Why is the Church Failing the Lord's "Trial of Faith"?

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In 3^rd Nephi 26:6-11 Mormon describes a trial of faith for those who will receive the Book Of Mormon:

6. And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which he taught the people;

7 But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.

8 And these things have I written which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.

9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to TRY THEIR FAITH, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then SHALL THE GREATER THINGS be made manifest unto them.

10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation.

11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which are engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but THE LORD FORBADE IT, SAYING: I WILL TRY THE FAITH OF MY PEOPLE.

Because these "greater things" have not yet been received there can be no doubt that the LDS church and people are FAILING THE LORD'S TRIAL OF FAITH!

There is an abundance of additional corroborating evidence in modern Scripture and elsewhere. For example, consider the following:

(1) Why don't we have the plates of Ether, Ether 4:6-8?

(2) Why are so very few Melchizedek Priesthood holders enjoying the full power and authority to which they may and should attain, D & C 107:18-19? See also D & C 84 - the entire section bears pondering but what's missing today is highlighted in verses 32-39 & 64-72.

(3) Why don't we have the full "unfolded" account of the revelation of John, Ether 4:16? (The  answer is given repeatedly in Ether 4:6-15);

(4) Why are the Church and its members under condemnation, D&C 84:49-59?

(5) Why has a true Zion not yet been established?

(6) Why did the Savior personally warn us at least FOUR separate times that the Lamanites could "tread down the gentiles" (i.e. the LDS people)? See 3 Nephi 16:15; 20:16; 21:12; & 21:22.

(7) Was not Joseph's last dream, which he had the night before his martyrdom, a symbolic representation of this failure? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, pp. 393-94.)

(8) Why did Joseph say that the sorrow and despair of many at the resurrection would be "indescribably dreadful"? TPJS top of pg 325.

There is more but this is more than sufficient to make the point.

TO ME THESE ARE MATTERS OF THE GRAVEST AND MOST PROFOUND IMPORTANCE!

Before proceeding I wish to say that it is not my intention to criticize you Brethren. I have been a classmate in school and/or labored in business or in the Church with a number of you. I have lived in the same wards with some of you. I have heard, read and pondered your messages for many years. I believe I know something of your hearts and the magnitude of the burdens that you carry. I have great love and respect for you. You are not responsible for what has happened because you are simply perpetuating the understanding that was passed on to you. However, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN QUICKLY INITIATE THE NECESSARY CORRECTIONS.

THE ANSWER

Perhaps it will be no surprise that the answer to each of these matters is the same.

It is the message that has been almost completely removed from both the Old and New Testament.

It is the core truth that has been fully restored in the Book of Mormon for it is the central message of that sacred record. It is also a constant theme of the Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

It is THE MESSAGE which the Adversary has been almost completely successful in destroying or distorting in virtually every dispensation of the Gospel from the very beginning, including this dispensation.

It is THE CENTRAL TRUTH WHICH THE LATTER DAY SAINTS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY COMMANDED TO TEACH and which the Book of Mormon expressly says the Latter Day Saints will largely reject. (It seems to me that the Adversary has largely prevailed in this dispensation by clouding understanding and seemingly small but oh so profoundly damaging twists of this CORE TRUTH.)

IT IS WHAT MUST HAPPEN TO A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REESTABLISH THE TRUE ZION.

THE "LOST" CORE TRUTH is the absolute necessity for every one to seek for and obtain their own remission of sins through an event or experience known by many names including A the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost." [Remission of sins DOES NOT COME through or with mere baptism in water.] While there is a process of qualifying for it, the actual Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost is a profound, recognizable experience that, among other things, changes human nature by expunging the natural man, fills one with the pure love of Christ, and bestows a remission of sins. It is the application of the Savior's atonement to one's life. It is THE WAY one becomes clean and therefore eligible to return to Father's presence. It is the mighty change that fills one's heart with charity and enables a group of such changed people to establish a true Zion Society. Moses 7:27; 4 Nephi 1. (The Latter Day Saints have conclusively demonstrated that a true Zion society can not be established with those who are still "natural men".)

One of the big keys to seeing the central importance of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost is to become aware that the scriptures use many synonyms to refer to it including the following: come unto Christ; conversion; sanctification; born again; becoming a son of God; becoming clean; becoming as a little child; born of the Spirit; becoming a new creature in Christ; hope; entering into the strait and narrow path; having clean hands and a pure heart; mighty change of heart; receiving the Holy Ghost; regeneration; remission of sins; partaking of the goodness of God; and spiritual healing. All these synonyms and more can be most often identified by recognizing one or more of the effects of this mighty change of heart then being discussed.

THE TRIAL OF FAITH the Lord refers to in the opening scripture is the doctrine of the remission of sins in the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. This is what the Latter day Saints have failed to understand, teach and receive. This becomes apparent as one becomes aware of this doctrine and its many synonyms and then sees that this is the central message of the Book of Mormon. It is also the heart of the Savior's message in 3^rd Nephi and the principal doctrine restored by this magnificent record.

SOME EVIDENCE OF THIS CORE TRUTH I start with THE SAVIOR'S OWN STATEMENTS OF HIS GOSPEL

D&C 39:5 And verily, verily, I say unto you, HE THAT RECEIVETH MY GOSPEL RECEIVETH ME; AND HE THAT RECEIVETH NOT MY GOSPEL RECEIVETH NOT ME.

6. And this is my gospel, - repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.

In at least four additional places, Jesus defines His gospel as including the element of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. D&C 33:11-12; 3^rd Nephi 9:13-22; 11:28-41; & 27:13-29. See also Nephi's unsurpassed discussion in 2^nd Nephi beginning at 31:1 through 32:6 and Enoch's retelling of Adam's explanation of the Gospel and the account of Adam's complete baptism in Moses 6:40-68.

COMMANDMENTS TO TEACH THE FULLNESS INCLUDING THE BAPTISM OF FIRE

D&C 19:31 And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.

32 Behold, this is a great and the last COMMANDMENT which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life.

33 And misery thou shalt receive if thou wilt slight these counsels, yea, even the destruction of thyself and property.

See also D&C 49:11-14; 53:3-4; & 55:1-3. Also, in 3^rd Nephi 11, the Lord, after again defining His gospel in verses 31-38 to include Afire and the Holy Ghost", then says in verses 39-41:

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and DECLARE THE WORDS WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN, unto the ends of the earth.

The commandment to "teach nothing but repentance unto this generation" (D&C 6:9; 11:9; 14:8; & 18:6) is well known. In D&C 19 the Lord makes it clear that "repentance" is one of the many synonyms for the rebirth in the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. In D& C 19, after three times commanding Martin Harris to repent (vs. 13, 15 and 20) and then in verse 21 commanding Martin to "preach naught but repentance", finally, in verse 31 the Lord restates and clarifies this commandment, telling Martin to "declare repentance, and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost." Clearly Jesus was not giving Martin two different commandments about what to preach, but only explaining it in different words.

JOSEPH SMITH. The Prophet Joseph plainly taught the paramount importance of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost:

You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half - that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

The Savior says, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." "Though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." according to Galatians 1:8. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, at pg 314.

The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it is of no use; they are necessarily and inseparable connected. An individual must be born of water and the Spirit in order to get into the kingdom of God. TPJS at pg. 360.

The reason that baptism by water is useless without the baptism or fire and the Holy Ghost, is because the baptism of fire applies the Savior's atonement to that person and grants a remission of sins. Without the remission of sins the Savior's atonement might as well never have happened. This is why rejecting the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost is a rejection of Christ Himself. D&C 39:5. Only those whose garments have been washed clean in His Blood may return to the presence of God. D&C 88:21; Mormon 9:6, 14; Moroni 10:32-33 Every person is under the condemnation and bondage of sin until receiving their own remission of sins through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. D&C 84:49-59

SCRIPTURES INDICATING THE LDS WOULD REJECT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. The original Nephi and Mormon, who both saw our day, spoke in uncompromisingly stern language of the sins of the Latter Day Saints. See 2 Nephi 28 and Mormon 8. Among the several charges against us in these chapters one finds the following: "Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?", Mormon 8:38; "they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel;..." 2 Nephi 28:4-5; "Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!", 2 Nephi 28:26

The same message is apparent in 2 Nephi 32:7. There Nephi, after writing the plainest, most complete explanation in all of scripture of the doctrine of Christ and the necessity of the baptism of fire, is forbidden by the Spirit from writing more and then sorrowfully pens this sobering lament:

And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be."

This could only be referring to the Latter Day Saints, since they are the ones who would have his record.

While there is much more that could be said, what is written is sufficient to make the point.

Obviously, a more detailed discussion would be too burdensome. Much of the information presented is not original with me but has been gathered from others. I read much of the information on the baptism of fire in AExperiencing The Mighty Change" whose authors are not identified. It contains an extraordinary wealth of information which I've not found anywhere else. It's by far the best work on this topic I know of. For more details I refer you to this excellent resource. I've heard that Deseret Book carried it; perhaps they still do.

SEVERAL KEY SCRIPTURAL FIGURES WERE SLOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF FIRE Peter had not yet been converted (changed) in the final few days of the Savior's mortal ministry. Luke 22:32 The 12 Nephite "disciples" had apparently not yet received their baptism of fire until the second day of the risen Lord's ministry among them even after their years of service. 3 Nephi 19:9 (Their baptism of fire described in Chap. 19 is considered by some to be the crowning jewel of the message of the Book of Mormon.) In this dispensation, apparently neither Thomas B. Marsh nor any other member of the original 12 apostles had received their remission of sins as of July 23, 1837. See D&C 112:13

THE ADVERSARY'S DISTORTIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. I don't know exactly how or when the distortion of understanding of the baptism of fire began in this dispensation. However, the fact that both Joseph and Brigham Young returned after their deaths to deliver the same message of the absolute need to get the Spirit certainly is strong evidence indeed that the drift away from this vital core truth was well underway by then. Joseph's return to Brigham Young is recorded in Journal History of the Church, Feb. 23, 1847. Brigham's return to Wilford Woodruff is recorded in the Journal of Discourses vol. 21, pg. 318.

The distortions of this vital core doctrine include the following:

A belief by a great many that mere confirmation of membership in which one is directed to "receive the Holy Ghost" satisfies this requirement.

A belief that the "mighty change of heart" is instead a "mighty gradual change" that occurs over a lifetime of faithful service and is not a recognizable experience.

A belief that the multitude of examples in the Book of Mormon of the baptisms of fire are rare exceptions and/or should not be sought after or even seriously considered. If this nonsense were true, then pray tell, why is every single account of this in the scriptures an account of a dramatic experience and why is there not a single scripture that speaks of a gradual, slow, unrecognizable change? 3 Nephi 9:20 refers to the experience of 300 Lamanites recounted in Helaman Chaps 5 & 6 What they didn't know was what had happened to them.

A belief that anytime one experiences the touch of the Spirit that also constitutes a "baptism of fire". If this were true a better term for it would be "Baptism by slowly warming" rather than "Baptism of fire".

A belief that mere water baptism brings about a remission of sins which is renewed every time one takes the Sacrament.

Some even believe that they must personally overcome all of their own weaknesses and sins by their own efforts BEFORE the Savior's Atonement can apply to them.

ACCORDING TO THE SAVIOR'S OWN WORDS, EVERY ONE OF THE ABOVE BELIEFS "COMETH OF EVIL". 3 Nephi 11:40

MORE SOBERING SCRIPTURES THAT APPEAR TO PERTAIN TO THE LATTER DAYS: I am not saying that these scriptures are now being fulfilled. I do believe we have these scriptures so as to be aware of these extraordinarily grave matters that the Lord's prophets have warned so strongly of in order to do everything possible to avoid being among those who may fulfill these scriptures.

In addition to the severe words in 2 Nephi 28 and Mormon 8 already mentioned, Ezekiel and Isaiah also had even stronger and more solemn messages that appear as though they may also apply to the Lord's church in the latter days. Verses 30-33 of Ezekiel 33 refer to a people who "hear thy words, but they will not do them." Yet more solemn and sobering words are in Ezekiel 34 about "shepherds of Israel who feed themselves and not the flocks". In addition to the grave words of warning in Mormon 8 and in 2 Nephi 28 about pride, there are even more stunningly strong statements in Isaiah 28:1-9, 14-19. Recall also President Benson's final message to us, "Beware of Pride" which he identified as "the sin of Zion". Ensign, May 1989, pp. 4-7. See also Isa. 9:13-16, 2 Nephi 28:14, 21 & 24-25 and Isa. 56:10-12. (If these scriptures aren't thunderbolts to your heart that cause some sleepless nights then you understand these scriptures far differently than I do.)

CONCLUSION: I've documented a serious situation and presented what I see in the scriptures as the only possible solution. My objective has been to get your attention so that you get the message and then take the matter to the Lord. I certainly don't expect you to take my word for it.

I have tried for years to teach the need to seek for and receive one's own remission of sins through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. Almost without exception the biggest single barrier to overcome is some variation of "Why aren't the Brethren telling me this?"

I know there are many in the Church who are starving for more and who would hear and respond to this message if plainly presented by you Brethren.

I also believe that unless this message is begun to be properly taught so that those who will hear will hear and obey, it is quite possible that very, very few will survive the cleansing tribulations that are about to begin.

SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE "GREAT HALL" ANNOUNCED BY PRES. HINCKLEY

While this subject is of far less importance than the preceding, it is much on my mind.

I am deeply troubled by the proposal to build a great, spacious hall so that more people can sit under the same roof with the Brethren during conference (Paraphrasing Pres. Hinckley's several statements), at a cost, according to a recent report, of about A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS

I BELIEVE YOU ARE WELL AWARE THAT WE ARE LITERALLY IN THE LAST OF THE LAST DAYS. I've heard from several reputable sources that you're all well aware that the cleansing tribulations that will destroy the wicked, etc. are about to begin literally any day. There is so much evidence of this that one would have to be unconscious to miss it. Many in the Church and out have been shown financial collapse, earthquakes, plagues, etc. and also been told that they are about to begin in Utah and this nation. (There's a wealth of information on the internet. Particularly interesting are the prophecies of Dumitru Duduman [just search for that name] - a modern Samuel the Lamanite- and the "Prophetic Rhymes of Jo Ann G." which can be found at the website of "To His Glory Ministries" of Syracuse, N. Y.)

If I recall correctly, and several of my friends also have this same recollection, President Kimball announced that the times of the Gentiles had come to a close. I've also heard that (1) recently one of the Brethren, perhaps even Pres. Hinckley, at BYU reiterated that the times of the Gentiles are over and that anything can happen now and (2) that BYU has stored enough 72 hour kits for every person on campus.

If the times of the Gentiles have come to a close, doesn't that also mean the Saints will shortly be leaving Utah? Who then are we Gentiles building a huge hall to serve?

Why build such a great hall, when the "fertilizer could hit the spreader" at literally any moment? As I understand it, these devastating cleansing tribulations could well start before this great hall is even completed, which, if they did, would almost certainly not only prevent completion, but make it unnecessary.

QUESTIONS OF PRACTICALITY. Why pander to foolish notions that being physically close to the Brethren is of any value at all, let alone important enough to build a special facility at such great expense?

According to Pres. Benson, Isaiah, Mormon and Nephi the "SIN OF ZION IS PRIDE". (see scriptures cited earlier) Why put the Brethren at any greater risk of more pride by giving them any reason at all to believe that it's of any value at all for the people to be near them during Conferences?

I thought our purpose was to "come unto Christ", not "unto the "Brethren"?

Aren't we supposed to rely on the Spirit for confirmation rather than any human elements such as "presence" or "charisma" of the Brethren?

Is it really necessary to erect a great, spacious building whose only current use is for four days a year (just over one percent of a year) of General Conferences and who knows what else? At best such a building might be really useful perhaps a month or two. Is that really worth A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS? To me the proposition that other facilities are inadequate is far from demonstrated. With all the capacities of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Temple Square, all of BYU's facilities, current communication technology [without even considering pending or future technological developments], the Salt Palace, the Delta Center and everything else, what possible functions are not existing facilities suitable for, for many years to come? Frankly, the only thing I can think of is the meeting at Adam Ondi Ahman, but that doesn't happen in Utah AND we've already prepared that area for that meeting.

QUESTIONS FROM SCRIPTURAL DENUNCIATIONS OF THOSE IN THE LAST DAYS. Another of the major accusations against us by both Nephi and Mormon is greed and selfish materialism as shown by valuing fine clothes and fancy buildings over taking care of the poor, needy, sick and afflicted. Ponder these charges:

Mormon 8:37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of you churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.

38 ...why have ye polluted the holy church of God? ...

39 Why do ye adorn yourselves with that which hath no life, and yet suffer the hungry, and the needy, and the naked, and the sick and the afflicted to pass by you, and notice them not?

See also Mormon 8:36, 40 and 2 Nephi 28:12-14.

Does not the proposed great hall walk, talk and look an awful lot like pride and/or the fulfillment of the above quoted scriptures? Consider how many needy people could be blessed and helped by wise application of even a portion of such funds?

CONCLUSION: On top of these serious questions about the great hall, the dubiousness of this great hall project is magnified many fold and made far more distasteful, even bitter, to me and thousands of others by the pending demolition of both Mormon Handicraft and the Deseret Gym. The Gym is an extraordinary resource that enriches thousands of lives every week. It's loss will be a real and significant loss to this area. No other organization has the resources to even come close to replacing it. It's been a great gift of the church to the community and a great melting pot for all in the community. I believe the loss will be sorely felt for a long time. No meeting hall could ever replace what is being lost by the loss of the Gym.

UNLESS THE LORD HAS SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED THIS BE BUILT NOW FOR SOME SPECIAL PURPOSE, WHY NOT WAIT A FEW MORE YEARS. THERE'S CERTAINLY NO IMMEDIATELY PRESSING NEED. Whether or not the proposed cost is around the $240 million figure I recall seeing in one report, the concerns I've expressed remain unchanged. Frankly, I don't think the project is worth spending two cents on right now let alone millions.

While I have felt compelled to write this, it is a task that I have resisted, postponed, and done begrudgingly. I regret and apologize for any perceived "rudeness". I'm aware that in Utah it's quite often deemed rude to be too forthright in one's statements, especially when saying things that go against the grain. I have sought only to be clear and concise, not rude.

I am interested in any reply or comments that any may care to make. In order to make that possible while preserving my anonymity, at least for a while, please send written replies or comments only (Mr. Long will not accept calls for me) c/o my attorney, Mr. Larry Long, 350 W. Broadway, Ste 200, SLC, UT 84101.

Sincerely,

John

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