Accepting an Offered Covenant

God extends covenants and mortals can either accept or reject them.

The Book of Mormon is a covenant book which was preserved by God to come forth in the last days in order to restore a covenant people.  It came forth by the power of God through Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1830.

It may be surprising to LDS Mormons today that the early Mormon converts never accepted the covenant offered by God through the Book of Mormon.  In fact, the early Saints were put under condemnation by 1832 for not taking seriously the things offered to them by God.

President Ezra Taft Benson reiterated that the Mormon Saints were still under this condemnation in the 1980’s. In his LDS General Conference address of April 1986 President Benson quoted from D&C 84:

“the Lord has stated in section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants that the whole Church is under condemnation: “And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.” (D&C 84:56.) The Lord continues: “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written.” (D&C 84:57.)

Raised Mormon during the time of President Benson this talk was a bit shocking and confusing to me.  I had assumed that the LDS Church was founded on the Book of Mormon as that was the book Joseph Smith had translated and which had begun the Church.  As I have learned more about LDS Church History it has been surprising to me to discover that it took Hugh Nibley campaigning in the 1960’s-1970’s before the leadership and membership of the LDS Church began to take the Book of Mormon seriously.

Recently I was speaking with a man named Paul Durham whose father was a leader in the Church Education Department (CES) in the 1960’s.  This man’s father was told by an Apostle of the LDS Church that because he believed in, loved and promoted the reading of the Book of Mormon he would never rise up in the CES department. He then went on to say that Hugh Nibley was tasked by the Lord to write Sunday School lessons based on the Book of Mormon, until that time there had never been any lessons based on this book.  Hugh would finish a lesson and send it in for approval and the lesson would be denied.  This happened over and over again.  Hugh became very frustrated and took his frustrations to the Lord. The Lord assured him that he needed to keep writing the lessons and that it would all be taken care of in time.  A short while later the apostle who was rejecting the lessons died and the apostle who took over chairing the lesson committee went on to approve them.

I grew up reading, studying and loving the Book of Mormon.  I am grateful for it and for the truths it has taught me.  Yet, I had no idea that it is a covenant book until just recently.  In March 2017, I attended the Doctrine of Christ Conference held in St. George, Utah.  During this conference it was put forth that the Lord was again ready to extend a covenant to a repentant people as long as they re-established His word through the scriptures.  Thus, a scripture project is underway to recover that which was lost through corruption and outright disregard for God’s revealed word in order that the Lord might once again offer a covenant to a repentant people.

“We are obligated to repent and return. We may not have created the problem, but we cannot expect God to accomplish the work of what He commanded for man to be do before. Others may have neglected it, but we cannot.

The first step in repenting is to gather the original covenant we were offered in the precise terms in which they were offered. That is a very difficult task that many people have been working to accomplish for over a year. There are lively efforts underway to research and find the right language.

Repentance requires us to first learn the actual language in the terms God provided when His restoration began. Our condemnation in 1832 was provoked by the failure to both “say” and to “do” what was expected of us when He spoke again and commenced the restoration.” Denver Snuffer Jr “Inquiry and Response” March 30, 2017

Today, the LDS Church promotes the Book of Mormon as “another Testament of Jesus Christ”.  While this is true (Jesus Christ is throughout the book), the Church does not teach that the book is a covenant book.  Even President Benson, when he said the church was still under condemnation, did not understand the exact nature of the condemnation.  The LDS Church is under condemnation because they have not remembered the new covenant, they have not even accepted the covenant nor do they even know about it.

In Isaiah’s day he stated, “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isaiah 24:5)  The LDS Church today has transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance and broken the everlasting covenant.

Let’s look at just a few of the laws and ordinances contained in the Book of Mormon which the LDS Church has broken:

1.   Baptism: Christ clearly sets out the words which are to be used for the baptismal prayer: “And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying:Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” (3 Nephi 11:24-25) In the 1830’s Oliver Cowdery changed the wording to “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ…” (D&C 20:73)

a.    In 3 Nephi 11:22-23 Christ sets out his Doctrine clearly, “And he said unto them: On this wise shall ye baptize; and there shall be no disputations among you. Verily I say unto you, that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words, and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them—Behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them.” Christ requires repentance and a desire to be baptized. That’s it!  Nothing more and nothing less. In the LDS Church today in order to receive baptism  one must agree to a list of demands such as committing to paying tithes, bearing “testimony” of the current President of the Church, etc. 

b.    Baptism by immersion is always the fruit of repentance.[1] Whenever a person desires to repent and turn to face God again baptism by immersion is a part of that process. This practice was done often in the early days of the Church.  Today it is taught that taking the Sacrament each week renews your baptismal covenant.  The only way you can be rebaptized by immersion is if you have been excommunicated from the Church and qualify yourself for baptism back into the Church. In fact, if you desire to be rebaptized while still a member of the Church after the manner practiced by early saints and as taught in the Book of Mormon you can be excommunicated. 

2.   Sacrament: Christ clearly sets out the emblems that should be used for the Sacrament in 3 Nephi 18: bread and wine.  Bread in remembrance of His body; Wine in remembrance of His blood.  As if to reinforce the correct emblems, in 3 Nephi 20 Christ again performs the sacrament for the people, this time providing the bread and wine miraculously.  Christ instructs the people that doing the sacrament with these emblems is a commandment from the Father.  In the LDS Church today wine has been replaced with water and if a person desires to partake of the sacrament in the way commanded by the Father they lose their temple recommend at best, membership at worst.  Not only has the Church changed the emblems of the sacrament they have also changed the words of the sacrament prayer from the word “wine” to the word “water”.

3.   Tithing: Tithing is supposed to go to the poor and the needy, not for the building of fine sanctuaries. (2 Nephi 28:13, 2 Nephi 13:14-15, 2 Nephi 20:2,30; 2 Nephi 26:20; Alma 1:27; Alma 5:55; 3 Nephi 13:1; Helaman 6:39; Helaman 4:12; Mormon 8:37)  Tithing was not obligatory but rather voluntary, it was based on how much money you had and the poor were exempt from paying it: “And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given. And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.” (Mosiah 18:27-28 as well as Mosiah 4:24,26; and Alma 1:27)

Today in the LDS Church tithing is mandatory for a temple recommend and is 10% of your income, no matter how much or how little money you earn, even if you cannot provide the basic necessities for your family.

4.    Marriage: Jacob 2 clearly teaches that polygamy is an abomination in the eyes of God and that no man should have more than one wife and that no woman should have more than one husband. Yet in the LDS Church, polygamy began being practiced secretly by Brigham Young and other members of the 12 and the Church.  Joseph Smith was not a polygamous nor did he teach the practice, however, as soon as Joseph died those secretly practicing it began doing so openly and then spread false rumors and lies about learning it from Joseph Smith Jr. The LDS Church has since abandoned the practice of polygamy, however, they continue to besmirch the character of Joseph Smith and many people in the Church believe that the practice of polygamy will be reinstated one day because Brigham Young taught that it was necessary for salvation in the highest degree of glory (Celestial Kingdom).

5.   Priestcraft: The Book of Mormon clearly teaches that there shall be no priesthcraft: “He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.” (2 Nephi 26:29) “But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.” (Helaman 13:27-28)

Those who labored to preach repentance to the people as priests unto them were to also labor for their substance: “And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength.” Alma 1:26

King Benjamin said, “And even I, myself, have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne—and of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day” (Mosiah 2:14)

In the LDS Church today all of the general leadership, as well as mission presidents, receive financial benefits in addition to other “club” perks. It was recently reported that an LDS apostle received a yearly salary of $120,000.[2] These men are seen as a light to the world and they do not seek the welfare of Zion.  By the Book of Mormon’s own definition priestcraft is rampant in the LDS Church today.

These are just a few of the ways that the LDS Church, which claims to have the fullness of the gospel, to believe in and follow the teachings in the Book of Mormon, has corrupted the laws and ordinances in that sacred book of scripture.

I believe in the Book of Mormon.  I believe it means what it says.  I desire to be considered by God a repentant gentile and to enter into and strive to keep any covenants offered by Him including the covenant of the Book of Mormon.

Denver Snuffer Jr stated: “But if even a tiny few gentiles are willing to accept the covenant, God will receive them and accomplish His work through them. It was always the Lord’s expectation that “few” would receive it and walk in a straight and narrow path. Almost all others will reject it and walk in a broad enough path to accommodate every other false religious idea, false promise, incomplete and damning path that competes with the Lord’s invitation to come to Him. But if even a few will accept it, those who do will become at that time part of the covenant people of God, numbered with the remnant, and entitled to inherit this as their land. In turn, God will protect them. If they abide the covenant, He will establish a New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge. His glory and terror will be there, and the wicked will not come unto it.”[3]

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[1] 2 Nephi 31:13, 14, 17; 3 Nephi 7:24, 26; 3 Nephi 11:32-40;Moroni 6:1, 4; Moroni 8:10, 25

[2] https://mormonleaks.io/newsroom/2017-01-09-mormonleaks-releases-4-documents/

[3] Teaching, Denver Snuffer, Jr March 24, 2017

Words of a True Messenger

This weekend my husband and I took one of our daughters and her husband down to St. George, Utah for the Doctrine of Christ General Conference.  We were richly fed in spirit and in friendship. God has been so good to us.  He has brought light and truth into our lives with an added bonus of wonderful people.

Saturday was focused on relationships and spirituality versus religiosity, ascension and the pathway to God. A new version of the scriptures was presented with the idea that we have 6 months to read and review them before we vote on whether or not we will sustain them as binding on us as the covenant, law and commandments from God.

After the conference we bought some wine, bread and cups and hiked up Snow Canyon where a group of us assembled to partake of the sacrament and look at the stars.

Sunday was a pure spiritual feast as we listened to a true messenger, sent from the Lord, to teach us, Denver Snuffer, Jr. as he expounded on the new version of the scriptures, the need for a sustaining vote on the scriptures as well as more information about a future temple which will need to be built in order that God can have a house in which He can dwell here on the earth.  

There was so much information, knowledge and wisdom taught.  I am looking forward to the written version of the talks being made available on the Doctrine of Christ website in order that I may study them in more depth.  

You can find them at this link: http://www.doctrineofchristconference.com/ under past conferences.

What's in a Name?

What’s in a name?

Name /nām/

noun

1. a word or set of words by which a person, animal, place, or thing is known, addressed, or referred to.

synonyms:          designation, honorific, title, tag, epithet, label

The power of a name and its value has long been immortalized in prose, poetry, and religious ceremony.  William Shakespeare’s character Juliet soliloquizes, “"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  Yet, when one hears the word, or name, “Rose” an associated image of either a person or a flower immediately enters one’s mind.

So what’s in a name?  It is after all just a way we define a person so that we can tell them apart from someone else.  Names are simply arbitrary labels, yet everyone recognizes himself or herself by a name. It’s the heart of the individual that we should be taking notice of and their fruits whereby we may know them. These are the things that truly define a man.

Throughout scripture prophets, true messengers, even angels are recognized by their name.  These men lived with purpose, determination, courage and criticism and loneliness. They had such profound effect on their sphere of influence in this world that their lives, and their names, continue to be known in history today.

 

Adam, Seth, Enoch, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem (better known as Melchizedek), Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim.  These men are known as the Patriarchal Fathers.  The Fathers whom, as children, we need to turn our hearts to in order that the entire earth will not be wasted at Christ’s coming. As we study their lives and their teachings we come to know their hearts and their fruits. We can measure and judge whether these men were pretenders or if they lived by every word that proceeded forth from the mouth of God.  These “litmus tests” were not just given to us in order to judge men who are long dead. We can use them in order to judge men who are currently living. It is our responsibility and our right to choose if we want to be followers of greater righteousness and who we turn our hearts to.

Today we live in a world full of pretenders yet God still loves his children.  Because we are all wanderers in a lone and dreary world and because it is so easy to be deceived by those who are willing to be paid to preach to us the philosophies of men mingled with scripture it is imperative to seek for true messengers from the Father to teach us.  When we find someone who claims to be a true messenger, we must test the message. It is our responsibility to choose between truth and error. I believe that the Heavens are open again today and that in order to help His children rise up God has sent  a “wild man”[1] among us crying repentance, turning the hearts of the children to Christ and to the (Patriarchal) Fathers, faithfully teaching the words Christ has given him as His servant and bearing an unusual name.  His message has been given to him by Christ.  If you will hear it you will hear the voice of Christ.[2]

Yesterday this man boldly claimed on his website that he is a true messenger, sent from the Father to teach us.  I believe him.  I have read every word this man has written and listened to every lecture he has given and I have found his teachings full of light and truth.  I have found that I am less judgmental and more loving.  I have found that I understand the scriptures more fully.  I have found that I have more of a desire to help the poor.  I have a greater desire to be connected to the patriarchal fathers.  And most importantly I have a greater understanding and desire to follow the path that my Lord and Savior has set forth.  You can read Denver Snuffer’s claims here: http://denversnuffer.com/2017/02/opposing-christian-sects/

It has been said that if “you be noble, and if you are faithful, and if you are true, and if you leave witnesses here among us, it just may be that in some other day, when some other rough challenge like this, is put to the test, and we are all asked, ‘Whom should the Lord send?’ That some of us will look at one of you and say. ‘I trust him! I trust her! I know that she will remain true and faithful. I know that he will do so likewise.’ Because it will be a great while after we have departed this life, before we will have attained to everything that is necessary in order to rise up.” [3]

Let us all continue to pray for and seek true messengers from our Father to teach us that we may understand and know how to worship, and know what we worship, that we may come unto the Father in Christ's name, and in due time receive of his fulness. (paraphrase of Doctrine and Covenants 93:19)

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[1] Moses 6:38

[2] John 10:27-28

[3] Snuffer, Denver C. 40 Years in Mormonism, Lecture 9 “Marriage and Family”

What is a Prophet?

What is a prophet?

Most of the Christian world today believes in prophets of the Bible but do not believe that there have been any prophets since the days of the New Testament.

LDS Mormons believe that they are led by a prophet today.

What is a prophet, do they exist today and why do we need them?

The scriptures were given by revelation from God and were, in large part, written by men who knew God. According to scripture the definition of a prophet is a man who has entered into the presence of God and has direct communication with Him, it is a man who has repented, called upon God in the name of the Son, received mercy, been redeemed from the Fall of Adam and entered into the Rest of the Lord.

Redeemed: brought back into the presence of the Lord.

Rest of the Lord: to enter the fullness of His glory, to see His Face and to Know that He lives!

The Bible for Christians and the Book of Mormon for LDS Mormons are full of examples of men who have had this experience:  Adam down through the patriarchs; Jesus Christ down through the apostles; Lehi down through Moroni.  These men were called by God, not by men; they were ordained by God and not by men.

Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire. And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch, It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God; And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name. (Genesis 14:26-29 Inspired version of the Bible)

Once a man has entered into the presence of the Lord he then labors to cry repentance to the people, teaching them that they also can receive mercy, be redeemed and enter into the Rest of the Lord.  These men do not point to themselves. They do not fair sumptuously while poor Lazarus starves.  They do not set themselves up as a light to the World.  They point to Christ!  For there is none other whereby man can be saved but by and through the Savior, Jesus Christ!

Do prophets exist today and if so why do we need them?

The bible gives us a litmus test for prophets: by their fruits ye shall know them.  If the bible gives us a litmus test, then it must necessarily follow that there will be both false and true prophets that we will need to discern between in our lifetime.

Therefore, it is up to each of us to study the words and teachings of men and choose for ourselves if he is a prophet. How can we know? By their fruits we shall know them.  What are the fruits of a prophet?  The man will have words of eternal life.  His words will be delicious to the taste. They will point us to Christ and by following their words we will receive mercy and be able to stand in Christ’s presence while still in mortality. Prophets cannot give us salvation.  Prophets cannot forgive us of sin.  The only thing a prophet can do is show us the way back into the presence of Christ where we will then receive salvation and forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the prophets of the Bible.  I believe in the prophets of the Book of Mormon. I have studied the words of Joseph Smith, Jr and have found him to be a prophet.  Joseph Smith taught that it is the first principle of the Gospel to know that we can speak to God face to face and that this is not a blessing reserved for the elite but is offered to all mankind, even as many as will. (TPJS pg. 345)

I have studied the words of the men which the Mormons claim to be prophets since the time of Joseph Smith, Jr and have found for myself that they are pretenders.  From Brigham Young down to Thomas Monson today, none of these men have entered into the presence of the Lord, none of them have words of eternal life. They are the blind leading the blind and all will end up in the ditch.

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Therefore, we can trust God that there are prophets among us today.  If we are seeking this Jesus of whom the prophets testify then we must seek for true messengers from the Father to teach us.  They are out there. God follows patterns.  God calls the humble, the fishers, the carpenters, the farm boys.  It is generally said of a prophet, “a wild man has come among us.”

The Lord has promised that:

It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am (Doctrine and Covenants 93:1)

And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen. (Ether 12:41)

I am seeking this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written.  I am seeking for words of eternal life. I am seeking for true messengers from the Father to teach me. I have found some and their fruits are delicious to the taste. I hope to continue to find more.  Their words serve to turn me to face Christ, to repent and to be baptized.  Their words give me an increase in faith. Their words give me a more correct understanding of the character, perfections and attributes of God. I am indebted to the revelations which God has given to us for a correct understanding of His character, perfections, and attributes. Because without the revelations which He has given to us, no man by searching could find out God (see Job 11;7–9). “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Cor 2:9–1 1).

Malachi 3, part 5

Malachi 3:10

 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith 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.

What does the Lord mean by the statement, “I will open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it”? When a window is opened one can see inside to what was previously closed off.  Could it be that the windows of heaven are a sort of “veil” that separates us from the presence of God? Could the opening of heaven’s windows be the actuality of the veil parting and allowing an individual to see Angels, Jesus Christ, God the Father and the hosts of Heaven?[1] Joseph Smith, Jr. taught: “Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject.”[2] If the windows of heaven were opened to you would you feel that you “had not room enough to receive it”?  Joseph Smith, Jr also taught that if we live up to our privileges the angels cannot be restrained from being our associates.[3]  Many people who have had the windows of heaven opened unto them have described that for weeks afterwards they were filled to overflowing with love and peace towards all mankind.  Joseph Smith, Jr. recorded in his own hand the following account:

…I cried unto  the Lord for mercy for there was none else to whom I could go and  to obtain mercy and the Lord heard my cry in the wilderness and while in <the> attitude of calling upon the Lord <in the 16th year of my age> a piller of  fire light above the brightness of the sun at noon day  come down from above and rested upon me and I was filled  with the spirit of god and the <Lord> opened the heavens upon  me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me saying  Joseph <my son> thy sins are forgiven thee. go thy <way> walk in my  statutes and keep my commandments behold I am the  Lord of glory I was crucifyed for the world that all those  who believe on my name may have Eternal life <behold> the world  lieth in sin and at this time and none doeth good no  not one they have turned asside from the gospel and  keep not <my> commandments they draw near to me with their  lips while their hearts are far from me and mine anger  is kindling against the inhabitants of the earth to visit  them acording to thir ungodliness and to bring to pass  that which <hath> been spoken by the mouth of the prophets and Ap[o]stles behold and lo I come quickly as it [is?] written of me in the cloud <clothed> in the glory of my Father  and my soul was filled with love and for many days I  could rejoice with great Joy and the Lord was with me…[4]

Malachi 3:11-12

 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

This is Zion, a place which will be delightsome, productive, plentiful and blessed.  The people will be of one heart and one mind, they will dwell in righteousness and there will be no poor among them[5]. Zion will be a place of refuge for those who refuse to take up arms against their neighbors. The residents of Zion will be blessed because “…they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”[6]

Malachi 3:13-15

 13 ¶Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?

 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?

 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

The leaders of various institutional churches believe that through their ordinances, their rites and their traditions they are serving, preaching and teaching faith in Jesus Christ and salvation through him.  However, 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.”[7]  Teachings have crept into modern religion which tell us there is no hell; and not to worry because “odds are everyone is going to be exalted”.[8]  The most destructive teaching by far is that there is no need to see the face of Christ in mortality, to have the windows of heaven opened unto you, individually and personally.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints even went so far as to state in a talk to LDS members in Boise, Idaho in 2015,”Of course, all of the righteous desire to see the face of the Savior, but, the suggestion that this must happen in mortality is a familiar tactic of the adversary.” [9]  It is a fascinating concept that individuals who claim that they have a deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ believe that they do not need to see him until the here-after.  Why would someone not want to see Christ?  He has said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”[10]  Christ warns those Church leaders who teach that it is unnecessary to see Him in this life, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”[11] And again in Luke 11:52 Christ exclaims, “Woe unto you, lawyers! For ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.”  Christ calls these types of leaders, “blind” and taught, “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”[12]

What is a seeker of Truth to do then?[13]  How can we open the Windows of Heaven and see Christ?  Evidence shows that perspectives, rules, traditions, expectations, assumptions and practices often serve as barriers that keep us from encountering the living God.[14] Therefore, it matters how we practice our faith.  We can begin by opening our eyes to false traditions, men and ideas that have become idols; learning and understanding the true nature of God; developing faith in him, supplicating him and then waiting patiently on him.  In the Lectures on Faith 3:2-5, Joseph Smith, Jr. taught:

2 Let us here observe, that three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

3 First, The idea that he actually exists.

4 Secondly, A correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes.

5 Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will.—For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding, it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Denver Snuffer, Jr. wrote a first -hand, modern account as a guidebook to aid those seeking to come back into the presence of the Lord.  It is titled The Second Comforter: Conversing with the Lord through the Veil, published in 2006. 

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[1] See http://www.immanuelapproach.com/2012/08/15/people-in-scripture-who-saw-god-appendix-5/  Since the New Testament scores of others have seen God and the Heavenly Hosts; the following is a sampling and is not an exhaustive list: numerous individuals written about in the Book of Mormon, Joan of Arc, St. Francis of Asisi, Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Denver Snuffer, Jr., etc.

[2] Burton, Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith1977; History of the Church 6:50; Smith Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, published 1938;  Ehat & Cook The Words of Joseph Smith 9 October 1843, page 254

[3] Burton, Alma P Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith 1977

[4] Smith, Joseph, Jr. historical account of his first of many visions of the Lord, Jesus Christ, written circa 1832; see the following link http://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paperSummary/history-circa-summer-1832?p=1#!/paperSummary/history-circa-summer-1832&p=3; spelling and grammar kept as original; italicized and bold added for emphasis

[5] Moses 7:18

[6] Jeremiah 31: 34; Joseph Smith taught that “the ancient prophets (Jeremiah, for one) foretold it - "when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the least to the greatest" (History of the Church, 3:380).  The Prophet Joseph Smith said that this promise has reference to personal revelation, to a visitation of the Lord to an individual (see History of the Church, 3:381); for extensive writings and teachings on the subject of Zion see DenverSnuffer.com (search Zion) as well as his numerous books and lecture series

[7] Joseph Smith History 1:19; Matthew 15:7-8 (Holy Scriptures Inspired Version); Matthew 15:7-9 (KJV); Smith, Robert Teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men, Tradition in Modern Mormonism 2015; Viola and Barna, Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of our Church Practices, 2012

[8] 2 Nephi 28:8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

Gaskill, Alonzo L Odds are you’re going to be Exalted, Evidence that the Plan of Salvation Works, 2008

[9] To hear Elder Oaks talk in its entirety go here: http://mormonstories.org/boise-rescue-oaks-turley/; this quote begins just after the 1 hour mark.

[10] Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

[11] Matthew 23:13 (KJV); Matthew 23: 10 (Holy Scriptures, Inspired Version)

[12] Matthew 15:14 (KJV)

[13] Jesus Christ is the TRUTH: John 14:16 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[14] Viola and Barna Pagan Christianity: Exploring the Roots of our Church Practices, 2012 pg. xxxii-xxxiii

Malachi 3, part 3

Malachi 3:6-7

6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

God is an unchangeable being; if he were changeable he would cease to be God.[1]  Therefore, what He commanded, taught, expounded and required at one time is true still today.[2] Covenants, blessings and promises He extended in one time period He will extend in ours.  We need to qualify ourselves; we need to be ready for the day when the covenants and ordinances are re-established. The Sons of Jacob are literal descendants of Jacob, son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham.  As such they have a right to the blessings (and the curses) which stem from the covenant God established with Abraham.  In these verses Christ is warning them that they have ALL gone astray from His ordinances, even from the days of their fathers, Father Abraham, Father Isaac and Father Jacob/Israel, yet Christ continues to extend mercy unto them; He promises them that they will not be consumed if they will repent and return unto Him.[3]

The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost promised here (2 Nephi 31:17) is given without man’s involvement, comes from heaven, is promised by both the Father and the Son. It is a signal of redemption, purification and holiness. It is included in the “gate” for entering into God’s presence.  For God is a “consuming fire” and those who enter into that presence must be able to endure that fire. (Heb. 12: 29; see also Deu. 4: 24.)  Without the capacity to do so, a person would be consumed by the flames. (Lev. 10: 1-2.)[4]

Jesus Christ wants us to repent and turn and face him.  He is speaking to all of us, but primarily to the leaders of the churches that profess to know his name, those who have transgressed the laws and changed his everlasting ordinances.[5] By changing the ordinances the leaders have led people away from Christ.  Christ is extending the invitation to return to Him; His promise is that once we do so He will return to us.  This is referring to coming back into the literal presence of the Savior and is not limited to feeling His presence in your heart![6] How can we return unto Him?  Is it possible to know, understand and observe, in the correct manner as far as is revealed, the laws and ordinances contained in the scriptures so that we might return unto Him in order that He might return unto us?  Can we do so as an individual, outside of an organized religious institution? Does doing so require courage?  Does doing so require that we choose between the Lord and the leaders of our churches? Doctrine and Covenants 93:1 “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;” this invitation is extended to every soul as God is no respecter of persons.[7] 

In Malachi 3:6-7 Christ explains that when this invitation is extended to the church leaders they will reply “Wherein shall we return?”  In their pride and loftiness church leaders presume that they are observing all the laws, rites and ordinances necessary for salvation. 

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[1] Jehovah — The covenant or proper name of the God of Israel. It denotes the “Unchangeable One,” “the eternal I Am” (Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isa. 12:2; 26:4)

[2] Doctrine and Covenants 20:17 By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them

[3] Snuffer, Denver “Abraham’s Sons”  April 15, 2014 Last night I was awakened by this: Did not Ishmael and Isaac mourn together and bury their father Abraham? Was not their father’s blood precious unto them both? Does not the blood of Abraham run in both Isaac and Ishmael? Does not the blood of Abraham run in both Esau and Jacob? Let Ishmael today find the blood of his father, Abraham, precious still. Let Isaac likewise today find the blood of his father, Abraham, precious again. For Abraham’s sake, let all the brothers who descend from Abraham now mourn when Abraham’s blood is spilled by any of his descendants. If Abraham’s sons do not find his blood to be precious still, there remains nothing between them but the shedding of Abraham’s blood. For all his sons who fail to find Abraham’s blood to be precious will be held to account by God, who will judge between the sons of Isaac and the sons of Ishmael, the sons of Esau and the sons of Jacob for father Abraham’s sake, with whom God covenanted. The sons of Abraham will not be permitted to continue this disregard of their common father’s blood without provoking God, who will soon judge between Abraham’s sons.

[4] Snuffer, Denver “2 Nephi 31:17” August 28, 2010

[5]Isaiah 24:5-6 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. (KJV)

[6] John 14:23 (KJV) and Doctrine and Covenants 130:3 The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false.

[7] Acts 10:34-35: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. (KJV)