Why should I be bothered if someone quoted me. The lack of citation? Misconstruing and misrepresenting the fundamental point? Or is it because I presume in them a degree of pride for having used the idea to establish an air of authority. Probably all of the above, and more.
Here is the hypothesis: The church brings us to the Holy Ghost; the Holy Ghost brings us to Christ; and Christ brings us to the Father.
Now, it is entirely possible that I previously heard/read this or something similar and simply don’t remember. If I did synthesize this and/or received it as a revelation, then we can date it to 2014 after having the “the church is true [pause], but not all of it” experience and before writing an email to the High Priest’s quorum in December 2014. Here is an excerpt.
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So, how would you answer the question: “what is the purpose of the church?”
Historically, I would have said “it is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,” or, “it is to bring mankind to Christ.” The problem with these responses is that as best as I can tell, the church can’t do those things.
My answer today would be, “to bring us to the Holy Ghost.” Elaborating, I might suggest that the modus operandi of the Father is: teaching the law (principles), having it received by covenant, proving our faithfulness to the law through trial. Repeat (repentance implicit). Through this process we are blessed with the constant companionship of the Spirit.
I would propose that only through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (the 1st Comforter) can we be brought to Christ (the 2nd Comforter).
I would propose that only Christ can bring us to Father (exaltation, and eternal life).⋮
In this we see one of the primary reasons for the hypothesis, to explain one of the key purposes of the church. Without elaboration, compare to Lectures on Faith 2:31-56 (esp. 31, 56). Another primary reason is implicit: whereas most of us haven’t received the 2nd Comforter, we should understand the reason we are given the 1st Comforter and then get to work. Beyond this it is further implied that the foundation of my prior belief system — where the hope that unfinished spiritual progression is to be completed in an eternal post-mortal existence — is fundamentally flawed.
With that cursory introduction, let us return to the fundamental question. Why be jealous of this?
- It may be incomplete, insufficient, or entirely wrong.
- Why make it public in the first place?
- Why expect that it would change anyone’s biases?
- If it aligned with someone’s existing beliefs, why presume that they would modify other beliefs to be in total alignment?
- Why presume that it wouldn’t be misused?
- Etc.
More importantly, if the hypothesis is correct, how can I take credit for it in the first place? Or, is it the case that I want to point to it as an example of my ability to receive revelation. Please note the cautious language above; I did not explicitly give credit to the source truth and light. If anyone has the right to be jealous….
Pride. So many levels. So many manifestations. Ugh!
Received this “comment” back channel:
“To your point, seems like nothing really matters unless one has the HG.”
Brigham Young Dream with Joseph Smith (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1847-1850)
February 23, 1847: I met with the brethren of the Twelve in the historiarns office. Conversation ensued relative to emigration west-ward. I related the following dream:
While sick and asleep about noonday of the 17th inst., I dreamed that I went to see Joseph. He looked perfectly natural, sitting with his feet on the lower round of his chair. I took hold of his right hand and kissed him many times, and said to him, “Why is it that we cannot be together as we used to be? You have been from us along time, and we want your society and I do not like to be separated from you.”
Joseph rising from his chair and looking at me with his usual, earnest, expressive and pleasing countenance replied said, “It is all right.”
l replied, “I do not like to be away from you,”
Joseph said, “It is all right; we cannot be together yet; we shall be by and by; but you will have to do without me a while, and then we shall be together again.”
I then discovered there was a hand rail between us, Joseph stood by the a window and to the south west of him it was very light. l was in the twilight and to the north of me it was very dark: l said, “Brother Joseph, the brethren you know well, better than I do; you raised them up, and brought the Priesthood to us. The brethren have a great anxiety to understand the law of adoption or sealing principles, and if you have a word of counsel for me l should be glad to receive it.
Joseph stepped toward me, and looking very earnestly. yet pleasantly said, “Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the Kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the Kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the Lord they will go right. Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and if they will. they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion.”
Joseph then showed me the pattern, how they were in the beginning. This l cannot describe, but I saw it, and saw where the Priesthood had been taken from the earth and how it must be joined together, so that there would be a perfect chain from Father Adam to his latest posterity. Joseph again said, “Tell the people to be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and follow it, and it will lead them just right.”