Reflect Sincerely and Candidly

Reading:   Lectures on Faith: Lecture Fourth 11-19

The lectures on Faith were classes of instruction given "... On the Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, originally delivered before a Class of the Elders, in Kirtland, Ohio."

Continuing on with the lecture of God's attributes in accordance with our ability to muster the faith we need as mortals...as if understanding the power of faith isn't enough, understanding that God is that object by which our faith gains its power is still not enough, breaking down the characteristics of God doesn't quite total it, we need to know, understand, the attributes of God as well...okay, a bit much I think, but carry on brethren - burn it into me!

Today's verse summarizes the attributes...

LECTURE FOURTH (17)

17. Let the mind once reflect sincerely and candidly upon the ideas of the existence of the before-mentioned attributes in the Deity, and it will be seen that as far as His attributes are concerned, there is a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith in Him for life and salvation. For inasmuch as God possesses the attribute knowledge, He can make all things known to His saints necessary for their salvation, and as He possesses the attribute power, He is able thereby to deliver them from the power of all enemies; and seeing, also, that justice is an attribute of the Deity, He will deal with them upon the principles of righteousness and equity, and a just reward will be granted unto them for all their afflictions and sufferings for the truth's sake. And as judgment is an attribute of the Deity also, His saints can have the most unshaken confidence that they will, in due time, obtain a perfect deliverance out of the hands of their enemies, and a complete victory over all those who have sought their hurt and destruction. And as mercy is also an attribute of the Deity, His saints can have confidence that it will be exercised towards them, and through the exercise of that attribute towards them comfort and consolation will be administered unto them abundantly, amid all their afflictions and tribulations. And, lastly, realizing that truth is an attribute of the Deity, the mind is led to rejoice amid all its trials and temptations, in hope of that glory which is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and in view of that crown which is to be placed upon the heads of the saints in the day when the Lord shall distribute rewards unto them, and in prospect of that eternal weight of glory which the Lord has promised to bestow upon them, when He shall bring them in the midst of His throne to dwell in His presence eternally.

Ahh..."...reflect [upon these attributes] sincerely and candidly..." Please don't misconstrue my lightheartedness as frustration with the text - I love that theses ideas are being ground into my psyche!  Again, who, in their right mind, would decline further knowledge or additional witness to the teachings of Jesus Christ in relation to our own faith? The attributes of God are the very same attributes of Jesus; yesterday, today, and forever, and also those very same attributes that we should each strive to emulate!

• KNOWLEDGE
• POWER
• JUSTICE
• JUDGEMENT
• MERCY
• TRUTH

I think it would be interesting to write a book reflecting more sincerely and candidly on these six attributes. I would add personal stories relating to each attribute, along with quotes and stories from conference talks etc. (to make the reading more accessible).  I will call it: 

The Candle of Faith:  Attributes of a Living God

 What do you think?  

~Kipling