Is God losing the War?

This was a question posed in class on Sunday. At first I was confused what the Instructor was talking about. How could you think God was losing the war? The answer is clearly No, God is not losing the war and then it hit me. The instructor views winning differently than me and then something at the back of my mind, that has seemed odd to me for many years, became very clear.

In Moses 1:39 it states, “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” It has always seemed odd to me that both immortality and eternal life are included because to me eternal life requires immortality and thus restating the obvious, which is a common thing in the scripture, but as I’ve looked more into those seeming repeats I have found recently that they are not repeats at all. For example, the last one I looked at was, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” from Genesis 9:1 and other scriptures. God is NOT saying, have babies, have babies, and have more babies, but that is a topic for another time.

It was apparent to me that the instructor thinks that if the majority of Gods children here on Earth do not obtain Eternal life then God is losing the war. That thing that hit me was that in declaring what his work is; he is telling the spectrum of what he is going to do for man. Through Christ’s resurrection, all of God’s children will be resurrected, and in that regard the enemy has already lost, the only thing to determine is how badly.

Often as members of the LDS church since the existence of the church is to help people come unto Christ so they can receive Eternal Life in the Celestial Kingdom we forget that God has also prepared other Kingdoms of Glories for those that never obtain Eternal life. The battle is already over the war of the whole is over, the only thing left is the battle over the individual.

How much are we willing to turn over our wills to Gods so that he my work a truly marvels work and a wonder in us. This battle over the individual is raging on for each of us living and dead, until the second estate is completed and we receive of that first unconditional gift, The Resurrection.

The Light of Christ and the Two Trees of the Garden of Eden

I have been studying the Light of Christ recently, and found that I see connections that have never before been so at the forefront of my mind. Let me give you some example of what I’ve been reading:

“. . . This is the light of Christ . . .Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.”( D&C 88: 7,12-13)

In the following Light of Christ is referred to as the ‘Spirit of Jesus Christ’

“For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father. And the Father teacheth him of the covenant which he has renewed and confirmed upon you, which is confirmed upon you for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.” (D&C 84:45-48)

TheLight of Christ – By Marion G. Romney

According to Marion G. Romney the Light of Christ has three stages:

Our Conscience which we receive at Birth

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Our Calling and Election Made Sure or More Sure Word of Prophecy

The Light of Christ appears to be represented by the two trees in the Garden of Eden,

The Tree of Knowledge of good and evil or as stated above the Law by which all things are governed,

"For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. . . And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren,  that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ." (Moroni 7:16,18-19)

and the Tree of Life, ‘giveth life to all things’ (D&C 88:13).

 “And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.” (Alma 28:14)

 “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” (Ephesians 5:14)

Power of God

“Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.” (D&C: 50:27)

“ . . . even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.” (D&C 88:13)

These realizations concerning the Light of Christ alter my understanding of the events of the Garden of Eden, the divine roles of Women and Men, and the Plan of Salvation.

We have been taught that Women are the givers of life and that being a wife and mother is the greatest accomplishment for a woman.

“Not with standing she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” (Timothy 2:15)

I would like to note that Eve did not give of the tree of life, it was the tree of knowledge of good and evil, it was the law that she gave unto Adam.

It is interesting to help Eve “. . . the Lord God, said: I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception. In sorrow thou shalt bring forth children, and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” (Moses 4:22)

Her natural inclination was towards the law not life. Yet god has made women the bearers of children to educated them in the principles of life to understand its worth and value and given them the nurturing responsibilities, to teach the children good and evil and give them the law. “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” (The Family aProclamation to the World) I think it important to point out that giving birth is not necessary to accomplish this task. Bearing up the children of god comes with pregnancy of course, but also caring for others, bearing up the burdens and spirits of god’s children is also included.

We often think of Adam as Lord over the whole earth.

” And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26) 

Which would clearly point towards the law and the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but it wasn’t from Eve that Adam was created it was Eve from Adam.

“And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22)

It is the role of Man to bring fallen man back to the tree of life or eternal life through the ordinances of the gospel. “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.” (TheFamily a Proclamation to the World)

Men are to preside and take the lead in the home over gospel instruction because they have in general a propensity for weakness when it comes to the Law, yet they have a natural inclination towards life. Men are to provide for and protect their families because this sustains life for their families. I also must note it gets them out of the house so Mothers can teach the law by more perfect demonstration.

Now I’m sure it looks like I’m jumping all over the board with this, but here is where the pieced fit more perfectly together.

The Light of Christ is the Power of God, the power to Create Life and is given in its infant stages as a Conscience to every child brought into the world by woman. Yet the ordinances to bring the children of god to eternal life are administered through the power of god, the priesthood, to teach the law. The priesthood is a component of the Light of Christ. In Moroni 3:4 we read that:

"And after this manner did they ordain priests and teacher, according to the gifts and callings of god unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them"

And again

‘Every elder, priest, teacher, or deacon is to be ordained according to the gifts and callings of God unto him; and he is to be ordained by the power of the Holy Ghost, which is in the one who ordains him’ (D&C 20:60 emphasis added)

Each of the sexes has a responsibility for a portion of the Light of Christ The Light of Christ is the Plan of Salvation that comes from the Father, who is a Christ as well, through his Son with the assistance of the Holy Ghost as an administrator of the that light. The Plan is that all of god’s children might have the opportunity to gain in degrees as much of the light of Christ as necessary to become as Christ like as possible, Christ making up the difference along the way.

God knows each of us so perfectly he knows what we need to reach the potential he knows, yet we can’t even imagine,what lies in our capacity if we are only willing to walk in his paths and live as he directs.

What is inside - The Family a Proclamation to the World

I have often heard members of the church speak out in favor of legalizing Same-Sex marriages which always seemed in stark contrast to what I had heard Church Leaders teach. It seemed very clear that Same-Sex marriages was against the law of chastity and that the The Family a Proclamation to the World clearly states that, “His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We invite all to review and understand the doctrine contained in 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.'" Just as stated in the June 29, 2015 Official Statement by the First Presidency in response to the Supreme Court decision regarding this issue.

Or at least that is what has been taught over the pulpit on many occasions. I was challenged by our Bishop to review The Family a proclamation to the World and I did exactly that and was surprised as much by what I did find as what I did not. I have studied this document many times, but this was a new experience. I did this over several Days and what I was taught by the spirit filled me with peace.

Before I go on I want to make it clear I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their desire to make things black and white for the members of the church and yet often find the specific word choices of the Lord through his servants are much more steeped in truth then I think the servants realize.

First this statement about the law of Chastity, “His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We invite all to review and understand the doctrine contained in” I did NOT find in the proclamation. What I did find was eye opening.

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God

The word that really stood out to me was the word Ordained. I looked up several definitions of Ordained and it appears to have two basic associations which I think both apply in this statement. It means approved of as well as having to do with priesthood authority. Civil Marriage is approved of God with regard to the law of chastity but it is not done by Priesthood authority. Granted this is from a guy who truly believes the Priesthood of God is only found within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So the only marriage truly Ordained of God are those done with priesthood authority done in Holy Temples by an Authorized Sealer. The fact that those are only done between a man and a woman is very clear and I don’t think that will ever change especially since many of the blessings associated with that ordinance are for the children of the couple.

We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

I can imagine many reading this as I have so many times before and missing the difference between this and

“sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife”

The words that really stood out to me here were the different word choices between the two statements. Sacred Powers of Procreation vs Sexual Relations: I would have to argue that the Sacred powers of Procreation can only be performed between man and woman. The term Sexual Relations is so broad and includes so many things depending on your perspective. I’ve even heard things as simple kissing and holding hands placed in this category. The Lords word are clear what he means, he means the Sacred Powers of Procreation, the process that can actually produce children not any other form of arousal. That being said I would like to point out how the Law of chastity is defined in the Temple.

“We are instructed to give unto you the law of chastity, which is that each of you shall have no sexual relations except with your husband or wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.” LDS Temple Endowment present day.

Note the miss quote from The Family a Proclamation to the World states, “only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife”, yet the temple states, “with your husband or wife to whom you are legally and lawfully wedded.” They are very subtle differences and I can see why if someone wanted to drive their own point home they could easily think they are saying the exact same thing when in reality the nuances are starkly different.

I would have to say that the Temple version of the Law of Chastity is most accurate yet the Church Handbook Vol 2  does give more specifics. To clarify here, the handbook is meant as guidance and not gospel so the Black and White approach is taken.

21.4.5 Chastity and Fidelity

The Lord’s law of chastity is abstinence from sexual relations outside of lawful marriage and fidelity within marriage. Sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. Adultery, fornication, homosexual or lesbian relations, and every other unholy, unnatural, or impure practice are sinful. Members who violate the Lord’s law of chastity or who influence others to do so are subject to Church discipline.

Sinful in the fact that they prevent you from receiving all that the father has to offer (Temple Marriage), yes, but as laid out here homosexual or lesbian relations are sins but they don’t appear to break the Law of Chastity if done within a legal and lawful wedding. This is NOT talking about Same Gender Attraction, that is not a Sin. Any sexual relations outside of legal and lawful marriage is the sin.

There has been much hate against other statements made in The Family a proclamation to the World.

Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

What Gender is, really depends on who you are talking about. From my own studies it has little to do with Sexual Orientation, reproductive organs (although this is a helpful indicator if you only have one set), or the activities you enjoy, (sports, knitting, makeup, building). It has to do with what you need to work on to become more Christ Like. That work generally aligned with a ‘gender role’ that you need to focus on. The next two statements help to illuminate.

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.

I have heard many complain about this statement and how it is gender biased. It you look at the words provide and nurture. Looking at just the first definitions Google brings up

Provide: make available for use; supply,

Nurture: care for and encourage the growth or development of

I think it is interesting that for Fathers it states what and how they are to provide which really spell out what it means to nurture.

Just as I’m writing this I feel inspired to point out that Fathers are to look after the couple and the Mother the children. The next excerpt of The Family a proclamation to the World which actually comes earlier in the document actually tells us the roles are basically the same.

Other statements that actually come from the proclamation on the family that are very important at this time, yet often ignored out of ignorance or inconvenience are:

Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.

we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

Planet Gone wrong . . .

All the excitement of New Horizons fulfilling its primary mission of exploring Pluto has brought many to question again the resolution given forth by the 2006 AIU decision ‘demoting’ Pluto from ‘Plant’ to ‘Dwarf Plant’ status.

First off, in the realm of categorizing things generally you have main categories that don’t overlap, with sub categories that continue until you reach a very specific end point. The AIU by defining both ‘Planet’ and ‘Dwarf Planet’ as separate categories not subsets of each other has created undue confusion. A Dwarf Planet should be a sub categories of Planet not separate unto itself. Shouldn’t it be ‘Dwarf World’ or anything else that does not contain the word ‘Planet’ for which it is intended to be excluded?

I remember being quite enraged at the decision when it was made, not because of Pluto’s change in status, but because of all the many foibles found in the new Definition of Planet. For those not familiar with the New Definition; I copy the following from the AIU’s official declaration:

Resolution B5

(1) A planet¹ is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape, and (c) has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit.

(2) A "dwarf planet" is a celestial body that (a) is in orbit around the Sun, (b) has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a hydrostatic equilibrium (nearly round) shape², (c) has not cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit, and (d)is not a satellite.

(3) All other objects³,except satellites, orbiting the Sun shall be referred to collectively as "Small Solar System Bodies".

¹ The eight planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

² An IAU process will be established to assign borderline objects to the dwarf planet or to another category.

³ These currently include most of the Solar System asteroids, most Trans-Neptunian Objects (TNOs),comets, and other small bodies.

Resolution 6B

Pluto is a "dwarf planet" by the above definition and is recognized as the prototype of a new category of Trans-Neptunian Objects¹.

¹ An IAU process will be established to select a name for this category.

Note you don’t even get two words in when a foot note is needed. That spells out what worlds are now defined as Planets. We will come back to this foot note in a little bit.

First off, 1a states that a Planet ‘is in orbit around the Sun’ so Extra-solar Planets are not Planets either because they choose the term ‘the Sun’ versus ‘a Sun’, ‘a Star’; once again naming confusion, Extrasolar Planets are not planets but they are ‘Extrasolar Planets’. Aside from that I guess once the Sun dies all the ‘Planets’ will stop being planets because ‘the Sun’ will no longer be a Sun. We know the existence of isolated Planets that are without Stars and Extrasolar planets so why is this not considered when defining the term ‘Planet’.

1b – no real issue here

1c – ‘has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit’. What does that mean? It seems clear to me that would suggest that a world to be known as a Planet must have remove all other objects from its orbital path. So Clearly, Pluto has not done that, but wait look at the subject of Resolution 6B “Pluto is a "dwarf planet" by the above definition and is recognized as the prototype of a new category of Trans-Neptunian Objects¹”

You might be interested to note that in fulfillment of the promise made in the foot note of Resolution 6B comes the following declaration from the AIU:

Plutoids are celestial bodies in orbit around the Sun at a semimajor axis greater than that of Neptune that have sufficient mass for their self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that they assume a hydrostatic equilibrium (near-spherical) shape, and that have not cleared the neighbourhood around their orbit. Satellites of plutoids are not plutoids themselves, even if they are massive enough that their shape is dictated by self-gravity. The two known and named plutoids are Pluto and Eris. It is expected that more plutoids will be named as science progresses and new discoveries are made.

It is very obvious to me that this new group of objects along with Trans-Neptunian Objects, which reach in the thousands, are clearly in Neptune’s orbital path. So why is Neptune included in the foot note 1 of Resolution 5B

¹ The eight planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Truth be told, NO world on this list of ‘Planets’ meets this finial criteria, which is the sole requirement that prevents Pluto from being counted among the Planets. Had it been restated, ‘and has demonstrated gravitational dominance within its orbit.’ Granted this does not take into account the possibility of Binary Planets of which Pluto would most certainly qualify if such a term ever does becomes official.  It would have been the bees knees, but the AIU really messed this one up. The AIU actually passed a resolution to correct the issues of this resolution, but never have rectified the glaring issues involved.