05: GOD IS IN CONTROL

 Apostle Orson Hyde, in April of 1846 received a revelation with a magnificent and profound message:

In my meditations this morning, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I was moved to write:

And being grieved in my spirit on account of false pretenses by evil designing persons to gain power, and lead away the flock of God, it whispered [to] me and said: Evil men, ambitious of power, must needs arise among you, and they shall be led by their own self-will and not by me. Yet they are instruments in my hands, and are permitted to try my people, and to collect from among them those who are not the elect, and such as are unworthy of eternal life. Grieve not after them, neither mourn nor be alarmed. My people know my voice and also the voice of my spirit, and a stranger they will not follow; Therefore such as follow strangers are not my people.

(Unpublished Revelations, vol. 1, comp. by Fred Collier, pp. 104-105)

Some things to look for in true messengers:

 1.They speak against the wicked.

 2.They defend the gospel fullness.

 3.They oppose false prophets.

 4.They sustain all the commandments of God.

 5.They proclaim all of Jesus' teachings.

 6.They prophesy, have true revelations and visions.

 7.They follow the living Lord.

 8.They are appointed by the Lord.

 9.They may not be educated.

10.They are spiritual.

11.They enjoy spiritual gifts.

12.They do not change the ordinances.

13.They are not worldly.

14.They sustain the dead prophets and their teachings.

15.They are filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

16.They do not boast of their calling.

17.They have Power in the Priesthood.

04: STEPPING AWAY FROM ZION

“Every step in the direction of increasing one’s personal holdings….. is a step away from Zion.”

Hugh Nibley

Most of the multi-billion dollar “remodel” and construction project being built by the LDS church around the Salt Lake Temple is complete. Some historic buildings have been preserved like the original Zion’s Bank (below right) located on Main Street. It would seem an important building to preserve not just because the architecture resembles Herod’s Temple (photo left) but because of the long history the bank has with the LDS church.

My friend is currently reading Temples and Cosmos written by Hugh Nibley and sent me the following quote from the book.

 
“In our day, as in various other times in history, the sanctity and the authority of the temple have been preempted in the religion of mammon. For example, our banks are designed after the manner of ancient temples, with imposing fronts, ceremonial gates and courts, the onyx, the marble, the bronze — all are the substances of ancient temples. The sacred hush that prevails, the air of propriety, decorum, and dedication; the pious inscriptions on Zion Bank's walls are quotations from Brigham Young (the one man who really had it in for business). The massive vault door, through which only the initiated may pass, gleams chastely in immaculate metal. The symbol makes the reality of all that is safe and secure — that is, the Holy of Holies. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. This is the Lord speaking.”  Hugh Nibley

Since I don’t have an account with Zion’s, I had never been inside this historic building until this week.  Above left is photo are oil paintings of the past bank presidents … the men all look familiar since they all happen to be past Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Each one of them have served as director, president and/or chairman of the Zion’s First National. Above right is the newly remodeled Zion’s Bank (with the ZCMI building in the front (gold building). On the 18^th penthouse floor of Zion’s Bank in the executive conference room, also hangs paintings of the prophets portraits.

Today, Zion’s bank seems to be still flourishing today (despite recently of being fined  8 million dollars for money laundering totaling over 12 billion dollars). The desire or wish to get rich and dispose of it to our own advantage is counsel given to us by Brigham Young, the founder of the bank. In large letter inscribed on wall when you first walk into the bank is this quote. It reads:

“If you wish to get rich save what you get.

A fool can earn money, but is takes a wise man to save and dispose of it to his own advantage.”

Brigham Young, Founder.

It is important to note that no longer does the sitting president of the church act as director since the bank is now a publically traded company. However, the past two Presidents of the Church have used their church position to dedicate the newly built Zion’s Banks. (Hinckley dedicated the one in Salt Lake, and Monson the newly built bank in Provo)… In a recent Deseret News article, it was reported that the new  Zion’s bank “was part of the vision that President Nathan Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had to ensure the vitality of the downtown area. It's a commitment that the church has continued to uphold, as this Zions Bank Building becomes an anchor for the marvelous new development that will rise up around us.”

“May it ever be a bright and shining star… and may its influence extend and be felt across the nation” are the exact words used by both Hinckley and Monson in their dedicatory prayers referring to Zion’s Bank. Below is the photo of the Brigham Young’s quote inscribed on the wall and the photo on the right is of President Hinckley and Presiding Bishop Burton cheering just after the dedication.

Side note:

From the words of the Prophet Mormon (of whose name we call members of the LDS church):

“Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are NONE save a FEW ONLY who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of fine apparel.. . and your churches, yea EVEN EVERY ONE, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love MONEY, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, MORE than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted. (Mormon 8: 35-37)

It will be interesting to see if history repeats itself.. and when Christ comes back to rule and reign, Will he unfortunately have to drive out the moneychangers again in and around the temple?

There is always hope though. Despite the Father knowing that we, the Gentiles, WILL sin against and reject the fullness of the gospel due to our pride, he promises us in 3 Nephi 16:13, “But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, said the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people.”

It is time to repent and return.

03: THE HISTORY OF RELIGION

“Because of pride, greed, lust for power, etc. we strayed, and have yet to collectively receive it. Isn’t that the Gentile dilemma? We put our own agenda ahead of the Lord’s. His hand is stretched out all the day long if we come to Him, yet we deny Him the power to save.”

Here are just a couple of thoughts.

Unfortunately, the original intent or “revelation” from God given to man... will eventually become organized. It is known as religion. This religious institution then evolves to the point where men get into power positions. In order to maintain that power, they act in corporate ways to keep the structure/institution strong and growing. What eventually happens is the essence of what the original intent was …gets lost. What follows is orthodoxy, a power structure and dogma.  

In some cases over time, the religious leaders become corrupt. They begin to conceal from the people the teachings of spiritual life and spiritual awakening which should be offered freely to all and not be sold or held back.

Adam and Eve in the garden were offered religion and to have someone preach the philosophies of man mingled with the scripture. However, Adam wanted messengers sent to him by the Father. We are fortunate in these latter days to have records written to and by true messengers. More importantly we have the true messengers living amongst us.

In our dispensation, one such messenger was Joseph Smith. Although Joseph Smith revealed many, previously unknown things, his ministry was devoted primarily to bringing others into fellowship with God. The ordinances, scriptures, revelations, and teachings restored through him were not intended to titillate, but to instruct on how to reconnect with God. Joseph taught both the possibility and the importance of each soul coming directly to God.

This is the role of a true messenger. It is to bring others into harmony with God. When someone delivers a new message that does not include knowledge about how the audience may come to God themselves, then the primary intent is always to make others dependent on the messenger. It is vanity. It is prideful. It is to call attention to themselves in an effort to place themselves above their fellow man, and interject themselves between the person and God. It is priestcraft.

I am not sure how Joseph views our current situation we find ourselves and institution that has grown from the humble beginnings of his simple prayer, in a secluded grove of trees, answered by God Himself. I can’t speak for Joseph, but I think he would tell us to find our own grove of trees.

02: KNOWING CHRIST instead of just knowing ABOUT CHRIST

A couple of years ago, I came across a book that deeply affected me. It was written by an LDS man who was hit by a train on his way to work. At the time, I was reading many books about people who had near death experiences, however, this book affected me more than the other books. The author shared some insights that intrigued me as I could sense that his eyes were now opened to a new way of looking at things within the church. In this book he writes about some differences between an average “mainstream" Member/Mormon” of the church …to a fully converted Latter Day Saint/disciple of Christ.

·        A Mainstream Mormon follows the prophet.

·        A Converted Latter-Day Saint knows the Lord Jesus Christ.

·        A Mainstream Mormon is proud to be a member of the LDS Church.

·        A Converted Latter-Day Saint is humbled to be a servant for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Although subtle differences in definitions, reading closely there is a  huge difference. I personally wanted to make that change and become a true Latter Day Saint and not just a Mormon. After reading his book, I felt prompted to contact him via email. We exchanged numerous emails which then led to phone conversions. We became instant friends and  I felt  a bond as if we were long time friends and true brothers. All along this time, I had never met my new friend personally and had no idea what he looked like. I knew a lot about him, but without ever meeting him in person and seeing him, I really didn’t KNOW him.  

I liken this example to my relationship with the Savior. I have read the Savior’s words in the scriptures, and have knelt in prayer and have heard His voice. I know alot about Him. He truly is my Elder Brother and I look forward to the upcoming day when I will KNOW HIM  and RECEIVE HIM in this world.. not just in the world to come.


"For strait is the gate, and narrow the way that leadeth unto the exaltation and continuation of the lives, and few there be that find it, because ye receive me not in the world neither do ye know me.
But if ye receive me in the world, then shall ye know me, and shall receive your exaltation; that where I am ye shall be also. This is eternal lives—to know the only wise and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent. I am he. Receive.."  D&C 132:23

01: INTRODUCTION TO THIS BLOG

In the scriptures we read the words Bear and Bare.  These two words are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning and spelling. The name of the blog is  "BARE RECORD"... but the title of the blog says in ALL THINGS BEAR RECORD OF ME.

BARE: to uncover or reveal, to exposed to view, undisguised.
BEAR: to withstand something difficult or painful, to support or hold up; sustain, cause to be born, bring forth, provide evidence for.

Example from scriptures:
"And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe". John 19:35

 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand". Revelation 1:1-3

"And this is my doctrine, and it is the doctrine which the Father hath given unto me; and I bear record of the Father, and the Father beareth record of me, and the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me; and I bear record that the Father commandeth all men, everywhere, to repent and believe in me". 3 Nephi 11:32

This blog will contain posts that both bare and bear  ( BARE: uncover things that I have learned, but also BEAR: support and sustain, provide the testimony I have of our Savior Jesus Christ)

I am no one of importance, but have felt prompted to begin this blog. It will contain previous things that I have written over the past couple of years as well as new observations.