The Catholic Church came into power and many of those who recognized the apostasy it had evolved into joined new "cults" (such as the Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc.) and were labeled "heretics" and a great number were burned at the stake. Would you have dared to investigate these cults or join with their cause knowing the possible fate?
When the unchangeable Gospel was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith, many, even young men and women, were disowned and physically thrown from their homes by their parents and loved ones. Why? Because they wanted to embrace the "Truth!" They were forced to leave the love and comfort of their homes, giving up families, one time friends and neighbors? Without knowing their eventual fate, they chose to venture across thousands of miles of hostile, untamed wilderness to a forsaken place in the arid mountain tops to hue out a hard and meager existence. Many froze to death along the way, others starved, few, if any, ever enjoyed the comforts they once knew. Would you have had such faith?
It seems that when a person is not really faced with the challenge that would threaten his comfort, he becomes brave and committed to a cause. It is when a man or woman is face to face with reality that one discovers his or her true make up. Under "real" circumstances most people quickly weaken and retreat back into the comfort of (yes, even false) traditions to avoid the unknown dangers wrought by just and true principles. Especially is this true when those false and compromising principles are accepted by loved ones and by the society in which one lives. And therein one feels secure and safe. Lulled into a false feeling on carnal security, people have a tendency to justify these false traditions and incorrect principles so "their" comfort zone is undisturbed. Time nor history has changed us ... only a few will resist wrong and emerge as prophets, pioneers, patriots, etc. Only 'TRUE' seekers of God and His Gospel will ever make it. Maybe that is what is meant by "STRAIT" (restricted) IS THE GATE AND NARROW THE WAY THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT."
The scriptures foretold the advent of Christ, yet very few recognized it or accepted it when it happened. The scriptures also foretold of the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith, yet very few recognized it when it happened. Not only the scriptures, but modern day prophecies fore tell the apostasy from the truth restored through Joseph Smith by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One wonders how many Latter-Day Saints would ever admit such, when it happens. The vast and great majority will fight against it as did the Jews when Christ appeared and all Christendom did when Joseph Smith, Jr. declared his sacred calling. When it happens, what would be your course? Would you continue along the LDS Church's state of apostasy or would you be among the few who will stand up for "TRUTH?"
It is much too easy to justify falsehoods, especially when one is afraid of his reputation being in jeopardy for speaking out against wrong. He might even lose the respect of his family.
Mankind is supposed to be blessed with the ability to think and reason. We claim intelligence with which we can determine our own destiny! We boast of being "free" to worship as we please! We stand on the premise of being Gods in embryo! We declare our position as having our free agency as we, unfortunately, stumble along following foolish and blind guides and dupe ourselves into believing that "all is well." We can read. We can pray. We can obtain knowledge and wisdom. We can learn the words, laws, commandments and will of God directly from His revelations.
Why, then, do so many fail and refuse to follow the course God has declared to be essential to lead them back into His presence?
Reflect... would the Jew have become a follower of Christ if he would have followed the counsel of his leaders? Would the Catholic have joined the protestants if he heeded the advice from the Pope? Should the investigator seek counsel from his minister, concerning Mormonism, before he begins his study of the truth? These questions are simple to answer when it is for the other person. But, just how would you answer for yourself? Think about that for a moment. Are you really the "free agent" you thought you were?
When we are face with such a problem, it becomes much easier to close our eyes and stumble on in ignorant bliss following the trend of the day... and it becomes difficult to turn against the false popular tide that we have found ourself involved with and stand up for correct principles. Joseph Smith said:
"The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, EVEN IF I STAND ALONE IN IT." TPJS pg 332
Knowing that he was the one God had raised up and directed to restore the unchange able Gospel, he spoke as did the Apostle Paul: "... if any man preach any other gospel that which I have preached, HE SHALL BE CURSED..." TPJS pg 366
The leaders among the Jews, the Catholics, the protestants,and even the L.D.S. Church claim no deviation from the true unchangeable Gospel of God and/or Jesus Christ...yet all teach contrary to that Gospel preached by Christ and, yes even Paul and Joseph Smith. What did the Apostle Paul and Joseph Smith promise them?
The course of apostasy by the LDS Church was recognized and promised by many modern day prophets. Isn't it ironic that so few have the courage to recognize it and do something about it? Maybe if one finds himself in the majority, it really doesn't matter?
How do you feel? Where do you find yourself? And how do you interpret the following modern day prophecies?:
"If the church knew all the commandments, one-half (of those commandments) they would condemn through prejudice and ignorance." TPJS pg 112
"... except the Church receive the FULLNESS of the scriptures they would yet fail." TPJS pg 9
"... they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, broken the everlasting covenant." Isaiah 24:5
"... the time will come when the Lord will choose a people OUT OF THIS PEOPLE upon who He will bestow His choicest blessing." HCK-Deseret News November 9, 1865
"... Many of this people are perhaps preparing themselves by following after the world in its mad race... but I know that there is a people IN THE HEARTS CORE OF THIS PEOPLE, that will arise in their majesty in a day that is near at hand and push spiritual things to the front, a people who will stand up for God, fearing not man nor what man can do." OFH-Deseret News August 11, 1889
"... And if we as a people do not hold ourselves on the alter ready to be used, He will pass on and get somebody else,because He will get a people that will do it. I do not mean to say that He will pass on and leave this people, No, there will come up from the midst of this people that people which has been talked about so much." DHW-Deseret News December 9, 1882
"Such a people will evolve from those called Latter-Day Saints... and from the remnant of the whole house of Israel, will emanate the nucleus or foundation from which will spring the righteous millennial population of our globe... SUCH A BODY WILL EVOLVE FROM THOSE CALLED LATTER-DAY SAINTS, WHO AS A CHURCH POSSESS THE FULLNESS and power of the pure plan of salvation." Millennial Star 42:584
How are we to know when these prophecies are to take place? Will we know how to recognize it? What are we to look for? Who are those who will be among that small body of Saints? And why can NOT the whole membership of the Church be included? The Prophet Joseph Smith explained it best when he was teaching about all the laws, ordinances, covenants, commandments, sealings, principles, ordinations etc. pertaining to this life:
"The question is frequently asked, 'Can we not be saved without going through with all those ordinances?' I would answer NO, not the fullness of salvation... any person who is exalted to the highest mansion has to abide a celestial law and the whole law too..." TPJS pg 332
"Do we not offer violence to the Supreme Intelligence of heaven when we admit the truth of its teachings and do not obey them?" TPJS pg 54
What laws or ordinances does the LDS Church merely believe in but teach they are unnecessary to live?
Has the time come when a few chosen individuals are being called "OUT" of the Church to fulfill the prophecies? What evidence exists to support such a claim?
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