2000-12-10 11:09:00
I did some Christmas shopping today and as I was driving through the congested traffic I was thinking of 'privacy's' argument that we do not need traffic rules.
I thought to myself, "Thank God there are stop signs, lights, lane dividers etc. To watch this mob drive from their heart only would be madness."
You guys are saving me time by responding to 'privacy' for you often speak as I would. I enjoyed the wisdom of Benjamin, Larry, Travis, Sharri and others. As usual, I will add several remarks.
First, I have a difficult time understanding why 'privacy' is such a big believer in lawlessness when Joseph Smith and the Mormon Scriptures, of which he is a big believer, stress the importance of law.
Whether you are a Mormon or not their scriptures give an interesting thought on law.
Joseph taught that there are three kingdoms of glory awaiting us apparently after death. The highest is the celestial which has glory comparable to the sun. The second is the Terrestrial which has a glory similar to the moon and the third called the Telestial has a glory like the stars. Where the glory is one in the two higher, the glory is diverse in the lowest is "as one star differs from another in glory."
Now the interesting thing is that it is clearly written that one must abide "law" to enter any one of these kingdoms. Note the following scripture:
"For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory." D&C 88:22-24
There is the great principle revealed here that sheds light, whether you are a Mormon or not. Note that it says that if one cannot abide the celestial law then he must bypass that kingdom, but if he cannot abide the law of the second kingdom then he cannot enter that kingdom either. Finally he must abide the law of the lowest kingdom to even stay there.
The interesting thing about this third kingdom is that the Mormons are taught that it is the earth where we now live. So what does this mean?
It means that if one cannot even abide by the basic laws which govern men here on the earth "he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory."
Joseph taught that there is a fourth kingdom which has no glory, not even the glory of the stars, very similar to the Eighth Sphere as taught by the Theosophists. He tells us that those who go there are a law unto themselves. This is a totally different idea than following the Holy Spirit but these characters reject the Holy Spirit and only follow the impulses of the lower self, or self interest, which in the end is no law producing no order and thus not harmonizing with any glory.
Now let us continue quoting the scripture:
"And again, verily I say unto you, that which is governed by law is also preserved by law and perfected and sanctified by the same. That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
All kingdoms (this would include human) have a law given; And unto every kingdom is given a law; and unto every law there are certain bounds also and conditions. All beings who abide not in those conditions are not justified." D&C 88:34-36;38-39
Now examine the words of Christ:
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Matt 6:28-30
The disciples were probably very puzzled over this statement. I can just see Thomas scowling with the thought: "How can you compare ordinary lilies to the great glory which belong to Solomon? Has the Master forgotten the glory of the gold, the wealth, the art, the temple and the adulation of the people which belonged to the great King?"
The disciples did not appreciate the words of Jesus in that day because they lacked the common microscope of today. When a lily or any other plant of the field is magnified 100, 1000, or 100,000 times greater and greater glory is revealed.
How is the glory revealed?
It is revealed through the tremendous order which is manifest in the plant kingdom.
And what produces the order which creates vehicles for plant and all other lives on the earth?
Answer: It is the following of law. These little lives have consciousness and have comprehended the law which produces order which produces glory and they faithfully follow it, thus laying the foundation for even greater life which is you and me.
Then came the great promise from the Master:
"Shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"
When we look at a lily under high magnification we see an order and glory far surpassing anything that humanity has accomplished, yet the promise is that we will in the end have "much more" glory than this. Mankind will eventually follow molecular and cellular orders until the day comes that his organization and glory will surpass the glory of the lilies of the field.
One can only appreciate this promise if he can comprehend the glory which does indeed now exist in the microcosmic world of the simple plant kingdom. But we cannot at this time comprehend the glory which is yet to come. We must experience it to understand.
Copyright 2000 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved