The Father’s Path - Part 2

Phillip’s Request for the Lord to Introduce the Father

          Introducing anyone to the Father is no small matter. Knowing the Father is to know the Son. Knowing the Son is the same as knowing the Father. Being in possession of that knowledge qualifies one for Eternal Life if they are prepared to be there because they are like Them and one with Them. [1]      

“Then Jesus looked up to Heaven and said these words, Father, the hour has arrived. Let your light abide with your Son, that your Son may be filled by your light and illuminate others. Because you have taught me to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh, you guide me to gain power to heal all weaknesses and redeem all creation. From your presence come Eternal lives, worlds without end, and you are the sole source of all truth. Therefore, it is known and will be known that I am the Messiah sent by you. I have kept every obligation you have asked of me and now have completed this part of the work. Let what happens next finish your great work, so I may return to your Throne to be with you where I was before my descent [condescension] here” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:30; emphasis added).

The Father and Son desire all mankind to walk the Father’s path to exaltation, becoming like Them, dwelling with Them. The imperative is for us to devote our hearts and minds to the will of the Son of God as He devotes Himself to the will of the Father. [2] The process involves using our agency to submit to the Savior’s will. Our desires align with Theirs.

How Precise is Precise

          Lecture 7 of Lectures on Faith explores the question “Where do we find the prototype of a saved man?” Responding to the question we read the following:

“We ask, then: Where is the prototype? Or where is the saved being? We conclude as to the answer of this question there will be no dispute among those who believe the Bible that it is Christ. All will agree in this, that he is the prototype or standard of salvation, or in other words, that he is a saved being. And if we should continue our interrogation, and ask how it is that he is saved, the answer would be, because he is a just and holy being. And if he were anything different from what he is he would not be saved, for his salvation depends on his being precisely what he is and nothing else. For if it were possible for him to change in the least degree, so sure he would fail of salvation and lose all his dominion, power, authority, and glory, which constitutes salvation. For salvation consists in the glory, authority, majesty, power, and dominion which Jehovah possesses, and in nothing else, and no being can possess it but himself or one like him [opening the possibility for us]. Thus says John in his first epistle, 3:2,3 [1 John 1:13]: Behold, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not appear what we shall be; but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And any man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. Why purify himself as he is pure? Because if they do not, they cannot be like him. . . If any should ask, Why all these sayings? — the answer is to be found from what is before quoted from John’s epistle, that when he (the Lord) shall appear, the saints will be like him, and if they are not holy as he is holy, and perfect as he is perfect, they cannot be like him, for no being can enjoy his glory without possessing his perfections and holiness, no more than they could reign in his kingdom without his power.” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith 7:9-10; emphasis added).

Jesus Christ, the prototype of a saved man was Himself the embodiment of perfection. Not only was He the embodiment of perfection, His perfection makes it impossible for Christ to Atone perfectly for the sins of mankind in their imperfection. That is, His Atonement in its fullness repairs all adverse consequences of Adam and Eve’s fall. Including restoring mankind from their fall from God’s presence. Noted earlier, no unclean thing may enter God’s presence so Christ’s Atonement in its fullness ends in the perfection of mankind or by their choice remaining imperfect.

          It is possible for a person to reject the fullness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ; [3] exposing them to suffering for their sins. [4] Their suffering is so severe they eventually succumb and plead for deliverance from their suffering through His Atonement. Their suffering is a product of their own choice and not God imposing judgment compulsively. Their suffering is a natural consequence for violating divine law. The only means of deliverance is complying with the terms of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Becoming “one” with the Father and Son. [5]

          Further emphasizing the importance of precision with the Atonement of Christ, lecture 7 continues with the following explanation:

“It is scarcely necessary here to observe what we have previously noticed, that the glory which the Father and the Son have is because they are just and holy beings, and that if they were lacking in one attribute or perfection which they have, the glory which they have never could be enjoyed by them, for it requires them to be precisely what they are in order to enjoy it. And if the Savior gives this glory to any others, he must do it in the very way set forth in his prayer to his Father: by making them one with him as he and the Father are one. In so doing he would give them the glory which the Father has given him; and when his disciples are made one with the Father and the Son, as the Father and the Son are one, who cannot see the propriety of the Savior’s saying, The works which I do shall they do, and greater works than these shall they do, because I go to the Father?

These teachings of the Savior most clearly show unto us the nature of salvation, and what he proposed unto the human family when he proposed to save them: that he proposed to make them like unto himself, and he was like the Father, the great prototype of all saved beings. And for any portion of the human family to be assimilated into their likeness is to be saved, and to be unlike them is to be destroyed. And on this hinge turns the door of salvation” (RE T&C 110, Lectures on Faith 7:15; emphasis added).

We must become “precisely” what the Savior and His Father are or not be saved. Becoming fully like them is an eventuality taking eons of time, experiencing many stages and abodes. It is a process extending far beyond mortality into “endless lives” and “worlds without end.” Continuing our journey to perfection in this life is contingent on our “heed and diligence” to God’s “Word,” even Christ.

          Footnote 3 is a reference to T&C 86 describing the Atonement’s effect on the resurrection of the earth and mankind. In that description we see earth abides the law of the celestial kingdom. Earth will die but rises again sanctified. It does not transgress the law; it is quickened by the same spirit it abides. With mankind we see those who abide “a portion” of the celestial, terrestrial, and telestial laws are quickened by the same. Use of the term “a portion” suggests living each level perfectly is not the requirement. None of these levels achieve perfection in this life generally. The Atonement of Christ grants us the privilege of continuing our progression after we pass from mortality if we comply with “a portion” of the law we abide. The Atonement of Christ covers the portions we lack so we may continue our pursuit of perfection beyond the veil. [6]

Following the Prototype of the Saved Man

          Parsing the Savior’s response to Philip’s request for the Lord to introduce His disciples to the Father, we learn a key requirement for walking the Father’s path:

“. . . Any who see me has seen my Father. How can you ask, Reveal to us the Father? Do you understand that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? Do you understand that the words that I speak to you came from the Father, who is one with me? Nothing I have done is mine. Understand that the Father, who is one with me, is to be given credit for all I have done or will do. Believe me that I am one with the Father, and the Father is one with me; but if you do not, at least believe through these works. In the name of Father Ahman I declare to you, the individual who trusts me, what I have accomplished he will also. Followers will also accomplish the greater works I do next. Followers will also finish the path, as I am now concluding, at the place my Father dwells. As he helps me, I will help you, and you will accomplish what I have along with the greater sacrifice I have yet to finish. And whatever you shall ask in my name, I will answer, so that the Father may be glorified by the honor shown his Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will answer” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:10; emphasis added).

The path of the Father must be walked with precision. One can only navigate the path with direction from someone who walked the path before. The Father directed the Son in His mortal experience. The Son surrendered His will to the Father’s will because precision [strict obedience] is essential. That is why the Father’s path is characterized as a path that is “straight and narrow” and an “iron rod.” There is no room for variation or innovation. The difficulty of following the Father’s path is the exact reason the “Accuser” proposed an alternative. Christ was chosen because of His willingness to submit to the Father’s direction and in so doing, glorify His Father when the path was complete. The Savior’s success saved mankind providing salvation for all. None of this is possible without the nurturing care of a loving Father in Heaven. The duration of the process through “worlds without end” and “Endless lives” is irrelevant. Only the eventual outcome matters.

Our Required Sacrifice

          At the beginning of the Resurrected Savior’s ministry to the Nephites He declared an end to blood sacrifice. Replacing blood sacrifice is an attitude adjustment with a willingness to be humble, submissive, and teachable.

“All you that have been spared because you were more righteous than they were, will you return to Me now and repent of your sins and be converted, so I can heal you? I promise you: If you come to Me, you will have eternal life. My arm of mercy is reaching for you. Anyone who comes to Me, I’ll receive them; those who come to Me will be blessed. I Am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I created the heavens, the earth, and everything that’s in them. I was with the Father since the beginning. I Am in the Father and the Father in Me; and the Father has glorified His name in Me. I came to My own, and My own rejected Me; and the scriptures promising My coming are fulfilled. I’ve given power to all those who have received Me, to become sons and daughters of God. Likewise, I’ll give power to all those who believe in My name. Because redemption comes through Me, and the Law of Moses has been concluded by Me. I Am the light and the life of the world. I Am first and last, the beginning and the end. You must no longer shed blood as an offering to Me; indeed, your sacrifices and burnt offerings must end now, because I’ll no longer accept any of your sacrifices or burnt offerings. You must offer Me a broken heart and a contrite spirit as a sacrifice. Whoever comes to Me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, I’ll baptize them with fire and the Holy Ghost, just like the Lamanites were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost because of their faith in Me at the time of their conversion, and yet they didn’t understand what it was. I’ve come into the world to bring redemption to the world, to save the world from sin. Therefore whoever repents and comes to Me as a little child, I will receive them, because God’s kingdom [family] is made up of people like this. I’ve given My life for such people, and I’ve taken it up again. Therefore repent and come to Me, everyone throughout the world, and be saved” (CofC 3 Nephi 4:7; emphasis added).

What is the relevance of offering to Christ a “sacrifice” of a broken heart and contrite spirit? Why does Christ require us to come to Him as if we are little children? Why is it those who comply with these terms when they come to Him are given “power” to become “His sons and daughters?”

          These attributes are essential because in mortality we are immersed in dark mists impairing our vision. Like Nephi observed, we can only navigate through the dark mists by clinging with both hands to God’s word. [7] Receiving His word like “little children” is to be sufficiently humble as to recognize how little we know relative to God. It is becoming like and submissive to follow the Savior’s example with the same devotion and obedience He showed the Father.

“I have spoken of the Spirit of light and truth that enlightens. The flesh is nothing, and my message is about light and truth. My teachings are Spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that do not understand because you do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who were faithless and foresaw who would betray him. And he said, Because of faithlessness I tell you that no faithless man can come with me. Only those who heed the will of my Father who sent me will have power to rise with me. . . Hearing what he taught, the Jewish leaders were surprised and posed the question, How can he understand these complex things so well when he never received learning from us? Jesus responded to their question, My doctrine does not come from me, but from God who sent me. Anyone who walks in God’s path will understand his doctrine, because that path increases light and knowledge. I testify of that path. Follow it and you will know whether I am sent by God or I am not sent by God. Teachers who preach from their own understanding only gratify their pride, but a teacher of truth teaches only what God tells him, and that teacher provides a light worth heeding.” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 6:1,5; emphasis added).

Perhaps the least understood aspect of the Savior’s mission is there is one path to the Father. It is the way of empowerment to rise to the Father’s presence and become like Him. Walking the path to the Father requires guidance and nurturing instruction.  Beginning the ascension we are transformed to Their image. Sending Jesus to earth was the confirmation the path is real and achievable to all willing to walk it.

          The perception of most Christians is God sent them to mortality and gave them agency to choose their path in life, that is true enough. What is less understood is among the endless options we may choose, there is only one path leading to the Father. The Father’s path is also referred to as the “plan of happiness.” King Benjamin gave the following description of those who achieve happiness.

“Now, whether you’re old, young, or a little child, I’ve spoken plainly so you can understand my words. I pray that you’ll wake up and remember the awful position of those who’ve fallen into transgression. In contrast, consider the blessed and happy state of those who keep God’s commandments — they’re blessed in all things, both physical and spiritual. If they’re faithful to the end, they’re received into heaven, and they can live with God in a state of never-ending happiness. Remember, remember these things are true, because the Lord God has spoken it” (CofC Mosiah 1:12; emphasis added).

From a practical perspective many pursue their lives according to vain desires only applying the Atonement of Jesus Christ when we stumble. That principle is true but doesn’t live up to His desired outcome for us. We are born into this world enemies to God in need of a spiritual makeover into God’s image.

“. . . Forgiveness comes exclusively through the atonement of Jesus Christ’s blood. Even if it were possible for children to sin, they couldn’t be saved. However, I tell you that they’re blessed. Even though by Adam or by nature they fall, Christ’s blood is sufficient to atone for their sins. I want to share with you that there’s no other way for mankind to attain salvation except through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. He’ll be the righteous judge. While infants who pass away won’t be lost, mankind must humble themselves and believe in the atoning blood of Christ to avoid damnation. [8] This belief is necessary for salvation and must be held steadfastly. Men and women, in their natural state, are out of harmony with God and have been since the Fall of Adam. This disharmony will continue from eternity to eternity, unless they yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, abandon their fallen nature, and become holy through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. They should strive to become like a child, humble, meek, patient, and full of love, willing to accept everything that the Lord deems appropriate for them, as a child obeys their parents” (CofC Mosiah 1:16; emphasis added).

King Benjamin’s words in the Covenant of Christ provide a clear explanation of what we are to accomplish in this life. At the end of our journey through eternity the Savior’s perfect life and Atonement leads us to perfection. Perfection is not generally the objective in this life. What is “necessary for salvation and must be held steadfastly” is they “must humble themselves and believe in the atoning blood of Christ to avoid damnation.” This is not perfection. It is the hope to continue progressing toward perfection “by precept and sad experience” [9] through unique experiences designed by God for those holding steadfastly to these principles. The optimal attitude for progressing in this life is to “strive to become like a child, humble, meek, patient, and full of love, willing to accept everything that the Lord [Heavenly Parents] deems appropriate for them, as a child obeys their parents.”

          What is certain is every stage we experience throughout eternity there are those “noble and great” that condescend to assist God in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. [10] This means in the various stages there will be those brought into the Son’s presence and the Father’s because they have become like Them. In contrast there are those held back from progressing through their ignorance and unwillingness to find humility. Only then will they learn the Father’s path and comply with the terms of the Savior’s Atonement.

          There is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” [11] one path that is “straight and narrow,” one “means of salvation,” and it will only be found when we give diligent heed to the words God imparts by those led by Christ on the path of the Father.

          The words of an angelic being speaking to Daniel instruct us as to what is required to walk the Father’s path and become “greatly beloved” of the Lord:

“And behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto you and stand upright, for unto you am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come for your words. . .” (RE Daniel 10:3; emphasis added). 

May we all set our hearts to understanding and have humility to chasten ourselves before God and receive His servants.

[1] “Jesus spoke these words, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you, as you have given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as you have given him. And this is life eternal: that they might know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have glorified you on the earth. I have finished the work which you gave me to do. And now, O Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world was” (RE John 9:19; emphasis added).

[2] “The Lord said unto Enoch, Behold these, your brethren, they are the workmanship of my own hands; and I gave unto them their intelligence, and in the Garden of Eden man had agency. And unto your brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should serve me, their God. . .” (RE Genesis 4:17; emphasis added).

[3] “And again, truly I say unto you, the earth abides the law of a celestial kingdom, for it fills the measure of its creation and transgresses not the law [of divine justice]. Wherefore, it shall be sanctified. Yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again and shall abide the power by which it is quickened. And the righteous shall inherit it, for notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body, even you shall receive your bodies. And your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. You who are quickened by a portion of the Celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fullness. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fullness. And also, they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fullness. And they who remain, shall also be quickened. Nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received. For what does it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (RE T&C 86:4; emphasis added).

[4] “Wherefore, I command you by my name, and by my almighty power that you repent, repent so that I don't smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore — how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all that they might not suffer, if they would repent. But if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, to suffer both body and spirit, and would that I might not drink the bitter cup and shrink. Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. Wherefore, I command you again by my almighty power that you confess your sins, so that you don't suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time when I withdrew my spirit” (RE T&C 4:5-6; emphasis added).

[5] “. . .And these three constitute the Godhead and are one: the Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power, and fullness, filling all in all — the Son being filled with the fullness of the mind, glory, and power, or in other words, the spirit, glory, and power of the Father — possessing all knowledge and glory, and the same kingdom: sitting at the right hand of power, in the express image and likeness of the Father — a mediator for man — being filled with the fullness of the mind of the Father, or in other words, the spirit of the Father, which spirit is shed forth upon all who believe on his name and keep his commandments. And all those who keep his commandments shall grow up from grace to grace and become heirs of the Heavenly kingdom and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of him who fills all in all: being filled with the fullness of his glory, and become one in him, even as the Father, Son, and holy spirit are one” (RE T&C 110, Lecture 5:2; emphasis added).

[6] “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. . .” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (p. 398; emphasis added). (Function). Kindle Edition.

[7] “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).

[8] “To cease progressing or to regress. Damnation merely means the end of progress.² So when one fails to progress in understanding, he voluntarily damns himself. “When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned.” If mankind is to be saved, it will be through their acquisition of knowledge. Put otherwise, it is stupidity that damns them; it is knowledge which saves man. Damnation means hedging up the way so that one cannot progress” (A Glossary of Gospel Topics, Damned, p.77; emphasis added).

[9] “. . .We are obligated to heed the Lord. We only have two choices: either to

learn by precept or through sad experience. If we learn by precept, then we

listen and follow the Lord. But, when we reject the Lord’s counsel and ignore

His warning, then we learn through sad experiences. Based on the recent

communication with the Lord, it appears we will need, and are going to learn,

from sad experiences” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.14; emphasis added).

[10] “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was, and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones. And God saw these souls, that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them and he said, These I will make my rulers. For he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good. And he said unto me, Abraham, you are one of them; you were chosen before you were born. And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him, We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell. And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon, and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever” (RE Abraham 6:1-2; emphasis added).

[11] “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you that you walk worthy of the vocation with which you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, in one body and one spirit, even as you are called in one hope of your calling — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (RE Ephesians 1:12; emphasis added).

 Scott Roderick

3/9/26

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