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Posted on 03/06/2011 6:21:33 AM PST by Paragon Defender
Elder Craig C. Christensen
Of the Seventy
Craig C. Christensen, "Seek, and Ye Shall Find", Ensign, May 2003, 33–34
As we engage our faith and commit our energy to draw closer to Jesus Christ, we begin to understand more fully who He really is.
My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that I may be guided by the Spirit of the Lord as I share with you my personal feelings and testimony.
One of the most compelling invitations and profound promises given by the Savior is found in the simple phrase “seek, and ye shall find.” 1
Although the process of seeking includes prayer and supplication, it goes much deeper than that. Seeking is more of a journey than a single event. I liken it to taking a long, cross-country vacation. Although we know what our ultimate destination is, the rich experiences and real learning come day by day as we progress toward our goal.
As we seek the things of God, we must humble ourselves before Him, remembering that it is by His grace that we receive them, and focus our thoughts and our prayers, our faith and our desires, even all of the energy of our hearts that we might receive light and understanding directly from a loving Heavenly Father.
The pattern for seeking answers from God is simple to explain yet much more personal when applied. To begin, we are invited to study in our minds and ponder in our hearts those things that we most desire of Him. 2 This process of reflection brings clarity and inspiration to our souls. We are then instructed to present our thoughts and desires directly to Heavenly Father in humble prayer with the promise that, if we ask Him in the name of Christ, if what we are seeking is right, and if we “ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto [us], by the power of the Holy Ghost,” for it is “by the power of the Holy Ghost” that we “know the truth of all things.” 3
And what should we seek?
The scriptures teach us that we should “seek … earnestly the [very] best gifts,” 4 that we should seek wisdom and understanding and to “prepare every needful thing.” 5 We are admonished to lose ourselves in the service of others 6 and to seek those things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” 7
At the same time, we are cautioned not to seek the unclean things of the world. 8 President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: “There is so much evil, enticing evil, in the world. Shun it, my brothers and sisters. Avoid it. It is as a dangerous disease. It is as a poison that will destroy you. Stay away from it.” 9 In the book of Amos we read, “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you.” 10
What we seek first and foremost, above all other things, is “the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” 11 We seek to know “the only true God and Jesus Christ whom [He has] sent.” 12
In a very personal version of the invitation to seek and find, the Savior said, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.” 13
And what does it mean to find Him?
As we engage our faith and commit our energy to draw closer to Jesus Christ, we begin to understand more fully who He really is. As we seek Him diligently, we gain a deep and abiding testimony of His matchless love, His perfect life and example, and the blessings of His great atoning sacrifice. As we draw nearer to Him, we truly begin to find Him and to recognize Him as the Creator of the earth, the Redeemer of mankind, the Only Begotten of the Father, the King of kings, the Prince of Peace.
The deeper we seek, the more we begin to appreciate His role as the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Holy Messiah of the New Testament. We begin to understand more fully His eternal message of salvation and exaltation. We find that He continues to beckon us to come and follow Him, that His teachings are certain and are as applicable today as they were throughout all previous generations of time. We begin to know, with more profound appreciation, what occurred in Gethsemane and on Calvary. Although He was erroneously convicted and sentenced, He gave His life willingly; and in fulfillment of His own prophetic words, He was resurrected on the third day. This priceless gift brings immortality to all and eternal life to the obedient and faithful.
As we begin to realize that His message was and is for all mankind everywhere, we accept, with great enthusiasm, the scriptural account of His visit to the ancient inhabitants of the American continent. We delight in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon as a second witness—indeed another testament—of His messianic mission as the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. We acknowledge that a man can get closer to Him by searching and praying about the Book of Mormon than by studying any other book. 14
As we seek to find Him, we receive a witness of His personal visit, together with His Father, to the boy prophet, Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-awaited “dispensation of the fulness of times.” 15
As we seek Him, we recognize that He has restored His Church to the earth, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that within His Church, He has bestowed the power and authority to provide essential ordinances that will permit us to return and live with Him once again.
As we seek Him, we find that He continues to guide His Church through His living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, and that the organization of His Church is built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, “Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” 16
As we seek Him diligently, we feel His love for us and understand more clearly the answers to our prayers. We acknowledge that through His Spirit, we find “wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures” 17 and gain a greater desire to live our lives in accordance with His commandments and direction.
As we seek Him, we find that He is “the light and the life of the world.” 18 As we seek Him, brothers and sisters, we shall indeed find Him and experience the inner peace He has promised us. I so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
D & C 132 says that a man can take additional wives if:
1. The first wife says it’s okay.
2. The second wife is a virgin.
3. The second wife is not already married to another man.
Can you reconcile the above with the fact that:
1. Emma did not consent to Joseph taking 33 other wives.
2. 11 of the other wives were already married to other men.
3. The additional wives were not virgins.
Sounds like the leaders of the church would make good liberals, making laws for the people that they do not obey themselves.
Even I know longer believe in the false religion I started! Yet day after day, the people I led astray keep posting on FreeRepublic and knocking on doors to mislead people.
Oh, how I regret how Satan used me to lead millions astray! If only I had a second chance to change things! FLEE! Before it is too late! Flee the cult of mormonism!
It amazes me that anyone could believe the words of a man who was a confessed scammer, a horndog, a lawbreaker, an adulterer, and so much more.
You need to look here. You are being misled as is obvious by your worn out propaganda.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up in the anti-Mormon propaganda can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
What apologist is this apostle listening too? FARMS/Maxwell inst - one of your 'links' states that it wasn't the American continent, but a postals stamp sized piece of central americe. Others state Malay peninsula, other Africa. Why no DNA, bom cities, artifacts, etc. Tsk, tsk, tsk, can't get their act together.
We acknowledge that a man can get closer to Him by searching and praying about the Book of Mormon than by studying any other book.
Tell us - exactly what distinctive mormon doctrines are found in the bom?
Eternal progression - nope
God was once a man - nope
God has a body of flesh and bone - nope
Temple rites and ordinances - nope
Eternal families - nope.
Preexistance - nope
Baptism for the dead - nope
the bom has been characterized as chloroform in print - best and most straightforward description possible.
You need to look here. You are being misled as is obvious by your worn out propaganda.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up in the anti-Mormon propaganda can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
You need to look here. You are being misled as is obvious by your worn out propaganda.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. I have found that the vast majority of the “issues” brought up in the anti-Mormon propaganda can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ but here’s more:
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonapologetics.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
Sorry PD - epic fail again. Same wore out propaganda listing as usual. Do you ever do your own thinking? Are you more committed to wanting the church to be true than the truth - only an automaton posts such worthless drivel as your posts.
BTW, fair is no authorized to speak for mormonism - worthless as a source of information.
“You need to look here.”
Oh, I did carefully review your cultic links.
“You are being misled”
Strange that you would admit this. Of course, I realized it as soon as I saw your cultic links. They are very misleading.
Any religion that says you will go on to become a god in the after life is satanic.
Dead now. Did he ever say anything worthy of becoming scripture? Like a REAL prophet? Or is just examining the underside of the LDS bus now?
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