My
brothers and sisters it is an honour and pleasure to be able to address
you for the first time in my capacity as the presiding bishop of the church.
From the Sixth Lecture of Faith we read "For
a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honour and
applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and
sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also, counting all things
but filth and dross for the
Excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, requires more than
mere belief, or supposition that he is doing the will of God, but actual
knowledge: realizing, that when these sufferings are ended he will enter into
eternal rest: and be a partaker of the glory of God." Then
we read from the Fifth Lecture of Faith we read "the Spirit of the Father: which Spirit is shed forth upon all who
believe on his name and keep his commandments: and all those who keep his
commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs with Jesus
Christ; possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or
likeness, even the express image of him who fills all in all: being filled with
the fullness of his glory, and become one in him, even as the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit are one."
As
our knowledge of Jesus Christ grows our desires change from materialistic
dreams, into a passion for feeling the spirit in our lives, with a hunger to
partake of God's glory. As
we keep his commandments and grow, we understand his grace and partake of His
Atonement, we find our selfishness changes and our hearts are opened to our
fellow men. As I think about those changes my mind is drawn to The Book of
Mormon. The account of Alma the Younger and the sons of King Mosiah, in The
Book of Mosiah, chapter 11, from verse 112-125 we can read their account, from
there experience they received knowledge about the true nature of their Saviour. They started to
change there sights onto heavenly goals. Later
we learn about the sons of King Mosiah with their newly found knowledge and
faith were so touched that they had changed there whole hearts and now loved
even their enemies the Lamanites. in Chapter Twelve verse 5 we read:- "Now they were desirous that salvation
should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human
soul should perish; Yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure
endless torment, did cause them to quake and tremble. And thus did the Spirit
of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners."
I
pray that as we grow in spirit that we will be blessed to have such a knowledge
as these men did of our Saviour. That we may have that same deep desire to care about
everyone regardless of who they are or what they have done. That we may love
thy brother as thy self. It is my fervent desire that we develop true Christ
like attributes and become one with our Savior
and care about everyone. Let us not forget that as members of The Latter Day
Church of Jesus Christ that we have the truth and we have an obligation to know
the truth for ourselves and to share it with all men, no matter their station
in life. It has been my pleasure to give this, my first address for the church
and I hope that my words have touched your sprits in small way. May God bless
you all. Amen.
Presiding Bishop Elder Paul Barber
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