The "Cannot" Scriptures

There are several ways that the word “cannot” is used in the scriptures.  

The first has to do with human inability where there are declarations that one cannot do more because of limitations of time, space or strength.  This is how we commonly use the word cannot in our everyday language.  “I can’t do more than I’m already doing.  I can’t go to the store right now because….”   This usage of the word “cannot” has many variables and is not particularly pertinent as far as teaching doctrines of the gospel.   An example of this use of “cannot” in the scriptures is as follows:

8 And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years;

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 5:8)

A second and by far more profound use of the word has to do with eternal laws..  In the “cannot” verses of the scripture we have a picture clearly laid out before us of the roles of justice and mercy and the plainness in which these truths are communicated to man so that man cannot misunderstand the plan of salvation.  This is particularly true in the Book of Mormon but all of the scriptures contain such declarations.  There are laws given unto this world and laws that pertain to the next world  that are immutable and “cannot” be violated or “God would cease to be God.”  (Book of Mormon | Alma 42:13)

The “cannot” scriptures testify of the atonement of Jesus Christ and that He is the only way by which man can be saved.  Whereas at first we may feel that the “cannot” scriptures are in the negative realm, upon closer reading we find that they are joyous declarations that salvation is ”sure” and “cannot” fail us if we but heed those directives given to us plainly in the scripture.  The Book of Mormon particularly seems to play a roll of plainness so that man “cannot” misunderstand the way in which he may return to God.  The Book of Mormon clearly illuminates the path and then states that we are “free to choose.”  It is not God who determines our salvation or condemnation.  The path is laid out before mankind and he chooses his own destiny in the end.  It is through God’s perfect love and charity and compassion for his children that He speaks plainly through His prophets to his children upon the earth.  The “cannot” scriptures are spoken in plainness so that we cannot misunderstand.

Here are a few examples:

24 ¶ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

23 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:23)

Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof

Alma 32:38-39

34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.

(Book of Mormon | Ether 12:32 - 34)

My favorite “cannot” scripture is as follows:

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

(Book of Mormon | Helaman 5:12)

Helaman could have used the phrase “will not” but instead he said “cannot.”  When “cannot” is used the implication is that the end result is built upon something that is unchangeable, something that is larger than will.  It is “sure” because there is no other possible outcome.

Helaman is teaching his sons that if they will build their lives upon Christ it will be a “sure” foundation and they “cannot” fall.  What a joyous declaration that is.

 And how about:

34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 6:34)

The "cannot" scriptures remind us that mercy is as sure as justice.

“Or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide?”

38 Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof.

39 Behold, canst thou read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy heart for gladness?

40 Or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide?

41 Or canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me?  Yea, come unto me thy Savior.  Amen.      D& C 19:39-41

Verse 40: “Or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide?” 

This seems to me to be an injunction from the Lord to teachers.  When we fail to really seek out further light and knowledge and to obtain truth ourselves I believe we are to some degree blind guides.  We teach from a limited point of view a surface understanding of the gospel.  We fail to tap into the power and saving strength, the vitality and life that is available for us.  We teach out of ignorance because we ourselves have not personally sought through study, prayer, faith, diligence to know, to understand and to LIVE the principles of the gospel.

Verse 31:  “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.”

This seems a bit of a contradiction to what I just wrote but I think not at all.  The power of the gospel is generated by repentance, faith, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  That is the crux and the foundation that must never be left behind or we will cease to progress.  As a teacher however our personal study and seeking of the tenets of the gospel, even the mysteries of the kingdom will give us greater personal spiritual power.  Any increase of light and knowledge will allow us to teach with greater strength and effectiveness.  We will have increased ability to lift others even if we are teaching nothing but repentance, faith etc.

Be Thou Humble

Neal A. Maxwell

10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:10)

I'm reading Neal A. Maxwell's  Meek and Lowly..  There are a handful of books I have read in my life which I would consider pivotal markers for me in my journey back to Heavenly Father.  This book will make that list.as does much of Elder Maxwell's insightful and humble, yet brilliant writings.  I chose the above picture of Elder Maxwell because it shows him at the end of his mortal journey, seasoned and taught by experience and humility.  I have thought I would post a quote or two but as everything both before and after chosen selections seems equally significant I find myself wanting to put up entire chapters so I will just recommend the book to whomever happens upon this blog post.

Chapter Five contains this quote from Joseph Smith: 

"Why will not man learn Wisdom by precept & example at this late age of the world & not be obliged to learn every thing we know by sad experience?"  (The Words of Joseph Smith p.7)

*

Recently a dear friend shared with me a thought: "Remember that even in destruction the Lord's purposes are being fulfilled."  We talked about that idea.  She said that often the Lord has to deconstruct an old situation, habits, ways of operating, most commonly through difficulty and trial  in order to rebuild us in His Image, to make us more like He is, to create a new inner and sometimes outer environment.  This is similar to the idea of being born again - of overcoming the natural and carnal man and becoming a spiritual man.  She talked about this principle in our lives personally as well as circumstantially.   A number of years ago this same friend and I discussed building and construction images in the gospel.  The word edify comes from the same root as the word edifice.  So when we edify someone or receive edification ourselves, we are building their or our own spiritual edifices.  That is an interesting tie-in to Paul's declaration in Ephesians that the church is build upon a foundation of apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone.  Anciently, the chief cornerstone was the first block laid in a foundation.  If it is perfectly square  (as the Savior is) then as all the other stones are added the foundation will square off.  I love that analogy in relationship to building our lives square against the gospel the Savior taught..  We need a perfect square (the Savior) to measure ourselves against in order that we might make needed adjustments.  Thus our houses will be build upon the rock.  I think it is interesting that Jesus was a builder by profession.  When Randy and I were in Israel one of our guides said that there are some sources that indicate the word that is translated as "carpenter" can also be translated as a stone mason so some think that perhaps Jesus was a stone mason.  Either way, carpenter or stone mason, it's symbolic that He, the builder of our souls was a builder by profession.   My friend said, "think of the word understanding.  Literally it means 'that which is underneath your standing?' or 'that which are you standing on,'" the correlation being, that the greater our understanding of the gospel is, the more solid the foundation upon which we stand.  

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  Ephesians 2:19-22

...and their hearts were open.

Look to the Children - Minerva Teichert

33 And the multitude did hear and do bear record; and their hearts were open and they did understand in their hearts the words which he prayed. (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 19:33)

The phrase "and their hearts were open" is simple yet highly instructive and an important key in the spiritual outpouring the Nephites experienced with the Savior at the temple in Bountiful.  How open are our hearts? What is the spiritual outcome of a closed heart? If we are truly honest with ourselves we can feel the condition of our heart and whether we receive the words of truth with joy or whether we resist.  We can sense if seeds of truth take root of if they fall by the wayside.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed.  Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.   (Book of Mormon | Alma 32:28)

It seems that a willingness to believe is a key to having an open heart.  I would guess that humility, meekness and and being teachable also contribute.  These qualities are the antitheses of pride, the bedrock of a closed and hardened heart.

The Old Testament talks about a circumcised heart which symbolizes a heart that has been cut or broken open to receive the seeds of the gospel, the seeds of healing from the Savior.

6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.   (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 30:6)


No wonder the Lord uses trials  and tribulations to plow our ground that our hearts might perhaps be more open to his teachings which will heal us.

An open heart leads to life eternal.

20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost
(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 9:20)
 
Our part of the equation is to exercise faith, to extend belief, to let go of unbelief, to act in humility, to become teachable as a little child.


15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.

(Book of Mormon | Ether 4:15)
 
Beautiful promises!! We can pray that our hearts will be opened to receive His word. The process must begin with our own choosing to take that initial step towards faith.


7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 2:7)

Feel and See...

Jesus Christ in America by Walter Rane

Third Ne. has some interesting descriptions of the Savior's visit to the Nephites.  One of the first things He did was to have the Nephites come up one by one to touch the wounds in his hands and feet and thrust their hands into his side that they "may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world."  He not only wanted them to see him but to have a tangible, person, intimate experience with him. 

He repeats this pattern of wanting them to have a full witness.  In Chapter 18 He instructs the disciples:

25 And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world;
(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 18:25)

Again he wants us not only to see but to feel.  It reminds me of the instruction in the D&C to Oliver Cowdery on receiving revelation:

2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

(Doctrine and Covenants | Section 8:2)

Our testimonies are based on both intellectual knowledge and upon those things felt deeply in our hearts.  And at some point our personal testimony of the Savior will be a full and sure witness based upon both sight and touch.


Other verses in Third Nephi that indicate the multi-sensory nature of the Savior's visit to the Nephites are:

16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.

(Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 17:16 - 17)

As Elder Holland indicated in a talk a few years back, how did the Nephites "see" Jesus' prayer as well as hear it? 

There are spiritual dimensions that seem to be left untapped by most if not all of us.  The Book Mormon gently prods us to continue to seek greater faith, further light and knowledge.  We have been promised more will come forth unto us when we fully live what we have been given.  That will be a glorious time!

 Walter Rane

And He Healed Them All Every One by Gary Kapp

I'm currently reading in 3rd Nephi in the Book of Mormon.  It's hard to choose favorite books and chapters from the Book of Mormon as there are so many, but if pressed I would be tempted to choose 3rd Nephi.

This morning as I was reading chapter 18 I was again reminded of a pattern that I have noticed before.  The Savior in administering the sacrament first broke bread and gave it to His chosen disciples.  When they had eaten and were filled He then commanded that they give the bread to the multitude.  This sequence was repeated with the wine.

I believe the Savior was instituting His pattern for dispersing salvation to mankind.  The Savior calls those to whom He gives the authority to act for Him.  He then ministers to them and they minister to the rest of us.  How grateful I am to live in a time where there are apostles and prophets who have authority from the Savior to act in His name.  

Verse 13 has always caught my attention also.  The Savior says after giving the charge to teach the keeping of the commandments through the administering of the sacrament, "But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation...."  We often focus on what it means to do less - the not keeping of the commandments or the breaking of them.    But what does it mean for us to do more than this?  I wonder if when we add unto what the Savior has given if we become like the pharisees, following many procedures that are hollow of true spirituality.  Much to-do gives us the illusion of spiritual business leaving us little time for the core of the gospel which is faith, repentance, the keeping of baptismal covenants and receiving and following the gift of the Holy Ghost. Indeed the Savior has shown us the path and we need not add to it.  It is sufficient and abundant.