Tag: Satan

If Our Hearts Have Been Hardened Against the Word of God, Then Will Our State Be Awful

~ Richard Rowley

Alma provides a grave warning about the consequences of hardening one’s heart towards God’s word and Spirit.

“…If our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for we shall be condemned. For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.” (Alma 12:13-15)

“And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die as to things pertaining unto righteousness. This is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will. Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to God’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption.” (Alma 12:16-18)

Questions:

-Do you believe life is a proving ground and what we sow we will reap in perfect clarity before God at the Last Judgment?

-How does God’s word help one to sow in righteousness?

If Ye Are Not the Sheep of the Good Shepherd, the Devil Is Your Shepherd

~ Richard Rowley

Alma teaches that hearing and obeying the voice of the Lord is the only way not to be led astray by Satan.

“O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice! Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar and a child of the devil.” (Alma 5:37-39)

Questions:

-Is there anyone on the earth that Christ is not calling out to?

-How many in the world are hearing and obeying the voice of Jesus Christ? How many in the world are being led by the devil?

-How many profess to know the voice of Christ and profess to follow it but are, in fact, being led by Satan? -Will God hold those accountable who don’t know where to look to escape the vicious cycles and systems of the world (that the devil has stirred into existence) but are doing their best to do good based on the level of light and knowledge they have?

There is Nothing Which is Secret Save It Shall be Revealed

~ Richard Rowley

After quoting a passage from Isaiah’s writings (comparable to those found in the King James Version of Isaiah 11:5-9) describing the peace that will reign during the Millennium, Nephi expands on the meaning of Isaiah’s words found in verse 9 of chapter 11:

“…The things of all nations shall be made known; yea all things shall be made known unto the children of men. There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed. Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men shall at that day be revealed; and Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more for a long time…” (2 Nephi 30:16-18)

Questions:

-Why will all of history be accurately revealed during Christ’s Millennial reign?

-Why will everything that has ever been revealed to mankind be brought together and revealed anew during the Millennium?

-What is the relationship between the people having this knowledge/revelation and Satan being bound?

Teachings of Latter-day Prophets, Seers, and Revelators:

“We talk about Satan being bound. Satan will be bound by the power of God; but he will be bound also by the determination of the people of God not to listen to him, not to be governed by him” (George Q. Cannon, in Conference Report, Oct. 1897, 65).