The Scattering and Gathering of Israel (Jacob 5)

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[This article is a draft.  It needs a lot of work].

Introduction
This topic is highly speculative, but a lot of fun nonetheless.  In this article I walk through the Bible, as well as other religious and channeled works (such as Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon), to detail the movements of a group of ideologically guided peoples (The House of Israel) throughout the earth since the days of Abraham who truly felt it their divine mission to civilize the entire earth, and spread their unique history and worldview. Understanding the depth to which these people believed this divine charge perhaps make the biblical statement from the “Lord” to  to Abraham a bit more poignant.

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; …And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen 22:16–18).

With the finding of the Kolbrin Book of England and its correlation with our revised archaeological timeline, we here…

Outline

1. The scattering and gathering of Israel is the ultimate global civilization program. 

2. The people of “Israel” are NOT the Israel we think of as existing today.
-It is important to make clear that “Israel” is NOT the Jews as we know them today. The full 12 tribes of Israel are not recognizable by trying to compare them to the mixed remnants of 2 tribes which compose “Israeli” or Jewish people today. The Bible suggests that Israel was far more multicultural than many suppose. Jacob was purposely inspired to have children with Semitic women (Mesopotamian/Indian) & their non-Semitic slaves (handmaidens) who represented two other major divisions of the earth– Africa! & Central Asia?). Israel has further been purposely mixed throughout the world. The “mother tree” of Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon is also not a religion, it is a people and culture. The final product will be a global culture & universal brotherhood.

3. “Pruning” is overseen by the higher beings guiding our evolution. It would have occured through population decline, war and plague. Just as with natural selection, the most spiritually and physically healthy live while the undesired and non-robust genetic groups become diminished or extinct.

4. A Basic outline of the mixing/pruning or natural selection driven breeding program is as follows (following Jacob chapter five/dates given in carbon dates until ~600BC):

TIMES OF ISRAEL (2000 bc to 34 ad)

—FIRST MIXING, PART A. (planting genetic material into 3 branches/divisions of afro-Eurasia)
1-Israel mixed into Africa through the Egyptian captivity. Great influence on early Egyptian religion, culture & government.
2-Israel mixed into Greece/Anatolia, North Asia (Mongolia) & Europe through Assyrian captivity. Great influence on Greek philosophy & government, as well as mesopotamia and turkish/mongol law, religion and government.
3-Israel mixed into Near-east & Indian Subcontinent through Babylonian captivity. Great influence of Israeli law, religion and government spanning from Akad/Babylon to Tibet.

—FIRST MIXING, PART B. (major period of general diasporic colonialism where Middle-Eastern cultures and Israeli genetic material colonizes the world–including the “island continents”– in the same way European imperialism colonized the world following the renaissance).
1-African Israelis mixed into South America through phoenician trade vessels sometime between 1000BC-500 BC.
2-Ephraimitic Israelis mixed into Mesoamerica by multiple groups just before Babylonian captivity (~600 BC).
3-Asiatic Israelis mixed into Oceania through Tibetan (through Indochina) & early Mongolian groups.  Many groups are inspired to island hop throughout the West Pacific.

-The first mixing reaches its climax as Israeli culture takes over the Western World through Christianity & Islam. North African, Middle Eastern & Asiatic groups (including Israeli genetic carriers) move into Europe gradually and come to dominate the cultures of civilized western world by the end of the first Millennium AD.

TIMES OF THE GENTILES (34 AD – 2033 AD)
–SECOND/REVERSE MIXING, PART A. (major period of colonization and imperialism where Europe spreads its people and culture/religion into all the world, especially the 3 main aisles of the sea, N. America, S. America & Oceania. It is a reverse of the First Mixing, Part B).
1-Iberian (mixed-African) Christians of Spain & Portugal colonize and Christianize South America.
2-Norman (mixed-Semitic) Christians of England and France colonize and Christianize North America.
3-Slovic (mixed Asiatic) Christians of German & Dutch countries colonize and Christianize much of Oceania.

–SECOND/REVERSE MIXING, PART B (European Christians colonize and spread their political and cultural ideology into the 3 branches/divisions of Afro-Eurasia).
1-Western European countries colonize almost the entirety of Africa.
2-European culture & ideology is spread by the Russians throughout most of North Asia and the Asian steppe.
3-European culture & ideology is spread by Britain & others throughout India, Indochina and the Middle East.

FINAL BIBLICAL DISPENSATION (~1800 AD to 2600? AD)

–FINAL DOUBLE MIXING (final future stage of program where everything is gathered together in one)
-a final third version of the mother tree is recreated by creating a people and culture/religion who are all inclusive and incorporate the best beliefs/teachings of all the scattered branches into one religious brotherhood of man (the United States began this–spreading its influence across the Christian world, but restored Israel in Judea will finish it–spreading its influence across the Islamic world).
-this mixing parallels both the former mixings. With each superpower (America & Restored Judah) becoming a mixing pot of all the cultures on earth (but especially Christian culture for America & Islamic culture for Restored Judah). this is spread to the scattered branches and then the scattered branches are gathered back into it as well, and both pruned and cared for until they all resemble one healthy tree bearing fruit.

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-The first division into 3 was the sons of the archetype Noah.  (2,600BC/40,000BC)
Its hard to judge which aspects of the story of Noah are literal and which are metaphorical. I also believe the biblical Patriarchal Period (from Noah to Abraham is symbolic of a larger span of history, each patriarch representing an early epoch. Oahspe gives some interesting ideas on this.) First we look at the 3 divisions of the earth given to Noah’s 3 sons after the flood (explained best in the book of Jubilee). They may be actual individuals or more likely be metaphorical archetypes of groups of people. The oldest, Japheth is given the north-lands (East Asia/china), the youngest, Ham is given the southlands (Africa), and Shem the birthright middle-child is given middle-earth (Mesopotamia to India).

lands given to Ham, Shem and Japeth as explained in Oahspe and other texts.
lands given to Ham, Shem and Japheth as explained in Oahspe and other texts.

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–Mother Israel is nurtured in each of these divisions (1800 BC – 74 AD sd/ 12,000 BC – 74 AD cd)
Abraham was a living archetype born in the lands of Shem. Joseph leads his posterity into Ham where they become captive for somewhere between 230 – 400+ years (and are scattered throughout Africa), before they are liberated back to their central homeland [1]. I speculate they integrate heavily with Shem in India during this time (Period of the Judges to just after king David). The second major captivity brings them into Japheth’s captivity with the Assyrian invasion and captivity of the Northern 10 Tribes of Israel [3]. Josephus, the Book of Jubilee and other obscure sources suggest at least one group of the Northern Kingdom flee deeply into north and east Asia assimilating with the Scythians or proto-mongols & European nomads (Scandinavia, Mongolia & China). Others likely integrated with the early nomadic turkish peoples and Arian’s of the caucasus region. The Babylonian invasion brings large populations of the Southern Kingdom of Judah into captivity in Shinar where they spread throughout the lands of Shem [2] from Mesopotamia to India & Tibet… especially during the Persian and Macedonian periods. (Babylon is primarily Semitic even though Nimrod its founder was of Ham through Cush).

Israel is scattered into Ham, Shem and Japheth during the Egyptian, Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.

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–Mesopotamian Colonialism (500 BC – 200 AD/ 4,000BC – 200 AD)
During the era from about 500 BC to the time of Christ, the empires of the Middle east experience a period of expansionism and colonialism similiar to that of European Colonialism 2000 years later. There is evidence of Phoenician trade, shipping, colonialism and settlement from Northern Europe to Southern Africa to Indonesia. The Jews are also prolific during this era in setting up colonies in much of the known world. The Book of Mormon tells of the colonization of North America by at least two Israeli group, and Jacob 5 alludes to two other large colonizations to two other major “isles of the sea”, which I speculate are South America and Oceania. (The key to inferring this is in the verse that says the reverse grafting happens in last days… so just look at where europe colonized and you will see these are the obvious places.)  Even discounting the Book of Mormon narrative, there is evidence of extensive colonization throughout much of the Old world, and quite possibly even in the new world. The Kolbrin also recounts in detail the early colonization of Britain during this era by Israeli Egyptians and Phoenicians.

The three transplanted branches of the mother tree (groups from mother israel) are taken to North America, South America and Oceania. During the Israeli diaspora period of 600 BC to 450 BC.
The three transplanted branches of the mother tree (groups from mother israel) are taken to North America, South America and Oceania. During the Israeli diaspora period of 600 BC to 450 BC.

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–European Settlement (800 BC – 600 AD/ 6,00 BC- 600 AD)
Europe is kept largely unsettled by its climate in early history, but with climate change Europe opens up for heavy colonization about 600 BC. Ham, Shem & Japheth move into their respective areas. The Kolbrin talks about huge Egyptian & Phoenician migrations. After Christ, Israel is salted into Europe and Jewish merchants and mystics become likely the single largest ruling influence upon the continent. By this time genetic code has been mixed thoroughly enough as to make differentiation between “Jew and Gentile” difficult.  Even so cultural Jews seem to thrive.

After Rome's destruction of Judah in 70 AD, the final diaspora leads hundreds of thousands of Jews into Europe, which is just beginning to grow rapidly in population and prominence.
After Rome’s destruction of Judah in 70 AD, the final diaspora leads hundreds of thousands of Jews into Europe, which is just beginning to grow rapidly in population and prominence.

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–European Colonization & The Great Mixing (1500 AD – 2000 AD).
Grafting ‘them into them’: the colonial era and European imperialism is the key to knowing where the three branches of Jacob 5 were transplanted (given the B.O.M. narrative). Just look where Spain and England settled and civilized. England, largely colonized every division on the world (Ham, Shem and Japheth in Africa, India and China respectively). It also civilized “the isles of the sea” or the Americas & Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, etc..). The Iberians (Spain & Portugal), did most of the rest with South America & Oceania (Philippines, more, more, etc).

Europe’s colonization and conquest of the world. need to add boat routes and colonies.

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–The restoration of Israel
The restoration began in the 19th century with the Zionist movement. The gathering will take place in two locations, Israel and North America. Both have already begun. The European Jews are the first fruits, but the Book of Ben Kathryn chronicles the wholesale resettlement of the entire Middle Eastern region as the climate shifts to more hospitable conditions. America has also become a melting pot, but the major gathering will take place after the United States divides and then begins to be rebuilt with true states rights.

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Allegory of the Olive Tree
The key to fully seeing the totality and fulfillment of this promise unto the House of Israel, is a simple line found in the prophesy of the ancient prophet Zenos. And an understanding the global colonialism by Gentile Christianity beginning with Christopher Columbus until present, is a preparatory fulfillment to the grafting in of the natural branches spoken of by Zenos.

Zenos’ Allegory of the Olive Tree is perhaps one of the most profound treatises offered on the topic of the scattering and Gathering of Israel found in Holy Writ. It is so impressive, in fact, that hundreds of years after it was given, Paul seems to drawn from its imagery by memory as he states to the Romans “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree” (Romans 11:17). One reading Paul’s treatise on the scattering and gathering of Israel might not catch the full significance of the comparisons made had they not access to the original text from which he quotes. (available here).

The prophet Lehi, also drew from this allegory over 600 years before Paul. We are told of his exposition,

“Yea, even my father spake much concerning the Gentiles, and also concerning the house of Israel, that they should be compared like unto an olive-tree, whose branches should be broken off and should be scattered upon all the face of the earth. Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be … scattered upon all the face of the earth. And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fullness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer.”

Here we learn that the olive tree used by Zenos is made to represent the House of Israel. And that multiple branches

A few chapters later Nephi sums it up even clearer as he states,

13 And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—

This of course is a half of the equation explained by Zenos himself. A careful reading of this verse will lay the groundwork for the discovery of all the branches of the House of Israel. After explaining (quite literally) that .. planted in 3 different spost he says.. Explain first that the mother tree is Israel/The gentile Church. Then that the 3 trees in the nethermost are 3 righteous branches planted upon the isles of the sea (1Ne? ref)

“Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard [3 groups planted on different major isles of the sea], and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came [Israel/Gentile Christianity]; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof… And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree [the mother tree], and I will graft them [the mother tree’s branches] in unto them [the three scattered Israelite people on the isles of the sea]. Yea, I will graft in unto them [again, the three trees] the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots [of the three trees] also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.”

So by grafting both ways…

Map of religious influence

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All the major players in the Human Drama have had the choice whether to unite or divide humanity. I believe in this final age, God will favor and sustain only those who unite. All other groups will become extinct. See the article The Scattering and Gathering of Israel for details on gods evolutionary plan for populating, diversifying, civilizing and unifying the planet.

Map of physical migrations…

Scattering of Israel
Illustration of Scattering of Israel

Summary of ideas still to write…

-The birthright is almost always given to the middle-child in the middle-land. The middle son, like Christ is the divine center. They are the strait and narrow way (or narrow middle way). The type is continued again and again, the first looses favor because of pride. From Cain, to Japheth, to Ishmeal, to Isau, to Rueben, to Saul, to Lamen, etc… The middle son becomes a microcosm of the opposites. He is the at-one-ment, and type of harmonizing the older and younger. He becomes a type of the first and the last, and is charged with redemption and bringing them together in harmony. This is also the job of scattered Israel.

-In both the times of Israel (Abraham to Christ) and during the Times of the Gentiles (Christ to present), God scattered the body of Israel (the chosen seed of Shem) into the lands of Japheth, Shem and Ham, as well as scattering/leading splinter groups of Israel into new frontier lands separated from the main body of humanity/civilization.

Scattering during the Times of Israel
1-The Egyptian habitation/captivity. During this 200+ year era, all 12 tribes are scattered throughout Hams seed by trade, migration in intermarriage.
2-The Assyrian deportation. Around 750 BC, Assyria sacks the Northern Kingdom of Israel and deports a large portion of its population into the Northern reaches of Assyria.

Alter this flash application to show the colonization of all European colonies around the world. Perhaps turn it into a leaflet map. and show how the colonies in Europe mirror the colonies of Israel and the 3 branches of the olive tree in the allegory.

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The Spirit Body Interface

/in , /by

chakras

The other morning I woke up with a fairly sophisticated idea of how this interaction works. I will attempt to teach it in the same way it was taught to me, although as I have thought about it the more I realize how much more there is to this.

The first idea to understand is that all matter and realities exist in differing densities often called dimensions. For example the mortal world exists in one density or dimension and the spirit world exists in another. The same is true for the three degrees of glory of heaven and hell. Each exists on or in a different density or dimension which can occupy the same “space” but different planes. As with all eternal principles a cipher or type is given us on earth in the three states of matter, Solid, Liquid and Gas. Each of these states are in essence differing densities and the key concept to understand is that substances always flow toward their own density; they are in fact quantized. So if you release a gas from a container underwater or even underground it will tend to raise to unite with material of its own level or density. Similarly, if you release liquid or solid from a container in the sky it will tend to fall to unite with its own “density” or level. [explore greater complexity in relation between gravity and density].

As a side note, notice that in each case an object or being made entirely of one density could move unhampered through any of the other densities provided the other densities “gave way” to the space displacement caused by that object. In other words a being or object of solid earth or liquid water can easily move through the air as long as the air allows the needed displacement. The opposite (that a being of gaseous air or liquid water could move through a solid such as salt or even theoretically iron, given the solid allows for the space displacement) is also true, but more difficult. So hopefully you can see how all movement of one density through another density depends upon the difference between the densities. Also important in this line of reasoning is how the density in which an object exists determines the “size” of the object. For example, a being of gaseous air (or a balloon for that matter) becomes much smaller if you force it to the bottom of the ocean (into a higher density or pressure), and likewise it would theoretically become smaller still if you could force it deep into earth.

Ok, so with that foundation lain we can now apply the same principles to densities as they relate to dimensions or “degrees of glory”. We can see that by forcing one dimension into another we affect both its size, and its ability to move through space (and time, but lets not go there yet). So a spirit, which can be compared to a being made of air because a spirit body is composed of less dense (rarefied, more pure) matter/energy, which is forced out of its natural density/dimension (the spirit world) and into a lower (more gross) density/dimension must, by virtue of the physics involved, “shrink”. Likewise its ability to move through space is also affected as a man trying to run underwater. We are in essence placed in a state of greater opposition and resistance/pressure.

Of equal importance is the concept that densities do not like to mix and so naturally the Spirit of man does not physically (or emotionally) want to be here. Like a balloon held underwater physically will always raise straight back up into the air unless it is constrained by a container, so also is the spirit of man physically pulled back toward the spirit world and is constrained from the transition only by its earthly container called a mortal body. [On another vain, think about how this relates to a resurrection into a density which is higher than our spirit’s energy/density “likes”.]

The next step in our journey toward understanding the spirit/body interface has to do with how one density of matter interacts with another. Now as is fairly well understood, there are two attractive forces in this world, the electric field and the other is the gravitational field. (see unified field theory to see how these relate) One of them affects mass, and thus is highly affected by density, the other affects charge and is thus highly affected by energy level (sorry for the crappy wording). So understanding these forces (let’s not analyze them too deeply because they are really just different aspects of the same force) we can see how the body (which is more dense) exerts an attractive force on the Spirit which is far lighter/less dense. In a relationship similar to the “heavy” earth holding the “light” moon in orbit, the “heavy” body holds the “light” spirit hostage. On the flip side, a highly “charged” particle (I hate to use these terms because they are so misleading) exerts a force even greater than the gravitational force on objects which are “less charged” (realize that positive and negative “charge” are in reality completely relative terms). For example a highly charged electro-magnet can lift or move a much heavier iron ball by virtue of charge difference. So in relation to the spirit/body interface this in the reverse of the gravitational force… the more highly charged spirit exerts an electrostatic force on the less “charged” body. So in that line of thinking, you could picture the spirit being like an electromagnet in and of itself. If you take that electromagnet and rub it in the dirt it will become covered in iron filings. The stronger the charge, the greater the power to pull those iron filings onto itself. The process with which the spirit “covers” itself with earth or iron filings during mortal growth and resurrection is a bit more complex.

The mother creates a fetus within herself through a process both biological and spiritual but for the most part it is the result of the parent’s genetic and spiritual make-up (not taking the spirit child into account). The spirit then enters the empty vessel prepared for it, in a process that takes an certain undisclosed amount of time (somewhere between 3-7 months?). Once in the body, the spirit is loosely held in place by “gravity” but more so by its own electric potential. After birth and during maturation, the body goes on biologically developing according to the instructions programmed into its body’s DNA, however a secondary developmental process is also at work… one which current science is completely unaware of. That process is the spirit’s (remember the electromagnet example of our spirit’s intelligence) subtle influence on the biological cell building process. Instead of an electromagnet pulling magnetic filings out of the earth to cover only its outer surface, the spirit pulls elements from the food we eat and air we breathe and coats/builds its every inner surface from the inside out (augmenting the biological process carried out under the instruction of the DNA). The consequence of this complementary spiritual building force is that if two different spirits where to be placed in genetically and biologically identical (DNA) bodies, the outcome after maturation could be biologically un-identical bodies (as is documented in non-identical monozygotic twins). More commonly, aspects of this process this can be seen in how even identical twins end up having different mental and physical skill sets, different facial expressions, and different cognitive abilities. This line of reasoning provides an alternate explanation why with non-identical monozygotic twins, two individuals with identical DNA, but very different spiritual powers end up being as different as two un-identical twins, because the power of the spirit combined with outside influences related to destiny have the power to “override” the programming of the DNA. A powerful spirit like Christ, has such powerful “charge” that his spirit could overpower any flawed programming in the DNA, eliminating cellular growth which might otherwise cause defects, disease or otherwise undesirable behavioral flaws. For one last example let us picture a cell dividing through mitosis. Lets imagine that the DNA of that cell is “flawed” and is instructing cell creation to occur in a way highly unlike (or undesirable to) the spirit body. Depending on the power of that spirit, the developing cell will be pulled accordingly toward the electric potential of the spirit’s cell causing a corresponding deviation from the DNA’s instructed path (even to changing the new cells DNA itself!)

So with a solid foundation lain on the Spirit’s potential energy, lets just state that it is quite small for most spirits, and explore how the spirit causes the body to move and act (in opposition to the state of death after a spirit leaves the body). Now obviously most mortal spirits have a very, very weak electric potential to the point that it can hardly even be read by current instrumentation. But we can all picture in our minds how if our spirit’s “electro-gravitational” potential where sufficiently strong, it could easily manipulate matter just as a strong electromagnet does. It could lift up cars, or be used to levitate ourselves as when Christ descended from the sky. With sufficient strength, and intelligence concerning how to manipulate matter at distance we could theoretically move large things (such as part the red sea) or move even just cells or atoms (such as healing a leaper or turning water to wine). From the knowledge we have of heavenly beings it would suggest that beings which dwell in higher densities/plains have a far greater electric potential than beings on our own plane. In the scriptures this is described as being full of “light”, which is in fact just a certain state of energy. This is why prophets, which filled with the “Holy Ghost” (or a being from a higher dimension) often have faces which show with radiant light. They are so energized (in a way we don’t quite understand) that the energy shines through their bodies without burning or harming them. (remember Moses had to be transfigured to stand in God’s presence to keep from being consumed/burnt)

That’s the effects of existing in a higher energy level, but for the rest of us our energy is so small that it can hardly move electrons (on our energy level). But the designer of our bodies understands well the principle of weights and counter balances. A man may be so weak that he can only lift a couple hundred pounds, but with a lever and thousand-pound counterbalances, he can use a tiny amount of effort to offset the balance system and lift great weights. In our bodies this is done through chemical reactions which are held in equilibrium. With carefully balanced equilibrium reactions, God has created a electro-chemical “machine” in which our spirits, with their limited strength, can use their infinitesimal electrical power over matter in this sphere to push a reaction existing at the synaptic nerve/spirit interface to be driven to a desired direction. This simple system of binary communication (the same system used to power our most powerful computers) allows the spirit to direct the body to do everything within its power. It seems obvious that spirits in another realm (having a deep understanding of the workings of the body) have been the source of inspiration for all our modern computer technology… based on the already existing, and far more complex, biological technology created by God. With this knowledge, one can more fully appreciate the complexity involved in the process of development and maturation. Our fully mature and intelligent spirits have to slowly learn how to program and control the sophisticated computers that are their new bodies, naturally and intelligently learning how to translate raw spiritual desires to nano-scopic binary synaptic impulses which then are translated into intelligible thought and chemical and biological motion. A process very similar to computer programming, but with the ability to heal itself and self-create additional circuitry and power.

Not Selling Gifts for Money

/in /by

(good thoughts from http://www.greaterthings.com/NDE/Denise_Mendenhall/comments/gifts_not_for_sale.htm)

My Peace I Give Unto You by Robert Adlai Lake With Doug MendenhallAs I have read the Mendenhall’s book, “My Peace I Give Unto You,” one of the most profound lessons I am learning for myself is in regards to money and gifts.

Doug has successfully learned in a couple of years or less what I wasn’t able to learn in some fourteen years of labor in a ministerial capacity.

When his daughter returned from death due to a diabetic coma, she told him that the Lord did not want him to work for money any more. They had a 130,000 dollar medical bill because of Denise’ hospitalization, and he didn’t even have a job to cover the cost of groceries. Through a series of hard lessons, he finally turned his trust over to the Lord, and ways were opened to cover their needs.

I can relate to the Mendenhall’s financial plight as I have likewise been called of God to not work for money, but to serve him and trust that he will take care of my financial needs. This has been the case since back in 1988 when I began writing “The Vision of All: Our Past, Present, and Future as Foretold in Book of Mormon History.” But my faith has wavered and has been sorely tried as I have attempted a variety of means of evoking a financial return for the services I have rendered when donations do not seem to come spontaneously. The more I have expected remuneration from God through other people for my efforts, the more I have been sorely disappointed. At times I have become despondently bitter over it, threatening in my heart to leave his service if he can’t take better care of me than this. I have evoked images in my mind of how sorry people will be that they turned a deaf ear to my pleas for help, when a little bit from each person who “benefited” from my “service” would amply cover my needs. The more resentful I became that people weren’t helping out, the more resentful people became toward me for thinking they ought to be helping out. This vicious cycle came to a head last year when I wrote an angry letter titled “Pony Up; Share the Burden.”

I just didn’t get it, . . . either money or the principle of service and the giving of gifts. So I would go find a job somewhere to squeeze my way through some financial straight I was in, and grumble all the time in my heart that I shouldn’t have to be doing this because I am called to the ministry. Every moment away from the ministry was that much less time I could be devoting to promoting increased spirituality on the earth. To make matters worse, nearly every effort at getting a job or starting some kind of business was often fraught with failure. I didn’t get financial assistance doing the ministry, and I couldn’t make a go in the working world either. What kind of blessed existence was that? Did God not like what I was doing for him? I was confused, because I felt his influence so much in the ministry, and yet he wasn’t blessing my life temporally.

I believe the Mendenhall’s book answers this dilemma for me with a gentle rebuke of how I have been going about this. The focus my faith has been backwards. I have been appealing to people who I believe to be humble followers of God to be generous. They have resented that. Most of them are as financially strapped as I am, and are as desirous to serve the Lord in a full-time capacity as I am. Why should they give me their money when they would just as well like to be doing what I am doing? They are right.

Rather, I need to simply trust in God — and not in a round-about way by appealing to his followers. If my heart is right, he knows those who listen to him, and who will be generous, and he can appeal to them directly. I don’t need to utter a word to others about my need. God is my provider. He helps through other people, but that doesn’t mean I should try and reverse that process by trying to find those “other people” and appealing to them directly. It just doesn’t work that way.

This lesson came home to me as I read three short paragraphs from the Mendenhall’s book. The context is a situation in which Doug discovers that Denise is able to predict the outcome of the lottery, or know what is on the face of any card. He mistakenly thinks that this is intended to be the solution to their financial problems, and begins to prod Denise to use her gifts in this way.

Her dad has just asked her if she has the ability to do this.

“Yes, Denise, you may answer him, but tell him only yes,” Christ said to me.

“But if I do, then Daddy will want me to win money for him and you said I should never use my gifts to get money.” I was confused. Why must I let Daddy know what I could do if I couldn’t do what Daddy wanted me to do?

“It will be all right, Denise. This is what will turn his heart and mind to Me.”

My reading of the Mendenhall’s account has helped turn my heart and mind more purely to Christ.

To all of you out there who have been the recipients of my begging for money, I ask your forgiveness. I was out of line.

You still might be asking yourself the question, “If everyone were to do what you are doing, then where would the money come from to support us all?”

The answer to that question is that in Zion, everyone does what they are gifted at doing, and they offer their services free of charge. Freely we receive, freely we give.

And I do not think that “gifts” are confined to matters of the spirit. A person who is gifted at building a house received this gift from God. In Zion, there is no distinction between temporal and spiritual gifts, for all things are spiritual unto the Lord.

That is how there are no poor in Zion. Because of the diversity of the body of Christ, some are gifted primarily at music, others are gifted at repairing automobiles, others are gifted at paving road surfaces, others are gifted at building beautiful cabinets, others are gifted at telling inspiring stories from history, others are gifted at inventing new computer software.

And because in Zion everyone does what they are gifted at doing, loving what they do, and finding fulfillment in it, there is no want, only abundance.

There is no reason we cannot have Zion here right now. Some people already do. The Mendenhalls do.

I want Zion. I think we all do. Let’s do it! And let’s start by being it!

Sincerely your brother in Christ,

Sterling D. Allan
Oct. 24, 2001

God’s Wisdom- Israel’s Lack of Food & Water in the Exodus

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As Israel left Egypt, God had completely spoiled the empire. The ruler was dead and all of his army. The land was desolate and would take hundreds of years to recover. Yet their idols and houses and temples were still there, still intact. It is very possible, even likely, that Israel considered heavily going back to Egypt to rule over the broken Egyptian people and take the nice homes and live in ease. It is very possible that some among them were even making such plans as they stirred up the congregation to murmur. Yet the manner of the exodus assured that such was not possible.

Their route presented the first obstacle. God took them “the short direction” through the Red Sea. A route they could not possibly hope to retrace. The trip back, which would be unknown to most of them who were city folk, would take much longer and require them to travel back down to southern Arabia and then across through Ethiopia or to go by boat both of which would be a big deal with only a small percentage of the population capable of achieving.

Next, God gave them several experiences with hunger and thirst, intentionally I believe, to help them remember they were in a wilderness. These experiences, and his miraculous solutions to them, showed them that he was going to care for them if they proceeded. At the same time these experiences would have shown them their absolute dependence on God and the futility or likely disastrous affects of abandoning God and trying to go back on their own. If they had not experienced the great want, they would not realize the great gift they were receiving and they would not have realized how dangerous any other course but following their God would be for them. Again, realizing the difficulty of surviving in the wilderness would deter their attempting to return.

I believe that this few periods of great suffering, a few days without food in one instance before the miracle of manna, and a few days without water once they crossed over into Sinai, were both crucial experiences in helping Israel really learn to follow God and leave all other ideas behind. I believe it helped create the needed commitment to the experience they were having to carry on so God could tutor them in becoming a holy people and being capable of blessing the world as Abraham had been promised.

I believe God does similar things for us in our lives.

Spiritual cosmology and its connection to Ancient mythology

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On earth there are three states of matter which mirror the greater states and densities of matter and human existence.

Earth – Water – Air
Flesh – Blood – Spirit
Corpor – Atmospherea – Es

Solid Earth, Liquid Water and Gaseous Air are symbols which were created to point us to the three states of inter-dimensional matter as explained best in Oahspe (If you haven’t read this reference you will likely be lost reading this article- ref). These densities are labeled solid “corpor”, liquid-like “atmospherea” which is an intermediate state always expanding or contracting toward on of its two extremes, and gas-like “es” or “etherea” which is the most rarefied of substances (and planets) and can dwell within both other states of matter. Es is the “highest” state as it has power to dwell within and direct the other states of matter much like ones spirit can dwell within ones physical body. One could also draw the comparison of how gas can dwell within and influence the solid earth, but solid earth can not and does not dwell “within” a gaseous object such as the atmosphere.

Each planet in the universe (1) progresses through these states of matter and (2) in fact has aspects of each of these states within its inter-dimensional being.

1. PLANETS PROGRESS THROUGH THE THREE STATES OF MATTER

Although we cannot scientifically see into the future or past histories of the planets, we can look at the current states of planets to draw conclusions about their past and future. In the Solar System and Universe we see planets which predominately mirror the states of matter and we correspondingly call them terrestrial planets, fluid planets/ice giants and gas giants. For detailed information on these planetary classifications one can consult this Wikipedia artilce. But as a general overview, the first four planets from the sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth & Mars) are composed primarily of solid matter (most of the planets mass is in solid state). The next four are composed predominately of highly pressurized liquids and gases. Although usually called ice and gas giants this is arguably something of a misnomer, since throughout most of the volume of these planets the components which constitute the majority of their mass are above the critical point and therefore classified as “supercritical fluids”. Beyond Neptune scientist have theorized about true “gas giants”, or planets which are truly composed predominately of gaseous material even at the high pressures which exist within the interior of most celestial bodies. Although contrary to the current scientific view on the formation of planets in our solar system, Oashpe as well as ancient mythology seems to suggest that the planets throughout their celestial history progress from one type of planet to another. For example, that terrestrial planets such as Earth & Venus will one day progress to become fluid/ice giants like Jupiter & Saturn and that fluid/ice giants will one day progress to become true gas giants like those theoretically loosely bound to our solar system.

2. ALL PLANETS HAVE ASPECTS OF THE THREE STATES OF MATTER WITHIN THEIR INTER-DIMENSIONAL BEINGS

Existence on most worlds is split between three predominate dimensions, paralleling earth, water and air. Earth’s ‘lowest’ dimension is the visible world we know during life, but it also has a second “spiritual” dimension which most religions call the “spirit world” and is the abode of the spirits of man when they die. Ancient religions often referred to the spirit world as the “Eternal Sea” because of its correspondence to the “liquid” state of matter. Above this density is a yet higher realm of the earth which we will call the “glorified exalted state”. This highest realm of the earth is out of the reach (in another dimension) of even the spirit world, just as the spirit world is out of reach (in another dimension) for those living in the material earth. This highest earthly dimension is the abode of the earth’s “governing ones” and corresponds to the “air” or gaseous state of matter or the “Es” worlds spoken of in Oahspe or the “highest heavens” or abode of God spoken of by most religions.

To understand this inter-dimensional aspect of the earth a bit better think of how the physical/material/temporal world has three stratified densities or states of matter (earth/ocean/atmosphere) but man only dwells in one of them (earth surface) although he can visit the others with some degree of discomfort (deep sea diving, air travel, etc). The spirit world or “liquid” dimension is also stratified, although unlike our earth dimension it is split into around nine densities of matter and man dwells in all of them. The density which a man’s spirit goes when he dies has to do with his propensities during life. The more selfish, flesh loving men go to the lower/denser levels (spirit prison) and the more unselfish “spirit” loving man goes to the higher/rarefied levels (spirit purgatory/paradise). Men in the spirit world can also travel to lower or higher densities from their natural state but only with considerable discomfort. (read J.S. Ward’s Gone West for the most detailed description of the spirit world- link).

[As a side note (perhaps most wont understand what Im saying here) the “liquid” or middle state of matter is always a microcosm of all three. Just as water (the middle substance/density) on earth is a microcosm of all three primal elements, existing plentifully as liquid seas & rivers, solid ice or gaseous clouds and mists, so also is the spirit world or “middle” dimension of earth/matter a microcosm of all three primal dimensions.]

Space Time of earth’s dimensions
The bottom two states of matter (physical & spirit worlds) travel together in space (and partially time) but the highest state travels separately in both space and time. As a type given us on earth think of how the rivers and oceans are “bound” to the earth. They rotate perfectly in sink with the earths rotations. (luckily for us because otherwise they would wash over the land and kill us all.) The atmosphere or “air” state of matter however moves somewhat independently of the earth. The lower levels of the atmosphere move freely over the ocean and continents carried clouds and water from one to the other. The higher levels of the atmosphere are even more loosely bound to the earth and hardly rotate with the earth at all. This can be compared to how “earth” & “water” (terrestrial & fluid/ice) planets move/rotate with the sun/solar system as well as how the mortal world and spirit world move in sync with each other, but how the “air” (true gas giants/planet X) move somewhat independently of the solar system and how the earths highest heaven (throne of our God) moves somewhat independently of the earth’s mortal and spirit space/time dimensions.

Now these are some very difficult concepts to understand and teach. They are concepts taught by God to early man after the flood, and books containing the original truths were given to the common people in allegorical tales. But through time and apostasy the concepts were distorted and the true understanding lost. By the time Moses came along all that was left was the allegories. And from these allegories the unseen inter-dimensional nature of the earth was completely lost, so all that was left was the seen aspects of the truth. Thus the people and priests began to distort the true history and hierarchy of the earth and solar system into a system of planetary idol worship which although somewhat approximating the truth, was devoid of true understanding.

Finish this…. talk about Jupiter being Zeus and Saturn being his father cronos. but how this is only partially true. talk about how when the “Es” world (planet x, sister sun, nemesis, whatever you want to call it) comes around it contracts the planets caused destructions which become incorporated into the mythology… etc..

The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times

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This comes from http://ldolphin.org/studynotes/purpose.htm and is pretty good for only relying on the bilble….

If we are to understand and appreciate God’s working in our lives we must come to an understanding of His will and purpose. Everything which God has and will do is to one glorious end. This end is His “Eternal Purpose” (Ephesians 3:11).

According to the Bible “He has made known to us the mystery of His will … that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He will gather together in one, all things in Christ, which are in heaven and on earth” (Ephesians 1:9–10).

The dictionary definition of “dispensation”, when speaking about God, is “the Divine order or dealings with mankind”. If we look back through history we see that the Divine order of things has changed.

Very early, we see that God spoke with individuals such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Later we see that God expanded His dealings to include all the children of Israel as a specially favoured nation. As it is written “Hear this you children of Israel …. You alone of all the nations of the earth have I known” (Amos 3:1–2).

After Jesus ascended into heaven we see that God again expanded His dealings with mankind by established a new order of things called the Church, which includes representatives from every nation on earth.

Now in this passage of scripture we read of yet another “dispensation” in which God will expand His dealings to include “all things in heaven and on earth”.

So what does this mean?

1. The “dispensation of the fullness of times” obviously refers to the Millennial Kingdom which Christ will establish in the earth at the end of this Age.

2. We recognize this from the scripture in Revelation 10:6 where the angel of God declares that “there shall be time no more” just prior to the final demise of this world system and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. This passage indicates that the “time dimension” of the universe has outlived its usefulness to God, so He will do away with it. Thus we can say this corresponds to the “fullness of time” spoken of in Ephesians 1:9–10

3. To “gather together in one all things” speaks of the restoration of all things.

4. The instrument of this glorious work will be “Christ”, the Messiah.

Knowing the truth of God’s will reveals to us three major points:

1. God’s plan for the restoration of all things is still only in its preparatory stages.

2. The Church as we know it in this age is not God’s final attempt to restore everything to perfection.

3. That God’s ultimate plan for the restoration of creation will not find its fulfillment until the Kingdom of Christ is established in the earth.

TWO GREAT HOUSES
“God who at various times and in different ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1).

According to this scripture God’s dealings with men have changed from “times past” to “these last days”. During the past “dispensations” God spoke to His people through the prophets (a special group of people who had the gift of hearing or seeing God), while in this “dispensation” He is speaking to men through His Son, Jesus.

This seems to indicate that God has changed His method of communication in order to achieve different results in different dispensations. This is in accord with the word, for the scriptures show us that God has prepared two “houses”, one a “house of servants” under the ministry of Moses to whom God promised “the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish and those nations shall be utterly ruined ” (Isaiah 60:10–12), the other a “house of sons” under the ministry of Jesus (Hebrews 3:5–6) to whom God has said “Do not you know that the saints shall judge the earth … Do not you know that we shall judge angels” (1 Corinthians 6: 2 – 3).

There is great purpose in this, for we must remember that the Eternal Purpose is to gather together all things “in heaven and on earth”. To this end God has prepared these two “houses”:

1. Israel – a house of servants to rule the earth.

2. The Church – a house of sons to rule in the heavens.

Both will be under the lordship of Jesus. It is for this reason that Jesus is both “King of the Jews” (John 19:19) and “Head of the Church” (Ephesians 1:22).

So, when the Kingdom of God is established it will have both an “earthly” and a “heavenly” phase, and as Jesus said “The first (Israel) shall be last and the last (The Church) shall be first” (Matthew 20:16).

But this is not to say that all those who are numbered among Israel and the Church in these Ages will be reigning in the Age to come for “many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

We must realise that we are “on trial” in this Age to determine our fitness to reign with Jesus, “for judgment begins with the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17) and it is only those who “overcome” the trials and temptations of this present evil world who will be chosen to rule in the world to come (Revelation 3:21).
A PROMISE FULFILLED
God promised to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. To illustrate His promise God gave Abraham two examples:

1. “I will make your descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth” (Genesis 13:16). This speaks of the “earth” and points to the nation of Israel, his “earthly” descendants.

2. “Look now to the heavens and count the stars if you can number them. So shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5). This speaks of the “heavens” and points to the Church, his “heavenly” descendants.

So God has prepared two great houses. One to rule in the heavenly places in Christ, the other to rule the earth under the Lordship of Christ.

Once these two groups are complete and properly prepared the stage will be set for the greatest event in the earth’s history – the return of Jesus, “whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Therefore, when Jesus returns to the earth, there shall be a restoration.
HUMANITY RESTORED
We are told:

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ — if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:14–21)

As the human race is the crowning glory of God’s creation, it is reasonable to assume that the benefit which will fall to “the creation” by the “revealing of the children of God” will naturally include Mankind at large.

We are told that God will “create new heavens and a new earth” (Revelations 21:1). We know from our previous study that the Church, having been called to the Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:4), and the Angels constitute the “new heavens, so who shall live in the new earth ?

We may be sure that there shall be men and women living in the New Earth for the word of God says, “The earth abides for ever” (Ecclesiastes 1:4) and “God formed the earth, He did not create it in vain, He formed it to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18) and yet again ” The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth He has given to the sons of men” (Psalm 115:16).

Also in our previous study we saw that Israel will be ruling over other nations as God’s earthly agents in the Millennial Kingdom. Therefore there shall be people still living on the earth after the return of Jesus. These along with the rest of creation will be restored to perfection as God’s Eternal Purpose is fulfilled.
HOW DOES GOD ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE ?
The answer is “a bit at a time”. From Age to Age God has been working to a plan, preparing each part in turn until He is ready to assemble the final product.

Later we will look very briefly at God’s plan to accomplish His Eternal Purpose.

In the Church God also works a “bit at a time”. He does this by “revelation”. First he reveals to us a part of his plan, and then we begin to implement it in our lives. Once we have that bit working God will reveal more of his plan to us.

This is shown in the Bible. God entered into a number of “covenants” (contracts) with different people in ages past. God entered into a covenant with Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and finally us. Each covenant was richer and more detailed in its promise than the one before it. Each extended the initial conditions until finally Christ came to establish an even richer covenant with us.

So we have a cycle of “revelation” and “implementation”. God is building us up into his eternal purpose brick by brick, principle by principle and power upon power.
SUMMARY
God is working all things toward one final purpose, the restoration of all creation through the Christ. This will find its fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom. Until then God has been preparing two great groups who will play a vital part in this work:

1. Israel – to rule the earthly kingdom

2. The Church – to rule the heavenly kingdom.

All this is under the ultimate Kingship of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.

How Symbols, Gods & Religions Become Idols (And the relation to Moral Relativity)

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For as one star differs from another star in glory, even so differs one from another in glory in the telestial world…  These are they who say they are some of one and some of another—some of Christ and some of John, and some of Moses, and some of Elias, and some of Esaias, and some of Isaiah, and some of Enoch; [Some of Joseph Smith] But received not the gospel, neither the testimony of Jesus, neither the prophets, neither the everlasting covenant. These are they who are liars, and sorcerers, and adulterers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loves and makes a lie. These are they who suffer the wrath of God on earth. These are they who suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. (D&C 76:98–100)

It’s interesting to note in the above quote from Joseph Smith’s vision of the afterworld concerning the lowest level of heaven that it is populated by religious adherents who profess to be of Christ or culturally accepted past prophets, but in reality “receive not the gospel, or Jesus or the prophets”.

This scripture presents an idea that’s been continually confirmed to me to longer I live — that most religious people in this world actually worship an idol.  In fact, I have slowly come to realize that I have worshiped an idol for most of my life.  In other words most people’s (including my own) idea of God, eternal truth and morality is, and has been, inescapably a projection of their own biased, rigid set of perceptions and interpretations. An incomplete or false idea of divinity carved by human pride and imperfection. Give me a minute to unpack what I mean with that statement for you.

Truth as a whole, and especially moral truths concerning what it means to be a “good person”, are abstract principles and because of this are nearly impossible to explain in words. Give a selfish jerk a set of rules and social mores which define a “good person”—and you’re often left with that same selfish jerk, who keeps those rules and feels like he’s a ‘good person’—but now simply exhibits that same degree of selfishness and meanness in other ways.  In order to try and explain moral truths, religious systems in particular have come up with sophisticated sets of symbols and archetypes which ‘point to’ the truth, but are of course unable to fully represent that truth. Historically speaking, it’s typical for the very symbols and systems which wise past generations devised to point to “truth”, to become mistaken for the truths they are meant to represent. For example, a culture coming to confuse baptism as a symbol of salvation (a symbol of a needed character rebirth which brings personal happiness, harmony and salvation); with baptism as some sort of mystical or magical rite which brings an imaginary salvation simply by virtue of the ordinance—with little regard for the character rebirth it was meant to symbolize. When that happens in a religious context, those symbols have become idols.

As an example let’s take the nature of God. The Bible and LDS scripture give us a lot of purposefully paradoxical information concerning God. They say he’s unapproachable (Ex. 33:20, Jn. 1:18), yet approachable (Matt 11:28–29, Moroni 10:32).  Invisible and unseeable (Col 1:15, 1 Tim 6:16, John 4:24, Ex 33:20), yet visible and seeable (Ex 33:21–23, JS-H 1:16, D&C 76:23), both Creator Father and yet also Created Son (Mosiah 3:8; Mosiah 15:1–5, John 10:17–18), both universally ever-present (D&C 88:6–11, Jer. 23:23–24, 1 Kings 8:27, Acts 17:24–28) and yet anthropomorphic and limited to a given space and time (Ex 33:21–23, D&C 76:23, JS-H 1:16), Beyond understanding (Job 36:26, Romans 11:33) yet relatable (1 Cor 2:16). One monotheistic being, yet three polytheistic deities (1 Cor 8:6, John 10:30, D&C 121:28,32). Indeed the very Christian concept of Christ stands in opposition to—or at least paradoxical companion of—the Old Testament God.

Now if you are a prophet trying to teach these complex paradoxes concerning the nature of the underlying unity of intelligence in the universe (which religions call God) to the masses, you might use all sorts of symbols, religious rites, pictures, illustrations or even sculptures to illustrate your limited understanding to them.  But whether your symbols are of a strong, radiantly floating, white bearded arian man-god, or a wise short, plump asiatic man-god, or simply a symbol of the highest conceivable principle called the Dao — they will be just that. A symbol.  An approximation to the truth that in and of itself is completely untrue.  And you can bet that in time, those masses will come to hold up that symbol as the only truth.  History has shown that they will build a religious system around those symbols which serves as a basis for contention, egoism and war. They will form a religious elite that is considered a trustable source for religious information and reject all others. They will build shrines and temples to the dead prophets and mystics, but reject any modern prophet or teacher that doesn’t measure up to their culturally defined concepts of what a “prophet” should be, or that doesn’t jive with their idyllic concepts of divinity.  I believe a deep insight to human nature is the reason Moses was given the revolutionary 3rd commandment.

4 You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God (Ex 20:4–5 NLT)

 

God is Truth in its Entirety

Like the Koran or the Tao de Ching, the Bible seems to suggest that “God” is a being or consciousness attached to the ultimate truth, the ultimate reality and the primal cause and sustainer of creation. HE IS WHAT HE IS. As one of his mediators said, “I AM THAT I AM”. (see wikipedia article on tetragrammaton) He is not simply what me, you or any particular religion, prophet, philosophy or science defines him to be. He is not what man as “telestial” earth beings thinks he is. (see my article What is Truth). He is much more complex than man’s understanding, but every culture, religion, science and mystic has been given the difficult charge of describing what they understand of Creation or Him/It to their children. To do that they use tokens (which is is defined as “an individual aspect of a sign”), signs, symbols, types (which are defined as “a person or thing symbolizing or exemplifying the ideal of something) and shadows. However those symbols are not God — but symbols to point us to Him. God reveals Himself/itself to prophets and seers in “sundry times and in divers manners” (Heb 1:1), but in reality they only see the aspect of Himself which they are ready to receive (which is always through a heavenly mediator). Most of the world’s mystics tend to “see” god or have visionary experiences which accord with their own cultural biases. Those prophets may describe Him in words, or with symbols, or with temple rites. They may even carve his image or words in stone, but those images and words are not God or Truth they are a symbol pointing man toward them, nor are their descriptions of “righteousness” actually righteousness. They make statements and rules which try to point men to righteousness, but these are commonly misunderstood and misapplied and turned into “wickedness”.

The Christian liturgy and Judeo-Christian scriptures themselves try to teach us this lesson, with words associated with God or the gospel like “tokens, symbols, types, shadows, etc.” God himself being the “WORD of God” (John 1:1). A Word is a Symbol. The letters composing the words are Tokens of the Symbol (Psalms 65:8). The printed word is a ‘Type’ (Alma 13:16) of the Word which is a symbol of the Reality. A Shadow (Col 2:17, Heb 8:5; 10:1) is a distorted illusion of the Reality formed from the light which the reality blocks. The Reality dwells in an unseen realm above us which we can not see or fully comprehend, but the type casts a shadow from the higher realm to the earth so that we can begin to understand the meaning hidden behind the symbol.

The problem which the CREATOR/CREATION has always run against is that when He/She/It reveals himself to man, and man describes him with symbols, in time man comes to worship the dead symbols, images or letters instead of the living God. Man turns the symbols into idols which become their own false gods & doctrines.

10 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming–not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. (Hebr 10:1 NIV)

This happened to Judaism, it happened to Christianity and it happens in Mormonism. Words and symbols pointing to the truth become chiseled in stone through creeds, decrees, proclamations & dogmas and become dead idols sapping the living spirituality out of the churches or cultures who adopt them. In Joseph Smith’s vision, one of the two higher beings which he interpreted as “God”, said of medieval Christendom “that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight” and that they “taught with their learning but denied the Spirit” (JS-H 1:19). This can be seen as another way of saying, their teaching had become idols—or in other words the religions had become somewhat corrupted as they looked beyond the mark of what was intended by the creators of the religious system. Paul declared this same concept with the words “for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Cor 3:6). He taught that after submitting to the schoolmaster (Gal 3:24) which is the lower law, one must be reborn or “become alive in Christ” (2 Ne 25:25). This concept of growing past the limited knowledge of God’s mediators and lower laws toward a knowledge of the Eternal God of all Creation is the entire point to the preparatory Gospel and the primary lesson being taught by the fall of Adam and Redemption of Christ (1 Cor 15, 2 Cor 3, Rom 7, 8, 2 Ne 25, 31-32).

34/9.12. What comes to you from a man is indirect inspiration; what comes from an angel is indirect; and what comes from the Gods is indirect.
34/9.13. No direct inspiration by Me can come to you from a book, or a sermon, or from anything in all My creations, but only from Me, your Creator.
34/9.14. Though one man receives direct inspiration from Me, and he writes it in a book, yet, when it comes to you, it is indirect inspiration, and is not binding upon you, except only so far as My direct inspiration upon you moves you to receive it. (Oahspe, Book of Inspiration, 34/9.12-14)

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Moral Relativism, Idolatry and Polygamy

Just as the Universe as a whole is steady and unchanging, but each component of it is constantly moving and changing in relation to itself, so also truth as a whole is steady and unchanging but each aspect of it constantly moves and changes relatively.  Even more-so, mankind is unsteady and changing so his perception of revealed truth or instruction moves and change relative to absolute truth as well. As Joseph Smith taught concerning the relativity of God’s moral instruction,

That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another.”

“God said, “Thou shalt not kill;” at another time He said “Thou shalt utterly destroy.” This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted; by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed… If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added. So with Solomon: first he asked wisdom, and God gave it him, and with it every desire of his heart, even things which might be considered abominable to all who understand the order of heaven only in part, but which in reality were right because God gave and sanctioned by special revelation.”

“A parent may whip a child, and justly, too, because he stole an apple; whereas if the child had asked for the apple, and the parent had given it, the child would have eaten it with a better appetite; there would have been no stripes; all the pleasure of the apple would have been secured, all the misery of stealing lost.” (History of the Church, Vol. 5, p.134-136. Letter of marriage to Nancy Rigdon)

For Christians and particularly Mormons this statement and its relationship to polygamy is very pertinent to the idea of idolatry, because it reminds us how morals and values also become idols. Rules chiseled in stone which are intended “to be right” in one circumstance, are often horribly wrong in other circumstances. In the above quote, Joseph points out in his letter to Nancy Rigdon (as a justification for his plural marriage proposal to her) that the Bible teaches a sort of moral relativism and not simply moral absolutism as so many suppose, and how God’s mediators give man laws and morals in order to help them accomplish the aim of their desires.  To a modern Mormon or victorian Christian, polygamy for instance, may seem abominable and against the commandments of the Biblical god (even when the prophets and holy men of that Bible were often polygamous). But according to Joseph’s ideas, God gives prophets, individuals and societies the freedom to fulfill their desires, even to the point of socially sanctioning sexual practices like Polygamy that have a high possibility of abuse and social damage (see Jacob 4:14, 1 Sam 8).

The point is that no law or description of truth or morality can be set in stone—not laws governing life or death, not those governing sex, not those governing substance abuse, not those governing God. Looking at the vast array of apparent contradictions in the commands and behaviors of the Old Testament and New Testament God, or the God of Christianity verses the God of Islam or Eastern Religion we must eventually concede to the idea hidden within those very religions; that divinity leads all mankind and religions according to what the people and their culture need and desire at the time.  Or looking at it from a more agnostic perspective; the god’s men worship as the ‘Most High God’, are largely idol projections of man’s own needs and desires.

Christians and LDS people are instructed to keep idolatry at bay by living by “every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God” (Deut 8:3, D&C 84:44, 98:11); instead of just living by every page which proceeded from his prophets long ago. We must learn to be governed by the Spirit or the things which God speaks to us in our logic (minds) and emotions or hearts (D&C 8:2). We must seek out the words and wisdom of our modern cultural prophets (those in our culture who have meaningful logical or emotional concepts to share)  and not just our culturally accepted religious leaders. Most importantly we must find God in each other (Matt 25:40).

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I think some of these concepts are expressed well in the words of the following song by the Goo Goo Dolls.

I [God & Man] am a question to the world
Not an answer to heard
Or a moment
That’s held in your arms

And what do you think [I’d] ever say?
[You] won’t listen anyway
You don’t know me
And I’ll never be what you want me to be

And what do you think you’d understand?
I’m a boy [Son], no, I’m a man [Father]
You can’t take me
And throw me away

And how can you learn what [can’t be] shown?
Yeah, you stand here on your own
They don’t know me
Cause I’m still here

 

Organized Religion always becomes an idol

Much like words and cultural concepts of God, all religions eventually turn into idols as well.  Religions, like governments, have a cyclical lifespan of usefulness. I believe higher beings create these organizations to help people progress, but they always go through cycles of apostasy and eventually have to be destroyed and restored anew. And the apostasy cycles are almost always caused by idolatry; or in other words, because the people come to rely on their distorted concepts of God and ancient scripture over the living Spirit. Joseph Smith compared the building of God’s Church to the building of a temple, with foundation, walls and spires (TPJS p.335-340). I think he did this with Acts 7:48 and Acts 17:24 in mind, where we are told that God does not dwell in temples made of human hands. As Christ and Stephen before his martyrdom tries to point out, it is human nature to accept what is culturally acceptable instead of relying on direct revelation from God’s Spirit or self evident truths,

“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet…   Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?” (Acts 7:48–51)

Every religion thinks they have it all figured out, and their leaders are inspired and if they had lived in scriptural times, they would not have rejected God’s living messengers. But history shows this is rarely the case. If you are not constantly looking for God “hiding” in groups you despise or are biased toward, chances are you are looking beyond the mark which your religion is symbolically trying to point you toward.  Religions, like symbols or words on a page try their darndest to point people to the true principles of exaltation (which is a divine character), but people always mistake their religion for salvation itself, instead of seeing it as a symbol pointing to it. They mistake the ordinances of salvation for the principles of salvation. They mistake the dogma of salvation for the philosophy of right living. They mistake the rigid, human built “temple of God” for God Himself & His true abode, when it’s actually just a vehicle fully designed with planned obsolescence, made to take you in the right direction and then be destroyed by the very God its members have mistaken it for.

2 Lo, the [Gentiles] imagine a vain thing; their mind is in league with deception. Each man formeth me in their own image, and if I were to send them a prophet they would not hearken. Not with stones form they my image, but with their vain minds and self-seeking spirits form they my image. Better they made a dumb idol than pollute my ways, saith the LORD. For an idol hath no power of itself to teach any man its dumb ways nor enlighten a suppliant with its ignorance. The ignorant seeketh an idol and remaineth in his first estate, but a fool seeketh the counsel of the foolish and is made like unto his foolish image.
3 Vanity [pride] is deceit itself, above all deceptions wherein the sons of flesh deceive themselves. And I the LORD regard no one more foolish than they who fear not at my word. Is not an idol worshiper and him that revereth a carved trunk less foolish than they who take my name upon their lips and do not my ways? who declare I live and then declare I speak not clearly, and that I have not made the heart in mine own image? (Book of Ben Kathryn 19:2-3)

 

Idolatry in Mormonism

Like all religions, Mormonism has a good amount of idolatry and idol worshipers. I certainly confess that in different times of my life I have been one of them.  I think doing a little bit of self evaluation I would say that anytime we get caught in pride and self-righteousness we are one of them. When we behave like pharisees and get caught up in feelings of “righteous indignation”, thinking we need to defend orthodoxy in egocentric ways, we become one of them. When we believe our mediator gods are the Most High God we become one of them. When we get up on our Rameumptom and thank God that we are “the only true church” and have “the truth” and are not like all the other lost souls in the other apostate religions of the earth we become idolaters just like them. More properly we become idolaters when we mistake our perception of God (or our church’s), for God himself. Or mistake our religion’s tenets or commandments which are meant to teach us of righteousness, for righteousness itself.

The Aaronic & Melchizedek Priesthoods

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work in progress…. finish this some time.
Rename this to order of the priesthood or something.

 

 

In the LDS Church the Priesthood is divided in two primary divisions, the Aaronic and Melchezidek Priesthood. LDS Scripture teaches us that the Aaronic Priesthood is a “Lower” and “Temporal” Priesthood set to preside over temporal matters; whereas the Melkezidek Priesthood is a “higher” “spiritual” priesthood designed to preside over spiritual matters. I believe that these two priesthoods were meant to be profound symbols pointing us to two distinct aspects of religion; namely that there is a “temporal”, earthly or humanistic aspect of religion, and a “spiritual”, heavenly or divine aspect of religion. The biblical record makes the existence of these two aspects of religion fairly clear.

 

-lower priesthood is a school master to bring us to christ. (the catholic reformation were trying to make many of the same points that Stephen and early apostolic reformers were)

-god of old testament commands israel to build him a house/temple (made with human hands), but then tries to teach israel that He does not dwell in temples made with human hands.

-god tells israel they should not have a King, because he wants to personally be their King. But they insist and so he helps them coronate a king and the result is just as the prophets foretold; oppression, repression, taxes, war, imperialism and politically influenced religion.

-god wants israel to come worship “the true god” on the mount at sinai, but they are afraid and need a god made with hands—so they have Aaron fashion a golden calf. As a punishment, god makes Aaron and his posterity priests (like the egyptians), gives them a temple (made with hands), and a “lower” religion which was a also a human construct.

-The purpose of the human aspects of religion (things like the temple, the altar, the outward ordinances) are designed to point us to the higer inward spiritual aspects of religion.

 

OUTLINE:
-define and explain the two aspects of the priesthood
-both these priesthood functions are related to family lines because abilities of the adept are often passed genetically. (but not necessarily!). give examples of when they were and weren’t! lehi/nephi/lanuel, david, samuel, Jesus is best example of both, had a kingly line NOT a priestly one and defied the jewish concepts of traditional priestly lines!
cover the two aspects one at a time…
-both of these functions were given to MANY different dispensational heads in early history and continue in thier seed, so mormons dont need to pridefully think we are the only ones with priesthood!
-in regards to priesthood ‘power’, the ordinances are symbolic. You do not need to be ordained to exercise god’s power. you do not need to be lds, or jewish.
-quote extensively from law of one. quote oahspe about those capable of “hearing the voice” or clairvoyance. genetic manipulation and off planet implanting might be associated with this.
-talk about it in regards to women, non-Israel, and blacks in priesthood.
-in regards to priesthood ‘authority’, it is the lower priesthood which governs this. talk about two paths.
-women hold the priesthood in many ways.
-god is like a computer network or internet which we can tap into to access power. power gives authority. the most powerful are selfless because it is a superior system.
-need to talk about the ideal masculine and feminine and how true power is achieved though balancing these. quote pearl on story of martyr couple, and androgynous adepts. also oahspe on principles of androgyny.

There is a misunderstanding in the Church, that members of the LDS Church are the only ones with any “priesthood”… This is simply not supported by restored scripture.

Firstly, it is important to realize there are different aspects of the priesthood. In Mormonism, the priesthood is “the power and authority of God given to man”. One aspect of this power or authority is the right to govern. In this case priesthood is essentially political. The second aspect of priesthood is the “power of God” in the sense of one obtaining God’s supernatural abilities. Although closely related to governance, this aspect of God’s power is done by the “gifts of the spirit”, more than by virtue of the priesthood, per se. For more information on how the gifts of the Spirit tap into priesthood power and allow any worthy individual to do healings, prophesies, miracles or other supernatural phenomenon see ‘The Difference Between Priesthood and Prophets‘.

Both of these powers are given to man in assorted ways and have many examples in scripture. This article will show that in both cases God’s priesthood is not limited to the LDS Church. Although God often restores and reconfirms priesthood power as an addendum to reconfirming his covenant with subsets of humanity, aspects of his priesthood continues within the bloodlines of those to whom it is given and serves its needed purposes outside of organized religion. Many of these rights and powers of the temporal priesthood are passed hereditarily from father to son/daughter with no need for an ordinance.

(Abraham 2:11)
11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.

(D&C 84:17–18)
17 Which priesthood continueth in the church of God in all generations, and is without beginning of days or end of years.
18 And the Lord confirmed a priesthood also upon Aaron and his seed, throughout all their generations, which priesthood also continueth and abideth forever with the priesthood which is after the holiest order of God.

(D&C 86:8–11)
8 Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the priesthood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers—
9 For ye are lawful heirs, according to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God—
10 Therefore your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things spoken by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began.
11 Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and through this priesthood, a savior unto my people Israel. The Lord hath said it. Amen.

Show that the priesthood comes through the new and everlasting covenant. And that covenant was made with MULTIPLE parties from the beginning.

Abraham received it from Melchizedek.
BUT Moses received it through Jethro’s line which began with Esaias, of whom we learn “And Esaias received it under the hand of God. Esaias also lived in the days of Abraham, and was blessed by him…” (D&C 84:12–13)

This of course was not a singular occurrence, the Brother of Jared also lived just before Abraham and we can only guess that he also received his priesthood “under the hand of God”. After all, we learn from D&C 88:22 that “without this [the authority of the priesthood] no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (D&C 88:22). Which brings us back to our previous point, with the question; “how then did Joseph Smith see the face of God and live, when he had not yet been ordained to the priesthood at the time of the first vision?” The answer… this scripture is deeply symbolic. But additionally Joseph was a blood descendant of a high priesthood line (Ephraim), which even through the apostasy “must needs remain through… your lineage until the restoration of all things” (D&C 86:10)

Why then was the priesthood even restored? The answer, the entire process of the restoring of the priesthood and keys through the holy ordinances is a necessary part of confirming and renewing the new and everlasting covenant. Even though the covenant was made of old, and remained through the seed of the original testators, God renews it at the beginning of each dispensation for the sake of the faith of those involved and the whole world at large. For “without the ordinances thereof… the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh” (D&C 84:21). As the Lord says…

(D&C 84:48)
48 And the Father teacheth him [the priesthood holder] of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.

Explain a bit more how he gave it to multiple dispensations heads. Abraham, Brother of Jared, Esaias, (and others we dont know about). Then he confirmed it with multiple people. Moses, Jaredites and others we dont know about). Today he has renewed it with Joseph Smith and the LDS church, but to think that he has not re-confirmed it with the other divisions of the earth is a bit narrow minded. Was not John the Revelator himself “preparing the lost tribes” (D&C 77:14, ref). Do we not think God renewed the covenant with them as well? And what of the Jews? Doesn’t the Lord say concerning both the Jews and the 10 tribes,

26 And they who are in the north countries shall come in remembrance before the Lord; and their prophets shall hear his voice, and shall no longer stay themselves…
35 And they also of the tribe of Judah, after their pain, shall be sanctified in holiness before the Lord, to dwell in his presence day and night, forever and ever.

-explain how the Church, 10 tribes and Judah are all to be restored separately. The Jews do not need the priesthood restored to them; they will rebuild the temple and offer an acceptable sacrifice (Mal. 3:3–4, D&C 13:1) using the Levitical priesthood which has been maintained through their generations. The prophets of the 10 tribes also may have intact priesthood lines.

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Finish the article. Hit the points
-anyone can access intelligent infinity, or the ability to alter reality by our wills. it is a “gift of the spirit” and is free to any diligent seeker. However, use of this ability is guarded by higher beings on many different levels.

– It is important to understand the two paths of the Law of One; service to self and service to others. These are essentially the two ends of the spectrum concerning governance systems in our world and the galaxy in general. The service to self system is a top-down autocratic system of rule in which the few govern the many. This political/religious system exists to bring prestige, power, glory, energy, money and sustenance from the many to the god leader and his elite supporters. On the opposite side is the service to others system where there no inequality and all are entirely ONE. In this system no-one lifts themselves above another and all share power equally and serve eachother unfailingly. There is no need for a king (Samuel 8:4–22, D&C 38:21, Mosiah 29:10–32). If there is a leader appointed, they serve the people without requiring the people to serve or worshiping them. This system is only possible with a righteous selfless people, and historically when people are too selfish to establish this type of democratic system, the higher gods hand governance to the the lower gods who establish monarchies and dictatorships.

Service to the self is always inferior to service to others. It is impossible for the one to consistently defeat the many. The entropy in an inward/upward flowing political configuration is too high. Earthly and galactic history consistently shows that an outward/downward flowing political configuration is more powerful. Service to others IS the superior configuration. Show the densities; by 6th density all selfish groups switch to selflessness because there ceases to be possibility for progression otherwise.
-survival of the fittest governs the universe; even among gods. As taught to Abraham (Abr 3:16–19), the most intelligent/powerful always gains the right to govern. The “gods” who govern this world do so because they have used “intelligent infinity” or God’s power to become powerful enough to subjugate others to their wills. Man, Lucifer and lower gods do this through selfish force and violence. Higher gods have grown wise enough to see the detrimental entropy caused by the force and violence of tyranny; they instead use powers of “selfless” mental coercion and selfless service (D&C 130:36–46).
-there is a higher and a lower priesthood. An earthly and heavenly priesthood. One is essentiall selfish, the other selfless. One visible, the other invisible.
-because the selfless gods are more powerful than the self-made gods, they control our galaxy. but they allow gods of a lower order (of both paths) to rule earth and give them priesthood keys in accord with mans agency.
-priesthood power of both paths is passed through bloodlines and remains in one’s seed.
-Lucifer has priesthood and powers. As a god of this world he rules the lower priesthood and is permitted to instill and regulate the thrones, dominions, powers and principalities of this world until Christ puts this system under his feet at his coming.

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Four Fold Ministry of the Twelve.

Talk about the four-fold from gospel of the holy twelve… It is a symbol of the four divisions of the earth, and the four divisions of Israel, or God’s elect on earth and in heaven… all working independently of each-other, often without each others knowledge, to accomplish God’s purposes…

12. And from these there were called twelve to be Prophets with the Apostles, and twelve to be Evangelists and twelve to be Pastors, and their Helps were added unto them, and Deacons of the Church Universal, and they numbered one hundred and twenty. And thus was the Tabernacle of David set up, with living men filled with goodness, even as the Master had shewn unto them. [look for a type in soloman’s temple…]
13. And to the Church in Jerusalem was given James the Lord’s brother for its president and Angel, and under him four and twenty priests in a fourfold ministry, and helpers and deacons also. And after six days many came together, and there were added six thousand men and women who received the holy Law of Love, and they received the word with gladness

6. And to the Apostles were given staves to guide their steps in the ways of truth, and crowns of glory withal; and to the Prophets burning lamps to shew light on the path and censers with fire; and to the Evangelists the book of the holy law to recall the people to the first principles; and to the Pastors were given the cup and platter to feed and nourish the flock.
7. But to none was given aught that was not given to all, for all were one priesthood under the Christ as their Master Great High Priest in the Temple of God; and to the Deacons were given baskets that they might carry therein the things needful for the holy worship. And the number was about one hundred and twenty, Peter presiding over them.

I believe there are deep esoteric principles taught in this symbology which is reiterated with the symbolic use of the four and twenty elders described in Revelation 4:4,10; Rev 5:8,14; Rev 11:16; Rev 19:4) and reiterated in D&C 77:5.

The four divisions are also symbolized by Brahman man Nebuchadnezzar statue. Also four divisions in D&C 77:3, as well as 4 divisions of the earth & Noah, Japheth, Shem, Ham.

This would have to be a really long article to explain this all, but in summary. Every major religion on earth has come about through the priesthood. Hinduism and its restorationist sect of Buddhism came through Shem’s priesthood. Judaism and its two restorationist sects of Christianity and Islam came through Abraham’s priesthood (also Shem’s decedents). Japheth also has/had the priesthood and he uses it to rule China and southeast Asia (passed into Taoism and other Chinese religions). To add a higher degree of complexity the brother of Jared’s priesthood was spread to South America, Tibet and Anatolia by Heth’s great empire (not a lot revealed on this yet, see Law of One). It is very important to understand the distinctions between the lower and higher priesthoods. Organized religion has the lower “temporal” priesthood, and it is never long until this right to governance is hijacked by the selfish or self-righteous. Historically it has predominately been used by service-to-self individuals who are well-meaning but full of ego, self-righteousness and self-deception. These well-meaning individuals gravitate toward positions of power and quickly fill the ranks of most governments and churches. They are usually good people and should not be demonized but the populace should be aware that we give them power out of love so they can obtain their desires and progress. This lower priesthood is all about visible power, visible right to governance, power and prestige. It is the schoolmaster.

The higher priesthood administers in “spiritual” things and is held by those who rule in heaven. True prophets, adepts and mystics of every religion access this priesthood and by it do miracles, obtain revelation, and start systems which alter the coarse of human history. Most of this activity occurs in secret. That which is not done in secret becomes the stuff of legend and scripture. It is without “beginning of years” or “father and mother” and is not passed down hereditary like the lower priesthood. Nor does it need a visible ordinance to be conferred. The evidence of this priesthood is in the works of those who possess it.

 

 

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In this light, I believe every lover of equality, freedom and “righteousness” should be encouraged to study the breadth of the world’s political and religious systems. The political systems and empires of Communism and Democracy which grew out of the ideas revealed by these higher beings during Joseph Smith’s time are examples of the heavenly forces vying for control of our world right now.  I believe political systems (religions) in heaven and the galaxy follow similar patterns to those on earth. And just as they have in the past, these heavenly and spiritual forces constantly work to win over the decision makers of all earth’s powerful organizations. As I have learned more about these heavenly organizations and forces, I am sad to see the inroads they have made in overcoming organizations which I love such as the United States government and the LDS Church.

Mormonism should be the epitome of service to others governance, where the leaders serve their people without expectation of reward.

Mormonism should be the epitome of service to others governance, where the leaders serve their people without expectation of reward.

Wishful and childish thinking will almost always try and get you to believe that the Church is either led entirely by the benevolent God of the Universe, or falsely led entirely by a devil or a bunch of old normal Joes.  Through a lot of prayer and meditation, I have come to see that all earthly people and organizations are led by many voices of differing polarity.  The more my understanding of the unseen higher planes grows, the more I see how phenomenally amazing the visions in the Book of Mormon are, and also how sadly poor the basic LDS understanding of our own scripture and revelation is.  The LDS people (myself included for most my life so far) are blinded by our own unbelief and self-righteousness to the point that we don’t realize we are in nearly all cases associated as much with the “Gentiles” mentioned in LDS scripture as with “God’s people” (D&C 109:60, 113:10).  The “marvelous work” and restoration of Israel has not yet fully come forth.  The LDS Church is only a small part of a much larger work which is taking place predominately in the world’s political arena. But we are still in a probationary period at the end or fulness of the times of the Gentiles where the work of restoration and harvest has only begun.  And the LDS Church, just like the “Gentile” organizations of the world will soon have to choose whether they will “repent” or change their world-views and traditions which are still largely based on distorted views of morality and negative ideologies of control and inequality.

The great and abominable Church mentioned in LDS scripture is a highly controlling organization which exists in heaven and works on all earthly organizations for the express purpose of bringing the world into bondage. The “illuminati”, an oversimplified cliche from the new age movement, are well known or secretive groups (secret combinations in the Book of Mormon) which work under varying degrees of inspiration from these heavenly forces. It is my testimony that just like much of the world’s current political and religious organizations, the LDS church has espoused many principles and ideologies of these negative forces.  Much as Jesus (for good reasons) chose a spectrum of highly positive (John) to highly negative (Judas) apostles in the beginning of the Christian era, so too does our current LDS church contain a wide spectrum of positive and negative hierarchy and proponents.  The primary philosophies of these positive and negative paths are fairly intuitive …

 

spectrum of organizational polarities from self serving to serving others. where does the LDS Church fit? Where do we fit in our families or personal responsibilities?

Principles of positivity (service to others, democratic principles)

-To forsake self and labor to serve others. To put the needs of others and the group before your own. To not put yourself above others. To expend more energy helping others than the energy others expend to serve or praise you.  To give more than you receive.  To be meek and humble. To seek equality for all.  To warn others of danger in order to prevent suffering. To love and serve the “wicked” or those who seek to hurt you.  To not label and judge others as wicked, but look for the best in others while advocating propriety. To pass praise and worship on up the chain. To break up class systems or systems of inequality.  To promote freedom to all.  To value common sense and each individuals right to personal inspiration over religious fanaticism or rigid legal systems of control or manipulation.  To offer people positive/constructive counsel but not negative proscriptions. To rule by loving brotherhoods instead of rigid laws determined by an elite and enforced by punishment.

Principles of negativity (service to self, autocratic principles)

-To set up an elite where the few enslave and rule over the many, politically and religiously (kings & priests). To create a populace (not part of the ruling class) who is selfless and thus meek and easy to manipulate into being willingly enslaved. To create systems where the energy and resources of the many benefit and enrich you, the elite few (righteous kings & priests are rewarded). To crave or demand praise and worship. To utterly destroy the” wicked” (in other words, your enemies) and use fear and manipulation to rule and enslave your “servants”.  To put yourself above others as much as possible (as a benevolent God or King or Priest), while manipulating your subjects into a belief that they are unworthy, unequal to you, subservient to you and in need of your benevolence and forgiveness. To build up class systems and psychologically, spiritually, physically and economically subjugate as many people as possible (by their own free will) in order to serve the elite.  To promote religious & political fanaticism and keep people from thinking for themselves or thinking out of the box.  To enforce rigid laws by manipulation, armies, imprisonment and violence.

Principles common to both.

-To work toward unity, in order to increase the groups power. To seek wisdom and knowledge in order to raise in power.

 

Extreme Examples of these Groups

In our day, North Korea in particular is a good example of how an almost purely negative governmental system works. Even before Genghis Khan, this region of the world has been a major proponent of the negative path. Much like the governments of Lenin, Stalin and Mao, North Korea one of the most closed, controlled, autocratic totalitarian governments in the world.  To someone accustomed to the freedom of the west, it seems obvious that there is something inherently “evil” about their political systems. If you love control and power, then its a great place for you to be born as an elite because all control is in the hands of a small ruling class, and much of the countries resources go to supporting that elite (many capitalistic organizations use the same principles).  The people have very little freedom, and are manipulated by fear and propaganda into thinking their leaders are God-like.  And yet by creating a closed-minded mentality,  good intelligent people in these cultures are fine with the status quo because they are almost entirely ignorant of the fact that most the world operates much differently. It’s important for members of any nation, religion or political organization to be able to look outside their little boxes, and compare the spectrum of governmental systems so they can best chose between the pluses and minuses of each.

North Korea fanfare and tribute to their “beloved leader”, Kim Jong-un. A classic example of self serving governance, where the many serve the elite few.

I’m no neophyte to Mormon doctrine or controversy. I’ve read a lot of religious material from LDS sources and most of the earth’s religious systems;  and it seems the more material I read, the more I find myself having to pray and meditate for a while in order to integrate everything and figure out exactly where I think the LDS Church is right now.  It is obvious to me as I’ve studied history that no earthly religion is perfect or even close to perfect. They all contain mixed and distorted material and teachings, and often when I delve into the controlling, compulsive, manipulative and occasionally deceptive aspects of LDS church doctrine and history… I worry that they are far too ingrained in the negative or service-to-self path. (see distinctions below)  However, on the flip side I am hopeful as I listen to conference, see the open dialog occurring about troubling aspects of church history and feel out the general attitude of members in Utah that the Church and its hierarchy are predominantly seeking service to others by relaxing their power grip, opening their dialog, letting go of their pride and moving more and more toward the positive polarity.

The Difference Between the Priesthood & Prophets

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It seems to me that many of us Mormons often think that because the Lord has said that “no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant [the prophet]” (D&C 28:2), that no one but the “prophet” could possibly receive revelation pertaining to the church as a whole, or anything outside of our families or callings for that matter. This is a twisting of both the scriptures and the words of ancient prophets who have spoken on the matter.

Lets look to the scriptures for some examples.

God often sends prophets to keep the priesthood in check.

God often gives the gift of prophecy to normal members to keep the priesthood in check.

-Very few of the individuals we call “prophets” in the Bible were high priests, priests, or even held the priesthood (House of Levi).  Most did not even call themselves prophets (heb navi).
-The prophets were often rejected because they were either nobodies or considered a bit weird and wacky (such as Isaiah walking around naked and barefoot to get people’s attention).
-Was Anna, the prophetess from the tribe of Asher a priesthood leader when she saw the baby Jesus and “spake of him to all them that looked for redemption on Jerusalem” (Luke 1:37–38).
-Was Simeon, a man “just and devout” an officer of the priesthood when he blessed Jesus in the temple and prophesied “this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; …that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 1:25–35).
-Was Agabus a false prophet when he prophesied of the famine (Acts 11:28)?
-Was Miriam a member of the priesthood when she prophesied?
-Was Lehi or Nephi a priest (or even a Levite holding the Priesthood) when God appeared to them and told them to prophesy concerning Israel and Jerusalem?
-More than half of the Old Testament prophets were not from the tribe of Levi (and thus were not even eligible to hold Jewish priesthood). To Jews under the Mosaic law, this was nearly the equivalent of God calling non-Mormons “prophets” to prophesy against Mormonism.).

In fact, in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 Paul lengthily exhorts all members of the church to seek (“covet” in fact) the gift of prophecy that the Church might be edified. In part he says,

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. [for] he that prophesieth edifieth the church. …Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (1 Cor 14:1–4,39)

What we must remember is that there is a big difference between a prophet as one who has the gift of prophecy, and the priesthood. The president of the high priesthood (who we often call “the prophet”) as well as all the twelve apostles are set apart to be “prophets, seers and revelators” (D&C 107:92); but they certainly are not the only ones to have right to these gifts. All of these are gifts of the Spirit, and as the D&C tells us.. “and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God” (D&C 46:11). Paul reiterates this saying “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Cor 12:7). Both Moses Numbers 11:29 and Joseph Smith in D&C 1:20 suggest that God wants all his people to be prophets and speak in his name.

To suppose that one must hold the priesthood or even be a member of the church in order to have this gift of the Spirit is to fall under the warning given by Moroni in the Book of Mormon,

7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.

24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief.
25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God.(Moro. 10:7–8, 24–25)

Now perhaps where the misunderstanding comes in, is that the priesthood is given the keys to govern the gifts of God. That all things might be done as Pauls said “decently and in order” (1 Cor 14:40), God has ordained the priesthood to be the “head” of the body of Christ (Church). The priesthood holding the “keys” which administer and govern the gifts of the Spirit is to look over and direct their usage that “that all may be profited thereby” (D&C 46:12).

26 And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.
27 And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God…
29 That unto some it may be given to have all those gifts, that there may be a head, in order that every member may be profited thereby (D&C 46:26–29)

So the bishop of each ward is given the keys and responsibility to “discern” the gifts of the spirit to aid people in knowing whether a ward member or some other christian who claims to have the gift of prophecy or tongues, etc. (which they certainly could have) really does have the gifit or not. Additionally it is given to certain members of the high priesthood to hold the keys to, and in fact possess “all those gifts” or in other words to have all the gifts of the spirit so that they can better administer and discern their usage in the church and the Christian Community. This right and authority belongs to the Melchizedek priesthood, and is most certainly held by the presidency of the high priesthood (First Presidency of the Church).

8 The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency, and has power and authority over all the offices in the church in all ages of the world, to administer in spiritual things.
91 And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses—
92 Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.
(D&C 107:8,91–92)

Even outside of the Mormon Church, Christians may seek and obtain spiritual gifts. We should not think that healings, prophesies, or other miracles done by other churches are somehow of the devil least we be like John saying “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us”, whom Jesus rebuked saying “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” (Luke 9:55)

Just as Christ gathered all believers in One as he descended to teach the Nephites and Lamenites, exhorting them not to “contend” one with another, so also is it the Mormon Church, and the restored priesthood which is charged with gathering and directing all Christians in one during this the dispensation of the fullness of times. We certainly cannot do this if we think our “prophet” (president of the high priesthood) or simply only members of our church are the only one with right to the gift of prophecy, seership, healing or other spiritual gifts. We might well remember Paul’s council,

3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (1 Cor 12:3–6)

 

Needed Reformation

Part of my reason for writing this article is my belief that there is some needed reformation and repentance among Mormon people. In both the bible and Book of Mormon we are told that there were times that God “covered” the prophets or took the gift of prophecy out of the midst of certain people because they had no faith in them. During these times God did not take the “president of the high priesthood” from their midst—there will always be someone to fill that throne—but he took the gift of prophecy, revelation and seership from the masses.  I fear this has occurred in Mormonism to some degree because of our false belief that that if God is going to speak to Mormons, it will be through the “prophet” (President of the High Priesthood) or the “twelve apostles” (travelling twelve).

We love to point the finger at other people and religions for their “rejection” of the prophets, instead of searching ourselves for error. When was the last time you searched out the prophets (and not just the high priests)?

  7 And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;
8 Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them

8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them…
9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom…
13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;
14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits…
24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief.
25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God. (Moroni 9, 10)

 

See this article for a little more information about modern misconceptions about ancient Israeli prophets.

for more authoritative information see the books: Karel van der Toorn’s Scribal Culture and Joseph Blenkinsopp’s A History of Prophecy in Ancient Israel

 

Difference between translation and transfiguration

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Transfigure: Trans=change, carry. Figure=form, image. Thus it is to change ones form, or in christian scripture to changed or resurrect from a lower form to a higher form while still in the physical body.

Translate: Trans=change, carry Late=over, slow, dead/death. In this sense, to translate is to carry over or be changed over. Death is a form of translation for the spirit, but in the LDS sense it means to be physically carried over the threshold of death WITH ones body.

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So Christ was transfigured on the mount of transfiguration, Moses was transfigured on Horeb, but Enoch, his city, Moses, and Elijah were translated into heaven without tasting death.

So lets go into more depth on transfiguration first.
Christ was transfigured on the mount meaning he actually went through a spiritual “quickening” as he communed with being of higher planes. Nephi & Lehi also went through a similar process where their faces shown in brilliance while in prison as their spirits were changed from one plane to another so they could commune with the beings of that higher plane. Similarly, we are told Moses was transfigured before the Lord so he could behold his glory, as he says..

11 But now mine own eyes have beheld God; but not my natural, but my spiritual eyes, for my natural eyes could not have beheld; for I should have withered and died in his presence; but his glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him.

What people need to remember is that people on higher planes/densities/dimensions/vibrations can see/travel to lower planes, but individuals of lower planes cannot see or travel to higher planes objectively (subjectively is another matter), without being changed to a similar plane/vibration themselves. Thus for God and man to commune, one of two things must happen. God must descend to the physical plane, covering his own glory with physical elements; or secondly man’s spirit must ascend or be “transfigured”; in which case God must cover man to hide him from his Glory, least mans spirit be consumed.

Thus In both the cases of God descending to man or man ascending to God a change must take place in one of the individuals so that; to the entity of the lower kingdom so that they can either endure the higher vibratoins of the higher sphere, or that they

Lets cover the second case first since it is much more common. In many instances, man’s “ascending to God” is symbolized by man being instructed to go, or being carried up to “an exceedingly high mountain”, or a temple (mount Zion) or some other sacred location to symbolize heaven or the higher spheres. Taking Moses for an example, he “called up to the top of the Mount”, and after ascending we are told that…

1 …Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain,
2 And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.

temporarily/permanently changed to a higher vibration so that they can “spiritually” behold things of (or travel to) the higher dimensions.

To treat the first way of communion first, we should remember that both gods and angels have descended in this fasion many times in the past as “some have entertained angels unawares” [Heb 13:2], or as Christ did at the sepulcher and on the road to Emmaus.) It was also likewise through this process that Christ appeared to the Nephites and to Joseph Smith. In these instances, when a God/Angel descends they control the density or thier cloak and thus how much light shines through. It was by this means that the resurrected Christ hid his identity from both Mary and on the Road to Emmaus, as it says… “their eyes were holden that they should not know him” (luke 24:16). do

Or secondly man’s spirit must be “transfigured” or temporarily/permanently changed to a higher vibration so that they can “spiritually” behold things of a higher dimension. As all spirits (both paradise/prison and our own spirits within our bodies) are composed of a more rarefied (lower density) matter/vibration than our physical bodies it is not possible for our physical eyes to see matter of that higher vibration. However, our spirit’s eyes can see matter of its own or higher vibrations with a little help. This is why Moses says his “natural (physical) eyes could not have beheld”, but his “spiritual eyes”. In other words God “quickened” (the vibrations of) his spirit so that his spirit could temporarily see matter (Gods body in this case) in/from a higher plane/dimension/vibration. Had another non-seer (non-spiritual seeing) mortal been standing next to Moses looking with their physical eyes, they would have seen nothing. Conversely had another seer (one with spiritual eyes to see) been standing there and been transfigured to see (lifted up spiritually to the higher plane) but not been transfigured (protected), they would have as Moses said “withered and died in his presence”.

As another evidence for

1 The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain,
2 And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.

*As a side note, demons have the ability to create a body/appear as an ‘angel of light’, but only in the dark or at night, since their light is dimmer than that of the sun. Also, since Satan is a being of a lower plane, he can be seen with “non-transfigured” spiritual eyes or even physical eyes, as Moses said,

13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: …where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?
14 For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me, and I were transfigured before him. But I can look upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?
15 Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; …

Transfigurations are always dependent upon ones (spiritual) “eyes being opened”. As Paul says

2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (Cor 12:2)

As far as translation….

All must progress spiritually through the heavenly kingdoms passing from one threshold to another until they reach the veil before the Celestial Kingdom. Each ascension from one plane to another is termed a spiritual resurrection or “rising” by many, but should not be confused with the “physical” resurrection most of us associate with the term. Most people do the majority of this progressing after death, leaving one of the six “terrestial” spiritual planes and bodies for a higher, but one can actually do this progressing far faster while still on earth. On the mount of transfiguration, Christ’s body and spirit were changed to the highest spiritual plane before actually passing through the veil (bridge of chivot) into the etherean Celestial Kingdom and presence of the Father. A step which he did not accomplish until after his physical resurrection and ascension. Thus he says to marry “touch me not for I have not yet ascended unto my Father…”

Thus after his physical resurrection

36 And now behold, as I spake concerning those whom the Lord hath chosen, yea, even three who were caught up into the heavens, that I knew not whether they were cleansed from mortality to immortality—
37 But behold, since I wrote, I have inquired of the Lord, and he hath made it manifest unto me that there must needs be a change wrought upon their bodies, or else it needs be that they must taste of death;
38 Therefore, that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought upon their bodies, that they might not suffer pain nor sorrow save it were for the sins of the world.
39 Now this change was not equal to that which shall take place at the last day; but there was a change wrought upon them, insomuch that Satan could have no power over them, that he could not tempt them; and they were sanctified in the flesh, that they were holy, and that the powers of the earth could not hold them.
40 And in this state they were to remain until the judgment day of Christ; and at that day they were to receive a greater change, and to be received into the kingdom of the Father

D&C 67: 11
11 For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God.

D&C 88: 26, 28–32, 49, 96
26 Wherefore, it shall be sanctified; yea, notwithstanding it shall die, it shall be quickened again, and shall abide the power by which it is quickened, and the righteous shall inherit it.

96 And the saints that are upon the earth, who are alive, shall be quickened and be caught up to meet him.