For the actual article, visit
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,2043-1-5024-1,00.html
One of the enduring lessons of the Kirtland period is that our spirits need constant nourishment. We need to stay close to the Lord every day if we are to survive the adversity that we all must face.
Last summer my wife and I took our twin grandsons to Kirtland, Ohio. It was a special and precious opportunity for us to spend time with them before they left on their missions.
During our visit there, we learned to better understand the circumstances of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints who lived in Kirtland. That era of Church history is known as a time of severe trials but also supreme blessings.
In Kirtland the Lord bestowed some of the most remarkable heavenly manifestations and spiritual gifts this world has ever experienced. Sixty-five sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received in Kirtland and surrounding areas—revelations that brought new light and knowledge about topics such as the Second Coming, caring for the needy, the plan of salvation, priesthood authority, the Word of Wisdom, tithing, the temple, and the law of consecration.1
It was a period of unparalleled spiritual growth. Indeed, the Spirit of God like a fire was burning. Moses, Elijah, and many other heavenly beings appeared during this time, including our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.2
One of the many revelations Joseph received in Kirtland was a revelation he called the "olive leaf . . . plucked from the Tree of Paradise, and the Lord's message of peace to us" (introduction to D&C 88). This remarkable revelation includes the sublime invitation, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me" (D&C 88:63). As the Saints of Kirtland drew near unto the Lord, He truly did draw near unto them, pouring out the blessings of heaven upon the heads of the faithful.
A Spiritual Outpouring
Perhaps the culmination of these spiritual manifestations occurred during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. One of those present was 28-year-old William Draper, who described the day as a "day of Pentecost." He wrote: "There was such a time of the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here say that the Spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied, and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known in this generation."3
These spiritual manifestations were not limited only to those inside the temple, for "the people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place."4
Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901), later to be President of the Church, was living in Kirtland during this blessed period. He observed, "One would have imagined that after receiving these wonderful manifestations no temptation could have overthrown the Saints."5
But, of course, great spiritual experiences do not make us exempt from opposition and trials. Just a few months after the temple dedication, a widespread economic crisis shook the United States, and Kirtland felt the effects deeply. Banks failed, leaving many in difficult financial straits. To make matters worse, many of the Saints who were immigrating to Kirtland came with very few material possessions, not knowing what they would do once they arrived or how they would survive.
Before long, persecutions arose and mobs formed against the Saints. Members of the Church—even some of those closest to the Prophet, many of whom were present at the dedication of the temple—apostatized and condemned Joseph as a fallen prophet.
As I walked near the Kirtland Temple with my wife and grandsons, I pondered how tragic it was that some could not remain faithful even after the spiritual manifestations they had witnessed. How sorrowful it was that they could not endure the ridicule and criticism of disbelievers. How sad that, when faced with financial trial or other struggles, they could not have reached inside themselves and found the strength to remain faithful. How unfortunate it was that they somehow lost sight of the miraculous spiritual harvest at the dedication of the temple.
The Lessons
What can we learn from this remarkable era in the history of the Church?
One of the great, enduring lessons of the Kirtland period is that our spirits need constant nourishment. As President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) taught: "Testimony isn't something that you have today and you keep always. Testimony is either going to grow and grow to the brightness of certainty, or it is going to diminish to nothingness, depending upon what we do about it. I say, the testimony that we recapture day by day is the thing that saves us from the pitfalls of the adversary."6 We need to stay close to the Lord every day if we are to survive the adversity that we all must face.
In some ways our world today is similar to Kirtland of the 1830s. We too live in times of financial distress. There are those who persecute and rail against the Church and its members. Individual and collective trials may sometimes seem overwhelming.
That is when we need, more than ever, to draw near unto the Lord. As we do, we will come to know what it means to have the Lord draw near unto us. As we seek Him ever more diligently, we will surely find Him. We will see clearly that the Lord does not abandon His Church or His faithful Saints. Our eyes will be opened, and we will see Him open the windows of heaven and shower us with more of His light. We will find the spiritual strength to survive even during the darkest night.
Although some of the Saints in Kirtland lost sight of the spiritual experiences they had, most did not. The majority, including William Draper, held fast to the spiritual knowledge God had given them and continued to follow the Prophet. Along the way they experienced more bitter trials but also more sweet spiritual growth until, ultimately, those who endured to the end were "received into . . . a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41).
You Can Hold On
If ever you are tempted to become discouraged or to lose faith, remember those faithful Saints who remained true in Kirtland. Hold on a little longer. You can do this! You are part of a special generation. You were prepared and preserved to live at this important time in the existence of our beautiful planet earth. You have a celestial pedigree and therefore have all the necessary talents to make your life an eternal success story.
The Lord has blessed you with a testimony of the truth. You have felt His influence and witnessed His power. And if you continue to seek Him, He will continue to grant you sacred experiences. With these and other spiritual gifts, you will be able not only to change your own life for the better but also to bless your homes, wards or branches, communities, cities, states, and nations with your goodness.
It may be hard to see that at times, but hold on a little longer, for "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" and wait for Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; see also D&C 76:10; 133:45).
I bear witness of the truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of this, His Church. I testify with all my heart and soul that God lives, that Jesus Christ is His Son and stands at the head of this great Church. We have a prophet on the earth again, even President Thomas S. Monson.
May we ever remember the lesson of Kirtland and hold on a little longer—even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who "endure in faith to the end" (D&C 20:25).
Notes
1. See, for example, sections 45; 56; 76; 84; 89; 97; and 104.
2. See D&C 76:23; 110:2–4, 11–13.
3. William Draper, "A Biographical Sketch of the Life and Travels and Birth and Parentage of William Draper" (1881), typescript, Church History Library, 2; spelling and capitalization standardized.
4. History of the Church, 2:428.
5. Lorenzo Snow, "Discourse," Deseret Weekly News, June 8, 1889, 26.
6. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee (2000), 43.
Ideas for Teaching from This Message
After prayerfully studying this message, consider the needs of those you teach, and choose points or passages from the message that you feel will be most useful to them. The Holy Ghost can help you prepare and teach the message (see D&C 42:14; 43:15–16). In addition to sharing your own testimony, you may feel impressed to ask the people you teach to share experiences or testimonies if they wish. (For other teaching ideas, see Teaching, No Greater Call.)
Youth: Strengthening Your Testimony
Take this self-evaluation quiz to help you think about how you are doing in strengthening your testimony:
Do I desire to believe?
Do I fast and pray for a stronger testimony?
Do I read and ponder the scriptures each day?
Do I try to keep the commandments each day?
Do I try to follow promptings from the Holy Ghost?
Do I bear my testimony when prompted to do so?
Children: Drawing Near to the Lord
In Kirtland, Ohio, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation. The Lord told him, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me" (D&C 88:63). One way we can draw near to the Lord is by following His prophet.
Match each picture below with the things President Thomas S. Monson has asked us to do.
Pray
Be kind
Work hard to learn
Help others
Share your testimony
Read the scriptures
As we seek the Lord ever more diligently, we will surely find Him. Our eyes will be opened, and we will see Him open the windows of heaven and shower us with more of His light.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
From Malachi to Joseph; the Prophecies of Malachi have been and are becoming fulfilled
http://en.fairmormon.org/Temples/Elias_and_Elijah_at_the_Kirtland_Temple
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6
What do we know about Malachi's prophecy about Elijah coming back? The Jews suggest that he is still supposed to return by setting an extra plate at their table during the "passover." ... but only one Church has recorded a visit from this prophet as he came to the temple in Kirtland, Ohio to visit the prophet Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith was the promised messenger also mentioned by Malachi!
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1, 2-5)
Some suggest that this messenger was John the Baptist but they do not understand the scriptures;
Nahum and Malachi used the same words to describe the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" which we know as the second coming;
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (Nahum 1:6)
This prophecy of Malachi indeed is a "latter-day" prophecy for he used words such as,
"Who shall abide the day of his coming?" and "Who shall be able to stand?" in reference to the massive destruction predicted shall happen shortly before the return of the Messiah.
The full account of Jesus Christ coming to the temple and the visitation of Elijah is as follows;
Doctrine and Covenants Section 110
The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
4 I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.
5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the ablessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.
10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.
11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.
12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
...he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Acts 3:20-25
Joseph Smith is that "said prophet" which should come to prepare the way of the Lord; This restitution of all things has been under way for decades. Malachi 3:1-2 This latter-day work has moved forward and continues to fill the whole earth.
(See also Daniel Chapter 2)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6
What do we know about Malachi's prophecy about Elijah coming back? The Jews suggest that he is still supposed to return by setting an extra plate at their table during the "passover." ... but only one Church has recorded a visit from this prophet as he came to the temple in Kirtland, Ohio to visit the prophet Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith was the promised messenger also mentioned by Malachi!
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 3:1, 2-5)
Some suggest that this messenger was John the Baptist but they do not understand the scriptures;
Nahum and Malachi used the same words to describe the "great and dreadful day of the Lord" which we know as the second coming;
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. (Nahum 1:6)
This prophecy of Malachi indeed is a "latter-day" prophecy for he used words such as,
"Who shall abide the day of his coming?" and "Who shall be able to stand?" in reference to the massive destruction predicted shall happen shortly before the return of the Messiah.
The full account of Jesus Christ coming to the temple and the visitation of Elijah is as follows;
Doctrine and Covenants Section 110
The veil was taken from our minds, and the eyes of our understanding were opened.
2 We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.
3 His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
4 I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father.
5 Behold, your sins are forgiven you; you are clean before me; therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice.
6 Let the hearts of your brethren rejoice, and let the hearts of all my people rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
7 For behold, I have accepted this house, and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people in mercy in this house.
8 Yea, I will appear unto my servants, and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments, and do not pollute this holy house.
9 Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the ablessings which shall be poured out, and the endowment with which my servants have been endowed in this house.
10 And the fame of this house shall spread to foreign lands; and this is the beginning of the blessing which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen.
11 After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north.
12 After this, Elias appeared, and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in us and our seed all generations after us should be blessed.
13 After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon us; for Elijah the prophet, who was taken to heaven without tasting death, stood before us, and said:
14 Behold, the time has fully come, which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—
15 To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse—
16 Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.
...he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Acts 3:20-25
Joseph Smith is that "said prophet" which should come to prepare the way of the Lord; This restitution of all things has been under way for decades. Malachi 3:1-2 This latter-day work has moved forward and continues to fill the whole earth.
(See also Daniel Chapter 2)
Friday, December 11, 2009
A still small voice and a burning of the bosom;
A modified copy of a letter written to a recent you tub'er who commented on a Book of Mormon video by DefendingMormonism. (To visit DM, go to http://www.youtube.com/user/DefendingMormonism)
Dear freetube1to1,
There are a lot of opinions made about the Book of Mormon and whether it is real or not; I use this passage in the Bible as a test to see where people are at on faith;
How do you know that Jesus Is the Christ?
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say aye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
Matt 16:13-17
Without the spirit of God or an answer from him, how can we know? Christ died? Was buried but we're expected to believe that he rose from the dead? He played peekaboo with his disciples for 40 days and disappeared? To most, this would seem unreasonable.
Unless you had a "Great pastor" who convinced you that Jesus did all these things, teaching you that Christ was divine (instead of grave robbers stealing his body) and he was resurrected (and not just removed from the tomb so that it looks like it) how are we to believe?
The old testament talks about the "voice of the Lord as the "still small voice." God does not speak with a voice of thunder to convey truth.
"Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
1 Kgs.19: 11-12
Furthermore, 2 men from Palestine, discovered the savior. After walking with him for a short time, they recognized who he was and he vanished straight away. They asked themselves, "Did our hearts not burn within us?" (Luke 24:13-32) In this same manner do men receive witness of all things spiritual A still small voice... a burning in our bosom.
Some say... that the Book of Mormon is a sham... it was written by Joseph Smith. But what does God say about it? Flesh and Blood can NOT reveal truth to another; I don't care if its Mr. Solomon Spaulding or the prophet, "Thomas S. Monson" Neither of these men have the final word. Only God does.
I know Jesus is the Christ. I have my answer from the Lord. In like manner, I find the words of Christ are found in the Book of Mormon just as powerfully as I find them in the Bible. Read the Book of Mormon for yourself; or remain ignorant of it. Its your choice! Ignorance, in this case, is not bliss.
But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. (D&C 9:8)
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
Proverbs 6:27
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Either Joseph was a masochist or he endured the worst in the cause of the Lord's kingdom.
Docterine and Covenants secion 38:30 gives me strength;
Revelation of the Lord given to Joseph Smith
"I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
Most people forget to factor in the "Adversary" when they examine the many... (I'd say COUNTLESS) accusations against the church as they pass it off for wisdom. If we are the true church of Jesus Christ, we could expect no less from Satan; his angels; and they who subject themselves unto him... could we?
Does one think that Satan would stand idly by and just let folks wander into our church at their own free will and choice? I suggest that Satan desires no one to be happy; he desires that all men might be miserable like unto himself; never have I seen a force rise up against another church as I see being mounted up against the Mormon church.
Even you would have to agree on this wise; the very existence of my church is cause for excitement not only in your own congregation...but world wide.
Would you ever find workshops, books, pamphlets, basement meetings, church house groups, prayer circles, signs and other printed material, rally's, parades, dedicated time during Sunday School to discuss another churches teachings, talk shows, "You Tube" channels, study groups, discussion groups, towns, communities and many other means of folks organizing themselves to come up against... the baptist church?
No, but the LDS church gets this sort of attention and then some.
Yet all of these things and more combine up against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do they not? I am willing to suggest that if the LDS church (or Mormons) were not in existence, the rest of the catholic, protestant and other new age thinking would actually be quite bored with no one to pick on.
You may disagree with many of the words of this prophet of the restoration, but one revelation you would have to acknowledge is simply this;
He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.
Joseph Smith History 1:33 -
Joseph never denied these things either for one of two reasons;
1) He was masochistic and the idea of being utterly hated by the world, being beaten, cursed at, falsely accused, denied, tarred and feathered, and one day killed was something exciting to him; not to mention that his reputation would be felt for generations for good or for evil and it would bring conflict to his childrens childrens childrens children...
(but it would probably be a majority of evil spoken against him and his descendants)
or its all true and that any attempt to thwart the work of the Lord would be designed and carried out by the Devil through him, his angels and they who subject themselves unto him be it unwilling, unknowing, or being fully aware of the damage they seek against the Lord.
We'll let God be the judge and let him set things right when we're all up at the bar of judgment and if brother Joseph stands along side Jesus Christ as one of his greatest testators, I'm sure many will have hoped they hadn't remained ignorant of his prophetic calling...
Revelation of the Lord given to Joseph Smith
"I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
Most people forget to factor in the "Adversary" when they examine the many... (I'd say COUNTLESS) accusations against the church as they pass it off for wisdom. If we are the true church of Jesus Christ, we could expect no less from Satan; his angels; and they who subject themselves unto him... could we?
Does one think that Satan would stand idly by and just let folks wander into our church at their own free will and choice? I suggest that Satan desires no one to be happy; he desires that all men might be miserable like unto himself; never have I seen a force rise up against another church as I see being mounted up against the Mormon church.
Even you would have to agree on this wise; the very existence of my church is cause for excitement not only in your own congregation...but world wide.
Would you ever find workshops, books, pamphlets, basement meetings, church house groups, prayer circles, signs and other printed material, rally's, parades, dedicated time during Sunday School to discuss another churches teachings, talk shows, "You Tube" channels, study groups, discussion groups, towns, communities and many other means of folks organizing themselves to come up against... the baptist church?
No, but the LDS church gets this sort of attention and then some.
Yet all of these things and more combine up against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do they not? I am willing to suggest that if the LDS church (or Mormons) were not in existence, the rest of the catholic, protestant and other new age thinking would actually be quite bored with no one to pick on.
You may disagree with many of the words of this prophet of the restoration, but one revelation you would have to acknowledge is simply this;
He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.
Joseph Smith History 1:33 -
Joseph never denied these things either for one of two reasons;
1) He was masochistic and the idea of being utterly hated by the world, being beaten, cursed at, falsely accused, denied, tarred and feathered, and one day killed was something exciting to him; not to mention that his reputation would be felt for generations for good or for evil and it would bring conflict to his childrens childrens childrens children...
(but it would probably be a majority of evil spoken against him and his descendants)
or its all true and that any attempt to thwart the work of the Lord would be designed and carried out by the Devil through him, his angels and they who subject themselves unto him be it unwilling, unknowing, or being fully aware of the damage they seek against the Lord.
We'll let God be the judge and let him set things right when we're all up at the bar of judgment and if brother Joseph stands along side Jesus Christ as one of his greatest testators, I'm sure many will have hoped they hadn't remained ignorant of his prophetic calling...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Can the Children of God TRULY expect to reach their full potential: Being as our Heavenly Parents; even as God?
This blog entry is derived from a letter I wrote to a YouTube User; (remember this was derived from a letter between myself and another "YouTube" user; if you would like the context in which these things were written, do not suppose that this is directed towards all; I made very valid points but they were points made to someone else...
In John Chapter 16, Jesus Christ gives hints to his disciples about his divine calling; Jesus discourses on mission of Holy Ghost; He tells of his death and resurrection, announces his own divine Son-ship, and says he has overcome the world.
I like verses 14-15 because Jesus Christ promises to show us all things as they not only pertain to his glory but also of the Glory of the Father;
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." John 16:14-15
The father intends to show us all things; if it be that we have entered into the covenant with the Father and have Christ be the advocate between ourselves and the Father. He has done more than just promise to show us his glory! He has invited us to be "heirs" to it and "joint-heirs" with Christ.
Sure; I'll tell him when he's ready to believe in the Bible;
I'll explain it out. It's in the BIBLE... Black and White and not even difficult to understand; I'll even provide "Dictionary References" so that the scriptures can even be understood;
You've read in the bible some, right? Romans; in the New Testament;
I just present the information; You Decide!
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (We are either children of God or we're not. We can forge alliances with Satan and no longer be considered children of God but the potential of man is an always will be to grow up and become like his or her heavenly parents)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
And how can we be heirs? Only if we enter into a covenant with Jesus Christ through baptism and other saving ordinances. We enter into a covenant that Jesus Christ will purge us from our sins and wash us clean through the atonement; (Revelations 1:5-6)
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:16-18
And Paul is exactly right! In this life, we fall short of the glory of God. We are not worthy of this glory on our own. Only through the merits of Jesus Christ can one hope to attain sanctification; a process which will last for eternities of time until we finally perform all things with perfection;
Paul also best explains how the children of the covenant should perform if they are to attain the blessings of exaltation in the kingdom of our heavenly father;
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13: 20 and 21)
It is important to know that while members of the "everlasting covenant" that we do well with what we know and that we perform the will of the Lord and makes our lives pleasing in his sight then Jesus Christ will show us all things, just as he has promised; we give glory to him forever and ever, being the first fruits of the resurrection, we should only follow after him in his footsteps to also obtain eternal life and everything which is defined therein.
Back to Paul's letter to the Romans. And this is the Biblical translation in the King James Version but I've used www.dictionary.com to derive the true meaning of the word "Heir" which is the word Paul had chosen to describe the fates of those who endure in the covenant and serve the Lord until we leave this mortal realm...
Dictionary definition to the word, "Heir"
(NOT a bible dictionary; I'll provide a link) and I'll explain it in Lay Man's terms; Men are invited to get all God's stuff!
1: a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death. (Well we both know God can't die but it says something about property.)
What do you know about God's property? What exactly does God own? He owns stars right? Worlds without end? Galaxies? Worlds? Is there really ANY end to his dominion?
2. a) Common Law Inheritance
b) Civil Law Inheritance
3 a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit the rank, title, position, etc., of another.
What sort of rank does God have? Position? Title? Etc?
4. a person or group considered as inheriting the tradition, talent, etc., of a predecessor.
What sort of "Talents" does God seem to have? Have you admired his handiwork lately?
What could God's tradition be? Does he have a knack for creating worlds? Family? Children?
I have to assume that with these scriptures, we're not just going to "Tour Heaven" and see what things are like and then go find our "Harps" and only sing praises unto God or else the Bible would have told us these things?
"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)
If we would be given "mansions" it would suggest that we would also have dominion over it. We would still be the children of God but he would have us in our own "Mansions" Amazing! It truly is!
If it was never the potential for the "Children of God" or "His Offspring" to become like the parent, then he would have said we'd only get to "SEE" the things of God, admire them, and then go find some tiny little shack somewhere to dwell... In Heaven, God has "Many Mansions" and they have been promised to the faithful!
John, the Revelator says more on the subject;
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" - Revelations 3:21
The word: "Throne"
1. the chair or seat occupied by a sovereign, bishop, or other exalted personage on ceremonial occasions, usually raised on a dais and covered with a canopy.
2. the office or dignity of a sovereign: He came to the throne by succession.
3. the occupant of a throne; sovereign.
4. sovereign power or authority: to address one's pleas to the throne.
5. an episcopal office or authority: the diocesan throne.
6. mourner's bench.
7. thrones, an order of angels. Compare angel (def. 1).
8. Facetious. a toilet.
I'm sure God isn't inviting us to use his "toilet" but these are words that define what a "Throne is" Sovereign power or authority, he wishes to invite us to have. In sitting upon the throne with him, we preside over something.
And if we are "heirs of God" we are then invited to preside over ALL that the father has; not that we replace God or preside in his stead but we as Children of God; God in Embryo, preside over our own kingdom... for the father has promises his children MANY mansions! He has invited us to sit on his throne as though we should one day become like him; not as an act of a "Tour Group" getting to set there for a moment. He desires that we become like him just as our earthly parents wish that we should become "Parents" of our own kids as well and become "Full Fledged" adults independent of their help. It will take us eons and eternities to go from Embryo to the state in which our father in heaven is at but make no mistake about it! We are his children; he will always be "our God!" and he will forever be teaching us the mysteries of life and of the cosmos; the home and life in which God now lives.
Why would we be invited to sit in his throne? What does it mean to sit on a throne? Sitting on a throne = presiding over those who are not Kings; Presiding as "Heirs to a King." sealing our fate as "Potential" Heirs to God's dominion and talents.
These things are promised to all those who do the "works" of the Lord and endure to the end. I don't know where you will be regarding all of this. I suggest if you are humble, and are a possessor of Charity in the last day, it might be well with you!
Did God make any children or are we not his children?
If inheriting the things of God also includes the ability to procreate, would this mean we could also do this in heaven? Why not? If God says he will give us "ALL THAT HE HATH" then what does "ALL" mean to you? If you do not believe these things, then you really don't believe the Bible and neither do anyone else in your sphere of influence if they're not teaching u these things.... do they?
We as latter-day saints don't believe in a "foreign" set of beliefs! All our beliefs come from the Bible. What separates us from others, is we believe the Bible 100%; all of it! Every Jot and Tittle and we deny them not!
We know who will NOT inherit the things of God is fairly well outlined;
1 Cor. 6: 9-10,
(See: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/6 )
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heir
In John Chapter 16, Jesus Christ gives hints to his disciples about his divine calling; Jesus discourses on mission of Holy Ghost; He tells of his death and resurrection, announces his own divine Son-ship, and says he has overcome the world.
I like verses 14-15 because Jesus Christ promises to show us all things as they not only pertain to his glory but also of the Glory of the Father;
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you." John 16:14-15
The father intends to show us all things; if it be that we have entered into the covenant with the Father and have Christ be the advocate between ourselves and the Father. He has done more than just promise to show us his glory! He has invited us to be "heirs" to it and "joint-heirs" with Christ.
Sure; I'll tell him when he's ready to believe in the Bible;
I'll explain it out. It's in the BIBLE... Black and White and not even difficult to understand; I'll even provide "Dictionary References" so that the scriptures can even be understood;
You've read in the bible some, right? Romans; in the New Testament;
I just present the information; You Decide!
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (We are either children of God or we're not. We can forge alliances with Satan and no longer be considered children of God but the potential of man is an always will be to grow up and become like his or her heavenly parents)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
And how can we be heirs? Only if we enter into a covenant with Jesus Christ through baptism and other saving ordinances. We enter into a covenant that Jesus Christ will purge us from our sins and wash us clean through the atonement; (Revelations 1:5-6)
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:16-18
And Paul is exactly right! In this life, we fall short of the glory of God. We are not worthy of this glory on our own. Only through the merits of Jesus Christ can one hope to attain sanctification; a process which will last for eternities of time until we finally perform all things with perfection;
Paul also best explains how the children of the covenant should perform if they are to attain the blessings of exaltation in the kingdom of our heavenly father;
"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13: 20 and 21)
It is important to know that while members of the "everlasting covenant" that we do well with what we know and that we perform the will of the Lord and makes our lives pleasing in his sight then Jesus Christ will show us all things, just as he has promised; we give glory to him forever and ever, being the first fruits of the resurrection, we should only follow after him in his footsteps to also obtain eternal life and everything which is defined therein.
Back to Paul's letter to the Romans. And this is the Biblical translation in the King James Version but I've used www.dictionary.com to derive the true meaning of the word "Heir" which is the word Paul had chosen to describe the fates of those who endure in the covenant and serve the Lord until we leave this mortal realm...
Dictionary definition to the word, "Heir"
(NOT a bible dictionary; I'll provide a link) and I'll explain it in Lay Man's terms; Men are invited to get all God's stuff!
1: a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death. (Well we both know God can't die but it says something about property.)
What do you know about God's property? What exactly does God own? He owns stars right? Worlds without end? Galaxies? Worlds? Is there really ANY end to his dominion?
2. a) Common Law Inheritance
b) Civil Law Inheritance
3 a person who inherits or is entitled to inherit the rank, title, position, etc., of another.
What sort of rank does God have? Position? Title? Etc?
4. a person or group considered as inheriting the tradition, talent, etc., of a predecessor.
What sort of "Talents" does God seem to have? Have you admired his handiwork lately?
What could God's tradition be? Does he have a knack for creating worlds? Family? Children?
I have to assume that with these scriptures, we're not just going to "Tour Heaven" and see what things are like and then go find our "Harps" and only sing praises unto God or else the Bible would have told us these things?
"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:2)
If we would be given "mansions" it would suggest that we would also have dominion over it. We would still be the children of God but he would have us in our own "Mansions" Amazing! It truly is!
If it was never the potential for the "Children of God" or "His Offspring" to become like the parent, then he would have said we'd only get to "SEE" the things of God, admire them, and then go find some tiny little shack somewhere to dwell... In Heaven, God has "Many Mansions" and they have been promised to the faithful!
John, the Revelator says more on the subject;
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" - Revelations 3:21
The word: "Throne"
1. the chair or seat occupied by a sovereign, bishop, or other exalted personage on ceremonial occasions, usually raised on a dais and covered with a canopy.
2. the office or dignity of a sovereign: He came to the throne by succession.
3. the occupant of a throne; sovereign.
4. sovereign power or authority: to address one's pleas to the throne.
5. an episcopal office or authority: the diocesan throne.
6. mourner's bench.
7. thrones, an order of angels. Compare angel (def. 1).
8. Facetious. a toilet.
I'm sure God isn't inviting us to use his "toilet" but these are words that define what a "Throne is" Sovereign power or authority, he wishes to invite us to have. In sitting upon the throne with him, we preside over something.
And if we are "heirs of God" we are then invited to preside over ALL that the father has; not that we replace God or preside in his stead but we as Children of God; God in Embryo, preside over our own kingdom... for the father has promises his children MANY mansions! He has invited us to sit on his throne as though we should one day become like him; not as an act of a "Tour Group" getting to set there for a moment. He desires that we become like him just as our earthly parents wish that we should become "Parents" of our own kids as well and become "Full Fledged" adults independent of their help. It will take us eons and eternities to go from Embryo to the state in which our father in heaven is at but make no mistake about it! We are his children; he will always be "our God!" and he will forever be teaching us the mysteries of life and of the cosmos; the home and life in which God now lives.
Why would we be invited to sit in his throne? What does it mean to sit on a throne? Sitting on a throne = presiding over those who are not Kings; Presiding as "Heirs to a King." sealing our fate as "Potential" Heirs to God's dominion and talents.
These things are promised to all those who do the "works" of the Lord and endure to the end. I don't know where you will be regarding all of this. I suggest if you are humble, and are a possessor of Charity in the last day, it might be well with you!
Did God make any children or are we not his children?
If inheriting the things of God also includes the ability to procreate, would this mean we could also do this in heaven? Why not? If God says he will give us "ALL THAT HE HATH" then what does "ALL" mean to you? If you do not believe these things, then you really don't believe the Bible and neither do anyone else in your sphere of influence if they're not teaching u these things.... do they?
We as latter-day saints don't believe in a "foreign" set of beliefs! All our beliefs come from the Bible. What separates us from others, is we believe the Bible 100%; all of it! Every Jot and Tittle and we deny them not!
We know who will NOT inherit the things of God is fairly well outlined;
1 Cor. 6: 9-10,
(See: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/6 )
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heir
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