Because They Knew Not God

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of God into an image made like to corruptible man…. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped the creature more than the Creator…” (Romans 1:21-23; 25).

When we in the church talk of Christ and "try" to be like Him, we, it seems to me, concentrate on the mortal Jesus and believe that we can become like Him by following His example. Little thought, except for those who actually search the scriptures and feast upon His words, is given to who Christ really is.

Who is this Jesus Christ?  Records tell us that He first came as Jehovah, then the mortal Jesus, and then the resurrected Christ. He will come again in all His glory.  He is the Son of God having received of His fulness (D&C 93).  He is the light of the sun, moon, and stars (D&C 88).

What does that mean?

All in all, Hubble reveals an estimated 100 billion galaxies in the universe or so, but this number is likely to increase to 200 billion and more as telescope technology in space improves.

So far, astronomers have found more than 3500 solar systems and are discovering new ones every year.  Given how many they have found in our own neighborhood of the Milky Way galaxy, scientists estimate that there may be tens of billions of solar systems in our galaxy, perhaps even as many as 100 billion.

In terms of the number of solar systems present in the universe, there are something like 300 billion stars in the Milky Way, so if 10 percent of them have planets, there are over 100 billion galaxies in the observable universe.

An international team of astronomers has found that the universe contains at least 2 trillion galaxies, ten times more than previously thought.

The Milky Way is only 100,000 light years in diameter. A light year is a measure of distance, not time. It is the total distance that a beam of light, moving in a straight line, travels in one year. To obtain an idea of the size of a light year, take the circumference of the earth (24,900 miles), lay it out in a straight line, multiply the length of the line by 7.5 (the corresponding distance is one light-second), then place 31.6 million similar lines end to end. The resulting distance is almost 6 trillion (6,000,000,000,000) miles! Times that number by 100,000 and that is the size of a light year.

Genes are composed of DNA, and it is predicted that there are over 3 billion basepairs in the human genome.  Humans have approximately 10 trillion cells, so if you were to line all of the DNA found in every cell, it would stretch from the earth to the sun 100 times.

About 3 billion basepairs of DNA fit into a space, just 6 microns across. If you stretch the DNA in one cell all the way out, it would be about 2m long, and all the DNA in all your cells put together would be about twice the diameter of the solar system.

“And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would just be the beginning of the number of thy creations....” (Moses 7:30). Isn't it the height of arrogance to think our earth is the only one, or that we think we know God?

“He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; which truth shineth.  

This is the light of Christ.  

As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. 

As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; as also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; and the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.  

And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understanding; which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space--the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things” (D&C 88:1-13 emphasis added).

As Moses discovered "man is nothing" (Moses 1:10). But while "the glory of God" was upon Moses he could endure the presence of God. 

"And God spake unto Moses, saying: Behold, I am the Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name; for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is not this endless? And, behold, thou art my son; wherefore look, and I will show thee the workmanship of mine hands; but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease. Wherefore, no man can behold all my works, except he behold all my glory; and no man can behold all my glory, and afterwards remain in the flesh on the earth" (Moses 1:3-5 emphasis added).

The Lord then showed Moses just one thing:

"And it came to pass that Moses looked, and beheld the world upon which he was created; and Moses beheld the world and the ends thereof, and all the children of men which are, and which were created; of the same he greatly marveled and wondered" (Moses 1:8 emphasis added). 

But look what happened to Moses after the presence of God withdrew from him, and God's glory was no longer with him.

When Moses gained his strength of a man, Satan comes to him, and Moses, high on his experience with God's presence, decides to take on Satan by himself. At first Satan is civil with Moses and trys to convince Moses to worship him.

When Moses boasts that he is a son of God, and that he was just in the presence of God and beheld His glory, then Satan attacks.

What does Satan do? He, in a loud voice, says to Moses "I am the Only Begotten, worship me" (Moses 1:19). Moses thought he could dismiss Satan on his own, but found out how powerful Satan is when he relied on his own strength. Moses glimpses the evil, and this caused Moses to fear exceedingly and to see the bitterness of hell. Realizing his nothingness again, he calls upon God and in God's name Satan is dismissed.

What better example of repentance, and the constant need to repent! We endure in repentance to the end. Moses relied on his own strength for just a short time, but then experiencing his nothingness again, he repents and puts his trust in God. God then dismisses Satan and shows even more to Moses.

"And it came to pass that when Satan had departed from the presence of Moses, that Moses lifted up his eyes unto heaven, being filled with the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son; And calling upon the name of God, he beheld his glory again, for it was upon him; and he heard a voice, saying: Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee, and thou shalt be made stronger than many waters; for they shall obey thy command as if thou wert God" (Moses 1:24-25).

After being back in the presence of God, Moses saw more of this earth and each inhabitant thereof. Moses asked by what power was this earth created. The Lord answers him:

"And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words. 

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:37-39).

Moses caught a glimpse of God, but not all. We can learn that we too must repent and turn to God continually, raise our sights above the pulpit and desire to know God. We want to bring Him down to our level (hence our emphasis on the mortal Jesus), and make him like us, when He is anything but. 

By Proving Contraries Truth is Made Manifest

I have previously written about Timothy Merrill, one of the Lord's Watchmen in these last days. His most recent post on his blog owlofthedesert is an example of one of Tim's gifts of the spirit--the gift of manifesting truth through the use of 'what is' versus 'what should be.' 

I once asked the question--why is no one today inquiring into the tree’s “much evil fruit?" I have to correct this, because Tim is, and he is sharing what he has found, and is always comparing it to what the Lord has revealed. And by doing so manifests how precarious our situation is and will be, unless we give heed to God's word and repent and turn to Christ, relying wholly upon His merits and not any our own merits or good works.

Here it is Tim's post in its entirety.

Royal Flush

Several years ago my mom recounted to me a kerfluffle that had ruined a family gathering (I wasn't present for this one, lucky me, but I had no trouble picturing it).

Mothers mend many fences; often the most difficult are those that divide their children.

And so my mom described the argument that had spilled over into anger, hurt feelings, and tears.  Mind you, I like to think that my family members are bright, thoughtful, and faithful adults.

So you might expect the conflict erupted over something serious.  Nope. 

It was over Face Cards.

​As I understand it, one family brought playing cards to another's home, where face cards were not allowed.  Even though my family loves card games (Rook, Phase 10, Uno, etc.), some of them are opposed to using face cards (I know, I know; be patient; not everyone has learned the valuable lessons of the movie Footloose yet).

Why was it an issue at all?  Well, when a Prophet speaks . . . you know the rest.  And in 1974, President Spencer W. Kimball said, "We hope faithful Latter-day Saints will not use the playing cards which are used for gambling, either with or without the gambling."

1974?  I wasn't even born yet; but that was the last time I could find a General Authority talking about face cards.  And yet, we see the power of President Kimball's words: they linger over us a generation later like a ghost, haunting a family gathering 40 years later, causing contention as siblings argue over what is "right."

Huh.

Universal vs. Individual

I wonder if 90% of the problems in the Church could be resolved if we stopped imposing our personal values on each other.

We don't do a very good job of distinguishing between universal commandments given by God (like repentance, which the Lord asks us to preach publicly​) versus the preferences and personal inspiration we get as individuals, which is all-well-and-good for the one who receives it ― but, like chewing gum, shouldn't be passed around for others to enjoy.  (Chewing gum would include telling them to not use the term "Mormon.")

Isn't trying to get others to follow "my way" of following Christ the epitome of "teachings for doctrines the commandments of men"?

Now, a crazy old loon like me can't do too much mischief because I'm not in leadership.  If I suggested to the young women in my ward that reading rags like CosmoGirl is a waste of their time, that's just "my opinion."  Even if it were good advice, the girls could take it or leave it.

But when their bishop tells them to not wear two pairs of earrings, and threatens to withhold their limited-use temple recommend until they comply; well, then it's not just good advice ― it becomes a matter of moral certitude and conviction (which has nothing to do with earrings, and everything to do with obedience to authority).

Whose light are we holding up? 

Imagine a Frenchwoman in Paris who had recently converted to the Church scolding a couple of American missionaries for using vinegar since it contains a mild alcoholic proof.  Madame AntiVin tells the missionaries they are breaking the Word of Wisdom by using vinegar in their escargot marinade (which was something she had been told by a former priesthood leader).

Now that sounds crazy, right?  I mean, forget the vinegar: what about the fact they're eating escargot!  But let's pretend, for argument's sake, that Joseph Fielding Smith said it, then it would have the force of priesthood authority behind it.  Oh, now we're all ears!  Now I'm raiding your pantry to see whether you're being a faithful member; I scold Sister Jones for using apple cider vinegar in her crock pot; I become a bloodhound of the Prophet in the war against vinegar; all the while, I wear the leash as an honor.

Ridiculous?  Absurd?  Umm.  That is literally what happened with cola drinks during the 70s!  And it is happening now with the term "Mormon" and prayer-pronouns: each generation sees leaders creating new ways for us to judge the level of orthodoxy of our neighbors (instead of just loving them) by concocting these artificial lines; and those lines keep piling up like barnacles, generation after generation, until our ship (faith) is dead-in-the-water.

Hence the reason people don't have playing cards in their homes, or drink Coke, or wear purple shirts to Church, or watch Rated-R movies.

That's how the real mischief happens: when Church leaders teach for doctrines the commandments of men, making their personal views public, incorporating their opinions into "the gospel," until at last the gospel resembles their moral codes.

"But Tim!" someone says.  "They're special witnesses of Christ!  Of course they're supposed to tell us what to drink, and how to dress, and how to speak; of course their job is to tell us whether we can wear open-toed sandals to Church.  It's what we pay them for!"

Have we become, dear friends, The Church of Conglomerated Prophetic Opinions of Latter-day Saints?  Or are we anchored in the Doctrine of Christ?

Clark Burt reminded me of the importance of the Word of God, and the danger of substituting it with morality and moral codes (see, https://fingerofgod.blogspot.com/2021/08/teaching-in-saviors-way-teach-word-of.html).

Are we bashed about in the waves, tossed to-and-fro by the wind, as changes rain down from administration-to-administration?

This is what Paul warned us about:

   Be no more children,

   tossed to and fro,

   and carried about with

   every wind of doctrine,

   by the sleight of men,

   and cunning craftiness,

   whereby they lie in wait

   to deceive;

   [but] grow up into Him

   in all things, which is the head,

   even Christ.

(Eph. 4:15-15)

We're all seasick; the ship needs Christ at the wheel and the power of His grace and glory; the last thing we need is more admonitions about whether our playing cards depict a Joker or an Old Maid.

Go fish.

Peanut Allergy

Now, make no mistake: I am not a relativist.  I believe there are universal commandments that must be kept; they are absolute.  In other words, there are no exceptions.  Not even Jesus!  (See 2 Nephi 31:5).

This tells us something important (considering the fact we are all so different); it tells us that universal commandments are exceedingly uncommon and rare as hens' teeth.   Why?  Because they're decreed for everyone; they apply equally to everybody.

Take the example of a peanut allergy.  If I am allergic to peanuts, but the Church taught that I have to eat Reece's Peanut Butter Cups to be saved, do they make me ingest peanut butter and let me die?  No, the Church creates an exception.  But the exception itself reveals that the requirement is not essential. 

There are only a handful of universal commandments; everything else is just "good advice."  My favorite universal commandment is the one Jesus gave at the Last Supper: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34).  This applies to everyone ― regardless of race, gender, age, sex, nationality, etc.

Think of these things as the gospel "standards."  They do not change.  As Joseph Smith taught, "All must be saved on the same principles" (TPJS, p. 419).  So Adam and Abraham and Genevieve and Jenny are all subject to the same criteria.

Question:  Should instruction in the Church focus on the gospel standards (which include things like repentance, baptism and love), or upon moral living?

I want to suggest that the preaching of personal moral codes (like how to dress for Church and what sort of music to listen to) have replaced the preaching of the gospel.

My Frankenstein

​The main point I am trying to make is that contention is caused by the friction created between competing moral codes.

If that sounded confusing, let me explain.  We go through life accumulating a lot of spiritual baggage.  We adopt some of the moral codes ("traditions") of our parents; of our culture; and of our leaders, past and present.

Over time, what we find is we've cobbled together these pieces of morality into a Frankenstein we call "the gospel."  That's right, instead of focusing on the Savior's universal and eternal words, we get stuck over:

   - don't watch TV on Sunday

   - don't date until you're 16

   - when you pray, be sure to use the right pronouns

   [If you're Jehovah's Witness] don't celebrate your birthday or holidays

   [If you're Jewish] don't eat pork

   [If you're Catholic] you must say Mass in Latin

   [If you're Pentacostal you must speak in tongues to be saved

In the end, we must choose between the image of Christ or the Frankenstein we've created from our moral codes.

This explains the reason that my family (who are amazing, good people) can fight over playing cards; it happens every day when we exalt obedience to our personal moral codes (and the authorities from whom we adopted them) to be the supreme, greatest, and most important part of the gospel.

Soon enough, we might even start to believe that redemption is found in our obedience to these moral codes.

Instead of being found, you know, in the love of our Savior.

Note: "And ye have not his word in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye have eternal life: and they (His words) are they which testify of me" (John 5:38-39).

Teaching in the Savior's Way Christ's Use of Parables to Teach the Word of God

Christ's Use of Parables to Teach the Word of God

When His disciples asked "Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." Why this distinction between His disciples and them? He explains by telling His disciples that "whosoever hath, to him shall be given...and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand" (Matt. 13:10-13 emphasis added). 

He further tells His disciples that "in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive. For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed" (Matt. 13:14-15). 

Are we them?

When Isaiah was given his mission as recorded in Isaiah 6, the Lord said to Isaiah: "Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes..." (Isaiah 6:10 emphasis added).

The people referred to as them and this people reflect both ancient and latter-day Israel (Ephramite Gentiles) who rejected their covenant relationship with Jehovah.

Otherwise He would have used the term my people. When they grow alienated, they see things their way not His (Isaiah 55:8-9). Hence the words, "Go on hearing, but not understanding; Go on seeing but not perceiving." As Jehovah forewarns, a wayward people's typical response when a prophet appeals to them to repent is to harden their hearts and dull their senses. 

But there also exists a redeeming side to Isaiah's, as well as Christ's, words. "Seeing" with the eyes, "hearing" with the ears, "understanding" in the heart, and "repenting," at the same time, constitutes the Savior's formula for "healing" or salvation. Some people do repent and become the "holy offspring." Typifying them are Christ's disciples, who do hear, see, understand and repent, while at the same time others harden their hearts and do not repent.

Even though He spoke only parables to this second group, He spoke His parables to all, but purposely did not expound upon them except to His disciples. But in His parables He taught His Father's words and doctrine. 

"And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them his doctrine" (Mark 4:2 emphasis added). 

"And with so many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone he expounded all things to his disciples" (Mark 4:33-34 emphasis added). 

He emphasizes that He uses parables to teach God's words when He asks concerning the parable of the sower. "Know ye not this parable?" And if not "How then will ye know all parables?" (Mark 4:13).

His parables then are not just stories used to illustrate a point, but are His word and His doctrine, given to all of us as we are able to hear them. We may hear the parable, but we may not hear His word, His doctrine or of things to come, and therefore will not understand the parable. Why? Because we have hardened our heart against the word, do not know His word, have not received His words and do not desire to. 

He answers the question "Why?" with a question: "Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because you cannot hear my word" (John 8:43 emphasis added). 

They that have, will hear, and they that do not have, will not hear. 

"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they (His words) are they which testify of me" (John 5:38-39). 

Those for whom it is given to know the mysteries of God are those who receive the word of God and desire more of the word of God, and to those who harden their hearts against the word are those who will not receive more and will lose even that which they have. (Alma 12:9-10; 3 Nephi 26:9-11; cf. Mark 4:11) His words are not to be trifled with, but as King Benjamin reminds us we must hearken unto the voice of God and open our ears that we may hear, and our minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to our view. (Mosiah 2:9)

There is another reason the Lord speaks in parables which is of vital importance to Latter-day Saints. It is a test for us--to try our faith. If every thing was clearly spelled out, there would be no test of faith, and this would destroy the purposes of the Lord. The Lord purposely withholds things, speaks in part, or in allegory, so that only those who diligently seek the truth will find it. At the same time, the scriptures contain enough ambiguity so as to satisfy some of us who may be content with what we have. 

When this pattern--of some continuing to learn and others not--is perpetuated for a while, especially as to the prophecies of Isaiah, and those contained in the Book of Mormon, and then the Lord suddenly reveals something new, those in the act of seeking the truth will gladly receive it, having already gained some understanding of it, and being now desirous to receive more. Those not seeking the truth, on the other hand, will reject it, being unprepared to deal with many new things at once. 

The Lord knew that many would reject the words of Isaiah as well as reject the words of His Father which He had been commanded to teach during his mortal ministry. And He knew that the same would happen in His last dispensation, and that many of us would fail the test of our faith.

Nephi made this clear in 3 Nephi 26:6-11, when he said that "there cannot be written in this book even a hundreth part of the things (the words ) which Jesus did truly teach unto his people," and the things which he wrote were but a lesser part of the things which Jesus did teach the people. 

He did this "to try their faith, and if it shall be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation." (emphasis added) Nephi wanted, however, to write them all "but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people." 

Even though the Book of Mormon contains the plainest writing found in any scripture on such subjects as the atonement, gospel ordinances, repentance and events of the last days, and, even though the Book of Mormon contains so many "plain and precious parts" as to constitute "the fulness of the gospel" (1 Nephi 19:3; D&C 20:8-9), it represents but the "lesser part" of what Jesus taught the Nephites (3 Nephi 26:8-11; cf. Mormon 8:12). Also not included are the things Nephi, Mormon and Moroni were "forbidden" to write (1 Nephi 14:28; 3 Nephi 26:11; Ether 13:13).

Considering that there exist even more "plain and precious parts" of the word of God than are presently in our possession, we might ask, what have we done with what we have, so that some day, hopefully soon, we will receive more? Do we look forward to receiving yet "other books" that are now withheld so that we might feast upon additional words of Christ? In fact, the Book of Mormon itself responds to these questions: "Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show you the greater things, the knowledge of which is hid up because of unbelief" (Ether 4:13; cf. 1 Nephi 13:40).

Do we suppose the Holy Ghost would confirm Isaiah's words to our understanding if we had not first kept Jesus' commandment to search them diligently?

In view of the abundance of scriptural evidence about additional records which we have not yet received, which of these two latter-day events would more fully correspond to the Mormon Gentiles' response, "A Bible! A Bible!"? Of the two ways which we can interpret this prophecy, do we accept what the Book of Mormon is actually telling us or do we subscribe to the current popular opinion? (It is other Christians who say this!) Our answer to this question will impact immensely which category we belong to--those who hear and desire more, or those who do not hear, and will lose what they have.

To those who asked Jesus about a parable, He asked:  "Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive?

Teaching In The Savior's Way - Teach Word of God

Teach the Word of God

I discovered something in Handbook 2 which says: "The Lord has admonished leaders to treasure up in their minds continually the words of God so they will be receptive to the influence of the Spirit." And then it references D&C 84:85, but before I quote that, look again at the connection between His words and the influence of the Spirit. The Handbook does not always get it right, but here it did. In other words a teacher must have the words of God in order to be influenced by the Spirit!

The scripture that is referenced says the same thing in a different but expanding way. "Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say, but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life (His words), and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion (of His words) that shall be meted unto every man (what words should be spoken)."

The Holy Ghost does not give you 'the words of life...that shall be meted' out if you have not treasured up in your mind continually the words of God!

Somehow we miss this connection between the Holy Ghost 

and the words of God 

when teaching His gospel. 

We talk about 

teaching by the spirit, 

and yet fail to recognize 

the definition of truth given to us:  

"The word of the Lord is truth...."  

I ask the question: 

Are we really teaching 

by the Spirit (the Holy Ghost) 

if we are not teaching the words of God?  

Why ask? Because without treasuring up His words, the Holy Ghost will not bring His words to our remembrance and will not tell us what to say or when to say it! Unfortunately we too often fail to see the connection between His words and the Holy Ghost. The Lord told Oliver Cowdrey that he did not understand when Oliver thought that all he had to do was ask. He had to study it out in his mind first, and then the spirit would help him.

This is consistent with 2 Nephi 31 and 32 where we are taught that angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, because they speak the words of Christ, and because the Holy Ghost speaks the words of God (John 16:13; 2 Nephi 32:3). Can we honestly say we are teaching by the power of the Holy Ghost when we are not teaching the words of God? This is the reason Nephi tells us to feast upon the words of Christ, so we too, can speak by the power of the Holy Ghost or with the tongue of angels, and therefore the words of God which we have treasured up in our minds. And to what end? So that by hearing the word of God men can begin to exercise faith in Christ.

Moroni tells us that the office of ministering angels is "to call men unto repentance, and to fulfill and to do the work of the covenants of the Father, which he has made known unto the children of men, to prepare the way among the children of men, by declaring the word of Christ..." (Moroni 7:31 emphasis added).

And why? 

Because "by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing... (Moroni 7:25 emphasis added).  

Paul also tells us that faith comes by 'hearing and hearing by the word of God.'

His words, spoken by angels, by the power of Holy Ghost, or His words spoken by us by the power of the Holy Ghost), are the basis of men beginning to exercise faith in Christ.

D&C 50 also is important in understanding this relationship between the Holy Ghost and the word of God when teaching. Notice how the word is identified with the spirit, the light, the truth and the Comforter.

The Comforter was sent to teach the truth, and the truth is the word of God (John 14:25-26). We have been ordained to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of Truth (any other way is not of God).

He that receiveth the word of truth, receiveth it by the Spirit of Truth. That which is of God is light, and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light, and the light grows brighter and brighter.

I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you. (D&C 50:13-25). And how do we chase darkness from us? By the light of His everlasting word.

Compare this with D&C 84:45: 

"The word of the Lord is truth, 

and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ.

When we understand that because angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, they speak the words of Christ, then we see that without His words there is no spirit of truth (some other way is not of me and is darkness, does not edify or enlighten and does not nourish). 

The Sons of Mosiah searched the scriptures diligently that they might know the word of God, and thereafter prayed and fasted to receive the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation, so they could teach with power and authority. (Alma 17:2-3) 

Notice how the word of God cannot be separated from the spirit of prophecy and the spirit of revelation, and is the basis for teaching with power and authority.  

The idea that we must first have the words of God before we can teach by the power of the Holy Ghost is set forth by Christ himself in several passages from John 12 thru 17. As He is preparing His disciples for His leaving them he said unto them, 

"Yet a little while 

is the light with you. 

Walk while ye have the light, 

lest darkness come upon you: 

for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 

While ye have light, 

believe in the light (because His words are light, He could have also said while ye have my words, believe in my words), 

that ye may be the children of light" (John 12:35). 

Walking in darkness is walking without light or without His words.

Then He laid the foundation for using the word of God as the basis for all His teaching.  

In John 12, we read: 

"If any man hear my words, 

and believe them not, 

I judge him not: 

for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.  

He that rejecteth me 

and receiveth not my words, 

hath one that judgeth him: 

the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him 

at the last day. 

For I have not spoken of myself; 

but the Father which sent me, 

he gave me a commandment, 

what I should say, 

and what I should speak. 

And I know that his 

commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, 

even as the Father said unto me, so I speak" (John 12:46-50 emphasis added).

Then He says in Chapter 14 verse 10

"the words that I speak unto you 

I speak not of myself: 

but the father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

Christ then introduces them to another Comforter. 

"And I will pray the Father, 

and he shall give you 

another Comforter, 

that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of Truth... 

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

...If a man love me 

and keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear 

is not mine, but the Father's which sent me" (John 14:16-17; 23-25). 

Note again the connection between the Spirit of Truth and the word of God which is Truth.

And then He tells us why He is sending the Holy Ghost, 

"These things (the words) 

have I spoken unto you, 

being yet present with you. 

But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send 

in my name, he shall 

teach you all things, 

and bring all things 

to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have 

said unto you" (John 14:25-26 emphasis added).

Christ then tells us even the Holy Ghost speaks the words given Him of God. 

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 

it is expedient for you 

that I go away: 

for if I go not away, 

the Comforter will not come 

unto you; 

but if I depart, 

I will send him unto you." (John 16:7) 

And how will the Comforter or Holy Ghost guide them? 

"Howbeit when he, 

the Spirit of Truth is come, 

he will guide you into all truth; 

for he will not speak of himself; 

but whatsoever he shall hear, 

that shall he speak; 

and he will show you 

things to come" (John 16:13 emphasis added).

Then in Chapter 17 we have words that Christ spake to His Father. As part of His prayer for His disciples he prays: 

"For I have given them 

the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them..." (John 17:8). 

And again, 

"I have given them thy word; 

and the world hated them, 

because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." (John 17:14). 

Further, 

"Sanctify them 

through thy truth: 

thy word is truth. 

...And for their sakes 

I sanctify myself, 

that they also might be sanctified through the truth (His Father's words). 

Neither pray I for these alone, 

but for them which shall believe 

on me through their word (Father's words that they speak)." (John 17:14;19-20). 

He concludes Chapter 17 with these words:  

"And I have declared unto them 

thy name and will declare it: 

that thy love wherewith thou has loved me may be in them, 

and I in them (through His Father's words)." (John 17:26)

So if even Christ who is full of truth is speaking the words of His father, how much more shall we, teach His words by the power of the Holy Ghost, who also speaks the words given Him of the Father, after we have treasured up in our hearts His words by 'feasting' upon them, so that His words will be found in us?

This is difficult for so many because our minds are full of dogmas, opinions, tenets, mantras, and all manner of false doctrines. When the mind becomes so corrupted, only the word of God can replace all the noxious weeds that find their way into uncultivated minds.

The sons of Mosiah brought many to a knowledge of the truth, and it was "by the power of their words (that) many were brought before the alter of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him" (vs 4). This came after they had fasted and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them (vs. 9). The Lord told them to go forth 'among the Lamanites...and establish my word' (vs. 11). They undertook the work, that 'perhaps they might bring them unto repentance...' (vs 16).

The entire Book of Alma is about how the word of God is used to teach the members of the Church, non-members, family and even to counter what is taught by Satan. Alma tells us there is no more effective way than using the word of God to teach the people. Even the word of God is used as the basis for converting those who desire to believe and can thereafter exercise even a particle of faith by planting the word of God in their hearts to see if it will grow. And finally the Book of Alma shows us in the last 20 chapters what happens to those who reject or fail to receive His words.

To summarize, 

the word of God cannot be separated from the Holy Ghost, 

the Spirit of Truth. 

The word of God cannot be separated from Christ, 

for His words are His spirit. 

Christ speaks the words of God, 

the Holy Ghost speaks the words of God, 

and angels speak the words of God. 

Can we honestly say we are teaching by the power of the Holy Ghost if we do not speak the words of God? 

So the admonition to treasure up His words is given to us so that we too can speak His words by the power of the Holy Ghost. Any other way is not of God, but is darkness.