Is Jesus Christ our Father?

Throughout scripture and the creeds and doctrines laced throughout Christianity, the godhead has become a mystery. In the Lectures on Faith we learn that in order to exercise faith, we need to have a correct idea of the nature of God, specifically his character, perfections and attributes. God should not be so mysterious that we don’t know how to approach him. We should have a relationship with him, much like a father and son in this mortal experience. 

I believe Denver has shared many scriptural insights which bring clarity to the nature of god. Here is one: 

https://denversnuffer.com/2012/02/ethers-reference-to-christ-as-father/

Doctrine and Covenants Historical Context

 A friend reconnected with Rachelle and I last night and shared this short presentation she has put together. It would have saved me months of research had I come across this 4-5 years ago. Hopefully it can be of benefit to you:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wyyWZO4jktEKUdO_ZgV4iJhvUi-Dc6O23WIVpzMzrqE/mobilepresent?slide=id.p

Who Killed Joseph Smith, Part 2

 https://youtu.be/K5sDJddLojI

At the end of the video they set the stage for a documentary on polygamy and to prove Joseph’s innocence. It’s a joy to see thousands of LDS coming to a knowledge of the truth, willing to lay it all on the line for light and truth. Only in humility can we fully come into the presence of our Christ and the Father. 

Deseret Book Supports Waving Gay Pride Flag for LDS Members

I’ve enjoyed a lot of CWIC Media and his scriptural insights. He is generally an apologist for the church. I appreciate his concerns he shares here about Deseret Book promoting and supporting gay pride: https://youtu.be/cjgIdcpfLPk

I saw this SEEK ad a few days ago by Deseret Book. CWIC Media is usually an apologist for the church. He doesn't make the connection between Deseret Book and the church. The CEO of Deseret Book is Sheri Dew, former Relief Society General President for the church. Wendy Nelson and Sheri Dew are very good friends. Deseret Book is a wholly owned subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation (DMC), the holding company for business firms owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). I would put forth that Deseret Book is very careful to promote what the brethren approve of. 

I believe it goes hand in hand with the Relief Society General Presidency promoting a queer ward young women’s president at BYU Women’s Week. I posted that here: http://bilbaochristian.blogspot.com/2021/11/very-interesting-byu-womens-week-clip.html

I also believe it goes hand in hand with Russell M. Nelson’s affiliation with Skull and Bones and Owl & Key, two secret societies at Utah University. Here is some info on this subject by another LDS apologist: 

https://youtu.be/pKGnM2a9Sj4

If we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have to decide if the gospel of Jesus Christ is being promoted, taught and upheld by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not?

In 3 Nephi 27 the Lord teaches, “…but if it [the church] be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.

And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.

But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you” (3 Nephi 27:8, 10-12). 

We have the god-given gift of agency. I believe God expects us to use it to act in truth. When we receive light and truth exposing the light or the dark and we don’t act on it, we lose that additional light. Nephi taught, “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 28:30).

I pray for all of us to have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts that know and feel. This life is a test of our character, perfections and attributes. We are our own judges because how we judge and live is seen and known by all in our countenances. It is a challenge to BECOME a true disciple of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and him alone. Walk in his way. 

Correlation and Revelation

This is an interview with Brian who worked for the Church Correlation Department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 6 years. What can be learned about how the church receives revelation?: https://youtu.be/Z461DIVA-ns

This short blog post by Denver Snuffer sheds light on what was happening in the correlation department of the church over a decade ago. https://denversnuffer.com/2010/02/popularity-or-persecution/

I have included these links in my, "Thoughts on Helaman 5." The Book of Helaman shares several insights on the current Church Correlation Department. I will have that post out when I finish studying RE Helaman 5 (Helaman chapters 13-16).

What is the Lord Up To?

 To this question I’d put forward these two interviews:

https://youtu.be/mSpiEE5rnEg

https://youtu.be/Fkwm7-sdxD0

Ascension

When I served a mission in northern Spain, I was exposed to the Lectures on Faith and the King Follett discourse, both written or presided over and approved by Joseph Smith. There is some confusion on the authenticity of what exactly was said by Joseph in that sermon but the truths that are preserved in it are beautiful and most, if not all of the sermon, ring true to me. 

The Lord sunk these truths deep in my heart and combined them with Moses 1:39 and John 17:3 and many other truths that burned deeply in my soul. The gospel plan and the whole purpose of our creation and the solemnities of eternity stirred my soul. It was around this time I had my encounter with the Lord. 

I’ve been in a discussion with some friends and I shared this passage from the glossary of the RE of the scriptures. 

The Glossary of Gospel Terms of the Restoration Edition of the scriptures can be found here: https://scriptures.info/ There are some wonderful explanations in it and here is one I really enjoyed:

Ascension


There is a relationship between ascension in this life and the right to ascend in the afterlife which is mentioned, but not well explained, in scripture. There are two ascents. One is temporary and happens when men are “caught up” but then return to this world. It represents overcoming the world and returning the individual back to the presence of God. It is called redemption from the fall (Ether 1:13) because it brings the individual back into God’s presence. This form of temporary ascent is designed to establish a covenant or promise related to the other, more gradual ascent through development of the individual. The temporary mortal ascent secures a promise for the individual that they will be permitted to make the eternal ascent to where God and Christ dwell in the afterlife. The second form is the actual ascent, involving redemption, and securing eternal life. It is a methodical process over eons of time to bring those who ascend to reside where God and Christ dwell (see T&C 69:14,28). In the “King Follett Discourse,” Joseph Smith said this: “Thus you learn some of the first principles of the gospel about which so much has been said. When you climb a ladder, you must begin at the bottom and go on until you learn the last principle; it will be a great while before you have learned the last. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it is a great thing to learn salvation beyond the grave.”1 This is the growth, by degrees, which results in exaltation. “Here, then, is eternal life — to know the only wise and true God. And you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves — to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done — by going from a small degree to another, from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you are able to sit in glory as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power.”2
The second form of ascent cannot happen in mortality but is accomplished over time. It requires attaining to the resurrection, meaning that death has no claim on this person because he or she merits eternal life. This is what Christ gained in His life and through His sacrifice here. Men are dependent upon His merits to overcome death. But all will have to attain the same thing before they finish the second form of ascent. Christ is the prototype of the saved man and all must be precisely what he is and nothing else or not be saved, according to the Lectures on Faith (LOF 7:9).
The first form of ascent is possible for all mortals. The scriptures, in particular the Book of Mormon, contain accounts of those who have ascended to God’s presence and overcome the fall of mankind. Many Old Testament prophets did likewise, but their accounts were redacted by the Deuteronomists because of hostility to the doctrine. The reality is that most people — even very good, believing people whose lives are filled with Christian charity and love for their fellow man — are not going to ascend, even temporarily, while they live in this fallen world. The first ascent is covenant-filled. God brings one before Him to establish a covenant, assuring the Eternal ascent. Most people will ascend over eons of time, because the process is based on the determination and commitment people have to follow God and His Christ.

3
1 TPJS, 348; WJS, 350.
2 TPJS, 346–347; WJS, 344–345, 350; Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, 1833–1898: Typescript, 10 vols., ed. Scott G. Kenney (Midvale, UT: Signature Books, 1983), 2:384. Herein cited as WWJ.
3 “Why a Temple?” April 29, 2016, blog post.