The Plainness of God
"...and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men." (2 Nephi 26:33)
After Joseph and Oliver's baptism they were able to attain to hidden mysteries:
"Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of." (JSH 1:74)
They said they saw what they thought was the plain meaning of words, and saw it in a whole new light. A light which brought knowledge of salvation. These plain words are what we rely upon when we condemn others, but is it possible, they have meanings which we, in our darkened minds1 cannot comprehend? Is it possible they have multiple layers and depths of meaning? Are the things the Joseph and Oliver learned something that was previously locked away, inaccessible to their understanding?
Here again Nephi tells us how difficult it was for many in his day to understand the words of Isaiah:"Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand." (2 Nephi 25:1) But he responded that "...the words of Isaiah…are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy." (2 Nephi 25:4)
We look at Isaiah and Revelation as one of the quintessential mysteries that we are hopeless to unravel, but Joseph said: "The book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 290)
Consider this mystery that the Lord chose to reveal in Joseph's day:
"Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment. Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory. Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles. I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest. For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. Endless punishment is God’s punishment." (D&C 19:6-12)
Here the Lord is telling us that he intentionally deceived men into thinking a simple phrase means something you would have never thought of without revelation.
How does it "work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory?" Could Ezekiel 14 provide an answer? How could believing something that isn't true and being blind and led captive and your own soul to destruction as a result, lead to God's purposes and glory? What kind of test is underway right now? What is it God is trying to prove, and help you determine about your own state and level of unbelief? Why would God want to prevent someone, who would not seek Him with all their heart, from entering?
To think, that billions throughout history have been totally mislead as to the meaning and intent of the meaning of Eternal and Endless Punishment! Condemning others and themselves with unwarranted fear! How many more scriptures and simple and "plain" phrases are there like this while we flaunt our knowledge knowing nothing!
Peter told us how the scriptures are to be understood:
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:20-21)
Of course in our arrogance, we always think we are the ones that have the Holy Ghost. We are the ones that can discern truth and error. We are the ones that can use the scriptures judge and condemn our fellow man—those we esteem as lower than ourselves.
Knowing mysteries is not, or at least it should not be some project in vanity. We are here to gain knowledge of the mysteries. Mysteries are how God gives us knowledge about how we obtain salvation.2 We must gain light and truth. Alma equates not knowing mysteries to the chains of hell.3 Joseph said the same thing—that we must gain knowledge or we will be brought into captivity.4
I think it is obvious that "plainness" is another way of describing those things that God has hidden and will not reveal to any, but those that seek HIM with all their heart.5 The gospel becomes plain when we understand God's strange act.6 Otherwise it remains hidden, unavailable, unknown, untouched. Knowledge of God cannot be profaned by vanity, little effort, fear, superstition, or bowing the knee to men.7
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 29:8-9)
Those "dreams which ye cause to be dreamed" are the false foundation upon which we have laid our faith and the false and vain hopes we expect from men who speak flattering and vain things the name of the Lord, whom he has not sent.8
If we would be saved, the mysteries must be known, and plain to us, and no man can give them to another, they must be searched between a man and his God individually.
We have taken this statement from Nephi completely out of context and instead turned it on its head to say the way must be easy to understand without ambiguity and therefore a safe broad way.9
As this revelation shows, Ezekiel 14 not only applies to those who come to a living prophet, but those that come to the prophets by opening their scriptures, having the prophets before them.
The commandments are for us to gain knowledge.10 They lead to knowledge.11 Knowledge of certain things is equated to salvation.12
"Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41)
Notes
1. "President Joseph Smith read the 14th chapter of Ezekiel--said the Lord had declared by the Prophet, that the people should each one stand for himself, and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish church--that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls--applied it to the present state of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--said if the people departed from the Lord, they must fall--that they were depending on the Prophet, hence were darkened in their minds, in consequence of neglecting the duties devolving upon themselves...." (Joseph Smith, TPJS, Section Five 1842-43, p.237)
2. See Mysteries, Knowledge, Intelligence
3. "And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell." (Alma 12:11, Emphasis added)
4. "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." (Joseph Smith, HC 4:34)
5. "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live." (Luke 10:25-28)
6. "For the preparation wherewith I design to prepare mine apostles to prune my vineyard for the last time, that I may bring to pass my strange act, that I may pour out my Spirit upon all flesh—But behold, verily I say unto you, that there are many who have been ordained among you, whom I have called but few of them are chosen. They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day." (D&C 95:4-6)
This phrase "strange act" is located in only one other interesting place in scripture.
7. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)
8. "Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips—For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority." (D&C 63:61-62)
"For in those days there shall also arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders." (Matthew 24:22, Inspired Version)
9. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat; Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (3 Nephi 14:13-14)
10. See article: Knowledge Saves
11. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:17)
12. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
"The more sure word of prophecy means a man's knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the holy priesthood. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance." (Joseph Smith, TPJS Section 6, p. 301)