Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil

From time to time course corrections are required. For me those times seem to arrive frequently. Despite my recurring inability to traverse a path without diversion to less meaningful things, I find the Lord gently coaxing me back to narrower ways. How grateful I am for His enduring patience and kindness. He seems never to give up. If He were going to give up, I suppose He would have done it long ago. I love Him and I thank Him.

Recently, I have felt the need for a more solid grounding in foundational bedrock principles that will lead me where I really desire most to go. A few years ago my wandering explorations into truth led to a book. The truths contained in the book guided me to some marvelous and cherished blessings and understanding. But the ultimate objective of the instruction in the book continues to elude me. So, now it is time to go back. In order to go forward it is required that we go back. (This is one of the great truths taught in the book The Second Comforter Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil.) I thought I understood the principle when I once read it a few years ago. Now, because of my errant wanderings, it's time to go back to be reminded again. 

Over time, the true principles and the course set forth in the Second Comforter never changed. In fact they cannot ever change. But I have changed. Following the designated path has brought me so far. Understanding and increased light and truth have resulted to a degree I could not have anticipated when this journey began. The things of God are marvelous and magnificent beyond our paltry ability to comprehend. It is true what Joseph Smith said, even the least saint, (me), can receive and understand the things of God as soon as we are ready for them.

Since this blog is written primarily for you, my children, and a few dear friends and family, I invite you to go back with me to The Second Comforter. I have begun on the path set forth there and found the promised interim results manifested just as promised. But I have begun to realize, we cannot ever be satisfied with interim results and blessings. Though they are magnificent, interim blessings were never intended to be any kind of end. Instead, they are meant to provide sign posts along the way; they are given to instill greater faith for the continuing climb to God.

So, I am going back to the Second Comforter. I am going there in hopes of remembering how it was I arrived there and beyond on the path to begin with. I am going to allow the Lord to show me once again, what is needed and required in order to find His presence. We, (I), cannot be fooled or misled into thinking we can deviate in the least from the path the Lord has set forth. The necessary components of the path are found in The Second Comforter Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil. Gaining knowledge and understanding will not in itself bring us to Him. It is easy to begin to confuse the effort to learn with the necessary requirements of the path. they are not the same thing.

Until we converse with the Lord at the veil, all other attainments, all other knowledge, and understanding, all other good and worthy endeavors and efforts, may become for us only distractions. I am going back hoping to discover where I may have deviated from the only accepted path that ends at His feet. 

Here are some notes I have begun to compile. These are the bedrock foundational principles that will set us off correctly once again. These are not my words. These words come from The Second Comforter Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil. I am going to allow them to guide me where He is. I invite you, my children and dear friends and family to consider where you stand on the path back to His presence. Because I feel resolved, with new determination to continue upward, I want you to feel the same thing. Consider Brother Snuffer's words carefully, then assess your standing and move ahead.

Notes from The Second Comforter Conversing With the Lord through the Veil: (again, these are quotes from the book not my words with the exception of an occasional parenthetical)


·      To receive the second comforter we must allow others who have been so blessed to serve as our guides. Their instructions and testimony need to be accepted and followed.  


·      Heaven will not permit any soul to receive mysteries if they cannot resist revealing them unwisely to others. The constraint that they may be learned but cannot be taught is enforced by withholding them from those who will not abide by this constraint.  


·      The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin...this is a station to which no man ever arrived in a moment…


·      Like opening a combination lock, unless you have the right sequence and the right information, it is not possible to have the veil open.  (It's not about simply spinning the dial back and forth) 


·      There should be in the mind of the student only one thing to do. There is always only one thing to do. It is the thing most wrong at the moment. Once that is addressed and corrected, then you can move on to the next thing... Then there is still only one thing to do... Never work on three, or thirty, or fifty things at once.


·      Through the ordinances of the gospel you become an heir and a member of Gods family. He comes to visit with members of His family, but not with strangers and foreigners. The rites collectively are adoption rites, through which you are restored to Gods family.


·      The scriptures are accounts written about and by people who have received the second comforter... They tell us what to do... We should be eager to look carefully at what they tell us about how they got there. 


·      The past is forgivable. Even serious sins are forgivable. That's the point o what Christ did. He wants us to recover from our errors... Your own past sins, even serious sins, are no impediment to His power to forgive. 


·      Through the steps of asking, receiving, trusting and acting, we develop stronger faith... Anyone willing to move along with this will grow in light and truth. 


·      Getting light and truth from God is obtained through experiences. It is experiential rather than academic. Feeling comes before seeing, hearing, and touching... Anecdotal proof is what you must be willing to accept throughout this process. Your own experiences are going to be your guide. 


·      It can be a great benefit to have both this worlds learning and still keep the sensitivity to feel what lies behind the veil.       ***There is no veil to our feelings. The veil is to our other senses. But we have learned to trust everything but our feelings…*** (emphasis added) it will be necessary to go back to trusting your feelings from a time long ago in childhood 


·      Before you are ready to receive the second comforter you will encounter substantial tests of your faith. Of course, you should expect that. Hearts must be broken. That is the only way to get the required "broken heart and a contrite spirit" the Lord demands.


·      How, when, where, and to what extent you will be tested is an individual matter. But a test that will break your heart will certainly come. You must pass through the very valley of the shadow of death, while relying upon the Lord to guide you and provide you the comfort to endure.

He whose presence we seek said it this way: (Revelation 3:)

18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

So, for me, it’s back to the knitting. Stick to the knitting. Stick to the Knitting. My children especially, I invite you to join me here.

Book of Mormon Precepts "A Type of the Latter Day Church"

This post is an introduction of sorts to a topic that will require many additional posts to develop fully from the Book of Mormon what we need to eventually understand. This topic, in order to be properly understood, will require additional understanding of prophecy and teachings from the Book of Mormon; those will be addressed and developed as we move along. To begin understanding, we need to first discover something about the last group of Nephi's descendants recorded in the Book of Mormon.

Among the recorded instances of "dwindling in unbelief" in the Book of Mormon narrative, there is one occurrence that should be paid particular attention. The dwindling, and ultimate destruction of the people that once received the Lord Jesus Christ and His personal ministry, is the most important and instructive example of all. This highly favored people began in such a condition that they were able to stand in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. (3Nephi 11) Whenever a person or a group of people arrive at the level of purity and holiness that enables them to endure the presence of God while in mortality, that condition is called, Zion. (3Nephi 12: 8, D&C 97: 21) The last Nephites began as a Zion people when Christ appeared to them and personally ministered to them. (3Nephi 11) In order for the people to be able to endure the presence of the risen Lord and still live, it was necessary for them to have received ordinances of the higher priesthood. (D&C 84: 19-22) It was necessary that they receive the fullness of the priesthood. These Nephites were spiritually advanced and spiritually accomplished saints. They enjoyed the company and presence of Christ during an intensive three-day ministry. Thereafter "he did show himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them." (3Nephi 26: 13)

The Nephites enjoyed a true Zion society where Christ and the fulness of the priesthood was present among them. The latter day saints on the other hand, failed in their attempts to establish Zion.  (D&C 124: 28, 32-34) Though the latter day saints came into the habit of calling themselves Zion, and are referred to in various places in the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants as "Zion", (for example, 2Nephi 28: 21, 24), like the Israelites of Moses' day, (D&C 84: 23-25), the latter day saints never achieved the Zion condition that would allow God to dwell among them as the Nephites did. The latter day saints merited the ministering of angels among them from time to time. The Kirtland temple dedication era record includes instances of angelic presence and ministry. But, to Joseph Smith’s frustration and dismay, the latter day saints never achieved Zion despite all of Joseph's great efforts to bring the saints to that understanding and condition. 

About his frustration and inability to instill understanding among the saints, Joseph said, "there has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn dodger for a wedge and a pumpkin for a beetle…I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the saints prepared to receive the things of God, but we frequently see some of them …fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions, they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law and go through and receive their exaltation I am unable to say, but many are called and few are chosen." Modern latter day saints do not seem to have changed much in this regard since Joseph's day. "Tradition" rules the day among them still.


As to Joseph's expressed concern about "how many will be able to abide a celestial law," the Lord later revealed, (D&C 105) 


2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.

3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

6 And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.

From the record of that last group of once highly blessed Nephite believers, is found a type of the latter day restored church. To miss, or misunderstand, the message of the experience of the last Nephites is to miss one of the foremost warnings provided by the Lord to latter day people from the Book of Mormon. To see and understand the great type established by the last Nephites is to begin to understand latter day events and fulfillment of latter day prophecy regarding the latter day church as set forth previously in the precious Book of Mormon.

The purpose of Mormon's inclusion in the abridged record, of the dwindling and ultimate destruction of a once Zion people, is misunderstood by almost all latter day saints. Generally, latter day saints tend to read and view the horrific events that led to the ultimate total destruction of the Zion Nephites as separate from themselves; as though they had no direct meaning or application to a latter day church or a latter day people. What can be learned after all, by a "chosen," and a "promised," latter day people, from a fallen, wicked, and destroyed Nephite people? Even if the Nephites were once Zion, even if God once dwelled among them, what can the experience of their dwindling and destruction possibly mean to a church who’s glorious destiny is assured? A proper and introspective understanding of what happened to the Zion Nephites; understanding why the Lord desires that it be clearly understood by latter day people what happened to the Zion Nephites, has everything to do with the church's own latter day history and destiny as it relates to prophecy in the Book of Mormon. We might even rightly say, to understand the latter day saints is to understand substantially what happened to the Zion Nephites.

It seems difficult, if not impossible, for latter day saints to see and understand the striking parallels between themselves and the Zion Nephites. It is because of pride, vanity, and unbelief of the latter day saints (D&C 84: 54-57) that they are unable to see what the Lord has placed before their eyes in the words of the Book of Mormon. Their minds have in fact been "darkened" just as the Lord said. (D&C 84: 54) It is, after all, the work of the enemy of God to, "blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost." (1Nephi 12 : 17)   We must not make the mistake of all together missing, misjudging, or discounting, the lessons and experience of the last Nephites. (Those things do in fact pertain directly to the latter day church.) To do so is to succumb to our "vanity" and "unbelief." If we believe the glorious destiny of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints makes it impervious to anything like what happened to the Zion Nephites, then we may surely know we are being guided by our "vanity" and "unbelief." The first evidence of a "darkened mind" is the refusal, or inability, to believe what is plainly written. (D&C 84: 54-57)

Much knowledge is needed to understand just how the last Nephites and the latter day church are set up in the Book of Mormon as types of one another. For now, in order to begin a foundation of understanding, we will try to understand just what happened to the Zion Nephites

Remember, our overall objective is to learn the precepts of the Book of Mormon in order that, as Joseph Smith said, we can come nearer to God by abiding by its precepts.

Book of Mormon Precepts "Believe in Me"

The greatest message of the Book of Mormon is the glad news that declares Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. That all men, His lowly creations, may seek Him and find His presence during mortality thereby securing from Him personally redemption from the fall. The Lord Jesus Himself said, "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me...Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin." (3 Nephi 9: 14,21)

If the precepts of the Book of Mormon have the ability to bring us "near to God" as Joseph Smith taught, it is because the book is full of invitation, testimony, and instruction from, and about, Christ and His redeeming power. Everything needed to show a man how he may seek and find Him and His offered redemption is included. This is the great message and principle we are commanded to "believe" in order that we may come unto Him and receive eternal life. All else falls into the category of "unbelief." The great patriarch leader Lehi taught his sons, "Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." (2Nephi 2: 6-7)

Recognizing the critical centrality and eternally important nature of the message of the redemption offered through Christ, Lehi testifies, "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise." (2Nephi 2: 8) The importance of making these things known as Lehi suggests is great enough that the Lord would carefully, over many centuries, personally supervise and direct the writing and composition of the records that would one day comprise the words of the Book of Mormon. It's greatest purpose is, "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—" (Title page of the Book of Mormon)

We can't allow ourselves to focus on unbelief and dwindling or any of the other very important warnings found in the precious Book of Mormon without giving at least equal attention to the happy message of "believe in Christ" found there. The first purpose of the Book of Mormon is to testify and teach of Christ and to instruct how individual people may find Him and come into His presence. The words of the Book of Mormon necessarily provide stern and repeated warnings about unbelief, dwindling, and many other unsavory warnings and prophecies that may be viewed as less than optimistic when they are understood properly. These warnings are a necessary part of the record. Even the warnings and prophecies of failure and predictions of destruction and judgment, if people choose to hear it, have the purpose of calling them to repent and come to Him. 

If one is willing to pay close attention in order to see and understand, the Book of Mormon shows and explains the movement and shifting of the gospel of Christ among various steward groups all the way from beginnings with the Nephites, through and including the Millennium and the reign of Christ. It is one of the overriding purposes of the Book of Mormon to show latter day people the prophetic movement of the gospel of Jesus Christ and its blessings from one group of people to another. A substantial portion of the entire volume of the Book of Mormon is comprised of the prophecies that speak of these things. The prophetic description of the flow of the gospel of Jesus Christ from one steward group to another and yet another is built into the structure of the book in order that the various players in the prophecies in the latter days may be informed and prepared for the prophesied developments. Each one of the various steward groups must learn repentance and receive the knowledge needed  to come unto Him and receive Him. As one group receives heavenly knowledge and the gospel, and prospers, another "dwindles in unbelief." This process repeats itself in the prophecies of the Book of Mormon through the Nephites, to the Gentiles, until the remnant of the Nephite's seed will take final stewardship of the fullness of the gospel to build the New Jerusalem and Zion. (3Nephi  20, 21) 

The movement of stewardship for the gospel of Jesus Christ is to go from the Nephites, to latter day Gentiles. (1Nephi 13: 35-36) The latter day Gentiles will then deliver the gospel message to a remnant of Nepite blood. (1Nephi 13: 38-39) Then finally, the eventual total stewardship of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be assumed by the remnant of the Nephites. (3Nephi 16: 10-11 and 3Nephi 20-21) None of this prophecy that fills so many pages of the Book of Mormon can be properly viewed or understood separately from the message of "Come unto Me and believe in Me." Every aspect of the Book of Mormon narrative is given to lead latter day people to Christ and His redemption. 

When the words of the Book of Mormon speak of "unbelief" and "dwindling," when there are suggestions of failure and disappointment in the conduct of latter day people, even when the Lord warns about destruction and judgments to come, it all has the singular purpose of crying out to the reader to repent and come to Him. There is not one warning given in the book, there is no prophecy of destruction and judgment to come, that cannot be applied unto the blessing of the reader’s soul if one is willing to give heed to the message and repent. Every single warning and judgment pronounced in the Book of Mormon can be avoided even eliminated for the individual soul that is willing to come unto Him. This is the very purpose of such language in the book. 

The Lord repeats the message over and over again in the words of the Book of Mormon, "Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts." (2 Nephi 28: 32) The key contingency in the Lord's message is "if they will repent and come unto me." One cannot sincerely read the words of the Book of Mormon without recognizing the desperation with which the Lord seems to want to be merciful to all.  He would redeem them all if they would just repent and come to Him. Unfortunately, as He said in the verse above, "they will deny me." In another place He said, “And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not.” (3Nephi 10: 5)

The message of hope, love, and redemption through Christ the Lord, is the purpose and meaning of the precious Book of Mormon. Its words are not always encouraging for those unwilling to repent and come to Him. But for the repentant soul that is willing, just as it was for Nephi, and Jacob, Enos, and Alma, the later Nephi, the brother of Jared, Mormon, Moroni, and Joseph Smith, he calls through the words of the Book of Mormon for you to come unto Him in order that you may receive Him and be redeemed through His testimony to you. 

Book of Mormon Precepts "Unbelief"

The Book of Mormon provides a striking study in the precept of  “dwindling in unbelief.” From the Book of Mormon it is clear that “unbelief” leads to “dwindling” away from the things of God. Any astute reader is able to see the many cycles of belief and associated righteousness and spiritual prosperity in the Book of Mormon. With very few exceptions, each case of belief and righteousness among people cited in the Book of Mormon, eventually resulted in "unbelief" and dwindling away from principles of truth. I have heard these cycles of righteousness then falling away in the Book of Mormon narrative referred to as “pride cycles.” And, it is true that pride is a primary symptom of people who have begun to dwindle. The source of the disease of “dwindling,” however, is always, without exception, “unbelief.”  Unbelief leads to pride, selfishness, sin, and evil in all of its varieties. It all begins with “unbelief.”

“Belief,” and “unbelief,” both have much narrower definitions as they are contextually used and applied in the Book of Mormon than may appear at first thought. There are as many things to believe in, as there are people to believe in them.  However, there is an eternal principle called “belief” that pleases God and leads to salvation and His presence. In order to understand the nature of spiritually destructive “unbelief,” what it means specifically, how it may be resolved and fixed, an understanding of the eternal principle called “belief” is first required.   

“Belief,” that is acceptable to God, that principle which leads to righteousness, spiritual safety, and progression toward God, is centered in, and is absolutely exclusive in its application to only one thing, The Lord Jesus Christ and His redeeming power. Belief in any other thing, person, or concept, that does not have as its exclusive central focus, the Lord Jesus Christ, is called “unbelief.” The Lord has made it as clear as it is possible to make it, that we are to “believe” in Him. Our belief in Him is to be at the exclusion of all other persons or things in order to receive His redeeming blessings. (John 3:15-16, 18, 36, John 5:24, John 6:35, John 11: 26…)

We may believe in a lot of really good things. We may believe in things the Lord Himself has given us such as a church, a leader, a temple, or a family. These are all good things that come to us as blessings from God. We should be grateful for every blessing from Him. But, if the saving, redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ is not eminent exclusively in our hearts and minds, belief even in the gifts of God may then become to us “unbelief.” Another way to say this that adds clarity is; the church cannot and will not save you. There is no leader or man that can or will ever have power to save you. The temple, and every priesthood ordinance in and of itself cannot and will not save you. If your belief is centered in any of these things, or any other thing that is not exclusive to the Lord Jesus Christ and His ability and promise to redeem you, your belief is in fact “unbelief.”

The difference between believing in Christ and His redeeming power on the one hand, and believing in all that He has given us on the other hand, is not as subtle as latter day saints want to make it seem. Though because of blindness, a person may not see it, “believing” in the church is not, and in fact cannot be the same thing as believing in Christ. “Believing” in or following any man regardless of calling or position will not, and cannot, ever be the same thing as believing in Christ and His ability and promise to redeem you. Satan masterfully builds up in people’s minds, equivalents to Christ. He teaches that following a “prophet” or "following the brethren" is the same thing as following and believing in Christ. Yet the Lord has revealed that doing so will lead such a follower to a telestial reward. (D&C 76: 98-101) This kind of followership is “unbelief.”

The notion that latter day saints are a “chosen people” has itself become “unbelief.” Believing proudly that they are God’s chosen people and that they are favored of the Lord above all other people is no different than the attitude of the dissident Zoramites in the Book of Mormon who prayed, “and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God. And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.” (Alma 31: 17-18)  I have heard words not varying a great deal from these of the Zoramites from latter day saints in church meetings on many occasions. The Zoramites, like the latter day saints, suffered from “unbelief.” Christ and His redeeming power have nothing to do with such a belief. Believing you are one of a chosen people will never save you.

People may direct their attention, focus, and devotion to things of the world. It may be a job, a house, a business, a sport, or a hobby. It may be any one of a hundred addictions that consume. It may be any one of a thousand distractions that lead belief and focus away from Christ and His redeeming power.  Any belief or devotion on the part of Gods children to anything whatsoever that does not exclusively focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, His redeeming power and promises, is called “unbelief.”

Understanding now what may constitute “unbelief,” what can we make of the Lord’s condemnation of the latter day saints as set out in D&C 84: 54-57? Remember, that the condemnation of the church by the Lord resulted, “because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—

Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.

 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.”  (D&C 84: 54-55)  If it was “unbelief “ that caused the people in the record of the Book of Mormon to “dwindle” and lose truth and light repeatedly until they had lost the things of God all together, what warning is evident there that should be taken by latter day saints specifically for them from all of the “dwindling in unbelief” that repeated itself in the Book of Mormon narrative?

Something about the conduct of latter day saints since 1832 has caused the Lord to accuse them of “unbelief.” That unbelief has persisted for 180 years and has to do specifically with the Book of Mormon. (D&C 84: 57) What more can be learned from the Book of Mormon that may help us to correct our “unbelief”? Hopefully, there has not been so much “dwindling” because of our unbelief over 180 years that things cannot yet be turned around. I continue to believe there is still time for us to repent and come unto Him. Our exploration into this most perfect of all books will continue. Remember, Joseph Smith said, (paraphrasing), abiding by its (the Book of Mormon) precepts will bring you nearer to God than by any other book. Belief brings nearer to God. Unbelief causes dwindling.   

Book of Mormon Precepts "Dwindling in Unbelief"

The Book of Mormon is the single greatest written source of truth available to mankind today. It was constructed under the tutelage of the Lord. The various writers of the records, and Mormon who abridged the many records that provided the source information for the book, acted under the direction of the Lord. The fact that the Book of Mormon provides the single greatest written source of truth, presents an interesting element of irony since the book itself puts forth the precept that truth is a slippery commodity that is easily lost by men when once found. This is a precept of the Book of Mormon that latter day saints in general simply don't get insofar as the precept applies to them and the church. They don't understand that the precept is purposely made so prevalent in the Book of Mormon precisely so it can provide a warning for the latter day saints and the latter day church. This is one of those precepts in the Book of Mormon that can easily make latter day saints squirm if it is allowed to apply to the church and not necessarily to "other people."

As a doctrinal concept, the ability for truth to be lost is discussed specifically in the book of Mormon in several different places. Here are just a few of those to consider:

"And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell." (Alma 12: 10-11)

And,

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2Nephi 28: 30)

And,

And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things. (Alma 24: 30)

The word "dwindle" appears in the Book of Mormon twenty three times. The word is found only once in the Doctrine and Covenants and is not found at all in any other scripture. "Dwindle" is used almost exclusively in the Book of Mormon to describe the process by which people lose truth and light after having once had it. I have looked at every occurrence of the word "dwindle" in the Book of Mormon. Of the twenty three times "dwindle" appears, it is accompanied by the word "unbelief" twenty three times. Twenty three times the Book of Mormon mentions the peril of "dwindling in unbelief." Do you think the Lord wanted anyone to understand this precept? Have the Latter day saints yet asked themselves, what could this precept have to do with us? Why would the Lord revisit this issue over and  over again in the words of the Book of Mormon? Is it so that those who do not believe in the first place may be warned about dwindling in unbelief? Makes reason stare, doesn't it?

Unbelief is the destructive element that causes a loss of light and truth. Unbelief is the antithesis of faith that leads once enlightened people to "dwindle" and lose the truth they once had. A great example of the truth destroying power of unbelief is found in the children of the people of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon.

"1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers.

2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ.

3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.

4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God."(Mosiah 26: 1-4)

In one generation, truth and light was completely lost because of "unbelief." Notice, "because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God." This is where dwindling begins. Unbelief leads to the inability to understand the word of God.

It was just such "unbelief" that led to the condemnation of the church and it's people by the Lord.

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—

Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.” (D&C 84: 54-55)

The unbelief that led to the Lord's condemnation of the latter day saints has everything to do with the Book of Mormon itself.

"And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.

And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written"(D&C 84: 56-57)

Does the "unbelief" of latter day saints as to the Book of Mormon mean that there may have been some "dwindling" since the condemnation was pronounced by the Lord in 1832? Remember, the condemnation remains effective upon the church even now according to President Benson and Dalin Oaks. If things had improved respecting the unbelief of the latter day saints, surely the Lord would have lifted the condemnation? Or is the church prevented from dwindling in unbelief? If so, what is it that would prevent latter day saints from "dwindling" in their unbelief? If the Book of Mormon is indeed the “cornerstone” of our religion as Joseph Smith claimed, what are the ramifications of the church being under the Lord’s condemnation for unbelief of the cornerstone?

A few things become clear.

1. The Book of Mormon contains a repeated precept that warns about loss of light and truth. The Lord clearly wants this precept understood for a reason.

2. The Book of Mormon repeats no fewer than twenty three times the perils of "dwindling" when "unbelief" begins and persists. Is the message from the Lord directed to "believers" or "non-believers"? Who is it that is able to "dwindle" from a position of belief and understanding?

3. The Lord has pointed out in clear terms the "unbelief" of the latter day saints. The unbelief of the latter day saints according to the Lord's own words is directly related to the Book of Mormon.

4. The church and the latter day saints have continued under the Lord's condemnation for their unbelief since 1832. The condemnation for unbelief is effective upon the church today.

5. The question must be asked:

Is there any reasoning other than pride and vanity, (which the Lord has also accused the church of), that would lead to the conclusion that the church has not dwindled in unbelief for at least 180 years since section 184 was recorded and the condemnation upon the church was pronounced by the Lord?

All of this gives great pause when one considers that Joseph Smith said about the Book of Mormon, "a man can get nearer to God by abiding it's precepts, than by any other book." If the church is in a condition of unbelief concerning the book itself as the Lord has said, then how near to God can the church and its people be?

"Dwindling in unbelief" is a huge topic and precept from the Book of Mormon. We will discuss more about it in the next installment.

Book of Mormon Keystone and the Very Key

The Book of Mormon was described by Joseph Smith as the "keystone" of our religion. He said, "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by it's precepts, than by any other book." Joseph knew something about the "precepts" of the Book of Mormon that most latter day saints never come to understand. Most good members of the church would be hard pressed to point out what "precepts" the book of Mormon contains that will allow a person to draw near to God in the sense Joseph meant the phrase.

When Joseph said the precepts of the Book of Mormon would allow a person to "get nearer to God" I think he meant something literal and very specific. Two hundred years of continuous dwindling away since Joseph Smith's day, have left much of what Joseph originally taught, changed, forgotten, and in some cases simply abandoned as worthless. Joseph's whole purpose in what he taught and revealed under the Lords direction in the restoration was designed to show the individual child of God how to regain the presence of God in this mortal life. (D&C 93: 1, D&C 76: 117-118, D&C 88: 67-since 68) In this way, the work and the glory of God (Moses 1: 39) is brought to past for individuals that learn and apply Gods prescribed path and commandments. This level of "knowledge" according to John constitutes eternal life. (John 17: 3) The knowledge, instruction, and ordinances needed for individual sons and daughters of God to come into the presence of God is the essence and purpose of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The very key to that sacred instruction, showing the path back to Gods presence, is to be found in the words of the Book of Mormon. Abiding by its precepts as Joseph said, will "get a man nearer to God" and fulfillment of the promises of the Lord to reveal Himself to man, than any other book. 

The way the Book of Mormon is taught in the correlated curriculum of the church, those "precepts" that will allow a person to get near to God are lost in a too superficial mix of a little history and misdirected understanding of doctrinal meaning. Even the "experts," the scholars, and authorities that most people look to for guidance to understand the meaning and precepts of the Book of Mormon are without understanding. Though they are learned, "they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish." (2Nephi 9: 27) Because their wisdom is foolishness, when it is taught to others, it not only "profiteth them not," but it leads others astray from saving principles as well. Nephi said, "Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines;" ( 2Nephi 28: 9) Nephi also pointed out "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)

Lest we vainly think the prophecies pointing to false teachings in our day were given to mean not us, but other people instead, Moroni clearly points out in his words in the Book of Mormon, it is those who belong to the "Holy church of God" that have polluted it and "transfigured the holy word of God." (Mormon 8: 38 and 33, see verses 33-41 inclusive) Among the foremost reasons latter day saints fail to recognize and live the saving precepts contained in the Book of Mormon is because of the strong predisposition to think warnings and negative suggestions in the book are only about or pointed to "other people." If this one false understanding could be overcome, the Book of Mormon could be understood with much greater clarity and truth. The book was written for the latter day church, to the latter day church specifically. The Book of Mormon was not written to, or for, any other people. It was not written to warn people who are not members of the Lord's church and who have not received the fullness of the gospel.  When the words of the book speak ideas and concepts that seem condemning or harsh, it is the latter day saints that need to understand the meaning of the message as it applies to them, not others. It is vanity and pride that makes latter day saints think the warnings in the Book of Mormon are directed toward others. Everything written in the book is about and for latter day saints, not others.     

If the Book of Mormon is ever to have the intended power to bring us near to God as Joseph suggested, its precepts must be clearly understood, believed, and most importantly they must be lived with real intent. For most of my life, though I have been a member of the church, I found I have misunderstood the meaning and purpose of the Book of Mormon. I studied the book diligently, took institute classes, read the commentaries of top church scholars and general authorities, I even did my share of teaching from the Book of Mormon. After all my efforts to learn truth through much study and reading, I found in the end, when truth was finally revealed by the power of the Holy Ghost, I had gained little understanding of the precepts in the Book of Mormon that allow one to draw near to God. I, like most others in our day, was "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2Timothy 3: 7) This inability to learn truth is part of a plague the apostle Paul said would afflict the people of the last days. Paul said these last days would be "perilous times." (2Timothy 3: 1-7) Perilous indeed are the times when men are unable to learn truth that will lead them to life eternal. Though they are surrounded by all the truth needed to find and secure eternal life in the revelations received by Joseph Smith, foremost of which is the Book of Mormon, the precepts of truth found there are mostly misunderstood and grossly not believed. There is peril to the soul of every latter day saint that does not learn the precepts of the Book of Mormon that are designed as a guide book back to the presence of God. This is why Joseph Smith said a man would get closer to God by abiding it's precepts than by any other book.

Latter day saints are lulled into thinking, because they have read the Book of Mormon, in some cases repeatedly, and because they have a testimony of its divine origins and truth, that their obligation where the Book of Mormon is concerned is fulfilled. However, it is entirely possible that a person can have completed the steps needed to gain a witness of the truth of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, (Moroni 10: 3-5), but still not have a knowledge of the precepts contained in the book that Joseph Smith said would lead a person closer to God. A "testimony" of the divinity and truth of the Book of Mormon will not save. Almost all latter day saints are caught in the deception that their belief in the Book of Mormon will be enough to lead them to the celestial kingdom. Instead, it is only "abiding by its precepts" that will lead closer to God. Abiding by any precept cannot be done unless the precept is clearly and correctly understood, believed, and lived with real intent.

In 1832 the Lord placed the church and its people under condemnation largely because they had "taken lightly" the Book of Mormon. The words of the condemnation are: "And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—" (D&C 84: 56-57) This condemnation has never been lifted by the Lord. In fact it has been reconfirmed and reiterated by various church leaders including President Ezra T. Benson and most recently by Dalin H. Oaks since it was originally pronounced by the Lord.

We are to abide by the precepts of the precious Book of Mormon in order to "get nearer to God." Being under God's condemnation for taking the Book of Mormon lightly should be taken by us as a clear signal that we are far from understanding how to draw closer to God by its precepts. The next many entries to this blog will be devoted to discovering the little understood and nearly universally rejected precepts contained in the Book of Mormon that are given to us by the Lord in the latter days to show us Gods great works and how to come unto Him.  

The Church a "Compound in One"

The great prophet leader Lehi in the Book of Mormon taught his son Jacob a concept he referred  to as “a compound in one.” (2Nephi 2: 11) He was teaching Jacob about the great atoning sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God. Lehi explained that in the absence of opposites, all things tend to amalgamate into one bland mass of nothingness, a "compound in one." Even the great atonement would not have been needed or have had purpose in the absence of opposites. Lehi explained, “Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.” (2Nephi 2:  10-11) In the absence of opposites, all things tend toward a “compound in one.” Lehi then launched into a marvelous discourse to teach his sons the great principle of agency and acting for ones self, as opposed to being acted upon.

In his discourse, Lehi taught that God created some things to “act,“ and other things to be “acted upon.” (2Nephi 2: 14) Man, was the foremost thing created by God to “act” for himself.  Lehi said, “Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.” Further, Lehi said,  “the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.” (2Nephi 2:  16 and 26)

We learn from the precious Book of Mormon through Lehi’s words, how tragically wrong it is when Gods children are deprived of their God given right to learn truth, as well as their right and need to learn and study unimpinged, any elements that my be in opposition to truth as well. Hiding anything from Gods children, depriving them of information needed to make personal assessments of true principles, is evil and will result in conditions God deemed unacceptable for His children. Anyone who thinks or believes he is doing God’s children a favor by not allowing them to be exposed to doctrine, history, or information, is buying into, and playing a part in the policies that were rejected by God our Father for His children from the beginning. No man has been given the right to “control,” exercise “compulsion,” or otherwise practice “unrighteous dominion,” upon the souls of men. (D&C 121: 36-39) When anyone, including church leaders, exercises any of these elements of  anti-agency to any degree, they set themselves up as supporters of principles the Lord has already rejected.

Included in Lehi’s discourse is a description of Satan who became a devil because he “sought that which was evil before God.” (2Nephi 2: 17) That which is evil before God has every thing to do with the right and ability of man to exercise agency and to be free to choose. The Lord revealed to Moses, “Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;” (Moses 4:3) That being who once stood in the presence of God, was finally cast down by the power of the Only Begotten largely because of ambitions he had to “destroy the agency of man.” It seems Satan, as a part of his evil ambitions, desired key elements of that condition Lehi called a “compound in one.” Satan desired to eliminate opposites and the ability that comes through the existence of opposites for God’s children to choose between good and evil. The resulting “compound in one” would have resulted in Gods children being “created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation.  Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and His eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.” (2Nephi 2: 12)            

The practice of any man, regardless of position or title, who places himself above others, assuming a right to determine what others are and are not ready for, or in need of, is evil.  Equally as evil is the idea that leaders have a right to censure anyone because of their beliefs or what they choose to study and speak. Joseph Smith set the policy out clearly, “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.” Joseph set this policy forth to include “all men,” I suppose he had in mind members of the church when he stated this. To a large degree this article of faith does not apply to members of the church in our day. If you choose to worship "how, where, and what you may," and it is deemed by leaders to be unacceptable, you may be exercised upon and compelled to leave the church. It makes members of the church mad , distrusting of leaders, and to feel belittled, when any man assumes to rule over them and control their lives to the point of deciding what truth or opposition to truth should and should not be given and explored by them. There was a day in the church when true leaders taught true principles then simply allowed the people to govern themselves unmolested, as if they were competent to act as Gods free children.  To use a term Joseph Smith himself used, they were not "trammeled" in their search for truth and Gods presence. 

We all know there are elements of doctrine, rites, and practices that are of a sacred nature. Those should not be tossed about freely. Those sacred items of doctrine are not at issue here.   

Since the death of Joseph Smith, oppressive tactics of  church leaders to control what is and what is not taught and discussed, tactics by which members expectations are assumed to be managed by leaders,  have led to an institution that is a type of “compound in one.” Leaders have sought to sterilize the exposure of members from anything they perceive may be in opposition to what they would like the people to believe. On the other side of things, leaders dumb down the doctrine to those items they believe pose no threat to the institution.

These are things of a very serious nature, though they are now institutionalized and practiced every day as business as usual. Tampering with the exposure of Gods children to opposites, leads to destructive results Lehi called a “compound in one.” Ultimately, such practices by men result in destruction of “the wisdom of God and His eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the justice of God.” (2Nephi 2: 12) I believe the consequences for men who choose to participate in such practices, resulting in the destruction of any of these eternal principles as they apply to even the least of God’s children, will be unpleasant to an extreme degree. We know of at least one who was cast down for even wanting to practice such things.