One’s Calling and Election does not require that one see God

We should not be surprised that many prophets granted the sealing power had a theophany experience—those in scripture are often the founding prophet of a dispensation or for a specific group of people. A theophany is their only option, since no legal administrator is to be found.

In scripture receiving one’s calling and election does not require that one see God or Christ personally. Alma the Elder, for example, was one of the wicked priests consecrated by King Noah (Mosiah 17:2). Converted by Abinadi’s preaching, he escaped the king’s court and taught while in hiding (Mosiah 18). He eventually led a group of believers to Zarahemla (Mosiah 23–24), where King Mosiah made him the supreme head of the Nephite Christian church, giving him “power to ordain priests and teachers over every church” (Mosiah 25:19, 26:8). Later, when troubled by a matter of internal dissention, Alma received a revelation:

And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying: Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi…. Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep (Mosiah 26:14–15, 20).

Alma is the head of the church. He here has his calling and election made sure—he is promised eternal life. Yet, God explicitly points out that Alma has believed simply because of Abinadi’s words. Until now, he has had no theophany, seen no angels, nor seen the face of God. Even now, he only hears God’s words. Enos likewise hears a voice, but reports no vision (Enos 1:5, 10).

Being Pure in Heart

Written by missionaryforever

AVOW, September 2016

On this forum we talk a lot about the future and call-outs and the world as we know it collapsing, etc. And occasionally also the building of Zion. Frankly, the only thing that excites me about “tent cities” is that I see it as the prelude to building Zion, i.e., something we must go through on the path to Zion. If the future doesn’t lead us to Zion, then life would be pretty bleak.

The reason I bring this up is that in order for us to eventually make it to Zion we must become Pure in Heart. Only the pure in heart will be allowed to enter that great city, not those who have their year’s supply of food, and a tent that will handle high winds. So if you will permit me, let’s see what it will take for you and me to become pure in heart, because that is what it really is all about.

When Jesus spoke with those in ancient Israel and to the Nephites he said: “Blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God” 3 Nephi 11.

In Doctrine and Covenants Section 130:20-21 it reads: “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.”

So the key to the blessing of seeing God (and being allowed into the city of Zion) is to be Pure in Heart. Now let’s discuss those principles that will lead each of us to having this wonderful quality, which is what the Temple Endowment teaches by covenant (Note to reader: I am not revealing anything about Temple Covenants that has not been published on the church website, for example, see this link https://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/07/...h-god?lang=eng)

As I researched the phrase “Pure in Heart” I discovered many qualities that take a person on the journey to becoming pure. Keeping the commandments and repenting of sin is the first step. But the type of repentance and obedience described here is because we want to change, and we no longer have a desire to sin (which is the definition of being born again.) This is the repentance that King Benjamin spoke of in his great and final address to his people contained in the book of Mosiah.

Once we have a firm desire for obedience (the first temple covenant), then we move on to the second; sacrifice. As President Kimball spoke in his talk on Becoming the Pure in Heart (April 1978 ), he said “we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness”. This is the second covenant, that is, to live the Law of Sacrifice. The law of sacrifice is the opposite of the anti-Christ doctrine taught by Korihor in which he said “every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime”. Those who subscribe to Korihor’s doctrine think only of themselves and will go to any lengths to feed their selfish desires. Whereas, a true disciple of Christ is unselfish and has great desires to teach and serve others.

The third temple covenant is the Gospel covenant. To live the Gospel of Christ is to honor and worship him whose sacrifice for us allows us to be cleansed and sanctified. To live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord, to testify of him, to honor him, to have faith in him and repent and to be grateful for him is the Law of the Gospel. As we strive to become more like him each day, we in turn become more and more pure in heart as he is pure.

In a world where the evils of sexual immorality is everywhere, the next temple covenant and principle of purity is challenging to all who live at this time. I think this principle is more than just abstinence when you are single and fidelity when you are married; it is keeping from even the appearance of evil, and staying away from all forms of immorality, even in entertainment. To watch any form of media today that makes light of the sacred power of creation through casual relationships will keep us from being pure in heart.

Finally, the last temple covenant is that covenant that will make Zion possible. To consecrate is to set aside and dedicate to a purpose. When we give freely of our time, talents and means we are really giving ourselves. To give our all in the building up of the Kingdom of God and not our own kingdoms is the crowning principle that proves to the Lord that he is the most important person in our lives. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21

As we learn to live and love each of these covenants, we will become pure in heart, and as we become pure in heart we have the right by law to see the face of God and be a citizen of Zion.

Understanding the Atonement by Understanding the Body

Written by Steve Reed

November 1, 2010

Many of the following quotes were obtained by a presentation given at BYU by Philip A. Allred called “Made Holy in the Body“.

THE BODY IS A RECORDING DEVICE

Our body is literally a recording device, it is equipped with at least five known senses with which we take in the world around us. With our brain, we process the information and with our will we determine what to do with it. Here are some quotes from Presidents of the Church on this topic.


From President John Taylor:

“…I could show you upon scientific principles that man himself is a self-registering machine, his eyes, his ears, his nose, the touch, the taste, and all the various senses of the body, are so many media whereby man lays up for himself a record…” (Pres. John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 26:32.)

From Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

In a real though figurative sense, the book of life is the record of the acts of men as such record is written in their own bodies. It is the record engraven on the very bones, sinews, and flesh of the mortal body. That is, every thought, word, and deed has an effect on the human body; all these leave their marks… (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 97.)

Again from Pres. Taylor:

God has made each man a register within himself…. Your eyes and ears have taken it in, and your hands have touched it… (Pres. John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 11:77-80).

From President David O. McKay:

Psychology assures us that ‘We are spinning our own fates, good or evil… Every smallest stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its never so little scar…. Down among his nerve cells and fibers the molecules are counting it, registering and storing it up to be used against him when the next temptation comes. (Pres. David O. McKay, quoting William James in Conference Report, April 1956, 7-8.)

From Spencer W. Kimball:

There are dark, deep corners, locked rooms, isolated spots, but no act, good or bad; no thought, ugly or beautiful ever escapes being seen or heard. [Each] one will make the imprint on the individual and be recorded, to be met and paid for. (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball, Teaching of Spencer W. Kimball, 155.)

From our Church-produced manual Gospel Principles:

There is another record that will be used to judge us. The Apostle Paul taught that man himself is the most complete record of his life (see Romans 2:15; 2 Cor. 3:1-3). Stored in our body and mind is a complete history of everything we have done. (Gospel Principles, 284.)

From Pres. John Taylor:

Man sleeps for a time in the grave, and by-and-by he rises again from the dead and goes to judgment … it would be in vain for a man to say then, I did not do so-and-so; the command would be, Unravel and read the record which he has made of himself, and let it testify in relation to these things, and all could gaze upon it. It is not because somebody has seen things, or heard anything by which a man will be judged and condemned, but it is because that record that is written by the man himself in the tablets of his own mind—that record that cannot lie—will in that day be unfolded before God and angels, and those who shall sit as judges… (Pres. John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 11:78-79).

From Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

When the book of life is opened in the day of judgment (Rev. 20:12-15), men’s bodies will show what law they have lived. The Great Judge will then read the record of the book of their lives; the account of their obedience or disobedience will be written in their bodies. (quoted in LDS Church News, 26 June, 1993; from Mormon Doctrine, 97)

TRANSGRESSION CREATES A PHYSICAL RECORD

Sins and transgressions are not just ethereal ideas, but an actual, physical records we create that reside within us. This is why thoughts can be sins.

Whether you act it out or not, you have instructed the synapses in your brain, those little cells, to produce an incorrect or impure sequence of data; you have willed something evil into existence. It may not exist in the world as an action, but it exists in your brain just as data exists in a computer in the form of ones and zeroes. A being who uses their will to instruct matter to form into imperfect structures cannot ever participate in eternal life where creation and the instruction of matter and intelligences is the entire purpose.

In this life, your brain is your own private universe, with every facet and fragment created by you and through your actions, brought into the sphere of this world to influence the lives and futures of your fellow beings for good or for evil.

This is why we only receive a ‘remission’ of sin through baptism. Just like cancer in remission, it still resides in your body, but it doesn’t effect your progression and ability to act. The cancer may be removed through surgery or a change in the physical body. Likewise, sin, or ‘imperfect code’ must be removed from the body of man through another process we understand as ‘the resurrection’.

THE LIFE AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST CREATED A 'TEMPLATE'

Jesus never committed sin in his mortal flesh so that his body could be a ‘template’ for all the rest of mankind. He conquered death so that we might be resurrected and he lived perfectly so that we might be resurrected to a state of perfection.


From Brigham Young:

…if we take a course to promote the principles of life—seek unto our Father and God, and obtain his will and perform it, the spirit will become purified, sanctified, cleansed, and made holy in the body, and the grave will cleanse the flesh. When the spirit overcomes the evil consequences of the fall, which are in the mortal tabernacle, it will reign predominant in the flesh, and is then prepared to be exalted… (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 7: 287.)

Again from Brigham Young:

…by obedience to the Gospel of salvation, and the renovating influences of the Holy Ghost, and the holy resurrection, we shall put on the image of the heavenly, in beauty, glory, power and goodness. (Discourses of Brigham Young, 373-74)

From Joseph Fielding Smith:

If we will just be true and faithful to every covenant, to every principle of truth that he has given us, then after the resurrection we [will] come back into his presence and we [will] be just like he is. We [will] have the same kind of bodies—bodies that [will] shine like the sun. (Joseph Fielding Smith, Take Heed to Yourselves!, 345.)

FOR YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS

The apostle Paul taught the Galatians: 

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29)

The phrase “put on” is from the Greek word “Enduw” (pronounced “en-doo’-o”) which means: “(in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively):–array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.” This might be a link to understanding the connections that the Temple “Endow”ment has to the resurrection.

We will literally ‘put on’ Jesus Christ in the resurrection by receiving a new body formed by his ‘template’ that never had evil or imperfection recorded into it. This is how Jesus was able to atone for the ‘sins of the world’ and how there is no sin that cannot be cleansed by the atonement. It covers everything because he literally replaces corruption with incorruption. This is the miracle of the resurrection and why “when He shall appear we shall be like Him.” (1 John 3:2)

We will know when the Gospel is being preached to all the world

This article is pure speculation but worth considering.

robinkartchner, 

Avow, August 2016

I often hear or read comments or discussions in the church or on this forum about whether or not the Gospel has been preached to all the world yet; whether or not the following prophecy has been fulfilled yet:

Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

JST (Joseph Smith Translation) Matthew 1:31 "And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked;"

"The end" is a phrase in the scriptures that sometimes refers to the end of the telestial earth, and other times refers to the end of the terrestrial earth. I think "the end" mentioned in Matt 24:14 and JST Matt 1:31 surely refers to the end of the telestial earth -- when Jesus appears in glory to the whole world and the wicked are consumed (those who survive the tribulations). This is the event when the earth receives its paradisiacal/terrestrial glory. Those wicked who have not been sanctified or quickened by the terrestrial light/spirit/glory will be burned and consumed by that glory when it is revealed to all the world.

We often have discussions in the church and on AVOW about what it means for the Gospel to be preached to all the world and whether or not it has already happened; and if it has not already happened, how close we might be to the fulfillment of that prophecy. We figure that if that prophecy has been fulfilled -- or is close to being fulfilled -- then time must be really getting short, or time to the tribulations starting is short and the time to a call out to places of refuge must be very close, etc.

I believe that the Gospel has not been preached to all the world yet, and that The Lord never intended for this to happen in this particular phase of missionary work in the church.

President Brigham Young stated:

“The set time is come for God to gather Israel, and for His work to commence upon the face of the whole earth, and the Elders who have arisen in this Church and Kingdom are actually of Israel.

“Take the Elders who are now in this house, and you can scarcely find one out of a hundred [who is not] of the house of Israel. …

“Will we go to the Gentile nations to preach the Gospel? Yes, and gather out the Israelites, wherever they are mixed among the nations of the earth. … Ephraim has become mixed with all the nations of the earth, and it is Ephraim that is gathering together.

“If there are any of the other tribes of Israel mixed with the Gentiles we are also searching for them. … We want the blood of Jacob, and that of his father Isaac and Abraham, which runs in the veins of the people. …

“It is the house of Israel we are after, and we care not whether they come from the east, the west, the north, or the south; from China, Russia, England, California, North or South America, or some other locality. … The Book of Mormon came to Ephraim, for Joseph Smith was a pure Ephraimite, and the Book of Mormon was revealed to him.” (Journal of Discourses 2:268–69.) 

Who is Israel?

“Israel, the Lord’s chosen people, were a congregation set apart in the preexistence. In large measure, the spirit children of the Father who acquired a talent for spirituality, who sought above their fellow, to do good and work righteousness – all these were foreordained to be born in the house of Israel.They were chosen before they were born. This is the doctrine of election. They were true and faithful in the premortal life, and they earned the right to be born as the Lord’s people and to have the privilege, on a preferential basis, of believing and obeying the word of truth. Believing blood, the blood Abraham, flows in their veins. They are the ones of whom Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand…their numbers were known and the days of their mortal probation were selected in advance,…”

(Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man, Excerpts from Chapter 16)

It is pre-mortal Israel that is being gathered right now (primarily Joseph, along with remnants of other tribes).

JST Matthew 1:26 "For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."

There are at least four prophesied appearances (I think) of the Savior in the end times. These are the appearance in the order I think they will occur:

1) Jesus suddenly comes to his temple at New Jerusalem
2) Jesus appears in glory to the whole House of Israel at Adam-ondi-Ahman
3) Jesus appears to the Jews at the battle of Armageddon
4) Jesus appears in glory to the whole world, and the wicked are consumed

D&C 45:51 "And then shall the Jews look upon me and say: What are these wounds in thine hands and in thy feet?

52 Then shall they know that I am the Lord; for I will say unto them: These wounds are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. I am he who was lifted up. I am Jesus that was crucified. I am the Son of God.

53 And then shall they weep because of their iniquities; then shall they lament because they persecuted their king.

54 And then shall the heathen nations be redeemed, and they that knew no law shall have part in the first resurrection; and it shall be tolerable for them."

D&C 90:9 "That through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews.

10 And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation.

11 For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ."

D&C 90 verse 11 is referring to the fulfillment I believe of Matt 24:14 and JST Matt 1:31 when the Gospel of the Kingdom is preached to all the world as a witness unto every nation before "the end" comes, or the destruction of the wicked at the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

What is going on in right now in this dispensation is that the church is gathering Israel -- pre mortal Israel (primarily Joseph along with remnants of other Tribes). After the last of Israel is gathered to the church (mortal Judah will be the last of Israel to be gathered after Jesus appears to them at Armageddon), then the gospel will be taken in power to the Gentiles/heathens throughout the world to sift the terrestrials from the telestials before "the end". It will be tolerable for terrestrials because they will abide the great and dreadful day of the Lord when the wicked are consumed. It will not be tolerable for the telestials (and future post-mortal sons of perdition) for they will be consumed at that day.

So, I go back to my statement in the beginning that the Gospel has not been preached to all the world yet, and the Lord never intended for that to occur in this first phase of missionary work in the church. He never intended, I believe, for the Gospel to be preached to all the world until after all of pre-mortal Israel has been gathered to the Church. The Gospel will not be preached to all the world until after the Tribulation is underway; until after the City of Zion has been built; and until after the first three appearances of the Savior have taken place. At some point, our current missionary force will be called home just before or just after the tribulation starts. The 144,000 will be commissioned thereafter to gather to Zion the remaining members of Israel then living on the earth. Any Israelite they miss will be gathered by angels at the time Jesus appears to the whole House of Israel at Adam-ondi-Ahman in fulfillment of this prophecy:

"JST, Luke 17:36–40.
Compare Luke 17:37

36 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord, shall they be taken?

37 And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is gathered; or, in other words, whithersoever the saints are gathered, thither will the eagles be gathered together; or, thither will the remainder be gathered together.

38 This he spake, signifying the gathering of his saints; and of angels descending and gathering the remainder unto them; the one from the bed, the other from the grinding, and the other from the field, whithersoever he listeth."

Will we know when the Gospel is being preached to all the world? Surely yes. We won't have to debate whether or not the gospel has yet been preached to all the world before "the end". We'll know when it is happening. How will we know? Because many of us will probably be at the New Jerusalem Temple when Jesus suddenly comes to his temple and sets his tabernacle of glory on the earth. All of the faithful Saints will be at Adam-ondi-Ahman when the Savior appears in glory to them there. And all of the House of Israel will accompany Jesus when he descends upon the Mount of Olives to save the Jews at Armageddon. The House of Israel will be the army of Jehovah that will destroy the armies of the anti-Christ at Armageddon which will open the way for the preaching of the Gospel in power to all the world by translated missionaries -- to every man, woman, and child then living, before "the end". We'll know because we'll be at Adam-ondi-Ahman, and we'll be at Jerusalem at the end of the Battle of Armageddon. It is only after those events, that the Gospel will be preached to all the world. Many of us likely will be part of the translated missionary force that will take the Gospel in terrestrial power to the Gentile/heathen nations at that time.

To those in the Church who still think things cannot/will not fall apart for at least another 50-100 years -- because they think that it will still be many more years before the Gospel will be preached to all the world (e.g. we're not in China yet, we can't yet teach the gospel to many Muslim nations; we can't proselyte in Israel, etc.) -- I say it doesn't matter if the gospel is taught to all the world or not right now. That is not related to the timing of the tribulation, or to the timing of the building of Zion, or to the timing of the first three appearances of Jesus Christ in the end times. Those events/processes are not "the end" and they are not dependent upon the Gospel being preached to all the world first. Only the final appearance of Jesus when he appears in glory to the whole world is dependent for its timing on the preaching of the Gospel to all the world; and that is probably a few years, perhaps many years, down the road; but the tribulation, in my opinion, could start any time. Isn't that what we are -- or should be -- preparing for right now? To survive the tribulations until we can establish Zion on the earth? The Zion that will finally and ultimately save this earth and its inhabitants (at least the inhabitants worthy to abide "then end").

ANONYMOUS BUT IMPORTANT QUOTE

I do not have permission to quote either the source of this quote, the "prominent" member referenced nor the General Authority; so the story must remain, ANONYMOUS. But for the record, they are known to me and I consider the account to be accurate, Or I would not post it here:

I read accounts of members, principally sisters, who were attending the Temple inappropriately dressed. The problem goes far beyond that.

In a recent conversation with a respected business associate, he shared a conversation that involved a general authority. The topic turned to those who are attending the Temple, 'Unworthily'. The statement was made that the time was not far distant when those who are attending that sacred house would be severely punished by The Lord. They would be smitten with a deadly plague that will become known as, "The Mormon Plague." Apparently it will spread far and wide to deadly effect.

My business associate made the comment, "That calls to mind, Doctrine and Covenants 112:25: 'And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;' and, I heard the same thing from brother [***] (A very prominent member, now deceased).

The General Authority nodded and said, yes, we were very good friends. We talked often.

For me, the 25th verse of section 112 of The Doctrine and Covenants has taken on a totally new significance. You can lie to your bishop; you can lie to your Stake President, and obtain a recommend unworthily; but you can't lie to the Lord. However, the consequence of that deception will apparently will have wide spread and deadly impact.

The Temple Endowment in the Book of Mormon

Many fail to see the temple and the endowment in scripture because they are too focused on the parable and ritual instead of the meaning behind it. Truth is the temple endowment is all over the Book of Mormon and even though the story and the symbols change, the underlying message remains the same. 

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables. (Mark 4:11)

Mysteries are "hidden manna" or teachings that God chooses to teach His people using symbols, parables, and ritual so that the wicked fail to understand them because they fail to give "heed and diligence" to understanding them. The lessons taught in the temple are akin to Christ telling His people a parable. Again, Mysteries are "hidden manna" taught by Christ to His people in parables, or ritual symbolism. 

I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days. (1 Nephi 1:1)

Nephi says that He has been given a great knowledge of the mysteries or "hidden knowledge" of God.

 
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. (1 Nephi 2:16)

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (1 Nephi 10:19)

Nephi was then shown the vision of the Tree of Life which was his endowment. All the basic aspects of the temple endowment are given to Nephi through his vision of the tree of life. 

And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon save it were not built of so many precious things; for they were not to be found upon the land, wherefore, it could not be built like unto Solomon’s temple. But the manner of the construction was like unto the temple of Solomon; and the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine. (2 Nephi 5:16)

Nephi builds a temple after the order of the Law of Moses and the Lesser Priesthood. 

And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. (Mosiah 2:9)

The people of Nephi are gathered around the temple and King Benjamin says he will reveal the mysteries of God the people gathered at the temple. 

And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. . . . And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant. And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. . . .... I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. .... I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you. (Mosiah 5:2, 6-11)

The people of Nephi at the temple recieve a group endowment and enter into the higher covenant of sanctification. These people are born again, become sons and daughters of God, and are given the new name. 

And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. Mysteries are only to be given as God directs and according to God's will. (Alma 12:9-10)

(Read 3 Nephi Chapters 20-26)

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. (3 Nephi 24:16-18)

And they taught, and did minister one to another; and they had all things common among them, every man dealing justly, one with another. (3 Nephi 26:19)

3 Nephi is the ultimate example of a group endowment administered by Christ himself and a renewal of His covenant with His people. All the fundamental aspects of the endowement are present. The people gather at the temple and accept and become witness of Christ, are purified and then are given bread to eat from Christ himself. Jesus Christ reestablishes and renews the covenants and reveals who the people are, their part in the plan, the whole plan of salvation is laid out, and the people are given commandments such as tithing to observe and consecration seeing how the people live with "all things in common" and the people are promised rewards to be known as a son "in that day when I make up my jewels" or the same"white stone with the new name", that John in Revelation speaks of.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)

When God appears to Moses in the Pearl of Great Price is another example of the endowment being given in the scriptures. 

The amazing point here is that while many critics of the LDS Church claim that Joseph Smith plagiarized the LDS endowment from Masonry, it is marvelous that all the fundamental elements of the endowment are demonstrated over and over again in the Book of Mormon long before Joseph Smith was acquainted at all with Masonry. Yes, Masonry did influence Joseph Smith to ask questions about certain aspects of the endowment, but the endowment was represented again and again in the Book of Mormon long before Joseph Smith new anything about Masonry.

Trust Not in the Arm of Flesh

O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. (2 Nephi 4:34)

“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.“

– Joseph Smith, Jr.

(November 28, 1841, 'History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints', 7 volumes, edited by Brigham H. Roberts, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1957], 4:461)

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“This morning . . . I visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that ‘a prophet is always a prophet'; but I told them that a prophet is a prophet only when he was acting as such.”

– Joseph Smith, Jr.

(History of the Church vol. 5 p. 265)

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“If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the Book of Doctrine & Covenants, set him down as an impostor... Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches.”

– Joseph Smith, Jr.

(Times & Seasons Vol 5, pg 490)

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“President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel - said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church - that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls - APPLIED IT TO THE PRESENT STATE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS - SAID IF THE PEOPLE DEPARTED FROM THE LORD, THEY MUST FALL - THAT THEY WERE DEPENDING ON THE PROPHET, HENCE WERE DARKENED IN THEIR MINDS, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy.”

– A record of a sermon given by Joseph Smith, Jr.

(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Five [1842-43], p.237-38.)

**********

(Note: These were the verses Joseph Smith read to the Relief Society...)

(Joseph Smith Translation – Ezekiel 14:9-11)

9 And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have not deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

10 And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh unto him;

11 That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord God)

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“We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them [even] if they knew it was wrong; but such obedience as this is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim a rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise the idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told do by their presidents they should do it without any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves.”

– Attributed to Joseph Smith, Jr.

(EDITOR: Millennial Star, Vol 14, Number 38, pages 593-595. [Reprinted by Apostle Samuel Richards on Nov. 13, 1852, recorded in the Millennial Star, 14:393-395.])

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“The government will not receive you with the laws that God designed you to live, and those who are desirous to live the laws of God will have to go South. You will live to see men arise in power in the Church who will seek to put down your friends and the friends of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Many will be hoisted because of their money and the worldly learning which they seem to be in possession of; and many who are the true followers of our Lord and Savior will be cast down because of their poverty.”

– Joseph Smith, Jr.

(Attributed to Joseph Smith, Jr. – recorded by Mosiah Hancock, in the autobiography of Mosiah Hancock)

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“What a pity it would be if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by Him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken that influence they could give to their leaders did they know for themselves by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually.”

– Brigham Young

('Remarks,' The Deseret News [weekly], volume 11, number 33, edited by Elias Smith [Great Salt Lake City: Elias Smith, 12 February 1862], page 257.)

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“It is not the place for any person to correct any person who is superior to them, but ask the Father in the name of Jesus to bind him up from speaking false principles. I have known many times I have preached wrong.“

– Brigham Young

(In Thomas Bullock minutes, 8 May 1854, Church Historical Department)

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“Why do you not open the windows of heaven and get revelation for yourself? and not go whining around and saying, “do you not think that you may be mistaken? Can a Prophet or an Apostle be mistaken?” Do not ask me any such question, for I will acknowledge that all the time, but I do not acknowledge that I designedly lead this people astray one hair’s breadth from the truth, and I do not knowingly do a wrong, though I may commit many wrongs, and so may you. But I overlook your weaknesses, and I know by experience that the Saints lift their hearts to God that I may be led right. If I am thus borne off by your prayers and faith, with my own, and suffered to lead you wrong, it proves that your faith is vain. Do not worry.“

– Brigham Young

(A Series of Instructions and Remarks by President Brigham Young at a Special Council, Tabernacle, March 22, 1858 (Salt Lake City, 1858), pamphlet in Frederick Kesler Collection, J. Willard Marriott Library)

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“When we see the time that we can willingly strike hands and have full fellowship with those who despise the Kingdom of God, know ye then that the Priesthood of the Son of God is out of your possession.”

– Brigham Young

(Journal of Discourses vol. 10 pg. 273)

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“Brethren, this Church will be led onto the very brink of hell by the leaders of this people. Then God will raise the one mighty and strong, spoken of in the 85th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, to save and redeem this Church.”

– Brigham Young

(Provo Bowery Conference, August 24th, 1867; [BX 8693 .C559 C547o, Americana Collection, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah], page 106. See also The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, volume 4, edited by Richard S. Van Wagoner [Salt Lake City: The Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2009], pages 2478–2479.)

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“Now, was not Joseph Smith a mortal man? Yes. A fallible man? Yes. Had he not weaknesses? Yes, he acknowledged them himself, and did not fail to put the revelations on record in this book wherein God reproved him. His weaknesses were not concealed from the people. He was willing that people should know that he was mortal, and had failings. And so with Brigham Young. Was not he a mortal man, a man who had weaknesses? He was not a God. He was not an immortal being. He was not infallible. No, he was fallible. And yet when he spoke by the power of God, it was the word of God to this people. The First Presidency cannot claim, individually or collectively, infallibility. The infallibility is not given to men. They are fallible.“

– George Q. Cannon

(August 12, 1883. Journal of Discourses 24:274; George Q. Cannon, 'Gospel Truth', 1:206)

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“Without [the fellowship of the Holy Ghost], we are blind and helpless.... Do not, brethren, put your trust in man though he be a Bishop, an Apostle, or a President; if you do, they will fail you at some time or place; they will do wrong or seem to, and your support be gone; but if we lean on God, He never will fail us. When men and women depend on God alone, and trust in Him alone, their faith will not be shaken if the highest in the Church should step aside. They could still see that He is just and true, that truth is lovely in His sight, and the pure in heart are dear to Him. Perhaps it is His own design that faults and weaknesses should appear in high places in order that His Saints may learn to trust in Him and not in any man or men. Therefore, my brethren and sisters, seek after the Holy Spirit.”

– George Q. Cannon

(“Knowledge of and Dependence on God,” 15 February, 1891; The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star, volume 53, number 43, edited by Brigham Young, Jr. [Liverpool: Brigham Young, Jr., 26 October 1891], pages 673–674; paragraphing omitted.)

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“I hope what I have said may be blessed to your profit. If I have said any unwise thing, forget it. If I have said any improper thing, I hope it will pass from your minds, and that which is good, cling to you.“

– George Q. Cannon

(April 6, 1879. Journal of Discourses 20:205)

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“And then, we have bishops among us. We will treat them courteously. Have they weaknesses? Yes, they are men just like we are. 'What,' say you, 'have you weaknesses?' Yes, lots of them. I wish I had not sometimes, and then again I don’t wish so.“

– John Taylor

(Journal of Discourses 20: 357 [30 November 1879])

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“We are told that, many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?’ Yet to all such will he say, ‘Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ You say that means the outsiders? No, it does not. Do they do many wonderful works in the name of Jesus? No. This means you Latter-day Saints, who heal the sick, cast out devils and do many wonderful things in the name of Jesus…Hear it, ye Latter-day Saints! Hear it, ye Seventies and ye High Priests!“

– John Taylor

(D&C Commentary, pp. 462, 463)

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“I saw Joseph Smith the Prophet do things which I did not approve of; and yet…I thanked God that He would put upon a man who had these imperfections the power and authority which He placed upon him…for I knew I myself had weaknesses and I thought there was a chance for me. These same weaknesses…I knew were in Heber C. Kimball, but my knowing this did not impair them in my estimation. I thanked God I saw these imperfection.“

– Lorenzo Snow

(Lorenzo Snow, cited by George Q. Cannon, in George Q. Cannon Diary, 7 January 1898)

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“We can and do know the truth with reference to the matters that concern our salvation . . . But with reference to matters involving merely questions of administration and policy in the Church; matters that do not involve the great and central truths of the gospel—these afford a margin wherein all the human imperfections and limitations of man, even of prophets and apostles, may be displayed…. when you take into account human weaknesses, imperfection, prejudice, passion, bias, it is too much to hope for human nature that man will constantly thus walk linked with God. And so we make this distinction between a man speaking sometimes under the influence of prejudice and pre–conceived notions, and the utterances of a man who, in behalf of the Church of God, and having the requisite authority, and holding the requisite position, may, upon occasion, lay aside all prejudice, all pre–conception, and stand ready and anxious to receive the divine impression of God’s Spirit.“

– Brigham H. Roberts

('Defense of Faith and the Saints', 2 vols [Provo: Utah, 2002 edition], 346, 554–555)

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“The Church has confined the sources of doctrine by which it is willing to be bound before the world to the things that God has revealed, and which the Church has officially accepted, and those alone. These would include the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price; these have been repeatedly accepted and endorsed by the Church in general conference assembled, and are the only sources of absolute appeal for our doctrine.”

– Brigham H. Roberts

('Official Doctrine', A sermon of 10 July 1921, delivered in Salt Lake Tabernacle, printed in Deseret News (23 July 1921) sec. 4:7)

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“The essential thought must ever be that a man does not, except in his spiritual infancy, accept a statement merely because the Church or someone in authority declares it correct. But because, under mature examination, it is found to be true and right and worthwhile. Conversion must come from within.”

– John A. Widtsoe

(Program of the Church, p. 24)

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“Even during the time of the apostles there began to be a falling away, as is clear from the Epistles of Paul, of Peter, John, James, and Jude. People began to wander off, and that wandering was increased in the succeeding centuries, accumulating speed, it seems, as it went on. They began to gather into church teachings things to make Christianity a little more palatable to the philosophers of the time. ... They were trying to satisfy the thought and the philosophy and the reasoning of men, in order that they might have their support and probably their praise. ... There is a deep lesson in all of that for us today. Already there are coming in amongst us doctrines that have no part or place in the pure doctrines of the restored gospel. These heresies are creeping in insidiously. They come to us from the philosophies of the Christian scholars of the day. They make our doctrines, as they made the early Christian beliefs, more palatable to our philosophers, but so surely as they destroyed the Christian church in the early days, just so surely will they destroy us if we do not stop them where they are.”

– J. Reuben Clark Jr.

(In One Hundred Sixteenth Semi-annual Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Conference Report, 7th of October 1945] [Salt Lake City, Utah: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], pp. 165, 166; paragraphing omitted.)

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“The ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep's clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood…We should be careful of them.”

– J. Reuben Clark

(Conference Report, April 1949.)

Lamoni was "caught with guile"...?

When King Lamoni heard of what Ammon did n cutting off the arms of the enemy he was greatly astonished. Then when he learned that Ammon was preparing the horses he believed with a certainty that Ammon was the "great spirit". When Ammon came in he saw the king and knew there was something amiss. He began to leave but a fellow servant beckoned him to stay. He asked the king what was wrong but the king wouldn't reply. An hour passed in silence. Again Ammon asked what the king wanted of him. The king got straight to the point and asked Ammon if he was the great spirit. Ammon replied that he was not. The king did something a little deceptive which most of us sometimes tend to do: he asked an insincere question. He sincerely wanted to know the answer but only as a matter of knowledge, not that he'd do anything with that knowledge:

"And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks- 

"And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee." (Alma 18:20-21)

King Lamoni was willing to pay a handsome price to learn the knowledge, even to half his kingdom. But knowledge without change is of little benefit. In other words, King Lamoni wanted knowledge but didn't want to pay the price for it. Ammon detected the lack of willingness to change in the king's question and so rather than jumping in to the gospel he first gained a commitment from the king that he would not only be a hearer of the word but also a doer of the word (James 1:22).

"Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee." (Alma 18:22)

The word "hearken" involves acting on that which is received, not merely accepting it.

"And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile." (Alma 18:23)

"Guile" means deception. It was deception for the king to show sincere intent in asking a question when he had no intention to do anything when the answer was given. Notice that Ammon asked if he would hearken to his words and the king replied that he would believe his words. The true definition of "believe" incorporates acting upon the knowledge. At first the king had no intention to act upon the knowledge but now he stated that he would by using the word "believe". A king cannot go back on his word thus such a commitment was no small ordeal!

This is an example of how the usage of the word "believe" as used today is not the same as used in the scriptures. Today we often use "believe" when we really mean "accept". When we read the word "believe" in the scriptures it should be with the understanding that we not only accept what is being stated but that we will also do something with that knowledge.

Sadliers, Avow, 2016

The Book Of Mormon Timeline Reveals Our Day (Part 1)

JOHN ULUAKIOLA, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2016

The Book of Mormon, 'the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion', was truly 'written for our day'; and it should be 'read like the morning newspaper'

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RUSSIA IS UNEXPECTEDLY WITHDRAWING ITS TROOPS FROM SYRIA (March 14th – ONE WEEK AFTER IRAN'S WITHDRAWAL (March 7th)

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/03/15/what-russias-syria-withdrawal-could-actually-mean.html?__source=yahoo%7Cfinance%7Cheadline%7Cheadline%7Cstory&par=yahoo&doc=103469452

3 Nephi 2:17 – EVERYTHING is following the Book of Mormon, which was 'written for our day', and should be 'read like the morning newspaper' – were in the 'fourteenth' anniversary year since the events of '9/11' (that parallel the Savior's appearance in 1 AD)

The sole difference between the scripturally recorded circumstances of the Nephites and the Gadianton Robbers of the past is that the...

'Last shall be first, and the first shall be last'

The sign of the Savior was a sign of birth, creation and salvation. The '9/11' sign, that Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley said was a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32, was a sign of death, destruction and a warning to repent.

Physical wars followed the sign of the Savior – from the 'thirteenth' to the 'fifteenth' years. Spiritual, moral, legal (like the legalizing of same-sex marriage) and economic wars have followed the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32 – in the 'thirteenth' and 'fourteenth' years thus far. (With, for example, Pres. Thomas S. Monson's prophetic policy shift, regarding STATE-legalized homosexual relationships, dramatically driving the modern-day Gadianton Robbers back into the 'mountains' and their 'secret places' – when they thought they were getting greater in-roads with the Church)

At the end of the 'fifteenth' year, the 'sword of destruction' hung over the Nephites. And in the 'sixteenth' year, they were threatened with utter destruction – if they did not submit to, or join with, the Gadianton Robbers. Yet, they had 'forty and two months' to prepare themselves to gather out – before the Gadianton Robbers descended on their lands.

If the 'last shall be first, and the first shall be last', the very opposite scenario may play out in our day. The persecution that Elder Robert D. Hales prophesied, In the October 2013 General Conference, may fall upon the 'Saints' – driving the faithful out into the 'wilderness'. As spiritual warfare, and rumors of war (like Jade Helm 15), become direct legal and physical wars – targeting the Church and her members. While an incredibly wicked man sees his 'power' 'continue' for 'forty and two months' – in a more broad leadership role (as Secretary General of the United Nations)

The Book of Mormon was truly 'written for our day' – as Pres. Benson prophetically proclaimed. And it should be 'read like the morning newspaper' – as Pres. Hinckley prophetically counseled us to do.

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Going back to Russia's withdrawal from Syria, Iran pledged to remove 250,000 troops from Syria – after the moderates won elections throughout Iran. 

One week later, Russia withdraws its troops.

Just two weeks ago, it appeared as though World War III was imminent. BUT, as the Book of Mormon prophesied, the people have begun to get 'some advantage' over the devil's 'secret combination' – in this the 'fourteenth' anniversary year since the events of September 11th (2001):

(3 Nephi 2:17)

17 And it came to pass in the commencement of the fourteenth year, the war between the robbers and the people of Nephi did continue and did become exceedingly sore; nevertheless, the people of Nephi did gain some advantage of the robbers, insomuch that they did drive them back out of their lands into the mountains and into their secret places.

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Do you want to know what is next? Read the Book of Mormon

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This coming election, and the years to follow it, could be intensely difficult with unprecedented persecution (as Elder Hales prophetically forewarned in the October 2013 General Conference) – especially if one of the 'heads' of the New World Order has an assassination attempt and then recovers from it (before the eyes of the whole world):

(Revelation 13:3-7)

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

If that happens, and that 'head' is 'given power to continue forty and two months', then we will have a modern-day 'Giddianhi' – a new 'governor' over the modern-day 'Gadianton Robbers':

(3 Nephi 3:1-10)

1 And now it came to pass that in the sixteenth year from the coming of Christ, Lachoneus, the governor of the land, received an epistle from the leader and the governor of this band of robbers; and these were the words which were written, saying:

2 Lachoneus, most noble and chief governor of the land, behold, I write this epistle unto you, and do give unto you exceedingly great praise because of your firmness, and also the firmness of your people, in maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty; yea, ye do stand well, as if ye were supported by the hand of a god, in the defence of your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so.

3 And it seemeth a pity unto me, most noble Lachoneus, that ye should be so foolish and vain as to suppose that ye can stand against so many brave men who are at my command, who do now at this time stand in their arms, and do await with great anxiety for the word--Go down upon the Nephites and destroy them.

4 And I, knowing of their unconquerable spirit, having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction.

5 Therefore I have written this epistle, sealing it with mine own hand, feeling for your welfare, because of your firmness in that which ye believe to be right, and your noble spirit in the field of battle.

6 Therefore I write unto you, desiring that ye would yield up unto this my people, your cities, your lands, and your possessions, rather than that they should visit you with the sword and that destruction should come upon you.

7 Or in other words, yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us--not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance.

8 And behold, I swear unto you, if ye will do this, with an oath, ye shall not be destroyed; but if ye will not do this, I swear unto you with an oath, that on the morrow month I will command that my armies shall come down against you, and they shall not stay their hand and shall spare not, but shall slay you, and shall let fall the sword upon you even until ye shall become extinct.

9 And behold, I am Giddianhi; and I am the governor of this the secret society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be good; and they are of ancient date and they have been handed down unto us.

10 And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of blood, that this my people may recover their rights and government, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddianhi.

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Some born-again Christians believe that the (literal) stars aligning on September 23rd, 2017 – which they believe follows after Revelation chapter 12 verse 1 – is a 'sign' of tribulation, destruction and persecution. That would be 12 days after the start of the 'sixteenth' year (3 Nephi 3:1) – in the Book of Mormon... Maybe they're right 

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So, what is the key to understanding this prophetic timeline – in the Book of Mormon?

Well, let's go back to the recent earth-shifting announcement(s) – concerning Russia, Syria and Iran... 

Again, a lot of people are probably tripping out that Russia and Iran are withdrawing from Syria – when, just two weeks ago, it looked like we were on the cusp of World War III.

President Benson said that the Book of Mormon 'was written for our day'. And President Hinckley said we should read the Book of Mormon like the 'morning newspaper'.

If you line up the sign of the Savior's birth (April 6th, 1 Anno Domini – meaning 'Year of our Lord' in Latin) with the sign of the last days, that President Hinckley prophetically pointed out 'fulfilled' Joel 2:28-32 (that Moroni told Joseph Smith was a sign of the last days), two thousand years later, on September 11th (2001)...

There is a prophetic paralleling timeline that matches the events of our day – following the massive-shifts that have occurred since the events of '9/11' (2001) 

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As an additional insight into all of this...

One of the great signs for this paralleling timeline, in the Book of Mormon, was the Supreme Court's June 2015 decision – on same-gender marriage. 

Since the restoration of the Savior's Church, there has NOT been a single legal measure that has threatened the legal/financial sovereignty of the Church like this epic United States Supreme Court decision. 

The Obama Administration and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have both openly and subtly threatened the Church that if they do not seal (STATE) legally-married same-sex unions, in the Temples of the Lord, they will remove their 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status – followed by an onslaught of legally and financially crippling lawsuits. (To, in their plotting desires, eventually confiscate the Church's assets and properties – which is forewarned in the Holy Scriptures)

So where is that prophetically forewarned and reflected in the Book of Mormon – which was 'written for our day' and should be read 'like the morning newspaper'. 

It was in the 'thirteenth' year – which, in our time, came AFTER the 'thirteenth' anniversary of September 11th, 2001. ('Thirteenth' year = 9/11/2014 to 9/10/2015):

(3 Nephi 2:11-12)

11 And it came to pass in the thirteenth year there began to be wars and contentions throughout all the land; for the Gadianton robbers had become so numerous, and did slay so many of the people, and did lay waste so many cities, and did spread so much death and carnage throughout the land, that it became expedient that all the people, both the Nephites and the Lamanites, should take up arms against them.

12 Therefore, all the Lamanites who had become converted unto the Lord did unite with their brethren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers, yea, and also TO MAINTAIN THEIR RIGHTS, AND THE PRIVILEGES OF THEIR CHURCH AND OF THEIR WORSHIP, AND THEIR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY.

(Note: This period for the Nephites and the Lamanites was a time to unite. However, as was mentioned before, 'the first shall be last and the last shall be first'. Our period was foreshadowed by destruction [9/11/2001]. And now we are seeing a growing apostasy – rather than unity)

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To further expound on these scriptural points...

This is a parable I revisited shortly after my reply to my friend. It's a prophetic outlook of what is coming:

(D&C 101:41-66)

41 Behold, here is wisdom concerning the children of Zion, even many, but not all; they were found transgressors, therefore they must needs be chastened--

42 He that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that abaseth himself shall be exalted.

43 And now, I will show unto you a parable, that you may know my will concerning the redemption of Zion.

44 A certain nobleman had a spot of land, very choice; and he said unto his servants: Go ye unto my vineyard, even upon this very choice piece of land, and plant twelve olive trees;

45 And set watchmen round about them, and build a tower, that one may overlook the land round about, to be a watchman upon the tower, that mine olive trees may not be broken down when the enemy shall come to spoil and take upon themselves the fruit of my vineyard.

46 Now, the servants of the nobleman went and did as their lord commanded them, and planted the olive trees, and built a hedge round about, and set watchmen, and began to build a tower.

47 And while they were yet laying the foundation thereof, they began to say among themselves: And what need hath my lord of this tower?

48 And consulted for a long time, saying among themselves: What need hath my lord of this tower, seeing this is a time of peace?

49 Might not this money be given to the exchangers? For there is no need of these things.

50 And while they were at variance one with another they became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord.

51 And the enemy came by night, and broke down the hedge; and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted, and fled; and the enemy destroyed their works, and broke down the olive trees.

52 Now, behold, the nobleman, the lord of the vineyard, called upon his servants, and said unto them, Why! what is the cause of this great evil?

53 Ought ye not to have done even as I commanded you, and--after ye had planted the vineyard, and built the hedge round about, and set watchmen upon the walls thereof--built the tower also, and set a watchman upon the tower, and watched for my vineyard, and not have fallen asleep, lest the enemy should come upon you?

54 And behold, the watchman upon the tower would have seen the enemy while he was yet afar off; and then ye could have made ready and kept the enemy from breaking down the hedge thereof, and saved my vineyard from the hands of the destroyer.

55 And the lord of the vineyard said unto one of his servants: Go and gather together the residue of my servants, and take all the strength of mine house, which are my warriors, my young men, and they that are of middle age also among all my servants, who are the strength of mine house, save those only whom I have appointed to tarry;

56 And go ye straightway unto the land of my vineyard, and redeem my vineyard; for it is mine; I have bought it with money.

57 Therefore, get ye straightway unto my land; break down the walls of mine enemies; throw down their tower, and scatter their watchmen.

58 And inasmuch as they gather together against you, avenge me of mine enemies, that by and by I may come with the residue of mine house and possess the land.

59 And the servant said unto his lord: When shall these things be?

60 And he said unto his servant: When I will; go ye straightway, and do all things whatsoever I have commanded you;

61 And this shall be my seal and blessing upon you--a faithful and wise steward in the midst of mine house, a ruler in my kingdom.

62 And his servant went straightway, and did all things whatsoever his lord commanded him; and after many days all things were fulfilled.

63 Again, verily I say unto you, I will show unto you wisdom in me concerning all the churches, inasmuch as they are willing to be guided in a right and proper way for their salvation--

64 That the work of the gathering together of my saints may continue, that I may build them up unto my name upon holy places; for the time of harvest is come, and my word must needs be fulfilled.

65 Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory, when I shall come in the kingdom of my Father to reward every man according as his work shall be;

66 While the tares shall be bound in bundles, and their bands made strong, that they may be burned with unquenchable fire.

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The wicked have yet to 'break down the hedge' of the 'twelve olive trees' – the Savior's 'house' (D&C 112:23-26; Daniel 8:13-14). Nor has a prophetic army of the Lord violently cast down the wicked – in the Savior's 'most choice land' (Zion). And the parable of the 'wheat and the tares' has yet to be 'fulfilled'. Hence, this sobering parable has also yet to be 'fulfilled'. 

For we have had a relative 126 years of peace with the wicked – who have long used the Federal Government as a weapon.

(Whereas before Official Declaration 1, the Lord's 'apostles and prophets' (D&C 64:39) were being hunted and imprisoned in the Utah State Prison – which used to reside in the Sugar House district of Salt Lake City [where Sugar House Park now resides]):

(D&C 86:1-7)

1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:

2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;

3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign--behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.

4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender--

5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;

6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.

7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.

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The Lord said He would NOT 'pollute [His] holy land' (D&C 84:54-59), which is Zion, the setting for the 'New Jerusalem' (Ether 13), until the 'hypocrites' and 'pollutions' are purged from the 'holy church of God' (Mormon 8:38) – who are the 'tares' in the parable of the 'wheat and the tares' (D&C 86:1-7)

In other words, reflecting on the words of the Savior (3 Nephi 14:15-23), the Lord's 'sheep' must be 'separated' from the 'wolves in sheep's clothing' – who wear the 'habiliments of the priesthood':

“There is no crime (satan) would not commit, no debauchery he would not set up, no plague he would not send, no heart he would not break, no life he would not take, no soul he would not destroy. He comes as a thief in the night; he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Without their knowing it, the people are being urged down paths that lead only to destruction.”– Pres. J. Reuben Clark (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.6, pp.170-185; Improvement Era 45:686-87, 757-59, 762-65; 767, November 1942; Liahona, the Elders' Journal 40:194-203, October 13, 1942.)

“The ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep's clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood…We should be careful of them.” – J. Reuben Clark (Conference Report, April 1949.)

“The wolves amongst our flock are more numerous and devious today than when President Clark made this statement.”– Ezra Taft Benson (April 1969 general conference, Ensign, May 1969, p. 11.)

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Going back to the parable of the 'vineyard' and the 'servants' – in Section 101...

1 Nephi chapter 14 prophesies that the 'church of the devil' will mount up, as an army, against the 'saints' of the 'church of the Lamb of God', and the 'natural branches' of the 'house of Israel', who are the 'covenant people of the Lord' – which are separately identified in verse 14. (For the 'saints' of the 'church of the Lamb of God' are 'identified with the Gentiles' (D&C 109:60)):

(1 Nephi 14:10-17)

10 And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.

11 And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the whore of all the earth, and she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people.

12 And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw.

13 And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.

14 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the SAINTS of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.

15 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.

16 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--

17 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 founder 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.

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Are there any other scriptural prophecies forewarning an attack by the wicked, or the 'church of the devil', against the latter-day 'saints'?

Yes. And each prophecy prophesies that the 'saints' will be 'prevailed against' and/or 'overcome' – following the Book of Mormon warning that the ONLY way to 'overthrow' the Savior's Church is through the 'transgression' of the 'saints':

(Daniel 7:19-22)

19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the SAINTS, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

(Revelation 13:5-10)

5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the SAINTS, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the SAINTS.

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Will the 'hedge' protecting the Savior's 'vineyard', which contains the 'twelve olive trees', be 'broken down' and confiscated for a time?

Yes. The 'church of the devil' will mount up against the 'saints of the church of the Lamb'. And they will temporarily 'prevail against', 'overcome' and 'overthrow' the 'saints'. 

BUT... That is NOT the end of the story.

The 'wheat', or the 'chosen' 'saints', will be 'separated', or 'gathered' out, from the 'tares'. 

For a 'great division' will come amongst the Church. So that the Lord may set aside a righteous 'remnant' of the 'saints' – to protect 'even by fire':

(2 Nephi 30:10)

10 For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire.

Thus, the faithful 'saints of the church of the Lamb', and the 'covenant people of the Lord' (the converted or soon to be converting seed of Lehi; and the soon to be returning 'lost tribes' from the 'north countries' (D&C 133)), will be 'armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory' (1 Nephi 14:14)

And THEN the Lord will usher His army to cast down the wicked (Joel 2:1-11) – to thereby 'sweep' off His 'most choice above all other lands' (Ether 2:7-12), the land of Zion, by the power of the holy priesthood (which President Boyd K. Packer pled with the 'saints' to 'activate' in an October 2010 General Conference address)

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The 'saints of the church of the Lamb' will be called to endure many tribulations on the pathway to Zion. But the reward at the end will make it all worth it to 'endure to the end'.

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(Note: Daniel was shown that this period, where the 'sanctuary' [temple of our God/Salt Lake Temple] and the 'host' [the saints] will be 'trodden down', will be 'two thousand and three hundred days' long – which works out to about 6 years and 4 months:

(Daniel 8:13-14)

13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

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A short time ago, a friend of mine replied – to all of this...

“If this is the case, why are we building and fixing temples, especially the Jordan River [Temple]? I'm not asking to be contradictory, I just don't understand why the church would do that, especially if they could keep the [Jordan River Temple] running doing work.”

I replied:

“That's a great point, [my friend]. 

“The Church is also dedicating the new Provo City Center Temple – this Sunday.

“On the other hand, we haven't announced a lot of new temples as of late. 

“(In fact, we've had two straight General Conferences without a new temple announced)

“Daniel was shown that we, the latter-day 'Saints', will leave for 'Great Aunt Rose's countryside home' (from Pres. Uchtdorf's recent parable), or the 'wilderness' (JST-Revelation 12:14), for 'two thousand three hundred days' (Daniel 8:13-14)

“And then we will come back and re-obtain ALL of it for the Lord. 

“The wicked will NOT confiscate anything of the Lord's for very long.

“It will NOT be like the Roman Empire after the Savior's resurrection. 

“The Lord's 'house(s)' will be 'cleansed' (D&C 112:23-26)

“A very close friend of mine has a close friend who has a very curious line in her Patriarchal Blessing. She was told, nearly 50 years ago, in that blessing, that she would be a temple worker at the Salt Lake Temple. She was also told, in that blessing, that she will be working in the Salt Lake Temple when 'troops' invade the Temple to confiscate it. But she will be able to walk by them without noticing.

“This woman is over 60 years old – approaching 70.

“And she is a current Salt Lake Temple worker.”

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This same friend later replied...

“[Six years and four months is] almost 7 years, like in the Book of Mormon, let me get the reference...

(3 Nephi 4:4)

Therefore, there was no chance for the robbers to plunder and to obtain food, save it were to come up in open battle against the Nephites; and the Nephites being in one body, and having so great a number, and having reserved for themselves provisions, and horses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years, in the which time they did hope to destroy the robbers from off the face of the land; and thus the eighteenth year did pass away.”

I then replied:

“EXACTLY!!!

“That is further down that same Book of Mormon timeline – when the Saints of the Church leave their cities and gather out to the 'center of their lands.'

“That is EXACTLY right, [my friend].

“That is the corresponding prophecy [in the Book of Mormon – which was 'written for our day' and should be 'read like the morning newspaper'].”

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In conclusion, I'd like to make one final mention about the 'tares' – who must be removed from the Saints (before we can become a Zion people). Or the 'wolves in sheep's clothing' – who wear the 'habiliments of the priesthood'. (Which 'habiliments', in ancient Israel, signified offices and callings in the holy 'priesthood'):

“The ravening wolves are amongst us, from our own membership, and they, more than any others, are clothed in sheep's clothing, because they wear the habiliments of the priesthood…We should be careful of them.” – J. Reuben Clark (Conference Report, April 1949.)

“The wolves amongst our flock are more numerous and devious today than when President Clark made this statement.”– Ezra Taft Benson (April 1969 general conference, Ensign, May 1969, p. 11.)

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The Lord said that if He allowed His 'angels' to 'pluck' out the 'tares', whom Moroni called 'hypocrites' and 'pollutions', which have 'polluted' the 'holy church of God' (Mormon 8:38), after the restoration of the Savior's Church (Mormon 8), it would cause a majority of the 'wheat' to have their testimonies 'uprooted' – for 'verily' our 'faith is weak':

(D&C 86:4-7)

4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender--

5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;

6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.

7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.

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While we may be of the belief that we can surely detect any 'hypocrites' in our midst (D&C 50:4-9), it would be wise to remember that the Lord cautioned His prophet, Joseph Smith, that even he could not always 'tell the wicked from the righteous'. 

(Which was historically evidenced by the sobering betrayals of Joseph's Counselors, John C. Bennett and William Law)

So what would possibly make us believe that we can perfectly, or even better, discern who they are?:

(D&C 10:37)

37 But as you cannot always judge the righteous, or as you cannot always tell the wicked from the righteous, therefore I say unto you, hold your peace until I shall see fit to make all things known unto the world concerning the matter.

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Only a 'Zion' people will truly be able to 'judge' such matters. 

(Yet, in an ongoing conundrum, the 'wheat' will never be able to fully obtain that 'Zion' status until we are 'separated' and 'gathered' out from the 'tares'):

(D&C 64:34-40)

34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.

35 And the rebellious shall be cut off out of the land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land.

36 For, verily I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out.

37 Behold, I, the Lord, have made my church in these last days like unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to judge the nations.

38 For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion.
39 And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.

40 And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead.

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How many Saints realize that President Monson's simple story, in the September 2014 Ensign (First Presidency message), was actually an expounding prophetic parable about the 'wheat and the tares'? 

(Or, in other words, if the Lord, through His prophet, were to gather up the 'weeds' [or the 'tares'], on the Church 'property' [the 'field'], to 'burn' them, the productive 'chickens' [church-members] in the Church-owned 'coop' [the Church] would immediately begin to 'molt' [panic and lose their faith]; and they would no longer be able to 'lay eggs' [do the Lord's work])

The Lord's servants are repeating and expounding on His words:

“For instance, I shall ever remember the time we gathered the Aaronic Priesthood young men to give the project a spring-cleaning. Our enthusiastic and energetic throng assembled at the project and in a speedy fashion uprooted, gathered, and burned large quantities of weeds and debris. By the light of the glowing bonfires, we ate hot dogs and congratulated ourselves on a job well done.

“However, there was just one disastrous problem. The noise and the fires so disturbed the fragile population of 5,000 laying hens that most of them went into a sudden molt and ceased laying. Thereafter we tolerated a few weeds so that we might produce more.“ - Thomas S. Monson

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/09/are-we-prepared?lang=eng

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To conclude this last thought about President Monson's 'weeds' on the 'Church farm' (or the still hidden 'tares' and clandestine 'wolves in sheep's clothing' – who cover themselves in the 'habiliments of the priesthood' – of whom Moroni prophetically called 'pollutions' and 'hypocrites') that are a large part of the reason why we have yet to obtain Zion (New Jerusalem)

“For“, as the Lord said, “shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay“ (D&C 84:59)

Let's, once again, turn to the Book of Mormon...

Prior to the appearance of the Savior, in the Americas, which group of Nephites started the VERY worst version of the devil's 'secret combination' (Ether 8:24) – which eventually culminated into 'Jacobugath' (3 Nephi 9:9), the most wicked city on earth at that time, which led the Nephites to the massive destruction that attended them before the Savior's appearance?

The Book of Mormon gives us a plain prophetic stark answer:

(3 Nephi 6:20-30)

20 And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, 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.

21 Now there were many of the people who were exceedingly angry because of those who testified of these things; and those who were angry were chiefly the CHIEF JUDGES, and they who had been HIGH PRIESTS and LAWYERS; yea, all those who were LAWYERS were angry with those who testified of these things.

22 Now there was no LAWYER nor JUDGE nor HIGH PRIEST that could have power to condemn any one to death save their condemnation was signed by the governor of the land.

23 Now there were many of those who testified of the things pertaining to Christ who testified boldly, who were taken and put to death secretly by the JUDGES, that the knowledge of their death came not unto the governor of the land until after their death.

24 Now behold, this was contrary to the laws of the land, that any man should be put to death except they had power from the governor of the land--

25 Therefore a complaint came up unto the land of Zarahemla, to the governor of the land, against these JUDGES who had condemned the prophets of the Lord unto death, not according to the law.

26 Now it came to pass that they were taken and brought up before the judge, to be judged of the crime which they had done, according to the law which had been given by the people.

27 Now it came to pass that those JUDGES had many FRIENDS and KINDREDS; and the remainder, YEA, EVEN ALMOST ALL THE LAWYERS AND THE HIGH PRIESTS, DID GATHER THEMSELVES TOGETHER, AND UNITE WITH THE KINDRED OF THOSE JUDGES WHO WERE TO BE TRIED ACCORDING TO THE LAW.

28 AND THEY DID ENTER INTO A COVENANT WITH ONE 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.

29 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.

30 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.

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While it may come as no surprise that the 'chief judges' (federal politicians), 'judges', 'lawyers' and/or their 'kindred' (literal family members, 'moneychangers' [D&C 117:16], corporations, special interest groups, machinations like the Council on Foreign Relations, etc.) 'combined' to overthrow the (Nephite) Constitution – along with their 'rights', their 'liberty' and the 'freedom of all lands' (Ether 8:25) – what should come as a sobering prophetic allegory is that 'ALMOST ALL' of the 'HIGH PRIESTS' of the Church joined this (satanic) 'secret combination' (Ether 8:24) as well.

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So, who does the Book of Mormon identity as the 'high priests' in the Church?

Alma made the clear distinction that the 'high priests' in the Book of Mormon were General Authorities in the Church – who were 'foreordained' to their 'offices' and 'callings' in the priesthood, the 'habiliments of the priesthood'.

These were the 'high priests' under the direction of the 'President of the High Priesthood' (D&C 107:82) – who, in our day, is the President of the Church. 

For these 'high priests' received a 'holy ordinance', or the 'holy' 'second anointing' 'ordinance' in the Holy Temple, entrance into the 'church of the Firstborn' (D&C 133), that granted them the ability to receive presiding callings and offices – within the Holy Priesthood. 

These are the 'high priests of God' who had 'entered into the rest of the Lord their God' through a 'holy ordinance' – the 'second anointing' ordinance, which seals one's 'calling and election' (unless they fully betray the Lord their God):

(Alma 13:1-12)

1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.

2 And those priests were ORDAINED AFTER THE ORDER OF HIS SON, IN A MANNER THAT THEREBY THE PEOPLE MIGHT KNOW IN WHAT MANNER THE PEOPLE MIGHT LOOK FORWARD TO HIS SON FOR REDEMPTION.

3 And this is the manner after which they were ordained--BEING CALLED AND PREPARED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD ACCORDING TO THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a HOLY CALLING, yea, with that HOLY CALLING which was PREPARED with, and according to, a PREPARATORY REDEMPTION for such.

4 And thus they have been called to this HOLY CALLNG on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.

5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this HOLY CALLING BEING PREPARED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared--

6 And thus being called by this HOLY CALLING, and ordained unto the HIGH PRIESTHOOD of the HOLY ORDER OF GOD, to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might enter into his rest--

7 THIS HIGH PRIESTHOOD BEING AFTER THE ORDER OF THE SON, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, ACCORDING TO HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THINGS--

8 Now they were ORDAINED AFTER THIS MANNER--being called with a HOLY CALLING, AND ORDAINED WITH A HOLY ORDINANCE, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end--

9 Thus they become HIGH PRIESTS FOREVER, after the ORDER OF THE SON, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity, and truth. And thus it is. Amen.

10 Now, as I said concerning the HOLY ORDER, or this HIGH PRIESTHOOD, there were MANY who were ORDAINED and became HIGH PRIESTS OF GOD; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;

11 Therefore they were called after this HOLY ORDER, and were SANCTIFIED, and their garments were WASHED white through the blood of the Lamb.

12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and ENTERED INTO THE REST OF THE LORD THEIR GOD.

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(Note: Elder M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaking in the recent dedication of the Provo City Center Temple, spoke of coming into the 'rest of the Lord'.)

Alma, speaking to the people of Ammonihah, gave the pattern for this 'rest', which was outwardly signified by becoming 'high priests' unto the Lord, through a 'holy ordinance' (Alma 13:1-12)

Once again, the Book of Mormon sheds light on seemingly difficult gospel topics