The man who is inspired by the devil cannot help but preach his apostate doctrines and persecute the followers of Christ. Those inspired by the Holy Ghost cannot help but preach the doctrines of Eternity. Those who are not inspired have no desire to preach but quietly follow established traditions. These are those lukewarm souls who God promised to spew out of his mouth.
msb
Should we have laws regarding marriage? Who is responsible for the success or failure of a marriage, the state? Does a marriage license ensure, or help in any way to increase the chances of success? Is it just so we can be taxed more efficiently?
Also, what makes a marriage valid? Does a religious ceremony? If so, what religion? Does the state? If so what state? What about states that have no marriage laws? Isn't marriage simply a covenant between a man, woman and God and the only party responsible for the success, failure or propriety of that marriage are the people entering into the agreement?
On Self-Righteousness, Controversy and Unity
People naturally think everything they believe is good and right. When we avoid controversy, we avoid those things which challenge our beliefs and we then unite on this principle of "self-righteousness".
Example: when an investigator picks up the Book of Mormon for the first time, it's going to challenge his previously held beliefs. Should he put it back down when it at once causes controversy? If his wife or friends object and take offense and he has given no cause, should he put it back down? Of course not, and the same should apply to us now, we should not avoid truth because it might challenge our beliefs or cause those around us to become angry. If this is how the true gospel was preached, Joseph would have never taught the King Follett discourse, never have attempted to settle in Missouri and Christ would have never said blessed are he when men revile and persecute you for my sake.
Christ taught contention was of the devil and that we should be united, but God allows us to become angry at the instigation if the devil, and because of the thick fog of tradition.
The scriptures do hide truths from the blind, and Christ taught in parables for the same reason, but truth is still taught, and it did not stop the church leaders from becoming enraged when they perceived they were being chastised.
When Christ prayed that we be united as He and the Father are, he did not contemplate uniting on compromise and falsehoods. On no other principle can there be unity with the Father than on principles of truth and obedience and He prayed earnestly that this would become the case.
Today I prayed, cleared my mind, and did some thoughtful and honest introspection. My question was should we be going to church? I realized that what's kept me going to church is fear. Fear that:
- It's what we should be doing (duty, obligation)
- Our children might not grow up in the faith, that they might be spiritually deficient
- I might let someone down, the bishop, others in my calling
- I won't have a temple recommend
- We will become too comfortable at home won't spiritually nourish ourselves
- We need to influence others at church, the people in our calling
- We will become like other inactives
- The boys need to go to seminary because it is prerequisite for a mission
- Since we're less social, we will have less social protection from state (arm of flesh)
- Since we homeschool, we/others think we should at least bring them to church
- Our extended family will be horrified
If we do things out of the confusion and veil of fear and obligation, then how can we ever expect to pierce the veil that keeps us from our Father in Heaven? When there is a good reason, other than fear, then it is a good reason.
Others may go because they:
- Believe the impotent doctrine being taught
- Enjoy the sociality
- Enjoy their status as a leader, the organizational challenge, the feeling it gives of being approved by God, the praise of others, their authority over others and their being "in the know"
- Hope to become a leader and thus have the previous point
- Believe the gospel and feel they fulfill their obligation by doing so
- Believe they have the blessings of the Gospel, and this is what it means to "endure to the end".
When the Holy Ghost attends the administration of the sacrament, or when the speakers speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and not by their own learning, or when the Gifts of the Spirit are enjoyed or even tolerated, that would be an excellent, most wonderful and joyful reason to return.
On any typical Sunday the question is asked, "what is Zion" and the inevitable answer is "the pure in heart" and that we are Zion; we are a stake of Zion. We are Zion scattered throughout the land, this is the new plan.
Whether it's the Lords plan to establish a scattered Zion or not, I can't say; but I can say, that we are not Zion, and it does a disservice to ourselves for us to say so. Reading about our history from a manual, or from the scriptures every week, does not make us Zion. Let me give you an example of a vision of Zion: One sister rises, she speaks in tongues. A brother arises and interprets. One brother rises and prophesies what another brother needs to do in his job that week and that brother arises and testifies he knows it's true by the witness of the Holy Ghost. Beautiful songs, never before heard are sung in perfect harmony by the power of the Holy Ghost. A brother rises and knows he is supposed to heal a man in the congregation and does so. A woman rises an beholds a vision, sees the Savior and testifies that he is here among us and several others can see him.
Blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
"And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost [read in Gifts here, e.g. tongues, prophecy, visions, healing]; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done." (Moroni 6:9)
This is Zion.
This is not us. We should recognize it, because if we continue to insist that we are Zion, we will never find it.
"For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith." (Ether 12:12)
"[Jesus] he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief." (Mark 6:5-6)
We pray in the name of him who received not a fulness at first, but the Prototype who showed us how to gain salvation. In His name we pray because it is the path that he took that we must follow to the father. When we pray in His name, our aim is to follow the path to salvation that was followed by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and our prayers in His name should tend toward those goals. When we ask or act contrary to those goals, we are not really praying or acting in His name.
1 Nephi 1
[v. 1, 4]. Nephi knew his father already made a record. Why would he take the trouble to include his fathers account, or why would he choose what he did to repeat? Nephi carefully selected what he wrote for two reasons. First engraving was not an easy medium with which to write. Second the plates are small and necessitate including only those things that are most important. We can see how small they are when the record ends at Words of Mormon. Third, he commands those that will come after him to not occupy the plates except that which is of worth to men's souls.
As prophet, Nephi was not jealous. He wanted to show us types. He wanted to show us how to receive the things of God. He showed us an overview of how Lehi came to know what he did, and later gives a more detailed account of how he came to know. Verse 16 shows that there is a lot Nephi could have included about his father's revelations, but what he did choose to write should inform us.
What Nephi did not write is also important. He did not write "My father, being a chief priest..." or "My father having no position of authority..." None of that was important. Position or lack thereof was not important to include, though we place great importance upon it, even so much to as to force our own faulty understanding into the reading. What was important, and what was included is how Lehi responded to the Spirit of God speaking through "many prophets" which came. They came because they were not there before. The Jews did not hold the Melchizedek Priesthood3 and Joseph taught that "All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself."1 Thus in order for these prophets to "come" among the people, they must have been ordained by heaven itself, just as Lehi would be, and would naturally be out of the established religious order and hierarchy.
[v 2]. I think it is worth asking what influence the Egyptians had on the Jews. If they used their writing, then they must have been more than a little familiar with their culture.
[v 3]. Why does Nephi have to qualify his record? Why is writing it in his own hand supplement that qualification?
When he says he makes it according to his knowledge, he is stating more than his eyewitness accounts of historical events, but he is speaking of "faith no longer" (see Ether 3:19). In other words he knows that which he first beheld with an eye of faith.
[v. 4]. begins Lehi's type.
[v. 5]. what type of prayer did Lehi offer? Self? Own family? His people, though he suspected they were wicked. Lehi seemingly not already aware of wickedness. prays because of what is revealed by prophets.
[v. 6]. Moses, know man is nothing. JSH 1:20 Joseph had no strength.
[v. 9]. Why are accounts similar? Repeatable.
[v. 10-11]. Joseph saw many angels.
[v. 4]. Many prophets. many had the kind of vision as Lehi. the way is open, though everyone around us are wicked.
[v. 13]. Abominations are hidden.
[v. 14]. great mercy over all: knows us, puts us in circumstances so we can gain knowledge (JS). even though Jerusalem would still be destroyed. How can this show mercy over all? job: didn't value it until I lost it.
[v. 19]. Who is Lehi? Who is Lehi to tell us we are wicked? Who is Lehi to have received a vision? This exact same attitude would become evident in Laman and Lemuel. The Jews had an established order. mocking and shame come from saying or doing things different from our socialization, tradition or established order. surely the Jews had phony religious leaders that believed all was well. Jews mocked Moses, religionists mocked Joseph, leaders mocked Jesus, had a devil.
[v. 20]. mocking turned to anger as it always does. anger has as it's root, pride of self, fear of a faulty foundation and us the seed of murder. Nephi calls his brothers murderers in their hearts because, for one, they could not believe Lehi to be a prophet, and especially not their younger, unaccredited brother Nephi. their pride of self-righteousness was too much to overcome, so the truly righteous must either be cast out, exiled, or they must be killed. this is the course of all prophets, Joseph said we easily uphold pretenders as prophets, yet cast out those who really are. those who say all is not well in Zion and go contrary to Satan's carefully laid plan to deceive those who believe themselves to be righteous.
The Lord protects those whom he calls "promise of God for it"
Joseph's exp not unique. what is unique is his charges, keys.
"...whom he hath chosen, because of their faith..."
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44)
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15:16)
Though the scriptures make it clear God chooses us, yet we self-select or qualify by our exercise of faith. "Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" (Numbers 11:29)
Faith is not something that just feels good, it is something that has evidence. Faith begins by hearing the word of God, it is evidenced by the fruit of faith produced, that fruit are the miraculous.
"Verily, I say unto you, there are those among you who seek signs, and there have been such even from the beginning; But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe." (D&C 63:8-9) This scripture refers to the many who will not believe until they see a sign. There are many examples, a prototypical one is shown in Korihor who said "I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe." This does not talk about those who already believe and who are "seeking earnestly the best gifts." We focus on the first half of that verse but ignore the second at our peril.
"Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain." (Moroni, Moroni 7:37)
Without faith it is impossible to please God, yet he that diligently seeketh will find himself chosen.2 This is the untold story of the prophets who "came", but it is the told story of Lehi and Nephi.
1. TPJS Section Four 1839-42, p.180
2. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)
3. Moses sought to bring the children of Jacob into the actual presence of God. This they refused, but wanted instead a strong-man leader. As a result they were cursed and received not the higher priesthood, but a lesser version endured. See D&C 84:21-28 for a fuller discussion. Joseph sought the same for the Saints in Kirtland, Missouri and finally in Nauvoo (see D&C 124:28, 31, 44-48 esp.) until the saints were once again driven out.
The blood moon on April 2014 was in the hips of the virgin. The woman travailed to bring forth the kingdom of God. In October 2014 the blood moon, or the kingdom will be in the fish net which gathers all kinds. One fish points to the throne of God, the other points elsewhere. In April 2015, the blood moon will again be in the hips of the Virgin as a second sign.
The virgin, of course is Virgo, the fish, Pisces.
Some have speculated these moons have to do with Israel in Jerusalem and they may, but I suspect they have more to do with where God is currently at work with the Gentiles.
I have been a accused by those who love me of sign seeking. Because I see a defect in those that claim to be His, in that they have not Gifts of the Spirit, I am the one at fault. As if we would have considered the more thoughtful among Constatine's followers as sign seekers if they asked "Where are the Gifts? Are we really doing God's will killing all these Muslims?"
Adam was left to determine between true and false messengers. He was not content with a false religion but he looked for a sign that distinguished them as true messengers.
Adam, I'm am sorry, but you must be an adulterous man because you do not accept just anyone with claims to authority to teach you.
Three Priesthoods
There are three priesthoods: Aaronic, Melchizedek and Patriarchal. To be rightly called a priesthood, they must include associations with the powers of heaven.
Aaronic
This priesthood was given for condemnation; to seal up the children of men to the hardness of their hearts, or to lift them. When the children of Israel refused to come into the presence of God they were cursed with this lesser priesthood. This priesthood includes the association of angels which include true messengers that have authorized messages. Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jacob, King Benjamin and Joseph Smith are examples of these. The office of the calling of angel is to call men to repentance, to declare the conditions of repentance such that they may enjoy a greater priesthood if they are true and faithful.
Melchizedek (The Holy Order after the Order of the Son of God)
This priesthood is an association with the Savior or Second Comforter. It is not obtained by father or mother or by the will of men, but comes directly from God himself who employeth no servant there. The purpose of this priesthood is to help those who are true and faithful to enjoy a greater priesthood.
Patriarchal
This priesthood brings us into association with the Great Patriarch, God the Father. We see an example of this priesthood when Nephi is having a dialogue with both the Father and the Son.
Joseph sought for the saints to obtain these last two priesthoods, which they had previously forfeited. The Lord set the conditions, and Joseph delivered the conditions of repentance to the saints. Those conditions were never fulfilled. (D&C 124)
These associations, or priesthoods are not limited to men, and indeed cannot be obtained by men without a woman.
We can continue to assert that the Nauvoo saints were faithful and that we have a fulness now, but by doing so we damn ourselves because we do not seek for what we could obtain, by the means appointed to obtain them.
As far as I know, an LDS President has never said "follow me by virtue of my authority," however nearly all of the lower ranking authorities unceasingly teach us this. This has implications because by the authority of the president, they have their callings and expect men to follow them by virtue of the authority they claim for someone else, otherwise, these authorities teach, we are "out if harmony." If this be the case, then have they not forfeited their authority? And have we any further obligation to follow?
"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood...[otherwise] Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man." (D&C 121:41, 37)
The Parable of the Facade
Our religion is a facade. A facade has substance, it is beautiful, it is intended to entice. But the real meat is found inside. Whether we go in to have a meal or to dance or see a play, the substance of which we came to partake is inside, past the facade. An elder brother, not content to stand staring at the exterior went inside. From inside the beautiful building he beckoned us: "It is all right, you can come in too! It is even more beautiful in here! Nothing prevents you, you are authorized just as I was. Don't listen to those who say you need credentials, they were wrong, it is open to all!" But those outside couldn't believe. It was too good to be true, they let the naysayers shame them into standing outside. But they revered the man who went in. They rejoiced in his courage and knowledge and wisdom and wrote songs in his honor. Eventually shanties and then buildings were erected. They all entertained themselves as they congratulated each other in their wise course not to embarrass themselves by attempting to go inside the building! Three generations later another, tired of this went inside the building. He embraced the first in a joyful embrace. He also turned and beckoned to those outside and told them how well they had done so far and how he enjoyed his stay with them. He persuaded them patiently in their own language saying "Remember that man whom ye revere? He who went in, before you constructed these other buildings? He was right, it is free, you must come in, it is wonderful! Will you not? I love you." The builders however laughed him to scorn, but some others heard a familiar voice and left their various occupations and followed the man into the building. Eventually an earthquake shook the earth, and all the poorly constructed buildings of those builders and their inhabitants fell and turned to dust for they had rejected the chief cornerstone and the sure foundation.
See also: Pantomime
He always spoke well of his people, for how could he speak ill of those he loved and whose burden he bore? Those who stumbled out of the way like myself, for whom he prayed with love unfeigned and received as he desired. His keys he holds and has no other object, but has set his face like a flint to perform the good pleasure of his Lord. To reclaim that which is lost, to open the prison gate, to make known the covenants of the Lord, though he was despised of men and rejected by those he loved. I hope I can become, through the grace of God, a worthy beneficiary of his labor.
I heard a disturbing testimony today which laid the kind of praise and adulation you normally only hear given to a being you worship.
"He knows my needs, he knows your needs. He knows each of us. I hope I can follow the prophet."
There was no ambiguity as to who he was referring, and this was no "crazy" member. This was the Bishop.
This feeling among members in their worship is known, but to hear it actually voiced like this was shocking.
I struggle to understand the point of attending church. I currently go for one main specific reason. The only time being at church is beneficial, is the point just after someone asks that a scripture be read, and just before anyone gives their opinion on it.
I never enjoy hearing a talk or a lesson when scriptures are used, because they are used to back up a false doctrine, like "follow the prophet". This wouldn't be such a problem if this wasn't the God of modern Mormonism. The religion IS "follow the prophet", thus every lesson, every talk, every connotation of everything that is said, and every historical rendering is painted with this brush. The saving doctrines become bereft of power. We think we still believe in Christ, but really, what we believe in, is the prophet and we have rejected Christ.
I stopped reading Denver Snuffer because I didn't want to feel aggravated with the church more than I already was. "It'll get better," or "it's not so bad" I continue to tell myself. But there really is no point. The relationships are phony, the assignments to be a friend or home teacher sets real personal relationship up on a phony ground.
I am kept from the temple because I cannot answer the test of loyalty affirmatively.
I liked what Elisha said as we read today, that he had been jealous for the Lord, and for it, he was despised, rejected by his fellow men and he was ready to be taken.
I came home today and saw this post by Denver: Only One Doctrine Left
The LDS church is not a friend of religious freedom, notwithstanding they have come out with a few videos about it. Take for example all the concessions the Church willingly makes in oppressive countries in order to gain a foothold there. Why is the church allowed in China? Because it makes good, obedient citizens. Take the encouragement the church gave to Utah lawmakers to force businesses to hire homosexual workers against conscience, yet make an exemption for themselves. Count the number of times you hear the Twelfth Article of Faith misused in General Conference to cause members to submit to anti-religious tyranny. Count the number of sincere members who want to have an open dialog and publish material about the real or their perceived history of the church who are excommunicated. Take the violation of their own scriptural commands that excommunication be handled locally and not directed from the top by the anti-religious-freedom "Strengthening Church Members Committee" and then tell me the LDS church is for religious freedom.
Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-a are the actual supporters of religious freedom.
"Apostasy is...persisting...in teaching false doctrine."
Does this definition apply to leadership? By the law of restoration, if a leader judges that a member is worthy of excommunication for persisting in teaching false doctrine, will that leader himself be judged unworthy of the association of the Savior in eternity? For the those that wrote this statement are surely guilty of what they accuse others.
We have had generations of yes-men leadership in the church who defer and suspend all of their own judgement to the authority just higher than themselves, up to the president, that we now have presidents who really have no idea what's going on who were groomed in those ranks. Alma 12:9-11 is fulfilled in them.
What measure ye mete
“And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.” (Moroni 7:18)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matt 7:1-2, Nephi 14:1-2)
“O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful…. For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored.” (Alma 41:13, 15)
--
“…all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) He that lives by the sword has judged his fellow men worthy of death by the sword. I have no doubt that such a man shall die by the sword as the Savior proclaimed, otherwise he is a liar. Let's make this more personal: “In whatsoever conditions ye deem a people or nation worthy of death, ye shall as a people likewise be deemed worthy.” “If you hold life so valueless that you will be persuaded by falsehoods to kill, you too will have to learn what it is like as an innocent person or young family in a weaker nation to be killed.” Do not find comfort in the fact that some people escape this judgment now, for, for the word of God to be fulfilled, they too must experience what they inflict. Their judgment will return to them.
If you believe it is just through your vote to force a family to conform to your ideas of education, religion or social ideas, though they may find those ideas reprehensible, you must learn in eternity, what it is like to be forced contrary to your conscious and beliefs and face the confiscation of your children and the tears to which anonymous others are oblivious.
The balance of eternity is perfect, it is merciful, it is educational.
Joseph said: “A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge.” (TPJS p. 217) We must and will know what it is like to inflict evil upon our fellow man until we shudder and shrink from the thought of offending, until it becomes contrary to our nature to do evil.
Eternity is a summary; a word for many things. Brigham Young said we are living in eternity right now. We are living in a spiritual kingdom and under a certain law right now.
An adulterer, as Joseph stated, cannot inherit the celestial kingdom, but must inherit another, why? Because he must learn what it is like to have a man seduce and violate that which is most precious to him, her loyalty dissipate and his family broken up, until he finds it reprehensible. An adulterer cannot be saved until he gains knowledge.
“Why will not man learn wisdom by precept and example at this late age of the world and not be obliged to learn everything we know by sad experience?” (Joseph Smith, HC 3:26)
Our experiences in life are limited, we cannot experience all things, but they are perfectly suited for us, to bring us the knowledge we need to be saved.
If you feel like the meat of the gospel has disappeared, and even the milk is turning to water, there is a reason.
"Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! ...and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2 Nephi 28:29-30)
It is no coincidence that this verse comes right after:
"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." (2 Nephi 28:31)
As a consequence of neglecting the duty devolving upon ourselves and looking to a "Strong-man" for light and wisdom, we are bound by the chains of hell.
"It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God....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 12:9-11)
What can be comprehended, taught, understood about the Gospel is truly endless. If we are struggling to find something to teach or preach and be inspired about then we have only barely scratched the surface of just what Joseph taught. Should we arrive at the point where we have open vision, there will be yet more that will give context to what we say and give us yet more to preach, even if we are forbidden from revealing what was revealed to us. So difficult is it for the purity of the Gospel, the mysteries and the knowledge of the blessings that await, to penetrate our clouded mortal minds and overcome our traditions, that we should never be wanting for truth, and if so, then our own performance is wanting.
"And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world; For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas. These are they who say they are some of one and some of another--some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch; But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant." (D&C 76:98-101)
"All those named (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ, John, Moses, Ellas, Esaias, Isaiah and Enoch) were true messengers or authorized prophets of God. In the list is the Son of God Himself. These claims are not being made by those who were following Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Zarathustra, Vishnu or Krishna. They are being made by Saints, who thought themselves justified because of their belief in authorized messengers sent from God." (Denver Snuffer)
Receiving the testimony of Jesus is more than believing in Jesus. "Eternal life", Jesus said was to "know God", and knowing God is more than knowing about him. Receiving the testimony of Joseph Smith, without going on do that which Joseph taught, that is having our own face-to-face visitation, which is a fulness of the Gospel, wherein we receive the actual Everlasting Covenant, and not just it's symbolic version which we receive in the temple.
Joseph said stop this "Follow the Prophet" nonsense, it will lead to your destruction. What do we do? We make it the single most defining characteristic of our religion.
Someone commented on a blog post that they started programming because they loved to write code. He said it took him ten years and four kids later to learn that the purpose of programming is to solve customer's problems, not because it was fun.
I believe this is more the result of mortal conditioning, rather than learning a higher purpose in something.
Let's analyze what he's saying here. He's saying that for the longest time, this man took joy in discovery and creation, but that through many years and several additional children later, he's now learned that the *real* value is in solving customer's problems, or in other words, doing whatever it takes to make money to feed and cloth his family.
This is realism at its core. Having to deal with problems in a mortal world and then accepting these solutions as the higher objective.
I assert that the higher purpose in any sort of effort *is* the creative process, the joy in learning and discovery -- those things that infants do when they come here. Those things we gradually stop doing because our bellies demand otherwise. *Ten years* he said it to took him, to make that transition. This suggests to me that it is unnatural to his core spiritual instincts.
We joke about translation, how, if we were *that* righteous we would be translated, however translation is a very real thing, and it solves this problem of mortality and our "adulthood". When we are translated, our bodies no longer need, or in much less quantity, what we consider necessities: Food, water, clothing, shelter, heating, cooling, waste collection and removal, sleep, sword and shield.
We are born idealists, we devolve into realists.
The purpose of true religion is to regenerate both body and soul and reverse the problem of mortality -- not after we die, but anytime that soul is ready.
A man stands proud, having conquered one problem of a telestial world, but he should be learning how live in a celestial.
Joseph stated that in the last days only latter-day saint women would be willing to bear children. Truman Madsen said "bear" may mean both the delivery and care of children, or "bearing with" them which I believe.
I wonder though, if this prophecy was not necessarily intended to characterize the women who hold membership in the church, but as a way to identify those women who could truly be called "latter-day saint" whether in or out of the church.
I heard in Elder's Quorum that it was not revealed how succession should take place.
D&C 43:1-7 and D&C 124:91-96 tell a different story. A reasonable reading of these verses state that Joseph would appoint a successor, and he did, it was Hyrum. Hyrum was taken also.
Even Brigham Young admits this: "Did Joseph Smith ordain any man to take his place? He did. Who was it? It was Hyrum..." (Brigham Young, Times & Seasons, October 15, 1844, Vol. 5, p. 683.)
Is it possible the saints did not complete the Nauvoo temple in the Lord's appointed "sufficient time" and thereby reap the consequences?
I don't understand why women would want the church to ordain them to the priesthood and have the same positions in the church as men. Why would men? I know many men aspire for callings and see them as validation from God when they receive them, or rejection when they don't. Despite the rhetoric that we should be as happy being a janitor as a president, human nature wants position and titles and the honors of men.
Do men and women think they're entitled to further light and knowledge as they ascend higher in the church?
To know God, to receive blessings directly under his hand, to have Him unfold the mysteries of the Gospel to us, this is what we should strive for. Leave the rest to administrators.
If what they're seeking is leadership authority over others, I really don't think its worth it, who wants that but self-important fools? If what your seeking is spiritual priesthood power I think they're seeking it from the wrong place. I still haven't heard a clear distinction between the power of priesthood and the power of faith to which all women are entitled, and without which priesthood is powerless.
Genesis (JST) equates Melchizedek Priesthood with the sealing power, and this is not obtained by passing from one person to another, but by the voice and calling of God.
Would you rather have the calm and eternal assurance of your worth, spiritual gifts and powers, knowledge like the Brother of Jared, or just some guy decide to let you hold an office which has nothing to do with eternity?
Joseph Smith, a true prophet said he wished he had 40 days and nights, uninterrupted by poverty and worldly concerns to explain the gospel and unfold the mysteries of heaven, that rolled before him like an overflowing surge.
The men today we are supposed to sustain today as prophets can't come up with 30 minutes or less of material without repeating what each other has said and not only that, but repeating what's been said by themselves in previous conferences over and over ad-infinitum.
Well did Isaiah prophecy that our tables would be full of regurgitated, malnourishing food.
Our country is falling apart, we're in the middle of World War III murdering millions for gain, destroying the widow and fatherless, converting their lives to money through inflation drinking in with the traditions and partaking of the spoils of Gadiantons and countless other horrors, and the topic? Somehow I don't think Isaiah would be talking about Home Teaching.
I've found more genuine spiritual revelation, knowledge and insight in a small book than I have in decades of General Conference.
They make broad their titles of prophet, seers and revelators and enlarge the borders of their authority.
"They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof; from such turn away."