General Conference

A general conference is coming up next weekend. Everyone is invited to attend on September 28-30, 2018.

Here is the website:
https://preservingthehopeofzion.com/

Smoke, Mirrors, and Sensitive Buttons!

"The greatest evils in the world will not be carried out by men with guns, but by men in suits sitting behind desks."

"The descent into hell is easy and those who begin by worshiping power soon worship evil."

"It is not done even in concentration camps and labor camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth shaved cheeks who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."

These previous quotes are attributed to CS Lewis and here is Buddha's perspective:

"What is evil? Killing is evil, lying is evil, slandering is evil, abuse is evil, gossip is evil, envy is evil, hatred is evil, to cling to false doctrine is evil; all these things are evil. And what is the root of evil? Desire is the root of evil, illusion is the root of evil."

Joseph Smith is quoted, "I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite."

I think it was CS Lewis who correctly said that there is far more agreement on what is right and wrong in different cultures than disagreement. What Buddha is quoted as saying above was also likely taught by a Hindu, a Sikh, St. Paul, Moses, Joseph Smith, and others today. Real agreement on this subject spans across cultures and there are behaviors that are consistently condemned across the world.

Therefore, if you ever find a man dressed in a suit and tie with a white collared shirt with smooth shaven cheeks, take immediate note!

If you find him to appear clean and attractive with immaculate care sitting behind a desk situated in a warm well-lighted office, take note again!!

Often accompanied by charisma and the ability to convince or deceive by cunningly devised words, he is able to use his power, influence, and position to lift himself up for a light unto the world that he may get gain and praise of the world. If this is occurring, take note again!!!

If you find any lying, slandering, abuse, gossip, or hatred, pay attention!

Furthermore, if you detect any envy for wealth, position, or power, perceive a pattern of clinging to false doctrines or illusions, or recognize religious or civil leaders who fail to deal justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance to the poor, then pay attention again!!

If long, smooth-faced hypocrites set up rules, traditions, and corrupt laws that require you to pay money, in forms of taxes, tithing, donations, or other methods, and attach stiff consequences of failure, pay attention again!!!

One of the most important things you can do in your life is to learn to pull back the curtain of fear so you can have a better perspective of what is really happening as the enemy blows a lot of smoke and pushes your sensitive buttons.

Whenever the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is restored, including the fullness of the priesthood, the holy order, covenants, and associations and relationships with angels, heavenly beings, and God Himself, men will immediately begin to imitate, pretend, and claim to represent the real things. Lucifer is the promoter of such and makes what he does resemble and look like what the Savior does. Lucifer attempts to mirror the Lord's work and teaches as closely as possible what the Lord teaches, but carefully and slightly alters the truth, partially skews reality, or leaves it short or incomplete. Satan tends to claim what the Savior claims and makes the same promises. The promises made by the Savior always come to fruition, but Lucifer does not and cannot walk his talk when he makes the same promises and claims as the Savior does. In every case, Lucifer does so falsely so that it cannot save anyone.

Lucifer likes to gain control over whatever the Savior establishes to manipulate people. Sometimes Lucifer is able to take control of the actual House of God, His temple, and His Church, by easily fooling the weak-minded into believing that they have salvation, are doing many wonderful things in His name, and are His preferred people when, in reality, they only have a powerless imitation, do not know God face to face, and are not His friends. And to them He will say: “I never knew you; depart from me ye that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:21-23) If Lucifer is able to take control of the Lord's House by tricking or deceiving the people, then, the adversary has employed the best way known to insure that no one is saved, while almost everyone thinks they are. What an ingenious way for Lucifer and his followers to damn mankind!!

Without the curtain being pulled, much remains hidden, out of view, and missed altogether until it's too late. Therefore, take note, pay attention, open the curtain wide to more fully expose evil, be wise, and act accordingly!

Voices Speaking to You!

It may be wise to correctly identify a voice that you hear and to whom it is speaking before replying or acting?

Taking a step further, after you accurately identify the voice, the source, the message communicated, and know that it is directly addressing you, would it be valuable for you to determine the level of truth the message carries? Would it matter to you whether it is of full truth or only partial truth accompanied with error and/or personal views and ideas? Would the philosophies of men mingled with scripture have the same value to you as the undiluted and fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

"Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters." (Ether 3:14)

I believe Jesus Christ is prepared, has the ability and capacity, is authorized by His Father, and given power before the foundation of the world to save you and me. Is there a difference between such a being and everyone else who has not achieved, is not qualified, and does not possess saving power as He does? Which voice would you want to seek, hear, correctly understand, believe, and act upon? Who do you want to follow, obey, and literally embrace? From whom do you desire to receive revelations, instructions, and covenants? Does it matter to you? Do mortal men, institutions, religions, or organizations suffice for you? Or does it require Jesus Christ Himself for you to be saved?

Ironically, the voice that matters most almost always contradicts our deep rooted traditions, beliefs, religions, and the world and is interpreted by most to be offensive, restrictive, surely untrue, apostate and very unpopular. Which voice do you focus upon and trust? To which source do you give strict heed?

Beware of False Prophets Among Us

True prophets do not advance their own agenda or volunteer to deliver a message of their own. They don’t look at their own wisdom, intelligence, or bona-fide acceptance of man to prepare a conference or sabbath sermon. The words they speak and the message delivered are not determined by popular vote, surveys, or public opinion polls. They generally do not quote from other authorities nor include clever quotes and emotional spiritual stories that tend to “move people”, who think they are feeling the spirit, but are deceived through emotion.

False prophets, imitators and deceivers often use charismatic influence, religious rhetoric, calculated language, prestige, and wealth to gain favor and respect from the people. It is common that 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) In one form or another, they try to place themselves between you and God and profit from it. Priestcraft has gone viral and priesthood that is a Holy Order after the Order of the Son of God and includes an association with the Father is rare indeed.

Although they claim to speak the word of God with power and actually do throw in verbal phrases and words about Zion that sound good and pleasing to the majority, the delicious fruit they vaguely talk about or occasionally refer to is utterly void and non-existent in them. 

Unlike the cherished hypocrites and honored impostors with religious and worldly credentials, the true Prophets of God have been in and came from the Holy presence of God with an authorized message from God Himself. This being the case, true messengers receive a commission from God to call repentance, which is seldom a pleasing message to the hearers. The fruit of their work is to offer those who will listen a chance to be humble, repent, and return to God. Very rarely are these prophets popular or appreciated by the beholder, much less recognized, honored and received for who they actually are and what they have to offer.

These prophets that come from the presence of God do not take the Lord’s name in vain. They cannot take the Lord’s name in vain when they are speaking His word that He (God) told them to speak, nothing more and nothing less. They have been authorized to speak in the Lord’s name, and therefore their words are His. (D&C 1:38) He will vindicate the words of His servants because they do not speak an idle thing or in their own behalf. They speak with His authority and deliver His message as He commanded.

It's important to understand, as the Book of Mormon teaches and bears multiple witnesses, how prophets are called. They come into God’s presence alone and experience a one on one meeting of redemption with God Himself and receive individual instruction from Him. These individuals receive from Him an endowment of knowledge pertaining to the ways of God to sufficiently enable them to deliver a valid and authorized message of repentance.

That's probably why it is so important to be able to correctly identify His messengers with His message and why He warned saying, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits ..." (Matthew 7:15-16)

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:11,24)

Like in every other dispensation, the test is precisely the same today, here and now! Each individual must correctly identify and give strict heed to the messages from God delivered through true prophets in order to gather further light and obtain knowledge. It is perhaps at least equally important to recognize and reject the false ones, even if they appear as "an angel of light" or in any other desired, above normal, or convincing manner. Based on history and prophecy, almost everyone is deceived and gets it wrong, therefore, very few indeed choose correctly.

Joseph Smith warned, “When a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet. False prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost the very chosen ones”

He also taught: “The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God they considered to be false prophets; and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and they had to hide themselves ‘in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth’; and although the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds; whilst they cherished, honored, and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men”

Sooo … What do you choose today? Who speaks His word as an authorized servant of God? Have you chosen correctly? Are you sure? Upon what are you basing your judgments and decisions? For a common sojourner in this world of deception, chances are that you have chosen incorrectly. If you are certain that you have chosen correctly, then you are not likely concerned about it. On the other hand, if you are unsure, what are you going to do about a matter of such importance?

TA / C = I - RAM ... What are You Talking About???

ta/c = i-ram

ta = c(i-ram)

ta = ci-cram

e(ta) = e(ci-cram)

eta = eci-ecram

eat = ice-cream

a = (loge(ce)+loge(m)+loge(i/m-ra)) / t

ta = loge(ce)+loge(m)+loge(i/m-ra)

ta = loge((ce)(m)(i/m-ra))

ta = loge((ce)(i-mra))

ta = loge(cei-cemra)

e^ta = cei-cemra

e^at = ice-cream

Please take note of the two different mathematical equations above. Both begin differently but end up communicating the same message.

In both equations, the first line tends to make little sense and therefore provides less meaning to most people. However, after using mathematical laws to rearrange the equations, the last line begins to make sense and the message becomes more clear to almost everyone. In fact, it can be quite enticing to me, and therefore, I have probably found ice cream and enjoying it now as you are reading :)

That's how a lot of things from God seem to be at first. They sometimes appear to be unclear, incomplete, or simply wrong from our limited perspectives. Unfortunately, the very words of God are often attributed to the wrong source and considered to be of error, delusion, or apostasy. In addition, persecution arises toward those who recognize, believe, and live according to His word. The things of God are often misunderstood, run contrary to what we have been taught in this world, clash against religious beliefs and bonafide men, and therefore can be very offensive and repulsive when first encountered.

On the other hand, after the word of God is seriously considered, observed from all angles, pondered upon, and tried over a period of time with due diligence, it all becomes much more clear and the things of God seem to fit much better. The things of God become enticing and greatly desired. When a person finally chooses to embrace God and sacrifice all else required, she may never want to look back and it will likely never be the same :)

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain! #5

When the first chapter of Nephi opens, Lehi is among those who listened to "many prophets prophesying" about the coming judgments against Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 1:4) Their message was not Lehi's. Their message was apparently upsetting to him because he responded by praying on behalf of Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 1:5) His prayer is interesting. He offers it on behalf of what he regarded as "his people." (Id.)

The result of his compassionate prayer for others was a calling by God the Father, delivered by His Son, Jehovah. (1 Nephi 1:8-13) God takes note of those who have compassion for others and whose charity seeks the best interests of their fellow-man. Such people possess love, and it is "unfeigned." (D&C 121:41) It is precisely because of their love of their fellow man that they are called to render priestly service. (Id.)

Lehi was a man like Christ. Just like Christ, Lehi would intercede on behalf  of "his people" and did so "with all his heart." (1 Nephi 1:5)

In response to this, Lehi's vision endowed him with knowledge about the Lord's great plan of mercy. He knew that the Lord would overrule everything for the good. Even the suffering that would be inflicted on the inhabitants of Jerusalem would be merciful, and would be predicated on the "goodness" of God. (1 Nephi 1:14) Lehi understood. Because he had this knowledge, he was able to see how God's plans were always done for the benefit and ultimate salvation of man.

Before this encounter with God, Lehi was in the audience listening to the prophets cry repentance. After this encounter with God, he joined the prophets and also "began to prophesy and to declare" a message to Jerusalem. (1 Nephi 1:18) He could not "begin" to prophesy if he had been among the prophets previously. If that were the case, he would have "resumed" or "continued" to prophesy. He "began" only after encountering God. Therefore, we can know Lehi's ministry to call others to repent did not start before encountering God and receiving his commission from the Lord.

This is what true prophets do. They do not advance their own agenda. They do not volunteer. They do not deliver a message of their own. They don't look for witty quotes, or clever stories to retell. They receive a commission from God, and the result of their work is to offer those who will listen a chance to repent and return to God.

These individuals do not take the Lord's name in vain. They cannot. They have been authorized to speak in the Lord's name, and therefore their words are His. (D&C 1:38) He will vindicate the words of His servants because they do not speak an idle thing in their own behalf. They speak with His authority, and deliver His message.

So with the first chapter of the Book of Mormon we also get an example of how prophets are called: alone, in God's presence, with an endowment of knowledge of God's ways sufficient to enable them to deliver a message of repentance.

And this is only the first chapter! Imagine if we took the entire book to heart what we might find!

Source:  (DS 7-11-12)

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain! #4

2 Nephi 33:10: "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good."

After the conditional statement warning the gentiles of their need to be reconciled to Christ, Nephi speaks to his "beloved brethren" and the "Jews," but omits specific mention of the gentiles. Instead he refers to "all ye ends of the earth." This would include all those who are neither Jew, nor Israelite, nor gentile. This is a lot of people who are called "heathen" because they have little direct prophetic mention. Nephi, for example, only refers to them once in his writings. (2 Nephi 26:33) In that single reference Nephi promises all, if they will repent and return to Christ, can be saved. All are invited. All can come. Everyone may learn of Christ, find Him and be saved.

There is a distinction between God's absolute willingness to accept all who will come to Him, on the one hand, and the prophetic foreknowledge of who would accept the invitation, on the other. The opportunity is open for all. There will be few who will accept.

Nephi's testimony is based on Christ and employs both Christ's doctrine and teachings. He assures us as readers that if we are willing to accept his writings we are, in fact, accepting the words of Christ. If you believe Christ, you will believe Nephi. For almost everything Nephi has written comes directly or indirectly from Christ. To believe in Nephi's words is to believe in Christ, and to believe in Christ is to accept Nephi's words.

Think about that for a moment. Nephi does not leave you wondering if the message will save you or not, whether he has some special inside information or not, or whether he has seen the Lord or not. He is direct and does not require you to guess. He has not adopted any equivocal or carefully studied words or phrases to tell you about Christ. He is blunt, even plain. His words offend those who are unwilling to surrender their sins and repent. He says what he has written "are the words of Christ." This means that before he taught, before he wrote, before he concluded his testimony, he consulted with and obtained approval from Christ.

There is nothing vague in Nephi's warnings, nor unclear in his message.

He openly invites the gentiles to repent. He does so repeatedly. He tells us that with the exception of only a few, we are condemned and will fail in our dispensation. As to those few, he warns us that we will be prone to err because of the things we are taught. (2 Nephi 28:14) He offers us a clear, light filled body of teachings that will clarify for us the body of doctrine that will save us. However, we must take his warnings seriously and study them with care.

Imagine how much effort and thought went into preparing to carve into the metal plates. Imagine the amount of thought he employed before undertaking the final, permanent etchings to complete his ministry. His brother commented about how arduous the process was during his writing on the same plates. (Jacob 4:1)

Nephi saw our day, and knew how difficult it would be for us. He wrote a message to be preserved and available no matter who would lead us, no matter what messages we would hear, no matter what confusion would develop. He gave us a message to announce the conditions of salvation over the heads of any foolish, vain or false teachings. They are a lifeline extended to the gentiles, as well as his beloved mixed blood descendants (the remnant), and the Jews.

Nephi knows his words will teach anyone who accepts them "to do good."

The gentile problem is not in reading his words, but in "believing in them." Gentile interpretation almost always involves unbelief. We do not let his words hold their "plain meaning" but want to construe them, read into them praise, and remove from them the blunt warnings given us. We want to make ourselves justified by the words that warn, condemn and challenge us to do more. Our unbelief separates us from Nephi's message even as we read his words.

It does no good to argue with him. It does no good to juxtapose his words of counsel and warning with other words of comfort and reassurance. He is alarmed by our condition and warns us to flee from error. We want to read into these words other ideas Nephi never intended.

When we began back with Alma, Chapter 13, it was with the idea we would let the words speak for themselves. We were going to try and see what was being said apart from our own desires or hopes.  We've been trying to let Nephi have his own words and meanings as we've been looking at his teachings, as well.

An inspired teacher will not offer their own words and pretend they come from Christ. They are not going to dare speak in the name of Christ if they offer only their suppositions, hopes, and understanding. They know, as Nephi, that to do so is to take the Lord's name in vain, and to preach for doctrines the commandments of men. It is often the case, however, that men will urge their own views hoping to make them more convincing, while using the name of Christ. Surely every such teacher will be held to account before Christ for every idle word spoken in His name without His authority or approval.

Nephi knew this doctrine. Nephi understood how weighty a matter is was to use the Lord's name in connection with teaching doctrine. Nephi writes in the full confidence that the Lord has approved his message, inspired his words, and will vindicate them to those who will believe them.

Personally, I would hardly dare to teach doctrine if I did not know what I say to be true. Nephi's example is perhaps more important in this respect than in any other. He is surely worthy to be called a "teacher and a ruler" by all of us. (2 Nephi 5:19)

Source:  (DS 9-7-10)

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain! #3

2 Nephi 28: 15:

"O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!"

Now we reach a terrible point. Nephi records an inspired condemnation. For a person in Nephi's position, recording words of condemnation holds terrible significance. They are not written unless they are instructed to do so, because their words will be fulfilled. I've explained this in Beloved Enos.

Nephi pronounces three "wo's." This is a three fold condemnation. It goes beyond this life. It will follow them into the hereafter.

Associated with the three "wo's" are three names used for God: "Lord God Almighty." It is a three fold assertion of divine authority. "Lord" refers to the Savior as Guide. "God" refers to Divine right and authority. "Almighty" refers to the irrevocable nature of the word used by God, and in turn the words given to Nephi. When you are confronted with all three, the "wo's" are pronounced by a power that cannot be altered.

This is more than a setback in the hopes of the "learned, and the rich" who are being condemned. This is a condemnation which reaches into hell itself. It is so significant a pronouncement that when you read it you should pause and think of the dreadful import for anyone who fits into the curse.

Those, who in their pride, use the precepts of men as the basis for their "preaching false doctrines," are not just wrong, they are damned for this perversion of the religion entrusted to them to preach in purity and truth.

In effect, they were given a precious and eternally significant treasure, and they have diverted it into something that makes them rich, puffed up, and powerful. It is tragic. It is pitiful--meaning it should inspire pity in each of us. These could be well meaning people who have fallen into this error. But they claim to preach the truth, using God's name in vain, while they spread a vain religion which cannot bring people to the knowledge of Christ.

Who would wish such a condemnation upon others? Who can read these words and not be moved with compassion and alarm for those who have fallen under this condemnation? Who would not remove it from those who are condemned if they could?

Nephi could not make a greater plea for the salvation of all those involved. The pronouncement is terrible and its implications eternal. Yet this verse seems to have escaped notice.

Who alone claims they are speaking for God Himself when they preach?  Who could possibly qualify for this level of condemnation? This should make all of us think long and hard about any utterance we speak before we make our assertions "in the name of Jesus Christ." The thoughtlessness which accompanies that expression among the Saints is contrary to the seriousness of the condemnation we invite if we preach false doctrine while puffed up in pride; thereby perverting the right way of the Lord.

In an example which is chilling to read, the first anti-Christ we encounter in the Book of Mormon (Sherem) uses this phrase to justify his preaching. He accuses Jacob of "perverting the right way of God." (Jacob 7:7) He brings himself under Nephi's curse. It was a small thing, therefore, for Jacob to reiterate the condemnation of Nephi against Sherem. (Jacob 7:14) Jacob was merely repeating what Nephi had already pronounced. And since Nephi had sealed the condemnation, it would be Nephi, not Jacob, who was responsible for the cursing.

This three fold wo, and use of three titles for God all suggest that teaching false doctrine and using man's learning, while being filled with pride is so grave an offense that great care should always be taken before teaching, preaching or expounding on the Gospel. Only a fool would undertake to do so without knowing their words are approved of God. You cannot take cover using a Correlation Department, or a commentary, or a scholar's words, or a selected bibliography. When you presume to preach the truth, you need to realize how serious a matter you are undertaking. Joseph Smith wrote from Liberty Jail: 

"The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. 

“How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations—too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of His will, from before the foundation of the world!"  (DHC 3:295-6)

When we speak about Christ and His Gospel with others, we should do so with a sense of terrible awe and fear. If we have doubts about our message, we should remain silent rather than risk proclaiming what may be an error. It is a burden to be carefully undertaken.

As Nephi warns about our day, there will be many who will teach vain, foolish and false things coming from the precepts of men.

Source:  (DS 7-30-10)

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain! #2

1 Nephi 14: 5: "And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, Nephi, saying: Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be well with them; and thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish."

Again a reminder that Nephi's teachings come from an angel. He's not on his own errand in making these things known. I doubt a person of good faith and common sense would ever dare to make declarations as Nephi does unless he had received the message from such a source. Joseph put it this way: "None but fools will trifle with the souls of men. How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations—too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of His will, from before the foundation of the world!"  (DHC Vol 3, pp. 295-96.)  Nephi was no fool. He wanted us to understand these teachings came from a higher source, and not man's wisdom. Indeed, what man can open up the mysteries that have remained hidden? Either God makes them known or they remain a mystery!

I believe the wisest course would have been for all our teachers, from Joseph till today, to either declare what the Lord and His angels have made known to them or to remain silent. Had that been the practice our libraries would undoubtedly be sparse. But what few books that remained would be the "best books" worthy of study. (D&C 88:118) I understand that not all have faith. But teachers do a profound disservice whenever they pontificate about something they do not understand. No-one is an "authority" who has not received intelligence from the Lord or His angels. They are simply trying to be helpful, or seeking to magnify a calling, but they are not on His errand. Alas, the full extent of this problem cannot be known. All those who have spoken in His name, but without His instruction and direction, have indeed taken His name in vain. This will be a great burden for those who have chosen to use His name in violation of a fundamental commandment to the contrary. (Exodus 20:7)

The happy news is that "if the Gentiles repent"-- is always a condition for moving forward. We can't get through carrying on our backs the false, vain and foolish traditions men have handed to us. We must lay them down. Unless we do so we wind up exactly at the point when this Dispensation began: suffering under doctrine which consists merely of the commandments of men, having a form of godliness without power. (JS-H 1:19)

What must gentiles do to "repent?" All gentiles, including those who have accepted the Restoration and who claim to believe the Book of Mormon... What must they do? To answer that look again carefully at the Lord's condemnation of us:

"And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.  And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.  And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion." (D&C 84:54-58)

Then Nephi's angel-minister reminds Nephi of two different thoughts: 1) There are covenants with the house of Israel. So they will be remembered.  2) Whoever repents will find things will be well. Nephi was told: "thou also knowest concerning the covenants of the Lord unto the house of Israel; and thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish." The result is that even though the gentiles are not given a covenant status, they are nonetheless included within the promise that it is well with whoever should repent. Accordingly, if they will repent, the gentiles will not perish but will have eternal life.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who declare that God reigneth and will deliver His people. How merciful it is that the Lord God will accept all those as His people who will repent and come unto Him.

Source: (DS 7-6-10)

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain! #1

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

What does it mean to take the name of the Lord in vain? To whom has the Lord given permission to use His Name to validate their cause? Who has authority from God to speak and teach using His Name to add credibility to their agenda? Who speaks the word of God, of which God has approved to be spoken? Who speaks by the power of God His very word, for which God perfectly vouches? Who speaks the words of God as if it were actually God Himself in such a manner that, “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, 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”? Would it be wise to identify such an individual, who is a true and authentic messenger of God, has received knowledge, light, and understanding from heaven, and knows what He/She is talking about? Why or why not?

King Benjamin did not preach on his own accord or freelance according to his own agenda, but rather he taught only what had been given to him to teach, which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord. (Mosiah 4:1) God renewed His covenant with King Benjamin and it was through King Benjamin that the people could once again make an acceptable covenant with God. The purpose of sending the angel to King Benjamin was to offer once again a valid covenant through which others could repent. (Mosiah 5:5-7)

“This is how the Gospel works. Even the chosen people of Lehi and his son Nephi brought to the promised land failed to abide the conditions of the covenant. But God did not abandon them. When enough generations had passed to allow the Lord's hand to be revealed, then the Lord acted. The heavens were opened, the covenant was offered again, and souls were saved. This is a great type. The Book of Mormon is far more relevant for our day than we imagine. It is a blueprint for how our own history is unfolding. It is a sobering lesson in how to fail and how to wait for the Lord to reclaim and redeem us.

We ignore or misunderstand the content of The Book of Mormon at the peril of our own salvation. When we do, then no one can be saved.” (DS 3-12-14)

This same pattern is occurring today right before our very eyes. The deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith mark, at least in part, the fullness of the gospel being lost. 

Hyrum’s line was to be kept “in honorable remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever” (D&C 124:96). Even after the Patriarch’s office, held by Hyrum’s descendants, was discontinued in 1979, the church still held some tenuous claims. In 1979 Eldred G. Smith was released and never replaced, but he lived on for decades. The office has now altogether ended according to church publications.

Upon his death in April 2013 at 104 years of age, the sign of the passing of the fourth generation was given. By April of the next year the Lord concluded His work through the LDS Church and set His hand to begin something new, now underway. (DS 12-25-14)

Now a sufficient number of generations have passed to allow the Lord's hand to be revealed today, which is now occurring. The Lord is currently acting here and now. The heavens are open, a covenant has been offered again and is currently available to all, and souls are choosing whether to be saved or not.

“Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ. Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips— For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority. Wherefore, let the church repent of their sins, and I, the Lord, will own them; otherwise they shall be cut off. Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation.” (D&C 63:60-64 emphasis added)

“For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.” (2 Nephi 32:5-7)

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

“I cannot say more.  But I am left amazed at the hardness of the hearts of this generation who claim they are the Lord's.  Many, many will be told by Him to depart from His presence at the time of Judgment because they never knew Him.  They speak today in His name, yet they know Him not.  It would be better for them to not speak at all, than to toss about His name as the author of foolish, vain, proud and evil notions while claiming He agrees with such things.” (DS 5-25-10)

Angels in Disguise

Often we need to wait for things to unfold gloriously and to take time to listen to the angels and obey instructions that come from God.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2)

Angels have certain boundaries governed by law. "For behold, they are subject unto him (Christ), to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness." (Moroni 7:30)

Our faith, state of mind, and form of godliness certainly play as determining factors in recognizing and entertaining Angels from the presence God and receiving His messages delivered through His Angels.

One of the key responsibilities in the ministry of an Angel of God is to call men unto repentance by correctly teaching the word of God and denouncing the false and vain and foolish doctrines preached by those claiming to be prophets of God but are NOT.

False Prophets are "called out on the carpet", their false and vain and foolish doctrines are challenged, and the concealing curtain is pulled.

Without religious robes or kingly crowns of honor any longer, their nakedness becomes increasingly obvious and the naked nobility evermore apparent.

Lies are revealed, deceptions leak out at an accelerating rate, and there is no place of hiding to be found. The emperor without clothes is exposed!

Good things come to those who wake up, repent, reject error, denounce falsehoods, faithfully live according to what has already been given from heaven, diligently seek further light and knowledge from God, and patiently wait to receive more with a grateful heart.

Stairway to Heaven, Highway to Hell

If in fact, there is only a stairway to Heaven and a highway to Hell, then perhaps, this has a lot to say about anticipated traffic statistics to different locations. The numbers of individuals and the patterns that emerge in various journeys is both surprising and astounding, especially to those who were participants, but later look back with a different and more clear perspective.

Here are some verses of scripture that may enlighten possibilities for you and perhaps helps describe what regulates the position of someone being among the “few” or among the “many” and what it means:

“For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me. But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also. This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law. Broad is the gate, and wide the way that leadeth to the deaths; and many there are that go in thereat, because they receive me not, neither do they abide in my law.” (D&C 132:22-25)

“But behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen. They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day. Nevertheless, my servants sinned a very grievous sin; and contentions arose in the school of the prophets; which was very grievous unto me, saith your Lord; therefore I sent them forth to be chastened. (D&C 95:5-6,10)

“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— 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. That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man. Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—” (D&C 121:34-42)

“Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;” (D&C 93:1)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23)

“John 14:23—The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false.” (D&C 130:3)

Christ's promise recorded in D&C 93:1 will actually happen and you will see Christ's face. This is the fullness of the Gospel and redemption comes by personally knowing God for yourself.

“And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life. When men are called unto mine everlasting gospel, and covenant with an everlasting covenant, they are accounted as the salt of the earth and the savor of men;” (D&C 101:38-39)

“And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing. And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen.” (Ether 12:38-41)

“And the Lord said unto him (Brother of Jared): Believest thou the words which I shall speak? And he answered: Yea, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie. And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.” (Ether 3:11-14)

“And now, as I, Moroni, said I could not make a full account of these things which are written, therefore it sufficeth me to say that Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit, even after the manner and in the likeness of the same body even as he showed himself unto the Nephites. And he ministered unto him even as he ministered unto the Nephites; and all this, that this man might know that he was God, because of the many great works which the Lord had showed unto him. And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting. Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.” (Ether 3:17-20)

“And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” (Exodus 33:11)

2 And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.

11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.

31 And behold, the glory of the Lord was upon Moses, so that Moses stood in the presence of God, and talked with him face to face. And the Lord God said unto Moses: For mine own purpose have I made these things. Here is wisdom and it remaineth in me. (Moses 1:2,11,31)

“And I (Enoch) saw the Lord; and he stood before my face, and he talked with me, even as a man talketh one with another, face to face; and he said unto me: Look, and I will show unto thee the world for the space of many generations.” (Moses 7:4)

“Enoch was twenty-five years old when he was ordained under the hand of Adam; and he was sixty-five and Adam blessed him. And he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred and sixty-five years, making him four hundred and thirty years old when he was translated.” (D&C 107:48-49)

“Thus I, Abraham, talked with the Lord, face to face, as one man talketh with another; and he told me of the works which his hands had made;” (Abraham 3:11)

“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.” (Psalms 27:7-8)

“When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel--you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave.” (Joseph Smith - HC 6:306-307)

To “pass through the veil”, are you required to die first? Or can it be accomplished in mortality? The Brother of Jared, obtaining and having this perfect knowledge of God, could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him … while he was yet mortal and alive. Piercing the veil, without experiencing death, may prove not only possible, but of great worth.

While alive in this world (in mortality), is it possible to be aware of and be seeing another world, be learning in another world, and be actively participating in the great work of receiving more knowledge about your salvation and exaltation while in the spirit in another world? Something to consider that may be of great value! 

Hopefully in this life, in this round, at least a few will hear, recognize, accept and receive what God offers, embrace grace that is available, know God, and be redeemed. Then, do as Nephi taught, “And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.” (2 Nephi 32:6)

Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon declared, as do many prophets, that we cannot teach or reveal to you everything that we saw. You've got to approach God and see it yourself through Him. Here are their words recorded, “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. And to God and the Lamb be glory, and honor, and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (D&C 76:113-119)

Zion is Returning Soon!

Zion is much more than a topic and has been the primary focus of every prophet of God from the days of Adam down to today. As recorded in our scriptures, Zion has been established two times (Enoch, Melchizedek) on this earth since the time of Adam and a prophesied third time of Zion being brought forth and experienced during the last days, just prior to and preparatory for Christ's second coming.

God sent Enoch and Melchizedek as His messengers with an authorized message of repentance to the people. The people repented and the Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind, dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them. In the latter days, God sent Joseph Smith with an authorized message of repentance and sought Zion. During the early 1800's, the people chose to not embrace and live according to God's message given through Joseph, failed to repent, rejected the restoration, and killed both Joseph and Hyrum on June 27, 1844. Since that day, the restoration has turned into an ever-increasing apostasy and confusion in the LDS church where doctrines such as priesthood, marriage, polygamy, salvation, and redemption has moved to and fro like shifting sand and ordinances such as sacrament, baptism, temple ceremonies, and the doctrine of Christ have been changed and taught differently than Christ instituted and the scriptures teach. 

Joseph Smith taught, “It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God, and to know that we may converse with Him as one man converses with another…” (TPJS, 345) The Book of Mormon teaches that an individual enters the Lord's presence to be redeemed from the Fall (Ether 3:13), by the Redeemer Himself. Prophet after prophet in the Book of Mormon testifies of coming into His presence while in the flesh, while in mortality. LDS leaders today claim otherwise. Dallin Oaks said, "Of course, all of the righteous desire to see the face of our Savior, but the suggestions that this must happen in mortality is a familiar tactic of the adversary."
(Boise Rescue -  approx 54:15)   Joseph and the Book of Mormon are telling the same story, but Dallin seems to be telling quite another story. Interesting??? 

By April of 2014, the Lord concluded His work through the LDS Church. He has set His hand to begin something new, now underway.  The LDS church has sufficiently gone astray now that Christ has determined it best to order His house differently before His return (second coming).  In the latter days, God is choosing servants that He entrusts with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord?

Today, restoration has begun anew. Some are taking notice of the original restoration offered through Joseph Smith and the condemnation is being removed. Truth is returning again. Repentance is being preached. Authorized baptism is offered to all who desires to turn and face God. Zion is being sought and prayed for and a few sincerely seek to receive Christ's offering as He establishes a City of Holiness and peace upon the mountains and high places.

We are currently living in the last days, signs are being manifested in the heavens and on the earth, and a few are diligently seeking Christ and preparing for the Lord's second coming. Throughout history God has covenanted with, promised, and assured His chosen servants that in the last days God would indeed bring again Zion. When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in His glory. This being the case, you may find it wise to take note of what is happening right before our very eyes. A group of individuals have diligently worked together and established a new and informative website that you may find worth checking out. 

Here is the link:  Zion's Return - The Heavens Are Open Again

This website is for all who believe in, seek to know more, or have doubts about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the mission of the prophet Joseph Smith. We humbly strive to preserve, promote, and practice the Gospel of Jesus Christ as originally restored by the Lord and to participate in His work now underway. These resources will assist those who are seeking to know more about how the Lord is working again among His people in preparation for His return.

Changes in doctrine and religious practice following the death of Joseph Smith are attributed to him or are claimed to be of divine origin by his successors. These changes have resulted in widespread confusion, loss of faith, and drift from the "fulness" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, because the Lord is loving and merciful, His hand is being extended again a second time among the inheritors of the Restoration. The word of the Lord Jesus Christ is being declared in our generation through an authorized servant who has stood in the presence of God, as did Enoch and Joseph Smith, in preparation for Zion’s Return and the gathering of God’s family from their scattered condition.

"In that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left" (Isaiah 11:11)

Our Divine Parents

I recognize God's hand writing in The Heavens. Truth and ordinances of God are being plainly manifested and recorded before our very eyes on the heavenly fabric in the sky, which is unalterable by men. The Heavens are open with much light and knowledge progressively coming from above and revelations are expanding with acceleration and power.

I am sincerely grateful to God for me being here on earth today participating in Our Dispensation during this last days time-frame. Just recently in March 2018, God saw fit to reveal much more and desired forthright declarations to be made concerning our Divine Parents (Father and Mother):  (Our Divine Parents)

Be Wise and Correctly Discern

Don't be solely impressed by the books you read, the nightly news you watch or what you hear someone talk about ... Unless it is enlightening and true and confirmed by God.

Rather, be impressed by the fruit that is produced, by the increasing revelation and light that emanates and by what is going on or not going on behind the scenes. After all, much is revealed by what a person or group chooses to do when they think no one is watching.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

“The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves "in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth," and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men.” (TPJS, 205)

Wise men speak because they have already done the work, made sufficient sacrifice, know God for themselves, and have authority from a higher source to actually say something of value that points others to Christ.

Pretenders and fools, who have failed to do the work, teach and place themselves as a "required intermediary" between you and God, and prefer money, power, and priestcraft over the salvation of mankind and the establishment of Zion, tend to ignorantly speak on important subjects because they feel some sort of need to say something about that which they know nothing.

Be wise and correctly discern between truth and error, light and dark, restoration and apostasy. Take the upper road, despite opposition.

Joseph Smith's Revelations

"There is a passage often quoted from the D&C to support the idea that the president of the LDS church is entitled to have his teachings regarded as if they were God's word. The language is as follows:

"Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from my own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name's glory." (D&C 21:4-6)

This revelation is referring to Joseph Smith. Period. Not to anyone who later happens to be elected by the vote of a group to become his successor. Doesn't apply and didn't apply to Brigham Young, John Taylor, Warren Jeffs, Ervil LeBaron, Rulon Allred or any number of other pretenders. It applied solely to Joseph Smith.

The revelation uses the personal pronouns "he" and "his" to refer to Joseph Smith throughout. If you want to put someone else into the passage above, then "he" must likewise heed all the requirements of D&C 21.

"Wherefore it behooveth me that he [Joseph Smith] should be ordained by you, Oliver Cowdery mine apostle; This being an ordinance unto you, that you are an elder under his [Joseph Smith's] hand, he [Joseph Smith] being the first unto you, that you might be an elder unto this church of Christ, bearing my name." (D&C 21:10-11) So "he" will then need to ordain Oliver if "he" is to be mentioned by the revelation.

It was Joseph Smith who "wept for Zion" (D&C 21:8). It was Joseph Smith who was "inspired to move the cause of Zion" forward (D&C 21:7). It was Joseph Smith whose "diligence I [God] know, and his prayers I have heard" (D&C 21:7).

Therefore it was Joseph Smith whose words we are required to "give heed unto" and it is the "commandments which he [Joseph Smith] gave unto us" we are now required to obey. When we do not do this, then the "gates of hell shall prevail" against us, as they most certainly have.

From the beginning, all the various off-shoots uniformly disobey this commandment. Not only do they all refuse to "give heed" to what God revealed and commanded through Joseph Smith, but they have compounded their error by allowing others to interpose their commandments "as if they were from God." The landscape today is exactly as it was when the Lord appeared to Joseph. We see churches who deny the power of God, and who teach for commandments the doctrines of men, having only a form of godliness, which heaven does not respect. The pretenders' lack of power is for our protection. If it were otherwise, we would be damning one another." (DS 7-22-14)

 

Missed the Boat

Unfortunately, at one time or another we have all had one of those "missed the boat" experiences, at least at some level. 

Lately, the Lord has revealed much anew, given instructions and directions, extended offers, and has much work currently underway. Therefore, this may be a good time to awake and arise, come unto God with a sincere heart of repentance and meekness, and more fully recognize what is presently before us and what God is offering today.

Hopefully, at this level of importance, those "missing the boat" experiences can be avoided.

Joseph Smith - The Prophet

Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God with a special mission and message to the world. As the dispensation head with authority directly given from God, Joseph Smith started the great restoration and sought for Zion, but as history manifests, not only did the restoration not get finished but apostasy ensued.

From the day Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed as a result of rejection of truth and the influence of his own people, even the believers began to neglect his teachings, forget the truths he restored, and began to lose light and memory of what God had previously revealed and restored through Joseph. Losing light, forgetting fundamentals, ignoring and changing ordinances, corrupting doctrine, and even re-creating and manipulating major parts of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ revealed through Joseph Smith has enlarged in error, accelerated in misunderstanding and confusion, and currently the preservation of the restoration is in serious jeopardy. With courage, we must face the challenges before us today by finding the truth despite deliberate efforts to hide history and alter the record. Once sufficient truth is found and the unfolding restoration is embraced, repentance is obviously required and turning and facing God and following His path is paramount.

Christ on the day of His resurrection said: “O Fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” Our challenge today is exactly that. It is the same situation that believers have faced each time a servant of God has appeared with a message and whenever God speaks through His chosen messengers. I believe it to be wise to give strict heed to the restoration that came through Joseph and the work of the Lord that is currently underway.

Here are a few words attributed to Joseph:

The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching. (TPJS, 191)

It is the privilege of every Elder to speak of the things of God; and could we all come together with one heart and one mind in perfect faith the veil might as well be rent today as next week, or any other time, and if we will but cleanse ourselves and covenant before God, to serve Him, it is our privilege to have an assurance that God will protect us at all times … Until we have perfect love we are liable to fall and when we have a testimony that our names are sealed in the Lamb's book of life we have perfect love and then it is impossible for false Christs to deceive us. (TPJS, 9)

In the beginning, the head of the Gods called a council of the Gods; and they came together and concocted a plan to create the world and people it. When we begin to learn this way, we begin to learn the only true God, and what kind of a being we have got to worship. Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and how to come to him, he begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to him, he is ready to come to us. (TPJS, 350)

When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses … Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions--Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn. (TPJS 150-151)

Whenever men can find out the will of God and find an administrator legally authorized from God, there is the kingdom of God; but where these are not, the kingdom of God is not. All the ordinances, systems, and administrations on the earth are of no use to the children of men, unless they are ordained and authorized of God; for nothing will save a man but a legal administrator; for none others will be acknowledged either by God or angels. (HC, 5:259)

Here is a message by another witness of God:

“Although Joseph Smith revealed many, previously unknown things, his ministry was devoted primarily to bringing others into fellowship with God. The ordinances, scriptures, revelations, and teachings restored through him were not intended to titillate, but to instruct on how to reconnect with God.

From his emphasis on the promise in James 1:5 (“if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God …and it shall be given him”) leading to the First Vision, to the promise of Moroni 10:4 (“I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and … he will manifest the truth of it unto you”), to D&C 93:1 (“It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am”), and in numerous other places throughout his ministry, Joseph reiterated both the possibility and importance of each soul coming directly to God.

This is the role of a true messenger. It is to bring others into harmony with God. Not to titillate them with new information, leaving them without knowledge of God. When someone delivers a new message that does not include knowledge about how the audience may come to God themselves, then the primary intent is always to make others dependent on the messenger. It is vanity. It is prideful. It is to call attention to themselves in an effort to place themselves above their fellow man, and interject themselves between the person and God. It is priestcraft.

The “welfare of Zion” consists of teaching others how to come to God themselves, and receive the heavenly promises directly from God. (See 2 Nephi 26:29)  Zion will be composed exclusively of those who can endure the presence of God. Therefore, it is necessary for everyone to come up to the heavenly mount by their own repentance and remembrance of the Lord.

It is foolishness to separate information about the Lord’s doings from instruction on how to become redeemed. It is vanity to spread new, and personal revelation about the afterlife, God, man, prophecy, visionary encounters, and spiritual experiences if the primary reason does not focus on instructing how the audience can come to God themselves. It is also dangerous to trust teachings which fail to give you guidance on how you can find God for yourself. If all that is delivered is a message about some great experience, the experience was not intended for you. It isn’t important. It is the way to find God that will save you. Not someone else’s new, and exciting spiritual manifestation.

I’ve shared almost nothing of the things I have learned. But I’ve tried to share everything about how you can “come and see” (John 1:46). Still, however, there are very few who can detect the difference. Still there remain those who are tossed to and fro by the sleight of men. (Ephesians 4: 14)

Here’s how things really work:  New revelation for the church comes from the top. It is not binding upon anyone unless it comes through the correct channel, and then is sustained as binding upon the church. Whether you like that system or not, that is the system. HOWEVER, every church member is obligated to teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom.

Expounding, exhorting, teaching, and instructing is a common obligation imposed upon us all. Therefore, everything I have written, all I have taught, and the things I have testified about are confined to elaborating upon the established doctrines of the church, the revelations in the Book of Mormon, the other standard works, and Joseph Smith’s teachings. I’ve said almost nothing about my personal revelations because they were intended for me. They will not help you. They equip me to be able to preach, teach, exhort and expound, but just publishing what I know to the world will not aid any other person in their individual journey. 

Salvation for you is a journey exactly like the journey undertaken by Joseph Smith. Which is also identical to the journey undertaken by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Which was modeled upon the pattern coming down through Noah. Who was a contemporary with Enoch, both of whom undertook the same journey. Which originated with Adam, who came back into God’s presence three years previous to his death, and received “comfort” from the Lord (D&C 107:53-55). The Lord is the promised Comforter who will come to all of us on the same conditions (John 14:23, D&C 130:3). I was asked, and wrote a manual on that process in the first book, The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil. The purpose of the book has nothing to do with my own recognition or importance. Throughout the book my many failings are discussed. The book is about the reader, and how the reader can come to know God.

Still people will go to great trouble, and spare no effort to find someone who will only give a titillating peek behind the veil, but who will do nothing to instruct you on how you can meet God here, be redeemed from the fall of man, and come back into God’s presence. This is the purpose of the Gospel, and the definition of redemption. (Ether 3:13) Telling about personal experience cannot help another. Testifying to the process, however, is the burden of all true teaching.

I am a fool, and anyone who thinks otherwise is misled. My only relevance is the common obligation imposed upon us all to preach, teach, exhort and expound. I confine all I do to that obligation. The only thing I can offer anyone is to point them to the One who is filled with truth and light, which is intelligence. (D&C 93:36)  And still there are those who cannot discern between what and how I teach, and how others who are practicing only priestcraft do so. I am saddened, not particularly surprised, but saddened. These are the times we live in. (Isaiah 29:9-10.)

What more could have been done than the Lord has already done?  Is it not us, not He, upon whom the blame must be lain?

The Latter-day famine continues unabated still. Not because there isn’t something worth consuming, but because we crave only the weakest of gruel, which cannot sustain life. Therefore, let us all feast away and still become famished until at last we perish without hope, having wasted the days of our probation. We didn’t care much for Joseph’s message in his day, and we fail to even notice it in ours."  (Joseph The Prophet)