Blessed Assurance

     2 Timothy 3:14 "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been 

assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;".  Interesting thought here; learn, 

assured.  Isn't learning the same as being assured?  Webster defines "learn" as: 

1. To gain or receive knowledge; to receive instruction; to take pattern; with of.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly" 

2. To receive information or intelligence. 

Webster then defines "assure" as:

1. To make certain; to give confidence by a promise, declaration, or other evidence; as, he assured me of his sincerity.

2. To confirm; to make certain or secure. 

Is it then possible that we can learn something without being assured of it?  Can we learn 

without grasping truth? The answer to both questions is YES.

     I learned in grade school that 2 + 2 = 4.  I was assured by my teacher that this was truth. 

I contend that assurance, real assurance, has to be revealed by someone who resides at a

 higher level of learning than me. But can the "learning" still be wrong.  YES.  At the turn of the 

19th century, a group of world renowned scientists met in the United States for a conference.  

All of these scientists discussed and theorized many things in this week.  Their combined 

learning led them to issue one scientific truth, a statement, that summerized their collective 

brilliance: "Man will never fly".  It was a proven fact that no bird over 17 pounds could sustain

itself in flight.  These learned men were assured by themselves that they spoke truth.  But, it 

was an unassured statement.  Within a few months, the Wright brothers would prove these 

learned minds incorrect.  

     The point I want to make here is truth, REAL truth is an eternal principle.  Real truth can

only be assured to us by our creator.   Isaiah 55:9 tells us "For as the heavens are higher than 

the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Another example of higher thoughts comes from back in the early 1900's.  A man in Detroit

decided he wanted to purchase one of the new transportation vehicles, called a car, a Model

T to be exact.  He enjoyed his car.  He learned everything about it, and felt he was a capable

driver.  One day, while at a busy crossroad, his car stalled.  He immediately jumped out, 

popped the hood, and began looking for the problem.  He quickly realized that his learning

was insufficient for his situation.  As people began to point at him and laugh, a spry, older 

gentleman appeared.  "Can I give you a hand?" was the question.  The old man jumped up 

and started fiddling in the engine compartment.  After a few minutes, he looked up and said

"now try it."  The vehicle started right up.  The driver, while shaking the old mans hand, 

thanked him for his help.  "You're welcome" stated the old man.  "I know these things pretty 

well" he continued.  "My name is Henry Ford."

     So, from a spiritual perspective, how do we apply this to our lives?  Simply by seeking out

assurance from He who resides above.  The two disciples, on the road to Emmaus met 

Jesus, and did not even recognize him.  They spoke of the death of their Messiah, and the 

sadness that they felt.  But Jesus told them about how the scriptures must be fulfilled, and 

at one point, revealed himself to them.  The men knew then, within themselves, that the 

words Jesus spoke were true.  They were taught, and received assurance.  Why do I bring

up this topic?  Because I believe we rely too much on the learning of man; not only in life,

as it is, but even more so in the Church.  We do not take the time necessary to seek the 

Lord, as his truth.  We can read ABOUT Jesus, but do we truly KNOW Him?  This knowledge

comes only from above, because this truth originated in Him.

     I have a personal experience I'd like to share, as an illustration.  I grew up in a single 

parent home.  We were poor, and love was not spoken of.  I dreamed of the day when I could 

have a family, one in which love was spoken every day.  But as that time came, I realized  I 

didn't really understand love. I loved my wife and children, but couldn't grasp God's love, 

nor how he could sacrifice His son for us. One fall day, October 28th to be exact, we were 

celebrating my son's birthday.  I was to leave the next morning for a priesthood retreat in 

Kirtland.  In my preparations, I begged God to help me understand His love better.  I had 

learning: I knew what the scriptures said of His love, yet there was an 18 inch disconnect

I was struggling with; the distance between my mind and my heart.  That evening, after 

eating out, and getting ice cream, we ventured to the mall.  The mall was unusually busy for 

a Thursday night.  I decided to hold Nate-he was a runner.  At one point, we were in Sears, 

Karen picked up a pair of shoes for him.  I set Nate down for a minute to look.  I then began 

look for him.  He was gone.  We asked the cashier to make an announcement.  She did.  As I 

continued to look, I mouthed a quick pray.  As time went on, a code was voiced over

the loud speaker.  This was an amber alert.  Security came out and started locking the 

doors.  I was beside myself.  I had become so worried that I was literally hunched over, sick

to my stomach.  I finally found a solitary spot and knelt down.  I then poured out my heart to 

the Lord, asking Him to forgive my poor judgement, and return Nate to us.  At one point, I

told the Lord "If a life has to be lost this night, let it be me, and return my son to his mother."

I got up from this prayer and returned to the shoe section.  There, I saw my tearful wife, with 

Nate in her arms, and holding Kaetlyn's hand.  As the weight of the moment fell from my 

shoulders, the Lord spoke audibly to my mind and said "now you know".  My life changed.

     We are people.  We, like sheep, tend to go astray.  Even at our best, we are too short

sighted to trust our own learning.  Lean upon God, and allow Him to direct your paths.  His

way is truth, and His understanding assures us.   May you be found always in the gift of His

presence, and the knowledge of His assurance.  God bless.

Tunnel Vision

     How do we view the Church?  How do we view Zion?  How do we view God’s plan?  These are questions that I think we should consider carefully.  Why? Because the way we view something has a direct impact on the path we choose.  Could this be why we seem to be struggling as a church?  Proverbs 29:18 tells us that “where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Perhaps, our problem is not with having NO vision, but having a WRONG vision.

     I suggest to the reader that our problem is, not so much with our vision, but the problem is that we suffer from tunnel vision.  Tunnel vision is defined as “the loss of peripheral vision with retention of central vision, resulting in a constricted circular tunnel-like field of vision.”  What am I getting at?  I contend that part of the reason the Church struggles is because our vision is just that; OUR vision.  Isaiah 55:8-9 reads: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  One of the innumerable ways that the Lord is greater than we are is His ability to see the whole picture, without bias.  His will is just, and His will is perfect.  

     This is not the case with us, however.  We, too often, see things as we desire them to be. For example; many times in my youth, I was told that my generation will see Zion.  How exciting!  We have all probably had people tell us what a great work we will have in the last days.  Fantastic!  And, now our vision of God’s work encompasses the vision we have for ourselves.  I always envisioned laboring in my strength until the beautiful city returns, with me escorting my loved ones through the gates, and into the arms of our loving Savior.  But, the reality is, I am now on my sixty first year.  I am burdened with Parkinson’s Disease, which makes it difficult for me to walk far, or even stand, at length.  Even the typing of this article is a problematic task because of tremors in my hands and arms.  This causes me to struggle with doubt and sadness.  And yet, have any of the Lord’s promises to me become null and void?  Not at all.  My selfish vision has led me off the path.  My own tunnel vision has led me to miss seeing the whole picture; one that I am not the center of.  I might compare this tunnel vision to the way many study their scriptures.  We tend to look for those verses that support our theory, rather than study them broadly, looking for the whole truth that is promised by Jesus.

     The good news Is that this is not a terminal prognosis.  By recognizing our human nature, and surrendering our will to His, the Lord is then able to right our vision, and return the joy we once knew.  I personally cling to the words of Paul, in Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”  My joy comes in the knowledge that I am privileged to serve the Lord in these last days, and that His perfect will should be accomplished in my life.  As difficult as it may seem, the Lord is not bound by our expectations, only His will.  I still can teach, preach, visit the homes of the saints, pray, etc.   As we let go of the burden of pursuing our dreams, we become joint heirs in His.  Only as we permit “thy will be done” in our lives will we be made ready for “Thy Kingdom come.”