The Beattitudes - Some Thoughts

I was thinking about Matthew chapter 5 today and a couple questions came to mind that I thought I’d post.. The questions are these:

Is doing what is socially acceptable righteous?

Are doing the works of righteousness the same thing as being righteous?

My thoughts were on the Savior’s life and this beautiful sermon of the beatitudes in Matthew 5. 

Was John the Baptist socially acceptable? How about Noah, Enoch, Lehi, Samuel the Lamanite? 

Jesus taught that blessed are the peacemakers. How did He go about establishing peace? Did He do all things for peace’s sake, or rather, did He do all things for truth’s sake, and as everyone discovers and embraces ALL truth then He knew that it would ultimately lead to true peace?

I wonder when I see His full life before me more perfectly what the full Christ will BECOME for me. He was meek and lowly yet He stood up to all the false beliefs and traditions of the society He lived in. When they falsely accused, misunderstood and misrepresented Him, He truly loved them and had compassion upon them because they knew not what they did.

Truly, Jesus is the answer. I pray for strength and faith to be more like Him. I’m so grateful for Him. I fall at His feet before Him. He has saved me from my sins and I pray for strength to give away all my sins that I might come to know Him more perfectly. Truly, He is the ONE! He is the WAY!

A Witness for Christ

I read JST John 1:19 recently and the Lord taught me some truths that I’m following now.

Here is the verse: “And no man hath seen God at any time, except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him no man can be saved.”

I have come to know my Savior, Jesus Christ. I believed scriptures like Doctrine and Covenants 93:1 and Doctrine and Covenants 88:68 and went to the Lord to receive that witness. I believed His word and He delivered the promised blessing over 20 years ago to me. I witness that He lives and that He condescends unto the children of men in power and great glory. His grace is sufficient as we strive to come unto Him. He is a rewarder of those that love Him and keep His commandments. I am not perfect but my heart is on Him. Deep peace and love come only in and through the power of the Redeemer, Jesus the Christ.

I write this witness and testimony that my children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. I hope that my testimony will encourage others to receive the same witness for themselves, that He lives!

Vulnerability at the Gate

I was reading in Alma 49 and had some thoughts that I felt came from the Lord. In this chapter, the Lamanites had come upon the Nephites to battle to the cities they thought were least fortified. Moroni had prepared by putting the most fortifications in their weakest cities. Weaknesses had become strengths (Ether 12:27). In this way they were prepared and defeated the Lamanites. Even though there was strength in these weak places, there was still one place that was vulnerable. It was the entrance. The record explains how they protected the entrance. It reads,

“18 Now behold, the Lamanites could not get into their forts of security by any other way save by the entrance, because of the highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of the ditch which had been dug round about, save it were by the entrance.
19 And thus were the Nephites prepared to destroy all such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other way, by casting over stones and arrows at them.
20 Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their strongest men, with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should attempt to come into their place of security by the place of entrance; and thus were they prepared to defend themselves against the Lamanites.
21 And it came to pass that the captains of the Lamanites brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and began to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time, insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter” (Alma 49:18-21).

It is interesting that the entrance had to remain a little more vulnerable because they had to use the entrance when they weren’t in a battle. So, they increased their defenses in the spot of vulnerability and they put their strongest men there to defend that spot. In our lives there are some things that remain vulnerable because of the world we live in and the necessities of day to day living. For example, there is a telestial world that we live in. Sometimes it is impossible to block out all the filth. We interact with people that use poor language etc. When we interact with members of the church, many have lower standards and make evil look good. We must prepare with the most strength we can to fight off any false ideas, false doctrine and principles of evil that are taught all about us, from whatever source they come. We need the sword of truth to help us defend ourselves by the unrelenting attacks of the adversary. It is interesting in this account that the Lamanites care not for the lives of their people and are determined to take down even the most fortified city. We can never let our guards down. We must invite the Spirit into our lives each day.

It is interesting to me that even though they had prepared the rest of the city to be protected, they still needed active, live men to fight off those that attempted to attack them. We need to come ready to battle each day, no matter how much we feel prepared for the attacks of the adversary.

In reference to the entrance, it struck me that in order to progress in life, we have to be willing to consider doctrines and principles that we haven’t considered before. We have to be willing to be vulnerable, open to receiving new truths from God in the manner He chooses to expose us to them. For example, when someone loves the Bible and are exposed to the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It can make them feel vulnerable to read such a record. In their minds, it might expose them to ideas that are untrue etc. If they exercise faith, they can read and ask God if it is true. When we are given the sealed portion, I’m sure we will have similar doubts and worries. If we are fortified with the Spirit of the Lord, having done this before we are presented with new information, then when we read new records we can take them to the Lord and recognize if they are rooted in Him or not.

I have been reading new records. Some have tasted very good and sweet to me. Others I wonder and ponder upon. I have been open to others sharing dreams and visions and I have read their accounts and taken it to the Lord to know if these things can be of benefit to me and are worth my time and ponderings. Some would argue they have enough in the Book of Mormon, but I would say that saying we have enough is exactly what Nephi warns us of saying. “Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!” (2 Nephi 28:27). God has many, many records and witnesses He wishes to give us to enlighten us and come more fully unto Him. I know this is true. Joseph Smith taught about reading apocryphal writings, “Therefore, whoso readeth it, let him understand, for the Spirit manifesteth truth; And whoso is enlightened by the Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom; And whoso receiveth not by the Spirit, cannot be benefited” (Doctrine and Covenants 91:4-6).

If we are going to ascend unto God, we must be willing to receive light and truth from whatever source God decides to lead us to. This will stretch us as we will feel vulnerable. That vulnerability creates a window of humility, an openness to the possibility that God is trying to teach us something useful and give us more light and knowledge.

Many people aren’t willing to expose themselves to new ideas because they are worried they will be deceived. This is interesting because they are already deceived. We live in a telestial world. We have to get past a telestial (deceived) level of thinking if we are going to rise above to greater light. To not be willing to learn new ideas is to be satisfied with the deceptions and lies we already live in.

I think some reasons we hold ourselves back from entertaining new ideas is the fear that we can’t recognize truth from error. I have found one good thing for me to do is stay firmly rooted in those things I know are true. For example, when I was studying for my masters degree in Bible and Ministry, I always made time to study and ponder in the Book of Mormon. There is a true, familiar spirit that I feel in the Book of Mormon. In this way, when I read other things or am exposed to different ideas, I can test how I feel as I’m reading these new ideas to how I feel when I read the Book of Mormon. I know what truth tastes like. Just like testing a new fruit. I know what a sweet orange tastes like and a fruit that isn’t sweet will not be one I want to continue tasting.

Strategies of the Evil One

This past year has been very interesting and trying for me. I have been tried to the core to see if I will put my faith in Jesus Christ or in man, no matter the consequences. I have found the Book of Mormon is continually revealing the enemies of Christ, as President Ezra Taft Benson declared. Since fear is not of God (2 Timothy 1:7), when otherwise good people let fear enter their heart, they also let the evil one have place in them to guide them in his ways. It is so subtle they don’t realize they are acting and thinking under his influence. The thoughts they have in their minds are directed by the evil one because they have made place to entertain fearful thoughts, thus letting him whisper in their ears. We know that the devil “whispereth in their ears” (2 Nephi 28:22). Therefore, those thoughts that are sprung up in fear are in the devil’s territory. Through fearful thoughts their minds have entered the territory of the evil one, even the one they pretend to abhor. I will share a couple common strategies from the Book of Mormon that they soon fall victim to as they listen to the wrong thoughts.

One is falling into a trap of assuming that a particular action equals a particular outcome. Usually this happens because of one’s own past experiences or what one wants to believe. A great example in the Book of Mormon is when the Lamanite daughters are abducted from their place of dancing and singing. The wicked priests of King Noah had abandoned their families and had found the daughters of the Lamanites in this place dancing and singing. The record states,

“And when there were but few of them gathered together to dance, they [the wicked priests of king Noah] came forth out of their secret places and took them and carried them into the wilderness; yea, twenty and four of the daughters of the Lamanites they carried into the wilderness.
6 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites found that their daughters had been missing, they were angry with the people of Limhi, for they thought it was the people of Limhi.
7 Therefore they sent their armies forth; yea, even the king himself went before his people; and they went up to the land of Nephi to destroy the people of Limhi” (Mosiah 20:5-7).

The Lamanites had been at war with Limhi’s people so they immediately assumed that the people of Limhi were the culprits. They let anger and fear guide their thoughts and immediately accused the wrong people and caused the death of many people on both sides of the conflict because of an incorrect assumption. They spread this assumption through rumor. All of a sudden an entire people are upset with Limhi’s people because of rumors. Fear, anger and rumor are great weapons of the evil one.

The next example is found with Amalickiah, a wicked Nephite dissenter. He is a master of deceit. Through deceit, lies and murder, he becomes the head of the entire Lamanite army. In order to become the head of the Lamanites, he has to eliminate the king. As he returns to the chief city, the king comes out to greet them and Amalickiah’s servants bow as if to reverence him. When the first servant stands back up he stabs the king to the heart and kills him. Immediately the king’s servants flee and Amalickiah’s servants lie and cry out to the people, “Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and see” (Alma 47:26). From a distance it appears the lie is true.

The record continues, “And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they may be slain” (Alma 47:27). Then Amalickiah’s servants, in their successful attempt to explain to the queen how her husband was murdered, make an appeal to the fact that the king’s servants fled from the scene so it is clear they have committed this murder (Alma 47:34).

The strategy here is to claim someone else is doing exactly what you are doing. My experience has taught me this principle over and over and here it is exposed in the great record of the Book of Mormon. Amalickiah states that the servants of the king did exactly what his servants did to the king and creates the image to support his deceit. So many times in our lives our enemies claim that we do something that they are doing. They then spread the false accusations and lies by describing their own feelings and evil acts but ascribing them to be of their enemy. It is a horrible tactic but as you ponder your life you will notice this is a common tactic of the adversary.

Look at those who accused our Lord. They claimed he was a blasphemer and a child of the devil, Beelzebub, when in reality they were the ones setting themselves up as a light and acting under the influence of the devil. It is a time-tested principle of the evil one, to claim someone else is doing whatever you yourself are doing.

It is hard to love those that persecute you in both of these strategies of the evil one. It is real and it becomes the perfect test of charity. When Jesus taught to love your enemies and those that fight against you and speak all manner of evil against you, this was hard doctrine. There is a reason many fall away from following Him as the intensity of the trials increase and all manner of evil is spoken against you and a lie overshadows you. If you care more of what men think of you than what God knows of you, then you will fall. If you only care what God knows of you, then you will live. Trust in God. Carry on in the paths of truth and righteousness and all these things will be for thy experience and for thy good (Doctrine and Covenants 122:7).

Come, Follow Me - How do we follow the prophet without making an idol of him?

President Russell M. Nelson has been trying to turn us to the Lord. I am convinced he would be disappointed in many of our fast and testimony meetings because of our continuous praising of him instead of praising the Lord, Jesus Christ or our Father in heaven. Some well-meaning saints may be trying to praise the Lord by expressing their love and devotion to the president of the church but we need to make sure that this mantra doesn’t derail us from the path to coming unto the Savior of the world, even Jesus Christ.

Listen to several paragraphs from the past general conferences of the church:

“In a coming day, only those men who have taken their priesthood seriously, by diligently seeking to be taught by the Lord Himself, will be able to bless, guide, protect, strengthen, and heal others. Only a man who has paid the price for priesthood power will be able to bring miracles to those he loves and keep his marriage and family safe, now and throughout eternity” (“The Price of Priesthood Power,” Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 2016).

“It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as “the Atonement” or “the enabling power of the Atonement” or “applying the Atonement” or “being strengthened by the Atonement.” These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Under the Father’s great eternal plan, it is the Savior who suffered. It is the Savior who broke the bands of death. It is the Savior who paid the price for our sins and transgressions and blots them out on condition of our repentance. It is the Savior who delivers us from physical and spiritual death.
There is no amorphous entity called “the Atonement” upon which we may call for succor, healing, forgiveness, or power. Jesus Christ is the source. Sacred terms such as Atonement and Resurrection describe what the Savior did, according to the Father’s plan, so that we may live with hope in this life and gain eternal life in the world to come. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice--the central act of all human history--is best understood and appreciated when we expressly and clearly connect it to Him.
The importance of the Savior’s mission was emphasized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, who declared emphatically that “the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it” (Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ Into Our Lives,” Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 2017).

Elder Larry Y. Wilson said this, “Some may think we shouldn’t expect daily guidance from the Spirit because “it is not meet that [God] should command in all things,” lest we become slothful servants. This scripture, however, was given to some early missionaries who asked Joseph Smith to obtain revelation they should have received for themselves. In a preceding verse, the Lord told them to come to the mission field “as they shall counsel between themselves and me.”
These missionaries wanted a specific revelation about their travel plans. They hadn’t yet learned to seek their own direction in personal matters. The Lord called this attitude what it is: slothful. Early Church members may have been so happy to have a true prophet that they were in danger of failing to learn how to receive revelation themselves. Being spiritually self-reliant is hearing the Lord’s voice through His Spirit for one’s own life” (“Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide,” Larry Y. Wilson, General Conference, April 2018).

Elder Neil L. Andersen said this, “A prophet does not stand between you and the Savior. Rather, he stands beside you and points the way to the Savior” (“The Prophet of God,” Neil L. Andersen, General Conference, April 2018).

President Nelson says something very powerful right after indicating the Lord is leading this church. He says, “But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, April 2018). In other words, the Lord is guiding His church but if you don’t know how to communicate with Him, you will fall.

And then from last general conference, October 2018, “For much of the world, the Lord’s Church is presently disguised as the “Mormon Church.” But we as members of the Lord’s Church know who stands at its head: Jesus Christ Himself. Unfortunately, many who hear the term Mormon may think that we worship Mormon. Not so! We honor and respect that great ancient American prophet. But we are not Mormon’s disciples. We are the Lord’s disciples” (“The Correct Name of the Church,” Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, October 2018).

Go through and replace “Mormon” with “President Nelson”.

“For much of the world, the Lord’s Church is presently disguised as [President Nelson’s Church]. But we as members of the Lord’s Church know who stands at its head: Jesus Christ Himself. Unfortunately, many who hear the term [Follow the Prophet] may think that we worship [President Nelson]. Not so! We honor and respect [President Nelson, our current prophet]. But we are not [President Nelson’s] disciples. We are the Lord’s disciples.”

Let us be ever diligent in emphasizing the absolute necessity to follow the Lord, Jesus Christ. Anyone or anything that leads us to Jesus Christ will be of benefit to us, but we follow no man or woman. We must never put our trust in the arm of the flesh. Nephi said, “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm” (2 Nephi 4:34).

Notes:

Some great talks to emphasize this important distinction and powerful doctrine are found in President Henry B. Eyring’s talk where a young man came to him when he was bishop and was wise enough to not trust the bishop over the Lord. (“The Lord Leads His Church,” Henry B. Eyring, General Conference, October 2017). Another talk is by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “The Doctrine of Christ,” General Conference, April 2012. He emphasizes the need for us to take our own spiritual responsibility in seeking our own witness about every word that cometh from the prophets of the Lord to make sure that the Holy Ghost ratifies the truth of what has been said. “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things,” (Moroni 10:5).

Flood the Earth with The Book of Mormon

A week ago or so I came across a plea for funding to help create a Book of Mormon movie, “Reign of Judges, Title of Liberty.” https://m.facebook.com/reignofjudgesmovie/ I felt the Spirit, ordered the concept film and watched it yesterday with my children. I felt the strong influence of the Holy Ghost. I decided to help Darin Southam, the hands of the Creator of this project.

So, when I read these words this morning, not only did they apply to Joseph Smith Jr and anyone who has shared the Book of Mormon, but the Spirit witnessed to me that a filmmaker, truly seeking to bring this great book to the inhabitants of the earth will be given the power of God to do so. Here is what Moroni said, “For none can have power to bring it [The Book of Mormon] to light save it be given him of God; for God wills that it shall be done with an eye single to his glory, or the welfare of the ancient and long dispersed covenant people of the Lord.
And blessed be he that shall bring this thing to light; for it shall be brought out of darkness unto light, according to the word of God; yea, it shall be brought out of the earth, and it shall shine forth out of darkness, and come unto the knowledge of the people; and it shall be done by the power of God” (Mormon 8:15-16),

Joseph Smith Jr., and anyone else who are given power to bring to light the Book of Mormon, are given that power from God so others might partake of the heavenly gift, even the power of Jesus Christ. I know God will bless those that share the Book of Mormon.

https://reignmovie.com/

The Sealed Portion

I just shared the impressions that came upon me during my trip to Rome and Spain in my last blog post. It was impressed upon me how individuals, throughout all of history, received more light and truth and then were persecuted for it as they stood firm in the faith of Christ and what He was revealing to them (see “What I Learned on a trip to Rome, the Vatican and to Spain”). Then from these enlightened groups of people, other individuals and groups would receive more light and then be persecuted by their own. It occurred to me that every time this happened, more of the word of God was being revealed. For example, Moses brought forth the higher law and then the lower laws on the tablets of stone, Jesus was the word and brought forth more of His words, the reformers tried to get the word of God into a discernible language so the common person could receive more light and knowledge and then Joseph Smith brought forth another witness of Jesus Christ in the writings of the Book of Mormon. There is a distinct pattern here. If one receives the full word of God then God will find a way to bring more of His word to them. If we say we have enough then we will be condemned for not wanting more and will live in that false world we have created. Nephi and Mormon taught this principle in the Book of Mormon and Jesus taught it in the Doctrine and Covenants.

“Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have” (2 Nephi 28:27-30).

“And when they shall have received this, [The Book of Mormon] which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation

Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people” (3 Nephi 26:9-11).

In the Doctrine and Covenants 84 we learn more of this pattern,

“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.
19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.
25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb” (D&C 84:17-27).

So, where are we at in this pattern. In Moses’ day he tried to elevate the people to see the face of God. We just read where the Aaronic Priesthood deals with repentance, baptism, remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments (D&C 84:27). This happens every week as the Aaronic Priesthood ordinance of the sacrament is the ordinance that opens the way for a formal remission of sins through covenant and applying the atonement of Jesus Christ as we give away our sins to know Him. We also have had the Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances revealed in the temples. Here we go through the formal ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood to see the face of God. But do we really believe it? Are the covenants sinking into our hearts or do we mistakenly think that if we have gone through the temple then we will be exalted like unto God? We have been taught that it takes much more effort than just the ordinance.

Jesus was the word and He came to a people that had the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances. The church at the time was run by the Pharisees and Sadducees who had distorted truth. Moses had established this church but shortly before the Savior came they had not received the fulness of the gospel still. In fact, they had digressed to the point that John the Baptist came and baptized those willing to follow the Lord and prepare for His coming. He baptized with the Aaronic Priesthood.

Joseph Smith Jr. is compared to Moses. He established the truth and brought forth the word of God. He was given the Melchizedek Priesthood to help elevate the people to see the face of God. We are anticipating the coming of the Lord. Are we as a church more or less prepared than the children of Israel in the days shortly before the coming of the Lord? We have been told that out of ten, five would be wise and will have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide (see Matthew 25:1-13; Doctrine and Covenants 45:57). Elder Oaks taught that that percentage is very accurate of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “The arithmetic of this parable is chilling. The ten virgins obviously represent members of Christ’s Church, for all were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came” (“Preparation for the Second Coming,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks, April 2004 General Conference).

So, are we under condemnation or are we more righteous than the ancient children of Israel?

The Lord shared in 3 Nephi 26:9-10, that the Book of Mormon as we have it will test our faith to see if we believe what is in the Book of Mormon. If we don’t, then the greater things will be withheld. It is interesting to me that in my lifetime, Presidents Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson and Russell M. Nelson have all placed renewed emphasis on the Book of Mormon. President Benson also taught what the Lord taught in Doctrine and Covenants, that we are under condemnation until we receive the Book of Mormon. He made it clear we are still under this condemnation. He said, “I reaffirm those words to you this day. Let us not remain under condemnation, with its scourge and judgment, by treating lightly this great and marvelous gift the Lord has given to us. Rather, let us win the promises associated with treasuring it up in our hearts.
In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 84, verses 54 to 58, we read:
“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received--
“Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
“And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
“And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written--
“That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. [D&C 84:54–58]”’ (The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ezra Taft Benson, October 1986 General Conference).

The question then becomes apparent, do we really want further light and knowledge? Do we really want the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon? If the prophets keep begging us to read the Book of Mormon and believe it, then we must not be believing and applying its sacred messages.

When more of His word comes forth, how will it come forth? Will it come forth as His words have come forth in the patterns we discussed above? Will we have the Spirit as our guide to help us discern if additional scriptures brought forth are the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon? Let us be wise and take the Holy Spirit as our guide that we may not be deceived. If we fully receive all the principles and doctrines taught in this great Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ, we will be ready. We will be filled with the light and power of Jesus Christ and detect what additional scriptures are of Him.

I have had the witness of the Holy Ghost burn into my heart and mind the truths of the Book of Mormon. I have intensely studied this great book for the past 26 years. I know this great book comes from God to us and I rejoice with you that He will one day reveal the fulness of this great book to us as the additional portions in the sealed plates are brought forth. Oh come! Please come! Please join with me in receiving the Book of Mormon! Pray to God that He will see fit in His great wisdom and mercy to bring forth these greater truths to us individually and as a people. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.