan of Salvation, visit OurPurposeInLife.wordpress.com)
...But Not of the World
When Christ or a prophet or an apostle speak of not being of the world they are often referring to moral standards. Gordon B. Hinckley, former prophet of the Church, has shared the following passage on this topic:
"They live at a time when a great tide of evil is washing over the earth. It seems to be everywhere. Old standards are discarded. Principles of virtue and integrity are cast aside. But we find literally hundreds of thousands of our young people holding to the high standards of the gospel" (The Church Grows Stronger, April 2004 General Conference).
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has published a pamphlet with the name, "For the Strength of Youth." This pamphlet contains 19 sections, each focusing on one standard or area (i.e. Honesty, Music, Language, etc). These are not all the standards that are talked about inside the Church or world, but they are some of them. At the same time that members of the Church hold to these standards, those that are of the world are lowering these standards. Lying, cheating, stealing, promiscuous activity and many other things have been increasing world-wide. While this is going on, the Church teaches being not of the world, meaning we need to stick to the higher standards.
The Importance of the Two Together
I go to the Bible and Book of Mormon to help explain the importance of these two phrases together.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16; see also 3 Nephi 12:14-16).
I will explain it a little backwards now. We must not be of the world, not lower ourselves to the standards of the world, so that we may have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. And we must be in the world, with that Holy Ghost, so that we can be a light and example unto those that do not have this Holy Ghost that may want it through us. Earlier I quoted President Hinckley, and now I finish that passage with, "They are improving their minds with education and their skills with discipline, and their influence for good is felt ever more widely" (The Church Grows Stronger, emphasis added). With the light of Christ in our lives we can spread the happiness of the gospel.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Knowledge and the Purpose of Life?
Knowledge plays an important rule in our purpose of life. But not just knowledge of the spiritual things, but also a knowledge of earthly skills and sciences. All the latter-day prophets have taught, including Joseph Smith himself. Unknown to most people, when Joseph and the Saints founded the city of Nauvoo, Illinois they also founded the 'University of the City of Nauvoo.' Students of this university learned a variety of subjects including: Math, History, Foreign Languages, Literature, and Sciences. It was this university in Nauvoo that influenced the universities set up under direction of Brigham Young in Utah.
"Knowledge does away with darkness, anxiety, and doubt," the Prophet Joseph taught, "for these cannot exist where knowledge is."
The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that men, if they live according to the commandments of God, can one day be like God. One of the characteristics of God, as explained by Joseph Smith in his Lectures On Faith, is that God knows all things. He understands all the sciences, maths, spiritual and physical creations, things which have been and things which will be. And he wants us to know "of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms." (D&C 88:79)
Additional Reading and Resources:
Learn!
Education For Real-Life
Education in the City Beautiful
"Knowledge does away with darkness, anxiety, and doubt," the Prophet Joseph taught, "for these cannot exist where knowledge is."
The Church of Jesus Christ teaches that men, if they live according to the commandments of God, can one day be like God. One of the characteristics of God, as explained by Joseph Smith in his Lectures On Faith, is that God knows all things. He understands all the sciences, maths, spiritual and physical creations, things which have been and things which will be. And he wants us to know "of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms." (D&C 88:79)
Additional Reading and Resources:
Learn!
Education For Real-Life
Education in the City Beautiful
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