Simpleness

First, I have prayed that your recovery will be speedy and complete.

A great blessing of having a dear friend is that he knows your thoughts and heart. Alan and I have carried on a conversation in his answer. He knows me well enough to “hear” my reactions to his words and answer those objections in anticipation. This, to me, was astounding and gratifying.

To illustrate, he says “ “What do we have to do next to continue successfully along the path home again?” IMHO, THIS is where much of Christianity then begins to go astray. Certainly, there is much discussion and disagreement regarding the next and subsequent steps required to get successfully home again”. He saw into my heart and was able to discern immediately the core concern of my question.

And that is what I believe. The Lord knows we are so different as people. He wants all to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. He, perforce, had to make the essential clear and simple enough to where no body will have an excuse in the final judgement. What can be more simple that 1) have faith in Jesus’ atonement provided for us, 2) become as a little child and 3) dedicate ourselves to living His lovely Gospel, publicly declaring our intention by public baptism. Those who enter that gate receive help to cleanse their lives and grow into the image of Christ by reception of the Holy Ghost. It is the “next steps” that are less important (but important still) where the searching God’s will and the striving to live it begins. Wonderfully, the instructions are vague.

Nephi explains plainly the above “gate” clearly in 2 Nephi 31. No mistake will be made by misunderstanding. Still, Nephi remarks (can you hear the frustration) “And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?”

As Saint Alan Brown Pointed out, this is where people go off the rails.

Alma and Amulek also laid out the simple gate to the humble Zoramites. As clear as that was explained, “after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto him desiring to know whether they should believe in one God, that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or how they should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith”.

They were about to go off the rails.

Look closely at Alma’s response to Zeezrom. Alma explained “the gate” in a clear simple way. Even though, Zeezrom was affected and asked about the teaching. Alma rebukes him, “And Amulek hath spoken plainly”. He explains that the Gospel will be understood as one walks along the path beyond the Gate according to one’s heed and diligence.

It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God….according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.
And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.
And Amulek hath spoken plainly ….
Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned.

So, what was Nephi’s instructions to those who pondered what they should do after they enter the Gate? Simple.

a. I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

b . I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

c. when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

d. In the previous chapter, he says “my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. Later, Jesus says “Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do”.

Notice what he says. But, moreover, notice what he doesn’t say. For instance, he doesn’t direct us to Living Oracles. This would have been the perfect place to include authoritative prophets and apostles.

Stay on the rails! Follow the instructions so simple and easy that all mankind can be saved. Even today!

The simplicity throws almost everyone. Nonetheless, the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

We may stubble and become slothful because of the easiness of the way.

We want something more. We begin to look beyond the mark.

They sought for things that they could not understand. Wherefore, because of their blindness, which blindness came by looking beyond the mark, they must needs fall; for God hath taken away his plainness from them, and delivered unto them many things which they cannot understand, because they desired it. And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble.

After laying out the simple way, Jesus warns “And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

My humble (you seem to doubt my humility) opinion is that we are to do what Nephi says: Have faith in Jesus, commit to keeping his commandments and following his example, get the guidance of the Holy Ghost and feast upon the word of Christ. If we do this, following the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, we will become our own Living Oracle.

Will we get it all correct. No. we are as if we are looking through the glass darkly. We know only in part. But Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

We gather together with Saints of the Church of the Lamb of God that seem to agree as close as possible to our own sincere conclusions. That is why there are so many Churches. All of them are, as Joseph was informed, corrupt, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. The organizations of men are all corrupt. Do not conclude that they are evil. They just, after dedicated seeking, have come to the best faithful conclusions.

An overlooked warning from the Book of Mormon is regarding those who think that THEY are the only true church. [T]he churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord's; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord's; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord-- And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept…

Conclusion (finally!)

The way is simple. It is all explained in the Book of Mormon and the Bible. If ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

****************

You may stop here. Here are just some thoughts.

J.C. Ryle

"Who are the wheat in the world?" This is a point which demands special consideration.

The wheat means all men and women who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ,--all who are led by the Holy Spirit,--all who have felt themselves sinners, and fled for refuge to the salvation offered in the Gospel,--all who love the Lord Jesus and live to the Lord Jesus, and serve the Lord Jesus,--all who have taken Christ for their only confidence, and the Bible for their only guide, and regard sin as their deadliest enemy, and look to heaven as their only home. All such, of every Church, name, nation, people, and tongue,--of every rank, station, condition, and degree,--all such are God's "wheat." Show me people of this kind anywhere, and I know what they are. I know not that they and I may agree in all particulars, but I see in them the handiwork of the King of kings, and I ask no more. I know not whence they came, and where they found their religion; but I know where they are going, and that is enough for me. They are the children of my Father in heaven. They are part of His "wheat."

John Wesley

These seem to be the characteristics of the Saints of the Church of the Lamb of God. He asks:

Is thy heart right with God? Dost thou believe his being and his perfections? his eternity, immensity, wisdom, power? his justice, mercy, and truth? Dost thou believe that he now "upholdeth all things by the word of his power?" and that he governs even the most minute, even the most noxious, to his own glory, and the good of them that love him? hast thou a divine evidence, a supernatural conviction, of the things of God? Dost thou "walk by faith not by sight?" looking not at temporal things, but things eternal?
Dost thou believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, "God over all, blessed for ever?" Is he revealed in thy soul? Dost thou know Jesus Christ and him crucified? Does he dwell in thee, and thou in him? Is he formed in thy heart by faith? having absolutely disclaimed all thy own works, thy own righteousness, hast thou "submitted thyself unto the righteousness of God, which is by faith in Christ Jesus? Art thou "found in him, not having thy own righteousness, but the righteousness which is by faith?" And art thou, through him, "fighting the good fight of faith, and laying hold of eternal life?"
Is thy faith -filled with the energy of love? Dost thou love God (I do not say "above all things," for it is both an unscriptural and an ambiguous expression, but) "with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength?" Dost thou seek all thy happiness in him alone? And dost thou find what thou seekest? Does thy soul continually "magnify the Lord, and thy spirit rejoice in God thy Savior?" having learned "in everything to give thanks, dost thou find "it is a joyful and a pleasant thing to be thankful?" Is God the center of thy soul, the sum of all thy desires? Art thou accordingly laying up thy treasure in heaven, and counting all things else dung and dross? hath the love of God cast the love of the world out of thy soul? Then thou art "crucified to the world;" thou art dead to all below; and thy "life is hid with Christ in God."
Art thou employed in doing, "not thy own will, but the will of him that sent thee" --of him that sent thee down to sojourn here awhile, to spend a few days in a strange land, till, having finished the work he hath given thee to do, thou return to thy Father's house? Is it thy meat and drink "to do the will of thy Father which is in heaven?" Is thine eye single in all things? always fixed on him? always looking unto Jesus? Dost thou point at him in whatever thou doest? in all thy labor, thy business, thy conversation? aiming only at the glory of God in all, "whatever thou doest, either in word or deed, doing it all in the name of the Lord Jesus; giving thanks unto God, even the Father, through him?"
Does the love of God constrain thee to serve him with fear, to "rejoice unto him with reverence?" Art thou more afraid of displeasing God, than either of death or hell? Is nothing so terrible to thee as the thought of offending the eyes of his glory? Upon this ground, dost thou "hate all evil ways," every transgression of his holy and perfect law; and herein "exercise thyself, to have a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man?"
Is thy heart right toward thy neighbor? Dost thou love as thyself, all mankind, without exception? "If you love those only that love you, what thank have ye?" Do you "love your enemies?" Is your soul full of good-will, of tender affection, toward them? Do you love even the enemies of God, the unthankful and unholy? Do your bowels yearn over them? Could you "wish yourself" temporally "accursed" for their sake? And do you show this by "blessing them that curse you, and praying for those that despitefully use you, and persecute you?"
Do you show your love by your works? While you have time as you have opportunity, do you in fact "do good to all men," neighbors or strangers, friends or enemies, good or bad? Do you do them all the good you can; endeavoring to supply all their wants; assisting them both in body and soul, to the uttermost of your power? --If thou art thus minded, may every Christian say, yea, if thou art but sincerely desirous of it, and following on till thou attain, then "thy heart is right, as my heart is with thy heart."