Trees of Righteousness

Isaiah 61:3 - "The oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; that He might be glorified."

Trees of righteousness. Here's the Savior's mission verses in 1 and 2. I'm going to mourn in Zion. I'm repentant. I'm going to get beauty for ashes. I'm going to get oil of joy. I'm going to get the garment of praise. What does it result? It means that we become trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord. Now, other people... "I'm a little weak in my faith. But I can get shade under your tree. I can temporarily use your strength and shade to bless my life." The Savior says, "You're going to be the light of the world. You're going to be the salt of the earth. You're going to be leaven. Well, this is another one: trees of righteousness; the planting of the Lord.

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That's all from the Follow Him podcast this week with Dr. Ross Baron. It was so good. I loved his conversion story at the beginning of Part 1, and also his testimony at the end of part 2. They also mention the verse above at 27:11 in Part 2. Then starting at 31:30 I loved what they shared about trees as a symbol: 

Trees always grow toward the light. 

Trees require opposition to thrive. 

Trees bear fruit. 

Trees provide shade. 

Trees point upward. 

Trees use the power of the sun to provide oxygen for life

Trees are best grown in forests, not in isolation. 

Trees draw strength from previous generations of trees. 

They mention a talk given by Elder Marlin K. Jensen where he discussed the sacred grove. He mentioned a story of when someone in the church has this idea to clean out the sacred grove in New York, to get rid of all the fallen trees, and clean out the grove so visitors can have nice clean pathways. They did. It started to create havoc in the grove. It actually diminished the vitality of what was going on in the sacred grove. Then some arborists came along and were like, "Well, yeah. You can't do that. Why would you do that?" "We wanted to clean it up" "No, no, no, no. The previous generation of trees that have died actually provide rich, rich nutrition and growth for these younger trees."

Our Mighty God

There's more to cover than we could possibly cover, so I invite you to think of some of your favorite chapters of verses within a chapter to highlight things and lets see what we talk about - One thing, showing multiple fulfillments - Isaiah 13&14 - talking about Babylon but clearly talking about Satan. 

Christ vs. Satan

Good vs Evil

Zion vs. Babylon (short lived empire, less than 100 years and it's gone)

Lamb vs. Beast

Virgin vs. Harlot

My favorite part of study this week were these thoughts shared on Real Talk, which I try to transcribe a little bit below (though I have not proof read yet)

There might be an idea to not talk about Satan - we don’t want to talk about Lucifer and the bad things... we don't want to talk about darkness cause that’s inviting the dark. But in a popular Seminary video about that Moses encounter ("I Am A Son of God"), Elder Holland says the same thing as he narrated and just says we need to have a healthy respect right for his reality, the reality of darkness & evil. (Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence) Holland: "I acknowledge the reality of opposition and adversity, but I bear witness of the God of Glory, of the redeeming Son of God, of light and hope and a bright future. I promise you that God lives and loves you, each one of you, and that he has set bounds and limits to the opposing powers of darkness. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the victor over death and hell and the fallen one who schemes there. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true."

So if one idea is don't talk about Satan and darkness, then the opposite side of the pendulum is if it swings over to being hyper focused that: everything is evil!  Which the reality is, and I think Isaiahs really showing us this cycle - that the opposition is real, the eneny is real, and if we allow the thought to be over here on this side that somehow "Satan is way more powerful than us" because he’s got this big army of his minions, I just think we need to know, like Moses, where our glory is and our power! We have bodies! We have access to priesthood power through our covenant men and women have power to that to bring into their homes to battle against Lucifer, so KNOW your power, KNOW your glory, and then KNOW the enemy. It's all of that. When we let him be anonymous, he has power. When we call him out but know our power, he’s weakened. 

Isaiah 14 versus 15 -17, where Isaiah looking forward sees the ultimate destiny of Satan and darkness and evil, he says, speaking to Lucifer, "Satan thou shall be brought down to hell to the sides of the pit they that see the shall narrowly look upon thee  so there’s a squinting in disbelief - and I consider the saying "is this the man that made the earth to tremble and did shake kingdoms of the earth..." THAT's what I was scared of!?!?! Now I want you to think about the way you perceive the earth right now. You may look around and it's like "Oh, Satan's Winning!! Yep." That's never come out of the mouth of a Christian who believes and studies the words of Isaiah! Satan is NOT winning! He’s never winning! He’s never won!  and he WON'T win!!!! That’s that’s the miracle in the glory of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice! AMEN! They say this in verse 17 "he that made the world open not the house of the prisoners" prisoners like those who are taken by sin right this is the guy that refused to let go and see my child who is struggling and mortality chains of addiction - who, by implication, this means at this point time, in the future, healing has taken place. Everything is fine! We already know the end. So this reality of the overall victory over darkness and evil through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ is just a matter of time. And it is universal.  Isaiah 14 again 25 through 27 then shall lucifer's yoke depart from off them (whom?) this event for redemption peace he goes on the same 26 and 27 for the whole earth upon all nations. Not just a little selective group that knew this or knew that or has access to this or that... The destiny is ALL. ALL experience this healing. (Better be writing hope by that verse!) 

So a question to consider as we continue to move through this: who do you know that is currently in a prison of darkness, a prison of their own choices that have put them in the prison. Remember Isaiah (this is a beautiful beautiful thing you’ll see an Isaiah too…) he often emphasizes the self inflicted nature of our suffering “you did it to yourself” Other times he talks about how our suffering comes from outside sources (or just the effect of mortality) Suffering comes from all different places but in those situations where our suffering is self-inflicted, through our bad choices, the promise of eventual healing and comfort is exactly the same. It does not change. We love to attach conditions… “hello you got yourself there so God‘s not gonna help you…” <- false! We love to attach conditions to the healing, to Gods Grace… Granted we’ve got to consider all doctrine‘s together - we will never move farther on the path towards God then then WE will allow him to take us, BUT we also have a God who will never stop offering to take us as far as we want to go! So, think about people who are in despair, in sin, who are struggling, and think “that persons healing is just a matter of time” Lucifer’s yoke vs yoke of Christ

Nephi spend so much time of Isaiah Nephi from my perspective OK at this point my life he seems have gone through a transition in his life in terms of his perception of God and God‘s plan of salvation changes and stewardships right in the role of Jesus Christ please have the outcome of it seems to me that early on in the face like his per his Jesus forecast for salvation we have been a little narrow perhaps you know like on your select group will get there for like a better face but by the end of his life when he has now quoted to us Isaiah Isaiah Isaiah humbled by a life long in a collection of experiences he is still in Isaiah commentary mode in second he 533 when he’s finishing everything up and this is what he says he says hi glory in plains hi glory and truth hi glory and my Jesus for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. Think of 2Ne 4- the psalm of Nephi remember what Where is like I’m a piece of garbage… 2 Ne 33:6 position versus a seven and 12 if I said this instead of this uncharacteristic optimism I have charity for my people and great faith in Christ that I shall meet you at 12 I actually pray specifically to the father in the name of Jesus Christ that many of us if not all will be saved in the kingdom of the great last day

I think that optimism of server abroad or for a forecast of eventual healing and exaltation comes in large part because of his immersion in the words of Isaiah he’s a student of the good news is her to know what you can hear them all right right. Already know what about Sacha Sacha group Were never going to deny the doctrine of Agency but we just need to understand that Agency is eternal and it is and if the atoning grace of Jesus Christ is infinite and eternal again the only thing that will limit us in our progression now and forever is us and so a lot of the strikes to our perception of humanity some people just don’t think that certain people are good at their core. I I believe that everyone on earth that chose Jesus before they came here by the way when they could see clearly I think everybody has that I need to find sparked a fire within the light of crimes and my personal life experiences to prove this to me I didn’t want light when I was 18 I didn’t want Jesus at my center but guess what he came to me and he woke me up and so here I am today if you can do that for me and so many others for everybody and what hopeful message when you start to look at each other yes and your family members and your coworkers your interactions so we getting the message so again listen to our prophesied responses 

Is he says you’re gonna you’re gonna look back on this one day and that’s what you’re gonna say Isaiah 20 50 Lord our my God I will exalt thee I will praise the name Flower has done wonderful things die councils of all our faith honest and true verses seven through nine he will destroy this mountain (meaning millennial earth I think in this context specifically or celestial earth moving forward) he’s in the future here he will destroy on this earth the face of the covering cast over all people and the veil that is spread over all nations he will swallow up death and victory in the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces the rebuke of his people shall be taken away from off all the earth for the Lord has spoken and it shall be said that day low this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us! This is the Lord! we have waited for him! We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation now the problem is I think that a lot of us in traditional Christianity say that the only people waiting for Jesus are the perfectly righteous awake ones you know in the line of truth if you don’t think that those we traditionally label as wicked evil and in darkness if you don’t think that they are waiting waiting for healing waiting for comfort waiting for joy you have not spent much time in darkness cause I can tell you as someone who’s been there in your moment alone there’s nothing you want more and it’s my testimony that Christ will come and give that healing one day. That’s Isaiahs message over and over

Pslams in Prison

Shared in Part 2 of the Follow Him podcast, starting 36:58

Sister Chieko Okazaki, who was the General Relief Society President, I want to say in the late eighties, I think. And she told a story, and I love our veterans because my dad was one, and she told a story about a man named Captain James Ray, who was shot down in an F-105 Thunderchief, went to the Hanoi Hilton. It's from a15 January '96 Guideposts magazine my grandmama used to real. 

The Hanoi Hilton was nicknamed sarcastically. It was a terrible prison camp in Vietnam, where a lot of Americans were kept in that prison who had been shot down and so forth. Captain James Ray was there. They could only talk when the guards couldn't hear that they were talking or they would be punished. One time, after being tortured and thrown on the floor in a tiny room, with the guards were going back and forth, he heard a voice that said, "Hey buddy, what's your name?" And the other man there's name was Bob Purcell. He asked, "Do you know any scriptures?"

James answered "I know the Lord's Prayer." And the voice whispering underneath said, "Well, everybody knows that. Do you know the 23rd Psalm?" And "Only a little. I began whispering it," he said. "He repeated each line after me. A little later, he whispered back the entire psalm. Other prisoners joined in, sharing verses they knew. Through these contacts, a fellowship grew among us. One night, James heard tapping and he didn't know what it was. It took him a while to recognize that it was Morse code. I-W-I-L-L. He started scratching it on the floor. Psalm 121. 'I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from once cometh my help.' Can you imagine hearing this in prison? And these guys encouraging each other with the psalms. Isn't that something?

"He said that as they moved to different cells, one of my favorite parts of this, he said, "My first cellmate was Larry Chesley, a Mormon from Idaho." And he said, "Though we had a few differences in our belief, our common denominators were the Bible and Jesus Christ. And we were able to share and write down a great deal of scripture."

One of my favorite parts of this is that as more prisoners came and they got moved around, they organized a Christmas party. From memory, they recited as best they could, Luke 2. "There went out a creed from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." Told the Christmas story. And he said, "A choir. These guys are in prison pajamas, beards. They can't shave. Emaciated, sickly. They sang Oh Little Town of Bethlehem."

Hank Smith: 40:22 John, remind me, wasn't that story in your Christmas book?

John Bytheway: I put it in there. I thought that was a Christmas story to me, when they got together and recited Luke 2 and sang O Little Town of Bethlehem and things. The thing that James Ray said about, "They gave us a Bible, but then they took it. But we had the scriptures written in our hearts and could still find joy from that." So yeah, I wrote a little book called Born This Happy Morning, which is one of my favorite lines from a song ever. "Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning." What a happy morning. And he says, "We noticed our interrogator, one of these officers, peeking in and watching with a "What's going on?" Look." And he said, "That night, after months of asking, they brought us a Bible. The first one we had seen." That was their Christmas present, for them, that he brought them a Bible. They would share verses that they remembered on precious pieces of toilet paper and hide them behind bricks in the latrine so that when others could go, they could pull those out and get some encouragement. This is what I love, because they let them have this Bible for a while, and then they came and took it.

James Ray says, "From that, we learned the most important lesson. Bible verses on paper aren't one iota as useful as scriptures burned into your mind, where you can draw on them for guidance and comfort." Isn't that great? Of all the things that they could have been strengthened by, it was by the Psalms.

John Bytheway: 42:02 Listen to this. I'll read it as if you were in a prison camp. "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou prepares the table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." That story changed it for me, reading it as a prisoner in a hopeless situation, could read that Psalm and get some hope.

Dotting the Earth

Corey's dad shared this video with us on Monday. I just watched it now. Amazing to see! 

And it gave my heart joy to see the United States shining like a city on a hill.

Nothing Will Bring More Joy

Corey's dad always shares great stuff with us. He sent the link to this article today - Angels that Bring Life-Changing Knowledge  and I loved it and shared it with Nicole. She and I had just been talking about our life's work and what is the greatest contribution we can make in this world, so this message given by a grandmother to her granddaughter Bonnie was perfect. I bolded the parts I loved the most:

Angel Grandmother Came from the Other Side to Deliver Message

Bonnie Heidenreich was an extremely talented young mother that became very frustrated with her life as she was compelled to wash dishes, wipe noses, shop, clean up spills and do laundry instead of the “substantive” projects she wanted to do.  A deep depression set in… With exasperation she vented,

“Is this what I was born to do?   Why did the Lord give me all this imagination if I can’t use it?  And why am I trying to help my children grow up to be creative individuals if when they are grown, they’ll spend all their time clearing the table, vacuuming and washing faces?  What a waste!  And this is life?  Yuck!”

It was with this aggravated attitude that Bonnie began to fold laundry.  She writes,

“It was about 10:30 one night and I was in the laundry room folding my next to the last batch of clothes. I was very unhappy.  I closed my eyes and offered a silent plea for help…

“Suddenly, I felt the presence of my Grandma Andersen, and I sensed she wanted to communicate with me.  “Well, go ahead,” I thought, still somewhat bitterly, “if you can say anything that might help, I sure need it!”

“The next few minutes are difficult to describe.  It was a type of PURE COMMUNICATION where thoughts and ideas are sent and understood instantly. First, she said,

‘Bonnie, I speak to you with empathy and with authority because I have already lived through this life.  I had ten children.’

“A brief view of her ten children and their beautiful lives flashed through my mind. Then she said,

‘Bonnie, there is nothing that will bring you more celestial joy than your children.  No creation, no book, no song, no job, no success can begin to touch the joy of children, properly raised.  The things which concern you are mortal and will come to an end.  Your children are eternal.’

“Secondly, she said,

‘To the Lord, the most important work in this life is bringing His children to a knowledge of Him so that they might live with Him again. You can be a part of that great and glorious work, Bonnie, and you must start with your children!’

“Again a picture of Grandma’s children flashed through my mind, with their children and grandchildren.  They blessed many who in turn blessed others, who then went on to bless and serve more and MORE people…multiplying! Growing! Expanding! Exploding!…until there were millions of God’s children all over the world who could link their love of God and their desire to be faithful followers of Christ back to my one grandma; one mother in one little home… 

“But most importantly, she told me that if I lived the valiant life and achieved the crown, an eternity would await me with opportunities for “creating” which I could not begin to imagine yet!

“She was gone, and I stood there alone, getting my clean laundry all wet with my tears.  I don’t think the whole experience lasted more than a minute, but that’s all it took to turn me around and head me in the right direction.  I thanked the Lord for answering my prayer.” [v]

What powerful, magnificent knowledge was given to Bonnie! It was brought by a beloved grandmother angel to purposefully change the course of her life.

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I learned several years ago that my mission is motherhood. I like being a mother, and I know that nothing else I ever do will be more important to me or to Corey than raising our children. I am so grateful to have been given 13 beautiful children. My cup with blessings overflows.

They and Corey are the greatest blessings God has given me. They give me the greatest joy! (especially my baby Katharine!!!)

I love teaching our children of Jesus Christ and seeing them learn to love and trust in Him!

Big Picture

I've been thinking about a trial in our life right now. I guess it's more of a stretching opportunity that is coming from life's circumstances. I picked up an old Ensign magazine tonight and opened to a talk by President Uchtdorf that hit home with some counsel and guidance that I needed. It was titled "Your Adventure through Mortality" (from a worldwide devotional in Jan 2018 "The Adventure of Mortality")

Here are parts that I underlined or liked - when we are searching for answers and all we seem to get is a frustrating, spinning "wait cursor" - haha, yep that's what's going on for us! "When it comes to eternal questions, matters of the soul, we must be more patient." 

"Father in Heaven knows you, hears you, and will never abandon you. As you incline your hearts to Him and strive to follow His way, He will intervene in your life and direct your path as you journey through this great and exciting adventure of mortality."

He compared it to a neoimpressionist painting. "Close up, the dots appear unconnected and random. But when you take in the entire painting, you can see... what once seemed arbitrary and even confusing begins to make sense."

"As we strive to trust God and follow His Son, Jesus Christ, one day we will see the finished product, and we will know that the very hand of God was directing and guiding our steps."

Corey's been working on a project for several months without pay, just hoping that he can figure it out and get it to work, and then if he does think they can get it to work, then they'll talk equity and business. He's been very anxious about it, understandably. I haven't been freaking out about bills and money like I used to, but the concern is still there for both of us. But we are striving to trust that God is guiding Corey's path and will bless his efforts. President Uchtdorf was told by flight instructors that his time spent at church could be putting him at a disadvantage in the competitive program. Elder Uchtdorf says "I trusted God and did the best I could." We will strive to do that too.

"If you commit to doing the 'easy' things, the 'small' things God asks you to do - and you do them as perfectly as you can, big things will follow." 

What are the small and easy things? 

1. Study the scriptures
2. live the word of wisdom
3. attend church
4. pray with real intent
5. pay tithes and offerings

Corey and I are doing pretty good at those things, but we'll work at being better in each and trust that with those efforts, God will take care of the big picture. "I did trust God. I listened to the advice of loving family adn wise friends, and i took small steps of faith, believing that if I did the best I could in the moment, God would take care of the big picture." and... what happened? "He did!"

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"So you have to ask yourself, 'Can I muster enough faith to believe God? Am I willing to trust that He loves me and want to guide my path?'" 

"What you are experiencing in life is not all that uncommon. 

"Remember that you do not [have to] answer to others. You answer to God. One day you will stand before Him to account for your life.

"You will know with certainty how blessed you are because you kept the faith, kept  God's commandments, served your fellowmen, and built God's kingdom here on earth. 

"Your work is to make the  best decisions you can based on the information available to you, grounded in the values and principles of the gospel. Then strive with all your might to succeed in the things you undertake--and be faithful. Do that, and all the dots will connect.

"You have commandments, you have covenants, you have inspired prophetic counsel, and you have the gift of the Holy Ghost. That is more than enough to lead you to mortal happiness and eternal joy. Beyond that, don’t despair if you make some decisions that are less than perfect. That is how you learn. That’s part of the adventure!

May I ask you to remember five things?

First, know that God’s answers to your most profound questions may take a little time and may come in ways you don’t expect. God’s answers are of eternal value. They are worth the wait.

Second, have a little faith. Incline your hearts to God. Believe that you are important to God, and trust that He will make more of you than you can possibly make of yourself. Learn of Him. Love Him. Believe Him. Speak with Him regularly, intensely. Listen for His voice.

Third, walk as best as you can on the path of discipleship. Don’t get overwhelmed. Just do the small things as perfectly as you can, and the big things will fall into place.

Fourth, don’t let discouraging voices dissuade you from your journey of faith. Remember, you don’t answer to your critics. You answer to your Father in Heaven. His values count.

Fifth, make the best decisions you can by following the promptings that come to your heart and mind. Give your best efforts to follow through. Have faith, and God will consecrate your honest efforts for your eternal good.

Do this and, in the end, all will be well.

When Death and Mayhem Threaten

2 Kings 17-25 (Some visual notes for the lesson tomorrow in Sunday School that I'll be teaching)

It's really cool to think that right now we are in the gathering of Israel, so we have that as a direction connection to when the tribes were scattered thousands of years ago. 

Satan's arguments against our faith, and our ammunition to protect ourselves from the adversary and his attacks.

I also love the connections between 2 Kings and Nephi and Lehi. Josiah might have overcorrected, which is why Lehi didn't agree with and preached against the Jews. Josiah's Deuteronomistic reforms: God doesn't have a body, you can't see him, his name is in the temple, only temple in Jerusalem. Lehi Lehi preached that he had seen God, he has a body, Lehi built an altar and worshiped God outside of Jerusalem. 

Also, since Jerusalem had been miraculously preserved with Hezekiah's guidance against Assyria, that explains why Laman and Lemuel didn't believe that Jerusalem could be destroyed. 1 Nephi 2:13