If You Were to Ask

"Is this all there is?" has been called the Terrible Question. Is there to be an abrupt end of the good life before it's even started? Or of the wonderful life before we can do and experience all that we want to do? Or of the unhappy life before there has been a chance for happiness?  Or of the life filled with pain and sorrow without relief? And will our immense endowment and endless capacities be shut off before we have a chance to fully use them? Are we to settle with the idea that we will be absorbed into the "nothing from which we came?"

What of our minds and emotions? Recorded in what are traditionally the two most ancient writings in existence, the Shabako text of the Memphite Theology, and the Sefer Yetzirah, which was held by most of the early rabbis to be the world's oldest book and a composition of Abraham, both writings tell us of the seven openings of the head, the seven orifices or receptors--two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and one mouth. The Egyptian account tells how these receptors receive impulses, energy quanta from the world outside, organize it in the brain, give it meaning in the breast where values are imparted, the thymos of the Greeks, the seat of emotion. When the individual has thus composed images and impressions of the outside world he/she is prepared to communicate to others.

What comes in by seven receptors, goes forth by the one powerful projector, which is the sacred word of mouth. The logos is more than a myth; it is actually the only way with which we convey our thoughts and beliefs and convictions to others; the only way in which they can have any image of the world we are experiencing. By the word alone we make a common universe of discourse. Through this discourse we spend our time "conversing among ourselves" almost always relying on what we have heard or learned from others, adhering more to those so called experts in their fields, but still just sharing horizontally what we have heard, read or experienced from our paltry and skewed vantage point. But is there more? Much more!

Do we value the treasures of the earth so much, that we can't get past them and begin in earnest searching for the treasures of heaven? But, you might ask, are there such treasures? And are we forsaking them for what we can only see and understand, what we receive from others? There are Treasures of Heaven, and that brings me to why I am sharing this. Why? Because we want for you the same treasures that we have diligently searched for and discovered, and now treasure and value above all else. 

But I can't just go to my treasure chest and show you. Sure, I can try, but I would spend most of the time trying to explain to you why they are treasures! The paradox is that you must desire and search for them yourself.  

For many years, every year, Annie and I would travel to Moab, Utah to hike up to the Delicate Arch.  I remember the first time we hiked together to discover this one of a kind treasure tucked away in the hills of Arches National Park.  We had to work to get there by hiking about 1.5 miles, only to walk the final part of the trail and discover this magnificent treasure as our view opened at the end of the trail. We could not see it until we got to it. Unbelievable!  But also indescribable! It has to be discovered, and cannot be fully appreciated until it is.  Was it worth traveling 250 miles to see it? Every single time!

And because we treasure it and want those we love to experience it, we tell you about it, show you photos and encourage you to go and discover it. Why? Because we want you to experience and discover the beauty, the majesty, the reverence that we experienced and discovered. Why? Because we want to share this treasure with you. We can all relate to this. We want to share the good things, the treasures we discover with those we love and care about, knowing that we really can't share what we experienced, but we try nevertheless because we need to share, and where we can share our experiences, it makes us happy and glad.

There is, however, a treasure of greater worth that we want to share. Something of real consequence that only an angel could deliver. There is a clinical description of this angel named Moroni, of just what he was like and what happened when he came. And then there is that handing over of solid metal plates--we didn't see them, but they were translated in 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! After all what everyone really wants is "life and that more abundant," as the Lord says, and not only more abundant than we are getting, but it should be eternal, not cut off in the middle or running down to imbecility the way it always is. It should not end in corruption. 

But where is the hunger and thirst? Why are people so complacent to settle for that which gives no life, which has no life? We not only find the answers to these questions in the Book of Mormon, which, by the way, is named after Moroni's father Mormon, who received the records which had been kept and preserved, abridged them and gave them to his son Moroni, of which the translation is but a hundredth part of what was recorded, who delivered them to Joseph Smith to be translated by the power and authority of God. Only a hundredth part you ask? Why? To test our faith to see if we will receive what we have, only to receive more if we do! But also to be a witness against us if we won't receive what has been given. 

The Book of Mormon was given to the world, not as a sign to convert it but as a testimony to convict it.  It is given without reservation or qualification as a true history and the word of God: “A record of a fallen people, the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also.” If the Book of Mormon is to prove “…to the world that the Holy Scriptures are true” it must stand firm and unmoved without any external support. And it does. Critics can only attack its origin, but the book stands as a testimony of its existence.  It invites any test and it will stand up to all of them.

Aside from records from 2200 BC which were found and kept with their own, their record begins with a man named Lehi and with his family and others who left Jerusalem in 600 BC and came to what is now Central and South America. The record spans over 1000 years ending in about 420 AD and contains a record of Jesus Christ coming to visit some on the inhabitants on the American continent after His resurrection.The story, however, is not in the origin of the Book, but in its content, which like the Delicate Arch, one must put in the work and search the words of the Book to see and receive its treasures. And treasures they are! The main message of the Book of Mormon is to repent or turn to God, relying wholly upon His merits and not our merits and good works. Why? You must search the words of the Book to find out. It is all spelled out in there--words of God. 

And God's motivation? Because God loves us and wants us to have all that He has. Love is the motivation, just like our love for you is our motivation to invite you to search for the treasures of heaven.The admonition of Mormon to his son holds to the very end, delivered as it was after all was lost:  "And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay...."

But we would never attempt to 'sell' it to you using images of the world or the latest and best techniques to 'convince' you. It cannot be done. By His words alone, however, you can hear and see. His treasures are hidden for a reason--to see if those seeking for more than this world has to offer--will go on a treasure hunt and discover the treasures for themselves. For those seeking comfort in the conventional, the unconventional may be disarming. But the principal guide is certainly the Book of Mormon. The divinity of that work can be sustained by one argument alone, if that were all we had, namely, the sheer outrageousness of the thing: a tapestry unequaled in all the library for its richness and detail, an inexhaustible well of knowledge, and the prophetic book of the age.

The message of the world by comparison has been reduced to its lowest denominator. Electronics and digital media have made no change in the content, just the same message, no matter the hardware, software or resolution, and as a result we keep asking the same question "Is this all there is?"

It should be enough to note that the gift of writing was given to man by God for the express purpose of recording His communications with men. And the Book of Mormon is full of such words, recorded and translated for the world to see, hear, discover and treasure. Definitely not like any other book you have ever read. As I said if this was the work of a man, it would be without question the greatest work in American history, and much more difficult than the real book. But it is not and Joseph never claimed that he wrote it.  How would an uneducated man like Joseph Smith write of two migrations from two totally different cultures to the American continent, one in 2200 BC and another in 600BC, and be historically and culturally accurate?  

And yet, the most vocal critics have never read the book! They criticize and mock its origins. They ridicule Joseph Smith but couldn't tell you a-b-c about the contents of the Book of Mormon. So don't dismiss this just because you may not believe it, or more likely because you may not want to believe it, or you have heard from others who do not believe it. Belief is irrelevant. The question is not whether we believe or do not believe, but whether it is true or not. To believe something isn’t the same thing as knowing it. We may believe whatever we want, whether it is true or false. But we can’t know something is true unless it is true. Because each of us has the God-given ability to determine truth from error, we have a personal responsibility to do so. This is not something to leave to chance. There is too much riding on it and too little time to waste. This is about seeing and hearing, and you can only see and hear if you have walked the walk. And what do you lose by searching for the treasures of heaven? Nothing. But what do you lose by not searching for them? Everything! 

Being unaware is synonymous with being uninformed, heedless, unfamiliar, unconcerned, negligent, oblivious, blind, unenlightened, unknowing, unmindful and ignorant. 

So the Book of Mormon's use of the word ignorant in 2 Nephi 32:7 is significant. Nephi said, "And the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be." 

By linking ignorance with unbelief and failure to search and understand knowledge, and linking these with the word of God, Nephi makes it clear what men are ignorant of and what knowledge they fail to search or understand--the word of God. 

And by linking the word of God with "light and truth" and by linking "light and truth" with "intelligence," we can conclude that being intelligent is being aware, and the greater the awareness the greater the intelligence. We also find His words in the Old and New Testament as far as they are translated correctly, and in other scripture and ancient documents. 

Life is a personal journey in which we can advance at whatever pace we want toward a more intelligent condition than we started from. And if we become more intelligent, then we become more useful, influential, and powerful in the service of the very truth that makes us so.

What would it take to convince you that there is a God and that He has revealed himself and His truth through His words? Is there absolute proof?

I have thought a lot about what it would take to convince me, and I have concluded that it would depend on me. What I mean by this is that unless I was someone who was seeking for something, either knowledge, truth or some type of validation about my life, no matter what was available it would be meaningless without some desire on my part to want to know it. Without this desire no matter what truth and knowledge was out there, I would probably not seek it. What would not help me are stories about believers, famous or otherwise; history, good or bad; believers' testimonies or beliefs. The question for me is not belief, but whether there is truth. It must be either or. There can be no maybe.

The question for me then would be, what would it take to arouse in me a desire to seek for truth? I would first need to know that there is some truth to seek. Not some creed or institutional beliefs, but real truth. So if someone gave me a definition of truth (not what they thought was truth), but real truth, that would be meaningful to me, and perhaps arouse in me a desire to find that truth. 

For example, if someone said to me that the word of God is truth, that would cause me to want to know if there really was a God and if that God has revealed His words to others, and if records of these words have been kept. I believe I would want to test this definition of truth, but would be reluctant to rely on someone's interpretation of these words. If I thought that I could know of myself if these words were truth, perhaps I would be interested enough to find them and search them. It would require for me, however, some instruction on how to come to know if the words in fact were truth. These instructions would have to come from God and not from some person. That person could, however, direct me to these instructions and I could test them to see if I could come to know of some of the truth or the truth of some of His words. I would want to know that the recorded words were His and not commentaries or incorrect translations.

For example, if someone told me that there is an experiment that I could try to test His words, I would want to try it. This experiment would have to be a valid experiment and have a scientific basis with all the necessary elements and controls to measure the results, and through this experiment, I could come to know that the experiment was itself revealed by God. The key for me would be if I could know the truth for myself and not rely on others. Perhaps, then, through these words I could come to know that there is a God and that His words are truth, and then I could know all things I needed to know and do through His words. His words would then be for me the standard by which everything would be judged.

Such an experiment does exist, and it meets all the criteria described above. And so we want to share with our dearest friends that which is of greatest worth to us, that which is light and truth, which truth and light can be discerned by you. Whether you desire to try this experiment or not, our love for you will only increase. Our motivation is to share and give you more of ourselves. There are just some things that cannot be shared. Although we are sharing these insights with you, we will understand if you treat them as fiction. Compared to today’s well-worn interpretations, some of these views may seem radical indeed. 

We invite you to put them to the test, however, to see if they are not enlightening, empowering, and freeing to your spirit for that flight to heaven which God has invited every one of us to take. 

Get your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon here and begin your treasure hunt now. Be assured that His treasures await you!

An Example of a ‘Dead’ Prophet’s Relevance Today

Last week I posted Mythical Category of Dead Prophets. As a follow-up I want to show just how relevant Isaiah is today by discussing only the first 6 verses of Chapter 1 of Isaiah. I will let you decide how relevant this ‘dead’ prophet is. Keep in mind that this is the same prophet that Christ said we should search. “Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1 emphasis added).

These six verses are from the preface of the Book of Isaiah which dates from about 701 B.C., which is almost 3000 years ago. What could be relevant to us today from a record written so long ago?

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz which he beheld concerning Judea and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah:

Earlier, in 722 B.C., Assyria had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel (10 lost tribes) and taken them captive into Mesopotamia. The first chapter of the Book of Isaiah chronologically is chapter 6, which describes Isaiah’s calling as a prophet in the year of King Uzziah’s death in 742 B.C.

Isaiah’s prophetic ministry spanned about fifty years, and yet he uses the singular term ‘vision” which shows that Isaiah’s writings are one from beginning to end. Isaiah integrates his early oracles and later written discourses into a single prophecy that spells out an end-time scenario. Although Isaiah's prophecy was historical concerning Judea and Jerusalem, it is also an end-time prophecy in which “Judea” and “Jerusalem” are codenames that designate Jehovah’s end-time people. And who are his end-time people? We are, and everything Isaiah prophecies concerning Judea and Jerusalem he prophecies about us, the Lord's latter-day people. This also is proof that Jesus’ words--that all things that Isaiah “spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spoke” (3 Nephi 23:3) are true. He carefully selected events in history that would repeat themselves in the end-time.

2 Hear, O heavens! Give heed, O earth!

Jehovah has spoken:

I have reared sons, brought them up,

but they have revolted against me.

Isaiah begins his prophecy by calling on the heavens and the earth, which were witnesses of the Sinai Covenant (Deuteronomy 4:26; 30:19). That is the covenant Jehovah made with Israel as a nation, through which the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob became a people of God (Exodus 6:7). The “heavens” and the “earth,” however, don’t refer simply to the physical heavens and earth but to those who reside in them. Heavenly witnesses to Jehovah’s covenant no doubt include Israel’s ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others who would retain the utmost interest in their descendants’ welfare.

Additionally, when Jehovah made the covenant with his people Israel, it included both those present and those not present (Deuteronomy 29:14-15). This alludes to the idea that there existed others yet unborn who were parties to the covenant as much as the people who stood with Moses at Mount Sinai. In fact, even though Jehovah’s people Israel may have at different times alienated themselves from Jehovah, the covenant itself was never annulled. According to Isaiah, even the new covenant Jehovah makes at the dawning of the millennial age is a compound of all former covenants He made.

Isaiah uses the phrase “Jehovah has spoken.” And Jehovah here speaks formally which makes this an official decree.  This suggests that at that point in time there had arisen a need for a reassessment or stocktaking. His people’s affairs continued for a time but then noticeably deteriorated. So Jehovah issues a pronouncement condemning his people or warning them of the inevitable consequences that must follow. These consequences take the form of curses or misfortunes that pertain to Jehovah’s covenant with his people, which, after repeated admonitions, become irreversible. And by warning His people at that time, He is warning us as well.

Jehovah says that “I have reared sons, brought them up, but they have revolted against me.” The word “sons” is a legal term common to covenants such as that made at Mount Sinai. As the prophets from Moses to Malachi adopt the emperor-vassal model to define Jehovah’s covenant relationship with Israel collectively and with persons individually, the word “sons,” as used in the present context, implies the breaking of covenant relationships by those with whom Jehovah has covenanted. The term “sons” also denotes God’s “children. Revolted in this sense means turning away from Jehovah. Hence the call of the prophets to return ye, return ye, return ye.

Isaiah prophecies that Judea/Jerusalem are taking their blessings and privileges for granted, and they are “revolting” or “transgressing” against their source—Israel’s God. They have turned from their God. Because Isaiah’s prophecies tell us what did happen, he tells us what is happening now among the Lord’s people in these latter days. This is part of the vision that Isaiah saw concerning us.

3 The ox knows its owner,

the ass its master’s stall,

but Israel does not know;

my people are insensible.

Israel . . . my people. 

We learn that Isaiah speaks on two distinct levels simultaneously, and that the “Israel” he addresses, therefore, is primarily two: (1) those who were Jehovah’s covenant people anciently; and (2) those who are Jehovah’s covenant people in the end-time. Accordingly, Isaiah enables us to read his prophecy as relating to Israel’s past, while his ‘what has been shall be’ structure enables us to read it as relating to the end-time. In that end-time context, names such as “Israel” designate those with whom God has covenanted. While we are identified with the Gentiles in Book of Mormon prophecies, we are identified with Israel in Isaiah’s prophecies. So there is no out for us.

Why does Isaiah use terms  ox and ass? While the ox is a ritually clean animal—because it divides the hoof and chews the cud (Leviticus 11:3)—the ass is not. Such dual imagery of beasts at times appears in Isaiah’s writings to represent (1) Israel’s natural or ethnic lineages; and (2) the nations of the Gentiles, or those lineages of Israel that assimilated into the Gentiles after its exile from the Promised Land. In an allegorical but not a contextual sense, therefore, this implies that Jehovah acknowledges a covenant relationship with both Israel’s ethnic lineages and those lineages that assimilated into the Gentiles. There really is no out for us! We can't claim mistaken identity!

The ox knows . . . Israel does not know. The verb “to know” expresses an intact covenant relationship—as when Adam “knew” his wife Eve and she conceived and bore a son (Genesis 4:1). Israel’s “not knowing,” on the other hand, implies that Jehovah’s people have broken the covenant with their God or, more accurately, voided their relationship with him by turning away from Him (cf. Matthew 7:23). Although righteous individuals (those repenting) among us may come to know Jehovah—as he manifests himself to those who love him—Isaiah prophecies that most of us appear unwilling to do what it takes (cf. Matthew 25:12).

My people are insensible, which also means non-discerning or uncomprehending, as in “not knowing” how He feeds His people--they being ignorant of spiritual truths. Says Paul, “The things of God no man knows but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11). Unless one obtains the Spirit of God that comes with keeping the law of his covenant, it is impossible to know God or to comprehend his truth. And the truth is His word (D&C 84:45).

4 Alas, a nation astray,

a people weighed down by sin,

the offspring of wrongdoers,

perverse children:

they have forsaken Jehovah,

they have spurned the Holy One of Israel,

they have lapsed into apostasy.

From addressing his people personally as “Israel . . . my people” (v 3), Jehovah now addresses them impersonally as “a nation,” signifying their alienated state, a people who have gone astray and burdening themselves with “sin,” which, over time, ends in outright “wrongdoing.” That occurs collectively and generationally. The “offspring of wrongdoers” turn into “perverse children,” meaning that the rising generation has by now become thoroughly corrupt. “Forsaking” Jehovah and “spurning” him finally become conscious and deliberate acts. See The Closing of the Mormon Mind.

The title of “Holy One,” together with “Valiant One” (v 24) designates Israel’s God more than thirty times in the Book of Isaiah. In this case, it contrasts Jehovah’s holiness with his people’s unholiness. Still, it points to what Jehovah’s people should become—“holy” or “sanctified,” like their God. Both titles—“Holy One” and “Valiant One”—characterize Israel’s God as his people’s exemplar. We observe this when Jehovah exempts a righteous remnant of his people called his “holy ones” and “valiant ones” from a worldwide destruction (Isaiah 13:3). Those who will not be exempt are those who have spurned the Holy One of Israel.

They have lapsed into apostasy. Jehovah’s people have become entirely “estranged” from Him. They have “gone backwards” to what they used to be before they became Jehovah’s covenant people, when they didn’t know their God. In effect, they have become godless again like the world’s heathen nations, but now more so because they have rejected the light they once had. This is true even though they give lip service and attend to their religious duties. The apostasy into which they began to backslide a generation ago is now complete. They have dwindled in unbelief. 

5 Why be smitten further

by adding to your waywardness?

The whole head is sick,

the whole heart diseased.

To be “smitten” of God or experience covenant curses—through plagues, misfortunes, natural disasters, and enemies—constitutes Jehovah’s final attempt to bring his people back to a state of blessedness by influencing or inducing them to repent of evil. Instead, they persist in their waywardness, which only compounds their plight (Isaiah 42:18-25; 59:8-10). Illness and disease become rampant, reflecting a society sick in mind and body. This is true also of  the people’s “head” or leadership, and their “heart” or core institutions—in short, their entire establishment, political and religious (Isaiah 7:8-9; 9:14-16)—has degenerated to a pathological state.

6 From the soles of the feet even to the head there is nothing sound,

only wounds and bruises and festering sores; they have not been pressed out or bound up, nor soothed with ointment.

Like the wounds, bruises, and sores of an enemy—one who receives no chance of being ministered to—Jehovah’s alienated people find themselves in similar circumstances. When someone in a gulag becomes ill, that is his problem; he is dispensable. That is the condition to which Jehovah’s people are reduced in his Day of Judgment. They have rebelled against Jehovah and squandered their inheritance. Then, when their entire society breaks down, their curse becomes irrevocable. Nevertheless, although a majority suffers misery, there remains hope for some who repent. The idea of head to toe depicts that even religious leaders have gone astray.

The idea of being “soothed with ointment,” which is denied the wicked, Jehovah doesn’t deny the righteous. We observe his healing and anointing his repentant people later in the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 30:26; 57:18-19; 58:8; 61:3). 

It is for you to search Isaiah’s words and discover those who are soothed with ointment and those who are not. 

In other words, although Isaiah has us wade through the judgmental parts of his prophecy before he presents Jehovah’s glorious promises, all doesn’t end in gloom and doom. If Jehovah’s people repent in time, they may yet qualify for his divine blessings.

They who have ears to hear let them hear. See Isaiah 6.

Mythical Category of Dead Prophets

Again and again we have been told by our leaders to read the scriptures for ourselves by way of obtaining a testimony for ourselves. But have we shunted our responsibility by creating a mythical category of dead prophets? Perhaps we have done this without actually branding the ancient prophets as irrelevant so much as deferring exclusively to the "living prophets." But when Gabriel and Moroni (who are still very much alive) came with their messages to mortals, what each delivered was a package of quotes from the Old Testament. In fact, when the Lord himself came to the Nephites he insisted on checking their written records and insuring that the prophecies of Malachi and of Samuel the Lamanite where updated. Here was the author of it all present in person, but he did not shove the old records aside. Instead, He deferred His further teaching to the written record and to the prophets of old "for the profit and learning" of future generations.

In fact after the Lord's resurrection when he met with his apostles, and "beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27 emphasis added). Here is the author of it all teaching from the scriptures. The effect on the listeners was also recorded, "and they said to one another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (Luke 24:32)

Even though we are continually admonished to search the scriptures (scripture narrative), or to read them and to ponder them (pulpit narrative), for ourselves, none will deny that good teachers can be of real assistance, especially those with the gift of knowledge:

"And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.  Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and perplexities of the nations, the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms--that ye may be prepared in all things..." (D&C 88:77-80).

Who then is to teach us the scriptures? It has always been our boast that we have no professional ministers who have been to school and learned to interpret the scriptures for us. The understanding of scripture is a function, not of office, but of revelation, as is evidenced on a day in May 1829:  "Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the Scriptures opened to our understanding, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed to us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of" (History of the Church, 1:43).

But the scriptures do not deliver their messages to us automatically. The mind must always intervene, yours and others who have used theirs and had their own minds enlightened as the scriptures were opened to their understanding. Again Alma is the example: "For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God" (Alma 36:26 emphasis added).

To My Adult Grandchildren

To My Adult Grandchildren January 15, 2023

What would be the greatest good that I could do for you? What could I say to you, my grandchildren, that would cause you to want to discover this greatest good? And why would you even want to hear it from me? It is always a challenge to separate the message from the messenger, especially if the messenger is just your grandpa.

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) 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.

Fortunately we have 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 (we can discern it), and

Whatsoever is light is spirit,

Even the spirit of Jesus Christ.

So His words are Him!

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, and I failed to teach them light and truth as the Lord commanded me. Only His words are light and truth. But I could not teach what I did not know and experience. I taught what I had been taught: to be good, to be active in the church, do do my duty, or, in other words, to be religious.

It was only after I had feasted upon and obtained His words, and then heard His voice in His words that I could teach them to others, but with mixed results. This was my motivation for writing a blog, so that perhaps I could remedy the traditional teachings with light and truth. 

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 is to be ignorant 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. Much 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.

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 our 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. 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 in conference talks. They should not be your 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. 

I know the difference. Yes, your grandpa knows the difference because I have spent the last 30 years feasting upon His words. I still feast upon them. There is so much there--like truth, doctrine, prophecies, warnings, types, hearing God’s voice in His words, beauty, wonder, hope and most important of all--Jesus Christ and His great plan of redemption! 

But His words can be and are transfigured. In fact, Moroni and Nephi and others prophesied that we 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.

If you were to ask what is the greatest good, I would direct you to the Lord’s answer. Joseph's ministry was to proclaim His 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 just assume that ‘His gospel’ is what you may think it is. I can guarantee you it probably is not.

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

Nothing that I have written in www.fingerofgod.blogspot.com is my opinion or my interpretation of His words. They are His words and hopefully some of you will come to know that this is true because you too will have feasted upon His words. His words, however, have 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). 

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 you will then know for yourself. You too will have the spirit of revelation and the spirit of prophecy, and you will speak with the tongue of angels.

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 worry about you. 

Your grandpa.

I Am a Sinner

Why I Teach His Gospel of Repentance

Teaching Young Children to Understand the Doctrine of Repentance

Repentance: Introduction

Look To God and Live

Alma's Teachings on Mercy and Justice

The Closing of The Mormon Mind

He Flattereth Away

What if God Actually Spoke?

The Pharisee and the Publican

We Are the Wild Branches

The Stranglehold of Babylon

I Know in Whom I Have Trusted

Saved From Our Sins

The Cart Before the Horse

Ten Reasons Why

Deny Not the Gifts of God

Unaware

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. The lesson was about God and Jesus.

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 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 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). 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. This section of the Doctrine & Covenants, and section Eighty-Eight 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 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).

“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 monster the devil, and 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, and those who 2) have not the law given to them. 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. Of 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. 

Don't 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.