Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody

Here’s a short story I read the other day about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.

- Charles R. Swindoll -

Virtue Yields to Righteousness

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a great whole.  It requires an overall harmony between all its parts to be understood.  Without that overall harmony it is jarring and discordant.

The problem with apostasy is that it forfeits truths which are necessary in order to comprehend the majesty of Christ’s teachings.  Those truths which get retained are not kept in balance with the rest.  Simple virtues are kept while overall righteousness is forfeited.

No one can argue with the virtue of tolerance.  But it is constrained and governed inside a larger context that prevents permissiveness and sloth.

No one can argue with the virtue of obedience.  Indeed, obedience is itself one of the bedrock requirements of the Gospel.  But divorced from the other virtues inside of which it is regulated, obedience can become a terrible weapon used to separate people from God’s Holy Spirit and drive them into submission to “Popes and Priests.”  (Any man believed to be incapable of leading you into error is a “Pope.”)

No one can argue against the virtue of patience.  But when it is urged to prevent necessary action to develop a god-like people, then it has become a tool for deception and error and not a virtue at all.

Take any virtue and remove it from its overall context within the great Gospel whole and you see how apostasy can warp a people.  They retain the conviction that they are still God’s chosen disciples, because the virtues they practice are, in fact, godly.  However, they have become distorted, bloated and swollen.  They are without harmony, capable of great evil or neglect, all the while celebrating their fidelity to the “truth” as they understand it.

You MUST understand doctrine.  You MUST study the scriptures.  But more important than anything else, you MUST seek to gain further light and knowledge by conversing with the Lord directly…” (Philosophies of men)

“Virtue is almost always passive, constraining from abrupt and improper behavior. It contains and limits. It is a strong barrier against misconduct. It has protocols and expects behavior to be mild. It is not the same as righteousness. Righteousness will often require or impose action — sometimes action that exceeds mere virtue. Nephi was constrained to kill Laban. Elijah mocked the false priests. Christ rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees as unclean “whited sepulchers” filled with rot and decay. These kinds of righteous actions are not ungoverned or spontaneous. They are carefully controlled and are undertaken only when the priesthood holder, whose thoughts are virtuous and disciplined, is led by the power of the holy ghost to rebuke sharply. Virtue can be offended by righteousness. Righteousness controls, and virtue surrenders. Whenever it is necessary to do so, virtue yields every time to righteousness.” (Glossary Virtue)

"Conformity to the Divine Law. God measures differently than does man. Being “righteous before God” may not mean the same thing one thinks “righteousness” means. Man wants outward signs, symbols, dress, grooming, and conformity. God looks at the intent of the heart. Righteousness comes by obedience. Obedience requires action. Without conforming conduct to the Lord’s commandments, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Glossary Righteousness) 

“... And yet, we look sometimes at righteousness, and we say it can never be so because it is not virtuous. Because we overlay virtue atop righteousness—and it does not work and never has worked that way. Righteousness controls, and virtue surrenders. And virtue yields every time to righteousness—else Abraham could never have been commanded to slay his son. Because that was not virtuous. Therefore,

 

Melchizedek was a man of righteousness; …when a child he feared God [not man], …stopped the mouths of lions, …quenched the violence of fire. …thus, having been approved of God [not man]… (JST Genesis 14:26-27) 

In fact, to be approved of God, in many cases, will make you offensive to man. But the opinions, and the vagaries, and the fashions of men, the opinion-polling and the drifts of what is and what is not popular at one point or another are damnable. They ought not even be considered. Righteousness does not give any regard to such things. And yet, it may be virtuous… It may be virtuous to be a limp-wristed, weepy, happy-go-lucky, “have a nice day” kind of chap… But righteousness will kick his ass everyday.

…having been approved of God… (Ibid)

It is God—and God’s approval alone—that matters. It is what God regards of you. It is what is in your heart, because God can detect what is in your heart. God knows why you do what you do. God knows why you say what you say. God knows what is in your thoughts. Therefore, to be approved of God is to be weighed against the standard of righteousness and not the whims of fashion. Fashion will come and go. Ideas will be popular or unpopular. Righteousness will endure forever. This. This. This is the kind of man upon whom the words get spoken, “My Son.”” (Virtue yields to righteousness)

“There is a difference between virtue and righteousness. Virtue is laudable, required and necessary, but righteousness has priority. Virtue surrenders to righteousness, not vice-versa. 

The point can be illustrated from scripture:

It is not virtuous to kill. Nephi was repulsed at the idea, but the Lord required it, and Nephi complied. The doctrinal reasons justifying the killing are set out in The Second Comforter, and there were sufficient reasons both under the Law of Moses and the Lord’s standards of judgment to vindicate the Lord’s decision to kill Laban. The killing was offensive to virtue, but it was righteous.

It is not virtuous to mockingly taunt others. Yet Elijah was pursuing a righteous course against the priests of Baal when he did just that: “And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.” (1 Kings 18: 27.) Mocking is both unvirtuous and uncouth, and in this context would qualify only as righteous.

It is not virtuous to rail against the religious leaders of any faith. Yet John the Baptist rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees as a generation of vipers: “Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Luke 3: 7.) This term of derision, “generation of vipers” is graphic and in context it is both offensive and uncouth. Yet he was a righteous man, moreso than any other apart from Christ. (Luke 7: 28.)

It was not virtuous for Christ to rebuke His accusers: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! … for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, … ye fools and blind…” (Matt. 23: 14-17.) The language of the Lord here is quite blunt, uncouth and in the context of that language, gutteral. It was righteous, but not an example of virtuous language.

It was worse still for Christ to call Herod “that fox.” This is a term of derision comparable in our own language to calling someone a “son of a bitch.” (Luke 13: 32.) Yet it was righteous, justified and appropriate.

It was blunt and threatening for Joseph to tell his guards in Liberty Jail: “SILENCE, ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS INSTANT!” (Taken from The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, emphasis in original.) Calling another a “fiend of the infernal pit” is quite abrasive and offensive; it was intended to be so.

Those who prefer virtue to righteousness will handicap their ability to work for the Lord’s ends. He will always require righteousness to be done. When someone prefers virtue and neglects righteousness, or condemns the righteous for their lack of virtue, their inappropriate standard serves only one purpose. It gets applied against the one proposing to use it. They get to be measured by the standard they apply. (Matt. 7: 22.)

I choose to look at Elijah, John the Baptist, Christ and Joseph Smith, as well as any other person moved to rebuke me or anyone else by the power of the Holy Ghost as fully justified and Christlike. I do not resist the challenge of a righteous rebuke. I welcome them. No one should feel they cannot “damn” me. I’ll consider it important and will respond with my defense, or an apology if I think it is warranted.

It is important for you to know that I do not think Christ is a limp-wristed, lisping chap who dotes on us and has nothing but bouquets of flowers to dispense to us. I think He’s about to return in judgment, dressed in red to burn the wicked. He has said that is who He is and I believe Him. I would like to have as many people take that seriously and consider repenting. We are mistaken in our belief that we are chosen. We are mistaken when we think we are too good to be in need of continual repentance. We are nothing before God. We are about to see His judgments. I know these ideas make me irritating.

As Hugh Nibley put it, “there is nothing so irritating as being awakened from a sound sleep.” But my hope is to awaken some few. Therefore, it is worth offending a great number if the result benefit a few. That is the way things work here and I am quite realistic about it all…”  (Virtue and Righteousness) 

Hugh Nibley had this to say about repentance, “Who is righteous? Anyone who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been, if he is repenting he is a righteous man. There is hope for him. And no matter how good he has been all his life, if he is not repenting, he is a wicked man. The difference is which way you are facing. The man on the top of the stairs facing down is much worse off than the man on the bottom step who is facing up. The direction we are facing, that is repentance; and that is what determines whether we are good or bad.”

“Whoever desires life must travel on the road of righteousness.” 

“Without any of us saying a word, righteousness will come from Jesus Christ.”

“Lies are oxygen to the wicked as truth is to the righteous.”

“Respond only to the righteous criticism from righteous people in a righteous way.”

Virtuous Woman … Righteous Woman

Recently, I found myself pondering about the qualities of a virtuous woman and then wondered to myself, “How often is a virtuous woman found in this fallen world?” I thought to myself, “Probably not as high a percentage as we prefer.” But then the question came to me, “Well, how about men?” I reasoned this question in my mind and concluded from my perspective, I think we would likely find a higher percentage of virtuous women than men.

I did a little research and here are a few descriptions I found regarding a virtuous woman:

• A virtuous woman is one who shows high moral standards and is morally excellent.

• She possesses qualities such as wisdom, faith, and compassion. 

• She is a leader who is active, dependable, and trustworthy. 

• She is also a woman who is kind, humble, and prayerful. 

• A virtuous woman is compassionate and caring. 

• She is a good mother and wife.  “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband; but she that makes ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.” (Proverbs 2:67 RE)

• She cares for her family and community. 

• A virtuous woman is hardworking and diligent. 

• She is willing to put forth the effort to do what is right. 

• A virtuous woman has faith in God and His plans. 

• She is prayerful and turns to God for strength. 

• She gives glory to God and praises Jesus for His sacrifice. 

But then the thought came to mind: From the perspective of many people, perhaps including the virtuous woman herself, it seems like she has nearly reached sainthood, right? It appears this virtuous woman must surely be in good standing with God and certainly, by peer-review, mankind unanimously votes on her behalf regarding her compassion, caring, hardworking, diligence, dependability, and trustworthiness. People validate her, but what is God’s perspective?

• As this virtuous woman continues to talk to God, what if God starts talking back? 

• Then what?

• What if she starts receiving the strength and help she has been asking for? 

• What if the prayers of this virtuous woman become like they never have been before? 

• What if her prayers start being clearly answered in a manner she has not previously experienced?

• What if God has something to say to her and declares it.

• What if she, who is an active, dependable, and trustworthy leader among her peers, is clearly asked by God to do something both uncomfortable and almost unimaginable for her to do? 

• What if God’s request of her is the polar opposite of her current way of thinking, being, and acting? 

• What if His request will be offensive to her valued peers and cause serious negative feedback for her?

• What if it threatens some of her prominent virtues she has been living and safeguarding for years?

• What if the instructions she has received from God precisely contradicts the virtuous and righteous life she believes she has been and is living?

• What if God explains to the woman the difference between virtue and righteousness and makes it clear they are not the same thing?

• What if on one hand virtue is a quality that is considered morally good or desirable in a person and helps keep one from “bad behavior” as perceived by society, whereas on the other hand, a person is considered righteous in God's eyes when they live in accordance with God's will and demonstrate obedience to His word?

• What if conforming to God’s laws can be and often are different than conforming to man's laws?

• After conversing with the Lord through the veil for a while, learning these things, and receiving a clear request from God that contradicts “a lot of stuff within her”, she gets to make a decision and act. 

• What will she choose to do? 

• How will she choose to act? 

• After so many years of faith and work and doing the best she knew, why is her world now changing? 

• Even falling apart?  

• Why do the things God is asking of her now seem so contradictory to her past? 

• Why would God ask her to do things contrary to what she would normally do? 

• Why is she asked to do things so embarrassing to her and greatly offensive and disturbing to others? 

• This is a hard and difficult task to even think about. She is well aware that if she follows through with God’s request, her life will never be the same. There will be no turning back and no reasonable chance to recover what will be lost. On the other hand, by simply hearing what God clearly shared with her, she knows her life will never be the same anyway, whether she follows God’s plan or not. What should she do? What would you do?

Assuming she ends up choosing God over man and everything else, by definition, I think she becomes a righteous woman, who is wise and alert with acute awareness. As she continues and follows God (Not man), she becomes more intelligent, informed, and clever. She acquires further light and knowledge and is enlightened with a sage perspective and outlook. A righteous woman possesses wisdom and has the ability to make wise choices. She knows what to take in and embrace and she also knows what to reject and ignore. She carefully “clues in”, observes what is happening, and follows her conscience. She has greater discernment each day and receives better views behind the curtains of deceit and secrecy. She more clearly sees preconceived and hidden agendas and addresses it all with wisdom and care.

She lives what she believes, walks her talk, and makes righteous decisions. A righteous woman honors the agency of others and manifests charity and love to all. She submits to the word of God, acts in Divine timing, and understands that is a key to success. By doing so, everything tends to work out better. She is now taking notice of something new to her where occasionally she offends people, but pleases God. This phenomenon (the woman choosing God’s will and fulfilling His righteousness causes a social perception of the woman performing unvirtuous acts) seems to be increasing in both magnitude and frequency. She views a transformation occurring within her and she is strangely happier than ever before. 

I think she knows what she is doing in choosing God over everything else!

Women Who Read

One morning while a couple was on vacation, the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and starts reading her book.

A short while later, a game warden came along in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, “Good morning Ma’am. What are you doing?" 

“Reading a book”, she replies (thinking, “Isn’t that obvious”) 

“You are in a restricted fishing area”, he informs her. 

“I’m sorry officer, but I’m not fishing. I’m reading.” 

“Yes, but you have all the fishing equipment in your boat. For all I know you could start at any moment. I’ll have to take you in and write you up.”

“If you do that, I’ll have to charge you for sexual assault”, says the woman.

“But I haven’t even touched you”, says the game warden.

“That’s true, but you have all the equipment to do so. For all I know, you could start at any moment.”

“Have a nice day, ma’am”, and he left.

MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It’s likely she can also think and talk.

Cast Out Inconvenient Truth-Tellers

I came across this interesting article about scientists and researchers in the world who tell the truth about their findings and make them known to the public. It also tells about the reactions observed and the consequences manifested when honest and valuable research yields unpopular findings: Inconvenient Truth-Tellers

This article clearly shows that throughout history, scientists have been scorned, slandered, and ridiculed when their true and proven discoveries challenge authoritative views and contradict public opinions or social traditions. When truth becomes very inconvenient or offensive to the people, discomfort and unrest can incite anger and greater violence. The truth-tellers, who bring a true but unwanted message to the community, usually end up facing mockery, scoffing, and violence with little or no appreciation.

That got me thinking about other examples of these same types of reactions commonly found in individuals, communities, institutions, and religions. When God shares inconvenient truths through His servants, who come with the true but often unwanted message for mankind, would it be reasonable to think people in general would respond differently than history shows how people respond regarding scientists and their research that yields unpopular findings?

Alma, Amulek, Zeezrom, and the people 

(Alma 9:1-2 CE)

1) Alma saw that Amulek’s words silenced Zeezrom. Zeezrom realized Amulek caught him lying and misleading, attempting to destroy him. Because Zeezrom was trembling in fear from his guilt, Alma spoke directly to him, confirming Amulek’s words and elaborating and explaining the scriptures beyond what Amulek had covered. What Alma told Zeezrom was overheard by everyone who gathered around them. He said this: Now Zeezrom, your lies and misrepresentations have been exposed. But you haven’t just lied to these people, you’ve also lied to God. He knows all your thoughts and God has revealed your thoughts to us by His Spirit. You see we understand your plan. It was cunning, but follows Satan’s pattern, hoping to use a lie to deceive these people, so you could turn them against us. You expected them to scorn us and throw us out. Now this was your adversary’s plan, and you’ve surrendered, letting him control you. Remember that what I tell you, I tell to everyone. I warn all of you that this was a trap of the adversary he has used to control you. He hopes you follow him and get caught in his chains. He wants your everlasting destruction, which results from letting him control you.

2) When Alma had said this; Zeezrom began to tremble even more intensely, since he was convinced more and more of God’s power. He also realized Alma and Amulek had exposed him. And he was convinced they knew the thoughts and secret intentions of his heart. They knew this because of the spirit of prophecy. And Zeezrom began to ask them sincere questions, so he could learn more about God’s kingdom. He asked Alma: What do Amulek’s words about the resurrection of the dead mean? How will all rise from the dead, both the just and unjust, and be brought to stand before God to be judged according to their works?

In this case, when his thoughts and secret intentions of his heart were exposed before the people and God, Zeezrom took the less common path and repented. He changed his ways and corrected his thoughts, intentions, and actions. Some time passed and Zeezrom diligently sought for the truth-tellers, Alma and Amulek, and …

(Alma 10:14 CE)

14) Then Alma took his hand and asked him: Do you believe in Christ’s power to save? He answered: Yes, I believe all the words you’ve taught. And Alma said: If you believe in Christ’s redemption, you can be healed. And he said: Yes, I believe what you’ve taught. Then Alma asked the Lord: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man and heal him according to his faith in Christ. When Alma said these words, Zeezrom sprang to his feet and began to walk. This astonished all the people, and the news spread throughout the land of Sidom. Then Alma baptized Zeezrom in the name of the Lord, and from then on he began to preach to the people. Alma established a congregation in Sidom and ordained priests and teachers there, to baptize any who wished to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Abinadi and the priests of king Noah

(Mosiah 7:8 thru 9:5 CE)

7:8) But a man who lived among them, named Abinadi, went out and began to prophesy, saying: This is the Lord’s message for me to give to you: Go and tell this people, this is what the Lord says: Woe to this people. I’ve seen their abominations, wickedness, and whoredoms! Unless they repent, I’ll punish them in My anger. Unless they repent and turn to the Lord who is God, I’ll let their enemies overpower them; indeed, they’ll be brought into slavery, and be punished by their enemies. They will know that I Am the Lord their God — a God who requires faithfulness, punishing My people for their iniquities. Unless these people repent and turn to the Lord who is God, they’ll be brought into slavery; no one will set them free except for the Lord the Almighty God. When they cry to Me, I’ll be slow to hear their cries. I’ll let them be killed by their enemies. Unless they repent in sincere humility and regret, and honestly ask the Lord their God in faith to forgive, I won’t hear their prayers or save them from their punishment. This is what the Lord says and this is what He’s commanded me to say.

7:9) Now when Abinadi had spoken these words to them, they were furious with him and tried to kill him; but the Lord rescued him. When king Noah had heard about the things Abinadi said to the people, he was also very angry and said: Who does Abinadi think he is, judging me and my people like this? Or who is the Lord that He should bring such great trouble on my people? I order you to bring Abinadi here so I can kill him. He’s said these things to stir up my people to be angry with each other and to cause conflict among my people; therefore I’ll kill him. Now the people were deceived; so they ignored Abinadi’s words and tried to arrest him from that time forward. And king Noah completely ignored the Lord’s word and didn’t change his evildoing.

7:10) Two years later, Abinadi returned in disguise, and they didn’t recognize him. He once more began to prophesy to them, saying: This is what the Lord has commanded me: Abinadi, go and prophesy to My people: Because you’ve ignored My words and haven’t repented of doing evil, therefore I’ll punish you in My anger, yes, I’ll punish you in My fierce anger for your iniquities and abominations. Woe to this generation! And the Lord told me: Stretch out your hand and prophesy: This is what the Lord says: Because of their iniquities, this generation will be enslaved, struck on the cheek, hunted by men, and killed. Vultures, dogs, and wild animals will devour their flesh. And continues - See Mosiah 7:11-18 CE

 

7:19) When the king had heard these words, he told his priests: Take this man away and kill him! Why are we wasting our time with him? - he’s crazy! And they stepped forward and tried to grab him, but he resisted, telling them: Don’t touch me! God will strike you if you lay your hands on me; I haven’t yet given the message the Lord sent me to give, and I haven’t answered your question yet. Therefore God won’t allow you to kill me at this time. But I must complete the commandments God has given me. And because I’ve told you the truth, you’re angry with me. Because I’ve spoken God’s word, you’ve concluded that I’m crazy.

7:20) After Abinadi had said this, king Noah’s people didn’t dare seize him, since the Spirit of the Lord was upon him. His face was shining brightly like Moses’ face did while he was on Mount Sinai speaking with the Lord. And he spoke with power and authority from God. Then he continued with his message, saying: You see that you don’t have power to kill me. So I’ll finish my message. I sense that it cuts you to your core because I’m telling you the truth about your iniquities. My words fill you with wonder, amazement, and anger. But I’ll finish my message, and then it doesn’t matter what happens next, or if I survive at all. But I tell you this much: What you do with me after this will be the same fate you will suffer. Now I’ll read to you the rest of God’s commandments, because I can tell they aren’t written in your hearts. It’s clear to me that you’ve devoted yourselves to and taught iniquity the majority of your lives … SEE Mosiah 7:21-8:15

9:1) When Abinadi had finished speaking, the king ordered the priests to take him and have him put to death. But there was one among them named Alma, a young man and a descendant of Nephi, who believed Abinadi’s words, since he could see the iniquity Abinadi had testified against them. Therefore he started to plead with the king not to be angry with Abinadi, but to let him leave in peace. But the king became even angrier and had Alma thrown out and sent servants to kill him. But he escaped and hid and they didn’t find him. While in hiding for many days, Alma wrote down everything Abinadi had said.

9:2) The king had his guards surround Abinadi and take him, tie him up, and throw him in prison. The king consulted with his priests and after three days, he had Abinadi brought back. Then he announced: Abinadi, we’ve found you guilty, and you deserve to be executed. You claim that God Himself would come down among mankind. And now for saying this, you’ll be put to death unless you retract everything you’ve falsely testified about me and my people.

9:3) And Abinadi said to him: I won’t retract anything I’ve said to you, because it’s all true. To prove I’m testifying of the truth, I’ve let you capture me. And I will let you execute me, but I won’t retract my words, and they’ll stand as a testimony condemning you. If you kill me, you will shed innocent blood, which will also condemn you on the last day.

9:4) Now king Noah was about to release him, because he was afraid of what he had been told, and worried God’s judgments would fall on him. But the priests cried out loudly in opposition, accusing and claiming: He’s insulted the king! So the king was provoked to anger against him, and he instead decided to have him executed.

9:5) They then took him, tied him up, set him atop firewood, and burned him to death. And when the flames began to burn him, he yelled to them, saying: Just as you’ve done to me, your descendants will also do to many others who will suffer the same pain that I suffer — painful death by fire — because they believe in the salvation of the Lord who is God. You’ll be infected by many diseases because of your iniquities. You’ll be attacked on all sides and driven and scattered, just like a wild flock driven by hungry predators. At that time you’ll be hunted and taken by your enemies. Then you will, like me, feel the pain of being executed by burning. This is how God repays those who destroy His people. O God, receive my spirit! Now when Abinadi had said this, he collapsed, dying in the fire, having been executed because he wouldn’t deny God’s commandments, having sealed the truth of his words through his death. 

Whenever a truth-teller appears with a message that goes contrary to social beliefs, push-back and resistance almost always flare up. When the truth condemns community behaviors with valid facts and is presented with authority, individuals with a guilty conscience usually want to quickly obscure the truth or get rid of it immediately. Ashamed transgressors and conscience-stricken offenders usually desire to somehow make truth disappear or represent it as irrelevant, a waste of time, or crazy.

If the truth presented ends up challenging traditions and confronting human error, sin, or crime with justified evidence, it becomes more threatening and increasingly uncomfortable for the guilty parties who hear their transgressions being shouted from the rooftops. Whenever truth is judged to be hurting the agenda of an individual, a group, or community, the people involved often try to shut it down, ridicule it, and reject it … even if they know it's true.

The truth is often offensive, cuts to the core, and requires significant internal change. It is a natural human tendency to hate and despise the truth-teller. In other words, I am very furious at you for declaring such foolishness and lies about me. Unless you retract everything you’ve said about me, I will come after you, damage your reputation, smear your name, sue you, imprison you, and make you beg and wish you had never been so obnoxious and mean to me. I will bring upon you awful events, horrible outcomes, the most serious results, and whatever other heinous consequences I can create just for you. The tendency to destroy the truth-teller, in some form or another, is a common way to harden hearts, blind eyes, stop ears, and loose light and truth. 

When God has something to say or a people to be fairly warned of impending consequences, the message gets to be delivered. The Lord sends a messenger to warn and/or prepare a people. Even if the people fail to recognize and comprehend the message, or ignore whatever message they did understand, the Lord has dealt justly by sending a message of warning. 

Here are some very significant words and revelations recently given to us from God in our day, by which we are to guide our lives and be judged at the last day:

New Scriptures: 

Covenant of Christ

Old Covenants

The New Covenants

New Testament

Book of Mormon

Teachings and Commandments 

The Ten Talks - Preserving the Restoration

Papers

The Testimony of John

Religion of the Fathers

Our Divine Parents 

Civilization 

The Holy Order 1 & 2

Other Papers

August 8, 2022 Revelation 

June 20, 2024 Revelation 

General Conferences 

Blog, Books, Podcasts, Downloads 

Ten Years Retrospective 

Restoration Archives (More Records)