Matthew 13

Before explaining His parable of the sower, the Savior taught His disciples why He taught in parables -

"Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."  (New Testament | Matthew 13:11 - 17)

And then teaching -

"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."  (New Testament | Matthew 13:23)

I note his comment of "he that received seed".  I gave a talk in a recent stake conference on this idea of receive and knowledge.  The following was my talk:

There is an age-old adage that it is better to give than to receive.  This evening I would like to take a contrary position.  That it is far better to receive.  In fact, we are commanded to receive. Tonight, I would like to take the liberty to call this commandment…the “doctrine of receive”.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, receive means –

“To come in possession of, acquire, assimilate, experience, be a recipient of, and accept as authoritative and true”.

Scriptural words that I see would be synonymous to “receive” would be words such as; hearken, heed, lay hold of, partake, eat, and drink…

Isaiah saw our day and prophesied that a –

“…highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness…”  (Old Testament | Isaiah 35:8)

This highway, pathway, or the way of holiness, is in my mind is this doctrine of receive.

Moroni invited all his readers to –

“…come unto Christ…”  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:32)

This same invitation is had throughout all of Christendom.  Many Christians claim they have come unto Christ or have accepted Him as their Savior.  But of this invitation to come unto Christ, Nephi asked –

“I would ask if all is done?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.”  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:19)

Thus Moroni’s invitation does not end with “come unto Christ”, but continues to –

“…be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness… [concluding] that ye become holy, without spot.”  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:32 - 33)

How is it that we may become holy, without spot?  As I have studied the scriptures, I have come to the conclusion that the way of holiness or process whereby we become holy is this doctrine of receive.  In my mind, upon accepting the invitation to come unto Christ, the way of holiness or the strait and narrow path, has three essential components. 

First, we must receive all necessary saving ordinances. Isaiah pleaded with Israel –

“Go through, go through the gates…” (Old Testament | Isaiah 62:10)

Those gates are the saving ordinances of the gospel that we must go through or receive in order to qualify for exaltation and eternal life.

Jeremiah prophesied concerning ordinances revealed is this last dispensation –

“If those ordinances depart from before me…then the seed of Israel also shall cease…before me for ever.”  (Old Testament | Jeremiah 31:36)

Second, as we enter the gates, we receive or take upon us sacred covenants associated with those ordinances which obviously of necessity require repentance, denying ourselves of all ungodliness, and obeying His commandments for Jeremiah also prophecies –

“…this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel… [for] I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Old Testament | Jeremiah 31:31 - 33)

In speaking of the covenants made with the seed of Israel, the Lord symbolically referred to such covenants as the cords that lengthens and strengthens Zion, and binds us to the Savior.  Thus Isaiah counseled us –

“Enlarge the place of thy tent… spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes…”  (Old Testament | Isaiah 54:2)

Lengthening thy cords would then symbolically suggest that we are to strengthen ourselves in making and keeping sacred covenants.

And the third component, which may not necessarily consider being essential by some, we must receive knowledge.  Not any type of knowledge, but that which is sometimes referred to as the mysteries of God.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the mysteries of God as –

“…religious truth that one can know only by revelation…”  (Merriam-Webster Dictionary}

Alma taught of receiving knowledge –

“…he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.”  (Book of Mormon | Alma 12:10)

In my mind, religious truth that is received by revelation is generally known as “true doctrine”.  True doctrine has been revealed as –  

“…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:21)

This would include that which was spoken by holy men anciently as well as in modern day…scripture as well as the spoken word.  To the world, such doctrine or truth is nothing more than a mystery, thus –

“…to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction.  Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.”  (Book of Mormon | Alma 12:11)

For as President Boyd K. Packer has taught –

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.” (Little Children, Ensign, No. 1986,17)

 It is knowledge or true doctrine “understood” then, as Alma taught, that breaks the links and frees us from the chains of hell.

What seems to me to be one of Isaiah’s greatest concerns for Israel was that they lacked understanding of true doctrine, thus declaring that Israel –

“… is a people of no understanding…”  (Old Testament | Isaiah 27:11)

Because these people failed to receive the Lord, he asked -

“Whom shall he teach knowledge?  and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? “   (Old Testament | Isaiah 28:9)

Thus Isaiah prophesied of how important the restoration of the gospel would be in this last dispensation, in that –

“They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.”  (Old Testament | Isaiah 29:24)

For Isaiah understood that receiving -

“…wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation…”  (Old Testament | Isaiah 33:6)

Thus our spiritual stability and that which leads to salvation then is dependent upon us receiving knowledge…which would be doctrine “understood”.  Such knowledge of necessity includes the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ for as the angel said to John the Revelator –

“I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus…”  (New Testament | Revelation 19:10)

For we learn in modern revelation –

“It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 131:6)

Ordinances, covenants, and knowledge all seem to go hand in hand, integrated and interrelated.   As we receive these, (ordinances, covenants, and knowledge), the Lord promises, by His grace, we will be endowed with power…power such as the power to overcome the world, the power of godliness, and the power to become holy without spot.

With limited time, I would like to touch on three examples where this doctrine of receive is very apparent.

After we are baptized, authorized hands are laid upon our heads in a sacred ordinance, and we are commanded to “receive the Holy Ghost”! 

How do we receive the Holy Ghost?

We do this each week as we receive the sacred “ordinance” of the sacrament whereby we covenant –

“…that [we] are willing to take upon [us] the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given [us]…”  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 4:3)

The promise is –

“…that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us]…”  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 4:3)

Alma instructed his people to -

“…contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ....”  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:38)

And thus, we receive knowledge as we receive the Holy Ghost for Nephi taught that as we –

“…receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 32:5)

Moroni taught the process of receiving knowledge by the Holy Ghost.  This knowledge comes as we read His words and as we ponder them in our hearts.  If we then ask God concerning its truths with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, He will manifest its truth by the power of the Holy Ghost and it is –

“…by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:5)

And as we receive the ordinances of the Gift of the Holy Ghost and the sacrament, making and keeping sacred covenants, and coming to understand true doctrine, the promise is, as was to His apostles of old –

“…ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…”  (New Testament | Acts 1:8)

Another great blessing we may receive is that of the great endowment that may be had in the temple –

“For behold, I have prepared a great endowment and blessing to be poured out upon them, inasmuch as they are faithful and continue in humility before me.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 105:12)

I often hear members of the Church say, regarding those that are attending the temple for the first time that they are “taking out their endowments”. 

Now my intention this evening is not to offend anyone.  Sometimes we just get in the habit of repeating phrases that are common among the members of the Church.   To me, “taking out ones endowment”, almost sounds like is a checklist…kind of like, been there, done that.  When we attend the temple for our own endowment, do we really “take out” all the knowledge that may be had in His holy temple?

Now please do not be offended by this…again, It’s me!  But every time I hear that phrase, “taking out their endowments”, I can’t help but picture in my mind, on the temple, a neon sign with the words, “Endowments-R-Us” and with a line below “endowments to go!”  As if there is a drive thru, take out window…maybe even an endowment menu board.

I hope to not make light of such a sacred event, but President Stringham is constantly reminding us that we don’t take out our endowments, but that we receive our endowments.  With an attentive ear, you may be surprised how often you hear the word “receive” in the endowment.

Receiving this great endowment requires that we receive sacred ordinances, and receive and take upon us sacred covenants, in conjunction with, the Lord said –

“…ye are to be taught from on high…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 43:16)

…which suggest to me that it is within the sacred walls of the temple we may receive further light and knowledge.   For the Lord said His temple was established for the very purpose of being –

 “…a house of learning…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 88:119)

That is why we are counseled to return to the temple often. 

Have a conversation with any temple worker from our stake and I can promise you that as you do, they will testify of the great knowledge that may be had in the temple and how much they have learned as they have served there.

As we receive the temple endowment, that is as we receive temple ordinances, covenants, and knowledge, the Lord promises, through His grace –

“…ye shall be endowed with power…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 43:16)

Even stating –

“…power to overcome all things…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 50:35)

The last covenant that I would like to touch on is in regards to and in –

“…according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:39)

This is not an oath and covenant that belongs to the men.  Men are not the priesthood.   It is an oath and covenant that belongs to the priesthood which priesthood -

“…is without beginning of days or end of years.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:17)

It appears to me that in order to receive this oath and covenant and its associated promises and blessing, there are three conditions that must be satisfied by the brethren, and one condition by the sisters.  For the brethren, the first two conditions that must be satisfied are being –

“…faithful unto the [1] obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and [2] the magnifying their calling…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:33)

The word “obtain”, in my mind, means having these two priesthoods conferred upon them and being ordained, which such ordinances the men must receive.

The third condition, which in my mind, now includes the sisters, talks about “receiving” the priesthood where it states –

“…And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:35)

Those words “also all they” would suggest to me that these are they that are in addition to those that obtain the priesthood or have had the priesthood conferred upon them.  What does it mean to “receive this priesthood”?  The Lord explains that those that receive the priesthood receive Him –

“For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:36)

Receiving the Lord’s servants then is the same as receiving the Savior and receiving His priesthood.  Therefore, in order to receive the priesthood means we must receive His servants.  I see receiving His servants again follows much the same pattern of the doctrine of receive. 

First, receiving His servants would suggest, receiving saving ordinances and sacred covenants administered by priesthood authority, for –

“….in the ordinances thereof [and its associated covenants], the power of godliness is manifest.

21  And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:20 - 21)

In order to be granted power, the “power of godliness”, such power is also conditional upon receiving knowledge, for this same revelation concerning the ordinances, priesthood authority, and the “power of godliness” are prefaced with –

“…this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:19)

 Thus, we also receive His servants as we receive or hearken and heed the teachings, counsel, and instruction of His servants…holy prophets, again, both ancient and current, both in scripture and modern writ, whereby we receive an understanding of true doctrine.

We also receive His servants as we follow the counsel and instruction of presidents, bishops, leaders and teachers.  His servants are His messengers for –

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

These presidents, leaders, and teachers include the women of the Church.  As taught in the handbook of instruction, women receive priesthood authority or authority by the priesthood that is delegated to them by those that hold priesthood keys.  I consider women in the Church that have been called and set apart just as much as the Lord’s servants as those that have had the priesthood conferred upon them. 

As we receive His servants, the promise is that we will receive knowledge, even God’s knowledge or the knowledge He possesses.

The great promise associated with the oath and covenant that belongeth to the priesthood is that of those that receive His servants are they that receive the Savior, and thus –

“…receiveth my Father's kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

39  And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:38 - 39)

It is my personal opinion that “all that my Father hath” would be in reference to all His knowledge which obviously would lead to great power, for this priesthood, as it states, is “the key to the knowledge of God”. 

Such knowledge of the mysteries of God or knowledge of God does not come overnight for it has been revealed, that as we receive His servants and heed their counsel and teachings –

 “…the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:45)

That is –

“…precept upon precept; line upon line…here a little, and there a little…”  (Old Testament | Isaiah 28:13)

It is by receiving saving priesthood ordinances, covenants, and knowledge, administered by His authorized servants; we receive the power of godliness and thus become holy without spot, for the Lord teaches –

“For without this power, no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:22)

That is an important and critical statement.  The scriptures are clear that because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, all men and women will be resurrected to immortality and live forever –

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 15:22)

 Alma also made it clear that –

“…all men shall stand before him, to be judged …according to their works.”  (Book of Mormon | Alma 33:22)

…which would obviously suggest to me that the day will come that every man will see His face where every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is the Christ.  So the words –

“For without this [power of Godliness] no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:22)

…would suggest to me that the word “live” must then be in reference to something greater, even live as the Father lives, or in other words, eternal life or exaltation.

In the preface revelation to Book of Commandments which is now the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord stated that this Church is –

“…the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth…”  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 1:30)

As a living Church, it would then suggest to me that this Church possesses all necessary priesthood authority, ordinances, covenants, and knowledge that one must receive in order to “see the face of God and live” or in other words, receive exaltation and eternal life.  

Thus this Church is a living Church, a Church whereby we may live, for it is in His living Church, as we follow the doctrine of receive, we are promised power, the power of the atonement, the power of godliness, the power of God to overcome the world, and the power of God to become holy, for as His voice declared in the Americas, for –

“…as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons [and daughters] of God…”  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:17)

And because of that, Moroni concluded, then –

“…ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:32)

As the Lord hastens the work of salvation, not only are we to invite others to come unto Christ, but we must also invite others to become perfected in Him and become holy...which would suggest to me, an invitation to receive all ordinances, covenants, and knowledge that is available in this, His living Church such that one will be endowed with sufficient power to “see the face of God, even the Father, and live.”

I consider this to be the doctrine of receive.  In my mind, as Isaiah taught, this is the highway, or the way of holiness.