Hello Family,
It was another great week full of all
sorts of fun stuff. We did many exchanges and had lots of great experiences.
But I want to talk about what has been on my mind for months know as I have
been studying the scriptures.
In John 17:3 we read, "And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent." The mortal Messiah teaches us exactly what
exaltation is or eternal life is. Exaltation is knowing our Father in Heaven
and Jesus the Christ. We learn more about this scripture in the Joseph's
revelation concerning the sealing of a husband and wife. The Lord in this
section (Section 132) states,
" 22 For
strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and
continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me
not in the world neither do ye know me.
23 But if ye receive me in the world,
then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye
shall be also."
We learn here that exaltation is to
receive Christ. It is by receiving Christ that we meet the requirements for
exaltation. But how do we receive the Savior of all mankind? The next verse
tells in a wonderful way in which Christ tells us almost word for word what he
told his apostles in Jerusalem.
24 This is eternal lives—to know the
only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive
ye, therefore,my law.
How beautiful those last 5 words are.
"receive ye, therefore, my law." That is the key to receiving Christ
and our Father. Not only is it the key but it is what is missing from the words
found in John. We need to receive the law. Now the law can mean many different
things throughout the scriptures. Here is can be specifically talking about the
law of the sealing covenant. In other sections of scripture we can see it
relating to the Law of Moses. But I feel that we can take this and make it
broader. So what is the difference between just knowing or hearing the law and
receiving the law? Receiving comes with application. It is only by applying the
law can we come to receive the law. Or in other words we need to be obedient to
receive Christ. When we Receive Christ we know him and God. And when we know
them we have eternal life. Well here is where it gets fun. What are some of the
blessings of receiving or obeying the law. We read in an early section of the
Doctrine and Covenants regarding this principle,
"34 And again, verily I say
unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected
and sanctified by the same."
We see that as we are obedient and loyal
to the law we can and will receive the great blessings of preservation,
sanctification, and perfection. What glorious blessings! And how wonderful are
those blessings when we can receive them in this life. By being obedient we
will always be preserved! Now when the preservation comes is up to the Lord,
but it will come. When we obey were a sanctified or made holy. Part of
receiving a remission of sins is being obedient.
Found within that section is one of my
favorite phrases found with in all scriptures,
D&C 88: 21 "And they who are
not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of
Christ"
Again we see this concept obedience brings
forth the powers of sanctification (that power of sanctifying comes form
the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can only abide in us when we are being obedient.
Then He sanctifies us.) But the phrase I love is the law of Christ.
We learn that one of the main reason
Christ came to this earth was to fulfill the Law of Moses. The law that pointed
to the great and last sacrifice. Christ himself says, "Think not that
I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to
fulfil."(Matt. 5:17). I believe in fulfilling that law Christ and His
Atonement become the law. The law by which we must abide. In Section 130 of the
Doctrine and Covenants we read, "20 There is a law, irrevocably
decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all
blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from
God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." I find
it interesting that it does not say there are laws but that there is a law. We
know that before the foundations of this world the Grand Council was held and
there we made our stand to have a Savior and Redeemer of our souls. At the
Council the necessity of the Atonement was explained to us. We understood that
our salvation and the success of the plan of our Father in Heaven hinged upon
the completion of the Atonement. Everything we do in the church points the the
Atonement of Christ. Every covenant and ordinance that we participate in points
to that sacrifice. Is it not through the Atonement that we receive blessings?
Is it not through the Atonement and the Lamb of God that we are sanctified,
preserved, and perfected? Is it not through daily receiving the Atonement
in our lives that we receive Christ and God the Father? Is it not through His
Atonement that makes our exaltation a reality? Christ not only fulfill a law
but by his great and eternal sacrifice He became the Law. He said it himself to
the Nephites, "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and
endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end
will I give eternal life."
Love,
Elder Baird
