GIVE ME TRUTH

OR I AM DEAD

“Give me Liberty, or give me death!” are the famous words of Patrick Henry at the Virginia Convention
on March 23, 1775. We are spirits united with a physical, mortal body. The spirits of mankind were
organized while the earth was being prepared. “1 In the beginning [of this creation] was the Word
[Jesus], and the Word was with God [the Father], and the Word was God [of this creation]. 2 The same
was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made
that was made.” (John 1) “10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his
covenant and his testimonies.” (Ps. 25)

Truth is indivisible. When there are two conflicting ideas, both can be wrong; but, only one can be right.
We are told: “21 Prove all [spiritual] things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5) Truth is not a
weakly child–it is strong and fears no investigation.

History and Theology give us the truth of our existence before Adam walked the earth and for six
thousand years of mortal life. Theology is that REVEALED SCIENCE which treats of the being of God, His
will towards us, and man’s responsibility toward God and his fellow man. History has been greatly
affected by the interaction between God and man. Such a complex and perfect body as ours cannot
progress to this state by natural consequence. Man could not even develop an articulate language. It
had to come from a superior intelligence.

Very early after the fall of Adam and Eve, man divided into the sons of God and the sons of man. The
first recognized the importance of God in their lives and lived according to His laws. The other chose to
live according to their worldly pleasures. This continued only until the Great Flood. Millions must have
said “why upon us.”–and died. Only the family of Noah was loyal to God. There were only eight souls
that escaped the great flood. But, man does not learn from history and repeats the same errors.

There will soon to be a great destruction far worse than anything that has happened before. “21 For
then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor
ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the
elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matt. 24) “Fire goeth before, famine followeth after, and
pestilence shall waste them.” (God)

The men of Sodom and Gomorrah took their rebellion against God to the limit; and every man, woman,
and child were destroyed. Only Lot and his family survived. Now, the Supreme Court has sealed the fall
of this country for the same reason as Sodom was destroyed. Man seems to refuse learning from history
and theology.

The world has once again turned against God. The fastest growing group in the US is those without any
religious ties. It is no wonder because they were told that God is a mystery. Yet, Jesus advised us: “3 And
this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
(John 17) God has spoken through His prophets throughout history. For 4,000 years the gospel was
never taken to the gentiles. There were no prophets of God from the time Israel was taken captive in
Egypt to the 400 year captivity spoken of by Moses was fulfilled. Then God called Moses as a prophet
and lawgiver. When they rebelled against God while Moses was on the mountain, they were grievously
punished. The higher Melchisedec Priesthood—which carries the everlasting covenant–was taken from
among them generally and they were placed under a temporal law so severe that only Jesus could live
without breaking a single one. That law was fulfilled when Jesus restored the Melchisedec Priesthood.

When the Jews turned away from God about 400 years before Jesus, Malachi was the last prophet; and
God no longer spoke to them. Why is God silent so many times? “1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have
separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
(Isa. 59)

When the Jews had Jesus crucified it was a most severe rebellion against God. The priesthood and
gospel was taken from them and given to the Gentiles; although it was an open dispensation and the
Jews still had an active part. The gentiles soon turned from God and returned to their pagan doctrines.
“7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out
of the way.” (2 Thess. 2) By the early fourth century, the un-baptized, pagan Roman Emperor
Constantine, was able to complete the conversion of Christianity to paganism except for a very few. He
changed the true and living God of Israel into the Trinitarian nonentity of paganism. He changed the
identity of Jesus from the seed of Abraham, the tribe of Judah, and the House of David into a demigod
the same as pagans worshipped. He changed the holy Sabbath into “the venerable day of the sun.” The
Church of England admitted of this apostasy in the Homily Against Peril of Idolatry. “So that laity and
clergy, learned and unlearned, all ages, sects, and degrees of men, women, and children of whole
Christendom–an horrible and most dreadful thing to think–have been at once drowned in abominable
idolatry; of all other vices most detested of God, and most damnable to man; and that by the space of
eight hundred years and more.”

When God opened a new dispensation of the priesthood and gospel through Joseph Smith, He once
again spoke to man. When the saints failed to live by all the laws given to them, Joseph was taken. The
dispensation was continued through James J. Strang. The people did not learn from their own history
and once again lived for their own personal desires, James was taken, and the people scattered.

This fulfilled the prophecy given to Micah. “8 And thou, O tower of the flock [James J. Strang], the strong
hold of the daughter of Zion [church in America], unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the
kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem [July 8, 1850]. 9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is
there no king in thee [James was murdered with the help of the US Government]? is thy counsellor
perished [L. D. Hickey was the last of the apostles and Lloyd Flanders was the last high priest}? for pangs
have taken thee as a woman in travail. 10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion
[church in America], like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt
dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall
redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.” (Micah 4) There is hope for this very small remnant.
Through the grace of God a portion of the Melchisedec Priesthood remains: the office of elder. James
ordained L. D. Hickey one of the Twelve, who ordained Samuel Martin a high priest, who ordained Lloyd
Flanders a high priest, who ordained Samuel E. West an elder on July 8, 1956. John Hajicek was also
properly called and ordained an elder. The gate into the Kingdom of God is still open; but, because of
the iniquities of the people God no longer speaks to man directly—only through the Holy Spirit. Where
there is no revelation, truth is lost and spiritual death reigns. He has no hope after death.

Like Patrick Henry, John and I would prefer to stand alone with truth than to follow the world on the
path to destruction and hell. I feel very blessed to have been called to serve the Lord in this dark time.
John Hajicek serves with me together with those that we have ordained to the Melchisedec Priesthood.

What is this a dark time? “3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking
after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant
of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the
water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens
and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of
judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” (2 Pet. 3) “19 O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my
refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall
say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit. 20 Shall a man
make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?” (Jer. 16)

The pagan Christian church organized by Constantine envelopes all of Christianity except this one. How
can we tell? First, they worship a pagan god that was invented in the mind of man. The first and greatest
law is: “37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.” (Matt. 37) Knowledge of God has
fled from them. Second, they have no authority to neither preach the gospel nor administer its saving
ordinances. Jesus taught that only an officer of the Melchisedec Priesthood has authority from God to
administer the saving ordinances of the gospel. “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists [high priests]; and some, pastors [elders] and teachers; 12 FOR the perfecting of
the saints, FOR the work of the ministry, FOR the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 TILL we all come in
the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ.” (Eph. 4) Has all the Christian churches come “unto a perfect man”?

Others say “why are there so few that claim only they have authority from God”? Only those of this faith
have been called of God and ordained as required by God. “4 And no man taketh this honour unto
himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an
high priest; but he [the Father] that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he
saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb. 5) Aaron was
called through a revelation given to Moses who held a higher office.

These false prophets (priests) of today claim authority was given them by the Great Commission. “15
And he said unto them, Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16)
Almost anything can be proved by the Bible by taking things out of context. They fail to read the
preceding verse. “14 Afterward he appeared unto THE ELEVEN [not the world] as they sat at meat, and
upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had
seen him after he was risen.” This commission was ONLY to the eleven apostles and those ordained by
them.

They say the rule of being called of God and ordained by one holding that priesthood must have
changed after Jesus. NO! “22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken
up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” (Acts 1) Apostle Paul told
his son: “14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of
the hands of the presbytery.” (1 Tim. 4) Aaron was called of God through a revelation given to Moses.
Jesus was called and ordained directly by the Father. The ecclesiastic historian Mosheim identified that
the office of high priest (evangelist) remained for at least a couple centuries after Jesus. It is not known
how long the office of elder remained. When a man—Bishop of Rome–in 570 AD claimed to stand at the
head of the entire Christian church—and as God on earth—he began a new reign of what would be
called popes without any authority from God. The Reformation did not restore divine authority. If the
Catholic Church was true, Martin Luther was cut off. If the Catholic Church was wrong, he could not
receive any authority from it. The world was left desolate of authority from God for 1,260 years (see
Rev. 12, 13.) Exactly 1,260 years later, Joseph Smith organized the Church of Christ on April 6, 1830.

The whole of the Christian religion remains in the same cloak of darkness. No prophet. Not a word from
God. The prophet Isaiah wrote that in these days there would be only a very small remnant left of the
Kingdom of God remaining. “8 And the daughter of Zion [this people] is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as
a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city. 9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very
small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.” (Isa. 8)
Jesus made it very clear that only a few would be left. “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
(Matt. 7) “8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh,
shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18) “21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since
the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake [Israel] those days shall be
shortened.” (Matt. 24) Gentiles who are properly baptized are adopted into the seed of Abraham. “27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3) Why
don’t sectarian Christian ministers teach principle? They even have trouble recognizing Jesus as a Jew.
They are anti-Christ as they are never called of God and ordained according to His law. “Christ”
interpreted means anointed or ordained. These ministers called by the voice of man—who never receive
a proper ordination—are simply anti-Christ. This calling by man had already begun in the days of Jesus.
“18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there
many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2)
The prophet James J. Strang wrote in 1856, “23. Paul assures us that the coming of Christ shall be ‘in
flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord
Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.’ (2
Thess. 1:8, 9) Isaiah says, the earth shall be made empty, and few men left. (Isa. 24:1, 3, 6) Those days
are days of vengeance, when Christ shall tread the wine press of the wrath of God, and the blood shall
flow unto the horses’ bridles. (Rev. 14:20) As those times are approaching, the judgment is pronounced
on Babylon, ‘Reward her as she hath rewarded you, and double unto her double, according to her
works.’ (Id., 18:6) Then shall the Saints execute vengeance on the heathen [gentile]. (Ps. 149:6, 7)” (Book
of the Law, p. 213)

YES, THERE IS ONLY A VERY SMALL REMNANT THAT REMAINS. This is a bold testimony of the truth that
we embrace. The Bible testifies in numerous places concerning only a very small remnant remaining in
the last days. “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Jesus, Matt. 7)“13 But he that shall endure unto
the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Jesus, Matt. 24)

Jesus told us: “26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man…28
Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted,
they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven,
and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” (Matt. 24)
In the days of Noah there were only eight souls that survived. In the days of Lot, only Lot and his two
daughters survived.

HERE IS THE VERY FEW. “44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather
figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes… 46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things
which I say?” (Jesus, Luke 6) “19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.” (James 2) “21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord , shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7)

What is the will of our Father? “1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the
voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day,
that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.” (Deut. 28) “31 Therefore
shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.” (Lev. 22) “10 If ye keep my
commandments , ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide
in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy
might be full.” (Jesus, John 15)

What of the others? “15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD
thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that
all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.” (Deut. 28) “16 For as ye have drunk upon my
holy mountain, so shall all the heathen [gentiles] drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall
swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.” (Obadiah) Sudden destruction is
promised on the earth in this generation.

The gospel is a law of God. Failure to abide in the laws of God in this generation brings certain death.
“16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one
that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek [gentile].” (Rom. 1)

Jesus will return “8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence
of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thess. 1)

This could be your last warning. Jesus is to return in this generation. “24 And they [Jews] shall fall by the
edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down
of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled…32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall
not pass away, till all be fulfilled.” (Luke 21) This prophecy was fulfilled after the six-day war in 1967. “2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” (1 Thess. 5)

“9 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate:
and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” (Isa. 13) “1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an
alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh,
for it is nigh at hand; 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the
morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like,
neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 3 A fire devoureth before
them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind
them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.” (Joel 2)

My prayers are for all that hear this message. Open your hearts and minds like a little child. Prove all
things. Eternal life can be yours. The gate into the Kingdom of Heaven is open. You can be among the
very small remnant that will be caught up to meet our Savior; and live a thousand years on the earth as
an immortal being when the earth is restored and peace reigns. “6 The wolf also shall dwell with the
lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling
together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall
lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole
of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. 9 They shall not hurt nor
destroy in all my holy mountain [kingdom]: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as
the waters cover the sea.” (Isa. 11)

Yours in truth and in life,

Samuel E. West

Elder in latter day Zion

Samuel270@aol.com