Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3-4

Today's Favorite Verse: 1 Timothy 1:3-4
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."

Paul is cautioning Timothy about the need for sound doctrine to be taught. Paul knew that members of the church would eventually apostatize, and the embracing of untruths and false doctrines would lead them astray. How sad it must have been for Paul, knowing what was coming. However, there were good people that served faithfully and Timothy was one of them. I pondered on how the adversary is still trying the same tactics in our day. There are members that fall away, but the church as a whole will not apostatize.

There are some key things we are to understand. First, is teach the doctrine of Christ and no other doctrine. It's so important that we really know what God's words are because in ignorance we can share what is not true. Especially when we heed fables and endless genealogies. Fables refers to false teachings, heeding endless genealogies refers to the false tradition that salvation came only to those of the chosen seed of Abraham. At the time of Paul the Jews would site long genealogies as a mean to show they were chosen. Yet, these very people rejected the Messiah. As members of the primitive church some thought their genealogies made them above the gentiles that converted. It's like today, just because you come from pioneer heritage you are not automatically saved. All of us need to work at it, everyone can be blessed as the seed of Abraham or adopted in.

"Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"
(The Acts 10:34)

Day 3279

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 30:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 30:3

"And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her."

In this chapter Leah and Rachel are in some sort of contest to have children. After Leah has four sons, Rachel gives her maid Bilhah to Jacob to build up children by her. Bilhah has two sons. Leah finds she is now barren so she gives her maid Zilpah to Jacob to build up children by her. Zilpah has two sons. Then Leah has two more sons and a daughter. It is then that Rachel finally has Joseph. With that the twelve tribes of Israel are born. Well, almost Benjamin comes later.

As I read this verse the though came to me that the maids having children for their mistresses sounded like surrogacy. Someone told me the Church didn't allow surrogacy, but I didn't know if that was true or not. I looked and found the Church's statement on surrogacy in Handbook 2. "Surrogate Motherhood: The Church strongly discourages surrogate motherhood. However, this is a personal matter that ultimately must be left to the judgement of the husband and wife. Responsibility for the decision rests solely upon them."

So, basically it is discouraged, but left up to the couple. As I pondered on that I think the reason it's discouraged is because the surrogate is not under that law like what was allowed by the Lord in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's time. 

I found in Doctrine & Covenants 132: 37 "Abraham received concubines, and they bore him children; and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, because they were given unto him, and he abode in my law; as Isaac also and Jacob did none other things than that which they were commanded......" 

I'm certainly in no position to judge this matter. I'll leave it up to the couple. I just found what I read interesting. But, what I really came away from all this was the act of the surrogate having the child for the mother ultimately leads to adoption. It fascinated me thinking about Leah and Rachel adopting these children, just like gentiles can be adopted into the House of Israel as they are converted. This is the law of adoption. What Jacob saw happening in his household was exactly what we are seeing today. The gathering into the House of Israel. I had never looked at it this way.

Day 605

Today's Favorite Verse: D&C 34:3

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 34:3

"Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;"

This chapter took me on a really great scripture chase. I wanted to know more about being a "son of God". So I pondered on how in the pre-existence or before my earth life, my spirit was created in the heavens by God the Father. I came to earth to receive a body and to be tried and tested. In doing so I have a literal father on the earth. So how does Christ fit in being my Father too? I know God the Father and Christ are two separate beings. 

Then I found these really great verses in Galatians 4:4-6

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" 

(See Romans 8;14-16 also) 

So what I learned tonight was the "law of adoption". I didn't realize there was such a law. I had pondered on this previously and had reasoned that being born again would be like being adopted by Christ and he became my Father. I am excited to see that it really is called adoption - there is such a law. When I receive Christ in my heart, and am obedient to his commandments I am born again. I have the right to become heir to eternal life. In this way he does become Father to me since I am born again.

"And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:18)

This gives me joy!

Day 453