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
