Unanswered* (Refused) Prayers?

If we counted the YESes vs the NOs over a lifetime of prayers, what would the percentage be? 80/20? 20/80? Do we ever feel like Nephi, that the more anguished and fervent the prayer, the more rebellious / stiffnecked / antagonistic the siblings (or in other cases: child, spouse, parent, friend, “enemy,” leader, institution, nation, and on and on)? or the more dire the situation becomes? or the greater the sense of fear or failure?

Of course there are thousands millions on millions of answered prayers, but the mystery of refusal for things that seem right, just, equitable, and surely within a loving Father's will, is, perhaps, beyond mortal ability to fathom. Does it sometimes seem that the harder we try the further away we feel? Here are some insights from C.S. Lewis:

    Prayer is not a machine. It is not magic. It is not advice offered to God. Our act, when we pray, must not, any more than all our other acts, be separated from the continuous act of God Himself, in which alone all finite causes operate.
    It would be even worse to think of those who get what they pray for as a sort of court favourites, people who have influence with the throne. The refused prayer of Christ in Gethsemane is answer enough to that. And I dare not leave out the hard saying which I once heard from an experienced Christian: ‘I have seen many striking answers to prayer and more than one that I thought miraculous. But they usually come at the beginning: before conversion, or soon after it. As the Christian life proceeds, they tend to be rarer. The refusals, too, are not only more frequent; they become more unmistakable, more emphatic.’
    Does God then forsake just those who serve Him best? Well, He who served Him best of all said, near His tortured death, ‘Why hast thou forsaken me?’ When God becomes man, that man, of all others, is least comforted by God, at His greatest need. There is a mystery here which, even if I had the power, I might not have the courage to explore. Meanwhile, little people like you and me, if our prayers are sometimes granted, beyond all hope and probability, had better not draw hasty conclusions to our own advantage. If we were stronger, we might be less tenderly treated. If we were braver, we might be sent, with far less help, to defend far more desperate posts in the great battle.¹

Could it be that at some point in our spiritual progression, we will be required to choose good for its own sake with utter disregard for fear of consequence or expectation of favor?

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* (As in, “God didn't answer my prayer: I didn't get what I asked for — what I needed”; in short, not acknowledging that “no” may be the answer.)

1. Lewis, C. S.. The Business of Heaven: Daily Readings (pp. 361-362). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. (From 'The Efficacy of Prayer', The World's Last Night)

The Hijacking of Hierarchy ?

Has anyone noticed how hierarchy keeps getting such bad press these days? It seems like almost all the muckrakers¹ are denouncing hierarchy as an evil paradigm designed to perpetuate the oppression of humanity. Their chief focus has become the hierarchy of the Illuminati (hereafter referred to as the d-lluminati).

Some muckrakers² use the Hermetic phrase “As above, so below”³ to present their own preferred structure—flatland horizontal (aka, unilevel)—such that each person is a sovereign creature who should live only according to the dictates of his own will and conscience—a type of anarchy unto herself (but not in a negative sense, in their view). Each soul (maybe like God? above?⁴) is free to do anything as long as it does not (unjustly?) harm another. These anarchists don’t believe their autonomy fosters chaos or disorder; rather, to them, it preserves freedom and agency for every self-directed soul. And because the God of scripture is unacceptable to many of them, they make no reference to His perpetual lamentations about this horizontal premise.⁵

But are these plucky, gifted muckrakers making a huge error in observation? Are they, in rejecting the evils and corruptions of the power-obsessed “elites,” also rejecting the foundational structure of the universe? Is there really no good hierarchy here below? Is there none there above? OR is hierarchical structure everywhere in the universe?

What about the observation that:

“A natural hierarchy is simply an order of increasing wholeness, such as: particles to atoms to cells to organisms, or letters to words to sentences to paragraphs. The whole of one level becomes a part of the whole of the next. ... Virtually all growth processes, from matter to life to mind occur via natural holarchies, or [nested] orders of increasing holism or wholeness—wholes that become parts of new wholes—and that’s natural hierarchy or holarchy.”^6-NB

In other words, nature is constantly processing hierarchy—either downward, disintegrating into constituent elements or upward, aggregating toward complexity and higher states of being? And, upon reflection, is this not as observable in the spiritual realm as the physical?—growth, development, progress, increasing consciousness, all being manifestations of hierarchy as souls move up the great “ladder of enlightenment?”⁷ (Or otherwise, as the case may be.)

BUT—and this is a BIG but that the d-lluminati miss (as well as many muckrakers). They all get the part about hierarchical power, but they seem blind to its purpose. Increasing consciousness brings increasing awareness of purpose—of levels lower and higher—and comes to value the process of lifting upward as much as moving upward. That is the saving grace of true hierarchy. Instead of hording power and position, like the d-lluminati, every mover on God’s “ladder” has one hand gripping the hand of God while the other is extended to those ascending below (metaphorically speaking). Everyone is ONE in purpose⁸ and heir to all, if they ascend.⁹ That is the great difference between true and false hierarchy.¹⁰

In addition, the muckrakers seem to miss that the ladder is also a duality. It is individual, but it also has universal structure. There are rungs of justice, equity, truth, etc.—universal laws and attributes required for ascension—without exception.

But I suspect I am NOT preaching to the choir as many of these muckrakers have rejected God, scripture, and organized religion. In many ways, one can hardly fault them—on at least two levels. First, there are corruptions and misinterpretations within both scripture and religion; and secondly, it is impossible, without humility and revelation, for we mortals, with our limitations, to discover or comprehend the eternal principles, purposes, and imperatives of the universe and its transrational God,¹¹ or Source, as some prefer.

One further observation: It is interesting to note that those who denounce hierarchy consistently use the language of hierarchy without a shred of cognitive dissonance when speaking about:

▪ frequencies
▪ vibrational levels
▪ growth / progression / advancement / learning / experience
▪ brain function (brain stem to cerebral cortex)
▪ levels of awareness / consciousness
▪ truth, accuracy, trustworthiness
▪ evolution
▪ moral development
▪ ethical practice
▪ the periodic table
▪ chakras
▪ next step
▪ Etc., etc.

One final observation (that will be taken up in more detail in a future post) is that hierarchy may feel irredeemably offensive because we have been misled by a corrupted imitation, which has been a brilliant strategy—used déjà vu upon déjà vu—to obscure the truth of ten-thousand things.

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1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muckraker: “The term muckraker refers to reform-minded journalists who wrote largely for all popular magazines and continued a tradition of investigative journalism reporting; muckrakers often worked to expose social ills and corporate and political corruption. Muckraking magazines–notably McClure's of publisher S. S. McClure–took on corporate monopolies and crooked political machines while raising public awareness of chronic urban poverty, unsafe working conditions, and social issues like child labor.”
2. For example: Cameron Day, George Kavassilas, Peter Joseph, David Icke, etc, etc. They each have their own take on a variety of issues, so this list is not intended to suggest a symmetry of ideas or a “guilt by association.” They may  have some important things to say (or unwittingly reveal about dark matters)—things to consider with skepticism and GREAT discernment. However, in some respects, they manifest a courage and boldness that more of us would do well to emulate in pursuit of Truth revealed in Scripture (which many of them reject).
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermeticism: As above, so below: “These words circulate throughout occult and magical circles. / The actual text of that maxim, as translated by Dennis W. Hauck from The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus, is: "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracle of the One Thing." Thus, whatever happens on any level of reality (physical, emotional, or mental) also happens on every other level. This principle, however, is more often used in the sense of the microcosm and the macrocosm. The microcosm is oneself, and the macrocosm is the universe. The macrocosm is as the microcosm and vice versa; within each lies the other, and through understanding one (usually the microcosm) a man may understand the other.
4. But see “Things God Cannot (Will Not) Do?” at http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/10/things-god-cannot-will-not-do.html
5. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/01/gods-lament.html
6. From A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber, © 1996, Shambhala, p. 28. See also: “Reality is composed of holons”—a holon being “an entity that is itself a whole and simultaneously a part of some other whole” (p. 20). “In other words, normal hierarchies are composed of holons” .... “When a holon in a natural hierarchy usurps its position and attempts to dominate the whole then you get a pathological or dominator hierarchy—a cancerous cell dominates the body, or a fascist dictator dominates the social system or a repressive ego dominates the organism, and so on,  / But the cure for these pathological holarchies is not getting rid of holarchy, per se—which isn’t possible anyway—but rather in arresting the arrogant holon and integrating it back into the natural holarchy, or putting it in its rightful place, so to speak” (p. 28, bold emphasis added). [But] people confuse dominator hierarchies with natural hierarchies” (p. 28). “[T]he point is not to get rid of hierarchies or holarchies altogether—that’s impossible. Trying to get rid of ranking is itself a ranking. Denying hierarchy is itself a hierarchy. ... you can’t escape nested orders” (p. 29).
7. Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 28:30 ~ 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 | 3 Nephi 26:9-10 - Jesus: ~ … 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.
8. —enlightenment, growth, filling the measure of one’s unique creation, achieving greater wholeness / knowledge—
Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:39 ~ For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:7 ~ And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts;
9. Heir: New Testament | Galatians 4:4-7 ~ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
New Testament | Revelation 21:6-7 ~ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 78:22 ~ And he that is a faithful and wise steward shall inherit all things. Amen.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:36-40 ~ For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me; And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father; And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him. And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood. Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
New Testament | Ephesians 5:5 ~ For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Ascend: Old Testament | Psalms 24:3-4 ~ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
New Testament | John 6:61-62 ~ When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
New Testament | John 20:17 ~ Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Joseph Smith ~ When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1976], 348.)
10. Perhaps false hierarchy is more like a steep pyramid with polished sides. The pinnacle is accessed only via the gold(-colored) key purchased with the sale of one’s soul. The key opens an insider, secret door to a shaft. A second secret might be that the elevator that takes you up will, in time, take you down—into a bottomless pit(?); and the third secret? Perhaps after your brief sojourn at the top, the controls are preset to autopilot—both as to the down function and the eject one!!
11.   http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/11/god-is-not-rational.html

Broken Heart?

I came across a discussion (somewhere?) several weeks ago concerning the meaning of “broken heart and contrite spirit.”¹ Some viewed “broken” and “contrite” in a negative light, as in the quashing of personality, desires, independence, self-esteem, self-worth, self-respect, and so forth—a condition that was to them completely unacceptable, even contemptible.

When viewed only from mortal perspective and experience, broken and contrite can seem offensive and demeaning, but from God’s higher perspective,² what might He mean by “broken heart and contrite spirit”?

Could “broken and contrite” be the remedy to one of God’s most frequent laments—the hardened condition of the human heart?—a déjà vu lament that begins in Genesis and then echoed down the ages.³

And GOD saw that the wickedness^[4] of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Old Testament | Genesis 6:5)

… behold, there are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, that it hath no place in them; wherefore, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 33:2; see others below.⁵)

Perhaps, in this contest between flesh and spirit;⁶ in this place of opposites and agency, the heart is like an egg, or a seed, or a nut. Until it is broken open to things as they really are and as they really can be, life and purpose can never be fully realized—can never rise to fullest potential.

How can we ever imagine that we know enough to pursue our own way⁷ into the eternities with our limited vision and memory in this season of probation and testing? Isn’t this one of the great tests—to break away from our attachments to the things, temptations, and wisdom of the world and trust in the transrational God?

Perhaps the best synopsis of “broken and contrite” is found in this familiar, but oft-forgotten verse:

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. (Old Testament | Proverbs 3:5-6)

And perhaps the best example is the Psalm of Nephi.⁸

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1. Old Testament | Psalms 34:18 ~ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Old Testament | Psalms 51:17 ~ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, …
Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:7 ~ 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.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:20 ~ And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 12:19 - 20 ~ 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 | Ether 4:15 ~ … when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.
Book of Mormon | Moroni 6:2 ~ Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:8 ~ Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
2. Old Testament | Isaiah 55:8-9 ~ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
3. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/01/gods-lament.html
4. (straying from truth and purpose? falling victim to The Three Temptations?)
5.  Old Testament | Deuteronomy 8:13-14, 17 ~ And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; … And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
Old Testament | Joshua 24:23 ~ Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
Book of Mormon | Alma 12:10-11 ~ 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; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.
Book of Mormon | Alma 12:34-35 ~ 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. And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.
Book of Mormon | Alma 34:31-32 ~ Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 7:17-18 ~ O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God. Why has he forsaken you? It is because you have hardened your hearts; yea, ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd; yea, ye have provoked him to anger against you.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 12:2 ~ Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:15 ~ But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation—
Book of Mormon | Alma 34:9 ~ 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.
Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:13 ~ …if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.
6.Flesh: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-flesh.html ;
Spirit:  http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-divided-soul.html
7. Our Own Way vs. The Way, the Truth, and the Light:
Old Testament Isaiah 65:2 ~ 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;
New Testament Romans 10:2-3 ~ For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 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 Helaman 6:31 ~ [Y]ea, 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.
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 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 82:6 ~ And the anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth; and none doeth good, for all have gone out of the way.
Old Testament | 1 Samuel 12:24 ~ Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Old Testament | 1 Kings 8:61 ~ Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.
Old Testament | Psalms 147:3 ~ He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
8. Psalm of Nephi: Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:15-35
And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
~ Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
~ Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
~ I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
~ And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
~ My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
~ He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
~ He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
~ Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night–time.
~ And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
~ And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
~ O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
~ And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
~ Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
~ Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
~ Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
~ O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
~ May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
~ O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
~ 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.
~ Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

The Sound of the Trump?

In these latter days, with all the hyper-ventilating by right-wing conservatives and their disciples about the insidious advance of a socialist / communist tyranny,¹ one might seriously believe that the original soundtrack of the angel flying in the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice,

Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (New Testament | Revelation 14:7)

has been updated to

Fear the socialist / communist; and give glory to the capitalist system for all her riches and delicacies; and worship² the free-market that made heaven attainable, and converted the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters into private property, etc., etc.

Except perhaps, we should return to the next original verse:

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (New Testament | Revelation 14:8)

So here again, we encounter Babylon as the enemy of God and Creation. Do we really think that Babylon’s chief voice is that of the socialist / communist who advocates:

▪ equality and a classless society?
▪ equity and justice for the proletariat (working class)?
▪ humbling of the bourgeois (wealthy elite)?
▪ common property and ownership?
▪ contempt for religion and the abuses of religion?
▪ etc.³ (For clarity, read the footnote.)

We seem to be missing the repeated message of those neglected voices from the dust⁴—those déjà vu pleadings from Book of Mormon prophets and seers who cried against:

▪ inequality and dividing into classes;⁵
▪ despising the poor and needy;⁶
▪ pride and the wearing of costly apparel;⁷
▪ building up churches for gain;⁸
▪ etc. (Read all the verses in these footnotes and ask: What system do these words describe?)

How many times must we be told in the Book of Mormon that threatened tyranny from Lamanites, dissenters, kingsmen, Gadiantons, secret combinations, etc. was almost never a real threat until after the majority of the people⁹ had, in the exercise of their agency, rejected the ways of truth, justice, mercy, love, and so forth as they pursued the ways of Babylon—the ways of power and gain, pride and inequality?

Can we not see that:

▪ a tyranny like socialism / communism (or even a NWO) is stage two in a two-stage degeneration?
▪ tyranny, by consequence, overcomes after people have first been captivated by error (by Babylonian philosophies) with flatteries, riches, vain things, inequalities, pride, etc.?
▪ we don’t understand much of cause and effect, truth and consequence relating to spiritual matters because we refuse to acknowledge the transrational—the science of Heaven¹⁰?
▪ spiritual laws governing growth and progression, justice and mercy, flesh and spirit, life and death can be as unyielding to corruption, ignorance, egoism, or hubris as certain laws of physics and chemistry?
▪ tyranny can be a linear consequence that God makes use of in working out His transrational purposes within the agency of man?

And the Lord God said unto me: They shall be a scourge unto thy seed, to stir them up in remembrance of me; and inasmuch as they will not remember me, and hearken unto my words, they shall scourge them even unto destruction. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 5:25)

The promises of God to the faithful are repeated time and again, beginning with Moses:

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 28:7; see numerous others at footnote 11 below.)

It seems we have a terrible time admitting that “Fear God” means “repent OR face the mien of Justice.” Instead, we keep pursuing the ways and means of the flesh,¹² of the world, of Babylon—being immersed in a corrupted, capitalist, corporatist system—where we spend a fortune arming against enemies and scaring ourselves because we have already sold ourselves.

The tragic fact is that IF tyranny, of whatever nature, becomes a serious threat, it is likely we have already fallen to the seductions and errors of the world by our own free will and choice (and maybe ignorance).

The good news is—there is a way back. It is to turn around¹³ before it’s too late. It is to heed the sound of the (transrational) trump.

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1. Communism being the political system that uses extreme socialism as its economic system. For those who will see, Zion and Socialism / Communism share many features, but the critical difference is that one is freely chosen; the other is administered through coercion. And if we think coercion is the main tool of the adversary, I suggest we are mistaken. He captivates far more souls through their agency, than will ever be eternally enslaved through coercion. See also: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/12/deception-inc.html
2. “Worship at the altar of the free-market”: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/05/truth-be-told.html
3. (most of which turn out, in practice, to be a sham, as “leftist” leaders get caught up in the seductions of power and gain)
4. Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:54-58 ~ 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.
5. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:32 ~ And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.
Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 6:10-18 ~ But it came to pass in the twenty and ninth year there began to be some disputings among the people; and some were lifted up unto pride and boastings because of their exceedingly great riches, yea, even unto great persecutions; For there were many merchants in the land, and also many lawyers, and many officers. And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches. Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God. And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world. And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years. And thus, in the commencement of the thirtieth year—the people having been delivered up for the space of a long time to be carried about by the temptations of the devil whithersoever he desired to carry them, and to do whatsoever iniquity he desired they should—and thus in the commencement of this, the thirtieth year, they were in a state of awful wickedness. Now they did not sin ignorantly, for they knew the will of God concerning them, for it had been taught unto them; therefore they did wilfully rebel against God.
6. Book of Mormon | Alma 4:12 ~ Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
Book of Mormon | Alma 5:53-55 ~ And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren, … Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?
Book of Mormon | Alma 28:13 ~ And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
7. Book of Mormon | Alma 1:4-6 ~ And [Nehor] also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life. And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money. And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.
Book of Mormon | Alma 1:32 ~ For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.
Book of Mormon | Alma 4:6-11 ~ And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things, which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to wear very costly apparel. Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma, yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be teachers, and priests, and elders over the church; yea, many of them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had begun to be among their people. For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure. And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God. And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling–block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress. And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
Book of Mormon | Alma 31:27-28 ~ Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to greatness, with the vain things of the world. Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold, their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and say—We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee, while others shall perish.
Book of Mormon | Helaman 13:27-29 ~ But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
8. Book of Mormon | 4 Nephi 1:24-26 ~ And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
9. Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:26-27 ~ Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and make it your law—to do your business by the voice of the people. And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.
Book of Mormon | Alma 10:19 - 21 ~ ...yea, well did [Mosiah] say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Yea, well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands.
10.  Transrational: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2012/11/transrational.html ; http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/11/god-is-not-rational.html
11.   Protection from enemies:
» For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous. Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire. (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 22:16-17)
» He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:22)
» And behold, according to the words of the prophet, the Messiah will set himself again the second time to recover them; wherefore, he will manifest himself unto them in power and great glory, unto the destruction of their enemies, when that day cometh when they shall believe in him; and none will he destroy that believe in him. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 6:14)
» Wherefore, the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies. (Book of Mormon | Jacob 7:25)
» Wherefore, the Lord did visit them in great judgment; nevertheless, he did spare the righteous that they should not perish, but did deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. (Book of Mormon | Omni 1:7)
» And now, my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land, and your enemies shall have no power over you. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 2:31)
» And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies. And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people. And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 11:21-23)
» ... because of their iniquities they were brought into bondage. And were it not for the interposition of their all–wise Creator, and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in bondage until now. But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 29:18-20)
» And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren? (Book of Mormon | Alma 9:10)
» For were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies that they could have gained no power over us. (Book of Mormon | Alma 60:15)
» But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us. (Book of Mormon | Alma 61:13)
» And for this cause wo shall come unto you except ye shall repent. For if ye will not repent, behold, this great city, and also all those great cities which are round about, which are in the land of our possession, shall be taken away that ye shall have no place in them; for behold, the Lord will not grant unto you strength, as he has hitherto done, to withstand against your enemies. (Book of Mormon | Helaman 7:22)
» Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity. And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him. O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world! Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom's paths! (Book of Mormon | Helaman 12:2-5)
» And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 4:33)
12. The Flesh: http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-flesh.html ; http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-divided-soul.html
13. The Doctrine of Two Ways: see http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/up-or-down.html

The Divided Soul?

“And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.” ~ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:15 ~

Here are some more thoughts sparked upon completing Dr. John E. Sarno’s books, The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders (2007); and The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain(1998).

In short, Dr. Sarno’s insightful thesis is that the unconscious harbors a “reservoir of rage” (and other emotions) that manifest in body pain which has no true structural basis, even though, at times, it may appear to have. The diagnosis is TMS (Tension Myositis Syndrome) and pain relief comes most often through awareness and personal work without the need of drugs or other physical interventions.¹

BUT, from a spirit-body (soul) perspective, (instead of a mind-body one), what if:

» the unconscious is the repository of the transrational² and of all our pre-mortal experience and knowledge that has been veiled for a mortal test³ / sojourn?

» consciousness is the accumulation of knowledge, experience, and increasing awareness during our mortal phase of spirit-body union?

» there is a fluctuating boundary between the conscious and unconscious (subconscious?) where unbearable memories, stresses, confusions, emotions, rage, and conflicts are stashed until they can be dealt with—a zone that moderates between the will of the flesh and the will of the spirit / divine self? (For some background, see the previous post entitled: “The Flesh”⁴)?

» anger, rage (and their frequent suppression / repression), plus frustration, low self-esteem, irritability, inadequacy, etc. are the common lot of most mortals as they deal with the unconscious mists of the Fall, the veil of forgetfulness; the weakness and will of the flesh, the stresses of life, and the “confusing” interventions of the spirit through symbols, dreams, TMS, and so forth?

» the nature and will of the flesh continually presents that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” in the NOW is all there is, and thus, it cares nothing for veiled realms, forgotten truths, transrational purposes, and limitless potentialities?

» the spirit’s animating force and purpose is to overcome⁵ the telestial-drive of “the flesh” and to convert gross matter (flesh) into a state such that it, in inseparable union with spirit, can take upon itself greater dimensions?

» in order to get the body to pay attention, the spirit pings the flesh, using pain to redirect priorities and purposes, in its mission to move the flesh toward increasing awareness and transformation? (Perhaps just one of various strategies employed by the spirit / divine self?) OR, in the alternative, does the flesh, through the mind, use pain to avoid dealing with things of the spirit?

» there are elements or points of rebellion⁶ possible in each sphere of matter, e.g., where spirit may rebel against its nature (resulting in loss); or where flesh may resist its nature (resulting in increasing freedom)?

In summary, what if this mortal existence is just Act Two of an incredible, trying, evolutionary process that neither Darwin nor Dawkins (or for that matter, many of us), in our wildest imaginations, could ever fathom because we have chosen the blinding paradigm of Flatland⁷?

PS: As noted in a previous post, some may think all the above is just another blinding paradigm. They could be right. In the alternative, they could be wrong. Hopefully, at some point, we shall come to know.

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1. It is my belief that most people could benefit greatly from reading Dr. Sarno’s books. Here are some relevant quotes from The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain, Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition (Kindle Locations noted).
Loc. 259 ~ “The purpose of a defense mechanism (in this case physical symptoms) is to divert people’s attention to the body, so that they can avoid the awareness of or confrontation with certain unconscious (repressed) feelings.”
Loc. 359 ~ “No matter how we react to life’s pressures consciously, another world of reactions exists in the unconscious. Because we are not aware of those unconscious feelings and cannot, therefore, control them, and because they are so threatening and frightening, the brain will automatically induce physical symptoms to prevent the dangerous feelings from becoming overt, and thus becoming conscious. That is how mindbody symptoms come about— and they are universal in Western society. They are not a sign of mental or emotional illness. To look upon them as abnormal or aberrant leads to gross medical mismanagement.”
Loc. 532 ~ “Although awareness of the existence of rage in the unconscious is essential, to focus on it alone is not enough. We must seek to know the reasons for the rage to fully understand the process.”
Loc. 793 ~ “Mindbody symptoms exist to serve a purpose. If you thwart that purpose by taking away the symptom without dealing with its cause, the brain will simply find a substitute symptom or disorder.”
Loc. 1524 ~ “When TMS is the cause of symptoms, there is no rationale for any of the treatments, since they are predicated on a structural abnormality, or an inflammatory process that has never been identified. Complete and permanent elimination of pain depends on an accurate diagnosis.”
Loc. 1904 ~ “The disorders just described under the headings of TMS and its equivalents are without doubt responsible for a substantial proportion of the Western world’s medical ills. Their proper management would alleviate much suffering and reduce the enormous cost of medical care that now burdens modern society.”
Loc. 2174 ~ “… the purpose of the pain is to divert attention from what’s going on emotionally and to keep you focused on the body. In essence it is a contest for conscious attention.”
Loc. 2189 ~ “By changing the focus of attention from the body to the psyche we render the pain useless, take away its purpose and reveal what it was trying to hide.”
Loc. 2457 ~ “… the pain is due to mild oxygen deprivation, since the autonomic system can change the rate of blood flow in seconds if it so chooses.”
Loc. 184 ~ “Awareness, insight, knowledge and information were the magic medicines that would cure this disorder [TMS]— and nothing else could do it.”
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Sarno ; Norman Cousins, Head First: The Biology of Hope and the Healing Power of the Human Spirit (1989); as well as his Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing and Regeneration (1979)
2. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2013/11/god-is-not-rational.html
3. (to determine what degree of powers we can be trusted with?)
4. http://dejavu-timestwo.blogspot.ca/2014/11/the-flesh.html .
5. ▫ New Testament | Romans 12:21 ~ Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
▫ New Testament | 1 John 5:4-5 ~ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
▫ New Testament | Revelation 2:7 ~ He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (See also vs. 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7)
▫ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 50:35 ~ And by giving heed and doing these things which ye have received, and which ye shall hereafter receive—and the kingdom is given you of the Father, and power to overcome all things which are not ordained of him—
▫ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 52:18 ~ And again, he that is overcome and bringeth not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
▫ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 63:47 ~ He that is faithful and endureth shall overcome the world.
▫ Pearl of Great Price | JS-Matthew 1:30 ~ And again, because iniquity shall abound, the love of men shall wax cold; but he that shall not be overcome, the same shall be saved.
6. This element of agency and choice—to work with or against one’s nature—could help explain divisions and choices during the “war in heaven”and the adversarial rebellion against God. See:
▫ Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:3-4 ~ 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.
▫ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 29:36 ~ ... for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency;
▫ Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:25-26 ~ 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.
▫ Book of Mormon | Mosiah 15:26 ~ But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.
7. From the book Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott (1884) ~ summary at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatland . ‘Tis a spot-on view of blinding paradigms. For more thoughts on blinding paradigms see: http://www.dejavu-times.blogspot.ca/2014/11/blinding-paradigms.html . And sure, Dawkins et al. may believe in other dimensions (e.g., String Theory), except it seems, that for increasing numbers, not one of those strings can possibly lead to God.

“The Flesh”

Since reading The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders by John E. Sarno, M.D., I have found myself dwelling upon “the flesh.”

I will comment on Dr. Sarno’s insightful thesis in a future post, but this is what I have synthesized thus far about “flesh” (and “spirit”) from the transrational perspective of scripture:

1. Flesh and spirit are opposites, conjoined for a divine purpose;
2. Flesh is gross matter with a drive toward increasing disorder and disintegration, while spirit is more-refined matter with a drive toward integration, growth, progression, and the transformation of gross matter into an incorruptible, immortal, celestial state;
3. Flesh is at war with spirit, seeking to captivate and enslave, while spirit doggedly tries to persuade flesh that there is more to “matter” than a perpetual recycling to and from constituent elements;
4. Most of mankind (past, present, and undoubtedly future) have been enamored with gross matter and have often resorted to violence when told that their gross choices have consequences and that they need a Savior.

Here is some transrational support:

Synthesis One: Opposites & Purpose

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, … righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:11)

And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:15)

For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy; And when separated, man cannot receive a fulness of joy. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 93:33-34)

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:39)

Synthesis Two: “Matter” & Opposing Drives

There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:7-8)

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (New Testament | Galatians 5:16-26)

Synthesis Three: War & Persuasion

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit; And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:27-29)

Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. Wherefore, take heed, my beloved brethren, that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil. For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. (Book of Mormon | Moroni 7:12-17)

For behold, at that day shall he [the devil] rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 28:20-22)

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. (New Testament | Romans 7:18-19)

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (New Testament | Ephesians 2:15-16)

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (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; (New Testament | 2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (New Testament | 1 John 2:15-17)

[As to violence: consider Jesus and His many apostles, prophets, and disciples of scripture; read the latter-day attacks upon the warning voices of these latter-days; let us look in the mirror if the word “repent” makes us froth.]

Synthesis Four: Consequences & a Savior

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. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:8-9)

Wherefore, ... reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 10:24)

But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore, he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.(Book of Mormon | Mosiah 16:5)

THERE is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (New Testament | Romans 8:1-14)

They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: (New Testament | Romans 9:8)

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 15:50)

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ... But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (New Testament | Galatians 6:8, 14)

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:10-12)

From observation and God’s continuing laments, it seems that we, in this twenty-first century, are just another déjà vu—our excuse being sophistication and science. Yet the result is the same. We discount the polarity and purpose of flesh and spirit conjoined. The whole divine, incredible Plan is too transrational; the bullying of some scientists too formidable; the world too enticing; the will of the flesh too NOW; and so we live-it-up-'n-down; pretending it’s all less pivotal than it is; that mercy can and will rob justice; and that we’ll manage (by hook or by crook) to be happy-ever-after (if there really turns out to be an after, after all!).

So, how are we doing with this column of flesh and bone—this mindbody; this spiritbody—that we’ve got?

Perhaps it matters more than we can possibly imagine!

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Additional transrational support:
▪ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (New Testament | Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; John )
▪ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (New Testament | John 3:5 - 7)
▪ I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (New Testament | Romans 6:19)
▪ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (New Testament | Romans 7:5)
▪ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (New Testament | Romans 7:25)
▪ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (New Testament | Romans 13:14)
▪ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (New Testament | Ephesians 2:3)
▪ THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:1-4)
▪ These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:17-19)
▪ That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (New Testament | 1 Peter 4:2)
▪ FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (New Testament | 1 Peter 4:1-2)
▪ ... the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 19:6)
▪ ... those who seek the lusts of the flesh and the things of the world, and to do all manner of iniquity; (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 22:23)
▪ 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. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:5)
▪ And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 4:27-29)
▪ Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:7-8)
▪ O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect. Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment–seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:13-15)
▪ O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally–minded is death, and to be spiritually–minded is life eternal. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:39)
▪ And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. And after all this, after working many mighty miracles among the children of men, he shall be led, yea, even as Isaiah said, as a sheep before the shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 15:5-7)
▪ Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God. (Book of Mormon | Mormon 9:28)
▪ 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. (Book of Mormon | Moroni 9:6)

Things God Cannot (Will Not) Do?

Omnipotent (according to many) is the quality of having unlimited power and is considered an attribute of Diety;¹ BUT what does unlimited power mean?

To tyrants, it seems to mean they can do anything they want PERIOD. No restraints, no moral imperatives, no adverse consequences. But, according to revealed Word, such does not reflect God’s view—even concerning His own power. He and His prophets have declared that the Almighty does not have unlimited power as defined by tyrants.

So what is it that God cannot (will not) do?

Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such [that wilfully rebel against God and die in their sins]; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim. (Book of Mormon | Mosiah 15:27. includes 26)

And I say unto you again that he [God] cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. (Book of Mormon | Alma 11:37)

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. … (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:35)

... the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. (Book of Mormon | Alma 45:16)

... I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:31)

 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. (Book of Mormon | Alma 12:32)

 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (New Testament | James 1:13)

I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round. (Book of Mormon | Alma 7:20)

For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. (Book of Mormon | Ether 12:12)

And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles. (Book of Mormon | Mormon 9:19)

And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying he came again to the disciples, and said unto them: So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore I could not show unto them so great miracles, because of their unbelief. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:35)

... I [God] cannot deny my word. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 39:16)

 ... thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie. (Book of Mormon | Ether 3:12)

I, the Lord, promise the faithful and cannot lie. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 62:6)

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; (New Testament | Titus 1:2)

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. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:5)

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that the people in Ohio call upon me in much faith, thinking I will stay my hand in judgment upon the nations, but I cannot deny my word. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 39:16)

Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved. But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:40-41)

So, to those who think that God is a tyrant, or is sociopathic or psychopathic (as some allege), perhaps our mortal, rational perspective is not all there is. Perhaps we don’t have access to the whole truth of why God does what He does; of the purposes of His “will and pleasure.” Perhaps God is God because He manifests all that is good² from a vantage point beyond our highest comprehension.

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. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 76:1-4)

What stays His hand is an inner compass of self-regulation, integrity, goodness, and all the other virtues that He honors. So, despite what some mean when they say “my work and my glory,” this is what God means:

For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:39)

He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 26:24)

And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; … (Book of Mormon | Ether 3:4)

Is this not the scope of divine omnipotence—all power self-limiting by virtue of purpose (the benefit of mankind) and integrity?

Oh, that such were the case with humans exercising power!

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1. For an expanded discussion, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnipotence
2. (with all its attendants like justice, judgment, righteousness, mercy, truth, goodness, knowledge, understanding, discernment, etc.)