The Time is Now

Now I know the following post is a short one, but after today's lesson in Priesthood and after reading a few comments on a few posts on Facebook, I felt like ranting. More importantly, I felt it necessary to remind myself (as well as others) what the purpose of mortality is.

Let me explain. Today was the final lesson in the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, Lesson 26: Preparing for the Coming of Our Lord. I'd like to elaborate that the focus of this lesson was preparation and that we should be rejoicing at His coming. We read prayers on the hastening of the work and the excitement for Christ's return. But our beloved Joseph Fielding Smith was not overlooking the importance of mortality and the purpose of our life here on Earth.

The lesson was strange, as it involved Elder Wegrowski (one of the missionaries here in Alberton) throwing his tie over his shoulder quite a number of times. For those of you who don't understand the relevance of that - on mission, missionaries throw their tie over their shoulder when false doctrine is being taught to distract the investigator long enough to clarify on the topic being discussed. Our teacher today taught a great deal of controversial things (the risk in having a lay ministry). But I won't get much into that.

What I want to focus on is the overwhelming interest in perfecting ourselves immediately to shorten the time between now and the Second Coming. It is not our place to tell the Lord when to come and if instant gratification is expected (even in ourselves) then we are setting ourselves up for disappointment.

Now I believe the teacher's approach was an extremist point to encourage others more intensely than "please consider pondering the possibility of trying this", which is good, I suppose. But when I read comments on Facebook saying, "Lord, please come now", I couldn't help but turn to the scriptures.

They tell us that we rejoiced at the presentation of the plan for us to come to Earth. Now people are pleading for it to be over. The signs will come when they come, many have already, and the Lord will work according to His time. Yes, the work needs to be hastened, but we need to make sure not to push for an earlier date than the Lord has in mind. We came to Earth for a reason; let us learn the things we need to learn and be faithful in the little things, accepting our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, so we can be made rulers over many things (Matthew 25:23).

The time is now - there is work to be done now. Let us not be so caught up in things to come as to forget our duty NOW.

The signs are there for the faithful to know the time in which the prophecies shall come to pass (3 Nephi 21:1). Let us take this knowledge and prepare ourselves well, focusing on now. Let us use this time we have wisely to do the things we need to do and learn the things we need to learn. Help a friend. Tell someone you love them. And make a difference by doing the little things. Say hi. Ask about someone's day and actually listen to their answer. Invite people to join you somewhere and introduce them to others. Most of all, forgive someone (Leviticus 19:18).

It's through the little things we serve one another. It is through the little things that we love one another. And it is through these things we show the love of Christ (Moroni 7:47). Let us be found with this when the Lord does come.

From Aaron to Melchizedek

To quote the much acclaimed Isaiah,

"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10)

For every step becomes a journey and every line a story. From infant to elder, child to parent, and scholar to teacher; we're always learning, constantly growing. And the Lord would have it no other way.

Today, on the 23rd of November 2014, I took another step; from Priest to Elder - from Aaron to Melchizedek. And, oh, how glorious 'twas.

I woke this morning to find it raining - another confirmation from our Heavenly Father - and recalled the rain the day I was baptised and the day I was confirmed (and ordained and set apart as Priest) and the day I was set apart as Ward Missionary. In fact, it rained the night I decided to get baptised - how grateful I am to see that Heavenly Father would choose to use the same signs to confirm that this is His path for me.

Sustained at Stake Conference with fellow friends and Saints and family. My mom was there, my sister was there, my best friend was there, my sister's friend was there, and my other family (Brother Kevin and Sister Shan) was there. Unfortunately, Dylan was unable to make it.

Words of a hymn we sang (Onward, Christian Soldiers) emanates still:

"One in hope and doctrine
One in Charity"

The only thing that could've made this day better... Elder Tew (David Tew). Sadly, he's in America and it was 3am for him when the ordination took place. Speaking of which, I didn't record it for him. I should have. I wanted to. Shoust.

I can only remember some of what was mentioned as Brother Kevin acted as spokesperson (with a High Councillor and Elder Broadhead in the circle). Fortunately, there were witnesses, and together we can remember the Lord's council to me. I do remember that I need to council with my mom, family and Church leaders and that the Lord expects, also, that I be a missionary here, now, and when I serve a full time mission.

I'm grateful that I've been entrusted with the Priesthood which belongs to the Saviour Himself. I know that I need to keep the high standards set and that I need to magnify my callings and serve others to the best of my ability (the Lord will take care of the rest). I want to, and I know it is possible.

I'm grateful that my family was there. Yes, everyone that was with me today is my family. Their support and encouragement is truly appreciated and I love them - even though I may not say or express it as often as I should.

This is the Lord's plan for all His children; that they come nearer to Him and experience the blessings the Priesthood has to offer. And through this, we can all experience true joy and happiness. I know this, and I know that God knows this, and I cannot deny it. (To paraphrase Joseph Smith - God's chosen prophet in these Latter-days).