“Simple Means” Part 1

          Alma the younger approached the end of his mortal life and ministry. He prepared for his departure by delivering to his son, Helaman, records, artifacts, and instruments from God. They originally were in the possession of the kings of Zarahemla until the death of Mosiah, the son of Benjamin. During the reign of the righteous king’s additional scriptures were accumulated; expanding the canon of scripture.

          We recognized Kings led the people of Zarahemla through a covenant progression. The three spirits of Elias, Elijah, and Messiah are not mentioned by name in the Covenant of Christ but they are manifest in circumstances described in the reign of kings.

          The refusal of Mosiah’s sons to accept the throne of Zarahemla required a change in governance. Suspending royal succession by birthright, judges were selected to rule according to laws established by kings. Judges were appointed by common consent with each individual accepting responsibility for selecting righteous judges to enforce established laws.

          Alma the younger was the first judge appointed by Mosiah. After a period, Alma found it difficult to preside over judges as well as the Lord’s congregations. He resigned his judgeship and devoted his time to his ministry in the Holy Order of Priesthood. [1] Alma explained the Holy Order generally without openly declaring his personal involvement as a member of the order. Members of the order never use their authority as means to exercise control, dominion or compulsion. Like their Lord, they prefer persuasion, long-suffering, and patience. They are stewards honoring the agency God gave man.

          Alma’s instructions to Helaman explained how the Lord accomplished “great things” by “simple means.” His statement began as a general statement but became singularly focused. The Lord’s “simple means” are how He brings about the “immortality and eternal life” of His children. His “work and glory.” [2]

“Now you may think that I’m being foolish. But I tell you great things are accomplished by ordinary, simple things. And simple methods, in many instances, prove the [worldly] wise are wrong. The Lord God can use anything to accomplish His great and eternal purposes. And by very simple methods the Lord proves wise wrong and accomplishes the salvation of many souls. Now it has been [divine] wisdom in God for these things to be kept safe until now. Because they’ve increased our people’s memory and convinced many of the error of their ways and brought them to the knowledge of God, for the salvation of their souls. Indeed, I tell you: If it weren’t for the things contained in the records on these plates, Ammon and his companions wouldn’t have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of their ancestors’ false traditions. It was these records and their content that brought them to repentance; that is, they let them know of the Lord who is God and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer. And who knows whether they might turn out to be instruments in bringing many thousands more of them — and even many thousands of our stubborn fellow Nephites also, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities — to know of their Redeemer. Now I don’t fully know [but he knew some things] about that future, so I’ll stop there. It may be enough to simply say these records are kept safe for a wise purpose, a purpose that’s known to God. Because He wisely guides all His works, and His direction is straight and He moves continually in one eternal round.

Remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict God’s commandments are! He has said: To the extent you keep God’s commandments, you’ll prosper in the land; and to the extent you don’t keep God’s commandments, you’ll be cut off from His presence. And now remember, my son, that God trusts you with these sacred things, which He made sacred and which He’ll watch over and keep safe for His own wise purpose, to preserve His influence with future generations.

Now I tell you by the spirit of prophecy that if you go against God’s commandments, you’ll lose these sacred things by God’s power and you’ll be handed over to Satan, and he’ll abuse you. But if you keep God’s commandments and guard these sacred things as the Lord commands you (and you should always ask the Lord about how to accomplish your responsibilities), then no power of earth or hell can take them from you, since God has the power to vindicate all His words. He’s sure to fulfill any promise He may make to you, since He’s kept the promise He made to our [Patriarchal] forefathers. He promised them He would protect these things to preserve His influence with future generations” (CofC Alma 17:8-10; emphasis added).

After Alma’s declaration of the Lord using “simple means” to bring souls to salvation, he identifies one of those means. Alma points to the role of scripture in bringing souls to Christ.

          The benefits of scripture are three-fold. They extend the collective memories of the people. Particularly God’s dealings with mankind through the Holy Order by witnessing how merciful God is in dealing with mankind through them. Members of the Holy Order are tasked by God to write by the spirit of inspiration, prophecy, and revelation. [3] They become our window into how God elevates men nearer to God. What the Lord does for one man offers hope and a vision of what He does for all who desire to ascend.

The second benefit is that records persuade people of the error of their ways. This is not a minor result. The “wicked one” has two means at his disposal to remove light and truth from mankind.

“The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning, and God having redeemed man from the Fall, man became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. And that wicked one [the Accuser] comes and takes away light and truth, through disobedience [to God’s commandments], from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers. But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth” (RE T&C 93:11; emphasis added).

Satan employs two strategies to rob men and women of light and truth. The first persuades them to disregard and disobey God’s commandments. Obedience to God’s commandments increases light and truth. As light and truth grow brighter within them, the contrast between light and darkness becomes more pronounced. Increased light and truth cause mankind to forsake Satan and his evil ways.

“Truly I say unto you, he that is ordained of me [called] and sent forth [chosen] to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the spirit of truth, does he preach it by the spirit of truth or some other way? And if by some other way, it is not of God. And again, he that receives the word of truth, does he receive it by the spirit of truth or some other way? If it be some other way, it is not of God. Therefore, why is it that you cannot understand and know that he that receives the word by the spirit of truth, receives it as it is preached by the spirit of truth? Wherefore, he that preaches and he that receives, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together. And that which does not edify is not of God, and is darkness. That which is of God is light, and he that receives light and continues in God receives more light, and that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day [God’s presence]. And again, truly I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you. . .” (RE T&C 36:4-5; emphasis added).    

The beginning of the prior verse addresses those who are “ordained” or  by God and then “sent forth” to preach the “word of truth” by the “Comforter” by the “spirit of truth.” Members of the Holy Order are both ordained and sent for the express purpose of preaching words of Christ by the Holy Ghost in the spirit of truth. Scriptures contain the teachings given by God through His servants of the Holy Order by the “Comforter” and the “spirit of truth.” These “simple means” were preserved and expanded by God over generations; providing ready access for those seeking to “receive the word by the spirit of truth,” “as it is preached by the spirit of truth.”

          These profoundly “simple means” of providing light and truth to mankind are available to all who diligently seek them. They are of little value if neglected.

Lehi and Nephi, in their dream of the Tree of Life witnessed how relevant the words of Christ are in navigating through dark mists to discover the Tree of Life or God’s love. The word of God is characterized in their dream as an unbending, undeviating course leading to God’s love, or “the perfect day.” [4] There is only one way to navigate the straight and narrow path without deviation. We pass through dark mists of the accuser’s deceptions and distractions by tightly grasping the words of Christ, “whether by my voice or the voice of my servants, it is the same.” [5] To hold firmly to the rod [word of God] is to be ever engaged in the search for light and truth. [6]

          To fully appreciate the depth of meaning in scripture, it is necessary to understand correct definitions of terminology implied in scripture. We must Suspend modern presumptions about applying definitions in scripture. The greatest obstacle to enlightenment is assuming knowledge you currently possess accurately expresses what the Lord conveys through His servants. Over time definitions often change. Humility with respect to our current understanding bears the greatest fruit.

          Resources now available inform us when we seek the full depth of God’s revelations. One tool is “A Glossary of Gospel Terms.” The Glossary text is instrumental in extracting the content of scriptures. The following explanations are drawn from the Glossary available at scriptures.info.

The Meaning of Being “Ordained” and “Called” 

“Service to others, which precedes being “chosen” by God. In 3 Nephi 5, Christ calls Nephi by name. Being called by name by the Son of God is important! When God calls someone by name, they are not merely being addressed. In the instant the Lord calls out their name, they are “called.” That is, the Lord will never speak one’s name to them unless He calls them to a work. When the Lord spoke to Nephi, the Lord both called Nephi’s name and called the bearer of that name to do a work. Nephi knew it. The crowd knew it. All present would have understood that Nephi just became the chief prophet of those present. Nephi knew what he had to do — for the servant who had been called to stand above his peers needed to descend below them [like Christ]. [7] Pride is unthinkable when in the presence of such a meek and humble figure as our Lord. It is required that the balance be restored. Nephi, who had been made to rise, had to choose, on his own, to descend and abase himself. Note that a person cannot receive an ordinance without also having their name stated. “Why do you suppose it is necessary to first call out the name of the person before they receive an ordinance? Why would the Lord’s instruction require a person to be ‘called’ first? Though they are submitting to the ordinance voluntarily, why call their name? Does it matter if the full legal name is used? That is done in some churches, of course. But does it matter? If the Lord called Joseph by name at the time of the First Vision (and He did, see JSH 2:4), what name do you suppose was called? Was it ‘Joseph Smith, Jr.?’ Or was it ‘Joseph?’ Or was it that name used by his most intimate friend at the time? Whenever a name is given by an angel in an appearance to parents, the name is always the first name, or the name their friends would call them. (see, e.g., Luke 1:3, 5.) Similarly, when the Lord calls a man’s name, He uses his first, given name. (see 1 Samuel 3:8; Exodus 2:3.) The Lord does not use formal names, but uses intimate names when addressing His servants.” (A Glossary of Gospel Topics, Call/ed/ing, p.43; emphasis added).

Before a person is called, they must first serve others of their own volition. When they prove their faith through their service to others, the Lord calls them by name to His service. The Lord calling upon a person to perform a task on His behalf involves initiating an ordinance. [8] The ordinance is concurrent with the Savior speaking the most intimate name the person is known by. Before contemplating a call by the Lord to serve, they must demonstrate their willingness through their service to others. As Benjamin said:

“. . . Now I told you I had spent my days in your service, but I don’t say that to brag, for I’ve only been in the service of God. I tell you this so you can learn wisdom, and so you can learn that when you’re in the service of your fellow man, you’re only in the service of God. You’ve called me your king, and if I, whom you call your king, work to serve you, then shouldn’t you also work to serve each other? . . .” (CofC Mosiah 1:7-8; emphasis added).

Ordination to the Priesthood is the Lord’s invitation to serve. It begins with our faith in God stirring within us a commitment to serve others when the need arises rather than waiting idly by for a formal call. Our informal acts of kindness and compassion precede the Lord’s formal call. Ordination is His invitation and righteous acts prior to being chosen testify of our faith. [9] Hence, many are called to God’s service, but few heed the call. They believe their ordination is sufficient evidence of divine acknowledgement.

“Behold, there are many called [ordained], but few are chosen, and why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the Priesthood are inseparably connected with the Powers of Heaven [Patriarchal Fathers] and that the Powers of Heaven [10] cannot be controlled nor handled, only upon the principles of righteousness. [11] That they may be conferred upon us [by ordination], it is true, but when we undertake to cover our sins or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition [personal gratification], or to exercise control, or dominion, or compulsion, upon the souls of the children of men in any degree of unrighteousness [power and elevated status over others], behold, the [Powers of] Heavens withdraw [12] themselves [because they are people who abhor evil] [13] the spirit of the Lord is grieved, and when it [spirit of the Lord] is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man [they self-cancel their ordination through unrighteousness, continuing powerless]. Behold, ere he [a man ordained] is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God [righteousness leads to priesthood empowerment, [14] unrighteousness leads to powerlessness, hence, “the one lesson” to be learned]. We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority [by ordination], as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion. Hence many are called, but few are chosen” (RE T&C 139:5; emphasis added).

Because it is the nature and disposition of almost all men to assume authority over others when ordained, they are disqualified because their unrighteous dominion causes the Lord’s Spirit to withdraw from them. They are no longer worthy vessels to teach the Lord’s word “by the Comforter, in the spirit of truth.” [15]

          The difficulty in finding those who qualify makes the records of those from the past of greater importance. By these small means the Lord intends to do a great work to recover all who repent and are baptized.

“In the 19th year of the judges’ rule over the Nephites, Alma came to his son Helaman and asked him: Do you believe the words I said to you about those records that have been kept? And Helaman answered him: Yes, I believe. And Alma also asked: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, who is to come? And he replied: Yes, I believe all the things you taught me [example of the heart of a son turning to his Patriarchal Father, Spirit of Elijah]. Alma then asked him: Will you keep my commandments? And he replied: Yes, I’ll keep your commandments with all my heart. Then Alma told him: You are blessed, [16] and the Lord will make you prosperous in this land. But I have something to prophesy to you. However, what I prophesy to you, you must not reveal; indeed, what I prophesy to you must not be revealed until the prophecy is fulfilled. Therefore write the words I tell you.[17] And this is what he prophesied: According to the spirit of revelation in me, this very people, the Nephites, 400 years following Jesus Christ’s visit with them in person, will fall away in unbelief. At that point they’ll experience wars, plagues, disease, famine, and slaughter until the Nephites become completely extinct. And it will happen like this because they’ll fall away in unbelief and fall into works of darkness, lustful behaviors, and all kinds of iniquities. I know because they will sin against so great light and knowledge — indeed, I declare some of the fourth generation from Christ’s appearance will still be living when this great iniquity comes. And when that great day comes, then very soon after that those who are the descendants of people now included as Nephites won’t be identified as Nephites anymore. Anyone who remains and isn’t killed on that great and terrible day will be called a Lamanite and will become like them, except for a few who will be called the Lord’s disciples or followers. And the Lamanites will pursue them, until all of them are dead. Now because of iniquity, this prophecy will be fulfilled.

Then, after Alma had said these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and his other sons as well. He also blessed the earth for the benefit of the righteous. He said: This is what the Lord God has said: The land will be cursed to destroy any people on this land who do evil, whether they belong to any nation, tribe, or language, when they’re fully ripe. And just as I’ve said, so will it happen. Indeed, this is God’s cursing and blessing on the land, because the Lord can’t tolerate sin to any degree. Now when Alma had said these words, he blessed the congregation, indeed, all those who would stand firmly in the faith from that time forward. When Alma had done this, he left Zarahemla as if to go to Melek. And he was never heard of again. As to his death or burial, we don’t have any knowledge. But this we do know, that he was a righteous man. And the saying went abroad in the congregation that he was taken up by the Spirit or buried by the Lord, just like Moses was. But the scripture says the Lord took Moses to Himself. And we believe He has also received Alma in the spirit to Himself. [18] Therefore, for this reason, we don’t know anything about his death and burial” (CofC Alma 21:2-3; emphasis added).

Alma gained more knowledge of future events prior to his final communication and blessings on Helaman and his other sons. Alma also pronounced blessings on the congregations, the earth for the righteous. Alma went from “not fully knowing,” therefore ceasing to comment on future events to openly stating under confidential terms that the Nephites would be destroyed.

          The nature of Alma’s blessing on the earth on behalf of the righteous is a concrete declaration regarding the America’s.

“.  . .the Lord God has said: The land will be cursed to destroy any people on this land who do evil, whether they belong to any nation, tribe, or language, when they’re fully ripe. And just as I’ve said, so will it happen. Indeed, this is God’s cursing and blessing on the land, because the Lord can’t tolerate sin to any degree. . .” (Ibid)

What brought about the destruction of the Nephites was their sinning against the greater light given them by the Savior’s ministry leading to hundreds of years of righteousness turning to wickedness. That is the Nephites “ripening in iniquity” that brings desolation and destruction.

          Sinning against a rich heritage of truth and light always leads to destruction of those whom God provides “simple means.” If they diligently heed the light He gives them through His servant’s testimony it will lead them to salvation.

          The same fate will be faced by the Gentiles of the latter-days. Neglect of truth and light led to affliction and suffering of the Gentiles in Joseph Smith’s day.

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received, which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation rests upon the children of Zion, even all, and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon, and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom [not according to our standards but the Father’s]. Otherwise, there remains a scourge [19] [chastening] and a judgment [20] [condemnation and suffering] to be poured out upon the children of Zion, for shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Truly, truly I say unto you, Nay” (RE T&C 82:20; emphasis added).

Ironically, those claiming succession rights from Joseph Smith openly confess the Lord’s condemnation in this revelation has never been lifted. [21] Revoking the Lord’s condemnation can only be accomplished by His people bringing fruit “meet for the Father’s kingdom” or by revelation from Him. In the absence of “fruit,” His condemnation remains and one should expect the institution suffers both severe chastening and a harsh terminal judgment. Part 2 further explores the latter-day Gentile fate.

[1] “In addition, my people, I would remind you of the moment the Lord God gave His children these commandments. Remember the Lord God ordained priests according to His Holy Order, which was according to the Order of His Son, to teach the people these things. Such priests were ordained to the Order of His Son in such a way, so that by it the people would recognize how to look forward to His Son for redemption. And this is how they were ordained: they were called and prepared from the foundation of creation according to God’s foreknowledge, because of their great faith and good works. In the first place [pre-mortality], since they were permitted to choose good or evil, they chose to do good and exercised great faith. As a result, they’re called with a holy calling that had been prepared with and according to the planned redemption for those who qualified. Therefore they were and are called to this holy calling because of their faith, while others chose to reject the Spirit of God because of their hard hearts and blind minds, and if it hadn’t been for this, they could have had the same status as their brothers. Or to be brief: in the first place they had the same opportunity as the others and this holy calling was available from the beginning of creation for any who chose not to harden their hearts. It was made available by the Only Begotten Son who was prepared to provide the atonement. So they’re called by this holy calling and ordained to the High Priesthood of the Holy Order of God to teach His commandments to mankind, so they also could enter His rest. This High Priesthood is according to the Order of His Son, which Order existed from the foundation of creation. In other words, it is without beginning of days or end of years, having been prepared from eternity to all eternity according to His foreknowledge of all things. Now this is how they were ordained: having qualified to receive a holy calling [by great faith and good works], they were 9So they become high priests ordained with a holy ordinance which confers upon them the High Priesthood of the Holy Order — which calling, ordinance, and High Priesthood has no beginning or end. forever conforming to the Order of the Son, the Father’s Only Begotten, who has no beginning of days or end of years, and who’s full of grace, fairness, and truth. And so it is. Amen. As I said about the Holy Order, or this High Priesthood: many were ordained and became high priests of God. It was because of their great faith, repentance, and righteousness before God, choosing to repent and bring about righteousness rather than perish. Therefore they were called according to this Holy Order and were sanctified, and their clothes were washed white through the Lamb’s blood. Now they — after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their clothes made white, being pure and spotless before God — could only look upon sin with abhorrence. And there were many, a very great many, who were enabled to become pure and entered the rest of the Lord their God. Now, my friends, I advise you to humble yourselves before God and show by your conduct that you’ve really repented, so you can also enter that rest.” (CofC Alma 9:10, 10:1; emphasis added).

[2] “And it came to pass that Moses spoke unto the Lord, saying, Be merciful unto your servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens; and then your servant will be content. And the Lord God spoke unto Moses of the heavens, saying, These are many and they cannot be numbered unto man, but they are numbered unto me for they are mine. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come. And there is no end to my works, neither my words. For behold, this is my work and my glory: to bring to pass the immortality and the eternal life of man. And now Moses, my son, I will speak unto you concerning this earth upon which you stand, and you shall write the things which I shall speak. And in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as naught and take many of them from the book which you shall write, behold, I will raise up another like unto you, and they shall be had again among the children of men, among even as many as shall believe. These words were spoken unto Moses in the mount, the name of which shall not be known among the children of men” (RE Moses 1:7; emphasis added).

[3] “And Adam listened unto the voice of God and called upon his sons to repent. And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son, and he called his name Seth. And Adam glorified the name of God, for he said, God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel whom Cain slew. And God revealed himself unto Seth, and he rebelled not, but offered an acceptable sacrifice like unto his brother Abel. And to him also was born a son, and he called his name Enos. And then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord, and the Lord blessed them. And a book of remembrance was kept, in which was recorded in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration. And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled. Now this same Priesthood which was in the beginning shall be in the end of the world also (now this prophecy Adam spoke as he was moved upon by the holy ghost). And a genealogy was kept of the children of God (and this was the book of the generations of Adam), saying, In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; in the image of his own body, male and female, created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam in the day when they were created and became living souls in the land, upon the footstool of God” (RE Genesis 3:14; emphasis added).

[4] “After He had said these words, He said: Look! And I looked and saw the Son of God mingling as a mortal with mankind. I saw many fall down at His feet and worship Him. Then I realized the iron railing my father saw was God’s word. It led to the source of living waters or to the tree of life, whose waters represent God’s love. I also concluded the tree of life represented God’s love” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:10; emphasis added).

[5] “Search these commandments for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled. What I, the Lord, have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself. And though the heaven and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants it is the same. For behold and lo, the Lord is God and the spirit bears record, and the record is true, and the truth abides for ever and ever. Amen” (RE T&C 54:7; emphasis added).

[6] “. . . If I were to say, I do not know him, I would be as much of a liar as you are when you falsely claim him as your God. I not only know him, but I watch for his words like a sentinel always awaiting his direction. . .” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:20; emphasis added). God intends for us to do the same.

“Then Jesus was led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be with God. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights and had communed with God, he was afterward hungry and was left to be tempted of the Devil. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But Jesus answered and said, It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (RE Matthew 2:5; emphasis added).

“And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life, for you shall live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatever is truth is light, and whatever is light is spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ. And the spirit gives light to every man that comes into the world, and the spirit enlightens every man through the world that hearkens to the voice of the spirit, and everyone that hearkens to the voice of the spirit comes unto God, even the Father. And the Father teaches him of the covenant which the Father has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for yours only, but for the sake of the whole world.

And the whole world lies in sin and groans under darkness and under the bondage of sin, and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me, for whoever comes not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoever receives not my voice is not acquainted with my voice and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groans under sin and darkness, even now” (RE T&C 82:18-19; emphasis added).

[7] “This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the Celestial Kingdom, which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son, he that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth, which truth shines. . .” (RE T&C 86:1; emphasis added).

[8] “It is through covenant-forming ordinances—including rituals—that the power of godliness has been manifested to mankind. “The ordinances are helps, symbols and requirements. Helps in that they establish milestones that memorialize passage from one stage of development to the next. Symbols in that they point to a deeper meaning or spiritual reality almost always grounded in the atonement of Jesus Christ. Requirements in that they mark the defined route taken by Christ as a mortal to fulfill all righteousness. The ordinances as symbols point to the real thing. The real thing is Jesus Christ and His Gospel.”1 Ordinances are the preliminary act, designed to bear testimony of the real event. They are not the real thing but are a “type” of the real thing. They must be seen through the eyes of faith (see Ether 5:3) to allow one to gain the faith necessary to obtain the real thing.2 Ordinances are instituted to bring one to the point where one inherits in body and spirit the great blessings of the Doctrine of Christ. “They prepare you. Their effect is to qualify you, instruct you, advance you toward this goal of receiving the blessings found in the Doctrine of Christ. Once ordinances have been adopted, it is then unlikely you can ignore them, and [then] receive what is promised by the Doctrine of Christ.”3 “Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed.”4 When the higher priesthood is present on the earth, everything done by it is an ordinance. God ordains by His power what is to happen. God ordains — and therefore, all He does is an ordinance, whether building up or taking down.5 Latter-day Saints think “ordinances” are required for everyone, and they can receive them ad hoc to be saved. Heaven does not have unorganized crowds milling about, arriving fresh from receiving and accepting vicarious ordinances and claiming the right to be rewarded by entering Celestial glory. If anyone enters the kingdom of God, she will be there as part of God’s family, not as a freelance believer. Those faithful who received the assurance before death that they would one day enjoy a glorious resurrection were unable to leave the spirit world with Christ, but remained behind to minister to others there. Mankind knows almost nothing, at this point, of the full scope of the original body of teachings, revelations, ordinances, and rites. Even all that came through Joseph is but a glimpse. Man is not worthy of the full view. The question is whether any will become meek and humble enough to endure giving it a hearing before they corrupt it with a flood of errors based on unbelief” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Ordinance, pp.247-248, emphasis added).

[9] “In addition, my people, I would remind you of the moment the Lord God gave His children these commandments. Remember the Lord God ordained priests according to His Holy Order, which was according to the Order of His Son, to teach the people these things. Such priests were ordained to the Order of His Son in such a way, so that by it the people would recognize how to look forward to His Son for redemption. And this is how they were ordained: they were called and prepared from the foundation of creation according to God’s foreknowledge, because of their great faith and good works. In the first place, since they were permitted to choose good or evil, they chose to do good and exercised great faith. As a result, they’re called with a holy calling that had been prepared with and according to the planned redemption for those who qualified. . .” (CofC Alma 9:10; emphasis added).

[10] “A title referring to a specific group [of righteous people] with status on the other side of the veil [Heaven]; a proper noun, not just an abstraction. In the afterlife there are different rungs on Jacob’s ladder where different Powers [righteous individuals] are fixed: Angel, Archangel, Principality, Power, Dominion, Throne, Cherubim, and Seraphim — they may all be called Powers of Heaven. These Powers have no desire to control or compel others [God only works without compulsory means, as do those who serve Him.} to rise on Jacob’s ladder. Each rung is a developmental stage of growth through which all must pass if they want to ascend nearer to God. Each individual on Jacob’s ladder should be moving toward perfection” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Powers of Heaven, p.248; emphasis added).

[11] “Conformity to the Divine Law. God measures differently than does man. Being “righteous before God” may not mean the same thing one thinks “righteousness” means. Man wants outward signs, symbols, dress, grooming, and conformity. God looks at the intent of the heart. Righteousness comes by obedience. Obedience requires action [faith]. Without conforming conduct to the Lord’s commandments, it is impossible to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Righteousness can be defined in the most simple terms as hearing the voice of the Shepherd, the voice of the Son — hearing that voice, heeding it, and repenting, no matter where that voice comes from [“whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants it is the same,” see RE T&C 54:7].4 “Who is righteous? Anyone who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been, if he is repenting, he is a righteous man. There is hope for him. And no matter how good he has been all his life, if he is not repenting, he is a wicked man. The difference is which way you are facing. The man on the top of the stairs facing down is much worse off than the man on the bottom step who is facing up. The direction we are facing, that is repentance; and that is what determines whether we are good or bad.” “The gospel of repentance is a constant reminder that the most righteous are still being tested and may yet fall, and that the most wicked are not yet beyond redemption and may still be saved. And that is what God wants: Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? [Ezekiel 8:6]. There are poles for all to see, but in this life no one has reached and few have ever approached either pole, and no one has any idea at what point between his neighbor stands. Only God knows that.” “An extremely important lesson [is] driven home repeatedly in the Book of Mormon, that righteousness does not consist of being identified with this or that nation, party, church, or group. When you find a particularly wicked society in the story, look back a few pages and you will probably find that not many years before those same people were counted righteous. Or, when you find a particular godless and ferocious lot of Lamanites, if you look a few pages ahead you may find them among the most blessed and favored of God’s people.” One of the best descriptions of righteousness is that of Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless (Luke 1:2). However, the self-righteous fail to realize that self-righteousness is a lie, a mirage, and utterly untrue. “How odd it is that the self-proclaimed ‘righteous’ are almost without exception those who are the most wicked, fallen, abominable, and proud. You rarely encounter a corrupt group in the Book of Mormon who are not also quite involved in a false religion… which frequently teach that the followers are righteous and highly favored of God” (A Glossary of Gospel terms, Righteous/ness, pp.284-285; emphasis added).

[12] “As I said about the Holy Order, or this High Priesthood: many were ordained and became high priests of God. It was because of their great faith, repentance, and righteousness before God, choosing to repent and bring about righteousness rather than perish. Therefore they were called according to this Holy Order and were sanctified, and their clothes were washed white through the Lamb’s blood. Now they — after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their clothes made white, being pure and spotless before God — could only look upon sin with abhorrence. And there were many, a very great many, who were enabled to become pure and entered the rest of the Lord their God” (CofC Alma 10:1; emphasis added).

[13] “As I said about the Holy Order, or this High Priesthood: many were ordained and became high priests of God. It was because of their great faith, repentance, and righteousness before God, choosing to repent and bring about righteousness rather than perish. Therefore they were called according to this Holy Order and were sanctified, and their clothes were washed white through the Lamb’s blood. Now they — after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their clothes made white, being pure and spotless before God — could only look upon sin with abhorrence. And there were many, a very great many, who were enabled to become pure and entered the rest of the Lord their God” (CofC Alma 10:1; emphasis added).

“For he that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is least and the servant of all. Wherefore, he is possessor of all things, for all things are subject unto him both in Heaven and on the earth: the life and the light, the spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son. But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified and cleansed from all sin. And if you are purified and cleansed from all sin, you shall ask whatever you will in the name of Jesus, and it shall be done. But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask” (RE T&C 36:5; emphasis added).

[14] “Then I looked and saw the whore of the whole earth. She was spread everywhere across the seas, ruling over the whole earth, among all people of every nation, tribe, and language. And I saw the congregation of the Lamb of God; its numbers were few because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who was spread everywhere across the seas. Nevertheless, I saw that the congregation of the Lamb, who were God’s holy ones, were also there throughout the earth; but their presence was small because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. And I saw the great mother of abominations assembled in large numbers all over the earth among all Gentile nations to fight against the Lamb of God. Then I saw the power of the Lamb of God descend upon the holy ones of the Lamb’s congregation and upon the Lord’s covenant people, who were scattered across the earth. They were armed with righteousness and God’s power in great glory” (CofC 1 Nephi 3:28; emphasis added).

[15] “Truly I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the spirit of truth, does he preach it by the spirit of truth or some other way? And if by some other way, it is not of God. . .” (RE T&C 36:4; emphasis added).

[16] “Enos tells us the Lord promised him, you will be Blessed (Enos 1:1 CE). Words matter, and this statement can be read in the future tense. Enos is not promised that he is blessed but that in some future event or events he “[will]” be blessed. If Blessed is another name given to Enos by the Lord, then here is another wonderful revelation about Enos’ relationship with God. These words could be punctuated: “…[you will] be Blessed,” meaning the Lord gave to Enos the new name “Blessed” at the time of their first meeting. If so, then in the concluding verse of his record, Enos is telling us of the future time when the Lord will call him by the new name “Blessed,” while assuring him of the mansion which belongs to him in the Father’s kingdom.

Enoch was 25 years old when he was ordained by the hand of Adam, and forty years later (when he was 65), Adam [first Patriarchal Father] “blessed” him. Once the power came (from the “blessing”), he saw the Lord, and he walked with him, and was before his face continually; and he walked with God three hundred sixty-five years, making him four hundred thirty years old when he was translated (T&C 154:15). So, he is ordained (the first requirement), then he is “blessed” (the second part), which has the effect of him becoming “continually before the Lord” (the intended result of ordination). And Enoch lived sixty-five years and begot Methuselah (Genesis 3:25). Enoch had been ordained to the priesthood but was not a father until he was “blessed” and entered the Lord’s presence” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Blessed, p.41; emphasis added).

[17] “Alma began to elaborate, saying: Many people are given knowledge of God’s mysteries; however, they’re placed under a strict command to only discuss that part of His word He allows to be given to mankind, corresponding to their obedience and diligence given to Him. Those who harden their hearts receive less of His word. Those who don’t harden their hearts are given a greater part of His word, until they understand God’s mysteries. They can be given God’s mysteries until everything is fully known. However those who harden their hearts are given less of His word, until they know nothing about His mysteries. Then the accuser captures them and leads them by his will down to destruction. This is what the chains of hell mean” (CofC Alma 9:3; emphasis added).

[18] “For God, having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself that everyone being ordained after this Order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course, to put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God, to do all things according to his will, according to his command subdue principalities and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world. And men having this faith, coming up unto this Order of God, were translated and taken up into Heaven” (RE Genesis 7:19; emphasis added).

[19] “And in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things. And they shall go forth with my words that are given through you, yea, they shall know of a surety that these things are true, for from Heaven will I declare it unto them. I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are, and to none else will I grant this power to receive this same testimony among this generation, in this, the beginning of the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness — clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. And the testimony of three witnesses will I send forth of my word, and behold, whosoever believes on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my spirit and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the spirit. And you must wait yet a little while, for you are not yet ordained. And their testimony shall also go forth unto the condemnation of this generation if they harden their hearts against them, for a desolating scourge shall go forth among the inhabitants of the earth, and shall continue to be poured out from time to time if they repent not, until the earth is empty and the inhabitants thereof are consumed away and utterly destroyed by the brightness of my coming. Behold, I tell you these things even as I also told the people of the destruction of Jerusalem, and my word shall be verified at this time, as it has hitherto been verified” (RE T&C 1, Joseph Smith History 12:4; emphasis added).

“And in that generation shall the times of the gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be men standing in that generation that shall not pass until they shall see an overflowing scourge, for a desolating sickness shall cover the land. But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift up their voices, and curse God, and die. And there shall be earthquakes also in diverse places and many desolations. Yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword one against another and they will kill one another” (RE T&C 31:7; emphasis added).

“. . . For I, the Almighty, have laid my hand upon the nations to scourge them for their wickedness. And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness, until all shall know me who remain, even from the least unto the greatest, and shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and shall see eye to eye, and shall lift up their voice, and with the voice together sing this new song, saying:

The Lord has brought again Zion. The Lord has redeemed his people Israel according to the election of grace, which was brought to pass by the faith and covenant of their Fathers. The Lord has redeemed his people, and Satan is bound, and time is no longer. The Lord has gathered all things in one. The Lord has brought down Zion from above, the Lord has brought up Zion from beneath. . .” (RE T&C 82:27; emphasis added).

“Therefore, truly thus says the Lord: Let Zion rejoice, for this is Zion — the pure in heart. Therefore, let Zion rejoice while all the wicked shall mourn, for behold and lo, vengeance comes speedily upon the ungodly as the whirlwind, and who shall escape it? The Lord’s scourge shall pass over by night and by day, and the report thereof shall vex all people, yet it shall not be stayed until the Lord come, for the indignation of the Lord is kindled against their abominations and all their wicked works. Nevertheless, Zion shall escape if she observe to do all things whatever I have commanded her, but if she observe not to do whatever I have commanded her, I will visit her according to all her works, with sore afflictions, with pestilence, with plague, with sword, with vengeance, with devouring fire. Nevertheless, let it be read this once in their ears that I, the Lord, have accepted of their offering. But if she sin no more, none of these things shall come upon her, and I will bless her with blessings, and multiply a multiplicity of blessings upon her and upon her generation, for ever and ever, says the Lord your God. Amen” (RE T&C 96:7; emphasis added).

[20] “In 3 Nephi 5–7, Christ elevates the Law of Moses by raising the expectation for human conduct. He moves from mere outward conduct into the inner soul of the man. One is not doing as he should if all he does is refrain from killing. Instead, he needs to remove anger. The prior obligation (“said by them of old”) focused only on one’s conduct; now the focus is one’s motivation. One can judge another based on conduct. They either do or do not do something. The conduct is observable and, therefore, capable of being judged. Now, however, Christ moves the battleground inside a person. It is now in the heart. On such terrain as that, man is incapable of knowing and, therefore, of judging.

With anything involving truth and rules of conduct, there are always some reasons to depart from the rule. Christ departed from this rule. First, however, it is necessary to know and understand the rule. The “judgment” which one is “in danger of” by being angry with one’s brother is not the brother’s anger, but God’s. The judgment of God is provoked by those who are angry with their brother. One is not to be angry with his brother because that is the beginning of a whole sequence of events, the culmination of which may be killing. Anger leads to abuse. It leads to discourtesy, dishonesty, and cheating. It justifies miserable conduct because man thinks it right to give offense to another. It corrodes relationships and makes society sick. If this can be prevented in the heart, it can heal society. All must refrain from letting offenses turn into anger, dealing with them inside the heart, showing forgiveness and compassion. The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon at Bountiful is not to equip man to judge others. It has no use for that. It is designed to change a person. “You need to become something different, something higher, something more holy. That will require you to reexamine your heart, your motivations, and your thoughts. It will require you to take offenses and deliberately lay them down without retaliation. When you do, you become someone who can live in peace with others. Living in peace with others is the rudimentary beginning of Zion. It will not culminate in a City set on the hilltop until there is a population worthy of dwelling in the high places, in peace, without poor among them. Christ’s sermon is not merely a description of what kind of person He is. It is a description of what kind of person will qualify to live with Him.”

The context of judge not, that ye be not judged [I warn you not to condemn others so that you aren’t condemned (3 Nephi 6:5 CE)] is framed by the statement that with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (3 Nephi 6:5); for the reason you condemn anyone else will be the reason you’re also condemned — your standards for others will be used against you (ibid., CE). We do “judge” one another, because we must. But the judgment should err on the side of forgiving. It should err in favor of trusting motives to be pure and intent to be good. All should be generous with their gratitude, evaluations, and suppositions. When they know someone is misbehaving, they should make allowances for those shortcomings, forgive them before they ask, and impute no retribution because of the offensive conduct. “This does not make us better than another, it makes us whole. It allows the Lord to forgive us for our own, much greater offenses against Him. For when we are generous, we merit His Divine generosity. It is how we are healed. It is the means for our own salvation. Instead of thinking ourselves better than an offender, we should look upon them with gratitude, for they provide the means to obtain salvation — provided we give them forgiveness from all their offenses. This is why we should rejoice and be exceedingly glad. They enable us to obtain salvation by despitefully using us, as long as we measure them by the same standard that allows God to forgive us. What perfect symmetry: You measure to others using an instrument that will be used by God to measure back to you. So your ready forgiveness is how God will treat you. All those grudges can be replaced with petitions to God to forgive those who abused you. As you lay aside all those sins against you, committed by others, it will purge from you all your own sins. Straight and narrow indeed. But oddly appropriate and altogether within your control.”

The defect in judging is the position from which one proceeds. Man is blind. He has too many subjective problems in his background — training, education, culture, presumptions, prejudices, “things we just know to be true,” ignorance, preoccupations, and impatience, all which interfere with perceptions. He acts on errors and reaches wrong conclusions. He measures with defective tools, then decides the matter from the wrong measure. Christ is reminding mankind that whenever he is inclined to correct another person, more often than not, he suffers from whatever defect he sees in others. That is why he noticed it. He sees it because it is really him. He is sensitive to the problem because he owns the problem. “First, whenever we see something amiss in another, start with the realization that we are seeing ourselves. Start inside. Ask, ‘Why does this bother me? Am I really seeing myself in a mirror?’ Then be grateful you saw another person display your problem. You now know what is wrong with you. Forgive them, fix you. The tendency to withhold patience is more often than not because their mote excites your notice through your own beam. A mote is a speck, a bit of sawdust. A beam is a board. Yours is the greater defect. For in you is not only the defect, but the tendency to judge others harshly. Both are wrong. When you have at last purged the defect, struggled to overcome and conquer the temptation or tendency, perhaps the price you pay to do so will make you humble enough to assist another. Not from the position as judge and condemner, but from the position of one who can help. When you ‘see clearly,’ then you may be able to cast the mote out of thy brother’s eye. For now you see him as your brother. And in a kindly and affectionate manner you may act to reclaim him. Not as a judge, but as a brother. This is a continuing petition to make things better. But the only way you make them better is by starting inside. It is not for you to work on others, nor move outside your own range of defects, until you have first fixed what you lack. When you can proceed with charity to assist others to overcome what you have overcome yourself, then it is appropriate to approach your brother in kindness to help. Until then, stop judging and start removing beams from yourself” (A Glossary of Gospel Terms, Judge/ment, pp. 176-179; emphasis added).

[21] “Along with other General Authorities, I [Dallin H. Oaks] have a clear recollection of the General Authority temple meeting on March 5, 1987. For a year President Benson had been stressing the reading of the Book of Mormon. Repeatedly he had quoted these verses from the Doctrine and Covenants, including the Lord’s statement that the Saints’ conduct had “brought the whole church under condemnation” (D&C 84:55). In that temple meeting, President Benson reread those statements and declared, “This condemnation has not been lifted, nor will it be until we repent” (remarks by President Ezra Taft Benson, General Authority Temple Meeting, Thursday, 5 March 1987). He also repeated his declaration of a year earlier that, in our day, the Lord has inspired his servant to reemphasize the Book of Mormon to get the Church out from under condemnation (see Ensign, May 1986, p. 78). Along with others, I felt the impact of this declaration of condemnation. As I studied the subject, I was relieved to find that the serious consequences of this condemnation need not be permanent. The use of this term [condemnation] elsewhere in modern revelation suggests that it refers to a punishment or a penalty, not to a permanent banishment (e.g., D&C 82:3). In fact, the words President Benson quoted invite the Saints to

repent of their deficiencies so the condemnation can be removed” (“Another Testament of Jesus Christ”

DALLIN H. OAKS, pp.2-3; emphasis added). Pres. Ezra Taft Benson and current President Dallin H. Oaks focus attention on the condemnation aspect of this revelation. They rightfully attribute the Lord’s condemnation of the church to treating lightly the “Book of Mormon and the former commandments” but overlook both the cause and correct remedy to remove the condemnation. Both men believe the key to removing condemnation from the church is to read the Book of Mormon. This solution ignores attitudes in the saints that led to their minds being darkened in the first place. “And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.

And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but

to do according to that which I have written—That they may bring forth fruit meet for their

Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge [chastening] and judgment [final punishment] to be poured out upon the children of Zion” (RE T&C 82:20; emphasis added). The only way the condemnation may be removed is if in conforming to what is written in the Book of Mormon and former commandments, the people “bear fruit” acceptable in the Father’s kingdom. Without righteous fruit [Zion] the condemnation remains on the Lord’s people. Without the fruit, condemnation remains.

Scott Roderick

5/27/26

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