Always More Word

"...for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease." - Moses 1:4

In our struggle to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is a constant temptation to "stick to the basics." After all, everyone struggles from time to time with those basics. Some, in fact, may be tempted to think that we have already been taught everything needed for salvation. What need is there for something more? That this attitude is antithetical to the gospel is evident in Nephi's declaration: "Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!"¹

An examination of the scriptures makes clear that we do not, in fact, have everything needed for salvation. This is due to the fact that salvation cannot be offered congregationally. It always requires a personal link to God, and is predicated upon personal revelation and heed of God's word to the individual.

The capstone of Nephi's teaching of faith, repentance, and baptism by water and fire is given in the end of his portion of the Book of Mormon. He says:

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts? For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:1,5)

If faith, repentence, and baptism were sufficient to save us, then why are we told that it is the Holy Ghost's individual teachings that will tell us what we should do? If we already know about faith in Christ, repentance, and baptism by water and fire, then what else is there to learn? Nephi is telling us that God has a lot to teach us that can only be received through the medium of individual revelation-through the Holy Ghost. Expanded personal knowledge of the doctrines of Christ are not the exception to but in fact are the very path to salvation.

A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God. (HC 4:588)

Thus, receiving more of God's word is the key to gaining knowledge which, in turn, is the key to salvation. Consequently, he said, "It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance."² If the mysteries of God are simply tenets of doctrine that are yet unknown to the individual, and if an individual cannot be saved in ignorance, how important it is for us to seek God to learn his mysteries!

The mysteries of God-also known as the "peaceable things of the kingdom,"³ the mysteries of God, things which cannot be written, greater things, things known by the Spirit, etc-are all the things that can be learned only directly from God. They are, in essence, the knowledge communicated to man every time God gives a dispensation of his word to an individual. Paul said these things can only be learned by the Spirit:

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11)

Mystery, as it is used in the scriptures, simply means anything which remains unknown to an individual. Brigham Young said, "In reality, however, there is no such thing as a mystery but to the ignorant."⁴ In other words, what makes these items a mystery is not that they are unknowable, but simply that someone somewhere does not know them. Clearly, God can reveal anything to you, andwhen he does, whatever he reveals ceases to be a mystery to you. At the same time, if he does not reveal that knowledge to me, it continues to be a mystery to me. There is nothing that God knows that he will not reveal to a person who seeks to know it just as soon as they are ready. "God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things as fast as he is able to bear them."⁵ There is nothing off limits. God taught very clearly that

...if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come. (D&C 130:19)

So we see that what you can know in this life has nothing to do with your natural level of spirituality or the church office you may attain in this life, but everything to do with your diligence and obedience to that portion of the word of God that you have already received. God is no respecter of persons.⁶ Because of this, we should expect every person on this earth can know things that very few, if any, other people know.

For thus saith the Lord-I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. And to them will I reveal all myster-ies, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will-yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (D&C 76:5-10)

It should not be a rare event that certain men know things that other men do not. In fact, God promises it as a function of the Melchizedek priesthood. Therefore, everyone with the higher priesthood ought to know mysteries:

The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church-To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. (D&C 107:18-19)

God even promises the knowledge of mysteries to those without the priesthood. Here he says that all the penitent will receive mysteries that have never before been revealed, and that it will be their function and office to share those with others:

And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent. Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing-unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance. (Alma 26:22)

Because not everyone is equally penitent, we ought to expect variation in who knows what mysteries from God. We ought to expect that these mysteries are being revealed, not according to church office, but according to the humility and diligence and obedience of the individual. Humility is a real concern. Pride is when individuals insist that they know more about a subject than God does. You can always pinpoint these people from their conversation: "God would never..." or "that's not possible." Joseph wisely said, "I believe all that God ever revealed, and I never hear of a man being damned for believing too much; but they are damned for unbelief."⁷ He said that when we box up God to our preconceptions, we limit what he can reveal to us, damning ourselves in the process.

[He who will not seek out or accept advanced knowledge] makes himself a fool...there is an end of his career or progress in knowledge. He cannot obtain all knowledge, for he has sealed up the gate to it. (HC 6:474-475)

Who is most likely to box God up in preconcieved notions? Who is least likely? Amongst the latter we ought to expect greater knowledge of the mysteries. Thus, we read that God:

...imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned. (Alma 32:23)

And how are these mysteries made known to men? Always by a dispensation of God's word, e.g. revelation.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come... (1 Nephi 10:19)

And again,

Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God. (Jacob 4:8)

The word of God is a fitting application for the parable of the talents told by Jesus. Each servant receives some stewardship of the word of God-his mysteries. Some bury theirs in the earth. They teach no one, they ponder not on what they've been taught, they simply ignore it. Some use what they have, exchange it with others, and obtain more to a greater or lesser degree. It is to those who use what they have and gain the most besides that the Master rewards most amply.⁸

This same lesson is repeated in the Book of Mormon. "And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full."⁹ This blessing is not received by those who claim they already have enough of God's word, and have no need or desire to learn his mysteries. God's mysteries are not some esoteric trivia about the orbit of Kolob. They are the explanation of exactly what happened in Gethsamane; they are glimpses of Jesus' life not contained in the New Testament; they are a more useful understanding of the details of certain commandments, and so on-all of which are essential for salvation. All of these mysteries are part of the codex of heaven-that which is necessary to learn in order to know God.

Our reluctance to know God is explained in some cases by a false understanding of spiritual truth. Any man will readily admit that there is enough to learn about temporal subjects that it is doubtful that any one man can know everything there is to know about a certain topic. However, we glumly assume that we can somehow master the science of God-which subsumes all temporal subjects-with one day per week of casual study. This is hardly convincing.

So how do we move away from hiding the mysteries in a napkin and toward the wise and faithful steward? Brigham Young said, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Those that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts."¹⁰ We certainly will not get to the mysteries by repeating the basics. What I am proposing is not a question of topics, mind you, but depth. There is enough to know about faith that an entire life could be consumed learning about it without reaching an end of the topic. Questions always precede instruction. A mystery is rarely revealed until after you realize you don't know it. This because God usually spends his time revealing to us the answers to our questions, and what question will you have if you feel you know everything there is to know about something? God commands us to ask questions, specifically about his mysteries:

Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you. (D&C 8:11)

And again:

Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in faith. Trifle not with these things; do not ask for that which you ought not. Ask that you may know the mysteries of God, and that you may translate and receive knowledge from all those ancient records which have been hid up, that are sacred; and according to your faith shall it be done unto you. (D&C 8:10-11)

The Lord told Oliver Cowdery, "if thou wilt inquire, thou shalt know mysteries which are great and marvelous."¹¹ We have to have questions, and we have to petition the Lord through prayer and our own study for answers to those questions. The Lord said, "If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things-that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal."¹² One scriptural example of this process is Alma, who wanted to know more about the resurrection of the dead. Said he to his son, "I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know-that is concerning the resurrection."¹³ Perhaps we will come up with questions to ask on our own. If not, the Spirit will prompt us to ask the right questions. Studying the questions which prompted the revelations received by scriptural personalities and modern church figures will help us to learn what to ask. Studying examples of mysteries being explained in the scriptures will further our understanding of what sorts of things will be revealed to us. For example, in D&C 19, the Lord explains the mystery of his suffering in Gethsamane and the torment of the damned.

The scriptures can be a tremendous source of questions. If we trust in what others have said about certain verses, we will not have questions. However, if we toss what others have said out the window, and engage in a lively internal debate over what certain verses do or don't mean, we will find the scriptures to contain a lot more information than we previously thought. Bruce McConkie said, "Each pronouncement in the holy scriptures...is so written as to reveal little or much, depending on the spiritual capacity of the student."¹⁴ Another mystery-killing tendency is to automatically skip over passages or phrases that do not make sense. Neal Maxwell said, "Those doctrines which may seem the most puzzling or the least attractive may well be those now most needed by us."¹⁵ With few exceptions, it is all in there for a reason.

Perhaps you may ask me why I dwell on this...subject. In answer, why did the Lord dwell upon it forty-two years ago, if he did not want us, in some measure, to understand it? Would he speak at random? Would he give a revelation without expecting that the people would even try to understand it? If the Lord wished us to understand something, and condescended to reveal something, why should we...think that we are stepping over our bounds in trying to comprehend approximately what the Lord desired us to understand. It is an old sectarian whim and notion, to suppose that we must not try to...understand revelation. Do not suppose, however, that those first principles [of the gospel] are the only ones to be learned; do not become stereotyped in your feelings, and think that you must always dwell upon them and proceed no further. If there be knowledge concerning the future, ...the present, [the] past, or any species of knowledge that would be beneficial to the mind of man, let us seek it; and that which we cannot obtain by using the light which God has placed within us, by using our reasoning powers, by reading books, or by human wisdom alone, let us seek to a higher source-to that Being who is filled with knowledge, and who has given laws to all things and who, in his wisdom, goodness, justice and mercy, controls all things according to their capacity, and according to the various spheres and conditions in which they are placed. (Orson Pratt, March 14, 1875, Salt Lake City, 16th Ward, reported by David W. Evans)

If we don't get it, or don't get why the passage was included since, in our estimation, the passage doesn't have much worth, we ought to pause and pray and go over it again. Joseph Smith said,

Men are in the habit, when the truth is exhibited by the servants of God, of saying, All is mystery; they have spoken in parables, and, therefore, are not to be understood. It is true they have eyes to see, and see not, but none are so blind as those who will not see. (TPJS, p. 96)

Questioning is how we obtain the word of God, and questioning is, therefore, the key to increasing one's faith. Remember that it was Laman and Lemuel who refused to ask questions about their father's new found religious fervor. Their implicit trust in their father was insufficient to guide them through hard times. Nephi, however, asked God. He questioned.

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers. And I spake unto Sam, making known unto him the things which the Lord had manifested unto me by his Holy Spirit...But, behold, Laman and Lemuel would not hearken unto my words... (1 Nephi 2:16-18)

When we make the effort to set aside our preconceived notions about what the word of God says and does not say, we will find new gems every time we read. The unbiased eyes of a convert automatically read the scriptures literally, which is how Joseph said they were intended to be read. The scriptures are full of mysteries hidden in plain sight. For example, the doctrine of the Second Comforter, a doctrine that is treated as secret by some, sacred by others, and non-existent by still others, jumps from the pages of all the standard works when we read the verses plainly. This is why Book of Mormon personalities said that the brass plates helped them to know the mysteries of God:

And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God. (Mosiah 1:3)

Plain reading of God's word also dispels the negative effects of the false traditions we inherit from whatever culture we live in.

I say unto you, my sons, were it not for [the brass plates], which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, _that we might read and understand of his mysteries_, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct. (Mosiah 1:5)

The men of God in the Book of Mormon were not bashful about God's mysteries. As indicated in the preceding quotes, it is obvious that they considered one of the prime reasons for the scriptures to be the revelation of God's mysteries to the reader. These men, like King Benjamin, frequently attempted to teach these mysteries to the audiences of their sermons:

And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds _that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view_. (Mosiah 2:9)

Alma likewise taught the mysteries of God:

Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God that I might know-that is concerning the resurrection. (Alma 40:3)

Joseph did the same, as do all men of God:

I advise all to go on to perfection, and search deeper and deeper into the mysteries of Godliness....It has always been my province to dig up hidden mysteries-new things-for my hearers. (HC 6:363)

To these men, mysteries were not arbitrary trivia, but better understood doctrine, applicable to real life. King Benjamin would have considered his nugget about being in the service of your fellowman as service to your God a mystery. Clearly, that is a useful thing to know. Clearly, it brings us closer to Christ to practice that tenet. If we believe in a God whose words never cease, we ought to never run out of novel material to preach and teach about him, because he is always telling us something we didn't know before.

Our eventual return to the presence of God is incumbent upon our ability to receive and remain true to a greater portion of God's word direct from the heavens.

Now those men, or those women, who know no more about the power of God, and the influences of the Holy Spirit, than to be led entirely by another person, suspending their own understanding, and pinning their faith upon another's sleeve, will never be capable of entering into the celestial glory, to be crowned as they anticipate; they will never be capable of becoming Gods. They cannot rule themselves, to say nothing of ruling others, but they must be dictated to in every trifle, like a child. They cannot control themselves in the least, but James, Peter, or somebody else must control them, They never can become Gods, nor be crowned as rulers with glory, immortality, and eternal lives. They never can hold sceptres of glory, majesty, and power in the celestial kingdom. Who will? Those who are valiant and inspired with the true independence of heaven, who will go forth boldly in the service of their God, leaving others to do as they please, determined to do right, though all mankind besides should take the opposite course. (BY, JD 1:312-313)

This private dispensation of God's word always begins through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Eventually, however, if we remain true to what God teaches us via the First Comforter, the Holy Ghost, he will send us the Second Comforter, the presence of Christ.

...after ye had received the Holy Ghost...feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do. (2 Nephi 32:2-3,5-6)

The Book of Mormon contains several occurrences when Jesus fulfills the process Nephi is describing. He appears to men and teaches them things not contained in the scriptures. These are the teachings that Mormon was about to write in 3 Nephi 26:9-12, but was forbidden. These are the things that the brother of Jared saw in Ether 3:21-22 and Ether 4:1, but was forbidden to write. These teachings are described in the scriptures as "unlawful to utter."¹⁶ These things include, but are not limited to, a vision of all things to the end of the world, and were seen by Nephi¹⁷, John¹⁸, the brother of Jared.¹⁹, and Joseph Smith.²⁰

Joseph explained this knowledge conveyed through the Second Comforter's visit thus:

Now what is this other Comforter? It is no more or less than the Lord Jesus Christ himself & this is the sum & substance of the whole matter, that when any man obtains this last Comforter he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him or appear unto him from time to time. & even he will manifest the Father unto him & they will take up their abode with him, & the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him & the Lord will teach him face to face & he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God, & this is the state & place the Ancient Saints arrived at when they had such glorious vision Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of Patmos, St Paul in the third heavens, & all the Saints who held communion with the general Assembly & Church of the First Born &c (WoJS, 27 Jun 1839)

We must have a desire to know the mysteries of God.

For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round. (1 Ne 10:19)

Nephi enjoyed many visions and revelations. Before the visions came he had "great desires to know of the mysteries of God"²¹ One reason to desire to know the mysteries of God is to gain eternal life, for a knowledge of God's mysteries are essential to eternal life. "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."²²

Besides having a desire, asking and seeking, we must be steadfast in keeping the commandments, including those "custom commandments" which the Lord has given us through revelation. These are they whom God delights to honor with further light and truth:

For thus saith the Lord-I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory. And to them will I reveal all mysteries, yea, all the hidden mysteries of my kingdom from days of old, and for ages to come, will I make known unto them the good pleasure of my will concerning all things pertaining to my kingdom. Yea, even the wonders of eternity shall they know, and things to come will I show them, even the things of many generations. And their wisdom shall be great, and their understanding reach to heaven; and before them the wisdom of the wise shall perish, and the understanding of the prudent shall come to naught. For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will-yea, even those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man. (D&C 76:5-10)

And again, "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."²³ The key to obtaining the mysteries of God is heeding the word of God which you have already received, and seeking more.