tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post8073149514102534151..comments2024-03-26T14:29:25.921-06:00Comments on To The Remnant: All that Glitters, Part 6: Special Watches and WitnessesAdrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-88905670543271319002016-03-26T07:45:20.718-06:002016-03-26T07:45:20.718-06:00I have my own Elder Nelson experience. First hand ...I have my own Elder Nelson experience. First hand report here. <br /><br />It was back in 1993-94. He visited my stake and held a special meeting with the priesthood. I was Ward Mission Leader at the time and a recently returned missionary, as well as fairly new convert. <br /><br />Besides the MTC experience in Provo, it was my first up close meeting with an apostle. We met in the chapel in a cozy meeting. There came a time for Q&A. <br /><br />I raised my hand and asked a pre-planned question: "Since you are an especial witness of Christ, I have a question. I know this is a sacred topic, but since we are in a special priesthood gathering tonight, my specific question is, have you been visited by Jesus Christ, have you seen him personally?" <br /><br />His exact response I remember clearly. He paused, smiled in a warm, grandfatherly manner and said, "There are some things so sacred that we do not share in public." And then he took the next question.<br /><br />I felt it may have been a mild rebuke, but no local leader later corrected me and Elder Nelson answered in a loving way. <br /><br />I was certainly left with the impression that he HAD seen the Lord. Others I spoke with afterward indicated the same impression and we all were thrilled with the idea that the Lord appears to modern apostles. <br /><br />Point being that my story shows that the apostles or at least he has been employing the communication technique (prevarication) for many years to give the (false) impression that he has seen the Lord. <br /><br />The question is, why prevaricate? <br /><br />Instead he is missing an opportunity to bear witness, to really be "a witness", and "by so doing, the Lord God [could prepare] the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts..."<br /><br />Or, he hasn't had the eyewitness experience and can't truthfully bear witness. Underdognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-40297720307601800832015-11-02T14:32:07.733-07:002015-11-02T14:32:07.733-07:00Beanie,
We seem to have two different views. My ...Beanie,<br /><br />We seem to have two different views. My view is that it is not required in order to receive exaltation to see the Lord, while in the flesh. This is not to say that some have not nor will, but that not all will and not all are required to see the Lord while they are living. Nor is it required to see the Lord in order to testify of him. Your view seems to be that is required AND that if you have not seen the Lord while in the flesh, well then you have no hope if you die without doing so. If that is the case, where are you? How many people do you know that have? And that you can't claim to know him without seeing him. This life is the time to "prepare" to meet God. If we're prepared, the finish line is definitely not too late.<br /><br />Remnant of Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-2317602180956082742015-08-27T13:06:24.913-06:002015-08-27T13:06:24.913-06:00Hi Remnant,
I recommend you search that out for y...Hi Remnant,<br /><br />I recommend you search that out for yourself. Obviously, it doesn't boil down to a sound bite or single message. Ultimately, it's the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Much of what Joseph Smith taught and restored, or was attempting to restore, has been lost, ignored, or altered. We need to appreciate and value what came through Joseph. <br /><br />This includes reading and understanding the Book of Mormon for what it actually says, rather than the fables and children's stories we tell each other about it. <br /><br />We need to recognize the Lord is moving again, and has sent a servant with words the Lord claims as HIs own. Part of how we accept the Lord is by understanding the Doctrine of Christ and being baptized anew. Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-48428156337872595802015-08-27T00:01:51.681-06:002015-08-27T00:01:51.681-06:00Hi Unknown,
Thanks for the corrections. I think w...Hi Unknown,<br /><br />Thanks for the corrections. I think wires must have gotten crossed and you meant to post this over at my BSA post. Please feel free to re-post it there and I'll delete this one.<br /><br />As for the 37% figure, I got that directly off the BSA website where they publish all their statistics and raw numbers of units. The LDS church had 37,933 units as of 2013 (latest figures available). Total units for all scouting was 102,565--giving the LDS church 37.04% of all units.<br /><br />Very interesting about fall recruitment and the idea that the church seemed OK with the decision. After all the blustering, polling and posturing, it turns out the church was indeed OK with it. Who would have guessed?Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-32986404606144384502015-08-26T23:02:19.091-06:002015-08-26T23:02:19.091-06:00I work for the BSA. Two correction. The first is t...I work for the BSA. Two correction. The first is that the percentage of LDS units is 18%, not 37%. The other is the reason the vote was moved to July was PR stupidity. Local councils didn't want the vote to affect fall recruitment so they wanted it moved up to the summer. They thought the Church didn't mind because the Church seemed okay with the decision.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14982571703670599460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-75321979885024204912015-08-19T21:21:18.126-06:002015-08-19T21:21:18.126-06:00Adrian-
what is the message that Denver is shari...Adrian- <br /><br />what is the message that Denver is sharing that we should be heeding?<br /><br />Remnant of Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-71803703288237867042015-08-12T23:35:01.745-06:002015-08-12T23:35:01.745-06:00Hi Anonymous,
I have a couple of thoughts to shar...Hi Anonymous,<br /><br />I have a couple of thoughts to share: <br /><br />First, the most important mouthpiece of the Lord is the Holy Ghost. <br /><br />2 Nephi 32:2-3<br /><br />2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?<br /><br />3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.<br /><br />Following the Holy Ghost’s teachings will bring the ministry of angels. Both the Holy Ghost an angels speak the words of Christ. <br /><br />Second, the Lord has sent a mortal witness with a message. His name is Denver Snuffer. You can read more here: <br /><br />http://www.totheremnant.com/2015/02/prophets-part-6-another-prophet-now-is.html<br /><br />In fact, I recommend you read the whole prophets series for a more complete understanding.<br /><br />And finally, and most importantly, we all need to understand that salvation is a personal undertaking between the Lord and each of us. There is no man who stands between you and your Redeemer. He sends His messengers, it is true, but ultimately, you must hear His voice for yourself.Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-48315680500419013312015-08-12T21:08:38.135-06:002015-08-12T21:08:38.135-06:00I'm slowly working my way through your blog so...I'm slowly working my way through your blog so I apologize if you've already answered this question. If the leaders of the LDS church are inadequate witnesses of Christ, and by extension not teaching correct doctrine, who is the Lord's mouthpiece today? Who is His chosen Prophet(s) today?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-324441084433946342015-08-12T19:24:42.086-06:002015-08-12T19:24:42.086-06:00Great post. Much of the challenge in today's ...Great post. Much of the challenge in today's world is sifting through that which is truth and that which disguises as truth. It is truly the great day of Satan's power. The only way to learn truth is from a divine source. This to me is very comforting.tgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-80777200116803925462015-08-09T08:58:33.598-06:002015-08-09T08:58:33.598-06:00Hi Jonah,
The point to understand is that the Hol...Hi Jonah,<br /><br />The point to understand is that the Holy Ghost is not something we feel in the way we've been taught. The purpose of the Holy Ghost is not to produce feelings. That's what I cover in the post I referenced.<br /><br />Joseph Smith didn't go into details about his visits. But he did plainly state they happened. <br /><br />I think it is much more bold of you to accuse me of hate than it is for me to speak on the nature of the Holy Ghost. I wish you knew my heart. Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-70503097752227704222015-08-09T07:33:40.316-06:002015-08-09T07:33:40.316-06:00Pretty bold for you to dictate whether Karin is fe...Pretty bold for you to dictate whether Karin is feeling the spirit or not. Not your place to judge in my opinion. And If you held Mr. Sniffer to the same bar you are holding church leaders to how could you follow him? Somehow he doesn't need to go into details of his visits and he is a man and therefore fallible and that's okay for him, but not our apostles? Do you see the hypocrisy here, or are you so blinded by your hate? Jonahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01105832383915875754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-80370491728071134762015-08-05T10:23:05.106-06:002015-08-05T10:23:05.106-06:00Hi Karin, thank you for responding. I recommend yo...Hi Karin, thank you for responding. I recommend you learn about the Holy Ghost from scripture. The myth that we ought to use our feelings as a way to establish truth is one of Satan's greatest triumphs. (I know, that sounds crazy...please hear me out).<br /><br />The Holy Ghost is so powerful and so important, yet we've completely changed our understanding to the point that we believe and expect falsehoods about the Holy Ghost.<br /><br />I give a complete explanation in this post: http://www.totheremnant.com/2014/11/feeling-and-fooling-spirit.html Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-78136326278116558152015-08-05T09:40:39.956-06:002015-08-05T09:40:39.956-06:00I was reading a recent general conference talk by ...I was reading a recent general conference talk by Dallin H. Oaks and felt the Holy Ghost. As I was reading this article, I felt an absence of the Holy Ghost. That is all I need to know. Karinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07676807037106672774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-49713034962024796472015-08-02T23:44:54.637-06:002015-08-02T23:44:54.637-06:00I don't have to reply any more I have my answe...I don't have to reply any more I have my answer chavezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13565071970151899363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-25414993802331967272015-08-02T08:07:41.839-06:002015-08-02T08:07:41.839-06:00In the course of administering the affairs of the ...In the course of administering the affairs of the Church, the Apostles are weighed down with the administration of the 100 plus commercial corporations that the church has amassed since arriving in Salt Lake City. This responsibility consumes most of their meetings and leaves little time to minister as pointed out by Elder Bruce R McConkie. <br /><br />“Though general authorities are authorities in the sense of having power to administer church affairs, they may or may not be authorities in the sense of doctrinal knowledge, the intricacies of church Procedures, or the receipt of the promptings of the Spirit. A call to an administrative position of itself adds little knowledge or power of discernment to an individual, although every person called to a position in the Church does grow in grace, knowledge, and power by magnifying the calling given him.”(Mormon Doctrine, "General Authorities")<br /><br />I think that this is even more apparent today as witnessed my Elder Bednar’s recent statement: <br /><br />“It is in the consistency of simple witnesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that I know that Jesus is the Christ” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1G6zkS0YXI<br /><br />Thanks heavens for the scriptural clarity and invitation to come to “know” the Lord Jesus Christ personally rather than relying on man. <br /><br />Thanks for this excellent series concerning the real gold, “Christ”. You have instilled in me a renewed desire to “forsake my sins” and “seek the face of the Lord” as outlined in D&C 93:1; All the best AB2<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-8440034628849142792015-08-01T15:29:48.732-06:002015-08-01T15:29:48.732-06:00I write based on scripture. If I have erred, and c...I write based on scripture. If I have erred, and changed the scripture as you state, please go ahead and let me know my error. If you want to make such accusations, you need to back them up so we can discuss them. Otherwise, you only appear as wanting to take cheap shots or start an argument.<br /><br />And if you need specific examples of Christ hiding truth or calling people names, I'll be glad to supply them from scripture. But I suspect you already know them. Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-26283152621244904442015-08-01T00:57:41.072-06:002015-08-01T00:57:41.072-06:00Remnant,
At His coming, EVERY knee shall bow and...Remnant, <br /><br />At His coming, EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ. ALL men will see Him at the day of judgement. Therefore, according to your assessment, scriptures such as D&C 93 and those you quoted above would be unnecessarily given-- else why would the Lord give qualifications to see Him? The only reasonable interpretation of these scriptures, as well as 2 Nephi 32:5-7, along with the testimonies of most of the writers and prophets of the Book of Mormon, is that Christ WILL manifest Himself to you in the flesh if you qualify yourself for such a blessing. This is the whole point of the Book of Mormon--to teach us HOW to come to KNOW the Lord, IN MORTALITY. It's also the whole point of the temple endowment. Our bodies are the veil which separate us from the Lord's presence. We must obey His commands to us so that He can part our veil, come into our presence, and then take us to the presence of the Father. In mortality. The temple never declares that these blessings are to take place after this life. On the contrary, they are the test of this life!<br /><br />Furthermore, the Lord clearly teaches that eternal life is to KNOW God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3. THIS life is the probationary state, the time for us to prepare to meet God (Alma 12:24). To know them IS the qualifier for eternal life. Unfortunately, meeting them at the finish line is a little too late. All of us will end up there anyway. Beanie Rnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-57869514120717018542015-07-31T23:21:05.190-06:002015-07-31T23:21:05.190-06:00That is what I did, defined what Jesus would do or...That is what I did, defined what Jesus would do or not do, just like every blog you write, change the truth,or the scripture, or the story to fit your narrative chavezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13565071970151899363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-7839581669632851072015-07-31T15:47:08.514-06:002015-07-31T15:47:08.514-06:00Hi Remnant,
I don't speak for Denver, so I re...Hi Remnant,<br /><br />I don't speak for Denver, so I really can't answer your questions authoritatively. I can only offer my opinion. Here it is:<br /><br />First, you stated, "If Denver is who you say he is..." Let's be clear about who I have said he is. I've stated that he is a messenger, bearing a message from the Lord, and that we ought to heed the message, not the man.I don't believe I've made any other claims beyond that.<br /><br />Now, on to your questions:<br /><br />1. I don't know what his mission is. Right now, it appears to be teaching truths of the gospel that have been lost, ignored or distorted. Time will tell if the Lord asks more of him than that.<br /><br />2. I have never heard him either claim or deny the title of Prophet. You need to understand, he's absolutely not into titles. His view is that once you have done the work, you can claim the title. But until the work is done, it's just arrogance to claim a title. There must be fruit or it's all vanity.<br /><br />3. He has not gone into details of any of his visits, other than to verify they have happened. He stated that the message he shared in the 10-part lecture was from the Lord, in that the Lord gave him specific topics and scriptures to cover; even the timing and locations of the messages. He only directly quoted things Christ said a couple of times in the lectures.<br /><br />As for his blog, of course he's fallible, just like any other mortal. The word "know" is a very strong word to use though. There is a lot I thought I "knew" because I'd been taught it all my life, that turned out to be wrong. Lately, I'm much more reticent to claim to "know" certain things that really, I just "believe." Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-52382927701047886512015-07-31T13:13:58.721-06:002015-07-31T13:13:58.721-06:00I think we need to be careful in claiming that the...I think we need to be careful in claiming that the Lord repeatedly tells witnesses not to witness anything, and if they do, we label them as disobedient. <br /><br />The clarification needs be be made between disclosing that an event took place, and disclosing details of the event.<br /><br />I think it's one thing for Him to perform an ordinance and then to command there are certain things about that experience which should not be disclosed except at certain times... And it's another thing to witness that an experience happened.<br /><br />Consider this: 3 Nephi 12:2 And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins.<br /><br />Here Christ is clearly telling his witnesses that they will specifically witness to others that they have seen him. Shortly after this, ordinances are performed, with a different outcome…<br /><br />3 Nephi 19:31 And it came to pass that he went again a little way off and prayed unto the Father;<br /><br /> 32 And tongue cannot speak the words which he prayed, neither can be written by man the words which he prayed.<br /><br /> 33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed.<br /><br /> 34 Nevertheless, so great and marvelous were the words which he prayed that they cannot be written, neither can they be uttered by man.<br /><br />This idea that special witnesses would be told by Christ not to witness that they had a personal experience with Him seems foolish, and frankly, anti-Christ. It’s understandable to say “I have committed not to disclose details about the experience” but that should also be accompanied by “I have had the experience.” Frankly, I would hope this would also be accompanied by “And you can too, here’s how…” <br /><br />As Joseph put it, “I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation.” (JSH 1:25) <br /><br />Yet Joseph also said, “and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time.” (JSH 1:20)<br /><br />I think it’s interesting that in Joseph’s own words, he could not deny that he had an experience for he knew that by denying it he would offend God…and this even though he had been told many things that he would not write at that time.<br /><br />When asked directly about it, the only reason I can think of for denying that an experience happened, or refusing to admit that an experience happened, is that the experience has, in fact, not happened.Cameronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-86434618292916242232015-07-31T10:39:22.113-06:002015-07-31T10:39:22.113-06:00If Denver is who you say he is, I have a few quest...If Denver is who you say he is, I have a few questions.<br /><br />1) What is his mission?<br />2) Does he claim or deny to be a prophet?<br />3) What does he claim the Lord told him when visited?<br /><br />I've read some of his blog and have found things I know to be false. Is this because he is fail-able like any other prophet?<br /><br /><br />Remnant of Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-1741495039425911012015-07-31T10:32:13.194-06:002015-07-31T10:32:13.194-06:00After reading this, I don't believe Elder Nels...After reading this, I don't believe Elder Nelson did deny seeing the Lord nor admit seeing the Lord. He only said that the title of "especial witness" did not mean by itself that one has seen the Lord.Remnant of Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-76858620779864288042015-07-31T10:29:25.932-06:002015-07-31T10:29:25.932-06:00Rob- You have taken this scripture out of context...Rob- You have taken this scripture out of context. In the vision, Joseph was seeing those in the future after the judgment who because of their righteousness, etc.had received particular kingdoms of glory and had obtained the presence of the Son and Father.<br /><br />D&C 93 and many other scriptures make reference to us seeing the Lord if we're worthy, but only according to the time and will of the Lord and for most of us, it will be at his coming or at the judgment. <br /><br />"Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will." (D&C 88:68)<br /><br />This scripture alludes that it will be at his coming:<br /><br />"For they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming; for they shall be purified, even as I am pure." (D&C 35:21)<br /><br />We must be careful to not hold up the requirement of "seeing the Lord" as a criteria for judgment one upon another (which appears to be happening here).<br /><br />Remnant of Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-51704928454417751322015-07-31T10:06:43.500-06:002015-07-31T10:06:43.500-06:00Anonymous, do you deny that the Lord repeatedly co...Anonymous, do you deny that the Lord repeatedly counselled them not to tell anyone? That is the key issue. Their disobedience to that counsel is what separates them from a true disciple.Remnant of Josephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-67495232326352719922015-07-30T23:48:16.321-06:002015-07-30T23:48:16.321-06:00And yet, during his mortal life, Jesus hid truths ...And yet, during his mortal life, Jesus hid truths and called people names. Quite vile names, actually.<br /><br />As long as you insist on defining what the Lord will and will not do, you limit his ability to work in your life.Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.com