Chapter 7—"If Ye Desire, You Shall Have My Spirit"
Prayer is a privilege and a gift. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” but “how shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?”
(Romans 10:13–14). “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him
in truth” (Psalm 145:18). Without belief, He will not hear their
prayers: “Except they repent in sackcloth and ashes and cry mightily to
the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers” (Mosiah 11:25). “He
that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be
an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).
Believing Christ, hearing and obeying His word, obtaining His Spirit, and learning sacred things “from above” removes condemnation.
In the early years of the restoration, people knew that preparing or reading talks or sermons was a sign that gifts of the Spirit were not present in him. “Hence the folly of sermons written beforehand; and unless the written beforehand sermons are by revelation, or prophecy, all men, the world over, may know, when they hear a sermon read from the pulpit, that God has no hand in that matter; and the preacher is not sent of God, and is not God’s servant.”
Wilford Woodruff concurred, “When people attempt to preach the Gospel without the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they are under the necessity of studying or of writing their sermons . . . When the Lord sets to his hand to perform a work and to build up his kingdom on the earth, his servants whom He calls to do this work are obliged to trust in the Lord their God and to lean upon his arm for strength.”
Joseph declared, “I have to depend entirely upon the living God for every thing I say on such occasions as these.” Relying on the Spirit is a commandment to all who proclaim His gospel: “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted out unto every man. Therefore, let no man among you, for this commandment is unto all the faithful who are called of God in the church unto the ministry, from this hour take purse or scrip that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom” (D&C 84:85–86).
Teach “the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit” (D&C 43:15). “Preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth” (D&C 50:14).
No church can rightfully bear His name if faith and a return to Him are not correctly preached. His church requires these truths be taught. In “the church of God, there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God” (Mosiah 25:22). “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (D&C 11:21).
“More blessed” are those God elects to declare His gospel (D&C 34:5). Ammon’s calling came from divine means: “I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they might be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true” (Alma 18:34). In contrast, the council of twelve priests whom King Noah appointed preached “the law of Moses” (Mosiah 12:28) without the Spirit or truth. Abinadi asked,
Our faith must be strong and steadfast like a Liahona. No man can replicate this miraculous compass instrument God gave Lehi’s family because “the Lord prepared it” to work according to faith (Alma 37:38). This guidance is available to all: “Inasmuch as they are faithful and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them” (D&C 44:2) to guide them in all things. Although faith makes it easy to heed the compass, many refuse.
In 1839, not long after the restoration, the faithful were told “it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation and to all the pure in heart” to “waste and wear out our lives bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven” (D&C 123:11, 13). Joseph continued,
Removing darkness and doing ‘all things that lie in our power’ are necessary to stand with confidence in God’s presence. The first laws and ordinances of His gospel “prepare the way for a greater revelation of God,” to see Him “in the flesh” (Moses 5:10).
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved” (D&C 33:11–12). Faith is first in His gospel.
Faith establishes a reliance on and relationship with Christ. Priesthood cannot exist without faith. Realizing power in His ordinances leads us “unto perfection” (JST Hebrews 6:1) and the fulness of priesthood.
For footnotes and references, click HERE.
He that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances. (D&C 52:15–16)Meetings, talks, lessons, and ordinances must be performed by the Spirit if we seek His approval. We cannot expect the Spirit to be present just because we pray it will be there. “The Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith” (D&C 42:14). Teaching by the Spirit is a gift of the Spirit. We cannot assume the Spirit is given automatically through ritual confirmation. Elders of the LDS church, all of whom had been baptized and confirmed previously, were instructed in “the necessity of getting the spirit so that they might preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.”
Believing Christ, hearing and obeying His word, obtaining His Spirit, and learning sacred things “from above” removes condemnation.
Remember that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit; and in this there is no condemnation, and ye receive the Spirit through prayer; wherefore, without this there remaineth condemnation. (D&C 63:64)This verse holds a key to understanding how doctrine gets lost or misunderstood and its relationship to condemnation. We must preserve truth and speak by the Spirit so we do not add or take from what He revealed. The Spirit is so crucial to the gospel that “if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (D&C 42:14). “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever” (1 Peter 4:11, NIV). The Lord promises that if we listen to His voice and speak with His spirit, we will “not be confounded.”
In the early years of the restoration, people knew that preparing or reading talks or sermons was a sign that gifts of the Spirit were not present in him. “Hence the folly of sermons written beforehand; and unless the written beforehand sermons are by revelation, or prophecy, all men, the world over, may know, when they hear a sermon read from the pulpit, that God has no hand in that matter; and the preacher is not sent of God, and is not God’s servant.”
Wilford Woodruff concurred, “When people attempt to preach the Gospel without the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they are under the necessity of studying or of writing their sermons . . . When the Lord sets to his hand to perform a work and to build up his kingdom on the earth, his servants whom He calls to do this work are obliged to trust in the Lord their God and to lean upon his arm for strength.”
Joseph declared, “I have to depend entirely upon the living God for every thing I say on such occasions as these.” Relying on the Spirit is a commandment to all who proclaim His gospel: “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted out unto every man. Therefore, let no man among you, for this commandment is unto all the faithful who are called of God in the church unto the ministry, from this hour take purse or scrip that goeth forth to proclaim this gospel of the kingdom” (D&C 84:85–86).
Teach “the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit” (D&C 43:15). “Preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth” (D&C 50:14).
He that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other way it is not of God. (D&C 50:17–18)“He that . . . climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). “Priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God” (Mosiah 18:26).
No church can rightfully bear His name if faith and a return to Him are not correctly preached. His church requires these truths be taught. In “the church of God, there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God” (Mosiah 25:22). “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men” (D&C 11:21).
“More blessed” are those God elects to declare His gospel (D&C 34:5). Ammon’s calling came from divine means: “I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they might be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true” (Alma 18:34). In contrast, the council of twelve priests whom King Noah appointed preached “the law of Moses” (Mosiah 12:28) without the Spirit or truth. Abinadi asked,
Are you priests and pretend to teach this people and to understand the spirit of prophesying . . . For if ye understand these things ye have not taught them; therefore, ye have perverted the ways of the Lord. Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise. (Mosiah 12:25–27)These priests thought they understood the gospel but were wrong. Jesus asked Nicodemus, “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?” (John 3:10, NetBible). Priests in the last days will “teach with their learning and deny the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 28:4).
The Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things. Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom— for behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly. (D&C 33:16–18)Satan willingly preaches philosophies of men mixed with scripture because most believe him. When we believe truth and obey God,
Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men. And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. For they that (1) are wise and (2) have received the truth, and (3) have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and (4) have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. (D&C 45:55–57, numerals added)Until then “there will be foolish virgins among the wise; [but] at that hour cometh an entire separation of the righteous and the wicked” (D&C 63:54). The foolish do not receive truth and have not “taken the Holy Spirit for their guide.” Unprepared and having a faulty foundation, they will be shut out from His presence. In contrast the wise built on the rock of Christ, applied their hearts to understanding, heard the call, ‘awoke’ and ‘arose,’ then trimmed their lamps (Matthew 25:7). To have our lamps trimmed means we are in order, strengthened, steadfast, and sure. From cosmos (G2889, G2885), order means receiving power in ordinances.
Our faith must be strong and steadfast like a Liahona. No man can replicate this miraculous compass instrument God gave Lehi’s family because “the Lord prepared it” to work according to faith (Alma 37:38). This guidance is available to all: “Inasmuch as they are faithful and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them” (D&C 44:2) to guide them in all things. Although faith makes it easy to heed the compass, many refuse.
Ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. (Alma 37:43–45)The “straight course” is the only way to Him. To veer in any degree curves our path and we may end up going in circles. Eternal life requires we move forward to Him, without deviation. “Have ye forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him” (1 Nephi 7:12).
Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst because of their transgressions. (Alma 37:41–42)Having the light or guidance of the spirit in the darkest hour distinguished wise from foolish virgins. Rejecting light estranges us from God. The greater the knowledge and blessings offered, the greater the fall if we do not uphold the covenant. Once “led even by God the Father,” covenant makers abandoned this privilege by deviance, distraction, pursuit of riches, and pride. Without repentance, we are in Satan’s power.
For behold, the Spirit of the Lord hath already ceased to strive with their fathers; and they are without Christ and God in the world; and they are driven about as chaff before the wind. They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father. But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they. (Mormon 5:16–18)Without sail or anchor, we will drift. Our journey is also compromised without light and truth. The brother of Jared knew the journey to the promised land would be impeded if there was a lack of light, which he related to the inability to steer.
O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me. And behold, O Lord, in them there is no light; whither shall we steer?
[The Lord answered,] Behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea? (Ether 2:18–19, 25)Nephi also described faith required to reach the promised land using steering imagery. “After we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives . . . did forget by what power they had been brought thither . . . The compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work. Wherefore, they knew not whither they should steer the ship” (1 Nephi 18:9, 12–13). Not having guidance from the Spirit leaves us “without anything wherewith to steer” (Mormon 5:18). Guidance comes from faith and obedience.
And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.
And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. (Alma 37:38–41)The LDS’s failure to live up to covenant responsibilities left them without means to steer: “With regard to the conduct of this people—if an angel should come here and speak his feelings as plainly as I do, I think he would say, ‘O, Latter-day Saints! why don’t you see, why don’t you open your eyes and behold the great work resting upon you and that you have entered into? You are blind, you are stupid, you are in the dark, in the mist and fog, wandering to and fro like the boat upon the water without sail, rudder, or oar; and you know not whither you are going.” “Some have refused to let their faith guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship” so they are “handed over to Satan” (1 Timothy 1:19–20, God’s Word).
In 1839, not long after the restoration, the faithful were told “it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation and to all the pure in heart” to “waste and wear out our lives bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven” (D&C 123:11, 13). Joseph continued,
A very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. (D&C 123:16–17)A helm is an instrument to steer a ship, a place to receive direction. Its verb form is to steer, guide, direct, or cover with a protective helmet or crown. A helmet of salvation is accompanied by righteousness. We are to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you . . . and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also” (D&C 27:18).
Removing darkness and doing ‘all things that lie in our power’ are necessary to stand with confidence in God’s presence. The first laws and ordinances of His gospel “prepare the way for a greater revelation of God,” to see Him “in the flesh” (Moses 5:10).
I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—and for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works . . . This is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. (3 Nephi 27:13–15, 18)God’s plan provided a Savior to redeem fallen man that he may return to His presence. “This is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us—that he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him” (D&C 76:40–42). Because “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), the gospel of Christ is for all—it is about the sinner because it is for the sinner.
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea, be baptized even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and remember that they shall have faith in me or they can in nowise be saved” (D&C 33:11–12). Faith is first in His gospel.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a divine formula designed to give man a remission of sins through the atonement of Christ and endow him with the spiritual truth and per to acquire eternal life. Essentially, it is a plan by which man may attain a true spiritual union with Christ and mature in His divine powers until he receives a fulness of the truth and light of celestial glory. This divine formula has certain constituent principles and ordinances. Here, then, is the gospel: that divine formula by which men can come unto the crucified and glorified Christ, and through him receive a remission of sins and those divine powers of truth and light by which they can acquire eternal life.“There is no other way beneath the heavens whereby God hath ordained for man to come to Him to be saved and enter into the Kingdom of God except faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, and baptism for the remission of sins, and any other course is vain; then you have the promise of the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Faith establishes a reliance on and relationship with Christ. Priesthood cannot exist without faith. Realizing power in His ordinances leads us “unto perfection” (JST Hebrews 6:1) and the fulness of priesthood.
Nothing else can profit us . . . I advise all to go on to perfection, and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness. A man can do nothing for himself unless God direct him in the right way; and the priesthood is for that purpose.
For footnotes and references, click HERE.