In attending the temple last night for Marquie and Daniel's endowment I learned this and thought it would be fun to post something here worth while. Hope it doesn't upset anyone it is so long...
I learned a type of lesson that is in similitude of the
creation and progression of man. Man’s journey to heaven requires certain steps
of growth and character. These steps are outlined perfectly in the outline of
the creation.
In day one, there were materials and they formed the earth.
This represents our birth into this world. We are neither good nor bad, but
perfect none-the-less, much like Adam and Eve in the garden. We have yet to
grow and change our void and formless infant selves into a character full of
life.
In day two, the waters were separated from the dry earth.
There comes a comprehension of good and bad. We begin to take upon ourselves
the traits of our desires. Good or bad we show what we love, wether
dry or wet. This state has been the marker point of the beginning of
progression for all mankind. We are baptized that we might make the covenants
necessary to receive great blessings for doing good. Without which our
testimonies would have trouble growing. They can grow, but the ground is very
dry. The waters of life fill our efforts with meaning and reward that make our
actions worth it! Thus, rain falls at times and all the land is wet that we
might cleanse and recognize who we are.
Day three, light begins to shine. There are lights to govern
the day and lights to govern the night. At all times there is light. We receive
the Holy Ghost as a gift, a companion and friend. We are literally blessed with
the ability to see ourselves and the lands and waters that exist. The brighter
the light, the better off we are at making happy decisions. This light also
invokes the constant reminder that we are being watched by our Heavenly Father
and the hosts of Angles above that are so interested in our life and work and
salvation. They all want us to experience the joys they do. Our ancestors watch
and understand what ails us and what would help us bear fruit. Our ground is still
barren at this point, but everything is now prepared to bring forth fruit.
Day four, seeds are planted throughout and they grow. The
earth is beautified and glory begins to show. As we harken to the Spirit that
our lands may have continual rain and heed the light that shines upon us, we
will begin to gain testimonies. They vary in importance. Some are so constant
that they spring up like grass in endless fields. These are the testimonies in day-to-day
activities like praying morning and night and conversion with our friends or
children and receiving little tidbits of inspiration to help in the mundane
activities of life. This grass makes our lands moist and comfortable. Some
forget to read their scriptures for a time and their grass begins to dry up. Others
move on and seek for answers to their questions through constant study and
prayer and service. They grow those sycamore trees that are ancient and
everlasting. Their roots intertwine and they become the sturdiest testimonies
that are the most powerful and visible in a person’s life. Sycamore trees are
testimonies of Christ and His atonement, His resurrection, and His life,
testimonies of the priesthood, of the scriptures, of the prophets, and of who
you are. These plants in all their forms and varieties require water to grow or
they die. There is no status quo. They must be nourished. And your lands must
be filled with them in order to go on to day five.
Day five, life in all it’s varieties are placed upon the
earth. They consume the testimonies and bring purpose and life to our planet.
In the same manner, our talents, or wise use of our testimonies, produce life
within us. We have purpose that complements our natural growth and
construction. In order to grow in these talents we must first have the testimonies
to support them. Much like the plants that should by now cover your entire
being. These talents come in the form of faith, works, priesthood powers, and
result in the healing the sick, visions, dreams, and callings from the Lord.
They are forms of godliness expressed in our actions. These animals, fowls,
insects, fish, and all creeping things were also commanded to multiply in their
respective spheres. Remember the parable of the talents? To one was given ten,
another five, and another one. The first two multiplied their talents and they
were found profitable. They grew. If we hide our talents and seek to restrain
our efforts in the natural use of our purpose and ourselves, a couple things
will happen. First, we will find ourselves less than happy. Our nature and
fulfilling desires will not be met and be left hungering for those things that
feed upon us and feed us. Second, we will find that even our testimonies will
falter without this life that depends upon them for they require the pruning,
tending, and manure a garden of Eden would need to be pleasant and peaceful. We
will find that our lands are not as fertile as they might have once been and
cannot support some life. This is a sad state for the remedy is and always has
been found through keeping the simple commandments that cause the rains to fall
upon your souls. Many souls are choked without rain and have caused their dry
lands to expand and encroach their garden of Edens. Stop the drought and take a
drink for the waters of life flow freely to all that ask and seek after Christ!
If your soul is full of all sorts of life and is able to support them and you
find yourself in fulfillment of all that God has commanded you to do, you are
finally ready for day six.
Day six, the creation of Man and Woman. There cannot be any
other more important day than this yet most seek for day seven before reaching
this point. You have finally become like God and can now dwell with him. You
still have to tend the garden and keep it going for you have work to do, but you
have become the Sons of Man. Perfect, ready to be immortal, and ready to
receive all that the Father hath. The work is not done though! This is the
important part to understand. Jacob, brother to Nephi in the Book of Mormon,
had seen and conversed with the Lord in his youth, yet his work was not done.
Joseph was a lucky one, in his speed course he did all he could in a shorter
period of time and was martyred. Yet we are informed that his work was not yet
finished and beyond the veil he works to build the kingdom of God still. Day
six is a day of relief that we have made it, but not a day of rest. That’s day
seven. Many individuals seek for and feel they have a right to this rest. Their
lives have been hard, they tire, and grow without the comforts of life that
seem to fall upon a select few. Some feel that a vacation from church or church
callings is in order for they have done their part and parcel. These people are
as the person who received one talent and hid it for he knew God was a fierce
God and would judge men for what they have done. They forget about what they
are doing now and feel their history has recorded enough of a good story to
bring about a pleasant ending. That pleasant ending will only be what they
experience here in this life as they rest from their labors without the Lord’s
errand to do so. Do not rest from these labors. We have our fields and endless
forests planted within us that can support so much life and talent if we allow
it to. We would be endowed with so much knowledge and wisdom and power (through
faith and priesthood) that nothing could bring us fear or concern for ourselves
but only for others if perchance they don’t see and partake of this life as
well. Day seven will come, but in the Lord’s time when He has helped you grow
to your fullest stature you will allow. Humble ourselves and turn to the Lord.
Answer His call through our priesthood leaders. Fulfill our duties in our
priesthood and callings. “Oh be wise. What can I say more?”
Personally I seek for Zion. I have been searching
for it as long as I can remember. I seek for the community of brothers and
sisters that are not afraid to put their arms around me. They are not seeking
for how they can get by but how they can help another get more. They are not
rich or poor because such things don’t matter. They are equally inspired by
each other. They are constantly searching out the things of God and turning to
Him for instruction and support. They are of one heart and one mind. I have
felt this in pieces throughout my life, a person here and group there. I long
for it here and desire that we might become such a people without the fear of
reproach or hurt from others. I have the testimony that we can and are on this
path to do so. I pray I will not leave this earth until I do find myself in
such a community of persons and that I can be one of them, without guile, full
of life and testimony, to be able to live in such harmony. I remember a stake
presidency in my youth that did just that with me. They had their arms around
me every time I was in arms length. Maybe becoming an adult has put a stigma on
touching others or embracing other fellows, but I hope you understand what my
heart has expressed.
