Viewing Ourselves In Our Own Carnal State
The truth is that all mankind was fallen, sensual, and devilish by nature in their carnal state. Natural men & women are enemies to God and belong to the Devil. Satan has claim on them through the law of justice. The “good news” of the gospel is only a relief for those who humble themselves and understand the “bad news” of fallen mankind. Jesus Christ is willing and able to rescue and save us from our own carnal state.
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Our Odds of Being Saved
The reality that we must consider is that God calls many, but chooses few. Jesus taught that “strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which. leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). Therefore, if we assume that we, or most people are righteous and heaven bound, we assume incorrectly.
Joseph Smith, Jr.
“The disappointment of hopes and expectations at the resurrection would be indescribably dreadful.” (October 9, 1843, TPJS p.325; DHC 6:50-52)“…how many will be able to abide a celestial law and go through, and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say; as many are called but few are chosen.” (January 21, 1843, HC 6:184-85)
It’s critical that we do not allow pride to inflate our hopes of gaining salvation or the kingdom of God. First, let us wake up to the reality that “the natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19). Then, we can remember that all of us are in a carnal state and fallen, lost, and headed for destruction, unless we can change that through faith in Jesus Christ.
Understanding Our Carnal State
Many prophets have taught about the reality of our fallen and carnal state in the scriptures. They often teach this dreadful reality to better prepare their audiences to receive the atonement.
Abinadi
Abinadi’s final message to King Noah and his twelve priests was a stern reminder that all men (including them, the religious clergy of that city) were still in their carnal state. Here’s how he frames it:
Mosiah 16:1-5 (Book of Mormon)
1 …The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just.2 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.
3 For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil.
4 Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would have been endlessly lost were it not that God redeemed his people from their lost and fallen state.
5 But remember that he that persists in his own carnal nature, and goes on in the ways of sin and rebellion against God, remaineth in his fallen state and the devil hath all power over him. Therefore he is as though there was no redemption made, being an enemy to God; and also is the devil an enemy to God.
Aaron
Aaron teaches King Lamoni from a foundational common point of “what is God?” to the king receiving a spiritual rebirth. How did he frame the conversation in a way that helped motivate the king to seek Jesus Christ at all costs? Partially, it’s because he taught the king about his natural carnal state before the Lord.
Alma 22:11-16 (Book of Mormon)
11 And he said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit created all things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words.12 And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen.
13 And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.
After Aaron teaches about our natural state before God, the king seeks salvation from Christ. Effective teaching about Christ’s atonement includes laying out the consequences of remaining in this carnal state. When one really comprehends their situation as sinners, seeking salvation is a natural next step.
Alma 22:11-16 (continued)
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
King Benjamin
The people of King Benjamin’s kingdom had just teachers and a just king. “Just” means “justified” by the Spirit. These were men that had received the Holy Ghost and spiritual rebirth, and they taught the people in righteous ways.
Mosiah 2:4 (continued)
4 And also that they might give thanks to the Lord their God, who had brought them out of the land of Jerusalem, and who had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies, and had appointed just men to be their teachers, and also a just man to be their king, who had established peace in the land of Zarahemla, and who had taught them to keep the commandments of God, that they might rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.However, despite their familiarity with the commandments from good teachers, they hadn’t received a full conversion. King Benjamin needed to prepare them to become justified, and he taught them about their own carnal state.
Mosiah 4:1-2 (continued)
1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them.2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.
How King Benjamin Humbled His People
A healthy portion of humble pie. He walked them through their own place before God and reminded them of their carnal state before Him.
- “Men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children” (Mosiah 3:18).
- “The natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19).
- “None shall be blameless before God… only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:21).
- [Natural men] “are consigned to an awful view of their own guilt and abominations, which doth cause them to shrink from the presence of the Lord into a state of misery and endless torment, from whence they can no more return” (Mosiah 3:25).
- “Their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable” (Mosiah 3:27).
Remember, these words of this sermon were delivered to him by an angel. They were more than inspired.
Alma the Younger
The gospel is only “good news” if someone understands the “bad news” first. Alma taught his sons the terrible carnal state that mankind must overcome with the help of the atonement.
Alma 42:9-12 (Book of Mormon)
9 Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death.10 Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.
11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord.
12 And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience;
Alma made it clear that all mankind (no exceptions) fell and must suffer the horrors of the law of justice. The penalty of these “demands of justice” are that God cuts mankind off. The only way and path out is if they receive redemption from their carnal state through Christ.
Alma 42:13-14 (continued…)
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.
There’s great importance in teaching humans about their fallen and lost state. This realization can work to help people muster up enough faith to call upon God for mercy with sincerity. It crushes pride, humbles the exalted (in their own minds) and prepares the heart for the reception of a mighty change.
Alma 42:16-18 (continued…)
16 Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?
18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
