If it was not taken lightly, (D&C
84: 54-57) if it was clearly understood, (Mormon 8: 33) if its precepts were
really believed, (D&C 84; 54-57 and 3Nephi 21: 9) the Book of Mormon would
entirely destroy the false traditions of our fathers by which we as a people
are bound.
Many of the most spiritually
destructive and damaging "traditions of their fathers" of the latter
day saints cannot stand up to the light of truth contained in the Book of
Mormon. The truth contained in the Book of Mormon, should be allowed to destroy
everything that is false and untrue about the traditions of our fathers when
those traditions are not based in absolute truth. Because, as we have learned,
it is by the tradition of their fathers that the evil one takes away light and
truth and thereby arranges for the destruction of God's children. (D&C 93:
39) Much of the truth that could lead to the destruction of all that is
false and untrue in the tradition of our fathers is contained in the precious
Book of Mormon. Unfortunately, from very early on in our history, the latter
day saints seem unable to see in the words of the Book of Mormon the
condemnation of our traditions, nor do we seem able to hear the truth when it
is spoken in plainness to us from the words of the Book.
As early as September 1832 The Lord
pointed out His displeasure at the latter day saint's inability to believe the
truths contained in the Book of Mormon. According to the Lord, it was
"unbelief" (specifically concerning the Book of Mormon) and "vanity"
that led to His condemnation of the church and it's people. (D&C 84: 54-59)
The condemnation of the Lord has never been lifted and remains intact and in
effect still 180 years after it was first placed upon the church. This has been
re-affirmed in our day by both Ezra Taft Benson and Dallin Oaks.
The effects of "unbelief"
and "vanity" make the eyes of the latter day saints unable to see and
the ears unable to hear when truth is presented in plainness. The Lord called
this a "darkened mind." (D&C 84: 54) According to Moroni, the
latter day saints "transfigure" the holy word of God to mean
something that would bring "damnation to your souls." (Mormon 8: 33)
"Transfiguring" the holy word of God found in the Book of Mormon
renders the latter day saints unable to recognize who and what they are in the
prophecies of the Book. That which is written in "plainness" and in
truth in the Book of Mormon, is "transfigured" in the minds of the
saints by the false teachings of the traditions of their fathers. In this
way, the false traditions are perpetuated, protected, and falsely
supported. The perpetuation of those false traditions because they
"transfigure the holy word of God," is what leads to "the
damnation of your souls."
The Lord spoke to the Jews in
parables with the intent to hide in the open, truths which if understood would
save them. Like the latter day saints, the Jews suffered from unbelief and
vanity. They too were rendered unable to "see" and "hear"
truth. The Lord explained, (Matt 13:)
13 Therefore speak I to them in
parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do
they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the
prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears
are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes,
and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart,
and should be converted, and I should heal them.
Latter day saints have "dumbed
down" the entire meaning of the Book of Mormon to be nothing more than a
collection of doctrinal discourses. When it is understood properly and
believed, the doctrine of Christ contained in the Book of Mormon is indeed
important beyond measure for the salvation of Gods children. The Book of Mormon
contains the "fullness" of the gospel of Jesus Christ, meaning
everything necessary to teach Gods children how to "receive" Him in
this life is found in the Book. This is the fullness of the gospel of Christ.
Even the proper understanding of the fullness of the gospel of Christ contained
in the Book of Mormon, has been "transfigured" and largely replaced
by precepts of men that teach it is not important to receive the person of
Christ and His testimony to you in this life. We are taught instead,
"smooth" words that falsely pacify, comfort, and ensure us that there
will be plenty of time after this life is over to do what needs to be done. We
are taught the false doctrine, "odds are, we will all be exalted" if
we simply "follow the brethren" and keep dead center in the
mainstream of the church. When in fact, as Isaiah said, "this is a rebellious people, lying children,
children that will not hear the law of
the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right
things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause
the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us." (Isaiah 30: 9-11) By the
false tradition of their fathers and the way they have "transfigured the
holy word of God," the Holy One of Israel has in very deed "ceased
from before us."
Even apostles, who are to be
"special witnesses" of Christ; in the early days of the restored
church were required to seek a personal visit from the Lord before their
calling to the office of apostle was considered complete, are no longer given
that charge because so few, (perhaps none?) ever learned how that was to be
done. (This reference goes to the apostolic charge given by Oliver Cowdery to
all called apostles. The apostolic charge has now been discontinued.) The tradition of our
fathers now teaches it is not necessary for salvation, perhaps not even
possible, to receive a personal visit from Christ in this life. By this, the
false tradition has rendered the fullness of the gospel meaningless for those
who believe and follow that tradition. The Book of Mormon on the other hand
tells us how Nephi, Jacob, Isaiah, Enos, Mormon, Moroni, the brother of Jared
and others sought and found the personal presence of the Lord. (2Nephi 11: 2-3
and Enos 1: 4-8 and 3Nephi 7: 15 and Ether 4: 1 and others)
If the holy word of God in the Book
of Mormon was never "transfigured" by the traditions of their fathers
to mean something that was never intended, the traditions of the latter day
saints could all be corrected and eliminated by the plain truths in the Book.
If not transfigured, the holy word of God in the Book of Mormon:
Would leave no doubt about the
identity of the latter day saints as the "Gentiles" and the Gentile
church. (1Nephi 13: 34-35, 1Nephi 15: 13, 3Nephi 16: 4, 3Nephi 21: 2-6, D&C
109: 60, many others)
There would be a correct
understanding that the "remnant of Israel" spoken of in the Book of
Mormon is the latter day offspring of Lehi, the Lamanites. (Title page of the
Book of Mormon, 1Nephi 13: 30, 1Nephi 13: 34,1 Nephi 15: 13-14, 2Nephi
28: 2, 2Nephi 29: 2, 3Nephi 20: 10, 3Nephi 21: 4, Mormon 7 all,
many others)
There would be no question about the
prophetic destinies of both the latter day Gentiles and the remnant of Israel
that will replace the Gentiles as stewards of the gospel of Jesus Christ when
the Gentiles fall into gross error and reject the fullness of the gospel.
(1Nephi 10: 14, 1 Nephi 13: 32-36, 1Nephi 15: 13-16, 3Nephi 16: 9-11, 3Nephi
20: 15-17, 3Nephi 20: 27-28, 3 Nephi 21: 2-7, 3Nephi 21: 14-21, many others)
There would be no question that it is
they, (the remnant of Israel,) in the latter days who will build the city New
Jerusalem and establish Zion when the Lord brings it (Zion) again. (3Nephi 20:
21-22, 3Nephi 21: 23-25, Ether 13: 8)
It would be clear to the latter day
saints that "men" and "flesh" are not ever to be
"followed" or relied upon. (2Nephi 4: 34, 2Nephi 19: 13-16,
2Nephi 28:4-5, 2Nephi 28: 14, 2Nephi 28: 26-29, 2Nephi 28: 31, and
others)
It would be clear to all that the
history of the latter day saints when fully disclosed, truthfully told, and
correctly recounted, fulfills every prophecy in the Book of Mormon concerning
the Gentiles, their rise, their work, and their decline and failure. (3Nephi
16: 10, see also D&C 124: 28, 32, 44-48)
Perhaps most importantly, if the holy
word of God was not "transfigured," latter day Saints would know the
arm of the Lord is stretched out still to them. (2Nephi 28: 32, 2Nephi 19: 17,
2Nephi 20: 3-4, Jacob 5: 47, 3Nephi 16: 13-14, 3Nephi 21: 6, 3Nephi 30: 2, many
others)
They would know what is most needed
of them is repentance and return to the Lord and His redeeming presence.
(3Nephi 16: 13-14, 3Nephi 20: 15-16, 3Nephi 20: 20, 3Nephi 21: 6, 3Nephi 21:
14-22, 3Nephi 30: 2, Mormon 5: 22, Ether 2: 11, many more)
They would know they may yet be
"numbered among" the people of the house of Israel. (3Nephi 16: 13,
3Nephi 21: 6, 3Nephi 21: 22, Ether 13: 10)
They would know they might yet
"assist" the remnant of Israel in the building of the city New
Jerusalem when the Lord will bring again Zion to reign in righteousness.
(3Nephi 21: 23-24)
The holy word of God in the Book of Mormon need not be
transfigured (Mormon 8: 33) to meanings that will lead to the damnation of
anyone. The false traditions of the latter day saints could all be destroyed by
the plain and precious truths contained in the Book of Mormon. It could be so
if those so blinded by the traditions of their fathers would repent, open their
eyes and ears and allow Him to heal them.
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