Chapter 16—Dead Works
When “God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people” (Mosiah 3:14), unwilling to live a higher law, the lesser law was given to point people to Christ. Holy prophets knew “the law of Moses was a type” (Alma 25:15), even “a shadow of those things which are to come . . . through Christ the Lord” (Mosiah 16:14–15). Jacob’s “soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him” (2 Nephi 11:4).
“Were it not for the atonement . . . they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law” (Mosiah 13:28). The righteous understood this and “did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith unto eternal salvation, relying on the spirit of prophecy which spake of those things to come” (Alma 25:16).
“For this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to Him, and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness” (Jacob 4:5). The law points us to Christ because only He can perfect our faith.
Understanding Christ’s gospel and realizing power in the ordinances perfects us. This mission was proclaimed by the LDS church in 1981.
In 1986, LDS president Ezra Taft Benson acknowledged the “sacred responsibility to fulfill the threefold mission of the Church,” but his missions significantly varied from Kimball’s. Benson said, “First, to teach the gospel to the world; second, to strengthen the membership of the Church wherever they may be; third, to move forward the work of salvation for the dead.” Benson did not specify the Lord Jesus Christ’s gospel must be proclaimed as Kimball had done. He did not mention perfecting the Saints, instead suggesting a lesser responsibility to “strengthen the membership.” His revised third mission reduced the crucial work of actually redeeming the dead to merely moving the work forward. But exaltation requires more than performing works for the dead—it requires power in “all the ordinances” to become saviors on Mount Zion.
In 2009 the LDS renamed these ‘missions’ as ‘purposes’ and added a fourth—service or caring for the needy. We are commanded to care for the needs of others, and we must do so. However, serving others if we are not transformed by His ordinances cannot perfect or exalt us. We must understand and live His gospel to be His church.
Alleviating temporal needs is our obligation, but we cannot neglect the spiritual aspect. Taking care of others’ temporal needs should turn us to higher laws that care for the spirit. Who are the poor and needy? The Sermon on the Mount begins with blessing ‘the poor in spirit.’ Jesus said there is only one thing needful—to receive “that good part which shall not be taken away” (Luke 10:42). All who have not received the good part, or the fulness of His gospel, are needy. Serving at the expense of coming to God keeps us from “that good part.” Focusing on outward service while neglecting spiritual transformation keeps us busy, but unworthy. Temporal needs are alleviated as we live His gospel. Zion has “no poor among” them (Moses 7:18) in substance or spirit.
Faith leaves dead works behind. Dead, nekros (G3498), describes that which is ineffective or has no power. Dead works include all that we do or believe will save us without sufficient faith in the Lord. Because God’s work is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39), anything that does not lead us to this end is a dead work.
Action and faith are interdependent. Without faith our works are dead, but without good works, we have no living faith. “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:17, NLT). Alternately, if faith is “not complemented by action” (Berean), it is dead. Dead works may keep us busy, but they cannot bring us into His presence, bestow priesthood power, or transform us. Dead works include policies, ritual ordinances, religious obligations, church assignments, or anything we do or trust that cannot give salvation. It is vital to discern if our works truly bring us to Christ for salvation or if we are deceived by thinking a form of godliness is adequate.
“Although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses neither by your dead works” (D&C 22:2). Ritual ordinances cannot open the gate. Christ is the “keeper of the gate” and He “employeth no servant there” (2 Nephi 9:41). “There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ” (Mosiah 3:17). “Neither is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12).
God will proceed to do His marvelous work “to restore his people from their lost and fallen state” (2 Nephi 25:17) through those whom He has chosen to be “instruments in his hands” (Alma 26:15). His servants are not called by men to keep busy with church assignments. When it comes to His work, serving busily does not make us a servant. Being a servant of God requires a divine commission through a fulness of faith. “If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work” to “serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:3, 2). The saints were asked, “Have you desired this ministry with all your hearts? If you have desired it, you are called of God, not of man, to go into the world.”
If the world is still competing for our heart, He will not send us back into the world. Those who spend their time pursuing wealth or business may be disappointed to realize the Lord does not need (or want) businessmen. His disciples must leave the world of business behind to enter God’s kingdom. He calls to many, but the pull of the world is so strong that few are willing to leave it behind.
While Mary was being tutored by the Lord, Martha was busy and careful (full of cares) about “many things.” In spite of Christ’s willingness to teach her personally, Martha had other priorities. She did not choose to sit at His feet but was frustrated that Mary did so. Martha wanted Mary to “help me” with her “many tasks” (Luke 10:40, NRSV), but the Lord did not support it. “Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).
Even if Martha’s service was performed for Jesus, it was not performed with Him. Having many church callings or regularly attending church or temple itself will not bring us to God. Busily doing what men ask instead of what God requires denies us ‘that good part.’ Even admirable things impede our progress if done at the expense of what is good.
Emphasis on busy-ness keeps us deceived and diverted from living His gospel, a clever substitute for the good works He requires. Dead works kept Martha “distracted” (Luke 10:40, NIV) from what mattered most. Her many efforts to serve did not compare to Mary’s whole-hearted devotion. Sitting at His feet is no passive process, for Mary put Him first and “heard his word” to receive that good part.
Even if we perform what we perceive to be “many wonderful works,” refusing to let His power work in us keeps us bound by iniquity. We deny God by trusting in dead works. No matter how favored we once were, we will be cast out of His presence if we do not come to know Him.
Although Jesus delivered His gospel to the Nephites, only a few centuries later Moroni witnessed their destruction. The last of the faithful, Moroni deeply hoped the modern-day covenant people would not be deceived or ensnared by the same cunning methods that destroyed the Nephites of trusting in dead works and denying the power of Christ. Mormon prayed for repentance, but worried because
By continually relying on their laws and works, Israel rejected the covenant. His gospel was taken to the Gentiles, who became followers of righteousness for a time before they too trusted dead works. When they ultimately reject the covenant, it will again be offered to Israel. Although roles are reversed in the latter days, the reason God removes His power and spirit remains the same.
Falling away from Christ’s gospel started almost immediately after His crucifixion, when messengers of truth were cast out by prideful leaders and chief priests driven by unbelief. John said, “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not . . . and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (3 John 1:9–10). Alternately, “Diotrephes, who is ambitious for the leadership, does not accept our authority” that came directly from God.
God gathers “the outcasts” that men despise (Psalm 147:2). Zenos declared, “I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries” (Alma 33:10).
To those rejected by a prideful church who did “pervert the ways of the Lord” (Alma 31:11), Alma said, “Do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week? It is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues” because being “despised of your brethren” (Alma 32:12) provides opportunity to ascend if we remain faithful to God. True apostles rejoice that they “were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
For footnotes and references, click HERE.
“Were it not for the atonement . . . they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law” (Mosiah 13:28). The righteous understood this and “did not suppose that salvation came by the law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith unto eternal salvation, relying on the spirit of prophecy which spake of those things to come” (Alma 25:16).
“For this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to Him, and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness” (Jacob 4:5). The law points us to Christ because only He can perfect our faith.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16)We must distinguish between outward rites and inward transformation made possible through His power. Ritual ordinances are dead works because they have no inherent power to save—we must access God to receive His power. Trusting in the law or ritual alone leaves us lacking. “Wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith . . . We speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ and know for what end the law was given” (2 Nephi 25:25, 27). “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). The Atonement is only effective by spiritual transformation.
Understanding Christ’s gospel and realizing power in the ordinances perfects us. This mission was proclaimed by the LDS church in 1981.
(1) To proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. (2) To perfect the Saints by preparing them to receive the ordinances of the gospel and by instruction and discipline to gain exaltation. (3) To redeem the dead by performing vicarious ordinances of the gospel for those who have lived on the earth.These missions are progressive. Christ’s gospel is the foundation of exaltation. Without understanding true points of His doctrine and experiencing its transformation, we can neither proclaim His gospel nor be perfected. If we are not perfected we cannot redeem the dead, in spite of our works. Perfecting the saints and their ministry was the intent of the Lectures on Faith. These missions require knowledge of truths, “even as they are in my own bosom” (D&C 35:20).
In 1986, LDS president Ezra Taft Benson acknowledged the “sacred responsibility to fulfill the threefold mission of the Church,” but his missions significantly varied from Kimball’s. Benson said, “First, to teach the gospel to the world; second, to strengthen the membership of the Church wherever they may be; third, to move forward the work of salvation for the dead.” Benson did not specify the Lord Jesus Christ’s gospel must be proclaimed as Kimball had done. He did not mention perfecting the Saints, instead suggesting a lesser responsibility to “strengthen the membership.” His revised third mission reduced the crucial work of actually redeeming the dead to merely moving the work forward. But exaltation requires more than performing works for the dead—it requires power in “all the ordinances” to become saviors on Mount Zion.
In 2009 the LDS renamed these ‘missions’ as ‘purposes’ and added a fourth—service or caring for the needy. We are commanded to care for the needs of others, and we must do so. However, serving others if we are not transformed by His ordinances cannot perfect or exalt us. We must understand and live His gospel to be His church.
Alleviating temporal needs is our obligation, but we cannot neglect the spiritual aspect. Taking care of others’ temporal needs should turn us to higher laws that care for the spirit. Who are the poor and needy? The Sermon on the Mount begins with blessing ‘the poor in spirit.’ Jesus said there is only one thing needful—to receive “that good part which shall not be taken away” (Luke 10:42). All who have not received the good part, or the fulness of His gospel, are needy. Serving at the expense of coming to God keeps us from “that good part.” Focusing on outward service while neglecting spiritual transformation keeps us busy, but unworthy. Temporal needs are alleviated as we live His gospel. Zion has “no poor among” them (Moses 7:18) in substance or spirit.
Faith leaves dead works behind. Dead, nekros (G3498), describes that which is ineffective or has no power. Dead works include all that we do or believe will save us without sufficient faith in the Lord. Because God’s work is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39), anything that does not lead us to this end is a dead work.
Action and faith are interdependent. Without faith our works are dead, but without good works, we have no living faith. “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:17, NLT). Alternately, if faith is “not complemented by action” (Berean), it is dead. Dead works may keep us busy, but they cannot bring us into His presence, bestow priesthood power, or transform us. Dead works include policies, ritual ordinances, religious obligations, church assignments, or anything we do or trust that cannot give salvation. It is vital to discern if our works truly bring us to Christ for salvation or if we are deceived by thinking a form of godliness is adequate.
Faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also. (LF 1:13)Has His restored church understood and preserved His ordinances as He revealed? Is their conditional role taught, or are we encouraged to trust the ritual itself? The damning ‘all is well in Zion’ attitude believes ritual is sufficient while ignoring the need for God’s approving seal. That we are not aware of a need for (or way to receive) His seal confirms truth has degenerated, suppressing the reality that we are still on trial.
I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith. (D&C 98:11–12)Relying on rites or outward works without inward conversion attempts to put salvation in our own hands. “Putting trust in dead works” is “mockery before God, denying the mercies of Christ, and the power of his Holy Spirit” (Moroni 8:23–24).
“Although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses neither by your dead works” (D&C 22:2). Ritual ordinances cannot open the gate. Christ is the “keeper of the gate” and He “employeth no servant there” (2 Nephi 9:41). “There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ” (Mosiah 3:17). “Neither is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12).
It is because of your dead works that I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me, even as in days of old. Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God. (D&C 22:3–4)The covenant and church were to be built up “even as in days of old” according to the order God revealed. His church cannot seek praise of men or accumulate wealth without alleviating needs of the poor. Such works are not built up “unto Him.” His organized church conditionally bore His name and must retain it by strict adherence to His laws. “The so-called Apostolic Fathers and the early apologists never tire of repeating, the name of Christian does not guarantee the Lord’s approval or recognition of the individual or society bearing it, nor does its presence in the earth prove at any time that Christ’s church has survived. So though we find in every age churches claiming to be true heirs of the apostles . . . we are by no means bound to accept any one of them simply because it is big or old—least of all, simply because it exists.” Jesus agreed.
And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.
But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you. (3 Nephi 27:10–12)Jesus’s warning that a covenant-possessing church can be hewn down for doing their works must be taken seriously. Departing from the Lord condemns us. When choices solidify such that people or nations fully reject His way, judgments are justified and necessary. Covenant makers especially have a serious responsibility to uphold their obligations. Trusting in our works is a temptation that keeps us from salvation but priests and leaders encourage us to trust their ways, putting them between us and God.
All these various religions are one, in origin, in character, and outcome . . . In the vital matter of salvation they unite, and are one in saying with one voice: ‘Something in my hand I bring.’ Whereas, in true Christianity, which is Christ, the convicted sinner proclaims the existence of the great dividing gulf, and says: ‘Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.’
This puts nothing between the sinner and the Savior; whereas it is the essence of all religions to put something, whether it be a priest, or sacraments, or creeds, or ceremonies or some kind or other. [To them,] something has to be said, or done, or believed, or felt, without which, they, as one creed puts it, ‘cannot be saved.’We are judged by whether we “err from thee and cleave to error” or “forsake all evil and cleave unto all good” (D&C 98:11). Danger comes from believing “another Jesus . . . or another gospel” that claims to be His, but is not (2 Corinthians 11:4). “By their [works] you will know them.” Good works produce good fruit. “That which fell into the good earth is the one who hears the word and understands it and makes fruit, that is, from good works.”
No unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who (1) have washed their garments in my blood because of (2) their faith and the (3) repentance of all their sins and (4) their faithfulness unto the end. This is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and (5) come unto me and (6) be baptized in my name, that ye may (7) be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do. (3 Nephi 27:19–21, numerals added)Christ tells us “all things what ye should do” (2 Nephi 32:3). We enter “this strait and narrow path . . . by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him.” Only by holding to the word of God will we “endure to the end” to receive eternal life (2 Nephi 31:19–20).
God will proceed to do His marvelous work “to restore his people from their lost and fallen state” (2 Nephi 25:17) through those whom He has chosen to be “instruments in his hands” (Alma 26:15). His servants are not called by men to keep busy with church assignments. When it comes to His work, serving busily does not make us a servant. Being a servant of God requires a divine commission through a fulness of faith. “If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work” to “serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:3, 2). The saints were asked, “Have you desired this ministry with all your hearts? If you have desired it, you are called of God, not of man, to go into the world.”
If the world is still competing for our heart, He will not send us back into the world. Those who spend their time pursuing wealth or business may be disappointed to realize the Lord does not need (or want) businessmen. His disciples must leave the world of business behind to enter God’s kingdom. He calls to many, but the pull of the world is so strong that few are willing to leave it behind.
Jesus said, A person was receiving guests. When he had prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to invite the guests. The servant went to the first and said to that one, ‘My master invites you.’ That person said, ‘Some merchants owe me money, and they are coming to me tonight. I must go and give them instructions. Please excuse me from dinner.’
The servant went to another and said to that one, ‘My master has invited you.’ That person said to the servant, ‘I have bought a house and I have been called away for a day. I shall have no time.’
The servant went to another and said to that one, ‘My master invites you.’ That person said to the servant, ‘My friend is to be married and I am to arrange the banquet. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me from dinner.’
The servant went to another and said to that one, ‘My master invites you.’ That person said to the servant, ‘I have bought an estate and I am going to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me.’
The servant returned and said to his master, ‘The people whom you invited to dinner have asked to be excused.’ The master said to his servant, ‘Go out on the streets and bring back whomever you find to have dinner.’ Buyers and merchants will not enter the places of my Father. (Gospel of Thomas 64:1–12)No matter how good our intentions, neither busy-ness nor business gains entrance into the kingdom of God. Many devoted to religion are like Martha, who had not received “that good part” (Luke 10:42) but believed doing things she thought were useful, or perhaps even expected of her, was the way. Such works amount to little in the eternal realm if traded for learning at Christ’s feet.
While Mary was being tutored by the Lord, Martha was busy and careful (full of cares) about “many things.” In spite of Christ’s willingness to teach her personally, Martha had other priorities. She did not choose to sit at His feet but was frustrated that Mary did so. Martha wanted Mary to “help me” with her “many tasks” (Luke 10:40, NRSV), but the Lord did not support it. “Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).
Even if Martha’s service was performed for Jesus, it was not performed with Him. Having many church callings or regularly attending church or temple itself will not bring us to God. Busily doing what men ask instead of what God requires denies us ‘that good part.’ Even admirable things impede our progress if done at the expense of what is good.
Emphasis on busy-ness keeps us deceived and diverted from living His gospel, a clever substitute for the good works He requires. Dead works kept Martha “distracted” (Luke 10:40, NIV) from what mattered most. Her many efforts to serve did not compare to Mary’s whole-hearted devotion. Sitting at His feet is no passive process, for Mary put Him first and “heard his word” to receive that good part.
Even if we perform what we perceive to be “many wonderful works,” refusing to let His power work in us keeps us bound by iniquity. We deny God by trusting in dead works. No matter how favored we once were, we will be cast out of His presence if we do not come to know Him.
It is not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. For the day soon cometh that men shall come before me to judgment to be judged according to their works. And many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I say, Ye never knew me; depart from me ye that work iniquity. (JST Matthew 7:30–33)To not know Christ is iniquity. By “the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14).
Although Jesus delivered His gospel to the Nephites, only a few centuries later Moroni witnessed their destruction. The last of the faithful, Moroni deeply hoped the modern-day covenant people would not be deceived or ensnared by the same cunning methods that destroyed the Nephites of trusting in dead works and denying the power of Christ. Mormon prayed for repentance, but worried because
the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from God; and they are denying the Holy Ghost. And after rejecting so great a knowledge, my son, they must perish soon, unto the fulfilling of the prophecies which were spoken by the prophets, as well as the words of our Savior himself. (Moroni 8:28–29)Nephites came to only recognize power and authority that was conferred by men, not God Himself. This implies that the institutional organization became the source of their power and authority, instead of divine power from ratified ordinances. Jesus rebuked outwardly pious Pharisees (and all who mimic their actions) for believing their works and outward ritual could cleanse them spiritually.
Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but within they are full of extortion and excess. Ye blind Pharisees! Cleanse first the cup and platter within, that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but are within full of the bones of the dead, and of all uncleanness. Even so, ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (JST Matthew 23:22–25)Dead bones represent dead works, both of which have no marrow or life. Marrow in the bones is a covenant blessing associated with eternal life and knowledge of God, a promise contingent on obedience and faithfulness to the covenant.
By continually relying on their laws and works, Israel rejected the covenant. His gospel was taken to the Gentiles, who became followers of righteousness for a time before they too trusted dead works. When they ultimately reject the covenant, it will again be offered to Israel. Although roles are reversed in the latter days, the reason God removes His power and spirit remains the same.
What shall we say then? That [Israel], which followed not after righteousness, ha[s] attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
But [the Gentiles], who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. (Romans 9:30–32, JST, NIV)Similar conditions—denying God by doing their own works—existed in historical Christianity. “For there are many insubordinate men, foolish [‘vain,’ KJV] talkers and deceivers, especially those of the [covenant]: these must be silenced. For they ruin entire families [‘teaching things which they ought not,’ KJV] for the sake of dishonest gain,” having “a prophet of their own” (Titus 1:12). Do “not pay attention . . . to rules and regulations made by men who persist in turning their backs on truth.”
Unto them who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [‘unfit for any good work,’ ESV]. (Titus 1:15–16)In this verse, Paul gave three ways we deny God. Abominable means loathsome or detestable, a word also used to describe idolatrous worship. Disobedience offends God and estranges us from Him. Reprobate is failing to pass the test. It refers to “a counterfeit coin which is below standard weight. It is used to describe a cowardly soldier who fails in the testing hour of battle . . . a rejected candidate for office . . . [or] ‘being unfit because of its flaws.’ The ultimate test of life is usefulness, and the man whose influence is ever towards that which is unclean is of no use to God or to his fellowmen. Instead of helping God’s work in the world, he hinders it.”
Falling away from Christ’s gospel started almost immediately after His crucifixion, when messengers of truth were cast out by prideful leaders and chief priests driven by unbelief. John said, “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not . . . and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church” (3 John 1:9–10). Alternately, “Diotrephes, who is ambitious for the leadership, does not accept our authority” that came directly from God.
God gathers “the outcasts” that men despise (Psalm 147:2). Zenos declared, “I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries” (Alma 33:10).
To those rejected by a prideful church who did “pervert the ways of the Lord” (Alma 31:11), Alma said, “Do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week? It is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues” because being “despised of your brethren” (Alma 32:12) provides opportunity to ascend if we remain faithful to God. True apostles rejoice that they “were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
For footnotes and references, click HERE.