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Paul was called of God. What does predestiny mean in context of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians? We were part of a plan before the world was created. The atonement of Jesus Christ brings us to be God’s children. Salvation is worked out individually, exaltation is worked out as a family.
Pretty sure Sister Wright quoted the JST
Hey guys, thanks for all you do! Love the podcasts.
So in regard to Sister Amy A. Wright’s “miss quote” of Matt. 25:12
“But he answered and said, (a)Verily I say unto you, I (b)know you not.”
She was actually quoting the JST Matt. 25:11 … Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not. (footnote 12a Verily)
I just wanted to clarify the confusion.
The following is in regards to the much needed bonus podcast that has yet to be shared…
Again, Nate I’m not seeing the vindication you are referring to from Elder Renlund’s general Conference talk. I guess I am confused why the term “renewal” of baptismal covenants is so distasteful to you. Just because he did not use the term does not make it invalid in regards to our baptismal covenant. Take the following quote from Elder Bednar:
“The Holy Ghost is a sanctifier who cleanses and burns dross and evil out of human souls as though by fire. [See 3 Nephi 27:19–21]. …
As members of the Lord’s restored Church, we are blessed both by our initial cleansing from sin associated with baptism and by the potential for an ongoing cleansing from sin made possible through the companionship and power of the Holy Ghost. …”
My words:
One of the definitions of the word renew is: “to make new spiritually”. I see this in the above quote.
1) initial cleansing from sin associated with baptism
2) the potential for an ongoing cleansing from sin made possible through the companionship and power of the Holy Ghost. …
There is only one way to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost…through baptism of fire, which completes the baptism.
Elder Bednar continues:
… As we prepare conscientiously and participate in [the sacrament] with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then the promise is that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. And by the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always retain a remission of our sins. (“Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 59, 61–62)
My words:
But what if we don’t come prepared as we participate in the sacrament? Do we retain a remission of our sins? Will the Holy Ghost’s sanctifying power be active in our lives? Or do we need to continually “renew” our commitment to live according to the commandments, so that we may have His Spirit to be with us?
“The sacrament was, however, not instituted as a specific means of securing a remission of our sins (see James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, 12th ed. [1924], 175). A person cannot willfully sin on Saturday evening and expect that all he or she needs to do is eat a piece of bread and drink a cup of water on Sunday and magically be cleansed. But the sanctifying effect of the Holy Ghost can cleanse all who repent with a sincere heart and with real intent.”
There must be effort on our part so that we can always retain a remission of our sins. And what is that effort or action we must do continually each week? Repent and participate in partaking of the sacrament so that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us. (Which Spirit comes from the completion of baptism by water…the baptism by fire. Receiving the Holy Ghost). This is NOT a one time thing. It is continual, “to make new spiritually”…to renew, continual repentance and recommit ourselves to always remembering the Savior, His Atonement, and start anew through the cleansing of the Spirit so that we may always have the Spirit to be with us.
Elder Renlund said: …the treasured blessings of the sacrament are available to us each time we attend sacrament meeting. We are promised that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion if we approach the sacrament the way a new convert approaches baptism and confirmation, with a broken heart and contrite spirit and a determination to live up to that baptismal covenant. The Holy Ghost blesses us with His sanctifying power so that we can always retain a remission of our sins, week in and week out.
Please explain to me what vindication you received through Elder Renlund’s talk. I’m not seeing it. What exactly are you pushing back on? You said we are moving away from the language of renewing baptismal covenants. Where is that coming from? As if it was incorrect doctrinal language, which it is not, and the top (brethren) are moving away from it. Please refer to Elder Yoon Hwan’s remarks below as one of several examples within the last year.
According to Elder Dale G. Renlund, “the term covenant path refers to a series of covenants whereby we come to Christ and connect to Him. Through this covenant bond, we have access to His eternal power. The path begins with faith in Jesus Christ and repentance, followed by baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost.” We renew these covenants every time we partake of the sacrament. (Do You Want to Be Happy? By Elder Yoon Hwan Choi ,Of the Seventy, General Conference Oct 2023)
Example #2
“Attending sacrament meeting weekly and worshiping in the temple regularly to participate in the ordinances and to receive and renew covenants is a sign that we recognize our dependence on Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. That will invite Their power into our lives to help us through all our problems and ultimately fulfill the measure of our creation. (Humble to Accept and Follow By Elder Joni L. Koch Of the Seventy, Oct General Conference 2023)
Example #3
“The Savior invites us to come unto Him—no matter our circumstances. We come to church to renew our covenants, to increase our faith, to find peace, and to do as He did perfectly in His life—minister to others who feel like they don’t belong.” (The Doctrine of Belonging By Elder D. Todd Christofferson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Oct 2022 General Conference)
Example #4
“Jesus might point out that your covenants with Him—made when you were baptized and renewed each time you partake of the sacrament—give you a special connection with Him…” (Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Oct 2022 General Conference)
These inspired men are not saying we are renewing our covenants like an expired library book needs to be renewed, “to grant or obtain an extension of”. They are referring to starting anew “to make new spiritually” through the cleansing of the Spirit so that we may always have the Spirit to be with us.
And please show me where Elder Renlund talked about the sacrament in relationship to the temple more than bapstism. I think he was relating it to the Holy Ghost. “When we have the Holy Ghost with us, we will be inspired and guided to make and keep other covenants, such as those we make in temples.”
Okay nuff said. I’m patiently waiting for the bonus podcast so I can be enlightened.
Jason, are these your pictures? They are stunning! I think you mentioned by email to me these are your graphics. They add so much spirituality to your guys’ podcast! Thank you! What a blessing this art is!
Thank you! I pick out the art work for each episode, and try to find something that resonates with what I feel we talked about. Sometimes it takes awhile to land on something, so I’m glad you noticed. I usually license a stock photo, and sometimes I will use AI to generate a photo.