Exploring the Secret History of the Church

[_Albion]

A general question to anyone. Are there any real, "sustaining the authorities of the church", temple recommend holding Mormons active on this board? If those posting here are a representation it doesn't sound like the "restoration" is going to well these days. What exactly is a Mormon these days?

[_Franktalk]

A general question to anyone. Are there any real, "sustaining the authorities of the church", temple recommend holding Mormons active on this board? If those posting here are a representation it doesn't sound like the "restoration" is going to well these days. What exactly is a Mormon these days?

You have not been reading the posts. The restoration is happening. It did not happen in the 1830's. What happened in the 1830's was the release of the second witness to the gospel. The first witness was so corrupt it had to be restored. The gospel being restored is not the church being restored. You would think after all these words some would have migrated to your brain.

TBM are an endangered species. Prophecy is unfolding before your eyes and you wish to go back to the good old days. Your attachment to the distorted gospel is what is holding you back.

[_Watcher]

Wow

I have been out of town helping a son move to a new apartment and I just got back and just caught up on the responses that have been made to this thread.

There have been some incredible observations since I last visited this board.

I really felt the spirit in many of the comments.

To be honest, I was questioning whether this had been a good site to launch this series because very few people seemed to be engaged in the actual topic.

But I can see now that there are a few people who are sincerely evaluating these issues.

I wish I had time to respond to every comment.

I do want to highlight a few comments and make a response-

"I am not fearful of finding Truth regardless of how it may be shrouded by the actions and choices of man. God's Prophets are not perfect; they are extremely fallable. To uncover their errors do not sway me from my desire to continue to seek Truth wherever I can find it."

My response to this comment is "praise God!"

"Many of the active members of the Church are practicing the two great commandments. It is a good place to find refuge.... We stay in the Church because our options are not many."

I totally agree. I know I come off sounding very harsh towards the corporate church at times but the truth is that until the light shines forth for the last time with the fulnness of the gospel, the church does provide a place of refuge for many.

"There truly are not many options for fellowship and community."

The Book of Mormon and modern revelations are true and it is important to commune with fellow saints that believe them.

For some, the church is the best option right now.

Each person is at a different place on the learning curve and each has different needs.... and each person needs to evaluate what the best option for them and their family is.

"There is a huge Spiritual awareness taking place on the earth....in all religions and in non-religions.....in believers and in non-believers. The Holy Spirit is guiding us --- and where I am guided is where I will go."

I think that statement is profoundly true and it dovetails into this statement by another commenter.

"You have not been reading the posts. The restoration is happening... Prophecy is unfolding before your eyes"

If only it was possible to download what some people are currently experiencing into everybodys soul.

The revelations in the D&C never state that the Marvelous Work was taking place at the time of Joseph Smith, they state that the FOUNDATION FOR A FUTURE WORK WAS BEING LAID.

The future work is about to burst forth in all of its glory for those that have the humility and spiritual discernment to see it.

Meanwhile, there is an amazing preparatory event taking place right now!!!!

Many people are getting an epiphany that is preparing them for the next stage of action when the fulness comes in.

There really is an amazing spiritual awareness that is going on right now. God is taking the blindness off of many of his saints.

It may not be happening to everyone, but to those that are experiencing it, it is exquisite. It often times starts out exquisitely painful, but for those that don't give up on the gospel and stick with the learning, it becomes exquisitely joyful.

The scriptures refer to God's people in the last days as being "sleepy", "blind" and "drunk". These descriptives are quite fitting.

John prophesied that Satan would deceive the whole world.

I for one have spent the majority of my life being deceived.

I am grateful for the grace of God in beginning to lift the blindness.

I am not naïve enough to think I know it all now. I learn new things continuously and my paradigm is continuously being tweaked.

When the servants (angels) return for the last time to declare the warning voice as with the sound of a Trump, I want to be able to discern who they are and I want to repent and be baptized with the saving baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost.

I want to be teachable and to be like a sponge in taking in truth.

Those who are willing to acknowledge they are in need of further light will get it.

Those who are convinced they have it, will be damned in their progression.

Some people are too wise to be taught anything. I know I have been in that category more than a few times.

Regarding this series, I got a message in the control panel from someone who suggested that I create a separate post for each historical secret.

He had some good reasons for why I should change the format and I appreciate his suggestions.

I have actually decided to move this series to my own blog for several reasons.

Once I get the post done I will return with the link for those who want to continue evaluating the other historical issues.

I want to thank everyone who has participated thus far.

This is a great forum and a great format for discussing things.

Even the critics of the LDS restoration on this board show a lot of class most of the time in how they respond to people. I know their intent is pure even though I reject their authority and ultimate conclusions.

I think everyone on this board is basically motivated by a desire to show forth love and knowledge to their fellow seekers of truth.

Thanks

Watcher

[_Albion]

So, Franktalk, despite the insulting nature of your response I'll take that as a no.

[_Franktalk]

Watcher,

Great post. I will bookmark your blog when you provide the link. Is it a forum? If not you miss the interaction. Some post I could do without but some rare ones are worth all the wading through the nonsense. I do go to some sites that are very hostile. It is a test of how well I have described any revelation or knowledge I have acquired.

[_Tobin]

A general question to anyone. Are there any real, "sustaining the authorities of the church", temple recommend holding Mormons active on this board? If those posting here are a representation it doesn't sound like the "restoration" is going to well these days. What exactly is a Mormon these days?

You have not been reading the posts. The restoration is happening. It did not happen in the 1830's. What happened in the 1830's was the release of the second witness to the gospel. The first witness was so corrupt it had to be restored. The gospel being restored is not the church being restored. You would think after all these words some would have migrated to your brain.

TBM are an endangered species. Prophecy is unfolding before your eyes and you wish to go back to the good old days. Your attachment to the distorted gospel is what is holding you back.

That is exactly what Albion just doesn't understand. The true gospel doesn't come from men, but comes from God only. The failure on the part of the Mormon critic is they don't understand that. A true Mormon is one that seeks God and is taught by God directly. If a man claims to speak for God, then God can let us know that. Otherwise he isn't. That is why I, Frank, Jo, and others on this board that post about Mormonism (and how it is evolving today) aren't understood by these critics. They don't understand what Mormonism is essentially about and seek to pigeonhole it into ridiculous positions they paint all Mormons (ie TBMs) must accept. TBMs are, as Franktalk pointed out, going to disappear and are not representative of Mormonism.

[_Franktalk]

Tobin,

As the Spirit becomes an out flowing river very few will be able to keep up. And not all things will be revealed to everyone of the spirit. But those of the spirit will be able to determine who is and who is not walking in the spirit. Then those who are can indeed edify each other. It is already happening.

It is as you say. A true Mormon accepts the restored gospel and checks everything to see if comes from God. Those who follow blindly the leaders of the church have become orthodox in a fallen church kind of way. The ideas of men are ideas of men whether they come from Rome or Salt Lake City. We are to question everything and stay true to God and not men.

I find it so frustrating fighting with men who use the opinion of other men to make a false case for their beliefs. They expose their lack of Spiritual communication. Yet they say I am a liar because I don't agree with the orthodox position. But we can only plant seeds, it is after all God's garden.

[_Albion]

What's to understand? I asked a straightforward question and neither of you have so far given a straightforward answer.

[_Franktalk]

A general question to anyone. Are there any real, "sustaining the authorities of the church", temple recommend holding Mormons active on this board? If those posting here are a representation it doesn't sound like the "restoration" is going to well these days. What exactly is a Mormon these days?

You really don't get it. There is no such thing as a Mormon. There is no such thing as a Christian. Everyone you meet will give you a different answer. So the definition you seek is of man and as such it blows in the wind. What you should be asking is what is an elect and what can I do to be one. Because it is of God there is only one definition. Man can have his opinions but truth is not what man believes, it is an absolute. So the fact you think that there is a manner of making a good argument to prove truth exposes you as a person of the world. Don't feel bad most men are of the world.

The most grand parade in the history of man is unfolding before your eyes and you ask "what parade?". I will say that you are closer than most. Most would not get caught dead talking to me or others like me.

[_Tobin]

What's to understand? I asked a straightforward question and neither of you have so far given a straightforward answer.

I find this response from you unremarkable. The fact you didn't grasp what either I or Franktalk quite clearly said is unsurprising. And despite your assertion, we did address what you said. You just failed AGAIN to comprehend what we said.