Requires Sacrifice to Obtain the Blessings of Heaven

"What many people call sin is not sin; I do many things to break down superstition, and I will break it down; I referred to the curse of Ham for laughing at Noah, while in his wine, but doing no harm. Noah was a righteous man, and yet he drank wine and became intoxicated; the Lord did not forsake him in consequence thereof, for he retained all the power of his Priesthood, and when he was accused by Canaan, he cursed him by the Priesthood which he held, and the Lord had respect to his word, and the Priesthood which he held, notwithstanding he was drunk, and the curse remains upon the posterity of Canaan until the present day." ~Joseph Smith (November 7, 1841.) DHC 4:445-446.

I consistently see that which some believe to be sin is not sin. Joseph wanted to break down superstitions.

There are so many distractions given to us in this world. They are given for a wise purpose by the Lord. I believe they are given to test us and prove us. To prevent those who in their envy and ambition would take the truths that are covered up and hidden within for their own evil designs. For it is the ambition of almost ALL men who get a little authority to use it to get gain and use it for compulsion upon the souls of men. It also prevents the ill prepared to learn those things that they are not ready to heed or willing to pay the price to obtain. It takes great sacrifice to obtains the things of heavens. We must be “one who possessed great knowledge, and [desire] to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge.” WE must first search for the truth. THAT is now our challenge. But we cannot do that when we are in a false sense of security that we have all the truth, or unwilling to pay the sacrifice to obtain it, including our own lives.

I normally don't share my dreams but I feel impressed upon to share one.

Feb 21, 2013
I remember being outside following a large path/spring. At the end of the path was this main spring of water that I had been following the stream to get to. I appeared or walked back inside a building where I knew people and was waiting for people that I knew to come and spend the night with me. This room happened to be almost at the end of the path. I was making my bed than I remember taking a look outside the window of the room I was in and saw the following.

How can you expect to do in 3 years what it took Isaiah 33 years to do in this lifetime? (the rest of the parable faded my mind) The answer to the parable, Is that if it took Joseph smith to do something in 30 years how can you expect to be able to do it in 3 years? It requires great sacrifice to attain the things of heaven. Will you sacrifice carnal securities (different items were shown before me) in place of things that we need (other items were shown before me in comparison to the previous ones). The more we sacrifice the greater the blessing we are able to have in the heavens. Will you set your things on the items of the carnal mind related to temporally items or buy the items that will last you a lifetime (food, things of spiritual worth). If you expect to receive something in the 3 years it will require that much more sacrifice to be able to achieve all the things Isaiah achieved in his 33 years. That is the meaning of the things shown to me.

Something clearly stated at the end, “as it is written In an apocrypha; Elias ascends to heaven.”

If we wish to gain an eternal reward like those who have gone before we must offer the same sacrifice. For we will all be tried even as Abraham. We must in our patience obtain the reward. We must endure to the end, worlds without end, to gain eternal life. It will be a long while after the promise (or covenant) that the reward is bestowed upon us. We have an opportunity now, in this life, to those who will give heed, to in the "first place" prove ourselves and be "prepared and called" after the Holy Order of the Son. And if we continue faithful, having choosen good and exceedingly great faith, we will be called upon by the Lord in some other place, some other rung of progression, to continue the Lords ministry. Do not sleep away this life. There is so much work to be done. The work required for each of us is the same for the Lord is the prototype of a saved man and we must be precisely like Him.

What should we Sacrifice?
It does no good to sacrifice things of our own free will if not asked to do so. It will have no eternal reward. The sacrifice must be asked of us by Him (See Lectures on Faith). As in the story of the two men, Luke 18, who prayed to God, "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I posses." He was not accepted by the Lord. It was the sinner who observed not the religious practices but offered up a broken heart and a contrite spirit who said "God be merciful to me a sinner." It is not hte level of our observance to "outward ordinances" but rather the heart or as the Lord says behold the kingdom of God is within YOU. Perhaps instead of looking outward we should instead begin to look inward. If we can take care of the inward in due time the outward will take care of itself.

Response to Gods Messengers
Gods messengers do not teach using flattery. They won't tell you are righteous and are in a saved state when we all, equally, fall short of the glory of God. Look at the reaction of the people who heard King Benjamins sermon.

1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them.
2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. (Mosiah 4:1-2)

Moroni told us to work out our salvation's with "fear and trembling" (Mormon 9:27). If we are not doing that, if we believe we are "righteous" when there is none good but God than truly we cannot say we have "spiritually been born of God", that "ye received his image in your countenances" and "experienced this mighty change in your hearts." If you are not stripped of this pride or envy ye are not prepared to meet your God. (See Alma 5). Gods gospel causes one to 'fear and tremble' for their salvation. The reaction by these people show how the Holy Ghost, when it manifests truth, can cause you to quake and fall to the earth in fear because YOU realize how wicked, how unrighteous, how impure, how no matter how much you do, you cannot measure up. That it is only by calling upon God that you have any hope in being raised from the grave. In luke 18 one man thought he was righteous due to the ordinances and pristine observance to the practice of his day. The other offered all he could, a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

What will God Acknowledge?

“God will not acknowledge that which He has not called, ordained, and chosen. In the beginning God called Adam by His own voice. “And the Lord called unto Adam and said unto him, where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, and hid myself.” (See Genesis 3:9-10.) Adam received commandments and instructions from God: this was the order from the beginning." -Joseph Smith

This is the order after His son. Those called after this order of priesthood, the patriarchal priesthood or fulness of the priesthood, receive it one way. By Gods voice. As the Oath states "I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens" (D&C 84:42) or as Joseph put it "the Keys of this priesthood consisted in obtaining the voice of Jehovah that he talked with him in a familiar and friendly manner." (Joseph Smith Papers, here) No man has these keys until they obtain this voice out of the heavens. Also seen in the Joseph Smith Translation of Genesis 14. "And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice" (JST Genesis 14:29) Notice its His voice not mans. By His calling not mans. No man can bestow this power except God. Thus "All the prophets had the Melchizedek Priesthood and were ordained by God himself." (TPJS, pp. 180-81)

It is in this way God prevents those who in their ambition would otherwise use it for their own purposes and they begin to imitate it thinking they can bestow this power upon another. We must be precisely or exactly like Christ, the prototype of the saved man, to receive these greater blessings.

Only they will be called, prepared, and ordained to this higher ministry.

As Helamen 10 shows only if were willing to do His will having first shown we are faithful He will declare this power to us by His voice in the presence of His angels.

Faith By Works.
Alma 13 shows how those who are called to be a high priest after the Order of His Son, having in the first place choosen good works, is to teach others that they also might enter into His rest. That is what the Lords servants do. They teach others what is required to enter into the rest of the Lord while in the flesh. That "ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest." (vs 13). You see these are those who have already entered into the rest of the Lord. They teach that ye may "also enter into that rest."

And what works are we asked to give for without works faith is dead? Joseph defined these works or faith as the following.

3 Let us here offer some explanation in relation to faith that our meaning may be clearly comprehended: We ask, then, what are we to understand by a man's working by faith? We answer: We understand that when a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of physical force: it is by words instead of exerting his physical powers, with which every being works when he works by faith-- (Lectures on Faith, Lecture 7)

It required mental exertion instead of physical force to exercise faith. Faith by words, for God said, let there be Light and there was Light. Words have power. For He is the Word and it was by the power of Gods word, or the messenger of salvation even Jesus Christ, that the worlds were created. This is why it requires those after the Order of His son to also teach others to enter into His rest. To increase ones faith it requires to hear the word of God by one sent by Him. This is how those called to be "high priests" exercise faith. Or they (we) do as James 1:5 directs, they ask, doubting not, having full confidence before god, without wavering, believing all things, and receive according to their desires. (this is all mental excretion)

Joseph taught,

"The world always mistook false prophets for true ones, and those that were sent of God, they considered to be false prophets, and hence they killed, stoned, punished and imprisoned the true prophets, and these had to hide themselves ‘in deserts and dens, and caves of the earth’ [see Hebrews 11:38], and though the most honorable men of the earth, they banished them from their society as vagabonds, whilst they cherished, honored and supported knaves, vagabonds, hypocrites, impostors, and the basest of men"

It requires a great sacrifice to be one of the Lord servants. His servants are willing to sacrifice all things, even their lives, to be His servants. They are strangers and foreigners here. They are living in exile in the wilderness. Because they have come up to a "general assembly of God." (See D&C 76) They have received a new family. They become entirely unwelcome here.

As to Zion
Just because you have the idea in front of you doesn't mean you have any concept of what will be required to have the angels gather you into that company. It is like the notion that you're going to be "exalted" without any idea that the eternities are completely isolated from the unworthy. No one will or can be "exalted" who is not adequately prepared. Anyone who attains that status will be required first to suffer what is suffered, minister what is required to be ministered, to prove here their fitness. How could a selfish soul ever provide to their ungrateful and abusive offspring everything necessary for them to develop? Exalted beings sacrifice themselves, and endure punishment on behalf of the guilty. They take upon themselves burdens which they do not deserve. They forgive, they succor, they uplift the unworthy. Pride is incompatible, and selfishness utterly disqualifies a soul from "exaltation." The principles which govern there are hardly understood here. Most people imagine they will be able to employ means much like Lucifer's to accomplish their expected outcome. They have no concept of the sacrifices and selflessness required to be trusted by the Lord. He is the prototype of the saved man. He lived His entire existence as a sacrifice. Read 3 Ne. 11: 11 and you will find in His introduction of Himself what a saved man must do. There is no other way. The prideful expectation that someone here is going to attain that status hereafter is based, for the most part, on foolishness and vanity, uninformed by the great things required to become like our Lord. Only those who are exactly like Him will be given that status in the eternities. Zion will be formed from people who are willing to endure His presence. That is no small thing.

What is the "Abrahamic test?"
The Lord adapts the test required to prove a person to their unique circumstances. The test given to Abraham was adapted perfectly to him. To understand how great the sacrifice was, the account needed to inform us of the difficulty encountered by him and Sarah to obtain this child of promise. We needed to know the promised future inheritance of a posterity as numerous as the sand or the stars was tied directly to this son's survival. It was, in the context of Abraham's life and promises from God, the sacrifice of everything. All his hopes, all his promises from God, all his joy with Sarah, all his future descendants were to be laid on the altar and sacrificed. His heart could only be proven through this means. The Abrahamic Test, therefore, will ask the same of you. It will be adapted to what you hope to receive, or have been promised to receive from God. It will end the work of years, and will require you to sacrifice all to God. What one person prizes is never the same as another. What would be easy for one will be nearly impossible for another. The test is adapted to each person. But it will be equally painful, equally difficult and equally proving of the person. Until the heart is tried in this manner we can never know we will submit everything to the Lord. If such a test has not been given you, then it is because the Lord knows you are not prepared to face it. As soon as you are prepared, you will encounter it. For most people they will likely be in their 50's, after having spent many years preparing to overcome themselves. There are notable examples who were much younger, namely Samuel or Joseph Smith. Those are exceptions. Abraham was between 70 and 100, depending on how you reconstruct the chronology. Moses was 80. Those are not atypical examples. Until you know your own heart is purified before God, you cannot bear Him nor have the required faith in Him. This is not an avoidable option, but an essential ingredient in knowing Him. This is why there are years of preparation generally required, and warnings given about continuing forward. The recipient must volunteer. And they must be warned beforehand.

Abraham's great test in sacrificing his son Isaac was all the more difficult when you consider he was nearly sacrificed when he was younger, by his father, on an altar, in a false religious practice. When the true God whom he worshiped asked him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, Abraham was put in the exact position he knew from his own past experience to be evil.

Many have stood back in amazement and considered the task given to Abraham to be outrageous, inexplicable and offensive. It was. But it was designed to make us realize how outrageous, inexplicable and offensive the sacrifice of God's Only Begotten was on our behalf. Abraham was one of the few men whose experience allowed him to identify with God the Father.

Letter of Beliefs: A Brief Answer to Why?

The following is a short letter of my beliefs and my testimony. Because it has footnotes it is much easier to read in pdf form so I linked to that file. They are copied here as endnotes. 

This was written in reference to my resignation from the LDS church.

Letter of Beliefs: Letter of Belief.pdf

"If I esteem mankind to be in error, shall I bear them down? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way." TPJS 

All I have attempted to do is expound the scriptures. 

My Witness & Testimony:

I want to begin with a quote by Joseph. “Three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation[1]” one of which is “An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will[2]” that unless they have an “assurance that they were pursuing a course which was agreeable to the will of God… knowing, (not merely believing)… they will grow weary in their minds and faint[3]”

I have fasted, prayed, studied, and pondered these things for over 2 years[4]. Yet people will say I am heeding another spirit when they won’t take a second thought[5] save it were to ask him if these things are true or not.[6] I plan to stand for truth for I have taken upon me the name of Christ. The Lord has shown me “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation…salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life[7]”. It is only through sacrifice of all earthly things that we can gain this knowledge. I don’t blame anyone for not believing me. I don’t understand His ways and the more I learn of him the bigger the fool I realize I am.

In a world of wickedness, my heart aches to see such violence, to see the poor go hungry, the children being abused while we enjoy the spoils of Babylon that we take as signs of our righteousness before him. We walk in the light and comprehendeth it not. Wherever we look in this world there is wide spread wickedness.  

The world proclaims “all is well.” The saints proclaim “all is well in Zion[8]” even though they are led by the precepts of men[9]. That Zion propereth but it is not! It is in Jeopardy! The very restoration is about to be completely abandoned!

It is time for me to come out from under the condemnation[10] and bondage[11] that rests upon all because we receive not the light[12]. Others may believe that one man can save them. Others may believe that one man cannot lead them astray[13]. And if he does lead them astray it is not their concern[14] for they will be blessed even if it’s wrong![15] In the Day of Judgment such actions will not be excused by Him[16]. Others may believe to follow man[17] or to trust men[18]. Others may be willing to give up their agency to another by making an oath to them[19] thus allowing that man have claim upon them. Finally they may believe it is enough to “see God” around us and not seek his face but by doing so we deny the power of godliness[20]. We are all free to worship who, what or how we may.

I believe only one Man is to be followed, Jesus Christ.[21] We are to “receive[22]” those who the Lords sends which means to “heed”, “hearken”, or “hear” their message[23]. We are to each stand for ourselves and that dependence upon the prophet will cause our minds to be darkened[24]. That God has no servant at the gate for only he cannot be deceived.[25] He invites all to come unto Him. I believe in the restoration through the prophet Joseph Smith and there is yet to be revealed many great and marvelous things[26]. I believe more than I ever have in the message of the Book of Mormon; that the fullness of the gospel[27] is to ascend back into His presence. That is the definition of redemption. It is to re-enter his presence while in the flesh.[28] Without “faith” and “angels appear[ing] and minister[ing] unto men” all is vain, as if there is no redemption[29]. Yet we still proclaim that they are not for us! We doubt, while living behind a veil of unbelief that we should rend and shred into pieces![30]

Like the Israelites, we have wandered long enough in the wilderness for “40 years” being driven to and fro while those around us cry “Lo here, Lo There”[31]. Moroni saw our day,[32] he testified of us, the book testifies AGAINST us. It is the final opportunity for the Gentiles to repent. Yet we think the message is to those who will never read the book even when the Lord proclaimed the baptized Latter Day Saints were “identified with the Gentiles”[33]. When we are offered everything and reject that which is decreed to happen[34], and we were through Joseph, we are given something less because He will give us what we are willing to receive[35] . Thus it will be a “terrible day of the Lord[36]” for his presence is terrible to the unprepared as their guilt will torment them.[37] He comes in Judgment.

If we will not accept what He is offering the Lord will find someone else to build Zion. It grieves me to think our day will be even “as the day of noah”[38]. But it is my witness the Lord has set his hand again a second time to redeem those who are willing to receive Him. The entire purpose of the temple was to teach us how to converse with the Lord through the veil. It is a symbol or type. It is not an end. We are meant to connect with the Fathers in immortal Glory thereby entering into a covenant that we may abide his coming.[39]

There is so much more I could say but that is not the purpose of this. It is to give a brief (ok I tried to make it brief :) ) overview of the “why”. I love the church, it is after all the “big net[40]” spoken of in the new testament. Or should I say I love the people. I hold no ill against any man, nor do I desire to try to change the church’s course. Its divine course is set.

Time is so short. Our very salvations are in jeopardy. Religion is intended to be between “you” and God, deeply personal and individually redemptive. Christ is as accessible to all as He was to Moses on the mount. And what was Moses' ambition? It was to bring everyone up on the mount to likewise see God[41] but they preferred another man to speak for them[42] or today believe only one should speak for him. Follow the Doctrine of Christ, no more no less, as seen in 2 Nephi 32:5 “receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.” His spirit will lead us to eternal life, not man. Though, if we will not receive Christ's prophets and apostles, we will be condemned[43]. Those who claim you should "follow" them put themselves in the place of Christ. They are, in effect, a false Christ. We were promised they would come in the last days to deceive the "very elect" as false Messiahs.[44] An apostle of Jesus Christ is one who has a message of God, sent by him, and been in the presence of the Son and the Father.[45]

Joseph warned, “Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it....Men of the present time testify of heaven and hell, and have never seen either; and I will say that no man knows these things without this.[46]"

It used to take a hundred years for changes to come about. Now those same changes in understanding take about 5 to 7 years. A whole new understanding of the history of the church is coming. Just wait. Do not LOSE faith in God as the events unfold! He Lives! Joseph did see what he said he did! Ask, Knock, Receive! If we don’t understand it’s because we ask not! We will not search, seek, nor understand.[47]

Joseph Smiths first vision is what religion is meant to be. It is what the Gospel is meant to be for each of us. To have communion with God and his angels, for in the garden Adam was cast out of his presence, and through the atonement we can be brought back into his presence while in the flesh[48].

Religion always follows the same pattern; man speaks with God which is called restoration, then other men come after and try to worship according to His latest visit which is called apostasy.[49]

I conclude with saying I am grateful for every moment I have spent involved with the church and the people. I would not be where I am without it. I would not trade those experiences for anything. The church contained the power to perform outward ordinances. The Lord has called me elsewhere.

If we want Zion the first thing we should do is go serve our neighbor abasing ourselves from the distractions and “things” of the world.

Despite what others have/will say I know I will retain my priesthood, my connection with God, the Holy Ghost, and that the ordinances that I performed in his behalf will still be valid in His eyes. This I know for He has declared it by his voice to me and God cannot lie.

Before social collapse in 3 Nephi, society broke down into tribes consisting of family and friends.[50] Perhaps there must be some preparations to prepare us for the social chaos that is soon to come independent of all institutions or organizations. Zion cannot be built by an organization or institution. It will be built by a “peculiar people” in the Lords “strange act”.

Now I speak by way of invitation only. To all those who wish to be a part of the Lords return. To those who have realized the restoration given through Joseph has been altered, changed, forgotten, or simply replaced by precepts of men. I invite us all to return to the restoration and take the words of Joseph Smith seriously.

It is no longer sufficient to be baptized by one being “commissioned” by Jesus Christ. The command is renewed again where we should be baptized by one having “authority”. Early saints called this rebaptism, it was part of the doctrine of Christ[51]. I was baptized by one having authority on December 24, 2014. It was the day following winter solstice for the world, when light triumphs darkness. The day before the symbol of Christ’s birth into the world. I have experimented upon the word and I can say the fruits are good. It has enlarged my soul. Therefore I know it’s of God. For I have experimented according to the pattern in Alma 32 and have knowledge that a greater portion of God’s spirit has rested upon me that day. Not because my first baptism was not valid but because the Lord has asked me to be “rebaptized” as a sign and token of the Lord’s hand moving once again. If He asks this of you than I invite you to heed that voice. It is a day of Salvation.

I don’t blame a soul for not believing me. I am a nobody. A Fool. There are so many voices in this world, it seems there are 1000 voices against every one voice of truth. This world is the perfect place for Gods children to learn to become like Him. His work, immortality and eternal life of man, continues “worlds without end.” My prayer is that we may receive grace and return to Him “added upon”.

My only hope is to persuade. I will not seek to compel a single man to believe as I do. For my only tools are by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness, and pure knowledge.

We are currently being tested. Choose wisely.

Know Ye the Lord?

In the spirit of love and to my brothers and sisters in Christ,

Tyson Curtis Hunt

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[1] Lectures on Faith (LOF): Lecture 3 verse 2

[2] LOF: Lecture 3 verse 5

[3] LOF: Lecture 6 verse 3-4

[4] “…Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation “which is in me.” (Alma 5:46)

[5] “When men open their lips against [the truth] they do not injure me, but injure themselves…When things that are of the greatest importance are passed over by weak-minded men without even a thought, I want to see truth in all its bearings and hug it to my bosom. I believe all that God ever revealed” (Teachings of Joseph Smith, “Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths”, Chapter 22, edits in original)

[6] “Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.” (D&C 9:7, See also verse 8)

[7] LOF: Lecture 6 verse 7

[8] “they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls…25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!” (2 Nephi 28:21,25)

[9] “ they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men” (2 Nephi 28:14)

[10] D&C 84:54-58. See Also “Cleansing the inner vessel” by President Benson in April 1986 General Conference where he reaffirmed this condemnation rested upon all.

[11] When Joseph was in liberty jail he complained about the oppression. The Lord told him, you think it’s bad when you’re oppressed by those in government over you, just wait Joseph, wait until someone gets a little priestly authority over you. We have seen this before and it’s called catholism. “to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves” (D&C 121:37) See D&C 121:39-42, D&C 101:76-79, Luke 22:25

[12]  “31 Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. 32 And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation ”.(D&C 93:31-32)

[13] “We will not and cannot lead [you] astray.” (Elder Ballard, “Stay in the Boat and Stay on!”, General Conference, October 2014). See also Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78.

[14] “This means, among other things, that it is my province to teach to the Church what the doctrine is. It is your province to echo what I say or to remain silent. You do not have a divine commission to correct me or any of the Brethren. The Lord does not operate that way. If I lead the Church astray, that is my responsibility, but the fact still remains that I am the one appointed with all the rest involved so to do.” (Bruce R McConkie Letter to Eugene).
Also taught here, “”Which way do you face?” President Boyd K. Packer surprised me with this puzzling question while we were traveling together on my very first assignment as a new Seventy. Without an explanation to put the question in context, I was baffled. “A Seventy,” he continued, “does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people. Never forget which way you face!” It was a powerful lesson.” (Elder Lynn G. Robbins, “Which Way Do You Face?”, General Conference, October 2014)

[15] “I remember years ago when I was a bishop I had President Heber J. Grant talk to our ward. After the meeting I drove him home … Standing by me, he put his arm over my shoulder and said: ‘My boy, you always keep your eye on the President of the Church and if he ever tells you to do anything, and it is wrong, and you do it, the Lord will bless you for it.’ Then with a twinkle in his eye, he said, ‘But you don’t need to worry. The Lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray.’” (Conference Report, October 1960, p. 78.)

[16] “We have heard men who hold the priesthood remark that they would do anything they were told to do by those who preside over them—even if they knew it was wrong. But such obedience as this is worse than folly to us. It is slavery in the extreme. The man who would thus willingly degrade himself should not claim a rank among intelligent beings until he turns from his folly. A man of God would despise this idea. Others, in the extreme exercise of their almighty authority have taught that such obedience was necessary... When Elders of Israel will so far indulge in these extreme notions of obedience as to teach them to the people, it is generally because they have it in their hearts to do wrong themselves". (Brigham Young, Millenial Star, Archive Volume 14, Number 38, Pages 593-595) See also D&C 1:31 “31 For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance”

[17] When you follow the prophets, you will be in safe territory.” (President Monson, “Follow The Prophets”, January 2015). This talk was copied from an Sept. 7, 2003 CES youth devotional with the final two sentences being changed. (See Church News Archive)

[18] “Trust me! These 15 men—prophets, seers, and revelators—know what the will of the Lord is when unanimity is reached!” (Elder Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets”,  General Conference, October 2014)

[19] “Our sustaining is an oath-like indication that we recognize their calling as a prophet to be legitimate and binding upon us.” (Elder Nelson, “Sustaining the Prophets”,  General Conference, October 2014)

[20] Power of godliness is the presence of God. For the ordinances are meant to bring us to see god in the flesh. When we reject that we only have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. “And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; 22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.” (See D&C 84:19-22)

[21]  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)

[22] See D&C 84:35-38, D&C 76:99-101

[23] D&C 12:2, JST Isaiah 42:20, D&C 101:7,

[24] “President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel--said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church--that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls--applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall--that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy.” (Teachings Section Five 1842-43, p.237 or Joseph Smith Papers)

[25] “the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant…for he cannot be deceived” (2 Nephi 9:41)

[26] We have this to look forward to, a return of a people who “put on thy strength” (3 Nephi 20:22). A return of priesthood yet to be restored (Future Tense) “Elijah was the last prophet that held the keys of this priesthood, and who will, before the last dispensation, restore the authority and delive[r] the Keys of this priesthood in order that all the ordinances may be attended to in righteousness…And I will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Joseph Smith, “Instruction on Priesthood”, pg 17, October 5, 1840, General Conference) Footnote reads “This discourse is apparently the only discourse for which the Prophet ever prepared a text.” Also read, in future tense, in 1841, Aug 13 1843, Aug. 27 1843, in 1844 and others. Dates are linked to sermons. Keep in mind the dictionary defines “last” can mean "latest".

[27] The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the “fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” (D&C 20:9; 27:5.)

[28] “the Lord showed himself unto him[Brother of Jared], and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence;” (Ether 3:13) So what did he “knowest”? What had he become that allowed him to receive these things?

[29] Moroni 7:37-38

[30] “when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—… 16… then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people.” (Ether 4:15-16)

[31] “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them, and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; 21 Neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, Lo, there! For, behold, the kingdom of God has already come unto you. 22 And he said unto his disciples, The days will come, when they will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and they shall not see it. 23 And if they shall say to you, See here! or, See there! Go not after them, nor follow them.“ (JST Luke 17:20-23)

[32]  “Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. 36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. 37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.” (Mormon 8:35-37)

[33] Dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland temple. “ 60 Now these words, O Lord, we have spoken before thee, concerning the revelations and commandments which thou hast given unto us[LDS], who are identified with the Gentiles.” (D&C 109:60)

[34] See 3 Nephi 16:10

[35] “they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.“ (D&C 88:32) See also “When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned.” (TJS, “Gaining Knowledge”, Chapter 22)

[36] Joel 2:31

[37] Alma 5:18

[38] “as it was in the days of Noah, so it shall be also at the coming of the Son of Man;” (JS-Matt 1:43, See also Matthew 24:37)

[39] “This is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven “(HC 6:22), “go and seal on earth … yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory “ (TPJS, 340) See quotes under Family on the LDS site JosephSmith.net.

[40] See Matthew 13:47-52

[41] D&C 84:23-25.

[42] “When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law.” (TJS, “Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths”, Chapter 22)

[43] See John 3:10-11

[44] See, JS-Matt. 1:22.

[45] “The Prophet Joseph said: Brethren, now you are prepared to be the apostles of Jesus Christ, for you have seen both the Father and the Son and know that they exist and that they are two separate personages.” (Zebedee Coltrin, Minutes, Salt Lake City School of the Prophets, October 3, 1883) Joseph still called ones who had not done this to the twelve. This is why Oliver stated “Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you” (referenced below)

[46] TPJS 160. Today it is taught it’s not necessary to even seek him. “I have not beheld him...But it is not necessary. I have felt his presence.” (Chapter 2, “Our Savior”, TOJFS Manual) D&C 101:38, a section on the redemption of Zion, also warns us “seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.” For “in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower…shall be saved.” (vs 12) Joseph said “thou must commune with God” (TJS, Ch 22) Finally, D&C 93:1 says it’s for EVERY soul!

[47] “I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be.” (2 Nephi 32:7)

[48]  “9 And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will. 10 And in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.” (Moses 5:9-10)

[49] Brigham young lamented during the 11^th year as president, "that perhaps I then may hold communion with the Lord, as did Moses. I am not now in that position...If I am faithful… perhaps the Lord will appear to me and personally dictate me in the management of his Church and people." (JOD 7:243,  BY, September 1, 1859)”. Seventeen Years as president he stated “We have not seen the person of the Father, neither have we seen that of the Son;" (JOD 11:42. BY, January 8, 1865) President Grant went further stating “I never prayed to see the Savior.” We have ignored the Lords warning long enough and His wisdom that it’s the duty of the president to be “like unto moses” (D&C 107:91-92; See also Oliver Cowdery’s “General Charge to the twelve” “Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face… Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us; God is the same.”.) To write the words of eternal life requires one who has the promise of eternal life.

[50] 3 Nephi 7:2-4

[51] “At this time came a revelation, that the Saints could be baptized and re-baptized when they chose.” (Brigham Young J.D. 18:241) See also Moroni 6:1. Compare 3 Nephi 7:26 with 3 Nephi 19:11-13

Prototype of the saved man: Jesus Christ

12 And I, John, saw that [Christ] received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first. (D&C 93:12-14)

Christ was “called the Son of God,” because He “received not the fullness at first.” (See D&C 93) He was "called" to be the Son of God because that was not His status before achieving grace for grace. Therefore He had to first qualify to be "called" to be the Son of God. Therefore it is self- evident that He “received not the fullness at first.”

Long before the Lord assumed the role and responsibility of descending here and being the Redeemer of this world, He was qualified by acquiring grace, through doing things to prove Himself, while He was behind the veil, just as you presently find yourselves situated. This is not the place for an experiment to learn whether mankind will be rescued from the grave. It must be certain before there is a Fall, that there will be an adequate atonement to rescue mankind. If man were not rescued, they would be eternally subject to captivity in the same condition as the devil. (2 Nephi 9: 8-9)

This catastrophe could only be avoided by perfect foreknowledge. Only by first proving He had the grace to overcome all through His obedience to the commandments of God could He be “called the Son of God.” Even though it would be a great while before He, and now you, would rise up to that level, still He has lived His life with such grace that He qualified to receive more, and to develop and to move up. He became “the Word of God” (D&C 93: 8) because He followed “every word [or instruction] which proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Mattew 4: 4)

When you think of Christ as “the prototype of the saved man” you should also remember Christ “attained to the resurrection” by “breaking the bonds of death.” (Mosiah 15: 8) Justice requires man to die. (Alma  42:15) When I die it will be deserved. The same is true for all mankind from Adam to the present. (1 Nephi 10: 6)

However, when Christ died it was unjust. The “wages of sin” is death, but He did not earn those wages. (Romans 6: 23) He never submitted to sin, therefore the law of justice was offended by His death. Because of this, He was able to take His body up again, and the law of justice could not prevent it. (2 Nephi 9:26) Christ’s death was not only unjust, but it was an eternal offense. When the life of a man who should have lived forever has been taken, what He gave up was infinite. (2 Nephi 9:7) Therefore the price He paid was infinite. (Alma 34:10) Whatever justice demanded had been satisfied, and He could then intercede for all mankind.

Christ’s resurrection, therefore, came as a matter of right to Him because the grave could make no just claim upon His life. In turn, this allows Him to make an infinite intercession and likewise bring us and together with all creation back into a restored state. He paid the price to reverse Adam’s fall. (1 Corinthians 15:22) All of His creation benefits.

This is what Joseph was referring to as “attaining the resurrection” in his last talk in General Conference (King Follet Discourse). This is the trek that every saved man must take to complete the process. Hence Joseph’s saying, “it will be a great while after the grave before” we will rise up to be gods ourselves. Do not sleep away this life. Awake and arise! There is a great deal to be done.

There is no magic to this process. There is only progression and refinement. It will be required for each of us, just as has been required of all who went before, that we “learn to be gods” by what we experience. Part of that learning must eventually include the ability to break the bonds of death, as Christ did.

But we develop during mortality, and receive from this life exactly what we develop into while mortal. God’s patience for us is infinite. It will require going “from exaltation to exaltation” before we ascent to the place of Christ, “the prototype of the saved man.” But we have all eternity to work out our salvation.

Those who think it is enough to merely “get into heaven” are really talking about “the deaths” (D&C 132: 25) and not what God offers His children. God offers eternal lives. Those who will endure to the end, worlds without end, will receive eternal life and obtain the resurrection. We must be exactly and precisely like Christ to receive all power in heaven and earth, including the power of the resurrection. It was only after His resurrection Christ claimed this power.

What does it mean to be Saved? What is Salvation

“Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death [see 1 Corinthians 15:25–26]. (TJS, The Great Plan of Salvation, Chapter 17)

There is a lot here. Salvation is to triumph over all our enemies. The last enemy we must overcome is death. However we cannot overcome all things in this life, only by grace to grace, exaltation to exaltation, line upon line. That is a blessing to celestial beings beyond the grave though, "And they shall overcome all things." (D&C 76:60).

Thus the atonement allows us to rely upon His power until we learn for ourselves to "overcome all things" death being the last enemy of all.

Not only are we to put all enemies under our feet in this world but it is required to do so. Why? For the purpose of gaining the knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come. THEN are we saved. The lectures on faith states

Where shall we find a saved being? for if we can find a saved being, we may ascertain, without much difficulty, what all others must be, in order to be saved - they must be like that individual or they cannot be saved: we think, that it will not be a matter of dispute, that two beings, who are unlike each other, cannot both be saved; for whatever constitutes the salvation of one, will constitute the salvation of every creature which will be saved: and if we find one saved being in all existence, we may see what all others must be, or else not be saved. We ask, then, where is the prototype? or where is the saved being? We conclude as to the answer of this question there will be no dispute among those who believe the bible, that it is Christ: all will agree in this that he is the prototype or standard of salvation, or in other words, that he is a saved being. And if we should continue our interogation, and ask how it is that he is saved, the answer would be, because he is a just and holy being; and if he were any thing different from what he is he would not be saved; for his salvation depends on his being precisely what he is and nothing else; for if it were possible for him to change in the least degree, so sure he would fail of salvation and lose all his dominion, power, authority and glory, which constitutes salvation; for salvation consists in the glory, authority, majesty, power and dominion which Jehovah possesses, and in nothing else; and no being can possess it but himself or one like him: (Lecture 7)

TWO beings unlike each other cannot both be saved. Christ is the prototype. And how did Christ gain the knowledge to triumph over all his enemies or should I say when did he have the knowledge to overcome all things?

Isaiah gave us a power imagery of the suffering of Christ and His atonement.

10 ¶Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

His suffering in Gethsemane. His atonement! It was through that travail of his soul that he was able to "by his knowledge" experience what each mortal could, can, or would face. It was there he knew what each of us would need to overcome the obstacle of sin placed before. Thus he could now "by his knowledge" which he learned and overcoming eventual death on the cross, succor all of us "by his knowledge." Because He gained the required knowledge, thus He knows what YOU need at any given moment to overcome, fix, repair what is broken, remove any discouragement, or burden placed upon you. The atonement can cleanse you every whit but it is up to you to rise up and accept the burden placed before you. Whatever that is, He can bestow the required knowledge along with the comfort you need to endure it well.

Lets go back to the original quote.

“Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death [see 1 Corinthians 15:25–26]. (TJS, The Great Plan of Salvation, Chapter 17)

Triumphing over our enemies here bestows knowledge on the other side or the "world to come" for "No person can have this salvation except through a tabernacle." (ibid) And Christ, being the prototype, suffered and was able to "by his knowledge" justify and sanctify many.

After we can triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved. Thus Joseph said,

“… A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God.”15 (TJS, Ch 22)

And so the promise is to all who rise up here and now. And how do you rise up? How does one become at the level of Celestial? By ones knowledge. You cannot be saved in ignorance. And when you get knowledge sufficient to lay hold upon Eternal life, for the difference between an saved being and one that is not is the degree of their faith (See Lectures on Faith), you can also be in a position to overcome all things.  As similar language puts it "ask to know the mysteries" for D&C 19:8 shows the importance, "I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles." The Lords servants knows the mysteries of God.