What are the words of eternal life, and how are they obtained?

Footnotes

Words means more than a written or spoken expression

The gospel definition¹ of word extends far beyond the limits of its English equivalent. The word is the set of all ideas that pertain to how Jesus is, what Jesus is, and why Jesus is. The word obviously includes spoken or written words describing Jesus in some way, but also includes much more. Because all of creation testifies of God in some way,² everything that exists in creation is part of the word; everything we experience or learn about in life—every person, object, or situation—provides us with opportunities to learn more about Jesus .³ While the word includes all of physical reality, it also extends beyond it. Because God’s ideas exceed our own in breadth, depth, accuracy, sincerity, and power, the word extends beyond the bounds of human language.⁴ Through our thoughts and feelings, we can access ideas that exist beyond the limits of our language and understanding.

What are the words of eternal life?

The words of eternal life are any idea that leads to learning more about and living more like Jesus. Like all other ideas, the words of eternal life can be expressed at different levels of breadth, depth, accuracy, sincerity,⁵ and power.⁶ They are obtained incrementally as one learns more about Jesus while living up to what they already know.

There are two components to the words of eternal life, and both of them are conditioned on the individual. The first portion of the words of eternal life is a person’s sincere idea of what is best. If a person believes in Jesus, what is best ought to be how they imagine Jesus would be: what he would think, feel, and do in their situation. If they do not believe in Jesus, they will still have an idea of what is best, and this idea is, to them, the words of eternal life. Note that the person may be living their lives in full alignment with this ideal, partial alignment, or no alignment. The second portion of the words of eternal life is the next increment of improvement over the individual’s present understanding of what is best. By definition, they will not yet know about this portion of the words of eternal life until someone or something makes this increment known to them, at which point it becomes part of the first. It is important to note that this increment becomes a part of the first portion of the words of eternal life to an individual based on whether they have sufficient reasons to believe it, not on whether or not they actually do.

As should be readily apparent, the words of eternal life are individual because they are specific to what information the individual presently understands, has access to, and the capacity to evaluate and receive. Any idea that helps an individual learn more about and become more like Jesus than they presently are is part of the words of eternal life for them.

The words of eternal life are not synonymous with the truth. The truth is objective and exists whether you are aware of it or not and whether you possess the capacity to identify it as true or not. Therefore, while the words of eternal life intersect with the truth, only the portion of the truth of which a person is aware and capable of recognizing and living could be considered the words of eternal life. The words of eternal life are the portion of truth a person already knows and lives, combined with the next increment of truth that they are capable of receiving. They consist of the best feelings, thoughts, and actions a person knows of and the path to what lies just beyond that.

The words of life provide continuous direction in continuous improvement

The words of eternal life are the path of life, or the process of obtaining a more abundant life.⁷ The process of eternal life consists of an unbroken chain of continuous growth and improvement. The defining quality of the words of eternal life is not what they are (because they can consist of anything), or where they come from (because though they come from God, they can come through anything or anyone), but what they result in, which is improvement. All good things come from and are found in Jesus Christ, and it is important to understand that the words of eternal life include the set of ideas that improve, spanning all domains. Applying this definition makes it exceptionally easy to recognize, obtain, implement, and even generate the words of eternal life. Each person can imagine the ideal state of themselves, others, and the world, and each has the capacity to devise actions they can take to bring all things closer to their potential. It also makes evident how far from God most professed Christians are, as they artificially separate improvement from their practice of religion.⁸

Any idea that leads to improvement over the present state of a person is part of the words of eternal life to them. The words of eternal life cause improvement from how a person, situation, or thing is toward how it could be. The words of eternal life include everything that makes anything better than it is—even if it isn’t purported to be from God, and even if it does not pertain to “religious” contexts. To turn away from opportunities for improvement is to turn away from God, as improvement comes from and leads to him.⁹

We are surrounded at all times and in all places with opportunities to make things better than they are. In fact, opportunities for improvement are so numerous that the only way to ensure that you are paying attention to and prioritizing them is to explicitly capture, rank, and work on them.¹⁰ Without intentionally addressing opportunities for improvement, you can guarantee that you are living your life with less joy, less meaning, and greater exposure to unnecessary suffering than God intended.

The Lord has promised to give the faithful the continual guidance needed to guide them directly in the path to him.¹¹ The words he provides are “living,”¹² or continuously flowing. They do not end.¹³ One of the strongest indications of our current relationship with God is the incidence of improving ideas, whether new or recalled from before.¹⁴

Those who find themselves with insufficient instruction from God ought to immediately and honestly examine their heed and diligence to him,¹⁵ as he has indicated that this will not be the case with those who live up to what he has already provided.¹⁶ The more you follow the instructions God has given us, the more instructions he will give you.¹⁷ The rate at which you improve is the rate at which you draw nearer to the Father.¹⁸ All able-minded adults have a sense of discernment that enables them to perceive the actions available to them and the relative value of each.¹⁹ The more you live up to the best you know and the more you seek to learn, the more God will teach you.

Until you live up to the best that you know, you should not expect greater opportunities.²⁰ It is only to those who are making the best use of what they have that God gives more.²¹ Living up to what God has taught you thus far is essential to being prepared to notice, receive, and follow additional instructions he will send.²² The word of God you live up to will illuminate the next steps in obtaining more of the word of God.²³ You will see what lies beyond your present position only as you become the best person you can be.²⁴ If you reach for what lies beyond the improvements of which you already know, you will fall behind where you presently are.²⁵

Incessantly ask God what he would do in your place, and unfailingly do it.²⁶ Search out and live what is best. Make everything as good as it can be, starting with yourself and your family, and flowing out through your entire sphere of influence.

It is only to those who are living up to their understanding of how Jesus would live in their place that the Lord reveals more about himself.²⁷ The Lord will make available more of his word to those who live up to what they know,²⁸ even if it requires sending some person into their lives who can provide it.²⁹ Often, these opportunities are missed³⁰ by those who assume that what they are looking for will come in some other way.³¹

The words of eternal life guide us in learning and obtaining the character of Christ

When you perceive and live the words of eternal life,³² you become better than you were before.³³ This is the definition of holy: different and better. By obtaining³⁴ and assimilating³⁵ God’s word, you are made holy, or sanctified.³⁶

Receiving the words of eternal life means learning what he is actually like and living like him, not just memorizing scripture or living certain rules. As we live according to our sincere idea of how God would in our place,³⁷ he will regularly teach us more about himself.³⁸

As you receive more of the words of eternal life, you will become more like God in the same way the Son became more like the Father:³⁹ Incrementally, as you learn more about what Jesus is like and continue to live as your increasing understanding indicates he would in your place.⁴⁰

Jesus was more like the Father than anyone else before this world was created, and he came to the earth to demonstrate how the Father would be in his place.⁴¹ He showed the world what the Father is like.⁴² You are called to become more like Jesus than you were before so that anyone who gets to know you will get to know Jesus more than they did before.⁴³ Jesus was everything the Father would be if the Father were in his place, and this is exactly what you are called to be—to follow the example of Jesus Christ in your own situation, thinking, feeling, and doing what he would in your place.⁴⁴

Jesus was the embodiment of God’s word. You must be, too. While the injunction to be like Jesus is dismissed by many as impossible or too difficult, Jesus showed it was possible⁴⁵ through his own example in life,⁴⁶ and argued that it was easier than any alternative when the true costs are considered.

Why should we seek and receive the words of eternal life?

The words of eternal life are worth obtaining because of what they yield hereafter, but they also carry worthwhile benefits in this life. Life is full of challenges that can overcome you. Life’s challenges can steal from you the joy you presently have and even rob from you the joy you experienced in the past.⁴⁷ The words of eternal life increase the joy you experience⁴⁸ and keep⁴⁹ in spite of the challenges of life. Those who search for the character of Christ and apply all they learn as they learn it will increasingly obtain greater power to obtain and keep peace⁵⁰ and well-being.⁵¹

The words of eternal life include the wisdom, beliefs, and skills to overcome what presently overcomes you.⁵² As you contemplate how the words of eternal life are sequential and hierarchical steps from how a person is and how they see everything else to how God is and how he sees everything, you can begin to see how the stream of the words of eternal life form a layered foundation, each with the ability to solve increasingly difficult problems.⁵³ One component of the words of eternal life highlights the fact that the foundation is already built. As you live the best you know and do all you know to keep learning, you will be protected⁵⁴ from what would otherwise overcome you.⁵⁵ The other component of the words of eternal life highlights the process of continuous growth, where you are trained to be able to overcome what overcomes you.⁵⁶

Who has the words of eternal life?

Jesus is the living conduit through which we perceive, receive, and value the word.⁵⁷ Jesus is the embodiment of the word of God,⁵⁸ or the word made flesh,⁵⁹ or the character of the Father as a man.⁶⁰ Eternal life can be thought of as the process of perceiving, receiving, and valuing the word.

Popular translations of John’s gospel open with a reference to Jesus Christ as “the word,” but without a description of the meaning of the phrase. Here is a more explanatory rendition:

1 The word has always existed. Having the word and being the word is what makes God who and what he is.
2 Before the world was created, Jesus Christ was with the Father, and had obtained and become the word.
3 He made all things according to the pattern by which all things have ever been made, according to the word.
4 He had obtained eternal life before this world was, and by laying down his eternal life, he provided the light of men. (John 1, Author’s Reflection)

The words of eternal life existed before the world was created. We do not create them, but rather discover them. We receive them from the Son, who already has them, having received them from the Father.⁶¹

The Lord operates through the spirit of God⁶² and messengers under its influence⁶³ to incrementally mete out more knowledge about himself. Jesus brought down the words of eternal life by making himself known to Adam,⁶⁴ others after Adam,⁶⁵ to those he ministered to in the flesh, and by making himself known to others after his resurrection.⁶⁶ Those who know him more provide the words of eternal life to those who know him less.⁶⁷ However, the sources of the words of eternal life are much broader than most would anticipate.

The words of eternal life are information suggesting how things could be better than they are. Anyone who can form a plausible path to something better than what is has the words of eternal life. The words of eternal life come from God, and God can “speak” to anyone⁶⁸ —whether through visitation, voice, life experience, or quickening their thoughts.⁶⁹ God can speak to those who don’t even believe in him, including in ways that they will not recognize. He can even speak to those actively attacking him, such as he did to Caiaphas as he was in the midst of proposing that Jesus should die.⁷⁰

Those who have the words of eternal life exist in a hierarchical tree,⁷¹ each with a differing capacity to help a specific person improve from where they are. In one sense, the work of the End Times is to repeatedly connect each person to the one who has the words of eternal life to them until they learn and live all the words they are willing to receive.

The one who can form an effective path to the greatest improvement is the one who has the greatest words of eternal life. Jesus has the ultimate words of eternal life, because all improvement comes from and leads to him.

The words of eternal life are information about how Jesus would think, feel, and act in your place. Anyone who is more like Jesus than you do has the words of eternal life.⁷² It should be immediately obvious that one can only lead people to be like God to the extent that they know the way, and that they only know the way as far as they have travelled it themselves.⁷³ Someone who can correctly explain what Jesus would think, feel, or do in your place further or more persuasively than you can provides you with invaluable information to enable you to draw nearer to him by becoming more like him.

The process of climbing the tree of the kingdom of God entails finding and learning from those who know Jesus better than you, learning all you can from them, and proceeding to repeat the cycle.⁷⁴ In one sense, the work of the End Times is to repeatedly connect each person with someone more like Jesus than they are, from whom they can learn more about him, until they have met the person most like Christ they are willing to learn from and follow the example of. Jesus has the ultimate words of eternal life,⁷⁵ as he knows each change needed to render a person into how he is, no matter how they presently are. While each individual’s understanding of the Lord is different, as individuals live what they understand about Jesus, their understanding of him will merge towards his actual identity.

You won’t have room for living water while you fill yourself with putrid water

Present day churches fail to produce the qualities they claim Jesus has in their adherents. The true gospel contains the power to produce people who reconcile to how they believe Jesus to be.⁷⁶ By the Lord’s standard, any church that fails to produce people more like him cannot be his.⁷⁷ Where do today's churches go wrong?

Believing that the words of eternal life can be found in an institution is a grave mistake. The words of eternal life are never in a church, except through individuals who actually:

Live as they believe Jesus would in their place.
Seek to learn more about Jesus.
Accept and live better ideas whenever and wherever they find them.

Becoming more like God requires the removal of anything less than he is.⁷⁸ Those who fail to become more like God do so because they are unwilling to improve their idea of who he is and what he wants. In order to grow towards God, it is necessary to cut away anything that can’t co-exist with a greater understanding of how he is.

We are naturally inclined to refuse voices from God whose words do not meet our preconceived notions or fulfill our carnal desires. We interpret invitations for improvement as arrogant criticism,⁷⁹ dismissing as hateful what is actually the greatest channel of love that can be expressed.⁸⁰ The greater the invitation to improvement, the greater the love that is demonstrated, the harder it is to find, and the more likely it will be responded to with extreme harm to the giver.⁸¹ People much prefer those who tell them what they want to hear, namely that they are wonderful as they are, and that they will receive wonderful things without the need to change.

26 Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.
27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth -- and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet.
28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.
29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light? (Helaman 13)

In place of God’s voice, we are naturally inclined to attribute to God voices that are not his: churchy actions (outward, designated actions that are often disconnected from the heart, as betrayed by their absence from daily life), churchy thoughts (rehearsing the same canned ideas given to you in your sect's traditions rather than actively searching for and reasoning about God for yourself), and churchy desires (seeking salvation as an escape from the vicissitudes of life instead of consecrating the challenges of life for the benefit of others).

Hearing the word is about doing, not just listening

You cannot receive the words of eternal life simply by reading them or hearing them spoken. Those who think they are improving their situation simply by reading or hearing God’s word are practicing a particularly harmful form of dishonesty.⁸²

Receiving the words of eternal life is about what you become,⁸³ not what you hear. There is an immense difference between knowing what someone is like and only knowing what they look like. Those who live the words of eternal life know how Jesus is because they are like him, not because they have heard how he is from someone else. Receiving the words of eternal life begins by perceiving them,⁸⁴ but the benefits do not begin until and unless you actually make the improvements they suggest.⁸⁵ Familiarity with God’s word does not make you righteous;⁸⁶ Living it does.⁸⁷ Those who “hear” the word of God with their ears without improving their actions are not his children,⁸⁸ but hypocritical liars.⁸⁹

Speaking the word includes what you have become, not just what you say

What would it be like to have the spirit flow into and through you at all times and in everything you do? God has given a tremendous promise to all who will declare what they declare in his name in solemnity of heart and in meekness:

7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.
8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say. (D&C 100)

To declare does not just mean to speak. The Hebrew definitions of words translated as testify and declare also mean to demonstrate, and the Lord explicitly defined what you say as your desires, thoughts, and actions.⁹⁰

What you say and do should align fully with what you feel and believe. When what you feel, think, and do are fully aligned with each other, you maximize the conduit through which the light of God can flow in and through you. To the extent your feelings, thoughts, or actions are out of alignment with one another, you can be assured that you are experiencing less than the full measure of joy, peace, and growth that God wants for you.⁹¹

During his mortal life, the Lord walked in the full power of the spirit because everything he said, did, and felt was the full measure of his sincere belief of what the Father would do in his place, based on everything he had learned about him.⁹²

To speak the words of eternal life is to seek, know, and do what the Lord would in your place. He calls us to learn and live his purpose, just as he learned and lived the Father’s purpose.⁹³

Footnotes

1. The ancient languages of Greek and Hebrew can provide closer associations to the intended meaning of those who wrote in them than English, but are still limited to similar problems. No human language should be considered expressive enough to yield an exact expression of gospel concepts. All are limited to the best words that match most closely to the intended meaning, retaining the distance from what was intended and carrying with them unintended associations with other meanings of the same words. In the case of word, a good example of these limitations is noted with the Greek words logos and rhema, where some verses indicate a clear distinction between the two, and others seem to ignore this distinction. Analyses that assume mathematical precision in the Hebrew or Greek words used to describe gospel ideas are inherently and unavoidably flawed. Relaxation of these constraints is essential when one is approaching God in search of better expressions of his ideas. ↩
2. And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me. (Moses 6:63) ↩
3. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the earth demonstrates his power. Day after day, he utters speech, and night after night he reveals knowledge. There is no word nor action where his voice is not heard. His words flow like cords through all the earth to every extremity of it. (Psalm 19:1-4, Author’s Reflection) ↩
4. For example, those in the Americas visited by Jesus after his resurrection said: “...The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father; And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak....” (3 Nephi 17:16-17) ↩
5. But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things. And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say. (D&C 100:7-8) ↩
6. And so great was the faith of Enoch that he led the people of God, and their enemies came to battle against them; and he spake the word of the Lord, and the earth trembled, and the mountains fled, even according to his command; and the rivers of water were turned out of their course; and the roar of the lions was heard out of the wilderness; and all nations feared greatly, so powerful was the word of Enoch, and so great was the power of the language which God had given him. (Moses 7:13) ↩
7. ...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) ↩
8. And the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin. And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me. For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin. And whoso receiveth not my voice is not acquainted with my voice, and is not of me. And by this you may know the righteous from the wicked, and that the whole world groaneth under sin and darkness even now. (D&C 84:49-53) ↩
9. Behold, here is the agency of man, and here is the condemnation of man; because that which was from the beginning is plainly manifest unto them, and they receive not the light. And every man whose spirit receiveth not the light is under condemnation. (D&C 93:31) ↩
10. A framework for doing this is provided in the author’s book Joy on Purpose. ↩
11. Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man. (D&C 84:85) ↩
12. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. (John 4:10) ↩
13. And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come, and there is no end to my works, neither to my words. (Moses 1:38) ...truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound. (D&C 88:66) ↩
14. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26) ↩
15. [God grants his word] unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12:9) ↩
16. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14) ↩
17. And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day. Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. (Alma 37:40-46) ↩
18. I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord. (D&C 132:12) ↩
19. And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father. (D&C 84:43-47) ↩
20. For they do not forsake their sins, and their wicked ways, the pride of their hearts, and their covetousness, and all their detestable things, and observe the words of wisdom and eternal life which I have given unto them. (D&C 98:20) ↩
21. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Matthew 25:29) ↩
22. And I give unto you a commandment, that ye shall forsake all evil and cleave unto all good, that ye shall live by every word which proceedeth forth out of the mouth of God. For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith. (D&C 98:11-12) ↩
23. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105) ↩
24. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Proverbs 6:23) ↩
25. For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. (2 Nephi 28:30) ↩
26. “...feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:3) Words is a Hebraistic idiom that means much more than the English translation. This scripture would be clearer if “example” were used in place of “words.” ↩
27. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23) ↩
28. For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Alma 29:8) ↩
29. And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. (Alma 12:9) ↩
30. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2) ↩
31. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. (Alma 37:6-7) ↩
32. ...that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory; (Moses 6:59) ↩
33. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (Psalm 119:130) ↩
34. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3) ↩
35. Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God. (Helaman 3:35) ↩
36. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) ↩
37. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37) ↩
38. Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. (D&C 121:45) ↩
39. The Spirit of truth is of God. I am the Spirit of truth, and John bore record of me, saying: He received a fulness of truth, yea, even of all truth; And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things. (D&C 93:26-28) ↩
40. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16) ↩
41. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19) ↩
42. ...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.... (John 14:9) ↩
43. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) ↩
44. Father, I thank thee that thou hast purified those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me. (3 Nephi 19:28) ↩
45. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:26-27) ↩
46. And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them. And he said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? (2 Nephi 31:9-10) ↩
47. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) ↩
48. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (John 17:13) ↩
49. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11) ↩
50. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6) ↩
51. And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. (1 Nephi 15:24) ↩
52. So everyone who hears these words [logos] of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock. (Matthew 7:24, AMP) ↩
53. ...I am the rock, and upon this rock I will build my house, using rocks. And all of hell cannot overpower the people of my house, because they are built upon me, and I will overcome all things. This is the secret by which you can obtain all power in heaven and earth: Learn my Father’s will, and do all things that lie in your power to bring everything into greater alignment with him, and the impact of your actions will endure eternally. (Matthew 16:18-19, Author’s Reflection) ↩
54. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:2728) ↩
55. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall. (Helaman 5:12) ↩
56. Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked— (Helaman 3:29) ↩
57. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) ↩
58. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3) ↩
59. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) ↩
60. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (John 6:51) ↩
61. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. (John 14:24) ↩
62. Therefore it is given to abide in you; the record of heaven; the Comforter; the peaceable things of immortal glory; the truth of all things; that which quickeneth all things, which maketh alive all things; that which knoweth all things, and hath all power according to wisdom, mercy, truth, justice, and judgment. (Moses 6:61) ↩
63. Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:3) ↩
64. And he also said unto him: If thou wilt turn unto me, and hearken unto my voice, and believe, and repent of all thy transgressions, and be baptized, even in water, in the name of mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth, which is Jesus Christ, the only name which shall be given under heaven, whereby salvation shall come unto the children of men, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, asking all things in his name, and whatsoever ye shall ask, it shall be given you. (Moses 6:52) ↩
65. For example, he appeared to the Brother of Jared: “Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.” (Ether 3:14) ↩
66. For example, he appeared to his followers in the Americas after his resurrection: “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.” (3 Nephi 11:10) ↩
67. But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. (D&C 63:23) ↩
68. TODO: this footnote is empty ↩
69. And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. (D&C 68:4) ↩
70. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; (John 11:49-51) ↩
71. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38) ↩
72. But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. (D&C 63:23) ↩
73. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (Luke 6:39) ↩
74. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3) ↩
75. Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (John 6:68) ↩
76. And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness. (Alma 32:31) ↩
77. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; (3 Nephi 27:21) For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive. (Mosiah 26:22) And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. (3 Nephi 27:8) ↩
78. Therefore, having removed everything which has greater cost than benefit, or which gets worse, be willing to receive the implantation of the word which alone has the power to save your souls. (James 1:21, Author’s Reflection) ↩
79. Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hath created them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set at naught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide. (Helaman 12:6) ↩
80. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6) ↩
81. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalm 109:5) ↩
82. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (James 1:21-22) ↩
83. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) ↩
84. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14) ↩
85. ...Only one who actually carries out the works of Christ will obtain the blessings attending the works of Christ. (James 1:25, Author’s Reflection) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2) ↩
86. There are so many scriptures whose value is severely restricted by poor English translation. Here’s one: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalms 119:11) This does not mean that memorizing scripture prevents you from sin. The Spanish translation is closer to the intent: “En mi corazón he guardado tus dichos, para no pecar contra ti.” Literally: “In my heart I keep your word, so as not to sin against you.” The word “keep” here is the same one used in the phrase, “keep my commandments.” The English translation leaves a lot of room for committing all the same mistakes of the Pharisees, who managed to focus on outward acts while neglecting the more important inward motive, all the while doing all sorts of terrible things “in between” the rules of the law. These same failings are repeated all over common Christianity. ↩
87. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:28-31) ↩
88. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18) ↩
89. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:4-5) ↩
90. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:35-37) ↩
91. Any man whose feelings, thoughts, and actions are fully aligned is a man achieving his full potential. (James 3:2, Author’s Reflection) ↩
92. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:49-50) ↩
93. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29) ↩

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