What is Agency?
Agency is the ability and freedom to choose good or evil.
This is an eternal principle. It has always existed throughout eternity with Heavenly Father and His children.
We are the sons and daughters of God the Father and have had our Free Agency to choose since we lived in the pre-existence or spirit world before coming here.
Jesus Christ and the Son of the Morning.
We had the choice in the spirit world to follow Jesus Christ, then known as Jehovah, and in Hebrew pronounced Yahweh, which refers to the God of Israel.
He was the first born Son of God the Father. (Since we are all sons and daughters of God, this makes Him our Elder Brother)
In the King James Version of the Bible, Jehovah has been translated as Lord. Today we know that Lord means Jesus Christ.
Another early born spirit son of God the Father was named the son of the Morning. He was later known as Lucifer or the Devil. (Unfortunately this also makes him our elder brother too.)
This title signifies son of light. This meant that he was important and had authority and power in the spirit world.
Modern Revelations speaks of him here:
Doctrine and Covenants 76: 25-27
25 And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son,
26 And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him for he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.
27 And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! Is fallen, even a son of the morning!
Among others, one place in the Bible also speaks of him here:
Isaiah 14: 12
12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Freedom of Choice or Agency.
We had our Freedom of Choice in the spirit world.
We knew Heavenly Father’s Plan of Salvation there because it was explained to us.
But there was rebellion and Lucifer and his followers were cast down to the earth and are now being used to tempt and test us here.
Moses 4: 1-4
1 And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.
2 But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.
3 Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;
4 And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice.
While here on earth, it is essential that we learn to exercise our Free Agency and make choices throughout our life.
This is our final test.
Four principles must be in place for us to use our Agency.
One, laws ordained by God must be in effect to be obeyed or disobeyed.
Two, there must be opposition in all things so we can choose from, like good and evil, right and wrong.
Three, by those who enjoy this Agency, knowledge of good and evil and the difference between the opposites must be known. We inherit this from Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden.
Four, the unrestricted power of choice must exist.
Between 588-570 B.C., the Prophet Lehi, explaining to his children before he died, that they are free to choose between life and death.
See 2 Nephi 2: 26-30
The Prophet Helaman tells us that because we are free to choose, whatever happens to us is because of ourselves and the choices we have made in this life.
See Helaman 14: 30-31
Once men are damned because of their choices, (Damned means that you cannot progress on in the eternities) no power of choice can alter their course and gain salvation.
If they go into Hell, they still have their free agency but will not be able to use it to gain their lives back again.
The purpose of this life is to test men and see if they will take the bodies that are given them, and by choosing to use their agency to be righteous by following the word of God, and will make them fit abodes for the Spirit of God.
For further information, go to www.lds.org
Comment are welcome.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS
Having a Clean and Pure Mind.
God, our Heavenly Father has commanded us to be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
This is part of the gospel plan for our perfection.
In other words, these physical, earthly bodies that were given us, His spirit children are to take control of the body, not the other way around, and teach it to obey the spirit.
We inherited the power to think, because we are the spirit children of an Omnipotent Father.
It is the spirit that thinks, and not the mortal body. I repeat, the spirit thinks, not the body.
Thoughts are: Ideas, opinions, judgments, concepts, fancies, dispositions and intensions that come from the mind and the hearts of men.
How we manage and exercise our power of Free Agency, which our Heavenly Father gave us, determines what we do with the thoughts that come into our mind.
The Lord’s Thoughts are Perfect.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Lord knows our thoughts.
Job 42: 2
2 I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
The Apostle Paul said:
Hebrews 4: 12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Lord has given this power to His prophets on occasion for a specific purpose like with the Prophet Jacob, in the Book of Mormon who said:
Jacob 2: 5
5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeared very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God.
Jesus Christ could read the thoughts of the people who He ministered to.
Evil thoughts are sinful and are not committed until they have been thoughts out in the heart.
Evil thoughts are an abomination in themselves and lead on to more wickedness if not pushed out or eliminated.
From the Gospel of St. Mark, he said:
Mark 7: 21-23
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
In Jeremiah 6: 13 He said:
13 Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts.
Because of the thoughts of their hearts, the Lord sent the floods upon the earth in the time of Noah.
Controlling Your Thoughts.
Proverbs 12: 5
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
During this mortal probation the Lord wants to see that we can control our thoughts in accordance to righteous principles and He tells us to cast away our idle thoughts. (See Doctrine and Covenants 88: 69)
Mosiah 4: 30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
Judgment Day.
On the American continent about 82 B.C., the Prophet Alma said speaking of the Judgment Bar of Christ:
Alma 12: 14
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
It was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the righteous and the wicked will be divided by their thoughts and their secret acts will be revealed at Judgment.
No one can hide them. All will know them, to our shame.
If we have repented of our evil or sinful thoughts, they will not exist and our record will be clean for the Lord will have mercy on us and will abundantly pardon us.
Do not wait until it is too late and this probation time on earth is over.
For more information go to www.lds.org
Comments are welcome.
God, our Heavenly Father has commanded us to be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
This is part of the gospel plan for our perfection.
In other words, these physical, earthly bodies that were given us, His spirit children are to take control of the body, not the other way around, and teach it to obey the spirit.
We inherited the power to think, because we are the spirit children of an Omnipotent Father.
It is the spirit that thinks, and not the mortal body. I repeat, the spirit thinks, not the body.
Thoughts are: Ideas, opinions, judgments, concepts, fancies, dispositions and intensions that come from the mind and the hearts of men.
How we manage and exercise our power of Free Agency, which our Heavenly Father gave us, determines what we do with the thoughts that come into our mind.
The Lord’s Thoughts are Perfect.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
The Lord knows our thoughts.
Job 42: 2
2 I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
The Apostle Paul said:
Hebrews 4: 12
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The Lord has given this power to His prophets on occasion for a specific purpose like with the Prophet Jacob, in the Book of Mormon who said:
Jacob 2: 5
5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeared very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God.
Jesus Christ could read the thoughts of the people who He ministered to.
Evil thoughts are sinful and are not committed until they have been thoughts out in the heart.
Evil thoughts are an abomination in themselves and lead on to more wickedness if not pushed out or eliminated.
From the Gospel of St. Mark, he said:
Mark 7: 21-23
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
In Jeremiah 6: 13 He said:
13 Behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts.
Because of the thoughts of their hearts, the Lord sent the floods upon the earth in the time of Noah.
Controlling Your Thoughts.
Proverbs 12: 5
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
During this mortal probation the Lord wants to see that we can control our thoughts in accordance to righteous principles and He tells us to cast away our idle thoughts. (See Doctrine and Covenants 88: 69)
Mosiah 4: 30
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
Judgment Day.
On the American continent about 82 B.C., the Prophet Alma said speaking of the Judgment Bar of Christ:
Alma 12: 14
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.
It was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the righteous and the wicked will be divided by their thoughts and their secret acts will be revealed at Judgment.
No one can hide them. All will know them, to our shame.
If we have repented of our evil or sinful thoughts, they will not exist and our record will be clean for the Lord will have mercy on us and will abundantly pardon us.
Do not wait until it is too late and this probation time on earth is over.
For more information go to www.lds.org
Comments are welcome.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL KNOWLEDGE PART 2
Gospel Knowledge.
Gospel knowledge deals with the clear understanding of the truth about God, Our Eternal Father and His eternal laws which govern us, His children on earth, which if we obey we will gain salvation in His presence.
Gospel knowledge also deals with all truth that comes from Him.
Knowledge is an attribute of Deity and He possesses it in the fullness.
We, His spirit children, have that spark of Deity within us also.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p.354.
The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits.
Acts 15: 18
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
An understanding that God knows all things is necessary for man to exercise faith in Him so as to obtain salvation in His kingdom.
Doctrine and Covenants 38: 1-2
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes.
Not only does God the Father know all things, but as stated above by the Lord Jesus Christ, so does He, the Son. The Holy Ghost also known as the Comforter, the third member of the Godhead does also:
Doctrine and Covenants 35: 19
19 Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.
We are the sons and daughters of God, the weaker intelligences mentioned above by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Knowledge – The Differences.
All the knowledge that is available is not equal in worth to us. Much of it does not move us towards exaltation.
Learning the arts and sciences like history, mathematics, medicine, and chemistry are good things to learn and are very useful here on earth and will be used in eternity, but in and of itself, does not move us towards our salvation.
First, we have to obtain salvation and be judged or allowed to progress onward after this life, and then we will use the other things we have learned here.
Learning them may help us to be open to the receiving of the saving truths or being able to understand those truths more.
The Lord tells us to seek learning out of the best books, by study and also by faith.
There are many that think, after learning much of the worldly knowledge that they do not need God.
They think that they know better and do not pay attention to God or His Spirit.
It is the knowledge of God that brings salvation.
The Prophet Jacob explains:
2 Nephi 9: 28-29, 42
28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
42 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.
Daniel 12: 4 (Partial quote.)
4 …”many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”.
He is talking about the last days that there will be so much knowledge available that many will not be able to find the knowledge that matters for their eternal benefit.
The Latter Day Saints are expected to concentrate in the knowledge of the truth and this kind of knowledge is a result of righteousness and comes by revelation from the Holy Ghost who is a revealer of saving knowledge. (See John 7: 17)
The Prophet Joseph Smith also instructed us on this:
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
In conclusion, keep learning all that you can, but concentrate on the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel that He has restored to the earth.
For further information go to www.lds.org
Comments are welcome.
Gospel knowledge deals with the clear understanding of the truth about God, Our Eternal Father and His eternal laws which govern us, His children on earth, which if we obey we will gain salvation in His presence.
Gospel knowledge also deals with all truth that comes from Him.
Knowledge is an attribute of Deity and He possesses it in the fullness.
We, His spirit children, have that spark of Deity within us also.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith p.354.
The relationship we have with God places us in a situation to advance in knowledge. He has power to institute laws to instruct the weaker intelligences, that they may be exalted with himself, so that they might have one glory upon another, and all that knowledge, power, glory, and intelligence, which is requisite in order to save them in the world of spirits.
Acts 15: 18
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
An understanding that God knows all things is necessary for man to exercise faith in Him so as to obtain salvation in His kingdom.
Doctrine and Covenants 38: 1-2
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes.
Not only does God the Father know all things, but as stated above by the Lord Jesus Christ, so does He, the Son. The Holy Ghost also known as the Comforter, the third member of the Godhead does also:
Doctrine and Covenants 35: 19
19 Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.
We are the sons and daughters of God, the weaker intelligences mentioned above by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Knowledge – The Differences.
All the knowledge that is available is not equal in worth to us. Much of it does not move us towards exaltation.
Learning the arts and sciences like history, mathematics, medicine, and chemistry are good things to learn and are very useful here on earth and will be used in eternity, but in and of itself, does not move us towards our salvation.
First, we have to obtain salvation and be judged or allowed to progress onward after this life, and then we will use the other things we have learned here.
Learning them may help us to be open to the receiving of the saving truths or being able to understand those truths more.
The Lord tells us to seek learning out of the best books, by study and also by faith.
There are many that think, after learning much of the worldly knowledge that they do not need God.
They think that they know better and do not pay attention to God or His Spirit.
It is the knowledge of God that brings salvation.
The Prophet Jacob explains:
2 Nephi 9: 28-29, 42
28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.
42 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.
Daniel 12: 4 (Partial quote.)
4 …”many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”.
He is talking about the last days that there will be so much knowledge available that many will not be able to find the knowledge that matters for their eternal benefit.
The Latter Day Saints are expected to concentrate in the knowledge of the truth and this kind of knowledge is a result of righteousness and comes by revelation from the Holy Ghost who is a revealer of saving knowledge. (See John 7: 17)
The Prophet Joseph Smith also instructed us on this:
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
In conclusion, keep learning all that you can, but concentrate on the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel that He has restored to the earth.
For further information go to www.lds.org
Comments are welcome.
Monday, September 9, 2013
INTELLIGENCE OR LIGHT AND TRUTH PART 1
Intelligence.
Intelligence is the knowledge of Light and Truth.
In the gospel sense, intelligence is more than just obtaining any type of knowledge, but knowledge that will bring you closer to God, our Heavenly Father.
Doctrine and Covenants 93: 36-37
36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
37 Light and truth forsake that evil one.
Intelligence is the proper and wise use of knowledge which leads us in the direction of righteousness and eventually to obtaining eternal life and
exaltation in the Kingdom of God or the Celestial Realm.
Satan’s Use of Knowledge.
Knowledge can be obtained and used in the works of evil. As it says in verse 37 above, light and truth, which is intelligence, forsake the evil one, who is Satan or the Devil.
Satan has great power and influence because of the knowledge he had obtained in the pre-existence spirit world where we all came from.
He knows each of us and our weaknesses and uses that knowledge against us here on earth.
He tricks many into believing he does not exist, and many are fooled.
Those who have the Intelligent knowledge of the gospel and the Lord, knows that he exists and is not fooled by him. He is working hard to make us his.
Satan does not even have the least degree of intelligence within him.
An intelligent person uses the knowledge he has and uses it to progress in the things of the spirit and obtain eternal truths. He glories in being righteous in all the things he does.
Satan does not ever do that. He seeks the misery of all of us and tries to disrupt the Father’s Plan of Salvation.
Intelligence is Important to all of us.
Here is what the Lord tells us about the principle of intelligence:
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
Ignorance.
An ignorant person is one who is uninformed and lacking in knowledge.
The Prophet Joseph Smith gave and inspired statement:
Doctrine and Covenants 131: 6
6 It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.
He was meaning that ignorance of Jesus Christ and the saving truths of His gospel.
Our salvation comes through the knowledge we obtain about God, our Father and His laws and not the learning of the world.
John 17: 3
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Latter Day Saints have the obligation to obtain the knowledge of the truth.
The Lord said through the Prophet Brigham Young:
Doctrine and Covenants 136: 32-33
32 Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;
33 For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.
Let us seek for the Intelligent Knowledge about the Lord and His gospel.
See Part 2 under Gospel Subjects: IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL KNOWLEDGE
For further information go to www.lds.org.
Comment are welcome.
Intelligence is the knowledge of Light and Truth.
In the gospel sense, intelligence is more than just obtaining any type of knowledge, but knowledge that will bring you closer to God, our Heavenly Father.
Doctrine and Covenants 93: 36-37
36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
37 Light and truth forsake that evil one.
Intelligence is the proper and wise use of knowledge which leads us in the direction of righteousness and eventually to obtaining eternal life and
exaltation in the Kingdom of God or the Celestial Realm.
Satan’s Use of Knowledge.
Knowledge can be obtained and used in the works of evil. As it says in verse 37 above, light and truth, which is intelligence, forsake the evil one, who is Satan or the Devil.
Satan has great power and influence because of the knowledge he had obtained in the pre-existence spirit world where we all came from.
He knows each of us and our weaknesses and uses that knowledge against us here on earth.
He tricks many into believing he does not exist, and many are fooled.
Those who have the Intelligent knowledge of the gospel and the Lord, knows that he exists and is not fooled by him. He is working hard to make us his.
Satan does not even have the least degree of intelligence within him.
An intelligent person uses the knowledge he has and uses it to progress in the things of the spirit and obtain eternal truths. He glories in being righteous in all the things he does.
Satan does not ever do that. He seeks the misery of all of us and tries to disrupt the Father’s Plan of Salvation.
Intelligence is Important to all of us.
Here is what the Lord tells us about the principle of intelligence:
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 18-19
18 Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
19 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.
Ignorance.
An ignorant person is one who is uninformed and lacking in knowledge.
The Prophet Joseph Smith gave and inspired statement:
Doctrine and Covenants 131: 6
6 It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.
He was meaning that ignorance of Jesus Christ and the saving truths of His gospel.
Our salvation comes through the knowledge we obtain about God, our Father and His laws and not the learning of the world.
John 17: 3
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Latter Day Saints have the obligation to obtain the knowledge of the truth.
The Lord said through the Prophet Brigham Young:
Doctrine and Covenants 136: 32-33
32 Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear;
33 For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.
Let us seek for the Intelligent Knowledge about the Lord and His gospel.
See Part 2 under Gospel Subjects: IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL KNOWLEDGE
For further information go to www.lds.org.
Comment are welcome.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
THE VALUE OF THE SCRIPTURES TODAY
What are Scriptures?
Any message that comes from God to man, whether written or spoken, by the power of the Holy Ghost is scripture.
Doctrine and Covenants 68: 2-4
2 And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth—
3 And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.
4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation.
Scriptures are here to guide us in our earthly test or journey.
They teach us how to live according to Eternal principles and laws.
Living Prophets Are Not Usually Listened To.
Here is a summary of the parable of the rich man and the beggar. Luke 16: 19-31
The Savior gave a parable about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, who laid at his gates, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.
Lazarus died and the Angels took him to Abraham’s bosom, and the rich man died also and was buried.
The rich man was now in Spirit Prison or Hell and looked up to Abraham and asked him to have mercy on him.
Abraham told him that he had received the good things of life and Lazarus received evil things, now it was reversed. He said there was a gulf fixed between them which neither could pass.
Then the rich man said that he had brethren still alive and asked that they be sent a warning so they would not end up like him.
Abraham told him, they have Moses and the prophets, who are living, let them hear them.
The rich man said they would not listen to Moses, but if someone from the dead came from the dead and told them, they would repent.
Abraham said, No, if they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, who are with them, they will not listen to those who rose or spoke from the dead.
Today.
The world is in that situation today. There is a Living Prophet Today; he is President Thomas S. Monson, President and Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The Lord has restored His church and His Gospel in its fulness to the earth.
The Book of Mormon is that restored gospel.
The writers of the Book of Mormon were all prophets.
Each writer was a descendant of Lehi who was a prophet who lived in Jerusalem in 600 B.C. and with Jeremiah, another prophet, had called repentance to the people of Jerusalem.
They were angry with Lehi and Jeremiah.
Jeremiah left to Egypt with some of the righteous.
Lehi being warned of danger was instructed by the Lord to leave Jerusalem and was told that he would be led to a Land of Promise in the Americas.
They were instructed to keep a record.
It was kept from 600 B.C. to 421 A.D. of the wars and the sacred things that had happened to their civilization during this thousand year period.
It was made on gold plates. Gold was plentiful in that day, so they used it to record the records. This would insure that the record would last through a long period of time to come out of the ground for us today.
The Lord sees the end from the beginning and prepared this record for us in the Latter Days.
This record was not recorded specifically for them, but was written by inspiration from the Lord to prophets during that time period, who are now dead, to come forth, in this day to us.
This makes it scripture. It is a companion with the Bible, not a replacement.
Those prophets are saying to us, listen to us and learn what we went through so you do not have to repeat our mistakes.
It also tells us of the many blessings that they received from the Lord.
This is especially true when the Savior, just after His resurrection, appeared to the people in the Americas and gave them His gospel.
He told them they were the “Other sheep” he had mentioned to the Jews during his ministry, that He would go to.
In Jerusalem He said:
John 10: 16
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
And He told them in the Americas as recorded in the Book of Mormon:
3 Nephi 15: 21
21 And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
This living prophet spoken of above receives revelation from the Lord for the direction of His church and the world today.
The Lord has revealed that President Thomas Spencer Monson is not only the prophet of this church, but is the prophet to the whole earth.
The mission of Latter Day church is to spread the Restored Gospel and gather Israel again from the four quarters of the earth before the Lord’s Second Coming.
For further research go to www.lds.org
Comments are welcome.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
THE NATURE OF GOD THE FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST
What Type of Beings are our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother and Savior Jesus Christ?
I will try to explain it from the Scriptures that we have from the prophets anciently and through revelation to prophets in our day and I will comment after each in Red.
1 Nephi 17: 36
36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.
Our Father in Heaven loved us so much that He had His Son, Jehovah, who after He was born on the earth became known as Jesus Christ, to organize an earth for us to come to and to be tested, receive a physical body for our spirit, and gain experience in using our Free Agency. (See John 1: 1-14) Substitute the word, “Word” for “Jesus Christ”.
He told us what He did in the ancient record above, 1 Nephi, in the Book of Mormon, now, today, in modern revelation, He tells us again:
Doctrine and Covenants 38: 1-3
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;
3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.
Under the direction of God the Father, Jehovah or Jesus Christ, was given control of organizing worlds without number and creating everything in them, and also organizing this earth, and He tells us, with His own voice, that He was the one that spake the word and the world was made.
2 Nephi 9: 6
6 For as death hath 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.
Death is necessary because the body is unclean and no unclean thing can come into the presence of God but the spirit of man is clean. The spirit has to go before God to be judged according to its works in the body on earth and how he lived.
Now Jesus Christ tells us Why He came and that He gave us His Gospel to live by. We can read His words here: (See 3 Nephi 27: 13-22)
During His ministry, he told us to be perfect like His Father in Heaven.
Matthew 5: 48
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
After His resurrection He went to the Father and was glorified and perfected, then He appeared in the Americas to His “Other Sheep” and gave them His Gospel also, which is recorded in the Book of Mormon, and told them this:
3 Nephi 12: 48
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
He states here that He and the Father are perfect.
Now, He tells us that He and the Father have bodies of Flesh and Bones like us, but Immortal, and that the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, does not have a physical body, but is a person of Spirit only and why He is a Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 22
22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
We are the spirit children of God the Father. We can become like Him just like we can become like our earthly father. This meaning, if we follow the commandments, we also can have spirit children later, create an earth for them to be tested on and gain physical bodies. God the Father states what His work is:
Moses 1: 39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
If we progress on in eternity, this will also be our work.
We are His children and He is close to us, and we are living and here because of Him. He has given us a way which is prayer, to be in contact with Him at any moment. He is not a statue, but our living Father who cares for us. (See Acts 17: 27-29, Roman 8:16 and Hebrews 12: 9).
We must love one another and become born of God. He that does not love, does not know God. He loves us because He sent His Son to earth to perform the Atonement for all of us. (See 1 John 4: 7-9)
For further information, go to www.lds.org
.
I will try to explain it from the Scriptures that we have from the prophets anciently and through revelation to prophets in our day and I will comment after each in Red.
1 Nephi 17: 36
36 Behold, the Lord hath created the earth that it should be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it.
Our Father in Heaven loved us so much that He had His Son, Jehovah, who after He was born on the earth became known as Jesus Christ, to organize an earth for us to come to and to be tested, receive a physical body for our spirit, and gain experience in using our Free Agency. (See John 1: 1-14) Substitute the word, “Word” for “Jesus Christ”.
He told us what He did in the ancient record above, 1 Nephi, in the Book of Mormon, now, today, in modern revelation, He tells us again:
Doctrine and Covenants 38: 1-3
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;
3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.
Under the direction of God the Father, Jehovah or Jesus Christ, was given control of organizing worlds without number and creating everything in them, and also organizing this earth, and He tells us, with His own voice, that He was the one that spake the word and the world was made.
2 Nephi 9: 6
6 For as death hath 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.
Death is necessary because the body is unclean and no unclean thing can come into the presence of God but the spirit of man is clean. The spirit has to go before God to be judged according to its works in the body on earth and how he lived.
Now Jesus Christ tells us Why He came and that He gave us His Gospel to live by. We can read His words here: (See 3 Nephi 27: 13-22)
During His ministry, he told us to be perfect like His Father in Heaven.
Matthew 5: 48
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
After His resurrection He went to the Father and was glorified and perfected, then He appeared in the Americas to His “Other Sheep” and gave them His Gospel also, which is recorded in the Book of Mormon, and told them this:
3 Nephi 12: 48
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.
He states here that He and the Father are perfect.
Now, He tells us that He and the Father have bodies of Flesh and Bones like us, but Immortal, and that the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, does not have a physical body, but is a person of Spirit only and why He is a Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 130: 22
22 The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s; the Son also; but the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us.
We are the spirit children of God the Father. We can become like Him just like we can become like our earthly father. This meaning, if we follow the commandments, we also can have spirit children later, create an earth for them to be tested on and gain physical bodies. God the Father states what His work is:
Moses 1: 39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
If we progress on in eternity, this will also be our work.
We are His children and He is close to us, and we are living and here because of Him. He has given us a way which is prayer, to be in contact with Him at any moment. He is not a statue, but our living Father who cares for us. (See Acts 17: 27-29, Roman 8:16 and Hebrews 12: 9).
We must love one another and become born of God. He that does not love, does not know God. He loves us because He sent His Son to earth to perform the Atonement for all of us. (See 1 John 4: 7-9)
For further information, go to www.lds.org
.
Monday, September 2, 2013
THE PROPHET NEPHI SPEAKS TO THE JEWS
The Prophet Nephi, son of the Prophet Lehi, who came out of Jerusalem 600 years before Christ, is speaking to the Jews.
This is from the ancient record of The Book of Mormon.
This is a long one, 30 Verses. It is printed in black with my comments in RED and in brackets ( ).
This is fairly long but I would recommend that the Jews read this. If they do they will understand their history in the Last Days and start understanding Isaiah's prophecies.
I will print the summary of this important chapter then the chapter with comments. Each verse is important.
SUMMARY:
Nephi glories in plainness—Isaiah’s prophecies will be understood in the last days—The Jews will return from Babylon, crucify the Messiah, and be scattered and scourged—They will be restored when they believe in the Messiah—He will first come six hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem—The Nephites keep the law of Moses and believe in Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel. About 559–545 B.C.
21 Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me that these things which I write (the Book of Mormon) shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, (They were preserved by being buried by the Prophet Moroni, son of the Prophet Mormon, who compiled the plates together) that the promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, that his seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand.
30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses. (In other words, until Jesus Christ shall come, which He did.)
This is from the ancient record of The Book of Mormon.
This is a long one, 30 Verses. It is printed in black with my comments in RED and in brackets ( ).
This is fairly long but I would recommend that the Jews read this. If they do they will understand their history in the Last Days and start understanding Isaiah's prophecies.
I will print the summary of this important chapter then the chapter with comments. Each verse is important.
SUMMARY:
Nephi glories in plainness—Isaiah’s prophecies will be understood in the last days—The Jews will return from Babylon, crucify the Messiah, and be scattered and scourged—They will be restored when they believe in the Messiah—He will first come six hundred years after Lehi left Jerusalem—The Nephites keep the law of Moses and believe in Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel. About 559–545 B.C.
1 Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people (his people are those with him in the Americas) to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews.
2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations. (the reason Lehi was told to leave Jerusalem)
3 Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter (meaning in the last days) these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken.
4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn.
5 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, (remember, they had the record of the Jews on brass plates with them when they left) for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews.
6 But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them.
7 But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled (meaning these Last Days we are in Now) men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass.
8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them.
9 And as one generation hath been destroyed among the Jews because of iniquity, even so have they been destroyed from generation to generation according to their iniquities; and never hath any of them been destroyed save it were foretold them by the prophets of the Lord.
10 Wherefore, it hath been told them concerning the destruction which should come upon them, immediately after my father left Jerusalem; (Remember, the Prophet Lehi was a contemporary with Jeremiah, the prophet, and they were warning the people of Jerusalem in 600 B.C.) nevertheless, they hardened their hearts; and according to my prophecy they have been destroyed, save it be those which are carried away captive into Babylon. (586 B.C.)
11 And now this I speak because of the spirit which is in me. And notwithstanding they have been carried away they shall return again, and possess the land of Jerusalem; wherefore, they shall be restored again to the land of their inheritance.
12 But, behold, they shall have wars, and rumors of wars; and when the day cometh that the Only Begotten of the Father, yea, even the Father of heaven and of earth, shall manifest himself unto them in the flesh, (Jehovah of the Old Testament, a member of the Godhead, came to earth and was born as Jesus Christ) behold, they will reject him, because of their iniquities, and the hardness of their hearts, and the stiffness of their necks.
13 Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.
14 And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name, behold, Jerusalem shall be destroyed again; (70 A.D.) for wo unto them that fight against God and the people of his church.
15 Wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered among all nations; yea, and also Babylon shall be destroyed; wherefore, the Jews shall be scattered by other nations.
16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, (Has not this been going on from then until now?) yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things.
17 And the Lord will set his hand again the second time to restore his people from their lost and fallen state. Wherefore, he will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder among the children of men. (This is why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was Restored to the earth with the Restored Gospel, which THIS chapter was taken from, 559–545 B.C. to restore the Lord's people in these Last Days)
18 Wherefore, he shall bring forth his words unto them, (which is the Book of Mormon and the Bible together) which words shall judge them at the last day, for they shall be given them for the purpose of convincing them of the true Messiah, who was rejected by them; and unto the convincing of them that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come, for there should not any come, save it should be a false Messiah which should deceive the people; for there is save one Messiah spoken of by the prophets, and that Messiah is he who should be rejected of the Jews. (Talking about Jesus Christ)
19 For according to the words of the prophets, the Messiah cometh in six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem; and according to the words of the prophets, and also the word of the angel of God, his name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (remember this is being prophesied between 559 and 545 years BEFORE Christ)
20 And now, my brethren, I have spoken plainly that ye cannot err. And as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them, and also gave him power that he should smite the rock and the water should come forth; yea, behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved.
21 Wherefore, for this cause hath the Lord God promised unto me that these things which I write (the Book of Mormon) shall be kept and preserved, and handed down unto my seed, from generation to generation, (They were preserved by being buried by the Prophet Moroni, son of the Prophet Mormon, who compiled the plates together) that the promise may be fulfilled unto Joseph, that his seed should never perish as long as the earth should stand.
22 Wherefore, these things shall go from generation to generation as long as the earth shall stand; and they shall go according to the will and pleasure of God; and the nations who shall possess them shall be judged of them according to the words which are written.
23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (Many believe we are saved Only by Grace, we are, but we Must Do All We Can before Grace takes over. Works are very important to prove ourselves to God our determination to follow His commandments, then Grace or Mercy comes in.)
24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. (The Law of Moses, the sacrifices they performed, was looking forward to the Great sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus completed it so the Law of Moses is Fulfilled in Him.)
25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, (He says After the Law IS fulfilled, showing is has NOT been fulfilled at the time he is writing this, but we know Today that it was fulfilled when He died on the Cross and Arose again) that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.
28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; (the Holy One of Israel, who is JEHOVAH, come to earth as Jesus Christ) wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.
30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses. (In other words, until Jesus Christ shall come, which He did.)
To see chapter and chapters around it, go to:
For further information go to www.lds.org.
Comments are welcome.
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