tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post8256135992516512260..comments2024-03-26T14:29:25.921-06:00Comments on To The Remnant: All that Glitters, Part 3: Fool's GoldAdrian Larsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-33893861338388752692015-08-19T15:25:45.613-06:002015-08-19T15:25:45.613-06:00I love the post, especially the part where you tal...I love the post, especially the part where you talked about clinging to the iron rod and the Doctrine of Christ.<br /><br />You mentioned some other topics that may be of interest to some. But may I just point out something....<br /><br />In 2Nephi 32:6- It is clearly stated that no other doctrine will be given until Jesus Christ has manifested himself unto you. And after he does that, He'll give you more. <br />So for some, it is commanded of them to remain quiet about their audiences with Christ, and for others it is asked of them to share. Regardless, Christ will only give us more AFTER we live and fulfill the Doctrine of Christ. So we should not judge others of their beliefs and "levels on the ladder" because we do not know where they stand with Christ. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427431465294544699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-75964080398077683062015-06-23T12:19:33.957-06:002015-06-23T12:19:33.957-06:00Hi erichard,
I appreciate your take. Surely, any ...Hi erichard,<br /><br />I appreciate your take. Surely, any author's writings can become a distraction from scriptures if they become your primary focus.<br /><br />Having read everything Snuffer has written, at least twice, I can tell you I find his writings to be almost 100% scriptural exposition and explanation. By expounding on the scriptures, his writings have brought me much greater understanding of God's word. <br /><br />But I agree, such things must never become a distraction from the scripture itself.<br /><br />As for the "educated" tone of the writing, I find his words very accessible and easy to understand. Clearly he is educated, and a good writer, but his power with language, in my opinion, serves to more precisely and fully communicate truth.<br /><br />When I encountered Snuffer's writings for the first time, they were food to my hungry soul. But I recognize his style certainly won't appeal to everyone. <br /><br />I would suggest that Peter, Paul, Mormon, Moroni, and Joseph Smith were certainly not weak or foolish men, though the world viewed them this way. I believe most of the world views Snuffer as weak and foolish as well. He certainly views himself that way. I view myself that way, and I'm sure you view yourself that way too. By comparison with heaven, we are all weak and foolish. No flesh should glory in His presence. And yet, through mortals, God does His work. I think the word "chosen" in the verses you reference is a key. <br /><br />All are weak and foolish. God chooses whom He will. Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-48965499224155821762015-06-22T16:00:06.343-06:002015-06-22T16:00:06.343-06:00Adrian, I find the writings of Snuffer to be the v...Adrian, I find the writings of Snuffer to be the very kind of distraction from the scriptures that you are talking about. Snuffer's writings come in the pattern of educated Phds with many words, as do the present LDS leadership, and not in the pattern spoken of in 1 Cor 1:27-29 that fits men more like the uneducated Joseph Smith. erichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12279217537472159142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-47319382790479223222015-06-21T18:38:33.587-06:002015-06-21T18:38:33.587-06:00"My point is that exploration of these non-sc..."My point is that exploration of these non-scriptural items diverts time and attention from comprehending and living the Doctrine of Christ." Bingo. Remember that the purpose of the Book of Mormon was to restore the fullness of the gospel, or what we need to get from where we are to a frequent audience with Christ. And that was only necessary because people jacked up the Bible so badly. What that means is that if I am not yet in a position where I have communion with Christ to learn all the things that he saw fit were not appropriate for general consumption, then I probably shouldn't be worrying about those things. Particularly if what I "know" about them is really just what I've googled about them, or paid some guy who said he knew about them to teach me.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08876761145806406244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-80695360346644695792015-06-20T20:21:15.176-06:002015-06-20T20:21:15.176-06:00Thank you Adrian for this wonderful commentary. I...Thank you Adrian for this wonderful commentary. I have enjoyed it so much. After reading it, I was reminded of something that was pointed out to me quite recently. <br /><br />In our triple combination, there is a short section just after the book of Abraham, called "Joseph Smith - Matthew." Joseph Smith makes some wonderful additions and clarification in these three pages of our Three and One.<br /><br />IN THE BIBLE: Christ is speaking of the last days. Matt: 24: 4 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you." Vs. 11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Vs. 24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect."<br /><br />JOSEPH SMITH - Matthew Additions<br /><br />Matt 1: 22 "For in those days there shall also arise faults Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch, that if possible, they shall deceived the very elect, WHO ARE THE ELECT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT. (The last few words was left out of the Bible) <br /><br />Now, here is where it gets good: <br /><br />Vs 37: AND WHOSO TREASURETH UP MY WORD, SHALL NOT BE DECEIVED, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his ELECT FROM THE FOUR WINDS, FROM ONE END OF HEAVEN TO THE OTHER. <br /><br />There is safety in diligently searching and knowing the scriptures, and more importantly the Book of Mormon. In my opinion, my knowing His word is some of the oil I can put in my lamp that cannot be share with others at the last minute.<br /><br />Kathrynhttp://webpressutah.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-68075578019583246572015-06-19T16:16:06.442-06:002015-06-19T16:16:06.442-06:00Hollow Earth! I believe in the Hollow Earth and li...Hollow Earth! I believe in the Hollow Earth and like to read different books or accounts of it but I don't let it replace or take precedence over the knowledge contained in scripture. Regardless, good post and warning.<br /><br />- Hollow Earth DwellerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-20051576568369400332015-06-19T15:30:51.521-06:002015-06-19T15:30:51.521-06:00Interesting thoughts, Joe. I think there are also ...Interesting thoughts, Joe. I think there are also other possibilities you and I haven't considered. I only think such an one will be recognized after the work is done.Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-17814297759203058932015-06-19T15:16:06.144-06:002015-06-19T15:16:06.144-06:00I really like this statement of yours: Anyone who ...I really like this statement of yours: Anyone who claims to be the One Mighty and Strong—isn't.<br /><br />I'd like to offer a bit of commentary about D&C 85:8, which is the verse immediately following the mention of the One Mighty and Strong. This is not a prophecy or claim of knowledge on my part, it's just an observation and an attempt to understand.<br /><br />Verse 8 seems to indicate that when the one mighty and strong makes his appearance and assigns inheritances, he will be challenged by someone who has been "called of God and appointed". Apparently this officer will anger the Lord to the extent that the Lord will kill him in a dramatic or public fashion, like how Uzzah was killed.<br /><br />In mainstream Mormon culture, all priesthood officers are considered to be "called of God and appointed", but more especially the high officers. If at some point a high ranking mainstream officer dies in a dramatic fashion while in the midst of fighting against someone who is assigning or giving lot inheritances for Zion to be built, verse 8 would be vindicated. Speculative scenarios would include: <br /><br />1 - The Presiding Bishop has the duty to manage the physical property of the Church. If a Presiding Bishop were to wake up and take his duties seriously, (i.e., assign inheritances), this would enrage / befuddle the First Presidency, and they would likely move to release him. In the aftermath of a divine smack-down, the remaining Brethren might allow the Presiding Bishop to distribute the assets he had earmarked, in order to get rid of him. He would then go his way, and they would retreat back into their ivory towers and their all-is-well mindset. The 1905 First Presidency interpretation mentions that the one mighty and strong could be a future Presiding Bishop:<br />https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Mighty_and_Strong#Possibility_.232:_Prophecy_of_a_future_presiding_bishop<br /><br />2 - If a common member or someone outside the Church possessed a significant amount of land and was impressed to give it by lots to those seeking to establish a physical Zion -- and upon beginning that process, a high mainstream leader reviled him or actively opposed him, this might provoke the Lord to strike that officer down, at which point it would be obvious to those seeking Zion that the one mighty and strong was present, and some within the sleeping mainstream might wake up and start putting their shoulder to the wheel. <br /><br />3 - The prophecy might already be closed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Mighty_and_Strong#Possibility_.231:_Closed_prophecy<br /><br />4. The "one mighty and strong" might be a process or way of doing things, not a person. The Spirit might give knowledge to people to move to such-and-such place and show them how to claim their inheritance.<br /><br />5. Some unknown explanation that I've never thought of or heard about.<br /><br />For a couple of years, with respect to testing the possibility of the first scenario noted above, I tried really hard to get the Presiding Bishop to wake up to reality. I'm not sure if it's worth continued effort or not, but the website is here: http://www.mormonpolicyreview.com/<br /><br />It seems deeply perverse to me that so much property given to the Lord in good faith by common members (many of them poor) is being mistreated so badly in the mainstream culture. I think the Lord has a way of liberating his property at various times and in various ways, and maybe someday he will do that with some of the consecrated property being controlled by the high level mainstream officers. <br /><br />To come back to the original point: I think you are right that the One Mighty and Strong will not claim to be such. <br /><br />At present, he might well be an unwitting and obedient cog in the corporate structure, who will awaken at some future time and start to fulfill his mission. At that point he would know who he is, but he definitely wouldn't announce himself using that title.Joe Murffhttp://www.mormonpolicyreview.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-16649756620354923932015-06-19T13:19:34.280-06:002015-06-19T13:19:34.280-06:00Mike, I think you make some good points.
To clar...Mike, I think you make some good points. <br /><br />To clarify: No, I am not claiming to know for a certainty “about the nature of God, the nature of man, history, mythology, metaphysics, the study of Lucifer, spiritual "shielding," invented ordinances, and what went on before this earth?” Quite the opposite. <br /><br />My point is that exploration of these non-scriptural items diverts time and attention from comprehending and living the Doctrine of Christ. If God didn't see fit to reveal these things publicly in scripture, I trust Him enough to believe there's a good reason. And I trust Him way more than I trust people who want to reveal these things to others.<br /><br />There is enough in scripture to keep us plenty busy, and it's been my experience that knowledge of the mysteries comes as a result of careful scripture study, rather than seeking elsewhere.<br /><br />As for other books, there are mountains of falsehood out there, posing as truth. We should be very careful when we choose to trust other books as containing God's word.<br /><br />I believe there's enough in our body of scripture to bring anyone back into the presence of Christ. Yes, more scripture will come forth, and it will be welcome. But to go seeking after it now, at the expense of attention that could be spent on what comes from God, I believe is a mistake. I'm trying to promote renewed focus on what we already have. <br /><br />I agree with what Denver Snuffer said on April 10: <br /><br />False spirits will come among you. Prideful and pretentious people will ask you to give them honor. Honor God instead. Do not let a personal revelation displace your attention from the scriptures. Our scriptures are sufficient for our day...We must first remember and observe. Preserving the restoration requires us to be very familiar with the scriptures of the restoration. At present we should fear most our ignorance of them.Adrian Larsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17173995703995901609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-72402083889029287892015-06-19T11:33:54.906-06:002015-06-19T11:33:54.906-06:00Exactly.Exactly.Mike Forresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01988634887103688276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-24822215825386952015-06-19T11:29:47.646-06:002015-06-19T11:29:47.646-06:00I suppose this would apply to those who are lookin...I suppose this would apply to those who are looking beyond the mark (Christ and his doctrine), looking to bypass the Gate by which we all must pass through, or seeking to obtain knowledge for personal aggrandizement or to subject others.<br /><br />I find a tremendous amount of light and truth in much of what you post but are you really claiming to know for a certainty “about the nature of God, the nature of man, history, mythology, metaphysics, the study of Lucifer, spiritual "shielding," invented ordinances, and what went on before this earth?” Has God revealed the truth of all these things to you so you can sit in judgement on others for their belief and suggest they are following Satan if it does not agree with your understanding? <br /><br />There is another side to all of this. Those who "set up stakes" and narrowly define what they will accept as "scripture" will not be open to receive "new scripture" when it comes because their eyes are not open to see and their ears are not open to hear. Their heart is hardened because the message comes from outside the "box" they have constructed. They will dismiss and reject it if it does not come through what they consider an “authorized” or “bona fide” source. <br /><br />The definition of scripture is found in 2nd Peter 1:21 “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”. When it comes to discernment, those who live worthy of it have the promise that the Holy Ghost will "lead them into all truth". They should not rely on the opinions of you or me or any other man to tell them what they should or should not do in pursuit of truth. Who are we to put limits on the words of Christ given to other peoples or other nations that “we know not of”? <br /><br />Are we any different from the Gentiles who say; “A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible”, if we then say; “A Book of Mormon, we have a Book of Mormon and we need no more of the word of God”?<br /><br />“Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?<br /><br />Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.<br /><br />And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.” (2nd Nephi 29:7-9)<br /><br />Unbelief is the curse and damnation of the Gentiles. “When things that are of the greatest importance are passed over by the weak-minded men without even a thought, I want to see truth in all its bearings and hug it to my bosom. I believe all that God ever revealed, and I never hear of a man being damned for believing too much; but they are damned for unbelief.” (TPJS 374)<br /><br />Yes, the stakes are high and salvation is on the line. You should have to judge the matter and your eternal welfare should be at stake. However, just because a person errs in doctrine does not mean they are following Satan or distracted by him. The Lord will preserve those who have a heart that is meek and lowly. Your desires and intentions have to be pure with an eye single to the Glory of God and his purposes. Then, if you are falling into a false belief that will harm you, the Lord will tell you to change course. I am a witness to this.<br />Mike Forresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01988634887103688276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-40532070011444519892015-06-19T10:52:27.069-06:002015-06-19T10:52:27.069-06:00Thank you for the timely reminder. I have immensel...Thank you for the timely reminder. I have immensely enjoyed this series on the Book of Mormon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-19342306987694037442015-06-19T10:37:32.918-06:002015-06-19T10:37:32.918-06:00Thank you, thank you, thank you, Adrian for caring...Thank you, thank you, thank you, Adrian for caring about my soul. This is truth. I've seen it happen to me.Gary Gibsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11045914472780930389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-26168056478774816692015-06-19T10:28:19.585-06:002015-06-19T10:28:19.585-06:00"A Book of Mormon! A Book of Mormon! We have ..."A Book of Mormon! A Book of Mormon! We have got a Book of Mormon, and we need no more Book of Mormon."mtman318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665085267750808287.post-80915847464898915342015-06-19T09:25:39.653-06:002015-06-19T09:25:39.653-06:00Thanks for this last series of posts on "All ...Thanks for this last series of posts on "All That Glitters." You are right on in identifying some of the distractions the adversary employs once we have begun to awaken from spiritual slumber.Lancenoreply@blogger.com