Another statement from Joseph Smith worth considering as part of deciding how seriously you would like to be a disciple of Christ’s:
All men know that they must die. And it is important that we should understand the reasons and causes of our exposure to the vicissitudes of life and of death, and the designs and purposes of God in our coming into the world, our sufferings here, and our departure hence. What is the object of our coming into existence, then dying and falling away, to be here no more? It is but reasonable to suppose that God would reveal something in reference to the matter, and it is a subject we ought to study more than any other. We ought to study it day and night, for the world is ignorant in reference to their true condition and relation. If we have any claim on our Heavenly Father for anything, it is for knowledge on this important subject. Could we read and comprehend all that has been written from the days of Adam, on the relation of man to God and angels in a future state, we should know very little about it. Reading the experience of others, or the revelation given to them, can never give us a comprehensive view of our condition and true relation to God. Knowledge of these things can only be obtained by experience through the ordinances of God set forth for that purpose. Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject. (DHC vol. 6, page 50.)
The definition of “ordinances of God” are not all contained in a formal church setting. Read again the experiences of others in scripture and you will find that a great deal takes place between the Lord and those who follow Him. When He appears He also ministers. There is also the description of the “sealing” which will qualify those living in our day to become a member of the Church of the Firstborn, which involves an ordinance performed by “angels to whom is given power” and to whom this ministry belongs. (D&C 77: 11.)
Search the scriptures. They testify of all things. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints administers the ordinances of salvation and prepares you to receive further light and knowledge directly from the Lord. If you have received what the Lord offers through the church, but have failed to take the final admonition to receive further light and knowledge by conversing directly with Him, then your salvation has not been perfected. You still have work left before you.
Get busy.
Beautiful!
I was thinking this at the gym today while on the elliptical machine. Over head they have TVs playing w different cable shows running simultaneously. On Bravo they had the Housewives of New Jersey playing and it could have been entitled Potiphar’s wife with all of her Girlfriends. Babylon is all around us, and it makes me want to weep some days. It is time to get busy and even pray for modern day Potiphar Wives.
dbs
Are those angels limited to resurrected beings, or can mortals be given the power for that ministry?
Denver, is your book The Second Comforter available in ebook form? I need to get it for a friend who is quadraplegic.
thanks!