Money, not as valuable in the kingdom of God

Money has value and helps things get done in nearly every aspect of life. Even in the church, we pay tithing which is used to help build the kingdom. Also, having enough money to survive is critical for every individual. However, it must be noted that on an individual basis, money is not important. No one is chosen to be Bishop or advanced in the priesthood due to money. No one gets a better seat in church or has less to do or more to do than another because of money.

This principle is illustrated well in Acts 8. Simon (not Peter, a convert) sees the power the Apostles have when giving the gift of the Holy Ghost and wants that same power. We don't know Simon's intentions, but considering he was a somewhat famous person in that area, perhaps he wants that notoriety again that would come from having the priesthood and giving people the gift of the Holy Ghost. Simon offers money for the priesthood and is told it's a grave error to believe money will give someone access to the priesthood. Here's the account in Acts 8:

17 Then ^alaid they their hands on them, and they received the^bHoly Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through ^alaying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this ^apower, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the ^agift of God may be ^bpurchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not ^aright in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy ^awickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the ^bthought of thine ^cheart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the ^agall of bitterness, and in the^bbond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

I appreciate that the priesthood and right to do things in the name of God is instead intended for all men who desire to come unto Christ and do His work. See D.C. 1:

20 But that every man might ^aspeak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;

Why God called a Prophet and established the church - But that every man might aspeak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world

One of the great verses of scripture written in our times is in Doctrine and Covenants 1. This is the section explaining the reason the Lord called a prophet in our time and why he restored his Church to the Earth. One of the reasons listed is in D.C. 1:20 - That every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world.

Every worthy man on this planet can receive the Priesthood, the right to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They must do it by being a faithful member of Christ's church, but this is the opportunity for all. Then, these men can use this priesthood to call down the blessings of heaven upon people on this earth, including giving blessings, receiving inspiration, having help in helping others, and performing ordinances, such as baptism, infant blessings, and giving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

My dad just listened to L. Tom Perry in a priesthood meeting with Bishops, Stake Presidents, and other local leaders. In it, Elder Perry said we don't instruct those receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood well enough about what they're receiving. It is such a great blessing. Elder Perry spoke about the opportunity he had to bless his son, then baptize him, then ordain him to be a deacon, teacher, priest, and elder, etc. That was such a blessing for Elder Perry. It's also been such a blessing for me. I felt an incredible bond with my son (and daughter) as I blessed him. I felt an immense amount of love for him. No other church teaches that fathers can bless their children by performing spiritual ordinances. It is in our church that this eternal truth exists.

I am so grateful that God wants every man to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It happens in his church, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints every day. An Apostle mentioned how special gift is to him. That same gift is so special to me. Truly, God's greatest gifts are available to all.

Being close to God

I really enjoyed this verse that I read yesterday in D.C. 36:2.

2And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;

Clearly it's great for Edward Partridge (the first Bishop in the church; the one being spoken to here) to have the Lord place his hands upon Edward's head. That's definitely a blessing to have the Lord close. However, I'd like to focus on Sidney. He gets to act as proxy for the Lord and is clearly close to the Lord in this example as well. I believe that this verse teaches that the way to guarantee a close proximity to the Lord is by doing his work. Visit someone. Do your home and visiting teaching. Invite someone to church. Help someone have a better day. Teach your kids the gospel, etc. Learn the names of everyone in the ward and talk to them sometime over the next year (all of them); obviously there's lots of possibilties (so many - brings to mind another verse - D.C. 58:28 - inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward - just do something good and you'll be fine in life; no need to do everything perfectly; besides everyone can help build the kingdom in very different ways - sorry, sidetracked again), but finding ways to be involved in God's work is the surest way to ensure we're close to Him, which is the best feeling in life.

A few other verses that show this: D.C. 84:19,20 - "in the ordinances of the priesthood the power of godliness is made manifest." My translation - you get to experience godliness in some sense when you participate in ordinances (similar to the above verse).

Also, think about Lehi's dream. In 1 Nephi 8:30 its says,

30But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

How do you partake of fruit after having fallen down? Probably because someone handed it to you. That's our jobs, to hand the fruit.

Perhaps one last verse to illustrate this concept. Isaiah 61 is a great chapter in which Isaiah speaks Messianically (this means he speaks as if he were the Savior - Jesus - speaking). The first two verses are very meaningful speaking about his mission. Then verse 3 says the folowing,

3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

It says that as a result of Jesus' efforts, the ashes of life will become beautiful (i.e., he'll make tough experiences turn into beautiful/useful ones - for example, the hardest area on my mission was also the one in which I had the most spiritual experience of my life), joy for mourning, and praise to replace "heaviness". Why? So that we might become "trees of righteousness". Since we know that Christ can be represented by the tree of life, this is interesting that we also should become trees of righteousness that give off our own fruit (some 30, some 60, and some 100 as told in the parable of the sower - Matthew 13:8). We are to become like him, producers of fruit and givers of love. We can become like Him by practicing the things He does, like serving, or in Sidney Rigdon's case, giving the gift of the Holy Ghost to Edward Partridge (and this principle applies to women as easily as it does to men).

A little long again. Sorry. Have a great day!