Moroni had a vision of God. He said, "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." (Moroni 8:18) Others have spoken of an ascending God. Lorenzo Snow stated, "As man is, God Once was; as God now is, man may be." Others have thought that God started as a spirit being who later became a man and ascended to godhood. The God of Moroni did not have to ascend. He has always been God. He is the unchangeable being who has existed "from all eternity to all eternity."
Moroni's God is the Great Spirit revealed by Ammon in Alma18:26-29: "And then Ammon said: Believeth thou that there is a Great Spirit? And he said, Yea. And Ammon said: this is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth? And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all things which are in the earth;..." The exalted man that many people pray to did not create all things. The exalted man did not create time and space. He is limited to a physical body. A physical body requires the existence of space to dwell. It also requires time to exist in the created space. The God of Moroni is not limited to a physical body. He created physical bodies. He created the time and space for physical bodies to exist in. Before the beginning of time, he was God. Before creation was created, he was God. Moroni's God was revealed to the woman at the well in John 4:24, "God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
For those who worship an exalted man, their god is simply one god of many. Their god is the offspring of a father god. This father god is the offspring of a grandfather god. Their father god is simple one of many. Moroni's God is spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One." (Isaiah 40:25) "...I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he." (Isaiah 41:4) "...before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour." (Isaiah 43:10&11) "...I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6) God, who is onmiscient, made this statement in Isaiah 44:8: "...Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any." Isaiah 45:5&6 says, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me:...That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:21 says, "...there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me." The prophet continues this message in Isaiah 45:18&22, Isaiah 46:5&9 and Isaiah 48:11&12.
The exalted/ascended man is a god that shares his glory. His father shared glory with him. His father's father shared glory with his father and so on through many generations of gods. The God of Isaiah the prophet does not share his glory. Isaiah 42:8 says, "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah 48:11 says, "...I will not give my glory unto another."
2 Nephi 24:12-15 speaks of a glory seeker that wanted to be "like" the Most High. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit." God did not share His glory with Lucifer.
In Genesis 11:1-9, there were glory seekers who became very proud. The story is about the tower of Babel. Verse 4 says, "...Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name,..." Perhaps God saw in their hearts that they were trying to become LIKE gods. Verse 7&8 says, "Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they many not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth:..." God did not share His glory with these tower builders.
In the garden of Eden, the serpent came and tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit. He gave her a promise of being like God. He said, "For God doth know that in the day yea eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:5) However, as a consequence for their sins, they were kicked out of their beautiful paradise, the garden of Eden. God did not share his glory with Adam and Eve.
In Luke 18:10-14, a pharisee felt exalted and proud. He felt that he had ascended to a higher spiritual realm. "Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
The God of Moroni does not share his glory. He is the only true God! He is the Great Spirit! He did not have to ascend into godhood. He is the "unchangeable being" who is God "from all eternity to all eternity."
Monday, September 4, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Helpful False Prophets
Why does God allow false prophets to influence the church? Do they have any purpose in the world? They deceive people and lead them astray. Why doesn't God just get rid of them all and make life easier?
Dueteronomy 13:3 says that they are a test to show where our heart is. "Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD you God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." We often judge people on their outward appearance but God looks at our hearts. Jeremiah 5:31 tells us of Israel's poor spiritual condition. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" The Jews had fallen away from their God to follow the lies of false prophets and priests.
In 1 Kings 22, false prophets were part of God's judgement on Israel. The Israelite king Ahab wanted to go to war against the Syria. About 400 prophets were prophesying victory for Israel. Then the prophet Micaiah prophesied defeat for Israel. In verses 19-23, Micaiah said, "...Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee." King Ahab went to war anyway and died in the battle. Israel was scattered. This was God's judgement on Israel for their wickedness.
Some assume that God will not allow the possibility of his people being affected by false prophets. Dueternomy 18:20-22 did not give the Israelite people such assurance but rather told them how to respond to false prophets. "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
These examples show us that God does allow false prophets and that they may have a purpose. They can expose the heart of God's people as a test. They can also be a part of God's judgement as in the case of king Ahab.
Dueteronomy 13:3 says that they are a test to show where our heart is. "Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD you God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." We often judge people on their outward appearance but God looks at our hearts. Jeremiah 5:31 tells us of Israel's poor spiritual condition. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" The Jews had fallen away from their God to follow the lies of false prophets and priests.
In 1 Kings 22, false prophets were part of God's judgement on Israel. The Israelite king Ahab wanted to go to war against the Syria. About 400 prophets were prophesying victory for Israel. Then the prophet Micaiah prophesied defeat for Israel. In verses 19-23, Micaiah said, "...Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee." King Ahab went to war anyway and died in the battle. Israel was scattered. This was God's judgement on Israel for their wickedness.
Some assume that God will not allow the possibility of his people being affected by false prophets. Dueternomy 18:20-22 did not give the Israelite people such assurance but rather told them how to respond to false prophets. "But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him."
These examples show us that God does allow false prophets and that they may have a purpose. They can expose the heart of God's people as a test. They can also be a part of God's judgement as in the case of king Ahab.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
What is Anti-Mormon?
What does anti-Mormon mean? Is it someone who hates Mormons? A young lady recently called me anti-Mormon and one who hates Mormons. Was she right?
Suppose two by-standers were watching a boat float down a river. The first man said "everyone must choose the way that is right for himself. Who am I to judge?" So even thought he knew the people in the boat were headed to a 1,000 ft. waterfall which would be certain death on the rocks below, he put a smile on his face. He simply said "Hope you enjoy this beautiful day on the river." The second man appeared to be more contentious. He was yelling at the folks enjoying their river ride. He was jumping up and down hollering, "Get off the river. You are going to die." He didn't want anyone to die going over the deadly waterfall. Which man hated the folks in the boat? Did the nice, friendly man really care when he knew there was a dangerous water fall downstream? Or did the loud, blunt, truthful man really care about the travelers? Who was the real hater? Which one really was concerned?
Lorenzo Snow said, "As man now is, God once was; as God is now, man may become." Stop praying to an exalted man. This is a false god. Turn to the true God in Moroni 8:18. "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." God was never a man. He has always been God from "all eternity to all eternity." Does quoting Moroni make me a hater or someone who cares?
Some say there is no hell. It is just a mental state. 2 Nephi 28:21-23 tells us where this lie came from. "And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well - and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none - and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment." If I ignore the words of Nephi, does that make me a nice, responsible neighbor?
Some people feel like repentance is a gradual process that may take years to complete. Some hope to make a telestial or terrestrial kingdom without complete repentance. But we are not guaranteed tomorrow. A car accident can quickly end our life. Alma warned against procrastinating repentance. Alma 34:31 says, "...now is the time and the day of your salvation;..." Verse 33 says, "...do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end;...if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." Verse 35 says, "...if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power of you; and this is the final state of the wicked." Is it being contentious to actually take the words of Alma seriously?
If you have concern for someone's well being or eternal destiny, are you a hater or someone who cares? Is it possible to be genuinely concerned, speaking the truth in love? What say you?
Matthew 7:13&14 says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Matthew 7:13&14 says, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
Friday, March 24, 2017
A Pagan Mind
How does a pagan mind think? Here are five steps to paganism.
1. Deify Time Time is a thing. The Bible proclaims that all things have been made by God. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,..." (Colossians 1:16) If God created time, then he is not subject to it. The creator is not subject to His creation. God exists outside of time because he has always existed. To deify time, one can give time God-like qualities. Specifically, one can say that time always existed like God. Or you can say that time is infinite, without beginning or end - like God.
2. Deify Space Space is a thing as well. The Bible proclaims that God made all things. Evolutionary models imply that time and space have always existed. Evolution would be impossible, of course, if there were no space to evolve in or time to evolve in the space. Space is often given God-like characteristics. God has eternally existed. Evolutionists imply that space has always existed and will always exist like God.
3. Deify Nature Genesis gives us the story of God's creation. If you believe that God does not exist, then you can't believe that he created this world. So something had to create our world. Scientists often ascribe God's creative power to nature. Evolutionists say that nature is like God in that it has the innate power to create life over millions/billions of years. Many believe that nature is in a constant struggle to create the most superior, most fit specimens possible. The second law of thermodynamics tells us that nature devolves or degenerates on it's own. To make a tree evolve into a wooden table, we have to put creative energy into the process. The tree does not make itself into a table from its own creative power. Genesis tells us that God created matter and arranged it into everything in our universe.
4. Deify Nature with Intellect The Bible tells us that God has infinite knowledge and wisdom. He is the ultimate designer. He is the superior engineer - the finest creator in the universe! Many try to ascribe a great creative ability to nature. DNA research has shown that every living cell has a set of detailed plans of specific information. There is a ton of planning that has gone into the creation of every single earthly creature. Some scientist claim that nature, through natural selection, has the wisdom and knowledge for creating life. Again, God-like characteristics are assigned to nature.
5. Praise Nature We should praise God for his magnificent creation - this world we get to enjoy. Often, however, many would rather ascribe praise to nature for this magnificent earth we live in. Here is the thinking: Through millions of years nature has evolved this_____. Or through billions of years nature has naturally selected this_________. Some scientists think that nature, over billions of years, was able to accomplish the same thing that took God 6 days. It takes great faith to be a pagan. You must believe that time and space eternally existed. You must believe that nature has great creative abilities. You must believe that nature has the wisdom and knowledge to build DNA blueprints. You must basically believe that nature is God.
Our sun is a star. Stars eventually burn out. When our sun ceases to produce light and warmth, everything on earth will freeze and die. If nature is your god, then your god is eventually going to die.
1. Deify Time Time is a thing. The Bible proclaims that all things have been made by God. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,..." (Colossians 1:16) If God created time, then he is not subject to it. The creator is not subject to His creation. God exists outside of time because he has always existed. To deify time, one can give time God-like qualities. Specifically, one can say that time always existed like God. Or you can say that time is infinite, without beginning or end - like God.
2. Deify Space Space is a thing as well. The Bible proclaims that God made all things. Evolutionary models imply that time and space have always existed. Evolution would be impossible, of course, if there were no space to evolve in or time to evolve in the space. Space is often given God-like characteristics. God has eternally existed. Evolutionists imply that space has always existed and will always exist like God.
3. Deify Nature Genesis gives us the story of God's creation. If you believe that God does not exist, then you can't believe that he created this world. So something had to create our world. Scientists often ascribe God's creative power to nature. Evolutionists say that nature is like God in that it has the innate power to create life over millions/billions of years. Many believe that nature is in a constant struggle to create the most superior, most fit specimens possible. The second law of thermodynamics tells us that nature devolves or degenerates on it's own. To make a tree evolve into a wooden table, we have to put creative energy into the process. The tree does not make itself into a table from its own creative power. Genesis tells us that God created matter and arranged it into everything in our universe.
4. Deify Nature with Intellect The Bible tells us that God has infinite knowledge and wisdom. He is the ultimate designer. He is the superior engineer - the finest creator in the universe! Many try to ascribe a great creative ability to nature. DNA research has shown that every living cell has a set of detailed plans of specific information. There is a ton of planning that has gone into the creation of every single earthly creature. Some scientist claim that nature, through natural selection, has the wisdom and knowledge for creating life. Again, God-like characteristics are assigned to nature.
5. Praise Nature We should praise God for his magnificent creation - this world we get to enjoy. Often, however, many would rather ascribe praise to nature for this magnificent earth we live in. Here is the thinking: Through millions of years nature has evolved this_____. Or through billions of years nature has naturally selected this_________. Some scientists think that nature, over billions of years, was able to accomplish the same thing that took God 6 days. It takes great faith to be a pagan. You must believe that time and space eternally existed. You must believe that nature has great creative abilities. You must believe that nature has the wisdom and knowledge to build DNA blueprints. You must basically believe that nature is God.
Our sun is a star. Stars eventually burn out. When our sun ceases to produce light and warmth, everything on earth will freeze and die. If nature is your god, then your god is eventually going to die.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Salvation by Sex
"Saved by Sex" is an expression an elderly lady, Thelma (Granny) Geer, often used when defining her Mormon heritage. What did she mean by saying this? "Exaltation is eternal life,..." according to the Gospel Principles Sunday School manual (pg. 275). Page 278 tells us that "we must be married for eternity" to be exalted. The focus of Doctrine and Covenants 132 is stated in the first verse: "...the principle and doctrine of their having many wives and concubines-" In verse four, it is stated that those who reject this doctrine are damned. "...an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned: for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory." Verse 6 again says, "...he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God." In verse 54, the commandment of polygamy was aimed at Joseph Smith's wife, "...But if she will not abide this commandment she shall be destroyed, saith the Lord; for I am the Lord thy God, and will destroy her if she abide not in my law." This turned out to be a false prophesy. Joseph Smith received the law of plural marriage and was assassinated. Emma Smith, his wife, rejected the law and lived a long life.
In his Book call Mormon Doctrine, Apostle Bruce R. McConkie said polygamy will return when Christ returns. Under the a section titled Plural Marriage on page 578, he wrote, "...the holy practice will commence again after the Second Coming of the Son of Man and the ushering in of the millennium."
Heber C. Kimball spoke of having many wives: "In the spirit world there is an increase of males and females, there are millions of them, and if I am faithful all the time, and continue right along with brother Brigham, we will go to brother Joseph and say, 'Here we are brother Joseph; we are here ourselves are we not, with none of the property we possessed in our probationary state, not even the rings on our fingers?' He will say to us, 'Come along, my boys, we will give you a good suit of clothes. Where are your wives?' 'They are back yonder; they would not follow us.' 'Never mind,' says Joseph, 'here are thousands, have all you want.' Perhaps some do not believe that, but I am just simple enough to believe it" (Journal of Discourses 4:209).
Today Doctrine and Covenants 132 is still considered scripture by the LDS church. This chapter states that plural marriage is an everlasting covenant. Polygamy is deemed necessary for salvation. It is supposed to continue forever.
On the contrary, Ephesians 2:8&9 states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." That statement ends with a period!
On the contrary, Ephesians 2:8&9 states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." That statement ends with a period!
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Devil's Flattery
Many are saying that there is no hell or that it is just a mental state. Where does this lie originate from. 2 Nephi 28:21-23 gives us the answer. "And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well - and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none - and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment."
The Book of Mormon is clear on who is destined for hell. It is reserved for those who have procrastinated their repentance. Alma 34:35 tells us, "For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked."
Many feel like they will have plenty of time after this life to repent of their ways. Alma 34:33 tells us, "...do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." Many say that repentance is a gradual process. However, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. One distracted driver could end our life. Alma 34:32 says, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."
Many assume that we are all sons and daughters of God. The Book of Mormon, however, declares that we must be born again and become sons of God. Mosiah 27:35 says, "...Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."
The Book of Mormon is clear on who is destined for hell. It is reserved for those who have procrastinated their repentance. Alma 34:35 tells us, "For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked."
Many feel like they will have plenty of time after this life to repent of their ways. Alma 34:33 tells us, "...do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." Many say that repentance is a gradual process. However, we are not guaranteed tomorrow. One distracted driver could end our life. Alma 34:32 says, "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."
Many assume that we are all sons and daughters of God. The Book of Mormon, however, declares that we must be born again and become sons of God. Mosiah 27:35 says, "...Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)