10. Walking and Talking with God, Part 9: The Perfect Alignment, Part 3

Note: This is one of a series of posts devoted to the study of D&C 93:1, and the ninth examining the phrase "obeyeth my voice".

In my last two posts,we explored the concept of a "Spiritual Joystick" which you control. We exhibit overzealousness when this joystick is too far forward, sin when it is in reverse, and an unhealthy preoccupation with the past when it tilts to the left.

A Few Notes On Moving to the Right

As the events of the last days confront us in increasingly starker clarity, I believe it's only natural for people to develop a fascination and interest in the future.  We seek facts, answers and reassurances that can potentially ensure our temporal and spiritual survival in the last days.

Unfortunately, many people misprioritize their sources of information and insight regarding the future.

They may place a tremendously weighty significance on others' experiences or insights. They read books and listen to tapes of what the future may hold.

Personally, I have no problem with reading such books and listening to such tapes.  In fact, I praise God that He has given such experiences to a few, so that many can benefit.  However, in my opinion, we should not make such books pre-eminent over the revealed word of God.

Instead, in His wisdom, the Lord gave us His guidebook for the last days.

The Book of Mormon’s end-time scenario is grounded in many events predicted by Isaiah.  Perhaps this is one reason why the Lord said,

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah." (3 Nephi 23:1)

Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in the New Testament and Book of Mormon. He was also the most quoted prophet in the Lord's statements while in mortality. It makes sense to me that if Isaiah was of preeminent importance to Him, how much so should it be with us?

And while we're at it, what of Jeremiah, Daniel and Revelation?

The more you read and understand those prophets, the more knowledge you have about the last days.

Knowledge is one of the endowments of the Holy Ghost (John 14:26; 16:13; D&C 34:10; 121:26–33) and one of the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:8; Moroni 10:10; D&C 46:18). Peter lists knowledge along with faith, patience, kindness, and virtue as necessary acquisitions for one who would seek for a divine nature (2 Peter 1:3–9). Since no one can be saved in ignorance of the gospel (D&C 131:6), and one progresses only as fast as he gains knowledge (HC 4:588), it follows that the person who gains knowledge will have “the advantage in the world to come” (D&C 130:18–19).

Indeed, "whoso treasureth up my words shall not be deceived" (Matt. 24:44)

Another Spin on Right-Joystickedness

A preoccupation with the future, while neglecting weightier matters (Matthew 23:23; D&C 117:8), can be equally dangerous.

Several years ago, I subscribed to a website devoted to preparing people for the future. At first, I was fascinated by the voluminous amounts of information people shared in this forum. More was being added everyday.

Yet over time, I became disturbed by the actions a few of the website's leaders displayed.  When a conflict would arise, they often lacked persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love and kindness.  Instead, they were unabashedly, unapologetically sharp, quick to exercise control, dominion, compulsion and especially judgment.  And they more often than not took great pride in such behaviors, justifying them by saying "This is how families are.  If you can't hack it, then leave" (that's an exact quote by the way). Not surprisingly, the spirit left that website in short order.

Let me crystal clear on this point: You can't use telestial means to bring about celestial results.  

And we are fooling ourselves (at best) and others who do or will depend on us (at worst) if we believe we can somehow qualify for Zion while consistently displaying and justifying such appalling behaviors.

In Conclusion

As you can see, it's incumbent upon yourself to not veer to the left nor to the right, but straight.  Indeed, we know that we should pray, "make thy way straight before my face" (Psalms 5:8; 2 Nephi 4:33) because "his paths are straight" (Alma 37:12) -- "a straight course to the promised land." (Alma 37:44).

Indeed,

"For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round." (D&C 3:2) 

"Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee." (Proverbs 4:25)