Luke 10:22 - One God

Luke 10:22 - KJV (JST)

Mormonism - D&C 135:7

D&C 135:7

The Prophet Won’t Lead The People Astray

The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty.¹

We’re told in the scriptures, noted above, that the lord won’t permit the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to lead people astray. It is in the scriptures, it is doctrine. End of story.

Well not so quick. What about when those prophets are speaking as men? When they declare things to be doctrine which are later disavowed? An example of such doctrine? Interracial marriage. Brigham Young taught the following:

Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so. The nations of the earth have transgressed every law that God has given, they have changed the ordinances and broken every covenant made with the fathers, and they are like a hungry man that dreameth that he eateth, and he awaketh and behold he is empty.²

But, some will say, he was simply speaking as a man!

Was Brigham also speaking as a man when he stated the following?

I have never yet preached a sermon and sent it out to the children of men, that they may not call scripture.³

Other prophets have quoted Brigham Young in that saying as proof that the prophet of God does not have to say “Thus Saith The Lord” to give unto people scripture.⁴ If the prophet doesn’t have to say thus saith the lord to dictate scripture, then how are we to know when they are giving their own personal thoughts and those thoughts which are from God? If they are not clear and concise, how do we know?

In 1978 the ban on the priesthood and temple ban for blacks was lifted. It was set aside as we didn’t know what we were doing. The church has never apologized because of it, and will probably never will. They claim certain teachings about it wasn’t doctrine. Mainly the fact that the African Americans weren’t valiant in the pre-existence. That such a notion was false and that it wasn’t doctrine at all. But what about the times it was taught as doctrine?

Our living prophet, President David O. McKay, has said, “The seeming discrimination by the Church toward the Negro is not something which originated with man; but goes back into the beginning with God.... “Revelation assures us that this plan antedates man’s mortal existence, extending back to man’s pre-existent state.”⁵

So we have an official announcement by the first presidency of the church that the discrimination against the blacks began in the pre-existence. It was part of the plan. How does that go along with what is being taught after the 1978 revelation?

Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whomsoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world.⁶

It would seem with a flick of the wrist the words of past prophets can simply be dropped because an apostle says so. It was taught as doctrine, if God’s laws do not change and His doctrine is eternal, and it was wrong, why was it even taught in the first place? Could this be one account of the prophet leading the church astray? Well more than one prophet actually.

Another thought comes to mind. The use of the term Mormon. It is true the term Mormon came about as an insult to the members of the early church. But since then, it had been adapted and accepted. It was okay to use, there was a campaign sent throughout the church titled “I’m a Mormon”, and then with the latest prophet, Russel M. Nelson, it was no longer acceptable to use the term Mormon. It’s a nickname that, when used, is a “major victory for Satan.”⁷

If using the term Mormon offends God and Jesus and is a victory for the Devil, why was it allowed to be used for so many years? The Prophet Joseph Smith even used the term when talking about the doctrines of the church. Is it another case where the prophets have been leading the church astray only for the latest prophet to announce a course correction? Or is it another case where they didn’t know what they were talking about and had a “limited understanding.”

Another teaching contrary to what we believe in as a church, is the November 2015 exclusion policy towards the children of gay parents. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, not the sins of their parents, not the sins of Adam; their own sins.⁸

Yet, in November of 2015 we are told that it was received as revelation⁹ that children of gay parents are not to be blessed in the church, baptized, receive the priesthood, be endowed etc. Until they turn 18 and move out of their parents home, disavowing their parent’s lawful and legal marriage.

I only wonder how long before other teachings are labeled as such and we no longer teach them as doctrine. The further along we get, the further away from Jesus Christ’s gospel it would appear that we are going.

Those are of course the personal opinions of the author of this article, nothing more.

1. Wilford Woodruff, Official Declaration 1

2. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 10:110.

3. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 13:95.

4. Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, June 1981 Ensign First Presidency Message

5. Statement of the First Presidency, 15 December 1969

6. All Are Alike Unto God, Bruce R. McConkie, Aug 18 1978 Devotional

7. The Correct Name of the Church, Russel M. Nelson, October 2018 General Conference

8. Article of Faith 2

9. Becoming True Millennials, Russel M. Nelson, January 10, 2016 Devotional

Seeing To Believe

See to believe
believe to be seen
it's all but nothing
it could be a dream

Nothing in life
matters the most to you now
until you realize
it's all gone

Live a life full
of wonders and grace
see what you'll find
just don't hide your face

Brigham's Dream and a Bowie Knife

Journal of Discourses, Brigham Young, V1.83

Book of Abraham vs Egyptian Gods

Second Anointings Were Changed From Stake President's Issuing Them

Alternating Messages

In April of 2018, President Russel M. Nelson stated the following as he was wrapping up his global ministry tour:

Our message to you tonight is the same as the message we’ve given to others, that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that this is His Church restored in its fulness.1

Then in October of 2018, just six months later, President Nelson made the following statement:

We're witnesses to a process of restoration. If you think the Church has been fully restored, you're just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It's going to be exciting.2

Might I just, for a moment, ask a simple question. Which is it? Do we have the fullness of the church or not? Has it been fully restored as stated by other prophets, or is it an ongoing process? If it’s an ongoing process, why has it taken this long to be made known? Why did others teach that the church had been restored in its fullness as it was? Why are there more changes now?

Is it the same kind of change? Is there actually more to come and we’ve never known the church to have been restored fully yet?

1. President Nelson Concludes Global Ministry Tour in Hawaii with Message about the Temple
https://www.lds.org/church/news/president-nelson-concludes-global-ministry-tour-in-hawaii-with-message-about-the-temple?lang=eng
2. Latter-day Saint Prophet, Wife and Apostle Share Insights of Global Ministry
https://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/latter-day-saint-prophet-wife-apostle-share-insights-global-ministry

Win heaven, no mention of grace

Evidences and Reconciliations, John A. Widtsoe, p. 283

Blood Changes

It is said that people who feel the affects of the Holy Ghost, and are Gentiles will have their blood changed to that of a follower who is of the seed of Abraham. This is being adopted into the House of Israel. Joseph Smith taught it as the following.

There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile, though it may not have half as much visible effect upon the body; for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence.1

So the Holy Ghost has the ability to change the blood within a person. He has the ability to change their DNA in some manner so they are actually adopted into the House of Israel. It feels like a literal adoption at that point. It also falls in line with the scriptures which state that we become the sons and daughters of Christ. We are His at that point, for we have forsaken our sins and have been baptized for a remission of them, as well as have received the Holy Ghost.

He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.2

With his stripes are we healed.3 It is only through Jesus that we are able to be saved at His coming and be brought forth in the resurrection of the just. To be caught up in the cloud and to live with God for eternity.

Jacob chapter 5 speaks of this grafting gentiles into the House of Israel. We are gentiles, those who
are not of the seed of Abraham. It’s an interesting read for sure. I suggest research into it. I do find it interesting that we would need to be purified not only spiritually but physically in order to be redeemed and accepted into God’s presence. God is no respecter of persons,4 yet one must be physically converted aside from the resurrection, in order to be with Him.

Should not God accept us as we are? I can understand and see a spiritual transition into that glory, but a physical transition while in the flesh? I won’t lie, that sits a bit strange in my mind at this point in time. Perhaps in the future it will make sense and I am worrying over nothing. But for now, the thought remains.

1. TPJS pgs 149-150

2. Isaiah 53:8

3. Isaiah 53:5

4. Acts 10:34

Joseph F. Smith wanted to see the day when tithing would be no more

Furthermore, I want to say to you, we may not be able to reach it right away, but we expect to see the day when we will not have to ask you for one dollar of donation for any purpose, except that which you volunteer to give of your own accord, because we will have tithes sufficient in the storehouse of the Lord to pay everything that is needful for the advancement of the kingdom of God. … That is the true policy, the true purpose of the Lord in the management of the affairs of His Church.

In Conference Report, Apr. 1907, 7

There is an ellipsis in that statement. Let's see what it says in full:

 

"I want to live to see that day, if the Lord will spare my life. It does not make any difference, though, so far as that is concerned, whether I live or not."

Interesting indeed.

What If...

So, now a question as I conclude: What if you learned that the Savior had already returned to this earth—that He, as part of His Second Coming, had already met with some of His true followers in several marvelous, large gatherings—gatherings about which the world, including CNN and the blogosphere, knew nothing. If you found out that the Savior was already on the earth, what would you desperately want to do today, and what would you be willing and ready to do tomorrow?

Becoming the Person Wou Were Born to Be, 2016

Blood Changes

There are two Comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost, and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of the literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile, though it may not have half as much visible effect upon the body; for as the Holy Ghost falls upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of intelligence; while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation by the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while the Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence. (TPJS pgs 149-150)

Translating Egyptian Alphabet

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/history-1838-1856-volume-b-1-1-september-1834-2-november-1838/51

Mark Twain on The Book of Mormon

Roughing it, Mark Twain

Biblical Cannibalism

Isaiah 9:18-20

18 ¶ For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

19 Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Cannibalism? Cannibalism...

Moroni 9:8-9

8 And the husbands and fathers of those women and children they have slain; and they feed the women upon the flesh of their husbands, and the children upon the flesh of their fathers; and no water, save a little, do they give unto them.

9 And notwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites, it doth not exceed that of our people in Moriantum. For behold, many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue—

10 And after they had done this thing, they did murder them in a most cruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; and after they have done this, they devour their flesh like unto wild beasts, because of the hardness of their hearts; and they do it for a token of bravery.

Negros - 1958 Mormon Doctrine

In the pre-existent eternity various degrees of valiance and devotion to the truth were exhibited by different groups of our Father’s spirit offspring… some were more valiant than others… Those who were less valiant in pre-existence and who thereby had certain spiritual restrictions imposed upon them during mortality are known to us as the negroes. Such spirits are sent to earth through the lineage of Cain, the mark put upon him for his rebellion against God and his murder of Abel being a black skin... Negroes in this life are denied the priesthood; under no circumstances can they hold this delegation of authority from the Almighty… The present status of the negro rests purely and simply on the foundation of pre-existence… The negroes are not equal with other races where the receipt of certain spiritual blessings are concerned, particularly the priesthood and the temple blessings that flow therefrom, but this inequality is not of man’s origin. It is the Lord’s doing, is based on his eternal laws of justice, and grows out of the lack of spiritual valiance of those concerned in their first estate.

Bruce R. McConkie, "Mormon doctrine, 1st edition," Bookcraft, (1958), Pages 476-477.

Tithing Question

So, the money making arm of the church which supposedly pays for the prophets and apostles salaries. Does the church tithe themselves on it? It's an odd question I know, because the church already has the money so they'd just be shifting money from one account to the other...if they don't tithe on that money then the prophet and apostles are paid with money that hasn't been tithed and so they should be tithed on it right? Which they don't pay tithing... at all.

 

I'm confusing myself. Does that make sense?

Translation doesn't mean Translation

Revelations and Translations Introduction, Joseph Smith Papers

Yet Here We Are

There is in this universe
a time and place for everything
yet here we are

Simply waiting for something
anything to get better
perhaps it's a dream

A myth created by people
to ensure obedience
or some other lofty goal

To live in a world
and not experience all of it
is a sad state of existence

The Power Of Witnesses

Evidences of the Book of Mormon and Bible Compared

Boasting - Joseph Smith

God is in the still small voice. In all these affidavits, indictments, it is all of the devil—all corruption. Come on! ye prosecutors! ye false swearers! All hell, boil over! Ye burning mountains, roll down your lava! for I will come out on the top at last. I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet. You know my daily walk and conversation. I am in the bosom of a virtuous and good people. How I do love to hear the wolves howl! When they can get rid of me, the devil will also go. For the last three years I have a record of all my acts and proceedings, for I have kept several good, faithful, and efficient clerks in constant employ: they have accompanied me everywhere, and carefully kept my history, and they have written down what I have done, where I have been, and what I have said; therefore my enemies cannot charge me with any day, time, or place, but what I have written testimony to prove my actions; and my enemies cannot prove anything against me. They have got wonderful things in the land of Ham. I think the grand jury have strained at a gnat and swallowed the camel.

History of the Church 6:408

Leaving Life

'Tis but a life
I found myself swimming through
if only to drown
at the end of it

For no one
can survive
this life all alone
death comes to all

It is nothing to be ashamed of
and nothing to dwell upon
to escape this life alive
would be quite a feat

Fear not: believe only

Fear not: believe only1

This was said by the Lord to a woman who was told that her daughter was dead. I can only imagine the fear that she felt being told this. Jesus spoke these comforting words to her. Her daughter was risen from the dead, and was reunited with her parents.

It takes a bit of faith to simply believe. As was the case of these parents with their daughter.

Faith comes in many different aspects of life. Through faith we are healed, by faith we are able to know that Jesus is the Christ the only begotten Son of God. It is by faith we are forgiven of our sins, through the grace of Christ.

Without faith, what exactly are we? We live and go through this mortality no matter what the cost, it is what we are here to do. Perhaps the most interesting part of it all, is that if we have faith in Christ Jesus, there is nothing that can be held from us. The gospel teaches us to not have the spirit of fear, but to have the spirit of belief, a spirit of love, a spirit of power, and a spirit of a sound mind.2 That is the way God would have us live. Not in fear but by faith.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate peace giver. He gives us peace and hope.3 Jesus understands us, he understands our sorrow and the complexities of this life in which we have to survive. He is the mediator between God and us.4

Some would have you believe that no matter what, this life is impossible to do. Have we forgotten that simple phrase? With God, all things are possible.5 If we believe in Christ, that belief can turn into a knowledge of the risen Lord from the tomb. He died for our sins, He brings us into the light of day. He is the one who has given himself a ransom for death and sin, something which we are unable to do for ourselves.

Jesus truly is the way, the truth, and the life.6 If we expect to come back to the father, it is by Him and through Him and of Him. We are sons and daughters of God. We need to learn patience while in this mortal coil to be able to try and grab hold of that which is right and true. If we allow Jesus into our lives, our heart, our soul, and our mind, we are willing to take upon us His name. We do this through the ordinance of baptism.

In the water we symbolically die, and are born again through Christ.7 Baptism is the first step. In order to fully accept Jesus into our lives, we must live as he taught. What did he teach? The greatest commandment of all. Love the Lord thy God and thy fellow man.8 Jesus didn’t say to love someone unless they did x, y, or z. He said to love all no matter what. If we are offended, we need to look at what is blocking our own eye before we pass judgment.9 After that, if someone offends us, we are to forgive up to seventy times seven.10

Jesus taught the law of love. If we love Him, keep His commandments.11 If we love our neighbor like ourselves,12 we cannot be found guilty of hating them. We are to love our enemies, to love those who would use us, and curse us, to those who would be against us. We are seriously meant to love everyone. There isn’t an exception to this law of the Lord. If we Love God and Love the Lord, we should have no problems in loving those around us. Yet how do we love those around us?

The Lord taught it through His actions and deeds. Jesus taught that it is better to give than to receive.13 We are to give thanks to God through Jesus as well.14 So we should be seeking to do good through the eye of faith through Christ and giving praise unto God.

We are taught that Jesus came not to be served to, but to serve others.15 If this is not the best way to be taught, but by the master, I do not know of a better way. His example of love in His life truly teaches us the way to eternal life.

One thing that Jesus didn’t teach through was fear. He taught through patience. His intentions were peaceful. Where others would attack with malice and evil doings, Jesus would return with kindness.

Upon the cross, during the most painful agony Jesus looked to the people at his side. He promised they would be with Him in paradise.16 He asked the Father, His Father in Heaven, to forgive the ones who were responsible for crucifying Him.17 He preached forgiveness through His name as the only way to return to the Father.

So it is by faith that we come unto Christ. It is by faith we learn of Him and take upon us His name. It is by faith that we do all of these things in order to become one with Him and the Father. It is by faith we are cleansed from sin and are able to return to that God which gave us life.

God testifies of these things through the spirit, the fruit of the spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.18

1. Luke 8:50
2. 2 Timothy 1:7
3. John 14:27
4. 1 Timothy 2:5
5. Matthew 19:26
6. John 14:6
7. Romans 6:3-5
8. Matthew 22:37-40
9. Matthew 7:5
10. Matthew 18:21-22
11. John 14:15-21
12. Matthew 22:39
13. Acts 20:35
14. Colossians 3:17
15. Matthew 20:28
16. Luke 23:43
17. Luke 23:34
18. Galatians 5:22-23

Thoughts In The World

Had I a thought to share with the world
I would share it long and wide
perhaps a difficult task to do
but whoever knows it's alive.

Tis but a life upon which
the world can burn
if only you saw
everything there was to see.

But how in the world
does one find all they need
in a manner upon which
it makes sense.

Nothing Exists Without Reason

There are things in this world
that are around for a reason
other things display
without your control.

Don't allow anything
to get in your way
they don't matter
as much as you think

Thoughts Which Come To Your Mind

There are at times some thoughts which come to my mind. I tend to wonder where these thoughts come from. Are they simply my own thinking? My own thought process doing its thing? Is it my conscience?

Or is there a higher power that is causing such thoughts to come into my mind? I'm sure I can't be the only person who has such thoughts and questions in these things.

Once such thoughts come to your mind, what do you do with them? Is there anything that can actually be done with the thoughts? Or are they simply warm fuzzies that enter your mind and that's all you need to know about them.

Either way, whatever the cause, such feelings can have an impact on you. That impact can be good, it can also be bad. It's an impact that might need to be acted upon. How we act in regards to it depends on where we're at in this life and how everything will turn out. Until that point in time, just do your best. That's really the only advice I have for myself in this matter. Try not to overthink any of it, which I obviously do all the time, and simply move forward and see what happens.

Outer Darkness vs. Spirit Prison

Alma 40

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

This speaks about death. After death the spirit goes back to that God which gave it life. The good go to spirit paradise while the wicked go to outer darkness and wait for resurrection. Yet according to other teachings there is a spirit paradise and a spirit prison that is the holding place for spirits waiting the resurrection. Which is it?

1 Peter

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Forgivness

Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.

And him that repenteth not of his sins, and confesseth them not, ye shall bring before the church, and do with him as the scripture saith unto you, either by commandment or by revelation.

And this ye shall do that God may be glorified—not because ye forgive not, having not compassion, but that ye may be justified in the eyes of the law, that ye may not offend him who is your lawgiver—

Verily I say, for this cause ye shall do these things.¹

The Lord says that we are to forgive everyone their trespasses, yet it is up to God to decide whom He will forgive and when He will forgive them. Does this apply to Satan? Are we to forgive Satan for attempting to destroy us and lead us down to Hell?²

If we are told to forgive all, does the devil fall under that category?

As an example:

The devil temps a person, and he falls under sin. The person gets through the ordeal, if he holds malice against the Devil is he holding a grudge? Should that person forgive Satan for trying to lead them to hell?

Part of the forgiveness process is to not bring it up again in the future. To constantly bring it up or talk about the ordeal is not to actually forgive that person. Some might say they are simply warning about what the devil can do by bringing up past experiences. But according to the thought of forgiveness, to keep talking about it is not actual forgiveness.

It is a simple question, is it not? To hold a grudge against the devil would be to also hold in a form of contention, which is of the devil:

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.³

Did not Jesus tell us to forgive those who had harmed us as well? In the bible we ready:

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.⁴

If we are to be godlike, or to seek that which is like God, then are we not meant to do as the Lord says? To forgive those who are our enemy. Isn’t Satan our enemy? Doesn’t Satan try to use us and to curse us? I’m not implying that we should love Satan, that caused issues with Cain for he eventually murdered because of it. The Lord was clear about this:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.⁵

But we cannot have hatred in our heart. That would not be Christlike. God and Jesus know our hearts. They know our intentions. If we are of mind to follow the will of the Devil, they know it. If we wish to simply do good to others as the Lord commanded,⁶ they know that as well.

I suppose it will be known in the end of times, as we all come before the judgment bar of Christ. Perhaps we are meant to remain in ignorance in regards to this? How does one even begin to forgive the devil for what he’s done to those on this earth; and what are we to forgive him of exactly?

It was because of the devil that Eve ate of the fruit and in turn Adam ate of the fruit allowing us to come down and gain bodies. For without such an act, we would not be here. I would not be one to assume that Satan helped God out with his plan, for we are to understand that Satan knew not the mind of God.⁷ It is but an interesting question to ponder and think about. I for one would not want to leave someone unforgiving if we are meant to forgive all.

To hold a grudge is to hold onto the greater sin. Which is why the Lord has told us to forgive all. The greatest example we have of the Lord forgiving others is when he was on the cross.

In the time of his agony on the cross of Calvary, with vile and hateful accusers before him, those who had brought him to this terrible crucifixion, he cried out, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.)⁸

Again, we do not have these answers at this time and place. Maybe someday we shall.

1. D&C 64:9-14

2. 2 Nephi 28:20-21

3. 3 Nephi 11:29

4. Luke 6:27-28

5. Matthew 22:37-39

6. Luke 6:31

7. Moses 4:6

8. Of You It Is Required To Forgive, Gordon B. Hinckley, June 1991 First Presidency Message

Thinking In The Light

There are many thoughts to be had in a life. So many experiences and opportunities missed. Yet here we are, trying to have some kind of experience. A human experience at that. Not everyone understands or fully grasps what's going on in this life. Is there ever a full reason for any of it to make sense? I mean, we come to this earth for...some would assume a purpose. It doesn't mean that purpose will actually ever be fully told or explained, yet here we are.

Too many options to try and figure out in this life. It can be conflicting at times, confusing at others, and just down right frustrating. I'd rather not have to wonder and think about such matters, but well that's where we sit at times and that's why we are here.

One has to find something to believe in. It doesn't have to be an absolute belief, it can grow over time as understanding permits. But a belief system has to be in place at some point in life, doesn't it? One would think so...maybe. If it doesn't come out, than what exactly is thought of as truth?

Oh Brigham

Obviously this quote brings up some questions... you can easily see the questions it brings up, and that's good enough.