I got a question emailed me (though the website administrator) asking: “Is there any purpose in continuing to better yourself here in this temporal world? To continue becoming educated through college? Really, is there any purpose in pursuing goals, objectives, etc…?”

That presumes this life lacks purpose. We’re here to be “added upon” and every day there are new opportunities to add. We are eternal. Right now we’re in a place of constant change, filled with beauty and contradiction, challenging and rewarding, with truth and error competing alongside each other. You couldn’t get a better environment in which to detect foolishness parading as wisdom than in the modern American universities. Yes, of course go to college!

Live your life fully. Plan, prepare, work, get educated, have a family. Don’t abandon life’s richest experiences because you are afraid of shadows.

Every moment of mortality is filled with the chance to see wonder through the eyes of a child–and you know unless you repent and “become as a little child you shall not see the kingdom of Heaven.” If your eye sees only darkness, then how great that darkness becomes. But when you think about Christ’s observation that the wasting countryside was adorned by wildflowers and that was more splendid than “Solomon in all his glory” then why not accept the challenge? Do as Christ did: See the beauty here. Why not look at the contrast between light and shadow, the constant changing clouds overhead forming new, intricate patterns continually, the lights of the firmament in the night sky, the seasons changing, –why not look at it all as a great wonder. God is the artist. This world is His (Their) canvas.

The question asked above reflects the triumph of pessimism, and the now-socially imposed acceptance of futility. Nothing is futile. Especially about you. You can change your world by changing your view. Smile. Laugh. There’s plenty to laugh about in this estate.

Every emperor you will ever behold in this world has no clothes. Fools rule, teach, interpret history, and insist you accept their foolishness as truth. Stop doing that.

You should figure out how to enjoy your time here. It is wonderful! With all the problems, injuries, set-backs, disappointments and failures there is invariably something gained. Accept that and be contented with these opportunities, they are all a gift from God.

On another subject: next Sunday, a week from now, I’ll be speaking at the Layton Conference. At 1:30 at the Davis County Conference Center I’ll talk and, time permitting, will answer a few questions. On Saturday there’s going to be some presentations throughout the day, and my wife will be one of the presenters. The conference is linked here: Spring 2023 Conference.

Reading in Mark today I was struck by a declaration of Christ’s that mirrors one of the great themes of the Book of Mormon.

Throughout the Book of Mormon the theme of being “numbered among” a specific covenant group is repeated. In 1 Ne. 3:25 Nephi’s great vision includes this promise (and prophecy): “And it shall come to pass that if the gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks, and harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father. Yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel[.]” (Quoting from the Restoration Edition of the Scriptures. All other quotes cite to that version of the scriptures–the only one which has been approved by the Lord.)

Nephi repeats this promise about the gentiles in 2 Ne. 7:4: “the gentiles shall be blessed and numbered among the house of Israel. Wherefore, I will consecrate this land unto thy seed, and they who shall be numbered among thy seed, for ever, for the land of their inheritance[.]”

Again in 2 Ne. 12:11: “For behold, I say unto you, as many of the gentiles as will repent are the covenant people of the Lord[.]”

This is repeated numerous times by the prophet-writers in the Book of Mormon following Nephi. Perhaps most importantly, when Christ appears to visit the Nephites and His teachings are added to the record, our Lord makes the same promise and prophecy: 3 Ne. 9:11: “the gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel[.]” And 3 Ne. 10:1: “I will establish my church among them [the gentiles], and they shall come in unto the covenant and be numbered among this the remnant of Jacob, unto whom I have given this land for their inheritance.”

This theme of reclaiming the gentiles and making them part of Israel, even part of Lehi’s family, is confirmed today in the Lord’s covenant with us. The Lord has finally defined those gentiles for whom the Book of Mormon covenant promises were made. This is who is referred to in that ancient prophetic and covenantal text: “All you who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto me, and been baptized in my name, and have received a remission of your sins, and received the holy ghost, are now numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.” (T&C 158:10.)

Of course, today many people who lack a covenant likewise pretend the promises apply to them, but the Lord has the right to define those to whom the promises apply. The Lord has defined who He had in mind by a modern covenant. That covenant was offered and accepted by gentiles who were originally numbered among the gentiles, but after the covenant numbered among Israel. This happened beginning at a conference in September 2017, and continues today.

Here is what the Lord stated about members of His family in Mark that mirrors what He has said by covenant directly to us: “Who is my mother? Or who are my brethren? And he looked round about on them who sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren; for whoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” (Mark 2:10.)

Truly the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although many people believe or claim to have status, salvation, covenant or approval from the Lord, I think it is more helpful and reliable to accept what He is presently offering directly to us by His word. After all, the Lord explained, “it is not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. For the day soon comes that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works. And many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out devils, and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I say unto them, You never knew me. Depart from me, you that work iniquity. Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock. And everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them not shall be likened unto a foolish man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matt. 3:47-48.) There will be many mistaken believers.

Religious folks are included among the damned who suffer punishment in the afterlife. The vision about that explains: “And the glory of the telestial is one, even as the glory of the stars are one, for as one star differeth from another star in glory, even so differeth 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 covenants. Last of all, these all are they who will not be gathered with the saints, to be caught up unto the church of the Firstborn and received into the cloud. These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. These are they who suffer the wrath of God on the earth. These are they who suffer the vengeance of Eternal fire. These are they who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, until the fullness of times, when Christ shall have subdued all enemies under his feet[.]” (T&C 69:26-27.)

People who spend a lifetime studying and preaching about Isaiah claiming his prophetic message towers above all others will be damned. Students of John the Beloved who prize him above all others will be damned. Students of all the prophets and apostles will be damned. They are, in the end, no better than liars, sorcerers, adulterers and those who love spreading lies. It will only be those who “receive the gospel” and “the testimony of Jesus” and “the prophets” who will be spared from damnation.

Therefore, I’d advise everyone to be very careful about deciding what is and what is not included in “the gospel” mentioned here. And likewise you should be studying to understand clearly what “the testimony of Jesus” includes and requires. Most of all, be very careful about deciding if the Lord has sent “a prophet” or “prophets” with a message from Him. Salvation and damnation hinge on your choice.

Not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” is willing to do the difficult work of following Him. Today it is only those who have turned from your wicked ways and repented of your evil doings, of lying and deceiving, and of all whoredoms, and of secret abominations, idolatries, murders, priestcrafts, envying, and strife, and from all wickedness and abominations, and have come unto the Lord, and been baptized in His name according to His commandment to us, who will be saved.

I’m grateful to know there are those willing to do this. I’m trying to be numbered among you. However few it may be who find the straight and narrow path, in the end it will be enough. It is always enough, even when the Lord reduces 32,000 down to 300 (see Judges 3:6), it is still enough to overcome the hosts of Midianites. It will always be enough. Because the battle is the Lord’s. (1 Sam. 8:14.) I hope to be with you for that battle.

Today is the occasion we mark the resurrection of Christ on the third day following His crucifixion. We have adopted the name “Easter” for this Sunday. That word is of uncertain origins, although it is claimed to be derived from the name of an Anglo-Saxon goddess of springtime and fertility. I’m not altogether convinced of that, but admit the name seems less fitting than Resurrection Sunday.

There is a passage in T&C 161: 29 that captures a glimpse of that morning from the Lord’s point of view: “I know words are inadequate to capture His feelings on the morning of His resurrection. He had the deep satisfaction of having accomplished the most difficult assignment given by the Father, knowing it was a benefit to all of His Father’s children, and it had been done perfectly.”

The Lord’s resurrection disrupted the Fall of Man, reversed the scourge of death, prevented entropy from destroying the creation, and was the single most significant event in history. The Lord attained to the resurrection, and we are all beneficiaries of that triumph. The Lord experienced a fullness of joy as a consequence of His sacrifice and return.

The best way to remember the Lord on this date, in my view, is to rejoice and find things in this world that are gifts to us from God: Our families, our lives, sunshine, birds that sing, the beauty and smell of flowers, sunrises and sunsets, music and a hundred-thousand little joys we experience daily. When we do something in obedience to God, my experience is that it likewise brings satisfaction and joy.

I’ve been asked again about the need for organization and perhaps founding a church. Again I say it will only lead inevitably to corruption and apostasy.

Look at the churches now in existence. Are they not ALL wrong? if not, then tell me which one is without corruption. The LDS church has adopted the false creed that the “brethren cannot lead you astray.” Of all the creeds that are an abomination in God’s sight, perhaps this one is the most invidious. It has led very good people to be following uncritically very corrupt men. The leaders are not necessarily (or all) corrupt in the sense that they mean to do evil. But they accomplish nothing but evil when they follow lockstep behind a leader who is interested in appeasing the world in his attempt to gain popularity.

Why does the LDS church have a “rainy day fund” in the billions of dollars while members suffer in poverty in parts of their “kingdom”? It makes no sense, and fits the condemnation of Malachi, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. [Diverted to the priests.] You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, [for the poor] and prove me now herewith, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [For the people’s needs/not the priests’.]” The priests were amassing wealth, while the tithes and offerings were intended for the Lord’s “house” or His people.

Today every church is filled with professors who are all corrupt. They profess the words spoken by Christ, but do not accomplish His works. It makes them just like the hypocrites, scribes, and Pharisees about whom Christ said: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than he was before — like unto yourselves.”

Of a truth today, like Joseph’s day, “They draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; they teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof.” Godliness in power uses wealth to aid the poor. Tithes are meant to be used to relieve the needs of others within the household of faith first, and then the stranger afterwards, so that believers can rejoice in God’s goodness.

Tithes should be used to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, provide medical care for the infirm, house the homeless, educate the unlearned, and make people independent with transportation. Tithes are not intended to let church leaders “fare sumptuously.” Wealthy leaders of the LDS church are no different than Christian pastors of “mega-churches”.

We each have an obligation to provide for our own family, and care for those of our own household first. They must not become a burden on others, if we are able to provide for their support. If we fail to provide support when we are able to do so, then we have “denied the faith.” But when we have accomplished the obligations devolving on us as spouses and parents, then we are commanded to help others with our tithes. And once we have cared for our families who are dependent upon us, we still have no right to ask others to compensate us for practicing our religion.

“Let us here observe that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. For from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life, and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God.”

Churches amass wealth. ALL of them do. That is why we are taught to immediately divert our tithes to relieve the needs of those among us. And ONLY when there is no need among a fellowship does the donor have the opportunity to assist by using the excess to advance the Lord’s work.

Churches have offices, and offices are presumed to command respect and attention. Even if the occupant of the office does not use gentleness, meekness, persuasion, pure knowledge and love unfeigned it still is an office that holds respect. If the office is presumed to have “authority” then it is always the same outcome: “We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen.”

Men who crave office, and desire to direct others, are the “wolves” we are warned against. They occupy the offices of all the churches, and the adversary knows that a corrupt man who occupies church office will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Moreover he will prevent those who might otherwise have entered from entering.

It is not necessary to make churches utterly corrupt to damn the souls of men. It is only necessary to hedge up the way with an error here and a forgotten truth there. Forgetting and neglecting truth is enough to damn believers.

If we are free to pursue the truth without an overlord commanding us, then we can seek salvation with fear and trembling before God. Everyone is free to preach, teach, exhort or expound, and if they fail to persuade you then you are under no obligation to honor their “office”. You can freely reject. And you can freely receive, when the truth of a matter becomes “delicious” to you.

We cannot be equal if there is an institutional church. And if we have an institution, the adversary will never stop in the effort to corrupt it. It will inevitably attract aspiring men. Before long, it will become just another failed effort to honor God, and will instead be used to honor men.

On March 14th John Hall died after a brief illness. His funeral was today. Given John’s abiding interest in, affection for, and research into ancient Egypt, I composed a poem as my tribute to him. It is now available as a download here: Arcadia

I knew John for many years and will miss him as a dear friend. He died on the 14th, and two other friends died that same week. I lost three friends in four days, and have spent this week attending funerals. But I also got to attend a wedding this week. Still, all in all I hope not to have another week like this again.

If the poem “Arcadia” contains things that puzzle you, then you ought to see whether you can search them out and make sense of it. The Egyptian religion, so far as we can reconstruct it at this late date, was filled with symbols and figures that represented ideas, doctrines, principles and truths. They were not so ignorant as to think these symbols were real beasts or hybrids, but used pictographic representations to communicate ideas.

The Jews were influenced by Egypt, so much so that many of the Psalms are actually found as earlier compositions in Egypt. Moses was raised in Egypt, the Book of Mormon was written in Reformed Egyptian, and the Book of Abraham has Egyptian facsimiles. Therefore I concluded it altogether appropriate to use Egyptian symbology to honor the late Dr. John Franklin Hall III.

Last evening my friend Jon Larsen died of a heart attack. This week three friends passed away. It is a strong reminder that lives end. All lives. People of faith, disbelief, and outright rejection of faith. All three of these men were faithful, believing, and committed to following God. Although Jon died quickly, both of the others had illnesses that allowed them to contemplate passing, and they left this world hopeful and optimistic about the world to come.

Faith not only enriches life here, it allows us to cheerfully surrender it when life ends. That value is beyond gold. It cannot be purchased with money. It can only be acquired by having faith, which brings hope.

It is like a story told by the Lord: And then at that day, the moment of your death shall be likened unto ten virgins who took their lamps and went forth to die, and five of them were wise and five of them were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And at the moment of darkness when a cry of death was heard, “go out to meet it!” Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us your faith, for our hope is gone out. But the wise answered, saying, we cannot give to you what you alone are able to acquire. And the moment came. And they that were ready went out with joy, hope and glory, and the door to glory was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, we now believe. But He answered them not, and their passing was fearful. Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour when life ends.

These men of faith are mourned because we lose their companionship temporarily, but not because they died without hope. They leave us likewise hopeful that we can one day also be with them again.

A young-adult and youth meeting will be held April 1, 2023 at the GPP Fitness location at 40 E. Pages Lane, Centerville, UT 84014. This is a location affectionately called the “Gym Church” because it is an athletic venue. There is no plan to record the meeting. It will begin at 11 am, and both my wife and I will be speaking.

My friend Chris Chandler died this evening after years of a valiant fight. Many of you knew and loved him, and will want to know of his passing.

I’ve agreed to put some information up about these upcoming and current events:

A new video that consolidates all 21 videos about the history of Christianity, Protestant Reformation, and Restoration has been completed. It can be viewed at this link: The Testimony of Jesus – Past, Present and Promise https://youtu.be/zY7q6Hv7Mec

The committee organizing the conference in May has published some additional details about the upcoming conference, which can be found on their website at springconference2023.com.

The Remnant Young Adult Fellowship is planning a fun and uplifting weekend retreat at a beautiful cabin in Bedford, Wyoming from July 13-17th. This will be a great opportunity for those ages 18-33 to learn more about Christ with one another, spend time in nature, meet new friends and knit hearts together. Activities include visiting Grand Teton National Park, movie and game nights, bonfires, stargazing, volleyball, kayaking, local hikes, creek walks, scripture discussion, etc. There will be a fee to cover the cost of lodging, food, park fees, etc. Right now, the estimated range is $50-$100 per person. Updates will be sent out as planning moves forward. Please fill out this survey if you are interested in attending the retreat and receiving updates. This is not an official RSVP, it is only to gather interest. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1IIMvI3UineOQzsx40cOPwL3pxLjpuccRhM_o6nEdL9brUg/viewform

There is a planned conference in 2024 at the Kirtland Temple corresponding with the solar eclipse. It will be held on April 6-8, 2024 with sessions in the Kirtland Temple and an opportunity to view the eclipse in the path of totality. More information will be made available on the conference website: https://kirtlandeclipseconference.com/

I received email inquiries about the expected temple, and how Joseph Smith’s rites relate to what will be built. I responded with the below comments, which I assume would be of general interest:

Joseph never completed the restoration of the temple rites. Therefore what the temple should include would be more (significantly more) than what happened in Nauvoo. It would require a floorplan and layout that fits the full sweep and purposes of the Lord in returning the ancient Holy Order. That requires knowledge to be taught in some detail. As a consequence of what the temple is intended to accomplish, there would be different parts of the facility that get different uses and different access. Some parts of the process would be limited to very few people ever being admitted, while other areas would essentially be public with anyone having admission. The LDS and the Cutlerites have nothing to offer. Both were never in possession of what needed to be restored.

Joseph did “anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your sacrifices by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places wherein you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments for the beginning of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, and honor, and endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance” that included symbols and depictions to convey sacred information that is to be communicated in a sacred space using symbols and ritual to embed a message from God. It was, as best as it can be reconstructed at this point, a continuation of the Book of Abraham translation that he promised to deliver. However, it was not appropriate to do so publicly. So it got moved into a sacred ritual. It did not get completed. As time ran out, he was working on several incomplete threads of material that belong to the restoration. The Lord’s restoration at the end of time must reclaim what was here at the beginning during the first dispensation. That is much more than has survived through the various apostasies, and more than has been on the earth since the time of the first patriarchs.

Information that Joseph was working on but did not complete would have greatly expanded the restoration, had he been allowed to continue. Joseph had arrived at a point where the material was becoming increasingly inappropriate for the public. And those who were exposed to the commencement of that effort were not really suitable and failed to comprehend what they were getting conferred upon them. The lack of comprehension resulted in a whole bundle of errors following Joseph and Hyrum’s murders as the recipients attempted to duplicate what Joseph was attempting at the end. As distortions crept in, the effort to duplicate things became much like the Pharaoh’s sincere attempt to “imitate that order established by the fathers in the first generations, in the days of the first Patriarchal reign, even in the reign of Adam, and also Noah” but who likewise could not do so with any success. There was no power in the imitations.

Had the effort succeeded, then what Joseph was attempting would have resulted “in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” Joseph had obviously been able to endure this ascent to God’s presence. However, the restoration was intended to guide and instruct others along that same path so that the ordinances would manifest to man in the flesh the face of God, or in other words, to endow them with the knowledge that reckons directly from God’s presence. It was intended for mortal man to be taught the pathway back to the Throne of God so they could successfully make that journey.

It does no good to discuss this subject, because the material is only designed to be conveyed in an appropriate place, at an appropriate time, to an appropriate audience. And making this the subject of discussion outside of that setting, place and qualified recipient is little more than voyeurism and gossip. It runs the risk of making profane what is necessarily intended to be kept sacred. That obligation is why the material has not (and cannot) be preserved beyond any dispensation when it is bestowed.

Academics who have studied this issue carefully know there is something very important that has been lost. And they have conjectured and attempted to gather the threads together. The failure of the academic world to recover it is a testament to the importance of the vigilance and care that those who have been entrusted with the material have shown for God’s gift to them. It is also proof that something very important has been lost.

There are some rites for the dead, but not what/how the LDS have interpreted the work to be done. Baptism is required for everyone, including the dead.

Physical improvement requires that you do.

Spiritual improvement requires that you be.

Nephi had the improbable experience of having a father who was a descendant of Manasseh (NC Alma 8:1), and therefore was not a Levite, nor qualified to serve in Temple rites in Jerusalem. He was an outsider. Yet his father claimed to have been visited by God. Rather than reject his father’s message, Nephi pondered his father’s claim and wanted to know what his father had experienced. Nephi’s account explains:

“For it came to pass, after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart, I was caught away in the spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceeding high mountain, a mountain which I never had before seen and upon which I never had before sat my foot. And the spirit said unto me, Behold, what desirest thou? And I said, I desire to behold the things which my father saw. And the spirit said unto me, Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken? And I said, Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father. And when I had spoken these words, the spirit cried with a loud voice, saying, Hosanna to the Lord, the Most High God, for he is God over all the earth, yea, even above all! And blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest in the Son of the Most High God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.” NC 1 Ne. 3:6, emphasis added.

Notice that Nephi’s trust in his father’s testimony was regarded by the angel as belief in the Son of the Most High God. His father turned out to be a messenger with a message from God. Therefore, he had faith, not merely in the messenger, but in the One who sent the message.

This is why Christ taught: “He who receives you, receives me. And he who receives me, receives him who sent me. He that receives a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward.” NC Matt. 5:8.

The critical test that the Lord requires us to pass is whether we can believe in the words of His messengers. If we do, we have faith in the Son of the Most High God. And if we do not, we have rejected the Son of the Most High God.

Distinguishing His voice from the voices of imposters, pretenders and misled men claiming authority from God is also part of the test. As Joseph Smith explained, “The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God they considered to be false prophets, and hence they killed, stoned, punished, and imprisoned the true prophets, and they had to hide themselves in deserts, and dens, and caves of the earth, and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, while they cherished, honored, and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men.” T&C 147:6.

That test is consistently imposed whenever the Lord sends a message into the world. It has never been harder, never been easier, never been different. And, based on the scriptures, there are always only “few” who believe the Lord’s messages. “Repent therefore and enter in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat, because strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads unto life, and few there are that find it.” NC Matt. 3:45.

Despite the challenge, there are those who do recognize when the Lord is speaking. As He put it to the religious leaders who challenged Him: “I told you and you believed not. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But you believe not because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” NC John 6:29.

There is something about the Lord’s voice, even when He uses a mere mortal to deliver His words, that remains distinctly recognizable. If you hear it, believe it.

I have lost many friends in the last few years to death. Right now I have three close friends who are suffering from terminal illnesses. One of them has a son who will turn 8 in a few months, and his young son is praying that his father will live long enough to see him baptized.

I witness so many sobering, heart-rending circumstances that can bring me to tears as I contemplate the suffering of those I love. I’m certain I’m not alone in that. We all see suffering, or endure it.

I have also seen miracles, and the most improbable of healing through faith. And to the contrary, I have also seen people of deep faith, and clear understanding, for whom there is no relief.

Christ performed healing miracles, and yet for Himself there was no relief. His power was used for the benefit of others, but nothing relieved His pain, even when He cried out asking if it were possible that the cup of suffering be taken from Him. The greatest healer of history was also the one who suffered most.

I’ve returned again and again to pondering and praying about these inconsistencies. Why is one healed and another taken? Why do some suffer with incomprehensible burdens, daily disappointment, and unending disease, while others are delivered? How can God remain unmoved by the pitiful plight of undeserved sorrows?

The Lord explained to me that “some people are taken and not healed because, in the Wisdom of God that person is ready and if left will recede rather than advance, and some are taken because, if left, would interfere with and delay or hinder God’s purposes for others, and some are given to suffer because it gives them the opportunity to develop in Godly attributes they would not otherwise attain. God’s Wisdom is greater than man’s and sees more than can man. But in all matters there is reason and wisdom in how matters of health, life, and death unfold.”

I pressed the Lord and asked if mankind can hold more compassion and empathy for our loved friends’ and family’s suffering than does He. I have come to realize that, in the coming day when death, sickness and pain have passed away, and God will wipe away every tear from every eye, that it will include wiping away God’s own tears from His eyes. For God has not been unmoved by our disappointments, aloof from our broken hearts, and distant from our cries. He has been and is present throughout it all. He understands, cares, and weighs every moment of our plight, and intends to comfort us always. Whether in life or in death. He is intimate and affected.

Another year ends. Not all I wanted to accomplish this year has been done, but there were many things that have been completed. All in all, it was a good year and we saw a lot of progress.

I got a text message from Shawn McCraney about his continuing post-Mormon efforts. I appreciated him reaching out. I also got a recent email from Rob Smith, which I also appreciated. There are no reasons for people who hold different views to attack one another. We should explain what we understand and believe, and let people be persuaded or not.

This year some people I have been close to have died. There are others who, as this year ends, are suffering from serious, even life-threatening illnesses. It has made me appreciate just how frail and temporary life is for us all. I broke my arm early in the year, and have struggled to get range of motion and strength back. It was an experience that reminded me that we only make progress through effort. And we do suffer from set-backs from time to time, the most serious of which are to our spirits. But whether it is physical, spiritual, emotional, financial or social, we often have an opportunity to fight back to reclaim our lives. I assume next year will have its own unique set-backs and difficulties. I’m hoping to face them cheerfully, even if it requires a struggle.

I appreciate the efforts others have made this last year that blessed my life. Conferences have been organized, meetings have been held, publications have come into print, and active work on so many good causes have continued. It is amazing to watch the work being done. An interview that just came on-line illustrates the progress made by one small group. It is linked here: Rescuing the Restoration with Chris VanCampen

I look forward to the upcoming conference in May: Spring 2023 Conference I’ve been invited to speak then and have been preparing a talk for the conference.

Although there has been no commandment to proceed, there are nevertheless preparations underway for a temple. We know the Lord expects to give that command, and will provide instruction there. Many things “are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.” T&C 141:12

We have these words given to us by the Lord just a few short months ago: “I will visit my house, which the remnant of my people shall build, and I will dwell therein, to be among you, and no one will need to say, Know ye the Lord, for you all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” T&C 158:15 Perhaps the coming year will see such a command given.

In 2023 let’s all struggle to overcome our set-backs, strengthen our commitment to the Lord, and be generous with one another. Let’s help where we can and try to do no harm. May we all prosper this coming year. And may we draw nearer to God.

On November 21, 1843 Joseph Smith brought formal church charges against Harrison Sagers. Joseph accused him of: “1st for trying to Seduce a yo[u]ng girl living at his house by the name of Phoebe Madison-” JSP Documents, Vol. 13, p. 279, all as in original. And “2d for using my name in a blasphemous manner by Saying that I tollerated Such things in which thing he is guilty of Lying &c &c” Id, as in original.

The church court was held by the Nauvoo High Council a few days later. Following the proceedings, Joseph Smith made some remarks as follows: President Joseph Smith wanted “to do away with every evil & practice virtue & Holiness before the Lord that the church had not received any license from him to commit adultery fornication or any such thing but to the contrary if any man commit adultery He could not received the celestial kingdom of God even if he was saved in any kingdom it could not be the celestial kingdom He said he thought the many examples that had been manifest John C. Bennet[t] & others was sufficient to show the fallacy of such a course of conduct, He condemned the principle in toto & warned those present against going into those evils, for they would surely bring a —– (Curse) upon their heads” JSP Documents, Vol. 13, p. 285, all as in original.

Astonishingly, despite the plain message contained in these original documents, the LDS Church Historian’s office offers this comment in their Historical Introduction: “It is unclear whether JS authorized Sagers to practice plural marriage.” Id., pp. 279-9.

Actually it is clear. Joseph didn’t.