Christ, New Born Savior and King

He came because He loves you!
Enjoy!

Wise Man, Foolish Man

After having taught The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that you who hear my sayings and do them, I will liken you unto a wise man. But you who hear my sayings, but fail to do them, shall be likened unto a foolish man. 

Not only did He teach them as one having authority, unlike the scribes, but the people were astonished at his doctrine.

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:24-29)

It may be wise to accurately identify what matters most and do so as you leave the rest behind.

Choices Matter

- Make good choices today so you don't have regrets tomorrow.

- Choices are always followed with consequences.

- Life is the sum of all your choices.

- Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

Repent ... Not Repent

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord repeatedly commands us to repent and to keep His commandments. Christ clearly states the associated consequences attached when we either choose to repent or to not repent. In the following scripture, Christ specifically addresses us gentiles and lays out a list of our wicked ways, from which we are commanded to turn, and evil doings of which to repent.

“Hearken, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you, for, behold he commandeth me that I should write, saying: Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.” (3 Nephi 30:1-2)

“Wherefore, I command you to repent, and keep the commandments which you have received by the hand of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., in my name; And it is by my almighty power that you have received them; Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.” (D&C 19:13-20)

It seems to me that choosing the option of not repenting and thereby rejecting Christ's atoning sacrifice in my behalf would cause me sufferings that far exceed what I presently understand. Logically, it becomes a “no brainer” … repentance is by far the better option!

Here's a link on:  Repentance

Courage Counts!

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6-8,23 emphasis added)

“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:5-9 emphasis added)

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” (Psalms 27:1-14 emphasis added)

“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)

“And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.” (Alma 17:12)

“And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi were encircled about as if by fire, even insomuch that they durst not lay their hands upon them for fear lest they should be burned. Nevertheless, Nephi and Lehi were not burned; and they were as standing in the midst of fire and were not burned. And when they saw that they were encircled about with a pillar of fire, and that it burned them not, their hearts did take courage. For they saw that the Lamanites durst not lay their hands upon them; neither durst they come near unto them, but stood as if they were struck dumb with amazement. And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did stand forth and began to speak unto them, saying: Fear not, for behold, it is God that has shown unto you this marvelous thing, in the which is shown unto you that ye cannot lay your hands on us to slay us. (Helaman 5:23-26 emphasis added)

Sacrifice is Required

“Having the assurance that they were pursuing a course which was agreeable to the will of God, they were enabled to take, not only the spoiling of their goods, and the wasting of their substance, joyfully, but also to suffer death in its most horrid forms; knowing, (not merely believing,) that when this earthly house of their tabernacle was dissolved, they had a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Do you possess that assurance? If so, how does that feel? How did you obtain it? If not, do you desire it? Are you willing to pay the price by living the laws upon which the blessings are predicated?

Such was and always will be the situation of the saints of God, that unless they have an actual knowledge that the course that they are pursuing is according to the will of God, they will grow weary in their minds and faint; for such has been and always will be the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God, against the pure and unadulterated religion of heaven, (the only thing which ensures eternal life,) that they will persecute, to the uttermost, all that worship God according to his revelations, receive the truth in the love of it, and submit themselves to be guided and directed by his will, and drive them to such extremities that nothing short of an actual knowledge of their being the favorites of heaven, and of their having embraced that order of things which God has established for the redemption of man, will enable them to exercise that confidence in him necessary for them to overcome the world, and obtain that crown of glory which is laid up for them that fear God.

What is the only thing that ensures eternal life? What is the unadulterated religion of heaven? What does it mean to “having embraced that order of things which God has established for the redemption of man?” Perhaps the account of the Brother of Jared found in Ether 3:12-20 can shed some light on the Lord's order of things and what occurs. Here and now in mortality, can you be redeemed from the fall without the Lord showing Himself unto you and you being brought back into my presence? Is there any other way for anyone to be redeemed without following the order of things which God has established for the redemption of man?

Is there any other way than to know the Anointed Redeemer Himself, embrace Him, and enter into His presence? Can you accomplish this by attending a two hour temple session that teaches FIGURATIVELY the way back to His presence, passing by sentinels along the way? Or ... is this talking about the real thing, recognizing and adhering to the words of angels here and now, sacrificing all that the Lord instructs, repenting and facing God, parting the veil, and LITERALLY embracing Him, entering His presence, being redeemed, and laying hold on eternal life?

For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life also, counting all things but filth and dross for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, requires more than mere belief, or supposition that he is doing the will of God, but actual knowledge: realizing, that when these sufferings are ended he will enter into eternal rest; and be a partaker of the glory of God.

For unless a person does know that he is walking according to the will of God, it would be offering an insult to the dignity of the Creator, were he to say that he would be a partaker of his glory when he should be done with the things of this life. But when he has this knowledge, and most assuredly knows that he is doing the will of God, his confidence can be equally strong that he will be a partaker of the glory of God.

Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things, that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has, for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice, because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.

To obtain a promise of surety or covenant of eternal life and salvation from Christ, what is required? What does it take to have power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation? Must you be willing to make a sacrifice of all earthly things?

Would you suppose the opposition in the hearts of unbelievers and those that know not God would challenge the faith of the believers and those that know God. Would the opposition be against the order of things which God has established? Would the adversary oppose the redemption of man? Would you suspect that the unbelievers, who know not God and belong to the church of the devil, would tend to and likely cause opposition?

If so, what would be potential sacrifices required from the believers, who are “wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived”? (D&C 45:57) Potential sacrifices may include some of the following: Sacrifice her character and reputation? His honor and applause? A good name among men? Your social status? Houses? Lands? Material possessions? Investments? Jobs? Business? Occupation? Income? Brothers and sisters? Spouse? Children? Relatives? Neighbors? “Friends”? And even his own life? Everyone's sacrifice seems to be unique and perfectly situated in such a fashion to test and stretch each individual perfectly.

Whenever a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has, for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice, what has always happened? Time and time again? Generation after generation? What are the results, blessings, and outcomes that repeatedly emerge and occur by applying the same patterns, truths, and “order of things” under the hand of God, who changes not?!

After you have offered through the medium sacrifice all that you have been required of God, for the truth's sake, not even withholding your life, and believing before God that you have been called to make this sacrifice, what will surely happen? To YOU, intimately and personally?

It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him.” (Lectures on Faith 6:3-8)

Assuming you have not sacrificed what God requires of you and have failed to obtain His promise of eternal life, is there any fairness, logical reason, or justifiable expectation or anticipation for you to simply stroll into the Zion, Heaven, or Christ's presence with others, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life?

As you observe and experience first hand sacrifices,  perhaps you will better appreciate how profoundly and perfectly God really does know you.

Seven Social Sins

Seven sins (cardinal crimes) of modern society:

Wealth Without Work
Pleasure Without Conscience
Knowledge Without Character
Commerce (Business) Without Morality (Ethics)
Science Without Humanity
Religion Without Sacrifice
Politics Without Principle

Converse with God ... Yourself!

“It is a veil and not a wall that you must pass through. You elect whether or not you pass through. There is no one, other than you, who can make the decision to go forward. It is far more frightening to persist through the veil than to remain without a view of Heaven." (The Second Comforter - Conversing with The Lord Through the Veil, Page 417)

Here is a scriptural example of this very issue:

“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the Lord said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.” (Exodus 20:18-22)

I believe the people of Moses were each instructed, invited and expected to individually enter God's presence, to know Him one by one, and to witness for themselves, like is recorded in (3 Nephi 11:13-17) concerning the Nephites. They literally had the opportunity to talk with God face to face and be redeemed, but instead, they were too fearful and basically said to Moses, “You be the middle man; You be our messenger; You talk to God; You get the answers; And you, Moses, speak to us His answers and we will hear, but we are NOT willing to approach God personally, converse with Him, and see eye to eye … even though He is proving us right here and now!

How are you taking that same challenge today? Do you desire precisely the same thing as the people of Moses did and rely on a prophet/teacher, who indeed speaks with God, to act as a middle man between you and God? Are you removed from God or stand afar off? Are you too fearful to draw near unto the thick darkness to find God and speak with Him, as a man speaketh to another. Do you lack sufficient faith to boldly come before God yourself? Are you missing the fullness of the gospel, the testimony of Jesus, what true messengers are declaring, and the everlasting covenant? (D&C 76:98-106) Are you satisfied with merely the telestial world and the associated glory … again, worlds without end?!

Ultimately, each individual must choose between the "glory" of this world and the other world with Glory, which God has offered us. 

Each chooses between fear and faith, between good and evil, and between man and God Himself. You can't have both at the same time.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

Identifying a Prophet Today

I have been greatly affected by the messages of prophets throughout history, including today. The fruits are manifested as good and causes great growth to occur. Errors, in which I lived and practiced, are exposed and truths have been and are being restored. I have been called to repentance; I have been corrected; I have changed and am changing as more revelations come to me; And I doubt my life will ever be the same, unless I foolishly turn from my righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire! (3 Nephi 7:7-8)

A common thread, among prophets of God, is restoring truths that were lost before. The gospel, which was originally preached to Adam, keeps getting lost among the children of men, who fall into some level of apostasy. Lost truths, which were taught before, were restored through Abraham, a Father through whom we should connect.

In the Book of Mormon it is recorded that Nephi restored truth and taught much to his people, who over time discarded, rejected, and lost truth. The Nephite people fell into an adequate level of apostasy that caused God to judge it necessary to send a message of repentance and warning. Through His servant Abinadi, God preached repentance to the people and restored truth again that Nephi had earlier taught.

King Noah and his priests were the religious leaders of the day and did not approve of the message of repentance nor consider even the remote possibility that they were in ERROR and leading the people astray. So frustrated with this absurd and core-cutting message delivered through this unauthorized man who did not possess bonafide credentials (at least from their point of view), they chose to cast Abinadi out of their presence and have him killed. Nevertheless, Alma and a few others, who received the message, took hold of the restored truth, repented, and lived the gospel.

After the death of Christ and His disciples, the great apostasy occurred and continued for centuries until a restoration in the early 1800's, through the prophet Joseph Smith. A few received the message of God delivered through Joseph, but most did not and fell into apostasy. On June 27, 1844, both Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith, through whom much had been restored, were rejected and killed by their own people. From there, almost everything went “south”. Revelations, visions, and restoration went “downhill” fast and apostasy was in full motion!

After three and four generations of LDS church apostasy and general apostasy throughout gentile nations, the Lord (through His servant/teacher) again sends forth a call of repentance, a core-cutting message that religious leaders and priests are in ERROR and leading the people astray, and an invitation of correction for everyone everywhere to come unto him TODAY and be baptized (or re-baptized).

This message of God, presently before us and delivered by His messenger, may be frustrating to some and seem absolutely absurd:

Religious leaders and priests are in ERROR and leading the people astray??? … laughable! How could latter-day saints, who “follow the prophet” and brethren, are active members, pass leadership interviews, keep current temple recommends, and view themselves as the most favored and royal generation of God, possibly need to repent? How could anyone ever be so bold or dare suggest such a thing? We are a righteous people. This is crazy! “Away with this fellow, and slay him; for what have we to do with him, for he is mad.”(Mosiah 13:1-4)

I have been struck by how this pattern occurs over and over again, generation after generation, even in our very own generation right now! Men keep losing truths and prophets keep bringing them back. So, how can you tell that there is a prophet on earth today? Would it seem reasonable that restorations of truth begin? Visions? Angels? Prophecies? Come from the presence of God with a message? Revelations? Would truths, which have fallen into disuse, disregard, or neglect, come to light and appear again? Would correction and a call to repentance be expected?

Here's a couple other links to help identify a true prophet through all generations of time, even TODAY:

Profile of a Prophet

Joseph the Prophet

 

Giving Heed, Receiving More

“And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.” (Mosiah 2:20-22)

The most important of all the commandments of God revealed and given to you is perhaps the one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today, the one that is always on your mind, the one that keeps "popping up". Talk to the Lord about it. Seek His help, forgiveness and comfort. He offers what no one else can.

It seems to me that receiving commandments or instructions from the Lord is a great advantage and blessing. Giving heed to the Lord's voice can be a "key" to receiving more. As you obey the revelations, directions, and guidance received from Him previously, the Lord reveals your next step to take, which is often accompanied with further light and knowledge.

"By doing the truth which we already know, let us make progress towards the truth which as yet we are ignorant of." (CS Lewis)

Joseph Smith ... Modern "Prophets"

We are continuing on from the last post where we discussed the overwhelming divergence, variation, and contradictions that are repeatedly manifested among the latter day “prophets”. This has forced us to face and confront a rather messy situation where confusion, opposition, and contention is present.

How can multiple “prophets”, all claiming to speak for God, contradict one another? Does God change from moment to moment? Or do some or perhaps almost all of the “prophets” deceive or lie?

What is required to become a servant of God who speaks His word, which “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?” (D&C 1:38)

Is there a difference between a “holy man”, who is guided by the Holy Spirit and speaks the word of God, and a “natural man”, who simply relies on the “arm of flesh”? If so, what?

Is it necessary for a servant of God to first be redeemed from the fall, become a holy man, be brought back into His presence, literally know Him face to face, become His witness, and deliver a message, for which God vouches?

If this is true, who, among the latter day “prophets”, do you believe and trust? Can the words and teachings of a man, who claims to be a modern or current prophet today, supersede or contradict the words and teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith or any other previous prophet or the scriptures, for which God vouches?

Is there someone today, who has come from the presence of God with an authorized message, calling repentance, seeking to preserve what was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, declaring that the heavens are open for business, revealing a covenant from God, and seeking to prepare some few for Zion. 

Here is a link that may answer some of these questions: Contradicting Joseph

“Mormonism” For Sale

The LDS Church has a product they call “Mormonism” and is trying to sell it to the world. The target market of non-members or those who have not yet been converted are becoming ever more disinterested in it. As saving doctrines, ordinances, and the “living” church fades away, sincere interest declines and genuine wonder and involvement progressively perishes.

Currently, LDS members, who are “active” and represent the key customers that produce cash-flow for the corporation, are experiencing drastic doctrinal changes. Some of these radical moves include altering temple rites, twisting the doctrine of polygamy 180 degrees, and changing and removing scriptures. Here's a few quick details:

Major changes, including penalty removal, were made in 1990 to the temple ordinances and additional significantly important alterations in 2005 and 2016. In addition to the revised temple ordinances, the sacrament ordinance has been changed and contradicts Christ’s instructions and example given in three books of scripture.

During Brigham's presidency and into the 1900's, practicing polygamy was taught as a hinge upon which salvation was connected. Today, on the other hand, the church teaches that those who practice polygamy are living in apostasy and may likely face excommunication. Interesting change?!

The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants included the Lectures on Faith, which represented the “doctrine” portion, and were accepted as scripture by common consent of church members. In 1921, a committee of six apostles chose to remove the Lectures on Faith from the Doctrine and Covenants WITHOUT common consent of the members. These six men, on their own accord, left the covenants to remain, but took away the entire doctrine portion, which teaches a man how to attain sufficient faith to claim eternal life, literally know the Lord, and see His face.

Other changes include revamping the doctrine of Christ and the qualifications for baptism (Children of same-sex couples are currently being denied baptism by the Mormon church until they are 18 years old and meet church requirements.) and using tithes and sacred funds to finance Babylon in all its glory, including the City Creek Mall adjacent to temple square, high end developments, real estate, investments, high rise condominiums, universities, ranches, and a 290,000 acre self contained city in Florida planned to house 500,000 people, which is in process.

Some members are disturbed by these jarring moves and measures executed by the “Brethren” and feel somewhat discouraged and lost. Some are angry, feel betrayed, lied to, and rejected. Others have noticed very little, if anything. Despite all the major adjustments to LDS doctrine and the troubling history that clearly shows the LDS church is riddled with contradictions, many true-blue “Mormons” are still “hanging on” and remain loyal customers to the corporation.

Although damaged by mistakes, errors, and foolishness, while trying to hide and cover the real but often embarrassing history, the LDS institution has maintained some control and order and has managed to convince many of their loyal followers to stay, pay, and obey.

Perhaps this is accomplished as the church cuts back to very basic tenets, drastically dilutes its teachings, changes ordinances, and “guarantees” the loyal tithe payer that the radical changes were inspired by God and the church cannot lead its faithful customers astray.

The remote possibility of the LDS church being in apostasy, at least from the institution's point of view, is out of question, not possible, and should never even be considered. That would not only be “blasphemy”, but it could be devastating to our clever plan and confiscate our “sacred income”. If the majority of church members were to wake up and began to actually believe and see that the LDS church is presently under condemnation (D&C 84:54-58) and is currently experiencing an increasing state of apostasy, then the church population and loyalty to the institution could essentially evaporate over night. Church leadership is well aware of the potential near approaching "tipping point" and concerned that if too many members begin to fully comprehend the fact that the LDS church and Christ are not the same thing, but instead are rapidly becoming complete polar opposites, it would prove to interrupt and sever cash-flow and to threaten and possibly destroy the entire conglomeration; investments, profits, and “prophets” alike!

That being the case, there are two key LDS tenets that have and, from the church leadership's point of view, must continue to supersede all others: 1) the church is led by a “living prophet” and 2) the “Upper Hierarchy” of church leaders have a standard of infallibility and “cannot lead you astray.” During the past century, these particular LDS beliefs have overgrown excessively and turned into traditions of men, which has taken away light and truth from the children of men. These false traditions, which have been embraced for an entire lifetime by some individuals, appear to be right and good rather than incorrect and in error. Therefore, these untrue traditions are certainly difficult to overcome because they are “set in concrete” and run deep and cold. They are seldom challenged, but if someone begins to question or “rock the boat”, shunning and discipline surely follows!

To show a real life “shifting of sand under our feet” example of several “prophets” declaring doctrine on a specific subject at different periods of time, I have gathered various official statements concerning “racism” and “priesthood” from the LDS church leaders in three different time frames, including the early days 1800's, semi recent past 1900's, and current statements found on the church website. Coupled with the statements below are a few questions that you may want to consider and ponder:

"We condemn racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church." (Official Church Statement)

In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that “no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ."

"Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses,Volume 10, page 110)

"And if any man mingle his seed with the seed of Cain the only way he could get rid of it or have Salvation would be to come forward and have his head cut off and spill his blood upon the ground- it would also take the life of his children." (Wilford Woodruff Journal)

"Not only was Cain called upon to suffer, but because of his wickedness he became the father of an inferior race. A curse placed upon him and that curse has been continued through his lineage and must do so while time endures. Millions of souls have come into this world cursed with a black skin and have been denied the privilege of Priesthood and the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel. These are the descendants of Cain. Moreover, they have been made to feel their inferiority and have been separated from the rest of mankind from the beginning.... we will also hope that blessings may eventually be given to our negro brethren, for they are our brethren-children of God-not withstanding their black covering emblematical of eternal darkness. " (Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, pages 101-102)

"Negroes in this life are denied the Priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty. (Abra. 1:20-27.) The gospel message of salvation is not carried affirmatively to them... negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned, particularly the priesthood and the temple blessings that flow there from, but this inequality is not of man's origin. It is the Lord's doing, is based on his eternal laws of justice, and grows out of the lack of Spiritual valiance of those concerned in their first estate." (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, pp. 527-528) 

Considering these disparaging remarks made by Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Bruce R. McConkie (and many others not quoted here) concerning those of another race (blacks), should these men be considered true disciples of Christ? Are these men considered to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church? Did they even know what they were talking about or just going with the flow of their day? Or, on the other hand, are they correct and therefore, those who claim to be and speak as prophets today are actually wrong, mistaken, and thereby suffer in latter day apostasy? 

This may be something to seriously consider since they definitely contradict each other while claiming it all came from God. Some of these “prophets” must necessarily be in error, therefore this belief that they CANNOT lead you astray obviously is bogus indeed. So, among the latter day “prophets”, who do you believe and trust? How do you find out?

We'll pick up here in the next post :)

Progress Adds Up

A little progress each day adds up to BIG results!

Moment by moment, day in and day out, month after month, and year following year, choosing, working, seeking, correcting, repenting and progressing in the right direction, under the tutelage of God, makes a tremendous difference in a lifetime, at least it does for me.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

A man is certainly the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he indeed becomes. Start thinking more like God and your life may never be the same!

 

Challenge ... Difficult Indeed!

The great pleasure in life for a genius is doing what people think and say you cannot do. But according to higher law, it seems wiser doing things "in secret", without claiming credit or broadcasting the status of being a genius. 

Few, myself included, fully comprehend how little we know and many fear being open to consider something new. Therefore, truth, which is usually unpopular here in this world in which we now reside, is tossed aside, discarded, ignored, or outright rejected, but is rarely embraced. Further light or knowledge is seldom gathered when it is offered and additional truth goes unnoticed or is judged to be of little value and goes unheeded.

Here's a few quotes to consider (Mark Twain and others):

The less you know, the more you think you know, because you don't know that you don't know.

The more you know, the more you know you don't know.

The less you know, the more you believe.

The more you know, the less you need to say.

The more you talk, the more others know how little you know. The less you talk, the less others know how much you know.

It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so!

You may have noticed that the less I know about a subject, the more confidence I have and the more new light I throw on it.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.

Therefore, many continue on the same path, around and around, thinking they know something for sure, not budging, not considering, not listening, not even using common sense or critical thinking in the process. Not only that, but the source or messenger or deliverer of truth is too often condemned, cast out, ostracized, shunned, persecuted, and sometimes killed. 

Perhaps the difficult challenge for many is to realize that you (with the rest of us) really are "stupid" in the sense that you know such a small fraction of the fullness ... until, of course, you receive the fullness. The following scriptures may throw some light on the subject of fullness: (D&C 39:4-6) and (D&C 76:13-14)

Would it seem worthwhile or valuable for you to be more open to new or further possibilities and diligently seek truth and gather light? What do you want? Do you have questions? If so, who could and would give you the most accurate answers, know and reveal to you your next step, and upon whose word you could always trust? God? "Stupid" men? Others? Would your answer remain the same even when the "stupid" majority of men think you are more "stupid" than before and frequently remind you of it?

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day !

I am thinking of my wife, who is my friend, my joy, and my love. Although I am away from home today and working, I dedicate this special day to her.

She and I did not meet 27 years ago by accident, but rather by heavenly purpose and reason that I call a miracle.

I knew she was the one for me very shortly after first meeting her, but initially, she did not see much of "her husband" in me. She was (and still is) my choice. With some persuasion and as time passed, something greater and certainly more satisfying occurred, but yet it seemed almost astonishing to me ... she chose me too!

Sweetheart, I am grateful for who you are, your faithful counseling, and your love. I cherish our experiences in life together, the highs and lows, the successes and failures, learning and precious time together. Perhaps, the highlight of our course together it is that we have made choices that carried significant consequences together, not alone. That way we have either sailed or sunk together without praising or blaming one another because we have enjoyed both the sun and the rain together :)

I quite like the idea of growing older “younger” together (you with me) and acknowledging that best is yet to come as we grow closer day by day and choice by choice and gather further light. I think there is much more truth to "the best is yet to come" than we fully realize or understand presently.

Teachers, Preachers ... Almost Everywhere!

Recently, someone brought up an important point and said something like: there are so many teachers out there to chose from and they all seem to be claiming to speak the word of God!

As I pondered, I recognized there are, in fact, a few true messengers authorized by God but, on the other hand, there are many false teachers in the world, who teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.

When Nephi saw our day, he expressed the same idea saying, “And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. (1 Nephi 14:11-12)

Money, honor, and power are common desires among the misled and corrupt teachers, who spread confusion and error. Untrue messengers usually imitate and resemble the “real things” of God in some fashion or another and practice priestcrafts where they “preach and set 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.” (2 Nephi 26:29)

This being the case here and now, today, each individual becomes responsible to identify those through whom God speaks and the words for which God vouches. The test is certainly underway and hopefully correct choices will be made. Therefore, choose your teachers carefully and avoid drinking downstream from those who are uninspired, inadequate, or have NOT taken the Holy Spirit for their guide.

In addition, here is what Moroni had to say about our day after he saw us, as if we were present:

Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be churches built up that shall say: Come unto me, and for your money you shall be forgiven of your sins.

O ye wicked and perverse and stiffnecked people, why have ye built up churches unto yourselves to get gain? Why have ye transfigured the holy word of God, that ye might bring damnation upon your souls? Behold, look ye unto the revelations of God; for behold, the time cometh at that day when all these things must be fulfilled.

Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you.

Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.

And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.

For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.

O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?

Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?

Yea, why do ye build up your secret abominations to get gain, and cause that widows should mourn before the Lord, and also orphans to mourn before the Lord, and also the blood of their fathers and their husbands to cry unto the Lord from the ground, for vengeance upon your heads?

Behold, the sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer. (Mormon 8:32-41 emphasis is mine)

Faith in God ... In Nothing Else!

"I suppose that the rising generation knows little about the Lectures on Faith. In my own judgment, these Lectures are of great value and should be studied. I consider them to be of extreme value in the study of the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Joseph Fielding Smith, "Seek Ye Earnestly")

The 1835 Doctrine and Covenants included the Lectures on Faith, which represented the “doctrine” portion, and were accepted as scripture by common consent of church members. In 1921, a committee of six apostles chose to remove the Lectures on Faith from the Doctrine and Covenants WITHOUT common consent of the members. These six men, on their own accord, left the covenants to remain, but took away the entire doctrine portion, which teaches a man how to attain sufficient faith to claim eternal life, literally know the Lord, and see His face.

Bruce R. McConkie evaluated the lectures as "some of the best lesson material ever prepared on the Godhead; on the character, perfections, and attributes of God; on faith, miracles, and sacrifice. They can be studied with great profit by all gospel scholars." (Mormon Doctrine, Page 439)

"In my judgment, it is the most comprehensive, intelligent, inspired utterance that now exists in the English language-that exists in one place defining, interpreting, expounding, announcing, and testifying what kind of being God is. It is written by the power of the Holy Ghost, by the spirit of inspiration. It is, in effect, eternal scripture; it is true. I will only read part of it, and even then, because of the deep content that is involved in the words, we cannot measure or fathom their full intent. We need to study and ponder and analyze the expressions that are made." (Bruce R. McConkie, lecture at Brigham Young University, Jan. 4, 1972)

Here is a podcast link that may further our view on Faith

Love God and Love One Another

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)

What is the Lord communicating to you here? What is required for you to be a disciple of Christ? What does it look like to love one another?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (John 3:1-3)

What kind of love does God bestow on you? What is the process to become and be called a son of God? What is required of you to survive His imminent coming? His presence? Being like Him and seeing Him as He is? Purified, even as he is pure?

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (John 3:16-18)

Is sacrifice needed? Compassion? Serving our fellowmen and sharing with those in need? Is there a difference between talking about it and doing it?

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:15,21)

“For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45:57)

Is it important to receive revelations? To identify correct inspirations and revelations from God? To take the Holy Spirit as your guide? To receive and keep His commandments given to you? To heed and obey His word?

I read and marked in bold some parts of John 4:1-21 as follows:

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.