Joseph warned the saints about reliance upon him. Here is a quote worth pondering.
“President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel–said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church–that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls–applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall–that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves, envious towards the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy.” – TPJS, p.237
What does he equate to depending upon him? Can we receive light and knowledge in such a state?
Do the scriptures warn of these things?
A darkened mind?
(D&C 84:54–57)
What are we treating lightly?
Causing unbelief leading to condemnation?
(3 Nephi 26:8–10)
These “things” given to try our faith.
We have the “lesser things,” and “greater things” have been withheld.
Why are “greater things” withheld?
How do we change our status?
(Ether 4:13–15)
Notice all the similarities:
Knowledge hid up because of unbelief
rend that veil of unbelief
blindness of mind
Could it be that we are in a state of unbelief? Darkened in our minds? Are we without faith? What does Moroni say will be an indicator that someone has faith? (Moroni 7:36–38) If what has ceased, do we receive a wo? It is because of ______? In fact read (Moroni 7:37) back to back with (D&C 84:55).
Continue in vs 38, if “these things” have ceased = faith has ceased = “they are as though there had been no redemption made.” What are “these things?” Why would it be so important for Angels to minister to us? Why is that an indicator or evidence of faith?
As Denver said in the first talk, “The Spirit cannot lean upon you and cannot focus your mind upon the revelation that you are entitled to receive unless you use the Scriptures as they were intended to used: as a Urim and Thummim. They must become a basis from which you draw out the truths of God. And the best material in scripture is, of course, the Book Mormon. This is why the Book of Mormon is the primary scripture I’ve used in all my writings.”
The Book of Mormon is your personal Urim and Thummim. Lean upon it, not another.
Ultimately the question boils down to, are prophets to be “followed” or “received?” Why would dependance on a prophet “darken the mind?” Do their experiences do anything for our own salvation? Why must we “work out our own salvation?”
“…the things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity–thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.” – Joseph Smith
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