Promises abiding

A new teacher was called this fall for the Thursday evening section of the same class that I teach on Wednesday mornings.  We had talked on the phone after he received this call, but had never met before September when he showed up for my first class.  We trade some materials back and forth as we prepare, and he attends my class before he teaches his own.  He found the accounts of the selection and ordination of the first modern apostles compelling, as I did, and we talked after class about what those callings and experiences meant.  How does our Father see us, and see the road ahead? As He lines out our promises, knowing our difficulties, what does He see, and do we trust in what He sees?  Are we going to hang on?

 On Wednesday, Brother Dargan went home after our class and had an afternoon of prayer and pondering in the Spirit.  I am offering a guest spot, if you will, today, for what he wrote that day and gave to his class the following evening, which arose out of the study and lesson preparation, our talk, and where the Lord led him from there.  I hope you'll read it.

BEST DESTINY

     In February, 1835, the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in this last dispensation was organized.  Under the direction of the First Presidency, with the Prophet Joseph making the actual callings, the Three Witnesses of The Book of Mormon were charged with recommending those who would be special witnesses of the Resurrected Lord in all the world.  The Three Witnesses were also privileged to ordain and bless the Twelve.

     The blessings were dictated by the Spirit of God; the words were filled with power and prophecy; they promised that angels would attend, that foes would be confounded, that health and strength would be enjoyed, that power to preach unto the convincing of men would be given by the Holy Ghost, that numerous lands would be visited, miracles performed, and millions would be converted and blessed.  Each blessing was personal and unique.

     Yet of those first twelve Apostles, only three stayed faithful the rest of their lives and realized the promises given to them down to the last details.  Five later returned to the Church – two in short order, so as to barely interrupt their foretold destinies – but three were not rebaptized until it was far too late for them to reclaim the apostolic opportunities set before them.  Four men never came back to the fold.

     Of the twelve, the heavenly blessings promised to seven of them when they became Apostles were completely lost.  The three who returned still had hopes of eternal life, and no doubt other mortal blessings available, but, through choices of their own, their potential destinies had been irrevocably altered.

     Were the blessings not inspired?  Did the Lord not know that seven would falter and fall?  If a blessing be given us that fails of realization, was it not a true vision of the future when pronounced?

     Apostles are not the only ones who receive prophecies and promises of things to come.  Every Saint who receives a patriarchal blessing or who receives the promises given to Abraham in the ceremonies of the Temple has his or her best destiny laid out on a conditional basis.

     Everyone has the potential to succeed.  When we are blessed as pertaining to futurity by a priesthood holder who speaks for God by the power of the Holy Ghost, then we have received a true destiny that we could have.  Whether or not it comes to pass in all particulars depends on us.  God can see where we are and where we are headed, but He can also see the best that we could be.  And based on where we are at the moment, He can show His servant our best destiny from that point in time.

     Even though He knows that we may not make it, He encourages and builds us up right where we are at the moment.  It is never over until it is over.  The prize can always be won.  Free agency is the prime directive, and there is no predestination.  “Therefore,” said Jacob, “cheer up your hearts and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves – to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life” (Jacob 10:23; cf. 2 Nephi 2:27).

     The foreknowledge of God troubles some.  They worry, “If he has seen that I fail, why should I try?”  But do they ever stop to think that maybe He knows they will succeed?  The real thing that makes God’s omniscience fair and our destinies wide-open is that we don’t know the end result, and we do know that our choice to determine that end for ourselves is inviolate.

     Both Apostles and Saints have weaknesses.  They have trigger points.  They have to prove themselves worthy.  Satan knows the weight of our callings.  Whether we are an Apostle or a home- or visiting teacher, we are a member of the true Church, we can open our mouth and bear our testimony, we can change the world for good, and, above all things, we have taken upon ourselves the Name of Jesus Christ.  We represent Him.  The devil knows what we are capable of becoming – celestial beings – and he will try to prevent that with every deceit he can muster.

     Everyone, Apostle or Saint, is in the last lap of the quest for immortal glory.  We have passed every pre-mortal test and are taking our final exam to be ‘proved herewith, to see if we will do all things whatsoever the Lord our God shall command us’ (Abraham 3:25).

     Everyone has trials, opposition, heartbreak, disaster, and betrayal.  It is not an easy test, but it is worth it.  As part of their blessings, the original Twelve were given some keys of victory that apply to all of us.  They are included in this list of wise words:

Cultivate great humility.

Pray constantly.

Never give up.

Put the Kingdom of God first.

Avoid tempting situations.

Serve others.

Nourish your testimony.

Study the Word of God.

Fellowship with the Saints.

Let the Holy Spirit guide, and be responsive to its promptings.

Remember the covenants you have made.

Give thanks unto God in all things.

Return often to the Temple – the bridge between heaven and earth.

     Many of us, through times of inactivity in the Church or struggles with sin, may have sidetracked some of our blessings, our chances, and our opportunities.  We may have interrupted our progress, and we may not ever in this life be able to reclaim all the mortal blessings we might have had if we had gone along steady all the way.

     But, because the test is a hard one, unsteadiness is not uncommon among the Saints of God.  If we have been interrupted, we are not alone.  If mistakes have been made, and desires to repent are present, we need to understand that it is never too late while mortal life endures.  The very best blessings – the promises of Abraham, celestial marriage, forever family, eternal life, and the joy of exaltation – still lie ahead, intact.

     Though we may have altered, to one extent or another, the mortal course we could have had, the best destiny of a son or daughter of God is not lost to us.  All we have to do is choose it now.

     The Lord asks each of us: “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?” (3 Nephi 9:13).  If we take this course, we may be assured that part of that healing will be the blessing of a new best destiny.   

                                                              ---William A. Dargan