It seems no coincidence that Isaiah’s end-time message should come to light in all its literary, theological, and prophetic glory at the very time truth is at a premium in the world—when so much of what passes for the truth consists of but a cunningly conceived façade concealing layers of lies, lies, and more lies, with each accusing the other of these lies. Said Paul of our day, “For this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11–12). Note the phrase 'believed not the truth' and compare with the Lord's definition of truth: "the word of the Lord is truth" (D&C 84:45), or in other words they believed not God.
The assault on members of the church from within and from without is unmitigated and waxing ever more paradoxical. On the one hand, if one speaks the truth as found in the Holy Scriptures, he may be disciplined or ostracized for things those in leadership hadn’t themselves considered or searched out. On the other, expatriates from the church offer “comfort” to conflicted members with a deceptive assemblage of ninety-nine truths and a single untruth. Thus, Satan puts them between a rock and a hard place, which God turns into a test of his saints--will they believe His words and not be deceived? Will they put their trust in God or in men?
What shall either side of the divide—unrighteous leadership or self-righteous dissidents—do when God sends “righteousness” down from heaven and “truth” out of the earth “to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth” (Moses 7:62)? What shall they do when records that were sealed up by prophets whom God had “shown all things . . . come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of Israel” (1 Nephi 14:25–26)?
Either they will be among “they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived,” or among the foolish who are cast “into unquenchable fire” in the day God makes “an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked” (Doctrine & Covenants 45:57; 63:54). Either on the one hand or on the other. Those who have searched the words of Isaiah using the literary tools now available, and the words of Christ and Nephi in the Book of Mormon—who understand them as the standard of truth God has predestined for our day—liken both outcomes to ourselves, not just one.
Nephi addresses both:
"Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall" (2 Nephi 28:26-28).
How could we possibly accept the things God has held back, for example, if we still take lightly what we have received and put our trust in men (Doctrine & Covenants 84:54–55)? How aren’t we under condemnation if we say to Isaiah’s, Christ's, and Nephi's prophecies, “We have received, and we need no more” (2 Nephi 28:27, 29)? If the Book of Mormon forms but “a lesser part of the things which [Jesus] taught the people,” how shall we not be numbered among those who “contend against the word of the Lord” when he reveals “the greater things” (3 Nephi 26:8–11; Ether 4:8)?
At the heart of this issue is that Isaiah’s words, featured by Christ and Book of Mormon prophet writers, are by far the most relevant in all of scripture to both our current spiritual condition—anticipating the end-time mission God has prepared for us—and the political situation in the world now unfolding before our eyes. As Jesus calls Isaiah’s words “great” (3 Nephi 23:1–2)—and applies them specifically to us—there can be little doubt that those who will contend against “the greater things” when they come forth are many, in the church and out, who today spurn Isaiah’s words as God’s voice of truth for our day.
And what do we do in the church with those among us who have been given the gift of God's words, who have diligently searched them, fasted and prayed so that they might receive the spirit of revelation and the spirit of prophecy, and who speak them with power and authority?
One thing for sure--we do not ask them to teach us or others in the church because as Moroni prophesied we would deny the gifts of God. And if by some chance they are asked, they will more than likely be released if they teach too many truths and prophecies found in the scriptures that have not been searched out or understood by those in leadership positions.
Clark, you know, I think your teachings and writings are helping to fulfill the prophecy of "truth flooding the earth" because you are a proponent of Isaiah's words, and reading this post made me marvel how the Lord IS unlocking Isaiah's prophecies in our day, reaching our understanding, with the keys of knowledge, perhaps for the reason, as you suggest, that we are living in the very times Isaish spoke to.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! And so I wondered what Isaiah has to say about this "divide—unrighteous leadership or self-righteous dissidents." It's almost like he saw our day, isn't it.
Thank you for expounding on Isaiah's words, and Nephi's (who was himself doing what you're doing, which is giving inspired commentary on Isaiah). The Great and Marvelous Work is afoot. Love you. Tim