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TURNING THE TIME OVER TO . . . no mourning, pain, or death]. Blessed are the meek [humble, gentle, long-suffering, not easily of- Grant H. Palmer fended, exhibiting strength under control]: for they shall inherit the [new] earth [the kingdom of THE “” SAINT heaven]. Blessed are they which do hunger The exists for nothing else but to draw Imagine yourself as a living house. and thirst after righteousness: for they men into , to make them little Christ’s. God comes in to rebuild that house. shall be filled [with the Spirit, the —C. S. Lewis At first, perhaps, you can under- love of God, and wisdom and stand what He is doing. He is get- knowledge in the kingdom of VANGELICAL OFTEN ting the drains right and stopping heaven]. employ the term and converse about the leaks in the roof and so on; you Blessed are the merciful [who are E the significance and process of being knew that those jobs needed doing more forgiving than justice re- “born again,” whereas members of the Church and so you are not surprised. But quires]: for they shall obtain mercy of Christ of Latter-day seldom do. presently he starts knocking the [in the kingdom of heaven]. Despite many references to house about in a way that hurts Blessed are the pure [honest] in being born again,1 the LDS Church neglects abominably and does not seem to heart: for they shall see God [daily in the topic. Recall that Jesus himself used this make sense. What on earth is He up the kingdom of heaven]. term and emphasized its importance during to? The explanation is that He is Blessed are the peacemakers: for his discussion with the Jewish leader building quite a different house they shall be called the children [sons . He informed Nicodemus that to from the one you thought of— and daughters] of God [and inherit “enter into the kingdom” a person “must be throwing out a new wing here, all things in the kingdom of born again” (:5, 7, emphasis mine). putting on an extra floor there, run- heaven]. The is replete with many ning up towers, making courtyards. Blessed are they which are perse- other exhortations to Christians about “being You thought you were going to be cuted for righteousness’ sake [return born again,” about “putting on Christ,” made into a decent little cottage: good for evil when reviled, perse- “Christ being in you,” and “hav[ing] the but He is building a palace. He in- cuted, or spoken against falsely]: mind of Christ” (John 3:7; Romans 8:10; tends to come and live in it Himself. for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 13:14; 1 Corinthians 2:16). In fact, this is the The command Be ye perfect is Blessed are ye, when men shall re- central message of the New Testament. Let us not idealistic gas. Nor is it a com- vile you, and persecute you, and shall examine what Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John mand to do the impossible. He is say all manner of evil against you have to say specifically about this funda- going to make us into creatures falsely, for my sake . . . for great is mental theme. that can obey that command. . . . If your reward in heaven. (Matthew we let Him. . . . The process will be 5:1–12; for an elaboration of these HILE obeying the Mosaic Law long and in parts very painful; but promises, see Revelation chapters “could not make . . . [one] per- that is what we are in for. Nothing 2, 3, 21–22) W fect,” Jesus said that a person be- less. He meant what he said.2 Jesus is the —the comes whole or “perfect” when exemplifying To each generation, Jesus Christ answers first morally perfect Christian. Each of these the Sermon on the Mount in his or her life the ancient query of the rich young ruler, Christian attitude-ideals is exemplified many (Matthew 5:48). Jesus is saying: If you will let “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” with times throughout his ministry. In short, Jesus me, I will make you perfect. The job will not the timeless response: “Come, follow me’’ is asking us to: be accomplished in this life; but he intends (Luke 18:18, 22). The Sermon on the Mount • Be diligent in the ministry. to get us as far as possible before our death. reveals the essential character of Jesus. He de- • Exercise self-discipline. Jesus urges us to “count the cost” before fines the Christian as one who, like himself, • Do what is right. becoming a Christian. He informs his lis- practices the beatitudes. Such are promised • Forgive others beyond what teners: “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. justice requires. and come after me, cannot be my . . . Blessed are the poor in spirit [“disci- • Be pure in heart and honest. [and he] that forsaketh not all that he hath, ples” who continue serving dili- • Be a peacemaker. he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27, 33). gently, even when discouraged, in • Return good for evil. Jesus is putting us on notice that when we bringing others to Christ]: for theirs In his old age, the Apostle Peter reempha- turn to Him, we should not be surprised if is the kingdom of heaven. sized these Christian ideals. He had carefully we are in for a rough time. Too many disci- Blessed are they that mourn: for observed Jesus and knew him well. In one of ples underestimate what he means to make they shall be comforted [in the his two surviving epistles, Peter lists nine per- of us. C. S. Lewis illustrates this point: kingdom of heaven where there is sonal characteristics for which the Saints ought to strive. He repeatedly referred to these GRANT H. PALMER is the author of The Incomparable Jesus (Kofford Books, 2005) and collectively as “the way of truth,” “the right An Insider's View of Mormon Origins (Signature Books, 2002). He retired in 2001, after way,” and “the way of righteousness,” and he thirty-four years of teaching and counseling for the Church Education System. He currently undoubtedly observed them in Jesus during lives in Sandy, Utah, with his wife, Connie, and is a real estate developer. the Master’s three-year ministry (2 Peter 2:2;

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15, 21). Jesus displayed “diligence” in re- are different from ours; stronger, unto me,’’ “follow me,’’ “hear me,’’ “confess vealing his Father’s “divine nature,” mani- quieter, happier, more radiant. me,” “gather with me,’’ “remember me,’’ “seek fested strong “” in God, was “virtuous,” They begin where most of us leave me,’’ “believe on me,’’ “find me,” “live by me,’’ and demonstrated “knowledge” of the scrip- off. They are, I say, recognizable; “know me,’’ “serve me,” “see me,’’ “receive tures. He exhibited “temperance” (meaning but you must know what to look me,’’ “love me,’’ “dwell in me,” “honour me,” self control, moderation, and balance) and for. They will not be very like the “abide in me,’’ “ask me,” “testify of me,” and “patience” with others. He also demonstrated idea of “religious people” which “be witnesses of me.”7 Jesus uses the phrase “godliness” (goodness), “brotherly kindness” you have formed from your general “follow me’’ more than fifteen times when (gentleness), and enormous “charity” (love reading. They do not draw atten- speaking to different individuals and groups and compassion) for his fellow beings. Peter tion to themselves. You tend to in the Four . explained that when these nine qualities “be think that you are being kind to A church fulfilling its stewardship encour- in [us], and abound,’’ then we have “knowl- them when they are really being ages and facilitates the process of one’s be- edge of our Lord Jesus Christ’’ and “shall kind to you. They love you more coming “born again.” But ultimately that never fall” (2 Peter 1:4–10). Nine small words, than other men do, but need you process is more about our own personal rela- but in this list of Christlike traits reside eternal less. . . . They will usually seem to tionship with Christ than with an institution. life! have a lot of time: you will wonder Jesus has assured disciples who seriously The Apostle Paul also taught the Saints to where it comes from. When you covenant to take his “divine nature” upon strive for these characteristics “until Christ be have recognized one of them, you them: “I am with you alway[s].” “My peace I formed in you.” His list of the fruits of the will recognize the next one much give unto you.” “[My Spirit] shall teach you all spirit by which a Christian is known is al- more easily. . . . [They are found] things . . . whatsoever I have said.” And “I will most identical to Peter’s. He also lists nine across every barrier of color, sex, love [you], and will manifest myself to [you]” qualities: “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, class, age, and even of .5 (Matthew 28:20; John 14:26–27; John gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, tem- 14:21). In short, Jesus is affirming that true perance’’ (Galatians 4:19; 5:22–23). Taking HAT is the role of churches in followers will be “born again.” It is our dili- upon us the name of Christ and his character bringing about the “born-again” gence but especially God’s “gift” of enabling is to “know thee the only true God, and Jesus W saint? The high aspiration of grace that empowers us to fully employ the Christ, whom thou hast sent” and thus re- “Christ being formed in us,” of becoming “a characteristics of Christ—that increases de- ceive “life eternal” (John 17:3; cf. 10:27–28). son of God,” a “real son,” is not just one sire beyond our natural abilities—that makes Being like Jesus is far more ambitious than among many jobs a Christian has to do, but it possible for us to “overcome the world” saying that we know he lives.3 as C. S. Lewis declares: (Ephesians 2:8; John 16:33). The Apostle John explained what being It is the whole [purpose] of born again means. He taught that those who . Christianity offers HROUGH the centuries, many are born again “walk, even as he [Jesus] nothing else at all. . . . It is so easy Christian church founders have come walked,” then explicitly described them as: to get muddled about that. It is T and gone. They have enticed us to Every one that doeth righteousness easy to think that the Church has a embrace the beauty of their theological sys- is born of him. . . . Whosoever is lot of different objects—education, tems. But for Jesus, the was not about born of God doth not [continue to] building, missions, holding ser- theology or philosophy but about emulating commit sin. . . . Every one that vices. . . . The Church exists for the divine nature, about being born again, loveth [others] is born of God, and nothing else but to draw men into about doing and becoming like him. It was knoweth God. . . . Whosoever be- Christ, to make them little Christ’s. more about right actions than “right beliefs” lieveth [i.e., has a trusting relation- If they are not doing that, all the (Matthew 7:21, 24; John 7:17). “The way” ship in his heart] that Jesus is the cathedrals, clergy, missions, ser- and the power of “overcoming the world” are Christ is born of God. . . . mons, even the itself, are clearly taught in Jesus’ life, example, min- Whatsoever is born of God over- simply a waste of time. God be- istry, promises, spiritual grace, and atone- cometh the world. . . . He that hath came Man for no other purpose.6 ment—and that is enough. the Son [in him] hath life. . . . In other words, a church may receive high Whosoever is born of God . . . that marks in a dozen different areas of its concern, NOTES wicked one toucheth him not but if its leaders are not notably talking about 1. See, for example, Mosiah 27:25, 28; Alma [meaning temptation has lost its Christ—his life, example, and ministry—and 5:14, 49; 22:15; 36:5, 23. power over him].4 accentuating on a regular basis the importance 2. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Perhaps the most observable of these and process of “putting on Christ,” they have Macmillan Publishing, 1960), 174–75. 3. The above four paragraphs on Jesus, Peter, characteristics is that a “born again” person largely failed in their stewardship. and Paul are also found in Grant H. Palmer, The has “life.” The Apostles Peter and Paul refer Jesus invites us to make him the central Incomparable Jesus (Salt Lake City: Kofford Books, to such disciples as “lively stones,” and say focal point in our meetings and lessons. 2005), 2–4, 9–10, 27–28. that “Christ liveth in [them]” (1 Peter 2:5; Teaching principles to others is much more 4. 1 John 2:6, 29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 12, 18. Galatians 2:20). But who are these saints who meaningful when viewed in the context of a 5. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 187–88. exhibit life, joy, , happiness, and life, and Jesus has asked repeatedly that we 6. Ibid., 166, 169–70. optimism? They are around us, but we have focus our attention directly on him: “Come 7. See Matthew 11:28–29; 15:8, 32; 16:24; 26:38; Mark 7:14; Luke 7:20, 22; 10:16; 11:23; 12:8; to look for them. C. S. Lewis observes: unto me,’’ “learn of me,’’ “continue with me,’’ 22:19; John 6:26, 47, 56–57; 7:34; 8:19, 54; 12:26, Every now and then one meets “draw nigh unto me,” “come after me,” 45; 13:20; 14:23; 15:4, 26; 16:5; Acts 1:8 (some verb them. Their very voices and faces “watch with me,’’ “hearken unto me,’’ “look forms adapted).

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