61: KING NOAH and HIS KINGDOM: Part 4

King Noah and His Kingdom, Part 4
(Conclusion to this chapter)

“For he put down all the priests that had been consecrated by his father, and consecrated new ones in their stead, such as were lifted up in the pride of their hearts.

“Yea, and thus they were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people; thus did the people labor exceedingly to support iniquity.

“Yea, and they also because idolatrous, because they were deceived by the vain and flattering words of the king and priests; for they did speak flattering things unto them”

(Mosiah 11:5-7).

Noah called and ordained priests to replace those priests who had been ordained by his righteous father, Zeniff. You see, Noah had priesthood; at least he thought he did. We would say he “held priesthood.” These new priests were lifted up in pride, were lazy, practiced idolatry, and indulged in the same whoredoms as Noah. They were men after his heart. Alma, about whom we read later in the story, was among them.

The leaders of the people quickly became victims of inappropriate adoration (though they themselves victimized the people), and whether or not it was something they sought after, it appears that they became quite comfortable in their positions of high status and even fed on the envious and adoring lay mass. This happens swiftly when the king decides to let incessant, man-worship go unchecked. Only a meek man can combat the temptation of the praise of men, especially those who fancy the idea of claiming a following. The leader then takes delight in that attention, and indulges in priestcraft (2 Ne. 26:29).

King Noah set himself up as a light to the people, instead of pointing to Christ who is the only true light. He and his priests had their own distinct seats that were “above all the other seats.” They built a comfortable breastwork from which they could speak lying and vain words to their people (Mosiah 11:11).

What kind of a message is chocked full of lies and vanity that a body of religious people is willing to accept? There is only one – the people love to hear that they are good, and that all is well. “Yea, Zion prospereth. All is well.”

Something that we ought to ask ourselves and wonder about is this: Was Noah “worthy” to consecrate new priests? At what point does somebody’s character or behavior disqualify them from ordaining others to the priesthood? We’ve already established that Noah was unable to please heaven. He had already forfeited the “rights of the priesthood” (D&C 121:36). But does a man from whom “the heavens withdraw” and who has “grieved the Spirit of the Lord” have authority to pass priesthood to others? If yes, then what about the children of those “others?” Can it be passed, as would a family heirloom, from one generation to the next by men who take no delight in “persuasion,” “longsuffering,” or “gentleness and meekness?” Who have not charity and whose thoughts are filled with many things beside that which is virtuous (ibid, v. 41)? At what point does this break down?

Sadly, this class of priests was supported in their persistent idolatry, laziness, and whoredoms by the money of the people of the kingdom. And thus, the lay population supported these leaders in their iniquity, so much that they too became idolatrous. This has been Satan’s plan from the beginning – he buys things with money. His disciples believe they can have anything in this world for it. They really believe it!

The root cause of this shift is pride, but also trusting in the arm of flesh. The gradual descent downhill was so insidious that nobody from top to bottom was able to clearly perceive their own wretched state.

Noah’s subjects are a great reminder to us of how quickly we tend to forget the messages of the prophets. Because they forgot, they thrived on vain and flattering words that were given to them by their new leaders. Though the scriptures taught that flattery was of the devil, they nevertheless loved to be praised in their present course, and trod down the path of iniquity, and idolatry.

“It is the mark of a false message that it relies on flattery.
(See Alma 46:5; 61:4; Jacob 7:4; Mosiah 27:8; 2 Ne. 28:22)

“It is the mark of a true message that it calls for repentance. (D&C 6:9; 11:9; Mosiah 18:20; 25:22)

“Christ's message is always to "repent" and then to "come to Him." (Moroni 7:34)

“If you only need to listen to the voices of praise, and adulation which speak to you that "all is well in Zion" then you can never recognize an authentic call from the Lord to repent. Instead, like Laman and Lemuel, you will erroneously think any message that condemns your misbehavior is "sharp" or "angry" (2 Nephi 1: 26). Yet Nephi's only intention was to seek "the eternal welfare" of Laman and Lemuel. (2 Nephi 1: 25)

“When we will only listen to vanity and praise, we are not much different than those who only wanted "smooth things" anciently. (Isa. 30: 10)

“The cure for some illness requires a knife to be used first before healing can begin. The purpose is not to injure, but only to heal” (Denver Snuffer).

The people became idolatrous. They were placing their trust in the arm of flesh, and therefore put men between them and God. This is a status wholly unacceptable to the Lord. Those who trust in men are damned (D&C 76:98-101).

Next we will look at the message that God had for Noah and his kingdom. God sent them a message of repentance by the mouth of Abinadi, his messenger. Hearing Abinadi’s word was the same as hearing God’s own word, for “it is the same” (D&C 1:38). He was a servant who came in the name of the Lord to declare repentance. He preached to Noah and his people during the time of Pentecost. Tonight begins Pentecost, over 2160 years later.

60: KING NOAH and HIS KINGDOM: Part 3

King Noah and His Kingdom, Part 3

“And he laid a tax of one fifth part of all they possessed, a fifth part of their gold and of their silver, and a fifth part of their ziff, and of their copper, and of their brass and their iron; and a fifth part of their fatlings; and also a fifth part of all their grain.

And all this did he take to support himself, and his wives and his concubines; and also his priests, and their wives and their concubines; thus he had changed the affairs of the kingdom”

Mosiah 11:3-4.

Noah laid a heavy tax on his people of all they possessed, and did not use those moneys collected for a righteous purpose, but to support his own endeavors (vv. 3-4). With that money he built many “elegant and spacious buildings,” made of the very finest materials and crafted with the finest workmanship to beautify his kingdom, including the temple and the land “near” it (vv. 8-10, 12). King Noah loved money and things more than he loved God and people.

It was for this very reason that the early saints were unable to secure Zion. Lorenzo Snow said Latter-day Saints' early failure to secure Zion was "because of their love of money," and that "the Lord could have sustained the people against the encroachments of their enemies had they placed themselves in a condition where He would have been justified in doing so" (The Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, p. 159). You cannot serve God and Mammon (Matt. 6:24). We are blind if we believe that we would do any better than the early saints at such a heavenly endeavor. The early saints at least made the attempt. We don't know where to begin in our competitive society.

Noah had not abandoned the temple as we might suppose of someone who is “abominable in the sight of the Lord” and full of “all manner of wickedness,” but he and his priests considered themselves worthy to continue worship within it. He even did occasional renovations of fine work “within the walls of the temple” to beautify it (v. 10). Mormon points out that the people supported the king and his priests in their iniquity (v. 6). Not because they sought iniquity, but because of their trust in the arm of flesh. They acted as enablers in a vain cause.

They only wanted to hear “smooth things” preached unto them. This was “a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits…Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant” (Isa. 30:9-13).

Noah and his kingdom sought not “the welfare of Zion,” but rather to further the cause of Babylon, that they “may get gain and praise of the world” (2 Ne. 26:29). Their practice of priestcraft was to them priesthood and authority. But it was to the Lord nothing more than men who sought to gratify their pride, and who exercised “control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men” (D&C 121:37).

Through his example, teachings, and policy, Noah changed the affairs of the kingdom. It’s actually much easier to do than we might suppose, and even one man can do it. Because he cared more about himself, and his “vain ambition,” Noah was unable to do any good thing with his kingdom because the heavens had withdrawn themselves (Ibid.). He was therefore left to kick against the pricks, and to “fight against God” (v. 38).

59: KING NOAH and HIS KINGDOM: Part 2

King Noah and His Kingdom, Part 2

“For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart. And he had many wives and concubines. And he did cause his people to commit sin, and do that which was abominable in the sight of the Lord. Yea, and they did commit whoredoms and all manner of wickedness”

Mosiah 11:2.

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Noah was a polygamist who walked after the desires of his own heart. There have been times when the practice of plural marriage has been authorized by revelation and commandment, and at other times received God’s censure (D&C 132:29, 34-35; Jacob 2:23-24). Noah and his priests weren’t the first, or the only people in history that sought to excuse themselves in committing whoredoms, because of the things which are written about ancient kings (ibid.). His example and teachings caused his people to commit sin, though neither he nor his people believed they were living in sin (Mosiah 12:13-14).

Like the Pharisees’ reaction to the Lord, Noah and his people were surprised “that we should be condemned of God or judged of this man (ibid.). They were surprised that somebody would challenge their righteousness. The wicked priestly class of Christ’s day was surprised at His message of admonition and repentance. In their view, they were the only people actually keeping all of the commandments. To them, even Christ and his disciples transgressed “the tradition of the elders” (Matt. 15:1-3). Christ taught them that it was precisely by way of their tradition that they “transgressed the commandment of God” (ibid.). Their pride had blinded them.

Remember, this story is being told to us in retrospect through the lens of a righteous prophet-writer. It is that prophet-writer who makes it clear to us that Noah and his people were wicked. Prophets have a very different view of history, and of the unfolding current events than do those who belong to or sympathize with Babylon. Because prophets commune with God, they are able to see things as God sees them.

If we were to read a history about Noah and his people written by their own hand it would, of course, be highly complimentary. Conspicuously absent from the record would be any details about human failure and weakness, especially of the king. Their record would tout their accomplishments. It would tell us about what great progress they made in the kingdom by way of building projects, for example. They certainly kept and preserved records. Otherwise, how would Mormon know so much about them.

Since the king and his priests spoke “flattering,” and “lying and vain words” unto the people we shouldn’t expect that their record would reflect a greater degree of honesty (Mosiah 11:7, 11). The ultra-religious always think they’re better than they really are, and they’re happy to talk about it.

The wickedness and abominations of Noah and his priests led them to pride. Their pride led them to boast in their own strength. They believed that it was not possible that they should be brought into captivity, or into bondage. They thought that because they had “prospered in the land,” they would always prosper (Mosiah 12:15). But it was not to be so.

58: KING NOAH and HIS KINGDOM: Part 1

Below is a depiction of King Noah, his priests and Abinadi painted by Minerva Teichert . It is a different image that we are normally see to illustrate this Book of Mormon account found in Mosiah. (It is missing the leopards etc). I post this different painting on purpose as a precursor for the next several posts on King Noah and Abinidi. I did not write them, but post them with the permission of my friend . It is my hope in this series, we will look at this account differently, and liken to our day.

King Noah and His Kingdom, Part 1

“And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his stead; and he did not walk in the ways of his father”
Mosiah 11:1
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The kings (and later the Chief Judges in a way) of the Book of Mormon received through  “conferral,”  or “consecration,” or “charge,” not only the rights to rule and reign over a kingdom, but also stewardship over plates of records, and other implements of kingship (Mosiah 1:15-16; 29:42; Alma 2:9). Their stewardship was most often intermingled with religion.

Compared to his son Noah, Zeniff was a good king. He held authority to minister temporally and spiritually in the affairs of his kingdom and he “conferred” that authority on his son Noah. His son Noah walked not “in the ways of his father” while he was king over the land. It’s hard to imagine Zeniff conferred the authority upon Noah to preside and rule over the kingdom, despite knowing his son to be an idolatrous, lazy man (Mosiah 11:6). Perhaps he couldn’t see it. Or, perhaps, Noah wasn’t always who we read about in our record; we know the unfortunate disposition of almost all men as soon as they are given a little authority, as they suppose (D&C 121:39-40).

It should go without saying, but is important to say - just because Noah’s father was a good man didn’t make Noah a good man. Just because Noah inherited the kingdom, or had the kingdom conferred upon him, didn’t mean that he faithfully thereafter discharged the obligations that had fallen upon him. Just because Noah received authority to govern temporally and spiritually in his kingdom, didn’t mean he was ever able to find favor with heaven. And just because Alma, on the other hand, was subject to a blind and darkened slumber while serving as Noah’s priest, didn’t mean he had no opportunity for repentance, growth, progression, and redemption.

It is easy to see from the record of Noah, his kingdom and people, why it is not “expedient” that we should have a king to rule over us. “For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be committed, yea, and what great destruction!” (Mosiah 29:17).

57: The new WORLD TRADE CENTER at City Creek.

It was announced today that the new high rise office tower at City Creek has now received a new name. The new name is World Trade Center at City Creek.  From the KSL article, “Renaming the tower "builds upon the established achievements of City Creek’s revitalization efforts in the heart of downtown," said Mark Gibbons, president of City Creek Reserve Inc.  click here

The City Creek Reserve is a for profit real estate company owned by the LDS church.

 

I wondering if naming a high rise building World Trade Center would be similar to renaming a new ocean liner cruise ship, the Titanic.  

56: ABIDE THE DAY.. or Hewn Down and cast into the fire.

In the last days there will be a division and separation into two groups. The two options are:

·         The Gathered and Secured… OR The Bundled and Burned.

·         Those who Abide the Day….. OR Those who are Hewn down and cast into the fire.

·         Those Know His voice and enter in… OR Those who Profess His name, but are departed out.

When does this separation happen? Are their signs happening now to point that the division is close? or possibly even happening now?

Both of the photos below are of the Terrestrial room in the Salt Lake Temple. (The photo on the left is from the 1993 March Issue of the Ensign entitled in “In His Holy House”. ) In this sacred room, there are TWO chandeliers that hang from the ceiling. Here, we make covenants that reinforce our faith and devotion to Jesus Christ, and promise to dedicate their lives to Him before we are invited to proceed further. We are symbolically like one of the virgins in the parable preparing to meet the Bridegroom and be invited into the marriage feast.

Last week, I received word from a friend who is a Temple Sealer at the Salt Lake Temple. He told me that one of these two chandeliers fell from the ceiling sometime during the night of May 16, 2012 and came crashing down . Fortunately, the damage and broken chandelier was quickly cleaned up early in the morning before the temple patrons arrived. While a possible cause of this chandelier falling could be the result of an old chord in need of replacement, I find this accident to be highly symbolic. It is symbolic of the two separate groups in the last days before the Bridegroom comes and being in His presence.  One chandelier shining with light, the other scattered to the ground. One still with power, the other with the power line cut.

A few scriptures of the symbolism of a separation: We read  in Joseph Smith Matthew 44-48:

Then shall be fulfilled that which is written, that in the last days,

Two shall be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left;

Two shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left;

And in  D&C 45: 56-57:

“And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.”

The Wise Virgins:

·         They RECEIVED the Truth.

·         They took the Holy Spirit for their guide.

·         They will Abide the day.

Foolish Virgins:

·         They were DECEIVED.

·         Trusted in the arm of flesh

·         They will be Hewn down and cast into the fire.

55: PENTECOST

This Sunday, May 27, 2012 is the day that many will be observing Pentecost.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled all the house where they were sitting."

Acts 2:1-3

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"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and it abode upon him."

John 1:32

The Day of Pentecost is historically and symbolicallly related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the exodus. It is 50 days after the Feast of the Passover.  It is also the day commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection.

This day is also called the feast of the harvest and lasted for a single day, which was a day of holy convocation. Special sacrifices were made and freewill offerings.

In modern times in the Kirkland Temple we also learn about a Pentecost:

 Joseph wrote, “The Savior made his appearance to some, while angels ministered to others, and it was a Pentecost and an endowment indeed, long to be remembered, for the sound shall go forth from this place into all the world, and occurrences of this day shall be handed down upon the pages of sacred history, to all generations.” (History of the Church, 2:427–33.)
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 A friend of mine sent me the following in an email today..

"Pentecost is about "redemption" - the release of slaves and debt, a release from the sin that is Babylon....but also a renewal, a start over period for the sons and daughters of God in this dark world....a warning and last chance reminder. Christ is the great power behind this redemption - for all of us.
He provides liberty for the all the captives, here and in spirit prison (D&C 138)."

54: Answers to some questions from some of the comments.

1. Who painted the Aug. 8, 2011 paintings?
The artist name is Larry Christensen http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/farmersart.html

2. The question regarding the meaning of the "IN" in the sky on the background of your blog

First of all, I took the photo from a plane last year going on our family vacation.

Everything has multiple layers of meaning. That is the beauty of symbolism. On one level.. it is a statement or commission given. "In all things, bear record of me"  or in other words.. in everything I do, we do... testify of Christ.

3. For the person who asked about the solar eclipse photos...
Feel free to use them.

53: SOLAR ECLIPSE: May 20, 2012

Signs in the Heavens

Photos taken at the Parawon Gap, UT

This is the first solar eclipse that has been visible in the United States in 18 years. This is also an extremely rare galactic alignment happening- one that happens only every 26,000 years - a perfect alignment of the Sun, Moon, Earth and the central sun, Alcyone, at the center of the Galaxy. Also this year, the Earth is passing back through the plane of the Milky Way....

In a "documentary" on Nostrodamus -he foretold that the "end of the world" in his opinion (or maybe the end of this paradigm) would be foreshadowed by an alignment with the center of the galaxy, and three eclipses. The alignment and an eclipse was on the 20th, and then we have Venus crossing the sun on the 5th of June.  A total solar eclipse will take place on November 13-14, 2012.

52: THE MAASAW (Messiah) of the HOPI

A week ago I met a man who is a Pueblo Indian who was recently adopted into the Hopi tribe. He spoke to a few of my friends about the Hopi Indians and about their culture and sacred ceremonies. He shared with me this painting which depicts a bearded white man known by the Hopi as Maasaw.

Tradition says that Maasaw gave the Hopi instructions and warnings about a way of life He wanted them to follow. He said if they followed His way, they would live long and fruitful lives. Maasaw told the Hopi that He was the first and last. He wanted them to be humble and live like He did. He wanted them to take care of, and respect the land and live in harmony with it. The Hopi lived this way for centuries, and they thrived. They lived in communities and cared for each other. They planted their crops and sustained themselves. Sacred rituals were performed daily, and they never lost sight of what Maasaw had taught them. Then came the white man with their religion--a counterfeit way implemented by the Great Seducer. They trampled on the Hopi sacred way of life. Now many Hopi have lost their wonderful, sacred culture, and walk the material way of illusion with Christians who claim to follow Jesus.

The following are a few of my own personal observations of the above painting. The central figure is the Maasaw (Messiah). He is clothed in a golden priestly robe with a record in his hand, symbolic of truth. He is wearing a blue and white loincloth symbolic of the Power of the Priesthood. There is a group of humble Native Americans to His right (left side of painting) who are kneeling with outstretched and open arms.

There is another group of Native Americans standing somewhat proudly with brightly colored apparel around their shoulders which all appear to be looking at the red-eyed serpent. There is another priestly man with a purple crown and blue robe who appears to have some authority or higher rank and status.

In the distance, there is a multitude of people on the other side of the river who have yet to cross over. In the foreground, once the people cross over there seems to be a division. The right side of the painting is group of six who seem to worship a false idol along side a man with the blue cap. (it is important to note that they are on the left hand of Messiah). The other group of six is the humble group with some kneeling.

Sidenote:
According to this man who spoke to us, once a Hopi is baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are “advised” to no longer participate in their Native American sacred dances and ceremonies. He went so far as to say that if they do continue to participate that they would be excommunicated.

On the otherhand, the LDS Church owns and operates what the Polynesian Cultural Center where other cultural tribal dances and ceremonies are performed from the Pacific Islands. Some of these dances derive from ritual and ceremonial war dances and some are sensual dances. It is not cheap to experience and watch. General Admission for the day is 49.95 with some packages as much as 228.95.

In addition, the LDS Church is constructing a huge development project near the Polynesian Cultural Center called Envision Laie. Envision Laie is a project guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that will, most significantly, create a new bunch of subdivisions collectively called Malaekahana. Part of this construction project is a multi-million dollar hotel is being built by the LDS Church. The new hotel will be in partner relationship with Marriott International Inc. to operate a new 220-room hotel. The development has been estimated to cost approximately $25 million to build, and will measure approximately 150,000 sqaure feet. The new Marriott is expected to open in September 2013, coinciding with the Polynesian Cultural Center’s 50th anniversary.

http://hawaiiindependent.net/story/220-room-laie-marriott-permit-to-be-discussed-at-public-hearing-in-kahuku

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705342390/Laie-Inn-closing-for-new-hotel.html

51: Re-Donating Donations?

LDS Church throws $4 million toward U.’s new law school
http://m.sltrib.com/sltrib/mobile/54096263-78/law-church-university-building.html.csp

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is donating $4 million toward the University of Utah law school building project. Officials from the S.J. Quinney College of Law announced Friday they received the gift. Groundbreaking on the 155,000-square-foot building is expected to start in the summer of 2013, and the project should be finished in time for the 2014-15 school year. Dean Hiram Chodosh says the school aims to build one of the most innovative law buildings in the country. Chodosh says the LDS Church and the law school share similar educational goals.

"The Church’s involvement with the University [of Utah] goes back to its founding," said a U. news release quoting LDS Presiding Bishop Gary E. Stevenson. "The new, state-of-the-art law school building and those who will graduate from there will benefit the university and the community."

http://www.abc4.com/content/news/top_stories/story/LDS-Church-gives-4M-to-University-of-Utah-law/KqtneeSkm06Pl5c06vRfQA.cspx

Where did the money come from? The only resource of income for the LDS Church is from it's members, since the donation is specifically from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and not from one of its for profit companies.  I wonder how tithing paying members feel about this who are BYU fans.

50: Symbolic Painting

This painting is very symbolic for me. I have waited to share this and write some thoughts for the 50th blogpost. I will will get back to this when the timing is right.

49: RANDOM ITEMS: A FIRE, A CITY CENTER AND A COMMITTEE

 Morning Fire at City Creek on May 9, 2012

Fire and Emergency Crews responded to a fire at the City Creek Center on Wednesday morning.  The Salt Lake City Fire Department was able to get the fire out by about 8 a.m. Firefighters said the fire started when a back-up generator malfunction on the roof of the flagship store Nordstroms.  West Temple was shut down during the incident. The water also caused a circuit breaker to pop and the store is without power.  The store is expected to remain closed at least through Wednesday while the repair is made.  The other stores in City Creek Center will be open for business as usual.  A similar fire happen a few weeks ago at the LDS Conference Center.

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More than just a shopping center… A  New City Center Marker?

The Center of the City for Salt Lake has always been the Temple. It is the permanent location for the origin of the Grid System and provides a point from which all other streets and legal addresses are calculated. The temple is not only a physical but spiritual center, it is the heart and the origin for Salt Lake’s City Center.

However, my friend noticed when he was in town this past weekend that there is advertisements for the new LDS development that the City Creek boasts that not only is it a shopping center, but also a City Center. Are we beginning to shift the location of our City Center from the Temple to a Shopping Mall?

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 Responses about the existence of the Strengthening Members Committee:

Many are aware that  recently The Strengthening the Members Committee leaked confidential information on the internet about some of members of the church. Here is an interesting interview by the BBC with Michael Purdy and Elder Holland.  Michael Purdy seems very hesitant to answer to the question.  Here is the link to make your own assessment.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/357579

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Sidenote: some random scriptures that I have been studying:

Alma 37: 25

I will  bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations.

Doctrine and Covenants 123: 13-14

Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

2 Nephi 30:17

There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed

48: THE FINAL "BEAM" of DEFIANCE

APRIL 30, 2012: THE FINAL BEAM of DEFIANCE

Dedication verses Defiance

Dedication: The act of consecrating to a divine Being… The act of devoting or giving to another.

Defiance: The act of bold resistance to a Higher authority or power, despite warnings of destruction.

THEN and NOW:

April 30, 1789....

On the left is photo of the statue of George Washington kneeling in prayer at the St. Paul’s chapel in Lower Manhattan, New York City located at ground zero. 

April 30, 2012

On the right is the photo of the “final” beams being erected today on the Freedom Tower. This tower can now claim the title of New York City's tallest skyscraper as of today. More stories will continue to be built, but today marks the day the building exceeded the height of all other buildings in the U.S.

Some quick thoughts.. I would like to go into more detail, but wanted to post on this today.  

Dates are important. The two most important dates in our life is the day we are born and the day we get married. Our Birthday and our Wedding Day.  Both signify new life. When we get married we dedicate our life to someone else. We make a covenant. We dedicate and are sealed to one another. When we break sacred covenants, the results are tragic, painful  and sorrowful. If we humbling ask for forgiveness, we can receive mercy, but only if we choose to repent and turn back. However, if we don’t repent but actually become proud and defiant…  we seal our fate despite the many warnings of tragic outcome and that destruction will soon follow.

Many do not know that two promised lands in this world have been dedicated to God. Israel and the United States. This dedication is a marriage between the people living on the promised land with their God. The Lord God is the husband, and we as a people are His bride. If the people on the dedicated/promised land want the protection of God, they keep his commandments and honor Him.

Here are a few important things that I learned.

George Washington dedicated the United States of America to God on April 30, 1789. He dedicated this land both in his inaugural address at the Federal Hall and then in prayer, at St Paul's Chapel located on the corner of a place now known as “ground zero”. Washington stated in an address at Federal Hall that the nation would prosper and be protected as long as it remained committed to the will and purposes of God.  

King Solomon dedicated the Jewish Temple and the Mount in Jerusalem to God. When the Israelite people consistently departed from His decrees and laws, judgment would come by the Lord. God's first warning is to allow the national hedge of security to be broken and then if the people do not repent gradually more severe consequences are imposed.

There is a pattern:

Ancient Israel had wandered from God and were living according to their own ways, worshipping idols and doing as they pleased. God allowed their enemies to attack Jerusalem, the national capital. In arrogant defiance, the ancient Israelis refused to see the attack as a warning from God but boldly stated that they would rebuild.

9/11 was a warning to this nation but our leaders and our people did not take it or see it as a warning. We have bolding declared that we would rebuild. We are and today have rebuilt higher and taller than before.

Some of you might have read the book The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. It goes into more detail these details and spefically about the ancient prophesy found in Isaiah 9:10-11.  I would suggest reading it since it contain more important facts and insight than I can write in this email.

Sidenote:

In defiance, our national leaders - not once but three times - quoted the words of an ancient prophecy from the capital of the nation. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle from the floor of the U.S. Senate the day after 9-11; Senator John Edwards from Washington D.C. on the anniversary of 9-11 in 2004 during his campaign for the Vice-Presidency and President Barack Obama in his first speech to Congress. All three spoke words from Isaiah 9:10 - "The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place." Daschle and Edwards read the verse verbatim - word for word. Edwards entire speech was built around the scripture passage. Obama stated that "we will rebuild" in his speech.

How tragic to be defiant on the same day or anniversary of the day a covenant and dedication is made.

What would you call the bride who is unfaithful to her groom and breaks her marriage vow on the same day or anniversary as her wedding?

47: DRESS REHEARSALS OFJST MATTHEW 24

"Be not troubled, for all I have told you must come to pass."

Joseph Smith Matthew 1:23

All things are in commotion worldwide. If we repent as a people we get more time, however, time is accelerating and there is a great importance of not procrastinating the day of repentance... otherwise, the prophecies of calamities will become inevitable. There will come a day when the spirit will withdraw, and the earth will move into darkness. Destructions will happen. There will be a sharp contrast between the light gathering and the tares slipping into darkness. Most people don't realize that the signs of the last days will go unnoticed, since they will seem natural and normal. It is not going to be abrupt to happen over night. It will be gradual but definite.

 

I thought this video was interesting. It is long and I really didn't care for the background  music. No need to add to the eery feeling, just let the footage speak for itself. (BTW It is possible that some of the footnote has been alterated.. but even if 10% of what is shown it true, than it is indeed very interesting. ) 

You will see in the video that just in the first few days of 2012 the following happened.

• Birds falling dead on New Years Eve on the second year in row
• Earthquakes in Japan
• Earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand
• Thousands of dead fish washed ashore in Norway
• Devasting Fires in Chile, Australia.
• Mt. Etna erupting
• 90% of White tail deer population died in a 100 mile radius in Montana. 

46: DIVIDED INTO CLASSES and BUILDING TO GET GAIN

I think one of the most beautiful, but also tragic accounts in The Book of Mormon is found in Fourth Nephi. It covers many generations in just a few verses. It covers both ends of the spectrum from a righteous generation to a wicked generation, from a Zion society to Babylon. It is the history how a people and their posterity who saw and were ministered to by the Lord became corrupt and eventually were destroyed. One of the first signs of decay was pride, the wearing of costly apparel, being divided into classes, and building up to get gain.

 "And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world. And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them. And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ."

Their downfall...they began to be divided into classes and built to get gain.

Now for some "real-time" symbolism.
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Above is a photo of the Marriott Center at BYU. Not only does this venue provide a place for athletic events, but it also converts into a religious center for Devotionals, General Priesthood Sessions and Graduation Ceremonies.

It was announced last Friday that this building will now undergo renovations. A select number of padded courtside seats will be built where the current student section is. Unfortunately now for the BYU students, they will longer be able to watch the athletic events courtside but will now have to sit behind the baskets.  As reported in the KSL news article, the new premiere seats will be sold for the purpose of making more money. These new padded seats will more than likely be reserved for distinguished guests at other functions as well. It seems to be a division of classes. The purpose is to make money.

Quoting from the KSL article:

"There are many reasons why this decision was made. Some of it was financial and some of it was strategy. Financially, BYU will be able to make more money off of blue padded seats that will replace the north side benches. Strategically, having the students behind the west basket will put them by the visiting team's bench and behind the visiting team's basket in the second half."

"As you can imagine, not all of the students are thrilled about losing a pretty primo seat to watch a BYU basketball game. I completely understand where the students are coming from. They have been sitting center court forever and look at a move to the end zones as a demotion. To me it's not a demotion, its smart business."

"However, by doing this it will allow BYU to take advantage of some financial opportunities"

here is the link:
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=20071349&nid=294&title=shep-talk-marriott-center-movement-and-nfl-dominance&s_cid=queue-4

45: PROPHET: A SACRED NAME AND TITLE GIVEN TO A MAN

photograph taken of stainglass window at the Church History Museum taken on April 6, 2012

History reveals that the Lord usually will chose a hesitant leader versus an eager leader. Prophets don't like the spotlight. They usually run from it, because they know on whom the spotlight should shine.  Prophets speak little about themselves. They usually only do two things... preach repentance and testify of Christ. In their spare time, they might fight/warn against the influences of Babylon, and they hope for the establishment of Zion.

One of the more well known prophets in scripture is Moses. He was reluctant to be God's messenger. In scripture, there no "odes" to the Moses. Some say this is so that we see the Exodus as the work of the Almightly and to avoid following or pseudo-worshipping of Moses as a god. Others say it is so we don't come to believe that we can only accomplish what the Lords asks when there is a strong leader.

The title of "prophet" is a sacred name and a calling given to a man. It expresses the personal relationship between a man and God. They talk with one another.. face to face. The idea that the title of prophet is either assumed or the title given to a man merely because of a rank and/or status is offensive to God.

A prophet speaks for and in behalf of the Lord to have us turn back to God (repent) and to testify of the reality of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. A prophet would never use words like.." I believe the Lord would have me say this"... for a prophet would KNOW that the Lord would have him speak those words. A prophet is commanded to speak those words, otherwise he would be held accountable. A prophet would not need to quote another man, but only the words the Lord puts in his mouth. However, many times a prophet will quote another prophets words.. like the words of Isaiah.

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Sidenote:

The Book of Mormon in Enos talks about "And there were exceedingly many prophets among us. I wonder how many is considered EXCEEDINGLY MANY... Obviously it is not just one...Is fifteen considered exceedingly many?

In Numbers 11:29 states.. "would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!" 

But wait..isn't there a cap on the number of prophets on the earth?  Did the Lord really mean ALL the Lord's people could be prophets? Wouldn't this cause chaos?

Another interesting to note in the Book of Enos is what manner these exceedingly many prophets spoke: "And there was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord."

No wonder people reject and stone the prophets. They prefer to hear warm and fuzzy pleasantries that make them feel like all is well.

44: DAMAGE BY FIRE AND WATER

Above is a photo of the cleanup underway of the fire and water damage in the LDS Conference Center. The main area that received the most damage is the area around the pulpit. It was reported on KSL news that the estimated damage is $500,000.  The fire started in the control room above the pulpit that also provides back up power for the building. Once this area caught on fire, two sprinklers right over the pulpit went off pouring hundreds of gallons of water down on the pulpit causing much water damage.
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=20063526&title=lds-conference-center-fire-caused-500k-in-damage&s_cid=featured-2


It is always our hope and faith that once we dedicate our buildings, we will receive protection from such things. 

43: In addition to dedicating Banks.. we now dedicate Law Offices

We no longer just dedicate places of worship like our temples and churches, but we have our prophets, seers, and revelators dedicating banks, and law offices. It was reported in the Deseret News last week when one of the senior Apostles dedicated Utah’s biggest Law Firm. Below is a photo of the newly constructed building of the Law Office of Kirton McConkie taken at Christmastime. It is one of the new buildings located in the Church’s multibillion dollar investment of the City Creek Center. It is directly across from the Church Administration Office building for the First Presidency.  It might be just me, but it almost feels like an extension of the Temple Square with all of the beautiful lights.

On the church’s website explains the following about dedication of Buildings.

Whenever The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints constructs a new building, there is a dedication ceremony held when the building is finished. The purpose of this ceremony is to set aside the building for the work of God. A Latter-day Saint dedication ceremony includes a special prayer designating the building for Church use and asking God to bless the structure and grounds. A dedication ceremony generally also includes music and talks from Church leaders. Attendance at the event is usually by invitation only and the length varies depending on the type of building being dedicated.

Mormon buildings that are dedicated include temples and meetinghouses, as well as places set aside for educational purposes, such as institutes, seminaries and buildings at Church-owned universities. Temples are always dedicated by a general authority, whereas a meetinghouse may be dedicated by a local Church leader. After a temple is dedicated, only Mormons in good standing may enter, but all other Church buildings are open to the public after they are dedicated.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/dedication

As reported in the Deseret News:

The Kirton McConkie Building, located at 50 E. South Temple, was dedicated by Elder Dallin H. Oaks on April 12. Elder Oaks, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve, officially welcomed Kirton McConkie to City Creek Center and offered a dedicatory prayer on the firm's new building at 50 E. South Temple.

Elder Dallin H Oaks said, "Lawyers and the legal profession have served humanity ably, responsibly and effectively throughout our lifetimes and for many generations before us. The continuation of that service, which is essential to the children of God and the work of the Lord, depends on the conscientious performances of lawyers like you and law firms like Kirton McConkie," he said.

During the dedication ceremony, Elder Lance B.Wickman, emeritus general authority and general counsel for the LDS Church, praised Kirton McConkie for the work it has done for the church for nearly 17 years. "It's not really the building we're dedicating," ElderWickman said. "It's really us, in our devotion, in our service, giving the best that we have to give in our professional capacity, realizing that in doing so we are not just representing another client, but we are representing the church of Jesus Christ himself."

So, If  I read this correctly. The purpose of a dedicatory ceremony is to set aside a building for the work of God. Elder Oaks dedicated a Law Office which he stated is essential to the children of God and the work of the Lord.  Elder Wickman states that the lawyers are not just representing another client, but they are representing the church of Jesus Christ, HIMSELF?

Side note:

I have been reading III Nephi lately. There  are some interesting history that is recorded about what happens just prior to all of the destructions prior to  the Lord appearing to the People.

“even almost all the lawyers and the high priests, did gather themselves together, and unite with the kindreds of those judges who were to be tried according to the law.” III Nephi 6:27

42: Joseph Smith, the American Indians and the Book of Mormon:

Here are some paintings that I think are important. The first photo is of an 1890 oil painting of Joseph Smith preaching to the Indians. The painting was commissioned for the Salt Lake Temple and it hung there for over fifty years. It no longer hangs in the temple. The painting likely depicts the August 12, 1841 visit of Joseph Smith with more than one hundred chiefs and braves of the Sac and Fox Indians and their families. During the meeting in the grove near the Nauvoo temple the Prophet explained the Book of Mormon. He told them of the special religious commitment the Latter-day Saints have to Native Americas.

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The next painting depicts Elder Orson Pratt with more Native Americans. It depicts when Orson obtained written permission to stay the winter on the lands of the Otoe and Omaha Indian nations. Hosea Stout recorded that Elder Pratt told them that “our great chief (Joseph Smith) found a book that was about their people. He explained that the Saints were driven and persecuted because they believed in this book. The Indians “listened with breathless silence.”

From the introduction to the Book of Mormon we read:

“The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.”

I wonder if we have lost touch with one of the main reasons why the Book of Mormon was written. Mormon states on the Title Page to the Book of Mormon that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is  “is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers.”

Not sure we have really accomplished this mission to show the remnant (those that are among the ancestors of  American Indians) what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers. Instead it seems like we have put a lot of resources and money into other things.  

Isa. 28: 1-3

“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! ..The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet.”

41: PREPARING FOR PASSOVER/EASTER WEEKEND

 

"Passover was meant to be a Holy Celebration, and NO work was to be done. True Rest in the Lord is only found by ceasing from our own "Works" and resting in the Delivering Redeeming Power of the Lamb of God. God said that there is Healing Power in the Passover Lamb and that the Passover delivers all those who are the Firstborn. We should know by now that all healing occurs because of the Light of Christ. Paul said that those who Come unto Christ are the Firstborn of God, who are delivered from the law of sin and death, AND of dead "works". "

During the week preceding Passover, Israelites are to look for and clean their house (Heart) of any Leaven (Sin). By so doing, we allow the Spirit to show us whats in our Heart that is keeping us from Christ, and with a Contrite Spirit we could then give ourselves completely to Him. This is what is meant by"Bringing the Lamb into the House", or bringing the Lamb of God into our hearts.

40: YEARNING FOR ZION

Today is the day after General Conference. This was the first time I did not fall asleep and actually listened to every word. I think my motivation to listen to every talk was more out of curiousity than anything. :) I am not sure I will make any comments about what was said in conference, but in the meantime, I wanted to share some words about Zion that I recieved from a friend of mine. (BTW: this is the 40th post on this blog. The number 40 is significant. It was 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the wilderness. Yesterday marked a new month. It was a new day for me. Hopefully all of you will enjoy the week with Passover/Easter. It is important, and significant.

"One clear lesson from our history is that the very moment we as a people rejected Zion during the Missouri period, we have been slaves in Babylon ever since. Zion and Babylon cannot and do not coexist. They are mutually exclusive and inexorably separate. We have taken on every habit of Babylon and made them our own.

Because every dime we earn comes from Babylon, it’s already polluted when we receive it, so how could God ever want, or need our filthy lucre to build a Zion society? If our hearts were truly attuned to Zion, God would provide all that we need (manna and more) to establish Zion, without any of Babylon’s impurities. We cannot expect to use Babylonian institutions or instruments of any kind in the establishment of a true Zion. It must come by faith, and by the results of miracles which follow our faith. Anything less is corrupted and co-opted by Babylon, and Zion cannot be established on the principles of Babylon. As Zion is God’s abode, then He would provide everything to build Zion, as God surely would not abide a Babylonian built city, or altar, or Throne.

So far as we are aware, there has only been one successfully established Zion society in the history of this world which did not eventually succumb to Babylon. So how did they do it? Somehow I doubt that Enoch’s people established banks to loan money for usury to build Zion. Nor did they start businesses to acquire stock, or to sell their businesses for fabulous profits to initiate a Zion. Enoch did not exchange gold for goods, nor did he barter in real-estate. They did not acquire wealth on the backs of the laboring poor either, as that would be an offense to God. So where did they get the means to build God’s City? Enoch must have awakened to these greater principles, and the resultant miracles built the City.

Somehow, if we can get our minds and hearts wrapped around the idea that EVERYTHING we know and experience in this world is Babylon, then perhaps we can begin to reorient our eyes towards God with an intention and hope to establish Zion. It cannot come from a corrupt institution, a failed priesthood, or from our corrupted hearts. We must extricate ourselves from every idea associated with Babylon in our hopes to build Zion. Then perhaps God will open the door to Zion! Until that time comes and until that people arise, we will still be found rejecting Zion."