Introduction
This book was written to discuss a particular topic associated with the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons. This book is not a very good depiction of the viewpoint of the general church membership and is not intended to speak for the leadership of the church. This book discusses in detail and in length the “Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and includes the following concepts: The Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by Jesus Christ, The Holy Ghost, Rock from which we cannot fall, Calling and Election Made Sure – Qualifications, Church accepted examples including; How they received it, Where they received it, Why and much more.
Using LDS accepted references we have shown as best we can, step by step and principle by principle the progression process, qualifications, doctrines as well as the mode and manor by which these blessings are and have been received. We have provided several personal account examples both from Scripture examples and Latter-day Church History and modern living witnesses who, from personal experience, verify the validity of the historical and scriptural accounts.
What is the goal of this book?
This book has been written with the sole intent of providing a basic and comprehensible glimpse into the doctrine of Calling and Election made sure by showing the simple process by which obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ will lead any sincere disciples to receive the glorious promise.
Do people really receive these blessings and talk about it?
YES! There are a significant number of members who have received these blessings. It is true that these people are not often open about their experiences while talking to large groups. For example, you will very rarely hear someone in a testimony meeting or talk say that they have met the Christ. However, it is often said in shrouded words. Those who have “ears to hear” have heard. This is often the way that we have heard experiences shared in General Conferences. It is often said simply that a person “knows from personal experience” that Christ lives. True knowledge comes as a person meets the savior personally. This is explained well in Ether 3 after the Brother of Jared had seen the Lord himself.
“And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.
Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him.” - Ether 3:4-20
Although there are some occasions in which individuals have been told not to share their experiences, these are not the norm. Just as sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ only encourages faith and is required in missionary work, so to witnessing your personal experiences of Jesus Christ, angels, miracles and other blessings promotes faith and encourages others to rise up to greater plateaus. This is a major reason we read the scriptures.
We are reading the experiences of others so we can learn with them and thereby rise up so we can also claim all the blessings of the righteous.
When we share our personal experiences by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the right circumstances with the right people, such witnesses become very powerful opportunities to encourage others to experience the same. And as the world prepares for the millennium, more individuals will receive the same blessings until it becomes as common as baptism is today. Just as people today wish to share their sacred conversions stories with others, a day will come when people will be able to safely share these sacred experiences without ridicule.
Why would anyone be ridiculed for sharing their uplifting personal testimony and experiences?
Satanic forces have continued to attempt to prevent such information from being shared, taught and becoming accepted by the mainstream. These efforts aim to prevent the critical mass that will bring the coming millennium. As a result, a lie has been created and propagated which is summarized in the following statement:
“If anyone tells you they have seen the Savior or had their calling and election made sure or any other such blessing, you can know they are lying because no one would share such sacred things and they are told not to share them.”
This lie is particularly potent as it accomplishes 2 things.
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- It shuts the mouth of those who have had these experiences so they do not share - The half truth presented in this lie is that these are sacred things and very personal. As such we have no desire to cast such pearls before the swine of the world. On the other hand, many of us have a strong desire and often even a commandment to share our witness and experiences for the benefit of others. This lie causes others to condemn and ridicule those who would share and so it shuts the mouth of those who have experienced first hand and are thereby qualified to assist others in accomplishing the same. This only benefits dark forces who desire to keep such information contained, hidden and shrouded in lies.
- It shuts the ears of the listeners who would have benefited – In many instances, those who have had such experiences take courage from the example of Joseph Smith and others who in the face of such threatening opposition still shared their own personal experiences. In the event that the lie does not achieve its primary goal of shutting the mouths of the witnesses, it turns to those listening and attempts to shut their ears. This is accomplished easily as those who accept this lie automatically discredit anyone who makes such claims without any further examination or consideration.
As a testament to the effectiveness of this lie, you only have to consider how much the general membership has heard or understands about the subjects discussed in this book. This is particularly amazing when we consider the many scriptures and talks that address these subjects.
Other lies that have been propagated focus on your unworthiness to experience the same for yourself. Remember that anything that does not encourage you to achieve your potential is not of God. Because God is not a respecter of persons, every blessing God has to give is available to you.
Are the authors speaking from experience?
YES! The authors have actually received these blessings and are speaking from personal experience. However, you cannot borrow our oil for your lamps. Each person must receive for themselves his own oil. This means that you should not believe what you read in this book, (or any other book), without receiving the witness of the Holy Ghost on each point of doctrine and having your own direct connection to God. Only by the powerful witness of the Holy Ghost can you learn for your self what is true.
President Brigham Young said this:
"There are those among this people who are influenced, controlled, and biased in their thoughts, actions, and feelings by some other individual or family, on whom they place their dependence for spiritual and temporal instruction, and for salvation in the end. These persons do not depend upon themselves for salvation, but upon another of their poor, weak, fellow mortals. I do not depend upon any inherent goodness of my own, say they, to introduce me into the kingdom of glory, but I depend upon you, brother Joseph, upon you, brother Brigham, upon you, brother Heber, or upon you, brother James; I believe your judgment is superior to mine, and consequently I let you judge for me; your spirit is better than mine, therefore you can do good for me; I will submit myself wholly to you, and place in you all my confidence for life and salvation; where you go I will go, and where you tarry there I will stay; expecting that you will introduce me through the gates into the heavenly Jerusalem....Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them, They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold scepters of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course." (Brigham Young, presented in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on February 20, 1853, found in Journal of Discourses, 1:312)
Authors Note: We understand and realize that the word “Fulness” is not spelled according to our currently accepted English spelling. The word fullness is found in the scriptures with the spelling “fulness”. Throughout this book we will refer to “fulness” as spelled in the scriptures. When providing quotes we will use the spelling provided by the quote.