Understanding the Endowment with Cory Jensen

[@juliearcher2970]

Cory’s 3rd book was a messenger for me and a powerful 3rd witness of something sacred. Im eternally grateful the Lord directed him to write it and he selflessly gave of his time and talents and experience.

[@christyromero6175]

Thank you so very much for this podcast! I will listen to it many times and even buy Cory’s books. I am 82, a former temple ordinance worker, attend the temple weekly and I learned so much today that I have been praying about. May God continue to bless you both.

[@craigmoore5394]

Over the last 3 years I have felt pulled by the Spirit towards the things discussed in this podcast. I find it so fascinating that many others I encounter are also feeling the very same. While so many friends and long time acquaintances are walking away from their covenants there are many running towards the Savior and seeking to see His face and hear His voice. I love every one of your podcasts. Thank you

[@lddisciplespodcast]

I absolutely agree! It can be really lonely at first to walk a spiritual path until the Lord reveals that He is leading many other disciples by the hand as well.

[@angelabrimhall9637]

I feel the same way, over the past five years, I've had such a draw to things that are deeper and holy--the mysteries of God. Since President Nelson stated that God is giving away the secrets of the universe, I've been driven toward learning more about what that means. I agree that our testimonies become unshakable through a deeper understanding of truth and doctrine. I had many people "warn" me not to dive into deep doctrine and that I would end up going apostate, but thankfully I listened to my own heart, and it's been the BEST journey I've had. I have had some real struggles with members the past two years and had it not been for me shoring up my testimony with deep doctrine and commitment to listening to the Spirit testify, this church is the true church and the only one the Savior is guiding, I fear I may have gone the way others are going. The doctrine is true, but the culture...not so fun. Thank you SO MUCH for having Brother Jensen on this podcast. Just listening to him, I am hungering and thirsting for the truth on his books' pages. What a blessing this channel is! ♥♥♥

[@Risingnshouting]

The great lie in the Endowment? I hope this message finds Cory. :-) I’m reading (for the 3rd time) the book “Completing Your Endowment.” Cory does an amazing job saying over and over that if an interpretation of his doesn’t fit with you, to discard it. We need the Lord to teach us directly, and Cory emphasizes this as well. He offers his insights and interpretations as starting points, or ways to “get the conversation started” between us and the Lord. I’d like to offer an alternative perspective on an insight Cory shares in the book. At one point in the Endowment, Satan claims if we don’t live up to every covenant we make in the temple, we will be in his power. In the book, Cory slightly misquotes this as “end up in his power” meaning if we don’t follow every covenant perfectly, there is no hope for us. Obviously this is not true. Cory calls it “the great lie”. We all try to live up to the covenants we make with God, but ultimately fall short and must rely upon Christ to save us. And if we repent we will not end up in Satan’s power. The actual phrase used in the endowment is “they will be in my power”. This is completely true. It speaks of an immediate effect of sin, not an eternal consequence. Every sin we commit opens the door for Satan’s influence in our lives. The moment we have a fearful, resentful, jealous, or other unholy or impure thought, we ARE subject to Satan’s influence. However, if our eye be single to God’s glory, then Satan has no power or influence over us. I feel this section of the endowment is a perfectly accurate warning to us, and a helpful acknowledgement that not every thought that pops into our head is “ours”. Although sin starts with an impure thought, Satan’s power and influence over us grows as we continue in any degree of sin. And his power diminishes every time we repent, focus on truth, fill our hearts with love, forgive others, shed resentments, and pray for help. These are my thoughts, and they are no more valuable to anyone else than the differing interpretations by others.

[@roymslater247]

Today was a Wow moment. Thank you for that. Many things that have puzzled me have been answered for me today. What a beautiful spirit was felt during this podcast and I thank you both for that. Keep on keeping on!

[@lddisciplespodcast]

Absolutely!

[@davejones8826]

So wonderful and so important. Thank you for this! This episode was an answer to my prayers.

[@lddisciplespodcast]

I love hearing this, thank you!

[@Remarkable-Moose]

What is the links for the books?

[@lorigehring683]

Ordered his books. Halfway through and learning so much. Thank you for sharing this!

[@lddisciplespodcast]

I'm sure the books will teach you so much!

[@lindaayre]

I appreciate this conversation. I have read Bro. Jenson’s books but need to revisit them. I have to admit that this subject made me a little nervous when I read his third book. Here’s a tiny bit of a BIG back-story. My family attended meetings a few years ago in which these ideas were taught. (Not from Brother Jenson’s book). I took it all very seriously and earnestly sought for the baptism of fire, calling and election and Second Comforter…they called it the path of ascension and said it is the true doctrine of Christ. Meanwhile, I became aware that the men who were leading these meetings were actually, in private conversations, teaching that the Church leaders (beginning with B.Y.) are corrupt and the Church is in apostasy. I experienced a real faith crisis. Thankfully, the Lord rescued me from that awful state of confusion and disorientation. My testimony is now stronger than ever. Unfortunately, some of my children didn’t weather that storm and have left the Church, as many others have who follow these men (truly wolves in sheep’s clothing.) I do believe what Bro Jenson is teaching, but people need to be aware that this subject can be used to deceive people who are eager to move forward on the path and they can be seduced away from the Church in their over-anxiousness to experience an ascension without honoring their covenants as administered through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I think I’m ready now to read Bro Jenson’s book again and not get freaked out about it. Thank you for the beautIful spirit of this podcast.

[@lddisciplespodcast]

Hi Linda, thank you for sharing your experience. I'm so sorry that you were deceived for a time but so grateful the Lord pulled you out of it. There are many factions that manipulate true doctrine for their personal gain and its important that earnest members seeking the higher blessings are aware of them and can prayerfully and intentionally navigate any temptation to take such paths. No man or woman can promise us this path. They can't guarantee these blessings. Indeed, these blessings are only made available to us through Christ directly, and in His timing. The best way to pursue Him and these blessings is through constant and consistent obedience to the voice of the Holy Ghost. And anyone who suggests another path should be seriously and cautiously considered. I believe you will find great value in these books as you approach them with the Spirits of faith and discernment.

[@joshuathompson1357]

Very scary story. I'm curious why the second endowment is no longer required to seek after and isnt performed anymore for the most part. I've inquired about this but havent gotten an answer other than "it's not required for exaltation."

[@knelson3326]

I’m not sure that is true. I think the only ones privy to the ordinance are those unwilling to discuss it so how would we know? The gift is bestowed on those who have proven their commitment over time and not to those who simply “seek.” Patience is key.

[@knelson3326]

Linda, I’m curious if the group you experienced were followers of Avraham Gileadi. Thanks.

[@lindaayre]

@@knelson3326 Some of the people who attended the meetings are followers of Gileadi, as am I, but the ones I know are faithful members of the Church, and they also have discontinued their association with the "ascension" group. The Isaiah Institute just recently restated it's full support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I have heard Gileadi himself pointedly denounce this group and others like it.

[@jdreamhiatt]

This video is awesome and very helpful! Thank you for posting.

[@lddisciplespodcast]

You are so welcome!

[@considerthetruth]

Thank you!

[@lddisciplespodcast]

You're welcome!

[@suzywhite1588]

Thank you for an amazing teaching moment for me today!

[@lddisciplespodcast]

You are so welcome!

[@lessthanthedust]

So beautiful!

[@lddisciplespodcast]

Thank you! 😊

[@loridavis7086]

Cory’s book on Completing Your Endowment arrived yesterday!

[@lddisciplespodcast]

Yayy! Hope you enjoy it and it blesses your spiritual journey.

[@admcdona]

Didn't they say something on this episode about a way to download his books for free? Where is that? Or did I imagine it?

[@lddisciplespodcast]

www.templeendowment.com/

[@carsonwilliams2746]

come unto the Lord and receive him and his love and he will endow you .

[@lddisciplespodcast]

[@drewhanna9057]

The abundance of caution is really harming people's opportunities to understand and love the gospel. We need to not reveal the signs and tokens together, which is what we covenant to do. And we need to talk about the rest and learn from it. Sacred things are OK to talk about with people who love you and want to learn.

[@lddisciplespodcast]

Absolutely agree! There is very little that we are limited in discussing, and desperately need to be able to honestly and sacredly address the other aspects of temple worship.

[@makanaima]

Why do LDS people not see Christ the same as people did in the first century in the Scriptures? Because the LDS version of Christ is different than in the rest of Christianity, both in terms of role and function and in terms of his very nature. (One essence with the father vs. a completely separate entity with a separate intelligence that is viewed as an older brother.) Having gone from LDS-> Orthodox, I can honestly say that my view of and relationship with Christ now is totally/utterly different than it was when I was LDS, and now is much more meaningful and spiritual. Christ is not just some kind of divine messenger Boy between the Father and Humanity (e.g.. LDS don't pray to Christ, you pray to the Father in Christs' name.) For me now, Christ is Lord (i.e. Christ is God, and the only way we can Know the Father.) He has the same essence as the Father, but is a different personage. IMO, Our relationship should be with Christ. This is exactly why non-Mormon's say that Mormon's are not Christians and that Mormon's worship a different Jesus. I dind't understand that argument, and honestly it used to really piss me off (and I'm sure I'm going to get Mormon dog-piled on for this), but being on the other side now for over a year, I have to admit that they were right.

[@loridavis7086]

The “times are different now” explanation reminds me of how Christians of other faiths approach & reject modern prophets, angels, miracles, putting limits on God (a Bible, a Bible, we have got a Bible & we need no more). And yet, lds members too often like to believe that scripture applies only to other Christians, w/out recognizing & applying it to ourselves when we also limit God by thinking, stop here, I have enough doctrine & understanding, I don’t need any more …

[@lddisciplespodcast]

I absolutely agree. It seems that we are not so different from other Christian religions in the ways we tend to respond to mortal conditions.

[@Kathysfootprints]

His books are so awesome and helpful. I have to keep rereading completing your endowment… so good! 🤍🙏

[@lddisciplespodcast]

So true!