How does one continue to thrive in this world and not labor for the "meat that perishes"? From reading chapter twenty-five we begin to understand that the desire of our heart and the focus of our mind are the powers that cause us to "labor" for something. Christ told us that wherever our treasure is - our heart will be there too. And so it is important that we treasure the heavenly. That does not mean that we abhor or detest the things of the earth. It is only sin that we must abhor. We certainly must not become a burden upon our fellow men, expecting others to carry our weight if we are perfectly capable of handling our own stewardship. As we recognize that all things belong to our Father in Heaven we are willing to let go and trust Him to supply all of our needs - and be ready to receive all of His gifts with open arms. Those gifts will then be ours to manage - not to own. Those gifts include food, raiment, shelter, loved ones, talents, money, etc. But those gifts also include peace, love, joy, brotherly kindness, faith, etc. Everything we use is from God and we must recognize who is the giver of all things - even our bodies, our agency, our very soul.
The teachings of Jesus Christ contain a true science of life. They are perfect in every detail and mark plainly the pathway of eternal power. His most impractical sounding teachings turn into a revelation of glory when applied under the direction of that living "Light of Christ within."
Few of true integrity and high devotion have fully caught the divine vision of the words, "Labour not for the meat that perisheth." Therefore few have accepted or attempted to follow Him in all things, or become "true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ." But only by living His teachings to the very "letter" can their great dynamic power be known and used.
Most of our modern world ignores completely His instructions to labor not for the food that perishes. His words are scoffed at by the critics, considered impractical by the learned and the wise, explained away by the religious leaders when challenged by them, and used as an excuse for shiftless laziness by those too indolent to work. "The Lord will provide," defends the slothful man, who folding his hands, evades physical responsibility of any kind.
The great vision of a higher way of life has yet to be visioned and then proved practical by the noble and great ones as the only true pattern of life. And no one taking upon himself this pattern can be slothful for one moment. His every thought, every word and every act must be allied with power. He must learn to follow that divine Light of Christ within, by overcoming the self, and be willing to serve God with a greater intensity than he could possibly put into any job, position, business enterprise or any physical labor on this earth. This way is truly not for the slothful, lazy individual, for this is the path of selfless devotion which demands a constant awareness, an ever-watchful alertness of soul and heart, an untiring, burning desire, a vision of utter glory that weaves it into tangible reality for the glory of God and the benefit of man.
The following is from the original Greek Text of Matt. 6:24:
"No one is able two lords to serve; either the one he will hate, and the other he will love; or one he will cling to, and the other he will slight. Not are you able to serve God and mammon." Mammon is the personification of worldly wealth.
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal;
"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:18-21).
To most individuals this means something entirely different than Christ intended it to mean. It does not mean to plod miserably through a dreary life of suffering and poverty in the hope of a great reward in some far-off heaven. It means literally to open your heart to that divine kingdom of heaven that is within you. Fill that kingdom with your desires, with love, mercy, compassion, unselfish service and loving devotion to the Most High God. These treasures will cleanse and purify the soul, right here on earth, and thus one may enter and abide in that true kingdom of heaven, walking in majesty and power, doing the very works that Christ did.
"Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
"Therefore take no thought saying, what shall we eat? or, What shall we drink, or Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
"For after these things do the Gentiles seek; for the heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
"But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU." (Matt. 6:24-26 and verses 31-33).
Then Christ went on to explain that he who seeks to live by these higher laws must never let fear enter the heart, fear of what will happen tomorrow, but with absolute confidence in the power of God, and an implicit trust in His promises, live today in a perfect faith that can know no fear.
Then is given the warning that in the last days men would worship the works of their own hands instead of God.
This was also given in Jeremiah as follows: "And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands . . .
"Ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, to your own hurt." (Jer. 25:6-7).
Then again Christ gave the definite command: "Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto life, which the Son of man shall give unto you." (John 6:27).
When the multitude asked how they could have the power to do the works that He did, namely, feed five thousand with practically nothing and a prayer of sure knowing, the answer was:
"This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
And if one truly believes on Jesus Christ then he must believe in the power of His name. One must also believe on every word He has spoken, and every word that He may speak through that divine "Light of Christ" that has been given to abide in every individual who has come into the world. If one does not live by every word that has proceeded out of His mouth then he has failed -- consequently is walking in his own strength -- and if in his own strength then he is walking in darkness.
Then comes the glorious invitation from the Son of God: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This invitation is to every man, woman and child upon this earth. If you are serving the world, laboring with all your strength to make a living, or are laboring to get gain, or great wealth, or for any other purpose than to glorify God, you may go to Christ and find rest. Yea, you may turn to that Light of Christ within and be directed into the divine, glorious reality of His nearness and power, which is described as follows: "Which rest is the fullness of my glory."1 (D. & C. 84:24). Could any promise be greater?
Yea, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provisions for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Rom. 13:14).
The Lord's Prayer also contains the truth of this higher law: "Give us this day our daily bread . . . " By trusting implicitly in the power of God faith becomes knowing, and one becomes wholly obedient to the voice of the Father, as he permits God to direct him in all things, until he himself emerges into that power. As one learns to follow that divine voice he drops his fears, his worries, his grudges and confusion. He lives a higher law than that followed by the multitude. He no longer labors for the food that perishes but will receive sufficient for his needs, whatever they are -- yea, more than enough, "For there will not be room enough to receive." He will no longer work to acquire large bank accounts, great stores of wealth that can be destroyed in an instant's flash, or be left behind by death. One who has wealth depends for his strength upon that wealth and neglects those greater treasures locked within his own soul. But he who trusts in the power of God for his strength will accumulate a wealth that is far beyond anything that mortal mind has yet contemplated. His wealth will be that peace that passeth understanding, the power of God in action in every move of his life, the power to still the storms, to walk above trials and temptations, the power to live in majesty and eternal light, freed from darkness, fears, confusion and wrath.
Yea, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor and blind, and naked:
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." (Rev. 3:17-18).
"And lo, one coming, said to him: O teacher good what good must I do, that I have life age-lasting?
"He said to him; why me askest thou concerning the good? One is the Good (or God). If but thou wishest to enter into the life, keep strictly the commandments.
"He says to him: Which? Then Jesus said, Not thou shalt kill; Not thou shalt commit adultery; Not thou shalt steal; Not thou shalt testify falsely;
"Honor the father and the mother, and thou shalt love the neighbor of thee as thyself.
"Says to him the young man; All these I kept from childhood of me; what more do I want?
"Said to him the Jesus; If thou wishest perfect to be, go, sell thee the possessions, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasures in heaven; and follow me.
"Having heard and the young man the word, went away sorrowing; he was for having possessions many.
"And Jesus said to the disciples of himself: Indeed I say to you, that with difficulty a rich man shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"Again I say to you, easier it is a camel through the eye of a needle to pass than a rich man into the kingdom of God to enter." (Matt. 19:16-24 -- Original Greek translation).
The above is most explicit. If the rich young man could have made that last step he could have received the greater treasures. No one ever gave up a fault without being rewarded with a virtue. Every achievement of devotion and every sacrifice brings strength and character. And these higher virtues become the man, strong, majestic and wise as he grows from grace to grace. In order to receive "all that the Father has" it is necessary to give all that one possesses.
These higher laws of glory are only for those who are willing to sell all that they have that they might purchase the field containing the great hidden treasure. They have to be willing to give up all the lesser treasures they possess in order to purchase that one precious pearl of great price -- the kingdom of heaven.
One truly has to give up his mortal, earthly kingdom in order to purchase the greater kingdom in which all things will be added. One has to be willing to give up all that he has of a temporal nature in order to enter in at the straight gate, for it is the "Needle's Eye." And it is as difficult for a rich man to enter the higher realm of power as it is for the camel to go through the eye of the needle.
At night the great wide gates of the city of Jerusalem were closed to the caravans and only a small pedestrian gate, known as the "needle's eye" remained open. Sometimes a lone traveler, coming to the city by night, could enter that gate with his camel. But only after the camel had been stripped of its load, and then upon its knees it could crawl through that small doorway. But there was still another consideration, the camel had to be willing. But as a rule camels are very obstinate beasts. Camels are never affectionate animals, never devoted to a master, and are usually stubborn and vicious. And no amount of pulling or dragging could force a camel through that small gate without its full co-operation -- and only the power of God could give it that willingness.
And no man can enter that straight and narrow gate unless he is willing and desires it. He must be willing to unload his possessions, his bigotry, his self, his pride and prejudices. Then and then only can he enter that gate into the Holy City of Jerusalem -- the city of eternal light where there is no more darkness either in his surroundings or within himself. Then it is that he comprehends all things -- the glory of his own heaven -- and he need go no more out into the confusion of a discordant world. And this does not mean that he need become a recluse. It means that he can walk this earth in majesty and power, with complete understanding of the path he treads.
Yea, "Straight is the gate and narrow is the way, and few there be who find it" for those who are too overburdened with their mortal accumulations must unload.
This straight and narrow way of divine light belongs to the one who will strip himself of his worldly accumulations of thoughts and things, discarding the external impermanence for the glory of the permanent, eternal values. Such a one will find the true gifts, the deeper, unspeakable power, the great joy, the peace that passeth understanding, perfect health, happiness, eternal light, all-wisdom, all-knowing -- and all things will be subject unto him, both in heaven and on earth: the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, the Son, through that contact with the "Light of Christ within" which is the gate -- the door upon which Christ knocks -- the door that man himself must open -- and enter. To enter that gate his eyes must be truly single to the glory of God.
"He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion (the pure in heart).
"Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord hath given a commandment, that all men shall have charity, which charity is love, and except they shall have charity they are nothing. Wherefore, if they have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
"But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish."2 (II Nephi 27:29-31).
"And when thou prayest, not thou shalt be like the hypocrites, for they love in the synagogues and in the corners of the wide places standing to pray, that they may appear to the men. Indeed I say to you, that they have in full the reward of them." Yea there is no reward from God for such public prayers that are offered to be heard of men.
"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into the retired place of thee, and locking the door of thee, pray thou the Father of thee, in the secret; and the Father of thee who seeing in the secret place, will give to thee in the clear light." (Matt. 6:5-6 -- Original Greek translation).
The foregoing pattern of prayer has been with us for two thousand years yet very few have understood its true meaning. It is revealing in another way the command, "Be Still, and know that I am, God." It is revealing the sacred information of how to contact God. Enter into the secret place, the holy of holies within your own soul, the very center of that "Light of Christ," then close the doors of consciousness to all outside things, to men, to worldly thoughts and influences. Then make known to God your desires, not with much "babbling" as the original gives it, but with loving faith and devotion. Then "believe" and "know that you receive" and you shall have whatsoever you ask. Praise and give thanks and know that the Father who heareth in secret shall truly reward you openly, or bring into manifest, visible form the fulfillment of your requests. It is the Father who doeth the works, and you need not worry as to how it is to be accomplished. Only know that if your desires are not vainglorious and will harm no man they will be fulfilled. It is the law. Just praise and give thanks and you fulfill the law.
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
"For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
"Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
"He that asketh in Spirit, asketh according to the will of God, and he shall have whatsoever he asketh."
If we ask our earthly parents anything we ask them according to the power of our flesh, our physical voice. But when we make a request of God it is quite necessary that we ask through the Spirit, for He is the Father of our Spirits.
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
"And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (I John 5:14-15).
"Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nigh to you; Cleanse your hands -- and purify your hearts, ye double minded." This is referring definitely to those who are trying to serve both God and the world with its wealth and mortal desires. (James 4:8).
This drawing near to God is drawing near to him in Spirit, or through the Spirit seek to know him. One's requests, in order to be granted, must be made through the Spirit, or through that silent chamber in the depths of his own soul, not through loud shouting in public places, not through many words -- but in the secret, silent place where the "Light of Christ" abides.
If one understands this method of prayer he can truly approach the Father in heaven, and "asking according to the Spirit, he shall have whatsoever he saith," for his requests shall be fulfilled and brought forth into manifest form -- thus the very substance of things hoped for becomes a reality. As one prays in this true pattern of prayer it matters not whether his prayers be offered in a church, in his family, or silently in his own sacred room, just so long as he is not making a prayer to be heard of men, but is truly speaking to God from the very center of his soul, with all the world locked out.
This perfect method of prayer opens wide the heart to receive the divine benediction of a loving, gracious Father. It opens every cell of the body to receive His light. It brings the mind into subjection to the Spirit and fulfills the first and great commandment. It is the purification of the mortal self with its burden and weaknesses, its shames and failures.
These greater blessings can come only through that divine contact with God. No one on earth can give this contact to another. Each must do his own praying, his own asking, his own seeking and searching. "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," (a love that reaches beyond the power of mind and thought into the feelings, the very depth of one's being), "That ye might be filled with all 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).
This again proclaims the truth of the Sermon on the Mount, there where earthly parents give good gifts to their children who ask them -- the heavenly Father will give so much greater gifts to those who ask, and the asking must be through the Spirit.
The Light of Christ that is given to abide in each man that cometh into the world must be contacted, loved, developed, acknowledged and followed so that it can become an everlasting power and glory right within man. Love must be perfected -- love for God -- love for God's children -- for His world and the greatness of His creations. And as surely as one desires this divine, pure Christ-like love it will grow within him -- a love so tender, so compassionate, so forgiving it will help to glorify a world. Then the little mortal self is forgotten and left behind and one steps into that great spiritual self and the divinity of his own soul becomes manifest.
With such a vision and such divine love one understands the truth of the words of Enoch as given in the New Testament Apocrypha: "Cursed every man who opens his lips for the bringing into contempt and calumny of his neighbor, because he brings God into contempt."
And, "He who works crookedly or speaks evil against any soul, will not make justice for himself for all time." (Secrets of Enoch LII:2 and LX:4). Then it becomes apparent that any individual, or any unauthorized group who goes forth to execute justice upon any man becomes lost in a great and shameful injustice.
With these higher laws of love and devotion and true prayer one treads a sacred highway of divine light -- the straight and narrow way, walking hand in hand with God, growing from grace to grace until he is filled with light, or is "Anointed with Light" and finally receives of the "Fullness of the Father" and has all that the Father has.
This is a road no lazy man can possibly tread. It is paved with flaming desire, lighted by high vision and traveled with a constant alertness of soul and mind. It is a road of unfolding, of developing, of evolving from a common mediocre mortal into a being of majesty and power, filled with light. It is the road that fulfills the name of Jesus Christ and bestows the power of that name. It is the road that fulfills every promise and one does not need to labor for the things that perish for he will be able to use the great atomic law in its true form and bring forth an abundance of all things to supply all his needs direct from the great universal source of eternal energy or Spirit.
Thus the following may be completely fulfilled:
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter until the perfect day (or until he is perfected).
"And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may chase darkness from among you:
"He that is ordained of God and sent forth (or he who receives his anointing of Light), the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.
"Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.
"But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified from all sin.
"And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done." (D. & C. 50:24-29).
This great, unspeakable power mentioned, that will be able to command the life, the light and even the very Spirit of God, both in heaven and on earth and have it obey, comes to man when he has brought forth that "Light of Christ from within." This is his "Anointing of Light." It is the power of Almighty God in action. It is the very power of creation -- the power that can form atoms out of pure, original energy and multiply them into tangible substance, for "Faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." Then when faith becomes perfect it turns into knowledge and the things hoped for become a living, tangible reality, whether it be the restoring of one's eyes or hearing, the renewing of flesh or bones, or strength or understanding, it shall be fulfilled.
It is then that the prayers offered in the secret of one's own closet, or soul, are fulfilled openly. Even one's daily needs can be supplied from this unlimited storehouse of eternal abundance and dynamic power. Anything that is needed for satisfaction, progress and happiness either for oneself or for his neighbor, can be brought forth for the use of those who will fulfill the law. This is the contact Christ had with the Father. The power He used. It is the power of creation which He tried so hard to teach mankind about, proclaiming its existence and that it was for all to use who would only believe -- yea, the power to raise the dead -- move mountains -- supply all one's needs and to perform the miracles that were promised should follow those who believe. This is the power God promised to those who would only believe on the name of Jesus Christ. It is the power of that name. It is God's power as He is permitted to work through His chosen instrument, man. It is the power of divine love, eternal light, wisdom and majesty fulfilled and brought forth in the life of every individual who will only believe and then follows that belief through to its ultimate perfection. Thus faith becomes knowing -- and knowing is power. "Faith promises all things; and it fulfills all things."
These great promises, as they are brought forth in the lives of men, contain the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ -- "a gospel of power, not of words."
These promises are of God. They are sacred and true. And they fail not. This dynamic power belongs to him who will only believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and then take upon him that name. It is the power that belongs to him who will fulfill the New and Everlasting Covenant, and Christ is its mediator through that divine "Light of Christ that is given to abide in every man that cometh into the world." This is the power of God that becomes active in the lives of men when they live by every Word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God until they themselves become that Word. And God speaks His Words only through the purified hearts of men.
Oh glorious children, arise and put off thy dark grave clothes of death and old age and array thyselves in eternal light. And Christ is the way, the Truth, and the Light. Follow that Light that is within your own souls and you need never walk in darkness for you shall walk with God. And "Thou shalt have dominion over the earth and all things therein" "for in the similitude of God art thou made." "Yea, all that the Father has is ours." You shall be one with Him in power, in understanding and in love and majesty. This is the only meaning of the words: "Be one with God."
"Come unto Me all ye ends of the earth! Come! And I will gather you tenderly as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings that you might escape the great wrath that is to be poured out upon all nations. Come unto me, and I will give you rest -- yea, even the rest of the fullness of my glory. The time is now! My arms are outstretched, and my voice is unto all men! Come!
"And no man shall ever read this record who shall not know of its truth through the power of the Holy Ghost, if he will only ask in the name of Jesus Christ; praying with a sincere heart and an open mind. Yea, through the Light of Christ abiding within him he may know the truth of this work -- and by this Light he may know the truth of all things.
"So be it."
1. RLDS D&C 83:4b: 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. return to paragraph →
2. 2nd Nephi 11:106-109: He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain, and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion. Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment, that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity, they were nothing: wherefore, if they should have charity, they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish. But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money, they shall perish. return to paragraph →