For he who is unwilling to know how he may attain to life, and prefers to be in ignorance lest he thereby be made guilty, from this very fact is judged as if he knew and had knowledge. For he knew what it was that he was unwilling to hear; and the cunning obtained by the artifice of the serpent will avail him nothing for an excuse... (Clement of Rome, Chapter 18 emphasis added).
I have quoted D&C 10:67-70 several times in this blog to emphasize that only those who are repenting are of His church. When I wrote that President Benson also quoted these same verses to emphasize that being a member of His church is different than being a member of record of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a person asked for a citation, which I provided. I was struck with the thought that more often than not, we just don't take the Lord’s words at face value. Are we reluctant to believe unless we hear it from the pulpit? Are His words not enough to convince us? Isn’t this the definition of treating His words lightly? Is this an example of "...but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (Hebrews 4:2)?
Another way of treating His words lightly is by ignoring His 'more' or 'nothing' rule. It is never static. You are either receiving a greater portion of His words, or you have hardened your heart, in which case you are "given the lesser portion of the word until (you) know nothing concerning his mysteries..." (Alma 12:10). Are you are passing or failing the test?
They come from "He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended 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" (D&C 88:6-7 emphasis added).
I've quoted Hugh Nibley before saying that the Book of Mormon was not given to us to convince us, but to convict us. But convict us of what, I ask? Just being ignorant or being willfully ignorant?
Having been given the Book of Mormon can we ever have an excuse? Can we hold this precious book in our hands and yet remain clueless of its message to us--to you?
Consider this summary, all from God, keeping in mind that Christ taught only His Father's words (John 12:49-50).
1. What the word of God is.
His words are truth (D&C 84:45).
His words are light (ibid).
His words are His Spirit (ibid).
His words are Him!
He is the word!
His words are treasures.
The word of God is a two-edged sword.
Sword of truth is the word of God.
Word of God is intelligence or in other words, light and truth
He is the word, is in the word and the word is in Christ.
One word from the mouth of God strikes everything else as insignificant.
2. What the word of God does.
We are judged by His words.
Without His words we abide in darkness.
His words divide us.
His words cut the chains of hell.
His words anger some and please others.
His words take us beyond this vale of sorrow.
The word or rod of iron, is the weapon God uses to judge and make war.
His words unite us.
His words enlighten and awaken us.
His words reclaim us.
His words shine His light on us.
His words test us.
His words are brought to our remembrance through the Holy Ghost.
His words lift us.
Nothing is more effective than the word of God.
His words lead us to the Tree of Life.
His words tell us all that we must do.
His words can become our words.
His words can be found in us.
Through His words we receive more or less.
Faith comes by hearing His words.
We are humbled because of His words.
Enoch spake forth the words of God and the people trembled.
We can hear His voice in His words.
The word of God nourishes us.
The desire to repent comes from hearing the word of God.
Without His words we remain ignorant and unaware.
One word from the mouth of God strikes everything else as insignificant.
We can only tell whether one is a true messenger of God by the message.
3. What are we to do with, or how do we respond to, the word of God.
Get in the way by His words.
Stay in the way through His words.
We either believe or do not believe His words.
We hear His words.
We hear His voice in His words.
We see by His words.
Understand His words with our hearts.
Humble ourselves because of His words.
We are to treasure up continually the words of life.
Feast upon the words of Christ.
First seek to obtain my word, then shall your tongue be loosed.
Hold fast to His words.
Search His words.
Enjoy His words of eternal life in this world.
Angels speak the words of Christ.
We can speak with tongue of angels.
We write His words.
We teach His words.
We expound upon His words.
Whoso read let him understand.
He who denies God's revelations has not read the scriptures.
Give heed unto the word of God.
Hearken unto my voice and believe.
Study His words.
We plant His words in our hearts.
His words properly nourished, grow into a tree of knowledge, a tree of Life whose fruit is most desirable.
Through His words we know our condition here and what is expedient for us.
His words are found in us.
His words are not to be treated lightly.
Those who speak with the tongue of angels speak the word of God.
If we believe the words of God, we believe Christ.
We are more likely to believe God's words if we are not compelled to believe, but just desire to know and believe.
If we truly humble ourselves because of the word, we will repent and find mercy.
God is merciful to those who believe on His name, and this is why He desires that we believe, "yea, even on his word."
We can come to know that they are true by experimenting on his words.
The idea that we do not have to believe anything that is not true, and that we can know the truth for ourselves through God's word, is unique in world religions today.
We either believe it or we don't, and if we believe it, we will believe in Christ and repent and find mercy.
Certainly by being enticed by one or the other (good or evil), we are putting ourselves in a better position to choose good, and the word is the catalyst to do so.
Alma asks. "I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?"
And if they do plant and nourish the word by their faith "it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life."
"And it came to pass that after they had found out the minds of all the people, those who were in favor of the words which had been spoken by Alma and his brethren were cast out of the land."
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."
Live by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
We don't just ignore but we rebel against the word of God.
We should not leave the word of God and serve tables.
Word of God does not abide in you.
The words of God shall be fulfilled.
Some are slain for the word of God.
All but those armed with His words will be deceived.
"How great the importance to make these things known to the inhabitants of the earth" (why?) "that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah...."
Can you say that you know good from evil because you have been instructed sufficiently?
To those that hear the word of God and believe the word of God, they are to also teach the word of God.
The word of God is the instrument used by the Lord to cause men to repent and turn to Him.
It is the exactness of His words that is sharper than a two-edged that will divide the righteous from the wicked.
Another way of saying the above is that God's words must be used with exactness, not watered down, not transfigured, not mingled with the precepts of men.
And finally these words to conlude this post:
"And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.
And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.
For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.
And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me.
And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now.
Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things..." (D&C 84:49-53; 60).
When Nephi prophecies that there will be a great division among the people, it will be because of His words, those that believe them on one hand, and those who do not, on the other, which is the precise meaning of the parable of the 10 virgins: "For they that are wise and have received the truth (His words), and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day." (D&C 45:56-57 emphasis added).
"And I know that they will be preserved; for there are great things written upon them, out of which my people and their brethren shall be judged at the great and last day, according to the word of God which is written" (Words of Mormon 1:11 emphasis added).
Yes, we have the Book!
"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants,* it is the same" (D&C 1:38 emphasis added).
*Anyone who has thrust in his/her sickle to reap is armed with the word of God because they have obtained His words.