A Moment With Jesus

Light  January 8, 2016

It was my son Justin’s idea to lock the door, not that it was necessary.  We had barely closed our eyes and begun to pray when we saw Him sit down at the table with us.  For a time it was like we were part of two different places at once.  I could feel the chair I was sitting on and I could feel the table beneath my arms, yet we were no longer in our home.  The scenery behind Jesus was early evening and there were trees and flowering shrubs in the distance.  We were outside and He was sitting to my left.  He was wearing the most unpretentious, unassuming clothing that ever existed.  He appeared to be dressed as a simple, humble Sheppard.  We felt very comfortable sitting next to Him.

When the prayer was over Justin and I looked at each other with astonishment.  Were we just sitting at a table with Jesus?  Did we just share a joint vision? We began comparing notes.  Every detail I saw, Justin saw too. Exactly.

Darkness

A vision of Christ does not go unanswered by Satan.  There must be opposition. 

I’ve had my share of dealings with Dark beings over the years.  They were nothing compared to the entity we encountered next.  It was not Satan but this spirit was Dark and powerful.  I tried casting him out the way I was taught in the LDS temple.  That had exactly zero effect, in fact, I thought I could hear him laughing within.  I asked him to sit down and talk for a while.  He said nothing.  I asked his name.  Still no reply.   I thought, well, if you’re not going to be productive, it’s time for you to go.  We prayed and asked God to close the door through which this Dark spirit came.  Immediately he was gone.  He was no sooner gone when we found ourselves inundated with the Sweet Spirit of Christ from head to toe.  It was such a blessed relief.

Love for All

Can you reason with a Dark spirit?  Can you persuade him to come to the Light? We felt love for this being.  After all, he is a creation of God too.  I hope next time we can have a dialogue. 

Three Sounds from Heaven

Just before locking the door to pray I heard a sound that I could not identify. It seemed to be coming from above to my left.  I asked Justin if he heard it too.  He did not.  Then it sounded a second time.  This time Justin heard it.  It was a long, steady sound followed by silence.  Then it sounded a third time with exact tone, frequency and duration as the two previous times.  Justin and I looked at each other and shrugged our shoulders.  At that time we had no idea what instrument made the sound or where it came from but the fact is, we both heard it.  After that we began to pray.  Then we saw Jesus.

I have since received several reasons for the three sounds.  One of which is to get our attention.  Job done.  Another is that God is reaching down Three Degrees from the Celestial World to connect with us in the Telestial sphere. Also, Heaven is about to make contact with with Earth.  It happens so infrequently that the Hosts of Heaven are summoned to watch. Their attention is called in the same way ours is.  

Two Witnesses

I’m extremely happy this event took place with a second witness.  Without this second witness we might be prone to dismiss the vision as something we imagined.  It clearly wasn’t.

   

A Pattern

Joseph Smith was attacked by a Dark being just prior to seeing God (JSH 1:16).  Moses saw Satan just after speaking with God face to face (Moses 1:13-22).  Even Jesus was tempted by Satan after fasting in the wilderness for forty days (Matthew 4; Luke 4).  

Dark to know the Light, good to know bad, sweet to understand bitter. There truly is opposition in all things.  That evening we beheld both.

Reclaiming The Restoration: An Invitation to Every Latter Day Saint

Preserving the Restoration

One Year Update

It’s hard for me to believe that just one year ago I was re-baptized unto Christ in the Pacific Ocean.  It was during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.  I have not been the same since.

I want to tell you what has happened to me since that time.  A few weeks following my baptism I conversed with God the Father.  We had a conversation that lasted nearly an hour.  It was not face to face as with Moses (Exodus 33:11, Deuteronomy 34:10), yet the dialog was in both directions in complete sentences. (2 Nephi 31:3)  You can read about that here.  We have had other conversations since then too.  He continues to inform and direct my life. 

Also, I have had two visions.  The first took me nearly a year to understand why it was shown to me.  It was given in response to a question I had asked the Lord and He answered me visually.  I’m still working on understanding the second. 

Over the past year I have had the privilege of personally visiting with two different people that have visited with the Resurrected Christ.  Their experiences with Him are truly remarkable.  It is now their calling to testify of their experience with Him (3 Nephi 12:2).

 

These are the miracles that the Restoration was intended to produce.  We must connect to Christ individually for the salvation of our souls (Moroni 10:32).  No one can do it for you (2 Nephi 28:31). 

I have mentioned only a few of my dealings with God.  I share these experiences for your benefit, that you may know that God is alive and working miracles in the lives of His children, even those children who you think may not qualify for such things. I now ask you to judge for yourself if these are the Fruits of Christ or of Satan (Moroni 7:16-19).

This must seem incomprehensible to some of you. You say, “Brother May, you have resigned from the Church!  How can you possibly have these experiences?!  It must be of the Devil.”  Many in the Last Days will claim God has done His work and given His power to the Brethren! (2 Nephi 28:5) Therefore all miracles are of the Devil (2 Nephi 28:6).  These same people also proclaim “all is well in Zion!” (2 Nephi 28:21).  

I testify to you that the Restoration as given by the Prophet Joseph Smith is now continuing, but not through an organized religion  Matthew 9:17.  I am working to preserve what Joseph has given.  I have been asked by God Himself to participate.  This is your invitation.  

  
I have been asked to include the following:

Reclaim the Restoration:

An Invitation to every Latter Day Saint

TODAY a monumental choice faces every Latter Day Saint. At the heart of this decision is whether to stand with Jesus Christ and His Gospel, as taught in scripture, or to capitulate to the corruption of a lost and deceived world. (Revelation 12:9).

IF YOU ARE CONCERNED about how the LDS Church is responding to a host of doctrinal, social, moral, financial, and political issues, and if you are willing to seek out and live a true fullness of the gospel, (D&C 20:9), then please know the light of the original Restoration remains available through prophecy, scripture, revelation, and the tutoring of the Holy Spirit. (Moroni 10:5).

A CAREFUL REVIEW of doctrine and the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, reveals that many human errors have occurred during the past 185 years of church history. This spiritual tragedy highlights the essential need for every Latter Day Saint to now differentiate between eternal truth and religious tradition. (D&C 93:39).

THE BOOK OF MORMON specifically warns that when a culture becomes prideful, wealthy, and dependent on the arm of flesh,  (2 Nephi 4:34), that the fall of that particular people will soon follow. (Ether 2: 8-12). Scripture also confirms that in the last days the word of God will be “transfigured,” (Mormon 8:33), and that the once “Holy church of God” will become polluted. (Mormon 8:38). Sadly, today is also the day when the tares again “choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness of apostasy.” (D&C 86:1-3). Those honest enough to apply scripture to themselves, the Mormon culture, and the world at large, understand that we as a Gentile people are in the process of rejecting the fullness of the Gospel. (D&C 45:28-30).

REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE WORLD, and the world of religion chooses, let it be said: The hand of the Lord remains outstretched still! (Isaiah 5:25). At this time every Latter Day Saint is invited to re-learn and re-claim all that has been lost, abandoned, and distorted, since the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith. (D&C 43:10). In response to these deficits, a growing Remnant now shouts HOLY! HOLY! HOLY! is our God! For He is the Great Messiah! The Master of the storm, and the sure Rock in whom we will trust! He is THE CHRIST, who even at this very moment beckons unto all, “Come Unto Me” that you might receive the same truths, powers, ordinances, and priesthood, once offered to the early Saints. Thus, today is the day of choice:  God or man, Truth or tradition,    Zion or Babylon?                                                                                        

UNDER THE HAND OF GOD a great and marvelous work is now spreading across the land. This movement involves a broken and flawed “few,” (2 Nephi 28:14), who are actively committed to Preserving the Restoration, that Jesus Christ and His angels may yet ”gather the elect” (D&C 33:6), and establish a literal Zion upon the earth. (Moses 7:60-62).

FOREMOST IN THIS SPIRITUAL CRUSADE is an unyielding commitment to the Holy One of Israel and the process of receiving salvation in Him. There is no church to join, and no leader to follow. This "strange act" (D&C 101:94-95), is not the “apostasy” some imagine it to be. For in reality, the truth is never apostasy, and all that God commands is law. (3 Nephi 15:9, Romans 10:4).

LET IT BE KNOWN that except for our impending destruction, “the times of the Gentiles” is fulfilled. (D&C 45:26-30). The opportunity for us to repent and receive a true fullness will soon be forfeited. What follows will include mass destruction and great sorrow. (Matthew 24:6-35). This prophesied cleansing will begin upon the Lord’s house, first among those who profess to know His name, but have not known Him. (D&C 112:23-26). Thus, every Latter Day Saint who seeks Zion upon the earth, (D&C 45:68) and Celestial Glory in the eternities to come, (D&C 133:12, D&C 76:50-70) is now required to repent by differentiating between eternal truth and the false philosophies of men mingled with scripture. (2 Nephi 28:9-32)
.  
THE LORD’S INVITATION is specifically for you. For even now, in this very moment, if you will listen to His voice, He will speak directly to your soul. Listen to your Savior. Listen to your soul.  Fear not, and go forward into the work of reclaiming the light of the Restoration. For now is the day of your salvation, and if you will follow Him, He will lead you into the fullness of Eternal Glory. (D&C 76:70). Come…come my friend, and through His grace, enter ye this day into the rest of the Lord. (Matthew 11:28, Moroni 7:3).


                                              REMEMBER AND RECEIVE 
                                                  THE INVITATION AT:   

                                              ReclaimTheRestoration.com

Rise Up, Oh Men of God!

My heart continues to soar into the depths of Eternity following the Grand Mesa Retreat.  I don't fully understand the impact this event had on my heart, nor do I understand the ways of God.  I will simply say that I know this event was coordinated and approved of by Him.

Preparation

Bret Corbridge invited me along to scout possible locations for the men of the Retreat to gather.  He selected a great location: the Visitors Center of the Grand Mesa.  On that day there was a great open area perfectly suited for our event.  The snow was melted away with plenty of comfortable rocks to sit on.

I was asked by Bret to say a few words at the opening of the Men's Retreat. As I pondered the upcoming events the Spirit directed me to ask Bret for a blessing.  I sat upon a rock surrounded by tall pine trees.  After the blessing I knew exactly what God would have me say on Saturday.

Men's Retreat on The Mesa

By Saturday morning our carefully chosen location became impossible due to the recently fallen snow.  Alex made a great command decision and had the men gather under the protection of the Visitors Center's covered porches, situated just a few hundred feet away from our original location. Since the Visitor's Center was closed for the season , there were no other visitors. It couldn't have been more perfect.  Cold, snowing and wrapped in heavy jackets the Men's Retreat began.  I will provide only my contribution.

To The Men of God:

Rise up, brethren and become prophets!  Not to be the leader of a corporation nor for the purposes of practicing priestcraft, control or unrighteous dominion upon the souls of men, but for your salvation, the salvation of your family and to bring about the purposes of Almighty God!

  Numbers 11:29,  D&C 1:19-20 ,  John 17:3 , Revelation 19:10  

We are not just to know about Jesus Christ and His Father, we are to KNOW THEM, visit with Them and be in Their Presence!  That is Life Eternal!  That is how we obtain The Testimony of Jesus!  Not simply having a testimony about Him!  The Testimony of Jesus is:  Jesus Christ bearing Testimony to you about who He is!  That is THE TESTIMONY of Jesus!  To the recipient of His Testimony is given the Spirit of prophecy or to become a prophet unto Christ.

My Contribution on The Mesa:  What God Would Have Me Say

On October 28, 2014 I had a conversation with God our Eternal Father.  You can read about that here.  It is pleasing to God that I share this event with you.

God has spoken the name of Denver Snuffer to me.  He said that Denver is the Servant spoken of in Jacob 5:70, that Denver was chosen by Him and prepared for that purpose.  He also said that I was to be prepared in the same manner that Denver has been prepared.  I would have my Calling and Election made sure 'not many days hence', and once I receive it I was to bear witness of that event. It comes directly from Christ and no one else.  He further said that I would be taken through the Veil and into the Presence of Christ, then my wife and I would be taken through together to be with the Father and the Son.  These events are to happen in this life.  Many other promises were given.


I share these promises with you so that you too may seek to obtain them. These claims may seem sensational to those who don't understand the Gospel of Christ. I want you to know it is possible!  It took me four years of study, prayer and action to wrestle this blessing away from God.  I had no other object in mind other than passing through the Veil to Know Christ.  This has been my prayer continually since learning it is necessary for salvation. It has now been promised to me and I patiently wait upon my Lord.


I promise you, as it was put in my heart by Christ, Saturday May 16, 2015: In His Name, you too may obtain these same promises if you seek them!

  "And now I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.  Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened"  3 Nephi 27:28-29

Let us glory in the Salvation of Christ the Lord and enter His Presence!  Let us Rise Up Together, Oh Men Of God!!

The Lion, The Old Prophet and The Man of God

When I first heard this story I found it difficult to think any such thing existed in scripture.  It went against everything I had been taught but yet there it was, staring me in the face.  Everyone knows the dangers of following false prophets… but what about the dangers of following true prophets?  Stick with me for a few moments as I share the astonishing tale of The Lion, The Old Prophet and the Man of God. 

 

The Man of God

1 Kings 13  The Man of God was sent to the king of Beth-el to deliver a message and, as you might expect, it was rejected by the king.  As if that wasn't bad enough the king put forth his hand to seize the Man of God and when he did his arm ‘dried up’ so that it became useless.  Immediately the alter was rent in twain and ashes spilled upon the ground from it.  These events came as a surprise to the king notwithstanding the Man of God had told him what would happen if he rejected the message. After these signs were given the king became a believer.

With his arm all dried up, the king then asked the Man of God to seek the face of the Lord that his arm may be restored.  The Man of God asked the Lord for that very thing and another miracle was performed and the king’s arm was healed.  He was very impressed with this and asked the Man of God to be his guest and come home with him and refresh himself.  And, oh by the way, he wanted to give the Man of God a reward; you know… as token of his appreciation.

The Man of God refused everything the king offered, even to half of his kingdom… and for good reason.  He had been instructed by God not to eat or drink anything while in Beth-el and when the job was done, he was not to take the same path back to Judea. 

The Old Prophet

Word had gotten out about the great miracle that had happened involving the Man of God and the king.  The Old Prophet’s sons came to him and told him all that had happened.  The Old Prophet had his donkey saddled up and he pursued the Man of God.  He met him along the road while the Man of God rested beneath a tree.

The Old Prophet asked, “Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am.  Then [the Old Prophet] said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread.”

The Man of God said, “I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:  For it was said to me by the word of the Lord, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.”

Here is where things get really interesting.  The Old Prophet said to the Man of God, “I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.”

It appears the Man of God was being deceived by the Old Prophet.  However, when you take the Joseph Smith translation into consideration it changes everything.  It says:  “I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord, saying, bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water, that I may prove him; and he lied not unto him.” JST 1 Kings. 13:18  footnote "b"(emphasis added). With this new perspective the Old Prophet suddenly becomes the Old True Prophet.

Here we have one prophet, the Man of God, who was told not to eat or drink in Beth-el and the Old True Prophet telling him that an angel of the Lord sent him to bring him to his house to eat and drink!  What a choice! What a pickle the Man of God was in!  What should he do?  Should he obey the word of the Lord as it was given him or follow a True Prophet?  What would you have done?  What have you been taught to do?

Can you guess what happened next?  Yep – the Man of God went home with the Old True Prophet and ate bread and drank water.  While they were yet eating the word of the Lord came to the Old True  Prophet saying, “Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as [the Man of God] hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded [him], but camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the Lord did say to [him], eat no bread, and drink no water; [his] carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of [his] fathers.”   Wow.  Man of God…, you’re going to die before you get home.  The Man of God failed the test.

The Lion

As the Man of God was riding towards home he was killed by a lion.  His body left for dead in the street.  To the amazement of the passersby, The Lion stood by the remains of the Man of God and did not eat him; neither did the Lion destroy the donkey but they both stood side by side over the carcass of the Man of God.  There they remained until the Old True Prophet carried off the body of the Man of God.  With the bitterness of this ordeal the Old True Prophet lamented, “Alas, my brother!”, then the Old True Prophet had his sons bury the Man of God in his own grave.  The Old True Prophet charged his sons, saying, “When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones.”  A very tragic story.  

The Test

This passage of scripture is astonishing to me.  It illustrates the dangers of following true prophets.  The Man of God was given the option of following the Lord, as he was instructed or following the Old True Prophet.  He chose to follow the prophet and was killed as a result.  It would seem there are just as many dangers in following true prophets as there are in following false prophets… and for the same reason:  The Lord alone is to be followed, never a prophet be they true or false.   Never follow the arm of flesh.  Never follow man.  Cursed are those who put their trust in the arm of flesh.   It is well within the realm of possibility for prophets to lead you astray for the purpose of testing you.  The test continues today.  

I hope you will take the time to read and study this story in its entirety: 1 Kings 13 

Latter-day Lion?

There are prophecies yet to be fulfilled regarding a Lion that will go through the "beasts of the forest" and the "flocks of sheep" and shall tear them in pieces and none can deliver.  I wonder if their demise will be for the same reason as the Man of God?  I wonder if his fate was a type and shadow of things to come...?  I wonder…

Conclusion 

Have you received the Voice of the Lord or been instructed by Him to do a certain thing?  Is that action in opposition to the prophet?  Perhaps you are being tested to see if you will follow the prophet or the Lord.  

Those who follow the prophet will not understand the actions of those who follow the Lord.  It will seem foreign to them.  They may mock, ridicule and even scorn those who choose to follow the Lord all the while thinking they are superior because they follow a prophet.  This is as is should be.  It’s all part of the test.  Remember, The Man of God failed his test by following a true prophet.  Let us learn from him and follow the Lord Jesus Christ instead.   

Silent Devotion: My Mother's Testimony

The following is written by my mother.  She has asked me to post the following experience she had nearly thirty years ago:

____________________________________________________________________________

Hello Beloved Family and Friends,

 

I ask your patience in reading this.  I may not have an opportunity to talk with you regarding this matter but because of my great love for you I have a desire to share with you.  Please prayerfully consider what I have to say.  I have never before written of this experience and have only spoken of it, limitedly, as mentioned herein.  This came at a time when I fervently wanted to know how I should direct my life and the lives of my children; within weeks of losing my intact family.

 

At the lowest point of my life,  I sought solace and increased witness to know of a surety the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon since it had been explained to me as a child that this book is what set us apart from the rest of the Christian world.   I read from it, constantly, and prayed and pondered nearly unceasingly.   I was finally giving to my God the broken heart and contrite spirit spoken of in the scriptures, which is what he requires of us to be teachable.  I continued to pray and to knock*, as the scriptures say, asking for further witness to the Book of Mormon.  The Holy Spirit continued to increase within my soul and one day after retiring for the evening, while visiting my brother and his family out-of-town  overnight,  I knelt to pray.  I  communed with my Heavenly Father for some time.  

After asking a couple of questions, I realized I was receiving answers more rapidly than I could articulate the questions.  This is how I know, personally, that He knows our very thoughts, every one of them.   I asked a couple of personal questions and rec'd answers by the burning of the bosom which we know to be the Holy Ghost.   I, then, asked if the Book of Mormon was the word of God.   I, immediately, began to notice what seemed like liquid fire originating from the center of my chest which was building rapidly, covering the entire area of my chest.  Excitedly, I raced on asking if the Church was true, expecting the affirmative.  Immediately, the Holy Spirit, entirely, withdrew from me.   I was baffled but continued.  I asked if the prophets were true prophets.  The Spirit remained withdrawn from me.   Baffled even more, yet undaunted, I continued to ask other personal questions for which, in many instances, I rec'd the burning of the bosom, yet again. 

 

Having exhausted my personal questions, I  soon reflected upon the answer I had received regarding the Book of Mormon.   It seemed I could recall that the flooding motion "by Fire" may have been continuing to grow within me  when I had rushed on ahead to another question, so, I returned to ask that question, once again.   Was the Book of Mormon the Word of God?   Immediately,  what felt like Liquid Fire began to overflow from the entire area of my chest and flooded my soul down my arms and legs to my fingertips and to my toes.  I had just been taught, most profoundly, Spirit to spirit that the Book of Mormon was indeed, absolutely, the Word of God!

Reflecting upon this, I was, yet, baffled by the answer I had received as to the truthfulness of the Church so I asked that question, once more.   Again, the Holy Spirit withdrew entirely from me, immediately and completely, as before.  I asked once again, also, if the prophets were true prophets.   The Holy Spirit remained withdrawn from my soul.  For weeks and months, even years, I have puzzled over this knowledge but I knew my allegiance must remain with that sacred book. 

 

So, since then, I have gone about my life silently wondering what, exactly,  I was to do with this "new"  knowledge, even pure intelligence which had been poured into me.  And, incidentally, I thank God, profusely, that I had been given sore trials that I might come to know of these truths about which I now share so as to be able to pass on what I learned at that time. 

 

Because I had rec'd the increased witness for which I sought, I have freely shared my testimony that I know the Book of Mormon to be the Word of God   ...but, I never breathed a word of the times that the Holy Spirit, twice, withdrew and for the following  reasons did I say nothing of it:  1.  I didn't want anyone, especially my own children, to say that there was no reason, then, for them to work out their salvation.   2.  I knew that scripture tells us that to some is given one spiritual gift and to another is given a different spiritual gift that, together, all might be edified.  3.  My Patriarchal Blessing states that I will be able to accept of that which I do not understand with a faith that will be deep and strong within me.  

 

So, I continued forward with my life as a member of the LDS Church silently wondering what I was to do with this sacred knowledge given me.  Surely, there was a reason for that pure intelligence.  No matter how you may feel about this message, I encourage you to forward and/or share it far and wide by whatever media you choose.  My biggest concern is that if I do not broadcast what I learned that evening I will be judged for not having shared sacred truths.  I hope and pray that you're able to keep your heart and mind open to what I have made known.

 

My love to you forever,

 

Karen   ~   Castleton  May  Jensen  Stella 

 

P.S.  Stella is my alias; my maternal grandfather's surname and the name he chose upon entering the USA.  Grandpa is a good memory.  Mom knew that I planned to use, this, her maiden name and the thought made her very happy.

 

*Knocking, as I've learned over time, means to exhaust oneself mentally and emotionally; to labor, physically, also.  One's knees become sore from prayer, one gets saddle sore from reading and searching the scriptures, yet, explains to Father in Heaven that they plan to continue until they receive the answer for which they are searching.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The Sun, The Moon and the Second Coming

A few days ago I read a blog that pierced me to the very center of my heart.  I felt the love of God as I read it and believed He was speaking directly to me.  I followed the advice given as though it was given from God Himself, which I firmly believe it was.  The message was simple; I wasn't praying enough.  Period.  Being called to repent I spent all that day in prayer.  I continued into the night and when I woke in the morning I began again where I had left off.  That same morning I had pure knowledge poured into my mind regarding the signs being given in the heavens...  I had been asking for that.

"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:" Genesis 1:14 (emphases added)

When the thought entered my mind I knew it was from another Source.  It was so simple yet so profound.  Look at the picture with four blood moons (below), two on the left of the solar eclipse and two on the right.  They form a mirror image or chiasm of one another.  This has deep significance.  The sacrifice of Christ or His Atonement extends both into the future and into the past.  When they meet in the middle it forms a perfect circle causing me to exclaim:  the Work of God is One Eternal Round.

Next:  The four Blood Moons represent the four tokens received in the Temple.  Two tokens are represented on the left of the solar eclipse and two represented on the right.  The moon passing across the face of the sun during the solar eclipse represents the shifting of the robes from one side to the other, thus entering into a higher Kingdom.  

Prior to this understanding, my wife said she believed the moon rolling past the sun during a solar eclipse to be representative of the stone being rolled away from the tomb of Christ.  What beautiful imagery; and how very true.  Could any of this be possible without Him?  Never.   As with all things, Jesus Christ is represented in the heavens, in the Center of these heavenly events. His blood is also  represented in the moon. Without His blood, would any of this be possible?  How wonderful are the Signs of Christ!

How rare are Blood Moons?  On average, they happen about once every year and a half. As you can see from the diagram, we are having four in a row.  That is very significant.  However, when you factor in the days upon which these Blood Moons appear...  Every one of them, including the solar eclipse, happen on a prominent Jewish Holiday.  It's nothing short of miraculous, indeed extraordinary beyond words.

"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call."    Joel 2:31-32

My Opinion

I believe we are witnessing the promised signs that precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  On March 20, 2015, Jewish New Year, the sun will be darkened.  Then on April 4, 2015, during Passover and then again on September 28, 2015, during Sukkot or Feast of the Tabernacles, the moon will turn to blood.  If this is the Sign preceding the coming of Christ then terrible things are about to happen; great and terrible things.    I will leave you to study that on your own.  As with all my writings, you are not to trust a word I say.  God is the source of all knowledge.

I believe God fully intends to redeem His people, Israel.  He intends to redeem them in the same way any receive salvation in Christ.  I believe that is the very reason these Signs were given on Jewish Holidays.  I believe God is declaring his intentions and warning everyone else at the same time.

I believe we are about to witness the Salvation of our God.  Master, thy servant waits patiently upon Thee.  

Personal Note

I wish to thank Jules from My Journey To The Fullness.  It was her blog that literally became the inspiration for this post.  I recommend her blog to all who desire to Journey into the Presence of Christ in this life.

My wife is priceless in her many contributions.  The Lord could not have given me a better wife.

I praise the God of Heaven and Earth for the information He has given me.  I share my understandings only because He has given His approbation to do so.  May His Grace and Mercy attend us all.

Lehi's Dream, Part 2: The Man in White

Lehi being Visited by a Man in White

I wish to thank my family and friends who have email, called or stopped over to visit me.  Your friendship is extremely appreciated.  I love each of you and thank God for your involvement in my life.  We may disagree on matters of doctrine, but when it comes to loving the Lord our God we are exactly the same.  May His Grace be upon us all.


Man in White

As with all my posts, you are not to believe a word I write.  You are about to learn why.

 "And it came to pass that I saw a man, and he was dressed in a white robe; and he came and stood before me.  And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.  And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste." 1 Nephi 8:5-7

Father Lehi is about to learn a very powerful object lesson... for our benefit.  

"And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies." 1 Nephi 8:8

In this vision Lehi sees a man in a white robe.  "Follow me" says the man and Lehi followed.  And where did this man lead him?  Darkness.  A waste land.  The middle of nowhere.  So, after traveling for many hours Lehi began to pray to God.  Only after he began to call upon God was he delivered from the path of men and shown the Tree of Life.

Lesson

Never trust man no matter how authoritative or holy he seems to be.  Never trust the arm of flesh. Man, no matter his status, calling or position, will ever bring you to the Tree of Life. That is the work of Jesus Christ.  




The Strait and Narrow Path

"And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood..." 1 Nephi 8:20

What is the strait and narrow path and how do we obtain it?

"For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.  And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate..." 2 Nephi 9:17-18 (emphasis added)

The steps for obtaining the Strait and Narrow Path that lead to Eternal Life:

1. Repentance
2. Baptism By Water
3. Remission of Sins by Fire and the Holy Ghost.
4. Now you are in the Strait and Narrow Path the leads to Eternal Life

Commencing In The Path

In Lehi's Dream there are three main groups of people that commence in the strait and narrow path.

Group 1

"And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were pressing forward, that they might obtain the path which led unto the tree by which I stood." 1 Nephi 8:21

This great numberless concourse of people start in the path but never lay hold upon the Rod of Iron.  Consequently they never reach the Tree of Life.  If any in this group did manage to lay hold upon the Rod of Iron and partake of the Tree of Life, they were so few in number that their accomplishment goes unnoticed by Lehi.

Immediately after this group started in the path their arose a mist of darkness.   Not just any mist of darkness but: 

"an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost." 1 Nephi 8:23  

This is the first group to find the path and to start traveling in it.  Notwithstanding their great numbers, none are recorded as finding the Tree of Life.  Lehi never mentions this group holding the Rod of Iron.  They simply started in the path, were overcome by the mist of darkness and were lost.

Group 2 & 3

Group two and three are very similar yet very different.  They both commence in the path and lay hold upon the Rod of Iron.  They both press forward through the mist of darkness.  They both partake of the Tree of Life.  Unlike the first group, they do all this in the shadow of the Great and Spacious Building.  These two groups press forward under the scornful watch of those produced by that Strange Building.

Their Differences

Group 2:

1. Clings to the Rod of Iron
2. They are ashamed after partaking of the Fruit of the Tree of Life
3. Listen to those in the Great and Spacious Building
4. Fall away into forbidden paths and are lost

Group 3:

1. Held Fast Continually to the Rod of Iron
2. Fell down and partook of the Fruit of the Tree of Life
3. Gave No Heed to those in the Great and Spacious Building

The Fruit of the Tree of Life

Father Lehi partaking of the Fruit of the Tree of Life

"Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives."   David A. Bednar, (sustained prophet, seer and revelator and Member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lehi's Dream: Holding Fast to the Iron Rod, October, 2011).

It is Elder Bedanr's view that partaking of the Fruit of the Tree of Life is to receive ordinances, like baptism.  To him these ordinances are the end of the journey, especially temple covenants.  However, as you have just read, Nephi disagrees.  Ordinances are the beginning of the path, not the end.  It's at the beginning of the path when we repent, are baptized by water and baptized by Fire for a remission of sins.  Then are we in the strait and narrow path that leads to the Tree of Life and its Fruit.  The Atonement becomes efficacious at the beginning of the journey, not journey's end.  

Perhaps his teachings extend from the premise that the LDS Church provides salvation.  If that where true, his explanation would be correct. However, his understanding of the Fruit of the Tree of Life is not in harmony with the Book of Mormon.  It also entices you to look no further as salvation is found through the LDS Church.

This is an example of the philosophies of men being mingled with scripture.  They are dangerous to everyone's salvation.  As Father Lehi has shown, we are to trust no man, apostles notwithstanding.  

The Tree Of Life

I will not be commenting on the Tree of Life.  I am inadequate to do so. 


Conclusion 


Trust no one to lead you except God.

Groups one, two and three may be seen as attempting to reach the Tree of Life simultaneously.  I do not have that view.  The first group has the path available to them, multiple millions commenced in that path but were overtaken by the mists of darkness or the philosophies of men and never reached the Tree of Life.  Groups two and three contend also with these same philosophies yet, unlike group one, they do so in the shadow of the Great and Spacious building.  


If you entertain the premise that the Great and Spacious building is a real structure, then the relevance of Lehi's dream becomes more profound.  It puts his prophecies in our time and further testifies that Lehi and Nephi have, in fact, seen our day.  The LDS Conference Center is evidence that they have, further proving the Book of Mormon.  Prophecy is being fulfilled.  

My View:

Group 1:  Everyone commencing in the path since Joseph Smith to Denver Snuffer.

Group 2:   All who embrace the notion that the restoration has recommenced, are baptized  and fall away from it.  

Group 3:  All who embrace the notion that the restoration has recommenced, are baptized  and remained faithful to it.
   
Group 4:  All who love and remain with the Great and Spacious Conference Center and her owner.  They have no need of the Tree of Life, nor its Fruit. Many, however not all, make it their life's mission to scorn those who do.  I find this very curious seeing they are taught to have Christ like love for everyone, yet in many cases, the opposite is displayed.  This degree of scorn and ridicule exemplifies the hypocrisy in their hearts and how truly far their hearts are remove from Christ.  I have witnessed it first hand. Many of us have.  We must counter it with love.


I believe those who fall away after partaking of the Fruit of the Tree of Life are members of the LDS Remnant, who, like me, have embraced the opposite of vanity and pride being taught in the Great and Spacious Building.  I am deeply saddened by the notion that any should fall away.  I may be one of them.  May God have mercy upon us all.

There is much more to the Fruit of the Tree of Life than Elder Bednar would have you believe. I make no claim to have eaten the Fruit of the Tree of Life myself. However, I have tasted of the Love of God on many occasions and know that I am on the right path because He has told me so, with His own Voice.
  
As I mentioned before, the Lord has spoken Denver's name to me.  Because of this, Denver has great credibility with me.  However, I continue to seek the confirming Voice of God with everything he teaches.  If I fail to do this I might as well begin worshiping idols or following men with impressive titles.

With that, I extend my love and support to all who have heard the voice of the Lord in the teachings of Denver Snuffer.  Several thousand of you have started in the path that leads to the Tree of Life.  Wonderful things are happening as a result.  Many have posted your experiences online: revelations, vision, healings, and visitations from Heavenly Messengers.  Some of you have been taken through the Veil into the presence of Jesus Christ and can bear apostolic witness of Him.  

The Restoration was interrupted.  It has now recommenced.  I am so grateful to be a part of it.  May His Mercy and Grace attend us all.