A great resource for understanding how to gain eternal life is found in D&C 1: 38. The Lord’s word is law. What He says will not return void. It will all be fulfilled.
Immediately following his father’s death, Moroni writes concerning the plates his father had made, which he was then completing. He recorded that the plates are “of no worth” in an economic sense, because of the Lord’s “commandment.” (Mormon 8: 14.) He says the Lord had spoken the words: “no one shall have them to get gain.” (Id.) This means that since the Lord had spoken that the gold plates could not be obtained for economic gain, this meant the Lord had “commanded” that the plates could not give a person any economic gain. The only gain to be had was “of great worth” to the soul.
Moroni equates the Lord’s remark on the plates’ lack of economic value to a “commandment.” This is exactly how it works. This is what D&C 1: 38 is affirming, as well: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”
Salvation consists in getting the word of the Lord spoken to you as a promise of eternal life. When you obtain that word, it cannot be broken. It becomes a “commandment” of the Lord’s which cannot fail. This is the kind of commandment we should seek.
I’ve tried to answer questions about “commandments” and I’ve tried to discuss the subject more fully in The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord Through the Veil
. Instead of focusing on a list of things to do or not do, I would commend to you the idea of getting from the Lord those words which will assure you eternal life. Not His words spoken to others found in scripture, but words spoken by Him to you. If you obtain this from Him, then you have a sure promise, though the heavens and earth pass away. This more sure word guarantees you, by covenant from Him whose words cannot fail, that you will be granted life with Him.
. Instead of focusing on a list of things to do or not do, I would commend to you the idea of getting from the Lord those words which will assure you eternal life. Not His words spoken to others found in scripture, but words spoken by Him to you. If you obtain this from Him, then you have a sure promise, though the heavens and earth pass away. This more sure word guarantees you, by covenant from Him whose words cannot fail, that you will be granted life with Him.
Wow, I really enjoyed this post. How does a person come to know such a thing has been spoken to them? I’ve heard one response that indicated there would be little reason to ask the question given the event. I recognize similar words in the ordinances of the Gospel, in a Patriarchal blessing, words of priesthood blessings and assurances in scriptures. All words that apply to the individual, me in this case, the ordinances even done in my own name by one of the Lords assigned and called servants. I have confidence in the ordinances and in the Lords word. I can accept them as the Lords word to me. Yet sometimes, but not always, there lingers an uncertainty. The amount varies depending on the day. Some occasions there is no uncertainty. So my question is, where to go from there. Can anyone speak to this?
In The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil I showed how Nephi’s ability to receive answers from the Lord progressed. It began with first being able to believe in his father’s, Lehi’s, words. His heart was softened.
He remained true and faithful to this answer, even defending his father. As a result the capacity to receive answers grew. It progressed to the point that, after he had shown the willingness to sacrifice all things, including his life if necessary, he was able to receive an audience with the Lord. The full account is set out in The Second Comforter: Conversing With the Lord Through the Veil.
This pattern is the same for all of us. It is the most frequent pattern in the Book of Mormon. It was what Joseph Smith did to receive the First Vision, and to receive what followed thereafter.
This pattern is also repeated in the book of Enos, as I set out in the book Beloved Enos.
It was meant for you to receive the “more sure word of prophecy” in this life. All of us were expected to receive this. It is open to all, and God is no respecter of persons. He will do the same for everyone as He will do for anyone. All are invited to come to Him.