Eternal Security vs Free Choice

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Eternal Security vs Free Choice

      Eternal Security (once saved always saved) vs Free Choice are important doctrines for many people in the church today!  But, outside of church, people probably don't really care.  I think people outside of church would be more likely to care about Ezekiel 33:12-19.  In Ezekiel 33:12, the prophet proclaimed, "...The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneh from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth."  Ezekiel continues to expound on this in Ezekiel 33:13-19.  I think this is extremely interesting to people outside the church.  Can the righteous actually become wicked and can the wicked actually become righteous?  

      Pre-millennial vs post-millennial rapture is another very important doctrine to people inside the church.  Again, I do not think most people outside the church really care about it.  But people outside the church would be likely to care about 1 John 3:6-10!  "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.  Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for  the devil sinneth from the beginning.  For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."  So do you love your brother?  Are you a righteous person from Monday through Saturday.  I think this is very interesting to those who are not in church.

      King James version, NIV, NKJV or Holman Christian Standard?  This choice is very important for some people, but do people outside of church really care?  Probably not.  I do think people on the outside would care about John 14:15.  "If ye love me, keep my commandments."  Do we really love God?  Do we keep his commands?

      What about hymns vs worship songs?  Is one more worshipful than the other?  Here is the question: Is what we think is important really that important?  It is easy to get focused only on things inside the church.  God has called us to "go unto all the world". 

Transhumanism

 

      In Genesis 1:10, God created the land and the seas, and he saw that "it was good". After God created the grass, the herbs, the trees, the sun, the moon and the stars he saw that "it was good" in Genesis 1:18. God created the fish and the birds and saw that "it was good" in Genesis 1:21. God made the animals and saw that "it was good". In verse 21, God saw everything he had made and "it was very good". The transhumanist comes along and says no, it is not good enough. We must improve ourselves. We must move from human 1.0 to human 2.0. They believe they have the pathway to accomplish just that.

Artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and gene therapy have become a modern-day Tower of Babel for many elites, powerful men in our world. In Genesis 11, the people built a great tower to reach into the heavens. They sought to make a great name for themselves. In their own way, they wanted to be "like" God in heaven who has the greatest name of all. Bill Gates speaks of "gene editing for good". Ilon Musk believes that we can stop or reverse aging with the right gene codes. With the right DNA sequence, he believes that we can turn a human into a butterfly. Ray Kurzweil, from Google, believes that we can become "eternal" through artificial intelligence. He believes that we can become "godlike" using nanobots or nanotechnology. They are now able to synthesize parts of our DNA through DNA origami. We have GMO foods, but they want GMO people. They want human 2.0.

It reminds me of Grubhub. There is Olive Garden (needed information from the cloud). Grubhub picks the food up and delivers it to your house (nanobots, nanotechnology or hydrogel in your body receive info from the cloud and deliver it to the appropriate cells). And there is you and your house (the cells in your body that process the information).

Can such loftiness be achieved? Can we become "eternal" and "godlike"? God did not permit it at the tower of Babel in Genesis 11. God confounded their language and scattered the people across the earth. In Isaiah 14:12-15, Lucifer tried to become "like the most High". He said, "...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." Verse 15 prophecies that this Lucifer will "be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."

Can transhumanists succeed in their lofty goals? DNA/mRNA vaccine studies have failed over the past 15 years. The ferrets and other animals they have used have died because of cytokine storms. The vaccines in Africa and India, backed by Bill Gates, have been a failure. Many women have been sterilized and children born with deformities. Here in America, there are reported vaccine side effects of messed up menstrual cycles, miscarriages, ovaries that do not have viable eggs, testicular pain and sperm that is not mobile or cannot swim.

My son and I went to an Avengers movie. It was the one where Thanos was victorious, and he destroyed a large percentage of the world's population. And of course, nature was green and healthy. He thought the world was then in balance. Bill Gates reminds me of Thanos. Gates is a eugenicist. He is a fan of depopulation. He thinks there are too many people in the world, and we are harming the earth by our existence. I thought Thanos seemed somber about destroying part of the earth's human population. Bill Gates seems to be gleeful about damaging or ending life. The Moderna vaccine is one of the vaccines that is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The transhumanists believe they have found the way. In John 14:6, Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life...."

As people, we need to value our unique genome. Our DNA makes us uniquely human. Our DNA/RNA makes us unique from anyone else in the world. It is a treasure. It is a gift. We do not need to become partially synthetic. We do not need to become altered. We do not need to strive for eternal life through the perfect DNA sequence. We do not need to become godlike. Let God be God and let us be the humans we were designed to be. Say no to gene therapy and DNA/mRNA vaccines. Say no to the vaccine passport!

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?

Lying, Dog-Faced Pony Soldier

Lying, Dog-Faced Pony Soldier

      In February of 2020, Joe Biden called Madison Moore a "lying, dog-faced, pony soldier".  She was a 21 year old economics student at Mercer University.  Sadly, no one had the guts to stick up for her as she was put on the spot in front of her school, the cameras and media and the entire country.  He also called Peter Doocy a "one horse pony" on December 22, 2020.  What was Joe Biden trying to accomplish with these insults to young people who were probably his grandchildren's age?

      People often use animal references to devalue another person's sense of worth.  Calling a young woman "dog-faced" is not saying that she is beautiful.  It is the exact opposite.  Many politicians feel that they are superior.  They view themselves as being part of an elite class.  They view regular people as inferior and less valueable.  When Biden was calling them names, he was trying to remind everyone that he is an elite person and they are nobodies.  The inferior nobodies have no authority to question anyone from the elite class!  So what is the worth of Peter Doocy and Madison Moore?  What is the value of the lowly, non-elite nobodies in this world?

      The "lower class" was addressed in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.  "Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth.  Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.  God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world - what is viewed as nothing - to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, so that no one can boast in His presence.  But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us - our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord." (HCSB)

      What about an axiological point of view?  God, the wisest designer, the most knowledgeable creator in the universe, created Madison Moore and Peter Doocy.  Insulting these young people is insulting what God has created.  Insulting what God has created is a way of insulting God.  You are judging God to be a poor creator.  

      The Bible goes even further to say that we are made in the image of God.  Christians believe God is the most valueable being in the universe.  So, essentially we are made in the image of the most valuable being in the universe!!  Genesis 1:26-27 says, "Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.... So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female."  In today's world, people often value those who agree with them and hate those who disagree.  In reality, the person whom you hate also has been made in the image of God and magnificently created by God!  

      James Chapter 2 declares that it is a sin to judge based on outward appearances.  Verse 9 says, "But if you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors."  Verse 5 says, "Listen, my dear brothers: Didn't God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that He has promised to those who love Him?"  1 Peter 5:5-6 says, "...clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.... Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,..."  Proverbs 16:18 also says, "Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall."  

      Madison Moore and Peter Doocy seem like intelligent, hard-working, young people.  It will be interesting to see what they accomplish by the time they reach Joe Biden's age.

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!