Personal Manifestation and Guarding Against Falling Away

 

Introduction -Too Long Didn’t Read

I figure you may not have time to read my jabbering’s, so I thought that the introduction could serve as an abstract. This post has been on my mind, and is the thought that I had that urged me to start this blog. I’ll summarize this concisely, “Does having a physical manifestation, vision, visitation, etc., make it any easier to live the covenant life?” Short answer is no, one could argue it makes it worse; that’s a blog for another day though. I lead this blog with a look at Joseph Smith Juniors first vision account. How he thought of it as a personal conversion, and nothing more at the time. His experience was hard to put into words, as evident in his several retellings of the vision until what became Joseph Smith History. While I don’t mention it, one should remember that after the first vision, Joseph Smith Jun. had to repent of his youthful follies.

Further, looking at Laman and Lemuel, the two older brothers of the prophet Nephi in the first book of the Book of Mormon. They had a literal angel appear to them and tell them both to follow their more righteous younger brother. No sooner did the Angel disappear that they return to chastising Nephi. Here is a scriptural account of having a divine manifestation, and still choosing to ignore that giving into to temptation. While it may be weird to some, I discuss how Lucifer is the best example of showing how one can still fall away. He was in the literal presence of our Eternal Father, but he gave into wanting to bolster his own honor and stroke his own ego. When faced with the plan of salvation a third of the host of heaven fell away with Lucifer.

Additionally, I look at Kind David’s fall from giving into the temptation, having watched Bathsheba bathe. Here is a man who was told he would be exalted, but he gave into thoughts that lead to his reward being given to another. This point is highlighted by the most recent general conference talk by Soares (2020), about seeking Christ in every thought. Prayer is the mode in which we realign our thoughts, our will with that of our Heavenly Father. Finally, I share my personal experience with a manifestation of heaven. I gave into temptation, even though I had experienced what I did. Thank the Lord I came to my senses, sought repentance coming back into the fold. While this happened, I don’t caution against seeking righteously your own anchor of surety, but caution only that it doesn’t guarantee against falling away.

As we can that having a profound moment or living in the literal presence of our Heavenly Father, or being chastised by an angel, or having a calling and election, etc. doesn’t mean that we can’t slip away. We need to be on guard every hour of the day. I hope these thoughts help you in your personal conversion. As we are cleansed in the refiner’s fire, we have the impurities removed due to the grace of our salvation through the Savior Jesus Christ. “For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23).

 

Joseph Smiths First Vision

In the early spring of 1820 out of confusion of the many cacophonous voices of his time, a young boy in his teenage year of the name Joseph Smith Junior wanted to know which church to join. He figured that if they all preach “Come Hither and Be Saved,” that one of them must be approved of the Lord. The verse that would alter the course of millions of lives comes from the New Testament book James; “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). It had so profoundly affected him that he couldn’t concentrate on any other task. He left somewhere off his family farm to pray in seclusion; something which Joseph attested he never had done before.

He found a clearing in the woods and received what is known as the first vision. Which is an important aspect in preaching the restored gospel today, yet to Joseph Smith Jun. it was originally a side note. Bushman (2005) noted in his research that Joseph viewed it as personal experience, in a recording in 1832 Joseph recalled “I saw the Lord and he spake unto me saying Joseph thy sins are forgiven thee. go thy way walk in my statutes and keep my commandments;” he learned that none of the churches were correct to join (p. 39). Bushman theorized that majority of the early converts hadn’t even heard of the vision. The prophet himself with his “gold plates” is what most would know from the rumor mill of the time. Joseph later cautioned his family against sharing visions.

Detractors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints use the fact that Joseph had in fact wrote different versions as evidence against his authenticity as a true prophet of the Lord. Several times through the years 1820, 1832, 1835, and 1838, as Joseph Smith Junior grew through prophethood he added caveats our nuances previously left out (Bushman, 2005, p. 40). He had no idea of what would come from his desire to know which church to join. I would wager the appearance of the Angel (Messenger) Moroni must have been just as a shock as seeing Heavenly Father and the Resurrected Jesus Christ. Previously, he was told in the First Vision that his sins were forgiven, and that no other church was correct. This would certainly have been something to way on his mind during his teenage years.

When Joseph thought to speak with a local Methodist minister about the vision, he was met with the vilest response as well contempt that Joseph had a vision. Previously in 1805 an evangelically based magazine, or rather paper, had said this on visions, “no person is warranted from the word of God to publish to the world the discoveries of heaven or hell” (Bushman, 2005, p. 41). The paper went on to discuss that if God had intended to do so that he would have done so through his apostles. Therefore, the Book of Mormon is so crucial in whether Joseph Smith Jun. is a prophet of this last dispensation. As Joseph Smith Jun. said, “I had actually seen a light in the midst of that light I saw two personages” (Joseph Smith – History 1:25).

Laman, Lemuel, and an Angel, Walk into A Bar.

While the heading of this section was written as a joke, there should be some seriousness in understanding this scene. The very first story within the Book of Mormon is about a prophet named Lehi who had prophesied that the destruction of Israel was eminent. Fearing the wrath of the Lord was nigh at hand, he gathered his family together and quickly left Jerusalem. Where after leaving realizes that their posterity should have a record, and command his four sons Laman, Lemuel, Nephi, and the youngest brother Sam, to return to Jerusalem to petition a man named Laban for them (1 Nephi 3: 3-4). In this interaction Lehi holds back Nephi, to tell him he had been favored of the Lord. While its not directly written there, in my opinion, Laman and Lemuel had overheard this conversation with their Father and junior brother.

So here they are back in Jerusalem, and after having cast lots the two older brother are first to attempt getting the records. It didn’t go well as “Laban was angry, and thrust [Laman] out from his presence” (1 Nephi 3:13). Nephi sees what they should do, be faithful to the commandments given them, and get the plates from Laban. On the second attempt they return to their abandoned home and retrieve property, so as too try buying the plates they desired from Laban. This backfired as Laban forcefully takes their property, and again chases the brothers away. While hiding from Laban’s men in a small outcropping. Laman is angry with Nephi, as well as their father, too which seeing this Lemuel who followed Laman is also angry with Nephi. After berating their younger brother, they Laman and Lemuel decided they should also beat their younger brother.

“And it came to pass as they smote [Nephi and Sam] with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and spake unto them” (1 Nephi 3: 28-29). In the Southern United States there is a phrase, “Come to Jesus,” which is when you have a sit down to correct someone going down a wrong path. Well in this literal “Come to Jesus” Laman as well Lemuel as they themselves chastised and commanded to head their younger brother. Having just seen an Angel one could assume that they were set straight. That Laman and Lemuel would be obedient to their younger brother, and all would be well in the rest of their time the Book of Mormon; which covers the older brother’s short history. Well sadly in the following verse after their divine visitation they instantly “began to murmur,” yet again about their commanded task at hand (1 Nephi 3: 31).

Laman and Lemuel fell from their divine potential, even after a visitation of a holy messenger of the Lord had chastised them, to where their children become the thorns in the righteous follower’s side. While the primary purpose here is to instruct the importance of obedience, and not murmuring against the Lord. It shows another important thing that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints need to be remined of. Just because one has a holy powerful vision, witness, visitation, etc., that one is not prone to fall from the iron rod; hardening one’s heart to the word of God, and witness of the spirit to be always of good works. The perspective that the restored gospel offers is that while one can acknowledge Christ as your Savior, that with out continued diligence in obedience, refinements, purification, etc., that one can fall away from the truth.

Primordial Existence, and the Fall of King David.

The one thing that drew me to the Church’s doctrine, and has continued to keep me from leaving, has been the Plan of Salvation. We learned through the Book of Mormon, and revealed word, that there is a greater meaning to out purpose here on earth. We were created first spiritually before we were born here physically (Job 38:7; Jeremiah 1:5; Alma 13:3; Moses 3:5). In this premortal existence we existed spiritually, during this incomprehensible time there was also a War. Which started from Lucifer, son of the morning star, desiring to have the glory of salvation for himself, and not loose any soul to temptation through his plan the honor would be his not our Heavenly Father (Moses 4: 1-4; Abraham 3: 22-28). The end of this battle was that Lucifer had become fallen, and a third part of the hosts of heaven, all those that sided with Lucifer, were also cast out (Doctrine and Covenants 29:36).

The caveats, and important spiritual nuances to this story are important. I want to focus on the fact of falling from Grace. Think about it, Lucifer was the son of the morning, one of the earliest spirits that had been created. He dwelt in the presence of our Heavenly Father, and still Lucifer gave into the ego desiring the glory of salvation to be his, his making would be so that not one soul would be lost. It boggles the mind that with his agency, Lucifer choose self over being selfless. Thus, he was cast from the presence of our Heavenly Father, to be the tempter of man a deceiver of truth. In your mind’s eye fast forward in a linear fashion just ever so slightly to the Old Testament time frame.

In 1 Samuel 16 we read of the beginning of the great David, the very same who slew the Giant Goliath. Throughout his life we see a continual theme of following God from his “conscious dependence upon God that was his secret of his strength throughout his life” (Bible Dictionary – David). Which is evident through the story of David’s life, as well his conquests that occurred from this faithfulness. David’s surety with God was so much that he received his calling and election (If you’re unfamiliar with this please see Millet (2014), the gospel topics section, McConkie (1984), and Doctrine and Covenants 132 for an understanding).

Even though the Lord had promised great blessing upon David, he still needed to “[fight] a good fight… [finishing his] course” (2 Timothy 4:7). The moment that would undo David’s righteous life was when he committed adultery and murder of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11). He gave into the temptation one evening tide having seen Bathsheba “washing herself [as she] was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Samuel 11:2). David sleeps with her, and she ends up becoming pregnant. To hide his sin David sends Uriah, to be in the hardest engagements in battle, so that Uriah would be slain in battle. “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27). Joseph Smith Jun. in receiving the revelation contained in Doctrine & Covenants 132 learned of David’s fate. “In the case of Uriah and his wife; and, therefore he hath fallen from exaltation, and received his portion: he shall not inherit them out of the world, for I gave them unto another, saith the Lord” (verse 39).

Seek Christ in Every Thought

In both the fall of Lucifer in Gods presence, and King David’s sin in killing Uriah. One must always be vigilant for every second of every hour. Recently, this past general conference Soares (2020) spoke on seeking Christ in every thought, “Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His” (p. 83). In the example of Laman and Lemuel we see that seeing an angel of the lord is meaningless if we do not align our selves with the Lord. Soares (2020) gives some excellent advice in dealing with intrusive thoughts, that if we follow the said advice, we will become men/women after the Lord’s own heart (pp. 82-85). While we don’t know all the thoughts David experienced, we know that thoughts of sin aren’t just drastic, they two come here a little there a little. “Seldom does one enter into deeper transgression without first yielding to lesser one, which open the door to the greater” (Kimball, 2006, p. 106). David, upon seeing Bathsheba cleansing herself, could have just ignored it, moved on with his evening, but he gave in invited her to his chambers.

McConkie (1984) said the following on prayer in relation to our thoughts, “Prayer changes our lives. Through it we draw near to the Lord, and he reaches out his finger and touches us, so we never again are the same” (para. 7). While I can’t find the exact quote Tsunetomo (n.,d; author of Hagakure) said something along the lines of “a retainer (disciple) is true even without the presence of his master.” In this life one can guarantee that we will never be free of temptation. When they do come, we need to be ready, demanding that the intrusive thoughts leave us. Soares (2020) made the following promise if we do so, “I promise that the Lord will send an added measure of His Holy Spirit to strengthen and comfort us” (p. 85). I still think the most profound revelation dealing with thoughts is Doctrine & Covenants 121, “let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall they confidence wax strong in the presence of the God” (verse 45).

Hand of the Lord

I thought long and hard about this, but I wanted to share briefly my experiences. I didn’t know at the time what I thought would be the worst day of my life, became one of my most precious moments. It wasn’t until the mission, that every thought clicked; with regards to that “bad” experience.” The sacredness of this moment I feel is inappropriate to share so openly. I too like Joseph Smith Jun. had a moment between the Lord and I, no it was not a vision, a visitation, but rather a manifestation. Little did I know what I went through would become my spiritual anchor. I think most mission president invites missionaries to pray whether they filled the purpose of their measure as a missionary.

Just days before my mission ended, I had the revelation that set everything in a perspective that left me speechless. I can feel for the brother of Jared, when he saw the hand of the Lord. I’m still in awe that I have this witness to strengthen my testimony; in a step closer the celestial kingdom. I somehow was able to ignore that manifestation, I gave into thoughts of perverse natures. I can see how easily Laman and Lemuel who literally had an angel chastise them, return to berating their younger brother Nephi. I can see how King David gave into one thought, and lost his calling and election. At a time, I wanted nothing more to anything with the church, I wanted to wallow in my sins, but thank the Lord I had started listening to the good thoughts. I had since repented, a very long repentance, and have come back to the fold.

I was reminded of the very sacred experience, which grounded me in the knowledge of our Saviors existence. What I know now is even though there are many members who desire to have these similar experiences, that these experiences do not in any way give us an easy way out. We can see an angel of the Lord and return to sins we were committing. We can have been in the presence of the Eternal Father, and still be lost to our egos. Now I’m not saying don’t go and prayer for your brother of Jared moment, or your First Vision, just the opposite of that rather that you need to go and do that. Have the moment, the manifestation, the vision, the visitation, but just remember the slippery slope to damnation is ever present. I feel the best, as well most #Deznat way, to close this blog is with a Brigham Young quote, while I can’t find where or if he really said it. The very essence screams Young (n.d.), who said, “the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle everyday” (p. 1).

References

Bushman, R.L. (2005) Joseph Smith rough stone rolling: A cultural biography of Mormonsim’s Founder. Random House, Vintage Books

Kimball, S.W. (2006) Teachings of presidents of the church: Spencer W. Kimball. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

McConkie, B.R. (1984, April) Patterns of prayer. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1984/04/patterns-of-prayer.p1?lang=eng

Millet, R.L. (2014). Make your calling and election sure. Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center. https://rsc.byu.edu/ministry-peter-chief-apostle/make-your-calling-election-sure

Soares, U. (2020, October). Seek Christ in every thought. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/43soares?lang=eng

Young, B. (n.d.) Brigham Young quotes. Good Reads. https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/575321.Brigham_Young