"This Is My Work And My Glory"

[altersteve]

We are all familiar with the powerful verse in the Book of Moses: "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." I've been pondering this a lot over the past few weeks, and I would like to share something that I learned, and I'd like to hear your thoughts. I have to come realize that, to me at least, this verse is the most important passage in all of scripture. It explains, in the clearest of words, why we're here and where we're going. In my opinion, it tells us what the gospel really is. Allow me to explain.

A lot of people I have spoken to are confused about what the word "gospel" means. Some say that it is "the laws and ordinances of the Church," and others say that it is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. While the Atonement is indeed the central message of the gospel, I believe that the gospel itself is more than that, and Moses 1:39, as I said, defines it perfectly. The gospel is the work and the glory of God, which is to bring to pass man's immortality and eternal life. Notice, if you will, how the Lord makes a distinction between "immortality" and "eternal life" in this verse. This is important. Immortality is power over physical death, and eternal life, if you think about it, is power over spiritual death, and the Atonement allows us to have both of these things. When Christ walked out of the empty tomb three days after His crucifixion, He gave all of mankind the ability to do the same—immortality became a guaranteed blessing for each of us. But what is eternal life? Jesus gives the definition:

"And this is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3).

Eternal life is to know our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior. But what does it mean to truly know God? In the same prayer, Jesus goes on to say:

"Neither I pray for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me" (John 17:20–23).

I think the word "know" plays a very big role here, a bigger role than I realized at first. The Savior is saying that to know Him is to become one with Him in the same way that He is one with the Father; in other words, not just knowing that Jesus is your Savior, but knowing Jesus as your Savior. Notice also the word "glory" in Moses 1:39. What is the glory of God? Doctrine and Covenants 93:36 declares that the glory of God is intelligence. And what is intelligence? Intelligence is what measures one's ability to know, to obtain knowledge. When we obtain knowledge about the gospel, when we come to know Heavenly Father as our Father, and to know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer—to know all things as they are—that is what brings our Heavenly Father glory, and He shares that glory with us through His Son by allowing us to become "one with" Him, as Christ so clearly said in the above passage in John 17. That is what it means to be exalted; and, I've come to realize, is what the entire gospel is centered around.

So I guess you could say that this revelation of mine is about the importance of knowledge, the importance of intelligence, and that's what it all stems from. Knowledge is what leads to life eternal. Studying, learning, progressing—it's the foundation of the doctrine of eternal progression, the foundation of the gospel, and the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we learn, we progress, and when we progress, God's glory increases, and when God's glory increases, so does ours.

And that is the work and the glory of God.

Any thoughts on this?

Edited July 28, 2011 by altersteve

[Ahab]

My thoughts on what you said are pretty much the same as your thoughts, which I think is really awesome, because I really like it when I find others who I agree with and who also agree with me about what God has taught me.

To share some of the same thoughts with different words I'd like to say that what I've found to make it all work to God's glory and mine is to develop my own communication skills with God so that I can recognize more of what he is trying to teach me both personally and through others who speak for him. There was a time when recognizing revelation from God was more perplexing to me than it is now, at one time thinking all I needed to know was in the Holy Bible. How far I have come since those days!

It's truly awesome to have a personal relationship with God, isn't it. And it's truly awesome to know when I'm doing what he would do in my place and circumstances as I try to become more like him.

That's the whole point of it all, as I see it. To become like our Father, and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as much as we possibly can be.

It seems like a very simple concept to grasp, sometimes, but at other times it is so complex that I can't wrap my mind around what it is that I am trying to do here.

And while at some times it seems like I'm having to make some difficult choices to accomplish all that, there is really nothing better that I could possibly do because there is really nothing better than I could possibly be.

Edited July 28, 2011 by Ahab

[Next Year Here]

So I guess you could say that this revelation of mine is about the importance of knowledge, the importance of being able to not only speak about the gospel intelligently, but to speak about everything intelligently. That's what it all stems from: knowledge. Knowledge is what leads to life eternal. Studying, learning, progressing—it's the foundation of the doctrine of eternal progression, the foundation of the gospel, and the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When we learn, we progress, and when we progress, God's glory increases, and when God's glory increases, so does ours.

And that is the work and the glory of God.

Any thoughts on this?

To qualify as his work and glory it must by accomplished by the word of his power. You must obtain the gift and power of the Holy Ghost to proceed and be taught of God,

led by his hand from a small degree of knowledge to a greater degree. I get the impression you would rather see the human pursuit of excellence, an effort of our own accord fit

somehow into the eternal plan and even admitted for a foundation. So is this secular humanism or the gospel of Jesus Christ that shall glorify God?

Knowledge to speak intelligently about everything is the foundation of exaltation?

John 17:3

3 And this is it life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hath sent.

D&C 132:14

14 For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed.

[altersteve]

Thank you for your kind comments, Ahab. It is indeed awesome to see God teach one person the same things He teaches you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and testimony.

To qualify as his work and glory it must by accomplished by the word of his power. You must obtain the gift and power of the Holy Ghost to proceed and be taught of God,

led by his hand from a small degree of knowledge to a greater degree. I get the impression you would rather see the human pursuit of excellence, an effort of our own accord fit

somehow into the eternal plan and even admitted for a foundation. So is this secular humanism or the gospel of Jesus Christ that shall glorify God?

No. That's not what I meant. I agree that it must be accomplished by the word of God's power in order for something to qualify as God's work and glory. I never said anything to the contrary. I would not "rather see the human pursuit of excellence," and I'm sorry if it came across that way. In answer to your question, it is certainly not "secular humanism" that glorifies God. It is our search for knowledge and our progression to become like God that glorifies Him, and it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that makes that progression possible.

Knowledge to speak intelligently about everything is the foundation of exaltation?

That's not what I meant, either. That's not even close to what I said, but I'll change it so that nobody else makes that mistake. I meant that a man cannot be saved in ignorance (D&C 131:6), and that obtaining knowledge, generally speaking, is the foundation of eternal progress to become like God. I see no difference between having a sure knowledge of God, and being like Him. We cannot become like Him (one with Him) unless we "know for a certainty the character of God," which is the first principle of the gospel, as Joseph Smith taught (History of the Church 6:305), and we cannot truly know Him unless we seek to become Christlike, to become with one with Christ, in all areas of our lives. The whole point of my post was to show how I believe knowledge is interconnected with every aspect of the gospel, how "a man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge" (History of the Church 4:588). "And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come" (D&C 130:19).

Are Latter-day Saints not students of truth? Are we not taught to seek and embrace truth, wherever it may be found? Then why is it that you seem to oppose the idea that our search for knowledge of truth, our eternal progression to eternal life, is the glory of God?

Edited July 28, 2011 by altersteve

[Rob Osborn]

I love those moments when things suddenly come to you and leave a more clearer impression. I had one of those moments years ago on this same verse studying it out. I suddenly came to realize that everything God does- every rule, law, etc, is for the sole purpose of helping us to progress into the very type of being he is. God has never, nor ever will, pass into law or make consessions for a soul to stagnate and be happy there. Every law God makes is for the sole purpose of helping us to progress and eventually become Gods. Even his establishing and preparing the spirit prison (h***) is for the purpose of reformation so that we can change and become like him. All this led me to believe that God never stops his work and glory until he has exalted all of his children- at least those who change and want it. For me, it gives me a new perspective on life and circumstances. Instead of going around wondering who may decide to join the church and be saved, I now go around wondering at which point a person will accept the gospel in order to be saved. There is no other reason we are here other than to further progress into godliness. Some of us may make mistakes and have to pay a penalty, but in the end I believe the whole of mankind will come to realize the grand scheme and advance into godhood. God is highly intelligent and he created us for the sole purpose of exalting every last one of his creations. Some think only a select few will make it in the end. If that were the case, then God's work and glory is but a futile and hopless attempt!

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

A-friggin'-men to the first post. Excellent, excellent stuff.

I will disagree with the later discussion speaking derogatorily of "secular humanism". I think the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is going to sweep through the world in large part because it is humanism par excellence. That is to say, by collapsing the distance traditionally interposed between the Creator and us Lowly Calvinist Creatures Preordained To Wormhood, we are meant to truly become joint-heirs with Christ, who has power over death. No longer are we seen as inherently inferior beings; we are meant to progress from small understandings to greater. Isn't this what Galatians and Ephesians are all about, at root? The King Follett Discourse is amazing on this theme:

"The first principles of man are self-existent with God. God found himself in the midst of spirits and glory, and because he was greater, he saw proper to institute laws whereby the rest could have the privilege of advancing like himself--that they might have one glory upon another and all the knowledge, power, and glory necessary to save the world of spirits. I know that when I tell you these words of eternal life that are given to me, you taste them, and I know you believe them. You say honey is sweet, and so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life; I know it is good. And when I tell you of these things that were given me by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive them as sweet, and I rejoice more and more."

Frankly, I think we should be concentrating all our efforts on science and medicine, in order to know what God knows about how to save our loved ones from death and separation. "A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge," said that ol' country bumpkin Joe Smith.

[JeremyOrbe-Smith]

Incidentally, faithful Mormon Orson Scott Card used to perform a fantastic little routine at conventions called "Secular Humanist Revival Meeting," which can be listened to here: http://aofonline.org/audio-a-music.html

[mfbukowski]

If God is a Man, humanism becomes theology.

[mfbukowski]

The Godhead is one in purpose- and what is their purpose? Bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

We are part of God's family, and what unifies the Godhead is this family relationship, and the purpose is "raising the kids"- ie: US!

When the scriptures say "God is love" I think they are referring to this unity in love between the three persons- God- meaning the "Godhead" - three persons unified in love- literally IS love.

"God" is the unity of the three and that unity IS love- so God really IS "love". It's what makes 3 persons into one God.

Anyway, that's what I think.

[Nathair/|\]

If I may, I'd like to add one point to the part about knowing God.

Mosiah 5:13

13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

Other than that, I endorse the OP.

[Ahab]

If God is a Man, humanism becomes theology.

Well, to be a little more correct I would say that If God (meaning our Father) was once a man as men are now, and now he is a Glorified Holy Man, then what God (our Father) once was is included in theology whereby we can know what God (the kind of being he is, generally speaking) is.

Edited July 29, 2011 by Ahab

[cdowis]

Incidentally, faithful Mormon Orson Scott Card used to perform a fantastic little routine at conventions called "Secular Humanist Revival Meeting,"

Ouch, he takes no prisoners.

[mfbukowski]

Well, to be a little more correct I would say that If God (meaning our Father) was once a man as men are now, and now he is a Glorified Holy Man, then what God (our Father) once was is included in theology whereby we can know what God (the kind of being he is, generally speaking) is.

Of course, but the other is a little more shocking and gets people's attention!

The important point is that he is our Father and feels for us as a father, not some impersonal "force", or some distant uninterested King of Creation. (though he is that too!)

He knows and understands us better than we understand ourselves, and we can do our best to understand him.

[Vance]

"For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

One of the most profound verses in ALL of scripture.

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah and got this gem!