This is going to be interesting. The talk given by Elder Oaks was marvelous. I absolutely loved it. But, how will Pastor Jeff take it? I can see it rubbing him wrong in a few places. He has hinted time and time again that this doctrine rubs him wrong because in his eyes it conflicts with the bible.
The first few sections of the talk went well. He discusses the basics of the plan of salvation and the three degrees of glory.
Around [3:00] he describes the doctrine of heaven and hell. Elder Oaks calls the description inadequate. Partially because those two outcomes don’t fully explain the plan of God.
Around [5:35] Pastor Jeff says the LDS doctrine is similar to “universalism.” Definition: “a theological doctrine that all human beings will eventually be saved.” Well, I guess that is true. In all actuality, the only people who will not receive a kingdom of glory are sons of perdition. Those who knew God, then willfully rebelled. People like Cain. Even then all, even Cain, will receive a body.
Exaltation is the focus of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Proclamation on the family – Gender is essential.
Abide – A secure placement
[19:00] Pastor Jeff starts to argue against works being required to obtain the fullness of the glory of God. His argument is that works are not necessary. But in the argument, he does not define the difference between Jesus Christ and God the Father being two separate beings. We believe they are. Pastor Jeff believes in the “Trinity” which is one God. So, if those in lower kingdoms obtain the glory of the Son. They are obtaining the glory of God as the scriptures detail. Only, it is the glory of the Son, and not the Father of “Full Presence”.
[21:30] It isn’t about what we have done, it is what we have become. It feels like Pastor Jeff backtracks on “works” here just a little bit. I feel Elder Oaks made a very solid case that although works are important, that is not the intent of them. It is that we become more like the Savior. Unfortunately, our actions “works” are the demonstration that we are living a life like his. But it isn’t even completely that. It is the heart and the mind that demonstrate that we have become like him. We don’t do works to be seen of men. We do works because we are following the spirit of the Lord. We are acting as he would have.
D&C 64:34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind;
Joshua 22:5 But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Walk in all his ways and keep his commandments… Those are works!
As Pastor Jeff continues to argue being “Born Again,” I am conflicted because this idea that I feel the holy ghost and declare I am born again, rarely is ever combined with what Pastor Jeff is not explaining which are works that cause one to become like the Savior Jesus Christ. It is most often just left at; I was born again, therefor I am saved. It does not matter what else I do.
[23:45] What is it that God desires us to become? That is easy. To become like God.
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
John 10:34-38
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
Note: We are asked to be like perfect like God. Jesus refers to reference that we are Gods. Not only that draws that distinction that God is in him. Just as we are asked to become like God that he as well may dwell in us. As we become more like the Savior Jesus Christ, the spirit of the Lord will dwell in us. Our hearts and our minds will be one in purpose with God.
[26:00] We will preach to the dead. Yes. This is also why we baptize for the dead. And is why the millennium is 1000 years. It will take that time for all the ordinances to be completed.
There is much we do not know. I don’t profess to know all.
Salvation is an individual matter. Exaltation is a family matter.