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degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.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)

Wealth, Riches, and Money

You aren't wealthy until you have something that money cannot buy.

The real measure of your wealth is how much you'd be worth if you lost all your money.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

Money and success don't change people. They merely amplify what is already there.

Some people are so poor all they have is money.

Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.

Wealth is not in making money but perhaps in making the man while he is making money.

The richest of men are those whose pleasures are the cheapest.

Money is like Love. It kills slowly and painfully the one who with holds it, but enlivens the other that turns it on his fellow man.

They say money doesn't bring happiness but everyone still wants to prove it for themselves.

A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world.

I'd rather walk in the rain with a man who treats me like a queen than ride in a Mercedes with a man who doesn't value me.

Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much.

Perhaps, wealth isn't about having a lot of money, but rather about having a lot of options.

Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want to impress people that they don't like.

A little goodness and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.

Money is the slave to a wise man and the master of a fool.

Wealth consists not of having great possessions but in having few wants.

It is okay to live a life others do not understand.

No man is rich enough to buy back his past, but everyone possesses the gift to choose his present, which influences his future.

 

“And he said unto them, It is impossible for them who trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God; but he who forsaketh the things which are of this world, it is possible with God, that he should enter in.” (JST Luke 18:27)

“And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh; And I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts.” (D&C 38:18-19)

Connections in High Places

The other day, I was having a conversation with a friend of mine. During the course of our discussion, she almost unknowingly shared a little catchphrase, “It’s so good to have connections in high places.” The words are brilliant and true, but usually misconstrued and applied wrongheaded.

Having connections in high places seems beneficial when you are competing for something that appears to exist in limited supply. Connections may give you the needed edge to acquire something you value. Connections in the world may put you in place of advantage and even eliminate someone more qualified than you. We are familiar with competition, shortage, not enough to spare or share, dog eat dog, and survival of the fittest. Where does all this come from?

Children learn early how connections seem to operate to their advantage here in this telestial world. Here are a few examples of the benefits of being connected with the “important people”:

Parents – I get favored, privileged, and what I want.

Teacher – I can get better grades than what I really deserve.

The "in group" – I have important friends, prestige, success, feel accepted, and fit in.

Spiritual leaders – I rise in the religious hierarchy, obtain influence, demonstrate authority, claim power, and receive praise.

Rich business owner – I get a great job, have more than enough money, and mingle with important people.

It seems like there are extra benefits in knowing or associating with key people who possess power and influence. This notion is taught a lot in this good old world in which we live. Connections are everything, right?

Maybe there’s a higher way to look at this, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:9.

Is there a higher connection? Higher authority? Is there a source “out of this world” where we can receive superior understanding, knowledge, and favor?

Symbolic ordinances are in place inviting us to receive the real thing, connect with heaven, and make binding covenants with God. Christ encourages us to seek eternal treasures that endure “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal?” Matthew 6:20

Do we have to compete with others for eternal life? Are there a limited number of heavenly seats? Or is there enough and to spare? Do we need to step on each other to reach the top? Or is this a call extended to all?

“Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.” Alma 5:33 There’s not just one place at the top with God.  There is a place reserved for anyone who wants to come.

“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me” 3 Nephi 9:14.

Everyone who comes is received one by one. He is not a respecter of persons and cannot be tricked or persuaded to act contrary to eternal law. We are all invited to come unto Him under the same terms. He doesn’t play favorites and fully knows the intentions of our hearts.

What do you think it takes to receive eternal life? Is it worth connecting with Heaven? Would you like to connect with and know God? Do you see your eternal potential?

Telestial connections can offer temporary pleasure, satisfaction, reassurance, and success. The pleasures of sin are enjoyed for but a season. After that, they fade away, prove to be disappointing, and cannot save Hebrews 11:25. The telestial approach is vain and unproductive. As time passes, you become worn out, weary, tired, and exhausted having found yourself only running in circles. It’s like running on a useless circular treadmill that takes you nowhere. 

If we fail to build upon the Rock and His gospel and choose to build upon the works of men or the devil, our joy will only be for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and we are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. 3 Nephi 27:11

We will discover the enticing invitations of the world, the wide gate, and broad ways have drawn us away from God. If our eyes remain blind, ears deaf, and hearts hard, we will find ourselves lost, unredeemed, and still in our fallen condition. Destruction and death awaits many who fail to enter in at the strait gate; “for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it” 3 Nephi 27:33. Fruitless, wasted, and barren are those who are led away into broad roads, and they perish and are lost. 1 Nephi 12:17

Having a connection with the Most High God really does matter. The ways of God are higher, better, and superior to the ways of men.“ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 God extends mercy, offers redemption from the fall, and bestows the promise of eternal life. He is the only One who can. Alma 38:9