Lay your crown at the Feet of Jesus!

I watched this video at http://youtu.be/2-L1KIU7lao and thought to myself, "This is what we are seeking, this is what I want." This man is a Saul. He is an apostle of Jesus Christ.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is not the only ones with authority to do the work of God. Anybody can be a witness of Jesus Christ. No man is better than another or greater, we receive as quickly as we are able to bear.

This post is difficult for me to write as I know the direction my Father in Heaven is asking me to go and it is a path in the which I could lose all things. I have a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ. While I have not seen Him face to face, He has come to me in vision. I have seen the nail prints in His hands and I have kissed His feet. I worship Him. I have been taught by the spirit that those who lead the church are blind guides and do err in many instances in bringing people to Christ. We have lost the many plain and precious truths of the gospel as restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.
The endowment has been changed, the cause of Zion has been let go and we are no longer seeking to bring the remnant into the truth of who their Father and Savior are, or the truth of how to come to Him. In 1835, with the calling of the first apostles in this dispensation, Oliver Cowdery gave the men a charge, "You have been indebted to other men, in the first instance, for evidence; on that you have acted; but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That is more than the testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you out; although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven.

Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off you doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us; God is the same. If the Savior in former days laid His hands upon His disciples, why not in latter days?"

This charge has changed over the years and they know no more than most of us, about who Christ is. These men may be good and I believe they were given the calling to become a prophet, seer, and revelator, but their fruits are far from this charge. They have not fulfilled their ordination. It is there call to testify of these things, like the apostles of old, that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives, and that He will come again. I denounce the leaders of the LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints) church as prophets, seers and revelators. I do not support them in their titles or callings, and I hold the right to hear their words and if their words are not congruent with scripture or the spirit, I choose to not follow.  I do not uphold the teaching of follow the prophet, it is false doctrine. The talk on 14 fundamentals of following the prophet is an abomination, and not what the Lord has taught. 

With a world full of distractions, idols and self worship, I encourage all to look within themselves and ask, "do I fully worship the Father and my Savior Jesus Christ?" Then if not, do what is necessary to refine yourself to seeking His will and to following the Savior's example. Be re-baptized if necessary to make that commitment within yourself. Partake of the Sacrament often, even in your own homes, in whatever way the spirit directs. Commit yourself to following all the promptings that you receive as soon as you receive them. Let us recommit ourselves to our Savior and redeemer. 

I place my crown at the feet of Jesus. He is my King! Him will I worship and only His words will I seek and follow. Only He is my salvation and there is no other way in which salvation can come but by Him. It is His grace that fills my heart with hope. I must speak the truth which God has given me, always and forever, come what may! 

Returning to the Fulness (Part 2)

     God's purpose and plan is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) Jesus fulfilled the part of immortality, the eternal life part is up to us.  We must use the blessings, talents, trials and heartaches that we go through to come to Christ.  What is eternal life?  D&C section 132:22-24 22 For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.

 23 But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also.

 24 This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive ye, therefore, my law.  Eternal lives is to know God and Jesus Christ.  Few will find it, because we won't receive Him in the world. Many believe
that it is in our hearts, but this is false.  Joseph Smith stated in D&C 130:3 3 John 14:23—The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false.  We cannot wait to see Christ after this life. This is the day of our probation, this is the day for us to prepare to meet God. Let us wake to our awful state and take hold of the iron rod that leads to the pure love of Christ(1 Nephi 8). Doctrine and Covenants 76 speaks specifically about the three degrees of Glory.  It is a beautiful section and one that allows us to see what experiences we should be having in order to be a part of any of these 3 degrees of Glory. Verse 56 states:   56 They are they who are priests and kings, who have received of his fulness, and of his glory; Those of the celestial kingdom are priests and kings who have received the fullness and glory of God.  If we are to be judged in order to enter into one of these glories wouldn't it fit that we will be judged by what we have received and experienced in this mortal probation? Joseph Smith taught in Lectures on Faith the Sixth verses 7-8 7 Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things: it was through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life; and it is through the medium of the sacrifice of all earthly things, that men do actually know that they are doing the things that are well pleasing in the sight of God. When a man has offered in sacrifice all that he has, for the truth's sake, not even withholding his life, and believing before God that he has been called to make this sacrifice, because he seeks to do his will, he does know most assuredly, that God does and will accept his sacrifice and offering, and that he has not nor will not seek his face in vain. Under these circumstances, then, he can obtain the faith necessary for him to lay hold on eternal life.
8 It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtained faith in God and favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they in like manner offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him. What are we doing?  This is not an experience only to be had by the elite of the church.  There are no elite.  NONE!!!  If we are willing to sacrifice all that we have and are, even to our very lives for the Lord's sake we will receive all that the Father hath.  We will enter into His presence. The president and other leaders of the church can and will fail, in many ways the way that any of us do.  Look to Christ and live.  Receive of His Glory. We cannot wait for a man to lead us to Christ.  The Journey, the relationship is individual and personal.   We attend the temple to learn how to part the veil for ourselves, not after a leader parts it, but we must do it for ourselves. We cannot part the veil after we die, for all will part the veil.  The veil is for us, here on the earth. We must part it!
2 Corinthians 14 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.

Ether 4:15  15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.

This is not an after death experience.  I am sure that it could be, but what chances are there that we will receive the blessing of The Brother of Jared who parted the veil in seeing the finger of God.  As well as Joseph Smith, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Adam.  It is through the experiences that these men had, that we have the hope of attaining these things.  

So how do we attain the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ? 
                   
Joseph Smith stated,"After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, which is the first comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other comforter, which the Lord has promised the Saints.” Joseph Smith – TPJS, p. 150.  According to Joseph Smith in order to receive our calling and election made sure we must be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, live by every word of God, and serve Him at all hazards. Simon  Peter  in 2 Peter 1:3-11 said, 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We cannot receive an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord, without receiving calling and election made sure. Joseph Smith said: “Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their election and calling was made sure. … They then would want that more sure word of prophecy, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promise sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation.” (Teachings, p. 298.)  My question is, if this was taught by Joseph Smith, why are we not being taught this? Apparently he thought it appropriate to teach and taught that when we received this, it would be an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast, that this would help and support in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. This is important!!  This is not a mystery, this does not happen after we die and if we do not receive this in this life, who is to say that we will receive our exaltation?  We must receive our calling and election sure. Many have already received it and know not what they have received.  I encourage all to ask God if you have received this and when you hear His voice giving you the answer, I encourage you to be like Enos and believe His words for He cannot lie.  This is part of the line upon line, precept upon precept.  If we do not accept what He tells us, how can we receive more? We won't believe Him.  We can all receive personal revelation.  The idea that we are not to seek the mysteries of God is a false teaching and one that if looked at the scriptures will be made known to be false.  D&C 76:5-7  5 For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end.

 6 Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. 7 And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom.
Alma 26:22 22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.  This is exciting!  We can receive so many blessings and promises.  Let us cast off the unbelief that our religions and traditions have heeped upon us.  This is what caused the Nephites to err.  The traditions of men, the teachings of men, mingled with scripture.  Look to God!! There is a time coming, maybe soon, when we will have to have a personal relationship with God in order to be protected from the coming calamities and trials.  Omni 1:12-14 12 Behold, I am Amaleki, the son of Abinadom. Behold, I will speak unto you somewhat concerning Mosiah, who was made king over the land of Zarahemla; for behold, he being warned of the Lord that he should flee out of theland of Nephi, and as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord should also depart out of the land with him, into the wilderness—

 13 And it came to pass that he did according as the Lord had commanded him. And they departed out of the land into the wilderness, as many as would hearken unto the voice of the Lord; and they were led by many preachings and prophesyings. And they were admonished continually by the word of God; and they were led by the power of his arm, through the wilderness until they came down into the land which is called the land of Zarahemla.  Even though Mosiah was made King, the only ones that followed him, were not those that sustained him, they were not those that stood at his entering the room, were not those who had applauded his every effort; it was those who also hearkened unto the voice of God.  Be careful about who your idol is!  Just like in one of the previous scriptures shared, we must be willing to sacrifice all things, even our leadership. 

2 Nephi 25:23-30 23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

 24 And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled.

 25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.

 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

 27 Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.

 28 And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.

 29 And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.

 30 And, inasmuch as it shall be expedient, ye must keep the performances and ordinances of God until the law shall be fulfilled which was given unto Moses.

Christ has come, He has fulfilled the law, follow Him and Live!

Returning to the Fulness (Part 1)

     The following posts are going to come as a shock to most.  I promise, I am not looking for the shock factor.  I am a member and attend services at the LDS church.  I have my whole life.  I have given and sacrificed under the guise that as long as I serve, am baptized, receive the holy ghost, receive my endowments, get married in the temple and endure to the end that I will inherit the Celestial Kingdom.  This is a farce and anyone that tells you otherwise, is either misled themselves or has the intention to mislead.  In this and  future posts, I intend to show why we cannot be satisfied with this understanding. The scriptures along with teachings from Joseph Smith, and Lectures on Faith, help to increase our understanding as to what the true plan of happiness is.  This church was given to the gentiles. This is a gentile church. We are to be nursing fathers and mothers to the remnant(2 Nephi 5-7) 3 Nephi 16:10  10 And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.  The gentiles will reject the fullness of the Gospel.  What is the fulness of the gospel?  What are the Gentiles rejecting?  We as a church have had the fulness of the gospel, through Joseph Smith.  We have cast away many of the beautiful things he taught and gave through the power of God.  He taught the fulness of the gospel, which was to go forth to the remnant of Israel.  We have abandoned this goal, we have abandoned the remnant, we have abandoned the teachings of God. 3 Nephi 16:13-14 13 But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel.

 14 And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father.  Let us learn what the fulness of the gospel is.  It has been taught through Joseph and it has been taught through the scriptures.  This is the message that God has for me to share and I pray that as I write, His spirit will be with me, that I may speak with the tongue of angels and that the spirit will manifest the truth of it unto all who read this.  We must go back to the basic doctrine of Christ.  Get rid of the traditions of men that are mingled with these teachings, if we are to bring it forth in its purity to the remnant. 

     I start with baptism and the receiving of the Holy Ghost.  This doctrine is plain and simple. 2 Nephi 31:2-5  2 Wherefore, the things which I have written sufficeth me, save it be a few words which I must speak concerning the doctrine of Christ; wherefore, I shall speak unto you plainly, according to the plainness of my prophesying.

3 For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding.

4 Wherefore, I would that ye should remember that I have spoken unto you concerning that prophet which the Lord showed unto me, that should baptize the Lamb of God, which should take away the sins of the world.

5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!  
Baptism is the first step in coming unto Christ, but it is not complete until we receive the Holy Ghost and the baptism of Fire. 2 Nephi 31:11-14  11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

 13 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

 14 But, behold, my beloved brethren, thus came the voice of the Son unto me, saying: After ye have repented of your sins, and witnessed unto the Father that ye are willing to keep my commandments, by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost, and can speak with a new tongue, yea, even with the tongue of angels, and after this should deny me, it would have been better for you that ye had not known me. 

Notice in verse 12 Christ is telling Nephi that the Father will give the Holy Ghost.  In the church we are led to believe that we must have priesthood holders, place their hands on our heads and say "Receive the Holy Ghost."  This is false. Our Father in Heaven has blessed us to receive this if we are righteous and follow our Savior Jesus Christ. Christ received it without the laying on of hands, and so can we. For some it happens right after baptism, like with Christ, for others it takes time maybe even years.  2 Nephi 31:17-18 17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.
18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.  If we have not received the baptism of fire, we still have yet to be on the path.  We need to ask ourselves,  "Can I speak with the tongue of angels?"  If we have not received the Holy Ghost as our constant companion and cannot  speak with the tongue of angels we have not received a remission of our sins. The teachings of the church do a disservice to us as we continually seek to come to Christ. Mormon 9:23-25 23 And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned;  24 And these signs shall follow them that believe—in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover;
25 And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.  Isn't this beautiful? The promises we receive for entering in by the way are great and beautiful. We are being held back from this, because in our Sunday lessons concerning baptism and the holy ghost, we are not taught any of these things. We are so far removed from just the plain doctrine of Christ that it is difficult for us to overcome unless through a miracle we are taught and led by God to see and open our eyes and our hearts.   2 Nephi 32:5-6 5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

    I love the gospel, I love truth.  I have experienced and learned so much in the last few years that I cannot negate the power of God in my life. It is beautiful to learn that there is so much more and what our Father in Heaven wants us to receive, which is, all that he has.  John 17

     

 

Charity, or The Pure Love of Christ vs. Fear

We are told that perfect love casteth out all fear. (1 John 4:18).  There are two forces at work in our lives. The first, love. Love comes from our Father in Heaven. He loved us, and in His love for us, He sent His son to attone for our sins, that His purposes in us might be fulfilled, which is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. The greatest exemplar of this pure love, on this earth has been our Savior Jesus Christ, who not only wanted to do the will of His father, because He loved Him, but because He loved us. As natural men on this earth, we feel often times entitled to be loved, or in other words many of our actions are in hopes of having it returned to us. We can never hope to repay our Savior or our Father in Heaven for all that we have, which they knew and understood, yet they have and continue to give without expecting anything in return. The greatest example of this to me, was reading the intercessory prayer. John 17. I recommend everyone read this to feel Christ's love for all of us, but the verse that has always stuck out to me has been verse 26. He says: And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Christ wants us, sinners, beggars, weakness filled mortals, natural men and women, full of carnal desires and passions, idol worshippers, liars, deceivers, and all manner of other sins,  to feel the love that He, the only begotten of the father, He who hath no sin, received from His father. He wants us all to be joint heirs with Him. We have done nothing to deserve to receive all this and will never be able to do enough, yet this is what He wants for us. It is beautiful!

Now the second force at work in our lives is fear. Satan is the author of fear. He is a liar and will tell us anything that keeps us from feeling the love that Heavenly Father has for us. He will tell us things that bring fear into our lives. Fear creates: pride, anger, jealousies, anxiety, depression, impatience, greed, chaos and confusion. These things keep us from feeling loved and from loving others. This is what has created the wars in the world. This is also what stops us from being in the presence of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We have got to start looking at the motives for what we do, within our hearts. When I watch my children to keep them from getting hurt, is it out of fear? Do I stop my children from progressing and moving forward, because I am afraid of the choices they will make? Can I allow others, whom I love to make mistakes, even when I feel they may be wrong? Can I trust in the Lord's love for me, as well as my friends and family, to do His work with them? I am not advocating that we not watch our children to know what they are doing or where they are at. I am not advocating that we don't share our feelings with our friends and families, but we can only do so much, before we move into control, manipulation, compulsion, and anger with those we love. When someone says, if you would only listen to me, you would be much happier, it is false. They are moving in fear and manipulation. When a man says stay with the brethren and you won't be led astray, you can guarantee that you already are. Any man or woman who says to just do what they say, without question, should be mistrusted with their intentions.

There is only one we can trust, only one who can lead us perfectly. That is Christ.

I am starting to see how fear is moving me every day. Recognizing, beyond my own normal panic and anxiety how fear plays a role in my life. Tonight, I bought a drink at the store. I had my kids with me, so I shared with them. I took two sips and passed it around. I had six kids with me so, I started getting nervous that I wouldn't have anymore, since usually my kids end up finishing anything before I get any. I asked them to pass it to me. I started guzzling it down. I told my husband that if I didn't drink it right then and there that I wouldn't get any, and he said, "so you're moving in fear?" I was so shocked that something so insignificant could create even the smallest amount of fear and therefore, in guzzling the drink I didn't get to enjoy it. So I asked my husband, " Okay, so we are aware that I moved in fear, so how do I change that thinking?" He said, "Gratitude, be thankful for what you do have." So basically, be grateful that I had the opportunity to have at least two sips and that my children were able to share with me, and that they would have been able to learn to share with each other and learn to be thankful for what they had. This breeds love. Love for each other, love for our Father in Heaven, and love for our Savior Jesus Christ. I have realized in just my experience tonight, just how fear affects and permeates itself into everything we think and do. It is definitely worth taking a double look into the choices we make. Without charity, we are nothing. We can attain all the promises of heaven, but without love for God, ourselves, or our neighbors, we are nothing, they mean nothing.

Love or fear, these are our choices. What will we choose. We are coming into a time where fear will come upon every man, if it is not already. Will we choose to have courage, faith and trust in the Lord to provide, protect, and bring peace to our hearts, or will we go out and try to take it by force? I choose courage and faith. Let's learn this while things are easy, so that when things are hard, it will be easier to achieve. I am so grateful that God gave me these insights to share. I have come to see just how deep my unbelief goes. I pray that I can cast it off, that I may regain His presence. Much love to all. Thank you for allowing me to share.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Moroni 7

Where are we going?

      When Joseph restored the church, through the power of God, he was given a revelation as to the organization of the church.
(D&C 20) Joseph was also given the doctrine of the church.  Repentance, Baptism,  Receiving the Holy Ghost and sacrament.  This is the same that was given to Nephi, in chapters 31 and 32. As Nephi ends his speaking he states 32:6 Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

       In section 21 of Doctrine and Covenants in verses 4-9
4 Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;
5 For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.
6 For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.
7 For thus saith the Lord God: Him have I inspired to move the cause of Zion in mighty power for good, and his diligence I know, and his prayers I have heard.
8 Yea, his weeping for Zion I have seen, and I will cause that he shall mourn for her no longer; for his days of rejoicing are come unto the remission of his sins, and the manifestations of my blessings upon his works.
9 For, behold, I will bless all those who labor in my vineyard with a mighty blessing, and they shall believe on his words, which are given him through me by the Comforter, which manifesteth that Jesus was crucified by sinful men for the sins of the world, yea, for the remission of sins unto the contrite heart.

        Many in the church have taken this to mean every president of the church from the time Joseph died.  This is a false belief created by traditions of men.  God is speaking directly to the church, concerning Joseph. As far as I am concerned there has been no such revelation, since Joseph. I will let you readers, be the judges of that. Study it out in your mind and in your heart, then ask God. Go to Him.

        Here is something Joseph taught that I have yet to hear in the church.  It correlates with 2 Nephi 32.
  "The other Comforter spoken of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of this generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from the 12th to the 27th verses.

 John 14:16-18
    16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions--Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." ( TPJS page 150)

      Can we not see? "and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions--Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn."  We want to be members of the church of the Firstborn, we want to hold communion with the general assembly, so why are we not learning m how to do this?  Why are we being told that these h things only happen to prophets? If God is no respecter of persons, then why are we being taught this?  Joseph Smith said,  concerning God being a respecter of persons, "23 But it is also necessary that men should have an idea that he is no respecter of persons; for with the idea of all the other excellencies in his character, and this one wanting, men could not exercise faith in him, because if he were a respecter of persons, they could not tell what their privileges were, nor how far they were authorized to exercise faith in him, or whether they were authorized to do it at all, but all must be confusion; but no sooner are the minds of men made acquainted with the truth on this point, that he is no respector of persons, than they see that they have au-thority by faith to lay hold on eternal life the richest boon of heaven, because God is no respecter of persons, and that every man in every nation has an equal privilege."Lectures on Faith Lecture 3:23

      God has provided a way for us to sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Will we heed His words? Will we seek after Him until we receive Him. What are the desires of our hearts? If He gives us the desires of our hearts, then why not set our hearts on Him and receiving  His presence? We all have the same privelege. 

       I am not the first to share this, nor will I be the last. I am not perfect in writing and I pray that my words will be understood and the intents of my heart seen. I have no malice to the church, we only need open our eyes, awake and arise. He is waiting, will we hearken? Joseph was trying to build Zion. His desires were for Zion and all he taught was for Zion. Will we build it, will we be a part of it? Now is the time. Let us wait no longer. Let us prepare a place of God, a people of God. In humility to my Savior and with a desire to do His will. Amen


Some scriptures of interest:  D&C 132:21-24; D&C 107:18-19; 1 Nephi 10:11; Ether 12:30-31; Moroni 10:4-8; D&C 5:16; D&C 107:21-22; D&C 107:65; D&C 107:81-84; Daniel 11; Ezekiel 13; 1 Kings 13

Thoughts on struggles and heartaches

          I have some great neighbors.  I live 30 min. from town and I have about 4 neighbors. They are all retired, hard working and kind people.  They go out of their way to make sure that we are okay and have offered to help in more than one way.  One of the things I usually hear them say when they are offering to help in some way is, "We know, we've been there."  They are people who usually have forged through life, trying t o make ends meet, sacrificing to make a better world for themselves and their posterity.  Yet, now having had some kind of success, do not look down on those around them, but understand the definition of hard work and struggle.  I value these neighbors of mine greatly.  I do not feel judged by them, just encouraged and enlightened.  So what does it take for us to be like these wonderful people?

      I have lived in cities both in the United States and Mexico.  I have experienced very different kinds of people in these very different communities.  There are many wonderful and beautiful people in the world.  Everybody struggles, everybody has trials.  I don't care who you are, we are all struggling at some point or another.  So what makes us different?  It is the way we look at the struggle.  Do we see it as a help or a hindrance?  I have heard people say that sometimes, when God destroys He is creating.  What gives our trials and heartaches the ability to become tools to create?  Faith!  Faith that even though something doesn't work out, it isn't the end.  Faith that there is someone out there rooting for us, who wants to see us succeed.  Faith in the strength that God gives us to get back up and try again.  Faith that God is creating something out of our trial. 

     I must say that I understand the concept, but to get it imbedded in my heart is a completely different story.  I have struggled with anxiety for a very long time.  I didn't used to be this way.  When I was a little girl I had so much trust and faith in who I was and why I was here and that God sent me here for a purpose, to welcome Him when He returned again.  I was excited and even though I knew that 3 days of darkness were coming(little girl understanding) I wasn't scared.  As I got a little older I understood more the things that would precede the second coming of Christ, but I didn't care, I wanted to see Him and be held by Him, just like all the little kids in the Book of Mormon, that fear just escaped me.  Well I grew older and had more experiences.  Life in this world taught me that nobody is special unless you do something special.  That God only talks to those who have high callings.  That God doesn't speak to people who sin or make mistakes and that in order to feel even His spirit, after a person committed a sin, that they would have to suffer and feel guilt and shame over their mistake or God would not see that they had repented enough.  Life came after my innocence with a vengeance.  My thoughts over time became this wave of negativity.  I saw every dark and evil thing in my life.  I no longer saw miracles, I only saw pain.  Even though I have continued to try to change my thoughts, I can never go back to that innocence.  I lost my faith.  I lost the faith that God was doing something with my life.  That I could trust Him in everything, because I knew He loved me. 

     I am in my own personal struggle at this time.  I don't know how to overcome it at this time, but I try every single day to continue to come closer to Christ.  Despite the lack of faith I continue to seek after Him, because even though my heart may be scrambled from life, I know in my head that God is the answer.  That Christ is the answer.  I have learned that we all struggle.  We all need each other to pull for each other and cheer for each other.  Because I know my struggle, I cannot judge another who struggles.  I hope that if you are struggling at this time, that you have someone in your life that you can talk to, to encourage and cheer for you. If you don't, please send me a message, I will be on your cheer team.  Maybe we can help remind each other, that God is there and to keep seeking after HIM. He is the healing balm, He will help carry the yolk and He will get us safely home.  Then one day when we see someone in need of help, we can look at them and say, "Let me help you, I have been there, I know the struggle."