The Quest
To be all that you can be, you must realize, your true eternal potential, self imposed limitations,
maliciously laid stumbling blocks and embrace eternal growth principles.
Eternal Potential; We are all truly sons and
daughters of God. God, as our father, loves us and wants us to be truly happy.
This happiness can only be gained by becoming like Him. God is not bored and
simply created man to fill a void, to require admiration and respect and humor
him by obedience or acceptance as God. The other creatures on this earth do a
much better job of that than mankind. He is not playing a game of hide and seek, having split himself into two parts, mankind and God,
now trying to gain reunification. He has created mankind with a loving
purpose in mind. Like our earthly fathers, God has created us with the intent
that we grow, learn, mature and eventually obtain all that He has, through
obedience to eternal laws. He truly has a plan for us to return to him, by
becoming like Him. The question has been asked, If God has a plan why haven't
all his children been given a copy of the lesson plan? The answer to that is
simple. We have!
The purpose of this earth life is simple. We all
must receive a body and overcome the temptations of carnal man. We must become
masters over the flesh. (sounds like Buddhism) We must
take the light of Christ as our guide. All of mankind must be washed clean
through the ordinance of baptism and the cleansing by fire of the Holy Ghost. (as did Jesus Christ) All of mankind will be changed from
mortal man to immortal man through the resurrection. These are the required
basic steps that make up the purpose of this life. All of mankind, from the
most dedicated Christian, to the aborigine living on an isolated island having
never heard of Christ will be provided with this basic plan. This life can be
likened to military basic training. All of Gods children will be provided with
this basic training. All of Gods children who embrace the basic training will
be given the opportunity to move on to advanced training, either in this life
or the next. All of Gods children, after receiving the advanced training, and
then proving to be true and faithful in all things, will then become joint
heirs to all that he has. We are all truly Princes and Princesses of God, in
training for the throne, future Kings and Queens if and when we embrace the
training program provided and prove true to the test. This is our eternal
destiny.
D&C
84:38; And he that receiveth
my Father receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore
all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
Titus 1:2; In hope of
eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.
Matthew 25:34; Then shall
the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
John 3:16; For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 14:2; In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not
[so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Additional teachings emphasize that as children of God, we have divine
potential to become like Him through eternal progression. For instance, Genesis
1:26-27 teaches that we are created in God's image, laying the foundation for
this inheritance. Psalms 82:6 declares, "I have said, Ye
are gods; and all of you are children of the most High," affirming our
divine heritage. Romans
Limitations; As part of our earthly training
all of us have been given limitations that we must learn to deal with. Many of
these limitations can be overcome. Some limitations, physical, mental or
spiritual, cannot be overcome in this life and must be recognized and worked
around. Most of the limitations that we must deal with are self imposed and
must be overcome. For the most part this means that the carnal, natural man
must be overcome.
"Our unique human endowments lift us above
the animal world. The extent to which we exercise and develop these
endowments empowers us to fulfill our uniquely human potential. Between
stimulus and response is our greatest power—the freedom to choose." 7 Habits; Stephen R Covey.
2 Nephi 9:39;
O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that
Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings
of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be
spiritually-minded is life eternal.
This concept of the "natural man" as a primary self-imposed
limitation is further illuminated in the Book of Mormon, where King Benjamin
teaches that our innate tendencies toward selfishness and sin separate us from
God unless we actively choose to yield to the Spirit. Through humility, faith,
and the Atonement of Christ, we can put off these limitations and become
saints:
Mosiah 3:19; For the
natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will
be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings
of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man
and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ
the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek,
humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit
to his father.
Even weaknesses that seem insurmountable in
mortality are given to us not as punishments, but as divine invitations to draw
closer to God. The Lord reveals our limitations to foster humility, promising
that His grace can transform them into strengths when we turn to Him:
Ether
The Apostle Paul echoes this in the New
Testament, sharing his own experience with a "thorn in the
flesh"—a persistent limitation he pleaded with the Lord to remove.
Instead, he learned that God's power is perfected in our weaknesses, turning
them into sources of strength and reliance on Christ rather than self:
2 Corinthians 12:9-10; And
he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Paul also describes the internal struggle with
these limitations, acknowledging the pull of the carnal mind but affirming
victory through Jesus Christ. This reminds us that overcoming is not a one-time
event but a process of daily choice and endurance:
Romans 7:24-25; O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank
God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself
serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Ultimately, these limitations serve as tests of
our agency and faith, empowering us to rise above them through Christ's
enabling power. As we choose spiritual-mindedness over carnal impulses, we
align with eternal principles that lead to true freedom and growth:
Philippians
D&C 121:7-8; My
son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if
thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt
triumph over all thy foes.
By embracing these teachings, we recognize that
limitations—whether self-imposed or divinely allowed—are part of
God's plan to refine us, much like the "basic training" described in
the Eternal Potential section. Overcoming them requires not just effort, but
reliance on the Savior, leading to spiritual mastery and eternal life.
Stumbling Blocks; Stumbling blocks are a common
tactic used by humanity to promote oneself over others. In an attempt to excel
above ones pears stumbling blocks are placed to hamper the progress of others.
The very foundation of this tactic is based on selfishness. Stumbling blocks
come in many forms. Some of the more basic forms are; lies,
deceptions and half-truths. In addition to our fellow man Satan has used this
tactic to accomplish his end. He would like no more than the complete and total
failure of Gods plan for us. In an attempt to accomplish this he places
stumbling blocks for all mankind.
Satan's Plan: Dominion of mankind. This being the first, and last, stumbling block for all of God's
creations. The Mahan Principle, to get gain via dominion or
subjugation of men (even through death). Man was created to be Free.
Freedom is a Fundamental Eternal Principle. Satan's plan is to gain
exaltation through the dominion of mankind by taking away man's freedom . Our first vigil must be opposition to any
system that embraces the Mahan Principle like Marxism, Socialism, Communism, progressivism (the
veiled path to socialism) all of which are methods to take away liberty/freedom
in the very name of liberty/freedom. The key to this opposition is
understanding the difference between systems that use the Mahan principle vs.
system that are attempts at providing social order and freedom for the larger
whole, at the expense of some individual freedoms. The key to understanding the
difference is asking the question are the actions taken voluntary or coerced,
were the individual freedoms given up (and are able to be restored) through a
democratic process or dictated by an autocrat or via judicial fiat, the latter
of which fits the Mahan system. We must be vigilant in our embrace of Republican Freedom models.
The most formidable deception used by Satan, as
far as our eternal progression is concerned, is the half-truth of what is truly
required for salvation and exaltation. To reduce the Gospel to a mere
acceptance of the Grace of God, is a very damaging half-truth indeed. I believe
it is this practice that Isaiah is referring to. Isaiah 28:20 "For the bed
is shorter than that [a man] can stretch himself [on it]: and the covering
narrower than that he can wrap himself [in it]."
"Our knowledge and
understanding of correct principles is limited by our own lack of awareness of
our true nature of the world around us and by the flood of trendy philosophies
and theories that are not in harmony with correct principles.......Do not
submit ourselves to any programming that is not in harmony with our basic
center or that comes from sources centered on money-making, self interest, or
anything other than correct principles.." 7 Habits; Stephen R Covey
Neal A. Maxwell,
A Wonderful Flood of Light, p.73 - p.74
"Not only was Jesus a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the
Greeks, but also Jesus' teachings offended many (see 1 Corinthians 1:23; Romans
9:33). Such ancient attitudes have their modern counterparts, because the
things of the Spirit are still foolishness to the natural man. Jesus observed
of Himself and His work, "Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended
in me" (Matthew 11:6)."
I believe that there has been a falling-away, an
apostasy from the original gospel of Jesus Christ. For over eighteen-hundred
years "orthodox Christianity" has been so effected by Greek
philosophy that its doctrines now include many concepts that Evangelicals believe
to be biblical which in reality have no scriptural basis whatsoever. The
following is a list of items that I feel fall under the title of non-biblical
in origin:
The Trinity: an incomprehensible conglomeration of
the three into one substance, essence, or nature--co-substantial, co-equal, and
co-eternal—remains one of the two most telling legacies of the Apostasy
in Christianity today. The Trinity is based on heresy embraced by the council
at
Matthew 17:5 While he
yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (is God a
ventriloquist trying to deceive man?)
John
John
Acts 7:55-56 55 But he,
being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of
God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing
on the right hand of God.
Dispensationalism: The brain child of Lewis Sperry Chafer is at odds with
the teachings of Paul to the Galations. It is clear
that there has been and will be but one way for the salvation of mankind and it
is in and through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The law
of Moses was never intended to bring salvation to the house of
Salvation by GRACE alone: The Positionalist
belief of once saved always saved is in contradiction to the laws and
ordinances required for salvation. Men through their choices decide their final
destinies. God has provided a way for men to repent, endure, learn obedience
and cleanse their robes in His blood. If they choose humbly to obey His
commandments and follow Him, then (and only then) will they have the assurance
of the Holy Ghost. With that assurance, then man knows that they have been
saved and will yet obtain their "full reward" "Not every one
that sayeth to me "Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven;" it is not all those who will say unto him in that
day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have
cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" It is not all
these whom the Savior will recognize and acknowledge, and whom he will admit
into his presence and into his kingdom; but it is those that do the will of his
Father in heaven; it is those that enter into the straight gate and that walk
in the narrow way, and that persevere unto the end, denying themselves and
overcoming every evil inclination, and bringing their dispositions into
complete subjection to the mind and will of God, bringing forth the fruits of
righteousness; for every tree will be known by its fruits. No corrupt tree can
bring forth good fruit; no good tree can bring forth evil fruit. We must all
maintain the humble attitude Paul expressed in Philippians 3:12-14.
Matthew 7:21 Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven.
Matthew
Phil
Sanctification Through Overcoming
In the Book of Revelation it is written that he
that overcometh shall "eat of the tree of
life," receive "a crown of life," not be hurt of the second
death. He shall receive of the "hidden manna," a "white
stone," and a "new name," shall have "power over the
nations." He shall be clothed in "white raiments,"
and his name will "not be blotted out." "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." (Rev.
3:21. Italics added.) How glorious and rich are the promises to those who
overcome!
Revelation
Equally damaging to our eternal progression are
the events surrounding the second coming of Christ
and our required role therein. Many nurture the common misconception that
preparation for the second coming of Christ is not required. They having
accepted Christ into their life with an open exclamation that Christ is their
savior, think they have now been identified and selected for a secret rapture
that will protect them from all events surrounding the second coming. They
think they have no need to prepare for the deceptions of the Anti-Christ. They
think they have no need of the mysteries of God that will be revealed in
preparation of this great event. They think they have no need to discern from
the miracles wrought by the servants of God and the servants of the
Anti-Christ. They have been deceived.
Isaiah
Isaiah 57:14 14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take
up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
Ezekiel 3:20 20 Again,
When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity,
and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die:
because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his
righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I
require at thine hand.
Eternal
Growth Principles; The one thing that all
of humanity will eventually recognize is the fact that there are eternal truths
that govern all things. Many civilizations have tried various rules and
regulations to obtain happiness, but the only true road to happiness is through
adherence to eternal principles. Beyond true happiness, if that is possible,
there is the fact that all things are governed and ruled by eternal principles,
and all things are subject to them. Only through embracing these eternal
principles can we reach our true destiny. The full Gospel of Jesus Christ, with
all its ordinances, rules and regulations, contains these eternal truths.
1 John
5:11; And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this
life is in his Son.
2 Nephi 25:23; For we
labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to
believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace
that we are saved, after all we can do.
2 Nephi 28:30; For
behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the
children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a
little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear
unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say,
We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
2 Nephi 31:17-21; 17;
Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and
your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that
ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye
should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of
your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. 18; And then are ye in this straight
and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the
gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and
ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son,
unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by
the way ye should receive. 19; And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten
into this straight and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say
unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ
with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty
to save. 20; Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,
having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and
endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye
shall have eternal life. 21; And now, behold, my
beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given
under heaven whereby man can be saved in the
These eternal principles require active participation in the ordinances and
covenants of the Gospel, which provide the framework for our spiritual growth.
The Savior Himself set the example by fulfilling all righteousness through
baptism, demonstrating that ordinances are essential steps on the path to
eternal life:
Matthew 3:15; And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for
thus it becometh us to fulfil
all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
This progression is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of learning
and obedience. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that our growth comes through
diligence and keeping God’s commandments, with promises of receiving
greater light and knowledge as we remain faithful:
D&C 50:24; That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth
in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
The Bible further reinforces that eternal growth involves enduring trials
and remaining steadfast. The Apostle James encourages us to embrace challenges
with joy, as they refine our faith and lead to spiritual maturity, aligning us
with God’s eternal purposes:
James 1:2-4; My brethren, count it all joy when ye
fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work,
that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
This ongoing process of growth is sustained by continually seeking divine
guidance and living according to revealed truth. The Book of Mormon emphasizes
that our efforts to align with eternal principles—through prayer,
scripture study, and service—enable us to grow closer to God and prepare
for eternal life:
Alma 37:37; Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee
for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down
unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto
God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
Ultimately, eternal growth principles lead us to become like our Heavenly
Father, as we strive to live His laws and rely on the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants promises that those who receive and obey
God’s truths will inherit all that He has, fulfilling our divine
potential:
D&C 76:55-59; They are they unto whom he shall give power to do
whatsoever he doeth; yea, he shall give unto them power to become the sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name; who receive of his fulness, and of his glory; And who overcome by faith, and
are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all
those who are just and true.
By faithfully adhering to these eternal principles, we progress line upon
line, becoming sanctified through obedience and grace, until we are prepared to
receive the fullness of God’s blessings and eternal life.