Thursday, September 29, 2005
New Revelation
I couldn't stand to post anymore of the boring Moroni manuscript -- and since I don't think I have any visitors on this site anyway, no one should be upset about the change -- but I may relapse into more excerpts.
Some Thoughts from Today's Scripture Study:
Alma 26:22: Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing -- unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.
From the footnotes: Reveal: Jarom 1:4: And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men according to their faith.
Helaman 11:23: And it the seventy and ninth year there began to be much strife. But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, threfore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year.
D&C 107:19: To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and curch of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
Thoughts: Repentance, faith, good works and continual prayer bring one to know the mysteries of God AND to reveal things AND to bring souls to repentance. Not being stiffnecked brings communion with the Holy Ghost which manifests according to faith. The faithful may have many revelations daily. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all the spiritual blessings and the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom, to have the heavens opened, to commune with the general assembly and communion with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Contrast that with the Aaronic Priesthood which holds the keys of the ministering of angels and to administer in outward ordinances. D&C 107 (which I continued reading after coming to it for verse 19) is priesthood primer. Adam predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation and it is all written in the Book of Enoch to be testified of in due time.
My previous study in Alma 12 came as I was contemplating that the Lord has more to reveal and would reveal more, perhaps like the Book of Enoch, if we were faithful to the teachings and commandments that we had already received. In Alma 12, Alma expounds to Zeezrom, who has gone from antagonist to sincere inquirer. Alma tells him it is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; neverthesless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. Those that harden their heart receive the lesser portion of the word; "he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full." And this reminds me of study in 1 Nephi 16 where the Liahona also worked according to the faith and diligence given to the directives which it gave. So if we're looking for new writing, (personal revelation or general revelation) we must give faith and diligence to what we have already received. President Benson seemed to press upon this subject and indicate that we were not studying the Book of Mormon as we should. Now President Hinckley has issued a challange to complete the Book of Mormon again before the end of the year.
Some Thoughts from Today's Scripture Study:
Alma 26:22: Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing -- unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.
From the footnotes: Reveal: Jarom 1:4: And there are many among us who have many revelations, for they are not all stiffnecked. And as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men according to their faith.
Helaman 11:23: And it the seventy and ninth year there began to be much strife. But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, threfore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year.
D&C 107:19: To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and curch of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.
Thoughts: Repentance, faith, good works and continual prayer bring one to know the mysteries of God AND to reveal things AND to bring souls to repentance. Not being stiffnecked brings communion with the Holy Ghost which manifests according to faith. The faithful may have many revelations daily. The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the keys of all the spiritual blessings and the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom, to have the heavens opened, to commune with the general assembly and communion with God the Father and Jesus Christ. Contrast that with the Aaronic Priesthood which holds the keys of the ministering of angels and to administer in outward ordinances. D&C 107 (which I continued reading after coming to it for verse 19) is priesthood primer. Adam predicted whatsoever should befall his posterity unto the latest generation and it is all written in the Book of Enoch to be testified of in due time.
My previous study in Alma 12 came as I was contemplating that the Lord has more to reveal and would reveal more, perhaps like the Book of Enoch, if we were faithful to the teachings and commandments that we had already received. In Alma 12, Alma expounds to Zeezrom, who has gone from antagonist to sincere inquirer. Alma tells him it is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; neverthesless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. Those that harden their heart receive the lesser portion of the word; "he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full." And this reminds me of study in 1 Nephi 16 where the Liahona also worked according to the faith and diligence given to the directives which it gave. So if we're looking for new writing, (personal revelation or general revelation) we must give faith and diligence to what we have already received. President Benson seemed to press upon this subject and indicate that we were not studying the Book of Mormon as we should. Now President Hinckley has issued a challange to complete the Book of Mormon again before the end of the year.
