Being vs. Knowing - What Ought We to Have Learned?
- scottrode
- 6 days ago
- 35 min read
Attempts at creating the “Guide and Standard” and resolving questions regarding women’s councils have left us asking “What ought we to have learned from these experiences.
“God gave us an opportunity with the Guide and Standard. It was to provide an experience for a group of people with differences and disagreements to learn and increase their ability to respectfully disagree while still coming to a mutual concession. Rather than mutually agreeing, we surrendered the fight without achieving a unanimous statement that satisfied everyone. In that, it was a failure. We are failing again. We are so fixated on achieving a result that we fail to realize that the results do not matter; only the process matters. Results should be a byproduct of the process. We hurry through the process to reach the result, never realizing we’ve discarded the very tool intended to produce people of one heart and one mind, who can live together in peace. How we proceed is critical to succeeding as a people. Results, accomplished through compulsory means, which include peer pressure, refusing to engage, and shaming someone for a desire to stay in the process, cannot and will not bring people of peace together. Zion is also a byproduct of the process and will never be the result of an achieved goal. Differences and disagreements should not make us enemies or evil. The Lord expects us to learn and grow our ability to respectfully disagree with one another. If we can acknowledge our differences and talk through our disagreements as beloved brothers and sisters who respect each other, we might just experience a remarkable byproduct. But until we are willing to engage in the process, we are only left to endure sad experiences” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., April 2025 Conference, pp. 31-32, emphasis added).
In previous experiences I suspect the assigned tasks have been approached with a uniquely Gentile mentality cultivated over centuries of tradition and failed attempts. Rather than focus on the objective or outcome, we begin addressing challenges with a certainty of what we know and its elevated importance. That leads to conflicting agenda’s we believe are essential to accomplishing a correct outcome. If we can point to the presence of our contribution to the outcome, that’s icing on the cake of self-gratification. All is justified because it led to the perceived correct outcome.
The problem arises when each person approaches the task with an agenda and expectation. A wise friend shared with me sage advice that has served me well. He said, “Frustration comes from unmet expectations. If you want to eliminate frustration, change the expectations.” Overtime, I added a personal observation. “If you want to eliminate frustration, eliminate your expectations.”
Preconceived conclusions like “I’m right and your wrong” are obstacles to civil discourse. Where two sides or more are involved, each is convinced their view is correct and opposing views are misguided.
The culture of modern Babylon has created this psychological approach and we are supposed to transcend Babylon, even flee her. Fleeing Babylon doesn’t imply a physical relocation. It is a spiritual and psychological change in our hearts and minds.
Many times I have reflected on the extraordinary content the continued restoration has brought to light. The result has been two-fold. It adds to my understanding and dispels ignorance and misconceptions. I feel as though my understanding in the last 12 years has expanded exponentially.
With additional understanding I feel great personal gratification gathering around the proverbial gospel water cooler and fellowship meetings sharing profound insights brought to me by the Spirit of God. In all that understanding I’m left to reflect on the personal effect the increased light and knowledge has given? Has it changed me for the better? The Rabbi’s in ancient times gave their lives to the study of Torah, but when it mattered most, it was at their hands the Son of God suffered death.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ intends to break our hearts and instill in our broken hearts a contrite spirit.[1] In a manner of speaking, the fruits of the Gospel should be profound humility based on understanding. The subject of humility was raised three times in Denver’s April Conference talk:
“We have some interest, and perhaps even a longing, but we lack the thirst and humility to acquire the skills necessary to reason together and resolve our differences amicably.” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., April Conference 2025, p.36, emphasis added).
Denver quoting the words of Abinadi:
“ . . . Unless these people repent and turn to the Lord who is God, they’ll be brought into slavery;[2] no one will set them free[3] except for the Lord the Almighty God. When they cry to Me, I’ll be slow to hear their cries. I’ll let them be killed by their enemies. Unless they repent in sincere humility and regret, and honestly ask the Lord their God in faith to forgive, I won’t hear their prayers or save them from their punishment. This is what the Lord says and this is what He’s commanded me to say” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., April Conference 2025, p.8, emphasis added).
“We can learn by precept. That requires us to not only listen to but also to heed the things the Lord says to us. Giving heed does not mean we argue with one another about some particular statement, phrase, or verse, using a teaching to justify our opinions, perceptions, or errors. Giving heed requires us to submit, obey, and respect the Lord’s words as if they are meant to condemn and correct us personally. They are not intended to equip us to criticize our neighbor or justify our ignorant opinion. Seeing the flaws in others is easy. It requires nothing of us. Seeing our own flaws seems to be impossible. The words of the Lord are precepts or teachings intended to bring you down in humility so you can meekly submit to His guidance in all things, not just the things you care about. Alternatively, we can choose to fail by not heeding the Lord’s precepts, instead enduring sad experiences that remind us of our own lowliness. None of us should be proud, thinking ourselves better than our fellow man. We aren’t. We are not even as much as the dust of the earth because the dust we occupy belongs to God. Therefore, we should be grateful for every sad experience and recognize that it is for our good. It is necessary because, for whatever reason, we did not learn by precept.[4] God’s plan expects we will learn from both. Learning by precept is not better than learning by sad experience. They are both essential teachers. The important part is how we learn by sad experience: Do we blame, judge, avoid, react, offend, ignore, resist, refuse? Or do we take accountability, reason, observe, engage, submit, ask, share, listen, pray, fast?” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., April Conference 2025, pp. 29-30, emphasis added).
The absence of humility is pride. For the past decade or more we have been given the privilege of learning by precept. If that has not brought us to humility, we will learn humility by the things we suffer.
“. . . So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest, but he that said unto him [the Father], You are my Son; today I have begotten you. As he says also in another place, You are a priest for ever after the Order of Melchizedek — who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared, though he was a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. (This alludes to Melchizedek and not to Christ.)” (RE Hebrews 1:12, emphasis added).
Melchizedek offered prayers and supplications to God “with strong crying and strong tears,” not because he feared God. His faith was in God and His ability to save him. His fear was based on knowledge and understanding of how heavily he relied on God and His mercy. Fear was the fruit of his humility. When Melchizedek understood how heavily his salvation was tied to God’s grace, he acknowledged his reliance and gratitude to God.
The Priesthood of Melchizedek is intended to reveal to mankind the mystery of godliness in preparation for being presented at the veil to converse with the Lord.
“And this greater Priesthood administers the gospel and holds the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest, and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the Priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto man in the flesh, for without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live” (RE T&C 82:12, emphasis added).
We know from this passage the mystery of godliness cannot be manifest without this authority and accompanying ordinances. No mortal may stand in the presence of the Father and Son without it. If we know this, what is the missing element required to make this endowment present in our lives?
“And behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto you and stand upright, for unto you am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to chasten yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come for your words . . .” (RE Daniel 10:3, emphasis added).
Melchizedek and Daniel knew God and their knowledge had the effect of triggering a healthy respect and fear when they approached Him. If we don’t share similar feelings we should contemplate why. I don’t and I attribute it to my ignorance and lack of understanding and humility of several things. I hope to sort it out as I write this paper.
So Much Happens in Threes
The Godhead consists of three. Approaching the veil is done in three knocks. The heavens are described as three, the telestial, terrestrial, and celestial kingdoms.[5] Joseph Smith spoke of three Spirits, Elias, Elijah, and Messiah.[6] The star of David represents two overlapping triangles symbolizing three steps up from man to God and three steps down from God to man. When the Father introduced the Son to the Nephites it was done with three introductions.[7] Only the last was clearly understood, which suggests something about a process to know God and be introduced to His presence. When Abraham was shown pre-mortality there were three categories of individuals, one like unto God, noble and great and “those.”[8] There are three categories within the Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God. Aaronic, Melchizedek, and Patriarchal.[9] Based upon this repetitive pattern, I suspect there is a process unveiled to those who have eyes to see it. This is evident in the Testimony of Saint John as the Savior attempts to instruct and prepare His disciples for His death and resurrection. When Jesus spoke with Peter asking him three times the same question with a subtle difference each time. After asking if Peter loved Him, the Lord admonished Peter to “Take care of my lambs as they are growing.” The second time the Lord asked Peter if he loved Him and after answering in the affirmative the Lord admonished him to “Take care of my lambs as they increase.” After repeating the same question a third time and receiving the same response the Lord gave Peter His final admonition. “Care for my lambs as they are added upon.” Each of these questions represent different successive steps in the spiritual advancement of the Lord’s disciples. Peter is asked to shepherd them through each step.[10]
Following His interaction with Peter the Savior reminds Peter He did the same for him and will continue to do so following His death and resurrection.
“ . . . In the name of Father Ahman I tell you, when you were progressing [growing], you dressed yourself, and went where you chose to go; but as you approach [increase] the end of the path [added upon], you will have to let others stretch out your hands and likewise nail you, even if you plead to have the bitter cup removed. This He said to foretell the sacrificial death that is required for endless glory. And then He added, You must follow after me” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:18, emphasis added).
We all have three steps of progression we hope to achieve in this cycle. Most of us are in the first step or “growing.” For us to “increase” requires a change from our natural state to a spiritual state.[11] We have to begin to see others as God sees them. First, come to the realization that Moses arrived at when the God’s presence withdrew from him.
“And it came to pass that Moses looked and beheld the world upon which he was created. And as Moses beheld the world, and the ends thereof, and all the children of men who are and who were created, of the same he greatly marveled and wondered. And the presence of God withdrew from Moses, that his glory was not upon him, and Moses was left unto himself. And as he was left unto himself, he fell unto the earth. And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before he did again receive his natural strength like unto man. And he said unto himself, Now for this once I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed. But now my eyes have beheld God — but not my natural eyes, but my spiritual, for my natural eyes could not have beheld, for I should have withered and died in his presence. But his glory was upon me and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured before him” (RE Genesis 1:2, emphasis added).
Being in the presence of God and then experiencing the withdrawal of the Lord’s Spirit, Moses realized how literally our existence is completely reliant on God’s grace. He knew this when he experienced what it was like to be in God’s presence in relation to how he felt when his natural strength was restored. This led him say, “I know that man is nothing.”
Nephi alluded to the same point when explaining the redemption of those who repent and are baptized.
“But, my dear people, the Son’s voice came to me, saying: After you’ve repented of your sins and shown to the Father by the baptism of water that you’re willing to keep My commandments and have received the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost and can speak in a new language — indeed, even in the language of angels — and then you deny Me, it would have been better for you not to have known Me. And I heard the Father’s voice, saying: Yes, the words of My Beloved are true and faithful: Anyone who endures to the end will be saved. Now, my dear people, I know by this that unless a person endures to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God, they can’t be saved. Therefore do the things I’ve told you that I saw your Lord and Redeemer will do. They’ve been shown to me for this purpose, so you’ll know the gate through which you’re to enter. And the gate you’re to enter is repentance and baptism by water, and then a remission of your sins comes by fire and by the Holy Ghost. Then you’re on the straightforward and narrow path that leads to eternal life — indeed, you’ve entered through the gate. You’ve acted in accordance with the commandments of the Father and the Son, and you’ve received the Holy Ghost promised to you once you entered through the way, which testifies of the Father and Son.
Now, my dear people, after you’ve made your way onto this straightforward and narrow path, I want to ask if everything is done? I tell you: No. Because you’ve only come to this point by Christ’s word, with unshaken faith in Him, relying exclusively on the merits of Him who’s powerful to save. Therefore you must press on resolutely with constancy, purpose, and a firm belief in Christ, having a complete brightness of hope and a love for God and for all mankind. This is what the Father has said: If you press forward, feasting on Christ’s word, and persevere to the end, you will have eternal life” (C of C 2 Nephi 13:3-4, emphasis added).
We come to the gate and pass through wholly on the merits of Christ, exercising faith in Him. He brings us to the path leading to eternal lives by virtue of His proving the path of the Father is valid.[12] By His sacrifice all who exercise faith in Christ and receive His word may pass through the gate and receive the Holy Ghost. It is solely by His merit. We deserve no credit for receiving His great gift.
King Benjamin taught his Nephite subjects the same principle when they obtained the spiritual rebirth and adoption into the family of Christ.
“Remember to always help those who need it and give what you can to those in need. Don’t ignore beggars and turn them away to perish. You may think they brought their suffering upon themselves and therefore you don’t want to help them, or give them food, or share any of your belongings. You may not want to end their suffering, thinking they deserve to suffer. But I say to each of you: Whoever does this has a great need to repent. Unless they repent of what they’ve done, they’ll perish forever and won’t have any part in God’s kingdom. Indeed, aren’t we all beggars? Don’t we all depend on the same Being, who is God, for everything we have — food, clothing, gold and silver, and everything we own? You’ve been calling on His name, asking for forgiveness for your sins. Has He refused your request? No, He’s poured out His Spirit upon you, filling your heart with joy and leaving you speechless due to the overwhelming happiness you feel.
If God has created you and you rely on Him for your lives and everything you have, and if He grants you whatever you ask for in faith, believing that you will receive it, then you should share the things you have with each other even more. If you judge someone who asks you for something that you possess, and you refuse to help them in order to prevent their suffering, then you deserve even greater condemnation for withholding what you have. Everything you possess ultimately belongs to God, including your own life, and yet you didn’t need to ask Him for it, nor are you willing to repent of your greed. Therefore I warn you: Woe to those who have abundance and the ability to share and help others but choose not to. They’ll face dire consequences. Woe to that person, for they will lose all their possessions when they die. On the other hand, I want to address those who are poor and have very little, barely surviving day-to-day. I mean all you who don’t help the beggar because you don’t have anything to give — I want you to know that in your hearts, you refrain from giving because you lack the means to do so. If you had the resources, you would give. If you acknowledge this truth, you aren’t guilty. However, if you deny it, you’re condemned, and rightfully so, because you covet other people’s belongings” (C of C Mosiah 2:4-5, emphasis added).
We are all beggars before God and rely on Him for everything. He does not deny us of those things we are in need of. Our understanding of our complete reliance on God should be something more than what we know. It is critical we comprehend how complete our reliance on God is. That understanding should be our primary focus when we call on Him for relief. When it comes to God’s goodness in relation to our lack of charity towards others, we are deserving of His chastening.[13]
A significant milestone in our spiritual progression is the Lord revealing to us His goodness in relation to how far we fall short of His standard. Among His spiritual gifts to us are weakness. He endows upon us with weakness to humble us before Him. The Lord explained to Moroni His reasoning for giving weakness to all mankind.
“When I had said this, the Lord told me: Fools mock, but they will mourn. And My grace is sufficient for the meek, so that they won’t find an excuse in your weaknesses. If people come to Me, I’ll show them their weaknesses. I give people weaknesses so they can be humble. And My grace is sufficient for all people who humble themselves before Me. If they humble themselves before Me and have faith in Me, then I’ll make weak things become strong for them. I’ll show the Gentiles their weaknesses. I’ll show them that faith, hope, and charity lead to Me, the Source of all righteousness” (C of C Ether 5:5, emphasis added).
How do we distinguish a foolish person from a humble person? Based on the Lord’s council to Moroni a fool mocks others for their weakness. Weakness serves a purpose in God’s economy. It is a measure of how much we fall short of the standard God sets by His “being”. As we aspire to “come unto Him,” He reveals our weakness to us. Not to mock or criticize but to provide contrast so we have a more informed understanding of the scope and gravity of what He does for us. The Savior’s Atonement shows and teaches us how the Father and Son ascended to Their exalted station. From John the Beloved’s records we learn how and why we should look to God and seek to ascend as did They.
“And I, John, bear record that he received a fullness of the glory of the Father. And he received all power, both in Heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
And it shall come to pass that if you are faithful, you shall receive the fullness of the record of John. I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship [emulation], and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fullness, for if you keep my commandments, you shall receive of his fullness and be glorified in me as I am glorified in the Father. Therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace” (RE T&C 93:6-7, emphasis added).
God gives us weakness to humble our hearts and bring us to the understanding we rely upon Him alone. Our weakness is uniquely designed to help us build strengths in areas we need the most preparation. Looking upon others and judging them harshly as they struggle with their God given weakness creates an additional obstacle for them, but brands us “fools.” The grace of Christ saves those who come to the Savior in humility but damns those who judge others harshly. They are damned because their harsh judgment of others sets the standard by which God judges them.[14] It negates the Atonement because they choose to be judged by another standard, more harsh and less merciful than the Savior’s judgment. It is their choice and they are fools for choosing it.[15]
Pride is the companion of foolishness. When we perceive ourselves as more advanced, more blessed by God than other’s less deserving we are prideful. Humility is lost in our pride. Rather than offering compassion and charity[16] to our fellow travelers to lift and support them in their trials, we become an obstacle by mocking their weakness. Mocking need not be on display for all to see. It can be done through silent withdrawal of fellowship or ignoring those in need.
For us to refrain from setting our own harsh standard of judgment, our focus needs to be on our own weakness and not on others. Our weakness is difficult to objectively evaluate on our own but when we come to the Savior, He manifests them to us. In a manner best suited to nurture and build on our weak foundation.
His faith in us is unwavering[17] but His gentle encouragement and effort is often drowned out in the loud voices and actions of others in mortality. The loud voices in the great and spacious building we too often occupy[18] does more to accuse and dissuade us of from having faith and trust in God and His goodness.
This is provocative to God when someone who comes to the Savior in humble, submissive tones, willing to submit to all the Lord asks of him. They are mocked, scorned and worst of all ignored and rejected when all they sought was to save souls and please God. The humble are wrapped in the saving grace of Christ’s Atonement and then gently led like a lamb to the proverbial sacrifice.
“ . . . but as you approach the end of the path, you will have to let others stretch out your hands and likewise nail you, even if you plead to have the bitter cup removed. This He said to foretell the sacrificial death that is required for endless glory. And then He added, You must follow after me” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:18, emphasis added).
There is a reason the Patriarchal Fathers reside at the mountain top.[19] There are sound reasons why the Lord counseled His disciples to wait until He returned.[20] There is a reason only one man followed the Lord’s counsel and was led by the hand undeterred in his ascent to the Mount of the Fathers before prior to suffering death.[21]
We are in our spiritual infancy, distracted by the accuser’s efforts to turn our focus away from our own weakness, fixated on the weaknesses of the “less enlightened.” When we allow ourselves to turn away from our weaknesses and obsess on the weaknesses of others we miss the main focus of the mystery of godliness.
“And it came to pass that Moses spoke unto the Lord, saying, Be merciful unto your servant, O God, and tell me concerning this earth and the inhabitants thereof, and also the heavens; and then your servant will be content. And the Lord God spoke unto Moses of the heavens, saying, These are many and they cannot be numbered unto man, but they are numbered unto me for they are mine. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof, even so shall another come. And there is no end to my works, neither my words. For behold, this is my work and my glory: to bring to pass the immortality and the eternal life of man. And now Moses, my son, I will speak unto you concerning this earth upon which you stand, and you shall write the things which I shall speak. And in a day when the children of men shall esteem my words as naught and take many of them from the book which you shall write, behold, I will raise up another like unto you, and they shall be had again among the children of men, among even as many as shall believe. These words were spoken unto Moses in the mount, the name of which shall not be known among the children of men” (RE Genesis 1:7, emphasis added).
Of all the choices God has to devote His efforts and energy to, His desire, His passion is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. One would believe He would choose the most fruitful, fulfilling work someone of His majesty and power can imagine. While we attempt to blindly navigate mortality obsessed with our own nothingness, He sees value in our struggle. He sees what we can become because of what He has done throughout His ascension. The Father watched as His Son duplicated His accomplishments.
“The Father testified of Jesus also on the Mount, when He was transfigured before us, and the glory of Heaven was upon Him, and we saw Him enter the Heavenly realm. The Father testified also when our Lord prayed for those who do follow Him. And the Holy Ghost has and does testify of Him to all who receive Him. Therefore, we know by irrefutable evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, sent to fulfill prophecy, and to lead all who will follow through the path of His Father” (RE T&C 171 Testimony of St. John 12:13, emphasis added).
Our Lord was sent to do more than deliver a code by which we should live. He was sent with a transformative message intended to conform our external image and align our hearts with His.
Denver made a statement several years ago I’ve reflected upon often.
“I might add where Christ has arisen to dwell in everlasting burnings is about halfway to where things ultimately can go in this “higher order of kingdoms” spoken of in Section 130. You say it's necessary in this condition to have a physical body in order to come down here and perform, and you say that rightly. But there are other places beyond this. There are places where, in everlasting glory, the personages dwelling there are of “spirit, glory, and power” like The Father” (“Christ: The Prototype of the Saved Man,” Denver Snuffer Jr., p.19, emphasis added).
This statement was so extraordinary when I heard it I failed to contemplate the implications of it. I still sense I don’t fully comprehend it. However, one thought came to me that has been the subject of much reflection. We believe that Jesus attained perfection by following the Father’s path without deviation. In all things He embodied the Father’s perfection. If perfection is only the “halfway” point to where Jesus will ultimately ascend, on what measure must He continue to fulfill to ascend where the Father is and be like Him? With limited understanding, the only thought at this point is bringing “to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
To mortal man with limited understanding, God reveals our weakness to us and when compared to His glory [intelligence, light and truth] and goodness man is nothing. The fact we have a “record of Heaven” encased inside of us suggests prior experiences both good and bad. Where our knowledge of those experiences are withheld from us for time, they are in full view to Them. God sees us for what we have been and will be because “time is only measured unto men”[22] and to God the past, present and future are before Him always.[23] That is why He has faith in us.
Because our understanding is limited to this mortal experience we lack sufficient information to have faith and confidence in ourselves. That is why God requires us to have faith in him. One day we will know as they know and have confidence in the ability of Christ to lift us where He and the Father are. But it will take longer than we may comprehend but that’s okay because we have eternal lives to accomplish it.
Seeing Ourselves and Others as God Sees Us
No matter what adversity we may face or challenges we witness in the lives of others, we need to have faith in the fact that all people are precious in God’s sight. We need to have charity towards them as He has charity towards us. In some prior cycle they likely had compassion on us as we faced greater challenges than we now face. Some of their challenges were accepted by them to test and try us. We need to be transformed into being godlike and that includes charity for all.
There are some among us who are here not to be tested or tried but to test and try us. They may “appear smitten and afflicted by God”[24] but their infirmities and maladies are given to see if we may rise up by lifting them. That is why we must become precious to one another.[25] Bear one another’s burdens so no one is left behind. They were gods before their birth and they return to greater glory because of their willingness to suffer for our benefit here in mortality.[26] They are also why God has faith in us.[27] He has proven them and has confidence they will be successful in lifting us, if we are humble.
The Process is More Important than the Outcome
As we approach each challenge it is important not to let the quest to achieve a desired outcome become more important than lifting the souls engaged in the process. Above all else what matters most is a mutual understanding of our devotion to one another.
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood; only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned, by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul; without hypocrisy and without guile; reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the holy ghost, and then showing forth afterward an increase of love toward him whom you have reproved (lest he esteem you to be his enemy), that he may know that your faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death; your bowels also being full of charity toward all men, and to the household of faith; and virtue garnish your thoughts unceasingly. Then shall your confidence wax strong in the presence of God, and the doctrines of the Priesthood shall distill upon your soul as the dews from heaven. The holy ghost shall be your constant companion, and your scepter [symbol of kingship] an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth, and your dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto you for ever and ever” (RE T&C 139:6, emphasis added).
The underlying premise beneath every task the Lord commissions us to perform must be that we believe our devotion and faith to one another will always be unwavering, no matter our differences. This is what we must become and our love for one another is the witness to God we are His children.[28]
[1] “All you that have been spared because you were more righteous than they were, will you return to Me now and repent of your sins and be converted, so I can heal you? I promise you: If you come to Me, you will have eternal life. My arm of mercy is reaching for you. Anyone who comes to Me, I’ll receive them; those who come to Me will be blessed. I Am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I created the heavens, the earth, and everything that’s in them. I was with the Father since the beginning. I Am in the Father and the Father in Me; and the Father has glorified His name in Me. I came to My own, and My own rejected Me; and the scriptures promising My coming are fulfilled. I’ve given power to all those who have received Me, to become sons and daughters of God. Likewise, I’ll give power to all those who believe in My name. Because redemption comes through Me, and the Law of Moses has been concluded by Me. I Am the light and the life of the world. I Am first and last, the beginning and the end. You must no longer shed blood as an offering to Me; indeed, your sacrifices and burnt offerings must end now, because I’ll no longer accept any of your sacrifices or burnt offerings. You must offer Me a broken heart and a contrite spirit as a sacrifice. Whoever comes to Me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, I’ll baptize them with fire and the Holy Ghost, just like the Lamanites were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost because of their faith in Me at the time of their conversion, and yet they didn’t understand what it was. I’ve come into the world to bring redemption to the world, to save the world from sin. Therefore whoever repents and comes to Me as a little child, I will receive them, because God’s kingdom is made up of people like this. I’ve given My life for such people, and I’ve taken it up again. Therefore repent and come to Me, everyone throughout the world, and be saved” (C of C 3 Nephi 4:7, emphasis added).
[2] “Then the Angel told me: You’ve seen that if the Gentiles repent, it will turn out well for them. You also know about the Lord’s covenants with the house of Israel. And you’ve also heard that whoever doesn’t repent must perish. As a result, if the Gentiles harden their hearts against the Lamb of God, I will afflict them [sad experience]. Because the time will come, says the Lamb of God, when I’ll bring about a great and awe-inspiring work among mankind, one that will be everlasting — one way or the other — either to convince them, resulting in peace and life eternal; or to give them up to their hard hearts and blind minds, bringing about their slavery and temporal and spiritual destruction, under the accuser’s enslavement which I’ve spoken about” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:26, emphasis added).
[3] “Now these are the words king Benjamin hoped to hear from them. Therefore he told them: You’ve said the words I wanted to hear, and the covenant you’ve made is a righteous covenant. Now because of the covenant you’ve made, you’ll be called the sons and daughters of Jesus Christ. Today, He has spiritually begotten you. You’ve said your hearts have changed through faith in His name. As a result, you’re born of Him and have become His sons and daughters. You’re now free under His wings, and there’s no other Savior under whose wings you can be sheltered. There’s no other name given through which salvation comes. Therefore all of you who have made the covenant with God to be obedient for the remainder of your lives, take upon yourselves the name of Christ. Those who do this will be found at the right hand of God and will answer to the name of Christ” (C of C Mosiah 3:2, emphasis added).
[4] “Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Those who are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts, for precept must be upon precept — precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little. For with stammering lips and another tongue [foreign tongue] will he speak to this people, to whom he said, This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing — yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little and there a little, that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken” (RE Isaiah 8:3, This chapter of Isaiah is devoted to Ephraim, emphasis added).
[5] “ . . . Also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial, and bodies telestial; but the glory of the celestial, one, and the terrestrial, another, and the telestial, another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars, for one star differs from another star in glory” (RE 1 Corinthians 1:65, emphasis added).
[6] TPJS, kindle addition, p.384
[7] “While they were conversing about this, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven. And they looked around, since they didn’t understand the voice they heard. It wasn’t a harsh voice or a loud voice. But despite being a quiet voice, it pierced those who heard it to the core, so much that they trembled. It cut them to the core and melted their hearts. They heard the voice again but didn’t understand it. And they heard the voice a third time and understood and listened attentively to it. They looked toward the sound, looking steadily toward heaven, where it originated. At the third time, they understood the voice, and it said to them: 7Here is My Beloved Son, in whom I’m well pleased, in whom I’ve glorified My name. Listen to Him!” (C of C 3 Nephi 5:2, emphasis added).
[8] “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was, and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones. And God saw these souls, that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them and he said, These I will make my rulers. For he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good. And he said unto me, Abraham, you are one of them; you were chosen before you were born.
And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him, We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell. And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them. And they who keep their first estate shall be added upon, and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever . . . And then the Lord said, Let us go down. And they went down at the beginning and they organized and formed (that is, the Gods) the heavens and the earth. And the earth, after it was formed, was empty and desolate because they had not formed anything but the earth. And darkness reigned upon the face of the deep, and the spirit of the Gods was brooding upon the faces of the water” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 6:1-2, 7:1, emphasis added).
[9] "Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually." The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right from the eternal God, and not by descent from father and mother; and that priesthood is as eternal as God Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life. The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal authority. Go to and finish the temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood. The 3rd is what is called the Levitical Priesthood, [Aaronic] consisting of priests to administer in outward ordinances, made without an oath; but the Priesthood of Melchizedek is by an oath and covenant. The Holy Ghost is God's messenger to administer in all those priesthoods” (Smith Jr., Joseph. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (pp. 369-370). Deseret Book Company. Kindle Edition.
[10] “After the meal, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me above every thing else? He answered him, Yes, Lord. You know that I love you. He said to him, Take care of my lambs as they are growing. He asked him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me above every thing else? He said to Him, Yes, Lord you know that I love you. He said to him, Take care of my lambs as they increase. He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, do you love me above every thing else? Peter was concerned because He asked him for a third time, Do you love me? And he said to Him, Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Care for my lambs as they are added upon . . .” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:18, emphasis added).
[11] “ . . . Men and women, in their natural state, are out of harmony with God and have been since the Fall of Adam. This disharmony will continue from eternity to eternity, unless they yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, abandon their fallen nature, and become holy through the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. They should strive to become like a child, humble, meek, patient, and full of love, willing to accept everything that the Lord deems appropriate for them, as a child obeys their parents” (C of C Mosiah 1:16, emphasis added).
[12] “Now, therefore, know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Walker in the Path who has proven for evermore that Father Ahman sent Him into the world to prove His Father’s path” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 12:21, emphasis added).
[13] “I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he with me. To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am seated with my Father in his throne. He that has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says unto the churches” (RE Revelation 1:20, emphasis added).
[14] “Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people: Judge not unrighteously, that you be not judged, but judge righteous judgment; for with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Re Matthew 3:40, emphasis added).
[15] “Now remember, remember, my friends, that whoever perishes, perishes by their own choice and whoever does evil does it to themselves. Because you’re free; you’re permitted to act for yourselves. God has given you a choice, and He lets you freely make it. He’s made you capable of distinguishing good from evil. He lets you choose life or death. You can do good and be restored to what’s good or have what’s good restored to you; or you can do evil and have what’s evil restored to you . . .” (C of C Helaman 5::14, emphasis added).
[16] “But to you the end of all things is at hand; be therefore sober and watch unto prayer. And above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity prevents a multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the diverse grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as an oracle of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (RE 1 Peter 1:16, emphasis added).
[17] “It is by faith God has given His word unto men beforehand, and it is through God’s hope that He foresees vindicating His word through weak vessels and flawed men. He sees the end from the beginning through faith, acting with hope for the outcome while leaving mankind free to choose for themselves if they will obey and succeed, or disobey and fail” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.17, emphasis added).
[18] “Then the Angel said again: Look! And I looked and saw the Lamb of God, the Son of the Everlasting God, was taken and judged by the world. I was a witness and testify: I saw He was put up on the cross and killed for the world’s sins. After He was killed, I saw that great numbers of people had gathered to fight against the Lamb’s witnesses (which is what the Angel of the Lord called the Twelve). Crowds had assembled, and I saw they were in a large and spacious building, like the one my father saw. The Angel of the Lord said: Look at the world and its wisdom; notice the house of Israel has gathered to fight against the Lamb’s Twelve witnesses. 36I saw and testify that the large and spacious building was the world’s pride, and its fall was terrible. Then the Angel of the Lord said to me: This is how the destruction will be of all people who fight the Lamb’s Twelve witnesses, from every nation, tribe, and language” (C of C 1 Nephi 3:14, emphasis added).
[19] “I saw a great mountain, and upon the top thereof was the glory of the fathers. To reach the top, all were required to enter through a narrow pass. In the pass was a great beast, cruel and pitiless” (RE T&C 163:1, emphasis added).
[20] “The Lord brought people whom he had chosen to the mouth of the pass, and there he told them to wait for him, and he went away. The people did not wait for Him, but began to move forward into the narrow pass. The beast killed some and injured others, and none were able to pass through.
After great losses, many deaths, and terrible suffering, the people chosen by the Lord withdrew and departed from the mountain. After four and five generations, the Lord again brought some few back to the pass and again told them to stay at the mouth of the pass and wait on Him. But again there were those who tired of waiting, for they could see in the distance the glory of the Fathers and they desired to be there. These, being overtaken by their zeal, did not wait, but moved into the pass where again the beast killed or hurt them” (Re T&C 163:2-3, emphasis added).
[21] “Among those who waited, however, was a man who knelt and prayed, and waited patiently for his Lord. After a great time, the Lord came to this man and took him by the hand and led him into the pass where the great beast guarded the way. As the Lord led, however, the beast was ever occupied with attacking others, and therefore its back was turned to the Lord and the man. And so they passed by unnoticed, safely to the top. The Lord sent the man to the Fathers who, when they saw the man, inquired of him, How came you to be here and yet mortal; the last who came here were brothers who had been slain, and you are yet alive? And the man answered, I waited on the Lord and he brought me here safely” (RE T&C 163:4, emphasis added).
[22] “. . . Everything is as one day with God, and time is only measured to mankind . . .” (C of C Alma 19:5, emphasis added).
[23] “ . . . And all things are present with me, for I know them all. And now behold, this one thing I show unto you, Moses my son, for you are in the world; and now I show it to you” (RE Genesis 1:1, emphasis added).
[24] “And what shall I say more? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the foreigners, women received their dead raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain the first resurrection. And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea moreover, of bonds and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (RE Hebrews 1:49, emphasis added).
[25] “Similarly, Zion cannot be established by isolated and solitary figures proclaiming a testimony of Jesus from their home keyboard. The challenge of building a community must be part of a process. Zion is a community, and therefore, God is a god of community, and His people must learn to live together with one heart, one mind, with no poor among us. Isolated keyboardists proclaiming their resentment of community can hardly speak temperately of others. How could they ever live peacefully in a community of equals? We must become precious to each other” (Snuffer Jr., Denver C. . The Teachings of Denver C. Snuffer, Jr. Volume 4: 2017, emphasis added: Kindle Edition (The Teachings of Denver C. Snuffer Jr. Readers Edition Series) . Restoration Archive. Kindle Edition).
[26] “Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was, and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones. And God saw these souls, that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them and he said, These I will make my rulers. For he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good. And he said unto me, Abraham, you are one of them; you were chosen before you were born” (RE T&C 145, Abraham 6:1, emphasis added).
[27] “God’s faith is not limited to confidence in Himself alone but extends to His confidence in His Sons. I believe God had faith in Joseph Smith to found a dispensation of the gospel. As Joseph said of himself: “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council.” (TPJS, p. 365)” (God’s Covenant People, Denver Snuffer Jr., p.26, emphasis added).
[28] “I give you a new commandment, That you love one another. Love each other as I have loved you. If you have love for each other it will be a sign that will identify you to all mankind as my followers” (RE T&C 171, Testimony of Saint John 10:7, emphasis added).
Scott Roderick
4/16/2025