Zelophehad’s Daughters

I’ve been listening to some of Dr. Jordan Peterson.  His ideas and words are routinely misrepresented by the mainstream media. Dr. Peterson is a phycologist from the University of  Toronto who made a name for himself by publically objecting to government mandated speech (gender pronouns).  Dr. Peterson has some great insights into the most fundamental Bible stories (Fall, Cain v. Able, Crucifixion, etc).  Dr. Peterson is less well-known for developing the OCEAN personality assessment which was used to characterize individuals based on the “Big 5” personality characteristics.  This assessment was used by Cambridge Analytica/SCL Group to micro-target tailored political advertisements via Facebook to US voters. 

Dr. Peterson has been touring the country talking about and defending the social order and competence hierarchy (NOT patriarchy). According to Peterson, there are more men represented at the top but also the bottom of our social order (CEO’s and sanitation workers).  However, the preponderance of men at the extremes is not all due to corruption, discrimination, and oppression, but are multifactorial.  The main factors are based on a combination of biological realities and individual preferences.   

That said, Dr. Peterson does not deny the existence of corruption, discrimination, and oppression.  These problems exist and need to be stopped.  However, oppression is not the reason why their are more female nurses and more male engineers in Sweeden and Norway. He welcomes the idea of more women leaders and women in all fields of study.  However, Dr. Peterson encourages freedom of opportunity and preference vs. a government-coerced and artificial equality of results. 

The US has become increasingly divided.  Its like both sides are speaking different languages and not just watching different news networks. Dr. Peterson values the left and the liberal political spectrum which balances and checks the social hierarchy. Conservatives are great at running things, but creative liberals come up with new ideas that improve them 

Dr. Peterson doesn’t reject feminism or social welfare, but warns of the dangerous tactics being used by the extreme left, some  feminist and socialist.  Dr. Peterson warns against inflammatory rhetoric that seeks to silence people, incite protest, rebellion, and violence (“Rules for Radicals”).  Dr. Peterson also warns against identity politics, victimization, and  class guilt.  Incendiary rhetoric like this was used to fuel the rise of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao.  Instead of fomenting a rebellion and overthrow of the current social order, Dr. Peterson advocates greater competence, assertiveness and better negotiating with the competence hierarchy. 

The story of the 5 Daughters of Zelophehad (Num 27:1-11).  In this story, Moses had divided up the land of Israel amoung the 12 Tribes.  Rules of inheritance were given that specified that a man’s land was to be divided among his son’s and that the oldest son was to recieve a double portion. But these rules did not account for situations were a man had no sons, but daughters. The rules of inheritance in this case were incomplete, and unfair.  But, instead of rebelling and inciting a revolution to overthrow Moses like Korah (Num 16),  the 5 daughters of Zelophehad respectfully petitioned and negotiated with Moses. 

The Book of Mormon highlights several instances were characters appeal to social justice, identity politics and victimization to make false arguments to justify rebellion and murder.

1 Nephi 17:20: Laman and Lemuel claim that they have concern for the women’s suffering while traveling in the wilderness. 

Alma 30:27: Korihor claims religion is oppressing its adherents from enjoying their  rights, and religious leaders are glutting themselves off the substance of their followers. 

Alma 54:17: Ammoron (Nephite King of the Lamanites) claims the Nephites have stollen the rights to rule from the Lamanites. 

Remembering Our Name

I think we all sense the stready moral decline of the United States and the world in general.  Ruth Bell Graham, wife of Billy Graham famously said, “If God doesn't judge America, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah."  We have seen some and can expect increasingly political and social pressure on the Church of Jesus Christ as the Church chooses to take a stand on moral issues in an increasingly immoral world. 

During this past General Conference, President Dallin H. Oaks stated that the Church will take a firm stand on social and moral issues when they impact the Plan of Salvation.  In many other instances, regarding the politics of New York, Kirtland, Missouri, Nauvoo, and Utah; the Church has endured considerable adversity and been an example of being a peacemaker and enduring persecution with patience. The Church moved away from initial race integration fearing being labeled abolitionists and to make peace with our Missouri neighbors.  We moved away from polygamy as a social welfare system to make peace with an antagonistic, secular Utah Territorial government. 

Elder Uchtdorf talked about “weltschmertz” which is a great German compound word that refers to the “the sadness caused by brooding on how the world is inferior to what we think it ought to be.”  Elder Uchtdorf taught that the remedy to this dispair is to dedicate ourselves to the Lord's cause and in doing so we can find that our lives are full of purpose meaning and peace.

In the face of greater impending adversity and judgement, President Russell M. Nelson delivered the perfect spiritual advice.  As God’s people, first and foremost, we must remember and never forget the name by which we are called— the name of Jesus Christ.  What we call ourselves and what others call us is a big deal. We cannot forget Jesus Christ in our Church’s name because this is the only name by which we can hope to be saved. 

Rabbi Chaim Richman talks about the Book of Exodus (Shemot = names).  According to him, Jewish Rabbi's say that Hashem delivered Israel from Egypt even in their idolatry because they had kept their Hebrew names, language, clothing and identity. According to Rabbi Richman, remembering their names brought Israel deliverance from Egypt.  

Our leaders are focusing us on the most basic fundamental principles so that, despite our failings, we may also qualify for deliverance: 1. our name 2. sabbath day observance 3. ministering. 4. home-centered learning. 

October 2018 General Conference

LDS Conference Saturday Morning

2-hour Church

Home-Centered Church and Gospel Learning

We can do hard things

God expects hard things of us

Forgiveness, Illness, church service

Look like, sound like, and act live disciples of the Lord. 

The Savior faced hards thing 1Ne 19:9

Christ is the foundation of Zion

Small and simple things

Make homes sanctuaries of faith 

It is more than okay to bring children into this wicked world.  We don’t have to fear. 

“They that be with us are more than those that be with them”

Prayer can bring down blessings.

Stand in Holy Places: homes, church, temples = safe places.

We must receive revelation to combat false doctrines.  

We need to live gospel to receive revelation.

Be able, worthy, and qualified and we will be not troubled.

We need not fear if we are on the covenant path.

Secular learning is not the only source of truth. 

The Church is standing up for family values because they are essential for God’s plan of salvation.

Keep on the covenant path.

LDS Conference Saturday Afternoon

King Ahad vs Elijah. 

How long do ye halt between two opinions? 1King18

If He exists? Worship Him, If it is true then follow it

The Gospel should be the defining focus of our life.

The President of the Church possesses and excises all gift and keys bestowed upon the church. 

The prophet has the gift of prophetic seer-ship.

Be a force for good in the world

Develop righteous patterns and habits

Christ is the only name by which salvation happens

We must take His name upon us. 

Life is not vanity

weltschmertz = “The sadness caused by brooding on how the world is inferior to what we think it ought to be”

Those who dedicate themselves to the Lord's cause find their lives are full of purpose meaning and peace.

Discipleship begins with three words: 

Believe, love, do.

LDS Conference Sunday Morning

Joseph F Smith revelation on the redemption of the dead. 

Develop a shepherd’s heart. 

Feed Christ’s sheep.  Be angels.

Jump in the pool and swim towards those who need you. 

Unrestrained anger can be more destructive than the injury that provoked it.

Those grievances have far exceeded their expiration date. 

Forsake and forgive offense and be peacemakers. 

Share the gospel. Ask if others want to know more.  Be latter-day gatherers. 

Richard Norby- Brussels Airport

In life we will taste the sweet and the bitter.

Like the 2000 Stripling Warriors, none were lost but they all received many wounds. 

Nurse the wounds of others. 

Even the prophet is beloved of God but not spared pain and trials.

Do not exclude Christ’s name from His Church. 

What’s in a name? everything.

Israel was delivered because they did not forget the name by which they were called. 

LDS Conference Sunday Afternoon

Christ will be with us in our trials

If we are willing to take Christ’s name.

When we serve God

speak for God

Feelings in our heart: meek, lowliness in heart, charity

We need to understand Gods true nature in order to have faith in Him. 

Take upon ourselves Christ’s name.

God is well aware of our afflictions

Repentance is part of Gods plan.

God will help us return to the gospel path.

Choose repentance. Our choices determine who we are. 

If there is anything in your life that you need to consider, now is the time. 

Holier approach to caring for others.

Be a faithful sheep dog.

Look to the future with optimism. 

Visit the temple often to preserve the fire of conversion. 

Ministering in Unity

You could take a 1000 Watt incandescent bulb and shine it against the wall all day long and not do much.  You may heat up the wall a bit.  On the other hand, if you take a 10 Watt laser where the photons are unified and coherent with one another, that 10 Watt laser will burn a hole in just about anything.

The scriptures foretell that the number of God’s faithful in the Last Days will be few in number.  However, like coherent laser light, if God’s people are unified together focusing our efforts on a specific issue; we can burn holes in any problem. 

John 17: 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul:

President Nelson’s Book of Mormon Challenge

President Russell M. Nelson said, "I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals.... Looking at the Book of Mormon through those lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise. I recommend it to each of you."

The Book of Mormon is:

— "Another Testament of Jesus Christ." Its major writers — Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni — and its translator, Joseph Smith, were all eye-witnesses of the Lord.

— A record of his ministry to people who lived in Ancient America.

— True, as attested by the Lord himself.

The Book of Mormon affirms:

— The individual identity of Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

— The necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve, that men might have joy.

The Book of Mormon refutes notions that:

— Revelation ended with the Bible.

— Infants need to be baptized.

— Happiness can be found in wickedness.

— Individual goodness is adequate for exaltation. Ordinances & covenants are needed.

— The Fall of Adam tainted mankind with "original sin."

The Book of Mormon fulfills Biblical prophecies that:

— "Other sheep" shall hear his voice.

— God will do "a marvelous work and a wonder," speaking "out of the dust."

— The "stick of Judah" and the "stick of Joseph" will become one.

— Scattered Israel will be gathered "in the latter days" and how that will be done.

— The land of inheritance for the lineage of Joseph is the American hemisphere.

The Book of Mormon clarifies understanding about:

— Our premortal existence.

— Death. It is a necessary component of God's great plan of happiness.

— Post-mortal existence begins in Paradise.

— The resurrection of the body, reunited with its spirit, becomes an immortal soul.

-- Our judgment by the Lord, will be according to our deeds and the desires of our heart.

— How ordinances are properly performed: e.g. baptism, sacrament, confer the Holy Ghost.

— The Atonement of Jesus Christ.

— The Resurrection.

-- The important role of angels.

-- The eternal nature of Priesthood.

-- How human behavior is influenced more by the power of the word than power of the sword.

The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown:

-- Baptisms were performed before Jesus Christ was born.

-- Temples were built and used by people in ancient America.

-- Joseph, 11th son of Israel, foresaw the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.

-- Nephi (600-592 B.C.) foresaw the discovery and colonizing of America.

-- Plain and precious parts of the Bible have been lost.

-- The Light of Christ is given to each person.

-- The importance of individual agency and the need for opposition in all things.

-- Warnings about "secret combinations."