When to Disrespect “Authority”? Reconciling Jesus* and Paul**?

- Pillars of Freedom -
Sustaining ONLY that
which deserves sustaining

First, let me be clear: I believe that law,¹ governments, and authorities² are necessary because of the predilections of the “natural man.” Scripture states:

the natural man is an enemy to God [and thus to fellow men], and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man ... .³

In proof of that judgment, the natural man has demonstrated over millennia that he cannot be trusted with unrestrained power or authority.⁴ Even with checks and balances, the déjà vus of corruption,  oppression, and violence have been the way of the world as tyrants (from within family structures all the way to global empires) have risen and then fallen to other tyrants — age upon age. The Scriptures are, in essence, one long lament⁵ about abuses of power and authority by “natural men” (both high and low) counterbalanced with God's invitation for them to repent, accept and live truth, serve Him and their fellow man, and fill the measure of their creation, all without coercion. 

But what characterizes the natural man? In large measure, the natural man is susceptible to:

• self-delusion / self-deception,
• self-aggrandizement,
• obsessions for power-gain-glory-domination,
• acting without conscience,
• pride,
• addiction,
• gullibility,
• misplaced trust,
• lying,
• stiffneckedness,
• and so forth.

Many seek to be a law unto themselves and thus become enemies to God, their fellow beings, and all creation.

So what are we to do when “natural men” gain positions of authority which they often relentlessly pursue, obtain, corrupt, and abuse? What then are we to make of Paul’s instruction in New Testament Romans?

1 LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law (New Testament | Romans 13:1–8).

Here is one man’s answer worthy of our consideration:

For what purpose has [God] given [dominion of the earth] to the children of men? That they may govern it, even as stated in Gen. 1: 26, 27. This is shown in Rom. 13: 1-4, where it is stated that the powers that be are ordained of God, and that rulers are appointed to bear the sword of justice. The expression, “the powers that be are ordained of God,” refers to authority in general, rather than to particular Governments. And this should be sufficient to show that, although God rules the entire universe, he is not the head of any earthly Government. If he were, then there would be but one correct form of Government, and the officers of that Government would be appointed directly by Him, as in the case of the ancient Jewish Government. But no one can claim that of the various nations of earth, one is ordained of God, to the exclusion of the others.

Take for instance, Russia, Germany, England, and the United States. Here we have four Governments, all differing in their structure. Which of them is ordained of God? All of them. They are all for the purpose of preserving order, and of guarding the rights of each individual against the encroachments of others. This is all that earthly Governments are ordained to do. The whole of the law against the violation of which they can execute wrath is, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and this they can enforce only so far as concerns outward acts. They cannot compel a man to love his neighbor in his heart, but they can see that he does his neighbor no personal wrong, and when they do this, they are carrying out that for which they were appointed. And in thus executing justice between man and man the ruler is ordained of God, whether he is born to the throne, or whether he is elected by the people, or appointed by a few. The Czar of Russia, the Emperor of Germany, the Queen of England, and the President of the United States, are all equally ordained of God as ministers of justice; not because God is personally at the head of any one of these Governments, but because he has ordained that men shall be under authority, and the individuals above referred to are in authority in their respective Governments. In the discharge of their duty, they are each personally responsible to God, just the same as the humblest peasant.

But, although man was given dominion over the earth and all that it contains, all things are not now under him. Adam was overcome by the tempter, and so forfeited his dominion. He has not now perfect dominion over the earth, because it does not yield to him the increase that it formerly did; and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea are not passively subject to his control. What man forfeited, he has no power to regain. And so, since we do not now see all things put under him, Paul says that “we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Heb. 2: 9. Not only did Christ taste death in order to restore to man his forfeited life, but he also bore the curse of the earth (compare Gen. 3: 17, 18 and Matt. 27: 29), that he might redeem it, and restore to man the possession that he lost. [52] Since Christ alone could redeem the lost dominion, and has paid the price, it is to him that it is to come. Says the prophet, “And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” Micah 4: 8. And so Paul directs the minds of the disciples forward to the time of “the redemption of the purchased possession.” Eph. 1: 14. And when that time shall come, and the kingdom shall be given to Him “whose right it is,” those who have suffered with Christ shall also reign with him. 2 Tim. 2: 12; Rom. 8: 17.⁶

The prophet Joseph Smith recorded it this way:

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law (Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:12).

1 WE believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.
2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws 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.
3 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.
4 We believe ... that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
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.
6 We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men show respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.
7 We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
8 We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.
9 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied. ...
11 We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded. ...(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:1-9, 11; full section here⁷).

The bold emphasis above highlights the conditions for respect for authority. When those conditions were violated or exceeded, neither Jesus nor His servants pretended to respect the offending “authority”; on the contrary, they denounced the corruption and abuse, often in the very face of the abuser.⁸

The Prophet Joseph also recorded God’s directive concerning government:

4 And now, verily I say unto you concerning the laws of the land, it is my will that my people should observe to do all things whatsoever I command them.
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.
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 (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 98:4–9, bold emphasis added).

So, when the wicked rule by corrupting or denying Constitutional and just law or limitation, are we to mourn in silence and inaction? Does not authority cease to exist when “authorities” breach or exceed their contract or calling of service to the people? And where is the alleged authority when natural men claim it in elitist self-delusion and self-appointment? Must we not relentlessly remind “authorities” that all governments:

“are all for the purpose of preserving order [without violating rights of conscience⁹], and of guarding the rights of each individual against the encroachments of others. This is all that earthly Governments are ordained to do”¹⁰?

Added October 31 from Cato’s Letter 15 (February 4, 1720):

“That Men ought to speak well of their Governours is true, while their Governours, deserve to be well spoken of, but to do publick Mischief, without hearing of it, is only the Prerogative and Felicity of Tyranny: A free People will be shewing that they are so, by their Freedom of Speech.”¹¹

Added November 3, 2023:

When Should You Defy the Government? | Jonathan Cahn Sermon (YT: Nov 1, 2023)¹²

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* Jesus response to corrupted power / authority: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-did.html
** Paul: New Testament | Romans 13:1–8 discussed in the body of this post.

1. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:34-39
   34 And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
   35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
   36 All kingdoms have a law given;
   37 And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
   38 And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
   39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:21–25 (Bold emphasis added.)
   21 And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
   22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
   23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
   24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
   25 And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—
2. Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:12
   12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:34-39
   34 And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same.
   35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
   36 All kingdoms have a law given;
   37 And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom.
   38 And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions.
   39 All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified.
3. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19 
   19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father .
See also: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2010/05/natural-man.html
4. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:39-40 (bold emphasis added)
   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.
   40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
See also:
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2016/02/2-flags.html
https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2020/08/anarchy-four-fatal-flaws.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2020/06/gazlighting-by-anarchists.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-few-questions-for-anarchists-and.html
5. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2014/01/gods-lament.html
6. Jones, Alonzo T. . The American Sentinel: Volume 1 (pp. 251-253). Adventist Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition (bold emphasis added).
7. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:1-12 (bold emphasis added above)
   1 WE believe that governments were instituted of God for the benefit of man; and that he holds men accountable for their acts in relation to them, both in making laws and administering them, for the good and safety of society.
   2 We believe that no government can exist in peace, except such laws 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.
   3 We believe that all governments necessarily require civil officers and magistrates to enforce the laws of the same; and that such as will administer the law in equity and justice should be sought for and upheld by the voice of the people if a republic, or the will of the sovereign.
   4 We believe that religion is instituted of God; and that men are amenable to him, and to him only, for the exercise of it, unless their religious opinions prompt them to infringe upon the rights and liberties of others; but we do not believe that human law has a right to interfere in prescribing rules of worship to bind the consciences of men, nor dictate forms for public or private devotion; that the civil magistrate should restrain crime, but never control conscience; should punish guilt, but never suppress the freedom of the soul.
   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.
   6 We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men show respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker.
   7 We believe that rulers, states, and governments have a right, and are bound to enact laws for the protection of all citizens in the free exercise of their religious belief; but we do not believe that they have a right in justice to deprive citizens of this privilege, or proscribe them in their opinions, so long as a regard and reverence are shown to the laws and such religious opinions do not justify sedition nor conspiracy.
   8 We believe that the commission of crime should be punished according to the nature of the offense; that murder, treason, robbery, theft, and the breach of the general peace, in all respects, should be punished according to their criminality and their tendency to evil among men, by the laws of that government in which the offense is committed; and for the public peace and tranquility all men should step forward and use their ability in bringing offenders against good laws to punishment.
   9 We do not believe it just to mingle religious influence with civil government, whereby one religious society is fostered and another proscribed in its spiritual privileges, and the individual rights of its members, as citizens, denied.
   10 We believe that all religious societies have a right to deal with their members for disorderly conduct, according to the rules and regulations of such societies; provided that such dealings be for fellowship and good standing; but we do not believe that any religious society has authority to try men on the right of property or life, to take from them this world's goods, or to put them in jeopardy of either life or limb, or to inflict any physical punishment upon them. They can only excommunicate them from their society, and withdraw from them their fellowship.
   11 We believe that men should appeal to the civil law for redress of all wrongs and grievances, where personal abuse is inflicted or the right of property or character infringed, where such laws exist as will protect the same; but we believe that all men are justified in defending themselves, their friends, and property, and the government, from the unlawful assaults and encroachments of all persons in times of exigency, where immediate appeal cannot be made to the laws, and relief afforded.
   12 We believe it just to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the corruption of the world; but we do not believe it right to interfere with bond–servants, neither preach the gospel to, nor baptize them contrary to the will and wish of their masters, nor to meddle with or influence them in the least to cause them to be dissatisfied with their situations in this life, thereby jeopardizing the lives of men; such interference we believe to be unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government allowing human beings to be held in servitude.
8. https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-did.html
https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2023/10/respecting-obeying-authority-what-of.html
9. (as long as such conscience is not used to justify sedition or conspiracy against lawful authority)
10. Jones, Alonzo T. The American Sentinel: Volume 1 (pp. 251-253). Adventist Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition (bold emphasis added).
11. Cato's Letters, John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon (Letter Number 15 Of Freedom of Speech, That the Same is inseparable from Publick Liberty, February 4, 1720). Source: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech
12. Added Nov 3, 2023:
When Should You Defy the Government? | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
(Jonathan Cahn Official | Nov. 1, 2023 | Time 9:18 min) at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c4rAz9y2Mo

GAZlighting by Anarchists?

With the plethora of new tyrannical legislation under cover of COVID19, many are remembering and praising Ayn Rand's phantom character, John Galt. Thirty-three times in Atlas Shrugged, Rand asks the question: “Who is John Galt?” YET, it seems that, over the years, few have taken the time to reply, so I refurbish a portion of a Déjà Vu ~ Times answer¹ from 2012 to remind lamenting, budding rights-activists that their “anarchist” John Galt is probably not who they think he is.

For and from the record,² John Galt is:

the man who claims that Galt’s Gulch ... (Galt's Autonomous Zone, i.e., GAZ in latter-day parlance) has no rules (D:544) — EXCEPT the rule that there are no rules. OH, AND the rule “not to give to the world the benefit of [one’s] mind” (D:569). OH, AND since there are really no rules, there are several GAZ “directives” as in:

▪ the word “give” is forbidden in the valley (D:544)
▪ no one can leave GAZ during the month of rest from the world (D:578)
▪ no communication with the outside world is allowed while in GAZ (D:581)
▪ no disclosure of any nature or degree about GAZ to the outside world is permitted (D:615)
▪ there are to be no gifts or favors, only earnings in GAZ (D:578+; 544)
▪ no currency but Milligan mint is accepted in GAZ (D:554)
▪ one doesn’t ask for help (D:575)
▪ self-sacrifice is forbidden³ (D:769)
▪ the requirement to pursue self-interest and maximum profit prevails
▪ “there can be no collective commitments in [GAZ] and that families or relatives are not allowed to come here, unless each person takes the striker's oath by his own independent conviction.” (D:598)
▪ the law of the voluntary contract governs⁴ (D:810)
▪ everyone who enters GAZ takes the oath: "I swear—by my life and my love of it—that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine."⁵ (D:557)
▪ “Nobody stays in [GAZ] except by a full, conscious choice based on a full, conscious knowledge of every fact involved in his decision. Nobody stays here by faking reality^[6] in any manner whatever." (D:605)
▪ everyone MUST be a competitive, achieving person of ambition and competence
▪ violence (normally taboo) will be met with violence (no “turn the other cheek” nonsense) (D:779)
▪ there shall be no sloth⁷
▪ “moochers,” “looters,” “cannibals” are forbidden
▪ the support of “moochers,” “looters,” “cannibals,” is forbidden
▪ (plus how many other unexpressed expectations and directives might Galt pronounce to counter opposing expectations and beliefs of newcomers to GAZ?)

So, do we have any realists ready to move to GAZ? Or to other AZs that are cropping-up in 2020?

Just watch the attempted coverage of these “free” zones by disliked or independent media. Freedom from coercion is not the rule. The rule is replacement of abusive coercion and exclusion by one's preferred brand of coercion and exclusion. That is the reality.

So, could we term Rand's “GAZ” a form of GAZlighting of innocents who know-not the reality of human nature? Anarchy is a vacuum that fills almost instantly with tyrants. That's the reality of “mankind” and “human nature” in this fallen world. Just ask the Seattle CHAZ/CHOP innocents and “summer-of-love” mayor about co-opting and tyranny. In the beginning, all might seem calm, peaceful, respectful, inclusive, utopian, but reality soon intervenes as a new / old domination system invades the Shangri-La.⁸ SO

Wake Up

Governors | Mayors | theoretical Anarchists | Innocents | Citizens

Defunding / disbanding the police, even as abusive as some of them are, creates a vacuum into which bands of mercenaries will rush — mercenaries already visa-ed, prepped, weaponized, and waiting with baited breath for the order to roll-out the WO (camouflaged as World Order). And as horrific as recent events have been, they pale to what is planned unless WE, like Nineveh,⁹ wake up and repent.

Yes, anarchists, I think that perhaps 97% of our laws and “authorities” are unnecessary, excessive, abusive, AND often unlawful, but GAZlighting oneself and others about the benignity of “human nature”¹⁰ while also ignoring the inner and outer social half of the human quadrant of reality (vis-à-vis the inner / outer individual half) distorts the options and solutions. Let us honestly look at human nature as it really is, as it really has been, and as it will continue to be if we don't address unpleasant, galling truths about it and our delusions and obsessions with power, gain, and glory.

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1. https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/2012/10/who-is-john-galt.html
2.  Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand: digital PDF version found at http://www.mises.ch/library/Rand_AtlasShrugged.pdf . The pages references (D:xxx) refer to pages in that PDF edition.
3. BUT, BUT, BUT didn't Francisco d'Anconia and Hank Rearden violate the sacred rules against self-sacrifice and the requirement to pursue only self-interest when they gave up their love and lover Dagny Taggart to John Galt?
4. BUT, BUT, BUT what if 3 or 4 people want to voluntarily make a collective commitment or contract when “no collective commitments” are allowed?
5. BUT, BUT, BUT didn't those other persecuted achievers (as in: Francisco d’Anconia, Hank Rearden, Ragnar Danneskjold, Dagny Taggart, et al.) go well beyond these directives by putting their own lives and futures at risk (altruism?) to rescue their adored, philosophical leader from captors? (D:874) not to mention (again) the giving up of a beloved paramour Dagny to the enamored Galt?
6. Who decides who is faking reality? And what if the Decider is ignoring / faking reality?
7. And who decides “sloth”? Would that include philosophers who sit and think? Etc.? Etc.?
8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangri-La . For a review of gaslighting, see https://dejavu-times.blogspot.com/search?q=gaslighting
9. Grisly Assyrian Record of Torture and Death By Erika Belibtreu at https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f4af/bb82f1b7920fa9444e29eb128bd13832cd46.pdf ; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assyria . See also: https://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.com/2018/09/why-was-jonah-so-very-angry.html
10. Watch for a coming Post (probably at the sister site, Déjà Vu ~ Times) responding to Larken Rose's The Most Dangerous Superstition and his claim that: statists and those who fear or oppose anarchy have “a profound misunderstanding of human nature.”

A Few Questions for Anarchists and Sovereigntists*

▪ what should we think of someone who, in their first week of dental school, began signing their name as Dr. or appended D.D. to their name? Would doing so in their third year before graduation be more acceptable? Should there be any rules or tests at all for anyone who considers they have sufficient knowledge, interest, or skill to take up a skilled profession?

▪ when was it ever safe or wise to tell an individual (who has been the alleged victim of a violent act) that s/he has the inalienable right under Natural Law to act as witness, prosecutor, jury, judge, and executioner?¹

▪ if one only acknowledges the “I / ME” of a 4-quadrant reality,² what is the likelihood of true growth in consciousness?

▪ does the whole ever manifest as greater than the sum of its parts? And how is the individual holon to relate to the social holon if the social holon is denied?³

▪ how does order flow from your definition of freedom (i.e., no rules or laws⁴) when moral / emotional / spiritual / cognitive / social / etc. intelligence runs the gamut from 2-year old tantrums to licentious Crowleys to compassionate Mother Teresas? And if one denies the clear déjà vu on déjà vu demonstration of states, stages, lines, levels, grades, and growth in all nature, including human nature, what does that say about one's state of awareness, internal and external?

▪ if hierarchy, both developmental and corrupted, manifest in almost all we see in this world, what level of consciousness can develop if all hierarchy is lumped together and rejected?⁵

▪ if the world has endured 70-plus years of global, psychopathic, mind-control experiments on tens-of-thousands of unwitting children and adults; if many accounts mirror patterns of powerful hypnosis and mind-control involving excruciating bouts of torture, abuse, pain, drugging, experimentation, reincarnation memories, alien abduction, and the creation of multiple personalities;⁶ if most of these accounts come out of power cultures like the military, the CIA, cults, pedophile rings, secret societies / combines, Hollywood, etc.; what should we make of “spiritual guides” who claim to have endured similar bouts of torture, abuse, alien abduction, etc., and survived them to become gurus of truth and advanced, galactic consciousness?⁷

▪ if there are increasing stages of complexity and differentiation in art, architecture, nature, and so forth, which must be maintained by even-higher orders of complexity to avoid entropy, how sovereign can one claim to be when increased complexity, growth, differentiation, and death are still ahead? Can one say, in honesty: “I am that I am,” or “I am God,” or “I am sovereign” when the reality is (or may be) “I am that I may become”?

▪ if an artist takes of materials already in existence and organizes them into a thing of beauty, can s/he not, in truth, say “I created this work of art”? Should we hold God to a different standard?

▪ what child was ever born into this world without two more-advanced, mediating, integrating elements from a father and a mother? And if life constitutes pre-mortal and post-mortal stages, are there mediators / elements at each stage? Is mediation a pattern? Are higher-order mediators required to help bring others from stage to stage of  increasing “consciousness” and integration?

▪ what is flesh and gross matter but a condition so beset by decay that no creature has ever escaped death nor ever will (despite hopes, plans, mechanizations, experiments, etc) without intervention by some higher order of law or being? And if “transcend and include” is a true principle of growth, enlightenment, and “evolution,” how do we transcend the flesh, yet include it, if there is death without resurrection?⁸

▪ how do anarchists and sovereigntists expect to handle the myriad psychopaths that history details in déjà vu upon déjà vu?⁹

▪ if psychopaths and order-followers are subhuman — below even animals — as Mark Passio alleges¹⁰ (with no chance of healing or redemption for primary psychopaths?), are we setting ourselves up to justify a holocaust of blame and annihilation because primary and secondary psychopaths will not come to a unity of consciousness? And if numbers matter, what should we do with the “toxic” numbers — the “garbage”¹¹?

▪ could those who assert “As above, so below”; and “As below, so above,” be engaged in many false conflations concerning above / below, dual / non-dual, objective / subjective, obedience, law, freedom, purpose, agency, hierarchy, Law of Attraction, Natural Law,¹² etc.?

▪ what would be the effect on agency, soul growth, and consciousness if there really was “The End of All Evil”¹³ in this world? And are many of man's alleged “truths” but recycled disputations — echoes from before Eden?¹⁴

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* As in Mark Passio; George Kavassilas, Cameron Day, et al. Many of their criticisms of our world are valid, but what of their prescriptions? How close do any of us come to knowing the fine-line that is real truth and to recognizing that anything more or less than truth (adding to or taking away) cometh of evil? Do the number of studies that demonstrate how often "seeing, we see not and hearing, we hear not," give us a clue that awareness is a perpetual work in progress subject to distortions? and that forming theories (thinking) about what is real or true might not be sufficient if we refuse to see how such theories have played out in real history and will play out in real life?
1. (the logical conclusion of Mark Passio's contentions per several lectures, particularly about "Natural Law.") But see, New Testament | Matthew 7:3-5 ~ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
2. Search Ken Wilber or integral theory on YouTube for some explanations.
3. Ken Wilber - individual and social holons (Time 15:12) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RIc94LAQzM
4. (except for Natural Law, as some claim, though many others allege there is no inherent right or wrong to "govern" sovereign souls)
5.  http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/search/label/Hierarchy
6. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/search/label/ChildSacrifice
7. Search YouTube for George Kavassilas interviews
8. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2009/09/suppositions-from-sunday-afternoon.html
9. http://dejavu-times.blogspot.ca/search/label/Psychopathy
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wecRC5wIBEg&t=8678s ; http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2018/02/echoes-from-history.html
11. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/03/natural-or-unnatural.html
12. Passio descriptive: circa min. 10:00 at Mark Passio All Religions Are Garbage, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HuI65AMFNg
13. Book by Jeremy Locke
14. New Testament | Revelation 12:7-9 ~ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Echoes from History?

At some point truth seekers will probably encounter the prolific and vociferous Mark Passio. Does he speak truth? I suppose that is for each of us to discern, but I do find it curious that a man who seeks to help re-establish a sense of “true care” in the world, repeatedly uses the phrase “I don't care” — mostly in reference to those who don't accept or who criticize his proclamations of truth. He claims that a unified consciousness is required to move this planet to a new level of spiritual maturity; that numbers matter; that the true great work is to “get others to abandon false religious beliefs¹ and grow in consciousness”²; and that those who refuse are “the real enemy of mankind.”³ Does this philosophy not hold individual growth hostage to a collective mandate and lead inevitably to the very tirade we encounter at

Mark Passio New Age Mind Controlled Golemised Trolls
(Time 1:25:27; particularly first 15 minutes) at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Ntsc7AaUw&t=1243s

Where have we heard this sort of demonizing before? in recent history? Listen to the first 15-odd minutes and we hear his anger and disgust: that the appallingly ignorant are not humans, but animals; that 90% of the world have no clue; they are the idiots of this world; they are like degenerated animals; they are the ones keeping this prison world going; they are degenerated, loathsome, retarded creatures; not humans, but things; they are causing the continuance of slavery that tortures him so. He does not soften his vitriol (or body-function references), but glories in them.

So if violence is to cause harm to an innocent person, and force is a rightful, lawful response to such violence (as he claims⁴), how near are we to claiming that the “appallingly ignorant” are causing violence to our right to a unified consciousness? and that force is a rightful response to ending the ignorance of these animals / things?

This is only the beginning of the flags that I see in the “truths” of Mark Passio. YES, he has some great insights and criticisms, but in coming weeks I will try to delineate some of the other flags of caution.

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1. Passio claims all religions are a form of slavery, and that a belief in the need for salvation or a savior is the worst form of mental bondage.See Mark Passio New Age Mind Controlled Golemised Trolls (about minute 12:00) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Ntsc7AaUw&t=1243s
2. Natural Law, Part 3, circa 2:15:00 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=204aGDVa3Vw (Mark Passio - Natural Law Seminar - New Haven, CT - Part 3 of 3)
3. Natural Law Part 3, circa 2:23:00
4. Natural Law Part 3, circa 0:30:00

#2: FLAGS*

Anarchism?
(n. 1  the political theory that government and law are unnecessary and harmful because they prevent individuals from reaching their greatest development.  2  lawlessness or terrorism.)

As can be observed throughout the déjà vus of history and scripture, the natural man¹ has often objected to law—at least any law he perceives as curtailing his freedom. He often seems somewhat less precise about the law he would like to impose on others who offend his theories or sensibilities. A classic case is the fictional natural-man, named John Galt in his valley of “no-rules rules.”² A real flesh and blood character who might have admired John Galt (from the safe distance of his own “liberated” bubble) would undoubtedly be Korihor.

And many more such things did he [Korihor] say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime. (Book of Mormon | Alma 30:17)

The natural man’s gospel is, of course, the “good news” of self-will. More and more, we are encountering this “good news” amongst Christians as they sport their flags and banners of agency, freedom, and ofttimes, anarchism.

But what do God and His prophets have to say about agency and anarchism? And when we encounter advocates of self-will, should we ask ourselves: “Who was the first preacher of this “good news”? and how does it stack up against law?

AND I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. … Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency^[3] of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:1, 3-4)

And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:26-27)

I, the Lord God, make you free, therefore ye are free indeed; and the law also maketh you free. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 98:8)

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:20-21)

What then of Anarchism and its Offspring?

It has been the design of Jehovah, from the commencement of the world, and is His purpose now, to regulate the affairs of the world in His own time, to stand as a head of the universe, and take the reins of government in His own hand. When that is done, judgment will be administered in righteousness; anarchy and confusion will be destroyed, and "nations will learn war no more." It is for want of this great governing principle, that all this confusion has existed; "for it is not in man that walketh, to direct his steps;" this we have fully shown.⁴

The Political Motto of the Church of Latter-day Saints.
The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of liberty. Peace and good order in society. Love to God, and good will to man. All good and wholesome laws, virtue and truth above all things, and aristarchy [government by the best], live for ever! But woe to tyrants, mobs, aristocracy, anarchy, and toryism, and all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious law suits, under the pretext and color of law, or office, either religious or political. Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! that the blood of our fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty.
Joseph Smith, Jun. [& 8 others] (March, 1838).⁵

We believe that every man should be honored in his station, rulers and magistrates as such, being placed for the protection of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty; and that to the laws all men show respect and deference, as without them peace and harmony would be supplanted by anarchy and terror; human laws being instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man; and divine laws given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship, both to be answered by man to his Maker. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 134:6; italics added.)

The [Nauvoo] Legion is not, as has been falsely represented by its enemies, exclusively a "Mormon" military association, but a body of citizen soldiers, organized (without regard to political preferences or religious sentiments) for the public defense, the general good, and the preservation of law and order—to save the innocent, unoffending citizens from the iron grasp of the oppressor and perpetuate and sustain our free institutions against misrule, anarchy, and mob violence; no other views are entertained or tolerated. …
Joseph Smith, Lieutenant-General.⁶

Now let us ask ourselves: Is there cause for Lucifer to favor self-will and anarchism? Is it the Balaam strategy?⁷ Get children of God to choose self-will contrary to God’s will; seduce them to use their agency to turn from things of the Spirit to things of the flesh till he, Lucifer, has them where he wants them—ripe for captivation AND destruction via God’s own laws—of Justice and of Harvest. Perhaps Lucifer’s strategies change with the wind. Sometimes he favors choice, sometimes control and coercion, but his favored strategy may be centered on convincing humans that agency means freedom from law because without law, a multitude of sins doth vanish.

And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:13)

Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:25)

Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul. Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment? Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man. Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder? And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin. And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature? But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice. For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:16-24)

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (New Testament | Romans 4:15)

(For, before the law, sin was in the world: yet sin is not imputed to those who have no law. (JST New Testament | Romans 5:13)

For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—(Book of Mormon | Moroni 8:22)

What a super-duper way to save everybody!!⁸ (theoretically, at least). No law; no sin, no condemnation, no punishment, no (big G) God. Just an intelligent Lucifer with lots of knowledge (i.e. power) and a burgeoning self-will and -image!

So, for those who believe that real freedom is to be without the restraints of law—that one can eventually advance beyond the rule of any law—I submit that the gestalt of scripture⁹ testifies against such a notion.

Now to briefly consider the libertarian and anarchist objection to rules and regulations for man and the Business of power and gain (sometimes referred as “free markets”):

◦ if Lucifer is the advisor of the natural man and acknowledges no bounds (at least for himself)
◦ if the natural man’s disposition is toward increasing grandeur, power, and gain
◦ if law (aka: rules and regulations) are for

“the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations, between man and man”
“the public defense, the general good, and the preservation of law and order—to save the innocent, unoffending citizens from the iron grasp of the oppressor and perpetuate and sustain our free institutions against misrule, anarchy, and mob violence”;

maybe there are justifiable and appropriate bounds and limits to the expression of self-will, acquisition, and concentrated economic power. Take these two latter-day examples:

[Size limits:] And again, we further suggest for the considerations of the Council, that there be no organization of large bodies upon common stock principles, in property, or of large companies of firms, until the Lord shall signify it in a proper manner, as it opens such a dreadful field for the avaricious, the indolent, and the corrupt hearted to prey upon the innocent and virtuous, and honest. ¶ We have reason to believe that many things were introduced among the Saints before God had signified the times; and notwithstanding the principles and plans may have been good, yet aspiring men, or in other words, men who had not the substance of godliness about them, perhaps undertook to handle edged tools. Children, you know, are fond of tools, while they are not yet able to use them. ¶ Time and experience, however, are the only safe remedies against such evils. There are many teachers, but, perhaps, not many fathers. There are times coming when God will signify many things which are expedient for the well-being of the Saints; but the times have not yet come, but will come, as fast as there can be found place and reception for them.¹⁰

[Share limits:] And now I say unto you, as pertaining to my boarding house which I have commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers, let it be built unto my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant Joseph and his house have place therein, from generation to generation. … And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House; and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting–place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of Zion, and the glory of this, the corner–stone thereof; ... Behold, verily I say unto you, let my servant George Miller, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Haws, organize themselves, and appoint one of them to be a president over their quorum for the purpose of building that house. And they shall form a constitution, whereby they may receive stock for the building of that house. And they shall not receive less than fifty dollars for a share of stock in that house, and they shall be permitted to receive fifteen thousand dollars from any one man for stock in that house. But they shall not be permitted to receive over fifteen thousand dollars stock from any one man. And they shall not be permitted to receive under fifty dollars for a share of stock from any one man in that house. And they shall not be permitted to receive any man, as a stockholder in this house, except the same shall pay his stock into their hands at the time he receives stock; And in proportion to the amount of stock he pays into their hands he shall receive stock in that house; but if he pays nothing into their hands he shall not receive any stock in that house. And if any pay stock into their hands it shall be for stock in that house, for himself, and for his generation after him, from generation to generation, so long as he and his heirs shall hold that stock, and do not sell or convey the stock away out of their hands by their own free will and act, if you will do my will, saith the Lord your God. And again, verily I say unto you, if my servant George Miller, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Haws, receive any stock into their hands, in moneys, or in properties wherein they receive the real value of moneys, they shall not appropriate any portion of that stock to any other purpose, only in that house. And if they do appropriate any portion of that stock anywhere else, only in that house, without the consent of the stockholder, and do not repay fourfold for the stock which they appropriate anywhere else, only in that house, they shall be accursed, and shall be moved out of their place, saith the Lord God; for I, the Lord, am God, and cannot be mocked in any of these things. Verily I say unto you, let my servant Joseph pay stock into their hands for the building of that house, as seemeth him good; but my servant Joseph cannot pay over fifteen thousand dollars stock in that house, nor under fifty dollars; neither can any other man, saith the Lord. … And again, verily I say unto you, let no man pay stock to the quorum of the Nauvoo House unless he shall be a believer in the Book of Mormon, and the revelations I have given unto you, saith the Lord your God; For that which is more or less than this cometh of evil, and shall be attended with cursings and not blessings, saith the Lord your God. Even so. Amen. And again, verily I say unto you, let the quorum of the Nauvoo House have a just recompense of wages for all their labors which they do in building the Nauvoo House; and let their wages be as shall be agreed among themselves, as pertaining to the price thereof. And let every man who pays stock bear his proportion of their wages, if it must needs be, for their support, saith the Lord; otherwise, their labors shall be accounted unto them for stock in that house. Even so. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 124: 56, 60, 62-72, 119-122)

Perhaps these two patterns could limit the damage that natural men do, and thus help

“save the innocent, unoffending citizens from the iron grasp of the oppressor and perpetuate and sustain our free institutions against misrule, anarchy, and mob violence.”

When so many seem to conflate freedom and agency with the absence of law or restraint, are we buying into the anarchism paradigm with all its abuses, propaganda, deceptions, etc.?

And if truth be told, can those who have never experienced anarchism really know its meaning—really know how grateful they should be for a Constitution that is honored in word and in deed.

According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles; That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 101:77-78)

EXCEPT, the great tragedy is that the U.S. Constitution has not been honored for most of its existence— especially not for “all flesh”—not even for its citizens.¹¹ “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” have almost always been an unequal proposition, because the natural man is, at heart, a PWOC (person without conscience), and PWOCs favor anarchy for themselves and accountability for most everyone else. So it’s become a tilted playing field, with everything possible rolling their way.

The signs of the times are upon us—the red flags flying high; and the time soon coming when those who wave their banners of anarchism and self-will, will experience, not just a romanticized draught of “freedom,” but an overflowing of natural men—a déjà vu of Joseph Smith’s day that was recounted in part in Doctrine and Covenants | Section 123.¹²

The Last Speech of President Smith to the [Nauvoo] Legion.
I call upon all men, from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, and from Mexico to British America, whose hearts thrill with horror to behold the rights of freemen trampled under foot, to come to the deliverance of this people from the hand of oppression, cruelty, anarchy and misrule to which they have long been made subject. Come, all ye lovers of liberty, break the oppressor's rod, loose the iron grasp of mobocracy, and bring to condign punishment all those who trample under foot the glorious Constitution and the people's rights.¹³

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*This is the second in a FLAG series intended to encourage us in these last days to apply these words of wisdom and warning:

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

(New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 5:21)

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. (Pearl of Great Price | JS-Matthew 1:22)
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye shall continue in the Son, and also in the Father. … These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (New Testament | JST 1 John 2: 24, 26)

1. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 3:19 ~ For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
New Testament | 1 Corinthians 2:14 ~ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Book of Mormon | Alma 26:21 ~ And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 67:10-12 ~ And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am—not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the spiritual. For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God. Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.
New Testament | 1 John 2:15-16 ~ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
New Testament | James 4:3-5 ~ Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
New Testament | Romans 8:6-7 ~ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
2. John Galt: http://www.dejavu-times.blogspot.ca/2012/10/who-is-john-galt.html
3. Ways to destroy agency: remove the opportunity for making choice by 1) dismantling law; 2) force or coercion, 3) trauma-based mind control, etc.
4. Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith [TPJS], selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976], 250; Also Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951], 5: 63.)
5. TPJS, 117. Also Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951], 3: 9. (See also Ibid. 3: xxviii-xxix)
6. Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951], 4: 355; italics added.
7. Balaam: New Testament | Revelation 2:14 ~ But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (See also: Old Testament | Numbers 22-24; 31:16; New Testament | 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11)
8. Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:1 ~ AND I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me, saying—Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. …
9. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:13 ~ The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:21-25 ~ And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom. For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory. And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory. And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory. And again, verily I say unto you, the earth abideth the law of a celestial kingdom, for it filleth the measure of its creation, and transgresseth not the law—
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:34-42 ~ And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still. All kingdoms have a law given; And there are many kingdoms; for there is no space in the which there is no kingdom; and there is no kingdom in which there is no space, either a greater or a lesser kingdom. And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified. For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things. He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever. And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons;
New Testament | Galatians 5:13-14 ~ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
New Testament | Matthew 7:12 ~ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
New Testament | Matthew 22:36-40 ~ Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
New Testament | Romans 3:31 ~ Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 15:3-10 ~ And he said unto them: Marvel not that I said unto you that old things had passed away, and that all things had become new. Behold, I say unto you that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses. Behold, I am he that gave the law, and I am he who covenanted with my people Israel; therefore, the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfil the law; therefore it hath an end. Behold, I do not destroy the prophets, for as many as have not been fulfilled in me, verily I say unto you, shall all be fulfilled. And because I said unto you that old things have passed away, I do not destroy that which hath been spoken concerning things which are to come. For behold, the covenant which I have made with my people is not all fulfilled; but the law which was given unto Moses hath an end in me. Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life. Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.
10. TPJS, 144. Also Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3: 301.
11. Rose-colored Specs: http://www.dejavu-times.blogspot.ca/2015/03/rose-colored-specs.html
12. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 123:7-10 ~ It is an imperative duty that we owe to God, to angels, with whom we shall be brought to stand, and also to ourselves, to our wives and children, who have been made to bow down with grief, sorrow, and care, under the most damning hand of murder, tyranny, and oppression, supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the very mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity. It is an iron yoke, it is a strong band; they are the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell. Therefore it is an imperative duty that we owe, not only to our own wives and children, but to the widows and fatherless, whose husbands and fathers have been murdered under its iron hand; Which dark and blackening deeds are enough to make hell itself shudder, and to stand aghast and pale, and the hands of the very devil to tremble and palsy.
13. Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951], 6: 498-499.