*HISTORICAL
NOTE
In the
latter part of
April, Joseph Smith and those who were incarcerated with him escaped
from
the prison in which they were held for more than six months in
Missouri.
On April 30, 1839, the Prophet purchased the land including and
surrounding
the small settlements of Commerce and Commerce City, Ill. Within a few
weeks, the saints began to arrive in the newly purchased area and began
to make a community of saints. The Prophet renamed the area Nauvoo.
During
the years the saints lived in Nauvoo, the Prophet completed the
restoration
of all things necessary for the salvation of mankind. His discourses
during
this period reflect the doctrines taught by the Prophet. The following
are some of the most important points made in the discourses.
FAITH
comes
by hearing the
word of God, through the testimony of the servants of God; that
testimony
is always attended by the Spirit of prophecy and revelation.
REPENTANCE
is a thing that
cannot be trifled with every day. Daily transgression and daily
repentance
is not that which is pleasing in the sight of God.
BAPTISM
is
a holy ordinance
preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel and
key
by which the Holy Ghost will be administered.
THE
GIFT OF
THE HOLY GHOST
by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any
other principle than the principle of righteousness, for if the
proposals
are not complied with, it is of no use, but withdraws.
TONGUES
were given for the
purpose of preaching among those whose language is not understood; as
on
the day of Pentecost, etc., and it is not necessary for tongues to be
taught
to the Church particularly, for any man that has the Holy Ghost, can
speak
of the things of God in his own tongue as well as to speak in another;
for faith comes not by signs, but by hearing the word of God.
THE
DOCTRINE OF ELECTION.
St. Paul exhorts us to make our calling and election sure. This is the
sealing power spoken of by Paul in other places.
This
principle ought (in
its proper place) to be taught, for God hath not revealed anything to
Joseph,
but what He will make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint
may
know all things as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must
come
when no man need say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall
know
Him (who remain) from the least to the greatest. How is this to be
done?
It is to be done by this sealing power, and the other Comforter spoken
of, which will be manifest by revelation.
There
are
two Comforters
spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of
Pentecost,
and that all Saints receive after faith, repentance, and baptism. This
first Comforter or Holy Ghost has no other effect than pure
intelligence.
It is more powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the
understanding,
and storing the intellect with present knowledge, of a man who is of
the
literal seed of Abraham, than one that is a Gentile, though it may not
have half as much visible effect upon the body; for as the Holy Ghost
falls
upon one of the literal seed of Abraham, it is calm and serene; and his
whole soul and body are only exercised by the pure spirit of
intelligence;
while the effect of the Holy Ghost upon a Gentile, is to purge out the
old blood, and make him actually of the seed of Abraham. That man that
has none of the blood of Abraham (naturally) must have a new creation
by
the Holy Ghost. In such a case, there may be more of a powerful effect
upon the body, and visible to the eye, than upon an Israelite, while
the
Israelite at first might be far before the Gentile in pure intelligence.
The
other
Comforter spoken
of is a subject of great interest, and perhaps understood by few of
this
generation. After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins,
and
is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost,
(by the laying on of hands),which is the first Comforter, then let him
continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after
righteousness,
and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him,
Son,
thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and
finds
that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man
will
find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his
privilege
to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the
Saints,
as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in the 14th chapter, from
the 12th to the 27th verses. . . .
Now
what is
this other Comforter?
It is no more nor less that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; and this is
the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains
this
last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend
him,
or appear unto him from time to time, and even He will manifest the
Father
unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions
of
the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face
to
face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the
Kingdom
of God; and this is the state and place the ancient Saints arrived at
when
they had such glorious visions--Isaiah, Ezekiel, John upon the Isle of
Patmos, St. Paul in the three heavens, and all the Saints who held
communion
with the general assembly and Church of the First Born.
The
Prophet
on Priesthood.
The Priesthood was first given to Adam; he obtained the First
Presidency,
and held the keys of it from generation to generation. He obtained it
in
the Creation, before the world was formed, as in Gen. i: 26, 27, 28. He
had dominion given him over every living creature. He is Michael the
Archangel,
spoken of in the Scriptures. Then to Noah, who is Gabriel; he stands
next
in authority to Adam in the Priesthood; he was called of God to this
office,
and was the father of all living in his day, and to him was given the
dominion.
These men held keys first on earth, and then in heaven.
The
Priesthood is an everlasting
principle, and existed with God from eternity, and will to eternity,
without
beginning of days or end of years. The keys have to be brought from
heaven
whenever the Gospel is sent. When they are revealed from heaven, it is
by Adam's authority.
Daniel
in
his seventh chapter
speaks of the Ancient of Days; he means the oldest man, our Father Adam
Michael he will call his children together and hold a council with them
to prepare them for the coming of the Son of Man. He (Adam) is the
father
of the human family, and presides over the spirits of all men, and all
that have had the keys must stand before him in this grand council.
This
may take place before some of us leave this stage of action. The Son of
Man stands before him, and there is given him glory and dominion. Adam
delivers up his stewardship to Christ, that which was delivered to him
as holding the keys of the universe, but retains his standing as head
of
the human family.
The
spirit
of man is not
a created being; it existed from eternity, and will exist to eternity.
Anything created cannot be eternal; and earth, water, etc., had their
existence
in an elementary state, from eternity. Our Savior speaks of children
and
says, Their angels always stand before my Father. The Father called all
spirits before Him at the creation of man, and organized them. He
(Adam)
is the head, and was told to multiply. The keys were first given to
him,
and by him to others. He will have to give an account of his
stewardship,
and they to him.
The
Priesthood is everlasting.
The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James, and John,
on the mount when they were transfigured before him. The Priesthood is
everlasting - without beginning of days or end of years; without
father,
mother, etc. If there is no change of ordinances, there is no change of
Priesthood. Wherever the ordinances of the Gospel are administered,
there
is the Priesthood.
How
have we
come at the
Priesthood in the last days? It came down, down, in regular succession.
Peter, James, and John had it given to them and they gave it to others.
Christ is the
Great
High
Priest; Adam
next. Paul speaks of the Church coming to an innumerable company of
angels--
to God the Judge of all--the spirits of just men made perfect; to Jesus
the Mediator of the new covenant.-- Heb. xii: 23.
I saw
Adam
in the valley
of Adam-ondi-Ahman. He called together his children and blessed them
with
a patriarchal blessing. The Lord appeared in their midst, and he (Adam)
blessed them all, and foretold what should befall them to the latest
generation.
This
is why
Adam blessed
his posterity; he wanted to bring them into the presence of God. They
looked
for a city, etc., ["whose builder and maker is God." --Heb. xi: 10].
Moses
sought to bring the children of Israel into the presence of God,
through
the power of tho Priesthood, but he could not. In the first ages of the
world they tried to establish the same thing; and there were Eliases
raised
up who tried to restore these very glories, but did not obtain them;
but
they prophesied of a day when this glory would be revealed. Paul spoke
of the dispensation of the fullness of times, when God would gather
together
all things in one, etc.; and those men to whom these keys have been
given,
will have to be there; and they without us cannot be made perfect.
Priesthood
on
Various Doctrines
June 27, 1839
History of the Church, 3:379-381
"13. In
whom
ye also trusted,
that after ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in
whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit
of promise,
"14.
Which is
the earnest
of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto
the praise of His glory, that we may be sealed up unto the day of
redemption."--Ephesians,
1st chapter.
July 2, 1839
History of the Church, 3:385-392
The
Prophet's history
reads: About this time, in reply to many inquiries, I also gave an
explanation
of the Priesthood, and many principles connected therewith, of which
the
following is a brief synopsis:
October 5, 1840
History
of the
Church, 4:207-212
The
following is from
the only discourse that the Prophet Joseph Smith had prepared in
advance.
It was read to the congregation at General Conference by the Prophets
clerk,
Robert B. Thompson.
In order to investigated the subject of the Priesthood, so important to this, as well as every succeeding generation, I shall proceed to trace the subject as far as I possibly can from the Old and New Testaments.
There
are
two Priesthoods
spoken of in the Scriptures, viz., the Melchisedek and the Aaronic or
Levitical.
Although there are two Priesthoods, yet the Melchisedek Priesthood
comprehends
the Aaronic or Levitical Priesthood, and is the grand head, and holds
the
highest authority which pertains to the Priesthood, and the keys of the
Kingdom of God in all ages of the world to the latest posterity on the
earth, and is the channel through which all knowledge, doctrine, the
plan
of salvation, and every important matter is revealed from heaven.
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
On
January
19, 1841,
Joseph Smith received a revelation (D&C 124) commanding the
building
of a temple in Nauvoo. The following are the relevant verses from the
revelation:
25 And
again, verily
I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar.
26 And
send
ye swift
messengers, yea, chosen messengers, and say unto them: Come ye, with
all
your gold, and your silver, and your precious stones, and with all your
antiquities; and with all who have knowledge of antiquities, that will
come, may come, and bring the box-tree, and the fir-tree, and the
pine-tree,
together with all the precious trees of the earth;
27 And
with
iron, with
copper, and with brass, and with zinc, and with all your precious
things
of the earth; and build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell
therein.
28 For
there is not
a place found on earth that he may come to and restore again that which
was lost unto you, or which he hath taken away, even the fulness of the
priesthood.
29 For
a
baptismal font
there is not upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for
those who are dead--
30 For
this
ordinance
belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me, only in the days
of your poverty, wherein ye are not able to build a house unto me.
31 But
I
command you,
all ye my saints, to build a house unto me; and I grant unto you a
sufficient
time to build a house unto me; and during this time your baptisms shall
be acceptable unto me. . . .
37 And
again, verily
I say unto you, how shall your washings be acceptable unto me, except
ye
perform them in a house which you have built to my name?
38
For, for
this cause
I commanded Moses that he should build a tabernacle, that they should
bear
it with them in the wilderness, and to build a house in the land of
promise,
that those ordinances might be revealed which had been hid from before
the world was.
39
Therefore, verily
I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your
baptisms
for the dead, and your solemn assemblies, and your memorials for your
sacrifices
by the sons of Levi, and for your oracles in your most holy places
wherein
you receive conversations, and your statutes and judgments, for the
beginning
of the revelations and foundation of Zion, and for the glory, honor,
and
endowment of all her municipals, are ordained by the ordinance of my
holy
house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.
40 And
verily I say
unto you, let this house be built unto my name, that I may reveal mine
ordinances therein unto my people;
41 For
I
deign to reveal
unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the
foundation
of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of
times.
42 And
I
will show unto
my servant Joseph all things pertaining to this house, and the
priesthood
thereof, and the place whereon it shall be built.
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
Inauguration
Of Endowment
Ceremonies
May 4,
1842
On this date, the Prophet introduced the temple endowment to a select group of men in the upper room of the Red Brick Store owned by the prophet. In his history, the Prophet stated:
"Wednesday,
4.--I spent
the day in the upper part of the store, that
is in my
private office
(so
called because in that room I keep my sacred writings, translate
ancient
records, and receive revelations) and in my general
business office, or
lodge room (that is where the Masonic fraternity meet occasionally,
for
want of a better place) in council with General James Adams, of
Springfield,
Patriarch Hyrum Smith, Bishops Newel K. Whitney and George Miller, and
President Brigham Young and Elders Heber C. Kimball and Willard
Richards,
instructing them in the principles and order of the Priesthood,
attending
to washings, anointings, endowments and the communication of keys
pertaining
to the Aaronic Priesthood, and so on to the highest order of the
Melchisedek
Priesthood, setting forth the order pertaining to the Ancient of Days,
and all those plans and principles by which any one is enabled to
secure
the fullness of those blessings which have been prepared for the Church
of the First Born, and come up and abide in the presence of the Eloheim
in the eternal worlds. In this council was instituted the ancient order
of things for the first time in these last days. And the communications
I made to this council were of things spiritual, and to be received
only
by the I spiritual minded: and there was nothing made known to these
men
but what will be made known to all the Saints of the last days, so soon
as they are prepared to receive, and a proper place is prepared to
communicate
them, even to the weakest of the Saints; therefore let the Saints be
diligent
in building the Temple, and all houses which they have been, or shall
hereafter
be, commanded of God to build; and wait their time with patience in all
meekness, faith, perseverance unto the end, knowing assuredly that all
these things referred to in this council are always governed by the
principle
of revelation."(History of the Church, 5:1-2)
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
Shortly
after the introduction
of the temple ordinances in the upper room of the red brick store, the
immoral behavior of John C. Bennett was exposed and he was
excommunicated.
John C. Bennett began to spread false rumors about Joseph Smith and the
Church. During the next year, the Prophet spent some time trying to
clear
up rumors, consequently, the introduction of the next phase of the
temple
endowment, eternal marriage, was slow in its introduction. However, by
May of 1843, the Prophet had introduced the concept of eternal marriage
to the Church.
Remarks
of the
Prophet at Ramus--
May 16, 1843
Lives that are Hid with God in
Christ--
Importance of the Eternity of the
Marriage
Covenant
History of the Church, 5:391-392;
cf.
D&C
131
Your life
is hid with Christ
in God, and so are many others. Nothing but the unpardonable sin can
prevent
you from inheriting eternal life for you are sealed up by the power of
the Priesthood unto eternal life, having taken the step necessary for
that
purpose
Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity, while in this probation, by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood, they will cease to increase when they die; that is, they will not have any children after the resurrection. But those who are married by the power and authority of the priesthood in this life, and continue without committing the sin against the Holy Ghost, will continue to increase and have children in the celestial glory. The unpardonable sin is to shed innocent blood, or be accessory thereto. All other sins will be visited with judgment in the flesh, and the spirit being delivered to the buffetings of Satan until the day of the Lord Jesus. The way I know in whom to confide--God tells me in whom I may place confidence.
In
the
celestial glory there
are three heavens or degrees; and in order to obtain the highest, a man
must enter into this order of the priesthood, [meaning the new and
everlasting
covenant of marriage;] and if he does not, he cannot obtain it. He may
enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom: he cannot
have
an increase."
Items of Doctrine by the Prophet
At ten a. m. preached from 2nd Peter, 1st chapter and showed that knowledge is power; and the man who has the most knowledge has the greatest power.
Items of Doctrine by the Prophet
The more sure word of prophecy means a man's knowing that he is sealed up into eternal life by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the holy priesthood. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.
Paul
saw
the third heavens,
and I more. Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the
apostles.
First Chapter
May 21, 1843
History
of the Church, 5:400-403
There are
three grand secrets
lying in this chapter, [II Peter i.] which no man can dig out, unless
by
the light of revelation, and which unlocks the whole chapter as the
things
that are written are only hints of things which existed in the
prophet's
mind, which are not written concerning eternal glory.
I am going to take up this subject by virtue of the knowledge of God in me, which I have received from heaven. . . . Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand the three principal rounds of Jacob's ladder--the telestial, the terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter. I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.
The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent with a child, communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it. The inhabitants of the earth are asleep: they know not the day of their visitation. The Lord hath set the bow in the cloud for a sign that while it shall be seen, seed time and harvest, summer and winter shall not fail; but when it shall disappear, woe to that generation, for behold the end cometh quickly.
Calling and Election to be Made Sure.
Contend earnestly for the like precious faith with the Apostle Peter, "and add to your faith virtue," knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity; "for if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Another point, after having all these qualifications, he lays this injunction upon the people "to make your calling and election sure." He is emphatic upon this subject-- after adding all this virtue knowledge, &c., "Make your calling and election sure." What is the secret--the starting point? "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." How did he obtain all things? Through the knowledge of Him who hath called him. There could not anything be given, pertaining to life and godliness, without knowledge. Woe! woe! woe to Christendom!--especially the divines and priests if this be true.
Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. A knowledge of the priesthood alone will do this.
The spirits in the eternal world are like the spirits in this world. When those have come into this world and received tabernacles, then died and again have risen and received glorified bodies, they will have an ascendency over the spirits who have received no bodies, or kept not their first estate, like the devil. The punishment of the devil was that he should not have a habitation like men. The devil's retaliation is, he comes into this world, binds up men's bodies, and occupies them himself. When the authorities come along, they eject him from a stolen habitation.
The design of the great God in sending us into this world and organizing us to prepare us for the eternal worlds, I shall keep in my own bosom at present.
We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to this end. But after all this, you have got to make your calling and election sure. If this injunction would lie largely on those to whom it was spoken, how much more those of the present generation!
1st
key:
Knowledge is the
power of salvation. 2nd key: Make your calling and election sure. 3rd
key:
It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent voice.
&c.,
&c., and another to hear the voice declare to you, You have a part
and lot in that kingdom.
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
Inauguration
of Eternal
Marriage Ordinance
At the end of May, 1843, the Prophet introduced the men who have received the washing and anointings and endowment in May of 1842 to the ordinance of eternal marriage. The following are from the Prophet's history.
May 26,
1843
History
of
the Church
5:409
Friday,
26.--At five
p. m. I met in counsel in the upper room, with my brother Hyrum,
Brigham
Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Judge James Adams, Bishop
Newel
K. Whitney and William Law, and gave them their endowments and also
instructions
in the priesthood on the new and everlasting covenant, &c. [Journal
accounts of the members present reveal that on this day the prophet
gave
instructions relative to eternal marriage.]
May 28,
1843
History
of
the Church
5:412
At
five p.
m. I met
with brother Hyrum, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards,
Newel K. Whitney and James Adams, in the upper room to attend to
ordinances
and counseling. [Journal accounts of the members present reveal that
some
of the Quorum members entered into the eternal marriage covenant on
this
day.]
May 29, 1843
History
of
the Church
5:412-413
At
nine a.
m., I met
in council with brother Hyrum, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard
Richards, Newel K. Whitney, and James Adams.
Singing, and prayer by Elder Brigham Young. Conversation, instruction and teaching concerning the things of God. [Journal accounts of the members present reveal that other of the Quorum members entered into the eternal marriage covenant on this day.]
The
Purpose
of the Gathering of Israel.
June 11, 1843
History
of the
Church, 5:423-427
He then
took
for his text
the 37th verse of 23rd chapter of Matthew--"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
thou
that killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee;
how
often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen
gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not."
This subject was presented to me since I came to the stand. What was the object of gathering the Jews, or the people of God in any age of the world? I can never find much to say in expounding a text. A man never has half so much fuss to unlock a door, if he has a key, as though he had not, and had to cut it open with his jack-knife.
The main object was to build unto the Lord a house whereby He could reveal unto His people the ordinances of His house and the glories of His kingdom, and teach the people the way of salvation; for there are certain ordinances and principles that, when they are taught and practiced, must be done in a place or house built for that purpose.
It was the design of the councils of heaven before the world was, that the principles and laws of the priesthood should be predicated upon the gathering of the people in every age of the world. Jesus did everything to gather the people, and they would not be gathered, and He therefore poured out curses upon them. Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men, are not to be altered or changed. All must be saved on the same principles.
It is for the same purpose that God gathers together His people in the last days, to build unto the Lord a house to prepare them for the ordinances and endowments, washings and anointings, etc. One of the ordinances of the house of the Lord is baptism for the dead. God decreed before the foundation of the world that that ordinance should be administered in a font prepared for that purpose in the house of the Lord. "This is only your opinion, sir," says the sectarian. * * * * *
If a man gets a fullness of the priesthood of God, he has to get it in the same way that Jesus Christ obtained it, and that was by keeping all the commandments and obeying all the ordinances of the house of the Lord. . . .
All
men who
become heirs
of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ will have to receive the
fullness
of the ordinances of his kingdom; And those who will not receive all
the
ordinances will come short of the fullness of that glory, if they do
not
lose the whole.
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
On
July 12,
1843, the
revelation on Celestial Marriage (D&C 132) is committed to writing
(History of the Church 5:500-507)
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
August
6,
1843
History
of
the Church
5:527
By May
29,1843, the
Melchizedek Priesthood temple ordinances of the washing and anointings,
the endowment, and the marriage ordinance had now been revealed to a
select
group of members of the Church. The final ordinance known as "the
second
anointing"had not yet been given to any member of the Church. This
ordinance
is necessary to have "the fulness of the priesthood." At a meeting held
on August 6, 1843, Brigham Young taught that no one had yet received
this
ordinance:
"The
quorum of the Twelve
Apostles in Philadelphia held a meeting in the Canaanite Church. About
three hundred Saints were present. Meeting was opened by Jedediah M.
Grant,
and President Brigham Young addressed the congregation at considerable
length. He said that a man or woman may ask of God, and get a witness
and
testimony from God concerning any work or messenger that is sent unto
them;
but if a person asks for a thing that does not concern him, such as
governing
the Church, as a member of the Church inquiring concerning the duty of
a presiding Elder, what the prophet or the Twelve ought to do, &c.
he will not get an answer. It he does it will not be from God. He also
remarked that if any in the Church had the fullness of the Melchisedec
Priesthood, he did not know it. For any person to have the fullness of
that priesthood, he must be a king and priest. A person may have a
portion
of that priesthood, the same as governors or judges of England have
power
from the king to transact business; but that does not make them kings
of
England. A person may be anointed king and priest long before he
receives
his kingdom."
Three
Orders of
Priesthood
August 27, 1843
History
of the Church,
(5:554-556) Version
Respecting
the
Melchizedek
Priesthood, the sectarians never professed to have it; consequently
they
never could save any one, and would all be damned together. There was
an
Episcopal priest who said he had the priesthood of Aaron, but had not
the
priesthood of Melchizedek and I bear testimony that I never have found
the man who claimed the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The power of the
Melchizedek
priesthood is to have the power of "endless lives;" for the everlasting
covenant cannot be broken.
The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out judgments and destructions.
The sectarian world are going to hell by hundreds, by thousands and by millions.
There are three grand orders of priesthood referred to here. 1st. The King of Shiloam. (Salem) had power and authority over that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless life. Angels desire to look into it, but they have set up too many stakes. God cursed the children of Israel because they would not receive the last law from Moses.
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. When God offers a blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he will be damned. The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a carnal law.
What was the power of Melchizedek? 'Twas not the Priesthood of Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering of sacrifices. Those holding the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the keys of power and blessings. In fact, that priesthood is a perfect law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people, administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.
Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou hast taught me concerning the priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced, saying, Now I have a priesthood.
Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of Jesus Christ.
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers.
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God, abideth a priest continually." The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right from the eternal God, and not by descent from father and mother; and that priesthood is as eternal as God Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.
The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal authority. Go to and finish the temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive more knowledge concerning this priesthood.
The 3rd is what is called the Levitical Priesthood, consisting of priests to administer in outward ordinance, made without an oath; but the Priesthood of Melchizedek is by an oath and covenant.
The Holy Ghost is God's messenger to administer in all those priesthoods.
Jesus Christ is the heir of this Kingdom--the only begotten of the Father according to the flesh, and holds the keys over all this world.
Men have to suffer that they may come upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the heavens.
I know
a
man that has been
caught up to the third heavens, and can say, with Paul, that we have
seen
and heard things that are not lawful to utter.
Franklin
D. Richards'
Version (Words of
the Prophet
Joseph Smith, p. 245; spelling is original)
A sermon
of
Josephs Heb
7 chap Salem is Shiloam
Those who limit the designs of God as concerted by the grand council of H cannot obtain the Knowledge of God & I do not know but I may say they will drink in the Damnation of their souls--
I Prophecy that all the powers of Earth & Hell shall never be able to overthrow this Boy for I have obtained it by promise--
There are 3 grand principles or orders of Priesthood portrayed in this chapter
1st Levitical which was never able to administer a Blessing but only to bind heavy burdens which neither they nor their father able to bear.
2 Abrahams Patriarchal power which is the greatest yet experienced in this church
3d
That of
Melchisedec who
had still greater power even power of an endless life of which was our
Lord Jesus Christ which also Abraham obtained by the offering of his
son
Isaac which was not the power of a Prophet nor apostle nor Patriarch
only
but of King & Priest to God to open the windows of Heaven and pour
out the peace & Law of endless Life to man & No man can attain
to the Joint heirship with Jesus Christ with out being administered to
by one having the same power & Authority of Melchisedec Joseph also
said that the Holy Ghost is now in a state of Probation which if he
should
perform in righteousness he may pass through the same or a similar
course
of things that the Son has.
James
Burgess' Version
(The Words of Joseph Smith,
pp. 245-246; spelling is original)
Hebrewes
7
chap. Paul is
here treating of three different preisthoods, namely the preisthood of
Aron, Abraham, and Melchizedeck, Abraham's preisthood was of greater
power
than Levi's and Melchizedeck's was of greater power than that of
Abraham.
The preisthood of Levi consisted of cursings and blessings carnal
commandments
and not of blessings and if the preisthood of this generation has no
more
power than that of Levi or Aron or of a bishhoprick it administers no
blessings
but cursings for it was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. I
ask
was there any sealing power attending this preisthood. Oh no that would
admit a man into the presence of God. Oh no, but Abraham's was a more
exalted
power or preisthood he could talk and walk with God and yet consider
how
great this man was when even this patriarch Abraham gave a tenth part
of
all his spoils and then received a blessing under the hands of
Melchesideck
even the last law or a fulness of the law or preisthood which
constituted
him a king and preist after the order of Melchesideck or an endless
life
Now if Abraham had been like the sectarian world and would not have
received
any more revelation, what would have been the consequence it would have
damned him. Book of Covenants. The levitical preisthood was an
appendage
to the Melchesideck preisthood or the whole law of God when in full
face
or power in all its parts and bearings on the earth. It is understood
by
many by reading this chapter that Melchesedeck was king of some country
or nation on the earth, but it was not so, In the original it reads
king
of Shaloam which signifies king of peace or righteousness and not of
any
country or nation.
Malachi says that the sons of Levi shall in the last days offer an offering in rightousness.
Men
will
set up stakes and
say thus far will we go and no farther, did Abraham when called upon to
offer his son, did the Saviour, no, view him fulfiling all rightousness
again on the banks of jordon, also on the Mount transfigured before
Peter
and John there receiving the fulness of preisthood or the law of God,
setting
up no stake but coming right up to the mark in all things here him
after
he returned from the Mount, did ever language of such magnitude fall
from
the lips of any man, hearken him. All power is given is given unto me
both
in heaven and the earth.
*HISTORICAL
NOTE
On
September 28, the
Prophet introduced the highest ordinance attainable by man, the second
anointing or the fulness of the priesthood, to the select group of men
and women whom he had introduced the washing and aointings, the
endowment,
and the marriage ordinance. A few days latter, James Adams, one of the
select group died. At the October General Conference, Joseph Smith gave
the following sermon:
The
Prophet's Remarks
on the Demise of James Adams
October
9, 1843
History
of
the
Church, 6:50-52
We are only capable of comprehending that certain things exist, which we may acquire by certain fixed principles. If men would acquire salvation, they have got to be subject, before they leave this world, to certain rules and principles, which were fixed by an unalterable decree before the world was. . . .
I assure the Saints that truth, in reference to these matters, can and may be known through the revelations of God in the way of His ordinances, and in answer to prayer. The Hebrew Church "came unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto an innumerable company of angels, unto God the Father of all, and to Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant." What did they learn by coming of the spirits of just men made perfect? Is it written? No. What they learned has not been and could not have been written. What object was gained by this communication with the spirits of the just? It was the established order of the kingdom of God: the keys of power and knowledge were with them to communicate to the Saints. Hence the importance of understanding the distinction between the spirits of the just and angels.
Spirits can only be revealed in flaming fire or glory. Angels have advanced further, their light and glory being tabernacled; and hence they appear in bodily shape. The spirits of just men are made ministering servants to those who are sealed unto life eternal, and it is through them that the sealing power comes down.
Patriarch Adams is now one of the spirits of the just men made perfect; and, if revealed now, must be revealed in fire; and the glory could not be endured. Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, and they thought it was His spirit, and they were afraid to approach His spirit. Angels have advanced higher in knowledge and power than spirits.
Concerning Brother James Adams, it should appear strange that so good and so great a man was hated. The deceased ought never to have had an enemy. But so it was. Wherever light shone, it stirred up darkness. Truth and error, good and evil cannot be reconciled. Judge Adams had some enemies, but such a man ought not to have had one.
I
saw him
first at Springfield,
when on my way from Missouri to Washington. He sought me out when a
stranger,
took me to his home, encouraged and cheered me, and gave me money. He
has
been a most intimate friend. I anointed him to the patriarchal
power--to
receive the keys of knowledge and power, by revelation to himself. He
has
had revelations concerning his departure, and has gone to a more
important
work. When men are prepared, they are better off to go hence. Brother
Adams
has gone to open up a more effectual door for the dead. The spirits of
the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they
are
blessed in their departure to the world of spirits.
Elias,
Elijah,
Messiah
March 10, 1844
History of the Church, 6:249-254
There is a difference between the spirit and office of Elias and Elijah. It is the spirit of Elias I wish first to speak of; and in order to come at the subject, I will bring some of the testimony from the Scripture and give my own. . . .
The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, holding the keys of the power of Elias, it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world.
John's mission was limited to preaching and baptizing: but what he did was legal; and when Jesus Christ came to any of John's disciples, He baptized them with fire and the Holy Ghost.
We find the apostles endowed with greater power than John: their office was more under the spirit and power of Elijah than Elias. . . .
That person who holds the keys of Elias hath a preparatory work. But if I spend much more time in conversing about the spirit of Elias, I shall not have time to do justice to the spirit and power of Elijah. . . .
Now for Elijah. The spirit, power, and calling of Elijah is, that ye have power to hold the key of the revelation, ordinances, oracles, powers and endowments of the fullness of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the kingdom of God on the earth; and to receive, obtain, and perform all the ordinances belonging to the kingdom of God, even unto the turning of the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and the hearts of the children unto the fathers, even those who are in heaven. . . .
Malachi says, "I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."
Now, what I am after is the knowledge of God, and I take my own course to obtain it. What are we to understand by this in the last days?
In the days of Noah, God destroyed the world by a flood, and He has promised to destroy it by fire in the last days: but before it should take place, Elijah should first come and turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, &c.
Now comes the point. What is this office and work of Elijah? It is one of the greatest and most important subjects that God has revealed. He should send Elijah to seal the children to the fathers, and the fathers to the children.
Now was this merely confined to the living, to settle difficulties with families on earth? By no means. It was a far greater work. Elijah! what would you do if you were here? Would you confine your work to the living alone? No; I would refer you to the Scriptures, where the subject is manifest: that is, without us, they could not be made perfect, nor we without them; the fathers without the children, nor the children without the fathers.
I wish you to understand this subject, for it is important; and if you will receive it, this is the spirit of Elijah, that we redeem our dead, and connect ourselves with our fathers which are in heaven, and seal up our dead to come forth in the first resurrection; and here we want the power of Elijah to seal those who dwell on earth to those who dwell in heaven. This is the power of Elijah and the keys of the kingdom of Jehovah.
Let us suppose a case. Suppose the great God who dwells in heaven should reveal Himself to Father Cutler here, by the opening heavens, and tell him, "I offer up a decree that whatsoever you seal on earth with your decree, I will seal it in heaven; you have the power then; can it be taken off? No. Then what you seal on earth, by the keys of Elijah. is sealed in heaven; and this is the power of Elijah, and this is the difference between the spirit and power of Elias and Elijah; for while the spirit of Elias is a forerunner, the power of Elijah is sufficient to make our calling and election sure . . . .
The spirit of Elias is first, Elijah second, and Messiah last. Elias is a forerunner to prepare the way, and the spirit and power of Elijah is to come after, holding the keys of power, building the Temple to the capstone, placing the seals of the Melchizedek Priesthood upon the house of Israel, and making all things ready; then Messiah comes to His Temple, which is last of all.
Messiah is
above the spirit
and power of Elijah, for He made the world, and was that spiritual rock
unto Moses in the wilderness. Elijah was to come and prepare the way
and
build up the kingdom before the coming of the great day of the Lord,
although
the spirit of Elias might begin it.
In the
first place, I wish
to go back to the beginning -- to the morn of creation. There is the
starting
point for us to look to, in order to understand and be fully acquainted
with the mind, purposes and decrees of the Great Elohim, who sits in
yonder
heavens as he did at the creation of this world. It is necessary for us
to have an understanding of God himself in the beginning. If we start
right,
it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong, we may go
wrong,
and it be a hard matter to get right. . . .
I want
to
ask this congregation,
every man, woman and child, to answer the question in their own heart,
what kind of a being God is? Ask yourselves; turn your thought into
your
hearts, and say if any of you have seen, heard, or communed with him.
This
is a question the may occupy your attention for a long time. I again
repeat
the question -- What kind of a being is God? Does any man or woman
know?
Have any of you seen him, heard him, or communed with him? Here is the
question that will, peradventure, from this time henceforth occupy your
attention. The Scriptures inform us that "This is life eternal that
they
might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast
sent."
God
an
Exalted Man God
himself was once
as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder
heavens!
That is the great secret. If the veil were rent today, and the great
God
who holds this world in its orbit, and who upholds all worlds and all
things
by his power, was to make himself visible, -- I say, if you were to see
him today, you would see him like a man in form -- like yourselves in
all
the person, image, and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the
very fashion, image and likeness of God, and received instruction from,
and walked, talked and conversed with him, as one man talks and
communes
with another. . . .
Here,
then,
is eternal life
-- to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to
be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all
Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to
another,
and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from
exaltation
to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and
are
able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those
who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that
God,
in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name,
is
not trifling with you or me. . . .
When
you
climb up a ladder,
you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive
at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel -- you must
begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of
exaltation.
But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil
before
you will have learned them.It is not
all to be
comprehended
in this world; it will
be a great work to learn our salvation and
exaltation even beyond the grave. . . .
This
is
good doctrine. It
tastes good. I can taste the principles of eternal life, and so can
you.
They are given to my by the revelations of Jesus Christ; and I know
that
when I tell you these words of eternal life as they are given to me,
you
taste them, and I know that you believe them. You say honey is sweet,
and
so do I. I can also taste the spirit of eternal life. I know it is
good;
and when I tell you of these things which were given my be inspiration
of the Holy Spirit, you are bound to receive them as sweet, and rejoice
more and more.
President
Joseph Smith said:--It
is just as impossible, for me to continue the subject of yesterday as
to
raise the dead. My lungs are worn out. There is a time to all things,
and
I must wait. I will give it up, and leave the time to those who can
make
you hear, and I will continue the subject of my discourse some other
time.
I want to make a proclamation to the Elders. I wanted you to stay, in
order
that I might make this proclamation. You know very well that the Lord
has
led this Church by revelation. I have another revelation in relation to
economy in the Church--a great, grand, and glorious revelation. shall
not
be able to dwell as largely upon it now as at some other time; will
give
you the first principles. You know there has been great discussion in
relation
to Zion--where it is, and where the gathering of the dispensation is,
and
which I am now going to tell you. The prophets have spoken and written
upon it; but I will make a proclamation that will cover a broader
ground.
The whole of America is Zion itself from north to south, and is
described
by the Prophets, who declare that it is the Zion where the mountain of
the Lord should be, and that it should be in the center of the land.
When
Elders shall take up and examine the old Prophecies in the Bible, they
will see it.
The
declaration this morning
is, that as soon as the Temple and baptismal font are prepared, we
calculate
to give the Elders of Israel their washings and anointings, and attend
to those last and more impressive ordinances, without which we cannot
obtain
celestial thrones. But there must be a holy place prepared for that
purpose.
There was a proclamation made during the time that the foundation of
the
Temple was laid to that effect, and there are provisions made until the
work is completed, so that men may receive their endowments and be made
kings and priests unto the Most High God, having nothing to do with
temporal
things, but their whole time will be taken up with things pertaining to
the house of God. There must, however, be a place built expressly for
that
purpose, and for men to be baptized for their dead. It must be built in
this the central place; for every man who wishes to save his father,
mother,
brothers, sisters and friends, must go through all the ordinances for
each
one of them separately, the same as for himself, from baptism to
ordination,
washings and anointings, and receive all the keys and powers of the
Priesthood,
the same as for himself.
I have
received instructions
from the Lord that from henceforth wherever the Elders of Israel shall
build up churches and branches unto the Lord throughout the States,
there
shall be a stake of Zion. In the great cities, as Boston, New York,
&c.,
there shall be stakes. It is a glorious proclamation, and I reserved it
to the last, and designed it to be understood that this work shall
commence
after the washings, anointings and endowments have been performed here.
The
Lord
has an established
law in relation to the matter: there must be a particular spot for the
salvation of our dead. I verily believe there will be a place, and
hence
men who want to save their dead can come and bring their families, do
their
work by being baptized and attending to the other ordinances for their
dead, and then may go back again to live and wait till they go to
receive
their reward. I shall leave my brethren to enlarge on this subject: it
is my duty to teach the doctrine. I would teach it more fully--the
spirit
is willing but the flesh is weak. God is not willing to let me gratify
you; but I must teach the Elders, and they should teach you. God made
Aaron
to be the mouth piece for the children of Israel, and He will make me
be
god to you in His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if you
don't like it, you must lump it. I have been giving Elder Adams
instruction
in some principles to speak to you, and if he makes a mistake, I will
get
up and correct him.
April 7,
1844
History
of
the Church,
6:302-317
The
Whole
of America Zion
April 8, 1844
History
of the
Church, 6:318-319
The
following was a
synopsis of a discourse the Prophet delivered the next day after the
King
Follett Discourse: