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.

Hasten the Work

A talk for our Priesthood Leadership Stake Conference Meeting (June 25, 2016)

I am always happy, for the privilege I have of meeting with the priesthood. I would like to thank our Stake Presidency for this opportunity to speak with you today.

The topic I was given is "Hasten the Work". The word 'hasten or hastening' means: "To cause to move or act swiftly"

The Lord declared: Behold, I will hasten my work in its time. (D&C 88:73)

Brethren, the time is now. There is an urgency in his work. This sense of urgency in promoting the Lord's kingdom in these last days does not arise out of panic, but out of a desire to move swiftly and surely to establish and strengthen his kingdom among all people who are seeking the light and truth of the gospel.

We, as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, were sent to earth at this time that we might participate in hastening this great work.

President Thomas S. Monson once mentioned that to his knowledge, the Lord has never indicated that His work is confined to mortality. Rather, His work embraces eternity.

Every good Latter-day Saint in the spirit world is busy, said President Brigham Young. He continues to say: “What are they doing there? They are preaching, preaching all the time, and preparing the way for us to hasten our work in building temples here and elsewhere.” [close quote]

Many of our ancestors died never having the chance to accept the gospel and to receive the blessings and promises we have received. The Lord is fair and He is loving. And so He prepared for you and me a way for us to have the desire of our hearts to offer to our ancestors all the blessings He has offered us.

The Lord gave promises to His children long ago. …

“'Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

“'And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse' (Malachi 4:5-6).”

As we do temple work, we develop a spiritual kinship with our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that brings us peace, happiness, and eternal joy.

In the temple there is an influence and spirit that touches the minds, hearts, and souls of those present. Yes, it is truly the House of the Lord.

Another way we can hasten the work is missionary work.

Being an Elders Quorum President is a blessing to me because it helps me understand not only my calling but it also helps me feel the love I have for my brothers and sisters.

I have been thinking of and wondering about members who is not with us today, who is not a part of this group, because he thinks he is not wanted, understood, or loved.

There are in every ward, though they would deny it, are hungry for attention, for brotherhood, and for an active life in the Church.

I would like to read to you from the book of John chapter 21 verses 15-17 and it says:

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Brethren, are we feeding his sheep? In other words, are we doing our part as member missionaries? Are we doing our home teaching every month? Are we seeing every single family we have been assigned to? Are we going out on splits with the missionaries?

I remember we had a discussion in one of our groups and the question was raised, asking if home teaching was a commandment. I was very surprised that every single one of them said it was not a commandment. That it was "just an assignment". Let's see what the Lord has to say about that.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 38

40 And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded.

41 And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness.

But brother Guerrero, I haven't been assigned to any members of our ward. I do not have a home teaching list. My companion keeps cancelling on me and my personal favorite. I - do - not - have - time.

Doctrine and Covenants Section 58 verses 27-29

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

Brethren, if you do not have a home teaching assignment -- here's a thought. Ask for one.

When we accepted the waters of baptism we made covenants. Those who have been to the temple should know we made even greater covenants which I may add - should not be taken lightly. If you can't get your companion to go - ask another member. An Elder, a priest, a teacher - even the missionaries are available. You can even ask your leaders if you have to. Brethren, there are no excuses. None. 

Yes, there are times it may seem inconvenient because we want to watch the game or even more common, we might feel a little tired. The truth is, the work still needs to get done and we must find the time to do it. 

I remember one rainy day the missionaries texted me a reminder to go out that evening and I sat there and began to think.... "uuuh, I don't want to go out. It's raining." So what did I do? I text them back and cancelled. As I put my phone down, the Spirit of the Lord said: "Are you going to let my chosen ones walk in the rain?" 

These were missionaries on bikes in case you didn't know. 

I remember I tried to ignore that prompting but I couldn't resist. So I text them back telling them I will go. 

You see... the Lord always provides a way. Always. We just need to listen and obey. The more we obey, we will receive more.

President Tanner once said, and I quote: "Every bishop, every stake president, every leader of any organization knows someone who needs attention, and you and we have the responsibility of going to find that lost sheep. If we had knowledge tonight that some young man was lost, if anyone knew of someone who was drowning, we wouldn’t hesitate one minute to do all in our power to save that individual, to save the one who was lost, the one who was drowning, the one who was in need of our help. These young men and these older men who are inactive in the Church, who have strayed away from the Church because of inactivity or for any reason, need our help and need our attention just as much. They need our prayers and our consideration, and nothing will bring us greater joy and happiness than to see one come back into activity." [close quote]

Let us as leaders, and all of us, always remember and never forget that everyone is looking for happiness. Everyone wants to be happy. It is our great privilege and responsibility to show him or her the way to happiness and success. Often some little thing, or a misunderstanding causes one to become inactive. There are those who are discouraged and inactive because they have felt neglected or have been offended; or they are guilty of some transgression of their own, and as a result feel that they are outcasts or that there is no place for them, that they are not worthy or wanted. They feel that they are lost and cannot be forgiven. We as leaders must let them know and make them know that we love them, and help them to understand that the Lord loves them, and that the Lord will forgive them if they will truly repent.

[Bear Testimony]

And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Spiritual Preparedness

Spiritual preparedness is an interesting concept. Does one sit down and make a list like for the 72-hour Emergency kit we’re all supposed to have. Flashlight – check. Sleeping bag – check. Water – check. First aid supplies – check. It actually might be somewhat similar – Elder Henry B. Eyring says,

“However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies. Let me suggest to you four settings in which to practice quick and steady obedience. One is the command to feast upon the word of God. A second is to pray always. A third is the commandment to be a full-tithe payer. And the fourth is to escape from sin and its terrible effects. Each takes faith to start and then to persevere. And all can strengthen your capacity to know and obey the Lord’s commands.” (“Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 38)

Let’s discuss these four suggestions which I find to be very practical and beneficial in building faith and spiritual preparedness.

First: Feast upon the word of God. In other words: "Feast upon the words of Christ." When I read the scriptures or the words of modern prophets, my spirit literally sings when recognizing truth and beauty of the written word. I used to have a list of questions about a mile long and kept them in my head for a day or so. I would pray and ask my Heavenly Father to help me understand what is he trying teaching me. Hoping that I might have the ears to hear and eyes to see. As I have studied the gospel, I mean really feasted on the words of Christ, that list has dwindled to half as long. I am certain, as I continue to study I will find the answers to those questions as well. For God has revealed all to His prophets and everything we need to know to accomplish our task is well within our grasp.

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3)

The scriptures were not given to us for casual reading, or a brief history lesson. They were given for us to "feast" on the words of Christ. This implies something much more than just reading. It implies that the scriptures are satisfying a powerful spiritual hunger and quenching a thirst for the things of the Spirit. Those who most enjoy this "feast" are those who receive a promise. 

"And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." (3 Nephi 12:6)

This occurs most of the time as the individual feasts upon the words of Christ in the scriptures. The spiritual food is internalized and becomes a part of the individual. Spiritually speaking, "you are what you eat." The other word that the scriptures use to describe our approach to scripture study is "to search."

Scriptures are of little value unless they are feasted upon and searched. They are useful if they are "read," but the term "search" implies something totally different. To "search" is to try to understand, to look for personal meaning, to understand historical context, to reference other sources, to find resolution to conflicts, and to internalize principles. The Lord has never commanded the saints to "read" the scriptures; He always commands them to "search" them. Examples like Mosiah 1:7 it says, "to search them diligently that ye may profit"....and in 3 Nephi 23:1 says, "search these things diligently, for great are the words of Isaiah." The result of diligent searching is that one becomes as the sons of Mosiah who had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth (Alma 17:2).

Yes, indeed. I can see how feasting upon the words of Christ has prepared me spiritually.

Second: Pray always. Pray in happiness, pray in unrelenting pain, pray in overwhelming joy, but always pray. When we get on our knees, and we turn to the heavens, we speak straight to Heavenly Father. No family, no friend or foe can stand in our way. It is simply us and Heavenly Father. We, the children of God have a direct line to the supreme God of the universe. Wow, what a wonderful thing to know. When praying often, your Father in Heaven knows that you are serious about doing what you’ve been sent here to do. As a result of prayer we receive inspiration, information, promptings, guidance and warnings. With prayer we are never truly alone. There is always someone to talk to — always.

Keep in mind. Whenever you feel like not praying, it is the evil spirit who teaches a man, not to pray.

And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.

But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. (2 Nephi 32:8-9)

Third: Be a full-tithe payer. In the Old Testament, Malachi 3:10 we find:

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

What a beautiful promise. The Lord has blessed us with everything we have. In asking for one tenth back, he promises to “open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” There is nothing else in this world like it. The law of tithing is a law of obedience and understanding. The promises of tithing are immense and should not be lightly dismissed. In obeying the commandments of God we find great joy, peace, protection and abilities. 

I'll be honest. There's been a time in my life that I waited to pay at the end of the year but I have failed to pay the full-tithe. I'll be the first to tell you -- I can literally feel the blessings taken away. So let me warn you, be careful. 

"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."(D&C 64:23)

I don't think I need to explain this scripture. It's pretty much self explanatory. 

Fourth: Escape from sin and its terrible effects. Sin is terrible in its exactness in demanding retribution. It may dress itself up in an enticing and pleasing manner, but beneath the surface is a poison so deep it enslaves your spirit. For instance: Alcohol produces addiction which destroys lives, families, and bodies; Drugs enslave quickly and brutally. There is a momentary high quickly followed by an excruciating crash. This addiction also destroys lives, families, and bodies; Premarital sex and adultery provides one with a plethora of sexually transmitted diseases, unwed mothers, abandoned and abused children, and absolute destruction of self-worth whose effects are not felt immediately but are wide-reaching. Pornography. Do I need to explain more? I could go on and on, listing every sin and its effects, but I doubt there is a need. Anything which brings a darkness to your soul is of Satan. Anything that brings an everlasting light to your soul is of Jesus Christ. With the Holy Ghost there are no addictions, destruction's or devastation's, only peace, happiness and a close relationship with God.

Elder Eyring’s listing of these four things is very helpful in aiding us in our goal to master ourselves and reach toward the heavens. Spiritual preparedness is critical if we hope to be of service to our God in the days, weeks, months and years to come. There is hope and salvation in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland says:

“Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past.” (“He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things” Ensign, Nov. 1997, 66)

Jesus is the Balm

….emphasizing God’s mercy may lead some to believe they are entitled to divine protection against all of life’s natural adversities. There is already enough theological difficulty for those who believe that their activity in the Church should somehow protect them from tragedy and sorrow. Our understanding of the Atonement is hardly a shield against sorrow; rather, it is a rich source of strength to deal productively with the disappointments and heartbreaks that form the deliberate fabric of mortal life. The gospel was given to us to heal our pain, not to prevent it. 

(Bruce C. Hafen, The Broken Heart, pg. 5)

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Sidney Rigdon (Part 5)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

Sidney Rigdon

Lesser known is an event that took place in September of 1831. The Prophet Joseph decided to take his family, then dwelling in Kirtland, and move to Hiram, Ohio, where he could continue the work of translating the Bible. Sidney Rigdon was left to preside over the Saints in Kirtland. On one occasion during Joseph’s absence, Sidney informed a body of Saints that the “keys of the kingdom” had been taken from the Church. (See Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, n.d.)

Those present were confused and dismayed by the announcement. Joseph was immediately sent for and, upon his return, declared that the things Sidney had taught were false. The Prophet added that, because of the things Elder Rigdon had said and done, “the devil [would] handle him as one man handles another.” (Philo Dibble, “Philo Dibble’s Narrative,” in Early Scenes in Church History (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructors Office, 1882), 80.)

In fulfillment of Joseph’s words, “a few weeks after this, Sidney was lying in bed alone, and suddenly ‘an unseen power lifted him from his bed . . . and tossed him from one side of the room to the other.’ His family heard the noises coming from the room and rushed in ‘and found him going from one side of the room to the other.’” (LeMar E. Garrard, A Study of the Problem of a Personal Devil and Its Relationship to Latter-day Saint Beliefs (Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, master’s thesis, 1955)

This happened some three times over the course of the night. (See Heber C. Kimball, in Journal of Discourses, 3:229–30; 4:2; Anderson, Lucy’s Book, 563–64.)

Sidney was physically “laid up” for five or six weeks because of the effects of the experience some five or six weeks. Thus, having spoken under the influence of the devil, Sidney was then turned over to the physical buffetings of Lucifer.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1)
Read: Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)
Read: Wilford Woodruff (Part 3)

Read: Newel Knight (Part 4)

With Every Choice

“People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain on which God says, ‘If you keep a lot of rules I’ll reward you, and if you don’t I’ll do the other thing.’ I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow-creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is, it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other.” 

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Individual Repentance

“Prophecy tells us that things are going to change and that there is nothing we can do to stop it. Certain things are going to happen. Must we therefore resign ourselves to our fate? Not at all. There is a vital rule that leaves the door wide open to effective individual repentance and escape. We have Professor Heisenberg to thank for that. He found that though you can predict with absolute certainty how masses of particles are going to act, you can never predict how any one particle is going to behave. That is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which used to be called the ‘free will of the atom.’ The single particle is unpredictable; only the mass is absolutely bound to behave according to the unimpeachable laws of physics. In the same way one can prophesy with absolute certainty what a nation of people or society is going to do: you can talk about aggregates and predict the behavior of the masses, but you can never deny any individual the freedom to repent and go the other way. ‘Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.’ The prophets and Professor Heisenberg show us the way out. You do not have to wait for the group to change. for the society to repent, nor do you have to change your ways to comply with theirs; the individual is free to ignore the multitude, and only he is free. Only an individual can repent. Repent is reflexive verb — you can’t repent someone else or force somebody else [to repent]; you just repent…” — Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion, pp. 416-417

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Newel Knight (Part 4)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

Newel Knight

The Prophet and the early missionaries were not the only individuals to suffer physical attacks at the hands of the adversary. In what has come to be known as the “first miracle of the Church,” Newel Knight had a rather strange physical encounter with Lucifer. In the History of the Church, we find the following reference to the event:

Amongst those who attended our meetings regularly [in April of 1830], was Newel Knight. . . . Newel had said that he would try and take up his cross, and pray vocally during meeting; but when we again met together, he rather excused himself. . . . Accordingly, he deferred praying until next morning, when he retired into the woods; where, according to his own account afterwards, he made several attempts to pray, but could scarcely do so. . . . He began to feel uneasy, and continued to feel worse both in mind and body, until, upon reaching his own house, his appearance was such as to alarm his wife very much. He requested her to go and bring me to him. I went and found him suffering very much in his mind, and his body acted upon in a very strange manner; his visage and limbs distorted and twisted in every shape and appearance possible to imagine; and finally he was caught up off the floor of the apartment, and tossed about most fearfully.

His situation was soon made known to his neighbors and relatives, and in a short time as many as eight or nine grown persons had got together to witness the scene. After he had thus suffered for a time, I succeeded in getting hold of him by the hand, when almost immediately he spoke to me, and with great earnestness requested me to cast the devil out of him, saying that he knew he was in him, and that he also knew that I could cast him out.

I replied, “If you know that I can, it shall be done;” and then almost unconsciously I rebuked the devil, and commanded him in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from him; when immediately Newel spoke out and said that he saw the devil leave him and vanish from his sight. . . .

This scene was now entirely changed, for as soon as the devil had departed from our friend, his countenance became natural, his distortions of body ceased, and almost immediately the Spirit of the Lord descended upon him, and the visions of eternity were opened to his view. . . .

All this was witnessed by many, to their great astonishment and satisfaction. (Joseph Smith, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ed. B. H. Roberts (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1978), 1:82–83; see also B. H. Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Orem, UT: Sonos Publishing, 1991), 1:199–202.)

Knight confirms the History of the Church account in his autobiography, where he not only acknowledges that the event took place but also speaks in detail of the subsequent June 29, 1830, trial in which he was called as a witness and interrogated regarding the aforementioned Luciferian encounter. (See Newel Knight, Newel Knight Autobiography, 3–4, 8–9, 13, L. Tom Perry Special Collections; see also Smith, History of the Church, 1:91–93; Roberts, Comprehensive History, 1:207.)

Although Newel’s experience may seem more like demonic possession than satanic attack, clearly he was being physically accosted. Not only was his body actually distorted and disabled by the experience but also he notes that Satan physically lifted him off the floor and “tossed” him about the room as if he were a rag doll.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1)
Read: Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)
Read: Wilford Woodruff (Part 3)

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Wilford Woodruff (Part 3)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

Wilford Woodruff

Not unlike the experiences of Joseph, Heber, Orson, Willard, and Isaac, Elders Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith were physically attacked by the devil during the winter of 1840 as they labored in London. Elder Woodruff spoke of this assault on numerous occasions. On October 18, 1840, he wrote the following in his journal:

We [Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith] retired to rest in good season and I felt well in my mind and slept until 12 at night. I awoke and meditated upon the things of God until near 3 o’clock and while forming a determination to warn the people in London and overcome the powers of Darkness by the assistance of God; A person appeared unto me which I considered was the Prince of Darkness or the Devil. He made war with me and attempted to take my life. He caught me by the throat and choked me nearly to death. He wounded me in my forehead. I also wounded him in a number of places in the head. As he was about to overcome me I prayed to the father in the name of Jesus for help. I then had power over him and he left me though much wounded.

Three personage dressed in white came to me and prayed with me and I was immediately healed and [they] delivered me from all my troubles. (Journal of Wilford Woodruff, October 18, 1840, 1:532)

Although he doesn’t mention it in the foregoing account, on later occasions, Wilford indicated that Satan did physical harm to both him and George A. Smith—and had it not been for “three holy messengers . . . dressed in temple clothing” who gave them each a priesthood blessing, both of them would have been killed by Satan on that occasion. (Wilford Woodruff, March 3, 1889, discourse, in Stuy, Collected Discourses, 1:218; Wilford Woodruff, Leaves from My Journal (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881), 109–10; Wilford Woodruff, October 19, 1896, discourse, in Study, Collected Discourses, 5:236–37.)

 

For some reason, no reference to this event by George A. Smith has survived. However, Elder Woodruff states that he and Elder Smith were sleeping on cots some three feet apart when Satan appeared to them that night. Thus, George was probably aware of what happened.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1) 

Read: Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ Heber C. Kimball (Part 2)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

We should not be surprised to learn that the Prophet Joseph was not the only member of the early Church to be attacked by Lucifer (see Part 1). Indeed, Elder Kimball’s aforementioned conversation with Joseph regarding physical satanic attacks did not come up at random. Rather, the conversation was provoked by an encounter Heber had while serving a mission to the British Isles. Brother Kimball spoke of this experience on numerous occasions, each time sharing additional and different details. Because space will not allow us to provide each of Brother Kimball’s many descriptions, what follows is an amalgamation of the salient points of the experience.

Heber C. Kimball

In 1837, Elders Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Orson Hyde, and Isaac Russell were laboring as missionaries in Preston, England. They were sharing a three-story flat on Wilford Street when the unthinkable happened. On Sunday, July 30, sometime around daybreak, Elder Russell rushed into the room of Elders Kimball and Hyde, waking them, and claiming that he was so afflicted with evil spirits that he would not live long if someone did not cast them out. The two brethren administered to him, rebuking the devil and petitioning the Lord for relief from the enemy that held Isaac bound. Elder Kimball was voice during the blessing. Near the end of the administration, his voice began to falter, and then his tongue was bound so that he could no longer speak. Suddenly he began to tremble and reel back and forth. At that moment, some invisible force threw him forward onto the floor. As he hit the floor, he let out a deep groan and then lay prostrate as though he were a dead man. Elder Hyde, with the assistance of Elder Russell, immediately laid hands on Elder Kimball, blessing him and rebuking Satan—at which point Heber regained consciousness but had only partial strength. He noted that as he regained his senses, sweat began to roll from him so profusely that it was as though he had just stepped out of a river. Elders Hyde and Russell lifted Elder Kimball and placed him on his bed. However, his physical agony was so intense that he pulled himself back onto the floor. Reaching his knees, he began to plead with the Lord for intervention.

At some point during these bizarre happenings, Elder Willard Richards awoke and made his way up to the third floor where the events were unfolding. Elder Kimball noted that, having finished his prayer, he sat on his bed, and, to the surprise of all present, they were wrapped in a vision of the “infernal world.” The four brethren said that they saw “legions” of evil spirits, company after company of them. According to Heber, these demonic hosts “struggled” to attack the elders and “exerted all their power and influence” to destroy them. These spirits were in the shape of men, with fully formed bodies, hands, eyes, hair, ears, and every other human feature—though some had hideous distortions in their face and body. With knives, they “rushed” upon the brethren “as an army going to battle.” Elders Kimball and Hyde testified that they saw them as plainly as one would see a person standing in front of them. These demonic assailants came toward them, foaming at the mouth and “gnashing their teeth upon” the elders. Orson Hyde noted that there were also numerous snakes accompanying the satanic hosts, hissing, writhing, and crawling over each other. Willard Richards, who had his watch on his person, noted that these “foul spirits” remained in the room threatening the brethren for an hour and a half. Elder Kimball indicated that the following day he was so weak from the physical attack that he could scarcely stand.

Years later he spoke in detail of the encounter and then added, “I cannot even now look back on the scene without feelings of horror; yet, by it I learned the power of the adversary, his enmity against the servants of God, and got some understanding of the invisible world.” Similarly, nearly two decades after the experience, Elder Hyde wrote: “Every circumstance that occurred at that scene of devils is just as fresh in my recollection at this moment as it was at the moment of its occurrence, and will ever remain so.” Although much of the foregoing account was visionary, rather than tangible, Heber was quite clear that he was physically assaulted with a force that felt like being punched in the face by the fist of a strong man—to say nothing of the faltering voice, bound tongue, and physical weakness he encountered.

By Alonzo L. Gaskill

Read: Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1) 

Doctrine and Covenants 129:8 and the Reality of Satan’s Physicality ~ The Prophet Joseph Smith (Part 1)

In section 129 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord provides “three grand keys” by which the Saints may know whether any angelic ministration is from God or from the devil. Verse 8 informs us that should the devil (or one of his hosts) appear attempting to deceive you into thinking he is a divine messenger sent from God, “when you ask him to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel anything; you may therefore detect him.” For many this verse gives the impression that because Satan and his hosts lack mortal bodies, they are incapable of having physical contact with humans. In other words, the passage appears to focus on the nature of the bodies of Lucifer and his spirit followers, suggesting that their physical makeup is the reason their hands cannot be felt. However, a series of events that took place early in the Restoration suggest that this interpretation may not be accurate. In an effort to test the common exegesis of D&C 129:8, this paper will recount a handful of early Luciferian encounters, applying the implications of such to our understanding of the nature of Lucifer’s person.

The Prophet Joseph Smith

Of course, the reader will be familiar with the first and most sacred of events tied to the Restoration—namely the appearance of the Father and Son to the Prophet Joseph Smith. That spring morning of 1820, Joseph had a very physical encounter with the adversary—an experience that left Joseph with no doubts about Satan’s power in the physical realm:

"I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction, . . . and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light." (Joseph Smith—History 1:15–16)

Joseph describes here what must have been a terrifying and unimaginable encounter. Among other things, he notes that he was “seized upon” and was “entirely” overcome by Satan. He states that Lucifer bound his tongue so that he could not speak or cry out. Elsewhere, Joseph noted that during this experience, the devil caused his tongue to physically swell up and cleave to the roof of his mouth. He also spoke of hearing distinct footsteps walking toward him as he began his prayer, but he could not see Satan’s person. In one account of the experience, the Prophet noted that throughout the ordeal, he was “severely tempted” with “improper pictures,” and his mind was “benighted . . . with doubts”—all via the devil’s influence.

This was certainly not the Prophet’s only encounter with the adversary. Although we do not know all the details surrounding each of these experiences, we do know that Joseph confided to at least one of his brethren that Satan had made repeated attempts to physically destroy him. President Heber C. Kimball states: “Brother Joseph . . . told me that he had contests with the devil, face to face. He also told me how he was handled and afflicted by the devil.” Heber shares the details of one of the many demonic encounters the Prophet had suffered:

"I will relate one circumstance that took place at Far West, in a house that Joseph had purchased, which had been formerly occupied as a public house by some wicked people. A short time after he got into it, one of his children was taken very sick; he laid his hands upon the child, when it got better; as soon as he went out of doors, the children was taken sick again; he again laid his hands upon it, so that it again recovered. This occurred several times, when Joseph inquired of the Lord what it all meant; then he had an open vision, and saw the devil in person, who contended with Joseph face to face, for some time. He said it was his house, it belonged to him, and Joseph had no right there. Then Joseph rebuked Satan in the name of the Lord, and he departed and touched the child no more."

Thus, the record shows that Joseph experienced Satan in a very real and tangible way. This was not isolated to the very strange encounter in the Sacred Grove; on the contrary, the devil—apparently on multiple occasions—physically and violently accosted the Prophet “face to face.”

By Alonzo L. Gaskill