Book of Mormon Doctrine: Gaining Light and Truth

[@dawnwright1084]

Thank you Chad. This was thought provoking and wonderful, as usual.

[@squirrlefv]

I needed to hear your words today. Thank you.

[@danh2834]

Chad, your channel is amazing and I’m so glad I found it. I needed your testimony today, more than you’ll ever know. I’ve already binged most of your videos this afternoon and I look forward to future content!

[@barrywray6869]

Thank you for all that you do to help your listeners come closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

[@chadwright1006]

It is my joy 😊 And you are so welcome!

[@alexmadrono4821]

Intelligently presented. Thank you, Chad. I am loving your channel.

[@chadwright1006]

I really appreciate that! 🙏

[@Irvingdector]

I just found your channel. And I love it!

[@chadwright1006]

Yay! So glad you did 😊

[@annepratt8260]

Loved this. Beautiful thoughts.

[@chadwright1006]

Thank you so much! :)

[@kenwick7921]

Some of what you said reminds me of the parable of the laborers of the vineyard in Matt. 20:1-16.

[@chadwright1006]

Absolutely 👍

[@spicycoco1]

Thanks for this. This helps expound upon many of the thoughts I've been having lately.

[@chadwright1006]

So glad to hear that! Thanks for watching 😊

[@StevenJenkins-l6y]

I have another thought that I wrote that you might like. I'm a retired upholster so I worked with fabric all my life. A Rug For Your Dream Mansion You’re weaving a rug to put at the front entrance of your dream mansion. As you are weaving your rug, you make choices as to the design, yarn, and colors. This is a rug that everyone who inters will see. The finest of materials and workmanship is desired. But as you are weaving, you get a little lazy and the quality of the materials, design, and workmanship falls. In much the same way, you weave into the fabric of your life the pattern that you will present as your finished product. Your mortal life is woven each day as you add your deeds into something intricately beautiful. When you make wrong choices, you must live with a blotch in the fabric of your soul, or retrace your steps through repentance and remove errant threads you have woven into your character and replace them with the finer threads that your Maker intended for you to use. Therefore, as you knock at the door of his mansion, you can present him with a finished product that he would be pleased for everyone to see. Steven R. Jenkins

[@chadwright1006]

What a wonderful analogy! Thank you so much for sharing it 😊

[@stevemartin6772]

Great job on your videos! Been following since the beginning...a thought...I would love to see maybe in the future have you put together some videos specifically on some of the Sermons from the Book of Mormon...A couple come to mind 2 Nephi 2, 2 Nephi 9, Jacob 5, King Benjamin's address Mosiah 2-5, Abinadi's Sermon...the doctrines of these and the structure have such a power that is another testimony of the Book's truth. Anyway, keep up the great work!

[@chadwright1006]

Great ideas! Those are all wonderful chapters too. And thanks so much for following!

[@uraqutee]

Where have you gone to. We just found your channel but see that you haven't posted anything for 7 months.. We have enjoyed what you have posted.

[@chadwright1006]

@@uraqutee Thanks so much for your support! I’m sorry there hasn’t been anything for a while. I was called to be the Bishop in my ward in November ‘23 and between my job and calling and renovations on our home, I’ve had to put a pause on this! I do miss it a lot, however, and definitely have more ideas I’d like to put out there. Just enjoy all the other good LDS content creators for now, and I’ll eventually get something put together 😊

[@ja-kaz]

Ok. Not gonna lie. Kinda been wondering when your next video is coming out. I’m running out of things to say in Sunday school that make me seem smarter than I really am

[@ja-kaz]

Any new videos coming out soon?

[@AlecSorensen]

I think the parable of the sewer applies here, or the parable of the talents applies here. Yes, both the people who just looked at the serpent and those who understood it as a type of their redeemer were physically saved. Those who believed Samuel because they recognized the truth of his words and those baptized because they saw miracles joined the church. They were both rewarded for the good that they did, whereas those who did not do good got no reward. However, I think it's wrong to say they got the same reward. The people who saw the serpent as a type of redeemer had an experience with their redeemer, something to pray and ponder about, something to actually come to know him better. Those who just looked without understanding lived to see another day but really didn't have that step forward in their relationship with the Lord unless they began looking for it later. And this ties directly into the unique teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the afterlife. Technically, any kingdom of glory can be considered heaven and salvation, and anyone who accepts Christ is welcomed into a kingdom of glory: one for those who accept Christ only suffering some of the consequences of their actions, one for those who accepted him in faith before but did not "valiantly" seek to follow him, and one for people who valiantly seek to learn and apply in faith all that Christ teaches. And think this is the biggest misunderstanding of protestants looking at the afterlife. In protestant theology, salvation (or achieving some degree of glory and the presence of God) is the highest good, and this is attained through faith in or acceptance of Christ on at least a superficial level. Mormons actually believe the same thing. It's just that on top of that, our theology defines a scale of glory that extends from a superficial acceptance of Christ to a deep discipleship and willingness to follow Him in all things, and therefore receive all things. This is exaltation, becoming like Christ and Heavenly Father, or becoming one with them. Protestants who get upset that we believe, for example, that temple covenants are required for exaltation are confusing salvation with exaltation. We actually believe the same things about salvation that they do, we just identify gradations within salvation and that there are specifics requirements for the highest levels. This is mercy. Everyone who really wants salvation OR exaltation OR any glory in between will get what they really want because the grace of Christ makes up the difference. For example, he will not force on us exaltation if we do not want to enter into covenants to consecrate ourselves to him. If we want to accept the forgiveness of Christ, but are comfortable not being consecrated, then he will help us become the most glorious un-consecrated beings we can be. But he won't make us into something we, by our thoughts, words, and deeds, have shown we do not want to be.

[@chadwright1006]

Absolutely! You have done a marvelous summary of salvation vs. exaltation. Thank you 🙏

[@AlecSorensen]

@@chadwright1006 Your video also made me wonder about something. Perhaps the person who just looked at the snake thought they got the same blessing as the person who looked at the snake and understood it was supposed to represent Christ because they both lived. They couldn't understand the added benefit of understand and deepening your relationship with your savior. In the same vein, maybe that's what the celestial and terrestrial kingdoms are like. They're not filled with people who realized they could have achieved more and are sad... they are filled with people who think they have the best afterlife possible because they can't imagine better.

[@chadwright1006]

@@AlecSorensen GREAT observation! I’ve always pictured that those who accept Christ but reject the full Covenant path will find themselves in the Terrestrial Kingdom, look around and say “Ha! I KNEW the Mormons wouldn’t make it here!!” 😉

[@AlecSorensen]

@@chadwright1006 I can see that happening :)

[@AlbertJLouie]

When you seek answers from the Book of Mormon instead of the Bible, God can't help you because you have turned your back on Him. Therefore this leaves the door open for Satan (II Corinthians 11:14-15) to step into your life with a false christ or prophet showing you signs and wonders to lead you away from the real Jesus of the Bible who is God the Son 2nd person of the Trinity. God Himself warns us about this in: MATTHEW 24:23-24 "Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..." Knowing the true identity of Jesus Christ (John 14:6) in a world full of false christs and false prophets will mean the difference between you going to heaven or hell.

[@chadwright1006]

See that’s just the thing. Sometimes I find my answer in Galatians. Sometimes in the Gospel of John. Sometimes in Mosiah. And sometimes in 2nd Nephi. The Bible is a collection of letters and books written by different people who have the same purpose. I just happen to use more books than you. What if the saints in Galatia had been told by Paul “Just use what I wrote to the Corinthians.” We wouldn’t have Paul’s description of the fruits of the spirit. Which is apparently what the Galatians needed to hear. And we today are more richly blessed because of it! The Book of Mormon serves EXACTLY the same purpose. How about if Paul’s letter to the Galatians was thrown away without being read? What if they said “We’ve got your letters to the Corinthians. We’re all good. Certainly you (and God) don’t have anything else to teach us. And if you try to, we just will refuse to accept it or believe it.” That’s just silly. Christ doesn’t have a 100 year window where he is only allowed to say what he is going to say and then we won’t accept any more, does he? Think about that. It really doesn’t make any sense. How about when you’re standing in front of Christ in the next existence. Do you really think if you were to ask Him a question you’ve always wondered about, such as “So how long exactly WERE the six days of creation,” or “Why did you make it LOOK like evolution was a thing?” That He’s going to tell you “go read the Bible!” You’re going to want additional KNOWLEDGE than what you had already been given. If that’s how it will be THERE, why would He be lying when he said “Ask and ye shall receive” or “ If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God?” Your position is NOT Biblical, or even LOGICAL. Just try it and see. You’ll be pleasantly surprised 😁

[@AlbertJLouie]

@chadwright1006 What Mormons can't ignore is the warning God gives us regarding false christs and false prophets in: Matthew 24:23-24 "Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect..." I JOHN 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world..." II CORINTHIANS 11:14-15 "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works..." Satan isn't going to come at you looking like a monster. He's coming at as a angel of light bringing a universal false christ or prophet. That's what you need to look out for.

[@chadwright1006]

@@AlbertJLouie thank you for your warning. I know it comes from a loving and concerned place. But you have sidestepped my entire reply. What IF the angels and prophets are NOT what the warnings were about? There have been PLENTY of other candidates. My only point is that it is GOD’S right to continue both the canon of scripture, and new, ongoing revelation if He chooses. Do you disagree that God COULD do that? I mean does He have the power to do so? And why would it not be beneficial to have MORE of God’s words that are given to His chosen Prophets to us today? To say that God CANNOT do that seems close to blasphemous as it makes Him no longer Omnipotent. Which clearly he is.

[@StevenJenkins-l6y]

There are many who think all of Gods commandments are too many and too hard to do. The word commandments are found in the scriptures many, many times. It can sound a little intimidating because it has the word command in it. Like, I command you to do this! I command you to stop doing that! If we change the word commandments to, “Living after the order of Love” then that does not sound intimidating at all. If we look at Gods commandments as “Living after the order of Love” then it will not be that hard to obey and live by his commandments.

[@chadwright1006]

I really like that. I heard once that all the commandments are is a list of Jesus’ qualities. By keeping them we are emulating Him!

[@Holy-Mysteries]

To be honest I read all 66 version of the Bible .every version has mathematic errors or contradictions. As an X Christian I would recommend you all to read Quran . Quran is only Holy book has hundreds of miracles which Science is proving now. For example existence of Human,embryo, chromosomes ,the distance between sun and earth, etc etc etc

[@thepeaceloversofficial]

The brass serpent is testimony that Jesus Christ died and rose again. I agree with what you say but remember that the saving factor is what Jesus did on the cross. That is the bare minimum, not belief in book of mormon events specifically. Believe that Jesus took your sins upon himself is what will truly save anyone. Not saying I disagree with you, you said at the end that the brass serpent equivalent is belief in simply events of the book of mormon, this is not true and people forget it is the belief in what Jesus did on the cross. Everything after that is precept upon precept everything AFTER that belief is line upon line.

[@rolandovelasquez135]

The only problem which I have with Mormonism is this. I cannot understand how a thinking person would ever believe in Joseph Smith. Had he died and rose again then I would consider him. One other thing. You probably don't know that in the New World there is no evidence of the great civilizations that the supposed prophet writes about in his book. May I suggest you try Jesus Christ and his Word- without Joseph Smith. You will be pleasantly surprised. ‭‭John‬ ‭1:1‭-‬5‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬ "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [4] In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. [5] The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." JS fooled a lot of poor ignorant farmers back then and he continues to fool people today. They had an excuse. You do not. You can now study the history of Mormonism. I would advise you to do so. Just sayin'