Thursday, January 26, 2017

An Invitation





















Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.
We would like to invite any and all to join in a 40-day fast for the Lord to pour out His Spirit and His love (charity). It will begin February 8 and end March 20th (spring equinox). This can look however you want it to look. It may not have anything to do with abstaining from food if you don't want it to. You could abstain from something else. Perhaps you could give something "away" to those who suffer (instead of giving something "up" to make yourself suffer). Or you might simply focus on adding light to your life. It may be appropriate to include prayer, meditation, "rejoicing" and whatever else might be deemed as "all the energy of one's heart." For more information as to why this might be a good idea, please see the following points and cited scriptures.

PS - You are welcome to make comments, share scriptures and spread the word. Also, if you have come upon this after the fast has started, there is nothing stopping you from participating even still.

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1. In order for the Gentiles to do their part (and be "numbered among the seed of Lehi"), they need to have "charity," specifically for the House of Israel, which is given of God (when we ask with all our heart) and not acquired another way.

Moroni 7:48
Ether 12:28
Ether 12:34
1 Nephi 14:1-3
Moroni 10:21
2 Nephi 29:5
2 Nephi 10:18

2. The Second Comforter experience is a bestowal of "charity" for those who desire to serve in fulfilling God's promises. (With the understanding there are warnings and dangers attached to receiving them).

John 14:10-24
Moroni 7:46-47
D&C 14:7
James 4:3
D&C 4
Alma 17:9-12
Matthew 6:25
Ether 12:28
Mormon 9:27-28
D&C 46:7-9
Mosiah 5:8

WARNINGS AND DANGERS OF RECEIVING GOD'S POWER

Do not boast:

Do not sell for gain (priestcraft):
Do not consume on lusts:
Mormon 9:28
1 Nephi 22:23
D&C 46:9

Do not use to lord over others:
D&C 136:19

3. We should ask for the "best gifts" of miracles, tongues, or the range of diverse spiritual gifts to not only serve our friends, families and especially adversaries, but to convince them of the Lord's mercy and power. We should doubt nothing and believe that He will answer our petition.

3 Nephi 12:44-45 D&C 46:8 3 Nephi 28:29 3 Nephi 14:7-12
Helaman 5
3 Nephi 21:6
Alma 26:23-30
Enos 1:12
D&C 60:2-4

4. It doesn't matter what "group" we belong to. It's irrelevant. Everyone is invited. All we need is a desire to serve and a demonstration of that desire in the form of action (this includes baptism, too).

2 Nephi 26:33
1 Nephi 10:17
1 Nephi 13:37
2 Nephi 2:4
2 Nephi 2:27
2 Nephi 26:27


5. Fasting, tithing, the Sabbath, etc. are meant to designate and symbolize our efforts of rescuing the captives. Baptism and baptism for the dead are similarly symbolic. In fact, pretty much everything comes down to this foundational principle of rescuing others who are lost and fallen.

Isaiah 58
Alma 17:27-32
D&C 128:11-18
1 Nephi 21:21-22
2 Nephi 8:14
3 Nephi 20:37

6. We must move in faith, trusting in the promises of God. This will probably require acting before being told exactly what to do.

1 Nephi 4:6
Ether 12:6
Alma 32
Alma 13:10
D&C 58:26-29
Mosiah 28:1-3
Helaman 5:4
D&C 4:3-4
Alma 26:1-3
Moroni 7:16