#1: FLAGS*

Any Other Gospel?

Not only is Satan a great liar, he is also a great imitator and a persuasive preacher. One of the well-worn, golden, proselyting approaches in his gospel is “What do you want?” In other words, he panders to the natural man’s disposition to focus on self. “What’s in it for me?” “What would make me happy?” “What will satisfy my desires? What is MY will?” And then he, Lucifer, promises to supply the desire, IF we will follow him—or, as he put it in the third temptation:

Again, the devil taketh [Jesus] up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.¹

This self-will began even before the creation² and soon manifest again after the creation³ and again thereafter in the life of Cain. Thus the natural man has been with us for millennia—each one describing his philosophy in his own way—with examples as follows.

Korihor (circa 64 BC) phrased it about as succinctly as anyone could: And many more such things did [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.⁴

Ayn Rand (1905-1982) put it this way: Man—every man—is an end in himself, not a means to the ends of others; he must live for his own sake, neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself; he must work for his rational self-interest, with the achievement of his own happiness as the highest moral purpose of his life. ⁵

Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) said it thus: Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Also: There is no law beyond Do what thou wilt.⁶

The law of attraction and the prosperity gospel are versions of this same self-focus and self-will.⁷

On the other hand, we read the words of Jesus:

»  Not my will, but thine, be done. (Not as I will, but as thou wilt.)⁸
»  My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.⁹
»  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.¹⁰
»  No man can come to me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just.¹¹

Jesus exemplified that the submission of man to God is the key—not vice versa.

SO, if a person like unto Chris Nemelka¹² should come among us and say:

Jesus never said “Love God with all your heart, might, mind, and soul.” He said this: “Love yourself with all your heart, might, mind, and soul and your neighbor as yourself.” That’s how it went down;¹³

should it be so hard to figure out which gospel he is preaching? And if he says his many lies are justified—that they have an enlightening purpose—that they are lies to counter lies and to make people think,”¹⁴ should we be surprised?

SO, what do we think?

Are we dealing, at core, with the father of lies? And what an ingenious, self-serving justification!—he is not lying to deceive,¹⁵ but to awaken people to truth and true symbolism. Is this credible or incredible?

Not without cause did Paul the Apostle talk of “lying wonders”¹⁶ and to lament in his day:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. ¹⁷

So let us not seal our fate with “messengers” who preach another gospel than what Christ preached. If we don’t know or believe what we already have, why would God give us more?¹⁸

The father of lies is not without great intelligence. He knows (as others have said) that the greatest deception lies between two truths. And it also lies in the propensity of man to prefer the way of the self and self-will.

Going our own way has been the déjà vu lament¹⁹ of the ages. So if any should come in the name of Jesus and preach the gospel (“good news!”) of self-will, perhaps it should raise a flag.

In truth, there are so many flags flying in this latter day, they stretch horizon to horizon. And if we don’t pay attention to them we shall be left without excuse.

Joseph Smith (?); John Taylor, Editor: If any man writes to you, or preaches to you, doctrines contrary to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or the book of Doctrine and Covenants, set him down as an imposter. You need not write to us to know what you are to do with such men; you have the authority with you.—Try them by the principles contained in the acknowledged word of God; if they preach, or teach, or practice contrary to that, disfellowship them; cut them off from among you as useless and dangerous branches, and if they are belonging to any of the quorums in the church, report them to the president of the quorum to which they belong, and if you cannot find that out, if they are members of an official standing, belonging to Nauvoo, report them to us.²⁰

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*This is the first 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)
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 (TPJS. p. 118).

1. New Testament | Matthew 4:8-9 (bold emphasis added).
2. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:25-29 ~ And this we saw also, and bear record, that an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son whom the Father loved and who was in the bosom of the Father, was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son, And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him—he was Lucifer, a son of the morning. And we beheld, and lo, he is fallen! is fallen, even a son of the morning! And while we were yet in the Spirit, the Lord commanded us that we should write the vision; for we beheld Satan, that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ—Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about.
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:1, 3-4 ~ 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 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.
3. Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:12-13 ~ And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters. And Satan came among them, saying: I am also a son of God; and he commanded them, saying: Believe it not; and they believed it not, and they loved Satan more than God. And men began from that time forth to be carnal, sensual, and devilish.
4. Book of Mormon | Alma 30:17
5. https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ayn_Rand
6. https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley
“I:40 This famous statement derives from several historic precedents, including that of François Rabelais in describing the rule of his Abbey of Thélème in Gargantua and Pantagruel: Fait ce que vouldras (Do what thou wilt), which was later used by the Hellfire Club established by Sir Francis Dashwood. It is also similar to the Wiccan proverb: An ye harm none, do what thou wilt; but the oldest known statement of a similar assertion is that of St. Augustine of Hippo: Love, and do what thou wilt.”
7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Attraction
8. New Testament | Luke 22:42; Matthew 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36
9. New Testament | John 4:34
10. New Testament | John 6:38
11. New Testament | JST John 6:44
Additional references to God’s will:
New Testament | Mark 8:34 ~ And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
New Testament | Matthew 12:50 ~ For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
New Testament | JST John 5:31 ~ For I can of mine own self do nothing; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father who hath sent me.
Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 3:25 ~ And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:1, 3-4 ~ But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.
12. Christopher Marc Nemelka: His website is http://www.marvelousworkandawonder.com/. A site seeking to expose him as an imposter is at http://chrisnemelka.com/
13. At minute 45:50 of Episode 341: Christopher Nemelka (Time: 57:50) at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtMcAnwyJQY The host pastor lumps Joseph Smith and Nemelka together in his belief that there can be no other Holy Word outside the Bible. Could that be a form of “limit[ing] the Holy One of Israel” (Old Testament | Psalms 78:41)?
More Nemelka sayings in the same episode: “God is simply a human being’s self-reality. There’s nothing outside of oneself that tells that person what to do, how to think. There’s no influence for good or evil but what is inside oneself. The kingdom of God is right there [within us]. There’s no such being. There’s just me and you and any other advanced beings in solar systems …” (@ 38 min.)
“There’s nobody out there except yourself—no being outside of the human mind.” (@ 39:25 min.)
“Sin is the absence of happiness.” (@ 46:35 min.) Compare New Testament | 1 John 3:4 ~ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
14. Christopher M. Nemelka Biography, Part Two (at minutes 17:40 to 24 plus) ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL3MW2bfhFI . In defending his use of “Lies to counter [other’s] lies,” he adds, “Does the end justify the means? Absolutely. ABSOLUTELY.”
15. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 10:28 ~ “Verily, verily, I say unto you, wo be unto him that lieth to deceive because he supposeth that another lieth to deceive, for such are not exempt from the justice of God.
16. New Testament | 2 Thessalonians 2:9 ~ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, …[Nemelka’s website is titled “Marvelous Work and a Wonder.”]
17. New Testament | Galatians 1:6-9
18. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:54-59 ~ And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay.
19. Our own way:
Old Testament | Numbers 15:39 ~ And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
Old Testament | Proverbs 30:12 ~ There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Old Testament | Isaiah 5:21 ~ Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
Old Testament | Isaiah 65:2I ~ I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
Old Testament | Jeremiah 7:24 ~ But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Old Testament | Jeremiah 8:6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.
New Testament | Romans 10:3 ~ For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
New Testament | Philippians 2:21 ~ For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 16:12 ~ Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 6:31 ~ And now behold, he had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness, and did trample under their feet the commandments of God, and did turn unto their own ways, and did build up unto themselves idols of their gold and their silver.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 7:5 ~ Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty and the wicked go unpunished because of their money; and moreover to be held in office at the head of government, to rule and do according to their wills, that they might get gain and glory of the world, and, moreover, that they might the more easily commit adultery, and steal, and kill, and do according to their own wills—
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:16 ~ They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 3:4 ~ For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 56:14 ~ Behold, thus saith the Lord unto my people—you have many things to do and to repent of; for behold, your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 136:19 ~ And if any man shall seek to build up himself, and seeketh not my counsel, he shall have no power, and his folly shall be made manifest.
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith ~ But alas, it is in vain to warn and give precepts, for all men are naturally disposed to walk in their own paths as they are pointed out by their own fingers, and are not willing to consider and walk in the path which is pointed out by another, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, although he should be an unerring director, and the Lord his God sent him (p. 26).
20. To the Elders Abroad, Times and Seasons, vol. 5 (January 1844-January 1, 1845), No. 7. Nauvoo, Illinois, April 1, 1844. Whole No. 91 490-491.

Could It Also Be?

Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844)
(for source info. see footnote 7)

(More questions¹ for the questioners of Joseph Smith’s legacy and the direction of things after his martyrdom. To better understand this post, please read the post: “Could It Be?” of December 15, 2015.)

Since God knows:

» the continual contest between flesh and spirit;
» the cunning psychopathy and agenda of Lucifer;
» the susceptibility of every soul to distractions, deceptions, sin, and self-will;
» that Christ has paid the price for all if they would repent;

then, could it also be:

▪ that God’s redemptive work—revealed in greater fullness through Joseph Smith—continues with every seeking soul and leader in every splinter group of “Mormonism” AND within every nation, kindred, tongue, [religion,] and people?

▪ that in the days following the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, God continued to work His redemptive plan, as He saw fit, with both those who adopted latter-day polygamy and those who denounced it?

▪ that God gives opportunity upon opportunity for every soul who has erred to turn their life over or back to His will and ways?

▪ that even deceived persons can, at times, receive God-inspired dreams, visions, guidance and even wisdom, in order to bless people who are under their stewardship or influence, while God works to correct, humble, and refine everyone? Example:

AND the Lord was not pleased with Solomon for he made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter to wife , and brought her into the house of David until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. And the Lord blessed Solomon for the people’s sake only  (Old Testament | 1 Kings 3:1 JST; bold emphasis added).

▪ that leaders (like everyone else) are susceptible to deceptions in practice and doctrine, so God counsels us to “trust not in the arm of flesh,”² but to always exercise discernment and “to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good”?³

▪ that God uses all kinds of circumstances and human failings (in both laity and leaders) to tutor His children in the ways of discernment and of the Holy Spirit?

▪ that God (as exemplified by Captain Mormon,⁴ and many others) loves and teaches all His children, even in the midst of their sins (even iniquity) right up until the point of no-return?

▪ that any person who seeks with real intent to know of and accept the work that Christ did through Joseph Smith can experience the confirming witness of the Holy Spirit?

▪ that every soul who comes unto Christ through the work and ministry of Joseph Smith is receiving more of what God has to offer in these last days?⁵ 

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 28:30) 

▪ that God’s voice and witness concerning the integrity of His servant, Joseph Smith is to be received and believed above every contrary voice or “witness”?

▪ that God’s purposes may be mysterious to mortal man, but they fail not?⁶

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1. See the Déjà Vu Times II post of December 15, 2015, “Could It Be?” at http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2015/12/could-it-be.html
2. Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:34 ~ 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.
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 28:31 ~ Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:19 ~ 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—
3. New Testament | 1 Thessalonians 5:21 ~ Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
4. Book of Mormon | Moroni 9:3-6 ~ And now behold, my son, I fear lest the Lamanites shall destroy this people; for they do not repent, and Satan stirreth them up continually to anger one with another. Behold, I am laboring with them continually; and when I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it; wherefore, I fear lest the Spirit of the Lord hath ceased striving with them. For so exceedingly do they anger that it seemeth me that they have no fear of death; and they have lost their love, one towards another; and they thirst after blood and revenge continually. And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God. (See also Book of Mormon | Mormon chapters 3 and 5)
5. Book of Mormon | Alma 12:9-11 ~ And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries;
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 26:8-10 ~ And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation.
New Testament | Matthew 13:10-12 ~ And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
6. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:1-4 ~ HEAR, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior. Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out. His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand. From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years never fail.
Old Testament | Lamentations 3:22 ~ It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
[Bold emphasis added in footnoted scriptures.]
7. Image Source: Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844), head-and-shoulders portrait, facing front. Charles William Carter - Library of Congress ~ circa 1885 (reproduction of painting) at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Smith,_Jr.#/media/File:Ovalportrait-josephsmith-Carter.jpg | This is a faithful photographic reproduction of a two-dimensional, public domain work of art. The work of art itself is in the public domain for the following reason: This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 70 years or less.

Words ? Works ?

Are mere words, such as—“I believe” or “I accept Jesus as my Savior”—sufficient to get us into heaven? Even otherwise thoughtful evangelists and pastors seem to promise salvation (i.e., heaven) with the mere recitation of words. Yes, there are passages that seem to give “faith in Christ” exclusivity,¹ but what of the scriptural gestalt? And has this “doctrine” of mere words become a form of Christian vaporware?² a near déjà vu of the old-time “sale of indulgences”?³

Perhaps we could ask ourselves if there is a Christian parallel to this quote:

Network World magazine called vaporware an "epidemic" in 1989, and blamed the press [read: truth-seeker]  for not investigating whether developers' [read: evangalists'/pastors'] claims were true. Seven major companies issued a report in 1990 saying they felt vaporware had hurt the industry's credibility.⁴

Have promises of formulaic salvation become epidemic? Does such salvation hurt the credibility of the gospel message? Do we really think we can “coast” up an incline?

Sure our good works will NEVER get us into heaven, but what if good works are essential to get us to the edge of that unbridgeable chasm over which Christ’s atonement will carry us if we have followed the way, the truth and the light?

Here are a few scriptures that perhaps we should investigate (and remember) when considering faith, works, and salvation.⁵

O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways. (Old Testament | Ezekiel 33:20)

... shall not he render to every man according to his works? (Old Testament | Proverbs 24:12)

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (New Testament | Matthew 16:27)

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (New Testament | Titus 1:16)

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (New Testament | James 2:14-26)

… all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. … And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: (New Testament | Revelation 2:23-26)

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (New Testament | Revelation 14:13)

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (New Testament | Revelation 20:12-13)

And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. (Book of Mormon | Alma 41:3-4)

And these things doth the Spirit manifest unto me; therefore I write unto you all. And for this cause I write unto you, that ye may know that ye must all stand before the judgment–seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; (Book of Mormon | Mormon 3:20)

And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil— If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 26:4-5)

And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:15)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:21)

Write the works of this people, which shall be, even as hath been written, of that which hath been. For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto men. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:24-25)

If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 42:29)

Surely we can see that mere words are not sufficient:

He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 41:5)

and that many of our “wonderful works” will not be viewed as so wonderful:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (New Testament | Matthew 7:21-23)

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1. New Testament | Romans 3:27; 9:32; 10:9; 11:6; Galatians 2:16; 3:2-5; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5-7
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
5. Additional supporting scriptures re works:
  New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:17 ~ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
New Testament | Matthew 5:16 ~ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
New Testament | Titus 2:7 ~ In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
New Testament | Titus 3:8 ~ This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
New Testament | 1 Corinthians 3:13-14 ~ Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 15:32-33 ~ And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 5:15 ~ Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 16:10-11 ~ Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil— If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—
Book of Mormon | Alma 7:24, 27 ~ And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. … And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen.
Book of Mormon | Mormon 6:21 ~ And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment–seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are ye blessed with your fathers who have gone before you.
Book of Mormon | Mormon 8:19 ~ For behold, the same that judgeth rashly shall be judged rashly again; for according to his works shall his wages be; therefore, he that smiteth shall be smitten again, of the Lord.
Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:5 ~ For I remember the word of God which saith by their works ye shall know them; for if their works be good, then they are good also.
Book of Mormon | Alma 12:28-30 ~ …[God] saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them; Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold of his glory. And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance and their holy works.
Book of Mormon | Alma 13:3 ~ And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such.
Book of Mormon | Alma 26:22 ~ Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.
Book of Mormon | Alma 40:21 ~ … the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
Book of Mormon | Ether 12:4 ~ Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:32 ~ But behold, it sorroweth me because of the fourth generation from this generation, for they are led away captive by him even as was the son of perdition; for they will sell me for silver and for gold, and for that which moth doth corrupt and which thieves can break through and steal. And in that day will I visit them, even in turning their works upon their own heads.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:23 ~ But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.
JST New Testament | Matthew 7:23-35 ~ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. And, again, beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing; but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits; for do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Verily I say unto you, it is not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter unto the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. For the day soon cometh, that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works. And many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me ye that work iniquity. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock, and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand; and the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it.

God’s Will ?

Why do God and His servants repeatedly say:

The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one (Old Testament | Psalms 14:2-3; 53:2-3);

… we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one (New Testament | Romans 3:9-12);

I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 6:5);

For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:9);

They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:16);

Wherefore, I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except those which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 49:8);

And the anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth; and none doeth good, for all have gone out of the way  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 82:6);

And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:49);

Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:23)?

So how should we understand this universal accusation of ALL being under sin? Is it because God’s Plan¹ for this earth and for every individual soul was “good,” (like unto His creation), but because of the flesh,² “The Three Temptations,”³ and the way we exercise our agency,⁴ every one of us falls short of “The Good Plan” for our life? Every one of us misses the mark.

So with everyone (except Christ) straying from the “good” plan of our life (in varying degrees), what becomes of God’s will? What is His will:

▪ when our life plan is off-track?
▪ when we sin, transgress; make mistakes; offend goodness, truth, etc.?
▪ when we are injured by another’s actions, choices, or words?
▪ when nothing seems to work out?
▪ when life hurts unbearably?
▪ when the powers that be perpetuate inequality and injustice?
▪ when the wicked (seem to) prosper?
▪ when Heaven seems as brass?
▪ when we don’t understand?
▪ and so forth.

Perhaps God’s overarching will, when all seems to have gone awry, is and has always been, that whatever our sins, injuries, failings, or circumstances, that:

▪ We believe in Him and His Plan of Redemption.⁵
▪ We repent.⁶
▪ We forgive.⁷
▪ We love.⁸
▪ We listen and obey.⁹

All these are within our choice and capacity (even in our weakness) if we seek His grace, strength, and promises:

For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (New Testament | Revelation 7:17; see also Revelation 21:4)

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1. The Plan: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2015/03/the-plan.html ; http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2015/04/the-choice.html
2. The Flesh: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-flesh.html
3. The Three Temptations: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2010/05/natural-man.html
4. Agency: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/search/label/Agency

A small sampling of supporting scripture:
5. Believe / Trust:
New Testament | John 1:12 ~ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:29 ~ And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
Book of Mormon | Alma 22:13 ~ And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:43-45 ~ And thus did I, the Lord God, appoint unto man the days of his probation—that by his natural death he might be raised in immortality unto eternal life, even as many as would believe; And they that believe not unto eternal damnation; for they cannot be redeemed from their spiritual fall, because they repent not; For they love darkness rather than light, and their deeds are evil, and they receive their wages of whom they list to obey.
Book of Mormon | Alma 12:32-34 ~ Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God. But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son; Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.
Old Testament | Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 4:6 ~ I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—
6. Repent:
Old Testament | Ezekiel 14:6 ~ Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. (Also 18:30)
New Testament | Matthew 4:17 ~ From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
New Testament | Acts 3:19 ~ Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 10:18 ~ For he is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:21 ~ And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 4:10 ~ And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
Book of Mormon | Alma 5:51 ~ And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this people—Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Book of Mormon | Alma 29:2 ~ Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:22 ~ Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:20 ~ Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 18:11-13 ~ For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 19:15-16 ~ Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:29 ~ And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 39:18 ~ And inasmuch as they do repent and receive the fulness of my gospel, and become sanctified, I will stay mine hand in judgment.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 133:16 ~ Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth. Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere to repent.
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 6:23, 27-28 ~ And they [the sons of Adam] were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men, everywhere, to repent; … Repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off; And for these many generations, ever since the day that I created them, have they gone astray, and have denied me, and have sought their own counsels in the dark; and in their own abominations have they devised murder, and have not kept the commandments, which I gave unto their father, Adam.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:32 ~ Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;
7. Forgive:
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 64:10 ~ I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
New Testament | Matthew 6:14-15 ~ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Also New Testament | Mark 11:25-26, etc.)
New Testament | Luke 6:37 ~ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
New Testament | Matthew 18:21-22 ~ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 82:1 ~ VERILY, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.
8. Love:
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 | 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 ~ And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
9. Listen and Obey:
Book of Mormon | Jacob 2:16 ~ O that he would rid you from this iniquity and abomination. And, O that ye would listen unto the word of his commands, and let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls!
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 35:1-2 ~ LISTEN to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever. I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even one in me as I am one in the Father, as the Father is one in me, that we may be one.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 39:1-6 ~ HEARKEN and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I AM, even Jesus Christ— The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; The same which came in the meridian of time unto mine own, and mine own received me not; But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my sons; and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons. And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel receiveth me; and he that receiveth not my gospel receiveth not me. And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 45:6-8 ~ Hearken, O ye people of my church, and ye elders listen together, and hear my voice while it is called today, and harden not your hearts; For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world—a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not. I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.
New Testament | John 14:15 ~ If ye love me, keep my commandments.
New Testament | 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ~ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 64:34 ~ Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 4:10 ~ And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 5:8 ~ And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 12:23 ~ Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved.
Pearl of Great Price | Abraham 3:25 ~ And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 93:1-2 ~ VERILY, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am; And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
[See also http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2015/06/law-order-obedience.html ]

Re Joyce

Joyce Meyer
from her website

Re:  preposition. ~ in the case or matter of, as regards
Joyce:  name ~ French: Joyeuse. “Joyful.” E.g.: Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries*

How much do we miss by holding to our narrow paradigms? For nigh four decades, Joyce Meyer has been ministering and yet I had never heard of her until April 28, 2015. And so I rejoice to find, what I propose, is the most powerful Christian woman’s voice in the world today. Perhaps, even the most powerful, practical Christian voice, irrespective of gender.

So how many life-changing opportunities do we miss because we don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear? because we are locked inside our narrow cultural biases? because we are bound to conforming / confirming expectations?

In this writer’s view, every soul could profit from listening, time and again, to the witness of Joyce Meyer, whose ministry might be summed up in these words from a well-known LDS hymn:

Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation.
No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.
Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation
And shortly the hour of redemption will come,

When all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And none will molest them from morn until ev'n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Jesus will say to all Israel, "Come home."

We'll love one another and never dissemble,
But cease to do evil and ever be one
And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,
We'll watch for the day when the Savior will come,

In faith we'll rely on the arm of Jehovah
To guide through these last days of trouble and gloom,
And after the scourges and harvest are over,
We'll rise with the just when the Savior doth come.

Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,
And they will be crowned with the angels of heav'n,
And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
And Christ and his people will ever be one.^†

Let us break the déjà vu of self-limiting blinders and stiff-necks and let God’s witnesses come in as many diverse ways as God may venture, like unto what the Apostle Paul wrote when quoting the prophet Joel:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (New Testament | Acts 2:17-18; see Old Testament | Joel 2:28-29; bold emphasis added).

P.S.: As with all ministers of the Gospel, one must always exercise discernment and seek confirmation of the Spirit of the things they teach and interpretations they put forward. If there is one serious omission in most Christian and evangelic teachings (including Joyce), it is well described in Dallas Willard's The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teaching on Discipleship.

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* https://www.joycemeyer.org/ In addition to the JM Ministry website, there are many YouTube videos.
† "Now Let Us Rejoice" ~ Text: William W. Phelps, Music: Anon.; Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985], no. 3.)

Law? Order? Obedience?

It seems there is some measure of confusion amongst some saints about what God means regarding law, order, and obedience.¹ Here are the two comments I made on May 18, 2015 (to another’s post of May 8, 2015):

Over the past few years, it seems that "law" and "obedience" have been getting somewhat of a bad rap in the blogosphere, so maybe it would be useful for us to study the scriptural context of their uses, including their derivatives. God's preference has always been "obedience" to Him, His Son, and the Holy Spirit; and He doesn't seem too impressed with the arm of flesh (which ALL of us have fallen heir to). Sure we are subject to laws for the orderly conduct of society (civic, religious, etc.), but when man-made laws / customs / traditions, etc. conflict with our moral / ethical conscience, then maybe Daniel, Shadrach et al. point the right way. At some point we all have to learn that "spiritually-safe" obedience is only to the confirmations of the Spirit. No matter the level of authority, the voice of the Spirit is the final arbiter. So when matters concern us, what is the point of two or three witnesses, if we are not one of those witnesses? (How many of us even pursue that assurance when callings or changes are issued?)

Five observations:
» "first" does not have to mean first in time. It can rate importance;
» as to "The Perfect Day" blogger's extended description of "people who were flawlessly obedient"!!! Hmmm, didn't Jesus call those types "hypocrites" (Matt. 23:25-29)? Maybe such latter-day Pharisees were not such fitting examples to use in critiquing obedience!
» Abraham 3:25 seems pretty crucial to understanding "obedience";
» law and obedience seem inescapably central when one reads D&C 88:21-24; and
» what if obedience is, in final analysis, the ONE great, transcendent [inclusive] law? (For explanation, see the essay: Rule of Law: Ten to One at http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/11/rule-of-law-ten-to-one.html )

Below² is a small sampling of God’s Word about law, order, and obedience. Because latter-day revelation is some of the strongest in support, we begin the footnote references with those.

Also, graphically relevant is the story of the old prophet and the young prophet in Old Testament 1 Kings 13 (corrected by the JST). It is an account that every soul in these latter days should know, understand, and apply. Some commentary about that account can be read in a 2010 Déjà Vu ~ TimesTwo post at

http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2010/11/lesson-from-old-prophet.html

(See also: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2010/08/using-our-heads-minds-and-hearts.html and http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/03/are-we-listening.html)

How is the Lord ever going to tutor us in following the voice of the Spirit, if we hang back, like unto (oh, déjà vu) the ancient children of Israel, and send others to hear (or purport to hear) the voice of God in our place?³

How do we:

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

if we consistently neglect “to prove”?

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1. http://puremormonism.blogspot.in/2015/05/the-worst-law-of-heaven.html (and comments)
http://ldsperfectday.blogspot.ca/2015/05/13-spiritual-ascension-step-6-obey-aka.html (and comments)
Note: there is only one example of the phrase “law of heaven” in scripture and it does not seem to concur with its use by those critiquing “law of heaven.”

The above–named councilors were then asked whether they accepted their appointments, and whether they would act in that office according to the law of heaven, to which they all answered that they accepted their appointments, and would fill their offices according to the grace of God bestowed upon them. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 102:4)

What if the law of heaven is to seek and to do the will of God with the help of His grace and strength; and with an eye single to His glory?
You can also read other blogger’s thoughts, interpretations, and conjectures about law, order, and obedience at: https://ldsanarchy.wordpress.com/2007/10/25/lds-make-the-best-anarchists/ (and comments)
Many of the ideas by these bloggers are thought-provoking and insightful, but sometimes we seem to forget that without law there is no agency. (Does not agency require that we have something to choose or to reject?) And what if, like the forked tongue of the serpent, Satan’s plan was a two-pronged option as described in Q3 at http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/09/questions-of-evidence.html  (Perhaps, force/coercion for some stuff and “no law” for stuff not as susceptible to force/coercion?)
2. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 11:20 ~ Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 14:6-7 ~ Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things. And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:34 ~ Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 41:3-5 ~ And by the prayer of your faith ye shall receive my law, that ye may know how to govern my church and have all things right before me. And I will be your ruler when I come; and behold, I come quickly, and ye shall see that my law is kept. He that receiveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you;
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 42:2 ~ Again I say unto you, hearken and hear and obey the law which I shall give unto you.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 42:91 ~ And if any one offend openly, he or she shall be rebuked openly, that he or she may be ashamed. And if he or she confess not, he or she shall be delivered up unto the law of God.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 82:4 ~ Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and justice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 85:7 ~ And it shall come to pass that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth, to set in order the house of God, and to arrange by lot the inheritances of the saints whose names are found, and the names of their fathers, and of their children, enrolled in the book of the law of God;
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;
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:3-6 ~ But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them; And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom; And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself. And my people must needs be chastened until they learn obedience, if it must needs be, by the things which they suffer.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 130:20-21 ~ 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 132:5-8 ~ For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, as were instituted from before the foundation of the world. And as pertaining to the new and everlasting covenant, it was instituted for the fulness of my glory; and he that receiveth a fulness thereof must and shall abide the law, or he shall be damned, saith the Lord God. And verily I say unto you, that the conditions of this law are these: All covenants, contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows, performances, connections, associations, or expectations, that are not made and entered into and sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, of him who is anointed, both as well for time and for all eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and commandment through the medium of mine anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to hold this power (and I have appointed unto my servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days, and there is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of this priesthood are conferred), are of no efficacy, virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto this end have an end when men are dead. Behold, mine house is a house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:12 ~ I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 132:21 ~ Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory.
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:5-10 ~ And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever. Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God, inasmuch as he shall make intercession for all the children of men; and they that believe in him shall be saved. And because of the intercession for all, all men come unto God; wherefore, they stand in the presence of him, to be judged of him according to the truth and holiness which is in him. Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement—
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:13 ~ 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 9:25-27 ~ 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. For the atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell, and the devil, and the lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment; and they are restored to that God who gave them breath, which is the Holy One of Israel. But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state!
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 25:24-28 ~ And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away. And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 2:33 ~ For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that [evil] spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.
Book of Mormon | Mosiah 13:27-32 ~ And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the law of Moses. I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses. And now I say unto you that it was expedient that there should be a law given to the children of Israel, yea, even a very strict law; for they were a stiffnecked people, quick to do iniquity, and slow to remember the Lord their God; Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him. But behold, I say unto you, that all these things were types of things to come. And now, did they understand the law? I say unto you, Nay, they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts; for they understood not that there could not any man be saved except it were through the redemption of God.
Book of Mormon | Alma 42:17-23 ~ 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.
Book of Mormon | Alma 50:20 ~ Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 10:4 ~ Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:17-20 ~ Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy but to fulfil; For verily I say unto you, one jot nor one tittle hath not passed away from the law, but in me it hath all been fulfilled. And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled. Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 15:9-10 ~ 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.
Book of Mormon | 4 Nephi 1:12 ~ And they did not walk any more after the performances and ordinances of the law of Moses; but they did walk after the commandments which they had received from their Lord and their God, continuing in fasting and prayer, and in meeting together oft both to pray and to hear the word of the Lord.
New Testament | Matthew 5:17-19 ~ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
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 22:35-40 ~ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 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 | John 14:15 ~ If ye love me, keep my commandments.
New Testament | John 15:10 ~ If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
New Testament | Romans 2-4
New Testament | Romans 7:22 ~ For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
New Testament | Romans 7:25 ~ … with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
New Testament | Romans 8:7 ~ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
New Testament | 2 Corinthians 10:5 ~ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Old Testament | Exodus 16:4 ~ Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Old Testament | Exodus 20:6 ~ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Old Testament | Exodus 24:12 ~ And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.
Old Testament | Joshua 22:5 ~ But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Old Testament | Proverbs 7:1-3 ~ MY son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Old Testament | Isaiah 5:24 ~ …they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
3. Old Testament Exodus 20:19-21 ~ And they [the people] said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

What are we here for?

As I listen to casual conversations of those around me, and observe the preoccupations of their days, I understand more and more the lamentations of Isaiah, Jeremiah, the Book of Mormon prophets, et al.. So many “good” people seem utterly oblivious to the LAW of their progression and transformation. There is outer work AND there is inner work, but with all the busy-ness and emphasis on outer work—running to and fro in the service of tradition, custom, appearance, other’s expectations, worldly pursuits, etc.—who has time for that “selfish,” nebulous, mysterious inner-stuff? (Or so the thinking too often goes!) But perhaps we should ask ourselves: Is God as tired of all our religious “doings” as He was in the days of Isaiah¹? Is He as disappointed with us as He was with the Church at Ephesus²?

from office.microsoft.com

Do we think that God simply hands out attachable wings to high-speed caterpillars? Or are we going to have to do a little cocooning with Him to achieve the requisite transformation?³

Perhaps we can learn a thing or two from Mother Earth. (Have you noticed how much God loves His creations and incessantly refers to them in alluding to the mysteries?) Here is what He said about Mother Earth and the LAW she is abiding:

[V]erily 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—Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it. (Doctrine and Covenants Section 88:25-26)

So who are the righteous? Are they not (like Mother Earth), those who are filling the measure of their creation (seeking to become divine beings; doing the will of God) and transgressing not⁴ the LAW of the celestial kingdom (via repentance and the atonement).

So, let’s ask ourselves:

▪ What is the law we are abiding?
▪ How are we doing with the Ten Commandments⁵?
▪ How about the Two⁵?
▪ How about the One⁵?
▪ How deep is our inner work?
▪ Do we even know what that means?
▪ Does it relate in any way to:

▫ self-discipline
▫ integrity
▫ seeking growth, enlightenment, and transformation with all our heart
▫ the greater good
▫ being still
▫ being tested
▫ understanding parables and symbolism
▫ following the words and example of Nephi:

I, Nephi, … having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, … (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:16)

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 10:19)

Somehow it just seems that too many of us don’t give enough thought and action to the alchemy of our own transformation; that we don’t even evaluate how we are doing, day after day; that we have forgotten the transformative power of  “return and report” at the end of every day.

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1. Old Testament Isaiah 1:10 - 17 ~ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
2. New Testament Revelation 2:1-5 ~ UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write; … I know thy works, and thy labour [service?], and thy patience, … and for my name's sake hast labored [served?], and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [Personal relationship with ME? Inner work? Discovering and doing My will?] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (See “Which Church” post in labels below for greater explanation.)
3. Idea sparked when reading Michael S. Schneider’s, A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe: The Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art, and Science, p. 266. He wrote: “The seven-stage transformation of our elusive inner life, the goal of ancient seers, philosophers and initiates around the world, does not graft miraculous powers onto our familiar Self; it changes us from our core. After all, a butterfly is more than just a caterpillar with wings.”
4. For the truly repentant and obedient, Christ’s atonement cleanses all the transgression to which we are all susceptible.
5. Rule of Law: Ten to One: See http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/11/rule-of-law-ten-to-one.html