Preface to this post: People from the LDS faith, the faith that I belong to, believe that when Jesus Christ was on Earth, he organized a church. Some basic principles of the church were the authority of the priesthood, continuing revelation from God, and Gifts of the Spirit. After the death of Christ, almost all of the apostles of that church were killed and we believe, the world fell into a state of apostasy. Over time, many enlightened people began seeking out and finding truth and a religious revival occurred. During that time, we believe, that Joseph Smith was called by God to restore a church on earth that would be the same church that Jesus Christ organized during his life. We believe all of this is foretold in scripture including the writings of Isaiah. He prophesied that in the last days a marvelous work and a wonder would occur, that Israel would be gathered, and that Zion would be built in preparation for The Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I hope this explanation makes the following posts make more sense.
Please indulge me in one more post. I can't stop thinking about this book, but more, I can't stop thinking about how this book ties to the things I have been studying in Isaiah since spring. Reading and rereading, trying to understand what those words are all about. One thing that has become clear is that there has been a plan for a long time, for all time. Isaiah knew about this plan. One part of that plan was organizing the world into the tribes of Israel. The tribes of Israel had the truth about Heaven and Earth and Jesus Christ and the Priesthood, but they had a bit of trouble following the commandments they were given. So truth would sometimes get lost and then it would get found and then it would get lost and then it would get found. It was a tough road. But God made promises to Abraham, that someday it would get found and stay found. He promised that in a far away time, that Israel and truth and priesthood would be gathered again and would not be lost.
What do you do when you are God and you are full of grace and truth and you make a promise to someone. How do you keep that promise when you are relying on your children, who have struggled so much over time to listen to you, to fulfill things. Who do you chose?
Seeing this book from the lens of Isaiah and God's promises to Abraham and The Gathering of Israel makes me admire Joseph Smith with more energy. The truth's of the gospel had come and gone on the earth many times, but this time, they would stay and The House of Israel would be gathered. And Zion would be built. The most amazing part is that all of those things are happening.
It seems to me that God's method for developing a person or developing a people who can accomplish his work is through tests and trials. There are countless examples of this in scriptural and secular history. The early church members seemed to experience an extra dose of trials that were physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual. But they seemed to become the people that God needed to accomplish his work.
I think I am done posting about this book, but I still feel like talking about it, so strike up a conversation. And it's about time I get going on book #23. I am changing from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo to The Book Thief. I started on my trip to Hawaii and I am intrigued.
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