Time To Prepare

"The task of Zion is far more daunting than the foolish imagination of the human heart. If we soberly assess what is left to be accomplished, we would all repent and cooperate with one another, lending whatever strength we have to the task. We would stop fighting and opposing one another, and ask what we could do to aid."
 

Read the complete post here:

http://denversnuffer.com/2016/10/all-or-nothing/

A Very Personal Journey

A Personal Path To Pass

This post correlates with my post in May titled "Putting On Display Our Errors". Please check it out.


It must be understood, that there is an individual journey that must be gone through, in order to pass all the tests and earn trust and promises (and fulfillment of them) from Heaven. We must understand this, as to not judge too harshly or make the person's journey even more difficult (which of course might actually be a necessity - but there are plenty of people to give this experience, don't let it be YOU). This journey, for obvious reasons, requires hardships to be passed through. It will break you, in order to remake you.  The path (and I speak from experience, knowledge of experiences of friends further along the path than me and scriptural histories) is full of sorrow and will also require each person to go through phases of thinking that you hear the Lord, to thinking maybe you did not, or maybe you were deceived. Messages can come from Above, below, our own thoughts and even from our emotional mind (fears, worries, etc pushing our minds to go a certain direction, or ever altering hard to hear messages coming from Above). Sometimes, in our zeal to hear from Above, we can get hasty and mistake a message from below or from our own mind, as a message from Above. We will likely be deceived by our own thoughts or messages from below. This is part of the journey. God allows His own, to pass through these experiences. We must push through all this, to continue the path. As Snuffer once stated, we will come to a point where we must doubt our own doubts. Until we are having one on one, two-way conversations that are as real or more real than talking with a mortal friend, with Angels, the Lord and even the Father (and even after this at times)... we are very prone to doing something out of zeal, that may not actually be what Heaven wants of us. At the same time, it just may be exactly what they want you to choose... in order for you to hear Them, before graduating you further along the Path.

There Is No Avoiding The Suffering and Persecution

When you see someone else going through hardships, the first thought is that they must be going off the path. This is most common with our LDS family and friends when they presume and assume that we are suffering hardships and loneliness, because we must be "falling away" or going "apostate" from the brethren or modern day church. But I have seen it within the awakening LDS Remnant as well. It may very well be a true fact, they are very likely forging through a necessary part of the path. Think of Job. Why else is the book preserved in the Bible? To prove this very point. Next time you think another person (who is actually trying to forge the Path Of Christ) is deceived, and/or suffering because YOU think they may be going off the Path... remember to allow the person to have the experience. If they make it through these experiences, and choose wisely, and trust the Lord to bring them through this passage way, they will make it. Some times we have to sit back, like Father, and let people experience hardships, in order to truly learn what they need to.

Looking Inward

Among the Remnant movement, I have witnessed much contention, false assumptions, serious judgemental comments, devaluation and then defaming of others occurs... which leads to strifes and even division. More than likely, people within the Remnant are going through these very portions of a very personal Path. Many get lost, if you remember Denver's story about the beast trying to get at the person who trusted on the Lord to bring them safely through. Remember the Tree of Life dream by Lehi. Hold to that Rod, to partake/receive of the Eternal Promises (fruit). Dare I say you will go through even more false ridicule and mistaken apostasy complaints... to later earn Fulfillment of thos earlier Promises. Don't think for a minute that the path gets any easier. You might be more confident in what you are doing is the will of the Lord or Father, but the path necessarily remains difficult. You will face persecution from outside the Remnant AND WITHIN. You must push through all that, trusting in the only One who can get you through that pass.

But this path causes a two-edged sword of confusion for bystanders. Those bystanders can either see it for what it truly is, or mock, point fingers, judge, criticize, spread rumors or gossip of YOUR VIEW of the circumstances... and end up another tool of the adversary, who is the Father of Accusations, Lies and Contention. He (and those filled with his "spirit" or thoughts), is allowed to bruise our heel. By God. Yes, even our loving Father and His Son, our Brother (who can also be your Father via adoption). Why we are here.

Yes, it is wise to give loving advice to help others make good decisions. But please be so careful to avoid the judgemental and accusatory stuff! When you blurt out that you cannot stand certain topics found in scripture and/or church history, or that someone from the past or someone that we know today is flat out deceived and falling off the path, and assume that your view is the only correct one, while also harshly judging and condemning... what is more important? That your view is more accurate, or how you are treating that other person?

Prove True And Faithful. Overcome All Things

We must pass through ALL things, in order to obtain the Greater Things. We must prove true and faithful, whether we are the one on the path being mis-judged, or looking upon others on the path and possibly pointing fingers ourselves.

This Gospel stuff is serious. It really is like a two-edged sword that cuts both ways. This mortal life is chock full of chaos, paradoxes and evil. Full of people falsely assuming, persecuting and mocking. And necessarily so. This world is as it is, for a reason. Push through all that. Trust in The Advocate with the Father to take you safely through it all. Yes, He (and Father) WILL allow you to suffer at times, and has to sit back in tears while you do, hoping for the best and lightly nudging you to get through it all. We have to go through certain hardships, to truly learn by experience. For our own good.

If your journey is easy and light, I would have to question exactly what path you think you are on. I won't judge you as bad or avoid you... but I can share a little concern for you.

Cry, But Avoid Causing It

Do not, I repeat, do not find yourself being part of those inflicting more tears and hurt. We of all people, should know better!!! We have experienced persecution, false assumptions and hurt by them already. Those of us who are awakening, are all on different parts of the path. Some have more time and experience. Some further along the path, which I admire and have been praying for all along. Some may be going through some temporary self deception. Some are still trying to Hear that weak signal of revelation coming through. Some are finding themselves in see through walled rooms communicating face to face with Angels or the Lord. Some have gone further still, and meeting our Heavenly Parents sitting on their thrones. No matter what part of the path you find yourself on, help and love and assist others to progress along their path. We must avoid finding out in hindsight that we hindered, caused more tears or worse: caused them to regress.

I have said before, and I don't think of myself as some guru or perfect guy, I probably think too less of myself... but what matters most is not who is right or wrong about some topic or whether or not another person is falling off the path (at least you are concerned)... but what matters most is how we treat each other, while eventually coming to see eye to eye on truth. Do not avoid questioning any topic, or discussing what ever topic you want... but do it logically, searching for the truth, leaving out the negative emotions or emotional responses that we are all so quick to blurt out at times.

In Summary

Love God more. Love ourselves and each other more. What more can I say to sum it all up?






These thoughts invoked in part by recent and past related posts and comments on LDS Remnant Facebook group, and a recent blog post Here.

Signs of God's Displeasure

First read: http://www.totheremnant.com/2016/05/why-did-god-kill-moroni.html


Then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRist2Nbz0A


Then read:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865654861/When-lightning-strikes-an-Angel-Moroni-statue-does-what-hes-built-to-do.html 

-The Church spokesman states how often temples are struck or damaged. Even says that usually, only small damages smaller than the size of a quarter occur to Moroni on temples. Clearly, the Lord was displeased this day, upon this people. Many will explain away such signs as a "natural occurance"... but sometimes the signs are too obvious.



Related:

 http://latterdaywitnesses.com/elizabeth-jensen-shares-her-experience-with-christ-and-his-wife/

http://www.RestoreZion.com

http://www.FellowShipLocator.info

http://www.bornofwater.org

http://www.DenverSnuffer.com 


http://ads.denverpost.com/parker-co/communication/newspaper/lohmeier/2016-05-08-3281631-paid-advertisement-this-is-the-doctrine-of-christ-thus-saith-the-lord-behold-verily-verily-i-say-unto-you-i-will-declare-unto-you-my-doctrine-and-this-is-my-doctrine-and-it-is-the-doctrine-which-the-father-hath-given-unto-me-and-i-bear-r

Putting On Display Our Errors

Proverbs 25:28:  He (or she) that hath no rule over his(her) own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

Self Control


It takes a good amount of self control to resist the natural tendancy to mis-judge, mis-understand, accuse or condemn others. These are all bad ways to put on display our personal errors. How we treat others, is what matters most. Our dealings with our fellow beings, as stated in the LDS Church. Surely, we need to properly discern and judge some things, in order to protect ourselves or our loved ones in our mortal journey. But how often do we find ourselves taking some questionable information about someone, after hearing some assumption that is not known if actually true, and then use it to color our view to then mis-judge, accuse and then condemn others? Bearing false witness is a serious offense against anyone, especially against a good person seeking to be a part of and bring about Zion in the last days. It is wrong especially to do so against Prophets (more connected messengers of God) such as Joseph Smith, who was commissioned by God to attempt to restore the Patriarchal (Holy) Order back to the earth. But even his own friends and church members participated in these things against him, that eventually led to only help fuel the hate of the outside mobs to do what they did. That mis-judging and false assuming was part of the contention and jarrings going on in Nauvoo, that helped lead to the loss of restoring the Holy Order back to earth.




The Accusing Spirit

Satan is "the accuser". He seeks to cause us all to judge and condemn others, in order to manipulate our mortal emotions of anger and fear into causing us to then create accusations, misunderstandings, dishonesty, divisions, jarrings, contentions and strifes.

In my own journey, I have been often surprised how how quick the Lord is to forgive. Sooner than I would have forgiven myself at times. His dealings with me, have helped me be more patient and forgiving with others. Maybe too forgiving, as you will later see. Surely Satan being the master architect of such evil contention(including lies), would use those very things to tear down, from within, another attempted restoral of the Patriarchal Holy Order back to the earth. His main goal is to prevent this very thing. Having lost his Sonship after so much hard work and offering up a plan contrary to that which the Gods already have done for eons of time... in his lofty station, surely he wants to prevent anyone else from ever obtaining what he himself lost. He loves it when people take lies and assumptions, often crafted up by him or his follow the leader spirits in their realm. They cause people to get that accusatory spirit, and then uses their mortal emotional weaknesses (fear and anger mostly) to steer them into causing serious havoc and disorder with other imperfect mortals.


Quote from March 2015 by Denver Snuffer in his Plural Marriage paper:

"The original Gospel taught from Adam to Enoch has not been recovered. Joseph Smith was working backward in restoring the earliest teaching, scripture, covenants and ordinances as part of his brief ministry. That ended abruptly with his death. The still-not-completed restoration of the Gospel must return again the original body of teaching, covenants and ordinances revealed in the beginning to the first fathers, who are now resurrected, and in heaven.
The original Gospel cannot be judged until it is understood. It cannot be understood until it has been returned. There was such haste and foolishness in Joseph’s day that it hindered God’s work.
Then fear of what Joseph was doing made even those closest to him wonder if he was “fallen” or egomaniacal and untrustworthy. The ignorance and superstition of his contemporaries were great obstacles. Aspiring men gathered around Joseph who wanted to further their ambitions by associating with him, but they did not understand what was really involved with God’s plan for mankind.
The Gospel requires virtue and righteousness. No one can please God with a heart that is not contrite and broken, willing to receive or suffer everything God will require of them. We are nowhere near Zion and only a small fraction of what needs to be recovered has been given. Unless this generation is patient enough to allow God to do His “strange act,” and humble enough to support what He provides as He provides it, another future generation will need to accomplish Zion. The “jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes, and lustful and covetous desires among” us are no different than what destroyed all hope for Zion in Joseph’s time.
Why want what is not understood? How can we judge the Gospel taught directly by God to Adam, renewed face-to-face by God with Enoch, when it has not been shown us? Is our only motivation our ambition and envy? Why do we not yet consider how great a price is demanded by God as a sacrifice before anything is gained. Lectures on Faith really are an accurate description of the burden required of us to become faithful.
In God’s plan there are provisions made for everyone. Every soul in every state of development will be given what a loving and kind God has made possible. It is vast enough to accommodate the development of each person who has lived in this estate, regardless of the time, location or opportunities while here. It is far greater, and more thorough than what we can see.
It is impossible to re-establish the earliest form of the Gospel of Christ with its associated teachings, rites, ordinances, covenants and organization if we insist it fit into our current prejudices. We think so many things are necessary that are not, and we think many necessary things cannot possibly be required."

Nothing New Under the Sun?


Joseph Smith was doing some extremely questionable things like sealing(marital fashion) over 34+ wives to himself. Some even already married (I think around 12). Some as young as 14. Whether or not Joseph had the usual marital physical relations with any of them (and surely he could have reduced a ton of contention if we would just have publicly admitted that the familial sealings to other women he was involved in had zero intent to have the usual marital relations)... and we know that there were others who Joseph helped to get into polygamy, including William Clayton who actually bore a son with a plural wife in Nauvoo and Joseph Smith told him not to worry much about it if church members found out. Even Denver Snuffer admits that others in the past like Abraham, Jacob, David and others did live it and we know they did have many children with plural wives in the biblical record and according to D&C 132 - (see Denver's revised version on his blog).

 Joseph was in fact involved with teaching women to be a part of his sealed family, and promising them and their families great eternal blessings if they did. Sure, I think there was a lot he got into, some innovating going on, some extra assumptions he might have personally held (like martial sealings with women who already had husbands which caused serious problems and the reason Parley Pratt was later murdered, or maybe some of the ways or the rapidity in which Joseph used to get women to join whatever union he was proposing to them). We have to ask ourselves, a man as connected as he was with God... I mean I see him being way more connected than any other church president and most other people, a man entrusted to restore a temple that could restore the Patriarchal Order of God, well after he knew some of the truths of the possibility of plural wives (back around 1829 actually when him and Oliver started discussing the topic - and Oliver actually went into living it at that time and never ex'd by Joseph for it), and had some kind of experience with it (as well as many of his friends, including his brother and church Patriarch Hyrum), God was still allowing Joseph an attempt to do another restoral of the fullness. And I am talking about restoring a head Presiding Patriarchal King, a Familial Kingdom of God that has been had before like with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and very few others for the past 6,000+ years, a Patriarchal temple, almost having ability to passing on Patriarchal Priesthood/C&E/Sealing power to his heirs by temple ceremony, after translating the Book of Mormon, producing many ancient records, after serious experiences on both sides of the veil with Father, Son and Angels. These are serious things. And so many people, even within the LDS Remnant movement are assuming Joseph must have become a fallen prophet before being given that Holy allowance right before his death. Even Snuffer states that God was in fact commanding Joseph to live plural marriage is some fashion, in order for him to increase his connection with God; and that D&C 124 is accurate when agreeing that God was attempting to allow Joseph a chance at the Nauvoo opportunity to restore the fullness or Holy Order, well after Joseph getting involved with the plural marriages.

I want to declare, that I do agree with Snuffer, when he says that the unauthorized practice of plural marriage is an abomination. In my book, it is adultery. Adultery is one of those serious sins, second to the grestest of murder or turning completely away from and fighting God after C&E. Even Joseph personally felt that if someone commits adultery, they are barred from the Celestial Kingdom for good. Surely he would be afraid of that in whatever involvement he had with it in his day. For anyone to consider living plural marriage, the first fear would be that if it is not actually allowed or commanded by God (and Denver has spent much time over the years talking about when and how that can occur), then it is adultery and would bar them from eternal progression. I also know that even Snuffer agrees (simply read his revised version of D&C 132 and see what he left in his revision) that some of God's prophets and Patriarchs of old did live plural marriage. We know from the Bible that Jacob/Israel was one of the elect who bore the 12 tribes via all four of his wives, at the same time. I think Snuffer has also spent much time trying to stop the improper teachings on the topic, going on since Brigham Young, in order to stop the error promoted by mormon fundamentalists (they believe Brigham's declaration that it is an absolute requirement to be lived in order to go to the highest degree in the Celestial Kingdom). That thought is error and an innovation by Brigham, but lets be a little patient with BY... as he was left with Joseph's actual involvement in plurality(however great or small) and was trying to figure out answers to a lot of questions in order to get the church to follow him, after making himself the next church President (after the 3 year succession crises after the death of Joseph). Many get into it because they are incorrectly taught it is required. Many get into living it due to thinking their group priestly leaders have passed on sealing authority (man to man since Joseph), but they don't understand that those man to man rites have been ineffective since Nauvoo (at the death of Joseph and Hryum).

The death of Eldredge G Smith was a "sign" according to Snuffer, because upon his death, there was no more opportunity for God to again restore that which was lost (in the church structure) all the way back since D&C 124 (there was no more presiding Patriarch after Eldredge - who was seed relative to the Smith family). A new covenant and branch could then be established... and soon will be.



My Character


I detest all wickedness and error. I seek to avoid it at all costs myself. It has never been a capability within my character to ever choose to do anything that would prevent me from returning back to Heaven. Not within me to ever hurt or cause another person suffering or tears. I am not guilty of any serious sin or crime, in my entire life, that would cause me to lose things formerly promised from our Lord. My character is such that I want to become the best person I can be, and help to make the world a better place. I want to save, protect and help everyone, if I could. I want Zion and all the Lord has to offer and I try to teach others, as nicely as possible, to do so as well for the past 8 years. I detest any and all types of manipulation, with or without realizing we are participating in it. We need to research all about manipulation, in order to avoid it ourselves. It really should be a required course in high school. I detest any kind of force or pushy type of communication or behavior, to place fear into someone, in order to enact change, or to push someone to do what we expect or want of them to do. I dislike it when anyone is not loyal to their word. I detest adultery. I detest dishonesy, and find it hard to remain in relationships with those who use it too often, or in order to cover up their own flaws, to hurt others or to protect themselves in some way. I detest immodesty. I detest mortals using the "jezebel spirit" or seduction, in order to sell something or to manipulate someone to behave in a certain way. What rare gems who do so in our day and age of global corruption. I have been labelled a peter priesthood since a kid and a fanatic religious man for years, even by close companions. I detest hearing about a few of the small fundamentalists groups participating in... thinking they can share their married companions with anyone in their "sealed family group". Seems a smart way for satan to convince truth seekers to get into it as a way to try to get them to commit serious error in order to damn them.


We Are the Products of Mormonism


It is a fact that Joseph Smith did have some kind of involvement with plural wives. It is also found to be lived in the Old Testament. It is even mentioned as sometimes possible in the Book Of Mormon (definately contrary to Brigham's teaching that it is always required). It is a part of our mormon history, however confused it all has been. Denver has mentioned that most mormons, even mainstream LDS church goers are Plural Marriage believers at least mentally. I mean, most of us grew up hearing about some strange things from church history, though hardly anyone actually examines it in detail and we are actually discouraged from doing so. I remember reading (I think it was Pres Hinkley) saying that he will be with each of his wives in eternity. I remember on my mission in NYC, hearing companions talking about how polygamy will be restored one day and lived in Zion, along with consecration. Fact is, all of us are products of our up-bringing. Most of us think and act the way we do, based on our past (and maybe a little from passed on family genes too). Plural Marriage is a huge confusing topic in Mormonism, when viewed by the rest of the Christian world. The Tanners are having a hay day using this topic that church leaders don't even understand and have been confused about since Nauvoo, getting people to learn our actual history and have people just throw away Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and some even go athiestic.


Point is, let's be more understanding of those still practicing a little understood topic in our day. It was lived either quietly or openly in the church from 1835 to 1904 (and church leaders still lived with plural wives until around 1950 though they stopped adding plural wives). It was taught for decades by our church presidents and apostles that it is required for the highest level of heaven! There are many fundamentalists joining our LDS Remnant movement. There are even some in our movement who have recently began living it, and some few still looking to live it as they personally feel required to do so.




Some few have been a bit judgemental towards me, for discussing too much the topic of Plural Marriage online. Seems the trusted and great Denver Snuffer can talk about it often in his books and blog, and no one judges him bad for it. But when others like me want to continue the discussion after him bringing it all up and want to get it all figured out so all the division and contention among all the fractured different Mormon groups can end, and to help others in the LDS Remnant to be more kind to others within our group living it or thinking they need to, all kinds of presumptions, labeling, contention and even more division (heavens, do we really need any more of that!) occur. Many who oppose the idea in some form, do not seek to understand one's personal path and understandings or true intentions in their hearts/minds, and are quick to falsely misjudge intentions and then condemn according to their own perceptions. I personally have had false assumptions made against me the past year just for trying to discern the topic with others online (little one on one discussion has occurred). I usually hear about it much later, in very harsh complaining ways and from others who ask me what's going on after hearing some reported allegation.


 The Moab conference was all about forgiving, being understanding and uniting. Denver has written about our strifes and contentions existing just like they did in Nauvoo, which caused Holy Order restoral failure. We need to be more charitable and less judgemental and condemnatory.



Before we judge another family among us, for whatever they feel led to do, remember, that early connection with Heaven is a hard one to master. So much goes on in our minds. So many ways for messages to enter our thoughts. Even when we hear, there is the doubting phaze. No matter what, keep seeking to hear His voice. He will personally work with you, to wring out whatever is necessary, to break your heart too. We might think the course too rough, or Heaven will wait to see if we will get so upset at letting us suffer what we will...but endure well.

Denver Snuffer from Pg. 11 of his Plural Marriage talk:

Some accuse Joseph Smith without sufficient proof, and they will find God
applies that same standard to them. It has even been foolishly claimed by some that they have “prayed” and God has revealed to them Joseph was an adulterer! I would never trust such a “revelation” as proof. Christ did not accuse the woman taken in adultery, even when He had eyewitness proof against her. If He would not condemn her with such proof, why would the same God condemn Joseph Smith in a “revelation” because someone asked in prayer? Would the same Lord of mercy send the woman taken in adultery away without condemnation but condemn Joseph? Would our Lord divert our attention from the history we have that lacks proof of this about Joseph to furnish proof through prayer to diminish His servant Joseph? When the Lord send an angel to tell Joseph that his “name should be had for good and evil among all nations” am I to assume it would be the Lord Himself who would speak both “good” and “evil” of Joseph? Satan is the “accuser of the brethren” not God. If in an answer to prayer anyone listens to an accusing spirit to judge Joseph, I very much suspect they would be in tune with the wrong source, or else God has become changeable44 and contradicts His own prior revelations.

Footnote 41: By answering a “prayer” informing the inquirer Joseph was “an adulterer” it appears to me to qualify as “evil speaking of the Lord’s anointed.” It seems incongruent to me for the Lord to call Joseph, accomplish a great work through him, expect mankind to “seek blessings under his hand” (D&C 122:1-2), but then supplement the posthumous record by a revelation condemning him. Is the Lord among the ‘fools who shall hold Joseph in derision?’ (D&C 122:1.)

HEARING AND SEEING

There is a certain path that must be taken. It is individual. It is difficult. It is often a lonely one, where most will not even know you are on it... or worse yet will likely mis-judge your true standing and your intentions. The Path to having our own relationship with heaven will contain small proofs (after strong and serious Faith), and some bigger ones that you will still come to doubt at times. No matter what other Prophets obtain from heaven for themselves, we all need to obtain the same for ourselves. In our day, C&E only comes from the Lord. Sealing authority comes from Him. So if YOU want what is necessary for all partakers of the Kingdom of God, then YOU must seek the Lord's word direct to you. There is no other way. He is the only One that stands at that Gate.

If Joseph Smith is right, and I believe he is... we all must work out our OWN salvation with fear and trembling before God. He taught that we CANNOT rely on him or any other prophet for responsibility that depends on ourselves. Do that which the scriptures and the LDS temple endowment is trying to teach YOU to do. Converse with the Lord through the veil. Go on until we meet with Him on either side of the veil. We must all begin to be acquainted with the Lord, before we can ever hear Him declare a promise such as that of Eternal Life in His Kingdom.

Even when such a Promising event occurs, you will still doubt at times. Hell and those in the world will do all they can to convince you that you did not hear what you heard. Problems and chaos may seem to come from every front. But you must trudge through all that. Trust in Him. But as Denver Snuffer once stated in one of his Zion lectures, once you hear such a Promise, it is definately not the end of the matter. There is SO MUCH MORE to pass through and experience. There are many "anointings" to be endowed with. But a complete and full endowment must be had. And it must be had and experienced by every mortal who wishes to receive all that is possible and necessary.

The following is a testimony from a like minded friend. A testimony more full and complete than I can share. A testimony that should fill the chapel of every LDS church with the level of knowledge that has been had among us for almost two centuries. I can say our paths have had similar experiences at times, but I too one day hope to have the greater experiences and communications. I have been seeking such since 2008 after realizing what is really necessary for salvation and exaltation. I have sought to help others seek such since then. This is more serious than anything else in this world. Our Eternal Life depends on it...

http://theremnantofjacob.com/blog/living-according-to-your-faith/ 

Recorded Sacrament talk by Matt:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27629524/20160131_MCrockett-SacramentTalk.mp3

Another Good Blog Post

https://myawakeningsite.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/daniels-rolling-stone/

A Must Read Post For LDS

http://puremormonism.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-much-longer-until-church-collapses.html

Proving Grounds

Preparing a People By Testing and Proving

A couple quotes from Denver Snuffer at the Big Cottonwood Canyon "after the conference discussion": 

"If God has gone to that trouble, why should we think each fellowship ought to be a copy of the next? Why would we impose uniformity upon one another when God does everything BUT uniformity? It is true there is one Lord, one faith, and only one baptism, but each believer comes to Him as an individual. Every soul has unique gifts, and individual weaknesses. Each struggle for faith is a struggle for that individual alone. WE become one through Him, not through trying to make ourselves uniform. He is the only common ground for very distinct individuals to come into unity. I do not believe any two fellowships should be put together with a cookie cutter that says, "this is what you must do and this is what you must not do," when the needs are so diverse from one to another. There ought to be diversity. There ought to be uniqueness. There ought to be recognition in terms of what each group has in contributions and what each group has in terms of needs. It ought to be flexible enough to do that." 



"God bless you all. God’s hand is moving again. This is going somewhere. It will eventually culminate in the fulfillment of the prophecies. The trouble is whether we do it or whether it is left for another generation depends on what we do. I don’t think religious enthusiasm or religious fanaticism produces it. It’s kindness to one another. It is taking seriously the things that God asked us to do and in a meaningful way being self sacrificing and trying to help and lift other people. Because at the end of the day Christ summarized all the law and all the prophets in loving God and loving your fellow man. Which goes back to the first question that was asked about all you quirky people liking one another. Well, that’s the right challenge. If you want to see Zion get a little closer, then love one another."





Also consider:


http://denversnuffer.com/2014/03/your-only-hope/

Is Zion unlikely? If we carry on in the same manner that we have since this restoration revival has re-booted, then I would agree. As I have visited with fellowships in different areas, I am saddened to have witnessed those within our own movements who lack such patience, understanding, meekness, and charity for one another. I have witnessed it on this very group. What good does estrangement and enmity between each other accomplish? I understand there is a natural man and differences in understanding inevitably arise. However, shouldn't we, the so called "remnant" know better and thus act accordingly? It is not only disheartening, but embarrassing and disgusting. How can we participate in gathering in the elect of God and those in the highways and byways when we exercise such blatant disregard for each other? How can we soften the hearts of others if ours are hardened? How can we convince them of the truth if we are laden with sin and error? We need to be more meek, tender, and lowly of heart. If we have the knowledge of what is required and not act in accordance with that requirement, then we are fools, condemned by God, and don't deserve to participate in ushering in Zion. How can we sit at the table with the fathers or with the church of the firstborn if we can't even love one another?
I pray that we are not so vain, prideful, or idolatrous to think we have done all we can. I pray that we are not waiting for manna to fall from heaven or that another strong man will strike the rock for us so that living waters will flow down. We must do the work and make the effort. If the requirement is to get on our knees like Enos until we receive the answer, then so be it. If we ask what more we can do to be perfect and the Lord tells us to sell all, give to the poor, and take up our cross, then so be it. We must keep striving forward and seeking with ceaseless supplications to heaven and follow every word of His command by the power of the Comforter. If we can do that, Zion will come. Until then, it is all vanity.

Compare with the most recent blog post by Denver:

"[We rejoice at] "the willingness to aid in the building of the 'House of the Lord,' we are grieved at the conduct of some, who seem to have forgotten the purpose for which they have gathered. Instead of promoting union, appear to be engaged in sowing strifes and animosities among their brethren, spreading evil reports; …We feel to advise taking the word of God for our guide, and exhort you not to forget you have come up as Saviors upon Mount Zion, consequently to seek each other's good, -to become one: inasmuch as the Lord has said, 'except ye become one ye are none of mine.'" (Times and Seasons, February 15, 1842, Vol. 3, No. 8, The High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ, to the Saints of Nauvoo.)

It is easy to fail. Just gather people who will contend with each other and there will be failure EVERY time. It makes sense to try something new rather than repeat the pattern that will never work. First, provide an opportunity for those who are interested to display who they are, whether they can live peaceably with others. Once we know one another's hearts then the Lord can gather only those who will avoid contentions, jealousies, strifes, envyings, and jarring. Like the pattern in Abraham, first men are "proven" and then they are gathered, or spared."
-From: http://denversnuffer.com/2016/02/how-to-fail/
 
I have personally seen unnecessary contention and false reports in my own fractured fellowship. Some things are worth talking about. But some of the dividing for differing opinions on gospel topics, the false assumptions and reports, or tiny complaints about others that turn into trying to paint them as villains and ones to avoid in Sunday meetings, should end. 

Snuffer also discussed recently that some topics are left un-explained for a reason. I think this is why... so some can put on their divisional, contending and destructive-to-zion tendancies or weaknesses on group display. I hope we can all do better.