teddyaware

From the LDS Bible Dictionary HAM See also Noah, Bible Patriarch In the Old Testament, the third son of Noah (Gen. 5:32; 6:10; Moses 8:12, 27). Noah, his sons, and their families entered the ark, Gen. 7:13. Canaan, Ham’s son, was cursed, Gen. 9:18–25. The government of Ham was patriarchal and was blessed as to things of the earth and wisdom but not as to the priesthood, Abr. 1:21–27. Ham’s wife, Egyptus, was a descendant of Cain; the sons of their daughter Egyptus settled in Egypt, Abr. 1:23, 25 (Ps. 105:23; 106:21–22).

Of course you’d think it’s stupid due to the fact that you’re an advocate for Marxist inspired DEI, a perverse “participation trophy” society designed to demoralize and squelch man’s divinely implanted desire to multiply his talents and press onward and upward in faith, in favor of a counterproductive system of enforced equal outcomes where everyone is equally miserable. But that’s the whole point isn’t it? To the most radical advocates of DEI, it’s better if everyone is equally miserable because it’s more fair and just that way. And heaven forbid that the motivation to be valiant in the testimony of Jesus should bless a man with greater bestowals of heavenly rewards than the slothful believer who buries his talents and sits on his butt all day. In a perfect DEI universe nobody’s feelings would ever get hurt enough to inspire a remorse of conscience and a desire to repent. What a perfect world that would be because in the DEI “heaven” there would be no need for a Savior and everybody could just sit around playing video games in hell forever without a care in the world.

It’s so simple and perfectly Biblical… The remission of sins (justification) cannot be obtained without the mercy and grace of God manifested in and through the atonement of Jesus Christ; and sanctification unto holiness is also impossible to obtain without the enabling power manifested in and through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The question is this: if the initial degree of grace bestowed upon new believers is sufficient, why are believers commanded to continue to grow in grace. The answer’s obvious: ever increasing outpourings of grace are needed in order for the saints of God to grow unto “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ,” While it’s undeniably true that the fulness of God’s grace is fully available to the saints right from the start, it’s also true that every case increasing in the grace and knowledge of God is part of his merciful, divinely ordained process of spiritual growth. The unrestricted availability and accessibility of God’s grace is not the same as a believer possessing enough faith to receive the infinite and eternal fulness of God’s grace right from the start. And while it may indeed be theoretically possible to obtain the infinite and eternal fulness of God’s grace right from the start, the truth is that even the greats like Peter and Paul didn’t immediately obtain the fulness of God’s blessings For example, if the Apostles Paul and Peter believed that they had availed themselves of the fulness of God’s grace right from the start, what in the world would inspire them to give the following inspired warnings? 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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 toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3) and… 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation ; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1) and… 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) How is it possible to grow in grace if one has already obtained the fulness of God’s grace in his life? If this were the case, there would be no need for the many warnings throughout the Bible that speak of our indispensable need to strive in faith (faith is also a spiritual gift, a manifestation of God’s grace) in the earnest pursuit of obtaining full sanctification in Christ. Are all of these apostolic admonitions to spiritually improve by growing in the grace and knowledge of God nothing more than rhetorical hot air that will ultimately have no real consequences if the listeners to the warnings fail to heed them? The bottom line? The unrestricted availability of the fullness of God’s grace isn’t the thing same as actually laying hold upon and obtaining the fulness of God’s grace and blessings. If it were otherwise, the law of the harvest would be nullified and God would end up being a cosmic adherent to a philosophy similar to woke DEI.

I’m grateful for all the negative commentary regarding Clark Gilbert on this thread! Silly me, I’m embarrassed to have to admit I was naive and foolish enough to think it was the Lord who had called Elder Gilbert to be an apostle, but it’s now painfully obvious I was mistaken! When are the leaders of the church going to wake up and realize that the church needs to be led by popular people, people as popular and accepted by the world as were the ‘rock star’ prophets of old?! Thanks to the many keen insights provided by the sagacious Peggy Fletcher Stack, and all the other enlightening comments from the unbelievers, embittered quasi-believers and apostates who’ve graciously taken the time to participate on this thread, I’ve been freed from my ignorance and am now able to bask in the glorious light of sparks!! 11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. (Isaiah 50)

The answer to your inquiry is found in the succeeding verses. After the restored gospel sweeps the earth in the latter-days and gathers out righteous Israel, God the Father is going to descend upon the earth and affectionally mingle with his saints after Zion and the city of New Jerusalem have been fully established and sanctified. 62 And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. 63 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Then shalt thou and all thy city meet them there, AND WE WILL RECEIVE THEM INTO OUR BOSOM, and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; 64 And there shall be mine abode, and it shall be Zion, which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made; and for the space of a thousand years the earth shall rest. (Moses 7)

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Thanks longview! I’ve long considered you a kindred spirit and welcome presence on the board.

Perhaps you’re unaware of the fact that the LDS Canon includes the Bible, and it’s in the Bible that the words that speak of joint heirship with Christ are found? 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. (Romans 8:17) and… 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21) Note that earlier in the Book of Revelation the faithful saints who overcome the world are, among other great eternal blessings, promised the right to rule and reign forever as heavenly kings and priests, with the very name God himself written on their foreheads, and the glorious right to be seated on the very throne of God’s own eternal power and authority while ruling as heavenly kings forever! 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3) In light of the above, one would have to honestly ask himself why in the world God would give men the right to be seated on the very throne of his almighty power and authority if he hasn’t endowed them with the same power, right and authority to be legitimately seated thereon?

The New Testament is filled with many sections of scripture that make it abundantly clear the Lord expects his true disciples to be actively engaged participants in the process of sanctification, which is the divinely ordained program by which fallen man is enabled to overcome the fallen nature by conscientiously striving to grow in the grace, knowledge and power of God. But I must say that after many years of careful observation it appears to me that many non-Latter-Day Saint Christians deliberately avoid any focus on these particular portions of holy writ when discussing the gospel with Latter-Day Saints, which has left me with the impression that they regard this specific category of divine counsel to be less important doctrinal afterthoughts that will ultimately have little, if any, impact on the final state of redeemed man. The verses you cite above are representative of the many scriptural admonitions that unmistakably convey the knowledge that justification through the grace of Jesus Christ (obtaining a remission of sins) is inextricably linked to the additional commandment to continue to grown in grace by proactively engaging in the process of sanctification until the devoted follower of Christ is made holy as God is holy. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1)

It’s very simple. Beau Oyler actually did tell the truth, but the problem is that he told only a portion of the truth. He was indeed correct when he reported that he was informed he didn’t need to take any further action to report the abuse, but what he left out was the all important reason why he was told he didn’t need to take further action, which is that the proper law enforcement authorities had already been informed of the abuse and the abuser had even self reported his crime. This is why in courts of law we take an oath to “tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Oyler likely thought he was being clever by disclosing a portion of the truth while dishonestly leaving out the whole truth in order to make it look like the church was participating in a reprehensible coverup. Oyler is oily.

I don’t know if this will help to answer your question, but in the soteriology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the saints will never outgrow their need for the enlightenment and empowerment of the grace of God. We are only made able to become like God if the fulness of God’s Spirit dwells within us. In fact, we are utterly powerless to think, do or say anything in righteousness unless the Spirit of God dwells within us, at least in some measure. The Latter-Day Saints believe the only way men can progress in the sanctification process, and eventually be crowned to reign as kings in heaven, is through the merciful process of being progressively filled with greater and greater portions of the Spirit of God until perfection in Christ is obtained. Truly, the only way men can become like God is by being filled with the Spirit of God, and this by virtue of the faithful becoming joint heirs with Christ in all that he himself possesses, including being endowed with an infinite and eternal portion of the Spirit of God. Because, as Peter testified, the sanctified are made partakers of the divine nature through the atonement of Christ, God is thereby justly and properly able to fill those who overcome their fallen natures by faith in Christ with an infinite and eternal outpouring of the Spirit of God. You see, the Latter-Day Saints really do believe that with God all things are possible, and the greatest of all those possibilities is the supreme blessing of being filled with all the fulness of God by virtue of becoming joint heirship with Christ in all that he possesses, including the supreme joy of being filled with all the fulness of the glory of God. We Latter-Day Saints believe that the atoning sacrifice of Christ is an infinite and eternal sacrifice, which means that the redemptive blessings of his sacrifice to the faithful are infinite and eternal in quality, quantity and scope. 22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing. 23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come. 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen, and there could no good thing come unto them. (Moroni 7) and… 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3) and… 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3)

One wonders if you realize that the very same doctrine of obtaining perfection in Christ through being consciously diligent in seeking to know and do God’s will is taught in the New Testament? Isn’t it perfectly obvious that the Bible teaches the “law of the harvest,” that each of us will reap eternal rewards beyond the ‘entry level’ degree salvation depending on how diligently we sow through his grace? The Lord’s fervent hope for his children is for them to become perfect in him through his enabling grace. 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness; (Colossians 1) and… 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 IF ye continue in the faith grounded, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Colossians 1) and… 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, WARNING every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (Colossians 1) and… 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already PERFECT but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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 toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3) and… (Please note that the following most solemn words of admonition from the Lord were directed to those who were already born again Christians!) 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3)

Jump through any illogical hoop and circumvent all reason pertaining to the God of infinite love for each member of the race of man, that he created in his own holy image, just to be able escape the revealed glorious latter-day revelation that God has done, is now doing, and will forever do all he possibly can do, without violating the eternal principle of agency, to bring to pass the cleansing, healing and redemption of his most beloved creation.

Aw shucks! But my turbocharged Type A personality enjoys engaging in over-the-top gesticulating while I’m teaching, something I’m unable to do while commenting on this board! So I do the next best thing which is to engage in over-the-top bolding, capitalizing, highlighting, enlarging and making excessive use of exclamation marks!!! But in answer to your above question, the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob beautifully explains why we are unable to do anything good apart from God’s empowering influence: 7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement — save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man (permanent spiritual and physical death) must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. 8 O the wisdom of God, his wisdom and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more. 9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness. 10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. (2 Nephi 9) Wise Jacob’s point is that after the fall we would have had no goodness that we could call our own apart from the redemptive blessings bestowed on us through atoning suffering of Jesus Christ. In fact, after the fall we would have been so totally bereft of any internal goodness that we would have been powerless to prevent ourselves from being unavoidably drawn down into the spiritual black hole of hell where we would have all become devils (beings in which there is no goodness). Jacob provides proof positive that without the wondrous mitigating effects of the atonement of Christ we would have no internal goodness of our own and zero access to any source of external goodness. This is why the redeemed saints in the scriptures shout such unrestrained and exultant praises to Christ as their God and King, for they know that without his willingness to courageously descend below all things in his atoning suffering that no good thing could come unto them. 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he (God) did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; and all things which are good cometh of Christ; otherwise men were fallen and there could no good thing come unto them. (Moroni 7)

Fair enough. I’ll post a series of enlightening scriptural references, in several successive posts, that directly address the doctrinal truth that testifies why it’s impossible to do good apart from the Spirit of God, imparted by virtue of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Here’s the first… 20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing? 21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing. 22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; AND IN CHRIST THERE SHOULD COME EVERY GOOD THING. 23 And God also declared unto prophets, by his own mouth, that Christ should come. 24 And behold, there were divers ways that he did manifest things unto the children of men, which were good; AND ALL THINGS WHICH ARE GOOD COMETH OF CHRIST; OTHER WISE MEN WERE FALLEN, AND THERE COULD COME NO GOOD THING COME UNTO THEM. 25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; AND THUS BY FAITH (IN CHRIST), THEY DID LAY HOLD UPON EVERY GOOD THING.(Moroni 7) IT’S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE APPREHENDING FAITH IN CHRIST BY WHICH MEN CAN LAY HOLD ON EVERY GOOD THING, OF WHICH MORMON SO POWERFULLY TESTIFIES , IS A GIFT OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD IMPARTED TO MAN BY VIRTUE OF THE INFINITE AND ETERNAL ATONING SACRIFICE OF JESUS CHRIST!

Why didn’t you focus your attention on the verses I quoted from the Book of Mormon, words that powerfully support the point I made? Please explain why you believe the following words of Moroni don’t powerfully support my doctrinal position that it’s impossible to do good without first obtaining power from God? 24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief. 25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. FOR IF THERE BE ONE AMONG YOU THAT DOETH GOOD, HE SHALL WORK BY THE POWER AND GIFTS OF GOD. (Moroni 10)

As if the resurrection of the mortal body to immortality at the beginning of the glorious millennial reign of the Messiah isn’t a very real concept of an afterlife!! Are you kidding? People physically raised from otherwise permanent physical death to immortality during the glorious millennial reign of the mighty Messiah isn’t a legitimate conception of an afterlife? Not coincidentally, the prophecy of a limited resurrection at the beginning of the Messiah’s redemptive millennial reign is exactly the same vision of the post-mortal millennial afterlife that’s presently taught as official doctrine by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And just in case you’ve forgotten, heaven — the eternal home of those worthy of obtaining a celestial glory — isn’t an immaterial realm that’s exists somewhere in a far off immaterial Never-Never Land, for it’s nothing less than the material planet earth that we currently occupy exalted to a more glorious state of existence than it will enjoy during its semi-glorified millennial (terrestrial) state of existence.

Faithfully and consistently bringing forth the works of the Spirit (also known as living works) are an essential and indispensable element of the sanctification process leading to authentic holiness. A man is only able to increase in righteousness and holiness by allowing the creative and redemptive power God’s Spirit to work in partnership with his own spirit. The only works a man can perform that are considered truly righteous in the eyes of God are those works that are inspired and empowered by the indwelling influence of the Spirit of God. In fact, good works are utterly impossible to perform without the Spirit of God being present in each act. Therefore our righteous works are manifestations of salvation by grace in the same way obtaining a remission of sins is a manifestation of salvation by grace. 24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief. 25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. FOR IF THERE BE ONE AMONG YOU THAT DOETH GOOD, HE SHALL WORK BY THE POWER AND GIFTS OF GOD. (Moroni 10)

I’m wondering what’s going to happen on the day of judgement when God reveals to the recalcitrant plural marriage naysayers that the early leaders of his restored church were fully justified of him when they practiced polygamy and canonized Section 132. I’m thinking there’s even the possibility that there will be some among the remaining naysayers who’ll be so convinced that they’re right that they’ll even boldly contend with the Lord face to face on the issue, insisting with great zeal and passion that he’s been deceived by the devil. Hopefully those remaining naysayers will actually speak up and make their protestations known because I’d hate to see any man violate his own good conscience by silently acquiescing to something he doesn’t believe is right due to what he perceives to be coercive pressure. It should make for a most interesting and enlightening encounter.

There are two simplified ways to break down verse 23 in order to attempt to correctly understand what the Prophet Nephi is trying to convey. 1) The first simplified breakdown is as follows: … “we labor diligently, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do. 2) The second simplified breakdown is as follows: “we persuade our children to believe in Christ, and be reconciled to God, for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. If simplified verse breakdown number 1 is the correct point of focus needed to determine the true meaning of the verse, then Nephi is testifying the reason why he’s laboring with such great diligence is because he knows he can only hope to be saved after continuously expending great effort to come into full compliance with God’s law. If simplified verse breakdown number 2 is the correct point of focus needed in order to determine the true meaning of the verse, then Nephi is testifying that unless one first exercises faith in Christ, and is reconciled to God by obtaining a remission of his sins by virtue of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, then no amount of human effort expended to come into full compliance with God’s law will ever be enough to save him. It’s very likely that the second simplified verse breakdown is the correct one because immediately after verse 23 Nephi testifies that… 25 For, for this end was the law given; wherefore ~THE LAW HATH BECOME DEAD UNTO US, and we are made alive in Christ BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. 26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. (2 Nephi 25: 25-26) The incorrect interpretation of verse 23 that’s lingered in the church for so many years is another perfect example of what can happen when verses of scripture are interpreted out of the clarifying context of the surrounding verses.

As if it wouldn’t be perfectly natural and reasonable for the Lord to want his saints in both ancient America and the Holy Land to be keenly aware of the same criticality important prophecy of a major sacred event that was going to be fulfilled at the time of his resurrection? Do you also find it suspicious that the ancient American prophets were inspired of God to know and prophesy of the future atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ? Did the fact that the saints in the Holy Land were informed beforehand of the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ somehow make it impossible for God to also inspire his people in other parts of the world to know beforehand of the same momentous and critically important events pertaining to their salvation?

The strange irony with regard to your family’s belief that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is non-Christian is the fact that if the original Apostolic Church of the Bible could be miraculously transported to the year 2026 your family would likely also consider them to be non-Christian as well. I’m confident when I say this because the New Testament Church was presided over by leaders who testified that they had seen the resurrected Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God, just like the Prophet Joseph Smith; that they also experienced very real visitations from holy ministering angels from heaven, just like the Prophet Joseph Smith; that standing at the head of the New Testament Church were living apostles and prophets, men who possessed the keys of the kingdom of God on earth and enjoyed the gift of prophecy that empowered them to receive new revelation from God, just like the Latter-Day Saints; that the New Testament Church also didn’t believe that the canon of scripture is full, which is why they were comfortable when they added new books of scripture to the then existing Bible, just like Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; that the New Testament Church of Christ also administered a dynamic worldwide missionary program to spread the gospel of Christ throughout the world, in faithful obedience to the great commission of the Lord to preach the gospel to every creature, just like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; that the New Testament Church of Christ also believed the gospel is preached to the dead that they might be judge according to men in the flesh while living according to the will of God in the realm of the departed spirits of the dead, just like the Latter-Day Saints; and the New Testament Church also believed God ordains his faithful followers to become eternal kings and priests in heaven as enthroned sons of God, just as it is with the Latter-Day Saints. If your family were to attend church services with the members of the time transported New Testament Church of Christ, they would very likely experience cognitive dissonance and extreme culture shock when they would wake up to the realization that the Church was being led by living apostles and prophets of God, not by people who believe that living apostles and prophets are no longer needed. 11 And he gave some,apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 TILL we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4)

In order for anyone to have a better chance of arriving at correct interpretations of the scriptures, it’s absolutely essential to view each individual verse within the context of its surrounding verses. Keeping this imperative in mind, 1 Corinthians 15:29 is easier to correctly interpret when it’s understood that in the previous verse (verse 28) the Apostle Paul is testifying of the salvation of the dead! Verse 28 presents the same doctrinal principles found in Doctrine and Covenants 76:106-110, with both references bearing witness to the fact that by the time of the final judgement all but the sons of perdition will be subdued by Christ’s love, receive a remission of their sins and inherit a mansions in one of the three heavenly kingdoms of post-resurrection glory. It’s then becomes clear that all the Apostle Paul is trying to say in verse 29 is this, “if all I’ve said in verses 21 to 28 is false because there isn’t going to be a general resurrection of the dead, then why in the world are the church members being baptized for the dead in the likeness of the resurrection?” In other words, it’s an absurdity to participate in baptisms for our deceased family members if there isn’t going to be a general resurrection of the dead. For ease of comparison, I’ve copied 1 Corinthians 15: 21-29 and Doctrine and Covenants 76:107-110 below… 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be SUBDUED unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (1 Corinthians 15: 21-29) and… 106 These are they (the eventual inheritors of the Telestial kingdom of glory) who are cast down to hell and suffer the wrath of Almighty God, UNTIL the fulness of times, when Christ shall have SUBDUED all enemies (excepting of the sons of perdition) under his feet, and shall have perfected his work; 107 When he shall deliver up the kingdom and present it unto the Father, spotless (the inheritors of the telestial glory will eventually also receive a remission of sins), saying: I have overcome (that is, the Savior’s love will eventually enable all but the sons of perdition to overcome any hesitancy that they have to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior) and have trodden the wine-press alone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. 108 Then shall he be crowned with the crown of his glory, to sit on the throne of his power to reign forever and ever. 109 But behold, and lo, we saw the glory and the inhabitants of the telestial world, that they were as innumerable as the stars in the firmament of heaven, or as the sand upon the seashore; 110 And heard the voice of the Lord saying: These all shall bow the knee, and every tongue shall confess to him who sits upon the throne forever and ever (that is, all but the sons of perdition will bow the knee to God the Father and willingly confess to him that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior); (Doctrine and Covenants 76)

To me, the great absurdity I see in those who fight tooth and nail against the possibility of a merciful program of salvation for the dead is that they would rather believe in a God who is rash, unfair, unjust, unmerciful and callous to the most extreme extent imaginable (e.g. causing those who didn’t even ask to be born to have to unfairly endure the exquisite horrors of an endless hell for all eternity, with no possible hope of relief) than to rejoice in the glorious further light and knowledge revealed in these latter-days that testifies to the fact that God truly is a God of perfect justice, equity, long suffering mercy and, above all, eternal love. I believe the answer to this perplexingly mysterious behavior lies in the fact that some would rather believe in a God of purported love who’s simultaneously a cosmic tyrant than to have to admit to themselves that the plan of salvation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is much more logical and reasonable to believe than the unreasonable doctrines of salvation that they espouse. All I can say is that when I first learned of the plan of salvation of the Latter-Day Saints I was positively thrilled beyond measure and rejoiced for many days when I came to the realization that God truly is a God of perfect love.