Mormon Life - Revelation tag

Teachings of George Albert Smith 11: Revelation from God to His Children

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:04:00 -0600

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "Why does the Lord want us to pray to Him and to ask? Because that is how revelation is received." -Richard G. Scott Note: As the Church has said, the manual has been prepared as the primary source of lesson material. This supplement, from a general conference address, is only meant as a complement to your study on this lesson’s topic.

Excerpt from "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life," by Elder Richard G. Scott, April 2012 General Conference:

The Holy Ghost communicates important information that we need to guide us in our mortal journey. When it is crisp and clear and essential, it warrants the title of revelation. When it is a series of promptings we often have to guide us step by step to a worthy objective, for the purpose of this message, it is inspiration.

An example of revelation would be the direction that President Spencer W. Kimball received after his long and continued supplication to the Lord regarding providing the priesthood to all worthy men in the Church when at the time it was available to only some of them.

Another example of revelation is this guidance given to President Joseph F. Smith: “I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. … We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break. … If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, … how much more certain it is … to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond … can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. … We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves.”1

To read the full talk, click here.

Book of Mormon Lesson 17: "A Seer . . . Becometh a Great Benefit to His Fellow Beings"

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: In this lesson, we will look at part of Abinadi's ministry. How can we better tune our spiritual lenses to see the "Noahs" and "Abinadis" in our own lives and thus avoid making our own mistakes?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Behold what wonders God hath wrought! Truth springs out of the earth; the gold plates are translated by the gift and power of God; and the voice we hear is one that whispers from the dust. It is the voice of all the Nephis, of Alma and Amulek and Abinadi, of Ether and Mormon and Moroni of all the Nephite and Jaredite prophets. It is the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ, who ministered among the Nephites, inviting them to feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet and to thrust their hands into his riven side. It is the voice of doctrine and testimony and miracles. It is the voice of God speaking to men through the Book of Mormon.

Knowing beforehand what should come to pass in the last days, the Lord Jehovah spoke by the mouth of Isaiah relative to the Nephite peoples who should "be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire." Because they forsook the Lord and fought against Zion, it should be with them "as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite." Because they rejected the gospel and fought against the truth, they should be destroyed.

But a record would be preserved, and through it the great things revealed to their prophets would be known again. "And thou shalt be brought down," the prophetic word intones, "and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust." The spirit and tone and tenor of the message shall be familiar. A like account, one dealing with the same truths, the same laws, and the same ordinances, is found in the Bible. (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, p.151 p.152)

INTRODUCTION:

In the book of Mosiah, there are people all over the place. Groups of Nephites among the Lamanites; groups of Lamanites wandering around lost in the wilderness. Wicked kings and wonderful kings. Wicked priests and seers and martyrs and fashbacks within flashbacks. The doctrine of Mosiah is wonderful, but without some understanding of the history, the book can be most confusing.

The following are the most significant movements of people in the book of Mosiah:

-A group of Nephites attempts to return to the Land of Nephi from Zarahemla to live there (Omni 1:27,28; Mosiah 9:1,2).

-A second group, under the leadership of Zeniff returns to the land of Nephi and settles there (Omni 1:29,30; Mosiah 9:3-7,ff).

-Alma and a group of believers flee into the wilderness. They finally settle in Helam (Mosiah 18; 23:1-5,18).

-Noah's wicked priests under the leadership of Amulon flee into the wilderness (Mosiah 19:20,21). -They steal Lamanite wives (Mosiah 20:1-5), and settle in a place called Amulon (Mosiah 23:31).

-Limhi sends men to search for the land of Zarahemla. They become lost in the wilderness, wander for many days, and find Jaredite ruins and 24 gold plates. (Mosiah 21:25-27; Ether 1:1,2).

-Mosiah II sends 16 men under the leadership of a man named Ammon to look for the colony of Zeniff (Mosiah 7:1-5,ff).

-Ammon leads King Limhi, son of Noah, and his people, out of bondage and back to Zarahemla (Mosiah 22:11-13).

-The Lamanite army that pursues Limhi becomes lost, and then discovers Amulon and his people (Mosiah 23:30-32). Then they stumble upon the land of Helam; Alma and his people are placed in bondage.

-Alma and his people escape from the Lamanites and are led by the Lord to Zarahemla (Mosiah 24:16-25).

The book of Mosiah suggests one other important insight. At one time or another, almost everyone in the book is afflicted with blindness. They cannot see clearly those things that matter most to them. There are solutions for these problems, solutions that come from the scriptures and from seers and from repentance.

1. AMMON AND HIS BRETHREN FIND LIMHI AND HIS PEOPLE. AMMON TEACHES HIS PEOPLE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A SEER (Mosiah 7,8)

One of the best definitions of a seer found anywhere in the scriptures is given by Ammon. What question did Limhi ask of Ammon that caused Ammon to speak of seers? (Mosiah 8:12)

What other titles are associated with the title of seer according to Ammon? (Mosiah 8:16) Which men do we sustain today as prophets, seers, and revelators?

Can you identify the role of a seer as described by Ammon (Mosiah 8:17,18) How do our present prophets, seers, and revelators fulfill these vital functions? Ponder the following illustration from President Boyd K. Packer.

The ultimate purpose of the adversary . . . is to disrupt, disturb, and destroy the home and the family. Like a ship without a rudder. Without a compass, we drift from the family values that have anchored us in the past. Now we are caught in a current so strong that unless we correct our course, civilization as we know it will surely be wrecked to pieces . . .

This crisis of the family is no surprise to the Church. We have certainly known what was coming . . . .

The scriptures speak of prophets as “watchmen] upon the tower" who see Athe enemy while he [is] yet afar off" (D&C 101:54) and who have Abeheld things which are not visible to the natural eye . . . [for] a seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people." (Moses 6:36)

Thirty-three years ago the brethren warned us of the disintegration of the family and told us to prepare. . . .

The weekly family home evening was introduced by the First Presidency. . . .

Parents [were] provided with excellent materials for teaching their children, with a promise that the faithful will be blessed. . . .

All agencies of the Church have been reshaped in their relationship to one another and to the home. . . .

The entire curriculum of the Church was overhauled, based on scriptures.

And years were spent preparing new editions of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. . . .

We can only imagine where we would be if we were just now reacting to this terrible redefinition of the family. But that is not the case. We are not casting frantically about trying to decide what to do. We know what to do and what to teach.

The course we follow is not of our own making. (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 1994, p. 20)

What Ammon said to Limhi about 200 B.C. is certainly true in our day: “A seer can know of . . . things which are to come." (Mosiah 8:17)

What traits or behaviors does Limhi recognize in people which make a seer a great benefit to them? (Mosiah 8:20,21)

Ponder recent conference addresses based on topics that are concerns for you. Can you think of experiences in which the counsel of a seer has provided a great benefit to you?

2. THE RECORD OF ZENIFF PROVIDES A BRIEF HISTORY OF ZENIFF'S PEOPLE (Mosiah 9,10)

Zeniff encountered difficulties in establishing his colony among the Lamanites. One of the causes of this difficulty was that the Lamanites felt they had been "wronged," were therefore “wroth," and consequently taught their children to "hate" the Nephites (Mosiah 10:12-17)). How do the traditions of the past stir people up to hate each other? Why are such traditions perpetuated? Can you think of examples of similar situations happening in families, communities, nations, or the world in the year 2012?

Note what the record of Zeniff suggests that we do to overcome this problem? (Mosiah 9:1 - “when I saw that which was good among them . . .") How will looking for the good in others help cure the problems of hatred and animosity? How did Zeniff try to end this conflict? (By talking with the King. See Mosiah 8:5,6) What steps could we take in our lives to develop this quality of looking for the good in others? I have noticed that in my own family, when the children arouse me to feelings of frustration and anger, that those feelings can be controlled if I take the time to reflect on all the good things they do.

In what ways was the experience of the sons of Mosiah similar to the experience of Zeniff? (Alma 26:23-26) What suggestion did some Nephites make for dealing with the Lamanites? What action did the sons of Mosiah take to overcome the hatred between the Nephites and Lamanites? (They preached the gospel to them)

3. ABINADI WARNS THE PEOPLE, BUT THEY ARE BLIND TO NOAH'S WICKEDNESS (Mosiah 11; 12:1-18.)

What King Noah do to “change the affairs of the kingdom." (Mosiah 11:1-19) Because of the rapid degeneration of the Nephites under King Noah, the Lord sent a prophet to call them to repentance. Where was Abinadi from? (Mosiah 11:20: he was a “man among them" (emphasis added).

As you reflect on the monarchy of Noah, think of how he compares with Benjamin. Placing these two leaders side by side teaches a great lesson about great leadership.

Use the following verses to compare King Benjamin and King Noah:

NOAH BENJAMIN

Reference Subject Reference

Mosiah 11:2 Wickedness Mosiah 2:13

Mosiah 11:3,4 Riches Mosiah 2:12,14

Mosiah 11:5,7 Religion W of M 1:15,16

Mosiah 11:6 Service Mosiah 2:11

Mosiah 11:14 Motives Mosiah 2:15

Long years ago I was living in Logan, Utah, going to school, working full time, raising a family. I always had too much to do and too little time to do it. One day as I raced west on 10th North from USU to my home, I flew past a policeman with his radar running. He was after me in a heartbeat and I pulled over and waited for him. I was exceeding the speed limit by a large margin, and expected to be hit with a financial liability of federal proportions. But for some reason he gave me a warning only, enjoined me to go easy on gas pedal, and drove away. I offered a quiet prayer of gratitude and went home to tell my wife how good the Lord had been.

Notice the nature of Abinadi's first warning to the people of Noah. He mentions judgments that will come upon them “except they repent” (Mosiah 11:20,21,23,25). Abinadi is giving the people of Noah a warning ticket, warning them to change their ways. What was the response of the people to this warning of Abinadi? (Mosiah 11:26; 12:9) Why were the people angry with Abinadi but not with Noah? (Mosiah 11:29) What parallels can you see today? How do wicked people react to the words of a prophet? Why would so many rather follow the example of a man who leads them in wickedness? Consider the teaching of Samuel the Lamanite about this matter.

As the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil. But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desirethand if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet. Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him. (Helaman 13:26-28))

After two years, Abinadi came again among the people, this time in disguise, to deliver a second message (Mosiah 12:1). Notice that the nature of his message has changed rather dramatically. The judgments he enumerates are not conditional. Again and again Abinadi employs phrases like, “I will visit them in mine anger",or “it shall come to pass" or “they shall be smitten." (See Mosiah 12:1-7) The only conditional warning of this message is the final one:

And it shall come to pass that except they repent I will utterly destroy them from off the face of the earth . . . (Mosiah 12:8).

Just one week after my first meeting with the policeman on 10th North in Logan, I met him again, in the same place and for precisely the same reason. He remembered me, and I am quite confident that the thought of a warning ticket never crossed his mind on this second occasion. He wrote me up and he wrote me up hard! And I deserved a significant pain in my pocketbook because I had utterly ignored the first warning.

For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul. (2 Nephi 26:11)

Sooner or later, the Lord will stop writing warning tickets, as he did with the Nephite colony in the land of Nephi.

When Abinadi gave his second warning, what did the people say in defense of Noah? (Mosiah 12:13-15)

What would cause a person to reject an Abinadi in favor of a Noah? Who are the Noahs in our lives? Who are the Abinadis of our lives? How might one justify rejecting an Abinadi to follow a Noah?

Since we are in the season of General Conference [I am writing this about one month before April Conference, but most of you will read it after conference], perhaps you will pardon one additional observation on this matter.

When Jehoshaphat, king of Judah traveled to visit Ahab, king of Israel, Ahab invited Jehoshaphat to join him in a campaign against Syria to retake Israelite possessions that had been captured by the Syrians (1 Kings 22:2-4) Jehoshaphat was willing, but he wanted to know that the Lord thought about it and asked Ahab to enquire of God before the battle. Ahab brought in 400 false prophets who encouraged the battle and predicted success (1 K. 22:6).

Jehoshaphat was still not satisfied: “Is there not here a [true] prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him?" (1 K. 22:7). The answer of Ahab to this question teaches a wonderful lesson about prophets.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil (1 K. 22:8).

Consider why Ahab and Noah hated the prophets that spoke to them and of them, and then consider the lesson. How ought we to react when the prophets say things we do not like to hear? It seems to me that if a message comes to us from the prophets and seers that we do not want to hear, that message is probably one we desperately need to hear. At least that was true for Noah and his people.

Ahab rejected the words of Micaiah, and died as Micaiah had prophesied. Noah rejected the words of Abinadi, and died as Abinadi had prophesied. What statement did the Lord inspire Abinadi to make about the way in which Noah would eventually be valued? (Mosiah 12:3) Who would place that value on him? (Mosiah 19:18-20: the same people who earlier defended him)

Conclusion

Find a pair of glasses and take a look at them and through them. Glasses correct physical problems with vision. Even so, we sometimes need spiritual lenses in order to see the good in others as did Zeniff, and in order to distinguish between the Noahs and Abinadis that we meet in our lives.

Dave Says: How Do You Know It's Your Calling?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:03:00 -0600

by Dave Ramsey
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: How do you know you've found your true calling when it comes to a career?

Dear Dave,

How do you know when you’ve found your true calling when it comes to your job or your career?

Matt

Dear Matt,

I’ve met a few people who’ve had a spiritual experience in this area. Something has happened, almost like they were struck by lightning, and they knew what they were supposed to do with their lives. This isn’t the normal way people come to realization about their futures, but it does happen from time to time.

Usually, I believe this kind of revelation starts out as a simple idea that gradually grows into a job and then into a career. Then, it evolves over time into a calling. That’s how I stepped into what I’m doing today. I can’t honestly tell you that when I started on radio, or began writing and teaching, that I knew it was God’s purpose for my life. But I felt the weight and the drawing of it, almost like a magnetic pull.

I’ve been doing it for 20 years, so it definitely evolved over time into what it is today. Still, I’m positive it’s the reason I’m on this planet!

—Dave

For more financial help, visit daveramsey.com.

How Does the Spirit Send You Revelation?

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:18:00 -0700

source: radio.lds.org

Young Men Lesson 6: The Holy Ghost

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:01:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "The spirit of revelation is real—and can and does function in our individual lives and in the Church." -David A. Bednar

Discussion Questions

• What can I do to receive daily promptings from the Holy Ghost?

• How can the Holy Ghost help me be morally clean and avoid temptations like pornography?

Excerpt from "The Spirit of Revelation" by Elder David A. Bednar, April 2011 General Conference:

I express gratitude for the inspiration that attended the selection of the hymn that will follow my remarks, “Have I Done Any Good?” (Hymns, no. 223). I get the hint.

I invite you to consider two experiences most of us have had with light.

The first experience occurred as we entered a dark room and turned on a light switch. Remember how in an instant a bright flood of illumination filled the room and caused the darkness to disappear. What previously had been unseen and uncertain became clear and recognizable. This experience was characterized by immediate and intense recognition of light.

The second experience took place as we watched night turn into morning. Do you recall the slow and almost imperceptible increase in light on the horizon? In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising sun did not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the intensity of the light increased, and the darkness of night was replaced by the radiance of morning. Eventually, the sun did dawn over the skyline. But the visual evidence of the sun’s impending arrival was apparent hours before the sun actually appeared over the horizon. This experience was characterized by subtle and gradual discernment of light.

From these two ordinary experiences with light, we can learn much about the spirit of revelation.

To read the full talk, click here.

Book of Mormon Lesson 4: "The Things Which I Saw While I Was Carried Away in the Spirit"

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: The vision of the tree of life symbolizes both the tragedy of disobedience and the beauty of eternal life. And it is our responsibility to help wanderers on the path know where they should be going.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

I bless you with increased understanding of the Book of Mormon. I promise you that from this moment forward, if [you] will daily sup from its pages and abide by its precepts, God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto unknown.

(Pres. Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1986, p. 78)

INTRODUCTION:

Can you feel Nephi's wrenching heartache from the following verse?

O the pain, and the anguish of my soul for the loss of the slain of my people! For I, Nephi, have seen it, and it well nigh consumeth me before the presence of the Lord; but I must cry unto my God: Thy ways are just. (2 Nephi 26:7)

In the visions of 1 Nephi 12 and 13, Nephi saw the future of the promised land. He saw the Nephites and the Lamanites and the Gentiles. Among other things, he saw that

. . . the seed of my brethren did contend against my seed, according to the word of the angel; and because of the pride of my seed, and the temptations of the devil, I beheld that the seed of my brethren did overpower the people of my seed. (1 Nephi 12:19)

Can you imagine your own feelings if you were to discover by revelation that the descendants of your siblings would one day destroy your own posterity?

But Nephi never stumbles. His confidence that the ways of God are just is absolute. He continues on throughout his life doing what has to be done when it has to be done. The understanding of what will be done by the descendants of Laman and Lemuel never restrains him from loving them and preaching to them and encouraging them. I stand in awe at the power of this prophet, and his unfaltering willingness to do the right thing.

1. NEPHI SEES THE FUTURE OF HIS DESCENDANTS AND HIS BROTHERS DESCENDANTS (1 Nephi 12)

The vision of Nephi in these chapters is a tour conducted by the angel who began the instruction in 1 Nephi 11. Note as you read this chapter the things to which Nephi's attention is directed by this heavenly messenger, using the words look and/or behold. Ask yourself why Nephi was instructed to focus on these things rather than the others that might have been presented. Why did he include these accounts in this record? Speaking to his brother Jacob many years later, Nephi instructed him to write

. . . a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; that I should not touch, save it were lightly, concerning the history of this people which are called the people of Nephi. . . .

And if there were preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the heads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ's sake, and for the sake of our people. (Jacob 1:2,4)

What is there about the accounts of 1 Nephi 12 that could be considered most precious? Do these verses include the heads (the most significant parts) of sacred preaching, great revelation, or prophesying? Why is this material in the book at all?

• AND it came to pass that the angel said unto me: Look, and behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren. And I looked and beheld the land of promise; and I beheld multitudes of people, yea, even as it were in number as many as the sand of the sea. (1 Nephi 12:1, emphasis added) In verses 1-7 Nephi sees the Land of Promise, multitudes of people, wars and rumors of war (and great slaughters with the sword 1 Nephi 12:2), many generations, the destructions at the crucifixion, the vapor of darkness, and the Lamb of God descending out of heaven (1 Nephi 12:6).

• And I also saw and bear record that the Holy Ghost fell upon twelve others; and they were ordained of God, and chosen. And the angel spake unto me, saying: Behold the twelve disciples of the Lamb, who are chosen to minister unto thy seed. (1 Nephi 12:7,8, emphasis added) Nephi learns (and we learn) that the twelve apostles of the Lamb . . are they who shall judge the twelve tribes of Israel. They will therefore judge the twelve ministers of thy seed . . . (1 Nephi 12:9) The twelve disciples of Nephis seed will judge thy seed [the seed of Nephi] (1 Nephi 12:10)

• And the angel said unto me: Look! And I looked, and beheld three generations pass away in righteousness; and their garments were white even like unto the Lamb of God. And the angel said unto me: These are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him. (1 Nephi 12:11, emphasis added) At this point Nephi saw the righteous interlude of 4th Nephi, wherein three generations and many of the fourth generation are made white in the blood of the Lamb, because of their faith in him. It is in this part of the Book of Mormon that we get the most powerful scriptural record available that it is possible for a society to live in perfect righteousness. (1 Nephi 12:11)

• And the angel said unto me: Behold thy seed, and also the seed of thy brethren. (1 Nephi 12:14, emphasis added) As Nephi records the final Nephite/Lamanite battles, notice the depiction of some of the symbols of Lehi's dream. Why is the Lord showing him and us this explanation? What in our own day corresponds to these visions of Nephi? He saw people gathered together to war and called war the fountain of filthy water which thy father saw . . . (1 Nephi 12:16) How much filthy water is there in the world today? He saw the mists of darkness and temptations which blind eyes and harden hearts and lead the children of men into broad roads where they perish and are lost. (1 Nephi 12:17) If you watch your television this week, look for people whose eyes are blinded and whose hearts are hardened to the truths that you love so much. What kind of broad (forbidden, strange [1 Nephi 8:28,32]) roads do you see such people following? What evidence to you see of people inhabiting the great and spacious building? Is there any evidence of pride and vain imaginations visible around you? Look carefully at verse 18. How dangerous is it to allow ourselves to be led about by our pride and vain imaginations? For that matter, what are vain imaginations? Finally, Nephi sees the destruction of his people, and that afterward, the Lamanites went forth in multitudes upon the face of the land. (1 Nephi 12:20)

• And the angel said unto me: Behold these shall dwindle in unbelief. (1 Nephi 12:22, emphasis added) And Nephi watched the disintegration of the Lamanites until they reached the situation they were in when the Restoration began.

2. NEPHI SEES THE FORMATION OF A GREAT AND ABOMINABLE CHURCH, THE COLONIZATION OF THE AMERICAS, THE APOSTASY, AND THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL (1 Nephi 13)

In 1 Nephi 13 the vision of Nephi shifts its focus to the Gentiles of Europe and America, and the discovery and founding of the Americas. Among the first things he notices (he is again directed to Look! by the angel (1 Nephi 13:1) is the formation of a church which is most abominable above all other churches. (1 Nephi 13:5) Bruce R. McConkie said,

The titles church of the devil and great and abominable church are used to identify all churches or organizations of whatever name or nature whether political, philosophical, educational, economic social, fraternal, civic, or religious which are designed to take men on a course that leads away from God and his laws and thus from salvation in the kingdom of God. (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p.137)

But in this chapter Nephi saw the formation of particular church - one that would in the time and place of this vision, accomplish certain significant things. As you read of this church, think about the answers to the following questions:

• (13:5) How does this church treat the saints?

• (13:6) Who is the founder of this organization?

• (13:7,8) What are the desires of this organization? Can you see any similarities between this establishment and the building mentioned in 1 Nephi 8:27?

• (13:9) Why do they destroy the saints and bring them into captivity?

• (13:26) What does this church do to the scriptures?

• (13:27) Why do they do this to the word of God?

The answers to these questions will help you understand why this church is called most abominable. The reasons for this title must include the attack by this church on the Bible - what Nephi has earlier called the Iron Rod.

As Nephi sees the discovery and colonization of America, he tells us of a remarkable, divine involvement in this process. Note the following descriptions of the Lords part in the establishment of America:

• (13:11,14) He disperses the Lamanites

• (13:12) He inspires Columbus

• (13:13) He inspires other Gentiles

• (13:13) His Spirit helps the Gentiles prosper

• (13:16-19) God helps them win the Revolutionary War

• (13:30) They are lifted by the power of God above all other nations.

With regard to the inspiration attending Columbus, the following may be useful:

From my first youth onward I was a seaman and have so continued until this day . . . . The Lord was well disposed to my desire, and He bestowed upon me courage and understanding; knowledge of seafaring He gave me in abundance, of astrology as much as was needed, and of geometry and astronomy likewise. Further, he gave me joy and cunning in drawing maps and thereon cities, mountains, rivers, islands, and harbours, each one in its place. I have seen and truly I have studied all books - cosmographies, histories, chronicles, and philosophies, and other arts, for which our Lord unlocked my mind, sent my upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my emprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me. (Jacob Wasserman, Columbus, Don Quixote of the Seas, pp. 19-20, 46)

Orson Pratt spoke of an even more dramatic divine involvement in the journeys of Columbus:

In those early and perilous times, our men were few, and our resources limited. Poverty was among the most potent enemies we had to encounter; yet our arms were successful; and it may not be amiss to ask here, by whose power victory so often perched on our banner? It was by the agency of that same angel of God that appeared unto Joseph Smith, and revealed to him the history of the early inhabitants of this country, whose mounds, bones and remains of towns, cities and fortifications speak from the dust in the ears of the living with the voice of undeniable truth. This same angel presides over the destinies of America, and feels a lively interest in all our doings. He was in the camp of Washington; and, by an invisible hand, led on our fathers to conquest and victory; and all this to open and prepare the way for the Church and kingdom of God to be established on the western hemisphere, for the redemption of Israel and the salvation of the world.

This same angel was with Columbus, and gave him deep impressions, by dreams and by visions, respecting this New World. Trammelled by poverty and by an unpopular cause, yet his persevering and unyielding heart would not allow an obstacle in his way too great for him to overcome; and the angel of God helped him - was with him on the stormy deep, calmed and troubled elements, and guided his frail vessel to the desired haven. Under the guardianship of this same angel, or Prince of America, have the United States grown, increased, and flourished, like the sturdy oak by the rivers of water. (Journal of Discourses, Vol.6, p.368, Orson Hyde, July 4, 1854)

Nephi's discussion of the history of the Bible is worth a close look. Note that when the Bible came from the Jews (from the mouth of a Jew (1 Nephi 13:24), it contained the fulness of the gospel. If went forth from the Jews in purity. (1 Nephi 13:25) It was after (1 Nephi 13:26) these things went forth from the apostles to the Gentiles that the records fell into the hands of the great and abominable church. From the Bible they removed many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. (1 Nephi 13:26) Since Satan is the founder of this church (1 Nephi 13:6), the removal of these things is not a great surprise. These things were removed in order to pervert the right ways of the Lord and to blind the eyes and harden the hearts of those who might otherwise accept the truth. How successful was this effort? We are told that

because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God - because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them. (1 Nephi 13:29)

A later verse (13:32) tells us that the Gentiles were in awful state of blindness . . . because of the plain and most precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, whose formation thou hast seen. You can understand what happens to the Gentiles when you realize that with the removal of pieces of the iron rod—“many plain and precious things”—the willingness of the Gentiles to grab hold and hang on is severely diminished. How can they stay on the path without the rod as a guide? The river and mists claim frightening numbers of them.

The efforts of the great and abominable church to destroy the converting power of the bible caused (1) many to stumble, (2) Satan to have great power, and (3) the Gentiles to be in an awful state of blindness.

Some historical records tell us of the very process of which we are speaking. Consider the implications of the following quotes:

The translation of the Septuagint from Hebrew to Greek illustrates the problems that have attended translations ever since. Aside from the sorry state of the text due to scholastic incompetence, there was a far more serious problem, namely, the theological bias of the translators. This caused them to change the meaning or paraphrase texts that were either unclear or embarrassing to them. Concrete terms in Hebrew came out as abstract terms in Greek. Expressions about God deemed by the Greek translators to be crude or offensive because they described Deity as the Holy Man that he is, rather than the immanent spirit they supposed him to be were changed or toned down or deleted entirely. Passages setting forth the so-called anthropomorphic nature of Deity were simply assumed by the translators to be false and were translated, paraphrased, and changed accordingly. . . .

As long as inspired men are the keepers of holy writ; as long as prophets and apostles are present to identify and perfect the scriptures by revelation; as long as scriptural translations (as in the instance of the Book of Mormon) are made by the gift and power of God all will be well with the written word. But when the gospel sun sets and apostate darkness shrouds the minds of men, the scriptural word is in jeopardy. (Bruce R. McConkie, A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p.403)

And this quote:

In a very old text, Peter is reported as saying in a letter to James regarding the use of his own writings in the church: "They think they are able to interpret my own words better than I can, telling their hearers that they are conveying my very thoughts to them, while the fact is that such things never entered my mind. If they take such outrageous liberties while I am alive, what will they do after I am gone!" (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.3, Ch.4, p.28)

The fact that there are three Synoptic Gospels instead of one poses the greatest riddle of New Testament criticism: Why are there three, and why do they differ? The very "multiplicity of the Gospels" is adequate evidence that someone has been manipulating the records.

Some experts think they have a pretty good idea of the sort of people responsible. They were people who had received the gospel from the apostles, but immediately after the passing of the apostles proceeded to make basic alterations, deliberately disregarding some of the most important teachings. They were not the old Jewish-Christian communities, but various local churches of gentile composition, into whose hands the record came at an early time (in the 70's and 80's A.D.), and by whom the alterations - especially deletions - were made. The changes consisted in new interpretations of the scriptures, not in corruptions of the text, and in substantial omissions. (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol.7, Ch.2, p.26 p.27)

Of course the scholars have made a determined and laudable effort to restore the Bible to is pristine condition, using texts from as long ago as 325 A.D. But by then it was too late, because it was after these plain and precious things were taken away [that the Bible went forth] to all the nations of the Gentiles. (1 Nephi 13:29) Robert J. Matthews wrote,

As we read the words of the angel [in I Nephi 13], we discover that the world has never had a complete Bible, for it was massively, even cataclysmically, corrupted before it was distributed [Robert J. Matthews, "The Book of Mormon as a CoWitness with the Bible and as a Guide to Biblical Criticism," LDS Church Educational System Symposium on the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1982), p. 57)]

The only mistakes the newer translations can correct are those made since 325 A.D. when Constantine ordered 50 copies of the Bible made and sent to all the major Roman cities.

Nephi learned that the Lord had a solution for this corruption of the text before it ever took place. Nephi was promised: Neither will the Lord God suffer that the Gentiles shall forever remain in that awful state of blindness . . . (1 Nephi 13:32). What would he do to counteract the effects of the crippling damage done by this Satanic organization?

. . . after the Gentiles do stumble exceedingly, because of the most plain and precious parts of the gospel of the Lamb which have been kept back by that abominable church, which is the mother of harlots, saith the LambI will be merciful unto the Gentiles in that day, insomuch that I will bring forth unto them, in mine own power, much of my gospel, which shall be plain and precious, saith the Lamb.

For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. (1 Nephi 13:34,35)

Part of the restitution of these plain and precious things would come through the Book of Mormon. Other parts would be restored in another way.

I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. (1 Nephi 13:39, emphasis added)

The verse above and the one following it suggest an interesting and often overlooked purpose of the Book of Mormon and the other two books of scripture that have come forth with the restoration.

These last records . . . shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them. (1 Nephi 13:40, emphasis added)

3. NEPHI SEES THE BLESSING PROMISED TO THE FAITHFUL; HE ALSO SEES THE DESTRUCTION OF THE GREAT AND ABOMINABLE CHURCH

(1 Nephi 14)

In the Book of Mormon, a Jew seems to be anyone from the land of Judah. Everyone else is a Gentile. Understanding these terms will help with the study of 1 Nephi 14.

In 1 Nephi 13 the great and abominable church was a specific organization in a specific time and place. But following the restoration, we are told that there are only two churches, and everybody belongs to one or the other:

Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth. (1 Nephi 14:10)

If the Gentiles will hearken when the Lord manifests himself unto them in word and in power, he promises to take away the stumbling blocks mentioned in 1 Nephi 13:29,34. (1 Nephi 14:1) The word referred to here is of course the word we are studyingThe Book of Mormon, and the words of living prophets. The power is that which comes from the word of God (see 1 Nephi 15:24; Alma 31:5; Hel 3:29)

To have these blessings the Gentiles must repent. Thou hast beheld that if the Gentiles repent it shall be well with them . . . (1 Nephi 14:5) If they refuse to repent, a different fate awaits: thou also hast heard that whoso repenteth not must perish. Therefore, wo be unto the Gentiles if it so be that they harden their hearts against the Lamb of God. (1 Nephi 14:5,6)

How powerful is the great and abominable church at the time period referred to in 1 Nephi 14?

. . . she sat upon many waters; and she had dominion over all the earth, among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people. (1 Nephi 14:11)

How powerful is the Church of the Lamb?

And it came to pass that I beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations of the whore who sat upon many waters; nevertheless, I beheld that the church of the Lamb, who were the saints of God, were also upon all the face of the earth; and their dominions upon the face of the earth were small, because of the wickedness of the great whore whom I saw. (1 Nephi 14:12)

What project does the great mother of abominations undertake?

And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God. (1 Nephi 14:12)

Since the numbers in this battle are so unequal, how will the saints survive?

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory. (1 Nephi 14:14)

What are the people of the covenant armed with? How would you go about arming yourself with righteousness so that you could partake of the power of God in great glory?

I remember a sergeant with whom I served in the Army. He had been in Viet Nam for two tours of duty, and, like all good soldiers, loved to tell his stories to people who would hold still long enough to listen. I heard him say this on one occasion. The US Army SOP (Standard Operations and Procedures) required a soldier going into combat to carry with him a basic load - a certain amount of ammo, a couple of grenades, some smoke, perhaps a flare or two, etc. But, he said in absolute seriousness, I always took a double basic load!

This sergeant did not want to take the chance of exhausting his supply of ammunition during a battle when his life and the lives of comrades were on the line. This seems to be a wonderful idea. What a tragedy it would be if we found ourselves in a battle when the only weapon available to us was our righteousness, and we had an insufficient supply. We must not hope for just enough righteousness to get by. I saw a bumper sticker once. The caption read, How much sin can I get away with and still go to heaven? I have a fear about that attitude. We need a double basic load of righteousness for the battles ahead.

CONCLUSION

We all have neighbors who are stumbling, and who are in that awful state of blindness, and over whom Satan has power. They are the modern victims of a plague of worldliness caused by the damage done to the Bible. But this is a plague for which we have the cure. And our Father will surely hold us responsible for those with whom we come in contact if we make no attempt to offer them the divine remedy for the malady from which the suffer.

New Testament Lesson 46: "He Will Dwell with Them and They Shall Be His People"

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:05:00 -0700

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: In this, the last lesson in the New Testament course of study, we will discuss the dramatic conclusion to Revelation - the prophecy of the end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ.

INTRODUCTION:

Did anyone ever spoil a movie for you by telling you the ending before you attended? Have you video-taped an athletic contest to watch at a later date, only to have someone tell you the final score before you had the chance to watch the event for yourself? There is a certain excitement in participating in (or watching) a dramatic incident without knowing the outcome. But what if the incident is one involving the entire world–the history of all mankind and the success or failure of the Kingdom of God on the earth? No one who loves the Lord and his work wants the final score kept a secret.

And it has not been. In the Garden of Eden the Father told Satan that while he might have some successes–“thou shalt bruise his heel”–in the end, righteousness and the eternal destiny of man would triumph through the intercession of Christ and the work of the atonement: “He shall bruise thy head.” (Moses 4:21)

Again, at the end of the Bible. The Lord affirmed this simple and most rewarding truth: “In the end, the good guys win.” This is of course the message of the book of Revelation. In a world tumbling headlong into apostasy, a world where persecution intensified and the kingdom seemed to be in rapid retreat, John sent this message within the pages of this wonderful book: In the end, the kingdom of God and Christ will be established for eternity and all the blessings promised to the faithful will be theirs forever and ever.

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Rev. 21:1-7)

We know how the contest ends! The drama lies not in the conclusion but in the choices of the individual participants. Where will we be when the earth becomes a celestial world and the righteous are invited to inherit it forever?

I. SATAN FIGHTS AGAINST THE RIGHTEOUS (Rev. 5, 6)

John had just had a remarkable vision. He saw the throne of God,

And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald (Revelation 4:3).

He who sat upon the throne “had in the right hand . . . a book written within, and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.” (Rev. 5:1) That book contained a record of the history of the world, each of the seals representing 1000 years of the earth’s temporal history.

“Q. What are we to understand by the book which John saw, which was sealed on the back with seven seals?

“A. We are to understand that it contains the revealed will, mysteries, and the works of God; the hidden things of his economy concerning this earth during the seven thousand years of its continuance, or its temporal existence” (D&C 77:6).

Nephi had a vision of many of these same things, but he was not permitted to write them:

“And behold, the things which this apostle of the Lamb shall write are many things But the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them. And also others who have been, to them hath he shown all things, and they have written them; and they are sealed up to come forth in their purity, according to the truth which is in the Lamb, in the own due time of the Lord, unto the house of And I, Nephi, heard and bear record, that the name of the apostle of the Lamb was John, according to the word of the angel” (1 Nephi 14:24 - 27).

Perhaps brother of Jared was one of those “others” spoken of in the verses above.

“. . . and when the Lord had said these words, he showed unto the brother of Jared all the inhabitants of the earth which had been, and also all that would be; and he withheld them not from his sight, even unto the ends of the earth. For he had said unto him in times before, that if he would believe in him that he could show unto him all things--it should be shown unto him; therefore the Lord could not withhold anything from him, for he knew that the Lord could show him all things” (Ether 3:25.26).

The brother of Jared was commanded to write the things which he had seen, and Moroni informed us that he, Moroni, had “written upon [the] plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw.” (Ether 4:4) Having written these things. Moroni was commanded to “seal them up.” (Ether 4:5)

Nephi wrote of this record, “And behold the book shall be sealed; and in the book shall be a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.” (2 Nephi 27:7)

Thus we have knowledge of records which were written and sealed up, containing revelations of the history of the world “from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof.”

John’s longing to know the content of the book he saw was perhaps much like ours to know the content of the sealed portion of the plates received by Joseph. “I wept much because no man was found worthy to open and read the book . . .” (Rev. 5:5)

But the Lamb was worthy. He took the book and opened the seals (see Rev. 6:1, ff). As he took the book, the 24 elders mentioned in Revelation 4:4,10 (see the JST for these verses), and in Rev. 5:8 fell down before him to worship him. Their praise is enlightening:

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 9,10)

In this kingdom we know of only one way to become “unto our God kings and priests” and that has to do with temples and the entire endowment. In years past, reading that the endowed of every nation would reign on the earth with the Savior has been a concept almost impossible to comprehend. But all that has changed now. We now have about 134 temples, with 16 announced and 10 under construction. We have had prophets who have found a way to take the blessings of the temple to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people where there are enough members and where there is enough faith for the work to be accomplished.

Several years ago I visited the Redlands, California temple, at that time the most recently dedicated. I was reminded of a visit and a session in the Colonia Juarez, Mexico Temple four years previous. It was after a visit to this location that President Hinckley received the inspiration for “small” temples, temples with all the ordinances and opportunities of the larger ones, but to be made available on a much wider basis. I had a lovely experience in that tiny Mexican temple in a small community in an area with essentially two stakes. The youth there told me that those who were able had been required to travel 25 hours by bus to Mexico City or Mesa, AZ to do baptisms for the dead in previous years, but they would not have to make that journey again. We can now truly begin to visualize the fulfillment of John’s vision. We may in our lifetime see “unto our God kings and priests” from every nation.

And John the Revelator recorded that the faithful in latter days would praise the Lord by saying:

"Thou art worthy for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of eve kindred, and tongue, and people, an nation;

"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:9-10.).

“That is, before the millennial era, before the time when Christ shall reign personally upon the earth, the elect of God among every kindred, the saints who speak every tongue, the converts among all peoples and nations, having first believed the restored gospel, will go to the temples of God and receive the ordinances of exaltation whereby they qualify to become kings and priests.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Conference Report, April 1969, p.144)

In Revelation 6, some of the seals are opened, and we have the opportunity to see the efforts of Satan to destroy the work of God on the earth. Note the following phrases are indicative of the things Lucifer tries to accomplish among the children of God. How many of them are still occurring in our day?

(vs. 4) “take peace from the earth”
(vs. 4) “that they should kill one another”
(vs. 6) “a measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny” (famine)
(vs. 8) “the sword”
(vs. 8) “hunger”
(vs. 8) “death”
(vs. 9) “slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they had”

This war between good and evil began in heaven and continues on earth:

President Hinckley based one of his conference messages on a New Testament scripture—Rev. 12:7-12. There, John the Revelator speaks of the war in heaven, the casting out of Satan and the triumph of Christ.

“That war, so bitter, so intense, has gone on, and it has never ceased. It is the war between truth and error, between agency and compulsion, between the followers of Christ and those who have denied Him. His enemies have used every stratagem in that conflict. They’ve indulged in lying and deceit. They’ve employed money and wealth. They’ve tricked the minds of men. They’ve murdered and destroyed and engaged in every other unholy and impure practice to thwart the work of Christ.

“It began in the earth when Cain slew Abel. The Old Testament is replete with accounts of the same eternal struggle.

“It found expression in the vile accusations against the Man of Galilee, the Christ, who healed the sick and lifted men’s hearts and hopes, He who taught the gospel of peace. His enemies, motivated by that evil power, seized Him, tortured Him, nailed Him [page 43] to the cross, and spoke in mockery against Him. But by the power of His godhood, He overcame the death His enemies had inflicted and through His sacrifice brought salvation from death to all men.

“That eternal war went on in the decay of the work He established, in the corruption which later infected it, when darkness covered the earth and gross darkness the people (see Isa. 60:2).

“But . . . . the war was not over. It was renewed and redirected. There was contempt. There was persecution. There were drivings from one place to another. There was the murder of the young prophet of God and his beloved brother. . . . Today the war continues as the Church seems to be constantly under attack from one quarter or another. However, the Church moves forward” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “The War We Are Winning,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 42.434).

Revelation gives some information about the opening of each seal. The distribution of emphasis on the various seals is interesting:

The first 5 seals [from the time of the Fall to about the year 1000AD] are discussed in Revelation 6:1-11.

The 6th Seal [c. 1000-2000 AD] comprises 14 verses, from Revelation 6:12 through 7:8.

The 7th Seal [c. 2000-3000 AD] is discussed in 201 verses, from Revelation 8:1 through 19:21.

There are 15 verses for the millennium and the final scenes. I wish I had the time to spend with you on the material in chapters 8-18, but let us skip the lessons on plagues and destructions and rush to the Savior’s final conquest of Satan and his works

In Revelation 19, the Lord comes. His coming and his meeting with the righteous is symbolized as a wedding feast. This is a wonderful image, a continuation of the frequent description of Christ as a bridegroom and Israel as an often unfaithful bride. (See Isaiah 61:10,11; 62:5; Matt. 25:1-13; D&C 33:17; 65:3, etc.) You might want to note in your scriptures that the word servants in 19:2,5 was changed to saints in the JST.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7).

Finally the church is ready for the coming of the Lord. The world has probably been ready for a long time, festering in iniquity and awaiting the destructions of the Second Coming. But there is a need of kings and priests to reign on the earth for a thousand years. That preparation will require substantial time and planning. But now, “his wife hath made herself ready.”

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Rev. 19:8).

The bride is arrayed in a robe, a marriage robe, as it were, or a wedding dress, a robe representing the “righteousness of the saints.” If in fact we weave our wedding garment by our righteousness, what does our robe look like?

---A long, beautiful garment, clean and white and of fine linen?
---A pair of cut-offs?
---A loin-cloth?

John is commanded to write the invitation:

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb”

At this same time, Satan is bound.

“AND I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season” (Rev. 20:1-2).

Some discussion has occurred about the binding of Satan. Is he bound by the power of God as is described above, or by the righteousness of the saints (see 1 Nephi 22:26)? Perhaps the answer is that he is bound by power, and his binding is maintained by the righteousness of men on the earth. If Satan has “no power over the hearts of the people” (1 Nephi 22:26), he has no power anywhere. Someone once asked in a religion class how such a change in the world was possible. How could this earth be transformed from a place of brutality and wickedness to a place of peace and righteousness in such a short period of time? The answer given by the teacher was (and I quote) “You kill the wicked and scare the hell out of the righteousness.” (For more on the binding of Satan, see D&C 29:22; 43:31; 88:11)

It will not do for us to wait for the arrival of the Bridegroom to bind Satan. We must be about it now. Our own righteousness must restrict his influence now in our lives and the lives of those we love. The war of which President Hinckley spoke earlier in the lesson is being waged now. The crisis is now. The battle lines are being drawn now, and “we are all enlisted” (Hymns, 250) on one side or the other.

At the end of the millennium when Satan is loosed “for a little season,” the final battle between good and evil will take place. Satan and his followers will be cast into outer darkness, “and there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth . . .”

“And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil--for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house--and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil” (Alma 40:13).

III. AFTER THE LAST JUDGEMENT, THE RIGHTEOUS WILL DWELL WITH GOD (Rev. 20:12-22:21)

What does Revelation 20:12, 13 suggest about the judgement? On what basis will men be judged? What three things does Alma say will be considered when we stand before God on judgement day?

“For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence” (Alma 12:14).

We learn from 2 Nephi 2:18 and 27 that Lucifer seeketh “that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” The same chapter teaches that “men are that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25) Read the description in Revelation of what will happen to misery when Christ dwells on the earth during 1000 years:

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:3,4, emphasis added).

We will indeed have joy! Part of that joy will come from the opportunity to dwell with God in the holy city. A description of that city is given in Revelation 21:10-27. Read it and consider the implications.

“The city lieth foresquare,” John tells us, and he should know. He saw the place in vision (21:10) “The length is as large as the breadth . . . the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal[!]” The city is a cube, equal on all sides. And the sides are 12000 furlongs. The footnotes tell us that a furlong is about 607 English feet, or 185.2 meters. Thus one side of this city is equal to 12000 X 607 feet, for a total on each side of 7,2284,000 feet, or 1,379.5 miles on a side. I do not mean to declare that all of this is to be taken with absolute literalness. Perhaps it is. I do not know. But what I do know is that the promises of the Lord are sure, and of this city he promised

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life” (Rev. 21:27).

And when I read that, I know where I want to live, no matter what the city is shaped like.

CONCLUSIONS:

This lesson marks the end of the New Testament course of study for Gospel Doctrine. I pray it will not mark the end of your study of the New Testament. You will return of course in four years to this volume, and again in four years after that. But I am convinced that you cannot learn the scriptures from anyone. You can learn about them–a great deal about them, it is true–but you can only learn them from the Spirit as you pay a personal price of study and prayer. Elder Maxwell said,

“On very thin pages thick with meaning, are some almost hidden scriptures. Hence we are urged to search, feast and ponder” (Ensign, November 1999, p. 6. Emphasis in original).

Now as this experience of mine comes to a close, may I share by way of testimony an experience and an application from my life as a young father many years ago, an experience that taught me that I must trust the Savior with all my heart. I have changed one name.

I trusted Brock to remodel the house. He showed me his temple recommend and talked about his missionary work and explained what he would do to make our disintegrating rambler livable and loveable, and we took out a loan for $30,000 and gave him all of it before he began. I know you are shaking your heads in consternation, wondering how a being with a functioning brain in this century could have made so mindless a move. But I was young, and the sheltered existence I had endured growing up in Logan had never prepared me for the predators waiting. My wife and I trusted him and paid him in full in advance.

He began the work with substantial zeal, and we watched the growing expanse of new siding with anticipation and pride. Then his visits diminished in frequency and our letters and calls went unanswered and finally the work stopped. Next thing we knew, he was in Costa Rica or Texas or some other foreign country, and we were obliged to borrow more money and find a new contractor to get the work finished. In all the years since I have never given my trust so freely again. I want someone's name somewhere with penalties and guarantees and late fees written into the contract, and I want the whole arrangement notarized, with me holding most of the money until the work is done.

But the most important lesson I have learned about trust, I did not learn from Brock. At the same time Lydia and I were agonizing over the debacle of our half-finished remodeling, my oldest son was teaching me what trust is really all about. He taught me in a lesson that lasted only an instant, and he taught it so well that the message burned itself into my bones.

Chris liked to jump. He walked early (he never crawled till kindergarten when a special needs teacher taught him to crawl so that he could learn to read; it worked!). And one day in his infancy he climbed on a chair while I was laying on the floor. I held out my arms and said, "Jump, Chris," and he did. I caught him and he laughed. Then he wanted to show Mom. She came and he repeated his leap and laughed some more, and she hugged him, so he showed her once more. We tried it again and again, and as the weeks and months passed, he graduated from chairs to the kitchen table and finally to the top of the old upright, a Zeck Standard Quality piano so tall that he could barely perch on top without hitting his head on the ceiling.

He leapt to me from the railing of the front porch when he was four, from the top of the car when he was five, and from the shed roof when he was six. And I caught him. The frequency of his airborne adventures decreased after that. He had less interest, and he weighed more, and my enthusiasm was tempered by three back surgeries and my regard for the integrity of my spinal column.

I never missed him. I never came close to missing him. This was due as much to luck as to skill. I have scars enough on this old body to prove that I am not infallible. But the years passed and every time he jumped, I caught him.

It was this kind of confidence that made possible the thing that happened. He and I were at my Uncle Alma Heaton’s for a family home evening, playing in the back yard. Johnny Carson called the space behind Alma Heaton's house the most exciting back yard in America. It probably is. Chris had climbed into a tree that supported one end of a platform at the back of the yard. He was about 12-14 feet off the ground. From that landing he could swing out over the lawn on a rope, or bounce to the ground and back on thick bungee cords. I was not paying attention to my 8-year-old. I had watched him climb, decided he was safe, and turned around to observe another child at play. Suddenly I heard his voice: "Catch, Dad!"

I knew from his inflection that he was already in the air! This was not a call for preparation. This was a call for action. "Catch, Dad!" I whirled and he hit my chest laughing, wrapping his little boy arms around my neck while I scrabbled backward, trying desperately to secure him and to retain my balance. When I was in control, I set him down and he dashed off. I watched him leap to grab the handle on the pulley that stretches across the yard, and bowed my head in relief that he was safe.

And then I remembered a scripture–my wife's favorite verses—from Proverbs 3:5,6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart . . ." and "lean not unto thine own understanding" Chris jumped to me when I wasn't looking. He saw me standing below, knew he was safe, and threw himself into space. I would have made much more sense for him to stand in the tree wondering: is he looking? Is he ready? Will he miss me or drop me? Am I too high? But none of that occurred. He simply trusted, with all his heart, and jumped, knowing that his father would never let him fall.

From time to time, I find myself in the tree, elevated there by financial struggles and less than perfect parenting and employment challenges and church callings that stupefy me. I know that the Father has said He will catch me and carry me (Isaiah 46:3,4); I know that He has never let me fall before. But I hesitate, not certain that I have the trust to throw myself into the haven of His arms without the certainty of his gaze upon me and the assurance of his waiting arms to rescue me. I sit in the tree, leaning on my own understanding. "Trust me," He is saying. "Do it my way," He invites. "I'm here, and I will not let you fall" He promises.

"Except ye become converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). I think I have become converted, but I have not yet become as a little child. I am not yet as trusting of my Father as Chris was of his. I am not yet able to throw myself into His invisible, inevitable arms because of my trust in Him and His promises. But I want to.

With all my heart, I want to.

________________________________________________

Thanks for a great year, my LDSLiving friends and neighbors.

                                Ted L. Gibbons

New Testament Lesson 45: "He That Overcometh Shall Inherit All Things"

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:05:00 -0700

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Understanding the book of Revelation can be a challenge, to put it lightly. As you study, I suggest you don't read it; SEE it.

INTRODUCTION:
One of the challenges of the book of Revelation is that the language is often strange and the images seem unfamiliar. We have some difficulty in understanding what John is trying to convey to us. There is a solution to this problem, and it is related to the problem of understanding the following transliteration from an ancient Greek text.

O SIBILI, SI ERGO:
FORTIBUSES INERO.
OHNOBILI, DEMIS TRUX.
SEWATIS ENIM?
COWSNDUX

For about 98% of those who see this message, the meaning is invisible. And yet, when they continue to look at it and to read it over and over, sometimes even reading aloud to hear and experience the sounds of the language, the passage suddenly opens itself and its complexity becomes clear. Try it yourself. Read it over at least twice out loud, and have someone else nearby read it to you. You will soon discover that the message is clear.

The book of Revelation is much the same. The first time through the book, or through a section of the book, you may feel confused and unrewarded. But as you look again and again, as you begin to isolate phrases and concepts whose meanings are clear, and then to link them together and to adjoining verses, you will suddenly discover that the book will open itself to you in a wonderful way.

By the way the “translation” of the text above is as follows: Oh, see Billy, see her go: forty busses in a row. Oh no, Billy. Them is trucks. See what is in ‘em? Cows and ducks.

Here are a few suggestions for you to consider as you study this book. Don’t read Revelation. See it. As much as possible, let the images stand by themselves. Let them teach you. Do not exhaust yourself trying to force meanings on the symbols. Most of the time, the meaning is clear from the images themselves. Joseph Smith said of this book: “The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.290)

Speaking of this remarkable book of scripture, Elder McConkie said

“In my judgement the Gospel of John ranks far ahead of those of Matthew Mark, or Luke; at least John’s record of the life of our Lord is directed to the saints; it deals more fully with those things that interest people who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, who have the hope of eternal life. But even ahead of his gospel account stands this wondrous work. the book of Revelation, or at least so it seems to those who are prepared to build on the foundations of the gospels and epistles and to go forward forever in perfecting their knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, Ensign, September 1975, p. 85).

Perhaps some background information will help a little. John, one of the original Twelve, was confined by Roman officials on the island of Patmos, a small protrusion of rock off the western coast of Turkey. His offence was bearing testimony of Christ to a society more and more given to the cult of emperor worship. Christians, because of their belief that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord, were facing increasing hostility. While on Patmos, John wrote to the seven branches of the church in Asia. Those letters are the book of Revelation. The theme of the book is that eventually, the good guys will win. Good will triumph over evil. Christ will reign triumphantly on the earth and Babylon, the earthly kingdom of the devil, will fall. By the way, about 20% of the book of Revelation is changed in the JST. Be sure to check JST footnotes and the JST appendix for clarification.

I. JOHN SEES SEVERAL SYMBOLS REPRESENTING PARTS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST (Revelation 1:1-3;12)

The vision that begins this book starts with a voice.

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea” (Revelation 1:10,11).

When John turned to see the source of the voice, he saw seven golden candlesticks. According to 1:20, these sources of light represent the seven churches. Why are the candlesticks gold rather than pewter or brass or baked clay? Why are they represented as candlesticks? What light does the church provide for the world? Who does John see standing in the midst of the churches? (Rev. 1:13) Can you see this image? What is John trying to tell us about the church and its relationship to the Son of Man? Read John’s description of Christ in Rev. 1:13-15. What did the Lord have in his right hand? (Rev. 1:16) According to Rev. 1:20, the stars are the angels of the seven churches. According to JST footnote ‘a’ for 1:20, what are the angels? They are the servants of the seven churches. They are servants in the way that your bishop is a servant. Christ said, “But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt. 23:11)

Don’t just read this: see it! Christ stands in the midst of his church holding the leaders of the church in his right hand. There is a beauty to this image that enlarges the soul and increases faith. If we stay close to our leaders, who else will we be close to? If we are active in the church, honoring our covenants and keeping the commandments, who will we be close to? Through what agency will the Savior make himself and his work know to the world?

II. THE LORD TELLS THE SEVEN BRANCHES IN ASIA ABOUT THE BLESSINGS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO OVERCOME.

The Lord now sends messages to the angels–the servants or leaders–of each of the seven churches. To the members of each of these churches–these wards or branches–John writes some wonderful promises, promises made to those who overcome.

As you review these promises about overcoming from the book of Revelation, mark and make a list of all of them. I think you will be amazed as I was at what the Lord promises to those who “overcome” the world. [I have presented this information as a sort of “fill in the blank” scriptural review because the blanks offer the simplest way to emphasize the words that convey the power of the promises.]

(Rev. 2:7) “To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the ____ of ____, which is in the midst of the ________ of God.” Turn to Revelation 22:2. How many kinds of fruit grow on this tree?_____ What are the leaves for? Ezekiel 47:12 teaches the following:

“And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”

(Rev. 2:11) “He that OVERCOMETH shall not be hurt of the _____ _____.” Turn to Rev. 21:8. The second death is described as a “_____ which _______ with _____ and _______.”

(Rev. 2:17) “To him that OVERCOMETH will I give to eat of the ______ _____.” Manna was miracle bread, supplied from heaven. But what happened to those who ate it? (See John 6:49)___________ Read John 6:48, 50, 51. Who is the bread of life or the bread of heaven (the hidden manna)?______ According to verse 50, what happens to those who partake of this “hidden manna”? __________________________

(Rev. 2:17) “ . . . and will give him a ____ _____ and on the _______ a ______ ______ written.” Turn to D&C 130:10,11. The white stone mentioned herein will become a _____ and _______ to each individual who receives one. What will be revealed by these stones?_______________________________________ ___________________________________________________
According to D&C 130:11, such a stone is given to all those who come into the __________________. Who knows the name on the stone?_________________ _____________________________

(Rev. 2:26) “He that OVERCOMETH, to him I will give power over the _______.” Turn to D&C 78:15. To people who overcome the Lord will say, “. . . come up uno the _______ prepared for you, and be made _______ over _____ ________.” The kingdoms here referred to are eternal kingdoms, patterned after the kingdom of God the Father.

(Rev. 2:28) “ And I will give him the _______ ______.” Turn to Rev. 22:16. Who is the “morning star”?

(Rev. 3:5) “He that OVERCOMETH . . . shall be clothed in ______ ______. . .” The literal meaning of “white raiment” is probably in verse 4 of the same chapter. “Thou hast a few names . . .which have not defiled their ________; and they shall ______ with me in _______; for they are ________.” There is also a symbolic meaning. In the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple, Joseph Smith prayed for the saints (D&C 109:76), that at the time of the Second Coming, “ . . . our _______ may be _____, that we may be clothed upon with _______ of _____________, with palms in our hands and ______ of _______ upon our heads.”

(Rev. 3:5) “And I will not ______ his _____ out of the book of life.” In Revelation 21 John describes the “Holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God.” (vs. 10) Revelation 21:27 tells us who enters into this city, and who does not. Those who get through the gates are “they which are _______ in the ______ ______ of _______.” The Book of Life is (according to D&C 88:2) “. . . the book of the names of the _________, even them of the ________ world.”

(Rev. 3:5) “But I will _______ his ______ before my ________ and before his ________.” Turn to D&C 45:3-5. Here Christ describes what he will do when he confesses your name before his Father. In verse three he says, “Listen to him who is the ________ with the Father, who is ________ your ______ before him–“ In verse 5, what does the Savior ask the Father to do for us? “Wherefore, Father, ____________ these my brethren that _________ on my name, that they may come unto me and have ________
life.”

(Rev. 3:12) “Him that OVERCOMETH will I make a ______ in the _______
of my _______, and he shall go no more out.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie says of this phrase, “A pillar in the temple of my God” means “a person of stature and eminence in the Celestial Kingdom of God. Heaven itself, the house and abode of God, is a temple, the chief and supreme temple of eternity.” (Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, p. 459) Turn to Helaman 3:30. Those who enter the Celestial Kingdom” sit down Abraham, Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, _________ ______ ________ ________.” Our Celestial inheritance will be an eternal inheritance and even though we are now away from the presence of the Father, we will never be required to leave again.

(Rev. 3:12) “And I will _______ upon him the ______ of my ______.” God’s
name is God. To have the name of God written on you means that yo are a God. This could not have been said more plainly. Those who gain eternal life become Gods.

(Rev. 3:12) “ . . . And the name of the _____ of my _____, which is the New Jerusalem.” Revelation 21:9-27 describes this city. To have “the name of the city” means to live in the city. For example, we might say, “he is a New Yorker” and mean the same thing.

(Rev. 3:12) “And I will write upon him my ______ ______.” Please turn and read Revelation 19:11-16. What is the name written on the Savior in verse 16? ________________________________________________________ What kind of being would be considered a “King of Kings” or a “Lord of Lords.” If we have this name “written” on us, what will we be? __________

(Rev. 3:21) To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to _______ with me in my ________ even as I also overcame and am sat down with my Father in his ________.” Turn to Romans 8:17. “And if children [of God], then _____ of _______, and joint-heirs with ___________.” What does it mean to sit down on the throne of Christ in the same way that Christ sat down on the throne of God?_____________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

These scriptures from Revelation 2 & 3, with the cross references noted, may give the best description of Godhood and of your eternal destiny available anywhere in the standard works. . If you OVERCOME, you are promised:

I.    The fruit of the tree of life
II.    Freedom from the second death
III.    The right to partake of the hidden manna
IV.    A white stone
V.    A new name
VI.    Power over nations
VII.    The morning star
VIII.    The opportunity to be clothed in white raiment
IX.    Your name written in the Lamb’s book of life
X.    That Jesus himself will confess your name before the Father
XI.    That you will be a pillar in the temple of God
XII.    That you will have the name of God written on you
XIII.    That you will have the name of the City of God written on you
XIV.    That you will have the new name of Christ
XV.    That you will sit with Christ in the throne of Christ.

D&C 132:20 says, “Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore they shall be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all because all things are subject unto them. Then they shall be Gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.”

D&C 109:77 tells of the kind of being who now sits enthroned in heaven:

“O Lord God Almighty, hear us in these our petitions, and answer us from heaven, thy holy habitation, where thou sittest enthroned, with glory, honor, power, majesty, might, dominion, truth, justice, judgment, mercy, and an infinity of fulness, from everlasting to everlasting” (D&C 109:77).

III. JOHN LEARNS THAT THE SAINTS OVERCOME SATAN THROUGH THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST AND THROUGH THEIR TESTIMONIES (Revelation 12)

Note that much of Revelation 12 is found in the JST Appendix. If you begin your perusal of the chapter there, you will have the benefit of continuing revelation to clarify the content of this chapter.

The question that needs to be answered about “overcoming” is what we are to overcome. Chapter 12 supplies an answer to that query. John, as a part of his vision, saw “a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads . . .” (Rev. 12:4, JST) Some have tried to identify the meaning of the seven heads. For me it is enough to recognize that if I cut off one of the heads–if I overcome one of Lucifer’s attempts to destroy me–he will come at me from another direction, or perhaps six other directions. Tobacco and alcohol are no temptation to me. But that does not mean that I cannot be tempted. Satan knows plenty of other ways to get after me, and he will use them as effectively and maliciously as he can to make me “a prey to his awful misery.” (2 Nephi 9:46)

Revelation 12 describes a woman and a child and their flight from the dragon into the wilderness. The woman was “the church of God” and the child she brought forth was “the kingdom of our God and his Christ.” (Rev. 12:7, JST) The dragon is of course “that old serpent called the devil, and also called Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth; and his angels were cast out with him.” (Rev. 12:8, JST)

The dragon “prevailed not against Michael, neither the child, nor the woman which was the church of God . . .” (Rev. 12:7, JST) Therefore he went “went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 12:17, JST) Since Lucifer was unable to prevail against the church, nor against the kingdom of God and Christ, he determined to attack those who belong to that church and that kingdom. We would do well to remember that a being of awful, malignant power had declared war upon us----relentless, merciless, endless war.

“Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, yea, and they who dwell upon the islands of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Rev. 12:12, JST).

He has been remarkably successful in his war with goodness, because “it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7) So many of our brethren have been overcome by the power of the evil one. He and his servants have offered them freedom from restraint, from commandments—

“While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:119,20).

CONCLUSION:

Thus we can overcome the power of the destroyer–the dragon– or we can be overcome by it. And if we are to overcome, how is it to be done? “They have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; for they loved not their own lives, but kept the testimony even unto death.” (Rev. 12:11, JST)

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5).

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

“Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared. Behold, the kingdom is yours, and the enemy shall not overcome” (D&C 38:9).

Young Women Lesson 24: Revelation in Our Daily Lives

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Robert D. Hales
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence. As we begin the concluding session of this historic conference, I join you in expressing gratitude for the privilege of sustaining President Henry B. Eyring as a counselor in the First Presidency, Elder Quentin L. Cook in the Quorum of the Twelve, and Elder Walter F. Gonzalez in the seven Presidents of the Seventy. I offer them my love and support and testify that they are called of God by a living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, "according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy."1

The events of these past two days teach us the need for revelation in the Lord's work and personal revelation in our own lives. Personal revelation is the way we know for ourselves the most important truths of our existence: the living reality of God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ; the truthfulness of the restored gospel; and God's purpose and direction for us.

Much of what I know about personal revelation I have learned from the examples of the prophets, both ancient and modern. This afternoon I would like to share a few of these personal examples and pray that they will inspire each of us to seek the blessings of personal revelation in our own lives.

As a young regional representative, I was assigned to assist Elder Marion G. Romney in reorganizing a stake. During the long, quiet ride to the conference, our conversation turned to the spiritual dimensions of our assignment. Elder Romney taught me about how the Lord blesses us with revelation. "Robert," he said, "I have learned that when we are on the Lord's errand, we have His blessings to accomplish whatever we are asked to do." Elder Romney further explained that we would arrive in the distant city, kneel in prayer, interview priesthood holders, kneel in prayer again, and the Holy Ghost would reveal to us the person whom the Lord had chosen to be the new stake president. He promised me it would be one of the great spiritual experiences of my life, and it was.

Each of us has been sent to earth by our Heavenly Father to merit eternal life: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."2 How do we know the Father and the Son for ourselves? By personal revelation. Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His Son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life - to return back into Their presence.

You may ask, "How do we seek personal revelation?" Paul counseled the Saints to rely on the Spirit rather than the wisdom of the world.3 To obtain that Spirit, we begin with prayer. President Lorenzo Snow had studied the gospel for several years before joining the Church. But he did not receive a witness until two or three weeks after his baptism when he retired in secret prayer. "The Spirit of God descended upon me," he said. "O, the joy and happiness I felt, [for] I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the Gospel."4

I have learned that prayer provides a firm foundation for personal revelation. But more is required. While still a regional representative, I had the opportunity to learn from another Apostle, Elder Boyd K. Packer. We were assigned to reorganize a stake and began by kneeling in prayer together. After interviewing priesthood leaders and having prayer, Elder Packer suggested that we walk around the building together. As we walked, he demonstrated a vital principle of seeking personal revelation - the principle the Lord taught Oliver Cowdery: "Behold, . . . you must study it out in your mind."5 We pondered our assignment, counseled together, and listened to the voice of the Spirit. When we went back, we prayed and studied further, and then we were prepared to receive revelation.

Revelation comes on the Lord's timetable, which often means we must move forward in faith, even though we haven't received all the answers we desire. As a General Authority, I was assigned to help reorganize a stake presidency under the direction of Elder Ezra Taft Benson. After praying, interviewing, studying, and praying again, Elder Benson asked if I knew who the new president would be. I said I had not received that inspiration yet. He looked at me for a long time and replied he hadn't either. However, we were inspired to ask three worthy priesthood holders to speak in the Saturday evening session of conference. Moments after the third speaker began, the Spirit prompted me that he should be the new stake president. I looked over at President Benson and saw tears streaming down his face. Revelation had been given to both of us - but only by continuing to seek our Heavenly Father's will as we moved forward in faith.

Early in my Church service, Elder Harold B. Lee taught this lesson when he came to organize a new stake in the district where we were living. Elder Lee asked me, as a newly sustained bishop, if I would join him at a press conference. There, an intense young reporter challenged Elder Lee. He said to him, "You call yourself a prophet. When was the last time you had revelation, and what was it about?" Elder Lee paused, looked directly at him, and responded in a sweet way, "It was yesterday afternoon about three o'clock. We were praying about who should be called as the president of the new stake, and it was made known to us who that individual should be." The reporter's heart changed. I will never forget the Spirit that came into that room as Elder Lee bore his powerful witness of revelation that can be received by those faithfully seeking to do the Lord's will.

As faithful children, youth, parents, teachers, and leaders, we may receive personal revelation more frequently than we realize. The more we receive and acknowledge personal revelation, the more our testimonies grow. As a bishop, my testimony grew each time I received revelation to extend callings to ward members. That testimony has been strengthened each time I witness General Authorities and officers, Area Seventies, and stake presidents called or given new assignments. More importantly, I am strengthened by the personal revelations I receive in my role as a son of God, a husband, and a father. I am so thankful for the guidance and direction of the Spirit in our home as we seek for direction in family matters.

For all of us, our personal revelations reflect the pattern of revelation received by prophets, as recounted in the scriptures. Adam and Eve called upon the name of the Lord and received personal revelation, including knowledge of the Savior.6 Enoch, Abraham, and Moses sought for the welfare of their people and were given marvelous revelations recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.7 Elijah's personal revelation came through the still, small voice;8 Daniel's came in a dream.9 Peter's personal revelation gave him a testimony that Jesus is the Christ.10 Lehi and Nephi received revelations about the Savior and the plan of salvation, and virtually all of the Bible and Book of Mormon prophets received revelations to warn, teach, strengthen, and comfort them and their people.11 After much prayer in the temple, President Spencer W. Kimball received the revelation on the priesthood.12 And after praying about providing temple blessings to more members of the Church, President Hinckley received revelation about the building of smaller temples.13

Prophets receive personal revelations to help them in their own lives and in directing the earthly affairs of the Church. Our responsibility is to seek personal revelations for ourselves and for the responsibilities the Lord has given us.

These past weeks President Hinckley has been seeking revelation about the callings that would be announced in this conference. About a month ago in our Thursday temple meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, I listened as President Hinckley offered a simple, sincere prayer for spiritual guidance. The answer to his heartfelt prayer has now been presented to all of us.

Do we see the pattern of revelation in the lives of prophets? Are the threads of that pattern also woven through our lives?

We know that the pattern centers on the Atonement.14 We receive the blessings of the Atonement when we repent of our sins and keep the commandments. This we covenanted to do when we were baptized, and we renew that covenant each week as we partake of the sacrament. As we continue in righteousness, we qualify ourselves to say with Samuel, "Speak, [Lord]; for thy servant heareth."15 And the Lord answers, "Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."16

We prepare to receive personal revelation as the prophets do, by studying the scriptures, fasting, praying, and building faith. Faith is the key. Remember Joseph’s preparation for the First Vision:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. . . .

"But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."17

By unwavering faith, we learn for ourselves that "it is by faith that miracles are wrought."18

Generally, those miracles will not be physical demonstrations of God's power - parting of the Red Sea, raising of the dead, breaking down prison walls, or the appearance of heavenly messengers. By design, most miracles are spiritual demonstrations of God's power - tender mercies gently bestowed through impressions, ideas, feelings of assurance, solutions to problems, strength to meet challenges, and comfort to bear disappointments and sorrow.

These miracles come to us as we endure what the scriptures call a "trial of [our] faith."19 Sometimes that trial is the time it takes before an answer is received. When President David O. McKay was a young man herding cattle, he sought a witness, but it did not come until many years later while serving his mission in Scotland. He wrote, "It was a manifestation for which as a doubting youth I had secretly prayed . . . on hillside and in meadow. It was an assurance to me that sincere prayer is answered 'sometime, somewhere.' "20

The answer may be "Not now - be patient and wait."

I testify that on the hillside or the meadow, in the grove or closet, now or in the eternities to come, the Savior's words to each of us will be fulfilled: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."21 While we are commanded not to seek after signs, we are commanded to "seek . . . earnestly the best gifts."22 These gifts include the Holy Ghost and personal revelation. That revelation will come "line upon line, precept upon precept," as the Savior said, and "unto him that receiveth [the Lord] will give more."23

As we go forth from this conference, I call upon each of us to seek more and receive more of the Spirit of God. The Savior prayed that His disciples in the New World would receive that Spirit. Then, as an example to all of us, He departed from His disciples and in prayer thanked His Heavenly Father for bestowing it.24 Let us follow His example and pray for the Spirit of God, giving thanks for its marvelous blessings in our lives.

I bear my special witness that Jesus Christ lives and leads His Church through a living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley. I know - I know - that President Hinckley leads this Church by revelation. In the words of Alma, "Behold, I say unto you [these things] are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days. . . . And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me . . . ; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me."25

That each of us may receive that Spirit, obtain the blessings of personal revelation, and know for ourselves that these things are true is my heartfelt prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes 1. Alma 8:24.

2. John 17:3.

3. See 1 Corinthians 2:11-16.

4. Quoted in Eliza R. Snow Smith, Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow (1884), 8.

5. D&C 9:8.

6. See Moses 5:4-11.

7. See Genesis 18:23-33; Exodus 3:1-3; 32:31-33; Moses 1:1-2, 24; 6:26-37; 7:2-4; Abraham 1:1-2, 15-19.

8. See 1 Kings 19:11-12.

9. See Daniel 2:16-20.

10. See Matthew 16:15-17.

11. See 1 Nephi 2:16; 11:1–2; for additional examples, see Mosiah 3:1-4; Alma 43:23; Helaman 7-8; 10:2-4; 3 Nephi 1:10-13; Mormon 8:34-35; Ether 3:1-6, 13-14, 25.

12. See "Letter of the First Presidency Regarding Revelation on the Priesthood," Tambuli, July 1978, 31; "Revelation on Priesthood Accepted, Church Officers Sustained," Ensign, Nov. 1978, 16.

13. See "Some Thoughts on Temples, Retention of Converts, and Missionary Service," Ensign, Nov. 1997, 49.

14. See Acts 9; Mosiah 27; Alma 36.

15. 1 Samuel 3:10.

16. Matthew 13:16.

17. James 1:5-6.

18. Moroni 7:37.

19. Ether 12:6.

20. Quoted in Francis M. Gibbons, David O. McKay: Apostle to the World, Prophet of God (1986), 50.

21. Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9; see also 3 Nephi 14:7.

22. D&C 46:8.

23. 2 Nephi 28:30.

24. See 3 Nephi 19:19-23.

25. Alma 5:46.

D&C Lesson 42: Continuing Revelation to Latter-day Prophets

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Ted L. Gibbons
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "For many years, I have watched the process of continuous revelation which emanates from God through the keys, authority, and under direction of the President of the Church." (James E. Faust) Introduction One of the great realities of the restoration is the fact of communication between mortals and immortals. Beginning with the vision in the grove and continuing on through the intervening years to this very day, we see evidence of continuous communication between God and his children. We have seen it in the unfolding of the revelations in the D&C and in the unfolding of the latter-day organization of the Kingdom of God on earth. President Faust said:

"For many years, I have watched the process of continuous revelation which emanates from God through the keys, authority, and under direction of the President of the Church. I testify that this revelatory power has directed this work since April 6, 1830. That confirmation is the source of the greatest knowledge I have. I counsel and pray that all will heed the ongoing prophetic voice of this Church, revealing the word of God in our day." (James E. Faust, "The Prophetic Voice," Ensign, May 1996, 7)

Elder Boyd K. Packer presented a powerful example of a way in which the prophetic presence in the Church has been a blessing to the members.

The ultimate purpose of the adversary, who has "great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time," 1 is to disrupt, disturb, and destroy the home and the family. Like a ship without a rudder, without a compass, we drift from the family values which have anchored us in the past. Now we are caught in a current so strong that unless we correct our course, civilization as we know it will surely be wrecked to pieces . . .
This crisis of the family is no surprise to the Church. We have certainly known what was coming. I know of no better testimony that we are led by prophets than our preparation for this present emergency.
The scriptures speak of prophets as "watch[men] upon the tower" who see "the enemy while he [is] yet afar off" (D&C 101:54) and who have "beheld also things which were not visible to the natural eye [for] a seer hath the Lord raised up unto his people." (Moses 8:36)
Thirty-three years ago the Brethren warned us of the disintegration of the family and told us to prepare. . . .
The weekly family home evening was introduced by the First Presidency. . . .
Parents are provided with excellent materials for teaching their children, with a promise that the faithful will be blessed.
[A]ll agencies of the Church have been reshaped in their relationship to one another and to the home.
[T]he entire curriculum of the Church was overhauled-based on scriptures, with excellent manuals for each course.
And years were spent preparing new editions of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. . . .
We can only imagine where we would be if we were just now reacting to this terrible redefinition of the family. But that is not the case. We are not casting frantically about trying to decide what to do. We know what to do and what to teach." (Boyd K. Packer, "The Father and the Family," Ensign, May 1994, pp.19,20)

1. CHURCH CORRELATION

What is priesthood correlation? It is that system of Church administration in which we take all of the programs of the Church, wrap them in one package, operate them as one program, and involve all the members of the Church in that operation. It is a system which requires us to operate within the existing framework of the Church. The day is long since past in which we discover some problem and set up a committee or some other organization to solve it. Instead we use the revealed priesthood organization, which means that we use home teachers in the way set forth in section 20, and we correlate all priesthood and auxiliary operations through the ward priesthood executive committee and the ward correlation council. President Harold B. Lee defined priesthood correlation as simply "putting the priesthood where the Lord put it and helping the family to function the way it should function." (See "Correlation and Priesthood Genealogy" in Genealogical Devotional Addresses, 1968, Provo, Utah, Brigham Young University Press, 1969, p. 55; Bruce R. McConkie, "Only an Elder," Ensign, June 1975, pp. 66-67)

This revealed effort of the Church to focus - to correlate - its organizations and capacities to accomplish the work of the restoration more effectively has had a discernible influence in all of our lives. Only consider the impact of such things as the current emphasis on the family, the organization of Church auxiliaries, the Church publications, and home teaching and you will begin to comprehend what the correlation program has meant to the welfare of the Church.

2. REVELATION EXTENDING THE BLESSINGS OF THE PRIESTHOOD TO EVERY WORTHY MALE MEMBER OF THE CHURCH

Official Declaration #2 is worth a careful look. It constitutes one of the most dramatic revelations given in this dispensation.

Official Declaration 2
To Whom it May Concern:
On September 30, 1978, at the 148th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the following was presented by President N. Eldon Tanner, First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church:
In early June of this year, the First Presidency announced that a revelation had been received by President Spencer W. Kimball extending priesthood and temple blessings to all worthy male members of the Church. President Kimball has asked that I advise the conference that after he had received this revelation, which came to him after extended meditation and prayer in the sacred rooms of the holy temple, he presented it to his counselors, who accepted it and approved it. It was then presented to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who unanimously approved it, and was subsequently presented to all other General Authorities, who likewise approved it unanimously.

In General Conference of October 1978, President N. Eldon Tanner read the following letter before conducting a vote to accept the Revelation on the Priesthood:

June 8, 1978
To all general and local priesthood officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world:
Dear Brethren:
As we have witnessed the expansion of the work of the Lord over the earth, we have been grateful that people of many nations have responded to the message of the restored gospel, and have joined the Church in ever increasing numbers. This, in turn, has inspired us with a desire to extend to every worthy member of the Church all of the privileges and blessings which the gospel affords.
Aware of the promises made by the prophets and presidents of the Church who have preceded us that at some time, in God's eternal plan, all of our brethren who are worthy may receive the priesthood, and witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance.
He has heard our prayers, and by revelation has confirmed that the long-promised day has come when every faithful, worthy man in the Church may receive the holy priesthood, with power to exercise its divine authority, and enjoy with his loved ones every blessing that flows therefrom, including the blessings of the temple. Accordingly, all worthy male members of the Church may be ordained to the priesthood without regard for race or color. Priesthood leaders are instructed to follow the policy of carefully interviewing all candidates for ordination to either the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood to insure that they meet the established standards for worthiness.
We declare with soberness that the Lord has now made known his will for the blessing of all his children throughout the earth who will hearken to the voice of his authorized servants, and prepare themselves to receive every blessing of the gospel.
Sincerely Yours, Spencer W. Kimball N. Eldon Tanner Marion G. Romney The First Presidency
Recognizing Spencer W. Kimball as the prophet, seer, and revelator, and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is proposed that we as a constituent assembly accept this revelation as the word and will of the Lord. All in favor please signify by raising your right hand. Any opposed by the same sign.
The vote to sustain the foregoing motion was unanimous in the affirmative. (N. Eldon Tanner, "Revelation on Priesthood Accepted, Church Officers Sustained, Ensign, Nov. 1978, 16)

The earnest supplications of the brethren for the faithful long denied these priesthood blessings are now a matter of divine record. The response of the Lord to those petitions is now a matter of revelation. It is impossible to calculate the impact of this revelation on both sides of the veil. What a flood of rejoicing must have filled the courts on high when the vote was taken and the matter became a part of Church doctrine!

One member's story illustrates how important the priesthood is for each of us and our families and how grateful we might be for the opportunity to receive it. Joseph William Billy Johnson of Cape Coast, Ghana , first received literature about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1964. He knew that the Church doctrines he read in it were true, and he immediately began teaching them to his family, friends, and anyone else who would listen to him. It was not until four years later that he was able to obtain a copy of the Book of Mormon, to carefully read and pray about it, and to receive a witness of its truth. In letters to Salt Lake City , he had asked for more information about the Church and for missionaries to come to Africa to teach and baptize him. President McKay sent him literature and told him it was not yet time for missionaries to come to his country but that he should continue to study and have faith.
For 14 years Billy Johnson devoted himself to teaching the everlasting gospel and meeting with informal groups of believers. While strengthened by many spiritual experiences, he and members of these groups became discouraged when their pleadings for missionaries were not answered quickly.
During a particularly difficult period, Billy returned home one day much discouraged. As he struggled to obtain comfort and counsel from the Lord, he felt impressed to turn on his shortwave radio and find the BBC news broadcast. He was finally able to tune in the BBC at midnight. He recalls:
"I heard the message of President Kimball's prophecy concerning the priesthood, that all worthy males in all of the world could receive the priesthood. I burst into tears of joy, because I knew the priesthood would come to Africa, and if we did the right things, we would all receive the priesthood."
What joy spread through his heart as he heard the BBC news commentator announce the long-awaited revelation! (Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, "The Incomparable Blessings of the Priesthood," Ensign, Oct. 1997, p. 50)

3. PUBLICATION OF NEW LATTER-DAY SAINT EDITIONS OF THE SCRIPTURES

It is significant that the Lord's appointed custodian of the scriptures - the leaders of his Church - have produced and published the Church's own edition of the Bible. Because of the influence of continuing revelation, we are able to present to the world the most useful Bible on the planet - a Bible that incorporates references to all of the standard works.

The prophet Ezekiel prophesied:
"The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 'Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all of the house of Israel his companions:
"'And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.'" (Ezek. 37:15-17.)
The stick or record of Judah - the Bible - and the stick or record of Ephraim - the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ - are now woven together in such a way that as you read one, you are drawn to the other; as you learn from one, you are enlightened by the other. They are indeed one in our hands. Ezekiel's prophecy stands fulfilled. (Boyd K. Packer, "Using the New Scriptures," Ensign, Dec. 1985, 52)

The impact of these new editions will be felt in the Church for generations to come. In his sermon on this matter Elder Packer said:

"With the passing of years, these scriptures will produce successive generations of faithful Christians who know the Lord Jesus Christ and are disposed to obey His will.

"The older generation has been raised without them, but there is another generation growing up. The revelations will be opened to them as to no other in the history of the world. Into their hands now are placed the sticks of Joseph and of Judah . They will develop a gospel scholarship beyond that which their forebears could achieve. They will have the testimony that Jesus is the Christ and be competent to proclaim Him and to defend Him." (Boyd K. Packer, "Scriptures," Ensign, Nov. 1982, 53)

4. ADDITIONAL QUORUMS OF THE SEVENTY

What are the duties of the Seventy?

"The Seventy are also called to preach the gospel, and to be especial witnesses unto the Gentiles and in all the world-thus differing from other officers in the Church in the duties of their calling." (D&C 107:25)

"The Seventy are to act in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Twelve or the traveling high council, in building up the Church and regulating all the affairs of the same in all nations, first unto the Gentiles and then to the Jews . . ." (D&C 107:34)

The prophetic direction that came as the Seventy assumed their role in the leadership of the Church is further evidence of the revelatory nature of our religion. I have in my wallet a card, signed by S. Dilworth Young, indicating that I was ordained a Seventy by Gordon B. Hinckley on June 10 of 1972. In those days all stakes had stake quorums of Seventies. I remained in that office until 1992 when I was ordained a High Priest in my own ward. But I never had a clear understanding of my duties. I tried to do missionary work, but not in any ways different from those I used when I was an elder or a priest. I was associated for years with a small group of other Seventies, studying the lessons in priesthood and home teaching each other, but I often wondered what my duties were. When the Lord spoke through President Kimball in 1975 and the First Quorum of Seventy was organized, I began to see more clearly. In 1989 a Second Quorum was added. Then in 1997, three more quorums were added, these to serve as Area Authority Seventies.

Read the following verses and see the fulfillment of prophecy and revelation.

93. And it is according to the vision showing the order of the Seventy, that they should have seven presidents to preside over them, chosen out of the number of the seventy;

94. And the seventh president of these presidents is to preside over the six;

95. And these seven presidents are to choose other seventy besides the first seventy to whom they belong, and are to preside over them;

96. And also other seventy, until seven times seventy, if the labor in the vineyard of necessity requires it.

97. And these seventy are to be traveling ministers, unto the Gentiles first and also unto the Jews.

Conclusion

"President Spencer W. Kimball from this very pulpit bore his testimony when he said: 'I say, in the deepest of humility, but also by the power and force of a burning testimony in my soul, that from the prophet of the Restoration to the prophet of our own year, the communication line is unbroken, the authority is continuous, and light, brilliant and penetrating, continues to shine. The sound of the voice of the Lord is a continuous melody and a thunderous appeal.'" (Ensign, May 1977, p. 78; cited in L. Aldin Porter, "The Spirit of Prophecy," Ensign, Nov. 1996, p. 10)

I pray we will all be devoted listeners to that continuous melody, and that the thunderous appeal of revelation from the Heavens will shape us into Christlike beings worthy of exaltation.

FHE: Revelation

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: These are the days when prophecies are being fulfilled. Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read "Finding Strength in Challenging Times!," by Allan F. Packer, Ensign, May 2009, 17-19

Thought:

These are the days when prophecies are being fulfilled. We live in the dispensation of the fulness of times. . . . We need to be acquainted with the promptings of the Holy Ghost. . . . These promptings become the foundation of our testimonies.

(Allan F. Packer, "Finding Strength in Challenging Times!," Ensign, May 2009, 17-19.)

Song:

"The Ninth Article of Faith," Children's Songbook, p. 128.

Scripture:

God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now.

(Doctrine and Covenants 121:26)

Stories:

While Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon worked on translating the Bible, they pondered the words of the Savior about the resurrection in John 5. They received a marvelous vision now recorded as section 76. (See section heading.) Philo Dibble was present during the vision and later wrote, "During the time that Joseph and Sidney were in the spirit and saw the heavens open, there were other men in the room, perhaps twelve, among whom I was one. . . . I saw the glory and felt the power, but did not see the vision. . . . Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which Joseph remarked, smilingly, 'Sidney is not used to it as I am.'" (Juvenile Instructor, May 15, 1892, 303-4.)

The Prophet said, "Nothing could be more pleasing to the Saints upon the order of the kingdom of the Lord, than the light which burst upon the world through the foregoing vision [section 76]." (History of the Church, 1:252.)

President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "Section 76 . . . should be treasured by all members of the Church as a priceless heritage. It should strengthen their faith and be to them an incentive to seek the exaltation promised to all who are just and true." (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:279.)

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 158.)

Mary Elizabeth Rollins Gerald N. Lund

In July 1833 a mob of some five hundred men, angry at the influence of the growing community of Mormons, attacked the printing office of The Evening and the Morning Star, run by W. W. Phelps. Living close by with her uncle, Mary Elizabeth and her sister Caroline saw the mob coming in and turned and ran for shelter. They ducked behind a split rail fence some distance away and watched as the mob demolished not only the press and the type but the very building. They tore the roof off and then tore the walls down. As the two girls, ages fifteen and twelve, huddled there in terror, Mary Elizabeth saw huge stacks of paper being thrown from one of the upper windows. Because she knew W. W. Phelps well, she knew the papers were the Book of Commandments, a collection of revelations sent from Kirtland to be printed. "Caroline," she said, "we must save those." Her twelve-year-old sister replied, "If we do, they will kill us." Mary Elizabeth said, "Nevertheless we must do it." They jumped up, ran to the building, and picked up as many of those sheaves of paper as they could carry. Two men took after them. The girls darted through the fence, ran deep into a cornfield, threw down the papers and themselves on top of them, and began to pray mightily when they heard the men tromping through the cornfield. Eventually the men gave up and left. Thanks to Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins, we now have a few copies of the original Book of Commandments.

(Susette Green, Dlora Dalton, Dawn Anderson, Every Good Thing: Talks from the 1997 BYU Women's Conference, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1998].)

Lesson:

As a family look at the attached pages from The Joseph Smith Papers: Revelations and Translations. Look at the code on the typeset page to determine whose writing is on the handwritten page. Notice the heading at the top of the page, discuss how important Joseph Smith felt this revelation was. Explain that we now know this revelation as section 76 in the Doctrine and Covenants.

(see Dean C. Jesse, editor, The Joseph Smith Papers: Revelations and Translations, Volume 1: Manuscript Revelation Books, [Salt Lake City: The Church Historian's Press, 2009], p.414-5)

Have your family search D&C 76:6-10 and look for twelve things the Lord promises to those who serve Him in truth and righteousness to the end. Encourage them to mark and number them in their scriptures. They should find the following:

1. "Great shall be their reward." 2. "Eternal shall be their glory." 3. "To them will I reveal all mysteries." 4. "Make known unto them the good pleasure of my will." 5. "The wonders of eternity shall they know." 6. "Things to come will I show them." 7. "Their wisdom shall be great." 8. "Their understanding [shall] reach to heaven." 9. "Before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish." 10. "The understanding of the prudent shall come to naught." 11. "By my Spirit will I enlighten them." 12. "By my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will."

Ask family members why they think the Lord is willing to make such promises.

Click here for the PDF version of the lesson, including the attached pages from the Joseph Smith Papers.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 158.)

Activity:

Blindfold one person and give them a paper with a stick figure drawn on it. Instruct them to draw clothes on the stick figure. Give everyone a turn at creating blindfold art. Discuss how difficult it is without being able to see where you are drawing. Explain that the church without revelation is comparable to drawing blindfolded. We need revelation to do the things the Lord would have us do.

Refreshment Chewy Chex Mix

This treat is a hit with all ages.

8 cups Rice Chex (or the Chex cereal of your choice)
1 cup coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup chow mein noodles
1/4 cup butter or margarine
6 cups miniature marshmallows

Combine Chex, coconut, almonds, and noodles in a large bowl. Melt butter over medium heat; blend in marshmallows and stir until melted. Pour over cereal mixture; spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container or individual plastic bags. Makes about 10 cups.

(Julie Badger Jensen, Essential Mormon Cookbook, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 130.)

Click here to download the PDF version of this lesson.

October 2009 Sharing Time: Modern-day Revelation

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:00:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

This sharing time will help the children learn about "The Family: A Proclamation to the World."

Preparation: On six separate sheets of paper write the following letters F-A-M-I-L-Y. Gather a bean bag and the following pictures: Young Couple Going to the Temple, Gospel Art Kit 609; Adam and Eve, GAK 101; Christ and Children, GAK 608; Salt Lake Temple, GAK 502; Family Togetherness, GAK 616; The World, GAK 600.

Put the pictures and the letter sheets back to back and place them into sheet protectors. Spread out the sheet protectors on the floor at the front of the room with the picture side facing up.

Presentation: Explain to the children that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." It contains principles that are important to the happiness and well-being of every family. Today they are going to learn about some of the important things the proclamation tells us.

Invite a child to come and toss the bean bag onto one of the pictures. Show the picture and discuss the principle it represents. Have the child post the letter on the board. Repeat with all of the pictures.

1. Young Couple. "Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

2. Adam and Eve. "All human beings - male and female - are created in the image of God."

3. Christ and Children. "In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan . . . to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life."

4. Temple. "The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally."

5. Family. "Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. . . . Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another."

6. Earth. "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

Have the children unscramble the letters on the board and decipher the word FAMILY. Bear your testimony of the importance of families.

Sing songs to reinforce the lesson such as, "I Am a Child of God," Children's Songbook 2; "Families Can Be Together Forever," CS 188; "I Love to See the Temple," CS 95; and "I Lived in Heaven," CS 4.

A Woman Clothed with the Sun: The Church in John's Revelation

Tue, 21 Jan 2003 09:56:00 -0700

source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: How many hope-filled truths are contained in Revelation 12! Though the war once commenced in a world we no longer remember, the enemy was defeated. With the help of the atoning blood of the Lamb, the power of our own testimonies, the radiant woman with her crown of apostles, and the growth to manhood of the man child, what have we to fear?

The following article is an excerpt from S. Michael Wilcox's new book, Who Shall Be Able to Stand: Finding Personal Meaning in the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 12 portrays the age-old battle between good and evil, between the church of God and the kingdom of the adversary. It is best to read this chapter in the Joseph Smith Translation at the back of your Bible, where the entire chapter is presented. All the words in italics are the changes made by the Prophet. The first representation seen is of a woman, which we are told in verse 7 represents the "church of God." Four main ideas make up her description: "There appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And the woman being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." (Revelation 12:1-2, JST.)

It seems obvious that the crown of twelve stars represents the twelve apostles. The significance of this image we explored in an earlier chapter. A verse in the Song of Solomon that is repeated several times in the Doctrine and Covenants can deepen our understanding of the sun and the moon as part of the light associated with the church of God.

The Song of Solomon is love poetry between a husband and his wife or a bride and her bridegroom. We will apply it in the manner the Lord suggests in the Doctrine and Covenants, to the relationship of Jesus and his church. Christ as the bridegroom and the Church as his bride are dominant symbols throughout both Old and New Testaments as well as modern scripture. Since Revelation speaks of the bride of Christ in later chapters, it might be worth our while to become familiar with the Song of Solomon, as it will illuminate the beauty of that relationship.

Throughout the Song of Solomon, both bride and bridegroom speak. Each is convinced that no other is like their beloved. A good example is found in chapter 2: "As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters," the husband asserts. Returning his praise, the bride says, "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste." (Song of Solomon 2:2-3.) Later when asked by other women, "What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women?" she answers, "My beloved is . . . the chiefest among ten thousand." (Song of Solomon 5:9-10.) Such conversation, mutual devotion, and delight continue in varying degrees and settings throughout the book.

The verse that is central for us to understand contains the acclaiming words of the husband: "Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?" (Song of Solomon 6:10; italics added.) The first three lines of this compliment would please any woman. All three speak of light in its most beautiful manifestations—that of the sunrise, the softness of moonlight, and the brightness of noonday. If we think of the Church as the light of the world as Christ desires, that light is welcoming as the sunrise, gentle and soft as moonlight, and bright and warming as the sun. The sun gives life with its rays and chases darkness away so we can see all things clearly. There really are no vital issues on which we as Latter-day Saints are not given light and understanding.

There are few women, however, who want to be called "terrible as an army with banners." Terrible in this instance means stirring, lifting, awe- inspiring. In the Doctrine and Covenants the Lord uses this same phrase to depict his growing church in the latter days. Section 5 speaks of 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." (D&C 5:14.) It is repeated as encouragement to the Saints after their expulsion from Jackson County. (See D&C 105:31.) It is last used in the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple in conjunction with other Old Testament prophecies: "Remember all thy church, O Lord, with all their families, and all their immediate connections . . . that thy church may come forth out of the wilderness of darkness, and shine forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners; and be adorned as a bride for that day when thou shalt unveil the heavens . . . that thy glory may fill the earth." (D&C 109:72-74.)

The allusion to the wilderness is important in the verse above, for the wilderness will play an important role in Revelation 12. In section 109, it is the wilderness of apostasy or darkness (not necessarily, but not excluding, the more literal reading that the Church arose from frontier America). There is one more verse in the Song of Solomon that has to do with the wilderness: "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness," we are asked, "leaning upon her beloved?" (Song of Solomon 8:5.) When applied to the relationship of the Savior with his church that is struggling to rise up from the wilderness, this verse is wonderfully comforting. It presents a beautiful and touching picture of the help that has been given in the past and that we might anticipate will continue to be offered. Leaning on the strength of the Savior, the Church cannot fail to come forth from the dark wilderness of apostasy.

The importance of this description is seen in such places as temple architecture. The Nauvoo temple had starstones, moonstones, and sunstones. These were repeated in the Salt Lake Temple and even in more recent temples, such as the one in Palmyra. In descending order from top to bottom the stones are placed—stars, sun, moon. The stars encircle the top of the temple, resting above the sunstones. The moonstones lie at the foot of the pillars. Thus, when seen together, they duplicate the description of the woman in Revelation 12. Within the walls of the temple, the covenants and ordinances necessary to give birth to a Zion people are entered into.

SHE BROUGHT FORTH A MAN CHILD

The woman is with child and "travailing in birth.... And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne." (Rev. 12:2-3, JST.) If the woman is the Church, then the child cannot be the Savior, for he occupied the role of husband in the analogy. Besides, the Church does not give birth to Christ. He is the parent, not the child. In verse 7, Joseph Smith reveals the identity of the "man child." The Church is to bring "forth the kingdom of our God and his Christ." The name of the child is Zion. It has been the purpose of the Church in every age to establish a Zion community on the earth. From the earliest beginnings of the Restoration, this was the guiding goal of Joseph Smith and his followers. Even a cursory reading of the Doctrine and Covenants teaches this.

Our knowledge of Lehi's dream tells us that the rod of iron with which the man child will rule all nations is the word of God. Christ promised the righteous Saints of Thyatira that they would rule "over the nations... with a rod of iron," which Joseph Smith changed to read "with the word of God." (Rev. 2:26- 27, JST.) Being caught up to God and his throne may refer to the final translation of the City of Enoch, but in the general context of Revelation, it more likely refers to the ultimate destiny of God's kingdom at the end of the earth.

Isaiah concludes his prophetic mission by speaking of the future birth of the man child, emphasizing how quickly it will be established in the latter days: "Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." (Isa. 66:7-8.) This is followed by a description of the nourishment that will be found in the new nation. All her children will be "delighted with the abundance of her glory." Her "peace" will be "extend [ed] . . . like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream" will augment her prosperity. (Isa. 66:11-12.)

Brigham Young once spoke of the speed with which the Latter-day Saints would progress toward the perfection of a Zion people, comparing them with the City of Enoch: "I believe with all my heart that the people who gathered around Enoch, and lived with him and built up his city, when they had traveled the same length of time in their experience as this people have, were not as far advanced in the things of the kingdom of God. Make your own comparison between the two people, think of the tradition of the two. How many nations were there in the days of Enoch? The very men who were associated with him had been with Adam; they knew him and his children, and had the privilege of talking with God. Just think of it." (Journal of Discourses, 26 vols. [London: Latter-day Saints' Book Depot, 1854-86], 3:319.)

THE RED DRAGON

The kingdom of God on earth does not grow unopposed. Another claims the earth as his private domain, which he rules with the sword of the fist rather than the sword of the mouth, with an iron rod that oppresses rather than guides. Isaiah described Lucifer as one "who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger." (Isa. 14:6.) Obviously if the Church gives birth to the man child of Zion and it grows to adulthood, Satan's rule over the nations will be replaced by a gentler scepter and a more commanding sword. Hence, John sees "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.... And the dragon stood before the woman which was delivered, ready to devour her child after it was born." (Rev. 12:4, JST.)

A number of ideas are suggested by the seven heads and ten horns. This image is repeated in chapter 13 with the description of the beast. We discussed the meaning of horns in chapter 5, where the slain lamb was portrayed with twelve horns representing the apostles. The horn as an extension of power suggests that those rulers, nations, or forces are under the influence of the adversary. Crowns denote kingdoms, dominions, possessions, and sovereignties. Lucifer has always claimed authority on the earth. Did he not once offer its kingdoms to Jesus if He would fall down and worship him?

The seven heads can imply different things, many of which have been detailed before. For me, however, the image primarily advances the idea that evil has many faces. If I were an artist and assigned to paint the dragon, I would make each head different. The heart of evil, however, would be the same. One of the most dangerous things one could do when fighting a seven-headed dragon would be to single out one head, label it the enemy, and focus all attention on its destruction. The single focus would allow the other heads to attack. The kingdom of God has faced many different faces of opposition, but the heart of evil remains ever the same. The idea of multiple facets of Lucifer's kingdom will be explored more fully in a later chapter.

As in the stories of Moses and Jesus (but on a larger scale), a promised child, destined to replace the ruling dynasty, is sought for while in infancy that he might be killed. The rightful ruler must be eliminated so that the illegal one may remain in power. Such thinking led to the casting into the Nile of the infants of Israel and the slaughter of the babes of Bethlehem. The Lord is not to be thwarted, however, for he hid Moses in the inner circle of Pharaoh's court, and Jesus was taken to Egypt by Joseph and Mary, then hidden in the obscurity of a tiny village called Nazareth until he reached adulthood.

THE WOMAN IN THE WILDERNESS

The man child of Revelation is not mentioned again. Did the dragon devour it, or was it taken into the wilderness with its mother? However we answer that question, the emphasis is placed on the woman, for the dragon seeks her destruction with equal ferocity. Though a Zion society was established by Enoch and for a time also by the Nephites and Lamanites after the appearance of Christ, neither one ruled over the earth. The man child of Revelation, however, must replace the dragon's dominion worldwide. For the time being, the attack moves to the mother of the child: "The woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." (Revelation 12:6.) The Joseph Smith Translation changes days to years.

...[The period of 1,260 years is] a time of trial, apostasy, turmoil, and spiritual famine. The wilderness into which the woman was chased by the dragon is that of apostasy and darkness. John the Baptist was a voice crying in the wilderness of Judea, but he was also a voice of prophetic warning in an apostate world—a wild, uncultivated, undomesticated, disobedient world. Hints of Zenos' allegory of the wild and tame olive tree are seen in this rendering of the idea of wilderness. The association of wilderness with apostasy is also found in section 86 of the Doctrine and Covenants, where "the great persecutor of the church, the apostate... drive[s] the church into the wilderness." (D&C 86:3.)

Verses 6 through 13 of Revelation 12 can be read as an interlude, interjected into the narrative. We could put parentheses around these verses to set them off, a common literary and scriptural technique. Verse 14 is a repetition of verse 5, albeit using different wording: "Therefore, to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might flee into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent." (Revelation 12:14, JST.) The expression "time, times, and half a time" originates in Daniel. (See Daniel 7:25.) There the time delineated meant a period of apostasy and trial, as even a cursory reading will reveal. The phrase is akin to forty-two months, three and a half years, and one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

The time in the wilderness seems to best represent the great apostasy, the time of Lucifer's most total power. He now claimed what the Old Testament accords only to Jesus, the right to rule "from the river unto the ends of the earth." (Psalms 72:8; see also Zechariah 9:10.) In the New World, the lights went out completely with the last great battles of the Nephites and Lamanites at the time of Mormon and Moroni. The sacred plates were buried, and within a few centuries almost all remnants of Christian belief were eclipsed in the mystery religions of the Maya, Aztec, and other groups on this continent. Only fleeting shadows of a white god who promised to return, along with some distorted rituals, remained as witness of the American gospel. Using John's imagery, we might say that the woman died in the wilderness jungles of the Americas. Yet even here, the buried plates with their precious messages would not perish.

However, in the Old World, in spite of the apostasy, Christianity survived. Though changed in many of its doctrines, ordinances, and priesthood, many essential truths remained. Most remarkable, the scriptures survived. Some "plain and precious truths" were removed, but what endured still carried a rich fullness. The belief in resurrection, baptism, sacrament, atonement, priesthood, and scripture, though all distorted, continued to exist. The story of Christianity's survival in Europe is a fascinating tale, and one we cannot undertake in the context of this book. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to hundreds of individuals who preserved, copied, debated, lived, displayed in art, and passed on the tenets of Christ's teachings. The great cathedrals of Europe have always filled me with thanksgiving, in spite of their more somber elements, for they represent the triumph of the woman over the dragon. This is not to deny the condemnation of the apostate church that will be discussed in chapter 17 but to give credit where credit is due and validate the Lord's wisdom in keeping the woman from annihilation. She fled into a gentile wilderness and lived. The reason the Restoration had to come through the Gentiles and not the house of Israel is that they were the only ones who believed in Christ and still read and studied his teachings. (See 3 Nephi 16:6- 7.) God prepared a place for the woman in the monasteries, kingdoms, artworks, cathedrals, and writings of Europe. She was nourished and passed through a Reformation, and enough was left to send a fourteen-year-old boy into a grove of trees in response to a verse of scripture still surviving after nearly two thousand years of apostasy. When coupled with the surviving remnant of the New World buried in a hill by the Smith farm, the woman would arise out of the wilderness to shine clear as the sun and fair as the moon.

These same ideas are validated in the allegory of the tame and wild olive trees found in Jacob chapter 5. The allegory presents a history of the house of Israel from Abraham's time to the end of the Millennium. During the early Christian era, apostles like Paul and Peter grafted the Gentiles into the spiritual legacy of the house of Israel. At first the early Christian Gentiles drew nourishment from the roots, but in time the branches overcame the roots. "Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard—have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves." (Jacob 5:48; italics added.) The rudiments of the apostasy are contained in these words.

Because of this, the Lord of the vineyard finds "all sorts of fruit" that "cumber the tree." Tasting each one, he discovers that "none of it . . . is good." (Jacob 5:30-32.) However, notice the positive comment the servant of the Lord makes about the survival of the roots: "Behold, because thou didst graft in the branches of the wild olive-tree they have nourished the roots, that they are alive and they have not perished; wherefore thou beholdest that they are yet good." (Jacob 5:34; italics added.) Both Zenos and John use the word nourished when describing what will happen to the woman while in the wilderness.

THE SERPENT'S FLOOD

Lucifer, ever wary of the fruitful possibilities of the woman and her ability and desire to bring forth the destined man child who will end his rule on the earth, seeks to destroy the woman while she is in the wilderness: "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood." (Revelation 12:15, JST.) Earlier we spoke of the sword of truth that comes from the mouth of the Savior. Here we are given the parallel image. The flood betokens lies, falsehoods, and apostate doctrines. The history of Christianity is replete with examples of that flood. "And the earth helpeth the woman, and the earth openeth her mouth, and swalloweth up the flood which the dragon casteth out of his mouth." (Revelation 12:16, JST.)

Swallowing up something means its death. This reminds us of the story of Korah and his supporters in the book of Numbers. These men challenged the leadership of Moses, threatening a general apostasy in the camp. "And Moses said. . . . If the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord." Whereupon "the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up." (Numbers 16:28, 30, 32; see also Numbers 26:10; Deuteronomy 11:6.) The story of Korah had importance in New Testament times, for it is alluded to in Jude verse 11. Other scriptures also speak of the open mouth of the earth swallowing up evil. Nephi spoke of the wicked who "kill the prophets, and the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up." (2 Nephi 26:5.)

Foiled in his attempts to destroy the Church completely, the adversary continues to fight her children. The children of the Church are the Saints in whatever dispensation they live. He may not completely destroy the gospel or the Church, but he can win some victories over individual members. Until the final victory of the Lamb, the Saints will combat the forces of evil: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 12:17.) Joseph Smith viewed "that old serpent, even the devil, who rebelled against God, and sought to take the kingdom of our God and his Christ—Wherefore, he maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about." (D&C 76:28-29.) This war was waged before the earth was created, and we should not find it surprising that it continues here. That we may know of the broader implications of that war and obtain a wonderful degree of hope, John is shown the foundations of the war in the premortal existence. He is also shown the key to winning its battles in any generation. This is the purpose of the interlude, the parenthesis, placed in the middle of chapter 12.

THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN

"And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(Revelation 12:7-9.)

These verses are well known among Church members and need little commentary. We may suppose that as the forces of evil were expelled from heaven, so too will they be removed from the earth: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth . . . for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." (Revelation 12:12; italics added.) Though he may "rage in the hearts of the children of men" (2 Nephi 28:20), in the context of eternity it will be but a small moment. Even Satan himself knows this. His objective, therefore, is to spread as much misery as he can in the time allotted.

In the meantime, we must deal with him here. He can be overcome, we are told, "by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of . . . testimony." (Revelation 12:11.) Having lost the battle in heaven, he continues to persecute the woman who will one day bring "forth the man child." (Revelation 12:13.) When the forces of darkness seem to prevail, we must remind our-selves that this is but a small battle in a much larger war. Great victories have been won in the past; both forces know the ultimate outcome. Besides, the generals who were triumphant in the earlier battles of our premortal existence still lead the armies of righteousness.

Satan is called "the accuser of our brethren . . . which accused them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:10.) A good example of Lucifer in this role is found in the book of Job. Presenting himself before the Lord, he accuses Job of worshiping God for purely selfish motives. "Doth Job fear God for nought?" he tauntingly addresses the Lord. "Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 1:9-11.)

When Job passes the first test thrown at him by Satan, another accusation is leveled against him: "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 2:4-5.) Though deprived of all he has (including his children), broken in health, covered with boils, and sitting on an ash heap, Job maintains his testimony. Remember that John identifies testimony, knowledge of the Savior's final victory over the adversary, as the power that enables the brethren to overcome the "accuser." "Though he slay me," Job proclaims, "yet will I trust in him. . . . He also shall be my salvation." (Job 13:15-16.) Those accused in Revelation also "loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11.) Notice how Job's stirring testimony of Christ incorporates the elements of Revelation 12: "I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." (Job 19:25-26.) Even death, the last weapon in the accuser's arsenal, will finally be vanquished. God's answer to the devil's accusation is the confidence He has in His children: "They will love, worship, and trust me no matter what happens to them," he seems to reply. "You may bring whatever trials you wish upon them, but they will not abandon their faith in me. You have falsely accused them."

How many hope-filled truths are contained in Revelation 12! Though the war once commenced in a world we no longer remember, the enemy was defeated. With the help of the atoning blood of the Lamb, the power of our own testimonies, the radiant woman with her crown of apostles, and the growth to manhood of the man child, what have we to fear? We must trust Christ in spite of life and Lucifer's proving tests, thus denying him of his greatest accusation. This knowledge must sustain us as we encounter the realm of the beast, the whore, and the great merchant city of Babylon that next pass before the wondering eyes of John.