Lehi and Christ

In my study of the Book of Mormon, I came across this verse in 1 Nephi chapter 19:

"And behold [Christ] cometh, according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem."

 As I pondered why this event - Lehi leaving Jerusalem - was chosen as the reference for this most important event, I remembered another Book of Mormon scripture, and started looking for symbolism:

"all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of [Christ]."

My thoughts are only that - thoughts. I hope they will generate more thoughts of your own and invite you to share other connections you make.

Thoughts

Leaving all behind

How might Lehi be a type of Christ? And more specifically, how might Lehi's leaving Jerusalem be symbolic of Christ being born?

There is great richness in this verse when considering this question:

"And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness."

When Christ was born, He left His Father's glorious kingdom to be born in a lowly manger. He condescended and - though a God - was born as a helpless infant. He left royal courts above to sojourn here on earth, similar to how Lehi left all in the Holy City and wandered into the wilderness.

Journey to the Promised Land

After many years of wandering in the desert, Lehi and his family built a boat and sailed to the Promised Land. As they heeded his prophetic counsel, his family was guided through the trials of a scorched desert and a restless sea, through hunger and heartache, until they arrived in the promised land.

In a similar - yet much greater - way, our Savior left His Home above to be our guide through the heat of the desert and the waves of the sea, that He might guide us to our Promised Land. We will suffer just as Lehi's family did, but we can have the assurance that our guide - Jesus Christ - will support us in every trial as we rely on Him (see Alma 36:3).

A Stumbling Block

One final parallel that I found between Lehi and Christ is that neither one had a perfectly "loyal" following - even among their very closest associates. Lehi was commanded to flee Jerusalem because the people were angry with him for speaking the words that God delivered to him, and sought to take his life.

His own sons, Laman and Lemuel, constantly complained and questioned his authority and leadership. On more than one occasion they plotted how they might kill their foolish, visionary father and their brother Nephi.

Christ, of course, was betrayed by one of His Apostles. He was rejected by the chief priest and the Sanhedrin in general.

 On the day of His crucifixion, the crowds cried for his death. His own Apostles left Him:

"Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

After the thousands who were fed in the wilderness turned and "followed Him no more", the Savior asked His chief Apostle, "Will ye also go away?" (see John 6:66-69).
Peter proved faithful in the end, but even he denied the Savior on the eve of His death.

Conclusion

The scriptures truly point us to Christ. I am convinced that one day, the Lord will explain the scriptures to us as He did to the Nephite multitude, and we will be amazed at how many symbols and types of Christ were right before our eyes all along. He is our Savior. I am so grateful that He left all and descended below all things, that He might lift us above all things and guide us safely home to the Promised Land.

These thoughts are my own personal thoughts and do not represent in any way the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The Wise Man's Foundation

One of the best-known parables of the Savior is this one, taken from the 7th Chapter of Matthew:

"24 ¶Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

I would argue that the most important lesson to be learned from this parable is to choose a firm, strong foundation to build our lives upon. When the rains come, the rock foundation remains unmoved while the sand is washed away.

But I think there is another lesson here, besides assuring that we choose a solid foundation . 

If building on a rock represents centering our lives on the One, sure foundation - Jesus Christ - then what does building on the sand represent?

Instead of being built on one thing, those who build their lives on the sand have many things as their "top priority". They are not built on one rock, but on thousands or even millions of small "rocks."

These individual grains may be good and even important things - hobbies, careers, education, entertainment, income - but compared to Jesus Christ, they are like a grain of sand compared to a massive rock. And when we try to substitute thousands of good things for the one true Good, we have traded our birthright for a mess of pottage. We have built our lives on things that - as important as they may seem - are insignificant compared to Christ.

There is only one Foundation where we can safely build our lives, and that Rock is big enough for all of us to build upon.

A Complete Beginner's Guide to Family History

We are all curious where we came from.
It is a crucial part of who we are - the cultures, traditions, even the genetics that contribute to our overall being!
But it is more than mere curiosity - the prophet Malachi spoke of the hearts of the children being turned to their fathers before the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Malachi 4:5-6). Many people - in and out of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - are feeling that turning of their hearts.
There are many reasons why to do Family History. Here are a few great sources to learn more about why you should get involved:
True to the Faith - Family History Work
Video: Baptisms for the Dead
President Eyring - Hearts Bound Together
Article: Family History Work
Video: Why Family History Work


But today, my focus is on teaching you HOW to get started.

So let's get to it!

One

Create a FamilySearch.org account. This will give you access to millions of records absolutely free of charge, and can be done even if you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Here's how to do it:

1. Visit https://familysearch.org/register/  and fill in the required information
2. When you get to this question, you will notice a box pops up if you click "yes" asking for your membership record number (MRN). If you do not know it, just click the checkbox to remind you later. You can obtain this from the clerk at your Church building (his office is usually right next to the Bishop's office).
   
3. Agree to the terms and click "create account"
   
4. Activate your email so that you can recover your password/username if lost
   

Two

After completing the registration process, you will be brought to the home screen. Notice my name, "Jason Foote", at the top right. You should see your name there; it means you're logged in!

There are a few important parts of FamilySearch's website that I will briefly describe.

First, "Family Tree"

This icon, at the left of the navigation bar, will bring you to a collaborative family tree that all FamilySearch users work on together. Unlike websites like Ancestry.com where individuals work on their own family tree, FamilySearch has a collaborative tree that anyone can add to or change - sort of like Wikipedia.

That being said, it is easy to see why it is important to be VERY careful about changes that you make to this tree. Be sure to follow the law of witnesses - to have 2 or 3 sources to support a change that your are making.

Second, "Search"

This is the middle icon on the navigation bar. Family history is like a puzzle. "Family Tree" is like the table where we are all putting the pieces together. "Search" is the box full of pieces that we are pulling out, trying to find what we are looking for to complete our part of the puzzle. "Search" is where you can find census records, marriage certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, etc. These records may or may not be connected to the collaborative "Family Tree" yet. As volunteers digitize more and more records, there are more and more pieces available to complete the puzzle.

Third, "Temple"

As you find the names of deceased family members, you can reserve their names and print off ordinance cards to perform vicarious ordinances for them in the House of the Lord. Again, I will refer you to the sources above for more information about the marvelous work of the Temple, and will simply share my conviction that it is of God. The Spirit is strong in the Temple.

Note: Temple only appears if you register as a member of the Church.

Three

"Family Tree" is a collaborative tree of those who have already passed on. So, the most important first step is to get any information you can about your living family members. Also, get any information you can about your closest ancestors who have passed on from your living family members. As you obtain this information, you can enter it into "Family Tree", the collaborative tree.

Note: Living persons (such as you... obviously you are living) CAN be entered into FamilyTree, but they are only visible to you.

How to add to the collaborative "FamilyTree"

1. Click on the "FamilyTree" icon at the top navigation bar.
2. After doing this, you will see an additional row of buttons appear
   
3. You also should see this dialog box. I HIGHLY recommend viewing the training. This is intended as a supplement to and not a replacement for the awesome resources already available.
   
4. After viewing the training, click on "Start Here" from the window above. If the dialog window did not open, click here for the training and here for "start here"
5. You will be redirected to a page where you can enter all the information about your living relatives, starting with your father. Enter whatever information you would like to contribute to the family tree. Click "save" after entering the information or "skip" if you choose not to enter information for that person at this time.
   Remember that living persons are private and not visible to others, but those who are deceased will be added to the collaborative tree and others can search for and see the information you contribute!
   
   When you get to grandparents, be careful and make sure you add information about the right grandparent (mother's side vs father's side)

   

   Also, don't hesitate to take advantage of the "live chat" option (left side of screen) to help you with any questions you may have.

   
   

   
6. After you finish entering all of this information about parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, you should see this window:
   

Four

Great work! You've got your account set up and basic information about your family into the Family Tree. 

There are SO many different directions that you could go from here that we will do a "choose your own adventure book" instead of trying to shove everything into one blog entry.

So what are you looking to do?

Find information about a specific ancestor

Find out more about my ancestors in general... I don't know much about them and want to learn more.

Find the name of an ancestor who I could do Temple work for.

I hope this blog has been helpful. Please share any comments or questions below.

Why did the destroying angel pass by?

Each Sunday, I have the privilege to partake of the sacred emblems of the Sacrament representing the body and blood of Christ, and to ponder that magnificent sacrifice. This week, my thoughts turned to Passover and the promise of a Messiah.

I thought of the circumstances of the first Passover, when the Lord commanded His people to kill a lamb and paint their doorpost with its blood.
The destroying angel came that night, and passed by the homes with the lamb's blood on the door. In the homes without blood on the door, the first born son's life was taken.

This story is so rich with imagery and symbolism. Of the many things I could focus on, I want to discuss just one - why did the destroying angel pass by those homes?

It was the blood.

It was not the righteousness of the family who lived inside. It was not how hard they worked or how nice they were to their neighbor. It was not how forgiving they were.

It was the blood of the lamb.

God commands us to be righteous, to work hard, to forgive, etc. He asks us to keep His commandments.
And we cannot be saved without it, just as the Israelites could not be saved without obeying the Prophet's command to put the lamb's blood on their door.

Temporal salvation for the Israelites merely required applying the lamb's blood to their door; eternal salvation for all of us requires more - we must apply the Lamb's blood into our lives! We must use His Atonement to repent, overcome our weaknesses, and become like Him.
To accept Him and apply His blood means more than lip service - as Paul said, we must write His law "in the fleshy tables of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:3).

But ultimately, it is the blood of the Lamb that makes us acceptable before God.

In a prophecy given through Joseph Smith, the Lord described the Final Judgement, where He will act as our advocate with the Father. Notice the "evidence" that the Lord gives in support for our being saved:

"Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life."

Doctrine and Covenants 45:4-5

The Lord is our advocate, and it is through His blood that we are saved, but we must cover our lives with His blood as the Israelites covered their door in order to be saved. 

I am so grateful to Jesus Christ for descending from His Throne above to rescue me. He paid the highest price imaginable to redeem my soul - the blood of the Lamb of God.

A Life More Abundant

After 20 minutes in a small bus jammed to overflowing with passengers, I tapped the man who had taken my 20-cent fare and told him this is where we got off. I was tall by Central American standards, and squeezing past everyone took a little bit of time. 

Once the bus came to a stop and I got my feet on pavement, I could stretch out and breathe. My missionary companion exited behind me, and we began the walk down the dirt path to visit Vicenta Rodriguez.

Vicenta was 25 years old and lived with her brother, Neftali, and her elderly mother. Her other brothers frequented the house, but were involved in the pandilla - the gang- and we never met them. As we sat and talked with her, we asked her how job at the warehouse was going. She told us about her long hours and said that, despite the fact that the pay was low, she was grateful to have a job when so many others did not.

I asked her how much she made a week, and quickly calculated that she was paid less than 50 cents an hour for her work.

50 cents an hour! 

And I thought my $8 an hour job was low paying! I couldn't believe it.

I met many people during my 2 years in El Salvador who lived in depths of poverty that were beyond my imagination. Many in our world today - poor or rich - have opportunity to ponder this profound question: 

What is the purpose of this life anyway?

Why are we here? To be born, to work ourselves to death, to suffer hardships and sorrow, and then to die?

During this past week, I was deeply touched by these moving words from the Savior of Mankind, Jesus Christ:

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

As we follow our Savior Jesus Christ, our life becomes abundant. It becomes more than a job, more than "one more day". It becomes meaningful.

Following Christ does not mean we will be freed from poverty; In the Old Testament, Job lost all..

Following Christ does not mean we will not suffer; The Apostles counted themselves fortunate to suffer for Christ's sake (Acts 5:41).

But, following Chris does mean that life will be abundant. 

It does mean that, despite our challenges and trials, God will not forsake us (Matthew 28:20).

It does mean that the grace of God may be extended to us to help us carry our burdens (Hebrews 4:16)

Following Christ, and losing our lives as we serve Him, means that we will find our lives and find true joy in living (Matthew 16:25)

Jesus Christ descended below all things so that He can lift us above all things. 

He conquered the world - conquered sin and death - so that He can help us to overcome all things (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6)

"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."

Mosiah 16:9

He is the Savior of all mankind. May we come to Him, keep His commandments, and experience an abundant life.

Photo credit: Tyler Foote

The Sweet Truth About Repentance

Jesus Christ died for our sins. This is true. But He did not die so that the wicked could enter heaven. He died so that the wicked may become righteous.

He died so that we (who are ALL sinners) can be freed from the shackles of sin - free to change and grow and improve.

He died so that - with His help - we can cease to be wicked and learn to be righteous.

That change is repentance.

Photo Credit: Tyler Foote

When Jesus Christ died for us on the Cross, he did more than just die for our sins. He suffered for them. He paid for them. Just as there are consequences for crimes in our earthly systems of justice, there are consequences for sin in the heavenly system of justice. Christ paid the price for each and every sin committed by each and every child of God. He took the consequences upon Himself - He served our term in prison, as it were.

He did this so that we may be released from our burden to pay the price and to serve our time in "spiritual prison", if we will repent.

However, modern scripture assures is that if we do not repent, we must suffer, even as Christ suffered, for our sins.

" 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that theymight not suffer if they would repent;

 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

 19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook andfinished my preparations unto the children of men."

~Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

To repent is more than just to overcome a bad habit. To repent is to be cleansed from our sins, having them washed out by the atoning blood of our Savior and Redeemer.

Once we have repented, the stain is gone. The sin is forgotten. The deed is paid or and put away and never remembered again between us and God.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

~Isaiah 1:18

Photo credit: Christina Foote

The Good News is...

When the angel appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, he announced good tidings of great joy; he announced the birth of the Savior of mankind.

That singular event - the birth of Jesus Christ - began a life of service and devotion and salvation. Because of Christ and His Atonement, the way has been prepared for us to return to live with our Father in Heaven.

The good news that the angel announced was His Gospel - the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Greek account uses the word "evangelizomai", which is translated as "good news"

It is derived from euaggelizo, which can be broken down into

eu and  aggelos

……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….……………….

Eu means good

Aggelos means angels

What are angels?

Messengers for God.

The words of Alma come to mind - "O that I were an angel." His desire is to proclaim the Gospel as if with the trumpet of an angel.

And what is the good thing or good message that these angels announce?

The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Interestingly enough, euaggelizo is the root of another word we often use.

To evangelize is to preach to or to declare good tidings.

In Spanish, evangelio is translated in place of the English word, gospel.

What is the Gospel?

It is to declare the good message of Christ.

Missionary work is the Gospel.

It literally is the heart of the Gospel. The center. The soul.

Mosiah 18:22
 22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the children of God.

Images used from lds.org