Question: You said (wrote), "Father has told his Son and his Son the Prophets of where we’re to be found,” what does this mean?
My Reply: Over the millennia of time the Father and the Son have spoken to their Prophets whether on this Earth – in the Pre-existence or on other worlds. These Prophets have then been given the responsibility and authority to teach, instruct, counsel, command, warn, discipline, and to direct the children of men on/in this world of their accountability. In this world which we call Earth – it has almost always been the Son who’s communed with the Prophets – and thus the Church is respectively called – His Church – or the Church of Jesus Christ and currently The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This communication is known as Continued Revelation – and can either be done in face to face – by messengers – or in visions. We know of each of these occurring in all of the Scriptures which still exist today throughout this world. This pattern is constant and true – for God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
The ‘where we’re to be found’ is included in every one of the Revelations – while some may be meant for a more specific group than another. These groups can be identified in various ways – but to simplify (which is always dangerous) – Christians – Non-Christians – which would be those who either profess a belief in Jesus Christ or they deny such a person or being. The Jews – would be another group – and then those who believe in a Supreme Being but cannot or do not clearly identify him/her or accept continued Revelations or better the communion between Deity and a man/woman. The last and the largest group would be those who’ve never heard of Jesus Christ and in their lifetimes of mortality are likely never to hear about him. Each of these groups would be accounted for those who’ve already lived and died while on this Earth.
Now for our greater understanding – the Christians are broken down into several groups – i.e. those who believe literally and those who do not – and finally those who don’t know which to believe. Addressing the second group first – those who don’t know what to believe or do not believe the Bible literally we call the various man-woman-made churches found in abundance around the world – today. Each of these has in common several things: first; the heavens are closed and the Holy Bible is all that is needed. Second; that there is a Jesus Christ – but with a belief in the Creeds of their particular faith he is undefinable. Third; there is no more current need for either a Prophet or Apostles or Continued Revelations. And finally, fourth; Anyone who does not believe in their assembled Creeds cannot be a Christian.
The group which do believe the Holy Bible literally (as long as correctly translated) are a very small group within the Christian community in that the remainder of Christians are told that they are not Christians at all but only a cult. To accept the Holy Bible literally means just that – what it says and what the Prophets and Apostles and the Savior and his Father have taught are literally true! Thus when the Savior says he is the Son of God – he means just that! When the heavens open and the Father says, “Behold this is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased,” we believe it is the Father speaking and not the Son. When Stephen or others say they saw the Heavens open and saw Jesus standing on the Right Hand of the Father – it is believed! That when the Savior says he goes to prepare a mansion for us – that is what he is going to do. That when it is said, “Husbands and wives are to be heirs together forever,” that is exactly what it means. That when the Prophets and Apostles are given the authority to ‘Seal on Earth what will be Sealed in Heaven’ that this is the marriage covenant made in the Temple of the Lord – for time and all eternity.
The main group or church which falls into believing the Bible literally is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thus by taking the Bible literally (as many of the translators had in mind when translating and sacrificing their very lives) the Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes quite simplified – such as a parent would want to teach their children to be able to return onto them and to be righteous. It is also significant that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – was restored to this Earth by the Father and the Son in 1820 – with their visit to Joseph Smith, Jr. outside of Palmyra New York. This fulfilled the Scriptures wherein the Apostles asked the Savior when he would return – and his reply was, “When he who sent me – comes with me again.” Thus, again – the heavens opened and Joseph Smith, Jr. saw two personages standing above him – one calling the other by name saying, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.”
This then comes to where we should be found – and how do we know it applies to us individually? When the Church was restored by the Father and the Son through Joseph Smith, Jr. called as a Prophet – he was given much to do. First, he translated the Book of Mormon – a second testimony of Jesus Christ and a record of those people who’d left the Middle East to come to the Americas. He then kept a record of all of the Revelations given to him and others (in his presence) called the Doctrine and Covenants. Next, he was given the task of editing the Old and New Testaments and then when presented with materials from Egypt (tomb robbers) he was able to translate the following: The Book of Moses and The Book of Abraham – to which he added his first vision and testimony and is called the Pearl of Great Price. Each of these Scriptures are for the sole purpose to give mankind instructions and edification into further light and knowledge to be able to return to our Heavenly Father once more.
Thus we should be found studying these Scriptures and applying them in our lives – this is both self-study and within groups. We should be seeking in prayer (individual) for our personal revelation which is needful for us to know what we should be doing and not doing. We should be found clean (morally and physically); truthful in all things; in the service of others righteously; living in full and perfect compliance with the multiple commandments from a loving God; and then doing as the Savior did by both example and practice – entering into baptism by one having authority (not from man but from God) – becoming worthy to attend the House of the Lord (or the Holy Temple) and striving to become as the Son – which he commanded us to do.
We should learn to accept the Scriptures literally – studying them out – to see what it is we need to know more fully. The Lord has said, “If you love me – keep my Commandments,” and this is what we should be about doing and found being. One can only do this if they study the Scriptures and know literally what these commandments are. We do know this that if one were to keep the first two great commandments – then they would be in obedience with all of the commandments. We also know that some need more guidance than others – while some need less – interestingly those who need less seek to know more – and therefore study more – and pray more for understanding.
Now nothing said above has not been said before – all is repetitive to one who seeks the clarity of the Scriptures – and to know the Will of the Father and the Son. It’s all very simple and understandable. There is no secret key – or hidden agendas – which the worldly would want one to believe – and understand there is no worldly cost involved – unless one considers that those who strive to do what is right for the right reason – will be attacked by the worldly – as was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One who loves the Father and the Son – i.e. keeps all of the commandments willingly and humbly – is loved by the Father and the Son and hated by the worldly. In these the latter-days – it will become worse for the righteous among the wicked (even those who are moderately so found).
The Prophets have told us what to expect in these Latter-days – Isaiah – Jeremiah – Mormon – Alma – Nephi – Samuel – Paul – John – Peter – Nahum – Malachi – Moses – Abraham – and those who live today – even Thomas S. Monson – and those who preceded him since the Restoration of the Church in these latter-days. Knowing what to expect – has also taught us how to prepare – and what we should be doing and where we should be found.
Many years ago – several things happened in my life – and I had choices to make. First, I had to decide if the Church was true – and if it was – why should I attend? This I found to be true – and I attended because the Church was true and not because of those who were there – I attended because it was true – everything else would take care of itself (and it has). Second, I was asked if I’d been offended yet? To which my instant reply was – ‘No one can offend me unless I choose to be offended,’ and I added, “unless one attacks my integrity or my families – then I will not be offended but I will do all in my power to correct the situation.” Some think me as hard because I don’t really care if anyone likes or dislikes me – loves or hates me – what I do care about is truth – and my covenants with Heavenly Father – and his love and his Son’s love for me. That it is nicer and easier to get along with those who like/love than those who dislike/hate – there is no doubt – but what matters most is to be found where I belong – doing what I’m to be doing – for the right reasons and in the right ways.
In the name of Jesus Christ – amen – c/ork
“To Be Found”
cji
3/25/12
(It’s the Sabbath Day
where are you today?
are you on your knees
bent in humble prayer?
Does your day begin/end
this way on every day?)
Thus was the Son sent
showing us each the way
our Sabbath to be spent
with his suffering to pay;
To be found in obedience
honoring his Father always
growing into pure innocence
each our paths never strays;
The instructions found in full
Scriptures plan and clear
to be found light to know
when the veil is very sheer!
Copyright © 2012 – cji
