Priesthood Restored Again ???

The following questions and statements were shared on our facebook page.  Since John doesn't have a short answer, he decided to reply to Larry's post on our blog. Here is a copy of Larry's facebook post:

“In a conversation I had with John he made the statement that I understood to mean the church was not true, that the leadership had no authority, that all leaders of the LDS church since Joseph Smith Jr. were false leaders. With that in mind how would you interpret his standing with that Organization? All have the right to believe in who, what they would like. I have seen the the verse D and C 124: 28 quoted as the proof that the higher priesthood was taken away. If you will read the verses before that you will see that the membership of the church were being called to build a temple for the reason stated in verse 28. I was ask where in the scriptures that these things were restored. Perhaps D and C 127: verse 8 Might shed a little light on the subject. You may believe what You would like. I testify that the priesthood was restored and has remained on the earth since Joesph Smith Jr. received it. If you would like to discuss this more you know how to reach me. Come and visit if you would like Your friend Larry ( PS If I have missed understood any thing then I apologize. )”

Here is John's response:

Larry, thank you for your thoughtful comments, statements, and testimony. I appreciate your understanding of the scriptures, your devout desire to serve God, and your friendship to me. I really appreciate your willingness to talk with me and openly discuss more about the gospel. There is no apology necessary – it is pleasant to visit with you.

I respect the LDS Church, the leadership, fellow members, and the much good that has been promoted. By way of the LDS Church, I have been blessed to receive truth, ordinances, the Book of Mormon, scriptures, prophecies, and the Word of God. I am everlastingly grateful for my membership and standing in the LDS church, my process of learning and understanding the Word of God, and for everything I have experienced thereof.

TRUE CHURCH:

The Church truly does exist and plays an important role in the latter days. However, the LDS Church is NOT completely true because the institution and men within it teach and advance both truth and error. I value the truth promoted, but choose to reject the false and vain and foolish doctrines and traditions of men. Even current Church statements found on LDS.org and the official LDS Church position on Polygamy and Race & Priesthood (among many other things) is shifting like sand under our feet. The LDS Church increasingly appears to be just another mainstream religion. With greater frequency the LDS hierarchy, professors, and general membership are all wrong; their creeds are an abomination in His sight; professors are corrupt; and “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” JSH 1:19

God is a God of truth and knows what He is doing. D&C 93:26 Men are not of truth and do not know what they are doing, unless they are connected with God and commune with Jehovah, as did Joseph Smith and all true and living prophets of God. Because the preservation of truth restored through Joseph Smith is decreasing, and the errors of men are increasing in the LDS Church, I believe the LDS Church is becoming less true. It is becoming increasingly false because it progressively embraces incorrect notions and false tenets.

The words “Having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof” is very revealing when a person is identifying true or false religions. An actual prophet of God, or the members of the true church of God will most certainly possess power from God Himself.

Here is what Elder Boyd K. Packer said, at least in part, about the LDS Church during the April 2010 General Conference? Elder Packer talked about the church's lack of ability to disseminate power among the saints. Why is the church unable to disseminate power? Why was the church able to spread and distribute authority under common consent but not the power of God?” The words recorded in D&C 121:36 can be enlightening and answer these questions. "That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." If a man is not connected with the powers of heaven, is it possible for him to possess the rights of the priesthood or power from on high?

Does this scripture provide us with a solution to the dilemma that Elder Packer described? Is there a distinction between authority and power? Is Elder Packer trying to tell us something? Is he giving us notice of something very essential and fundamental that is missing in the current state of the LDS Church? If the fullness of the priesthood has been lost or forfeited, can the remaining lesser priesthood bind or seal? Is it possible that many in the church teach one perspective of priesthood power, but the scriptures and the Word of God teach quite another? Is it necessary for God to personally bestow the priesthood with His own voice? Or is it sufficient for men to confer priesthood upon others by the laying on of hands from one generation to another? Is the priesthood or the association with men different than the priesthood or association with God? Why or why not? Does it matter? Alma 13:1  JST Genesis 14:25-40

The angel , who spoke to Nephi, taught key truths concerning the true church of God in contrast to the many false and abominable churches in the world. Nephi wrote, “And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.” 1 Nephi 14:10

Taking the words of the angel as the Word of God, wouldn't it seem wise to belong to the church of the Lamb of God (the true church) and discard all others? Is the LDS Church considered to be the church of the Lamb of God? If so, why is there a lack of power within the church as Elder Packer described? If not, does that make the LDS Church another great and abominable church of the devil? Does the LDS population possess power from God or mere authority by common consent of the people? Is there a difference? Does it matter?

LEADERSHIP AUTHORITY:

Concerning LDS leadership authority, here is my perspective: Both past and current leadership of the LDS Church were voted in by the people by common consent, therefore, they have the right and authority to lead the LDS Church organization.

Here is a quote from Brigham Young:

"Perhaps it may make some of you stumble, were I to ask you a question - Does a man's being a Prophet in this Church prove that he shall be the President of it ? I answer, no ! A man may be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator, and it may have nothing to do with his being the President of the Church. Suffice it to say, that Joseph was the President of the Church, as long as he lived; the people chose to have it so. He always filled that responsible station by the voice of the people. Can you find any revelation appointing him the President of the Church? The keys of the Priesthood were committed to Joseph to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth, and were not be taken from him in time or in eternity; but when he was called to preside over the Church, it was by the voice of the people; though he held the keys of the Priesthood, independent of their voice." Journal of Discourses 1:133.

I am fully content that the LDS hierarchy runs the Church under common consent of the membership according to the dictates of their own conscience. However, if and whenever I am able to identify priestcraft or error in the LDS Church, leadership, or hierarchy, which runs contrary to past prophets, scriptures, and the Word of God, I feel no obligation or sensible reason to follow the promoted falsehood or error. I see no wisdom in following a man or teaching a “herd of people” to follow a blind man off a cliff to destruction. My belief and practice is to embrace the truth of God and reject the errors of men.

My friend, Larry, referred to a key scripture that certainly offers additional light and understanding to each of us. D&C 127:8 reads as follows: “For I am about to restore many things to the earth, pertaining to the priesthood, saith the Lord of Hosts.” At this specific point in time, the Lord offered much to the saints, including the restoration of the fullness of the priesthood, Zion, and more. “For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times.” D&C124:41 The revelation found in D&C 127, which Larry referred to, was dated September 1, 1842. This falls right in the middle of a “key time-frame” and offer from the Lord. This revelation is dated nearly twenty months after the D&C 124 revelation and almost twenty-two months before the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, on June 27, 1844.

From the time God instructed and offered the saints another chance to receive the fullness of the priesthood D&C 124:25-48 to the time Joseph, Hyrum, and the Holy Priesthood were taken out of their midst, nearly forty-two months had passed away.

The saints had about 3 ½ years to receive God's offer by fulfilling His command. “But I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a sufficient time to build a house unto me.” D&C 124:31 Having a sufficient time, were they successful?

The saints in Nauvoo scrambled and tried to finish the Nauvoo temple after Joseph died. Was there still time to receive God 's offer or had His offer expired? Was God’s hand of protection removed? Were ordinances ever performed in the Nauvoo temple with God’s approval and seal? Did the Most High God dwell therein? Was His comfort, power, or presence felt there? Did God protect, care for, and guard the temple?

History reveals that around midnight on 8–9 October 1848, the Nauvoo Temple was set on fire. On 27 May 1850, the temple was struck by a tornado. In February 1865 Nauvoo's City Council ordered the final demolition of the last standing portion of the temple. Soon afterwords, all evidence of the temple disappeared. It was utterly destroyed. What message does this convey to you? Does that sound like a spot that was made holy?

Did the hand of God protect the saints? Did they receive the offered restoration or did they get moved out of their place and driven from Nauvoo? Why? D&C 124:45 Did they witness blessings and protection from God or did they experience cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments? D&C 124:48 Did they find peace, glory, and power from heaven, or were they driven into the wilderness like the children of Israel?

Was Joseph taken from their midst like Moses was taken from the children of Israel? Were they left only with the lesser priesthood? D&C 84:25-26 Did they succeed in finding Zion or did they obtain less? Did they receive conversations with heaven, revelations, glory, honor, and endowments from the Lord? Did they find the Nauvoo temple to be the place where God came to them, talked to them, and ministered to them? Did He reveal His ordinances unto them and things that had been kept hid from before the foundation of the world pertaining to dispensation of the fullness of times? D&C 124:39-41 Did the Lord perform the oath and fulfill the promises that they expected at his hands? D&C 124:47

Did God restore that which was offered? Why or why not? Did the saints receive Zion? Was the fullness of the Priesthood restored after it was lost as recorded in D&C 124:28 dated January 19, 1841? If it has since been restored, when did it happen? Where did it occur? By whom was it restored? Upon whom was it conferred? Are there any scriptures, revelations, or records whatsoever containing the Word of God testifying that the Holy Priesthood was restored after 1841 and remains today with the latter day saints? I would be appreciative to know of any such evidence? Where does the LDS Church stand today regarding truth, redemption, priesthood, and power from God? Is it important to you to find out the truth concerning this subject? Does it matter? 

Apostasy

On June 28, 2014, The Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following statement concerning apostasy: 

The two paragraphs below are included in the statement of the First Presidency:

“We understand that from time to time Church members will have questions about Church doctrine, history, or practice. Members are always free to ask such questions and earnestly seek greater understanding. We feel special concern, however, for members who distance themselves from Church doctrine or practice and, by advocacy, encourage others to follow them.”

“Simply asking questions has never constituted apostasy. Apostasy is repeatedly acting in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or its faithful leaders, or persisting, after receiving counsel, in teaching false doctrine.”

According to the First Presidency, it appears that LDS Church members are always free to ask questions about Church doctrine, history, or practice and to earnestly seek greater understanding. So, what is apostasy? Does believing differently than the LDS Church or its faithful leaders constitute apostasy? When a Church member disagrees with the teachings of religious leaders or is at variance with current official Church doctrine, is he/she in apostasy? If a father teaches his family his personal views, even if they are contrary to current Church doctrine, is that considered apostasy? If he shares his beliefs and asks questions to his neighbors, is that apostasy?

If a Church member is earnestly seeking greater understanding, is it “OK” and “safe” to ask questions in the Gospel Doctrine class on Sunday? What if the questions are sincere, yet become disturbing to some Church members because their “religious bubble” is pierced? Does that constitute apostasy? Is it appropriate to ask LDS friends why Church doctrine has so radically changed since the time of Joseph Smith and the restoration? In view of the fact that numerous past prophets have lead their followers astray, is it reasonable to question the doctrine taught by the current LDS prophets or apostles? Where did the notion come from that an LDS prophet today could never lead us astray? Is there any scripture or word of God that instructs us to follow a prophet? If there is, I would really appreciate being shown. What makes us think that our LDS generation is invulnerable to being lead astray and uniquely protected from apostasy?

Is it “OK” to make an inquiry as to why the official LDS Church position on Polygamy and Race & Priesthood has so drastically vacillated back and forth since the LDS Church began? Does Diety fluctuate and vary over time or is it simply mankind that modifies religious views and alters group perceptions? When do questions cross the line from being in the “safe” religious area into the threatening and dangerous radar detected zone and the territory of apostasy?

Is it correct to assign the label of apostasy to a man, who claims the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience? Is it accurate, appropriate, or fitting to condemn an individual to apostasy when he allows all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may? Article of Faith #11 Should a person, who holds a thought-provoking perspective and simply sees things differently than others, be viewed as one in peril and be labeled as a traitor and apostate?

If a person is labeled as “an apostate” or “on the high road to apostasy”, from what has he/she apostatized? Is it apostasy from persons, leaders, or organizations? Could it be apostasy from false beliefs of the past? Would it be good or proper to apostatize from proud and foolish philosophies of men? Would it be wrong to apostatize from the silly, misled, and unwise religious majority? Would it be wise to identify false doctrines and apostatize from errors? If the truth were to be found, free from false traditions, fault and error, would it be reasonable, sensible, and intelligent to live according to absolute truth? Would it really make any sense at all to apostatize from God Himself by defying the actual, undiluted, and never-changing truth?

If religious institutions or men apostatize from God and His Word, would there be any wisdom or logic to follow them? What if our religious peers and Church members were following Church leaders, would that make a difference to you or me? Why or Why not? If men, religion, and God fail to agree with exactness, how is it possible for anyone to avoid apostasy in some manner from at least one of the three?

Who is apostatizing from what? Who is it that contradicts whom? Is there a difference between being at variance with men and apostatizing from God? Is there a difference between apostatizing from the traditions of men and living contrary to the teachings and instructions from God? Is there a difference between rejecting and abandoning the false and vain and foolish doctrines promoted by men 2 Nephi 28:9 and disregarding God by apostatizing from His Word? Is there a difference between following men and coming unto the Lord, the Holy One? How so? Does any church on earth have the power to save mankind? Is there any doorman, assigned to act as the keeper of the gate? Is there any servant, who cannot be deceived? Does the Holy One of Israel employ anyone else in that position? Is there any other way? 2 Nephi 9:41 Therefore, is there a difference between failing or refusing to walk in lock step with the brethren of religious rank and being unwilling to come unto Christ, the Holy One of Israel? Does it matter?

Is there a difference between being pacified and lulled into carnal security and actually finding the way, the truth, and the life? John 14:6 Is there a difference between repeatedly asserting “all is well in Zion; yea Zion prospereth, all is well” 2 Nephi 28:21 and literally coming to know Christ and be redeemed from the fall? Remembering that no man cometh unto the Father, but by me, John 14:6 is there a difference between associating with men and associating with God? Is there a difference between discarding the philosophies of men mingled with scripture and contradicting God Himself and rejecting His ways?

Could it be possible that leaders of religious rank, who are practicing priestcraft by “preaching and setting themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion”, are in fact the real apostates, leading their followers astray, and hiding truth in plain sight?

Do LDS church leaders deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel and fail to commune with Jehovah? Do they say unto the people, “Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men”? The words of modern religious leaders may be, “You do NOT need to find Christ yourself. You can be saved through our inspired words, temple ceremonies, saving ordinances, priesthood keys that only we possess, and the power He has given to men (us)”. Can Mormon Church hierarchy be the modern day scribes and Pharisees Jesus was talking about when He said, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in”? Matthew 23:13
Leaders of Mormonism repeatedly teach with increasing frequency the notion that individuals need not be concerned about “knowing the Lord”. Members of the LDS Church are expected to follow the prophet, “know the brethren”, carry a current temple recommend, and participate in the “saving temple ordinances”. After all, do you not find it of utmost importance to carry your “passport to heaven”?

This vain and foolish notion is indeed false doctrine mingled with scripture and has been advanced as being necessary and sufficient for salvation. The “brethren” are claiming and promoting a position and power between God and man. They sponsor, encourage, endorse, and advance the idea that individual testimonies of the Savior are framed by the testimonies of men and are based on Church doctrines and the teachings of religious leaders. In the recent April 2014 General Conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf declared, “You do not need to see the Savior, as the Apostles did, to experience the same transformation.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2014 GeneralConference

Are you really serious? Do you actually mean that we do not need to see the Savior anymore, converse with Him through the veil, or receive His ministry to be redeemed? Are you truly saying that the same redeeming transformation will occur to Church members by circumventing the Lord and Savior Himself?

Amazing! Astonishing! Awesome! Yet in reality it is AWFUL! It seems much easier to sustain the LDS Church authorities, embrace their claims of priesthood power and blindly trust in their possession of keys to heaven than to pierce the veil of unbelief and actually embrace the Lord. It tends to require less effort being religiously and ceremonially clean than actually repenting, literally coming to Christ, and hearing His voice declaring me clean. Wouldn't it be more valuable to converse with the Lord through the veil, be covered with His robe of righteousness and, in His presence, be redeemed from the fall than to merely spend a portion of an afternoon to receive temple ordinances, which simply teach of and point to the real thing?

But wait a minute...... President Uchtdorf, are you, in fact, clearly teaching that I can bypass “knowing Him” and obtain the same saving transformation through “apostles and prophets”, who claim to possess the power of God? I do not believe your words. A true apostle wouldn't teach such a thing. They do not ring true and contradict the Word of God. This false and vain and foolish doctrine that you are teaching runs polar opposite to what Joseph Smith, the holy scriptures, and God Himself teach about personally coming to Christ, “knowing Him”, and “receiving further light and knowledge by conversing with the Lord through the veil”. (See Temple Endowment; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Pages 149-150; D&C 88:3-5; D&C 132:20-25; and many more)

Are LDS Church leaders among the many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark? Shall the blood of the saints cry from the ground against them? Yea, have they all gone out of the way? Have church leaders become impure and debased? Because of pride and false teachers and untrue doctrine, have their churches become corrupted? Are their churches lifted up? Because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, have they all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men? 2 Nephi 28:5-14

According to Holy Writ, history, and other records of the past, how many religious institutions have fallen into apostasy? In the past, have churches, religious leaders, or prophets gone astray, criticized God, changed His ordinances, and replaced His commandments with the traditions of men? Is the enormous evidence found in the scriptures enough and sufficient to conclude that there have been spiritual leaders of the past, who have royally apostatized from God, yet sustained one another, maintained religious rank, claimed power and authority, preached false and foolish doctrines, convinced and deceived many, lead people astray into deep rooted apostasy, and did it all in the name of God? Can this kind of deception and trickery actually happen in religion? Any religion? Has it been repeated over and over again? Is it happening today? Among us? Based on actual history, the odds are that religious leaders and churches will continue apostatizing from God and will surely lead people astray.

Here is part of an LDS Church statement concerning apostasy: “When individuals or groups of people turn away from the principles of the gospel, they are in a state of apostasy. One example is the Great Apostasy, which occurred after the Savior established His Church. After the deaths of the Savior and His Apostles, men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in Church organization and priesthood ordinances. Because of this widespread apostasy, the Lord withdrew the authority of the priesthood from the earth. This apostasy lasted until Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son appeared to Joseph Smith in 1820 and initiated the restoration of the fulness of the gospel.” LDS website 

This insightful LDS description of apostasy caused me to reflect and ask some serious questions about religious institutions of the past. At the time of Christ, were the Scribes and Pharisees actually apostates and acting in apostasy to the truth restored through Moses? The Scribes and Pharisees, who were in authority and sat in Moses' seat, Matthew23:2 claimed power, controlled the temple, performed “saving ordinances”, and led the church all in the name of God. Between the time of Moses and Christ, did men corrupt the principles of the gospel and make unauthorized changes in church organization and priesthood ordinances? Was the priesthood withdrawn from them? Why? D&C 84:23-25 Were the church leaders (Scribes and Pharisees) growing in apostasy until Christ established His church and restore truth again?

If it happened with those who sat in Moses' seat and if, as the LDS Church teaches, the great apostasy occurred among religious organizations after Christ, is it possible to happen again today, in the latter days? Is it possible for a religious organization today, like the LDS Church, which abandons past beliefs or denounces doctrines previously practiced, to be in apostasy, and therefore be positioned and viewed to be a modern apostate group? Could it be happening to those, who sit in Joseph Smith's seat, claiming power, controlling the temple, performing “saving ordinances”, and leading the church all in the name of God? Could that really be happening today? Why or Why not?

In the latter days, has the LDS Church hierarchy apostatized from the truth restored through Joseph Smith? Between the time of Joseph and present time (2014), have men corrupted the principles of the gospel and made unauthorized changes in church organization and priesthood ordinances? Have temple ordinances been changed since the restoration? Isaiah 24:5 Was the fullness of the priesthood withdrawn from among them? When? D&C 124:28 Is there record or evidence showing that the fullness of the priesthood has been restored since January 1841? Have the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, LDS leaders, and Church members been growing in apostasy? Will they continue until Christ restores truth again? I find history and the patterns of apostasy and restoration to be increasingly interesting while I presently witness yet another cycle unfold.

The LDS article continues, “During the Great Apostasy, people were without divine direction from living prophets. Many churches were established, but they did not have priesthood power to lead people to the true knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Parts of the holy scriptures were corrupted or lost, and no one had the authority to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost or perform other priesthood ordinances.”

“We now live in a time when the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored. But unlike the Church in times past, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will not be overcome by general apostasy. The scriptures teach that the Church will never again be destroyed (see D&C 138:44; see also Daniel 2:44).”

Here are the two scriptures cited in the LDS article claiming that the Church is invulnerable and immune to apostasy and that the Church will never again be destroyed.

D&C 138:44 “Daniel, who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the kingdom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people;”

Daniel 2:44 “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”

If we take these scriptures at face value, what did Daniel actually foresee being established in the latter days? Was it a church? A religion? Or was it the kingdom of God? What does the kingdom of God look like? Would God be present? Would those, who are part of the kingdom of God, necessarily be required to endure the presence of God? Would it be necessary to KNOW God to be part of His kingdom? What kind of people would be included in His kingdom? Could any church presently on earth today be linked, connected, or equated to the kingdom of God? Is the kingdom of God and the LDS Church the same thing? Or are they different and separate entities? Why or why not?

“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” What kings? Who are these kings? What characteristics do they possess? Have they communed with angels and associated with the powers of heaven? Are they redeemed from the fall, forgiven, and covered by Christ? Are they found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb? Are they prepared and able to stand in the presence of God or would they be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of their filthiness before Him, than they would to dwell with the damned souls in hell? Mormon 9:3-5 What do you think? Are these kings referred to here simply rulers of nations and empires of the world or are these kings actually reckoned from heaven? Are they kings and priests of the most high God? (Hebrews 7:1, Genesis 14:18, JST Genesis 14:25-40) By His own voice, has God instructed and covenanted with these kings?

Who will set up this kingdom of God? Will it be men or God Himself? Who will receive it? Will it be destroyed? Will it be given to other people after God sets it up in the latter days? Has the kingdom of God already been established in the latter days or is it yet to be set up in the future? If the kingdom has already been set up by the God of heaven, who has received it? If the kingdom has already been established among people, is it possible to be given to other people now? Once the kingdom of God is set up among His people are some “windows” or “doors” closed? Have individuals, who failed to become His people, lost an opportunity to rise?

If the kingdom of God has been established and the kingdom shall not be left to other people and if I am not found to be part of the kingdom of God, does that mean that I am among the kingdoms that shall be broken in pieces and consumed by the kingdom of God? If God has not yet set up His Kingdom in the latter days, what preparation is required to qualify to be among His people who receive the kingdom of God, which shall never be destroyed and shall not be left to other people?

With real intent, have we ever seriously asked God about prophets, their validity, and who actually speaks the Word of God with power and authority? Are there any prophets among us today who commune with Jehovah, as did Joseph Smith? Is there any mortal today that comes from the presence of God with a message? Is there anyone among us for whom the Lord vouches? Is there a servant of God on earth, who correctly speaks the word of God with power so that ”my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same”? If such a servant with a message from God were here, would it be worth hearing the message, seriously considering it, and asking God to confirm it? If so, you may want to consider becoming familiar with the messages of God delivered through Denver Snuffer. TheSecond Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil