Worthless Creature

Listen to these descriptions given by King Benjamin about himself and his audience:

"...he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth for the fear of the Lord had come upon them."

"...they viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth."

"...your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state..."

"always retain in rememberance... your own nothingness... unworthy creatures..."

This would be pretty debilitating to the heart and mind if these were doctrines he was enforcing to them. Incredibly, these feelings of nothingness that led them to refer to themselves as unworthy creatures (not even human or sons and daughters of God) was what they naturally felt, together, from hearing the words of the angel sent to King Benjamin about Christ and His atonement. The Spirit that fell upon them brought them to a state of fear and trembling. Not because they thought they were in mortal danger, but because they had God revealed to them. 

Their knowledge of God gave them a perspective reflected in the sentiments of many prophets around the world in many different ages of time. Few people have had the opportunity to have the Glory of God revealed to them. And each one of them were surprised by the contrast of God to themselves and how little and nothing they were. These are not stupid people either that could not comprehend the contrasts of power and worthlessness. Moses, trained in Egypt in all sciences (that we are still trying to figure out) ran an empire, wars, and wrote laws and governed peoples and then was exiled, lost all, was a farmer, and when he was shown God, exclaimed, "Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." To have him say this, is significant. Imagine being shown all of God's creations. Countless worlds and galaxies. All with countless peoples. I can imagine Moses' sentiments of our insignificance like our planet is a penny and a billionaire looses that penny, why would he care? Yet, God not only cares about each planet, but each individual and creature. Even the birds and fish.

In pondering on the phrase, "creatures" I couldn't help but wonder why God would entice people, engulfed in the Spirit of God, to describe themselves as creatures. Is He really that different? Are we really that debased and insignificant compared to Him?

1579 drawing of the Great Chain of Being from Didacus Valades, Rhetorica Christiana

I pictured the animal food chain. This image depicts God at the top of the food chain as imagined by the Catholic follower Didacus in 1579. Not exactly what I pictured but kinda similar.

I then recalled an old notion I had years ago. A notion revealed while studying in school about types of governments. I asked myself, "How would God's kingdom be defined as a type of government?"

I asked a few questions to help me riddle it down. Remember that we are talking about the ruler of all that exists which is God the Father's kingdom. So don't get confused and think we are talking about our church government, our family government, or even Christ's government. Here are some questions I asked and answered myself:

1. Is the governing power a group of individuals or just one person? One person rules all. He assigns others to rule under his rule over portions and those are split into portions and so on until we come to the individual.
2. Does this person organize His kingdom into states that are sub-governed with their own laws? Yes.
3. Are there checks and balances on the top governing power? No.
4. Is there a voting system? No. We can elect and sustain but the choice is the Father's.
5. Do we have representatives in heaven? Yes.
6. Do we elect these representatives? No.
7. What is the position of these representatives? They plead our cause before the powers above us.
8. Are we free to live how we want? Yes and No.
1. We are ejected from a kingdom if we brake it's laws thereby making us free and yet losing choice as the power to make certain choices are removed through falling to lower kingdoms which have less power. Death is the consequence of any broken law (death of the spirit or separation from God/the kingdom you dwell in).
9. Does this ruling power decide for us who governs us locally? Yes.
10. Who judges those who brake laws? The author of that law. Final judgment is given to the Father.
11. The governing power has judicial, legislative, and executive powers contained within one person? Yes.
12. Can we write laws or change them? No.
13. Can we rule the kingdom or a kingdom? Yes, if called and chosen.
14. Is there a structure to who is called and chosen? Yes.
15. Is it by familial ties that rulers are called? Yes. But we are all begotten through the Father, therefore there is nobody He calls except they are family.
16. Can anyone run for 'office'? Yes.
17. Why is there a "run for office" if there is no voting system? God the Father asks who to call and those willing offer themselves. God then chooses who to send.

The neat thing here is that anyone can respond to the call of God but must accept the choice God makes. 

In reviewing this information, I decided that God's kingdom represents almost every type of kingdom out there. I don't understand government types very well so my opinion may have objections. It's mostly an autocracy (Dictatorship/Absolute Monarchistic) but has oligarchic properties. Yet, it is governed by laws that even God cannot break, therefore it is constitutional. The few that are definitely not representative of God's government are anarchistic or democratic. God's creations have no say as to how things should be governed. They are governed by laws made by those above them. And they are powerless to become laws unto themselves (D&C 88:35).

This leads to my next thought, wouldn't this create a caste system? A feudal system based upon position obtained from God the Father? Where God sits on top of all His creation, supported by everyone below. Those in power, in there differing levels, are supported by those below them. This would all depend on if God the Father depends upon us to sustain Himself. A feudal or pyramid power system is based upon some force visually represented by gravity that pulls us all down thereby revealing the force that allows a mortal to reign without worrying about their next meal. They live off the work and efforts of those below them. If 'gravity' didn't exist, these images would have no meaning. There would be no 'weight' upon the masses below the rulers. What would be this 'gravity' force for God the Father's kingdom? Is there such a force weighted upon us for His support?



My answer is no. For the Father has overcome all things and, like His son, Jesus Christ, has fallen below all things and risen above all things having overcome all things that he may rule all things. There is no force that holds Him down nor need that must be satisfied to continue his existence or power. Therefore, He does not need us to sustain Himself. In fact, I believe the blessing and ultimate purpose of God's power, we call priesthood, is that "...thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever." (Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, D&C 121:46) Meaning, like a black hole, God cannot get smaller, He just grows in everything. Imagine if he stopped caring or doing things with this increase. He would be the universe's worst hoarder surrounded with stuff until he couldn't move. Funny thought.

There is a force like 'gravity' that holds us to God though. It's just not the system painted by our cartoonists to show the horrible nature of wealth, or power, or some government system. And the interesting part is this 'gravity' works the same way, just in a different direction. The 'gravity' still pushes us down, we are not on the bottom. We are supported by our God. Here is my depiction of it below in blue...

God needs no support. He does not feed off of our labor. He loves it when we help in his efforts, but in truth, He just has to speak, and the very rocks and earth would declare His truths so all could learn and know of the laws that would save them. Gods power system is the mortal system flipped up-side-down. When we flip mortal power systems up-side-down we visually understand why He that is least is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven (Luke 9:48, Mathew 11:11). I am the weight in the system supported by God. This is another way to show the plan of exaltation.

(I chose those levels (God, Angels, Prophets, and Man) because Joseph Smith received an answer about these four differing groups having differing times according to the sphere on which they reside meaning time dilation meaning these spheres are of differing glories and grow in glory from one to the next until they come to God whose time is dilated the greatest. This is in D&C 130:4-5)

What is fun is to place the mortal power pyramid on top of my pyramid. This shows how Satan's systems (man's systems) are so adverse to God's systems. It also shows the weight held by God. I could get very technical and include space for God the Father, then Christ, then the Holy Ghost, then angels, prophets, parents, self. This could be modified in so many ways.


For those who find it interesting, remember the triangle pointed up is male and the triangle pointed down is female. These stars are all over our temples. Fun to see that the world's power system is male oriented while the Celestial system is female oriented? Fun to ponder and I'm not suggesting anything, just saw it.

God's governing system naturally brings with it a caste system where some are chosen and others are not. Each step towards God increases the weight from above as I am given more responsibility. This responsibility is literally the weight of mankind. That weight grows the greater the glory one enjoys (further down the pyramid we progress). The price of joy and glory becomes greater and greater and the bitter cup becomes more bitter until I have overcome all things and can support the weight of all mankind.

I have always wondered at God giving blessings to people that haven't done things to deserve them yet. I have discovered some enjoy God given privileges by blood, birthright, or no seeming consequence of their own choices. I believe this pyramid system shows how these chosen few have not only a greater responsibility that grants them more help and power to accomplish their tasks, but also their character and previous choices granted them these things making their 'birthright' or fore-ordination justly deserved rather than arbitrarily dished out. For some, their work is heavy and the reward great but also their temptations are great and their loss even greater if they fail.

I was brought into this life without a knowledge of my endless life before this. It helps me to know that not everyone made choices that gave them privilege to be a prophet of God. Not everyone made choices that brought them into homes where the Gospel already was. And can I say choice brought consequences? I can. Does it stand to reason then that a consequence exists because of choice? If it doesn't, God is not the God He says He is. God is a just God. God will justify the righteous and curse the wicked. Think about this. It's not because the righteous are more privileged or the people labeled 'wicked' were persons God didn't like, it's because they knew laws that had consequences and made choices on that knowledge. I hear a lot of talk of the 'next life' and I often ponder on the outcome of that life with choices I make today. How much better would it be if I knew more of God's laws and how to keep them?

This celestial power system is so perfect it allows everyone to be affected by other's choices for a mortal duration but eternally, in heavenly politics, all my choices are my own to bear because I will be judged for what I did with what I had. Judged by the one who understands the laws, helped everyone to get it done when they asked, and knew before hand what would be needed leaving nothing to chance or chaos. If one does not make the cut to a glory, they deserve it admittedly and knowingly. Nobody will be missed. I will be judged by an all knowing, all powerful being and placed into kingdoms and positions of power according to His design. A design everyone agrees with or all of us would not be here since everyone has the choice to leave at any time. I am not bound to remain within His kingdom but I cannot 'rebel' or decide to be anarchistic and think I can remain and enjoy the same life (privileges) of those who abide by laws. 

I am not condoning caste systems.We have been taught to rid caste systems from our cultures (Elder Richard G. Scott, 'Removing Barriers to Happiness' May 1998). I'm also not condoning government systems of absolute monarchy or dictatorship. In truth, any government system works for the work of God and the joy/peace of mankind when run by righteous people. (Remember, righteousness is not arbitrary. It only exists with those who know God's laws and keep them. righteousness does not exist in ignorance or innocence. So a righteous leader is one who knows God and obeys Him.)

So, back to the natural consequence of coming to know God where people feel less than the dust of the earth, worthless creatures... I am glad this poked out at me so I could picture and understand better the structure of God's kingdom. I understand better what it means to be as a little child. A child is excited for life, vigilant and obedient to their parents (for the most part), and lives with the knowledge and complete understanding that they depend entirely upon their parents for their existence. They know without even pondering it or discovering it, that they are less in power, knowledge, wisdom, and stature. And if this is true, it is no wonder they are saved through the grace of Christ's atonement until they are old enough to have pride in self.

I know this is true!!

To Withdraw

My mind is caught up in a discussion I had with one of my children over clothing styles. Being a concerned parent for the future of my children, I pulled this child aside and we talked. We read "For the Strength of Youth" and with laughter this child began to assure me of their safety from evil and harm. It took a few minutes to finally gather my feelings into words and then the inspiration came. Our conversation was good and inspired.

That was couple days ago. The next day, I sat to study and found my inspiration the day before was in this weeks study. Mosiah not only had his own kids to raise, he also raised a kingdom like a father raises a child. His expertise on character and spirit and righteous living exceeds my own and really, any expert on earth right now. He knew the type of living that would raise children on a foundation of truth and righteous living on a macro and micro scale. 

Just before this speech, he had been visited by an angel and told his righteousness and prayers were enough to send the angel to him and Mosiah's kingdom to bring"glad tidings of great joy." Christ was revealed to him also. He has God's seal of approval in what he was doing. 

Having walked the path, he gave a sermon on that path. This is the second part of it and it concerns withdrawal from the Spirit. (The first part was the revelation of Jesus Christ who would atone for everyone)

Some background first. In a hotel bed with children on both sides of me I found I couldn't sleep. That was the most uncomfortable bed I have been in. I sat up, the kids moved in closer and I knew I was doomed to lay awake all night. It was 3 a.m. so I reached for my phone and decided to study. I prayed first and my prayer was like this, "Heavenly Father, I need the Holy Ghost. Send thy spirit to me to comfort me and help me while I study." I got a direct and immediate answer, "The Holy Ghost is a person." The understanding that came with this message was I was demanding this person, this good all knowing, all powerful person, be with me whether He wanted to or not. As though God would force him to do my bidding. I shrunk from my demands. I didn't realize how impersonal I had been. So I prayed again, asking that I would be the kind of person that would invite the Spirit and entice Him to be with me this night that I may be His companion if He wanted. I also prayed for forgiveness of my offenses to him."

This new perspective for me changed a lot of things. It changed how I pray, how I view my actions, and what I expect from my obedience. I began to focus on myself more than on the blessings due to me for what I have done as promised by laws given by God. Mosiah had a few words concerning this...

With this understanding, what does it mean to withdraw ourselves from the Spirit?

The discussion I had with my child was concerning clothing that was chaste, moral, and reflected the sacredness of the body. The discussion was something like this:

Me: "You shouldn't wear that."
Child: "Why dad? (make sure to include a high to low pitch drop and a heavy breath out while saying this :) I'm still a good person. I'm not doing anything bad."
Me: "I know you aren't doing anything bad. But what does this attract? What are you holding onto so tightly that this is required of you to do? Where will this take you?"
Child: "My friends aren't bad. My life isn't bad. I just really like it. I think it looks good."
Me: "Have you considered what the Spirit thinks? He is a person who has tastes and values and ethics. Would he wear something like this? Would he be comfortable supporting this?"
Child: ---silence---
Me: "It's not that you will are doing something wrong, it's that you are removing those people in your life who are doing things right. They will feel uncomfortable around you. They hold a standard that does not allow for (specific explanations of clothing issues). So, they will leave. The people that will gather to you are the people that enjoy these things. What path are they walking? Where are they heading? Can you hold onto their hands and still walk your path that you know you must follow?
Child: "No. I can't. But they aren't bad friends. They aren't going to take me away from the church or you guys."
Me: ---we discussed specifics of her friends showing how already a number of them are uncomfortable with the church, testimony, and the scriptures. They don't like seminary, going to church, or discussing these things.---
Me: "This is not just about your friends. You know that we walk among spirits. Those unborn and those who have died. And the greatest Spirit of them all, The Holy Ghost. They are people and they also have ethics and values that they follow. They are attracted to people who share their values and walk the paths they have or desire to walk. So who is this attracting?"
Child: "OK. OK! But we are stuck at home. It's not hurting anything at home right?"
Me: "Pay attention to the Spirit and find that out for yourself. You will know." 

Withdrawing from the Spirit is not just about the most evil of people. It's about deciding to swear, watch an offensive video, laugh at rude jokes, telling a little lie, or whatever offense is made that causes those who would help you most to turn away, "that [they] may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom's paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved." And it is not they who withdraw, it is me! I am deciding to become dull to these feelings. To hide shame and guilt under laughter and revised reasoning. It is listing to obey the evil spirit that attracts evil spirits (people who desire to see and be a part of such things), The good Spirits are dismissed and this leads to contentions which lead to rebellion which lead to rejecting the Savior and all His teachings. It is a path as vivid and plainly laid out as the path of salvation is. We know the path of salvation, we cannot deny we know it, therefore, we are bound to it. If we turn from it, we get the full force of the law and we are left alone.

A Gathering before the Gathering

Look at this scripture:

This sounds like a second coming scripture but it's not. He's speaking of Christ's birth and life and death. Our day is not the first time God has made it requisite that every nation and tongue know that Christ was coming. This means there were prophets sent to every land to testify of Christ before Christ was born. It really intensified for the Nephites just before with incredible miracles leading up to it. Then destruction only 32+ years later. The work of world wide gathering is not just a one time event. It has happened before. And God did it without TV, radio, or newspapers/magazines.

If we read this as though it is speaking about the second coming, we hear current prophetic teachings. We recognize the law of Moses would be the law of sacrifice given to us by Joseph Smith, and we would recognize the wonders, types, and shadows showed to us concerning His coming (Joseph and Hyrum and the Two prophets in Revelations, The September 23, 2017 astrology event of Virgo in the sun and moon under her feet and the crown of 9 king stars and 3 king planets making 12 stars above her head happening on a sacred day, The three Blood moons on three most sacred days in a row, Covid-19 shutting down all the temple, church, and missionary work in the world compared to the abomination that would be set up to change the worship of the saints, the temple changes in connection with the wedding of Christ to His bride, and temples going up in sacred and historical places in fulfillment of prophecy. This list is not exhaustive at all.) 

This highlighted part hit me. They got to enjoy the work of Christ which was remission of sins and exceeding joy, which included healing the blind, lame, diseased, etc., and casting devils and evils spirits out of the hearts of men, and raising the dead. This they enjoyed as though he had already come so long as they believed in Him. And how does this reflect on us today? We await the rising Savior to come and heal our lands and us. We wait for the liberation from the world to worship as we desire and want to. To receive blessings by obedience to laws we cannot now obey. And yet, do we wait in vain? Is it any different for us than it is for them? Did they have to wait until Christ came to enjoy these things? NO!! The only thing stopping us is us! The world may shackle us in laws and social pressures, but we can enjoy the blessings of these things if we believe that He is coming living as though he has come. Our bodies may be pained at what others may do to it, but the joy will be as though we were there when he comes.

Anyway, I thought that was neat. It really opens up the study into other cultures as well. Knowing that God gave knowledge of this to every tongue, and nation changes things a lot for me. That would mean every people on earth had the opportunity to hear a prophet and worship Christ under the laws then established to follow (Laws of Moses but might not be called that for them). Look for alters, temples, priesthood, and clothing that would reveal this and we have found a culture that once chose to follow this. It kinda eliminates the idea that if we find these things, we have found the Jaredites, or Lamanites, Nephites, people of Hagoth or whatever ancient lineage we wish to give. It could be any culture that accepted the message that was sent because they were sent to every nation, kindred, and tongue.

Then comes the dark ages and all nations lost it. The need for a restoration was evident even to people left here on Earth. Restoration is not to restore things a people have not earned or to restore only a part of the things they have earned. We know of the blessings of this land through the Book of Mormon. What of these prophets and the blessings gained to all these other lands and nations and kindred and tongues? They must be restored to the blessings gained under the promises given and earned. 

This does give thought though to our land where all the work and blessings have been revealed and restored. This place, where from here have been sent emissaries to restore to every nation, kindred, and tongue all the blessings available today. This land, where Adam blessed his posterity and established his family and priesthoods. Where Noah was spared the flood and sailed from here to the old world. This land, blessed above all other lands, where freedom would reign and prosperity would be based upon righteous living. Pretty neat and self explanatory why it was in this land that this would happen.

The temple is the crown of restoration. If this is restoration, then these lands all had this before. Jacobs vision of the tree (Jacob 5) comes into mind.

Hoorah for Israel, the saviors of mankind!!

Ignorance

https://assets.ldscdn.org/ac/ef/acefb10276b5d5fa1909b97b998df59a9c717fbf/benjamin_king_nephites_mormon_thompson.jpeg

King Benjamin begins in the book of Mosiah by teaching his sons. The major premise of his lesson is knowledge and being able to read to gain more knowledge. He taught his children Egyptian, Arabic, and other languages that the brass plates must have had, being written for over a millennia and in many places. One of those languages must have included the manor of prophesying among the Jews (2Nephi 25:1).

He was so concerned that they be able to read and understand the words of their fathers who were prophets.

Ignorance brings suffering! 

I have seen ignorant people who seem to be happy though. Kinda conflicts. I think of children, who are both innocent and ignorant. Those who are wise tend to leave this ignorance alone and sometimes feel a need to defend it. On the other side of this coin they feel pressure to dispel the ignorance by sharing truth or the child will crumble at the truth at some future time. Then I have seen (and I believe I have been) the prideful liberator who will reveal all the truths they can, unawares they may be tearing an ignorant person's world apart but enjoy being uplifted in superiority. Funny how they are ignorant of what they are doing. 

Two things I concluded are:

1. Innocence does not remove the pain ignorance will leave behind. Meaning, to defend the innocent by protecting their ignorance is destructive and paradoxical.
2. Truth comes to people no matter what. All the pains of ignorance will come to knowledge whether in this life or the next. It's inescapable.

I wonder at the difference of innocence and ignorance. A child is both ignorant and innocent. Innocence leaves as I gain experience in life. Ignorance leaves as I gain knowledge. Thinking of examples I have theorized that innocence becomes joy when ignorance is gone. Innocence doesn't help when shrouded in ignorance of yourself or others. Here are some examples.

https://www.ushmm.org

CREDIT: GALERIE BILDERWELT/GETTY IMAGES

During WWII, the Jews were ignorant of what was happening to them until they were in a camp. They were now wishing they hadn't been so ignorant and had prepared for this day. Their innocence doesn't bring much joy. For the soldiers who were killing these Jewish children, women, and men, they were ignorant as well. And those who were not, wished they were. Their ignorance was bliss only because their actions were evil. Their lack of innocence brought guilt when their ignorance was gone.

Ignorance runs rampant in my home. I recollect many instances where a child will begin to accuse others for eating their morsel or taking their thing or ruining something. They really have no truth in the matter except that their thing is gone or ruined. They pass judgement unawares of the pain they are dishing out,  revealing the pain they feel. Then, everyone who is accused, by the rights of being innocent, begin to dish out their new pains back at the accuser. They are both victims of ignorance.

Remember the lesson taught by Elder Uchtdorf about the man who went on a cruise and packed crackers and lemonade for the entire vacation? Wanting to save money, he didn't swim, play, or attend the tours. He saw them eating grand meals but kept to his cabin eating crackers and lemonade. It was on the last day he found out all these things were included in the price of his ticket. His ignorance, once a sacrifice to view the grand places he always wanted to view, became a sorrow for what he could have enjoyed. Joy that was lost in lack of knowledge. Joy that could have been had he known his privileges.

There are many other stories like this. That of the inn keepers who refused to house Mary who was about to give birth to the Son of God. The two men who walked with Christ not knowing it was Him. They were OK in their ignorance but as soon as they knew who He was, they were filled with joy. Mary, crying and pleading with the Gardner to help her find Jesus's body, suddenly full of joy at the loss of her ignorance in the knowledge of where Jesus was. Joseph Smith, ignorant that the true church was not upon the earth yet, pleaded with God, and was visited by God and ignorance was removed and replaced with joy. Each new trial for Joseph brought fear and despair and as the mysteries of God were revealed, a piece at a time, the fear, darkness, and despair were dispelled. It is a replica of my own experience. I have discovered ignorance in my life even in my most passionate beliefs and I have experienced my fears and doubt wisp away like a dark cloud dissolving into nothing allowing light to warm the land. 

Christ's own apostles were ignorant to the atonement and Christ's suffering and death. Christ's death brought them much sorrow until they were taught, learned more, and the mysteries of God became simple truths and testimonies for them. Suddenly they talk of things that don't make sense to many people. They speak in mysteries because we have not yet removed our ignorance. We need to learn more and know more. They share them because they are things that brought them much joy.

So, it must be that ignorance is only blissful when it works to hide pain and suffering caused by your actions. Ignorance is a curse for any other situation. The discovery of ignorance for the moral and honorable brings the wish he/she or others had not been ignorant for so long. Those suffering under ignorant leaders are trying hard to educate those leaders. I can see now why classes and segregation are so destructive to society. The people are ignorant of each other. 

Having sought after innocence my whole life, it is shocking to me that now I believe innocence is the catalyst for joy but joy won't exist until ignorance is gone and the laws and blessings of the innocence lived are revealed. It is the knowledge of law or truth that makes innocence worth anything. Makes me want to go and study Adam and Eve again.

But take God, in all His mysterious ways. How often we could get mad at Him for this and that. How often we could prove He doesn't exist. How often we can claim He doesn't care or love or even speak. 

LDS Store

It just so happens that we have these records. Many records through many ages in many parts of the world. With random people. Some insanely powerful and others humble but all of them declaring that God loves us, knows us, suffered for us, and calls us His children, Sons and daughters unto God. In them are records of their witnesses of miracles and proofs that God lives and cares! 

Yet, proofs for them, not for me. These proofs were not enough for Laman and Lemuel, Judas Iscariot, William Law, or any other person who turned their back to such things. Why? Are the mysteries of God so difficult to understand? Are they truly mysterious so that we must consign ourselves to walk a path dictated to us by others who claim to know the path we must walk and say to ourselves, "I know this is a good man/woman to follow, God's ways are above my understanding and incomprehensible. It's beyond me or my talents and destiny to know God and His ways."? I'm saddened to find some walk this path and continue in darkness and ignorance. This is not faith, it is blind obedience, or, ignorant obedience.

If wickedness never was happiness, ignorance never was bliss.

So back to Mosiah. Here is a Father, King Benjamin, concerned for his sons to whom will face the temptation of wealth and power every day of their lives. Temptations to satisfy any desire their hearts can muster. And King Benjamin found a solution to this problem. The words of their fathers which reveals the mysteries of God. Giving knowledge of the commandments of God coupled with blessings that retain their peace and happiness. And he gives them the warning that ignorance will bring destruction and hardships.

I read Mosiah 1:2-7 as though I wrote it and was talking to my children. I replaced certain phrases with current things such as, words of our fathers with the Bible, and the words of Nephi with the Book of Mormon and the other records with the Doctrine and Covenants. As I read, it became clear that we would be no different than the ignorant angry people of our day (Lamanites) and would walk this earth just as angry and just as swallowed up in self satisfaction. It revealed to us that if we didn't have the Book of Mormon, our family and extended family would not have such strong family values, nor would I have probably gotten married, not had children as well as our fathers before us. That we would have pursued wealth and power to secure a future of luxury. 

It opened the eyes of a few of my children and hopefully, they will appreciate the scriptures a bit more for how they have sculpted the joy they hold now.

To anyone who believes that God does not speak to just anyone; that dreams, visions, and ministering of heavenly sent messengers is beyond their destiny or gifts, I say, break out of your ignorance and recognize today and forever the power of revelation and knowledge God has placed into your lap. Stop living below your privilege and use prayer, pondering, and the scriptures to find things to try and do. Get baptized and receive the Holy Ghost through the authority of the priesthood restored by Joseph Smith. The Holy Ghost will testify of God the Father and Jesus Christ and reveal all things to you that you may know and remember. One cannot receive the Holy Ghost and not receive revelation. God's plan of salvation is requisite that all ignorance be dissolved in truth that His children may walk in light and have joy.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.328

Three Questions on the Atonement

I this week's study,  these questions are given as an example of a chart to fill out:

My knowledge of these questions has changed over the years as my understanding of law and mercy has grown. Chances are, they will still improve and my understanding is still only a portion of a bigger picture.

I used to think that Christ suffered because Satan and his kingdom was wailing on Him. Much like Joseph Smith in the grove when he was attacked and thought he would die. This view changed with a single scripture.

D&C 88

I changed my perspective immediately and realized the suffering Christ endured was from His Father. Seems like a weird relationship and almost abusive but as I pondered on it I realized a few important points.

(Did a quick search for an image of "the wrath of God" and this came up. Thought it pretty funny.)

1) The wrath of God is infinitely greater than the wrath of Satan. God being all powerful and all knowing downplays anyone else to give suffering. Especially if it is to be incomprehensible to anyone who has not experienced it, I wonder who else could it be from?

2) God the Father is the only person from whom the punishments of His laws could come from. (Read my previous post on Law, Justice, and Mercy) Because the blessing for the laws of the Father are Eternal Life and nothing short of it (There is no Law from the Father that gives a lesser blessing (As far as I know and from what I understand the Father cannot make laws with less of a blessing or it is not a perfect law and He would not be a perfect God. Could be wrong here but it is my current understanding), then the punishments for breaking those laws are eternal punishments, or God's punishments. Meaning, God is the one who has the power to give eternal life and equally so, eternal punishment.

3) The atonement is given so much definition in how it helps everyone and everything. Have we considered what it did for Christ? We know it helped him succor his people (Alma 7:12). We also know that when it is done Christ can finally say, "I have overcome all things and have trodden the winepress alone." (D&C 76:106-107, D&C 88:106) If Christ has overcome all things, then He is like his Father, all powerful. He has gained the love and power needed to act as His Father does. If he did not suffer the wrath of his Father, this could not be.

There is a little eternity test I discovered years ago. If something has an opposite, an equal force that can cancel the thing out, it is temporary, aka, not eternal. For example, the opposite of matter? Some would say anti matter but it is just matter with a negative charge. When this matter and matter meet, they turn into light. Light is also matter because E=MC² (energy/light = matter at high speeds) Slow down light and it becomes matter, speed it up and it turns into light. A tangent. What is the opposite of Light? Some would say darkness but this is not the opposite of it, just the absence of it. All these things are eternal things. They have no opposites.

Here is where it gets tricky. What is the opposite of God the Father? Nothing right? Some might be thinking of Lehi's discourse on opposition but his sermon is about opposition not opposites. Even God the Father has opposition to His work. Just no opposing power that matches His own. Now what of Christ? Well, He has overcome all things, meaning there is no power in existence that can overcome Him. He is eternal then. Anything that has no opposite is eternal. The atonement made Christ Eternal.


I learned the Savior suffered the wrath of an Eternal God, that Christ overcame that and is now Eternal and has the power to raise us up, cleanse us, and bless us. These answer the first two questions for me. Now what does this mean to me?

It means, I don't think I could overcome that and so I don't want to suffer that. I better follow Christ and keep to the plan of mercy and forgiveness. I also realize my personal sufferings can help me better succor others but also get to know my Father and His Son. I should not shrink from a hard task like looking bad when apologizing to others I may have offended or sticking my neck out for those who may be despised of those around me. I should be willing to give even my position in babylon to help others and bring them to this same knowledge, the Christ lives though he died, suffered the wrath of God so we don't have to, and gives us a path to follow to receive the blessings of eternal life that were otherwise lost to us. Nothing could be more important.

Law, Justice, and Mercy

In studying the atonement this past week, I came to a new understanding of law and mercy. It was taking so much to explain it and collect my thoughts on it, I had to stop writing my post on my study of the atonement and turned to this. I have reviewed the things I learned with my wife and children in our morning 'Come Follow Me' studies and just now, a talk this morning in conference about law and mercy brought my children to remember our discussions and it prompted me to get going on this.

If you have not read it, you must. Frédéric Bastiat's 'The Law' is revolutionary to understanding law and the purpose and use of it. It was originally written in French but English versions are everywhere and a quick Google for it would yield free audio book versions and pdf's if you want. It's past copyright so get it and read it. It's short and potent.

His main point is every person desires life, liberty, and property (pursuit for happiness). A person would spend most of their time defending these things unable to increase his/her life, happiness, and liberty. Some would try to increase their life, liberty, and happiness at another's expense (they would take your things, time, etc.). Thus, law is invented and a force to exact the law placed and this government allows people to increase and do things without worry of loss. Punishments equal the deterrents needed to protect these things. So the penalty for stealing horses became death in the old West because money and jail time was not enough to deter the thieves.

"Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place."

- FREDERIC BASTIAT , FRENCH ECONOMIST

One point I love a lot is the idea that when law is used to take things from one person to give to another, the entire purpose of law is violated by the law itself. It no longer is there to protect your life, liberty, and stuff. It now takes those things and gives it to another. There is a need to invest a portion of our stuff to sustain the enforcement of law, but when a government involves itself with philanthropy (social programs to help the poor) and enforces commerce (forcing citizens to purchase another person's products) the government has become the enemy for which the original laws were invented to protect us against. 

The second powerful thought he introduced to me was this... When a man is killed, how much of his life was taken? All of it. When we incarcerate a man for two years, how much of his life was taken? The idea is that murder is the taking of life. Even if it's 10%, life was taken and it is murder just not 100% of a mans life. Laws should keep in mind this value system to deliver justice equitably.

Gotta wonder then, is the law of God the same in purpose and design as Bastiat taught? Eternal Life I believe should be considered the most one could obtain in life, liberty, and property. Are the Laws of the Father aimed at protecting eternal life? The answer is an absolute yes. God's laws are centered on this one objective of exalting man to be like Himself (Moses 1:39) or casting out men who try to frustrate or destroy this purpose. Eternal life is God's life meaning all knowledge, power, and materials to do everything possible. No enemy is able to overcome those who have eternal life since they have not any power equal to the task. God's laws then protect eternal life if we keep the law and there is no power or kingdom or person that can take it away if we have earned it.

Then I had a question... "But if there isn't any being that has power to overcome a being who has eternal life, then why is there a need for laws? Would heaven exist without them? Would this plan exist without them? Would God be God without them?"

One of my biggest concerns in looking through this was a thought in the back of my head, "But don't they (the laws of God) by nature send us away from God the moment we are tested?"

So what are the laws of God?

This may seem weird at first but I think I discovered that there is not just one set of laws to follow and they have different sources. As I read Alma and Josephs words in D&C, I began to understand that under God the Father's laws, we are all damned to eternal darkness to be cast out of His presence forever because we broke any one of God the Father's laws. It doesn't seem to matter which law is broken. They all seem to have the same consequence, Outer Darkness.

I began to realize there were laws for each kingdom. That Christ has laws the Father does not have and vise versa. I would guess then the Holy Ghost has laws as well because He is the God of the Telestial Kingdom. At first glance I was tempted to say they were the same laws but there was a conflict of mercy (Christ's law) and God's law. Then I realized the Laws of mercy could not frustrate the Laws of Justice.

"7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged." - John 16

Notice how the Holy Ghost is to judge the prince of this world (Satan)? Christ and the Father have already judged him. Why? Because the Holy Ghost must have a set of laws and judgments, much more merciful than Christ's. This is what allows Satan and his people to be here, not able to receive a body having failed the first estate, but able to participate and be judged in the second estate. This brings an entire new slew of questions but I shouldn't entertain them now.

Notice also, in John 16 how Christ explains in verses 22-26 that the process has been Christ saying, "I'll ask the Father for you." when it changes after the atonement to, "Ask the Father yourself in my name." Notice also, in verses 13-15 we see the relationship of these Gods, The Father, Christ, and the Holy Ghost where the Holy Ghost is bringing things given to Him from Christ and Christ is bringing things given to Him from the Father. Notice the subservience of Law and Justice where the Laws of Christ govern the Holy Ghost and are governed by the Father. How Christ refuses to Judge Satan himself for a more lenient law provided by the Holy Ghost that does not violate the Christ's or the Father's Laws.

"Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God." Alma 42:13

Notice how God would cease to be God if God allows His laws to bend to the will of lesser laws.

Notice how mercy and justice are at conflict. Mercy can only exist so long as justice to a law that governs even mercy, is satisfied. God the Father established laws that govern His realm which includes all kingdoms of glory. It does not include (as far as I know) the kingdoms outside of His presence we call outer darkness. Within God's kingdom, there are kingdoms and they have law givers. This means the laws of mercy are under the laws of God the Father. This would possibly mean the laws of the Holy Ghost (if they exist and I suspect they do) would be under the laws of Mercy. This means no laws of mercy can conflict with the design and purpose of the laws of God. It is a lot like our government in the United States with Federal, State, and Local laws. One cannot create conflicting laws of the government above them.

I believe also justice and mercy are the same thing when used in describing the effects of law upon us. They are both justice. We call the justice of Christ merciful because these laws are so much easier to keep since they allow for mistakes with a condition of repentance and covenant making which then the justice is not as harsh. Justice is used to describe God the Father's laws in scripture as though these laws are called the laws of justice and Christ's laws are called the laws of mercy. They merely are used to describe how hard or easy the laws are to keep.

Justice (not specifically referring to God the Father's law) is the enforcement of law. Laws kept, secure rights and liberties. We call them blessings. Hence, 

D&C 130

Broken laws have punishments. Alma spent a great deal to explain this to his son Corianton.

Alma 42

Here is a great conundrum. Sin is defined as the transgression of law (1 John 3:4). Even if a person doesn't know the law of the Father the punishment from the Father is eternal damnation also called outer darkness. 

This is true for children and infants (Mosiah 3:16) as much as adults. It was the new law, which is Christ, that children are spared, the ignorant are blessed and given a second chance in the afterlife, and the sinner can repent and still gain blessings otherwise lost. 

The conundrum is, would sin even exist without the laws made by God the Father? And why was outer darkness (being cast out of the presence of God) the punishment affixed to God the Father's laws? Seems extreme but is the result of even the slightest imperfect thought and act. WHY??

I have come to a conclusion that matches what I know but is most likely only a portion of the truth. I imagine the Father, our God, has laws that allow for the existence of Heaven in the highest. Without those laws, the place wouldn't exist. Hence, God would cease to be God. I also imagine that these laws are the basis of what allows for persons such as myself to try and gain the blessings of eternal life. Without the laws, these blessings of eternal life could not be obtained (D&C 14:7) (Remember that the gifts of God were predicated upon laws. If this is the greatest gift (eternal life) then it is predicated upon laws that we must keep). The gifts of God could not be deserved. Part of being God is having a following of intelligence. Who would follow a God without law? that would be a scary being indeed. Respecter of persons, moody days would result in catastrophe for countless others, and his appetites would lead his actions.

So, the laws were put in place to govern a place where perfect people could live and have a place of peace and love that protects a perfect life. Anything less than perfect cannot be there or exist there or it would cease to be a perfect place of perfect persons. That would mean all laws must be kept to retain the blessing or obtain it. It also means any broken law is the ejection of that person from that place. Hence, the extreme nature of the law and the justice to it. I feel there is more than this, but I have not discovered it yet.

(picture link)

This image is more accurate than most others where justice is in the scale rather than on the scale itself. Justice is the measuring device and must be satisfied. If the punishment does not equal the sin, then something must change. Christ was punished which we call the atonement for the sins of everyone to satisfy the demands of justice.

Alma taught us that mercy cannot rob justice (Alma 42:25). Justice is the giving of punishment or blessing in relation to a law. The punishment to broken law must be equal in opposition to the blessing one would receive through obedience to a law. Since the laws God has placed are perfect and given to preserve a perfect heaven, the blessing is eternal life (God's life). This means the punishment affixed must be outer darkness, or being cast out of the kingdom and presence of God. The greatest of God's gifts is eternal life (D&C 14:7). If the punishment does not equal the gift, then it is unjust. Hence, the punishment is eternal damnation.

Hence, innocent Adam and Eve were cast out for disobedience and fell from the presence of God the Father having broken the highest of laws that govern eternal life. They were cast out of where they were even though their hearts and desires were good and pure. I thought, "Funny... why didn't God just take the tree of life away from them? Instead he tells them to leave." Because that is a place governed by God the Father's laws. They went to a place where Christs laws preside and were instructed in His laws.

Remember how God looketh upon the heart and doesn't judge by the outward appearance? (1 Samuel 16:7) First of all, I now look at these with the question of "Who is the law giver here?" And usually it's Christ so this is the law of mercy being discussed and taught. Second, I am reminded that we are judged according to the deeds done in the flesh. This is important to understand why Adam and Eve, very good people, were judged and cast out by God even though their hearts were good. They had no evil in them. But to protect them from partaking of immortal life, they were sent away to die that they may suffer and pay the price of sin under a different law. A law of mercy that still allows for mankind to enjoy the blessings of eternal life offered in God the Father's laws.

So, in summary, there is God's law that was instituted before anything was made. Then Christ's laws that were made before this plan was instituted for this earth and our lives here. Then the laws of Adam, Moses, Joseph Smith, etc. The end of every law on this earth is Christ. The end of Christ's law is the Father. All laws have ends except the Father's laws. Hence, the law of Moses was fulfilled and in the Doctrine and Covenants Christ gives us  new laws multiple times and tells them his former laws are done away.

Continued conclusion... Hence Justice and Mercy are referencing two different laws and law givers. God the Father had to follow his laws or heaven and God would cease. It became required that a mediator come to pay a price we could not to allow us to progress. This has been the way forever and ever. My question of why God would invent sin through the creation of law was answered. I still don't know what exactly God the Father's laws are, but it doesn't seem to matter too much since we can't keep them anyway being powerless to do so. (Christ lived that law though so he could remain blameless, He didn't live by His own law alone, bu tby His Father's laws). It really shows the need for a Savior and why we came here in the first place.

PS. I had a thought during this study. Could it be that the lesser kingdoms of glory only exist because of Christ? God the Father would not create lesser laws or He would cease to be God. He is not creating somewhat good things, He creates perfect things. The result of God the Father being without a Savior is God the Father being alone without any other creature in His presence. The fact that less than perfect persons have a place to reside means there are kingdoms governed by beings that have a lesser law allowing lesser beings to dwell there. Lesser in respect to their power and character of God, not in their value as a person.

P.S.S If the Holy Ghost does have laws that are more lenient than Christs to allow for the murderers and liers etc. to have a place of glory, then wouldn't that mercy have to satisfy the demands of Christ's justice for they have rejected the Savior and do not wish to have the ordinances or make covenants let alone desire to keep them. We know there is a place of glory even for them (D&C 76:81-91, 98-106) yet they did not keep the laws of Christ that would keep them in Christ's kingdom. Then this mercy cannot rob justice meaning a sacrifice must have been made. Don't know if this has already happened maybe in the first estate or maybe it's happening and yet to happen, but it stands to reason that it must be so.