Who Are The First And The Last?

Sermon Topic, Sunday 5/26/13 Elder Dennis Trudgen Who Are The First And The Last?
Matthew 19:16-30 … the rich man who came to Jesus. He had the erroneous idea that if he just did one really good thing, that would guarantee his salvation. Jesus told him first, to keep the commandments … the man responded that he had, all his life. At that point, Jesus went right to his heart and told him to sell everything he owned, and follow Him. For this man, that was not an option … he had “great possessions” (or the possessions had him msl) Jesus stated that it would be very difficult (but not impossible) for a rich person to enter into the Kingdom of God (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were very wealthy men msl) This passage ends with the words “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.)
Are we rich? Earning $6 per day puts a person into the top 15% of the world’s wealthiest (and a family of 4 with an income of $50K per year, that own a car and have money in bank accounts, rank in the top 5% of the world’s wealthiest few msl)
Matthew 20:8, 13-16 … In this passage, all the workers were paid the same amount, though they were hired at different times of the day … those who were hired earliest, for an agreed amount, were upset that those hired later got the same amount; and were reminded that they had made an agreement with the landowner, while the others had simply come in and relied on his goodness. Again, this passage closes with “So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”
Few people find the Way, and few endure to the end.
Luke 13:23-30 Someone asked Jesus, “are there few that be saved?” He taught about the Narrow Way, that not everyone who tries to enter the Kingdom will get in, because they did not enter by the Way (2 Nephi 13:23-32), and there would be great sorrow on their part. And again, the passages ends with “there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.” (the word “strait” means narrow, and is from Strong’s G4728 stenos, narrow msl)
1 Nephi 3:198-202 The presenting of the Gospel to the Hebrews first … to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants; then to the Gentiles … and in 1830, presented to the Gentiles, and to be given back to the Hebrews (all of the Protestant leaders of the Reformation admitted that there had been an apostasy, and expressed longing to see the day when God would RESTORE His authority and the true Gospel). So the first shall be last, and the last shall be first at the end.
3 Nephi 7:27-36 Jesus told His people here to write His sayings, so that if His people in the Old World never asked the Father and received knowledge of the people in the New World, His Word would come to the Gentiles, so that the Gentiles could bring it back to the Hebrews. After the Gentiles depart from the Gospel, He would gather in His people into their lands and fulfill the Covenant. At this time, about 4 ½% of the people in the US believe in the Book of Mormon … but not all are in the Gospel; the breakoffs from the Church of Christ (the LDS and RLDS churches, and others) have departed from the teachings of the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Luke 21:22-24 The days of vengeance, and the fulfilling of all that is written. Jerusalem would be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the time of the Gentiles should be fulfilled. When is this? Some believe that it occurred in 1967, when the Jews regained the Temple Area of Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:2 … the measuring of the Temple. John is told to “measure not” the court outside, because it is given to the Gentiles, who would tread the Holy City underfoot for 42 months.
Matthew 23:33-38 … the Jews rejected the prophets and wise men sent by God, and the Messiah Himself too. All the righteous blood shed upon Earth would be on them, from Abel on down. Key words here … YE WOULD NOT. Jesus told them that their house is left unto them desolate (and in 24:1 He departed). This is His announcement that His Gospel would be taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles.
Acts 6 … the appointment of deacons in the church. The Greek-speaking Jewish Christians from other lands were complaining that the Aramaic-speaking Jews of Judea were being favored in the care of widows. The church is still primarily Jewish believers.
Acts 11:17-26 (44-47 AD) … Peter explains his dream and commission, to go to the Gentile Cornelius, to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, who challenged him for going to the uncircumcised. The Jewish believers glorified God, realizing that God wanted there to be no difference between Jewish and Gentile believers in His church.
Acts 13:14-15 … Paul went first to the synagogues everywhere he went, to talk to the Jews. In verse 46, however, he and Barnabas announced to the Jews that, though the Word of God should first come to the Jews, since they rejected it, Paul would from then on go to the Gentiles (at his conversion, Paul had been told thru Ananias that he would be God’s chosen vessel to take the Gospel to the Gentiles).
Acts 15 … The Jerusalem Council, about 49 AD … the discussion of what to do with Gentile converts—must they be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses? James, the Lord’s half-brother, stood up and proclaimed that they should be put under no more burden than to abstain from fornication, idols, and from eating blood and strangled animals (not drained of blood; a pagan practice).
Acts 18:6,19 … Paul is still reasoning with the Jews, and when rejected, states that he will go to the Gentiles. The Jews had still not yet been utterly cut off (perhaps Paul had to go to all these Jewish congregations to explain the Gospel, and give them the opportunity to accept or reject, before cutting them off and going exclusively to the Gentiles msl)
Acts 28:17, 22-28, around 60-62 AD … Paul called the chief of the Jews in Rome together, to reason and expound the Gospel to them. They stated that they still had not heard much about the Gospel, only that everywhere the church was spoken against. Some of them believed, and some rejected. In verse 28, Paul makes his final announcement that the Gospel will be taken to the Gentiles, who would hear it (Matthew 21:43).
First Century Church History, chapter 101 … by the late 50’s AD, Christianity was becoming more Gentile than Jewish … but the Lord still did not “pull the rug from under” the Jews.
In the late 60’s AD, the Jewish revolt began. General Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, led the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. From that point forward, the church was a mostly Gentile movement. (side note … there was some bad feelings between Jews and Jewish Christians from that time, because when Titus and his legion mysteriously pulled out of Jerusalem for 24 hours, the Christians took Jesus’ warning of Luke 21:20 and fled, while the Jews who did not believe Jesus stayed and were destroyed.)
3 Nephi 9:85-86, 87-91, 92-94, 10:4-5 … The convincing of the Gentiles. Jesus gives His people here a sign, that when the Gentiles have been established as a free people and the record of His people here had come forth, that the Gentiles would be numbered among His people, and the descendants of His people here would know that the Father had begun the work of fulfilling the Covenant. That which they had not been told, they would see (the so-called “replacement theology” stated that God was finished with the House of Israel and all His promises were to the Gentiles msl) … The power of heaven would come down, and God would commence His work among not only His people here, but those of Israel who had been led away to other places and were lost to all except God.
2 Nephi 11:78-80 The Gentiles, as well as the Jews, must be convinced that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Eternal God … the record of the Nephites would be a part of that.
Israel possessed God’s religion for 1991 years total, to 70 AD; the Gentiles have had it for 1973 years and counting.
Jacob 3:126-128 The Lord, the servant, the vineyard … the Lord tells His servant that they will graft the branches from other parts of the vineyard back into the main tree; beginning at the last, so it would be first, and the first would be last.
First out … the Northern Tribes were the first taken out of the land, by the Assyrians. Lehi and his family (and Mulek’s party msl) were the last out, from Jerusalem, before the destruction by Babylon.
Ether 6:10-13 … after the Millenial reign of Christ … then would come the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21). The order is reversed with the two Jerusalems (Old and New)
Why does God reverse the order of these things? To be fair!
Don’t count the Gentiles out! (3 Nephi 9:92 … the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me, and be baptized in my Name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel (see also 2 Nephi 12:77)

When will the Jews and the Lost Tribes of Israel believe in Christ?

Tuesday night Scripture Study, 5/21/13 Brother Tom Arnold
When will the Jews and the Lost Tribes of Israel believe in
Christ?
Before we can answer this question we need to first understand
where they went and what will bring them back.
What is the main purpose of the Book of Mormon? The below is from the Title pagewhich was written by the hand of Mormon.
1. That the Lamanites (Native Americans) are a remnant of the House of Israel.
2. Written to convince both the Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.
This is also revealed to us in 1st Nephi 3:191-193
3:191 And after it had come forth unto them, I beheld other books which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles, and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
3:192 And the angel spake unto me, saying, These last records which thou hast seen among the Gentiles shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; 3:193 And shall make known to all kindreds, tongues and people, that the Lamb of God is the son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him or they can not be saved;
There are many requirements that have to take place before the Jews and the lost tribes of Israel (including the Lamanites) will believe in Christ. Do we see any of those requirements today?
One requirement is the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and other writings from the Lost tribes of Israel. The Book of Mormon is a preparatory work to happen before the gathering of ALL the houses of Israel.
Let us look at 2 Nephi 12:67-73. Who are to write records from the Lord?
12:67 For behold, I shall speak unto the Jews, and they shall write it:
12:68 And I shall also speak unto the Nephites, and they shall write it;
12:69 And I shall also speak unto the other tribes of the house of Israel, which I have led away, and they shall write it;
12:70 And I shall also speak unto all nations of the earth, and they shall write it.
12:71 And it shall come to pass that the Jews shall have the words of the Nephites, and the Nephites shall have the words of the Jews:
12:72 And the Nephites and the Jews shall have the words of the lost tribes of Israel; and the lost tribes of Israel shall have the words of the Nephites and the Jews.
12:73 And it shall come to pass that my people which are of the house of Israel, shall be gathered home unto the lands of their possessions; and my word also shall be gathered in one.
Do we have the record of the Jews? Yes, we have the Bible.
Do we have the record of the Nephites? Yes the record of the Nephites is the Book of Mormon. See Book of Commandments Ch. 9:10
Do we have the records of other lost tribes of Israel?
Do we have the records of all the nations of the earth?
Notice from above that before ALL the houses of Israel can be gathered to their lands of possessions, the Jews and Nephites need to also have the record of the other tribes of Israel. Could this be the reason we are not seeing too much movement of
the Lamanites in North America?
There is also a reflection of this in Ezekiel 37:16-22
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions: 17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18 And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. 20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen (Gentiles), whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and
one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all.
Let’s continue reading 2 Nephi 12:79-85
12:79 And now, I would prophesy somewhat more concerning the Jews and the Gentiles.
12:80 For after the book of which I have spoken shall come forth (BoM), and be written unto the Gentiles, and sealed up again unto the Lord, there shall be many which shall believe the words which are written; and they shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed (Lamanites).
12:81 And then shall the remnant of our seed know concerning us, how that came out from Jerusalem, and that they are descendants of the Jews.
12:82 And the gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them (Lamanites); wherefore, they shall be restored unto the knowledge of their fathers, and also to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which was had among their fathers.
12:83 And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God;
12:84 And their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes: and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and a delightsome people.
12:85 And it shall come to pass that the Jews which are scattered, also shall begin to believe in Christ: and they shall begin to gather in upon the face of the land; From the above we see that the gathering to the lands from which they were scattered is in relation to the Book of Mormon coming forth. And that the two
people and the two scriptures will become one. See 3 Nephi Ch. 9 for more details.
Do we see this in our time?
Who is Jesus calling to?
In Matthew 15:24 Jesus says “…I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
In John 10:16 we find Jesus stating “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
A similar statement is being addressed in 3 Nephi 7:20-26
7:20 And verily, I say unto you, that ye (Nephites/Lamanites) are they of whom I said, Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
7:21 And they understood me not, for they supposed it had been the Gentiles; for they understood not that the Gentiles should be converted through their preaching;
7:22 And they understood me not that I said they shall hear my voice; and they understood me not that the Gentiles should not at any time hear my voice; that I should not manifest myself unto them, save it were by the Holy Ghost.
7:23 But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me, and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.
7:24 And verily, verily, I say unto you, that I have other sheep, which are not of this land; neither of the land of Jerusalem; neither in any parts of that land round about, whither I have been to minister.
7:25 For they of whom I speak, are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.
7:26 But I have received a commandment of the Father, that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold, and one shepherd; therefore I go to shew myself unto them.
From the above we see the same theme of the gathering together into one nation from multiple nations. Plus we see that Jesus has yet other sheep that are not Nephite, Lamanite or Jewish but are of the tribes of Israel and he went to them as well after leaving the Nephites and Lamanites.
Since the coming of the Book of Mormon has Israel been gathering?
There have been many things that have happened since the coming forth of the Book of Mormon that have pointed to Jewish Israel being gathered.
More Jewish records coming forth - In 1945 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. This discovery came at a time when biblical accuracy was being questioned. This document has also helped establish the Jewishness of the Bible and the Qumran Community.
Israel becomes a state in 1948. This is something that people said would never happen. However Jesus said in Luke 21:24 that the Jews would be lead away captive and Jerusalem would be trodden under foot until when? Until the times of the Gentiles is complete. The Apostle Paul also says in Romans 11:25 that blindness has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles come in (to Israel).
The Time of the Gentiles coming to a close
The two scriptures above point to an end of the time of the Gentiles, what is this time referring to? The Apostle Paul gives a clue in Romans 11 when he speaks of the wild and nature Olive branches. The wild being the Gentiles and the Natural being Israel. Paul starts out the Chapter saying that the God has not cast away his people Israel. But they have become blind with unbelief and they have been broken off (v20) but if they no longer have unbelief they will be grafted back into Israel (v23).
This chapter in Romans is very key in understanding that the Gentiles are grafted into Israel. This also has parallels in the Book of Mormon.
3 Nephi 9:92 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may shew forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause, that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel:
Ether 6:10 And then cometh the New Jerusalem; and blessed are they who dwell therein, for it is they whose garments are white through the blood of the lamb; and they are they who are numbered among the remnant of the seed of Joseph, who were of the house of Israel.
Why would Jesus only be sent to the Lost sheep of Israel but then call to the Gentiles?
Ezekiel 36:18-20
18 Wherefore I poured my fury upon them for the blood that they had shed upon the land, and for their idols wherewith they had polluted it:
19 And I scattered them among the heathen (Gentiles), and they were dispersed through the countries: according to their way and according to their doings I judged them.
20 And when they entered unto the heathen (Gentiles), whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land.
Jeremiah 9:16 I will scatter them also among the heathen (Gentiles), whom neither they nor their fathers have known: and I will send a sword after them, till I have consumed them.
Ezekiel 36:23-25
23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen (Gentiles) shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
The Lost sheep of the House of Israel is scattered among the Gentiles and it is the Lord that calls them to himself.
However we are seeing in modern times (since the 1960s) many of the Gentile population have been turning back to pagan worship and away from the God of Israel.
Besides Gentiles are their Jews and Lamanites that believe in Jesus Christ today?
From personal research I have found:
Since the return to Israel in the 1960s there has been a steady number of more and more Jewish believers becoming believers in Jesus/Yeshua as the Messiah and forming Messianic Jewish congregations both in America and in Israel. Also since this time more Jews have gathered home to Israel.
Since the 1830s the Book of Mormon has went to the Lamanites. But in the early days of the Church after the death of Joseph Smith, not much attention has been given to the Lamanites until recently.
Within the last 10 years many Torah and Book of Mormon groups have been coming forward.
Also many Native American tribes have started to suspect “Jewish” ancestry, especially among the Cherokee and have been requesting DNA tests.
Today we are seeing many people of both Jewish, Gentile and Lamanite ancestry coming to faith in Jesus Christ.

To Survive At All Costs?

Sermon Topic, Sunday 5/19/13 Elder Adam Porter
To Survive At All Costs?
What is the desire for human preservation in this life? Many thousands are preparing for some kind of collapse of our way of life, or apocalypse (we seem to have lost the meaning of the Greek word apo-kalupsis, an uncovering/unveiling/revealing msl) … whether economic, war, natural disaster, etc.
Our country, along with others in the world, is in economic decline, mostly because of moral decline. We are removing God from our government when it was He who gave us our Republic and laws.
Is there a point to these preparations, and to what extent should we in the church go?
Matt. 6:25-34 … a very broad statement! The fruits of our labors teach us responsibility, and we are told to work in the day … but we are told to trust God to bless our work … but we must SEEK FIRST the Kingdom of God.
Luke 20:24-25 … Give God what is HIS—your worship.
Isaiah 2:17-22 … yet do many have a worldly fear? Do we have idols that we bow down to? We can make an idol of anything. But in the end, we will cast our idols to the unclean creatures … those idols will be worthless when God comes. (see also Rev. 6:12-17 msl)
The tv shows portray “survivalists” or “preppers” making shelters and stocking them with food, water, and other supplies for an extended stay … but they never mention the Lord. It’s not wrong to set things aside, but we MUST trust in God FIRST.
Many are stocking up on guns and ammunition for a political “Armageddon” … but for what reasons? (mostly to fend off other people who try to take their supplies)
Matthew 26:52 … are they planning to live by the sword? (but see also, Alma 20:51 … inasmuch as ye are not guilty of the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies) Jesus said that He needed only to pray to the Father, and He would have more than 12 legions of angels to aid Him.
When God comes in, the works of man will not prosper.
There is quite a market for food that can be stored for extended periods of time … 10-25 years.
Ether 1:22-27 … the Jaredites were told to prepare, because of GOD’S purpose
1 Nephi 5:174-178 … Lehi’s party prepared much fruit, meat, honey, and other provisions … again, because of God’s purpose.
Genesis 41:1-42 (28-35) … Joseph interprets the Pharoah’s dream, and advises him to store up provisions for the coming 7-year famine.
God may call us to lay up in store; but don’t be so frugal that we don’t give God what is due … remember to give God what is HIS.
God has given us His version of survivalists … they lived by the sword and perished by the sword.
Elijah, Noah, Jared, Lehi, John the baptizer, Daniel … they were about man’s preservation thru God’s will and direction. He directed Elijah to the brook Cherith, and then to the widow’s house, for his preservation.
1 John 3:17 and 4:20 … our direction, to LOVE our brothers and sisters, by helping meet their needs. If someone threatens our family, God looks differently at that (Alma 20:51) … but we would rather help our brother and feed him rather than fight
James 4:1-6 Wars and fightings … come from our love of the world. We can’t have it both ways!
Genesis 47:13-26 … In Egypt, the Pharoah wound up owning everything (the people were compelled to give their extra food production to the government, then had to buy it back, and finally had to sell all their land to the gov’t msl)
Being as debt-free as possible is a good thing.
Many are preparing for a temporal, earthly crisis but fail to prepare for the greatest crisis of all
Alma 16:228-238 … that awful crisis, when we stand face-to-face with Christ at His judgement bar
Luke 23:39-43 … the thief on the cross … we MUST NOT build a doctrine on this passage!
John 15:11 (after the passage on bearing fruit) … these things I have spoken that your joy might be full … we’re being robbed of our joy by worldly fear (1 John 4:18 … there is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear) … the fear of the Lord replaces worldly fear (and is the beginning of wisdom, Proverbs 9:10)
Malachi 3:10-12 … Give God what is His (2 Corinthians 9:7, a cheerful giver msl)
Luke 12:15-21 … no thought of giving to others in need, but to build bigger barns and keep all that increase to himself … covetousness.
We had better be able to not only enjoy the things we have, but to walk away from them and not look back … are we high-maintenance? Are we so used to the blessed life we live here in America that we will not be able to leave it when called to do so?
Yet our Lord has taught and blessed the world with the Farmer … who has tilled the earth to feed his family and mankind. If the farmer knows God, he looks to Him for wisdom
2 Chronicles 7:14 … I will heal the land
God’s recipe for survival—faith, love, prayer, devotion, obedience, faithfulness
We can learn useful, meaningful ways to sustain ourselves … using our weapons as tools to find game, not harm our neighbors … maybe to preserve liberty … using our energy and inspired talents and ingenuity to learn domestic skills, work at useful labor, and prepare for natural storms … yet trust in the Lord for all.

Is Life Fair?

Skype Bible Study, Tuesday 3/19/13
Is Life Fair?
"Regarding resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment, is this life fair? After all, some are born into wealth, some into poverty surrounded by crime; some are born to the parents of Christians, while others to Muslims. How can all have an equal chance to live with God?"
With the exception of the Devil and His angels, we have very few specific examples of an individual’s fate regarding salvation. Nonetheless, He does provide us with all the scriptures we need to adequately answer this question. Plan of Salvation given from the beginning
Alma 9 : 38 38 Now we see that Adam did fall by partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, that all mankind became a lost and a fallen people. 41 Therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state, which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead. 42 Now if it had not been for the plan of redemption, which was laid
from the foundation of the world, there could have been no resurrection of the dead;… 46 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto man that they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment; even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end.47 And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them; 48 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, which caused men to behold of his glory. 49 And they began from that time forth to call on his name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world; 50 And this he made known unto them according to their faith and repentance, and their holy works; 51 Wherefore he gave
commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good; 52 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; 54 54 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son (this being the plan of redemption which was laid), saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine only begotten Son.55 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine only begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. 56 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest….64 And those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption. 65 And this is the manner after which they were ordained: being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil
I Corinthians 7 : 17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.
Romans 1 : 20 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet….11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as
have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
We will all be Judged by or works whether they are good or evil
Revelation 20 : 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out
of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Mosiah 1 : 126 Whereof, they shall be judged, every man, according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil;
Book of Mormon 1 : 87 And ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil; and also that ye may believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, which ye shall have among you; … 89 And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Alma 19 : 66 And it is requisite with the justice of God, that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good;
We all know Good from Evil
Genesis 3 : 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil….7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Moroni 7 : 14 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that they may know good from evil; wherefore I shew unto you the way to judge: for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ;
Alma 19 : 83 Now we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever, that the Lord God placed cherubim, and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit;
Alma 9 : 51 Wherefore he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good;
II Nephi 1 : 67 and men are instructed sufficiently, that they know good from evil.
Helaman 5 : 86 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death, and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you.
Alma 15 : 56 Yea, and I know that good and evil hath come before all men; or he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires; whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
Justice
II Timothy 4 : 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.
Mosiah 1 : 83 Therefore, if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice doth awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt,
Isaiah 11 : 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. (Equity: The quality of being fair and impartial: "equity of treatment".)
Psalms 98 : 9 Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Alma 19 : 106 And thus they are restored into his presence; to be judged according to their works; according to the law and justice; for behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.
Understanding God’s Just Judgment: We are all Judged according to our Knowledge
Luke 12 : 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Deuteronomy 1 : 39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither,
and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea….Say unto them. Go not up, neither fight
Matthew 11 : 20-24 20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Mosiah 1 : 107 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died, not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned . 108 But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God; for salvation cometh to none such, except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. 109 And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, even as though he had already come among them…. 119 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been, from the fall of Adam, and will be, for ever and ever; 120 But if he yieldeth 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. 121 And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come, when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. 122 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent;
Mosiah 8 : 58-61 58 And these are those who have part in the first resurrection; and these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. 59 And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord. 60 And little children also have eternal life. 61 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God; for ye had ought to tremble: for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebelleth against him, and dieth in their sins;
III Nephi 3 : 15, 17 15 And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, …Now the cause of this iniquity of the people, was this: Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.
I Timothy 1 : 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Moroni 8 : 25 For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. 26 For the power of redemption cometh on all they that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, can not repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing. 27 But it is mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit, and putting trust in dead works. 28 Behold, my son, this thing had not ought to be; for repentance is unto them that are under condemnation, and under the curse of a broken law.
Alma 7 : 19 18 Now we see that the word of the Lord hath been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land. 19 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins; 20 Yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life, than for you, except ye repent, for there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites: 21 For it is because of the traditions of their fathers that causeth them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them, and prolong their
existence in the land. 22 And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; 23 And many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name. 24 But behold, I say unto you, that if ye persist in your wickedness, that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; 25 And if ye repent not, they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; 26 And it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord; for he will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities to destroy his people. 27 I say unto you, Nay; he would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all this people which are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lord their God;… 31 And having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts; the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation:… 35 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people,
who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress, contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have; 36 I say unto you, that if this be the case; that if they should fall into transgression, that it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.

The Sower and His Seed

Sermon Topic, Sunday 5/12/13 Elder Dennis Trudgen
Dennis started with a warm Happy Mothers’ Day!! to all the Moms in the congregation, and showed some lovely images of motherhood and what it means to him.
Luke 14:26 … If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (Strong’s G3404, miseo, “to detest” or by extension “to love less”)
Matthew 13:18-23 … the sower and the seed … the disciples asked Jesus what this story really means, and Jesus answered.
The first group (the seed that fell by the wayside) … those who hear and do not understand. The seed does not take root and is immediately stolen away by the enemy.
The second group (the seed that fell on stony ground) … those who hear and receive the Word with joy, but it does not get deeply rooted in them. It sprouts and grows, but these are easily offended by tribulation or persecution, and their faith withers and dies. Those who are easily offended … what are we supposed to do? TALK it out … not walk away, or go to the “rumor mill”. As an illustration from the garden, consider the difference between a plant with shallow roots, and a plant with a deep tap root … it’s a lot harder to get rid of a burdock or clover than most crop plants , right?
The third group (the seed that fell among weeds) … those who hear the Word, but the cares of the world and their love of riches chokes it out.
Note, that all three of these groups were LOST.
The fourth group (the seed that fell on good ground) … those who hear the Word, receive it with joy, and nurture it so it grows and develops, and bears fruit abundantly.
Alma 16:151-153 … what does it mean to “not have root in oneself”? … Desire is the first step toward Christianity. Not casting out the seed, but giving it place in us; so it begins to swell and sprout. 163-182 … Is your knowledge then perfect? no……. this is exercising your faith. We must NURTURE that seed. If we neglect it … it will not have root. It will be easily scorched, and easily plucked up and cast away.
What’s in our lives? If it’s not right, it needs to be PUT OUT of our lives. That fruit will grow in us IF we nurture it, and then it will FEED our souls (verse 173)
The Zoramites had cast the poor class out of the synagogues. The haughty rich, who glorified themselves from the Rameumptom, rejected the Gospel. The poor class were humbled, and ready to receive it. The Zoramites had made the error of thinking that God only heard them once a week on that platform … God hears us, and we can worship Him, everywhere and at all times. Verse 130-131 … if you think you can only worship one day of the week, you are wrong.
2 Nephi 13:23-14:7 THE WAY of salvation … how to nurture that seed (see also Matthew 7:14, the narrow way; and John 14:6, I AM the Way)
Is all done? no…… we still sin, still deviate. We still have our free will. We are not saved by righteousness but by grace. He favors some (not all are saved, He does not save everyone IN their sins) … we must continue in faith, steadfast in hope and charity … that’s how the seed grows. Feasting on the words of Christ, enduring in the Word … not just one hour, one day of the week – that’s not feasting on His Word, that’s not nurturing the seed.
After entering in by the Way … after we have been given gifts at the beginning, we are given other gifts as we need them, as we fast and pray. These gifts are given to individuals and to the church. If we are given a gift and don’t exercise it, the church suffers. 14:4 … how do we feast upon the Word if we don’t study and attend church?
If you WILL enter in, the Holy Spirit will tell you and show you what He wants you to know … He will NEVER force you. (the enemy will also whisper to you)
2 Timothy 2:15 … Paul counsels Timothy not to let others intimidate him because of his young age, but to STUDY to show himself approved. We are responsible to read, study, and rightly divide the Word. We may be the only chance some people have to hear and see the Word.
Jacob 5:1, 3, 38 … Sherem came FLATTERING, to OVERTHROW the doctrine of Christ … after his downfall and death, peace and the love of God were RESTORED
(Sherem’s attitude still exists, and his course of action is still happening … this exerpt is from Ken Ham’s blog on Answers in Genesis, talking about Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s son Bill Murray … in his book “My Life Without God”, he recounts an experience with his mother’s atheist group:
I wrote to them asking for support of positive rather than negative atheism. I suggested we use funds to establish atheist chairs at universities rather than to sue to have religious chairs removed. I recommended the construction of monuments and hospital wings.
A handful of people sent contributions out of habit. But the overwhelming majority of those who answered my letter pelted me with such abuse that I was stunned. Over and over I read that the principal goal of atheism was the destruction of religion and that this was no time to build. [Bill Murray is now a Christian] msl)
Alma 12:4 … the sons of Mosiah, and Alma Jr., were men of sound understanding. They taught with power and authority … another gift. They searched the Scriptures diligently, prayed, fasted … nurturing the seed.
Luke 14:16-35 … the statement we started with. A man had prepared a great banquet and invited a lot of guests … but the guests declined, for various reasons. They all had good excuses, right? …..right? verse 25, the statement, and Jesus’ explanation. If we start the course, we must count the cost and be ready to endure, or we will be like the seeds that fell on stony ground. We must FORSAKE the things in our lives that keep us from keeping our commitment that we made at our baptism. The salt in verse 34 … those who made the commitment but didn’t finish.
Feasting … what does it mean? as above … What’s our excuse for not feasting? Don’t have internet? What else are you spending on? Job works you late on Saturday, or on Sunday? Think Sunday School is just for the kiddies? Tuesday night—what else is on?
Revelation 7:16-17 … feast on the WORD. (Psalm 34:8 … O taste and see that the Lord is GOOD msl)

Did Jesus preach to those in Hell after His death?

Tuesday Night Skype Scripture Study, May 7 2013

Elder Dennis Trudgen
Question: Why do ***** believe that Jesus went to Hell for 3 days after his death?
Actually, a majority of professed Christians hold this belief and recite the Apostles Creed which includes the line, "he descended into hell." According to internet sources, this line was added after 600 AD.
Ephesians 4 : 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
I Peter 3 : 18-4:6 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (continued below)
Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
By which - Spirit, his own Divine energy and authority.
He went and preached - By the ministry of Noah, one hundred and twenty years.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
He went - To wit, in the days of Noah.
And preached: though the language is consistent with the supposition that he did it by the instrumentality of another, to wit, Noah
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison: he was in the days of Noah; and that Christ also, under the Old Testament, acted the part of a Mediator, in his divine nature, and by his Spirit discharged that branch of it, his prophetic office, before he appeared in human nature; and that the Gospel was preached in those early times, as unto Abraham, so before him.
Wesley's Notes
3:19 By which Spirit he preached - Through the ministry of Noah
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
As to the old world, Christ sent his Spirit; gave warning by Noah. But though the patience of God waits long, it will cease at last. And the spirits of disobedient sinners, as soon as they are out of their bodies, are committed to the prison of hell, where those that despised Noah's warning now are, and from whence there is no redemption
I Peter 3 : 18-4:6 (continued) Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it
strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the
gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Christ Preaching the Gospel Through His H.G. is a Common Theme of Peter
I Peter 1 : 9-12 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
II Peter 1 : 21, 2:4-9 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost…. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
New International Version (©2011)
After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—
Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Bibles teach Purgatory
Tobit 12:9 states that “alms doth deliver from death, and shall purge away all sin.”
Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins ….Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for sin”. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 3:3, 30
2 Maccabees 12:43–45 He also took up a collection, man by man, to the amount of two thousand drachmas of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to provide for a sin offering. In doing this he acted very well and honorably, taking account of the resurrection. 44 For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. 45 But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for
those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, so that they might be delivered from their sin.
Luke 12 : 57- 59 57 Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? 58 When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. 59 I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
Scriptures Teach that This Life is the Only Time for our Work to be Performed
Zion’s Hymnal p. 155
Work, for the night is coming,
Work through the morning hours;
Work while the dew is sparkling,
Work ’mid springing flowers;
Work when the day grows brighter,
Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming,
When man’s work is done. Vs 2 When man works no more. Vs 3 When man’s work is o’er.
II Corinthians 5 : 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Alma 16 : 228-234 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God: yea, behold, the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. 229 And now as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore I beseech of you, that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; 230 For after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness, wherein there can be no labor performed. 231 Ye can not say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. 232 Nay, ye can not say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. 233 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance, even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; 234 Therefore the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the
devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked.
Alma 9 : 40, 41, 46, 51 40 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man, in which he might repent; 41 Therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state, which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead….46 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto man that they must die; and after death, they must come to judgment; even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is the end…51 Wherefore he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good;
Helaman 5 : 51 But behold, your days of probation are past: ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation, until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure;
Alma 19 : 84, 90-91 And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man, to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God…90 Therefore, as the soul could never die,
and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal; that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord; therefore it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death; 91 Therefore as they had become carnal, sensual and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.
II Nephi 15 : 10 But behold, for none of these can I hope, except they shall be reconciled unto Christ, and enter into the narrow gate, and walk in the straight path, which leads to life, and continue in the path until the end of the day of probation.
I Nephi 4 : 52 52 For the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation; 53 Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness, they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; 54 Wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God to be judged of their works:
II Nephi 1 : 66-69 66 And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free. 67 And men are instructed sufficiently, that they know good from evil. 68 And the law is given unto men. 69 And by the law, no flesh is justified, or, by the law, men are cut off.
Romans 1 : 18-20; 2: 11-15 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:… 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Revelation 20 : 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
After death one is assigned to either Paradise or Hades, reserved unto Judgment
Ecclesiastes 12 : 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Luke 23 : 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
Hebrews 9 : 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Luke 16 : 26 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this
flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Jude 1 : 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Alma 19 : 44 And then shall it come to pass that the spirits of those which are righteous, are received into a state of happiness, which is called Paradise; a state of rest; a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles, and from all care, and sorrow, etc.
Everlasting punishment vise Eternal
In the New Translations, all references to everlasting fire/chains/destruction/habitation/punishment are replaced with eternal.
Everlasting - Strong's G166 – aiōnios 1) without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be 2) without beginning 3) without end, never to cease, everlasting Mosiah 1:74-76 For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit: for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; For he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God, contrary to his own knowledge. I say unto you, that there are not any among
you, except it be your little children, that have not been taught concerning these things, but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your heavenly Father, Galatians 6 : 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
II Thessalonians 1 : 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Matthew 18 : 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two
feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Matthew 19 : 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Matthew 25 : 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 25 : 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
I personally do not believe that I Peter 3 : 18- 4:6 is referring to Christ preaching to the souls assigned to hell after His death because:
1. There would be no purpose as once a person is assigned to this place he cannot return
2. Throughout Peter’s epistles, he uses this same example, Christ uses His Spirit, through prophecy (using His preachers) to preach His Gospel among the Gentiles of old.
3. He specifically uses the Example of Noah in this place as he wants to show that “water” now saves us (through baptism) whereas it once was used to destroy the ungodly.
4. If he were preaching the doctrine of Gospel of repentance to those in Hell, why would he only single out these from the time of Noah?
5. From 1 Peter 4:1-6, we see that that the Gospel messaged was preach unto them that they might live accordingly while in the flesh.

 

What does it mean to be born again?

Sermon Topic Sunday, 5/5/13 Elder Adam Porter
What does it mean to be born again?
It’s a subject we can’t fully appreciate til we stand before Him at the judgement seat and His arms are extended to us … then we will FULLY appreciate what it means.
John 3 … Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (ruling council), comes to Jesus secretly and acknowledges that Jesus is from God, or He could not do the miracles He had done. Jesus responded that “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” …. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God”.
There is a baptism signifying our REPENTANCE … the water baptism … and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter (John 16:7ff. msl)
Verse 6 … that which is born of the flesh is flesh … indicating our physical birth, and providing the distinction between that and water baptism (born of water)
Verse 7 … Marvel not … can we look to that experience of new life? We FREELY receive of God’s power.
Ephesians 5:14 … Awake to righteousness (see also Isaiah 51:17, 52:1, 60:1) … when we wake up in the morning we see and enjoy the freshness and newness of the new day – when we are born again, we are NEW AGAIN.
He is willing to give … are we willing to receive? Those who are spiritually dead have not been willing.
The advent of Jesus into the soul of the believer is to be a life-changing event. The manifestation of Father and Son to have place in your mind and heart is by choice and submission
John 14:21-23 … those who are in Christ, who KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
Alma 3:27-29 … Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? … Have YOU? (Hebrews 6:1-3, then go on to perfection) God has a vested interest in your progress.
This is pretty powerful stuff! We are cleansed thru the shed blood of Christ. Mercy and grace are not excuses … it takes DILIGENCE to endure in our walk with God.
Titus 2:11-14 … that He might purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works … the church must not sink with the world … look at the news today; that will be what creeps into the church … especially the “emerging church”. (Don and Brian McIndoo gave a message on the “emerging church” msl)
We should be living within a new set of divine rules, desires, and principles to guide our life. Cataclysmic events happen in life … He has provided a way through them.
1 Peter 1:15-23 … conversation (Strong’s G391, anastrophe … behavior, way of life); holy (Strong’s G40, hagios … blameless, consecrated); for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44-45) … unfeigned (Strong’s G505, anupokritos … from the Greek word for the mask a theater performer wore)
What areas of life does He affect?
The love of our brethren must be UNFEIGNED … real.
Don’t let who “they” are make you like them.
Colossians 3:18-24 … HEARTILY, as unto the Lord. Servants and masters (v. 22 and 4:1) can be understood today as bosses/supervisors and workers.
Mosiah 12:5-7 … the sons of Mosiah could not bear that any soul should be lost (see 2 Peter 3:9 msl)
Romans 12:9-21 … love without dissimulation (same Greek word as 1 Peter 1:22) … Bless those who persecute us … we want payback, we want to get back at them or to see something bad happen to them. 19 … avenge NOT yourself … God will take care of it … taking or wanting revenge/payback/”karma” is forbidden to the believer. Mind not high things … as one wag put it, “don’t hob nob with the snob mob” … and don’t be wise in your own conceit. Be honest in the sight of ALL men.
Galatians 5:13-14 … serve one another … we are called unto liberty, but we are not to use our liberty to cause another to stumble, but must love our neighbor as ourself.
Ephesians 5:1-4 … walk in love. Reject filthiness, even in talking … no foolish talking or jesting (the Greek word refers to crude ribaldry and dirty jokes, not to all humor … as in Proverbs 17:22)
Ephesians 5:11-13 … have NO FELLOWSHIP with the unfruitful works of darkness, but reprove them (the world tells us to shut up and not judge msl)
Ephesians 5: 19-21 … singing, giving thanks, keeping our hearts directed to God. As we have desired a covenant with our Lord, we are conforming to His image, and we are to be appreciating the joy we have in Him.