Pray For Wisdom

            Have you prayed for truth to be revealed to you?  James 1:5 states, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  Here are three answers. 

One answer is in the temple work according to Keith Walker.  Consider the practice of baptism for the dead.  The person doing this work has to live in a worthy manner, be in good standing with his ward and bishop, travel to a temple and do the baptism work.  He is doing the work but the benefit is for another.  On the contrary, the one receiving this service cannot work. He can't attend church or pay tithes.  He cannot live in a worthy manner because he is not living.  He cannot perform any good works but rather lies motionless in his grave.  He is not earning this baptism work but receiving it as a free gift.  This is a picture of salvation by grace.  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."

    Here is another answer to a prayer for wisdom.  My neighbor is a police officer.  Some people do not like police officers.  Some are angry about being pulled over even when they are wrong.  Sometimes there are praying grandmas who are asking God to protect their wayward grandchildren.  Perhaps God, in his infinite foreknowledge, knows that an intoxicated, speeding grandson is about to be in a fatal car accident.  Perhaps God answers godly grandmothers' prayers by sending a police officer to stop these erratic drivers, saving them from death.  Essentially, he is angry at the one sent to save his life.  What if God sends someone to speak the truth and he is hated and labeled an anti? He could be presenting a message of liberty and freedom and at the same time be hated. The apostle Paul said in Galatians 4:16, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"  An answer to prayer may have been given and it may be rejected.

Matthew 18:1-5 is another specific answer to a prayer for wisdom.  "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."  Young children have great faith and they are an open book.  Take the challenge to read the New Testament with the heart of a child.  Set aside your preconceived ideas and read it with an open mind.  See how it speaks to you.

If you have prayed for wisdom, have you been open to God's answers?

Gift of Repentance and the Bad Neighbor

        Some people are saying, "I am so thankful for the gift of repentance."  Many are seeking to be worthy through their good own works, but the law requires perfection.  When they cannot reach that perfection, some fall back on the "gift of repentance" idea.

        It is similar to having a bad neighbor.  Suppose your neighbor steals from you and a week later apologizes and returns your property.  The next week he steals from you again and again apologizes.  Every week you find him stealing and apologizing.  Soon you would start to believe that your neighbor is insincere and his apologies mean nothing.  If your neighbor declares, "I am so thankful for the gift of apologizing", you are not going to take him seriously.

        On the other hand, you would believe your neighbor was sincere if he apologized for stealing from you, never stole from you again and was a great neighbor for the next 30 years.  The need for daily repentance highlights a person's daily failure.  True repentance involves forsaking the sin.

        So where does real worthiness come from?  2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  Why do many ignore this truth?  Romans 10:3 states, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God."  

        Here is the question: Are we focused on ourselves or on Christ?  Are our eyes on our good works and many acts of repentance or are we focused on Christ and his work on our behalf.  We all must repent, but are we looking to Christ for salvation or are we looking to ourselves for salvation?  God saves in God's way which is through Christ Jesus.  We cannot save ourselves with even our best efforts. 

An Eastern Thought

 An Eastern Thought

    Do you know someone that waits for you to make a mistake and then brings up all of your past shortcomings?  It reminds me of this verse:  D&C 82:7 says, “…unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return.”

     Suppose you had a problem with lying.  Then, through geniune repentance, you stopped lying.  And your repentance was so sincere that you didn't tell another lie for 15 years!  However, after the 15 years of not lying, you tell another lie.  Would all of your former lies come back on you, according to D&C 82:7?  This is probably not what this verse is saying.  It just says, "former sins".  So this would include lies, stealing, coveting and anything else that is a sin.  That is what would be added back onto you after you speak the new lie.  Spencer W. Kimball called this a "heavy load" in his book, Miracles of Forgiveness.

    On the other hand, Micah 7:19 says, "He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our inquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."

    Now consider Psalm 103:12.  “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”  If you go north, you can reach the north pole and then start going south.  If you go east, you can continue going east forever!  You never reach the end of east.  This is a great Eastern Thought about God's forgiveness!

LDS Survey on Forgiveness

 

LDS Survey on Forgiveness

1.                 Do you believe 1 Nephi 3:7?  Are we without excuse when it comes to fulfilling the commandments of God?  Has He prepared the way for us to accomplish every one of them?

Yes            No

 

2.                 Do you believe 2 Nephi 25:23?  Are we saved by grace “after all we can do”?  How do you know when you have done all you can do?

Yes            No

 

3.                 Do you believe Moroni 10:32?  Is God’s grace only sufficient for us when we have denied ourselves of “all ungodliness” and we have loved God with all of our “mind, might and strength”?

Yes            No

 

4.                 Do you agree with D&C 1:31?  It says that God cannot look upon sin with the “least degree of allowance”.

Yes            No

 

5.                 Do you believe D&C 58:42-43? If a man truly repents of his sins, he will confess and FORSAKE them?

Yes            No

 

6.                 Do you believe that God does not “dwell in unholy temples”?

(Helaman 4:24)

Yes            No

 

7.                 Do you believe Alma 11:37 when it states that “no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven” and we “cannot be saved in our sins”?

Yes            No

 

8.                 Is it important to be sincere when we repent?  (If your neighbor steals from you and then apologizes on a weekly basis, we would say that he is insincere.  If your neighbor steals from you, apologizes and never steals from you again, we will think that his apology was sincere.)

Yes            No

 

9.                 Do you believe D&C 82:7?  “…unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.”  If we tell a lie, do all our former sins return?

Yes            No

 

10.            Do you believe Romans 10:3?  Giving us some perspective, 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  When we look to Jesus, He takes our sin on the cross and we receive the righteousness of Christ in return.  Romans 10:3 states, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”  Do you believe that some people fail to submit themselves to the righteousness of God and go about to establish their own righteousness? 

Yes            No

 

11.            Where do you stand today?

Gods of Mormonism?

 Quotes from the Journal of Discourses 6:1-11

2.  "...God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens."  

3.  "We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity, I will refute that idea, and will take away and do away the vail, so that you may see."

4.  "... and that he was once a man like us;"

5.  "...you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves,..."

6.  "To inherit the same power, the same glory, and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a God and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before."

7.  "My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my Father, so that he may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory.  He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place, and thereby become exalted myself.  So that Jesus treads in the track of his Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all his children."

8.  "The mind of the intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself."

9.  "The intelligence of spirits had no beginning, neither will it have an end....  There never was a time when there were not spirits; for they co-equal with our Father in heaven."

10.  "Knowledge saves a man; and in the world of spirits no man can be exalted but by knowledge.  ...If a man has knowledge, he can be saved;"

Holy Mormon Pants

       President Russell M. Nelson changed the rules for women's missionary attire.  He said it is now ok for sister missionaries to wear pants.  How did he make this decision?  Was this a message from God or his own personal opinion?  According to Joseph Smith, prophets can hear from a variety of sources.  A historical example of this was recorder by David Whitmer in An Address To All Believer In Christ, Richmond, Missouri, 1887, pp.30-31.  Joseph Smith received a revelation that "some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and that they would sell the copy-right to the Book of Mormon.  Hiram Page and Oliver Crowdery went to Toronto on this mission, but they failed entirely to sell the the copy-right, returning without any money."  When they questioned Joseph Smith about the failed revelation and failed effort in Canada, Joseph Smith prayed about it and recieved this revelation:  "Some revelations are of God: some revelations are of man: and some revelations are of the devil."

       B. H. Roberts recounts this event in his book A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Page 162-163 of volume 1 says, "Hyrum Smith is represented by David Whitmer as saying that it had been suggested to him that some of the brethren might go to toronto, Canada, and sell the copyright of the book (of Mormon) for considerable money, that is, sell the right to publish the book in the Canadian provinces, not dispose of the copyright absolutely.  He persuaded Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord, with the result... that he 'received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and they would sell the copyright.'  Accordingly, Oliver Cowedery and Hirum Page, the latter being one of the eight witnesses, went to canada to sell the copyright, but failed.  David Whitmer represents that this failure threw the little group of believers into great trouble, and they went to the Prophet and asked him to account for the failure.  The prophet frankly acknowledged his inability to understand the cause of the failure, and inquired of the Lord.  He received for answer... this: 'Some revelations are of God; some revelations are of man; and some revelations are of the devil." 

      So, what is the prophetic/presidential source of the "Sister pants" idea?  Was this an insight from God, from man or from the devil?  If it was from God, why didn't this come forth 160 years ago?  Did God change his mind?  If it was from man, why would the prophet be listening to man?  If it was from the devil, why would the prophet be listening to the devil?

      God spoke to Samuel about outward appearances when Israel was looking for a king.  1 Samuel 16:7 says, "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."  The second chapter of James focuses on judging people based on clothing/appearances.  This chapter condemns the act of respecting people who are dressed nicely and not respecting those who are dressed poorly.  James 2:1-4 says, "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.  For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:  Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?"  Verse 9 says, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."  These verses show us that while man judges apparel, God judges hearts.

      What do you believe?  Was president Nelson speaking from God, from man or from the devil when he spoke about sisters wearing pants?

God's Heart Test

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Some claim that Mormons are Chirstians. Some say that Mormons are not Christians. Others are publicaly silent on the matter and simply do not respond to Mormon claims of being Christian. Many say that God will not let his people be led astray. The Israelites were God’s people and they were definitely led astray by false prophets to serve false gods. Is this permissible? Does God allow this?

Deuteronomy 13:3 says God tests the heart of his people. How does God test the heart? He allows false prophets to come along, perfom miracles and persuade people to follow other gods. Dueteronomy 13:1-4 says, “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 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. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” As we read the next five verses, we see that the Israelites were never to compromise or be accomodating toward these false prophets.

Lorenzo Snow prophesied and said, “As man now is, God once was; as God now is, man may be.” Many Mormons are praying to an exalted man. They believe that God is an exalted man in heaven with many wives. These wives give birth to spirit children that will populate a world of their creation. They literally plan to be gods of their own world and be worshipped by its’ people.

Isaiah, the prophet, had a lot to say about the nature of God. "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.

Isaiah stated that God 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." Isaiah gives an example of this in Isaiah 14:12-15. “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.”

Some will say that if we truly have the Spirit of God, we will not argue about the nature of God or about theological doctirne. Moses strongly argued against false prophets in Deuteronomy chapters 13 and 18. Isaiah strongly argued about the nature of the everlasting God in the book of Isaiah. The Apostle Paul strongly argued for his gospel in the book of Galations. To say that a person does not have the Spirit of God if he argues doctrine is a false statement. God is testing our hearts. Will we listen to false prophets? Will we turn to false gods? Do we love our neighbor enough to share the truth? Where is our heart?

Of God, Of Man and Of the Devil

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      Joseph Smith prophesied about the Book of Mormon according to B. H. Roberts in his book A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Page 162-163 of volume 1 says, "Hyrum Smith is represented by David Whitmer as saying that it had been suggested to him that some of the brethren might go to toronto, Canada, and sell the copyright of the book (of Mormon) for considerable money, that is, sell the right to publish the book in the Canadian provinces, not dispose of the copyright absolutely.  He persuaded Joseph Smith to inquire of the Lord, with the result... that he 'received a revelation that some of the brethren should go to Toronto, Canada, and they would sell the copyright.'  Accordingly, Oliver Cowedery and Hirum Page, the latter being one of the eight witnesses, went to canada to sell the copyright, but failed.  David Whitmer represents that this failure threw the little group of believers into great trouble, and they went to the Prophet and asked him to account for the failure.  The prophet frankly acknowledged his inability to understand the cause of the failure, and inquired of the Lord.  He received for answer... this: 'Some revelations are of God; some revelations are of man; and some revelations are of the devil.' "  

      Joseph Smith was saying that a prophet can receive a revelation from God, from man and from the Devil.  Since his prophecy failed to come to pass, it could not have been from God.  The other two options that Joseph Smith mentioned are these:  The revelation can be "of man" or "of the devil."  The "group of believers" must have thought it impossible for Joseph Smith to speak a false prophesy.  They were troubled by the failure of the prophecy as well as not being able to get the Book of Mormon Published.  According to Joseph Smith, false prophesy is a possibility.  If it is possibly for Joseph Smith to be misled, is it possible for you and I to be misled?  Alma 30:53 says, "But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he appeared unto me in the form of an angel,..."  In the same verse, Korihor states that he taught this deceiving angel's words and they were "pleasing".  2 Nephi 9:9 states that the devil "...transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men...."  2 Corinthians 11:14 says, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."  Joseph Smith and the "group of believers" realized that the prophecy was false because it did not come pass.  The venture was a failure.  Deuteronomy 18:22 says, "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."

Nephi's Trinity

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      Some sister missionaries came to my house to discuss salvation and their church.  As we sat on some patio chairs we talked about a variety of topics.  Are we equally made in God's image?  If God looks like a man, then I am made more in the image of God because I am a man.  The Book of Mormon does not support this notion.  How can both men and women be made in the image of God?  I began explaining that I could greet Sister B. in three ways.  I could say greetings Sister B. the soul, greetings Sister B. the body and greetings Sister B. the spirit.  That would be a awkward greeting but it would be technically correct.  Obviously we only greet people as one person - greetings Sister B!  We are a triune being.  We are three things, body, soul and spirit, and yet we are one being. We are made in the image of God by being a triune, 3-in1, entity.  God is God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.  We reflect him as a trinity.  We are made in His image in this way.  So men and women are equally made in image of God since both are triune beings.  I think Sister B. liked this explanation.  2 Nephi 31:21 says, "...And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."  Some folks add words to the verse and say "one in purpose".  This changes the meaning of the verse.  The verse simply says, "...one God, without end...." and it means one triune God.
      We have to take time to listen to all three and work in harmony.  Our body might say, more candy would be great!  Our mind/soul might say that would not be a healthy choice.  Our spirit might say, this is a good time to pray.  We have to compromise and work together.  Perhaps this is why people are so complicated.  Our spirit and soul may be doing well but our body may be sick.  Our body and spirit may be doing well while our soul is in anguish over the loss of someone we love.  Our body and soul may be doing well while our spirit yearns to be closer to God.
      1 John 4:16 says God is love.  Moroni 8:18 says that God is an unchangeable being from everasting to everylasting.  How could God have been love before the creation of time, man and angels?  The Son loved the Father and the Father loved the Son and the Holy Spirit was working in harmony with that love.
      God, in his infinite wisdom, decided to make men and women, in His image as triune beings.  God is good and wise and powerful!  Praise his name!

Mormon Blood

      Christians have long held that the blood of Christ is sufficient for the forgiveness of sins.  1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Joseph Smith and many Mormon leaders felt that the blood of Christ was NOT sufficient for the forgiveness of all sins.  Joseph Smith said, "In debate, George A. Smith said imprisonment was better than hanging.  I replied, I was opposed to hanging even if a man kill another, I will shoot him, or cut off his head, spill his blood on the ground, and let the smoke thereof ascend up to God; and if ever I ever have the privilege of making a law on that subject, I will have it so" (Joseph Smith, History of the Church 5:296).  A similar tone came from the First Presidency, "Brethren and sisters, we want you to repent and forsake your sins.  And you who have committed sins that cannot be forgiven through baptism, let your blood be shed, and let the smoke ascend, that the incense thereof may come up before God  as an atonement for your sins, and that the sinners in Zion may be afraid" (Jedediah M. Grant, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:51).  He also said, "I say, that there are men and women that I would advise to go to the President immediately, and ask him to appoint a committee to attend to their case; and then let a place be selected, and let that committee shed their blood." (Jedediah M. Grant, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:49).  Bruce R. McConckie bluntly said, "But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men must then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 92).  Joseph F. Smith agreed.  "But man may commit certain grievous sins - according to his light and knowledge - that will place him beyond the reach of the atoneing blood of Christ.  If then he would be saved, he must make sacrifice of his Own life to atone - so far as in his power lies - for that sin, for the blood of Christ alone under certain circumstances will not avail" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:134).  He continued by saying, "Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so grievous that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ.  If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent .  Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation 1:135).  Brigham Young said, "It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit" (Brigham Young, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:54).
      It was recommended that some people go to the leaders voluntarily and have their blood shed for their sins.  Young stated, "There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world. I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them" (Brigham Young, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:53).  He continued on to say, "I do know that there are sins committed, of such a nature that if the people did understand the doctrine of salvation, they would tremble because of their situation.  And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them, and that the law might have its course.  I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins" (Brigham Young, September 21, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:53-54).  Young rationalized the practice by saying, "Now take a person in this congregation who has knowledge with regard to being saved in the kingdom of our God and our Father, and being exalted, one who knows and understands the principles of eternal life, and sees the beauty and excellency of the eternities before him compared with the vain and foolish things of the world, and suppose that he is overtaken in a gross fault, that he has committed a sin that he knows will deprive him of that exaltation which he desires, and that he cannot attain to it without the shedding of his blood, and also knows that by having his blood shed he will atone for that sin, and be saved and exalted with the Gods, is there a man or woman in this house but what would say, 'shed my blood that I may be saved and exalted with the Gods?'" (Brigham Young, February 8, 1857, Journal of Discourses, 4:219).
      Brigham Young stated that this was a principal of love.  "Will we love our neighbor as ourselves?...suppose that he is overtaken in a gross fault, that he has committed a sin that he knows will deprive him of that exaltation which he desires, and that he cannot attain to it without the shedding of his blood, and also knows that by having his blood shed he will atone for that sin, and be saved and exalted with the Gods, is there a man or woman in this house but what would say, 'shed my blood that I man be saved and exalted with the Gods?' All mankind love themselves, and let these principles be known by an individual, and he would be glad to have his blood shed.  That would be loving themselves, even unto an eternal exaltation.  Will you love your brothers or sisters likewise, when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of their blood?  Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood?  That is what Jesus Christ meant" (Brigham Young, February 8, 1857, Journal of Discourses, 4:219, 220).  Young also said, "I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain, in order to atone for their sins. I have seen scores and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance (in the last resurrection there will be) if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled on the ground as a smoking incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the devil, until our elder brother Jesus Christ raises them up - conquers death, hell, and the grave.  I have known a great many men who have left this Church for whom there is no chance whatever for exaltation, but if their blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them.  The wickedness and ignorance of the nations forbid this principle's being in full force, but the time will come when the law of God will be in full force.  This is loving our neighbor as ourselves; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it" (Brigham Young, February 8, 1857, Journal of Discourses, 4:220).
      So what qualified as an unforgiveable sin?  Here are a few things that qualified for this law of Blood Atonement.
1. Murder - Brigham Young said, "Some of our old traditions teach us that a man guilty of atrocious and murderous acts may savingly repent when on the scaffold; and upon his execution you will hear the expression - 'Bless God! he has gone to heaven, to be crowned in glory, through the all redeeming merits of Christ the Lord.'  This is all nonsense.  Such a character never will see heaven." (Brigham Young, 1860, Journal of Discourses 8:61).
2. Adultery - Brigham Young said, "Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God.  I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands" (Brigham Young, March 16, 1856, Journal of Discourses 3:247).
Heber C. Kimball said, "You hear us talk about it a great deal, and probably many do not believe one word we say, bu this people will never, no never, prosper to a high degree until we make a public example of -what?  Men, who have been warned and forewarned, but who will associate with the wicked and take a course to commit whoredom, and will strive to lead our daughters and our wives into the society of poor, wicked curses, with a view to gratify  their cursed passions; we will take them and slay them before this people" (Heber C. Kimball, 1857, Journal of Discourses Volume 4:173).
3. Apostacy - Heber Kimball believed that apostacy was deserving of Blood Atonement.  He said, "I have not a doubt but there will be hundreds who will leave us and go away to our enemies.  I wish they would go this fall: it might relieve us from much trouble: for if men turn traitors to God and His servants, their blood will surely be shed, or else they will be damned, and that too according to their covenants" (Heber C. Kimball, August 16, 1857, Journal of Discourses 4:375).  He went on to say, "Judas lost that saving principle, and they (the 11 Apostles) took him and killed him.  It is said in the Bible that his bowels gushed out; but they actually kicked him until his bowels came out" (Heber C. Kimball, December 13, 1857, Journal of Discourses 6:125-126).  Brigham Young said, "I say, rather that that apostates should flourish here, I will unsheath my bowie Knife.  Now, you nasty apostates, clear out, or judgement will be put to the line, and righteousness to the plummet.  Voices, generally, 'go it, go it.'  If you say it is right, raise your hands.  All hands up.  Let us call upon the Lord to assist us in this, and every good work" (Brigham Young, 1853, Journal of Discourses Volume 1:83).
4. Stealing- Theft could have been a part of the blood atonement doctrine.  Brigham Young said, "If you want to know what to do with a thief that you may find stealing, I say kill him on the spot, and never suffer him to commit another iniquity" Brigham Young, 1853, Journal of Discourses 1:108).
5. Covenant Breakers - Jedediah M. Grant said, "I would ask how many covenant breakers there are in this city and in this kingdom.  I believe that there are a great many; and if they are covenant breakers we need a place designated, where we can shed their blood....They are a perfect nuisance, and I want them cut off, and the sooner it is done the better....We have been trying long enough with this people, and I go in for letting the sword of the Almighty be unsheathed, not only in word, but in deed" (Jedediah M. Grant, 1856, Journal of Discourses 4:50).

      These teachings were familiar to many before the September 11, 1857, Mountain Meadow Massacre in Southern Utah.  (Many men at that time could remember when Joseph Smith was shot to death at the Carthage Jail.  Some men probably wanted to avenge his death.  They could remember the assassination of Parley P Pratt, a beloved Mormon leader.  The Baker-Fancher wagon train from Arkansas was headed to California.  Some have said that a man in the wagon train claimed to have the gun that killed Joseph Smith.  After a few gun battles, the travelers surrendered their weapons in exchange for safe passage through Utah.  Before the unarmed travelers left the state, about 120 of them were slaughtered.  Young children under the age of accountability were spared.  John D Lee, a body guard of Brigham Young, was charged in a court of law for this massacre and sentenced to death.  He was executed by a Utah firing squad on March 23, 1877.  He left behind 17 and 64 children.

Mormon Presidential Polygamy

Helpful False Prophets

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

 

     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.
   

Former Sins Return

     

 "And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God."  (D&C 82:7)  

This verse can be misused.  Here is an example of misuse:

      If a person had a problem with lying, repented of this sin, and stopped lying for 10 years, it would be quite an accomplishment.  If, however, he again told a lie, then all of their previous lies would be added back onto him.  Therefore he would be guilty of the previous lies plus the new lie.  This view probably misses the intention of the verse.  The verse does not categorize sins.  It speaks of sins in a general sense.  It simply says all former sins.  When a sin is committed, the guilt of all the former sins has returned.
      Spencer W. Kimball emphasized this verse in his book Miracles of Forgiveness.  In chapter 12, he also quoted D&C 58:43: "By this ye know if a man repenteth of his sins - behold, he will confess them and forsake them." pg. 163  On this page he wrote this subtitle: "Desire is not sufficient."  He also said, "True repentance prods one to action."  His next subtitle was "Trying is Not Sufficient."  He said, "To 'try' is weak.  To 'do the best I can' is not strong.  We must always do better than we can." pg. 165  On page 169, he had this subtitle, "Forgiveness Cancelled on Reversion to Sin".  On page 170 he described the situation like this:  "To return to sin is most destructive to the morale of the individual and gives Satan another hand-hold on his victim.  Those who feel that they can sin and be forgiven and then return to sin and be forgiven again and again must straighten out their thinking.  Each previously forgiven sin is added to the new one and the whole gets to be a heavy load."  The words "heavy load" accurately describe the circumstances.  On the same page he stated, "...those who try to taper off find it an impossible task.

      Jesus had these words to say about carrying a heavy load:  "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 12:28-30

Time, Space, Spirit and the Unchangeable Being

      Mosiah 4:9 says, "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth;..."  Time is a thing given to us on this earth.  Mosiah and Alma proclaim that "all things" have been created by God.  So we can assume that God created time.  Alma 18:28&29 also speak of creation.  "...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;..."  Alma 22:10 says, "...he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth."
      Moroni 8:18 speaks about time, "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."  This verse could have said that God has an unchanging purpose.  Instead Moroni said that he is an "unchangeable being".  How is it possible that this unchangeable being existed "from all eternity to all eternity"?  Could he exist since the beginning of time?  Here is the simple answer:  He existed before time because he created time.  He is beyond time.  Time is simply one of his creations.  It is proper to say that He is from all eternity to all eternity because He is the Creator of time.  Mosiah 3:5 also speaks of time:  "...the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay,..."  Moroni 7:22 again mentions time: "For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting,..."  Mormon 9:19 also mentions an unchangeable being: "And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being?  And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles."
      Here is a problem:  How can one physically exist without time to exist?  If God created all things, then what about space?  Space is a thing.  Can anyone physically exist without space to exist in?  The Book of Mormon solves this dilemma.  We already mentioned it in Alma 22:10.  "And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth..."  God created time and space.  A physical body requires space to exist in and time to exist in that space.  God is not subject to his creation.  He does not require his creation in order to exist.  This is quite a remarkable solution!!
      Here is another problem:  How was it possible for God to attain infinite power in a finite amount of time.  Mosiah 3:17,18 & 21 say that God is omnipotent - all powerful or having infinite power.  Here is an example:  If the distance from New York to Los Angeles was an infinite amount of miles, how long would it take to travel from one of the cities to the other.  The answer is that it would take an infinite amount of time to travel an infinite of miles.  However time is finite since it was created by God.  There was a beginning to time when God made it.  So how does one get to infinite power and infinite knowledge?  The Book of Mormon tells us that God was already God before time began.  As we quoted before in Moroni 8:18, "...God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."  You do not have to travel to a place if you are already there.  God was already omnipotent (infinite power) and omniscient (infinite knowledge) before he created time.  This is a brilliant solution!
      Some people say that they cannot believe in a god that they cannot understand.  This fact is stated in Mosiah 4:9.  "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."  An infinite mind, like the mind of God, can understand infinity.  Sometimes a finite mind does not even understand what is finite.  We are finite.  If you are praying to an exalted, finite man-god that is understandable, then you have missed the God of the Book of Mormon.  The true God is beyond our understanding.  That is one reason he is God.

Problems with Garments

      So you are watching TV with your hubby and the Victoria Secret commercial comes on.  This is a bit of a problem.  The garments you feel secure wearing cannot compete with the fancy, cute underwear in the commercial.  The wife next door has a variety of cute outfits she wears but the garments limit a person to the more modest selections.  While the church commands you to wear one thing, the typical hubby would probably choose something more appealing to look at.  On the other hand, if one spouse is wearing the garments more often than the other, there is the judgemental aspect to deal with:  "Why are you not wearing the garments."
      Has a High Priest ever been commanded to not wear the garments?  This command if found in Leviticus 16:23:  "And Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall put off the linen garments, which he put on when he went into the holy place, and shall leave them there:"  In the next verse, he was to wash and put his own clothes back on.  I think this passage is highly significant.  Aaron, the high priest, was to take off the holy garments and leave them there when he went out of the holy place.  So Aaron dressed two ways.  He wore the priestly garments in the holy place and he wore his own garments when he was not in the holy place.  Ezekiel 44:19 again tells us, "And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments."
      There are bigger questions here, however.  Are you going to trust in some garments to protect you or are you going to depend on God's protection?  If the power of God cannot protect you, what can a hundred garments do?  Are you going to depend on a baptism to save you or on Jesus work on the cross.  Yes baptism is a commandment.  But if Jesus death is not enough what can a thousand gallons of water do?  Are you going to focus on a temple for celestial salvation or focus on Jesus.  Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;..."   Mosiah 3:17 says, "...there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
      So back to the dilemma.  Do you wear the garments to please the church or the cute outfit to please your hubby?  The marriage relationship has been designed, instituted and ordained by God.  Are you working to strengthen what God has designed?
      What if you are a yes and yes person - need to please the church and the hubby?  Here is a 4 step plan.  1) Communicate with your spouse.  2) Come to an agreement.  3)  Follow the agreement.  4) If there is discontent or a judgemental attitude, repeat steps 1-3.  A happy marriage is a good thing.

Joseph's Hat Trick

   

        How did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon?  The Mormon church has published some articles called Gospel Topic Essay (https://www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation).  In their article called Book Of Mormon Translation under the subheading The Mechanics of Translation, they state, "Some accounts indicate that Joseph studied the characters on the plates.  Most of the accounts speak of Joseph's use of the Urim and Thummim (Either the interpreters or the seer stone), and many accounts refer to his use of a single stone.  According to these accounts, Joseph placed the interpreters or the seer stone in a hat, pressed his face into the hat to block out extraneous light, and read aloud the English words that appeared on the instrument."
    Oliver Cowdery, a principal scribe, testified that Joseph Smith found "two transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows."  He said that Joseph Smith used these stones for translation work.
      The article also includes Emma Smith's explanation.  She said Joseph was, "sitting with his face buried in his hat, with the stone in it, and dictating hour after hour with nothing between us."  She said the golden plates "often lay on the table without any attempt at concealment, wrapped in a small linen table cloth."  When she was asked if Joseph dictated from the Bible or a manuscript "she flatly denied those possibilities:"  She said, "He had neither manuscript nor book to read from."  She told her son, "...your father would dictate to me for hour after hour; and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him."
      Martin Harris was also a scribe for Joseph Smith according to this article.  "Harris later related that as Joseph used the seer stone to translate, sentences appeared.  Joseph read those sentences aloud, and after penning the words, Harris would say, 'Written.'"  Harris said Joseph "possessed a seer stone, by which he was enabled to translate as well as from the Urim and Thummim, and for convenience he then used the seer stone."
      It is a popular notion that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from golden plates.  According to this church article, he translated mostly by looking at some stones in a hat.
   
   

Prophet of 1,000 wives!

Heber C Kimball believed that many wives would be available in the spirit world.  In the Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, page 209 we can read his Salt Lake City Tabernacle message.
      "Supposing that I have a wife or a dozen of them, and she should say, "You cannot be exalted without me," and suppose they all should say so, what of that?...Suppose that I lose the whole of them before I go into the spirit world, but that I have been a good, faithful man all the days of my life, and lived my religion, and had favour with God, and was kind to them, do you think I will be destitute there.  No, the Lord says there are more there than there are here. They have been increasing there; they increase there a great deal faster than we do here,...
      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.'"
     Brigham Young walked this back some by limiting a man to 999 wives.
      "I met with the Quorum and Presidency in the temple....President Woodruff then spoke '...In searching out my genealogy I found about four hundred of my female kindred who were never married.  I asked Pres. Young what I should do with them.  He said for me to have them sealed to me unless there were more that 999 of them.'  The doctrine startled me, but I had it done,..."  Daily Journal of Abraham H. Cannon, April 5, 1894, Vol. 18, pp 66-67
      Brigham Young stated, "We are complained of for having more wives than one.  I don't begin to have a many as I shall have by and by, nor you either, if you are faithful."  (Journal of discourses, vol. 8, page 222)
      George Q. Cannon "...remarked that people wondered how many wives and children I had.  He may inform them, that I shall have wives and children by the million, and glory, and riches and power and dominion, and kingdom after kingdom, and reign triumphantly."  (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8, page 178)

      The great prophet Moses gave a commandment about kings, "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away;..." (Deuteronomy 17:17)
      King Solomon had a thousand women!  Although he was the wisest man on earth, 1 Kings 11:3-4 tells us, "And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.  For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father."  Because of this God promised to take the Israelite kingdom away from him and give it to one of his servants. (1 Kings 11:11)
      The Old Testament has a number of stories of disaster and heartache resulting from polygamy.  Let us go back to the beginning.  After God made Eve and presented her to Adam, he said, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)  He didn't say a thousand flesh but rather one flesh.
     

Is Easter Important?

      There were two missionaries praying.  One jumped up and said, "I have a vision from God."  He said God had revealed to him that the church should tear down the temples.  His friend responded, "You are my missionary companion, but you are NOT a Mormon."
      Two preachers were praying during that same week.  One jumped up and said, "I have a vision from God."  He said God revealed to him that they should take the story of Jesus' death on the cross out of their Bible.  His preacher friend responded, "You are a religious person but you are NOT a Christian."
      There can be fake Mormons, fake Christians and fake lemonade.  Real lemonade is made with real lemons.  Real Christianity has a cross.  As we read the Old Testament, the scriptures point to the cross, point to the cross and point to the cross.  The crucifixion is detailed 4 times in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  The rest of the New Testament points back to the Cross.  In Corinthians 2:2, the Apostle Paul said, "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."

Choose your God this day

    President Lorenzo Snow

 "As man is, God once was; as God is man can become".  These were the words of Mormon prophet and president Lorenzo Snow.  Moroni 8:18 speaks of another God who is not a changeable being:  "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity." This God did not begin as a spirit being.  He was not required to take on the form of a man.  He did not have to ascend into exaltation.   He definitely did not have to become God.  He always HAS BEEN God and will always BE God.

      Have you been praying to an exalted man or the eternal God found in Moroni 8:18?  If you have been worshiping an exalted man, he is not the God found in Moroni 8:18.  It is a big temptation to seek our own glory and exaltation!   It is tempting to focus on a goddess wife.  It is very tempting to try to ascend to godhood over our own world.  REPENT, REPENT, REPENT!!!  Let us bend our knee to the great God that always was, always is and always will be God!  Let us submit ourselves to His will.  Let us only worship Him in all of His majesty!!!

"...and I will not give my glory unto another."  Isaiah 48:11

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,"  Isaiah 46:9

"Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last."  Isaiah 48:12

"I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded the, though thou hast not known 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 45:5-6

"For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."  Isaiah 45:18

"...there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.  Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."  Isaiah 45:21-22

"To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?"  Isaiah 46:5

"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."  Isaiah 44:6

"Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it?  ye are even my witnesses,  Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any."  Isaiah 44:8

"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."  Isaiah 42:8

"To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One?"  Isaiah 40:25

"...I am the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he."  Isaiah 41:4

"And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God.  And Amulek said: yea, there is a true and living God.  Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?  And he answered, No."  Alma 11:26-29

Disobeying the Commandments

 Prophets  

     Are you obeying the commandments from the right God?  The heading on chapter 13 of Deuteronomy says, "The Lord tests his people to see if they will worship false gods-..."  Verses 1-4 say, "If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us sere them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  Ye shall walk after the LORD you God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him."
     There are many ideas about what God is.  Moroni 8:18 says, "For I know that God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity."  Have you been praying to a "changeable being"?  Has your god always been god from "all eternity to all eternity" or did he have to ascend into godhood?  Is he a progressing, exalted man?
      These verses do not ask us to pray about a prophet.  We are not instructed to seek a certain feeling about a prophet.  The Deuteronomy passage is not subjective.  It is objective.  It is a thinking decision to decide which prophet to accept.  If you are praying to an exalted man, then you are not praying to the God of Moroni 8:18.  It is impossible to follow God's commands if you are following the wrong god.

Spirits

      In 1 John 4:1-3, we are commanded to try the spirits.  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that is should come; and even now already is it in the world."

      Again, this verse does not mention prayer or subjective feelings.  A number of religions believe in Jesus, but Matthew 24:23-24 gives us a Christ warning.  "Then is any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it no.  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."  As we try the spirits, do they give witness to the Jesus of the Bible or of another Christ?  John 3:16 says that Jesus is God's "only begotten son."  Are we praying to the son of an unchangeable being or the son of an exalted man?  If the spirit bears witness to a christ that is the son of an exalted man, then that spirit is not from God.  Christ, the son of a "changeable being" is a false christ.  Let us follow God's command to "Try the spirits".

Gospel

      In Galations 1:8&9, the apostle Paul commands us not to follow other gospels.  "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."  There are stories of an angel with a sword confronting and commanding people to receive the teaching of plural marriage or receive damnation.  D&C 132:4 says, "For behold, I reveal unto you a new and 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."  Here is a gospel that says receive plural marriage and be saved by faith after all you can do.  Paul was very careful and accurate in describing the gospel message to the church in Galatia.  He preached salvation by grace through faith.  He strongly stood against those commanding circumcision and the law for salvation.  The apostle Paul does not ask anyone to pray about the gospel or have a certain feeling of it's truthfulness.  It was objective, not subjective.  They were only to receive the gospel of salvation by grace through faith.  Polygamy was not a part of his gospel.  Paul preached about having good works, but he did not include it in his salvation message.  Are we following Paul's command to stay away from other gospels?

      May you follow the commands of the God who is an unchangeable being from all eternity to all eternity.  May you only be led by the Holy Spirit that testifies of the true Christ.  May you cling to the Apostle Paul's simple gospel message.  May God be with you always.