The Gate
Dear Reader,
I have never written an essay, or anything else for that matter, which will become apparent should you continue reading. Don’t bother judging my writing skills because I don’t have any, however, I do hope you will feel something. Preaching to the choir is intimidating so please have mercy.
The topic of this essay, the baptism of fire and the holy ghost, has been written about by many authors over the years, but rarely, if ever, did any of them claim to have experienced it. Fifty years ago those who did declare it from the pulpit were relegated to that special group of overzealous, Ward oddities, whose spirited testimonies were tolerated with a sideways glance, an extended trip to the drinking fountain, or became the subject of condescending chuckles and snickering around the dinner table after church.
Well… the world has changed and the heavens are open again. No more snickering and rolling eyeballs when someone says they have received it.
The baptism of fire and the holy ghost, or the gate, is a commandment. It’s Christ’s doctrine and an invitation to come to Him. We have turned to face the Lord and are no longer embarrassed by heavenly mysteries. We want to keep this commandment but we don’t have much in the way of modern day examples to guide us, and it’s obviously a very personal experience.
Is it a surprise mystery that can happen to anyone, at any time, without warning? Sincere feelings, regarding having received any spiritual experience, should be examined closely, for what is at stake if one is wrong, will be too grievous to be born. Satan’s imitation of spiritual events can be very convincing, so the possibility of deception should be considered. If it’s possible to be deceived, or interpret the experience incorrectly, how can we know which experiences can be trusted? Could beautiful expressions of God's love, be a moment of grace and encouragement but not the baptism of fire? Do we just wait, and hope it happens? Is it too sacred to talk about?
Additionally could people who are sincerely seeking forgiveness with a wrong understanding of the ordinance, risk losing faith altogether when prayers are not answered as expected? Does it matter? Does this commandment change from generation to generation and person to person? Mormon 4:7,….Yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them. ... For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and for ever?... And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in him there is shadow of a changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles….
If God does not vary we should be able to have confidence in understanding of this commandment, figure out how to keep it, and KNOW if the experience is authentic.
Consider also 3 Nephi 5:9. And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establisheth it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil and is not built upon my rock.
If there are requirements and standards for this ordinance that have been set by God, do we err if we believe it is anything more or less than what has been described in scripture? Has it been described for us in scripture?
If all that Satan does to deceive and distract us could be narrowed down to just one objective, wouldn’t it be to camouflage the most important commandment that would actually bring the sheep to the Shepherd, the one commandment that all the other commandments are pointing us to. And wouldn’t the best ways to hide it be to cause confusion, and unbelief, or convince someone they had already received it when they hadn’t?
God is not a God of confusion. If we have covenanted to use the scriptures in our daily walk in life and to use them to correct ourselves and guide our words, thoughts, and deeds, the answers to these important questions should be found in them.
The experience of entering the gate needs to have defining elements described in scripture to show us what to expect, yet be personally tailored to each individual. The personal elements might depend on; the light gained in prior cycles; circumstances in this life; relationship with God; God’s plan for our spiritual growth; and how He wants to begin a new relationship with each person. Also, everyone who passes through the gate will have to know they have done so, or their foundation will be built on the sand, failing to attain the desired hope.[1] Hope comes after the experience, once you have received the assurance from Christ of eternal life.
Judging the spiritual experiences of others is not the intent, it’s to help avoid deception, misunderstandings and have a better idea of how this connection to God happens, in hopes of bringing us all to Christ.
The Book of Mormon is of course the best place to search His words for answers. Coming to Christ is what the Book of Mormon is all about, and makes the gate a priority. Doctrine about the gate flows from the very beginning of the Book of Mormon right through to the end. It’s as though Christ’s heart is there in the midst of His words reaching out to us, encouraging us, asking us to remember Him, and then come to Him at the gate.
There are at least 10 clues in 1 Nephi 1:3 (RE) alone that aren’t hard to find, and the whole verse is all about the gate. The first two and a half lines are referring to the gate and how Nephi learned about it. The last half of line three and part of the fourth are about the need for a testimony of Christ to receive the mystery. He then teaches about the gate right up to, “one eternal round”, which follows with what happens if we don’t enter the gate, to the end of the verse.
1 Nephi 1:3
And it came to pass after I, Nephi, having heard all the words of my father concerning the things which he saw in a vision, and also the things which he spake by the power of the holy ghost, which power he received by faith on the Son of God —
and the Son of God was the Messiah who should come —
I, Nephi, was desirous also that I might see, and hear, and know of these things by the power of the holy ghost, which is the gift of God unto all those who diligently seek him, as well in times of old as in the time that he should manifest himself unto the children of men, for he is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. And the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him. For he that diligently seeketh shall find, and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded to them by the power of the holy ghost, as well in this time as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment. Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment seat of God, and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off for ever. And the holy ghost giveth authority that I should speak these things and deny them not.
Understanding the need for the gate may have been the “hard things”,[2] or “the many great things which were hard to be understood”,[3] that Nephi was talking about to his brothers. Which could be a clue as to how hard the concept of a gate might be for some.
King Benjamin’s Clues.
The experience is described for us in scripture in king Benjamin’s address. He had already passed through the gate and he spoke with the tongue of angels. His words given by the power of the holy ghost were the words of Christ, and are the most detailed clues. Knowing how important the gate is for progression he; shared his own personally gained understanding of the gate and Christ’s path; helped prepare his people to receive the angel’s words and receive a testimony of Jesus, which as we have already seen is part of the mystery; then after they had received it, taught them how to hold onto the new heart. He may have been old and running out of time but he was no shrinking violet.
There are not enough adjectives to describe the incredible spiritual journey that began with opening hearts and then progressing on the path to salvation. The preparations and teachings of Christ were received as a group but the experience was personal, internal, and deeply profound on a soul altering level. The Lord’s words from the angel were to invoke a spiritual mystery involving Christ that can only be realized deep inside each person where God resides. Heaven must be involved. The Lord answered king Benjamin’s prayers as he helped his people knock correctly, and when all this world was placed on the altar in their hearts, the Lord was there waiting. The people were not trying to “have an experience”, as King Benjamin had to explain to them what had just happened. They were just opening their hearts to the reality of Christ, and their need for a Saviour because of their fallen state.
There are emotional clues or elements I feel as I read king Benjamin’s words that I believe helped prepare the people to accept Christ. They are not a checklist that one should accomplish; they are natural feelings that occur when the heart begins to open.
“Open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.”
“Your ears to hear”, is to focus.
“Your heart to understand”, is your intent.
“Your mind connected to the mind of God”,[4] is spirit to Spirit connection so believing can become knowing.
King Benjamin's words guided hearts to these three important elements, focus, intent, and connection. He had their attention, they had sacrificed to be where they were to hear his message and... they loved him. The groundwork had been laid, there would be no trifling with his words.
Someone teaching people to focus their intent and open their hearts and minds to improve their connection to God seems somehow familiar.
Mosiah 1:7 is about focusing.
FOCUS - “Your EARS to hear” - Turn to face / focus on God.
King Benjamin is an example of a man with a clear conscience; he was a pure channel for what was about to happen. He removed himself from the picture so God could be the focus. There were no mortal chains to bind the people to him, and no false teachings, so their souls were free to learn truth as they followed the Spirit of God and accepted what was taught. He had turned their minds from men and mortality to Christ so the frequency they were resonating at could increase. They began to focus on his words.
That seems somehow familiar as well.
Mosiah 1:7
And it came to pass that he began to speak to his people from the tower, and they could not all hear his words because of the greatness of the multitude. Therefore he caused that the words which he spake should be written and sent forth among those that were not under the sound of his voice, that they might also receive his words. And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying, My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day, for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view. I have not commanded you to come up hither that ye should fear me, or that ye should think that I of myself am more than a mortal man. But I am like as yourselves, subject to all manner of infirmities in body and mind. Yet as I have been chosen by this people, and was consecrated by my father, and was suffered by the hand of the Lord that I should be a ruler and a king over this people, and have been kept and preserved by his matchless power to serve thee with all the might, mind, and strength which the Lord hath granted unto me, I say unto you that as I have been suffered to spend my days in your service, even up to this time, and have not sought gold, nor silver, nor any manner of riches of you, neither have I suffered that ye should be confined in dungeons, nor that ye should make slaves one of another, or that ye should murder, or plunder, or steal, or commit adultery, or even I have not suffered that ye should commit any manner of wickedness, and have taught you that ye should keep the commandments of the Lord in all things which he hath commanded you. And even I myself have labored with mine own hands that I might serve you, and that ye should not be laden with taxes, and that there should nothing come upon you which was grievous to be borne. And of all these things which I have spoken, ye yourselves are witnesses this day. Yet my brethren, I have not done these things that I might boast, neither do I tell these things that thereby I might accuse you; but I tell you these things that ye may know that I can answer a clear conscience before God this day. Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.
Mosiah 1:8 is about intent.
INTENT - “Your HEART to understand” - GRATITUDE begins in the heart and strengthens your intent because of love.
Intent is the resolve or determination to do something. If the heart is not involved the intent will be lacking or not pure and may not produce the desired result. Add the heart and anything is possible.
Wisdom teaches that sacrifice and service to your fellow beings is love. It would not have been difficult to shift love and gratitude for king Benjamin, to love and gratitude for God, as king Benjamin had been a godly example, which would then reinforce their intent as they listened to his words. A humble heart in gratitude for their very existence: king Benjamin was opening their hearts to a very deep place within the soul; “WHOLE SOUL” he uses twice, “ALL” the thanks and praise, “LENDING” you breath, “KEPT and PRESERVED” you, “SUPPORTING” you from one moment to another, he was obviously helping them feel it very, very deeply.
All pride was being stripped away to encourage the depth of humility needed. Pride, resonating at a lower frequency in a fallen being, makes them an enemy to God just by being here. So a person must be able to understand how far they’ve fallen from the God who created them, to rise up and resonate at a higher frequency. It is a hard thing to do in a world that has taught us that we are special, most likely to be exalted, and that most of us have traveled the correct path since birth.
Gratitude and love were helping focus their intent.
Mosiah 1:8
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God. Behold, ye have called me your king. And if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then had not ye ought to labor to serve one another? And behold also, if I, whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service and yet has been in the service of God, doth merit any thanks from you, oh how had you ought to thank your Heavenly King! I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole souls have power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another — I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and art preserving you from day to day by lending you breath that ye may live, and move, and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another — I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole soul, yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments. And he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments, ye should prosper in the land. And he never doth vary from that which he hath said. Therefore, if ye do keep his commandments, he doth bless you and prosper you.
Mosiah 1:9 Is about connecting.
CONNECTING - “…and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.” Your mind connects to the Mind of God.
Once the mind connects to the Mind of God, knowledge follows, “you know”, and no one can take that from you. The Lord possesses the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son.[5] Connecting our minds to the Mind of God would include comprehending the depths of humility needed to resonate at a higher frequency so you can connect. King Benjamin is trying to help the people feel their indebtedness to God which creates humility and is essential to a complete surrendering of their will, so the Spirit can guide the mystery and help them knock correctly.
They had to ponder and comprehend the great abyss that divides them from the Lord; on the one side, they being,“less than the dust of the earth”, which is hard enough in itself to suppose[6]; and then on the other side of the abyss, “facing the God that created the cosmos, a glorious and holy being”. Can our minds even begin to comprehend either side? Probably not without the help of the Lord or we would have all passed through the gate by now.
Understanding what is in the middle of the abyss, or the great and terrible gulf that divides us, is also part of what we have a hard time supposing. Admitting to the darkness in our own souls “is” looking at our fallen state and includes all the many ways and means that we have committed sin in our thoughts, words, and deeds that can’t even be numbered. Like, who wants to go there? But it must be brought into view to produce the broken heart and contrite spirit that’s necessary. It also brings into view the need to cry out to the Saviour for forgiveness and His Divine intervention.
Recognizing our total dependence on God with humility is trusting Him. Letting go of all ego, trusting it is what He wants us to do, and believing there is safety in His arms as we let go of who we think we are, is a test of faith. We aren't as awesome as we think we are in the grand scheme of things or as far along in our spiritual evolution as we might hope. So why not let go of who we think we are and give our will to God and see what He can make of us? Figuring out who we are by understanding ourselves on the inside, as hard as it might be, is where we will find Him.
What a difficult experience it must be to try and teach people hard things. Especially if they are blockheads like me, or am I a hemlock knot, (picture thinking emoji!)
It’s interesting that king Benjamin uses his own experiences with God and scripture to convey his message.
Sounds familiar again, could this be a pattern and opportunity repeating in our day?
His longing to die in peace and join the heavenly choirs was to encourage the people, “It can be done people, don’t stop trying as you too can feel to sing the song of redeeming love.”
Listening to this powerful testimony of God the people began to believe and their minds began connecting to the Spirit.
Mosiah 1:9
And now in the first place he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him. And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he has commanded you, for which, if ye do, he doth immediately bless you, and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are and will be for ever and ever. Therefore, of what have ye to boast? And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, nay. Ye cannot say that thou art even as much as the dust of the earth, yet thou wast created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you. And I, even I, whom ye call your king, am no better than ye yourselves are, for I am also of the dust. And thou beholdest that I am old and am about to yield up this mortal frame to its mother earth. Therefore, as I said unto you that I had served you, walking with a clear conscience before God, even so I at this time have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together, that I might be found blameless, and that your blood should not come upon me when I shall stand to be judged of God of the things whereof he hath commanded me concerning you. I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might rid my garments of your blood at this period of time when I am about to go down to my grave, that I might go down in peace, and my immortal spirit may join the choirs above in singing the praises of a just God. And moreover, I say unto you that I have caused that ye should assemble yourselves together that I might declare unto you that I can no longer be your teacher nor your king; for even at this time my whole frame doth tremble exceedingly while attempting to speak unto you. But the Lord God doth support me, and hath suffered me that I should speak unto you, and hath commanded me that I should declare unto you this day that my son Mosiah is a king and a ruler over you.
NO CONTENTION / Conflict
Mosiah 1:10
It seemed a little odd that king Benjamin added the part about contention where he did until I learned that my definition of contention was lacking. It is much more than contending in anger or frustration with each other on occasion. We may think we are not contentious but contention IS the world we live in? A world of lies is a contentious world, period. That is why even having passed through the gate one must watch and pray continually to stay on Christ’s path for contention will continue to be the world we live in. Contention is “him” who must not be named but who we all list to obey, and also known as the, “awful enticings of the cunning one”.[7] False beliefs and lies create “contention” deep within our souls because we are out of sync with God.
To be carnally (contentiously) minded (before the gate) is death and to be spiritually minded (after the gate) is life eternal.[8]
Our fallen state puts us in a world where, from the beginning, we continually offend laws ordained before the foundation of the world. It’s a world of transgression and sin, because we must learn by experience, to know the good from the evil and repent. Transgression, at times, is done in innocent ignorance, and repentance from transgressions involves recognition, understanding, and change. [9]
Realizing that much of what occupies our time and attention has only one effect, to distract us from gaining heavenly knowledge via the holy ghost at the gate, we might approach everything differently. Yes, our light will increase while we are here, which can produce wonderful people and blessings for the next cycle, but the ultimate goal is to get to the gate, find Christ, and advance up the ladder.
If contention is only an occasional faux pas, there is still plenty of room for pride and justifying our present state. King Benjamin warns what will happen if we don’t make it through the gate, we die in our sins. How could he have tried harder to help us understand the horrible predicament we are in.
Hmmm… Has someone in our day been trying to teach us the same thing?
Envision angels of all kinds, pacing the room, throwing their arms up in frustration, exclaiming, “You can lead these gentiles right to it but you can’t make them internalize it. What else can we do to help them wake up and see their horrible situation? The way has been prepared and it’s right before them but they just can’t get past themselves to see it.” I’m thinking at this point that I need the Lord to scare the hell out of me so I can finally
get the picture and repent.
We think we have faith and yet the promised blessings and signs that should accompany faith are seldom realized. Understanding why we don’t see the signs becomes clear if the gate is considered. Signs followed believers in the Book of Mormon because they were connected to Christ at the gate.[10] Signs happen to reflect Christ’s true path to testify of Him. Virtues like forgiving and charity would come from your soul because you’d have experienced the real thing. Wisdom would become a greater part of spiritual growth as Wisdom’s path would bless, prosper and preserve in heavenly ways; blessed to know the mysteries of God; prospered with heavenly treasures where moths and rust don’t corrupt; and preserved into eternity as part of God’s family.
Zion could finally return, and though it’s hard, really hard, to imagine falling upon the neck of a complete stranger and kissing them, you’d probably not have a problem with it because of your love for the Lord and having shared this experience. It’s the only thing that will set Zion’s people apart from all other churches and groups. The world would see that Zion’s people were different and that the Lord was with them.
Then shall you and all your city meet them there, and we will receive them into our bosom. And they shall see us, and we will fall upon their necks, and they shall fall upon our necks, and we will kiss each other; and there shall be my abode. And it shall be Zion which shall come forth out of all the creations which I have made, and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest.[11]
Imagine with the eye of faith, joining with Enoch’s people to sing the song of redeeming love with the Lord standing in your midst. Now that should be an incentive.
Back to king Benjamin’s address. If we innately know which way we are choosing to list and don’t do all we can to pass through the gate, then we are choosing to stay in a Telestial state. Another round of hell. Oh _ _ _ _! If the other kind of incentive didn’t help this one should.
“Listing” might suggest that tilting towards the contentious side could be ever so slight, assuming that getting things mostly right is good enough and Christ will do the rest. But what difference does a slight “list” make if it’s all on the wrong side anyway? Listing would mean not just being a wonderful person in a misguided boat but missing the boat all together.
Then, as if understanding that they are less than the dust of the earth, no matter what they do, isn’t humbling enough, king Benjamin needs to be sure his words are hitting home. He knows how deeply the natural man must search the abyss to achieve a change of heart. Everyone had to be broken, empty, and open to the spirit, as they recognized and understood their fallen state before God for the mystery to work.
Would it not be the same for us? God does not vary. Would it be possible to internalize the same feelings that king Benjamin’s people felt and find the gate? The heavens are open again.
King Benjamin sets the record straight. If we choose to list in the direction of contention to the end after we have been taught these things, we have withdrawn ourselves from the Spirit of the Lord. We cannot pass through the gate, for the Lord dwells not in unholy temples.
Note: Interesting that king Benjamin’s people were being taught about the holy prophets and “fathers” at the same time they were approaching the gate.
Mosiah 1:10 , 11
And now my brethren, I would that ye should do as ye have hitherto done. As ye have kept my commandments, and also the commandments of my father, and have prospered, and have been kept from falling into the hands of your enemies, even so, if ye shall keep the commandments of my son, or the commandments of God which shall be delivered unto you by him, ye shall prosper in the land and your enemies shall have no power over you. But O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit which was spoken of by my father, Mosiah. For behold, there is a woe pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul, for he receiveth for his wages an Everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge. I say unto you that there are not any among you, except it be your little children, that have not been taught concerning these things but what knoweth that ye are eternally indebted to your Heavenly Father, to render to him all that you have and are, and also have been taught concerning the records which contain the prophecies which have been spoken by the holy prophets, even down to the time our father Lehi left Jerusalem, and also all that has been spoken by our fathers until now. And behold also, they spake that which was commanded them of the Lord; therefore they are just and true.
Mosiah 1:11
And now I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known, and have been taught all these things
Known and taught equals - experienced this mystery,
if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved, I say unto you that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God. Therefore, he listeth to obey the evil spirit and becometh an enemy to all righteousness. Therefore the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples. Therefore, if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice doth awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire whose flames ascendeth up for ever and ever. And now I say unto you that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
King Benjamin’s Prayer
King Benjamin’s heartfelt prayer was for his people that they might remember the plan given by God at the foundation of the world. You can feel the intensity of his plea and his testimony of God, “…O remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God has spoken it.”
Perhaps knowledge of the gate, when in the spirit world, helped us develop courage and faith that we could succeed and pass the test if the Lord’s example was followed. We loved Him, and trusted Him, and wanted so badly to be with Him that we were willing to give this world a try, knowing that we had the gate as a goal to aim for. If we could just remember Him and what it was like to be with Him, surely we would be able to see past all the deceiver’s distractions and make it to the gate to be with Him again. The Lord would be waiting there for us with His arms open wide to gather us as a Hen gathers her chickens under her wings.
Another interpretation of his prayer might sound something like this:
O my beautiful people, I have been trying to explain what I know to be true in words you can all understand. I pray that you will each remember the plan from your prior existence. Remember the awful situation we are all in here in this fallen world because of transgression. Also remember that a way was provided for each of us to choose to rise above it. You must remember and ponder deeply the blessed and happy state you were promised to find yourselves in, if you kept this commandment of God to rise up and pass through the gate. Remember? You were promised you would be blessed in all things both temporal and spiritual if you did, and if you stayed faithful to the end, you would be received into Heaven to dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. I plead with you to remember that these things are true, for the Lord God has spoken it.
Mosiah 1:12
O all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words — for I have spoken plain unto you that ye might understand — I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God; for behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual. And if they hold out faithful to the end, they are received into Heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true, for the Lord God hath spoken it.
The Catalyst
The angel’s message was the catalyst for the mystery to unfold. This is what king Benjamin had been praying for. He must have had prior knowledge of its necessity for the mystery to be successful. It makes sense that a testimony of Christ from heaven would be a part of the gate as a testimony of Christ from heaven was part of Christ’s own baptism.
Is a voice, message, or testimony from Heaven another clue and part of what’s being offered to us now?
Mosiah 1:13
And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you. For behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me, Awake. And I awoke. And behold, he stood before me. And he said unto me, Awake and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto thee glad tidings of great joy. For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice, and that thou mayest declare unto thy people that they may also be filled with joy.
A better understanding of who they worship, why they worship, and how to worship[12] was necessary to help them get through the gate. What blessed people they were. They needed to understand who Christ was, His mission, His atonement, and why they needed Him so badly for the mystery to work.
Like king Benjamin’s people, is there anyone as blessed as we are to have teachings about Christ for us in our day? Goodness knows we are being taught.
“Woe, woe unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God.” Rebelling may have meant something different in king Benjamin’s day. We don’t believe we are rebelling against God, rising up in opposition or armed resistance, but we may be rebelling through complacency or ignoring teachings about the gate because of traditions that feel safe, lives that are too busy, subconsciously finding ways to rebel by refusing to see there might be something more that is attainable.
Mosiah 1:14
For behold, the time cometh and is not far distant that with power the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from Heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men. And lo, he shall suffer temptations and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer except it be unto death. For behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God the Father of Heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his Mother shall be called Mary. And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men, even through faith on his name. And even after all this, they shall consider him as a man and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him. And he shall rise the third day from the dead.
Mosiah 1:15
And behold, he standeth to judge the world. And behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men. For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned. But woe, woe unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God; for salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins and rejoice with exceeding great joy, even as though he had already come among them.
The Atonement and Repentance
We have been taught repentance is to turn and face God and we thought we did. Our hearts have burned within us as we have learned incredible doctrine, but it has been years and not much has changed. We have been encouraged again, and again, to repent but don’t really feel the need to do so. Having never done anything seriously wrong, why do we need to repent? Our traditional understanding of repentance; mess up; feel guilty; go talk to the Bishop; take the sacrament; or not; and you're good to go; may have contributed to our unbelief and misunderstanding the depth of repentance that is needed to access the atonement and Christ, who is the only One who can forgive sin.
There is more to repentance according to king Benjamin.
Repentance required for the baptism of fire and the holy ghost would be part of, “the dark night of the soul”, or “hitting rock bottom” as someone so aptly described it. Repentance is described many times in the Book of Mormon just before someone receives this blessing. King Benjamin describes it beautifully; as they saw their fallen state and the great gulf that separated them from the Lord, this necessary repentance filled them with guilt, pain and anguish which felt like unquenchable fire and they wished to cease existing rather than be in His presence. They had to see their fallen state and awaken their immortal souls to a lively sense of their own guilt, which caused them to shrink at the thought of facing the Lord in their fallen state, realizing mercy could have no claim on them.
This message isn’t just a faithful story of people we never knew, who had a cool experience. This message isn’t for poor souls who surely must have sinned big time, and probably should feel guilty. This message of feeling despair and anguish is not King Benjamin being dramatic. He couldn’t know these feelings and describe them unless he had experienced them. This message is for us and is a huge clue as to what we need to repent of, and why. It is truly a hard thing to comprehend.
Once this repentant state is achieved, if a person presses forward with all the energy of the soul, because the need for Christ is so great, the spirit will guide them through to the Light. Just as Joseph Smith persevered through the darkness. Could this be another clue, experiencing both the darkness and the Light?
There may be days of fasting, prayers, pleading and tears once a fallen state is realized. Eventually, in the deepest longing of the soul to receive forgiveness, nothing else would matter, and having sacrificed all, the Lord would be there to forgive and heal. The world of contention would have taken a back seat, there would be only you, your need for the atonement, and your Lord.
King Benjamin’s people, “fell to the ground and cried out”. Enos “cried unto Him”.[13] Alma “did cry out”.[14] Christ will know when all the heart has been offered, and it will feel like a sacrifice. Each experience will be unique in some ways but, you will know. You won’t need to ask Him or anyone else if what just happened was what you think or hope may have just happened? You will know.
These were hard words. Why would king Benjamin talk to his people like this when they had traveled with families to be at the temple, and already become a righteous people? This was more than the usual conference talk. He loved them and knew what awaited them if they failed to let his words enter their hearts to affect a change. Charity for his people would not allow him to go to the grave without warning them about the never-ending torment that awaited them when they finally realized what they had missed out on, and that they must suffer for their own sins. Pure anguish indeed when judgment day arrives and the love of the Lord is finally revealed. You're brought to face Him and experience the full effect of His love in your soul. In that first moment you realize, in ecstasy, this is what you have been longing for all your life, and in the second moment… it's only temporary. You didn’t find Him at the gate and will be separated from His great love again. Pure anguish indeed.
Understanding the atonement is the key to all that has come before in king Benjamin’s message. Christ’s judgment will be just because He can see right into your heart. He knows how much you love Him, He knows if you are willing to give up all your sins to know Him. He knows when a broken heart and remorse are such that you're ready to be healed by contact with Him and His power to forgive. He knows when you have allowed His Spirit to guide you through this world's darkness, to put off the natural man, and are finally ready to begin the journey to becoming a saint with Him through His atonement. The atonement makes the path possible.
Mosiah 1:16
Yet the Lord God saw that his people were a stiffnecked people, and he appointed unto them a law, even the law of Moses. And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows shewed he unto them concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming. And yet they hardened their hearts and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood. And even if it were possible that little children could sin, they could not be saved. But I say unto you, they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam or by nature they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins. And moreover, I say unto you that there shall be no other name given, nor any other way nor means, whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ the Lord Omnipotent. For behold, he judgeth, and his judgment is just. And the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy,
Reference to the gate - but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves, and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
Before the gate - For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be for ever and ever but
After the gate - if he yields to the enticings of the holy spirit, and putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child: submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Is this what the Lord is waiting for? Is “only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent”, a reference to the baptism of fire and the holy ghost? We can be taught many things but have we done the “work”? Is the “work” internal in our hearts where only He can see? Is the hardest sacrifice of all to give up this world in your heart where no one else can see you do it? There would be no praise or adoration from men if only you and God are present. It would be the only way to prove to Him that you have chosen Him over the world.
Mosiah 1:17
And moreover, I say unto you that the time shall come when the knowledge of a savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children,
Reference to the gate - only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent. And even at this time, when thou shalt have taught thy people the things which the Lord thy God hath commanded thee, even then are they found no more blameless in the sight of God, only according to the words which I have spoken unto thee.
Good vs. Evil
The words “good” and “evil” are words like “rebel”, that may have had different meanings in king Benjamin’s day. King Benjamin’s definition of “evil” is everything before the gate, and “good” is everything after it. There are only two ways, so “evil” is the path of contention, and “good” is testifying of Christ on His path after the gate. Moroni 10:2 tells us, …”good” equals testifying of Christ. Testifying of Christ once on His path, is the purpose for being on it. You wouldn’t testify of men once you’ve known the goodness of God. 3 Nephi 12:4 makes more sense if you read it with this in mind. As you testifying of Christ, Light is added to what you were given at the gate until you are ready to be sealed His.
Mosiah 1:18
And now I have spoken the words which the Lord God hath commanded me. And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people at the judgment day, whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good,
Testifying of Christ after the Gate - or whether they be evil
Staying in a world of contention.- And if they be evil, they are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and Endless torment, from whence they can no more return. Therefore, they have drunk damnation to their own souls. Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of God, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit. Therefore, mercy could have claim on them no more for ever, and their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone whose flames are unquenchable and whose smoke ascendeth up for ever and ever. Thus hath the Lord commanded me. Amen.
Baptism Of Fire and the Holy Ghost.
Chapter 2:1,2 clues are about helping the people understand what had just happened to them. How incredible the contrast must have been from one moment to the next. Wishing in the agony of the soul to cease existing, begging for the atonement to heal a broken heart, and then one second beyond the sacrifice of your all; He calls you by name; light flashes through your soul; you are filled with His redeeming love; now free from the guilt and remorse of your sins and transgressions; a new person in Christ with a new heart; new heavenly knowledge of the Father and the Son; the understanding that He knows who you are; and all else He sees fit in His wisdom to give you. Then will come the promised joy. Joy so intense it will feel as though you have no physical body to restrain you as you shout to the world, “He lives!” The whole experience was designed by a loving God to leave no doubt as to your having sacrificed all that He asked of you. You are now His.
Mosiah 2:1
And now it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold, they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them; and they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying, O have mercy and apply the atoning blood of Christ, that we may receive forgiveness of our sins and our hearts may be purified! For we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who created Heaven and earth and all things, who shall come down among the children of men.
Mosiah 2:2
And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words, the spirit of the Lord came upon them and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins and having peace of conscience because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ, who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them. And king Benjamin again opened his mouth and began to speak unto them, saying, My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my people, I would again call your attention, that ye may hear and understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto you. For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state, I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men, and also the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord
How to continue on the path - and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith, even unto the end of his life (I mean the life of the mortal body),
Then the promise made to all men from the foundation of the earth if they proceed to the gate - I say that this is the man that receiveth salvation through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind which ever were, ever since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
Verse 3 has clues about staying on the path, such as remembering and exercising all the elements learned and knowledge gained while getting to the path. Learning through the experience what it takes to connect with God and what it feels like once that connection is made. Having become as little children and ready to be taught by a loving Father and Mother.
King Benjamin shared with his people what he learned from His experience at the gate and the understandings he had gained from years of experience, which makes these clues so important.
Obviously they had no idea how difficult it was going to be, or what would be involved each day to stay connected with the Lord, but king Benjamin knew how hard it would be and offered advice. There can be no pride in having received this great blessing for they must never forget and embrace once again the contentious world if they want to continue moving forward, only service to their fellow men in humility. Obviously what one puts into a relationship with Christ determines what one gets out of it. Testifying of Christ, obeying Him, continuous prayer and fasting, conversations with God, journaling sacred events, constant devotion and sacrificing for the Lord, are a few examples of how to stay on the path.
Hmmm….have we had an example of that lately?
How merciful is our God that He will wait patiently until every soul progresses to a point where they can remember who they are, who He is, and how they can both come back together, as they experience Him in such an incredible way.
Mosiah 2:3
Believe in God. Believe that he is, and that he created all things both in Heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom and all power both in Heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins, and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God, and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you. And now if you believe all these things, see that ye do them. And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness, and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceeding great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember and always retain in remembrance the greatness of God and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this, ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins.
The following are clues for life in Zion after the gate - And ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry or naked, neither will you suffer that they transgress the laws of God (because you will teach them about the gate), and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the Devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit (or the world of contention) which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness (or the natural man before the gate). But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another and to serve one another.
The natural man is no longer an enemy to God if the higher frequency can be maintained. Learning to control and increase your frequency, or maintaining and gaining light while existing at a lower frequency, is part of progressing.
Christ has shown the way, He is the way to a new state of being. The temptation to exhibit faux humility, piety, virtue signaling, and priestcrafts etc., to be seen in the eyes of men would no longer satisfy, for you would have knowledge that God is real and He knows you.
Verses 4 & 5 are not a list of boxes to check off. They are a description of a new heart, a heart like Christ’s, how it will feel, and how to maintain it. The main difference between the old heart and the new one is helping those in need and loving others, especially the least of those among you. Your heart will become like Christ's, whose Light and love within you will be charity indeed because you have experienced it. It won’t matter if anyone notices and there will be no one to report to as all you do will be for God, and not to be seen in the eyes of men. Many of the spiritual experiences described in the Book of Mormon will begin to happen to you. They will be a testimony to you from Him that He is true and faithful and has been there in its pages all along.
The joy of the saints?.... They made it! They reached the gate and found the Lord patiently waiting for their return as the natural fruit in His vineyard just as He’d promised them.
You will know why you sing.
Mosiah 2:4
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor. Ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need, and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Perhaps thou shalt say, The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just. But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this ( he is speaking to them after they had passed through the gate, repentance will still be necessary), the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done, he perisheth for ever and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind? And behold, even at this time ye have been calling on his name and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay, he hath poured out his spirit upon you and hath caused that your hearts should be filled with joy and has caused that your mouths should be stopped, that ye could not find utterance, so exceeding great was your joy.
Mosiah 2:5
And now if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives, and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, oh then how had ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another! And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you, but to God, to whom also your life belongeth. And yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done. I say unto you, woe be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him. And now I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world. And again I say unto the poor, ye who have not, and yet have sufficient that ye remain from day to day (I mean all you who deny the beggar because ye have not), I would that ye say in your hearts that I give not because I have not, but if I had, I would give. And now if ye say this in your hearts, ye remain guiltless; otherwise, ye are condemned, and your condemnation is just, for ye covet that which ye have not received.
Of all the incredible communications and impressions you might imagine receiving at the gate, the need to return borrowed items seems a bit puzzling because it’s something we have all done without much thought. If king Benjamin knew about it, it must be a part of the experience. It is another clue and obviously a huge problem or it wouldn’t have been mentioned. Causing others to sin, even unintentionally, is a sin, and creates attachments that will bind your thoughts and feelings to the contentious world and a lower frequency rather than being free to keep your mind on Christ to testify of Him.
Christ is the way. King Benjamin knew that keeping all the commandments, watching yourself, your thoughts, your words, and deeds, is the only way to literally stay connected to the Way, as we still exist in His borrowed Light.
Mosiah 2:6
And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you — that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God — I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order, for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize. Therefore, all things must be done in order. And I would that ye should remember that whosoever among you that borroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin, and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also. And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember and perish not.
Mosiah 3:1
And now it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them. And they all cried with one voice, saying, Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us! And also, we know of their surety and truth because of the spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which 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. And we, ourselves, also through the infinite goodness of God and the manifestations of his spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceeding great joy. And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
Faith is trusting the Lord as you do the work to prepare your heart; allowing the spirit to take you where it needs to take you, standing ready, watching for every communication He will send,[15] through thoughts, dreams, and experiences. Preparing the heart in this case is not about ministering and muffins, it’s about gaining an understanding of what repentance needs to be for you, to break your heart in sacrifice.
Mosiah 3:2
And now these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them, and therefore, he said unto them, Ye have spoken the words that I desired, and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant. (The gate). And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you. For ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name, therefore ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free; there is no other name given whereby salvation cometh. Therefore I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives. And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
There is a physical, mental and spiritual response to the name of Christ once the covenant takes place and the relationship becomes very familial as He protects you and gathers you to Him when you stray, if you’ll listen. What a promise. It’s easy to feel how intensely King Benjamin loves the Lord and wants this blessing for His people. They knew their hearts were changed and they knew Christ, as before they only believed. They could now recognize Christ and His name imprinted in their souls.
Mosiah 3:3
And now it shall come to pass that whosoever shall not take upon them the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore he findeth himself on the left hand of God. (Before the gate). And I would that ye should remember also that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress (Go back to the world of contention), that the name be not blotted out of your hearts. I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts (Stay on the path), that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also the name by which he shall call you. For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? And again, doth a man take an ass which belongeth to his neighbor and keep him? I say unto you, nay. He will not even suffer that he shall feed among his flocks, but will drive him away and cast him out. I say unto you that even so shall it be among you if ye know not the name by which ye are called. Therefore I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to Heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things in Heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
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I rephrased 2 Nephi 6:11, 2 Nephi 13:3 and 3 Nephi 13:2 as examples of how the gate is taught throughout the Book of Mormon and yet we don’t always recognize it. And…. it was easier than typing an extra ten pages trying to explain it in my own words.
2 Nephi 6:11
O my beloved brethren, remember the awfulness in transgressing against that holy God by not progressing to the gate, and the awfulness of yielding to the enticings of that cunning one by choosing to stay focused on this world of contention. Remember, to be carnally minded is death or a Telestial cycle redo. But to pass through the gate and become spiritually minded and on Christ’s path is life eternal and Terrestrial progression. O all you people who I love so much, focus with intent on my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel, his atonement and how badly you need him to progress, and then, because I love you so much I’m begging you now to come in deepest humility to the Lord, the Holy One at the gate. Remember that his path after the gate is righteous. The way is not easy to wrap your head and heart around, but it’s right there in front of you as the authors of the Book of Mormon are trying to show you. The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel, as no one else can recognize and accept your sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit to prove your heart is His, except Him. When your sacrifice is complete He will be there. And there is no other way save it be by the gate, for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name. And to those who approach correctly, he will open. The wise, and the learned, and they that are rich — who are puffed up because of their learning, their wisdom, and their riches — they are the ones who are not knocking correctly and will not find Him unless they remove their idols and pride, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, for the gate will be shut to them; the insights for those guided by Wisdom, the knowledge that comes at the gate and that happiness which is prepared for the saints or those who find the gate will be hidden from them for this cycle.
2 Nephi 13:3
Ok all of you that I love, listen up. The Lord's words to me are these, after you have repented of your sins, and witnessed to the Father that you are willing to keep the my commandments by the baptism of water, and have received the baptism of fire and of the holy ghost and passed through the gate, your spirit will resonate at a different frequency, even as that of the angels, your light will have increased and you will be more like me. After progressing this far should you deny me, it would have been better for you that you had not known me for losing light and realizing what you’ve lost, once gained is suffering too great to be born. And I heard a voice from the Father saying, Yea, the words of my beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end once through the gate, the same shall be saved. And now my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God who did show us by his example that one needs to get through the gate after baptism by water, he cannot be saved. So do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer did; for that is the reason they were shown to me: so you could know that it’s by the gate we must enter. The gate that we must enter is repentance and baptism by water, and then receive a remission of your sins by fire and by the holy ghost. Only then are ye in this straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life. You have entered Christ’s path by the gate. You have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son, and have received the holy ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, fulfilling the promise which he made, that if we made it to the gate we would receive it.
3 Nephi 13:2
Jesus said unto his disciples, You must enter the gate, though it’s difficult to find in all the confusing voices of this contentious world, it is the only way to life with me, and there are not many that will find it; all the many distractions and lies of this world lead to repeated cycles in other telestial worlds. Most people will choose the easy way of quick rewards, pride, power, money and the distractions of this life until it’s too late. The gate will not be available after death.
In the original verses it almost seems as though the authors of the Book of Mormon are holding something back. Oh wait…. 3 Nephi 12:1, And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first to try their faith, and if it should so be that they shall believe these things, then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them. And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation.
If not understanding repentance and our desperate need for a Saviour at the gate is, “trying their faith”? This would suggest that we don’t completely understand His reality and our need for the atonement to connect with Him. Ouch!
God has not changed. He is waiting for us to get our hearts right and approach Him like king Benjamin’s people did. Another opportunity is being offered. The stage has been set, and now it’s up to us.
Something must set us apart.
I have studied His words. They are the standard for my faith and He has added many treasures. He has shown the way to find Him at the gate through king Benjamin and his people. This is the standard in scripture we can use to judge the experience so we won’t misunderstand, be deceived or miss out all together because of unbelief. The gate was prepared for us from the foundation of the earth and He is there waiting.
With Love
[1] Ether 5:1
[2] 1 Nephi 5:1
[3] 1 Nephi 4:1
[4] Lectures on Faith 5:2
[5] Lectures On Faith 5:2
[6] Genesis 1:2
[7] 2 Nephi 6:11
[8] 2 Nephi 6:11
[9] T&C/Glossary/Transgression
[10] Mormon 4:9, 2 Nephi 11:11, Ether 1:19
[11] Genesis 4:22,23
[12] Lectures on Faith
[13] Enos 1:1,4
[14] Alma 18:3
[15] Testimony of St. John 10:14