The
test upon us is so multi-faceted and so complex that none of us can see the end
from the beginning. We are pushing ourselves up hill and that hill is
getting steeper by the minute. So many obstacles will appear in our path
back to God, some that will feel like they are going to destroy us or throw us
off track and some that we misinterpret and think that they are put in our path to keep us from damnation when in reality they are there to help us come closer
to God.
To
have all things in common: being in harmony or in common with the mind and will
of God. When a group of people are all in harmony with the mind and will
of God, then that group of people, no matter how small, have all things in
common, they are of one heart and one mind with God and now with each other.
There
are two tests right now that are affecting the majority of people who have woken up to their awful state and have separated or begun to separate from the LDS
Church: the temple and the scripture project/offered covenant.
The
temple: I understand concerns on not only the cost of the temple but also wondering if we even
need one. I understand the fears that it might turn out to be the most
costly, lavish temple in existence (research Solomon's temple, for an example). Those are valid concerns. If God commands
it to be built a certain way, a certain dimension, with certain materials, in a
certain location and it ends up being incredibly expensive, say the most
expensive temple built by man to date, how will we react? Will we declare the
temple not of God based on the cost of the project? Will the cost of the
project determine if Denver Snuffer is a "fallen" servant or a
"righteous" servant? One of the common mistakes those of us who
have "woken up” are making is that we are throwing everything that is
similar to the LDS Church out of our lives. One of the reasons that the LDS Church is
the great whore of all the earth is precisely because she mimics the real thing
so closely; there is a razor edge dividing the two which is why it is so
confusing and compelling.
The
scripture project/covenant: there are beginning to be more and more voices
against Denver Snuffer in this scripture project. Other men who claim to
have seen Christ who are turning many away from the path that Christ,
through His authorized servant, is trying to take people on. They
have some legitimate arguments. These men claim that Denver once was on
the right path with waking people up from their idolatry, but is now
"fallen" or "misguided" as he has turned the people towards
"covenanting with him" and not going to God directly. These men are
claiming that men do not make covenants, God does and that men do not need a temple,
they can rise up on their own and come back into God's presence without the aid
of a temple. These sentiments leave me wondering if people really read and
understand the teachings of Denver. It
would behoove anyone confused by these men to go back and study the scriptures
as well as Denver’s lectures and blog.
A
few weeks ago I was praying about some things in regards to the scripture
project. I received a clear answer that one of the many parts of the test
underway is for God to see who we, individually, will accept as God's
authorized servant. God revealed to me that many people have been back into
His presence and that He has other servants, but that he has only one
authorized servant at this time who has been commanded to do this scripture project. John the beloved and
the Three Nephites are authorized servants, and interestingly enough, John the Beloved's newly revealed testimony will be included in the new scriptures.
Common
consent, or to have all things in common begins with being in harmony, or
having commonality with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Part of
knowing the Lord is knowing the mind and will of the Lord and then doing it. If
God has sent an authorized servant to us today, then in order to be in common
with God means that we need to come to a harmony with Him on who He has
sent us and the messages coming through those individuals and then doing what
those servants ask of us.
The
tests are going to get harder and more difficult, the path steeper and
more difficult to climb. As we continue to strive to follow Christ, to be
One with Him, we need to trust Him, Jesus Christ, that He will not lead us
astray. He will never interfere with our agency. He has sent us a
servant who has power and authority and is above all else a teacher, that man's name is Denver Snuffer. I do
not believe that I can see Christ, that He will appear to me, if I reject His
authorized servant, because recognizing any and all servants He sends to me is
acknowledging and seeing God in my life.
When the flood is raging around you, keep holding on to Christ. Even if
you don't understand the obstacles He is placing before you and you can't see
the end from the beginning, hold on to Him. Continually pray that your
heart may be softened. Put your trust in
God. Love him.
We
are literally in a lone and dreary world. Like Adam and Eve we have been
praying for true messengers from the Father who can teach us words of eternal
life. Christ has sent us a true messenger. That messenger can help
guide us in our ascent back into the presence of God where we can talk
with Him face to face. The Children of Israel did not want to go up onto Mount Sinai to see God because it was terrifying; there were thunderings
and lightenings and earthquakes. The people thought they would suffer all
manner of pains and die. It is no different today. The tasks we are
asked to accomplish are getting harder and more difficult, the mountain is
being shaken. I, for one, keep being shaken. This has not been an
easy path for me. When the temple fund was finally announced, I balked.
I wanted nothing to do with it when I saw the suggested
donation amount on Go Fund Me. I took it to the Lord. He has
softened my heart. I do not understand yet what the end will be, but I
keep praying that He will guide me in this process. I had finally settled
down into some semblance of peace again when the scripture project/covenant was
announced. Once again, I was shaken. Once again, I have taken it to
the Lord and He has been good to me and answered just enough of my questions to
keep me going, but not so many that I can see the end. I still have
moments of struggle. I go to the Lord and to the scriptures at these
times. If anything, these obstacles present to us a chance to turn to the
Lord in all energy of our souls, to pray, plead, beg for answers and guidance and
comfort from Him.
A couple
of weeks ago my husband and I were reading Doctrine and Covenants.
In my head I was complaining about the length of the sections. The next
morning I was contacted and asked to submit something to the scripture committee
that I had previously written. I did not want to do it for several
reasons. I went to the Lord in prayer for an entire day and night. I
felt that I was supposed to send it in, but was uncomfortable with how long it
was (10 pages!), so I kept editing it, trying to cut it down in length.
As I would ask God for his help, he'd gently remind me that He was the
one who gave me the scriptures and quotes to begin with. I
kept complaining, "But, it's way too long." Christ gently let
me know that it hurt His feelings that I wouldn't want to hear from Him as much
as possible. Fast forward a couple of more days and I was praying and seeking
guidance on a different matter, the Lord was silent and I was getting
frustrated at His silence (which is usual for me) when he replied that I complain
when He talks too much (the length of the scriptures) and I complain when He talks
too little (not answering me personally). It was a gentle rebuke and offered me a
chance to repent. I was humble by it.
I
believe that the answers as well as the comfort and understanding we all seek
can be found in the scriptures and the teachings of God's authorized servants. If we are frustrated that God is "not talking to us" then go to the scriptures. He as spoken abundantly in them.
The
tests are upon us. The exciting, yet terrifying thing is: we get to
choose!
