This post is a continuation of this post, in which I looked at the description of the covenant as the messenger before God's face as noted in Doctrine & Covenants 45. In part 2, we'll look at the first of three phrases from Section 45 which describes how the covenant helps prepare a Zion people: the "strong reasoning" of God.
"[God's] strong reasoning"
How does God reason with man? This is a question I've been pondering for some time. My first thought went to a famous verse in Isaiah containing the word "reason":
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 1)
In light of the "two ways" reference in those verses, here's my summary of what God's strong reasoning looks like:
1) Without the covenant, mortality ends in death -- not just a return to the dust, either. We are talking about permanent separation from God. "...an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup." (Alma 40:26)
2) The covenant prepares the way whereby man may inherit all that the Lord has. In light of all the He stands ready to give us, it is disheartening how easy it is for us to lose sight of that and choose some other path instead! (See Helaman 12:4-6.)
I can't think of stronger reasoning than this. God's "strong reasoning" is to convince us of our infinite worth and persuade us to follow His Son in order to experience a fulness of joy in this life and an eternal reward (exaltation) in the next life. (See D&C 76:59.)
Yet we know that without faith in God, it is easy to discount the value of covenant blessings. Perhaps for this reason, Paul speaks of the wisdom of God as "hidden wisdom" --
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2)
The wisdom of the world, taught openly, comes to an end, just as the rewards of this world. God's wisdom is hidden and teaches us (through the power of the Spirit) of a reward of incomparable worth, "which God ordained before the world unto our glory."
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2)
To obtain this reward, we must embrace the reality of a day of judgment and the need to repent prior to that great day. The only way to be found clean is through the grace of Jesus Christ, offered freely to all as a wrapped gift (the covenant) and put into effect by those willing to unwrap the gift and make it effective in their life. (See Ether 4:13-15.)
The day of judgment is described in detail in Section 133. Just after describing those who will stand on His right hand at that day, we are told this about the everlasting covenant:
57 And for this cause, that men might be made partakers of the glories which were to be revealed, the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity—
58 To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth, and for the Lord’s errand in the day when the weak shall confound the wise, and the little one become a strong nation, and two shall put their tens of thousands to flight. (Doctrine & Covenants 133)
There you have it. God's strong reasoning. He does not want us to be deceived, yet He will not force us to accept the gift He has laid up for us. He invites us to "consider the end of [our] salvation" (D&C 46:7) as we seek Him and do those things which the Spirit testifies unto us.
In the next post, I'll move on to the next topic in the chain (D&C 45:8-13) -- "hearken ye together." When it comes to becoming a Zion people, personal righteousness is necessary but not sufficient. We must also learn to be one.