Chapter twenty-four reveals that the light of Christ we are all born with is indeed one of God's promises - and therefore it is also a covenant written in "the record of heaven" within our very souls. Once again, in this chapter we find the encouragement to follow that Light of Christ - and by doing so we are fulfilling our part of the covenant. The Lord's promising Light reasons with us in plainness and simplicity. His instructions, His Word or Light is not complicated! Accept Annalee's challenge to you in this chapter to be led by the Spirit of God - which is Light and Truth and Pure Love unfeigned. For when you know the Truth, the Truth will make you free. Jesus Christ is the Truth. Bask in His light, KNOW Him and become truly free.
A covenant is a pledge or a compact between two or more individuals or parties. A covenant has always been considered as an agreement or pledge of sacred power, most binding -- a seal of utmost integrity.
God has made many covenants with man, one being the pledge of the rainbow and the promise that the inhabitants of the earth should never again be destroyed by water. Every promise of God is a covenant or pledge that will be fulfilled as we do our part, or keep our side of the compact, for a covenant is binding, and His words cannot fail. If His promises are not fulfilled it is because we have failed to fulfill our part of the stipulations, not because He has forgotten or failed. God never forgets, and He never fails to fulfill His promises.
Of all the covenants God has made there is a very special one, it is known as the "New and Everlasting Covenant." This covenant is above and beyond all other covenants that God has made to man. And Jesus is the mediator of the New and Everlasting Covenant. (Heb. 12:24 and D. & C., 76-69). The above mentioned scripture has been greatly misunderstood. It has been believed that Jesus Christ stands before the throne of God as a mediator, or "go-between", discussing this man's worthiness to recognition or mercy, that man's desires, another's prayers, as he pleads with God to have compassion. It is true that Jesus is the mediator, for in His hands is given the "Light of Christ that is given to abide in every man that cometh into the world." Through the "Light of Christ" within us, he is the mediator, pleading with each man to follow that true Light of unfailing direction, of hope that leads to faith and faith that leads to knowledge and knowledge that leads to power. He is not pleading with God for man -- but he is pleading with man, for the glory of God. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if any man hear my voice and will open the door, behold, I will come in and feast with him, and he with me."
This New and Everlasting Covenant is the covenant of God with every man that cometh into the world that if he will overcome the self and learn to follow that Light of Christ, or the Spirit, it will lead him to the Christ, and the Christ will then reveal the Father. "And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you. Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel, He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall."1 (D. & C. 50:43-44).
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not; the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
"But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, and I said unto you,
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
"My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all: and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
"And the Father and I are one." (John 10:25-30).
After one has made the final contact with God, though Jesus Christ, the Mediator, no man or power can ever again take him away from Christ. That one who has made that divine contact will be sealed unto God, or dwelling in His Spirit and abode forever, receiving continual light and knowledge and instruction until he grows into complete perfection, for this is the promise, or the great and everlasting covenant -- that He will reveal the Father, and the veil shall be opened and he shall KNOW God.
It is the covenant that every man who seeks God shall find Him. It is the covenant of God in the promise, "Seek me early and ye shall find me," or "Seek me diligently and ye shall find me." "Every one who seeks finds, and he who asks receives; and he who knocks shall have it opened unto him," or have the veil parted, the blinding veil of his own mortal understanding. Yea, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you," "Abide in me and I will abide in you," "For ye are the temples of the living God." And the covenant stands forever and it is new for each man who learns to silence that clamoring, mortal, ego-self and listens with his inner ears to that guiding voice of Light which will lead him to the full knowledge of God. Thus they learn to hear His voice by listening to that Light of Christ right within their own souls as it directs them into all righteousness, assisting them to fulfill all the laws of the kingdom, and perfecting the great, divine gift of love. And those to whom this voice comes, those who have learned to listen and to obey the unfailing word of God begin to fulfill their highest destiny: "And they are called Gods unto whom the word of God came."
Thus the search for God is not a search into infinitude -- nor a search into far distant spheres, nor a search into foreign lands. Neither is God found by going from place to place, city to city, nor up one street and down another, in and out through buildings, nor by rushing from one church to another. If one undertakes to find God in this manner he will only get lost himself, as so many have. The search for God must be right within man. It is in the depths of his own soul he must seek for the "Light of Christ" or the "True Way" that will lead to God, and the Way is the continual unfolding or increasing of Light within, which is the advancing from grace to grace, which is the gift of God to all men. It is this advancing from grace to grace, from knowledge to knowledge, light to greater light that will bring the outer being, the mortal self into complete subjection to the enfolding glory of the Light of the Spirit of Christ. Such is the redemption of man as he is redeemed from his low, mortal concepts of existence. It is when one has truly crucified the little, proud, bragging, discordant, ego-self with its inherent darkness, its fears and its confusion by holding himself in the purifying rays of the glorious vibrations of Living Light that all things shall be added unto him, even the power to comprehend God. This is heaven. And any one who can attain unto this condition of perfect, unruffeled peace, glorifying, Christ-like love is abiding in heaven.
"And again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am -- not with the carnal neither natural mind, but with the Spiritual (mind).
"For no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God.
"Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind."
"Ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels, wherefore, continue in patience until perfected."2
The above states most clearly that it is impossible to behold God with the natural or carnal MIND, it does not say eyes. Then it states that it is only with the Spiritual (mind) that one is able to behold God. Thus the beholding of God is a thing of comprehension -- "THEY SHALL COMPREHEND EVEN GOD." This is verified in the following:
"The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
"Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
"Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any of the least of these hath SEEN God moving in His majesty and power.
"I say unto you, he hath seen him; nevertheless, he who came unto his own was not comprehended.
"The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him, and by him.
"Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the True Light that is in you, and that you are in me, otherwise you could not abound."
It is therefore most definitely true that "No man has seen God at any time in the flesh except quickened by the Spirit of God."
And "Jesus said, At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you -- if a man love me, He will keep my words; and my Father will love Him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
This is the glory and power of the New and Everlasting Covenant, new because it is new to every individual who fulfills it. Everlasting because it has always been and will always be. It contains a new revelation of utter glory to any individual who partakes of its unspeakable power and who receives of its light -- it is truly and everlasting covenant in that it existed before time began for God made it before time was, and it shall endure forever and forever for those who will accept of it and live by it, following the Light of Christ until it leads them to the Father that he might be revealed, and His glory comprehended, and His power made known to those who purify themselves and cleanse themselves from all sin. This is the covenant of Almighty God to all men.
"For He dwelt in him." This is the testomony and the covenant. (See John 14:10-11 also verses 20-23; II. Cor. 6:16; D. & C. 93:17). It contains that divine contact with God that cannot be broken-- the promise of eternal progress, of unlimited power and eternal life.
"Wherefore, I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except those which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of.
"Wherefore, I say unto you that I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning."3 (D. & C. 49:8-9).
And you may be sure that those righteous men that were reserved unto himself were those who overcame sin through the great and everlasting covenant of that divine, personal contact with Almighty God.
"These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the New covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement." (At-one-meant). Or gave the light which is possible to make man again one with His Maker.
As one begins to comprehend and feel the glorious Light of Jesus Christ, which is given by God to abide in every man that cometh into the world, he will begin to develop that light by learning to listen to its voice, and by following its instructions, by praising and giving thanks and glory continually.
Then he will understand the words of Paul: "My little children, of whom I travail in birth until Christ is formed in you." (Gal. 4:19).
He will know with complete knowledge the full import of the words: "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20).
"But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
"But after the faith is come, we are no longer under the schoolmaster." (Gal. 3:23-25).
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." (Rom. 10:4).
Perhaps the above can best be explained by quoting from D. & C. Sec. 84:19-27 and 33: "And this greater priesthood administereth the Gospel and holdeth the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20. "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest." (If this power is not manifest then it is only manifesting in word and without the power -- "And all is vain").
21. "And without the ordinance thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh.
22. "For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live." (And unless he fulfills this he has carried this calling in vain -- for the purpose of it is to see the face of God -- to know Him, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent -- and to have the power to speak in His Name and do the works that He did).
23. "Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God.
24. "But they hardened their hearts and could not endure His presence; therefore the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them (because they would not purify themselves so that they could behold His face while in this life), swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory." (The very meaning and purpose of this higher priesthood is to bless and prepare the people to see and know God individually and to receive of the fullness of his glory while in the flesh).
25. "Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
26. "and the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel. (See D. & C. 13).
27. "Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John." (Only the first principles of the Gospel remain on the earth, or are active when his people are under condemnation, or "under the wrath of God" because they have refused to live by the higher laws, or take upon them the New and everlasting covenant). 4
33. "For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies."5 And this does not mean just in the resurrection because all the dead, small and great, righteous and wicked shall be resurrected and have their bodies brought forth from their graves.
In verse twenty-six of the foregoing it mentions this preparatory gospel which is to prepare the people to actually see and know God and to receive of the fullness of His glory.
The above is verified in verses eighteen and nineteen of Section one hundred and seven of the D. & C. as follows:
"The power and authority of the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church --
"To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ the mediator of the New Covenant." In other words, the only purpose of the Higher priesthood is to prepare the people to receive the Second Comforter, to know God and to walk in His presence, and this can only be accomplished by being obedient to the direction or voice of Christ as it guides and directs through that divine light within.
A people can pray forever for the power of the Melchizedek priesthood to be upon them, but unless they fulfill the laws of that priesthood, or keep their part of the covenant, sanctifying their souls, and bring forth that Light of Christ from within themselves; relying wholly upon God and upon His promises, "Their prayers are vain." Yea, "All is vain." "And there are none that doeth good upon the earth, no not one; for if there be one that doeth good upon the earth he shall work by the power and gifts of God."
It is only by that divine contact within that one can possibly magnify his calling and know God.
"And at that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
"If a man love me he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:20-23).
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5-6).
"Oh righteous Father, the world hath not known thee; but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
"And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:25-26).
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with the fullness of God.
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." (Eph. 3:19-20).
" . . . Seeing that ye have put off the old man (self) with his deeds.
"And have put on the new man (Christ) which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him;
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free; But Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:9-11).
"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Rom. 13:14).
Thus we understand that the full meaning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, or the gospel of Putting on Christ, is that we might fulfill all its laws, purifying our minds and hearts, sanctifying our souls and abiding in the Light of Christ, which is God's own special gift to every child of earth. When we have, by love and understanding and desire, brought forth this Light of Christ, or the Word and made it flesh, filling every cell and fibre of our beings with this Light, we will receive our "Anointing of Light." Then it is that we take upon us that most Holy Name of Jesus Christ and fulfill our part of the New and Everlasting Covenant -- for our part of that covenant is that we take upon us that name. We must be baptized in that "NAME" as well as in water. We must do all that we do in the name of Christ, and rejoice in the Son forever more.
"Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." (Rom. 10:4).
This "Light of Christ," when it has been brought forth completes the fulfillment and is truly the end of the law, and from there on one is no longer under the law, but is abundantly, eternally free -- one with God.
Our part of the New and Everlasting Covenant is to take upon us that Name. The father's part of the covenant is the promise that in that NAME we shall ask anything and have it granted -- and in that Name it is possible to fulfill all the laws of righteousness. And the promise of that name is given: "I shall be powerful when I am anointed with light." Or, "I shall be powerful when I have brought forth the Light of Christ from within."
And then we hear the words of the Lord telling why mankind has failed to contact Him -- to receive the great promises of power, such as Christ had. "For they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant.
"They seeketh not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own God, whose image is in the likeness of (the things) of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish . . ."6 (D. & C. 1:15).
"And the weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh --
"But every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;
"That faith might also be increased in the earth;
"That mine everlasting covenant might be established;
"That the fullness of mine gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers."7 (D. & C. 1:19-23). Here is given the positive information that the time is to come when no man will counsel any other man, for every man shall have that direct contact with God the Father, and will no longer put their trust in the arm of flesh, for the new and everlasting covenant will be established -- the covenant of contact that each man will be able to speak the words of God as directed by His voice, even as Christ was.
"For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world, a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
"I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; But unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles" (and unless one can do these miracles they have not yet received Him), "and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believeth on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life.
"And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant unto the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people, (the light they should follow), and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me.
"Wherefore, come ye unto it, and with Him that cometh I will reason as with men in days of old, and I will show unto you my strong reasoning."8 (D. & C. 45:7-10).
This "Light of Christ" that is contained right within man is the power of contact, or the power of the priesthood which Abraham received. " . . . After ye have received my new and everlasting covenant, saith the Lord God; and he that abideth not this law can in nowise enter into my glory, but shall be damned, saith the Lord.
"I am the Lord thy God, and will give unto thee the law of my Holy Priesthood, as was ordained by me and by my Father before the world was.
Now follows just what that covenant or priesthood was: "Abraham received all things, whatsoever he received, by revelations and commandment, by my Word, (And that Word is the Spirit of Jesus Christ or Light of Christ), saith the Lord, and he hath entered into his exaltation and sitteth upon his throne."
"Yea, I am the Lord thy God and I give unto you this commandment -- that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my Word, which is my law, saith the Lord." (D. & C. 132:12).
"And for this cause that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fullness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity -- (the instruction from the Light of Christ within).
"To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth, and for the Lord's errand in the day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two shall put their tens of thousands to flight." (This indicates the exact time when the power shall be given to the weak – the power to confound the wise among men).
"And by the weak things of the earth the Lord shall thrash the nations by the power of His Spirit. (And it shall truly be by the very power of His Spirit, and not by words only).
"And for this cause these commandments are given: they were commanded to be kept from the world, in the day they were given but NOW are to go forth unto all flesh --
"And this according to the mind and will of the Lord, who ruleth over all flesh.
"And unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord shall be given eternal life.
"And unto them that harkeneth not to the voice of the Lord shall be fulfilled that which was written by the Prophet Moses, they shall be cut off from among the people."9 (D. & C. 133:57-63).
Yea, "As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God." (Rom. 8:14). And unless they are truly led by that divine Spirit in all things they are not His sons regardless of what their claims.
"For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
"For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
"And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. (Which is His word).
"And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.
"And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you . . . "
"And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.
"And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.
"For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin.
"And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me."10 (Every individual who is of God is to learn to hear and be familiar with His divine voice from within, and to keep in contact with it, otherwise he is under sin. D. & C. 84:44-52).
Yes, "My sheep hear my voice, and they know me."
This "Light of Christ" or "Spirit of Christ" that is given to abide within man, can be brought forth to its full perfection by the understanding, obedience and righteous desire of each individual. And with its perfection one receives the fullness of the promise of the name of Jesus Christ, and truly takes upon himself that name. And then it is that he can ask anything in the name of Jesus Christ and have it fulfilled. This name contains the everlasting covenant of the Father. It is His covenant that is everlasting, for it is with us forever and forever. It is new because to each individual who fulfills it, it is a new and glorious experience of untold power. As we believe in that name and fulfill it we shall be able to do all that Jesus did, and have all that the Father has. The name of "Jesus Christ" contains the promise of the Covenant to every child of earth. The name "Jehovah" contains the fulfillment of the promise when the covenant is completed.
Pray with all the energy of heart to comprehend what is herein written for it is the Word of God -- "And the Word of the Lord is Truth, and whatsoever is truth is Light; and whatsoever is Light is Spirit -- even the Spirit of Jesus Christ . . . "
And it is the Christ who will reveal the Father -- "That you may know the Truth -- and the Truth will make you free. And he who is free shall be free indeed."
And again, lest you forget, "Jesus Christ" is the promise. "Jehovah" is the fulfillment of the promise. These words contain unspeakable glory for him who will open his ears to hear and his heart to understand. This is God's covenant, or seal. It is His eternal promise to every man who will fulfill the requirements. It was given as a sacred promise or covenant before time began. It is a covenant of God endless, eternal, Almighty -- one with God.
"Ask and ye shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you."
So be it, for God has spoken, and in the name of Jesus Christ it shall be fulfilled unto you according to your faith and understanding -- Amen.
1. RLDS D&C 50:8f-g: and the Father and I are one; I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me, and I in you; wherefore I am in your midst; and I am the good Shepherd (and the stone of Israel: he that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall), and the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen. return to paragraph →
2. RLDS D&C 67:3a-c: And again, verily I say unto you, that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent, and you shall see me and know that I am; not with the carnal, neither natural mind, but with the spiritual; for no man has seen God at any time in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God; neither can any natural man abide the presence of God; neither after the carnal mind; ye are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; wherefore continue in patience until ye are perfected. return to paragraph →
3. RLDS D&C 49:2c-d: wherefore I will that all men shall repent, for all are under sin, except them which I have reserved unto myself, holy men that ye know not of; 2d wherefore I say unto you, that I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning, and that which I have promised I have so fulfilled, and the nations of the earth shall bow to it; return to paragraph →
4. RLDS D&C 83:3b-4d: And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God. Therefore, in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest; and without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; for without this, no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live. Now, this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; but they hardened their hearts, and could not endure his presence, therefore, the Lord, in his wrath (for his anger was kindled against them), swore that they should not enter into his rest, while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory. Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst and the holy priesthood also; and the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel, which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord, in his wrath, caused to continue with the house of Aaron, among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb: return to paragraph →
5. RLDS D&C 83:6c for whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies: return to paragraph →
6. RLDS D&C 1:3d-e: for they have strayed from mine ordinances, and have broken mine everlasting covenant; they seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall. return to paragraph →
7. D&C 1:4c-e: the weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh, but that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world; that faith also might increase in the earth; that mine everlasting covenant might be established; that the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple, unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers. return to paragraph →
8. RLDS D&C 45:2b-e: for verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world; a light that shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. I came unto my own, and my own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles and to become the sons of God, and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life. And even so I have sent mine everlasting covenant into the world, to be a light to the world, and to be a standard for my people and for the Gentiles to seek to it, and to be a messenger before my face to prepare the way before me. Wherefore come ye unto it; and with him that cometh I will reason as with men in days of old, and I will show unto you my strong reasoning; return to paragraph →
9. RLDS D&C 108:11a-e: And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fullness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity, to prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth; and for the Lord's errand in the day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two should put their tens of thousands to flight; and by the weak things of the earth, the Lord should thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit. And for this cause these commandments were given; they were commanded to be kept from the world in the day that they were given, but now are to go forth unto all flesh. And this according to the mind and will of the Lord, who ruleth over all flesh; and unto him that repenteth and sanctifieth himself before the Lord, shall be given eternal life. And upon them that hearken not to the voice of the Lord, shall be fulfilled that which was written by the prophet Moses, that they should be cut off from among the people. return to paragraph →
10. RLDS D&C 83:7a And now I give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life; for you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ; and the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit; 7d and everyone that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit, cometh unto God, even the Father; and the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world: and the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under the darkness and under the bondage of sin: and by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me; for whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin; and whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me; return to paragraph →