SINS OF THE PARENTS

April 9th, 1916

I am here, Luke.

    I desire tonight to write for a short time on the text:  That the sins of the parents are visited upon the children, unto the third and fourth generations.

    I know that usually the explanation of the text has been that the material sins, or rather the sins which result in material injury, or affliction, are visited upon the children.  To a very great extent this is True.  That explanation is not what was intended by the declaration.

    Humans are not only a material, or physical beings, but are more largely a spiritual being, having a soul and spirit, which never ceases to exist.  Which are just as much a part of them while on earth, as when they become a spirit.  That is, after they have left the vestments of flesh and blood.

    These real parts of humans are of more importance to them and their real existence, than is the physical part.   The sins which humans commit, are not the results of any primary physical action, but of the operations of the powers which form, or have their real seat, in the spiritual part of their beings.

    The physical part of human is not the originator of sin, merely manifests its effects.  It (sin) almost always manifests itself on and in the physical body.  Leaves its scars, apparent to the consciousness of humans, upon such body.  Hence, as humans are able, in their ordinary condition, to perceive the effects more plainly on this body, they think that the meaning of the text, must refer to the sins that affect and are shown upon their body.  At the same time ignores, or is not sensible of the fact, that the great effect, or injury of sin, is upon and to the spiritual part of human (the soul).

    As the physical body is affected by the results of these sins being carried into operation, so much more so is the spiritual part of humans affected by the fact, that these sins had their creation in that spiritual part of humans.

    It may be asked, in what way can the effect of sin upon a human, that is upon their soul and spirit, have any injurious effect upon the spirit and soul of their child, so that the child may suffer from the sin of the parent.

    Well, when a child is conceived, gestates and is born, they not only partake of the physical nature of their parents, but also of the qualities and condition of the spirit and soul of the parents.  This may seem improbable, but it is a fact, that the spirit and soul that enters into the child when it is conceived, comes from the Great Universe of soul and spirit, wholly independent of the parents.  Is not in its Nature, or qualities, a part of the parents, as is the flesh and blood which build up and produce the physical body of the child.  While this is True, it is also True that this spirit and soul of the child is susceptible to, in a way, absorbs the influence of the spirit and soul of the parents.  Not only at the time of conception, but also during the period of gestation, and even for years afterwards.  To such an extent that this influence, continues beyond the mere earthly existence of the parents, into the life of the progeny to the third and fourth generation, as the text says.

    The spirit part of the child is more susceptible to the influence and evil effects of these sins, than is really its physical body.  For as I have said, the spirit part is the originator and breeder of the sins, if I may so express it, while the body is merely the recipient of the exercise of the sins and the objects of their manifestation.

    The influence of spirit upon spirit (we are all spirits), is more extensive and certain, than mortals can possibly conceive of.  The results of that influence are not so apparent, or known to the consciousness of the succeeding children, or to the respective parents, as humans suppose. As a fact, they do not understand, or become conscious of the fact, that such influence is operating upon the spiritual parts of their children.  They see and realize that the effects of such sins become manifested in the physical body.  As their ordinary natural senses cannot perceive the condition of the spirit, they conclude that the text can only mean that these sins are visited upon the material bodies of their children.

    But I must tell them that, while great and deplorable injury is inflicted on these material bodies, yet greater, more lasting, more grievous, in the way of manifestations, injury is inflicted upon the spiritual nature of the children. Not only because this nature continues to live, but because humans, not realizing that this nature has been injured, make no attempt to find and apply a remedy, as they so often do in the case where these sins manifest themselves in the physical body.  Besides, there are many sins that do not affect the mere material body, but which do great injury to the spiritual nature and which to the senses of humans are never perceptible.

    A human is not only the parent of a child's material body, but in a secondary way is also the parent of its spiritual nature.  The condition of the parent's spiritual nature influences and determines, to a large extent, the qualities and tendencies of the child's nature, for good, or evil.  Not only while it is a mortal, but frequently after it has ceased to inhabit the veil of flesh.  So let parents know, that they do not live to themselves alone as mortals, but that their evil thoughts and deeds, have a greater or lesser influence upon the spiritual natures of their children.  Especially at the time of conception and during gestation.  Then how important that every parent, during these times particularly and at all times, should have their spiritual natures in that condition of purity and freedom from sin, that their children may be conceived and born in a condition of soul purity which will not reflect any evil, that they can charge their parents with being the creators of.

    If humans would only realize these facts and live their lives in accordance with the Truths which I here declare, how much sooner would the human race be brought into Harmony with God's Laws (of Love and Harmony) and the souls of humans be freed from sin and evil.

    I know it is often said that it is unjust and not in accordance with the justice of an impartial God, that the sins and penalties arising from the disobedience of our First Parents, should be visited upon humankind, who were and are their progeny, as such humankind had no part in that disobedience.  But when it is remembered and it is a fact, that God did not create sin or evil, or impose such upon the First Parents for their disobedience, but that they themselves created evil and sin.  Humans have been creating these inharmonies ever since.  It will be seen that an impartial God, who is our only God, is not responsible for either sin, or evil, and the consequent penalties which they impose.  As has been written you before, the abolishing of sin and evil and their penalties, is in the power of humans and their (free) will.

    As these First Parents created these evils, as I have explained, in the manner that I have pointed out to you, their sins, by the influence which they have upon the spiritual nature, at the time of conception and birth, become as it were, a visitation.  That is, the spiritual desires, tendencies and inclinations toward that which is evil.  This influence continues with the child for years after its birth, according as the child and parents are closely associated together in their earth lives.  As each succeeding generation caused the visitation of its sinful influence and tendencies upon the succeeding generation.  You can readily see how humans, all humans, became subject to the sins,  evils and penalties which were brought into the world by the First Parents.

    Instead of God being the creator of these things, or visiting them upon the children of humans, He declares that their existence is contrary to the Harmony of His Creation and must be eradicated, before humans can come into that Harmony and an At-Onement with Him.  As He gave to humans the great power of free will, without any restriction upon its exercise, except as a human's understanding of the Harmony of the operations of God's Laws, might influence them to exercise this great power.  As humans, in the wrong exercise of that power, brought into existence these things of evil and sin, so humans, as they perceive this Plan of God's Harmony, must exercise that will in such a way, as to free themselves from these things, which are not part of God's Creation and are out of harmony with His Plans for the Creation and Preservation of a Perfect Universe, of which, human is its Highest Creation.

    God never changes.  His Laws (of Love and Harmony) never change.  Only humans have changed from the Perfection of His Creation.  Humans must change again, before that Perfection will again be theirs.

    Now from all this, it must not be inferred that humans are left to their own efforts to bring about this great restoration.  For that is not true.  Because Gods Instrumentalities are continuously at work, influencing humans to turn again to their First Estate and become the Perfect Human, as they ultimately will become.

   So, "the sins of the parents are visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation", means, the tendencies and inclinations toward that which is evil, (are created) not by God, but by humans themselves, solely and exclusively.

    Oh human, could you see the results of these sins upon the spiritual natures of your children, as you often see them upon their material bodies, you would hesitate in your sinning and think, and thinking would see the way by which the great blot upon the happiness and salvation of humanity could be removed and its progress to the Perfect Human be hastened and assured.

    Well, I have written enough for tonight and hope that what I have said may be understood and meditated upon by all who may read it.  I will not detain you longer.  With my love and the blessings, of one who is now not only the perfect human, but a possessor of the Divine Nature of the Father and an inheritor of Immortality, say good night.

Your brother in Christ, Luke

April 10th, 1916

I am here, Luke.

    I desire to make some corrections in my message of last night and will thank you to receive them.

    I desire to say, that when I spoke of the sins of the parents being visited upon the children, at the time of conception and birth, I meant that these sins, by the influence which they have upon the spiritual nature of the child, became, as it were, a visitation.  I did not mean that any part of the real sin of the parents became a part of the spiritual nature of the child.  Only that the influence of the parent's sins upon the child, is sufficient to give the spiritual desires and tendencies of the child, an inclination towards that which is evil.  This influence is continuous with the child for years after its birth, according as the child and parents are closely associated together in their earth lives.

    Let this point be made plain so that humans may not quibble about the meaning of what I wrote.

    Otherwise the message is True and just as I intended it should convey to you the Truth of the meaning of the text.

    I will not delay you longer tonight, but with my love and blessings say, I am your brother in Christ, Luke