HOW FAITH OPERATES

[MrScience]

Speaking of faith and its operations, what does it mean to enter into the "rest" of the Lord?

Rest of the Lord, seems to be entering into his presence, having C&E made sure, joining the assembly of the firstborn, etc. Something that only those who are sanctified and made pure through the blood of the Lamb can enter into.
Alma13: 11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were asanctified, and their bgarments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

12 Now they, after being asanctified by the bHoly Ghost, having their garments made white, being cpure and spotless before God, could not look upon dsin save it were with eabhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth afruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.

Can we do so in our lifetime?

Alma seemed to think so.

If a person has experienced this would it be noticable in his countinance and actions? What would be seen?..... Even on line?

[chase]

Not only can we do it in this lifetime, it seems to be truly vital. Joseph Smith spewed this doctrine forth with abandon. Read Joseph's words. He didn't teach a single doctrine outside of this context. He may not mention it in every single sentence, but his teachings never stray far from the all-important topic of calling and election. To Joseph, returning to God in this life was the point. It was the goal. It was the whole reason he was teaching. I think we are foolish to have separated ourselves so far from this doctrine and to have correlated it out of our gospel discussions. We have truly done ourselves a disservice.

The Book of Mormon also teaches this doctrine with abandon.

The temple also teaches this doctrine with abandon.

I don't know why we don't see it. It is SOOOOOOO important!!!

[freedomforall]

Doctrine and Covenants 84:23,24
23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fulness of his glory.

http://emp.byui.edu/marrottr/CallElectSurJSBRMc.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Compare: http://institute.lds.org/manuals/new-te ... -10-46.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Hebrews 3:11 What Does It Mean to Enter into the “Rest” of the Lord?

The scriptures define the “rest” of the Lord as “the fulness of his glory.” ( D&C 84:24 .) President Joseph F. Smith put it a little differently:

“The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest.’ . . . rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world. . . .” (Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 58.)

Calling and Election Made Sure: http://emp.byui.edu/marrottr/CallElectSurJSBRMc.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Doctrine of Calling & Election, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 297-298:

Salvation through Knowledge
It is not wisdom that we should have all knowledge at once presented before us; but that we should have a little at a time; then we can comprehend it. President Smith then read the 2nd Epistle of Peter, 1st chapter, 16th to last verses, and dwelt upon the 19th verse with some remarks.

Add to you faith knowledge, etc. The principle of knowledge is the principle of salvation. This principle can be comprehended by the faithful and diligent; and every one that does not obtain knowledge sufficient to be saved will be condemned. The principle of salvation is given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Salvation is to Triumph over Enemies
Salvation is nothing more nor less than to triumph over all our enemies and put them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death.

No Salvation Without a Tabernacle
Perhaps there are principles here that few men have thought of. No person can have this salvation except through a tabernacle.

Now, in this world, mankind are naturally selfish, ambitious and striving to excel one above another; yet some are willing to build up others as well as themselves. So in the other world there are a variety of spirits. Some seek to excel. And this was the case with Lucifer when he fell. He sought for things which were unlawful. Hence he was sent down, and it is said he drew many away with him; and the greatness of his punishment is that he shall not have a tabernacle. This is his punishment. So the devil, thinking to thwart the decree of God, by going up and down in the earth, seeking whom he may destroy--any person that he can find that will yield to him, he will bind him, and take possession of the body and reign there, glorying in it mightily, not caring that he had got merely a stolen body; and by and by some one having authority will come along and cast him out and restore the tabernacle to its rightful owner. The devil steals a tabernacle because he hs not one of his own; but if he steals one, he is always liable to be turned out of doors.

Calling and Election

Now, there is some grand secret here, and keys to unlock the subject. Notwithstanding the apostle exhorts them to add to their faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, etc., yet he exhorts them to make their calling and election sure. And though they had heard an audible voice from heaven bearing testimony that Jesus was the Son of God [Mt 17:5], yet he says we have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light shining in a dark place. Now, wherein could they have a more sure word of prophecy than to hear the voice of God saying, This is my beloved Son?

Now for the secret and grand key. Though they might hear the voice of God and know that Jesus was the Son of God, this would be no evidence that their calling and election was made sure, that they were sealed in the heavens and had the promise of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Then, having this promised sealed unto them, it was an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation. Then knowledge through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Compare this principle once with Christendom at the present day, and where are they, with all their boasted religion, piety and sacredness while at the same time they are crying out against prophets, apostles, angels, revelations, prophesying and visions, etc. Why, they are just ripening for the damnation of hell. They will be damned, for they reject the most glorious principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and treat with disdain and trample under foot the key that unlocks the heavens and puts in our possession the glories of the celestial world. Yes, I say, such will be damned, with all their professed godliness. Then I would exhort you to go on and continue to call upon God until you make your calling and election sure for yourselves, by obtaining this more sure word of prophecy, and wait patiently for the promise until you obtain it.

___________________________________

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 305:

Calling & Election To Be Made Sure: http://emp.byui.edu/marrottr/CallElectSurJSBRMc.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Contend earnestly for the like precious faith with the Apostle Peter, "and add to you faith, virtue," knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity [D&C 4]; "for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Another point, after having all these qualifications, he lays this injunction upon the people "to make your calling and election sure." He is emphatic upon this subject--after adding all this virtue, knowledge, etc., "Make your calling and election sure." What is the secret--the starting point? "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." How did he obtain all things? Through the knowledge of Him who hath called him. There could not anything be given, pertaining to life and godliness, without knowledge. Woe! woe! Woe to Christendom!--especially the divines and priests if this be true.

Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. A knowledge of the priesthood alone will do this.

All I can say is, WOW!

[chase]

Thanks for the post freedomfighter. I guess we're supposed to work on this stuff!

[reese]

If a person has experienced this would it be noticable in his countinance and actions? What would be seen?..... Even on line?

I think it would be seen in the persons words. They would speak the words of Christ with the tongue of angels, as Nephi says. But it would be even more than that, because Nephi is talking about what we can do after we have been baptised by fire and Holy Ghost. I personally believe the person who has entered into the rest of the Lord has, as the scriptures say "received of his fulness", and would thereby have the sealing power given to them by God. If you look at all of those who entered into his rest in the scriptures, they all seem to possess this power. To ask anything of the Lord and have it be given to them.

by chasetafer0707

Not only can we do it in this lifetime, it seems to be truly vital. Joseph Smith spewed this doctrine forth with abandon. Read Joseph's words. He didn't teach a single doctrine outside of this context. He may not mention it in every single sentence, but his teachings never stray far from the all-important topic of calling and election. To Joseph, returning to God in this life was the point. It was the goal. It was the whole reason he was teaching. I think we are foolish to have separated ourselves so far from this doctrine and to have correlated it out of our gospel discussions. We have truly done ourselves a disservice.

The Book of Mormon also teaches this doctrine with abandon.

The temple also teaches this doctrine with abandon.

I don't know why we don't see it. It is SOOOOOOO important!!!

You are dead on chasetafer. We seem to be missing the WHOLE point of the gospel!

[freedomforall]

You are dead on chasetafer. We seem to be missing the WHOLE point of the gospel!

This is what this forum is all about...learning. So poor it on folks.

Maybe we need to comprehensively define each of the words required to achieve CAEMS (Calling And Election Made Sure)

Namely

faith, virtue," knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity [D&C 4]

[freedomforall]

I resurrect this thread from 2011 to allow forum members to make comparisons and see what is acceptable to them. I based the whole piece on what we find in scripture.