Too Radical for Blogger of Jared!

I guess my short-lived life as a guest blogger is over at the Blogger of Jared. I guess I was a little too radical for them. The part that makes me mad is that they invited me on and before I agreed, I said this- "I would be interested in that offer. I do get somewhat radical though in my views of things just to make awares." Ryan wrote back and said they were good with radicalism. In my introduction they even equated me with Colmes from the Hannity & Colmes show, even though they were kidding- they were serious. I even stated that I might jump in with a bang on my first post and everyone was looking forward to my first post.

So that is what I did, I jumped right in and told of a plausible theory on the location of the lost ten tribes and because of the replys that followed they felt that I was too radical and ended my shortlived life as a guest blogger there. I feel that I have been used and not treated right. I am glad I have this blog where no-one can go willy nilly kicking people off at their own free will! I no longer will agree to post for other peoples blogs. I was really looking forward to posting before a larger audience and over at the BoJ my first post generated quite a bit of feedback, it even opened the door for some people to view things different. Seems like the BoJ just want to run and hide if things get too radical though. I guess it is their loss!

Goal Setting and the Celestial Kingdom

The word "goal" is a very unique word. In this post's context, we will use the definition of- an objective or result or achievement towards which effort or aim is directed at. In salvation terms we look at our objective here on the earth as- 1. gaining a physical body. 2. performing ordinances necessary to salvation. 3. perfecting ourselves through the laws until we are able to return back to Heavenly Fathers presence.

There is indeed much we need to do to achieve our goals while in this life. Now comes the pertinent question. Are these goals we make actually the same goals that Father in Heaven has in his overall plan? Before you answer, think about this. We know that it is Heavenly Fathers plan for his children to be able to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of each one except for perdition. We also know that the vast majority of those who have walked the earth have done so without much of a knowledge of the plan. Many billions of people have literally died in their sins not knowing the truth. Have they not met the goals set up for them? Now answer the quetion of if our Father in heaven has a much broader goal and perspective than us.

Does God fail in his plan? Absolutely not. In fact, his plan is going exactly as planned for each one of his children. You see, I believe that God's main objective in this life is for us to gain a body and then experience mortality. Some of us through our faithfulness and chance enter into the proper path of salvation in mortality, while the vast majority go the way of the world not really finding the true path. This is what it means when it says that there are few who find the path. Is this part of God's plan? Under the extreme circumstances, yes this is exactly what God knew would happen and all is going as planned to bring out his purpose in us.

You see, if we only had this short life to perform all of the necessary ordinances and then live up to each one, we would all fail miserably. It is just too much work to be done and judged for in such a small time frame. As part of God's objectives, he has designed a plan that allows us to learn and progress line upon line, precept along precept without losing sight of our end goal. He does this also in a way where it is indeed hard to get discouraged of what might to us be perceived as an unreachable goal. He does this through not allowing us to see these endpoint objectives all at once- it is just too much to comprehend. Instead he allows us to see what we know we are capable of achieving. Once we reach that objective he let's us see just a little more.

This life is just way too short to try to perfect all of our little sin issues and be pronounced perfect upon our arrival of mortal death. We do not even know when that great event will happen. For some it is short and others it is long, but we should not view it as some have more of a chance than others. This life is just the beginning of a lot of work that continues into the next life and before we are admitted back into the presence of God. The temple shows us God's plan of salvation.

This plan as divinely taught, allows us to gain a body and learn to control it in the Telestial Kingdom where we learn from promptings of the holy ghost. After this trial comes death and our journey through the spirit world. We are then allowed into the Terrestrial Kingdom where we learn how to perfect ourselves and our family relationships. After that trial we are then able to return back to heavenly Fathers presence with a full knowledge of the plan and it's effects, having benefitted from them thus far.

So next time you hear of this life as being the final test, tell yourself that it is not true and that this life is just another step in our pathway towards perfection. This does not mean that we should waste away our mortal probation, it just means that everyone (except perdition of coarse) has to find the gate and then enter the path at some point. The quicker we can find that gate and path the better. It will just take longer than this mere lifetime to endure to the end of the path to find the holy city (Celestail Kingdom) and gain admittance therein. Don't shoot yourself in the foot by setting unreachable goals in this lifetime is what I am really saying, and don't marvel anymore how the vast majority might never find the Celestial Kingdom as everyone except perdition will eventually find the Celestial Kingdom and live once again in Fathers presence fulfilling God's objectives!

LDS underground Conspiracies and the Gadianton Robbers

I don't know about you, but there seems to be an awful lot of talking circulating around the church in kind of an underground form. This talking has to deal with the last days and the destruction of America. Visions and dreams abound making claims of "tent cities" in the mountains where the LDS elect live to escape the communistic takeover of our country by this great and grand conspiracy.

I call it an "underground movement" becaus that is exactly what it is. It is not revelation that is coming down from the Brethren in Salt Lake City. This group of people have produced books such as by Roger K. Young like - "As A Thief in the Night". I own a copy of the book and have read through it several times. There are many good points about the last days and such but that is not what troubles me. What troubles me is that there is this underground movement within the church claiming divine revelation on the destruction and over-rule of this country.

This month my home teachers came over and gave me a bunch of material on this underground movement. They brought it as their lesson to which I gave notice as I like to be up on all of the strange and debateable topics in the church. What was strange though about this is I got this really strange feeling about this movement in our church. It was almost as if I got the inspiration that this information of being taken over by the United Nations, The Chinese, North Koreans etc.. and there forming tent cities where we are forced to receive the mark of the beast and such etc.., was part of Satan's work itself to slow down or derail the elect into the whole "rumors (lies) of wars" theme.

Think of it this way- We are told of secret combinations over and over again in the BoM and how they will be prevailant in our society and across the world. We are also taught about the Gadianton Robbers and how they proved the entire destruction of the Nephites and how this same secret combination will be in our day also. I do believe that this secret society has been established here and all over the world, but I do not believe that it is an organized global conspiracy which is mostly bent on taking over America. This seems utterly ridiculous! Let me explain further-

When we talk of Gadianton Robber types of people, we are mostly talking of organized crime, especially in this country. This is made manifest both in the past present and possibly the future also. These groups sometimes have the ability to take over and run entire nations such as we have seen with the Nazi party, The drug lords of Colombia, The government of Mexico etc... Mostly though these Gadianton type of people are more like large gangs and the Mafia. One of the main characteristics of this group is having secret alliances, secret hideouts, & secter oaths. The fruits of their works though are plainly manifest being slavery, robbery, lying, and murder.

These smaller groups which mostly are found as cells within larger cities are in our day called terrorists and guerillas who mainly remain a mystery. Bin Laden is the perfect example of a Gadianton Robber. Think about this- His work in bringing fear to us free citizens with his works of murder and secrecy has done more to undermine freedom and stability than a whole army of Japanese during WW2 (although they too were lead into war in a combination of secret oaths which constitues them also as Gadiantons). The point I am trying to make is that the groups we have to be on the lookout in our country is not commy Russians or the Chinese spies, it is more of the organized crime groups like those who operate in Florida and Nevada which have somewhat of a control in government.

Two or three bad government officials who are paid to keep their mouths shut is way more effective for Satan than trying to over-run an entire Nation in a long drawn out war where the whole communistic Nations of the world ban together and destroy America. Why would God even allow such? Especially when he has delivered us out of the hands of all other Nations. We are truly a free society! Why would the wrath of God fall on us to our very destruction of Government infastructure? This is a golden age where the Lord's work is progressing faster than ever with new Temples and church houses springing up faster than ever before. The internet and computer technology is doing more for family history than the mind can even comprehend.

So why would God allow all of his holy work to stop dead in it's tracks while we get taken over by communistic and social rule? He will not! He will not! He will not! The belief that this country is ripe for destruction by the hands of evil and global communistic groups is to deny the very counsel of the Prophet and Brethren in SLC. Sure, they have counseled us to vote and to keep a food storage but this is not in preparation for the impending doom prophesied by these LDS undergrounders in the which we will have to pack up and move to the mountains and live in tent cities until the commys no longer have power over our lands.

I believe that we should be aware of priestcrafts and secret combinations in our society and government but not self preach and exhort our fellow brothers and sisters that we need to be prepared for the atomic holocaust and destruction by communistic powers within the next few years. This underground movement of conspiracy lacks faith in God! Faith that we (America)truly have been delivered out of all nations by the shedding of blood and that it is us as Americans with our Constitution that is the banner and Ensign to the world of freedom and agency to mankind that Satan and his works will and must be destroyed! I leave with some remarkable scriptures-

6 Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.
(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 1:6 - 7)

77 According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.
(Doctrine and Covenants Section 101:77 - 80)

The Celestial Clause

Oh the wonderful life that of the Celestial state. In our doctrine we believe their are certain requirements to our salvation. The first basic requirement is baptism. But does baptism alone get us into the Celestial Kingdom? I hardly would believe so as there are many other covenants made that we must abide by before we can enter that Kingdom. This is what I present in this post as labeled the "Celestial Clause".


The Celestial Clause is the part of the agreement that we enter into that must be obeyed. It is a contract so to speak between us and God. This contract is made up of several covenants that must be fulfilled prior to entrance into the Celestial glory. We often think that baptism is the gateway to the Celestial Kingdom and it is. But more importantly it is just the gateway to the PATH that leads to the Celestial Kingdom. The Celestial Kingdom at the end of the path has a gate on it also so to speak. Along the paths way were many signs that taught new principles and upon completion one could move farther down the path. This path in the Temple is one of endowment and covenants it also leads one through glorious Kingdoms.

Many have misunderstood the meaning of the path and it's signs and have deeply wondered after the signs even to the point of looking off the path's way for other guidance. The problems we have as a religion are those issues where we look not down the narrow pathway but get sidetracked teaching and wondering over false doctrines. You could even say that often we are shooting past the mark. We look at the Temple ceremonies as having this intricite deep gospel that frankly- no one really can explain. Are we looking at other signs? And more importantly. are we overlooking the plain and simple truth of the path?

Once we recognize that it is the Temple that is the path that leads back to God and eternal life, everything fits in place. All of the various parts of the temple ceremony in succession from the washing and annointing until we enter the Celestial Kingdom are the various signs along the path. These various laws, principles and covenants including showing obedience to them are all part of the Celestial Clause. The path towards the Celestial glory takes us through worlds of glory where different laws and covenants are met. This path is more than a mere lifetime though.

We are right now on the path back home. Our current stop is the Telestial Kingdom where we gain our bodies and learn the basics of overcoming temptation and finding the gate that leads to the path. Many in this Kingdom of no consequence of their own die before entering the path and then must learn it in the spirit world. Others who were disobedient must also hear and show obedience to law in the spirit prison.

If we all prove faithful we will be able to progress onwards down the path until we reach our next stop- that of the Terrestrial Kingdom. It is here where we learn to perfect ourselves and all of the principles and laws and covenants we have made. This 1000 year Kingdom is where Christ will reign and teach us how to live Celestial Law or Heavenly law as it is called on the other side. If we live up to all of the elements that are put before us in these two glorious Kingdoms, we can come to the end of the path and before us will be the Heavenly city with twelve gates. This new gate has names written on them and if we find our name written there we can then enter into the Celestial glory having met the agreement of the "Celetial Clause".

This gate we enter into the Celestial glory still leads to other paths that go onward and upward forever. These path's are really nothing more than glory itself.

Let us enter into the path and learn the ways of God so that we can find our way home!

The Identity of the Holy Ghost

In our gospel the Holy Ghost makes up the third member of the Godhead. The Holy Ghost bears record that the Father and son are true. He also enlightens us and tells us all things that pertain to the Kingdom of God. He can also be our constant companion and guide. This seems like a lot of things to do for one person to say the least.

It was recently brought to my attention that early in the church it was taught that the Godhead was made up of only two personages, the Father and the Son. The Holy Ghost on the other hand was just the mind or will of the Lord and not really considered a separate entity with a divine mission. This is recorded in lecture 5 of "Lectures On Faith". This really got me to thinking about the personal identity of the Holy Ghost.

Come to think of it, the Holy Ghost is the most mysterious of all beings. Think about it, he can be in only one place at a time and yet all over at the same time. What is interesting is that he fits the very definition of mainstream Christianity and it's view while we say it is impossible and yet we believe it too! This view is manifest in that we do not know who, where, or what he really is. This really got the wheels turning in my brain the past few days and I began wondering if there is some real truth to what the lectures on faith said.

Think about it, the Holy Ghost is never specifically mentioned as being seen as a glorified separate but identifiable entity in the scriptures. Even visions where people were carried away in the spirit, it is not revealed. Neither is the Holy Ghost ever viewed as being part of the glorified Celestial Kingdom. In all major visions or appearances, the Holy Ghost is never seen nor mentioned such as is the case with the Father and Son. Even when God descends to earth and brings with him all to reign, this Holy Ghost as a separate being is never mentioned.

Now what I do find very interesting is this thought- Maybe the Holy Ghost is a plural term to define spirits or angels sent from God's presence who carry priesthood powers. These angels/ spirits would thus carry the will of the Father and Son to mankind through holy means that testify to us of the truth. These Holy spirits hold keys of power and enlightenment. This would mean that Holy angels are the Holy Ghost. These same spirits would also carry with them sanctifying powers. The knowledge of this truth being many holy ghosts would also mean that we ourselves through righteousness make up the third member of the Godhead.

Now this may or may not be true and I only speculate on the matter. I do not profess to teach a false doctrine but only put forth material to think about. Think about these things and tell me what you think. I leave with some great scriptures on the matter.

b JST Heb. 1:6–7 ... And let all the angels of God worship him, who maketh his ministers as a flame of fire. And of the angels he saith, Angels are ministering spirits.
(New Testament:Hebrews 1:6)

27 And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing btestimony of the Father and Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.
(Pearl of Great Price Moses 7:27)

The Axiom of Salvation

An axiom is a self evident truth that requires no proof or a universally accepted principle or rule. In gospel terms and more specific to Mormonism we have the axiom of salvation that state the following-

"Baptism is the gateway to the Celestial Kingdom"
"Baptism is the door through which one enters for salvation"


From this common rule we can postulate the following rules of gospel logic-

1. If Baptism is the gateway to the Celestial Kingdom & is also the gateway to being saved from Satan's powers, then it stands to reason that all those who Christ saves must enter into the waters of baptism.

2. If Baptism is the doorway to individual salvation, then all who receive salvation get saved into the Celestial Kingdom.

3. All who call themselves saved at the last day are saved into the Very Kingdom of God to dwell forever in his presence.

Is this a true form of logic though? Is it true to Mormonism? And what about all those who Christ saves but are not saved into the Celestial Kingdom? These are all questions that arise from the axiom posted above. It is a paradox of grand proportions because we teach the following which we call our axiom but is too unstable to be regarded as such. This is the LDS axiom of salvation-

"Salvation comes to all but the Sons of perdition"
"Christ will save us through his atonement even without baptism"
"We can receive salvation but be in a state of damnation also"

Do you see the problems of this axiom of LDS belief? It is paradoxial in very nature. How can one be saved if he believes not? How can we be saved from damnation into another state of damnation? If a person can get saved through the atonement of Christ without the required work of repentance and baptism, then exactly what is the purpose of the atonement?

I believe the answer is clear. We cannot be saved unless we enter the waters of baptism and when we do, wheather here or in the spirit world, we are given a ticket that enables us to return to God's presence in the Celestial Kingdom of God. If we do not recieve such ticket then we forfeit our right to salvation and are cast off into outer darkness! We are damned if we do not repent and believe in Christ and obey his will. To be damned is to be cast off from God's presence into hell.

So what about the Telestial and Terrestrial inhabitants then? We must understand that the Telestial Kingdom is not a futuristic Kingdom, but in fact is the Kingdom right now and is the very earth we live on. We dwell right now in the Telestial Kingdom and enjoy the Glory of it through the Holy Ghost. The future Terrestrial Kingdom is the stage of the earth during the millenium where Christ will continue to work his glory until the Kingdom is perfected meaning that all those he saves are spotless and can return with him to the Fathers presence. We can also state that the Telestial and Terrestrial Kingdoms have an end once the earth is Celestialized and all those who repent and are baptized enter in through the gates into that Kingdom to dwell with God and his Christ forever!