In this Conference, I only remember hearing the “infinite atonement” mentioned once in passing, while it is the central message of the Book of Mormon. I heard “atoning sacrifice” mentioned several times in prayers. However, the “atoning sacrifice” misses His glorious resurrection, which is the capstone of the “infinite atonement” that the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:12-23) and the Book of Mormon so beautifully teach. It is the glorious resurrection that brings us back into the presence of God; without it, we are in Satan’s grasp.
Unfortunately, the phrase “atoning sacrifice” has crept in and now occurs commonly in Mormon vocabulary, as it did in this conference, and misses the seven profound steps in the infinite atonement. The phrase “atoning sacrifice” has also been inappropriately used in chapter headings in our scriptures. In reality, it only occurs once appropriately in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 138, in Joseph F. Smith’s vision of the gospel being preached in the spirit world. Yet, we hear “atoning sacrifice” often without any mention of His glorious resurrection, which is the capstone to the infinite atonement.
In its grandeur, the “infinite atonement” perfectly covers both the physical and spiritual deaths brought about by the fall of Adam and Eve. Because of the infinite atonement, all will be resurrected, and all are given the opportunity for eternal life as we come unto Him who is the way and the truth and the life. (John 14:6) [My bold]
The saints in the primitive church called Jesus “The Way” and His church “The Way”. The Christian movement was known as “The Way.” In General Conference, Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt talked about the many names of Jesus. He missed this one in his talk—“The Way.” I realize most don’t know about “The Way,” unless they have studied the primitive Church of Christ: The famous Historian Flavius Josephus a converted Jew, and a Roman citizen found “The Way” and served as a bishop in Jerusalem.
The Creation and Evolution Conflict
The prophets and missionaries in the Book of Mormon had great success, and they shared the creation, the fall, and the atonement in their preaching. Today, the world’s morality is spiraling down and atheism is spiraling up in large measure because of the Darwinian evolutionary theory.
Now, most scientists believe the Bible story of the creation and the fall of Adam and Eve are a myth. Nephi (1 Nephi 13:38-41) and Joseph in Egypt (2 Nephi 3:11) prophesied this would happen and the Book of Mormon would prove the Bible true. I am pleased that LDS Living picked up on this important message as well.
My own alma mater BYU, a Church school, has a permanent display in their Bean Museum of the evolution of man because the theory of evolution is taught at this university. BYU Studies, in doing a special issue on “Evolution and Faith,” asked for articles to be submitted on the subject. I submitted an article defending “Creation”. However, my abstract was rejected because I would not allow Darwinian theory to be a possibility for the faithful to believe.
One of the best classes I have ever had was from BYU Professor Chauncey C. Riddle on “Philosophy and Religion.” There I learned, as taught in the Book of Mormon, that the organic evolution of humankind cannot be true. I have learned since that scientific data also proves Darwin’s theory is not true. If there is no fall of Adam and Eve, then there is no need for atonement to overcome the effects of the fall; therefore, organic evolution is anti-Christ. World morality is spiraling down and atheism is spiraling up in large measure because of the Darwinian evolutionary false model for the origin of humankind.
Secular Influence on Education
We have recently seen a significant moral decay in our educational institutions. Many of the teachers have become secular in their approach to the students. This problem is all too common for most universities and BYU is no exception. We have many students going in as believers and coming out as atheists.
Scientists use the five senses to ascertain the truth, as best they can. But God has given us six senses, and the secular influence of the world has chosen to turn off the sixth sense, which is one of the main reasons for the moral decay we see in the world.
“The United States Is the Promised Land Foretold in the Book of Mormon.” Elder L. Tom Perry
President Nelson showed a film clip of the Savior coming to America. For me, it clearly showed the secular influence of the people in the BYU film department, who probably prepared the film. The clip subtly depicted that this event took place in Mesoamerica. One can prove the Mesoamerica theory false, and the event should have been depicted in the Heartland setting of America. as the prophets have testified.
There were other errors in the clip. From the Old Testament, we learn that temples had ramps for priests and not steps. In this film, we see steps for the temple depicted. The robe they have Jesus wearing has an open back, which is clearly not Hebrew.
There are many clues in the Book of Mormon itself that the events of the book took place in North America rather than Mesoamerica. The above quote from Elder L. Tom Perry (Ensign, Dec. 2012, 29) the secular folks chose to ignore along with those from several other prophets. The secular folks need to turn back to the God of “this land,” who is Jesus Christ, and repent, or they will be “swept off.” It is the “everlasting decree” of God. (Ether 2:8-12)
There are 29 occurrences of “this land” in the Book of Mormon—referring to North America, where both the Jaredites and Nephites inhabited until they were destroyed in civil conflict. That geography is validated by prophets and by data, as shared again in this link, which is ignored or denied by those of a secular bent.
It is of paramount importance that the people of “this land” repent. Fortunately, I see evidence of many Christians, outside of our faith waking up to help themselves, and those who are willing, to repent and come to Christ.
I Didn’t Hear of Secret Combinations
The Prophet Moroni, who saw our day more clearly than any other prophet, records how both the Jaredite and Nephite nations were destroyed by secret combinations. He then warns us, “…O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you… the Lord commandeth you when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation… [they seek] to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies;” (Ether 8:23-26)
Anatoliy Golitsyn in his book, New Lies for Old, tells how the communists use “disinformation strategy,” to tell you something, which is a lie but makes you believe it is true to take your mind in the direction they want. The global elite is doing the same thing now. They often use philanthropy to appear that they are good, when in fact their evil intentions are exactly as Moroni far warned. Blatant examples are 9/11, COVID, and the global elite wanting to vaccinate everyone with a malfeasant vaccine, as part of their depopulation strategy. It is critical that we be “awake” to their deceitful plans.
Love – The First Law of Heaven
Since President Nelson has become the President, we have heard much about the “covenant path.” One of the grand ironies of God’s perfect plan of happiness is that we are all different, but through Christ, we can be ONE—each of us using our own individual time and talents with the Spirit to guide us to fulfill our personal missions in mortality.
We should be looking forward to helping build a Zion society (1 Nephi 13:37)—the pure in heart, where we will be of one mind and one heart. Jesus prayed for it as recorded in John 17, and it was fulfilled for the Nephites, as described in Third Nephi Chapter 19. The Lord says, “Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one, and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” (D&C 38:28) I was delighted that this scripture was quoted in Conference.
For me, the “covenant path” helps me in my desire to live the First Law of Heaven, in which Jesus says on it “hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matt. 22:36-40) In Chapter 4 of my book, It’s About Time, I use a logical proof applied to John Chapter 14, as follows: if A implies B, and B implies A, then A and B are equivalent. Verse 15: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Verse 21: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he is that loveth me:” So we see here a celestial definition of obedience. We obey because we love the Lord and want to please him. This is far above doing it out of duty, which is the typical kind of obedience practiced.
Vanity and Unbelief
I prepared a blog article on why some people are leaving the Church. In it, I quote the scripture where the Lord says the Church is under condemnation because of “vanity and unbelief” and for treating “lightly” the “Book of Mormon.” I was in an earlier General Conference when I heard President Benson say, that “condemnation” had not been lifted. And it is exactly as the Lord said, “And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them…” (D&C 84:54-58)
I believe the Lord wants the world to hear the marvelous message of the Book of Mormon, to come to Christ, as part of the great gathering. As He sets His hand again a second time, and as the FIRST becomes the LAST, in preparation for His Coming, it’s time for self-reflection on where we are. We live in the most exciting time in the history of the world. As Alma counseled his son, Helaman, “Look to God and live.” (Alma 37:47).
I want all to know that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church. It was set up by Him as a vehicle to bring us to Christ and to prepare for His coming. Let us all repent and come unto Him through deep personal study, understanding of correct doctrine, and personal revelation.
Daniel prophesied that His latter-day kingdom would “stand forever.” (Dan. 2:44)
However, it is like Zenos prophesies in his allegory (Jacob 5:66), there is some pruning to be done.
David W. Allan