Isaiah 53: 12 states:
“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Isaiah’s report ends with the Messiah’s triumph. Hard won as it was to be, it will qualify Him to receive a “portion with the great.” Although the Messiah may be greater than them all, He is only to receive “a portion.” For the suffering He endures will be to redeem others and bring them back with Himself. There is to be no hoarding. There is to be no selfishness. Though He may earn it all, He will take only “a portion” and leave a “division” with others who may share in His joy. He abased Himself, and taught all others to do the same. (Matt. 23: 10-12.)
This is nothing akin to the faithful son complaining about the Prodigal. (Luke 15: 29-30.) Christ will not only willingly share with His lesser brothers and sisters, but He will go further and “make intercession for the transgressors.” He is neither jealous of their sharing in His triumph, nor resentful to “divide the spoil” of His great victory.
Here is a Messiah indeed! Here is a Redeemer indeed! “Truly, this Man was the Son of God!” (Matt. 27: 54.)
Despise Him and His servants, He will still condescend to succor you so far as you permit Him to do.
Turn your face from Him and His servants, He will still plead for you to listen.
Forsake and abandon Him and His servants, they will still forgive and make intercession for your errors.
Those who follow Him will be misunderstood, reviled, persecuted. It is in the nature of things for this world. He anticipated that, and gave instructions to you when you encounter it. (Matt. 5: 10-13.) The entire prophecy in Isaiah 53 is a description not only of the Messiah, but also of the Messiah’s children. They will not be welcome here, for the ruler of this world has nothing for either Him or His children. (John 14: 30.)
Surely Isaiah knew His Lord.
Denver, since you are writing to those of us who sometimes “know not where to find it” (the truth) and since we are all seekers of truth, I’m soliciting your help in making sense of some things from Gerald Lund’s Book, “Hearing the Voice of the Lord.”
In light of all of the last week’s discussions about the Savior not being recognized or followed/believed because He didn’t fit the “mold” the following are a couple of the more specific quotes I need to sort out from his book – particularly question #2:
1) pg 201 “When something that is supposedly for the whole Church comes to us through any other source (First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve), we can know that it is contrary to the order of God. Unless we have a specific stewardship that is, a priesthood or doctrinally based responsibility, over someone else, we do not receive revelation that seeks to direct them or correct them.”
2) pg 204 Joseph Fielding Smith, “Let me add that when a revelation comes for the guidance of this people, you may be sure that it will not be presented in some mysterious manner contrary to the order of the Church. It will go forth in such form that the people will understand that it comes from those who are in authority….it will not spring up in some distant part of the Church and be in the hands of some obscure individual.”
Also, would you mind giving me/us your opinion of Gerald Lund’s Book “Hearing the Voice of the Lord.”
I haven’t read anything written by Gerald Lund. I think my wife has copies of some of his writings, but I haven’t read any of them; so I simply cannot comment on what he has written.
To the specific questions you ask, I’d say that it is the Spirit of Truth, Holy Ghost, or the Lord who is the only source I’d trust. Not a man; no matter what office he may hold. I believe the obligation is to seek for a spiritual confirmation no matter who is speaking.
The Lord was “outside the hierarchy” and didn’t fit the mold you propose. Abinadi was outside the hierarchy, and didn’t fit the mold you propose. John the Baptist was outside the hierarchy and didn’t fit the mold you propose. Saul was so feared and hated by the hierarchy that they needed a revelation to even meet with him, because he was outside the hierarchy and didn’t fit the mold. Samuel the Lamanite was outside the hierarchy and didn’t fit the mold you propose. (You need to read Come, Let Us Adore Him for the full explanation of the doctrine as I understand it.)
I recognize these teachings you ask about. I have heard them. I do not expect anyone to direct the church and its affairs apart from the President and other presiding authorities. I do not expect anyone to direct the affairs of my stake apart from my Stake President and his counselors. I do not expect anyone to direct my ward apart from my Bishop and his counselors. I do not think the Lord’s house is to be directed by someone other than recognized and sustained authorities.
But I do not think the Lord’s hands are tied when He has directed everyone to bear testimony of Him, everyone to learn of Him and everyone to gain further light and knowledge by inquiring from Him. There simply is no faucet which controls the light and truth which the Lord is able to pour out upon those who seek after Him.
Read D&C 93: 1 again and show me where the hierarchy or President or any man stands between the faithful Saint and her Lord. It isn’t there.
This is how I understand the subject. I’ve proceeded with this understanding, with the conviction that I alone am responsible for learning what is necessary for my salvation and exaltation. No one else can be imposed upon to accomplish that for me.
thank you Denver