Week 84 The Gospel Way
March 17,2020
Dear family and friends,
We live in troubled times, but for your sake and mine and
because of the amount of information, misinformation, and confusion we can
thank the media for, I will limit my mention of COVID-19! I am safe, Australia
is pretty isolated, and the work continues.
My time is short. We were talking about the Book of Mormon
with a man, and he said "I believe that book was made up by a man to lead
people the wrong way and it isn't the word of God." All I did was testify
to the guy! I told him: "Even Joseph Smith had doubts about the validity
of his call even when he received it directly from the mouth of God. So what
did Joseph Smith do about it? Did he abandon his cause? Did he take the word of
the local ministers to be true? Did he try to rationalize it away? No. He took
it to the Lord once again, and he received the Angel Moroni in response. I have
had doubts about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, but I myself have gotten
on my knees and taken it to the Lord, and I cannot deny the experiences that I
have had. This is why I'm on your doorstep. It would be absurd for us to ask
you to just accept the Book of Mormon and not ask questions. We only invite you
to find out from God Himself."
After I said that, it was amazing to visibly see his countenance change. Rather than being belligerent, he simply said "in that case, I appreciate your faith." Nonetheless he still didn't want us to come back.
Elders Kennach, Olson and I are working hard and loving
every second of this unique time to be missionaries. We have the gospel path to
peace in this life and Eternal Life in the world to come. That is what we
share! I gave a talk on this in zone conference last week, which I will include
as my spiritual message. It is long, so if you don't read it, I forgive you! In
the meantime, know that God is real, the Holy Ghost is a great blessing, and
President Nelson is the Lord's Prophet. I know that, and I love that.
The Gospel Way
There are two main points on the Gospel of Jesus Christ that
I pray that the Holy Ghost can help me convey to you in this short time that I
have to speak to you.
1. The undeniable fact that there is only one Gospel of Jesus Christ that He has given to bring us home to Him and our Heavenly Father.
2. The motivation behind walking that gospel path should be out of a desire to give rather than receive.
When put together, these two ideas serve to provide us the assurance of "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the message that He has delivered to His Children throughout all ages of time. It is the message of that "great and eternal plan of deliverance from death" (2 Nephi 11:5). The Gospel is how we overcome both physical and spiritual death, two things that we cannot overcome on our own no matter how much time, effort, planning, experimentation, or practice that we put into it. Man, in our limited ways, will never be able to re-create or rediscover another way that will redeem us. It is only in and through the name of Jesus Christ and His Gospel by which we are saved (Mosiah 5:8; 2 Nephi 25:28-29).
We all know what that gospel entails:
1. Having Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement
2. Repenting and forsaking all of our sins
3. Being Baptized by immersion and by proper authority
4. Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding authority from God
5. Enduring to the end of our lives by renewing those covenants we have made
Many people I have had conversations with on this subject seem totally convinced that "it doesn't matter which way you go, so long as you follow Christ." My only concern with that idea is--where does it say that in the Bible? (Not even considering the Book of Mormon, outside of which you can't find anything that explains the gospel simply as stated above). In fact, I find many evidences explaining to the contrary, that there is only one way to Heaven.
Let me cite a few.
• Galatians 1:6-7
"6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
If any gospel were the gospel of Christ, why would Paul condemn those who had removed themselves from the gospel of Christ? Please note that he did not say "A gospel of Christ" or " the gospels of Christ," but "the gospel of Christ."
• Matthew 7:13-14
"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
There is one gate that leads to life, and one gate that leads to death. Not many gates that lead to life, or many gates that lead to death. (Also see 1 Nephi 14:10).
Additionally, there are only "few" people in the world who will find that one path. If any "gospel" led us to the path of life there would many, if not all people who would find that path. Furthermore, in the very next verse (Matthew 7:15), why would the Lord warn us: "beware of false prophets?" Because a false prophet leads to a false gate and a false gospel.
• Isaiah 2:2-3
"2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
If we analyze this reference in reverse order:
"out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
We learn of a place called Zion, or Jerusalem. In ancient times, Jerusalem was called "the Holy city", and also known as Zion (Isaiah 52:1). The city of Enoch was inhabited by a people so holy that God took them from the wicked world to dwell with Him. The name of that city was also Zion, or "City of Holiness" (Moses 7:18-21).
From that city of Zion, a law would go forth as the word of the Lord. It would make sense that the Lord would use the same pattern as he has in the past when Moses, the Lord's Prophet wrote the law, and delivered it (Deuteronomy 31:9), and commanded: "ye shall have one manner of law" (Leviticus 24:22).
"and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:"
Still somehow, that doesn't support the claim of "I have my own beliefs," or "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are a good person." It sounds more like God has a path, lifestyle, and belief system that He wants us to practice. After all, it is His Earth, therefore we should probably live by His rules.
"3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob;"
Many people will go to a physical house of God located in the mountains, where they will be taught the Law of God.
"the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."
Not just many people will come to the Lord's city and the Lord's house, but all nations will come to see it. It will be a great place where all will come and see the greatness of the Lord's House exalted above the hills.
So what is the catch? We know all of this. This entire prophecy has been fulfilled. With Solomon's temple right? Perhaps it is prophesying of the Savior's ministry in the temple at Jerusalem? We missed a part:
"2 And it shall come to pass in the last days"
Now we have a problem. Or maybe not: A sign of the times is a temple built in the mountains (perhaps the Salt Lake Temple) , that all nations will flow unto (perhaps the winter Olympics, Temple Square visitors, or the United Nations meeting in Salt Lake), and which many people will visit to learn the Lord's laws (this is exactly what happens in temples), and it needs to be God's chosen, Zion people (The church of Jesus Christ), and needs to be in the last days (of Latter-Day Saints).
Many people may criticize us for living laws that are not found in the Bible. I say, the Jews so persecuted Jesus Christ for not living their outdated law. Others questioned Paul for preaching to the Gentiles. That went against the current 'Christian' practice of the time.
Why should anybody be surprised when we have laws such as the Word of Wisdom, for the Strength of Youth, Tithing, the Law of Chastity? After all, Isaiah prophesied that in the last days, new laws would come forth to govern the Lord's people. Or did we all forget the Lord's injunction, "47 Old things are done away, and all things have become new." (3 Nephi 12:47).
We now know that the Lord has His own way of governing us. He wants us to keep His Laws, also known as His commandments. The Saviour was asked at the latter end of His Earthly Ministry, "36 Master, which is the great commandment...?" (Matthew 22:36).
His reply:
"37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God"
And:
"39 Thou shalt love thy neighbor" (Matthew 22:37, 39).
Jesus also said:
"15 If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
If we love the Lord, we should keep His commandments, the two most important of which boil down to "thou shalt love."
One cannot walk the Lord's path or live the Gospel of Jesus Christ without having "a love of God and of all men" (2 Nephi 31:20).
Mormon leaves no room for doubt when he says:
Moroni 7:
"5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift."
Many in the world confuse these two ideas--either giving the right gift without real intent, or giving the wrong gift with real intent. They believe that the love of God and of all men is the gospel path that leads home. Many within the church foolishly believe that they are above real intent because they walk the gospel path. You cannot have one without the other and still hope for "the greatest of all the gifts of God." (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). Just as "Faith without works is dead" (James 1:22), the gospel path without love is dead also.
Let me end by sharing a personal experience. In the MTC, there was a particular principle of the gospel that disputed; it didn't sit well with me. It was the principle found in 1 Corinthians 13:2--
"...though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."
In my own limited perspective, I foolishly believed that faith is all I needed. It was about my success, my faith and diligence, my trust in the Lord. I didn't need to give up what I had for others, or love them enough to save them...if I had enough Faith then I would baptize them anyway right? I saw my mission as my personal show of Faith to the Lord, not as a manifestation of my love to others. Faith precedes the miracle, not charity correct?
Well I went on like this for about a week if I remember correctly. Then one evening, my MTC teacher put us into pairs with another missionary who wasn't our MTC companion. I was paired with Elder Rawlings. The activity was to practice extending invitations and promising blessings, thus Elder Rawlings was to prayerfully commit me to do something specific that would bring a specific promised blessing. Lo and behold, Elder Rawlings, inspired as always (He ended up being my 7th companion in the mission field, and I personally witnessed his ability to discern needs and act accordingly), committed me to develop charity as the primary focus of my mission. To learn to love people with all of my heart. The blessings that he promised were things that I had long since forgotten about or set aside to serve the Lord. I was humbled to say the least, and in awe of what Elder Rawlings was telling me. It was almost as if he was my patriarch, re-committing me, and re-promising me things that could have only been revealed to him by the power of the Holy Ghost.
From that day forward, I have done everything within my power to develop a Christlike love for all people, and while I am far from perfect, it has changed my perspective. I have not only learned to live and walk the gospel path (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End), but also to love the Gospel life of love unfeigned. When the time comes for me to return to my home of Utah, it will be the same mountains; the same streets and roads; the same people; but it will all be a new world to me because I have had a change of heart. Everybody says that the mission changed them so much. I disagree. The mission doesn't change anything. Only the gospel changes people. It just so happens to be on the mission that us young blokes (people) learn to live and love the gospel. I know the gospel as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only way, the complete truth, and the joyful life (John 14:6). Following your Saviour in deed, and in purpose will bless your life now, and forever.
Until next week, stay safe, and know that I love you all!
Firm in the Faith,
- Elder Cozzens
After I said that, it was amazing to visibly see his countenance change. Rather than being belligerent, he simply said "in that case, I appreciate your faith." Nonetheless he still didn't want us to come back.
1. The undeniable fact that there is only one Gospel of Jesus Christ that He has given to bring us home to Him and our Heavenly Father.
2. The motivation behind walking that gospel path should be out of a desire to give rather than receive.
When put together, these two ideas serve to provide us the assurance of "peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come" (Doctrine and Covenants 59:23).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the message that He has delivered to His Children throughout all ages of time. It is the message of that "great and eternal plan of deliverance from death" (2 Nephi 11:5). The Gospel is how we overcome both physical and spiritual death, two things that we cannot overcome on our own no matter how much time, effort, planning, experimentation, or practice that we put into it. Man, in our limited ways, will never be able to re-create or rediscover another way that will redeem us. It is only in and through the name of Jesus Christ and His Gospel by which we are saved (Mosiah 5:8; 2 Nephi 25:28-29).
We all know what that gospel entails:
1. Having Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement
2. Repenting and forsaking all of our sins
3. Being Baptized by immersion and by proper authority
4. Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands by those holding authority from God
5. Enduring to the end of our lives by renewing those covenants we have made
Many people I have had conversations with on this subject seem totally convinced that "it doesn't matter which way you go, so long as you follow Christ." My only concern with that idea is--where does it say that in the Bible? (Not even considering the Book of Mormon, outside of which you can't find anything that explains the gospel simply as stated above). In fact, I find many evidences explaining to the contrary, that there is only one way to Heaven.
Let me cite a few.
• Galatians 1:6-7
"6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ."
If any gospel were the gospel of Christ, why would Paul condemn those who had removed themselves from the gospel of Christ? Please note that he did not say "A gospel of Christ" or " the gospels of Christ," but "the gospel of Christ."
• Matthew 7:13-14
"13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
There is one gate that leads to life, and one gate that leads to death. Not many gates that lead to life, or many gates that lead to death. (Also see 1 Nephi 14:10).
Additionally, there are only "few" people in the world who will find that one path. If any "gospel" led us to the path of life there would many, if not all people who would find that path. Furthermore, in the very next verse (Matthew 7:15), why would the Lord warn us: "beware of false prophets?" Because a false prophet leads to a false gate and a false gospel.
• Isaiah 2:2-3
"2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
If we analyze this reference in reverse order:
"out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
We learn of a place called Zion, or Jerusalem. In ancient times, Jerusalem was called "the Holy city", and also known as Zion (Isaiah 52:1). The city of Enoch was inhabited by a people so holy that God took them from the wicked world to dwell with Him. The name of that city was also Zion, or "City of Holiness" (Moses 7:18-21).
From that city of Zion, a law would go forth as the word of the Lord. It would make sense that the Lord would use the same pattern as he has in the past when Moses, the Lord's Prophet wrote the law, and delivered it (Deuteronomy 31:9), and commanded: "ye shall have one manner of law" (Leviticus 24:22).
"and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths:"
Still somehow, that doesn't support the claim of "I have my own beliefs," or "it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are a good person." It sounds more like God has a path, lifestyle, and belief system that He wants us to practice. After all, it is His Earth, therefore we should probably live by His rules.
"3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob;"
Many people will go to a physical house of God located in the mountains, where they will be taught the Law of God.
"the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."
Not just many people will come to the Lord's city and the Lord's house, but all nations will come to see it. It will be a great place where all will come and see the greatness of the Lord's House exalted above the hills.
So what is the catch? We know all of this. This entire prophecy has been fulfilled. With Solomon's temple right? Perhaps it is prophesying of the Savior's ministry in the temple at Jerusalem? We missed a part:
"2 And it shall come to pass in the last days"
Now we have a problem. Or maybe not: A sign of the times is a temple built in the mountains (perhaps the Salt Lake Temple) , that all nations will flow unto (perhaps the winter Olympics, Temple Square visitors, or the United Nations meeting in Salt Lake), and which many people will visit to learn the Lord's laws (this is exactly what happens in temples), and it needs to be God's chosen, Zion people (The church of Jesus Christ), and needs to be in the last days (of Latter-Day Saints).
Many people may criticize us for living laws that are not found in the Bible. I say, the Jews so persecuted Jesus Christ for not living their outdated law. Others questioned Paul for preaching to the Gentiles. That went against the current 'Christian' practice of the time.
Why should anybody be surprised when we have laws such as the Word of Wisdom, for the Strength of Youth, Tithing, the Law of Chastity? After all, Isaiah prophesied that in the last days, new laws would come forth to govern the Lord's people. Or did we all forget the Lord's injunction, "47 Old things are done away, and all things have become new." (3 Nephi 12:47).
We now know that the Lord has His own way of governing us. He wants us to keep His Laws, also known as His commandments. The Saviour was asked at the latter end of His Earthly Ministry, "36 Master, which is the great commandment...?" (Matthew 22:36).
His reply:
"37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God"
And:
"39 Thou shalt love thy neighbor" (Matthew 22:37, 39).
Jesus also said:
"15 If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
If we love the Lord, we should keep His commandments, the two most important of which boil down to "thou shalt love."
One cannot walk the Lord's path or live the Gospel of Jesus Christ without having "a love of God and of all men" (2 Nephi 31:20).
Mormon leaves no room for doubt when he says:
Moroni 7:
"5 For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
6 For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
7 For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
8 For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
9 And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.
10 Wherefore, a man being evil cannot do that which is good; neither will he give a good gift."
Many in the world confuse these two ideas--either giving the right gift without real intent, or giving the wrong gift with real intent. They believe that the love of God and of all men is the gospel path that leads home. Many within the church foolishly believe that they are above real intent because they walk the gospel path. You cannot have one without the other and still hope for "the greatest of all the gifts of God." (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7). Just as "Faith without works is dead" (James 1:22), the gospel path without love is dead also.
Let me end by sharing a personal experience. In the MTC, there was a particular principle of the gospel that disputed; it didn't sit well with me. It was the principle found in 1 Corinthians 13:2--
"...though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."
In my own limited perspective, I foolishly believed that faith is all I needed. It was about my success, my faith and diligence, my trust in the Lord. I didn't need to give up what I had for others, or love them enough to save them...if I had enough Faith then I would baptize them anyway right? I saw my mission as my personal show of Faith to the Lord, not as a manifestation of my love to others. Faith precedes the miracle, not charity correct?
Well I went on like this for about a week if I remember correctly. Then one evening, my MTC teacher put us into pairs with another missionary who wasn't our MTC companion. I was paired with Elder Rawlings. The activity was to practice extending invitations and promising blessings, thus Elder Rawlings was to prayerfully commit me to do something specific that would bring a specific promised blessing. Lo and behold, Elder Rawlings, inspired as always (He ended up being my 7th companion in the mission field, and I personally witnessed his ability to discern needs and act accordingly), committed me to develop charity as the primary focus of my mission. To learn to love people with all of my heart. The blessings that he promised were things that I had long since forgotten about or set aside to serve the Lord. I was humbled to say the least, and in awe of what Elder Rawlings was telling me. It was almost as if he was my patriarch, re-committing me, and re-promising me things that could have only been revealed to him by the power of the Holy Ghost.
From that day forward, I have done everything within my power to develop a Christlike love for all people, and while I am far from perfect, it has changed my perspective. I have not only learned to live and walk the gospel path (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Endure to the End), but also to love the Gospel life of love unfeigned. When the time comes for me to return to my home of Utah, it will be the same mountains; the same streets and roads; the same people; but it will all be a new world to me because I have had a change of heart. Everybody says that the mission changed them so much. I disagree. The mission doesn't change anything. Only the gospel changes people. It just so happens to be on the mission that us young blokes (people) learn to live and love the gospel. I know the gospel as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only way, the complete truth, and the joyful life (John 14:6). Following your Saviour in deed, and in purpose will bless your life now, and forever.
Until next week, stay safe, and know that I love you all!
Photo: Elder Cozzens with his companions Elder Olson and
Elder Kennach
Elder Cozzens with his companions Elders Olson and Kennach
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