Q: Does God expect us to study and listen openly to both sides of an issue or controversy?
▪ 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.1Q: Which “way” am I following or being asked to follow? the way of the many? the way of the few?
▪ Joseph Smith: I preached to the Saints, setting forth the evils that existed, and that would exist, by reason of hasty judgment, or decisions upon any subject given by any people, or in judging before they had heard both sides of a question;2
▪ Joseph Smith: We deem it a just principle, and it is one the force of which we believe ought to be duly considered by every individual, that all men are created equal, and that all have the privilege of thinking for themselves upon all matters relative to conscience. Consequently, then, we are not disposed, had we the power, to deprive any one of exercising that free independence of mind which heaven has so graciously bestowed upon the human family as one of its choicest gifts;3
13 ¶ 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:Q: Does the record of Christ's third temptation have any 2021 parallels?
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.4
8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;Q: Does God ever test the discernment or obedience of His people through the voice of trusted authorities?
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship [obey] me.5
▪ Old prophet and Young prophet6Q: Did God caution us about authority and trusting in the arm of flesh or worldly powers?
▪ Jeremiah and the Rechabites7
▪ 51 Verily, I say unto you [Joseph Smith Jr.]: A commandment I give unto mine handmaid, Emma Smith, your wife, whom I have given unto you, that she stay herself and partake not of that which I commanded you to offer unto her; for I did it, saith the Lord, to prove you all, as I did Abraham, and that I might require an offering at your hand, by covenant and sacrifice.8
▪ 39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.9Q: Did Jesus honor the Temple even when He criticized those in charge of it?
▪ 34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. 10
▪ 19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—11
13 ... and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,Q: What if I don't believe the COVID narrative?
14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.12
▪ 11 For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a man's belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds.13Q: Is there any history of secret combinations working for power and gain?
▪ 2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws [for the good and safety of society] are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each individual the free exercise of conscience, the right and control of property, and the protection of life.14
▪ 5 We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and should be punished accordingly; and that all governments have a right to enact such laws as in their own judgments are best calculated to secure the public interest; at the same time, however, holding sacred the freedom of conscience.15
[NOTE: As most anyone can see, these scriptures (and others) can be used by opposing sides in the COVID debate, but in the gestalt of life and revelation, freedom of conscience is always paramount.]
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.Q: What am I to discern about an increasingly bullying government and culture?
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.16
5 And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.Q: What does God say about the fear?
6 Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land;
7 And as pertaining to law of man, whatsoever is more or less than this, cometh of evil.
8 I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free.
9 Nevertheless, when the wicked rule the people mourn.17
▪ 12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,18------------------------------------------/
▪ 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. ...
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.19
▪ 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.20
▪ 10 ¶ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.21
▪ 35 And all they who suffer persecution for my name, and endure in faith, though they are called to lay down their lives for my sake yet shall they partake of all this glory.
36 Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.
37 Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.
38 And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.22
All bold emphasis added in the above and below scriptures and quotations.
1. New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 5:21
2. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976], 118.
Consider also: New Testament | John 7:24 ~ Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
3.Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976], 49.
Also: Joseph Smith: President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel—said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the [house of Israel]— that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls—applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall—that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy. (Ibid, 237.)
4. New Testament | Matthew 7:13-14
5. New Testament | Matthew 4:8-9
See also: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-three-temptations-2021-conversion.html
6. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2021/08/lesson-from-old-prophet-revisited.html
7. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2021/09/remembering-jeremiah-and-rechabites.html
8. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:51
See also: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2010/08/using-our-heads-minds-and-hearts.html
9. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:39
10. Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:34
11. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:19
Also consider:
George Q. Cannon: Do not brethren, put your trust in man though he be a bishop, an apostle, or a president. If you do, they will fail you at some time or place; they will do wrong or seem to, and your support is gone; but if we lean on God, He never will fail us. When men and women depend on God alone, and trust in Him alone, their faith will not be shaken if the highest in the Church should step aside. Perhaps it is His own design that faults and weaknesses should appear in high places in order that His Saints may learn to trust in Him, and not in any man or men. | George Q. Cannon, Millennial Star, 53:674
Samuel Richards: "We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark, that they would do anything that they were told to do by those who preside over them, if they knew it was wrong: but such obedience is worse than folly to us; it is slavery in the extreme; and the man who would thus willingly degrade himself, should not claim rank among intelligent beings, until he turns from his folly. A man of God...would despise the idea. Others in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary, and that no matter what the saints were told to do by their presidents, they should do it without asking any questions. When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their minds to do wrong themselves." | Samuel Richards on Nov. 13, 1852, recorded in the Millennial Star, 14:393-395
George Q. Cannon: If we do anything let us do it understandingly. If we hear any principle taught from the stand that we do not understand let us seek to comprehend it by the Spirit of God. If it be not of God we have the privilege of knowing it. We are not required to receive for doctrine everything that we hear. We may say—"I do not know whether this is true or not, I will not fight it, neither will I endorse it, but I will seek knowledge from God, for that is my privilege, and I will never rest satisfied until I have obtained the light I require." If you hear a doctrine that does not agree with your feelings, or that you do not believe, take this course; do not reject nor endorse hastily, without knowing or understanding. By taking this course you will develop the principle that God designs we should possess, and we will thus become a wise and understanding people, for we will be based on the Rock of Revelation. | Remarks by George Q. Cannon delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City, April 21st, 1867, [Reported by David W. Evans.] found at Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-1886], 12:45-46.
12. New Testament | John 2:13-16
Also make a point to study the words Jesus used when speaking to the religious and secular authorities of His day. And for those who consider this post to be “evil speaking” please read the post at https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2016/01/part-two-evil-speaking-discernment.html
13. Book of Mormon | Alma 30:11
14. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:2
15. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:5
16. Book of Mormon | Ether 8:22-25
17. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 98:5-9
18. Old Testament | Deuteronomy 10:12
19. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 6:34, 36
20. Old Testament | Psalms 23:
21. Old Testament | Isaiah 41:10
22. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 101:35 - 38
