Mysteries of God in Full

 Alma 12:9-11

9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. 10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. 11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.

Student manual:

What Are the “Mysteries of God”?    President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that the mysteries of God are simply those divine principles of the gospel necessary for our salvation that are not understood by the world: “The Lord has promised to reveal his mysteries to those who serve him in faithfulness. … The Gospel is very simple, so that even children at the age of accountability may understand it. Without question, there are principles which in this life we cannot understand, but when the fulness comes we will see that all is plain and reasonable and within our comprehension. The ‘simple’ principles of the Gospel, such as baptism, the atonement, are mysteries to those who do not have the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 2 vols. 

[1953], 1:43). The mysteries of God should not be confused with the unworthy pursuit of “mysteries,” or things that God has not revealed. Speaking of this latter use of the word mysteries, Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained: “There is also a restricted and limited usage of the expression mysteries; it is more of a colloquial than a scriptural usage, and it has reference to that body of teachings in the speculative field, those things which the Lord has not revealed in plainness in this day. It is to these things that reference is made when the elders are counseled to leave the mysteries alone” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 524).

Therefore we can see that the mysteries of God come via the Melchizedek p/hood and include the ordinances and principles of the Gospel.

The mysteries of God also includes personal revelation or wisdom or will of God that he gives to us as individuals. 

We receive the HG according to our heed and diligence,  its interesting that this is a strict command. I would suggest if there are those who complain that they do not receive the will and wisdom or mysteries of God, it is because they have not given the heed and diligence that is required.

V10 those that harden their hearts are given a lesser portion of the word,  the word could be the scriptures but it's also Jesus Christ, he is referred to as 'the word'. Don't we see how those that harden their hearts lose their love and knowledge of JC. I think either way fits as people who harden their hearts, most often aren't studying their scriptures either. Right from the beginning with JS, every Prophet including Pres Nelson has been pleading with us to study the scriptures daily, learn the doctrine and come to know our Saviour JC. 

V11 finds that eventually as they continue on this track they will receive less and less until they know nothing and Satan leads them to destruction, this is called the chains of hell. I found it interesting in Alma 14 that as Zeezrom was repenting he referred to the pains of hells, there is a direct correlation between the chains of hell and the pains of hell.

The devil is subtle and crafty but all we have to concern ourselves with is that we keep a soft heart. I pray often that my heart and others will be softened. I believe this is my safety net.

Sometimes with life's trials and tribulations we can begin to feel bitter or resentful but D&C 112:13 is a wonderful promise of healing to those who do not harden their hearts.

13 And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.

I'd like end with going back to v10 where it states that, he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. 

How do you think you could know the mysteries of God in full? 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained that if we reject revelation through the Holy Ghost, we limit how much we can learn: “We teach and learn the mysteries of God by revelation from his Holy Spirit. If we harden our hearts to revelation and limit our understanding to what we can obtain by study and reason, we are limited to what Alma called ‘the lesser portion of the word’” (The Lord’s Way [1991], 42).

We know as we heed the promptings of the HG the Lord will give us a greater portion of the word, thus our testimony and knowledge of JC can grow until we know the Lord in full. As in the beatitudes in Matthew 5 , blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God; it is all to do with the state of our hearts. I look forward to the day I will see him and I will know him in full. I pray that we may all keep our hearts soft and pure so we may all enjoy this blessing. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen