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(I put this picture here to give you a visual of what "fulfilling the measure of our creation" means. It is hard to do without eternal families. This is after my race in Washington a few weeks ago.)I wrote this paper for a D&C class this last week. I hope that you enjoy it. It is a little long for a post so if you get bored of reading it you can stop. I won't be offended. But I will never talk to you again. The paper was suppose to be about a doctrine found in the the second half of D&C. I chose the doctrine "fulfilling the measure of our creation." It could only be 4 pages so I left out some thoughts about it(Celestial law for example). I hope that y'all will be able to enlighten me a little. Just a little please. Here it is...
Everyone, at one point or another during their existence, has asked a few basic questions. Maybe you have asked these yourself: Where did I come from before this earth, why am I here, and where am I going when I die? While searching for the answers myself I have come across two groups of people. One group being filled with those who find it easy to brush off the uncertainty of not knowing the answers to these questions with ease, and another group being those who have search and struggled their entire lives to unearth the answers. The first group will live out their lives with a hole, maybe covered with materialistic ease or filled in with instant gratification, yet a hole nonetheless, which will surly led their lives in a direction of unattained potential. The latter group, while maybe not finding all the answers, will most definitely push their limits and achieve what they term to be their “purpose in life”. Throughout my life I have met many different kinds of “groups ones”, and much fewer “group twos”. The individuals of both, while coming from many different cultures and backgrounds, can be classified as follows—those who seek to “fulfill the measure of their creation” (D&C 88:19) and those who don’t. In this paper I will try to explain this doctrine, to fulfill the measure of our creation, and what it means to me.
The reference that I gave above is given in mention to those of a celestial glory. When I say celestial glory I am referring to the heaven where we can live with God our Heavenly Father and our brother Jesus Christ after this life. This celestial glory is given to only the righteous who follows all of the commandments of God and is a place of no sickness, age, pain, or any other bad or hurtful thing that can be thought of. It is a place of perfect, splendid happiness. Yet we learn that keeping the commandments of God is not the only prerequisite for entering His glory. Reading from D&C 88: 18-19, “Therefore, it [we] must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it [we] may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it [we] hath filled the measure of its creation, it [we] shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;” Notice that in this reference it teaches us that we can only be crowned with the presence of the Father after we have fulfilled the measure of our creation. To understand this phrase now becomes a very important task not only for our happiness on this earth but for our eternal salvation after this life also.
The Savior made reference to this doctrine many times when he ministered upon the earth. I would like to indicate one of these places in detail and explain it, but hope that you will look at it more closely in this context the next time you read this place. I will also include some other references at the end of this writing for further study of the topic. Matthew 25: 14-30 is a parable that Christ spoke that is often times referred to as “The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.” In this parable, Christ compares himself to a man who is beginning a journey to a far away land. Before going this man gives to three of his servants talents (something like a dollar). He doesn’t give each the same though, as he gives the first servant five talents, the second two talents, and the third one talent respectively. While the man is gone, the first servant uses his talents wisely and ends up with ten by the time the master returns. The second also uses his talents well and doubles his amount to four. The third servant however, is scared of losing his talent so he buries his in the ground. Upon the return of the man, the master inquires as to the talents that he left his servants. The first two servants are proud to announce their achievements and the Lord issues this praise to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21-23). When the third servant gives his account the Lord pronounces this rebuke, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25: 26-30). The contrast of the two responses is telling. Notice how the reward for both servants who increased their “talents”, although varying amounts of increase, was exactly the same. Why do you suppose that the master would reward the two wise servants the same? It our world it is common to give the greatest reward to those who bring in the greatest amount. In this parable the first servant who brought in five talents as profit would be greater than that of the second servant who brought in two talents as profit, but here in lies the lesson. We are all put on this earth with varying talents and abilities. Some can use words to paint pictures in the forms of poems and novels, while others who can barely spell a word (me) are blessed with mathematical minds (not me), and still others who find no solace in learning from books develop a strong arm for throwing a football or healthy muscles for running a race. To the Lord it doesn’t matter what “talents” we have been given all that matters to him is that we learn these talents and increase them, make them a profit, so that when we sit in front of Him at the last day we can give Him His profit. To me, this is what “filling the measure of our creation” is. It is to push the limits of our existence. It is to increase in knowledge, stature, ability, or whatever else it may be. It is never being satisfied with who we are, but striving to become better everyday. And on top of all of this, keeping ourselves in line with the commandments that God has given to us. The problem of the unprofitable servant was not his undersized amount of talents, nor was it his complete neglect of the commandments (he was probably a good man) but it was his total lack of faith that he could improve upon what the Lord had given him. His sin was his lack of development and progress that hindered him from ever achieving total perfection—for if you don’t start down the path of perfection, than you can never reach the destination. To me that is what D&C 88:18-19 teaches. Since coming across those simple, few words to “fulfill the measure of its creation” I have seen where I can improve and hopefully achieve my purpose on this earth. To all “group ones” who may read this, it may mean very little, but to those “group twos” who wish to seek and find more of what I have talked about, here are a few more references that I have found while studying that relate. (Matthew 5: 6, Matthew 7:7, 2 Nephi 28: 29-31, Moses 5:10-12, Moses 4: 25)
The reference that I gave above is given in mention to those of a celestial glory. When I say celestial glory I am referring to the heaven where we can live with God our Heavenly Father and our brother Jesus Christ after this life. This celestial glory is given to only the righteous who follows all of the commandments of God and is a place of no sickness, age, pain, or any other bad or hurtful thing that can be thought of. It is a place of perfect, splendid happiness. Yet we learn that keeping the commandments of God is not the only prerequisite for entering His glory. Reading from D&C 88: 18-19, “Therefore, it [we] must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it [we] may be prepared for the celestial glory; for after it [we] hath filled the measure of its creation, it [we] shall be crowned with glory, even with the presence of God the Father;” Notice that in this reference it teaches us that we can only be crowned with the presence of the Father after we have fulfilled the measure of our creation. To understand this phrase now becomes a very important task not only for our happiness on this earth but for our eternal salvation after this life also.
The Savior made reference to this doctrine many times when he ministered upon the earth. I would like to indicate one of these places in detail and explain it, but hope that you will look at it more closely in this context the next time you read this place. I will also include some other references at the end of this writing for further study of the topic. Matthew 25: 14-30 is a parable that Christ spoke that is often times referred to as “The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant.” In this parable, Christ compares himself to a man who is beginning a journey to a far away land. Before going this man gives to three of his servants talents (something like a dollar). He doesn’t give each the same though, as he gives the first servant five talents, the second two talents, and the third one talent respectively. While the man is gone, the first servant uses his talents wisely and ends up with ten by the time the master returns. The second also uses his talents well and doubles his amount to four. The third servant however, is scared of losing his talent so he buries his in the ground. Upon the return of the man, the master inquires as to the talents that he left his servants. The first two servants are proud to announce their achievements and the Lord issues this praise to them, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21-23). When the third servant gives his account the Lord pronounces this rebuke, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 25: 26-30). The contrast of the two responses is telling. Notice how the reward for both servants who increased their “talents”, although varying amounts of increase, was exactly the same. Why do you suppose that the master would reward the two wise servants the same? It our world it is common to give the greatest reward to those who bring in the greatest amount. In this parable the first servant who brought in five talents as profit would be greater than that of the second servant who brought in two talents as profit, but here in lies the lesson. We are all put on this earth with varying talents and abilities. Some can use words to paint pictures in the forms of poems and novels, while others who can barely spell a word (me) are blessed with mathematical minds (not me), and still others who find no solace in learning from books develop a strong arm for throwing a football or healthy muscles for running a race. To the Lord it doesn’t matter what “talents” we have been given all that matters to him is that we learn these talents and increase them, make them a profit, so that when we sit in front of Him at the last day we can give Him His profit. To me, this is what “filling the measure of our creation” is. It is to push the limits of our existence. It is to increase in knowledge, stature, ability, or whatever else it may be. It is never being satisfied with who we are, but striving to become better everyday. And on top of all of this, keeping ourselves in line with the commandments that God has given to us. The problem of the unprofitable servant was not his undersized amount of talents, nor was it his complete neglect of the commandments (he was probably a good man) but it was his total lack of faith that he could improve upon what the Lord had given him. His sin was his lack of development and progress that hindered him from ever achieving total perfection—for if you don’t start down the path of perfection, than you can never reach the destination. To me that is what D&C 88:18-19 teaches. Since coming across those simple, few words to “fulfill the measure of its creation” I have seen where I can improve and hopefully achieve my purpose on this earth. To all “group ones” who may read this, it may mean very little, but to those “group twos” who wish to seek and find more of what I have talked about, here are a few more references that I have found while studying that relate. (Matthew 5: 6, Matthew 7:7, 2 Nephi 28: 29-31, Moses 5:10-12, Moses 4: 25)
3 comments:
I believe that fulfilling the measure of my creation is me learning to beat you and everyone around me at anything they challenge me to. Thanks for the thought.
Ad
Actually, on a more spiritual note. I think that living worthy of the spirit is key to fulfilling the measure of our creation. The commandments are standards that we must live in order to feel the constant reassurance, guidance, and confidence that he spirit is so willing to fill us with. Once we are there the spirit then becomes the commandment. For instance, there is no commandment that tells me I should help a little old lady across the street. However, when I don't do that I can feel a lack of the feelings of the spirit, but when I do actually help I feel that it is right. A more applicable example is this, there is no commandment saying that you should compliment your wife on a daily basis. However, when you do just that you not only feel love within your relationship but you can feel the reassurance of the spirit that what you are doing is correct. When we don't feel that reassurance we can be sure that it is not correct and we are not living the best that we can. Only by living worthy of the spirit and then following the promptings (commandments) we receive can we achieve the full measure of our creation.
Great post, Drew! Thanks for that. And good comment, Addie.
I really enjoyed your insights and felt inspired by them. As someone who didn't think she had talents until she was about 15 or 16, I have had a lot of work to do in a short amount of time to first recognize, then utilize, then increase what the Lord has given me. Thankfully, He blesses us with opportunities to fulfill the measure of our creation and, like Adam said, we have to be worthy of the Spirit to know what they are - and often how to capitalize on them.
I like the point you made also that we are doing this for the Lord, to glorify Him. They are "talents" He has given us and thus the profits are to be returned to Him. And I think the greatest profit will be our worthiness to abide with Him forever, having done all that we were sent to earth to do...and bringing our family with us.
This thought process will evolve even more when you bring your first (and, I'm sure, subsequent) child into the world. They are additional "talents" and you'll pray and hope and worry that you are up to the great task and responsibility that comes with each one.
Anyway, thanks again for sharing that with us, Goose. You're a good man.
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