The Two Churches

Religions are necessarily false because they have dogma, defining truth as what is not true. Dogma is not a part of God because God is expedient. God does not see a group as a group, but as individuals that make up a group. A dog does not smell chocolate brownies, but rather distinguishes every ingredient -- eggs, flour, butter, salt, sugar, and so forth. Likewise God does not lump people into an organization, but rather knows each individually. People create organizations and seek uniformity through conformity. However, there is one belief system that is true because it only seeks truth wherever it is found. Thus, there are only two ways: 

And he said unto me: Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore, whoso belongeth not to the church of the Lamb of God belongeth to that great church, which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth.

1 Nephi 14:10

This is true. There are only two churches. 

1. Those who seek truth, or God, wherever it is found are the Church of the Lamb of God. 

2. Those who define a religion with dogmatic assertions, but containing some truth are the church of the devil. 

Satan is “the father of all lies” who teaches only one thing in all religions of the world: 

“The philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.”

I am reading a book called “Enlightenment Now” which is set out to define the Humanist religion as atheistic and based on science. It is just another “nature is god” religion combined with “humans are gods.” The worship of nature is now called “Scientism,” which is not the same as science. Science has no dogma, no assertions of truth, no beliefs, no tenets, no doctrine. Science is simply a path to discovery with no possibility of ever knowing the truth because it is a process of searching, always searching, but never finding. “You don’t know what you don't know.” Thus, true science can never, will never, has never arrived at truth. Scientism on the other hand, makes dogmatic assertions of truth based on current beliefs. These beliefs are put into a catechism that everyone can believe without any evidence. It’s just a religion. There is some truth so it can appear to be true, thus it is “mingled with scripture.” Everyone believes, so it has become the official state religion.  Everyone is doing it. People are leaving other religions in droves to take on the “Humanist” religion. These are the “enlightened ones.” They have the truth while all other religions are false. 

This humanist religion is atheist, which always sets up a straw-man god, using other false religions, and saying there is no God. “Zeus is not a true god, therefore there is no God.” On the other hand, the gods they worship are just as supernatural. They pretend to be practical and empirical, but take on ancient supernatural beliefs such as “creatio ex nihilo,” “spontaneous generation,” and evolution. They have “man is god” dogmatic assertions that make man responsible for the climate of the earth. Salvation comes from man turning back the clock and fixing the environment of the earth so things can go on as they were. Salvation is keeping things the same. Salvation is man solving problems. It’s a “who cares?” religion. There is nothing to care about. Those in power care about power, and the rest are subject to the people who are in control because they are smart. It’s just another false religion, not searching for truth, but creating dogma that everyone needs to believe: 

• Climate change
• Evolution
• Creatio ex nihilo
• Spontaneous generation
• Vaccines are safe and effective.
• Patent drugs bring health and longevity.
• Whatever “doctrine du jour” comes from the ivory tower of “science” that they lay person cannot understand because it’s too complicated. 

All religions are false. All religions are of Satan. All religions are built on “the philosophies of men, mingled with scripture.” All religions, including the “Atheism/Humanism/Scientism” religion are a mixture of truth and lies. The truth is there to give credence to the lies. People see the truth and believe in the religion, taking in the lies as if they were also true. This flavor of truth makes it palatable to the masses. Like a dog, they sniff out the part that is true, and then swallow the whole thing. Those in any religion cannot see their own lies, but they are very good at seeing the lies of others so they look around and see the lies of all the other religions and think they must have the truth. Belief is powerful. The mind will give credence to what it believes, and filter out whatever does not support that belief. They are blind to the fact that, all religions are false, even their own. 

There is a political organization that was set up by God which is called “The Kingdom of God on Earth.” The official political name is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Those in this religion have the opportunity to get up in front of their congregation every month and say that the church is true. But even this church contains a religion that is false. The church is true, but the religion is false. The church has the foundation of apostles and prophets, which will teach the truth, but the belief systems of the members with the dogmatic assertions of truth are the philosophies of men. The fact that they are “mingled with scripture,” does not make them true. Nevertheless, the underlying truth goes on in the church which continues to provide important ordinances whereby people can become part of “the Church of the Lamb of God.” Those few can receive the Holy Ghost and go to the temple and make covenants with the Lord, learning His ways. 

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

3 Nephi 14:14

Those few are the Church of the Firstborn. Jesus spoke this same doctrine in His time. The Jews were members of the “true church of God,” the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They had, and memorized, the words of all the holy prophets from the beginning of time. They thought they were the true religion, but they were really built on the foundation of human philosophy, “mingled with scripture.” Jesus did not condemn sinners that were brought to Him, He only condemned the leaders of the “true religion” and all their dogma. They had the truth, but they did not know it. 

There is only one way to know truth -- that is by knowing everything. If I know everything, I can know what is true and what is not. 

Since no human can know everything, there must be some other way to know something is true. There is. If one person knows all truth, and does not lie, then there is a way to know some truth without having to know everything. If that person tells me something, then I know it’s true. God knows all truth. I can know truth only if God tells me something is true. He speaks to me through the Holy Ghost. 

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Moroni 10:5

There is no other way to know anything is true. Thus, being in the “Church of the Lamb of God” only means having the gift of the Holy Ghost and receiving truth from Him. 

For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

2 Nephi 32:5

The only true church is defined by those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost and are seeking truth wherever it is found. Without the Holy Ghost I cannot be a member of the true church of Christ. There is no dogma. There is no assertions of truth. There is no doctrine except that of Christ. Everyone is different. No two people in the church have the same knowledge. I cannot get any knowledge from other members of the church, I can only get information that I can take to the Lord and ask if it is right. I must do the work of research and discovery. I must read the scriptures. I must go to the temple. I must pray every day, twice daily, to be connected with God, to have the Holy Ghost, so I can know if something is true. The Lord will teach me truth that is expedient for me to know. I do not give that to others because it may not be expedient for them to know. 

Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you; And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation.

Doctrine and Covenants 88:64-65

The Few

The Church of the Firstborn is only a group because they have something in common in seeking the Lord, to know God through Jesus Christ, but at first there is no organization. God sees them as individuals. He knows them by name. He loves them. He loves each one. Each is led by God with a path different from all the others. Thus, it is not like a religion, as in a political organization, but rather a set of scattered individuals seeking truth.

In the church of the Lamb of God there are no two people with the same knowledge. Nobody is dependent on another person for knowledge. All turn to the Lord for all truth, knowledge, and understanding. Not that we do not teach each other, but rather that we are not dependent on each other for knowledge and truth. We can share whatever the Spirit tells us to share so that we can build the faith of others. People need confirmation of their faith in the Lord, and in what they receive by the Holy Ghost. 

For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away.

2 Nephi 25:25-27

The “law” is all the rules that are given to help us grow up. Children need laws. Children need guidelines. Children need restraints. Children need to know their limits. However, when people grow up and become mature in the Spirit, they no longer need such things. The law will be done away, and become dead to them. The law is irrelevant when you have the Holy Ghost to tell you all things that you should do, even things that may be contrary to the law. The Church teaches the laws, or set of rules for children, but when I grow up, I no longer need the law. I put away the things of children, and take responsibility like an adult. 

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Corinthians 13:8-11

All are born in sin, automatically being part of the church of the devil. But God gives us the opportunity to grow up and receive the Holy Ghost. Once I receive the Holy Ghost I can start on the path to eternal life. I am not on the path to eternal life until I receive the Holy Ghost to guide me. 

Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

2 Nephi 31:17-18

Once I receive the Holy Ghost I can speak with the tongue of angels. I can speak the words of Christ. I can speak the truth. Before that time I cannot speak the truth because I can never know what I don’t know. Indeed, I never know what to do until I have the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

2 Nephi 32:2-3

Thus, the definition of the Church of the Lamb of God is those who have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and can speak the words of Christ with the tongue of Angels. They have access to truth that no other church or religion has. Their truth is individual, and personal. They know truth that is expedient, gaining knowledge upon knowledge, until they know all things. 

That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Doctrine and Covenants 50:24

The purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to provide a framework whereby I can become a member of the Church of the Firstborn and start on the path to eternal life. There are so many that do not move forward, but stay back and remain children, being in the church of the devil. They do not search the scriptures, pray, nor take the Holy Ghost for their guide. Instead, they go to church every week and hope something will happen to them. They were commanded to “receive the Holy Ghost” when they were confirmed members so they could move on to be members of the Church of the Firstborn and start on the path to eternal life, but they don’t move forward. They need to continue to be told what to do by the church, living by rules and laws, instead of taking the Holy Ghost as their guide. 

Those who join the Church of the Firstborn are no longer guided by men. They have no doctrine except the Doctrine of Christ. They have no dogma on which to rest. They have no one in the world to talk to. They cannot receive counsel from others. They have no foundation in the world. Their only foundation is the Rock of our Redeemer. Thus, the rug is pulled-out from under them and they no longer feel like they are on shaky ground. They have nobody in the world to rely on. They only have the very ethereal Holy Spirit to guide them. It doesn’t seem firm. It doesn’t seem like a true foundation. It seems like a ghost. One thing I have learned that has become axiomatic: "Things are not what they seem to be." 

The world is filled with paradox. What seems like a solid foundation to mortals, is really no foundation at all, and what seems unsubstantial is where to find a really firm foundation. The Rock of our Redeemer is a true foundation. 

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Helaman 5:12

Those in the Church of the Firstborn cannot fall because of the forces from outside them. They can only fall by choice, by giving up what they have and leaving the house they had built on the sure foundation. If I go out into the storm, leaving my strong house, I could be dragged down to the gulf of misery and endless wo. 

Gaining such a foundation came the same way I receive the Holy Ghost, by searching, praying and fasting -- and giving my heart to God. 

Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

Helaman 3:35

The more I learn, the firmer it gets. Those who are members of the Church of the Firstborn may have problems in life; they may be hated by others and have difficult lives, but they have joy and consolation from the Holy Spirit. Their sorrow is swallowed up in the joy of the Savior. 

Zion

Those who are of the Church of the Lamb of God are scattered among all nations. They are "one of a city and two of a family." They do not have a congregation, nor are they supporting each other. They are the salt of the earth -- allowing the Spirit of God to protect the people and places where they live. A whole city can be protected with just one righteous person, as Abraham God is their support and their guide. However, at some point those on the earth will be gathered. They will be brought together to create Zion, the New Jerusalem. 

And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God; And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion. And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand. And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.

Doctrine and Covenants 45:66-71

Those who are not of the Church of the Lamb of God may also go to Zion for safety if they are not afraid to meet the Lord. What a glorious time this will be, when all those who have the Holy Ghost for their guide are together in the same place! What a wonderful city it will be!