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Manifestation through Rick Marsh during a season of prayer for direction from the Lord - Feb. 13, 1999
Message as Delivered:
"My children, Why do you lament so. I am with you. You seek happiness. Let your hearts be full. I am with you and will be with you. Stand fast and receive my glory and through you I will shine. Stand fast. Be patient my children for the time is close at hand."
Reflections on this Message:
"My children, Why do you lament so. I am
with you."
[Mat 9:16] And Jesus said
unto them, Can the children of the bride-chamber mourn, as long
as the bridegroom is with them?
[Mat 9:17] But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be
taken from them, and then shall they fast.
"You seek happiness. Let your hearts be
full."
We sought direction from
the Lord. We were not been praying for "happiness".
This statement must imply that the answer that we needed had
ALREADY been given, otherwise it would contradict the principles
of God in the scriptures below. It is hard to reconcile this
statement with the circumstances of our petition for direction.
[James 2:16] For if a brother or sister be naked and destitute,
and one of you say, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled;
notwithstanding he give not those things which are needful to the
body; what profit is your faith unto such?
[Luke 11:12] If a son shall ask bread of any of you who is a
father, will he give him a stone? or, if a fish, will he for a
fish give him a serpent? If we believe that the necessary
direction had already been given, then this statement means that
the Lord desired to fill our hearts with his peace and light --
which was witnessed by many in this meeting.
"I am with you and will be with you."
[Mat 28:18] Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost;
[Mat 28:19] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, unto the end of the
world. Amen.
"Stand fast and receive my glory and
through you I will shine. Stand fast. Be patient my children for
the time is close at hand."
[Heb 10:23] Let us hold
fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is
faithful that promised;
[Heb 10:24] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love
and to good works;
[Heb 10:25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much
the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Notes and Comments:
My own testimony on this is simply that the delivery was abrupt and was itself delivered as a lamentation as if being forced from the messenger. While I waited for brother Joseph Smith to give direction to us (as he was in charge of the service) I was made aware of the need to continue petitioning God for the guidance we required. Brother Joseph did not cease the season of prayer, but led us to continue in the attitude of prayer and beseeching the Lord for guidance. I immediately felt a confirmation from the Spirit of God, that we were to continue in our petitions, and the peace of God rested again upon my heart as we contiued in prayer and supplication. My brother Bill who also attended this meeting expressed the same assurances were given to him by the Spirit, that we were to continue our prayers.
It was during this same service (prior to this manifestation) that I first received the vision and counsel which I was instructed to deliver at the next day’s preaching service, which was later that day (during a presentation by G. Wheeler) given to me by the Spirit to record.
This very short statement is chiastic in form. The chiastic format points only to the statement "Ye desire happiness - Let your hearts be full".
Elder Peter P. Gould
Chiastic considerations:
A-- My children, Why do you lament so?
B-- I am with you.
Central-- You seek happiness. Let your hearts be full.
B-- I am with you and will be with you. Stand fast and receive my glory and through you I will shine. Stand fast.
A-- Be patient my children for the time is close at hand.