For I was called many times and I would not hear

And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.

Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.

Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges. (Alma 10:4-6)

Hugh Nibley
"(speaking of Amulek) A model citizen, hardworking, rich, well-born, immensely respectable: 'And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me' (Alma 10:4). But to get rich this man could not neglect his business; he was contracted to Mammon instead of God: 'Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord,' even though he had the best opportunity to know them, 'for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power. . . . Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear. . . . I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart' (Alma 10:5-6). That went on until an angel stopped him (Alma 10:7). Being thus admonished, Amulek forsook 'all his gold, and silver, and his precious things which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God' (Alma 15:16). It had to be one or the other. But all was not lost, you might say, he still had his old friends and admirers and loved ones. Please let us not underestimate the power of money. Having lost his fortune, he was promptly 'rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred' (Alma 15:16)." (The Prophetic Book of Mormon, p. 562)

The voice of the Lord calls to us regularly. It is not wickedness or carnality alone which keep us from feeling and hearing the word; it is preoccupation. We need not be guilty of gross sin to be unready for the impressions of the Spirit; we need only have our minds and hearts focused upon other things, to be so involved in the thick of thin things that we are not taking the time to ponder or meditate upon matters of substance. Excessive labor in secondary causes leads to a lessening of spiritual opportunities. President Ezra Taft Benson told the following story, which highlights the need for being attentive and open to heavenly guidance:

'Bishop John Wells, a former member of the Presiding Bishopric, was a great detail man and was responsible for many Church reports. President David O. McKay and President Harold B.Lee used to relate an experience from his life that is instructive to all of us.

'A son of Bishop and Sister Wells was killed in a railroad accident in Emigration Canyon, east of Salt Lake City. He was run over by a freight car. Sister Wells could not be consoled. She received no comfort during the funeral and continued her mourning after her son was laid to rest. Bishop Wells feared for her health, as she was in a state of deep anguish.

'One day, soon after the funeral, Sister Wells was lying on her bed in a state of mourning. The son appeared to her and said, 'Mother, do not mourn, do not cry. I am all right.' He then related to her how the accident took place. Apparently there had been some question-even suspicion-about the accident, because the young man was an experienced railroad man. But he told his mother that it was clearly an accident.

'He told her that as soon as he realized that he was in another sphere, he had tried to reach his father but could not. His father was so busy with the details of his office and work that he could not respond to the promptings. Therefore, the son had come to his mother. He then said, 'Tell Father that all is well with me, and I want you not to mourn anymore.'

President McKay used this experience to teach that we must always be responsive to the whisperings of the Spirit. These promptings come most often when we are not under the pressure of appointments and when we are not caught up in the worries of day-to-day life. (Come unto Christ, p. 18.)"

(McConkie and Millet, Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 3, pp. 68-69)

Their Iniquities Shall be Spoken Upon the Housetops

Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.

For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.

And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed. (D&C 1:1-3)

There will come a day when all things will be revealed. That includes all of our weaknesses and secret indiscretions. What a horrifying thought-not just for the rebellious but for the faithful as well! The only way to protect ourselves from this ignominious day is to repent of every single one of our sins.

Spencer W. Kimball
My young folks, since the Lord said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48), it would be well if all of us would take frequent inventory to see if hidden away under the rugs and in the corners of our lives there might be some vestige of hypocrisy and ugliness or error. Or could there be hidden under the blankets of personal excuse and rationalization some small eccentricities and dishonesties? Are there any cobwebs in ceilings and corners which we think will not be noticed? Are we trying to cover up the small pettinesses and the small gratifications we secretly allow ourselves-rationalizing the while that they are insignificant and inconsequential? Are there areas in our thoughts and actions and attitudes which we would like to hide from those we respect most? Are we certain that all of our innermost secrets are kept confidential? The Lord revealed in 1831, "The rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed." (D&C 1:3)

Would a frequent house cleaning be in order for all of us? (Elder Spencer W. Kimball, February 25, 1964, BYU Speeches of the Year, 1964, p. 21)

I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?

I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.

And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you?

Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?

Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?

I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.

And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?

Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life. (Alma 5:19-28)

While the wicked go on in life violating the laws of God, they think little of what they are doing. That will change on the great day of judgment. All of a sudden, all of us, wicked or not, will be forced to reckon with ourselves and our own rebellion. The most frightening thing of all is that we will no longer be able to hide behind the protective bliss of a forgetful memory. Rather, every petty act, idle word, and indecent thought will be flooded into our otherwise forgetful minds only to pain us with the reality of our own unworthiness.

Sterling W. Sill
"That calls for an important ability (to imagine Judgment Day), and the best way to avoid possible tragedy is to focus our imagination upon [Judgment] Day before we actually get there. We can be absolutely certain that we will all want to be a faithful, devoted, hard-working, enthusiastic full tithe-paying member of God's kingdom when we stand before the judgment bar. But we must get the impulse to faithfulness ahead of time; as someone has said that hell is 'truth seen too late.'" (Conference Report, Apr. 1964, p. 16)

AT THAT DAY WHEN THE GENTILES SHALL SIN AGAINST MY GOSPEL

An email sent to me on October 4, 2017

So what is this great ‘sin’ – that only a people who have received God the Father’s ‘gospel’, by covenant, could truly ‘sin against’ – according to the Book of Mormon?

When the ‘Gentiles’ ‘sin against God the Father’s gospel (3 Nephi 16:10), by ‘administering that which is sacred unto him to whom it is forbidden because of unworthiness’ (4 Nephi 1:27), which will be ‘a sin to be even as Sodom’ (2 Nephi 13:9), then our Father in Heaven will remove His Gospel (and the authority to administer it) from those ‘who are identified with the Gentiles’ (D&C 109:60)

It will be the time when the Lord ‘takes away’ the ‘whole staff of bread’ and the ‘whole stay of water’, or the weekly sacrament ordinance, from His consecrated buildings (2 Nephi 13:1) – which Elder David A. Bednar prophetically warned numerous Stake Conferences about in 2015:

‘When the Nigerian government outlawed the Church, for a time, the faithful Saints, who were banned from meeting in the Lord’s consecrated buildings, conducted their sacrament meetings under a mango tree. And the work of the Lord was carried on... I fear that when a similar day comes to North America, the members of the Church in the United States and Canada will not make such an easy transition.’

It is the time when the Lord told Isaiah He will ‘cut off from Israel or His Church head and tail, branch and rush in one day’ (2 Nephi 19:14)

It is the time that the Lord prophesied He will (temporarily) forsake His Latter Day Church:

(3 Nephi 22:6-8)

6 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.

8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

(Note: In the Joseph Smith Translation of Revelation 12 verse 7, the ‘woman’ is the ‘church of God’ – which, in Mormon chapter 8, is the ‘holy church of God’ that Moroni prophetically warned will become ‘polluted’ by Latter Day ‘hypocrites and pollutions’)

(Mormon 8:38)

38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies--because of the praise of the world?

It is the time when the Savior will (temporarily) put the Church – His ‘wife’ (Ezekiel 16), who is our ‘mother’ (as we receive the Savior’s Gospel and Gospel ordinances from His Church) – ‘away’ for a time:

(2 Nephi 7:1)

1 Yea, for thus saith the Lord: Have I put thee away, or have I cast thee off forever? For thus saith the Lord: Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement? To whom have I put thee away, or to which of my creditors have I sold you? Yea, to whom have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

It is the coming long prophesied Latter Day period when the angel of the Lord revealed to the prophet Daniel, in vision, that the membership of the Church, and the Holy Temple(s) of God, would be (temporarily) confiscated by the wicked – for ‘two thousand and three hundred days’ (or approximately 6 years and 4 months):

(Daniel 8:13-14)

13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

This coming sobering time is the period when President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s parable, ‘A Summer With Great Aunt Rose’, will be fulfilled:

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/a-summer-with-great-aunt-rose?lang=eng

That is the parable where young ‘Eva’ (a faithful remnant of the ‘Saints of the Lamb’ and the ‘covenant people of the Lord’ in a day to come (1 Nephi 14:14), who will be the ‘escaped of Israel’ (2 Nephi 14:2), or the ‘escaped of the house of Jacob’ (2 Nephi 20:20), will be carried out into the ‘wilderness’ (JST-Revelation 12:14) – after her ‘mother’ (the Church (2 Nephi 7:1) undergoes ‘unexpected’ critical ‘surgery’ to save her life (the surgical removal and binding of the ‘tares’ [or false secret combination counterfeit members of the Church in our midst and those who will follow them (Helaman 6:38)] after the ‘wheat’ [the members of the Church who remain faithful – with their hands on the ‘iron rod’ (1 Nephi 11:25)] or ‘Eva’ in the parable, are ‘separated’ [out into the ‘wilderness’] (D&C 86:1-7)) – while ‘Eva’(s) ‘Father’ (the Lord Jesus Christ), who will take ‘Eva’ (the faithful Saints) out with her ‘never married’ ‘Great Aunt Rose’ (who represents the previous gospel dispensations – or the prophets and covenant people of the Lord, and their recorded scriptures, from past gospel dispensations – who, themselves, never established Zion) ‘countryside home’ (or the scriptural ‘wilderness’ (JST-Revelation 12:14) for the ‘escaped of Israel’ (2 Nephi 14:2))... This same ‘Father’ (the Savior) both checks in on and even comes out to check on ‘Eva’, while He mostly attends to ‘Eva(s)’ ‘mother’ – during her life-saving ‘surgery’ (which will be the cleansing of the Lord’s house’):

(D&C 50:4-9)

4 Behold, I, the Lord, have looked upon you, and have seen abominations in the church that profess my name.

5 But blessed are they who are faithful and endure, whether in life or in death, for they shall inherit eternal life.

6 But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.

7 Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;

8 But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.

9 Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me.

(D&C 64:37-40)

37 Behold, I, the Lord, have made my church in these last days like unto a judge sitting on a hill, or in a high place, to judge the nations.

38 For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion.

39 And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.

40 And even the bishop, who is a judge, and his counselors, if they are not faithful in their stewardships shall be condemned, and others shall be planted in their stead.

(D&C 112:23-26)

23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.

24 Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.

25 And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;

26 First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord.

LOVE

Good morning family and friends. For those who do not know me, my name is Marco Guerrero and I was given a topic by Bishop Christy which I think is amazing because I have been pondering this for a very long time now. Because of my lack of understanding, I believe God inspired Bishop to give me this assignment, so I can study it out and receive the answer I've been looking for. And because God works in mysterious ways, I also believe this is a message everyone needs to hear due to the importance of it. That being said, I am very thankful for this opportunity to speak with you today.

The topic I was given is "Love". What is love? One meaning of love is a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. The other is the love of an object of attachment, devotion, or admiration.

As you know, we love many things in life. We love our families, friends, homes, churches and so on. But do we really understand what true love is?

In the book of Matthew, when Jesus ministered among men, He was asked:

"Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"

Jesus responded:

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

"This is the first and great commandment.

"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mark concludes the account with the Savior's statement: "There is none other commandment greater than these."

President Monson stated, and I quote:

"We cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey.

"Likewise, we cannot fully love our fellowmen if we do not love God, the Father of us all. The Apostle John tells us, “This commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” We are all spirit children of our Heavenly Father and, as such, are brothers and sisters. As we keep this truth in mind, loving all of God’s children will become easier." [close quote]

Brothers and Sisters, this is true. We cannot fully love God if we do not love our fellow travelers.

About 4 years ago, before I joined the Church. I remember a day I was studying the Book of Mormon. While riding the bus to work, I was pondering the things I have read and I wanted to experience the love God has for me. Although, I wouldn't really comprehend fully, I've asked him to show me this love. As I was on my way to work, I got this strong sensation of love. I began to look around those around me. I saw men, women and children. Big and small. Brown, black and white. I saw them as my brothers and sisters. Even though I did not know any of these people, I had this tremendous love for them. I knew then, God answered my prayers.

John 15 verses 7-13 states:

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Another experience I would like to share is when I felt discouraged and lost. I felt alone and didn't have anyone to show me the love I was looking for. I kept thinking about the day riding the bus and experiencing that tremendous love God has shown me. I asked him where art thou? Did I do something wrong?

I think there are times that God allows us to feel this way so we can recognize the things around us. Pondering this situation, I was getting my children ready for school. I remember I was helping Emily get dressed and she stopped and said: "Dad, I love you". She then hugged me and that is when I heard the voice of the Lord saying: "I never left you. Behold, your ones".

If you can imagine how I felt that moment. There's no words to explain how I felt. I know there are times we all have felt that God isn't around but let me tell you that He is. He shows His love through his Children. Whether it is through a child, a mother, a father or whomever it may be. He does it through people.

Brothers and sisters, some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love will be within the walls of our own homes. Love should be the very heart of family life, and yet sometimes it is not. There can be too much impatience, too much arguing, too many fights, too many tears.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “Why is it that the ones we love most become so frequently the targets of our harsh words? Why is it that we sometimes speak as if with daggers that cut to the quick?” [close quote]

The answers to these questions may be different for each of us, and yet the bottom line is that the reasons do not matter. If we would keep the commandment to love one another, we must treat each other with kindness and respect.

I remember another day, there was a church activity and one of the men was upset with one of his children and asked him: "What are you doing? Do you want me to smack you on your face?" Now, I am not here to judge. One reason is that I'm not perfect myself. But we need to be very careful how we use our words. Yes, there are times we need to reprove our children, but we need to be careful how and when. I'm sharing this with you because I truly feel this is what God wants me to share. He has great concern with our parenting and we need to do better to teach our children the ways of the Lord and not our ways. Believe me, I am not perfect but I do recognize my faults and I do correct them the best of my capabilities.

Mosiah 4:15 says: "But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another."

I find that hard to accomplish if we are not being a good example ourselves.

Ephesians 5 gives a command for Husbands to love your wife. H. Burke Peterson said:

"Many women carry heavy burdens raising children and attending to household responsibilities. They often accomplish near-miracles in balancing all the demands made upon them. A husband who is critical of his wife and communicates censure for what hasn't been done rather than thanks for what has been done fosters discouragement. But if he will give a word of praise or offer a little help, he will see his wife try ever harder to do her part. Criticism has a negative influence on the feelings of love for and interest in one's spouse. Women need love, affection, and emotional support from their husbands." [close quote]

Women, don't worry. The same command applies to you.

I read a story of a father upon returning home from his day’s work, this father greeted his boy with a pat on the head and said, “Son, I want you to know I love you.”

The son responded with, “Oh Dad, I don’t want you to love me, I want you to play football with me.”

Here was a boy conveying a much-needed message. The world is filled with too many of us who are inclined to indicate our love with an announcement or declaration.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton said:

"True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be real. Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. How hollow, how empty if our love is no deeper than the arousal of momentary feeling or the expression in words of what is no more lasting than the time it takes to speak them." [close quote]

We must reassure others of our love and the long time it takes to prove it by our actions. Real love does take time. The Lord had the same thoughts in mind when he taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and “If ye love me feed my sheep” (John 21:16). Love demands action if it is to be continuing. Love is a process. Love is not a declaration. Love is not an announcement. Love is not a convenience. “If ye love me, keep my commandments” and “If ye love me feed my sheep” are God-given proclamations that should remind us we can often best show our love through the processes of feeding and keeping.

The scriptures are filled with many teachings. One of the teachings found in the Bible and the Book of Mormon is love. We’re taught of God’s and Christ’s love for us, how we should love Them, and also how we should love others. Here are some verse about God's and Christ's love for us:

1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

2 Nephi 4:20-21 “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh”

Here are some verses about having love for others:

1 John 4:18-21 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also”

3 Nephi 12:43-44 (you can also find this in the bible) “And behold it is written also, that thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy; but behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you”

I would hope that we would strive always to be considerate and to be sensitive to the thoughts and feelings and circumstances of those around us. Let us not demean or belittle. Rather, let us be compassionate and encouraging. We must be careful that we do not destroy another person’s confidence through careless words or actions.

Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements. Again, it doesn’t really matter how small the issue was. Blaming people keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals.

Peter wasn't quite right about this doctrine?

"By which also he (Jesus) went and preached unto the spirits in prison" (1 Peter 3:19)

But, Peter wasn't quite right about this doctrine.

According to Joseph F. Smith in Doctrine and Covenants  section 138 verse 29 it states:

"And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went NOT IN PERSON among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them"

This passage clarifies the misunderstanding, suggested by Peter's epistle, that Jesus visited the wicked who lived in the days of Noah (see 1 Peter 3:20).

The biblical text which has survived to this day leaves us with the impression that Christ visited the wicked of Noah's day. In deference to the greatest of Apostles, President Smith's tone is careful not to detract from the ministry and writings of Peter, but, for the sake of clarity, the revelation is stating that Peter was wrong on that point.

In the end, there are probably many notions, whether scriptural or cultural, which will turn out to need clarification. We should not be too concerned about this possibility. Bruce R. McConkie is a doctrinal hero partly because he wasn't afraid to say it like he saw it. He may have had to retract a statement or two, but that is OK. At least he had the courage to make a statement.

Paul, similarly, understood this dilemma and explained it in eloquence, "for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

By [the Spirit] also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison

So here is something I just found which pretty much clarifies what's going on here.

This answer doesn't only solve the practical problem; it teaches another important principle. The spirits in prison were not worthy of a direct visitation of the Lord. The resurrected Lord never appeared to the wicked. He didn't go back to the Sanhedrin and said, "See! I told you so." He only appeared to the righteous Jewish saints as a resurrected being. Similarly, the wicked Nephites were destroyed before he could openly minister on that continent.

Therefore, it would be inconsistent for the Master, after having accomplished the task given Him of the Father, to appear directly to the wicked. Just as the Gentiles were to be converted by the preaching of missionaries, so were the residents of spirit prison. The Savior said, "they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice - that I should not manifest myself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost." (3 Nephi 15:23) Similarly, the souls in spirit prison should not at any time hear His voice - that he should not manifest Himself unto them save it were by the Holy Ghost. Unto them "he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression" (D&C 138:37.) In light of this, we need to take a careful look at Peter's exact wording. He said that Christ was "put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which [Spirit]... he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." Christ's ministry was not in person but by the Spirit THROUGH HIS MISSIONARIES who were "clothed with power and authority... to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness." (D&C 138:30)

Although this might not even be a mistake made by Peter. After all, we know that many plain and precious things where taken out of the book of the Lamb.

And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. (1 Nephi 13:29)

New Jerusalem CUBE

Do you know the size of New Jerusalem? When I was studying Isaiah a year ago, I cross referenced it with Revelations. Needless to say I was astounded when I learned the following.

Revelations 21:16 "And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal." 

In other words New Jerusalem is massive.

A furlong = 1/8 of a mile. 12,000 = 1500 miles. IF the length (1500 miles) is the same as the breadth (1500 miles) and the height is equal to the length and breadth this is a 1500 miles square CUBE. No plane that we have on the earth today would be able to fly over the 7,920,000 ft high if my calculations are correct. SO....here is some food for thought.....

1. We know that the Garden of Eden was located 'eastward' according to Moses.

Moses 3:8 "And I, the Lord God, planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there I put the man whom I had formed."

According to Wilford Woodruff:

“Joseph, the Prophet, told me that the Garden of Eden was in Jackson County, Missouri. When Adam was driven out he went to the place we now call Adam-ondi-Ahman, Daviess County, Missouri. There he built an altar and offered sacrifices.”

2. Wilford Woodruff also said, "The Salt Lake Temple is the Lord's favorite and it will stand during the millennium."

3. The Prophet Brigham Young had this to say about the murder of the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum Smith: "Were they aware of it at the seat of government? I have no doubt they as well knew the plans for destroying the Prophet as did those in Carthage or in Warsaw, Illinois. It was planned by some of the leading men of the nation. I have said here once before, to the astonishment of many of our own countrymen, that there was a delegate from each State in the nation when Joseph was killed. These delegates held their council. I have heard Joseph say: You will see the sorrows and misery of the world and the misery that will be upon this land, until you will turn away and pray that your eyes may not be obliged to look upon it. Said he, There are men in this council that will live to see the affliction that will come upon this nation, until your heart sink within you."

D&C 136:33-36 Elder John Taylor said: 

33 For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite, and to the condemnation of the ungodly.

34 Thy brethren have rejected you and your testimony, even the nation that has driven you out;

35 And now cometh the day of their calamity, even the days of sorrow, like a woman that is taken in travail; and their sorrow shall be great unless they speedily repent, yea, very speedily.

36 For they killed the prophets, and them that were sent unto them; and they have shed innocent blood, which crieth from the ground against them.

I took the liberty of counting and naming the 26 states in the union at the time the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum were murdered. You can check it out here. Texas was not in the union until later in the year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...election,_1844

So IF we accept the fact the Garden of Eden might be the eastern boundary for the Garden of Eden/New Jerusalem we look westward 1500 miles to find the western boundary. So we can surmise the 1500 mile cube includes Salt Lake City (after the cleansing of course.) The distance between Independence is approximately 1100 miles. 

PLEASE NOTE: Reno is 1600 miles; Los Angeles is 1700 miles; Las Vegas is 1500 miles; Portland is 1800 miles; Boise is 1400 miles....you get the picture.

It has been suggested Cardston, Alberta will be a refuge to the north and is 1429 miles from Independence, MO. It has also been suggested Washington County (St George) will be a place of refuge. Cardston, Alberta is 1050 miles from St George; Mesa, AZ is 1407 miles from Cardston.

In summation: I submit the following scenario for contemplation and prayer. New Jerusalem is a 1500 mile square cube. The eastern border is about where the original Garden of Eden was located. Evil and wicked men including members/delegates/leaders of this nation from EACH of the 26 states conspired to murder Joseph and Hyrum Smith. There isn't enough money in the world to make me want to live in any one of those 26 states it is 'scripture' that "innocent blood has been shed and it crieth from the ground against them." At the top of the list is Illinois where the actual murder took place. Anyone want to re-locate to Chicago??? If you want to know IF your home is in the cube it's easy enough to check. Keep in mind there will be a great cleansing including Salt Lake City so make sure you're out of the way when they time comes. 

This is the picture I used in my presentations. Notice that it is approximately 1500 miles from Kansas city (which will become a seaport) and the West coast. Also from just above Cardston to down into Mexico...(Think of Mormon Battalion march as the sort of boundry. Colonial Juarez.

These comments, opinions, assumptions regarding the New Jerusalem are mine and mine alone. Now you do your homework and get your own testimony. HUGS everyone!

blondenblueeyed, Avow, June 26, 2016

O That Ye Would Awake; Awake From A Deep Sleep, Yea, Even From The Sleep Of Hell

It seems like every time I speak with my parents they're on their way to go out on vacation. I often wonder why did they buy a new home when they're hardly ever there. Then I thought of a talk I heard the other day and the often-quoted questions came to my mind: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?—but a variation of one of these suggested itself:

Where are you really going? And to this we might have added:

What do you really want?

We use much of our time in rushing around, not thinking always what we ought to be, nor what it is that matters most.

Sometimes we set our hearts on things we feel we have to have, and when we get them, we find they don’t mean as much as once we thought they would.

I would like to share a dream by John Ruskin:

“I dreamed,” he said, “that I was at a child’s … party, in which every means of entertainment had been provided … by a wise and kind host. … The children had been set free in the rooms and gardens, with no care whatever but how to pass the afternoon rejoicingly. … There was music … all manner of amusing books … a workshop … a table loaded with everything nice to eat … and whatever a child could fancy … but in the midst of all this it struck two or three of the more ‘practical’ children that they would like some of the brass-headed nails that studded the chairs, and so they set to work to pull them out. In a little while all the children, nearly, were spraining their fingers in pulling out brass-headed nails. With all that they could pull out they were not satisfied; and then everybody wanted some of somebody else’s. And at last the really ‘practical’ and ‘sensible’ ones declared that nothing was of any real consequence that afternoon except to get plenty of brass-headed nails. … And at last they began to fight for nail heads, … even though they knew they would not be allowed to carry so much as one brass knob away with them. But no! it was ‘Who has most nails? … I must have as many as you before I leave the house or I cannot possibly go home in peace.’ At last they made so much noise that I awoke, and thought to myself, ‘What a false dream that is of children. … Children never do such foolish things. Only men do." 

Brothers and sisters, where are you really going? What do you really want?

Today, I would like to talk to you about two topics. First, the temple. A house of the Lord. A place to worship, a place to seek understanding, a place of refuge. A place where I might be able to receive the required ordinances for me to get back home with my Father in heaven.

Brother and Sisters, I am concerned. I know life isn't easy but if I was a gambler, I would bet that life can be a lot easier if we would put God first. If I made that bet with anyone, I would win all the time. I would be rich by now.

But I know money doesn't buy happiness. Perhaps temporarily it will but not for eternity. I am talking about having things that are no worth to you in the next life. I know many of us are not endowed. Or do not have a current temple recommend due to not paying tithing. I am not here to accuse you. I am not here to have you feel bad. I am only here to encourage you and have you rethink about what's more important. The things of the world or have a current temple recommend to redeem the dead and live with your eternal family with our Father in heaven?

Do we really need fancy cars, cable televion, a great big house with more rooms than you need? I am not saying having things are not good but having too much which stops you from paying your tithes is not so good.

Nephi teaches that one of the lies of Satan is complacency - that we would be content with the state of affairs in Zion, saying all is well in Zion, yea, Zion prospereth. Satan understands that as soon as we believe this, we have let our guard down and practically opened the door for him to cheat our souls and lead us carefully down to hell. We should never be content with our own faithfulness or the state of affairs in Zion. Both can be improved and our efforts should be unceasingly aimed at improvement. When they are not, Satan smiles and is let in the door. Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!

Spencer W. Kimball has this to say:

"We have discussed elsewhere that other class of people who are basically unrepentant because they are not 'doing the commandments.' They are Church members who are steeped in lethargy. They neither drink nor commit the sexual sins. They do not gamble nor rob nor kill. They are good citizens and splendid neighbors, but spiritually speaking they seem to be in a long, deep sleep. They are doing nothing seriously wrong except in their failures to do the right things to earn their exaltation."

One day, in a different ward, there was a lesson in the Elders Quorum and it was about tithing. Not far into the lesson it was asked if they believed that those who are church members will be destroyed by fire if they do not pay tithing.

First, let’s reference the exact scripture source.

D&C 64:23

Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.

We have only the scriptures to go on to base how the Father will judge a person. According to the scriptures, this would be the case.

Will the Father allow someone to enter into the Celestial Kingdom without having been baptized? According to the scriptures, no.

What if a person was really good, like Mother Teresa or Ghandi? According to our understanding of the scriptures, no.

D&C 1:31

For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.

I don’t know if the question is more rooted in the doctrine, or in how the Father will judge a person even though he or she is such a good person.

The doctrines and commandments of the kingdom are strong, and they are not presented as ‘optional’. If they were “softened”, it would give us the excuse to say that we’ll be okay. We are warned against such thoughts by Nephi.

2 Nephi 28:8

And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

We must take comfort in the fact, that the Father is the perfect judge.

Tithing is a test of faith with eternal blessings. Pay your tithing. Unlock the windows of heaven. You will be abundantly blessed for your obedience and faithfulness to the Lord’s laws and commandments.

Again,... where are you really going? What do you really want?

Think about it? This is a very serious question. We come to church every Sunday and teach Christ's doctrine but do we follow his doctrine? One of my favorite books that actually makes me feel guilty when I read it is Doctrine and Covenants. Did you know there is a lot in that book that we are not doing? I say "we" because it is true. Even I.

Again, I am not here to accuse or have you feel bad but to awake you because God is waiting patiently. It is my duty to help you understand what we need to do to receive the blessings God is waiting to bless you with.

Brothers and Sisters, I have a testimony of the temple. He is there. I bear witness that he is.

The Book of Mormon

My second topic is The Book of Mormon. Ezra Taft Benson's said and I quote:

"The Saints were given the Book of Mormon to read before they were given the revelations outlining such great doctrines as the three degrees of glory, celestial marriage, or work for the dead. It came before priesthood quorums and Church organization. Doesn’t this tell us something about how the Lord views this sacred work?

"Once we realize how the Lord feels about this book, it should not surprise us that He also gives us solemn warnings about how we receive it. After indicating that those who receive the Book of Mormon with faith, working righteousness, will receive a crown of eternal glory (see D&C 20:14), the Lord follows with this warning: “But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation” (D&C 20:15).

"In 1829, the Lord warned the Saints that they are not to trifle with sacred things (see D&C 6:12). Surely the Book of Mormon is a sacred thing, and yet many trifle with it, or in other words, take it lightly, treat it as though it is of little importance."

"In 1832, as some early missionaries returned from their fields of labor, the Lord reproved them for treating the Book of Mormon lightly. As a result of that attitude, he said, their minds had been darkened. Not only had treating this sacred book lightly brought a loss of light to themselves, it had also brought the whole Church under condemnation, even all the children of Zion. And then the Lord said, “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon” (D&C 84:54–57)."

There are many “awake” passages in the Book of Mormon, such as: “O that ye would awake; awake from a deep sleep, yea, even from the sleep of hell … awake … [and] put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust.” (2 Nephi 1:13, 23.)

I remember when I first read the Book of Mormon, I didn't undersand why would Nephi add the words of Isaiah on the plates and for a long time I had a curiousity why would it be so important to have them there.

Then I re-read 3 Nephi 23:1-5

And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.

For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.

And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even according to the words which he spake.

Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which I have told you; and according to the time and the will of the Father they shall go forth unto the Gentiles.

And whosoever will hearken unto my words and repenteth and is baptized, the same shall be saved. Search the prophets, for many there be that testify of these things.

LeGrand Richards said:

"We are all here today in fulfillment of the words of the prophets, and I love the prophecies of Isaiah because it seems to me that he lived almost more in our day than when he was actually upon the earth, because the Lord gave him to see so many of the things that would transpire in the latter days" (Conference Report, Oct. 1956, p. 23) 

For me, the Book of Mormon is a timeline for our day. Yes, a timeline. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites.

After reading the Book of Mormon several times, I've asked this question over and over and over again:

Why did Presidents Ezra Taft Benson and Gordon B. Hinckley say that the Book of Mormon was 'written for our day'; should be 'read like the morning newspaper'; and that we should ask ourselves why 'every line' of the Book of Mormon is in there?

Brothers and Sisters, I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and should be read like the morning newspaper. I know Temple ordinances are essential to our salvation and if we keep the covenants we will be saved in the Celestial Kingdom of God and I say this in his name, Jesus Christ, Amen.