Saturday, November 28, 2009

The Resurrection

It was Paul who wrote, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:22). And so it is. Not one of our Father’s spirit children who makes his or her way into mortality will be left out. The resurrection of the dead does not apply to some, or to most, but to all. So, is there one grand event for all or will there be multiple events? If the latter, how many resurrections or stages of the resurrection will there be? The correct answer is either two or four with this understanding. The discussion here pertains to mankind only. In reality, there will be a renewing for all of God’s earth related creations (D&C 29:23-25).


An expanded quote of Paul’s writing might be considered here. “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (I Corinthians 15:21-23). The last verse holds four significant truths. First, we will be resurrected in some pre-determined order. Second, the Savior was the first inhabitant of this earth to be resurrected. Third, those who belong to Christ will be the first to whom the resurrection is offered. And fourth, the resurrection of Christ’s followers will take on major proportions at the time He comes in His glory signaling the beginning of the millennium.


To begin with, there are two resurrections: the resurrection of the just and the resurrection of the unjust. While translating the Bible, Joseph Smith sought further understanding concerning John’s pronouncement on this subject. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). The Lord responded to the Prophet’s supplication by giving him an inspired translation of these two verses (See D&C 76:16-17) followed by one of the most important revelations contained in the Doctrine and Covenants namely, Section 76.


While it is instructive to know that there are two major resurrections, recognizing that each of these has two parts brings greater clarity to the subject. There will be a resurrection appropriate in its details for each of the kingdoms of glory plus hell, thus four identifiable events are envisioned.


Jesus Christ, himself, was the “firstfruits” of the resurrection. Following Him, many of the Saints on at least two continents came forth from their graves and appeared to many of the living as a testimony to the truthfulness of the resurrection (Matthew 27:52-53; 3 Nephi 23:7-13). These events marked the beginning of the first resurrection or the “morning” of the resurrection of the just that has continued at some pace from that day to this. For we know that resurrected and translated individuals were responsible for providing Joseph Smith the plates from which The Book of Mormon was translated. They were also responsible for the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods as well as all of the priesthood keys necessary for the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the earth in this dispensation. At His glorious coming ushering in the millennium, this resurrection will grow to a crescendo. Those who come forth at that time are those who will inherit the Celestial Kingdom (D&C 76:50-70).


As the events of the first resurrection are winding down, the second resurrection scheduled to occur in the “afternoon” of the resurrection of the just will commence. The events of the millennium will still be in their early stages, and those who come forth at that time will be those who are to inherit the Terrestrial Kingdom (D&C 76:71-80).


The resurrection of the unjust will occur as two of the several events bringing the millennium to a close. Those who will take part in the third resurrection are those who will inherit the Telestial Kingdom (D&C 76:81-90). The partakers of the fourth resurrection, the sons of perdition, will be consigned to hell to mingle with the devil and his followers for eternity.


The Apostle Paul bore testimony to the Corinthians in his day of these resurrections when he wrote, “ . . . There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. . . .” (See I Corinthians 15:39-44). As to the actions of men that will allow God to judge His spirit children concerning the nature of their reward and resurrection, that discussion will of necessity have to wait for a subsequent writing. But this can be said here in conclusion, each individual will be granted a resurrection commensurate with his or her worthiness in adhering to the principles of the Lord’s gospel. This does not mean that all will be content with their existence in eternity. Many will have come to recognize that while their reward was just, it was not what they were capable of achieving.


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Personal Revelation

Late in the year of 2007, the Melchizedek Priesthood quorum and Relief Society instruction manual for the following two years was distributed. This course of study would allow the Church’s membership to study writings by and concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith that the average member most likely never would have read given their limited ability to access the documents used in the manual’s preparation. Many of its readers realized almost immediately the nature of the treasure that had been placed in their hands. They did not have to be encouraged to read the next Sunday’s lesson in advance, they were busy reading the material to be taught many weeks hence.


Early 2008 found my wife and I serving in the leadership of the Freiberg Germany Temple. These were the most challenging callings either of us had ever received. There were few hours in a day when the temple was open that we were not under obligation to make decisions that impacted directly the sacred work being performed there. If ever there had been a time when we needed personal revelation because of a calling, it was then.


It was under these circumstances that I had occasion to read in our priesthood manual a statement made by John Taylor “while [he was] serving as President of the Quorum of the Twelve.”


“I well remember a remark that Joseph Smith made to me upwards of forty years ago. Said he, ‘Elder Taylor, you have been baptized, you have had hands laid upon your head for the reception of the Holy Ghost, and you have been ordained to the holy priesthood. Now, if you will continue to follow the leadings of that spirit, it will always lead you right. Sometimes it might be contrary to your judgment; never mind that, follow its dictates; and if you be true to its whisperings it will in time become in you a principle of revelation so that you will know all things’ ”

(Teachings of Presidents of the Church--Joseph Smith, 132-133).

Here in very few words were expressed in a coherent manner essentially the findings I had personally arrived at after most of a lifetime’s experience of trial and error with receiving personal revelation. If an individual reading this statement, I thought, had the sagacity to read, understand, and apply this counsel at a young age, how much they would be benefited by that knowledge in times to come.


Writing from my own experience over the years, the weakest link in the personal revelation process is casting out the inspiration I received because it was “contrary to [my] judgment.” All too often, I have been inclined to filter the inspiration I received through my own views and preferences. Often I have been too quick to think the inspired thought simply would not work or that this was not a convenient time or approach for taking this or that course of action. When we place ourselves in the position of second-guessing inspiration, we set ourselves up for failure.


This brings me to another personal lesson learned on this subject. If the Holy Ghost inspires us toward a course of action, and we reject the assistance, will not the Spirit be a bit more reticent to provide assistance in the near future absent our dedicated seeking for such? Possibly not, but I believe there is a point to be made here. Joseph Smith said, “ . . . if you be true to its whisperings it will in time become in you a principle of revelation. . . .” What I understand from this statement is that if we are consistently and positively responsive to the inspiration that we receive, we will be given more and more direction. This end logically follows because we will have demonstrated through our actions our willingness to exercise the faith required to be worthy of the further enlightenment we seek.


The hard times with which the faithful of this final dispensation must deal on a daily basis make it necessary that we not categorize our daily activities into those that appear to be secular and those that are religious. The gospel principles we know to be true cannot be placed on a shelf when we are engaged in “secular” activities and then taken down from that shelf when our activities are deemed to be “religious” in nature. In seeking to realize the full measure of our creation, we will eventually conclude that God does not make such distinctions (D&C 29:30-35). There is no righteous activity in which we may involve ourselves that is irrelevant to our beliefs and in which God does not have an interest (Alma 34:18-27). If we cannot ask God’s blessings and direction in a particular activity we are about to undertake, then that should be a certain sign that the activity is unworthy of our participation. As an educator, there were very few mornings in over thirty-three years that I did not pray in my office for assistance before entering the first classroom of the day. I know for a fact that I am not the only one who prays regularly for direction in the workplace. And this I know also, countless times I have received through inspiration the assistance I needed to be successful in a task at hand.


How much more successful might I have been in all of my pursuits if I had been willing to act upon the inspiration I did not follow?

Friday, November 20, 2009

Immortality, Salvation, Exaltation, & Eternal Life

At times, we may be uncertain as to what a gospel speaker or writer intended to communicate given their particular use of one of the following terms: immortality, salvation, exaltation, or eternal life. A brief review of these terms may be helpful here.


Immortality is a condition of not being subject to physical death. While we mortals will yet experience this death, we have the promise that at a future time our spirit will be reunited with our body in the resurrection. This blessing is an unconditional gift to every soul who will ever live upon this earth as a result of Christ’s atonement. Once resurrected, none of God’s spirit children will ever face a physical death again. Such a statement may cause some confusion since the scriptures speak of a “second death” (D&C 76:37). However, only the sons of perdition will experience this “spiritual death” retaining their resurrected bodies in hell but being separated from any contact with a member of the Godhead.


Salvation is a state wherein an individual is free of Satan's temptation. Salvation is the conditional gift resulting from Christ’s atonement that applies to all of the inhabitants of this earth who are not judged to be sons of perdition. Thus salvation comes in many degrees and spans the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial worlds of the future based upon the faithfulness with which any individual adheres to the gospel of Jesus Christ. While it is proper to use the term salvation as a synonym for exaltation or eternal life, such a use could be confusing for at least the following reason. All who inherit exaltation or eternal life will be saved or have salvation, but not all of those who enjoy salvation will be exalted or have eternal life. Thus, there will be those who inherit the celestial kingdom who will have salvation but not exaltation. All of those who inherit some degree of the terrestrial or telestial kingdoms will be the recipients of some quality of salvation also.


Exaltation and eternal life are synonymous terms. Eternal is one of Elohim’s names (Moses 7:35) and thus eternal life refers to the quality of life our Father in Heaven lives i.e., possessing the power to have “an increase” (D&C 131:4). This is the end to which the following verses have reference. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). “For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).


To exalt is “to raise in status, dignity, power, honor, wealth, etc.” (New World Dictionary). In the LDS Church, exaltation is used to signify an individual’s future condition to be that which warrants the highest degree of the celestial kingdom (D&C 131:1-4). The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith what John the Baptist recorded concerning His, the Lord’s, role as the creator of worlds and His earthly preparations to be our savior. Having quoted these verses, He continued, “I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness” (D&C 93:19). To “receive of his fulness” is to inherit eternal life or be exalted.


Monday, November 16, 2009

Thoughts on Service

When individuals are baptized and confirmed as new members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they make two covenants with God. First, they promise to serve Him, and second, they promise to keep his commandments (Mosiah 18:10). King Benjamin taught his people that the way we may serve God is by serving our fellowmen (Mosiah 2:17). This truth applies whether our fellowmen be members of Christ’s Church or not, whether they be living or deceased.


For the sake of emphasis, let us consider in this writing service opportunities in three possible areas: church callings among our fellow Saints; service among non-members with whom we are often related, befriended, or associated; and work in behalf of those of our kindred spirits who are deceased.


Members


We should accept the callings that come to us. We should not think of ourselves as being too busy or too old to serve. We should not stop growing and serving as long as we possess the necessary mental and physical faculties. We should always do our best to magnify our Church callings. We should study the scriptures or some gospel writing every day. Exaltation or eternal life should be our goal, and we should never stray from actively pursuing that objective.


Non-members


The second great commandment is that we love our fellowmen as we do ourselves (Matthew 22:39). The opportunities in this area are legion. In some cases, our employment may be relevant to this goal. Others may be involved in humanitarian roles within our communities in an effort to return some of the benefits the surrounding community provides to its members. Within the ranks of our relatives, our friends, our associates, and the community-at-large opportunities to strengthen, encourage, inform, and comfort are always present. We need only to exercise love and some initiative to make a positive difference in the lives of others.


Those who are deceased


The opportunities to serve our kindred dead are so numerous that every one of us can and is obligated to be meaningfully involved in this work. With personal initiative and prayerful consideration of our opportunities, we will be directed toward some aspect of family history and temple work wherein we may satisfy our obligation to be “saviors on Mount Zion” (Obadiah 1:21) and enjoy the satisfying understanding that we are participating in a very important work.


Qualifying ourselves


In a revelation, Hyrum Smith was told to prepare himself before expecting to be called into the Lord’s service (D&C 11:21). For us, this preparation must be both religious and secular in nature. From our youth, we are taught the truth of our origins, the importance of mortality, our eternal possibilities, and our responsibilities towards others. Granted this understanding, we should prepare ourselves mentally, spiritually, and physically for our earthly labors both within the Kingdom and the world in which we live. As such, we will need a keen understanding of gospel principles, a maturing love for all of God’s children, a willingness to sacrifice ourselves in the service of others, and a working knowledge of such secular fields as history, language, the arts, technology, and human relations.


The blessings of service are also personal. If we lose ourselves in the Lord’s service, He does bless us. In fact, He is never in our debt. We are always in his debt because of the blessings He pours out upon us (Mosiah 2:20-25). If we are personally troubled by the challenges of mortality, the saving balm is to turn our attention to serving others. Our personal healing will follow.


Our Father in Heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ, know us personally, as individuals, and the priesthood and auxiliary work in which we are engaged is directed in fact by them, even at times in considerable detail. If we will trust in the Lord, we may rely on his divine assistance as we go about serving in our families and communities. Our professional, family, and church preparations will allow the Lord to use us in the building of his Kingdom on earth in places and in ways we never imagined.


Thursday, November 12, 2009

The New and Everlasting Covenant

Recently, I was given the opportunity to teach a lesson on temple sealings, and more than a few participants seemed confused on the nature of the new and everlasting covenant.


We find references to this covenant in D&C 131:2 and in various verses of D&C 132, just to mention two relevant sections of The Doctrine and Covenants. The new and everlasting covenant is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ made available to the inhabitants of the earth in this the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.

Thus it logically follows, and so it is, that the everlasting covenant is the gospel of Jesus Christ that predates the creation of this world. For example, consider the “Lord’s Preface” for The Doctrine and Covenants that we know as Section one. “. . . For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; . . .” (verse 15). In verses 21 to 23, we read, “. . . That faith also might increase in the earth; That mine everlasting covenant might be established; That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.”


The saving ordinances of the gospel are baptism, confirmation, receipt of the priesthood, the temple endowment, and eternal marriage. These ordinances exist in every dispensation of the gospel. At the beginning of each dispensation when the gospel was restored to the earth, it was called a new and everlasting covenant i.e., the everlasting covenant newly restored to the earth. It follows that today we have the new and everlasting covenant of baptism, the new and everlasting covenant of confirmation, etc. So we should not be surprised to read that a temple sealing or the eternal marriage covenant is referred to in the scriptures as “the new and everlasting covenant of marriage” (D&C 131:2).

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

My Thoughts Concerning the Prophet Joseph Smith

The life and works of the Prophet Joseph Smith invoke in me thoughts and actions of humble gratitude. It is impossible for me to know what my life would be like in the absence of all the direction and meaning the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has and does provide to me. However, I can imagine some of the possible directions my life might have taken by looking about in this world at the range of existences most of our brothers and sisters are experiencing who remain outside of the gospel net either as a result of their conscious decisions or their lack of opportunity to hear and accept the gospel. In the face of what might have been, I thank my Father in Heaven regularly for the blessings of knowing the gospel and for my testimony of its truthfulness. Likewise, my prayers include a plea that I will have the strength to remain steadfast to his will and obedient to the teachings of his chosen servants.



Having studied the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith and having applied the lessons of some of his experiences to my own circumstances, I have come to possess a personal knowledge that our Father in Heaven is real and, that among other things, He hears and answers prayers. I knew this in an unsophisticated way while but a small boy. Through personal experiences so numerous that the vast majority of them have been long forgotten, I know that by means of His Spirit we may receive direction in the spiritual and secular matters that crowd our lives if we will but seek to obey his word and ask Him in faith. From a very early age and throughout my life, I have sought to have a close personal relationship with my Father in Heaven. To the extent that I have been successful, I have enjoyed his direction in my righteous endeavors and his comfort and solace in times of trial. Of both situations, there have been countless occurrences.



We learn from each of the Standard Works as well as the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that all we possess, even our very lives, we have received as gifts from God. A true understanding of this fact should deflate any propensity on our part to boast of our personal successes vis-à-vis our children’s accomplishments, our professional advancements, our accumulated wealth, or the recognitions and flatterings of men. Further, we are taught and should understand that we are stewards of all our gifts and possessions. As such, we will be judged on how well we have managed and enhanced that with which we have been blessed including the uses to which we have placed our resources for the benefit of not only ourselves and our families but very importantly of others.



I am very appreciative to the Prophet Joseph Smith for his translations of the Bible and of The Book of Mormon, the latter standing as an additional witness to the Bible’s truth. The companionship of these two books greatly facilitates our ability to teach the restored gospel to our families, friends, and the world at large. I personally revel in the revelations of this dispensation. In the books of Moses, Abraham, and most certainly the Doctrine and Covenants, the elements of the Plan of Salvation take on a significance, a level of detail, and a relevance the Bible and the Book of Mormon cannot provide. Also the Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations peculiar to our day. Of this book of scripture, President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote, “It is our book. It belongs to the Latter-day Saints. More precious than gold, the Prophet says we should treasure it more than the riches of the whole earth. I wonder if we do?” (Doctrines of Salvation 3:199)



I am grateful to the Prophet Joseph Smith for the line upon line restoration of the gospel, the Priesthood, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which provide us not only with the knowledge of who we are in relationship to God but with the understanding and means to obtain eternal life and thus live with Him again and potentially become as He is. Integral to this process is the restoration of the instructions and ordinances of the temple endowment and the authority to seal eternally husbands and wives and their children, generation upon generation. The eternal family is a reality within our reach. Speaking personally, I cannot comprehend what the next life would be like if I did not have the possibility of the continued companionship of my very best friend, my dear wife.



On a very personal note, I am a great, great grandson of Hyrum Smith, the Prophet’s brother. So it is that these two martyrs are numbered among our family. During my growing years, the stories told concerning them were the same as those related by any Latter-day Saint parent to their children, but there is an additional emotional tie and relevance to their experiences when the subjects are your ancestors, not that far removed. During my life, I have felt an immediacy and a responsibility to live in accordance with their teachings and to be true to the work for which they gave their all.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Purpose of this Blog

For years, my wife has suggested that I write a book related to my specialty fields as an educator or my most-favorite subject, the restoration of the Church and gospel of Jesus Christ in this the final dispensation or the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. Her suggestions have been quickly brushed aside with one response or another the intent of which was “that will never happen.” The process of publication in that form is fraught with more obstacles than I am willing to face. However, it occurred to me, that this Blog format lends itself to accomplishing what she has suggested that I do for so long.


From my days as a youthful deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood to this present moment, I have been given a wealth of opportunities to serve in a vast variety of callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most of these callings have allowed me to teach or preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have also had or have taken the opportunity to be taught by some of the great teachers of this gospel through either their personal instruction or their writings. Much of what I have learned, I wish to share. To do so is to add my testimony to the multitude of others who have expressed their convictions on these subjects in one fashion or another. You will understand that some experiences are too personal and/or too sacred to share in such a venue as this.


In the months ahead, it is intended that additions will be posted to this Blog. Such a format allows you to respond with your comments. This is encouraged. Please note that for the present, I have not made my identity known. For those of you who know who I am, that is sufficient. I would ask that your responses be respectful of my anonymity.


The name of this Blog, Pillar, comes from the notion of “being a pillar of strength.” In my adult years, I have sought to be a source of support for the building of the Kingdom of God upon this earth. This willingness to serve has made possible a series of Church callings whereby I have been given many varied opportunities for service. Each of these callings in turn has given me experience that has aided me in subsequent callings. For this I know, our success in any calling we receive is dependent upon our initiative to magnify that calling in conjunction with the inspiration that we receive from God as a result of our worthiness and desires as well as His will concerning us individually.


Hopefully, the material presented in this format will be helpful to some individuals who read it with the proper intent.


Monday, November 9, 2009

The Restoration of Christ's Church

The events necessary for the proper restoration of Christ’s Church in this dispensation occurred over a span of approximately a year from the spring of 1829 to the spring of 1830. Concurrent with these actions, the translated Book of Mormon was readied for printing and became a finished product in early 1830.


Seeking increased understanding on the subject of baptism that was mentioned in the records with which they were working, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery decided to approach God in prayer. On May 15, 1829, they selected a wooded spot near the banks of the Susquehanna River and offered up their prayers. In response to their supplications, John the Baptist appeared to them and by the laying on of hands conferred upon each of them the Aaronic Priesthood. He then instructed Joseph and Oliver to baptize each other, which they did. Further, John the Baptist informed them that he had taken this action under the direction of Peter, James, and John.


The restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood to the earth came in due course when this Priesthood was conferred upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery through the laying on of hands by Peter, James, and John, the Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the Dispensation of the Meridian of Time.


The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, 1830 in Fayette, New York in accordance with the laws of the State of New York governing such creations. Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery were sustained as its leaders.


While many who were participants in this work of restoration provided their testimonies of the divinity and truthfulness of these actions, there are several instances that deserve special consideration. After the translation of The Book of Mormon was completed, the plates were shown to three witnesses by an angel. Their combined testimony was published to the world. Although all three of these men eventually fell out of harmony with Joseph Smith and the Lord’s Church, at no time did any one of the three recant his testimony of the Book’s truthfulness. Joseph Smith showed the plates to eight additional witnesses. They in turn testified in a common document that they had seen and handled the plates from which Joseph Smith translated the holy record.


Near the end of their lives, the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were co-presidents of the restored Church, Hyrum having been called to the position of second Elder subsequent to the fall of Oliver Cowdery. On June 27, 1844 these two brothers were martyred in Carthage Jail at the hands of a mob thus sealing their testimonies of the truthfulness of the restoration of Christ’s Church, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Melchizedek Priesthood with their blood.



Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Schooling of a Prophet

Between the vision he saw in the grove during the spring of 1820 and the evening of September 21, 1823, we have no evidence of Joseph Smith being visited by heavenly messengers. However, on that latter date after praying and retiring to bed, he found his bedroom becoming lighter. As the light grew in intensity, an angel appeared before him introducing himself as Moroni. He told the young man that he had been sent to deliver a message from God.

Joseph Smith was informed by Moroni that a book of golden plates bearing a history of earlier civilizations that had lived in this Western Hemisphere was buried not far from his family’s home. Also buried with these plates was a Urim and Thummim, a device used by prophets in ancient times to assist them in accomplishing various aspects of their callings. At some point, Joseph Smith learned that the final prophet to record his words upon the golden plates and bury the record until its coming forth in the latter days was Moroni himself. Further, Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith many verses of ancient Bible scripture for the purpose of increasing his understanding of the prophetic nature and the dimension of his calling.

Before noon the following day, Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith a total of four times. The substance of his message was repeated each time with varying additional information being given. While Joseph Smith was then shown the location of the buried records, he was not to receive them for an additional four years. However, he was instructed to return to the location of the buried records each year on the anniversary of this initial visit for the purpose of receiving further instructions as to his life’s mission. On September 22, 1827, Moroni entrusted the record and the interpreters into the young man’s possession. Once Joseph Smith had completed the translation of The Book of Mormon from the plates, he returned the record and the interpreters into Moroni’s hands.

These events gave Joseph Smith invaluable experience and were important preparation for his mission to restore Christ’s Church to the earth.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Joseph Smith, the Calling of a Prophet

The question posed at the end of Post #1 was in the mind of a fourteen year old boy living in the “burned over” district of Western New York in 1820. Joseph Smith was reared in a Christ-believing family that was itself not united on the question of which church in their vicinity was true? The members of his family after investigating the existing churches had answered the question variously. While reading in the Epistle of James chapter one verse five, he found this counsel: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Impressed that he needed personal direction in order that he might determine which church was the one he should join, he went into the woods near his home in the spring of 1820 and prayed. In response to his humble plea for understanding, he was visited by God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. In this vision, the Father introduced his Son. In turn, the Lord informed the young lad that he was to join none of the existing churches, for they were all false. He was told “many other things” including, apparently, that he was to be patient until he received further direction as to the nature of his life’s work.


As he left the woods that morning and returned to his home, Joseph Smith knew at least two things of which apparently all of the clergy and professors of religion at that moment were ignorant. First, God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ are individual and separate beings. Second, none of the existing churches on the earth were Christ’s Church for He rejected all of them while instructing Joseph Smith. Of their clergy, Christ said, “they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof” (Joseph Smith--History 1:19).


It would be years before Joseph Smith would again be approached by a heavenly visitor sent for the purpose of instructing him concerning the role he would eventually play in the restoration of Christ’s Church on the earth.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Pseudo-Christians

Apparently, not everyone who professes to be a follower of Jesus Christ, even some who during their lifetime worked miracles in His name, will be accepted of Him at their judgment. Please consider St. Matthew 7:21-23:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

As such, it behooves believers in Christ to be certain that their works will be acceptable to Him. Thus by which means may we distinguish between the true and false institutions and believers professing to be engaged in the building of Christ's kingdom on earth?