Prophets-Who needs them?
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:1-3 NIV
In this dispensation of times our Father has given the exclusive right to our Lord and Savior to be our spokesman between us and the Father. Before the Christ was born of virgin birth, God spoke through prophets contained in the Old Testament to His people.
Now, God continues to speak to us in many ways through the Holy Spirit. No need for a prophet any more. Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, is in all. He surrounds all things both in the heavens and in the earth. The whole of all existance is in Him and through Him. Our Lord and Savior sits on the right hand of the Father, Christ being one in the Father, is the only one who can speak for us and to us in the Spirit.
His throne is where our hearts are turned. Our salvation is lived through Him.
For Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior is:
1. He is the appointed heir of all things.
2. He is the appointed creator of the worlds.
3. He is the radiance of Gods glory.
4. He is the exact representation of his being.
5. He is the upholder of all things.
6. He provided purefication for sins.
7. He sits at the right hand of the majesty on high.
(Higley's Sunday School Lesson Commentary, R.D Higley, L. R. Ringenberg, John Paul Huffman, The Higley Printing Company, 1956, pg. 169&170)
**Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the prophets of the Old Testiment. No need for a latter-day prophet now.
The Fig Leaf Apron
The aprons in the LDS Temple endowment symbolize Adam and Eve's attempt to cover themselves with fig leaves. It comes from this section of what is a VERY long ceremony - which represents the LONG ANSWER:
SCENE: In the Garden of Eden.
CONTEXT: The Temptation and Fall of Adam and Eve.
EVE: Adam, here is some of the fruit of that tree. It is delicious to the taste and very desirable.
ADAM: Eve, do you know what fruit that is?
EVE: Yes, it is the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
ADAM: I cannot partake of it. Do you not know that Father commanded us not to partake of the fruit of that tree?
EVE: Do you intend to obey all of Father's commandments?
ADAM: Yes, all of them.
EVE: Do you not remember that Father commanded us to multiply and replenish the earth? I have partaken of this fruit and by so doing shall be cast out, and you will be left a lone man in the garden of Eden.
ADAM: Eve, I see that this must be. I will partake that man may be.
(Adam takes a bite, and Lucifer walks to their side with a look of approval.)
LUCIFER: That is right.
EVE: It is better for us to pass through sorrow that we may know the good from the evil.
EVE: I know thee now. Thou art Lucifer, he who was cast out of Father's presence for rebellion.
LUCIFER: Yes, you are beginning to see already.
ADAM: What is that apron you have on?
(Lucifer draws his cloak up to reveal a black apron.)
LUCIFER: It is an emblem of my power and Priesthoods.
ADAM: I am looking for Father to come down to give us further instructions.
LUCIFER: Oh, you are looking for Father to come down, are you?
(The Gods' voices are suddenly heard in the garden.)
ELOHIM: Jehovah, we promised Adam and Eve that we would visit them and give them further instructions. Come, let us go down.
JEHOVAH: We will go down, Elohim.
ADAM: I hear their voices, they are coming.
LUCIFER: See, you are naked. Take some fig leaves and make you aprons. Father will see your nakedness. Quick! Hide!
ADAM: Come, let us hide.
NARRATOR: Brethren and sisters, put on your aprons.
(The film pauses temporarily and the lights are turned up while the patrons remove their fig-leave aprons from the bundles. All patrons tie the aprons on around their waists. The lights are again turned down and the film resumes. The camera pans down and presents the Gods' perspective as they descend. Adam hides behind foliage.)
ELOHIM: Adam ... Adam! ... Adam!! Where art thou?
ADAM: I heard thy voice and hid myself, because I was naked.
ELOHIM: Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou partaken of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, of which we commanded thee not to partake?
ADAM: The woman thou gavest me, and commanded that she should remain with me, she gave me of the fruit of the tree, and I did eat.
ELOHIM: Eve, what is this that thou hast done?
EVE: The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
ELOHIM: Lucifer, what hast thou been doing here?
LUCIFER: I have been doing that which has been done in other worlds.
ELOHIM: What is that?
LUCIFER: I have been giving some of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to them.
ELOHIM: Lucifer, because thou hast done this, thou shalt be cursed above all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust thou shalt eat all the days of thy life.
AND THE CEREMONY CONTINUES . . .
Link to sources
http://www.concernedchristians.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=336&Itemid=14
http://xmo.lege.net/packham/temples.htm
And below is a photograph of what these aprons look like. As you can see they are green to mimic fig leaves.
Below you will also find a photograph of what the equivalent 2-sided Masonic apron looks like.
A Joe Moment
"...that the Saints have so cheerfully hearkened to counsel, and vied with each other in this labor of love, and in the promotion of truth and righteousness. This is as it should be in the Church of Jesus Christ; unity is strength. "How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Let the Saints of the Most High ever cultivate this principle, and the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole Church--The order of the kingdom will be maintained, its officers respected, and its requirements readily and cheerfully obeyed." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, Deseret Book Company, 1976,pg.174, bold type added)
Let us define the meanings of the words in BOLD type:
cheerfully - state of mind; a shout for joy
hearkened - give heed
counsel - legal representative
vied - strive for superiority
promotion - an enterprise being promoted
unity - the quantity and interger
[interger - a whole number, not fractional]
cultivate - seek the society of
principle - rules of conduct or ethical behavior
kingdom - any society or classification
maintained - preserve; defend in argument, support
officers - an executive in a society
respected - treat with special consideration or high regard
requirements - demand; order to do something
readily - willingly
obeyed - comply with the command
(Webster Handy College Dictionary)
In other words....
The Saints have a state of mind to give heed to legal representatives, and strive for superiority with each other in this labor of love, within the enterprise being promoted. This is as it should be in the Church of Jesus Christ; the quantity and interger is strength. --How pleasing it is for brethren to dwell together as a whole, not fractional.-- Let the Saints of the Most High ever seek the society of the rules of conduct or ethical behavior, the most glorious blessings must result, not only to them individually, but to the whole Church. The order of this society will be preserved and defended, its executives treated with special consideration and high regard, and the demands willingly and joyfully complied with.
Now, this paragraph that good ole' Joe stated is not a very loving and Christ-like statement. The quote is deep rooted into the cult. God have mercy on those who believe in 'good ole' Joe!'
The Parable Of The Ten Virgins
"For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving into marriage...they knew nothing about what would happen...That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man...Keep watch...you must also be ready...The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of...At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom..." (Matthew 24:38-50, 25:1) (italics added)
"Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil. the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' [You will not be known if you do not prepare.] "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (Matthew 25:2-13) (Brackets added)
Not only are those who are in Christ Jesus in need to prepare spiritually, day by day, for the coming of the Son, but also physically and mentally for the tribulations that have already begun.
Take heed all those who are of the flock of the Shepard. The time is near for the gathering of His sheep. Listen, watch, and prepare; for the dreadful time of the earth's birth pains are upon us. It will bring those who are not prepared, misery. It will also bring those who are prepared in Christ a time of looking to the heavens for the coming of the Bridegroom. Have your lamps trimmed, filled with oil, and have extra oil on hand. Prepare so your lamp will not run out while in wait...
The parable of the ten virgins is all about our Christ. The Mormon community has decided to take these important verses of scripture and twist them around for their own selfish desires. Here are a couple of examples:
"Our number one responsibility is to see that we are converted, and then to convert others...Be converted, because no one can endure on borrowed light. You will have to be guided by the light within yourself. If you do not have it, you will not stand." (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places, pg.954)
"Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show you that you are true to God and his work. This [p.450] Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand...Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light with himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand." (Orson R. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.450)
The above title is linked to a very good web site that shows that the time of our Lord is extremely close. Please take the time to read it.
The Reward Of Perserverance
"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not by pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:32-39)
I Put My Trust In You Lord
"O Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Answer me quickly, O Lord; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." (Psalm 143:1-8)
God bless all those who search night and day for our Lord and His rest, for in Him I put my trust.
