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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Time and Eternity

Time and Eternity seem be be describing two different dimensions. This would explain why it is difficult for those who view the world in time to comprehend things in eternity.

Here a High-School Student explains the 4th Dimension


4th Dimension explained


Even having the 4th dimension explained, it is challenging to visualize the 4th dimension. If you lived in the 4th dimension you see all sides of a three dimensional object, before, behind, and through.

Is this John's attempt at describing heaven? Or a dimension higher than earth?

    And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. Revelation 4:6

I'm not saying that heaven is in the 4th dimension, but it seems that heaven is in a higher dimension than the earth. That is why the things of eternity are often misunderstood and confusing to those who only see the natural world.

Does our flesh live in time? Does our spirit live in eternity? Are the things of eternity only to be comprehended while in the Spirit?

This is the end of the vision which we saw, which we were commanded to write while we were yet in the Spirit. But great and marvelous are the works of the Lord, and the mysteries of his kingdom which he showed unto us, which surpass all understanding in glory, and in might, and in dominion; Which he commanded us we should not write while we were yet in the Spirit, and are not lawful for man to utter; Neither is man capable to make them known, for they are only to be seen and understood by the power of the Holy Spirit, which God bestows on those who love him, and purify themselves before him; To whom he grants this privilege of seeing and knowing for themselves; That through the power and manifestation of the Spirit, while in the flesh, they may be able to bear his presence in the world of glory. Doctrine and Covenants 76:113-118

Eternal, spiritual, no end neither beginning, and heaven seem to be words describing the dimension of eternity. Temporal, beginning of my work – last of my work, natural, carnal, sensual, and earth seem to describe the dimension of time.

For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal— First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again, first temporal, and secondly spiritual, which is the last of my work—Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed. Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created. Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual. Doctrine and Covenants 29:31-35

And now my sons, behold I have somewhat more to desire of you, which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers. Helaman 5:8

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

Is eternity a covering because those in time don't see into eternity? Abraham, Sarai, Lot, and their caravan were protected in eternity. Jesus could easily escape his enemies by stepping into eternity. Philip was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord.

Therefore, eternity was our covering and our rock and our salvation, as we journeyed from Haran by the way of Jershon, to come to the land of Canaan. Abraham 2:16

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went his way, Luke 4:29-30

Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. John 8:59

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

Certain things need to happen in the dimension of time that also need to happen in eternity
And he that receiveth these things receiveth me; and they shall be gathered unto me in time and in eternity. Doctrine and Covenants 39:22

And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity. Doctrine and Covenants 72:3

And it came to pass that Enoch looked; and from Noah, he beheld all the families of the earth; and he cried unto the Lord, saying: When shall the day of the Lord come? When shall the blood of the Righteous be shed, that all they that mourn may be sanctified and have eternal life? And the Lord said: It shall be in the meridian of time, in the days of wickedness and vengeance. And behold, Enoch saw the day of the coming of the Son of Man, even in the flesh; and his soul rejoiced, saying: The Righteous is lifted up, and the Lamb is slain from the foundation of the world; and through faith I am in the bosom of the Father, and behold, Zion is with me. Moses 7:45-47

This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things— Alma 13:7

Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, or in other words, in eternity; He was also slain in the meridian of time. He made his preparations (D&C 19:19, 128:5) both in time and in eternity.

To understand and comprehend the things of eternity, it is important to listen to the spirit within even God.  I am coming to believe that attachment and focus on earthy substance is a hindrance in comprehending God. 

And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of God. Alma 36:4 

The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. Doctrine and Covenants 88:13

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15


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