"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." ~ Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith (TPJS) pg. 217
But what is knowledge? What does it mean to "know"? What kind of knowledge is he referring to?
"I want to ask this congregation, every man, woman and child, to answer the question in their own heart, what kind of a being God is? Ask yourselves; turn your thoughts into your hearts, and say if any of you have seen, heard, or communed with him. This is a question that may occupy your attention for a long time. I again repeat the question -- What kind of a being is God? Does any man or woman know? Have any of you seen him, heard him, or communed with him? Here is the question that will, peradventure, from this time henceforth occupy your attention. The scriptures inform us that "This is life eternal that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. If any man does not know God, and inquires what kind of a being he is, -- if he will search diligently his own heart -- if the declaration of Jesus and the apostles be true, he will realize that he has not eternal life; for there can be eternal life on no other principle." ~TPJS pg. 137
I submit to you, there is only one real way for anyone to know anything, and that is to personally have the experience for yourself. Experiential knowledge is at the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gnosis is at the heart of the Mormonism Joseph Smith taught.
To know what salt tastes like, to know what fire feels like, to know what God is truly like, can never be known by simply reading the the testimonies of others found in the scriptures, nor by listening to the firsthand experiences of others. It can be only be known by first hand experience. All else is pretense and an imitation of the real thing--a false idol. How long do you suppose it safe to lean upon such a reed before it brakes to pierce your hand?
"And then, at that day, before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, Ye know me not." ~Matthew 25:1-11 Joseph Smith Translation
Now is the time to get to know God. This is the time to fill our lamps with oil. This is the life in which we are to meet God in person. Just like in the parable, those who wait, until the bridegroom comes, to fill their lamps with oil, or in other words, to experience being in the presence of God and learning His characteristics directly from Him in person, will find they are too late.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent."
John 17:3
I seek to echo Joseph Smith’s teaching when he stated as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 130:3 (D&C), “John 14:23: The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance; and the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion, and is false.”
This event is not meant to be done by a proxy or through an intermediary. You, on your own behalf, must rise up to receive your Lord.
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