Jan. 2022: When the Church Doubled Down on Advising Members to "Trust in the Arm of Flesh"

SUMMARY: 

• In the last two weeks, Elder Ballard and BYU-I President Henry Eyring both doubled down on the church's advocacy of following the "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" 
• Both leaders said we would win the "war" against Covid by following said recommendations, whereas there was no mention whatsoever of Jesus Christ, who has offered to win the war for us. 
•  Both leaders presented statements with significant errors which do not square with facts and could easily mislead others. 
• This has set up a situation where the church's leaders are clearly "Denying the Lord." 
• One could even say that by the actions and statements of the Brethren, a new church has formed at "the Altar of Covid," complete with saviors, gospel, temple recommends and more. 
• In turning to man instead of God for solutions, leaders have effectively become idolatrous, which always has and always will result in a cursing. 
• Contrary to popular belief that the Brethren are simply "urging" members to take the jab, they are allowing local-level leaders to coerce members to get the jab or not allowed to worship inside church buildings (video proof included in blog post).

(Note: Since my last post, I've been wanting to publish something other than the Church and its responses to the Covid issue. However, the situation is such that if I don't address this issue now, this post will lose its timeliness. Maybe we should pray that there's a brief respite in Covid so I can get on to some other juicy insights).

This last week, the church doubled down in encouraging members to trust in the arm of flesh.

First Up: Elder Ballard

In referencing the First Presidency's August 12, 2021 announcement to the world, [1] Ballard said on January 6th:

"Following the guidelines of the federal and state medical advisers has proven to be a wise thing for members of the Church to do. The Church invites its members to be wise and prudent and do the wise thing for their families."  [2]

(While it is true that church leaders "invite" members to get the jab, as we'll see below, it's doing more than inviting; it's constraining (forcing "by imposed stricture, restriction, or limitation") [3]  -- which is a synonym of compelling or compulsion (see D&C 121:37) - members to take the jab).

The rest of the article on Ballard raises more questions:

• Ballard tells readers to "Just keep smiling" and that "things will be OK." 
• How can he pronounce these reassurances when prophecies of the future found in 1 Nephi, 3 Nephi, Mormon, Moroni, Jeremiah, Daniel and Revelations paint a diametrically opposite (a very frightening and violent) picture of the future?
• "We've been dealing with it [the pandemic] wisely." 
• Is trusting in the arm of flesh - and encouraging members to do the same - a wise course of action? 
• Where in the scriptures do we read that it's OK to trust in the arm of flesh (which includes medical experts and government leaders)?
• Are those scriptures (which instruct us not to truth in the arm of flesh) now invalidated? If so, what else has been invalidated?
• "The Church has not stopped; the Church has gone forward. We've used wisdom and good judgment" and "The Restoration has not stopped. Missionary service has not stopped. The Church hasn't stopped. We're moving forward - all in preparation for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." 
• If the Church really has "gone forward" and is "moving forward", then why does the church's own 2020 statistical report [4] show that in April 2020, the convert baptismal rate was 0.6% -- the lowest in recorded recent history?

• If the Brethren truly have "keys" of the priesthood, then where are their fruits with respect to the church's first mission - "to proclaim the gospel"? [5] 
• How is this "moving forward"? 
• How does this decline in convert baptisms reflect "wisdom and good judgment"? 
• Is this what the Savior wants - nearly zero convert baptisms?
• "President Ballard pointed to state and national statistics that indicate vaccines are helping to quell the spread of the virus." How can this be said when:
• Hospital databases show a huge increase in "vaccine"-related injuries. [6] 
• The U.K. is reporting that 4x more "vaxxed" than "unvaxxed" people are dying. [7] 
• Fully "vaccinated" surpass "unvaccinated" in Australian hospitals. [8] 
• Australia now admits Covid "vaccines" are harming people, offers up to $600,000 in compensation for the seriously injured. [9] 
• "All of the Church's general authorities and their wives have chosen to be vaccinated, not only to protect themselves but to protect others."
• This establishes a dichotomy within the church's membership: The "vaxxed" (who "protect themselves" and "protect others") and the "unvaxxed" (who do not). This has been a prime source of frustration to many members, as evidenced in many social media groups. 

Ballard's statements may sound optimistic and encouraging, but with a miniscule amount of digging, they don't hold up in light of true facts. What kind of leader encourages others with statements based on outright lies?

Second Up: Pres. Eyring (the other one)

Five days later, BYU-Idaho President Henry J. Eyring doubled down on the "trust in the arm of flesh" rhetoric:

"COVID, it appears, is testing our resolve to follow the guidance of governmental and Church authorities. But, rather than seeing an unfair and perhaps even needless intrusion on our freedom, we can embrace the trials, tests and potential victories to be had." [10] 

He then quoted the First Presidency's August 2021 letter, which states:

"We know that protection from the diseases they cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the population ... We can win this war if everyone will follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders."

Three points regarding Eyring's address:

1. "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" - I have yet to see any recommendations which have been wise, because many of them have changed or been proven wrong during the Covid crisis. If they were truly thoughtful, they would not be unjustifiably shunning alternative treatments (which has led to many lawsuits and even more deaths). Instead, they would be emphasizing boosting the body's God-given natural immune system (which they have publicly neglected and rejected).
2. Church leaders have often equated battling the Covid pandemic with a war. Yet in Pres. Kimball's famous June, 1976 Ensign article, "The False Gods We Worship," he states,

"We forget that if we are righteous the Lord will either not suffer our enemies to come upon us-and this is the special promise to the inhabitants of the land of the Americas (see 2 Nephi 1:7)-or he will fight our battles for us (Exodus 14:14; D&C 98:37, to name only two references of many). This he is able to do, for as he said at the time of his betrayal, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53.)

What are we to fear when the Lord is with us? Can we not take the Lord at his word and exercise a particle of faith in him?" 

3. Eyring quoted the First Presidency's announcement:

"We know that protection from the diseases they cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the population." 

"Immunization" is the "only" way? The same immunization that's proven ineffective even to those who have received the jab? The same immunization that's caused catastrophic adverse effects among those who received the jab?

The church has never mentioned Matthew 26:53 during the entirety of this pandemic. Nor has it mentioned the power of prayer, the Word of Wisdom and/or the role of faith in healing and preventing disease. In fact, Jesus has been found nowhere in the church's public pronouncements.

Instead, it is now proven that the Church is relying on the mistaken notion that "we can win this war" if "everyone" follows "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" (who themselves have never quoted the Lord in their public pronouncements. Ever.) and endorse turning only to what? "Immunizing."

This is called "Denying the Lord" (see the 2 Nephi 28 quote below).

"The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh." [11] 

"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." [12] 

In fact, not any ordinary men. According to the church, the wars that are to be won over Covid rely not only on mortal men, but men who (as is agreed upon by both sides of the political aisles, and as history amply demonstrates) are very likely prone to self-aggrandizement and corruption (hence the statement "evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days" in the Word of Wisdom). [13] 

Because of this wholesale (and now very deliberate) denial of the Lord, and because there is no mention by the Brethren whatsoever of the power of faith or in the scriptures, I'm concerned - as is Dr. Scott Bradley of freedomsrisingsun.com - of the following (found in the video below, at the 8:25 mark):

"I'm so worried about so many other things one is that central to everything that's happening nowadays is a new god. I'm sorry to say that it's an altar that people have come to worship at called "The Altar of Covid," and the saviors in this new religion have become the physicians, the scientists, the researchers, the politicians and the big pharma companies." 

Carried further, I would also add that in this new religion: 

• Fear has replaced faith.
• Youth suicides have replaced youth activities.
• Adverse reactions (like death) have replaced healings.
• Loyalty to men has replaced trust in God.
• Cover-ups and redacted public documents have replaced transparency.
• "Vaccine" stations could be considered this new religion's temple.
• "Vaccine" passports are the recommend cards.
• Booster shots the new sacrament.
• The guidance of the CDC as the new gospel and, 
• The new garment to prove your devotion? You guessed it: masks. 

The Church is Now Worshipping Idols

Pres. Kimball continues in his article, "The False Gods We Worship":

"in all ages when men have fallen under the power of Satan and lost the faith, they have put in its place a hope in the 'arm of flesh' and in 'gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know' (Dan. 5:23)-that is, in idols."

"Whatever thing a man sets his heart and his trust in most is his god; and if his god doesn't also happen to be the true and living God of Israel, that man is laboring in idolatry."

"In spite of our delight in defining ourselves as modern, and our tendency to think we possess a sophistication that no people in the past ever had-in spite of these things, we are, on the whole, an idolatrous people-a condition most repugnant to the Lord."

Pres. Kimball said that in 1976. Here we are 44 years later. Do you think that "we are, on the whole, an idolatrous people" statement still applies? In speaking of our time - right now -- the Lord said in D&C 1:16 (italics added):

"They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol, which waxeth old and shall perish in Babylon, even Babylon the great, which shall fall."

The Result of all this Idolatry? Cursing.

There should be nothing safe nor reassuring about trusting in the arm of flesh to "win this war." Without the Lord of Hosts as the church's battle cry, a disastrous outcome is assured.

I find it interesting that the August 19, 2021 letter was only sent out by the First Presidency and not the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (which would have been even more powerful and convincing to church members). This may be because not all of the Twelve concur with the First Presidency's message. One of those may be Elder D. Todd Christofferson. Although I'm not a big fan of his October 2020 General Conference talk "Sustainable Societies", he did have this to say:

"I think it safe to say that when people turn from a sense of accountability to God and begin to trust instead in the 'arm of flesh,' disaster lurks. Trusting in the arm of flesh is to ignore the divine Author of human rights and human dignity and to give highest priority to riches, power, and the praise of the world (while often mocking and persecuting those who follow a different standard)."

Pres. Kimball also said,

"We must leave off the worship of modern-day idols and a reliance on the 'arm of flesh,' for the Lord has said to all the world in our day, 'I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.' (D&C 64:24.)"

Are they right? Without question. The scriptures contain a curse on those who follow man or put their trust in man's arm. In 2 Nephi 28, Nephi's final address warns the gentiles how vulnerable they are to this mistake, and how they will be cursed as a consequence. He offers hope, however, conditioned on repentance and return to following the Lord. 

"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts." [14] 

"Oh Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yes, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." [15] 

How this affects the local levels of the church

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson once said,

"Sometimes from behind the pulpit, in our classrooms, in our Council meetings and in our church publications, we hear, read or witness things that do not square with the truth. This is especially true where freedom is involved. Now do not let this serve as an excuse for your own wrong-doing. The Lord is letting the wheat and the tares mature before he fully purges the Church. He is also testing you to see if you will be misled. The devil is trying to deceive the very elect." [16] 

These days, what are we hearing or witnessing that does not square with the truth?

1. Members saying, "I know that taking the jab is wrong, but it's a 'Spiritual Obedience Test,' so I'll take it."
   
   Many members equate taking the jab with the Israelites' looking at the brass serpent on a pole. The serpent represented Jesus Christ -- the very same Jesus Christ who is never mentioned by medical experts, government leaders nor church brethren regarding Covid. Looking to Jesus should heal you. Instead, the jab has accumulated more adverse events than all other "vaccines" combined over the last 20 years, and many more who have taken it have still contracted Covid. Those aren't the same results as those who looked to the brass serpent and lived.

2. "Those who don't take the jab/wear a mask shouldn't attend church with those who have."

When Alma and Amulek visited the Zoramites, they observed that the people were not included in their services: 

"Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness." [17] 

Later, Jesus instructed the Nephite disciples, 

"And behold, ye shall meet together oft; and ye shall not forbid any man from coming unto you when ye shall meet together, but suffer them that they may come unto you and forbid them not;" [18] 

And also warned his disciples, 

"They shall put you out of the synagogues" [19]  

In encouraging members to get the jab and wear masks, The First Presidency's usage of the word "urge" should not be considered as a simple recommendation or advice. Since the announcement's release, many wards and stakes have adopted it as an actual policy governing members' attendance to temples and local church meetings. I have received reports that non-adherence to these local policies has denied some members’ ability to worship alongside other church members. 

Because Church Headquarters has not clamped down on these restrictive actions, but has instead let them perpetuate, its silence and inactivity is a tacit approval of these local measures. Indeed, while the church's worldwide leaders hide behind the word "urge," many local leaders aren't. And the Brethren just let it continue.

One communication I have received was from a member who lives in a ward and stake whose leaders make it abundantly clear that people are not welcome at church if they don't mask up.

Other wards and stakes have taken things a step further.  Here is one church member's report:

"This is New Zealand, This is MY Stake .. Yes, we have mandates but other Stakes and Wards have found ways around it, so this segregation and exclusion doesn't happen,  for example; getting smaller groups of people in different parts of the chapel , holding meetings outdoors or even continue Zoom meetings for everyone until everyone can meet face to face. (It doesn't have to be this way) 

Yes, these are the NZ government mandates and rules but no the majority of people are accepting these, we have signed petitions, we have being protesting on the streets ( all religious and non religious denominations) but nobody is listening, the Main Stream Media ignore us.. nobody shows what is really happening. We are loosing our jobs (especially health workers and teachers) lots of businesses have been force to close and we are being excluded from services and some retail shops.

No, This is not the Church doings!! These are some local leaders who have chosen this way.  The Church has to abide by the law of the land. Some other leaders have chosen to find ways to abide by the law and still don't add or promote the segregation and discrimination. 

I thought to show this, so we don't "normalise" or accept this as a norm! I want to make this clear "This is not the Church" just some leaders."

Here's the video proof:

When church members feel they can no longer worship God at church/their "synagogue", and/or feel shamed into having to wear a mask or get the jab, then they will often choose to worship God at home. [20] 

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." [21] 

Sources

 1.   https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-message-covid-19-august-2021
 2.   https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2022-01-06/covid-19-pandemic-two-years-president-ballard-message-of-optimism-238887
 3.   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/constrain
 4.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history
 5.   https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/04/remember-the-mission-of-the-church
 6.   https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/internal-hospital-data-confirm-a
 7.   https://dailyexpose.uk/2021/11/17/covid-deaths-ratio-vaxxed-to-unvaxxed-41-corporate-media-should-be-censored-for-spreading-disinformation
 8.   https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/fully-vaccinated-australians-in-hospital-with-covid-19-surpass-unvaccinated_4207135.html
 9.   https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/human-body/pfizer-boss-says-two-doses-provides-limited-protection-if-any-against-omicron/news-story/9d76126d080e2010f05eb0b4ae5e0c45
10.   https://www.byui.edu/radio/interview-with-president-henry-j-eyring-and-kelly-c-eyring-about-their-devotional-address; https://www.rexburgstandardjournal.com/news/the-eyrings-welcome-byu-idaho-students-back-to-campus/article_6a2773f6-b598-526b-8060-07882394a0a4.html
11.   D&C 1:19.
12.   Psalm 118:8.
13.   D&C 89:4.
14.   2 Nephi 28:31-32; italics added.
15.   2 Nephi 4 :34; italics added.
16.   "Our Immediate Responsibility", BYU Speeches, October 25, 1966.
17.   Alma 32:3.
18.   3 Nephi 18:22.
19.   John 16:2.
20.   Alma 32:5-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16
21.   2 Nephi 31:20. Italics added.

A BOLD CLAIM: The opening verses of "Upon My House" are now underway

Yesterday, news outlets reported that 91 of the church's 588 missionaries in the Provo MTC have Covid. They're now implementing additional precautions there in Provo. [52]

This raises a few questions for me:

1. Aren't the Brethren supposed to be "prophets, seers and revelators"? If so, and they foresaw this happening to the MTC, then why would they let their own missionaries get so sick? If they didn't foresee this happening to their own missionary workforce, then that raises a ton more questions.
2. Aren't missionaries supposed to have received the jab prior to entering the MTC? How can this be? Isn't the jab supposed to be "safe and effective"? With 1/6 of the already-jabbed missionaries down with Covid, it doesn't sound like the jab is very effective to me.

So, in light of these developments, I thought now might be a good time for a reality check into just how "safe and effective" the jab is which the Brethren recommended we get:

In an announcement sent to the world in August 12, 2021, the First Presidency made the first of two claims:

Claim #1: "Vaccines have proven to be safe and effective"

"To provide personal protection from such severe infections, we urge individuals to be vaccinated. Available vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective." [1]    

Let's examine both the safety and effectiveness of the Covid-19-related vaccines so far. 

"Safe"

• (12/5/21) Pfizer document concedes that there is a large increase in types of adverse events to its vaccine. [2]
• Document released by Pfizer apparently as a result of a Freedom Of Information court order in the USA reveals a vast array of previously unknown vaccine adverse effects compiled from official sources around the world.
• Pfizer concedes this is 'a large increase' in adverse event reports and that even this huge volume is under reported.
• Over 100+ diseases are listed, many very serious.
• This document was compiled by Pfizer in the very early days of the vaccine rollout in NZ but was possibly not supplied to our government.
• (11/8/21) CDC director admits to "people dying from vaccine" during an interview [3]
• (10/10/21) An excellent compilation of events surrounding Covid-related deaths [4]
• (9/28/21) Whistleblower: Nearly 50k Medicare patients died soon after getting COVID shot [5]
• United Kingdom
• (12/6/21) A still-staggering 81% of hospital deaths in the UK are of the vaccinated. [6]  [7]
• (9/24/21) UK hospital data shocks the world: 80% of COVID deaths are among the vaccinated… COVID deaths up 3,000% after vaccine wave [8]
• (11/11/21) U.K.: 4x more vaxxed people are dying than unvaxxed [9]

"Effective"

Studies

• (11/23/21) Swedish study of 4 million people found that the vaccine (1) doesn't offer protection at all, (2) its so-called protection plunged significantly after six months, and (3) those who are vaccinated are more likely to be infected and suffer severe disease than people who aren't vaccinated. [10]
• (9/30/21) Comprehensive study: Higher vaccination rates DO NOT result in lower COVID-19 infection rates [11]
• Published in Sept. 2021 in the European Journal of Epidemiology, a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal
• Examined 168 countries and 2,947 counties in the United States

US

• (10/8/21) Most vaccinated state in America now seeing massive surge in Covid hospitalizations [12]
• Biden's own administration advises against traveling to high vaccination countries because of surging Covid outbreaks there. [13]

Israel

• "Most of the population [in Israel] is vaccinated, and 90%...85-90% of the hospitalizations here are "fully vaccinated" people. Yes, unfortunately, the vaccine…as they say, the effectiveness is waning. Outbreaks in hospitals, one patient infects a large number of people. It is not just here and there." [14]
• (8/16/21) "Israel has among the world's highest levels of vaccination for COVID-19, with 78% of those 12 and older fully vaccinated, the vast majority with the Pfizer vaccine. Yet the country is now logging one of the world's highest infection rates, with nearly 650 new cases daily per million people. More than half are in fully vaccinated people." [15]

Singapore

• (9/13/21) It has already reached 81% vaccination rate (ages 12+; one of the fastest in the world to reach that level of compliance). [16]
• Still seeing chronic illness explosion [16]
• The number of patients requiring oxygen doubled [16]

Scotland

• (12/3/21) Fully vaccinated account for 9 in every 10 Covid-19 deaths since August in Scotland. [17]
• (9/14/21) 80% of Covid deaths in Scotland are occurring among VACCINATED residents. [18]

Ireland

• (11/5/21) Ireland experiencing highest number of new Covid infections in Europe despite also having highest percentage of adults "fully vaccinated" [19]

Australia

• (9/30/21) 6 out of 7 new COVID-19 deaths in New South Wales were vaccinated [20]

Africa

• (11/22/21) Africa is only 6% vaccinated, and Covid has practically disappeared. Scientists are "baffled" [21]

Schools

• (9/27/21) Almost fully vaccinated Harvard Business School shuts down after massive COVID-19 outbreak [22]
• (9/16/21) Cornell University [23]
• It has a strict vaccine mandate
• Has a 95% FULL vaccination rate
• The mandate has done little to control infections at the school
• COVID-19 cases are spiking
• The shots are not stopping the virus from spreading

"Ye shall know them by their fruits." [24]

"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." [25]

"You assist an evil system most effectively by obeying its orders and decrees. An evil system never deserves such allegiance. Allegiance to it means partaking of the evil. A good person will resist an evil system with his or her whole soul." [26]

Claim #2: "Follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders."

"We can win this war if everyone will follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders." [1]

What is the most underreported story of 2021? The horrific COVID policies (developed and promoted by said medical experts and government officials) that are hurting young people.

“They will be paying for our generation’s decisions the rest of their lives”: @JanCBS explains why she thinks 2021's biggest underreported story was the devastating impact of COVID policies on children pic.twitter.com/AUU1f6AFNi

— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) December 26, 2021

What do the "medical experts and government leaders" actually do (or not do)?

Here's Rep. Jim Jordan interviewing Dr. Marty Makary (Professor of Surgery, John Hopkins School of Medicine) on Dec. 21, 2021 during a meeting of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis:

"We have we have the head guy, Mr. Fauci,  Dr. Fauci, saying "I represent science," but he's afraid to actually do the science and do the studies that need to be done to answer this question [about natural immunity] and we have to rely on international studies and your private study to get the truth to the American people."

"They [the U.S. federal government] knows the answer and don't want the American people, uh, they they know the answer and don't want the American people to know or they do know the answer and are trying to hide it." [27]

What do the scriptures and church leaders say about trusting in the arm of flesh?

(Unless the First Presidency, medical experts and governments are not mortal, the following applies to them):

"For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us. In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah." [28]

"Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils" [29]

"Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders." [30]

"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." [31]

"O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm." [32]

"Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost." [33]

“The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh” [34]

"For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God." [35]

"And now I command you, my servant Joseph, to repent and walk more uprightly before me, and to yield to the persuasions of men no more;" [36]

Click here for General Authority statements which condemn trusting in the arm of flesh. 

My Opinion: We are now witnessing the opening verses of "Upon My House"

Are church leaders telling us to follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders? Yes.

Are these same medical experts and government leaders ignoring a course which prioritizes natural health (and enhancing the body's innate, God-given immunity capabilities) and instead promoting a man-made remedy (that's neither safe nor effective)? Yes.

Are we in the last days? Yes. 

Did the Lord say there would be evil, designing, conspiring men in the last days? Yes. 

Are these men linked to our health? Yes, via D&C 89 (aka the word of wisdom):

"Given for a principle with promise, adapted to the capacity of the weak and the weakest of all saints, who are or can be called saints.

Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation" [37]

What did the Lord promise those who took his word of wisdom seriously?

"And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." [38]

Wow! What promises! I believe them with all my heart and soul. I rejoice, and am thrilled, that they totally supersede and are superior to anything man can develop! I cannot praise his name loud enough, nor long enough, for these awesome promises the Lord made to you and me.

Now let's see what General Authorities have said about the word of wisdom, its awesome promises of health (and more!) and Covid:

The answer is: Nothing.

That's right: Not once has the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve nor any general authority mentioned D&C 89 in any General Conference talk nor official public pronouncement regarding Covid. They have ignored it. [39]

This is baffling because there has been a genuine, bona fide, worldwide health crisis for the last couple of years, and yet the church treats God's word regarding health with utter silence? What's the deal? 

Isn't this a prime opportunity to invite the world to put the Lord's words regarding health to the test? An opportunity to testify of the mercy and the truthfulness of his words? Isn't this an opportunity to show the world what the power of faith, and the power of true priesthood, can do to those stricken with Covid?

What an utterly blown missionary opportunity.

The words of the "wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" are always changing. How can you possibly trust "wise and thoughtful recommendations" which are inconsistent?

Yet God's words never change. They are always consistent. You can always count on them.

"Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to preach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? 

And if it be by some other way it is not of God.

And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?

If it be some other way it is not of God." [40]

Now let's look at the implications of the LDS church members' desire to "follow the prophet" and trust the medical experts and government leaders (instead of the neglected/ignored words of the Lord). 

In this quote, Joseph Smith directly links "depending on the prophet" with having a darkened mind:

"Prest. J. Smith rose, read the 14th Chap. of Ezekiel— said the Lord had declar’d 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— app[l]ied it to the present state of the church 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 from neglect of themselves— envious toward the innocent, while they afflict the virtuous with their shafts of envy." [41]

Interestingly, there's another scripture that mentions the loss of one's spiritual light (and quite likely ties in with Covid):

"And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived." [42]

• "And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee"
  • Is literally kai phOs luchnou ou mE phanE en soi eti, or "And light of lamp not no may be appearing in you." [43]
  • This cross-references with Jeremiah 25:10: "I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle"
• "the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee"
  • The spirit of the bride (righteous, faithful mortals) and the spirit of the bridegroom (the Lord) no longer resonate within them. [44]
• "for thy merchants were the great men of the earth"
  • The Greek word for merchants is emporoi (plural of emporos) [43] [45]
  • They -- the great and important of the earth -- are selling something. What are they selling? Keep reading...
• "sorceries"
  • Is pharmakeia (far-mak-i'-ah) - the root word for words we commonly use today, like pharmacist and pharmaceutical.
  • It not only means "drugs," but also "poisoning" and/or “the use or administering of drugs” and/or an "enchantment" [46]
• "were all nations deceived"
  • Is eplanEthEsan panta ta ethnE, or "all the nations were strayed/deceived" [43]

Next, let's move things forward a bit into D&C 112:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face." [47]

Here, we see many associations between Revelation 18:23 and D&C 112:23 AND the Joseph Smith quote from above:

And the ultimate result of all this darkness?

"Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord." [48]

(Interestingly, according to the National Institute of Health, "COVID-19 infection is accompanied by an aggressive inflammatory response with the release of a large amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines in an event known as a “cytokine storm.” The host immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is hyperactive resulting in an excessive inflammatory reaction.") [49] A "whirlwind" is a type of "storm."

Where will these punishments emerge?

"And upon my house shall it begin, and from my house shall it go forth, saith the Lord;" [50]

Where will it start?

"First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me, and have blasphemed against me in the midst of my house, saith the Lord." [51]

Or, in other words,

"depending on the prophet" --> 

means you are following the ever-changing "wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders" -- "conspiring men" -- instead of the never-changing words of the Lord -->

means that "the people" are "darkened in their minds" --> 

because of that, "vengeance cometh speedily"

which begins "upon my house"

"First among those among you, saith the Lord, who have professed to know my name and have not known me"

I wonder who these people are "who have professed to know my name and have not known me"…

Sources

1. First Presidency, August 12, 2021; https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-message-covid-19-august-2021
2. https://dailytelegraph.co.nz/news/pfizer-document-concedes-that-there-is-a-large-increase-in-types-of-adverse-event-reaction-to-its-vaccine
3. https://www.infowars.com/posts/slip-of-the-tongue-cdc-director-says-people-dying-from-vaccine-before-quickly-correcting-herself
4. https://www.stopworldcontrol.com/downloads/en/vaccines/vaccine-death-report.pdf
5. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/nearly-50k-medicare-patients-died-soon-after-getting-covid-shot-whistleblower
6. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1036047/Vaccine_surveillance_report_-_week_47.pdf
7. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/11/report-fully-vaccinated-account-81-covid-deaths-uk
8. https://humansarefree.com/2021/09/covid-19-deaths-higher-than-this-time-last-year.html
9. https://dailyexpose.uk/2021/11/17/covid-deaths-ratio-vaxxed-to-unvaxxed-41-corporate-media-should-be-censored-for-spreading-disinformation
10. https://alexberenson.substack.com/p/another-major-red-flag-about-covid
11. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-021-00808-7
12. https://www.theepochtimes.com/us-state-with-highest-vaccination-rate-hit-by-virus-surge_4032144.html
13. https://www.naturalnews.com/2021-07-28-government-advises-against-traveling-high-vaccination-countries.html
14. https://grandmageri422.me/2021/09/15/israeli-doctor-kobi-haviv-fully-vaccinated-account-for-85-90-of-hospitalizations-and-former-vice-president-of-committee-from-who-professor-christian-perronne-yesterday-said-that-all-v/comment-page-1
15. Dr. Kobi Haviv, https://www.science.org/news/2021/08/grim-warning-israel-vaccination-blunts-does-not-defeat-delta
16. https://news.trust.org/item/20210913112754-w5k94
17. https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/who-no-evidence-booster-vaccines-offer-greater-protection-to-healthy-populations_4137217.html
18. https://citizenfreepress.com/breaking/check-the-covid-death-chart-in-karl-denningers-new-piece
19. https://www.naturalnews.com/2021-11-05-ireland-highest-covid-infections-adults-fully-vaccinated.html
20. https://bigleaguepolitics.com/australian-public-health-official-admits-that-6-of-7-recent-covid-19-deaths-had-been-vaccinated
21. https://news.yahoo.com/scientists-mystified-wary-africa-avoids-074905034.html
22. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/27/harvard-business-school-temporarily-moves-some-mba-classes-online-to-curb-covid-outbreak.html
23. https://www.ithaca.com/news/coronavirus/cornell-sees-spike-in-cases-no-severe-disease-sticks-to-status-quo/article_95b11d7e-0ce1-11ec-bb9d-a728f02c2e99.html
24. Matthew 7:16; 3 Nephi 14:16
25. Matthew 7:20; 3 Nephi 14:20
26. Mahatma Gandhi
27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJE7Tc8YGsc
28. Psalm 44:6–8
29. Isaiah 2:22; 2 Nephi 12:22
30. Jeremiah 9:4
31. Jeremiah 17:5
32. 2 Nephi 4:34
33. 2 Nephi 28:31
34. D&C 1:19
35. D&C 3:7
36. D&C 5:21
37. D&C 89:3-4
38. D&C 89:18-21
39.   https://www.google.com/search?q=%22word+of+wisdom%22+%22covid%22&newwindow=1&rlz=1C1FHFK_enUS980US981&tbs=cdr:1,cd_min:1/1/2020,cd_max:12/31/2021&sxsrf=AOaemvLx9-39kElN2zm4_8v82P8Xh6zcIg:1640158647743&source=lnms&tbm=nws&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiD7MqM8_b0AhVMmWoFHVBVBU0Q_AUoBHoECAEQBg&cshid=1640158672297106&biw=1920&bih=937&dpr=1
40. D&C 50:17-20
41. https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/nauvoo-relief-society-minute-book/48#full-transcript
42. Revelation 18:23
43. https://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/NTpdf/rev18.pdf
44. See Jeremiah 7:34; Jeremiah 16:9
45. https://biblehub.com/greek/1713.htm
46. https://biblehub.com/greek/5331.htm
47. D&C 112:23
48. D&C 112:24
49.   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7308649
50. D&C 112:25
51. D&C 112:26
52.   https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2021-12-30/provo-mtc-implements-additional-covid-19-protocols-after-91-of-588-missionaries-test-positive-238390

Elder Rasband’s divinely-inspired insights into “Approved Sources”

"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.

It was their final, most essential command." (George Orwell, 1984)

Brethren and Sisters,

Today, I stand before you grateful for this opportunity to address you. 

Recently, I've become a more passionate enthusiast in the inspired words of one of the Lord's mouthpieces, even our beloved apostle, Elder Ronald A. Rasband.

In a Sept. 8, 2021 Facebook post, even Elder Rasband blessed us with the following divinely-inspired insight:

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1819729454896250&id=167753940093818

  [1]

I must say, Brethren and Sisters, that I feel with every fiber of my being that there's so much to read, ponder and pray about here, it's difficult to know where to start.

"Speculation"

First, I'd like to start with Elder Rasband's statement that "We sometimes turn to our friends, associates, or the Internet with our questions. The adversary likes to stamp speculation as truth and cloud our thinking with frustration and disrespect." 

Here, Elder Rasband has demonized speculation -- "the forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence". 

I am anxious to someday ask Elder Rasband if the church was speculating, or if it was serious, that we should all trust "the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders." (the First Presidency's August 12, 2021 letter to Church members re: Covid). [3] Ask those who had to hastily exit  -- and those who have yet to exit, not to mention the families of those who never exited -- Afghanistan if our "government leaders" are "wise and thoughtful." While you're at it, ask those very same leaders if their continued support for killing unborn babies is "wise and thoughtful." Ditto for those "wise and thoughtful" government leaders who will again raise our national debt limit next month, facilitate illegal immigration and continue ignoring the ever-escalating Chinese military threat (which just violated Taiwanese air space). The implications are staggering.

Is it "wise and thoughtful" to force people to get a Covid injection (in flagrant disregard of the Nuremberg Convention)? Where are the thoughtful "medical experts" who consistently turn a blind eye to those with injection adverse effects? Where are those "vaccines" that are "proven to be both safe and effective"? According to the CDC, a vaccine specifically has to stimulate both an immunity within the person who is receiving it, but it also has to disrupt transmission. Yet the CDC's own director admits that the injections do not prevent transmission, [2] and news headlines regularly inform us of people dying of Covid who recently received a full dose.

Where is the "firm evidence" that those "medical experts" and "government leaders" are "wise and thoughtful"? And if there is no evidence of such, then who is Elder Rasband to be lecturing us on speculation, when the First Presidency's August 12, 2021 letter to Church members [3] around the world is filled with nothing but "speculation"?

"Questions" and "Answers"

Luckily, Elder Rasband got one thing right by saying we grow by asking questions. The problem is that (1) He demonizes our turning to "our friends, associates, or the Internet with our questions" presumably about the church or the gospel of Jesus Christ and (2) he wants you to limit where you can find the answers.

It is said that the truth does not mind being questioned, whereas a lie does not like being challenged. 

This is not the first time (and likely not the last) members experience the following:

On my about page (https://ldtruths.blogspot.com/p/about.html), I detail how many members (who are confronted with inconvenient information about the church) do as they are told: they sincerely turn to their Bishops and Stake Presidents for answers. Yet in many cases, these men don't have the answers. So the member often walks away not only lacking an answer, but they are also being unofficially branded as a potential troublemaker, a disobedient soul, a questioner, a doubter. Maybe even a sinner or apostate. If you doubt me, read some of the comments under Elder Rasband's Facebook post: 

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1819729454896250&id=167753940093818

So, where are members supposed to go for the answers?

“Sources”

Fortunately, our dearly beloved Elder Rasband has a solution, embedded in the words of our global faith leader, even President Russell Marion Nelson, who taught, “Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources.” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” General Conference, Apr. 2021). 

I actually agree with Pres. Nelson on one of his points: One should take their questions and concerns, worries and more to God. At least, that's what James 1:5-6 says:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." 

Yet we are also told to study things out in our minds (D&C 9:7-9) and to "seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." (D&C 88:118). In fact, in 1843, Joseph Smith said, "One of the grand fundamental principles of 'Mormonism' is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may." (please excuse my using that Satanic word 'Mormonism'; it's a direct quote from Joseph Smith). [4]

Many church leaders (including our dearly beloved Elder Rasband and even global faith leader Russell Marion Nelson) have criticized those who turn to "our friends, associates, or the Internet" for insights. Anybody -- apostle and ordinary shmo like yours truly -- is on truly shaky ground whenever they imply that "our friends, associates" are agents of "the adversary." What an insult. What utter nonsense. 

I have no idea what the Brethren are afraid of enough to be using such inflammatory rhetoric. As apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ, I would assume that their confidence has "waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth." After all, aren't they supposed to be "men of a sound understanding" who have "searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God"? (see Alma 17:2) If so, then they should have no hesitation in our talking with others about the questions we have and the answers we seek.

Deliberating with others should be expected among members. For example: You've likely bought a car before. Before you did so, did you ever ask questions about the car you were thinking of buying? And was the only source of information you sought out the manufacturer of the car itself? Of course not. They will only tell you good things about it—whatever it takes to get you to buy it, even embellishing the details and outright lying. That's why when I buy a car, I read the reviews of the dealer and the car. I even read the negative reviews as well. What do people not like about it? What do the disinterested third party observers say about it? How does it rate compared to the other options? You’ll never get the full story from the salesman who’s trying to take your money.

God shouldn't be expected to be an information vending machine. He expects us to do our fair share of the research. And all facts considered, it looks like there's plenty of evidence (hence, it's not speculative) that Joseph Smith and the Lord are fine with us not only asking questions, but also seeking out a wide array of reputable information sources for answers. No asterisks, no exceptions, no prioritizations.

"Doubt"

Our beloved Elder Rasband also quotes Pres. Nelson: "Stop increasing your doubts and fears by rehearsing them with other doubters. Allow the Lord to lead you on your journey of spiritual discovery."

I am constantly amazed why the Brethren fear our developing doubts:

“If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.” [5]

“If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.” [6]

Reading a book about Nazis doesn’t make you a Nazi. (And as much as I wish it were true), reading a book about martial artist Bruce Lee doesn't make you a Jeet-Kune-Do expert. And trust me when I say that watching Gordon Ramsey swear a string of expletives to junior chefs has yet to make me a kick-butt cook. 

In fact, doubts -- and searching for truth, wherever it comes from -- can be a fruitful thing. Here’s Hugh B. Brown:

"Doubt has a place if it can stir in one an interest to go out and find the truth for one's self. I should like to awaken in everyone a desire to investigate, to make an independent study of religion, and to know for themselves whether or not the teachings of the Mormon church are true. There are altogether too many people in the world who are willing to accept as true whatever is printed in a book or delivered from a pulpit. Their faith never goes below the surface soil of authority. We should be dauntless in our pursuit of truth and resist all demands for unthinking conformity." [7]

And another Hugh-ism:

"I admire men and women who have developed the questioning spirit, who are unafraid of new ideas and stepping stones to progress. We should, of course, respect the opinions of others, but we should also be unafraid to dissent - if we are informed. Thoughts and expressions compete in the marketplace of thought, and in that competition truth emerges triumphant. Only error fears freedom of expression. This free exchange of ideas is not to be deplored as long as men and women remain humble and teachable. Neither fear of consequence nor any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences. We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it." [8]

“Neither fear of consequence or any kind of coercion should ever be used to secure uniformity of thought in the church. People should express their problems and opinions and be unafraid to think without fear of ill consequences. . . . We must preserve freedom of the mind in the church and resist all efforts to suppress it.” [9]

"Worthy"

In his four-part plan to ascertain truth, our beloved Elder Rasband encourages us to "Be worthy to receive answers." 

Frankly, I'm amazed he would say this. Here is a man who has served as a high councilman, bishop, mission president, member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, member of the Presidency of the Seventy and finally, apostle...yet he is apparently unaware of the non-speculative fact that none of us are worthy:

"there is none that doeth good" [10]

"It is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways: and the way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes." [11]

O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth." [12]

"Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." [13]

Remember that James 1:5-6 scripture I quoted above? God “giveth to all men liberally”. God has never set conditions on his ability to give us answers. All of us deserve them. And that's a fact that's both unconditional and non-speculative.

In Conclusion

Brethren and Sisters, my time's almost up. 

I agree that what our beloved Elder Rasband has said is true: "By divine design, truth speaks to your spirit; it brings light to your mind and comfort to your heart. Truth will deepen your commitment to love what the Lord loves and steady your everyday challenges with an eternal perspective." 

But with every fiber of my being, I don't think that a "loving Heavenly Father" is after more “strong and effective servants." "Eternal servitude" is a concept never mentioned in the scriptures. Instead, he wants his sons and daughters to love God and others -- in other words, the two commandments. When love exists, obedience happens naturally, organically.

Appeal to authority, servitude and obedience are not the primary messages of the Beatitudes.

Love is.

Sources

1. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1819729454896250&id=167753940093818
2. https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2021/08/06/cdc-director-makes-case-vaccination-passports-are-futile-vaccines-do-not-prevent-covid-infection-or-delta-variant-transmission
3. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/first-presidency-message-covid-19-august-2021
4. Joseph Smith, Jr., as quoted in History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2nd ed. (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press, 1949), 5:499, as quoted in https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/authority-in-the-church
5. George A. Smith, JD 14:216
6. J. Reuben Clark, "J. Reuben Clark: The Church Years", D. Michael Quinn. Brigham Young University Press, 1983, p. 24
7. Hugh B. Brown, "An Abundant Life: The Memoirs of Hugh B. Brown", 1988, http://www.lds-mormon.com/brown.shtml
8. Hugh B. Brown, counselor in First Presidency, Speech at BYU, March 29, 1958
9. James E. Talmage, The Improvement Era, Vol. 23
10. Psalm 14:1; 53:1-3
11. Romans 3:10-18
12. Helaman 12:7
13. Moses 1:10

"Judge Not"? Naaa...go ahead and judge!

On Friday, July 12, 2020, the Utah Area Presidency asked "all Latter-day Saints in the Utah Area to be good citizens by wearing face coverings when in public."

The antithesis of this -- in other words, those who choose not to wear face coverings when in public -- are therefore not good citizens.

According to the CDC, anyone who has trouble breathing (including asthmatics) should not wear face coverings. Yet according to the church, they -- and anyone chooses not to wear a mask or who has trouble breathing -- are automatically bad citizens.

I can guarantee that this will lead more members to judge non-mask wearing members as bad. 

And they aren't good members, either, because their choosing not to wear a mask means they aren't sustaining their local church leaders. Therefore, they are ineligible for a temple recommend and all that goes along with it.

QUESTIONS

Based on the aforementioned facts, I have the following questions:

• Is it good to pre-position members to pre-judge others? 
• Is shame and fear a heavenly-endorsed strategy to catalyze change in another?
• Is that what Christ would do?
• Why wasn't this masking invitation announced in February/March, before things got really bad?
• Whatever happened to the healing power of the priesthood?
• Why hasn't the church endorsed online or outdoor meetings, where COVID-19 has minimal or no effect and members can still participate?
• Why isn't the Utah Area Presidency asking members to act on other public health initiatives with a higher death rate?
• By the way, how are those worldwide fasts coming, and how do the results of those fasts square with "by their fruits ye shall know them"? Are the Brethren planning a third one anytime soon?

CHECK THE COMMENTS BY LATTER-DAY

TRUTHS BELOW FOR UPDATES TO THIS POST

The Pestilence/Pandemic Cure Our Church Leaders Have Never Mentioned

Sometime between the years 1570 and 1440 BC, God struck Egypt with 10 plagues: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the killing of firstborn children.

The Bible also reports that although these plagues ravaged Egypt, such was not so in the land of Goshen, where the fourth, seventh and ninth plagues were non-existent:

• Fourth plague: “Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.” [1]
• Seventh plague: "And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.” [2]
• Ninth plague: "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." [3]

Here I am, a grown adult, and was never aware until now about God granting an exception to Goshen during these plagues. It is unknown why the church hasn't taught this as its members were in the midst of a modern-day plague.

Although many believe that God's protective arm, as recounted in the Bible, is the stuff of fiction, we do have a modern-day example, a verification, of how God protects the righteous, those who trust and believe in him.

His name was John G. Lake. From 1908 - 1913, he served as a Christian, non-LDS missionary to South Africa. During that time, Lake buried many with the bubonic plague. During that time, many nations sent ships with doctors and medical supplies to help stop this dreaded pandemic, which was so deadly, death was very likely if you touched anyone or anything with the plague.

Unlike other medical professionals, neither Lake nor his assistant were affected as they interacted with others who had contracted the plague. One of the doctors sent for Lake and asked, “What have you been using to protect yourself? Our corps has this preventative and that, which we use as protection, but we concluded that if a man could stay on the ground as you have and keep ministering to the sick and burying the dead, you must have a secret. What is it?”

Lake answered, “Brother that is the ‘law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus'. I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in contact with the living god so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.”

The doctor asked, “Don’t you think that you had better use our preventative?” 

Lake replied, “No, but doctor, I think that you would like to experiment with me. If you will go over to one of these dead people and take the foam that comes out of their lungs after death, then put it under the microscope, you will see masses of living germs. You will find they are alive until a reasonable time after a man is dead. You can fill my hand with them and I will keep it under the microscope, and instead of these germs remaining alive, they will die instantly.” 

They tried it and found it was true. The plague bacteria instantly died in Lake’s hand. 

The doctor questioned, “What is that?” 

Lake replied, “That is ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ When a man’s spirit and a man’s body are filled with the blessed presence of God, it oozes out of the pores of your flesh and kills the germs.”

Lake believed the Word of God is stronger than any sickness or any disease. And his faith in God was proven to be powerful enough to stop plagues on contact.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” [4]

Long ago, in the midst of utter, total darkness, there was light in Goshen, because that was where God’s people were. And when mere mortals can walk with God's presence in their lives, no virus can exist.

What does that mean for us today as we face the coronavirus? 

"And the reason why he ceaseth 

to do miracles among the children 

of men is because that they dwindle 

in unbelief, and depart from the right 

way, and know not the God in whom 

they should trust." [5]

QUESTIONS

Because of the aforementioned facts, I am left with the following questions:

• Should we, who have taken upon ourselves Christ's name, be examples of true believers in Jesus Christ?
• Do we latter-day saints consider ourselves God's people?
• Just what does it mean to have belief and faith in Christ? Does it mean to believe he existed, or perhaps something deeper, like believing his words? 
• Do we teach that Jesus Christ is the master healer, that he is more powerful than any plague?
• Do we teach that our churches -- our wards and branches -- are healing centers, places where anyone can come and partake of Christ's goodness?
• If so, then why did the church shut down its buildings and discontinue its worship services during the coronavirus outbreak? 
• Shouldn't it have done the opposite, and invited people in to partake of Christ's goodness, mercy and healing?
• Don't we have faithful priesthood holders who can pronounce protection from pestilences and healing from sickness?
• Just where is the faith of Christ's "anointed" ones whom we are supposed to follow? 
• Why have our church leaders never mentioned God's protection of Goshen, who time and again, was protected by God from various plagues?
• What's the take-away when we read of a non-LDS, Christian missionary having the faith to walk among plague victims and believing God would (and did) protect him from a plague, versus a church which runs in the opposite direction?
• Of all the places on earth, wouldn't God protect temples and the Conference Center during General Conference? If so, why were/are they shut? 
• What's the simplest explanation as to why we are not seeing miracles of protection like the people of Goshen and John G. Lake? 

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TRUTHS BELOW FOR UPDATES TO THIS POST

1   Exodus 8:22

2   Exodus 9:25-26

3   Exodus 10:22-23

4   Romans 8:1-11

5   Mormon 9:20

Why the LDS Coronavirus Fasts Failed

It’s the unspoken, perhaps even un-contemplated, fact we members dare not mention:

The church’s fasts for the end of COVID-19 failed, and failed miserably. In fact, their failure deepens with each passing day as more and more people continue to pass.

Why? Here are a few possibilities. Hopefully, we can learn from them, so the next time collectively fast, we’ll be able to hit the broad side of a barn.

First, a Gap Analysis

A “Gap Analysis” is the comparison of actual performance with potential or desired performance; that is, the ‘current state’ and the 'desired future state’. Gap analysis can be used in many areas, such as: sales, financial performance, human resource management, productivity, quality assurance, cost control, employee satisfaction and more. The list is endless. [1]

When the Savior was alive, his healings were unmistakable and immediate.

In Mark 5:41, when he said "Talitha cumi" ("Little girl, I say to you, arise!"), those witnessing the miracle didn’t need to wait at all to view the results. In fact, Mark 5:42 says “straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.” (my emphasis)

In John 5:8-9, Jesus said to a man with a 38-year infirmity, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.”

I could give you more examples of the Savior’s immediate blessings, but I think you get the point.

Some might say, “Well Jesus was God incarnate, so of course he could heal immediately.” Immediate healings were also evidenced when brother Joseph healed. Wilford Woodruff reported what happened when a group of priesthood holders led by Joseph Smith visited the home of one sick man:

“The next place they visited was the home of Elijah Fordham, who was supposed to be about breathing his last. When the company entered the room the Prophet of God walked up to the dying man, and took hold of his right hand and spoke to him; but Brother Fordham was unable to speak, his eyes were set in his head like glass, and he seemed entirely unconscious of all around him. Joseph held his hand and looked into his eyes in silence for a length of time. A change in the countenance of Brother Fordham was soon perceptible to all present. His sight returned, and upon Joseph asking him if he knew him, he, in a low whisper, answered, ‘Yes.’ Joseph asked him if he had faith to be healed. He answered, ‘I fear it is too late; if you had come sooner I think I would have been healed.’ The Prophet said, ‘Do you believe in Jesus Christ?’ He answered in a feeble voice, ‘I do.’ Joseph then stood erect, still holding his hand in silence several moments; then he spoke in a very loud voice, saying: ‘Brother Fordham, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to arise from this bed and be made whole.’ His voice was like the voice of God, and not of man. It seemed as though the house shook to its very foundations. Brother Fordham arose from his bed and was immediately made whole. His feet were bound in [bandages], which he kicked off, then putting on his clothes, he ate a bowl of bread and milk, and followed the Prophet into the street” [2].

I believe this is how healings are supposed to be. This is because with “immediate healings”, at least two powerful forces are in play: Faith (that the person will be healed on the spot) and Love (from heavenly parents, granting said healing). This is the upper part, or dot, on our gap analysis -- the “potential or desired performance” part.

The ‘actual performance” part begins with Pres. Nelson’s March 26, 2020 call for a March 29th worldwide fast, in which he invited all “to join with me in a worldwide fast—for all whose health permits—to pray for relief from the physical, emotional, and economic effects of this global pandemic.” [3]

It continued on April 4, 2020 with a second invitation “in as many weeks” for a worldwide fast “on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.” This announcement was even accompanied with the expectation, “Good Friday would be the perfect day to have our Heavenly Father and His Son hear us!” [4]

Don’t get me wrong: I’m a big fan of fasts. If the Savior found it necessary to fast 40 days and nights, then my puny efforts to skip a couple of meals is at least a baby step in the right direction. Plus, fasting on a limited basis may actually have some health benefits, including a temporary boost to your immune system.

Yet the church never stated why a second fast was needed.

Nevertheless, if we put a stake in the ground on April 10, 2020, we can and ought to expect immediate healing to have taken place (remember that “potential or desired performance” part?) “straightway” or “immediately” thereafter.

As I write this, I note that tomorrow is April 24, 2020 -- exactly two weeks after not the first, but second, worldwide fast. Here is a comparison of the worldwide stats on 4/10/2020 and yesterday (4/22/2020) (remember, these were worldwide fasts, so our scope of analysis should also be worldwide):

	As of 4/10/2020	As of 4/22/2020	Difference
Worldwide COVID-19 cases *	1,691,022	2,635,716	944,694
Worldwide COVID-19 deaths **	105,771	184,066	78,295

* Includes deaths and recovered or discharged patients (cases with an outcome). [5]
** [6]

See those two figures on the right-hand column? That’s the “gap” part of the gap analysis.

Now, some apologists might say:

• “It’s only natural that there should be a few deaths and cases in between the worldwide fast(s) and now.” But that unequivocally flies in the face of that “potential or desired performance” part, because you and I both know that based on the scriptures and church history, a proper healing has what attached to it? Unmistakable, immediate, decisive, compelling results. In other words, FRUITS. You know, that little “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:15–20) criteria. The one where Elder Dean L. Larsen of the Seventy stated in the October 1985 General Conference that “the Lord’s test is the only one that will stand with the passage of time and reveal the truth about those who claim to do his work.” [7]
• “Well, the faith of the Saints needed to be stronger to produce the desired results.” If that were the case, then why didn’t the April 2020 General Conference talks focus like a laser beam on faith development, not the restoration?
• “Our faith needs to be tried before the miracles can happen.” But the history of ancient and modern immediate healings blows that argument out of the water.
• “Maybe it’s God’s will that those people were supposed to die. It was just their time.” But that’s (by their own admission) an assumption. Such needn’t be the case. The people the Savior healed (including Lazarus) and Elijah Fordham prove that assumption dead wrong.

Face it -- 944,694 COVID-19 cases and 78,295 deaths since 4/10/2020 are not really positive results. Just click on the source links at the bottom; you’ll see that as of this date (4/23/2020), the worldwide curves aren’t flat at all. Not even close.

How long do we need to wait for the “immediate” and “straightway” fruits to kick in?

A Second Gap Analysis

In my second post, I showed how COVID-19/coronavirus is a latter-day pestilence. I also showed that God brings pestilences upon mankind to spur them to repentance. He’s done so all throughout history. And with God’s ways never changing, he’s doing the same again today.

So first, in a theoretical gap analysis chart, let’s consider “worldwide repentance” the top dot, the “potential or desired performance” part.

Next, let’s look at what President Nelson asked us to fast for (the “actual performance” dot): “I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”

Praying for the worldwide economy is problematic for two reasons: First, the current materialistic, idol-based economy is the same one which Isaiah mercilessly tears to shreds time and again. It encourages purchase and/or investment in “treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” [8] while discouraging investment in things that don’t provide a return on investment, like building wells or schools in third-world countries. You know, the less fortunate.

Secondly, it’s absurd to pray for the revitalization of the worldwide economy. (Now make no mistake: I, too, want to see people back at work and earning their incomes). But there’s a right way and a wrong way to bring about that result. To see the economy restored, to get people back to work, we need to first ensure that the true cause -- not the effects -- of the economic destruction goes away.

Some might believe that the cause of the economic shutdown is COVID-19. No, it isn’t. COVID-19 is itself a symptom, a result, of something else: sin. And sin is erased via repentance and receiving the atonement of Jesus Christ.

“For every thousand hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one striking at the root.” -- Henry David Thoreau

How will the pandemic be controlled? Repentance!

How will caregivers be protected? Repentance!

How will the economy be strengthened? Repentance!

How will life be normalized? Repentance!

But in Pres. Nelson’s invitation to the world, in directly addressing a clearly-defined pestilence, he was silent on the topic of repentance! This is a huge omission, because one of a prophet’s primary missions is to cry repentance! to the world. That was true with Old Testament and Book of Mormon prophets, New Testament disciples and the Prophet Joseph Smith.

So here’s the gap: As long as we members continue to neglect echoing and amplifying God’s true message which he is delivering to us now, we can be assured of two things (both based on past precedent): First, God will not take COVID-19 away, and second, he will send us even stronger messages until (A) we get the point or (B) we are invited to take our party elsewhere.

The Missing Worldwide Perspective

We are consistently told to trust, to follow, the Brethren. That’s because (according to one apostle), they have considerable experience in administering the church worldwide. They have a global perspective:

“I have heard that some people think the Church leaders live in a ‘bubble.’ What they forget is that we are men and women of experience, and we have lived our lives in so many places and worked with many people from different backgrounds. Our current assignments literally take us around the globe, where we meet the political, religious, business, and humanitarian leaders of the world. Although we have visited [leaders in] the White House in Washington, D.C., and leaders of nations [and religions] throughout the world, we have also visited the most humble [families and people] on earth. … When you thoughtfully consider our lives and ministry, you will most likely agree that we see and experience the world in ways few others do. You will realize that we live less in a ‘bubble’ than most people.” [9]

Yet when I review today’s worldwide statistics [10], I see many more maladies with greater lethality than COVID-19 (as of 4/23/2020):

Undernourished people in the world	842,000,000+
HIV/AIDS infected people	41,735,000+
Abortions this year	13,211,000+
Communicable disease deaths this year	4,034,000+
Hunger-related deaths	3,475,000+
Smoking-related deaths	1,553,838
Alcohol-related deaths	777,411
HIV/AIDS-related deaths	522,453
Traffic fatalities	419,582
Suicides	333,273
Malaria-related deaths	304,846
Deaths caused by water-related illnesses this year	261,709
COVID-19 deaths (as of 4/22/2020)	184,066
Seasonal flu deaths	151,000+

Why are we members patting ourselves on the back for focusing on nearly the bottom of the list?

Where are the fasts for the undernourished millions, that they be fed?

Where are the fasts that God will soften the hearts and minds of women and dissuade them from scheduling abortions?

Where are the fasts that those who are contemplating taking their own lives are led to effective treatment facilities?

Just those three topics -- the undernourished, the abortions and those contemplating suicide -- total over 855 million people. COVID-19 is 0.00021514491 (or two one-hundredths of one percent) of that total. If we factor out the undernourished and just focus on the abortions and suicides, the total is 13,544,273. COVID-19 deaths are just 0.0135899 (a little over 1.3 percent) of that total.

If you’re one of those who prefers to wait for the results of a fast rather than expect immediate fruits, then I invite you to to tell me how long it will take for us, collectively as a church and invited by its president, to fast for any of the above mortalities which exhibit more deaths than COVID-19.

QUESTIONS

Based on the aforementioned facts, I have the following questions:

• Do you believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ?
• Do you have faith in Jesus Christ?
• Do you believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly?
• Do you believe in the phrase “By their fruits ye shall know them”?
• Do you believe Joseph Smith was a true prophet and servant of God?
• Do you believe that Jesus Christ worked miracles, including healing people instantaneously?
• Do you believe that Joseph Smith worked miracles, including healing people instantaneously?
• Why has the worldwide fast not brought about immediate fruits, similar to healings performed by Jesus and Joseph Smith?
• Why are we praying for an economy which is repeatedly condemned in the Old Testament, New Testament and Book of Mormon?
• Why are we not praying and fasting over the true cause of a pestilence?
• Why are we collectively praying and fasting for a worldwide condition (which is important) but still statistically negligible when compared with undernourishment, abortion and suicide, as well as other conditions?
• Which would the Lord encourage you to do: Focus on a gnat or a beam in front of you?
  
  

  CHECK THE COMMENTS BY LATTER-DAY
  TRUTHS BELOW FOR UPDATES TO THIS POST 

1   https://www.projectmanagement.com/wikis/233055/Gap-Analysis

2   Joseph Fielding Smith, Essentials in Church History, p. 223–24

3   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/president-nelson-invites-all-worldwide-to-fast-for-physical-spiritual-healing-in-response-to-covid-19?lang=eng

4   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/president-nelson-asks-latter-day-saints-to-unite-our-faith-once-again-in-fast-on-good-friday?lang=eng

5   https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/worldwide-graphs/#total-cases

6   https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/worldwide-graphs/#daily-deaths

7   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1985/10/by-their-fruits-ye-shall-know-them?lang=eng

8   Matthew 6:19

9   https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/stay-in-the-boat-and-hold-on?lang=eng

10   https://www.worldometers.info