"Saved"

Hi – this is a subject which continues to return in various conversations and with varying understandings. i.e. being ‘Saved’ – thus my humble attempt at making it simple and plain – as you know I seldom use references but all that is below comes from the Scriptures and my guess would be has all been written by others in the same manner – c/ork




“We are only to trust in Jesus and God and what He said will happen to the righteous - SAVED - from the end result.” Please clarify this?

Actually ‘Saved’ is applied to everyone who achieved a mortal body – and don’t commit either Murder (shedding of innocent blood) or deny the Holy Ghost. Only those who’ve been baptized and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost can deny him – so other than members of the Church – only the first – murder applies.

It’s not quite that simple but close – smile. If someone professes a belief – in Jesus Christ – then they’re by definition saved from outer darkness as is anyone who’s never heard of Jesus Christ who’s had a body in mortality been saved. This is the result of the Atonement – it included anyone and everyone born into mortality! Thus to be ‘saved’ is only the beginning of the journey to the Celestial Kingdom – the very beginning!

‘Saved’ means to be able to not go into outer darkness (or originally to remove eternal death as a result in the fall of Adam and Eve) – and thus not join Satan and his followers. None of Satan’s followers are ‘saved’. However, by murdering someone deliberately one forfeits the gift of the Atonement. Being ‘saved’ is literally universal – however, where one will end up is not either universal or guaranteed to be the Celestial Kingdom. There are other Kingdoms – of lesser degrees and within the Celestial Kingdom we know of at least three degrees. The highest kingdom within the Celestial is to be as an eternal family – having been sealed by one having authority while in mortality or the millennium of one thousand years. (Note: there are scriptural references for all of what I’m writing.)

The righteous by the designation – judged by the Son (for this Earth) and the Apostles responsible – would of course then be ‘saved’. However, how the world defines righteousness and how the Savior defines it are two different things. The Gospel says, “If you love me – keep my Commandments” – all of them and there are more than ten – many more. Thus professing to love the Father and the Son – require proof of behavior – action and thoughts not just the ‘lip service’ – of saying you do and then doing what you want. Love requires being obedient to the Will of the Father – which is obedience to the Commandment found in the fullness of the Gospel of his Son – Jesus Christ.

However, for those who’ve never heard of the Father and the Son – which are most of the mortals who’ve ever lived on this earth or will live on this earth – they have not had this opportunity and therefore cannot be held to this standard while in mortality. They however will hear the Gospel during the Millennium and will choose as they would’ve chosen while in mortality to accept or reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ – but if they’ve not committed murder – will still be ‘saved’ into one of the many Kingdoms prepared for the mortals of this world.

Thus one can see more is required of those who know more than those who do not. Those who can read and write – reason and have had access to the Bible and all of the other Scriptures and have accepted or denied – will be accountable for their decisions as to where they’ll end up in eternal worlds. One must discern what they are feeling when they feel the Spirit of the Lord – to discern truth or deceit – and how they choose to adjust their lives – physically and mentally. The Spirit of the Lord is available to all men and women born in mortality – the Gift of the Holy Ghost has to be conferred by one having authority from the Father – for in only this way can the Holy Ghost be given to an individual. Therefore while all come into this world with the light or Spirit of the Lord – they can choose to allow the light to grow or to diminish. However, only those who’ve been Baptized by one having Authority into the Church of Jesus Christ – can have the opportunity to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost – which comes from the Father through the Priesthood.

Article of Faith 4 We believe that the first principles and aordinances of the Gospel are: first, bFaith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, cRepentance; third, dBaptism by eimmersion for the fremission of sins; fourth, Laying on of ghands for the hgift of the Holy Ghost.

When Paul went to Ephesus he found 12 men who had been baptized, but they had not yet received the Holy Ghost. They said to Paul, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).
What happened next is significant. Paul had them baptized again. Then he conferred upon them, by the laying on of hands, the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 19:2–7).

Remember the fourth article of faith: “The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Remember what Joseph Smith said: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.”
Thus to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost one has have Faith – Repent – Baptism (by immersion by one having authority) and then can they receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It is then and only then that one can reject this gift – and to do so is to lose all. This is why apostasy can only come within the Church and not from without. Those who’ve received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and then reject it – deny it – make a willing and knowing choice to do so. This in no way means that someone who’s excommunicated has denied the Holy Ghost – as many of those found in such a situation have not done so – but those who actively go out and teach/preach against the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Church and his Prophets – have done so and will have to account for having done such.
Being ‘saved’ has become more of a buzz word within the worldly body of Christianity – in that it takes part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and ignores the rest of the requirements and what is possible after having this beginning. Most think that all is needed is to be ‘saved’ – nothing more – but this is not what the Bible or other Scriptures teach or have taught. So in addressing being ‘saved’ – yes if one is born into mortality – reaches the age of accountability – they’ve been ‘saved’ as long as they don’t commit murder via the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. This isn’t just applicable to those who call themselves Christians – but to all born in mortality. Thus, in the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ very few will be going into outer darkness – or what the world refers to as Hell – while most all will be going to the Kingdoms so spoken by Paul and others.
During this writing I’ve failed to mention those under the age of eight years old or those who are unable to reason due to illness – these are addressed in the Scriptures – and are automatically ‘saved’ into eternal life in the highest degree of glory. http://www.lds.org/liahona/1978/03/salvation-of-little-children?lang=eng&query=little+children This is a reference to a talk given by Bruce R. McConkie in 1978 “Salvation of Little Children” and is recommended to be read by all. I’ll add one quote: “Speaking of the Prophet’s statement that all children are saved in the celestial kingdom, President Joseph Fielding Smith said: “This would mean the children of every race. All the spirits that come to this world come from the presence of God and, therefore, must have been in his kingdom. … Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and all who rebelled were cast out; therefore, all who remained are entitled to the blessings of the gospel.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:55.)”
Hopefully this helps answer and clarify the idea of being “saved” – c/ork
“Saved”

cji
3/26/12

Saved from eternal death
given freedom of choice
one more additional breath
the opportunity to rejoice;

Jesus Christ who gave all
provided justice’s full price
obeying His Father’s call
the eternities to splice;

His Atonement required
for us to have our choice
this the reason so sired
the eternities to rejoice!

Copyright © 2012 – cji

"To Be Found" (a short essay)

Question: You said (wrote), "Father has told his Son and his Son the Prophets of where we’re to be found,” what does this mean?

My Reply: Over the millennia of time the Father and the Son have spoken to their Prophets whether on this Earth – in the Pre-existence or on other worlds. These Prophets have then been given the responsibility and authority to teach, instruct, counsel, command, warn, discipline, and to direct the children of men on/in this world of their accountability. In this world which we call Earth – it has almost always been the Son who’s communed with the Prophets – and thus the Church is respectively called – His Church – or the Church of Jesus Christ and currently The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This communication is known as Continued Revelation – and can either be done in face to face – by messengers – or in visions. We know of each of these occurring in all of the Scriptures which still exist today throughout this world. This pattern is constant and true – for God is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The ‘where we’re to be found’ is included in every one of the Revelations – while some may be meant for a more specific group than another. These groups can be identified in various ways – but to simplify (which is always dangerous) – Christians – Non-Christians – which would be those who either profess a belief in Jesus Christ or they deny such a person or being. The Jews – would be another group – and then those who believe in a Supreme Being but cannot or do not clearly identify him/her or accept continued Revelations or better the communion between Deity and a man/woman. The last and the largest group would be those who’ve never heard of Jesus Christ and in their lifetimes of mortality are likely never to hear about him. Each of these groups would be accounted for those who’ve already lived and died while on this Earth.

Now for our greater understanding – the Christians are broken down into several groups – i.e. those who believe literally and those who do not – and finally those who don’t know which to believe. Addressing the second group first – those who don’t know what to believe or do not believe the Bible literally we call the various man-woman-made churches found in abundance around the world – today. Each of these has in common several things: first; the heavens are closed and the Holy Bible is all that is needed. Second; that there is a Jesus Christ – but with a belief in the Creeds of their particular faith he is undefinable. Third; there is no more current need for either a Prophet or Apostles or Continued Revelations. And finally, fourth; Anyone who does not believe in their assembled Creeds cannot be a Christian.

The group which do believe the Holy Bible literally (as long as correctly translated) are a very small group within the Christian community in that the remainder of Christians are told that they are not Christians at all but only a cult. To accept the Holy Bible literally means just that – what it says and what the Prophets and Apostles and the Savior and his Father have taught are literally true! Thus when the Savior says he is the Son of God – he means just that! When the heavens open and the Father says, “Behold this is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased,” we believe it is the Father speaking and not the Son. When Stephen or others say they saw the Heavens open and saw Jesus standing on the Right Hand of the Father – it is believed! That when the Savior says he goes to prepare a mansion for us – that is what he is going to do. That when it is said, “Husbands and wives are to be heirs together forever,” that is exactly what it means. That when the Prophets and Apostles are given the authority to ‘Seal on Earth what will be Sealed in Heaven’ that this is the marriage covenant made in the Temple of the Lord – for time and all eternity.

The main group or church which falls into believing the Bible literally is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thus by taking the Bible literally (as many of the translators had in mind when translating and sacrificing their very lives) the Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes quite simplified – such as a parent would want to teach their children to be able to return onto them and to be righteous. It is also significant that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – was restored to this Earth by the Father and the Son in 1820 – with their visit to Joseph Smith, Jr. outside of Palmyra New York. This fulfilled the Scriptures wherein the Apostles asked the Savior when he would return – and his reply was, “When he who sent me – comes with me again.” Thus, again – the heavens opened and Joseph Smith, Jr. saw two personages standing above him – one calling the other by name saying, “This is my beloved Son, hear ye him.”

This then comes to where we should be found – and how do we know it applies to us individually? When the Church was restored by the Father and the Son through Joseph Smith, Jr. called as a Prophet – he was given much to do. First, he translated the Book of Mormon – a second testimony of Jesus Christ and a record of those people who’d left the Middle East to come to the Americas. He then kept a record of all of the Revelations given to him and others (in his presence) called the Doctrine and Covenants. Next, he was given the task of editing the Old and New Testaments and then when presented with materials from Egypt (tomb robbers) he was able to translate the following: The Book of Moses and The Book of Abraham – to which he added his first vision and testimony and is called the Pearl of Great Price. Each of these Scriptures are for the sole purpose to give mankind instructions and edification into further light and knowledge to be able to return to our Heavenly Father once more.

Thus we should be found studying these Scriptures and applying them in our lives – this is both self-study and within groups. We should be seeking in prayer (individual) for our personal revelation which is needful for us to know what we should be doing and not doing. We should be found clean (morally and physically); truthful in all things; in the service of others righteously; living in full and perfect compliance with the multiple commandments from a loving God; and then doing as the Savior did by both example and practice – entering into baptism by one having authority (not from man but from God) – becoming worthy to attend the House of the Lord (or the Holy Temple) and striving to become as the Son – which he commanded us to do.

We should learn to accept the Scriptures literally – studying them out – to see what it is we need to know more fully. The Lord has said, “If you love me – keep my Commandments,” and this is what we should be about doing and found being. One can only do this if they study the Scriptures and know literally what these commandments are. We do know this that if one were to keep the first two great commandments – then they would be in obedience with all of the commandments. We also know that some need more guidance than others – while some need less – interestingly those who need less seek to know more – and therefore study more – and pray more for understanding.

Now nothing said above has not been said before – all is repetitive to one who seeks the clarity of the Scriptures – and to know the Will of the Father and the Son. It’s all very simple and understandable. There is no secret key – or hidden agendas – which the worldly would want one to believe – and understand there is no worldly cost involved – unless one considers that those who strive to do what is right for the right reason – will be attacked by the worldly – as was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One who loves the Father and the Son – i.e. keeps all of the commandments willingly and humbly – is loved by the Father and the Son and hated by the worldly. In these the latter-days – it will become worse for the righteous among the wicked (even those who are moderately so found).

The Prophets have told us what to expect in these Latter-days – Isaiah – Jeremiah – Mormon – Alma – Nephi – Samuel – Paul – John – Peter – Nahum – Malachi – Moses – Abraham – and those who live today – even Thomas S. Monson – and those who preceded him since the Restoration of the Church in these latter-days. Knowing what to expect – has also taught us how to prepare – and what we should be doing and where we should be found.

Many years ago – several things happened in my life – and I had choices to make. First, I had to decide if the Church was true – and if it was – why should I attend? This I found to be true – and I attended because the Church was true and not because of those who were there – I attended because it was true – everything else would take care of itself (and it has). Second, I was asked if I’d been offended yet? To which my instant reply was – ‘No one can offend me unless I choose to be offended,’ and I added, “unless one attacks my integrity or my families – then I will not be offended but I will do all in my power to correct the situation.” Some think me as hard because I don’t really care if anyone likes or dislikes me – loves or hates me – what I do care about is truth – and my covenants with Heavenly Father – and his love and his Son’s love for me. That it is nicer and easier to get along with those who like/love than those who dislike/hate – there is no doubt – but what matters most is to be found where I belong – doing what I’m to be doing – for the right reasons and in the right ways.

In the name of Jesus Christ – amen – c/ork

“To Be Found”

cji
3/25/12

(It’s the Sabbath Day
where are you today?
are you on your knees
bent in humble prayer?
Does your day begin/end
this way on every day?)

Thus was the Son sent
showing us each the way
our Sabbath to be spent
with his suffering to pay;

To be found in obedience
honoring his Father always
growing into pure innocence
each our paths never strays;

The instructions found in full
Scriptures plan and clear
to be found light to know
when the veil is very sheer!

Copyright © 2012 – cji