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JON - This question comes from reading some books by Denver Snuffer. Can we get the 2nd comforter and how? But the most important question. He states that we live similar lives over again and again to progress until the judgement day. Meaning that we die, then are born again either here or some place else to continue our learning process until we have learned as much as we can before judgement. A eternal round of lives. That we have a choice to stay in the spirit world or return again to try and endure and learn more. He mentions that the Prophet Joseph Smith was teaching this, but everyone just was not ready for it. Like Polygamy. Is there something to Eternal Rounds and coming back to earth again and again, if we choose to learn more until Judgement.
JOEL - There are some who have received the second comforter, meaning that Jesus Christ has manifested Himself to an individual
because of their tremendous faith and righteousness. I will refer you to a similar question I answered at the following
address: http://www.mormonhaven.com/diane3.htm
In regards to the second question about the eternal round of lives, there are some who, as you say, believe that church
leaders like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, might have suggested such a concept, but it has never been
accepted as official church doctrine. There are some fundamentalist LDS groups who include it as part of their doctrine
refering to this concept as "multiple mortal probations".
Like reincarnation this doctrine is incompatible with the true doctrine of the resurrection of the body, through the
redeeming service of Jesus Christ. The continuous changing from one body to the next would make the resurrection and any
redeeming act, unnecessary.
President George Q Cannon addressed this issue which apparently was a popular idea among some church members:
"That a belief in reincarnation should prevail among the Latter-day Saints seems strange for there is nothing in the Gospel,
as taught in the Bible, in the Book of Mormon, in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants or in the teachings of inspired men,
that furnishes the least foundation for such a conception. It is true that pre-existence is taught; but the pre-existence in
which we believe is confined to our first estate. We are taught that our present life is our second estate, and this is a
probation given unto us in which to gain experience and to be tried and purified to prepare us for our next estate. The
teachings of men who have had a deep understanding concerning the purpose of our Great Creator in placing us here in this
condition of existence show that this is the grand opportunity which is given to man—an opportunity which he must not fail
to avail himself of as it is the only opportunity that he will have on the earth; his earthly existence is confined to one
appearance in the flesh." (Gosepl Truth 1:28)
From President Joseph Fielding Smith:
“Every once in a while believers in reincarnation spring some story about persons who have returned to earth in another
body. The Prophet Joseph Smith says that reincarnation is a doctrine of the devil…” (Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to
Gospel Questions, vol. 5, Purported Visions)
From Joseph Smith:
“He [Robert Matthews, alias Robert Matthias, alias Joshua the Jewish minister] said that he possessed the spirit of his
fathers, that he was a literal descendant of Matthias, the Apostle, who was chosen in the place of Judas that fell; that his
spirit was resurrected in him; and that this was the way or scheme of eternal life—this transmigration of soul or spirit
from father to son.
I told him that his doctrine was of the devil, that he was in reality in possession of a wicked and depraved spirit,
although he professed to be the Spirit of truth itself; and he said also that he possessed the soul of Christ. (Joseph
Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 Vols. 2:307)”
Such doctrines like reincarnation or multiple mortal probations would not be in harmony with scriptures like the following:
"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to
perform their labors.
And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not
procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for
eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be
no labor performed." (Alma 34:32-33)
Or like what Samuel the Lamanite prophet said:
"But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too
late, and your destruction is made sure; (Hel 13:38)
"This life" is the only chance we have to do what we came here for. We need to make the best of it while we are here.
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