tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86650852677508082872024-03-07T11:40:15.101-07:00To The Remnant...wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved. (1 Nephi 4:3 RE)Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-1848481758141434512024-02-06T13:14:00.002-07:002024-02-06T15:14:10.583-07:00One Wheel<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i> And as many as are not stiffnecked, and have faith, have communion with the holy spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men according to their faith.</i></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">—Jarom 1:2 RE </span></i></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When I was 14 years old, I received a unicycle for my birthday and I wanted to learn to ride it. I was pretty good on two wheels, so I figured one wheel wouldn’t be that much harder. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I was very wrong. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It turns out that riding a unicycle is vastly more complex than riding a bicycle. When you’re on two wheels, balance only requires not falling to either side. If you can maintain forward motion, staying upright is a matter of learning to control the bike only in the left/right axis. The only way to fall is sideways.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But on a unicycle, you can fall in any direction at any moment, and an absolute symphony of muscle and sensory integration are required to stay upright. Motion must be maintained, but that motion can be forward, backward or alternating forward and backward. Along with avoiding uncontrolled leans in *any* direction, there is also the matter of controlling spin. It turns out that pedaling on one side then the other causes the Unicycle to want to rotate on its axis and spin like a top, which naturally throws all other balance out the window immediately. A bike requires balance in one dimension, while a unicycle requires it in three. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My point is it’s difficult and cannot be learned in a few minutes. Nor in a day. In my case, it took nearly two weeks of daily effort just to get the rudiments down. Yet try as I might to explain the difficulty to friends, they invariably said something along the lines of, “Let me try! I bet I can do it.” And they invariably ended up splayed out on the ground seconds later. Nobody can simply jump on and ride.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here’s how I learned:</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I started by trying to ride between parked cars where I could reach out and hold on to a car on either side as guard rails to balance myself. This alone was incredibly difficult, and I took a lot of nasty spills because the unicycle would inevitably shoot out from under me, either forward or backward. So next came exercises of rocking forward and backward, learning to regulate the motion that forms the central balance of the unicycle effort.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQC4h75ATS-N17N25uOlT45XfHlcGhjjVS8GldT1X8h-5Zz0ap2iyElnkwpwbBJNk0Bzq6QSwc0FRoCtikzZktvmTDU3gqXpLnfnMaDXOrkQUK3xUT0U0Vkd5mLnGVQac8N7WxpqJU3GdH-8Y8Yf5IBdKVZKnqlog2mUWDYLCDr2dfh76ylu1px3Wcd8/s2500/unicycle.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQC4h75ATS-N17N25uOlT45XfHlcGhjjVS8GldT1X8h-5Zz0ap2iyElnkwpwbBJNk0Bzq6QSwc0FRoCtikzZktvmTDU3gqXpLnfnMaDXOrkQUK3xUT0U0Vkd5mLnGVQac8N7WxpqJU3GdH-8Y8Yf5IBdKVZKnqlog2mUWDYLCDr2dfh76ylu1px3Wcd8/s320/unicycle.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Eventually, after a lot of effort, I learned to control the motion enough to ride beside just one car, still very much holding on for balance, and falling frequently. Finally, I could ride short gaps between cars without holding onto anything (though often falling headlong into the next car when I reached it.) </span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Eventually, it all came together and I could actually ride around a parking lot, for longer and longer stretches, until I had mastered basic riding. From there I learned a couple of tricks, how to navigate a couple of stairs, and how to ride very tall unicycles (six foot and ten foot). Eventually, I even rode in a parade. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But even after all that, I’m still a basic-level rider. I can’t do tricks, I can’t ride backward, and my riding is sometimes jerky and awkward. I’m often on the verge of falling, even though I don’t. 40 years later, I can still get on a unicycle and ride at will, though my skills are rusty. People see me do that now and think it must be easy. To this day, it’s not.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So what’s my point? </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’d like to use my foray into one-wheeled travel to discuss a different careful balance that requires time and effort to learn. I’m referring to receiving personal revelation, which is something I get asked about far more regularly than I get questions about unicycle riding. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As with the unicycle, I’m no expert. I’m still very much at the basic level, but I’ve learned a few things that may be helpful, and I offer them in case anyone finds them useful. I’m not claiming what I offer here is the “right” way or the “only” way. As with learning to ride on one wheel, there are a variety of approaches that will get to the same goal. If you find something here helpful, great. If not, feel free to discard these ideas. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Guard Rails</b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Learning to connect with the Holy Spirit is much more useful than learning to ride a unicycle, but the process is similar in many ways. The best place to start is within the guard rails of scripture, reading with new eyes and an open mind. Since the point is to learn to hear and recognize the Lord’s voice, beginning at a bonafide source of his voice is critical. The Book of Mormon and revelations of Joseph Smith are the best of all sources. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you read, stop to consider the words, the speaker, the situation that elicited the words, and why things are worded the way they are. Consider how the words apply to you, to others and to the world. Ask questions, even if just to yourself. Then look for the answers to those questions. Take time, think, ponder, consider. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">If you’re stuck on a question, or better yet, if you think you’ve found the correct answer, take the question to God in prayer, then follow the promptings that come to mind as you search the scriptures for your answer. The scriptures will provide the guard rails on either side within which you can balance, and the direction forward in which you can ride.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Whisper</b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Eventually there will come an ah-ha! moment in which you recognize the answer to the question you’ve been seeking. It’s somewhat like when an out of focus picture suddenly snaps into focus and you recognize what you weren’t able to see before. This sudden realization is the best way I’ve found to describe receiving something from the Spirit. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And much like the first, tentative feet on the unicycle, it will take more practice and repetition to learn to do it reliably. You’ll start to feel the balance point and get back to it. Only for a moment at first, but then for longer periods. Repetition is key. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Similarly, as you repeat the process in scripture study through continual practice your ability will grow as you learn to recognize the urging that leads you to truth. The repeated effort over time is a demonstration of faith, which grows as it is used. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Eventually you will gain enough recognition and understanding of God’s voice to ask questions and reliably get answers. Note that word, “reliably.” This is not to say answers come quickly or easily, but they do come—when rightly pursued with patience and real intent. You can reliably balance on one wheel. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Effort</b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It will not happen overnight and it is not easy or quick to learn. Effort over a sustained time period is required. Seeking to get “big-deal” answers to “big-deal” questions without paying the price in time and effort simply won’t work. Hopping on that unicycle first thing and starting to peddle with nothing to hold you up will most certainly result in an instant, and nasty crash. I’ve watched it many times. That’s why it’s important to put in the effort over days, weeks, months and years. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It may only take 10 hours of effort to learn to ride a unicycle. But you can’t do it in a single, 10-hour day. New neural connections need to be established and strengthened. Muscles need to be built, and they must learn to respond in new ways. You must develop a whole new “feel” for the balance. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Similarly, no effort for years, followed by a huge effort all at once is unlikely to produce reliable answers to prayers. But continual effort over time is VERY likely to bring you the kind of familiarity with the Lord’s voice that is necessary to recognize it and know it.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It all starts with scripture. That’s where you can hear his voice directly, and where, at least I’ve found, answers come most readily. The framework really helps the balance. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the end, whether riding on one wheel or receiving the Lord’s voice, a delicate balance must be maintained. It is by no means easy, even after much experience, but it is as real as the difference between riding and crashing. It can become a sure and reliable connection in which “…the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 14:1 RE)</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When I am the Spirit of Truth, I can then reveal to you the record of heaven and knowledge will be poured into you. The spirit is the means to communicate my words, and my words will lead you on the upward path. The knowledge poured in to you will come from me. I will depart, but only briefly because when I ascend back to the Head of the Household of Heaven, I will also be by your side to guide you by my voice from heaven.</span></i></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">—Testimony of St. John 10:25</span></i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 13px;"><i></i><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-4528317030972351462024-02-04T17:38:00.001-07:002024-02-06T12:04:50.488-07:00Five Fruit Flavors<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>For in those days there shall also arise false christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Mark 6:4 RE</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJnAqIZ-6S4xqwGYNTnvPqhJ650HxXMA5xMHhiaZKGTa7rW_72iD4gWOvF20a6RWUaM0NAQjsOc1NJySQCyiqU8yAMP7luR25RtbCND57BPKnGGxs8ehVi-1_io3amZiQOMmR0kK4vS35aBFe-ogHWfL5olKSD_CkTaQGcLgmisKAH__G3uiRsMTr8Lo/s4440/Fruit-Stipe-Gum-Sticks.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"></span></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-style: normal;">A few years back, someone asked me to perform their wedding ceremony. I looked into what was required, and found out that for about thirty-five bucks on a website, I could become a credentialed, “ordained” minister, complete with a fancy certificate I could download and print, giving me the legal right to officiate weddings. As soon as the website got my money, they started emailing me as “Reverend Larsen” and offering to sell me all the accoutrements I would need to start a church. I found the whole thing hilarious. It took only a few minutes and a few dollars to have a completely new title, profession, legal authority, and supposed spiritual standing. With these in hand, I was urged to start a church. </span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But I got ripped off. I should have just claimed to be a prophet. That’s even faster, cheaper, and easier. Maybe that’s why there are so many. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our day is likely the most prophetic age in history because the bar to being a prophet has never been lower. We’re positively lousy with prophets almost everywhere you look, and the infestation seems to be growing.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The astute and scripturally adept among us will of course recognize the prior paragraph as a lot of nonsense. Prophets have always been rare, rejected, and when possible, eliminated from polite society. Why should our day be any different? </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here’s why: Because we live in a day of changing definitions. Words with stable, standard, well-understood meanings lasting hundreds of years are now being redefined at a whim to mean very different things—and in such actions are becoming weaponized.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One such word with a fluid definition is “prophet.” I’ve written extensively on the topic in the past (<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2014/12/prophets-part-1-mommy-where-do-prophets.html" target="_blank">here</a>) but today I’m approaching from a slightly different angle. Back then I was specifically focused on those called prophets in the LDS church, but today I’m focusing more broadly on any and all claiming so to be, or allowing themselves to be regarded as such.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This all started the other day when I ran across a guy in my FaceBook feed who claims to be the only prophet in existence on the earth today. This made me think about a different guy on YouTube awhile back who didn’t claim to be the only prophet, but did claim to be a prophet. Comparing these two led me to consider all the others I’ve encountered in the last few years, claiming callings, titles, special authority, visitations, and divine connection, but for the most part proving to be liars and scoundrels.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So back to my point about becoming a prophet—it’s really easy. All you need to do is claim to be one—and social media facilitates that. No money to pay, no forms to fill out, just make the claim and you’re there. Something tells me this could all get confusing. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, bear in mind, in this post I’ve not yet made the distinction between TRUE prophets and FALSE prophets. Thus far, I’ve just lumped them all together. But as we all know, the devil is in the details, and certainly no more so than in this distinction. Telling true from false is the most important part, and the most necessary. It’s also, for reasons I can’t explain, seemingly the hardest and most confusing when it comes to the topic of those claiming to be prophets. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fortunately, our Lord foresaw this particular issue, and gave us, in detail, the information we need to navigate such a confusing time as this. Said he: </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And again, beware of false prophets that come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. For do men gather grapes of thorns? Or figs of thistles? Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire. Wherefore, by their fruits you shall know them.</span></i></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">—Matthew 3:46 RE</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJVEn1vBthUQ5GB1l-KwjO3WQGRCfM5dLx4pTLW3A2FRs12PVwnRo4Al4Ua8203_CiENi0cN5-qF563OydYVkwe0BmRud3nHd3d05ks0sW6zSrHK_5W3wp-C2Hjz2krvZ9jPD6bZ2C5QVCcGXNcaZK0GXL5926PVl_wNo77VMUr5IH1_Lao33_t26WKg/s2304/thorn%20grapes.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2304" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJVEn1vBthUQ5GB1l-KwjO3WQGRCfM5dLx4pTLW3A2FRs12PVwnRo4Al4Ua8203_CiENi0cN5-qF563OydYVkwe0BmRud3nHd3d05ks0sW6zSrHK_5W3wp-C2Hjz2krvZ9jPD6bZ2C5QVCcGXNcaZK0GXL5926PVl_wNo77VMUr5IH1_Lao33_t26WKg/s320/thorn%20grapes.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />As you can see, our Lord makes it clear that prophets, like trees, must be judged by their fruits and in no other way—which leads to the very important question: What are fruits? </span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the interest of helping to sort out this question, I’d like to offer five ideas about the fruits by which we can judge any who claim to be God’s servants. These are just reminders, and though much more could be written about each, I hope these brief mentions will bring to mind the ideas needed for the current discussion.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">1. Teachings</span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> believe above all, a prophet is a teacher—in the sense of delivering God’s word. A prophet who doesn’t teach—who delivers no message—has no fruit by which to judge and therefore can’t be considered a prophet. This is the foundational role of a prophet, and all claims to the role rest first and foremost on the message delivered. No message, no prophet. No question.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But assuming there is a message, the next question to be sorted is whether or not that message comes from God. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">2. Scripture</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first test of the message is whether it’s supported by existing scripture. Naturally, this requires familiarity with scripture and some basic critical thinking skills. It doesn’t have to be hard, and is made easier by the fact that God’s true messengers tend to teach from the scriptures far more than they reveal anything new or unknown. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s important though to realize that scripture can be wrested, twisted, and strained to provide justification for unholy teachings. Brigham Young, for example, was very weak in scriptural knowledge, but very strong in using scriptural snippets to give unholy teachings the facade of scriptural support. So in the end, it’s important that we pay the price to understand scripture as thoroughly as possible. Even those who bring forth new revelations must ground their teachings in scripture, rather than conjecture or simply claiming they know. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And even then, something more is required. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Smooth charlatans can (and do) make convincing scriptural arguments that lead people in to strange paths where they become lost. Therefore it’s important that we have a connection with the Holy Spirit to help us discern truth from error. Some find this connection challenging, and rightly so. Learning to discern God’s voice takes time, effort and patience. It is not learned in an instant, nor is it cheaply won. It is vital to put in the effort in advance and on an ongoing basis so the knife is sharp when you must call upon it to rightly divide the word. I’ll talk more about this in a future post (watch for the unicycle post.)</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">3. Behavior</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Anyone claiming to be a messenger for God needs to conform to a basic pattern of obedience to God’s commandments. Far, far too many come along claiming to be prophets or servants of God, using the veneer of importance to cover unholy behavior. How many self-proclaimed prophets have turned out to in fact be abusers? Thieves? Sexual deviants? Liars? Dictators? Adulterers? Power mongers? Predators? Greedy? Ignorant? Lazy?</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile can any of the above descriptions be rightly applied to true prophets we encounter in scripture? The difference is stark and ought not be confusing.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fruit of a prophet is demonstrated in their daily walk and interaction with others just as much as it is evident in the message they declare. This is not to say prophets are well liked, popular, permissive, friendly, or appreciated by the world. But they are invariably loyal to God, even when such loyalty is unpopular, and they are unfailingly obedient to God’s commandments, including the commandments that control behavior. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The idea that there is a calling, position, keys or ordinance that conveys special status on a man, makes him immune to sin, gives rubber-stamp approval to his every act, or invalidates God’s laws in his special case is both absurd and evil. And yet many make such claims as justification for their unacceptable behavior. Rules for thee and not for me, as the saying goes. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Brigham Young, for example, claimed to have “keys” that sanctioned his adulterous accumulation of over 60 wives. Here’s a thought about such claimed “keys.” </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">What then is the distinction between the conduct of Brigham Young on the one hand, and the exact same conduct of Parley Pratt on the other hand in the religion of Brigham Young? The difference lies in the fact that Brigham Young claimed to have the keys. If keys allow adultery, I want no such keys. If keys allow adultery, then I say damn me now because I want nothing of it, or of your pretended keys. I don’t think that the pretenders in all of the various “Strongman” models have any clue what it would take to bring again Zion. They do not kneel down to serve and elevate others through their teachings in the least. They have no glory of God within them, and therefore cannot instill light and truth upon those who will hear them speak.</span></i> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">—Denver Snuffer, “Zion” 2014, p. 7</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">4. Money</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s such a common trope in the world that it doesn’t even raise an eyebrow anymore. Religious leaders, as soon as they gather some listeners, immediately start asking for money. “For the ministry” of course. Every sleaze bag TV preacher continually seeks donations to the “ministry” so he can be supported without laboring for his living. Some live in immense luxury, some don’t. But all seek to have someone else pay their way, while justifying it by claiming the need to devote their “full-time” efforts to “the ministry.”</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is not to say there aren’t worthy causes to which money can and should be donated. Building a temple, producing scripture, helping the poor, holding conferences—there are many worthy ways to spend money in the Lord’s service. But no true messenger will ever ask to be continually supported by believers while refusing to labor for his own support. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nehor provides the textbook example of this failing:</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church, declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular and they ought not to labor with their own hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people…And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money.</span></i> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">—Alma 1:1 RE</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Alma also gives critical instruction:</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">And it came to pass that Alma, having authority from God, ordained priests…And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained should labor with their own hands for their support…And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support, but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.</span></i> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">—Mosiah 9:9-10 RE</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">The commandment to impart of our substance to those in need does not mean an able-bodied man should neglect his duty to support his family with the expectation that others will provide the needed substance for him and his family. As Paul wrote: “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Tim. 1:13</span></i> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">—Denver Snuffer, “Priests are not Paid” July 11, 2021</span></i></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">5. Claims</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And finally, true messengers don’t make claims to titles, positions or special status. A true servant of God will point to his Master as the source of the message and the authority to deliver it, but never to himself. I find it strange that so many step up to claim titles, offices, authority and status without actually having accomplished anything at all. I’ve literally seen online claims that amount in essence to, “I’m that guy. Give me money.” And people fall for it!</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A messenger who highlights a status, title, office or calling to give himself prominence is often using title claims as a thin veneer to cover pride and laziness. A true messenger will do the work required by God, and in so doing may, perhaps, bring notice that the Lord’s work is being done. But even in that case the true messenger will deflect attention to the Lord rather than himself. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">Look, someone</span></i><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254); color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">’</i><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">s going to do the work. When the work is done then you</span></i><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254); color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">’</i><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">ll know. Until the work is done no one can be identified with the role, period. It is arrogance, it is pretentiousness it is foolishness for anyone to step forward and say; “I, I am that man!” Do the work, finish the course, fulfill the covenant. When you do that you can take the name. Until you do the work, it</span></i><i style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254); color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">’</i><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">s just noise.</span></i> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">—Denver Snuffer, </span></i><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“</span></i><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Be of Good Cheer, Be of Good Courage</span></i><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">”</span></i></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> September 10, 2013, p. 20</span></i></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p></blockquote><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is a given that true messengers will be criticized by unbelievers. Our Lord was and is criticized continually, and he showed an example of patience in not reviling again against the revilers. He certainly could have claimed that as Messiah he was above reproach, and cursed all who dared speak against him, but he did not. Those he sends will follow his example in accepting criticism, rather than claiming that as God’s servants, they must not be criticized. No status makes anyone immune to correction. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One (or three) More Thoughts</span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNXYuPo5vSJyyKf8KOzwqZMf7F0URdr5KD2Gi_OlSCvqYFONf0WzC9_6V4vQqwJCiy0opdvzmlAbDsIfDgHQcfPHLIgMwwSkI6H9IREKDN6YENWWnLJJGncQY0Hjkpym0G2KdnLnOQW3uhbBd2e2-w7-jBV3TyBcWXNyizqCTqGR0HdvrD4GrUE4NC6Y/s2304/clergy%20money.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2304" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNXYuPo5vSJyyKf8KOzwqZMf7F0URdr5KD2Gi_OlSCvqYFONf0WzC9_6V4vQqwJCiy0opdvzmlAbDsIfDgHQcfPHLIgMwwSkI6H9IREKDN6YENWWnLJJGncQY0Hjkpym0G2KdnLnOQW3uhbBd2e2-w7-jBV3TyBcWXNyizqCTqGR0HdvrD4GrUE4NC6Y/s320/clergy%20money.jpeg" width="320" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br />Money, sex and power </b>are the universal desires of the natural man. None of these things are inherently evil of themselves, and all are available when sought properly. All are likewise controlled by strict commandments and instructions from God about how each is to be obtained, held, and used, and upon what terms. </span><p></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For example, money is to be honestly earned by one’s own labor (unless physically unable)—not stolen, not coveted, not loved. It is to be used in the support of one’s self, one’s family, the truly poor, and in furthering the sorts of God’s work that require money to accomplish. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sex is controlled by the law of chastity, to be employed between husband and wife in honorable, monogamous marriage—and in no other way.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Power is available to God’s servants through the Holy Spirit on terms that include faith, humility, obedience, and recognition that any power received is God’s and God’s alone, to be employed only as God directs. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A quick analysis of these three—money, sex and power—will very often point out a false prophet immediately, for false prophets will invariably seek for or use one or more of these things in unsanctioned ways.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Earlier in this post I mentioned a man on facebook claiming to be the only true prophet on the earth. He says he has met the Father and the Son. It took me literally seconds of investigation to see that he teaches polygamy and asks for money for his support. Therefore, no matter what he claims, what else he teaches, or who he says he is, there is no further need to listen to him. He is a deceiver.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Summary</span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I’ve thought about all the pretenders, and especially pretended prophets in and around the restoration of the gospel that started with Joseph Smith, I believe the ideas discussed here will go a long way in helping discern truth from error, true servants from pretenders. We can, and we MUST know them by their fruits.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And again, he that trembles under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you. And again, he that is overcome and brings not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me. Wherefore, by this pattern you shall know the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens. </i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—T&C 39:4</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-74782605793368716002023-05-25T12:57:00.003-06:002023-05-25T13:00:33.880-06:00Youth Retreat 2023<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A youth retreat is planned for August 10-13 in Ashton, Idaho. The organizers asked me to post this announcement and let people know registration is open for all youth ages 13-18. Here's the website</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youthretreat23.com"><span style="font-size: large;">https://youthretreat23.com</span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl4rnkvaN9SIbQtXSsypV3tHGnw27hYUij2EOXg8qPCa47WgEsYZ2j5GrNJfECFI_c93wQgDWaxSvYqppF7HDygyqKthWGVoPF7d5Ikpc_ft-nHFg_umb8u93sg39X7mC19zfzt_D4imIIghBERvJqjxyvS-iMBqZYu1idGsAh1tNis0SUs3IHG9z/s960/scenery.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvl4rnkvaN9SIbQtXSsypV3tHGnw27hYUij2EOXg8qPCa47WgEsYZ2j5GrNJfECFI_c93wQgDWaxSvYqppF7HDygyqKthWGVoPF7d5Ikpc_ft-nHFg_umb8u93sg39X7mC19zfzt_D4imIIghBERvJqjxyvS-iMBqZYu1idGsAh1tNis0SUs3IHG9z/w400-h200/scenery.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-43767848592771130582023-05-22T07:58:00.002-06:002023-05-22T08:36:00.717-06:00Conference Gratitude<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I just returned from a wonderful experience at the <a href="https://www.springconference2023.com" target="_blank">Spring 2023 Conference</a> held in Layton, Utah. The theme of the gathering was <i>The Answer to Prayer for Covenant as an assignment from the Lord: Love One Another as I Have Loved You.</i></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The conference design, organization, setting, venue, theme and presentations were all first rate and very well done. The messages shared were well thought out, timely and important. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to participate in a group prayer effort where all in attendance were invited on Saturday to participate as equals in contributing thoughts of acknowledgment, gratitude, praise, and entreaty to a prayer that was then organized, prepared and offered in behalf of the whole conference on Sunday morning. I thought the prayer was a beautiful and moving expression of the beliefs and desires we all hold in common, which unite us as a covenant people and demonstrate our most fervent desires. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I didn’t have any role in organizing or presenting this event, but having myself been involved in organizing other conferences in the past, I know a bit about what it takes to put together an event like this. The time, labor and funds required are formidable and offered as a sacrifice by those who give freely to benefit others, often in ways most attendees may not realize. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I express my gratitude to the planners, organizers, sound people, video crew, web folks, venue finders, program writers, workshop presenters, name-tag providers, chair guy, facility caretakers, speakers, sacrament workers, donors, discussion facilitators, equipment purchasers, music providers, conference hosts, and all others who contributed in large and small ways to the conference—all of whom labored and sacrificed on my behalf and on behalf of hundreds of others so all could be blessed and benefitted. Thank you for your offering to bless others—I’m certain heaven took note of how your labors were offered and how they were received.</span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-65913908202514910122023-03-01T00:25:00.006-07:002023-03-01T00:28:53.351-07:00The Master’s Houses<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>All these things spoke Jesus unto the multitudes in parables, and without a parable spoke he not unto them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Matthew 7:8 RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ’s parables reveal and conceal, teach and train, uplift and upbraid, all with the purpose of helping us repent and come unto him. Each has lessons for each of us and personal applications. They can be wonderful keys to self-awareness.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHHxIZ5ALahyMexacIdqBayr9r5rW2KE-C9I_R_9R0S0d6XOx9MOR-e9J_ZuC2f0Yn1mMrl_hCMrEV5lyKqHx-VZx8qMRZMqH88BElfCpSoqINYRo8dXHgGk60SKD6CC9hSGQTXG6F5DM3Ytl9mOOgiCgupb9H4UBw21EDTIVAzS1MyrVitSLpSSP/s7360/sower.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2284" data-original-width="7360" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHHxIZ5ALahyMexacIdqBayr9r5rW2KE-C9I_R_9R0S0d6XOx9MOR-e9J_ZuC2f0Yn1mMrl_hCMrEV5lyKqHx-VZx8qMRZMqH88BElfCpSoqINYRo8dXHgGk60SKD6CC9hSGQTXG6F5DM3Ytl9mOOgiCgupb9H4UBw21EDTIVAzS1MyrVitSLpSSP/w555-h171/sower.jpeg" width="555" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the parable of the sower, our Lord gave four locations in which seed landed when sown by the sower, together with the outcomes for each location. Unable to grasp the meaning of what the Lord had given, the disciples asked him why he spoke in parables. He replied as follows:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not given; for whoever receives, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. But whoever continues not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he has. Therefore, I speak to them in parables because they seeing, see not, and hearing, they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning them, which says, By hearing you shall hear and shall not understand, and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive; for this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 7:2 RE)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This statement from our Lord makes it clear the parable is a tool with at least three functions:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To reveal truth to those willing to receive and act on it.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To conceal truth from those who are unwilling to receive, understand or act on it. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To divide those who will receive and those who will not.</span></li></ol>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Lord then continues, speaking specifically to his disciples: </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. And blessed are you because these things have come unto you that you might understand them. (Matthew 7:3 RE)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These disciples had recognized and followed the Lord when others had not. They recognized his words as originating from a divine source. They were his sheep because they heard and recognized his voice. They fit the definition of righteousness in that they received and obeyed the Lord’s word, even when apparently issued from a Galilean carpenter’s son. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ next explained to them the parable of the sower, noting that the four locations for the seed represented four types of people, categorized by the way they received the word. Given his immediately previous explanation of those who receive and those who do not, this expansion of the parable can be seen as a further clarification regarding those who do and do not receive the word. Simply put, some receive the word in the beginning but for various reasons never become fruitful. And among those who do produce fruit, there are marked differences in the quantity. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s interesting, I suppose, to read the parable and its explanation, then move onto the next one. But is this all our Lord intended? Wouldn’t it be far more profitable to do some introspection and soul searching as a result of this parable? Wouldn’t it be useful to consider carefully which group you fit into, and what evidence says so? Ultimately, will pondering and prayer make this parable a tremendous boon to self-awareness and understanding? </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s natural to think oneself in the group that bears fruit—even prolifically. But my own consideration of the parable convinces me I am in some ways the wayside, the stony places, and the thorns. I don’t know that I can point to any fruit worthy to be laid up agains the season. (See Jacob 3 RE). The parable hits a bit too close to home for comfort. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I don’t fit neatly into any single one of the categories. All are instructive to me and help me to be more aware of my faults and needed improvements. </span></p>
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<p style="color: #800002; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Master’s House</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’d like to suggest we give the same sort of consideration to the Parable of the Master’s House. But first some background. As you probably recall, when the Lots statement of principles was completed and taken to the Lord for his approval, several remarkable things happened.</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Lord gave an extended and detailed parable for us to consider, now commonly called the Parable of the Master’s House.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He accepted the Lots statement.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He approved the Lots statement to be added to the scriptures. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He gave important counsel to us all regarding how we treat one another. (See T&C 176)</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then, six months later, he approved the scriptures containing the statement and claimed them as his own in a seven-fold declaration. At that point he took possession of the scriptures, including the Lots statement, as his own word. (See T&C 177)</span></li></ol>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each of the above is very significant (as are all the Lord’s acts and pronouncements.) For all the difficulties and troubles encountered in the process of creating the Lots statement, for all the hurt feelings, pride, penitence, tears, trials and trouble, the fact that the Lord accepted and approved it is remarkable and significant. He claimed the scriptures as his own, including the Lots statement, in the following language:</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These scriptures are sent forth to be my warning to the world, my comfort to the faithful, my counsel to the meek, my reproof to the proud, my rebuke to the contentious, and my condemnation of the wicked. They are my invitation to all mankind to flee from corruption, repent and be baptized in my name, and prepare for the coming judgment. (T&C 177:3)</span></p></blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Naturally, the process of arriving at and creating the Lots statement could have and should have gone better. But with the Lord’s acceptance, approval, and taking of ownership of the statement, he brought the effort to a close and encouraged us to reflect and improve. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The parable of the Master’s House begins and ends with two questions: What have you learned? and What ought you to have learned? As an aid to considering these two questions, the Lord gives a parable tracing the story of three groups who responded to the Master’s command to build a house: The wood workers, the brick makers, and the stone haulers.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The wood workers interpreted the command to build a house in a place where there was no stone to mean there must be trees, and they therefore brought woodworking tools and hastened to the site. When they found there were no trees, they returned and joined the stone haulers. Interestingly, they attempted to dissuade the brick makers from even going to the site, insisting that hauling stone must be the right approach.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The brick makers were not deterred and arrived at the site with no pre-conceived notions of how the house would be built. They simply obeyed and went to the site the Lord had chosen. Upon finding nothing with which to build the house, rather than abandoning the site and joining the stone effort, they considered the Lord’s command and placed trust in him that he chose the right place. Upon clearing brush and dirt to prepare for construction, they encountered clay with which to make bricks and they started building. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The stone haulers decided that the Lord’s command to build a house in a place where there was no stone implied they must bring their own stones with them. They commenced the arduous and backbreaking process of hauling stones the long distance to the site. The wood workers, having found no trees, soon joined them in hauling stone. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When the brick makers discovered the clay and began to build the master’s House, they sent messengers to the stone haulers to come join the effort underway. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They said, Come now quickly with us, for we have found clay to make bricks at the place the master has chosen, and with you we can accomplish what the master commanded. Many were willing, and some were offended, and some wanted to stop all effort, and return to their master and tell him his command was too great. They argued among themselves, and for a moment forgot their master’s command, and forgot those who were laboring to make bricks from clay at the place the master had chosen.</span></p>
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<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After a season of quarreling and disputing, some said, We have neglected our master’s command long enough. We go to help make bricks of clay to build our master’s house at the place he has commanded. Seeing some depart, those who remained called for all to reason together because the labor was hard and the loss of even a few made moving stones even more difficult. Soon, many others went to join in making bricks. A few others returned to complain to the master. Another few continued to move the stones with little hope to complete their labor to build their master a stone house such as he had before. (T&C 176:8-9)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here are some observations to consider:</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All three groups started with good intentions and potentially workable approaches. But like the parable of the sower, we find further divisions among the stone haulers when they heard the news that the solution had been found and construction was underway and had started without their stone.</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Many were willing to accept the brick approach, and joined the effort.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some were offended, which really makes me question why. I’m left to assume they were so invested in their approach that hearing of another approach that was actually successful caused them to be offended, rather than glad. I therefore conclude they were more devoted to the approach they had chosen than they were to seeing the house built. They were more invested in being right than being obedient. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some wanted to stop all effort (including the actual construction on the house) and return to complain to the master. This is curious to me because there was an effort that was actually succeeding. Therefore the complaint that the command was too great was patently false. These folks wanted to lie to the master and prevent anyone from succeeding if it was not done their way. They literally wanted to halt the master’s work and actively work against it. They were, in this sense, anti-master.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Naturally, arguments ensued, which were not productive at all. The quarreling and disputing did nothing to advance the master’s work, and only wasted everyone’s time while neglecting the master’s command. Disputation is never productive.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Finally, some tired of disputing and decided to withdraw from disputing and instead assist in the successful labor. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of the remaining stone haulers, some went to complain to the master, and some kept up the doomed stone moving effort despite the fact that the house was being built without them. It appears they were more devoted to moving stone for the sake of moving stone than they were to keeping the master’s commandment. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ultimately some of this group were so stubborn and insistent on hauling stone, that they were found still dragging their stones along after the house was completed and the master’s command was satisfied! Naturally there is no logic to these actions, and we are left to conclude they were simply too invested in hauling stone to care about anything else. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The servants who had completed the house took up a new labor with the stones to pave the road leading to the house, so the labor of the stone haulers was not lost. The master praised the effort and accepted the house and the road. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ultimately, the stone effort, though not contributing to the house at all, did serve to pave the way for people coming to the master’s house. In this way, it was a blessing to others.</span></li></ul>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">OK, with all that to consider, we’re left asking where we each fit into the parable. Here are some general observations:</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There were many approaches attempted to fulfill the Lord’s command in the Statement of Principles project. Each had its proponents and its detractors. Some insisted there must be only one way and if theirs was was not adopted by everyone they would attempt to shut down the project and prevent anyone from succeeding. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some, upon learning their approach was not getting traction, insisted that all work must STOP immediately so we could complain to the Lord. Literally.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ultimately a successful approach was found and many joined in supporting it. This does not diminish the other approaches in any way, as there was honor in all of the labor by all of the groups. Really the method was never the problem; rather the issue was all our hearts. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Some refused to join the successful approach or accept it upon completion, finding fault with the method used or the content of the outcome. Some continued hauling stones, so to speak. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And yet, the Lord finds honor in all who labored faithfully, even in hauling stone rather than building the house. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The challenge we all face is how to take those efforts that ultimately didn’t reach completion (stones) and use them in a positive way to pave the road to the master’s house. The Lord urged us to see honor in the work of others. To me, this means that all the efforts were valuable and instructive, and can pave the way for our ascent to the master’s house if we will use them in that way. But to do so, they must be laid down and considered without attachment. You can’t pave with stones you aren’t willing to lay down.</span></li></ol>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Like the parable of the sower, I see myself reflected in the various groups. In some ways I was a stone hauler, in some ways I was a wood worker, and in some ways I was a brick maker. I believe everyone involved likewise fits multiple categories. I’m specifically not pointing the finger at anyone and placing them into any category or another. That is an exercise for each of us to do on our own, privately weighing our own hearts, with the Lord’s help. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Since there is need for but one house, if that house is the Statement of Principles, that project is finished. There is not need for another, nor need for ongoing work on what the Lord has already accepted, approved, and claimed as his own. In that sense, the house is completed and accepted, and we should celebrate having completed the master’s command.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On the other hand, if the parable also has application to the actual Master’s House, meaning the temple to be built, then the parable takes on whole new levels of meaning we should consider. </span></p>
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<p style="color: #800002; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Master’s House</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Today, March 1, 2023, is a significant date. It marks the conclusion of 40 years of ministry for Denver Snuffer, whose ministry began on March 1, 1983. The number 40 is significant enough, often being associated with testing, trial or probation, and with new beginnings and change at the conclusion of the 40-unit period. For example, the children of Israel wandered for 40 years in the desert, and at the conclusion of that period, experienced a new beginning in the promised land. Christ fasted for 40 days, and at the conclusion of that period began his public ministry. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s reasonable to expect change, perhaps a new beginning, at the conclusion of this 40-year period. Will the Lord look upon his covenant people and find a people who choose to not dispute? People who love one another and labor willingly alongside each other? People sufficiently humble and prepared to build the Master’s House? </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHofIgcCDlKFDNfUE-MSDWG6loxixREl_JCskkSaJ1tpj3shYSPdKTAV72u4AgH6wtd_UfUZk8LU0cWDaDcoYUdvEcJX-seyjdyKaeQ6uXvd_i62XZ3ji_z3YdOkZ8ldTRSgMBGQx1RsfwNFCpF_GlUH87hGOEimodl0ttOMTjuyPAO03nxsHddzY/s1132/conjunction.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1132" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHofIgcCDlKFDNfUE-MSDWG6loxixREl_JCskkSaJ1tpj3shYSPdKTAV72u4AgH6wtd_UfUZk8LU0cWDaDcoYUdvEcJX-seyjdyKaeQ6uXvd_i62XZ3ji_z3YdOkZ8ldTRSgMBGQx1RsfwNFCpF_GlUH87hGOEimodl0ttOMTjuyPAO03nxsHddzY/w400-h255/conjunction.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Starting tonight, and going into tomorrow morning, March 2nd, Jupiter and Venus will experience a conjunction. These are the two brightest lights (other than the moon) in the night sky. They represent the divine masculine and the divine feminine, whose union is the root of all creation and new beginnings. This is the third major celestial event involving Jupiter since the 2017 sign of the woman announced the birth of God’s kingdom and the renewal of the Lord’s covenant. I believe such a sign overhead on the first day after the 40 year completion is highly significant and holds forth the possibility of a new beginning in the Lord’s work now underway. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But the road to the Master’s House must first be paved with the stones we no longer care to haul. We must be willing to lay them down—all of them—to free our hearts and minds for a greater work. For me, at least, this involves laying down our disputes, contentions, hurt feelings, pride, ambition, fears and sorrows left over from the Statement of Principles project, considering it closed and completed, and allowing it to pave the way to something much greater. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5METwXe_jbaAI2GBQcC8FxiuKLv3r_NnS8tnk3yYl_Q9ZL5S414j_Nyu87K3qBnetd8E2KUSplsOugpVf8503MRyZhSQ4YLeYcuetsgPguj8BAme48R7nnHUQ5tr6FHRYY9cmaOHBx-krlWywEYE3SH9Z-YEOWk823vuxGG9MgZL6bbLiz_Icy4g/s5740/stone.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="5740" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5METwXe_jbaAI2GBQcC8FxiuKLv3r_NnS8tnk3yYl_Q9ZL5S414j_Nyu87K3qBnetd8E2KUSplsOugpVf8503MRyZhSQ4YLeYcuetsgPguj8BAme48R7nnHUQ5tr6FHRYY9cmaOHBx-krlWywEYE3SH9Z-YEOWk823vuxGG9MgZL6bbLiz_Icy4g/w400-h228/stone.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Make no mistake—disputes only last as long as there is someone willing to dispute. It is a choice, and we can choose to lay those stones down, to forgive, love, and move forward together in peace. I believe the time to do that is now. Today. Not tomorrow, or next week, or next year. We may well miss the opportunity of a lifetime because we’re still hauling stones instead of building the Master’s House. In the parable, there is a sharp demarcation drawn showing we can’t do both, and we must decide which we value more. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I pray we will value the Master’s House more than hauling stones. I pray we will all take time today for introspection, consideration of the Lords word, repentance, forgiveness, and pleading to heaven that we might be found worthy servants to build something much greater than a paved road.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The more one contends with others the more he is taken captive by the spirit of contention. Everyone becomes subject to the spirit they submit to follow. Those who are prone to contention become more contentious as they listen to that spirit. Eventually they are overcome by that spirit, and it is a great work involving great effort to subdue and dismiss that spirit from the heart and mind of the victim. There are many who dispute the inspiration others have received. There are two concerns with the decision a good person makes to dispute with others: First, the Lord’s example is to refrain from disputing, as He did. When confronted, He would respond, but He did not go about picking a fight with others…</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Second, the Lord has given the Doctrine of Christ in scripture. Just before the Doctrine of Christ, He says what His doctrine is not: Neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there hath hitherto been. For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the Devil, who is the father of contention; and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another, but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away (3 Nephi 5:8). And then He proceeds to declare His doctrine of Christ. The more contention and disputation there is with one another, the better the people become at contention. Rhetorical skills are polished. That spirit of contention can take possession, and when it does, one is hard-pressed to be a peacemaker with others. </i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Glossary, “Contention” </i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>And I give you these commandments because of the disputations which have been among you. And blessed are ye if ye have no disputations among you. </i></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>—3 Nephi 8:9 RE</i></span></span></p><div><br /></div>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-18112555927142532042023-02-26T16:45:00.006-07:002023-05-22T08:35:36.312-06:00Destruction, Part 8: Inward Vessel<div class="separator"></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZARLLvAWLWwBp40fac4Gf2rJrg3RBO77ZvWcZB1Lrg77Re6AlgwElvJTAF2ei_19FfwKHhE99wl3LbRwS_KJIcH0mkwQAnaInHbLL1o22o2TRFD9IIGjLcqQvaSWSweLWI61RGfS-En5AfP6AsGoMbM7RKeIdq56W0w1S_dv3nDebcaPXvLpdNDs/s265/Moroni.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></span><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">How came you to be here and yet mortal; the last who came here were brothers who had been slain, and you are yet alive? And the man answered, I waited on the Lord and he brought me here safely.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">—T&C 163:4</span></i></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | Part 8</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="190" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZARLLvAWLWwBp40fac4Gf2rJrg3RBO77ZvWcZB1Lrg77Re6AlgwElvJTAF2ei_19FfwKHhE99wl3LbRwS_KJIcH0mkwQAnaInHbLL1o22o2TRFD9IIGjLcqQvaSWSweLWI61RGfS-En5AfP6AsGoMbM7RKeIdq56W0w1S_dv3nDebcaPXvLpdNDs/w229-h320/Moroni.jpeg" width="229" /></span>Captain Moroni was, by all indications, quite a guy. Equally orator, military strategist, leader, teacher, prophet and elected official, he represented a seemingly impossible combination of immense power and abject humility, wielded effectively in the cause of righteousness and peace. It’s little wonder that the Book of Mormon devotes significant attention to the teachings and accomplishments of this “strong and…mighty man” whose example sets that standard for righteous power. “Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken for ever; yea, the Devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.” (Alma 21: 34 RE)</span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Naturally, any hero of this stature requires an arch-nemesis to battle and overcome, and the Book of Mormon doesn’t disappoint. The same chapter that brings us Captain Moroni also introduces another “large and…strong man” named Amalickiah who likewise had a penchant for teaching, leading, and fighting. “Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning devices and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly, yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.” (Alma 21:6 RE)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You know the contours of the story. Amalickiah “was desirous to be king.” So desirous, in fact, that he stirred up others who sought power, promising that in his new kingdom, they would be rulers over the people. When Moroni raised the Title of Liberty in response and rallied the people to the cause of freedom, Amalickiah and his followers fled to the Lamanites. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Once there, Amalickiah employed deception, flattery, subterfuge, murder and, yes, romance to ultimately reach his goal of kingship, albeit as king of the Lamanites. He then led a years-long campaign of war against the Nephites, attempting to become their king as well. His reign of terror didn’t even end when the point of Teancum’s javelin sent Amalickiah to hell; the war continued for many more years costing tens of thousands of lives. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These “war chapters” of the Book of Mormon have always been a bit of a mystery to me. Given the excruciating care with which the text was curated over the course of a thousand years, I’ve often wondered why so much space was devoted to detailed coverage of this war initiated by Amalickiah and concluded by Moroni. Certainly, we find many valuable teachings in these chapters, but for today we’ll focus on just one lesson that bears terribly and proximally on us as a covenant people facing widespread destruction, which we’ll cover in a few moments. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But before we get there, I’d like to weave another strand into this rope. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Let’s talk about the deaths of Hyrum and Joseph Smith. It’s increasingly clear to anyone who cares to give it a moment’s consideration, that the official story of what happened that day in June is rife with lies. Unpacking the blatant impossibilities in the official account, the contradictory physical evidence, and an increasing number of contrary historical records, ultimately points to a very high likelihood that the Smith brothers were killed by their own followers. Even by their friends. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What’s worse, the shocking realization that John Taylor and Willard Richards likely shot the Smiths is dwarfed by the further discoveries that come if you tug that thread a bit further. For me, and in the limited time I’ve been able to spend, it leads to the discovery of a conspiracy lasting over a decade with the ultimate goal of supplanting Joseph Smith, indeed the entire Smith family, and taking control and ownership of what he built. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Carthage was merely the final scene in a much longer tragedy involving murder, sex, money, power and destruction of the Lord’s incipient work. The secret poisonings, jostling for position, politics of power, envy, strife, malice, alteration of historical records, clandestine polygamy and adultery, money counterfeiting and deception truly boggle the mind. I might add that Joseph and Hyrum Smith were guilty of none of these things, though those who took power after the Smiths’ death attempted to push it all off on them. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The ongoing perils of the “false brethren” (T&C 139:8) surrounding Joseph Smith lend even greater gravity to our Lord’s sharp and direct warning delivered through Mormon:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Hearken, O ye gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, which he hath commanded me that I should speak concerning you; for behold, he commandeth me that I should write, saying, Turn, all ye gentiles, from your wicked ways, and repent of your evil doings — of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations — and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins and be filled with the holy ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. (3 Nephi 14 RE)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This warning was directly targeted to the gentiles surrounding Joseph Smith. And to us. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s little wonder, therefore, that the Lord’s last-days covenant includes the very same language as a conditional qualification for reception of the Lord’s promises:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All you who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto me, and been baptized in my name, and have received a remission of your sins, and received the holy ghost, are now numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. (T&C 158:10)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Implicit in this statement is that any of these evil doings among us prevent those involved from receiving the Lord’s covenant, and may well prevent the entire covenant people from accomplishing the Lord’s work. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So What’s Wrong?</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When you consider these two statements, it’s easy enough to dismiss them as being overly broad and dire. Whoredoms? Secret abominations? Murders? Priestcrafts? Really? Among us? Nah…</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I mean, how could such things happen? Among people as “righteous” as us? People who believe and sacrifice and covenant and hope for the return of the Lord? Maybe such evils used to be a problem in a more wicked time, but certainly not now. Certainly not among the covenant body. Right? </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But let’s suppose, just for a moment, that the Lord actually knows what he was—and is—talking about, and that these warnings are as applicable to us now as they were in prior, more “wicked” times. Hey, wait a minute…aren’t these wicked times as well? Isn’t the world ripening in iniquity, soon to be burned? Uh-oh.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All right, so let’s consider it all, by asking a few questions. First about the cabal of Brigham Young and his circle who ultimately murdered the Smiths and usurped the restoration.</span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">How did the believing converts and churchmen who surrounded Joseph Smith reach the point that they considered murder to be justified, and possibly even righteous, and doing God a service (see John 9:13 RE)?</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Did it start with the intent of murder? </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And if murder wasn’t the original intent, then what set off the cascade leading there, and what was the first domino to fall? </span></li></ol>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">While we consider those, let’s ask similar questions about Amalickiah. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<ol>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Did he really intend to single-handedly instigate a terrible war lasting over a decade and costing tens of thousands of lives, including his own? </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Did it start with the intent of wholesale slaughter and the near annihilation of an entire civilization?</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And if genocide wasn’t the original intent, then what set off the cascade leading there, and what was the first domino to fall? </span></li></ol>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I believe the first domino was the same for both Amalickiah and Brigham. I believe one of the most important lessons of the “war chapters” is found in discovering that initial spark that led to infernos, both ancient and recent. And I believe that same lesson applies to us, here, now, in exactly the same way as it did in times past, because human nature doesn’t change. What worked to nearly wipe out the Nephites, and to usurp the latter-day restoration of the gospel, will have just as great an effect in preventing the Lord’s work now underway if it is not understood, recognized and eliminated. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The initial spark of the conflagration is always the same. It is zeal.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: #800002; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Zeally?</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To be sure, zeal itself isn’t necessarily all bad, and can in fact be good. Webster’s 1828 defines zeal as follows:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Passionate ardor in the pursuit of any thing. In general, zeal is an eagerness of desire to accomplish or obtain some object, and it may be manifested either in favor of any person or thing, or in opposition to it, and in a good or bad cause.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The real key is that last bit—in a good or bad cause. Certainly, appropriate zeal in the pursuit of good is key to accomplishing righteous ends. But zeal in the service of anything that is misled, incorrect, or wrong leads to disastrous outcomes. The key is knowing the difference. And this is where it gets difficult. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge; for they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes. (Romans 1:46 RE)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh3BKDLlWKfmpJH6Gm65Z0LpGJ2A3mZWWALxMdrhL4e3gvutdZfcIa9ygYWgzPsIP7INMkBQj1CMsog8kkdysjf1UvqCszJUdEhvRA1Ts6iPvtuV4lOiQunIP4zz-adUqGeMvThnynN7zy0W8qFgZO1Sa52jD_GlXgrzY1AKSw1ybCXJ9Xw6HELaw/s4183/zeal.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2789" data-original-width="4183" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh3BKDLlWKfmpJH6Gm65Z0LpGJ2A3mZWWALxMdrhL4e3gvutdZfcIa9ygYWgzPsIP7INMkBQj1CMsog8kkdysjf1UvqCszJUdEhvRA1Ts6iPvtuV4lOiQunIP4zz-adUqGeMvThnynN7zy0W8qFgZO1Sa52jD_GlXgrzY1AKSw1ybCXJ9Xw6HELaw/w320-h213/zeal.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Paul warns us it is indeed possible, even for those among the house of Israel, to have zeal, but not according to knowledge. Ignorant of God’s righteousness. Seeking to establish their own righteousness. Not submitting unto God. Even Lucifer and his minions *appear* to manifest zeal for the glory of God (T&C 147:5) </span><p></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So zeal MUST be coupled with correct understanding of God’s righteousness. It is therefore instructive to consider a recent definition of righteousness given at a fireside dedicated to that topic:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">[R]ighteousness can be defined in the most simple terms as hearing the voice of the Shepherd, the voice of the Son, hearing that voice, heeding it, and repenting…no matter where that voice comes from. (Denver Snuffer, <i>Righteousness</i>, p. 11)</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is where it breaks down, and the spark becomes a conflagration. Let’s consider Amalickiah’s instructive example.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chapter 21 of Alma begins, ironically enough, with Alma’s very detailed and specific prophecy to his son Helaman, predicting the future annihilation of the Nephite civilization. Then after Alma’s departure, we get the story of Amalickiah. It began with a religious dissension among the believers, caused because of pride. Amalickiah was the leader of the dissenting group and he wanted to be king. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s easy to read this account in a few sentences and pass it off as great wickedness on the part of Amalickiah and his followers. But it started in unity. All involved subscribed to the same religion, but understood it differently. I don’t expect Amalickiah gained followers by rejecting the religion wholesale, but rather by pushing a different interpretation, likely based on his own reading of scripture. And, finding that he could attract followers who viewed him as their<span style="color: #a30003;"> </span>leader perhaps led naturally to the notion in his own mind that he should be king. According to the text, he was large, strong, flattering, persuasive. Did he therefore assume this was all evidence he was right in his interpretation, and that he and his followers needed to set the rest of the believers straight? Did he naturally presume he was on a God-given quest of reform and redemption? And wouldn’t a righteous king be a benefit? After all, when Israel had righteous kings, they were blessed! And that’s scripture! So this MUST be God revealing his will that his mighty leader, Amalickiah, should be made king and right the ship of religion. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My point here is that Amalickiah likely thought, believed, even KNEW he was on the Lord’s errand, and that the dissension and resulting contention was necessary in the fight to establish God’s manifest will. Messy, perhaps, but necessary.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The trouble is that the greater portion of the Nephite people saw things differently, which likely convinced Amalickiah he was in fact the victim of the larger Nephite body’s failure to accept his mandate. Meanwhile, Helaman and Captain Moroni saw Amalickiah and his cause for what they were: Zeal without knowledge. Amalickiah and his followers were zealous for a false idea, and became ever more zealous, hardened, and unpersuadable the further they pressed on in their cause.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Amalickiah was unable to accomplish his desires among the Nephites, rather than recognizing he was deceived and repenting in abject humility, he simply changed sides and kept up the battle, seeking to become king of the Lamanites. I’m sure he STILL had persuasive scriptural arguments making him right, and he just needed to bring enough force to get the Nephites to consider his arguments and see the light. If they would just listen to him long enough, he could persuade them. But they wouldn’t listen! So he would force them…</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On and on it goes, from one self-justified act of wickedness to another until it led to murder (hey, isn’t it better that one man should perish than a nation should dwindle in unbelief? That’s scripture!), deception, fraud, more murder, corrupt marriage, and war. By the time it was all over, Amalickiah may have dropped the facade of righteousness, or maybe not. At that point it didn’t matter. He was committed, beyond repentance, and had a fixed and zealous determination to enforce his will or die trying. Justifications could be manufactured at will. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We could paint a very similar scenario for the conspirators who killed the Smith brothers. It may have all started with something small—Brigham’s admitted frustration with Joseph over Joseph’s leadership style and lack of good business management, as a possible example. From there, it would be natural, and accurate, for Brigham to presume he could do a better job than Joseph in those areas. And really, shouldn’t God’s kingdom have the best management? Wait, was that the whisper of the spirit telling Brigham he was indeed a better leader than Joseph and that the kingdom would one day all be his? </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Might it be possible to convince others by pointing out Joseph’s faults, promising them leadership and power when the time came? And from there, how hard is it to justify the removal of certain people who were loyal to Joseph, but stood in the way of Brigham’s ambition? And naturally the kingdom of God, and his king, need ample funds to run the enterprise, and hey, we have a printing shop…so we can print some counterfeit currency. Problem solved! </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Oh, by the way, if you look in the Bible, you’ll see that one of the benefits of kingship is many wives, right? I mean look at David and Solomon! So naturally such things must be implemented and pursued. Secretly, at first, because Joseph has lost the spirit and is a fallen prophet, and he doesn’t understand and accept this new order of things and he’ll cast us out if he finds out. But it’s in the scriptures, so Joseph is obviously wrong. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And ultimately, when the time came, Brigham’s doctrine of blood atonement provided all the justification needed for murdering the Smith brothers, who now stood in the way of God’s manifest will concerning Brigham, polygamy, money and power. Brigham stated that Joseph had no particle of the spirit at that point, so redemption through the shedding of blood would fit Brigham’s doctrine perfectly. Kill them to save them. It’s the most loving thing to do.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For both Brigham and Amalickiah, it all started with zeal for a bad idea, based on their own pride, pursued over the long term, justified by deceptive arguments, and pressed continually in an ever-increasing campaign to win—to be right—to stand vindicated when the bad idea was fully implemented. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What lessons can we learn from these two examples, and how might we avoid falling into similar traps as we seek to assist in the Lord’s work now underway? </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Well first, discernment is hard,</b> and none of us are as good at it as we think. There WILL be bad ideas. Many of them. And that’s perfectly fine if they are ultimately recognized as bad ideas and abandoned.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Second, self-awareness is key.</b> I have no doubt Amalickiah and Brigham both thought they were righteous, justified, and on the Lord’s errand. Neither had the self awareness to realize the overt wickedness of what they were doing. They were SURE they were right, and I expect they both went to their graves expecting a parade in heaven to celebrate their accomplishments for the Lord. Stephanie Snuffer’s clarion call at the last conference, highlighting the need for self awareness, ought to inform us all.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Third</b>, <b>excessive zeal should be avoided. </b>Given the lack of discernment and poor self awareness that mark human nature and especially the ambitious, we should guard carefully against excessive zeal in ANYTHING. By this, I mean that if an idea really is that great, and really does have God’s approval, it shouldn’t require many attempts through a years-long campaign to get others in the movement to listen and agree. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Fourth, not all scriptural arguments are valid. </b>I’ve encountered all sorts of foolish and false ideas promoted through tortured scriptural arguments that are just wrong. Remember, in Joseph’s day, everyone used the same Bible to oppose one another, and to oppose the Lord’s work when the restoration began. It’s no different now in the larger Christian world, or even among the ongoing restoration.</span></p>
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<p style="color: #800002; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Why Does This All Matter to US?</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In our movement, I’m aware of a number of ideas, initiatives, and proposals that have been put forward over the years, that have been considered and discussed, and that have been largely rejected or ignored by the body of believers. Some of these notions have gone away with no harm done, and others have stuck around. In the cases of those that have stuck around, they are promoted by a zealous few who simply cannot let their ideas drop, and who are willing to engage in attempt after attempt to press their desires on the covenant body, seemingly no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes, and no matter how many other believers oppose them. The voice of the people in the covenant body appears to hold no sway at all with those who are zealous in the pursuit of a false notion.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lest anyone should assume I’m singling them or their ideas out, rest assured I’m thinking of at least four separate initiatives in this category. I’ve noticed the following generalities about how each is promoted. </span></p>
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<ol>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each consists of something to which the entire covenant body is expected to subscribe. In other words, it’s not about something individuals should do, believe, or accept, but rather each calls for action by the entire body of believers. There is a noticeable desire to control others and the movement at large. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each is promoted by scriptural arguments, in some cases arguing that the plain meaning of the scripture quoted is the exact opposite of the Lord’s intent and that we have to see past the Lord’s plain words to get to some deeper, opposite meaning.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each is also promoted with the argument that the Lord’s work cannot move forward until the specific idea, initiative or action is implemented. Common arguments include, “Zion can never come until we…(implement my idea)” or “The Lord won’t move things forward until we…(implement my proposal).” These arguments are designed to play upon fear and impatience, while simultaneously manifesting the pride inherent in the assumption that the Lord can’t do his work unless someone’s bad idea is implemented. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each seeks to do something the Lord has not commanded, or alternatively, to add to or greatly expand what the Lord has commanded. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each *claims* the implicit support of the dispensation head as a means to bolster acceptance, while there has never been any sort of overt approval given. There are explanations for this as well, together with assurances that he really does want this to happen and the Lord needs it done, but it won’t ever be announced generally.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And finally, needless to say, each is promoted with a zeal bordering on a life’s mission and purpose for those doing the promoting. No opposition, no persuasion, no argument, no correction seems capable of convincing them to let up or let go. The same proposals just keep coming back.</span></li>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’m not accusing anyone of being Amalickiah or Brigham, of having murderous intent, or even of intentional unrighteousness. I’m simply pointing out patterns of human nature, given in scripture and acted out on the stage of this existence from the beginning. We are fools if we think we are somehow immune to the same patterns, and God forbid, the same outcomes. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Something Denver Snuffer said at the last conference is particularly applicable here. He taught that ALL institutions become corrupted, and that any form of power structure or hierarchy becomes the target of the adversary. This is because, “It's very easy to corrupt men. Vain and ambitious desires, lustful and covetous attitudes, they’re resident in every person in embryo, and the adversary knows how to excite that into corruption.” (<i>What to Worry About,</i> p.3)</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Every person. Including you. Including me. We are fools to think otherwise. And therefore, we require acute self awareness, constant vigilance, and the robust direction of God’s spirit to keep us in the right way. But even more than that, there is, in fact a cure for the latent flaws in our nature that make us all potential tools of evil. That cure, like all cures, comes through our Lord:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As many as perceived the Light in Him, to them He gave knowledge to enable them to follow the path to become like Him, begotten children in the family of the Most High God. This is only possible for those who believe through His name. Those who believe through His name are no longer born of blood to follow the appetites of flesh, nor the ambitions of man, but are able to become, like Him, the offspring of God. (TSJ 1:3)</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of the first objects of our belief is to create a change within us, commonly called being born again. This event changes our very natures and enables us to overcome the latent flaws we carry. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women — all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people — must be born again, yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters. And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. (Mosiah 11:28 RE)</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And for those who have experienced this mighty change and become new creatures, Alma has a few questions:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? Have ye walked keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say — if ye were called to die at this time — within yourselves that ye have been sufficiently humble, that your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not, ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold, ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of Heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared. And I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand; and he knoweth not when the time shall come, for such an one is not found guiltless.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And again I say unto you, is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother or that heapeth upon him persecutions? Woe unto such an one, for he is not prepared; and the time is at hand that he must repent, or he cannot be saved. Yea, even woe unto all ye workers of iniquity. Repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Alma 3:5-6 RE)</span></p></blockquote>
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<p style="color: #800002; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Destruction</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I began this series by talking about destruction, in hopes we would recognize the dire situation in which we find ourselves. Our nation and society have already been destroyed, and the decline toward the eventual sweeping off is underway. Time is short and we certainly can’t afford to be complacent, foolish, or wrong. As we close, there yet remains one final point we should consider regarding destruction: It always comes from within.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Historian Will Durant, who with his wife Ariel spent 40 years writing<i> The Story of Civilization</i> in 11 volumes put it thus:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He had cause to know. Every great civilization that eventually crumbled to ruin rotted from within before being conquered and destroyed from without. Captain Moroni was well aware of this when he wrote his fiery epistle to Parhoron, saying, “Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleansed also.” (Alma 27:9 RE) Moroni recognized there was no way they could repel the attacking Lamanites if the leadership and the populace were not valiant in the cause of truth. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the case of our civilization, pride and prosperity have made room for very bad ideas to be promoted with great zeal, justified with attractive arguments, and enforced upon the rest of us by force of law or abject lawlessness. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The same fate overcomes religious movements. Whether the time of Abraham, ancient Israel, Christ, or Joseph Smith, nearly every dispensation has ended in corruption in ruin—not because of outside forces, but by forces from within. The blood of the prophets, ancient and modern, cries for vengeance and insists, even demands that we recognize the danger and repent. Christ began his Nephite ministry with a sharp warning against disputation for a reason. Sharp disputation is the first sign of excessive zeal. The signs that then follow have been outlined above. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Before Denver Snuffer started the Forty Years in Mormonism series of ten talks that initiated the movement now underway, he related a vision he received that has great application now. Consider this:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After great losses, many deaths, and terrible suffering, the people chosen by the Lord withdrew and departed from the mountain. After four and five generations, the Lord again brought some few back to the pass and again told them to stay at the mouth of the pass and wait on Him. But again there were those who tired of waiting, for they could see in the distance the glory of the Fathers and they desired to be there. These, being overtaken by their zeal, did not wait, but moved into the pass where again the beast killed or hurt them.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Among those who waited, however, was a man who knelt and prayed, and waited patiently for his Lord. After a great time, the Lord came to this man and took him by the hand and led him into the pass where the great beast guarded the way. As the Lord led, however, the beast was ever occupied with attacking others, and therefore its back was turned to the Lord and the man. And so they passed by unnoticed, safely to the top. (T&C 163:4)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In this vision, some tired of waiting on the Lord, and instead charged ahead, overcome with zeal, and reaped destruction. In contrast, one man knelt, prayed, and waited patiently. Zealous for truth, though he was, his greater attributes were humility, obedience, and patience to wait upon the Lord. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At this point it all hangs in the balance. Destruction awaits for this world, and our only hope of safety and deliverance lies in kneeling humbly and waiting on the Lord. Otherwise those same forces of destruction <b>from within</b> will overcome and destroy the body of believers who call themselves the remnant. May we choose to overcome our zeal before it overcomes us all.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And they were numbered among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God and also towards men, for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end. And they did look upon shedding the blood of their brethren with the greatest abhorrence, and they never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren; and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ and the resurrection…And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Alma 15:9 RE</i></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p></div>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-24035857728229935332023-02-04T06:01:00.000-07:002023-02-04T06:01:00.005-07:00Young Adult Retreat and Survey<p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">A group of young adults is planning what looks like it will be a great event. Please see the flyer below and if you are a potential attendee, please complete the survey request included at the bottom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XaErhqA0qVyKc7Rrv-BJSW3-vAzfmdKnHkVgLkB7zu0ioQ4eq7VV-la3452vBq9EfsSA_QJQl8KgfHYBw2Z9sncPYXOpUH9VSrlfUprpog0WCHvlMF54erngXi4R13VrMLjgaaa74J5Oq5ov4iyNW3-QzPKNXBiTt7geuk5wEbVysZdOMZLPU1AG/s2560/2023_YA_Retreat_Flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1700" height="728" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XaErhqA0qVyKc7Rrv-BJSW3-vAzfmdKnHkVgLkB7zu0ioQ4eq7VV-la3452vBq9EfsSA_QJQl8KgfHYBw2Z9sncPYXOpUH9VSrlfUprpog0WCHvlMF54erngXi4R13VrMLjgaaa74J5Oq5ov4iyNW3-QzPKNXBiTt7geuk5wEbVysZdOMZLPU1AG/w484-h728/2023_YA_Retreat_Flyer.png" width="484" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class=""><div class=""><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Please fill out this survey if you are interested in attending the retreat and receiving updates. (This is not an official RSVP--just a survey to assess interest and potential numbers.)</span></div><div class=""><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1IIMvI3UineOQzsx40cOPwL3pxLjpuccRhM_o6nEdL9brUg/viewform" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Survey Link</b></span></a></div><div class=""><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div class=""><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br class="" /></span></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-8375965929385746072022-12-29T20:40:00.002-07:002022-12-29T20:40:36.751-07:00Rescuing the Restoration on Mormon Book Reviews<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Worth Your Time to Watch:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Steve Pynakker of <b>Mormon Book Reviews</b> just posted his excellent interview with Chris VanCampen regarding the Remnant Movement and the book, <b><i>Rescuing the Restoration: The Lord Sets His Hand Again. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here's the link to the interview:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /><i><br /></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fkwm7-sdxD0" width="435" youtube-src-id="Fkwm7-sdxD0"></iframe></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For more information about the book and the associated conference, check out this link:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.rescuingtherestoration.com/book">https://www.rescuingtherestoration.com/book</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.rescuingtherestoration.com/book" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUF_ZTvvHLGeqqVvuzxr4wbVNCpO8rbaXQxEgqspbxJFfOGunXkF1GcIng4SaU_ynp52GHWoDCmPv1exrlvgozdD7BVFJcTqFyeCz5fGFSNFpJWE5sNDCndHQ1g1Fo294CUlFbGFszYPzaJW5ZmCmdb-chHu4cPq_6yBtygP1oXahpnNA6blsmwSF/w281-h400/rescuing.png" width="281" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-61821359578701087732022-11-17T21:36:00.003-07:002022-11-20T17:19:01.302-07:00Righteousness Broadcast<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Denver Snuffer will speak on the topic of RIGHTEOUSNESS this Sunday, Nov. 20 at 6pm MST. The broadcast will be carried live on YouTube. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Note: The link previously posted here was incorrect. Here's the correct link:</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyXvM8ZTEuI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyXvM8ZTEuI</a></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“Righteousness” doesn’t always mean what we assume it does. I’m looking forward to hearing more about this topic.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-45751528563227163892022-10-18T21:32:00.005-06:002022-10-18T21:32:58.661-06:00Unity in Humanity Interfaith Celebration<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A highly recommended and interesting conference is coming up this weekend: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9jiWjYaYLAoxW2UjbdtWYNq7qQoj-_09Oox7ZlO4j6zOjA3IlhMZ1-BB7Sj-l6ZdGBkwIS640hyp79GaigwepQ8q0N7urvNCUYThbvRpSSZrEnZQSrz_T50B9sMS3qVxB8xfirWTr00BAQtGAg5StyY26oyP-hn-g6Q4jHLlmXKOXn2cJk4UlMTr/s871/IMG_1318.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="871" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9jiWjYaYLAoxW2UjbdtWYNq7qQoj-_09Oox7ZlO4j6zOjA3IlhMZ1-BB7Sj-l6ZdGBkwIS640hyp79GaigwepQ8q0N7urvNCUYThbvRpSSZrEnZQSrz_T50B9sMS3qVxB8xfirWTr00BAQtGAg5StyY26oyP-hn-g6Q4jHLlmXKOXn2cJk4UlMTr/w498-h270/IMG_1318.jpeg" width="498" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-70624878684475156032022-09-09T23:12:00.000-06:002022-09-09T23:12:27.504-06:00East Coast Regional Conference 2022<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xrAx17Q7D_zkbg1CQ1ckkzPhOhxYp9z-ydwVz90HPbUKNN1KEtxix2XmaRvvSRc7_GBmmXLJ8BrrmivLE3o7w4zra0D3JsJO5EVGu1bg02zKGtSowkXlR_JPstjaicUbbEDPrgg_mQ6woWM4pX9esBrsDota8mATdx5hhkRSM6cK4aNOfG-HPq3E/s828/IMG_4463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="828" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xrAx17Q7D_zkbg1CQ1ckkzPhOhxYp9z-ydwVz90HPbUKNN1KEtxix2XmaRvvSRc7_GBmmXLJ8BrrmivLE3o7w4zra0D3JsJO5EVGu1bg02zKGtSowkXlR_JPstjaicUbbEDPrgg_mQ6woWM4pX9esBrsDota8mATdx5hhkRSM6cK4aNOfG-HPq3E/w400-h398/IMG_4463.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWFtD5r89YWN5nkB0_mswY-rUiF8Gml1I2KhoEaGPAX0X3cGqgzqt4hlx5vpxaUrPQo-bWcvFRrfbNm1MhXFY7eTZqBjq00_I4H5R5HWFJoI5Tayn3_sUP3zrv3f3_UeqTDua5Xqa9xY97GMxQVDYkjgTrBKVKzrUPxCt4oqJwGvXaZF9J4YGv0mR/s1024/IMG_6039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWFtD5r89YWN5nkB0_mswY-rUiF8Gml1I2KhoEaGPAX0X3cGqgzqt4hlx5vpxaUrPQo-bWcvFRrfbNm1MhXFY7eTZqBjq00_I4H5R5HWFJoI5Tayn3_sUP3zrv3f3_UeqTDua5Xqa9xY97GMxQVDYkjgTrBKVKzrUPxCt4oqJwGvXaZF9J4YGv0mR/w400-h400/IMG_6039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-55859630437150282012022-06-27T23:30:00.052-06:002023-02-26T23:35:32.852-07:00Destruction, Part 7: Murder and Gain<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Wherefore, O ye gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shewn unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you — which are built up to get power and gain — and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the eternal God shall fall upon you to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Ether 3:18 RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When Christ came to the Nephites at Bountiful, he came to the surviving remnant of a destroyed nation. Indeed, so great had been the Nephite destruction that the people who came to Bountiful to keep the required feast “were marveling and wondering one with another, and were shewing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place” (3 Nephi 5:1 RE). These changes were to the city, the landscape, even the very geography as fire, tempest, earthquake, floods, and volcanic eruptions had wiped out the wicked. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But this particular destruction didn’t start as it ended, with natural disasters and entire cities laid waste in a moment. No, after the many ups and downs of the “Nephite pride cycle” this final destruction was ushered in by degrees at the beginning, and by something far more mundane than a massive display of nature’s power. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What destroyed the Nephites was an idea—nothing more, and nothing less. Those who accepted and acted on the idea ultimately caused the deaths of millions and the destruction of an entire nation. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword, and ideas are more powerful than armies. We’ll get to the idea in due course, but first, let’s consider some history.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dogs and Vomit</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">To understand the roots of the destruction before Christ’s coming, we should start with the day Christ was born. As you may recall, the faithful awaited Samuel’s sign of a night without darkness, while the wicked set a deadline for the sign to be given, or else all believers would be murdered. The miraculous sign that followed caused a general repentance, and nearly all the Nephites were converted to the Lord; but it didn’t last. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">Within three years, </span></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>...the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from Heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts and blind in their minds…And thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.” (3 Nephi 1:8 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Not many years later, the Gaddianton robbers had convinced and converted so many of the Nephites and Lamanites that they felt sufficiently powerful to make a play for the entire Nephite nation. It was only the righteousness of the Nephite Chief Judge, Lachoneous, that saved the nation from utter destruction. He gathered the people into one defensive body and declared repentance:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Yea, he said unto them, As the Lord liveth, except ye repent of all your iniquities and cry unto the Lord, that they would in no wise be delivered out of the hands of those Gaddianton robbers. And so great and marvelous were the words and prophecies of Lachoneus that they did cause fear to come upon all the people; and they did exert themselves in their might to do according to the words of Lachoneus. (3 Nephi 2:4 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So complete were the preparations and so thorough the repentance that the gathered Nephites met the Gaddianton robbers in the strength of the Lord, repelled them for several years, and ultimately defeated them. They then caused the gospel to be preached among the vanquished robbers, resulting in the complete conversion of all the land. Here’s a description of the repentant Nephites that re-established peace:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And now behold, there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets which had been spoken, for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled. And they knew it must be expedient that Christ had come, because of the many signs which had been given according to the words of the prophets. And because of the things which had come to pass already, they knew it must needs be that all things should come to pass according to that which had been spoken. Therefore, they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and their whoredoms, and did serve God with all diligence, day and night. (3 Nephi 2:14 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The miraculously established peace among these repentant people didn’t quite last four years. Soon, “some were lifted up unto pride and boastings…the people began to be distinguished by ranks…there became a great unequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up…” and ultimately:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Satan had great power unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore, they had not enjoyed peace but a few years. …they were in a state of awful wickedness. Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore, they did willfully rebel against God. (3 Nephi 3:3 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Into this dire circumstance the Lord sent prophets, “preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people, or in other words, the resurrection of Christ; and they did testify boldly of his death and sufferings.” (3 Nephi 3:4)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This preaching, as it always does, angered the wicked, who responded by killing the prophets and forming a secret combination:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And they did enter into a covenant one with another, yea, even into that covenant which was given by them of old, which covenant was given and administered by the Devil to combine against all righteousness. Therefore, they did combine against the people of the Lord and enter into a covenant to destroy them and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice which was about to be administered according to the law. (3 Nephi 3:5)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And now we’ve arrived at the idea I said we would reach in due course. It was put most plainly in the beginning, by none other than the original murderer, Cain: </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And Cain says, Truly I am Mahon, the master of this great secret — that I may murder and get gain; wherefore, Cain was called Master Mahon. (Genesis 3:9 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhM4Q23meL4xh-GpuB80L17BTrxRLFbkTEnCp1Pewe0elV-USOJSfuHd7-SWBYlEobaWxVFMd93Rqe7E7lm5cDefRc5UApiln_H2byhgMxJeq04RfAlTCThbuiqmawcFbhOtq8y7f5J3aOxSwYlItODNvvQZyXuDBJ1N_I5I61mZ6vIYCXH1rUF5-/s1200/cain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhM4Q23meL4xh-GpuB80L17BTrxRLFbkTEnCp1Pewe0elV-USOJSfuHd7-SWBYlEobaWxVFMd93Rqe7E7lm5cDefRc5UApiln_H2byhgMxJeq04RfAlTCThbuiqmawcFbhOtq8y7f5J3aOxSwYlItODNvvQZyXuDBJ1N_I5I61mZ6vIYCXH1rUF5-/w400-h266/cain.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s easy to consider this idea dismissively, as if it were so obvious. Yeah, you can kill someone and steal their stuff. This may be true enough, but such is the domain of amateurs and petty criminals. Cain, under the guidance of Lucifer, had a much greater goal in mind than merely obtaining property through murder. Ultimately, it was about gaining control over human souls. Cain’s murder was an attempt to displace Abel from the birthright position so that Cain could follow Adam as head of the human family with dominion over the earth. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Naturally, Cain’s plan failed, as the outcome he sought could only be obtained in righteousness, but it didn’t keep him from laying out his secret plans in ways to inspire mankind to murder for the next 6000 years. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, back to the Nephites. Here’s what happened next:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country. And they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty, but should be subject unto kings. Now behold, I will shew unto you that they did not establish a king over the land, but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did destroy upon the judgment seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land. And the people were divided one against another and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family, and his kindred, and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land. (3 Nephi 3:5-6 RE)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The wicked combination intended to overthrow the current government and establish a king by murdering the chief judge. What they didn’t bank on was that the government had already been so weakened, and the fabric of society so frayed through wickedness that the murder of the chief judge—rather than resulting in a new government—resulted in no government at all. The people broke up into tribes and banded together for survival. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan. And the regulations of the government were destroyed because of the secret combination of the friends and the kindreds of those who murdered the prophets. And they did cause a great contention in the land…and thus six years had not passed away since the more part of the people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire. (3 Nephi 3:6 RE)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Nephites remained in this general state of wickedness and societal destruction for the next three years until the natural disasters at Christ’s death overtook and annihilated the wicked. Regarding those who had destroyed the government by murdering the chief judge, the Lord said the following: </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And behold, that great city Jacob-ugath, which was inhabited by the people of king Jacob, have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and their wickedness, which was above all the wickedness of the whole earth because of their secret murders and combinations, for it was they that did destroy the peace of my people and the government of the land. Therefore, I did cause them to be burned to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me anymore against them. (3 Nephi 4:6 RE)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Chief Judges</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In considering this particular round of Nephite destruction, it’s perhaps tempting to think the chief judge’s murder was a new idea, tried out by desperate revolutionaries in hopes of establishing a king. But this isn’t the case at all. Of the 12 named chief judges in the 90-plus-year history of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, fully five of them were murdered in office—always by secret combinations, always for the purpose of getting gain, and twice causing governmental collapse. That’s nearly half, folks. Might there be a lesson there for us? </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here’s what I take from it: Those who submit themselves to Satan ultimately lust for power and control over others. This power lust drives increasingly desperate actions against any who stand in the way of the ambitious, until the ultimate solution presents itself to their minds: Murder those who stand in your way, and you will gain what you seek. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The history of humanity most certainly bears this out. Those seeking power, wealth, gratification of lust, and control of the institutions that could deliver all these things have bathed the world in blood nearly continually, ever since Cain first demonstrated the technique. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The pattern is SO strong, SO pervasive, SO commonly acted out on stages both public and private, that this idea explains nearly all murders committed among all humanity for the last 6000 years. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me <b>that they are had among all people;</b> and they are had among the Lamanites. And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi. And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints which shall be shed by them shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avengeth them not. (Ether 3:18 RE, emphasis mine)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Indeed if such plans are had among all people, they are certainly had in our nation and in our day. Given the prophecies already upon us, and those that will shortly be fulfilled, we should not be surprised to find we are the most murderous of any people ever to exist.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Whoa, there’s an assertion for you. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Blood of the Innocents</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I write this, our nation is wracked with a massive upheaval threatening what’s left of our societal stability and rule of law. The Supreme Court of the United States just overturned a 50-year-old, poorly reasoned, tortuously applied ruling that an implied right to privacy constituted a right to abortion at will. Or in plainer terms, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion is an issue for the states to settle through legislation at the state level. There is not now, and never has been a Constitutional “right” to abortion.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This certainly doesn’t end the legacy of killing the unborn in our country, but it brings the current chapter to a close, after the deaths of some 63 million unborn children, almost universally for the “gain” of those sponsoring, choosing, and performing the killing. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Rather than dwell on the horrific legacy of abortion in our nation, or the affront and offense it is to our Heavenly Parents, I’ll instead focus on the actions of those participating in this combination. The pending Supreme Court opinion was intentionally leaked in early May—a breach so egregious that it has never happened before in our nation’s history. Since that time, those in favor of killing the unborn have become increasingly angry, violent, and unwilling to be governed. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After the leak, pregnancy centers were vandalized. Demonstrations were organized. Open threats were issued against those who would dare suggest the killings ought to stop, or even be regulated by the states. The coming ruling was mischaracterized in the most inflammatory language possible, outright lies were published and repeated about it, and politicians, governments, media organizations, celebrities, and corporations all sought to use any means possible to intimidate both the Supreme Court and the nation, perhaps hoping enough fear would cause the court to change the opinion before it was officially published. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In response, the moon hid her face on the night of May 15-16, in the longest lunar eclipse of this century. The last blood moon of this duration took place 33 years ago, in 1989. Perhaps take notice of that 33-year span.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2hCDTuG35aNoTw-l81Jrg3Ga4XHd4-IR_SxWYj3N6nfIfLo1fdol4Wog1IgaQoOjnsOWlz6Oai3TkP-msfTY66skNxJu7GSnayyKUnRKIMvmGi3v-ClrVu44t29X4jpiZKwHedXiHi2PbQHoInF84YTJooS6CHELj04F75zJhH4xNvTwmIrC2pIZ/s1280/bloodmoon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2hCDTuG35aNoTw-l81Jrg3Ga4XHd4-IR_SxWYj3N6nfIfLo1fdol4Wog1IgaQoOjnsOWlz6Oai3TkP-msfTY66skNxJu7GSnayyKUnRKIMvmGi3v-ClrVu44t29X4jpiZKwHedXiHi2PbQHoInF84YTJooS6CHELj04F75zJhH4xNvTwmIrC2pIZ/w400-h225/bloodmoon.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the run-up to the release of the Court’s opinion, we witnessed the Summer Solstice with its zenith of maximum light, commencing the gradual loss of light now underway. A few days later, we saw the alignment of all 5 visible planets in a rare viewing event. Curiously, the best day for their viewing featured the waning crescent Moon between Venus and Mars (standing in for Earth in the planetary order.) The fact that the Moon was a waning crescent demonstrates before all the assembled planetary heavenly hosts that the Earth is losing light. The Moon’s testimony, in relation to events on the ground, is ominous. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L3e-AbdxdWyHn4hnEUUqU2MJ2gkiB8uR15ZjfPTKJlfMO5sALEver4WZO0SJX-fHDTBK07aQfk1LJt-gIAZMeHRXBsMYpHlOOuss54IgUYl4UA8JzS5Z_e1ut_iR_7WE3to4dmMGv2V8lYlB0wI2dJDR0avxgJbv5F-hiFXaiLKZ0n0PYthTstkF/s632/planets.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="632" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L3e-AbdxdWyHn4hnEUUqU2MJ2gkiB8uR15ZjfPTKJlfMO5sALEver4WZO0SJX-fHDTBK07aQfk1LJt-gIAZMeHRXBsMYpHlOOuss54IgUYl4UA8JzS5Z_e1ut_iR_7WE3to4dmMGv2V8lYlB0wI2dJDR0avxgJbv5F-hiFXaiLKZ0n0PYthTstkF/w400-h225/planets.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Click to Enlarge</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">That very day, the Supreme Court issued its unchanged opinion, striking down <i>Roe v. Wade </i>and though many celebrated this monumental decision, the far more vocal, angry, graphic, vulgar, loud, noticeable, media-promoted demonstrations were by the pro-killing crowd. There was no civil, reasoned discussion or debate of this matter. Why engage in an intellectual discussion of case law, legal precedent, federalism, states rights, biology, fetal development, women’s rights, religion, godliness, morality, or any of the myriad other important facets of this question, when you can instead paint a vulgar sign, smear your crotch with red paint, and scream obscenities at peaceful passers-by while you vandalize a church to show your disdain for life and law <i>all while standing in a state that still allows abortion!? </i></span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We witnessed national elected representatives calling the Supreme Court illegitimate, and openly calling for its dissolution and the destruction of our constitutional government.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We witnessed politicians stating they would simply refuse to obey laws with which they disagreed, including laws that limit killing the unborn. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We witnessed vandalism, burning and bombing of churches, medical facilities, pregnancy care centers, and pro-life organizations, most concentrated in states where abortion is still allowed and promoted.</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We witnessed open calls for a national split, civil war, or at least violence against any who believe in the sanctity of life. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We witnessed ongoing personal threats and verbal attacks against the Supreme Court Justices, which included publishing their home addresses and organizing demonstrations at their homes (which is blatantly and directly against federal law, but was not prosecuted and is instead openly promoted by the current White House administration.)</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We witnessed holders of high public office proclaiming from the steps of the Supreme Court that the Justices must suffer consequences for their rulings. </span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In summary, we witnessed public calls for violence against the chief judges. The baby killers are now vocally promoting the assassination of various Justices, and even their families. </span></li></ul>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Murder to Get Gain</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In short, those most interested in murdering to get gain have done the math, considered the makeup of the court, realize the impact of a single changed vote, and are now calling for the murder of a chief judge. At least one assassin set out with the intent and means to do just that, before ultimately being apprehended and charged. This ought to come as a gut kick to anyone who believes the warnings in the Book of Mormon. It certainly did to me. The death of one chief judge is as likely to upend our government and society as it was to upend the Nephite nation. And we know how that turned out.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What I found most shocking was not that abortion supporters are calling for the murder of a Supreme Court Justice, but rather that they are being so public about it. Guys, it’s supposed to be a <i>secret</i> combination—remember? What, haven’t you read the book?</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A recent poll by the leftist Southern Poverty Law Center found broad support for political violence, most particularly among younger people. Take a look at their findings, below:</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3Vp9dw7Dahk-sridpUDSBV4S1o86HP0DLjGucsgb4zZFfJ8uYuE6XY2cVhTbFvUbLUQSNhylzohe_bJlEVgY25kTwIASrmxic2Vl1A7EOenNlEfkg-oMTTcN2g0m7JIqi4CBu9r07Ag2MWz0IwiuseAPIZge6IOaarkTjLKfRsTOR73g17MsBM5b/s2561/partisanship-violence-3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2561" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3Vp9dw7Dahk-sridpUDSBV4S1o86HP0DLjGucsgb4zZFfJ8uYuE6XY2cVhTbFvUbLUQSNhylzohe_bJlEVgY25kTwIASrmxic2Vl1A7EOenNlEfkg-oMTTcN2g0m7JIqi4CBu9r07Ag2MWz0IwiuseAPIZge6IOaarkTjLKfRsTOR73g17MsBM5b/w400-h225/partisanship-violence-3.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Click to Enlarge</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you can see, the under-50 demographic of both major political parties expresses impressive levels of support for political assassinations, with nearly half of respondents among some demographics in favor. Such poll numbers ought to have Lucifer positively giddy with excitement. Hell, he’s polling even better than the president. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All sarcasm aside, it’s clear we’re in deep trouble. Though overturning <i>Roe v. Wade</i> was certainly a positive step, it was taken by the same court that widely refused to consider the rights of those who object to forced experimental vaccination on religious grounds. Far from being the harbinger of a better future for society, it appears that the true legacy of the decision may ultimately have little to do with halting abortion, and far more to do with creating greater division, violence and destruction in what’s left of our nation. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The pre-crucifixion Nephite nation, in a whiplash-inducing swing went from full conversion and righteousness to vile wickedness, loss of government, tribalism and ripeness for destruction in <i><b>two years.</b></i> Three years after that, the wicked were all wiped out. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And it all fell apart with a single idea: murder to get gain. Sadly, that idea is now more popular than ever.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>178 Years Ago</b></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Having examined the ancient pattern established by Lucifer as a secret combination, its fundamental tenet of murder to get gain, and its modern application as the train careens wildly down the mountain toward the curve in the tracks, we should not fail to notice the pattern of murder among the religious. Just as killing political opponents often appears to the wicked as a solution to their problems and the path to gaining what they seek, so also it has always appeared to religious authorities as the path to freedom, power, control and wealth. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">True prophets have ever been threatened, abused, and killed for doing nothing other than teaching the truth. Because truth threatens the false institutions and power structures that have accumulated wealth and power, truth tellers become targets of the ambitious, the proud, the lustful, and the fearful. This played out 178 years ago today in an upper-floor room of a jailhouse in Carthage, Illinois, where two prophets sent by God to speak truth were murdered by a secret combination that lied about the deaths and gained a legacy of power, control, unbridled lust, and untold wealth built on the blood of the dead witnesses. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Enough truth remained after the Smith brothers were gone to maintain a flicker in a darkening world. The Book of Mormon is a light that will not, indeed cannot, be extinguished, and together with the other revelations that came through Joseph and Hyrum Smith, truth gained a foothold in this fallen place. Their deaths were not in vain and will remain so as long as believers seek to rise up and know the God that manifested himself through these two witnesses. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">They trod the path that we must now follow. They laid the foundation upon which we must now build. Although the institution they left behind was immediately hijacked and corrupted by the very combination that conspired to kill them, enough of the truths they taught endured and caught the attention of others who would carry the work forward. The God of Heaven has now made a bonafide offer to continue what they started, rescue us from destruction and gather us to safety and peace. We are invited to know him as the Smith brothers did. Lucifer’s murderous combinations have reigned far too long with blood and horror on this earth.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I began this post by stating that when Christ came to the Nephites at Bountiful, he came to the surviving remnant of a destroyed nation. In the next and final installment we will consider the Lord’s promises, the current remnant, the destroyed nation, and how to be present when the Lord comes. The Book of Mormon is, after all, more prophecy than history.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you, that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or woe be unto it because of the blood of them who have been slain, for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who build it up.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Ether 3:18 RE</i></span></p><div><br /></div>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-36875388352400016772022-05-01T12:58:00.019-06:002022-05-01T13:10:52.856-06:00Two Great Upcoming Events<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>There are two great events coming up and I want to do my part to spread the word. Both look like they're going to be phenomenally well done and worth attending. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>First, the Remnant Youth Conference:</b></span></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78R2UkVYzITTL50ouOxyIEHkRrjpWyIBbo-U1I4Nz6PSnA_d_vDBgxLbSeEk2XY5Kyv0mF_jyJtdhuVPsQngp7U2EFu8QexKFWkXKUR-3QwgwbIl2EEFp8x2fFHqsZQ8utDW-8PU0VrXgzbdJtwbPTyUQyOU3q19eUKFyhgmjuCo7Nx0TjcNMm4kc/s774/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78R2UkVYzITTL50ouOxyIEHkRrjpWyIBbo-U1I4Nz6PSnA_d_vDBgxLbSeEk2XY5Kyv0mF_jyJtdhuVPsQngp7U2EFu8QexKFWkXKUR-3QwgwbIl2EEFp8x2fFHqsZQ8utDW-8PU0VrXgzbdJtwbPTyUQyOU3q19eUKFyhgmjuCo7Nx0TjcNMm4kc/s320/image1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgphf0QzFAN57aCM9Sv3MpbTy_JJWU7XSehsl2FN9wt-bTW96thPL3BkVk-8DlbEfI0ysCr6ta5mJ-2SZGVju3W1_LexX8CyuXWTwsu77N0D7XA9RCyxb4GdrGTNBkaXZCh1F5fVANpst1ZGYwAq0mR1tmhnmko2Kr_4P3iHuPmOPIIBx67bzpoygtp/s774/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="275" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cz45KaqiE5I" width="461" youtube-src-id="Cz45KaqiE5I"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Second, the Stand Independent Conference:</span></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5gKnydTk_6d0pXKgpJibDckqd-pF-hKQWmDQY4MHLGYBKotox8jIVm7xa2x3GuLUuy36Ksbugby_Gw_NnP0u56W0jVAxT3yvVD3t1oTYlE1qqaKZAw-RXwV6UpJTwfCJFSMEtdQrFC2_sHIHlTgyHTfNvh7n6RVvEUgRBqq604a-ns5KaSN7dLXx/s1202/Stand%20Independent%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1202" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5gKnydTk_6d0pXKgpJibDckqd-pF-hKQWmDQY4MHLGYBKotox8jIVm7xa2x3GuLUuy36Ksbugby_Gw_NnP0u56W0jVAxT3yvVD3t1oTYlE1qqaKZAw-RXwV6UpJTwfCJFSMEtdQrFC2_sHIHlTgyHTfNvh7n6RVvEUgRBqq604a-ns5KaSN7dLXx/s320/Stand%20Independent%201.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozAWKbaonXNyqCnOPR6JnAoFnrtfNOsM5QqJGPk-M11xl9iQCIdwQYGi5GAtUJcJXs6q40UFpDMpClW_e-fwT6gieXGCvBDw-LmfAx3GfQyQS4kLm4tAJmfbFJmOsyYSrjLb3a8fTSIn8_xX8gU4NLdUbXrbXiQR-hbmoa5H4akgnI5xXcuA4g86b/s568/Stand%20Independent%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="568" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozAWKbaonXNyqCnOPR6JnAoFnrtfNOsM5QqJGPk-M11xl9iQCIdwQYGi5GAtUJcJXs6q40UFpDMpClW_e-fwT6gieXGCvBDw-LmfAx3GfQyQS4kLm4tAJmfbFJmOsyYSrjLb3a8fTSIn8_xX8gU4NLdUbXrbXiQR-hbmoa5H4akgnI5xXcuA4g86b/s320/Stand%20Independent%202.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3pB3IM11uJb9eCD5mJ9ZJL5s826mPAgrjdfChc5L0AeqNi6CFizI11hCd5qQzZNufQVxpojw7akj5EyeAzV8m5VqIcAfW5_24uTqxhhq8A8f-uVHS4C3cUBafoB05qpUTNAW6l7DvVhwT2A1UFDVrS-rxIA5TzXNfxB2DAILpQgKZ_eygL6Qgj8_/s568/Stand%20Independent%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Please visit the conference website here:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://standindependent.com/conference-2022/"><span style="font-size: large;">https://standindependent.com/conference-2022/</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or, here are some specific links:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://standindependent.com/conference-2022/#registertoattend" target="_blank">Register to attend the Conference</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://standindependent.com/conference-2022/#volunteertohelp" target="_blank">Volunteer to Present a Skill</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-78876979632780752002022-04-20T23:58:00.021-06:002023-02-26T23:35:53.819-07:00 Destruction, Part 6: Four Passovers<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>It is the Lord’s Passover, for I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the first born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you when I smite the land of Egypt.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Exodus 8:2, RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The annual celebration of Passover commemorates the deliverance of Israel from bondage and slavery in Egypt. The seven-day celebration begins with the Seder meal held after sunset on the first day of the festival. This meal includes many traditions and rich symbolism, including the drinking of four cups of wine throughout the meal. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z4F3ZyVbYG_aUXoPiXv0qXBoI8A-268jKvaYJIx1NJmpx8ey4lP15ntS9GlJdhL2Itd8TfHxV1_rqz95W2u8I5QUB_j_rdc3T_r1W7QsEPvVdj14ItqIliwtrWdtyq6AePOU3vIyrtNhNJwOCsBq_QcbytbxJssqcTb65dgup8g7wMcGAChbSIJo/s5000/fourcups.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2830" data-original-width="5000" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Z4F3ZyVbYG_aUXoPiXv0qXBoI8A-268jKvaYJIx1NJmpx8ey4lP15ntS9GlJdhL2Itd8TfHxV1_rqz95W2u8I5QUB_j_rdc3T_r1W7QsEPvVdj14ItqIliwtrWdtyq6AePOU3vIyrtNhNJwOCsBq_QcbytbxJssqcTb65dgup8g7wMcGAChbSIJo/w400-h226/fourcups.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Tradition tells us the four cups commemorate the four-fold promise of deliverance found in Exodus 6:6-7 (Ex. 4:1 RE):</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wherefore, say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and <b>I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians,</b> and<b> I will remove you out of their bondage,</b> and <b>I will redeem you with a stretched out arm and with great judgments.</b> And <b>I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a God, </b>and you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. </span></blockquote><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Each of the bolded statements is a promise given by God, and each is symbolized by a cup of wine, <span>as follows:</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="1188" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUifg422Axbme-_Jbclj1pMJlyefWALpJlkikYJjhHwvHQbD5g6hBja0lCRGW8sLoSJRAbnhSskF9KG_m2E3wzfszrQ6vCFkxnWaU-uEpuBUVidOkouwUtaV5H2xfPtnDF-s8B-rS-Ajq_at7iTFiPwxNnR-5TF34_XWhMcJIdGM9WJVLe0XUHyaD/w558-h206/promise%20table.png" width="558" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Though Jewish tradition ascribes meaning to each of the statements and cups in the context of the Israelite liberation from Egypt and entry into the Promised Land, I choose to take a more expansive view of the meanings of the statements and the cups, beginning with the Israelite Exodus, and continuing through three more Passovers that constitute the four pivotal moments in Israel’s redemption.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All the passovers have elements they share in common; watch for these elements as we discuss the four Passovers.</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Three days journey</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sacrifice</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Blood</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Death</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Destruction and suffering</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Negotiation for release</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Miracles</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A ceremonial meal</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wine</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A nighttime escape</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A final deliverance</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Freedom under a new government</span></li></ul>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The First Passover</span></b></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first of the four Passovers is the Passover with which we are all familiar, associated with the Exodus from Egypt. It began with Moses and Aaron asking Pharaoh to allow the people to travel three days journey into the wilderness to sacrifice. Upon Pharaoh’s refusal, the Lord sent plagues of destruction and suffering, beginning with turning the waters to blood, and culminating with the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. The “Passover” refers to the angel of death passing over the Israelite homes marked with the blood of the sacrificed lamb, while the Israelites ate a ceremonial meal inside. They were instructed to eat the meal “in haste” with “your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand” to be ready to depart immediately on their journey. They departed by night and escaped the Egyptians, only to be followed by Pharaoh’s armies. Their final deliverance occurred when the Lord parted the Red Sea through which they escaped on dry ground, and then returned the sea and drowned Pharaoh’s armies. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All the events I mentioned in the above bullet list occurred in this passover and prefigure similar events in the subsequent Passovers. You may want to consult the bullet list and see if you can find them all. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One other item to note—the first cup in the Seder, the Cup of Sanctification and Separation, linked to the statement, “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” symbolizes this exodus.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Second Passover</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Having delivered the House of Israel from physical bondage through the initial Passover and exodus, the next item on the Lord’s agenda was their spiritual deliverance from the bondage of ignorance and false religion. Like the first Passover exodus, this second occurred at a time when Israel labored under burdens. The Northern kingdom had already turned apostate, been conquered and carried away captive by the Assyrians. The Southern kingdom had been preliminarily conquered by Babylon with Zedekiah sitting on the throne of David as Babylon’s puppet king. The reforms instituted by Josiah had gone to great lengths to destroy scripture and alter the Israelite religion, including erasure of the divine feminine, removal of the Messiah from scripture, elimination of entire books that were too Messianic, and centralization of all worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The people labored in great wickedness and prophets foretold their doom.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Into this desperate situation, the Lord sent Lehi who preached of both the coming destruction and the future Messiah. This proved too much for the religious authorities, who sought to have Lehi killed. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">At the Lord’s command, Lehi took his family and fled three days’ journey into the wilderness where they made camp and offered sacrifice. The Lord then instructed Lehi that his sons must return to Jerusalem to rescue the “record of the Jews” that was written on brass plates and safeguarded in a treasury. This record contained:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">…the five books of Moses, which gave an account of the creation of the world and also of Adam and Eve, who were our first parents, and also a record of the Jews from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah, and also the prophecies of the holy prophets from the beginning, even down to the commencement of the reign of Zedekiah, and also many prophecies which have been spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah. (1 Nephi 1:22 RE)</span></blockquote><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Even more important, this record, preserved on metal plates, had not been altered by revisionists. It was likely the last remaining unadulterated record of the original religion God gave to Adam, and the original words of all the prophets. It testified of the Messiah in full and rich detail, and as such was undoubtedly targeted for destruction by those bent on obliterating this sacred knowledge.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lehi’s sons tried negotiating with Laban for the record’s release, making multiple attempts to convince Laban to relinquish it. They sacrificed all their worldly wealth in an attempt to purchase the record. But ultimately, it was Nephi who secured the record when he found Laban inebriated in the street, killed him, stole his armor, and impersonated his way into the treasury to retrieve the record. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This all likely happened at Passover. Indeed, evidence suggests Laban’s death took place on the last day of Passover, just after the final festival celebrating the death of the Egyptians in the Red Sea. Laban’s drunkenness was the natural result of the final celebration, and Nephi’s ability to creep through the city by night undetected, kill Laban, impersonate him, and retrieve the record were all likely facilitated by the fact that most of the city was passed out drunk that night. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Like the first Passover, this one contained all the same representative elements. But rather than concluding with the physical deliverance of Israel, this Passover exodus brought about the eventual spiritual salvation of the covenant people. The Brass Plates were the direct precursor to the Book of Mormon. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say the Book of Mormon was a direct continuation of the Brass Plates record. Without the retrieval of the Brass Plates, the Book of Mormon likely would never have existed, and therefore its ultimate purpose and destiny in the Marvelous Work that will gather and spiritually restore Israel in these last days would not be possible. This was truly a pivotal Passover.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It is symbolized by the second cup of wine in the Seder, the Cup of Deliverance and Judgment, associated with the Lord’s statement, “I will remove you out of their bondage.” All Israel was delivered from the spiritual bondage of false religion through this Passover and exodus, while Judgment rained down in the form of Babylon’s final conquest of Jerusalem.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For more information on the Passover exodus of Lehi, I recommend <a href="https://stickofjoseph.org/our-blog/lechis-passover-exodus/" target="_blank">this blog post over at Stick of Joseph.</a></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Third Passover</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jesus Christ’s suffering, sacrificial death and resurrection all occurred at Passover. He embodied the Paschal lamb without blemish that would be inspected, judged, sacrificed, and eaten in the Seder meal. Prior to Christ’s death, Pilate negotiated with the crowd to determine who would be released. Our Lord escaped his suffering as evening fell, and took his three day journey in the spirit world. Then final deliverance came at the resurrection when he broke the bands of death and returned to life. Every Passover element and symbol was fulfilled in these events, and this Passover delivered Israel from sin and death. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For interesting information about the timing of this Passover, check out <a href="https://stickofjoseph.org/our-blog/the-thursday-crucifixion-in-the-stick-of-joseph/" target="_blank">this post at Stick of Joseph.</a></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This Passover is symbolized by the third cup in the Seder meal, the Cup of Redemption, reflecting the Lord’s statement, “I will redeem you with a stretched out arm and with great judgments.” Christ’s arms were stretched out on the cross, as great judgments fell on the world. On the American continent, fierce and unprecedented destructions took place by storm, fire, earthquake, tsunami, electrical storm and volcano. The wicked were destroyed as entire cities were erased. This was the greatest Passover yet, and it resulted in the redemption of all creation. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Fourth Passover</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The fourth and final Passover has not yet taken place, but it is prophesied and expected. This Passover is the topic of Malachi’s prophecy:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard. And a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. And I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings. And ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall; and ye shall tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of Hosts. (3 Nephi 11:4-5 RE) </span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As I’m sure you’re aware, this prophecy makes appearance in every volume of our scripture, and was the first scripture quoted by Nephi when he appeared to Joseph Smith in September 1823. It is one of the major themes of the restoration and the ultimate conclusion of this era, including its promise of protection for the righteous, who will be “passed over” in the day of burning.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Specifically for this final Passover, the Lord has made all the following promises to those who will receive and faithfully keep his Covenant:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I will raise you up and protect you, abide with you, and gather you in due time, and this shall be a land of promise to you as your inheritance from me.</span> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The earth will yield its increase, and you will flourish upon the mountains and upon the hills, and the wicked will not come against you because the fear of the Lord will be with you.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I will visit my house, which the remnant of my people shall build, and I will dwell therein, to be among you, and no one will need to say, Know ye the Lord, for you all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I will teach you things that have been hidden from the foundation of the world and your understanding will reach unto Heaven.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And you shall be called the children of the Most High God, and I will preserve you against the harvest.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And the angels sent to harvest the world will gather the wicked into bundles to be burned, but will pass over you as my peculiar treasure. (T&C 158:12-18)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These robust promises of separation, deliverance, protection, prosperity, knowledge, spiritual growth, and adoption reflect but also surpass all the promises of deliverance in the prior three Passovers. The final promise that the covenant people will be passed over refers to the final, triumphant return of the Lord when the wicked will be destroyed and the righteous will be blessed. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This final Passover reflects the fourth cup of the Seder meal, the Cup of Acceptance, associated with the promise, “I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a God.” In language of the Covenant, the Lord phrases it thus:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All you who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto me, and been baptized in my name, and have received a remission of your sins, and received the holy ghost, are now numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel. (T&C 158:10)</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And you shall be called the children of the Most High God, and I will preserve you against the harvest. (T&C 158:17)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In 1831, the Lord spoke through Joseph Smith about an initial attempt to establish Zion in Missouri. Regarding the ultimate triumph, he spoke the following:</span></p>
<p style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you — that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come, and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand. And also, that a feast of fat things might be prepared for the poor, yea, a feast of fat things, of wine on the lees well refined, that the earth may know that the mouths of the prophets shall not fail; yea, a supper of the House of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited: firstly, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble, and after that comes the day of my power. Then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord prepared for the great day to come. Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it. (T&C 45:2)</span></p>
<p style="color: #fb0207; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This “supper of the House of the Lord,” featuring “fat things” and “wine on the lees well refined” is the marriage supper of the Lamb, prefigured in the parable of the 10 Virgins, and also mentioned other places. “Wine on the lees” refers to wine that has been left to age on its “lees” or residue of the grape juice that has settled to the bottom of the barrel. Aging wine in this way produces a richer, creamier, more complex wine than would otherwise be achieved. Describing the wine in this way implies careful preparation and exceptional quality. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Jewish tradition speaks of <a href="https://stickofjoseph.org/our-blog/the-mystery-of-the-passover-wine-and-the-stick-of-joseph/" target="_blank">this wine</a> in specific detail, calling it the Yayin HaMeshumar, or “wine of the keeping” including the tradition that this wine was actually prepared in the Garden of Eden, prior to the fall, and that it has been “kept in its grapes” (or aging on its lees) from the six days of creation, in preparation for this Passover feast. I expect wine from the grapes found in the Garden of Eden will be excellent beyond all other earthly wine. I also theorize that it will cause actual physical changes in the bodies of those who drink it.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Behold, this is wisdom in me; wherefore, marvel not, for the hour comes that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you on the earth, and with all those whom my Father has given me out of the world. Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and be faithful until I come. Even so, Amen. (T&C 8:2)</span></blockquote><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Regarding this final Passover, I won’t pretend to know the details of how it will all take place, but given the well-established elements of the other three Passovers, I expect the events of this final Passover will, at a minimum, include the following:</span></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Three days journey</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sacrifice</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Blood</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Death</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Destruction and suffering</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Negotiation for release</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Miracles</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A ceremonial meal</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wine</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A nighttime initial escape</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A final deliverance</span></li>
<li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Freedom under a new government</span></li></ul>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I hesitate to even assert inclusion of these elements, and I wouldn’t do it at all except for the undeniable pattern that tells us the Lord works in patterns. These elements are so pervasive in the first three Passovers that I would be very surprised if they are not all present in the fourth. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Four Angels</span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In this post we’ve looked at the pattern concerning four promises given at the initial Exodus, featuring four distinct types of deliverance, as commemorated by four cups of wine in the Seder, and referring specifically to four specific Passover events featuring significantly in the deliverance of the House of Israel. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These four Passovers are also associated with the Four Great Angels or Four Archangels associated with the four corners of the earth. As you know, each of these four angels is associated with a specific element, and these four elements play important roles in the Passovers. They are as follows:</span></p>
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<ol>
<li style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Gabriel, who is the angel over water. </b>He is associated with the first Passover as Israel’s final deliverance came through the waters of the Red Sea:<br />
<br />
</span>And the children of Israel went into the middle of the sea upon the dry ground, and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand and on their left…And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared, and the Egyptians fled against it, and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. (Ex. 9:4 RE)</span></li>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><li style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Michael, who is the angel over air. </b>He is associated with the second Passover as Lehi’s family was driven by the wind to their final deliverance in the Land of Promise: <br />
<br />
</span>And it came to pass, after we had all gone down into the ship, and had taken with us our provisions and things which had been commanded us, we did put forth into the sea and were driven forth before the wind towards the promised land. (1 Nephi 5:28 RE)<br />
</span></li>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><li style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><b>Uriel, who is the angel over earth. </b>Christ’s triumph over sin occurred when he spilled his blood on the earth, and his triumph over death occurred when he came forth alive, out of the earth:<br />
<br />
</span>Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from you. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there shall be no sign given to it but the sign of the prophet Jonah; for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matt 6:15 RE)<span style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><li style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Raphael, who is the angel over fire. </b>Christ’s return is spoken of as the day that will burn as an oven, wherein the wicked will finally be vanquished and the righteous will live in peace:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly, shall burn as stubble; for they that cometh shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. (JSH 3:4 RE)</span><br />
<br />
Raphael, who is Enoch, will return at that day with his people and his city. They are “they that cometh.” </span></li></ol>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In each case, the Angel and his associated element represent the final deliverance of Israel from <span>their enemies. </span></span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1438" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW76Ju1_3xNk3zzii_P32e-6LX0LQmyPN5wGKPUdIiDf2FjruYiVZQvKwlZ03bwFsABFcjQP_Aa1Knx_Ee2K38Tfq2zd9vOOmCQUgEKUkmIcO_EaQNC-gp_NY8wBv4nrIiEAnXR-OvB9OHOMNPYzyZrTwR6kDIdukLVEhtXuwjN21WTC28bx86qFBl/w542-h142/Angel%20table.png" width="542" /></div></div><div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What Matters Now? </span></b></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As you know the general topic of this series is destruction. As we’ve taken a hard look at our precarious situation, and the destruction already upon us, I thought it would be worthwhile to also consider the patterns in scripture that teach us not only of destruction, but also of salvation from destruction. The Passovers teach us of deliverance, redemption, protection, acceptance, and triumph available in our day through the Lord’s Covenant. They are the </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lord’s</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> object lessons, given to teach us the way of peace.</span></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By recognizing the patterns of what has happened in the past and what is now upon us, we see the Lord’s wisdom, power and foreknowledge manifest. It is all happening according to a divine plan—which plan puts before us a Covenant if we will receive it. And this is what matters now.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Covenant is the blood on the doorposts; it is the uncorrupted scripture hidden in the treasury; it is the fulfillment of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection; it is how the Lord will make up his Jewels; it is the great secret of the Passover and the wine of the keeping at the feast of the House of the Lord.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Receiving and keeping the covenant is the only way to receive the Lord’s promise of protection from the destruction that is already upon us. The pattern is solid; the prophecies are sure, the evidence is overwhelming. The day soon cometh that shall burn as an oven.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord. Awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not it that has cut Rahab and wounded the dragon? Are you not it which has dried the sea, the waters of the great deep, that has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing unto Zion, and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their head. They shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I am he, yea, I am he that comforts you.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Isaiah 18:3 RE</i></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-40610990729956431322022-03-25T08:50:00.008-06:002023-02-26T23:36:11.063-07:00 Destruction, Part 5: Destroyed<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And now we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land, that it is a land of promise, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God or they shall be swept off when the fullness of his wrath shall come upon them. ... Wherefore, he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off, for it is the everlasting decree of God. ... And it is not until the fullness of iniquity among the children of the land that they are swept off. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Ether 1:7 RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">The Book of Mormon text contains around 400 occurrences of some form of the word “destroy” or “destruction.” It’s an incredibly common theme, and not surprisingly so, given that the text recounts the destruction of two entire civilizations as well as countless occasions of their partial destruction. So prevalent is the notion that by the second paragraph in the book, we</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">’</span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">ve already encountered a warning of destruction:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For it came to pass in the commencement of the first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah — my father Lehi having dwelt at Jerusalem in all his days — and in that same year there came many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent or the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed. (1 Nephi 1:2 RE)</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lehi learned for himself of Jerusalem’s coming destruction in a vision when he read the following words from a book handed to him by one whose “luster was above that of the sun at noonday”:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Woe, woe unto Jerusalem, for I have seen thine abominations. Yea, and many things did my father read concerning Jerusalem: that it should be destroyed and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword and many should be carried away captive into Babylon. (1 Nephi 1:3 RE)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So it’s safe to say the prophetic theme of the whole Book of Mormon is that of a warning sent before a coming destruction. The Book of Commandments (original precursor to the Doctrine and Covenants) begins with the same theme, given in the preface to the book, which was received by revelation:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And again, verily I say unto you, O inhabitants of the earth, for I, the Lord, am willing to make these things known unto all flesh, for I am no respecter to persons and will that all men shall know that the day speedily comes; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand, when peace shall be taken from the earth and the Devil shall have power over his own dominion; and also, the Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon Idumea, or the world. (T&C 54:6)</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Both of these prophetic scriptural prefaces intersect at the loss of peace: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>“Jerusalem must be destroyed.”</b> Jerusalem was originally known as Salem, which is the anglicized version of “shalom,” the Hebrew word for peace. The metaphoric warning, therefore, is that peace is about to be destroyed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>“Peace shall be taken from the earth”</b> is the warning in the Book of Commandments, “and the Devil shall have power over his own dominion.” A sober warning indeed, reinforced by a sign from heaven when the “Great American Eclipse” of 2017 crossed over 7 American cities named Salem. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWha5KvghQbaxjkbkzvAntdXe-X1-pkqkFwb_pa4gkokOSqs9nEtFC24nHqIfJtmLwqq_kyfQ7On221ysUP_AE2X-D9q69IphQAGWIsfHs_415H7iodQEG17kE799vBkLRjkwQCeYRCAwi1ac6noJEQGYPyjmMczV8pWS3WOoLPFwr6zKx5xAaklp/s1344/Salems.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1344" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWha5KvghQbaxjkbkzvAntdXe-X1-pkqkFwb_pa4gkokOSqs9nEtFC24nHqIfJtmLwqq_kyfQ7On221ysUP_AE2X-D9q69IphQAGWIsfHs_415H7iodQEG17kE799vBkLRjkwQCeYRCAwi1ac6noJEQGYPyjmMczV8pWS3WOoLPFwr6zKx5xAaklp/w400-h241/Salems.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It shouldn’t escape our attention that Melchizedek’s city Salem was indeed “taken from the earth” anciently to join the City of Enoch, and will return when the Prince of Peace returns:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Melchizedek’s city of peace came because those who heard him repented. They were taken into Heaven by their repentance. They, like Enoch’s city, will return in the last days. The wicked will not survive their return. The next time there is a place where people of righteousness are taught and gathered, it will no longer be taken up to Heaven. Instead, it will allow Enoch’s and Melchizedek’s people to return. A holy city must be prepared to welcome that return. (T&C Glossary of Gospel Terms: Melchizedek)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In Post 3, we noted the Book of Mormon’s publication occurred in year 200 of the Roger Williams timeline, which is by the Book of Mormon pattern the Zenith year, when righteousness and prosperity reach their pinnacle, take a turn and begin to decline. Such is indeed a fortuitous time for a prophetic warning to be given in the form of a new book of scripture. That warning tells us of coming destruction:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Wherefore, O ye gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shewn unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you — which are built up to get power and gain — and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the eternal God shall fall upon you to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. (Ether 3:18)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">With this in mind, let’s take another look at that opening theme from the Book of Mormon. Prophets warned that “the great city Jerusalem must be destroyed.” Yet, though Jerusalem was indeed destroyed, it didn’t cease to exist. The walls were breached, important buildings were burned, the temple was looted and burned, and the nobles were carried away captive. Many were killed. But Jerusalem continued to exist, greatly diminished, populated by the poor and insignificant, scratching out their living in and around the ruined city, aware of its former glory, weeping for its desolation. “Destruction” as it relates to a city does not mean the city disappears. It remains, though fundamentally altered and weakened.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The record tells us that Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah sought to “destroy” the church of God:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy the church of God — for he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church and to lead astray the people of the Lord contrary to the commandments of God, or even the king (Mosiah 11:26 RE)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Their method consisted of leading people astray contrary to the commandments of God by teaching falsehoods. And that’s all it takes to “destroy” true religion. If the truth can be polluted, if the doctrine can be compromised, if scripture can be altered, misinterpreted or ignored, any of these actions will compromise true religion to the point that it cannot save. It may still be called a religion, a church, a corporation or whatnot, much as salt that has lost its savor may still be called “salt” even though it is good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under the foot of men (3 Nephi 5:20 RE). In this regard, and if history is any indication, religion is among the easiest of institutions to destroy, and its adherents will continue to ignorantly practice the destroyed religion, sometimes for millennia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The ultimate goal of destroying religion is, of course, not simply to destroy the religion, but to destroy souls. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold, the gold, and the silver, and the silks, and the scarlets, and the fine twined linen, and the precious clothing, and the harlots are the desires of this great and abominable church. And also for the praise of the world do they destroy the saints of God and bring them down into captivity. (1 Nephi 3:19 RE)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As with cities and churches, the “destruction” of a soul does not mean its complete annihilation; rather it means that soul must suffer the judgments of God. Said Jacob to his proud brethren:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifies you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, nay, but he condemneth you; and if ye persist in these things, his judgments must speedily come unto you. Oh that he would shew you that he can pierce you, and with one glance of his eye he can smite you to the dust. Oh that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, oh that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls. (Jacob 2:5)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In each of these cases, we’ve seen that “destruction” does not require complete annihilation, and that what is “destroyed” can continue to exist, albeit in an altered and diminished state, for quite some time. This brings us back to the example of Rochester Castle from Post 4, which was destroyed the moment the miners removed the foundation from the corner of the Southeast tower. Oh sure, the castle was still standing, the walls still shielding the garrison from stones and arrows, but the destruction was already a <i>fait accompli,</i> with the timing of the actual fall left as the only remaining question. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>And so we encounter the chilling notion that a people and even a nation can be destroyed and not know it. </b>Yes, that seems odd, and yet the Book of Mormon text bears it out. Let’s consider some instructive examples. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The prophet Ether warned Coriantumr of coming destruction:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And in the second year, the word of the Lord came to Ether that he should go and prophesy unto Coriantumr that if he would repent, and all his household, the Lord would give unto him his kingdom and spare the people. Otherwise, they should be destroyed, and all his household, save it were himself. And he should only live to see the fulfilling of the prophecies which had been spoken concerning another people receiving the land for their inheritance, and Coriantumr should receive a burial by them, and every soul should be destroyed save it were Coriantumr. And it came to pass that Coriantumr repented not, neither his household, neither the people; and the wars ceased not. And they sought to kill Ether, but he fled from before them and hid again in the cavity of the rock. (Ether 6:5 RE)</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The moment Coriantumr rejected Ether’s message, he sealed the destruction of himself and his people. They were, at that moment destroyed and all that remained was the blood and carnage to complete the deed. Every word of Ether’s amazing prophecy was precisely fulfilled. And that’s just the point: once the destruction has been decreed and the conditions met for its completion, it will proceed to completion, and nothing can stop it. When the foundation has been removed, the castle will fall. There is no other way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Let’s look at another example:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Therefore, they did combine against the people of the Lord and enter into a covenant to destroy them and to deliver those who were guilty of murder from the grasp of justice which was about to be administered according to the law. And they did set at defiance the law and the rights of their country. And they did covenant one with another to destroy the governor and to establish a king over the land, that the land should no more be at liberty, but should be subject unto kings.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now behold, I will shew unto you that they did not establish a king over the land, but in this same year, yea, the thirtieth year, they did destroy upon the judgment seat, yea, did murder the chief judge of the land. And the people were divided one against another and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family, and his kindred, and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land. And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes. Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends, therefore their tribes became exceeding great. Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them. And all this iniquity had come upon the people because they did yield themselves unto the power of Satan. (3 Nephi 3:5-6 RE)</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In this example the government and the rule of law were destroyed by the murder of the chief judge. Notice there was not complete social breakdown or mass chaos, nor was there war. The people divided into tribes, and lived in some degree of peace as they rebelled against God and murdered the prophets he sent. They had already been destroyed but didn’t realize it until their annihilation in the upheavals during Christ’s crucifixion three years later.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And thus we see there is a space of time between destruction and what the Book of Mormon calls “sweeping off” or “utter destruction.” During that time, the course of destruction can be changed, but only by repentance. If the repentance is widespread and sincere, the decreed destruction is rescinded, as was the case with Ninevah when Jonah warned them. If the repentance is sparse and individual, some remnant may be led away to safety before the sweeping off, as happened with Lehi, Nephi and Mosiah, but the remaining population will be swept off.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">God sends prophets and signs to warn of destruction, though they are seldom widely heeded. I believe the <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2015/05/scripture-in-heavens-part-1-blood-moon.html" target="_blank">blood moon tetrad</a> of 2014-2015 was God’s general warning, culminating in the final super moon <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2016/01/scripture-overhead-conclusion-doctrine.html" target="_blank">sign of Jonah</a> calling us to repent as did Ninevah. Sadly, the signs overhead were largely viewed as little more than curiosities. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Naturally, much has changed since 2015 and our society has become alarmingly more angry, divided, ignorant, confused, fearful, and dark. I could write essay upon essay citing the absolute insanity of what we’ve become. When the way to defeat racism is by becoming hyper racist, when the way to empower women is by cheering while men in makeup defeat them in competition, when the most important qualification for a Supreme Court Justice of the United States is skin color and genitalia, and the woman nominated for that position says she cannot define the word “woman,” when an alarming majority of people are afraid to express their thoughts for fear of very real consequences, when it becomes criminal to even question mathematically impossible election results, when parents are told they have no say in, and no right to even know what their children are being taught at school regarding race and sexuality, when government and tech companies can monitor all facets of private lives without cause or warrant, when free citizens can be arrested and imprisoned without trial for simply being in a certain city on a certain day, and when religions have become the greatest champions of control instead of truth, when the government causes massive inflation by creating prodigious amounts of fiat money without creating any value, when government bureaucrats intentionally destroy huge swaths of the economy in the name of pretended climate salvation, and when choruses of billions demand war, we simply must be blind not to notice the path we’re on and the doom to which it leads.<span style="color: red;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wow, that was a tough paragraph to write, but there</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">s still more, which brings us back to Roger Williams and the first amendment. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In very recent times whether we realize it or not, we’ve witnessed the loss of our constitution, the rule of law, and the notion of God-given Natural Rights. Each guarantee listed in the first amendment above, though still ostensibly existing as the law of the land, has been undermined to the point of destruction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Freedom to Assemble and Petition</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After what happened on January 6 2021, including the disturbing evidence of intentional rejection of National Guard troops, undercover FBI agents agitating the crowd, video of officers opening doors and letting people into the capitol, the unjustified shooting of a woman in the crowd by an incompetent officer, the massive, coordinated misrepresentation of this event as an </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">“armed insurrection,” </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">and the resulting incarceration of many citizens for over a year and counting, without a trial on the horizon, I think it’s safe to say people will be extremely hesitant to “peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Evidently, violent riots, arson, theft, looting, and war on law enforcement are all ok though, as long as you espouse the cause of those in charge.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Freedom of the Press</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nearly every major press outlet is now owned or controlled by a small handful of related corporations. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates the various press outlets collude to control information, shape public opinion, and promote stories in a certain way. They don</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’t even attempt to hide it at this point. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Smaller, independent news outlets who attempt to present an alternative viewpoint find they have no ability to reach any sort of audience because the internet and all other communication channels are controlled by the same corporations that control the news. Alternative viewpoints are de-platformed and silenced.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Every major news outlet took money from the Federal Government to suppress certain information and promote other information regarding Covid, regardless of science or reliable evidence.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> It was so effective that the majority of our citizens, even most healthcare workers, are utterly unaware of the overwhelming science that contradicts the approved narrative, simply dismissing it all as </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">“anti-vax.” </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">When the government pays to disseminate overwhelming and untrue information, we call that propaganda. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Freedom of the press is a thing of the past, even without the government making any specific law to abridge it. It doesn't require aberrant laws to utterly control the press. It only requires consolidation and collusion.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Freedom of Speech</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A recent survey showed a strong majority of Americans are afraid to speak their minds on a variety of topics for fear that their personal opinions may bring reprisal, punishment, loss of opportunity, loss of employment, or worse. This is a significant change from just 5 years ago. Self-censorship is now the approach of the majority of Americans. Oh sure, you</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">re free to speak your mind, but God help you if you do. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Likewise, as I alluded to above, every major social media platform, news outlet, and even internet service providers and mobile phone providers engage in overt censorship of opinions with which they disagree. It</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’s gotten to the point that even private text messages are censored. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">It wasn’t too long ago that “censorship” was a dirty, evil word, expressing what was done by totalitarians and dictators to exercise control, dominion and compulsion on the masses. Now it’s just another Tuesday, and few notice or care. The powerful platforms openly censor and remove anyone who departs too far from the approved messaging, regardless of truth.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Freedom of speech ostensibly exists of course, as a legal right. But free speech rights are irrelevant if nobody else can hear what you have to say, and you can’t speak without reprisal.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Freedom of Religion</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In Post 2 we discussed how the freedom of religion is the foundation of all other freedoms we enjoy. This is because it inherently enshrines two important truths:</span></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The relationship between the individual and God supersedes the relationship between the individual and the state.</b> Therefore in the realm of religion, the state has no power to dictate, demand, or deny; it must yield.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>All Natural Rights come to humans from God and not from the state. </b>Therefore, because the state does not bestow Natural Rights, the state likewise cannot revoke them. The state’s sole intended function is to <b>protect</b> the Rights we receive from God.</span></li></ol><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Upon these two truths hangs all else. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">During the ongoing Covid issue, the war engines of big government, big business, big tech, and big pharma hurled volley after volley against the Keep of Natural Rights. Numerous laws were ignored, science was polluted, free speakers were threatened, canceled, and all but destroyed, money, politics, corporate interests and above all, control made mighty gains in the name of “the common good.” Lies were spun with wild abandon, and willing minions repeated them with foam and screeches. Definitions were rewritten. Truth was blatantly denied. But against the sturdy walls of Natural Rights, all these stones and arrows had limited effect. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As long as the freedom of religion remained as the foundation of all Natural Rights, any who objected to the forced administration of an experimental medical treatment for a disease that represented almost no threat, yet had safe harbor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And now behold, I say unto you that the foundation of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges. (Alma 8:6 RE)</span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: georgia;">But that all changed in the face of an unproven, experimental gene therapy, relabeled a </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">“vaccine,” though it neither prevents people from contracting nor from spreading the disease in question (and wasn</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">t designed to), in the name of an imaginary </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">“greater good” that has no definition, no evidence, and no basis in reality, simply because unelected bureaucrats in positions of power decreed it to be so. The final disaster then ensued:</span></span></p><p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In August 2021, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett denied a bid by students at Indiana University to block the school’s mandatory vaccine requirement over issues of bodily integrity.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In October 2021, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor refused to block New York City’s mandatory vaccination requirement for all public employees. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">October 29, 2021: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case brought by Maine healthcare workers seeking religious exemption to mandatory Covid vaccination.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">November 29, 2021: Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer refused to hear an emergency petition brought by Massachusetts healthcare workers seeking religious exemption to vaccination.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Dec. 13, 2021: The Supreme Court rejected challenges brought by healthcare workers over New York’s refusal to allow religious exemptions to Covid vaccinations.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Feb 22, 2022: The Supreme Court rejected an emergency appeal by 15 New York City teachers seeking religious exemption to mandatory vaccination requirements.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The highest court in the land—the court of last resort—has now resoundingly and repeatedly declared, and therefore set precedent for all other courts, that the individual’s relationship with God NO LONGER supersedes the power of the state so long as the state makes any claim of “greater good,” no matter how specious. In practical terms, this means the following:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Regardless of your religious objections, the state can compel you to undergo experimental medical treatment for a disease you do not have, or face loss of your livelihood, freedom of movement, freedom of association, access to commerce, and access to medical care, among other penalties. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There is no requirement that the experimental medical procedure be proven safe or effective. (In the case of covid gene therapies, it is utterly impossible to have proven such a thing because the therapies have not existed long enough to establish such a track record.) Indeed, valid science is NOT REQUIRED AT ALL, and to the extent “science” is wanted, it can be manufactured or ignored at will. Executive orders alone appear to be all that is required to strip you of your rights and take control of your body.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Therefore, the state has asserted, and gained, final control over your body. Since “the spirit and the body is the soul of man” the state now claims control over your soul, <b>even in matters of personal religious observance. </b></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Therefore, the state now claims to be God, and any other god you worship is subservient to it. Please don’t fail to note the significance of this statement. There</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’s a new god in town, and the True and Living God has a challenger. (Ask Elijah how that ends.) </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This means there is effectively NO matter of conscience in which the whims of some unelected bureaucrat cannot overthrow your deepest commitments to God. Remarkably, religious leaders <i>have led the charge</i> into this flaming abyss! Moloch is most pleased. (I would add as an aside that following any such religious leader who promoted and assisted this catastrophe is beyond foolish; it is suicide.)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This is such a fundamental tectonic shift in political and religious understanding, belief and practice that nothing will ever be the same again. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Normal is not coming back. Jesus is.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In practical terms, as I write this, I have lights and heat, gas in my car, food in my kitchen, and I’ll get up and go to work tomorrow. My day-to-day life continues much as it has for years, minus a few inconveniences and annoyances. The walls look solid, the roof is holding, and the Keep is well provisioned. And yet, as we’ve been distracted with lockdowns, travel restrictions, mask mandates, and an unending diet of fear porn in the media, the miners have been hard at work, sapping the strength of the final bulwark against tyranny. They have now succeeded in <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html" target="_blank">undermining</a> the foundation of it all, and a single spark is all that’s required to ignite the brush, boards and bacon grease that have replaced the foundation. <a href="https://denversnuffer.com/2022/02/it-has-changed/" target="_blank">IT HAS CHANGED</a>. It will ignite, it will burn, and it will fall. Great will be the fall thereof.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Our society, our rights, our government, and we as a people have been destroyed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Roger Williams, the “man among the gentiles” <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html" target="_blank">was the beginning</a>. He laid the foundation that supported the structure for nearly 400 years. But true to the <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html" target="_blank">Nephite pattern</a>, it has been destroyed in the expected time period. All that remains is the sweeping off soon to come. We may yet have a few years of relative stability in which to build a temple, but even that is in terrible jeopardy at this moment. God help us.</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction. ... For the laws had become corrupted, yea, and this was not all; they were a stiffnecked people, insomuch that they could not be governed by the law nor justice, save it were to their destruction.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Helaman 2:15 RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And he had sworn in his wrath unto the brother of Jared that whoso should possess this land of promise, from that time henceforth and for ever should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fullness of his wrath should come upon them.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Ether 1:6 RE</i></span></p><p><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-71322746534209280802022-03-22T01:23:00.012-06:002023-02-26T23:36:27.926-07:00 Destruction, Part 4: Keep Failing<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity and to be led away by the Evil One. Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men. Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning devices and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly, yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Alma 21:6 RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">A properly constructed castle is a formidable advantage in medieval warfare. With massive stone walls up to 12 feet thick at the base, towers, ramparts, moat, drawbridge, embattlements and protections for numerous defenders, the strongest of castles were so impenetrable that few were daring—or foolish—enough to attempt an attack.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">England’s King John was one such daring fool. The brother of the popular King Richard I, John was by all accounts a terrible king, unfit for the business of ruling. Under his reign, rampant inflation sent prices soaring, while he taxed his subjects frequently and lavishly to support his wars. His awful political instincts, terrible personality, mistreatment of nobles, and habit of sleeping with the wives of his barons ultimately led to a revolt of the nobility against the king, which was only resolved when John was forced to sign the Magna Carta. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMPw_vifeTHeUPAiup0K8bN4A1K2-e0GFnZbctIL4hY-4iJc76DyY8JqhiOXia9I_XK2lmuuOzD2TfmjfsbF46EKpEY4yKI2EW5YqjdTH043rfN6zCm1VuR8s9hZfBh14Um4iy53wyftPgCthsqDl1JLqx_habxnF1O7HQ-qu0p5K6OKeB81CH0Lq/s1024/rochester.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMPw_vifeTHeUPAiup0K8bN4A1K2-e0GFnZbctIL4hY-4iJc76DyY8JqhiOXia9I_XK2lmuuOzD2TfmjfsbF46EKpEY4yKI2EW5YqjdTH043rfN6zCm1VuR8s9hZfBh14Um4iy53wyftPgCthsqDl1JLqx_habxnF1O7HQ-qu0p5K6OKeB81CH0Lq/s320/rochester.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />No, actually, that didn’t really resolve anything at all, as John immediately ran to the Pope to have the Magna Carta condemned and both sides quickly broke the terms of the truce. As rebellion grew in London, rebel baron William d'Aubigny gathered knights and other nobles and took possession of the strategically important Rochester Castle, which controlled access between the European continent and London from the Southeast of England. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">King John, who had been preparing for war, assembled a powerful, mostly non-English army several thousand strong, ample supplies and weapons, five massive siege engines, and support of both the church and certain nobles. After first taking the precaution of having the rebels excommunicated, he then brought his army to Rochester on October 13, 1215 and laid siege to the mighty castle. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The rebels, on the other hand, had at most a couple hundred men, and likely some local villagers who sought shelter in the castle walls. They were not well supplied and provisioned and apparently hadn’t thought things through very well for the long term. Pinning their hopes on a successful rebellion, they intended to hold out in the castle until King John was deposed or killed. Naturally, they refused to surrender to King John, placing their faith in the protection of the mighty castle. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Most medieval castles consisted of an outer wall, called a curtain wall, enclosing the castle grounds, then an inner fortress called the keep, where defenders could remain protected as long as their food and weapons held out. The town of Rochester was also enclosed by a city wall, which was naturally the first to fall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Well “fall” might not be the correct word, because the city gates were left practically undefended. John’s army easily entered the city and set up their siege of the castle, using the adjacent cathedral as a base of operations (and also as a horse stable, which won John no points with the church.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The initial attack consisted of the typical bombardment of the outer “curtain” wall with massive stones hurled by the siege engines, together with arrows, crossbow bolts, and flaming projectiles launched over the walls to kill as many defenders as possible. John’s army was large enough that the attackers could work in shifts, keeping up the attack around the clock. But the mighty walls easily withstood the stones, and the projectiles were random and limited in effect. So John called in his secret weapon: miners. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Along with knights, archers, crossbowmen, infantry, engineers, and support personnel, John’s army also included 13 miners, or “sappers” from the Forest of Dean, specifically recruited and well paid for their unique skills. The miners set to work digging tunnels (called “saps”) under the wall, and in short order the wall was breached and the attackers gained access to the castle courtyard, or “bailey” while the defenders retreated to the keep. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jgtbidt3LIa23ivI3oH3WyjwPHL2nXaQcAijKOIyic3kFxaj0JE0_M2Bts4HFvMqj2dCG5cZP9rMZZShoVv5Gov7rcYY3a2r_jIrTcGsiNIGk1z2enroL5IrfO2qTCi5Yvjm-_SJEkMPCq11qjUIDxjvZFla2H1ougJtb17szpYLTb_sBwx-gPk3/s600/rochester%20reconstruction.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Jgtbidt3LIa23ivI3oH3WyjwPHL2nXaQcAijKOIyic3kFxaj0JE0_M2Bts4HFvMqj2dCG5cZP9rMZZShoVv5Gov7rcYY3a2r_jIrTcGsiNIGk1z2enroL5IrfO2qTCi5Yvjm-_SJEkMPCq11qjUIDxjvZFla2H1ougJtb17szpYLTb_sBwx-gPk3/s320/rochester%20reconstruction.jpeg" width="288" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />The imposing keep rose over 100 feet high, with 3 stories and a basement, mighty towers at all four corners, and ample locations for defenders to fire arrows, crossbows, hurl stones, pour burning oil, and otherwise repel attackers. As before, continual bombardment by the siege engines had no effect on the walls, so John turned again to his miners. They set to work and dug a sap under the Southeast corner of the keep, removing the foundations of the tower and setting wooden supports in place of the stones they removed. John then famously sent the following order to London: “Send to us with all speed by day and night forty of the fattest pigs of the sort least good for eating to bring fire beneath the tower.” Upon arrival, the pigs were immediately slaughtered for their fat.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The miners filled the tunnel with timbers, brush, kindling and pig fat, then set it all on fire. The wooden supports under the tower burned away, and the massive tower fell in a mighty crash. Thousands of tons of rock tumbled to the earth, creating a gaping breach through which the attackers stormed into the keep. The defenders held out a few more days in the other half of the keep, which was protected from invaders by a massive stone wall, but ultimately surrendered when their food ran out and they had eaten all their horses. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It took King John’s mighty army nearly two months to breach the castle keep, and even then they only won by starving out the rebels. Of the siege, the Barnwell chronicler wrote “No one alive can remember a siege so fiercely pressed and so manfully resisted” and that, after it, “There were few who would put their trust in castles.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From this vignette we can learn the origins and uses of a couple of words we ought to consider. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">First, the process of mining under the foundations of a wall or tower is known as “undermining,” meaning quite literally what it says. It doesn’t matter how mighty the wall or how tall the tower. Once the foundation has been undermined, height and mass become liabilities rather than assets. Without a foundation, even the mightiest fortress will fall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Second, the older term for this process, originating from old French and still in use during John’s siege of Rochester is “sapping.” The sappers dug a sap under the foundation to cause its fall. As any architect can tell you, the strength of any building starts with its foundation, and if that foundation is compromised, the structure’s strength has been “sapped” and it will fall. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Finally, we should note that when undermined, the wall, tower, turret or building is entirely intact up until the moment it falls. Its compromised and failing foundation is not visible, so to all appearances the defenses are intact, the walls are invincible, and the stones and arrows will have no effect. Though the castle has already been destroyed, its occupants don’t know it. The garrison inside the keep can hurl insults, mock the attackers, even taunt them a second time, with misplaced faith in their walls of stone and false security that harm cannot reach them. Then, at some point, a single spark will change everything and the structure will fall with amazing speed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As for King John—still regarded to this day as the worst king England ever knew, and that’s really saying something—he died of dysentery the following year at age 49, having never regained his ancestral lands, solidified his rule or put down the rebellion. Though he defeated one of the mightiest stone fortresses in England, his own life ultimately ended in defeat. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrkHtTX5KCCPGvYn5308ysI24MmmCdBry3UXk2O20Qt6qiDLdGPTki_9M7IhawJ2tWmrmAnBaH0bopbFQmCJj8862U4wP4S_GBtJ3nP1J9rlcQu58xnaXQDNQm7SHyR2-_0OyrbItg6iCVD_G8-1mkoZ6A1ZdAIN0Lv07r0TLZiz1SZyisKdWszjN/s1920/Johntomb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1403" data-original-width="1920" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrkHtTX5KCCPGvYn5308ysI24MmmCdBry3UXk2O20Qt6qiDLdGPTki_9M7IhawJ2tWmrmAnBaH0bopbFQmCJj8862U4wP4S_GBtJ3nP1J9rlcQu58xnaXQDNQm7SHyR2-_0OyrbItg6iCVD_G8-1mkoZ6A1ZdAIN0Lv07r0TLZiz1SZyisKdWszjN/w400-h293/Johntomb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">On the topic of fortresses, I defer to Martin Luther:</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>A mighty fortress is our God, <br />
A bulwark never failing:<br />
Our helper He, amid the flood<br />
Of mortal ills prevailing.<br />
For still our ancient foe <br />
Doth seek to work his woe;<br />
His craft and power are great,<br />
And armed with cruel hate,<br />
On earth is not his equal.</i></span></blockquote><p></p>
<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Did we in our own strength confide,<br />
Our striving would be losing;<br />
Were not the right Man on our side,<br />
The Man of God's own choosing.<br />
Dost ask who that may be?<br />
Christ Jesus, it is he;<br />
Lord Sabaoth is his name,<br />
From age to age the same,<br />
And He must win the battle.</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">(<i>Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, </i>1527, as translated by Frederic Henry Hedge)</span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, having laid this—ahem—foundation, we’ll shortly return to Roger Williams, Nephite Signposts and Destruction. More to come.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation, that when the Devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless woe because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Helaman 2:17 RE</i></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-30789769062220317442022-03-14T21:21:00.016-06:002023-02-26T23:36:42.905-07:00 Destruction, Part 3: Four Hundred Years Passeth Not Away...<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men, a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other, either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds, unto their being brought down into captivity and also unto destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the Devil of which I have spoken.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—1 Nephi 3:26, RE</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Imagine this scenario: You’re a prophet that has seen in vision the final winding up scenes of this creation, the coming destruction of the wicked, the deliverance of the righteous, and frankly the end of the world. It saddens and sickens you to see the coming suffering, terror, sorrow and fear, yet you also know the way of escape for those who are willing to receive it. With all your heart you yearn to warn future believers of what is coming. You’ve even obtained a promise that what you write will be made available to the world in the last days, which means you have a real chance to make a difference. There’s really just one restriction; you’re not allowed to directly tell these future people any details about what’s going to happen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Oh sure, you can speak in generalities, but specific dates, times, places, people and events are off limits. What do you write?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Book of Mormon is many things, but perhaps most delightfully, it is a masterpiece in prophetic creativity. “What is prophetic creativity” you ask? Well it’s a term I made up just now to refer to the brilliant efforts of the various Book of Mormon writers to reveal what we need to know while also concealing what they were not allowed to reveal. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieSb-SraeQ7sAuxFfT-_yxv7DsRHEZU00ZT0_eMsXNBrZViDzMi_jI18KUxeA1KcbFXU5c-P1QJJvI93oe58LGGZ0KMwxgDuooajNvLh0gc1mcq2EipXNwYVxOvVwobI3FAA1sXxz8BeZzWWLLsACxaBDnT_FtgIFn2u3wX8LimbjAqtvtdyAngMVf=s416" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="324" data-original-width="416" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieSb-SraeQ7sAuxFfT-_yxv7DsRHEZU00ZT0_eMsXNBrZViDzMi_jI18KUxeA1KcbFXU5c-P1QJJvI93oe58LGGZ0KMwxgDuooajNvLh0gc1mcq2EipXNwYVxOvVwobI3FAA1sXxz8BeZzWWLLsACxaBDnT_FtgIFn2u3wX8LimbjAqtvtdyAngMVf=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Let’s take Nephi as an example. If you look at 1 Nephi Chapter 3 in the Restoration Edition scriptures, you’ll learn that Nephi heard his Father Lehi’s vision and desired to see what his father saw. He took the necessary steps to qualify for this blessing, and ultimately saw much more than we’re told about in Lehi’s recounting. He frankly saw the entire future of this creation until the end, including the ministry of Christ, the great apostasy, the persecution of gospel believers, the apostate church tampering with scripture, the destruction of his posterity by the Lamanites, the scattering and destruction of the Lamanites by invading gentiles, the restoration of the gospel among the gentiles, the end of the times of the gentiles, the gathering of Israel, the destruction of the wicked and the return of the Lord. Nephi told us all he could about his vision, but then stopped short and informed us that the remainder of the vision was not his to write. That work was reserved for John, and has come to us in the book of Revelation. </span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And it came to pass that I beheld that the wrath of God was poured out upon that great and abominable church, insomuch that there were wars and rumors of wars among all the nations and kindreds of the earth. And as there began to be wars and rumors of wars among all the nations which belonged to the mother of abominations, the angel spake unto me, saying, Behold, the wrath of God is upon the mother of harlots, and behold, thou seest all these things. And when the day cometh that the wrath of God is poured out upon the mother of harlots — which is the great and abominable church of all the earth, whose foundation is the Devil — then at that day the work of the Father shall commence in preparing the way for the fulfilling of his covenants which he hath made to his people who are of the house of Israel.</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me, saying, Look. And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and the angel said unto me, Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things, yea, and also many things which have been; and he shall also write concerning the end of the world…And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things which thou hast seen; and behold, the remainder shalt thou see. But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write, for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them…And I, Nephi, heard and bear record that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel. (1 Nephi 3:29-31 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEslzXQ0XQjG286h5GseDFO1I5qeaWpRLEVJH6UG_TBy2r8ER-_v5Z2sOu_m7cyvB5i81XaNxRrNsV9D7sg0BbAFXA5F-yishcWqOMCnqcnO5xbt-vRJuNZzBJmYK85bkgndx3x4sEw0FNqtBlWQOEJSajmwcL_g056rBM6K7eCbFNqAODnyZvY8mp=s346" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEslzXQ0XQjG286h5GseDFO1I5qeaWpRLEVJH6UG_TBy2r8ER-_v5Z2sOu_m7cyvB5i81XaNxRrNsV9D7sg0BbAFXA5F-yishcWqOMCnqcnO5xbt-vRJuNZzBJmYK85bkgndx3x4sEw0FNqtBlWQOEJSajmwcL_g056rBM6K7eCbFNqAODnyZvY8mp=s320" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Nephi was a creative and inspired soul, and though he was forbidden to directly write about the end of the world, he was not forbidden to expound existing scripture. So he adopted the words of Isaiah, and used those writings to reveal much about the last days events, players, issues, problems and solutions to those who have eyes to see. He yearned for us to understand what is coming, though he couldn’t tell us directly. (For much more on this topic, see <i>Nephi’s Isaiah</i> by Denver Snuffer.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nephi’s brother Jacob did much the same thing, but he used the words of Zenos to provide big-picture information about the Lord’s purposes and efforts to gather redeemed souls into his family before the end. The allegory of the olive tree is the most sweeping, direct and all-encompassing statement of the Lord’s purposes and efforts in the last days, or the days we are now witnessing. Unable to directly prophesy of these days, he craftily said the following:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And now behold, my brethren, as I said unto you that I would prophesy, behold, this is my prophecy, that the things which this prophet Zenos spake concerning the house of Israel, in the which he likened them unto a tame olive tree, must surely come to pass. And in the day that he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power to nourish and prune his vineyard. And after that, the end soon cometh. (Jacob 4:1 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">(Pro tip: that “day when the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people” is now. Today. It’s happening before our eyes.)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ gave the most masterful sermon ever recorded (or that we currently have access to anyhow) and used the words of Isaiah, Micah and Moses to convey information about the last days’ marvelous work and gathering of Israel. He concluded with a command that his sermon be recorded so it could be received by the last-days gentiles who would witness the end:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Write the things which I have told you, and, according to the time and the will of the Father, they shall go forth unto the gentiles. And whosoever will hearken unto my words, and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things. (3 Nephi 10:4 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Moroni used the record of the Jaredites (the book of Ether) to convey information about the issues, players, actions and motivations that would lead to our destruction, taking occasion to specifically warn us against them. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Wherefore, O ye gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shewn unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you — which are built up to get power and gain — and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the eternal God shall fall upon you to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be. Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you, that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation because of this secret combination which shall be among you; (Ether 3:18 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Mormon, who assembled the record and wrote more than anyone else, did something equally brilliant: rather than quoting ancient prophets, he instead used events from Nephite history to weave a prophetic picture of our day. Have you ever wondered why some parts of Nephite history are glossed over, with just a few sentences to cover decades or centuries, then other events are given in such detail that a matter of days may consume many chapters? It’s not random and it’s not sloppy. Mormon was an ingenious, inspired, exceptional prophet masquerading as a historian. He assembled the record with absolute intent, great care and pinpoint accuracy. He did not write a history; he, like the other prophet-writers of the Book of Mormon, wrote a prophecy. It’s about us and about our day, labored over, crafted in love and given in absolute desire to save us from what’s coming. It’s time we understood it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Because the Book of Mormon is more prophecy than history, and because there are so many messages encoded in what’s recorded, uncovering and discussing them all is the work of a lifetime. But for our purposes today, in the context of this blog series, I’d like to focus on one specific, identical warning hidden by both Nephi and Mormon for us to discover. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhZ7KwMYdEbM30R-ReX68bwERson3RxEICLYutAt_bcZ-Y-b2DymWqeor7gIdEFgzKyiO0wvySff5XPVURbQfZtQqF0C2GAcZxHFCCvZfY0GnDu3UH881P4-jyyflPzkP1JLcGrWRovzw898Pq8n5AwkEyI4SOSihoH9fyAbsLSX9jA60cLuC0fuqN=s1024" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhZ7KwMYdEbM30R-ReX68bwERson3RxEICLYutAt_bcZ-Y-b2DymWqeor7gIdEFgzKyiO0wvySff5XPVURbQfZtQqF0C2GAcZxHFCCvZfY0GnDu3UH881P4-jyyflPzkP1JLcGrWRovzw898Pq8n5AwkEyI4SOSihoH9fyAbsLSX9jA60cLuC0fuqN=s320" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />I’m indebted to Don Bradley and his excellent book, <i>The Lost 116 Pages: Reconstructing the Book of Mormon’s Missing Stories</i> who pointed out the pattern we’ll now discuss. (As an aside, this book really is a wonderful resource and I highly recommend it.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We’ll call the pattern 1-200-320-400. I know, it’s not a very catchy name, but it’s accurate. Here’s how it works: Through two phases of Nephite civilization, one before Christ and one after, we see a pattern of parallel events at years 1, 200, 320 and 400. Here’s a quick outline:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Year 1: </b>The foundation of the civilization is laid when a prophetic messenger departs his current dwelling place, guided by the spirit and bound for a promised land. The departure leads to an ocean crossing, establishment of a colony, and restoration of truth. There follows a period of increasing light, truth, safety and prosperity for the society. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Year 200: </b>The civilization reaches its zenith of prosperity, truth and righteousness. This is an inflection point at which decline begins.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Year 320: </b>A watershed event takes place to increase the pace of decline and ensure destruction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Year 400: </b>Some remnant of the righteous flee to safety and the wicked and unfaithful are swept off. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So with that outline in mind, let’s look at the specifics of the pattern at the two ends of Nephite Civilization. The first begins with Nephi’s departure from Jeruaslem, and the second begins with the birth of Christ:</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 1: Departure</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nephi</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nephi and his family flee Jerusalem under the guidance of the spirit. They cross the great deep and arrive at the promised land. Truth is restored, a new settlement is established, and a kingdom is created.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ leaves the sacred realms above, crosses the great deep, and arrives here, conceived by the Holy Ghost and born in the Israelite promised land. His teachings restore truth, establish a colony of believers, and lay the foundation of his kingdom. He is cast out of Jerusalem at his death. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 200: Zenith of Civilization, Beginning of Decline</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nephi</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And now behold, two hundred years had passed away and the people of Nephi had waxed strong in the land. They observed to keep the law of Moses and the Sabbath day holy unto the Lord…Wherefore, we withstood the Lamanites and swept them away out of our lands…And we multiplied exceedingly, and spread upon the face of the land, and became exceeding rich in gold, and in silver, and in precious things…And it came to pass that the prophets of the Lord did threaten the people of Nephi, according to the word of God, that if they did not keep the commandments, but should fall into transgression, they should be destroyed from off the face of the land.(Jarom 1:3-5 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And it came to pass that two hundred years had passed away…the people had multiplied insomuch that they were spread upon all the face of the land, and that they had become exceeding rich because of their prosperity in Christ. And now in this two hundred and first year, there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride… and they began to be divided into classes. And they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain…(4 Nephi 1:4-5 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 320: Watershed Event that Hastens the Decline</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nephi</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>…three hundred and twenty years had passed away; and the more wicked part of the Nephites were destroyed…Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous, that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. (Omni 1:3 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>…when three hundred and twenty years had passed away, Ammaron, being constrained by the holy ghost, did hide up the records which were sacred…And he did hide them up unto the Lord, that they might come again unto the remnant of the house of Jacob according to the prophecies and the promises of the Lord. And thus is the end of the record of Ammaron. (4 Nephi 1:9 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And it came to pass in this year [321], there began to be a war between…the Nephites and the Lamanites…And it came to pass that the war began to be among them in the borders of Zarahemla by the waters of Sidon. (Mormon 1:3 RE) </span></i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 400: Wicked Swept Off while a Righteous Remnant Flees</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nephi</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla. For behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of the land of Nephi — and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him into the wilderness (Omni 1:6 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">(Note that Mosiah’s remnant fled ahead of the complete Nephite destruction. When Zeniff returned to possess the land of Nephi, no Nephites remained, and Lamanites possessed the city and land of Nephi. The only Nephites still identified were those who had fled with Mosiah and joined the people of Zarahemla.)</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Christ</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Behold…, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites until they were all destroyed, and my father also was killed by them. And I, even I, remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people…Behold, four hundred years have passed away since the coming of our Lord and Savior. And behold, the Lamanites have hunted my people, the Nephites, down, from city to city and from place to place, even until they are no more; and great has been their fall. Yea, great and marvelous is the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And behold, it is the hand of the Lord which hath done it. (Mormon 4:1 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As you can see from the above comparison, this very distinctive pattern occurs in very much the same way for the society established by Nephi and the one established by Christ among the Nephites. Obviously there are myriad differences along the way, but the major signposts hold. Both Mormon and Nephi put the signposts there intentionally and called out the specific years and their corresponding events because they’re trying to send us a message. They expect us to look at the 1-200-320-400 pattern and liken it unto ourselves. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Answers</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In my previous post I closed with the following three questions regarding Roger Williams, the “man among the gentiles” in Nephi’s vision:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: georgia;">Why</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> was he shown to Nephi? </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why does it matter that we understand </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">who</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Nephi saw? </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">how</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> might this all play into the topic of destruction?</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">It’s time for some answers.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Why was he shown to Nephi? </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Simply put, he was a signpost, put there in the vision and recorded in Nephi because we needed to know where to start counting our own cycle. (There are other important reasons as well, which we’ll get to later, but for today, this is what we need to know.)</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Why does it matter that we understand who Nephi saw? </span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Because placing the correct representative in the correct place in the timeline calibrates everything else and gives us the thundering warning we desperately need. </span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And how might this all play into the topic of destruction?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Because that’s how the pattern ends. Always. It will end this way in our current cycle as well. The point of revealing the pattern is to awaken us to how little time we have left.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So let’s apply the pattern using Roger Williams as founder and see if it holds.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 1 [1630]: Departure</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Williams departed England in December, 1630, under the direction of the spirit. He crossed the great deep, arrived at the promised land, was cast out of Salem (namesake of Jerusalem) and fled for his safety, he founded a colony, taught truth, established a free government and instigated an era of equality, freedom and prosperity. As I mentioned in the last post, more than any other, he founded America.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 200 [1830]: Zenith and Inflection Point</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">200 years after Roger Williams left England, the Book of Mormon was published—an event so marvelous and miraculous from heaven’s perspective that all else in gentile history pales in comparison. The record prepared and preserved for thousands of years to usher in the Father’s last days’ work and gather scattered Israel burst on the scene and changed the world forever. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course, this is also the year an official church was established according to the laws of government, providing jealous and aspiring men the motivation and opportunity to take control and capture souls. Within just over two years, the new church was condemned by God precisely because of how they treated the Book of Mormon (see T&C 82:20). Inflection point indeed. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 320 [1950]: Watershed</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">All the following took place in 1950:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The Korean War began when North Korea invaded South Korea in June. The U.S. rapidly jumped in and stayed there for 3 years, spending $30 billion and 54,000 U.S. lives. The death toll for the war was 3 million including military deaths on both sides and civilian deaths, which were greater than military deaths. This war is technically still ongoing, with a ceasefire but no formal end or resolution to the conflict. Korea has remained divided and the U.S. thirst for war has continued unabated ever since.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The first credit cards were issued, ushering in the era debt-fueled consumerism. Trivia: the first credit card issuer was Diner’s Club.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">President Harry Truman sent U.S. military forces to Vietnam to aid French forces, ushering in another foreign war disaster for the U.S. The Vietnam war ultimately persisted for 20 years, costing some 1.3 million lives.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The NSC-68 report to President Truman recommended aggressive U.S. military expansion to counter the Soviets, ushering in the Cold War, which has waxed and waned, but remained in some form ever since. As of today, it threatens to erupt into World War III.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Albert Einstein spoke out about the U.S. development of the Hydrogen bomb. “If successful,” Einstein warned, “radioactive poisoning of the atmosphere, hence the annihilation of any life on earth, has been brought within the range of technical possibilities.” In response, the FBI ordered a full domestic intelligence report on Einstein and the INS began a five-year examination of the possibility of deporting him. (Incidentally, Einstein in 1948 wrote to the Polish ambassador: “I suppose you must realize by now that the U.S. is no longer a free country, that undoubtedly our conversation is being recorded. The room is wired, and my house is closely watched.”)</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Senator Joseph McCarthy announced that “I have here in my hand a list of 205” known Communists working for the State Department, which slammed the Red Scare into high gear. Whether McCarthy was correct or not, Communism remains an existential threat to the world.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The above items, all from year 320 since Roger Williams [1950], demonstrate the sprouting seeds of economic, military and social destruction, now bearing fruit in our day. The U.S. has increasingly become proud, warlike, and economically irresponsible since that watershed year.</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Year 400 [2030]: Swept Off</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I’m sure you’ve already done the math—400 years from the Roger Williams signpost will be the year 2030. I’m only noting that year here to spur some thought. I’m not making any predictions or claims about 2030 or any other date. I’m simply pointing out a pattern that shows we are at the end of the line. Our time is nearly up, but there’s a lot more to the process of destruction that we need to unpack before we can even consider grappling with what the next 8 years may hold. </span></p><p><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Making Predictions?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I realize it’s foolish to make specific claims about dates, places and events, and I have no intention of doing so. In fact, there’s no way I would even consider writing about this topic were it not for a string of unmistakable events leading me to this point and urging me on. The Book of Mormon contains this pattern for a reason. It is specific about dates, and in his note about the “man among the gentiles” Nephi gave us an equally specific event to use as a sign post for our calendar. As I mentioned before, there’s no other reason to even mention the man. He doesn’t play into the rest of the narrative. He’s not necessary to the story. He was put there so we would ask questions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I did ask, and the result of my inquiry is this series.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">OK, to summarize then, the 1-200-320-400 pattern is specifically shown in the Book of Mormon, not because we need to know something about the Nephites’ days, but because we need to know something about our own. Using Roger Williams’ flight from England as the starting point yields a match to our history and a dire warning to the latter-day gentiles as well as to the covenant people. Time is short, but realizing such should not lead to panic. Rather it should lead to earnest preparation for what clearly lies ahead. How might such knowledge benefit us, what should we expect, and what must we do? Why would prophets who all saw our day provide this information for us, and what do they expect us to do with it? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again, let me reiterate, I’m not assigning a particular date or timeline to anything in the future; I’m simply pointing out that the 400-year-cycle demonstrated so clearly in the Book of Mormon fits our current situation and is nearly at an end.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We still have much ground to cover concerning decline, destruction, turning points and hope. We also need to complete our discussion of Roger Williams, who yet has more to teach us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Stay tuned. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And behold, he hath put it into my heart to say unto this people that the sword of justice hangeth over this people. And four hundred years passeth not away save the sword of justice falleth upon this people, yea, heavy destruction awaiteth this people, and it surely cometh unto this people. And nothing can save this people, save it be repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, who surely shall come into the world, and shall suffer many things, and shall be slain for his people. And behold, an angel of the Lord hath declared it unto me, and he did bring glad tidings to my soul. And behold, I was sent unto you to declare it unto you also, that ye might have glad tidings...</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Helaman 5:2 RE</i></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-70975671637890333212022-03-11T22:48:00.009-07:002023-02-26T23:36:58.119-07:00 Destruction, Part 2: Most Sacred Privilege<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Now there was no law against a man’s belief, for it was strictly contrary to the commandments of God that there should be a law which should bring men onto unequal grounds. For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege, or rather if he believed in God, it was his privilege to serve him; but if he did not believe in him, there was no law to punish him.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Alma 16:2 RE</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">You may not normally place Chief Governor Parhoron high on your list of scriptural authors. But he said something important and profound in his epistle to Captain Moroni:</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Therefore, my beloved brother Moroni, let us resist evil. And whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea, such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the great privilege of our church and in the cause of our Redeemer and our God. Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your men and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum. Give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land according to the spirit of God — which is also the spirit of freedom — which is in them. (Alma 28:3 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">From the above we learn that the freedom most prized by Parhoron and Moroni was the freedom of worship, which they were both willing to defend with their lives. After all, noted Parhoron, the spirit of freedom IS the spirit of God. This is entirely in keeping with his oath of office:</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Yea, he was appointed chief judge and governor over the people, with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea, to support and maintain the cause of God all his days (Alma 22:9 RE)</i></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Captain Moroni cut from the same cloth when he hoisted the Title of Liberty: “In memory of our God, our religion and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” (Alma 21:7 RE). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The freedom of worship is something to which you and I are so accustomed that we have difficulty even considering how recent, revolutionary, and fragile the idea is. So to gain some perspective, let’s go back to a time when the notion was considered dangerous, even seditious. Actually, we could pick nearly any time in history and find such circumstances, but for our purposes in this blog post, we’ll pick 1600’s England. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This was a time during which the Church of England controlled all religious life and clergy in England, though multiple movements existed within the church. The Puritan movement, for example, sought to purify the church from Catholic practices. And the Separatist position demanded a complete separation of Protestantism from the Church of England, which was viewed as irredeemably corrupt.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In this environment, a young man named Roger Williams received his education, took ordination in the Church of England, became a Puritan, and began championing the Separatist position, which put him at great risk. Realizing these actions and ideas denied him any future in the Church of England, or indeed in England itself, he boarded a ship for the American colonies on December 1, 1630, bound for a new life in the Puritan settlement of Boston.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Upon arrival, Williams was offered the temporary position of Reverend at the Church of Boston, but he declined because the church was not fully “separated” from the Church of England. The Church of Salem, which had more separatist leanings made him an offer, but the Boston church objected so strenuously that the Salem church withdrew the offer. So Williams moved to the Plymouth colony and assisted in the church there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Trouble soon found Roger Williams in Plymouth when he realized the colony had taken land from Native Americans without paying for it. He condemned this practice and wrote a tract openly accusing King James of dishonesty, which caused quite a stir and threatened legal problems. Once this trouble passed, he found himself back in Salem as Reverend of the Salem church, but was repeatedly brought up on charges of “erroneous” and “dangerous opinions” including his beliefs that the civil government should have no authority to enforce or punish strictly religious matters, and that all people should enjoy freedom of conscience in matters of worship, without government control or demands.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1-WLeu2l9z4yw9lnD9fUd1xhGyCcS7J6MI8LB-g7ZvUiirWxXetXf8khc1qjmwRiDw9WduzHLrdZ-NGZLBQPYAdW947t3m2Q3TIlDjkwjqkG-iNERV7X29GWMCXh98lDYhBGwR1ZPyzxB2r4lULv6sYLt2_-i0mQRRf3Mby0jH48HEXoYlJHyTGA7=s439" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="439" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1-WLeu2l9z4yw9lnD9fUd1xhGyCcS7J6MI8LB-g7ZvUiirWxXetXf8khc1qjmwRiDw9WduzHLrdZ-NGZLBQPYAdW947t3m2Q3TIlDjkwjqkG-iNERV7X29GWMCXh98lDYhBGwR1ZPyzxB2r4lULv6sYLt2_-i0mQRRf3Mby0jH48HEXoYlJHyTGA7=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />After being charged and tried a number of times, Williams was finally removed from his church position by the General Court. Ultimately, he found he could no longer associate with the church and instead began worshiping in his home with likeminded believers. Finally in 1635, the General Court convicted Roger Williams of sedition and heresy for teaching “diverse, new and dangerous opinions” and ordered that he be banished from Massachusetts Bay colony. Because winter was approaching and he was ill, the court agreed to let him stay temporarily, provided he stop teaching his ideas. Naturally, he didn’t stop teaching, and upon learning the sheriff was coming to arrest him, Williams fled in a blizzard and traveled 55 miles in deep snow, finding refuge with a local Indian tribe until spring. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When spring came, Williams and his followers found a suitable location for a new settlement outside the borders of the Massachusetts Bay land charter, and purchased the necessary lands from the Narragansett tribe. They named their new settlement Providence, based on their belief that divine providence had led them there in their exile. It still retains that name today, incidentally, and is now the capital of Rhode Island. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What made the Providence settlement unique was that it was intentionally set up to be a haven for those “distressed of conscience.” The government of the settlement was specifically limited to civil matters and excluded from religious matters, and all citizens of the settlement were expressly granted freedom of conscience in matters of religion. Naturally, the settlement soon attracted a variety of dissenters and religious free thinkers, welcoming Jews, Quakers, Baptists and all who were elsewhere persecuted for their beliefs. All were treated as equals in matters of government and citizenship, regardless of their religious leanings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thus, Roger Williams founded the first place in modern history where citizenship and religion were completely decoupled from one another, providing complete religious liberty and separation of church and state. Though that may sound quite unremarkable to us now, in 1636 it was so revolutionary as to be considered seditious and heretical. Church and state power had been so intertwined for so long that the mere idea of a secular government was practically unthinkable. But Williams thought it, acted on it, and changed the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnIgf2OHfWY4Yh6ccM7BWHr3qkM7-EWaac4tHOfH7qr1J2NPpihXhu3ZvuyjfZS94noWy4UJjqZ5p_Akw9_0VU5DBVPhCXEs8esl-5_4ne_9hWGNpTnsrxTMgc9ygk0vRv3Y_ItPUIFeGvFWpxjzY4RbCEzODh7o5YfmSuL2hVtC92Ri1I2u7M9ldz=s480" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="302" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnIgf2OHfWY4Yh6ccM7BWHr3qkM7-EWaac4tHOfH7qr1J2NPpihXhu3ZvuyjfZS94noWy4UJjqZ5p_Akw9_0VU5DBVPhCXEs8esl-5_4ne_9hWGNpTnsrxTMgc9ygk0vRv3Y_ItPUIFeGvFWpxjzY4RbCEzODh7o5YfmSuL2hVtC92Ri1I2u7M9ldz=s320" width="201" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Roger Williams lived a magnificent life, filled with heroic and magnanimous deeds. He learned the language of the local Narragansett tribe and published the first book ever written detailing a Native American language. In it, he stated:</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Boast not proud English, of thy birth & blood;<br />Thy brother Indian is by birth as Good. <br />Of one blood God made Him, and Thee and All,<br />As wise, as fair, as strong, as personal.</span></blockquote><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He earned the tribe’s trust and respect to the point that he was often called upon to keep the peace between the colonies and the Native American tribes. On more than one occasion, he pledged himself as hostage to ensure the safe return of Indian Chiefs from colonial court proceedings. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Williams worked tirelessly to stabilize relations between the colonies, even returning to England to secure an official charter for Providence Plantations. Ultimately his efforts united Providence Plantations and Rhode Island, again under the charter of freedom of conscience. When others sought to usurp control over Indian lands or tribes, Williams fought to have them removed, at one point selling his business to pay for another trip to England, which resulted in a more secure charter, greater protection for Native people, and removal of the usurpers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Roger Williams opposed slavery and sought every opportunity to limit it. When the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law sanctioning slavery, Providence Plantations under Williams’ leadership passed laws limiting the amount of time a person could be held in slavery, bringing it in line with indentured servitude, and also sought to prevent the importation of enslaved Africans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">By the end of his life, Roger Williams was known as the founder of Rhode Island, the founder of the Baptist church, a tremendous and gifted advocate for Native American rights, a friend and defender of marginalized groups including Jews, Quakers and others, an opponent of slavery and infant baptism, and an able preacher, governor, writer and Christian thinker. But his greatest accomplishment is summed up in the following two paragraphs I pulled from Wikipedia:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_djI7-xSjVbkzDrAy0Id3-6Cm6C1afoz90P9nPa8CvcmLsD3DOLHd1a99ufNJheG18WBMM5K8l2ixd5r6Fh1W6sSq7Rd64yE4gaUaFas9GVluSOOKNkS-bgHIv1rau1hn6aFzo10o4YLV9JiKwNFOlRf0kJXmBZOWd58Ve4UCotQEn3aqgo8fJIdy=s480" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="227" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_djI7-xSjVbkzDrAy0Id3-6Cm6C1afoz90P9nPa8CvcmLsD3DOLHd1a99ufNJheG18WBMM5K8l2ixd5r6Fh1W6sSq7Rd64yE4gaUaFas9GVluSOOKNkS-bgHIv1rau1hn6aFzo10o4YLV9JiKwNFOlRf0kJXmBZOWd58Ve4UCotQEn3aqgo8fJIdy=s320" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />Williams was a staunch advocate of separation of church and state. He was convinced that civil government had no basis for meddling in matters of religious belief. He declared that the state should concern itself only with matters of civil order, not with religious belief, and he rejected any attempt by civil authorities to enforce the “first Table” of the Ten Commandments, those commandments that deal with an individual’s relationship with and belief in God. Williams believed that the state must confine itself to the commandments dealing with the relations between people: murder, theft, adultery, lying, and honoring parents. Williams wrote of a “hedge or wall of Separation between the Garden of the Church and the Wilderness of the world.” Thomas Jefferson later used the metaphor in his 1801 Letter to Danbury Baptists.</span><p></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Williams considered the state’s sponsor of religious beliefs or practice “forced worship”, declaring “Forced worship stinks in God’s nostrils.” He also believed Constantine the Great to be a worse enemy to Christianity than Nero because the subsequent state involvement in religious matters corrupted Christianity and led to the death of the Christian church. He described the attempt of the state to pass laws concerning an individual’s religious beliefs as “rape of the soul” and spoke of the “oceans of blood” shed as a result of trying to command conformity. The moral principles in the Scriptures ought to inform the civil magistrates, he believed, but he observed that well-ordered, just, and civil governments existed even where Christianity was not present. Thus, all governments had to maintain civil order and justice, but Williams decided that none had a warrant to promote or repress any religious views. Most of his contemporaries criticized his ideas as a prescription for chaos and anarchy, and the vast majority believed that each nation must have its national church and could require that dissenters conform.</span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Roger Williams’ true legacy is not the Baptist Church, the city of Providence, the state of Rhode Island, the books he wrote or the lives he saved. No, it is the ideas for which he fought, suffered and labored. These very ideas, though revolutionary at the time, were inherited a century later by the founders of America and incorporated into our founding documents. The first amendment to the U.S. constitution is the direct result of the thoughts, ideas, and sacrifices of Roger Williams. </span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Such a wall as this had never been erected between religion and government on a national scale. This grand experiment in freedom of conscience is frankly responsible for all other freedoms we enjoy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">When you think about it, freedom of worship is the most basic and fundamental freedom of all. If the power of the state stops where the individual’s relationship with God begins, then the state is permanently and properly subordinated to God and to the individual. Agency—the issue at stake from the beginning and fought for in battle before the foundation of the earth—is preserved. The value of the individual soul is greater than the value of the entire combined power and wealth of the state, and therefore all other freedoms flow from the value placed on the individual soul in the image of God. We have freedom of speech because we have freedom of conscience. We enjoy freedom of the press because we have freedom of conscience. Indeed, the freedom from unreasonable search and seizure, the right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of peers, the freedom from cruel and unusual punishments, the right to bear arms, and even the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness all spring from this first, most inalienable, most fundamental right to an individual relationship with God—unmolested, uncoerced and uncontrolled by the government. And for that, we have Roger Williams to thank. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxeUA9s0TRA_XM8P-k8dBjK0Al8WvOv-caWjpIg_xYLRsZQOe28O-VhaOkXlnmOvBi_dVIY6cdUWS11nHiGX5H2ScFZhFuWJsGs-VHoNPpmhRd1p-JWWD1ZxlTjPpLptebZSTCM4fr4GFB3S1T0SnLWIivXAEKQWG5wVYR5rtl0KzD9oXQh3RU3-lT=s819" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxeUA9s0TRA_XM8P-k8dBjK0Al8WvOv-caWjpIg_xYLRsZQOe28O-VhaOkXlnmOvBi_dVIY6cdUWS11nHiGX5H2ScFZhFuWJsGs-VHoNPpmhRd1p-JWWD1ZxlTjPpLptebZSTCM4fr4GFB3S1T0SnLWIivXAEKQWG5wVYR5rtl0KzD9oXQh3RU3-lT=s320" width="234" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br />In fact, I think it no exaggeration to call Roger Williams the founder of our nation. Seriously. Everything that is unique and good and godly about the highest aspirations of our founding can be traced directly to Roger Williams, who had the courage to stand against the evils and corruption of church and state, at peril of his own life, and who then acted on his principles to establish the first government and society in modern times based on those principles. If this nation was ever a city on a hill that could not be hid, it surely burned with the spirit of God, which is the spirit of freedom, brought here and established by this “man among the gentiles” who laid the firmest of foundations in our freedom of worship.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>And I looked and beheld a man among the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man, and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren who were in the promised land. (1 Nephi 3:20 RE)</i></span></span></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">He was among the gentiles, indeed among the “mother gentiles” of this nation in England (1 Nephi 3:20 RE). The spirit of God, which Captain Moroni and Parhoron correctly define as the spirit of freedom—religious freedom, to be precise—clearly wrought upon Roger Williams, causing him to go forth upon the waters and come to the promised land. He ended up in very close vicinity to the area of the final Book of Mormon battles, and therefore the remaining remnants of the Lamanites, and more than perhaps any other settler, came “unto” the seed of the Lamanites, learning their language and becoming their friend, champion, and defender. That spirit of freedom that wrought upon him throughout his life shaped the foundation and formed the underpinnings of our nation and all other freedoms we enjoy. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I realize there are many theories as to the identity of the man shown to Nephi and that cases can be made for each candidate. I</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">’m not interested in arguing the relative merits of the various candidates. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this introduction to Roger Williams, I have made the case that he *could* be the man—meaning, his life and history conform very well to the pattern of the man Nephi saw. But I have not yet made the case why I believe he *is* the man; we’ll come to that in future posts. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">For now, I’ll just state that I have good and sufficient reasons to believe that Nephi saw Roger Williams. And as I said in my last post, this matters a great deal.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And yet, there’s still more to uncover. <i>Why</i> was he shown to Nephi? Why does it matter that we understand <i>who</i> Nephi saw? And <i>how</i> might this all relate to the topic of destruction? Stay tuned…</span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted in any civil state; which enforced uniformity (sooner or later) is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of souls.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>----------------------------------</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>The God of Peace, the God of Truth will shortly seal this truth, and confirm this witness, and make it evident to the whole world, that the doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience, is most evidently and lamentably contrary to the doctrine of Christ Jesus the Prince of Peace. </i></span></span></p><p><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254);"><i>Amen.</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>—Roger Williams, </i></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"><i>The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, for Cause of Conscience </i></span></span></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-3390394292772014072022-03-08T19:43:00.032-07:002023-02-26T23:37:12.782-07:00 Destruction, Part 1: A Man Among the Gentiles<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>And it came to pass that I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all because of the destructions of my people, for I had beheld their fall.</i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—1 Nephi 4:1 RE</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-1-man-among-gentiles.html">Part 1</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-2-most-sacred-privilege.html">Part 2</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-3-four-hundred-years.html">Part 3</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-4-keep-failing.html">Part 4</a> |<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/03/destruction-part-5-destroyed.html">Part 5</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/04/destruction-part-6-four-passovers.html">Part 6</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2022/06/destruction-part-7-murder-and-gain.html">Part 7</a> | <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2023/02/destruction-part-8-inward-vessel.html">Part 8</a></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Christopher Columbus has a disturbing history—but growing up Mormon, I never knew it. Like many of you, I was raised not only with the standard American veneration of Columbus, but also with the notion that he was the very man spoken of in the Book of Mormon, the man who was “wrought upon” by the spirit of God in this famous statement from Nephi’s vision:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And I looked and beheld a man among the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man, and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren who were in the promised land. (1 Nephi 3:20 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="887" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdTy-xR7-l18ZSKEeyRAUhUngXNFgjIuqS8LyJ3YPJZvPBJmZoN3WzjIVuBNSV6R7btoIi9_VYUown_DFGtaSpsliaMkV4coiME2aEGLYkDpTsEJ7jH0H0tUgcU4ThniRsDkJVCcKUIW1qZj0jLMdVpQlTGzACu43Fvz2_S6Fwg8jizl2igfy_5IOD=s320" width="277" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As the “man among the gentiles” who was “wrought upon” by the spirit of God, Columbus has nearly achieved Sainted status among the LDS people, with lesson manuals proclaiming he is the man of prophecy, articles written in support of the notion, “modern prophets” stating as much, and even a whole book dedicated to making the case. But, I believe they all are wrong, that the man in question is most certainly NOT Christopher Columbus, and the thing that wrought upon Columbus most was the spirit of greed, not the spirit of God. Hey, the spelling is close, but accuracy matters.</span></p><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Here are some quick items of interest from the life and doings of Columbus:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdTy-xR7-l18ZSKEeyRAUhUngXNFgjIuqS8LyJ3YPJZvPBJmZoN3WzjIVuBNSV6R7btoIi9_VYUown_DFGtaSpsliaMkV4coiME2aEGLYkDpTsEJ7jH0H0tUgcU4ThniRsDkJVCcKUIW1qZj0jLMdVpQlTGzACu43Fvz2_S6Fwg8jizl2igfy_5IOD=s1024" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">First and foremost, his primary motivation was making money. He worked in various positions of trade before making his proposal to find a new route to Asia, and he pressed the idea for years knowing of the huge money to be made in supplanting the overland Silk Road trading route with shipping. He also wrote often in his logs of his desire for huge quantities of gold.</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Contrary to modern misconception, the spherical shape of the Earth was common knowledge in Columbus’s day, though he repeatedly understated the distance to Asia by a huge factor. Other learned men of his day pointed out repeatedly that the distance he was trying to sell to investors was actually only about a fourth of what his proposal would require. In other words he was either bad at math or unscrupulous in misrepresenting his proposal to investors. </span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The deal Columbus negotiated was designed to give him massive wealth and power. The contractural promises he received from King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella upon a successful voyage included the rank of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, appointment as Viceroy and Governor of any lands claimed for Spain, and 10% of all the revenues from such lands in perpetuity.</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Columbus left his wife and son for extended periods in prior voyages. When he returned from a lengthy African voyage to find his wife had died, he settled her estate and promptly impregnated his 20-year-old mistress (16 years his junior), who also bore him a son. All this before his famous voyage to the New World.</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Columbus’s first landing in the New World was on the island now known as San Salvador in the Bahamas. Though the lookout on the </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Pinta</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> was the first to spot the land, Columbus later claimed to have seen a light the night before, thus claiming for himself the lifetime pension promised by Ferdinand and Isabella to the first person to sight land.</span></span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Upon landing and noticing the gold ear ornaments worn by the island’s native inhabitants, he took some of them prisoner and insisted they guide him to the source of the gold. This became a theme of his future conquests, and he regularly imprisoned and tortured natives, trying to discover where gold could be found.</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Columbus brought a few notable things back from New World to Europe from his first voyage: Tobacco, slaves and syphilis (fun fact: syphilis didn’t exist in Europe prior to Columbus’s first voyage. He and his crew introduced it to Europe). </span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Columbus earned a reputation as a brutal and incompetent governor of the new territories, employing imprisonment, rape, torture, mutilation, dismemberment, slavery and murder as common punishments and governing tactics. </span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Columbus conquered and enslaved many thousands of natives, including men, women and children. He gave enslaved women to his men to be raped, and caused enslaved populations to be worked to death in terrible circumstances. His lust for gold could not be satiated, and he required tribute in the form of gold dust from the native population every six months. Those who couldn’t pay had a hand chopped off. Most subsequently bled to death. What he failed to realize was that the islands had no native gold resources, and the native populations weren’t holding out on him. There really wasn’t any gold to be had.</span></li><br />
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbrhKgDzS_yXTNE-HPXnYs19fK984ySb_7eUtW0NzzcIqj38PLCdMtjuWAYEU9-mUS-Rp2OA4Z_jRK8NE3dLK--UNUYeqUHekDv7_04_LGVY7CSRReRf0mfk7gBeUt3X_3sX752uE3qMjtBNreiwLC2BU3XLPRi6vc1ECaonBMbRh--brq2vnMUGmo=s500" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Columbus varnished his conquests with the patina of piety by claiming he invaded and conquered in hopes of converting the native populations to Christianity. This kept the clergy and royalty at home happy and supportive, but in practice he failed to do much converting or baptizing. Later in life, Columbus took quite a shine to scripture, claiming to have been guided by God in fulfilling a number of prophecies as an instrument in God’s hand. His lofty claims granted him, at least in his own mind, scriptural importance not seen since the days of the apostles. He made lavish claims about scriptural passages that spoke of him personally.</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">During his later years, Columbus wrote two books: the </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Book of Privileges,</i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> detailing the rewards and privileges he believed he and his family were owed by the Spanish crown, and the </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Book of Prophecies</i><span style="font-family: georgia;">, in which he detailed the Bible passages he believed spoke directly of him and his achievements. </span></span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Columbus is joined in his scriptural claims by a chorus of Book of Mormon fans who assert he MUST be the man in Nephi’s vision, because, well, isn’t it obvious? I mean, unless you’ve studied some history, who else can you name that came from Europe to the Americas? Right?</span></span></li></ul>
<p><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbrhKgDzS_yXTNE-HPXnYs19fK984ySb_7eUtW0NzzcIqj38PLCdMtjuWAYEU9-mUS-Rp2OA4Z_jRK8NE3dLK--UNUYeqUHekDv7_04_LGVY7CSRReRf0mfk7gBeUt3X_3sX752uE3qMjtBNreiwLC2BU3XLPRi6vc1ECaonBMbRh--brq2vnMUGmo=s320" width="231" /></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, a couple of disclaimers are in order before we move on. First, some of the negative information about Columbus is disputed. But there are also assertions that he was even worse—much worse—than what I listed here. Of course, he himself claimed to be a saint (mostly) and only engaged in what destiny required and God approved. Ultimately, it’s generally clear he was a confused or dishonest seafaring trader with limited navigational ability and unlimited dreams of wealth and glory, who happened upon the New World by luck rather than intent. It appears that to his dying day he never realized the land he found was not India. He was a slaver, a brutal and bloody governor, and a greedy claimant of souls, gold, lands, glory, and importance. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">After reports of incompetence and brutality caused Columbus and his family to be stripped of the right to govern the conquered lands, he spent the remainder of his life in failing health while attempting to reclaim the wealth and honor he thought he was owed. He died at age 54, having never set foot in North America. Columbus is known or suspected to have reached several Caribbean islands, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica. Despite common claims to the contrary, he was most certainly not the first European to have discovered America. Evidence now indisputably shows Viking settlements and landings in Canada nearly 500 years before Columbus entered the Caribbean.</span>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, with this information before us, let’s take another look at that Book of Mormon statement. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And I looked and beheld a man among the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man, and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren who were in the promised land. (1 Nephi 3:20 RE)</i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">OK, so Nephi sees a man among those he labels gentiles. Elsewhere in the vision, these gentiles are shown to be divided from the seed of Nephi’s brethren by many waters, organized into many nations and kingdoms, and universally suffering under the great and abominable church which had altered scripture. These gentiles ultimately cross the great waters and displace the seed of Nephi’s brothers to set up a great nation in the promised land. These gentiles therefore seem pretty clearly to be European, and Columbus clearly started out among them. Fair enough.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We’re told the spirit of the Lord wrought upon the man in question. It’s therefore worth considering what spirit seems to be manifested in the history and motivations of Christopher Columbus. Was it the spirit of the Lord working in him that guided him to the Bahamas and launched him into his reign of lust, terror, torture and destruction? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Further, did Columbus reach the “seed of [Nephi’s] brethren” in the “promised land”? If we are to take the prophecy literally, we would have to conclude some portion of the peoples of the Caribbean islands, South America, and lower Central America are the “seed” in question, and that those lands, or at least some portion of them, form the “promised land.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The trouble is that in the same vision, Nephi sees quite a bit more information about the promised land and the nation upon it. </span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>Behold, saith the Lamb of God…I will be merciful unto the gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them in mine own power much of my gospel which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb. For behold, saith the Lamb, I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious. And after thy seed shall be destroyed and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up to come forth unto the gentiles by the gift and power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation. (1 Nephi 3:23 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">This statement specifically identifies the gentiles in question as those to whom the Book of Mormon will be brought forth.</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the gentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land, and by them shall our seed be scattered. And after our seed is scattered, the Lord God will proceed to do a marvelous work among the gentiles which shall be of great worth unto our seed. (1 Nephi 7:3 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We see here a prophecy of a “mighty nation” among the identified gentiles on “this land.” Elsewhere, Nephi’s brother Jacob speaks further about this nation to be raised up on this promised land:</span></p>
<p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="color: blue; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>But behold, this land, saith God, shall be a land of thine inheritance, and the gentiles shall be blessed upon the land. And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land who shall raise up unto the gentiles, and I will fortify this land against all other nations. (2 Nephi 7:2 RE)</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These statements and others from the Book of Mormon demonstrate the promised land, and the nation (singular, not plural) thereon, hold all the following characteristics:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Delivered by the power of God out of the hand of all other nations (not conquered once established)</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Delivered from their “mother gentiles” or no longer ruled by the nation from whence they came</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A land of liberty that has no king</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Fortified against all other nations</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">A marvelous work will be done in that nation, which includes bringing forth much of the gospel—specifically the Book of Mormon record upon that land</span></li></ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBzRj7Yidg3yUevOUReSNvO0LBKUE1Uy3ZsyZkMdVhk5tll-Inc8VeVm0eUYerP_JIXgrjc7ALQGqPSeLtpCnHovCp7vWMiUwL8Wa1Rtj2kKXa-956V4Yeu75diA8gY4UAbB3vTATfI1Lo6n44H8oRNvtqLUlOonlId0g1xUMOOQINkVAYmolbdP-s=s1000" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1000" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBzRj7Yidg3yUevOUReSNvO0LBKUE1Uy3ZsyZkMdVhk5tll-Inc8VeVm0eUYerP_JIXgrjc7ALQGqPSeLtpCnHovCp7vWMiUwL8Wa1Rtj2kKXa-956V4Yeu75diA8gY4UAbB3vTATfI1Lo6n44H8oRNvtqLUlOonlId0g1xUMOOQINkVAYmolbdP-s=w320-h230" title="What's wrong with this picture?" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's wrong with this picture?</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">These explicit scriptural statements do not favor any interpretation that claims any of the Caribbean islands, Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, or Costa Rica are the nation in question, nor the land in question. The only nation, and therefore the only land, that checks all the required boxes is the United States of America. Being that Christopher Columbus never reached any land that is part of the United States, it’s hard to argue that he was the man in the vision who came to the seed of Nephi’s brothers on the promised land, unless you’re willing to make very broad interpretations about the “promised land” being, well, the whole western hemisphere, and the “seed” in question being whatever natives were encountered, whether tied to Nephi’s family or not.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But the Book of Mormon text is so entirely specific that it precludes any such broad interpretation. Indeed, the text demands we take note of the very specific statements that identify the land and the nation first and foremost. Then having done so, we might consider who the man in question might be. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In summary, there’s no indication Columbus was led by the spirit of God, no indication he came to the “promised land,” and no indication he encountered the seed of Nephi’s brothers (the Lamanites). The idea that he was the man spoken of therefore ought to be viewed as a false tradition of our fathers that impedes us from finding greater understanding. And believe it or not, this matters a great deal.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And with that, we’ve reached the end of Part 1. If you’ve been paying attention, you may have some questions—like the following: </span></p>
<p></p><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">What was the point of trashing the idea that Christopher Columbus was prophesied in the Book of Mormon? </span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And what’s the big deal about the prophesied man anyway? He’s mentioned in one sentence and all it says is that he was wrought upon by the spirit and came to the promised land. That’s it—no other mention, no other history, and no seeming importance tied to him in any way at all. (By the way, if you had this question in mind, my hat’s off to you. It’s a really important question with some really surprising answers.)</span></li><br />
<li><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And finally, what on earth does this all have to do with destruction—which, judging by the title of this series, seems to be the theme? </span></li></ul>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Bear with me. It will all become clear as we move ahead.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men, a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other, either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds, unto their being brought down into captivity and also unto destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the Devil of which I have spoken.</i></span></span><span style="text-align: right;"> </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—1 Nephi 3:26 RE</i></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-19028234153352105532022-03-07T23:41:00.000-07:002022-03-07T23:41:08.236-07:00Focal Adjustment<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Brian Allred submitted this thought and asked me to publish it. I think it is a very important reminder to us all. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As a process engineer and one who recognizes the details, I recommend a small but important change of focus. Consider these definitions:</span></p><div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>1. THE work is coming to know your Lord. </b>All items listed in the covenant documents are THE work. For the sake of discussion I condensed all the items listed in the documents to: Love one another.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>2. A work</b> is a task, an errand of the Lord, a work among us, like translating the Book of Mormon, temple fund, stand independent, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately my experience so far has been that often times when I have tried to help and work with people who are fully engaged in A work, that work or task becomes more important than THE work of loving each other. I think in all cases that people involved in A work are not aware that offenses were made to THE work. It simply was not the focus.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I invoke a scripture, I think I now understand it better. Note: I am not qualified to render judgment to how this applies to any other person who is attempting to serve the Lord. </span></p><p><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></span></i></p><blockquote><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I say unto them, You never knew me. Depart from me, you that work iniquity. (</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Matt 3:47 RE)</span></span></i></blockquote><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If we lose focus while doing tasks and fail to see that we are neglecting to learn to love one another—THE work—are we by definition working cross purposes to God’s objectives and thereby “workers of iniquity”? If so, do we run the risk of needing to say, “Lord, Lord have we not done many wonderful works in your name?” Trying to point out how important and hard the tasks were. I always thought that this scripture was kind of harsh but if I am seeing it correctly then it seems justified.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am a task-oriented person. I always have been. People and dealing with people have always been secondary. I have slowly come to learn I am far more productive and happy when I start with the person first. I don’t have any suggestions on how to realize if we are neglecting THE work at the expense of the tasks at hand. This is a goodly movement, lots of smart folks out there. I leave it right there, lets see what turns up.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Thank you for your consideration. Thank you all for your efforts, both successful and not. Thank you for friendship, whether realized currently or in the future. May we all keep a focused eye on THE work. Are you persuaded?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Regards, Brian Allred</span></p></div></div></div>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-85356947558911395252022-03-05T14:29:00.002-07:002022-03-05T14:33:09.262-07:00Rescuing the Restoration Conference and Book<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There was a conference last weekend with excellent information for those who may be questioning their LDS faith. The goal of the conference was to prevent the all-too-common complete loss of faith that frequently results from questions about church history and teachings without satisfactory answers from the LDS church. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://www.rescuingtherestoration.com/recordings" target="_blank">The recordings can be accessed at this link.</a></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In conjunction with the conference, a new book was released. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951168992" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="814" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyBH7DSHu66pyCScAA7NoygCIKzGzUtqE33ffhR-3D5Smbwl1ZDKfpc_fIhu5baUHRy-jlEzqUdwGgamuxEgBFFxp_fMs9QfEAbksT97W3L9Rk8d-7NE73lka6ODUETqaj-5lDYlg5-KDyjeqxaZ8BWCIH6MXmMaHkq7ATLM5FlnaHx6ha5P9HL0vS=w325-h400" width="325" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Rescuing the Restoration: The Lord Sets His Hand Again</b></i><span style="font-family: georgia;"> gives a history and overview of the Restoration Movement, from the perspective of participants in the movement. This book ultimately resulted from a <a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2020/11/introductory-chapter.html" target="_blank">prior blog post</a> I put up in late 2020. In that post I suggested someone might want to take an existing outline I wrote for a different project and do something with it. That someone turned out to be Chris VanCampen, who voluntarily took on a project to produce a book, assembled a team of writers, editors, an illustrator, a typesetter, and an ample level of determination to bring it all together.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The result is a worthy effort and wonderful resource for all who may be curious about the Restoration Movement. I highly recommend sharing the book with all who may be interested. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1951168992" target="_blank">The book is available for order at this link.</a></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-84577942707154137992022-02-25T01:00:00.001-07:002022-02-25T01:00:04.321-07:00Kentucky Conference: Hear and Trust the Lord in the Storm<p><span class="s1"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The organizers of the upcoming conference in Kentucky asked me to post this announcement. I'm very much looking forward to this conference, and hope you will consider attending.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1">The Kentucky conference March 25-27 is just weeks away. There are </span><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold;">only</span><span class="s1"> a few rooms available on site. The deadline to book a room or sign up for meals is March 4th. The website for the Kentucky Conference is <a href="http://www.trustthelordinthestorm.info/">www.trustthelordinthestorm.info</a>. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1">Matt Lohmeier, Vern and Whitney Horning and Denver Snuffer speak Saturday. Denver’s Saturday talk title is </span><span class="s4" style="text-decoration: underline;">Christianity is Alive and Well. Christ is Actively Preparing To Return.</span><span class="s4"> </span><span class="s1">He and others will be speaking Sunday as well. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For more Conference details, please visit <a href="http://www.trustthelordinthestorm.info/"><span class="s4">www.trustthelordinthestorm.info</span></a>.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We hope to see many of you there. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Lexington Kentucky Conference committee</span></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-79615388296971826272022-02-22T18:34:00.004-07:002022-02-22T18:36:00.007-07:00 Guest Post: The Hurdle <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Brian Allred wrote the following and asked me to post it in response to a previous post. I thought he made some good points and consider his ideas worth noting. </i></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am finally responding to the post titled “<a href="https://www.totheremnant.com/2021/04/brokenness-of-man-and-plural-marriage.html" target="_blank">Brokenness of Man and Plural Marriage.</a>” I think that post illustrates an important hurdle that we as a group must surpass if we hope to achieve a community worthy of God’s designation of Zion. Truth be told, writing is like unto torture. More often than not my attempts at expression usually fall short. I would like to take credit for seeking wisdom in advance, to guide my attempts of expression contained in this post, however I was mostly lazy. This allowed time for wisdom to sneak up and ambush me. I am sure that if I had posted in haste the result would have been far less appropriate. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I consider Doug Mendenhall a good friend. As a byproduct of his efforts I have found a wonderful movement of like-minded people, for that I am grateful. I tried to find a way to thank Doug and acknowledge his efforts at the last conference in Challis, and also to see how many have likewise been affected. Unfortunately my efforts were lacking and nothing came of it. I would like to say much more about our friendship and the sense of loss I feel, but for brevity’s sake I will not. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I usually believed or resonated with maybe half of the concepts Doug presented. The other half went to the </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">“</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">we shall see” shelf. Recently however I had several important questions about things that were reportedly said by Doug, then add those question to the experience</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">listed in the the post by brother Richmond and also statements from good friends what are members of the movement that they were very sure that Doug was actually teaching polygamy and though not stated perhaps implied that he may be practicing. All this just didn’t square up. Finally my “get off your butt and do something” gene kicked in and I went to work. I figured that if I am persuaded to believe Emma Smith’s accounting of Joseph’s fidelity and Joseph Smith’s childrens’ accounting of the relationship of their parents then I could do the same in the case of Doug Mendenhall. So I called Debi (Mendenhall) James. We had a long productive and pleasant conversation. Diane, Doug’s wife, is a very private person and preferred that Debi be her voice in these matters. This is a summary of what I learned.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Four of seven personal questions were answered with almost complete clarity, the other three I left for another day because of time constraints.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was able to verify that there was interaction between Denise Mendenhall and Brother Richmond. Denise was under the fatherly care of Doug Mendenhall at the time. As a result of that interaction and other factors, Brother Richmond and family did experience many years of pain and turmoil.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">Polygamy – one of the seven questions – The testimony of Doug’s wife and family is that Doug was not practicing polygamy or any variation thereof. The rumors and allegations are an amalgamation of statements on the subject, new and old, that keep cycling. My synopsis of Doug’s beliefs on multiple wives is that it’s not for the temporal man. It may be acceptable for the dispensation head and is probably practiced in the hereafter. Doug clearly taught that Christ was married to two or more women, the second being invalid. I personally find this claim inconsistent with Book of Mormon teaching, Joseph Smith’s teaching and Denver’s teaching and thus resigned this to the “we shall see” shelf. I can see how this teaching of Christ’s multiple wives produces enough energy to keep an ongoing rumor-mill active.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></li><li><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Bonus” an insight I had not supposed. Debi described the flow of events from the perspective of the parents and family. In her youth Denise had suffered a severe diabetic coma, which caused among other things a degree of brain injury. Years of therapy were needed to retrain the brain to achieve a measure of normal-ness. Normally this degree of openness may not be appropriate; however the Mendenhalls are very open about these issues and have pre-reviewed my comments. Denise is undergoing ever increasing magnitude of swings, like bi-polar, with high functioning, lots of possibilities for good at the top, and deep depression and possibility for ill at the bottom. At some point they realized that at the bottom end Denise can get derailed. They are also realizing that their ability to help and intervene is correspondingly declining.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></li></ol><span style="font-family: georgia;">
Special request: If you fee so inclined, send a note of thanks to the email account listed for Doug’s service to you, or perhaps a note of reconciliation. I think it would be a work of healing and or gratitude. </span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As a result of my discussion with Debi, I felt a new sense of compassion for the Mendenhall family. I admit that my relationship with Doug was too one-sided. I was in need of help to figure out the twists and turns of the journey. I was unaware of the burden he was carrying. I could have done better, I </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">could have been of assistance. I ask myself “how would I have done if I were in his shoes?” How would you have done?</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now, about the hurdle we need to surpass to be pre-Zion compatible. First, this is an instructive lesson we can all learn from. A recent teaching reminds us that God is a jealous God and there is to be no Gods, or anything else, between us and God. We can expect disastrous and painful results if we do. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Second, what then is my course of action? Since I am seriously attempting to follow Christ, I need forgiveness so I just have to forgive. There appears to be no exclusions to this requirement, we are required to forgive all. I need patience so I just have to be more patient. I need kindness so I just have to be more kind. I need to be understood so I just have to be more understanding. I need grace so I have to give grace to others. If I am to emulate the action of Christ, I must do good and pray for those who have hurt me. This is the heavy lifting part of the gospel. If I return evil for evil I become evil. I must do the words of Christ to rise up, then I can attempt to lift another. I am also trying to keep claim of covenant status. The following excerpts from the covenant documents seem appropriate. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">T & C 157: 50-51: I descended below it all, and know the sorrows of you all, and have borne the grief of it all, and I say to you, Forgive one another. Be tender with one another, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, care for the orphan, and uplift the widow in her need, for I have redeemed you from being orphaned and taken you that you are no longer a widowed people. Rejoice in me, and rejoice with your brethren and sisters who are mine also. Be one. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">You pray each time you partake of the sacrament to always have my spirit to be with you. And what is my spirit? It is to love one another as I have loved you. Do my works and you will know my doctrine, for you will uncover hidden mysteries by obedience to these things that can be uncovered in no other way. This is the way I will restore knowledge to my people. If you return good for evil, you will cleanse yourself and know the joy of your Master. You call me Lord, and do well to regard me so, but to know your Lord is to love one another. </span></p></blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia;">T & C 158:19: But if you do not honor me, nor seek to recover my people Israel, nor teach you children to honor me, nor care for the poor among you, nor help lighten one another’s burdens, then you have no promise from me and I will raise up other people who will honor and serve me, and give unto them this land, and if they repent, I will abide with them. </span></blockquote><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In conclusion, we are under specific obligations. Sister Mendenhall is a widow among us. Denise Mendenhall, though of age, is fatherless. There are others as well, sister Corbridge and etc. Can we set aside our desire for accusation? Can we set aside our desire for condemnation? Can we extend the olive branch? Can we do good to our foes? Can we forgive? Can we build peace? </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Debi Mendenhall James will field all polite and considerate questions that anyone may have. She can be reached at publishinghope@gmail.com. There is still work to be done to care for Diane. If you wish to assist I know it will be appreciated. As for Denise, I suspect she will not live very long in the current dynamic, perhaps prayers of faith are all that remain. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know as a father if I were to pass away today (as I am currently recovering from covid) I would want the movement to rally around my wife and family. I would hope they would not focus on my worst days. Note: also I have life insurance; brethren take care of your wife</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.7px;">.<br /></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-58696023430674776012022-02-01T15:13:00.006-07:002022-02-01T15:15:21.264-07:00Follow Up on the Fast<p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i>The youth who invited us all to join with them in fasting have asked me to post the following note. I'll add that I joined in the fast and was blessed personally by doing so. I appreciate and thank the youth, and all who supported this effort.</i></span></p><p style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To those that fasted with the youth:</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the holy ghost.” <a href="https://scriptures.info/scriptures/bofm/3nephi/5.15#15" style="border: 0px; color: #9f9f9f; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="LDS Scriptures Internet Edition: 3 Nephi 5:15">3 Nephi 5:15</a>″</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As the fast that everyone was invited to join comes to end, we, as the youth of the remnant, would like to thank those who joined, for their sacrifice. We hope that this was a good experience and helped you draw closer to the Lord and the people striving to be His. Doing this fast together as a people was a great way to start off 2022. To keep the Lord with us throughout the rest of the year we invite you to continue fasting, praying and studying on your own. There are many challenges that we will still face ahead, but with all of us joining together we can overcome them as one. We are excited for more opportunities for us to band together and see the fulfillment of the Lord’s work.</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; line-height: 1.714285714; margin: 0px 0px 1.714285714rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">With Love from the youth of the movement.</span></span></p>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-31123332674486008742021-12-30T13:42:00.000-07:002021-12-30T13:42:22.087-07:00Last Day<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom, but the froward tongue shall be cut out.</i></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i>—Proverbs 2:31 (RE)</i></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his peace.</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Proverbs 2:44 (RE)</i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Tomorrow is the last day of 2021, which has, by all accounts, been a challenging year. Fittingly, the day will dawn with an appropriate sign from heaven, visible in the Southeastern sky. Just before sunrise, the waning crescent moon will appear in conjunction with Mars and Antares. This conjunction will occur under the foot of Ophiuchus, between the claws of Scorpius.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsDeDcmgx5qr6LSMpBILBsV9rwth9mZoODycD2ha24kGn2Fxh3O1iT0GwMUJhdueM2-6ovMPeGhhSgtQo6o7q8f-2BW_-2ZOWctAF23OCB6URgAfc-E9cNtVkCyNmk7nhiufXvAyLGq8e9dGoUmxPTXEvADFUqNGrniXZLEm0k_uyB_s7i-cwFlhfg=s1166" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1166" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsDeDcmgx5qr6LSMpBILBsV9rwth9mZoODycD2ha24kGn2Fxh3O1iT0GwMUJhdueM2-6ovMPeGhhSgtQo6o7q8f-2BW_-2ZOWctAF23OCB6URgAfc-E9cNtVkCyNmk7nhiufXvAyLGq8e9dGoUmxPTXEvADFUqNGrniXZLEm0k_uyB_s7i-cwFlhfg=w400-h346" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Let’s consider the players in this display:</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>The Moon</b>: Associated with Heavenly Mother, the divine feminine, wisdom and counsel. The waning moon is nearly gone, with just 8% illuminated. She will continue to wane January 1, then will become a new moon on January 2, with all illumination gone. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Mars</b>: The red planet, named for the God of war, destruction and destabilization. It represents power, control, military might, and authoritarianism.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Antares</b>: This star’s name is Greek and it means “rival to Mars.” It is actually a binary star, consisting of the bright, red-orange Antares, and the dim, blue/green Antares B in perfect balance. These two are one for all intents and purposes, and can only be separately distinguished with a very powerful telescope. Antares is, on average, the 15th brightest star in the night sky.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Ophiuchus</b>: This constellation is the “serpent bearer” and is depicted as a man holding a snake—which snake is actually a separate constellation named Serpens. In Greek mythology, the Ophiuchus represents healing and resurrection from death. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>Scorpius</b>: This constellation, represented as a scorpion, carries the sting of death, representing danger and destruction. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Now, with all the players identified, here’s the picture I see at the last day of 2021. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We encounter two rivals (Mars and Antares) opposing one another—Mars representing war and destruction, and Antares representing unity, harmony and balance. The Moon—representing divine Wisdom—intercedes between the rivals, with the whole display playing out between Scorpius, representing death, and Ophiuchus, representing life and healing. The Moon’s light and influence are waning, and nearly completely lost to darkness. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I view this all as a reminder that we stand at a point of decision. The current division in our society is at unrivaled in the history of our nation. Divisions over politics, race, gender, rights and medicine not only stir up anger and contention, but as a people, we’ve seemingly lost the ability to disagree in any civilized way. Rather than viewing those who hold ideas opposite our own as fellow humans with reasons to believe as they do, we increasingly view them as hostile rivals, deserving only destruction, and too stupid or insane to be functional humans. In nearly every issue, the middle ground has given way to deeply polar opposites, with neither side willing to concede any ground, and bent only on the destruction of the other. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Unfortunately, such sentiments are not merely figurative, and are not exaggerations. Actual politicians and thought leaders repeatedly call for the incarceration, forced “re-education” or even death of their opponents—who have committed no crime other than having a different opinion on an issue. Such rhetoric is increasingly tolerated, even welcomed, while reasonable free speech is increasingly censored and deplatformed. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We were warned about such a situation by the Lord:</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For you to unite I must admonish and instruct you, for my will is to have you love one another. As people, you lack the ability to respectfully disagree among one another. You are as Paul and Peter, whose disagreements resulted in jarring and sharp contentions. Nevertheless, they both loved me and I loved them. You must do better. (T&C 158:3)</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Likewise, we have been counseled how to avoid the folly that is rapidly overtaking our society:</span></p>
<blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Wisdom counsels mankind to align their words with their hearts, but mankind refuses to take counsel from Wisdom. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, there have been sharp disputes between you that should have been avoided. I speak these words to reprove you that you may learn, not to upbraid you so that you mourn. I want my people to have understanding. (T&C 157:4-5)</span></p></blockquote>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">And further:</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Satan is a title and means accuser, opponent, and adversary; hence, once he fell, Lucifer became, or in other words was called, Satan, because he accuses others and opposes the Father. I rebuked Peter and called him Satan because he was wrong in opposing the Father’s will for me, and Peter understood and repented.</span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">In the work you have performed there are those who have been Satan, accusing one another, wounding hearts, and causing jarring, contention, and strife by their accusations. Rather than loving one another, even among you who desire a good thing, some have dealt unkindly as if they were the opponents, accusers, and adversaries. In this they were wrong.</span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You have sought to recover the scriptures because you hope to obtain the covenant for my protective hand to be over you, but you cannot be Satan and be mine. If you take upon you my covenant, you must abide it as a people to gain what I promise. You think Satan will be bound a thousand years, and it will be so, but do not understand your own duty to bind that spirit within you so that you give no heed to accuse others. It is not enough to say you love God; you must also love your fellow man. Nor is it enough to say you love your fellow man while you, as Satan, divide, contend, and dispute against any person who labors on an errand seeking to do my will. How you proceed must be as noble as the cause you seek. You have become your own adversaries, and you cannot be Satan and also be mine. Repent, therefore, like Peter and end your unkind and untrue accusations against one another, and make peace. How shall there ever come a thousand years of peace if the people who are mine do not love one another? How shall Satan be bound if there are no people of one heart and one mind? (T&C 157:8-10)</span></p></blockquote><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">As the last day of the year dawns, while the light of Wisdom is yet visible and the choice is laid before us, let us choose harmony, peace, kindness, healing and life. Such could heal the world, but if the world chooses not to be healed, it will still be necessary for a covenant people to live together in peace and harmony, even as the world degrades to authoritarianism warfare, destruction and death. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Just as the conflict is beneath the foot of Ophiuchus, we may rest with the utmost assurance that our Lord will ultimately place all enemies beneath his feet (T&C 35:2). Let us choose to not be enemies. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeg3-WclYlgPU2jbkaZKmrL9jKelIFsAmQsjrJxd8c6HzZt113B9lh78tajzdcaFI8sA-DEwNwbWn4trje_PnbstsGWxUacsOaOi2Xy7fm_ypwEwY4-XaIM-CxMBlzWy3IF6gOQATghLXg7Lz4UsgfpyyV8QNVT59FMb_aQTLkDNLkfftnma3MMBms=s1682" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1682" data-original-width="1168" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeg3-WclYlgPU2jbkaZKmrL9jKelIFsAmQsjrJxd8c6HzZt113B9lh78tajzdcaFI8sA-DEwNwbWn4trje_PnbstsGWxUacsOaOi2Xy7fm_ypwEwY4-XaIM-CxMBlzWy3IF6gOQATghLXg7Lz4UsgfpyyV8QNVT59FMb_aQTLkDNLkfftnma3MMBms=w278-h400" width="278" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><b>One Parting Thought</b></span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Antares is the 15th brightest star in the night sky, and Omicron is the 15th letter in the Greek alphabet. The Omicron variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 appears to be following the path that all viruses tend to follow as they work through the human population. It is much more contagious than any previous variant, but it is also much less deadly. Indeed, it may well be a tremendous blessing to all humanity by conveying widespread, robust immunity to those who contract it, which will be nearly everyone, while simultaneously causing very little severe illness or death. It may be God’s way of ending the Covid “pandemic” through naturally derived herd immunity. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">But we also have a faction who sees their power, control and wealth slipping away if the pandemic lessens or ends, and they are therefore trying to create even greater fear than ever before, touting Omicron as the deadliest, most dangerous development yet, which can only be addressed by further loss of freedoms, further economic destruction, endless ineffective vaccinations, and greater surrender of power to those who claim to be in charge. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Again, we stand at a crossroads, and we must choose fear or faith. Omicron comes from the Phonecian/Semitic letter Ayin—the eye—and we are most certainly being watched by the heavens as we choose how we will respond. The eye is upon us as 2021 comes to an end. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. </i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Proverbs 2:154 </i></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>(RE)</i></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></i></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord ponders the hearts. </i></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: right;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>—Proverbs 2:330 </i></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(43, 0, 254); text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>(RE)</i></span></span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Adrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com1