One thing I have noticed throughout literature, movies and entertainment is that people love the Christ story. I’m not referring to the popularity or lack thereof of actual Christian literature and movies, I’m referring to different versions of the Christ story: the basic format is that a world, society, or kingdom is in peril and going to be destroyed, and then a hero comes and saves it. It is amazing how often the hero is prophesied of, even from before his birth, or something happens to him as a child that reveals that he is going to save the kingdom. This story permeates literature. It can be found in everything from Shakespeare to Eragon.
I find it curious that people love this story so much. Some people might say it’s just a good story, but I believe that people love it because of a deeper identity. I don’t believe that life begins with birth. I believe that we all lived with God our Father before being born on earth. We also all wanted to have the chance to come to this world. He presented us a plan where we would have a Savior who would sacrifice Himself to allow us to return home again, if we chose to accept His sacrifice. He also presented Jesus Christ as our Savior. People love the Christ story because it is their hope. Everyone came to earth hoping to find the Gospel and return to God’s presence. The Christ story is what we are all searching for, and that’s why it makes good literature.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Abraham 1:2
"And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers"
- Abraham 1:2
Last week at institute class we were discussing this scripture. I had always thought of this scripture as something really grandiose, something that only someone who had the spiritual strength to be willing to sacrifice their son could attain. For these reasons, I never really thought of it as something that applied to me.
My mind must have skipped these last lines - 'I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.' These lines help me apply it to myself now: Abraham sought the blessings of holding the Melchizedek Priesthood. There is a way for us all to gain these blessings, and covenant with God, as the fathers did (i.e. Adam): we must live a life worthy of holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, and seek all of the blessings associated with it. I remember that when I received this Priesthood, my grandfather told me it was the greatest thing I could ever receive. I think that he understood something more of these promises than I did at the time. I know that the Priesthood is the power of God, and I am grateful that it is upon the earth today.
- Abraham 1:2
Last week at institute class we were discussing this scripture. I had always thought of this scripture as something really grandiose, something that only someone who had the spiritual strength to be willing to sacrifice their son could attain. For these reasons, I never really thought of it as something that applied to me.
My mind must have skipped these last lines - 'I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.' These lines help me apply it to myself now: Abraham sought the blessings of holding the Melchizedek Priesthood. There is a way for us all to gain these blessings, and covenant with God, as the fathers did (i.e. Adam): we must live a life worthy of holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, and seek all of the blessings associated with it. I remember that when I received this Priesthood, my grandfather told me it was the greatest thing I could ever receive. I think that he understood something more of these promises than I did at the time. I know that the Priesthood is the power of God, and I am grateful that it is upon the earth today.
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