Friday, October 11, 2024

Good News and Bad News - Start Here

Hello!

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Jesus Christ is once again visiting with and speaking to mankind to invite them to repent and prepare for His arrival.

In 2017, through a servant He has visited multiple times, Jesus Christ spoke the following to a large group of repentant Christians:

Cry peace. Proclaim my words. Invite those who will repent to be baptized and forgiven, and they shall obtain my spirit to guide them. The time is short and I come quickly, therefore open your mouths and warn others to flee the wrath which is to come as men in anger destroy one another. The wicked shall destroy the wicked, and I will hold the peacemakers in the palm of my hand and none can take them from me. - Jesus Christ

That's good news. The bad news is as follows:

The spirit of God is withdrawing from the world. Men are increasingly angry without good cause. The hearts of men are waxing cold. … This process of the spirit withdrawing will end on this continent, as it did with two prior civilizations, in fratricidal and genocidal warfare. For the rest of the world, it will be as in the days of Noah in which, as the light of Christ or spirit of truth is eclipsed, men’s cold hearts will result in a constant scene of violence and bloodshed. The wicked will destroy the wicked.

The bad news is that the day is coming where mankind will in anger destroy one another. The good news is that Jesus Christ offers an alternative.

And I, the Lord your God, will be with you and will never forsake you, and I will lead you in the path which will bring peace to you in the troubling season now fast approaching. - Jesus Christ 2017

The above is but one of the promises offered to those who receive baptism and keep the new covenant offered by Him in 2017. If kept, this covenant will prevent loss of light and warmth of heart as the spirit now steadily recedes from the world. Those who desire these things must first accept The Doctrine of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ is as follows:

In truth I tell you: Anyone who welcomes the spirit of conflict doesn't follow Me, but is following the accuser, who is the father of conflict. He incites people to angrily fight with each other. This isn't My doctrine, to incite angry fighting by people. But this is My doctrine, everything like that should end.

Listen carefully to what I tell you: I will declare to you My doctrine. This is My doctrine, and it is the doctrine that the Father has given to Me: I testify of the Father, and the Father testifies of Me, and the Holy Ghost testifies of the Father and me. I also testify that the Father commands all people everywhere to repent and believe in Me. And anyone who believes in Me and is baptized will be saved, and they are who will inherit God's kingdom.

But anyone who doesn't believe in Me and isn't baptized will be damned. In truth I tell you this is My doctrine, and I testify of it from the Father. Anyone who believes in Me also believes in the Father, and the Father will testify to them of Me, since He will visit them with fire and with the Holy Ghost. In this way the Father will testify of Me, and the Holy Ghost will testify to them of the Father and Me, because the Father and I and the Holy Ghost are united as one.

In addition, I say to you: You must repent and become as a little child and be baptized in My name, or under no circumstance can you receive these things. And again, I say to you: You must repent and be baptized in My name and become as a little child, or under no circumstances can you inherit God's kingdom.

In truth I tell you this is My doctrine. Whoever builds on this builds on My rock, and the gates of hell will not prevail against them. And those who declare more or less than this and establish it as My doctrine advocate evil and are not built upon My rock, but are built on a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive them when the floods come and the wind pounds them. - Jesus Christ

This is Christ's Doctrine as found in the book of scripture called The Covenant of Christ.

If you wish to follow Jesus in our day you must accept His Doctrine. If you do then you are invited to be baptized or baptized anew by men He has asked to do so (see bornofwater.org).

Do this and He will forgive you and you will obtain His spirit to guide you for time is short and Jesus Christ is coming. This is great news!

The problem with Christ choosing and sending messengers to proclaim His word is that those who hear are then judged based on how they respond to it.

Woe to anyone who refuses to listen to Jesus' words and the words of those He has chosen and sent to them. Anyone who doesn't receive Jesus' words and the words of those He sends, doesn't accept Him, and therefore He won't accept them on the last day. It would be better for them if they hadn't been born. - The Covenant of Christ

Therefore please do not reject or dismiss this message but instead sincerely investigate these claims and take the matter to the Lord in sincere prayer. Please, come unto Christ while there is still time to do so.

All must come unto me or they cannot be saved. And how do men come unto me? It is by faith, repentance, and baptism, which bring the holy ghost, to then show you all things you must know.

Behold, this is my doctrine: whosoever repents and comes unto me, the same is my church. Whosoever declares more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me. Therefore, he is not of my church. - Jesus Christ

The Covenant of Christ is The Book of Mormon translated into modern day English. As much Divine attention and assistance went into this version as was given in the original.

Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He was not a polygamist.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not Christ's church (though there are members of His church who worship within it).

The Book of Mormon, and its new translation titled TheCovenant of Christ, are given for us in our day and are Jesus Christ's words. Please read it so that you may know for yourself.

Jesus Christ loves you. He suffered to save you and now calls you to come unto Him.

Now this is the commandment: Repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the holy ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

In the name of Jesus Christ I say the words of this testimony are true.

~

Having said that, I recognize that these words may not convince you. Perhaps they even offend you. I have no intention of offending you. I'm doing this because of my love for God, my love for my fellow man and my confidence in what God is doing in our day.

Therefore, if my words do not convince you, please invest the time to investigate the matter further by reading the content of this blog. It is divided into four sections.

  1. Jesus Christ speaks again in our day. To persuade you that I speak the truth, I will appeal to Jesus Christ's words directly as He gave them in 2017. It is my hope that in reading them you will hear His voice speaking. This section also contains two other documents worth reading.

  2. Saving faith in God requires a correct idea of God's character and attributes. Here I will use the scriptures to expound what ideas you need to have about God's perfections to enable you to have saving faith in Him.

  3. Those who love Jesus Christ keep His commandments. Commandments such as those found in the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew. To persuade you that I have been sent by Christ with His message I will start by expounding these commandments and encouraging you to obey them.

Though inspired, I do not hold up my words in section three as scripture. The content in section one and two are different. They are scripture. If I could have you read but other item, it would be the revelation in section one.

He that treasures my teachings, and stands ready, watching for every communication I send him, is he who shows love for me. To those who show love for me, my Father will show love to them, and I love all those, and I will personally minister to them.

    If a man loves me, he will stand ready, watching for every communication I will send to him; and my Father will also love him, and we will come visit him, and continually abide by his side.

    Whoever claims to love me but does not stand ready, watching for every communication I will send, indeed does not love me. These teachings are not from me, but come from the Father who sent me. - Jesus Christ

These words are strong but true. Jesus Christ loves you and wants to come and visit you. Love Him in return and the day will come where He will do so. Therefore, please repent. Amen.


Sincerely,

Daniel Motola – danielm1313@proton.me

Next

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Guide and Standard

       Teachings and Commandments 175

A Statement of Principles, adopted by the covenant people, 30 September 2018, in answer to the commandment given by the Lord in the Answer to Prayer for Covenant.

    We, as a covenant people, were commanded by God to develop a statement of principles to be used as a guide and standard. The following statement is the result of the contributions of many. As a people, we agreed to the following methodology in its creation: we confined ourselves to the words of the Lord as found in our canonized scriptures and given to his servants Joseph Smith Jr. and Denver Snuffer Jr.

    We, as a people, therefore stand as witnesses to the work of Jesus Christ in our day and declare as truth and with soberness that God has set his hand yet again to call his people to labor in preparing the way for Jesus Christ’s return. We invite all who receive this witness to come and learn of his ways. Therefore, as commanded by the Lord, we as a covenant people offer the following statement of principles to help guide you in this process.

    A GUIDE AND STANDARD

    The Lord commanded us, I require a statement of principles to be adopted by the mutual agreement of my people, for if you cannot do so, you will be unable to accomplish other works that I will require at your hands. When you have an agreed statement of principles, I require it to also be added as a guide and standard for my people to follow. Remember there are others who know nothing, as yet, of my work now underway, and therefore the guide and standard is to bless, benefit and inform them.

    JESUS CHRIST

    The Lord admonished us, I descended below it all, and know the sorrows of you all, and have borne the grief of it all, and I say to you, Forgive one another. Be tender with one another, pursue judgment, bless the oppressed, care for the orphan, and uplift the widow in her need, for I have redeemed you from being orphaned and taken you that you are no longer a widowed people. Rejoice in me, and rejoice with your brethren and sisters who are mine also. Be one. For you to unite I must admonish and instruct you, for my will is to have you love one another. It is not enough to say you love God; you must also love your fellow man. I have given to you my doctrine, and have also revealed teachings, commandments, precepts, and principles to guide you, and it is not meet that I command you in all things — reason together and apply what I have given you, and it will be enough. Each of you must equally walk truly in my path, not only to profess, but to do as you profess. Love one another and you will be mine, and I will preserve you, and raise you up, and abide with you for ever.

    The Doctrine of Jesus Christ

    The Lord proclaimed, I will declare unto you my doctrine. And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me — and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the holy ghost beareth record of the Father and me — and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men everywhere to repent and believe in me. And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved, and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And whoso believeth not in me and is not baptized shall be damned. Verily, verily I say unto you that this is my doctrine and I bear record of it from the Father. And whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also, and unto him will the Father bear record of me for he will visit him with fire and with the holy ghost. And thus will the Father bear record of me and the holy ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me, for the Father and I and the holy ghost are one. And again I say unto you, ye must repent and become as a little child and be baptized in my name or ye can in nowise receive these things. And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily I say unto you that this is my doctrine. And whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establisheth it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil and is not built upon my rock, but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation and the gates of hell standeth open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them. Therefore, go forth unto this people and declare the words which I have spoken unto the ends of the earth.

    The Law of Christ

    The greatest instruction given by God at any time, to any generation, is a rule of community found in the Sermon on the Mount and in the Sermon at Bountiful. The Law of Christ is found there.

    ORDINANCES

    Baptism

    As to the commandment to be baptized, even Jesus Christ went to be baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness. Nephi taught: And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water to fulfill all righteousness, oh then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water? Denver said, Baptism has always been required from the days of Adam until the present. Baptism is always the sign of acceptance of what God is doing in each generation. Whenever there are people of faith on earth, they have always been invited to perform the ordinance of baptism as a sign of their faith.

    The Lord commanded, And he said unto them, On this wise shall ye baptize, and there shall be no disputations among you. Verily I say unto you that whoso repenteth of his sins through your words and desireth to be baptized in my name, on this wise shall ye baptize them: behold, ye shall go down and stand in the water, and in my name shall ye baptize them. And now behold, these are the words which ye shall say, calling them by name, saying,

    Having authority given me of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy ghost. Amen.

    And then shall ye immerse them in the water and come forth again out of the water. And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name, for behold, verily I say unto you that the Father and the Son and the holy ghost are one; and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one. And according as I have commanded you, thus shall ye baptize. And there shall be no disputations among you.

    Any who want to be baptized should be. Before baptism, teach [them] the Doctrine of Christ. This living ordinance should be performed in living water, if possible. Connect with God by using the things He provides.

    Little children are not accountable before God, and therefore their mistakes, offenses, and errors are covered by their innocence, and the atonement of Christ. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not understand God. Mormon said, It is solemn mockery before God that ye should baptize little childrenthis thing shall ye teach: repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin.…but little children are alive in Christ.

    A record needs to be kept of the names of those baptized. Record their name[s] and submit them to the central recorder’s clearinghouse. A single volume with names will be deposited in a temple to be built before the Lord’s return.

    Once baptized, we can receive the Father’s testimony of His Son by the power of the holy ghost. It comes as a result of baptism [and is] given according to the Doctrine of Christ to any who repent and are baptized following His direction.

    If ye will enter in by the way and receive the holy ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

    Sacrament

    The sacrament should be taken in the way God commanded. Partake of the sacrament in your families and in your gatherings. Use wine. If you are opposed to alcohol or have a medical condition that prevents you from using wine, use red grape juice. Use the symbol of the blood of our Lord.

    The Book of Mormon recounts: And it came to pass that Jesus commanded his disciples that they should bring forth some bread and wine unto him.…And when the disciples had come with bread and wine, he took of the bread, and brake and blessed it, and he gave unto the disciples and commanded that they should eat. And when they had eat and were filled, he commanded that they should give unto the multitudeAnd this shall ye do in remembrance of my body which I have shewn unto youAnd it came to pass that when he had said these words, he commanded his disciples that they should take of the wine of the cup and drink of it, and that they should also give unto the multitude that they might drink of it. And it came to pass that they did so, and did drink of it and were filled. And they gave unto the multitude, and they did drink and they were filled. And when the disciples had done this, Jesus said unto them, Blessed are ye for this thing which ye have done, for this is fulfilling my commandments, and this doth witness unto the Father that ye are willing to do that which I have commanded you. And this shall ye always do unto those who repent and are baptized in my name, and ye shall do it in remembrance of my blood which I have shed for you that ye may witness unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me, ye shall have my spirit to be with you. And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things.

    And they did kneel down with the church and pray to the Father in the name of Christ, saying,

    O God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his spirit to be with them. Amen.

    The manner of administering the wine. Behold, they took the cup and said,

    O God the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son Jesus Christ to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them, that they may witness unto thee, O God the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his spirit to be with them. Amen.

    Marriage & Family

    After the creation, marriage was the first ordinance. All the elements of the gospel point back to marriage as God’s final purpose for mankind. If we will love our husbands or our wives, we will please God. Do so and God can preserve your marriage into eternity. Above all else, marriage is what God wants most to preserve. Marriage is the image of God.

    The Lord said, Marriage was, in the beginning, between one man and one woman, and was intended to remain so for the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve, that they may multiply and replenish the earth. I commanded that there shall not any man have save it be one wife, and concubines he shall have none. I, the Lord your God, delight in the chastity of women, and in the respect of men for their wives. Marriage by me, or by my word, received as a holy covenant between the woman and I, the man and woman, and the man and I, will endure beyond death and into my Father’s Kingdom, worlds without end.

    This should be the description of all our houses and families: a family of prayer, a family of fasting, a family of faith, a family of learning (therefore a family of glory), which brings a family of order, and therefore a house of God. Our children will be the means to preserve Zion. Without their conversion, Zion has no chance of surviving.

    The Lord has commanded, Teach your children to honor me.

    PRIESTHOOD

    Priesthood in its highest form is an opportunity to serve and bless others. Power can only come from Christ. The reason authority is given is to make men more like God; to lift and to elevate them. Priesthood is confined to men because of the Fall and the conditions ordained at that time. Until things are reversed at the Millennium, it will remain for men alone to perform the public ordinances thus far given to us.

    Receiving Power in Christ

    There are three steps. The first is ordination. Any man holding priesthood can ordain another man. Man alone can do this first step. Because John the Baptist laid his hand on Joseph and Oliver, we have continued the practice to lay hands to confer priesthood. We should continue to respect that tradition. No one should baptize until they have had priesthood conferred on them by someone who can trace their authority back to John the Baptist, through Joseph and Oliver. The second, if you’re functioning outside of a family, is sustaining, which requires seven women. Seven women must sustain, one being the wife if the man is married. And thirdly, confirmation must come from Heaven. Heaven must ratify.

    Keep a record of the line of authority from the one who does the ordination. [Maintain in your] possession a written certificate signed by the seven women proving the sustaining vote, and everyone involved should record it in their personal records, particularly the day when the Lord confirms the authority to the man.

    Wait until the spirit ratifies your ordination before you act. Ask God to give you the power. Get his “word” through the spirit, just as Alma did. After Alma repented, but before using authority to baptize, he asked God to give him power. God, seeing his repentance, accepted it, and poured his spirit upon Alma to give him power to baptize. The proof of God’s approval was in Alma’s experience and the effect of the ordinance on both Helam and Alma.

    If we get power to baptize, we get it from Him. Power is required. It must come from Christ. The pattern must be followed.

    Joseph Smith wrote: No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul; without hypocrisy and without guile.

    The Lord said, And again, the husband is to hold priesthood to baptize and bless the sacrament of bread and wine in the home, and the husband and wife are to bless their children together. For the husband to use authority to administer outward ordinances outside his own family, his wife must sustain him. I have told you that to remove authority to use priesthood outside a man’s family requires a unanimous decision by twelve women. A council of twelve women must be convened, either in the man’s home fellowship among those who are acquainted with his daily walk, or in private at a general conference, also including among the twelve women from the conference those who are acquainted with his daily walk, so that no injustice results. Reinstatement of the man’s authority must be considered by the same council of twelve women when the man petitions for the decision to be rescinded, and requires seven of the twelve to agree upon his reinstatement, which can occur at any time. During the period of suspension, nothing affects the man’s duties and responsibility in his own family.

    FELLOWSHIPS & GATHERINGS

    The Lord said, Whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.

    We read in the Book of Mormon: And the church did meet together oft to fast, and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the spirit, and by the power of the holy ghost, for as the power of the holy ghost led them, whether to preach, or exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.

    The Lord said, And behold, ye shall meet together oft, and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you, and forbid them not.

    We must become precious to each other.

    True religion, when it is present on the earth, always exists in a community of believers. [Fellowships are] informal, based only on the Doctrine of Christ, and require acceptance of Christ’s simple statement of His doctrine, faith to believe and act, repentance from sin, and baptism. Every denomination in the world can be represented in these fellowships. This is not designed to limit the possibilities of shared faith, but to greatly expand them. We are all equal believers accountable to God.

    There can be conferences that can be called by anyone, but must include seven women if the business includes priesthood ordination. There is no need for any building to be purchased or built. Meetings can be anywhere.

    We cannot allow ourselves to be drawn in to inequality when the result of this labor is to make us one body equal with one another. We cannot imitate the failures of the past by establishing a hierarchy, elevating one above another, and forgetting that we must be of one heart, one mind and with no poor among us.

    The Lord said, Although a man may err in understanding concerning many things, yet he can view his brother with charity, and come unto me and through me he can with patience overcome the world. I can bring him to understanding and knowledge. Therefore if you regard one another with charity, then your brother’s error in understanding will not divide you. Study to learn how to respect your brothers and sisters and to come together by precept, reason, and persuasion rather than sharply disputing and wrongly condemning each other, causing anger.Even strong disagreements should not provoke anger nor to invoke my name in vain as if I had part in your every dispute. Pray together in humility and together meekly present your dispute to me, and if you are contrite before me, I will tell you my part.

    I have given you a former commandment that I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.If you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive your trespassesBut again I say, judge not others except by the rule you want used to weigh yourself.

    Tithing

    The primary purpose of collecting the tithes and the yield upon it is to bless and benefit the lives of those in need. Assist the poor directly, looking for God’s guidance in so doing. Help provide for those who need housing, food, clothing, healthcare, education, and transportation, or children that need care. Take the money the Lord intended for the poor and administer it for the poor. [The Lord desires us to] have no poor among us.

    One tenth of your surplus after you have taken care of all your responsibilities, all your needs, whatever’s left over — one tenth of that is your tithe. After you gather your tithe, look at your brothers and your sisters who are there in your meeting, and help those who have needs. Christians should take care of the poor among them, and no one should be looking at the flock and saying, I need your money to support myself.

    The relief of the poor among you refers to the poor among the individual fellowship. If there are no poor among you, then excess donations should go to the temple, but they can be shared as your fellowship determines by common consent. God’s people are always required to build a temple. Therefore, there needs to be preparation for the coming commandment.

    ZION & THE COVENANT

    Zion consists of people living in harmony with God. It is defined in revelation as the pure in heart (see T&C 96:7). Prophecy also confirms it will be an actual location, and a place of gathering.

    God alone will establish Zion. His instructions are vital and necessary for us. Once He instructs us, the scriptures can then be used to confirm that His direction to us now is consistent with what He prophesied, covenanted, and promised would happen. But the path to Zion is to be found only by following God’s immediate commands to us. That is how He will bring it. He will lead us there.

    Zion and the New Jerusalem are a place, occupied by covenant people, and not something an individual can be or become. People who gather there will all need to be individually redeemed, individually penitent, individually connected to God, but will only belong to the community if they belong to the covenant and are of one heart and one mind and have all things in common between and among them.

    The Lord said, I covenanted with Adam at the beginning, which covenant was broken by mankind. Since the days of Adam I have always sought to reestablish people of covenant among the living, and therefore have desired that man should love one another, not begrudgingly, but as brothers and sisters indeed, that I may establish my covenant and provide them with light and truth.

    The Book of Mormon was given as my covenant for this day and contains my gospel, which came forth to allow people to understand my work and then obtain my salvation. The Book of Mormon is to convince the gentiles, and a remnant of Lehi, and the Jews, of the truth of the words of my ancient prophets and apostles, with all the records agreeing that I am the Lamb of God, the Son of the Father, and I was sent into the world to do the will of the Father, and I am the Savior of the world. All must come unto me or they cannot be saved. Hear therefore my words: Repent and bring forth fruit showing repentance, and I will establish my covenant with you and claim you as mine.

    Those sustained by seven women (or a man inside his own family) who receive [the covenant] also have authority to administer the ordinance to others who want to be numbered among God’s people. To administer to others, repeat the ordinance. Read aloud the Lord’s Answer (see T&C 157) and the words of The Covenant (see T&C 158). Ask them to stand and say, Yes, and they will become one of the Lord’s covenant people. Do not change the words of the covenant, for to change an ordinance is to break it.

    The Lord said, It is not enough to receive my covenant, but you must also abide it. And all who abide it, whether on this land or any other land, will be mine, and I will watch over them and protect them in the day of harvest, and gather them in as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. I will number you among the remnant of Jacob, no longer outcasts, and you will inherit the promises of Israel. You shall be my people and I will be your God, and the sword will not devour you. And unto those who will receive will more be given, until they know the mysteries of God in full. But remember that without the fruit of repentance, and a broken heart and a contrite spirit, you cannot keep my covenant; for I, your Lord, am meek and lowly of heart. Be like me.

    He concludes, Cry peace. Proclaim my words. Invite those who will repent to be baptized and forgiven, and they shall obtain my spirit to guide them. The time is short and I come quickly, therefore open your mouths and warn others to flee the wrath which is to come as men in anger destroy one another. The wicked shall destroy the wicked, and I will hold the peacemakers in the palm of my hand and none can take them from me. Be comforted, be of good cheer, rejoice, and look up, for I am with you who remember me, and all those who watch for me, always, even unto the end. Amen.

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Eye & Tooth - V

You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you that you resist not evil, but whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue you at the law and take away your coat, let him have it. And if he sue you again, let him have your cloak also. And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him a mile, and whoever shall compel you to go with him two, you shall go with him two. Give to him that asks of you; and from him that would borrow of you, turn not away. (Matthew 5:38-42)

Sin is disobeying God's commandments.

Civil Law can be good or evil. An example of evil would be the law that makes it illegal to practice Christianity as found in North Korea. It's proper to respect and honor good civil law for the peace of all.

But just because someone has broken civil law does not mean they have done something evil. People break the speed limit all the time and I don't view that as evil. But when the criminal behavior is abusive or evil, its OK to bring that evil to light by reporting it and then allowing the law of the land determine what they will do to those who have broken their law.

We don't need to be the one pressing charges as we are not to seek vengeance but are instead expected to forgive. But the law of the land also has to determine whether or not they will forgive criminal behavior as such is a trespass against more than just you or the ones you love.

Recall the story of Daniel in the Old Testament. The King made it a law that all his people needed to worship his statue or die. This was contrary to God's commandments. Daniel chose to obey God even if it meant his death. God seeing Daniel's faith protected him.

We likewise should obey God's commandments even when they contradict cultural expectations.

Some might say, “What about not resisting evil?” Great question.

Do you believe it your duty to your nation to report criminal deeds? Do you believe they “ask” such of you for the peace of all? If so you are justified in giving them what they ask of you.

Personally, you can do so and still forgive the behavior and cleanse your heart from all emotional resentment. You can also, without accusing and without an oath, testify of the behavior if called upon to do so. This is OK and not violating Christ's commandments.

Therefore, all things whatsoever you desire that men should do to you, do even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

I hope to God someone would report me if I were to engage in criminal behavior as I would hope it would humble me and lead me to repent.

If you feel the same then reporting criminal behavior is simply treating others the way you would want to be treated and is therefore in harmony with Christ's commandments.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Attributes - IV

Let the mind once reflect sincerely and candidly upon the ideas of the existence of the before mentioned attributes in the Deity and it will be seen that, as far as his attributes are concerned, there is a sure foundation laid for the exercise of faith in him for life and salvation. For inasmuch as God possesses the attribute knowledge, he can make all things known to his saints necessary for their salvation. And as he possesses the attribute power, he is able thereby to deliver them from the power of all enemies. And seeing also that justice is an attribute of the Deity, he will deal with them upon the principles of righteousness and equity, and a just reward will be granted unto them for all their afflictions and sufferings for the truth’s sake. And as judgment is an attribute of the Deity also, his saints can have the most unshaken confidence that they will, in due time, obtain a perfect deliverance out of the hands of all their enemies and a complete victory over all those who have sought their hurt and destruction. And as mercy is also an attribute of the Deity, his saints can have confidence that it will be exercised toward them, and through the exercise of that attribute toward them, comfort and consolation will be administered unto them abundantly amid all their afflictions and tribulations. And lastly, realizing that truth is an attribute of the Deity, the mind is led to rejoice amid all its trials and temptations, in hope of that glory which is to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and in view of that crown which is to be placed upon the heads of the saints in the day when the Lord shall distribute rewards unto them, and in prospect of that Eternal weight of glory which the Lord has promised to bestow upon them when he shall bring them into the midst of his throne to dwell in his presence eternally.

In view, then, of the existence of these attributes, the faith of the saints can become exceedingly strong, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God, and can exert its mighty influence in searching after wisdom and understanding until it has obtained a knowledge of all things that pertain to life and salvation.

Such, then, is the foundation which is laid through the revelation of the attributes of God for the exercise of faith in him for life and salvation, and seeing that these are attributes of the Deity, they are unchangeable — being the same yesterday, today, and for ever — which gives to the minds of the present day Saints the same power and authority to exercise faith in God which the Saints of the former day, so that all the saints, in this respect, have been, are, and will be alike until the end of time, for God never changes, therefore his attributes and character remain for ever the same. And as it is through the revelation of these that a foundation is laid for the exercise of faith in God unto life and salvation, the foundation, therefore, for the exercise of faith was, is, and ever will be the same, so that all men have had and will have an equal privilege.

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Attributes - III

By a little reflection it will be seen that the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity is necessary to enable any rational being to exercise faith in him. For without the idea of the existence of these attributes in the Deity men could not exercise faith in him for life and salvation, seeing that without the knowledge of all things, God would not be able to save any portion of his creatures. For it is by reason of the knowledge which he has of all things, from the beginning to the end, that enables him to give that understanding to his creatures, by which they are made partakers of eternal life; and if it were not for the idea existing in the minds of men that God had all knowledge, it would be impossible for them to exercise faith in him.

And it is not less necessary that men should have the idea of the existence of the attribute power in the Deity. For unless God had power over all things and was able, by his power, to control all things and thereby deliver his creatures who put their trust in him from the power of all beings that might seek their destruction, whether in Heaven, on earth, or in hell, men could not be saved. But with the idea of the existence of this attribute planted in the mind, men feel as though they had nothing to fear, who put their trust in God, believing that he has power to save all who come to him to the very uttermost.

It is also necessary, in order to the exercise of faith in God unto life and salvation, that men should have the idea of the existence of the attribute justice in him. For without the idea of the existence of the attribute justice in the Deity, men could not have confidence sufficiently to place themselves under his guidance and direction, for they would be filled with fear and doubt, lest the Judge of all the earth would not do right; and thus fear, or doubt, existing in the mind, would preclude the possibility of the exercise of faith in him for life and salvation. But when the idea of the existence of the attribute justice in the Deity is fairly planted in the mind, it leaves no room for doubt to get into the heart, and the mind is enabled to cast itself upon the Almighty without fear, and without doubt, and with most unshaken confidence, believing that the Judge of all the earth will do right.

It is also of equal importance that men should have the idea of the existence of the attribute judgment in God in order that they may exercise faith in him for life and salvation, for without the idea of the existence of this attribute in the Deity, it would be impossible for men to exercise faith in him for life and salvation, seeing that it is through the exercise of this attribute that the faithful in Christ Jesus are delivered out of the hands of those who seek their destruction. For if God were not to come out in swift judgment against the workers of iniquity and the powers of darkness, his saints could not be saved, for it is by judgment that the Lord delivers his saints out of the hands of all their enemies and those who reject the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. But no sooner is the idea of the existence of this attribute planted in the minds of men than it gives power to the mind for the exercise of faith and confidence in God and they are enabled, by faith, to lay hold on the promises which are set before them and wade through all the tribulations and afflictions to which they are subjected by reason of the persecution from those who know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; believing that in due time the Lord will come out in swift judgment against their enemies, and they shall be cut off from before him, and that in his own due time he will bear them off conquerors and more than conquerors in all things.

And again, it is equally important that men should have the idea of the existence of the attribute mercy in the Deity in order to exercise faith in him for life and salvation. For without the idea of the existence of this attribute in the Deity, the spirits of the saints would faint in the midst of the tribulations, afflictions, and persecutions which they have to endure for righteousness’ sake. But when the idea of the existence of this attribute is once established in the mind, it gives life and energy to the spirits of the saints, believing that the mercy of God will be poured out upon them in the midst of their afflictions, and that he will compassionate them in their sufferings, and that the mercy of God will lay hold of them and secure them in the arms of his love so that they will receive a full reward for all their sufferings.

And lastly, but not less important to the exercise of faith in God, is the idea of the existence of the attribute truth in him. For without the idea of the existence of this attribute the mind of man could have nothing upon which it could rest with certainty; all would be confusion and doubt. But with the idea of the existence of this attribute in the Deity in the mind, all the teachings, instructions, promises, and blessings become realities, and the mind is enabled to lay hold of them with certainty and confidence, believing that these things, and all that the Lord has said, shall be fulfilled in their time, and that all the cursings, denunciations, and judgments pronounced upon the heads of the unrighteous will also be executed in due time of the Lord. And by reason of the truth and veracity of him, the mind beholds its deliverance and salvation as being certain.

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Attributes - II

Where do you find the revelations which give us these ideas regarding the attributes of God? In the Bible.

Knowledge:

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (Acts 15:18)

Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient time the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. (Isaiah 46:9-10)

Faith or Power:

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God. Hebrews 11:3

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

The Lord of Hosts has sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand. For the Lord of Hosts has purposed, and who shall disannul it? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? (Isaiah 14:24,27)

Justice:

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne. (Psalms 89:14)

Tell ye, and bring them near, yea, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from the ancient time? Have not I the Lord? And there is no God else beside me, a just God and a Savior. Isaiah 45:21

The just Lord is in the midst thereof. (Zephaniah 3:5)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king comes unto thee; he is just and having salvation. (Zechariah 9:9)

Judgment:

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne. (Psalms 89:14)

He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

But the Lord shall endure for ever: he has prepared his throne for judgment. (Psalms 9:7)

The Lord is known by the judgment which he executes. (Psalms 9:16)



Mercy:

Mercy and truth shall go before his face. (Psalms 89:14)

And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious. (Exodus 34:6)

But thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful. (Nehemiah 9:17)

Truth:

Mercy and truth shall go before thy face. (Psalms 89:14)

Long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:6)

He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Into thy hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. (Psalms 31:5)

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