Murdering the Light of God

As a young man in the LDS church too much emphasis was placed on maintaining sexual purity and not enough on gaining the light of God. When you are full of the spirit of God you abhor sin. You shudder at the thought of betraying God. On the other hand, when you place your heart on the world, temptation more easily besets you. I do not think it’s possible to entirely remove temptation in your life, but the more you seek and gather God’s light the more easily you avoid evil’s darts. You should not spend your time trying not to lust, you should spend it drawing closer to Christ. 

This is not to minimize how hurtful sexual sin can be, especially in marriage or amongst families, or sexual abuse which can leave horrific wounds for generations. Suffice it to say that God is quick to forgive. One of the justifications LDS teachers used emphasizing the seriousness of sexual sin is Alma’s council to his son Corianton, where seemingly a young man’s indiscretion is placed on par with murder. This is simply not the case in the eternal scheme. A more careful reading shows that the truly grievous sin is forsaking the light and knowledge of God, this is the dreadful sin on par with murder for many reasons, one of which is it leads you into every temptation and sin. Not to mention the literal damnation upon you. 

 

Following Alma’s brief rebuke, he launches into teaching his son further light and truth regarding the plan of happiness, revealing mysteries of the afterlife, teaching doctrine, and does not spend any more time than necessary divesting a list of do’s or don’ts of sexual matters or any other sin. He knows the light of God will have a more powerful effect changing the heart of his son than making him feel guilty about an indiscretion. 

 

With this new emphasis in mind, I recommend reading Alma’s words to Corianton in RE Alma 19:1. Note that Alma’s hurt is centered on his son leaving the ministry, he repeats this twice bracketing the sentence on the harlot Isabel, and the rest of the verse is explaining how grievous it is to sin against the light you’ve been given, admonishing those who “murdereth against the light and knowledge of God.” 

 

I have rewritten this verse in my own words: 

 

 

My son Corianton, I have been disappointed in your conduct and need to spend more time teaching you than I have your brothers. You have seen their faithfulness and diligence in keeping the commandments of God, and they have set a good example for you. You ignored my council as we were among the Zoramites and went around boasting of yourself and your strengths. You also broke my heart when you left the ministry and went to the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites after the harlot Isabel. Her reputation has stolen the hearts of many, but this was no excuse for you, my son, and you broke trust with me and with God when you left the ministry and rejected your calling from God to preach to the people. Do you not realize how grievous this sin is? Forsaking the light and knowledge of God is one of the most serious sins, and the only sins worse are removing the holy ghost when it once had a place in you or murdering innocent people. If you receive the holy ghost, or the truth of all things and record of the Father and the Son, then subsequently reject it, this is a sin which is unpardonable. Murdering innocent blood causes considerable repentance, and it is not easy to obtain forgiveness, just as it is not easy to obtain forgiveness if you murder the light and knowledge of God within you. 

God will be with me...

A few Sundays ago, I was teaching my five-year old son from his children’s Bible. We read the story of David and Goliath. His Bible had a wonderful line, that I emphasized as the point of the story: “God will be with me.” Over the course of the week, I reiterated that line with him, wanting to plant the principle in his heart.

The following Sunday, we read the story of Jonah. There were some illustrations of a despondent, lonely Jonah in the belly of the whale. Most artwork of this event depict Jonah in a large, spacious stomach cavern. 
 
This is an inaccurate picture. He would have been squashed in the guts of the whale, in a suffocatingly small space, squeezed as the intestines tried to digest him. He would have no control over his movement, no ability to flee or change position, as the muscles of the digestive tract compressed him. Gastric acid would burn his exposed skin. He would struggle to breathe, not just from the lack of oxygen, but from the confined space. He would be physically crushed, released, crushed again as the stomach tried to break him down into pieces. These physical waves of torment would have gone on seemingly endlessly. Trapped, crushed, without freedom to move, suffocating, nauseous, burning, are better words to paint the physical suffering that would be endured in such an event. 
 
I considered this silently as we read the story. I pondered Jonah's deliverance, and the power of redemption found in Christ. The spirit whispered a wonderful new line to plant in our hearts:  
 
“God will be with me… even in the belly of a whale.” 

The Foundation

When discussing Mormonism, especially with disaffected LDS members, it amazes me how much the topic of Joseph Smith and polygamy has come up. For many, it seems to be the crux of the matter when determining whether Joseph Smith was a prophet or not. Most people determine it is an absolute fact that Joseph was a polygamist and so they outright reject him. Others have come to the conclusion that he has been mischaracterized through the lens of Brigham Young’s polygamy and a is virtuous prophet of God who was faithful to Emma alone. Amongst this smaller crowd I have noticed that for some, if polygamy could be proven on Joseph, it would throw their entire theological worldview and "testimony" in disarray. I have directly confronted this issue with a few, and their passionate, emotional uprising proves the insecurity of their stance.  

If the Book of Mormon were to be proven “false”, and that throws your belief in God into question, then you don’t actually believe in God. You believe in the Book of Mormon. Same story if Joseph Smith were to become a “false prophet” and you stop believing in God. We’ve all met those people who “throw the baby out with the bathwater”, abandoning God and religion when learning uncomfortable truths of the LDS church, its people or history, or any number of things.

Whenever, in the course of a deep discussion, I find that point of maximum resistance and hostility, I discover what people actually believe. For many Christians, it's the infallibility of the Bible. One Christian friend told me that if the Bible were to be proven false (i.e. Paul never existed, or Peter never lived) then they would stop believing all together. This friend doesn't believe in God. He believes in the Bible.

This is a subtle point, but critical to understand. I wish I could articulate it better. The truths of Christ contained in scripture or taught by inspired people are treasures which help me understand how to build on the Rock of our Redeemer. If my testimony is truly built on Him, I can learn about "problems" with these books or with the teachings of frail, mortal beings, but nothing shakes me.

 

If you feel yourself stressed, “triggered”, emotionally charged, insecure, sad when challenged on certain topics, it’s very possible part of your house is built on a sandy foundation. It is important to reflect on these issues. 

 

In my first faith transition, it took me four years to shed the LDS church until all that remained was Christ, Joseph Smith with his inspired works (including the Book of Mormon), as well as Denver with more inspired works, and on this I built my new house. 

 

After three years enjoying this new home, it was another painful four years of dismantling through a new faith crisis/journey, until all that remained was Christ. He alone became my foundation on which to build, and that’s when I finally encountered Him.  

 

It’s taken a lifetime to finally move my building materials to the rock of our Redeemer, he is the only sure foundation. 

Interlude - prophecy of Isaiah

I recently read a book on the Vietnam War by Geoffrey Ward and Ken Burns. It was published years ago. The last quarter of the book was like reading in vivid detail about current events happening in Afghanistan. 

The corruption of the South Vietnamese government as it, and the economy, collapsed while President Thieu fled the country. U.S. president Gerald Ford wanting nothing to do with Vietnam as he faced problems with inflation and unemployment at home. Lieutenant Colonel Bui Tin of the North Vietnamese army celebrating America's withdrawal in 1975 saying, "Today is a historic day, it is the first time in one hundred years there are no foreign troops on the soil of Vietnam" (Almost an exact headline from the Taliban today). 

The rapid fall of the military and flight of hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese civilians. CIA analyst Frank Snepp in 1975 said, "Who would have believed the country would be lost by March? ... This was breathtaking. The refugee problem was overwhelming ... over a million people are homeless ... huge stocks of ammunition and hardware have been abandoned." 

When Danang fell (second largest city in Vietnam), "it was not captured, it disintegrated in its own terror" said a US reporter. Airliners and military planes evacuating were mobbed as jeeps, cars, bikes, and mopeds drove across runways. People clung to planes as they took off (and fell to their deaths). 268 people crammed into a 727 meant to carry 189 passengers, with about 60 more in the cargo hold. Many in the South Vietnamese military fled to other countries. 

As America watched South Vietnam fall with mixed emotions, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee called on the president at the White House. A young, US Senator from Delaware, who was receiving Top Secret briefings on events overseas, told President Ford, "I will vote for any amount for getting Americans out. I don't want it mixed with getting the Vietnamese out." His name? Joseph Biden. 

Want to know what happens next in Afghanistan? Just read a history book. You can predict with a large degree of accuracy the future of their economy, culture, government, and those formerly loyal to the USA, as well as the moves China and Russia will make in the aftermath. 

Knowing the past is useful to predict the future. There is one author in particular that should be paid attention to, and I was especially mindful of these verses during this time. 

For reference, these match RE 2 Nephi 8 starting in verse four. 

The words of Isaiah, son of Amoz, he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

 4               In the last days, the Lord’s house will be established in the top of the mountains and exalted above all the hills, and all nations will come to it. Many people will go and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and visit those of the house of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways and we will walk in his paths.” Out of Zion will go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge among the nations and mediate peace between many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nations will be at peace and cease their preparations for war. 

5               House of Jacob hear this: gather and walk in the light of the Lord. Come, for you have gone astray and pursued your wicked ways. We think the Lord has forsaken his people, but in reality, we abandoned him when we sought deceiving wisdom from proclaimed experts and listened to worldly predictions as they did of old with soothsayers. We sustained as leaders those who are strangers to God. Our land is full of idols, wealth and riches, endless budgets and spending, vast armies of workers and soldiers. We admire that which our hands have made, we look up to our tall works and glory in our achievements and vain accomplishments. We are all brought low when we shame ourselves like this and look to accomplished men instead of God. Do not gather with people who do this.

6              You who are wicked- flee into the rocks and hide in the dust from the magnificent presence of the Lord, for fear of him and his glory will smite you. The haughty gaze of the proud who once looked down on others will now be bowed down and humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted. The day of the Lord of Hosts will soon come upon all nations, and everyone will feel its wrath, the proud and lofty, and everyone who elevates themselves over others, will all be brought low. At that day the Lord will come down on the cedars of Lebanon, who are high and lifted, and on all the oaks of Bashan, and all the high mountains, the hills, all nations that are proud, and every people with their high towers, every fenced wall, all the ships of the sea and pleasure crafts- all of this will be brought down. The arrogance of man will bow down, and the conceit of men levelled to the ground, and only the Lord will be exalted at that day. He will completely abolish the idols, and he will depose the false gods. Those once called great and looked to as icons and leaders will hide in caves from his wondrous presence and the brightness of his glory when he arises and strikes terror on the earth. Everyone will cast the objects of their adoration, that which they created themselves or bought with money to worship, to the rats and the vultures. They will flee into caves and bunkers for the fear of the Lord will be on them when he arises to shake the earth terribly. Resist the ways of mankind, in whose nostrils is but mortal breath, for they deserve no consideration. 

7               The Lord of Hosts will take away from Jerusalem and Judah the wisdom to rule and spirit to lead. He will take the food and water rations the earth normally grants them, and he will take away their mighty leaders, soldiers of war, wise judges, prophets, the prudent and ancient, the captain of fifty and honorable men, sage counselors, creative engineers and eloquent teachers. Instead, they will have those with the disposition of adolescents to rule over them, and criminals to enforce their laws. Everyone will oppress one another, and dig pits of debt for their neighbors, and the youth will rebel against the wisdom of their elders, and the immature will scoff the honorable. Families will turn to one another and say, “You have standing, be a ruler and let not this desolation come upon us!” But the response will be, “I am not a healer, for I have nothing to feed you with or clothe you, do not make me a ruler of this people.” Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen because they turned from the ways of the Lord and their words have been against him- they have provoked him openly to his face. The look on their faces exposes their lies and they openly sin as did they at Sodom, they don’t even try to hide it anymore. Woe to their souls, for they have earned evil in return for their doings. Let the righteous know it will be all right, for they shall be rewarded with good blessings. Woe to the wicked, for they will perish, they have brought their own ruination upon themselves.   

8               As for my people, children are their oppressors and the weak rule over them. They who lead my people cause them to err and destroy the righteous paths founded on ancient wisdom and truth. The Lord will contend with them, he will rise to judge the nations. He will put on trial the elders of his people, and those who ruled over them, and say, “You have taken everything for yourself, and built your wealth by depriving the poor. Why do you oppress my people, and openly torment the faces of the poor?” Not only this, but the Lord has said, “The daughters of Zion are haughty, looking down on others and judging with their eyes, they are provocative in their dress and flirt in their walk.” The Lord will smite them with baldness and expose their private works. In that day he will take away their jewelry, and the ornaments of their dress they adorn to hide their insecurities, their bracelets, necklaces, earrings, nose rings, glasses, fine linen, hoods, veils, shawls, purses, elegant dresses. Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; instead of a full set of clothes, several pieces of twine; instead of beauty there will be shame; instead of well-placed hair- baldness; instead of festive dress in celebration they will wear clothes of mourning. Your men will fall by violence, and your mightiest in war. Your gates will lament and mourn as you sit in desolation on the ground. 

9              In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own food and clothe ourselves, just let us take your name to remove our shame.”

10               In that day the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, the fruit of the earth will be excellent to the righteous who escaped Israel. All who are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem will be called holy, and all who are accounted and recorded as citizens of Jerusalem after the Lord has purged the filth of those at Zion and the blood of Jerusalem by his spirit of judgment using the wicked to punish the wicked. Over Mount Zion, and the solemn assembly gathered there, the Lord will create a cloud by day and illumination by a flaming fire at night, and the glory of Zion will be its own defense. This will provide shelter from the heat and a refuge from the storm (or from those who destroy the world through chaos and violence). 

11              Let me sing to my Beloved a song about his vineyard. My Beloved has a vineyard on a very choice hill. He fenced it in, and took out the stones, and planted the choicest vines in it. He built a tower in it, and also made a winepress. He looked forward to the choice grapes the vineyard would bring, but instead it brought forth wild grapes. Now inhabitants of Jerusalem, and all you men of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more could have been done than what I have done? When I expected wonderful grapes, instead it brought wild grapes. I will tell you what I will do, I will remove the hedge, and the vineyard will be eaten up; I will take down the wall, and it will be stomped on, and I will lay it to waste. It will not be pruned nor cared for, instead there will be briers and thorns. I will command the clouds not to rain on it. The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his precious plant. He expected justice, but there was none, he expected righteousness, but instead there was an outcry of rebellion. 

12               Woe to them that join houses together so that there is no room for fields in the midst of your dwellings. The Lord told me, “Many houses will be desolate, and great cities without inhabitants. Ten acres of vineyard will only produce a few gallons, and several bags of seed a miniscule crop.” 

13            Woe to those who rise up early in the morning to drink liquor, or who party all night drunk on wine. There are harps, stringed instruments, drums, and music at their feasts, but they are willfully ignorant of the ways of the Lord and don’t consider his works on the earth. My people are in blindness and captivity and don’t know why, they have no perception on the reality of their state, and their esteemed leaders are famished, and the multitude dried up with thirst. Hell has enlarged herself with them, and her gates are wide open to receive them. While still in their pomp, glory, and self-adulation they march steadily into hell. We are all brought low by debasing ourselves like this, and those who esteem themselves above others will be hewn down. Those who are mighty will be humbled, and the Lord will be exalted above all when righteousness judges, and God who is holy will be sanctified. Then will the lambs feed in the pastures and those formerly shunned by the elite will eat in their places.

14            Woe to those who sin by vainly attaching themselves to the pleasures of the world, hitched to transgression like a trailer. They say, “Hurry up Lord! Let us see you hasten your work! Tell us your secrets and let your plan unfold- then we will believe!”

15           Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, that put darkness for light and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 

16           Woe to those who think they are wise and prudent, blinded by their pride and ignorance.

17            Woe to those who boast in their drinking wine, or mix strong drinks, who are bribed to let the wicked go free and punish the innocent in their righteousness. As the fire burns the stubble and flame consumes dry brush, so will their roots become rotten, and their blossoms fly up as dust. These judgements will come to pass for they cast off the law of the Lord of Hosts, and despise the Holy One of Israel. The anger of the Lord is kindled against his people, and he has stretched out his hand against them and smitten them. The hills trembled and their carcasses lie about the streets. Even so, his anger is not abated and his hand is still stretched out.

18            He will lift an ensign to the nations and call to the ends of the earth. His people will hear and come from far off lands swiftly, they will not be weary in their journey nor stumble, they will not be sleepy, their clothes will be fastened securely and their shoes remain firm and not come undone. Their arrows will be sharp, their bows ready, their horses’ hooves like flint and their wheels turn as fast as a whirlwind, their roaring like a lion. They are vigorous like young lions, they roar and seize their prey, and carry it away and none will take it from them. In that day, the roar will be like the roaring of the sea, and if they look to land, it will be dark and heavy with sorrow, the light from the heavens blocked by a gloomy haze.  

The Pattern - "The Council of Creation"

The Lord has much more to teach regarding seven women sustaining a man to function in priesthood ordinances outside his family, and twelve women unanimously removing that authority (see T&C 175 “Receiving Power in Christ” vs 27-32). 

He has taught us a pattern to follow when it comes to creation and modification. This pattern can be a principal method followed when it comes to regulating the affairs of a community striving to be at peace and harmony with one another. 

 

It is much easier to create unanimity amongst seven than it is twelve. Hence, to create, sustain, generate, build, produce, yield (all positive connotations in the Lord’s work) only requires seven. To decrease, reduce, remove, eliminate, destroy, change, alter, modify (all of which is necessary at times) requires more careful consideration and needs twelve. 

 

Seven is a symbolic number. It is the number of creation. Seven is the sum of four (symbolic of earth) and three (symbolic of heaven) and represents completion of these two parts.

 

Regarding creation, in four days the council of Gods created the earth and all that dwell on it (firmament, dry ground/trees/plants, birds/sea creatures, animals/humans) and in three days the heavens (light, sun/moon/stars, the Sabbath). 

 

The head council of Gods who planned and caused creation was composed of seven. This council was four plus three. One of the original seven was removed and we mourned his fall. 

 

There were four, symbolic of earth, that were the -el, archangels, four pillars of earth, four corners, four winds. Michael (Adam), Gabriel (Noah), Raphael (Enoch), Uriel (John). The other three, symbolic of heaven, are Christ, and his Father and Mother. This was the council. 

 

Christ laid the foundation upon which the four -el stood, Adam in the East, Enoch in the South, Gabriel in the West, Uriel in the North, and with control over the elements of air, fire, water, and earth (respectively) created in harmony with each other. Christ arced his right hand above the earth, curtaining the heavens. All this was done under the direction, approval, and tutelage of the Father and Mother. 

 

This pattern was taught by the Lord to a people in the creation of a statement of principles to be used as a guide and standard. By lots, a council of seven was chosen and given seven days to create and finish the work. If unsuccessful, or unanimity unable to be achieved, a second council of seven would take up the work. 

 

The first council was composed of a father-son and had one woman. One of the original seven was removed and replaced. The second council had a husband-wife. The first council completed the work and presented their creation to the people in six days, and on the seventh day fasted and rested. That work eventually become T&C 175 upon approval by those who would accept it. 

There is much more in this pattern worth further consideration and study. The first lesson is that we must also build/create ourselves on the foundation of Christ (RE Helaman 2:17). 

 

See also (all references are RE) Gen 1:6-8; Gen 2:1-10; 15, 1 Nephi 6:3, 2 Nephi 5:8, Abraham 6 and 7, Denver Snuffer podcast 84: Zion’s Return, Part 1 (for full discussion on the four -el, https://denversnuffer.com/2019/09/84-zions-return-part-1/ transcript) 

The Parable of Chocolate

After a period of seasoning and growth, a man was told by the Lord to no longer consume chocolate. The flesh mourned, for the man loved chocolate, but his spirit rejoiced to obey his God. As with most things in life, some days were easier than others, but he strictly obeyed. The man had a difficult time explaining to his friends why he no longer indulged in something once regular in his life, and which they partook in frequently, for it seemed such a trivial matter.  

The Lord eventually visited the man, pleased with his offering, and added upon him, working wonders in the man’s life. The man told a close friend all that had occurred. The friend was excited. “Finally, here is the great secret!” the friend thought. He gave up chocolate as well. His physical health improved, his energy was better, and he had greater self-esteem. He was happy in this success. However, it was not the same result the man had.

 

The friend considered the matter. “It must not be the chocolate,” he thought, “it must be the sugar in the chocolate that’s the key.” He gave up all sugar. His physical health soared, people complimented his physique, his mental health was excellent, and his quality of life improved. He was very pleased, but he still did not experience what the man had with the Lord. 

 

The friend lived a long and happy life, died, and stood before his maker, a person he did not know. “Lord,” he said, “I gave up chocolate, and sugar, and did all else religious leaders told me, and yet you did not visit me as you did the man.” 

 

“It was never about the chocolate,” the Lord said, “it was about performing the sacrifice I required of you. I required chocolate of the man, but of you, I required something different. You did not ask me, nor did you hear when I told you. To the man I had respect for his offering, and for yours I had no regard.” 

 

See also: Lectures on Faith, especially Lecture third, verse 5 and Lecture six (emphasizing verses 9-12); Matt 19:16-22; Alma 22:15-18 

A dream from 2018

4 February 2018 - journal entry

Last night I had a dream. It was evening, my toddler son was playing, and the sky was clear. I took my son and laid a blanket down looking up into the heavens. Half the sky was blocked by the lights of men, which also washed out the clarity of the remaining visible stars. I covered those lights up, focused, and the stars became clear to see.

After some searching, I was shown the part of the sky, and a point therein, where God was. A sensation unlike what I have felt before overcame me, and a rushing noise as a mighty wind filled my ears. I came to realize this was a spiritual force to bring me to where God was. I consented, and was on my way. It felt like no physical force was carrying me, I was in "free fall" upwards, and as the earth receded below I became scared that whatever carried me up would drop me. In an instant, I returned to where I had been laying, gazing up at the stars, which were now dimmer to see.

I focused on the point I knew where God was, and prayed for another opportunity, confessing my fear in prayer. I was told I did not yet fully put my trust in the Lord, my faith in Him, or rely on Him. I confessed in agreement this weakness, and asked to try again. The feeling returned, the rushing filled my ears, and I was brought up above the earth, shown a portion of it, a point therein, and brought down to it. I wondered why I was returning to the earth and was told I was to be shown something for my learning. 

Two agents faced down eight or so criminals. The criminals were hardened, mean, violent. They would not submit. A gunfight ensued, and using great skill, the agents violently killed the criminals, the last one alive was ruthlessly executed by them. I returned to where I lay, looking up at the stars.

I asked the meaning of this. The earth has become exceedingly violent, and even those who fight for good, or strive to be good, or develop virtues in the war against evil are now succumbing to a lower standard and adopt the ways of evil. This brutal cycle is spiraling humanity downwards and even those who desire to fight for just causes have their hearts turning cold. 

I gazed into the heavens again, the sound came, and I was brought to Paradise. There was peace and understanding, no ill will or malice. With such a feeling, no temptation to do evil existed. It was nice to rest. I asked the man there how I was progressing and he told me some things.

Psalm 94

O God, shine forth!