PERDITION -- We tend not to worry much about the condition of perdition (eternal torment in ‘outer darkness’) because we are taught, informally, at least, that to qualify for that punishment one would have to be at a super high level of spiritual development, or in other words, have a true witness of Christ in our hearts and minds, and then offend the Holy Ghost by denying Him. 

The bad news is that if we don’t quite quite meet the spiritual requirements that would qualify us for perdition if we were to deny Christ, we likely also lack the central and essential requirement for Exaltation!

AN EYE SINGLE . . .

I have written about Zion and about the veil, inspiration, consecration, The Holy Ghost, binding Satan, the condemnation related to unbelief, about agency, and about striving.  I keep coming back to what I have read and learned from the Book of Ether and from Nephi about the veil and who has control of its drawstrings.  I continue to strive to more fully understand what the Doctrine and Covenants (84:54-57) is trying to tell us about being under condemnation because of our unbelief.  Vanity seems to have something to do with it, according to verse 55.  I guess that must mean that we rely too much on our own understanding instead of truly seeking, asking, and striving for these higher blessings.

We know from the teachings of President Ezra Taft Benson, that at least part of this condemnation relates to us, as a church, for not having paid the attention that we ought to the teachings of the Book of Mormon.  But the Spirit tells me to keep looking for a more complete definition of this ‘unbelief’ that is still stealing away so many promised blessings.

I keep asking myself, what is it that we don’t believe?  The best answer I have come up with so far, is that it refers to our disbelief in ourselves, our ability and/or worthiness to have the same access to angels, miracles, and “the visions and blessings of old” that really haven’t returned that much, despite what the song says.

I also keep coming back to D&C 88:67-68:  “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

“68. Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you . . .  .”   

I have a deep suspicion that if I could fully understand and achieve the “eye single” thing, that the rest of it would fall into place of its own accord.  Having an eye single to the Glory of God is kind of like laying our burdens at the Master’s feet.  We all believe in it, but nobody teaches us how to do it. 

Why are we so reluctant to tackle those precious things that we can only learn by the Spirit?  Could it be the workings of that nebulous level of belief that most of us have in ourselves?             

AN EYE SINGLE . . . 

I have written about 

WHAT IS ZION?    

Zion is a place, a people, a condition of the heart. 

Zion is a place:   Zion is the hill in Jerusalem where Solomon built his temple.  Zion can be a designated ‘promised land’; like the American Continents for the Jaredites and Lehi and his family, like Utah was for the early pioneers.  There have been special lands prepared and promised to the people of God in every age.

The Zion of the ‘Fullness of times’ will be the New Jerusalem to be built in Jackson County, Missouri.  It will be built exclusively by those who are already “pure in heart.”  This will include living, translated, and resurrected Saints and the citizens of the

Zion (City) of Enoch, which The Lord will bring down from above and the Zion created by the lost tribes of Israel, whom The Lord will bring up from the bowels of the earth.  (D&C 84:100-101)  

Zion is any place in which people of ‘one heart’ can live together according to the Law of Consecration, where all things are had in common.

Zion is a people:  (Moses 7;8, 17-18) “The Lord called His

people Zion because they were of “one heart.” 

The Jews have called themselves Zion and think it is weird that

the Mormons have used the term in various ways to describe 

themselves.

The Restored Church has called itself Zion in the expectation

that we would behave accordingly, but the church as a whole

hasn’t lived up to that.

Zion is the City of Enoch which was, because of the unity and

exceeding righteousness of its people, raised up into

Heaven.  There are other examples of Zion communities, such

as that mentioned in the book of  Fourth Nephi in the Book of

Mormon.  Zion is anywhere that people of ‘one heart’ can live

together according to the Law of Consecration, where all things are

had in common.  D&C 97:21)

CONSECRATION

The Lord would have me pledge

to Him, with willing heart,

my talents and my time, my life,

and all my means impart;

should all of this--or any part--

be called for to support His Plan

for the rescue and redemption

of the race of fallen man.

He seldom asks more than a tenth

of what we covenant to Him

to build his Kingdom here on earth;

yet He reserves his title to my life and limb.

And though I render all of this,

And more, ‘tis but a start.

For these are merely stepping stones

toward the throne where I will offer up

... my broken heart!

                    (c) Robert Lynn Brown

“This is zion, the pure in heart.” 
Zion can exist within the individual person who has a broken 
heart and a contrite spirit; whose heart is surrendered to the Savior.

What does it mean to be of one heart?  It means the giving up of all ego and selfishness and being willing and able to live The Law of Consecration in which all things are had in common and all hearts are broken and all eyes are single to the Glory of God.

         DRAWSTRINGS

We all know the story of how  “. . . the veil was taken off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord . . .”  And we know that this happened because of his “exceeding faith.”  (Ether 3:6): but did you know that  “. . . there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong . . . they could not be kept from within the veil”? (Ether 12:19) 

We also know that Nephi, because of his great faith and great desire, was able to see the vision of the Tree of Life that his father Lehi had seen  (I N 10:17); but we may have forgotten that, as he sat pondering on this great desire, the Spirit of the Lord appeared and quizzed him about his belief and his desires.  (I N 11:1-5)  Then the Spirit said  . . . “blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest on the Son of the most high God; wherefore, thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.”  (I N 11:6)

I had forgotten that Nephi saw much more than the Tree of Life vision.  He also saw the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child after His birth (I N 11:20), the Savior’s baptism (11:27, His ministry (11:28, 31), His death on the cross (11:33).  He saw the last days and Christ’s appearance in the Americas (I N 12:5-6; 3 N 11:8-10)

Nephi reminds us that Christ  . . . “is the same yesterday, today, and forever . . . “  and  that  “. . . he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, as well in these times as in the times of old as in times to come . . .” (I N 18-19).

So, this seems to tell me that the drawstrings on the veil are within the reach of every one who has the belief (faith) and the desire, and the courage to pull the veil aside and behold the Lord and His mysteries.  What does it suggest to you?

What are these additional scriptures trying to tell us:  D&C 88:67-68?

                                                                                                  D&C 84:54-57?

Generations

When I consider all my progeny

and what I mean to them,

¼ and they to me,

I am caused to pause and ponder

    the extent of my extended family tree.

Back through myriad generations

    to Father Adam; ¼ Mother Eve;

    we must have known

¼ and loved each other

    in a world we cannot now perceive.

And, if forebears back to Eden

    can be thusly tied to me,

    how can I doubt

    the same is true

    of my posterity to be?

The veil permits the barest glimpse

    of what familial joys we’ll see

    when Celestial Generations join

    in that one last vast reunion

    scheduled for Eternity.

   ©Robert Lynn Brown 3/29/03

       It is as startling as it is obvious that I have hundreds, if not thousands, of ancesters going back to Adam and Eve,  as well as generations of posterity yet to be born.  It seems likely that I may have always known them all -- except during this brief period that I am spending on this earth.

       When I consider the power of the love that ties me to those both above and below me that I have been blessed to know during this finite mortal state, I can't stop wondering about what ties I will have with all the others when I go back to where they are.

       How exciting it is to think that there will be no finite limitations on the truly unconditinal love that will bind us to one another and to the Savior in the celestial realm which the Atonement of Christ makes possible for  us!

Life Lines: Inspiration/Revelation: God knows the answers to ...

MESSAGE FOR MILLENNIALS -- My notes from an address by Elder Russell Nelson of  The Council of the Twelve



In order to become a True Millennial in the cause of truth:

1.  Learn who you are; whom the Lord wants and needs you to be in the preparation of the world for His Millennial Reign; what is your mission; your purpose in life.

       How do you do this:  Ask with real intent, which means that you are fully committed to do whatever it takes to become that person and to do the hard things that become that person's privilege to perform.



2.  Expect and prepare to do accomplish the impossible!



3.  Learn how to access the powers of Heaven.  You will need them for the realization of both points 1 and 2.  

       You have the exact same access to these powers, for your own guidance,  as the Apostles and First Presidency do for the guidance of the church -- if  you just have the courage to seek it.  If your faith is sufficient, you "cannot be kept from within the veil." (Ether 12:19)



4.  Follow the prophets, but don't wait for them to personally guide you on achieving points 1 - 3.