TG Mortality 22 - 2 Corinthians 4:11

The end goal of a Christian's mortality is this: "that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."  The grace which has "shined in our hearts" (v. 60, if we are careful to make sure that the "inward man is renewed day by day" (v. 16) makes us more and more Christ like.  He becomes 'manifest in our mortal flesh.' 

However, we do not become perfect.  "We have this treasure in mortal vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (v. 7).  Even this imperfection has its purpose making sure that no one can mistake the finger pointing at the moon for the moon itself!

Nor will our circumstances be perfect.  We will be subject to being troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down, perhaps even killed.  But if we renew the inner man and keep that light shining in our hearts we need not be distressed, in despair, forsaken or destroyed, and in death we will be raised up (v. 8-14).

For Paul, the chief thing then, is that we do not hide our light in mortality.  Being imperfect, having troubles does NOT diminish the light that shines in us!  We may not be perfect, but He is!  It is natural for our imperfections and troubles to make us a little reticent to share.  "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; (v. 3-5)"

TG Dreams 11 - 1 Samuel 28:6

A sad and strange story from the ending of Saul's life.

Saul has cut himself off from God.  He faces a terrible battle and in his fear he seeks counsel from God.  But it is fear seeking, not repentance.  There is no sign of remorse.  No sign of a desire to change.  No need for a closer relationship with God.  Just fear.  The Philistine host looks bigger than he can handle.

Saul is obsessed here with technique.  Can I get a dream?  Does any prophet have a message for me?  How about the Urim and Thummim?  Is there a woman with a familiar spirit?  But what is really needed here is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  In the end, he finally gets the revelation he seeks, but since he has not made peace with God, he receives no counsel, no comfort and no benefit. 

Revelation is always more than a technique, it is always embedded in the context of our relationship with God, and that relationship is more important than the technique or its results.

TG Mortality 21 - Moroni 6:21

Mormon's echo of Paul's phrase ("mortal must now put on immortality") is, like it's other occurrences in the Book of Mormon, centered on the judgment. 

"They day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works;" (v. 21)

Mormon's use of the phrase is the more poignant because he is literally surrounded by a scene of flesh returning to corruption

"their flesh, and bones, and blood lay upon the face of the earth, being left by the hands of those who slew them to molder upon the land, and to crumble and to return to their mother earth." (v. 15)

 He has just witnessed the near total destruction of his people, men, women and children.  And for very few of them can he hope that the judgment will be joyful.  For a few perhaps - "if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you."  For the majority though, the lament is this:  "oh that ye had repented before this great destruction had come upon you." (v. 22)

Interesting that of the four Book of Mormon references we have found that echo this Pauline phrase, three of them are integrally embedded in a concern with "the fathers." Whether Enos' testimony that begins with "the words which I had heard my father speak concerning eternal life, or the joy of the saints," or Alma's evocation of the deliverance, first temporal and then eternal, of his audience's "fathers," or Mormon's phrase "blessed with your fathers."  In 1st Corinthians 15 itself, Paul's treatise on the resurrection has the mysterious reference to baptism for the dead in verse 29. 

Might it be fruitful to search for the antecedents to Paul's phrasing?  What text or tradition underlies both Paul's use of these phrase and the Book of Mormon prophet's use of it.  Is there in the possible sources a juxtaposition of the resurrection/judgment and a concern with our fathers?

TG Dreams 10 - Judges 7:13

This is a classic type three dream, heavily symbolic and the interpretation provided by an inspired outside source.  The ironic thing is that the inspired interpreter is one of the enemy host and he thinks he is interpreting for his companion but is in fact interpreting for Gideon who was hidden or disguised nearby.  The Lord delivers his interpretations in the way of his choosing - often unexpected and unlikely.

TG Mortality 20b - Alma 5 continued

So, if you haven't come unto Christ (v. 34), the concept of the resurrection and the judgment that accompanies it functions as a litmus test that enables you to do a "thought experiment" (one of Einstein's "gedanken's") that will, if you do it honestly, help reveal your need for the atonement.  If you HAVE come unto Christ, experienced a mighty change of heart, received his image in your countenance, and been spiritually born of God, then the same thought experiment - picturing yourself at the resurrection, before the judgment seat of God - enables you to tell if you have continued in Christ, connected to the Vine or not.

"if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask can ye feel so now?" (v. 26).  The litmus test here involves

          Retaining/renewing a remission of your sins
                 "keeping yourselves blameless before God"
                 "garments...cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ"
          Avoiding a sense of self sufficiency and superiority that is a common trap for the redeemed
                 "have you been sufficiently humble?"
                 "are ye stripped of pride?"
                 "are ye stripped of envy?"
                 do you "make a mock" of your brother?
                 heap "upon him persecutions?'

your answers to these questions reveal whether you, just like those who have never yet know the Savior "have gone astray, as sheep having no Shepherd." 

The continuing presence of the atonement in our lives IS after all the continuing presence and influence and direction of the Shepherd, which we gain and retain in the same way - by listening to and accepting his invitations and hearing and following ("hearkening unto") his voice. (v.33-35, 37-38,