Mormon Chronicle EXCLUSIVE! Never before available personal writings of Elder H. Verlan Andersen
But the Book of Mormon predicts another great division among the people and this is the one which we are interested in today because it is in the process of occurring.
1) 2 Ne. 30:10;
2) This same division is mentioned in D&C 63:54;
3) See also D&C 1:14; 3 Ne. 21:20;
4) The Gentiles are not to be completely destroyed (2 Ne. 30:1);
5) Alternate blessing and cursing of Gentiles (1 Ne. 14:7);
6) The Great Division mentioned (1 Ne. 14:12-14);
7) John the Revelator told the balance of the story (1 Ne 14:20).
When the great division comes it will be between those who accept the testimony of the Book of Mormon on the one hand and those who refuse to see the hand of God in our punishments on the other.
There will be those who contend that our troubles are being caused by those who refuse to go along with government regimentation and those who insist that the answer to our problems lies in ever greater government control. They will continue to insist upon this as the only way we can live in this atomic age.
In essence the division will be drawn down that line which separates those who have faith in God from those who rely on the arm of flesh.
Those who elected to accept Christ’s plan of free agency and thus kept their first estate were permitted to come to earth, have mortal bodies, and associate with others who made the same choice. On the other hand, those who kept not their first estate were not permitted to have glory in the same kingdom with those who kept their first estate. (Abraham 3:26) They are condemned to suffer the company of one another, of other proud, rebellious, hate-filled spirits. And what a misery-filled existence that must be. How grateful we should be that we chose to follow Christ and are able to associate with others who prefer love rather than hate; joy rather than misery; freedom rather than bondage.
But in addition to the one great division between those who followed Satan and those who followed Christ, there were many other segregation’s or divisions made between those who came to earth. The Apostle Paul explained this to the people of Athens in his famous speech on Mars hill. (Read Acts 17:24, 26)
Reference is made once again to the scripture quoted earlier in which the Savior stated that He would judge the nations and would divide the people as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats with the sheep on the right hand and the goats on the left.
This indicates that there will be a major division between the righteous and the wicked. In another scripture found in the book of St. John, the Savior again made reference to the final judgment in these words:
…the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his (Christ’s) voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28-29)
Here the Lord speaks of the resurrection of two distinct groups of people, the good and the evil. But have not all sinned? Are not we all guilty of transgression?
Who then can possibly be included among those of the first resurrection or the resurrection of life? Of course it is the atoning sacrifice of the Lord which makes it possible for anyone to be cleansed of their sins by proper repentance; but still this does not exactly identify the basis for the great division.
Is it based upon cleanliness or purity? The scriptures repeatedly warn us that no unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and we must conclude that virtue is an indispensable requisite for those who dwell with the righteous in the hereafter.
But there is the parable of the Ten Virgins which indicates that even though we are pure, still there is only a 50-50 chance of being admitted into the Kingdom of Heaven. What more then is necessary?
In the Book of Acts, the Apostle Paul asserts that…there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both the just and the unjust. (Acts 24:15) Modern revelation assures us that the resurrection of life spoken of by the Savior is indeed the resurrection of the just while the resurrection of damnation is that of the unjust. Here then is the basis for the great division which is to be made at the end of this life.
This is justice in its most poetic form, for each person to be treated as he treats others. To implement this underlying law of justice, all the Lord needs to do is to divide us into homogenous groups at the end of each stage of our existence, and place us with that group we are most like. By so doing He confines us to a society of individuals who are disposed to treat us just like we are disposed to treat them. Thus it is the associates we are placed with who actually implement the law. They treat us as we treat them.
Personal Notes, / /1968, (Talk, / /1968)
I wish there were more written on his ideas about the position of those who want to lean o the arm of flesh versus those that are prepared to lean on the arm of the Lord and their faith. I am glad to have these thoughts of his at least.
“Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen” is the second most significant book I ever read, although I own and have read all of his books, at least once. MACBFAC has the distinction of being the only book to be endorsed at General Conference by a living prophet, Elder Andersen’s best friend President Benson, as far as I know. I tell LDS all the time that if you want to discover ahead of time whether the Savior will see you as a wise virgin or a foolish one, MACBFAC will tell you better than any other book does, and it isn’t what you think. It has almost nothing to do with how active we are, or even necessarily what Church we belong to. It’s all about developing at least a sufficient understanding of and commitment to key principles of exaltation, primarily charity and
it’s sister principle agency. I find that most LDS don’t really understand these principles, although we talk about them all the time. I also find that most LDS make the huge mistake of segregating their political philosophy from their membership in the Church. Most LDS don’t seem to understand, as Elder Andersen pointed out, that our political philosophy will determine more than will any other factor whether we are worthy candidates for exaltation. The reason for this is the fact that our political philosophy indicates when we feel that the use of force is appropriate, and when it is not. Remember, it was the wrong attitude about force that cost a third of us to be cast into outer darkness. It is therefore an awful shame that most LDS see no connection here.
I totally agree with you. This is an area where LDS are missing so much and I can only oray that our Heavenky Father will open the eyes of those not yet opened to these truths. Thank you for a very needed comment.
The scriptrures are very clear about a separation in the last days. What is not as obvious is that it will split the church, and separate the wheat from the chaff. Membership is not enough, and following the prophet blindly is not safety. The only safety is taking the Holy Spirit as our guide, and being close to the Lord. The scripture mentioning that ” they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” will be very applicable at that time. To be worthy to receive the Savior at his coming requires a high level of sanctification.
Follow the prophets. And that, the living prophets and the Twelve Apostles. They will never lead us astray, they hold the keys (knowledge by way of Revelation) of the Priesthood.
There is a long scriptural analysis here http://josephpaneah.com/myhousefirst.html which speaks of house cleaning in his own house first. When some of the other prophecies & etc. on that site speak of half of the church leaving off the top, then half of the other half because of the tribulation . . . there is only one thing that I can think of that would make half of the people quit on day 1. Section 132
Verlan’s testimony and assessment of the Book of Mormon being a prophecy of our day is clear beyond dispute. His identifying “the crime of history” in chapter XIV entitled Priestcraft in his book “The Great and Abominable Church of two Devil” will buckle the knees of “those who have eyes to see.” Also chapter XVIII entitled The Apostacy of the Latter Days, from the same book.
One more thought on the great division. Both in Matt. 7 and in 3rd Nephi 14 Jesus talks about the “few” and the “many.” No where in the scriptures does it say 1/3 followed Satan. Is says “a third part.” Few can never be 66 percent. Especially since I.V. Matt. 24:23 It speaks of false Christ’s and prophets if possible, deceiving the very elect according to the covenant.