Abrahamic Purposes, Abrahamic
Privileges
By C.S. Bezas
If there is one thing the scriptures
teach, it is that we will know God and eternal joy through
the (at times puzzling) pathway of sacrifice. One of the most
frequently taught examples of this is Abram of Ur.
When Abram (eventually called
Abraham) fled the land of his fathers, he left an untenable
situation. His father had allowed him to be placed on an altar
for sacrificial offering to their society's "strange
gods" (Abr 1:8).
One need only look at Abraham's
drawing of his experience on a pagan altar to understand the
terror one might feel (see page 28, Pearl of Great Price).
Yet look at Abraham's understatement of the experience:
In the land
of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham,
saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of
residence (Abr 1:1).
This certainly could be one of
the most bold understatements recorded
in history! It is also an incredible insight into the balanced,
moderate nature of Abraham, eventually called by the Lord
in D&C 138:41, "the father of faith."
Abraham had a Dream
Regardless of the thoughts coursing
through Abraham's mind while fleeing his home and family,
it is probable he had no clear picture of his future with
its impending choice and severely tested faith. But he did
have a dream.
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 (Abr 1:2).
Abraham knew there was more than
what his fathers lived; Abraham desired to be of God. Having
hindsight as he made his record, looking back on the completed
experience, he described the end of his story as:
I became a
rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging
to the fathers (Ibid.).
But between the beginning of
his story (fleeing from the land of Ur/Haran) and the end
of the story (becoming a rightful heir), came the middle.
And during the middle came the sacrifice the very thing
to bring about his desired blessings.
Who has not heard of Abraham's
required passage through his sacrificial experience paralleled
to only One other? Who can know
his thoughts as he bound his own son, then, for an offering
on an all too-familiar altar experience? Only the Lord could
have known, for the Lord knew perfectly well of Abraham's
own experience on a pagan altar; He was the one who had sent
an angel to remove Abraham from it.
And the Lord knew of the supreme
depth of desire Abraham held to have a son. Indeed, the Lord
had promised the covenanted son, yet required Abraham to wait
till his 100th year for that son.
Why did the Lord give these experiences
to Abraham? Listen to what one general authority said:
Why did the Lord ask such things
of Abraham? Because, knowing what his future would be and
that he would be the father of an innumerable posterity,
He was determined to test him. God did not do this for His
own sake; for He knew by His foreknowledge what Abraham
would do; but the purpose was to impress upon Abraham a
lesson, and to enable him to attain unto knowledge that
he could not obtain in any other way
....
He required
Abraham to submit to this trial because He intended to give
him glory, exaltation and honor; He intended to make him a
king and a priest, to share with Himself the glory, power
and dominion which He exercised" (George Q. Cannon, Conference
Report, Apr 1899, 66, emphasis added).
The Very Medicine that makes
Us Whole
Who has not struggled with a
small child while they are ill? They do not want to take the
very medicine that will make them whole. It oftentimes is
the same with us, only in a spiritual realm. Elder Neal A
Maxwell said,
How can you
and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to
say, Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow,
not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not
to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences
which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell
with Thee and fully share Thy joy! (Ensign,
May 1991, 88).
The Lord is willing to give us
everything He has in store. But He must first prove us as
worthy recipients. Yet how many times are we like the small
child; we want wholeness and all that God offers, but are
frightened of the "medicine" we must take, of the
process of healing or growth we must make? Yet, in truth,
we are taught that following the gospel path leads us to eternal
joy. It would be well to remember this (2 Ne 2:25).
If
we analyze Abraham's self-awareness (an important key to growth),
we can read in Abraham 1:2 that he knew he followed righteousness.
But he desired more. He recognized a need for more.
He wanted further to be:
- one who possessed great knowledge
- a greater follower of righteousness
- desiring to receive instruction
- to keep the commandments of
God
As Abraham sought for these blessings,
the Lord required him to pass through that which would bring
those very things.
The Righteous are Proven in
Difficult Times
Abraham was not the only righteous
individual during those ancient and difficult times. There
were others three maidens of royal descent who refused to
bow down to the gods of Abraham's fathers, gods of wood and
stone. As a result, wicked men killed the young girls on the
same altar they later violently laid Abraham on (Abr 1:12).
In this world, where nearly anything
immoral is accepted and allowed, it can be difficult to find
those seeking a virtuous lifestyle. But they are there! Even
if few in number, there are people amongst us found placing
God's will beyond their own. Are we amongst them?
This dilemma of righteousness
during difficult times is common not only to our time and
that of Abraham's, but also is seen in other dispensations.
For example, in approximately
430 B.C. Malachi described the plaintive whine of certain
people, those who complained wicked people were receiving
"happiness" (see Mal 3:13-15). Malachi reminded
the complaining souls the Lord will remember those who serve
Him and will spare them His wrath. The faithful prophet implored
the people to carefully discern between the "righteous
and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that
serveth him not (Mal 3:16-18)."
In the Bible Dictionary, we read
an explanation of Malachi's words: "The faithful are
encouraged to remain so, with the assurance that the Lord
is mindful of them, and the disobedient shall fail in the
day of the Lord's coming (p 728)."
Abraham did not falter during
his trials. The three young maidens did not. Neither need we. The Prophet Joseph Smith's words ring sublime for
those passing through difficult times:
Brethren,
shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not
backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let
your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth
break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems
of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained,
before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem
them out of their prison.
Joseph, with his depth of insight
hard won through his own personal sacrifices, continues triumphantly:
Let the mountains
shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas
and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye
rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let
the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord;
and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and
the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God
shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name
forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice
we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation,
and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities,
and powers! (D&C 128:22-23).
The Righteous Trust in Spite
of Difficult Times
Just what did Joseph know that
steadied his heart? He had lost children, friends, and material
goods. Just what taught him that even in loss there still
can be rejoicing? What gave him this positive perspective?
Was it perhaps that he could see God's hand and had learned
to trust Him? That he had come to terms with the will of God
during his time in Liberty Jail? Perhaps it might be said
that he finally realized after that stint in Liberty Jail
(see D&C 121-122) all will be well for those who
serve God with full hearts.
Elder
John Taylor issued these words as a tribute to Joseph's life,
soon after Joseph's martyrdom:
Joseph Smith,
the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus
only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other
man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years,
he has brought for the Book of Mormon, which he translated
by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing
it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting
gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth;
has brought for the revelations and commandments which compose
this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents
and instructions for the benefit of the children of men .."
If Elder Taylor had stopped here,
Joseph's legacy would have been amazing. But there was more.
...[he] gathered many
thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city,
and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great,
and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like
most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his
mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother
Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were
not separated (D&C 135:3).
Abrahamic Purposes, Abrahamic
Privileges
Now, our purpose may not need
to be on the same grand scale of Joseph Smith's, Abraham's,
or that of others. But our purpose is mighty and our faithfulness
towards God can be just as sure.
Just the other day, on the same
page in my local newspaper, I read two articles. One was of
heinous crimes committed by a mother and boyfriend against
her twelve-year old son. The other article showed the gleaming
face of a similar-age girl as she looked up at her father,
dancing in his arms at a special event a man who obviously
very much cared for his daughter. The contrast could not have
been more clear, the meaning more evident.
There are children in our own
families who need our love. There are also children in this
world who have grown up in a dark and frightening existence,
who have never known love. Our paths may not require gargantuan
sacrifices along the lines of Abraham's or Joseph's, but to
fulfill a life of meaning and purpose, our hearts most definitely
will require sacrifice if we are to make our lives meaningful.
It is what the Lord asks of us, to lose our lives in the service
of others.
It can be a sobering thought:
that to receive the Lord's largesse of blessings, we must
live an Abrahamic-styled life: prayer, humility, obedience,
sacrifice. Yet sacrifice in the proper perspective need not
be frightening. It is all in the perspective with which we
view its purpose. Abraham's sacrifice was his will for
God's. May we offer the same.
A More Holy Perspective
At one point while studying Abraham
and his willing sacrifices required of God, I became frightened
by the immensity of it all. My mind flooded with images of
hugely intense situations wrapped in extreme suffering, potentially
winging my way.
One day while praying, a thought
came to my mind and gently rested there sacrifice is not
measured by size, but by a willing heart. God rejects no sacrifice
when offered appropriately and willingly.
Suddenly I understood the principle
of sacrifice with a more holy perspective. Sacrifice does
not exist simply to bring about anguish (at least to my understanding);
it is to bring about a holiness that only can be achieved
through sacrifice of our will for God's. Sacrifice is rarely,
if ever convenient, but in the process we become transformed,
our burdens are lightened, and our hearts are lifted.
In fact, Joseph Smith said:
A religion
that does not require the sacrifice of
all things never has power sufficient to produce the
faith necessary unto life and salvation (Lectures on Faith
[1985], 69).
Thus, I began to see my daily
activities with clearer light. The many things I hadn't been
willing to do before, because of the effort they required,
could become holy moments and gifts offered to the Lord, similar
to those made manifest by all holy individuals gone before.
I do not need a stone altar to prove my love of God; the fleshly
tablet of my heart is sufficient.
And the possibilities are endless.
Although I might feel too tired to listen to my child
prattle on for the "hundredth" time about Sally's
party when I make the effort to kindly listen with my heart
(not just ears), I make a holy sacrifice that not only sustains
my child, but lifts me closer to my Lord.
Although I might feel
too tired to cook a healthy meal for my family, when I do
anyway, I make a holy sacrifice of effort for the benefit
of those the Lord has given me to bless and when done humbly,
it lifts me in ways are impossible to describe.
Although I might feel
a lack of disinterest in maintaining a home of harmony, when
I do I am manifesting a willingness to enter into a holy sacrifice
for my God and for His children. It is these kinds of sacrifices
that bring a person home to a future eternity of joy in the
courts on high.
These efforts, and countless
others, become sanctifying efforts. They transform the individual
due to the amount of effort the sacrifice requires. By willingly
setting aside personal interests, we follow Abraham's amazing
example of sacrifice and selflessness. In other words, when
I am humble and obedient to, for example, the call of motherhood
with all it requires I become as Abraham, following a
sacrificial path to the most high
God.
FHE Fun
Items Needed:
- bite-sized candy bars or other
small treat
- favorite family cake or other
highly sought-after dessert
Opening Song:When
Were Helping We're Happy
Opening
Prayer.
Theme
Scripture: D&C 121:7-9 "My son, peace be
unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall
be but a small moment; And then,
if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou
shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee,
and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly
hands."
Activity:
Read the theme scripture together.
Ask what the scripture has to do with sacrificing our will
for that of God's. Allow a few minutes for family members
to share their ideas.
Have a child volunteer come forward.
Direct him to stand immediately in front of you, but to face
away from you and to close his eyes. With his arms straight
out from his sides, invite him to keep his eyes closed and
to fall backwards in your arms. Let him know you'll be there
to catch him, but not to open his eyes to look back.
Allow all the children to have
the opportunity to participate in the activity.
Once each has had a turn, then
give each one a bite-sized candy bar. Then tell them that
you have something better for them, if they're willing
to give up the bite-sized candy bar. You won't take it from
them; they must offer it if they're interested in some unknown
"something better" (do not let them know
what it is).
Those who have made their choice
to give up their candy bar, bring
out a really nice cake (or some exciting treat) and offer
it to only those willing to give up their candy bar.
Discussion:
Ask the family how these activities
were like living the gospel. Then share with them the first
exercise required great trust. Those who were willing to fall
backwards in the arms of Mom or Dad,
did so because of the trust relationship they had built with
their parent. Share that it is important to also build a relationship
of trust with God.
The second activity built upon
the first. Because of the trust relationship, they were willing
to give up something good for something better (i.e. the tiny
candy bar for a large piece of cake). Again, this is like
our experience here on this earth to trust and to sacrifice
when God prompts us. Yet, without having a relationship with
God, it is very difficult to trust Him enough to discover
what He has for us is better than what we have for us.
Ask:If you were God's
friend, how would you build a better relationship with your
Friend? Discuss this as a family and then pass out paper and
pencils. Invite each family member to set a goal for the coming
week something they can do to increase their knowledge of
God and their friendship with Him, so that they can feel safe
listening to Him when asked to do something.
Ask for any examples they can
think of that demonstrate positive
outcomes in the lives of friends or family that came from
trusting God and/or sacrificing for Him.
Close by bearing your testimony
as to the importance of sacrificing our will and trusting
the Lord's will.
Closing Song: I'm
Trying to Be Like Jesus
Closing Prayer
Refreshments
Summary
Most likely we will never be
called upon to pass through a situation that would parallel
Abraham's in severity. But if need be, our daily infinitesimal
sacrifices will prepare us to follow Abraham's willing, humble
and obedient path toward the almighty God. When we put God's
will first in all things, all things align themselves eventually
for our eternal wellbeing and the wellbeing of our loved ones.
Joseph Smith said it perfectly
when he declared,
Behold, the
great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day
of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he
is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soup; and he shall
sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,
and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold
and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering
in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people,
and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering
in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when
it is finished a book containing the records of our dead,
which shall be worthy of all acceptation (D&C 128:24).
Joseph Smith made his offering
to the Lord in righteousness, as did Abraham. Let us make
sure we do the same by seeking an Abrahamic lifestyle one
of full-hearted willingness and obedience to God. In so doing,
we too will receive the privileges that Abraham received.
For if there is one thing the scriptures teach, it is that
through a pathway of humble submission we come to trust God,
know Him, and therein find eternal joy.
For additional information on
Abraham and what his covenant and promises
can mean to you, please click here
C.S.
Bezas' book is now in LDS bookstores and has been described
as perfect for youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is also available
by clicking here.
