While we didn't participate in classroom discussions or have professor-given lectures this past week in my Doctrine and Covenants class, we were privileged to attend Brigham Young University's Museum of Art and receive a guided tour (albeit it short) of their permanent religious art display. While there are several truly beautiful and awesome paintings on display there at all times (which can be visited free of charge during all open hours. See moa.byu.edu for more info), I wanted to express how I feel and my reaction with regards to one simple portrait made by the Circle of Rembrandt (composed of Rembrandt and perhaps some apprentices and artists under his tutelage).
The first thought that comes to me when I look upon this painting is one of warmth; I always notice the dark, rich colors used all around Jesus' head, and the brilliantly natural glow that emanates from his face. (see the humongous link that follows to see an image of this painting http://monet.byu.edu/emuseum/code/emuseum.asp?style=browse¤trecord=1&page=search&profile=objects&searchdesc=head%20of%20christ&quicksearch=head%20of%20christ&newvalues=1&newstyle=single&newcurrentrecord=1) One of things mentioned by our museum guide was where the source of light is coming from that glows on Christ's visage: from Christ himself. In other words, he seems to be the light glowing outward rather than some other light shining in on him. Whether the intention of Rembrandt or not, I can't say for sure, but I am grateful to have the scriptures which contain the words of Christ as recorded by personal witnesses. In the Book of Mormon, we find an almost incredible account of a people gathered around after physical destruction has caused the deaths of many and injury to many others. These people are talking to one another about the amazing, terrible things which have occurred all around them in the recent days when the resurrected Jesus Christ descends from the heavens and appears to them. (I would encourage you to read this entire chapter, it can be found at http://scriptures.lds.org/3_ne/11 ) Notice verse 10 and 11 in which Christ speaks to the people; "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world." I know that Christ and his teachings really are THE light of the world and that warmth awaits those who feel spiritually cold.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
La cuestion entre lo "sagrado" y lo "secreto"
La cuestion entre lo "sagrado" y lo "secreto" y los templos de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias (los mormones).
Quizas ud haya visto algun edificio imaculado, blanco y grande cerca de donde vive y se ha preguntado ?que sera? o ?Puedo yo entrar? La Iglesia de Jesucristo ha puesto una gran importancia sobre la construccion de tales edificios llamados templos. En pocas palabras, templo significa la casa de Dios sobre la tierra. De hecho, las palabras "Casa del Senor" estan inscritas sobre la faz de cada templo mormon alrededor del mundo (vease la enlace siguiente para ver las fotos de todos los templos: http://www.lds.org/temples/geographical/0,11380,1899-1,00.html) En mi clase de Doctrina y Convenios de la semana pasada, topamos con la cuestion de la diferencia entre lo sagrado y de lo secreto, hablando particularmente acerca de los templos.
Para que sepa, nosotros como miembros de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias consideramos sagrados todos los templos, pero nunca los consideramos secretos. Es decir, queremos que todo el mundo pueda llegar a entrar en un templo de Dios, que pueda conocer las bendiciones eternas que alli se prometen a los fieles, que pueda contratar convenios--o promesas especiales--con Padre Celestial. Pero tambien queremos que uno este preparado de tomar sobre si los compromisos que siguen las bendiciones prometidas del templo, y es por eso que uno tiene que ser miembro digno y activo de la Iglesia de Jesucristo para poder entrar.
las cosas secretas son las cosas que solo una cantidad limitada de gente puede saber o conocer, mientras las cosas sagradas, como las de los templos, son las cosas que todos pueden saber si reunen los requisitos establecidos; no hay discriminacion alguna en cuanto a quien se le permite entrar con tal de que reuna estos requisitos.
Yo estoy enormamente agradecido por la oportunidad de entrar con regularidad a la Casa del Senor para adorarle a mi Salvador y para sentirme rodeado del amor infinito de mi Padre Celestial. Se que ud tambien podra recibir muchas grandes bendiciones por hacerse digno y preparado de entrar en un templo del Senor.
Quizas ud haya visto algun edificio imaculado, blanco y grande cerca de donde vive y se ha preguntado ?que sera? o ?Puedo yo entrar? La Iglesia de Jesucristo ha puesto una gran importancia sobre la construccion de tales edificios llamados templos. En pocas palabras, templo significa la casa de Dios sobre la tierra. De hecho, las palabras "Casa del Senor" estan inscritas sobre la faz de cada templo mormon alrededor del mundo (vease la enlace siguiente para ver las fotos de todos los templos: http://www.lds.org/temples/geographical/0,11380,1899-1,00.html) En mi clase de Doctrina y Convenios de la semana pasada, topamos con la cuestion de la diferencia entre lo sagrado y de lo secreto, hablando particularmente acerca de los templos.
Para que sepa, nosotros como miembros de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias consideramos sagrados todos los templos, pero nunca los consideramos secretos. Es decir, queremos que todo el mundo pueda llegar a entrar en un templo de Dios, que pueda conocer las bendiciones eternas que alli se prometen a los fieles, que pueda contratar convenios--o promesas especiales--con Padre Celestial. Pero tambien queremos que uno este preparado de tomar sobre si los compromisos que siguen las bendiciones prometidas del templo, y es por eso que uno tiene que ser miembro digno y activo de la Iglesia de Jesucristo para poder entrar.
las cosas secretas son las cosas que solo una cantidad limitada de gente puede saber o conocer, mientras las cosas sagradas, como las de los templos, son las cosas que todos pueden saber si reunen los requisitos establecidos; no hay discriminacion alguna en cuanto a quien se le permite entrar con tal de que reuna estos requisitos.
Yo estoy enormamente agradecido por la oportunidad de entrar con regularidad a la Casa del Senor para adorarle a mi Salvador y para sentirme rodeado del amor infinito de mi Padre Celestial. Se que ud tambien podra recibir muchas grandes bendiciones por hacerse digno y preparado de entrar en un templo del Senor.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Lord accepts our best efforts
In my Doctrine and Covenants class this past week, we read and discussed section 124 of Doctrine and Covenants (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/124). Part of our classroom discussion was about the many commandments given by the Lord to his prophet Joseph as well as the opposition which prevented Joseph and the other members of the church (persecutions, lack of government protection, etc) from fulfilling these assignments given to them. I really appreciate verse 49 in which the Lord gives some very comforting words:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings."
I know that our Heavenly Father has blessed me with many talents and gifts and resources to do many good things. But I also know that sometimes circumstances prevent me from accomplishing all the good I could potentially do. It is comforting to me to know that the Lord will accept my efforts nonetheless and that he is realistic in his divine expectations, even though such a concept might seem like a bit of a paradox or oxy-moron: realistic divine expectations.
The prophet Joseph Smith was given a great many things to do, but I have come to recognize that his mission wasn't to complete the preparation of the whole earth for Christ's second coming; rather, I believe that Joseph Smith was called to begin the preparation of the earth for Christ's second coming by restoring such things as the priesthood (see http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&index=16&sourceId=ab839daac5d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____) (Sorry for the super long link, but its worth it!) as well as translating the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ to help all of God's children come to a better knowledge of Jesus and his saving gospel. Joseph did a great deal to ensure that the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even after he was no longer around. I know that Christ is the head of the church restored, and that God called Joseph Smith to be an insrument in His hands to do a great work that continues today! If you want to know more about this continuing marvelous work, please visit www.mormon.org or any of the links I have provided above.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings."
I know that our Heavenly Father has blessed me with many talents and gifts and resources to do many good things. But I also know that sometimes circumstances prevent me from accomplishing all the good I could potentially do. It is comforting to me to know that the Lord will accept my efforts nonetheless and that he is realistic in his divine expectations, even though such a concept might seem like a bit of a paradox or oxy-moron: realistic divine expectations.
The prophet Joseph Smith was given a great many things to do, but I have come to recognize that his mission wasn't to complete the preparation of the whole earth for Christ's second coming; rather, I believe that Joseph Smith was called to begin the preparation of the earth for Christ's second coming by restoring such things as the priesthood (see http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&index=16&sourceId=ab839daac5d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____) (Sorry for the super long link, but its worth it!) as well as translating the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ to help all of God's children come to a better knowledge of Jesus and his saving gospel. Joseph did a great deal to ensure that the progress of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints even after he was no longer around. I know that Christ is the head of the church restored, and that God called Joseph Smith to be an insrument in His hands to do a great work that continues today! If you want to know more about this continuing marvelous work, please visit www.mormon.org or any of the links I have provided above.
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