Written by Denver Snuffer, Illustrated by Emily Willis
Parables are an ancient way to tell a simple story using everyday objects, like trees, mountains, and weather to say one thing while also meaning another. Christ taught in parables to let those with "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" to see another meaning. This parable about a tree, a difficult life, a perilous cliff, and a beautiful valley is also about another story involving life, ourselves, parenthood, and God. Now available on Amazon.
I’ve been reading T&C 139 and read the words imperious duty. What does this mean?
1. Commanding; dictatorial; haughty; arrogant; overbearing;
domineering; as an imperious tyrant; an imperious dictator;
an imperious man; an imperious temper.
2. Commanding; indicating an imperious temper;
authoritative; as imperious words.
3. Powerful; overbearing; not to be opposed by obstacles;
as a man of a vast and imperious mind.
4. Commanding; urgent; pressing; as imperious love;
imperious circumstances; imperious appetite.
5. Authoritative; commanding with rightful authority.
The commandment high and imperious in its claims.
Joseph uses the phrase “imperious duty” three times in verses 14-15. I don’t find that phrase anywhere else in scripture. There is an imperious duty we owe to God, angels, our families, widows, the rising generation, and the pure in heart. What duty is so crucial as to be an imperious duty?
. . . we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness wherein we know them and they are truly manifest from Heaven . . . Your humble servant, or servants, intend from henceforth to disapprove of everything that is not in accordance with the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and is not of a bold, and frank, and an upright nature. They will not hold their peace, as in times past, when they see iniquity beginning to rear its head, for fear of traitors, or the consequences that shall follow by reproving those who creep in unawares that they may get something to destroy the flock. We believe that the experience of the saints in times past has been sufficient that they will from henceforth be always ready to obey the truth . .
Joseph and Hyrum Were Murdered by Traitors
Bring it all into the light to be examined. Reprove those who work in the dark. We will not hold our peace when the works of darkness creep in among us. The early church members did not do their imperious duty, and Joseph and Hyrum were murdered by traitors. Our imperious duty is to waste and wear out our lives bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness wherein we know them and they are truly manifest from Heaven. Has our experience been sufficient that we are always ready to obey the truth and invite the light to shine upon all we do?
We need the protection that comes from being clothed with light for a covering. Seven years ago, my friend Leticia shared intelligence and insight that changed my life. For the last seven years, I have seen the necessity of integrating these principles into my life.
“There are only 2 Economies that function on this earth, in a spiritual sense. One is of light and one is of darkness. Only one or the other can regulate and manage the resources of your spiritual and thus physical life. . . Both have great power that can affect your everyday life. These two spiritual economies are responsible for the flow of your life, and how it is coordinated.
. . .your choices determine which energy will flow from your life. By your choices it gives one or the other power to coordinate your life and show you these “signs”. That economy then has the power to govern over the course of your life. This is important to know because whatever you touch, the projects you are involved in or things you are trying to accomplish, will be affected by whichever economy is governing over your life.
Here are some things that you can check to see if you are violating [these things] and the explanations. Violation of these things would give the Economy of Darkness power over your life. Doing the opposite gives the Economy of Light power. . .”
In Leticia’s blog post, The 2 Economies That Function on this Earth, she explains these 5 violations
And again, we would suggest for your consideration the propriety of all the saints gathering up a knowledge of all the facts, and sufferings, and abuses put upon them . . . and also the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions, as far as they can get hold of them and find them out. And perhaps a committee can be appointed to find out these things . . . that we may not only publish to all the world, but present them to the heads of the government, in all their dark and hellish hue, as the last effort which is enjoined on us by our Heavenly Father before we can fully and completely claim that promise which shall call him forth from his hiding place, and also that the whole nation may be left without excuse before he can send forth the power of his mighty arm . . . And also it is an imperious duty that we owe to all the rising generation and to all the pure in heart . . . therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness wherein we know them and they are truly manifest from Heaven.These should then be attended to with great earnestness. Let no man count them as small things, for there is much which lies in futurity, pertaining to the saint, which depends upon these things. You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm, in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power, and then may we stand still with the utmost assurance to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed . . .
Let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power. Presenting a faithful transparent record, in a way that is appropriate for the situation, seems to be required before we can claim the Lord’s promised help.
How Essential are Records?
I’ve been reading T&C 151 today. While speaking about baptisms for the dead, Joseph Smith reveals important information about keeping records. The record of our works must be recorded on earth and in Heaven.
. . . there should be a recorder who should be eyewitness, and also to hear with his ears, that he might make a record of a truth before the Lord . . . taking accurate minutes, and let him be very particular and precise in making his record, in taking the whole proceeding, certifying in his record that he saw with his eyes and heard with his ears, giving the date and names, etc., . . . and the history of the whole transaction, naming also some three individuals that are present, if there be any present, who can at any time when called upon certify to the same, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established . . . let there be a general recorder to whom these other records can be handed, being attended with certificates over their own signatures, certifying that the record which they have made is true. . . the record shall be just as holy, and shall answer the ordinance just the same as if he had seen with his eyes, and heard with his ears, and made a record of the same on the general book . . . And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened, and another book was opened which was the Book of Life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works. Consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refers to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the Book of Life is the record which is kept in Heaven, the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote you previous to my leaving my place, that in all your recordings it may be recorded in Heaven.
Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the Priesthood, by the revelations of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. Or in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatever you record on earth shall be recorded in Heaven, and whatever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in Heaven. . . It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of, a power which records or binds on earth and binds in Heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the Priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatever those men did in authority in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in Heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it?
. . . And I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven. Now the great and grand secret of the whole matter, and the summum bonum of the whole subject that is lying before us, consists in obtaining the powers of the holy Priesthood. For him to whom these keys are given there is no difficulty in obtaining a knowledge of facts in relation to the salvation of the children of men, both as well for the dead as for the living. Herein is glory and honor, and immortality, and eternal life.
Priesthood Certificates are Recorded
It is clear we need to record our baptisms. Do we also need to keep records of other priestly performances? It seems like we do. For example, seven women who are acquainted with a man’s daily walk sign his priesthood certificate, vouching he is a worthy man who is to be trusted in exercising priesthood authority within the community. Everyone involved should record this proceeding in their personal records.
Keep a record of the line of authority from the one who does the ordination. [Maintain in your] possession a written certificate signed by the seven women proving the sustaining vote, and everyone involved should record it in their personal records, particularly the day when the Lord confirms the authority to the man. T&C 175:28
Have You Compiled Your Records?
It seems reasonable when a woman calls a conference to remove a man’s authority, she should accurately take minutes, and she should be very particular and precise in making her record. She should be prepared to present her record of truth before the Lord. Keeping a record is important to the Lord. Are you prepared to bring forth the record of the women’s conference you initiated?
And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words, he said unto them again, after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them, Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not. And it came to pass that he said unto Nephi, Bring forth the record which ye have kept. And when Nephi had brought forth the records and laid them before him, and he cast his eyes upon them and said, Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me, that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them, Were it not so? And his disciples answered him and said, Yea, Lord, Samuel did prophesy according to thy words, and they were all fulfilled. And Jesus said unto them, How be it that ye have not written this thing, that many saints did arise and appear unto many and did minister unto them? And it came to pass that Nephi remembered that this thing had not been written. And it came to pass that Jesus commanded that it should be written, therefore it was written according as he commanded. 3 Nephi 10:5
Pursue Judgment, so No Injustice Results
When the women revoke a man’s certificate, they are executing the justice of the Lord and His judgments. They pursue judgment to bless, care, and uplift the oppressed. It seems likely, they will be asked to give an account to the Lord and report on how they participated in this sacred and necessary function. If you have participated on a women’s council, are you prepared to give an account of how you used the authority He has given you?
In the August 8, 2022 revelation, the Lord instructs the women to pursue judgment, so no injustice results. The Lord seems most concerned about judging four major offenses: adultery, murder, lying, and stealing.
“Be tender with one another, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, care for the orphan, and uplift the widow in her need, for I have redeemed you from being orphaned and taken you that you are no longer a widowed people. Rejoice in me, and rejoice with your brethren and sisters who are mine also. Be one. . .”
“I say to you that you cannot be one when you are fractured and your little ones threatened by the disobedience of the adulterer, murderer, liar and thief who will not repent . . . for to do so places my community at peril. These words were to guard so that no injustice results. I ask, is there injustice if my people cannot become one because of disobedience? Even a single disobedient soul who breaks the hearts of others by his sinful disobedience can destroy the peace of all my people. I say again, Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. You shall not show mercy to the disobedient when to do so results in injustice to the people who seek to become one. . .”
The Lord concludes with,
“I have given what I have given to be followed, neither to be added to nor taken from, but to be your counsel and guide. Do as you are bidden and you will have peace in this troubled world, which will be your first reward.”
Obedience to the Lord’s commands brings peace in this troubled world, even if others are against you.
Lest Sore Judgments Fall Upon Your Heads
When any individual, groups of individuals, or participants (women council organizers, members, eavesdropping spouses, witnesses, accusers, defendants, talebearers, etc.) use the Lord's name in vain to freelance and make up their own guides and rules while disregarding the Lord’s counsel and instructions; I suspect the Lord will want to hear why you disobeyed, what you were thinking, how you accommodated the misbehavior, and what your motives were to change what He ordained See Women's Role and Responsibilities in the Priesthood.
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Verily, verily I say unto you my servants that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so, I, the Lord, forgive you. Nevertheless, there are those among you who have sinned exceedingly, yea, even all of you have sinned, but verily I say unto you, beware from henceforth and refrain from sin, lest sore judgments fall upon your heads. For unto whom much is given, much is required, and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. You call upon my name for revelations and I give them unto you, and inasmuch as you keep not my sayings which I give unto you, you become transgressors, and justice and judgment is the penalty which is affixed unto my law. Therefore, what I say unto one I say unto all: Watch, for the adversary spreads his dominions, and darkness reigns, and the anger of God kindles against the inhabitants of the earth, and none does good, for all have gone out of the way. And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge. Go your ways and sin no more, but unto that soul who sins shall the former sins return, says the Lord your God.
And again I say unto you, I give unto you a new commandment, that you may understand my will concerning you, or in other words, I give unto you directions how you may act before me, that it may turn to you for your salvation. I, the Lord, am bound when you do what I say, but when you do not what I say you have no promise. T&C 78:1-2
Christ Moves the Expectation From Outward Conduct Into the Inner Soul
In 3 Nephi 5–7, Christ elevates the Law of Moses by raising the expectation for human conduct. He moves from mere outward conduct into the inner soul of the man. One is not doing as he should if all he does is refrain from killing. Instead, he needs to remove anger. The prior obligation (“said by them of old”) focused only on one’s conduct; now the focus is one’s motivation.
The Battleground Is Inside Our Heart
One can judge another based on conduct. They either do or do not do something. The conduct is observable and, therefore, capable of being judged. Now, however, Christ moves the battleground inside a person. It is now in the heart. On such terrain as that, man is incapable of knowing and, therefore, of judging.
It is Necessary to Know and Understand the Rule
With anything involving truth and rules of conduct, there are always some reasons to depart from the rule. Christ departed from this rule. First, however, it is necessary to know and understand the rule. The “judgment” which one is “in danger of” by being angry with one’s brother is not the brother’s anger, but God’s.
If Anger is Prevented in the Heart, It Can Heal Society
The judgment of God is provoked by those who are angry with their brother. One is not to be angry with his brother because that is the beginning of a whole sequence of events, the culmination of which may be killing. Anger leads to abuse. It leads to discourtesy, dishonesty, and cheating. It justifies miserable conduct because man thinks it right to give offense to another. It corrodes relationships and makes society sick. If this can be prevented in the heart, it can heal society.
The Sermon on the Mount is Designed to Change Us
All must refrain from letting offenses turn into anger, dealing with them inside the heart, showing forgiveness and compassion. The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon at Bountiful is not to equip man to judge others. It has no use for that. It is designed to change a person. “You need to become something different, something higher, something more holy. That will require you to reexamine your heart, your motivations, and your thoughts. It will require you to take offenses and deliberately lay them down without retaliation.
Living in Peace With Others is the Rudimentary Beginning of Zion
When you do, you become someone who can live in peace with others. Living in peace with others is the rudimentary beginning of Zion. It will not culminate in a City set on the hilltop until there is a population worthy of dwelling in the high places, in peace, without poor among them. Christ’s sermon is not merely a description of what kind of person He is. It is a description of what kind of person will qualify to live with Him.”
Judge Others the Way We Want to Be Judged
The context of judge not, that ye be not judged is framed by the statement that with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (3 Nephi 6:5). We do “judge” one another, because we must. But the judgment should err on the side of forgiving. It should err in favor of trusting motives to be pure and intent to be good. All should be generous with their gratitude, evaluations, and suppositions.
Forgiving One Another Makes Us Whole
When they know someone is misbehaving, they should make allowances for those shortcomings, forgive them before they ask, and impute no retribution because of the offensive conduct. “This does not make us better than another, it makes us whole. It allows the Lord to forgive us for our own, much greater offenses against Him. For when we are generous, we merit His Divine generosity. It is how we are healed. It is the means for our own salvation.
Our Offenders Enable Us to Obtain Salvation by Despitefully Using Us
Instead of thinking ourselves better than an offender, we should look upon them with gratitude, for they provide the means to obtain salvation — provided we give them forgiveness from all their offenses. This is why we should rejoice and be exceedingly glad. They enable us to obtain salvation by despitefully using us, as long as we measure them by the same standard that allows God to forgive us.
Forgiveness Will Purge From Us All Our Own Sins
What perfect symmetry: You measure to others using an instrument that will be used by God to measure back to you. So your ready forgiveness is how God will treat you. All those grudges can be replaced with petitions to God to forgive those who abused you. As you lay aside all those sins against you, committed by others, it will purge from you all your own sins. Straight and narrow indeed. But oddly appropriate and altogether within your control.”
Man is Blind . . . We See in Others what is Really in Us
The defect in judging is the position from which one proceeds. Man is blind. He has too many subjective problems in his background — training, education, culture, presumptions, prejudices, “things we just know to be true,” ignorance, preoccupations, and impatience, all which interfere with perceptions. He acts on errors and reaches wrong conclusions. He measures with defective tools, then decides the matter from the wrong measure. Christ is reminding mankind that whenever he is inclined to correct another person, more often than not, he suffers from whatever defect he sees in others. That is why he noticed it. He sees it because it is really him.
Why Does This Bother Me? Am I Really Seeing Myself in a Mirror?
He is sensitive to the problem because he owns the problem. “First, whenever we see something amiss in another, start with the realization that we are seeing ourselves. Start inside. Ask, ‘Why does this bother me? Am I really seeing myself in a mirror?’ Then be grateful you saw another person display your problem.
Forgive Them, Fix Me
You now know what is wrong with you. Forgive them, fix you. The tendency to withhold patience is more often than not because their mote excites your notice through your own beam. A mote is a speck, a bit of sawdust. A beam is a board. Yours is the greater defect. For in you is not only the defect, but the tendency to judge others harshly. Both are wrong.
After Struggling to Overcome, We May Be Humble Enough to Assist Another
When you have at last purged the defect, struggled to overcome and conquer the temptation or tendency, perhaps the price you pay to do so will make you humble enough to assist another. Not from the position as judge and condemner, but from the position of one who can help. When you ‘see clearly,’ then you may be able to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye. For now you see him as your brother. And in a kindly and affectionate manner you may act to reclaim him. Not as a judge, but as a brother.
The Only Way I Can Make Them Better is by Starting Inside Me
This is a continuing petition to make things better. But the only way you make them better is by starting inside. It is not for you to work on others, nor move outside your own range of defects, until you have first fixed what you lack. When you can proceed with charity to assist others to overcome what you have overcome yourself, then it is appropriate to approach your brother in kindness to help. Until then, stop judging and start removing beams from yourself.” Glossary Judge/ment
The parable of The Great Competition is very relevant in explaining what is currently happening among us. If you are disturbed by the division among us, remember it is for a wise purpose. Your life can improve greatly as you participate in the great competition now underway.
Is your heart at peace? Are you following the light of Christ (aka your conscience)? Have you noticed a difference between when you follow your internal compass and when you do not? Are you using these troubling times to improve your health and vigor? Are you coming to peace with the battles in your heart? Are you able to remain at peace while the people are dividing themselves into two separate groups? Why or why not?
What does it mean to be loyal to our Lord and King? Can He trust you to be loyal to Him when the going gets tough? What are the coming challenges we are preparing for? Is your heart being purified as you struggle? Or are you blaming others for your turmoil?
What motivates some to refuse to participate in the game and depart in anger and others to compete and give the game their best effort? Were the people competing against one another? Or was it an opportunity to improve and develop? Why does the King love the competition of games? What is it about the games that give Him joy?
There was a King who loved his people. He also loved the competition of games. He called his advisory council together and asked them how he might improve the health and vigor of his people. They considered the matter and decided upon a great plan.
The King called his city together and told them of a great competition he and his council had devised. “All the city would compete,” he announced. They would proceed in turns to go into the coliseum and compete on the field. All were welcome to watch before or after they participated, but all would have to compete. The competition would test the citizen’s loyalty, while also improving the lives of the citizens.
“I haven’t the strength to compete. I am old and past my day and cannot hope to win in competition with younger men,” said one.
The King responded, “Not all the competition will be of strength, some will be of intellect, some of patience, some of music. It will develop the skill of each individual from my kingdom and will improve every citizen.”
“I refuse,” said the one. He and those who agreed with him departed in anger.
The day arrived and the competition began. Men, women and children all entered in turns into the coliseum. Some sang, some threw spears, some lifted heavy weights, and some recited poetic works of beauty and wisdom. The people not competing at any given time would watch from the seats. They gained as much from watching as they did competing.
Many were reluctant or afraid entering the competition, but found when they competed their fears were unfounded. Some believed it would be fun to compete. However, upon entering the competition failed to do as they hoped, and regretted their poor efforts.
After the days of the competition ended, a great feast was called. For the feast, the King invited not only those citizens who participated in the games, but also those who had fled the city rather than participate. Those who had remained loyal and participated in the games were troubled by this.
“Why are those who rejected your plan allowed to be among us?” they inquired.
“For a wise purpose,” said the King.
Many of those who participated resented the presence of those who had fled. Some who fled returned in anger, urging those who stayed to join them in their anger at the King. Some who did not do well were persuaded by the arguments of the returning dissidents.
The great feast turned into a great argument among the residents who stayed and those who had fled. Eventually the people divided themselves into two groups. In one, the King was beloved and his plan was held in esteem. In the other, the King was resented, or worse, hated. They found fault with the King, with his plan, and with the uproar caused among the citizens by the King’s great folly.
When the body was divided, the King addressed them all with these words, “I have been working for some time to determine who I can trust among our people and who I cannot trust. Using wise counsel I have adopted this great plan to decide the matter.
“I knew when the competition was devised it would divide the people. I knew, too, that some would flee rather than participate. I also knew if I invited back to a feast all of the citizens, both those who stayed and those who fled, that it would result in a great division. This was my purpose all along.
“We are faced with many challenges. Some are in forms which you do not understand. They will test all of us. I must know before we confront the coming challenges who I can trust to remain loyal in my kingdom. Today I know.
“All those who have been loyal have been identified. They will remain in my kingdom. All those who have rejected my plan, or spoken against me in hatred, will be removed from my kingdom. Those who leave are free to follow their own course. However, they cannot be among my people any longer, for they have been tested and failed in their loyalty.”
It required a battle to remove those who were to be exiled. Many argued they had endured all the King had asked and only spoken ill of him when the disaffected exiles returned. They claimed it was unfair to have been put through this final test of loyalty after allowing the return of the exiles. They argued a feast that included those who refused the King’s request was unfair. It rewarded all alike; the loyal and the disloyal. They claimed their final disloyalty came only as a result of their original loyalty later proving to be of no value, since even the exiles came to the final feast.
Others complained that the King was mad. His whole course was destructive of a people who had once lived in harmony and peace. They claimed it was the King who should be thrown in exile; not the citizens who were discomforted by the King disturbing their peace.
Still others complained the King was never honest with them. Had they known this was to be the result, they would have been loyal throughout. They thought it unfair he kept his counsel to himself and thereby lulled them into disfavor.
Yet others complained the King gave them too hard a test. It was unfair. Although they had passed the test, they had family members and friends who failed and if these whom they loved had failed they would refuse for their loved ones’ sake to remain with the King.
Some even said that the original test was supposed to improve the citizen’s “health and vigor” and not their loyalty. It was unfair to claim to test for one virtue when actually testing for another.
And finally, some claimed there could be no future test coming for which this test of the citizens would prepare; that the only thing this great plan tested was the patience of the citizens. If there is some great future test coming, then the King ought, in fairness, to share that information with them rather than to hide it and make claims which cannot be proven.
All the arguments were unavailing. The King expelled them all. When the kingdom was set, and none but the loyal remained, the King again called a great assembly of his people. To all those who remained the King announced, “I discovered long ago the power to make my kingdom last forever. I am now prepared to share the secrets of all I know with my people. From this day forward you will no longer be citizens in my kingdom, but you will be kings and queens, sharing with me in life which will never end.
“Before making you all kings and queens with me, I needed to have a people who would live in peace together. Immortality without peace among us would be a great punishment and not a great prize.
“All of us who remain in this kingdom have lost friends, family members and others whom we love. However, all who remain will be able to live in peace, forever.”
The King did as he planned from the beginning. He and his counselors were able to find those who could live in peace, and for whom life would endure in peace forever.
There is not now, and never has been, a kingdom more stable, more happy, more at peace, and more enduring than this King’s. Though he ceased to reign as a king, he continued to be loved above all others. For he was the one who brought to life the happiest people of all.
What caused the uproar among the citizens? Would you be troubled if you were one who remained loyal and participated, and then the King invited those who rejected His plan to be among your group? Why or why not? What ineffective arguments did the people put forth to the King? Have you put forth similar arguments but to no avail?
Did the King love His people? Did the people take notice of His love? How was the King's love manifested to all of His people? Why was the King blamed for destroying the peace and harmony of the people? How was the great argument an essential component in setting up a kingdom more stable, more happy, more at peace, and more enduring than any other kingdom?
How did some of the people prove they can live in peace? What was the King’s wise purpose? Why is it essential we prove we can live in peace before becoming kings and queens? Why is having a kingdom of peace essential before the King can share with His people the secrets of all He knows?
