Our Need For Truth

Blog #26 April 18,2022



Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.


The world suffers from the lack of a reliable definition of both good and bad. We are a people lacking the fullness of truth and are trying to rely on the unreliable and their untested opinions. The ways of righteousness are not something man can create. Nor are they the result of humanity evolving. Many deaths do not create life. Only life creates life and only the purity of life can defeat death. Read once again the promise of God in John 3:16 and understand the fullness that verse 17 adds to His promise.


John 3:16-17 
3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish; but have everlasting life.

3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.


The truth of all we seek begins by realizing that we are in this thing together. The Gospel of Christ began as a "me" thing when I chose to serve the Lord. It very quickly turned into a "we" thing when I was able to see the world through the eyes of God. I quickly realized I couldn't be a child of God by condemning those who are not. In God I must choose to love another enough to offer them the best of me that they might see God reaching out for them. This is the reason for and the purpose of the fellowships we call Church. 


Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power in the church but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.


This was God's ideal as offered to us by the Apostle Paul. The Church is to be a place where God and His children gather to learn how to labor together to bring the good news of the Gospel to the world. They are not an army of warriors sent to conquer the evil that holds the hearts of the world in bondage. They are a fellowship of people openly humble to the ways of God striving to become a testimony of God at work in the lives of His people. They are a witness of the truth of all that God promises. They seek to be the spiritual love of God in temporal form that others might see their joy and choose to turn away from the lust of man that they too might live in the fullness of joy that is a life within the purpose of God.


Genesis 7:40 And in the garden of Eden gave I unto man his agency; and unto thy brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another; and that they should choose me their Father.


But......... The adversary has ways to use those gatherings that have so corrupted the very nature of the church that today, no one seems to trust the Church, the people, or the God they serve. To tell you the truth, I don't blame them. The very organization that was supposed to bring the unity of oneness to the world is now being righteously blamed for many of the problems we face. Leadership is weak, membership is misdirected, and everyone is looking for someone to blame. All too often that someone is God. That is terribly, terribly sad, but not unexpected. Brethren, God knows the challenges and temptations we face. Make His knowledge your knowledge and use it to free yourself and others from the blindness we face.


1 Nephi 2:220-223

2:220 And he said unto me, Behold, there are save two churches only:
2:221 The one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil;
2:222 Wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations;
2:223 And she is the whore of all the earth.


I will not attempt to put an identifying name to any Church, organization, congregation, nor ministry even if I could. As always the truth of God lays in three God given proofs that lead us to truth. First is witnesses-


DC 6:13b and in the mouth of two or three witnesses, shall every word be established.


Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.


-then in patterns (God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. There will always be a pattern)-


1 Titus 2:7-8

2:7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.



DC 52:4b And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations;



-and by the fruits they produce.



Luke 6:44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.


Yes we face this challenge together, but remember it is a quandary and just as perplexing for others as it is for you. Each of us must reach out to the Spirit of God and decide.


To the natural man there will appear to be no difference between the churches of this world and the church of the Lamb. All who advocate for either will be filled with both fire and determination. Both will be insatiable in their need to bring believers in to their ranks. Like the grave, the barren womb, the parched earth, and fire, they won't be satisfied until they possess all. Both will offer doctrines that seem spiritual, logical, and solid in their concepts. Both will taunt their superiority over the other, and both will stand justified by a world filled with the ignorance of innocence. Both will offer events and happenings that will enrapture and stun the onlooker, but one is truth and one is a lie. The difference becomes very apparent when the doctrines of each are applied to a community of people. Will they flourish and become a strong stable people capable of growth, or will they fall? Understand the differences between the two.


The ways of the world tend to centralize wealth and promote a strict caste system of servants dominated by the wealthy. The ways of God promote a system by which all are sustained in a like manner and ownership is a fluid concept based on need. In the ways of God those who are blessed with possessions will realize and support the idea that they possess in order to share with those who need.


2 Corinthians 9:6-9
9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.
9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work;
9:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness remaineth forever.


The ways of the world lock the individual in to a life's labor that reflects his abilities as compared to the needs of the community. In the ways of God the individual is taught how to excel in their chosen field of endeavor and how to apply that excellence to the welfare of the community. In God all things that each of us offer can be used for the good of the Kingdom.



Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.


The ways of the world discourage personal growth that can cause change. In the ways of God, the growth of the individual is essential. Change is essential. For, in the Kingdom of God the diversity of talents assures the strength of the fellowship. 


Psalms 92:12-13
92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

92:13 Those that he planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.


Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.


The ways of the world seek to conquer all who oppose them and force them to live as they do. The ways of God offer their ways and allow those who choose to join them grow in that choice. In fact our freedom to choose is protected by God.


Genesis 7:40 And in the garden of Eden gave I unto man his agency; and unto thy brethren have I said, and also gave commandment, that they should love one another; and that they should choose me their Father.


2 Nephi 1:119-120
1:119 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.
1:120 And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil:


In the ways of the world, those who are leaders rule with an iron hand. In the ways of God, the leaders serve the people with a willing heart. 


Matthew 23:8 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.


Governments of man support rigid ideals that create dissension and are destined be overthrown. The government of God creates a unity and oneness of spirit that will last forever. 


Isaiah 9:6-7
9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there is no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.


The spiritual ways of God will create a temporal prosperity that all will seek to learn. It is in this manner that God will restore this world to the perfection He created. Such are the ways of God; such is the need for our labor. 



Micah 4:1-2 
4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths; for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 


Am I trying to say that those that chose wrong are bound for Hell? No, what I am saying is that the churches of the world rely on traditions and rituals that can steal from its members both their freedom and their ability to choose. Traditions are in essence peer pressure offered up by dead people. Rituals when practiced enough times have the ability to be performed mindlessly. Neither foster nor require growth. In fact they insure that growth will neither be recognized nor offered. Rituals can replace the joy of diligent labor. Traditions can destroy willing obedience. We must help them.


Psalms 37:3-5
37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
37:5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
 

The churches of the world in the name of the adversary seek to deprive the people of the truth of God. As His children we need to know His truth and live that truth that all may see that they too can choose the ways of God. This can only happen if we are both prepared and aware. If we are to be properly prepared and motivated Priesthood must minister diligently and all must open their hearts fully to God's Spirit. But Brethren, this is only the beginning.


2 Nephi 13:24-30
13:24 For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water: and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire, and by the Holy Ghost.
13:25 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son;
13:26 And ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye enter in by the way, ye should receive.
13:27 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask, if all is done?
13:28 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far, save it were by the word of Christ, with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save;
13:29 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
13:30 Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
Authors note: This is a long passage. Please read more than once.

We must read and understand all that is given to us in this passage. 

To accept completely what we are offered, I would have you consider the richness of virtue offered here as if it were a wining lottery ticket. Having newfound wealth the compassion within you immediately recognizes what you can do to help those in need. Brethren understand that you possess the key to the gate that opens a path to an unending life filled with purpose working at the side of the omnipotent creator of the universe. No amount of money can purchase this. It must be accepted as a gift and shared with all those who will accept it. Let the compassion within you create a charitable attitude that will both see to the needs of those poor in spirit and inspire them to reach out to others in that same attitude.
  

Mosiah 3:3 And also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.


This is the labor of joy that defines our covenant and honors the one who sent us. We chose. We must give others the wherewithal to choose, too.


In His strength
By His way 
For His purpose

FRED