Chapter 5—"He Desireth that Ye Should Believe"
Many do not know God’s character, but He knows ours—not only who
we are, but what we are capable of becoming. “As man is, God once was.
As God now is, man may be.” When Lorenzo Snow received this insight in
1840, Joseph Smith replied, “Brother Snow, that is a true gospel
doctrine and it is a revelation from God.” On 7 April 1844, Joseph said
this truth was among the first principles of the gospel. However, by
1997, LDS president Gordon B. Hinckley stated he was not sure of its
truthfulness. In another interview Hinckley publicly denied this
foundational belief when asked if “Mormons believe that God was once a
man.” He responded, “I wouldn’t say that. There was a little couplet
coined, ‘As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become.’ Now that’s
more of a couplet than anything else. That gets into some pretty deep
theology that we don’t know very much about.” Hinckley defended his
response after the backlash.
Without correct beliefs, we cannot have faith in the Lord and without faith, we cannot have priesthood power. Regardless of what modern leaders declare, progression through ascension is an eternal concept. Knowledge is the key to ascension, but loss of understanding will destroy us. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Mortality offers us an opportunity to become like God. The way to eternal life is guarded by angels who test our knowledge. “Knowing good from evil” and choosing good bestows godliness. In the Garden, “God said unto mine Only Begotten, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil” (JST Genesis 3:28). ‘To become’ is to pass from one state or condition to another “by assuming or receiving new properties or qualities, additional matter, or a new character.” Its dynamic meaning describes movement toward God to become what He intended. Its ancient Hebrew root means “to exist or have breath,” a valuable insight given that breath is the life of the spirit: “the Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Job 33:4).
The biggest tragedy occurs when those given the opportunity to attain a divine fulness fail to do so. Called to be His people, Nephites and Israel became wicked not holy. All “churches [would] become defiled” (Mormon 8:28) in the last days by preaching “that which [they] termed to be the word of God” (Alma 1:3). They did “become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them . . . [Satan] had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness” (Helaman 6:2, 31).
As we are “subject to the Spirit,” we “become new creatures” (Mosiah 15:15), “changed from their carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters” (Mosiah 27:25). By faith we “become the sons of God . . . that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (Moroni 7:26, 48).
To become means to arise, come to, meet with, or to happen. In the ordinances we come to Him and meet with Him. That it will happen to “every soul” proven true and faithful is a binding promise (D&C 93:1). The power to become like God is generated by divinely ratified ordinances. Jesus had to obtain all ordinances, as did His Father. This is the glorious blessing of eternal life. God was once a man as we are now, and so the ordinances must be kept as revealed to become like Him. Becoming sanctified is the purpose of His gospel. “Become holy without spot . . . through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins” (Moroni 10:33).
Faith transforms “as many as receive me” and “believe on my name” (D&C 11:30). Trying as it is, mortal experiences are designed to endow believers with power and godliness. Joseph prayed that we would become holy and sanctified through His ordinances to “feel thy power,” “grow up in thee,” “secure a fulfillment of the promises,” and be glorified (D&C 109:10–15). After being born again, we “become as a little child” (3 Nephi 11:38) to grow up in Him. Life correspond with phases of ascension.
Measuring a church by membership statistics, social affluence, or wealth while its spiritual stature is stagnant or regressing deceives us. Falsely assuming we have our ordinances without a divine assurance puts our salvation in jeopardy. But many do not have faith, are condemned by unbelief, and have not taken the first step to ascend.
Believing true points of His doctrine lets us grow up in faith. Remission of sin and being born of the Spirit prepare us for greater things. “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). False prophets “depart from the faith” to preach “doctrines of devils,” which includes “to abstain from meats” (1 Timothy 4:3), or God’s mysteries He wants us to seek. Meat is given as we ascend. Increasing knowledge and faith is how we grow up in Him.
Beginning fourth century A.D., universal statements of belief were issued in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds. However, these statements were the result of deliberating councils, not revelation.
Obtaining decision through consensus is hardly the method Joseph used to receive powerful revelations by God’s own voice. When God appeared to Joseph to usher in the restoration, He declared all religions were “wrong . . . that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight” because “they deny the power thereof” (JS–History 1:19) by not turning to God for revelation. “Do ye not therefore err because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24).
A “general and awful apostasy” from Christ’s doctrine was the cause of losing “the ancient gifts, and powers, and blessings, which flow from the Holy Spirit. [Once having] believed in and contended for the miraculous gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, [they] have perverted the ordinances or done them away. Thus all the churches preach false doctrines and pervert the gospel, and instead of having authority from God to administer its ordinances, they are under the curse of God for perverting it.”
We must note a distinction between traditions of men and righteous traditions of the Fathers. Nephi, Abel, Enos, Isaac, Jacob, Alma, and others were taught by righteous fathers. Knowing about “the existence of a God must have continued from father to son as a matter of tradition” (LF 2:53). Only Adam’s testimony existed in the first days, a pure testimony that was quickly rejected, misunderstood, and replaced by more appealing ways. All testimonies or traditions we inherit must be carefully examined to ensure no contradiction with His revealed word.
We have a solemn duty to receive a testimony from God then bear witness of His truths. Relying on others’ testimonies without seeking our own sure knowledge encourages a doctrine of doubt, not faith. Many would be surprised to realize they “teach doctrines which necessarily lead to doubting, and out of which no poor sinner could extract anything but uncertainty. The duty of doubting is, in their theology, much more obligatory than that of believing . . . The sin of uncertainty they repudiate; the duty of being sure they deny.” Doubt masquerading as faith results in deception, blindness, and blasphemy as we convince ourselves we have God’s approval without having His seal. “That faith wherewith a man firmly believeth and certainly assureth himself, that for Christ’s sake his sins are forgiven him, and that he shall possess eternal life, is not faith but rashness; not the persuasion of the Holy Ghost, but the presumption of human audacity.”
Beware of “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). Joseph warns that “when a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet.” Holy prophets preach doctrine that has power to transform us while false prophets teach that which does not develop faith in the Lord. Divine prophets will not usurp the Savior’s role by encouraging people to follow them. Following a prophet or leader instead of following the Savior keeps us condemned. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect . . . come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus warned, “There shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake” (JST Matthew 24:23–24). Nibley notes, “Such a deception could be achieved (and the scripture says ‘they shall deceive’ . . . ‘not they would if they could’) not by any pagan bluster or anti-Christian propaganda, but only by a very clever imitation of the real things.”
Mormon lamented that the “Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers” because of the Nephites' “unbelief and idolatry” (Mormon 5:16, 15). But did they realize it? Idolatry puts anything—including leaders—before God. Jeremiah describes idolatry as a consuming desire for wealth, pleasure, power, and the honors of men to such an extent that they became indifferent to their responsibility to adhere precisely to the commandments of God and attend to the needs of the poor. Priestcraft and idolatry go hand in hand.
True prophets testify of our need to repent—do we believe them? Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to accuse you to my Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have hoped. They replied, We know full well that God spoke to Moses. But we do not know where you have come from. Jesus answered them, Now what stands accused is your failure to believe his testimonies. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me. For that one wrote to your fathers concerning me.”
No amount of scholarship or study will give us eternal life if we do not come to know His character, attributes, and revealed word which includes knowing He cannot tolerate change. This is a fundamental component of the restored gospel: “We also believe that no new revelation will contradict the old.” Reversals of decision, modification, or reformation of what God revealed cannot be divine revelation. Joseph said,
Revelation not only reveals the light of gospel truths, it also exposes sin and iniquity. God preserved the ancient Book of Mormon “for other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other nations” (Mosiah 12:8). The same loathsome sins that destroyed the covenant people on this land millennia ago plague us today. “All your evil deeds are revealed in heaven, and you will have no unrighteous deed that is hidden” (1 Enoch 98:6). The Dead Sea Scrolls define the wicked as those who
Saving faith cannot be based on incorrect beliefs about God. “God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word” (Alma 32:22). “We believe that the first condition to be complied with on the part of sinners is to believe in God and in the sufferings and death of his Son Jesus Christ.” Without correct beliefs, we cannot take the first step of ascension so unbelief is the biggest barrier to salvation.
Truths that challenge our traditions or institutional teachings can be difficult to accept but they must not be “cast out by your unbelief.” Rejecting truth “resist[s] the Spirit of the Lord” (Alma 32:28).
Belief is the wrestle between giving our heart to God or the ways of men. Because beliefs can be deep and powerful, the process of unraveling them to embrace truth is difficult and, at times, painful. It requires effort, prayer, openness, questioning, pondering, moments of insecurity or loneliness, sincerity, courage, humility, and discernment—all of which, if carefully navigated, will lead us to Christ. Our endowment begins as we wrestle with belief, having a love for God and His word that outweighs the false sense of security we get from holding beliefs that are convenient or comforting but cannot save.
Rending the veil of unbelief requires much effort and determination. As questions arise and enlightenment comes, it can be difficult to accept that what we once trusted to be a sure foundation may not be so solid after all. Desiring to believe God begins our awakening. It is no coincidence that one of the first charges in the endowment is a command to awake. Without belief, we cannot “have the sufficient power with God to the exercise of faith necessary to the enjoyment of eternal life” (LF 4:1). To awaken can be painful and challenging since most around us are more comfortable remaining in, or even going back to, sleep. With many unaware, life can become a lonely, difficult, but blessed place.
Belief prepares the foundation of ordinances and godliness. If we truly desire to walk the path of godliness, we must believe His word. Joseph said,
“It is necessary for men to receive an understanding concerning the laws of the heavenly kingdom before they are permitted to enter it.” Obtaining a sure knowledge is a very active process. Joseph urged us to give place for the good things of salvation. To not make room estranges us from God. Purging erroneous beliefs or traditions proves difficult for most, so Joseph lamented,
“What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42) is a question all must consider. Every action we perform, every thought of our heart, and every belief we hold demonstrates our answer.
If a place is given for our beliefs to be examined then “a seed may be planted in your heart.” Belief is “work in you” (Alma 32:27). “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:34). Heart, leb (H3820), is the inner man and mind. As the center of belief, our heart is the seat of our will and determination. Remember, belief came to mean ‘I give my heart.’ “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Righteousness requires a change of heart.
The command is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). To believe on implies a foundation of faith exists. Anything less cannot please Him because believing is the work of God.
When asked, “What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28–29). Believing God lets us “experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy through your belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, NLT).
While many acknowledge God as the wisest, holiest, most perfect, and highest, we must also honor Him as the most truthful. This means we must believe He cannot change or tolerate variance from what He revealed. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness” (Alma 38:9).
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). Joseph’s inspired translation clarifies, “If thou wilt believe all things I shall say unto you” then all things are possible (JST Mark 9:23). In His final earthly moments, Christ faithfully declared such truths not only in word, but in deed to fulfill the greatest work the world has ever known. “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee: take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done” (JST Mark 14:40).
And so the burden of scripture is to turn us to Him, to testify that faith in the Lord is the only way. Faith begins as we recognize that we do not need to make reforms, we need to be reformed. No prayer may be of greater worth to fallen man than to sincerely plead, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
For footnotes and references, click HERE.
Without correct beliefs, we cannot have faith in the Lord and without faith, we cannot have priesthood power. Regardless of what modern leaders declare, progression through ascension is an eternal concept. Knowledge is the key to ascension, but loss of understanding will destroy us. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Mortality offers us an opportunity to become like God. The way to eternal life is guarded by angels who test our knowledge. “Knowing good from evil” and choosing good bestows godliness. In the Garden, “God said unto mine Only Begotten, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil” (JST Genesis 3:28). ‘To become’ is to pass from one state or condition to another “by assuming or receiving new properties or qualities, additional matter, or a new character.” Its dynamic meaning describes movement toward God to become what He intended. Its ancient Hebrew root means “to exist or have breath,” a valuable insight given that breath is the life of the spirit: “the Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life” (Job 33:4).
You have got to learn how to be a God yourself [‘in order to save yourself,’ Clayton] and be a king and priest to God same as all have done by going from a small capacity to a great capacity” and “till they are able to sit in glory as with those who sit enthroned.In the premortal realm, God’s plan was set forth and Jesus accepted the great responsibility to break the bonds of sin and death so fallen man could return to His glorious presence. Men could “act according to their wills and pleasures” (Alma 12:31), choosing to be “shut out from the presence of God” (Moses 6:49) or to possess “everlasting life” (Alma 33:23).
The biggest tragedy occurs when those given the opportunity to attain a divine fulness fail to do so. Called to be His people, Nephites and Israel became wicked not holy. All “churches [would] become defiled” (Mormon 8:28) in the last days by preaching “that which [they] termed to be the word of God” (Alma 1:3). They did “become hardened and impenitent and grossly wicked insomuch that they did reject the word of God and all the preaching and prophesying which did come among them . . . [Satan] had got great hold upon the hearts of the Nephites; yea, insomuch that they had become exceedingly wicked; yea, the more part of them had turned out of the way of righteousness” (Helaman 6:2, 31).
And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things. (Alma 24:30)On the other hand, the redeemed are “made free from sin” to “become servants to God” (Romans 6:22). They “become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves” while the unfaithful will “be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26). Believing “truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
As we are “subject to the Spirit,” we “become new creatures” (Mosiah 15:15), “changed from their carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters” (Mosiah 27:25). By faith we “become the sons of God . . . that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (Moroni 7:26, 48).
To become means to arise, come to, meet with, or to happen. In the ordinances we come to Him and meet with Him. That it will happen to “every soul” proven true and faithful is a binding promise (D&C 93:1). The power to become like God is generated by divinely ratified ordinances. Jesus had to obtain all ordinances, as did His Father. This is the glorious blessing of eternal life. God was once a man as we are now, and so the ordinances must be kept as revealed to become like Him. Becoming sanctified is the purpose of His gospel. “Become holy without spot . . . through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins” (Moroni 10:33).
Faith transforms “as many as receive me” and “believe on my name” (D&C 11:30). Trying as it is, mortal experiences are designed to endow believers with power and godliness. Joseph prayed that we would become holy and sanctified through His ordinances to “feel thy power,” “grow up in thee,” “secure a fulfillment of the promises,” and be glorified (D&C 109:10–15). After being born again, we “become as a little child” (3 Nephi 11:38) to grow up in Him. Life correspond with phases of ascension.
Flesh / Natural Man → Rebirth → Little Child →We cannot be reborn until we believe His gospel. Many who actively profess Christianity do not understand foundational elements of His gospel. “For the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Hebrews 5:12). They “ought to be teaching” truth but fail to understand it correctly so the Lord raises up messengers to “teach you again” (Hebrews 5:12, NLT) the “principles of the doctrine of Christ” (Hebrews 6:1, ASV).
Youth/Lad (‘grow up in Him’) → Mature (‘of full age’)
Through negligence and idleness, their knowledge was diminished and lost, and they had fallen . . . so as they had need again to be taught and instructed . . . Such things as are the first in order, and first to be taught and learnt, the very fundamental principles of Christianity, without the knowledge of which none can be saved.Neglecting crucial doctrine is damning. If essential points of His gospel are diluted or deemphasized, we must return to the foundational laws and ordinances. “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom and ascend step by step until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation.”
Measuring a church by membership statistics, social affluence, or wealth while its spiritual stature is stagnant or regressing deceives us. Falsely assuming we have our ordinances without a divine assurance puts our salvation in jeopardy. But many do not have faith, are condemned by unbelief, and have not taken the first step to ascend.
Believing true points of His doctrine lets us grow up in faith. Remission of sin and being born of the Spirit prepare us for greater things. “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). False prophets “depart from the faith” to preach “doctrines of devils,” which includes “to abstain from meats” (1 Timothy 4:3), or God’s mysteries He wants us to seek. Meat is given as we ascend. Increasing knowledge and faith is how we grow up in Him.
Attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:13–15, NASB)Order is needed to properly understand Christ’s gospel. A solid foundation is necessary so He can “try you and prove you herewith” to see if we are faithful to what He revealed (D&C 98:12). Neglecting knowledge makes us foolish, not wise. Satan’s most destructive weapons target the foundation of Christ’s gospel to rob us of salvation. This counterfeit gospel is laid through deception, perversion, and men’s creeds.
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men . . . [being deceived] by the influence of that [evil] spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the very mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity . . . Let no man count them as small things, for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends on these things. (D&C 123:12, 7, 15)That Satan has “so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers” is cause for concern. From Latin credo, ‘I believe,’ creeds are principles we profess or believe. To rivet is to make firm. Creeds are riveted, or fastened, “upon the hearts of the children” because of erroneous beliefs. Riveted creeds and false beliefs make our heart hard so that it cannot turn to the fathers to fulfill the mission of Elijah, the restoration of all things.
Beginning fourth century A.D., universal statements of belief were issued in the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds. However, these statements were the result of deliberating councils, not revelation.
‘All historical Christian churches agree that revelation for the direction of the church ceased with the last of the apostles,’ one author has written. History shows, in fact, that after the first century, church leaders, in order to decide important issues, could not (and did not) appeal to heaven for authoritative direction because they did not possess the keys of the kingdom . . . but the church was run largely by men who gathered in councils and held debates, letting their decisions rest on the collected wisdom of mortal beings.Being at ease hinders us from recognizing our own guilt. According to John Wesley, this encourages a “narrowness of spirit, a party zeal . . . that makes many so unready to believe that there is any work of God but among themselves.” The LDS condemn creeds of councils that forsook revelation to obtain consensus but in 2007 they admitted that their doctrine is established in councils that bear remarkable resemblance to those they consider apostate in the ancient world.
With divine inspiration, the First Presidency (the prophet and his two counselors) and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (the second-highest governing body of the Church) counsel together to establish doctrine that is consistently proclaimed in official Church publications.Inspiration, which can be easily mimicked or mistaken, is not necessarily synonymous with revelation. Deliberation, innovation, or presumed inspiration have supplanted the necessity for divine revelation in today’s world. This is unbelief. Relying on councils instead of God is not new, although the LDS formal admitting its supremacy is. An LDS apostle explained, “Council deliberations will often include a weighing of canonized scriptures, the teachings of Church leaders, and past practice” to develop creeds that are carefully retitled official proclamations —actions that bear striking parallel to Pharisees and the former Christian apostasy.
Obtaining decision through consensus is hardly the method Joseph used to receive powerful revelations by God’s own voice. When God appeared to Joseph to usher in the restoration, He declared all religions were “wrong . . . that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight” because “they deny the power thereof” (JS–History 1:19) by not turning to God for revelation. “Do ye not therefore err because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?” (Mark 12:24).
[The LDS] teach unequivocally that there was an apostasy from the Lord’s one and only true church following the deaths of Christ’s early apostles. So thorough was this apostasy that the original Church of Jesus Christ was supplanted by an institution having a form of godliness but devoid of priesthood power and priesthood keys.Without keys, there is no revelation. When keys are not used to enter the kingdom of God, they are removed from priesthood leaders and people. We must not be so blind or prideful to deny that apostasy will happen again if we travel the same path. In 1938, future LDS president Joseph Fielding Smith was concerned,
It is a very apparent fact that we have traveled far and wide in the past 20 years. What the future will bring I do not know. But if we drift as far afield from fundamental things in the next 20 years, what will be left of the foundation laid by the Prophet Joseph Smith? It is easy for one who observes to see how the apostasy came about in the primitive church of Christ. Are we not traveling the same road?We are encouraged to believe “all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Articles of Faith 1:9, hereafter AF). This crucial component of His gospel requires revelation, not deliberation. Tradition becomes sin the moment innovation enters.
A “general and awful apostasy” from Christ’s doctrine was the cause of losing “the ancient gifts, and powers, and blessings, which flow from the Holy Spirit. [Once having] believed in and contended for the miraculous gifts and powers of the Holy Spirit, [they] have perverted the ordinances or done them away. Thus all the churches preach false doctrines and pervert the gospel, and instead of having authority from God to administer its ordinances, they are under the curse of God for perverting it.”
We must note a distinction between traditions of men and righteous traditions of the Fathers. Nephi, Abel, Enos, Isaac, Jacob, Alma, and others were taught by righteous fathers. Knowing about “the existence of a God must have continued from father to son as a matter of tradition” (LF 2:53). Only Adam’s testimony existed in the first days, a pure testimony that was quickly rejected, misunderstood, and replaced by more appealing ways. All testimonies or traditions we inherit must be carefully examined to ensure no contradiction with His revealed word.
The testimony which these men had of the existence of a God was the testimony of man. For previous to the time that any of Adam’s posterity had obtained a manifestation of God to themselves, Adam their common father had testified unto them of the existence of God, and of his eternal power and Godhead.
For instance, Abel, before he received the assurance from heaven that his offerings were acceptable unto God, had received the important information of his father that such a being did exist, who had created and who did uphold all things. Neither can there be a doubt existing on the mind of any person, that Adam was the first who did communicate the knowledge of the existence of a God to his posterity; and that the whole faith of the world, from that time down to the present is in a certain degree dependent on the knowledge first communicated to them by their common progenitor; and it has been handed down to the day and generation in which we live. (LF 2:35–36)Adam’s firsthand knowledge of God did not absolve his children of the duty to gain their own testimony. “After they were made acquainted with his existence by the testimony of their father,” Adam’s children still “were dependent upon the exercise of their own faith for a knowledge of his character, perfections, and attributes” (LF 2, question 8). Knowledge is obtained commensurate with the heed and diligence with which we pursue truth. By shirking the responsibility to obtain our own sure witness of God, erring traditions of the fathers perpetuate unbelief.
We have a solemn duty to receive a testimony from God then bear witness of His truths. Relying on others’ testimonies without seeking our own sure knowledge encourages a doctrine of doubt, not faith. Many would be surprised to realize they “teach doctrines which necessarily lead to doubting, and out of which no poor sinner could extract anything but uncertainty. The duty of doubting is, in their theology, much more obligatory than that of believing . . . The sin of uncertainty they repudiate; the duty of being sure they deny.” Doubt masquerading as faith results in deception, blindness, and blasphemy as we convince ourselves we have God’s approval without having His seal. “That faith wherewith a man firmly believeth and certainly assureth himself, that for Christ’s sake his sins are forgiven him, and that he shall possess eternal life, is not faith but rashness; not the persuasion of the Holy Ghost, but the presumption of human audacity.”
Let us here observe that after any portion of the human family are made acquainted with the important fact that there is a God, who has created and does uphold all things, the extent of their knowledge respecting his character and glory will depend upon their diligence and faithfulness in seeking after him, until, like Enoch, the brother of Jared, and Moses, they shall obtain faith in God, and power with him to behold him face to face.
We have now clearly set forth how it is, and how it was, that God became an object of faith for rational beings; and also, upon what foundation the testimony was based, which excited the enquiry and diligent search of the ancient saints to seek after and obtain a knowledge of the glory of God; and we have seen that it was human testimony, and human testimony only, that excited this enquiry, in the first instance, in their minds—it was the credence they gave to the testimony of their fathers—this testimony having aroused their minds to enquire after the knowledge of God, the enquiry frequently terminated, indeed always terminated when rightly pursued, in the most glorious discoveries and eternal certainty. (LF 2:55–56)Even “if we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater” (1 John 5:9, ESV). Joseph testified, “I know that His Spirit will bear testimony to all who seek diligently after knowledge from Him.” Nephi knew divine knowledge only came “by the power of the Holy Ghost” which carries truth “unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). Truth cannot be carried into our hearts unless we believe it. If we rely on others’ words or experiences, even if true, the word of God will never be written or planted in our heart. To believe testimony that is not true, keeps us in unbelief. A testimony cannot take root without faith. But when truth carried by the Spirit unto our heart is received and planted in our heart, faith grows.
It is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon and that you have seen the face of God . . . This testimony God will never suffer to fall but will bear you out. Although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven. Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face.
Strengthen your faith; cast off your doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you . . . therefore, call upon Him in faith in mighty prayer till you prevail, for it is your duty and your privilege to bear such testimony for yourselves.Having this witness defines a true apostle, but historically those who were meant “to give their lives as witnesses . . . succumb[ed] to the blandishments of false teachers. The fate of the vast majority of Christians was not to be overcome by a frontal attack—true martyrs were relatively few—but to be led astray by perverters. The spoilers do not destroy the vineyard, but ‘seize the inheritance’ for themselves.”
Beware of “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). Joseph warns that “when a man goes about prophesying, and commands men to obey his teachings, he must either be a true or false prophet.” Holy prophets preach doctrine that has power to transform us while false prophets teach that which does not develop faith in the Lord. Divine prophets will not usurp the Savior’s role by encouraging people to follow them. Following a prophet or leader instead of following the Savior keeps us condemned. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect . . . come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21).
Jesus warned, “There shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect, who are the elect according to the covenant. Behold, I speak these things unto you for the elect’s sake” (JST Matthew 24:23–24). Nibley notes, “Such a deception could be achieved (and the scripture says ‘they shall deceive’ . . . ‘not they would if they could’) not by any pagan bluster or anti-Christian propaganda, but only by a very clever imitation of the real things.”
False prophets always arise to oppose the true prophets and they will prophesy so very near the truth that they will deceive almost all the very chosen ones.Such is the pattern of history, where the many flocked to those “who gave promise of possessing the gifts and powers, especially prophecy, which it was commonly felt the church should have inherited.”
Mormon lamented that the “Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers” because of the Nephites' “unbelief and idolatry” (Mormon 5:16, 15). But did they realize it? Idolatry puts anything—including leaders—before God. Jeremiah describes idolatry as a consuming desire for wealth, pleasure, power, and the honors of men to such an extent that they became indifferent to their responsibility to adhere precisely to the commandments of God and attend to the needs of the poor. Priestcraft and idolatry go hand in hand.
Cursed be the man who enters this Covenant while walking among the idols of his heart, who sets up before himself his stumbling-block of sin so that he may backslide!It is challenging to recognize when we are guilty of idolatry because we can indulge in it while still actively participating in rites or performing religious duties. In this, hypocrisy flourishes, unbelief goes undetected, and God is provoked. By dismissing the warnings, many in this dire predicament believe they are faithful, unaware they have not ascended at all. It is painful to realize salvation is not assured based on participation in ordinances, hierarchal positions, fulfilling church assignments, or remaining loyal to a leader or church. Instead, salvation results from transforming spirituality, obedience, rebirth, overcoming trials, and ratified ordinances—all of which require coming to Christ in faith.
Search the scriptures—search the revelations which he published, and ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to manifest the truth unto you, and if you do it with an eye single to His glory, nothing doubting, He will answer you by the power of His Holy Spirit.
You will then know for yourselves and not for another. You will not then be dependent on man for the knowledge of God, nor will there be any room for speculation. No, for when men receive their instruction from Him that made them, they know how He will save them. Then again we say, Search the Scriptures.“You examine the scriptures carefully because you suppose that in them you have eternal life. Yet they testify about me; but you are not willing to come to me to have life” (John 5:39–40, ISV). All who desire salvation must diligently search the scriptures to find what God intends, for they reveal the way to Him. “Many did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures” (Alma 14:1). We are asked, “Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old? . . . Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?” (Alma 33:12, 14).
True prophets testify of our need to repent—do we believe them? Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to accuse you to my Father. The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have hoped. They replied, We know full well that God spoke to Moses. But we do not know where you have come from. Jesus answered them, Now what stands accused is your failure to believe his testimonies. For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me. For that one wrote to your fathers concerning me.”
No amount of scholarship or study will give us eternal life if we do not come to know His character, attributes, and revealed word which includes knowing He cannot tolerate change. This is a fundamental component of the restored gospel: “We also believe that no new revelation will contradict the old.” Reversals of decision, modification, or reformation of what God revealed cannot be divine revelation. Joseph said,
The Church must be cleansed, and I proclaim against all iniquity. A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence [the Church] needs revelation to assist us and give us knowledge of the things of God.
What is the reason that the Priests of the day do not get revelation? They ask only to consume it upon their lusts. Their hearts are corrupt, and they cloak their iniquity by saying there are no more revelations. But if any revelations are given of God, they are universally opposed by the priests and Christendom at large; for they reveal their wickedness and abominations.Believing we “do not need a lot of continuing revelation,” as LDS president Gordon Hinckley declared in 1997, denies God. “Many seal up the door of heaven by saying, So far God may reveal and I will believe,” or ‘I will accept this much that has been revealed, but no more!’ Nephi warned this attitude will cause us to “come short of the glory of God. To become a joint heir of the heirship of the Son, one must put away all his false traditions.”
Revelation not only reveals the light of gospel truths, it also exposes sin and iniquity. God preserved the ancient Book of Mormon “for other nations which shall possess the land; yea, even this will I do that I may discover the abominations of this people to other nations” (Mosiah 12:8). The same loathsome sins that destroyed the covenant people on this land millennia ago plague us today. “All your evil deeds are revealed in heaven, and you will have no unrighteous deed that is hidden” (1 Enoch 98:6). The Dead Sea Scrolls define the wicked as those who
are not reckoned in His covenant. They have neither inquired nor sought after Him concerning His laws that they might know the hidden things in which they have sinfully erred; and matters revealed they have treated with insolence . . . They shall not be cleansed unless they turn from their wickedness: for all who transgress His word are unclean.God promises to “discover unto my people who serve me . . . the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations” (Alma 37:23).
There shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people . . . Without faith shall not anything be shown forth except desolations upon Babylon. (D&C 35:7, 11)If we sincerely ask, God will open our eyes. Recognizing the iniquities and traditions that bind us in sin is key to overcoming wickedness. To be “brought to the knowledge of the truth” of the “wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers,” we must not trust counsels of men but “believe the holy scriptures” and “the prophecies of the holy prophets which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance” (Helaman 15:7).
Saving faith cannot be based on incorrect beliefs about God. “God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word” (Alma 32:22). “We believe that the first condition to be complied with on the part of sinners is to believe in God and in the sufferings and death of his Son Jesus Christ.” Without correct beliefs, we cannot take the first step of ascension so unbelief is the biggest barrier to salvation.
Truths that challenge our traditions or institutional teachings can be difficult to accept but they must not be “cast out by your unbelief.” Rejecting truth “resist[s] the Spirit of the Lord” (Alma 32:28).
Belief is the wrestle between giving our heart to God or the ways of men. Because beliefs can be deep and powerful, the process of unraveling them to embrace truth is difficult and, at times, painful. It requires effort, prayer, openness, questioning, pondering, moments of insecurity or loneliness, sincerity, courage, humility, and discernment—all of which, if carefully navigated, will lead us to Christ. Our endowment begins as we wrestle with belief, having a love for God and His word that outweighs the false sense of security we get from holding beliefs that are convenient or comforting but cannot save.
Rending the veil of unbelief requires much effort and determination. As questions arise and enlightenment comes, it can be difficult to accept that what we once trusted to be a sure foundation may not be so solid after all. Desiring to believe God begins our awakening. It is no coincidence that one of the first charges in the endowment is a command to awake. Without belief, we cannot “have the sufficient power with God to the exercise of faith necessary to the enjoyment of eternal life” (LF 4:1). To awaken can be painful and challenging since most around us are more comfortable remaining in, or even going back to, sleep. With many unaware, life can become a lonely, difficult, but blessed place.
Belief prepares the foundation of ordinances and godliness. If we truly desire to walk the path of godliness, we must believe His word. Joseph said,
I believe all that God ever revealed, and I never hear of a man being damned for believing too much; but they are damned for unbelief.Many testify that they know a principle or church is true, but is this sure knowledge from God, or deeply felt convictions based on traditions of men? Since almost all are in unbelief, we must discern well. The faithless claim knowledge before they believe God, but the faithful believe God then come to know. Many “say, If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe. Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it” (Alma 32:17–18).
When ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know. (Ether 4:15)We “pierce the spiritual density of the cloud of unknowing . . . when one has stripped oneself of all that is earthly.”
“It is necessary for men to receive an understanding concerning the laws of the heavenly kingdom before they are permitted to enter it.” Obtaining a sure knowledge is a very active process. Joseph urged us to give place for the good things of salvation. To not make room estranges us from God. Purging erroneous beliefs or traditions proves difficult for most, so Joseph lamented,
There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation . . . even the Saints are slow to understand. I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God, but we frequently see some of them after suffering all they have for the work of God will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions. They cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law and go through and receive their exaltation I am unable to say, but many are called and few are chosen.Nephi explained the process: “After I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering them in my heart, I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain” (1 Nephi 11:1) and mysteries were unfolded. Nephi’s testimony was of such worth that he recorded it in his first verse. Teachings of eternal life also sunk deep in Enos’s heart.
The words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart. My soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens. And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away . . . Because of thy faith in Christ . . . thy faith hath made thee whole. (Enos 1:3–6, 8)To be whole is to be “filled with light” (Gospel of Thomas 61:5). Such a reward did not come easily, for Enos exerted much effort to secure a remission of his sins. Enos then could labor with the “exceedingly many prophets among us” in “restoring [unbelievers] to the true faith.” They had little success. Opposition was fierce. Those in unbelief refused to be “brought unto salvation” and sought to “destroy our records, and us, and also all the [righteous] traditions of our fathers” who knew God (Enos 1:22, 14). Hearts were so hard and stubborn that even plainness and bold warnings of destruction failed to turn their hardened hearts to God.
There was nothing save it was exceeding harshness, preaching and prophesying of wars, and contentions, and destructions, and continually reminding them of death, and the duration of eternity, and the judgments and the power of God, and all these things—stirring them up continually to keep them in the fear of the Lord. I say there was nothing short of these things, and exceedingly great plainness of speech, would keep them from going down speedily to destruction. (Enos 1:23)Believing God is the only cure for a hard heart. It prepares us to exercise “faith in him, as the only being in whom faith could center for life and salvation” (LF 3:1). Eternal glory depend on where our faith is centered.
“What think ye of Christ?” (Matthew 22:42) is a question all must consider. Every action we perform, every thought of our heart, and every belief we hold demonstrates our answer.
If a place is given for our beliefs to be examined then “a seed may be planted in your heart.” Belief is “work in you” (Alma 32:27). “The Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind” (D&C 64:34). Heart, leb (H3820), is the inner man and mind. As the center of belief, our heart is the seat of our will and determination. Remember, belief came to mean ‘I give my heart.’ “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). Righteousness requires a change of heart.
The command is, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). To believe on implies a foundation of faith exists. Anything less cannot please Him because believing is the work of God.
When asked, “What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28–29). Believing God lets us “experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy through your belief in the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13, NLT).
While many acknowledge God as the wisest, holiest, most perfect, and highest, we must also honor Him as the most truthful. This means we must believe He cannot change or tolerate variance from what He revealed. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). “There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness” (Alma 38:9).
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23). Joseph’s inspired translation clarifies, “If thou wilt believe all things I shall say unto you” then all things are possible (JST Mark 9:23). In His final earthly moments, Christ faithfully declared such truths not only in word, but in deed to fulfill the greatest work the world has ever known. “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee: take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done” (JST Mark 14:40).
And so the burden of scripture is to turn us to Him, to testify that faith in the Lord is the only way. Faith begins as we recognize that we do not need to make reforms, we need to be reformed. No prayer may be of greater worth to fallen man than to sincerely plead, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
All ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ. (2 Nephi 33:10)
For footnotes and references, click HERE.