Joseph Smith's Last Dream

Joseph Smith's last dream occurred on June 26, 1844 while at Carthage Jail. He would be killed the next day on June 27.  

"I was back in Kirtland, Ohio, and thought I would take a walk out by myself, and view my old farm, which I found grown up with weeds and brambles, and altogether bearing evidence of neglect and want of culture. I went into the barn, which I found without floor or doors, with the weather - boarding off, and was altogether in keeping with the farm. While I viewed the desolation around me, and was contemplating how it might be recovered from the curse upon it, there came rushing into the barn a company of furious men, who commenced to pick a quarrel with me. The leader of the party ordered me to leave the barn and farm, stating it was none of mine, and that I must give up all hope of ever possessing it. I told him the farm was given me by the Church, and although I had not had any use of it for some time back, still I had not sold it, and according to righteous principles it belonged to me or the Church. He then grew furious and began to rail upon me, and threaten me, and said it never did belong to me nor to the Church. I then told him that I did not think it worth contending about, that I had no desire to live upon it in its present state, and if he thought he had a better right I would not quarrel with him about it but leave; but my assurance that I would not trouble him at present did not seem to satisfy him, as he seemed determined 
to quarrel with me, and threatened me with destruction of my body. While he was thus engaged, pouring out his bitter words upon me, a rabble rushed in and nearly filled the barn, drew out their knives, and began to quarrel among themselves for the premises, and for a moment forgot me, at which time I took the opportunity to walk out of the barn about up to my ankles in mud. When I was a little distance from the barn, I heard them screeching and screaming in a very distressed manner, as it appeared they had engaged in a general fight with their knives. While they were thus engaged, the dream or vision ended" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 6:609–10)

The old "dilapidated barn" is Joseph Smith's own history.

Birthright and Blessing: Socioeconomics of Priesthood

Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

The Bible recounts considerable rivalry over priesthood.  Cain killed Able over priesthood.  Ham envied Shem, Jacob supplanted Esau, and the sons of Jacob sold Joseph into Egypt over priesthood.  Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron was over priesthood.  And the feud between the Nephites and Lamanites in the Book of Mormon also began with the a question over priesthood.     

God is not sexist, racist, or xenophobic.  This should go without saying. But, how could a God, who is supposedly gives no favoritism, then restrict priesthood to the oldest son, or only the tribe of Levi and the sons of Aaron.  When Christ ministered on the Earth, He initially preached only to the Jews, and only later opened up missionary work to the Gentiles after his ascension.   In the Latter-days, priesthood was restricted from certain ethnicities.  Even today, certain priesthood offices are reserved for men.  Why is this?

D&C 78:6 For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;

These priesthood restrictions are not because God shows favoritism, or a sign that religion is a man-made institution, but because God knows human society is unequal. Race isn't even biologically a thing, and we just made it up. But God knew that our imperfect society gives preferential treatment to the oldest son, certain ethnicity, and males. I am a white male, and have been the benefactor of privileged.   So, if I acknowledge privilege, why would I support Biblical teachings that reinforce these privileges? Priesthood isn't supposed to be a privilege, its supposed to be a responsibility. Priesthood in the Old Testament carried the responsibility to care for the father's house in the event of his death or disability.  The oldest son was given a double portion of inheritance (bithright) to assist in the discharge of these duties (blessing).

Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Now, people who see this as unfair, tend to be looking at this arrangement from a materialistic standpoint.  All they may see is one child getting an unequal cut of the pie and greater prestige in society.  Esau viewed the birthright and blessing as his right instead of his responsibility. On the other hand, Jacob saw priesthood as greater responsibility to serve his family, learn humility and compassion.  God demonstrates on several occasions that He is more concerned with duty and righteousness, than birth-order.  This is why Jacob, the second son, was preferred over Esau. And this is why Nephi in the Book of Mormon was preferred over his rebellious older brothers Laman and Lemuel. 

There may well have been and continue to be socioeconomic considerations why God reserves priesthood today. Men are socioeconomically advantaged over women in our current society. So this advantage doesn't go to our heads, men are called to serve their wives and children.  And the socioeconomic resources (birthright) that society bestows on men, or certain groups has been used to bless the whole human family.  Had certain church responsibilities and duties been generally available without regard to economic considerations, those extra responsibilities require money, time and energy.  These costs would have been oppressive to the disadvantaged.   In false religion, false priests use religion to make money.  In the true religion, righteous leaders use their money to make the Church.  Leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ devote their time, talents and resources to missionary work, and building God's kingdom.   In Christ's true Church, priesthood doesn't get you a higher seat in heaven over those you serve.  But instead, where more is given, more is required.

2 Ne 29:33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

Parashat Tazria: Purity

Judaism divides up the Torah (5 books of Moses in the Bible) into sections or parasha. Jews study these parsha throughout the Jewish year beginning at Rosh Hashanah. This weeks parshat speaks about the laws of impurity.  A woman who gives birth is considered unclean and must bring an offering to the temple. 

Like the Red Heifer whose ashes cleanse from coming into contact with death, it seems that coming into contact with the boundaries of life makes one unclean.  Many Jewish scholars (eg Chaim Richman) think the words unclean or contaminated may express the wrong idea.  The word maybe better interpreted spiritually unbalanced. 

Death is nothing to God, who is immortal and eternal, but a transition from state of being to another. Experiencing or focusing on death can deviate our attention away from the reality and truth of God.  Our fear of death may distract us from the eternal perspective we are meant to have and which represents the only true reality. Likewise, experiencing the pain and anxiety of childbirth may likewise distract from an eternal perspective. 

I am sure any new mother feels a new devotion to give all her energy into nurturing and raising her new baby. The laws of the Torah may serve to remind us that there are countless blessings for us and our children, for always putting God first in our lives.  Our Heavenly Father put our well-being first before that of His only begotten son Jesus Christ. Abraham was tested to see if he would put God before his only son Isaac.  If God Himself and  Abraham put truth before family, can we be expected to do less?  No mother's attention could bless her child more that a mother who puts God first in her life.

Covenants vs. Narcissism

In both April and October 2014 General Conference, then, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf warned of the increasing trend of narcissism and Elder Neil L. Andersen discussed narcissism in an April 2018 BYU devotional. I think we have all heard through general social consciousness that we are experiencing an epidemic of narcissism. However, other than the superficial understanding of the term referring to an obsession with ones public image, I am not sure that many of us know what narcissism really is and how it might affecting us. Narcissism, superficially, can manifest as an obsession with our public image. This image obsession has been exacerbated by social media where we can create a virtual image, an avatar, that might portray something to the world very different from reality.

Disciples of Christ, instead, should be focused on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reflecting His light, and living such that Christ's countenance shine through us at all times, and in all places, and in all circumstances: this applies online, on or off the basketball court. A narcissist might be more concerned with Facebook likes, Instagram follows, and Twitter retweets. However, online look-ism, is actually just a more benign symptom of an increasing pervasive disorder that is reaching pandemic proportions. (for the record, I confess that I have a Facebook account, and I posted pictures of my last vacation)

That said, Narcissism has another more insidious manifestation that most people are less aware of, and that I believe is destroying our marriages, families, and country. Narcissism personality disorder is an DSM V, Axis 2, medical and psychiatric diagnosis which is divided into two sub-types. These two sub-types both arrive at the same place but at come from different directions. Narcissists, (and we all are one to some degree, Facebook or not), suffer from pathologically entitled behavior associated with believing that we are the exception to the rule, or that the rules don't apply to us because of our special circumstances.

Narcissism is the disorder of victimization, entitlement, and special treatment. On one hand, a grandiose narcissism generally rationalize that they are too important, talented, or smart for the rules. On the other hand, a vulnerable narcissist has convinced themselves that rules don't apply because of undo misfortune, oppression, or abuse. A vulnerable narcissist excuses not measuring up because they believe they have been the victim of unfair life circumstances. The truth is that both sides are mistaken. Despite our live situation or circumstances, righteousness applies to everyone. If you want a harvest, you have to plant a garden. There is no way around it.

The Book of Mormon pinpoints our day when it simply and apologetically says: “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.” the doctrine and Covenants puts it like this “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” God is merciful, but there are no exceptions here. Mercy applies to repentance and changing our path, but as Alma warns his son Corianton, “wickedness never was happiness.”

Now, what does Narcissism have to do with the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage?

Isaiah 2:2-4 reads “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Whenever scripture mentions the second coming of Jesus Christ and the promised Millennium , Christ's coming in glory is accompanied by the restoration of the temple and an everlasting covenant. In fact, Isaiah says that the temple and the covenant will be the mechanism by which world peace in ultimately and finally achieved. This applies to peace in our homes and peace in our marriages. So, what is so important about covenants.? How to they work and why do why should we make them?

Kindergarten children make covenants when they recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Scouts make the Scout Oath. Lawyers, Politicians, and Military take the oath of office or oath of enlistment. As a physician, I made the Hippocratic oath. Where did all this secular oath and covenant making come from? Secular covenant making has its origins in the religious world. However, in modern society too many religions and churches, do very little covenant making and even less covenant keeping. Just now, we as Latter-day Saints and followers of Christ renewed our baptismal covenant by partaking of the emblems of the Lords Supper. While we renew our covenants each week, let us not forget their purpose.

As New York Times columnist David Brooks said: “People are not better off when they are given maximum personal freedom to do what they want. They’re better off when they are enshrouded in commitments that transcend personal choice—commitments to family, God, craft and country." -quoted Elder Perry, April 2015 General Conference.

What is a covenant? Simply put, a covenant is “an agreement which brings about a relationship of commitment between God and his people.” The importance of covenants and involving God is significant when comparing a covenant to a contract. But how does involving God in a contract help? Well, lets take marriage for an example. If marriage were a contract, then our arrangement would be entirely dependent upon our spouse keeping up with their end of the bargain 50/50. If we are not happy in our marriage, it must be because our spouse is not doing enough. And as soon as you or your spouse slips in fully keeping their end of the agreement, the contract is broken. However, in covenant marriage, God is involved. In covenant marriage, we are not serving our spouse only for what we get in return. In covenant marriage, it matters less what our spouse is or isn't doing. In reality, the secret to feeling happier in our marriage is to serve our spouse more that we are. In covenant marriage, God is paying. And as long as we continue in the covenant, God will never cease to bless us.

That said, in covenant marriage, abuse is covenant breaking, and absolutely intolerable. Also, being unequally yoked should be remedied quickly if possible. However, our marriages may go through periods where our spouse might deliver less then their 50% fair share. In this case, if marriage were a contract,divorce would be a sensible and logical outcome. Understandably, covenants are the only way marriages could possibly endure for better, or worse, for richer, for poorer, both in sickness and in health. Unfortunately, modern contractual marriage account for the greater than 50% divorce rate. Covenant marriage, on the other hand, is meant to make our relationships more resilient.

How does covenant marriage make our marriages more resilient? Covenants directly combat narcissism. Resources are scarce, money is scarce, free time is scarce, life is scarce. Consequently the scarcities of life, will absolutely supply ample excuses, justification, reasons, and rationalizations for breaking our word. Covenants, on the other hand, give us a sacred reason to keep our word, despite the excuses. I am sure every single one of us, have given God ample cause to cast us off forever. However, exactly because God is the ultimate Man of His Word, He will never forsake the covenant He has make with us.

Isaiah 49:15-16 asks, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. For I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.”

If we want to become like our Father in Heaven, and live with Him in exaltation, we must also learn to be people of our word and learn to keep our covenants, no excuses. A rule to live by might be, “it should only be an exception, when I am the exception” I pray that we all might strive to do so, with Christ's divine assistance, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Covenant Marriage

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” declares, “Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God,” and that marriage is “essential to [God’s] eternal plan,” with husbands and wives under “solemn responsibility to love and care for each other.”

Then in 1999 President Gordon B. Hinckley reemphasized the crucial role of marriage with his admonition that “God-sanctioned marriage between a man and a woman has been the basis of civilization for thousands of years. There is no justification to redefine what marriage is.” I value marriage to my wife, because I value women and womanhood. I need a women in my life. Nothing could replace or simulate her talents, wisdom, and spirit. My wife is married to me, because she values manhood, and the talent and abilities I bring to our family. Can we say that we value womanhood or manhood when we say that the marriage or parenting doesn't require both a nurturing women and a man?

A few decades ago, a proclamation on marriage and its validity would hardly have seemed necessary. Alternative definitions of marriage didn’t exist. With divorce rates over 50 percent, and increasing acceptance of noncommittal cohabitation, and same-gender unions, Should defenders of traditional family values concede that marriage is simply marriage just another lifestyle choice, their personal preference or a lost cause?

A growing body of academic research in the area of family studies says “no” to all of those questions. Family studies has obtained an abundance of objective data spanning diverse countries, races, and economic classes, affirming that marriage is of great advantage to the well-being of men and women in a myriad of ways. In assuring happiness, a lasting marriage proves more beneficial physically, mentally, and economically than exercise programs, medical treatments, therapy sessions, or financial investments. Of course, statistics merely reflect general tendencies, and there are many exceptions.

Studies show that married people live longer, suffer less from illness and disease, recover from illness faster, and engage in less risk-taking behavior. Married people exhibit lower rates of depression, and suffer less from psychiatric disorders. Unlike climate, the data on marriage really does support a scientific consensus that married people enjoy a higher general well-being than any other segment of the population, independent of selection bias. The benefits of marriage are believed to be associated with and promoted by a greater spiritual connection, finding meaning in caring for children and spouse, synergistic problem solving capabilities, and expanded social network.

Despite these benefits, research studies reaffirm that marriage relationships need to be built on righteous principles. In line with the Family Proclamation, it is clear that marriages based on righteous principles are the kind of marriages that lead to lasting happiness. Of course, academic studies deal in objective statistics and trends, not exceptions. While happily married people may enjoy an advantage in the statistics, this does not mean a devoted husband or wife will automatically escape common problems such as: illness, financial strain, anxiety, and so forth. Neither do the statistics indicate that single individuals—widowed, divorced, or never-married—cannot also be happy or achieve stable, meaningful lives.

Happiness, Health, and Marriage, Elizabeth VanDenBerghe

J. Gottman, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (1999).

New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage. D&C 131: 1-4 reads “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; And if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.”

“There is no Latter-day Saint who dies after having lived a faithful life who will lose anything because of having failed to do certain things when opportunities were not furnished him or her. In other words, if a young man or a young woman has no opportunity of getting married, and they live faithful lives up to the time of their death, they will have all the blessings, exaltation, and glory that any man or woman will have who had this opportunity and improved it. That is sure and positive” (Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, 138).