Apostasy of Israel

 Apostasy is a choice. It is the choice to disobey, be proud, stiffnecked, hardhearted, rebel, move backwards, worship other gods, wander, to forget God and His laws, etc. Those who apostatize are doing two great evils: forsaking Christ and building lives that cannot hold Him. They are doing the opposite of the purpose of life, they are moving backwards and not progressing and they will face the consequences - they will be devoured, destroyed. God will do everything He can to stop you from apostasy, but in the end you cannot hide your sins, iniquity, shame - they will shut you out.

*Ex 32:9 - Stiffneckedness leads to apostasy -2 Ne 10:5 - Stiffneckedness, priestcrafts, iniquities

*Deut 9:7 - Rebelliousness leads to apostasy, 29:25 - forsaken covenants, disobedience, Jer 3:25

*Judges 3:7 - They forgot the Lord

*1 Kings 11:2-10 - Solomon started worshipping other gods, distracted by his wives, Ezek 11:12 - influenced by heathen around you

*1 Kings 14:22 - They did evil, committing sins above all their fathers had, 2 Kings 21:2

*2 Kings 17:7 - Children of Israel - did things in secret, hard hearted, idols(Isa 2:8), divinations, enchantments, sold themselves, Psalms 106:36 - snare

*Isa 1:3-4 - They do not consider "they are gone away backward" - Jer 7:24

*Isa 3:9 -  "they have rewarded evil unto themselves"

*Isa 5:4 - "What could I have done more for my vineyard?" God and Christ do everything they can to keep us from apostasy - it is fully our choice

*Isa 24:5 - Apostasy also defiles the earth, when people transgress laws and ordinances and break everlasting covenants - Lev 18:27, D&C 1:15

*Isa 29:13, Mark 7:6 - Some people still act like they obey but don't, they fear and are taught by men

*Isa 50:1 - When you apostasize, you will face justice/the consequences - you are the one who did not choose mercy

*Isa 59 -By their own choices, they are separated from God & His mercy. The Atonement will redeem the repentant.

*Jer 2:13 - Two evils: they have forsaken Christ AND built lives that cannot hold Him. Jer 2:17

*Jer 23:10 - the land mourneth(peasant places dried up) because adultery and swearing

*Ezek 22:26 - profance holy things, hid eyes from Sabbath, removed difference between holy & profane & clean & unclean

*Ezek 34:8 - Guilt on shepherds who do not lead their flock away from apostasy

*Hos 4:6 - Apostasy comes from lack of knowledge(rejected knowledge), forgotten laws

*Amos 8:11 - A famine of hearing the words of God

*Micah 3:11 - Some prophets and priests seek money instead of leaning on the Lord

*Matt 13:15 - Israel had hard hearts, were blind and deaf - refusing to hear or understand in order to be healed.

*Matt 15:9 - Taught the commandments of men. Matt 23:13 - Scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites shut heaven out

*Acts 7:52 - Sign of apostasy is persecution of prophets, Rom 11:3, 2 Chron 36:16 - once you persecute prophets, there is no remedy

*Rom 9:31-33 - Israel was righteous, but stumbled because they followed laws only by works, not by faith

*Rom 10:14-21 - Israel needed faith to believe prophets, God has stretched His hand out to them all day long, Rom 11:20

*2 Ne 7:1 - God does not shut you out, your iniquities shut you out.

*2 Ne 13:9 - Sodom sins cannot hide, you reward evil unto yourself

*Jacob 5 - The olive tree - parable of apostasy(decayed olive tree)

*Lev 26 - Blessings abound when you keep the commandments, when you don't...YIKES.

*Deut 7:4-5 - In order to get rid of apostasy you must destroy altars/images

*Isa 1:21-22 - How does a city go from righteousness to murderers?

*Jer 3:24-25 - When you disobey, you are surrounded by shame and confusion and you will be devoured

*Jer 5:19 - Apostasy = serving strange gods, consequences = slaves to serving strangers

*Jer 8:5, 9 - They are in a "perpetual backsliding," hold fast to deceit, refuse to return(repent), when you reject the Lord, you lose wisdom

*Jer 14:10 - They have loved to wander

*D&C 133:71-72 - They disobeyed, turned away prophets - their testimony is sealed up unto them and by law they are delivered to darkness.

Prophets, Rejection of

 What you do with the prophet's words is a matter of life and death - do not reject them. Follow the prophet(in accordance with personal revelation) and you will see Christ, don't follow the prophet and you will be destroyed(in this life) and receive only the telestial kingdom in the next life. People who reject prophets are proud, hard hearted, rebellious, vain, selfish - don't be like them.

*1 Kings 19:10 - Children of Israel 1st forsaked covenants, then slayed prophets - Rom 11:3

*2 Kings 17:14 - People who reject prophets have hard hearts - would not hear

*2 Chron 24:21 - Zechariah is stoned to death

*2 Chron 36:16 - People mocked and despised prophets, kindling wrath of Lord "til there was no remedy"

*Isa 30:10 - rebellious people want deceitful prophets who preach smooth things

*Jer 1:19 - The Lord is with His prophets, He will deliver them amidst persecution

*Jer 11:20(18:18) - Jeremiah prays for his life amongst persecution(11:21, 12:6, 26:8, 37:15, 44:5)

*Ezek 20:49 - Prophets speak in parables, those who do not understand get angry

*Matt 5:12 - Prophets(and followers) who are persecuted will receive a great reward in heaven (Luke 6:23, 3 Ne 12:12)

*Matt 10:41 - Receive a prophet in the name of a prophet - sustain church leaders

*Matt 13:57, Mark 6:4, Luke 4:24, John 4:44 - A prophet is not without rejection(honor) except in his own home(country)

*Matt 21:33-41 - Parable of the prophets and Christ being sent and slain by people

*Matt 23:37(Luke 13:33-34) - God tried to gather children again and again, but they would not hearken to prophets

*Luke 11:50 - Be careful of how you treat prophets, for you will have to pay a price. Jerusalem had to pay for the blood of all the prophets slain since the beginning

*Luke 16:31 - People who do not listen to prophets will not be persuaded by one who rose from the dead

*Acts 7:52-60 - Stephen is stoned to death, sees a vision, forgives persecuters

*1 Thes 2:15-16 - People who persecute prophets are contrary to all men, wanting to "fill up their sins alway" - the wrath of God will come upon them to the uttermost.

*Heb 11:37-40 - Prophets endure persecution because of faith

*1 Ne 1:20 - Although prophets are cast out, stoned, slain, the Lord's tender mercies are over them, because of their faith, to make them mighty unto the power of deliverance.

*1 Ne 3:18, 7:14, Ether 11:2, 22 - When the people lose the Spirit, they turn against prophets

*1 Ne 19:7 - When you reject prophets, you are trampling God under your feet

*2 Ne 26:3 - People perish because they reject prophets(perish in small and big ways)

*Mosiah 7:26-33: When you reject prophets, you reap what you sow - destruction

*Alma 15:16 - Sometimes even family and friends will reject you for doing what's right

*Alma 37:30, D&C 136:36 - Blood of prophets on their hands, judgments of God will come upon them

*Hel 13:25-26,27-30 - Different generations react differently to prophets, some destroy prophets unless they tell them what they want to hear.

*3 Nephi 28:34 - Receive the prophets and their words and He will receive you at the last day. D&C 138:20-21 - if not, you will not see Him

*Ether 7:24-25 - People rejected prophets, but king protected them

*Ether 8:25 - Satan is behind the killing/rejection of prophets

*D&C 1:14 - Those who reject the prophets shall be cut off among the people

*D&C 76:98-106 - Those who reject prophets will go to the telestial kingdom

*D&C 124:46 - When you reject prophets, you are polluting holy grounds/ordinances/words

*D&C 133:71-72 - You better listen/follow prophets because after them, there is no one to help you

*D&C 90:5 - It is not a light thing to follow the prophet - make sure you do it even when the winds blow 

God, Power of

     There is NOTHING more powerful than God who is the Almighty, the beginning and the end. His power lies mainly in creation and resurrection(2nd creation) and He gives us that power. By His grace, and by out faith, hope, prayer, fasting we can obtain that power through repentance, compassion, forgiveness, protection, and knowledge. All things are possible, nothing is impossible. Come unto Christ, have unshaken faith in His power and you will have miracles, strength, and glory and Satan will have no power over you.

*Gen 17:1 - God introduces himself as Almighty(Gen 28:3 - Almighty blesses thee), *Rev 1:8 - Almighty = Alpha, Omega, the beginning and the end, which is, which was, which is to come *Hel 10:11 - Testify to others that He is the Almighty

*Gen 18:14 - "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Sarah had a son

*Gen 49:25-27 - blessings from the Almighty are from heaven above, from underneath, from breast and womb

*1 Sam 14:6 - There is no restraint(end)to the Lord's power

*1 Sam 17:37 - The Lord's power will deliver you - from lions, from Philistines, from all. He is with thee.

*1 Sam 17:46 - Not only will the Lord deliver you, He will deliver things to you.

*2 Sam 22:33 - "God is my strength and power and he maketh my way perfect." -God's power is my power, my only power

*Jer 32:17 - God's power is creation. there is nothing too hard for Him.

*Jer 51:15 - "He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by His understanding."

*Mal 3:11(3 Ne 24:11) - The Lord will rebuke the devourer, he will not destroy your fruits, He will protect your fruit from being destroyed by others."

*Matt 8:26 - Christ's power comes from faith, quiets storms and creates great calms

*Matt 19:26, Mark 10:27, Luke 1:37, 18:27 - With God, ALL things are possible.

*Matt 22:29 - You err when you do not know the power of God.

*Matt 28:18(D&C 93:17) - Jesus has all power of heaven and earth, and the glory of the Father who dwells in him.

*John 1:3 - All things were made by Christ and His power.

*John 5:19-21 - Christ's power comes from the Father, He can only do what He sees the Father do, all creation comes from their power, as well as the power to resurrect(2nd creation)

*John 10:18 - Christ has power over His own life, to lay it down and take it up.

*Rom 4:17 - God's power = life(power of resurrection) - Rom 8:11 - Power of Spirit, resurrection

*Rom 13:1 - We are subject to God's power - there is no higher power, or other power really because all powers come from His.

*1 Cor 1:23-31 - God's power works in ways to confound the wise

*1 Tim 6:13 - God's power = "quickeneth all things" (Rom 4:17) - Calls name to all things, gives life.

*Heb 1:3 - Son is the image of the Father, has the glory and power of the Father

*Rev 4:8(11:17) - Lord=Almighty, is, was, is to come - reigns in power and glory - Rev 21:22 - Almighty="temple" - immortality

*Rev 19:6 - The Lord is omnipotent

*1 Ne1:14 - The Lord is Almighty with great and powerful works - his glory, power, and mercy is over all the inhabitants of Earth. -D&C 84:96 - with power can scourge, purify

*1 Ne 4:1 - He is mightier than all the earth - with Him on your side, you can do anything

*1 Ne 7:12 - All things are possible with the Lord - exercise faith in Him

*1 Ne 17:48-51 - Nephi filled/protected with the power of God, no one could touch him. God's power has wrought so many miracles - big and small - you can do anything with Him. *You could build a boat.

*2 Ne 27:20 - God does His own work.

*Jacob 4:11 - The power of resurrection is in Christ.

*Mosiah 4:9 - Believe in God's power, that He is, that He created all things, that He has all wisdom and power that you cannot comprehend now.

*Alma 26:35 - REJOICE because God has all power, all wisdom, all understanding, and is merciful - so repent

*Alma 57:26 - Armies of Helaman saved by faith and the power of God - no doubt

*Hel 12:11 - By the power of His voice doth the whole earth shake.

*Ether 3:4-5 - With faith in God's power, you can ask for miracles

*D&C 11:30 - If you believe, God gives you power.

*D&C 61:1 - God has all power, from beginning to end, listen to Him

*D&C 84:118 - The Lord Almighty - He can shake earth AND Heaven

*D&C 88:106 - Christ only one to trodden the winepress of the wrath/fierceness of the Almighty God

*D&C 121:4 - God is Almighty - creator of all things, controls the devil, appeal to his power for forgiveness, compassion, protection.

*D&C 121:33 - He will use His power to give you knowledge

*2 Kings 6:16 - "For they that be with us are more than they that be with them."

*2 Chron 32:7-8 - Be strong and courageous, fear not the arm of flesh, the Lord is with you and will help you and fight your battles - rest on these words.

*Job 42:2 - "I know that thou canst do everything" No thought is hidden from him.

*Isa 52:10 - arm of flesh vs. arm of God - power=resurrection - raising the dead, John 11:43, D&C 133:3

*Matt 17:20 - faith the size of a mustard seed has the power to move mountains, nothing is impossible. Ether 12:30, Matt 21:21, Mark 9:23 - all things are possible

*1 Ne 22:10 - Earth will not be blessed unless He shows His power(bares His arm), D&C 133:3

*Jacob 4:6-7 - hope leads to faith unshaken leads to power in the name of Christ *By His grace we have power

*WofM 1:17 - Holy men speak with power and authority to help people

*Alma 17:3 - Prayer, fasting leads to power and authority

*D&C 45:8 - Come unto Christ and you will have power to do miracles and have eternal life.

*Moses 1:4 - God's power(works&words)are without end, never cease.

*Moses 1:20 - God's power is over Satan, gives you strength and glory 

Babylon

 Babylon(physical and symbolic of wickedness) is Satan's city, it will not survive(flee it).

*Isa 13:19 - Babylon, in her glory, beauty, and excellence, shall be overthrown like Sodom and Gomorrah, Chap 13 - destruction of Babylon is a type of destruction at Second Coming - a day of wrath and vengeance - Babylon(the world)shall fall forever(2 Ne 23)

*Isa 14(2 Ne 24) - Israel shall triumph over Babylon

*Jer 51:1-2 - God will send a destroying wind and fanners(strangers who will scatter them)

*Jer 51:6 - Israel commanded to flee from Babylon

*Jer 51:37 - Babylon will become heaps, a dwelling place for jackals without inhabitants

*Jer 51 - judgments, destruction, and desolation comes to Babylon, Israel flees

*1 Peter 5:13 - Elders elected by church of Babylon

*Rev 14:8 - Babylon fell because of fornication and influence on others

*Rev 16:19 - The Lord remembered Babylon in His wrath.

*Rev 17:5 - Babylon: Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth

*Rev 18:2 - "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of the devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."

*Rev 18 - Saints called out of Babylon, she falls, she is lamented by her supporters

*1 Nephi 1:13 - When Jerusalem becomes wicked, inhabitants carried away into Babylon

*1 Nephi 10:3 - Jerusalem destroyed, many carried away captive to Babylon - in due time of the Lord, they'll return to the land of inheritance.

*1 Nephi 20:14 - The Lord will do what He will to Babylon

*2 Nephi 25:15 - Even when Babylon is destroyed, Jews still scattered by other nations

*Omni 1:15 - Mulekites left Jerusalem the same time Zedekiah carried away to Babylon (600 BC)

*D&C 1:16 - Mindset of Babylon: seek not the Lord to establish righteousness, but walk in own way after image of own god whose image is in likeness of the world whose substance is that of an idol - which all shall perish and fall like Babylon.

*D&C 35:11 - You will see nothing without faith except for destruction of Babylon.

*D&C 64:24 - The Lord will not spare any who remain in Babylon(make sure your mind is not in Babylon)

*D&C 86:3 - Babylon = apostate, whore, great persecutor of Church, Satan reigns there. While Babylon sleeps, Lord gathers His people.

*D&C 133:14 - Wickedness is spiritual Babylon - flee from Babylon to Jerusalem(righteousness)