Acts 26

As Paul stood before King Agrippa, he recounts his experience on the road to Damascus. In this visitation, the Savior said to Paul -

"...rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (New Testament Acts 26:16 - 18)

In His own words, the Savior tells Paul that not only will he be a witness of this event that he has seen but that he will be a witness of additional revelations that will come to him. The Prophet Joseph Smith penned of true saints -

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Pearl of Great Price Articles of Faith 1:9)

Such revelation for the purpose to -

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me...that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." (New Testament Acts 26:18 - 20)

Paul taught that -

"...man is justified by faith..." (New Testament Romans 3:28)

Now he teaches we are "sanctified by faith". Sanctify meaning to be made clean, pure, and holy. This seems to make sense as we ponder -

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness..." (New Testament Romans 10:9 - 10)

That is unto cleanliness and holiness. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said -

"Those who go to the celestial kingdom of heaven have to be sanctified, meaning that they become clean and pure and spotless. They've had evil and sin and iniquity burned out of their souls as though by fire, and the figurative expression there is "the baptism of fire." Here again it is a process. Nobody is sanctified in an instant, suddenly. But if we keep the commandments and press forward with steadfastness after baptism then degree by degree and step by step we sanctify our souls until that glorious day when we're qualified to go where God and angels are." ("Jesus Christ and Him Crucified," Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, 1976, p. 399) TLDP:605

Paul explains to King Agrippa what is "faith that is in me" -

"...that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." (New Testament Acts 26:20)

Alma taught of those -

"...choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish; Therefore they were...sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence..." (Book of Mormon Alma 13:10 - 12)

Moroni's final words were in regards to the sanctification by faith -

"...come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:32 - 33)

Romans 9 & 10

I have at times received great blessings of spiritual strength even when I have not deserved such blessings. I have wondered at times if such blessings had more to do with what I had done in a previous or pre-existent life than what I had done here. Paul suggests that many of the blessings of election or fore-ordination we received had to do with our diligence in a pre-mortal existence not this life as he talks of hating Esau and and loving Jacob -

"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth..." (New Testament Romans 9:11)

Peter taught much the same thing -

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..." (New Testament 1 Peter 1:2)

How else would it be where some receive greater spiritual blessings with no apparent earned reason. Why would Saul be so visited on the Road to Damascus. Is it unfair to others in general. Paul answers -

"What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid." (New Testament Romans 9:14)

It is because of our pre-earth diligence that the Lord can say -

"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." (New Testament Romans 9:15 - 16)

Explaining -

"Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" (New Testament Romans 9:19 - 21)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote -

“He is a resurrected and holy and perfected man, and we are his offspring. We are his spirit children. He lives in the family unit. We are members of his family. We lived in this premortal life with him for an infinite period of time. We were on probation; we were being schooled and tested and examined; we were given the laws and the circumstances so that we could progress and advance. . . .

This system was given to us, and for an infinite period of time, we advanced and progressed and did things that enabled us to go along the course leading to exaltation and dominion and godhood. . . .

In this prior life, this premortal existence, this pre-existence, we developed various capacities and talents. Some developed them in one field and some in another. The most important of all fields was the field of spirituality, the ability, the talent, the capacity to recognize truth.” (Bruce R. McConkie, as cited in When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren, A Study Guide for the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums of the Church, 1974–75, pp. 8–9.)

He also explains -

“Preexistence is not some remote and mysterious place. All of us are but a few years removed from the Eternal Presence, from him whose children we are and in whose house we dwelt. . . .

. . . We know we had friends and associates there. We know we were schooled and trained and taught in the most perfect educational system ever devised, and that by obedience to his eternal laws we developed infinite varieties and degrees of talents. . . .

. . . When we come into mortality, we bring the talents, capacities, and abilities acquired by obedience to law in our prior existence.” (Bruce R. McConkie in CR, Apr. 1974, pp. 101–3.)

Joseph Fielding Smith also wrote -

“God gave his children their agency even in the spirit world, by which the individual spirits had the privilege, just as men have here, of choosing the good and rejecting the evil, or partaking of the evil to suffer the consequences of their sins. . . . some even there were more faithful than others in keeping the commandments of the Lord. . . .

The spirits of men . . . had an equal start, and we know they were all innocent in the beginning; but the right of free agency which was given to them enabled some to outstrip others, and thus, through the eons of immortal existence, to become more intelligent, more faithful, for they were free to act for themselves, to think for themselves, to receive the truth or rebel against it.” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:58–59.)

But even though we were diligent in the pre-existence or first estate, it provides no guarantees to salvation. We still have the responsibility to be faithful and diligent here or in this, our second estate -

"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (New Testament Romans 10:12 - 13)

Romans 10

Paul asks the Romans -

"...how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" (New Testament Romans 10:14 - 15)

These three questions suggest three essential keys to coming to the knowledge of God. First they must hear the word, second, the word must come from a true preacher, and third, the preacher must be called and sent by God - not on the accord of man -

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (New Testament Romans 10:17)

And of those that preach the word, Paul taught that -

"...no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (New Testament Hebrews 5:4)

It is of those preachers called of God that Paul honors -

"...How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (New Testament Romans 10:15)

Paul acknowledges he was called of God saying-

"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office..." (New Testament Romans 11:13)

Paul did not magnify the priesthood, he magnified his office in the priesthood. The Savior said -

"For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:33 - 34)

President Joseph F. Smith said -

“Sometimes we hear brethren refer to ‘magnifying the priesthood.’ While many of us are guilty of making this erroneous statement, it isn’t the priesthood we magnify; it is one’s office and calling in the priesthood. It cannot be enlarged upon because there is no authority or power greater in the universe.

To magnify is to intensify, to increase in significance, to enlarge upon, and to cause to be held in greater esteem or respect.

There is no office growing out of this Priesthood that is or can be greater than the Priesthood itself. It is from the priesthood that the office derives its authority and power. No office adds to the power of the Priesthood. But all offices in the church derive their power, their virtue, their authority, from the Priesthood.’ (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine [Salt Lake City: Desert Book Co., 1939], p. 148.)

What seems to be of great importance right along with the preacher and his priesthood office is the hearer of the word. The Savior said -

"And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 84:35 - 36)

For -

"...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 1:38)

This being the case -

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power in the church but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.

But first, render to all their dues, according to custom, tribute to whom tribute, custom to whom custom, that your consecrations may be done in fear of him to whom fear belongs, and in honor of him to whom honor belongs.” (Romans 13:1, 7, Inspired Version.)

To gain salvation the saints must be subject to God’s ministers. The doctrines and ordinances of the gospel cannot be separated from those appointed to teach Christ’s gospel and perform his ordinances. Those who accept the gospel do so by submitting to the will and dictation of Christ. They come to the legal administrators who teach the doctrines of Christ and who perform the ordinances of salvation in his name and by his authority.” (McConkie, DNTC, 2:296.)

Roman 10 - 14

Paul writes to the saints in Rome -

"...The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (New Testament Romans 10:8 - 9)

Many seem to place their entire religious belief on this simple verse with little regard for all the other teachings of Paul, the Savior, and all His holy prophets. But even then, I too agree with the truthfulness of these verses as Paul talks of two requirements - 1) confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the Christ, and 2) believe in thine heart. What does in mean to have faith or "believe in thine heart". The "heart" is the purest demonstration of a persons most inward and sincere desires. These desires are then manifested in what we do. Paul continues to explain -

"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (New Testament Romans 10:10)

What is righteousness but living pure lives in obedience to his commandments. In other words, according to the will of God. Believeth unto righteousness suggest faith or belief strong enough for a person to repent and experience as King Benjamin said -

"...has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 5:2)

which blessed the people of Alma where a -

"...mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved." (Book of Mormon Alma 5:13)

Paul understood this for he explained some of the requirements to "believe in thine heart" -

"LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (New Testament Romans 13:1)

And as we follow the counsel of His annointed priesthood leaders, we will strive to -

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (New Testament Romans 13:8 - 14)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (New Testament Romans 14:17)

Romans 8

In the final stages of his life, Lehi proclaimed -

"...the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 1:15)

I believe "encircled...in the arms of his love" is literal. Joseph testified in his first vision -

"...I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" (Pearl of Great Price JS-History 1:17)

The Savior was very specific as he prayed -

"...Our Father which art in heaven..." (New Testament Luke 11:2)

He made reference to our Father as -

"...heavenly Father..." (New Testament Matthew 18:35)

and -

"...Father which is in heaven..." (New Testament Matthew 5:16)

Our heavenly Father is literally a real person with -

"...a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 130:22)

Yet without restrictions as man is being ominipotent and omniscient. All nature of this world provides a great representation of eternal things as there is a father and mother of families. The inherent god-like instincts of parents if to raise their children to be successful adults much like themselves. To inherit that which they have and share in their joy. Why is this concept of joy in anyway wrong or just human in nature. All scriptures and teachings point us in the direction to be more like God. The Savior himself said -

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (New Testament Matthew 5:48)

Paul understood this as he wrote to the Romans -

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (New Testament Romans 8:16 - 17)

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught -

“Those who receive exaltation in the celestial kingdom are promised the fulness thereof. ‘All things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come.’ [D&C 76:59.] Our Father in heaven is infinite; he is perfect; he possesses all knowledge and wisdom. However, he is not jealous of his wisdom and perfection, but glories in the fact that it is possible for his children who obey him in all things and endure to the end to become like him.

Man has within him the power, which the Father has bestowed upon him, so to develop in truth, faith, wisdom, and all the virtues, that eventually he shall become like the Father and the Son; this virtue, wisdom, and knowledge on the part of the faithful does not rob the Father and the Son, but adds to their glory and dominion. Thus it is destined that those who are worthy to become his sons and joint-heirs with our Redeemer, would be heirs of the Father’s kingdom, possessing the same attributes in their perfection, as the Father and the Son now possess.” (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:35.)

I see no conflict with this true doctrine of becoming like God and the doctrine of one true God. I have matured to be much like my father, but I will always love, honor, and respect my father. I will only have one true earthly father. This becomes clear as John writes -

"...what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (New Testament 1 John 3:1 - 2)

Romans 3 & 4

Paul wrote to the Romans -

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (New Testament Romans 1:16)

Paul seems to be writing to the saints that were Roman, Greek, and also converted Jews. But it seems he is speaking more to the converted Jews as they appear to be greatly influenced by their former Jewish traditions and the Mosaic law. Elder McConkie writes -

“To whom was the Epistle to the Romans written? To the Gentiles in Rome? To the world in general? To sectarian Christians today? Not by any means. If there is any truth the world can gain from this Epistle, such is all to the good. But Paul wrote it to the saints, to members of the Church, to those who already had the gift of the Holy Ghost, to those who had been born again, to those who held the priesthood and enjoyed the gifts of the Spirit. Hence he was writing to the people who already knew the doctrines of salvation, and his teachings can only be understood by people who have the same background, the same knowledge, and the same experience as the original recipients of the message. Romans is a sealed book to the sectarian world; it is an open volume of inspiring gospel truth to the saints of God.” (McConkie, DNTC, 2:216.)

Even though these Jewish saints were believed in Christ, they were also entrenched in the Mosaic law which many Jews believed was all that was needed for Salvation. It is to this group that Paul teaches that the righteous are not justified by obedience only but it also requires the grace of God -

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight..." (New Testament Romans 3:20)

For we are -

"...justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..." (New Testament Romans 3:24)

To those that assume that salvation can come by their works only, Paul asks -

"Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith." (New Testament Romans 3:27)

Faith is power. Paul said that it is the "power of God unto salvation". Faith in Jesus Christ provides sufficient power to repent and experience a mighty change of heart. It is with the power of faith that we are baptized for a remission of our sins. It is through this power that we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost and -

"...are wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:4)

Joseph Fielding Smith taught -

"There is a difference between the Lord Jesus Christ and the rest of mankind. We have no life in ourselves, for no power has been given unto us, to lay down our lives and take them again. That is beyond our power, and so, being subject to death, and being sinners—for we are all transgressors of the law to some extent, no matter how good we have tried to be—we are therefore unable in and of ourselves to receive redemption from our sins by any act of our own.

This is the grace that Paul was teaching. Therefore, it is by the grace of Jesus Christ that we are saved. And had he not come into the world, and laid down his life that he might take it again, or as he said in another place, to give us life that we may have it more abundantly we would still be subject to death and be in our sins. . . .

So it is easy to understand that we must accept the mission of Jesus Christ. We must believe that it is through his grace that we are saved, that he performed for us that labor which we were unable to perform for ourselves, and did for us those things which were essential to our salvation, which were beyond our power; and also that we are under the commandment and the necessity of performing the labors that are required of us as set forth in the commandments known as the gospel of Jesus Christ:” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:309–11.)

In the inspired version, Paul taught -

"Therefore ye are justified of faith and works, through grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to them only who are of the law, but to them also who are of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all." JST Rom. 4: 16

Romans 1 & 2

As Paul writes his epistle to the Romans before his visit to them, speaking of the Savior he writes -

"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name..." (New Testament Romans 1:5)

I believe Paul is teaching here an important doctrine - that grace and callings come as a result of obedience and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Obedience is the demonstration of faith. Without obedience there is no apparent hope or faith. That is why Paul after hearing of the obedience and faithfulness of many of the Roman saints, writes -

"...beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (New Testament Romans 1:7)

You can tell he longed for the fellowship with the Roman saints as he confesses -

"For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." (New Testament Romans 1:11 - 12)

And it is by the teaching and receiving by the Spirit that we are comforted together or edified -

"Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 50:22)

For Paul testifies -

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (New Testament Romans 1:16)

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (New Testament Romans 1:17)

Or in other words, by righteouness, faithfulness, or obedience. For those that assume that all is necessary is to accept Christ as your Savior to establish faith must read what Paul continues to try to communicate -

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness..." (New Testament Romans 1:18)

Paul continues to write of much of this unrighteouness or ungodliness explaining that by disobediance, -

"...after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds" (New Testament Romans 2:5 - 6)

It is clear that all mankind will receive according to our faith, deeds or works -

"To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath..." (New Testament Romans 2:7 - 8)

Galations 2 & 6

It appears Paul is quite frustrated with the faithfulness of Galatians to the gospel of Jesus Christ as he asks -

"...Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (New Testament Galatians 3:2)

It appears that the saints were falling back on the Mosaic law which was fulfilled with the atonement of the Savior. Before "the law" was given, Paul teaches that the gospel of Jesus Christ had been taught to Abraham and -

"...as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." (New Testament Galatians 3:6)

Believing God, being righteous, or faithful requires a man to be firm in adherance to the promises and covenants he makes -

"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." (New Testament Galatians 3:8 - 9)

Even to the point -

"...that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." (New Testament Galatians 3:7)

What a great promise to all that are faithful. Paul teaches an important doctrine as he writes -

"...that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God..." (New Testament Galatians 3:11)

Websters dictionary defines "justification" as -

"...the act, process, or state of being justified by God..."

It is through the atonement of Jesus Christ that justice is satisfied whereby we are justified for -

"...men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 2:5 - 8)

That is why -

"...we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23)

It is only when we do all we can that we reap the blessings we sow. Let us -

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (New Testament Galatians 6:7 - 8)

So therefore -

"...let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (New Testament Galatians 6:9)

And as we do, we are saved by grace and -

"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (New Testament Galatians 3:29)

Galatians 1

You can feel how concerned Paul is as he writes to the Galatians -

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ." (New Testament Galatians 1:6 - 7)

It is obvious that there were saints that had began teaching their own doctrine, not the doctrine delivered by Paul and his associates. Paul then admonishes -

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (New Testament Galatians 1:8)

When Paul says "we" you would have to assume he was suggesting that there is always the possibility that Church leaders could apostatize. You would have to also assume an "angel from heaven" would be more than a valid messenger to teach true doctrine and new doctrine. I'm sure Paul is suggesting a deceptive angel that represents itself as an angel from heaven or as Paul told the Corinthians -

"...for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 11:14)

Paul again immediately repeats his warning -

"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (New Testament Galatians 1:9)

Over the years, I have heard many Christians suggest that in these verses, what Paul was saying was that what was written in the New Testament is all that God had revealed and all that he would reveal. But as you read all of Paul's writing to the Galatians, you begin to understand that Paul isn't talking just the gospel doctrine exclusively he taught, but how or the method the gospel doctrine being taught was received. For Paul asked the Galatian saints -

"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." (New Testament Galatians 1:10)

The big question is - is the doctrine being taught the doctrine of men or is it the doctrine of God. To be the doctrine of God, it would have to doctrine received from God by revelation. Paul continues -

"...I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (New Testament Galatians 1:11 - 12)

Paul had learned how gospel principles and doctrine was to be received as he explained that before his conversion -

"...ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers." (New Testament Galatians 1:13 - 14)

Many Christians become so "exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers" that they choose not to rely upon the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Paul explains when he received his revelations -

"...when it pleased God...and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother." (New Testament Galatians 1:15 - 19)

I believe everyone is entitled to spiritual guidance and revelation from the Holy Ghost. If appropriately acted upon, revelation will continue to flow for as given in my regular blog header -

"For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 10:19)

This is the gospel that I believe Paul was referring to -

"Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid." (Old Testament Isaiah 29:13 - 14)

2 Corinthians 11

Paul taught -

"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (New Testament Hebrews 12:6)

John also wrote -

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (New Testament Revelation 3:19 - 21)

It appears then that tribulations and trials holds the purpose to catch the attention of our Father in Heaven's children in hopes to cause them to repent. For -

...thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 95:1)

And it is to those who repent that the Lord reveals -

"For after much tribulation come the blessings." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 58:4)

Paul talked of his tribulations he had experienced as he wrote to the Corinthians -

"...in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me:
33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 11:23 - 33)

There is no question that from these trials, Paul became the great missionary he was. Brigham Young explained -

"When we look at the Latter-day Saints, we ask, is there any necessity of their being persecuted? Yes, if they are disobedient. Is there any necessity of chastening a son or a daughter? Yes, if they are disobedient. But suppose they are perfectly obedient to every requirement of their parents, is there any necessity of chastening them then? If there is, I do not understand the principle of it. I have not yet been able to see the necessity of chastening an obedient child, neither have I been able to see the necessity of chastisement from the Lord upon a people who are perfectly obedient. Have this people been chastened? Yes, they have. " (Discources of Brigham Young, pg 350)

We have to be careful though how we glory in trials and tribulation. Peter taught -

"For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?..." (New Testament 1 Peter 2:20)

In his great wisdom, Neal A. Maxwell said -

“Peter didn’t want us to take any credit upon ourselves for the suffering we endure because of our own mistakes. He was willing to see us take credit for the suffering we endure because of discipleship, but not because of our own stupidity or our own sin.” (Neal A. Maxwell, “For a Small Moment,” Speeches of the Year, 1974, p. 447.)

2 Corinthians 1

In what I understand to be his third letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells them of the Savior that -

"Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 1:21 - 22)

What seemed to stand out to me was the "earnest" of the Spirit in our hearts. What seemed to cross my mind was not the earnest as defined by -

"a serious and intent mental state; a considerable or impressive degree or amount" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

But the earnest as defined by -

"something of value given by a buyer to a seller to bind a bargain; a token of what is to come; a pledge" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

...as used in the term "earnest money". As the sacred sacrament is blessed, we hear the covenant or agreement of this "earnest" of the Spirit -

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:77)

I see sacrament as an "earnest agreement" or covenant, a binding agreement in regards to the gift of the Spirit in our hearts, a pledge, and of greatest importance, a token of what is to come -

The Savior told his disciples -

"If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever..." (New Testament John 14:15 - 16)

The Prophet Joseph Smith wrote of this other Comforter or Second Comforter -

"After a man so devotes himself to righteousness that his calling and election is made sure, "then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter," the Prophet says. "Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more nor less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even he will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God; and this is the state and place the ancient saints arrived at when they had such glorious visions — Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the saints who held communion with the general assembly and Church of the Firstborn." (Teachings, pp. 150-151)

And as we obey his commandments and prove worth of our "earnest agreement", "the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts", we are promised to be visited by the -

"...tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:36)

2 Corinthians 12 & 13

Paul tells the Corinthians, that he too had struggled with challenges and tribulation saying -

"...lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 12:7)

And in humble prayer he tells them -

"For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 12:8)

And in response to his humble prayer, the Lord tells him -

"...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. " (New Testament 2 Corinthians 12:9)

As Moroni was concerned with the weakness of his writings, the Lord told him -

"...Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:26 - 27)

Paul understood this as he tells the Corinthians -

"...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10)

Paul then provides these profound words of true and humble servant -

"For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 13:9)

Concluding with these closing words -

"...Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 13:11)

2 Corinthians 5 & 6

Being and apostle and priesthood holder, Paul writes -

"...all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation..." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 5:18)

Where reconcile means to be in harmony with God and His will. Nephi wrote of the ministers of reconciliation -

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23)

The labor and work of His priesthood holders is to assist in this work of reconciliation. Even our Father in Heaven tells us -

"...this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Pearl of Great Price Moses 1:39)

The method of ministering the gospel of reconciliation, Paul teaches -

"Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 6:3 - 7)

Compare this to modern instruction to priesthood holders -

"Be patient in afflictions, revile not against those that revile..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 31:9)

"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
42 By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—" (Doctrine and Covenants Section 121:41 - 42)

"...lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.
16 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mine angels to commit unto you;
17 Taking the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;
18 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 27:15 - 18)

This is the ministry of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 3 & 4

The very concept of resurrection is a person rising from the dead and being alive once again. Most christians support the idea that death is the seperation of the body and the spirit suggesting our spirit or spirit body moves on and continues to live after death. With no resurrection then, the spirit would live indefinitely as a spirit. If you believe in the resurrection of the Savior, then you would also have to believe that his spirit was reunited with his body which would have to mean his body and spirit would remain in this condition eternally. If not eternally, then this would suggest he would die again which is contrary to the whole concept of resurrection. Amulek taught of the resurrection -

"The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time...and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body..." (Book of Mormon Alma 11:43 - 44)

Paul described the difference between our natural bodies and our resurrected bodies as -

"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:44)

A spiritual body then does not mean a spirit body, but a resurrected body that is sustained or quickened by spiritual things. Then Elder Howard W. Hunter explained -

“There is a separation of the spirit and the body at the time of death. The resurrection will again unite the spirit with the body, and the body becomes a spiritual body, one of flesh and bones but quickened by the spirit instead of blood. Thus, our bodies after the resurrection, quickened by the spirit, shall become immortal and never die. This is the meaning of the statements of Paul that ‘there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body’ and ‘that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.’ The natural body is flesh and blood, but quickened by the spirit instead of blood, it can and will enter the kingdom.” (Howard W. Hunter in CR, Apr. 1969, p. 138.)

Paul also taught -

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:20 - 22)

As we realize that we like the Savior will be resurrected, the more we live like the Savior the more we become like the Savior. John explained this asking -

"...are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (New Testament 1 John 3:2)

But it will not happen immediately, but line upon line, the Savior's grace upon grace as Paul told the Corinthians -

"...we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 3:18)

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (New Testament 2 Corinthians 4:15 - 18)

1 Corinthians 12 - 13

Paul taught the Corinthians on the "gifts of the Spirit" teaching -

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 12:4 - 11)

The "gifts of the Spirit" were revealed to those that lived in the Americas as Moroni admonishes -

"...I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.
9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;
10 And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles;
13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;
14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits;
15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;
16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.
17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.
18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:8 - 18)

And in modern day, the Lord has revealed -

"Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given;
9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts.
10 And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church.
11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.
13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.
15 And again, to some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know the differences of administration, as it will be pleasing unto the same Lord, according as the Lord will, suiting his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men.
16 And again, it is given by the Holy Ghost to some to know the diversities of operations, whether they be of God, that the manifestations of the Spirit may be given to every man to profit withal.
17 And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.
18 To another is given the word of knowledge, that all may be taught to be wise and to have knowledge.
19 And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
20 And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
21 And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
22 And to others it is given to prophesy;
23 And to others the discerning of spirits.
24 And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues;
25 And to another is given the interpretation of tongues.
26 And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.
27 And unto the bishop of the church, and unto such as God shall appoint and ordain to watch over the church and to be elders unto the church, are to have it given unto them to discern all those gifts lest there shall be any among you professing and yet be not of God." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 46:8 - 27)

Each revelation provides additional information on the subject. But what I think is most important is that none of the gifts of the Spirit are provided for personal gain but "for the benefit of the children of God" for "profit withal". And these gifts are only provided to those who are living righteously - "who love me and keep all my commandments". But even with the great blessing of spiritual gifts, Paul teaches -

"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 12:31)

And that more excellent way is as Paul teaches is charity which -

"...charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:47)

Because even if we have the gifts of the Spirit for even -

"THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 13:1 - 3)

Considering the gifts of the Spirit and all these factors, it is -

"Charity never faileth..." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 13:8)

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (New Testament 1 Corinthians 13:13)