Sunday, January 15, 2023

Letter To My Grandchildren

To My Grandchildren, Their Spouses and Their Children

(And to all the Sister Missionaries and young adult ward members who have visited us in Verdun.)

Why is this letter necessary? So that you are prepared for the prophesied events yet to happen prior to the Lord's coming, so you will be guided by His words and not be deceived.

At one time in my life, I wanted to be the type of grandfather who could provide you with opportunities for fun and adventure. I wanted to spend time with you, take you on trips, provide reunions where we could all gather and have good food and create memories together.



But there came a time in my life when I realized I could not be that type of grandfather. There were several reasons including my divorce and new marriage, there being so many of you, and not being able to afford these kinds of opportunities. But at some point in my life I also realized that perhaps while fun and memorable, these type of activities were not the greatest good I could do for you. I am aware that I have been the type of Grandfather who was present in your lives when you were younger, and not so much as you got older, but that does not mean I am not aware of what is going on in your lives, or that I do not care, because I do.


I know you may not be mindful of me, but I am mindful of each of you. I am curious about you, worry about you, but most of all I love you. And I have felt His love for you. Because I love you, I share God's gifts to me with you. He has promised me that someday some of you will recognize that the gifts of the Spirit given to me, were given to benefit you, and that you will rejoice in Him who is the giver of these gifts. And that when you think of me, you will remember that "...in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things...." (D&C 59:21). And I pray that all things will work together for your good.



And so I asked myself what would be the greatest good that I could do for you? Many experiences led me to desire and discover this greatest good, but what could I do that would cause you to want to know of and understand why Christ is the greatest good, or why Jake in his homecoming talk said 'it is all about Christ?' I worry that you may reject the messenger, and therefore not receive the message. Resist the urge to opine on what you think the greatest good is, and continue to read and discover what He means by the greatest good.



I have found the greatest of all treasures, the treasures of heaven, and I want to share these treasures with you. But like any treasures they only become yours if you discover them. If you allow me I can help you do just that. I've done the searching and the digging, have found the treasures, and continue to enjoy them. But rather than trying to explain to you why they are the treasures of heaven, perhaps you can just continue reading.


But, you may ask, why would you even want to hear about the treasures of heaven and about Christ from me? Probably not any more than Corianton wanted to be taught by his father Alma. Or you may think you already know all you need to know. But you don't! Not even close! I am now an old man with more treasures than you can imagine.



I don't have these treasures just because I am old, but because I have spent years searching for and finding these treasures. I gave up long ago seeking for earthly or worldy treasures, but instead spent my time seeking for the treasures of heaven. And my Father in Heaven opened up to me His treasure chest. He has revealed to me personally the truthfulness of all that He has revealed to others. He has given me gifts of the Spirit, and also the Spirit of Revelation and the Spirit of Prophecy.


Knowing that in the Father and Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, I am sharing just a few treasures and cautions in this letter. So read this as coming from someone who loves you and who knows treasures and how to find them. Hopefully you will discover some treasures you can take with you and share. Pour mes petits-enfants français, I recommend that you first read Is It A Good Seed?, try the experiment, and then come back to this letter.


Some of my treasures are prophecies of events leading up to the Lord’s second coming.² Much is yet to happen before Christ comes again, yet being unprepared and unaware of the events leading up to His coming will catch you on the wrong side of His words when the irrevocable division spoken of by Nephi, Isaiah and Christ occurs.


Because I am older I can see tragedy coming from a considerable distance, but when you are young tragedy does not seem to pertain to you and certainly never catches up to you. But a tragedy it will be if you do not heed His words. The world and its systems can capture us and become all that we know and experience.³



There may be some of you who believe that all you have to do is follow the prophet. Some may know that we must look to God and live, and not follow and put our trust in a man, no matter his ecclesiastical title. Some of you may be struggling with the organized Church. And there may be some of you who are wondering if you really believe in God. And others of you (my French grandchildren) who have not been taught at all because your parents and grandparents were not taught and did not know the truth.


This message is for all of you because no matter where you are in your journey, the remedy is the same.


One of my greatest treasures is knowing the Lord's definition of truth. Yes, He has told us what truth is:


The word of the

Lord is truth, and

Whatsoever is truth is light

(light can be discerned), and

Whatsoever is light is spirit,

Even the spirit of Jesus Christ

(D&C 84:45).


Truth = Light = Spirit = Jesus Christ


So His words are Him! If you want to draw nearer to God, feast upon His words. If you do, I promise you that you will hear His voice in His words!


There you have it! A standard by which we can judge and compare everything! Can you appreciate how important this is? Can you appreciate that you do not have to believe anything that is not true, no matter who says it? Can you imagine that you should believe His words, no matter who says them? It is not me saying this. No one but God could say this.


You are not bound by creeds, talks from the pulpit, handbooks, lesson materials, or even what your parents taught you. Can you imagine that one word from the mouth of the Savior, from the bosom of eternity, strikes everything else as insignificant? 


This is the reason He has caused His words to be recorded, and we should listen to those who speak and teach His words, no matter who says them, even if it is just your grandfather.


This said, there is only one focus and that is, to feast upon His words so that you will have His sword of truth and can cut through all the crap. And His words will tell you 'all things you must do.' I cannot emphasize enough how important this is as we are nearing the time when Christ will come again. There is so much to happen between now and then, and it is all spelled out for us in His words. You do not want to be caught unprepared.


Sadly I must confess that I taught my children what I had been taught. You see, the traditional teachings are not light and truth (D&C 93:39-40), and I failed to teach them light and truth as the Lord commanded me. Only His words are light and truth.


I did not teach them, as commanded (D&C 68:25), to understand the doctrine of faith, baptism and repentance, before they were eight years old. But I could not teach what I did not know and had not yet experienced. I taught what I had been taught: to be good, to be active in the church, to do my duty, or, in other words, to be religious.


It is preferable to be under grace and not under the law. Some of you may believe that repentance is a change of behavior. It is not! It is a change of direction. Repentance means to turn to Christ, put our faith in Him and rely alone upon His merits.


It is only because of His words that we enter into His way, and only because of His words that we continue in the way. Faith comes only by hearing the word of God. It then follows that because of our faith in Christ we have access to His grace.


It was only after I had feasted upon and obtained His words, and then heard His voice in His words as He revealed the truth of His words to me, experienced being redeemed and born again, that I could teach them to others, but with mixed results. I say mixed, because so few understand or desire to understand the language of God, but some desired to and have experienced His words and His Spirit. This was my motivation for writing a blog, so that perhaps I could remedy the traditional teachings with light and truth and share them with you and others. 


I worry that you, like me, may have been taught only the traditional gospel, rather than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of you may be struggling with the organized church, with religion in general, perhaps going through a destruction of what you have been taught. There is a lot to struggle with.


Others of you may believe that all you have to do is "live the Gospel." Some may think that Conference talks are the word of God, but to assume so, without knowing the word of God could find you on the wrong side of God's words. And some of you may be questioning the Book of Mormon.


There is so much noise out there that it is impossible not to hear it, read about it or see it. Some of it is valid, but it is usually delivered without any remedy, and it is the remedy that I want to emphasize.


Some of you may have already left the church because you no longer believe some or all of its teachings. Remember that belief is irrelevant. It is not what we believe or do not believe that matters, but whether something is true or not true. That is always the question--the only question. Do not assume that just because you believe something, that it is true. On the other hand do not assume that just because you do not believe something, that it is not true! Remember it is not what we believe that matters, but who we believe.


Christ does, however, invite us to leave the fold and follow Him to living waters and green pastures. And by 'leaving the fold' I mean leaving behind religion and coming to Christ, looking to Him and relying totally upon His merits and not upon any of our own merits. It will be because of His righteousness that you will be redeemed, not your own.


But those who leave without the Shepherd to guide them, are more than foolhardy; they put themselves in peril.


Those who stay and 'practice' their religion are equally at risk, having failed to repent because they have not been taught what Christ teaches about repentance, thinking that by their good works they will have earned His salvation, or perhaps that Christ will make up the difference. Annie and I choose to stay involved because we love the people. It is where we can do the greatest good by bringing our brothers and sisters to Christ. We also can witness to God directly that we want to take upon us His name and always remember Him, when we partake of the sacrament.


There is only one remedy--His words, and believe me when I tell you, you will not always find His words coming from the pulpit, even the pulpit at the Conference Center. Talks should not be your only source. You must first find His words as they are recorded in the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Only then will you be equipped to know the difference between the message and the messenger, and will know when the word of God is taught.


Always remember that the Book of Mormon is a work so staggering that it may risk challenging to call it the most remarkable achievement of the human mind--that is, if Joseph Smith was not telling the truth about its origin! Add the truthfulness of its origin, and you can see the hand of God and can hear His voice in His words in the book.


It was not until He began revealing to me the truthfulness of His words, that I came to know His words.


Truth without personal revelation is just information. Truth with personal revelation is to know the truth. I want you to know as I know, and the knowledge that I have is from God, and for that reason I stand as a witness of God.


All His words come together in Christ, and Christ will always lead us to His Father. Christ only taught His father's words (John 12:46-50), and sent the Holy Ghost to bring all His words to our remembrance (John 14:46).


God's more or less principle as described by Alma in Alma 12:10-11 teaches that we are either receiving more of His words until we know the mysteries of God in full, or we harden our hearts against His words until we know nothing, and are bound by the chains of hell. It is either or.


His words can be and are transfigured. In fact, Moroni and Nephi and others prophesied that we, His latter-day people, would transfigure His words, that we would teach for doctrine the commandments of men mingled with scripture, and that many would be led astray because of this.


Christ himself prophesied that it will be so bad that we will reject His words and the fulness of His gospel, and that His gospel will be taken from us, and we will become as the salt of the earth that loses its savor (3 Nephi 16:10;15).


If you were to ask now what is this greatest good, I would direct you to the Lord’s answer. Joseph's ministry was to proclaim Christ's Gospel, and in doing so “will do the greatest good,” and will “promote the glory of him who is your Lord” (D&C 81:3-4 emphasis added). Don’t assume that you know ‘Christ's gospel’ because I can guarantee that you more than likely do not. If you are interested He has defined His Gospel in 3 Nephi 27:13-21.


This letter from a German soldier from Verdun written in May 1916 is an illustration of the greatest good.


My dear good old parents,


It's war here, war in the most horrible of all its forms, and in our distress we become aware of the closeness of God. At present, things are becoming extremely difficult. But in the depths of my soul, I feel serene rather than worried. "Let me go so that I can see Jesus." It must be beautiful to be able to look at God in His magnificence. I think about the afterlife a great deal, with joy. I do not fear judgement. I'm a poor creature, a miserable sinner, but how great is God's grace, how great the Saviour's love! This is why, without fear or distress, I am doing my duty for the Fatherland and for my love of the German people. Thank you, my dear parents, for leading me to the Saviour. It is the best thing that you have ever done!


With my tenderest love, May God keep you! (Johannes Hass. Died at Verdun on 1 June 1916)


God's words have now become my words because He has given them to me. Those of you who are feasting upon His words will recognize them, but those of you who are not, will not recognize them because you have no frame of reference except the pulpit narrative or the opinions of others. Believe me, the scripture narrative is different than the pulpit narrative. Or better yet believe Him when He says:


“And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it, These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man; for it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them. Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words” (D&C 18:33-36). 


To “follow” Jesus (Matthew 10:38; 16:24; 19:21) thus looks far beyond being “saved” to becoming even as He is (3 Nephi 27:27).*


And I can so testify!


So if you are inclined for whatever reason--curious, to prove me wrong, really want to know, really need to know, or any other reason--then search what I have written. Compare everything with His words. Look up the references and desire more of His words. As you receive His words, pray for the Spirit of Revelation and the Spirit of Prophecy, and know for yourselves. Then, as He promised, you will speak with the tongue of angels. Do not be part of the majority that will deny the gifts and power of God (Moroni 10), because only those who work through the gifts and power of God will do good.


I have linked a few posts here for easy reference, hoping that there may be a few that will interest you, and help you focus on His words and not mine. It is His voice that I want you to hear in His words.


I send this because I love you and because I want you to desire and choose His mercy, and avoid His justice. 


There is an upside to ignorance, and a downside to knowledge. Knowledge makes life messier. It makes it a bit more difficult for a person who wishes to shrink the world to his or her worldview.


Love,


Your grandfather.


*Sons and Daughters of God


Obstacles to Receiving the Word of God


I Am a Sinner


No Other Way


And By This Ye May Know


Why I Teach His Gospel of Repentance

(Which of you will believe His words and desire, as I did, to thrust in your sickle and reap, and be called of God to say nothing but repentance unto this Generation?)


Drunk With The Wine of Self Deception


²But We Have the Book! America
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Sunday, January 8, 2023

Two Headed Monster

That Awful Two-Headed Monster--Or Why We Need To Repent Now

When Annie and I taught primary, we would always teach the kids about the two-headed monster described in 2nd Nephi 9, one of the great doctrinal discourses in the Book of Mormon. We did this because it captured their interest, but more importantly it helped them understand how Christ can save us from this two-headed monster.



There are many Book of Mormon chapters where the Book of Mormon Prophet Writers teach us many of the great truths revealed to them, and 2 Nephi 9 is one of them.  They differ, at least to me, in that they are great gospel and doctrinal discourses designed to help us understand and experience why we must repent and why the Lord and His plan are described as Good and Great.


Jacob had just read to the people of Nephi some of the words of Isaiah concerning the"'covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all of the house of Israel."  He spoke these words unto them so that they might rejoice and "lift up (their) heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God (will) bestow upon (their) children."


Jacob knew that many had searched the records so that they would know of things to come, and he knew that they had come to know as a result, that their flesh would waste away and they would die, even though in their bodies they would see God. He also knew that they did know that in His body He would show himself unto those at Jerusalem. Jesus would suffer himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him. 


Jacob then taught that because death had passed upon all men, to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.


The only remedy for this condition is an infinite atonement, for without an infinite atonement our corruption could not become incorruptible. Presently everything on this earth gives way to the second law of thermodynamics--entropy, or everything becomes corrupt, or falls into disorder. Without an infinite atonement everything and everybody would remain in a state of corruption and our flesh would be laid down to rot and crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.


What would be the effect if there was no resurrection? If the “flesh should rise no more our spirits would become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself…” (2 Nephi 9:8-9). Think about this--our spirits would become subject to Satan--forever! We would be devils, angels to devils and shut out from God’s presence--forever!


Jacob introduces us to the two-headed monster.  One head of this monster is death and the other head is hell--DEATH and HELL. He exclaims the goodness of God because He has prepared a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful two-headed monster, DEATH and HELL. Jacob then makes it clear that DEATH is the death of the body and HELL is the death of the spirit.















Jacob then explains that because of the Lord’s deliverance, the grave shall deliver up its dead, which death is the grave. And the death which he calls spiritual death, shall also deliver up its dead, which spiritual death is hell. There you have it. DEATH and HELL must deliver up their dead. HELL must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies. When this happens the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other, and it is because of the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.


It is no wonder that Jacob says “O how great the goodness of our God! O how great the plan of our God!”


My friend and I were talking the other day about whether we will see loved ones in the Spirit World after we die. We were both of the opinion that we would, but Jacob makes it clear that the spirit world is but a place where we are between death and the resurrection. So yes, we probably have a chance to visit with loved ones there. But there has not yet been any judgment. That does not happen until after the resurrection. Jacob explains: “the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect” (2 Nephi 9:13). But still no judgment yet.


But after the resurrection we will have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness (the wicked); and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. The robe of righteousness is the righteousness of Christ that is put on those who have repented. They are entitled to be called righteous even though it is because of the righteousness of Christ, that they are deemed righteous. But still no judgment yet.


“And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God” (2 Nephi 9:15 emphasis added).


It is here that we receive either the justice of God or the mercy of God.


If it is the justice of God then we will be judged according to our works regardless of whether our works were good or evil. If we receive the mercy of God, then we will be found guiltless or spotless because He has met the demands of justice for us. Keep in mind that we stand before God to be judged. He employs no servants there.


Additional revelation sheds more light on this judgment. We are told that all but the Sons of Perdition will be redeemed. Concerning the Sons of Perdition there is no forgiveness for them because they have denied the Holy Spirit after having received it (D&C 76:31-38). These will not be resurrected, and He saves all except them (D&C 76:39;44). Their bodies will not be delivered from DEATH, and their spirits will not be delivered from HELL.


Both sections seventy-six and eighty-eight of the Doctrine & Covenants, give great detail concerning those who are deemed worthy of the Celestial, Terrestrial and Telestial glory, or a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory (D&C 88:24). Joseph Smith adds even more when he tells us concerning seeing his brother Alvin in the Celestial kingdom, how he marveled how it was that he had obtained inheritance in that kingdom when he died before being baptized. The Lord told Joseph that all who have died without a knowledge of the gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the Celestial kingdom (D&C 137:1-6). 


And what about those who repent in the Spirit World? We know of those who were the spirits of men at the time of Noah who were kept in prison in the spirit world that they also could be redeemed if they repented, but at the judgment they would still have to pay for their own sins. “The dead who repent will be redeemed through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, and after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation” (D&C 138:58-59).


Armed with a little more information let's go back to Jacob’s discourse. 


“And assuredly, as the Lord liveth, for the Lord God hath spoken it, and it is his eternal word, which cannot pass away, that they who are righteous shall be righteous still, and they who are filthy shall be filthy still; wherefore, they who are filthy are the devil and his angels; and they shall go away into everlasting fire, prepared for them; and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever and has no end. O the greatness and the justice of our God! For he executeth all his words, and they have gone forth out of his mouth, and his law must be fulfilled (2 Nephi 9:16-17 emphasis added).


“But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever (2 Nephi 9:18 emphasis added).


Can we see why Jacob keeps exclaiming the greatness of the mercy of our God, the Holy One of Israel? For he delivereth his saints from that awful two-headed monster, DEATH, and HELL, and that lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. 


God is great and holy and there is nothing that He does not know. He descended below all things, and came into the world so that He may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for He suffered the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. 


We will all stand before him on that great judgment day. 


We now come to His Gospel which he gives us in 3 Nephi 27:13-21, and how repentance is the key to receiving His mercy. He commands all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.  


And if they will not repent, believe in His name, and be baptized in His name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it. And when did He speak it? Just read the Book of Mormon.


Jacob, like Alma after him, teaches us about Justice and Mercy. He teaches that Jesus has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him. 


But Christ’s atonement satisfies the demands of his justice upon all those who 1) repent, 2) those who have not the law given to them, and 3) children who are not yet accountable. These are delivered from that awful two-headed monster, DEATH and HELL. These are delivered from the devil, and from the lake of fire and brimstone, and from endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel. 


Now this is a particular and specific warning to us. “Wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state! In other words those who fail to turn (repent) to Him. On these, Satan, because of their vainess and foolishness, does his best work.


They think they are wise, and rely on the wisdom of others, and do not hear the voice of God in His words. They set them aside, supposing they know of themselves or rely on others such as ecclesiastical authorities, and not on the counsel of God. Their wisdom is foolish and it does not benefit them. And they shall perish. Remember the spirits of men kept in prison? They repented but it was too late, and they had to pay for their own sins. 


But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. But wo (covenant curse) unto those, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures, and their treasure is their god. And their treasure shall perish with them also. 


And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they will perish. 


Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they will also perish. 


Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities will smite them at the last day. 


Wo unto the liar, for he will be thrust down to hell. 


Wo unto the murderer who deliberately kills, for he will die.


Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they will be thrust down to hell. 


Wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delights in them. 


And finally, wo unto all those who die in these sins; for they will return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins. We are only saved from these sins because of Him, not because we confess them, eliminate them or work on them.


We are not saved because of our goodness, but because of His.


Remember to transgress against God, is to yield to the enticings of that cunning one. 


Do not think that if you do not do any of the sins listed here that you are home free. If you do think this then you miss the whole point. As His words make clear, we repent because we are fallen and have become subject to the Devil. As Enoch describes the condition of each of us, because that Adam fell, we are; and by his fall comes death; and we are made partakers of misery and woe. Satan is among us, tempts us to worship him; and we become carnal, sensual and devilish, and we are shut out from the presence of God. And the remedy? "God hath made known unto our fathers that all men must repent" (Moses 6:48-50).


As my friend Tim Merrill says, it is not about being good, but about choosing good, and only God is good. We repent when we turn to His goodness; when we choose His goodness, when we rely totally upon His merits.


Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal. 


My friends and family, I beseech you to hear His words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if you do, you will contend against His words which are the truth; for I have spoken the words of God. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. 


Let Jacob conclude:


“O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them. 


But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.


Note the urgency in Jacob's plea to us.


O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all-searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood. 


O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation. Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery. 


But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin? Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin. Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God. 


Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. 


Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. 


Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice. And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel. Amen” (2 Nephi 9:41-54).


And Amen.
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