(This post is kind of a continuation of the side note found at the end of the last post "The Componentsof Faith".)
Staying clear of deception is a tricky aspect of our mortal probation. Early on, the name of the luciferian game was called out as lying, deceiving, blinding and leading men captive (see Moses 4:4). This is the spiritual reality which we must be aware of.
Because of this, I must recommend D. Christian Markham's books "There are save two churches only", vol. I and II, found here. I will share this little teaser from the introduction:
"Gray only exists from a distance. The closer one looks, the more one scrutinizes, the easier it is to clearly observe that which is truly white and truly black within every shade of gray."
In order to help us avoid deception, the Lord counseled us to
"seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts. And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church." (D&C 46:8-10)
These gift are given to those who love the Lord and those who, at least seeks to, keep all his commandments. Do we really seek to keep all his commandments? Or are we cherry-picking and changing those commandments to better suit us? These are important questions, for if we don't even seek to be obedient, these gifts won't be given to us.
One of these gifts is the gift of healing. We read:
"To another [is given by the Spirit of God], the gifts of healing." (Moroni 10:11)
"And to others it is given to have faith to heal." (D&C 46:20)
"To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit." (1 Cor. 12:9)These are gifts given to those who believes in, loves and seeks to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. From the New Testament we learn that Jesus healed many people. The same thing is true with regards to the Savior's ministry among the Nephites. His works were great. Nevertheless, he said:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do;" (Joh. 14:12)
I find this fascinating. Here we have the Only Begotten Son of God, the embodiment of the love and power of God, and he says that his disciples will do greater works than he did? Talk about raising the bar...
After the day of Pentecost, Peter was a new man. Gone was the fisherman and denier. In his place stood the stalwart apostle and mighty servant of Christ. We read:
"And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one." (Acts 5:12-16)No believer in the scriptures deny that Peter, and his associates, were real apostles. The reason for this is that we read their testimony of the risen Lord and we read about their "greater" works. They were real believers.
How is it today? What would happen today, if members from around the US or the world would bring their sick, those that were vexed with unclean spirits, lame, blind, deaf, cancer stricken people to the doors of the Church Office Building? What would happen if Temple Square was to become a field hospital were healing by the gift of God was expected? Would we see the fifteen "apostles" go around, healing every one like Peter and his associates, whose successors they claim to be? I have my doubts.
How about you? What do you believe in this regard, and why?
Excellent point my friend. If we cannot invoke God's power to miraculously heal the sick, it is a red flag that something is wrong. When I think about what might be wrong, the thought occurs to me that exceptional experiences occur under exceptional circumstances. I think you just inspired me to write a blog post.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the post!
DeleteThe question needs to be asked: where are the fruits? This was the thought that caused my awakening. I came to realize that doing sports gave me more of spiritual experiences than being engaged in the church. And from there it's gone steadily south... ;)
I do believe healing would take place. I think it is a lack of faith that keeps people from believing that. Also, the fact that the church was still relatively new then, Peter was known to be able to heal so people came to him, just as Joseph was in his time, and moses in his. However as the church grew the members no longer needed to go to these men for healing, others were able to use the same power with the same results. Today, if needed, I could go to the door of the church office building and be healed, I could go to any of my priesthood leaders, and I can go to my husband, and through the power of that same priesthood that Peter, Joseph and Moses held, I can be healed for it is the power that has gives to us all to act in His name according to our righteousness. You see they all have the power given them to heal but also I, through my faith, have the power to be healed. The prophets today are called of God. Jesus Christ stands at the head of this church. Their responsibility as were the prophets of all generations, are to prophesy of Jesus Christ to be witnesses of Him. I have yet to read anything in which they do not do this... Everything they do and say is to invite the people of the world as well as those who have already covenanted to Come unto Christ. They do this in word and deed. There is no need for any of us to go to the doors of the church office building to be healed for we have it in our homes, in our ward boundaries, in our stakes. But if needed you could go and they holdv that same power you have been given, the power to heal. Do you have the faith to be healed?
ReplyDeleteWhere are the fruits? The fruits are found in you as you apply the principles and teachings of Christ, of which the prophets have taught through all generations. Build a foundation on Christ, apply His teachings of which they testify, and the fruits are there. You will see the tender mercies of the Lord... Which are the fruits.. The very love of God that lehi so very much wanted his family to partake of. The fruits are personal manifestations of His love in our lives. When we partake of His love, even in small quantities, we want to go back for more, until we are filled. The prophets don't fill us, they teach us how to be filled, and if we he'd their teachings, which are the teachings of Christ, then we will be filled with His love. Your arguments are not new... You can find them in the old and new testament and book of Mormon and doctrine and covenants... They all kill theprophets, revile against their words, and do it thinking "this is different"... But it's not. We are not being asked to put our faith in the prophets but only in their words. " whether by mine own voice or the voice of my servants it is the same". I think of we ask rid ourselves of the spirit of contention and focus on the words of salvation than we will be better able to disk with the tongue of angels, the spirit. Until we can do that we are mingling the philosophies of men with the words of God and allowing ourselves to be deceived, myself included. Why worry about their fruits... Focus on our own and pray to have the love of all men in our hearts, even though we disagree, at this time. I think we will then find ourselves growing closer to the savior and as a result have a better understanding of his "higher ways".. " for my thoughts are not your thoughts..." (Isaiah 55:8-9). Have faith in Christ and His teachings, he'd the words of the prophets that testify of Himb and His teachings. If there are things you dont understand right now focus on the fruits of what you already know and keep the live if your savior in your heart.. Which will extend to all men, including those you disagree with, you cannot have the love of the savior and contention in your heart (3rd nephi 11: 28-30). You cannot serve both God and Mammon. Share the fruit you have seen and partaken of, seek for understanding, with the spirit of love as your guide, for the rest. I promise, for I have partaken, that understanding comes and peace abounds and love for my savior becomes even stronger. He is the way... The only way.
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ReplyDeleteThe problem is that John Taylor was shown a vision and said that we would be lucky in the last days if 10% of the men would actually hold the priesthood. How could this be you ask? Well, because Heber J Grant in his day changed the way the priesthood was given. For a few years, until it was changed back by David O McKay, men in the church were taught to ordain men to offices in the priesthood and to leave out the part about actually ordaining them to the priesthood.
ReplyDeleteSo men during that time never actually got the priesthood itself. And, therefore, never really passed it down to their own sons. Therefore, what John Taylor was shown has actually come to pass. Fortunately the Lord knew this would happen and has already stated this problem will be rectified in the future cleanse of the church. I'm so excited for this event that I can hardly wait!
Great point Bob! As far as I've been able to conclude, this way of ordaining to an office was done from April 1921 to April 1957. I've got to study my own line of "authority".
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