5/10/2018 - Section 95:5-17

May 10, 2018

Section 95: 5-17

Called but not Chosen, Walking in Darkness at Noonday, Charity, Service, Contention, Obedience, Growth in the Gospel,

In v 5 the Lord talks of those that called, but not chosen. The student manual had a comment (p225) on this phrase, that made me examine my ways: “It is one thing to be called to labor in the vineyard and another to be faithful in the performance of that work. Only those who faithfully fill their callings are chosen by the Lord for exaltation in the kingdom of God. Those who are called but not chosen “have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day” [v6], for they do not respond to the light of the restored gospel that surround them.” (see also D&C 121:34-40)—which I looked up. The part that stood out to me as I read it was “…but when we undertake…to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved;…” As I try to fulfill my callings in the Church, or simply to BE at church—my first and foremost thoughts should be—not about myself, but about those around me. If I am serving others, than my first thought should be others—their comfort, their understanding, their welfare, their recognition—and not my own. That is true charity. And for me, trying to achieve true charity has been much like they described repentance (was it in general conference?)—that repentance is an every day thing, for everyday we do little acts, or thoughts that could have been kinder, more helpful, more uplifting—and not just for others and but for ourselves, too. We have an elder here who is entirely fixated on himself. I keep thinking if I could just get him to think of others, he would be so much happier and so much less frustrated. But I see now that the same thing if true for me. I keep thinking that one of these days I will get to a point where life is “retirement” which I see as restful, relaxing, slower, and easier, but maybe that’s not really the plan. Everyday of my life, to the very end, should be one of service, of love and thinking of others, of drawing ever closer to the Lord, of refining my thoughts, my actions, and thus my spirit.

Evidently there had been contentions in the School of the Prophets (v 10). The Lord identified contentions as grievous sins, and then said: “If you keep my commandments you shall have power to build it (meaning the temple—a seemingly impossible task). If you keep not my commandments, the Love of the Father shall not continue with you, therefore you shall walk in darkness.” (v11 &12) To me that is simply another way of saying “in the strength of the Lord I can do all things”.