James, the Brother of Jesus

Letter to an Independent Fundamentalist

The Shack – A Review

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Many people have been touched by the love and compassion the God of the book shows, and his accessibility, and say it has helped them to reconcile with their heavenly Father.  Like the main character in the book, they take with them a powerful message of forgiveness, trust and redemption.

It may be tempting to look uncritically upon a book that seems to have been a positive experience for so many of its readers, and if it were purely seen by those readers as just an inspiring fantasy novel that might be true.  However, because it deals with religious themes, and as some of its main characters claim to represent God, then there is a chance that its teachings might be considered true Gospel principles.

One of the reasons that the books “A Pilgrim’s Progress” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” have stood the test of time amongst Christian readers, is because the religious concepts they portray actually represent and align with the beliefs of their religion.  Some may read such fiction simply for entertainment and still enjoy it, but their authors hoped to convey greater spiritual truths.  As this seems to have been the intention of the author of The Shack too, this review will ask, “What faith does it represent, and what does it teach?”

To its credit, the book speaks of a loving God who encourages forgiveness, and it speaks about the need for good personal relationships.  If a person were to take these good lessons, and apply them in their lives, then it could lead them to seek for further truth and progress within the Gospel.  However, there are passages within its pages that require further examination, and may cause some to have reservations about the book.

God

The most stark difference between the God of the scriptures and that of The Shack is the way He is portrayed.  The Biblical God is always referred to in a fatherly way, and likewise in The Shack is called “Papa”.  But this is where the similarity ends, for in the book it’s God is portrayed as a large black motherly character.  In contrast to this the Bible tells us that Jesus is in the “express image” 3 and likeness of his Father:

“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

Some have criticized the author’s characterization as a white man’s stereotype of what a black woman from the South might be like, or as a cross between Aunt Jemima and Oprah.  Others have noticed her similarity to the black female god-like character in the “Matrix” movies, who is first found baking cookies, just like the similar female deity in The Shack.  What makes this comparison even more uncanny is that the God of The Shack tells the man: “It is the matrix; a diabolical scheme in which you are hopelessly trapped even while completely unaware of it’s existence.” 4 Which perfectly describes “The Matrix” movie.

In another departure from the scriptures the Holy Ghost is portrayed as an Asian woman named Sarayu. The Apostle Paul warned against exchanging “the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man” 5 and the second commandment prohibited making any “graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above.” 6

Authority

The relationship between the members of the Godhead within The Shack has been another concern for its Christian readers. The God of the book insists that there is no hierarchy within the Godhead:

“We have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any overlay of power. We don’t need power over the other because we are always looking out for the best. Hierarchy would make no sense among us.” 7

However, in an effort to emphasize the unity of the Godhead, the writer seems to have forgot the honor, respect, loyalty, and deference Jesus showed his Father:

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” 8

A few chapters later Jesus states even more emphatically that “I do nothing of myself … I do always those things that please him” 9 As Paul recognized even the Son of God is “subject unto him.” 10 The relationship of God the Father and His Son Jesus, is not only one of respect, but of obedience.  Like an earthly father, being older and wiser, taking the lead, and the son following in his footsteps, keeping the commandment to “honor thy father.” 11

Yet the Jesus of The Shack teaches that the Father “is as much submitted to me as I to him,” and it’s Godhead “are submitted to [us] in the same way” as they are to eachother.  Whereas the idea of having authority to ensue accountability is lost on the book’s author, who only sees it as “merely the excuse the strong use to make others conform to what they want”, whereas it’s Godhead “respects [our] choices.”

In contrast to this the Epistles teach that “the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” 12 They also recognise that Godly authority can be given to men in His service, but that “no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.” 13

Organizations

The Shack is “not too fond of religion and institutions.”  Its Gods “don’t create institutions,” 14 and say that church is “not the place I go on Sundays.” 15 They are not Christians, even their Jesus says “I am not a Christian,” 16 and says of the others that he “has no desire to make them Christian.” 17 Instead, amongst their followers are “Buddhists” and “Muslims” as well as those with no religion at all. 18

Whilst Christians come from many different backgrounds, and worship in many different ways on different days, yet the Savior promised that when their faith was genuine “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 19 The Bible tells us that the real Jesus was not only fond of religion, but that he instituted one.  He chose and ordained the Apostles, 20 and told Peter that, “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 21 If the gates of hell cannot prevail against it, then The Shack doesn’t stand a chance in trying to do so.  For God gave the Church for a divine purpose, that is ongoing:

“He [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” 22

The Scriptures tell us that “Christ” Himself “is the head of the Church:”  That He “also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it;” 23 That He died, but remains “head over all things to the Church,” which he “built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;” 24

Laws

Sin is what separates us from God.  He has given us laws for our protection and advancement, and tells us, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” 25 This simple doctrine, at the heart of the Christian idea of salvation, is contradicted in The Shack, as can be seen from the following dialogue:

“Are you saying I don’t have to follow the rules? …”
“Yes. In Jesus you are not under any law. All things are lawful.”
“You can’t be serious! You’re messing with me again,” moaned Mack.
“Child,” interrupted Papa , “you ain’t heard nuthin’ yet.”

Another member of the book’s Godhead goes on to say “I have a great fondness for uncertainty. Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse.” 26 However, just loving God isn’t enough.  As Jesus points out, loving our friends isn’t good enough to get us to heaven, even evil people do that too. 27 If we really love God we need to show it, as the Savior puts it simply: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” 28 In return He promises us if we do so we “shall abide in [His] love.” 29 Although The Shack views rules as onerous, the Lord tells us “his commandments are not grievous” 30 for “his burden is light, and his yoke is easy.”

Justice

Beginning with the story of Adam in the garden, written by the hand of the Lord of Sinai, embodied in the life and sacrifice of Jesus, and culminating in the judgements described in Revelation, we see that man is accountable for his actions and will be judged for them.  Yet God in His mercy and grace provided an atonement through His Son, so that forgiveness could be granted through repentance, and good deeds could be rewarded.

Yet in The Shack everyone is already forgiven, it’s Papa has “forgiven all humans for their sins against me” 31 and says “I don’t need to punish people for sin.” 32 Yet curiously, we are told that the murderer of Mack’s daughter is waiting to be “released” and “redeemed” by Mack’s forgiveness, for Papa tells him that “for you to forgive this man is for you to release him to me and allow me to redeem him.”  Yet there is no indication of whether the murderer was repentant or not, or why Mack should have the godlike power to condemn someone by refusing to forgive them.

However, the God of the Bible does hold men accountable for their own sins, and will reward or punish them according to their conduct.  In the Old Testament the Lord states “if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you,” 33 and the New Testament warns us “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 34

Evil

Of course, in a world without sin what need would there be of a literal Devil.  Perhaps this is why he is not mentioned in The Shack, because he does not exist in it’s imaginary world.  Evil is spoken of, but it is explained that “evil and darkness can only be understood in relation to Light and Good; they do not have any actual existence.” 35

The Gospels paint a very different picture, with a literal visit of Lucifer to Jesus, 36 Jesus casting out multiple demons, 37 and teaching people to pray to be delivered from evil. 38

From the first time the Savior’s future mission was mentioned in the book of Genesis, his purpose has been to conquer Satan. 39 This same message is contained in the last few pages of the Bible: 40

“The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

Mormonism

One area which has been of particular interest to Mormons in The Shack is its emphasis on personal revelation, which Latter-day Saints have been pleasantly surprised to find, as well as the idea of a God who takes a personal interest in our individual lives.  However, to overlook the books weaknesses because of this small strength would be a mistake.

Besides the specific areas of concern to Christians in general, there are other areas Mormon doctrine clearly contradicts some of the views in The Shack .  It’s God is “neither male nor female”, it presumes we only consider him as one gender because of our “religious conditioning.” 41 When Jesus taught us to pray to “our father which art in heaven” 42 we take that literally, and believe our heavenly Father to be “the father of our spirits.”

To the author of The Shack the ‘fall’ of Adam was a mistake – “everything got messed up”. 43 But the scriptures tell us that “Adam was not deceived”, 44 that “Adam fell that men might be,” 45 and that without this we couldn’t return to be with God. 46

In interviews the books author has admitted he does not believe that Christ died for our sins, but that he literally became our sins, 47 which conflicts with the idea of a sinless Savior, and a perfect sacrifice.

Why then, if The Shack contradicts mainstream Christianity and Mormonism so much, we might ask why it has become so popular?  Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard’s words seem to sum up the reason -

“The larger the crowd, the more probable that that which it praises is folly, and the more improbable that it is truth; and the most improbable of all that it is any eternal truth.”

Conclusion

As has been illustrated in this article, The Shack is no replacement for the scriptures, in fact it contradicts the scriptures in many instances.  Those who have not read it and still wish to do so should exercise some caution.  Whilst they read it, they may want to keep in mind these facts:

• The Shack is a work of fiction, not a work of theology.
• It was written by a salesman, not by prophets inspired by God.
• It is set in a fantasy world, not the real one.
• The characters who represent Gods in The Shack are not our God.
• The main character’s life is imagined, he does not represent us.
• Its teachings come from imaginary beings and are for an imaginary man, who lives in an imaginary world.  It does not apply to us personally, and contradicts the real world and the Lord’s word.

Finally, let us not forget that God’s house has firm foundations. 48 It is set upon a rock, 49 on a hill, 50 not the middle of a field.  It is a temple 51 – not a shack!

Footnotes

1 The Shack, William P. Young, Wayne Jacobson, and Brad Cummings, 2007, Windblown Media.

2 As the god of The Shack is a fictional character the word is italicised.

3 Hebrews 1:3.

4 The Shack, p. 238. Note: the page numbering may be different in other editions.

5 Romans 1:22-23.

6 Deuteronomy 5:8.

7 The Shack, p. 235.

8 John 5:30, see verse 19.

9 John 8:28-29.

10 1 Corinthians 15:28.

11 Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:4.

12 1 Corinthians 11:3.

13 Hebrews 5:4.

14 The Shack, p. 347.

15 The Shack, p. 344.

16 The Shack, p. 352.

17 The Shack, p. 353

18 Ibid.

19 Matthew 8:20.

20 John 15:16 – “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,”

21 Matthew 16:28.

22 Ephesians 4:11-13.

23 Ephesians 5:25.

24 Ephesians 2:20.

25 1 John 3:4.

26 The Shack, p. 394.

27 Matthew 5:46.

28 John 14:15.

29 John 15:10.

30 1 John 5:2-3.

31 The Shack, p. 435.

32 The Shack, p. 230.

33 Leviticus 26:18.

34 1 John 1:8-9.

35 The Shack, p. 262.

36 Matthew 4:1-11.

37 Matthew 8:16, Mark 1:34 etc.

38 Matthew 6:13.

39 Genesis 3:14-15. Also 1 John 3:8: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

40 1 John 3:8.

41 The Shack, p. 179.

42 Matthew 6:9.

43 The Shack, p. 190.

44 1 Timothy 2:14.

45 2 Nephi 2:25.

46 Moses 6:48.

47 http://morebooksandthings.blogspot.com/2009/03/transcript-of-interview.html

48 Isaiah 28:16; Psalms 104:5.

49 Matthew 7:24-25; 16:18; 1 Corinthians 10:4.

50 Matthew 5:14.

51 Isaiah 2:2.

I would like to begin by thanking you once again for sharing with me the news of your plans to marry. … I, like others, have been able to feel of your special spirit in the short times we have spent together, have enjoyed your love of life, and have been impressed with your desire to serve God, I have little doubt that it was recognizing these qualities in you that attracted your fiance to you. …

Many people will try to give you suggestions, and will share their wisdom or worries. I very rarely presume to give such advice to anyone. I still have a great deal of experience to gain in so many areas, and I know that any answer a person gains by themselves is far more convincing than one I could ever give them. Yet I know that as a fellow child of God, a brother in spirit, and a Priesthood holder, that I sometimes have an obligation to share what I know or feel if it might be of help.

I realize that over the next few months much of your time is going to be taken up in the process of courting and readying yourself for marriage. It can be an exciting time, and it may be a very busy one. Although I hope we can meet up sometime soon I am not certain we will have that opportunity, or that we will have the time necessary – if we do – for me to share so many of the questions I have hoped to ask you, and have wanted to hear your views and feelings on. So I would like to take this chance, if I can ask for some of your time and patience, to share with you some thoughts and questions that may be the most important ones for you to ask yourself at this point of your life.

We share so many views and ideals in common. We are both trying to serve our heavenly Father, we both have a love for the Gospel, and a commitment to try to live all of it. It is a rare thing in this world to have such an outlook, and to set our courses in such a direction. We are both trying to reach the same heavenly goals, and none of us wants an easier or lesser glory.

Although we share the same intent, we are, however, approaching this goal from slightly different angles. Some believe that all of us will eventually join up along the highway that leads to the fulfillment of our hopes and that although the road we take may be a little different that they will all end up in the same place. I am no cartographer, I cannot tell you whether all roads in the world lead to Rome or Salt Lake City or Independence, Missouri – although I doubt that all roads do. But I am a student of the Scriptures and I know that the directions they give to heaven are through a strait and narrow path that few find, and can only be entered into through the right gate.

The scriptures tell us that the gate through which we make it onto that path is Priesthood authority. You and I both believe in the need for Priesthood and in the power of the Priesthood. It was by Priesthood authority that the worlds were organized, that the Council in heaven was convened and God’s plan proposed, and by Priesthood that the plan has been carried out. Without Priesthood anything we do in this life will last only in this life, because only God’s authority lasts into the eternity, whilst earthly authority is only temporary.

“He that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained”1

“Everything that is in the world, … that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead,”2

It is my belief that if you were to marry in the Spring or at any other time to anyone, no matter how good their intent or yours may be, if it was done outside of the correct authority, that the marriage would last only for this life. That in the eternities you would find yourself separated and single, without a husband, outside of the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, and without the opportunity to be exalted.

“If a man marry a wife, and make a covenant with her for time and for all eternity, if that covenant is not by me or by my word, … through him who I have anointed and appointed unto this power, then it is not valid neither of force when they are out of the world, because they are not joined by me, … they cannot, therefore, inherit my glory;”3

Please don’t misunderstand me. … The man you intend to marry may be of the finest character, with the most honorable intentions, and may be intent on bringing great happiness into your life. But if he is truly the right one for you I am sure he would want you to be sure, not only of him, but of the authority by which your marriage will take place, and he would want to have such a testimony for himself too.

Many men have the Priesthood entrusted to them, but not everyone has the authority to seal Celestial Marriages. Without the proper authority, commission and authorization, God does not recognize such administrations. God’s house is a house of order, and there is an order to the Priesthood, there are conditions by which it exists, and a hierarchy by which it is governed. Yet we can both see many groups and individuals claiming they are the ones in order, and this issue has seemed to have become more complicated. The issue of authority, however, rests upon simple principles which God has laid out in the scriptures.

“There is never but one on the earth at a time on whom this power and the keys of the priesthood are conferred”4

God has given us the scriptures as a guide and standard, they are our iron rod that leads us back to God, and provides us a sure test by which we can discover and test the truth. He has not left us to wander aimlessly, he has given us the words of our prophets, and they have shared with us ways to detect where the keys of the Priesthood are. We cannot hope to get through the doors of the Celestial Kingdom without having them opened for us by those who control those keys.

“It is necessary to know who holds the keys of power, and who does not or we are likely to be deceived.”5

Some say that the keys no longer exist, but the Lord has promised us that “the keys of God’s kingdom” have been committed “for the last times; and for the fullness of times.”6 Others say that the keys belong to everyone who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, but again the Lord states that “the keys of the kingdom” will “belong always unto the Presidency of the High Priesthood:”7

“No person, or people, or nation can enter into the principle of celestial marriage unless they come in by me, saith the Lord, and obey the law of my Gospel through the medium of him who is appointed unto this power.”8

Others may claim that there is no successor of Joseph Smith on the earth today, but again the Lord has promised us that even if a Prophet were to go astray and his authority was “taken from him” he would still retain the power “to appoint another in his stead.”9 Because only through him could “the ‘oracles’ be given to another.”10

This makes it clear that no angel could re-restore these keys, the patriarchal authority of a father cannot replace them, nor can anyone take upon themselves that authority, no matter how ‘inspired’ they may feel they are, or whatever revelations they claim to have had. God has spoken, and He does not change his mind.

“If any man comes to you professing to be ordained by an angel, he is either a liar or has been imposed upon in consequence of transgression by an angel of the devil, for this priesthood shall never be taken …”11

To ensure this authority would continue, John Taylor, acting under the direction of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith, ordained Apostles in September 1886 to keep alive Celestial Marriage and to “uphold and sustain the principles of the Gospel,” and gave them “authority to ordain others … under the direction of the worthy senior, so that there should be no cessation in the work.”12

That authority has continued to the present day, with no gaps or diversions, in a continual, uninterrupted line. Just as in Joseph Smith’s day, so it is the same now: No one can be properly sealed in Celestial Marriage without the approval of the man who presides over the keys. There is no way around it if we want to live Celestial Marriage, as Joseph Smith plainly put it, “The sealing power is always vested in one man, and that there never was, nor never would be, but one man on the earth at a time to hold the keys of the sealing power … all sealings must be performed by the man holding the keys, or by his dictation.”13

Please feel free to ask me any questions about what I’ve shared. I’m eager to learn your thoughts and opinions, and value them greatly. If you feel I am wrong in anything I’ve said I would be grateful if you would show me how and where. I have tried to put myself across as plainly as possible, but hope I have not sounded rude or disrespectful. The idea of you finding a soulmate with whom to spend your life is a wonderful one, but I am just trying to share my concern that without you finding the answer to these issues, and the authority that comes with them, then your happiness and his will be limited to this life. That is a thought that has worried me greatly, and has helped prompt me (along with God’s Spirit) to write this letter to you, even if it meant risking upsetting you, which is something I definitely do not want to do, as I value your friendship so greatly, and admire you so much.

I have no intention to discourage you, or to pretend that I have any right to tell you what you should do. Whatever your thoughts and choices, I pray that we shall always be friends. … I wish you the most abundant of God’s greatest blessings, as well as His guidance, comfort and help at this special time and always.

Always your friend and brother in the Gospel,

Footnotes

1 D&C 43:7, see v. 4-7 & D&C 22:4.

2 D&C 132:13.

3 D&C 132:18, see v. 15-17.

4 D&C 132:7.

5 Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 336.

6 D&C 27:13, see 90.-2 & 112:30.

7 D&C 81:2, see D&C 107:21.

8 Revelation to John Taylor, 25/6 June 1882, Unpublished Revelations 80:6-7.

9 D&C 43:5, see 28:7.

10 D&C 90:4.

11 Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, 20 Nov 1846, p. 139.

12 Testimonies of John & Lorin Woolley, Samuel & Daniel Bateman, George Q. Cannon, and John W. Taylor, from 1897 to 1938.

13 Quoted by Brigham Young to William Smith, August 10, 1845, in William Smith Papers.

The first mention of this James is in the book of Matthew, in which those in the synagogue, who were dismissive of Jesus’ divine origins and mission, asked:

“Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not with us?”

Here we discover that Jesus had at least four brothers: James, which would be better translated Jacob;1 Joses (or Joseph), named after his father;2 Judas, also known as Jude or Judah;3 and Simon. He had sisters also, but sadly it does not mention their names.

From this simple passage has since arisen a great deal of speculation. Later Catholic scholars, who considered even married intimacy sinful and believed that Mary had always remained a virgin4, have argued that these brothers of Jesus must have been step-brothers from a previous marriage, cousins, or only brothers in the Gospel.  This verse does not lend itself to such an interpretation though. They are spoken of as both the sons of Joseph the carpenter, and of Mary.5 The Greek word used for brothers here literally means “out of the same womb”,6 and is never applied to cousins.

That James was the literal son of Mary is borne out by ancient Jewish and Christian historians. The venerable Josephus calls him “a brother of Jesus”, not a half brother, step-brother or cousin.7 A second century Apostolic Constitution proclaimed, “James was the brother of Christ according to the flesh”,8 and in the Liturgy of St. James he is literally called “the brother of God.”

James was a remarkable child, according to one ancient authority, he “was holy from his birth. Everyone from the Lord’s time till our own has called him the righteous”9 As a young man he seems to have entered into a Nazarite Oath like John the Baptist and Sampson had,10 for “he drank no wine nor strong drink, nor did he eat flesh. No razor came upon his head;”11

Being from a royal lineage “he alone was permitted to enter into the holy place; for he wore not woolen but linen garments. And he was in the habit of entering alone into the temple, and was frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people.”12 Yet despite his devotion, he and his siblings were reticent at first to believe in the mission of his elder brother Jesus, as John records, “neither did his brethren believe in him.”13 Perhaps this what led Jesus to remark that a prophet was without honor “among his own kin, and in his own house.”14

However, it would seem that towards the end of the Savior’s ministry, James had begun to accept Jesus for who He was. As Jerome recites a tradition that following the death of Jesus, James had made a vow to not eat or drink until he had seen Jesus raised from the dead. Paul confirms that Jesus appeared to James following his resurrection.15 At that time Jesus is meant to have said, “My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of man is risen from the dead.”  Christ’s confidence in James can be seen in the fact that prior to his ascension He “imparted knowledge to James the Just and to John and Peter, and they imparted it to the rest of the apostles, and the rest of the apostles to the seventy.”16

Later, when Peter was released from prison, he came to the house of Mary where the Lord had instructed him to tell James and the brethren of his prison escape.17 Around this time James was appointed by revelation to Peter and John to preside over Jerusalem. According to Clement this was “preferred by our Lord”,18 and as another source confirmed he was “appointed … by the Lord Himself”19 He held this position until his death.

When a controversy arose in which some Jewish converts who didn’t fully understand the Gospel were demanding the circumcision of Gentile Christians, Paul met in Jerusalem with the Apostles, and James played a significant role in that meeting.20 He reminded them of Peter’s encounter with Cornelius and how the Gentiles were to be brought into the kingdom, as the prophets had predicted. The Apostles and the whole church agreed that circumcision should not be performed amongst children and converts, and it was done.21

Following his third mission, Paul returned to Jerusalem, where he reported to James.22 He later recorded that he considered James, along with Peter and John as the pillars in the Church.23 From Paul we learn that “James, the Lord’s brother” was classed as an “Apostle” by this time.24 Jerome later related that “so Holy was James that the people zealously tried to touch the fringes of his garment.”

James is primarily known in the Christian world through the Epistle he left behind, that now forms part of the New Testament.25 It’s content has proved a thorn in the side of Christendom, with Martin Luther ready to remove it from the Bible. It speaks of the necessity of good works, as well as faith; of the ability to “ask of God” to receive answers through personal revelation; it gives warnings against seeking wealth; and speaks of the procedure for anointing the sick.26

It is recorded that he “ruled the church of Jerusalem thirty years, that is until the seventh year of Nero”27 around 61 AD. According to Josephus, the high priest, Ananus convened the judges of the Sanhedrin and brought James before them, who was the brother of Jesus. He was accused then of having transgressed the law and delivered them up to be stoned.28 According to another account, he was first “thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple, stoned, and finally killed by a fuller’s club.”

Josephus, who was a contemporary of James, even attributed the outrage at his death to the reason of the fall of Jerusalem. He believed that the destruction by the Romans “happened to the Jews in requital for James the Righteous, who was a brother of Jesus known as Christ, for though he was the most Righteous of men, the Jews put him to death.”29 One Christian commentator added, “So remarkable a person must James have been, so universally esteemed for Righteousness, that even the most intelligent of Jews felt this was why his martyrdom was immediately followed by the siege of Jerusalem.”

With only a handful of references to him in scripture, many have overlooked James the Just, but from what little information does remain about him we find he was a remarkable and significant individual, who is worthy of our consideration and emulation. Whether we are the literal blood relations of Jesus Christ or not, He did promise us that we can all become classed amongst His brothers and sisters. This is the truth Jesus was teaching as he hung on the cross and said “my mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.”30 May we all be faithful to be classed amongst his siblings and children.

“And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.”31

Mary – Perpetual Virginity?

Amongst Roman pagans lifelong virginity was equated with purity, and was considered to confer special spiritual status upon women, known as “vestal virgins.” It was probably due to this tradition that later Roman Catholic scholars, such as St. Jerome, attributed “perpetual virginity” to the mother of Jesus, which became an official doctrine of the church at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. Because of this most of the Christian world now believes that any mention in the scriptures to the children of Mary must really be referring to step-siblings or even cousins. However, as we will see, this belief has no support from the Bible itself.

Matthew tells us that “the birth of Jesus Christ” took place “before they (Mary and Joseph) came together”.32 The phrase “came together” (from the Greek “sunerchomai”) refers to sexual intimacy,33 therefore if they ultimately “came together” then they must have been sexually intimate some time after the birth of Jesus. We are also told a few verses later that Joseph “knew her (Mary) not til she had brought forth her firstborn son.” The phrase “knew” here is a scriptural euphemism for sexual intercourse,34 and whenever the New Testament uses the term “not til” (from the Greek “heos hou”) it always refers to something that eventually happened. If this sentence were not already plain enough it refers to Jesus as her “firstborn” son,35 which would make little sense unless she subsequently had other sons.

For Mary to have been married and not to have kept the commandment to “multiply and replenish” would not only have been against God’s first commandment in the Old Testament,36 but against her Son Jesus’ own teachings.37 Given the weight of the scriptural evidence we can be certain Mary did keep the commandment to continue to have children following Jesus, and will be reward for this as well as her unique role as the mother of the Son of God.

Footnotes

1 In the Hebrew it’s “Ya’aqov”. “It means Jacob.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 349)
2 It seems to have been the tradition in Zechariah’s family for sons to be named after their father – Luke 1:59-63.
3 JST Mark 6:4.
4 See essay on “Mary – Perpetual Virginity?” at the end of this article.
5 “The man Joseph, the husband of Mary, did not, that we know of, have more than one wife, but Mary the wife of Joseph had another husband.” (Heber C. Kimball, Deseret News, October 10, 1866)
6 “adelphos”
7 Antiquities 20:200. Note: he would have referred to him as “homomhtros or homopatros adelphos” if he were anything less than full brothers.
8 Syriac Apostolic Constitutions 8.35.
9 Hegesippus (100-180 AD).
10 Luke 1:15 & Judges 13:15.
11 Hegesippus, Commentaries on the Acts of the Church.
12 Eusebius, Church History II.23.5-6.
13 John 7:5.
14 Mark 6:4.
15 1 Corinthians 15:7.
16 Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD), Books of the Hypotyposes 7,Church History II.1.3-5.
17 Acts 12:12-17.
18 “For they say that Peter and James and John after the ascension of our Saviour, as if also preferred by our Lord, strove not after honor, but chose James the Just bishop of Jerusalem.” Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD), Books of the Hypotyposes 6, Church History II.1.3-5
19 Syriac Apostolic Constitutions 8.35, 2nd century.
20 Acts 15:13-21.
21 D&C 74:2-7; see Moroni 8:8.
22 Acts 21:18-25.
23 Galatians 2:9-10.
24 Galatians 1:19.
25 One of the Savior’s other brothers Jude also left a short letter (25 verses). It is the last epistle, and the penultimate book of the New Testament.
26 Ask of God – 1:5-6; Faith and works – 2:14-26; Anointing sick – 5:14-15; Rich warned – 1:9-11, 2:1-8, 5:1-6.
27 Lives of Illustrious Men, chapter 2.
28 Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, page 598.
29 Origin quoting Josephus.
30 Luke 8:19-21.
31 Mosiah 5:7, see Mosiah 15:10-11, Moroni 7:19.
32 Matthew 1:18.
33 See 1 Corinthians 7:5.
34 Genesis 4:1.
35 See Luke 2:7 too.
36 Genesis 2:24.
37 Matthew 19:5-6.

Contents

The One Mighty and Strong

The Tree of Life

Our Rights

Convictions or Preferences

Poetry -

The Spirit

Out of Myself

Download a Printable Version

We feel it through the burning of our heart
through the promptings for us to do right
It enters into our bodies – into every part
and it brightens our own internal light

Sometimes it tells us to cast our mind back
to the answer we already had before
It is there to help keep us on the right track
to open our minds, to reveal to us more

Sometimes it works within us silently
even when we are busy or in slumber rest
Its calm influence working on us slowly
bringing about in us all that is for our best

However it comes, in whatever form
whether by peace or joy, dreams or visions
Whether we seek it for emotional comfort
or to help us make difficult decisions …

It is a divine gift from a loving God
It is our companion and our close friend
It is there to help us hold to the rod
and it will be there beside us to the very end

All men should be entitled to two kinds of rights: – natural and artificial. Natural rights are embraced in life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness. Artificial rights consist of powers granted by legislative enactment; hence the machinery of government. …

Men do not enjoy all their rights in any government now existing. They waive the right by appointing men to make laws for the safety and convenience of the whole, allowing the majority to govern. But this is no criterion, or standard to suit the wants and capacities of the people. Every man is above the law, and can act as he pleases if he does not interfere with his neighbor’s right.

This is clearly taught in the great foundation of all law, the ten commandments. Human law, the artificial contrivance of the intellect, is not binding upon any honest man; nor should it be any more than the creeds and dogmas of bigots. Laws are for transgressors. …

Men have a right to petition and protest, and if either is unheeded by those entrusted with powers, they, the people, (oppressed) have what is denominated the reserved right of protecting themselves from insult.

Nor is it less legal for an insulted individual or community to resist oppression. For this reason, until the blood of Joseph and Hyrum Smith has been atoned for, by hanging, shooting, or staying in some manner, every person engaged in that cowardly, mean assassination, no Latter-day Saint should give himself up to the law: for the presumption is, that they will murder him in the same manner. The government has not redeemed the broken faith of the State; but upon the contrary, allowed an indicted murderer to sit in the legislative halls, whereby the whole state becomes accessory to the crime! The partaker is as bad as the thief.

Neither should civil process come in to Nauvoo, till the United States, by a rigorous effort, causes the state of Missouri and the state of Illinois to redress every man that has suffered the loss of lands, goods, or any thing else, by expulsion and the robbery from the one state and martyrdom and state plunder in the other. Commissioners can be appointed to regulate, where the clandestine forms of law might require the strange work of God to rebut it.

Let it be proclaimed to the ends of the earth that the lives of the Saints are their own property, and that they are bound to protect them, and that they will in the name of Israel’s God.

If any man is bound to maintain the law, it is for the benefit he may derive from it. No man can be compelled in a free country, to support a law that deprives him of his natural rights, when, enjoying them is no disadvantage to his neighbor. “Thus,” says Blackstone, “the statute of King Edward IV, which forbade the fine gentlemen of those times (under the degree of Lord) to wear pikes upon their boots and shoes of more than two inches in length, was a law that savored of oppression.”

Well, our charter is repealed; the murderers of the Smiths are running at large, and if the Mormons should wish to imitate their fore-fathers, and fulfil the scriptures making it “hard to kick against the pricks,” by wearing cast steel pikes about four or five inches long on their boots and shoes, to kick with, that’s the harm?

John Taylor, The Nauvoo Neighbor, 23rd April 1845.

The United States Supreme Court classifies all religious beliefs as either preferences or convictions. According to the court, only convictions are given the full protection of the First Amendment.

When is a Belief a Preference?

A belief is a preference when, under certain circumstances, that belief can be changed. A belief may be strong and intense and may still be a preference. The five circumstances noted by the court that most often cause one to change his beliefs are: peer pressure, family pressure, litigation pressure, jail pressure, and death pressure.

Peer Pressure – When the disapproval of others causes one to bend their beliefs, their beliefs are simply preferences.

Family Pressure – It is often pressure from within a family – from a spouse, parent, or child – that will cause one to lessen their beliefs. The court held that if family pressure causes one to change ones beliefs, then those beliefs are merely a preference.

Litigation Pressure – When one faces an intimidating legal battle, he often re-evaluates his beliefs. If a lawsuit changes your beliefs, they are preferences.

Jail Pressure – Would you be willing to suffer a jail sentence for your belief? If not, your belief is just a preference.

Death Pressure – The ultimate test of a belief is whether you would be willing to die for it – like many Christian martyrs have done throughout history. Would you be willing to die for your belief? If not, your belief is not a conviction.

When is a Belief a Conviction?

Convictions are self-determined – The court held that if you need other people to stand with you, your belief is not a conviction. A conviction must be self-determined, not influenced by what others do or by what others ask of you.

Convictions are nonnegotiable – If you are willing to even discuss the option of dishonouring your belief, your belief is not a conviction but only a preference.

Convictions are victorious – Victory is standing for what you believe is right, regardless of the cost. The court held that if you need earthly victory to remain true to what you believe, you do not have a conviction.

Convictions are lifestyles – The court held that if a man holds true to his beliefs, those beliefs will evidence themselves in a life which is consistent with those beliefs.

Convictions must control a person’s life.

If religious liberty is to be passed on to the next generation, it is critical that we study the Gospel so that we can understand what it teaches, live consistent lives according to those teachings, and stand firmly for Gospel principles. Only then will the world recognise God’s people to be people of conviction and only then will we find our faith is sufficient to pass the test of conviction versus preference.

This story was previously printed in
the British edition of Messenger magazine (2:1).
It was written by a previous editor.

I faint, the road winds upward all the way
Each night but ends another weary day.
Give me Thy strength, and may I be so blest
As on “the heights” to find the longed for rest?
Out of my weary self, O lift me up!

Though other hearts with love are running o’er;
Though dear ones fill my lonely home no more;
Though every day I miss the fine caress;
Help me to join in other’s happiness.
Out of my lonely self, O lift me up!

Help me to feel that Thou are always near;
E’en though ‘tis night and all around seems drear,
Help me to know that, though I cannot see,
It is my Father’s hand that leadeth me!
Out of my doubting self, O lift me up!

Joseph F. Smith

Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life is one of the most memorable visions in all of Mormonism. Beginning in chapter eight of the first book of Nephi, the vision sets the stage for everything that follows in the Book of Mormon. It is a testament to us that God’s plan for His children is for us to withstand the test of mortality, to be able to once again return to His presence; this is the Plan of Salvation.

The literal interpretation of the vision is that if we hold to the rod we will be given the opportunity to partake of the love of God. Through Nephi’s prophetic interpretation of the vision, we are able to gain an in-depth understanding of its meaning, as well as a glimpse at the grace of God. However, the vision and its meaning are so significant that if we dig a little deeper, we can find greater meaning and clues that shed light on some of the steps we must take in order to be worthy of the promises God has made to us.

Lehi’s dream isn’t just about the Nephites or any other particular group of people. It is about each and every one of us.

Relating Scripture to Ourselves

John records that the Savior said; “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”¹

This raises the question: Who (or what) is the “world” this verse is referring to? Clearly, God does not love the wickedness of the world. But God loves His children whom He sent into the World – through His Son – and wishes for as many of them as possible to qualify for an everlasting life with Him.

The test of mortality began when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” and became mortal, which is commonly called “the Fall.” In Moses’ story, Adam and Eve transgressed and were cast out of the garden and the presence of God. Similarly, we are born into mortality as a perfect being in an imperfect world. Because of the Fall, mankind are incapable of remaining perfect before God and therefore unworthy to be in the presence of God. We have the free agency to choose to follow God, or to defy Him. We may often find ourselves in a world that seems to be like “the lone and dreary world” in Lehi’s vision. There are many dangerous temptations we encounter and things that lead us unknowingly off the path of truth and righteousness. We must call upon the Lord to escape the temptations of the world. We have been provided with all the resources we need through scripture, revelations from the Lord, keys of the Priesthood, and guidance by the Holy Ghost that will lead us back to Him if we will believe and obey Him.

God loves those who listen to His words and obey Him; His elect people. By sending His only begotten Son to atone for our sins, He gave each of us the chance to be forgiven of them and to become a part of his elect people.

Nephi admonishes us to “Go ye forth out of Babylon,”² calling us to repentance. But is forsaking our sins enough to enter into the Celestial Kingdom? No. We must follow all of God’s commandments if we desire to be in His presence again. Only the Atonement can make us worthy to make the covenants and meet the conditions He has required of us. The presence of God, symbolized as the Tree of Life in Lehi’s vision, is only attainable through receiving all of God’s ordinances of the gospel, including the endowment.

Through the grace of God we can do good works, and for those works we will be rewarded. Some will waste the days of their probation, or will begin with enthusiasm, but fall away in discouragement. A few will take full advantage of the opportunities God gives them; they will live a life worthy of obtaining the fruit of eternal life. Whether our deeds were wicked or righteous we will all have to face judgment, as Nephi foresaw:

“… the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.

Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.

Wherefore the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest gift of all the gifts of God. …”³

Our Life as Seen Through Lehi’s Vision

While traveling in the wilderness with his family, Lehi announces that he has had a vision that has given him reason to believe that Nephi, Sam “and also many others will be saved,” but caused him to fear greatly for the salvation of Laman and Lemuel.⁴

The vision begins with Lehi traveling through a “dark and dreary wilderness.”⁵ This dark and dreary wilderness is analogous to mortality and the temptations therein. Nephi states that the dark and dreary wilderness represents the many temptations of the world.

Mortality has been defined as a probationary and preparatory state⁶ whereby man might become like God. There are four central ideas in the the plan of salvation: the creation, the fall, the redemption of mankind through the Atonement and ordinances of the gospel, and the ultimate judgment and reward for our deeds. It was God’s design that we come to earth to prove ourselves worthy to become like Him. If men want to become like God, they must not only endure mortality, but make necessary advancements and progressions through sacred ordinances while living in a mortal state. They must prove their worthiness and be able to withstand the temptations of the devil. The Atonement allows men, in their fallen state, to be worthy of receiving such ordinances and making covenants with God, and those who remain faithful to receive a glorious reward.

After the Fall, men became carnal, sensual, and devilish.⁷ We must take our bodies from corruption to “incorruption”, making ourselves worthy to be resurrected and ascend from mortality to immortality. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”⁸ However, the journey is not easy and the temptations are great. Many fall away in sin and unbelief.

Satan is “the father of all lies,” and his goal is to “deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will.”⁹ Ignorance of truth is one of his best weapons. Satan is sly, devious and subtle. Without humbling ourselves and seeking the words of the Lord, we cannot endure the many temptations of the world. In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn that “darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.”¹⁰ We are promised that we will be able to open the door to the kingdom of heaven, inasmuch as we humble ourselves and abide by His word, and heed the promptings of the Spirit.

Our Guide

Because Lehi is mortal, he must seek the word of the Lord to guide him through this vast wilderness. Out of the darkness a man dressed in white stands before Lehi and speaks to him, bidding Lehi to follow him through the dark wilderness. (Nephi sees this figure as a man, but knows it is the Spirit of the Lord.) The Spirit acts as Lehi’s divine guide. We might conclude that the Spirit is representative of the Holy Ghost in our own lives. It is also noteworthy that the Spirit acts like a tutor to Nephi, helping him to correctly understand what he is seeing. As Paul tells us, “the things of God knoweth no man, but [by] the Spirit of God.”¹¹

The Holy Ghost, one of God’s many gifts to us, is our own personal spirit guide through mortality. He can shield us and protect us from evil. We are told in John that “the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”¹² By being baptized and thereafter receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost we are given an unparalleled advantage that will allow us to be inspired in all things if we will have a broken heart and a contrite spirit, making it possible to endure to the end. The Holy Ghost is a gift given to any who will receive it; a gift that we should not take for granted:

“And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.”¹³

We know that mankind must pray and gain knowledge for themselves of the plan of salvation from the Holy Ghost. Nephi tells us that “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.”¹⁴

The Fruit & The Gulf

After traveling for many hours, Lehi begins to pray unto the Lord to have mercy on him “according to the multitude of his tender mercies.”¹⁵ Only after calling upon the Lord, and with the assistance of the Holy Ghost, can Lehi begin to see through the darkness. He is shown a large and spacious field containing a tree “whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.”¹⁶

Lehi goes forth and partakes of the fruit which fills his “soul with exceeding great joy.”¹⁷ He finds that the fruit is so desirable that he wishes for his family to partake of it with him. The joy he feels after eating the fruit is representative of the joy one can experience after “tasting” the gospel – a joy that is not complete without one’s family.

According to Nephi, the tree represents the Love, or the presence, of God. The love of God is manifest unto us because we know that God sent His only begotten Son to the world. Christ condescended and died for our sins and thereby saved mankind from the effects of the Fall. Alma realized that the gift of mercy God granted to his penitent children, could have only come through so great a sacrifice:

“Mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence …”¹⁸

While Lehi is searching for his family so that they may also partake of the fruit with him, he sees a river. “It was an awful gulf, which separated the wicked from the tree of life, and also from the saints of God … a representation of that awful hell, which the angel said unto me was prepared for the wicked.”¹⁹

When Nephi speaks about a gulf he is inferring that the river is impassable – perhaps because of its wideness, the rapid course of the water, or because it is at the bottom of a ravine. He doesn’t tell us where the river’s course leads, but undoubtedly it leads away from the tree of life, either because it pulls people into a whirlpool, or brings them downstream to some hellish destination. But it is not the innocent who are sucked into these depths, but those who have incurred God’s justice, which none can escape from, for: “The justice of God did also divide the wicked from the righteous; and the brightness thereof was like unto the brightness of a flaming fire, which ascendeth up unto God forever and ever, and hath no end.”²⁰

Lehi finally sees that his wife, Sariah, and his sons, Sam and Nephi, are at the head of the river and do not know where to go. Lehi calls to them and tells them to come to the tree to partake of the fruit with him. With the Plan of Salvation, we are promised that families may remain together if they abide by the laws of God. The Prophet Joseph stated that an eternal family unit, such as the one Lehi envisioned, can only be obtained through the sealing ordinances. He told the Saints, “The first thing you do, go and seal on earth your sons and daughters unto yourself, and yourself unto your fathers in eternal glory.”²¹ The Lord tells us that such family sealings are not binding unless they are part of everlasting marriage covenants. For, says He: “In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]; and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase.”²²

We are promised that if we meet these qualifications, and the conditions surrounding them, we can then be raised on the morning of the first resurrection with our loved ones and spend eternity with them (if they have also been faithful), ultimately extending our family throughout time and space:

“Having fought the good fight we then shall be prepared to lay our bodies down to rest to await the morning of the resurrection when they will come forth and be reunited with the spirits, the faithful, as it is said, receiving crowns, glory, immortality and eternal lives, even a fulness with the Father … Then will they become Gods, even the sons of God; then will they become eternal fathers, eternal mothers, eternal sons and eternal daughters; being eternal in their organization they go from glory to glory, from power to power; they will never cease to increase and to multiply, worlds without end. When they receive their crowns, their dominions, they then will be prepared to frame earths like unto ours and to people them in the same manner as we have been brought forth by our parents, by our Father and God.”²³

Noticing their absence, Lehi searches for Laman and Lemuel that they may also partake of the fruit. “And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would not come unto me and partake of the fruit.”²⁴ By choosing not to partake of the fruit, Laman and Lemuel forfeit their rights to have an eternal life with their family.

The Rod

Laman and Lemuel need not have strayed from the path that would have led them to their father, as Lehi went on to see, God had provided a rod of iron running along the bank of the river that leads to the tree. Nephi explains that the iron rod is “the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.”²⁵

The word of God is given to us in many forms: the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, revelations given to our Prophets, Seers and Revelators, and even through personal revelation. When we are baptized we make the decision to hold firmly to the rod. The words of God can keep us from being led into temptation because they teach us the differences between good and evil, and give us instructions for living the fullness of the gospel.

It is not enough, however, to recognize and believe in God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ—we must live by His words. Christ tells us that even more importantly than physical nourishment, we require all the words of God to live. After being tempted in the wilderness by Satan to turn stones into bread, Jesus answered him, “It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”²⁶

The Path

Those who are not seeking to follow God’s words will eventually stray from the path of truth and righteousness. In the vision Lehi sees a pathway that leads to the tree beside the iron rod. “And I also beheld a strait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even unto the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain [river] unto a large and spacious field as if it had been a world.”²⁷ It is easy for one to seemingly walk down the path, but only by adhering to the rod beside it can we ensure that we will not wander away from it.

We often think of the pathway as being “straight,” without curves. It shouldn’t be missed that the word “strait” is used instead of “straight.” Strait can sometimes be interpreted as “strict” or “rigorous.” By using “strait” to describe the path, we might be able to conclude that the path is strict, having set requirements, and consists of strict gospel principles. Nephi gives us greater insight to finding and adhering to the pathway:

“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; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay: for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end.”²⁸

Those following the strait and narrow pathway in Lehi’s vision are participating in correct principles and ordinances. They are active in the gospel and are obeying all of the laws of God. Yet, even those who are on the pathway are not safe from being led astray or succumbing to temptations. In fact, Satan’s main priority is to lead Christ’s elect people astray in any way that he can. It is his goal to confuse and manipulate us.

The Mists & The Building

A “mist of darkness” arises “insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost.”²⁹ Nephi explains that the mists of darkness are “the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men and leadeth them away into broad roads that they perish and are lost.” The mists make it difficult to distinguish between the ways of God and of the world. Every faculty can be deceived except for the Spirit. Lehi sees that some do, in fact, make their way to the tree, but after reaching it and partaking of the fruit they fall away because of persecution. History has proven that persecution is inevitable when one chooses to follow God.

Lehi then sees a “great and spacious building” filled with all manner of people who mock and point fingers at those who are holding to the rod and those who partake of the fruit. The building appears to stand in the air, high above the ground. Those in the building look down upon the righteous because they feel they, themselves, are higher, ascended, and untouchable, like those on the tower of Babel. Nephi tells us that the building is the vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men.

It is easy for us to assume that those in the great and spacious building are only the wicked and the damned of the earth. However, we cannot even assume that we ourselves are not members of the great and spacious building at various times in our lives. Anytime we mock, criticize, or belittle those who are choosing righteousness, we allow ourselves to wander from the path into the great and spacious building. It is our duty to humble ourselves and refrain from pointing fingers and assuming the right to judge others. We must refrain from making judgments, especially judgments that mock the gospel, or mock those who have been called into leadership positions.

Foreseeing that the Gentiles would mock the words of the Lord, the prophet Ether stated:

“Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words. And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”³⁰

By choosing to stay on the pathway and hold firmly to the words of God, we are almost ensuring that we will be mocked by the world at some point. Some cannot withstand the mockery from those in the great and spacious building. After partaking of the fruit they “did cast their eyes about and were ashamed … they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.”³¹ These are they who had followed the path and had completed everything that was required of them. They had successfully made their way to the tree, but once they had eaten the fruit they suddenly became much more aware of and vulnerable to the temptations and evil of the world.

Persecution & The River

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ tells us, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”³²

Those who partake of the fruit and fall away are like those in Mark which are “sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time; afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately are offended.”³³

But, despite such opposition, and the strong temptation to give in and join the world to escape it, Jesus also warns us that, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”³⁴

Lehi sees other multitudes; some making their way to the tree and partaking of the fruit, others going toward the great and spacious building. “And it came to pass that many were drowned in the depths of the [river]; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.”³⁵ He tells us that the great and spacious building “was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female;” and that there were “multitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.”³⁶ Although Lehi did not foresee the fate of this building in which those who mock the Saints reside, the Lord tells us that “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall,”³⁷ and it was revealed to Nephi that this is what would happen to this great and spacious edifice too; “great will be the fall thereof.” Given the example of the tower of Babel, it was only to be expected that such a place, which is built on such a dubious foundation, would come crashing down or be washed away along with all of its occupants.

The Four Groups

There are four distinct groups of people in the vision: 1) those who intentionally seek the great and spacious building and have no desire to partake of the fruit. They mock and ridicule those who partake of the fruit. 2) Those who neglect the divine help of the iron rod and wander away and are lost. 3) Those who follow the path and succumb to pressures of the world. 4) Those who have a firm hold to the iron rod and follow the path of righteousness. These are they who have withstood the temptations and mockery of the world, who have lived the fullness of the gospel and will receive eternal life.

We can find in many places in scripture wherein the multitudes of the earth are divided into four groups. In Matthew 13, Jesus speaks of the multitudes of the earth in the parable of the seeds. One group of seeds fall by the wayside and is devoured by fowls. Another group of seeds fall onto stony ground and cannot grow deep roots, causing the sun to scorch them. Another group falls among thorns and is choked. The final group of seeds fall onto good earth and is able to grow and produce great quantities of fruits.

He tells us that if a person hears the word of God and understands it, but turns to the “wicked one”³⁸, they are the seed that has fallen to the wayside. The seeds that fall to stony ground are those who hear the words and receive them with joy, but fall away when persecution arises. The seeds that fall among the thorns are those who seek after the riches and evils of the world. “But he that received the seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth the fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”³⁹

These four multitudes in this parable, as well as the four multitudes in Lehi’s dream, will further be divided up into four resurrections, and the different degrees of glory that accompany them.⁴⁰ These same groups of people exist in our world today.

The lowest group is the sons of perdition who, in mortality, gained a perfect knowledge of the divinity of Christ through the Holy Ghost, yet chose Satan and intentionally chose lives of wickedness. These will come forward in the last resurrection, having had no part in the millennium of peace, being raised to be judged, then condemned. Those who continue into this attitude and ultimately deny all that is true and holy, will find themselves in eternal darkness.⁴¹ They will be cast out with the devil and will not be redeemed.

There are those who seek to do wrong, sometimes out of a desire to rebel against or oppose God, or, more commonly, believing it will grant them some advantage, popularity, acceptance, wealth, or success. They look down on others who do not conform, perhaps because of the guilt they feel when the presence of others remind them of the course they should have taken. The Second Resurrection, occurring at the end of the Millennial Reign, will bring forth these people who are like those Joseph Smith saw in his vision of the Telestial kingdom who “received not the Gospel of Christ.”⁴²

All those who attempted to live righteously, but “received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh” and “were blinded by the craftiness of men.”⁴³ will be given the opportunity to receive the fullness of the gospel in the afternoon of the first resurrection.

Despite the many ways in which they can be led astray, a few remain upon the path, holding to the rod, looking forward to what they can reach, relying on the Lord for His strength, and not solely upon their own, who disregard the mocking of others, who seek only for the things the Lord wishes to offer them, and who accept His will humbly, even when it results in opposition from others. They are those who will not lose the way because of short-sightedness or distraction, and who accept the Gospel fully, not partially. Their lives will be a progression through the steps of faith, laws, ordinances, and every Godly principle until they reach sanctification and the assurance of eternal life. These will come forward on the morning of the first resurrection; they will spend a thousand years with the ones they love, and an eternity in glory.⁴⁴

The questions we must ask ourselves are “Which group do we belong to? What stage are we at on our journey, and where are we heading?”

Our Purpose & Plan

Our purpose in mortality is to obtain a physical body and to strive to perfect ourselves. Mortality is a medium through which we are offered free agency to choose between the good and evils of the world. God has given us everything we need to be able to discern between good and evil, and has promised to guide us safely through mortality if we will seek Him out and live by His words.

God is loving, patient and merciful. Because He wants all of His children to become like Him, He has given us every opportunity to successfully endure mortality. However, man cannot be found worthy of living the laws and ordinances of the gospel, or being in the presence of God once again without the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ – a gift so valuable that, without it, no man could be saved.

Because man fell, we are imperfect and therefore incapable of always making perfect decisions. Through our Savior Jesus Christ’s Atonement, we know that all men can be forgiven of their sins and be able to stand at the judgment bar of God and be found worthy of God’s blessings, if we will repent and receive Him in this lifetime. We are completely dependent upon the Atonement. If we will actively accept the words of God and his plan for us, including all of the laws and ordinances of the gospel, He will be merciful to us. “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”⁴⁵

Lehi’s vision is a testament of God’s plan for His children to once again return to His presence. It is representative of the steps we must take during mortality to achieve this. It acts as a warning to us about the dangers we will encounter along the way, but also informs us of the great happiness we can have.

In the scriptures, we are told that this is the “the plan of salvation”⁴⁶, “the great plan of happiness”⁴⁷, “the plan of mercy”⁴⁸, and “the plan of redemption”⁴⁹. Through this plan and with the Atonement, we are given the chance to once again return to the presence of God and live in eternal, Celestial glory. This is the story of Lehi’s vision, and it is our story too.

K.A.

Endnotes

¹ John 3:16
² 1 Nephi 20:20
³ 1 Nephi 15:32-33,36
⁴ 1 Nephi 8:3
⁵ 1 Nephi 8:4
⁶ Alma 42:13
⁷ Mosiah 16:3, Alma 42:10, Moses 5:13, 6:49
⁸ 1 Corinthians 15:53
⁹ Moses 4:4
¹⁰ D&C 112:23
¹¹ 1 Corinthians 2:11
¹² John 14:26
¹³ 3 Nephi 9:20
¹⁴ 2 Nephi 32:3-5
¹⁵ 1 Nephi 8:8
¹⁶ 1 Nephi 8:10
¹⁷ 1 Nephi 8:12
¹⁸ Alma 42:23.
¹⁹ 1 Nephi 15:8
²⁰ 1 Nephi 15:30
²¹ History 6:251-53
²² D&C 131
²³ Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses 18:259
²⁴ 1 Nephi 8:18
²⁵ 1 Nephi 15:24
²⁶ Luke 4:4
²⁷ 1 Nephi 8:21
²⁸ 2 Nephi 31:17-21
²⁹ 1 Nephi 8:23
³⁰ Ether 12:25-27
³¹ 1 Nephi 8:25-28
³² Matthew 5:10-12
³³ Mark 4:16-17
³⁴ Mark 8:38
³⁵ 1 Nephi 8:32
³⁶ 1 Nephi 8:27, 31
³⁷ Proverbs 16:18
³⁸ Matthew 13:19,38
³⁹ Matthew 13:30
⁴⁰ D&C 76 and 88
⁴¹ See D&C 76:31-39
⁴² D&C 76:81-90
⁴³ D&C 76:71-80
⁴⁴ D&C 76:50-70
⁴⁵ 2 Nephi 25:23
⁴⁶ Alma 24:14
⁴⁷ Alma 42:8
⁴⁸ Alma 42:15
⁴⁹ Alma 12:30