But We Have the Book! -- We Make the Word of God of None Effect

"Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandments of God, ye hold to the tradition of men.... Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such things do ye" (Mark 7:7-9; 13).

This is a talk, at least a version of it, given in my French ward in Metz, France on October 27, 2024, given in English, but posted here so it can be shared via a link.

I enjoy being part of your family. We are, after all, brothers and sisters and hope to be part of the Lord's eternal family. But I am getting older which is both a blessing and a curse. Just the other day, I went into an antiques store and they would not let me leave! But being older, I have had many years to feast upon the words of God and He has blessed me with the Spirit of Revelation and the Spirit of Prophecy. Following my own Road to Damascus experience many years ago, I turned to His words and have been feasting upon them ever since. 

Think of me today as an older family member teaching you some of what the Lord has revealed to me through His words, one who knows the difference between the word of God and the teachings of men mingled with scripture. I want you to taste the exceeding joy of which I have tasted, and know as I know.

The word of God is the focus of the entire Book of Mormon. He has given us His words which He tells us are truth, light, spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ. There is a reason we are told to live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.

But Christ has warned us that by our traditions we make His words of none effect.

When religious tradition replaces the Gospel of Jesus Christ; when we place the emphasis on us; when we attempt to justify ourselves because of our good works; when we merely parrot back or echo a conference talk, we make the word of God of none effect through our religious traditions.

The topic I was assigned comes from a Talk by Elder Soares. It is entitled "Followers of the Prince of Peace." Elder Soares encourages us to be more like our Savior. But the method to do so includes a word that waters down the word of God. And that word is 'strive' as in "strive to develop" the attributes of Christ.

Religious traditon puts the focus on us striving to develop these attributes, when the scriptures clearly teach that it is Christ that changes us. It is a fiction to think that by further, better and more aggressive living, or by striving harder, we can become like Christ. 

The word of God teaches us something that, if we believe His words, we will come to know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about improvement, but about redemption. It is a Gospel of repentance, not a gospel of performance.

Transfiguring the word of God even a fraction perverts it, and

changes the truth of God into a lie. 

Let me give you just a few examples contrasting our religious traditions with the word of God, and how tradition makes the word of God of none effect. 

1. Religious tradition teaches us to love more and better by our own efforts. 

Christ teaches that "charity is the pure love of Christ...and whoso is possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." And how do we possess it? "pray unto the Father will all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ (Moroni 7:48).

2. Religious tradition teaches us to follow the brethren. 

The word of God teaches us to never put our trust in the arm of flesh, in no person, but to "look to God and live" (Alma 37:47), and to live "by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God" (D&C 84:44), not by every word that comes from the pulpit, unless it is the word of God. But only those who speak with the Tongue of Angels will know the difference (2 Nephi 31:14). 

3. Religious tradition teaches us to 'live the gospel."

The word of God teaches us that Christ is the Gospel, the Good News, sent by his Father to save us from our sins, first as Jehovah, then as the mortal Jesus and finally as the resurrected Jesus, to deliver His everlasting Gospel: mercy to all those who repent, and justice to all those who do not repent (3 Nephi 27:13-21). 

4. Religious tradition teaches that repentance is a change of behavior, feeling sorry, and paying some penance.

The word of God teaches us that repentance means to turn to Christ and put all our trust in Him, relying wholly upon His merits, and that only the penitent are saved. 

5. Religious tradition teaches us to be good, make good choices, and be good examples.

The word of God teaches us to choose good, not human goodness, but the goodness of God, and that we do not merit anything of ourselves. 

His words also teach us there are only two choices: Good or Evil, but only as His words define Good and Evil.

He teaches us that we should hold up His light, and not our tiny spark.

Ask yourself this question:

Is my faith so little that I cling to the deeds that I do, calling them good, because I am afraid to see the evil in me? And yet it is only through seeing the evil in me that I can exercise the faith to see the good in Him.

6. Religious tradition teaches us that the gospel is about our worthiness and our righteousness. 

The word of God teaches us to always retain in remembrance our unworthiness (Alma 38:14), and that only God is righteous. 

We cannot be righteous, but we can be, as Elder Soares reminds us, followers of His righteousness, and can be saved only because of His righteousness. 

7. Religious tradition teaches us to keep the commandments, and depending on who is teaching, the list is long and detailed like a modern day Law of Moses.

The word of God teaches us to obey the commandments of God, and then defines His commandments as repentance, baptism, enduring in faith in Christ until the end (3 Nephi 27:16), and

to "give diligent heed to the words of eternal life" (D&C 84:43) because His words will tell us all that we must do (2 Nephi 32:3). It is His righteousness that saves us, not our own.

8. Religious tradition counts as a good member of the church, one who pays tithing, attends meetings and the temple, reads the scriptures, fasts once a month, fulfills his or her duties, and who does not commit any of the serious sins.

The word of God says that only those who are repenting are of His Church (D&C 10:68-68). 

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican is a parable about the futility of religion (Luke 18:9-14). None of the Pharisee's good works justified him.

The word of God teaches us that it is only His church if it is built upon His gospel, and not upon the works of men or of the devil (3 Nephi 27:10-11).

9. Religious tradition puts the cart before the horse, measures our repentance and our righteousness by our works and our human goodness.

The word of God teaches that our works follow our repentance and are the fruits of our repentance. 

Some of the fruits of our repentance are being born again, saved by the grace of God, and saying nothing but repentance unto this generation. 

Those who are repenting are those who have experienced their own lost and fallen state, are harrowed up in their sins, and want to experience the Atonement and His mercy in their own lives. And want others to experience the same. Why? So that others may receive the mercy of God and avoid being judged by their works. 

We are also taught by the word of God that only Christ is good, and that no one doeth good except by the gifts and power of God. For if there be one among (us) that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God (Moroni 10:25).

10. Religious tradition teaches that when we partake of the sacrament we are renewing covenants we made at baptism. 

The word of God does not teach that we renew baptismal covenants when we partake of the sacrament. At baptism, we enter into His everlasting covenant, and are accounted as the salt of the earth and the savor of men. 

But if we lose that savor we become as salt that has lost its savor and is good for nothing only to be cast out. He tells us that He covenanteth with none except they that do repent (D&C 101:39-40).

When we partake of the bread and water we partake of His flesh and blood and witness unto God that we are repenting, that we are 'willing to' or 'want to' take upon ourselves His name, keep His commandments (repent and endure to the end), and always remember Him. 

We do not witness that we will, but that we are willing to. When we repent and turn to Him, he cures our tendency to turn away from Him. Again just two choices: turn to Him or turn away from Him.

I often wonder when I observe someone refusing the sacrament if they understand that only those who are not turned to Him or who are not repenting, are unworthy to partake. 

The problem with religious tradition is that it makes the word of God of none effect because it transfigures His words, mingles them with the teaching of men, and is anti-Christ because it puts the focus on us, and denies the gifts and power of God. 

It can take on a life of its own and cause us to believe we are on the path that leads to eternal life because we are religious. 

But only the word of God, or the Rod of Iron, gets us in the right way and keeps us there, but only if we hold fast, and only if we feast upon the words of Christ.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation, not the power of us unto salvation.

And what a glorious Gospel it is! 

Christ chose to take upon Himself the demands of Justice and save us from our lost and fallen state, from our sins, so that if we repent mercy will claim us and when we stand before Him at the judgment, He will find us guiltless (3 Nephi 27:13-21)! 

The news cannot be any better news than that! So rather than 'live the gospel' we should proclaim the Gospel!

Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received?

A voice of gladness!

A voice of mercy from heaven; and

A voice of truth out of the earth;

    glad tidings for the dead;

    a voice of gladness for the living      and the dead;

    glad tidings of great joy.

(D&C 128:19)

Next: But We Have The Book! - That Same Spirit

But We Have The Book! - Introduction

"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).

Our friends and former neighbors in Arizona were visiting us in France, and while driving to one of our destinations, I got into a discussion with Joe about the Book of Mormon. I explained that it was an ancient record written on metal plates and translated by Joseph Smith. His first question was, "where are these plates?" I answered that I didn't know, but that was irrelevant because we have the book. "Yes, I understand that," he answered, "but why don't you have the plates?" I then asked him if he was currently reading a book. He answered that he was, and so I asked "where is the manuscript? Do you need the manuscript when you have the book? Isn't the book evidence that there was a manuscript?" I asked.

I can understand why people are curious about the origins of the Book of Mormon, but the proof is in the book, not in its origins. My granddaughter's testimony of the Book of Mormon was shaken after she listened to a series of podcasts on the origins of the Book of Mormon. I had listened to one of these podcasts before, and had checked all the titles, and it struck me as the same old arguments that have been made since the Book of Mormon was published, attacks of Joseph Smith, DNA, translation from Reformed Egyptian, an explanation of how scholars can show the Book of Mormon as a 19th century text, New Testament writings in 3 Nephi, etc. 

But we have the book! How then do they explain the book? They can't, so they attack its origins and try to make an ancient record, a 19th century fabrication, using the same old and tired criticisms. But the book exists. No critic has ever given a credible explanation of where the book came from! Who wrote it? Who put it all together? Have you ever considered why critics want to shift the burden of proof to us? Because they can't explain away the book. The burden is on the critic.

My purpose here is not to answer the critics by presenting all the evidence. Hugh Nibley has already done that in An Approach to the Book of Mormon. 

No, I want to ask a question:

Whom do you believe? 

Christ or the critics?

The Lesser Portion

Two-hundred and twenty-one years ago, in the early hours of September 22, 1823, an angel appeared at the bedside of the prophet Joseph Smith. Moroni was there to announce the coming forth of an ancient record whose contents contained “the fulness of the everlasting gospel… as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants [of the American continent]” (Joseph Smith—History 1:34). 

The book had been previously “sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord,” effectively making it Moroni's message to declare (“Title Page of the Book of Mormon”).

We either believe or we do not believe that:

1) an angel appeared to Joseph Smith, 

2) that the Book of Mormon is an ancient record,

3) it contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel, and

4) that the fulness of the everlasting gospel was delivered by Jesus Christ to America's ancient inhabitants.

And you either believe them all, or you believe none of these.

Moroni’s record was divided into a lesser portion—which has since been translated as The Book of Mormon—and a greater portion, which has remained untranslated. 

In the record the Savior declared, “And when they shall have received this [the lesser part of the record], which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so 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” (3 Nephi 26:9-10 emphasis added).

In other words, the Book of Mormon was intended to come forth as a test to the latter-day Gentiles. If they embraced its message, they would receive greater light and knowledge. If their unbelief and false traditions led them to harden their hearts against its words, they would come under condemnation.

This clearly puts the burden on each of us to either embrace its message or harden our hearts against its words. The test is not whether we believe in the origin of the book, but whether we believe its words.

A short nine years following Moroni’s initial visit, September 22, 1832, the Lord declared that the Gentiles to whom these things had come (us) had indeed fallen into condmention for “treating lightly the things which you have received—which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation… 

And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—

That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion” (D&C 84:54-58 emphasis added). 

This is a fulfillment of the prophecy by the Savior that those who do not believe the words in the book, will be under condemnation.

Faithfulness leads to receiving more light, unbelief leads to losing it: “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” (Alma 12:11; cf. 2 Nephi 28:30 emphasis added). 

“So to them the word of Jehovah remained: Line upon line, line upon line, precept upon precept, precept upon precept; a trifle here, a trifle there, that, persisting, they might lapse into stumbling and break themselves, become ensnared and be taken captive” (Isaiah 28:13 emphasis added). 

Therefore, it should be understood that the Lord’s warning of “a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion” would mark the full measure of Gentile condemnation (D&C 84:58; cf. D&C 45:28-32; 3 Nephi 20:28).

There is no compromise, no middle ground, no hedging. We either believe the words and receive them and then receive more light, or we do not believe the words and we lose what we may have had, and suffer the condemnation. This gives meaning to the Lord telling us His words are like a two-edged sword. "I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words" (D&C 11:2).

Inasmuch as the Lord’s covenant relationship to the Gentiles is mediated upon the terms set forth in the Book of Mormon—the new covenant of Christ’s gospel—the realization of such judgment would surely mark the Gentiles being “cut off from among [the Lord’s] people who are of the covenant” (3 Nephi 21:11): 

“Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm top and reed, in a single day; the elders or notables are the head, the prophets who teach falsehoods, the tail” (Isaiah 9:14-15). This language comes in striking symbolic parallel to Laban’s own unfaithful stewardship over a scriptural record, whose head was consequently “cut off” by the very sword he once used to defend it (see also 1 Nephi 22:13, 19).

Should it come as a surprise that the Lord’s endtime judgments will begin on his own house, when this is the very thing He foretold? “Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation… And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord; First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house” (D&C 112:24-26 emphasis added).

The Lord, who foresaw our day, exhorted: “Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief” (Ether 4:13). Will it not be the revelation of such “greater things” that the Lord will use to divide His people, both wheat and tare? When greater light breaks forth among the Gentiles, will we be among those who “perceive not the light,” and turn their hearts from God because of the precepts of men (D&C 45:28-32)? 

And when that generation sees the foretold overflowing scourge, will we be among those who curse God, or who stand firm in holy places, having believed Christ? 

Then why is it that in a day when searching and understanding the scriptures and prophecies of our day becomes a life-or-death issue—when the times become such that it is all men can do to separate the truth from an ever mounting onslaught of falsehoods—why are people still ensconced in worldly pastimes and trust in human institutions as sources of truth, and don’t believe Christ? Or don't believe Christ's words in the Book of Mormon?

Yet, like Laman and Lemuel, we continue to voice today’s equivalent of “We know that the people who were in the land of Jerusalem were a righteous people; for they kept the statutes and judgments of the Lord, and all his commandments, according to the law of Moses; wherefore, we know that they are a righteous people; and our father hath judged them” (1 Nephi 17:22).

In the very hour of God’s judgments coming upon his people for their wickedness, causing him to warn Lehi to leave Jerusalem, we find today’s equivalent of these two sons’ protesting that we have judged them, when, in truth, it is the Book of Mormon, that which was spoken by prophets and by Christ, that does so. 

And such will sadly remain their mantra until the times overtake them

There comes a point in people’s spiritual progression or regression, in other words, that they are either of one mind or another. Either God’s truth is in them sufficiently so that they gladly receive further light and knowledge, or they object to the truth if it is told them. But they will not be able to continue to fight against the light, Christ's words.

There is a difference between believing Christ and believing in Christ. Believing in something or someone is irrelevant. Our belief does not make something true or not true. But believing Christ is relevant. And to make it simpler, we either believe Him or we don't. 

It is either one or the other and there is no in between. But belief in Christ is multifaceted. We can believe in Him, or not believe in Him, or we can say we don’t know, or we can believe that He was just a great teacher, but not the Son of God, and on and on. 

But when it comes to believing Him, it is either yes or no. We can never plead ignorance! We can never say we did not know! The reason is that Christ said He only teaches what His Father commanded Him to teach, the words of His Father. And because His words are truth (the only truth), to believe Christ is to believe His Father's words, or to believe the truth, no matter who speaks it. The Parable of the Sower is everyone's story.

This is where the Book of Mormon surpasses all other scripture. It is filled with the words of God! 

And what is our response to this marvel of all marvels? To treat it lightly and put it aside in favor of putting out trust in men, our religious works, our goodness. "We know that active members of the Church of Jesus Christ are a righteous people for they attend the temple, pay their tithing, attend their meetings, fulfill their duties, believe they are on the covenant path, believe their leaders, and talk about Christ."

"Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God" (Alma 33:14 emphasis added)?

It is no wonder that "Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son" (Alma 33:16 emphasis added). 

We cannot believe what we do not know.

Next: But We Have the Book! -- We Make the Word of God of None Effect

Repentance: Come Unto Jesus

These posts on Repentance are intended to be read in order beginning with Repentance: Introduction. At the bottom of each post is a link to the next post. This is the concluding post.

My concern is not and has not been to make new converts, but rather "to save from perishing a soul that has already known Christ," seeing to it that as many as possible pass "the fiery test ahead," keep the faith that many are losing, and so reach the goal of glory beyond. And by keeping the faith, I don't mean being a faithful member of the church. I mean as Alma said to his son Shiblon, "I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God..." (Alma 38:2 emphasis added). 

I've attempted, in this series on repentance, to use God's words which define repentance, and teaches why and when we must repent. Through His words He invites us, commands us, teaches us, sends messengers, and gives us additional written records and revelations. But He also warns us, using His justice or anger and wrath, to accept His mercy. I have, through this series on Repentance, attempted to use all these methods in the hope that perhaps even one, who is not presently repenting, will turn to Christ, repent and accept His mercy.

In this summary, I would like to make a comment about being "baptized unto repentance" as it sheds light on both baptism and repentance. In Mormon's epistle to his son Moroni, found in Moroni 8, we find a clear analysis of why we are baptized unto repentance, and not just baptized. The distinction is important. Baptism is not an end, but the beginning.  Baptism is not only the first fruits of our repentance, but we are baptized unto repentance, even those who are baptized after the age of accountability. It is the ordinance that both follows and precedes repentance in one instance, and precedes repentance in another. Note that in this epistle Mormon is teaching us the words of Christ. 

He says: "Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it had no power over them..." (Moroni 8:8 emphasis added).

Little children need no repentance because they are not capable of committing sin, and the curse of Adam, the fall, has no power over them.

Moroni then says, "behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach--repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children" (Moroni 8:10 emphasis added). 

So anyone who is accountable and capable of committing sin is sick, and needs repentance. All but little children who are not yet accountable, are under the curse of the fall of Adam unless they repent.

"And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins" (Moroni 8:11 emphasis added).

This phrase "baptism is unto repentance" changes the way we should teach baptism. It is not about becoming a member of the church, but about being able to take advantage of the gift of repentance. One cannot continually repent unless one is baptized, and, except for little children, one cannot be baptized unless one repents. And the Lord says to teach parents that they must repent and be baptized. I want to emphasize that both children and adults are baptized unto repentance, for with adults, baptism is the first fruits of repentance, continually repenting is also a fruit of repentance. And saying nothing but repentance unto this generation follows as a fruit of our repentance. Why? Having received the mercy of Christ, we want all to receive His mercy.

"But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world..." (Moroni 9:12).

As are those who are baptized and are repenting.

I want to end this series with an invitation to come unto Christ with these scriptures.

Jacob 1:6-7 "And we also had many revelations, and the spirit of much prophecy; wherefore, we knew of Christ, and his kingdom, which should come. Wherefore we labored diligently among our people that we might persuade them to come unto Christ, and partake of the goodness of God, that they might enter into his rest, lest by any means he should swear in his wrath they should not enter in, as in the provocation in the days of temptation while the children of Israel were in the wilderness" (emphasis added).

In other words, before it is too late. Before God withdraws His spirit and the window for repentance closes.

Omni 1:26 Amaleki wrote: "And now my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved" (emphasis added).

I love that Amaleki says to partake of His salvation, and the power of His redemption.

3 Nephi 30:1-2 "Hearken, O ye Gentiles and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the son of the living God...saying: Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your enveyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abomination, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the House of Israel" (emphasis added).

Within this list there are any number of things we need to turn from. It is not cumulative. I might say a word about "your murders." Alma wrote that he murdered many of his people because he led them astray. We do the same when we do not teach using the word of God, so it is not easily dismissed that being a murderer may apply to us.

Alma 37:8-12 (Alma is instructing his son Helaman on the importance of the records that have been kept and preserved, for by these small and simple words kept on these records, shall great things come to pass.) He then writes "And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things (these words) should be preserved; for behold they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to a knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. ...these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer. ...I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for God doth counsel in wisdom over all his works and his paths are straight, and is course is one eternal round" (emphasis added).

Moroni 10:32-33 "Yea, come unto Christ and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God Ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins that ye become holy, without spot" (emphasis added).

These are the promises and blessings of our repentance. 

I introduced the subject of Repentance with the statement that repentance is the most misunderstood doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because so many have bought into the traditional concept of repentance as a change of behavior and paying some penance.

Next we learned the Lord's definition of repentance means turning to Him and having faith in Him, and relying totally on His merits and righteousness. It is not a one and done proposition, but repenting is continual, and we endure to the end with faith in Christ to validate our repentance.

This was followed by why we need to repent. Simply, we repent to overcome our condition caused by the fall, to avoid the justice of God and receive His mercy.

Godly Sorrow was taught as the only sorrow that brings about repentance, and that Godly Sorrow is experiencing the goodness of God and our nothingness. Being sorry is not Godly Sorrow.

I wrote about why we need to repent, and why we are to say nothing but repentance unto this generation. Rather than live the gospel we are to proclaim the gospel. 

Next we read about grace and how we are saved by grace, not after all we can do, yet we are saved by grace after all we can do. This paradox manifests to us that grace is not something we earn by doing all we can do. But grace is something we attain to by repenting, which is all we can do.

The Lord has given us the means to identify when others are repenting. He tells us that "by their fruits ye shall know them." What are those fruits? One fruit we identified was that those who repent spend their lives saying nothing but repentance to others, so that they too can experience the mercy of God. 

You were introduced to fruits that are not fruits meet for repentance, and while we bring forth all manner of fruits, none of it is good.

The contrast between those who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and those who are of His church was discussed. The Lord revealed that only those who repent are of His church. We can be a member of record and still not be of His church if we are not repenting.

There are those who will not hear and will not know, notwithstanding they are invited to repent. To these the Lord has warned that if they do not repent they will suffer the justice of God.

Perhaps it was new to you that the Lord covenanteth with none save it be with them that repent. This truth sheds some light on the idea of the covenant path.

You were introduced to Michael from Duchesne, a modern type of Samuel the Lamanite, and we learned that the conditions that existed in Zarahemla also exist in Salt Lake City or other cities round about. We know that the Lord has and will continue to send prophets like Michael among the people urging them to repent.

Repentance was one of the second commandments given to Adam after he and Eve were cast out of the garden and brought the justice of God upon all who came after. Having failed to keep the first commandment (do not partake of the fruit), the Lord gave these second commandments.

Satan will and does everything in his power to deceive us, and God allows it, again showing us the doctrine of the two ways. We can even have joy in our works for a season, but by and by, the end cometh and we will be cast into the fire because of our works.

Parts 1 and 2 of All But The Very Elect Will be Deceived makes it clear that in order to not be deceived we must feast upon His words, be familiar with His prophecies, as events associated with the Lord's Great and Marvelous Work continue to happen. Part 2 shows us just how much detail is given concerning these events, especially in the Book of Mormon and Isaiah.

Repentance is the means to overcome our condition here. We know it is both a command and an invitation. We know that if we do not repent, we will be subject to God's justice. We know it is through the grace of God that we are made perfect. We know that we can recognize the fruits of repentance, one of which is to say nothing but repentance unto this generation. We see the contrast between the fruits of our repentance and the wild fruits that result when we take strength unto ourselves. We know that many will willfully refuse to repent and that as a result the Lord will eventually withdraw His spirit and leave us to our own strength. We learn that we are saved because of the righteousness of Christ, through His merits, and that we do not merit anything of ourselves. 

We "have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. ...Ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ...feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life" (2 Nephi 31:19-20 emphasis added).

How great is our God! How great is the plan of His redemption! How great is it that we can rely on His merits and not our own! How great is it that we do not have to face the Justice of God! How great is it that he has so clearly described our condition on this earth and His expectations of us! 

Only two choices--Good and Evil--and we reveal to God every day, every minute, every second what we really want. So simple and yet brilliant! The one who is more "intelligent than they all" has devised a fool proof plan.

And one last thing that we have learned? Now is the time to repent. Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance. 

Tongue of Angels

This is written to my friend and brother Tim Merrill and all others who speak with the Tongue of Angels. 

I have been living in France now for over 16 months without being able to speak and understand French. I can hear that it is French, but cannot hear it in the sense that I can understand it. It gives meaning to what Christ said about  hearing but not hearing. And more than that, a French person would know within seconds, that I could never pass as a fluent French speaker. I have been studying a lot since I have been here, and I know a lot of words in French, but connecting these words to form phrases and sentences is a challenge, both in hearing and speaking. Reading is a little bit easier, but I still need to translate many things I read. Fortunately there are those close to me who speak English and I can get by.

I have made the analogy before that the word of God is like another language or a language where God uses our own language so that we can learn to hear and speak His words. The Church has translated His words into many languages, so that many can now use their own language to understand and learn His words. And He has given us the necessary tools to know they are His words and how He uses and defines them. I have spent the last 30 years feasting upon and diligently searching His words. Before that I read the scriptures often, but didn't advance much beyond just doing my duty to read them. It was only after feasting, searching and praying, that I began to understand the Lord’s language and could hear His voice in His words.

His words, as Alma says, are found in me. Unlike my French, I am quite fluent in the Lord's language. I can hear His language when it is spoken, read His language when it is written and teach using His words. I am using language as in being fluent with His words, as, for example, a physicist is fluent with the words of her expertise, and speaks the language and can converse with other physicists. 

Except that the Lord's words are truth, light, spirit, even His spirit. And are like a two-edged sword, a sword of truth, which cuts through all the crap and silences all the noise.

Nephi called the Lord's language the tongue of angels. It is called the tongue of angels, because "angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 31:14; 32:3 emphasis added). 

The problem is that even though many may have His words, they never learn to speak with or hear the tongue of angels. Why? Because, like me in French, they only know some words, cannot connect them, cannot define them, cannot hear them, cannot speak them, have not feasted upon, and have not diligently searched the words of Christ to the point that His words become their words. 

Christ expounded upon His words as found in the scriptures. He said: "These scriptures, which ye had not with you, the Father commanded that I should give unto you; for it was wisdom in him that they should be given unto future generations" (3 Nephi 26:2). He then expounded upon them "from the beginning until the time that he should come in his glory..." (3 Nephi 26:3).

After expounding upon all things written, it was said that "there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people..." (3 Nephi 26:6). And what do we have? We have only the "lesser part of the things (words) which he taught the people" (3 Nephi 26:8).

"And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them" (3 Nephi 26:9 emphasis added). But, 

"if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation" (3 Nephi 26:10; D&C 84:54-55 emphasis added).

This causes a problem for those who are feasting on that portion of His words that we have received, and are desiring all that the Lord has expounded, and believing what they received, because very few are doing the same. But even worse, very few want to! 

Therefore those who are learning the tongue of angels are left with very few people they can speak and converse with in the tongue of angels. 

Outside of the scriptures, there have been a few who have written with the tongue of angels, but very few. And what is remarkable to me is that those who are becoming fluent in the tongue of angels, always discover those who have written using the tongue of angels. And I speak of Hugh Nibley and Avraham Gileadi and a few others. But my experience has been limited to reading what they have written. I have never had a conversation with them using the tongue of angels.

But I have had conversations with Tim Merrill, and we understand each other. I am also fortunate that my wife Annie, who not only speaks English and French, is learning the tongue of angels, and is becoming very fluent. Another was my best friend Mike Howery and my former business partner and friend Curt Kindred (who was quickly learning). Both are deceased, and I miss our conversations. There are a few others like Cody Tower and David Ferguson, but we have very few opportunities to converse with each other. It is enlightening, however, to share emails occasionally. I also enjoy conversing with some of the sister missionaries assigned to our ward. They are receptive and open to the word of God. I wish there were others, like some of my children or grandchildren, and I am still hoping that someday we can have a conversation in the tongue of angels.

I am sure there are many who can speak with the tongue of angels, but I don't know them. So that leaves me with Tim and Annie. Annie I can talk with everyday, and she is the greatest blessing in my life for many reasons, one of which is her willingness to learn and speak with the tongue of angels. She teaches me things that I don't see, and she has the advantage of learning the word of God in both French and English.

Tim writes a blog and I am nourished every time I read and re-read his posts. We have had many opportunities to teach each other and increase our fluency in the tongue of angels. And before I left for France we could have lunch together and just talk to each other. Often I write what I post just for him to read and comment on, because I know he will hear what I am writing. His command of the English language opens up new dimensions to me. Both his poetry and prose are written in a language I understand and love. He is constantly expanding my mind and intellect, like one of his most recent post The Mind of God: Ye Are Gods. I discover new treasures each time and have wanted to write a post just using quotes from his blog posts, something along the lines of Nibley's Of All Things. Maybe one day I will get to it. 

Someone might ask: isn't it enough to just have the scriptures? Do we really need someone else to speak and write about His words? 

The answer is yes and yes. The portion of His words that we have presently allows us hear His voice in His words. But the problem is once we start hearing His voice in His words, they become our words, and we wish we were angels and could shout His words for all to hear! But we can't. So we write them so perhaps a few can read and hear them. And we learn from the Parable of the Sower, that there are very few who actually receive His words in their hearts, leaving us with few to converse with. 

And yes, we need others to write about and teach His words. God has given some the gift of knowledge and the gift of teaching the word of God. Those who have these gifts want to use them, but unfortunately in the church these gifts are not usually recognized or deemed important. So those with gifts, who want to shout the words they have received, will find a much more limited way to do so. And Tim has found his way to use his God given gifts of the Spirit.

I know that in God and Christ are found all treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2 Colossians 2:3). Tim knows that, and he uses God's gift to him to share treasures that he is discovering, with me and others. See, God's words are not just words we find on paper or digitally on our devices, but they are truth and light and spirit. They are experienced, not just read! Light is discernible, and as we receive more light and truth we increase in intelligence. And we can take it with us when we die! And the more of it that we have received the better it will be for us hereafter!

But do you know what is sad and frustrating? It is to try and start a conversation with someone who is not fluent in the tongue of angels, and has no desire to be! The words are spoken, but there seems to be no recognition or response to them. Perhaps we are so conditioned in tradition that we make the words of God of none effect. And when they are spoken, there is no recognition. I have found, however, that when teaching the word of God, there are those who are starving and receive it with joy, but then as the Parable of the Sower says, the cares of the world choke the word and it never finds its way to the heart.

They may be fluent in the language of religion and tradition, but not the language of light and truth.

I take seriously Jacob's admonition that we take the responsibility upon us, "answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day" (Jacob 1:19 emphasis added). 

And it is sad and frustrating that so very few speak the same language. In fact others can be critical that I am not more "mainstream" or that I have been radicalized. While I don't know for sure, I believe that I was released as a Gospel doctrine teacher in Arizona because I taught concerning the prophecies in the Book of Mormon, even though the curriculum at that time was the Book of Mormon. Others did not personally know of these prophecies and therefore thought that I was perhaps teaching false doctrine.

Tim also takes this responsibility seriously. In fact sometimes he will post so quickly that an old man like me can't keep up with him. But Tim is not writing just for others, but for himself as well. I know the feeling. He feels that there are so few he can converse with, that his writing helps him converse with the Lord and share what he has received with others. 

He experiences joy when someone repents as a result of reading the word of God in his posts. He knows that we do not "live the Gospel." We "proclaim the Gospel" to everyone who will hear.

But there is loneliness associated with it. I know he would like to sit with everyone one of his readers and converse with them, to not only see if they are becoming fluent in the tongue of angels, but to just share the treasures he has discovered with someone who will find joy in those treasures as well. That is what we have done together, and I miss Tim and our conservations together.

I love this promise:

"Then those who feared Jehovah spoke often one with another. And Jehovah heard it, and took heed, and a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared Jehovah and who thought on his name. They will be mine, says Jehovah of Hosts, in the day I make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him" (Malachi 3:16-18 emphasis added).