Part 9-Continuing Revelation From God

“ We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God."

A) God’s pattern
The prophet Amos expressed an important truth about the dealings of God with his children. “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.1”
God always chose prophets to reveal His truths that they may be witnesses and testify of the divinity of the Savior Jesus Christ. This scripture also teaches that without prophets we would not know the fullness of God’s plan. God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is the same forever and ever; if not, he would cease to be God. So why would He change His pattern for revealing his truths? “For I am the Lord, I change not.2” Paul explained: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.3” The prophet Mormon added: “For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing? And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, than have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a god of miracles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.4”
Without revelation, Man would not know of the things of God nor be saved with any degree of salvation in the Eternities. Even though everyone can receive personal revelation and guidance through the Holy Ghost, in the Lord's Church, the First Presidency, the council of the twelve Apostles and patriarchs are entitled to receive revelation for others. They are prophets, seers and revelators to the church and to the world. Daniel, the prophet in the Old Testament, testified to the King Nebuchadnezzar: “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.5” By revelation through the prophet Daniel, the king knew of latter days. God revealed many things through his prophets since the beginning of time.
He continues to reveal things, through His prophet, and will continue till his “purposes may be accomplished and his work done.7”
One thing important to mention is the reason we are on earth. Many people wonder about this basic principle. To help us understand that, He explained to all his prophets the plan that He established for his children. A plan of love that would allow us to, come on earth, experience life and return to Him. This is the plan of salvation, plan of happiness or plan of redemption as often mentioned in the scriptures.

B) The plan of salvation
To help us understand His plan, is the knowledge that we lived, before we were born into this world. The prophet Jeremiah expressed the words of the Lord to him: “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nation.7” The prophet Alma in the Book of Mormon, knew this truth as well as Jeremiah: “I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto these people. And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. And this the manner after which they were ordained- being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling... And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren.8”
The Lord knew the prophet Jeremiah before he came to earth in a pre-mortal life existence. He knew each of us before we came to earth. Jeremiah was chosen before he was born to become a prophet. He received His calling through his faith and obedience. We do not remember this state of our life, but he has revealed to His prophets that knowledge so that we may understand the importance of this life.

As we mentioned earlier, we are His children. We lived as a spirit with Him before we were born. Our spirit bodies were created in His image: “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of our own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.9” We wanted to become like our Heavenly Father, but we were different from him in certain ways. First, His spiritual progression exceeded ours, and we did not have a physical body like His. Heavenly Father loves us so much that He wanted us to become like Him. Just like a father who wants his children to receive the same blessings he has. Heavenly Father wants the same thing.
In order for that to happen, he prepared a plan that would help us become like him. The first step was to come to earth. In the book of Abraham10, the Lord revealed His secret to his servant Abraham. He explained to him our pre-existence and the reason we came to earth: “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligence that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is a space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.11”

The fact that we are here on earth today shows that we have accepted this plan and decided to follow it. Many people have been asked: “What is the purpose of life?” Many still wonder about this question as well as what will happen in the after life.
A life without purpose looses direction. It might be difficult to find real meaning in waking up every morning and meeting the challenges of the world. Without an eternal goal, it is difficult to reach an eternal progression.
The purpose of life is simple. It is to work toward becoming like our Father in Heaven and to prepare ourselves to return to Him through opportunities that He will provide. Paul said: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.12” The prophet Moroni expressed a similar truth: “O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.13” Everything that does not lead to becoming like our Heavenly Father is not needed. In the end, worldly things will make no difference.

Our birth provides us a physical body, which is imperfect, being earthly and mortal. Having a mortal body is a step toward receiving a glorified and immortal body like our Heavenly Father. We are given the gift of free agency: “And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.14" "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.15”
We are free to choose between good and evil as the prophet Alma said in the Book of Mormon: “Now there was no law against a man’s belief; for it was starkly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds. For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.16” Freedom is given to man to choose whom he wants to serve; but we are responsible for the choices that we make. By learning to distinguish between good and evil and by choosing the good, we get a step closer becoming like our Heavenly Father. This life becomes a probationary state: “And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men.17”
Amulek testified: “Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end (...) Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth posses your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world18.” Later he said: “And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.19 ”
Faith is an important principle because we do not remember our pre-mortal life. Our choices become important because of the consequences on earth and in the life to come: “And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead20 .”

Once we understand and realize the importance of our choices and know the purpose of this life, then we want to control our physical bodies. We want to act in a manner that will reflect our desire to become more like Heavenly Father and return to His presence.
These bodies are mortal; so, each one of us will die. For lots of people, death is an end. It is a time when we loose our loved one and fear we will not see them again. But in the gospel of Jesus Christ death is part of our Heavenly Father’s plan: “For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must need be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because men became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord21 .” At death, our spirit and our physical body are separated. The prophet Alma, teaching his sons, said: “Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection- Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life22 .” While our bodies are in the grave, our spirit continues to live and goes to a place that has been prepared for them. It is called the “spirit world”.
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it23.”
Continuing his explanation on life after death, the prophet Alma said about 70 years BC: “And then it shall come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow. And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil- for behold, they have no part nor portion of the spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house-and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil24.”

Then comes the day of the resurrection. Just like Jesus Christ was resurrected; each of us will be resurrected. Our spirit will be reunited with our body in an immortal condition. Once resurrected, we will be brought to stand before the Lord to be judged according to our faithfulness and diligence in keeping His commandments. We have to answer for the way we lived. Of this, many prophets and Apostles testified. We will quote some of their writings for our study. “ Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.25” “But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy26 .” “Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness27.” “Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever28 .” Amulek testified: “Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt29 .”
Later on, the prophet Alma added on the words of Amulek saying: “And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our works, 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. For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance30 .”

Those prophets knew exactly about death and resurrection. They knew the importance of this life and the judgments of their God. As mentioned in the footnote (29), it is important to explain the term “restored”. Our bodies will be resurrected and become immortal and perfect; but our spirit will remain in the same state that when we left the earth. Alma testified: “The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh. And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved. And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin. Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness. And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness. And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite its nature? O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish- good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful. Therefore, my son, see that ye are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.31”

Once we come to understand these truths, it brings more meaning and importance to life. This life is a time to prepare ourselves to meet God. If we have followed the way he taught us to live, we will be able to return to live in His presence and dwell with him in a glory, called the celestial glory. This glory is compared to the sun in the New Testament. For those who inherit this glory or kingdom, they are promised a fullness of joy. They will become like our Heavenly Father.
The Lord said: “In my Father's house are many mansions.32 " For those who have not been faithful following the commandments through faith, obedience and repentance; and who have not accepted the ordinances that Christ teaches us, Heavenly Father, in His great love will reward them with another degree of glory. Because they have not qualified for the fullness of joy, they will receive a lesser degree of glory. This demonstrates the love Heavenly Father has for each of His children. This truth was revealed a long time ago but unfortunately partially lost through the Apostasy. The Apostle Paul taught about these different degrees of glory: “There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.33”
The degrees of glory differ according to our faithfulness. The prophet Joseph Smith received a vision on the different degrees of glory while studying John 5: 29. It was on February 1832, two years after the church was reorganized. (See Doctrine and Covenants 76)
The knowledge of the kingdoms God has prepared for His children show how great is the plan of our Eternal Father. It shows how much He loves each one of his children. He wants us to be happy.

Remember when you were little child. Let us imagine a boy, playing ball in front of the window of his house. His dad warned him a few times to play somewhere else because he might break the window; but he decides to keep playing there anyway. Finally, the boy by mistake, breaks the window. He feels terrible and knows his dad won't be happy because he had warned him. He would rather hide himself instead of looking at his dad in the eyes. He would feel uncomfortable. Our Father in Heaven has given us commandments to avoid breaking the windows of our lives, or breaking laws that would make us unhappy. But, we have tendency to do it anyway, by lack of faith, desire or obedience. One day, if we don't repent, we will have to face Him. Those of us that know what was right and willingly do the contrary anyway won't feel comfortable in front of him. To enable us to partake of some reward and glory, he has prepared different places were we won't live in his presence. It would be terrible to live forever with the knowledge that we could have lived in his presence if we had not rejected him. And for some it will be!
Heavenly Father is a loving father that wants His children to come back in His presence. It is because of disobedience, that we keep ourselves from enjoying the fullness of the blessings He has in store for us and the place that He has prepared for us after this life. This life is really important because our decisions here will have an influence for both our life on earth and after death.

C) Salvation for the dead
The Lord said in the scriptures talking to Nicodemus: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.34” Unfortunately, many people on this earth won’t have an opportunity to be baptized. We stressed the importance of baptism earlier. Baptism is the only way to enter into the kingdom of heaven. A question may arise about the people who have never heard of Jesus Christ. Is it reasonable to think that our Heavenly Father would condemn them?! For all those who come to know Heavenly Father and have felt of His tremendous love; it is impossible to imagine that he would condemn people without giving them a chance to accept the gospel.
An important truth in the Bible explains us a little more about the people who have died without a chance to be baptized. We read earlier about the Spirit world. The Apostle Peter explained where the Savior was during the three days between His death and resurrection. He said: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.35”
Those children of our Heavenly Father who have not been blessed with the gospel in this life will be taught the gospel in the spirit world. In his great plan of love for each of us, Heavenly Father gives an opportunity for us to accept or reject the gospel.

The gospel is the same forever and ever. Those steps of salvation which are Faith, Repentance, Baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost are the same in heaven and on earth. It is possible for a spirit to exercise faith and repent, but when it comes to baptism, it becomes necessary to involve a body.

A truth, partially lost through the apostasy, explains the doctrine of baptism for the dead. It was revealed again through the prophet Joseph Smith. This doctrine is not new. While Paul was teaching the people concerning the resurrection of the dead, he asked the simple question: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?36” In other words, why are we doing baptism for the dead if there is no resurrection? Baptism for the dead was practiced in the early church of Jesus Christ.
The prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation concerning baptism for the dead as part of the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Words of the angel Moroni to Joseph Smith: “Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted at his coming.37" The prophet Joseph Smith was promised that he would receive the key or authority to bring back hearts of the children to their father. This key and authority would be given by the hands of the prophet Elijah. The prophet Malachi, in the Old Testament, testified about the importance of the prophet Elijah and his mission in the last days: “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: He shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.38.”
The prophet Joseph Smith commented about this scripture: “I might have rendered a plainer translation to this, but it is sufficiently plain to suit my purpose as it stands. It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless their is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other- and behold what is that subject? It is baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in the dispensation of the fullness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time. And not only this, but those things which never have been revealed from the foundation of the world, but have been kept hide from the wise and prudent, shall be revealed unto babes and sucklings in this, the dispensation of the fullness of times.39”

The prophecy concerning Elijah was fulfilled in April 1836, in the Kirtland Temple through the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith received a revelation concerning this matter. As recorded, this is an epistle from the prophet to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing further directions on baptism for the dead dated of September 1842: “As I stated to you in my letter before I left my place, that I would write to you from time to time and give you information in relation to many subjects, I now resume the subject of the baptism for the dead, as that subject seems to occupy my mind, and press itself upon my feelings the strongest, since I have been pursued by my enemies. And further I want you to remember that John the Revelator was contemplating this very subject in relation to the dead, when he declared, as you will find recorded in revelation 20: 12- And I saw the dead, small and great, stand for God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. You will discover in this quotation that the books were opened; and another book was opened, which was the book of life; but the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works; consequently, the books spoken of must be the books which contained the record of their works, and refer to the records which are kept on the earth. And the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven; the principle agreeing precisely with the doctrine which is commanded you in the revelation contained in the letter which I wrote to you previous to my leaving my place- that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven. Now, the nature of this ordinance consists in the power of the priesthood, by the revelation of Jesus Christ, wherein it is granted that whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Or, in other words, taking a different view of the translation, whatsoever you record on earth shall be recorded in heaven, and whatsoever you do not record on earth shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged, according to their own works, whether they themselves have attended to the ordinances in their own propria persona, or by the means of their own agents, according to the ordinance which God has prepared for their salvation from before the foundation of the world, according to the records which they have kept concerning their dead. It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of- a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven, and could not be annulled, according to the decrees of the great Jehovah. This is a faithful saying. Who can hear it? And again, for the precedent, Matthew 16: 18, 19: And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loose in heaven. And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers- that they without us cannot be made perfect- neither can we without our dead be made perfect.40”

For all those that accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in the spirit world, they are given an opportunity to be baptized. Faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do genealogical research to identify their ancestor and, perform their baptism by proxy here on earth. These baptisms must be performed in sacred places. The temples are used to accomplish sacred ordinances for both the living and the dead. This truth brings hope and shows the great love that Heavenly Father has for us. He loves us so much that he wants to make sure that we, individually, will have a chance to follow him or not. About the importance of the temple work, John A. Widsoe said: “Temple work…gives a wonderful opportunity for keeping alive our spiritual knowledge and strength… The mighty perspective of eternity is unraveled before us in the holy temples; we see time from its infinite beginning to its endless end; and the drama of eternal life is unfolded before us. Then I see more clearly my place amidst the things of the universe, my place among the purposes of God; I am better able to place myself where I belong, and I am better able to value and to weigh, to separate and to organize the common, ordinary duties of my life, so that the little things shall not oppress me or take away my vision of the greater things that God has given us. 41” Those great blessings are promised to everyone that enters the temple.

D) Divine gifts from God
During this life on earth, our Heavenly Father has given us divine gifts. Among those is the power of procreation, which enables us to participate in the creation of life. It also gives us a chance to lead and help those children that Heavenly Father gives us, to live according to his gospel.
To help us learn to control this power of procreation and make sure that it would be used in a proper way, God has given us laws. He has set up the standard when he gave the commandment: "Thou shalt not commit adultery.42"

Every Latter-day Saint makes a serious commitment to this law called the law of chastity. God has commanded us not to have any sexual relationship with anyone except our husband or wife to whom we are legally married. But the law of chastity goes a little farther than that. Jesus Christ, the Apostles and the prophets in both eastern and western world expounded more on the subject: “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.43” The Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, was explaining his feelings to his son about transgressing that law: “And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was not excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?.44” Thoughts motivate our actions. The Lord taught us that impure thoughts as well as impure actions make us unworthy to return to His presence. It is our responsibility to learn to control our thoughts. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.45”
The King Benjamin, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, exhorts his people in this way: “But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.46”

It is important when bad thoughts come into our mind not to dwell on them! It is important to be modest in our actions, speech and dress. Each member of the church of Jesus Christ is a representative of the gospel of Jesus Christ and has made the promise to take Christ's name upon them. The law of chastity is for our good. For every law, a blessing is promised for those who follow it.
There are penalties for those who misuse those gifts by violating the law of chastity. The major penalty is the loss of the Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ taught: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God; and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.47” The apostle Paul added: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.48” Helaman, a Book of Mormon prophet, explained why people lost the Spirit: “And they saw that they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did not more preserve them; yea, it had withdrawn from them because the Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples.49”

The law of chastity will help us control our appetites and desires of the flesh. It will help us put our spiritual above our natural and physical man. “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.50”
Family relationship is also one of the greatest gifts God has given us. It is also one of our greatest source of joy. The marriage and family relationships do not need to end at death. “And I will give unto thee (talking to Peter) the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loose in heaven.51” The apostle Paul said: “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.52”

The prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation from the Lord that families have the opportunity to be sealed together for eternity. These sealings take place in the house of the Lord. In the temple and by the power of the priesthood, families receive the promise to be eternal as long as they keep their part of the promise, which is to follow the commandments. In a revelation given to Joseph Smith in 1832, the Lord said: “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.53” It is wonderful to see the love that God has for us. We can be together forever, enjoying the relationship of our families; continuing to enjoy this beautiful love that exist between husband and wife, children and parents, beyond the veil of death.

We can learn to control our physical body through a law of health that comes from the Lord, called the “Word of Wisdom”. To understand this law, we need to know that those bodies we have received at birth are sacred and considered as temples54. Once baptized, we also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He cannot dwell in unholy temples. God knows us, He created us. He knows what is good for our bodies and what would damage them.
In the revelation on the Word of Wisdom received by the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833, the Lord explains that fruits, vegetables and grains are good for the body and that we should use them with thanksgiving. He counsels us on wholesome food. Through this law of health, he commands us not to take into our bodies alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea and harmful drugs. These substances have the power to damage not only our bodies but also our Spirit. It is a Word of Wisdom. Many other things are not good for our body and each of us must decide which they are. This law teaches us to use wisdom and not partake of anything that would be addictive or harmful. Addiction makes our spirit and body a slave to substances not needed and often destructive.
Our Heavenly Father promises us great blessings if we obey this law. The Lord revealed: “And all saints who remember to keep and do these saying (concerning the Word of Wisdom), walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones; And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.55” We will enjoy a greater health. Treasures of knowledge will be unfolded to the faithful, even hidden treasures. Strength and protection will be a result of obeying this law. We will receive happiness in this life and great joy in the life to come.

Many people in the world live this precept whether they are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not. Great blessings are given because the Lord is mindful of all his children and he loves each one. These commandments are proof of His love for us. They are not given in a restrictive way, but to guide us in life. To help us not to fall in the dark ways the devil has prepared for us. The world is full of good things and bad things. The commandments help us discern between those two. They help us appreciate the good things, to be happy and avoid all the things that would make us unhappy. Just as you would tell your children “Do not put your finger in the fire because it will hurt really bad!”; The Lord knows the "fires" of this world and shows us the right way. But, in His infinite love, He gives us the right to choose for ourselves. He will not force us.

E) Overcoming self-centeredness
Every one of us as human beings have the tendency to become self centered, look for our own self-interest and forget about others. It can be dangerous spiritually. For “the Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.56” Paul described the last days: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, true breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.57”
The Book of Mormon prophet, Nephi, said: “O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.58”
The prophet Mormon also knew how the world would be: “Behold, the Lord hath shown unto me great and marvelous things concerning that which must shortly come, at that day when these things shall come forth among you. Behold, I speak unto you as 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 very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities: and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.59”

While on earth, a lawyer asked Jesus “Which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.60” Paul, while teaching the Galatians, said: “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.61"
Loving God with all our hearts and loving others as ourselves help us to overcome this self-centeredness. The prophet, King Benjamin expressed a great truth to his people in the Book of Mormon: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.62”
When we serve others, we are in the service of our God. By following these two great commandments we can become more like Jesus Christ; the perfect example of love. Apostles and prophets testified of the importance of those two commandments on both sides of the world. Paul, the apostle, gave a wonderful exhortation on charity and the pure love of Christ. Among his teachings in the 13th chapter of Corinthians, he said:
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up... Charity never faileth.63” John said: “We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.64” In the other part of the world, the prophet Nephi said: “ ...Wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing.65”

The prophet Mormon also gave a great lecture on charity: “And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity. And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail- But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.66”

Once we obtain this desire in our heart to love and serve God, we realize that it requires some sacrifices. It has been a difficult test for men, but it has also been a way to show God that we are willing to put him first in our life. Everything that we posses we should sincerely be willing to sacrifice. The Lord said: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.67” He taught the people in America: “ And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood68 ; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings. And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.69”

The most common sacrifice might be time spent in the service of the Lord and His Church. Even this kind of sacrifice can be difficult but those who have the sincere desire will receive blessings in such a way that they will not feel like they missed anything; because they won't. They have put the Lord first in their life. Our willingness to sacrifice is essential to prepare to receive eternal life. The Lord said: “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.70” The Apostle Paul gave an account of his sacrifice for the Lord's sake: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.71” It is through sacrifice that we develop faith and draw closer to the Savior. The prophet Joseph Smith said: “...A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation...72”

We can show sacrifice through the law of the fast. “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou taketh no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?73”
While teaching the people on the American continent, the Lord said: “Moreover, when ye fast be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thy head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father, who is in secret; and thy Father who seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.74” Through the law of the fast, we can show our Father in Heaven that we want to put him first in our life. Food being one of our first priorities in life, fasting helps us put God above our worldly cares and desires. Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fast for a period of time of two meals on the first Sunday of every month. Then, they gather together in a special testimony meeting where they may express their feelings and experiences that helped them grow in their faith. Fasting is a great opportunity to grow spiritually and helps us learn to govern and control our physical bodies. It is important to include prayers for others and ourselves during our fast, and use this time to receive divine guidance through the Holy Ghost. It helps us find answers for specific questions in our lives and specific decisions we have to make. We can receive a confirmation in our heart if we are in tune with the Spirit.

Fasting is a way for us to help those in need. Every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contributes the money saved while fasting to care for the needy. This money goes directly to help members of the church having financial and other problems as well as members of other faiths in some instances. The Church has a tremendous welfare system to care for the needy.

There is no professional clergy in the Church. This money given by faithful members goes entirely to the needy throughout the world. It is not mentioned often in the media, but whenever a catastrophe occurs in any part of the world, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is one of the first organization that makes sure the people receive aid. In this way, this law enables us to become selfless and gives us an opportunity to participate in the Lord's work. It also helps us to become more like him. Prophets in the Old Testament said: “So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us. 75” David recorded: “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.76” In the other part of the world, a prophet was also testifying of this law. Alma gained a testimony of the truth of the Gospel through fasting: “Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God, Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now, I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the Spirit of revelation which is in me.77” Helaman, another great prophet explained how his people obtained strength: “Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling of their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.78” Fasting is powerful. It is a wonderful way to get closer to the Lord. It has the power to strengthen our faith and lives.

Another way members of the Church of Jesus Christ learn to put God first in their lives is by obeying and living the law of Tithing. The law of Tithing is not something new; it has always existed: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord.79” “And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruit of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.80” The prophet Malachi exhorts his people to pay their tithing. The Lord said to the people in America: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.81”

To fully understand this law, we need to realize that everything that we possess in this life comes from God. He is the source of everything we have. The word tithing comes from “tenth”, meaning one tenth. The Lord gives us everything and asks us to return to Him one tenth of our increase. In that way we participate in the building up of His kingdom on earth. This money goes to the building of churches, temples, and other needs for the comfort and worship of the Saints. We are promised that the Lord will bless us both spiritually and temporally. It proves our faith. It is impossible to see the result of obeying the law of Tithing without living it. But the Lord said “prove me”. Every member of the Church of Jesus Christ has received this test of faith with the law of Tithing. For some, it is easier than others but it will strengthen our faith, making us unselfish and more like Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to be able to see the love of the Lord in our lives. He promised that He would remember us!

Law of Moses: Law given by God through the prophet Moses to the house of Israel. It was a way to prepare them to live a higher law that would be more spiritual. The Law of Moses consisted in some ceremonies, rituals and sacrifices of animal to help them remember their responsibility and the future sacrifice of the Savior. (See Exodus 34: 1-2, Romans 3: 20, Ephesians 2: 14-16)

References Part 9
1. Amos 3: 7
2. Malachi 3: 6
3. Hebrews 13: 8
4. Mormon 9: 9-10, 19
5. See Daniel 2: 28
6. See Joseph Smith, The Standard of Truth
7. Jeremiah 1: 5
8. Alma 13: 1-4
9. Acts 17: 28
10. See Explanation on The Book of Abraham pg. 8
11. Abraham 3: 22-25
12. Philippians 2:12
13. Mormon 9:27
14. 2 Nephi 2: 5
15. 2 Nephi 2: 27
16. Alma 30: 7-8
17. See 2 Nephi 2 :21
18. Alma 34: 31-34
19. Alma 42: 4
20. Alma 12: 24
21. 2 Nephi 9: 6
22. Alma 40: 11
23. Ecclesiastes 12: 7
24. Alma 40: 12-13
25. John 5: 25-29
26. 1 Nephi 15: 34
27. 2 Nephi 9: 14
28. Mosiah 2: 38
29. Alma 11: 42-43
30. Alma 12: 12-15
31. Alma 41: 5-15
32. John 14: 2
33. 1 Corinthians 15: 40-42
34. John 3: 5
35. 1 Peter 3: 18-19, 1 Peter 4: 6
36. 1 Corinthians 15: 29
37. Doctrine and Covenants 2: 1-3
References Part 9 cont.
38. Malachi 4: 1, 5-6
39. Doctrine and Covenants 128: 18
40. Doctrine and Covenants 128: 1, 6-10, 15
41. John A Widstoe, IN Conference Report, April 1922, pg. 97-98
42. Exodus 20: 14; See Matthew 19: 16-18
43. Matthew 5: 28
44. Alma 39: 3–5
45. Matthew 15: 19-20
46. Mosiah 4: 30
47. 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
48. 1 Corinthians 6: 9
49. Helaman 4: 24
50. Mosiah 3:19
51. Matthew 16: 19
52. 1 Corinthians 11: 11
53. Doctrine and Covenants 82: 10
54. 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
55. Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–21
56. Psalms 94: 11
57. 2 Timothy 3: 1-4
58. 2 Nephi 9: 28-30
59. Mormon 9: 34-37
60. Matthew 22: 36-39
61. Galatians 5:14
62. Mosiah 2:17
63. See 1 Corinthians 13: 4, 8
64. 1 John 4: 6-11
65. See 2 Nephi 26: 30
66. Moroni 7: 43-48
67. Luke 14:33
68. See explanation of the Law of Moses, pg. 126
69. 3 Nephi 9: 19-20
70. Matthew 10: 39, Matthew 16: 24-26
71. Philippians 3:8
72. Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith
73. Isaiah 58: 3–5
74. 3 Nephi 13: 16
75. Ezra 8: 23
76. Psalms 35: 13; See Isaiah 58: 8-12
77. Alma 5: 46
78. Helaman 3: 35
79. Leviticus 27: 30
80. 2 Chronicles 31: 5
81. Malachi 3: 8-12; 3 Nephi 24: 8-12