“An
Invitation of Epicurean Proportions” cji 1/4/13
(Note:
much of the world today has taken license of the usages of words and their
definitions. The word ‘Epicurean’ in the title is of such license – where
the worldly look at this as ‘sensual’ in the particular case of this short
essay it is to represent the exquisite experience within our relationship to
Heavenly Father and the Savior – and thus applies in a tangible/intangible
sacred meaning.)
To
each person there is an invitation to experience all of the expectations of
their eternal life to partake. Each will have to pass certain tests as
neither wealth nor poverty will prevent their entrance. Only a very few will be
allowed entrance to this feast. The requirements are indeed very rigid and
unbending. Before to get to the requirements let’s describe what is waiting in
the banquet hall if able to enter.
The
banquet hall is exquisite and epicurean in every detail – yet it has limited
seating. Grand chandeliers adorn the ceilings providing the necessary light for
all to see more than clearly as never before. In the center of the room are
tables – extending 30’ and each 4’ wide. Each table is covered neatly
with various foods prepared to perfection. The tables are special tables
with the appropriate warmers, hot plates, cooling if required and even has sensors
which tell when a prepared dish must be removed and replaced. (Note: all of the
food replaced if still useable will be preserved and given to others not
allowed to enter.)
Let’s
now look at each of the tables. As we enter the view is overwhelming! But
we’ll go slowly and investigate the first table. Here we find some of the
most important food/drinks to sustain our lives; pure water chilled properly,
milks of all kind, juices and fruits of every variety. Also, on this first
table are found the breads of the world – none lacking. Butter and honey and
jams and jellies are in profusion upon the table near the breads. At each
end of the table are the napkins, silverware, plates and glasses needful to
partaking.
At
the second table we find cheeses, applesauce, cranberries, cottage cheese,
Jell-O, crackers, sauces, appetizers, finger foods and salads. The assortment
on this table is complete to satisfy every hunger one might have acquired. Here
also are soups; split pea, bisques, tomato, potato, onion, vegetable, fondues
and all of the remaining soups of the world.
The
third table is filled with the fish and seafood’s of world. These seafood
dishes are prepared in every possible means – each to perfection. One can find;
shrimp, clam’s, trout, shark, salmon, perch, lobster, crabs, oysters, to name
only a few of the dishes on this table. These are found in all of the various
ways to be partaken of fully. On this table are also the various sauces to
apply on the seafood dishes.
On
the fourth table we find such food items as gumbos, vegetables of every kind,
potato’s each in their kind, different fouls as chicken, turkey, pheasant, and
dove each prepared in perfection to the taste. Found here also are the
dressings, sauces, cranberries, chutneys, relishes and gravy’s.
Coming
to the fifth table we see the meats of the world. Found here are beef, pork,
lamb, lion and panther to cite a few. The meats are prepared as steaks, chops,
filets, ham, sliced, and skewered. Some are cold and some hot – each with
the appropriate sauces, gravy’s and other attendant side dishes as
needful.
Then
at table number six we find the dessert table. Loaded with all of the sweets of
the world! There are cakes, pies, fruit dishes, puddings, cookies, brownies,
lemon squares and every imaginable dessert possible. The serving sizes are
presented in their perfection for each who is to partake.
The
seventh table is empty! Here there is just a perfectly white tablecloth
perfectly covering the table. The seventh table could be the first or the last
depending on those who enter within. It has been found with a few exceptions
this indeed is the first table all go to – drawn as if by understanding and
wisdom of what it represents and why it is needful to go here first.
The
exceptions are those who go to the first table and begin immediately to
partake. These are those who even though having been given permission to enter
– have not truly represented themselves. These are those who in all likelihood
will not return often if at all. They’ve filled themselves on the food from all
of the tables – sedated but not completely convinced that they could not have
eaten more. Thus confusion is part and parcel of their thinking and murmuring
ensues on their part either openly or within. It matters not to them for the
meaning and importance of having been invited is left without understanding to
them.
What
are the requirements of accepting an invitation of epicurean proportions? One
will have to live a worthy life – being able to enter into the first ordinances
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They must be interviewed not once but twice by
different authorized representatives of the Lord. They must be willing to keep
sacred ordinances covenanted with the Lord to obey and honor. Each must
have the real intent to put aside the things of this world and replace them
with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Note: each will have to maintain and use the
skills and talents given him/her by the Lord to be productive in this mortal
probation. The putting aside of worldly things would be the desires for that
which is not needful in their individual lives.)
First,
one must have the desire to know the answers to these three questions; 1) Where
did I come from; 2) Why am I here; and 3) Where will go after this life? One
must have an ardent desire to know the answers fully to these questions. One
must not accept second hand guesses or confusion, mysteries, or the contention
of others when so inquiring for the truthful answers. Within each individual
there is a light – some call it the spirit of God – which can confirm to us
whether or not we’re hearing truth or fiction.
Truth
is full of common-sense and feels good and right. Fiction while imitating truth
is confusing, making some sense but leaving much gray or fog to be unable to
see what is being said. Some call historical fiction a substitute for truth –
but it is not. Truthfulness – like a truth-teller are clean, pure doctrine –
and simple. Many do not like truth – for truth can be very hard doctrine when
pure and simple. It takes away all excuses and justifications for one wanting
the things of this world.
Second,
each person must want to repent of their wrong doings thus far in their lives.
They’ve to be willing to make restitution wherever possible – to forgive all
others and most importantly be willing to love everyone. They’re to apologize
to those who’ve they done wrong to in some way either by rumors, stealing,
lying or in confrontations.
Third,
each should read and ponder the instructions found in the Scriptures –
literally! Everything needful is found in the Scriptures to become worthy for
this banquet. Sadly too many ignore or allow another to tell them what is there
– leaving out much and actually indicating that there is no need to want to
attend the banquet. Thus like the five unwise virgins not fully preparing
themselves for the bride groom they’ll be left outside and wanting.
Fourth,
each must seek one who has the authority to baptize them – as the Savior went
to John – so must we find those who represent John in these latter-days. The
scriptures are quite clear on one having the authority to act in the name of
the Lord. Many in those days performed baptisms – in the name of the Lord – but
without authority – and the servants of the Lord had to come behind and do over
the baptism. This is a divine authority – not an earthly granted one.
When
the Gospel of Jesus Christ is upon this earth as it is today – those who have
this authority will have received from one who received from John the Baptist
or Peter, James and John – who received it from the Savior.
No
school or earthly organization created by man or woman has this authority to
act in the name of Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ. While they can say they do
– they’ve no line of authority – history and the writings now known show that
any authority after the 2nd Century with ties to Peter, James, John,
Clement or others was lost and/or never given in some cases.
Fifth,
after the baptism – each must be confirmed a member of the Lord’s Church by the
laying on hands by those having authority – and then receive the ‘Gift of the
Holy Ghost.’ If one remembers the teachings of Paul and the Acts of the
Apostles – then this make complete sense for the three thousand who’d been
baptized but not confirmed. The Apostles knew who ever had done the ordinance
of baptism did not have the proper authority and thus repeated both the baptism
and then confirmed and gave each the ‘Gift of the Holy Ghost.’
Sixth,
each candidate must learn the ‘doctrine of work.’ Each must be actively doing
all they can do to make themselves, family, loved ones and others (by example)
better around them. The scriptures quote frequently, ‘after doing all you/we
can do,’ requiring a real intent on our part. This of course does away with of
Martin Luther’s declaration of the Book of James being a ‘gospel of straw’ and
the other cries from many parts of Christian Creeds to do away with James in
the Bible. James states in chapter 2, “faith without works, is
dead.”
Further
James states, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves.” James also uses the word, ‘endureth’ which is an action verb –
requiring one to be engaged and not just sitting idly about waiting for the
end. And in James 1: 27 he concludes the first chapter with, “Pure
religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless
and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Each of the statements in James requires effort, action and each of us to be
doing.
Salvation
or the invitation to the feast requires keeping the whole law – not just those
parts which are convenient. Let’s consider the five unwise virgins. They were
indeed virgins, they were waiting where they were supposed to be found, they
were ‘almost’ ready to go – but they lacked enough oil to make it to the
wedding when called. If we apply this in our lives – the oil could be
considered blessings – and blessing for eternal life have to be earned.
(Note:
being saved is free to everyone, beast, fowl of the air, fishes of the sea
simply by the Crucifixion and the Atonement. But being saved is only the
beginning of the path to the banquet. The banquet must be earned by what one
does with their life in accordance to full obedience to the commandments, laws
and statutes of the host. This of course applies to those who’ve lived when the
Gospel has been on this earth in its fullness – which it is today. But it
applies only to those who can hear, read and understand. Those who do not have
the ability to hear, read or understand – will hear and accept or reject in the
millennium based on what they would’ve done in their mortality had they had
access.)
Seventh,
all of the above steps are important to receive the invitation – but the last
step is the most important – for after having done all one could do – then each
must accept the invitation! Remember the rich man who came to the Savior
– and asked what was left for him to do? He was to go and sell/give all
he had to those in greater need – and then return and follow the Savior.
He then became sorrowful and left the presence of the Savior – for he had great
wealth and could not part with it. He could not live the Law of
Consecration!
How
many decline the invitation? How many are so attached to the things of this
world that they’d turn away sorrowful from the Savior? Apparently millions do
this on a regular basis. For in today’s world millions can hear, read and
understand – but are unwilling to commit and obey fully the commandments, laws
and statutes. In fact millions attend or don’t attend various churches or
places of worship where this final requirement is never taught. Many churches
and other places of worship allow one to pick and choose which commandments to
follow – they offer weekly forgiveness for repeated offenses. For money one can
be forgiven – and for other worldly treasures absolution can be purchases.
This
acceptance of the invitation is not a ‘well maybe’ or let me try the banquet
one time (which many do) – but once accepting it means to endure to the end.
This is done knowing that all those who accept this invitation will at some
point(s) in their life’s face the trials, tribulations and refiners fire that
Abraham and Job encountered. For to endure means to know that there will be
trails, tribulations and a refiners fire awaiting each day they awaken in
to. The price of integrity in today’s world as in the time of Noah,
Enoch, Adam, and the other full dispensations of the Gospel being on this earth
– is the ridicule and abuse of the worldly.
To
conclude – the acceptance of, “An Invitation of Epicurean Proportions’ requires
all of each individual that they have on this earth. Which when one stops and
thinks – it is all Father’s to begin with! Everything on this earth of material
value belongs to Father and is part and parcel of His and His Son’s creations.
Indeed, every intangible thing on this world is part of their creations.
Mostly
while in this mortal probation they ask in return the following. 1)
Obedience to all of the Commandments, Laws and Statutes; 2) Tithe’s and
Offerings – usually only a tenth of our annual increase and the cost of the
meals of which we fast (and also if within our means a generous offering for
this goes to those in greater need than us). 3) To be found in service to
others in the name of the Father and the Son, and 4) to accept the Gift of the
Holy Ghost.
Finally
as we began, to each person there is an invitation to experience all of the
expectations of their life to partake. Each will have to pass certain
tests as neither wealth nor poverty will prevent their entrance. Only a very few
will be allowed entrance to this feast. The requirements are indeed very rigid
and unbending. And all will have to be earned by what we think, say and
do. What will be our individual choice? Whatever our choice is – will depend
entirely on us without blame on another who is either paid or applies peer or
social pressure upon us.
The
invitation is a personal choice first and then can reach to our loved ones and
family. Only the family is found to be eternal in the Gospel of Jesus Christ –
the one thing the worldly attack day and night – including a divorce degree in
every worldly marriage which ends in, “Till death do you part!” or one that
ends otherwise with words which the performers have no authority to give.
Nowhere in the laws, creeds, or teachings of the various schools of divinity,
religions of the world, or in the licenses issued to one to perform a marriage
can they seal or bind (see 1 Peter 3:7) for all eternity.
(Note:
This authority was given to the Apostles that whatever they sealed on earth
would be sealed in heaven – none else without having been delegated this
authority properly. Whenever the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
has been on this earth are these authorities found on the earth; and when the
Gospel in its fullness is not found this authority is not found. One might want
to carefully consider what is written in the fourth chapter of Malachi. http://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/mal/4?lang=eng)
May
each of us will choose wisely in our lives. May we be found seeking the gnosis
of the invitation and rejecting the logismoi of the world! Understanding
the aspect of eternal life – is the most epicurean exquisite experience
promised to us in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is to live in the presence
of the Father and the Son – to have our families (generations unnumbered) with
us – being sealed in the marriage covenant/ordinance – eternally. c/ork
“Epicurean
Proportions”
cji
1/4/13
Ah, to be found in
the world
sensual and seeking
lusts
fulfilling every
desire and want
caring not for others
or divine;
Engaging in dancing
and wine
their many excess
able to flaunt
excusing any and all
their trusts
ah the worldly vomit
so hurled;
Yet could there be a
twist to find
a sacred and holy way
to know
taking back what the
world stole
understanding eternal
new goals;
A way of forever
saving our souls
topping over an
unknown knoll
of epicurean
proportions to grow
fulfilling
mortalities test to remind;
Just there and now
able to see
the Scriptures plain
and clear
opening our minds and
eyes
being sensitive to a
prompting;
Of worldly
temptations stomping
finding answers to
all our whys
our hearts and souls
to sear
eternally with Father
to be free?
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