Jesus doesn't often command people to do something, but when He does it is good if we take notice. Jesus gave a direct commandment to those at Bountiful of the importance of Isaiah...
1 And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.
2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles.
Something from Isaiah that has stood out to me lately is in Chapter 30 when he pronounces woe to the "rebellious children" that "take council, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin" (v. 1)
To "take council, but not from me (i.e. the Lord)", is seeking out and placing others over your ability to hear the Lord and receive direct revelation for yourself. This can be done via church leadership or others who you believe to be special leaders whom God has called to lead a people (Jeremiah 17:5).
"After being seduced into partaking of the Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Eve make aprons (i.e. "cover with a covering but not of my spirit") for themselves. What's interesting is that endowment patrons readily put on the apron, as Satan instructed them to do, without question. Adam and Eve (you) sincerely believe that they are doing the right thing by being obedient. The apron is the only article of clothing not bestowed by God. Placing of the apron over the clothing which God bestows is symbolic of placing ones own knowledge above that which God has given. This is what many of us find ourselves doing in this life, despite the clear instructions we have been given. This is why many are called, but few are chosen." (reference)
Isaiah tells us who exactly are the "rebellious" children so we can make no mistake who he is speaking of:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
I googled "what is a seer" and it took me to the church website and it gave me two options. One was the Old Testament manual covering Kings through Malachi and the other reference was entirely about Joseph Smith. There is no current evidence of a Seer since Joseph Smith. There has been no real published revelations since Joseph and prophecy - none.
Is Isaiah speaking of the LDS church when he calls us "rebellious children" because we give our whole lives to the church and covenant to give everything we have, are and will become to the church (not to God)? Is he speaking of us when we raise our arm to the square to sustain 15 men who do not prophesy, see, or reveal? How can we continue to be rebellious children? The woe's pronounced on such should cause us to be very careful whom we sustain. We must ask ourselves:
How were prophets, seers, and revelators called anciently? In a line of succession of who is the oldest? Or by God directly? Did Joseph teach to call prophet's by succession? Why was there a "succession crisis" after Joseph died? Is the information in this link the pattern God used to call prophets anciently?
It may be good to re-read Isaiah 30 and ask yourself, "Lord, is it I?"
It is interesting that the Church claims to be "a living church" when there is no life in it. Recently we took our kids to a non-denominational church and the worship lasted 30 minutes of standing and singing only about Jesus. They all said they preferred that to the LDS sacrament which, to me, is more like going to a funeral.
Can these dead bones live? (Ezekiel 37)
I pray they do. Lord, breathe into your children life - let them hunger and thirst for Your Presence and let anything that is not You be shaken, so that which can not be shaken will remain. (Hebrews 12:27)
I Know A Name
by
Elevation Worship
ReplyDeleteThis post inspired some changes to a poem I posted in one of your years past blog posts a couple months ago, included below.
Years back I began to wonder why more D&C/Revelations have not been given. Where is “I the Lord hath said….” Since Joesph died this method didn’t continue, why? Where are the continued revelations or instructions in the Lords voice. I can’t imagine the saints post JS didn’t need anymore direct instruction from the Lord. I’m mean a prophet doesn’t speak for the Lord, he would speak what the Lord tells him to speak.
“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”
Yes, when I repeat what the Lord had spoken, it is the same. It is not the same when a prophet/servants speaks their opinions or ideas. I’m not saying one can’t speak inspired words, but the two are distinctly different, and this scripture is frequently misquoted and applied incorrectly to claim authority.
Nothing is difficult or time consuming for the Lord. He would continue his same method (as found in the scriptures) since Adam.
-Poem-
A prophet, a prophet, we have a prophet, a line to never be broken, for after each one, will pass the token, a succession of time it’s been spoken.
I search the word, from beginning to end, but do not find such a notion. From father then son, it has been done, but only whence God has spoken.
A seer they be and say they see, but to sacred to share, for you and me. In modern day it’s just that way, to listen, to obey, to all they say. No question or concern, or cast out you’ll earn. Times past they wrote what the Lord had spoke, but now rely on their line not broke.
Since 1844, is it no more, was there another to open the door? Lots were cast to choose who’d stay, but not declared the eternal way. For the Lord hath said, has gone away, revelation for another day.
The changes were made, to keep the illusion, but doubt not, there’s no substitution. For to be an anointed, the Lord so appointed, His voice to proclaim, the chosen name. No term, nor time, just from the divine.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is on earth and heaven. He giveth, He taketh, His way never faileth. From beginning to end it’s always been, trust in His name, He’s always the same.
Ryan, that is a crazy good poem. AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteAnd I had NEVER thought of D&C 1:38 like that. That changes it exponentially. Thank you for teaching me.