Déjà Vu ~ Times II: Staying Alert to the Source of “Great Signs and Wonders”*?

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Staying Alert to the Source of “Great Signs and Wonders”*?

In recent days, we have witnessed a reversal of the 1973 Federal co-option of alleged state power.¹ Many seem to view the SCOTUS decision as a great sign that the United States is re-affirming its former values. Some consider it an almost unbelievable wonder that in this current climate of iniquity and escalating abuse of children and power, that SCOTUS would make such a “course-correction.” But are we being too naïve about agendas? — about the appearance of things? We already see how this has created another acrimonious division, inflaming those who believe they have been stripped of a long-standing, federally-guaranteed right. So, being the skeptic that I am, I cannot help but wonder if time will soon reveal that this seeming “light”² in a dark landscape is really artificial. What is the real inspiration for this reversal? What is its real purpose? I do not know, except that the prevailing iniquity and secret combinations at the highest levels are so pervasive, it puts almost every action of the powers in doubt of legitimacy or good purpose.

Will this turn out to be in the nature of a Cain-like offering?

18 And Cain loved Satan more than God. And Satan commanded him, saying: Make an offering unto the Lord.
19 And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.³

Some have speculated that Cain's offering (fruit of the ground) was unacceptable as God required a sacrificial animal, but from Mosaic laws and temple endowment, both the first fruits of the field and the firstlings of the flock were commanded at varying times. Of course, Cain's fruit might not have been firstling or best, but the defining reason for the rejection of Cain's offering by God is probably answered in the words: “And Satan commanded [Cain], saying: Make an offering unto the Lord.”

Is this SCOTUS decision a genuine offering of repentance and return? Or should we also ask: In these last days of testing, trial, and rampant deception, what will the adversary of all Good not wrap in artificial light? How on guard must we be to discern what unfolds by the inspiration of God and what unfolds at the command of the enemy?

Time and Truth will eventually reveal motives and purposes, though, for the sake of those who sincerely seek the Good, God seems always able to bring Good out of bad if or when intentions by others are corrupted.

-----------------------------------------/
(All bold emphasis added.)
* JST New Testament | Matthew 24: 23-25
23 For in those days, there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant.
24 Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake.
25 And you also shall hear of wars, and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled; for all I have told you must come to pass. But the end is not yet.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/24/1102305878/supreme-court-abortion-roe-v-wade-decision-overturn
https://aclj.org/overturn-roe-v-wade-and-save-unborn-babies
2. New Testament | 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:9
9 ... that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 128:20
20 ... The voice of Michael on the banks of the Susquehanna, detecting the devil when he appeared as an angel of light!
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 129:8
8 If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.
3. Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:18-19 (Bold emphasis added.)

Revolving Accounts

"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us." (Old Testament Ecclesiastes 1:9-10)

"Dwell in the past and you'll lose an eye. Forget the past and you'll lose both eyes." (Old Russian Proverb)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This Déjà Vu ~ Times II blog is devoted to my religious / spiritual musings (sometimes political), mainly concerning the recycling of our follies since the world began.

Over time, it will contain:
thoughts
observations
poems
quotes

Déjà Vu ~ Times II blog © 2009 - 2020 by SMSmith (unless otherwise noted). Some Rights Reserved. See Creative Commons License at the end of this column/page.

Déjà Vu ~ Times II blog was established August 17, 2009 while the author was living in Canada helping caregive an aged mother.

“No Comments” Rationale

1) Time & more needful priorities;
2) Problems observed with many open-comment blogs as so bluntly expressed at http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/comment-policy/
3) People are free to post divergent or convergent views on their own blogs;
4) Learning from comments here would be preferable, but— (see 1, 2, & 3).

Brief note to the OFFENDED: Just because allowing "comments" is a blogger's option, it does not mean every blogger must conform to the "expectations" of others. Every soul can consult the Spirit and decide what is best and right in their circumstance. And if one has a blanket policy not to read another's work because there is no opportunity to comment, it seems one has closed oneself off to potential guidance of the Spirit. Besides, in this world of "overwhelm," the guidance of the Spirit is the best resource we have to lead us to things of importance in our unique life. So, if you have found your way here, perhaps there are a few things of import for you here. I try to trust the Spirit to lead me likewise to things of import within my purpose and priorities.

My World / TransWorld View

▪ Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come; (Doctrine and Covenants Section 93:24)
▪ If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed. (J. Reuben Clark)

▪ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:21)

▪ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.(New Testament Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13; 3 Nephi 13:24)
▪ See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.(New Testament 1 Thessalonians 5:15)
▪ For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; ... (Book of Mormon Alma 41:15)
▪ 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. (Book of Mormon Mosiah 4:9, emphasis added)
▪ ... the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:25)
▪ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Old Testament Isaiah 55:8 - 9)
▪ ... the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Book of Mormon Alma 29:8)
▪ The Bible is true, as far as it is translated correctly. Some things are to be understood literally; others metaphorically or symbolically.
▪ God is neither a Republican nor a Democrat; a Liberal nor a Conservative, just as Christ was neither a Pharisee or Sadducee. [For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.(Doctrine and Covenants Section 3:2)]
▪ Life is an escalating series of tests.
▪ “...we will be asked again and again to release the parts of our lives that mean the most to us.” (Caroline Myss, Sacred Contracts, p. 76; also preview lives of the prophets and saints.)