Monthly Archives: February 2015

Anxiously Engaged In A Good Cause

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RestoreZionAwhile back, Daymon responded to one of my posts in a kind and gentle way which got me thinking about the phrases I use in my writing. His use of Skeletor as an object lesson was simply ingenious. Some of you may remember his objection to ascribing the voice of authority to our own thoughts in order to give them greater credibility or persuasive influence upon others.

In the comments section we discussed inspiration, prophecy, revelation and the whole idea of having “unique access to the Lord.” In the end, he suggested we be more humble and take our thoughts more seriously as gifts. I will be forever grateful to the newfound understanding I gained from Daymon’s humorous illustration. It helped me reconsider how I express thoughts.

A friend, let’s call him Log, recently counseled me in a similar manner with these words, “I feel it breaks the rule when we say ‘Thus saith the Lord’ without the Lord asking us to say that.  Whether we say it by ‘the Spirit told me’ or ‘I’m prophesying here,’ it is the same.” I’d like to expand on why I agree with Daymon and Log in this post and how it applies to LDS bloggers.

A Desire to Focus Your Attention

Sometimes I speculate. I think we all do. Other times I extrapolate and reason, based upon what I read or see, about the fulfillment of scripture amidst current world events. After all, the focus of this blog has always been signs of the times and the last days, or at least that has always been my intent. I read about the rise of evil power in the Middle East and ponder how it might affect me.

In a post simply titled “Babylon,” a man I consider to be a prophet recently wrote, “The God of Heaven tells me all the world should pray that Baghdad does not fall.” Like several others, I took his powerful one-line post, added a few paragraphs of history, background and current events then concluded my own post with words encouraging readers: let us pray Baghdad does not fall.

I tried to not use the voice of authority. I tried to not imply the Lord had asked me to add what I did to Denver Snuffer’s original message. I did not share I had prayed about what to write, nor did I use such phrases as “The Lord told me to add,” or “The Spirit prompted me to explain…” After all, I was responding to a request from yet another blogger who suggested the new post.

Speaking As a Prophet, Seer or Revelator

When Daymon referred to reframing the old models I had to think for a minute what he meant. It came to me as I considered how I described my conversations with the Lord in my blog posts. It became even clearer as I pondered the response of some readers in private emails asking me to talk to the Lord for them. “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets…” (Num 11:29)

In every case of such requests I have responded, “You can and should be talking to the Lord for yourself.” The idea of being a medium is appalling to me. Frankly, it shocks me to learn anyone considers it to be a valid way to receive revelation. Just as there is only one mediator between man and God, there is only one mediator between us and the Lord and that is the Holy Ghost.

So how do I respond to promises of gifts of prophecy and revelation contained in my patriarchal blessing? Why would a patriarch speak of the whisperings of the Holy Ghost that come to me or that I would speak the words of the Lord pertaining to the salvation of his children? Are all such promises null and void, not applicable now that I am no longer a member of the LDS Church?

Seek the Best Gifts, Covet to Prophecy

Be humble and grateful for inspired thoughts was what I gained from Daymon’s Skeletor post. Be careful in the use of attribution for such thoughts. I recall a 1993 made-for-TV movie about Ervil LeBaron called Prophet of Evil. Brian Dennehy did an excellent job of creeping me out with his portrayals of Ervil’s obvious manipulative “revelations” in directing his cult murders.

If anyone wants to know how Satan can deceive in the matter of revelations, just read about the LeBarons. In the comments on my Babylon post, I wrote I had no problem judging the evildoers in Iraq and Syria who commit atrocities such as burning people alive. I feel the same way about Ervil LeBaron. I have no problem stating he was evil. How could anyone follow such a man?

In contrast, when a man speaks under the influence of the Holy Ghost, hearers or readers will be enlightened, instructed, uplifted and motivated to action that brings one closer to the Savior. That does not mean every word is intended to cause us to feel good or to be comforted. Sometimes the whisperings of the Holy Ghost cause us to feel uncomfortable only because the task is difficult.

Hearing the Voice of the Lord

For example, when the Lord spoke through Joseph in section one of the Doctrine and Covenants, the voice of warning was unmistakable and clear. The revelation spoke of the anger of the Lord, secret acts being revealed, the rebellious being pierced with much sorrow, the wrath of God to be poured out upon the wicked without measure, peace being taken from the earth and judgments.

There are references throughout the Doctrine and Covenants to the dreadful day of the Lord. The Lord describes His word as being quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow. We are counseled to deny not the spirit of revelation or the spirit of prophecy. Obviously we need to be familiar with and understand this sacred spirit.

“…woes shall go forth, weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth…” We are admonished to cast out devils freely, without being commanded to do so (D&C 24:13). Tribulation and desolation are soon to be sent forth. The Lord will reveal himself from heaven with power and great glory. The wicked shall burn as stubble. Great hailstorms shall be sent to destroy the crops of the earth.

Words to Afflict the Comfortable

How does this kind of language make you feel? Does it come from the Lord? We could fill pages and pages with such statements, all attributed to the Lord and delivered through various prophets. When we hear or read such language today do we think they only applied to the members in the early days of the LDS Church, when the Adventist movement and belief was more predominant?

Here are a few more from section 29: There will be a pillar of fire again. A trump shall sound both long and loud. All the earth shall quake. The sun shall be darkened. The moon shall be turned to blood. The stars shall fall from heaven. There shall be greater signs in heaven above and in the earth beneath. Flies shall be sent forth, shall eat flesh and cause maggots to come in.

The flesh of men shall fall from off their bones, and their eyes from their sockets. I think that’s enough to illustrate the point. We accept section 29 as the word of the Lord. Does it make you feel comfortable? Lightning shall streak from the east unto the west. All that live shall hear the voice of thunders and tempests and hailstorms and famines and pestilences of every kind. Ugh.

A Voice of Warning to All Men

Why would the Lord talk like this unto us? Does he want to frighten us and cause our children to cry? Of course not. Such language is given in the spirit of prophecy and revelation by the Lord to His servants, the prophets. If a prophet is not sharing such messages, he is not doing his job. The Lord’s voice in our day is a voice of warning. We do not live in a day of peace. That is obvious.

26: And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth. 31: And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land.

Those quotes are from section 45. 39: And it shall come to pass that he that feareth me shall be looking forth for the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man. 42 And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood, and the stars fall from heaven.  43 And the remnant shall be gathered…

The Remnant Shall Be Gathered

Who are the remnant? The remnant are those preserved by Christ. The Restoration given through the Prophet Joseph Smith is currently producing a remnant – those who remember. All who will remember will constitute a remnant that will be preserved and not abandoned by God. It has been the same in every dispensation. The remnant are gathering now, spiritually first, then physically.

“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” One of those good causes available now is to participate in the spiritual gathering of the remnant.

To this end, there are several individuals who have established various websites, blogs and social platforms. They are doing this on their own, without command, because the power is in them. In other words, they can, so they do. They shall in nowise lose their reward. I would like to mention one such endeavor as I close this post in the hopes of bringing it to the attention of good people.

New Remnant Gathering Website

The new social platform is RestoreZion.com. You are probably aware of other sites such as Approaching the Heavenly Gift on the LDS Freedom Forum. In addition, there are a number of Facebook groups where the remnant are gathering. This new site is privately hosted, includes a news feed, private messaging, an area for creating groups, events, forums, video chat and more.

As of this writing membership is open to all like-minded individuals who agree the Lord is now working through Denver Snuffer as His messenger and servant in our day. There are about fifty who have joined so far. I encourage you to check it out, join if you choose and participate in the dialog. There are many places hosting remnant conversations. This one is designed for safety.

To join, the administrator will review your request. I’m sure you can appreciate this is to ensure the participants can discuss Remnant events in a safe environment. As I looked at the list of those who are already registered, I recognize almost all of them from one of the other remnant sites or Facebook groups. Please don’t think of this as a gatekeeper type of site. It is simply another tool.

A Few Closing Thoughts

I hope you see there are no phrases or inferences in this post that this is intended to be the word of the Lord to anyone. It simply contains a few of my thoughts on various subjects I feel inspired to share this weekend. Have I prayed about this? Of course. Have I felt guided by the spirit of the Lord in what I have written? Yes. My intent was to inform, invite and encourage, nothing more.

Does this post contain offensive material? Yes, it does to those who are offended by the idea the Lord could communicate with his children through someone other than the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Denver Snuffer has delivered a message from the Lord in a series of lectures, to which a second witness stood and testified the message was authorized.

In Keith’s own words, “I bear solemn testimony that I have received the message by God’s voice of their truthfulness, and also of His desire for us to believe in and act upon these things that have been spoken.” Note the phrase “by God’s voice.” You will need to decide for yourself if you believe Keith as a true witness. I, for one, accept his witness. I invite you to act upon it.

 

The Beginning Of Zion

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isaiah-recording-revelationIn the beginning there were a handful of prophets, male and female, whom the Lord brought together. These prophets had come to the honest conclusion that they did not know a whole lot about things, but they knew the things that they knew by the power of the Spirit of God. Each of these individuals had deep desires to know of the mysteries of God. When they met they began to share what they had learned to each other. Often the other prophets would receive a confirmation of the truth of what another prophet shared by the Holy Ghost. Other times there was no confirmation, but the prophets would go pray to the Lord to learn if what another had shared upon a subject was true.

The prophets were always open to the fact that the other prophets could very well be wrong, and they only trusted something if the Lord confirmed it. At first answers came slowly, sometimes only after weeks of humble prayer, but after time the answers from the Lord came more and more quickly. These individuals did not look to any of the others for truth, but rather listened to the other’s revelations, and then took each thing to the Lord for their own confirmation. Often answers from the Lord were very surprising, and opposed everything that had been taught to the masses of people throughout the world. The wonderful thing though was that the Lord never told any of these prophets ANYTHING that conflicted with answers that He gave to the other prophets. They found the Holy Ghost spoke plainly, powerfully, and the same way in each revelation.

One day, a woman came to this group of prophets and said, I have been praying for some time to know if God lives, and finally I received an answer, this incredible power that I had never felt before as I was praying came and filled every part of my soul, and gave me a perfect knowledge that God does live, and God loves me. All of the prophets embraced this woman and welcomed her as a fellow prophet. This woman craved another revelation and desired to know if Jesus was the Christ. While she listened to the other prophets, she did not trust them, and they encouraged her not to, unless the Holy Ghost bore witness to her again in the same manner on any subject presented. For months this woman prayed and received nothing. Then finally the answer came by the Holy Ghost that Jesus was truly the Son of God, and He lived on the earth.

prophet-recording-revelationSoon, more and more prophets began to gather. The key ingredient to their gathering was the fact that they had learned to receive revelations for themselves, and did not put any trust in any other man’s words, either past or present. Only the Spirit of God was to be trusted. Each prophet was embraced as an equal, regardless of the amount of revelation that had been received, and all learned to be open to anything, because if they did not know the truth of any subject, and they knew they did not know it, then there could be no contention over what the truth of the subject was. They knew that it was pointless to debate, or set their hearts upon the answer being one way or another, if they had not received revelation on the subject themselves, and therefore there was no contention among these prophets. They learned the power of admitting to themselves that THEY DIDN’T KNOW, until they knew by the Holy Ghost, and they would NEVER teach something that they hadn’t received by revelation.

As these prophets gathered and grew in number, God delighted in giving them revelation, because He knew they would not go beyond what He told them. Sure they read and listened to all sorts of opinions and what others in the world had claimed to be truth, but nothing was ever received, not even one teaching, if it was not confirmed to the prophets as individuals by the Spirit of God. When the time was right, and they had proven they would never trust in men, the Lord began to pour out power upon these individuals, and miracles began to occur just as they occurred in the days of Jesus. No matter how much any of them knew, they were always one heart and mind upon the subjects that they did know, because the Holy Ghost would never lie or teach conflicting things. This is the beginning of Zion.

Can we see the beauty here? Is it right for the preachers of any religion to wait for people to feel the Spirit about one thing, and then tell them it means they need to accept a thousand other doctrines and teachings because of the one or two things they felt the Spirit about? Is it right to teach that people can get a testimony if an individual is a prophet, and if so, then they can simply accept everything that prophet has taught?

prophet-jeremiahJeremiah 23:

30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.

What do these verses mean, (by the way I do know these verses are true) when they warn about people stealing words from neighbors, and using their tongues to say “He saith,” or just as bad, “he saith.”

How often do people quote other’s purported revelations and use other men’s words, and pronounce them as truth, when the Lord has not spoken it to the individual sharing? I submit that I used to do it all the time, and thought I was doing the work of the Lord. As an LDS missionary I did it daily, and it was a grievous sin. I thank God for mercy and for His kindness in showing me that I knew nothing, and could only trust what He tells me personally. I know there are others learning this. The initial stirrings of Zion are taking place today, and many wonderful things are coming to those who will abandon their idolatry of men, and truly seek the Living God, and His Word, on ANY subject before accepting it as truth.

Enhancing the Truth

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ProphetJosephSmith

It is in the order of heavenly things that God should always send a new dispensation into the world when men have apostatized from the truth and lost the priesthood, but when men come out and build upon other men’s foundations, they do it on their own responsibility, without authority from God; and when the floods come and the winds blow, their foundations will be found to be sand, and their whole fabric will crumble to dust. – Joseph Smith

Enhancing the foundations of others is done without authority from God.

In 1852, President Brigham Young publicly announced that men of black African descent could no longer be ordained to the priesthood…. Church leaders and members advanced many theories to explain the priesthood and temple restrictions. None of these explanations is accepted today as the official doctrine of the Church. – cite

Lots of people enhanced another man’s foundations and it all crumbled to dust.

One of the great lessons of the Moses account is that adding to the commandments of God, no matter how well intentioned, is going to lead to error if not tragedy. We do as He asks. Without adding to, nor subtracting from what He has bid us to do, we should follow what we are asked by Him. – Denver Snuffer

Don’t enhance the commandments of God.

JST Deuteronomy 4:1-2

1 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.

2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Don’t enhance the commandments of God.

JST Revleation 22:18-19

18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book;

19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Don’t enhance the word of God.

Moses 5:6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.

Adam seems to have learned the lesson.

Elder B. H. Roberts of the Seventy presented the following resolution, which was unanimously supported by all in attendance: “Resolved: That we accept the doctrine of tithing, as now presented by President Snow, as the present word and will of the Lord unto us, and we do accept it with all our hearts; we will ourselves observe it, and we will do all in our power to get the Latter-day Saints to do likewise.” – cite

Now, ask yourself – if you heard what you knew to be the word of God, would you simply obey, or would you enhance the word of the Lord? On the other hand, what would make you announce you accept something to be the word of the Lord, proclaim your intent to obey, and also proclaim your intent to make sure everyone else obeyed it too?

O Babylon, We Bid Thee Farewell

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a-modern-day-caliphateSome of you may know I have definite ideas when it comes to the end times, specifically about what the Lord is going to do in regards to the destruction of the wicked. I am a catastrophist, which means I take literally the word of the Lord in which He says He will fight our battles for us. You can read more about what I believe and the scriptures that support that in this PDF link.

However, there is one event prophesied in scripture I have always wondered might very well be a man-made catastrophe, or in other words, a nuclear holocaust. You can read about it in chapter thirteen of Isaiah. Symbolism in the latter verses of the chapter is rich with images representing a piece of earth that will not be inhabited for generations because of the deadly effects of radiation.

Empty For Generation After Generation

I like this version sent to me by a friend in a recent email, along with his own commentary.

“Look, I will stir up the Medes against Babylon.
They cannot be tempted by silver
or bribed with gold.

The attacking armies will shoot down the young men with arrows.
They will have no mercy on helpless babies
and will show no compassion for children.”

Babylon, the most glorious of kingdoms,
the flower of Chaldean pride,
will be devastated like Sodom and Gomorrah
when God destroyed them.

Babylon will never be inhabited again.
It will remain empty for generation after generation.
Nomads will refuse to camp there,
and shepherds will not bed down their sheep.

Desert animals will move into the ruined city,
and the houses will be haunted by howling creatures.
Owls will live among the ruins,
and wild goats will go there to dance.

Hyenas will howl in its fortresses,
and jackals will make dens in its luxurious palaces.
Babylon’s days are numbered;
its time of destruction will soon arrive.

Religious Significance Of The Middle East

isis-influence-mapBabylon, of course, no longer exists, as least not as a place inhabited today. The ruins of Babylon lie some fifty miles south of Baghdad. When we speak of Babylon now we usually refer to the influence of worldliness. Perhaps this 20-minute video from the Isaiah Institute will give you a better feel for how the Lord uses Babylon as a type or shadow of things to come in the last days.

Often when Westerners hear news of atrocities in the middle-east they dismiss them as simply the way things are over there, never believing such things could happen in the United States. For those who understand the scriptures, especially Isaiah, they know there is great significance to the idea of Babylon rising again as a political power. It signifies the beginning of the end times.

A Caliphate Has Been Declared

Rather than get into all the background of Babylon, I’ll refer you to Adrian Larsen’s post on the subject over on his blog, To The Remnant. Adrian provides an excellent explanation as to why all the whole world should pray that Baghdad does not fall. Of course Baghdad is not Babylon, at least not yet. If the Islamic state captures Baghdad, then Babylon will once again be among us.

isis-united-statesA Caliphate has been declared once again, something Islam has not had in over five hundred years. That means millions of Muslims are preparing to take jihad to a whole new level. You can’t have a real Caliphate without territory and lots of it. The publically stated goal of this Caliphate is to capture Baghdad from which to conduct massive war, specifically upon Israel.

The Use of Nuclear Weapons

In order to defend itself, Israel will be forced to use nuclear weapons. The caliph, a person considered a political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad and a leader of the entire Muslim community, expects and desires this. They have prophecies about Armageddon just as we do in the bible. They believe their role is to bring about this all-out war of nations.

You read Isaiah chapter thirteen again and tell me if it doesn’t describe a land made desolate by nuclear attack. I hope and pray that Baghdad doesn’t fall to ISIL (see footnote), because that would be the beginning of the end. The Islamic State will quickly amass an army of millions, who will come from many nations with one objective – to destroy Israel, which they will almost accomplish.

Pray That Baghdad Does Not Fall

isis-territoryIf Israel nukes Babylon / Baghdad, the whole world, including the United States will turn against the tiny nation. Then nothing will be able to save Jerusalem except divine intervention. We will all be surprised by how fast this escalates if Baghdad falls. Yet so few seem to be aware of what is happening in Syria and Iraq. But the God of Heaven has asked us to turn our attention there.

Along with many others, I am fasting and praying today, specifically that Baghdad will not fall. There are thousands of Christians and Muslims in the city who do not espouse the extreme ways of ISIL. Abraham interceded with “The God of Heaven” when Jehovah contemplated destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. Perhaps our united faith and prayers today will do the same for Baghdad.

For a more in-depth analysis of the perilous situation in Baghdad read Graeme Wood’s article in the Atlantic. The map illustrating this post is taken from that publication.

Footnote: ISIS stands for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. ISIL is the acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The differentiation between the word ‘Syria’ and the word ‘Levant’ is actually quite significant. It makes a big difference because of this: ISIL includes Levant, which includes the area we like to call Israel. The Islamic State has designs that go from Iran through Egypt. There is no Israel in their plans.

Power and Authority

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power-and-authorityThere was a deacon in the Church some years ago who observed one family member abusing another family member. He commanded the abuser to repent and cited his Aaronic priesthood as authority for the order. The abuser declined to acquiesce to his request.

Question: What lesson should the deacon have learned from this?

Consider the account of the two prophets in JST 1 Kings 13.

Question: What lesson should we take from the example of the prophet from Judah?

Question: For what purposes do people cite authority for their words or actions?

Question: Which of those purposes pass the Golden Rule test?

Question: What exercises of power or authority are compatible with the Golden Rule?

Question: What is the power of God?

Question: What is the authority of God?

Question: What is the significance of a commandment from God?

power-and-authority-illustratedD&C 121, as well as Jesus’s teachings to his disciples about authority and power, are good places to start on these things. (Handy keywords to search Jesus’s teachings for: rabbi, master, benefactors, greatest, servant, younger)

My answers will probably be different than yours, but that doesn’t necessarily make me “right” and you “wrong.”

Return To The Restoration

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3-Nephi-11-31-40It seems everybody and their dog has offered commentary and opinion on the excommunication of John Dehlin. It was even in the national news. I want to focus on this one statement from his stake president: “…you do not have the right to remain a member of the Church in good standing while openly and publicly trying to convince others that [LDS] Church teachings are in error.”

It probably won’t surprise you to learn I agree with President King’s statement. That’s why I resigned my membership. I no longer believed certain things the LDS Church was teaching. I was and remain convinced some things are being taught in the LDS Church that are not true. Since I no longer met the requirements for membership, we had an amicable parting of ways.

How I Differ From John Dehlin

Although no longer a member of the LDS Church, I differ from John in at least three areas: 1) I believe I am a theomorphic man. In other words, I believe I am made in the image of God. I am His son. He is my Father. I do not believe in an anthropomorphic God or a divine being to whom we ascribe human characteristics. Nor do I believe God is some unseen being. He has been seen.

2) I believe the Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great Price to be the word of God. They are not fiction to me. Too many evidences of the fulfillment of Moroni 10:4 from the time I first learned to read have been burned into my soul. Both books answer so many questions for me. They are unique in fulfilling their purpose of testing our faith in the idea of modern revelation.

3) I do not reject The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as having been established with power and authority from God. It was so established and remained authorized to pass on that authority until recently. Of course, this is the crux of the matter for me and why I resigned. Even in its present state the Lord works through the LDS Church. But He also works in other ways.

Everyone Has A Religion

The LDS Church is full of good people. They are some of the best in the world. But it is not the only place we will find people who believe in God and Christ. There are good people in every faith and religion, including the fundamentalist offshoots of the LDS Church. There are good people who have no religion at all, or so they claim. I am of the opinion everyone has a religion.

I agree with Dr. Scott Peck: “As human beings grow in discipline and love and life experience, their understanding of the world and their place in it naturally grows apace. Conversely, as people fail to grow in discipline, love and life experience, so does their understanding fail to grow. Consequently, among the members of the human race there exists an extraordinary variability in the breadth and sophistication of our understanding of what life is all about.

“This understanding is our religion. Since everyone has some understanding-some world view, no matter how limited or primitive or inaccurate-everyone has a religion. This fact, not widely recognized, is of the utmost importance: everyone has a religion.” (Dr. M. Scott Peck, M.D. – The Road Less Traveled, Section III – Growth and Religion, p. 185) Even the atheist or agnostic has a religion. It may not include a belief in a divine being, but it encompasses their life view.

Legal Demand to Stay Off LDS Property

Five months after my resignation, I still attend LDS services. I enjoy the expressions of faith and worship. I enjoy the community. I am grateful they have not restricted me from attending as they have some of my fellow bloggers. If you criticize the LDS Church, look out for that letter from Kirton McConkie. Yes, the LDS Church can and will demand that you stay off their property.

The Church will have you arrested for trespassing. So keep it civil, folks. I know some who leave the Church do not ever want to set foot back in the building again. I have no desire to hurt the missionary efforts of the Church or to discourage anyone from joining the LDS Church if they so desire. The instruction and ordinances found in the LDS Temples are good reason to be baptized.

However, the day will come when that will change. Temple instruction and ordinances will be available in temples other than those built by the LDS Church. The knowledge is fundamental and the ordinances are required. That’s why I still tell my non-LDS friends who communicate with me about getting baptized they should do so. Prepare yourself to enter into the LDS temple.

Don’t Be Afraid of Excommunication

If you are a member of the Church today with questions, doubts or reservations about what is taught in the correlated curriculum, work them out. God works with each of us one on one. He will answer your prayers. He will help you know which path is best for you – to remain active, to resign, to keep quiet or to be vocal about your concerns. Don’t be afraid of excommunication.

If you have children of missionary age, encourage them to serve missions. Teach them to focus on bringing souls to Christ. What greater work is there? What greater joy can one experience than knowing their efforts have been instrumental in helping a fellow traveler in this world find hope in Jesus Christ? Proclaiming the message of the restoration is still a current commandment.

In my letter from the bishop confirming my name had been removed from the records of the church, he pointed out I could be re-baptized after meeting with a General Authority. I had to chuckle to myself. I resigned specifically because I wanted to get re-baptized and knew that would cause disciplinary proceedings to be conducted on  my behalf in very short order.

Let God Direct Your Path

One of the reasons for baptism is to record your name on the records of the Church. When I was re-baptized, I sent my name in to an individual who had volunteered to be a central recorder. The last report I read from her a few months ago indicated the rebaptisms are now in the thousands. A large, large percentage of those individuals also remain members of record in the LDS Church.

If you have come to a change of beliefs about the LDS Church, meaning you no longer believe it is authorized of God, or is no longer teaching the pure doctrine of Christ, ask God what he would have you do with that newfound understanding. Ask Him how He can use you. He will answer. We each have individual gifts and talents. We each have something to offer others in this work.

Faith is Mental Exertion – Through Words

And work it is. I thought I understood faith. I had read this statement from Joseph before, but have lately come to a newfound appreciation that faith is work: “…when a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of physical force. It is by words, instead of exerting his physical powers, with which every being works when he works by faith.” (Lectures on Faith 7:3)

I am exercising faith as I write this post. I have pondered and prayed about it all week. I knew I wanted to write it after John’s news conference Tuesday. I knew I wanted to post it this evening. I knew I wouldn’t have time to do so until now. I therefore asked the Lord to bless and inspire me as to what He would have me share here. Thoughts and ideas have come to me all this week.

A New Website To Find A Community

return-to-the-doctrine-of-christWhen people would ask me where they could find a local community with whom they could worship or wanted to find someone nearby who could baptize then, I used to refer them to a site setup specifically for that purpose. It no longer exists. Instead, there is a new site that will help you find local communities and those who have been sustained as authorized to baptize you.

I know the individuals who created the site and who will respond to queries. Obviously there are those who wish to remain members of the LDS Church but also wish to be re-baptized as a sign to God they accept His messenger and His message. My own moral compass would not allow me to do that, but you may be directed otherwise. You can trust the individuals behind this new site.

Leave a comment along with your contact information on the web page and they will help you find the community or an authorized and sustained priesthood holder. I am not currently authorized or sustained to perform baptisms. I do not meet one of the requirements. That day will come. In the meantime, rejoice. The work of the Lord goes forward. Unite yourself to these communities.

Zion Will NOT Come Through An Institution

It will be hard work. You may find it difficult at first if you are used to the rigid and structured format of LDS worship. The purpose of these communities is to partake of the sacrament, to instruct and encourage each other in the gospel of Jesus Christ and to learn to be of one heart and one mind. In other words, to establish Zion – which does NOT come through a large institution.

If you recognize as I did that the principles of truth taught by Joseph have been altered, changed, denigrated, forgotten, or simply replaced by precepts of men, then you owe it to yourself to look into these new communities that are springing up all over the Intermountain West. For those who live outside the Mormon corridor, it may take some time to build up substantial communities.

Act Without Being Deceived

I am continually asked by readers, usually in private emails, “Why do you believe this movement is going to be different from any other offshoot of the LDS Church?” A valid corollary is often, “How do you know you haven’t been deceived in what you have done and are doing?” So many have extended love and compassion in their emails, while others are downright mean and nasty.

The answer remains the same. I worked by faith. I did as we have been taught in the LDS faith. I searched, pondered and prayed. Then I asked God if what I felt in my heart was true. Anybody who has read my blog knows this was not a spur of the moment decision. It took me two years of intense effort in study and prayer to come to the conclusion as to what I should do before I acted.

You Need to Take Action

I want to be a part of this opportunity to reach as many people as possible. My blog is small, has a limited audience, but I offered it to the Lord with all my heart. I consecrated it to His purposes. I believe the falling away of the institutional church was prophesied in the Book of Mormon. I also believe the Lord when He said He would do nothing without revealing it through a prophet.

If you’re new here, go back and read my story. It starts in January of 2012. I documented it here every step of the way. If you’ve been following and have completed your own investigation, then you know it’s time to act. You need to take action. You need to be baptized and offer it to others. The commandment of the Lord to be baptized has been renewed again by Him, today, to you.

To find communities for fellowship, visit: http://fellowshipwith.us/

To find someone to baptize you, visit: http://returntotherestoration.com

 

The Second Comforter

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JesusRedRobeJST John 14:15-24

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me; because I live, ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

22 Judas saith unto him, (not Iscariot,) Lord, how is it thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

What are his commandments? What are his words? What are his sayings?

The Paths of the Lord

JST Luke 6:20-49

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are the poor; for theirs is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are they who hunger now; for they shall be filled. Blessed are they who weep now; for they shall laugh.

22 Blessed are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from among them, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for behold your reward shall be great in heaven; for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

24 But woe unto you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation.

25 Woe unto you who are full! For ye shall hunger. Woe unto you who laugh now! For ye shall mourn and weep.

26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27 But I say unto you who hear my words, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you.

28 Bless them who curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you.

29 And unto him who smiteth thee on the cheek, offer also the other; or, in other words, it is better to offer the other, than to revile again. And him who taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 For it is better that thou suffer thine enemy to take these things, than to contend with him. Verily I say unto you, Your heavenly Father who seeth in secret, shall bring that wicked one into judgment.

31 Therefore give to every man who asketh of thee; and of him who taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.

32 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

33 For if ye love them only who love you, what reward have you? For sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what reward have you? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great; and ye shall be the children of the Highest; for he is kind unto the unthankful, and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned; forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?

40 A disciple is not above his master; but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

41 And why beholdest thou the mote which is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam which is in thine own eye?

42 Again, how canst thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam which is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote which is in thy brother’s eye.

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit;

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good. And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

46 And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like.

48 He is like a man who built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock, and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it; for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he who heareth and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Friends and Family

JST John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

JST Mark 3:28-30

28 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or who are my brethren?

29 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

30 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.