What Is Good About Us?

Luke 18:18-19 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

This rebuke by the Master may seem off putting to some well-wishers, who just was searching (albeit with less thought than the situated merited) for some amiable way to find entrance into a conversation with the Lord. However, Christ found it the perfect time to teach a valuable lesson.

We should not expect to find ourselves very good disciples of His, if we are not willing to walk the path He followed.

Why do we look for the good things that we do and like to praise ourselves for them when that is not what He sought?

Anything good (culturally speaking) that the church (as defined in D&C 10:67) produces derives from trying to apply the teachings of Jesus. All of the negative aspects produced by the church come from our inability to live the teachings that Jesus gave. These include but are not limited to the side effects of depression, issues surrounding human sexuality, unrighteous judgement, oppressive government in LDS areas, etc.

I have heard some people say not to blame the rank and file of the church (same definition as before) for these issues, because they are caused by the Shepherds of Israel. (see Ezekiel 33:23-34:31) To this I reply, the segregated perception of leaders and rank-and-file is a fallacy. It is similar to how I often hear people refer to 'The Church' (i.e. 'The Church doesn't like -fill in the blank-' or 'The Church teaches...' and 'That's not what The Church teaches') as if it were some real person or tangible thing that they were referring to. The Church is -as Christ, Himself explained it- everyone who repents and comes unto Christ. (see again D&C 10:67) In my belief that includes Jerald Tanner and Thomas Monson. Therefore anything that is produced within a culture in which 'The Church' exists, is negative only because some group of people, who have identified themselves with the church, have failed to live some part of the teachings of Christ. If we have anything good about us, it is purely because Christ's teachings are being lived (whether cognitively or merely as an automatic reaction stimulated by our social conditioning, the reward is the same.)

Light And The Absence Thereof

In the heavens, the Sun is the only source of life sustaining light as far as we are concerned.  The Moon and the planets receive their light from the Sun and are not able in and of themselves to produce light; only reflect the true source.  

The light reflected by the Moon can illuminate a pathway sufficient enough to give direction, but who would want to live solely by it?  

All light illuminates.  It originates from Christ.  

God associates His power with His word.  This typology is given to John in John's documented revelation of Jesus Christ, as a sword that issues forth from Christ's mouth (Revelation 1:16; 19:15.)  Additionally we find this type in the men who are given His power in their word, to "kill the wicked with the breath from [their] lips." (see Isaiah 11:4)

God's Power is His word.  God's word is truth.  His truth is light. (see D&C 84:45)

God's Power is therefore also typified by the visual light we see.  God's power -the authorized version of it given to man- is expressed in the term, Priesthood.  

Therefore Priesthood is typified in light.  Through the Sun's light reflected by the Moon, the lesser priesthood is typified.  It points to the true light at night.  It stands as a nearly invisible, side witness during the day; fulfilling the calling given it for serving as a sign and processing through the seasons.  

Lesser priesthood is that of a fellowship among men or a 'hood' of priests. It serves only to allow men to point a mind to Christ by those to whom it will be 'received', (Jacob 4:5.) 

However, despite the lesser priesthood being a fellowship of men, they -like the Moon- wholly derive whatever light that they reflect from the true and only source of light in our darkness.  If the conditions by which the light is governed is not obeyed, then the light is cut off.  

In order to reflect light the Moon must face the Sun.  When through the process of only operating in the lesser/reflective light the Moon steps into the shadows and seeks to become a light unto itself, simultaneously with that action the light is taken away.  

Isn't this an interesting testimony that we have in the heavens?  On April 4th there will be a lunar eclipse.  Creating a display that cuts the light off to the Moon which is a type of the fellowship of men.  Instead of the usual illuminated semblance of a full moon deferring glory to the Sun from which it derives it's own light, that would be in effect otherwise;  there will be a symbolic display of blood which comes from a cutting.

The testimony of the heavens set there from the foundations of this world by God can not be changed, only disregarded (Jeremiah 31:35-36.)  It makes me want to be more aware of all of His works.  I wonder what other neat stuff is happening on the 4th of April?