The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you."

(New Testament John 16:13 - 15)

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER


By

Miguel Angel Tinoco Rodriguez


Therefore, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, yea, a marvelous work and a wonder, for the wisdom of their wise and learned shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent shall be hid.
And woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord! And their works are in the dark; and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us? And they also say: Surely, your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay. But behold, I will show unto them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that I know all their works. For shall the work say of him that made it, he made me not? Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, he had no understanding? But behold, saith the Lord of Hosts: I will show unto the children of men that it is yet a very little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field; and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest.

(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 27:26 - 28)

A great many of the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are beginning to dwindle in unbelief. A great part of them are growing wanton and dull of hearing that they are beginning to deny the words of the living prophets and also the power of God and his miracles. And instead of repenting and exercising faith and trusting in God, they trust in their own carnal wisdom and in the doctrines of devils. So it was in the times of the decline of the Nephites. Judge ye now if I speak the truth or deceptive words.

Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, both of the Nephites and also of the Lamanites, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom, saying: Some things they may have guessed right, among so many; but behold, we know that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.

(Book of Mormon Helaman 16:15 - 16)

And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain; and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come.

And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wrought among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land.

(Book of Mormon Helaman 16:22 - 23)

Here is a vivid example of a worldly man among many scribes and Pharisees among us whose pride need to be pulled down to the dwarfs for he is one of us that has crept in and calls himself a Latter-day Saint. This is a Charles Anthon of our modern day, who flagrantly denies that we are experiencing the sings that imminently manifest the advent of the Jesus the Christ in these the latter- days. And that the rumor of wars, the waters going beyond their bounds as in Indonesia, and the increasing earthquakes in diverse places; and also the commotion caused by the perplexity of nations are merely normal acts of nature and that they have no relevance to the saying of the prophets both ancient and modern. IF they do not even believe that each and every winter season the Lord send the snows, how are they going to believe the greater sermons of heaven as they are made manifest. Behold this are his express words of Anthony Larsen and it is as if I were reading the same words of Satan addressing us:

Understand the Signs
By
Anthony Larsen

"Throughout Christendom, self-styled analysts of prophecy universally preach a flawed approach. They would have us believe that the increasing numbers of natural disasters we see in the present are sure signs that the Second Coming is imminent.

But don't believe it.

In their view, the classic, scriptural signs are seen as discreet, independent events separated in time. What they call signs in heaven -- a reddish moon this month, a stunning comet a few months ago, a darkened sun last year -- or signs in the Earth -- an earthquake here, a tsunami there, a hurricane elsewhere or plague anywhere -- are seen as the very signs enumerated by the prophets. This has led to a nearly unanimous interpretation among all Christians that the present crop of natural disasters are truly signs that we are either in or quickly approaching the last days.
But that is a fatal mistake on their part.

An assessment of prophecy from a historical perspective that includes planetary catastrophism, which embraces the vital principles of the Electric Universe, provides a dramatically different interpretation of what the signs of the Last Days will be.

Here's what we learn from this novel approach:

The signs are not warnings of the Last Days. They are the very events themselves. And the "grand sign" spoken of by both the Savior and Joseph Smith is the specific cause or instigator of all the other signs.

Rather than separate, discreet phenomenon, the signs are actually all secondary effects or manifestations of one, central event: a close encounter between Earth and an errant planet, the greatest of the signs, a planet-sized body that takes on the appearance of a giant comet as it approaches the Earth.
Here's how it will happen:

The signs begin when the Intruder is two or more months distant. They amplify as it closes, reach a climax as it passes and then gradually subside after it withdraws -- making manifest all the prophesied signs in a brief, three or four month period. This is a dramatic departure from the piecemeal and sporadic fulfillment of prophetic signs most of us have been taught to expect. These signs begin with no apparent cause, while the planetary interloper is still invisible in the daytime and only a bright star at night. The first signs, often overlooked in the customary scriptural litany of afflictions, are so innocuous that they go nearly unnoticed. But they soon begin to escalate in frightening familiarity with each passing day, one devastating sign following on the heals of the last in rapid, appalling succession. All the laws of Nature seem suspended: rivers flow upstream, the sun and moon deviate wildly and nothing remains standing. Chaos, bedlam and turmoil reign. In a months-long, titanic crescendo that culminates in some of the most dramatic signs -- reeling heavens, quaking earth, continental tsunamis, roaring skies and a prodigious, awe-inspiring celestial light show -- all life on Earth teeters on the brink of extinction. For humanity, there is no refuge, no relief and no peace.

In the wake of the planetary encounter, survivors are precious few. In shock and emotionally devastated, a mauled remnant of humanity crawl out of their refuge to find a shattered world. Nearly all evidence of human habitation is obliterated. Nothing looks the same, neither the heavens nor the land. All things have changed.

For the modern Latter-day Saint, this information proves invaluable.

Firstly, we cannot be deceived by those who would have us believe that the Last Days are upon us. We can live with the certain confidence that the horrific events foretold by all the prophets are still in the future.

Secondly, we know what to watch for. Unlike our fellow Christians who completely misinterpret the prophetic signs, we know to look to the heavens for the earliest signs of latter-day calamities. As the Savior cautioned, we will not be taken by surprise.

Thirdly, when the true signs are made manifest, we will be far better prepared to confront them because we know what to expect. The warnings of the prophets make much more sense. We know what preparations to make. Our expectations and plans for the future will be far more realistic and practicable than those who do not have a corrected perspective.

Thus in every way, this perspective will greatly benefit us and our loved ones. We will not be emotionally or spiritually conflicted by every new, dire prediction. We will be firmly grounded in the teachings of the prophets, unperturbed by every faddish prediction floated by would-be prognosticators.

So, next time someone identifies a particular natural disaster as a sign of the last days, tell them you know better. Do not be seduced by their deluded misinterpretations. History, as outlined and illustrated by the prophets of God, tells us the truth. Count on it. "


There may be some truth in these words but it is so contaminated that it is no longer valuable. Besides it contradicts what the scriptures say concerning the sudden coming of the Lord as a thief in the night.

Again I say, hearken ye elders of my church, whom I have appointed: Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach the children of men the things which I have put into your hands by the power of my Spirit; And ye are to be taught from on high. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power, that ye may give even as I have spoken.

Hearken ye, for, behold, the great day of the Lord is nigh at hand. For the day cometh that the Lord shall utter his voice out of heaven; the heavens shall shake and the earth shall tremble, and the trump of God shall sound both long and loud, and shall say to the sleeping nations: Ye saints arise and live; ye sinners stay and sleep until I shall call again.

Wherefore gird up your loins lest ye be found among the wicked. Lift up your voices and spare not. Call upon the nations to repent, both old and young, both bond and free, saying: Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord;

For if I, who am a man, do lift up my voice and call upon you to repent, and ye hate me, what will ye say when the day cometh when the thunders shall utter their voices from the ends of the earth, speaking to the ears of all that live, saying—Repent, and prepare for the great day of the Lord?

Yea, and again, when the lightnings shall streak forth from the east unto the west, and shall utter forth their voices unto all that live, and make the ears of all tingle that hear, saying these words—Repent ye, for the great day of the Lord is come?

And again, the Lord shall utter his voice out of heaven, saying: Hearken, O ye nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you. O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!

How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!

Behold, the day has come, when the cup of the wrath of mine indignation is full. Behold, verily I say unto you, that these are the words of the Lord your God.

(Doctrine and Covenants Section 43:15 - 27)

I, as a prophet of the Most High God will profess unto you in plain words a sure sings of the times even the Latter-days. So that if any have doubts that these are the days spoken of by the prophets you may learn some wisdom and to be watchful and learn from the source of truth and not by the light of lustful men who merchandise with the words of God and the prophets. For thus it is written:

THIS know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For of this sort of evil spirits are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

(New Testament 2 Timothy 3:1 - 17)

My soul is wrecked with anguish because of your stiffneckedness and unbelief. After having so much light and testimonies galore you have forsaken the Lord and the true duty of your religion. You are now money exchangers and your heart is upon your riches and have become like the salt of the earth that has lost its flavor that is good for nothing but to be cast out and be trodden under foot. And this is the reason why you cannot teach and feed the flock with might and power. You are like a fading flower and like a cloud without water. But soon enough as a tender plant as of dry ground Israel is rising and Jacob is flourishing and the day is not distant that the Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest and Israel no longer will be ashamed.

Behold, my soul is rent with anguish because of you, and my heart is pained; I fear lest ye shall be cast off forever. Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength.

(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:47)

I CHARGE thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

(New Testament 2 Timothy 4:1 - 8)

Hearken and lo, this is the voice as of one crying in the wilderness, repent ye repent ye for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand and make the path of the lord straight for the day of your visitation is nigh at hand.

Hearken, and lo, this is the voice as of one sent down from high, who is mighty and powerful whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth; yea, whose voice is unto men, prepare ye the way of the Lord and make his path straight. Repent ye, repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand and enter the way of salvation through baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and receive the Holy Ghost by the imposition of hands by those in authority.

The stone not cut with hand that was rejected on which the builders could have built has become the corner stone. Therefore, whosoever falls upon this stone will be crushed into pieces and onto whomsoever this stone falls shall be grinded into powder.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 31:21)

And again I say unto you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

(Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11:38 - 40)

Knowing before hand the truth why would you follow blind guides and false teachers that give themselves into fables that sound so good that they cannot be refuted. Why will ye die and fall and raise no more. Know ye also that what is light for men, for the Lord God is gross darkness. I have had communication with many learned men like unto this that try to explain the miracles of God by carnal means. But the scripture of truth teaches us not to follow after signs, for signs follow the faithful. And they also teach us that Wisdom knoweth not God, for what the heart knows the mind does not comprehend for it is foolishness unto the wise. Yet the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of men.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

(New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:23 - 30)

Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark. And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.

Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted. Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.

They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up. They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.

But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.

But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof. For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish.

For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say:

All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment. Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion! Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well! Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost! Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:9 - 28)


But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state! O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. But wo unto the rich, who are rich as to the things of the world. For because they are rich they despise the poor, and they persecute the meek, and their hearts are upon their treasures; wherefore, their treasure is their god. And behold, their treasure shall perish with them also.

And wo unto the deaf that will not hear; for they shall perish.

Wo unto the blind that will not see; for they shall perish also.

Wo unto the uncircumcised of heart, for a knowledge of their iniquities shall smite them at the last day.

Wo unto the liar, for he shall be thrust down to hell.

Wo unto the murderer who deliberately killeth, for he shall die.

Wo unto them who commit whoredoms, for they shall be thrust down to hell.

Yea, wo unto those that worship idols, for the devil of all devils delighteth in them. And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins.

O, my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that Holy God, and also the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one. Remember, to be carnally–minded is death, and to be spiritually–minded is life eternal.

O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken.

O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.

But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. O, my beloved brethren, remember my words. Behold, I take off my garments, and I shake them before you; I pray the God of my salvation that he view me with his all–searching eye; wherefore, ye shall know at the last day, when all men shall be judged of their works, that the God of Israel did witness that I shook your iniquities from my soul, and that I stand with brightness before him, and am rid of your blood.

O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation. Prepare your souls for that glorious day when justice shall be administered unto the righteous, even the day of judgment, that ye may not shrink with awful fear; that ye may not remember your awful guilt in perfectness, and be constrained to exclaim: Holy, holy are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty—but I know my guilt; I transgressed thy law, and my transgressions are mine; and the devil hath obtained me, that I am a prey to his awful misery.

But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin? Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin.

Behold, my soul abhorreth sin, and my heart delighteth in righteousness; and I will praise the holy name of my God. Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.

Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

And behold how great the covenants of the Lord, and how great his condescensions unto the children of men; and because of his greatness, and his grace and mercy, he has promised unto us that our seed shall not utterly be destroyed, according to the flesh, but that he would preserve them; and in future generations they shall become a righteous branch unto the house of Israel. And now, my brethren, I would speak unto you more; but on the morrow I will declare unto you the remainder of my words. Amen.

(Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 9:27 - 54)

With great hope I have at the very least swept away the refuge of lies as with a tempest.

Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

(Old Testament Isaiah 28:2 - 4)

These things I say not of myself; therefore, as the Lord speaketh, he will also fulfil and I do it in his holy name, even Jesus Christ Amen.

Miguel Angel Tinoco Rodriguez