To Know Christ

[Traveler]

Do you not think that this might only apply in a curtain way like I'm trying to cover my sins as a hypocrite? If we are truly trying and testify but say I'm a sinner our words may stand to help us. If I stand in testimony meeting and testify but in fact I'm covering a gregarious thing like an addiction to pornography then I condemn myself if I have not confessed to my Bishop.

I think the answer is very simple - only testify to that, which we know by experience, sacrifice and revelation to be true. I think it is like something my brother says - the way to know if someone understands compound interest is not in any thing they say or write about it - the way to really tell how well they understand is if they pay or receive compound interest.

I believe it is good to testify to the things that we do know to be true - for example if we have experienced the blessings of paying tithing - it is good to give such witness. If we know of the blessing that come from home teaching then it is good to share what we have learned - but I also believe it is a shame to testify of tithing and not to pay a full tithe, likewise to testify of home teaching and not magnify one's calling.

Personally I am uncertain what a person means when they say, "I know the church is true". It is much more meaningful and inspiring to me to hear of someone's struggle with a particular church doctrine - as they relate an experience that demonstrated to them the importance and truthfulness of something they experience in trying to live the teachings of the church.

The Traveler

[skalenfehl]

Do you think we can see Christ's face in this life without the temple? Not arguing or disagreeing, just asking? At this point I'm still thinking to know Christ we need the temples which are brought fourth by Prophets, thus I see the teaching point of view that without prophets we can't know Christ.

In my humble and personal opinion, yes. I believe Jesus Christ's words. I do see your point and its merit. However, God is unchanging, and if He wills, who am I to limit Him?

1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.

Nephi did not create an endowment ritual for his people. Half of his life was an endowment. The entire first book of Nephi exemplifies the endowment and fulfills D&C 93:1. And Nephi, having been true and faithful did converse with the Lord through the veil. And he did enter into His presence, as did his brother Jacob.

2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him.

3 And my brother, Jacob, also has seen him as I have seen him; wherefore, I will send their words forth unto my children to prove unto them that my words are true. Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words.

The brother of Jared saw Christ, too. So did other Jaredites such as King Emer.

21 And Emer did execute judgment in righteousness all his days, and he begat many sons and daughters; and he begat Coriantum, and he anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead.

22 And after he had anointed Coriantum to reign in his stead he lived four years, and he saw peace in the land; yea, and he even saw the Son of Righteousness, and did rejoice and glory in his day; and he died in peace.

Mormon, Moroni, the list goes on.

[Finrock]

Although the covenants made in the endowment are real, the endowment itself is symbolic or it represents actions that we will need to eventual fulfill/make real/actualize. In my experience I have not been able to explain this in a way that most understand or then this concept is difficult to understand.

It is NOT enough for us to just go through the endowment ritual. The endowment ritual is teaching us, symbolically, what we need to do in actuality in order to be brought to the presence of Jesus Christ. If we take the things we learn in the endowment and then begin to implement/make real/actualize them in our everyday life, then we will one day be brought to the actual, real veil where we will be tested. Once we have proven ourselves that we will be true and faithful to all of God's commands then we can have the privilege of seeing Christ and coming in to His presence.

The covenants are real, but the endowment is not, in and of itself, sufficient for us in order to return back to the presence of the Son and through the Son, in to the presence of the Father.

I hope that makes sense.

Regards,

Finrock