What is the Message?

On Sunday, May 22, 2016, at 2:12 p.m., the statue of Angel Moroni, which sits atop the LDS Bountiful Utah Temple, was struck by lightning.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, a little after 7:00 a.m., the statue of Angel Moroni, which sits atop the LDS Salt Lake Temple, lost his trumpet after a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit.

Are these two events arbitrary, or were they sent to give us a clear message? If there is a message, what is it?

In 2016, the Bountiful Moroni was hit in the back. It looks like he was stabbed in the back. What could that mean? What kind of duplicity might have been going on?

The right side of Moroni's face was blown off, and so you could say Moroni did not "save face". Could this be a sign of humiliation? Was a messenger of God being rejected and disgraced when the lighting struck? Did God take notice of this rejection?

In 2020, the Salt Lake City Moroni lost his trumpet. What does the trumpet symbolize? Is today a significant day in history? Has the LDS church stopped proclaiming the message of the Book of Mormon?

Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their borders and set him for their watchman, if, when he sees the sword come upon the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and takes not warning, if the sword come and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that takes warning shall deliver his soul

But if the watchman sees the sword come and blows not the trumpet, and the people are not warned, if the sword come and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, you shall hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die — if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. Nevertheless, if you warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it, if he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul. Ezekiel 16:1-3

Could it also mean that the time of warning with words is coming to a close, and the warning with earthquakes, natural disasters, pestilence (pandemic), wars, famine, economic crisis will continue to send out a voice of warning? Maybe some will awake and repent.

I am reminded of these words:

Abide in the liberty wherewith you are made free. Entangle not yourselves in sin, but let your hands be clean until the Lord come, for not many days hence and the earth shall tremble and reel to and fro as a drunken man, and the sun shall hide his face and shall refuse to give light, and the moon shall be bathed in blood, and the stars shall become exceeding angry and shall cast themselves down as a fig that falls from off a fig tree.

And after your testimony comes wrath and indignation upon the people, for after your testimony comes the testimony of earthquakes that shall cause groanings in the midst of her: and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand, and also comes the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds. And all things shall be in commotion, and surely men’s hearts shall fail them, for fear shall come upon all people.

And angels shall fly through the midst of Heaven, crying with a loud voice, sounding the trump of God, saying, Prepare yourselves, prepare, O inhabitants of the earth, for the judgment of our God is come! Behold and lo, the Bridegroom comes; go out to meet him. And immediately, there shall appear a great sign in heaven, and all people shall see it together. T&C 86:17-19

This is a time of joy and dread.

On the 13th of February 2003 I saw the Lord coming in His glory. At first a sign appeared in the heavens, a light emanating from a single point and turning first this way and that. All the world saw it, and men debated over its meaning. At length the light turned upon us and within it was the Lord, showing His glory, with concourses of angels and the hosts of Heaven following in His wake.

And when we saw that it was the Lord we rejoiced and were filled with joy. I turned to my wife and said, Look, it is Christ!, and she said, Yes, it is! And we were filled with joy and peace of mind, for the long awaited day of the Lord had come.

But others were filled with dread. They feared and lamented and wanted the mountains to cover them and hide them from His presence, for he was clothed in red and came in judgment. And Christian ministers knew they had taught falsely and that their faith could not save — and they begged for relief from the Saints.

This caused me to marvel at how this could be. It was given unto me to understand that without the ordinances of salvation through the authorized ministers of the gospel it was not possible for men to shed their sins. And they could not look upon a just and holy Being without being racked with torment and guilt for their sins. And they pled with the Saints to minister to them, but we could not, for we were constrained by the spirit and were forbidden to do so. For this was the day of judgment which the Lord had in His heart, and he was now come to preach His own sermon, clothed in red, and to deliver those who waited on Him and to convict and condemn those who had not.

I write this in my own hand and bear solemn testimony that it is true. Amen. . . T&C 160

This is a wonderful time to live. There is no need to fear. It is a time of peace and safety for all those who treasure the word of the Lord and come to Him.

. . . Wherefore, be not deceived, but continue in steadfastness, looking forth for the heavens to be shaken, and the earth to tremble and to reel to and fro as a drunken man, and for the valleys to be exalted, and for the mountains to be made low, and for the rough places to become smooth, and all this when the angel shall sound his trumpet.

But before the great day of the Lord shall come, Jacob shall flourish in the wilderness and the Lamanites shall blossom as the rose. Zion shall flourish upon the hills, and rejoice upon the mountains, and shall be assembled together unto the place which I have appointed. Behold, I say unto you, go forth as I have commanded you, repent of all your sins, ask and you shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Behold, I will go before you and be your rearguard, and I will be in your midst and you shall not be confounded. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, and I come quickly. Even so, Amen. T&C 35.7-9

Deceptions … Delicious and Delightful?

Real eyes realize real lies.

It is not a shame to be deceived but it is to stay in the deception.

If the words don't add up, it's usually because the truth was not included in the equation.

The art of pleasing is the art of deceiving.

All warfare is based on deception.

Life is the art of being well deceived and in order that the deception may succeed, it must be habitual and uninterrupted.

Deception may give us what we want for the present, but it will always take it away in the end.

Belief is a deception you play on yourself.

Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.

With the deception of a lie, a true carp is caught.

Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.

There are two ways to be fooled: One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to accept what is true.

The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.

Wipe your mouth, there is still a tiny bit of bullshit around your lips.

Deception can be amazingly annoying ... even after sincere and friendly warnings!

What Would You Say If You Saw Us? Part 2

We, the latter day saint gentiles, play a key part in the visions many prophets have seen and are now seeing. Our day has been revealed in detail and these prophets are eyewitnesses of us and our doings. Moroni, who is a prophet of God and lived about 1000 years after Nephi, finishes the record of his father Mormon, sees our day, prophecies, warns, and speaks a few eye-opening words to us. “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing” Mormon 8:35.

So, what did Moroni see and record concerning us and our day? How did he describe us? What did he say about the conditions of the world? People? Other circumstances? Did Moroni include any information, counsel, recommendations, advice, warnings, or admonitions? Did Moroni praise, honor, or pay tribute to us? Was he pleased with what he saw, applaud our righteous performance, or wish he were part of a chosen generation like us? Or did he throw out criticism, scolding, disapproval, and condemnation?

What are some of the gentile characteristics that Moroni mentioned? Did he note that miracles are basically done away among the gentiles?  Did he talk about secret combinations and works of darkness? The power of God is denied? Churches become defiled? Building churches to get gain? Pride? Wearing very fine apparel? Envy? Strifes? Malice? Persecutions? Iniquities? Building up secret abominations to get gain? Society deteriorating? Murders? Robbing? Lying? Deceivings? Whoredoms? False teachings and beliefs? Preaching that you can do anything you want and the Lord will uphold you at the last day? Believing that for your money you can be forgiven? Transfiguring the holy word of God? Selling your selves for that which will canker? Widows mourning? Orphans mourning? Blood crying from the ground? Wars? Earthquakes? Great pollutions? Destructions? Judgments? Damnations?

Do we love money, elegant church buildings, fancy clothes, houses, cars, and our substance more than we love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted? Do we suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by, and notice them not? Mormon 8:26-41

Are there corrupt churches in our midst? Is every single gentile church polluted because of the pride of our hearts? A very chilling question is this: “Why have ye polluted the holy church of God?” Mormon 8:38 What church is the holy church of God? Does it exist now? Where is it? Who belongs to it? Who polluted it? When was it polluted? How was it polluted? Is it being polluted still? If it has been polluted, is being polluted, or both; is it still holy? Where do we stand? This sounds like serious stuff. Do we even want to know the answers? Are we offended when we are called to repentance? 

Why are we ashamed to take upon us the name of Christ? Mormon 8:38 Why do we lay up for ourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal Matthew 6:19, but refuse or fail to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal? Matthew 6:20 Why do we prefer the things of the world instead of what God offers?

Why don’t we believe in and entertain angels? Is it because of our unbelief? Moroni 7 Why don’t we care enough to rend the veil of unbelief which doth cause us to remain in our awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind and be saved? Be redeemed? Receive the Second Comforter? And make a claim on eternal life? Ether 4:15

According to Moroni, “The sword of vengeance hangeth over you; and the time soon cometh that he avengeth the blood of the saints upon you, for he will not suffer their cries any longer” Mormon 8:41 Who are the saints that are crying? To whom are they crying? Why are they crying?

Are they being despised, hated, persecuted, and reviled? By whom?  For what? Why? Are they despised and rejected of men; persons of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and esteemed as naught? Isaiah 53:2-7 Are they oppressed and afflicted by the world, but humbly submit to God? Do they try to repay and get even with offenders, or do they leave the judgment and vengeance of their enemies to whom it belongs, even the Lord? Romans 12:19, Mormon 8:20

Who offends, mocks, and sheds the blood of the saints? Over who does the sword of vengeance hang? Why? Somebody must not be paying attention to God, ignoring Him, or just plain rebelling against Him. Why would somebody revile and persecute another and say all manner of evil against them falsely, for Christ’s sake? Matthew 5:11 I suppose all prophets who come from the presence of God wonder why this is the case. Joseph did. JSH 1:25

What does it mean to be a saint? Will a saint be quickened and be caught up to meet Him? D&C 88:96 See God? Matthew 5:8 Would a saint be wise, noble, and virtuous seeking counsel, authority, and blessings constantly from under the hand of God? D&C 122:2 Is a saint one who receives the pleasing word of God and feasts upon his love with a firm mind forever? Jacob 3:2 Does a saint have clean hands and a pure heart? Does it have something to do with Zion? D&C 97:21-26 

“And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them” Moses 7:18. Does one with a broken heart and a contrite spirit qualify for Zion? Shall a saint see the kingdom of God coming in power and great glory unto their deliverance? D&C 56:18 Would a saint return to God, come to their inheritances, and sing songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion? D&C 101:18 Would a saint rend the veil of unbelief, repent, be redeemed, and know Christ, having faith no longer but knowing without doubting? Ether 3:19

What does it mean NOT to be a saint? Hmmm, not to be profound, but I suppose it would be opposite of being one.  I think Nephi and Moroni were doing a pretty good job describing a non-saint, who is condemned, not redeemed, miserable, and a damned soul, who “would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell” Mormon 9:4-5.

Oh, maybe I got carried away. That was us gentiles they were talking about, wasn’t it? That doesn’t sound very good at all. It can be quite alarming to some and cause anxiety and fear among the ill equipped and unprepared. Upon the wicked, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire.

Both Nephi and Moroni must have seen the same vision about our day. They are in concert crying repentance, pronouncing warnings, and declaring judgments upon us as the latter day saint gentiles.

But they seem to be so negative and are not saying nice things about us. What great evil have we done to deserve that kind of criticism, reprimand, and rebuke? What great sins have we committed, that we should be condemned of God or judged of these men? We are a strong, favored, and preferred people, aren’t we? We are too great to be destroyed; besides we are the chosen generation, right?

Just who is this Nephi and Moroni anyway? By what authority do they prophecy evil against us, God’s elect people? We are a righteous and prosperous people with power, and we are regarded with respect, admiration, and high esteem, right? Do you think these guys are true prophets? Or are they just prophesying in vain? This sounds uncomfortably too familiar, doesn’t it? Mosiah 12:13-15

Maybe we should kill them because they are destroying our craft Alma 35:3. If we get rid of them, maybe their message will go away and stop disturbing us.  They’re already dead, but their words are still here.  Now what do we do?  Let’s be like the Zoramites and just not listen to them and cast out the ones that do listen. Or maybe we can switch identities and pretend we aren’t the gentiles.  Let’s hide so God can’t find us.

So back to this craft of ours, many years have gone into building this craft.  It provides us a comfortable living.  It makes us wealthy.  It feeds our ego and pride. It assures us of our righteousness before God. Why destroy it now?  Don’t we need to feed each other’s self-esteem? That’s why we go to church, right?

Paul would probably be rejected and reviled today, like he was in his day.  Paul is persuading people to turn away from worshipping false gods.  Why would he do that? Doesn’t he know we need our craft to make money? If the people find out what’s going on, even our great temple will be despised and her magnificence destroyed.  Right now we have people throughout the entire world worshipping the gods we’ve created.  We cannot allow people like Paul to keep talking! Acts 19:25-27 By our craft we generate money to build shopping malls, make donations to law firms, build a huge mega church, and contribute to the development of the Babylonian empire.

I believe Nephi, Moroni, and many others commune with heaven. I think they know what they are talking about. Would it be worth reading their words, carefully considering them, and acting upon what is revealed through the power of the Holy Ghost? I am absolutely persuaded to re-evaluate my views and the traditions of my fathers, step back, and take a serious long look at this stuff. I think it would be very wise to talk to God about it with a sincere heart and with real intent.

What would you say if you saw us in vision 2600 years ago? 1600 years ago? Now?

What Would You Say If You Saw Us? Part 1

True messengers who are sent from the presence of God preach repentance, pronounce warnings, and declare judgments. They are special and sure witnesses of Christ because they know Him personally. He has ministered to them and shown unto them many great works Ether 3:18.

Pure servants of God, without hypocrisy and without guile D&C 121:42, have heard a voice from Heaven saying, “Thy sins are forgiven thee and thou shalt be blessed” Enos 1:5. They have been declared clean by God, received a remission of their sins, and experienced redemption first hand in the holy presence of Jesus Christ, the only One who can redeem Mosiah 3:17. They have been redeemed from the fall, and therefore brought back into His presence Ether 3:13. They are found without fault before the throne of God Revelation 14:4-5.

The veil has been taken from off their eyes Ether 3:6. These witnesses of God have seen His face and been shown His works from the beginning of creation to the winding up scenes of this earth. Prophets are eyewitnesses of Christ’s birth, mortal life, ministry, rejection, mock trial, judgment, suffering, sacrifice, forgiveness, atonement, crucifixion, death, and ascension to Heaven. They hear and see and know these things independent of anybody else or the testimony of another person, and thereby become witnesses of Christ. They receive the testimony of Jesus where He bears record to them D&C 76:101, Revelation 19:10.

Prophets we are talking about here are not only voted in or sustained by men, churches, or any other institutions of this world. The title, calling, or rightful position of “prophets, seers, and revelators” in any organization of this world is one thing, but when God personally ordains prophets, seers, and revelators, who are commissioned of Jesus Christ and called by the voice of God, we will discover it is quite another matter.

Those who have come unto Christ, been covered by Him, and entered into the Father's presence have a fulness, but all those who have not experienced such a connection with heaven, no matter what keys, positions or power they claim to hold, cannot and do not possess the fulness because only the Father has the role to confer it. The prophets who have communed with heaven, like Nephi, are given the higher priesthood of God, which includes the sealing power Helaman 10:4-7. Neither the church nor men can confer it, only God. Alma also taught this doctrine. Alma 13:1-2

Joseph Smith, a latter day prophet of God and the head of this dispensation, received the fulness following the same heavenly pattern. He made sufficient sacrifice unto God in obedience to that which God required of him, obtained forgiveness of his sins, and received a promise of exaltation. God identified Himself and declared with His own voice, “For verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your father” D&C 132:49-50. 

In addition, God gave Joseph the sealing power as He did Nephi, the son of Helaman, referred to above. “And verily, verily, I say unto you, that whatsoever you seal on earth shall be sealed in heaven; and whatsoever you bind on earth, in my name and by my word, saith the Lord, it shall be eternally bound in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you remit on earth shall be remitted eternally in the heavens; and whosesoever sins you retain on earth shall be retained in heaven” D&C 132:46.

In the Joseph Smith translation of Genesis, this same doctrine of heaven came to light. “And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name” JST Genesis 14:27-29.

Nephi, the son of Lehi, is another great example of a true prophet, who is commissioned of God and speaks with power and authority received from God Himself. He did not receive the fulness of the priesthood from a man who claimed the right and power to confer it. Nephi communed with God, received power from heaven, and reached the “servant of God” status. He was speaking divine words as directed by heaven. God always honors and fulfills His words. He commissions prophets to relay His message. God then fulfills the prophecies every whit 3 Nephi 1:20.

The Lord stands firmly behind His prophecies and promises. He guarantees and assures the fulfillment of His words spoken by the voice of His prophets. “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” D&C 1:38.

The words of Nephi fall into this same category. His words are God’s words and spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost. We are his audience to whom he directs words of warning, counsel, and condemnation. Some are familiar with his words; others are not and fail to fully understand. Either way we are held accountable for and judged by His words. If we, the latter day gentiles, fail to read, heed, and obey the words of God delivered through Nephi, the words shall condemn us at the last day 2 Nephi 33:11-15. 

What did Nephi see in our day? What did he say to us? How did he describe us? How do his words pertain to us? What are his cautions and warnings directed to us? Beware of what? Why? What did he view as our weaknesses? Did he mention any of our strengths? What was his general perception of the gentiles? 1 Nephi 13-14, 2 Nephi 26-33

Why is Nephi so pessimistic concerning us gentiles? I think it would be easier on our conscience if we could convince ourselves that he’s really talking about some of those other gentiles. If it is not us, then to whom can we defer this harsh judgment? Non-members? Heathens? Atheists? Agnostics? Apostates? My weird neighbor down the street, who just doesn’t seem to believe what is being taught? Others? It can’t be us, can it? It’s gotta be somebody else. 

I’ve been told my whole life that we can’t be led astray. Is Nephi trying to change my paradigm? This is a very inconvenient time in my life to make such changes. I’ve invested a lot of time into my sincere but false beliefs. Is Nephi accurately telling us about our true condition? Are the words of God spoken by Nephi something worth trusting?  Nephi glories in plainness and truth, doesn’t he? 2 Nephi 33:6 Hmmmm? What do you think?

Are we going to be like Noah and his wicked priests? Saying, “Abinadi . . . thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people.” Or are we going to be like Alma who heard the rebuke of a true prophet, recognized his sins and iniquities, defended the truth at the peril of his life, repented, and taught the doctrine of Christ? Mosiah 17:1-15 

Do you think Mormon just accidentally included these stories in the Book of Mormon? Or were they carefully selected?  Do these stories prophesy and foretell our errors?  Do we have ears to hear and eyes to see?  Matthew 13:15

To be continued . . .

Warring for Souls

The war that began in heaven continues.  The Devil and his angels have been cast out of heaven down to the earth.  Satan knows his time is short and comes against us in great wrath. The climax of the battle is upon us.  He is the dragon who deceiveth the whole world. He is the great accuser. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” What power is in the blood of the Lamb? What power is in the word of their testimony?  Who puts the work of the Lord even above their own lives? Revelation12:7-12 

Satan was defeated in heaven, but he still has power on the earth. Jesus asks us to pray that this battle may be won in earth as it is in heaven. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

The Lord needs every warrior of light that will come.  Why are there “none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of [His] gospel”? D&C 35:12-13 Are we ready to receive the fulness of His gospel?  What does it mean to receive the fulness of His gospel? D&C 39:18 Do we desire to come into his presence and receive Him? D&C 76:14 Why does He call upon the weak things of the world to thresh the nations by the power of His Spirit? Why are His messengers despised? Who despises them?

Even though we may be weak, He still has a work for us to do. He is calling us.  All who have desires to serve God are called to the work.  If we decide to get on board, we should hold nothing back.  As we labor with all our heart, might, mind and strength to bring souls to Christ, we will find our own soul saved.  No man is compelled to come unto Christ. This is a labor of love, not a labor of force, control, and manipulation. “And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify [us] for the work.” D&C 4:1-7 

“Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.” Why should we warn others? “They are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads.” How would you feel if someone came to you saying, “You knew this! Why didn’t you open your mouth and say something to me?” This is the last time the Lord shall go forth among us, the Gentiles, to prepare us for the hour of judgment, which is to come.  Seek him early while he is near, and you shall not be forsaken. D&C 88:81-84 What does it mean to be cleansed from the blood and sins of this generation?

“For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it— 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 lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, 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.” [emphasis added] D&C123:12-17 

When you speak hard things against the wicked in the name of the Lord, do you experience great joy and exceeding gladness? 3 Nephi 12:11-12 Is it a cheerful, joyful experience?

Some might believe it is wrongheaded to focus on exposing false doctrine.  They might even say, “You’re being too negative.” As I study the scriptures I see a distinct difference between accusing and judging a fellow brother or sister and speaking boldly against the philosophies of men and the doctrines of the devil. 

We are not battling each other.  When we allow devils to possess our bodies, they may persuade us to believe we are at war with each other.  As brothers and sisters, we are on the same team.  It is the devils and demons we’re fighting against. 

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” So that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, it is necessary to take upon us the whole armor of God:  truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Spirit. We must pray always; be constantly, steadily, and patiently watching; and then boldly speak those things given to us by God. Ephesians 6:10-20 

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Matthew 7:1 We have no right to judge each other, for that right belongs to the Lord Mormon 8:20.

Is there a difference between judging another mortal and judging the philosophies and doctrines that are being taught?  Would it be following the pattern of God to be humble, meek, and contrite when speaking to each other D&C 52:14-17; yet speak out against our foolish and vain traditions with the boldness of a lion? Proverbs 28:1

Nephi sounded the warning voice.  He cautioned us to beware of the false and vain and foolish doctrines, false teachers, priestcrafts, and pride. He said, “They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.”  He saw our latter day tendency to trust in men and institutions instead of God, and he reminds us that God has not given His power unto men as many will claim. Nephi gave a firm admonition to deny not the Holy Ghost or the power of God, the Holy One of Israel.

Nephi doesn’t sound very optimistic or positive about the latter day gentiles? Was Nephi just being negative and depressing or is there something here worth paying attention to? Did he see something we don’t? Why didn’t he focus on the things we’re doing right? Maybe he didn’t see much good going on, described it the way he saw it, and called us to repentance by the power of God. If you saw a multitude of people about to go off a cliff would you keep your thoughts to yourself? 2 Nephi 28 

As we speak boldly, is contention ever justified? 3 Nephi 11:29 What is the power that awaits those who use persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge? D&C 121:41-42 

 

Is a call to repentance negative, gloomy, and pessimistic? How have you responded to Alma’s rebuke? “Wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it! . . . O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd. . . And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this?"

How do you know when the Lord has received you? “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. Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely; Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire” Alma 5:32-39 

I, the Lord, “give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom. D&C 88:77 How are we doing?