Who Are the Firstborn?
A reader quotes this from me:
“Therefore, the question to be asked is this. Do you want to be linked with the current church in the next world, or would you rather be linked with the numerous assembly of the firstborn who are linked through the great spiritual power of love and purity of heart?”
He then asks:
Would please explain the firstborn? I am guessing that this comes from somewhere in the Mormon scriptures.
JJ: Actually the term in this context originated in the Book of Hebrews from the New Testament and reads as follows.
“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” Heb 12:22-23
Mormon scripture also uses the term and several break-offs from the main LDS or Mormon church call themselves some variation of “The Church of the Firstborn.”
Here’s a quote about the Firstborn:
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Rom 8:29)
Jesus, as all believers know is called the firstborn, but here we find that ordinary men and women may even share that title with him for Jesus and the rest of the sons of men are brethren with a similar destiny as taught by Paul:
“For both he that sanctifieth (Jesus) and they who are sanctified (followers of Christ) ARE ALL OF ONE: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren. Heb 2:11
We are supposed to come to “the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the FULLNESS OF CHRIST.” (Eph 4:13)
To accomplish this Jesus taught that we are supposed to follow in his footsteps: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev 3:21
Breaking Free
I achieved enlightenment about the church and higher teachings after I was married and had kids. It would have been a lot easier to rebel when I was single, but my wife was a diehard Mormon who felt I was being led astray by the devil.
I hated with a passion the fact that I could not openly discuss any thoughts that were not approved by the church authorities but was pretty careful not to break this rule. As time passed I realized my days with the church were numbered for I am the type of person who can only be held prisoner for so long.
My nephew Curtis forced my hand before I was ready. I gave him a short article I had written illustrating that there was progression from one kingdom to another after death. I warned him to not show it to anyone, for if it got to his Bishop he could wind up getting kicked out of the church.
He didn’t believe that was possible, especially when the article only quoted accepted scriptures.
A short time later he found out I was right and soon we were both excommunicated for not having our minds “right.”
Now some think the church is correct in insisting strict adherence to doctrine with no discussion allowed on deviations. They think it would lead to chaos.
I don’t think so.
For one thing Joseph Smith allowed such talk, and in Nauvoo they had public debates on all kinds of subjects.
Secondly, our country is a good example of the benefits of open debate. We have a basic constitution that makes us all one in theory, but we are all free to discuss any political philosophy we want (at least for now). The diversity of discussion in this country does not create chaos but it helps make us more stable and to see certain basic truths.
Being powerfully subject to LDS authority, and then escaping it made me realize the principle behind the Beast and why most people willingly receive the Mark in their right hand or forehead.
May we all instead receive the name of God in our foreheads (Rev 14:1) where we learn of the authority within.
You — We
A reader comments: “I have learned long ago that when writing a letter to someone not to use the word “YOU” or any derivative of it. It is so accusatory and finger pointing. I have always substituted you for we or I. Or when you do use it, use it in the positive — not negative — or not use(d) the word at all.”
JJ: I admit that I could sweetened that letter a bit, but believe me as long as the authorities realize that an excommunicated member is trying to enlighten them they will place it in the “File 13” [trash] you mentioned.
I do not see much softening from avoiding the word “you” as I use it often with my best friends and no offense is taken.
If someone writes me and says “I read your book, The Immortal, and I liked it.” And another says, “I read The Immortal, and I didn’t like it.” It makes absolutely no difference to me.
I couldn’t say “we as members” or “we as priesthood holders” because I was not even a member of The Church or the Priesthood. I had to write the letter as an outsider. There was not much “we” that I could have honestly used.
From the experience I did learn that one cannot enlighten the LDS [Latter-Day Saints] by telling them, however nicely, that their leaders are on the wrong path. I have had much greater success with the LDS just by teaching correct principles without mentioning any conflicts with their doctrine. For the first couple years I taught on the Keys, members did not even know I had a Mormon background because I did not mention it; but nevertheless, I still wound up drawing quite a few members of “The Church.”
I have no problem with anyone going to any church in which they feel comfortable while being on this forum. Members are welcome to take what they find useful here and use it as they see fit.
Prison Reform
Prison problems and reform is an important topic indeed. Most of those in prison deserve to pay a debt, but they do not deserve to be beaten up, raped, etc. Here are my suggestions:
* Since Mexico is always in need of funds we hire them to house our violent criminals. Repeat offenders of violence are sent down there. This threat alone will scare many into good behavior.
* Release all prisoners who are non violent and pose no physical threat to society. Give them a chance to pay off their debt in actual cash over a reasonable time period. The money can go to victims and finance the prison system. If they do not pay they go back to jail.
* Study prisons that have successfully eliminated violence and establish a uniform system that protects civil rights.
* Create a labor system that teaches skills they can use on the outside. Some of this is done but much of the labor presently required is unskilled and many prisoners are idle most of the day.
“To deny our own impulses is to deny the very thing that makes us human.” — Andy and Larry Wachowski, “The Matrix,” 1999.
June 12, 2009
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