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May, 2009

  1. The Sabbath-Day

    May 31, 2009 by Ben Tanner


    So what do Latter-Day Saints believe about the Sabbath Day? It’s really quite simple. What we do on the Sabbath-day, is a reflection of our Faith in Jesus Christ. In an effort to keep the Sabbath-day holy, Latter-Day Saints will refrain from shopping and participating in other commercial and sporting activities that are so common today.

    We meet together in local congregations to worship the Lord, and renew our covenants we made at baptism through partaking of the sacrament, often called communion or the Lord’s supper by other faiths. We rest from our labors, and use this day to worship the Lord, and are renewed by our associations with our friends and family.

    One might write a letter, visit a friend or relative, or simply take a nap. Studying the scriptures, fasting and praying are also appropriate Sabbath-day activities.

    It’s a day to set apart from your normal routine, so you can focus on what is most important and be renewed.

    For many, the Sabbath becomes the day they look forward to most in the week. You can truly be renewed both physically and spiritually.

    In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni spoke of what those early followers of Christ did on the Sabbath:

    Moroni 6:5-6
    5 And the achurch did meet together boft, to cfast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

    6 And they did ameet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in bremembrance of the Lord Jesus.

    From the time that God created the world down to the time of Jesus Christ, the Sabbath was observed on the 7th day of the week. The word Sabbath actually means “Seven.”

    But Jesus Christ was resurrected on the first day of the week, or Sunday. Christians then began to observe the “Sabbath” on this day.

    Latter-Day Saints also worship on Sunday. The Lord has promised great blessings to those who keep the Sabbath-day holy.

    Isaiah 58:13-14
    13 ¶ If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the asabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

    14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the ahigh places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

    It’s important to remember that there are circumstances where one might have to buy something on Sunday in the case of an emergency. Many of the accusations against Jesus by his enemies were connected with his observance of the Sabbath-day. Jesus clarified and put common sense into Sabbath-day worship:

    Matthew 12:1-12
    1 At that time Jesus went on the asabbath day through the bcorn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the cears of corn, and to eat.

    2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

    3 But he said unto them, Have ye not aread what bDavid did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

    4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the ashewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?

    5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the asabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

    6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the atemple.

    7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have amercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

    8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the asabbath day.

    9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:

    10 ¶ And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

    11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

    12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

    What matters most about the Sabbath-day is what is in your heart. The Sabbath is simply a way you can show your gratitude to your Lord and Savior. It’s an opportunity to love and serve your neighbor. If you commit to keeping the Sabbath-day holy, you will receive blessings in your life. It will be easier to gain answers to your prayers. It really will be “a delight.”

    When I was first out of college and just started a new job my employers asked me to go with them on a business trip to Florida. This was a great opportunity for my career. One of the days we would be traveling would be on a Sunday. So I went online and looked up the directions to the congregation that was closest to the hotel where we would be staying.

    Sunday came and my employers were surprised that I wanted to attend church services. They were actually quite frustrated with it. They started making jokes about how I was being like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day who had made too many rules regarding the Sabbath-day. I was surprised that they were acting like that as all I wanted to do was attend church. I hadn’t tried to make them come to church or even said anything to make them feel bad about not attending.

    I just simply wanted to try and keep the Sabbath the best I could under the circumstances. I was able to convince them to let me take the rental car and attend. I was blessed with a feeling of comfort from the Holy Ghost that what I had done was right. I really had no intention of making it a big deal or trying to make my employers feel guilty.

    I really don’t know what affect that example had on them, but I do know it had a great affect on me. I was blessed by the Lord for standing up for my convictions. I was blessed for keeping the Sabbath-day holy. My testimony of this sacred day increased, and I have since had more blessings than I could even recount for keeping the Sabbath-day Holy.

    I testify that the Sabbath-day is just one more way you can tap into the wealth of blessings the Lord wants to give you. As we observe the Sabbath, the Lord will change you little by little and give you grace to overcome the challenges and obstacles in your life.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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  2. The Power of Prayer and Scripture Study

    May 24, 2009 by Ben Tanner


    Jared and Lori Tanner
    When I was 14 years old I read the Book of Mormon. I didn’t read it because anyone told me to, but because I really wanted to know for myself if it was true.

    I have many important memories of this time period in my life but today I would just like to talk about one as it applies to the importance of prayer and scripture study.

    I was not a reader by any means. I could read, but I just didn’t like it. It was difficult to keep my attention on the words of a page. I could read them and understand them, but it just seemed like such a slow process to gain information. So I didn’t read very often, and because of this, my reading skills were lack luster at best.

    However, I knew that the only way to find out if the Book of Mormon was true, was to read it and then pray and ask God about it’s truthfulness. Physical evidence, archeology, or any other kind of “proof” would not do, because each of these methods could be twisted and interpreted in different ways by different people. Just like the Bible is interpreted so differently by so many different religions and sects. In order to find the truth, one must go to it’s source. That source is God.

    I decided to take it slowly and just read one chapter at a time. At the same time, my older brother Jared had just moved back into our house. He had been going through some major trials in his life and decided this would be the best thing for him at the time.

    From a very young age, my Dad recognized a special spirit in Jared and called him “The Bear”. This name has importance in our family as it was given to my Great Great Great Grandfather Seth Benjamin Tanner by the Navajo Indians because if his great strength. They called him “Haustiin Shush” (Mr. Bear).

    Jared has always been there for me. He has helped me many times when I’ve been in a bind. From running out of gas on the freeway, to rushing me to the hospital my first year of college with a mysterious illness. I’ve always known I could count on my brother. In fact when I’m ever asked to give an emergency contact I usually think of Jared.

    Jared moved to Kanab, and my parents welcomed him back into their home. They moved him into my small room. I wasn’t thrilled about this at the time because my other brother Javen had a very large room and I thought he would fit more comfortably in that room. I believe now that they were acting under the inspiration of God. This simple decision would help change my life.

    Each night I would read my chapter in the Book of Mormon and Jared would come into the room and see me. After a couple of nights I saw him reading the scriptures. I got down on my knees each night to say my prayers and then I would see him come in and kneel down at the foot of his bed and pray.

    Both of us were being converted. Both of us were feeling the Holy Ghost testify that Jesus really is our Savior. God was telling us both that the Book of Mormon was true and that His church had really been restored on the earth today.

    It was a sacred time for me. I was being changed. I could feel the power of the Holy Ghost in the inner most parts of my being as I read from the pages of the Book of Mormon. I knew it was true. I also could see my brother being transformed as well. He was being blessed to mend his life back together with the help of his Savior.

    Then one Sunday at church it was announced that Jared would be given a calling as one of my youth leaders. Jared would now be in charge of helping with the young men my age. He had gone from a life of challenges to a life of hope and possibilities. Soon he was sealed in the Holy Temple to his beautiful wife. This means that their marriage would not only be for this life, but could last forever if they keep the covenants they made in the holy temple. They now have three wonderful children. While they have had their share of challenges, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has given them the comfort they need and the power to press forward through their challenges.

    Just last week, he came by my home to help me with clogged drain. It wasn’t convenient, but he did it anyway. Not only did he help me with the drain, but he went “the second mile” and helped me clean up the mess the backed up drain and caused. He even went to so far as to buy me a new filter for my furnace. He really didn’t have anything to gain from doing all this. His motivation was pure. It was the love he has for his Savior, and his little brother.

    As for me, I have a testimony and conviction that has never left me. After reading the Book of Mormon, I somehow was able to read much easier. Whether this was the result of me just reading consistently or a blessing from God I don’t know. It was probably both. I went on to read all the scriptures including the Holy Bible which I love and also know is true. I was able to use the knowledge I gained in the scriptures to help bring people to Jesus Christ as a missionary in Alabama. I know that Jesus is my Savior. I know that the Book of Mormon is His book. It’s true.

    Jesus has restored His church on the earth today through prophets and apostles. If you will read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true with real intent, you can also be given a testimony of it through the power of the Holy Ghost. This kind of “proof” is the kind that will stay with you. The reason is that it comes directly to your heart, from God.

    It’s important after you have found out the truth of the restored gospel that you keep studying the scriptures and praying.

    Prayer is not the act of us trying to persuade God to do our will. But it is the process in which we learn His will, and conform our lives to it.

    Please read the Book of Mormon for yourself. Please pray to know for yourself if it is true. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

    Ask for your own copy of the book when you talk to the missionaries.
    There is great power in prayer. There is great power in the Holy Scriptures. Both will help you in your hardest times. They will bring you to the knowledge of your Savior, and your Savior will literally save your soul.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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  3. Obedience and Agency

    May 10, 2009 by Ben Tanner



    When one hears the term “obedience” in our modern world, it might make them turn away. Obedience today is seen as a negative word. No one wants to be controlled. An individual’s right to choose is the rule.

    However this is an example of how satan has twisted a God given principle. Satan seeks to make obedience to God a violation of ones right to choose for themselves.

    Never mind the fact that just because someone is being obedient to God, doesn’t mean they have lost any power to choose. In fact, they are exorcising their power to choose in the most positive way.

    Choosing the good, or choosing God is often portrayed as mindless faith in our current media. While those who choose evil are portrayed as free and unchained from the old morality.

    But it doesn’t take long to see who is really free. God gave us commandments for our own benefit. He is not trying to control us or make us slaves to his whim, but instead he wants us to be free from Satan’s traps and snares that bring us into bondage, sorrow, and sin.

    For example:

    He has given us the Word of Wisdom to help us be free from all of the problems associated with any kind of addiction.

    He has given us the Law of Chastity to keep us free from sexually transmitted disease, broken homes, and broken hearts.

    He has given us the Ten Commandments to help us live together in a free and mutually beneficial society without fear of being killed, stolen from, lied to, etc.

    God does not force us to keep his commandments. He gives us commandments for our blessing. After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden, the Lord gave them commandments to show them the way back to Him:

    Alma 12: 31-34
    31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as Gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good—
    32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.
    33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;
    34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

    Jesus has told us that the keeping of his commandments is the litmus test of our love for Him:

    John 14:21
    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

    The Old Testament prophet Isaiah said:
    Isa. 1: 19
    19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land

    Notice that Isaiah says we must be “willing”. In other words it is our choice. And when we make that good choice, we are blessed from the Lord. (in this case we shall eat the good of the land.)

    In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi said:

    31 …Wherefore, if ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day. And thus it is. Amen.

    The Lord can’t wait to give you blessings. He has an endless supply of blessings that he is willing to give. But you must be obedient to his commands for him to give you those blessings.

    In the Doctrine and Covenants, a modern day book of scripture which records many of the revelations given to prophets who have lived since the restoration, this was given:

    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 ablessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

    Commit yourself right now to do all you can to bring your life into conformity to Gods will. If you do this, you are not loosing your freedom, but gaining blessing that you have never known existed. God wants you to bless you and fill your life with joy, peace, prosperity, and happiness. True freedom will be found. Your right to choose will not be lost but enhanced… as now you can use your agency to better your life, and bring you back to that God who made you and loves you.

    One of the best ways to get started on this path to freedom is by committing to obey His command to be baptized a member of His church. I testify that on the other side of the waters of baptism, there is great Joy and blessings beyond my ability to describe.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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  4. Living a Virtuous and Chaste life

    May 3, 2009 by Ben Tanner


    Love. That one word can mean so many things to different people. In the Bible, there are three different Hebrew words and three different Greek words that are translated into the word “love.”

    God wants us to express our love in the most pure and edifying ways. Anything less actually diminishes the blessings we can receive from loving relationships.

    When it comes to our God given sexuality, our Father in Heaven has taught us through prophets that such sacred procreative power is only to be employed between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded.

    Paul said:

    1 Corinthians 11:11
    11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

    In the Book of Mormon, the Lord said:

    Jacob 2: 28
    28 For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

    When Moses was given the Law, one of the most important commandments given was: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Ex. 20: 14)

    The Law of Moses goes into great detail about the many ways a person should NOT use their procreative powers. Many of these instructions are found in Leviticus Chapter 20.

    Included is that men and women should not use the sacred powers of procreation with those of the same gender, or with animals, or with anyone that is not their husband or wife.

    The apostle Paul spoke about people who break these commandments:

    Rom. 1: 26-28
    26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
    27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
    28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

    Eph. 5: 3-5
    3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
    4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
    5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

    I cite these scriptures not to condemn those who are guilty, but instead to show the seriousness of these sins.

    God not only wants us to refrain from the outward sexual sins, but also wants us to be chaste and virtuous in thought as well:

    Matt. 5: 27-28
    27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
    28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

    In his book, “Come Unto Christ”, The Prophet Ezra Taft Benson, taught that we are not held responsible for thoughts that may come into our minds (unless we are actively seeking evil things), but rather what we do with those thoughts.

    If we hold on to an evil thought and let it take root in our minds, then it is like planting a bad seed. If we do not uproot the seed with sincere repentance, then it is likely to grow into outward action, which then can lead to sorrow.

    The key to becoming chaste is being careful with our thoughts. Fill your mind with clean virtuous things. Don’t give place for evil. Also, ask for the Lord’s help and grace to give you power beyond your own, and He will bless you, and strengthen you.

    Stay away from pornography in any form. Pornography destroys natural affection. It destroys relationships, it pierces hearts with deep wounds. (Jacob 2: 35)

    Once an image is in your mind, it is there to stay. So instead of evil, fill your mind with light.

    Matt. 6: 22
    22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

    We are all born with different tendencies, some positive, and some negative.

    But that does not mean we have to give in to any negative trait we may possess.

    Eventually, we will all be resurrected, and any imperfection we’ve inherited through mortality, will be replaced with it’s perfect form. (Alma 11:43)

    Until then, we must live in a way that will merit the kind of resurrection we want to receive. (John 5:29) The Lord will give you grace to overcome any temptation you are dealing with if you will turn to Him. He has said that He will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to bear.

    1 Cor. 10: 13
    13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

    The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi said:

    1 Nephi 3:7
    7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

    If we come to God in humility, He can make our weaknesses become strong:

    Ether 12:27
    27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

    If you have been guilty of being unchaste before marriage, or of infidelity when married, there is hope. God has sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to atone for our sins. You can become clean. You can be forgiven. You can have peace in your heart and mind. Through faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, you can be cleansed from all of your sins, and then commence the work of becoming holy, and sanctified by submitting your will to God’s and keeping His commandments.

    Now that we’ve established the importance of keeping sacred procreative powers within marriage between a man and a woman, let’s talk about the hope and blessings that can come from it.

    When one lives the law of chastity, they are blessed with the ability to use the sacred procreative powers within the bonds of marriage. They can be blessed to create an eternal family that has unlimited love and joy. The loving relationships they have can continue forever.

    Perhaps one of the greatest blessings that can come from living the law of chastity, is self love. The better you live the law of chastity, the more you will love yourself. You will gain self respect and confidence. Your confidence before God will grow as well. (D&C 121:45)

    Our Father in Heaven loves you. He wants only the best for you. Not just what’s good for you, but what’s BEST for you. Come and be cleansed of your sins. Come and be baptized a member of His church. Come unto Christ and reap the rewards of the chaste and virtuous life.

    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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