“Of A
Greater Concern” cji 12/31/12
What is
the purpose of seeking to know which Church to join? What should be the criteria?
Can we ever really know if there is a Church led by the Father and the Son – as
in the days of Adam, Noah, Enoch, Moses, Jacob, Abraham, and most importantly
in the meridian of time as organized by the Savior Jesus Christ? Is there actually supposed to be a Church
with divine authority – communications and revelations ongoing – Prophets,
Apostles, Seventies and all other parts of what is known as the Church of Jesus
Christ as described by Paul? For those who feel these questions have relevance to
their lives – their family’s lives – and their eternal salvation then one must
find the truth for themselves.
I can
promulgate that these are important questions and all revolve and have genesis
from a full and complete reading of the Old and New Testaments. For without the
full and truthful answers can we know what we are to be doing in this
life. Too many are found in the struggle
of day to day living – over 90% of the world’s population will be born – live
and die without every knowing about Jesus Christ – the Bible or other
Scriptures. Yet when one reads the Bible
and other Scriptures none of these will be denied the blessings of the
Atonement and the Resurrection. Yet within the 10% who do hear about the Savior
and His acts on our behalf many are taught that the 90% are damned. Which is
correct? One being saved from the Spiritual death of this world (whether
hearing or not hearing); or only being saved if you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as
your Savior? The Scriptures were quite
clear in defining mortality as the test for all.
Satan in
his presentation to be the one who ‘ran’ this world testified that none would
be lost! While the Savior offered to be the Atonement for the sins of the world
for all who dealt in mortality. Both
were inclusive of all! In contracts –
All means everything – and in Egyptian ‘all’ means all you can see or know
about – and everything you cannot see or know about. Thus if all are to be
given the blessings of the Atonement and Resurrection – then it is very
important that we understand the Bible (even in its revised and changed state
from the original teachings of the Prophets) and other Scriptures. Sadly, too many read not who’ve the ability
to read and understand only what ‘books’ tell them to understand under the
interpretations of men and women who’ve gone to schools to learn what is
Politically Correct to teach to be in line with the Creeds (a mixture of
rhetorical Greek philosophy and some Scripture).
All of
the above is the repetitive ‘words’ which for centuries found life and death in
the balance of the ones discussing. Many
who questioned the teachings of the various churches since the 2nd
Century to present day were put to death. Even today in many nations due to
different beliefs many are put to death. 9/11 was no accident – it was the
putting to death of those who didn’t believe as the Jihadists believed. Murder in the name of religion has long been
the best means of conversion to another’s belief system. In the 3rd
and 4th Centuries – the great St. Augustine approved of this means
of conversion.
When the
remains of Holy Scripture was being brought to the light of those other than
the monks and other so called holy men – thousands and thousands were murdered
– including women and little children (history is replete with this
documentation). Those who did the early
translations were put to death – the list is long but most notably headed by
William Tyndale – whose writings make up over 80% of the KJV of the Bible.
William Tyndale was first strangled and then burnt at the stake!
America
is not free from such religious persecution. In the earliest days of the
settling of the eastern coast of the what is today the United States – there
were witch hunts, burning at the stake, and other punishments for those who did
toe the politically correct teachings. Interestingly this was the same reason
many had left Europe due to religious persecution. Well into the 1800’s and
1900’s this has continued to be part and parcel of religion in the US. Even
today in the 21st Century the attacks on religion and beliefs of
virtue, honestly, integrity, morals, values, prayer, and the Bible are under
constant attack. And as before much of the contention begins with the various
clergy – and then government intervenes.
So why
is it important for each of us individually to seek the truth? We know that
most of the earth’s population will never have this opportunity – so why having
this opportunity need to know? There is a scripture, “Where much is given, much
is expected,” which applies to those who can read, write, learn, study, have
available the resources and other means of discerning between truth and
fiction. If we do not avail ourselves of all of these materials and
opportunities instead going the way of the politically correct world we will be
accounted for doing nothing on our own salvation. If just being saved is enough
there is no work on our part to earn eternal life and therefore it is
acceptable for us to be found in other than the Celestial Kingdom (as referred
to by Paul).
However,
if it is important to us then we find that which is of a greater concern. Achieving Eternal Life with the Father and
Son – living in their presence – having our families to be forever and ever
with us and receiving every blessing covenanted to by our Father in
Heaven.
What is
of a greater concern? Let me first
describe an account of what is not taught and usually taught wrong if
taught. There is a Church on this earth
that few have enjoined with. There have
been rumors and innuendos and all kinds of persecution. They were driven from their residences on
numerous occasions; murdered, raped, little children killed (including infants)
and the government where they lived did nothing to intervene! Indeed some of
the various local governments encouraged this treatment. Some issued
extermination orders – others sent militias to disarm and therefore make it
more convenient to commit crimes against them. Eventually they were driven far
from the nation in which they began – losing their citizenship – homes – and
all they had. Even the local and national clergy railed against and today in
some places it is still true.
As we
continue to look at this Church we find a group of members who were denied the
Priesthood and could not partake of the Temple and other ordinances after their
baptisms. Yet they joined – some walking hundreds of miles to join the Church –
and most even today are the most devout members. The media slammed this Church
as being racist, discriminating and otherwise using the claim, “this Church is
of the Devil and not God!” Yet those denied this rights of membership continued
to join – even in faraway nations those denied these ordinances joined.
Why? It
would seem ridiculous to enjoin to a Church where you could have no role as
seen by the world and worldly. This is what is of greater concern! To enjoin
yourself into the Church established and restored to the earth knowing of its
truthfulness – and being baptized and confirmed a member – then given the gift
of the Holy Ghost is all that is needful or was needful for these members if
they stayed worthy to their baptismal covenant for eternal life and
salvation!
How many
realize that the purpose of mortality is to return to the presence of our
Heavenly Father? Yes there are two other
tangible reasons; to gain a physical body of flesh and bone and to endure our
mortal probation in worthiness. But the
single most important aspect of mortality is to return to our Father in Heaven
– to be in His presence as is His Son with a body of flesh and bone and to have
our loved ones with us there. This group
of people understood the importance of enjoining – and remaining true to their
covenants made at baptism is all that was needful for them.
The
screams and ranting’s of the worldly matter not in the terms of why we are
here, where we came from and where we might be going. What matters is being
worthy! Whether you were born in the 4th
to the 19th Century when the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
was not found on this earth or in any of the windows of earthly history when
this was the circumstances – being worthy is the key – of the greater concern
to everyone who seeks to return to Heavenly Father – even if they are not
taught about Him or His Son in their mortality.
In the
Scriptures we read and can discern that the Father and the Son are unchanging
the same yesterday, today and forever. They are fair! There is no deceit or
beguiling in anything they say or do.
The Father wrote the Plan of Salvations for this Earth – we in a meeting
in the pre-existence voted on and approved this Plan. Satan and one-third of the host of Heaven
rebelled and were thrown out of the pre-existent world – never to receive a
body of flesh and bone and therefore never to return to the presence of
Heavenly Father.
Can we
comprehend what we read? Can we put aside prejudices and false teaching to
discern what is of greater concern? Or
will we remain fixated on the teachings of men and women – accepting nothing
more than being spirit angels playing harps? Or can we read for ourselves the
promises and teachings of the Holy Bible and other Scriptures?
What is
of greater concern to us? Making a house payment – driving a new car – enjoined
in worldly lusts and pleasures – and generally being as much animal as
human? These are choices which only a
human can make – with their ability to reason and discern truth from
fiction. One can abdicate this to
another – but they will still be accountable and responsible for their own
salvation.
With the
understanding there are many very good and worthy persons – doing the right
things for the right reasons. Just not willing to be obedient to all of the
Commandments, Laws and Statutes as found in the Bible and other Scriptures.
What’s wrong with going to football game on Sunday? Or stealing a pen or pencil
from the work place? Or passing on a rumor? Or murmuring against a sustained
leader? Or any of the myriad ways one can commit sin? Still and all good people don’t kill/murder –
or commit adultery – or spread false rumors – lie/cheat/steal – do they?
If it is
worthiness that is of the greater concern – then one to be worthy doesn’t even
have to know about the Father and the Son!
Throughout history we can find millions if not billions who are worthy
persons – they love their families – give service to others – live clean and
moral lives and choose to do good and avoid evil. There is no culture in the history of mankind
where this truth cannot be found. All
men and women who’ve attained the age of eight (8) years old can discern
between right and wrong; good and evil; virtue and vice and know they’re the
one making their own choices.
(Note:
one must always remember little children cannot do commit evil – and any other
of the worldly vices be accountable for – this was and is the fault of those
who raised them. Little children –
0-7.1199999999 return to Heavenly Father’s presence immediately upon their
death. The same is true about those who
are mentally unable to understand – even after the age of eight (8) years
old. We’ve a fair and just God – not one
who discriminates against any of His children.)
Thus,
for those able to read this and myself – we’ve had much given and much is
expected. We’ve harder and more
difficult choices to make within our agency in our mortal probation. We thus can choose to ignore that which of
greater concern – our worthiness to return to Heavenly Father and continue in
the worldly thinking of two choices: first, that there is nothing after this
life so nothing matters (atheism or evolutionism); or that there is something
after this life but it is a mystery or only to be found as administering angels
and we’ll only have spiritual bodies!
These are the two choices of the worldly – they have to be for anything
else it requires one having authority from the Father or the Son (almost always
in this earth from the Son) for their baptism and other ordinances of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If one
decides that men and women – the creeds of men and women – the philosophies of
men and women are more valid than the literal teachings of the Scriptures (in
their fullness) – then they’ve made the choice of not caring to earn the right
to return into the presence of their Heavenly Father. This is a willing choice
– which each mortal being has the right to make – for remember there is no
coercion in the Plan of Salvation. Then
each individual can set aside the Scriptures – discontinue their search and
accept as found in Peggy Lee’s song, “Is That All There Is.” Too many have chosen this path in our present
day – being politically correct in both their lives and their beliefs.
Or in
coming full circle are these following questions important to each of us? What
is the purpose of seeking to know which Church to join? What should be the
criteria? Can we ever really know if there is a Church led by the Father and
the Son – as in the days of Adam, Noah, Enoch, Moses, Jacob, Abraham, and most
importantly in the meridian of time as organized by the Savior Jesus
Christ? Is there actually supposed to be
a Church with divine authority – communications and revelations ongoing –
Prophets, Apostles, Seventies and all other parts of what is known as the
Church of Jesus Christ as described by Paul? For those who feel these questions
have relevance to their lives – their family’s lives – and their eternal
salvation then one must find the truth for themselves.
If the
above paragraph is important to us – as it was who were denied some of the
ordinances in their membership to such a Church – then we need to read and
study the scriptures where one will find the promises of eternal life. There is such a Church – as the final
dispensation as declared by the Savior in His teachings to the Apostles and
Disciples in His mortality and resurrected being taught and all of the Prophets
have taught throughout written and oral history. Indeed these same teachings have been round
the world to all nations, kindred’s and tongues. It is there for those who seek to find it.
Remember the rich man who sought to follow the Savior?
Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master,
what shall I do to inherit aeternal
life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is
agood,
save one, that is, God.
20
Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit aadultery,
Do not bkill,
Do not steal, Do not bear cfalse
witness, dHonour
thy father and thy mother.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet
lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the apoor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
24
And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they
that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Are
we found such as this rich man was found?
If so what will be our choice – I’ve seen many come and go – joining for
the truth – and then influenced by the worldly leaving to be found politically
correct and welcomed. And finally what
is known about the worldly and seeking the full truth is found in Doctrine and
Covenants 121:34-40:
Doctrine and Covenants 121:34 Behold, there are many acalled,
but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their ahearts
are set so much upon the things of this bworld,
and caspire
to the dhonors
of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the arights
of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that
the powers of heaven cannot be bcontrolled
nor handled only upon the cprinciples
of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we
undertake to acover
our bsins,
or to gratify our cpride,
our vain ambition, or to exercise control or ddominion
or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness,
behold, the heavens ewithdraw
themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen
to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to akick
against the pricks, to bpersecute
the saints, and to cfight
against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the anature
and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little bauthority,
as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise cunrighteous
dominion.
40
Hence many are called, but afew
are chosen.
What
is of greatest concern is what we believe to be our priorities in this
mortality? Nothing will coerce one into
to seeking knowledge, light or truth.
Nothing will coerce you into having sincere prayer, seeking the guidance
of the spirit or to feel the good. In
fact the worldly will teach one not to seek or do any of the above! For the adversary has every tool at his
disposal – lacking none with the exception that he cannot tempt a mortal being
beyond his ability to resist temptation – otherwise saying he cannot force
anyone to choose to be evil, wrong or deny the Holy Ghost.
Everything
is available to those who seek it with a pure heart, real intent and a contrite
spirit. Common sense and reason – will
make clear all that one needs to know of the things of the greater concern. For
as found in James 1:5-6 – such knowledge, light and truth is available to all:
Jame 1:5 aIf
any of you lack bwisdom,
let him ask of God, that cgiveth
to all men liberally, and dupbraideth
not; and it shall be given him.
6
But let him aask
in bfaith,
nothing cwavering.
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Each
have choices to make – we can like those who could only enjoin in baptism,
confirmation and receiving of the Holy Ghost – then to live worthy to receive
(having earned the right) all of the blessings covenanted to with the Father
and the Son. Or for those who will never
see this or hear of Heavenly Father or the Savior Jesus Christ (in the
fullness) be found worthy to learn and accept these teaching after their mortal
probation during the millennial time.
Remember after the crucifixion Jesus went and taught in the Spirit World
– if then why not always? None who’ve lived in mortality on this earth will be
denied hearing the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ taught to them – all
will hear it – if not in this life in the life hereafter.
Those
who’ve the availability to have heard it in this life and have not embraced it
fully – i.e. full obedience to all of the Commandments, Laws and Statutes
(remember there are many more than just the ten); then they will have their
reward – one of the two worldly options mentioned above. Sadly most of those
who’ve been alive when the fullness of the Gospel has been upon this earth
(we’re in the 7th and last dispensation now) have rejected the
fullness of the Gospel. Having chosen the worldly religions over what the
Savior taught. Thus they’ve rejected in whole or part the literal truths of the
Scriptures.
One
day we will all appear at the bar of justice and mercy –to account for our
choices in this mortal probation. There
will be no exceptions! Satan will be there to claim those who’ve chosen to
commit the shedding of innocent blood or denied the Holy Ghost. And all of the Prophets of the various
dispensations will be there to remove any excuses of not having the opportunity
of being taught or seeking out the truths taught for those of their
dispensation. The Savior will be there and at some so will each of us!
I
leave these things with you and bare my testimony – that the Church of Jesus
Christ has been restored again to this earth in these latter-days and there is
a Prophet of God and Apostles again on this earth – that if we seek we shall
find and if we find – we will know that Jesus is the Christ – in the name of
Jesus Christ amen – c/ork
“Of Greater Concern”
cji
12/31/12
Leaving all behind to
enjoin
only baptismal
covenants
being confirmed a
member
receiving the Holy
Ghost
with no other
ordinances
being worthy in all
things
knowing of the
truthfulness
understanding the
eternal
ignoring the worldly jeers
finding an internal
peace
tears gratefully to
release
hearing the angel
cheers
accepting Gospel
fullness
salvations joy this
brings
extending family
branches
the Savior our lives
to host
knowing in our
December
with Father/Son we’ll
join!
Copyright © 2012 – cji
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