holy Archives — Denver Snuffer

The angel informed King Benjamin that Christ’s blood is intended to atone for the sins of those who sinned ignorantly, or those who died without knowing God’s will. (Mosiah 3: 11) However, there is a two-fold wo pronounced on those who know they rebel against God. They are cast down, and for them there will be no hope, no salvation, “except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Mosiah 3: 12.) That of course, must happen before they die.

The angel explained the Lord has sent “his holy prophets among all the children of men.” (Mosiah 2: 13.) When the Lord sends someone with a message, they are by definition “holy” because they bear the message of God. Having been entrusted with His word, they are derivatively holy. (See Acts 9: 15) It does not mean they are better than other men because everyone sins. The content of what God has given them makes them “holy” before God. Since King Benjamin has just been entrusted with God’s message for his people, King Benjamin has become “holy” also.

The messages have been sent, at one time or another, “among all the children of men.” All nations have had some portion of the word of God given to them. This does not mean they have been given a fullness, for that is rarely given. It does mean the Lord has concern over all of us and will call and send prophets to everyone.

How people react to what they are offered determines how much a prophet is able to teach them. If they will not give heed, then the audience receives only a portion of what they might have received. (Alma 12: 9.) Sometimes people can be offered a “fullness” and reject it, and then have it taken from them. (D&C 124: 28.)

The purpose of the message is for all to have “exceedingly great joy.” (Mosiah 3: 13.)

This joy comes from knowing the Lord. Knowing Him comes from obeying the words given to them through the “holy prophets.”

One of the greatest laments of the Lord arises from how the world reacts to His holy prophets. He makes the same offer every time, whenever He calls someone as His spokesman. The offer is by His word, to gather His people into one and be their shelter. (D&C 43: 24; see also 3 Ne. 10: 4-6.) Despite the many times when this might have happened, there have been fewer than four occasions we have a record of the Lord actually gathering His people.

The purpose of giving His word to His people is to lead them to Him. If they will actually come to Him, He will come and dwell with them. We were once given that opportunity. (D&C 104: 59.)

We are promised the Lord will return again (10th Article of Faith), and there will be people prepared to meet Him. It will happen, and will be on this land. (Ether 13: 5-6.) Any gentiles who are going to survive the coming calamities will need to flee there. (D&C 133: 12; 42: 9.)

3 Nephi 14: 7-8:

“Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”

Just after the caution to not give holy things to the unworthy, Christ reminds all of their obligation to ask, seek and knock. If you will ask it will be given to you. If you seek, you will find it. If you knock, things will be opened to you. But be careful not to give what is holy to the unworthy.

These ideas are related in two ways:

First, if you want what is holy, then stop being a “dog” or a “swine.” Ask, seek and knock.

Second, if you are one who is qualified and will receive holy things by your willingness to be repentant, then press forward by asking, seeking and knocking. If you do, the things which are most holy will be given.

“For every one that asketh, receiveth.” Really? Everyone? Even you? That is what Christ is saying. However, the manner in which you will receive is illustrated by “The Missing Virtue” in Ten Parables. Meaning that the effort to receive what you have asked the Lord could take nearly two decades, and a great deal of internal changing before you acquire what you lack. Receiving may include not only what you’ve asked to receive, but also everything you do not have in order to finally qualify to receive what you seek.

What do you associate with “findeth?” Does it suggest to you active effort, or passive receipt? To “find” something you are missing (even a small thing) what must you do? If searching is required to locate, then what do you suppose the Lord is implying by the word “findeth?”

What does it mean that “it shall be opened?” Does “opening” imply merely a view? Does it suggest also ‘entering in?’ If it opens to view, and you then fail to ‘enter in’ has “opening” been worthwhile? Has anything been accomplished? Does it suggest that there is activity required of someone who has something “opened” unto them?

It is my view that the words chosen all imply a burden upon the one who asks, seeks and knocks. They are not entitled to anything just by speaking the words. They must make the effort to search into and contemplate the things they seek. Then they must change and repent of everything amiss in their lives that is revealed to them. This is to be done before they can see what is to be shown to them. If, for example, a person wants to see the other side of the mountain, they can ask daily for a view to be opened to them without ever seeing the other side. But if the Lord prompts them to take the path to the top, the Lord has given them the means to “find” and “have opened” to them the very thing they seek. Provided, of course, they are willing to walk in the path to the top of the mountain. When they remain on the valley floor, asking or demanding more, they are not really asking, seeking and knocking. They are irritating and ungrateful. The Lord’s small means are capable of taking the one who seeks to the very thing they desire. (Alma 37: 7.) But without cooperation with Him they can receive nothing.

The Lord’s small means are how great things are brought to pass. (1 Ne. 16: 29.) But for some people the Lord’s answers are never enough. However, when the humble who ask, seek and knock follow Him in these small means, they will eventually stand in His presence and partake of eternal life. But not until they have done as all others have done before them. Faith is only replaced by knowledge when the faith is strong enough to rend the veil. At that point, there is no great advantage to the person who has already attained to this understanding by their faith. I’ve written about this in The Second Comforter. It is a true principle and remains true even today.