I think we each have an intelligence within. It is a self-existing thing co-equal with God.1 We were created by God with his own thought or faith.2 In eternity it is difficult for us not to follow God perfectly. In time, after childhood, it is difficult to hear that voice at all. It becomes distored by other voices. Our intelligence is the light given to us by the Father, tabernacled in flesh. It is the Holy Ghost, if we will hear it speaking. It is always holy, it is us, separated in a sphere that is degenerated by us avoiding it or disobeying it. If we distinguish3 and hear it, and do as it suggests4, this act of faith purifies us because we allow the physical world (us in time) to come into contact with what is holy about us (our intelligence or connection with God manifested)

There are some universal principles that exist for all. These principles include things like "God is Love", "God is Just", "You can trust God", "Seek after God yourself. Don't trust in the arm of flesh." These are all universal principles because they point the individual to listen to their own independent voice of God themselves and be saved by hearing.5

Because man is so hard of hearing themselves, provisions are made that are not universal, but will, however, lead them in true principles if they will ever learn to listen. Those who can hear the real voice of God will give helps to those who cannot yet hear, or cannot yet hear in full. They will first teach universal principles as a first gathering message. They will then condescend in love, to teach the non-universal helps to a second group which group resonates somewhat with the first message.

 

Notes

  1. "The mind or intelligence which man possesses is co-equal with God himself." (Joseph Smith, TPJS p. 353)

  2. Beloved Enos, Chapter 1, Introduction

  3. One of the keys to hearing this voice: "A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation..." (Joseph Smith, HC vol 3)

  4. Suggest here isn't a great word in one sense, but conveys the idea correctly in another. Some writers use the word command, because it is the only right, good, peaceful way. If we do not follow the command we "kick against the pricks", yet suggest allows us to understand force is the last thing God will ever do, otherwise he would cease to be God. Our intelligence, or perhaps "our intelligence in contact with the mind of God" will suggest we follow but never demand. It will show us the right way and allow us to choose all manner of wrong ways, forever until we are satisfied the voice was correct to begin with. Thus free will, agency and a one true way remain intact.

    I also use suggest, because I find the voice to be very non-rigid. Meaning, that the voice doesn't usually say something like "stop this and do that", but it is more like "it's getting late, it would be a good idea to finish these thoughts and wrap up for the night" or "what you're doing is important, but there's a baby that seems content in another room, but you would both greatly benefit from a little time together before he falls asleep." What often winds up happening, however is that you don't stop for the night and your thoughts eventually become muddled and you become frustrated and you blame God for not answering your prayers because you can't hear Him. Or you reason that the baby is content, and there is no need to stop the important thing you doing, and you go on fighting God until you become angry and then break down in tears that you haven't spent enough time with your children. In this distressed, muddled and sorrowful state you become more susceptible to temptations which easily beset you.

    Command is a good word because if you fight against it, you find that you fight against your own best interests and you will sorrow. But in sorrow, you learn something. All things teach about God and point to Him.

  5. Hearing and doing is what Joseph teaching when he said "...let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure..." (HC vol 3)

    Hearing is an essential.

 

See Also

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