The final stage in development requires one to “see” the things that are being communicated. This happens when the “answer” to the inquiry is opened to view, but only inside the mind. You can actually “behold” something as if it were before you, without actually being there. Such a process is physically demanding, despite the fact it is so intangible a matter as to defy description. Seeing things by this process is not limited to time, place or location. A person exercising this gift, for example, may be able to behold Abraham as he receives the box containing the records from his father, who held the box in no particular regard because he could not open it.
Author: Denver
Repentance and redemption
In D&C 138:57-59 it states:
The scripture then says that the dead who REPENT WILL BE REDEEMED, THROUGH OBEDIENCE TO THE ORDINANCES OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. I thought temple ordinances, including baptisms for the dead, were only necessary for those who are heirs to at least some degree in the Celestial Kingdom. See Doctrines of Salvation, II, p. 191. If this is so, then why does the scripture go on to say “[a]nd after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation.”
If they repent and are redeemed through the ordinances of the temple then why are they paying the penalty for their transgressions? I understood D&C 19:15-18 to mean if you repent then because of the atonement you do not suffer because Christ suffered for us. As I read this scripture it can only mean one of two things. First, some people who end up in he Celestial Kingdom must suffer for their own sins. Second it could mean that these people are not going to the Celestial Kingdom (“for they shall receive a reward according to their works”). So am I wrong that an “heir of salvation” (not “exaltation”) can end up in the C, T or T Kingdom, as all are kingdoms of glory and the heirs of each of these kingdoms are saved with a “resurrection of endless life and happiness”? (Mosiah 16:11) And if so then why did they need the ordinances of the temple?
1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.
Abraham and Sarah
A “friend” of God
In the beginning, our relationship with God is rather primitive. We start out fearing Him and following His “commandments” in the hope of appeasing Him or avoiding punishment.
We later get some insight that allows us to see Him as a more loving God. As a result of that insight and growth, we begin to view the commandments as warnings and blessings that will benefit us if we heed them.
Your end is to become part of the household of God, a member of the Church of the Firstborn, and a family member of God the Father. When that happens, the relationship is considerably more polite and respectful than it is when you are first experiencing awareness of God’s existence and His commandments to bring us light and truth.
Holy Ghost vs. The Holy Spirit
Opposing wickedness through violence
God is no respecter of persons
I am absolutely convinced that any one of you is a better candidate than I was to receive an audience with the Lord. The wonder of this process is not that someone has done it, but that so few have. Given that I am probably the least qualified, the point should not be lost on you. If it has happened to me, then it absolutely can and should happen to you.
His willingness to leave those errors in the past and remember them no more is greater than you can imagine. It is a guiding principle for the Atonement. Asking for forgiveness is almost all that is required to be forgiven.
I know all my mistakes. They are greater than most of yours. I am in awe of His mercy and forgiveness. I am not at all impressed by my worthiness. It is nothing. It consists of borrowed finery from Him who has let me use His great worthiness to cover my own failings. To the extent that I have any merit, it comes from Him. I remain astonished that He would condescend for someone like me.
Get busy!
AWAKE AND ARISE
I pointed out a bit ago that Joseph Smith received the sealing authority in a revelation to him sometime between 1829 and 1843, the exact date is not known. The way in which he received this authority was by a direct revelation to him from heaven. The “voice of the Lord” came to Joseph making the declaration. At the same time Joseph’s calling and election were made sure. Here are the verses from Section 132:
Do these words relate to this same subject?
“[T]he things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity-thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.” (DHC vol. 3, page 295.)
We should not be dealing with the Gospel at a superficial level. We should be ashamed of how we have been treating it. Again, Joseph said:
“How vain and trifling have been our spirits, our conferences, our councils, our meetings, our private as well as public conversations—too low, too mean, too vulgar, too condescending for the dignified characters of the called and chosen of God, according to the purposes of His will, from before the foundation of the world! We are called to hold the keys of the mysteries of those things that have been kept hid from the foundation of the world until now.” (Id.)
The path trod by the ancients is exactly the same path every saved soul must walk. Read this again.
What does it mean to possess your soul?
“In one scripture the Lord connects patience to possessing your soul. What does it mean to possess your soul? And it’s connection to patience? This is a very new connection for me.”
My answer:
What can they share?
The images I have seen of Him are for the most part inaccurate. The reason we don’t have accurate pictures is in all likelihood related to the fact that those who come to see Him would understand the importance of avoiding idols and would question the wisdom of recreating an image of Him that might be used by others to displace their attention and worship.
What is appropriate is to affirm that He is real, that He lives, that He has been resurrected from the dead, and that He came, sacrificed and rose because of His role as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. I’ve written as much as I’ve been asked to write about Him by way of testimony in the Appendix to Eighteen Verses, in Come, Let Us Adore Him, and a brief physical description in Nephi’s Isaiah. However, the brief physical description is not enough from which to reconstruct an image. It merely refers to some of His physical attributes and then tie them to the scriptural accounts to show why the narrative in the New Testament would read as it does.
Faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I believe in the Book of Mormon. Therefore I expect that the Latter-days will be filled with trouble, difficulties, and the church will be struggling with perplexities. If we didn’t have problems we wouldn’t fit the pattern Nephi, Mormon and Moroni warned about. So when I see problems I do not get anxious, I accept what is and deal with it.
I don’t blame anyone. We didn’t get here by some single person’s failings. We have proceeded carefully, and with the best of intentions. But we still have challenges. That is part of being here in the Telestial Kingdom.
I have a great deal of sympathy for those who are required to lead in this troubled world. I doubt I could have done any better, and fear I may have done a lot worse. So I temper any shortcomings I see with the recognition that things aren’t as easy as we sometimes think they are. I’m grateful for what I have been given and am content with life.
Who will save you?
“… for it shall be sweet unto them.”
“And again, the Lord has said that: “Ye shall defend your families even unto bloodshed.” ” Alma 43:47
Very clear. So I do not think I am obedient to Him if I refuse to take up arms. How do you reconcile this, Denver?
There is a further warning from this marvelous Book for our day that is apropos:
Alma 48:24: “they could not suffer to lay down their lives, that their wives and their children should be massacred by … barbarous cruelty”
You see, I cannot ignore the high probability that I will need to defend my wife and children from “massacre by barbarous cruelty” in the Last Days.
I plead with you NOT to suffer to just lay down your life and watch as you see them massacred.”
Ultimate Source
You should obtain your own independent knowledge of everything another man tells you. If you don’t then you are surrendering what should never be surrendered: your own agency and responsibility.