Saturday, March 9, 2019

Jesus Christ Proclaims The Plan of Salvation as Recorded in Chapters One, Two and Three of the Book of Revelation





Jesus Christ

Proclaims

The Plan of Salvation

Given by Revelation unto John a Servant of God

Recorded in Chapters One, Two and Three

of the

Book of Revelation














Joseph W. Linton

498 East 300 South, Logan Utah 84321

435 770-1826

NOTE:

Since our mission, I have completed the book that I have been laboring on for several years.  This is the first 36 pages.  I will post the second third in a couple of weeks and the final third will follow.
Transferring from Word to the blog wasn't entirely successful.  There are no page numbers but the end of each page is typically followed by footnotes.   Also graphic inserts did not transfer.
I appreciate comments you may have.   


























































For several years, I have felt prompted to write my feelings on the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation and how they relate to the fullness of the gospel in these latter days.  The extended process of reading, pondering, and praying for understanding of the Apostle John’s revelation and the correlation with other ancient and contemporary prophets has strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ and expanded my knowledge in the things of God.  I would that these writings may be of value to my posterity and an overarching interest may be of the hope expressed by Nephi, “I may persuade men to come unto … God … and be saved” (1 Nephi 6:4).  

The Plan of Salvation is “our Heavenly Father’s plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fullness of joy.  This plan is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and includes all the commandments, ordinances, and teachings of the gospel.”1 The prophetic words of Aaron further explain, “The plan of [salvation] … was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name” (Alma 22:13).

My initial impression in reading John’s Revelation was the significance of the re-occurring phrase in chapters two and three: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”2   I interpreted that directive as listen, this is very important.  As I underlined each listen phrase I found that the seven declarations, He that hath an ear, let him hear, is preceded by an introduction from the Savior.  In the declarations, our Redeemer announces himself as “[T]he first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;” [having] The sharp sword with two edges; [T]he Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet … like fine brass; [H]e that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth and shutteth, and no man openeth; [T]he Amen, the faithful and true witness, [and] the beginning of the creation of God.”3 

Joseph Smith was told by God the Father, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!4 Joseph listened and obeyed even as he faced years of brutal persecuting headwinds, culminating in his martyrdom.  Should we not listen and obey the admonitions of the Savior, our advocate with the Father, when he announces himself to us seven times and concludes each introduction with the admonition to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying?



1.       Missionary pamphlet, “The Plan of Salvation”, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

2.       Revelation 2:7,11,17,29,3:6,13,22

3.       Revelation 2:8,12,18, 3:7,14

4.        Joseph Smith - History, p49


This elicited in me an intense feeling that the Son of God, pronouncing himself physically and spiritually with all power through the keys of David, is offering us the principles by which we may partake of his grand and concluding promise, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelations 3:21).

During my readings of chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation, I consulted the Bible Dictionary, “Revelation of John.”  Under the heading, SOME GUIDELINES TO UNDERSTANDING, I was intrigued by the notation in paragraph 1: “The Revelation seems to be divided into two parts.  The first, Rev[elation] 1-3, deals with things at the time the Revelation was given, and is addressed to branches of the Church in seven cities of Asia.”  The Bible Dictionary further references Revelation 1:3 with the phrase, “the time is at hand,” and concludes, “These three chapters show clearly that the Church in that day was rapidly going into apostasy.”    

From the guidelines to understanding noted above, one might reach an assumption that the admonitions are not pertinent to us in these latter days.  For clarification, it is important to consider the Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 1:1-8.  These inspired translations add important insight when it addresses the first chapter of Revelation: “Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”5  The contrast between “the time is at hand” and “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” signifies a clear reference to the final days prior to the Lord’s triumphant return.  This places the first three chapters into a contemporary context; a time when the Apostle Paul describes as “… perilous … [when people] shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, … unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, … [and] lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3: 1-4). 

The many issues of transgression relative to our time are illustrated in chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation.  The safety net for avoiding these perils is likewise found in these chapters where we are instructed to hear what the spirit says unto all mankind.  By doing so, we will be blessed and spiritually fortified against the power of Satan because even now, the time is at hand.

The Book of Mormon substantiates John’s revelation in the Book of Ether where it speaks of our day.  Moroni abridged the writings of the brother of Jared in The Book of Mormon and sealed them up to come forth in this dispensation.  Therein, Christ testifies that he is “the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.”  Christ also admonishes the latter day Gentiles and the house of Israel to learn of great and marvelous things, hidden up from the foundation of the world by rending the “veil of unbelief.” 


5.       Joseph Smith Translation, p802



Christ further counsel’s the unbelievers to “call upon the Father in [His] name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.  And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people.  Remember when ye see these things, ye shall know that [the time is at hand] that they shall be made manifest in very deed.”  Christ concludes his promise with this blessing: … “he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, … shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world.  And behold it is I that hath spoken it.  Amen” (Ether 4:12, 15-16, 19).

The ancient prophet Nephi did “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Those who exercise faith in Christ “may become sanctified … even to the unfolding unto them all [his] revelations” (Ether 4:7).  Thus we have clarity in the importance of the first three chapters of The Revelation of John, being likened to our day --- the day of preparation for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Having reached the conclusion that Revelation chapters one, two, and three have an important message in a contemporary setting, I began an earnest study to understand the admonition to hear what the Spirit saith to us in the latter days from the Book of Revelation, which the Prophet Joseph Smith said is “one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (HC 5:342). 


The principle of gaining knowledge by revelation is the principle of salvation 6


Each of the seven epistles written by John are unique as they address virtues or transgressions within each church.  However, the blessings promised to those who overcome their deficiencies are addressed to all of the churches and are progressive in nature.  One can conclude that contemporary mankind is suffering from the same sins as those of the ancient church, but all mankind may receive the promised blessings through obedience in “[doing] the first works” (Revelation 2:5) and continuing to the last and greatest promise; “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne” (Revelation 3:21).

Further, Christ declares: “And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved.  Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him – Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.


6.        Revelation, Bible Dictionary (emphasis added)
  

Hearken, O ye people of my church, and ye elders listen together, and hear my voice while it is called today, and harden not your hearts; For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world – a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.  And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.  For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.  And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.  For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver” (D&C 45:6-7, 56-59). 

We are fast approaching the coming of our Savior and are prophetically counseled to prepare ourselves for the conclusion of the harvest of the last days, when the Lord shall say, “my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away” (Jacob 5:75). 

In summarizing the plan of salvation, President Russell M. Nelson says,  “The attributes by which we shall be judged one day are all spiritual.7 These include love, virtue, integrity, compassion, and service to others.8 Your spirit, coupled with and housed in your body, is able to develop and manifest these attributes in ways that are vital to your eternal progression.9   Spiritual progress is attained through the steps of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, including the endowment and sealing ordinances of the holy temple.”10

President Brigham Young inquired: “Do you read [the scriptures] as though you stood in the place of the men who wrote them?  If you do not feel thus, it is your privilege to do so that you may be as familiar with the spirit and meaning of the written word of God as you are with your daily walk and conversation.”11

7.        “The spirit, not the body, is the active responsible component of the soul.  Without the spirit, the body is dead (see James 2:26).  It is the spirit, therefore, that chooses good or evil and will be held accountable for both the positive and negative attributes it possesses at the Final Judgment (see Alma 41:3-7).”

8.        “Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:6)

9.        2 Nephi 2:11-16, 21-26; Moroni 10:33-34

10.     President Russell M. Nelson, “Thanks Be to God,” Ensign, April 2012

11.     Discourses of Brigham Young, p128


In the introductory three chapters of the Book of Revelation, Christ establishes his preeminence and pronounces seven blessings on those that partake of the gospel ordinances and endure to the end.  The last chapter of the Book of Revelation ends and reinforces the seven proclamations, and the universality of the plan of salvation in time and geography.  “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:16-17).

The significance of the first chapter of John’s revelation re-defines the purpose of the book through modern revelation and clarifies the broader context of who it is written for.  As an introduction, it is a frontal piece to the entire book of revelation with the last chapter being the book end and confirming the importance of not “taking away from the words of the book of this prophecy” (Revelation 22:19); or simply put, all twenty-two chapters are a singular revelation and all twenty-two chapters apply to the world in total - specifically speaking to those seeking Jesus Christ in these latter-days.

The second chapter is the promise of progressive additive blessings, beginning with the covenant of the first principles and ordinances12 and ending with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage (D&C 132:19).  Chapter three is an expansion on the blessings of chapter two with the final gift, for one who overcometh, of receiving the morning star (Revelation 2:28).  That is, one receiving the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ for one’s sins in mortality.

Over many years, the numerous and miraculous blessings I have received are not by my merits, but by the infinite love of a Father in Heaven who lifts my hands when they hang down in mortal weakness and anguish.  Jesus Christ stands ready to rescue all who forsake the carnal world and partake of the principles of his plan of salvation. 

I have received a greater understanding of our Eternal Father’s glorious plan and a measure of joy through my studies of the Book of Revelation and pray that others may likewise be blessed as they contemplate these gifts pronounced by Jesus Christ.  I know that a fullness of joy is afforded to those who follow his plan of happiness.  I testify that our Savior lives and that he has atoned for our sins and therein blesses us with the opportunity to repent and partake of his magnificent and infinite atonement.

  

12.     Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith, 4 


In God’s mercy, he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us.13

His plan of happiness was initiated by our Eternal Father when he presided over the grand council in the pre-existence.  There, Jesus Christ laid the foundations of the earth and corner stone for the plan of salvation, giving all mankind the opportunity to receive immortality and obtain eternal life, whereupon,

The Morning Stars Sang Together,

and

All The Sons of God Shouted for Joy 14



13.     Alma 24:14 (emphasis added)

14.     Job 38:6-7 (emphasis added)


Jesus Christ

A Testament By John the Revelator


REVELATIONS 1:1-8 JST



1 The Revelation of John, a servant of God, which was given unto him of Jesus Christ, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, that he sent and signified by his angel unto his servant John,

2 Who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

4 Now this is the testimony of John to the seven servants who are over the seven churches in Asia.  Grace unto you, and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; who hath sent forth his angel from before his throne, to testify unto those who are the seven servants over the seven churches.

5 Therefore, I, John, the faithful witness, bear record of the things which were delivered me of the angel, and from Jesus Christ the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

6 And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father.  To him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.

7 For behold, he cometh in the clouds with ten thousands of his saints in the kingdom, clothed with the glory of his Father.  And every eye shall see him; and they who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.

8 For he saith, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the almighty.


The Revelation of John, a servant of God, which was given unto him of Jesus Christ, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, that he sent and signified by his angel unto his servant John, [w]ho bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (Revelation 1:1-3)


The three introductory verses of chapter one of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Book of Revelations, clarifies the purpose of John’s witness to mankind:


The revelation is from Jesus Christ Given to show unto Christ’s Servants things that must shortly come to pass

Christ sent an angel to his servant John to bear record of the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ and all that John saw

Those that understand and obey the words of this prophecy will receive eternal life

The coming of the Lord draweth nigh


John, an Apostle of the Lord, received and wrote the Book of Revelation following the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior.  The Savior’s mortal mission was complete and his faithful servants were likewise facing intense persecution which often ended in martyrdom.  When John writes what he is shown, he notes that they are things which must shortly come to pass with an additional confirmation that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  John testifies that the revelation regards the ancient church, with a parallel and additional message that is significantly relevant to the world today; particularly to the latter-day saints of The Church of Jesus Christ.

 In the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants, “The coming of the Lord”1 is a common reference to His Second Coming.  The inspired translation correction from the time is at hand to the coming of the Lord draweth nigh clarifies that the Book of Revelation, in its entirety, foreshadows “the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”2

No one knows when the triumphant return of the Savior will be, though we do know that those “…who serve together in the priesthood are preparing a people for the coming of the Lord to His Church.”3

President Thomas S. Monson recently quoted President Ezra Taft Benson, who said more than thirty years ago, “For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord. Some individuals will fall away, but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its Head – even Jesus Christ.  While this generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time: God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest … children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly.”4 



Now this is the testimony of John to the seven servants who are over the seven churches in Asia.  Grace unto you, and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; who hath sent forth his angel from before his throne, to testify unto those who are the seven servants over the seven churches.  Therefore, I, John, the faithful witness, bear record of the things which were delivered me of the angel, and from Jesus Christ the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.

And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father.  To him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6)




1.        Luke 12:36-40, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16, James 5:7-8, 2 Peter 3:11-12, D&C 84:28, 88:95-102, 106:4 

2.        Mark 13:26

3.        President Henry B. Eyring, “The Preparatory Priesthood,” Ensign, November 2014

4.        President Thomas S. Monson, “Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign, November 2011





To an endowed Latter-day Saint, Revelation 1:6 is a familial blessing of eternal significance.5  Elder L. Tom Perry taught this singularly important doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “The entire theology of our restored gospel centers on families and on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.”6  This covenant of marriage endues the wondrous blessings of being made kings [and queens] priests [and Priestesses] unto our God (Revelations 5:10).  For these promised gifts and blessings, all glory and dominion is given forever and ever to God the Eternal Father. 



For behold, he cometh in the clouds with ten thousands of his saints in the kingdom, clothed with the glory of his Father.  And every eye shall see him; and they who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.  For he saith, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:7-8)

The angel testifies: at the last day, Christ will come in the clouds of glory with ten thousands of his saints who will also be clothed with glory given of the Father.  All the disobedient upon the earth will see Him and will wail because they will see the folly of their wickedness and will perceive the judgement that shall come upon them.  Jude, the brother of James, and one of the brethren of the Lord, cites Enoch who also prophesied of this seminal event, when “the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and … convince … them of all their ungodly deeds” (Jude 1:14-15).

Furthermore, the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants is a voice of warning to all people: “Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.  For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated” (D&C 1:1-2).  “The Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man” (D&C 1:10).  “For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen” (D&C 1:39).





5.        D&C 22:1, 131:2

6.        Elder L. Tom Perry, “Why Marriage and Family Matter – Everywhere in the World,” Ensign, May 2015  






Jesus Christ

Charges John the Revelator

to

Write That Which He Sees


REVELATIONS 1:9-20 JST

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 

17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.  And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 

18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the servants of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.



I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)

As a fellow brother of those in the service of Jesus Christ, John testifies he too is a companion in the tribulation and the required patience of the Lord.  John’s humble acknowledgement should give us a sense of comfort in knowing an apostle of God doesn’t consider himself above or more worthy than other of God’s children.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells those of us, who “feel small and weak, please simply come unto Christ, who makes weak things strong, (Ether 12:27).  The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God ‘is no respecter of persons’ (Acts 10:34).  He is our ‘faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments’” (Deuteronomy 7:9).7

Humility is a hallmark of a servant of Christ.



I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:10-11)


John, having received these revelations on the Lord’s day, reminds us that this is a day of spiritual introspection and … “delight, the holy [day] of the LORD, … and [we should] … honour him, [ by] not doing … [our] own ways, nor finding [our] own pleasure, nor speaking … [of worldly things]: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah 58:13-14).


7.        President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On Being Genuine,” Ensign, April 2015



The heritage of Jacob is best described in the Doctrine and Covenants wherein “Isaac … and Jacob did none other things than that which they are commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are … gods” (D&C 132:37).



And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven [churches]; and in the midst of the seven [churches] one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; And his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  And he had in his right hand seven [servants]: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.  And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are servants of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:12-20)


        One unique, but not uncommon scriptural characteristic in the revelation of John, is the use of symbolism.  Joseph Smith’s translation clarifies the meaning of the seven golden candlesticks as seven churches and the seven stars or angels as seven servants. (Revelations 1:20, 2:18). 

 Considering Jewish Symbolism8, the number seven can also add clarity and be considered to reflect a broader spectrum of importance.  The number seven is used in part as the “covenant of holiness and sanctification” and “all association with God.”

Therefore, the seven servants and seven churches referenced in these epistles may symbolically be represented as:

These things saith He that holdeth the servants of the covenant of holiness and sanctification in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the church with the priesthood keys of all things in association with God  


Utilizing this interpretation of seven, we can see clearly the importance of the declarations made by Christ in chapters two and three of the revelation.  They are relevant to our day and warrant an in-depth study in the context of the plan of salvation and the miracle of the tender mercies of God, through the new and everlasting covenants, restored in these latter-days (D&C 22:1, 131:2, 132:6-7). 

Each proclamation written by John is unique and addressed to the church in each of the seven cities.  In the proclamations, the sinful are called to repentance and to those who overcome their transgressions, there are promised blessings.  One can conclude that contemporary mankind is suffering from similar sins and by repentance, obedience, and enduring to the end, may likewise be blessed with these many gifts promised by our Savior Jesus Christ.  These blessings are progressive in nature and by “doing the first works” (Revelations 2:5) and each of the subsequent commandments, one may receive the last and greatest promise:

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne 9



8.        Jewish Symbolism, the symbolic values of numbers:

“The number seven was the general symbol for all association with God, and was the favorite religious number of Judaism, typifying the covenant of holiness and sanctification, and also all that was holy and sanctifying in purpose. The candlestick had seven lamps, and the acts of atonement and purification were accompanied by a sevenfold sprinkling. The establishment of the Sabbath, the Sabbatical year, and the year of jubilee was based on the number seven, as were the periods of purification and of mourning. The number 7 is the Divine number of completion.”

Wikipedia, Maude, Mary Fawler (1862). Scripture manners and customs. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. p. 600. ISBN 1-147-04502-X. Retrieved 2010-09-28.                            

        9.      Revelations 3:21, (emphasis added)


Jesus Christ

Proclamation One

I Give You

The First Principles and Ordinances of My Gospel

Those Who Overcome

Shall Eat of the Tree of Life in The Paradise of God


REVELATIONS 2:1-7 JST

1 Unto the servant of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven [servants] in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden [churches];

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 


6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  To him that overcometh. I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.



These things saith he that holdeth the seven servants in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven churches (Revelation 2:1) 


These things are addressed to all mankind, for “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).  Those of God’s children that accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and are faithful, have great comfort in knowing Jesus Christ, the perfect Son and Redeemer of the World, “will not forsake” (Deuteronomy 4:31) his promise and singular purpose of blessing mankind with the profound gift of immortality and eternal life – for this is his “work and … glory” (Moses 1:39).    Though one may be a servant of the covenant of holiness and sanctification in the church with the keys of all things in association with God,1 only Jesus Christ can bring to fruition our fondest desires of being in an eternal family.  He is our Elder Brother who made the great and last sacrifice that we, who are so wholly inadequate, may return to our Heavenly home clothed with power and glory in the fullness of joy and “to go no more out” (Alma 7:25, Revelation 3:12).

Christ “doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.… he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money without price” (2 Nephi 26:24-25).  We are to “… look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, [that we] might live, even unto that life which is eternal” (Helaman 8:15).  


God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life 2



I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. (Revelation 2:2-3)


Jesus Christ knows the heart of the righteous and he defines the nature of that person who shows promise in coming unto him.  This person is not faint of heart but labors innately with patience in doing those things which bring forth good fruit.  


1.        See end note 8 page 17

2.        John 3:16 (emphasis added)


This individual cannot bear wickedness and has discernment as guided by the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost in qualifying those who are evil in finding them to be liars.

In contrast, those things that are of God invite us “… to do good continually …” and everything that directs and encourages us to be inclined “… to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God” (Moroni 7:13).  Apostle M. Russell Ballard tells us, “the gospel of truth and light attracts the honest in heart and the honorable of the earth, who seek what is moral and good.”3 President Joseph Fielding Smith testified: “To the honest in heart in all nations, … [t]he Lord loves you.  He wants you to receive the full blessings of the gospel.  He is now inviting you to believe the Book of Mormon, to accept Joseph Smith as a prophet, and to come into his earthly kingdom and thereby become heirs of eternal life in his heavenly kingdom.”4

In the New Testament, when Christ called eager followers unto him, he proclaims: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  Apostle Neil O. Andersen states: “As we follow the Savior, without question there will be challenges that confront us.  Approached with faith, these refining experiences bring a deeper conversion of the Savior’s reality.”5

In these latter days, there is a dramatic contrast of choice between the light of Christ and the darkness of Lucifer.  An Angel of God, in speaking to an ancient prophet of The Book of Mormon, foretold of these times when he prophesied that “… the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other – either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil …” (1 Nephi 14:7). 



3.        See end note 8 page 17

4.        John 3:16 (emphasis added)

5.        Elder M. Russell Ballard, “That the Lost May Be Found,” May 2012



Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen. (Revelation 2:4-5) 


Jesus Christ counsels us to remember we have fallen from our first love, or first estate in the pre-existence, where we lived with our heavenly family.  In this spiritual realm, under the direction of our Eternal Father, our Savior taught and implemented the plan of salvation.  This glorious plan of eternal life and immortality was understood and sustained by all mankind that has lived, or shall yet live on the earth.  Because we have chosen the plan of salvation and partaken of mortality we are fallen from God’s presence and Jesus Christ knows the trials we, who have chosen to follow him, will face in mortality.  Because of the fall, “… our natures have become evil continually …” and since we are carnal and subject to the flesh “… we are unworthy before [him] …” (Ether 3:2).  Therefore, Christ expresses His being somewhat against us. 

After we show a desire to be engaged in righteousness, Christ gives us insight into the pre-existence with our Heavenly Parents who we left to experience mortality.  Christ taught that the “… first and great commandment” is to “… love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37-38).  This familial reference is to the God of Heaven that truly is our Eternal Father, who gave us spiritual life and established the path of return to His presence. 

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us that “… in [our] first estate, [or pre-existence, we] knew with absolute certainty that God existed because [we] saw and heard Him.  [We] knew Jesus Christ, who would become the Lamb of God [and we] had faith in Him.  [We also knew that our] destiny was not to stay in the security of our premortal home.  As much as [we] loved that eternal sphere, [to progress we] needed [and agreed to] embark on [our physical] journey.  [We were destined to] depart from the arms of [our Eternal] Father, pass through a veil of forgetfulness, receive a mortal body, and learn and experience things that hopefully would help us grow to become more like [our] Father in Heaven and return to His presence.”6 

Because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, “It was appointed unto man to die…, cut off from the tree of life [or the pure love of God], and man became lost forever, yea, they became fallen man … cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord; and … subjects to follow after their own will.”  By natural instinct, “[man] become carnal, sensual, and devilish, … [and] this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state” (Alma 42:6-7, 10).


6.         President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Wonderful Journey Home,” Ensign, May 2013



We need to understand how deeply our Eternal Father loves and beckons his children to come unto him.  The principles of following Jesus Christ, through repentance and baptism, were clearly instructed by Alma to his son Corianton.  “Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come and, partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds. … Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but … let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility [and recognize this truth]; … the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state. [Therefore, repentance is necessary, however] mercy [cannot] take effect except it should destroy the work of justice.… [T]he work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. … [T]he plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. … Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man” (Alma 42:27, 30,13, 15, 18).

For one who repents, mercy and the resurrection are fruits of the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Mankind is restored to the presence of God to be judged by their works “… according to the law of justice. … Justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. … And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world.  And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery” (Alma 42:23-24, 26).    

The fallen man was given the gift of a mortal body along with the challenge and blessing of agency.  “It must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.  Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.  Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other” (2 Nephi 2:15-16). 

Finally, the question again: “… which is the great commandment in the law?”  Which Jesus answers: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:36-37).  Joseph Smith received a similar admonition to “… love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy might, mind, and strength” with the additional charge to serve God “… in the name of Jesus Christ” (D&C 59:5). 

 A key to our progress and salvation is keeping this great commandment in the law and remembering that we are children of Eternal Parents,7 and by this knowledge know how significant we are to our Father in Heaven.  We have the opportunity and responsibility to prayerfully commune with Him in the name of Jesus Christ and to humbly submit unto Him our weaknesses, that He may make “… weak things become strong …” (Ether 12:27). 


Repent, and do the first works; [first principles and ordinances of the gospel] or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy [church] with the  [the keys of all things in association with God] out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:5) 


We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are:

first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;

second, Repentance;

third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;

fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.8



            Man was in the beginning with God” (D&C 93:29) and in the pre-existence we had a perfect knowledge of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.   Having fallen from the kingdom of God, man is looking “… through a glass, darkly …” (1 Corinthians 13:12) and cannot remember the pre-existence nor covenants made there. 

From Ancient and modern scripture, we know that the fallen man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and like God, we have the gift of choice or agency, which is “the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power.”9  By this principle, we are tested by the principle of obedience, both agency and obedience are essential to progression.  Another God-like attribute of man is the gift of “intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.  Light and truth forsake that evil one.  Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God.  And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men and because of the tradition of their fathers” (D&C 93:36-39). 

7.        Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “O My Father” Hymn 292

8.        Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 4

9.        Merriam Webster, Definition of Agency  

 

Having the gifts of light, truth and agency, we are tested by the principle of obedience, all of which is essential to progress and return to our heavenly home.

Because we are fallen and without hope of returning to God under our own volition, the Book of Mormon prophet, Amulek, taught the necessity of the atonement: “… for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all … are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement. … It is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.”  Amulek further testified, “… that [the] great and last sacrifice [is] the Son of God, yea infinite and eternal.  Thus He shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on His name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which [will overpower] justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.  Thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.  Begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you” (Alma 34:9-10,14-17).

Jesus Christ taught Moses “that by reason of the transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; for by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. … This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten …” (Moses 6:59-62).

Jesus Christ’s commandment to do the first works, or first principles and ordinances of the gospel, is to all nations.  He further says that “the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; for they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall” (D&C 1:14-16).

            Apostle James E. Talmage succinctly teaches the first principles and ordinances of the gospel in his book Jesus the Christ: “The narrative between Nicodemus and Christ constitutes one of our most instructive and precious scriptures relating to the absolute necessity of unreserved compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel, as the means indispensable to salvation.  Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, through whom alone men may gain eternal life; forsaking of sin by resolute turning away from the gross darkness of evil to the saving light of righteousness; the unqualified requirement of a new birth through baptism in water, and this of necessity by the mode of immersion, since otherwise the figure of a birth would be meaningless; and the completion of the new birth through baptism by the Spirit – all these principles are taught… in such simplicity and plainness as to make plausible no man’s excuse for ignorance.10

Faith 

Since my earliest days, I’ve known that “I’m a child of God.”11  Faith in my Father in Heaven has always been a singular and powerful comfort to me.  Like many, there is within me an impression that I came to earth with that innate conformation of spiritual belief - I also know that my parents, teachers and leaders taught me faith through word, song, and example throughout my youth and into adulthood.  With this reinforcement, I am still growing in the desire to have complete “… confidence in [Jesus Christ] without reservation” (Bible Dictionary, Faith).

Faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and “faith [comes] not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.… [S]igns come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God….  [W]ithout faith no man pleaseth God” (D&C 63:9-11). 

Alma instructs us “concerning faith – faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, therefore if [we] have faith [we] hope for things which are not seen which are true.”  He further encourages us to “awake and arouse [our] faculties, even to an experiment upon [the words of Christ], and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if [we] can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in [us], even until [we] believe in a manner that [we] can give place for a portion of [Christ’s] words.” If we nurture this particle of faith, by embracing the Spirit of the Lord, “it will begin to swell within [our breast]; and when [we] feel these swelling motions, [we] will begin to say within [ourselves] … the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:21,27,28).



10.     Talmage, Jesus the Christ page 152, Jesus and Nicodemus, St John 3:1-21

11.     Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “I Am a Child of God” Hymn 301



If we continue to nourish faith, Alma further teaches that our “understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and [our] mind doth begin to expand … because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible; therefore, [we] must know that it is good.”  By planting the seed of faith and nurturing it through continued study, prayer, and meditation, “it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.  And because of [our] diligence and [our] faith and [our] patience with the word in nourishing it … it may take root in [us], behold, by and by [we] shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and [we] shall feast upon this fruit even until [we] are filled, that [we] hunger not, neither shall [we] thirst” (Alma 32:34-35,41-42).

The apostle and brother of our Lord, James, instructs those of us who lack wisdom yet desire to know truth, to “… ask of God, [who] giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”  The glories of the kingdom of God will be made known to those of faith; “even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 1:5-6, 2:17).

 Followers of Jesus Christ believe that “he [will] manifest himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost according to their faith” (2 Nephi 26:13).  By faith, a “mighty change” may be brought about in one’s heart.  If we are humble and “put [our] trust in the true and living God [and are] “faithful until the end [we will be] saved.  [Jesus Christ has] “come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life” (Alma 5:13, 11:40).                             

As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name 12 
Repentance

The second principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is repentance.  Those of us who understand good and evil are accountable to God, and since we live among corrupt societies, we are under condemnation and guilty of sin in one degree or another.



12.     John 1:12 (emphasis added)


We know that our “Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (Alma 45:16).  Therefore, we must continually exercise repentance as we evaluate our conduct.  This process of turning from sin is strengthened through covenants made or renewed with our Savior and being anxiously engaged in works of goodness. A repentant life opens the door to our Savior’s grace and enables the return to our heavenly home of spiritual birth.

Forsaking sin often requires strength beyond our own.  This holy strength comes by faith in God, which brings about the “power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in [Christ and repent] “and come unto [him], and be baptized in [his] name, [and by continued faith in him, we] may be saved” (Moroni 7:33-34).  “There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9).

By the “light of Christ”13 and the power of the Holy Ghost, the gift of knowing right from wrong has always been a part of my life.  When wrong choices were made, I learned the value and blessings of repentance.  My earliest recollection of this important lesson, was experienced in the neighborhood grocery store owned by a family friend.  To a small boy, who was raised in a righteous home of meager circumstance, the allure of candy was beyond my capacity to resist and when no-one was looking, I put a small wrapped piece of candy in my pocket.  Soon after leaving the store, the pain of guilt was overwhelming.  Passing by the store owner’s house, I put the candy in his mailbox hoping for forgiveness of the theft.  It would have been a better lesson to have faced the store owner personally, but the lesson was sufficient to want never to repeat my youthful mistake. 

I would that this experience was the only misstep in my life, and I can relate to Nephi when he confesses: “my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.”  Following his lament, he testifies:  “God hath been my support … [and] hath filled me with his love.”  Nephi further exclaims: “Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul” (2nd Nephi 4:17, 20-21, 28).  This emotional lament for transgressions and joy of the Saviors atonement, is of great significance and sung often by the followers of righteousness.  Learning to choose good over evil is a process by which we progress toward the sacred goal of eternal life.

Calling the fallen man to repentance is a basic principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Lord makes this clear when He declared: “Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth.  Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (D&C 133:16).


13.     President Boyd K. Packer, “These Things I Know,” Ensign, May 2013


The Lord gives solace from the burden of sin when he further proclaimed: “Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.  Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel” (D&C 33:11-12).

Mankind has, by nature of the fall, been given imperfections and we give “thanks unto God that he hath made manifest… our imperfections, that we may learn to be more wise” (Mormon 9:31) and learn to avoid the temptations and sins “which… so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1, 2 Nephi 4:18, Alma 7:15).  Thankfully “The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20) and “because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood” (1 Nephi 12:10).  “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which should make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:14).

Through the atonement of “Christ and the power of his resurrection, [we may] be raised unto life eternal [with God the Eternal Father by] faith in him.… If a man [has] faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.… He cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart” (Moroni 7:41-43). “Redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth.  He offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (2 Nephi 2:6-7). Through Jesus Christ, “the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free” (2 Nephi 2:4) for those who come unto him.

In the first chapter of “The Book of the Prophet Isaiah,” the children of Israel are rebuked as apostate, rebellious and corrupt.  Despite being condemned, even as Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord petitions the wicked to cease doing evil and make oneself clean with this atoning promise of mercy:


Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow 14 

Alma, the unbelieving son of Alma, had caused much destruction in the church of God and was called to repentance by an angel of the Lord.  After two days and two nights of wading through much tribulation and repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy snatched him out of an everlasting burning, and Alma declared “I am born of God [and] my soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity.


14.     Isaiah 1:18 (emphasis added)


  I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God.” (Mosiah 27:28-29).   Almost two decades later, Alma the younger, a high priest over the church, began a mission to deliver the word of God to the people throughout all the land and asked these penetrating questions which are pertinent today:


Brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?  Do you exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?  Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? … Can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? … Can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands?  I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? 15

Baptism


Baptism by immersion is the third principle of the gospel and was taught by example when Jesus Christ came “… from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straight-way out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13, 16-17). Moreover, “… if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!” (2 Nephi 31:5).  Therefore, “… by [baptism and] keeping the commandments, [we] might be washed and cleansed from all [our] sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power” (D&C 76:52).

  

15.     Alma 5:14-16, 19


Alma, believing the words of the Lamanite prophet Abinadi, taught those who also believed in the prophetic word: “… [A]s ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light… and are willing to mourn with those that mourn… and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:8-9).

Alma then asks the congregation, “[I]f this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah 18:10).

Our Eternal Father calls upon all mankind to “repent … and be baptized in the name of (his) Beloved Son.”  And, The Beloved Son said: “He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Nephi 31:11-12). 
                                   

Why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord 16

                              

              The Gift of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost is administered by the laying on of hands by one having authority.  Anticipating the anxiety of the ancient apostles regarding his leaving, Christ assured them with a promise of continued revelation through “… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26-27).  The assurance of receiving “… power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” (Acts 1:8) is a gift promised all righteous members of his church.



16.     Acts 22:16 (emphasis added)


Parley P. Pratt, one of the early apostles of Christ’s restored gospel, said we are “… intelligent being[s], in the image of God, [and] possess … every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself.  He further defines these attributes being “possessed by man in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of the word.  Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed.  They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.  The gift of the Holy [Ghost] adapts itself to all these organs or attributes.  It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use.  It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature.  It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity.  It develops beauty of person, form and features.  It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling.  It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man.  It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves.  In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.17

In my youth, one of our family activities was going to the twenty-fourth of July parade in Salt Lake City, Utah.  As a pre-teen, I was bashful and insecure in the crowds that lined the street and always found comfort in the shelter of my mother, father and siblings.  I believe we only went to the parade three or four times, and the last trip is indelibly marked in my consciousness. On this occasion, I remember not being able to see the parade because so many people were standing in front of us.  My attention was brought to an open spot to my right that was some distance from the security of my family.  Uncharacteristically, I made my way to the opening and found myself standing alone on the curb.  A quiet comfort settled around me and within seconds I had a burning, tingling sensation that enveloped my entire body.  I was euphoric and stood frozen as I exalted in the wonderous feeling.  I wasn’t conscious of the noise, crowds or floats as they passed by.  Suddenly my solitude was interrupted by a voice over the loud speaker which introduced David O. McKay and his wife Emma Ray.  The voice startled me as the fire within me continued to burn and suddenly I realized the Prophet of God was passing just a few feet in front me.  Today, that experience is a fundamental part of my testimony and the power I experienced as the Holy Ghost bore witness to me of the reality of a living prophet of God.       

This gift and power of the Holy Ghost is not understood by the worldly man.  It is “by small and simple things [that] … great things [are] brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6-7).



17.     Parley P. Pratt, Effect of the Holy Ghost on the Individual, Key to Theology, 96, 97 (4th ed.) Talmage, Articles of Faith page 487, Appendix 8



The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost 18 

But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6)

Nicolaitans are defined in the Bible Dictionary as “[a]n Antinomian sect in Asia Minor that claimed license for sensual sin.”  Antinomian, in the Merriam Webster dictionary, is “one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.”  Or, “one who rejects a socially established morality.”  Wikipedia explains it further: “In Christianity, an antinomian is one who takes the principle of salvation by faith and divine grace to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow the moral law contained in the ten commandments.”19   The distinction between antinomian and other Christian views on moral law is that antinomians believe that obedience to the law is motivated by an internal principle flowing from belief rather than from any external compulsion.”20



He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:7)

We learn from the book of Moses that God’s work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  Immortality is the gift of the resurrection promised all mankind.  The greater gift of eternal life is given to those who, through their righteous endeavors, have been purified and cleansed of all sin through the blood of the Lamb of God and are blessed to live eternally in the presence of God, our Eternal Father.

18.     Romans 14:17 (emphasis added)

19.     Wikipedia, Antinomianism, In Christianity.  Puritans and Puritanism in Europe and America.  ABC-CLIO. 2006. P. 306. ISBN 9781576076781.  Marie, André (17 September 2013).  “Simian Antinomianism”.  Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Retrieved 28 May 2018.

20.     Wikipedia, Antinomianism, In Christianity.  Como, David R. (2004).  “Blown by the Spirit: Puritanism and the Emergence of an Antinomian Underground in Pre-Civil-War England.”  Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. P. 36.  ISBN 9780804744430.




Isaiah, speaking Messianically of our day, called upon all mankind, “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city (Isaiah 52:1). 

In a prophetic witness of The Plan of Salvation, Nephi exclaims, “O how great the plan of our God!  The paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh…. “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 righteousness” (2 Nephi 9:13-14).

The prophet, Joseph Smith, and six elders received the revelation regarding eternal life, “… there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.  For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fullness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea.… [T]hen shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth – yea, even all.  And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father” (D&C 29:23-24, 26-27). 

Regarding Israel, or “true believers in Christ”21 Isaiah said that “… since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him” (Isaiah 64:4).  

In giving the parable of the sower, Christ likewise emphasized those who desire to come unto him when he expresses: “[w]ho hath ears to hear, let him hear.  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. … For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest22 at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:9-13, 15).  Christ makes it clear that many deny themselves the wondrous blessings of the atonement and eternal life out of fear of or apprehension of the responsibility required in following him.



21.     Israel, Bible Dictionary

22.     “For fear that” – often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary: lest


 Concerning transgressors in the church, Alma “poured out his whole soul to God [and] the voice of the Lord came to him, saying: … “[H]e that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and … shall [be received] into the church, and him will I also receive.”  Christ clarifies that in his church, … “whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance.  And whomsoever … shall believe in my name; … him will I freely forgive.  For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.  For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand” (Mosiah 26:14, 21-24).



To him that overcometh I give to eat of the tree of life [or The Love of God],23 which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

We are instructed to “… stand in holy places” (D&C 101:22) and by emphasis told twice to awake and put on the strength of Zion’s “power of [the] priesthood” and as additional emphasis to put on the beautiful garments of Zion (Isaiah 52:1, 2 Nephi 8:24, D&C 113:7-8).  We are further told to be clothed in … “the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to withstand in the evil day,” (Ephesians 6:13) “ … because iniquity shall abound [and] the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12-13).  The covenant to the faithful made by Christ gives us comfort in a world of turmoil: “ … [H]e that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come” (D&C 63:20).

At the conclusion of the Book of Revelations, the Savior exclaims: “ … [B]ehold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life [or love of God],23 and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelations 22:12-14). 

Jesus Christ directed two of His ancient prophets of the Americas to command: “… all mankind, yea men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures” (Mosiah 27:25).  “… I, Alma,… command you in the language of him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you.

23.     1 Nephi 11:21-22

I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life” (Alma 5:61-62).

Like many who have partaken of baptism by the power of the Holy Priesthood, I still recall the feeling of cleanliness when I was baptized at eight years of age.  In my senior years I joy in partaking of the sacrament and feel spiritually refreshed with the renewed commitment to overcome weaknesses that “do so easily beset me” (2nd Nephi 2:14), and be more deliberate to “stand in holy places” (D&C 45:32, 101:22) in a troubled world. 

In the mission field I found an often-asked question, “What is my purpose?” is simply explained in the children’s hymn “I will follow God’s Plan:” 


My life is a gift; my life has a plan, my life has a purpose; in heav’n it began, my choice was to come to this lovely home on earth and seek for God’s light to direct me from birth, I will follow God’s plan for me, Holding fast to his word and his love.  I will work, and I will pray; I will al-ways walk in his way. Then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above 24


Calling upon Adam, God said, “If [men will] turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all [their] transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost“ (Moses 6:52),  which “acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from all sin.”25  Our Eternal Father clarifies that it is “… by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things; which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.… This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten” (Moses 6:51-52,60-62).


This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 26 



24.     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Children’s Songbook, I Will Follow God’s Plan, 164 (emphasis added)

25.     Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost,” page 661










































For several years, I have felt prompted to write my feelings on the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation and how they relate to the fullness of the gospel in these latter days.  The extended process of reading, pondering, and praying for understanding of the Apostle John’s revelation and the correlation with other ancient and contemporary prophets has strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ and expanded my knowledge in the things of God.  I would that these writings may be of value to my posterity and an overarching interest may be of the hope expressed by Nephi, “I may persuade men to come unto … God … and be saved” (1 Nephi 6:4).  
The Plan of Salvation is “our Heavenly Father’s plan to enable us to become like Him and receive a fullness of joy.  This plan is centered on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and includes all the commandments, ordinances, and teachings of the gospel.”1 The prophetic words of Aaron further explain, “The plan of [salvation] … was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name” (Alma 22:13).
My initial impression in reading John’s Revelation was the significance of the re-occurring phrase in chapters two and three: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”2   I interpreted that directive as listen, this is very important.  As I underlined each listen phrase I found that the seven declarations, He that hath an ear, let him hear, is preceded by an introduction from the Savior.  In the declarations, our Redeemer announces himself as “[T]he first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;” [having] The sharp sword with two edges; [T]he Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet … like fine brass; [H]e that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth and shutteth, and no man openeth; [T]he Amen, the faithful and true witness, [and] the beginning of the creation of God.”3 
Joseph Smith was told by God the Father, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!4 Joseph listened and obeyed even as he faced years of brutal persecuting headwinds, culminating in his martyrdom.  Should we not listen and obey the admonitions of the Savior, our advocate with the Father, when he announces himself to us seven times and concludes each introduction with the admonition to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying?

1.       Missionary pamphlet, “The Plan of Salvation”, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
2.       Revelation 2:7,11,17,29,3:6,13,22
3.       Revelation 2:8,12,18, 3:7,14
4.        Joseph Smith - History, p49
This elicited in me an intense feeling that the Son of God, pronouncing himself physically and spiritually with all power through the keys of David, is offering us the principles by which we may partake of his grand and concluding promise, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne” (Revelations 3:21).
During my readings of chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation, I consulted the Bible Dictionary, “Revelation of John.”  Under the heading, SOME GUIDELINES TO UNDERSTANDING, I was intrigued by the notation in paragraph 1: “The Revelation seems to be divided into two parts.  The first, Rev[elation] 1-3, deals with things at the time the Revelation was given, and is addressed to branches of the Church in seven cities of Asia.”  The Bible Dictionary further references Revelation 1:3 with the phrase, “the time is at hand,” and concludes, “These three chapters show clearly that the Church in that day was rapidly going into apostasy.”    
From the guidelines to understanding noted above, one might reach an assumption that the admonitions are not pertinent to us in these latter days.  For clarification, it is important to consider the Joseph Smith Translation, Revelation 1:1-8.  These inspired translations add important insight when it addresses the first chapter of Revelation: “Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”5  The contrast between “the time is at hand” and “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” signifies a clear reference to the final days prior to the Lord’s triumphant return.  This places the first three chapters into a contemporary context; a time when the Apostle Paul describes as “… perilous … [when people] shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, … unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, … [and] lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3: 1-4). 
The many issues of transgression relative to our time are illustrated in chapters two and three of the Book of Revelation.  The safety net for avoiding these perils is likewise found in these chapters where we are instructed to hear what the spirit says unto all mankind.  By doing so, we will be blessed and spiritually fortified against the power of Satan because even now, the time is at hand.
The Book of Mormon substantiates John’s revelation in the Book of Ether where it speaks of our day.  Moroni abridged the writings of the brother of Jared in The Book of Mormon and sealed them up to come forth in this dispensation.  Therein, Christ testifies that he is “the light, and the life, and the truth of the world.”  Christ also admonishes the latter day Gentiles and the house of Israel to learn of great and marvelous things, hidden up from the foundation of the world by rending the “veil of unbelief.”
5.       Joseph Smith Translation, p802

Christ further counsel’s the unbelievers to “call upon the Father in [his] name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.  And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people.  Remember when ye see these things, ye shall know that [the time is at hand] that they shall be made manifest in very deed.”  Christ concludes his promise with this blessing: … “he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, … shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world.  And behold it is I that hath spoken it.  Amen” (Ether 4:12, 15-16, 19).
The ancient prophet Nephi did “liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23). Those who exercise faith in Christ “may become sanctified … even to the unfolding unto them all [his] revelations” (Ether 4:7).  Thus we have clarity in the importance of the first three chapters of The Revelation of John, being likened to our day --- the day of preparation for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. 
Having reached the conclusion that Revelation chapters one, two, and three have an important message in a contemporary setting, I began an earnest study to understand the admonition to hear what the Spirit saith to us in the latter days from the Book of Revelation, which the Prophet Joseph Smith said is “one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written” (HC 5:342).
The principle of gaining knowledge by revelation is the principle of salvation 6
Each of the seven epistles written by John are unique as they address virtues or transgressions within each church.  However, the blessings promised to those who overcome their deficiencies are addressed to all of the churches and are progressive in nature.  One can conclude that contemporary mankind is suffering from the same sins as those of the ancient church, but all mankind may receive the promised blessings through obedience in “[doing] the first works” (Revelation 2:5) and continuing to the last and greatest promise; “to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne” (Revelation 3:21).
Further, Christ declares: “And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved.  Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him – Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.
6.        Revelation, Bible Dictionary (emphasis added) 
Hearken, O ye people of my church, and ye elders listen together, and hear my voice while it is called today, and harden not your hearts; For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world – a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.  And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.  For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived – verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.  And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation.  For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver” (D&C 45:6-7, 56-59). 
We are fast approaching the coming of our Savior and are prophetically counseled to prepare ourselves for the conclusion of the harvest of the last days, when the Lord shall say, “my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away” (Jacob 5:75). 
In summarizing the plan of salvation, President Russell M. Nelson says,  “The attributes by which we shall be judged one day are all spiritual.7 These include love, virtue, integrity, compassion, and service to others.8 Your spirit, coupled with and housed in your body, is able to develop and manifest these attributes in ways that are vital to your eternal progression.9   Spiritual progress is attained through the steps of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, including the endowment and sealing ordinances of the holy temple.”10
President Brigham Young inquired: “Do you read [the scriptures] as though you stood in the place of the men who wrote them?  If you do not feel thus, it is your privilege to do so that you may be as familiar with the spirit and meaning of the written word of God as you are with your daily walk and conversation.”11





7.        “The spirit, not the body, is the active responsible component of the soul.  Without the spirit, the body is dead (see James 2:26).  It is the spirit, therefore, that =chooses good or evil and will be held accountable for both the positive and negative attributes it possesses at the Final Judgment (see Alma 41:3-7).”
8.        “Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.” (Doctrine and Covenants 4:6)
9.        2 Nephi 2:11-16, 21-26; Moroni 10:33-34
10.     President Russell M. Nelson, “Thanks Be to God,” Ensign, April 2012
11.     Discourses of Brigham Young, p128
In the introductory three chapters of the Book of Revelation, Christ establishes his preeminence and pronounces seven blessings on those that partake of the gospel ordinances and endure to the end.  The last chapter of the Book of Revelation ends and reinforces the seven proclamations, and the universality of the plan of salvation in time and geography.  “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.  I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:16-17).
The significance of the first chapter of John’s revelation re-defines the purpose of the book through modern revelation and clarifies the broader context of who it is written for.  As an introduction, it is a frontal piece to the entire book of revelation with the last chapter being the book end and confirming the importance of not “taking away from the words of the book of this prophecy” (Revelation 22:19); or simply put, all twenty-two chapters are a singular revelation and all twenty-two chapters apply to the world in total - specifically speaking to those seeking Jesus Christ in these latter-days.
The second chapter is the promise of progressive additive blessings, beginning with the covenant of the first principles and ordinances12 and ending with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage (D&C 132:19).  Chapter three is an expansion on the blessings of chapter two with the final gift, for one who overcometh, of receiving the morning star (Revelation 2:28).  That is, one receiving the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ for one’s sins in mortality.
Over many years, the numerous and miraculous blessings I have received are not by my merits, but by the infinite love of a Father in Heaven who lifts my hands when they hang down in mortal weakness and anguish.  Jesus Christ stands ready to rescue all who forsake the carnal world and partake of the principles of his plan of salvation. 
I have received a greater understanding of our Eternal Father’s glorious plan and a measure of joy through my studies of the Book of Revelation and pray that others may likewise be blessed as they contemplate these gifts pronounced by Jesus Christ.  I know that a fullness of joy is afforded to those who follow his plan of happiness.  I testify that our Savior lives and that he has atoned for our sins and therein blesses us with the opportunity to repent and partake of his magnificent and infinite atonement.


12.     Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith, 4
In God’s mercy, he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us.13
His plan of happiness was initiated by our Eternal Father when he presided over the grand council in the pre-existence.  There, Jesus Christ laid the foundations of the earth and corner stone for the plan of salvation, giving all mankind the opportunity to receive immortality and obtain eternal life, whereupon,
The Morning Stars Sang Together,
and
All The Sons of God Shouted for Joy 14














13.     Alma 24:14 (emphasis added)
14.     Job 38:6-7 (emphasis added)
Jesus Christ
A Testament By John the Revelator
REVELATIONS 1:1-8 JST

1 The Revelation of John, a servant of God, which was given unto him of Jesus Christ, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, that he sent and signified by his angel unto his servant John,
2 Who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
4 Now this is the testimony of John to the seven servants who are over the seven churches in Asia.  Grace unto you, and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; who hath sent forth his angel from before his throne, to testify unto those who are the seven servants over the seven churches.
5 Therefore, I, John, the faithful witness, bear record of the things which were delivered me of the angel, and from Jesus Christ the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
6 And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father.  To him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.
7 For behold, he cometh in the clouds with ten thousands of his saints in the kingdom, clothed with the glory of his Father.  And every eye shall see him; and they who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.
8 For he saith, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the almighty.

The Revelation of John, a servant of God, which was given unto him of Jesus Christ, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, that he sent and signified by his angel unto his servant John, [w]ho bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed are they who read, and they who hear and understand the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time of the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (Revelation 1:1-3)
The three introductory verses of chapter one of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Book of Revelations, clarifies the purpose of John’s witness to mankind:
The revelation is from Jesus Christ Given to show unto Christ’s Servants things that must shortly come to pass
Christ sent an angel to his servant John to bear record of the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ and all that John saw
Those that understand and obey the words of this prophecy will receive eternal life
The coming of the Lord draweth nigh
John, an Apostle of the Lord, received and wrote the Book of Revelation following the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior.  The Savior’s mortal mission was complete and his faithful servants were likewise facing intense persecution which often ended in martyrdom.  When John writes what he is shown, he notes that they are things which must shortly come to pass with an additional confirmation that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  John testifies that the revelation regards the ancient church, with a parallel and additional message that is significantly relevant to the world today; particularly to the latter-day saints of The Church of Jesus Christ.


  

In the New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants, “The coming of the Lord”1 is a common reference to His Second Coming.  The inspired translation correction from the time is at hand to the coming of the Lord draweth nigh clarifies that the Book of Revelation, in its entirety, foreshadows “the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”2
No one knows when the triumphant return of the Savior will be, though we do know that those “…who serve together in the priesthood are preparing a people for the coming of the Lord to His Church.”3
President Thomas S. Monson recently quoted President Ezra Taft Benson, who said more than thirty years ago, “For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the second coming of the Lord. Some individuals will fall away, but the kingdom of God will remain intact to welcome the return of its Head – even Jesus Christ.  While this generation will be comparable in wickedness to the days of Noah, when the Lord cleansed the earth by flood, there is a major difference this time: God has saved for the final inning some of His strongest … children, who will help bear off the kingdom triumphantly.”4 
Now this is the testimony of John to the seven servants who are over the seven churches in Asia.  Grace unto you, and peace from him who is, and who was, and who is to come; who hath sent forth his angel from before his throne, to testify unto those who are the seven servants over the seven churches.  Therefore, I, John, the faithful witness, bear record of the things which were delivered me of the angel, and from Jesus Christ the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
And unto him who loved us, be glory; who washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, his Father.  To him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:4-6)


1.        Luke 12:36-40, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16, James 5:7-8, 2 Peter 3:11-12, D&C 84:28, 88:95-102, 106:4 
2.        Mark 13:26
3.        President Henry B. Eyring, “The Preparatory Priesthood,” Ensign, November 2014
4.        President Thomas S. Monson, “Dare to Stand Alone,” Ensign, November 2011
To an endowed Latter-day Saint, Revelation 1:6 is a familial blessing of eternal significance.5  Elder L. Tom Perry taught this singularly important doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “The entire theology of our restored gospel centers on families and on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage.”6  This covenant of marriage endues the wondrous blessings of being made kings [and queens] priests [and Priestesses] unto our God (Revelations 5:10).  For these promised gifts and blessings, all glory and dominion is given forever and ever to God the Eternal Father. 
For behold, he cometh in the clouds with ten thousands of his saints in the kingdom, clothed with the glory of his Father.  And every eye shall see him; and they who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.  For he saith, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:7-8)
The angel testifies: at the last day, Christ will come in the clouds of glory with ten thousands of his saints who will also be clothed with glory given of the Father.  All the disobedient upon the earth will see Him and will wail because they will see the folly of their wickedness and will perceive the judgement that shall come upon them.  Jude, the brother of James, and one of the brethren of the Lord, cites Enoch who also prophesied of this seminal event, when “the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and … convince … them of all their ungodly deeds” (Jude 1:14-15).
Furthermore, the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants is a voice of warning to all people: “Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.  For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated” (D&C 1:1-2).  “The Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man” (D&C 1:10).  “For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen” (D&C 1:39).

5.        D&C 22:1, 131:2
6.        Elder L. Tom Perry, “Why Marriage and Family Matter – Everywhere in the World,” Ensign, May 2015  

Jesus Christ
Charges John the Revelator
to
Write That Which He Sees
REVELATIONS 1:9-20 JST
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.  And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are the servants of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
 
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)
As a fellow brother of those in the service of Jesus Christ, John testifies he too is a companion in the tribulation and the required patience of the Lord.  John’s humble acknowledgement should give us a sense of comfort in knowing an apostle of God doesn’t consider himself above or more worthy than other of God’s children.  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf tells those of us, who “feel small and weak, please simply come unto Christ, who makes weak things strong, (Ether 12:27).  The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God ‘is no respecter of persons’ (Acts 10:34).  He is our ‘faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments’” (Deuteronomy 7:9).7
Humility is a hallmark of a servant of Christ.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, what thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:10-11)
John, having received these revelations on the Lord’s day, reminds us that this is a day of spiritual introspection and … “delight, the holy [day] of the LORD, … and [we should] … honour him, [ by] not doing … [our] own ways, nor finding [our] own pleasure, nor speaking … [of worldly things]: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah 58:13-14).
7.        President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “On Being Genuine,” Ensign, April 2015
The heritage of Jacob is best described in the Doctrine and Covenants wherein “Isaac … and Jacob did none other things than that which they are commanded; and because they did none other things than that which they were commanded, they have entered into their exaltation, according to the promises, and sit upon thrones, and are … gods” (D&C 132:37).
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me.  And being turned, I saw seven [churches]; and in the midst of the seven [churches] one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; And his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.  And he had in his right hand seven [servants]: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.  And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.  The seven stars are servants of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:12-20)
        One unique, but not uncommon scriptural characteristic in the revelation of John, is the use of symbolism.  Joseph Smith’s translation clarifies the meaning of the seven golden candlesticks as seven churches and the seven stars or angels as seven servants. (Revelations 1:20, 2:18). 


Considering Jewish Symbolism8, the number seven can also add clarity and be considered to reflect a broader spectrum of importance.  The number seven is used in part as the “covenant of holiness and sanctification” and “all association with God.”
Therefore, the seven servants and seven churches referenced in these epistles may symbolically be represented as:
These things saith He that holdeth the servants of the covenant of holiness and sanctification in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the church with the priesthood keys of all things in association with God  
Utilizing this interpretation of seven, we can see clearly the importance of the declarations made by Christ in chapters two and three of the revelation.  They are relevant to our day and warrant an in-depth study in the context of the plan of salvation and the miracle of the tender mercies of God, through the new and everlasting covenants, restored in these latter-days (D&C 22:1, 131:2, 132:6-7). 
Each proclamation written by John is unique and addressed to the church in each of the seven cities.  In the proclamations, the sinful are called to repentance and to those who overcome their transgressions, there are promised blessings.  One can conclude that contemporary mankind is suffering from similar sins and by repentance, obedience, and enduring to the end, may likewise be blessed with these many gifts promised by our Savior Jesus Christ.  These blessings are progressive in nature and by “doing the first works” (Revelations 2:5) and each of the subsequent commandments, one may receive the last and greatest promise:
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne 9
8.        Jewish Symbolism, the symbolic values of numbers:
“The number seven was the general symbol for all association with God, and was the favorite religious number of Judaism, typifying the covenant of holiness and sanctification, and also all that was holy and sanctifying in purpose. The candlestick had seven lamps, and the acts of atonement and purification were accompanied by a sevenfold sprinkling. The establishment of the Sabbath, the Sabbatical year, and the year of jubilee was based on the number seven, as were the periods of purification and of mourning. The number 7 is the Divine number of completion.”
Wikipedia, Maude, Mary Fawler (1862). Scripture manners and customs. London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. p. 600. ISBN 1-147-04502-X. Retrieved 2010-09-28.                            
        9.      Revelations 3:21, (emphasis added)
Jesus Christ
Proclamation One

I Give You
The First Principles and Ordinances of My Gospel
Those Who Overcome
Shall Eat of the Tree of Life in The Paradise of God
REVELATIONS 2:1-7 JST
1 Unto the servant of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven [servants] in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden [churches];
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.  To him that overcometh. I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

These things saith he that holdeth the seven servants in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven churches (Revelation 2:1)
These things are addressed to all mankind, for “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34).  Those of God’s children that accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and are faithful, have great comfort in knowing Jesus Christ, the perfect Son and Redeemer of the World, “will not forsake” (Deuteronomy 4:31) his promise and singular purpose of blessing mankind with the profound gift of immortality and eternal life – for this is his “work and … glory” (Moses 1:39).    Though one may be a servant of the covenant of holiness and sanctification in the church with the keys of all things in association with God,1 only Jesus Christ can bring to fruition our fondest desires of being in an eternal family.  He is our Elder Brother who made the great and last sacrifice that we, who are so wholly inadequate, may return to our Heavenly home clothed with power and glory in the fullness of joy and “to go no more out” (Alma 7:25, Revelation 3:12).
Christ “doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him.… he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money without price” (2 Nephi 26:24-25).  We are to “… look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, [that we] might live, even unto that life which is eternal” (Helaman 8:15). 
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life 2
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast labored, and hast not fainted. (Revelation 2:2-3)
Jesus Christ knows the heart of the righteous and he defines the nature of that person who shows promise in coming unto him.  This person is not faint of heart but labors innately with patience in doing those things which bring forth good fruit.  


1.        See end note 8 page 17
2.        John 3:16 (emphasis added)


This individual cannot bear wickedness and has discernment as guided by the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost in qualifying those who are evil in finding them to be liars.
In contrast, those things that are of God invite us “… to do good continually …” and everything that directs and encourages us to be inclined “… to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God” (Moroni 7:13).  Apostle M. Russell Ballard tells us, “the gospel of truth and light attracts the honest in heart and the honorable of the earth, who seek what is moral and good.”3 President Joseph Fielding Smith testified: “To the honest in heart in all nations, … [t]he Lord loves you.  He wants you to receive the full blessings of the gospel.  He is now inviting you to believe the Book of Mormon, to accept Joseph Smith as a prophet, and to come into his earthly kingdom and thereby become heirs of eternal life in his heavenly kingdom.”4
In the New Testament, when Christ called eager followers unto him, he proclaims: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  Apostle Neil O. Andersen states: “As we follow the Savior, without question there will be challenges that confront us.  Approached with faith, these refining experiences bring a deeper conversion of the Savior’s reality.”5
In these latter days, there is a dramatic contrast of choice between the light of Christ and the darkness of Lucifer.  An Angel of God, in speaking to an ancient prophet of The Book of Mormon, foretold of these times when he prophesied that “… the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other – either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil …” (1 Nephi 14:7).  
  
3.        See end note 8 page 17
4.        John 3:16 (emphasis added)
5.        Elder M. Russell Ballard, “That the Lost May Be Found,” May 2012

Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen. (Revelation 2:4-5)
Jesus Christ counsels us to remember we have fallen from our first love, or first estate in the pre-existence, where we lived with our heavenly family.  In this spiritual realm, under the direction of our Eternal Father, our Savior taught and implemented the plan of salvation.  This glorious plan of eternal life and immortality was understood and sustained by all mankind that has lived, or shall yet live on the earth.  Because we have chosen the plan of salvation and partaken of mortality we are fallen from God’s presence and Jesus Christ knows the trials we, who have chosen to follow him, will face in mortality.  Because of the fall, “… our natures have become evil continually …” and since we are carnal and subject to the flesh “… we are unworthy before [him] …” (Ether 3:2).  Therefore, Christ expresses His being somewhat against us. 
After we show a desire to be engaged in righteousness, Christ gives us insight into the pre-existence with our Heavenly Parents who we left to experience mortality.  Christ taught that the “… first and great commandment” is to “… love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37-38).  This familial reference is to the God of Heaven that truly is our Eternal Father, who gave us spiritual life and established the path of return to His presence. 
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminds us that “… in [our] first estate, [or pre-existence, we] knew with absolute certainty that God existed because [we] saw and heard Him.  [We] knew Jesus Christ, who would become the Lamb of God [and we] had faith in Him.  [We also knew that our] destiny was not to stay in the security of our premortal home.  As much as [we] loved that eternal sphere, [to progress we] needed [and agreed to] embark on [our physical] journey.  [We were destined to] depart from the arms of [our Eternal] Father, pass through a veil of forgetfulness, receive a mortal body, and learn and experience things that hopefully would help us grow to become more like [our] Father in Heaven and return to His presence.”6 
Because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, “It was appointed unto man to die…, cut off from the tree of life [or the pure love of God], and man became lost forever, yea, they became fallen man … cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord; and … subjects to follow after their own will.”  By natural instinct, “[man] become carnal, sensual, and devilish, … [and] this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state” (Alma 42:6-7, 10).
6.         President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Wonderful Journey Home,” Ensign, May 2013


We need to understand how deeply our Eternal Father loves and beckons his children to come unto him.  The principles of following Jesus Christ, through repentance and baptism, were clearly instructed by Alma to his son Corianton.  “Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come and, partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds. … Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but … let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility [and recognize this truth]; … the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state. [Therefore, repentance is necessary, however] mercy [cannot] take effect except it should destroy the work of justice.… [T]he work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. … [T]he plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. … Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man” (Alma 42:27, 30,13, 15, 18).
For one who repents, mercy and the resurrection are fruits of the atonement of Jesus Christ.  Mankind is restored to the presence of God to be judged by their works “… according to the law of justice. … Justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. … And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world.  And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery” (Alma 42:23-24, 26).    
The fallen man was given the gift of a mortal body along with the challenge and blessing of agency.  “It must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.  Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.  Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other” (2 Nephi 2:15-16). 
Finally, the question again: “… which is the great commandment in the law?”  Which Jesus answers: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:36-37).  Joseph Smith received a similar admonition to “… love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy might, mind, and strength” with the additional charge to serve God “… in the name of Jesus Christ” (D&C 59:5). 

A key to our progress and salvation is keeping this great commandment in the law and remembering that we are children of Eternal Parents,7 and by this knowledge know how significant we are to our Father in Heaven.  We have the opportunity and responsibility to prayerfully commune with Him in the name of Jesus Christ and to humbly submit unto Him our weaknesses, that He may make “… weak things become strong …” (Ether 12:27).

Repent, and do the first works; [first principles and ordinances of the gospel] or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy [church] with the  [the keys of all things in association with God] out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:5) 

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are:
first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
second, Repentance;
third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;
fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.8

            Man was in the beginning with God” (D&C 93:29) and in the pre-existence we had a perfect knowledge of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.   Having fallen from the kingdom of God, man is looking “… through a glass, darkly …” (1 Corinthians 13:12) and cannot remember the pre-existence nor covenants made there. 
From Ancient and modern scripture, we know that the fallen man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and like God, we have the gift of choice or agency, which is “the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power.”9  By this principle, we are tested by the principle of obedience, both agency and obedience are essential to progression.  Another God-like attribute of man is the gift of “intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.  Light and truth forsake that evil one.  Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God.  And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men and because of the tradition of their fathers” (D&C 93:36-39). 


7.        Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “O My Father” Hymn 292
8.        Pearl of Great Price, The Articles of Faith 4
9.        Merriam Webster, Definition of Agency

 
Having the gifts of light, truth and agency, we are tested by the principle of obedience, all of which is essential to progress and return to our heavenly home.
Because we are fallen and without hope of returning to God under our own volition, the Book of Mormon prophet, Amulek, taught the necessity of the atonement: “… for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all … are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement. … It is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.”  Amulek further testified, “… that [the] great and last sacrifice [is] the Son of God, yea infinite and eternal.  Thus He shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on His name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which [will overpower] justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.  Thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.  Begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you” (Alma 34:9-10,14-17).
Jesus Christ taught Moses “that by reason of the transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; for by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. … This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten …” (Moses 6:59-62).
Jesus Christ’s commandment to do the first works, or first principles and ordinances of the gospel, is to all nations.  He further says that “the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles, shall be cut off from among the people; for they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall” (D&C 1:14-16).
            Apostle James E. Talmage succinctly teaches the first principles and ordinances of the gospel in his book Jesus the Christ: “The narrative between Nicodemus and Christ constitutes one of our most instructive and precious scriptures relating to the absolute necessity of unreserved compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel, as the means indispensable to salvation.  Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, through whom alone men may gain eternal life; forsaking of sin by resolute turning away from the gross darkness of evil to the saving light of righteousness; the unqualified requirement of a new birth through baptism in water, and this of necessity by the mode of immersion, since otherwise the figure of a birth would be meaningless; and the completion of the new birth through baptism by the Spirit – all these principles are taught… in such simplicity and plainness as to make plausible no man’s excuse for ignorance.10

Faith 
Since my earliest days, I’ve known that “I’m a child of God.”11  Faith in my Father in Heaven has always been a singular and powerful comfort to me.  Like many, there is within me an impression that I came to earth with that innate conformation of spiritual belief - I also know that my parents, teachers and leaders taught me faith through word, song, and example throughout my youth and into adulthood.  With this reinforcement, I am still growing in the desire to have complete “… confidence in [Jesus Christ] without reservation” (Bible Dictionary, Faith).
Faith is the first principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and “faith [comes] not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.… [S]igns come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God….  [W]ithout faith no man pleaseth God” (D&C 63:9-11). 
Alma instructs us “concerning faith – faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, therefore if [we] have faith [we] hope for things which are not seen which are true.”  He further encourages us to “awake and arouse [our] faculties, even to an experiment upon [the words of Christ], and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if [we] can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in [us], even until [we] believe in a manner that [we] can give place for a portion of [Christ’s] words.” If we nurture this particle of faith, by embracing the Spirit of the Lord, “it will begin to swell within [our breast]; and when [we] feel these swelling motions, [we] will begin to say within [ourselves] … the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:21,27,28).


10.     Talmage, Jesus the Christ page 152, Jesus and Nicodemus, St John 3:1-21
11.     Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “I Am a Child of God” Hymn 301


If we continue to nourish faith, Alma further teaches that our “understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and [our] mind doth begin to expand … because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible; therefore, [we] must know that it is good.”  By planting the seed of faith and nurturing it through continued study, prayer, and meditation, “it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.  And because of [our] diligence and [our] faith and [our] patience with the word in nourishing it … it may take root in [us], behold, by and by [we] shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and [we] shall feast upon this fruit even until [we] are filled, that [we] hunger not, neither shall [we] thirst” (Alma 32:34-35,41-42).
The apostle and brother of our Lord, James, instructs those of us who lack wisdom yet desire to know truth, to “… ask of God, [who] giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”  The glories of the kingdom of God will be made known to those of faith; “even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 1:5-6, 2:17).
 Followers of Jesus Christ believe that “he [will] manifest himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost according to their faith” (2 Nephi 26:13).  By faith, a “mighty change” may be brought about in one’s heart.  If we are humble and “put [our] trust in the true and living God [and are] “faithful until the end [we will be] saved.  [Jesus Christ has] “come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life” (Alma 5:13, 11:40).                              
As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name 12
Repentance
The second principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is repentance.  Those of us who understand good and evil are accountable to God, and since we live among corrupt societies, we are under condemnation and guilty of sin in one degree or another.


12.     John 1:12 (emphasis added)


We know that our “Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (Alma 45:16).  Therefore, we must continually exercise repentance as we evaluate our conduct.  This process of turning from sin is strengthened through covenants made or renewed with our Savior and being anxiously engaged in works of goodness. A repentant life opens the door to our Savior’s grace and enables the return to our heavenly home of spiritual birth.
Forsaking sin often requires strength beyond our own.  This holy strength comes by faith in God, which brings about the “power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in [Christ and repent] “and come unto [him], and be baptized in [his] name, [and by continued faith in him, we] may be saved” (Moroni 7:33-34).  “There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world” (Helaman 5:9).
By the “light of Christ”13 and the power of the Holy Ghost, the gift of knowing right from wrong has always been a part of my life.  When wrong choices were made, I learned the value and blessings of repentance.  My earliest recollection of this important lesson, was experienced in the neighborhood grocery store owned by a family friend.  To a small boy, who was raised in a righteous home of meager circumstance, the allure of candy was beyond my capacity to resist and when no-one was looking, I put a small wrapped piece of candy in my pocket.  Soon after leaving the store, the pain of guilt was overwhelming.  Passing by the store owner’s house, I put the candy in his mailbox hoping for forgiveness of the theft.  It would have been a better lesson to have faced the store owner personally, but the lesson was sufficient to want never to repeat my youthful mistake. 
I would that this experience was the only misstep in my life, and I can relate to Nephi when he confesses: “my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.”  Following his lament, he testifies:  “God hath been my support … [and] hath filled me with his love.”  Nephi further exclaims: “Awake, my soul!  No longer droop in sin.  Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul” (2nd Nephi 4:17, 20-21, 28).  This emotional lament for transgressions and joy of the Saviors atonement, is of great significance and sung often by the followers of righteousness.  Learning to choose good over evil is a process by which we progress toward the sacred goal of eternal life.
Calling the fallen man to repentance is a basic principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Lord makes this clear when He declared: “Hearken and hear, O ye inhabitants of the earth.  Listen, ye elders of my church together, and hear the voice of the Lord; for he calleth upon all men, and he commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (D&C 133:16).


13.     President Boyd K. Packer, “These Things I Know,” Ensign, May 2013

The Lord gives solace from the burden of sin when he further proclaimed: “Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.  Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel” (D&C 33:11-12).
Mankind has, by nature of the fall, been given imperfections and we give “thanks unto God that he hath made manifest… our imperfections, that we may learn to be more wise” (Mormon 9:31) and learn to avoid the temptations and sins “which… so easily beset us” (Hebrews 12:1, 2 Nephi 4:18, Alma 7:15).  Thankfully “The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Nephi 1:20) and “because of their faith in the Lamb of God their garments are made white in his blood” (1 Nephi 12:10).  “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which should make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God” (Ether 12:14).
Through the atonement of “Christ and the power of his resurrection, [we may] be raised unto life eternal [with God the Eternal Father by] faith in him.… If a man [has] faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.… He cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart” (Moroni 7:41-43). “Redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah, for he is full of grace and truth.  He offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (2 Nephi 2:6-7). Through Jesus Christ, “the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free” (2 Nephi 2:4) for those who come unto him.
In the first chapter of “The Book of the Prophet Isaiah,” the children of Israel are rebuked as apostate, rebellious and corrupt.  Despite being condemned, even as Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord petitions the wicked to cease doing evil and make oneself clean with this atoning promise of mercy:
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow 14 

Alma, the unbelieving son of Alma, had caused much destruction in the church of God and was called to repentance by an angel of the Lord.  After two days and two nights of wading through much tribulation and repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy snatched him out of an everlasting burning, and Alma declared “I am born of God [and] my soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity.

14.     Isaiah 1:18 (emphasis added)


  I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God.” (Mosiah 27:28-29).   Almost two decades later, Alma the younger, a high priest over the church, began a mission to deliver the word of God to the people throughout all the land and asked these penetrating questions which are pertinent today:
Brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?  Do you exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?  Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? … Can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? … Can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands?  I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? 15
Baptism
Baptism by immersion is the third principle of the gospel and was taught by example when Jesus Christ came “… from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straight-way out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13, 16-17). Moreover, “… if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!” (2 Nephi 31:5).  Therefore, “… by [baptism and] keeping the commandments, [we] might be washed and cleansed from all [our] sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power” (D&C 76:52). 
  
15.     Alma 5:14-16, 19

Alma, believing the words of the Lamanite prophet Abinadi, taught those who also believed in the prophetic word: “… [A]s ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light… and are willing to mourn with those that mourn… and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:8-9).
Alma then asks the congregation, “[I]f this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?” (Mosiah 18:10).
Our Eternal Father calls upon all mankind to “repent … and be baptized in the name of (his) Beloved Son.”  And, The Beloved Son said: “He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Nephi 31:11-12). 
                                   
Why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord 16
                               
              The Gift of the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost is administered by the laying on of hands by one having authority.  Anticipating the anxiety of the ancient apostles regarding his leaving, Christ assured them with a promise of continued revelation through “… the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26-27).  The assurance of receiving “… power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” (Acts 1:8) is a gift promised all righteous members of his church.
  
16.     Acts 22:16 (emphasis added)

Parley P. Pratt, one of the early apostles of Christ’s restored gospel, said we are “… intelligent being[s], in the image of God, [and] possess … every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself.  He further defines these attributes being “possessed by man in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of the word.  Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed.  They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.  The gift of the Holy [Ghost] adapts itself to all these organs or attributes.  It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use.  It inspires, develops, cultivates, and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings, and affections of our nature.  It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity.  It develops beauty of person, form and features.  It tends to health, vigor, animation, and social feeling.  It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man.  It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves.  In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.17
In my youth, one of our family activities was going to the twenty-fourth of July parade in Salt Lake City, Utah.  As a pre-teen, I was bashful and insecure in the crowds that lined the street and always found comfort in the shelter of my mother, father and siblings.  I believe we only went to the parade three or four times, and the last trip is indelibly marked in my consciousness. On this occasion, I remember not being able to see the parade because so many people were standing in front of us.  My attention was brought to an open spot to my right that was some distance from the security of my family.  Uncharacteristically, I made my way to the opening and found myself standing alone on the curb.  A quiet comfort settled around me and within seconds I had a burning, tingling sensation that enveloped my entire body.  I was euphoric and stood frozen as I exalted in the wonderous feeling.  I wasn’t conscious of the noise, crowds or floats as they passed by.  Suddenly my solitude was interrupted by a voice over the loud speaker which introduced David O. McKay and his wife Emma Ray.  The voice startled me as the fire within me continued to burn and suddenly I realized the Prophet of God was passing just a few feet in front me.  Today, that experience is a fundamental part of my testimony and the power I experienced as the Holy Ghost bore witness to me of the reality of a living prophet of God.       
This gift and power of the Holy Ghost is not understood by the worldly man.  It is “by small and simple things [that] … great things [are] brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6-7).

17.     Parley P. Pratt, Effect of the Holy Ghost on the Individual, Key to Theology, 96, 97 (4th ed.) Talmage, Articles of Faith page 487, Appendix 8

The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost 18
But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6)
Nicolaitans are defined in the Bible Dictionary as “[a]n Antinomian sect in Asia Minor that claimed license for sensual sin.”  Antinomian, in the Merriam Webster dictionary, is “one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation.”  Or, “one who rejects a socially established morality.”  Wikipedia explains it further: “In Christianity, an antinomian is one who takes the principle of salvation by faith and divine grace to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow the moral law contained in the ten commandments.”19   The distinction between antinomian and other Christian views on moral law is that antinomians believe that obedience to the law is motivated by an internal principle flowing from belief rather than from any external compulsion.”20

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:7)
We learn from the book of Moses that God’s work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  Immortality is the gift of the resurrection promised all mankind.  The greater gift of eternal life is given to those who, through their righteous endeavors, have been purified and cleansed of all sin through the blood of the Lamb of God and are blessed to live eternally in the presence of God, our Eternal Father.

18.     Romans 14:17 (emphasis added)
19.     Wikipedia, Antinomianism, In Christianity.  Puritans and Puritanism in Europe and America.  ABC-CLIO. 2006. P. 306. ISBN 9781576076781.  Marie, André (17 September 2013).  “Simian Antinomianism”.  Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Retrieved 28 May 2018.
20.     Wikipedia, Antinomianism, In Christianity.  Como, David R. (2004).  “Blown by the Spirit: Puritanism and the Emergence of an Antinomian Underground in Pre-Civil-War England.”  Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. P. 36.  ISBN 9780804744430.

Isaiah, speaking Messianically of our day, called upon all mankind, “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city (Isaiah 52:1). 
In a prophetic witness of The Plan of Salvation, Nephi exclaims, “O how great the plan of our God!  The paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh…. “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 righteousness” (2 Nephi 9:13-14).
The prophet, Joseph Smith, and six elders received the revelation regarding eternal life, “… there shall be a new heaven and a new earth.  For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fullness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea.… [T]hen shall all the dead awake, for their graves shall be opened, and they shall come forth – yea, even all.  And the righteous shall be gathered on my right hand unto eternal life; and the wicked on my left hand will I be ashamed to own before the Father” (D&C 29:23-24, 26-27). 
Regarding Israel, or “true believers in Christ”21 Isaiah said that “… since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him” (Isaiah 64:4).  
In giving the parable of the sower, Christ likewise emphasized those who desire to come unto him when he expresses: “[w]ho hath ears to hear, let him hear.  And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.  For whosoever receiveth, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; but whosoever continueth not to receive, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. … For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest22 at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” (Matthew 13:9-13, 15).  Christ makes it clear that many deny themselves the wondrous blessings of the atonement and eternal life out of fear of or apprehension of the responsibility required in following him.

21.     Israel, Bible Dictionary
22.     “For fear that” – often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension.  Merriam-Webster Dictionary: lest

 Concerning transgressors in the church, Alma “poured out his whole soul to God [and] the voice of the Lord came to him, saying: … “[H]e that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and … shall [be received] into the church, and him will I also receive.”  Christ clarifies that in his church, … “whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance.  And whomsoever … shall believe in my name; … him will I freely forgive.  For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.  For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand” (Mosiah 26:14, 21-24).

To him that overcometh I give to eat of the tree of life [or The Love of God],23 which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)

We are instructed to “… stand in holy places” (D&C 101:22) and by emphasis told twice to awake and put on the strength of Zion’s “power of [the] priesthood” and as additional emphasis to put on the beautiful garments of Zion (Isaiah 52:1, 2 Nephi 8:24, D&C 113:7-8).  We are further told to be clothed in … “the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to withstand in the evil day,” (Ephesians 6:13) “ … because iniquity shall abound [and] the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12-13).  The covenant to the faithful made by Christ gives us comfort in a world of turmoil: “ … [H]e that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the day of transfiguration shall come” (D&C 63:20).
At the conclusion of the Book of Revelations, the Savior exclaims: “ … [B]ehold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life [or love of God],23 and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Revelations 22:12-14). 
Jesus Christ directed two of His ancient prophets of the Americas to command: “… all mankind, yea men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures” (Mosiah 27:25).  “… I, Alma,… command you in the language of him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you.

23.     1 Nephi 11:21-22

I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life” (Alma 5:61-62).
Like many who have partaken of baptism by the power of the Holy Priesthood, I still recall the feeling of cleanliness when I was baptized at eight years of age.  In my senior years I joy in partaking of the sacrament and feel spiritually refreshed with the renewed commitment to overcome weaknesses that “do so easily beset me” (2nd Nephi 2:14), and be more deliberate to “stand in holy places” (D&C 45:32, 101:22) in a troubled world. 
In the mission field I found an often-asked question, “What is my purpose?” is simply explained in the children’s hymn “I will follow God’s Plan:”
My life is a gift; my life has a plan, my life has a purpose; in heav’n it began, my choice was to come to this lovely home on earth and seek for God’s light to direct me from birth, I will follow God’s plan for me, Holding fast to his word and his love.  I will work, and I will pray; I will al-ways walk in his way. Then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above 24

Calling upon Adam, God said, “If [men will] turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all [their] transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost“ (Moses 6:52),  which “acts as a cleansing agent to purify a person and sanctify him from all sin.”25  Our Eternal Father clarifies that it is “… by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified; therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things; which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment.… This is the plan of salvation unto all men, through the blood of mine Only Begotten” (Moses 6:51-52,60-62).
This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent 26

24.     The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Children’s Songbook, I Will Follow God’s Plan, 164 (emphasis added)
25.     Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost,” page 661




































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