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A THEORY OF SPIRITUAL REVIVAL PLUS - OF A GOING BEYOND JUST REVIVAL, TO AN

EVER EXPANDING SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.

By Earl R. Curry

Kirtland, Ohio May 1975

To be spiritual is to have experiences with the Holy Spirit, in a growing, expanding, and continuing way, and to have one's life transformed toward Christlikeness, and to put these experiences to work in the build­ing of the Kingdom of God.

Three affirmations are basic to the Study of this Theory. 

AFFIRMATION #1

There has been a continuing decline in the level of spiritual life of the Restoration, in general, - ministry and people alike - that has been going on for many scores of years. As a student and observer of all that is involved in this area of spirituality, I estimate that the causes of this decadence are, in the main, as follows:

1. The pressures of Satanic deceptions.
2. Increasing worldliness, arising out of the ubiquitous radio and television, a rather earthy literature, a constantly
3. growing materialism, and a growing agnosticism spawned by many facilities of our civilization.
4. Even among priestly leadership, there has very evidently been Increasing antagonism toward spiritual gifts.
5. Pressures of worldly concerns - business, employment, pursuit of riches, and the proliferation of many time consuming act­ivities.
6. A quite Unspiritual priesthood. There is no training in the understanding of the deeply spiritual. There are few challenges
   toward spiritual development, and all too often none at all.
7. There is therefore a dreadful lack of appreciation and comprehensive perception of the realm of the spiritual.
8. All this results in widespread spiritual ignorance and lack of desire.
9. This in turn leads to spiritual lethargy, laziness, inertia, doubts, and even to spiritual blindness.
10. This almost universal tendency of decreasing spiritual vi­tality has gone so far that the deeply spiritual goes unmentioned so often.
11. Also, there is an increasing agnosticism evident at almost all levels of the world educational process, tending to build up almost complete trust in human wisdom.

AFFIRMATION #2

Be it noted that such spiritual development as has been exper­ienced thus far in the Restoration, has not been adequate for the achievement of our very high goals - such as Zion, Stakes of Zion, spiritual power, Endowment, worldwide evangelical uplift, and many more.

AFFIRMATION #3.

Our heavenly Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, glorious and mar­velous as they are, surely supremely want the church to reflect the exalted qualities of their personalities, and therefore be a church of power, able to inspire and move human hearts and minds mightily toward the realization of their high potential!

COMMENTS ON AFFIRMATION #3

In view of its content, a few texts from the many, many more possible are herewith quoted. Hopefully you will want to add others. Believe me! It is immensely important that all of us shall increasingly, clearly perceive our Creator's lofty and mighty intentions for you, for me, for all of us, for the world, and even for the universe!

QUOTATION #1

Ask God, ask and it shall be given you! (exclamation is mine) Seek and ye shall find! Knock, and it shall be opened unto you! 

Jesus, in Sermon on the Mount

QUOTATION #2 He that believeth on me, the works that I do, shall he do also, and greater works shall he do. Jesus, in John 14:12.

(note - there was no quotation #3 in the printed document - SMN)

QUOTATION #4

PENTECOST - AND AFTER, IN book of Acts.

QUOTATION #5

Paul writing concerning perilous times in the last days, predicted - churches would have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. 

II Tim. 3:5

QUOTATION #6

The Concept of Endowment in the D. & C. Sanctify yourselves and ye shall be endowed with power. 43:4.

QUOTATION #7

Endowment with spiritual power, even beyond Pentecost, was and is the reason for Kirtland Temple

 

GENERAL TITLE OF THIS STUDY.

A Theory of Spiritual Revival, and Expandinq Spiritual Development, that will head the Restoration toward a time of Divine Empowerment, of im­mensely intelligent and dynamic experience with the Holy Spirit, and toward the tong - promised Endowment of Power, that because of very tremendous needs must exceed that of Pentecost.

The Objective of This Theory -

is to once again emphasize the importance, uplifting, and guiding power of Spiritual Gifts. It is not at all the intention that shallow or sensational kinds of gifts shall be sought or encouraged. Rather, the development and use of gifts of a very high order of intelligence, in­spirational enlightenment, and motivational empowerment, shall be our ai.m

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This Theory Affirms -

That such can begin to be done, and will proceed with increasing breadth and depth of content, when administrative leaders of Stakes, Districts, and particularly congregations and branches, shall, with discernment, and with very deep reverence, and with inspired insight, ask potentially gifted individual persons to make very special pre­paration in prayerful ways to develop and exercise such spiritual gifts as may be theirs. And this to be done to the glory of God and the up-lift of His people. Such may be done with a rather general intent, or for special occasions of importance.

Most of us are aware that the development of theory is vitally important in the work of scientists. We may not be quite so aware that there is an equally vital place for Theory in spiritual development. Therefore we quote - part of the intention of the School of the Prophets is that ministry may "be instructed more perfectly in theory...."

D. & C. 85:21.

A. Leadership, in applying the Theory.

There can be no far-sighted application of this Theory unless there is spiritual minded leadership that has caught a prophetic vision of its possibilities!

One time there came to me a flash of inspiration - "How can this people be spiritual if their leader is not spiritual?" How can they?

The process of choosing leaders is therefore immensely important, surely requiring spiritual guidance.

a. Two quotations from H. G. Wells, historian

1. The ways and means and processes by which men come to leadership, are immensely important ways and means & processes
2. Concerning the leadership of the Catholic Church, just prior to the reformation - it was dominated by narrow minded old men who were jealous of any intelligence outside their own.

       b. Selection of leaders? I wonder if --

1. There ought to be required reading and study?
2. There ought to be probing conferences?
3. There ought to be written expression of ideas?

      c. A real School of the Prophets could help wonderfullly.

B. Secondly, in applying this Theory, it is immensely important that there shall be an intelligent, spiritually-won, far-sighted per­ception of what ideal spirituality is. Otherwise, deceptive blundering almost certainly will result. Or, concepts will develop which lack the uplifting power of God. Or, there will be expediences of a minor nature.

Let it therefore be repeatedly emphasized that real and greatly to be desired spiritual experiences are grandly intelligent, that they inspire a larger view of God and his ways, that they have uplifting and motivational power, and that they put us wisely to work in cre­ative Kingdom of God building and achievement. As expressed by Rabbi Martin Huber, they set all the creative forces of the soul to work!

It therefore becomes necessary to make ourselves aware of all possible sources that make such perception possible. Some are ---

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a.           A careful survey of Old Testament Scriptures.

b.           A careful survey of New Testament - Book of Acts.

c.           Take special note of 1 Cor. 12.

d.           Book of Mormon - last chapter in particular.

e.           Doctrine and Covenants - Section 46 in particular.

f.           Ask for special guidance of the Holy Spirit.

g.           Cultivate a growing spiritual awareness in reading, in holy

mediation, in association with spiritual minded people, and in

church services.

h.           A Study of Spirituality, by Earl R, Curry, and other studies also.

i.           Set special projects of discovery.

C.    Ways of wide-spread sharing of growing perceptions could be -

a.            Spirit-blest sermons.

b.            Spirit-blest classes.

c.            Utilization of printing.

d.            Build up a Library of such perceptions and the experiences to which they would lead.

D.   Another way to encourage Revival Plus, is to set up counter forces to those which have caused decadence. These decadent influences, attitudes, etc. need to be identified, and counter-acting ones evolved and set in motion. Examples could well be --‑

a. Pressure of satanic temptation and enticements?

1.           Recognize them. Warn. Be creative.

2.           See list of 9 ways satanic forces will use - at close of this study.

3.           Insofar as possible nullify these forces.

b. Worldliness, Ordinariness, urge to be as others?

1.           Make aware consequences of mistaken choices.

2.           Warn, by voice, by print, and by personal contact.

3.           Encouraging spiritual growth is best antidote.

4.           Help all find finer interests and ways of living.

c. Leadership antagonistic attitudes?

1.           Keep such out of leadership positions, or -

2.           Fire such. Use spiritual minded persons.

3.           Use spiritually positive Scriptures persuasively.

4.           Develop lists of how fine spirituality helps.

5.           Convert such, if possible.

d. Worldly concerns? These proliferate more and more.

1.           Help replace these with spiritual concerns.

2.           Lift warning voice as to consequences.

3.           Search out replacement concerns. Print lists.

e. Unspiritual Priesthood? Man-called Priethood?

1.           Use key spiritually active men.

2.           Seek reformation. High quality gifts help.

3.           Ask them to make personal research of concept.

4.           Make sources of spiritual enlightenment available.

f. Dreadful lack of spiritual understanding?

1.           Invite studies of discovery.

2.           Have spirituality materials available for use.

3.           Use preaching, classes, prayer services, priesthood meetings, printed materials, personal contacts.

4.           Make possible testimonies of spiritually experienced people - spiritual giants if possible - especially in sacrament services.

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5.       Can even use special sacred drama, perhaps specially developed to meet needs.

6.       Use printed materials as widely as possible.

g. An enervating ignorance?

1.       By all means possible proclaim results of such ignorance.

2.       By all means possible show results of exalted spirituality in

daily living, in health and healing, in life goals, in joy‑

ful ways of life, in vision, and even in eternal consequences.

E. Another way to encourage Spiritual Revival Plus, is to encourage individual persons to set about - and using - the discovery of their basic and potential spiritual gifts. There are procedures by which such discovery can be discerned, as --‑

a. Reverently and carefully study a list of these gifts - such as the list of 94, compiled by myself, or develop on of your own. Those which have direct and deep appeal to you are very likely your primary gifts.

Let it not be forgotten, in such discovery effort that be­yond your primary gifts, many other gifts can be cultivated! Try it, and be convinced!

b. Seek special counsel from patriarchs, as well as that of deeply spiritual persons, explaining you are on a quest of discovery. Such a quest, humbly, reverently, and dedicatedly pursued, is a holy quest!

c. Seek the light of the Holy Spirit, in mighty prayer. Do this with a strong desire for greater perception and usefulness.

d. It will increasingly be found that the holy gifts God will

share with you, will be specifically suited to the holy projects in which you are engaged. The more worthwhile you are engaged. The more worthwhile the project, the greater the gifts bestowed.

e. Carefully estimate your own personality characteristics, as an indication of what you certainly need.

f. Perhaps there can be cooperative searching.

Note:

There must be other ways of discovery! Share them!

F. In this is expressed a particular application of this general Theory. It is possible, using keen spiritual discernment, to ask spiritual minded persons, to undertake special projects of discovery, reception, and expression or use, such as are appropriate to these persons, and for which there is a discerned need.

a. As we consider he deeply spiritual and its out-flow, or mani­festation two attitudes are possible.

1.       We can be like a baby bird in a nest, with beak wide open to whatever may come along, making no effort of outreach our-selves.

2.       Or we can bring all the resources of our personalities to bear upon our outreach - specific desires, etc.

3.       Think you - which approach is most likely to please God?

b. In my own experience, most of my spiritual development has come to me as I have sought light on definite and very special pro­jects of enlightenment!

c. An Example of this is a project undertaken for the 1975 Easter preaching service. Our Pastor, Raymond Clough, about two months before, asked me to make a special effort to bring a message of light and inspiration, for the close of the Easter sermon.

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Repairing to the House of the Lord, such a unique message did open up to my mind, and was written, and read in part, that Easter morning.

I am sure I would not have made the so special effort to draw near to the Lord, had I not been asked. Out of this experience

has arisen, also, this Theory of Revival Plus, that is this study.

d.    As far as prophetic messages are concerned - The Word of the

Lord - this procedure offers opportunity for exalted evaluation, and exactness of expression, and the inspiration thus presented should therefore be more what such ought to be than experiences of momentary expression.

e.           Requests for such very careful bringing the Word of the Lord, must of course, be based on a lofty exercise of faith, careful probing meditation, and certainly sustained spiritual illumin­ation. Experience indicates that it, this procedure, can work beautifully. It should be used.

f.           Also, it should be noted, as often in life, in working with certain projects, unexpected other insights open to us. Such ought also be expected in the course of individual spiritual development. What a joy when such happens!

g.           Conferences with individuals of observed or discerned potential, ought to lead to delightfully rewarding projects of special effort!

h.           Wisdom suggests that in applying this theoretical approach to the problems of low spirituality levels, the beginning thrust must be to and with a relatively few chosen people, even to perhaps just one or two who can catch a vision of its possibilities.

i.           As the Theory demonstrates its power of upward change, the minds and wisdom, and the clear perceptions of needs, of a growing number of people could ultimately be used, in developing topics of deep concern, which could be presented to potential person­alities for their consideration.

j.           It ought to be apparent to all who find promise in the application of this Theory of Revival Plus, that it can find application to preaching topics, to prayer services, to sacrament services, in ministry to the sick, in the development of programs, and in many other ways!

G.   One time in past years, there opened to my comprehension nine ways Satanic Forces will use to try to overthrow the church from within. They are included here as a help in perception of the hindrances and opposition that we face. We can surely be assured that any and all efforts to words spiritual Revival Plus will be opposed by all that is evil, and that we must be increasingly on our guard.

• Way No. 1. Such forces will tempt leadership and priesthood to abuse their powers of office, seeking mastery and domination
• Way No. 2. They will tempt the church - its ministry and its people - toward an arid intellectualism that will neither nourish nor sustain Gods people. 
• Way No. 3 They will tempt all of us to substitute lesser interests and concerns for the greater and really important ones. 
• Way No. 4. They will tempt us to become deeply involved with worldly movements and interests which have some values, but not kingdom building value.
• Way No.5 As far and as widely as possible, they will attempt to create a distrust of spiritual gifts, and divine guidance, and of any spiritual development that will lead toward a time of great Endowment.
• Way No. 6. On the other hand they will encourage a counterfeit spiritual life, that will tend toward becoming very deceptive and misleading.

• Way No. 7.They will do all possible to cause division and a paralyzing dismay.
• Way No. 8. They will try to overwhelm the church, as well as the world in general, with reading matter that is evil in its influence, corrupting in its nature, and which is wicked in its devastating results.
• Way No. 9. They will very actively attempt to deceive the church and its people with the notions, philosophies, theologies, and theories of men.