tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80701986001215942602024-02-08T10:22:58.004-07:00Mormon Voicesteve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-59663898679887972412013-09-09T21:55:00.000-06:002013-09-09T22:12:57.058-06:00The Kingdom of Heaven "In" You - Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ is "in all, and through all things, the light of truth; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ." (D&C 88:6-7) This is the power, and law, by which all things are governed. It gives life to all things. (D&C 88:13) You could not continue to live from moment to moment if this power was withdrawn. (Mosiah 2:21) You are able to see and think and understand because this light and power is in you. (D&C 88:11)</div>
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We have learned that the Holy Spirit is the combined mind of the Father and the Son who received a fullness of the Father's glory. (Lectures on Faith lecture 5 and D&C 93:16) It was revealed to Joseph Smith that: </div>
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"<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">glory</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of God is </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">intelligence</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, or, in other words, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and truth." (D&C 93:36) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">We have already learned that "whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ." (D&C 84:45) If the glory of God is light and truth, (intelligence), then the spirit of Jesus Christ that is in you is comprised of the glory of God or in other words, intelligence. We have spent the prior three entries discussing the truths surrounding the Light of Christ. We know it is light, we know it is truth, </span></span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(D&C 88:6-13)</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> therefore we know, it is the glory of God, or "intelligence." You, and all things, are permeated by light and truth or in other words, the glory of God.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Now, here is additional truth to which we need to pay particular attention if we are to understand the truth that God is "in" you:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">"<b><i>For man is spirit</i></b>. The elements are eternal..." (D&C 93:33) "The elements are the tabernacle of God; yea, man is the tabernacle of God, even temples;" (D&C 93:35)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Man, (you,) are "spirit." This statement of truth about you is similar to a statement made in the Lectures on Faith about our Father in Heaven, Lecture 5 speaking about the Father says: "the Father <b><i>being a personage of spirit</i></b>, glory, and power, possessing all perfection and fullness..." This statement about our Father has been misunderstood to mean that He is "a" spirit. He is no more "a" spirit than are you "a" spirit. But, like Him you are never the less "spirit."</span></div>
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The elements that now temporarily tabernacle your spirit will some day, because of the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ, become permanent through the power of the resurrection. Then you, like our Father whose spirit is inseparably clothed in flesh and bone (D&C 130:22) will experience a fullness of joy, because it is only through the inseparable connection of your spirit and the elements of your body that you will be able to experience that. (D&C 93:33-34) Great as these truths are, they are not now central to our discussion. </div>
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You are spirit. "(You) were also in the beginning with the Father; that which is Spirit, even <b><i>the spirit of truth</i></b>;" (D&C 93:23) "(You) were also in the beginning with God. <b><i>Intelligence</i></b>, or <b><i>the light of truth</i></b>, was not created or made, neither indeed can be." (D&C 93:29) </div>
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Let's understand what these verses are telling you: (The stuff we covered in the prior three blogs now becomes integral. Hopefully you "got" what was given there. If you feel like you are not understanding, go back and read that stuff again carefully. Then pray to ask The Lord for help under standing. These things must be thought about and pondered deeply.)</div>
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1. In the beginning you were with the Father, you were "spirit," even the "<b><i><u>spirit of truth</u></i></b>." Let's be reminded that: "<b><i><u>The spirit of truth</u></i></b> is of God. I am <u><b><i>the</i></b> <b><i>spirit of truth</i></b></u>. <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> and John bore record of me, saying: He <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">received</a> a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth;" (D&C 93:26) You, (your spirit that is you,) are made of the very same stuff The Lord is made of.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. In the beginning you were with God. You were intelligence, (which is the glory of God), or the <b style="font-style: italic;"><u>light of truth</u>. </b>This is not a trivial or small thing. Be reminded that: "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">He that</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">ascended</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">up on high, as also he </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">descended</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">below all things, in that he </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">comprehended</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"> </span></u><span style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-style: italic;"><u>of truth</u>; </b>Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ<b style="font-style: italic;">"</b> (D&C 88:6-7) Once again, you are shown you are made of the very same stuff by which The Lord controls and governs the entirety of earth and all creation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">I keep repeating this verse toward the end of each of the entries in this series because hopefully with increasing understanding from the Holy Ghost as we traverse through the scriptures, it will take on greater and greater meaning:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a> shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">comprehend</a> even God, being quickened in him and by him. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then shall ye know that ye have</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">seen</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">me, that I am, and that I am the true</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound." (D&C 88:49-50)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That which you are made of is the very same eternal material God is made of. You literally are a part of Him. He created (organized) you from Himself. What He is made of, and what you are therefore made of, is eternal. The substance itself was not created or made, neither indeed can be. (D&C 93:29) Joseph Smith taught, "The mind of man - the intelligent part is coequal with God himself." (<i>The Words of Joseph Smith</i> Ehat and Cook page 359)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is all important because "intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence...truth embraceth truth...light cleaveth unto light" (D&C 88:40) You are naturally drawn to God who is your source, your creator. If you open yourself to Him you will find the common element between you and God, which is intelligence, or in other words light and truth, will draw you together with Him and you will comprehend Him, being quickened in Him and by Him.</span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-53753261357858579812013-09-08T09:40:00.001-06:002013-09-08T13:23:42.969-06:00The Kingdom of Heaven "In" You - Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A few more synonyms or equivalencies need to be understood before we can move ahead in our understanding of the great power of God that is in all things. That light, which is the law by which all things are governed, emanates from Him as He sits upon His throne in the bosom of eternity. (D&C 88:13) The light, the power of God, the light of Christ, (D&C 88:7) we have been discussing, fills the immensity of space and is "in," and through, all things.(D&C 88:12-13) Most importantly, it is "in," and through, <b><i>you</i></b>. By it, God himself "is in the midst of all things," and yes, that includes <i>you, </i>you are part of "all things."</div>
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In the last entry, we learned something about the process by which The Lord Jesus Christ acquired, and controls this magnificent power called The Light of Christ. His acts of ascending up on high, and descending below all things, allowed Him to "comprehend all things, that He might be "in" all and through all things, <i>THE LIGHT OF TRUTH; </i>Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ."(D&C 88:6-7) Now, not only has the power of God been called "light," and "law," and "power," (D&C 88:13), it is now revealed that it is also called the light of "truth." We don't normally, in our way of reckoning, think of "truth" as being a tangible substance. We more often think of "truth" as being <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a verified or indisputab<wbr></wbr>le fact, proposition, principl<wbr></wbr>e, or the like. Interesting, isn't it, that the revelations refer to The light of Christ as "<i>the light of truth</i>." And that, "(this) truth<i> "shineth</i>."" Truth, we are told here, has a substantive quality by which it "shineth." "Truth," then, in the context of it being synonymous with The Spirit of Christ, appears to be substantive. Why?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This verity is further born out by a revelation Joseph Smith recorded in April, 1832. It was revealed to Joseph:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"For you shall <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">live</a> by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">word</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">of the Lord is <b><i>truth</i></b>, and whatsoever is <b><i>truth</i></b> is</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and whatsoever is light is</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">Spirit</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ." (D&C 84:44-45)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This revelation makes "truth," and "light," and "spirit" equivalent. Most of us can conceive of light and spirit being able to "shine," these verses may help us understand how it is that truth may also have the ability to "shine." The Lord revealed: "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">spirit</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">purer</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">eyes; </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We cannot</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">see</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">matter</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">." (D&C 131:7-8) Truth "shineth" because it is light, and light is spirit, and spirit is matter. The Lord said:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"...the words that I speak unto you, </span><i style="text-align: justify;">they</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> are spirit, and </span><i style="text-align: justify;">they</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> are life." (John 6:63) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">No wonder then, He commands us to "</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">live</a> by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">word</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and whatsoever is light is</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">Spirit</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ." </span>(D&C 84:44-45)</div>
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The Lord declares in another place:</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"The Spirit of </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">truth</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> is of God. I am the Spirit of truth..." (D&C 93:26)</span></span></div>
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All of these wonderful truths amalgamate in the magnificent truth taught by Joseph Smith in the Lectures on Faith:</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> "<span style="text-align: justify;">And he (the Lord Jesus) being the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fulness of the glory of the Father-<b><i>possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit</i></b>, that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one, or in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things." (Lectures on Faith - Lecture 5)</span></span></div>
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God is in the midst of you, and all things. (D&C 88:13) The combined mind of the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit that permeates all of earth and space. It is in all, and through all things. If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, you should have begun by now to see and understand in what way it is that God is "in" you. </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a> shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">comprehend</a> even God, being quickened in him and by him. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then shall ye know that ye have</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">seen</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">me, that I am, and that I am the true</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound." (D&C 88:49-50)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"I am the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of the world: he that followeth me shall not </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">walk</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> in </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">darkness</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"I am the true </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;" (D&C 93:2)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Just how far then does one need to go to do the will of the Father and receive the Son? (JST John 6:44) How great a distance is required for you to go to "see" the Son? (John 6:40) How far does He need to go to come to you in order that you may receive Him?</span></span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-26084396639817492592013-09-06T18:52:00.000-06:002013-09-06T19:13:47.293-06:00The Kingdom of Heaven "In" You - Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The light, the power of God we discussed in the last entry, emanates from its source which is "God who sits upon His throne in the bosom of eternity." </span>(D&C 88:12-13) <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It fills the entire immensity of space, and is "in," and "through," all things, including you. This light is called the light of Christ. (D&C 88:7) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By His accomplishments of "ascending up on high," and "descending below all things," The Lord Jesus Christ was given power to comprehend "all things." By so doing, He gained the power, ability, and right, to be the source of "</span>the light of truth" which is <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in all, and through all things, including you. (D&C 88:6) This is the light of Christ. (D&C 88:7)</span></div>
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What does it mean that The Lord Jesus ascended up on high? In another revelation, the teachings of John (John, the Lord's cousin, who is called, "the baptist") are quoted, he says: </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I, John, bear record that he (the Lord Jesus) received a fulness of the glory of the Father; </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And he received</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">all</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">power</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him." (D&C 93:16-17)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Ascending up on high" means The Lord received a fullness of the glory of the Father, this included "<b><i>all power</i></b>" given to Him both in heaven and on earth. When these things were accomplished, The Lord Jesus and the Father were made one. Hence, The Lord would declare, "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">in</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one." (D&C 93:3)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Joseph Smith taught: "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">And he (the Lord Jesus) being the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fulness of the glory of the Father-possessing the same mind with the Father, <b><i>which mind is the Holy Spirit</i></b>, that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one, or in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things." (Lectures on Faith - Lecture 5)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">It is this very "governing," and supreme "power" </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(D&C 88:13) </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">over "all things" that is in all and through all things, including you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In order to be the source of "the light of truth" in all things, it was necessary that The Lord also "descend below all things." This was accomplished by the great condescension of the Son of God coming from celestial realms to a fallen telestial world and there suffering the furthest depths of darkness, wickedness, suffering, and hell. By this, because of that which He experienced and suffered in accomplishing the great atoning sacrifice, He very literally "descended below all things." (3Nephi 11:11 and D&C 19:18)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Having descended below all things, having accomplished the great atoning sacrifice, and by ascending up on high by which He received the fullness of the glory of the Father, The Lord Jesus could declare, "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">I am the true</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">that lighteth every man that cometh into the world; </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And that I am</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">in</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Father</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">because</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">he</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">gave</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">me of his fulness, and the Son because I was in the world and made</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">flesh</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">my</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">tabernacle</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and dwelt among the sons of men." (D&C 93:2-4)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By these things, The Lord Jesus was given "all power" that extends throughout all of the immensity of space.(D&C 88:12) That power, that light, that light of Christ, that Holy Spirit, is in you. By virtue of "it" being in you, "He" is in you as well. Remember, the Holy Spirit <i>IS</i> the combined mind of the Father and the Son. No wonder then, The Lord would declare that it is He "who is in the midst of all things," (D&C 88:13) this includes you. He is "in" you. </span></div>
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As you ponder all these things, does it begin to mean something more to you when The Lord says; "...the kingdom of heaven is within you"? (Luke 17:21)</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a> shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">comprehend</a> even God, being quickened in him and by him. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then shall ye know that ye have</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">seen</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">me, that I am, and that I am the true</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound." (D&C 88:49-50)</span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-4391718173795801972013-09-05T00:21:00.001-06:002013-09-06T19:04:45.943-06:00The Kingdom of Heaven "In" You - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was up very early this morning, (about 4:45 a.m.) The windows were open to allow in the cool night breeze. I happened to look out an east-facing window, and there, over the mountains to the east, was Orion glowing in the beautiful night sky. His belt and sword were vivid, bright against the inky black pallet of space. Beetlejuice, the mammoth star that makes Orion's right shoulder, and which is said by scientists to already have gone super nova, showed brightly with more of a yellow hew than the rest of the stars in, and around Orion. Gazing heavenward for a moment, filled with the wonder that always accompanies the heavens and their splendor, I was reminded, "<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">any man who hath </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">seen</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> any or the least of these hath </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">seen</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> God </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">moving</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> in his majesty and power." (D&C 88: 47) Because, "</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And they give</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">light</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years—all these are</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">one</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">year with God, but not with man. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The earth</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">rolls</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">upon her wings, and the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">sun</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">power</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">of God." (D&C 88: 43-45) All of the cosmos is organized and operates <b><i>"in the midst of the power of God."</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The power of God is called "light" earlier in this same revelation: "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> which is in all things, which giveth </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">life</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> to all things, which is the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">law</a> <span style="text-align: justify;">by which all things are governed, even the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">power</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of God who </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">sitteth</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things." (D&C 88: 13) Light, law, and the power of God, are all made equivalent in this revelation. This light, this law, this power, "proceedeth forth from the presence of God" to fill the entire immensity of space. </span></span><span style="text-align: justify;">(D&C 88: 12)</span></div>
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This light, this law, which is the power of God, is "<b><i>in</i></b>" all things. (D&C 88: 13) It is this power which gives life to all things. (Moses 6:61) This light is the power and the light of the sun. The sun was made by this power. As was the moon, the stars, and the earth. (D&C 88:7-10) There is nothing in all of existence that is not permeated by this light, this power, this law. "<b><i>It</i></b>" is "<b><i>in</i></b>" all things on the earth and in the heavens. All things are governed by it.</div>
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We ought to pay particular attention to the verity that this light, this law, this power, is "<b><i>in</i></b>" all things. (D&C 88:13) This very same verse teaches us that God, "sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, "<b><i>who</i></b>" is "<b><i>in</i></b>" the midst of all things." This revealed truth now moves things from a discussion about an "it," (light, law, power,) to a "who," we are now talking about a person. We learn that God Himself is "<b><i>in</i></b>" the midst of "all" things. </div>
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Here, then, is something we ought to deeply ponder that will allow the Holy Spirit of God to teach us much more. It will move us forward and higher in our understanding if we will accept what it teaches, and believe. If this light, this law, this power, is indeed "in" all things throughout heaven and earth as the scripture says, then, is it "in" you? More importantly, if God is "in" the midst of "all things," is He "in" the midst of you? What exactly does that mean?</div>
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We are told, "the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;" (D&C 88:11) Now, we have a scriptural connection drawn between this very same light, and law, and power, and you. Not only is there an apparent connection between you and this light, this law, this power, but we are told that it is through "him" that this happens. It would seem to make perfect sense, since (He) is in the midst of all things. And, of course, <b><i>you</i></b> are part of that which is referred to as, "all things." </div>
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What effect does this have on you? Think for a moment about this: You have this light, this law, this power, all "in" you. Does it have any effect at all on you? You are, after all, an independent person with agency and the ability to choose all kinds of stuff on your own. You are <i>independent</i> aren't you? If "all things" are "governed" by the light, the law, and the power that is "in" you, are you governed by it also? If this light and power are the same which give the sun it's power and its light, then why are you not consumed by it if it is "in" you?</div>
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Later in this same revelation, The Lord reveals: "<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">The</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">light</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">comprehend</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">even God, being quickened in him and by him. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">Then shall ye know that ye have</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">seen</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">me, that I am, and that I am the true</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">light</a> <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound." (D&C 88: 49-50)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">There is much to know and learn about the light and the power of God which is in you. You must come to understand and know that God is not some far distant galactic being who must come millions of light years to be near you. His Son, who is the source (D&C 88: 5-7) of the light, the law, and the power for us said: </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">"...the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">kingdom</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">of God</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">is</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: -webkit-auto;">within</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">you." (Luke 17:21)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-auto;">If you learned what was intended by the series of blogs just completed called "The" Will of the Father, the series we have just begun with this entry, should build on that understanding and deepen your knowledge of your relationship with God. By the time we are finished, your understanding of God, and your relationship with Him should open up by the power of His Holy Spirit to allow you to understand why it ought to be the most natural and the most desired thing in your life to receive the Son of God in this world. These things will work the best for you and will change you the most if you will take the time to look at the referenced scriptures and prayerfully consider their deeper meanings. The Holy Ghost can make their true, deeper, more mysterious meanings known to you. (JSH 1:74)</span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-53128446736615150932013-08-29T10:25:00.000-06:002013-08-29T12:18:00.292-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">When The Lord Jesus speaks, His words are spirit and they are life. (John 6: 63) If we are wise, if we desire "life," we will hear what He says and believe. When He says something, we need not spurn at His words. There is an interesting word, "spurn." Webster's says "spurn" means:</span></span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" value="1"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to reject with disdain; scorn.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" value="2"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to treat with contempt; despis<wbr></wbr>e.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" value="3"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to kick or trample with the fo<wbr></wbr>ot.</span></li>
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We need not imagine in our hearts that His words that He has spoken are vain. (3Nephi 29: 3) Spurning at His words will simply result in it eventually overtaking you. (3Nephi 29: 4) There are woes pronounced on any that spurn at the words of The Lord. (3Nephi 29: 4-6)</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Lest we spurn at His words, what evidence do we have that these words of The Lord are not in fact vain?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which <u><b><i>seeth the Son</i></b>,</u> and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">believeth</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> on him, may have </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">everlasting</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> life: and I will raise him up </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">at</a> <span style="text-align: justify;">the last day." (John 6: 40)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">"No man can come unto me, except </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">he doeth the will of my</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Father </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">who</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> hath sent me. </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">And <b><u>this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; </u></b>for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me,</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> I will raise up </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">in the resurrection of the just." (JST John 6: 44)</em></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">Evidence and proof of actual fulfillment of the will of the Father in many individual mortal lives is abundant and can be found throughout the scriptural record. Foremost among the examples available to us in our day is the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph's record says:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"<span style="text-align: justify;">I saw a pillar of </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">light</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> exactly over my head, above the brightness of the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">sun</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, which descended gradually until it fell upon me...</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When the light rested upon me I</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">saw</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">two</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">Personages</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, whose brightness and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">glory</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">defy all description, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">standing</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—</span><i>This is My <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">Beloved</a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">Son</a>. Hear Him!" (</i>JSH 1: 16-17)</div>
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Years later, Joseph again received the Son and the specific more sure word of prophecy (D&C 131: 5-6) from the mouth of the Lord by which Joseph's calling and election was made sure. He was told, "<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">For I am the Lord thy God, and will be </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">with</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> thee even unto the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">end</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">seal</a> <span style="text-align: justify;">upon you your </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">exaltation</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father, with Abraham your </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">father</a><span style="text-align: justify;">." (D&C 132: 49)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Joseph knew exactly what was meant when he counseled on Sunday May 21, 1843 at the Nauvoo temple stand:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"It is one thing to receive knowledge by the voice of God, (this is my beloved Son &c.) & another to know that you yourself will be saved, to have <b><i>a positive promise of your own Salvation</i></b> is making your calling and election sure. Viz <b><i>the voice of Jesus saying my beloved thou shalt have eternal life</i></b>. Brethren never cease struggling until you get this evidence." (<i>Words of the Prophet Joseph Smith</i> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Ehat and Cook </span><span style="text-align: justify;">page 208)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Joseph could teach this marvelous doctrine with authority and from a position of knowledge because he had received it himself. We should always remember and never forget, Joseph assured us he had received nothing that was not available to every person. Even the least saint, he said, could receive exactly what he himself had received, as soon as they were prepared. (<i>The Words of Joseph Smith </i>Ehat and Cook page 4) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">The prevailing belief among Latter Day Saints that these things can only be had by those holding position and title in the church is a damning belief. That belief constitutes "spurning" at the words of the Lord. Thomas Monson, and Boyd Packer, and every other person, must come by these things in exactly the same way and according to the very same process and laws that you do. (D&C 130: 20) That process, those laws, are the very ones we have discussed in this series of blogs. There are no end runs around the decrees of God. Titles, positions, wealth, power among men, great learning with degrees, hold absolutely no water whatsoever where receiving the Son of God is concerned. These are the things that will pervade the minds and the beliefs of those who think a mere cry of Lord! Lord! coupled with a quick recitation of "many wonderful works" and a few miracles will save them in the Kingdom of God. (Matt. 7: 21-23)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">The Old Testament contains numerous accounts of those who fulfilled the will of the Father and received the Son. Our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (who coincidently are now exalted and sitting on thrones in heaven, (D&C 132: 37)) each stood in the presence of God during their mortal life. The respective accounts of each of their encounters with the Son are recorded as follows:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Abraham: (Genesis 22: 26-18)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Jacob: (Genesis 28: 10-22)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">From the New Testament record is the account of Saul of Tarsus who later was named Paul. The account of Saul is one from which we sinners should take great hope. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Saul, not unlike his counterparts </span></span><span style="text-align: justify;">from the Book of Mormon</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">, the sons of Mosiah and Alma the younger, went about trying to destroy the church of God. (Acts 22: 4-5 and Mosiah 27: 10) If those sons of Mosiah and Alma's son were, as the record says, "the vilest of sinners," (Mosiah 28: 4) then Saul of Tarsus must have been locked in a dead heat with them for the title. Saul himself confessed to The Lord, "</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Lord, they know that I </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">imprisoned</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">And when the blood of thy</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">martyr</a> <span style="text-align: justify;">Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">consenting</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">unto his death, and kept the</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">raiment</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">of them that slew him." (Acts 22: 19-20) Never the less, f</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">rom the record of Saul's mortal experience, we have these words spoken by righteous Ananias to Paul, from which we learn how Paul fulfilled the will of the Father and received the Son:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">will</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, and <b><i>see that Just One</i></b>, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth." (Acts 22: 14)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">No account in any of our scripture is more instructive for us regarding fulfillment of the will of the Father that we receive the Son, than the account found in the Book of Mormon describing how the brother of Jared received the Son of God. Besides the account of the prophet Joseph Smith, there is no greater detailed written account of a person receiving the Son than that of the brother of Jared.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Chapters 3, and 4 of the book of Ether should be read and reread by every disciple of Christ who desires to understand how we are to receive the Son. Although the entire account is precious and worth recounting, what we need to know for this discussion can be learned from one verse:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"And when he had said these words, behold, the Lord </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">showed</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> himself unto him, and said: </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">Because</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> thou knowest these things <b><i><u>ye are redeemed from the fall</u></i></b>; therefore ye are brought back into my </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">presence</a><span style="text-align: justify;">; therefore I </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">show</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> myself unto you." (Ether 3: 13)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">We need not spurn at the words of The Lord. He means what He says. If He says it is the will of the Father that you receive the Son, if He says it is the will of the Father that you "see" the Son, then that is exactly what He means.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">If Joseph Smith, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Saul, the brother of Jared and countless others have received the Son, heard His voice, and stood in His presence, then so can you. His words are spirit and they are life. (John 6: 63) None of His words contain more "life" for you than the words of His testimony (D&C 76: 51 and D&C 131: 5-6 and Rev. 19: 10) from His mouth to your ears that He has redeemed you from the Fall. This is life, this is in fact life eternal. (John 17: 3)</span></span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-59628538516935994162013-08-26T12:08:00.000-06:002013-08-26T12:15:56.016-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The last many entries to this blog have focused on the magnificent truth contained in the verse from the gospel of John that was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith which says:</div>
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"And this is the will of Him that sent me, that ye receive the Son..." (JST John 6:44)</div>
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A few verses prior to this verse also in the book of John appears this:</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which <b><i>seeth</i></b> the Son, and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">believeth</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> on him, may have </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">everlasting</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> life: and I will raise him up </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">at</a> <span style="text-align: justify;">the last day." (John 6: 40)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Here, instead of using the words "receive the Son," to describe the will of the Father, The Lord says it is the will of the Father that everyone which <b style="font-style: italic;">seeth </b>the Son...may have everlasting life..."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Later in his record John quotes The Lord Jesus saying:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">love</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> him, and we will come unto him, and make our </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">abode</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> with him." (John 14:23)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Joseph Smith clarified the meaning of The Lord's words from this verse when he recorded this, which now appears in the Doctrine and Covenants:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">John 14:23</a>—The <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">appearing</a> of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">appearance</a>; and the idea that the Father and the Son <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">dwell</a> in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false." (D&C 130:3)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Receiving" the Son, (JST John 6:44) "seeing" the Son, (John 6: 40) making your calling and election sure by the more sure word of prophecy, (2Peter 1: 10-11, 19 and D&C 131: 5-6) this is the will of the Father for each and every one of His children. And, He intends that these things happen to you during the period of your mortal probation. (D&C 132: 22-23, and D&C 88: 68, and D&C 76: 117-118) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Many in our day teach the carnally soothing doctrine that these things are not intended for this life and are only to be received <i>after</i> the day of this life is over. Belief in this precept of men allows for a much easier, much more entertaining, and comfortable cruise through the otherwise difficult days of sacrifice called mortality. Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration taught that "a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things will never have power sufficient to develop faith unto life and salvation." (Lectures on Faith Lecture 6: 7) An understanding of the awful magnitude of the meaning of sacrificing "all things" in this life in order that we may do the will of the Father and gain sufficient faith to receive the Son and His promised salvation, has been lost to lesser, false forms of godliness wherein there is no power to save. (JS History 1: 19) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are now taught instead, that salvation will come by simply, benignly, staying in the mainstream of the church and following men. If you do this, we are continually assured, there will be plenty of time <i>after</i> you die to receive the higher, more important things. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Working out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Phillipians 2:12) it is implied, need only include staying firmly in the mainstream of the church, subserviently, diligently, "following" men. (2Nephi 28: 5-9) The only "trembling" required in this approach, is the shaky trembling that occasions the fervent hand wringing hope that we may find favor with mortal leaders. The "fear" that results is the soul diminishing fear inflicted upon God's children when control, compulsion and dominion are exercised upon them by those who have a little authority "as they suppose." (D&C 121: 37-39) Thus, both fear and trembling under this false form of godliness are misunderstood and misdirected to places where there is no power of salvation whatsoever. As a result, nothing, especially not your own salvation, is "worked out" by this false form of fear and trembling. Never the less, as a result, we are falsely taught, "chances are, we will all be exalted."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are reminded that it is only "he that doeth the will of (the Father)" (Matt. 7:21) that will enter into the Kingdom of heaven. And, it is the will of the Father "that you receive the Son." (JST John 6: 44) And, receiving the Son is to be done in this world. (D&C 132: 22-23)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alma said it this way:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"For behold, this </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">life</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> is the time for men to </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">prepare</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> to meet God; yea, behold the day of </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">this</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> life is the day for men to perform their </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">labors</a><span style="text-align: justify;">." (Alma 34: 32)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">No matter what men and their precepts may teach you about how little can be done in this life, and salvation still be received, do not be deceived! The word of The Lord is clear. Receive Him. Do it in this life. Sacrifice all that you are and all that you have in order to gain the faith necessary unto life and salvation.</span></span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-68352918457527774092013-08-23T12:05:00.000-06:002013-08-23T12:05:55.701-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If one person on the earth has ever received the Son of God in this world (D&C 132: 22-23) in accordance with the will of the Father, (JST John 6: 44) then it must be possible that every person on the earth could do the same thing. God is no respecter of persons. (Acts 10: 34-35) In order to be just, what God does for one person, must be available in the same way for all persons. Joseph Smith said there was nothing he had received from God that was not available to every single person including the least saint as soon as they were prepared to receive it. Joseph Smith received the Son in this world. His calling and election was made sure by revelation and the more sure word of prophecy. (D&C 132: 49-50) If it is indeed "the will of the Father that you receive the Son," (JST John 6: 44) then the will of the Father was in reality accomplished in Joseph Smith's experience. We have a record of it. If the record of Joseph Smith receiving the Son in this world was all we had available to us, it would be enough to show that it is possible for every person, including you, (perhaps <b><i>especially</i></b> you,) to receive the Son and His promised redemption in like manner. </div>
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<span>The Book of Mormon is called "another" testament of Jesus Christ. We say it contains the "fullness of the gospel" of Jesus Christ. The phrase, "The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ," cannot mean everything there is to say or to know about the gospel of the Son of God. This is not the meaning of "the fullness" of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ, for every person's individual life, is meant to be a progression of events, ordinances, knowledge, and heavenly gifts, that are designed and intended to result in redemption from the Fall. (3Nephi 27: 13-16) Every person experiences a literal fall by coming to this mortal telestial existence. (Alma 41: 11) The fall separates us from God, and that separation would be permanent but for the atoning sacrifice of The Lord Jesus. The culminating result of all repentance, faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, keeping His commandments, receiving all of the ordinances, and all else we do in the name of the Son of God, is to effect the return of the individual to the presence of the Son, who has the authority, and the right, to offer you "redemption." Hence He is called, among His many titles and names, "The Redeemer." This is the purpose and meaning of the gospel, it is all about your "redemption." It is redemption from the Fall by the personal pronouncement of the Son of God to you. This is the express purpose for which we were told in the beginning, "</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">we will provide a Savior for (you)... that (you) may be brought forth by the power of the redemption and the resurrection, and come again into our presence, and with us partake of eternal life and exaltation." </span><span>This is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is at this point, (when you receive the Son in accordance with the will of the Father,) in your progression</span><span> that you experience a "fullness" of the gospel. It is called the "fullness of the gospel" because this culmination for you is the full purpose for which The Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself a sacrifice for your sins and transgressions. (2Nephi 2: 6-7) He did that for no other reason than that you might have the opportunity to be redeemed from the Fall and be brought back into His presence. This is the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. </span></div>
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The endowment ceremony in the temple is a depiction of your fall to a telestial world from heavenly beginnings where you enjoyed the presence of God. You are shown through the ceremony, your journey through a lost and fallen world. If you can see it, you are shown your progression through increasing knowledge, and light, and the progressive stages of the gospel of Jesus Christ until the gospel plan brings you to a point where the will of the Father (JST John 6: 44) is ceremonially depicted by you receiving the Son and conversing with Him through a ceremonial veil. All of this sacred ceremony is designed by God to show you what is intended for you in your actual life. It <i>really is</i> the will of the Father that you <i>really do</i> receive the Son, and not just in a ceremonial depiction that is intended to teach you about what needs to become reality in your mortal life. What you learn and repeat ceremonially, should teach you what you need to do in the very reality of your life. Every one of Gods' children is intended to come up to, and to enjoy the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ for himself/herself as she converses face to face with The Lord through the veil, not ceremonially, but in reality. Because it is the will of the Father that you receive the Son. (JST John 6: 44) </div>
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Be very sure you understand clearly; the ordinances and the ceremony itself do not have power to save you. If you believe you will be saved by the ceremony itself, you may find yourself claiming to the Lord in that day, that this is one of those "wonderful works" done in His name by which you were expecting to be saved in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 7: 21-23) When in fact, if you do not use what you are taught in the ordinances and ceremony to <i>actually</i> "do the will of the Father" in your mortal life and receive the Son, you may then be invited to depart because He never knew you. <span>(Matt. 7: 21)</span></div>
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The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it contains a collection of sacred accounts and records of many of those who have done the will of the Father and received the Son in this world. The precious and sacred Book of Mormon does indeed contain the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its narrative record and words show us how the fullness of the Gospel, which is the presence of the Son, and His offered redemption, was received by:</div>
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Lehi</div>
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Nephi</div>
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Jacob</div>
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Isaiah</div>
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Enos</div>
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Alma</div>
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Lamoni</div>
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Lamoni's wife</div>
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Benjamin</div>
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Lehi</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">About 2500 unnamed men, women, and children </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">The brother of Jared</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">...And others</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">If all you had was the record left by Joseph Smith that he has received the Son of God and that the Son has pronounced Joseph's redemption from the Fall, (D&C 132: 49-50) then you could be absolutely sure the same is possible for you. Be of good cheer! We have the matchless Book of Mormon which contains too numerous accounts to mention, like those listed above, of those, like Joseph, who have received the Son and His promised redemption from the Fall. The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is repeated throughout the precious record. The Book of Mormon is given to you in the latter day for the express purpose to show you how to do the will of the Father and receive the Son.</span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-80009571545299962462013-08-21T10:34:00.000-06:002013-08-21T10:34:51.483-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">"The more sure word of</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">prophecy</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">means a man’s <b><i>knowing</i></b> that he is</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">sealed</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">up unto</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">eternal</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It is impossible for a man to be</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="" style="color: #222222;">saved</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in </span><a href="" style="color: #222222;">ignorance</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">." (D&C 131: 5-6) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We must have a sure knowledge that we are sealed up to eternal life in order to be saved. Guessing about our eternal standing cannot ever save us. Simple hope, a firm belief, a strong conviction that our "many wonderful works" </span><span>(Matt. 7: 21-23)</span><span> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">will eventually lead to eternal life just is not enough. We may be very active in the church and strictly religious in our lives, we may know the Book of Mormon is true, we may have the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Christ, we may follow religious leaders devoutly, we may have done "many wonderful works" in the name of The Lord, (Matt. 7: 21-23) however, if we are ignorant of our own actual standing with respect to our eternal life, it will be <b><i>impossible</i></b> for us to be saved. It requires actual and real "knowledge." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The particular knowledge that is required is not general in its nature. It is specific and can only be received in one way. That is why not everyone that cries Lord! Lord! will enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7: 21) And, as we understand now, the will of the Father is that you "receive the Son." (JST John 6:44)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Joseph Smith said it this way: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"knowledge is revelation, hear all ye brethren this grand key; knowledge is the power of God unto salvation...There are two keys, one key knowledge. The other make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things you shall never fall for so <b><i>an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ</i></b>...We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto give heed until the day star arise in your hearts...it is one thing to receive knowledge by the voice of God, (this is my beloved Son &c.) & <b><i>another to know that you yourself will be saved</i></b>, to have a positive promise of your own salvation is making your calling and election sure. viz <b><i>the voice of Jesus </i></b>saying my beloved thou shalt have eternal life. Brethren never cease struggling until you get this evidence." (<i>Words of the Prophet Joseph Smith </i>Ehat and Cook page 204-208)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It is the will of the Father that you receive the Son (JST John 6: 44) because The Son has power to redeem you from your lost and fallen condition. As Joseph Smith said, quoting Peter,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> "so <b style="font-style: italic;">an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." </b>(2Peter 1: 11) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Lord has the right and the power by virtue of His great sacrifice, to save you. By the pronouncement of His own voice to you, He can promise you eternal life in His Kingdom. This more sure word of prophecy to you comes as the testimony <b><i>from</i></b> Jesus to you personally. Revelation and the spirit of prophecy are the only way you can receive this more sure word of prophecy. The "spirit of prophecy," according to John, <b><i>is</i></b> the testimony of Jesus. (Rev. 19: 10) When you hear the voice of Jesus, (just as Joseph Smith suggested you should,) say to you "</span><span>my beloved thou shalt have eternal life," you have then received the spirit of prophecy. In this way, all ignorance of your eternal standing is dispelled. You would then have knowledge, and the impossibility of you being saved in ignorance is eliminated. Your calling and election is then sure because He spoke the words to you that make it sure. Whatever He speaks is law and is absolutely sure. You will have then received the spirit of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus. (Rev. 19: 10)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
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<span>This is the more sure word of prophecy. It is the will of the Father that you receive the Son and the promise of eternal life only He can give to you.</span></div>
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<span>"Never cease struggling until you get this evidence." (Joseph Smith)</span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-36206676124911023972013-08-19T15:05:00.000-06:002013-08-20T16:20:59.172-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"The" will of the Father is that you receive the Son. <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> "<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And <b><u>this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; </u></b></em><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">" (JST John 6: 44)</em></span></div>
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(JST John 6:44) What then, exactly is meant by the phrase, "receive" the Son? According to the words of the Master, there will be many who will be under the mistaken impression that because they did "many wonderful works" in His name during their mortal life, they will be able to simply cry Lord! Lord! and thereby be saved in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 7: 21-23) Because The Lord personally pointed out there will be "many" that will be mistaken about what is required to actually be admitted into the Kingdom of heaven, we ought to be sure we know and not just suppose we think we know what is required of us. Otherwise, we may find ourselves among the "many" who have been deceived under the mistaken idea that a few miracles and "many wonderful works" done in His name will provide entry for us into the Kingdom of heaven. The criteria for entry is not as broad and as wide as "many wonderful works" done in His name during our mortal lives. The criteria is instead strait and narrow. It is as simple and strait as doing "the will of the Father" which is "<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">that ye receive the Son;</b> (JST JOHN 6: 44)</span></div>
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The Lord revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith:</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"For</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">strait</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">is the gate, and narrow the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">way</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">lives</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and few there be that find it, </span><b><i>because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me</i></b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But </span><b><i>if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me</i></b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and shall receive your exaltation; that</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">where</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I am ye shall be also. (D&C 132: 22-23)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Knowing" The Lord depends on you receiving Him in the world. Knowing Him <i>is</i> eternal life because "...</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">this is</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">life</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">eternal</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, that they might </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">know</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">thee the only true</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">God</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">sent</a><span style="text-align: justify;">." (John 17:3) Therefore, we can say, that doing the will of the Father, which is, that you receive the Son in this world, is the way in which you come to actually know Him, and the way in which you receive eternal life from Him. If you have received the Son in this world there will be no need for The Lord to profess to you in that day, "</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">I never </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">knew</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> you: </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">depart</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> from me, ye that work </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">iniquity</a>" (Matt. 7: 23) because He will "know" you and you will likewise "know" Him. You will then "<span style="text-align: justify;">see as (you) are seen, and </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">know</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> as (you) are known, having received of his fulness and of his </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">grace</a><span style="text-align: justify;">; (D&C 76: 94)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Joseph Smith was speaking about receiving the Son in this world when he recorded this in the Doctrine and Covenants about John 14: 23</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"The </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">appearing</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">appearance</a><span style="text-align: justify;">; and the idea that the Father and the Son </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">dwell</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false." (D&C 130: 3)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">On Sunday morning </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">May 21, 1843 Joseph Smith taught a sermon at the Nauvoo Temple stand. Joseph had taught this doctrine on several occasions around this date. On this Sunday morning, he continued to declare great and eternal truths regarding the manner in which we are to receive the Son of God in the world. Several people recorded their recollections of this particular sermon and preserved the truths Joseph put forth on that occasion. Howard and Martha Coray recorded the prophet as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">"We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto give heed until the day star arise in your hearts. It is one thing to receive knowledge by the voice of God, (this is my beloved Son &c.) & another to know that you yourself will be saved, to have <b><i>a positive promise of your own Salvation</i></b> is making your calling and election sure. Viz <b><i>the voice of Jesus saying my beloved thou shalt have eternal life</i></b>. Brethren never cease struggling until you get this evidence." (Words of the Prophet Joseph Smith </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Ehat and Cook </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">page 208)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">James Burgess recorded from the sermon:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">"There are three grand keys to unlock the whole subject. First what is the knowledge of God, second what is it to make our calling and election sure. Third and last is how to make our calling and election sure. Ans, it is to obtain a promise <b><i>from God for myself</i></b> that I shall have eternal life. That is the more sure word of prophecy. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(Words of the Prophet Joseph Smith Ehat and Cook page 209)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Joseph Smith's own Diary entry from the sermon on May 21, 1843 kept by Willard Richards records:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">"After all this make your calling and election sure. If this injunction would lay largely on those to whom it was spoken. How much more then to them of the 19. Century.-</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">1 Key knowledge is the power of Salvation</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">3. It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice &c &c. and another to <b><i>hear the voice declare to you you have a part & lot in the kingdom</i></b>.- </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(Words of the Prophet Joseph Smith </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Ehat and Cook </span><span style="text-align: justify;">page 205-206)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It is the will of the Father that we receive the Son in this world because by so doing our calling and election, which is the promise of eternal life and a place in the kingdom of heaven, is made sure by the personal declaration of the only Being who possesses the right and power to bestow such blessings upon an individual. He is the Holy One of Israel and He employs no servant in these matters. (2Nephi 9: 41) This is the more sure word of prophecy. (D&C 131: 5)</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">We must receive the Son in this world in order to do the will of the Father and gain entry into the Kingdom of heaven. For "not everyone that saith unto me Lord Lord will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 7: 21) </span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-25308364070032113202013-08-16T10:44:00.001-06:002013-08-20T16:12:04.932-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">"No man can come unto me, except </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">he doeth the will of my</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Father </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">who</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> hath sent me. </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">And <b><u>this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; </u></b>for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me,</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> I will raise up </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">in the resurrection of the just." (JST John 6: 44)</em></span></div>
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The will of the Father is that you "receive" the Son. Until you do the will of the Father, which is that you "receive" the Son, you may not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 7: 21-23) Understanding clearly what it means to "receive" the Son, then becomes the hinge point of our striving for redemption from the fall and entry into the Kingdom of heaven. We must know in what manner the Son is to be "received." And we must learn how, or by what process in our mortal lives, we are to "receive" Him.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">A part of the process of "receiving" the Son is described in the verse from John which is cited above. </span>This verse was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith and can be found in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible (JST).<span class="Apple-style-span"> We ought to take notice in the verse cited, there are a couple of different things mentioned. The first is the phrase "<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">for the Father beareth record of him;" </em><span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The record that is born to us by the Father of the Son, is the testimony we are to receive from the Father. This is one witness in a series of witnesses called "the doctrine of Christ." When Christ visited the Nephite people at Bountiful He declared to them: (3Nephi 11: 32)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"And this is my </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">doctrine</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">record</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">Holy</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">So, the Father will bear record to us of the Son. However, that testimony to us from the Father, of the Son, must be followed by something more. That is why the next phrase in the verse from John above suggests we must not only receive the testimony that comes from the witness of the record born by the Father, we must then continue and also do the "will of the Father" which has already been defined as "receiving" the Son, "</span></span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and he who receiveth the testimony, <b><u>AND</u></b> doeth the will of him who sent me,</em> I will raise up..." <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">In other words, the testimony we receive in our hearts and our minds of the divinity of The Lord Jesus Christ from the Father is necessary and wonderful, it does not however constitute "receiving" the Son. Joseph Smith explained it this way:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-indent: 48px;">"Jesus was the Son of God yet he says we have a more sure word of Prophecy where unto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place. Now wherein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to hear the voice of God saying this is my Beloved Son &C Now for </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">the Secret & grand Key <b><i><u>though they might hear the voice of God & know that</u></i></b></span><b><i><u><span style="text-indent: 48px;"> Jesus was the Son of God this would be no evidence that their election & Calling </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">& election</span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"> was made </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">shure</span></u></i></b><span style="text-indent: 48px;"><b><i><u> that they had part with Christ & was a Joint heir with him</u></i></b>, they then would want that more sure word of Prophecy that they were sealed in the heavens & had the promise of eternal live in the Kingdom of God then having this promise sealed unto them it was as an anchor to the Soul Sure & Steadfast though the thunders might roll & </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">lightnings</span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"> flash & earthquakes Bellow & war gather thick around yet this hope & knowledge would support the soul in </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">evry</span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"> hour of trail trouble & tribulation<b><i><u>Then Knowledge through our Lord & savior Jesus Christ is the grand Key that unlocks the glories &</u></i></b></span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"><b><i><u>misteries</u></i></b></span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"><b><i><u> of the Kingdom of heaven</u></i></b>… (May 14, 1843 Wilford Woodruff Journal)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-indent: 48px;">The record of heaven to your heart and mind that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the Living God according to Joseph Smith is "</span></span><i><span style="text-indent: 48px;">no evidence that (your) election & Calling </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">& election</span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"> was made </span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">shure</span></i><span style="text-indent: 48px;"><i> that (you) had part with Christ & was a Joint heir with him." </i>The evidence that one is a joint heir in the Kingdom of heaven comes not by the testimony born to our hearts and minds by the record of heaven; as John said, "</span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">he who receiveth the testimony, <b><u>AND</u></b> doeth the will of him who sent me,</em> I will raise up..." (JST John 6: 44) It is in doing the will of the Father, which is to "receive" the Son, where assurance of heirship in the Kingdom of heaven is given to a person. Because, as Joseph aptly assures us:</div>
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<i><span style="text-indent: 48px;">"Then Knowledge through our Lord & savior Jesus Christ is the grand Key that unlocks the glories &</span><span style="text-indent: 48px;">misteries</span><span style="text-indent: 48px;"> of the Kingdom of heaven"</span></i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 48px;">That knowledge only comes through and from The Lord Jesus Christ when we "receive" Him in this world. (D&C 132: 22-23)</span></div>
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In the next post we will continue to explore the meaning and truth about "The will of he Father" which is that you "receive" the Son.</div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-91679420189468887852013-08-15T12:10:00.000-06:002013-08-20T15:58:55.727-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">"Not every one that </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">saith</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> unto me,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">Lord</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">doeth</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">will</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> of my Father which is in </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">heaven</a><span style="text-align: justify;">." (Matt. 7: 21)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">Doing "the will of the Father," according to The Lord, is the only way anyone will ever enter into the Kingdom of heaven. As pointed out in the last post, even a life filled with "many wonderful works" (Matt. 7: 22) done in the name of The Lord will not assure anyone entry into the Kingdom of heaven. Unfortunately, many who have had a life filled with "many wonderful works" done in the name of The Lord will be told by The Lord, "</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: justify;">I never</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">knew</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">you:</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222; text-align: justify;">depart</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">from me..." (Matt. 7: 23) </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">We must ponder then, how it is possible to have a life full of "many wonderful works" done in the name of The Lord only to have The Lord make the pronouncement in the end, "I never knew you."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">It is evident from the words of The Lord in these verses from Matthew that there is going to be a lot of people in that day who will find it very surprising that the conduct and course of their mortal lives did not result in entry into the Kingdom of heaven. The evidence of utter surprise that they will not be quickly ushered into the Kingdom of heaven, is the argument "many" people will futilely advance at the feet of the Master that they have done many "wonderful works" in His name. In their minds, they had earned a spot in the kingdom because of "many wonderful works" done in His name. There is a critically important lesson and truth to be learned from the fact there will be "many" experiencing devastating surprise on that day. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">I believe The Lord included this sad story of surprise and rejection in the record specifically to point out to us that we ought not think that every religious thing we do in our mortal lives will save us, even if we piously do "many wonderful works" in His name. Although The Lord specifically points out the claim of prophecy-ing and casting out devils in the life experiences of many in that day, He then broadens the list of claims to include "many wonderful works" done in His name. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">What are the religious "wonderful works" in our lives, done in His name, that we are sure will lead to our own invitation into the Kingdom of Heaven?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">If asked, most LDS folk will tell you entering into the Kingdom of heaven depends on some variation of stuff like:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must be baptized</li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must be a member of the Church</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must attend church meetings and be "active" in the church</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must partake of the sacrament each week in a repentant manner</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must be faithful in completing every church assignment and never turn down any request for church service</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must "magnify" your callings</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>Your home teaching/visiting teaching must be faithfully completed</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must be endowed in the temple and receive all of the ordinances</li>
</ul>
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must research and compile names of deceased ancestors and complete temple ordinances for them</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must attend the temple frequently</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must be married "for time and all eternity" in the temple</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must faithfully listen to and do the counsel and direction of the living prophet and the brethren</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must live a "good life" and be charitable to others - do unto others... and so forth</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<ul style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<li>You must "endure to the end"</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">This list is not comprehensive for all people, but generally, most members of the church probably believe some combination of these things will result in entry for them into the celestial kingdom. Do these things and you WILL enter into the Kingdom of heaven. When asked about doing the "will of the Father," many would say this list or some close variation of the list constitutes "the will of the Father."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Are the "wonderful works" listed above generally good? Well, yes - generally. (However, some are subject to strong critical debate, and some are not "good" at all)</span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Are some of the things listed above absolutely required components and necessary to enter into the Kingdom of heaven? Yes.</span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Are some of the things listed above absolutely <b><u>NOT</u></b> required for entry into the Kingdom of heaven? Yes, absolutely.</span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Do any or all of the items together listed above constitute "the will of the Father" as that phrase is used by the Master in the verses from Matthew? No. At least not completely or directly. Some of the items on the list are related </span><span style="text-align: justify;">to the "will of the Father,"</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"> but only in an ancillary or "leading to" kind of way. Other items on the list are not related in any way to "the will of the Father." This is where understanding what the "will of the Father" "is," becomes critically important. All "wonderful works" done in the name of The Lord do not strictly constitute "the" will of the Father. Otherwise, if you had sufficient faith in the Lord to prophesy in His name, or cast out Devils in His name, or do many other "wonderful works" in His name such as those that appear on the list above, you could simply claim to have done "many wonderful works" throughout your life and be saved in the Kingdom of heaven without rejection at the last day. There is no implicit power to save anything or anyone in "wonderful works" done by men in the name of The Lord. This is why you may do many "wonderful works" in the name of The Lord and then be told by Him in the end, "Depart from me - I never knew you." (Matt. 7: 23)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">To repeat:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Are some of the items listed above good things? Yes.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Are some of the items listed above necessary and required of us? Yes.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Are some of the items listed above NOT necessary or required of us? Yes.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Do any or some of the items listed above constitute "the" will of the Father? No.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Does the Father desire that we go about our lives doing good and "wonderful works?" Yes.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Will going about our lives doing good and "wonderful works" lead to entry into the Kingdom of heaven? No, unless we also do "the" will of the Father.</div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration clarified specifically "the" will of the Father in his translation of one verse in the New Testament. (JST John 6: 44) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">"No man can come unto me, except </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">he doeth the will of my</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Father </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">who</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> hath sent me. </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">And <b><u>this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; </u></b>for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me,</em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> I will raise up </span><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;">in the resurrection of the just."</em></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></em></span></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
"The" will of the Father is simply that "ye receive the Son." In this, is entry into the Kingdom of heaven granted. And it is granted not because, or by, many "wonderful works." Instead, entry into the Kingdom of heaven is received as the Son of God is "received" by an individual. This is "the" will of the Father.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
What does it mean to "receive" the Son?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify;">
"Not every one that <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">saith</a> unto me, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8070198600121594260" style="color: #222222;">Lord</a>, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;" (Matt. 7: 21)</div>
</div>
steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-63452714232595022582013-08-08T23:05:00.005-06:002013-09-30T10:28:39.559-06:00"The" Will of the Father Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">When The Lord Jesus appeared to the
Nephites gathered at Bountiful He declared to them who He was and what He had
done. He said "I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the
Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me
the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the
Father in all things from the beginning." (3Nephi 11: 11) Jesus claimed
that by "suffering" the will of the Father in all things from the
beginning He had "glorified the Father in taking upon (Him)
the sins of the world." All that Jesus did in the course of fulfilling His
role and responsibilities as the Son of God and the Redeemer of mankind was
given to Him by the Father. It was always, in every instance, the will of the
Father that guided the conduct of the Son. Jesus did not come to His mortal
existence to exercise His own agency in life's situations according to His own
will and desires. His will, in every instance, was subjected and subordinated
to the will of the Father. He said, "For I came down from
heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me." (John 6: 38)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Doing the will of the Father is what
qualified Jesus to be the Redeemer of the world. He found favor with the Father
because He was willing to put away His own wishes and desires. There was
nothing in the life and conduct of Jesus that was ever self serving or selfish.
The same Master that asks us to "lose our life" in order that we may
"find it," (Matt. 10: 39) lost His own life first. The "losing"
of His own life happened long before cruel Roman spikes were driven through His
flesh and his mortal body became subject to death on the cross. His life was
literally given away each and every day of His existence. He forfeited His life
and His will in order that the will of the Father instead could be done. To us,
after the demonstration of His own perfect example He taught:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">He that loveth his life shall lose
it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life
eternal. (John 12: 25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">We too, like Him, are expected to
lose our own will and our own life in favor of the will of the Father. In another
setting the Lord taught:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">“Not every one
that saith unto me,Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is
in heaven.” (Matt. 7: 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial;">Doing the will of the Father is the only mechanism by which a person will ever enter into the kingdom of heaven. Just as the Son did the will of the Father, we too must do the will of the Father in like manner.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">We go through our mortal days tending
each day to our mortal wishes and desires. All the while we may adopt "forms of
godliness" that salve our conscience about our relationship with God and
eternity. There may however be no power whatsoever (JS-H 1:19 and 2Timothy 3: 1-7) in those "forms of godliness" we adopt that could ever lead to our redemption and eternal life.
The Lord continued:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">“Many will say to me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in
thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
(Matt. 7: 22-23)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Simply crying "Lord, Lord"
while reciting all of our wonderful mortal works done in His name (Matt. 7: 21-23)
will never have power to save any person. The forms of godliness adopted by men
may give them power to prophesy in the name of The Lord, to cast out devils in
the name of The Lord, and to do many other wonderful works, all ostensibly done
in the name of The Lord. And though there may be power given to men to do many
wonderful works in His name, (it does indeed appear from the words of The
Lord there is such power given to men) (Matt. 7: 21-23) the power to be
redeemed by the Lord consists in something different and more than the forms of
godliness adopted by men in the name of religion including wonderful works done in His name. In other words, the forms of
godliness men adopt, provide no evidence of men's redemption in the kingdom of
heaven even though they may experience many wonderful manifestations of prophecy,
casting out devils, and many other "wonderful works" in their mortal
lives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Any wonderful work done in the name
of the Lord such as prophecy, casting out devils, healing the sick, being
healed, and a host of other "wonderful works" though intrinsically
good, may, if received correctly, lead to increased faith, however, they do not
of themselves have power to save. Nor are “many wonderful works” being present
in a person’s life necessarily evidence of a person’s being saved in the
kingdom of heaven. That is why The Lord will declare to many who have done many
wonderful works in His name, "I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity." (Matt. 7: 23) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The name of the Lord is the name by
which men are to be redeemed. (D&C 18: 23-25) The use of that name for any
other purpose, although it may result in many wonderful works that can increase
the faith of men, will not, in fact cannot provide a way into the kingdom of
heaven for anyone. There is only one being in all of existence that has the right
and the power to use that redeeming name and all the power it possesses to
allow a person to enter into the kingdom of heaven. The one and only being who
possesses the right and the ability to use the power of the name of Jesus
Christ to declare redemption for any person is the holy one of Israel Himself.
(2Nephi 9: 41) Unless, and until the Holy One of Israel makes a
declaration of redemption for any person in His own name, that person does not
possess the right to enter into the kingdom of heaven regardless of what
earthly ordinances, or other wonderful works that individual may have received or performed
while in mortality. That is why The Lord will declare to many who cry unto Him
Lord! Lord! - "I never knew you: depart from me..." (Matt. 7: 23) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">The test of having done the will of
the Father or not in ones mortal life will not be satisfied by a list and
recitation of many wonderful works done in the name of the Son. Instead, one
will know the result of the test of having done the will of the Father or not
by the declaration of the Lord as to whether He “knew you” or not. (Matt. 7:
23) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A religion that stops at
wonderful works and many wonderful things done in the name of The Lord stops
short of allowing its practitioners from entering into the kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Among the forms of godliness that
lack power to save souls, may be included an altered, reduced, and dwindled restored
gospel with ordinances and practices that were originally designed to lead
God's children back to His presence in a true manner that would teach them how
to do the will of the Father and thereby be saved in the kingdom of heaven.
Many “saints” have begun to believe the ordinances, rites, and practices of the
restored gospel themselves have power to save in the kingdom of heaven. A
dutiful life of church attendance, temple attendance, missions served, together
with all the trappings and outward appearances of "many wonderful
works" in an active LDS lifestyle will undoubtedly lead many to declare
"Lord, Lord" in that day. The practice of this particular form of godliness claims
one need only stay squarely in the mainstream of the church, following the
brethren diligently throughout your life and eventually, in the end, you will
be exalted in the kingdom of heaven. Truth declares, one cannot ever be
entrenched enough in the mainstream of the church and one cannot ever be loyal
enough to the leaders of an earthly institution to be assured salvation in the
kingdom of heaven simply because there is absolutely no power to save in either
of those "forms" of godliness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
philosophy of men is mingled with just enough scripture to lead to the
effective destruction of many of God’s latter day children. No people were more
devoted to outward religious practices, rites, rituals, and misplaced
devotion to their leaders than were the Jews of Jesus’ mortal day. Jesus
scorned them for their piety and condemned the belief that the kingdom of
heaven could be attained by or through any such pious "wonderful works." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">It will only be those, according to
the words of the Lord, that "do the will of the Father," that will
ultimately enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 7: 21) So we come full
circle to the principle of "doing the will of the Father." Some may
think, according to their particular accepted form of godliness, that
"doing the will of the Father" is tantamount to all of the "many
wonderful works" that they will vainly cite at the feet of the Savior as
they cry Lord! Lord! In fact, the will of the Father is something very
specific. Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration, along with The Lord
Jesus, taught the very specific nature of "the will of the Father" and the need
for every person to do "it" in order to receive redemption from the
Fall. Doing the will of the Father is the one and only way to enter into the kingdom
of heaven. What then is "the will of the Father?" Can you answer that
question? It is only one specific thing - not many. The Lord Jesus provides a
clue about those who have done the will of the Father versus those who have not
done the will of the Father by His declaration to those that are commanded to
depart from Him. He professes to them, - “I never knew you.” (Matt. 7: 23)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Doing the will of the Father is the
key to opening the door to the kingdom of heaven for every person. Therefore
knowing what the will of the Father “is” becomes critically important. In the
next post we will explore the meaning of the will of the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-4933488513739886022012-07-29T14:34:00.000-06:002012-07-29T15:35:05.301-06:00Gnats and Camels - The Sacrament<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The Lord Jesus told the Pharisees of his day they
were "blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."
(Matt. 23: 24) The name of their office or position, "Pharisee," is
the root of the derivative word "pharisaical." The adjective
"pharisaical" has come to describe a person, or people, who are
outwardly very particular and precise about conspicuous public religious
performances and conduct without regard to the spirit. They advocate strict
observance of external forms, rules, and ceremonies of religion or conduct
without regard to the deeper meanings and requirements that might bring one
closer to God. To be "pharisaical" is to be self-righteous,
hypocritical. Our righteousness, according to the Lord, needs to exceed that of
the Pharisees. If not, we "shall in no case enter into the kingdom of
heaven." (Matt. 5: 20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The phrase "straining at gnats," conjures
up images of someone holding their throat while choking on a little bug called
a gnat. (Has this ever happened to you?) “Straining at gnats” was a phrase used
by the Lord to teach that we can focus, or place unrighteous emphasis or
importance on the wrong things. Sometimes, we focus on certain right and good
things to an excess that is wrong. Alternatively, we sometimes place emphasis
and importance on certain things that just aren’t important or right. Often
this “straining” is done at the expense of "weightier" principles,
(camels,) that are overlooked or passed over and swallowed easily by us, as we
are busy “straining at gnats.” Though a principle or practice may appear
in the law, if given too much emphasis or attention, we may "strain
ourselves" on that "gnat." Some things are small things. Other
things, (camels,) are “weighty” and of great import. These should be attended to instead of spending wasted time
and effort "straining at gnats."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The Pharisees had a skewed sense of what is
important. They "omitted the weightier matters of the
law, judgment, mercy, and faith," (Matt. 23: 23) while
observances and performances of minute details of the law took on a paramount
but fake importance. The deeper meanings and wonderful symbolism built into the
law that might have pointed them to Christ and His redeeming power if they were
understood, simply did not rise to a level to be noticed by the Pharisees.
Their religion, what they thought pleased God, was memorized, rote, repetition
of practices set out in the law. If the prescribed performances were done with
precision, especially if that precision and exactness of performance could be
demonstrated in the public eye, so much the better; in this, the Pharisee's
job, they thought, was complete. The observance itself and the public notice of
the performance was the important thing. Jesus pointed out, "all their
works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad
their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their
garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief
seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of
men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (Matt. 23: 5-7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Nothing was done by the Pharisee but to make him
appear publicly as the strict observer of the law. The public perception of the
Pharisee as strictly observant and religious was the objective of every
performance. Jesus observed they "outwardly appear righteous unto
men, but within (they) are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."
(Matt. 23: 28)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Like the Pharisees, our religious observances have
us regularly "straining at gnats" while huge camels are regularly
swallowed whole by us in one great gulp. In many respects, the lessons of the
Pharisee, and the perils of pharisaical conduct, have been missed by us. We,
like them, too often believe our outward performances of a few rules and
traditions will lead to celestial reward. We tend to believe our weekly
attendance at church, partaking of the sacrament, the performances we do
regularly, in a rote manner, are the things that will save us. Likely, our rote
performances will do us no more good than the Pharisee’s did them. Unless we
find the deeper meanings in the things we do, unless we are literally led to
Christ by what we do, we, like the Pharisees "will in no case enter into
the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5: 20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Our observance of the sacrament of the Lord's
Supper is done with a great deal of attention paid to some details that are
perhaps important. If a priest administering the sacrament stumbles on his
words while blessing the bread or water, we all expect the prayer will be
re-attempted until repeated correctly. I have been in attendance when the
sacrament prayer needed to be repeated up to five times before it was delivered
correctly. We are very sure this is done right every time. And it should be.
This is a good thing. However, while straining at this "gnat," we
simultaneously swallow a couple of camels that most of us never consider or
think about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Our family recently discussed and studied the
ordinance of the sacrament. We discovered, or were reminded, of some
"camels" that we swallow each week as we participate in that sacred
ordinance. I constructed an email to my children concerning some of the things
we had learned. I include the contents of the email here since I think it
points out some of the "camels" we have become accustomed to
"swallowing."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Here's the email:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The real question concerning the emblems of the sacrament
arises when we consider the sacrament the Lord administered himself to the
Nephites. We are told,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And it came to pass that Jesus commanded
his Disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto
him." (3Nephi 18: 1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">We have to assume there was plenty of water
available; if water were the preferred emblem, the Master would have asked for
that instead of wine. He specifically sent people to get wine for the purpose
of administering the sacrament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">After blessing and administering bread to the
people, the record shows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">8 And it came to pass that when he said these
words, he commanded his Disciples that they should take of
the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give
unto the multitude that they might drink of it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">9 And it came to pass that they did so, and did
drink of it and were filled; and they gave unto the multitude, and they did
drink, and they were filled. (3Nephi 18: 8-9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">After administering the bread and wine the Lord
pointed out the importance and strictness of what the people had just done. He
characterized it as a "commandment." He said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have
done, for this is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fulfilling my commandments</i></b>, and this doth witness unto the
Father that ye are willing to do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that which I have commanded</i></b>
you." (3Nephi 18: 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">His commandment, for which they (we) are blessed,
is that they (we) should partake of bread and wine as a witness and testimony
to the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">After teaching the multitude the importance of what
they had just done in partaking of the sacrament of bread and wine, the master
issued this commandment to the people and to us by way of their record:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall
do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye
are built upon my rock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">13 <b><i>But whoso among you shall
do more or less than these</i></b> are not built upon my rock, but
are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods
come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and
the gates of hell are ready open to receive them. (3Nephi 18:
12-13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Sounds like pretty serious business to do
"more or less" than what we were specifically taught by the Master.
The same law and commandment is still effective. It never changed. Men changed
it. We "swallow" it. (This is a camel of the kind the Lord was
referring to.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith said the same thing the Lord said
about changing ordinances and doing "more or less" than the lord gave
us. Joseph said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Ordinances instituted in the heavens before
the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are <b>not
to be altered or changed.</b> All must be saved on the same principles."
(HC 5:423-424)</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The church used wine for the sacrament for decades
before and after Joseph Smith died. Brigham Young established vineyards and
wineries in St. George that were for the specific purpose of producing wine for
the sacrament for the church. The wine was produced in huge 500-gallon casks
through the fermentation process, and then was divided into 40-gallon kegs that
were delivered for consumption in the sacrament around the church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">On the day Joseph and Hyrum were killed, Joseph
sent Stephen Markham to purchase wine to bring back to the jail for their
use. Stephen Markham delivered the wine to the jail but was not allowed to
re-enter the jail himself. This likely saved his life. On his dying day, Joseph
desired to use wine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Section 27 of the D&C informs us:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">2 ...it mattereth not what ye
shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if
it so be that ye do it with an eye single to
my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid
down for you, and my blood which was shed for
the remission of your sins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">3 Wherefore, a commandment I give unto you, that
you shall not purchase wine neither strong drink of your enemies;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph was about to purchase wine from those that
were his enemies. The Lord told Joseph it would be better to use something else
for this particular occasion, (orange juice, milk, water, whatever, water is
not specifically mentioned as being the preferred replacement for wine) rather
than buy wine from those that would like to kill him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The Lord then instructed Joseph that they should
make the wine they should use so it would be safe for them. The lord never said
or commanded that wine should not be used for the sacrament. Nor did he command
or suggest water should be the preferred replacement for wine. To the contrary,
the Lord implied wine should be used. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Wherefore, you shall partake of none except
it is made new among you; yea, in this my Father’s kingdom which
shall be built up on the earth." (D&C 27: 4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The Lord then suggested the day is coming when He
will return and partake again of wine Himself in a sacred ordinance. (D&C
27: 5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The "word of wisdom" implies that wine is
to be used for the sacrament:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">5 That inasmuch as any
man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not
good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, <b><i>only in assembling
yourselves together to offer up your sacraments </i></b>before him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine
of the grape of the vine, of your own make. (D&C 89: 5-6)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Both places the sacrament prayer appears in scripture, Moroni 5, and D&C 20: 79 the indicated emblem of the blood is "wine."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Why don't we do this as instructed by the Lord?
Joseph Smith was the one who received these revelations. I assume he knew what
the Lord meant. He used wine for the sacrament until the day he died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Later, after decades of keeping the commandment of
the Lord in using wine for the sacrament, leaders of the church decided to
change the ordinance (primarily because Heber J. Grant was a tea totaler and
decided everyone else should be also.) His radical view of the "word of
wisdom" resulted in him changing and altering the sacred ordinance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Heber J. Grant was a man who by his own admission
never had the heavens opened to him. According to his own words, he never saw
or received an angel. According to him, he never saw or received God the Father
or His Son. Yet, because he lived long enough to become the senior
"apostle," and because he had a personal bent for tea totaling, he
felt it was his right because of "keys" he held, to impose his view
on the entire church. And despite the Lord's warning, during his (Heber J.
Grant’s) watch, the church began to do "more or less" than what the
Lord commanded for the sacred sacrament.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">As a side note, perhaps the "word of wisdom" that was first given "not by way of commandment or constraint" (D&C 89: 2) but was subsequently declared a "commandment" by Heber J. Grant has itself become a "gnat" that we as a people "strain" at? Tremendous importance is placed on this polite suggestion the Lord first gave as a word of "wisdom." </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The "camels" we swallow as we strain at
the gnats surrounding the sacrament are weighty, not to be taken lightly. We
swallow at least two camels every time we partake of the sacrament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Camel #1. "…they have
all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers
of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they
do err because they are taught by the precepts of men." (2Nephi
28: 14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Camel #2. <i>"Ordinances instituted
in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the
salvation of men, are <b>not to be altered or changed.</b> All must
be saved on the same principles." (HC 5:423-424)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">We partake of the sacrament as prescribed by the
church. We are members of the church and we ought to abide by the rules and
laws laid down by those who preside over the church. However, we ought to
recognize and understand the "weightier" meanings of the sacred
ordinances. It should be clear to us where we are with respect to these things,
and why we are where we are. We ought to desire, and pray for righteousness
wherever we recognize error.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">If the only legitimate excuse for our conduct is, "because the
brethren said so," and it seems to contradict the word of the Lord, then
we can be sure things will be set right at some point in time. We ought to be
sure in the knowledge that no man, regardless of title or position, has the
right or power to ever contradict the word of the Lord. The church belongs to
Him. Our faith is in Him. We follow and love Him. </span></div>
</div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-15139982761863611672012-07-25T05:11:00.000-06:002012-07-25T05:11:46.888-06:00The Beggars Petition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Whenever three of God's servants declare the same
principle, using nearly identical words in scripture, we should pay extremely
close attention. Nephi, Paul, and Moroni, all said the absence of charity
reduces a person to "nothing." (2Nephi 26: 30, 1Cor. 13: 2, Moroni 7:
46)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is good from time to time, (certainly much more
often than we actually do,) to be reminded that no matter what great doctrines
we learn or know, what level of knowledge we attain to, what hours of study and
temple attendance we log; Regardless what miracles we may be involved in, what
gifts of the spirit are bestowed on us, no matter what position, office, or
title we hold, if we have not acquired the attribute of charity, all else,
EVERYTHING else, is for naught. (1Cor. 13: 1-3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My daughter and her fiancé were recently at the
church office-building complex in downtown Salt Lake City. While there,
they watched as several security people detained, and turned over to police, a
homeless man who had been found on the premise. There happened to be another
homeless man standing nearby. My daughter made an offering to the man named
Joel and struck a conversation with him. He said, "Did you see what just
happened there?" referring to the arrest of the first homeless man. My
daughter acknowledged they had witnessed the arrest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The homeless man told a story of his own
experience. He said he was in the church office-building lobby one day waiting
for a man who worked in the building. The man, who worked there, had offered to
buy the homeless fellow some lunch but needed to go to his office upstairs for
his wallet. While waiting for his friend to go upstairs and retrieve his
wallet, the homeless man was approached by security people. He tried to explain
he was waiting for his friend to go to lunch. Against his protests he was
summarily escorted out and away from the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The man was embarrassed and infuriated by the
treatment he received. He told my daughter he could never be a part of, or have
anything to do with, a "religious" organization that was so heartless and rude to a person
in need. Meanwhile, a good man inside the tower, the man's friend, would have
fed the poor man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As I listened to my daughter relate these events I
was compelled to ask, who among all these was neighbor to the man? (Luke 10:
36)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Does an institution, particularly one claiming to
be the Lord's have the same requirement to have and administer charity? Can an
institution be rendered "nothing" by a lack of Charity?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We live in a mean and merciless day. The accepted
and prevailing attitude toward the less fortunate is, "the man has brought
upon himself his misery," I have no obligation toward him, "his
punishments are just." (Mosiah 4: 17) Paul saw in our day a people who
would be lovers of their own selves, unthankful, without natural affection,
fierce, high minded, despisers of those that are good. (2Timothy 3: 1-5) We
live in a place and time when it is viewed as weak and gullible to think with
mercy of others and their needs before our own. We do not believe that a
merciless existence on our part will result in judgment from our God without
mercy for us. (James 2: 13) It would horrify us if we actually believed and
understood this truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Those that give alms to homeless persons outside
the temple or on the church office complex are often despised for their acts of
charity. They are viewed as foolish and naive. We are taught instead to give to
humanitarian funds or other donated funds managed institutionally by others.
Thereby, it is supposed, the poor among us will be discouraged from bothering
us as we enter the house of the Lord full of intentions to beg for the Lord's
mercy and blessing upon us poor creatures. (Mosiah 4: 19-20) We “adorn
ourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the
needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by us, and notice
them not.” (Mormon 8: 39) Those are Moroni's words in scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This modern lyric by Phil Collins says the
same thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She calls out to the man on the street</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Sir can you help me?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep.</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Is there somewhere you can tell me?"</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He walks on doesn't look back</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He pretends he can't hear her</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Starts to whistle as he crosses the street</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Seems embarrassed to be there</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She calls out to the man on the street</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He can see she's been crying</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">She's got blisters on the souls of her feet</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Can't walk but she's trying</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Oh Lord, is there nothing more anyone can do?</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Oh Lord, there must be something you can say. </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Phil Collins "Another Day in Paradise"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The poor, even the unthankful, (Luke 6:
35-36) or those that may take advantage of us in our giving, are to be
served whenever they put up their petition to us. (Luke 6: 30) We should learn
that in being charitable to those that put up their petition to us, it is us we
are blessing, not them. (1Peter 4: 8) Since this is the case, it should matter
little to us what the beggar does with what we give them. It simply doesn't
matter what they do after the alm is given. That is not any of our concern
either before or after the gift is given.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">On a trip to California recently, our family
encountered an enterprising beggar. He set himself up at a stop light in the
median of a major roadway. As we approached the traffic light the beggar
held up a sign that made us all laugh. His sign said, "Not going to lie -
Just need to buy beer." Because he had put up his petition, he was given a
small token. It was not much, certainly not enough to buy a lot of beer if
that was the man's intention. But, perhaps he could have
purchased a few beers if that was what he needed. The man was grateful. We felt
grateful and blessed for having kept the commandment. I don't know if he bought
beer or went to McDonalds for some food with what he had received. I don't
care. It doesn’t matter. He was blessed and so were we. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Since we may bestow all our goods to
feed the poor and still not have charity, (1Cor. 13: 3), we
ought to carefully consider our motives in providing for the poor. (1Cor. 13:
4-7) Charity is, as we all know, the "pure love of Christ." (Moroni
7: 47) Therefore, we should understand and apply the meaning of the Lord's
commandment to love one another "AS I HAVE LOVED YOU" as the only
acceptable standard when giving alms. (John 13: 34) This standard precludes any
judgments by us beforehand of the recipient of our alms. It also allows for no pretenses
or self-serving on the part of the giver. (Mark 12: 41, 44) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Great and huge sums are "cast into the treasury" for the poor
by institutions and men alike. Rarely is as much cast in as is required by the
Lord, though they that are rich "cast in much." (Mark 12: 41) Rarely is any alm (or all of our alms together) by men, or by institutions, sufficient to meet the standard of the widow's mite. What more could, perhaps should be done but for selfishness, concerns for personal or institutional gain, and
unwillingness to hear and obey the counsel of the Lord?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-86222970303151456812012-07-22T13:46:00.002-06:002012-07-22T13:46:13.124-06:00The Purpose of Prophecy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I want to repeat something that was posted on another blog
recently. I have decided to post it here and discuss it since we have spoken
alot on this blog about prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled. The statement
below, strikes me as true, and something I need to adhere to. I encourage all
to do the same as you read or re-read that which I have written. The following
principle from the other blog ought to be our guide. Here it is:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Prophecies are not given to enable us to understand
details of the Lord's plans in advance. They are not designed to allow you to
parse apart God's plans and know what He plans beforehand. They are only meant
to be understood after they have happened. Then, when they have happened, you
will understand what God was saying and that He was in control all along.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You should be very careful about settling on a final
interpretation of any prophecy because they were not given with that in
mind."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In our attempts to understand the words of the Book of
Mormon, it is easy to want to put things together to try to explain what the
future might hold. Some of what we attempt to "put together" might
simply not "go together." I recognize, as tempting as it is to look
for explanations, it is wise to simply allow fulfillment of prophecy to teach us
what is meant by the prophecy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thereby our God is glorified in His work and our faith is increased in
the wonder of it. He is in control. He knows the end from the beginning. We
simply don’t, and don’t need to. What we need is faith in Him and His word.
Every one of His words will be fulfilled. It is not required we know how. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of looking to find "final interpretation"
of the prophecies we have considered in the things I have written, I plan to
use the information to be informed in order that I can wait and watch for the
prophecies to be fulfilled in whatever manner the Lord decides. I encourage all
to consider the suggestion quoted above and do the same.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Holy Ghost will, and does, teach all truth. If we ask,
even about future events, we may be taught, or we may be denied in our request.
Regardless what we are taught, the above guideline ought to remind us of the
purpose of prophecy. I plan to follow the counsel quoted above.</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-36902956409484676242012-07-20T22:01:00.002-06:002012-07-20T22:01:32.914-06:00The Remnant of Israel - "He Will Set His Hand Again The Second Time"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After prophesying about Christ, (the stem and root
of Jesse from Isaiah 11: 1 and 10), and His servant, (the rod that will
"come out" of the stem which is Christ - Isaiah 11: 1) and their
central roles in the establishment of the latter day Zion and the gathering of
Israel, (see prior posts), Isaiah then prophesies: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">11 And it shall come to pass in that day that the
Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant
of his people which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from
Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath,
and from the islands of the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">12 And he shall set up an ensign for the
nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together
the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11: 11-12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If the Lord "shall set His hand again the
second time" to recover the remnant of his people, then what event
identifies as the "first time" he set his hand to recover them? I
have a note (from a long time ago, probably from an institute teacher who
didn't know jack) in the margin of my scriptures next to these verses we are
now considering, that says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<i>first time was Moses and Egyptian bondage
and exodus.</i>"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is a problem with the conclusion that
"the first time" the Lord set His hand to recover the remnant of his
people was Moses and the Egyptian exodus. It is true, the Lord did indeed lead
the children of Israel out of Egypt. The problem with identifying the Egyptian
exodus as "the first time" the Lord set his hand to recover "the
remnant" of his people, is that "the remnant" of his people did
not even exist until after the great scattering of Israel that happened much
later in history <i>after</i> the Exodus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In other words, the "remnants of scattered
Israel" did not exist (obviously) until <i>after</i> Israel had been
scattered. One could not say (as Isaiah did in his verse eleven that we are now
considering) that those of Israel who had been left all around the world
including "the isles of the sea" were recovered in the Egyptian
exodus. It doesn't fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When then, was the "first time" the Lord
set his hand to recover the scattered remnants of Israel? Not until the
restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph
Smith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Joseph said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"All that the prophets that have written, from
the days of righteous Abel, down to the last man that has left any testimony on
record for our considerstion, <i>in speaking of the salvation of Israel in the
last days</i>, goes directly to show that it consists in the work of the
gathering." (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith page 190-91)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Joseph said every prophet who ever wrote <b><i>"speaking
of the salvation of Israel in the last days" </i></b>was speaking
about the work of the gathering. "<b><i>In the last days</i></b>" is
the key phrase; Joseph is the prophet and the head of the dispensation of the
fullness of times in the last days. Joseph was given charge of the beginning
gathering of the remnants of Israel. Joseph's attempts to "gather,"
mark the "first time" the Lord set his hand to attempt to recover the
remnants of scattered Israel and to establish Zion. This, according to the
prophets of the Book of Mormon, was to be done by the Gentiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Nephi recounted the teachings of his father Lehi
that further confirm it would be <i>after</i> Joseph Smith and the restoration
that the remnants of Israel would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">eventually</i>
be gathered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">13 Wherefore, he (Lehi) said it must needs be that
we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the
fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the
face of the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">14 And after the house of Israel should
be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, <b><i>after
the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel</i></b>, the
natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the house
of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the
true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. (1Nephi 10: 13-14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">According to Lehi, it would only be <i>after</i>
Joseph Smith and the Gentiles "had received the fullness of the
gospel," that the remnants of the house of Israel would be grafted in. But
this, according to Isaiah, will require that the Lord "<i>will set his
hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people</i>."(Isaiah
11: 11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord Jesus teaches the same sequence of
events as Lehi did for the latter days. He says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And thus commandeth the Father that I should
say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my
gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up
in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the
whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and
of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts,
and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those
things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the
Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And then</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> will I remember my
covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring
my gospel unto them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that
the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto
you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the
fulness of my gospel." (3Nephi 16: 10-12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The "second time" the Lord's hand is set
to recover his people in the last days, he will be personally involved. This is
why Isaiah prophesied the root of Jesse (Christ Jesus) (see prior post)
"shall stand for an ensign of the people." (Isaiah 11: 10) Joseph
Smith, in his interpretative revelation, said of the root of Jesse, (Jesus), to
Him "rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom,
for an ensign, <b><i>and for the gathering of my people in the last days</i></b>."
(D&C 113: 6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It will be the Lord Jesus that will set his hand
again the second time to recover the remnants of Israel from all across the
world including the isles of the sea. As He said to the Nephites,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And then shall the power of heaven
come down among them; and I also will be in the midst. And then
shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this
gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people. Verily I
say unto you, at that day shall the work of the Father commence among all the
dispersed of my people, yea, even the tribes which have been lost, which
the Father hath led away out of Jerusalem." (3Nephi 21: 25-26)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The work of the Father to recover scattered and
lost Israel "which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and
from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from
Hamath, and from the islands of the sea," (Isaiah 11: 11) will not
even "commence" according to the Lord, until the Lord Himself comes
down with His power to dwell among the people. This will be after the fullness
of the Gentiles, the remnant of Israel receives the fullness of the gospel, and
the remnant of Israel (Lehi's seed) builds the Holy city New Jerusalem. (3Nephi
21: 23-24 also Ether 13: 8-10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We await the Lord to set his hand again the second
time. The first time he set his hand, the day and the fullness of the Gentiles,
has fulfilled every prophecy concerning it in the Book of Mormon. Now, after
the passing of "three to four" generations, (D&C 124: 50), there
begins to be stirrings anew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This will be the last entry for a while concerning
the remnant of Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I spent a couple of evenings talking with my family
about the things I have included in the series of recent blogs related to the
remnant of Israel from the Book of Mormon. I got the sense from those
discussions, there is a "remnant fatigue" going on. (At least with my
kids) So I am going to leave the remnant for a while after this entry. There is
enough in the Book of Mormon about the remnant of Israel that we could go on
perhaps indefinitely. I have come to see through the exercise of writing this
little series that there is so much to this topic and doctrine that it would
take a good size book to do anything close to a comprehensive treatment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My purpose in writing has always been to teach
myself, my children, my posterity, and those I love, light and truth in order
to bring us closer to Christ. We have had enough revealed by the Lord and
included in this blog concerning the remnant of Israel, that the record we have
here provides enough of a foundation for any of my posterity to understand and
know the key elements of the doctrine. From what has been written, any of you
can make an inquiry with the Lord to continue and complete your understanding
of the remnant of Israel and the latter day Gentiles. I plan to continue my
personal inquiry in the Book of Mormon for further understanding on this topic.
It is vast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Those Gentiles (that means you if you are my blood) who have
been, or may be asked to participate in the Lord's great unfolding of His
strange and wonderful act in the latter days, will be placed at great advantage
to know as much as can be learned about themselves (the Gentiles) and the
remnant of Israel from the words and precepts of the Book of Mormon.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-36936873740830388322012-07-17T01:58:00.000-06:002012-07-17T02:11:32.073-06:00""Moved Out of Their Place" Perspective on Pioneers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The high council speaker in our
sacrament meeting yesterday was accompanied by a twenty two year old neighbor
from the Ogden Valley who suffered a terrible freak accident four years ago
that left him paralyzed from the neck down. The young man's talk was inspiring.
He related how his experience in dealing with sudden paralysis had helped him
draw closer to the Savior. His terrible adversity had given him a new and
healthy perspective of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord. His testimony was
born of real and relevant circumstances of adversity. I felt inspired by this
young man's turning to the Lord because of his adversity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The high councilman then spoke and
recounted the experience of the Stillman Pond family. President James E. Faust
told about the Pond family in a conference talk given in April 1979. During the
exodus west from Nauvoo, Stillman Pond buried nine children and his wife over
the winter of 1846 and 1847. What happened to brother Pond was horrible beyond
our capacity to comprehend. What happened to the Pond family also happened in
varying degrees to many other early LDS families and people as Nauvoo was abandoned
and the Saints moved to the west.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">My own family suffered hardship and
adversity in the migration west. My great great grandfather, Martin Horton Peck
ran over and crushed the leg of his son Edwin under a tremendously heavy wagon
wheel. The leg was crushed and useless. The story in our family records tells
that Edwin was administered to by my grandfather and was miraculously healed.
My own people suffered much on the treck west. And the suffering did not
diminish a great deal for several years after the arrival in the Salt Lake
Valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">It is estimated that some 6,000
people perished in the Mormon westward migration. This number likely does not
Account for those that died in the Salt lake Valley and outlying locations from starvation and disease
over the first couple of years after arrival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Over the next couple of weeks as the
24th of July commemoration of the arrival of the Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley approaches, we will
hear many recountings of the terrible things that happened to the Mormon
pioneers after they left Nauvoo. Stillman Pond and others like him have risen to the status of heroes.
Any man who buries nine children and his wife and responds in a way to draw
closer to God and uses the adversity of his life to become humble and more
responsive to God is a good example as far as I am concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Some will say it is a sacrilege to
suggest what happened to my own family, what happened to the Pond family, and
all others of the early latter day saints who suffered so tremendously in the
western migration, should never have happened. A growing number of people,
myself included, have begun to realize the hardships and afflictions of the
early saints directly resulted from choices and actions (or inactions) of the
people themselves contrary to the directions of God. What happened to the
people of Nauvoo, my own family included, came after very clear forewarning
from the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The traditional history and stories
of the westward migration ignore and never discuss the invitations, promises,
and warnings Given by the Lord to the early Saints that may have prevented so
much suffering and upheaval to lives as the Saints were "moved out of
their place." Those invitations, promises and warnings are found in
section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Among the stipulated promises from
the Lord, was the promise that the people <b><i>would not be "moved out of
their place"</i></b> if they would "hearken unto my voice, and unto
the voice of my </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">servants</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> whom I have appointed to lead my
people." (D&C 124: 45) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">I have concluded for myself by
careful study and much prayer, that the early church and the saints, including
my own family were in fact "moved out of their place" of Nauvoo and
suffered the terrible consequences promised by the Lord for their failure to adhere
to His word. The Lord said to them:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">46 But if they will not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">hearken</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> to my voice, nor unto the voice
of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest, because they </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">pollute</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> mine holy grounds, and mine
holy ordinances, and charters, and my holy words which I give unto them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">47 And it shall come to pass that if
you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not
perform the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">oath</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> which
I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith
the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">48 <b><i>For </i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">instead</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> of blessings,
ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon
your own heads,</span></i></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> by your follies, and by all your
abominations, which you practise before me, saith the Lord. (D&C 124:
46-48)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">As the high councilman spoke and
recounted the terrible afflictions that befell the Stillman Pond family, I was
inspired by Stillman Pond's stalwart reaction to the horrible adversity
inflicted on him and his family. He showed extraordinary courage and
determination to continue on despite the loss of his children and wife.
However, my thoughts were filled with the warnings of the Lord from section 124
that seemed to be fulfilled in the experiences of the Pond family, my own
family, and the families of all the others who were in fact "moved out of
their place." Not only were they moved out of their place, but also
what they experienced in the exodus from Nauvoo, in my judgment, fulfilled the
promise of the Lord that "</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">instead</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings,
wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by
all your abominations, which you practise before me." (D&C 124: 48)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Others have done a magnificent work
in recounting and reconstructing the failure of the saints to complete the
Nauvoo temple in the allotted time allowed by the Lord as set forth in section
124. I simply add my testimony that the failure of the saints to construct and
complete the Nauvoo temple in the allowed period of time, (D&C 124: 31-32)
resulted in Joseph Smith forfeiting his life, the fullness of the priesthood
never being restored again by the Lord after it was lost, (D&C 124:
28) and the saints being "moved out of their place." (D&C
124: 45)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Despite claims </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">by Orson Hyde that the</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> temple was
completed and dedicated "by the skin of our teeth," the promise of the Lord to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"consecrate that spot that it
shall be made </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">holy</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">" (D&C
124: 44) was never realized. Instead, although it was hastily dedicated, the
temple was never fully completed. It was burned by an arsonist and the remains
were further destroyed by a tornado. Not one stone was left atop another the
destruction was so complete. There is no record that God or angels ever came into the incomplete Nauvoo temple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Stillman Pond was a good man I don't
doubt it. He reacted in an inspiring way to the adversity he and his family
experienced. What happened to the Pond family, what happened to my own family, and all of the Nauvoo residents who were promised by the Lord that they would
not be moved out of their place if they would hearken to His voice, was
completely avoidable. The people were invited, they were given conditional
promises, they were warned, they made the choices they made and they were moved
out of their place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">We are told and taught that it was mob violence and
persecution that led to the saints abandoning Nauvoo. I personally believe the
Lord was fully capable of keeping his promise to the saints that they would not
be moved out of their place if they would hearken to His voice. I conclude
instead it was no failure of the Lord's that led to the people being moved out
of their place. I conclude that all the suffering, the cursings, wrath,
indignation, and judgments experienced by the Nauvoo pioneers were just what
the Lord promised would follow failure to obey Him. (D&C 124: 48)</span></div>
</div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-33453062729801166512012-07-10T10:25:00.000-06:002012-07-10T10:25:09.027-06:00The Remnant of Israel - The Root of Jesse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And in that day there shall be a root of
Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek;
and his rest shall be glorious." (2Nephi 21: 10, Isaiah 11: 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Joseph Smith gives the following interpretation of
this verse:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"What is the root of Jesse spoken of
in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter (of Isaiah)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of
Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and
the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of
my people in the last days." (D&C 113: 5-6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After learning from verse one of Isaiah chapter 11
(in the last post) about a servant that will "come out" of Christ, we
are now told by Isaiah of a "root" of Jesse in verse ten. The
"root of Jesse" according to isaiah will: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• stand for an ensign "of" the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• to it (the ensign, the root) shall the Gentiles seek<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• and "his" rest shall be
glorious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Did you notice from Joseph Smith's interpretation
in D&C 113, that "the servant" that will "come out" of
Christ, spoken of in verse one of Isaiah chapter 11(as discussed in the last
post) is a partial descendant of both Jesse and Ancient Joseph through Joseph's
son Ephraim. Now, in verse ten, the "root of Jesse" is described by
Joseph Smith as being descended from both Jesse and Joseph as well. Unlike
"the servant," that will come out of the stem of Jesse, (Christ,) the
"root of Jesse" is not called a servant. The "root" is in
fact THE very root of Jesse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An angel delivered the words of Christ to the
beloved apostle John on the isle of Patmos. John was so taken with the message
he attempted to worship the angel. The angel rebuked John and said,
"...See <i>thou do it </i>not: for I am thy fellowservant, and
of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:
worship God." (Rev. 22: 9) Strangely, the angel then begins to speak in
the first person to John as if he (the angel) were Christ. John does not say
that the angel who just rebuked him was replaced by Christ. He (the angel)
declares, "<i>I</i> am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,
the first and the last." (Rev. 22: 13) Then, as if stepping back
to the second person the angel says, "Blessed <i>are</i> they
that do <i>his</i> commandments..." (Rev. 22: 14) Then back
to the first person, the angel says, "<b><i>I Jesus</i></b> have sent
mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.<b><i> I
am the root and the offspring of David</i></b>,<i>and</i> the
bright and morning star." (Rev. 22: 16) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">By His own confession to John, Jesus is the root of
David (Jesse).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord is called "the root" in one
other place earlier in John's revelation. While being shown the book with the
seven seals John records:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep
not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, <b><i>the Root of
David</i></b>, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals
thereof." (Rev. 5: 5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Interesting isn't it, that Joseph Smith says the
root of Jesse "is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of
Joseph?" Here, it is good to be reminded that Moroni told Joseph Smith in
1823, this prophecy of Isaiah's "is about to be fulfilled." As of
September 23, 1823, the root of Jesse, (Jesus,) had not yet appeared as a
descendant partly of Jesse and partly of ancient Joseph. His appearance
as prophesied by Isaiah will be "in that day." "In that
day" refers to the day just spoken of by Isaiah in verses 6 through 9.
Verses 6-9 (of Isaiah chapter 11) are Isaiah's description of the
millennial day. The millennial day will be preceded by tremendous upheaval and
terrible destruction upon the earth - and the establishment of the Holy City,
Zion, the New Jerusalem, by the remnant of Joseph's seed, the remnant of
Israel. (Ether 13: 8-10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the words of Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">23 And they (repentant Gentiles) shall assist
my people, the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel
as shall come, that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">24 And then shall they assist my people
that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land,
in unto the New Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">25 And then shall the power of heaven
come down among them; and I (the root of Jesse, Jesus) also will
be in the midst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In another place Isaiah speaks of the day when the
Lord, (the root of Jesse), will dwell among His people and provide for them an
ensign. That ensign will be Him:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">6 Therefore my people shall know my name:
therefore <i>they shall know</i> in that day that I <i>am</i> he
that doth speak: behold,<i>it is</i> I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">7 ¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are
the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace;
that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith
unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice;
with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to
eye, when theLord shall bring again Zion. (Isaiah 52: 6-8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Joel also spoke of this day when the Lord, the root of Jesse will personally be the ensign of the people. It will be in His Zion established by the remnant of Israel. Joel said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else; and my people shall never be ashamed...And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." (Joel 2: 27 and 32)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">According to Joseph Smith's interpretation in
D&C 113, the root of Jesse, (Jesus) is the one:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• "unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood,"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In fact, He IS "the power of heaven" that
will "come down among them." (3Nephi 21: 25) The rights of the
priesthood after all, are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven.
(D&C 121: 36) The priesthood "rightly belongs" to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• "and the keys of the
kingdom,"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus loaned these keys of the kingdom to Peter
(Matt. 16: 19) and to Joseph Smith (D&C 81: 2). He could never have
bestowed the keys of the kingdom on His servants had they (the keys of the
kingdom) not first "rightly belonged" to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• "for an ensign,"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The best definition of "ensign" that fits
the manner the Lord Jesus is an ensign is:
"a sign, token, or emblem" (how fitting) He is
the ensign to whom, like the children of Israel, if one will look, he may be
healed. (1Nephi 17: 41)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">• "and for the gathering of my people in
the last days." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> "And then shall they assist my
people that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the
land, in unto the New Jerusalem. And then shall the power of
heaven come down among them; and I (the root of Jesse,
Jesus) also will be in the midst. (3Nephi 21: 24-25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do you remember that Isaiah prophesied in verse one
of chapter 11 that: "there shall come forth a rod out of
the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his
roots." By what we have learned it should become clear to the inspired
reader the meaning of the "branch" that will grow out of
"his" roots. Do you see it? Ask for understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This amzing prophecy of Isaiah, quoted by Moroni to
Joseph Smith, is all about the gathering of Israel. It is all about the
remnant of Israel and the building of Zion the holy city. Jesus, the root of
Jesse, the Lord and King, will do this work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"and his rest shall be
glorious" (Isaiah 11: 10) for those "who dwell therein, (Zion the
holy city) for it is they whose garments are white through the blood
of the Lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed
of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel." (Ether 13: 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Next, we will go back and discover what we can about the servant upon
whom is laid "much power." (Isaiah 11: 1 and D&C 113: 3-4)</span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-19180256400205158272012-07-07T14:47:00.000-06:002012-07-07T15:35:14.660-06:00The Remnant of Israel - Christ, A Servant, A Branch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And there
shall come forth a rod out of
the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots."
(Isaiah 11: 1, 2Nephi 21: 1)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Moroni first quoted, and then told
Joseph Smith the contents of Isaiah chapter 11 were "about to be
fulfilled." (JSH 1: 40) The things Isaiah says and prophesies in that
chapter are things not yet fulfilled in September 1823. If Isaiah's prophecy
was "about to be fulfilled," as described by Moroni in 1823, then
what players were/are to fulfill the prophecy? What events in history have,
since 1823, or will yet, fulfill the words of Isaiah's prophecy? What is the
meaning of Isaiah's words in this prophecy that rise to the level of importance
that Moroni would be instructed by Christ ("angels speak the words of
Christ," 2Nephi 32: 3, and "they are subject unto him, to
minister according to the word of his command" Moroni 7: 30) to first
quote the prophecy, then tell Joseph Smith it was "about to be
fulfilled?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith records nothing in his
history regarding the visit with Moroni in September 1823 that might lend
explanation about the meaning of Isaiah's prophecy. However, later, in March of
1838, some fourteen and a half years after Moroni told Joseph these things were
"about to be fulfilled," Joseph wrote the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Who is the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Stem</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> of Jesse spoken of in the 1st,
2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">2 Verily thus saith the Lord: It is
Christ." (D&C 113: 1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The first bit of interpretive
information of Isaiah's prophecy offered by Joseph the prophet tells us the
"Stem of Jesse" is Christ. In order to appreciate Isaiah's symbolic
language, it is helpful to think of the "stem" of Jesse as a trunk or
stump, like the trunk of a tree. Jesse is the progenitor of both David and
Christ. So, to begin with, we now know Isaiah's prophecy speaks of
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Verses 2 through 5 of 2Nephi 21 are
Isaiah's messianic description of the stem of Jesse, Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">At this juncture, we should
be reminded we are attempting to understand more about the remnant of
Israel prophesied of in the Book of Mormon. The idea should be planted in
our minds, that all of this discussion about Isaiah's prophecy and Moroni
quoting it to Joseph Smith, has very much to do with the prophetic remnant of
Israel, the descendants of Lehi and ancient Joseph, who will build and
establish Zion in the last days. If there are eyes to see and ears to hear, the
Lord will make known to us the meaning and interrelationship of these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">It has already been pointed out, but bears repeating, that Moroni is the one that holds the keys of the stick of
Ephraim. (D&C 27: 5) The stick of Ephraim, or the record of Joseph, is the
Book of Mormon. (Ezekiel 37: 16-20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">As an aside, it is interesting that
the Book of Mormon record would be called by the Lord, the stick of
"Ephraim" and not the stick of Manasseh. Lehi, as we have seen in
earlier posts, is a descendant of ancient Joseph's eldest son Manasseh.
Ishmael, who accompanied Lehi and his family across the sea to the land of
promise, was descended from ancient Joseph's younger son Ephraim according
to Joseph Smith. (Erastus Snow statement Logan, Utah May 1882) The Book of
Mormon narrative is primarily about Lehi's offspring. Yet the Lord calls the
record the stick of Ephraim. Do you know why this is? We will not take time
here to address this question. But it is an interesting question you should try
to answer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Moroni himself was a descendant of
Lehi. In his mortality, Moroni carried the blood of Lehi (and perhaps the blood
of Ishmael as well.) We know that Ishmael's sons (and daughters) married into Lehi's family,
(according to Joseph Smith from Erastus Snow statement). It is entirely possible thereby that Moroni also
carried the blood of Ephraim. In any event, Moroni was given the keys of the
stick of Ephraim (The Book of Mormon). When he visited Joseph Smith in 1823 in
the role of an angel of God, he was fulfilling responsibilities incumbent upon
him by virtue of the keys he holds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">When he (Moroni) quoted Isaiah
chapter 11 to Joseph Smith in September 1823, he was acting in the role as the
holder of the keys of the stick of Ephraim. As the holder of those keys, Moroni
was acting under Christ's direction as an angel, to begin or unfurl fulfillment
of Book of Mormon prophecy. ALL Book of Mormon prophesy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Back to Isaiah chapter 11.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Isaiah prophesies that a
"rod" shall come forth out of the stem of Jesse. Think of a
"rod" as a shoot or limb that might grow out of a trunk. Joseph Smith
offered this explanation about the "rod" from Isaiah's prophecy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">3 What is the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">rod</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"> spoken of in the first verse of
the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">4 Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is
a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well
as of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Ephraim</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">, or of the house of Joseph, on
whom there is laid much </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">power</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">. (D&C 113: 3-4)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Christ is the stem of Jesse. The
"rod" that will "come forth out of the stem" is a
"servant in the hands of Christ." That servant, according to Joseph
Smith, is a descendant of both Jesse and ancient Joseph through Joseph's
younger son Ephraim. Why would Joseph Smith feel it necessary to point out the
blood lineage of this servant? Is the servant's lineage important to Isaiah's
prophecy? Is the servant's lineage important to Moroni's work as the holder of
the keys of the stick of Joseph? What does it mean when Isaiah says, a rod will
come forth "out of" the stem of Jesse. If we insert Joseph Smith's
interpretation of terms into Isaiah's prophecy it says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"There shall come forth out of
Christ, a servant in the hands of Christ, who is a descendant of both
Jesse and Joseph through Ephraim, on whom is laid much power, and a branch
shall grow out of his roots."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">What is meant when Isaiah says the
servant will "come forth <i>out of </i>Christ?" It sounds like
Christ who is a descendant of Jesse and this servant who is also partly a
descendant of Jesse may be related?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Does the fact this servant is a
descendant of Ephraim and Joseph give him the right to have "much
power" laid upon him? Remember the blessings and promises of Jacob, (Israel),
and the Lord on Joseph and his sons Manasseh and Ephraim? Go back and review
the prior posts concerning these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Now, what about a "branch"
that shall grow out of "his" roots? Who is "his" referring
to? What is the "branch"? Does a stem have roots? Does a stump have
roots?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">How can all of this possibly mean anything to us? If Zion
is our objective, we need to be prepared. The Lord has begun to prepare a
contingent of Gentiles to fulfill His needs as prophesied. Their fullness has
come. The day of the remnant of Israel approaches. Much has been done already.
Much is to come. If we will hear Him, He will continue the preparation. </span></div>
</div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-64324133591571832432012-07-05T23:52:00.000-06:002012-07-05T23:52:44.858-06:00The Remnant of Israel - Isaiah Chapter 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This
entry is the beginning of a discussion that will add to our understanding of
the remnant of Israel. You will need to keep in mind that this discussion IS
about the remnant of Israel. My children especially, do not be intimidated by
the fact we are about to try to understand some of the teachings and prophesy
of Isaiah. (Even if we used to skip over the Isaiah chapters in our family
scripture study) If you will read carefully and prayerfully, and ponder the
things written here, you will come to understand how Isaiah can help us to
understand more about the remnant of Israel we have talked so much about from
the Book of Mormon. As with all things that come from our Father, there is a
peaceful harmony and a fitting together of things as He brings us along in our
understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It
will not be enough for us to know these truths in a general way as things
unfold in the last days. We will need to "treasure up" these precepts
and truths in our hearts and minds in order that the Lord may prepare us for
all that must be done. He will teach us what He needs us to know if we are only
willing to listen and obey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Isaiah
Chapter 11 - a rod, a stem, a branch, and a root. Horticulture for the latter
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">--------------<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
the angel Moroni visited and taught Joseph Smith On September 21, 1823, Joseph
says of that encounter, "He (Moroni) quoted many other passages of
scripture, and offered many explanations which cannot be mentioned
here." (JSH 1: 41) I wonder what were the "many other passages of
scripture" Moroni quoted? How I wish we were privy to the "many
explanations" offered by the angel that "cannot" be mentioned.
How grand and glorious must be the things Joseph was taught by the angel that
are not allowed to be spoken in public. Some things are of a nature that they
"cannot" be mentioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Joseph
did however record some of what he was told by Moroni. You and I have the
benefit of knowing some of what was rehearsed by the angel from the presence of
God. If you have ever wished you could stand in the presence of an angel of God
and listen to an angelic recitation, you can at least know some of the details
of the encounter Joseph Smith had. Like the records of Nephi and King Benjamin,
both of whom recorded the words of angels, Joseph's record provides some direct
quotes from the angel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Though
there were "many other" passages of scripture Joseph could not
record, he did make record of some of the scripture mentioned by Moroni. Of one
passage of scripture Joseph says: "he (Moroni) quoted the eleventh chapter
of Isaiah, saying that it was about to be fulfilled." (JSH 1: 40)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Most
likely, Joseph received "many explanations" about Isaiah chapter 11
that he did not, or was not allowed, to record. We are made privy to no
explanation whatsoever as to the meaning of Isaiah's words. All we are told
from Joseph's record is that Moroni quoted the chapter and said, "it was
about to be fulfilled." The "explanations" that might make
Isaiah chapter 11 plain are left for us to discover by study, faith,
prayer, and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">All
we have to go on to begin with, is that the person, (Moroni,) who holds the
keys of the record of the stick of Ephraim, (The Book of Mormon), (D&C 27:
5) told Joseph Smith in 1823 the words of Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 11 are
"about to be fulfilled." Is it at all significant that this message
came at this time to Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restoration from the very
one that holds the keys of the "stick of Ephraim?" Significant
indeed. Why? Because, as we will see, the words of Isaiah chapter 11 relate to,
and speak of, fulfillment of Book of Mormon prophesies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
record itself, "the stick of Ephraim," to which Moroni holds the
keys, contains the words of Isaiah chapter 11. Nephi included the 11th chapter
of Isaiah (2Nephi 21) in his record to be included in the latter day Book of
Mormon. The words of the 11th chapter of Isaiah are among those words of Isaiah
Nephi said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"...are
of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they
are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and <b><i>confine the words unto
mine own people</i></b>; for I know that they (the words of Isaiah) <b><i>shall be
of great worth unto them</i></b> (Nephi's own people) in the last days; for
in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, <b><i>for their </i></b>(Nephi's own
people) <b><i>good have I written them</i></b>." (2Nephi 25: 8) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is a message from Nephi to "his own people" of the last days. This is
Nephi speaking to, and about, the remnant of Israel. This is Nephi saying to
the remnant of Israel, his "own people," that it is for "their
good" that the words of Isaiah have been written and given to them in the
last days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Why
would Nephi "confine his words to his own people" of the last days?
Why would Nephi suggest the words of Isaiah would not only be of "worth
unto the children of men," but that they would be of "great
worth" to "his own people" in the last days? Why will Nephi's
"own people" understand the words of Isaiah in that day? Why is it
specifically for "their good" that Nephi wrote the words of Isaiah?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
first verse of Isaiah chapter 11 that Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"And there
shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and
a branch shall grow out of his roots."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Later
in verse ten Isaiah says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"And
in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an
ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek; and his rest shall
be glorious."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
face value of Isaiah's words says that a "rod" will come forth out of
the "stem" of Jesse, and there will be a "branch" that
shall grow out of "his" roots. Then, in verse ten, Isaiah speaks of a
"root" of Jesse which shall stand as an ensign "of" the
people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
is there in these words of Isaiah that really are symbols that might be of
"great worth" to Nephi's own people of the last days? What is Isaiah
saying to the remnant of Israel and to us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-33749599270145700302012-07-02T11:15:00.001-06:002012-07-02T11:45:33.403-06:00Calling and Election Required<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Our discussion around the remnant of
Israel will continue, first, I need to get this out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">We were having a discussion in Sunday
school class last week about Alma chapter 13. The discussion came around to
entering into "the rest" of the Lord. We discussed D&C 84: 23-25
and the difficulty Moses had in getting his people to accept the presence of
the Lord in order that they might enter into his rest. A brief discussion about
"calling and election" followed. It was suggested that Joseph Smith
had as much difficulty getting the latter day Saints to accept the higher
principles as Moses did with his people. Though Moses and Joseph Smith both
"sought diligently" to sanctify their people that they might behold
the face of God, both failed. I made the comment that this was regrettable
since making your calling and election sure may be required for exaltation. The
words had no sooner parted my lips than the class expert from the back of the
room shouted "WHERE DOES IT SAY THHHHAAAAATTTTT?" It was a good time for
silence. We moved on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">I have thought a lot about the answer
to the question posed by the pundit. In order that my children, my family and
dear friends may have the answer for themselves, I have compiled a number of
teachings of Joseph Smith as well as statements from scripture that all
indicate to me the indispensability of making your calling and election sure,
thereby entering into the rest of the Lord, while in this life. There are many
witnesses of the more sure word of prophecy living among us. Peter, Joseph
Smith, and other prophets and angels have given us what we need to find and
know this magnificent truth. It remains true and central to the redemption of
Gods children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">My children - make your calling and
election sure! Never rest until you receive the more sure word of prophecy and
the associated promises from Him to you. Learn these words. Keep them close.
Abide by them. Never forget or be led away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt;">Calling and Election Required for Exaltation:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">John 17: 3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And this is life eternal, that
they might<b><i> know </i></b>thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Though they might hear the
voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made
sure, that they had part with Christ, and were joint heir with him</b>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"1st Key: Knowledge is the power
of salvation. 2nd Key: Make your calling and election sure. 3rd Key: It
is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice, etc., etc., and
another to hear <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the voice declare to
you, you have a part and lot in that Kingdom</b>." (HC 5: 403)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">2Peter 1:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">give diligence to make your calling and
election sure</b>: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">11 For <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the
everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">12 Wherefore I will not be negligent
to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be
established in the present truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I
am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">19 We have also a more sure word of
prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"He (Peter) <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">is emphatic upon this subject</b>-after adding all this virtue,
knowledge, &c., "Make your calling and election sure."...through
the knowledge of Him who hath called him. There could not anything be given,
pertaining to life and godliness, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">without
knowledge</b>."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Then I would <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">exhort you to go on and continue to call
upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by
obtaining this more sure word of prophecy</b>, and wait patiently for the
promise until you obtain it, etc." (HC 5:389)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"Now, there is some grand secret
here, and keys to unlock the subject. Notwithstanding the apostle (Peter)
exhorts them to add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, etc., yet <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">he exhorts them to make their calling and
election sure</b>. And though they had heard an audible voice from heaven
bearing testimony that Jesus was the Son of God, yet he says we have a more
sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light
shining in a dark place. Now, wherein could they have a more sure word of
prophecy than to hear the voice of God saying, This is my beloved Son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Now for the secret and grand
key</span></i></b><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">. Though they might hear the voice of God and know that
Jesus was the Son of God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">this would be
no evidence that their election and calling was made sure, that they had part
with Christ, and were joint heir with him</b>. They then would want that more
sure word of prophecy, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that they were
sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God</b>.
Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure
and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and
earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge
would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. Then
knowledge through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that
unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." (DHC
Section Six 1843-44, p.298)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">D&C 131: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">5 (May 17th, 1843.) The more sure
word of prophecy means a man’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal
life</i></b>, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of
the Holy Priesthood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">6 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">D&C 132:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">21 Verily, verily, I say unto you,
except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">22 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, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">because ye
receive me not in the world neither do ye know me</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">23 But <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive
your exaltation</b>; that where I am ye shall be also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">24 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"You must either seek and find Him while here, or
remain in this Telestial state worlds without end. His invitation is extended.
He will open the gate." Denver Snuffer</span></div>
</div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-88426828224339098062012-06-30T14:11:00.001-06:002012-06-30T14:11:54.520-06:00The Remnant of Israel - Why It Isn't Taught<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We have said a lot about the "remnant of Israel"
from the Book of Mormon in the last nine entries. There is still a considerable
amount of material that remains to be covered and reviewed. We will get to
that. At this point, it is worth stopping to ask a few questions about the
material we have covered relating to "the remnant of Israel."
In order to try to add context and understanding before we continue, we
need to digest a bit what we have learned to this point. Given the predominance
of attention paid, and the sheer volume of precious plate space dedicated by
the Book of Mormon writers to the topic of this peculiar remnant people; one
question arises above all other questions:</div>
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<br /></div>
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Where is the teaching about the choice "remnant of
Israel" both from, and within, the Lord's Church?</div>
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In my recollection, there has never been one single lesson
taught in the church focusing on the remnant of Jacob (Israel) over the course
of my entire lifetime. I have to discount the first thirty (or so) years of my
life because I wasn't paying enough attention in those days to remember (or
even know) what was taught and what wasn't. But, from what I am able to
remember, the topic of the remnant of Israel and its divine and prophetic
destiny has never been taught, or discussed. Has your experience been different
than mine? Have I just coincidentally missed the teaching and discussion by our
leaders and the curriculum department about the prophetic "remnant of
Israel?" Well, I think we all know the answer, the topic simply is not
taught.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So, the next sequential question has to be, WHY? Why, in the
last half century (speaking of my own experience,) has a topic so prominent in
the pages and chapters of the Book of Mormon been so missing in the teaching
and discussions of the church?</div>
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Here are some possible answers:</div>
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1. What has been written by the Book of Mormon prophets and
the words of the Lord Jesus regarding this special "remnant people"
just is not that important to us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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2. We have the true church, inspired leaders, and a divine
destiny. A "remnant of Israel" mentioned in the Book of Mormon has
little to do with our divine destiny and us.</div>
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3. The remnant of Israel can be in the Book of Mormon and
that doesn't change anything about us, His chosen people.</div>
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4. The "remnant of Israel" from the Book of Mormon
has not been taught or focused on by our leaders. Surely, if we needed to know
anything about these remnant people, our leaders would let us know and teach us
about them so we could be prepared.</div>
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5. This kind of knowledge is reserved for prophets and apostles.
The rest of us just shouldn't worry about it.</div>
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<br /></div>
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6. This is one of those topics people who are into
"anti-Mormon" stuff always want to bring up. It's old news. We
shouldn't read anything that opposes the church.</div>
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<br /></div>
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7. The "remnant of Israel" spoken of in the Book
of Mormon, is us.</div>
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<br /></div>
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8. The "remnant of Israel" is a topic that should
be left to the scholars. There are a lot of things in the Book of Mormon that
we just don't need to worry over.</div>
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<br /></div>
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9. Our salvation is not at stake over a "remnant of
Israel."</div>
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<br /></div>
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10. I didn't know there was a "remnant of Israel"
mentioned in the Book of Mormon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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11. Brigham Young never mentions anything about "the
remnant of Israel" in his chapter in the Book of Mormon!!? Does he?
(ok?.....Ok!)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We could think of many additional responses that might be
typical in our day. The point is, this is a central Book of Mormon precept and doctrine,
ripe with meaning and direct application to every living person in the latter
days; and it has been abandoned by those it was specifically given to.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It is nearly impossible to learn and understand the true
doctrine concerning the "remnant of Israel" in the Book of Mormon
without also learning the truth about the latter day Gentiles. This may
actually be the reason the church has chosen to avoid the subject all together.
To understand the "remnant of Israel," is to understand the Gentiles.
To understand the Gentiles is to unravel the traditions of the church.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We should learn as much as we possibly can about the
contents of the Book of Mormon. Nothing should be left unanswered. Every stone
should be turned over, examined closely, and then looked at again and again.
This is not the work of scholars and pundits. Learning and understanding the
Book of Mormon, it's doctrines and prophecies, is between you and the Holy Ghost.
Teachers can lead us to thoughts and questions that help move our enquiry
forward. But the answers can only come from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.</div>
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<br /></div>
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If you are satisfied that this topic relating to a
"remnant of Jacob" (Israel) actually exists in the Book of Mormon,
then you ought to try to understand it. If you have read the last nine entries
to this blog, then you ought to at least have the idea that indeed, there is
such a "remnant of Israel" mentioned in the Book of Mormon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The church may not ever mention it. The church may not even
understand it. Never the less, there it is in the Book of Mormon. You can
understand the meaning of these things. The Holy Ghost has not lost the ability
(or desire or commitment) to teach you these things. You must find a way to
commit yourself to the discovery of truth without allowing that to destroy the
Lord's church for you. The two ARE completely compatible. We can know the
meaning of things as they are, as they were, and as they are to come. The Lords church will still be His, perhaps even more so in your mind. This knowledge, any knowledge, can
only come to us by the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Once the Holy Ghost
teaches true principles, then we look at the church and the world, and we ask,
"how should I now view these things." I have not ever been asked or
told to abandon His church because of what He has taught me. I have been
shocked, I have been angered, I have been disgusted, I have felt betrayed, I
have been rendered to tears for my sadness, but I have never been told to
leave. What men do does not change the Lord's position at the top of His church.
He is still there. The church still belongs to Him. You, by the discovery of truth may simply be enabled to see it in a true context, more clearly, not like (as Paul said,) "through a glass, darkly." </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Lord established His church in the latter days. It still
is here. It still is His. He stretches out His hand still to it and to His
children. He has given us the most precious gift to help us find our way back
to Him. The Book of Mormon has been called a "urim and thummim." And
so it literally is. We can come closer to our God by abiding its precepts as given us by the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, than
by any other earthly source available to us. That includes ALL other sources for
our learning.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the foremost precepts of the Book of Mormon is the
very one we have been learning about. There is a latter day remnant of Israel.
They are the offspring of ancient Joseph through his grandsons Lehi and
Ishmael. They have been trodden down and scattered by the Gentiles on this land
as it was prophesied. The Gentiles have received the gospel of Jesus Christ and
have brought forth the Book of Mormon and "other books" as they were
prophesied to do. The Gentiles have fulfilled every prophecy in the Book of
Mormon concerning them and their role and destiny in the latter days. The time
now approaches that the remnant of Joseph's seed will receive the fullness of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. They will rise up as foretold. They will return to
the God who created them. They will know their Redeemer. They will be reminded
by the record of the Book of Mormon about their fathers and Gods dealings with
them. They will know they are of the house of Israel. They will know the promises of the Lord to their fathers. They will build a holy city, New Jerusalem on this land. They will
establish Zion as the Lord brings it to them. The power of heaven will come
down among them and He will make His abode with them. All of this is taught
with power in the Book of Mormon.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The church may not teach these things. The Holy Ghost
absolutely does.</div>
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As we continue to learn about the remnant of Israel, we will
next discuss a stem, a rod, a branch, and a root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horticulture is next.</div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-43705779465151862322012-06-27T11:19:00.000-06:002012-06-27T11:25:13.596-06:00The Remnant of Israel - Questions About Zion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Speaking to the Nephites, the Lord Jesus announced,
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, thus hath the Father commanded me—that I
should give unto this people (the Nephites, the seed of Lehi and
ancient Joseph) this land for their inheritance. <b><i>And then</i></b> <i><b>the words of
the prophet Isaiah shall be fulfilled</b></i>, which say: Thy watchmen shall
lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing, for they shall see
eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy,
sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his
people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm
in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the
salvation of God. (3Nephi 16: 16-20)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Only <i>after</i> the Lord officially
gives the land of promise to the offspring of Lehi and ancient Joseph,
only <i>then</i> will "the words of Isaiah be fulfilled"
that speak about the latter day Zion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The writings of Isaiah are not always easy to
follow and understand. The spirit of the Holy Ghost is required to help lend
understanding to the words of all the prophets, perhaps especially Isaiah.
Nephi counseled, (2Nephi 25: 7-8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">7... in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah
shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall
come to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the
children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I
speak particularly, and confine the words <b><i>unto mine own people;
for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days</i></b>;
for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, <b><i>for their
good </i></b>have I written them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Nephi recognized the particular worth of the words
of Isaiah for his "own people" in the latter days. It was "for
their good" that Nephi included the words of Isaiah in his record. Nephi
is putting the latter day remnant of his seed, "the remnant of
Israel" on notice that they, (and we,) ought to pay close attention to the
words of Isaiah in order to understand the course of things in the latter days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">If we have eyes to see and ears to hear, much of
what Isaiah wrote pertains to the latter day remnant seed of ancient Joseph,
the Lamanites, and fulfillment of latter day prophesy concerning them. Isaiah
seems to have had a particular interest in, and spoke directly to, the latter
day Lineage of Joseph and their role in establishing Zion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">In March 1838, Elias Higbee asked Joseph Smith
questions regarding some of the statements of Isaiah regarding Zion. Joseph's
responses to brother Higbee's questions inform us that Isaiah had the remnant
of Israel in mind when he prophesied of the latter day Zion. Brother Higbee
asks:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d
chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion—and what people
had Isaiah reference to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith responds:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"He (Isaiah) had reference to those whom God
should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to
bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is
to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she,
Zion, <b><i>has a right to by lineage</i></b>; also to return to
that power which she had lost. (D&C 113: 7-8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Those who God will call in the last days to bring
again Zion, those responsible for the redemption of Israel, those who have that
right <i>by lineage</i> as Joseph implied, <b><i>ARE</i></b> the
remnant seed of Lehi and ancient Joseph, "the remnant of Israel" of
the Book of Mormon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The following words of the Lord Jesus from the Book
of Mormon designate that particular lineage, the remnant of Jacob, (Israel) as
the rightful builders of Zion and those who will facilitate the
"redemption of Israel" as Joseph Smith pointed out in his response to
Elias Higbee. The Lord's words: (3Nephi 16: 23-25) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">23 And they (gentiles) shall assist my people,
the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come,
that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">24 And then shall they assist my people
that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land,
in unto the New Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">25 And then shall the power of heaven
come down among them; and I also will be in the midst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">When Isaiah wrote, "Put on thy strength, O
Zion," he was referring to the latter day remnant seed of Jacob, (Joseph,
through Joseph's grandsons Lehi and Ishmael) who have right by lineage to:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">- "Hold the power of priesthood to
bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel;"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">- "and to put on her strength is to
put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, <b><i>has
a right to by lineage</i></b>;"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">- "also to return to that power which she had
lost."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Concerning this last point made by Joseph Smith
about the latter day Zion people, do we need to be reminded that in a former
day, the offspring of Lehi had already established and lived in a Zion society?
For nearly two hundred years following the personal ministry of Christ among
them, the seed of Lehi (and ancient Joseph) lived in a Zion society. Christ
dwelled among them. (4Nephi) For the latter day remnant of Israel, the building
of Zion, the New Jerusalem will in very fact be as Joseph Smith said,
"return to that power which she had lost."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Elias Higbee asked a second question:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">What are we to understand by Zion loosing herself
from the bands of her neck; 2d verse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">Joseph Smith's response:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"We are to understand that the scattered remnants are
exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen; which if
they do, the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them, or give them
revelation. See the 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck
are the curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered
condition among the Gentiles." (D&C 113: 9-10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Once again, Isaiah makes reference to the remnants
of Israel. In this case, Isaiah seems to speak to all the many remnants of
Israelite blood scattered around the world. This would include "<i>the</i> remnant
of Israel," Joseph's latter day remnant offspring spoken of in the Book of Mormon. In fact, particular
meaning should be found in his words as they apply to the latter day remnant of
Lehi's offspring. We learn the following about the latter day remnant of Israel
from the Book of Mormon. The words of Isaiah are indeed "about" the
remnant seed of Lehi and Joseph:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">- "the scattered remnants are
exhorted to return to the Lord from whence they have fallen;"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Nephi recorded:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And now, the thing which our father meaneth
concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the
Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in
unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the
Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall
the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and
from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—And at that day shall
the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of
Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall
they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers,
and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered
unto their fathers by him; wherefore, <b><i>they shall come to the
knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may
know how to come unto him and be saved</i></b>. (1Nephi 15: 13-14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">- "which if they do, the promise of the Lord
is that he will speak to them, or give them revelation"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Nephi recorded:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And then at that day will they (his remnant
seed) not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and
their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and
nourishment from the true vine?" (1Nephi 15: 15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Joseph Smith said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"The bands of her neck are the
curses of God upon her, or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition
among the Gentiles"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The Lord Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel,
that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my
covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of
the fulness of my gospel." (3Nephi 16: 12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">If we are to understand the latter day remnant of Joseph's seed and all
the prophecy concerning them in the Book of Mormon, understanding Isaiah's
words is required. This is why the Lord Jesus would say: "And now,
behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a
commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great
are the words of Isaiah. For surely he spake as touching all things
concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it
must needs be that <b><i>he must speak also TO the Gentiles</i></b>. And all things that
he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he
spake." (3Nephi 23: 1-3)</span></div>
</div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-5644158964340239132012-06-25T15:45:00.000-06:002012-06-25T23:15:11.945-06:00The Remnant of Israel - "Numbered Among the Remnant Seed of Joseph"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The first qualification for anyone to live in Zion,
the New Jerusalem of the latter days, is, their "garments
are white through the blood of the Lamb." (Ether 13:
10) That qualification was discussed in the last entry. The second
qualification according to the Book of Mormon prophet Ether, for a person to
dwell in Zion, the New Jerusalem, is, "they are they who are numbered
among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Ether is quoted by Moroni as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and
blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments
are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are
numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of
Israel" (Ether 13: 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Ether did not say a person needs to be the blood of
the remnant seed of Joseph in order to dwell in the New Jerusalem, instead he
says they are "numbered among" the remnant of the seed of
Joseph. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Primary responsibility for establishing and
building Zion, the New Jerusalem is given to the remnant seed of ancient Joseph.
(Ether 13: 8-10 and 3Nephi 20: 22 and 3Nephi 21: 23) We have already seen In
the lay out of the last seven posts that the remnant of Israel, the remnant of
Joseph, is the latter day offspring of Lehi mixed with the blood of Ishmael.
Both Lehi and Ishmael are the direct blood of ancient Joseph through Joseph's
two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The remnant of Jacob, (Israel) is the latter
day offspring of ancient Joseph through Lehi and Ishmael. (1Nephi 13: 34) They
are the Lamanites to whom the Book of Mormon is written. (See the Title Page of
the Book of Mormon also Mormon 5: 12-15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">If a person is not of the blood of the remnant of
Israel, is it possible for that person to dwell in Zion? If so, how does that person qualify to dwell in Zion, the New Jerusalem, by
being "numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The invitation of the Lord to come to Him in order
that He may make you clean, or in other words “wash your garments white” in His
blood, is to every member of the family of man. (2Nephi 26: 33) No one is
excluded. Only He has the power that can effectively make a person pure and
spotless before Him. (2Nephi 9: 41) It requires a pronouncement from Him to make that person "pure" and "spotless" thereby
qualifying them for Zion and His presence. Until such a personal pronouncement
from Him is received, one remains unclean and unprepared. (D&C 131: 5-6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Since the first requirement spoken of by Ether for
a person to dwell in the New Jerusalem, is to have garments "washed In the
blood of the Lamb," (Ether 13: 10), it becomes clear that being
"numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph depends first on
having garments washed white in the blood of the Lamb. Then, the person may
qualify to be "numbered among" those of Joseph's remnant seed that
will have power, authority, and the prophetic destiny to build the New
Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The Book of Mormon speaks of a progression (perhaps
"regression" is a better description) of the gospel over time in the
latter days. The sacred record speaks of an eventual transfer of the fullness of the
gospel of Jesus Christ to the remnant of Israel, (Joseph's remnant seed.) The
effective transfer of the fullness of the gospel from the European Gentiles who
are to be the original stewards of the gospel, to the remnant of Israel who will take over stewardship of the gospel, will
position the remnant seed of Joseph to fulfill the prophecies concerning them
building Zion, the New Jerusalem. For a full review of the role and prophetic
destiny of the Gentiles according to the Book of Mormon record, you
may go back and read the series of entries to this blog concerning the
Gentiles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">The fullness of the gospel according to the words of the Lord
Jesus Christ will ultimately be rejected and lost by the Gentiles. (3Nephi 16:
10, see also D&C 45: 28-29) In the words of the Lord, "then will
I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of
Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will show unto thee, O
house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will
remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto
the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel." (3Nephi 16: 11-12)
When these words of the Lord are fulfilled, the remnant of Joseph's seed, the
remnant of Israel, the Lamanites, will be prepared to fulfill the prophetic
destiny set forth in the Book of Mormon by which they will establish and build the New
Jerusalem as prophesied by the prophet Ether.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">What is to become of the Gentiles who will have
lost the fullness of the Gospel because they preferred the precepts of men?
(D&C 45: 29 and 2Nephi 28: 14, 26, 31) According to the words of the Lord, they may yet be
"numbered among" the remnant of Israel. Ether used the words
"numbered among" the remnant of the seed of Joseph to describe those
individual's that would dwell in New Jerusalem. The Lord Jesus uses the very
same words to describe latter day Gentiles that choose to repent and come to
Him. He said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"But if the Gentiles will repent and return
unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be<b><i> numbered among</i></b>
my people, O house of Israel." (3Nephi 16: 13)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">And<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"For thus it behooveth the Father that it
should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto
the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their
hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and
know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be <b><i>numbered among</i></b>
my people, O house of Israel;"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">(3Nephi 21: 6)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">And<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">But if they (Gentiles) will repent and hearken unto
my words, and harden not their hearts, I will establish my
church among them, and they shall come in unto the covenant and be <b><i>numbered among</i></b>
this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for
their inheritance (3Nephi 21: 22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">So Gentiles (or anyone,) may qualify to “be
numbered among” the remnant seed of Joseph and may therefore qualify to dwell
in Zion. However, it will require mighty repentance, coming down in the very
depths of humility before the Lord. Outward observances and rote performances
will fail. It will require “(knowing) the true points of (His) doctrine." No
other doctrine or precept of men is allowed. Even if gentiles like us become
qualified, our role will be only to “assist” the remnant of Joseph in building
Zion, the New Jerusalem. (3Nephi 21: 23 and 24) For a gentile, for anyone,
dwelling in Zion will be a bestowal and a gift from God who will personally
qualify each person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Speaking directly to the latter day remnant seed of
Joseph, the Lamanites, Mormon informs them: (Mormon 7: 1-3, 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">"I would speak somewhat unto
the remnant of this people who are spared, if it so be that God may
give unto them my words, that they may know of the things of their fathers;
yea, I speak unto you, ye remnant of the house of Israel; and these are the
words which I speak: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Know ye that ye are of the house of
Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye
cannot be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">...And ye will also know that ye are
a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are <b><i>numbered among</i></b>
the people of the first covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ,
and are baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy
Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which
he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of judgment.
Amen."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">Whether it be a Gentile, (you and me), or whether
it be someone of the remnant seed of Joseph, in order to be "numbered
among" those who dwell in Zion the New Jerusalem, repentance is the key.
Come to Him. In Mormons words to the remnant, "Know ye that ye must come
unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved." Then, "believe in Christ,
and (be) baptized, first with water, then with fire and with the Holy
Ghost, following the example of our Savior, according to that which
he hath commanded us." Having done all, seek diligently his face. Never
quit. Never give up. Beg Him to come to you. Beg Him to pronounce you clean.
Beg Him to wash your garments white in His holy blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;">According to Ether, your garments must be "white in His blood"
and you must thereby be "numbered among" those of Zion, the New
Jerusalem. (Ether 13: 10)</span></div>
</div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8070198600121594260.post-77878984067944935952012-06-23T15:57:00.000-06:002012-06-23T15:57:26.980-06:00The Remnant of Israel - Those Who Will Participate in Zion<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The remnant of Israel (the latter day remnant seed
of ancient Joseph and Lehi) will receive the fullness of the gospel of Jesus
Christ and will build the New Jerusalem, the holy city Zion. (Ether 13: 4, 8-10
and 3Nephi 16: 11-12 and 3 Nephi 21: 23)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and
blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments
are white through the blood of the Lamb; and they are they who are
numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel"
(Ether 13: 10)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In order for a person to be a participant in Zion,
the holy city, at least two conditions must exist in the person 1. The person's
garments must be "white through the blood of the lamb," and 2. The
person is to be "numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph."
Both of these conditions are comprised of interesting words. We will be
rewarded to understand and believe the meaning of the words of the conditions
of membership in Zion, the holy city. This entry will address the first requirement
mentioned by Ether, the second requirement we will address in the next
entry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The first thing to be noticed about the two
conditions for participation in the holy city, Zion, is what is <b><i>NOT</i></b> required.
Glaringly missing are nearly all of the conceptions latter day people
have come to believe in their traditions about Zion. There is nothing in the
two requirements about any man "calling" anyone to go anywhere to
build a city. There is nothing implied in the two conditions that remotely
suggest Zion will grow out of any earthly institution. Participation in Zion is
an entirely individual thing. Institutions cannot have "their garments
white through the blood of the Lamb," nor can an institution be
"numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Individuals qualify and become members of Zion,
individually. The process of qualifying for membership in Zion is the process
by which a person's "garments are (made) white through the blood of the
Lamb. First and foremost, citizens of the holy city Zion will "know"
the Lord, (John 17: 3), will have received His testimony to them, (D&C 76:
5 and D&C 131: 5-6), and will have received all the ordinances, blessings,
witnesses, and assurances from His own mouth, that will enable a person to
abide His presence. Otherwise, without these things, there is no flesh
that can endure His presence. (D&C 84: 19-22) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All the smooth words of assurance, all the carnal security,
and promises of "all is well," will never have power to save anyone.
In fact, such assurances are designed to destroy. And they do destroy Gods
children in droves, even those who are sure they are bound for celestial glory
because they belong to the right church, or the right family, and follow the
right men. (Isaiah 30: 10 and 2Nephi 28: 7-8, 21-25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Garments washed white in the blood of the Lamb” is
a requirement for every citizen of Zion. Garments washed white in the blood of
the Lamb enable one to abide the presence of the Lord. Having garments washed
white means to be sanctified, to be "pure" and "spotless"
before God. (Alma 13: 11-12) Fallen man (you and me) can only be made pure and
spotless by the pronouncement of God's own mouth. If not for that, there is
nothing we can do of ourselves, there is nothing any other person can do or say
that can make us pure and spotless. His ordinances invite us to become
clean and spotless so that we can be part of His family with Him there. It is
His power and pronouncement that actually accomplishes making us clean. (Ether
3: 13 and D&C 64: 10) We must be pronounced clean by Him in order that our "garments be
washed white" in His Holy Blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Zion will be a holy city because the Lord will be
there. He will make the city holy because it will be His own abode. Two
separate times while teaching the Nephite offspring of Joseph in the recorded
words of the Book of Mormon, the Lord promised them His own presence in the
holy city they would build in the latter days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"And behold, this people will I
establish in this land, unto the fulfilling of the covenant which I
made with your father Jacob; and it shall be a New Jerusalem. And
the powers of heaven shall be in the midst of this people; yea,
even <b><i>I will be in the midst of you</i></b>." (3Nephi 20:
22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And again,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">23 And they (Gentiles) shall assist my people,
the remnant of Jacob, and also as many of the house of Israel as shall come,
that they may build a city, which shall be called the New Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">24 And then shall they assist my people
that they may be gathered in, who are scattered upon all the face of the land,
in unto the New Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">25 And then shall the power of heaven
come down among them; and <b><i>I also will be in the midst</i></b>.
(3Nephi 21: 23-25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord told Enoch the same thing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">70 And righteousness and truth will I cause to
sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine own elect from the four
quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare; an holy city, that
my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my
coming; for <b><i>there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion; a
New Jerusalem</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">72 And <b><i>there shall be mine abode, and it
shall be Zion</i></b>, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I
have made; and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest. (Moses
7: 70, 72)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is interesting to note that the same promise the
Lord gave to the Nephites and to Enoch about coming to His Zion as the place of
His abode, is the very same promise He made to the early members of the Church
when He extended the opportunity for them to build a Zion in their day.
Commanding them to build the Nauvoo temple He said to them:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"For there is not a place found on earth that
he may come to and restore again that which was lost unto you, or
which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the priesthood...And verily I say
unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal
mine ordinances therein unto my people;...If ye labor with all your might, I
will consecrate that spot that it shall be made holy." (D&C 124:
28, 40, 44)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord's promise to come to the Nauvoo temple and
grace it with His presence and make it holy by His own presence and ordinances
was never fulfilled. There is no known record that shows the Lord (or angels)
ever came to the Nauvoo temple to "consecrate that spot that it shall be
made holy." The way it would have been made holy is by the presence of
Holiness itself. In my observation, that never happened. Joseph Smith was never
able to successfully establish Zion and bring the people to the point where
they could endure the presence of the Lord. For their failure, the early saints
were moved out of their place, (Nauvoo) and suffered terrible tribulation and
hardships as promised by the Lord. (D&C 124: 45-48) Moses failed in his
desire and efforts to bring his people into the presence of the Lord as well.
(D&C 84: 22-25)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Garments washed white in the blood of the Lamb” is
a gift and bestowal from God. It is required for each individual in order to
participate in Zion. Sanctification comes neither from any man nor the
practices of men. (2Nephi 9: 41) God personally sanctifies, makes known, and invites, those
that will participate. (D&C 131: 5-6) The presence of the Lord in His holy
city, the New Jerusalem, to be built by the remnant of Jacob (and Joseph
through Lehi), will require anyone there to be able to abide His presence. It
will not be possible for someone who is not able to abide the presence of the
Lord to be a part of Zion. Someone who has not had his garments made white in
the blood of the Lamb simply will not be able to be there. It will not be
possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 17px;">Joseph Smith taught:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"<b><i>Men and angels are to be co-workers in
bringing to pass this great work, and Zion is to be prepared, even a new
Jerusalem</i></b>, for the elect that are to be gathered from the four quarters
of the earth, and to be established an holy city, for the tabernacle of the
Lord shall be with them." (HC 2: 260-62)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Angels bring us to Christ. (Moroni 7: 29-32)
It is the work of angels to select and bring those who are prepared to
the Lord. (D&C 77: 11) Angels are now busy preparing the elect for Zion. It
happened in Alma's day, (Alma 13: 22-26) it happens today, in earnest. The day
of the Lord's latter day Zion approaches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven,
bearing testimony of the Father, and of the Son. And the Holy Ghost fell on
many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.” (Moses 7: 33-34)
This is how men and angels are to be co-workers in bringing to pass this great
work, and Zion is to be prepared, even a new Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mighty repentance each and every day of our lives, hearts, minds, and
hands that are clean and pure, submitting ourselves to Him completely,
following every word of His commands, will receive the notice of angels. They
will bring us a personal invitation to come to Him. When we do come to Him, He
will assure a place for us in His Zion because He will say, "this day you
are clean before me." Then, your garments are white in the blood of the
Lamb because He said so. He will do all things required to prepare you for His Zion. </span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>steve vanleerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01796998942880842554noreply@blogger.com0