"Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God."
Interestingly, rather than shouting out in rejoicing that all who repent will escape punishment, the angel instead pronounces a "wo" upon the gentiles. It is almost as if the future of the gentile conduct inspires nothing but pessimism for the angel. It inspires another warning and condemnation for the gentiles who, having received the Book of Mormon and other sacred writings, are then fully responsible to repent.
Notice that the relationship is between the "Lamb of God" and the gentiles. It is not between the gentiles and "leaders" or "prophets" or "administrators" or "general authorities" or even messengers. It is between the gentiles and "the Lamb of God."
Why that specific a relationship? Why is it exclusively between the individual and Christ?
Read again the description of the Telestial folk who return "worlds without end" to their condemnation: "And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars is one; for as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world; For these are they who are of Paul, and of Apollos, and of Cephas. These are they who say they are some of one and some of another—some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch; But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant." (D&C 76: 98-101.)
From what you've now learned can you see how one might follow even a true messenger but fail to gain "the testimony of Jesus?"
Can you now understand why, although you have followed messengers, you may have not in fact received the "everlasting covenant?"
The Temple is a type and shadow. It is a symbol of the real thing, but it is not the real thing. The "everlasting covenant" is taught there. But to gain it you must receive it through "the testimony of Jesus." Is this "testimony of Jesus" yours? Of is it rather Jesus testifying to you? If it is He testifying to you, then what must His testimony be?
In light of that does it mean then to "harden your hearts against the Lamb of God?" As you answer that, keep in mind His formula in D&C 93: 1: "Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am." Here Christ is but reiterating the message of the Book of Mormon.
Then how do you repent? I was asked about idolatry among the Saints. Anything that separates you from the Lamb of God is an idol. Cast it aside and come to Him. Why we have idols between us and the Lord is as different as one person is from another. Almost without exception, it comes as a result of a false tradition handed down. Your false traditions are based on your life's experiences while another's false traditions are based on theirs. No matter what they are or how they were acquired, whatever separates Christ from you must be set aside. Come to HIM. Not to me or any other. Only He can save you.
No wonder that after making great promises to the gentiles, if they will but repent, the angel cries out "wo be unto the Gentiles!" They won't receive: 1) the Gospel, neither 2) the testimony of Jesus, neither 3) the prophets sent to warn them and the message given to them, neither 4) the everlasting covenant offered to them.
Will you?
Joseph said the following about the telestial kingdom:
ReplyDelete"And thus we saw, in the heavenly vision, the glory of the telestial, which surpasses all understanding;
"And no man knows it except him to whom God has revealed it."
Denver, it appears you are teaching multiple mortal probations (an idea seemingly believed by Eliza R. Snow and Heber C. Kimball, two of the prophet's closest friends). How are verses 89 & 90 quoted above reconciled with that doctrine? If we are, here and now, experiencing a telestial kingdom and glory how is it that "no man knows it except him to whom God has revealed it?" And is this glory we now enjoy the "glory" spoken of which "surpasses all understanding?"
Thank you for all of your insight!
Matt
BTW, can somebody please teach me how to use the HTML tags!?! I can't for the life of me figure out how to use those things.
I'd say the glory of the telestial kingdom surpasses your current understanding; and will become known only as God reveals it.
ReplyDelete"Will you?"
ReplyDeleteYes.
We are unwise & slothful servants if we seek to be told & commanded in all things by even Prophets. If fact, even Prophets only tell us half the story, half the things we must do to receive Exaltation & repent of our personal weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit must tell us the other half of what Prophets do not say, the vital things pertaining to our personal progression. In fact, if we do not have the Spirit we will misunderstand & misinterpret even what the Prophets say & still go astray while thinking we are following them.
Thus only those with the Holy Spirit as their guide can obtain the Celestial Kingdom, for only they received the vital unspoken commandments, unknown to those without the Spirit. And most importantly, we receive the 'Testimony of Jesus' through the Holy Spirit & learn how to be valiant in that testimony.
I believe it takes greater spirituality to possess & receive revelations from the Holy Spirit, than it does to have visions, dreams or even see Angels. Even the wicked have dreams, visions & appearances from angels, usually on behalf of the righteous, but even still, the wicked often do not repent, even after seeing an angel.
Impressions from the Spirit are much stronger, long lasting & cause one to repent much more.
But of course, it would require 'ultimate' faith & spirituality to see & converse with 'the Savior' & gain that very personal testimony of him directly from him.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteMaybe you have forgotten what Denver has said in his books regarding the process of receiving the Second Comforter ... in that process there are dreams, visions, visitations from angels and other marvelous things. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in the understanding of this. Many wonderful things are available if we are willing to submit our will and be obedient, if we are willing to accept chastisements from the Lord (they come often) and repent daily with vigor.
Samuel Avard was an opportunist in Far West, MO. The Prophet Joseph initially welcomed the Danite band that he formed, thinking it to be an informal state militia. What it turned out to be was a pack of self-righteous oath-takers who swore to defend the Church in a way that eventually caused Joseph much grief and pain. He ordered them disbanded when he got to Nauvoo, possibly earlier. Samuel Avard, thus stripped of his opportunity, left the Church as he never had interest in it to begin with.
ReplyDeleteDo we take oaths in our heart to defend the Church in a way like the Danites, using our swift disapproval of others as our guns and bayonets? I think Denver called those modern-day oath takers Brethrenites. Like Joseph, good Brethren today seek to disband such false loyalty. Rather, be still. Let your defense of virtue be to defend those who are abused by such false Mormons. Remember, we take no oaths in the temple, no oaths when receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, and are told by our Lord to take the higher road and swear no oaths at all. Lay the burden down for Him to take vengeance.