teddyaware

The reason why this debate will never have a satisfactory resolution is because the naysaying participants refuse to even consider the possibility that there is a God of miracles. The scripture are filled with sacred accounts wherein God tests the faith of his people by placing them in seemingly impossible situations where the only thing they can rely on is his word alone, while every other element with in the narrative points to the absolute impossibility of God’s promises being fulfilled. I’m sure that the Nephite apostates who were about to slaughter the Nephite believers for their refusal to give up on their “foolish” belief that the would be a day, a night and a day of continuous daylight were 100% confident that the promised miracle wouldn’t be fulfilled, yet it was. Personally, I’m equally confident that the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon will be vindicated by God’s own mouth. It will be amazing to see the expressions on the naysayers faces when they finally come to the realization that there is a God, and that he is a God of miracles who gloriously fulfills his promises, and does so against all odds. 10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. 11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. (2 Nephi 33)

The Book of Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. 21 Now this king of Egypt was a descendant from the loins of Ham, and was a partaker of the blood of the Canaanites by birth. 22 From this descent sprang all the Egyptians, and thus the blood of the Canaanites was preserved in the land. 23 The land of Egypt being first discovered by a woman, who was the daughter of Ham, and the daughter of Egyptus, which in the Chaldean signifies Egypt, which signifies that which is forbidden; 24 When this woman discovered the land it was under water, who afterward settled her sons in it; and thus, from Ham, sprang that race which preserved the curse in the land. (Abraham 1)

If the Book of Mormon itself powerfully testifies that the one and only way anyone can gain a witness of its truthfulness is through revelation from God. That means this thread amounts to nothing more than a whirling hamster wheel of human intellect that’s doomed to provide no satisfactory answers no matter how often one mounts the wheel and how hard he feverishly pedals. The insight I’m gaining through this thread is that it appears to me there are some former believers who are secretly so worried that the Book of Mormon might actually be true that they will spare no effort in what amounts to a vain quest to quell their nagging fears. The bottom line is that scriptures testify the answers these tormented individuals so desperately seek will eventually be provided to them, but because the Book of Mormon is a sealed book (something that can only be known and understood by revelation from God) the answers they seek will ultimately be provided by God himself, and at that point it will be up to them to decide whether or not they believe the Lord is telling them the truth. But at least for now, Nephi sets forth the conditions whereby the answers the seek can be gained prior to the day of judgment. Ignore at your own risk or be doomed to endlessly trod the hamster wheel to nowhere. 17 And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father, concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God—and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come—I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men. 18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they REPENT AND COME UNTO HIM. 19 FOR HE THAT DILIGENTLY SEEKS SHALL FIND; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (1 Nephi 10)

An enlightening insight into that nature and purposes of God’s curses is found in Lehi’s final blessing given to the children of Laman and Lemuel shortly before his death. Remarkably,, it turns out that the curse upon the Lamanites was a blessing in disguise, designed in love to protect the descendants of Laman and Lemuel from being held responsible for the sins and rebellions of their fathers. Equally remarkable is that the fact the curse is described as a blessing upon the descendants of Laman and Lemuel in that the ultimate responsibility for the curse would rest only upon Laman and Lemuel. 3 Wherefore, after my father had made an end of speaking concerning the prophecies of Joseph, he called the children of Laman, his sons, and his daughters, and said unto them: Behold, my sons, and my daughters, who are the sons and the daughters of my firstborn, I would that ye should give ear unto my words. 4 For the Lord God hath said that: inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence. 5 But behold, my sons and my daughters, I cannot go down to my grave save I should leave a blessing upon you; for behold, I know that if ye are brought in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it. 6 Wherefore, if ye are cursed, behold, I leave my blessing upon you, that the cursing may be taken from you and be answered upon the heads of your parents. (2 Nephi 4)

I’m perfectly confident I’ve got this right… Even if the plates were shown to the world and subjected to the most extensive testing they would be dismissed as a hoax, and rather than help the world believe the Book of Mormon is true it would severely backfire with the leaders of the church accused of being fraudsters. And I’d be willing to bet you’d very likely be one of those who’d be crying fraud. To a degenerating carnal world bound and determined to ripen in iniquity, even great miracles have no effect. A perfect example to demonstrate this point is how the Nephites ended up dismissing the miracle 36 hours of continuous daylight as a hoax.

Exactly. If the plates were presented to the world and put through extensive testing to determine if there’s a chance they’re authentic, very few would end up being convinced the Book of Mormon is true after the “experts” come to the conclusion that it’s 99.999% certain the plates are part of an elaborate hoax. Then the church would be exposed to a tsunami of extremely detrimental derision for trying to pull a fast one on the world.

After reading and sufficiently considering the implications of the following 2 verses from Doctrine and Covenants 138, I’m wondering if it’s possible to explain how anyone who’s languishing in darkness in the spirit world is ever going to be freed from the bondage of sin and be saved if they reject the preaching of the restored gospel in the spirit world? 57 I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead. 58 The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God. (Doctrine and Covenants 138)

What an wonderful tribute it is to the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon that so many weak theories and convoluted arguments have to be conjured, amassed and compounded in never ending lame attempts to try to explain away how a 23 year old farm boy was able to produce such a profound and inspiring Christological masterpiece, a work that can truly and justly be described as “a marvelous work and wonder!” And why is it that the Book of Mormon’s doubters and naysayers never seem to be able to understand that it’s by divine design that the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon can only be ascertained by means of personal revelation from God to those who humbly and sincerely inquire of him? Nevertheless, I’m quite certain that in God’s merciful economy our present-day skeptics will eventually arrive at a point of realization when they finally understand that employing so-called scientific methods to determine the Book of Mormon’s divine authenticity amount to nothing more than hamster wheels of frustration that lead to nowhere. The things of God are known by revelation or they are not known at all.

It’s established doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint that by the time of the final judgement all but the sons of perdition (those who utterly reject the gospel of Christ and salvation) will be saved from both physical and spiritual death through the grace and saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. By extension, it’s therefore apparent that all men will eventually have to accept the living Christ who stands at the head of of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints if they are to receive an inheritance in one of the Father’s post-resurrection heavenly mansions of glory. My guess is that your misinformed ideas about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are due to your “studies” being mostly confined to sources who are hostile the restored Church of Christ. 32 They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; 33 For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; 34 Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come— 35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame. 36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels— 37 And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; 38 Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath. 39 For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made. 40 And this is the gospel the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us— 41 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; 42 That through him ALL MIGHT BE SAVED a]whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; 43 Who glorifies the Father, and SAVES ALL THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him. (Doctrine and Covenants 76)

It’s established doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint that by the time of the final judgement all but the sons of perdition (those who utterly reject the gospel of Christ and salvation) will be saved from both physical and spiritual death through the grace and saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. By logical extension, it’s therefore apparent that all men will eventually have to accept the living Christ who stands at the head of of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints if they are to receive an inheritance in one of the Father’s post-resurrection mansions of heavenly glory. My guess is that your misinformed ideas about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are due to your “studies” being mostly confined to sources that are hostile the restored Church of Christ. 32 They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; 33 For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; 34 Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come— 35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame. 36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels— 37 And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; 38 Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath. 39 For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made. 40 And this is the gospel the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us— 41 That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; 42 That through him ALL MIGHT BE SAVED a]whom the Father had put into his power and made by him; 43 Who glorifies the Father, and SAVES ALL THE WORKS OF HIS HANDS, except those sons of perdition who deny the Son after the Father has revealed him. (Doctrine and Covenants 76)

Doesn’t his screen name tell you all you need to know? He’s upfront about the fact that he’s ‘not a true blue Mormon,” which indicates he’s more a member of record rather than a devoted member in spirit. He has an ax to grind, so he’s here to vent.

Brilliant insights! Why indeed didn’t the Lord simply teleport the Lehites and the Jaredites, along with all their life sustaining supplies, from their native lands to the American promised instead of commanding his them to engage in all that dangerous and labor intensive shipbuilding and seafaring stuff? Or why didn’t the Lord just use his miraculous power to instantaneously wipe the wicked Canaanites off the face of the earth so that the children of Israel could take a leisurely afternoon stroll into the promised land without having to engage in all that bloody and traumatic warfare? One could go on forever with endless examples that ask the same question: why didn’t the Lord simplify and streamline things to make it so much easier and less complicated instead of insisting that his people almost always have to do things the hard way? And now a final and most powerful question: why didn’t God the Father simply issue a decree declaring that all sins will be forgiven and mankind redeemed without the need for his Only Begotten Son to have to offer up a heartbreaking infinite and eternal sacrifice of unimaginable suffering? Surely there must be a more efficient way to save mankind without the need for God’s beloved Son of God to have to drink to the dregs the bitter cup of the wrath of Almighty God? The answer to these questions is as simple as it is reasonable. For their own ultimate good and eternal joy, the children of God need to have their faith painstakingly tested and refined as gold in the crucible of adversity. All the outcries and pearl clutching engaged in by the spiritually illiterate and immature will never sway God to do things in any other way than the extremely difficult and sacrificial way that they need to be done in order to bring to accomplish his purposes in bringing pass the immortality and eternal life of man. There is no other way! 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-16)

At the point in time that Nephi crept into the city, the majority of the inhabitants of Jerusalem were already thoroughly ripened in iniquity, and all that remained were the death throes a people laboring under the horrors of a total breakdown of law and order. One of the prime hallmarks of a society that has ripened in iniquity is when the criminals who run the corrupted ‘government’ allow their ‘guilty as sin’ friends and coconspirators to escape justice after they’ve committed the most heinous of crimes. Meanwhile the few remaining decent people who in the city were extorted, blackmailed, framed and punished for crimes they didn’t commit. There was no justice to be had in Jerusalem at the time Nephi found the murderous organized crime boss named Laban sprawled like out like a drunken fool on the ground before him. So the Lord did what he had to do. As righteous judge over his creation the Lord — not Nephi — took this matter of sorely needed justice into his own hand. There are times when the Lord employs human agents to execute his righteous judgments upon the wicked, but it’s still the Lord who’s the one to be blamed if that’s what some spiritually immature and blind individuals want to do. Not long after Nephi escaped Jerusalem with the brass plates and the sword of Laban, the Lord used the battle hardened warriors of king Nebuchadnezzar to slay and enslave the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem after the Lehites managed to escape the sociopathic throng with their lives. Is it Nebuchadnezzar and his warriors who are to be blamed for the utter destruction of Jerusalem, the utter destruction of its temple, and the massive wave of death and enslavement that swept over the city? Or was it the Lord who employed the king of Babylon and his hosts to execute his righteous judgements upon a people that had allowed the devil to take over their lives? Why there are so many pearl clutchers who seem to be so confused and conflicted over this perfectly obvious case of right vs wrong is beyond me?

Laban was an organized crime boss who undoubtedly sent out his henchmen to murder other souls before he dispatched them to execute Nephi and his brothers. There’s not even the slightest doubt in my mind that justice required Laban’s blood. But even if he had succeeded in his murderous designs and was caught in the very act, by that time Jerusalem had so ripened in iniquity that he would have been let off the hook by his corrupt fellow criminals in the government. The day will come when those who sympathize with Laban will wonder how in the world they could have been so foolish as to jeopardize their salvation to plead the case for cold blooded thief and serial killer.

Because I have perfect confidence that God is perfectly just and merciful, and because I have perfect confidence that his love for his children is infinite and eternal, I’m certain that he has no other choice in righteousness but to administer his kingdom on earth in the way he’s been doing since the beginning. For most, it may presently seem that life on this earth is far too brutal, chaotic and unfair to imagine that anything good could possibly come out of it, but I have unshakable confidence that the way in which the Lord rules over this world is going to produce the best possible salvative outcomes for the vast majority of his children. And I’m also certain that when all the facts pertaining to the economy of God are fully known that all men (the exception being the sons of perdition) will realize and acknowledge without any reservation that the Lord has ruled his kingdom with perfect righteousness. And the Lord Jesus Christ is living proof that God doesn’t just talk the talk when it comes to the absolute necessity of having to be tested in the crucible of adversity before being able to obtain perfect heavenly freedom and happiness, for even he had to encounter and overcome the worst of it all before he was able to obtain the crown of over the kingdom. You and I have to deal with exactly the same unpleasant realities that we see all around us on this fallen world. But while I choose to have strong faith that all the challenges, injustices and sufferings we encounter in this life will paradoxically end up being enormous blessings in disguise — even heavenly portals that will ultimately lead to eternal life and endless joy — you conversely choose to believe existence is a total screwup and that there’s no logical reason for exercising any faith and hope in the possibility of good things to come. But even while you’ve apparently given up hope, I’m sure you’re generous enough to indulge me as I choose to believe in a loving and righteous God whose ultimate joy is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

And the amazing thing is that once authentic faith is exercised and diligent, prayerful study becomes an enjoyable daily pursuit, the doors of spiritual perception are unlocked and it then becomes so perfectly obvious that the Book of Mormon is a mighty miracle, a most precious blessing sent from the God of miracles to enable the man of faith to know of a surety that Jesus Christ really does exist and that he loves each of us with a love far beyond human comprehension. It will be most interesting to witness what happens when the spiritual eyes of the skeptics are finally opened and they wonder with amazement how they weren’t able to see that which by then will have become so completely and unmistakably obvious.

God is the law; he’s not a slave to the law. Although you appear unwilling to grasp the concept, what you’re presently existing in is a creation ruled over by a God of infinite and eternal love. He is our all-benevolent Heavenly King who wisely who rules over his creation by assuring that the laws of justice and mercy are always kept in a state of perfect equilibrium. In the end, when the mysteries of God’s motivations and will are fully revealed, all but the sons of perdition will shout unrestrained praises to their God and King, for it will then be perfectly understood by all that he rules over a creation that he perfectly designed to maximize human joy by bringing to pass the very best of happy endings. It’s going to be most interesting to observe the facial expressions of the crotchety naysayers when they inevitably awaken to the realization that God really did know what he was doing and that all things really did work out for the best in the end! 9 Behold, I am the law, and the light. (3 Nephi 15) and… 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21)

It is, and there’s absolutely nothing at all God can do about it without tampering with the delicate balance of diametric opposition in all things that allows all things to exist. Like it or not, there is no possibility for a realm of heavenly joy to exist without it having to uneasily coexist with an opposing realm of perfectly hellish misery. Wasting time and energy caterwauling and wishing it were otherwise is as useless as using a child’s plastic hammer to break down an infinitely deep and wide steel wall.

By divine design, the Book of Mormon, as we presently have it, without the inclusion of a translation of the sealed portion, deliberately contains a more rudimentary and less nuanced presentation of the plan of salvation than the more expansive and inclusive plan of salvation that’s set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. In point of fact, Mormon was actually about to include the more expansive presentation of the plan of salvation in his abridgment, but for a wise purpose God forbade him to do so but not without extending the promise that if the the saints of the latter-days accept the Book of Mormon and prove faithful the more complete and detailed plan of salvation will be uncovered and revealed to them. Nevertheless, the broad theme of the portion of King Benjamin’s sermon that you quote are indeed doctrinally correct, for in the end it’s true that the only souls who will not be saved are the unredeemed sons of perdition who will continue to persist in their rebellion against against Christ until it is everlastingly too late. You’ll continue to fail to accurately interpret the Book of Mormon if you don’t understand the fact that it’s actually a basic gospel doctrine primer and not a comprehensive catalogue of all gospel mysteries. 8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people. From the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken. 9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater be made manifest unto them. 10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. 11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people. (3 Nephi 26) The following verses address your last point: 32 They are they who are the sons of perdition of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born; 33 For they are vessels of wrath, doomed to suffer the wrath of God, with the devil and his angels in eternity; 34 Concerning whom I have said there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come— 35 Having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame. 36 These are they who shall go away into the lake of fire and brimstone, with the devil and his angels— 37 And the only ones on whom the second death shall have any power; 38 Yea, verily, the only ones who shall not be redeemed in the due time of the Lord, after the sufferings of his wrath. 39 For all the rest shall be brought forth by the resurrection of the dead, through the triumph and the glory of the Lamb, who was slain, who was in the bosom of the Father before the worlds were made. (Doctrine and Covenant 76)

For your consideration, a fly in the ointment… 15 Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not. 16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer EVEN AS I; 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— 19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (Doctrine and Covenant 19)

All of this all boils down to the following testimony of the Apostle Peter who most solemnly warned the saints that there were members of the church in his day who were twisting and misinterpreting Paul’s teachings to their own destruction. The reason why those who misinterpret Paul in our day will twist themselves into pretzels rather than accept the obvious fact that the Lord requires them to keep his commandments is because if they accept the truth they’ll actually be required to get off their derrières and do something. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the long suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2 Peter 3)

Of course his grace is always fully sufficient and freely offered!. The problem isn’t on God’s end but on man’s. And what is the problem that hinders men from laying hold on God’s freely offered and fully sufficient grace? It’s that even converted believers have a perennial problem with frustrating the grace of God, and they will do it even as God is beckoning to them and freely offering them the fulness of his grace. If a man has been invited to a sumptuous feast, is it the fault of the host or the invitee if the invitee refuses to fill his plate with delicacies and enjoy a delicious, nourishing meal? This gospel principle is so simple and easy to comprehend that even young children can understand it. It’s not God’s fault if a lack of faith causes a man to hesitate or even refuse to partake of his freely offered infinite and eternal grace.

In his infinite wisdom and mercy, God makes the fulness of his saving grace freely available to all believers who desire to obtain it, but the reason why so few believers actually succeed in immediately laying hold on the fulness of God’s grace is due to the fact that mighty faith in Christ is an indispensable prerequisite needed in order to obtain the fulness of his grace. We are saved by grace through faith, and it’s simply a fact of life that not all believers instantly possess a sufficient measure of faith to enable them to immediately lay hold on and internalize the full measure of divine grace due to the fact that they haven’t sufficiently applied themselves in striving to grow in the grace and knowledge of God to make it happen.. It’s only those who overcome this fallen world through faith who are granted the right to be crowned kings in heaven, with the right to rule and reign with a rod of iron while seated on the very throne of God’s own power and authority. Now the divinely decreed process of sanctification in Christ doesn’t mean that those who are as yet lacking in mighty faith aren’t presently enjoying the great blessing of retaining a remission of their sins, but it does need to be understood that ever increasing endowments of God’s grace are needed if men are going to become fully sanctified and spiritually transformed by Christ in all holiness. God’s grace is imparted in wisdom, it’s not just dispensed willy nilly without it being perfectly understood that the recipients of greater measures of God’s grace need to be in a proper state of preparation and receptivity in order to be able to receive and internalize increasing outpourings of God’s grace until they obtain unto “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” I reiterate, just because the fulness of God’s grace is freely offered to all it doesn’t mean that most believers presently possess the faith, faithfulness and readiness to be able to obtain and wisely utilize great measures of gracious empowerment that extend far beyond their present capacity to properly receive and process them. Finally, I’m happy to report that the following words of admonition from the Apostle Paul could have just as easily been written by Moroni. If the “born again” Paul had already received the fulness of God’s grace and blessings, why does he solemnly testify to his fellow laborers that he has not yet received the fulness of what God’s grace is able to offer him? 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3)

BULLSEYE!!

Because it’s a commandment of God. And if for some unfortunate reason eternally married couples are unable to bring forth children in this life, the promise is sure that if they prove faithful they will have the opportunity to fulfill the commandment to multiply after the resurrection. The main purpose of celestial marriage is to enable men and women to bring forth children in the eternal world. Meanwhile, if two men or two women desire to spend eternity together perhaps they will be able to do so, but there won’t be any need for a gospel ordinance to make it happen since the bearing of children (the most important element of eternal marriage) won’t be in the mix.