G. RANDALL KLIMT

Attorney At Law - Retired

1915 Severn Dr.

Salt Lake City, UT 84124

PH: (801)274-6702 E-MAIL: rklimt@interfold.com

It simply is NOT possible to overstate the importance of this message presented in the words

of Jesus and the prophets Isaiah, the original Nephi, Mormon and Joseph Smith.

WHY IS THE ENTIRE RESTORATION FAILING

THE LORD'S "TRIAL OF FAITH"?

An open letter to all restoration groups -- March, 2001

NOTE ON CITATIONS: Because my scriptures are LDS, LDS versification is used in the body of the quotes. RLDS versification for Book of Mormon and D&C quotes follows in square brackets, [RLDS]. RLDS have no versification for the Pearl of Great Price because they do not accept it.

In 3^rd Nephi 26:6-11 [RLDS 12:1-5] Mormon describes A TRIAL OF FAITH THE LORD HIMSELF GAVE to ALL those who will receive the Book Of Mormon:

6. And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which he taught the people;

7 But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people.

8 And these things have I written which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.

9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to TRY THEIR FAITH, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then SHALL THE GREATER THINGS be made manifest unto them.

10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them unto their condemnation.

11 Behold, I was about to write them, all which are engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but THE LORD FORBADE IT, SAYING: I WILL TRY THE FAITH OF MY PEOPLE.

Because these "greater things" from the sealed portion of the original record have not yet been received by any restoration church there can be no doubt that ALL OF THE RESTORATION CHURCHES ARE FAILING THE LORD'S TRIAL OF FAITH!

There is an abundance of additional corroborating evidence of this failure in modern scripture and elsewhere. For example, consider the following:

           (1) Why has a true Zion not yet been established by anyone?

(2) Why is the original restoration church and ALL descendant churches and their members under condemnation? D&C 84:49-59 [RLDS 83:7f-8c]

           (3) Why doesn't anyone have the plates of Ether? Ether 4:6-8 [RLDS 1:100-102]

(4) Why doesn't anyone have the full "unfolded" account of the revelation of John? Ether 4:16 [RLDS 1:113-14] HINT: The answer is given repeatedly in Ether 4:6-15 [RLDS 1:100-112]

(5) Why are so very few Melchizedek Priesthood holders enjoying the full power and authority to which they may and should attain?

D&C 107:18-19 [RLDS 104:9] The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church -

19 To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant.

See also D&C 84 [RLDS 83] - the entire section bears pondering but what's missing today is highlighted in verses 32-39 & 64-72. [RLDS 83:6:b-f & 10:c-11f]

(6) Why did the Savior personally warn us at least FOUR separate times that the Lamanites could "tread down the Gentiles" (i.e. the restoration people)? See 3 Nephi 16:15; 20:16; 21:12; & 21:22 [RLDS 7:40-41; 9:51-52; 9:99; 10:1]

(7) What is the “fulness of the gospel” that the Lord Himself tells us the “Gentiles shall sin against... and shall reject” as a consequence of which He “will bring the fulness... from among them” and bring “unto my people, O house of Israel,...”. 3 Nephi 16:10-11 [RLDS 7:34-36]

(8) Was not Joseph's last dream, which he had the night before his martyrdom, a symbolic representation of this failure? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Joseph Fielding Smith, pp. 393-94.)

(8) Why did Joseph say that the sorrow and despair of many at the resurrection would be "indescribably dreadful"? TPJS top of pg 325.

There is plenty more evidence but this is more than sufficient to make the point.

TO ME THESE ARE MATTERS OF THE GRAVEST AND MOST PROFOUND IMPORTANCE!

THE ANSWER

Perhaps it will be no surprise that the answer to EVERY ONE of these situations is the same.

It is the message that has been almost completely removed from both the Old and New Testament.

It is the core truth that has been fully restored in the Book of Mormon for it is the central message of that sacred record. It is also a constant theme of the Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

It is THE MESSAGE which the Adversary has been almost completely successful in destroying or distorting in virtually every dispensation of the Gospel from the very beginning, including this dispensation.

It is THE CENTRAL TRUTH WHICH ALL RESTORATION SAINTS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY COMMANDED TO TEACH and which the Book of Mormon expressly says they will largely reject. While most are aware of many of the key scriptures I think the Adversary has largely prevailed so far in this dispensation by clouding understanding and seemingly small but oh so profoundly damaging twists of these key scriptures.

IT IS WHAT MUST HAPPEN TO A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REESTABLISH THE TRUE ZION.

It is also what qualifies one for entry into the Church of the Firstborn. Remember that the mission of the 144,00 is to "bring as many as will come to the church of the Firstborn." D&C 77:11 [RLDS - not in D&C]

THE "LOST" CORE TRUTH is the absolute necessity for every one to seek for and obtain their own remission of sins through an event or experience known by many names including " the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost." Remission of sins DOES NOT COME thru or with mere baptism in water. While there is a process of qualifying for it, the actual Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost is a profound, recognizable experience that, among other things, changes human nature by expunging the natural man, fills one with the pure love of Christ, and bestows a COMPLETE remission of sins. IT IS THE APPLICATION OF THE SAVIOR'S ATONEMENT TO ONE'S LIFE. Mosiah 4:2 [RLDS 2:2-4] IT IS THE WAY ONE BECOMES CLEAN AND THEREFORE ELIGIBLE TO RETURN TO FATHER'S PRESENCE. It is the mighty change that fills one's heart with charity and enables a group of such changed people to establish a true Zion Society. Moses 7:27; 4 Nephi 1 [RLDS same]. The entire restoration movement has conclusively demonstrated that a true Zion society can not be established with those who are still "natural men".

One of the big keys to seeing the central importance of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost is to become aware that the scriptures use many synonyms to refer to it including the following: come unto Christ; conversion; sanctification; born again; becoming a son of God; becoming clean; becoming as a little child; born of the Spirit; becoming a new creature in Christ; hope; entering into the strait and narrow path; having clean hands and a pure heart; mighty change of heart; receiving the Holy Ghost; regeneration; remission of sins; partaking of the goodness of God; and spiritual healing. All these synonyms and more can be most often identified by recognizing one or more of the effects of this mighty change of heart then being discussed.

THE TRIAL OF FAITH the Lord refers to in the opening scripture is the doctrine of the remission of sins in the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. THIS IS WHAT EVERY ONE OF THE RESTORATION GROUPS HAS FAILED TO UNDERSTAND, TEACH AND RECEIVE! This becomes apparent as one becomes aware of this doctrine and its many synonyms and then sees that this is the central message of the Book of Mormon. It is also the heart of the Savior's message in 3^rd Nephi and the principal doctrine restored by this magnificent record.

SOME EVIDENCE OF THIS CORE TRUTH I start with THE SAVIOR'S OWN STATEMENTS OF HIS GOSPEL:

D&C 39:5 [RLDS 39:2] And verily, verily, I say unto you, HE THAT RECEIVETH MY GOSPEL RECEIVETH ME; AND HE THAT RECEIVETH NOT MY GOSPEL RECEIVETH NOT ME.

6. And this is my gospel, - repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peacable things of the kingdom.

In at least four additional places, JESUS PERSONALLY defines His gospel as including the element of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. D&C 33:11-12; 3^rd Nephi 9:13-22; 11:28-41; & 27:13-29 [RLDS D&C 32:2g-3a; 3^rd Nephi 4:41-52; 5:28-43; 12:25-13:5] . See also Nephi's unsurpassed discussion in 2^nd Nephi beginning at 31:1 through 32:6 [RLDS 13:1-14:8] and Enoch's retelling of Adam's explanation of the Gospel and the account of Adam's complete baptism in Moses 6:40-68.

Christ then tells us in verses 11 and 18 [RLDS 3e & 5b] that the gospel as He has just defined it is the “FULNESS of my gospel”. How many classes have you sat in while the class speculated about what exactly constituted the “FULNESS” of the gospel and the teacher made of list on the chalkboard of these speculations? Well, that question is forever answered by these few verses. By simply following a few references in the footnotes on the phrase ”fulness of the gospel”, one can also quickly see that this same gospel definition is also referred to as the “everlasting covenant.” D&C 66:2; 133:57 [RLDS 66:1b; 108:11a] By using this same technique you can also identify yet more names for it in the scriptures, such as the ”new and everlasting covenant.” Heb. 7:8-13

COMMANDMENTS TO TEACH THE FULNESS INCLUDING THE BAPTISM OF FIRE

D&C 19:31 [RLDS 18:4d-5a] And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.

32 Behold, this is a great and the last COMMANDMENT which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life.

33 And misery thou shalt receive if thou wilt slight these counsels, yea, even the destruction of thyself and property.See also D&C 49:11-14; 53:3-4; & 55:1-3. [RLDS 49: 2f-h; 53:2b; 55:1] Also, in 3^rd Nephi 11[RLDS 5], the Lord, after again defining His gospel in verses 31-38 [RLDS 5:32-40] to include "fire and the Holy Ghost", then says in verses 39-41[ RLDS 5:41-43]:

39 Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.

40 And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock; but he buildeth upon a sandy foundation, and the gates of hell stand open to receive such when the floods come and the winds beat upon them.

41 Therefore, go forth unto this people, and DECLARE THE WORDS WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN, unto the ends of the earth.

The commandment to "teach nothing but repentance unto this generation" (D&C 6:9; 11:9; 14:8; & 18:6) [RLDS 6:4b; 10:4b; 12:4b; 16:2a] is well known. In D&C 19 [RLDS 18] the Lord makes it clear that "repentance" is one of the many synonyms for the rebirth in the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. In D& C 19 [RLDS 18], after three times commanding Martin Harris to repent (vs. 13, 15 and 20) [RLDS 2f; 2g; 2k] and then in verse 21 [RLDS 2l] commanding Martin to "preach naught but repentance", finally, in verse 31 [RLDS 4d] the Lord restates and clarifies this commandment, telling Martin to "declare repentance, and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost." Clearly Jesus was not giving Martin two different commandments about what to preach, but only explaining it in different words.

JOSEPH SMITH The Prophet Joseph plainly taught the paramount importance of the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost:

           You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half - that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

           The Savior says, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." "Though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." according to Galations 1:8. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, at pg 314.

           The baptism of water, without the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost attending it is of no use; they are necessarily and inseparable connected. An individual must be born of water and the Spirit in order to get into the kingdom of God. TPJS at pg. 360.

THE REASON THAT BAPTISM BY WATER IS USELESS WITHOUT THE BAPTISM OR FIRE AND THE HOLY GHOST, IS BECAUSE THE BAPTISM OF FIRE APPLIES THE SAVIOR'S ATONEMENT TO THAT PERSON AND GRANTS A REMISSION OF SINS. WITHOUT THE REMISSION OF SINS THE SAVIOR'S ATONEMENT MIGHT AS WELL NEVER HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS WHY REJECTING THE BAPTISM OF FIRE AND THE HOLY GHOST IS A REJECTION OF CHRIST HIMSELF. D&C 39:5 [RLDS 39:2a]. Only those whose garments have been washed clean in His Blood may return to the presence of God. D&C 88:21; Mormon 9:6, 14; Moroni 10:32-33 [RLDS D&C 85:5a; Mormon 4:65, 74; Moroni 10:29-30] Every person is under the condemnation and bondage of sin until receiving their own remission of sins through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. D&C 84:49-59 [RLDS 83:7f-8c]

SCRIPTURES INDICATING THE RESTORATION SAINTS WOULD REJECT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. The original Nephi and Mormon, who both saw our day, spoke in uncompromisingly stern language of the sins of ALL THE RESTORATION SAINTS. See 2 Nephi 28 and Mormon 8 [RLDS 2 Nephi 12:1-41; Mormon 4:1-56]. Among the several charges in these chapters one finds the following: "Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ?", Mormon 8:38 [RLDS 4:51-53]; "they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance. And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel;..." 2 Nephi 28:4-5 [RLDS 12:5-7] ; "Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!", 2 Nephi 28:26 [RLDS 12:31].

The same message is apparent in 2 Nephi 32:7 [RLDS 14:9]. There Nephi, after writing the plainest, most complete explanation in all of scripture of the doctrine of Christ and the necessity of the baptism of fire, is forbidden by the Spirit from writing more and then sorrowfully pens this sobering lament:

And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be."

This could only be referring to ALL THE RESTORATION SAINTS, since they are the ONLY ones who would have his record.

While there is much more that could be said, what I’ve presented is more than sufficient to make the point.

SEVERAL KEY SCRIPTURAL FIGURES WERE SLOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF FIRE Peter had not yet been converted (changed) in the final few days of the Savior's mortal ministry. Luke 22:32 The 12 Nephite "disciples" had apparently not yet received their baptism of fire until the second day of the risen Lord's ministry among them even after their years of service. 3 Nephi 19:9 [RLDS 9:10] Their baptism of fire described in Chap. 19 [RLDS 9] is considered by some to be the crowning jewel of the message of the Book of Mormon. In this dispensation, apparently neither Thomas B. Marsh nor any other member of the original 12 apostles had received their remission of sins as of July 23, 1837. See D&C 112:13 [RLDS 105:5d]

THE ADVERSARY'S DISTORTIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE BAPTISM OF FIRE. I don't know exactly how or when the distortion of understanding of the baptism of fire began in this dispensation. However, the fact that both Joseph and Brigham Young returned after their deaths to deliver the same message of the absolute need to get the Spirit certainly is strong evidence indeed that the drift away from this vital core truth was well underway by then. Joseph's return to Brigham Young is recorded in Journal History of the Church, Feb. 23, 1847. Brigham's return to Wilford Woodruff is recorded in the Journal of Discourses vol. 21, pg. 318.

The distortions of this vital core doctrine include the following:

           A belief by a great many that mere confirmation of membership in which one is directed to "receive the Holy Ghost" satisfies this requirement.

           A belief that the "mighty change of heart" is instead a "mighty gradual change" that occurs over a lifetime of faithful service and is not a recognizable experience.

           A belief that the multitude of examples in the Book of Mormon of the baptisms of fire are rare exceptions and/or should not be sought after or even seriously considered. If this nonsense were true, then pray tell, why is every single account of this in the scriptures an account of a dramatic experience and why is there not a single scripture that speaks of a gradual, slow, unrecognizable change? 3 Nephi 9:20 [RLDS 4:49-50] refers to the experience of 300 Lamanites recounted in Helaman Chaps 5 & 6 [RLDS 2:63-168] What they didn't know was what had happened to them.

           A belief that anytime one experiences the touch of the Spirit that also constitutes a "baptism of fire". If this were true a better term for it would be "baptism by slowly warming" rather than "baptism of fire".

           A belief that mere water baptism brings about a remission of sins which is renewed every time one takes the Sacrament.

           Some even believe that they must personally overcome all of their own weaknesses and sins by their own efforts BEFORE the Savior's Atonement can apply to them.

ACCORDING TO THE SAVIOR'S OWN WORDS, EVERY ONE OF THE ABOVE BELIEFS "COMETH OF EVIL". 3 Nephi 11:40 [RLDS 5:42]

MORE SOBERING SCRIPTURES THAT PERTAIN TO THE LATTER DAYS In addition to the severe words in 2 Nephi 28 and Mormon 8 already mentioned [RLDS 2 Nephi 12:1-41; Mormon 4:1-56], Ezekiel and Isaiah also have even stronger and more solemn messages about the restoration churches in these latter days.

Verses 30-33 of Ezekiel 33 refer to a people who "hear thy words, but they will not do them." Yet more solemn and sobering words are in Ezekiel 34 about "shepherds of Israel who feed themselves and not the flocks".

Isaiah offers stunningly strong statements on pride in chapter 28:1-9, 14-19 which fully corroborate the grave words of warning about pride in Mormon 8 and in 2 Nephi 28 [RLDS 2 Nephi 12:1-41; Mormon 4:1-56]. Within the LDS community their recent past President Ezra Taft Benson's final message to the LDS people in April 1989 was "Beware of Pride" which he identified as "the sin of Zion". Ensign, May 1989, pp. 4-7. See also Isa. 9:13-16, 2 Nephi 28:14, 21 & 24-25 [RLDS 12:16-17; 12:25-6; 12:30-31] and Isa. 56:10-12.

If these very pointed and powerful scriptures aren't thunderbolts to your heart that cause some sleepless nights then you understand these scriptures far differently than I do.

CONCLUSION: I've documented a most grave situation applicable to each and every restoration church or group. I've also presented what the Spirit has shown me in the scriptures as the only possible solution. My objective is to get your attention so that you take the matter to the Lord. I certainly don't expect you to take my word for it.

I have tried for years to teach the need to seek for and receive one's own remission of sins through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. Almost without exception the biggest single barrier to overcome is some variation of "Why aren't my church leaders telling me this?"

I know there are many throughout the entire restoration movement who are starving for more and who would hear and respond to this message if plainly presented by their church leaders.

I also believe that unless this message is begun to be properly taught, it is quite possible that very, very few will survive the cleansing tribulations that are about to begin.

The most complete explanation and discussion ever written on the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, including scriptural proof of every statement I’ve made here, is found in the book "Experiencing The Mighty Change". It is currently out of print but NOW available for FREE on the web at <www.eagle-net.org/ETMC/> and can be downloaded in either Corel's "WordPerfect" or Microsoft's "Word" format.

May you have ears to hear and eyes to see this vital message.

Your brother in the restored gospel,

G. Randall Klimt

See also

Index of Writings by G. Randall Klimt

Posted Jan. 17, 2003

"Would God that ALL the Lord's People Were PROPHETS"

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