Recently, I have been pondering my own journey as a "Nicodemus Mormon" towards Millennial Mormonism. In case you haven't read previous posts, a Nicodemus Mormon is a certain manifestation of the natural man. He or she tends to view the abundant types, shadows and symbols all around us in only a literal, concrete, natural and physical way. He is tempted to worship these signs and symbols and often gives in. As a result, he finds himself in a lone and dreary wilderness, dependent on strict laws for physical and spiritual survival. These carnal (physical/outward) commandments keep him safe but they are a heavy burden. Until the natural man or woman is subdued and submissive, this wilderness journey is grievous and at times miserable in spite of the miracles happening all along the way.
One elegant way to describe this journey is the story of the children of Israel leaving Egypt. It is very appropriate because for all intents and purposes, modern Israel (the Church) is not that different than ancient Israel. The journey begins in Egypt or the world (Outer Darkness), through the lone and dreary wilderness (Telestial Kingdom), and continues with the death of Moses, Joshua taking leadership and the battles to conquer the promised land (Terrestrial Kingdom), and finally settlement. Hopefully, you will begin to see the parallels and this journey as your own story and your own journey.
As you recall, the children of Israel were in bondage to Egypt (the Material World) for 430 years (period of cleansing and preparation). The Lord called a mighty prophet (Moses) to lead the people out of Egypt. It was extremely difficult for Egypt to let go of Israel. (And conversely for Israel to let go of Egypt). Only through miracles, the prophet, and the priesthood, was this accomplished. Even after Israel left Egypt, the armies of Egypt came after them to return them back to slavery and bondage. The Apostle Paul describes the miraculous "baptism" that occurred as the Red Sea was parted and the children of Israel were led to safety. They were led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire (the Spirit) by night into the wilderness.
Although Egyptian bondage was horrific and dark, many of the children of Israel looked back to Egypt and wanted the meager benefits that were provided rather than having to trek through the desert with the threat of death, thirst and starvation all around them. Understandable or one might say it is even "natural"! They murmured and complained to Moses who then asked the Lord to provide water and food for the people. The Lord took care of their physical needs and brought them to the mountain (temple) where he was prepared to make them a "kingdom of priests" (and kings). Sound familiar?
However, the people said "unto Moses, speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (Exodus 20:19). Moses "sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; but they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory. Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also; And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel; which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal (physical/outward) commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb" (D&C 84:23-27).
Why was the Lord so angry? What was it that triggered the Lord removing the higher priesthood from ancient Israel? Sometimes when we ask a question, we may not be prepared for the answer. Joseph Smith asked a lot of questions. I don't know that he was always prepared for the answers. Can you handle the truth?
The answer is that they wanted a prophet to speak for them rather than receiving personal revelation and having a close relationship with God. As a consequence, the Aaronic priesthood continued and they wandered in the wilderness (Telestial Kingdom) for 40 (time of cleansing and preparation) years.
Like ancient Israel, do we prefer to have the prophet speak for the Lord on our behalf rather than communing with him ourselves and knowing him face to face? Does that frighten and scare us like ancient Israel?
But wait Millennial Mormon! Hold on just a minute. We have the Temple! We have the Melchizedek priesthood! The Lord didn't take it away, he restored it to the prophet Joseph Smith through Peter, James and John right?! Yes, that is true, however, just because the Melchizedek priesthood is conferred upon us does not mean that it is operating (see D&C 121:37). Many are called but few are chosen right?! And just because we have the Temple does not mean that we have understanding.
So if you believe that we in the church seem to have a lot of rules, laws and commandments, then you can look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you have preferred to hear the word of the Lord through the living or dead prophets (scriptures) rather than receiving personal revelation and seeking a "face to face" relationship with God. Numerous carnal commandments are a natural consequence of your choice to avoid the close relationship that God wants to have with you. Instead of this millennial relationship with Jesus Christ, carnal man continues to indulge in fear rather than faith.
Worse still, there are some who, in spite of seeing miracles in the wilderness and the Lord working through the living prophets or the scriptures, feel so burdened and miserable in the wilderness, they actually end up going back to Egypt (Outer Darkness) to renew their bonds of slavery to the world. Some of these individuals can become very bitter and full of rage towards the prophets and the children of Israel (the Church). They feel as if they have been robbed in the wilderness much like Laman and Lemuel. As the scriptures abundantly teach, there is "weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth" in outer darkness. These are they who are worse off than they were before. These people "maketh war with the saints of God, and encompasseth them round about and know God's power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power—They are they who are the sons (or daughters) of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born (baptized) (D&C 76:29-32). They can't leave it alone (lake of fire and brimstone). As the living prophets have described, "they can leave the church but they can't leave it alone." You probably know some of these poor folks. They are consumed with such bitterness and rage that I can't help but feel pity for them and I wish them nothing but peace, love and blessings. Joseph Smith said this: "When a man begins to be an enemy to this work, he hunts me, he seeks to kill me, and never ceases to thirst for my blood. He gets the spirit of the devil—the same spirit that they had who crucified the Lord of Life—the same spirit that sins against the Holy Ghost." (Joseph Smith, King Follet Sermon). It's sad that there are still people today that are like this.
Travelling through the wilderness (Telestial Kingdom) is a necessary part of our spiritual journey. It requires great sacrifice and there is much pain and sorrow but there are extremely beautiful miracles and moments all along the way. It is a kingdom and a world beyond what we can even imagine if we were to look at it through spiritual eyes. We feel the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives and it brings so much comfort and peace to us as we wander in the wilderness. We have a living prophet to guide us and we have the scriptures. Although, we may occasionally murmur, there is something inside of us that tells us to press on. Endure to the end. It is not over. The journey continues . . .
End of Part 1
Wow! I never thought of it that way. I love it!
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