AND GOD BREATHED HIS BREATH

 

AND GOD BREATHED HIS BREATH

I have an unmatched awe for the magnitude and magnificence of God’s creations. There is nothing else in life that inspires me greater, gives me more admiration, more amazement, or causes me ceaseless  wonder. The beauty, the variety, the simplicity and the complexity of it all, is breathtaking. It’s beyond mortal comprehension. The never-ending discovery, the innate, self-contained renewal and replenishment, the splendor and delight that greets the senses anew continually is miraculous. Truly, everything testifies of an all-powerful Master Designer.

The pinnacle of God’s mortal creations were the bodies He organized for Adam and Eve. With portions from each of the other seven periods of creation, He incorporated the best of the best into the mortal tabernacles for His spirit children. Light and darkness – good and evil; sky and water – breath and fluid; earth with vegetation – food and resources; sun, moon and stars – contrasting levels of light, goodness and opposition; sea and land and air creatures – wonderment and replenishing resources; rest – appreciation, regeneration, and recuperation.

It is interesting to remember that all of creation (organization), the heavens and the earth and everything in it (including the bodies for His children), was done by His breath, by His Word. The term ‘Word’ is understood multiple ways – as God’s Son, His command, His sound, His decree, His breath. Everything that was (happened), is (happens), or will be (happening) – only occurs through and because of His word and His breath.

From the introduction of Adam and Eve into mortality, ALL of mankind’s subsequent creations have relied on, and used the patterns and designs of God’s seven periods of creation. We can find plagiarism of His original creation in every accomplishment of mankind – transportation, technology, construction, literature, science, medical, food, theater, education, music, sports, etc. Similarly, ALL of man’s creations commenced by  his breath – an idea spoken aloud, documented as a plan, and eventually culminating into creation. There are no original ‘creations,’ ‘discoveries,’ or ‘inventions’ of man that can’t trace their nucleus and patterns to God’s unmatched seven days of creation. As it is written, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.  Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us” (Eccl. 1:9-10, emphasis added). God holds all the patents for all of creation.

Adam and Eve came to life, into mortal existence because God breathed His breath into them, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). Moses confirmed that Adam was, “The first man of all men “(Mos. 1:34).

Adam was created (‘organized’ - see Abr. 3:22-24) in the image of God AND in the image of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ (Mos. 2:26-27). It’s not a stretch to further understand that by God’s word, by His breath, He breathed life into ALL of creation. By His breath He breathes His words, His counsel, His love, His spirit, (the light of Christ), the breath of hope, the breath of a bright and celestial future, the breath of healing, the breath of optimism to overcome, the breath of promise, the breath of life!

Adam and Eve not only were created in the Gods’ images, but they were also then brought to life by God breathing His breath into them. By receiving His breath, they received a physical, tangible part of God’s corporeal substance, that commenced precious life. It reminds me of the life-saving practice of giving someone CPR – an essential, lifesaving, physical part of a giver brings life to a victim. Similarly, a blood transfusion or an organ transplant, each give life physically from the giver to the recipient which revives and/or extends mortality.

Taking the thought forward another step, once life is given or revived, that life, in turn, can pass it on (pay it forward) to another life or lives. Just as we can trace bloodlines through generations, all of humanity can trace the breath we vitally need through our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, through modern history, through New Testament history, through all the generations of the Old Testament, to Adam and Eve, and ultimately to God’s very breath into Adam and Eve in Eden’s Garden. As such, we (all humankind) have not only God’s spiritual DNA inside us, but also traces of His physical breath inside us.

The idea of physical breathing is really interesting. Without food we can live up to three months. Without water, only about three days. Without love maybe longer, but not much living is really going on there. However, without air, we can only live five or six minutes. Without breathing our hearts will stop beating, our brains will stop thinking, and all of our vital organs will shut down. God breathed His breath into Adam and Eve, and subsequently they passed it onto all of humanity, each subsequent generation passing it on to the next. Each of us breath about 23K times daily (24 hours a day), 8.4M times a year, and over 682M times throughout an eighty-year lifespan.

In mortality, where God’s literal spiritual offspring, His children, who sustained His premortal Plan of Happiness and left their heavenly home, descend to a mortal world where they receive their physical bodies. Before earth life, we loved and adored our Heavenly Parents and desired to become more like Them. Mortality was an opportunity to experience a physical body (like Father and Mother had), learn to exercise agency on a whole new level, fail and succeed over and over, apply the atonement in intimate and redeeming ways, and practice becoming more like our Heavenly Parents.

The creation of the earth and mortal bodies for His children were essential to the Father’s Plan. In the premortal Council of the Gods, They said: “We will go down, for there is space there, and We will take of these materials, and We will make (organize) an earth whereon these (God’s children) may dwell; and We will prove (test) them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abr. 3:24–25, emphasis added).

God provides some glorious insight into the creation, “Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul. And it pleaseth God that He hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made” (D&C 59:18-20, emphasis added). Doesn’t it sound exactly like enthusiastic, animated, anticipating, expecting, and motivated Parents meticulously planning, arranging, and organizing the perfect life-classroom for their babies? We are also instructed, “… elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy” (D&C 93:29, 33, emphasis added). The union of God’s spirit children with the physical element of the mortal body He created, and brought to life by the breath of the Divine, inseparably connected for the express purpose to ‘receive a fullness of joy!’ Could there be any better Parents in the whole wide universe?

God gave us a part of Him! His breath brought our mortal, temporary bodies to life! Made possible, our continued eternal progression, our quest to emulate our Parents and become more like Them, and progressing forward and upward in our ultimate goal of preparing for godliness. A literal fulfilment of the Psalmist’s assertion, “… You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you” (Psa. 82:6 emphasis added), as well as the oft quoted Deepak Chopra. “Every person is a God in embryo. Its only desire is to be born.”

Some may ask why? Why did God do all of this? Maybe an applicable response can be found in a favorite writing from 2008, titled –

“Thy Works O Lord, How Was It Done?”

How my Lord?

The hummingbird so fragile, the cheetah so quick and agile –

The ocean so deep and blue, every sunrise so incredibly new –

The earth’s formation, just the right distance from the sun –

I wonder O Lord – How it was done?

 

How O Creator?

The smell of the newborn so sweet, soft little hands and feet –

Last night’s stars that twinkled, the elephant’s skin so wrinkled –

Mountains of monumental majesty, deserts of peaceful tranquility –

I marvel Dear Creator – How was it done?

 

 

How O Great Architect?

So sensitive and insightful the heart, the mind so complex and smart –

Flowers of every possible hue, the freshness of the morning dew –

Music that stirs every soul, diamonds formed from compressed coal –

In awe I ask O Father – How was it done?

 

How, Almighty One?

Giraffes, starfish and dolphins – caterpillar, ostrich and barnyard hens –

Holding hands – playing and laughter, with my five-year-old daughter –

In my arms she sleeps and dreams, of fairy tales and princess things –

Amazed, I wonder my King – Just how it was done?

 

How Master overall, both great and small?

Smiles that mend most ev’ry pain, prairies that flow with golden grain –

A kiss as bride and groom, the scent when orange blossoms bloom –

Planets and galaxies without end, the calm to know someone as friend –

I desire to understand Master – O how was it done?

 

O God, The Father of All,

Thy works so glorious and grand, without end thy creations planned –

Each unique with intrinsic beauty, all with exactness absolutely –

Every aspect, divinely deliberate every way, every moment, every day –

At last I’m beginning to see – it was done with love, so perfectly.

_____________________________________________________________

 

Wm. Calvin Hughes | Lake Elsinore California | May 30, 2008

There is a debt we cannot hope to repay. Any feeble attempt to do so is as unworthy as a single raindrop in the oceans. What’s ‘due’ is an infinite measure of gratitude and adoration worthy of our continual worship to our Heavenly Parents - for Their love displayed in every detail of Their perfect Plan of Happiness, built on the perfect Atonement of Jesus Christ; for Their perfect seven periods of creation, the organization of the universe (stars, suns, planets, and earths) and everything therein; and for the perfect design of our mortal bodies; and most especially, for the perfect Holy Breath of the Father, which was the nucleus, the origin, the beginning of it all. Every whit!

Dedicated to Jeriann Hughes-Marks, my goodly and godly mother who taught me to love God, to trust and honor Him, to learn how to communicate and commune with Him, to seek after Him, to cherish and honor my relationship with Him, and to dedicate my life to Him. As I have tried to devote myself accordingly, I have heard His voice, felt His protection, been taught at His feet, leaned on His ample arm, experienced His grace and mercy, basked in His love, and found uncommon peace and happiness, in hopes of  someday “receiving the fulness of joy” He has planned for all of who love Him (D&C 93:33, emphasis added).

______________________________________________________________________________________

Wm. Calvin Hughes | Lake Elsinore, CA | September 25, 2025

More Peace and Happiness Available

 

More Peace and Happiness Available

Every person who has ever lived or will ever live has a genetic predisposition, an unmistaken longing for greater peace and happiness. It’s interesting that with all the chaos and contention in our world, we all have this mutual personal yearning – a cohesive, universal thread that connects everyone – all 7.9 billion of us. That fiber is our common denominator, a perpetual desire and pursuit of greater peace and happiness. If it’s so pedestrian among all of humanity, how can we tell if we’re realizing it? What does it look like when we have it? And how would it feel as we’re achieving greater peace and happiness on a more consistent basis?

Here are some of the delineators that signal realization of increased peace and happiness in our lives –  Less stress and less anxiety and more organization * Less guilt * A greater need to serve others * A greater desire to be charitable * A greater focus on the things that matter most – things that promote meaningful progress * Better relationships and repaired fractured relationships * Less anger and frustration * Better health and better sleep * Better attitude * Brighter outlook on what the future holds – looking forward to the future * A cleaner, calmer conscious * The ability to think clearer * More opportunities will spontaneously come your way * You'll be more attractive to others * You’ll have more light in your life * You’re less selfish, more selfless * You’ll feel more freedom and have more options * You’ll experience increased thinking ability, better problem-solving abilities, better decision making, and superior creative skills * Increased integrity and morality * You’ll experience more protection * You’ll receive more forgiveness * You’ll have more heaven in your life – increased spiritual direction and divine comfort * You’ll enjoy more truth and discernment * There will be less contention in your life * Setbacks will be viewed as minimal speedbumps, ‘blessings’ that provide learning and experience, just part of the journey – not major roadblocks that you need to waste any  time or energy fretting over * Life will mean more, be more cherished * You’ll have fewer feelings of depression or discouragement * You’ll have less focus on material things * You’ll experience increased clarity * Temptations will be easier to cast-off * You’ll have fewer regrets * You’ll feel more love. 

Wouldn’t everyone want more of these virtues in their lives? Can’t imagine anyone that wouldn’t!

So, if we’re not regularly recognizing these qualities in our lives, what are we doing about it? Are we just accepting the status quo? Or are we proactively incorporating ideas and activities that will encourage the realization of increased peace and happiness in our lives? How can we be engaged in pursuing and achieving increased levels of peace and happiness?

Some, when trying to justify personal goodness, might say something like, “I’m really a good person… I’ve never robbed a bank…” Always found that quite humorous. Like that’s the ultimate measure of humanity’s decency! If so, join the ‘righteousness club’ along with 99.99999% of the population! It’s not very reassuring… and not the greatest indication of deserving increased and regular peace and happiness in your life. Just thinking you’re ‘a good person’ wouldn’t qualify someone as warranting greater quantities of peace and happiness – it’s just hopeful thinking.

Then how can we be more proactive at realizing increased and consistent peace and happiness? One of the better sources of life truth can be found in ‘The Good Book.’ Let’s explore some verses that teach us about achieving peace and happiness (happiness is often referred to as ‘joy,’ ‘comfort’ and ‘rest’).

Maybe the most noticeable reference to peace is acknowledging Christ as the Prince of Peace. Following Him and His teachings brings peace from the ultimate source of peace. There are nearly one hundred Bible verses that reference peace in relation to Jesus Christ.

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thes. 3:16).

“And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isa. 32:18).

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

In reference to achieving more, consistent happiness (joy, joyful, joyfulness, joyous, enjoy, comfort) there are over two hundred and thirty verses with admonitions, advice and wise counsel in scripture. Here are a few.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).

“Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom” (1 Kgs. 10:8).

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28-30).

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Ex. 33:14).

If we’re genuine about elevating peace and happiness levels in our lives, there are easily accessible road maps, abundant resources with established and proven methodologies available to everyone. The choice is ours. The overall result will depend on our sustained commitment to the objective.

Further support for this ideology can be found in multiple studies that confirm the reality for increased peace and happiness being enjoyed by those who maintain committed, faith-filled belief systems. One study, from The Pew Research Center[i], conducted a worldwide survey on this topic in over 25 countries. They categorized respondents in three ways – actively religious, inactively religious, and those that identify as having no religious affinity. In every country the results were consistent, not a single exception – people who were actively religious always reported higher volumes of happiness. In some countries the difference was as much as 14%. Those who identified as actively participating in their religion (all faiths and creeds) were as much as 14% more content than those who self-reported as both non-religious and non-participating in religion. The smallest difference in these countries still reported a 4% improvement in increased happiness. Some other interesting findings from the study: the actively religious (the happiest group) were generally more likely to abstain from smoking and drinking; the actively religious are more likely to vote; the religiously active are more likely to be physically active; and the actively religious are more likely to be involved in other service organizations (i.e. voluntary organizations, charities, clubs, humanitarian organizations, and philanthropical societies).

Absolute peace and happiness, like Shangri-La is a mythical place. We can experience some heaven on earth, but eternal heaven is another place altogether – a place we look forward to residing as a unified citizenry someday. Until then, mortality by definition comes with challenges, atrocities, unfairness, inequity, suffering, injustice and evil. It’s because absolute peace and happiness is unfeasible that we’re on this lifelong quest to find more of it. Achieving greater volumes of peace and happiness is attainable, but we have to set our minds to it, live by directives that yield it, and be intentional about proactively pursuing it. Makes perfect sense that God so appropriately named His plan, ‘The Plan of Happiness’. It’s a lifelong journey but well worth it because you’ll be blessed with a reality that embraces more peace and more happiness.

With both empirical and theoretical validation, it lends credibility to the idea of having increased peace and happiness is not only possible, but that there’s reliable methodology on how to realize it! With that in mind, if you could use more peace, more happiness, what are you waiting for? If you know of someone searching for more peace and happiness, pass this article on to them.

My wish is that you will discover how to find and enjoy increased peace and greater happiness in your life.

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:7-8).

Wm. Calvin Hughes | July 29, 2023 | Lake Elsinore, CA

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[i] https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/

THE MIRACLE OF COVENANT AMBASSADORS

THE MIRACLE OF COVENANT AMBASSADORS

 

 COVENANTS

Covenants, although not that frequently used in common conversation, are very common in legal, marital and theological / biblical contexts. The word “covenant” is of Latin origin, meaning ‘a coming together’. When parties come together to contract, agree on promises, stipulations, privileges and responsibilities, they enter into a covenant together. Both parties agree to certain conditions to maintain and enforce the contract. It is said that a covenant is much stronger, more sacred and binding than a promise or an oath. Certainly weightier and more solemn than a child’s ‘pinky finger promise’. For the purpose of this paper we will focus on the religious or spiritual use of the idea of covenants.

The word covenant is referenced 274 times in the Old Testament, 26 times in the New Testament, and 254 times in the other Standard Works of LDS scripture – a total of 364 occurrences. There are approximately 2,444 pages of scripture in the all of scripture. That means that the concept of covenants is addressed on average every 6 ¾ pages. With that frequency, making and keeping covenants must be of significant importance to God and His relationship with His children. Could it be that we have we missed the significance and importance of covenants in the teachings our of holy text?

I have a good friend, probably the greatest scriptural scholar I personally know. He also has a keen spiritual insight into Christianity, its history, doctrines and situational context. He’s unpretentious, humble and a man with no guile. He’s someone you could sit and listen to for hours and hours, and then leave wanting more. If you could imagine an old sage, wise, humble, scholarly, unassuming, patient, soft-spoken, dedicated with a deep reverence for God and all things spiritual – that’s him!

He talks frequently about covenants, especially from a scriptural perspective. He has identified the original covenant – the everlasting covenant God offers His children, the covenant that permeates through all through the scriptures. This covenant, we could refer to as the master covenant (it’s the foundation on which all other spiritual covenants are based) and is God’s all-encompassing covenantal proposal to His children (all of mortality). He lovingly declares: “I will be your God, and you will be My people.”

SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES

Some clear examples of God’s original covenant with His children can be seen early in scripture. Not long after the creation, in Gen. 17 speaking to Abraham, God said –

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised” (emphasis added).

The Lord spoke of His covenant again with Moses in Exodus 6. God said –

“Then the Lord said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord” (emphasis added).

A third example is found when the Lord is speaking with Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 18 –

“Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof. And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small. Their children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them. And their nobles shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD. And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God” (emphasis added).

I would gently challenge you to embark on a spiritual journey of enlightenment by studying and pondering the other 350+ scriptural references about covenants. I can promise sweet rewards and an enhanced relationship with the Savior to all who accept the invitation.

 GOD’S COVENANT WITH HIS CHILDREN

This everlasting covenant between God and His people encompasses multiple promises from both parties. God covenants to partner with His children, not just to lead them, but to be with them, at their side. Not a distant ruler sitting on His throne on high and directing mortal with a wave of His hand. No, He will be by our side, allowing us to lean on Him for support, counsel with Him for strength, He will even carry us when we are weary or lost. When an all-powerful and benevolent God offers to ‘partner’ with us, who could reject that gift? His covenant (gift) to us is to –

•          Love and have mercy for us
•          Forgive us when we repent
•          Never give up on us
•          To sanctify us
•          Send His Spirit (The Holy Ghost) to always be with us
•          Offer us all the blessings promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
•          Show us how to become joint heirs with Him in God’s kingdom
•          Offer us access to all blessings reserved for the faithful (to inherit thrones, kingdoms,        powers, principalities, and dominions, even to our eventual exaltation and glory in all      things)
•          And more…

As for the other half of the covenant, our half, we covenant with the Savior Jesus Christ to –

•          Take His name upon us
•          To always remember Him
•          Keep His commandments (live lives of righteousness, repenting frequently and                renewing our covenants regularly)
•          Live lives of service
•          Be anxiously engaged in the ongoing work of gathering Israel and His work in                  redeeming God’s children (both the living – missionary work; and the dead – family          history, genealogy and temple work)
•          And more…

 COVENANT AMBASSADORS

I’ve probably only scratched the surface of the details and intricacies of covenants and the New and Everlasting Covenant. But I wanted to spend some time with the idea of ‘covenant ambassadors’.

We may think that our covenant with God is a singular, one-time, one-on-one transaction with God as one party and us, individually as the other party. I guess that’s true in the ultimate sense, but the covenant isn’t a one-time, single occurrence. Because we are mortal and flawed, we need to actively repent and regularly renew our side of the covenant. Fortunately God has mercifully provided for this situation. He generously allows us to gather at the Sacrament table each week (partaking of the Sacrament renews all of our covenants) and to repeatedly enter into His temple to refresh our memory of temple covenants. Of course we should be renewing our covenants with integrity and sincerity – consistently trying to improve and learn from our shortcomings between renewals of the covenant. How blessed we are to have a Heavenly Father that is patient, merciful, quick to forgive, and provides us second, third, and hundredth chances. As for God’s side of the covenant, because He is perfect and is “the same yesterday, and to day, and forever and forever” (Heb. 13:8) we have no need to be concerned that He will ever break the Covenant.

Back to the thought about ‘covenant ambassadors’. An ambassador is an accredited official or diplomat that represents a head of state or other world leader. As the leaders’ representative, they are given specific assignments and activities. Fortunately the Lord has generously provided an abundance of ambassadors to assist in activities that help us renew our covenants. I affectionately refer to them as ‘covenant ambassadors’.

Who are these covenant ambassadors? They are many and their mission is primarily to serve and minister to us with loving care. For example, each week the Aaronic Priesthood assists in preparing, blessing and delivering renewal covenants via the emblems of the Sacrament – they are covenant ambassadors. Bishoprics and Melchizedek Priesthood oversee the Sacrament – also covenant ambassadors. Thousands of temple workers, men, women, and youth are covenant ambassadors assisting the daily work of covenant making and renewing in the Lord’s temples. Tens of thousands (well over 100,000) of full-time missionaries and local Ward missionaries serve throughout the world in teaching and introducing God’s children to His covenants and the associated blessings available. Their mission is to love, share and invite our friends to make their own covenants with God. Hundreds of thousands of church members are actively involved in genealogy research finding, recording, and taking names of their deceased ancestors to the temples of God. Their ancestors’ salvation is ensured through vicarious covenants if they accept the work done on their behalf. Together, these covenant ambassadors number in the millions. They facilitate the initiation and renewal of eternal covenants to God’s children! Covenant ambassadors are gathering Israel! Covenant ambassadors are uniting fathers and mothers with their children and turning the hearts of God’s children to their fathers and mothers! Covenant ambassadors assist in the Lord’s sacred ongoing work of redemption and salvation for all of us – all of God’s children!

And we can’t forget the heavenly hosts, angels that assist with covenants on the other side of the veil. Perhaps these are the most active and continuous covenant ambassadors of all!

In a moment of deep thought regarding covenant ambassadors, I wanted to calculate the number of covenant ambassadors involved in the effort to assist one individual in learning about, accepting and renewing covenants throughout that person’s life. After only a few moments, I found myself in awe as I tallied the throng! Literally dozens, maybe hundreds serve as covenant ambassadors in order for one child of God to fulfill his/her mortal side of the covenant! It’s humbling! Certainly gives expanded validation when the Savior prayed in Jn. 17:20-23 –

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (emphasis added).

 

 BEING A COVENANT AMBASSADOR

I have another friend, a sweet, elderly woman, somewhat frail and experiencing seasons of difficult health. She is mostly house-bound, just her and her beloved Shih Tzu-Lhasa Apso mix ‘Honeyboy’. She is spiritually centered and dedicated to the Lord. Every week for years, come rain or snow, sickness or health, she has faithfully found the strength and capacity to make homemade bread. These two sacred, delicious homemade loafs are delivered to the chapel each Sabbath as an offering to be used as one of the Sacrament emblems. Certainly, she is a faithful covenant ambassador as her efforts help facilitate covenants with hundreds of God’s children every week!

When thinking about her and her honorable efforts to be a covenant ambassador, it occurs to me that we all can find unique ways to help others learn about, make, keep and renew covenants with God. We can all serve in some capacity and become covenant ambassadors. This is a most honorable or worthy activity and how privileged we are to partner with God in His most important work – “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Making and keeping covenants is integral to God’s work and glory.

These followers of Christ partner with Him to be covenant ambassadors. How wonderful it is to have the Lord’s trust and participate in His sacred work of salvation and redemption. Thank you to all the miracle covenant ambassadors who so freely and generously serve all of God’s children. How blessed we are to have a God that is willing to covenant with His children by declaring –

“I will be your God and you will be My people.”

 _____________________________________________

Dedicated to Lynda and Mark and all of God’s Covenant Ambassadors

Wm Calvin Hughes | May 21, 2023 | Lake Elsinore, CA

PATTERNS OF PROGRESS – FROM MORTALITY TO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM

 

PATTERNS OF PROGRESS – FROM MORTALITY TO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM

Implied and inherently integral in the Plan of Salvation is the idea and necessity of progression. It seems that progress is imbedded deeply within our DNA. Commonly and frequently we ask, “What’s next?” “What could be better?” “How can we improve on the status quo?” I believe that we both consciously and subconsciously continually seek to progress on multiple levels of our lives. Simply stated, there’s a genuine and authentic yearning at our core to progress in our lives.

Many times our urge for progression abruptly surfaces and becomes readily apparent, especially when something or someone threatens to inhibit or reduce our intended, anticipated progress. We witness it frequently in traffic in CA – some drivers display obnoxious impatience, trying to move forward just one more car length. Frustration and anger of this kind can be dangerous for both the culprit and other innocent parties in his path. Maybe you’ve experienced this scenario – you’re waiting at a stoplight and look away for a second when the light turns green. Then, in less than a millisecond someone behind you is blaring their horn! I’ve often wondered how much of the horn-blower’s life was wasted during those seconds. In these kinds of examples, patience seems to be in disharmony with progress.

Although, it’s within the context of life’s interactions with one another that we are ultimately tested. Our quest for progress (toward perfection) is ultimately tested, and precisely measures our divine progress through every human interaction! So, how can this be? Patience is a virtue, it’s a divine characteristic of God and our Savior. And yet, progress should also be an honorable quality as long as the end goal has a righteous purpose (of course, there can be unrighteous progress as well). Accordingly, our mortal journey will be increasingly successful, measurably improved, and evermore fulfilling as we temper our eager and desire for progress with adequate portions of humble patience.

When considering progress as an integral component of God’s intended plan for His children (more formally identified as His Plan of Salvation), we can find steps or ‘patterns of progress’ in scripture that can help us better measure our individual progress. Through evaluation of our behaviors, decisions, and beliefs we can better categorize ourselves as having characteristics representative of telestial, terrestrial or celestial attributes, and simultaneously measure our progress! When we honestly self-evaluate in this manner, we will discover: 1) where we stand, 2) which direction we’re heading, and 3) what we could/should/must be doing to progress toward a more celestial existence. Frequent personal evaluations like these can be of tremendous value in our mortal quest/test to measure our progress and make necessary course corrections. Additionally, we can confirm we’re indeed making progress (that we haven’t plateaued or regressed), and ensure that it’s a righteous progress (that we’re faithfully and intentionally heading toward eternal life, where we will ultimately live again with our Heavenly Parents in Their celestial home).

Fortunately, we are not left alone to accomplish the daunting task of progressing to perfection on our own. And, contrary to popular belief, we are definitely not expected to achieve perfection here and now! The expectation is to: 1) get ourselves on the path that leads toward perfection, 2) orient our direction towards God and begin our journey back to Him, 3) continue stepping in faith, progressing forward to God, establishing our trajectory and our momentum, and 4) learn by trial and error how to stay on the path (make and keep covenants with God, and practice how to return to the path when we wander via repentance). It’s also important that we don’t try to run faster than we are able (Mos. 4:27), and remember that personal progress is categorically unique for each individual. Incremental progress with the right trajectory and momentum is more important (infinitely more important) than achieving the desired end-result (perfection) in mortality!

If we are persistent and heading the in the right direction, not only have we met the expectation for mortality, we will eventually achieve the ultimate desired end-result. And like a heaven-sent lifeline, we have the unbelievable, gracious offer of customized, one-on-one, 24/7/365 mentor! He offers individualized mentorship (a “wonderful counselor” Isa. 9:6), free of charge, bestowed from the only person ever to live on the planet who actually achieved perfection! Hard to imagine the magnitude of this gift and realize it comes to us from a member of the Godhead!  Maybe more succinctly: Through Christ’s atonement (which includes His offer of personalized mentoring) we can incrementally improve (D&C 50:24), continuously grow and progress toward the ultimate goal (3 Ne. 12:48; Matt.5:48), and become perfected in Christ one day (Mor. 10:32).

To further validate, we can’t take the commandment from God to be perfect (3 Ne. 12:48; Matt. 5:48) at face value, without also taking into consideration Nephi’s counsel on obeying all of God’s commandments, when he said, “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Ne. 3:7, emphasis mine). And then to have Nephi’s perspective validated by the Savior himself, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6, emphasis mine). How deeply comforting it is to know with absolute confidence that notwithstanding the overwhelming expectations we face (achieving perfection), Christ will eagerly partner (mentor) with us in our desire to keep God’s commandments, all of His commandments, even the commandment to “be ye therefore perfect” (ibid.). To clarify, becoming “perfect” has everything to do with “becoming perfected in Christ” (Mor. 10:32-33). Our personal progress down the path of mortality (or more correctly, ‘up the path of mortality’) with the Savior as our guide, is to intentionally elevate who we are, to continually ‘raise the bar’, and to incrementally progress to ever-higher refined levels of living.

Below are a few examples, both scriptural and prophetic, of how we can use the ‘telestial-terrestrial-celestial’ model to: 1) evaluate our progress on the ‘path to perfection’, check our trajectory and momentum, and 3) make course corrections as needed-

TELESTIAL   Perfect our actions	TERRESTRIAL   Perfect our motives	CELESTIAL   Perfect our perspectives (judgement) on how we view others
- Worldly -	- More Heavenly -	- Most Heavenly -
And again, we saw the glory of the telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the firmament. These are they who received not the gospel of Christ, neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy Spirit. These are they who are thrust down to hell. These are they who shall not be redeemed from the devil until the blast resurrection, until the Lord, even Christ the Lamb, shall have finished his work. These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the terrestrial; And the terrestrial through the ministration of the celestial. And also the telestial receive it of the administering of angels who are appointed to minister for them, or who are appointed to be ministering spirits for them; for they shall be heirs of salvation. And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding;  And no man knows it except him to whom God has revealed it. And thus we saw the glory of the terrestrial which excels in all things the glory of the telestial, even in glory, and in power, and in might, and in dominion. And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world; …But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant.  Last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered with the saints, to be caught up unto the church of the Firstborn, and received into the cloud. These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie. These are they who suffer the wrath of God on earth. These are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fulness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet, and shall have perfected his work; When he shall deliver up the kingdom, and present it unto the Father, spotless, saying: I have overcome and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign forever and ever. But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore; And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever; For they shall be judged according to their works, and every man shall receive according to his own works, his own dominion, in the mansions which are prepared; And they shall be servants of the Most High; but where God and Christ dwell they cannot come, worlds without end. (D&C 76:81-91, 98, 101-112). No honor, not valiant and no testimony of Jesus Christ.	And again, we saw the terrestrial world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial, whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have received the fulness of the Father, even as that of the moon differs from the sun in the firmament. Behold, these are they who died without law; And also they who are the spirits of men kept in prison, whom the Son visited, and preached the gospel unto them, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh; Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh, but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. These are they who receive of his glory, but not of his fulness. These are they who receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the Father. Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun. These are they who are not valiant in the testimony of Jesus; wherefore, they obtain not the crown over the kingdom of our God. And now this is the end of the vision which we saw of the terrestrial, that the Lord commanded us to write while we were yet in the Spirit. And the glory of the terrestrial is one, even as the glory of the moon is one. (D&C 76:71-80; 97). Honorable, but not valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ	They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given— That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power; And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true. They are they who are the church of the Firstborn. They are they into whose hands the Father has given all things— They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; And are priests of the Most High, after the order of Melchizedek, which was after the order of Enoch, which was after the order of the Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God— Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. And they shall overcome all things. Wherefore, let no man glory in man, but rather let him glory in God, who shall subdue all enemies under his feet. These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever. These are they whom he shall bring with him when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people. These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection. These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just. These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all. These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn. These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all. These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical. And thus we saw the glory of the celestial, which excels in all things—where God, even the Father, reigns upon his throne forever and ever; Before whose throne all things bow in humble reverence, and give him glory forever and ever. They who dwell in his presence are the church of the Firstborn; and they see as they are seen, and know as they are known, having received of his fulness and of his grace; And he makes them equal in power, and in might, and in dominion. And the glory of the celestial is one, even as the glory of the sun is one. And to God and the Lamb be glory, and honor, and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (D&C 76:51-70; 92-96, 119). Honorable and valiant in their testimony of Jesus Christ
Compelled to believe	Concede belief	Choose to believe
Compelled to be humble	Concede humility	Choose to be humble
The poor are of little value, repulsive	Blessed are the poor in spirit and come to Christ (Matt. 5:3)	Blessed are the poor in spirit, that come to Christ and grow that relationship (3 Ne. 12:3)
Meekness as weakness	Meekness as a Godly quality, knowing where the power source is	Meekness as strength to submit in all things to God – these meek people will inherit the earth in a paradisiacal glory, a celestial world
Little concern for covenants with God	Covenant making with God is important	Covenant making and sacredly keeping is of the highest priority
Righteous motives hold little value	It’s good to seek after righteousness	Its best to seek and personally employ righteousness so that we can be filled with the Holy Ghost (3 Ne. 12:6)
Mercy as weakness unless we have an urgent need	Concerned with receiving mercy (forgiveness) from others as giving mercy to others	Faith that our mercy (forgiveness) toward all men will secure God’s mercy on our own brokenness (3 Ne. 12:7)
Purity isn’t important – eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die (2 Ne. 28:7-8)	Purity is generally good idea, at least for society’s benefit (some commitment to the concept) –  emphasis on outward actions	Those with pure hands and hearts are holy in their motives, attitudes, words, actions, deeds, thoughts, and intentions, and will see God and dwell with Him – emphasis on both outward and inward convictions (3 Ne. 12:8)
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, people should get what the deserve – unrighteous judgement (Ex. 21:24)	Peacemakers are well-intentioned people, they work hard not to promote wars; but as far as individual contention goes, some people just shouldn’t be forgiven for their offences	Blessed are the peacemakers (avoid contention with others – family, other faiths, others with political differences, even the horn-blower) they will be known as God’s children – only righteous judgement, everyone has the potential to be redeemed (3 Ne. 12:9)
Persecution is part of life, it’s a tough pill to swallow but get used to it	Blessed are those persecuted for their religion, hold true to your convictions, you’ll be rewarded when all is said and done. They have a loyalty to “the church”	Blessed are those persecuted for Christ’s name (including being reviled and say all manner of false evil against you, “for my sake,” theirs is the kingdom of heaven – great will be their heavenly reward. They have an intrinsic loyalty to Christ and His church” (3 Ne. 12:10-11)
Salt and light can be useful things for self-use, not enough to proactively share in faith-filled service, selfishness	Salt and light can be used as examples for the world faithful service to the world (Matt. 5:14)	Salt and light in the world are gifts from the Savior to use to bless the saints – ‘this people’ (and others); salt flavors and it preserves! Light guides, inspires and eradicates fear! (3 Ne. 12:13-16)
God’s laws and commandments are restrictive and restraining and nice suggestions; they take away free agency	God’s laws and commandments are our mortal ‘school master’	God’s laws and commandments are liberating and fulfilling; they provide safety and protection; they are gifts from a loving Creator; they are markers on the path that lead us back to Him and our heavenly home

May we all find happiness on our pathway to perfection! It’s not just a path, it’s a succession, a cumulative climb, a lifelong journey, one step forward and one step upward, followed by another, then another and another… In the meantime, we can find solace and encouragement (D&C 68:6) in our passage because of the confidence we have in our faithful Partner. By combining our commitment with exercising faith, we will eventually fulfill the purpose of mortality. We will eventually reach our divine potential. We will pass the test (Abr. 3:25). For when we choose to be on the right course, and persist in the right trajectory, with the right momentum, we are on our way and our perfection is pending! In other words, our perfection is certain as we faithfully partner with the Savior in our mortal quest to progress until we return back to our heavenly home! Life just doesn’t get much better than this!

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Wm. Calvin Hughes | October 3, 2020 | Lake Elsinore, CA