THE PRIVILEGED CHURCH

 

With General Conference behind us I have reflected on the divine structure of our Church which is like no other on the earth today and this is why. Our Church is founded on something no other Church has. It goes back to the meridian of time when Jesus acknowledged ‘the rock of revelation’ through which Peter, the first President of His Church, received a witness of Jesus’ divinity (Matthew 16:13-18).

This privilege of revelation the Church is founded on continues with every new President that is sustained by the entire congregation of the Church. Having the God ordained structure of the Church with prophets, seers and revelators, offers the Church membership security against the deceptions of the world. This is a privilege like no other.

The latter-day prophets are here to guide, warn and direct us as the need of these last days dictate but the core of our doctrine is in Doctrine and Covenants as given by revelation to the prophet of this dispensation. We cannot go past the elemental knowledge concerning the nature of the Godhead that we owe to Joseph beginning with the First Vision and added upon by so much more:

“While visiting with brother Joseph in Philadelphia, a very large church was opened for him to preach in, and about three thousand people assembled to hear him. Brother Rigdon spoke first, and dwelt on the Gospel, illustrating his doctrine by the Bible. When he was through, brother Joseph arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon, and translated them by the gift and power of God.” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p 260)

The legacy of revelation this Church is built upon is indeed a ‘marvellous work and a wonder’: “I, the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith Jun, and spoke unto him from heaven….to bring forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only TRUE and LIVING church upon the face of the whole earth….” (D&C 1:17,30)

What makes the Church the true Church? The correctness of the organisation as established by Christ himself when upon the earth. There is, however, only one thing that makes it a living Church and that is continuous revelation from heaven. This is the privilege. This is the saving grace…..because God is not dead. He lives and He cares….as much as He ever did.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Jesus Radiance of Divine Revelation by Ivan Guaderrama)

DIVINE REVELATION

I am so fascinated with the overpowering administrations of the spirit experienced by people in the Book of Mormon who went through miraculous conversions. The most worthy of mention is Alma. The next such conversion we learn of is that of King Lamoni, his queen and their servants during the missionary labours of Ammon amongst the Lamanites (Alma 18:41,42; 19:13,15,16). So powerful was the spirit that it could not be contained in their natural frames and they lay on the ground as if they were dead. When Ammon saw ‘the sprit of the Lord poured out according to his prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren….he was also overpowered with joy’ and lost consciousness (Alma 19:14).

I personally don’t know of anyone who has been overpowered by the Spirit of the Lord to that extent. The most fascinating thing is that the king and the queen and the servants had learnt of the nature of God during their experience. They reported that they had conversed with angels and had learnt of God’s goodness and His righteousness (Alma 19:6, 34). King Lamoni reported he had even seen his Redeemer (v 13). This is indeed divine revelation.

My favourite section of the Doctrine and Covenants is section 76. Right at the beginning is the most divine promise the Lord has made to us of these latter days. The promise is that He will honour those who serve Him in righteousness and in truth to the end by revealing all mysteries of His kingdom and the wonders of eternity…. that our understanding will reach to heaven and that we will be so enlightened by His power that He will make known unto us ‘those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man’ (D&C 76:5-10). Does this not blow your mind??? This promise was spoken of anciently through the prophet Joel through whom the Lord said: “And it shall come to pass…that I will pout out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).

These scriptures indicate to me that it is our responsibility to seek divine revelation, not just for ourselves but to aid others in understanding Gospel truths. It is our right to receive it as members who have been given the gift of the Holy Ghost. In President Nelson’s words: “The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children….” (Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, General Conference April 2018).

Being worthy of course is the key: “As long as the spiritual eyes are single to the glory of God – that is, as long as they are undimmed by sin and are focused solely on righteousness – men can view and understand the things of the Spirit”. (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:240)

Increased spiritual capacity leads to more and more understanding of eternal truths until we come to receive the greatest promise: “……the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him”  (D&C 88:49). If we are not used to receiving revelation and understanding the things of the spirit, how can we ever comprehend God? And which one of us does not want that?

I cannot fathom

The greatness of Thy Godhood.

I can scarce contain who You are

In the hollow of my lacking heart.

I am so small

And you are so vast;

Endow me with wisdom,

Endow me with might,

Help me to comprehend

Beyond the ages of the wise.

 

 - CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Radiance of Divine Revelation by Ivan Guaderrama)