The Lord's Jubilee: Eye to Eye in 2020?

Lately, I have been learning about the Jewish Year of the Jubilee. Most people are familiar with the Ten Commandments requirement to observe the 7th day as a day of rest. However, in addition, the Law of Moses required that the Jews observe every 7th year as a Sabbatical year when they would not plant their fields but leave them fallow. Additionally, after every 7 Sabbatical years, a special 50th year called a Jubilee was to be observed. During this special year, Jews were to forgive all debts, release all prisoners, and return to the lands of their inheritance. Part of the blessing of the Jubilee year was the prevention of generational poverty. Observance of the Jubilee allows newer generations a fresh start.

It is unclear if Jews observed Jubilee years consistently. In fact, I believe the Lord says that one major reason for the scattering of Israel was their refusal to observe the Jubilee. I am sure allowing your fields to lay fallow for 2 consecutive years would be a great trial of faith. However, the Lord in the OT promised Israel that in the 6th year before the Jubilee, they would be blessed with a harvest 3 times larger than usual to cover them until the harvest during the 9th year. This promised increase proceeding the Jubilee is akin to the Israelites gathering twice the manna prior to the Sabbath.

After learning about the Jubilee, I was astonished to learn that since the time of Adam to approximately 2000 ad, there has been 119 Jubilee years. In fact from Adam to the time of the Exodus, there was 50 Jubilees. That is a "Jubilee of Jubilees." From the Exodus to the Second Coming, there will be an additional 70 Jubilees making a total of 120 Jubilees. In fact from Adam to Abraham was about 40 Jubilees. From Abraham to Christ was about 40 Jubilees, and from Christ's first coming to His Second Coming will be another 40 Jubilees. Again, 120 Jubilees which corresponds to Gen 6:3 when Christ says that the Holy Ghost would strive with man upon the Earth for 120 [Jubilees].

Gen 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

It turns out that that these 120 Jubilees until the Second Coming of Christ corresponds with the promise that the 7-thousandth year of man's existence upon the Earth would be one of peace and rest. Christians refer to this period following the Second Coming of Jesus Christ the Millennium. Peter taught that each thousand years was as a day to the Lord. Therefore, since the time of Adam who left the Garden of Eden some time after 4000bc, some time after 2000ad should begin the 7th-thousand year period.

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

That said, we are not told, when exactly Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. But we are given other clues. The key to finding out when this 120th Jubilee of the Lord is to begin. In D&C 77:7 we learn that the 7 Seals described in Revelation correspond to the knowledge revealed to man in each 1000-year period. Therefore, according to this definition, the 7th seal opened in the year 2000 ad. John in Revelation then tells us that after the opening of the 7th seal, there would be silence in the heavens for the space of half an hour. 1/2 hour in the Lords time is 20.8 years. If the trumpet is to sound from heaven that heralds the Lord's 12oth Jubilee, then we may expect this to be fulfilled in the later end of 2020. This sounding of the trumpet from heaven to announce the Second Coming is not to be confused with the sounding of the 7 trumpets on Earth that warn of the Tribulation preceding the Day of Judgment/Wrath; both of which precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Rev 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

Trying to work out the chronology of the scriptures is an almost impossible task. There are about as many theories on Bible chronology as there are are years between 4000 bc and now. When it comes to dating, tt is unclear exactly what kind of calendar system was to be used. Some prefer a 260-day calendar, others use a 264-day calendar, and still others stick with the traditional Hebrew lunar calendar. And then it is even less clear when it comes to the question of leap years, and leap months and how these calendar systems would correlate with our current Gregorian Solar Calendar.

The reason why working out the chronology of the Bible is so difficult is that we are told that Satan would seek to "change the times and the laws". This is the major reason why scholars can never settle on any dates in the Bible such as Christ's birth for example. I have seen dates ranging anywhere from 10 bc to 10 ad. Again, knowing Satan's obsession with numerology, I am always suspicious of triple dates like Artaxerxes decree to rebuild the Jewish temple in 444 bc, or Alexander the Great conquest of Persia in 333 bc.

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws:

Calendars aside, the real key to knowing where we are in God's timeline only requires identifying one Jubilee year. Knowing just one Jubilee year will give you the rest. And I believe God gives us an several unmistakable Jubilee years. One such Jubilee year is given by Daniel 9 (one of many fulfillments) which foretells the destruction of the Jewish Temple by General Titus in 70 ad. The Roman Siege of Jerusalem beginning in 66-67 and the martyrdom of Peter and Paul correspond with Daniel's prophecy that Satan would be an "Abomination of Desolation" in the midst of a 7 year tribulation period.

While 70 ad is a better example of cursing than blessing. Modern scripture gives us another unmistakable Jubilee year. According to Acts 3:21, Peter makes reference to the Second Coming on the Day of Pentecost by referring to the Lord's Jubilee as the "times of restitution of all things". While this scripture unmistakably refers to the Second Coming of Christ, LDS know by modern revelation that this scripture also refers to the First Vision in 1820 by Joseph Smith. Accordingly, I believe 1820 marks a Jubilee year. Not only was there the First Vision in 1820 but that year also marks the end of the Spanish Inquisition.

Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Possible Recent Jubilee Years:
70 AD Destruction of the Temple (Another fulfillment of Daniel's 70 weeks)
1820 First Vision, End of Spanish Inquisition "Time of Restitution of All things"
1870 EDICT OF POPE NICHOLAS III, ending of the Roman Ghettos.
1920 Prohibition, League of Nations begins, Protocols of Zion published, Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate for Palestine confirmed by League of Nations.
1950 "Law of Return" or the Commandment or Law set forth that called for the Gathering of Jews to Israel granting any converted or native Jew citizenship. (Beginning of another of Daniel's 70 weeks).
1970 End of War of Attrition following 6-days war.
2020 The Lord's Jubilee? "Time of Restitution of All things"

Now some would point to other dates as Jubilee years. In reference to Daniel's 70 weeks. Some like to subtract 3 years and insist that Jesus Christ was born in 3 bc, Daniel's 70 weeks start with the Declaration of Israel as a state by the UN in 1947, and consider the 6-days war in 1967. Again 3 years short. But there is a very important reason why I don't go along with these dates. One is because I have a picture which I may post, showing King Farouk, President Gamul Abdul Nasser, Muhammad Anwar Sadat as members of a Freemason lodge in Cairo. What this tells me is that both the top Israeli and Muslim leadership are in bed together and much of what is going on in the Middle East is Staged. And this explains why the temple mount is divided and there has been little hope for peace in Israel.

Another reason, I do not go along with 3 bc as the birth of Christ is that not only does this date, which is popular amongst scholars, go against D&C 20, and James E. Talmage, but it also goes against Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, how opened April 2, 2000 conference by saying the conference marked 2000 years since the birth of Jesus Christ.

"Now 2,000 years have come and gone since His birth in Bethlehem. Surely, this is a time for remembrance and recommitment." -April 2, 2000, General Conference, Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley.

But the biggest reason I do not like 1967 as a Jubilee Year is that if every 50 years is a Jubilee, then the 120th Jubilee begins in 2017 as opposed to 2020. The problem with being early, is that Satan could likely try to convince the world that the Abomination of Desolation set up in the Jewish Temple is something other than what it really is. For example, in 66-67 ad, the Abomination of Desolation had to due more with the Seige of Jerusalem and the crucifying of thousands of Jews on the walls of the city, then with the offering of a goat or a pig or whatever on the temple alter. The Lord cares much more about his children then what a few disrespectful men kill and burn on the alter. I believe the Abomination of Desolation has more to due with genocide and depopulation than anything else.

Already, the majority of the Christian world has a very negative perception of the Jews rebuilding their temple in Jerusalem. Most Christians have been convinced that the rebuilding of the temple will precede an antichrist figure taking over the temple and ruling the world from Jerusalem. The long and short of this is, that I would be concerned that a pre-programed over-reaction of the world against the Jewish temple in 2017 could end up being more of an abomination of desolation than whatever the initial concern will be in 2013.

Finally, setting the date of the Lord's Jubilee in 2017, after only 3.5 years of tribulation instead of a full 7 years of tribulation may lead some to say Christ "delayeth his coming". Like 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon, there could be a date in 2017 that will come and go causing many elect to doubt, and fall away.

We hear again and again that "no man knoweth the day nor the hour". However, in context, the point was made that the hour Christ was referring to in Matt 24: 36 was referring to when the "Heavens and Earth should pass away" at the end of the Millennium and not the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the beginning of the Millennium. Instead, Matt 24 says that the Second Coming would be like the days of Noah. Noah was given a clear prophecy that when Methuselah died, "His Death Shall Bring" the flood that would immediately follow.

Matt 24: 37-38 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Dan 9:23 therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. . . know therefore and understand.
Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
Isa 46:11 yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
1 Thes 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Matt 24:32-34 Now learn a parable of the fig tree [Israel restored as a nation]; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, [That] generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Matt 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

In Daniel 9, the prophet talks about 70 "weeks", or "weeks of years". "shâbu‛ı̂ym" or "shabua" is the hebrew word used for "weeks" or "sevens." The word "shabua" can have several meanings. First, it can be interpreted to refer to a 7-year period of time. Therefore 70 "shabuiym" or 70 "weeks of years" = 70 X 7 = 490 years. So, from the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem to the destruction of the temple and the 2nd Diaspora would be 490 years.

However, "shabua" has another meaning. It can also refer simply to the "feast of weeks". "Feast of Weeks" is one of the original Mosaic Feast days given in the Law. So, using this interpretation, this passage can refer to 70 "feasts of weeks" or 70 years since there is only 1 "feast of weeks" each year. In this sense, Daniel's timeline also refers to the time of the destruction of the temple following the birth of the Savior. Christ was born 1 BC, and the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Also many Apostles were killed in 62 AD. And in this same sense, some are looking forward to another 70 year period following the creation of the State of Israel beginning wih the "Law of Return" in 1950 and ending with a grand event 2020.

In conclusion, I am not saying for sure that I know what will happen in 2017 or 2020. But, while I know that the Great Day of the Lord is drawing closer, I know that I don't trust the 2017 date that is being put out there right now. But, when thinking about 2020, I can't help but Remember the words of Isaiah who promises that the Lord's people would see "eye to eye" when the Lord brings again Zion. Hey who knows, maybe hindsight will really end up being 2020 after all.

Isaiah 52:8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye (20/20?), when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

Peacefully Defending the Constitution

We have all heard the many prophecies regarding "the constitution hanging by a thread" and "the Elders rising up to defend the Constitution". I think when I was younger, I tended to interpret this militantly. However, as the years pass, I look at "defending the Constitution" very differently.

The power, blessing and beauty of the Constitution is that it allows the people to preserve their liberties without the shedding of blood. Without a constitution, if a wicked man were to gain power and authority over the people, the only way to get rid of the tyrant is by the shedding of blood. But with a Constitution, the people can get rid of evil via the "rule of law" and truth.

So now, when I think about "the Constitution hanging by a thread" and "defending the Constitution", I wonder if this means that there will be a few in the Last Days who will refuse to be at war with their neighbor, and will preserve the Constitution by refusing domestic violence and using truth and the "rule of law" to purify our land from evil. I know we cannot defend the Constitution by abandoning the Constitution.

When faced with a (Alma vs. Limhi) situation, there are many voices out there calling for us to "get mad" and react like the people of Limhi against our oppressors. However, the Posse Comitatus Act 1878 of only protects us to the point that the Insurrection Act of 1807 takes over. We cannot give the NWO excuse to take away our final liberties by demonstrating our inability to govern ourselves.

At some point our opposition by try to provoke us to domestic anger and violence. But I wonder if we may be called upon to forebear like the people of Alma in the city of Helam. I try to remember that the "Constitution hanging by a thread" prophecy is known as the "whitehorse prophecy" and not the "redhorse prophecy." Although, while I do not plan to use my gun, I sure will stand up to vocally defend my right to own, and carry a gun.

The Book of Mormon contains a lot of war. We have the example of Alma vs. Amlici. We have Captain Moroni vs. Amalakiah and we have Gidgiddoni vs. Zemnarihah. However, we have many better non-militant examples such as Alma vs. Amulon, the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's, and Moronihah who regained conquered Nephite lands by preaching the gospel and converting their enemies.

Alma 31:5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

I don't know exactly what the right thing to do will be when the time comes. But, it seems clear how the enemy would like us to react. Therefore, we should all take care that we are easily provoked. If Alma or Helaman or Captain Moroni where out on the battlefield with their swords drawn leading a charge against enemy forces, I would be right there on the front lines. Well, I would be taking care of the casualties at least. But, so far, I don't hear our leadership polishing their swords. Instead we have the words of Pres. Monson who warned us about anger in response to the Media and we have many others who continually champion the cause of peace, truth and righteousness.

“God’s principles are taken by men because they are eternal and true and touch the divine spirit in men. This is the only true way to permanent world peace, the aspiration of men since the beginning. God never planted his Spirit, his truth, in the hearts of men from the point of a bayonet.” President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. – “The Constitution” GC April 1957

[The white horse prophecy is not necessarily considered LDS Doctrine because, although it is attributed to Joseph Smith, we don't have an original source for it. That said, the substance of the prophecy is quoted enough by contemporaries of Joseph Smith and later LDS Leadership, that it is safe to assume Joseph Smith said something along those lines. My point in referring to it is more focused on the fact that we have all heard it and I think we all agree the constitution is hanging by a thread. Also, from my understanding, the conclusion of the LDS Church is not that Joseph Smith didn't say anything along these lines but that 1. it is unclear exactly what Joseph Smith said 2. it is inappropriate to interpret this militantly (my point). 3. it is inappropriate to interpret this as pointing to some particular individual.]

"The people---the people---are the rightful masters of both congresses, and courts---not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.” -Abraham Lincoln

“You seem to consider the judges the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions; a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy… The Constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruptions of time and party, its members would become despots… I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society, but the people themselves…” -Thomas Jefferson,Letter to William Jarvis, 1820

No Man Knoweth the Day

I was just thinking that if the LDS are to build the New Jerusalem in response to the Tribulation and for protection against the coming Wrath of God; I was thinking it makes sense that there is no dates given in the Bible for the Second Coming. I mean, scripture suggest that Christ will hasten his appearing. Or in other words, the Saints may hasten the appearing of Christ to New Jerusalem by prayer, purifying themselves, and working hard to build and complete the city of New Jerusalem here in North America. (If you build it, He will come). So, it makes sense that scripture does not give a date, because Christ's coming may depend on us. But other dates may possible be known with regard to Daniel's 70 weeks, the 1/2 hour silence, and the 7 year tribulation.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 (NIV) Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Ezekiel 7:25 (NIV) When terror comes, they will seek peace, but there will be none.

Jeremiah 6:14 (NIV) They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace.

Dan 8:25 (KJV) And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Dan 9:25-26 (KJV) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:27 (NIV) He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’ but in the middle of that ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And one who causes desolation will place abominations on a wing of the temple until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

In the the 70-week prophecy of Daniel, each week is equal to a year. Daniel's 70 weeks also refers to 70, 50-year periods called Jubilees. In the time of Christ, the 70 weeks started with the the birth of Christ and ended with the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. The significant event that occurred in the 62nd week or 62-63 AD according to Dan 9:26 is the martyrdom of Peter, Paul, and James of Jerusalem. By the way, Rome tried to kill John the Beloved but he survived being thrown into the fiery furnace and was exiled to Patmos instead. Not long after, Rome came against Jerusalem beginning in Sept 66 AD. First Gallus was repulsed, Vespasian abandoned the war in 68 AD to be crowed Emperor, and then General Titus completed the invasion in 70 AD. Massad was taken in 73 AD.

If the same 70-week prophecy is to be re-fulfilled in the Last Days, then what would be date 0? Some say the beginning of the 70 weeks is the creation of the State of Israel on May 16th 1948. If that is the zero date, then could 2010-11 could be the start of tribulation? Has anything happened this year that could signify the sounding of the trumpets spoken of in Revelation?

This year we are seeing countries like Iceland, Greece, Ireland, and Portugal declare bankruptcy resulting in civil unrest and rioting stemming from the banking failures in 2008. Also, we have economic sanctions and a covert (black ops) war being waged against Iran approved by Congress on June 24, 2010. We also saw the water turn to blood this year following the Gulf Oil Spill on April 20th, 2o1o. We also have a quiet war in Mexico raging between government and drug cartels that has been spilling over onto US soil.

On a spiritual down note, we had an agreement on Sept 1, 2010 by the LDS Church to prohibit and remove proxy baptism records for Jewish holocaust victims. But on a positive note, the Chinese government gave their approval that Chinese LDS who are baptized while living abroad may may attend LDS services in China.

At some point, very soon, will Israel and Turkey reach an agreement about rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem? The temple institute has already completed work on the actual (not copies) kosher temple vessels, furniture, priestly robes, and priestly training that will be used in the 3rd Temple. they claim that if permission were given, that they could have the temple built in 1 year. The 70 Jubilees may come into play. According to my understanding of it, there were 50 Jubilee years from Adam to the Exodus. Israel entered into the land of Cannan about 1416-1406 BC. If this date is correct, 70 Jubilee years later will be 2015-2024. It is believed that during the 69th Jubilee year in 1967, Israel fought the 6-day War and regained possession of the City of Jerusalem. That would put the 70th Jubilee at about 2017. The problem is that no one is sure the exact start date of Daniel's 70 weeks, and rabbi's debate whether the 50th Jubilee year is 49 or 50 years long.

As far as the temple location goes, we know the Dome on the Rock was built over Herod's Temple. But could it be that Herod's temple was built next to Zerubbabel's Temple in 19BC and not on top of it? It is said that Zerubbabel's temple was torn down and Herod's built in it's place, but in Josephus "Wars of the Jews", Herod is critical of the temple of Zerubbabel's temple built by Darius and Ceres, and says his temple is built to a higher elevation (20 cubits) like Solomons. Could this commentary mean that Herod believed Zerubbabel's temple was not built in the correct spot? Herod was of the assumption that the location of the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite was not at the pinnacle of Mount Moriah but maybe a flat slope of exposed bedrock off to the side. Accordingly, this it may be possible to rebuild the 3rd Temple next to the Dome on the Rock in the original place of Solomon's and Zerubbalel's temple while the Dome on the Rock occupies the location of Herod's temple in the court of the Gentiles.

In current events, will a more open, formal war escalate between America and Iran bringing the armies of many nations to Jerusalem? If the first 2 trumpets have sounded (financial crisis, oil spill), is the 3rd trumpet ready to sound (wormwood)? There has been a lot of talk about missing Cobalt-60 in the media as well as Adnan Al Shukrijumah who with several other al-Qaeda co-conspirators were trained in nuclear engineering at McMaster University in Canada. A Cobalt-60 dirty bomb anywhere in the Mississippi-Missouri watershed area could cause big problems for downstream water users.

The important point in all of this, is not trying to figure out the exact dates, but when we see these events happen, we should feel inspired to prepare ourselves and our families spiritually and temporally for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. For the wicked the day will be terrible, but for the righteous, the day is promised to be truly wonderful. What are you doing to prepare?

Grace and Sanctification

ITS ALL GRACE
The whole gospel is grace. Everything is by grace. But here here is where we differ with the Evangelicals. There is the lesser law and the higher law. The lesser law deals with Justification by grace and not by works. This initial salvation or "rescue" is God condescending and snatching us from the jaws of death and hell. The "saved" by grace and not by works "lest we boast" is talking about our initial justification or rescue. I like to replace the word "saved" with "rescue" to clarify what Paul is taking about.

FREE FALL RESCUE
In another sense, all of us when we leave our eternal home and step into this fallen world; take a step off the cliff into spiritual free fall headed straight to hell. Whether we realize we are falling from a cliff or not, the ground is approaching. God is like an Eagle and dive bomb us and in his condescension match our position and speed, and tap us on the shoulder and inform us of our dreadful condition. We are promised that Christ will even bare us up on Eagles wings so that we can stop our free fall. But even though we are no longer falling, we are still a long way from where we started.

JUSTIFICATION (NO WORKS NECESSARY)
After Justification, Christ's righteousness is "imputed" to us and we are "called" clean such that we are enable to receive the holy ghost through the merits of Christ. But just because we are justified and "called" clean doesn't really mean we are clear and ready to return into the presence of the Father. Sure, Christ condescends and hangs out with sinners and publicans and accepts us how we are. But not the Father. The Father is the Man of Holiness, and he permits no unclean thing into his presence. This is why it is imperative to understand the distinctness between the Father and the Son.

HIGHER LAW, COVENANT, PRIESTHOOD
But now that the believer in Christ, can enjoy the presence of "a portion" of the Holy Ghost, if he allows it, the Holy Ghost will work within that person to purify them, and perfect them. This is the higher covenant and higher law and higher gospel. Remember that Paul said in Hebrews that the Levitical Priesthood didn't have the power to make one perfect. (sanctified).

Heb. 7: 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

SANCTIFICATION (LIFETIME OF WORKS REQUIRED)
And remember the words of Christ to the rich young man who asked what he needed to do to gain eternal life. After reviewing the law and confessing that he had kept the law since he was a boy. The young man asked "what lack I yet" Christ responded, "If thou wilt be perfect" (sanctified) then accept the law of Consecration. (Matt 19;21). So, here the young man had to make a choice, enter into a covenant, and keep that covenant in exchange for the promise of sanctification. Yes, its the power and grace of Christ that empowers the keeping of the covenant and blesses the keeper with the promised sanctification or eventual disposition never to do evil but to do good continually. However, there are a whole lot of consecrating works between here and there which may not end until the end of the Millennium when Christ presents the Sanctified Earth and His sanctified people on it, to His Father.

THE LDS MESSAGE
Unless a person understands the difference between Justification (called clean) and Sanctification (made clean), then I can see why the LDS message may seem peculiar. All LDS who have been baptized have already been rescued. LDS members have already been justified and enjoy the reception of the Holy Ghost. We are already "called clean" through the merits, and mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. That is water under the bridge. Now the whole LDS message is focused on Sanctification and preparing to receive and keeping the Law of Consecration. The whole focus of the New Testament, Higher Covenant is about "trying a little harder to be a little better." The focus is not trying to save ourselves, or even meet God half way. The focus is on receiving and exercising the grace, spirit, and power that God has already extended to us, and then asking to be added upon--- Grace upon grace and not a fullness at first (John 1).

AFTER ALL WE CAN DO
Again, "Being saved by grace after all we can do" is not talking about meeting God half way or even taking one step toward God by our own power. Nephi is talking about why they bother to keep the Law of Moses knowing salvation is in Christ. But Christ gave the Law, so therefore, Nephi's conclusion is that they will receive what Christ has already given them (1sts) until the time that he gives more (2nds).

GAINING ALTITUDE
After we are Justified and Christ breaks our free fall descent and bares us up on eagles wings. We still have much work to do to get back to our heavenly home. We have lost a lot of altitude. Christ gives us wings to bare us home. Christ teaches us how to fly. Some will look up at the cliff from which we fell, and fix our gaze on a lower perch and settle for a lesser reward. Although, others who put our faith in Christ's flying lessons and the wings we have been given will diligently, persistently, patiently use those wings to return us home again into the presence of the Father from whence we came.

Thanksgiving Story

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I wanted to link to a previous post that talks about the the real story of Thanksgiving. Despite what Rush Limbaugh would have us believe. The story of Thanksgiving is not about Capitalism. Capitalism is all about the supposed need for inequality; that we desire certain people to become more wealthy than everyone else. Capitalism establishes a system where a certain minority of society is able to amass huge amounts of capital more than others. This capital pool thus empowers these ultra-elites with the political and economic power to choose what to invest in and to become the architects of our society. The real story of Thanksgiving explains the reasons behind the initial failure and suffering of William Bradford and the Puritans at Plymouth Colony and their eventual later success in attempting to institute a communal economic system and then recognizing property rights and switching to the law of tithing.