It contains deep doctrine pertaining to the LDS Restoration Movement and the Restored Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One must first learn to swim before one enters into deep waters.
The content provided herein is for those who have been weaned from the breast and yearn for the meat. Those not prepared for the meat can choke on it.
It is for those who have contracted the spirit of watching and have made it through the “Third Watch Boot Camp” which consists of reading every numbered post in chronological order on the above mentioned three watches blog, beginning with the very first post which lays the foundation for the journey you are about to embark on.
AFTER reading the threewatches blog, I highly recommend that you read all of the articles I have posted in the LDSAnarchy Blogsite
If you make it that far and still want more information to read, this blog would be next.
If you cheat and read the information in this site first, you risk getting a big, ugly wart on the end of your nose and you will only be cheating yourself. The content in this blog will make much more sense and be much more meaningful if you lay the proper foundation first.
The deeper doctrines of the kingdom have the ability to either enhance your “testimony” of the restored gospel or expose how frail it is, based on the doctrinal and spiritual foundation you have acquired before you read this information.
Prepare for the journey of your life…. we’re not in Kansas anymore Toto
“I WILL TELL YOU IN YOUR MIND AND IN YOUR HEART” How do we avoid being decieved? Intellectual knowledge? Warm fuzzy feelings? Or searching the word of God so the Holy Spirit can teach us through mind and our heart?
“Bring AGAIN Zion” Why is it that the Nephite Zion was not translated and caught up into heaven like the city of Enoch? Is it that they still have a mission to fulfill here on earth?
Peace and Safety Right before the sudden destruction people will be saying “Pease and Safety”
Differentiating between the Divine Purpose of the
BOOK of COMMANDMENTS
and the
DOCTRINE & COVENANTS
Part One
Some Latter Day Saints have been indoctrinated to think of the 1835 version of the “Doctrine and Covenants” as being the next updated installment and/or newer version of the original 1833 “Book of Commandments”, in the same way that all newer versions of the 1835 D&C are considered to be newer, updated versions of the 1835 D&C.
This assumption is promoted by the modern corporate church which characterized the 1835 D&C as an enlarged compilation of the 1833 Book of Commandments.
This is what the modern corporate church has to say about it-
“A number of the revelations were published in Zion (Independence), Missouri, in 1833, under the title A Book of Commandments for the Government of the Church of Christ. Concerning this publication the elders of the Church gave solemn testimony that the Lord had borne record to their souls that these revelations were true. As the Lord continued to communicate with his servants, an enlarged compilation was published two years later in Kirtland, Ohio, with the title Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.“
In this series I am going to challenge that assumption.
From 1835 until today the D&C has been published and updated many times. Each time some revelations were added, deleted, and in some instances altered, yet the name of the canonized book of scripture has remained the same.
The 1844 edition of the D&C was the next version of the 1835 D&C and it retained the same name.
Is that a coincidence?
Of course not.
Why then, was that not the same situation with the Book of Commandments?
Why wasn’t the 1835 version of the Doctrine and Covenants simply called the second edition of the Book of Commandments? Why did Joseph Smith and the other three members of the committee that compiled the revelations for canonization change the name?
Why were they inspired, and in fact probably commanded by the Lord , to call the second cannon of scripture by a different name?
Was there a need to distinguish and differentiate the two cannons of scripture and if so, why?
I would submit that the Lord inspired the name change because the Doctrine and Covenants was never intended to simply be an updated version of the Book of Commandments.. in fact, it was a cannon of scripture with an entirely different purpose and it was addressing a different church, living in a different dispensation.
Please notice that the full original name of the Book of Commandments was-
A Book of Commandments for the Government of the Church of Christ, Organized According to Law on the 6th of April 1830
The original full name of the Doctrine and Covenants was
The Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter Day Saints: Carefully Selected from the Revelations of God
As you can see, the Book of Commandments was written for the Church of Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants was written for the Church of the Latter day Saints.
Many of the Kirtland saints were confused by the name change of the church. They didn’t feel that the true Church of Christ would need to experience a name change if it was originally organized and named by revelation.
Furthermore, the Book of Mormon had warned that the true church of Christ must be called by his name.
“And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel.” 3 Nephi 27:8
Jesus Christ revealed the name of his church to the Nephite people: the “Church of Christ“.
“And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the church of Christ.” (3 Nephi 26:21, bold added)
“And they said unto him: Lord, we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter. And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day; And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name?”
As we have discussed in other articles, once the gentile Church of Christ rejected the greater light, the fulness of the gospel containing the fulness of the priesthood was taken from among them and they had to change their name.
Lets briefly review the chronology of the names by which the restoration saints called their church-
On April 6, 1830, LDS church leaders met together presumably to fulfill the requirements of the laws of the land, and they named their church consistent with the admonition of the Book of Mormon, “The Church of Christ.”
“The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days…by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April”
Yet, after the saints failed to embrace the fulness of the gospel, containing the fulness of the priesthood and the law of consecration, during a conference held on May 3, 1834, with Joseph Smith acting as moderator, “a motion was made by Sidney Rigdon, and seconded by Newel K. Whitney, that this Church be known hereafter by the name of ‘The Church of the Latter-day Saints.’ Remarks were made by the members, after which the motion passed by unanimous vote” (History of the Church 2:62-63). er, p. 73).
On that historic occasion, by unanimous vote, the saints took the name of CHRIST out of the official name of the church!
In essence, whether unwittingly or whether knowingly, that event appears to have been inspired.
That event acknowledged that the church was no longer worthy of being called by the name of Christ. (The Lord had told the saints that if they did not live the law of Zion they were not his people)
Of course it appears that the saints didn’t generally understand the real reason for the name change of the church.
David Whitmer, who seemed to blame all bad things on Sidney Rigdon would later imply that after being inspired by the Lord to name the church in the Lord’s name, that it would be Rigdon’s influence that got Joseph to make the name change-
“In June, 1829, the Lord gave us the name by which we must call the church, being the same as He gave the Nephites. We obeyed His commandment, and called it The Church of Christ until 1834, when, through the influence of Sydney Rigdon, the name of the church was changed to The Church of the Latter Day Saints, dropping out the name of Christ entirely…” (An Address to All Believers In Christ Whitmer, p. 73). er Day Saints
LDS apologists who contend that the original name was not really changed but simply given a nick name to differentiate it from other contemporary churches, (for example, Alexander Campbell had founded a church that was called the “Church of Christ” ) have two very difficult problems to explain.
One is the title given to the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. wherein it was called the Church of the Latter day Saints.
The other problem can clearly be seen on the face of the Kirtland Temple.
It is no coincidence that when the Kirtland Temple was completed and dedicated in 1836, the Lord restored the gospel of Abraham instead of the dispensation of the fulness of times.
This is because the saints had rejected the fulness of the gospel containing the fulness of the priesthood and were now hanging on to the Abrahamic Covenant of the Old Covenant instead of the New Covenant in Christ.
Notice the name of the Kirtland Temple which is the same name that was engraved in a tablet on the Temple at the time of it’s dedication in 1836!
Two years after the name change downgrade in 1836, on April 26, 1838, another name change was acknowledged by the Lord as “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints” and has remained thus since. (The hyphen in ‘Latter-day’ was add about a century or so later to be grammatically correct).
Although 1838 is the first time in modern revelation that the fourth and final name change is acknowledged by the Lord, other historical documentation no doubt verifies that the new name began being used in Far West.
It appears, from a historical context, that the final name change that included the name of Jesus Christ, was introduced as a result of the saints attempting again to live the law of consecration during the Far West era, after the Church of the Latter day Saints had to flee from Kirtland.
The chronology of the name is:
1830: Church of Christ (See D&C 1)
1831 Church of God (See D&C 70:5 referring to those within the Church of Christ who were called to the Melchizedek Priesthood)
1834: The Church of the Latter Day Saints (Name on Temple and on 1835 D&C)
1838: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ( although the fourth and final name change shows up for the first time in canonized scripture in section 115, it was probably being used earlier than that during the early Far West era)
I would submit that the Book of Commandments and the Doctrine and Covenants had two very distinct and different purposes and they were addressing two separate churches.
This is proven by the names given to these two cannons of scriptures.
However, there is much more evidence to support this proposition which will be addressed as we continue this series. It is not just two different churches being addressed. The actual purpose of each book is quite different.
False Prophets VS. Fallen Prophets [editorial note: Since this post is being published on Halloween day, let me remind you that the original holiday was
reformation day...this is the day that Martin Luther nailed the "95 Thesis" on the door of the large and spacious building!]
The term false prophet originates in the New Testament.
If you do a Google search of the term “false prophet”, you get a little over 3 MILLION hits and 2.1 MILLION if you do a more narrow search using quotation marks.
Interestingly, the term fallen prophet cannot be found in the New Testament yet a cursory examination suggests that the term very possibly originated or at least gained traction during and from the LDS restoration movement of the 1800′s.
A general Google search of the term brings up a little over 15 MILLION hits with 41,000 resulting from a more narrow search using quotation marks!
The very first listing for fallen prophet on Google, regardless of which way you search the term, is a page accusing Joseph Smith of being a fallen prophet… it is listed below with the three lines, exactly as it shows up on Google-
Following that first listing you get lots of contemporary uses of the term mingled with sites pertaining to Mormonism both pro and con. A Google search brings up everything from music groups and songs, to video games, software platforms and even YouTube videos all incorporating the term fallen prophet, or variations thereof.
Again, the term fallen prophet never shows up in the Old or New Testament and when goggling it, virtually all of the top ranking religious sites mingled in with the contemporary sites using the key words “fallen prophet” seem to be LDS related.
Traditional Christianity virtually never uses the term nor does it show up in the Bible. This is not surprising since traditional Christianity does not put a huge emphasis on the importance of prophets, particularly in a contemporary context.
Of course Joseph Smith was accused in Kirtland of being a fallen prophet and again in Far West and finally in Nauvoo, he was accused of being a fallen prophet.
His accusers were believers in the LDS restoration who believed in his original calling as a prophet and associated revelations but felt he had eventually fallen into transgression and departed from his original calling.
The first major apostasy took place in Kirtland shortly after the special conference at the Morley Farm when some of the leading brethren who were called to be high priests denied the faith and others accused Joseph of being.
During the second main apostasy in Kirtland some people were upset about the name change of the church while others became angry about the affairs of the Kirtland Safety Society.
During the Far West period some of the most prominent leaders of the Church actually signed affidavits accusing Joseph of some very serious things. These charges landed Joseph and others in jail.
Finally in Nauvoo, people were concerned for a multitude of reasons including the fact that he was no longer receiving revelations. Section 124 was the last major revelation of doctrinal significance to be canonized. Some of the saints felt that Joseph Smith began teaching doctrines that conflicted with his earlier teachings. They saw Joseph Smith’s teachings about the progression of the Gods and his involvement in masonry and polygamy as contradicting the teachings of the gospel in the Book of Mormon and the early revelations in the D&C.
On the other hand, many of the saints interpreted the new doctrines and practices as proof of continued revelation and further enlightenment.
According to one online commentary-
“In the stormy spring of 1844, the King Follett discourse rose like a castle in the weeds, a splendid, mysterious heterodoxy standing amid the bitterness in Nauvoo. The sermon thrilled many of the city’s Mormons. Joseph Fielding, one of the Prophet’s listeners, said, “Any one that could not see in him the Spirit of inspiration of God must be dark, they might have known that he was not a fallen Prophet even if they thought he was fallen.“
People like Fielding loved accounts of the heavenly order. Not so the Laws, Fosters, and Higbees. William Law said the annual conference brought out “some of the most blasphemous doctrines… ever heard of,” such as “other gods as far above our God as he is above us.”
I have already discussed in previous blogs how some people believe that the Nauvoo era of the church represented further enlightenment while others saw it as a time of great darkness and backsliding.
There was actually a great polarization taking place at this period of time within the church.
So great was the heat on Joseph Smith by his critics that he made mention of their deliberations publicly in a sermon.
In it he said-
“my apostate enemies say that I have been a true prophet–& I had rather be a fallen true prophet, than a false prophet” May 12 1844
Joseph was pointing out that there is a very significant distinction between a false prophet and a true prophet that becomes a fallen prophet.
What does it mean to be fallen?
Fallen from what?
The probable answer to that is provided by the Lord in section 20 of the D&C.
“And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true; And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength. But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;“
Based on the above passage, I would submit that a fallen prophet is a person who was a true prophet at first, who has since Fallen from Grace.
That being the case, it causes one pause that Joseph would rather be a fallen true prophet than simply a false prophet from the beginning because we are taught in the church that those who fall from the greater light receive the greater condemnation.. Obviously a true prophet who transgresses and falls from grace would have fallen from a state of greater light than someone who was never a true prophet to begin with.
I am going to suggest that Joseph would rather be a fallen prophet simply because it is possible to return to a state of grace after falling from it!
Grace Vs. Mercy
It is often said that “Grace is what God gives that we don’t deserve. Mercy is what God doesn’t give that we do deserve“. (God often withhold his wrath even though we deserve it)
It is interesting to observe that according to the ancient prophecy about the future Davidic servant, even though he would transgress and be chastened by the rod of men, the mercy of the Lord would not depart from him.
“If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.” 2nd Samuel 7:15:
Is it possible that the latter day servant of God and his associates spoken of in 2nd Samuel and Leviticus 16 temporarily fall from grace while the mercy of God never departs from them?
I would suggest that one can remain within the mercy of God even while temporarily falling from grace.
Perhaps that is why Joseph said he would rather be a true fallen prophet than a false prophet. Perhaps he understood that falling from grace does not necessarily denote an eternal or unchangeable condition of damnation.
When Satan fell from heaven, he was not only falling from grace, but he was eternally falling from the mercy of God.
It is unfortunate that some of us view prophets as infallible and others of us assume that if a prophet does fall from grace they cannot repent and be returned to their former state. Such assumptions prevent us from using their lives and the counsel God gives them as examples of the human condition and the mercy of God.
Again my purpose in addressing this topic is not to Judge (condemn) Joseph Smith but rather to judge (observe and learn from ) the events of his life and from the council and prophetic instruction that the Lord gave him.
It is truly significant that the term fallen prophet is mainly only relevant in Mormonism and that Protestantism and Catholicism seldom if ever use the term.
Although the term fallen prophet does appear to originate from the Kirtland era of the restoration movement, it did not originate from the accusations that were being made by the critics of Joseph Smith.
It actually originates from a revelation from God to Joseph Smith!
First, a little context.
The storyline begins in mid 1828.
The 116 pages of the Book of Mormon had been lost because Joseph had feared man more than God and had allowed himself to be influenced by the persuasions of men.
The Lord was upset with Joseph.
In a revelation directed solely to Joseph Smith, before the church was even organized, the Lord proclaimed this very profound truth-
“Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men”
The Lord then gave Joseph a hypothetical scenario-
” For although a man may have many revelations, and have power to do many mighty works, yet if he boasts in his own strength, and sets at naught the counsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall and incur the vengeance of a just God upon him.”
One has to wonder how modern day Mormonism has embraced the infallibility of prophets doctrine, when the above passage so clearly states that prophets CAN fall!
The above passage in section 3 of the D&C very possibly constitutes the very first introduction of the “fallen prophet” term and the fact that a true prophet can in fact fall from grace.
It is this revelation that haunted Joseph throughout his public ministry because it alerted the membership of the church to the fact that a prophet of God can fall from grace after receiving a long string of revelations and doing many mighty works.
It is this passage that caused many of the converts to Mormonism to watch Joseph Smith with a very critical and accusative eye anytime he did or said something that seemed out of harmony with the prior revelations..
Clearly the hypothetical given in section 3 was not referring to the historical Joseph Smith of 1828 for indeed the pattern given did not reflect the life of Joseph during that period of time.
Take a look at the six point hypothetical the Lord gave to Joseph in section 3-
A prophet can have many revelations
A prophet can do many mighty works
Following the revelations and mighty works the prophet can begin boasting
Following the revelations and mighty works the prophet can set at naught the counsels of God
Following the revelations and mighty works the prophet can follow his his own will and carnal desires
Following the revelations and mighty works the prophet can FALL (and have no more gift of prophecy)
At the time this revelation was given in 1828 Joseph had not yet received very many revelations. He had mainly been blessed with the ministering of angels. The many revelations now canonized in the D&C were to come in later years.
At that time, Joseph had not done very many mighty works.
He was not a boastful person at that early time in his life.
He did make a bad judgment call with regard to Martin Harris and the 116 pages but he was tormented by his mistake and quickly became contrite and repentant.
He clearly did not fall from grace at that time, or if he did, he did not fall from grace for very long because God assured him-
“thou are still chosen, and art AGAIN called to the work” (vs 10)
(admittedly, the “again” in the above passage implies that in fact Joseph may have temporarily lost his calling even though he had not lost his status of being “chosen”.
The Lord in his mercy forgave him and accepted his repentance.
All in all, the six-part hypothetical really did not fully apply to the historical Joseph Smith of 1828 even though the hypothetical was incorporated within a revelation that was being clearly and specifically directed at him.
Lets review in greater detail what the Lord said to Joseph after giving the hypothetical.
Notice how the dialogue changed from hypothetical to personal once again.
“Behold, you have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you, if you did not transgress them.
And behold, how oft you have transgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the persuasions of men.
For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and despise his words—
Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; and he would have been with you in every time of trouble.
Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt fall.
But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work;
Except thou do this, thou shalt be delivered up and become as other men, and have no more gift.
The Importance of Being AWARE
What an interesting statement-
“..if thou art not aware thou wilt fall.”
That is the second time in the revelation that the Lord uses the word FALL.
The word “fall” is first used in the six point hypothetical, demonstrating that a true prophet can still fall from grace if he transgresses.
Secondly, it is used referring directly to Joseph, as the Lord gives Joseph the warning that if he is not aware, he will “fall“!
This passage is what I have taken as the theme of this post because the message is so profound and yet so subtle.
Have you ever really considered the importance of being aware?
Have you ever read about the doctrine of AWARENESS?
I have written other posts in which I have attempted to show that Joseph, Sidney and others were acting as intercessory servants who were artificially taking upon themselves the transgressions of the apostate latter day saints.
In those articles I emphasized that Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and their associates committed transgression in a different way than many others commit transgressions.
It is one thing to take upon you your own sins. It is quite another to act as intercessory servants who have the sins of latter day Israel artificially placed upon them and therefore act them out!
In the above mentioned posts I have always stopped short of calling Joseph Smith a fallen prophet because in my mind, the transgressions he took on were artificially placed upon him and he simply acted out the sins that were in the hearts of apostate Israel.
During the Far West period the Lord gave a strong rebuke to those who were accusing Joseph and Sidney falsely-
“Cursed are all those that shall lift up the heel against mine anointed, saith the Lord, and cry they have sinned when they have not sinned before me, saith the Lord, but have done that which was meet in mine eyes, and which I commanded them. But those who cry transgression do it because they are the servants of sin, and are the children of disobedience themselves.“
How interesting that the Lord made it clear to the church in section three and section twenty and other revelations that Joseph had sinned and that he could fall in the future if he was not AWARE, yet during the Far West period he gives such a strong warning to those who falsely accuse Joseph and others of the Lords anointed servants!
Another interesting possibility that surfaces in this study is that the terms “sin” and “transgression” may not mean the same thing. It is possible that the anointed servants of the Lord that artificially took upon themselves the sins of the people were under transgression but not sin.
Nevertheless, after pondering section 3, I believe there is strong reason to believe that the six part hypothetical given in section 3, followed by the direct warning to Joseph that he will fall if he is not aware, is in fact more than a hypothetical. It appears to be a prophecy regarding the future historical Joseph smith of the 1840′s and perhaps even earlier.
There is an uncanny resemblance between the six-part hypothetical in section 3 and the life of Joseph during the Nauvoo era.
First of all, Joseph had published and canonized over 100 revelations by the time he began his involvement in Masonry and polygamy in Nauvoo. He had truly received “many revelations”.
Secondly, Joseph had done “many wonderful works“, including healings, the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood, the completion of the Kirtland Temple and the associated ushering in of the gospel of Abraham, etc.
Thirdly, the humble and contrite Joseph of the early years became bold and brash and “boastful” very possibly in fulfillment of the prophecy in section 3.
Perhaps one of the most arrogant, obnoxious and blasphemous pronouncements he made is contained in a sermon he gave in front of thousands of people in 1844 when he said-
“I have more to boast of than ever any man had. I am the only man that has ever been able to keep a whole church together since the days of Adam. A large majority of the whole have stood by me. Neither Paul, John, Peter, nor Jesus ever did it. I boast that no man ever did such a work as I. The followers of Jesus ran away from Him; but the Latter-day Saints never ran away from me yet.” History of the Church, Vol. 6, pp. 408-409 (Sunday, May 26, 1844) http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/1844/26May44.html
Prior to understanding the atonement statute and the effect it had on Joseph Smith I would read the above quote and other similar ones made during the Nauvoo era and just shake my head in disbelief.
At first I simply rejected the possibility that Joseph ever made such statements even though they appear to come from credible sources. These types of statements are so repugnant that I simply didn’t believe a prophet of God could utter them.
I now see them as a reminder of what happens when a person looses their spiritual equilibrium and state of spiritual awareness. The ego runs unrestrained. I believe such pronouncements from Joseph Smith represent a remarkable fulfillment of Gods warning and prophecy in section 3.
I see them as a sign that Joseph lost his awareness, causing him to fall. (Isaiah informs us that God covers the eyes of the seers because of the iniquity of latter day Israel. Would that not constitute losing ones awareness?)
Fourth and fifthly, at the time that Joseph was boasting in his accomplishments he was contradicting the previous revelations about the importance of the celestial law of monogamy. In doing this, he was truly setting at naught the councils of God and following after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires.
According to some accounts, Joseph spoke openly about his enjoyment of the young wives he had taken on… according to William Law-
“Joseph was very free in his talk about his women. He told me one day of a certain girl and remarked, that she had given him more pleasure than any girl he had ever enjoyed. I told him it was horrible to talk like this.“ – Joseph Smith’s close confidant and LDS Church First Councilor, William Law, Interview in Salt Lake Tribune, July 31,
As mentioned on other posts, Joseph later confided in William Marks that he and the saints had been deceived into embracing the spiritual wife doctrine but this was not until it had deeply infected the quorum of the Twelve, other leaders and many members of the church.
Lastly, point number six of the prophecy is arguably the most profound and remarkable part of the prophecy to come true if this scenario I am presenting is accurate; he fell from grace, resulting in falling from his position and from his gift of prophecy.
The Lord had warned Joseph that if he boasted, he truly would become as other men, and have his gift of prophecy taken away.-
“Except thou do this, thou shalt be delivered up and become as other men and have no more gift“
When Joseph publicly announced to the Church in Nauvoo that he would no longer be prophesying for the church, I don’t believe he was exercising his own prerogative to become an emeritus prophet. I believe he was in essence acknowledging that he didn’t possess the gift of prophecy anymore.
Did he fully understood what had happened? I don’t know.
Did he realize that the prophecy in section 3 had been fulfilled and that he had lost the gift and become as other men?
I don’t know.
He seemed to indicate that he was moving forward in his own personal progression while his brother Hyrum would remain as the prophet for the church.
I believe the prophetic and historical evidence strongly suggests Joseph had become as other men… and the Lord had taken the gift of prophecy from him.
It is not a coincidence that he did not receive any revelations during the last three years of his life.
In part four of this series we shall view the remarkable prophecy in section 3 in the context of two other supporting prophetic revelations contained in the D&C.
We shall then take a look at the meaning behind the Tree of Life vs the Tree of Knowledge and continue our attempt to gain a better understanding of the doctrine of awareness.
I believe most people who have studied the life of Joseph Smith assume that either he was a true prophet, or a false prophet, period.
It is a very black or white issue for them.
They believe he was either virtually always inspired and acting prophetically whenever he gave a high profile doctrinal sermon or revelation OR he was virtually never inspired when giving a doctrinal sermon or presenting a revelation.
That view seems logical to most people.
Latter day saints have been brain washed into a system of prophet-worship and indoctrinated into the doctrine of infallibility.
Believers feel safe in believing EVERYTHING he said.
Conversely, those who reject the LDS restoration feel safe in rejecting EVERYTHING he said if they can find just one doctrine he taught that appears to be false or one thing he did that appeared to be out of character for a holy prophet of God.
This all or nothing belief takes the need for personal revelation and discernment out of the equation.
It feels so much safer to believe that the Lord’s anointed servant will never make a mistake and that all we need to do is mindlessly “follow the prophet” like dumb sheep instead of actually thinking things through, studying them out in the scriptures and praying about them for personal revelation on every given topic.
Brigham Young once said, (I am paraphrasing), that anyone who blindly followed a prophet was not worthy of the celestial kingdom even if they were valiantly following a true prophet.
I agree.
The scriptures make it clear that having oil in our lamps (the Holy Spirit) is what enables the wise virgins into the marriage feast, not blind obedience.
Only those who take responsibility for treasuring up the word of God and taking the Holy Spirit for their guide (which is to receive personal revelation) will receive the gift of eternal life in the highest kingdom of God.
I believe that the doctrine of blindly following a true prophet is a very dangerous and un-scriptural way of thinking. It is a false premise and a slippery slope.
I believe the all or nothing belief system is just exactly how old Scratch wants people to think because that way of thinking prevents both believers and non-believers from entering into the straight and narrow path.
Joseph Smith entered the following statement into his journal
“This morning . . . I visited with a brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that ‘a prophet is always a prophet’; but I told them that a prophet is a prophet only when he was acting as such” (Joseph Smith,_History of the Church, 5:265).
We have reviewed countless other supporting scriptures and inspired statements related to this topic on other posts but don’t have the time to beat a dead horse right now… there is too much other stuff that we need to cover in this series. Suffice it to say, prophets are mortal men who sometimes provide true messages from God, sometimes share their fallible opinions and yes, as documented in the scriptures, they sometimes offer false revelations.
God sometimes uses them to test the Saints, to see if the Saints will stay true to God and the commandments and truths that God has previously taught or whether they can be deceived by worshiping a wayward messenger.
“…if thou art not aware thou wilt fall.”
I began this series by providing the following quotation from section 3
I then provided several definitions including the following one.
aware
AWA’RE, a. [See Ware and Wary.]
Watchful; vigilant; guarded; but more strictly in modern usage, apprised; expecting an event from information, or probability; as, the general was aware of the enemy’s designs.
I then pointed out that I believe the doctrine of awareness pertains to both outward events such as the events of the third watch (which my three watches blog is about) and it also pertains to the inward events that take place in our mind and our hearts. (which my onewhoiswatching blog attempts to address from time to time)
In this series we are going to dissect section 3 of the D&C to get some context for an amazing event in LDS church history having to do with a high profile prophet of God and his tragic, but prophesied departure from being in a state of spiritual awareness.
Before tackling section 3, let me share a few things that have really helped me in my journey to better understand the doctrine of awareness.
Eckhart Tolle
One of the profound teachers of our day is a fellow by the name of Eckhart Tolle
You may be familiar with his best selling book, “A New Earth- Awakening To Your Life’s Purpose” in which he contends that humanity is ready for a transformation of consciousness.
Oprah Winfrey became so enamored with the teachings of Eckhart Tolle that she began promoting him and his work a few years ago and they have attracted millions of followers. In essence, some people feel that she and he are starting a new church/religion.
Unfortunately, Eckhart Tolle doesn’t appear to appreciate the significance of the atonement and the literal Godhood of Christ and yet he builds many of his teachings largely around many of the things Christ taught.
Because Eckhart appears to reject the deity of Christ and the atonement, evangelicals have become violently opposed to his teachings and to the church that he and Oprah seem to be establishing.
My personal philosophy is that I try to adhere to the admonition of Paul and I try to “prove all things and hold fast to that with is good.”
Translation: Even though I see some very serious deficiencies in what Eckhart Tolle and Oprah are teaching and promoting, I can still appreciate some of the profundities that they are sharing.
I have four very close friends who have all told me within the last month that the teachings of Eckhart Tolle have profoundly changed their lives for the better.
They have all said that once they begin to understand how mind chatter works and how the ego adversely influences our lives by painting inaccurate mental images, they can never think in the same destructive way again without catching themselves and their destructive egoic thought patterns.
The comedian, Jim Carey is one of Eckarts enthusiastic and passionate followers. In this short youtube video, he briefly shares his perceptions of Eckhart Tolle and his teachings-
In another youtube video Carrey shared his experience of getting a glimpse of what awareness feels like-
“I woke up and I suddenly got it… I understood about how thought was an illusory thing and how thought is responsible for most of the suffering we experience and then I suddenly felt as if I was looking at these thoughts from another perspective and suddenly I was thrown into this amazing feeling of freedom from myself from my problems.
I saw that I was bigger than what I do and from my body and from everyone.. I was no longer a fragment of the universe.. I was the universe.. and ever since that day I’ve been trying to get back there. It comes and it goes… its like riding a wave, sometimes I an on and sometimes I’m off but at least I know where I want to go and I want to take as many people with me as I can because the feeling is amazing..”
I have listed below a few quotes about awareness by Eckhart Toll
“Awareness is the greatest agent for change.”
“Awareness is the power that is concealed within the present moment.”
“The moment you become aware of the ego in you, it is strictly speaking, no longer the ego, but just an old, conditioned mind-pattern. Ego implies unawareness. Awareness and ego cannot coexist.”
“As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease. When you act out the present-moment awareness, whatever you do becomes imbued with a sense of quality, care, and love – even the most simple action.”
“It is when we are trapped in incessant streams of compulsive thinking that the universe really disintegrates for us, and we lose the ability to sense the interconnectedness of all that exists.”
“Once you have had a glimpse of awareness or Presence, you know it firsthand. It is no longer just a concept in your mind.”
“If you are in a state of intense presence you are free of thought, yet highly alert. If your conscious attention sinks below a certain level, thought rushes in, the mental noise returns, stillness is lost, you’re back in time.”
“thinking without awareness is the main dilemma of human existence”
“some people never forget the first time they disidentified from their thoughts and thus briedly experienced the shift in identity from being the content of their mind to being the awareness in the background”
“The moment you become aware of the ego in you, it is strictly speaking no longer ego, but just an old, conditioned mind-pattern”
“The good news is: If you can recognize illusion as illusion, it dissolves. The recognition of illusion is also its ending”
If you take the time to listen to or read some of Eckarts stuff about “awareness” and “awakening”, you will see how many of the associated topics that he addresses are also addressed in scripture.’
For instance, he identifies ego as being the condition of perceived separateness that clouds our ability to enter into an enlightened state of awareness.
Is that not closely related to what the Book of Mormon and other scriptures address time and time again as the natural man and the sin of pride?
Is that not closely related to what the New Testament and other scripture address as the state of the natural man?
Ego results in pride, separateness and class distinction instead of the Zion principles of humility, unity, equality and oneness.
Ego produces ( or IS) mental noise that prevents the stillness.
The Lord admonishes us to “be still and Know that I am God”.
One of the things I hope to accomplish in this series is to further expose and thus dissolve the illusion that results in prophet worship.
The following graphic illustrates how correlated Mormons prioritize doctrinal authority or truth.
The above graphic illustrates the fact that most members of the corporate church use the correlated teachings of the current and modern presidents of the church as the highest level of authority followed by the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith. After that, they accept the scriptures in the four standard works. In there minds they believe they also receive some degree of personal revelation from the promptings of the Holy Spirit however, they would never question the correlated teachings and therefore rarely find a need to pray about doctrine.
What this means is that if the teachings of the current correlated lesson manuals contradict the teachings of Joseph Smith or the scriptures, they discard the teachings of Joseph Smith and the Scriptures and follow the current correlated teachings of the modern presidents of the church.
This constitutes taking the scriptures lightly and results in being condemned (See Section 84:54)
Conversely the following graphic illustrates how the Lord expects us to discern and prioritized truth. Our center and foundational method of identifying truth is thru the Word of God which comes in two different forms-
a) The Written words of Christ and his servants as contained in the scriptures
b) Personal Revelation from the Holy Ghost
Every other source of doctrinal information must be tested against this foundation and discarded if it fails the test.
Anyone claiming to get personal revelation who does not seriously study and search the written word of God and whose personal revelation contradicts the written word of God is deceived. Anyone who does search the scriptures but fails to received personal revelation will fall short of celestial law. The two must work together synergistically.
PMA vs Life Changing Knowledge vs The Rebirth
I have come to the conclusion that there is a huge difference between some of the motivational “feel good” stuff that is taught and the life changing concepts that others are teaching.
And yet, even the enlightened information dealing with our “state of awareness” that many of the great self help gurus and some of their followers have experienced is still quite different from the spiritual awareness spoken of by the Lord.
Regardless of whether your self help philosophies come from Zig Ziggler, Steven Covey, Wayne Dyer, Tony Robins, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle or Buda himself, your inner awakening and level of awareness will be terrestrial at best until you become spiritually born again.
There simply is no substitute for the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the spiritual rebirth that takes place via the baptism of water, fire and Holy Ghost. (Which is not currently available at this time… but will be in the near future)
As we study section 3 we need to see the relationship between awareness vs. ego. We need to appreciate how ego leads to pride boasting and destructive mind noise. All of these things disintegrate when spiritual awareness takes place.
Another fascinating author that brings much to the study of this topic is Max Skousen.
Years ago I read many of his books including “a Blessing Hitherto Unknown” (part one and two).
While I disagree with some of his ultimate conclusions, I highly recommend his books. They will challenge the way you interpret many passages in the scriptures and hopefully motivate you to dig a little deeper into the deeper doctrines of the kingdom. (thank you for reminding me of his work Ryan)
He compares the tree of knowledge to the Tree of Life concluding that the one leads to death and the other to life.
My perspective if the the Tree of Knowledge represents a temporary phase and that it can lead to life or death depending on the choices we make.
I don’t believe the tree of Knowledge is categorically evil, it actually enabled Adam and his posterity to avoid living forever in their sins.
We will discuss this in more detail later in this series.
Nonjudgmental Judgment
My interpretation of section three of the D&C is no doubt going to offend some people’s sensitivities if they are not familiar with the fact that prophets are fallible human beings and further, if they are not familiar with the atonement statute and the intercessory offering that Joseph Smith and several of his brethren made in behalf of the WHOLE WORLD.
Let me state up front that I believe Joseph Smith became sanctified and had his calling and election made sure in or before 1833.
He is clearly one of the greatest prophets that ever lived and he is going to return to the earth and complete the work the Lord has given him to do in the third watch..
Therefore, as I present my interpretation of section three and some corresponding events that took place in Joseph’s life, please don’t think I am condemning him from an eternal perspective.
On the contrary, I want to understand section 3 and the doctrine of awareness and its application in the life of Joseph Smith because the Lord made this revelation public for the purpose of teaching the Saints about how God’s plan works, Joseph’s role in the restoration and also to teach us about ourselves.
This study is more about us than about Joseph.
He simply played a grand part in this probation that required him to fall just as Adam was required to fall.
Believe it or not, the Lord used the life of Joseph Smith as a quasi-allegorical template for teaching each of us about the human condition and our own struggle to enter into and maintain a state of spiritual awareness.
If you are not familiar with the atonement statute and how it relates to the life of Joseph Smith, you may want to read the following articles
Another powerful reference to the atonement statute is provided in section 84 and points out that verse 57 speaks about how the church was under condemnation until they remember the NEW COVENANT, “even the book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them“
The keywords “new covenant” in verse 57 links up with the keywords “the covenant” in verse 48 which the “Father has renewed and conferred upon you” speaking to the seven elders who had gathered together in prayer to petition the Lord.
In that passage the Lord makes an observation that is perhaps one of the greatest references to the atonement statute and the doctrine of the three watches.
The Lord continues-
“..which is confirmed upon you for your own sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world.”
WOW!
Have you ever heard anything like that before?
Can you ever remember the Lord telling any of the prophets or apostles in the New Testament or the Book of Mormon that the father was renewing and conferring the covenant upon them for the sake of the whole world?
Do you believe what the passage is saying?
Do you believe that somehow these seven servants were receiving the renewal and confirming of their covenant with the Father for YOUR SAKE and the sake of the WHOLE WORLD?
Born again evangelicals would probably feel those passages are blasphemous because they don’t think that a prophets role is to do anything beyond delivering a message from God.
They don’t think that any human being can take upon themselves a covenant in behalf of other people or provide an intercessory atonement.
I believe the key word phrases in verses 58 and 47-48 continue to lead us to other verses in section 84 which are very instructive.
What is the NEW COVENANT that God has just renewed and confirmed upon the seven elders?
Look at how verse 42 links up with verse 48 via the keyword “confirm”
“And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you.”
The priesthood that was confirmed upon the seven that day is the same thing as the covenant that was confirmed upon the seven that day.
COVENANT = PRIESTHOOD
The “NEW COVENANT” – “OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD”
The keywords in sections 58, 47-48, and 42 lead us to the key words describing the OATH AND COVENANT OF THE PRIESTHOOD as described in verses 33-41
33 For whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.
34 They become the sons of Moses and of Aaron and the seed of Abraham, and the church and kingdom, and the elect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood receive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants receiveth me;
37 And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.
41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.
As you can see, once you receive one or both of the first two earthly patriarchal priesthoods and magnified them thru faith, the father enters into covenant with you.
This brings about the renewing of your body.
That is what was being spoken of later on in verse 48 when the Lord spoke of the Father teaching them of the covenant which was RENEWED and CONFIRMED upon these seven individuals.
In other words, you become renewed into a new creation. You experience the spiritual rebirth. You become spiritually born again.
Once you are taught the covenant by the Father and have been reborn, God cannot break the covenant with you, only you can break the covenant.
The ultimate goal of awareness is to lead us to a contrite heart and broken spirit through the re-birthing process of the spirit
Having laid a foundation for the topic of awareness and the role of Joseph Smith, in part three of this series we will finally get down to dissecting section 3.
I had meant to do it in this part but realized that I needed to provide greater foundation before showing the prophecy regarding the fall of one of the greatest prophets that ever lived
Watchful; vigilant; guarded; but more strictly in modern usage, apprised; expecting an event from information, or probability; as, the general was aware of the enemy’s designs.
wary
WARY, a. [See Ware and Warn.] Cautious of danger; carefully watching and guarding against deception, artifices and dangers; scrupulous; timorously prudent. Old men are usually more wary than the young. It is incumbent on a general in war to be always wary.
watchful
WATCHFUL, a. Vigilant; attentive; careful to observe; observant; cautious. It has of before the thing to be regulated, as to be watchful of ones behavior; and against, before the thing to be avoided, as to be watchful against the growth of vicious habits.
vigilant
VIG’ILANT, a. [L. vigilans.] Watchful; circumspect; attentive to discover and avoid danger, or to provide for safety.
Take your places and be vigilant. Be sober, be vigilant.
1Peter 5.
Long before the restored church was legally organized in 1830 the Lord gave Joseph Smith the following warning-
“…if thou art not aware thou wilt fall.”
The mystical and ineffable doctrine of AWARENESS is as subtle as it is profound.
It really doesn’t perceivably show up very often in the scriptures and when it does, it is often described using an array of differing terminology and those terms are often hidden in a seemingly larger message.
Not only are there differing terms associated with it, there are also overlapping doctrines that it intercepts with.
The doctrine of awareness apparently has to do with being watchful, and vigilant regarding external, situational events and things in this temporal world around however it also has to doing with being watchful and vigilant with regard to internal things taking place in our mind and heart.
We Think, Reason and Feel In Both Mind And Heart
The scriptures inform us that the human soul has two separate and distinct thinking and feeling organs, with minds of their own.
One mind is contained in the brain.
The other mind is located in the heart.
The Lord has told us that he communicates to us in both of these cognizant, thinking organs and that the Holy Ghost dwells in the hearts of the righteous-
“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart“. D&C 8:2
The first commandment involves loving the Lord with both of our minds… the mind in our hearts and the mind in our brains.
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)
While the King James Version of the Bible quotes Jesus as saying
“As a man thinketh so is he…”
The Inspired Version of the Bible makes a profound correction to the translation-
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he…”
Although he brain is always thinking and chattering and and providing thoughts, the heart appears to be listening and observing and having thoughts of its own. Sometimes it believes the chatter coming from the brain-mind and sometimes it doesn’t.
From the above passage in the JST It appears to be the thought conclusions formulated within the heart of man that ultimately constitutes what the man is.
While the brain entertains a myriad of thoughts during the day of our conscious lives, it is what we think in our heart that determines who and what we are in the spiritual realm and ultimately how we will be judged and what degree of glory we will be able to abide in the eternal realm. This is perhaps why it is important that we invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts and allow it to dwell in our hearts.
Scripture also informs us that there are two superhuman intelligences that govern and inspire the world of thoughts that the intelligence of man is subjected too.
One source is often referred to as LIGHT and TRUTH.
Section 93 and other scriptures inform us that all truth comes from God and the Holy Spirit (which, according to Lectures on Faith, is the mind of God.)
“Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation— The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men… The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.” (D&C 94)
The other thought source that provides the opposing force in the universe is referred to as LIES.
Scripture informs us that all lies come from Satan.
“the devil.. is the father of all lies“.
If the Devil is the father of all lies, then it is His spirit and thought force that emanates throughout this world darkening and seducing the minds of all men that tell lies.
The Book of Mormon makes the very simple and plain declaration that “There is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord; and that which is evil cometh from the devil.”
We must be vigilant in watching and aware of what is going on around us externally and we must be vigilant in watching what is taking place in our own hearts.
There are external events that we have been commanded to watch for, such as the events of the second coming, however, during this outer watch of things going on in the external world, we must also watch out for the deceptions that Satan plants in the hearts of men when they least expect it.
Satan Wants To Put A Data Feed Into Your Mind and Heart
The scriptures remind us that we need to beware of Satan and his desire to enter into the inner chambers of the heart of man.
why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:3)
And Satan put it into the heart of the serpent, (for he had drawn away many after him,) and he sought also to beguile Ev… wherefore he sought to destroy the world. (Moses 4:6)
And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; (John 13:2)
Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots (Alma 39:11)
God Created Satan and Controls Him
It is essential for there to be opposition in all things and the creation of Satan was necessary to provide that opposition. We are informed that God actually creates both good and evil and it is the Lord God Almighty that actually created and controls Satan-
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.(Isa 45:7)
O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol— (121:4)
(The 1828 Websters informs us that control means “To check; to restrain; to govern… To overpower; to subject to authority; to counteract; to have under command…. To direct or govern in opposition; to have superior force, or authority over.)
The cares of the world
In the fourth chapter of Mark, we read about the parable of the sower. In this parable the Savior observed that the word of God is like unto a sower who is sowing seed in an array of places.
In some instances the fowls of the air devoured the seed before it could take root.
“And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.”
In other instances it fell on stony ground where it had not much earth. It therefore sprang up because it had no depth of earth. Therefore, when the sun came up it was scorched because it had no root. It therefore withered away.
Some of the good seed fell among thorns which chocked it so that it yielded no fruit.
The seed which fell on good ground yielded fruit that sprang up and increased and brought forth, some thirty, some sixty and some an hundred.
After informing his disciples that it was given unto them to know the mystery of the kingdom while others must be taught in parables, he revealed that the thorns represented the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in.
These cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things are what, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Spirit filled Awareness
When the scriptures speak of the importance of being aware and of watching.. I believe they are speaking about spirit filled awareness and spirit filled watching. In other words, those passages are speaking of awareness and watching in the spirit filled context, not in the level of awareness and watching that takes place in the natural man.
The natural man is an enemy to God because he is unable to access the Godly state of awareness. In a sense, one might define awareness as having the Holy Ghost dwelling in the heart, creating a contrite spirit and broken heart.
The broken heart and contrite spirit takes place during the spiritual rebirth, after we have become spiritually born again.
True Knowledge Is a State Of Being
When Christ said that it was life eternal to know God, he again taught the behavioral principle that true knowledge is a state of being. (Study 2 Peter 1:3–11 and John 7:16–17.)
In this series we will review the importance of being aware externally and internally.
The term aware only shows up in the four standard works about 13 times.
One of these times is in section 121 wherein we are informed that when a person is not in a state of awareness, they are “left unto themselves” rather than being harmonious with the spirit and the will of God-
34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
36 That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
38 Behold, ere [BEFORE] he is AWARE, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God.
39 We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
40 Hence many are called, but few are chosen.
Another instance we find the doctrine of awareness in Modern Revelation is found in a very personal revelation given to Joseph smith.
It is section 3 of the D&C and it contains an ominous warning to Joseph Smith, informing him that if he is not AWARE, he will fall. Some might argue that the admonition of the Lord to Joseph Smith is more than a warning… that in fact, it was a prophecy.
Despite the personal nature of this revelation and the fact that it was received before the church was even legally organized, the Lord apparently commanded Joseph Smith to include it in the canonized Book of Commandments and the Doctrine and Covenants.
I suspect that the reason for this is that the principles and lessons to be learned from this revelation apply to all of us. Additionally, God wanted the world to know that Joseph, and prophets in general, can fall from grace.
In part two of this series we shall focus on that section. You may want to read it and ponder it before you read part two of this section.
I don’t seem to make much time for blogging anymore… I have several unfinished series that will apparently remain unfinished for some time. My energies have been focused in a different directions.
I recently made a Walipini (earth sheltered greenhouse) and it has really been a fun project. We should get our first freeze in this neck of the woods within the next three weeks and then I will see if all of my hard work has paid off. I hope to provide pics on one of my posts some time in the future.
I want to share a few things that have been happening and/or things that have been on my mind lately.
In this post I will be rambling about various related and unrelated things-
A month or two ago NEPT send me the following link to a newspaper article which I found very interesting.
It is also very timely since it is about polygamy and lots of people have been blogging about polygamy lately…
A fellow by the name of Mark recently sent me the following heads up
“Hi Watcher,
Not sure if you ever read Denver Snuffer’s posts – but his latest I thought you may find interesting: his conclusion that Joseph never taught that plural wives was a requirement for exaltation – that only came from Brigham.
Snuffer presents an interesting case that Joseph did not teach the multiple wives was necessary for the highest salvation.
By the way, Rock has been threatening to revisit the topic of polygamy again.. It will be interesting to see if he changes his stance on whether JS participated in the practice or not…. I always find his articles entertaining and thought provoking.
Anyway,
The above newspaper article is about a paper presented at the recent FAIR conference. It was given by a prominent BYU professor who is a high profile Mormon feminist. Valerie Hudson is really quite a high powered gal… here is her website…. http://vmrhudson.org/
She has created an organization to promote LDS scholarship. You can read about it along with some interesting article here http://squaretwo.org/
At the FAIR conference Hudson proposed a different interpretation of section 132. One that suggests that polygamy was given as a temporary sacrifice, not an ongoing blessing.
If I felt that section 132 was a valid revelation I would be sorely tempted to take her interpretation of it seriously.
I would love to see the actual transcript of the talk she gave. I noticed a comment on a blog that indicated that it was retty much the same as what is in this article on her site http://www.squaretwo.org/Sq2ArticleCasslerPolygamy.html (I don’t know if that is true)
I believe she has an amazing amount of courage to publicly dictate why the doctrine of polygamy will never be lived again by the Latter day Saints.
Rumor has it that she has really pissed of some of the brethren by her remarks.
While checking out some of her article I read an interesting one she wrote entitled
The Curious Appeal of Roman Catholicism
for Certain Latter-day Saint Intellectuals
In that article she references that fascinating conversion to Catholicism of Mormon professor Richard Sherlock.
Frankly, I was underwhelmed with the guy and his deductive reasoning abilities. I suspect he is a Jesuit plant who never understood the Mormon religion.
The only thing of interest in his entire talk was that he made reference to the unscriptural doctrines that Joseph Smith introduced in the 1840′s.
Of course, I have pointed out in several blogs why the gospel and associated doctrines of Mormonism in the 1830′s is so incredibly and radically different than the gospel and related doctrines of Mormonism of the 1840′s… which reminds of another interesting event.
The folks at Mormon stories sponsored a tribute to D. Michael Quinn. I really appreciate the research and integrity Quinn has put forth in getting the truth out about Mormon history. I owe him big time for providing critical historical information that has helped me get down the rabbit hole more quickly and to find missing pieces of the prophet puzzel.
If you are interested in hearing Quinns story and answers to questions during his recent visit to the City of Salt, click here. http://mormonstories.org/?p=1787
When someone asked Mike about the future of the church, he said, “Historians don’t make good prophets”.
After hearing some of Quinns personal beliefs and his love for Brigham Young, I would add that “historians don’t make good theologians” either!
Speaking of the huge change between the 1830′s and 1840′s, the folks over at Mormon Expression had an essay contest where they invited folks to send in a 10 minute audio essay about anything related to Mormonism.
The Mormon Expression Podcast is largely directed to those who have lost their faith relating to Mormonism. I was curious to see if there were any disenfranchised Mormons over there that were well read in church history and the scriptures and I wanted to see what kind of response I would get if I summarized what happened at the special conference at the Morley Farm.
Hence, I sent in an audio summary of the Special Conference.
You can hear it by clicking on the link below (if I did this correctly)
ests]
Sadly, the recording did not generated much discussion. However, there was one person by the name of Jason that made a comment.
In responding to him I was able to chrystalize in my mind how differently the process and methodology is of how believers and non believers interpret LDS history. I was also able to respond to the false idea perpetuated by anti-Mormon scholars that JS never mentions the first vision or restoration of priesthood until 1835 (the comments will make more sense if you listen to the recording first).
I thought some of you might find the exchange between me and Jason interesting. I have provided our exchange below-
JASON: The June 1831 Conference always fascinated me since I first read about it for the first time in Bushman’s Rough Stone Rolling. I appreciate your faith-promoting interpretation because you remain consistent with the facts.
However, I believe an alternative explanation is more plausible. Namely, Smith actually believed the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored for the first time in 1831 when he declared it so at that time.
It isn’t until later that Smith retroactively claimed that he received the Melchizedek Priesthood from Peter, James, and John in 1829. In his traditional fashion, Smith fashioned a more charismatic, more grandiose story of priesthood restoration to gain a following at a time when members were leaving in droves.
Martin Harris and David Whitmer had never heard of angelic beings who restored the higher priesthood until quite later. Indeed, few members had ever heard of this account until well after the alleged date of the priesthood’s restoration in 1829. Indeed, Oliver Cowdry and others later retrofitted the Book of Commandments with the higher priesthood’s restoration by the hands of Peter, James, and John. D. Michael Quinn thoroughly addressed this problem in the first Mormon Hierarchy book.
However, Smith’s problem was that he already claimed to have received the Melchizedek priesthood “for the first time” in June of 1831. It’s a quandary that even Bushman couldn’t really comfortably resolve in Rough Stone Rolling.
OWIW: That is an interesting theory Jason.
Can you be more specific about when Joseph changed his story at a “later” time, because people were leaving in droves?
I don’t think he ever changed his story, I think there was perhaps a problem with semantics. Joseph did say that all priesthood was Melchizedek. In that context, it is true that the patriarchal priesthood restored by PJ&J was a portion of Melchizedek, however, I think it is easily documented that Joseph did not deviate from the concept that there were three separate and distinct divisions of priesthood, nor did he deny that the Melchizedek priesthood was restored for the first time at the Morley Farm.
Joseph Smith gave a very detailed explanation of the three divisions of priesthood very late in his life, during the Nauvoo period, on August 27 1843. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parall…
Additionally, section 124 also indicates that the fulness of the priesthood had been lost from the earth, yet the second priesthood which governs the saving ordinances was clearly still on the earth and being used and spoken of in revelation during the Nauvoo period.
JASON: OWIW,
Richard Bushman raises this theory in Rough Stone Rolling when he writes, “the late appearance of these accounts [referring to the accounts of restoration by Peter, James and John] raises the possibility of later fabrication.” (Pg. 75).
The current version of Priesthood restoration does not appear until around 1835. The Book of Commandments was a chronological recording of all of Joseph Smith’s revelations and would have covered the time that Smith alleges to have received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1829. However, such an account makes no appearance.
Grant Palmer writes in, An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins, that “Accounts of angelic ordinations from John the Baptist, and Peter, James, and John are in none of the journals, diaries, letters, or printed matter until the mid-1830s.” Pgs. 223-24).
When Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery complied the 1835 D&C, they added a significant amount of verses to D&C section 27 from the original chapter in the Book of Commandments. Of the 649 added words, Smith and Cowdery provided account of the visit from Peter, James, and John. This link provides a comparison of the later additions and alterations of the 1835 D&C with the original Book of Commandments: http://www.saintswithouthalos…..
Anyway, Mormonthink.com provides a comprehensive review of this problem and raises other significant issues that suggest Smith retroactively added the angelic account of priesthood revelation after the June 1831 conference. As for the members leaving at this time, I believe that information is generally accepted, but I cannot provide an immediate source.
As discussed above, we know that no account of the angelic restoration appeared until the mid 1830s, and I believe that this was a time of great upheaval in Kirkland. It’s also the same year in which Smith tells more grandiose stories of the First Vision and purchases the Egyptian Papyri and announces that he found a text written by the hand of Abraham. Add all of these events together, and we see a pattern of Smith making grandiose claims as a method to instill zeal and belief in its membership during a time when doubts and disenchantment with Mormonism pervaded.
OWIW: Jason-
Thank you for a more detailed response.
I am not questioning that people left in droves during the Kirtland era. Indeed I have seen estimates of up to 50% of the membership and 30% of the leadership that left during the Kirtland apostasy.
My point was that the Kirtland apostasy was pretty much completed by 1838-9 and yet we have Joseph still teaching about the three levels of priesthood in 1843. Joseph was still clearly teaching about the three levels of priesthood long after the Kirtland apostasy.
I also agree with you that Joseph did not speak about certain things until later in his ministry which understandably causes lots of people indigestion.
One of the intriguing aspects of the LDS restoration movement is how Joseph intentionally withheld information at times and then revealed it later.
I realize this makes him look like a deceiver who is back tracking and trying to revise history… Your logic is very understandable… I get it.
I am simply suggesting that there is another possibility. Not the sanitized possibilities provided by the corporate apologists, but rather a third possibility.
In one of the very early meetings of the church, 1830 or earlier, Hyrum got up in front of the first elders and invited Joseph to get up and give all of the particulars of what had happened to bring the church up to the point of having it ready to be legally organized. Hyrum saw this as an incredibly fortuitous opportunity for Joseph to strengthen the testimonies and knowledge base of the new converts who were to take the gospel to the nations.
To the shock and dismay of Hyrum, Joseph flatly declined and said something to the effect of “it is not necessary that the elders should know all of the particulars at this time”.
I apologize for not having the exact quote and the reference handy on that event, I suspect that you may be familiar with it since you appear to be pretty well read in the history of the church.
Again, Joseph’s decline to take that opportunity to clearly lay out what happened in the first vision and the visitation of angels restoring the priesthood is disconcerting at best.
A similar scenario took place with the visitation of angels in the Kirtland Temple many years later.
How strange that the two people who experienced the visitation and the scribe who recorded it NEVER ONCE PUBLICLY MADE MENTION OF IT DURING THE REMAINDER OF JOSEPH’S LIFE!!!!
It would be published for the first time about 16 years later and not canonized for 40 years!
There was apparently a congregation of people sitting on the other side of the veil during the visitation and yet Joseph and Oliver quietly got up and left instead of sharing the event with the congregation… go figure.
Why would Joseph not want to the contemporary saints that event??
They had labored hard to complete the Temple and the Savior accepted their efforts… why not publish the event?
Yet he obviously wanted future generations to know about it by virtue of the fact that he had it recorded and documented in the history which obviously had a good chance of surviving him.
I believe that skeptics of the restoration movement, who reject it, view and judge the scriptures in modern revelation through the eyes of their own interpretation of the associated historical events… thereby assuming that Joseph was simply making up the revelations.
Conversely, I believe that skeptics of the restoration movement (like myself), who accept the basic storyline, as presented in the scriptures, view the history through the eyes of modern revelation.
I believe that is why skeptic believers and skeptic non-believers interpret historical events in an opposite way.
I really appreciate the fact that you have researched these issues and that you have sound reasons why you are rejecting the storyline.
Although there is little chance of either of us changing the views of the other, I love to dialogue with people like you because I love having my views challenged and I love challenging the contrary views… that is how we all pick up additional information that we may not have previously had and we have the ability to examine things at a deeper level.
Regarding the claim that Joseph really did not make mention of the first vision or the restoration of the priesthood by angels until years after the fact,.. I agree. However, regarding the claim that he did not do so until approximately 1835ish, I don’t think that is accurate.
Here is a quote taken from one of the journals of Joseph Smith. I believe he is in fact alluding to the first vision, the restoration of the priesthoods by angels and, interestingly enough, he then alludes to the restoration of the third priesthood, making a distinction between the third priesthood and the previous two priesthoods.
The statements in brackets are provided by believing contributors of Boap.org who seem to be somewhat baffled by what is being said…
“When Joseph Smith dictated his first attempt at a personal history in 1832 he made this remark:
‘A History of the life of Joseph Smith Jr an account of his marvilous experience and of all the mighty acts which he doeth in the name of Jesus Christ the son of the living God of whom he beareth record and also an account of the rise of the church of Christ in the eve of time according as the Lord brought forth and established by his hand firstly he receiving the testimony from on high
[The first vision]
secondly the ministering of Angels
[Moroni -Book of Mormon plates]
thirdly the reception of the holy Priesthood by the ministring of Angels to adminster the letter of the Gospel – the Law and commandments as they were given unto him – and the ordinencs
[John the Baptist (are Peter, James and John included here?)],
forthly a confirmation and reception of the high Priesthood after the holy order of the son of the living God power and ordinence from on high to preach the Gospel in the administration and demonstration of the spirit the Kees of the Kingdom of God confered upon him
[visit of Peter, James and John, or is this a reference to the restoration of the office of high priest?]
and the continuation of the blessings of God to him &c”
As you can see from the comments in brackets, it was difficult for traditional Mormon scholars to believe what they were reading but they had no other alternative than to accept the possibility that the reception of the “holy” priesthood, by angels, (plural), had to probably be referring to BOTH of the first two priesthoods since the Aaronic priesthood was the first to be restored, and it was restored by just one angel.
This set up the next part of Joseph’s statement which speaks of the restoration of a “high” priesthood which is separate and distinct from the two previous priesthoods that were both restored by angels.
He identifies it as the “High Priesthood after the holy order of the son of God“
Again we see question marks in the brackets from the LDS scholars postulating that the third priesthood was possibly referring to the restoration of the office of “High Priest” which is how the modern corporate church inaccurately defines the event that took place at the Morley Farm.
Finally, notice how the first two priesthoods were for the purpose of administering the “letter of the Gospel – the Law and commandments.. and the ordinencs” while the priesthood after the order of the Son of God was to “preach the Gospel in the administration and demonstration of the spirit”
I believe the above entry by Joseph Smith in 1832 demonstrates that he did in fact make reference to these experiences long before 1835.
————-END OF EXCHANGE BETWEEN WATCHER AND JASON
Next item..
Tomorrow is the 22nd of September which is a very special and holy day. It is the day of the year that Moroni came to visit Joseph Smith seven years in a row!
According to author and self proclaimed Davidic Servant, Dr. David B. Cohen MD, a major event will be marked by September 22 2011. I have noticed other prophecy enthusiasts claiming that we will have three days of darkness and earthquakes, etc. some claim it marks the opening of the sixth seal while other claim it will be the opening of the seventh seal… they claim that much of the turmoil this month will be because of the so-called commet Elinen.
I guess we don’t have long to wait and see if anything of significance happens.
Lastly, I have been pondering the tree of life vs the tree of the knowledge of good and evil lately… naturally my finding are quite heretical…
Many people thing that the tree of life represents love and grace while the tree of knowledge represents works and law.
I suspect that the doctrine of Three Watches is difficult for some people to believe for many reasons.
One is because the concept of the literal return from the dead of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and others of the first laborers of the last kingdom before the second coming in glory, would be such a huge undeniable evidence that the restored gospel is true, that it would take away from the test of faith for the rest of the world.
I have speculated from time to time whether Joseph and Sidney would be taking a high profile stance or a low profile, behind the scenes, stance, when they return.
“How long will it be before the resurrection commences again? I know not, but I am proud to believe that it is not long; I am happy to believe that the resurrection of the last days is at hand. Who will be raised? The Saints—those who sleep in Jesus; those that have manifested to the Father, to the Son, to the holy angels, and to all their acquaintances upon the earth, that they believe in God, and acknowledge His hand in all things, and have served Him according to the best of their ability. Will Jesus come? Yes.
We will suppose a case. Let this congregation be prepared to receive a visit from the Son of Man; suppose our hearts are sanctified before the Lord, or we have sanctified the Lord God in our hearts, and we are met here to worship Him, to praise Him, where we are enjoying the society of each other, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, secluded from the rude gaze and confused bustle of the world, retired from all the business transactions of human life, with the doors closed, and Jesus comes into our midst, casts off the vert from our eyes, as he did from the eyes of the two disciples that journeyed from Jerusalem, for they did not know him until he broke bread at supper—suppose he appears in our midst, and rends the veil from our eyes; we shall know Him: he says, “Here are the prints of the nails in my hands, here is the place where my side was pierced; look at them, my brethren and sisters, for I am he.” Every eye will be upon him, and every heart will love him. He remains with us for a time, and he is gone.
We spread abroad upon the earth, and bear testimony of what we have seen. I ask, who will believe our testimony? None, unless the Lord designs to reveal it to them, by an holy angel, or by the manifestation of His own person. We may testify of it until we drop in the grave, to no purpose, unless the Spirit manifests it to them; no person can possibly know it unless God makes it known to him.
This is an item of doctrine I feel to impress upon the minds of this people continually, viz., to live in the light of the Spirit of God, so that every man and woman may have revelations for themselves; for the Spirit of the Lord can instruct you, that you can know for yourselves.
Will the Saints arise from the dead?
Yes.
Who will know it?
But a few.
When the resurrection commences, I say but few will know it; and allow me to inform you, when you have seen Joseph, and Hyrum, and Father Smith, and many others, risen from the dead, and you Elders go abroad preaching, you will not tell the world of their resurrection, for they will not believe it.
You may testify that father Smith has arisen, that Joseph and Hyrum again possess their bodies; that they again live in the flesh, and they will laugh you to scorn, and persecute you to the death, if they have the power, for your testimony’s sake.
Will the Saints rise from the dead before the world is converted?
Yes.
You may despair of ever seeing all creation converted to the Lord Jesus, or to the faith of the holy gospel.
Will you see the resurrection?
Yes: you will be in it, and enjoy it; you will be in the first resurrection.
Will the world believe it, and know of it?
They will not.
Zion will be redeemed, the great Temple of the Lord will be built, whereupon the glory of the Lord will rest, and a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night; the Saints will be gathered from all nations, and will walk into the temples of God, to do the work of redemption for their dead, and saviors will be upon Mount Zion to save the house of Esau.
But will the nations know of it?
They will not.
And when the Lord reigns King of nations as he does King of Saints, the inhabitants of the earth will not distrust but that it is the power of some great one, that it is the plans of wise men brought into action.
Thus they will be governed and controlled, and overruled, and led by the principles of the holy Priesthood, and they will never mistrust but that it is the doings of wise men at the head of a powerful nation, schooled in governmental affairs, who know to control their own nation, and then bring into subjection their neighboring nations, until the whole earth has become subject to them.
They will not know that it is the Savior who is ruling King of nations as He does King of Saints. A great portion of the inhabitants of the earth will never mistrust but that it is the effects of the wisdom of men.“
William Marks was one of the great leaders of the LDS restoration movement, having served on the high council in Kirtland, then being called to preside as the president of the church in Far West and finally, he was called by revelation to preside over the church in Nauvoo.
As the Stake President of Nauvoo, Marks became a pivotal player in the Nauvoo drama caused by the succession crises.
Marks was seen in vision by Joseph Smith
According to Smith’s own record on March 29, 1838. Smith wrote that he saw Marks:
“... closely pursued by an innumerable concourse of enemies, who pressed upon him hard; and when they were about to devour him, and had seemingly obtained some degree of advantage over him, a chariot of fire came, and near the place, even the angel of the Lord, put forth his hand upon Bro. Marks and said unto him: ‘Thou art my son, come here.’ And immediately he was caught up in the chariot and rode away triumphantly out of their midst. And again the Lord said, ‘I will raise thee up for a blessing unto many people.‘”(1 Millennial Star. Volume 16, page 131.)
As Stake President, William Marks assisted in the laying of the corner stones of the Nauvoo Temple in April, 1841.
Although Marks was a close friend of Joseph Smith, he occasionally found himself at odds with the prophet. Smith presented evidence of why Sidney Rigdon should be rejected as first counselor in the First Presidency of the church during the October 1843 General Conference. He accused Rigdon, the long-time friend of Marks, as having lost his “integrity and steadfastness” and stated that he had no confidence in Rigdon’s abilities as a leader in the church or as his counselor. Regardless of these accusations Hyrum defended Sidney and encouraged the Saints to uphold him in his calling. Following that, it was Marks that motioned that Rigdon remain in his station as a counselor in the First Presidency. Rigdon was then sustained to the position by the membership of the church.
Smith later realized that he had over reacted to some false reports he had heard about Rigdon.
Initially, it was commonly assumed and agreed upon at the death of Joseph Smith that William Marks, as the president of the Nauvoo Stake, should be the “successor and trustee” but because of Marks rejection of the secret measures that had infiltrated the church, several leaders of the church manipulated things and appointed someone else to that most important task. Here is what a historian had to say-
“The majority of a certain “Quorum” in Nauvoo at this time opposed the appointment of William Marks as successor and trustee. They believed that because William Law, Emma Smith and William Marks (all members of this “Quorum”) were opposed to Joseph and the Quorum on certain matters — in fact, as they put it, on “the most important matters” — if Marks were permitted to be Trustee, they and the Quorum, and the Church would have it’s highest “spiritual blessings destroyed”.
In other words, the false secret endowments and the false spiritual wife doctrine would be exercised from the church and those unrepentant souls would be cut off.
The unusual thing about Marks rejecting “the most important matters”, was that he had been part of the secret cabal that Joseph was introducing them to.
He was initiated into Masonry in April 1842 and received his secret endowment on May 4, 1842 as a member of the Council of Fifty. Nevertheless, Marks was able to keep his spiritual and doctrinal equilibrium as Joseph Smith was leading an inner circle of intimates away from the straight and narrow- indeed, Marks seemed to realize that Joseph was no longer “abiding in the Lord” and that the succession prophecy in section 42 had been fulfilled.
On with the Trial
Ok, in our last installment we discussed how Brigham Young and his fellow accusers of Sidney Rigdon basically incriminated themselves by trying to justify their secret meetings, ordinations, and polygamous abominations as the “measures” of Joseph Smith the prophet.
It is amazing that even though these men were not on trial themselves and even though Sidney was sick and did not show up to defend himself and bring to light the secret acts of these brethren, their own remarks attempting to justify their secret acts revealed what this trail was really about.
We also reviewed how William Marks valiantly stood up and began defending the character of Sidney Rigdon and pointing out that the court was not acting consistently with divine protocol as contained in section 102.
Furthermore, William Marks pointed out that most of the charges being brought up against Rigdon had already been brought up in the previous trial in which Rigdon was found innocent and re-sustained by the church to his calling.
It is now, in this installment that we will review the rest of William Marks testimony.
Prepare yourself for one of the most illuminated summaries of what the true doctrine of succession really is and how it played out in the succession crisis in Nauvoo. William Marks was able to use passages from the D&C to clearly substantiate the doctrine of succession and yet he did so without even referencing section 43. It is this author’s opinion that Marks intentionally avoided section 43 because he did not want to tarnish the reputation of Joseph Smith in a high profile church trial that might possibly color how generations to come would view the prophet Joseph Smith.
William Marks took modern revelation very seriously and was undoubtedly one of the greatest students of modern revelation of his time and this is undoubtedly one of the reasons why the Lord called him to preside over the saints in Far West and Nauvoo.
One of the things Brigham and his fellow conspirators wanted to accomplish was to dissolve the quorum of the First Presidency and have the quorum of the Twelve Apostles preside over the church.
The following declaration by William Marks must have really pissed off brother Brigham!
“I had always been taught that the First Presidency would remain and always be with the Church. I have always understood that the Church would be imperfect without a quorum o three to stand as the First Presidency, and I cannot find any law to say that this quorum should ever by dropped” (see D&C 107:2-22 , 65-66)
Obviously Marks was right. There is always supposed to be a first Presidency to lead the Church until the Savior returns. Brigham and his brethren wanted to disband it because they wanted to continue in the secret measures they were doing and didn’t want to deal with Rigdon.
It appears that they didn’t want anyone over them holding them accountable for their actions. They had become a law unto themselves.
The next bombshell that President Marks laid on the Twelve was this-
“I laid my hands on Brother Sidney with Brother Joseph and he ordained him to be a ‘Prophet Seer and Revelator”, and to be equal with him in holding the Keys and Authority of this Kingdom. I have known this for two years” (See also section 90:6)
This amazing testimony is powerful. An eye witness was testifying that he had participated along with the prophet Joseph Smith in ordaining Sidney Rigdon to be a prophet seer and revelator AND to be equal with Joseph in holding the keys and authority of the kingdom.
The testimony of William Marks was consistent with the published record of the event which was inconspicuously recorded on page 431 of the Times and Seasons for the date of June 1 1841-
“We have to announce that Sidney Rigdon has been ordained a Prophet, Seer and Revelator“
The testimony of William Marks and the documentation of the event in the Times and Seasons are consistent with the calling of Sidney Rigdon by the Lord in D&C 90:6 to be equal with Joseph in holding the keys of the kingdom
“THUS saith the Lord, verily, verily I say unto you my son, thy sins are forgiven thee, according to thy petition, for thy prayers and the prayers of thy brethren have come up into my ears. Therefore, thou art blessed from henceforth that bear the keys of the kingdom given unto you; which kingdom is coming forth for the last time. Verily I say unto you, the keys of this kingdom shall never be taken from you, [Joseph Smith] while thou art in the world, neither in the world to come;
Nevertheless, through you shall the oracles be given to another, yea, even unto the church. And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house. And again, verily I say unto thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, their sins are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom;
Did you notice how the Lord warned the church to beware not to hold the revelations of God as a light thing?
In other words, you better use the holy word of God to direct the church in all things. If you discard the callings of people and divine protocol contained in the holy word of God, you are guilty of taking the word of God lightly.
That is what William Marks was trying to point out at the trial.
He was quoting from the revelations in the D&C and showing the accusers of Sidney Rigdon that they were taking the word of God lightly, not only with regard to succession protocol, but with regard to the calling of Sidney Rigdon by the voice of God through his servants.
Marks was documenting the fact that Rigdon had been set apart and ordained as a member of the first Presidency as a prophet seer and revelator and was equal with Joseph in holding the keys of the kingdom.
But notice also how the Lord paraphrased Isaiah in the above passages-
And all they who receive the oracles of God, let them beware how they hold them lest they are accounted as a light thing, and are brought under condemnation thereby, and stumble and fall when the storms descend, and the winds blow, and the rains descend, and beat upon their house.
Keep this ominous warning in the above passage in the back of your mind.
In a later installment we will show that the succession crisis was the culmination of that very prophecy in section 90 and Isaiah 28! It was the crescendo of when the saints cumulatively stumbled and fell backwards.
Marks continues with his testimony-
“I always felt that there was a power and responsibility in that quorum which did not exist anywhere else.”
Marks is exactly right.
The first presidency has a power and responsibility that no other quorum has, hence, no other quorum has the right and power to create a first presidency and ordain members of it .
Many apologists attempt to suggest that the quorum of the twelve held the same power authority and position as the first presidency but that is a lie and a misinterpretation of scripture… otherwise, the quorum of the Lord would not have been expressly prohibited by the Lord from presiding in an organized stake of Zion.
Paraphrasing modern revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith made the following declaration about the Twelve Apostles-
Modern revelation makes it clear that the Twelve are under the direction of the Presidency of the church-
“The Twelve are a Traveling Presiding High Council, to officiate in the name of the Lord, under the direction of the Presidency of the Church“, (107:23)
Marks then quoted from section 90:3 and said-
“This is what I ever supposed would be the case that through him the oracles should be given to another who should be a Prophet, and a Seer and Revelator, and through him to the Church. I have always felt since last special conference that the order was not according to this pattern.
Sidney Rigdon and Fredrick G. Williams were appointed to stand equal with Joseph in this kingdom and I always supposed that one [of them] would receive the oracles from Joseph and give them to the Church. Now brethren, I have searched diligently to get at the right of the matter, and I know I am honest and wish to know how it should be.”
Brigham and his brethren must have been ready to explode as they had to stand there and hear the pure doctrine of succession flowing from this man of integrity as he quoted from modern scripture.
William Marks continued-
“I will read another extract from the Doctrine and Covenants which you will find on the ninty sixth page.
I never supposed that this quorum could be disorganized while there was one or two left.
I have ever felt that Elder Rigdon sustains his authority.
I never believed he had lost it through transgression.
I believe he is the man to receive the oracles from Brother Joseph and give them to the Church.
All I want is to have the thing right, and when I believe it is right , I am as ready to confess it as any other man”
He then read extracts from section 102:9-11
The president of the church, who is also the president of the council, is appointed by revelation, and acknowledged in his administration by the voice of the church. And it is according to the dignity of his office that he should preside over the council of the church; and it is his privilege to be assisted by two other presidents, appointed after the same manner that he himself was appointed. And in case of the absence of one or both of those who are appointed to assist him, he has power to preside over the council without an assistant; and in case he himself is absent, the other presidents have power to preside in his stead, both or either of them.
The above passage contains one of the most misunderstood doctrines of the kingdom.
The quorum of the first presidency does not need a quorum of three or even two to act.
Any member of it may act when the other two are not present.
Furthermore, the quorum does not become disorganized or dissolved when the President or a member of it dies or transgresses. The other two remain as members of the quorum with the power to replace the missing member(s)
Indeed, the remaining member of the quorum is the only one who has the right to receive revelation as to who should be called into the quorum. He is the one with the power and authority to ordain and replace the missing members of the quorum!
The following entry in the history of the church during the Kirtland years provides yet another testimony to this great truth-
“On 19 april 1834 at the organization of the Kirtland Council, the Prophet spoke of the role of counselors in the ancient church: “he had two men appointed as counselors with him, in case Peter was absent, his counselors could transact business alone….
Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, and Zebedee Coltrin “laid hands upon brother Sidney and confirmed upon him the blessings of wisdom and knowledge to preside over the church in the absence of brother Joseph.”
From the above declaration of Joseph Smith it is clear that James and John continued to have the keys to preside in the church after Peter was crucified. (some accounts of the restoration of the 2nd priesthood by Peter James and John reveal that it was just one angel, not three that restored this priesthood and that the angel was John, not Peter. If this is true, it provides another testimony that all three members of a first presidency may act singularly without the other two)
How ironic it is that Joseph gave this instruction as Sidney was being ordained with blessings of wisdom and knowledge and to be able to preside over the church in the absence of Brother Joseph.
As you can see, Sidney had been given the authority to preside in Joseph’s absence as early as 1834!
How incredibly refreshing it is to actually hear the voice of reason and the quoting of scripture as the standard… Something Brigham Young and his brethren failed to do at all during the trial and something that became a trademark of Brighams future administration.
The accusers at the trial did not base any of their remarks on the law of succession as contained in the scriptures, it appears that all they wanted to do was destroy the credibility and reputation of Rigdon and characterize him as being delinquent in his duties so that they could cast him aside, dissolve the quorum of the first presidency and become the presiding quorum of the Church.
Marks wasn’t finished.
He continued on to make sure that his testimony on the succession issue was complete and fully understood.
He wanted to make sure that they understood that the quorum of the twelve did not have the authority to organize another first presidency and they would not be able to preside over the church because their calling was to be a traveling missionary quorum of life, to take the gospel into the mission field-
“When this organization is broken up there is a quorum broken up which is of great power and authority, and I always thought it ought to have been continued.
The Church has always supposed the Twleve were to bear the gospel to all the world and when they are absent, who will preside over the church? (107:23,33)
We know that it is necessary for individuals to preside over the whole church.
Now we are losing this office and power and authority, but I feel as though we don’t want to lose anything.
I feel that we ought to keep up the organization, if it is right to do so.”
If the sound doctrine being preached by William Marks is true, it stands as a condemnation not only against Brigham and his brethren of the Twelve at that time, it stands as a condemnation of the current quorum of the twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
For indeed, they base themselves out of what they claim is the main stake of Zion and they fly all over the world organizing stakes of Zion and presiding in “stakes of Zion” instead of focusing their efforts exclusively on preaching the gospel to none members in the mission field as they have been commanded to do by revelation.
By dissolving the first presidency that was set up by revelation and then eventually reorganizing it themselves, the quorum of the Twelve have taken unto themselves a power and calling that was never given to them!
They are doing something they have been expressly forbidden to do!
They are not allowed to preside in Zion!
They had no authority to organize a portion of their missionary quorum into the first presidency of the church!
Within 3 ½ years after the church sustained the Twelve as the presiding quorum over the church, Brigham and his brethren would create a first presidency to preside over the church and the quorum of the Twelve.
Wilford Woodruff would be the first person that Brigham would confide in about reorganizing the First Presidency. Here is what Wilford Woodruff writes in his personal diary-
“I had a question put to me by President Young: What my opinion was concerning one of the Twleve Apostles being appointed as the President of the Church with his two counselors. I answered that a quorum like the Twelve who had been appointed by revelation, confirmed by revelation from time to time, I thought it would require a REVELATION to change the order of that quorum..“
We must give Wilford Woodruff credit for understanding that a change in the quorum of the Twelve would require a revelation from God. Indeed, the creation of a First Presidency would require a revelation from God, if indeed it was even possible for a lesser priesthood quorum to create a higher priesthood quorum.
Despite the concerns of Wilford Woodruff, Brigham Young would eventually move forward without a revelation and have himself elected as the President of the Church.
Back to the trial, William Marks continued-
“When Elder Rigdon first came from Pittsburgh he said it was his place to receive the oracles, but there was a delicacy in Brother Rigdon in presenting his claims to the people; he supposed there would have been some individuals who would have taken up the case.—
What does it mean to “receive the oracles“?
One way to interpret the revelation is that the successor to Joseph Smith would be responsible for being the steward over the existing canonized revelations and be responsible for teaching what they mean.
Another way to interpret it is that the successor to Joseph Smith would be responsible for receiving additional revelation for the church.
It would appear as if both interpretations may be correct.
Marks then says that he is willing to sustain the actions of the court if it can be proven that Rigdon was worthy of being severed from the church, reiterates that he can find nothing that Rigdon has done wrong-
“It appears from what has been stated this morning, that the questions have been put which seems to bring a contradiction. If Elder Rigdon has done anything worthy of being severed from the church, I feel to go with the church, and to be satisfied with what they do. I dont [don't] know that I can see anything worthy of cutting him off at the present time. Probably I am prejudiced in his favor; if it is wrong I hope the brethren will forgive me.
When I have set with the High Council I have always tried to divest myself of prejudice. I am willing that the High Council and church should act on his case, if they think best. I felt as though there was a great many men here who were saying hard things against him and nobody to speak a word for him, and I have volunteered to say a few words in his defence [defense].
I have had a conversation with Elder Rigdon and I cannot find that he has committed a crime. The church has never cut off any person without a crime was proven against him.
The following question by Marks may well be the most important question he asked during the trial-
“Now is there a man in the church who has received the ordination of a prophet, seer and revelator? [other than Sidney Rigdon] If there is I want to see him.—”
“There has men been ordained prophets, priests and kings, but I have never heard of anyone [except Sidney Rigdon] being ordained a seer and revelator. I think I am knowing to all the ordinations, but I dont [don't] know of a man who has been ordained to the office and calling Brother Sidney has; and if he is cut off, who will we have to obtain revelations?”
Again, one of the reasons that William Marks testimony is so powerful is that he was actually one of the members of the secret quorums where men were being ordained as “prophets, priests and kings“. Yet he clearly understood that those callings did not have the power to act as a prophet seer and revelator for the church.
He was a member of the quorum of 50 and he was also involved in receiving the secret endowment ….. so he was aware of the ordinations that Joseph had done regarding being a prophet priest and king but he understood that those ordinations did not give someone the power and authority to preside over the church nor did any of Joseph’s “secret measures” supersede the protocol written in the scriptures.
Marks then made the following declaration-
“A man must be in possession of this power to be able to ordain a prophet, and a seer and a revelator. If there is a man ordained to lead this people, [other than Sidney Rigdon] I do not know it.”
” I dont [don't] believe there are sufficient revelations given to lead this people, and I am fully of the belief that this people cannot build the kingdom except it is done by revelation”
The Importance of Revelation in Leading the Church
Marks declarations really bring us to the bottom line of what the trial was all about. The church was going to be making a decision about whether they would submit themselves to a prophet seer and revelator and be led by divine revelation or whether they would rather follow the council of a quorum of men who had not been ordained to act as prophets seers and revelators in behalf of the entire church.
In wrapping up this installment and the magnificent pontifications of William Marks, let us review the 18 points he made during his defense of Sidney Rigdon-
1- The court was not proceeding according to the protocol provided in modern revelation
2- Straws must be drawn to see who defends the character of the accused and makes sure he gets a fair trial
3- It is improper to bring up old charges that Rigdon has already been tried for and found innocent of
4- The First Presidency of the Church always presides over the church
5- It does not become unorganized or dissolved when one or two members die
6- Any member of the quorum can conduct business when the other two are not present
7- The First Presidency has “power and responsibility” no other quorum has. They preside over the quorum of the Twelve
8- The quorum of the 12 are a traveling missionary quorum that has no right to preside in an established stake of Zion (with no authority to organize the First Presidency)
9- He personally helped Joseph Ordain Sidney to be a Prophet Seer and Revelator
10- A person must be a prophet seer and revelator in order to ordain another person to be a prophet seer and revelator (Marks could not have ordained Sidney himself, he could only participate in the circle while Joseph performed the ordinance)
11- Marks was aware of every ordination and Sidney was the only living person was ordained to be a prophet seer and revelator
12- A “prophet, priest and king” does not have the same authority as a “prophet seer and revelator” and does not have the right to receive the oracles for the church
13- Sidney was equal with Joseph in holding the Keys and Authority of the Kingdom
14- Sidney has sustained his authority and has not lost it through transgression
15- Sidney is the one to receive the oracles from brother Joseph and give them to the church
16- If Sidney is cut off from the church, there will be no one to obtain revelations for the church
17- Continuous revelation was essential to guide the church
18- The kingdom cannot be built without revelation
Finally, let’s review what Joseph Smith had said regarding the importance of revelation-
The essence of Mormonism is revelation from God to man. It is by revelation that God is known. The prophets have consistently taught this throughout the ages.
Joseph Smith taught “Jesus in His teachings says, ‘Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ What rock? Revelation.” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Five 1842–43, p.273.
“Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has the testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy.” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 160.
“No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator.” Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith (1976), 328.
In our next installment we shall take a look at the amazing man who led the scapegoat out of the congregation of Israel and then positioned himself to become the sole president of the church.
We shall now address some of the major doctrinal issues that came out in the trial of Sidney Rigdon which was recorded in the Times and Seasons.
I wish I could provide the entire proceedings that were reported in the Times and Seasons but this article and series has already become too long.
Those wanting to read the whole account may acquire a copy of it from Colliers Publishing or look it up in the Times and Seasons or check here.
Although section 102 states that a court may be held by the “Bishop’s Council” OR the “High Council of the Church of Christ“, it appears as if the trial for Sidney Rigdon’s was an amalgamation of those two options.
Apparently, Bishop Newel K. Whitney presided over the court but the High Council of the Church of Christ of the Nauvoo Stake acted as the council of twelve high priests in the Bishops Council.
As the stake President, William Marks acted as a member of the High Council but did not preside over the church court.
Unlike courts held today in modern times, Marks did not preside over the court, he simply participated as the presiding member of the high council.
Brigham Young and his brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve did not have the authority to preside in a stake of Zion. That is why Brigham Young stated in his opening remarks, that “The Twelve are to be regarded as witnesses in this trial, and not Judges: we present ourselves before this court as witnesses, and we are prepared to bring other testimony forward if necessary.”
Obviously, Bishop Whitney and the High Council were being coerced and controlled by the quorum of the Twelve and it appears that Brigham was directing the hearing even though it should have been the presiding officer over the high council or Bishop Whitney. If not for the conflict of interest between Brigham and the Twelve and Rigdon, there is no reason to believe that the local leaders would have ever called a court.
It should also be understood that the quorum of the twelve was actually not united in their beliefs at the time of the succession crisis.
It appears that there were actually only six members of the quorum who testified at the trial of Sidney Rigdon, they are-
Brigham Young
Amasa Lyman
Orson Hyde
Parley P. Pratt
Heber C. Kimball
John Taylor.
In additional to those six, W.W. Phelps also testified.
Several members of the quorum that appear to not be present at the trial and ultimately rejected the authority of Brigham Young were as follows;
Lyman Wight
William Smith
John E. Page.
The quorum of the Twelve
It is important to remember that many changes had taken place in the original quorum of the Twelve by the time that the death of Joseph and Hyrum took place.
Here is what Wikipedia has to say about the quorum of the Twelve and the adjustments that were made-
” In 1835, the Three Witnesses were asked by Joseph Smith, Jr. to select the original twelve members of the church’s Quorum of the Twelve. They announced their choices at a meeting on February 14, 1835.[1] The Three Witnesses also ordained the twelve chosen men to the priesthood office of apostle by the laying on of hands.[1] Below is a list of members of the quorum prior to the succession crisis of 1844.
The list includes the dates when each apostle was ordained. In some cases, the date of the calling is used when the actual date of ordination is unclear.
Thomas B. Marsh (April 26, 1835) – excommunicated 1838, later rejoined LDS in 1857
Sidney Rigdon Claimed to have the Spirit of Revelation & Prophecy
When Sidney Rigdon returned to Nauoo after the death of Joseph and Hyrum and locked horns with the Twelve, he claimed to have had a vision while he was in Pittsburgh. He claimed that the vision was a continuation of the Vision that He and Joseph had had which is documented in section 76.
Among other things he claimed that it was shown to him in vision that the Twelve would withdraw fellowship from him, the temple would not be completed and the church would be rejected with their dead.
Orson Hyde accused Rigdon of intimating that he, Sidney was the stone that the builders rejected (see Psalms 118:22, Matt 21:42, Mark 10:12, Luke 20 :17, Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7, Isaiah 22:25)
Sidney was obsessed with great battles to take place in the future and that he would become a great conqueror.
We will touch again on the significance of Sidney’s vision later on as we review accusations made by the Twelve however, keep in mind that when Joseph Smith presented greater clarification to section 76 by writing a poem about it, he revealed that verse 29 was not speaking about a past war with Satan but rather about a future one in which Satan would encompass the saints round about.
“For Satan, old serpent, the devil’s for war,-
And yet will encompass the saints round about.”
Perhaps one of the most intriguing statements that Sidney made was an innuendo that the Lord had shown Sidney what would befall himself (Sidney) as a result of the apostasy of the church… A possible implication having to do with the sins of latter day Israel being artificially put upon the head of the Lords scapegoat servant. That statement, as it applies to Sidney’s role as the scapegoat in the atonement statute, may explain why Sidney would have such a strange and troubled history after he is rejected by the church led away from the congregation of Israel -
Perhaps the most important significance of the vision that Sidney claimed to have had is that Sidney was claiming to have the spirit of prophecy which is consistent with his calling as a prophet seer and revelator of the church.
Elder Hyde defends the Secret “Measures” -
The first accuser to follow the opening remarks of Brigham Young was Elder Hyde.
According to Elder Hyde’s testimony, Sidney had said to Elder Hyde and his brethren of the Twelve-
“You are not led by the Lord, and I have known for a long time that you were not led by the Lord“
Elder Hyde attempted to defend the actions of the Twelve, claiming that the “measures” they were involved in had come from Joseph Smith-
“I defy any man to show that we have adopted any measure, only what Joseph has directed us“
Elder Rigdon was obviously making a categorical observation that the twelve were not being led by the spirit. He was also accusing the Twelve of departing from the pure and simple gospel of Jesus Christ that had been restored to the earth.
Elders Hydes use of the term “measures” was alluding to the secret quorums and secret ordinations and secret teachings about spiritual wifery and the associated practice of practice of polygamy, the secret revelation that would eventually become known as section 132, secret council meetings where secret ordinations were being introduces, etc.
In essence, Rigdon was confirming that another gospel, one that was contrary to the true gospel of Christ, had been introduced to the saints and that the prophecies in 2nd Thess the and the original text of section five of the D&C had come true, the Lord had sent strong delusion upon the church for believing a lie and therefore, because of their hardened hearts the Lord had turned them over to Satan-
It is interesting that the primary debate during the succession crisis was not focused on the doctrine of succession and the pure gospel as documented in the accepted scriptures or the importance of the church being led by revelation, rather, Orson Hyde was defending the actions of the Twelve by stating that the secret “measures” they were following were given to them by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Why would the Lord Contradict Himself?
Orson quoted the Prophet Joseph as saying-
“The Lord bids me to hasten and give you your endowment before the temple is finished“
This hastening to give the endowment was supposedly done so that the keys of the kingdom could be transferred from Joseph to the Twelve and so that the Twelve could bear off the kingdom triumphantly even if Joseph were to be killed and the temple not finished.
There are several very serious doctrinal problems with the alleged pronouncement of Joseph Smith.
Perhaps the most obvious one is that the logical and doctrinal choice for handing over the keys of the kingdom would be other members of the first presidency and just about anyone other than the missionary quorum of the Twelve who had been expressly forbidden by the Lord to ever preside in a stake of Zion.
Another point is that Joseph Smith was no longer the prophet seer and revelator of the church and therefore was not even authorized to receive new doctrine and new covenants for the church, especially new doctrine and new ordinances and covenants that contradicted previous revelations.
If anyone would have been revealing new doctrine and new ordinances and covenants and secretly handing the keys of the kingdom to anyone in the church, it would have been Hyrum who was the only presiding member of the presidency who was authorized to act as a prophet seer and revelator of the church at the time!
Even if Joseph had been the acting prophet seer and revelator of the Church, the saints would have been duty bound to reject the new “measures” being introduced since they contradicted the previous revelations and the four standard works of the church which had been voted on and sustained by the church as the LAW of the CHURCH.
The reason that the Lord provides a protocol for excommunicating the president of the high priesthood is because no mortal person is infallible! That would include Joseph Smith, who according to the succession prophecy in section 42, would not always abide in the Lord.
Fourthly, the Lord had commanded the saints to not add to or diminish from the doctrines contained in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. (D&C 124:119-120)
Lastly, Orson’s claim that Joseph had been inspired by the Lord to reveal and bestow the temple endowment BEFORE the temple was finished, so that the kingdom could roll forth, contradicted what the Lord said in sections 124.
Clearly, section 124 stated that if the temple was not finished, the church would be rejected with their dead. How could the kingdom roll forth if the church is rejected with their dead? Hence, there was nothing gained by prematurely revealing the “full endowment” just in case the temple was not finished by the appointed time.
Further, the prophet Hyrum Smith had clarified the warning in section 124 and made it clear that the key of knowledge that unfolds the dispensation of the fullness of times cannot be turned until the temple was completed and the baptismal font finished.
“…they have neglected the House of the Lord, the Baptismal Font, in this place, wherein their dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the dispensation of the fullness of times may be turned, and the mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which their salvation and the salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends, for ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ ‘there shall not be a general assembly for a general conference assembled together until the House of the Lord shall be finished, and the Baptismal Font, and if we are not diligent the church shall be rejected, and their dead also,’ ‘saith the Lord,’ therefore, dear Brother, any proceedings otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not prosper; therefore, tarry not in any place whatever but come forth unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up and polished, and sanctified according to my word…”
In another sermon given in May of 1842 Joseph Smith stated that there were
“keys of the kingdom,” and “certain signs and words by which false spirits and personages may be detected from true, which cannot be revealed to the Elders till the Temple is completed.“
Obviously all of the above documentation testifies to the fact that there would be no advantage to the so called endowment and special keys being given to anyone before the completion of the temple.
If Joseph had made the declaration that Brigham claimed he made, it would have contradicted previous revelations and statements of Joseph Smith.
Everything was predicated upon the completion of the temple.
If Joseph really did make the proclamation that Orson (and Brigham) claimed he made, Joseph was contradicting himself, Hyrum and the Lord.
Nevertheless, it makes sense that Joseph may have done these things in fulfillment of the original prophecy in section 5 foretelling that God would turn the saints over to Satan.
The Testimony of Parley P. Pratt
The next accuser of Sidney Rigdon was Parley P. Pratt, a previous disciple of Rigdon’s who had helped to bring Rigdon into the church.
Pratt quoted Rigdon as saying-
“I shall now take the liberty to publish to the world, all the secret works of this church… I now the result both on you and the Church, and myself…”
Again, we see from the testimony of Pratt that the central issue of the succession crisis had to do with the secret acts of many of the leading brethren of the church, including most of the twelve apostles.
Rigdon was threatening to expose the secret abominations that were being practiced by Young, Hyde, Pratt and their brethren.
Again, when Rigdon said he knew what the result would be on the church and even himself, one has to wonder if in fact the Lord had shown him in vision that the sins of the church would be artificially placed upon his own head and he would himself eventually be turned over to delusion, per the prophecy in the atonement statute. (Lev 16)
According to the testimony of Pratt, Sidney Rigdon claimed that the vision he had in Pittsburgh revealed that the twelve apostles would withdraw fellowship from him.
The Testimony of Amasa Lyman
Next, Amasa Lyman attached the character of Sidney Rigdon by claiming that he had not been valiant in his calling for 4 or 5 years. He also said ,
“Now where has this individual been for these years past? Has he been laboring to support and uphold the man whom God has appointed to bring forth His work? Has he been endeavoring for the last four or five years to build up the principles taught and laid down by the man of God? There are men here present who have travelled through the length and breadth of these united states, and to Europe, and some who have travelled as far as the Palestine to carry out the establish the principles which have been laid down by our deceased prophet, and yet the Great God has not made known to any of these men the wonderful things made known in this revelation.
Neither has Elder Marks nor the twelve received any such wonderful revelation. but this man who has been asleep[ all the while, when he was not too sick to sleep and smoke his pipe, and take his drink; correspond with John C. Bennett, and other mean, corrupt men. This is the character of the man on whom shines the light of revelation, this is the man who says that the Twelve have gone astray and this Church is not led by the Lord!”
Wow!
What interesting charges these are!
Apparently Sidney Rigdon, like Joseph Smith and many others of the elders living in Nauvoo was known for enjoying an occasional smoke and an occasional drink.
This is fascinating.
The accusers were actually the ones that really should have been on trial for fornication and adultery and yet they were suggesting that Sidney Rigdon should be excommunicated for not obeying the word of wisdom!
With regard to the fact that Sidney Rigdon had not been overly active during the last five years, if you have not read my tribute to Sidney Rigdon to understand why Rigdon had been largely silenced for a period of time, please read the article here.
Furthermore, as we will see as we progress further into the details of this kangaroo court, President Marks would later stand up and declare that it is not appropriate according to church procedure to retry someone for something they have previously been tried for and exonerated from.
Sidney Rigdon had already been accused of corresponding with Bennett and for not being active in his calling in the Presidency and had been exonerated by the Church and by Hyrum Smith and by Joseph Smith.
Sidney Rigdon had already previously been accused of not being active in his calling in the first presidency for the last five years and he was forgiven, and President Hyrum Smith had led the vote in sustaining President Rigdon in his calling.
According to Amasa, Sidney Rigdon had testified that he had seen in vision that the “the temple must be forsaken and not be finished, and all that Joseph has done must be rejected.”
That prophecy of Rigdon’s about the saints eventual failure to complete the Temple is really quite remarkable since the saints had every intention of finishing the temple when Rigdon arrived at Nauvoo. At that time there was no apparent reason why the temple would not be finished.
In conjunction with this, Sidney quoted Isaiah “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner”
Another interesting thing that came out of this trial is that Sidney Rigdon had said that the “vision was a continuation of the vision recorded in the book of doctrine and covenants“
Sidney was linking his credibility as a prophet to the fact that he had been the co-testator with Joseph Smith in providing the testimony of the Father and the Son as contained in section 76.
After Brigham and his six conspirators had finished making their accusations, Brigham Young said-
“I shall now wait and see if there is anyone to produce testimony in favor of the opposite side of the question.”
At this point in time, “President William Marks arose and said he felt disposed to say a few words in defense of Elder Rigdon“
“there has been a strong team against him. They all seem to speak against him and there I nothing said in his favor. If feel to take up the opposite side of the question and say something in his defense, for I have always been a friend to Elder Rigdon.”
William Marks was pointing out that bishop Whitney and/or Brigham Young, whoever was conducting the trial, was not following the protocol given in section 102 which requires the council to draw straws to see which members of the quorum defend the accuser and make sure that his character and reputation are not tarnished.
Marks made the bold declaration that revelatory protocol was not being followed as it had been in past trials-
“It has always been the case before this High Council, that there are two sides to the question, there are some to speak in favor of the accused, but there seems to be only one side to this subject.”
… it has always been the case before the High council that some should speak in the defense of the accused, I feel to volunteer to speak in his behalf. It is no more than right that both sides should be represented.”
“in regard to his character, there are many things said which appear to be objectionable“
“I hear objections to his authority and to his conduct for four or five years past. There charges brought before the conference, last fall, and one or two days spent in hearing of them, and it seemed to me, that every exertion was made that could be made, to criminate him and cut him off.
There was time given to bring all the charges that could be got at, but there was not a single particle of the charges sustained, if I recollect right, as to proving him guilty of committing any of the acts specified in the charges.
Now I think if Brother Rigdon was restored at that time we ought not to go beyond the conference to fetch up charges today, but here are charges fetched up for years back. It is known that he was restored to full faith and fellow ship last fall. I have heard Brother Joseph say repeatedly since that time that all things was right between them….”
Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marks was standing in the gap!
He was calling out the accusers and pointing out the inappropriate things they were doing and saying.
He declared that the church court was not in accordance with the protocol in the scriptures.
He was boldly stating that most of the things that were being brought up had already been brought up in a previous hearing and that Rigdon had been found innocent and restored to his calling.
Imagine the courage it must have taken to stand up against the crowd, realizing he was putting his own standing in jeopardy!
The reason Marks had to get up and “volunteer” to defend Rigdon is because nobody else was doing it. The court had neglected draw straws and appointed members of the high council to defend and protect the rights and the character of Rigdon.
One the things missing in the trial was any volunteered comments from any members of the high council!
Why?
Because they all knew that Brigham and the Twelve were orchestrating the Kangaroo trial and they knew that the outcome of the trial had been predetermined. They understood that if they spoke favorably about Rigdon, it could cost them their membership, as it eventually did cost Marks his.
Praise God for the integrity of President William Marks, one of the most honest, steady, valiant leaders of the LDS restoration movement.
In the next part of this series we shall finish hearing the testimony of William Marks. In my opinion, he provides the most clear and scripturally sound explanation of the law of succession and his testimony will stand as a witness against the seven accusers the members of the high council, Bishop Whitney and the apostate members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter days.
Clearly the saints who chose to follow Brigham Young and the majority of the twelve chose to be led by rulers rather than prophets. They chose to be led by dogma and the teachings of man rather than by revelation.
They chose to discard the man who had been chosen by revelation and ordained to be a prophet seer and revelator according to the voice of God out of heaven in favor of a man who openly proclaimed that he was not a prophet.
More on the testimony of William Marks in the next installment.
After the Fulness was Rejected
The Lord Covered the Eyes of the Seers
In part three of this series we discussed how the gospel was fully restored and then rejected sometime between June of 1831 and the end of 1834. Because of this, Hyrum was commissioned to reform the church.
One cannot understand the truth about what happened during the LDS succession crisis without understanding what the fulness of the gospel is, the fact that it was fully restored and then rejected by the end of 1834. The context in which the saints gathered to Nauvoo is that they were a fallen and apostate people who had lost the fullness of the priesthood as documented in section 124.
I documented that the gospel law of monogamy had clearly been established by the Lord in modern revelation in sections 42, 49 and the article on Marriage and that it was an eternal law, not a temporal or temporary law. There is no higher marital law that the law of monogamy.
I did this because the secret practices pertaining to spiritual wifery and polygamy that were taking place in Nauvoo at the time of the succession crisis are the crux of what the succession crisis was really all about regarding the struggle between Sidney Rigdon and the majority of the Twelve Apostles under the leadership of Brigham Young.
The primary issue in Nauvoo was that the saints had collectively strayed from the original gospel ordinances and covenants.
It is critical to understand that every ordinance and covenant necessary for salvation is contained in sections 20 and 42 and that the saints were commanded to not add to or take away from what had been revealed in those two revelations. (The “Baptisms for the Dead” that would be introduced in Nauvoo are a subcategory of baptisms and the ordinance of “washing of feet” that was done in the Kirtland Temple and also before the Kirtland Temple was completed, is not an ordinance of salvation, but rather an ordinance for those in the ministry.)
It is because the saints had stayed from the ordinances, covenants and commandments that the Lord commissioned the prophet Hyrum Smith to lead a reformation of the church.
The Lord had acknowledged in section 124 that the saints were practicing abominations during the Nauvoo era-
“..And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord.
For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practise before me, saith the Lord…”
.
The practice of secret combinations and secret abominations began infiltrating the church shortly after the fulness of the gospel was rejected in Kirtland.
Secret doctrines and secret oaths were infiltrating the restored church. They were bringing darkness upon the saints.
Although Joseph was being accused by some people of his day of organizing the Danites and some historians believe that Joseph Smith at least encouraged the creation of the Danites and other secret organizations within the church shortly after the Kirtland Temple was defiled and the saints had to flee from Kirtland, we find him condemning secret bands as late as 1839.
“I would further suggest the impropriety of the organization of bands or companies, by covenant or oath, by penalties or secrecies; but let the time past of our experience and sufferings by the wickedness of Doctor Avard suffice and let our covenant be that of the Everlasting Covenant, as contained in the Holy Writ and the things that God hath revealed to us. Pure friendship always becomes weakened the very moment you undertake to make it stronger by penalty oaths and secrecy.”
Joseph was publicly testifying against the practice of secret oaths by “penalties or secrecies” and encouraging people to stick with the EVERLASTING COVENANT.
Indeed, the only covenant the church members should be involved in was the EVERLASTING COVENANT of baptism.
Shortly after the death of Joseph and Hyrum, Apostle William Smith, their brother, and his supporters publicly condemned the secret doctrine of secret oaths and covenants that Brigham Young and other leading brethren were participating in.
“… we do solemnly protest against the doctrine of secret oaths and covenants and we also view this as among the principal causes that have overthrown our brethren…”
William saw the practice of secret oaths as the primary thing that led the leaders of the church into apostasy.
Emma Smith made a profound observation shortly after the death of Joseph and Hyrum. She said-
“…secret things… cost Joseph and Hyrum their lives!“
The Real Succession debate was about the Spiritual Wife Doctrine
and the False Masonic Covenant- Temple Endowment
It appears to me from my study that Brigham Young and his brethren of the Twelve would very probably have found the leadership of Sidney Rigdon acceptable if Rigdon would have embraced the spiritual wife doctrine and the Masonic secret oaths and covenants that were being intertwined with each other.
I believe the following testimony by Joseph Newton is accurate-
“I was at Nauvoo during all the time that Elder Rigdon was there on his last visit to that place, and am well acquainted with the cause of all the difficulties that existed, and now exist between him and the twelve and their adherents. It was said to me by many that they had no objection to Elder Rigdon but his opposition to the Spiritual Wife System.”
The Saints departed from the Ordinances during the Kirtland Years
After the saints arrived in Nauvoo Joseph Smith published the following statement-
“We have been chastened by the hand of God heretofore for not obeying His commands… we have treated lightly His commands, and departed from His ordinances, and the Lord has chastened us sore, and we have felt His arm and kissed the rod; let us be wise in time to come and ever remember that ‘to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (HC 5:65)
Joseph was primarily paraphrasing and combining two passages of scripture.
He was addressing the chastisement from the Lord in section 84 when the saints were brought under condemnation for taking lightly the Book of Mormon and modern revelation.
He was also paraphrasing Isaiah 24 and acknowledging that the latter day saints were the express people that Isaiah had identified in prophecy as the culprits who would bring about the defiling of the earth in the end times by breaking the everlasting covenant. This was done by transgressing the laws and changing the ordinance-
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isaiah 24:5 See also section one wherein the Lord prophesies that it was the saints of the restored church that would fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah)
The saints were defiling the true everlasting covenant of baptism by replacing it with the Satanic everlasting covenant of spiritual wifery and associated masonic oaths and covenants and swearing by the neck. The redefinition of what the “New and Everlasting Covenant” is given in section 132.
The Joseph Smith we read about in Nauvoo is a very different Joseph Smith than the one we read about in the early Kirtland era.
The Kirtland Joseph was confident and full of the spirit of revelation. His personal life was quite consistent with his public teachings. During the first years of Joseph Public ministry he would bring forth about 100 revelations.
The Nauvoo Joseph was schizophrenic, erratic and paranoid and there is evidence that seems to indicate that his personal life was not congruent with what he was teaching.
One day he would appear to be confident, prophetic and chastising the saints for departing from the ordinances and failing to complete the temple. The next day, according to multiple testimonies, he would be off secretly teaching the spiritual wife doctrine, conducting secret polygamous marriage ceremonies and introducing doctrines and rituals that contributed to leading the saints into further darkness.
Less than ten significant revelations directed to the church were received by Joseph during the last seven years of his life, after the saints defiled the Kirtland Temple and fled from Kirtland.
Only one significant revelation was received during the Nauvoo years.
Again, it would be easy to place the blame on Joseph, but those who understand the prophetic aspects of what was being enacted in the atonement statute (Lev 16) will realize that it was the rebellious saints, beginning in the Kirtland era that rejected the fulness of the gospel and brought darkness upon Joseph and his brethren during the Nauvoo era.
Truly it was the saints of the restored church Isaiah was speaking about when he acknowledged that the revelatory gifts of the latter day prophets and seers would be covered because of the iniquity of the people-
“For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity.” (2 Nephi 27:5)
Did Joseph wake up and try to Repent Before his Death?
There are many evidences that make it appear that the Lord was allowing Joseph to begin to wake up and see that his eyes had been covered and that he had been deceived shortly before his death. It also appears that Joseph finally acknowledged that he had been involved in some abominable practices and he was trying to repent.
Although he had been taking on spiritual wives at a break-neck pace in 1843, he completely stopped taking additional wives during the last 8 month before the martyrdom.
William Marks testified that Joseph realized that spiritual wifery was a sin and that he had been deceived.
He wrote in a July 1853 letter to the Zion’s Harbinger and Baneemy’s Organ that he met with the prophet a short time before his death.
He quoted Smith as saying privately, “This doctrine of polygamy, or spiritual wife-system, that has been taught and practiced among us, will prove our destruction and overthrow. I have been deceived; it is a curse to mankind , and we shall have to leave the United States soon, unless it can be put down, and its practice stopped in the Church.
Several others that knew Joseph Smith during those trying times also claimed that Joseph was trying to repent including Issac Sheen who became affiliated with the RLDS movement in 1859 and edited the church periodical Saints’ Herald, wrote in the first issue of that paper (March 1860) that though “Joseph Smith taught the spiritual wife doctrine,” he “repented of his connection with this doctrine, and said it was of the devil.“
Although Brigham Young vehemently denied ever hearing Joseph Smith proclaim that he had been deceived and that the spiritual wife doctrine was false, he conceded in a discourse given in 1866 that “joseph was worn out with it“.
Joseph Has the Spiritual wife Revelation Destroyed
LDS historian Michael D. Quinn acknowledged that “Smith was, in fact, willing to destroy the original manuscript of the 1843 polygamy revelation.
Joseph F. Smith wrote that the prophet “consented for her [Emma Smith] to burn the paper containing the original copy of the revelation.”
An obscure 1853 publication also reported that the original text of the polygamy revelation “by Joseph Smith’s command was burned.”" (Quinn page 147) Quinn references Letter of Joseph F. Smith to William E. McLellin, 6 Jan. 1880, fd21, box 5, Scott G. Kenney Papers, Manuscripts Division, Marriott Library.
“Emma Smith remembered that the prophet did more than consent to the revelation’s destruction. According to her 1847 account, while alone in their Mansion House bedroom, Smith “told her that the doctrine and practice of polygamy was going to ruin the church” and then he burned the revelation.
According to Quinn, “It makes sense that while he was alone with her the night of 23 June 1844, only hours before surrendering for trial, he directed his attention to destroying the written evidence of polygamy.” (Quinn page 147)
Joseph Smith destroyed the Council of Fifty Minutes
There is an abundance of historical documentation that indicates that Joseph Smith was using masonry, the Danites, secret anointed quorums and the counsel of 50 to try to establish the kingdom of God that Daniel prophesied about.
The diary of William Clayton shows that Joseph Smith told his secretary to burn the Council of Fifty’s minutes.
A possible reason for destroying the minutes of the council of fifty is that Joseph Smith had had himself ordained and anointed as the King in those secret meetings. It would appear that that act may have been a very grievous sin.
In the Book of Mormon the Lord warns that there will be no kings upon the land of America until Zion is established and Christ himself reigns as king and that he who attempts to rise up as a king shall perish-
“And this land shall be a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land, who shall raise up unto the Gentiles.
And I will fortify this land against all other nations.
And he that fighteth against Zion shall perish, saith God.
For he that raiseth up a king against me shall perish, for I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words.
Wherefore, for this cause, that my covenants may be fulfilled which I have made unto the children of men, that I will do unto them while they are in the flesh, I must needs destroy the secret works of darkness, and of murders, and of abominations.” (2nd Nephi 10)
Modern revelation confirms that during “time” there are to be no mortal kings ruling over the latter day saints but in eternity Christ will be the king-
“But, verily I say unto you that in time ye shall have no king nor ruler, for I will be your king and watch over you.” (D&C 38:21)
Smith Removed his own Garments
and admonishes the apostles to do the same
Another aberration of the secret rituals that Joseph Smith was implementing was the temple garment. It is very revealing that Joseph had instructed the members of his secret quorum to remove them shortly before his own death-
“Heber C. Kimball said Smith sent word to the apostles on the east coast to destroy their garments they had received in the endowment since 1842.” (Quinn page 147) Quinn references History of the Church 6:519 which mentions the letter, and Heber C. Kimball’s diary, 21 Dec. 1845, found in the book “Smith, An Intimate Chronicle, page 224″
“Smith removed his own endowment “robe” or garment before he went to Carthage Jail and told those with him to do likewise.
His nephew Joseph F. Smith later explained, when Willard Richards was solicited [by Smith] to do the same, he declined, and it seems little less than marvelous that he was preserved without so much as a bullet piercing his garments.”" (Quinn page 146) Quinn references Heber J. Grant journal sheets, 7 June 1907, LDS Archives.
While Joseph F Smith puts a positive spin on Williard Richard’s refusal to remove his own garments, it should be remembered that it was masons that stormed the jail and murdered Joseph Smith. The fact that Williard Richard’s fellow masons murdered Joseph Smith and left Willard unharmed could simply be because he is not the one they wanted to murder. Others might suggest that his being left unharmed hardly bodes well for his role in the Carthage conspiracy to murder Joseph Smith.
Was it a marvelous miracle that saved Willard’s life, or his involvement in a secret brotherhood and possibly even his own participation in a secret plot?
Again, the words of Emma ring loud and clear. “It was indeed secret things” that caused the murder of Joseph and Hyrum.
Joseph Smith sent an order for the Nauvoo Legion to Attack Carthage
“The morning of 27 June, Smith sent an order (in his own handwriting) to Major-General Jonathan Dunham to lead the Nauvoo Legion in a military attack on Carthage “immediately” to free the prisoners.
Dunham realized that such an assault by the Nauvoo Legion would result in two blood baths – one in Carthage and another when anti-Mormons (and probably the Illinois militia) retaliated by laying siege to Nauvoo for insurrection.
To avoid civil war and the destruction of Nauvoo’s population, Dunham refused to obey the order and did not notify Smith of his decision. One of his lieutenants, a former Danite, later complained that Dunham “did not let a single mortal know that he had received such orders (from Smith).”
“[Later that same day] Around 5 p.m., more than 250 men approached the Carthage Jail. When informed of this by the panicky jailer, Joseph Smith replied: “Don’t trouble yourself, they have come to rescue me.” (Quinn, Page 141) Smith quickly discovered that the mob wasn’t his rescue army. After exchanging gunfire with the mob, Smith was killed.
Jonathan Dunham Commits Suicide
On July 28th 1845, Jonathan Dunham, despondent about disobeying Smiths orders to rescue him from jail, commits suicide.
Later disclosures indicate that Dunham, who was a captain of Nauvoo’s police, major-general of the Nauvoo legion, and a Council of Fifty member, accomplished the suicide by asking a native American friend (Lewis Dana, a fellow member of the fifty) to “kill and bury him”. (Mormon Hierarchy- Origins of Power pg 652)
Joseph Smith Kills Two Men in a Shoot Out?
Amazingly, many members of the restored church are not even aware that Joseph had a pistol when the attack in the Carthage Jail took place.
According to several accounts, some contained in Quinn’s above mentioned book, Joseph shot three members of the mob. According to some accounts, two of the three eventually died from the wounds inflicted at that time-
“Elder Cyrus H. Wheelock came in to see us, and when he was about leaving drew a small pistol, a six-shooter, from his pocket, remarking at the same time, ‘Would any of you like to have this?’ Brother Joseph immediately replied, ‘Yes, give it to me,’ whereupon he took the pistol, and put it in his pantaloons pocket.”
“I shall never forget the deep feeling of sympathy and regard manifested in the countenance of Brother Joseph as he drew nigh to Hyrum, and, leaning over him, exclaimed, ‘Oh! my poor, dear brother Hyrum!’ He, however, instantly arose, and with a firm, quick step, and a determined expression of countenance, approached the door, and pulling the six-shooter left by Brother Wheelock from his pocket, opened the door slightly, and snapped the pistol six successive times; only three of the barrels, however, were discharged. I afterwards understood that two or three were wounded by these discharges, two of whom, I am informed, died.“
“I had in my hands a large, strong hickory stick, brought there by Brother Markham, and left by him, which I had seized as soon as I saw the mob approach; and while Brother Joseph was firing the pistol, I stood close behind him. As soon as he had discharged it he stepped back, and I immediately took his place next to the door, while he occupied the one I had done while he was shooting.”
Reporter John Hay, of the Atlantic Monthly identified three men who were shot by Joseph Smith: John Wills in the arm, William Vorhees in the shoulder, and William Gallagher in the face. Hay was a son of Charles Hay, a surgeon of the Carthage militia and apparently a member of the mob.
“Smith had two loaded six-barrelled revolvers in his room. How a man on trial for capital offences came to be supplied with such luxuries is a mystery that perhaps only one man could fully have solved; and as General Deming, the Jack-Mormon sheriff, died soon after, and left no explanation of the matter, investigation is effectually baffled. But the four shots which I have chronicled, and two which had no billet, exhausted one pistol, and the enemy gave Smith no time to use the other. Severely wounded as he was, he ran to the window, which was open to receive the fresh June air, and half leaped, half fell, into the jail yard below.”
- John Hay, “The Mormon Prophet’s Tragedy,” Atlantic Monthly (December 1869) 671-678.
In another contemporary account from a faithful Latter-Day Saint:
“Of the three barrels discharged by Joseph, it is believed he hit three men: an Irishman named Wells-who was in the mob from his love of a brawl-in the arm; Voorhees-an oversized kid from Bear Creek known for his lack of good sense-in the shoulder; and a man named Gallagher-a Southerner from the Mississippi Bottom-in the face.”
“Two other men were known to get hit in the hall, one a man named Townsend from Fort Madison, Iowa Territory, who died nine months later from the arm wound that wouldn’t heal, and another named Mills, who was shot in the arm.” - Elder Reed Blake, 24 Hours to Martyrdom, p. 129
D&C Section 135 is part of John Taylor’s account of the incident. It states: “Joseph leapt from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming ‘O Lord my God!’”
That “canonized” version of events gives one the false impression that Smith was praying to God. The edited D&C version omits Heber C. Kimball’s details of Smith’s actions:
“When the enemy surrounded the jail, rushed up the stairway, and killed Hyrum Smith, Joseph stood at the open window, his martyr-cry being these words, ‘O Lord My God! This was not the beginning of a prayer, because Joseph Smith did not pray in that manner. This brave, young man who knew that death was near, started to repeat the distress signal of the Masons, expecting thereby to gain the protection its members are pledged to give a brother in distress.” - Mormonism and Masonry, p. 16-17
“President Young said the people of the United States had sought our destruction and they had used every Exertion to perfect it. They have worked through the masonic institution to perfect it. Joseph & Hyrum Smith were Master Masons and they were put to death by masons or through there instigation and he gave the sign of distress & he was shot by masons while in the act.” – Wilford Woodruff’s Journal, August 19th, 1860, Volume 5
“The mob forced the door open. Joseph dropped the pistol, sprang to a big windowsill and stood there glaring down at a crowd of men below with their bayonets at the ready. Some reports say he tried a final ploy with the Gentiles, giving the Masonic hand signal of distress and uttering the accompanying code, “Is there no help for the widow’s son?”
There were, almost certainly, Masons in the crowd below. But Smith’s appeal to members of that fraternal order was probably a very bad decision on his part. As he teetered on the windowsill, a rifle ball fired from upstairs slammed into Joseph’s back, sending him to the ground below as he shouted, “Oh Lord, My God.”
Joseph landed on his shoulder with a snap of cartilage. A disguised militiaman with his face painted black dragged the wounded Joseph across the yard and propped him up against the side of a well. An officer ordered a firing squad, and four men sent rifle balls into the Prophet, killing him at last.”
One of Joseph Smith’s alleged polygamous wives, Zina D. Huntington, declared:
“I am the widow of a master mason, who, when leaping from the window of Carthage Jail pierced with bullets, made the masonic sign of distress.” – Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Volume 1, page 698
The Nauvoo Environment
Ok, I covered several of the chaotic events of Joseph’s last months for several reasons.
One is that they give context to the fact that Joseph’s eyes had been covered, he had sinned as foretold in ancient and modern prophecy and it appears that he began to realize the awful state that he and the saints were in and wanted to repent and set things right.
Ironically, he had been a major part of the reason that his brother Hyrum had been called to try and reform the church. (of course, ultimately it was not his own sins but rather the sins of latter day Israel that caused him to do what he did. He was part of the literal fulfillment of Lev 16))
Another reason that I covered this most painful sequence of events is that they are important in understanding the psyche of the inhabitants of Nauvoo. It appears that many of the leaders of the church had been publicly teaching one thing while secretly teaching contrary doctrines.
Some of the saints were privy to the secret things going on while others were not. It depended on which circles you were in and whether you were called into one of the “anointed quorums”. This created havoc and division among the saints.
If you are a seasoned student of church history you probably didn’t learn anything new in this post.
If you are someone who has just recently begun to wake up, you may be in shock right now.
Perhaps you have just learned that Joseph’s last several months and the events surrounding his death are a little different than the LDS lesson manuals depict.
Please notice that the following passage in the Book of Mormon. It clearly states that directly after the Lamanites that dwindle in unbelief are smitten by the gentiles, restored gentile church will be lifted up in the pride of their eyes.
No, it does not actually say the “restored gentile church”, it simply says gentiles… but if you read the whole thing in context, it is referring to the believing but apostate gentiles not the unbelieving gentiles.
Speaking of the restored gentile church, it says-
They will “stumble”.
They will build up many churches (congregations)
They will put down the power of miracles from God
They will preach up to themselves from their own wisdom to get gain
They will be infested with secret combinations (this is an incredible link between Masonry and Mormonism)
19 And it shall come to pass, that those who have dwindled in unbelief shall be smitten by the hand of the Gentiles. 20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor. 21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice. 22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever. 23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.
Is it a coincidence that the restored church embraced the flaxen cord of Masonry?
Is it a coincidence that in Nauvoo many of the saints were involved in secret works of darkness?
Is it a coincidence that the saints were involved in secret councils and secret doctrines and secret covenants and secret ordinances when in fact God does not do his work in darkness?
Okay… now that we have a little context for what was happening leading up the murder of Joseph and Hyrum, we are ready to address the trial of Sidney Rigdon when we get to part five..
In part two of this series we discussed the prophetic role of Hyrum Smith.
We addressed his calling by revelation in section 124 to act in concert with Joseph Smith as a prophet seer and revelator.
Shortly thereafter his calling to be a prophet of the church in section 124, Joseph made a public declaration in a church conference that Hyrum held the office of prophet to the church and that Joseph was not going to prophesy any more.
By the time Joseph had made that announcement the heavens had already begun to close over his head. It had been nearly two years since he had received section 124 and he had not received canonized revelation concerning the church since that time, although some of his epistles have since been entered into the D&C.
The calling of Hyrum Smith to be a prophet seer and revelator to the church in concert with Joseph Smith and the declaration at the church conference that Joseph would no longer prophesy to the church represented a literal fulfillment of the succession prophecy in section 43.
The Lord was replacing Joseph with Hyrum as the prophet of the church.
Why?
Because according to section 43, if Joseph ever revealed his own successor by revelation, it would be because Joseph was no longer going to be “abiding in the Lord“.
“And this ye shall know assuredly—that there is none other appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations until he be taken, if he abide in me.
But verily, verily, I say unto you, that none else shall be appointed unto this gift except it be through him; for if it be taken from him he shall not have power except to appoint another in his stead.”
Clearly, the unconditional prophecy in section 43 states that no one else was to be appointed to receive commandments and revelations for the church until Joseph Smith was taken by the Lord, UNLESS Joseph fails to ABIDE in the Lord!
And yet, if Joseph fails to abide in the Lord, necessitating a successor, it would be Joseph himself that would still be given power to appoint another to succeed him, by revelation.
So strange was the wording and apparent chronology of events pertaining to that prophecy that it hardly made sense how Joseph could reveal his successor if indeed he was no longer abiding in the Lord!
It is only in hindsight that it all makes sense how this strange phenomena took place.
Remarkably, before the Lord gave the succession prophecy in section 43, containing the key word “abide”, he had already informed the church in a canonized revelation pertaining to the calling of Sidney Rigdon in section 35, that if Joseph fails to abide in the Lord, he will plant another in his stead-
“And I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph; and in weakness have I blessed him;
And I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead.
Wherefore, watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, that knoweth all things.”
Incredible.
The Lord was making it pretty obvious that Joseph was eventually going to stop abiding in the Lord.
Once the saints received the fulness of the gospel back in Kirtland, they had to either progress, receive the spiritual rebirth and become a Zion people OR the Lords Spirit was to withdraw and not abide with them.
There are multiple examples in the scriptures of times when the spirit of the Lord has been withdrawn from God’s people.
Notice the words of the prophet Mormon as he describes how the spirit of the Lord had ceased to abide with his people-
“And it came to pass that when they had fled we did pursue them with our armies, and did meet them again, and did beat them; nevertheless the strength of the Lord was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the Spirit of the Lord did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our brethren.
27 And my heart did sorrow because of this the great calamity of my people, because of their wickedness and their abominations…”
Less than three months after the Melchizedek priesthood was restored and the 23 newly ordained High Priests went on missions, preaching the fulness of the gospel on their way to the land of Zion, the Lord made the following ominous declaration
“I, the Lord, am angry with the wicked; I am holding my Spirit from the inhabitants of the earth…“
That is how quickly the Lord can determine if the world is going to respond to the fulness of the gospel. God was withdrawing his spirit from the world because of their cumulative rejection of the fulness of the gospel!
“Inhabitants of the earth” is all encompassing. The Spirit of the Lord was being somewhat withheld even from the saints who are part of the inhabitants of the world. This explains why even during the 3 to 3 ½ years that the saints were trying to comprehend the greater light that very few miracles and spiritual endowments were actually being enjoyed.
The Intercessory Atonement Offering
Why was Joseph no longer going to be abiding in the Lord?
It would be easy and logical to write Joseph Smith off as a fallen prophet because of his own personal sins, like many people were doing during the last years of his life, however if we dig a little deeper there is another reason why Joseph was not able to abide in the Lord.
To summarize, it was because the saints had rejected the fulness of the gospel/priesthood and that resulted in their sins being placed upon the heads of Joseph and several of his brethren.
Joseph and some of his brethren, like Moses and Aaron of old, provided an intercessory atonement offering for the latter day saints so that the Lord would not destroy them from off of the face of the earth!
You will recall that after the children of Israel rejected the higher law, God was going to destroy them from off of the face of the earth, but Moses interceded for them and made an intercessory atonement offering for them in their behalf.
Because of the atonement that Moses offered in their behalf, the Lord prolonged their days upon the earth.
As an atonement offering, Moses and Aaron took upon themselves the sins of Israel and as a result, Moses sinned the same sin against the Lord. He got involved in idolatry just like the children of Israel did. He took credit for a miracle instead of giving credit to the Lord as the Lord had commanded him to do. This action encouraged the sin of Idolatry among the children of Israel.
His punishment for acting out the sins that were artificially placed upon his head, was death and he was prohibited from crossing over into the promised land with Israel.
His atonement offering prevented him from abiding in the Lord for a season.
Nevertheless, the Lord continued to love his servant Moses as one of the greatest prophets.
The atonement offering that Moses made was a type and shadow of the offering that would be made by the latter day prophet that would be “like Moses”. Joseph Smith made a similar intercessory offering in behalf of latter day Israel.
You can read about the atonement statute that provides a prophetic enactment of the latter day atonement in Leviticus 16.
Sometime after the rejection of the fulness of the gospel by the gentile church, Joseph offered himself as an offering and the Lord acknowledged and accepted it in the first verse of section 124.
“VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.”
Hyrum Attempts to Reform the Church
In the last installment of this series we also briefly discussed the reformation that was offered to the saints in Nauvoo.
You simply cannot make sense of the succession crisis in Nauvoo until you understand the reformation prophecy.
In 1829 the Lord prophesied that the saints would need to have a reformation at a future time.
“And thus, if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a REFORMATION among them… ,
And now if this generation do harden their hearts against my word, behold I will deliver them up unto Satan..”
Again, one December 5th 1834, the Lord acknowledges that the leaders and the saints were under condemnations and needed to reform in all things.
‘Verily, condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my Church, and to be saviors of men; and also upon the Church; and there must needs be a repentance and a REFORMATION among you, in all things..” (Unpublished revelations Pg 73)
Finally, On July 16th 1843, nearly 10 years later, The prophet Joseph Smith “stated that Hyrum held the office of prophet to the church … &he was going to have a REFORMATION and the saints must regard Hyrum for he has authority“
The 1828 Websters Dictionary tells us that reformation is “The act of reforming; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt…
It further informs us that to Reform is to “restore to a former good state” and to “abandon that which is evil or corrupt, and return to a good state”
The purpose of the Nauvoo era under the direction of the Prophet Hyrum Smith, was not to introduce contradictory esoteric doctrines, covenants and rituals that contradicted earlier revelations but rather to return the church back to the pure and simple doctrines of salvation that were originally taught in the early years of the restoration movement.
Probably the primary single most profound thing Hyrum began doing to reform the church and restore the church to it’s former state was to try and stamp out the practice of polygamy and the spiritual wife doctrine that had taken root in the church.
There are many documented historical journal entries and public admissions from the Nauvoo era that document Hyrum’s campaign against polygamy and the spiritual wife doctrine.
Even the Brighamites admit that Hyrum stubbornly rejected the spiritual wife doctrine at first.
They claim however that Hyrum finally embraced it.
Others like Richard and Pamela Price make a compelling case for the fact that the spurious information about Hyrum eventually entering into polygamy was a fabrication and that he held true to the foundational doctrines of gospel law.
It is not the purpose of this series to try to prove of disprove whether Hyrum finally embraced polygamy or the spiritual wife doctrine. One can make a compelling case either way.
What we do know is that publicly, both Joseph and Hyrum were preaching against the doctrines of polygamy and spiritual wifery.
“By February 1, 1844, they had cut off Elder Hiram Brown from the Church for, among other things, “preaching Polygamy.” They published the following announcement to the Saints:
NOTICE.
As we have lately been credibly informed, that an Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter-day Saints, by the name of Hiram Brown, has been preaching Polygamy, and other false and corrupt doctrines, in the county of Lapeer, state of Michigan. This is to notify him and the Church in general, that he has been cut off from the church, for his iniquity; and he is further notified to appear at the Special Conference, on the 6th of April next, to make answer to these charges.
JOSEPH SMITH,
HYRUM SMITH,
Presidents of said Church.
(Times and Seasons 5 [February 1, 1844]: 423)”
Following that event, Hyrum heard rumors from Richard Hewitt that elders had been preaching about polygamy in outlying branches and claiming that it was being lived in Nauvoo. Hyrum immediately wrote the following letter to the brethren in China Creek
Nauvoo, March 15,1844.
To the brethren of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, living on China Creek, in Hancock County, Greeting:—Whereas brother Richard Hewitt has called on me today, to know my views concerning some doctrines that are preached in your place, and states to me that some of your elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here [at Nauvoo]: I say unto you that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here; neither is there any such thing practised here. And any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and lose his license and membership also: therefore he had better beware what he is about…. “
“Hyrum Smith addresses conference “on Spiritual wife system. The first one we heard reporting such stories we will report him in the Time[s] and Seasons to come and give up his licence. He was decided against it in every form and spoke at length.” (April 8 1844)
There are several dairies that make mention of the April 1844 conference wherein Hyrum spoke against polygamy and spiritual wifery.
“Elder Levi Graybill, who joined the Church in 1833, and was with the Saints at Kirtland, Ohio; Independence and Far West, Missouri; and at Nauvoo testified that he heard President Hyrum Smith speak against polygamy at the April 1844 Church Conference. Elder Graybill wrote:
I was present at the April conference in Nauvoo in 1844….
I was well acquainted with Joseph and Hyrum Smith, and most all of the early leaders of the church…. At the conference of April, 1844, Hyrum Smith said from the stand that some had been teaching spiritual wifery, which meant polygamy, and addressing the sisters he said: “If any man makes such a proposition to you, if you will put a dagger to his heart I will plead your cause in the day of judgment.” (Journal of History 4 [January 1911]: 108) “
Again, the Brighamite faction that went to Utah concede that Hyrum was “stubbornly” against polygamy when he was made a prophet of the church but they claim he was eventually persuaded by Joseph and that he was living a dual life, publicly speaking against it and even excommunicating people for practicing it while secretly living it.
It is difficult to believe that this man with “integrity of heart ” according to the Lord, was such a hypocrite as to publicly testify against the practice of polygamy and excommunicating people for preaching about it, while privately engaging in it. But again, if that did happen, it fits with the atonement prophecy in Leviticus 16.
Whether Hyrum did or did not finally fall into a darkened state or not before he was killed with Joseph, really is not of huge consequence in understanding the truth and in understanding the controversy in Nauvoo because we have indisputable proof that section 132 is contrary to sections 42, 49 and 101 (the Article on Marriage).
If Hyrum did transgress and eventually begin practicing the spiritual wifery, it would be consistent with his part in the prophetic atonement statute that Joseph, Oliver, Sidney and Hyrum all play a part in.
The Prophet Oliver Cowdery
There is a very interesting statement in the section 124 regarding the relationship between the calling of Hyrum Smith during the Nauvoo era, and the previous calling of Oliver Cowdery during the Kirtland era-
And from this time forth I appoint unto him [Hyrum] that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph;
95 That he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph; and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive, and be crowned with the same blessing, and glory, and honor, and priesthood, and gifts of the priesthood, that once were put upon him that was my servant Oliver Cowdery;
From that passage we are informed that Oliver Cowdery was not just the co-presiding elder of the church back in Kirtland, he was also a prophet, seer and revelator.
In section 124, Hyrum Smith was being given the same blessing, glory, honor, priesthood and gifts of the priesthood that had been put upon Oliver Cowdery!
Hyrum was actually being acknowledged in section 124 in two separate and distinct callings.
The first calling the Lord gave to Hyrum was the “office of priesthood and patriarch“. It was given according to blessing and right. Apparently he had right to by lineage as the eldest living son of joseph Smith Sr but he was also being ordained.
That made him the patriarch over the entire church. Obviously, the priesthood being referenced was the patriarchal Abrahamic priesthood. This was the priesthood which applies to the restoration brought about by Peter James and John.
That was the priesthood that was governing the church now that the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood had been lost from the earth.
Because of this, Hyrum held the keys of the patriarchal blessing upon the church-
“And again, verily I say unto you, let my servant William be appointed, ordained, and anointed, as counselor unto my servant Joseph, in the room of my servant Hyrum, that my servant Hyrum may take the office of Priesthood and Patriarch, which was appointed unto him by his father, by blessing and also by right;
That from henceforth he shall hold the keys of the patriarchal blessings upon the heads of all my people,
That whoever he blesses shall be blessed, and whoever he curses shall be cursed; that whatsoever he shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever he shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (see 124:92-93)
Most Mormons probably interpret the above passages to refer to patriarchal blessings which tell people about their tribal lineage, etc. however it really refers to holding all the keys of the kingdom, ie, keys of the saving ordinances of the church. (see Matthew 16:19 and Abraham 2:6-11)
The second calling that Hyrum was being called to function in was the calling of prophet seer and revelator in the church. He appears to be filling the vacancy left by Oliver Cowdery.
From section 124 we are informed that Oliver had previously been called to be a prophet seer and revelator just like Joseph.
Although the sanitized history of the Church greatly downplays the role and position of Oliver Cowdery in the early days of the LDS restoration, we know that Oliver saw the face of Christ.
We also know that Oliver was given the spiritual gift of being able to translate and use a seer stone and/or urim and thummim.
Although his faith failed him when he tried to translate part of the Book of Mormon, nevertheless, the Lord told him he had the gift and that he would translate at a future time in the 3rd watch.
As a prophet and co-presiding elder of the church, Oliver brought forth some of the revelations in the D&C.
Although Oliver was a prophet seer and revelator just like Joseph Smith, there were restrictions on how he could use his spiritual gifts as a prophet, seer and revelator regarding the church.
He was not commissioned to receive new doctrine and commandments for the church, rather, it was his calling to expound on existing doctrine that had previously been revealed in the ancient scriptures and modern revelation.
“BEHOLD, I say unto thee, Oliver, that it shall be given unto thee that thou shalt be heard by the church in all things whatsoever thou shalt teach them by the Comforter, concerning the revelations and commandments which I have given.
But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses.
And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church.
And if thou art led at any time by the Comforter to speak or teach, or at all times by the way of commandment unto the church, thou mayest do it.
But thou shalt not write by way of commandment, but by wisdom;“
The spiritual gift of wisdom listed in section 46 verse 17 was one of the gifts that Oliver had been given-
“And again, verily I say unto you, to some is given, by the Spirit of God, the word of wisdom.”
Using the spiritual gift of wisdom, Oliver was to teach and expound on previous revelations and commandments by the power of the Comforter.
There are two amazing sections in the D&C that were written by Oliver Cowdery under the spiritual gift of wisdom, by the power of the comforter.
The first was known as the “Articles and Covenants of the Church” (section 20 )
That section, received by the Prophet Oliver Cowdery, along with the “Law of the church” in section 42, received through the prophet Joseph Smith, were the two most important revelations in laying the foundation of the LDS restoration, the restoration of the church and the establishing of missionary work.
The word of wisdom received by Oliver Cowdery in section 20 does not reveal any new doctrine, rather it expounds on the covenants of the church using existing scriptures.
Interestingly, in section 20 we are informed that there are three ways that true revelation can be received-
1- By the Voice of God
2- The ministering of Angels
3- The Holy Ghost
(see 20:35)
THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL WAS ON THE EARTH IN 1831
EVERY SINGLE COVENANT AND ORDINANCE OF THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL REQUIRED FOR SALVATION WAS REVEALED BY FEBRUARY OF 1831
THESE COVENANTS AND ORDINANCES CAN BE FOUND IN SECTION 20 WHICH IS CALLED THE “ARTICLES AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH” AND SECTION 42 WHICH WAS CALLED “THE LAW”
Once a person gains an understanding and testimony that all of the saving ordinances and covenants of the fulness of the gospel are identified in sections 20 and 42, they can easily identify the false covenants, commandments and rituals that were being secretly introduced into the church during the apostate Nauvoo era and they can understand why the Lord commissioned the prophet Hyrum Smith to lead a reformation.
There is another “word of wisdom” revelation that Oliver had produced. One that was canonized 1835 and remained in the D&C until 1876, one year before Brigham young died.
This revelation was accepted by the church through the law of common consent and Joseph Smith never challenged it.
This revelation by Oliver Cowdery that was also canonized in the D&C was the “Article on Marriage“.
This amazing section simply expounded on the existing doctrine of marriage that had been revealed in the Bible, Book of Mormon and modern revelation
Although LDS fundamentalists are quick to point out that Joseph was not at the meeting when this section was voted on and they try to imply that Joseph did not endorse it, the fact remains that during the next nine years, Joseph never publicly challenged it or attempted to take it out of the D&C.
More importantly, the Lord endorsed all of the sections in the D&C, including the Article on Marriage, that had been publicly published and canonized by 1841-
“And again, verily I say unto you, let no man pay stock to the quorum of the Nauvoo House unless he shall be a believer in the Book of Mormon, and the revelations I have given unto you, saith the Lord your God” ( 124:119)
The above passage demonstrates that God was pleased with all of the canonized revelations in the D&C, including the Article on Marriage at the time when section 124 was given.
The Article on Marriage
Oliver was given the privilege of expounding on existing doctrine to the church.
That is what he was doing when he received both the Articles and Covenants of the Church (section 20) and also the Article on Marriage (section 101 before it was taken out of the D&C)
Compare the two following passages of scripture that had been given in sections 42 and 49 with the third passage from the Article on Marriage-
Section 42
“Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else.
And he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her shall deny the faith, and shall not have the Spirit; and if he repents not he shall be cast out.
Thou shalt not commit adultery; and he that committeth adultery, and repenteth not, shall be cast out.” (42:22)
Section 49
“And again, verily I say unto you, that whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto man.
Wherefore, it is lawful that he should have one wife, and they twain shall be one flesh, and all this that the earth might answer the end of its creation;
And that it might be filled with the measure of man, according to his creation before the world was made.” (49:15-17)
The Article on Marriage (101)
“Inasmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we believe, that one man should have one wife; and one woman, but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at liberty to marry again.” (Section 101:4 1835 edition)
Again, Oliver Cowdery wasn’t revealing new scripture or new doctrine, he was simply using his spiritual gift of wisdom in expounding on existing scripture and doctrine.
From the mouth of three witnesses, provided in canonized revelations that were accepted by the law of common consent, it was revealed during the early Kirtland years that the fulness of the gospel requires a man to have only one wife.
Amazingly, the article on marriage by Oliver Cowdery remained in all versions of the D&C from 1835 until about 1877 when Brigham Young finally had it expelled from the D&C and replaced by the heretical abomination now known as section 132.
Despite the fact that sections 42, 49 and 101 all testified of the requirement of the gospel law of monogamy during the Nauvoo years, the darkened minds of many of the saints in Nauvoo began participating in the secret practice of spiritual wifery.
In hindsight it is interesting to go back to section 38 when the Lord promised the saints that the law of the gospel that would be given in Kirtland to enable them to escape the power of the enemy-
“And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless—
Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high“
Also contained in that revelation the Lord gave a veiled prophecy that the gentile church would become prideful and would take on the same sin of polygamy which was instrumental in bringing the prideful Nephite nation to ruin-
“And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give; but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.”
It was the sin of pride that led the Nephites into the practice of polygamy.
It was the practice of polygamy that led to the destruction of the Nephite nation after they rejected the fulness of the gospel.
The reformation that Hyrum attempted to conduct began with his attempt to get back to the pure and simple law of the gospel which included the celestial law of monogamy.
Amazing!
How is it possible that many of the largest factions of the latter day restoration, including the one led by the majority of the quorum of the twelve apostles who held the mandate to publish the Book of Mormon and the modern words of Christ to the world, would be seduced into believing a different gospel?
How could they embrace a different new and everlasting covenant which was out of harmony with the true new and everlasting covenant. (see isa 24:5-6)
How could they reject the celestial law of monogamy after it had been so well documented in ancient and modern revelation?
Unfortunately, the Prophet Hyrum Smith was unable to reform the church during the 2nd watch.
In the next installment we shall review Joseph Smith’s frantic attempt to repent just before his death and we shall dissect the amazing information revealed in the excommunication trial of the Prophet Sidney Rigdon.
As is common when I do a series on any topic, I sometimes find it necessary to interject some important information and delay other parts to be addressed later.
Hence, our discussion on the excommunication trial of Sidney Rigdon must be postponed for a later part of this series.
Before we continue on in our review of the great deception that took place during the LDS succession crisis and evaluate some of the key events and profound points of succession doctrine that came out during the trial of Sidney Rigdon, we need to address the calling of Hyrum Smith as the prophet of the church.
I would be getting ahead of myself to address the topic of Sydney Rigdon before adequately addressing the topic of Hyrum Smith with regard to the succession issue.
Additionally, let me remind you that you need to be familiar with the good news BEFORE you focus too much on the bad news provided in this series.
One of the challenges in writing on a controversial topic like this is that it is sometimes read by those who are not familiar with the doctrine of three watches and are not familiar with how God is going to remedy this situation created by the crisis.
This information can cause indigestion and despair if it is not read in the broader prophetic context that is provided in scripture.
You need to be familiar with the doctrine of the three watches and how the Lord has a remedy in place for the grand delusion that began approximately 180 years ago and continues up to this day.
If the doctrine of three watches is new to you, you can read about it starting here and then review over 50 scriptural and historical evidences documenting the doctrine of three watches and the fact that the Marvelous Work and a Wonder did not begin during the public ministry of Joseph Smith. It was at that time that the foundation of the future work was laid.
The Remedy for the Awful Situation We are In
So what is the remedy that God has provided for taking blindness off of Israel?
Paul provides the answer-
“There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob“
He is of course paraphrasing a passage out of Isaiah 59
“And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.”
Through the prophet Isaiah the Lord promises us that he will send an intercessory deliverer- redeemer to turn latter day Israel from their transgressions.
The Lord reminds us of his covenant with Israel (and of the enactment of the atonement statute contained in Lev 16 ) and the fact that his intercessory servant that initially delivered the law in the 2nd watch, will restore the law in the 3rd watch when the fulness of the gentiles comes in for the last time.
“As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, [the intercessory servant] and my words which I have put in thy mouth“
Clearly, the return of the Davidic Servant as the arm of the Lord, deliverer-redeemer marks the time in the 3rd watch when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in for the last time preparatory for the return of Christ.
The Dispensational Bait and Switch
When the light began to shine forth at the special conference at the Morley Farm in 1831 when the Melchizedek priesthood was restored for the first time and 23 men were called to be High Priests, Joseph Smith and the gentile church were focused on ushering in the dispensation of the fullness of times.
Prior to that time, modern revelation had only mentioned two gospel dispensations, the dispensation of the last times and the dispensation of the fullness of times.
Had the church successfully received the fulness of the Priesthood, ie, fulness of the Gospel when it was being offered to them, they would indeed have ushered in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Modern revelation had informed the saints that the current dispensation they were in was the dispensation of the last times which had began with the meridian apostles in the New Testament.
The purpose of the marvelous work and a wonder was to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times that takes place within the dispensation of the last times.
When the saints ultimately rejected the fullness of the gospel in the 2nd watch, the Lord secretly restored a lesser dispensation.
The Great Secret of Joseph and Oliver
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had an incredible secret experience in the Kirtland Temple in 1836.
It is an astounding fact that neither of them ever publicly revealed this secret event during the remainder of their lives.
What was their secret?
It was the appearance of Christ and three ministering angels.
The event now known as section 110 was not made publicly known until about 16 years after it happened in 1836 and it was not canonized into the D&C until 40 years after it happened!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shortly after the gentile church rejected the fullness of the gospel and failed to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times, the Lord and three ministering angels secretly visited Joseph and Oliver Cowdery in the Kirtland Temple. At this time another gospel dispensation was ushered in.
However the dispensation that was ushered in was NOT the dispensation of the fullness of times, it was the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham which contains the preparatory gospel.
The Three Part Prophecy of Jesus Christ
The rejection of the fulness of the priesthood appears to have begun with the special conference at the Morley Farm and came to its fulfillment in 1834. At this time the law of consecration was broken and the Lord announced that Zion must be chastened and her redemption would be delayed. This resulted in the secret ushering in of the gospel of Abraham in the Kirtland Temple.
The restoration of the gospel of Abraham resulted in the mandate that Joseph gave to the twelve apostles to set up foreign missions to gather the children of Abraham. It also resulted in the mandate given to the twelve apostles in section 112, to publish the scriptures and testify of the name of Christ to the world. Section 112 informs us that gross darkness was covering the whole world at that time.
All of this was the fulfillment of a three part prophecy given by Jesus Christ in 3rd Nephi-
Part One of the Prophesy
“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.”
By the end of 1834 the above prophecy had been fulfilled. The restored church of Christ among the gentiles had rejected the fulness of the priesthood which is virtually synonymous with the fulness of the gospel.
Part Two of the Prophesy
“And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. And I will show unto thee, O house of Israel, that the Gentiles shall not have power over you; but I will remember my covenant unto you, O house of Israel, and ye shall come unto the knowledge of the fulness of my gospel.”
The secret event in the Kirtland Temple represented the mandate and associated dispensational keys to begin the fulfillment of the second part of Christ’s prophecy.
The keys of taking the KNOWLEDGE of the fullness of the gospel (Book of Mormon & Doctrine and Covenants) to the rest of the children of Israel and Abraham’s posterity were restored.
Notice the admonition of Joseph Smith to the Twelve Apostles-
“If there is anything calculated to interest the mind of the Saints, to awaken in them the finest sensibilities, and arouse them to enterprise and exertion, surely it is the great and precious promises made by our heavenly Father to the children of Abraham; and those engaged in seeking the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah, cannot fail to enjoy the Spirit of the Lord and have the choicest blessings of Heaven rest upon them in copious effusions.” (Joseph Smith Jr., Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 195.)
Part Three of the Prophesy
“But if the Gentiles will repent and return unto me, saith the Father, behold they shall be numbered among my people, O house of Israel. And I will not suffer my people, who are of the house of Israel, to go through among them, and tread them down, saith the Father.”
As you can see, the third part of Christ’s prophecy in 3rd Nephi addresses the opportunity for the fallen gentiles to REPENT.
This opportunity takes place AFTER the KNOWLEDGE of the gospel goes forth to the remainder of Abraham’s seed. It takes place when the fulness of the gentiles comes in during the 3rd and final watch.
It must be remembered that the current corporate church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints has a legitimate mandate from God to take the knowledge of the fulness of the gospel to the world by publishing the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.
The fact that the modern church falsely claims to actually have the fulness of the priesthood and the fullness of the gospel does not take away from the fact that they are dispensing the KNOWLEDGE of what the fullness of the gospel is by publishing the sacred scriptures to the world.
It is ironic that the very scriptures that the Latter day Saints publish and claim to believe in TESTIFY that the modern church is in apostasy and have polluted the holy church of God.
The inspired version of the Bible documents that those who lead the church do in fact hold the legal lease over the vineyard even though the Lord will destroy the miserable leaders that fail to repent, in the 3rd watch, when the servants return and the Marvelous Work and a Wonder finally begins -
“And when the Lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, he will destroy those miserable, wicked men, and will let again his vineyard unto other husbandmen, even in the last days, who shall render him the fruits in their seasons.” (JST Matt 21)
All of these issues pertain to the succession crisis that took place in Nauvoo.
The Rise of Hyrum Smith
Hyrum Smith was such a low key individual that he hardly stands out as anything other than the loyal older brother to Joseph.
This is in part because much of his contribution has been down played or deleted from the history of the church.
A key word search in the D&C reveals that Hyrum is one of the first and primary missionaries for the church (sections 11 & 23)
He later becomes one of the 23 High Priests called by the voice of God out of heaven.
Directly after his calling as a High Priest, he is called to preach the gospel with John Murdock en route to the land of Zion in Missouri (section 52)
Following that, he received the promise of an inheritance (section 94)
Later Hyrum is teamed up with Frederick G. Williams when the more valiant brethren go on their journey to attempt to restore the saints in Jackson County (section 103)
Eventually in section 112, we find Hyrum as a member of the first presidency holding the keys of the kingdom with Joseph and Sidney-
“Verily I say unto you, my servant Thomas, thou art the man whom I have chosen to hold the keys of my kingdom, as pertaining to the Twelve, abroad among all nations—
That thou mayest be my servant to unlock the door of the kingdom in all places where my servant Joseph, and my servant Sidney, and my servant Hyrum, cannot come” (section 112 see also section 115)
Finally, Hyrum is called to act in concert with Joseph as a prophet seer and revelator to the church.
It is worth noting that Hyrum had been acting as a member of the presidency of the Church BEFORE he was given the spiritual gift and calling to act as a prophet seer and revelator.
Please also remember that Joseph, Hyrum and Sidney are presiding elders in the patriarchal priesthood during the Nauvoo years, not presiding High Priests over the High Priesthood.
Did Hyrum meet the Qualifications in the Law of Succession?
I have blogged about numerous people who I feel will play incredible role in the LDS restoration movement even though I feel much of the significance of their past and future involvement has largely been down played and obscured.
These tributes have included people like Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Oliver Cowdery, Frederick G. Williams, David Patten, etc.
Another one of the most influential personalities of the LDS restoration is Hyrum Smith, and yet, much of his contribution is downplayed, suppressed and perhaps not even documented since he was ultimately rejected as the prophet of the church by many of the leading brethren.
What would it be like to be the older brother of Joseph Smith who was always in the background?
Section 43 informs us that the true successor to the prophet Joseph Smith must be called of God through Joseph Smith.
Did Hyrum qualify?
Yes.
Section 124 is a clear revelation from God through the prophet Joseph Smith calling Hyrum to be a prophet seer and revelator to the church-
“And from this time forth I appoint unto him that he may be a prophet, and a seer, and a revelator unto my church, as well as my servant Joseph; That he may act in concert also with my servant Joseph.”
Section 43 requires a valid successor to also be ordained by Joseph Smith
Does Hyrum qualify?
Yes.
In accordance with the mind and will of the Lord in section 124, Joseph Smith ordained Hyrum to be the prophet seer and revelator.
Section 43 requires a valid successor to first enter into the gate which in my opinion, is a clear reference to being born of the spirit.
This spiritual rebirth must take place before God will call him to the spiritual calling and office of being a prophet seer and revelator to the church.
Had Hyrum been spiritually born again?
If so, did the Lord provide a canonized revelation proving that Hyrum had been spiritually born again?
It is interesting to note that God provided proof to the church that Joseph and Sidney had both received the spiritual rebirth by giving them the vision now known as section 76.
In this canonized revelation it is revealed that Joseph and Sidney both received a fulness of the glory of the Son and the Father-
“while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, and the glory of the Lord shone round about. And we beheld the glory of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of his fulness“
Clearly, a person would need to have been spiritually born again before they could receive a fulness of the glory of the Son and Father, otherwise without a purified heart, they would be destroyed in the flesh by such an experience!
But what about Hyrum?
Did the Lord provide public documentation to the church membership that Hyrum had been born again?
YES!
I believe so.
The Integrity of his Heart
In section 124, when Hyrum was called to act in concert with Joseph Smith as a prophet seer and revelator of the church, the Lord made the following proclamation regarding the spiritual status of Hyrum Smith-
“…blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord.”
What an incredible endorsement from the Lord!
If you do a key word search on the word heart, you will find an abundance of passages documenting the fact that the heart is the spiritual chamber of the soul in which, the Holy Spirit ultimately resides OR the devil reigns.
Each soul on this earth will ultimately become a servant of God or a servant of the Devil.
It is in the heart that a person ultimately becomes sanctified and saved or becomes deceived and overcome by Satan-
Although the King James Version of the bible quotes the Savior as saying
“As a man thinketh, so is he”
The inspired version informs us that
“As a man thinketh IN HIS HEART, so is he”
The human body has the ability to initiate thought in both the brain and the heart!
The heart is a thinking organ with a mind of its own.
It is the thoughts of the heart that determine the status of the soul.
The ultimate sacrifice the Lord is looking for is a “broken heart and a contrite spirit“.
The Book of Mormon informs us that the gates of hell cannot claim us if we have a broken heart and a contrite spirit-
“May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite!”
It appears that Hyrum had offered up to a broken heart and a contrite spirit to the Lord.
Needless to say, Hyrum Smith had obviously received the spiritual rebirth as evidenced by the fact that he had integrity of heart and he loved that which was right before God.
Joseph Announces that Hyrum is the Sole Prophet
As documented in the diary of William Clayton, one of Joseph Smith’s personal secretaries, on Sunday, July 16 1843, Joseph preached again, proposing a radical change in church organization-
William Clayton also reveals that Joseph had acknowledged that Hyrum was to conduct a REFORMATION in the church-
“…He [Hyrum] was going to have a reformation, and the Saints must regard Hyrum for he has authority.”
The reformation of the fallen church under the direction of Hyrum Smith during the Nauvoo period had previously been prophesied in the book of commandments-
Within this section the following passage was in the original revelation as it is documented in the Book-
“And thus, if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a REFORMATION among them, and I will put down all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts, and envyings, and strifes, and idolatries, and sorceries, and all manner of iniquities, and I will establish my church, like unto the church which was taught by my disciples in the days of old.4:6 And now if this generation do harden their hearts against my word, behold I will deliver them up unto Satan, for he reigneth and hath power at this time, for he hath got great hold upon the hearts of the people of this generation: and not far from the iniquities of Sodom and Gomorrah, do they come at this time: and behold the sword of justice hangeth over their heads, and if they persist in the hardness of their hearts, the time cometh that it must fall upon them. Behold I tell you these things even as I also told the people of the destruction of Jerusalem, and my word shall be verified at this time as it hath hitherto been verified..”
At first blush, the above passage given before the church was even legally organized seems somewhat illogical. The Lords church was in the early stages of being restored and organized yet the Lord is speaking about doing a reformation if that generation will not harden their hearts.
This prophecy was also given prior to the restoration of the three priesthoods.
Clearly the restored church could not yet be reformed yet as it had not yet be fully restored. Those passages represent a prophecy about a future fulfillment, after the Church transgresses.
Additionally, all of the existing protestant churches had been created out of the great reformation. What good would it do to work a reformation among the reformed churches of the protestant reformation when it had been clearly revealed that they were dead branches from a dead tree without authority?
Clearly, the LDS restoration movement was about restoring the keys of the New Testament church, NOT about reforming an existing church.
Again, the above passage from the Book of Commandments is a prophecy about a future opportunity that would take place AFTER the restoration of the Church of Christ and after that restored church has gone into apostasy.
As we will see, the above prophecy was not referring to the initial beginning of Joseph Smith’s public ministry, rather, it is making specific mention of a future opportunity to reform the church after the keys are restored and the latter day church goes into apostasy during the early Kirtland years.
That apostasy of the restored church would take place in Kirtland after the saints cumulatively reject the greater light that began shining forth beginning at the special conference at the Morley Farm.
After the saints rejected the fulness of the Gospel and failed to redeem Zion, the Lord gave an unpublished revelation informing both the leaders of the Church and also the membership, that they were all under condemnation and that there needed to be a REFORMATION among them.
‘Verily, condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my Church, and to be saviors of men; and also upon the Church; and there must needs be a repentance and a REFORMATION among you, in all things..” (Unpublished revelations Pg 73)
As we can see from the above documentation, the appointed time of reformation was to take place some time after the church was restored and then in a state of apostasy. With this understanding, the events that took place in Nauvoo begin to make sense.
The reformation was to take place under the direction of the Prophet Hyrum Smith-
Section 124 and the Nauvoo period was the last chance during the 2nd watch for the apostate saints to reform the apostate restored church.
Again, look at the statement from William Clayton-
On July 16th 1843 The prophet Joseph Smith “stated that Hyrum held the office of prophet to the church by birth-right &he was going to have a REFORMATION and the saints must regard Hyrum for he has authority“
This is remarkable.
Joseph stated publicly that Hyrum was now the sole prophet of the church.
The saints must regard Hyrum because he has the authority.
Hyrum was going to lead a reformation.
Few if any of the Nauvoo Saints appear to have recognized the fulfillment of the succession prophecy in section 43 taking place before their very eyes when Joseph announced that Hyrum would now be the sole prophet.
Section 124 was essentially informing the saints that they had lost the fulness of the priesthood and it was offering them the chance to reform or be rejected as a church.
The William Clayton Journal does not provide the only testimony that Hyrum became the sole prophet of the church-
Apostle Willard Richards gave a similar report in a letter to the absent Brigham Young:
“[Joseph] said he would not prophesy anymore— Hyrum should be the prophet.”
Clearly, Joseph was making it clear in a public discourse that Hyrum would be the sole prophet, seer and revelator of the church and that He, [Joseph] was no longer going to speak prophetically for the church membership.
Hyrum is rejected by the Saints
According to Willard Richards, the following morning, a number of fretting Saints came to Joseph protesting about Hyrum. They felt he was not qualified to be the sole prophet of the church-
“Brother Joseph, Hyrum is no prophet: he can’t lead the church.”
It is truly amazing that some of the saints had no faith in the Lord’s calling of Hyrum Smith as a prophet seer and revelator to the church in section 124.
Having demonstrated that Hyrum had been called of God to be a prophet seer and revelator and had spiritually been born again, it is a rather sobering fact that Hyrum had not yet received the keys pertaining to how to pray and receive answers to prayer!
The Keys to ASK and RECIEVE
“…and that he shall receive counsel from my servant Joseph, who shall show unto him the keys whereby he may ask and receive“
This brings us to another interesting question.
Did Joseph teach Hyrum how to ask and receive before the martyrdom as he was commanded to do in section 124??
Perhaps another way to pose the question is, did Hyrum ever actually begin acting as a prophet and revelator?
Did he authoritatively receive revelation from God and did he provide inspired explanations regarding the scriptures?
Did Hyrum have the spirit of Prophesy?
Did the spirit of prophecy reside in Hyrum Smith?
Did he ever interpret scripture for the church, give them commandments and say
“thus sayeth the Lord?
YES!
The following prophetic counsel to the saints is one of my favorite quotes from Hyrum Smith. It was published on November 19th 1841 in the Sangamo Journal (which was quoting from the “Times and Seasons).
The following admonishing to the saints from the prophet Hyrum Smith came less than one year after he was called by God to be a prophet seer and revelator to the church in concert with his brother Joseph-
“All the saints that dwell in that land [Kirtland] are commanded to come away, for this is, ‘Thus saith the Lord;’ therefore pay out no monies nor properties for houses, nor lands, in that country, for if you do, you will lose them; for the time shall come that you shall not possess them in peace; but shall be scourged with a sore scourge; yet your children may possess them; but not until many years shall pass away; and; as to the organization of that branch of the church, it is not according to the spirit and will of God:
Hyrum was informing the saints in Kirtland and other places that the Lord wants them to come to Nauvoo and not to settle in Kirtland and other places.
Hyrum continues in his admonition and warns the saints that they have neglected the house of the Lord and the baptismal font.
Interestingly, he confirms that the dispensation of the fullness of times HAS NOT BEEN USHERED IN!
He informs them that the key of knowledge and the revealing of the mysteries of God necessary to unfold the dispensation of the fullness of times will not be turned until the temple and baptismal font have been finished!
“…and as to the designs of the leading members of that branch relative to the printing press, and the ordaining of Elders, and sending out Elders to beg for the poor, are not according to the will of God; and in these things they shall not prosper, for they have neglected the House of the Lord, the Baptismal Font, in this place, wherein their dead may be redeemed, and the key of knowledge that unfolds the dispensation of the fullness of times may be turned, and the mysteries of God be unfolded, upon which their salvation and the salvation of the world, and the redemption of their dead depends, for ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ ‘there shall not be a general assembly for a general conference assembled together until the House of the Lord shall be finished, and the Baptismal Font, and if we are not diligent the church shall be rejected, and their dead also,’ ‘saith the Lord,’ therefore, dear Brother, any proceedings otherwise than to put forth their hands with their might to do this work, is not according to the will of God, and shall not prosper; therefore, tarry not in any place whatever but come forth unto this place from all the world, until it is filled up and polished, and sanctified according to my word…”
As you can see, Hyrum is chastising the saints.
He is identifying things they shouldn’t be doing and reiterating the warning in section 124 that the saints will be rejected as a church with their dead if they fail to finish the temple and the baptismal font.
Hyrum, like most prophets, is not interested in tickling the ears of the saints or worrying about being liked. His words are stern. His warning is ominous.
Then Hyrum Smith reveals a grand secret that had possibly never been revealed to the Nauvoo Saints before.
He prophetically notifies them that Nauvoo, (which had been designated as the cornerstone of Zion) is the “hiding place” where the Lord will hide his elect from the “indignation” which shall punish the wicked.
It becomes obvious that Hyrum is revealing Nauvoo as the “chambers” mentioned in Isaiah 26.
“Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”
Hyrum is warning the saints that Kirtland was not to be righteously inhabited again by the saints until after the great cleansing.
Finally, Hyrum ends with these remarks-
“…saith the Lord, come ye forth from the ends of the earth, that I may hide you from mine indignation that shall scourge the wicked, and then I will send forth and build up Kirtland, and it shall be polished and refined according to my word; therefore, your doings and your organizations, and designs in printing, or any of your councils, are not of me, saith the Lord, even so, Amen“
HYRUM SMITH,
Again, compare the prophetic warning of Hyrum Smith above to the prophecy in Isaiah 26
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
Un-be-freakin-lieveable!
The ordinance of baptism for the dead in section 124 interrelates to the prophetic utterances of Isaiah who proclaimed that “dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise“.
It appears that the prophet Hyrum Smith was revealing that the ordinance of baptisms for the dead is not just an ordinance that enables those who missed out on the opportunity of the gospel during probation… it appears that the ordinance is an integral part of the ordinance of resurrecting or quickening people from the dead!
We learn from Hyrum that Isaiah was prophetically looking forward at Nauvoo and the temple and baptisms for the dead.
Isaiah and Hyrum were both filled with the spirit of prophecy and realized that Nauvoo, the cornerstone of Zion, is the grand hiding place where God will, at some point in time, gather his elect into the chambers while the wrath of the Lord chastises the wicked of the earth.
It is very possibly after the Lord pulls down the tower of the enemy and hides his people in the designated hiding place in the cornerstone of Zion that the saints will eventually redeem the center place of Zion in Missouri and build the temple.
Additional key word searches seem to reveal that the sacred gathering places in Ohio, Missouri and Illinois where the Lord will gather and hide his people will be flooded at about the time that the servants return.
“waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.”
Incredible.
One of the signs that accompany the return of God’s servants is the flooding of the hiding place… probably to remove the unbelievers from the holy ground for the gathering of the elect.
Thanks to Hyrum and Isaiah, we know that the servants return at a time when the hiding place overflows.
Watch for flooding.
And your covenant with death shall be disannulled
We also know that when the servant returns, he will restore the fulness of the priesthood and the fulness of the true gospel covenant.
This will result in the spiritual rebirth, for those who repent and reform.
He will also disannul the agreement with hell that the miserable wicked leaders of apostate latter day Israel have bound the saints over to.
The saints collectively had the opportunity in Nauvoo under the prophet Hyrum Smith to repent of their abominations and reform, by renewing the original covenant of the gospel and restoring the fulness of the priesthood which had been lost.
They also had the option to allow themselves to be seduced into a heretical ceremonial covenant with death, one which substituted the holy spiritual endowments with ritualistic secret signs and tokens and secret handshakes and swearing by the neck.
Imagine a ceremony where Satan himself is depicted as being in a position of authority over the saints, administering an oath and binding the saints over to a covenant with death if they fail to keep every single commandment according to the letter of the law.
Through this false covenant Satan will lead many of the saints away from the truth.
We don’t have time in this series to elaborate on the evil gift that Isaiah refers to as the covenant with death. Those wanting more information on this topic may ref this article.
Incredible future events are going to take place in Nauvoo and the return of the dead will take place in conjunction with the return of the servants when the true covenant is restored and the key of knowledge will be turned and unfold the ushering in of the dispensation of the fullness of times.
I believe Hyrum Smith was the real deal. He may not have been what the people wanted, but he was a true prophet. He met the qualifications of succession itemized in section 43, was called to be a prophet seer and revelator to the church, and he was the legal successor to the Prophet Joseph Smith to the extent that the church membership sustained him as such.
The Lord loved him because of the integrity of his heart.
Praise God for the prophet Hyrum Smith.
In a future part of this series we shall evaluate the claims of Sidney Rigdon and the trial that cut him off from the Brighamite faction of the apostate church. In it we shall see that the Lord had actually called both Hyrum and Sidney to be prophets seers and revelators through the prophet Joseph Smith.
That’s right, the Lord used Joseph Smith to identify, by revelation, his own successor and his successor’s successor, but the saints rejected BOTH of these prophets.
The Law Pertaining to Succession “…him whom I have appointed unto you to receive commandments and revelations”
It occurred to me while writing the post about Frederick G. Williams that I have never done a specific post on the LDS succession crisis in detail although I have touched on it in bits and pieces in lots of posts that focused on other topics.
When I started blogging nearly three years ago I never intended to write anything this controversial however, over time, I have actually written about many things that are probably even more controversial than this series is going to be..
I have therefore decided to do a series focusing on this most important topic.
In this series I am going to be a little repetitive at times, on purpose.
As I have said previously, the succession crisis is far from over.
It is a continuing issue.
We still need to try to understand it and face it head on.
In fact, one way to view the Marvelous Work and a Wonder is to characterize it as a continuation and ultimately the conclusion to the succession debate that took place after the death of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. In some ways, the succession issue was a microcosm of the war in heaven, having to do with a great debate and war over the control over the souls of men. Free agency is the principle that allows us to become free by submitting to Christ or to submit ourselves into bondage by being deceived and choosing Satan and his minions.
In this first part of this series I am going to give a summary and associated commentary on the law of succession that is contained in section 43. in so doing, I will highlight seven major principals contained therein.
The following parts of this series will then eventually fall into place as this series evolves and will include highlights of the trial of Sidney Rigdon. The amazing information contained in the notes of that trial has been largely neglected and suppressed by the corporate church.
In that trial, President William Marks gave one of the most eloquent and succinct summaries of the law of succession and he explained from a scriptural point of view why Sidney Rigdon was the only living person who met the qualifications laid out in section 43. (not be confused with William Law, William Marks was the Stake President in Far West and eventually also of Nauvoo)
One of the great myths believed by some students of modern day Mormonism is that the LDS succession crisis took place because the Lord had not given a clear explanation of how succession in church leadership was to take place.
This view is erroneously ascribed by D. Michael Quinn who stated that-
“by the summer of 1844 there was no explicit outline of presidential succession in print..”
Quinn continues-
“Not only did most Mormons have only the haziest concept of what should transpire in the leadership of the LDS Church if the founding prophet were to die, but between 1834 and 1844 Joseph Smith had by word or action established precedents or authority for eight possible methods of succession
By a counselor in the First Presidency
By a special appointment
Through the office of Associate President
By the Presiding Patriarch
By the Council of Fifty
By the Quorum of the twelve Apostles
By the three priesthood councils,
By a descendant of Joseph Smith, Jr.
Four Very Important Foundational Succession Issues
Before we dissect the law of succession in section 43, we need to address four issues that can create confusion if they are not understood-
1…The Lord gives the church the free agency to reject being presided over by a Prophet Seer and Revelator via the Law of Common Consent:
There is a huge difference between the collective church or even a branch of the church, randomly appointing someone to preside over them as their presiding officer as opposed to the church membership requiring the chosen candidate to first be called and ordained by God to be a prophet seer and revelator expressly chosen by God to receive revelations and commandments for the church.
In other words, the church actually does have the option, through the law of common consent to refuse to appoint the Lord’s prophet seer and revelator as their presiding officer. They may choose someone else that they would rather have preside over them. Although it appears from historical accounts that Joseph Smith may have suggested some or all of the above eight methods of succession mentioned by Quinn, they would only be reasons for choosing someone according to the law of common consent to simply preside over the church in a leadership capacity.
It is interesting and informative to note that the Lord called Joseph Smith by revelation to be a prophet seer and revelator to receive commandments and revelations for the church in section 28, and then, at a later time, in section 43 the Lord admonishes the saints to appoint Joseph Smith to preside over them by common consent if they want the glories of the kingdom- “But, behold, verily, verily, I say unto thee, no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church [the Church of Christ] excepting my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., for he receiveth them even as Moses. And thou shalt be obedient unto the things which I shall give unto him, even as Aaron, to declare faithfully the commandments and the revelations, with power and authority unto the church.” (Section 28)
“And if ye desire the glories of the kingdom, appoint ye my servant Joseph Smith, Jun , and uphold him before me by the prayer of faith.13 And again, I say unto you, that if ye desire the mysteries of the kingdom, provide for him food and raiment, and whatsoever thing he needeth to accomplish the work wherewith I have commanded him;14 And if ye do it not he shall remain unto them that have received him, that I may reserve unto myself a pure people before me..” (section 43)
This demonstrates that the calling to be a prophet seer and revelator comes from God but the appointment comes from the church membership via common consent. The only way the church can appoint someone to act as a prophet seer and revelator for the church is if they appoint someone who has already been called and ordained to that SPIRITUAL GIFT by God.
Although Joseph Smith may very possibly have suggested some or all of the eight methods for identifying someone to preside over the church, those prerequisites do not give the person the spiritual gift of being a prophet seer and revelator, nor do they bestow the right to receive revelations and commandments for the church. In my opinion, the real succession issue has to do with the protocol that the Lord had given by revelation, not the many conflicting alleged protocols that were supposedly suggested by Joseph Smith
2…President of the High Priesthood vs. President of the Church
Another very important distinction that must be understood, is that there is a difference between the office of President of the Church in a specific geographical area, vs, the office of President of the High Priesthood, who is the presiding officer over all of the congregations of the church worldwide.
As the President of the Church in Kirtland, Joseph Smith was not the president of the church in Zion, David Whitmer was. Similarly, the president of the church in Nauvoo was President William Marks, not Joseph Smith. However, Joseph Smith, while serving as the local president of the Kirtland stake of Zion, was also sustained in a separate and distinct calling, as the President of the High Priesthood which made him the presiding officer over all church congregations and over all presidents of the various churches in all geographical locations.
Section 107:91-92 is not speaking about the office of “President of the Church” as many suppose, rather it is referring to the president of the high priesthood, which also presides over all church presidents and their respective congregations-
“And again, the duty of the President of the office of the High Priesthood is to preside over the whole church, and to be like unto Moses— Behold, here is wisdom; yea, to be a seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet, having all the gifts of God which he bestows upon the head of the church.”
Many assume that the president of the church, ie, the president of the church in Kirtland or Zion or Nauvoo, and the president of the high priesthood are synonymous but this is not true. They are two different and distinct callings, although one person can be functioning in both callings at the same time like Joseph Smith did during the Kirtland era of the church.
3.. Joseph Smith was called to be the Presiding “Elder”, not the President of the High Priesthood when he established the church in Nauvoo:
If you compare section 107 91-92 with section 124:125 you might be surprised to find out that Joseph Smith was no longer acting as the President of the High Priesthood when the saints settled in Nauvoo, rather, he was the “Presiding Elder” who also was appointed to be a prophet seer and revelator for the church. The reason for this, as noted in section 124 is that the fullness of the priesthood had been lost from the earth and therefore there was no longer anyone acting in the office of President of the High Priesthood who held all of the spiritual gifts of the church. (see also 127:12)
In previous posts we have discussed how Joseph established three churches, ie, the Church of Christ (presided over by an elder) in the early Kirtland years, the Church of God which describes the saints who were in the process of gathering and consecrating, (presided over by a High Priest- beginning with the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood at the Morley Farm). Finally, after the gentile church rejected the fulness of the priesthood and the fulness of the Gospel sometime around 1834, Joseph was instrumental in establishing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, which refers to the saints who are in a scattered and unconsecrated and apostate condition. (which is presided over by an elder or elders)
4… Joseph Smith was not “the” or “a” prophet Seer and Revelator of the church when he died, Hyrum was the sole prophet seer and revelator for the church. As documented in several other posts, after the Lord called Hyrum to be the co-president and prophet seer and revelator of the church with Joseph Smith in Nauvoo, Joseph stated publicly in a general conference that he would no longer be acting as a prophet of the church. This left Hyrum as the sole presiding elder and prophet seer and revelator of the church. Hence, the true succession issue had nothing to do with finding a successor for joseph Smith, a successor had already been chosen and ordained. It had to do with finding a successor for Hyrum Smith!
The Doctrine of Succession was Very Clearly Defined
Although it is true that most Mormons were unclear about the true succession protocol, it is not because it did not exist, it is because of their doctrinal ignorance or refusal to accept the revealed protocol.
So, while some people like D. Michael Quinn postulate that there was no clear protocol for succession based on historicity showing confusion on the issue, actually, the opposite is true.There was a very clear protocol which is contained in section 43.
The real reason the succession crisis took place is because he Quorum of the Twelve and others who had been initiated into the secret measures wanted to dissolve the first Presidency and have the Twelve preside over the church.
Tthe Lord had given a very clear protocol about how he would call and ordain future successors to the Prophet Joseph Smith but the saints either were unaware of it or they refused to accept it as they were distracted by the dog and pony show that Brigham and his brethren were putting on.
The succession protocol in section 43 is so specific and exacting that nobody familiar with modern revelation could possibly refute the protocol. Indeed, section 43 even contains a succession prophecy revealing how succession would indeed take place BEFORE Joseph dies!
It also provides a continuing protocol for those who succeed Joseph’s successor.
Nevertheless, the majority of the saints either knowingly or unknowingly rejected the protocol either because they were doctrinally ignorant of the law-
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Isaiah 4:6
OR they didn’t want to be led by true prophets that spoke the harsh truth… they wanted to be told smooth things-
“.. this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Isaiah 30:9-11
As we shall see as we continue in this series, there was only one living person who had been properly called and chosen by the Lord as a Prophet Seer and Revelator who had been ordained and publicly presented to the saints as such by those who had the authority to perform such an ordination.
Many if not most of saints living in Nauvoo in 1844 probably did not own a copy of the 1833 Book of Commandments or the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
A large portion of the early latter day gentiles from the Kirtland era had since rejected the fullness of the gospel and left the church by the time Joseph and the church migrated to Nauvoo and now, because of the secret visitation which is now documented in section 110, the children of Abraham were now converting to Mormonism, crossing the ocean and coming into Nauvoo from foreign lands. Most of them were very poor and did not have their own set of scriptures.
Many of the new converts were virtually illiterate.
These children of Abraham would include many of the children of Judah.
This very possibly included those who were literal descendents of the original apostles of Jesus Christ as well as literal descendents of the rebellious Jews who cried out to Pilot-
“Let him be crucified…. His blood be on us, and on our children.”
The Law of Succession- Section 43
Once again, section 43 was extremely explicit on how succession was to take place. In fact, the Lord provided at least seven main points on how succession was to take place. This law of succession even contained a conditional prophecy explaining how succession would take place in the future and the prophecy came to pass in Nauvoo.
The main purpose of part one of this paper is to simply summarize and analyze the LAW OF SUCCESSION that is provided in section 43.
1… Verse 2) “..Him whom I have appointed unto you to receive revelations and commandments..”:
The law begins by informing us that in the latter day restored church, Joseph Smith was the initial one who is appointed to receive commandments and revelations . It mandates that only those appointed as prophets, seers and revelators for the church, and given those spiritual gift, by God, are allowed to receive commandments and revelations for the church. It is not the church or leaders of the church who decide who God bestows this gift upon… it is God.
2… (Verse 3) “..IF he abides in Me..”:
The second point I want to address in the law of succession is also a conditional prophesy. It informs us that there will be no other person appointed to receive commandments and revelations for the church until Joseph is taken IF Joseph continues to abide in the Lord.
In this conditional promise, we are informed that If Joseph Smith abides in the Lord, no one else will be appointed to receive revelations and commandments for the church. It appears that Zion would have been redeemed IF Joseph would have continued to ABIDE in the Lord.
This part of the law of succession makes it clear that there is a possibility that Joseph may not continue to abide in the Lord, in which event, another would be called and appointed to that gift and that office. (Please don’t assume that Joseph did not continue to abide in the Lord because of his own unrighteousness… for more information on this topic see the post on the atonement statute-scapegoat doctrine)
3,,, (Verse 4) “..If it (the gift) be taken from him..”:
This is the second part of the conditional promise previously given. Building upon the previous acknowledgement that Joseph may not continue to abide in the Lord, the law of succession provides a solution for the appointing of another. If another is appointed God will do it by revelation through Joseph.
The ONLY way another will be appointed by God to the spiritual gift of receiving commandments and revelations for the church will be through Joseph Smith. This amazing prophecy came true in 1841 when section 124 was given. In that revelation the Lord appointed Hyrum through the Prophet Joseph Smith to receive the gift of receiving commandments and revelations for the church, in concert with Joseph.
Shortly after Hyrum’s ordination, Joseph announced in a conference that he, (Joseph) would no longer be acting in the capacity of a prophet to the church. In essence, he was announcing the fulfillment of the succession prophecy in section 43.(whether he knew it or not)
Some of the members of the Church approached Joseph after the conference and told him that they did not feel Hyrum could lead the church. It is not clear whether they were a small minority or if they represented the majority of the church membership. (the history of the Church does not reveal who these brethren were, however I believe there is a good possibility that they were the same brethren that would also eventually reject Sidney)
Whether or not Hyrum was ultimately rejected by the church as the sole prophet seer and revelator is not clear, however it is a clear historical fact that he was called and ordained as such by the Lord through the “prophet Joseph Smith according to the protocol given in section 43. Unfortunately many Mormons falsely assume that Joseph Smith was the prophet Seer and Revelator for the church at the time of his death but this is not the case. Brigham Young made the following declaration, ““Did Joseph Smith ordain any man to take his place. He did. Who was it? It was Hyrum..,”.Times and Seasons, 5 [Oct. 15, 1844]: 683…..”
4… (Verse 7) “.. He that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained..”:
Section 43 informs us that the only way a person can be called to the gift of receiving commandments and revelations for the church is by first, entering in at the gate, which is to receive the spiritual rebirth, and second, being called by God and ordained by the existing anointed servant of the Lord who has already been appointed to the gift.
Apparently it is not possible for someone to bestow a spiritual gift upon another that they themselves don’t possess. As we shall see in a future part of this series, this is one of the points made by William Marks at the trial of Sidney Rigdon.
It is really quite amazing that the Lord is telling the church that one must have entered into the “GATE” before they can even be called and chosen by God to be a prophet seer and revelator of the church. Is it possible that this portion of the law of succession requires the church members to be able to discern if the candidate has previously received the spiritual rebirth!
I would submit to you that only those who have themselves been spiritually been born again can spiritually discern if someone else has been spiritually born again. This is why we are told in section 45 that those who are wise and have taken the Holy Spirit as their guide will not be deceived!
To summarize: anyone who receives the gift of being able to receive revelations and commandments for the church after Joseph fails to abide in the lord, must first receive the spiritual rebirth by entering in at the gate and secondly, they must be appointed by the Lord by the spirit of revelation through Joseph.
It is truly amazing that the law of succession requires the saints to be able to discern if someone has been spiritually reborn! A key word search on the word “gate” will bring up a multitude of passages about the strait gate that one must enter into in order to be spiritually born of the Lord. Also, in section 5 we are informed that becoming born of God through the manifestation of the spirit is initiated by believing in the word of God as contained in the Book of Mormon- “And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, [contained in the Book of Mormon] them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirit—
5… Verse 6) “..And this I give unto you that you may not be deceived..”:
The Lord gave the law of succession in section 43 to enable the saints to avoid being DECEIVED by false prophets.
If you do a key word search using the words “prophets” and “deceived”, the first reference that comes up in the New Testament has to do with the mandate Christ gives to his disciples to not be deceived be false prophets. He informs the saints that false prophets will arise in the latter days. That warning is also found in JST Matthew. We see from this that the succession doctrine given in section 43 is a continuation of Christ’s warning about false prophets in the New Testament!
This is incredible!
We see from this that the false prophets of the latter days that Christ warns about in the New Testament are not coming from Catholicism or Protestantism but rather, from the latter day restoration movement!
The prophecies warning about false prophets in the latter days are clearly spawned from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That warning contained in section 43 is accompanied by the commandment to “receive not the teachings of any that come before you as revelations or commandments” who had not entered in at the gate and been properly appointed and ordained by God through Joseph Smith, or a legal successor of Joseph Smith.
It is truly remarkable that the largest faction of the restoration movement did in fact accept the teachings of the person that did not meet the requirements of the succession protocol provided in section 43. Instead they chose to follow someone else and they chose to eventually accept his teachings as revelations and commandments…
..indeed, the saints allowed the person they chose by the law of common consent to alter doctrines and alter the scriptures. Despite the fact that the saints rejected the Lord’s appointed prophet in favor of someone else, the Lord gave them the option to do so via the law of common consent.
This scenario is reminiscent of when God’s people chose to follow a king rather than a prophet… choosing King Saul instead of the prophet Samuel-
“But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.“
Obviously, there have been times when righteous kings were also inspired prophets. Another passage from Alma 10 documents how a people governed by a righteous king can eventually become ruled by the “voice of the people”.
“Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.“
6… (Verse 2) “..ye have received a commandment for a law unto my church..”;
The law of succession in section 43 began by acknowledging that the church had just previously received section 42 which was the LAW given to the church by the Lord through his anointed prophet, seer and revelator.
The LAW unto the CHURCH given in section 42 was an integral part of the LAW of SUCCESSION because it identifies many of the fruits and doctrines of the true church and what will be taught by the true Prophet Seer and Revelator.It also requires the church to accept the established four standard works as the law of the church.
The leading elders of the church were commanded to assemble together and instruct and edify each other that they may know how to act and direct the true church upon the points of the LAW and COMMANDMENTS given in section 42.
They were promised that they could be sanctified by the law given in section 42 if they lived it. The law given in section 42 bound the saints to live the fullness of the gospel contained in the inspired version of the Bible (when it was completed), the Book of Mormon and the revelations that had been and would be given through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
Section 42 clearly laid out the law of consecration and the celestial law of monogamy.
The law of consecration and the law of monogamy would ultimately be key issues when the succession crisis took place after the death of Hyrum Smith, the Lords appointed prophet seer and revelator of the church.
Again, it is truly amazing that the presiding quorum and ultimately the presiding person sustained by the largest faction of the saints would personally refuse to live the law of monogamy and the law of consecration for the remainder of his very long life.
7… (Verse 11) “..Purge ye out the iniquity that is among you..”:
The saints were commanded to purge out the wicked and the wickedness that was among them.
That was a necessity before they could become sanctified. They were also commanded to uphold the prophet Joseph Smith through the prayer of faith. In a later revelation the Lord explains that he would allow the wheat and tares to remain together until the great day of purging. From this we learn that the restored church was not successful in purging out the iniquity which was among them and in becoming sanctified.
Those who study the so-called succession issue closely, will find that the real issues at the root of the succession controversy were not being based on the succession protocol that the Lord had given. The saints were not focusing on trying to discern who had entered into the gate and been appointed by the Lord through Joseph Smith, rather, they were deciding who they wanted to follow.
As we continue in this series, we shall see that the real controversy between Sidney Rigdon and the Twelve Apostles had to do with another gospel that had been secretly introduced into the church. It involved secret endowments and ordinations and a secret practice that had entered into the church which was contrary to the celestial law of monogamy. This secret practice had to do with the spiritual wife doctrine and the ancient practice of polygamy.
From time to time I like to summarize and highlight one of the early leaders of the LDS restoration movement.
The past significance of this person in the 2nd watch and his future importance in the 3rd watch has largely been obscured, misunderstood or forgotten.
Take a good look at this person; he may be visiting us soon.
Do you know who he is?
Here are a few interesting details about him-
This amazing man had pursued the British and Tecumseh’s Indian forces in Sandusky during the War of 1812.
In July 1830 his mother joined the Alexander Campbell’s Reformed Baptists
In November 1830 his wife Rebecca was converted to the restored gospel by Oliver Cowdery, Parley P. Pratt (h), Ziba Peterson, and Peter Whitmer Jr. He continued to study the Book of Mormon, overcome his skepticism, and be baptized and ordained an elder the same day..
He is the one who owned and donated the sacred land to the church that the Kirtland Temple was built one.
On August 3, 1831 he was present with Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon,, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris, Newel Knight, W. W. Phelps, Ezra Booth, Joseph Coe, and Peter Whitmer Jr. at the temple site in Independence Missouri when Sidney dedicated the site and Joseph laid “a stone at the North east corner of the contemplated Temple in the name of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth.”
On October 25, 1831 he was ordained to the High Priesthood (3rd and highest Melchizedek Priesthood) by Oliver Cowdery.
On January 6, 1833 in an unpublished revelation the Lord said to him, “Behold I Say unto you… Listen to the word of Jesus Christ your Lord and your Redeemer thou hast desired of me to Know which would be the most worth unto you, behold blessed art tho[u] for this thing. now I say unto you my Servant Joseph is called to do a great work and hath need that he may do the work of translation for the Salvation of Souls. Verily verily I Say unto you thou art called to be a Councillor & Scribe unto my Servant Joseph Let thy farm be consecrated for bringing forth of the revelations and thou Shalt be blessed and lifted up at the Last day even so Amen”
March 8 1833 He is called by revelation to the First Presidency of the High Priesthood- “And again, verily I say unto thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and …. their sins are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom”
On March 18, 1833 Joseph ordains him and Sidney “to be equal with him in holding the keys of the Kingdom and also the Presidency of the High Priesthood.”
On November 19, 1833 Joseph puts the following entry into his diary about this amazing man- “Brother …. is one of those men> in whom I place the greatest confidence and trust for I have found him ever full of love and Brotherly kindness he is not a man of many words but is ever wining because of his constant mind he shall ever have place in my heart and is ever intitled to my confiden<ce> [*] He is perfectly honest and upright, and seeks with all his heart to magnify his presidency in the church of ch[r]ist… God grant that he may overcome all evil: …The Lord hath appointed him an inheritance upon the land of Zion. Yea, and his head shall blossom. <And he shall be> as an olive branch that is bowed down with fruit: even so; Amen.
On July 1, 1834 he was discharged as “council to the commander in Chief of the Army of the Lord’s house, & also the duties of quartermaster & many others to which he was appointed … his garments are cl[e]ar of the blood of all with whom he has associated in this region, & he has important duties to do in the East … ” Signed by Lyman Wight and Sylvester Smith.
September 24, 1834 selected as member of committee “to arrange the items of the doctrine” for the church with Joseph, Oliver, and Sidney. This becomes the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
In 1835 he helped organize and became a Trustee of the School of the Prophets and he also taught in the school of the prophets.
He was on the Kirtland Temple building committee and saw the Kirtland temple in vision. “Joseph received the word of the Lord for him to take his two counselors, ….. and Sidney Rigdon, and come before the Lord and He would show them the plan or model of the house to be built. We went upon our knees, called on the Lord, and the building appeared within viewing distance. I being the first to discover it. Then all of us viewed it together. After we had taken a good look at the exterior, the building seemed to come right over us, and the makeup of this hall seemed to coincide with what I there saw to a minutia.”
On March 27, 1836 at the dedication of the House of the Lord, he, sees an angel enter through a window and sit down between himself and Joseph Sr. The angel remains through the prayer. He also, “bore testimony that the Savior, dressed in his vesture without seam, came into the stand and accepted of the dedication of the house, that he saw him, and gave a description of his clothing and all things pertaining to it.”
June 29, 1836 Joseph and Emma name their second son after this man.
November 7, 1837 dropped from the First Presidency in Far West. “Joseph discovered that a large amount of money had been taken away by fraud, from this bank. He immediately demanded a search warrant of Esquire Williams, which was flatly refused. “I insist upon a warrant,” said Joseph, “for if you will give me one, I can get the money, and if you do not, I will break you of your office.”"Well, break it is then,” said Williams, “and we will strike hands upon it.”"Very well,” said Joseph, “from henceforth I drop you from my quorum, in the name of the Lord.” Williams, in wrath, replied, “Amen.”Joseph entered a complaint against him, for neglect of duty, as an officer of justice; in consequence of which the magistracy was taken from him, and given to Oliver Cowdery
On July 8, 1838 revelation: this man and W. W. Phelps have lost their standing, but may be ordained elders and serve missions abroad.
In March 17, 1839 he was excommunicated in absentia with George M. Hinkle, Sampson Avard, W. W. Phelps, Thomas B. Marsh (h), John Corrill, and others. It appears they were charged with leaving the church “in the time of our perils, persecutions and dangers, and were acting against the interests of the Church.”
On April 8, 1840 in Nauvoo, he requests forgiveness from the church. Hyrum presents his case to the conference. Vote to receive him back into fellowship. At the Church conference held in April of 1840 in Nauvoo, “Frederick G. Williams presented himself on the stand, and humbly asked forgiveness for his conduct, and expressed his determination to do the will of God in the future. His case was presented to the conference by President Hyrum Smith, when it was unanimously resolved, that Fredrick [sic] G. Williams be forgiven, and be received into the fellowship of the Church.
Brother Williams remained in the Church the rest of his life (2 years) . His home was in Quincy, Illinois,53 where he continued to practice medicine; but he made frequent trips to Nauvoo to treat and visit his longtime friend, the Prophet. On his last visit, Joseph Smith put his arm around him and said, “Brother Frederick, I hate to see you return home; you are going there to die.” Frederick answered, “I am already a dead man.”54 He died a short time later at his home in Quincy of a hemorrhage of the lungs–although his son Ezra thought it was more of a broken heart55–on 10 October 1842, two years before the Prophet’s martyrdom.
On October 10, 1842 Frederick Granger Williams died in Quincy of a “hemorrhage of the lungs.”
In section 90 verses 1-6 it tells us that the keys of the kingdom will remain with Joseph Smith in life and in death… however, a close look at those verses appears to reveal that in fact the keys of the kingdom will remain with all three members of the presidency of the high priesthood in life and death… namely, Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams. Indeed that section goes on to inform us that when the first laborers of the last kingdom return, it will be through the administration of Joseph Smith that the word of the Lord will continue to come forth to Sidney and Frederick and it is through the 3rd watch ministry of Sidney and Frederick that the word of the Lord will go forth to the ends of the earth!
Praise the Lord God of Israel for the past and future ministry of Frederick G. Williams.
I began doing key word and key topic searches to determine just exactly what constitutes the condition of the Lord’s people being ripe in iniquity.
My thinking was that if I could determine what constitutes being ripe in iniquity, I could more easily ascertain the final condition of the apostate church just prior to the return of the servants, who will be coming to gather the elect with the last warning and the last testimony.
During this search I arrived at all sorts of speculative theories on what the answer might be but I never really felt like I felt I knew the answer for certain.
Eventually, years later while reading in the D&C , it was revealed to me that the reason I could not find the answer to my question was because my question was based on a false assumption resulting in asking the wrong question.
I also realized that there is a synergism that comes from searching all four standard works when studying a topic, even if the key phrase in question only shows up in one of the canonized volumes.
Anyway, one day I finally realized that the Lord’s people don’t become ripe in iniquity BEFORE the servants return..
..they become ripe in iniquity AFTER the servants return!
The ultimate ripeness of iniquity is to SIN AGAINST THE LORD (Zeph 1-3) by rejecting the true servants of the Lord who come to warn and gather God’s people and restore the fulness of the gospel and the fulness of the priesthood.
I believe that a search on this topic in all four of the standard works, reveals that God always sends angels or true prophets to warn his apostate church BEFORE he sends destruction upon them.
2nd Nephi 28 speaks about the latter day gentiles and makes the following statement
“Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish. But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.”
Notice that the “Wo” issued to the latter day gentiles has to do with rejecting the “just” in favor of a “thing of naught”.
They will be saying that something that is presented to them which is “good” is “of no worth”.
Following that we are informed that God will visit the inhabitants of the earth and those who do not REPENT shall be DESTROYED.
The obvious implication of these verses pertain to the time when the light shines forth and the Marvelous Work and a Wonder begins to take place. At this time, additional books of scriptures are brought forth, messengers are sent forth to testify of the truth and warn the people, etc.
This is the time the Book of Mormon speaks of, defining the Marvelous Work and a Wonder as a time when a great polarization will take place, which will result in peace and life eternal to those who accept the last messengers.
It will result in captivity and destruction for those who become ripe in iniquity be rejecting the message from God’s messengers-
“For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken.” ( 1 Nephi 14:7)
It only makes sense that God warns his apostate people and gives them a final opportunity to repent BEFORE he sends his destruction upon them.
Clearly, it is the rejection of the gospel message, as delivered by God’s servants that constitutes being fully ripe in iniquity followed by destruction.
The Jerusalem that Lehi and his family fled from is a great type.
The Lord did not just destroy his people in Jerusalem once they became extremely iniquitous within their apostate condition, he first sent Lehi and other true prophets among them to warn them for the last time, but Lehi was forced to flee for his life and the other prophets that warned Jerusalem were “cast out, and stoned, and slain” (1 Nephi 1:20)
It was the rejection of God’s ordained servants that constituted His people being “ripe in iniquity“.
Another great type was the destruction of the people as recorded in 3rd Nephi.
The Lord didn’t just wait until the apostate people reached a certain depth of transgression before raining down judgments upon them, the key to the ripeness factor was the rejection of the call to repent from true messengers.
During the years just before Christ visited the Nephites with destruction, Nephi and other prophets went forth warning the people and inviting them to repent.
“And there began to be men inspired from heaven and sent forth, standing among the people in all the land, preaching and testifying boldly of the sins and iniquities of the people, and testifying unto them concerning the redemption which the Lord would make for his people...”
When the Lord did come with destruction, he makes the following statement-
“O ye people of these great cities which have fallen, who are descendants of Jacob, yea, who are of the house of Israel, how oft have I gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and have nourished you. 5 And again, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, who have fallen; yea, O ye people of the house of Israel, ye that dwell at Jerusalem, as ye that have fallen; yea, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not. 6 O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.“
The Lord is informing them and us of a great principle in the above statements.
God offers to nourish and gather his people before he sends destruction on those who reject his messengers.
When reading the above passages, in the LDS scriptures, notice footnote 5a-
It takes you to section 43 in which we are informed that once again in the 3rd watch Christ is going to rain down destruction upon the gentiles who reject his servants and he will once again say, from heaven, almost word for word the same thing to the Gentiles that he said to the Nephites-
First he will send forth his servants in the 3rd watch to-
“Call upon the nations to repent, both old and young, both bond and free, saying: Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord” (43:20)
Following the invitation and warning of the first laborers of the last kingdom, the testimony of thunders and lightnings will sound.
“For if I [Joseph Smith] , who am a man, do lift up my voice and call upon you to repent, and ye hate me, what will ye say when the day cometh when the thunders shall utter their voices from the ends of the earth, speaking to the ears of all that live, saying—Repent, and prepare for the great day of the Lord? 22 Yea, and again, when the lightnings shall streak forth from the east unto the west, and shall utter forth their voices unto all that live, and make the ears of all tingle that hear, saying these words—Repent ye, for the great day of the Lord is come?“
Finally we are informed that after the testimony of God’s servants and the lightnings and thunders, The Lord will utter his voice from heaven again saying virtually the same thing to the gentiles that he did to the Nephites-
23 And again, the Lord shall utter his voice out of heaven, saying: Hearken, O ye nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you. 24 O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not! 25 How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants, and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thunderings, and by the voice of lightnings, and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind, and by the great sound of a trump, and by the voice of judgment, and by the voice of mercy all the day long, and by the voice of glory and honor and the riches of eternal life, and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not! 26 Behold, the day has come, when the cup of the wrath of mine indignation is full. 27 Behold, verily I say unto you, that these are the words of the Lord your God.”
Incredible..
The scenario in 3rd Nephi is going to be repeated in the third watch and Christ will utter almost the exact same words that he did in 3rd Nephi!
Does the above sequence of events mentioned in section 43 ring a bell?
It is the same sequence given in section 88 where the Lord reminds the first elders that-
“AFTER YOUR TESTIMONY cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand and also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds” (88:88-91)
As you can see, the latter day apostate church will not become fully ripe in iniquity before the servants return. Indeed, it is AFTER they return that the unbelieving portion of the apostate church will become fully ripe in iniquity.
The only way to know who the servants are and when they have returned is to treasure up the word of God and to take the Holy Spirit as your guide.
One last thing, in doing the key word search pertaining to ripe and iniquity, I came across the following scripture in Alma 10 that probably sheds a typological light on the LDS succession crisis as well as the topic of an apostate people becoming ripe for destruction-
“Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. 20 And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.“
The above passages indicate that since King Mosiah had no one to deliver the kingdom to and confer the governing keys to, the people were left to be “governed by their own voices“.
It also speaks of how the people become ripe for destruction by rejecting the voice of his angels.
As we have discussed in previous posts, this is essentially what happened during the LDS succession crisis. The Church was split into about seven major schisms when the only person who had been ordained as a prophet seer and revelator had been rejected by the Church.
Each schism was governed by the voice of the people who chose their own leaders, or at least, chose which of the claimants they wanted to follow.
These passages in the Book of Mormon inform us that once God’s people fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. They also inform us that angels had been crying repentance to them and, as we have demonstrated, it is the rejection of the call to repent from God’s messengers that constitutes the fulness of being ripe in iniquity.
Section 43 provides a very strict protocol for succession over the Church and kingdom of God in the latter days.
It informs us nobody except Joseph Smith will ever be appointed to receive commandments and revelations for the church IF Joseph continues to abide in the Lord.
The apparent reason for that is that if the church was obedient to the commandments, Joseph was to lead the Church to Zion and to preside over the translation of the Saints and a rapture, just as Enoch did with his people.
The law of succession in 43 stipulates however that Joseph could ordain another to that calling as a result of his own transgression.
God, in his infinite foreknowledge understood that the Saints would not repent and be obedient and that Joseph, like Moses of old would need to make an atonement for Israel and take upon him their transgressions.
History informs us that almost exactly one decade after the law of succession was given in section 43, Joseph did indeed receive a revelation to ordain Hyrum to the calling of being “prophet seer and revelator unto my church” to “act in concert” with Joseph.
Shortly after that, Joseph announced at a conference that he would no longer act in the “office” of co-prophet from that time forth.
After the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum, the various fragments of the church were left to be governed by the voice of the people.
HOWEVER- The law of succession in section 43 gives the following warning-
“And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; and this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me.
For verily I say unto you, that he that is ordained of me shall come in at the gate and be ordained as I have told you before, to teach those revelations which you have received and shall receive through him whom I have appointed“
The whole reason for the succession crisis in Nauvoo is that the only living man who had “come in at the gate“ and been “appointed by the Lord” was Sidney Rigdon.
He was the only living person who had entered through the gate of spiritual rebirth AND been ordained a prophet seer and revelator, and recieved every gift and calling that Joseph had been given, by the gift of prophecy, by God’s anointed prophet.
One of the few people at the time of the succession crisis who has a modern revelation scholar was William Marks, President of the Nauvoo Stake.
At the kangaroo trial that Brigham and his masonic brethren held for Sidney in absentia, William Marks mustered up all the courage he had and made the following declaration in defense of Sidney Rigdon-
“I laid my hands on brother Sidney with brother Joseph and he ordained hm to be a prophet, seer and revelator and be equal with him in holding the keys and authority of this kingdom“
Marks then pointed out that he was aware of every major ordination that had taken place and he was not aware of anyone else who had been ordained to the same calling as Sidney Rigdon-
“Now, is there a man in the Church who has received the ordination of Prophet Seer and Revelator? If there is, I want to see him!” I think I am knowing to all the ordinations but I don’t know of a man who has been ordained to the office and calling Brother Sidney has; ad if he is cut off, who will we have to obtain revelations?“
Marks then made a very astute observation… one that made the crisis so difficult-
“the Quorum of the Twelve don’t have the authority to ordain someone a prophet seer and revelator!”
” A man must be in possession of this power to be able to ordain a prophet and a seer and a revelator”
In short, Marks was simply pointing out that Rigdon was the only living person that had come through the gate and been ordained according to the law of succession in section 43. Rigdon was the only living prophet seer and revelator who had been approved by God to function in the highest priesthood quorum of the church and kingdom.
Marks was pointing out that the Quorum of the Twelve did not have authority to ordain someone to a power they themselves did not possess.
Of course Brigham Young and his brethren had the opportunity to correct Marks on these declarations and provide evidence that there was someone else who qualified but they remained silent on this issue.
Marks went on to explain that the quorum of the first presidency as never meant to be disorganized and he warned that if it was, it would leave no one to preside over the church-
“..I have never supposed that this quorum [of the First Presidency] could be disorganized!”
“..Who Will preside over the church?”
As you can see, Sidney was the only one that met the conditions of the law of succession as outlined in section 43, but Sidney was rejected by the main body of the Church.
Brigham and the others had clearly not “come in at the gate”. A close perusal at Brigham’s actions and his own acknowledgments in his personal journal reveals that he had not received the spiritual rebirth. LDS history reveals that Brigham was never ordained to be a prophet seer and revelator.
To further complicate things, Brigham was a member of the traveling quorum of the twelve apostles who had been given a strict command to not preside in any of the organized stakes of Zion. Their specific calling was missionary work outside of the stakes of Zion.
As you can see, section 43 was very prophetic. It foretold the replacing of Joseph with someone else because of Joseph’s transgression.
The Lord knew that Joseph and the church would not be successful in redeeming Zion in the 2nd watch.
The Lord was making it perfectly clear that another prophet seer and revelator would need to be ordained in the proper way, by revelation and the gift of Prophecy via the Lord’s anointed, at a future time.
That person was Hyrum.
Section 43 provides a clear protocol of the succession doctrine and section 124 provides a clear example of how the protocol is to take place. Section 124 makes it clear by published revelation through the existing prophet, who the next prophet seer and revelator is to be. Following that, he is ordained by the existing prophet.
The Lord also had Sidney, another member of the quorum, ordain as a prophet seer and revelator as well.
The Lord knew that after the death of Hyrum, the saints would reject Sidney and that the leadership of the church would ultimately default to someone who would be chosen by the “voice of the People” according to the “law of common consent” and that the church would be led without an inspired prophet seer and revelator who had been called and chosen by the Lord… someone who had entered in at the proper gate and been properly ordained by the gift of prophecy.
The Lord apparently decided to leave the apostate church without excuse by providing the succession protocol in section 43.
He therefore warned us that whoever the church chose to lead the church (regardless of which faction) would not be approved of God to teach doctrine or to present “revelations” or “commandments”.
God knew that the apostate faction that would retain the mandate to take the preparatory gospel to the nations of the earth, would appoint a man who had not come in through the GATE or been properly ordained.
This man would ultimately introduce another gospel to the saints.
He would implement a new array of covenants and ordinances that were not contained in the scriptures the were approved by God when Joseph was alive. (42:12 & 124:119)
He would teach an array of doctrines that contradicted the original doctrines of the restoration including the doctrine that Adam is God the Father and was the literal father of Christ, having had carnal sex with Mary.
He knew that this man would not seriously attempt to personally have all things in common with the Saints as required in the LAW of the gospel, indeed, this man would be a multi-millionaire real estate tycoon when he died.
He knew this man would add and delete sections to the doctrine and covenants without being authorized to do so.
He knew this man would mock the holy celestial law of monogamy as contained in the LAW of the Gospel found in section 42 and would claim that every word he spake could be considered as scripture.
The list of doctrines this man introduced to the church is to long to address at this time and I have gotten off of the original topic in my rant!
Suffice it to say-
“And this shall be a law unto you, that ye receive not the teachings of any that shall come before you as revelations or commandments; and this I give unto you that you may not be deceived, that you may know they are not of me.“
Have we Latter day Saints received the teachings of anyone who has not come in at the gate, being called by prophecy and ordained by the Lords anointed to be the Prophet Seer and Revelator of the Church?
If so, we have most certainly been deceived.
Despite the awful situation we are currently in, being led by the latter day hirelings of the flock, no portion of the church will be fully ripe in iniquity until after they have been warned by the properly ordained servants and then rejected their message.
If someone were to ask me which internet site was the most valuable one for searching the true originating events relating to the early history of the LDS church, I would have to say it is www.saintswithouthalos.com
The amount of credible, unbiased, documented historical facts accumulated on that site is really quite remarkable.
Interestingly it only documents events having to do with the period 1830-1839.
That site was very helpful to me in my attempt to reconstruct what happened at the June 1831 special conference where 23 high priests were ordained to the holy order of the Son of God according to the voice of God out of heaven.
It greatly saddens me that that site has not been working in recent weeks.
I hope this is a temporary problem. If not, the loss of this resource is a real tragedy.
I believe the owner of that site is a fellow by the name of Scott Kenney. He is apparently one of the originating founders of Signature Books.
If anyone knows Scott or the inside scoop on what happened to the site, I would be very interested in knowing what happened to this valuable resource.
Perhaps my second favorite site pertaining to LDS historical information is www.boap.org which provides every known public discourse by Joseph Smith during the Nauvoo period. It appears to be maintained by BYU or come of the religious scholars at BYU.
The other day I came across the most incredible, revealing statement by the prophet Joseph Smith pertaining to priesthood. I got it off of the boap website.
I am going to provide the quote as it reads on the boap website including the brief statements of commentary by the contributors of boap provided in the [brackets].
I am doing this to 1- provide another witness that there are three separate priesthoods and 2- to show that those who have been indoctrinated by the corporate church to believe that there are only two priesthoods and that the Morley Farms incident only had to do with the introduction of a priesthood office within the priesthood restored by Peter James and John were understandably confused by the statement that Joseph made.
Even though they were understandably confused by the statement, they were forced to consider, at least in part, what was really being said by Joseph Smith.
I have highlighted the comments in brackets in yellow to make it easy for your to separate them from the words of Joseph Smith. (the bracket were added by them)
Those who have read and understood the Morley Farm series or even just read the discourse Joseph Smith gave on the three priesthoods will understand how significant the following statement really is.
**** quote by JS from Boap with their comments in yellow highlighted caps below****
“When Joseph Smith dictated his first attempt at a personal history in 1832 he made this remark:
“A History of the life of Joseph Smith Jr an account of his marvilous experience and of all the mighty acts which he doeth in the name of Jesus Christ the son of the living God of whom he beareth record and also an account of the rise of the church of Christ in the eve of time according as the Lord brought forth and established by his hand firstly he receiving the testimony from on high [The first vision] secondly the ministering of Angels [Moroni -Book of Mormon plates] thirdly the reception of the holy Priesthood by the ministring of Angels to adminster the letter of the Gospel – the Law and commandments as they were given unto him – and the ordinencs [John the Baptist (are Peter, James and John included here?)], forthly a confirmation and reception of the high Priesthood after the holy order of the son of the living God power and ordinence from on high to preach the Gospel in the administration and demonstration of the spirit the Kees of the Kingdom of God confered upon him [visit of Peter, James and John, or is this a reference to the restoration of the office of high priest?] and the continuation of the blessings of God to him &c”
As you can see from the comments in brackets, it was difficult for traditional Mormon scholars to believe what they were reading but they had no other alternative than to accept the possibility that the reception of the “holy” priesthood, by angels, (plural), had to probably be referring to both of the first two priesthoods since the Aaronic priesthood was the first to be restored by just one angel.
This set up the next part of Joseph’s statement which speaks of the restoration of a “high” priesthood which is separate and distinct from the two previous priesthoods that were both restored by angels.
He identifies it as the “High Priesthood after the holy order of the son of God“
Again we see question marks in the brackets from the LDS scholars postulating that the third priesthood must have been referring to the restoration of the office of “High Priest” which is how the modern corporate church inaccurately defines the event that took place at the Morley Farm.
Finally, notice how the first two priesthoods were for the purpose of administering the “letter of the Gospel – the Law and commandments.. and the ordinencs” while the priesthood after the order of the Son of God was to “preach the Gospel in the administration and demonstration of the spirit”
This explains one issue that I was never really clear on even after all of the research I did in the Morley Farm series, ie, was the third priesthood necessary for the preaching the fullness of the gospel or was it simply needed to establish Zion?
It would appear from the above statement from Joseph Smith that it has a greater spiritual power that is necessary in the final preaching of the gospel.
When the Gentiles finally repent and the first laborers of the last kingdom return in power, they will go forth not only with patriarchal priesthood authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel, ie, baptize and confirm, they will also be showing forth the spiritual fruits and powers that follow those with the fulness of the priesthood.
Section 88 confirms that elders who are ordained to be apostles do not really receive the fulness of apostolic power confirmed upon them until after they get their calling and election to the high Melchizedek priesthood of the Son of God.
It is not enough to be ordained an apostle, one must also be called and elected to the high priesthood and become a friend of God.
It is only after that spiritual endowment takes place that the spiritual fruits and powers are manifest in their missionary labors-
“Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature.
And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God’s high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends;
Therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost.
And these signs shall follow them that believe—
In my name they shall do many wonderful works;
In my name they shall cast out devils;
In my name they shall heal the sick;
In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf;
And the tongue of the dumb shall speak; And if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them;
And the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them.”
Very few experiences like the spiritual manifestations mentioned above happened following the restoration of the highest priesthood at the Morley Farm because the vast majority of the 23 who were ordained by the calling of God’s voice out of heaven were called but not chosen and even those who were chosen temporarily lost the fulness of the priesthood because of fear and jealousy. (see section 67 and also 95:5)
When Brigham Young was quizzed about the fact that he had never been called or chosen by God to be a high priest, he dismissed it by stating that it was not necessary because he had been ordained an apostle. He claimed that the apostolic priesthood holds all of the priesthood power that one can hold on earth.
Conceptually Brigham Young’s claim is true, if the apostle magnifies his calling and is also called by God to be a High Priest, such as the first laborers being addressed in the above passage.
But his contention is accurate ONLY if an apostle has magnified his calling and been called and elected to the office of High Priest in the Melchizedek priesthood such as those being addressed in section 88!
In closing, let me share one other quote that I have since found, that I wish I had had during the Morley Farm series.
It provides another testimony that the restoration of the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood at the Morley Farm represented a greater portion of Melchizedek priesthood than that which was restored by Peter James and John, not just an office within it-
Parley P. Pratt wrote the following about the Morley Farm conference in these words:
“On the sixth of June, 1831, a general conference was convened at Kirtland, consisting of all the Elders, far and near, who could be got together. In this conference much instruction was given by President Smith, who spake in great power, as he was moved by the Holy Ghost; and the spirit of power and of testimony rested down upon the Elders in a marvelous manner. Here also were some strange manifestations of false spirits, which were immediately rebuked
Several were then selected by revelation, through President Smith, and ordained to the High Priesthood after the order of the Son of God; which is after the order of Melchizedek.
This was the first occasion in which this priesthood had been revealed and conferred upon the Elders in this dispensation, Although the office of an Elder is the same in a certain degree, but not in the fulness.
On this occasion I was ordained to this holy ordinance and calling by President Smith.” (Parley P. Pratt, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, edited by his son, Parley P. Pratt [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985], 53.)
From the words of Parley Pratt we find that the restoration that took place at the special conference was of a priesthood, not just a priesthood office.
It appears that the two year missionary work prior to the restoration of the fullness of the priesthood at the Morley Farm in June of 1831 was done under the power of the patriarchal priesthood while the missionary work that took place after the restoration of the highest priesthood, during beginning with section 52, was to be done under the authority of the highest priesthood.
Confirming this amazing truth is the fact that prior to the restoration of the highest priesthood in 1831, the first commission to the elders was to-
“open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying: Repent, repent, and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (section 33)
Interestingly, that is the exact wording that that John the Baptist made in preparing the way in the spirit of Elias, with the preparatory gospel, BEFORE the greater ministry with the fulness of the gospel was to take place via Peter, James and John and the other apostles! (Matt 3:2 )
The LDS church recently started an internet marketing campaign that they hoped would go viral. I think I blogged about it.. I can’t remember for sure.
The “I’m a Mormon” video series provides very short video testimonials by members of the church who each give a short summary of who they are, what they do and how happy and successful they are. Each of these videos ends by the person proudly saying, “I am a Mormon”.
The obvious implication is, if you want to be happy and successful and well thought of like me, become a Mormon!
The testimonials are painfully devoid of true testimony bearing and anything of real doctrinal substance. Each person is basically holding themselves up as a light unto the world and inviting others to become like them.
This proactive marketing idea was created to counteract the ever increasing amount of anti-Mormon material that shows up on the internet. I think the idea behind it was to change the direction of dialogue about Mormonism from difficult historical and doctrinal problems to the fruits of happy lives.
The internet has changed our world in many ways and it has certainly changed the world of Mormonism because it makes all of the painfully uncomfortable historical and doctrinal issues so easy to research and so easy to buzz about.
Anyway, the above mentioned marketing effort of the LDS Church was a very bold PR move and it may well become the worst marketing nightmare in the history of the church.. and maybe in the history of the world because it has given a host of ex-Mormons the opportunity to duplicate the concept with the opposite spin, by allowing ex-Mormons to tell the world how happy and fulfilled they are now that they have left the church.
“I am an Ex-Mormon… I am finally happy and fulfilled!“ The website
I have watched several of the videos and I must say, many of them are quite tastefully done and rather compelling… in the same emotional response marketing way that the Mormon testimonials are compelling.
It is too early to tell if this campaign will go viral, however, if it does this will certainly be the outing of Pandora from her box.
There are so many people who have a story they want to tell about leaving Mormonism.
As they say, what goes around comes around and all of those quiet little “courts of love” that have embarrassed people, destroyed reputations, broken up families and left such a bad taste in so many peoples mouths will now come forth to haunt the those loving brethren.
Those who have become disenfranchised from the latter day apostate church have just been given a very special platform and a public voice they did not have before. Their voices are now beginning to show up, not as a voice of hostility, but rather a voice of pity with a perceived empowerment.
In the first seven years of the restoration movement that Bishop would have probably been released and disciplined for doing such a damnable thing (see the original revelation on marriage “It is not right to persuade a woman to be baptized contrary to the will of her husband; neither is it lawful to influence her to leave her husband.”
In another testimonial, a member of a music group got a standing ovation from a sympathetic crowd when his friend introduced him as someone who had just left Mormonism.
A large portion of the world has a very distinct hatred for Mormonism.
That would not be a bad thing if they hated Mormons for being true and humble followers of Christ.
What hurts is that they hate us for having many cult-like characteristics that represent a false form of true religion. One that has a variety of putrid fruits.
I don’t know who I feel the sorriest for, the Mormons who have inherited a cult-like religion from the false traditions of their fathers who rejected the fulness of the gospel and became a condemned and cursed people four generations ago, or the ex-Mormons who have gained just enough information about early Mormonism to become angry and unbelieving.
What folly we latter day Jews and gentiles find ourselves in!
It is so heartbreaking to see what people all over the world are saying about the Mormon religion.
I am reminded of these words from Psalms 44-
“Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us. Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.”
I have been working on a paper that breaks the 15 year public ministry of the prophet Joseph Smith into five very specific, definable and revealing time periods.
It contains historical and scriptural documentation to demonstrate exactly what took place during those periods of time and ultimately, why the current state of the corporate latter day church is in the condition it is in.
Although much of this information has been covered in bits and pieces in previous blog posts, this paper will provide additional documentation and also provide live links to all articles that covered each topic covered in the paper.
In conjunction with this religious-historical timeline of the LDS restoration movement, I have identified 20 major, foundational doctrines that were taught between 1829 and the latter part of 1836.
The paper addresses how every single one those foundational doctrines have since been transfigured at some point in time between the end of 1836 and our present time in 2011.
There are several reasons I am using 1836/1837 as the dividing line for when the true doctrines began being transfigured.
One is that even though the Lord told the Saints in June of 1834 that they had already been given sufficient time to redeem Zion by that date, he had previously promised them that they would have priesthood protection in Kirtland and the ability to redeem Zion in Jackson, until the appointed time of September 11th 1836
Another reason for choosing 1836/1837 as the tipping point for when the original truths began to be corrupted has to do with the ominous pronouncement from the Lord in section 112 that-
“all flesh has become corrupt before my face“.
That pronouncement was essentially the same one made in JST Genesis 8 when the Lord observed that all flesh had become corrupt.
Beginning with that pronouncement, He gave the world a set time of 120 years in which to listen to the preaching of Noah and repent or be destroyed by water-
“The earth was corrupt before God; and it was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth.
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence, and behold, I will destroy all flesh from off the earth. Make thee therefore, an ark..”
The scriptures then inform us that the existing flesh on the earth that had become corrupted would have 120 years to repent before the rain began falling and the floods destroyed all living things.
Interestingly, the ark seems to be a type of the chambers or holy places that the righteous will be commanded to gather into when the servants return to give the final warning in the last days.. and the floods that covered the earth in the days of Noah are a type of the fire that will consume the earth in the latter days.
Additionally, the city of Enoch is also a type of what will happen to the elect after they have gathered and consecrated. Once they have repented and received the fulness of the gospel that was previously rejected, they will be caught up to meet the Lord and the city of Enoch in the cloud while the inhabitants of the earth are destroyed by fire, just as the wicked were destroyed by water in the days of Noah.
I don’t know if I will ever get the paper completed, and I’m not anxious about it since this research is mainly for my own edification and ability to easily reference my other posts by topic, however if any of you would like to see it when and if it gets finished, feel free to respond with you email address and I will send the document to you when it is done. My blog has the moderation feature and I will not publish you email address.
Since the paper may not be completed anytime soon, I thought I would share a few details of the paper at this time.
The general five part time-line break down is provided in the graphic below-
Again, I am not going to provide the detailed documentation pertaining to each of these time periods at this time, it will be contained in the finished paper. (although anyone who has read my blogs will not have a difficult time understanding the significance of each designated time period.)
The graphic does not mean to imply that the 111 revelations that were received prior to September 11th of 1836 are true revelations and the 14 revelations received after that period of time are false.
I believe that virtually all of the revelations received by Joseph Smith during his life that are consistent with all previous revelations and that were published or canonized during his life are true. (not just the canonized ones, but all of the published ones)
The above time-line is a testimony to the long suffering of God and how he continues to labor with his apostate people for a season even after they have corrupted themselves.
It had previously been prophesied, in the book of Commandments, and in other published but un-canonized revelations, that the saints would have a future opportunity for a reformation. I believe that opportunity came in Nauvoo.
Had they done so, they would have ushered in the dispensation of the fulness of times.
I simply showed the number of revelations that were received during each period of time, in the graphic, to illustrate the flow of revelation during each segment of the 15 year ministry.
In all fairness, the revelations were probably slowing down, not only because of the darkness that was covering the minds of the people and their unwillingness to accept truth, but also because the light and knowledge necessary in laying the initial foundation of the Marvelous Work had been given, primarily within the first seven years when the initial appointed time frame for redeeming Zion was to take place.
Why have you Transfigured the Holy Word of God
A Book of Mormon prophet gasped when he saw in vision that the saints of the restored church would change the pure truths revealed by God through his prophets pertaining to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.
Although I have known that many of the original doctrines have been changed for a long time, it is only within the last few years that I have actually come to realize just how pervasive this transfiguration of God’s holy word has really been.
After studying this topic in more detail, I now feel as if virtually every single doctrine and ordinance that was originally revealed through the prophet Joseph Smith has been changed… including the most important doctrines pertaining to the nature and character of God that reveal who and what we worship.
From them shall be Taken Away
Even that which they have
The following passages of scripture indicate that once an enlightened people reject the truth, not only does the Lord stop revealing additional truths, he even takes away the previous truths that have already been revealed-
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts. 2nd Nephi 28
This amazing truth is addressed again in Alma-
“..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.” (Alma 12)
We are reminded in modern revelation that the wrath of God will be poured out upon the wicked without measure because his spirit shall not always strive with man-
“Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled.
8 And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious;
9 Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure—
10 Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
..he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received, for my spirit shall not always strive with man, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Did you catch another parallel pertaining to the time of Noah and our own? In the same passages in Genesis when God observes that all flesh has become corrupt, he warns that his spirit shall not always strive with man-
“the Lord said unto Noah, My Spirit shall not always strive with man, for he shall know that all flesh shall die, yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years; and if men do not repent, I will send in the floods upon them”
How interesting that in modern revelation God makes the same general observations and pronouncements that he made in the time of Noah-
All flesh has become corrupt
My spirit shall not always strive with men
If men do not repent I will send floods/fire upon them
This is a fascinating concept where the light and truth that has been given must be taken away if it is rejected.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away..
using his Seers
If God reveals the truth to his saints through his anointed seers, and the people reject the truth, exactly how does God take the truth away from the people?
Have you ever wondered about that?
The answer to that is found in the Book of Mormon and JST versions of Isaiah 29:
“For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink.
For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes, and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity.”
Speaking of the Seers whose eyes are covered by the Lord because of the transgression of the saints, Isaiah informs us the “priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink..”
They “err in vision and stumble in judgment”
Using similar terminology, section one prophesies that when the Lord’s weak and simple servants “erred”, “it might be made known”.
“And in as much as they sinned, they might be chastened that they might repent”.
We have already covered the prophesies in Zechariah and other Old Testament passages that speak of the return and repentance of God’s latter day servants in the 3rd watch. At that time, they will restore the light and knowledge that they had previously restored and then taken away from the saints when God covered their eyes.
There you have it, Isaiah informs us that at the time when the first portion of the sealed book comes forth, there are seers on the earth that bring a portion of the record forth.
Those seers that bring forth the first portions of the book of Mormon thereafter have their eyes closed by the Lord because of the wickedness of the saints. At that time the Lord pours out a spirit of deep sleep upon the saints and their seers.
I realize that it is almost incomprehensible to consider the possibility that God used such men as Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Sidney Rigdon (who were all sustained as prophets and seers in the 1836 solemn assembly) to eventually transfigure the original true doctrines that those men had been so instrumental in bringing forth.
I will not provide the detailed documentation for this supposition at this time. I will simply give you the listing of doctrines that have been transfigured. I leave it to you to decide for yourself which doctrines are true and which are false.
You decide if my supposition is correct or false and if in fact the original teaching of the LDS restoration movement are the true teachings.
You can decide for yourself how and when the true and false doctrines were introduced into the church.
Some of these doctrines on the list have been transfigured in relatively recent times by leaders such as Joseph Fielding Smith.
Others were transfigured in the early Utah period of the church by Brigham Young.
Some, however, were transfigured in the later Nauvoo years by Joseph Smith himself.
Again, I have known for decades that the church has been infested with false doctrines. Indeed I have a long list of church leaders from Brigham Young, to Joseph Fielding Smith, to Ezra Taft Benson who have acknowledged this fact. However I did not realize just how pervasive the problem was or how early it began until recent years.
I always realized that the Book of Mormon was including the very first generation of the latter day saints in the rebuke for transfiguring the holy word of God, but I had assumed it was only referring to the lay members, I just couldn’t accept that it was including the first laborers of the last kingdom in that ominous observation.
Just as recently as the last year or two I have come to the painful realization that the Image of God that I have been worshipping all of my life is really just a false image of God that has been created by the imagination of the world.
I inherited this image of God from the false traditions of my fathers.
The image of God that I had, originated from the transfigured doctrines, not from the original pure doctrines.
I grew up loving the King Follett Sermon that Joseph Smith gave in Nauvoo. To me, it was the epitome of what differentiated Mormonism from apostate Christianity.
I am going to be a God someday I thought to myself!
But was it not the desire to exalt himself that got Satan thrown out of heaven?
I loved the concept of the progression of the Gods and the possibility that I might become a Savior of a world and the fact that God the Father was once a mortal man like myself.
I loved knowing that God the Father has a glorified body of flesh and bones and that I will one day be a “God the Father”.
Conversely, I have also always loved the Lectures on Faith that Joseph and Sidney gave in Kirtland, although I have struggled over the years to wrap my mind around some of the concepts in it.
It is only recently that I realized that many of the doctrines taught in Lectures on Faith and the doctrines taught in the King Follett Sermon are diametrically opposed to each other.
If you will carefully compare Lectures on Faith with the King Follett Sermon, I think you will see what I am talking about.
This realization has helped me to understand and appreciate the true doctrine of salvation and nature of God, taught in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon and distinguish it from the doctrine of exaltation that crept into the church during the Nauvoo period.
It has also sobered me up about my desire to exalt myself in the eternities.
I have come to the conclusion that either Joseph and Sidney were confused and deceived when they taught the Lectures on Faith in the school of the prophets prior to 1835, or, Joseph taught some industrial strength false doctrine during the Nauvoo era.
Of course, the fruits of Lectures on Faith is that several of the elders who believed those teachings during the Kirtland period were actually seeing God the Father and the only begotten Son and testifying that the Father was a glorified personage of spirit that was a consuming fire and that the Son was a personage of fleshly tabernacle.
Conversely, nobody during the Nauvoo era was having the heavens opened to them.
This brings us to the old argument of whether Joseph 1) began the restoration movement making lots of doctrinal errors that needed to be corrected later on in Nauvoo when he gained greater truth and light, or 2) if he started with truth and light and then became darkened in his mind after the saints rejected the truth that he revealed.
We must ask ourselves this question- did the most inspired doctrines come in the first seven years or the second seven years of Joseph’s ministry?
I have made my views on this abundantly clear in previous posts, I now provide a listing of transfigured doctrines for you to study and formulate your own opinions on.
This has created no small degree of indigestion for me, realizing that perhaps, God, in his infinite wisdom, covered the eyes of the seers and used Joseph and others to take away the original truths about the Godhead that they had previously revealed.
Again, in this post I am going to provide a partial listing of 20 of the true doctrines that were originally taught during the first years of the LDS restoration movement. Each one of them will be followed by the transfigured doctrine that is currently believed and taught by many leaders and members of the church today.
I am NOT going to provide all of the documentation that I have to show why one doctrine is true and the other is false. That information will be contained in the finished document.
I simply thought you would enjoy being able to see the difference between what was being taught in the early church up to September 11th 1836 vs the last seven or eight years and beyond, even up today.
Enjoy-
Remember, every doctrine classified below as the “Original Doctrine” was taught sometime prior to September 11th 1836. Every doctrine classified as “Transfigured Doctrine”, was taught sometime after September 11th 1836.
Listing of Original and Transfigured Doctrines
God the Father: Original Doctrine- God is a glorified personage of spirit, even a consuming fire. One of the major differentiating attributes between the Father and Son is that the son is a personage of tabernacle (element or flesh) Transfigured Doctrine- God has a glorified body of flesh and bones like the Son.
Jesus Christ: Original Doctrine- Christ is the only begotten of the Father and he created all past and future worlds and atoned for all worlds. Transfigured Doctrine- each of us that become “exalted” will create and atone for the worlds we create.
The Holy Ghost: Original Doctrine- The Holy Ghost is the mind of God and is not a personage of spirit or tabernacle. Transfigured Doctrine- The Holy Ghost is a personage and was in a temporal probation at the time of Joseph Smith
The Godhead (Trinity): Original Doctrine- The Father and Son constitute the two personages in the Godhead while the Father, Son and Holy Ghost constitute the Godhead. Although each of these entities have separate and distinct features, they jointly and synergistically constitute the ONLY TRUE GOD and can dwell in each other. These three distinct entities teach provide a separate and distinct function within THE DIETY. Transfigured Doctrine- The majority of the church membership now believe that the three members of the Godhead are separate entities and that there are many other Gods and that all of the righteous will become Gods and part of other Godheads. A smaller segment of the church has taken the view that Christ is the only God… he is both the Father and the Son, never acting as two distinct personages.
The infinite knowledge of God: Original Doctrine- God has all knowledge and there is not anything that he does not know. It is impossible to have the faith necessary to life and salvation if one does not believe that God knows all things. Transfigured Doctrine- God is still learning.
Jesus is our Father NOT our Brother: Original Doctrine- Jesus if the Father of the heavens and the earth. He was the only begotten Son during our pre-existence. Transfigured Doctrine- Christ was one of our spirit brothers in the pre-existence.
Christ had a Glorified Body of Flesh BEFORE his earthly ministry: Original Doctrine- Christ was an immortal personage of fleshly tabernacle BEFORE he came in the meridian of time to atone for our sins. Transfigured Doctrine- Christ took on a physical body for the first time when he came to earth in the meridian of time.
Christ was an IMMORTAL MESSIAH: Original Doctrine- Human blood cannot atone for the sins of other humans. Christ was an immortal God when he hung on the cross. Transfigured Doctrine- Christ was mortal/human just like us.
The Doctrine of the knowledge God (otherwise known as Lectures on Faith): Original Doctrine- It was originally taught that one needed to have a correct doctrinal foundation in order to correctly interpret the covenants provided in the modern revelations. For that reason, the “Lectures on Faith”, which was inspired of God, were canonized in the Doctrine and Covenants as the Doctrine part of the Doctrine and Covenants. It provided the foundation for understanding the revelations from God. Transfigured Doctrine- The Lectures on Faith are not inspired. Eventually the Lectures on Faith was taken from the D&C because it conflicted with the King Follett Sermon and the doctrines taught in section 132 and 130
Salvation vs Exaltation: Original Gospel- The ultimate salvation was to become a Son of God and becoming equal with Christ and to spend eternity praising and glorifying and worshipping God and doing his will. Transfigured Gospel- We can also become Savior’s of our own worlds and atone for them and eventually become like God the Father.
The Testimony of Jesus: Original Gospel- Originally the testimony of Jesus, categorically had to be obtained by seeing Jesus. Transfigured Gospel- Now you only need to get a testimony from the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times: Original Doctrine- The Church of Christ was restored under the dispensation of the last times and was hoping to usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times during the Nauvoo era. Transfigured Doctrines- The church now teaches that we are living in the dispensation of the fullness of times and they usually claim it was ushered in when the church was legally established in 1830.
The Kingdom Daniel Saw Rolling forth: Original Doctrine- It was the hope that the kingdom of God on earth which Daniel saw coming forth destroying all other kingdom, would eventually come forth in the future, after Zion was redeemed. Transfigured Doctrine- The church now teaches that the Church IS the Kingdom of God that Danial Saw in vision.
Pre-Baptismal Public Witness: Original Gospel- God commanded the new converts of the newly restored Church of Christ to make a public witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins and are determined to serve him to the end. Transfigured Gospel- Allows new converts to be baptized without first making a public witness before the church.
The Lords Supper: Original Doctrine- The Lords Supper was one of the five ordinances of the gospel. Transfigured Doctrine- the Lords Supper is no longer an ordinance of salvation.
The Members of the Church Commanded to Kneel during the Sacrament; Original Doctrine- the entire congregation was to kneel Transfigured Doctrine- Only those blessing the sacrament need to kneels while the congregation sits on their arses.
The Sacrament must be administered by an Elder or Priest: Original Doctrine- The Sacrament must be administered by an Elder or Priest. Transfigured Doctrine- The Teachers and Deacons may assist in the administration of the sacrament.
The Ordinance of faith: Original Doctrine- Faith was one of the ordinances of the gospel. Transfigured Doctrine- Faith is now only a principle of the gospel.
Virgin birth: Original Doctrine- Mary was a virgin before and just after giving birth to Christ. She became pregnant after being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Transfigured Doctrine- God the Father came down in a physical body and had carnal sex with Mary.
Marriage: Original Doctrine- A righteous monogamous couple could gain the highest salvation. Transfigured Doctrine- Polygamy was required to gain a greater salvation.
Needless to say, there are many more transfigured doctrines that could be added to the list. I may address more of them in the finished article. Feel free to submit others that you feel should be included or challenge any of the above suppositions that you think are inaccurate.
About a week ago a neighbor of mine dropped off an article about the true Sabbath day being on the seventh day of the week and asked my wife and I to read it.
My first thought was that they had been proselytized by the new couple that has moved into town. They are Seventh Day Adventists. I have a huge respect for the Seventh Day Adventists. They have some prophecy scholars that are really sharp.
However the people who dropped of the article are members of the LaPorte Church of Christ led by Pastor Pete Peters. Peters is probably the current leading figure in America in the Christian “Identity” movement which is an outgrowth of “British Israelism“. After further thought I realized that they also believe in the seventh day Sabbath.
A few other Christian denominations also practice the seventh day Sabbath.
The article they dropped off had some mildly interesting information in it.
It claims that the Catholic Church is the one that changed the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday. It also takes a very hard stand against those who have been deceived into worshiping on Sunday.
Attached to this seventh day Sabbath doctrine is the accusation and condemnation of all other Christians who do not accept the seventh day as the true day of worship. They claim those who worship on Sunday are categorically deceived and will be deceived during the hour of temptation and will be under condemnation when the Lord returns.
Frankly I have never done a in depth analysis on the topic because section 59 seems pretty clear to me.
Nevertheless, I thought I should take the time to do a little key word searching and googling to find the information available and provide them with my response to their claims.
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate from the New Testament and modern revelation that the Seventh Day Sabbath of the Old Covenant was replaced with the First day Sabbath of the New Covenant.
This changing of the Sabbath day took place once the Lord had atoned for the sins of the world and returned to the earth on the first day of the week as a resurrected being.
It was on the first day of the week that he visited the apostles and established the NEW COVENANT.
I have observed over the years that there is a portion of those calling themselves Christians that seem to always put more emphasis and credence in the Old Testament than on the New Testament when determining how they will practice their Christian religion. It causes me to wonder if they are putting their hope in the grace of Christ and the New Covenant or in the law of Moses and the Old Covenant.
The Old Covenant Seventh Day Sabbath
vs.
the New Covenant First Day Sabbath
The first thing I would like to point out is that the word SABBATH does not mean seventh day as some well meaning gospel teachers would have you believe.
If you will look it up in the 1828 Websters and in the Strongs Concordance, you will see that it has various definitions… among them is the general reference to a holy day of rest that was commanded by the Lord.
The definition has to do with the meaning and purpose of the day, not which day of the week it is to be practiced.
As we shall continue on in this study, we shall see that there is a very significant and specific set of things that we have been commanded to do in keeping the Sabbath day holy.
It includes a very significant commandment having to do with the poor.
Those who do not keep this part of the New Covenant are breaking the Sabbath day regardless of which day they attempt to worship God and rest from their labors. We shall address this overlooked New Testament doctrine later in this article.
The Resurrection of Christ
All four gospels in the New Testament testify that after Christ suffered and atoned for the sins of the world and was resurrected, a series of extremely significant events took place on the very day the resurrected Lord visited his disciples.
These three events all had to do with the NEW COVENANT.
ALL of these events fell on the first day of the week. Conversely, the New Testament reveals that following those events, NOTHING of significance took place on the seventh day of the week.
Let me drill down just a little bit further on the above observation.
Below, is just one of the four accounts provided in the New Testament of the first major set of events that took place AFTER the VERY LAST OLD Testament Sabbath day.
The very last seventh day Sabbath of the Old Testament took place just BEFORE the resurrected Christ revealed himself to his disciples on the first day of the following week.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 ¶ And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 ¶ Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 ¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Of course that is just one testimony from one of the four gospels.
Because I am limited in space for this article and it is already going to be longer than desired, I will not provide the other three accounts in the other three gospels however I highly encourage you to look them up and prayerfully read them. They provide other very significant details that show the significance of the first day of the week.
How interesting that the four gospels emphasis that the following three events all happened on the first day of the week following the crucifixion-
Mary discovers that the tomb is empty and receives the testimony of angels. As she is leaving she is visited by the resurrected Lord, gaining a witness that he had risen.
Peter and another disciple witness the empty tomb and following that, the Lord appears to them and they converse with Christ, gaining a witness that he had risen.
The eleven apostles all gathered to a place in Galilee which had before been designated and appointed by Christ. At that time he appeared to them and invites them to thrust their hands into the wounds in his hands and feet. He then does three things- A) He announces to them that all power has been given to him in heaven and in earth. B) He then breaths on them and commands them to receive the Holy Ghost C) He then commissions them to go into all the world baptizing in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost.
All three of the above events took place in one very eventful day for the purposes of establish the NEW COVENANT.
THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK!
Powered by the atonement of Christ, these three events establishing the new covenant appear to have taken place in the morning, afternoon and evening, respectively, on the very first day of the week, after the very last Sabbath day of the Old Testament, under the Old Covenant.
Just as the Lord had changed the name of Jacob to Israel and the name of Abram to Abraham, based on a new covenant, the Lord changed which day of the week the Sabbath should be honored based on a new covenant!
The Sabbath day under the New Covenant was to be, among other things, a memorial to the resurrection and the glorious fact that Christ overcame death and gave us hope in a future resurrection.
The above events were just the beginning of a string of other significant events documented in the New Testament, that took place on the NEW SABBATH DAY of the NEW COVENANT-
The ordinance of breaking of bread
It was “upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread” in Troas, “and Paul preached unto them” The first day of the week is Sunday and this is the day the people gathered. This passage is showing that the church was meeting on Sunday. The above passage identifies two important church functions within it: breaking bread (communion) and a preaching.
Additionally, Luke did not use the Jewish system of counting days: sundown to sundown. He used the Roman system: midnight to midnight. This is a subtle point that shows the Jewish Sabbath system was not the one utilized by Luke.
When Paul and his companions stayed at Troas for seven days, a Sabbath passed by, yet there was not a single hint that they observed it. On the contrary, when the first day of the week came, the disciples gathered together to break bread, and Paul preached. Why did they have to wait until the first day of the week? What happened to the seventh day Sabbath?
Obviously this period of time had already become the formal day for Christians’ gathering. Here, besides the importance of the day, the Lord further disclosed the program of commemoration or worship that should include gathering together, breaking bread, and preaching.
Nine of the Ten Commandments are restated in the New Testament
In addition to the documented facts that Christ appeared to his disciples and initiated the New Covenant on the Sunday Sabbath and also stipulated it as the day for the body of Christ to gather and break bread and preach, it is also interesting to note that of the 10 commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17, only 9 of them were restated in the New Testament. Eight commandments are reiterated in Matt. 19:18, murder adultery stealing false witness honor parents worshiping God; (Worshiping God properly covers the first three commandments)
One commandment is reiterated in Rom. 13:9, coveting.
The one commandment of the original ten that was not specifically reaffirmed was the one having to do with the seventh day of the week… the one about the Sabbath.
Instead, Jesus said that He is the Lord of the Sabbath, implying that he could make any adjustments to it that he wanted to.
When the Pharisees were being critical of those who seemed to be breaking the rigid rules pertaining to the Sabbath as taught in the Old Testament, he stated -
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath; Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Matt. 12:8).
This same concept was reiterated by Paul when the lawyers of the gospel were being critical of how the Saints were keeping the Sabbath day-
“Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Col. 2:16-17,
Clearly, there is a distinction between the Old Testament teachings that provided a shadow of things to come as opposed to the fact that Christ determines the current substance of the Sabbath law as applicable to the New Covenant.
Notice the time sequence mentioned. A festival is yearly. A new moon is monthly. A Sabbath is weekly. No one is to judge others in regard to the issue of Sabbath timing.
A Listing of Sabbath Day Evidences in the New Testament
The New Testament provides numerous evidences that the first day of the week Sunday- Sabbath was the recognized Lords Day-
Jesus rose on the first day of the week not the Sabbath: Mk 16:9
All 6 appearances of Jesus happen on two Sundays, none on Sabbath. Mk 16:9; Mt 28:5-9; Lk 24:34; Lk 24:13-15; Lk 24:33,36 + Jn 20:19; Jn 20:26
Christians are recorded assembling three times on Sunday after resurrection and before ascension, never on the seventh day Sabbath. Jn 20:19 Jn 20:26 Acts 2:1
The only day ever mentioned when Christians broke bread was on Sunday: Acts 20:7
Christians are commanded every Sunday to give into a common treasury of the church: 1 Cor 16:1-2
Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday: Rom 1:4
Ps 2:7 “Today I have begotten thee” was fulfilled on Sunday when he rose: Acts 13:33
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
Jesus was crowned king on a Sunday: Acts 2:33-36
The disciples reception of the promise of the Father on Sunday: Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit first fell upon the apostles on a Sunday: Acts 2:1-4
Salvation first preached by Peter on Sunday: Mt 16:19; Acts 2:1,38,40-41
The Keys to the Kingdom of God were first used on Sunday: Mt 16:19
The great “Triumphal entry” (also called “Palm Sunday”) happened on the first day: Luke 13:32
The time between the Lord’s resurrection (sheaf waving day) and Pentecost was Sunday to Sunday counting of 50 days. The starting and stopping time was on the 1st day.
First time Jesus worshiped after resurrection was on the first day by Thomas (Jn. 20:26).
The first time we could be born again to a living hope was on a Sunday: 1 Pet. 1:3
The first time Jesus had communion after his resurrection with His disciples, was on a Sunday: (Lk. 24:1, 13, 28-35)
Pentecost was a Sunday – Sunday duration of 50 days. The starting point and stopping point of counting the 50 days was a Sunday – Sunday period! Pentecost always falls on a first day Sunday Sabbath!
In addition to the above mentioned evidences of the New Covenant First Day Sunday Sabbath, there is no New Testament significance of the seventh day Sabbath in connection with anything of Christ, Christianity, the church, or heaven!
As Latter Day Saints, we have the more sure word of prophecy on this matter. (as if the evidence provided in the New Testament is not adequate!)
In a revelation given on August 7th 1831 addressed specifically to the Saints who had migrated to the land of Zion, the Lord commanded the Saints to keep the following commandments-
“Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind and strength”
“Love thy neighbor a thy self”
“Thou shalt not steal”
“Neither commit adultery”
“Nor Kill”
“Thank the Lord thy God in all things”
“Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit”
Notice how the New Covenant Sabbath Day offering in the latter days is a personal sacrifice of a broken heart and the contrite spirit instead of an animal blood sacrifice as was instituted under the Old Covenant Seventh day Sabbath.
He then gave the latter day New Covenant version of keeping the Sabbath day holy
“And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day. For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High. Nevertheless, thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times. On this, the Lords Day thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the most high, confessing thy sins to thy brethren and before the Lord“
That particular holy day upon which section 59 was given, fell on a Sunday. (interestingly, it just happened to be a New Moon also)
For those who might want to suggest that there is a difference between the Lord’s holy day and the Lords designated Sabbath day, Isaiah 58:13 specifically identifies the phrase “my holy day” as the “Sabbath“.
Section 59 appears to be the first time in modern revelation that the Lord instructed the latter day saints on how to keep the first day Sabbath day holy.
Why did the Lord wait for two years after the publishing of the Book of Mormon and the establishing of the church before instructing the Saints on how to keep the Lords day holy?
Because the Saints needed to enter into the fullness of gospel law which included the covenant of Consecration in Zion BEFORE they could keep the Lords day holy by properly providing tithing funds for the poor.
Indeed, it is only the inhabitants of Zion that can keep the Sabbath holy!
“And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe Sabbath day to keep it holy.” (Section 68)
Sunday Oblations
You will notice that according to modern revelation, the first day Sunday Sabbath is when the Saints are to offer up oblations.
An oblation is sometimes defined as a collection or offering for the poor. It is sometimes referred to as tithing.
In another revelation through the prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said-
Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.
24 For after today cometh the burning—this is speaking after the manner of the Lord—for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will burn them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon.
As we have discussed in previous articles, it is impossible to pay a tenth of one’s increase according to the law of God until after one has entered into the law of consecration.
The above passages are clearly making reference to passages in Malachi where the Lord informs us that his people are cursed because they robbed the Lord in tithes and offerings.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
This takes us back to our Sabbath day study in the New Testament
The Commandment to meet and Collect for the Poor
It was on the first day of the week also that the collection for the poor saints of Jerusalem was to be taken in the Corinthian Church. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him…” (See 1 Corinthians 16:1,2).
This brings us to an amazing doctrine in the New Testament that most Christian Churches conveniently overlook because it is simply too difficult to live. It is the doctrine of having all things common
The doctrine of collecting for the poor appears to be a sub-doctrine of “having all things common“.
With the exception of a few communal groups such as the Mennonites, Quakers, Moravians and Amish, very few Christian sects have attempted to live the New Testament law of having all things in common.
And yet this doctrine is an integral part of proper Sabbath day worship. If you are not obeying it, you are not keeping the Sabbath day holy!
It probably isn’t necessary for Christians to argue over which day of the week is the true Sabbath since none of us are living it properly anyway.
On the very first day of Pentecost after the establishing of the New Covenant the spirit fell upon a large congregation of people. It was on that day that Peter preached to a large body of people. Many of them began speaking in tongues and having the spiritual baptism.
Over 3,000 new converts were added to the church.
As Peter preached, the spirit touched the hearts of the people and they asked Peter and the apostles
“What shall we do?”
His response was-
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 ¶ Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
The above passage of scripture goes on to inform us that the apostle’s doctrine included-
Preaching
Fellowship
Breaking of Bread
Prayers
The next part of the passage provides a requirement that most Christian Churches conveniently neglect because it goes against the greedy nature of the natural man. Indeed the following commandment can only be kept by those who have been truly born of the fire and the Holy Ghost
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Did you get that?
The baptized members of Christs body HAD ALL THINGS COMMON.
They sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need.
That is one of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ that is required to have SINGLENESS OF HEART.
This amazing doctrine of having all things common and collecting for the poor each first day Sunday Sabbath is an integral part of keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Anyone that has not entered into the commandment to have all things common with the other members of Christs body and is not making their weekly contributions to the poor is not keeping the New Covenant Sabbath Day HOLY!
In Acts chapter four we are given more information regarding this most sacred law of the New Covenant Sabbath-
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
The next chapter in Acts gives us a blood curdling account of a husband and wife that conspired to hold back some of the money they received from the land they had sold.
According to the law of having all things in common, they were to consecrate all excess increase to the church to be distributed to the poor-
1 BUT a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
It is only with the above context of how the members of the body of Christ were to not have personal assets above and beyond what they needed to live on a daily basis of living by faith, and how all excess lands and possessions were to be sold and the money was to be given to the apostles to be distributed to the poor, that one can really understand what Christ was saying to the rich man-
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
It is interesting to note that Christ’s admonition to the rich man took place BEFORE the crucifixion and resurrection and BEFORE the New Covenant Sunday Sabbath was initiated.
The Jewish church at the time of Christ also believed in and practiced the offering of oblations for the poor.
Notice the following passages in Luke wherein John the Baptist is admonishing them to give their excess possessions to the poor. The passages with yellow highlight are from the JST version of the Bible to provide clarification on the current practices of the time.
12 Then said John to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, crying against them with a loud voice, saying, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
13 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, Abraham is our father; we have kept the commandments of God, and none can inherit the promises but the children of Abraham; for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
14 And now also, the axe is laid unto the root of the trees; every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire.
15 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?
16 He answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
17 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?
18 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed unto you.
19 For it is well known unto you, Theophilus, that after the manner of the Jews, and according to the custom of their law in receiving money into the treasury, that out of the abundance which was received, was appointed unto the poor, every man his portion;
20 And after this manner did the publicans also, wherefore John said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
This is why I believe that NONE of the Christians churches including the Latter day Saints are truly keeping the Sabbath day holy. How many Christian churches are you aware of that have all things in common and truly provide for the poor?
Modern Revelation Clarifies “all things in common”
Although the account of Peter discerning the lying hearts of the husband and wife seems pretty harsh, the Lord has made it clear that the consequences of not living this law in the latter days are still pretty serious.
29 If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments.
30 And behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them, with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken.
31 And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me; and they shall be laid before the bishop of my church and his counselors, two of the elders, or high priests, such as he shall appoint or has appointed and set apart for that purpose.
32 And it shall come to pass, that after they are laid before the bishop of my church, and after that he has received these testimonies concerning the consecration of the properties of my church, that they cannot be taken from the church, agreeable to my commandments, every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received by consecration, as much as is sufficient for himself and family.
33 And again, if there shall be properties in the hands of the church, or any individuals of it, more than is necessary for their support after this first consecration, which is a residue to be consecrated unto the bishop, it shall be kept to administer to those who have not, from time to time, that every man who has need may be amply supplied and receive according to his wants.
34 Therefore, the residue shall be kept in my storehouse, to administer to the poor and the needy, as shall be appointed by the high council of the church, and the bishop and his council;
35 And for the purpose of purchasing lands for the public benefit of the church, and building houses of worship, and building up of the New Jerusalem which is hereafter to be revealed—
36 That my covenant people may be gathered in one in that day when I shall come to my temple. And this I do for the salvation of my people.
60 And he that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue. Section 42
5 For I, the Lord, have decreed in my heart, that inasmuch as any man belonging to the order shall be found a transgressor, or, in other words, shall break the covenant with which ye are bound, he shall be cursed in his life, and shall be trodden down by whom I will;
6 For I, the Lord, am not to be mocked in these things—
18 Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment. 104:5-6,18
Behold, none are exempt from this law who belong to the church of the living God 70:10
The First Day is also the Eighth Day
As emphatic as some religious cults are about interpreting the New Covenant according to the doctrines taught in the Old Testament, it is surprising that they have missed one of the most revealing Old Testament doctrines pointing to the appointed time of the New Covenant Sunday Sabbath.
I refer to it as the “eighth day doctrine“.
Prophecy and the divine time line of the earth provide another witness that the Sabbath day was to be changed from the seventh day to the eighth day which is the first day of the previous seven day week.
I will show a few of the Old Testament scriptures that identify the ancient and future significance of the eighth day-
First let’s look at the admonition of Moses regarding the proper delivering up of the offerings on the eighth day-
Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me.
30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. Exod 22:29
Clearly, the designated day for offering oblations was on the eighth day, both in Old Testament times and also in New Testament times.
AND it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel;
2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD.
3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;
4 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you.
5 ¶ And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the LORD.
6 And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you.
The result was spectacular. The Lord did appear to them on the eighth day-
And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
Let us now visit Leviticus 11:12 to see the significance of the eighth day in establishing the covenant of circumcism-
1 AND the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
In 2nd Chronicles 6:7 Solomon understands the importance of the eighth day in the offerings associated with temple worship
NOW when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.
2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.
3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 ¶ Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.
5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.
8 ¶ Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
Righteous Hezekiah also documents the importance of the eighth day as the day when the sanctification of the house of the Lord is completed in Chron 29:17 ( shall show forth the typology of this to the Kirtland Temple Sanctification later in this paper)
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.
18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
In Nehemiah 8 we are informed that the Book of the Law required that the solemn assembly be held on the eighth day, typological to the day of Pentecost-
And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
16 ¶ So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
18 Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.
Ezekiel also confirms the importance of the eighth day as the day when God accepts the offering of Israel-
Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD.
There are many other passages speaking in the Old Testament documenting the importance of the eighth day relative to temple worship, offerings, covenants and the future typological significance of the NEW COVENANT.
Clearly, the appearing of Christ to Mary and the apostles on the eighth day was not random; it was the institution of the Sabbath Day of the New Covenant!
Modern revelation reveals that the term “Lord of Sabaoth” literally means “creator of the first day“-
And for this cause I gave unto you a commandment that you should call your solemn assembly, that your fastings and your mourning might come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, which is by interpretation, the creator of the first day, the beginning and the end. (section 95)
Did you notice in the passage above that the first day marks both the beginning of a week and the end of the previous week?
“The beginning and the end“
There you have a modern day reference to the doctrine of the eighth day as it related to the doctrine of Sabaoth. .
If Mormons were diligent in their study of the Old Testament and their own history, they would find numerous amazing events in their own history that correspond with the laws and timing sequences contained in the Old Testament that pointed to the latter day establishing and re-establishing of the New Covenant.
Indeed the Old Testament testifies again and again of the establishment of the New Covenant by Christ in the New Testament and the latter day saint restoration of the gospel.
It also testifies of the latter day apostasy that followed shortly thereafter when the Latter day Saints rejected the fullness of the gospel.
The eight day sequence was manifest (although not noticed) in the eight day, Sunday to Sunday dedication and acceptance of the Kirtland Temple.
The Dedicatory Prayer of the Kirtland Temple was given on Sunday March 27th 1836 and the appearance of Christ, Moses Elias and Elijah took place on the eighth day, Sunday April 3rd 1836.
During that first Sunday and the next seven days the covenant was confirmed and the anointing took place.
In the Middle of the week, on Wednesday the Lords Supper (sacrifice) was administered and a “liberal contribution” (oblation) was collected, fulfilling the prophecy in Daniel-
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate
Because of the failure of the Latter Day Saints to redeem Zion, consecrate and have all things in common like the New Testament Saints did, the blessing of the Kirtland Temple also included a cursing.
Instead of ushering in the dispensation of the fullness of times, the Lord and several ministering angels appeared to Joseph and Oliver on Sunday April 3rd, 1836, ON THE EIGHTH DAY to restore the preparatory gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the Gospel of Abraham.
In another article I have already documented the fact that the Kirtland Temple fulfilled (and will fulfill in the future) other prophecies contained in the book of Daniel.
With the eighth day doctrine summarized above, let us look at what Barnabas says about the time line of the earth and the mystical eighth day Sabbath.
After we review what he and Enoch have to say about the eighth day time line of the earth, we will show that the apostle John also explained that the time line of the earth is eight thousand years, composed of seven “seals” or days composed of one thousand years each, plus an eighth day ( space of one thousand years) during which time the earth leaves temporal time and returns to is paradisaical glory.
And ye shall hallow, the sabbath of the Lord with pure hands and with a
pure heart.
15:3 And in another place He saith ;
15:4 If My sons observe the sabbath, then I will bestow My mercy upon them.
15:5 Of the sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation;
15:6 And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the
seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it.
15:7 Give heed, children, what this meaneth ;
15:8 He ended in six days.
15:9 He meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things
to an end ;
15:10 for the day with Him signifieth a thousand years ;
15:11 and this He himself beareth me witness, saying;
15:12 Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years.
\5:13 Therefore, children, in six days, that is in six thousand years,
everything shall come to an end.
15:14 And He rested on the seventh day.
15:15 This He meaneth;
15:16 when His Son shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One,
and shall judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the
stars, then shall He truly rest on the seventh day.
15:17 Yea and furthermore He saith;
15:18 Thou shalt hallow it with pure hands and with a pure heart.
15:19 If therefore a man is able now to hallow the day which God hallowed,
though he be pure in heart, we have gone utterly astray.
15:20 But if after all then and not till then shall we truly rest and hallow it,
when we shall ourselves be able to do so after being justified and receiving the
promise, when iniquity is no more and all things have been made new by the Lord,
15:21 we shall be able to hallow it then, because we ourselves shall have been
hallowed first.
15:22 Finally He saith to them ;
15:23 Your new moons and your sabbaths I cannot away with.
15:24 Ye see what is His meaning;
15:25 it is not your present sabbaths that are acceptable [unto Me], but the
sabbath which I have made, in the which, when I have set all things at rest, I
will make the beginning of the eighth day which is the beginning of another
world.
15:26 Wherefore also we keep the eighth day for rejoicing, in the which also Jesus rose from the dead, and having been manifested ascended into the heavens.
Epistle of Barnabas 15
Clearly, as the apostle Barnabas says, it was not the present Jewish Sabbaths that were currently acceptable to the Lord, but rather, it was the one he ordained when he came to the earth in the flesh, even the eighth day which represents the beginning of another world.
2 Enoch 33:1: also addresses the doctrine of the eighth day-
(Yahweh says:) I appointed the eighth day also, that the eighth day should be the first-created after my work, and that the first seven revolve in the form of the seventh thousand, and that at the beginning of the eighth thousand there should be a time of not-counting, endless, with neither years nor months nor weeks nor days nor hours.
The eighth day “time of not counting” that Enoch is referring to is mentioned in both the Book of Revelation and the D&C as the day when there shall be “time no longer”.
And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: Rev 10
And so on, until the seventh angel shall sound his trump; and he shall stand forth upon the land and upon the sea, and swear in the name of him who sitteth upon the throne, that there shall be time no longer; and Satan shall be bound, that old serpent, who is called the devil, and shall not be loosed for the space of a thousand years.
111 And then he shall be loosed for a little season, that he may gather together his armies. Section 88:110
As you can see, after the eighth day when there is time no longer for the space of one thousand years, the earth returns to temporal time for a little season.
The book of revelation reveals that the time line of the earth is eight thousand years not seven thousand years-
1- 1st Seal (one thousand years)
2- 2nd Seal (second thousand years)
3- 3rd Seal (third thousand years)
4- 4th Seal (fourth thousand years
MIDDLE OF TIME (Meridian)
5- 5th Seal (fifth thousand years)
6- 6th Seal (sixth thousand years)
7- Beginning of the 7th Seal- also called the “Hour of Judgment”- (possibly about 41 years although the days will be cut short)
8- Paradisaical Millennium- “There shall be time no longer” (the earth leaves temporal time for the “space of 1,000 years”)
9- Remainder of the 7th Seal- “Little Season” (possibly about 959 years)
Total time frame of the earth = 8,000 years with a mystical eighth day of rest.
Summary
The Seventh Day Sabbath of the Old Covenant was changed to the First Day, Sunday Sabbath under the New Covenant. (which is also the eighth day)
To keep this day holy, the Saints have been commanded to make this a day of-
I love reading the personal journal of Joseph Smith because it is a sobering reminder of how human Joseph Smith and the other great men of the LDS restoration movement were and what ups and downs they had as they struggled to bring forth the kingdom.
I was delighted to find a portion of the journals online today. They are here for anyone who would like to read them.
In this post I thought I would provide a fascinating snippet covering a few short days, containing the following string of events-
William Smith, the brother of Joseph becomes angry at Joseph the Prophet and accuses him of showing disrespect to Mother Smith during a meeting
Joseph tells William to sit down
William says Joseph will need to knock him down
Joseph becomes agitated at William
Joseph and William later try to resolve the hurt feelings between each other using their brother Hyrum as a facilitator
William becomes angry again and threatens to leave the church
William takes the dirty laundry between he and Joseph to the streets which embarrasses Joseph in front of the enemies of the Church
William prejudiced the mind of br. Samuel Smith against Joseph
Visitors are coming intermittently to see the mummy and artifacts
Emma is chastised for leaving a meeting before taking the sacrament… her response was to weep.
Joseph is intermittently receiving various revelation during these few days
The Lord reveals to Joseph that he is upset with Reynolds Cahoon
Joseph gets a revelation stating that the 12 apostles are under condemnation. This causes various members of the quorum to visit Joseph and listen to the contents of the revelation to see if they believe it..
IN the revelation about the twelve, it addresses the current fiasco with William Smith: “…as for my Servant William let the Eleven humble themselves in prayer and in faith and wait on me in patience and my servant William shall return, and I will yet make him a polished shaft in my quiver..”
Enjoy
29 October 1835 • Thursday
Br W. Parish [Warren Parrish] commenced writing for me. Father & Mother Smith visit[ed] us and while we set writing Bishop Partrige [Edward Partridge] passed our window just returned from the East Br Parish commenced writing for me at $15.00 pr month I paid him $16.00 in advance out of the committee Store Br Parrish agrees to board himself, for which I agree to allow him four Dollars more pr. month making $19.00. I was then called to appear before the high Council which was page 10 setting to give my testimony in an action brought against Br. David Eliot for whiping his Daughter unreasonably my testimony was in his favour, returned to our writing room, went to Dr. Williams after my large Journal, made some observations to my Scribe concerning the plan of the City which is to be built up hereafter on this ground consecrated for a stake of Zion while at the Doct[or's] Bishop E Pa[r]trige came in, in company with President Phelps, I was much rejoiced to see him, we examined the mumies, returned home and my scribe commenced writing in my Journal a history of my life, concluding President Cowdery[Ôs 2d] letter to W. W. Phelps, which president Williams had begun Bishop Whitney & his wife with his Father & Mother called to Visit us, his parents having lately arived here from the East called to make enquiry concerning the coming forth of the book of Mormon, Bishop Partrige & some others came in I then set down and taught related to them the history of the coming forth of the book the administration of the Angel to me the rudiments of the gospel of Christ &c they appeared well satisfied & I expect to baptise them in a few days, or this is my feelings upon the subject altho they have not made any request of this Kind at present, went to the council, the Presidency arose and adjourned on my return Elder Boynton observed that long debates were bad. I replyed that it was generally the case that to[o] much altercation was generally indulged in, on both sides and their debates protracted to an unprofitable length; we were seated called to super, after being seated around the table Bishop Whitney observed to Bishop Partrige that the thought had just occured to his mind that perhaps in about one year from this time they might be seated together around a table in on the land of Zion page 11 Sister Emma my wife observed that she hoped it might be the case that not only they but the rest of the company present might be seated around her table in the land of promise; the same sentiment was reciprocated from the company round the table and my heart responded amen God grant it, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, after super I went to the high council in company with my wife and some others that belong to my house hold I was solicited to take a seat with the presidency and preside in a case of Sister Eliots I did so my Mother was called as testimony and began to relate circumstances that had been brought before the church and settled I objected against such testimony the complainant Br. William Smith arose and accused me of invalidating or doubting My mothers testimony which I had not done nor did I desire to do I told him he was out of place & asked him to set down he refused I repeated my request he become enraged I finally ordered him to set down he said he would not unless I knocked him down I was agitated in my feeling on the account of his stubournness and was about to call leave the house, but my Father requ[e]sted me not to do so I complyed the house was brought to order after much debate upon the subject and we proceded to buisness & br. Eliot & his wife were both cleared from the charges prefered against them
at home Mr. Fransis Porter called from Jefferson Co. New York a member of the Methodist Church, called to make some inquiry about lands in this place whether there is any farmes for sale that are valuable and whether page 12 a member of our church could move into this vicinity and purchase lands and enjoy his own possessions & property without making it common Stock, he had been requested to do so by some brethren who live in the town of Leroy Jeff[erson] Co N. Y I replyed that I had a valuable farm joining the Temple Lot that I would sell & that there is other lands for sale in this place and that we have no common stock business among us, that every man enjoys his own property, or can if he is disposed, consecrate liberally or illiberally to the support of the poor & needy, or the building up of Zion, he also enquired how many members there are in this church I told him that there is about five or six hundred who commune at our chapel and perhaps a thousand in this vicinity; at evening I was presented with a letter from Br. Wm Smith the purport of which is that he is censured by the brethren on the account of what took place at the council last night and wishes to have the matter settled to the understanding of all, that he may not be censured unjustly, concidering that his cause was a just one, and that he had been materially injured; I replied that I thought we parted with the best of feelings, that I am not to blame on the account of the dissatisfaction of others. I invited him to call and talk with me, and that I would give talk with him in the spirit of meekness and give him all the satisfaction I could this reply was by letter copy retained
in the morning br. Hyram Smith came in and said he had been much troubled all night and had not slept any page 13 that something was wrong while talking br. Wm Smith came in according to my requ[e]st last night br. Hyram observed that he must go to the Store I invited him to stay he said he would go and do his business & return he did so while he was gone br. William introduced the subject of our difficulty at the council, I told him I did not want to converse upon the subject untill Hyrum returned, he soon came in I then proposed to relate the occurrences of the council before named and wherein I had been out of the way I would confess it and ask his forgivness, and then he should relate his story and make confession wherein he had done wrong he said he had not done wrong and then leave it to br. Hyrum Smith & br. Parish to decide the matter between us and I would agree to the decission & be satisfyed there with; he observed that he had not done wrong, and that I was always determined to carry my points whether right or wrong and there fore he would not stand an equal chance with me; this was an insult, but I did not reply to him in a harsh manner knowing his inflamatory disposition, but tryed to reason with him and show him the propriety of a complyance with my request, I finally succeeded with the assistance of br. Hyrum in obtaining his assent to the proposition that I had made. I then related my story and wherein I had been wrong I confessed it and asked his forgivness after I got through he made his statements jusifying himself throughout in transgressing the order of the council & treating the authority of the Presidency with contempt; after he had got through br. Hyrum began to make page 14 some remarks, in the spirit of meekness, he became enraged, I joined my brother in trying to calm his stormy feelings, but to no purpose he insisted that we intended to add abuse to injury, his passion increased, he arose abruptly and declared that he wanted no more to do with them us or the church and said we might take his licence for he would have nothing to do with us, he rushed out at the door we tryed to prevail on him to stop, but all to no purpose, he went away in a passion, and soon sent his licence to me, he went home and spread the levvin of iniquity among my brethren and especially prejudiced the mind of br. Samuel as I soon learned that he was in the street exclaiming against me, which no doubt our enemys rejoice at, and where the matter will end I know not, but I p[r]ay God to forgiv[e] him and th[e]m, and give them humility and repentance, the feelings of my heart I cannot express on this occasion. I can only pray my heavenly Father to open their eyes that they may discover where they stand, that they may extricate themselves from the snare they have fallen into after dinner I rode out in company with my wife and children, br. carloss & some others, we went to visit br. Roundy & family who live near Willoughby, we had an interesting visit at br. Roundy[Ôs] as soon as I returned I was called upon to baptise Samuel Whitney & his Wife and Daughter after baptism we returned to their house and offered Our thanks, in prayer I obtained a testimony that Br. William Would return and to the church and repair the wrong he had done page 15
Verily thus Saith the Lord unto me, his servant Joseph Smith jr min[e] anger is kindle[d] against my servant Reynolds Cahoon because of his iniquities his covetous and dishonest principles in himself and family and he doth not purge them away and set his house in order therefore if he repent not chastisment awaiteth him even as it seemeth good in my sight therefore go and declare unto him these words I went imediately and del[i]vired this message according as the Lord commanded me I called him in & read what the Lord had said concerning him, he acknowledged that it was verily so & expressed much humility I then went to meeting Elder Carrill [John Corrill] preached a fine discourse, in the afternoon President Phelps continued the servises of the day by reading the 5th chapt. of Mathew also the laws regulating the High Council and made some remarks upon them after which sacrament was administered I then confirmed a number who had been baptised & blessed a number of children in the name of Jesus Christ with the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, notice was then given that the Elders School wou[1]d commence on the morrow, I then dismissed the meeting.
was engaged in regulating the affairs of the School, I then had my team prepared & Sidney Oliver Frederick and my scribe and a number of others went to Willoughby to Hear Doct[or] Piexotto [Daniel Peixotto] deliver a lecture on the profession theory & practice of Physic [medicine] page 16 we called at Mr. [Nathan] Cushmans, had our horses put in the Stable took dinner, attended the lecture was treated with great respect throughout; returned home Lyman Wight came from Zion to day; George & Lyman Smith also from the East the question was agitated whether Frederick G. Williams or Oliver Cowdery Should go to New York to make arangements respecting a book bindery they refered to me for a decision, and thus cam[e] the word of the Lord unto me saying it is not my will that my servant Frederick should go to New York, but inasmuch as he wishes to go and visit his relatives that he may warn them to flee the wrath to come let him go and see them, for that purpose and let that be his only business, and behold in this thing he shall be blessed with power while to overcome their prejudices, Verily thus saith the Lord Amen.
Thus came the word of the Lord unto me saying concerning the Twelve saying behold they are under condemnation, because they have not been sufficiently humble in my sight, and in consequence of their covetous desires, in that they have not dealt equally with each other in the division of the moneys which came into their hands, nevertheless some of them dealt equally therefore they shall be rewarded, but verily I say unto you they must all humble themselves before me, before they will be accounted worthy to receive an endowment to go forth in my name unto all nations, as for my Servant William let the Eleven humble themselves in prayer and in faith page 17 and wait on me in patience and my servant William shall return, and I will yet make him a polished shaft in my quiver, in bringing down the wickedness and abominations of men and their shall be none mightier than he in his day and generation, nevertheless if he repent not spedily he shall be brought low and shall be chastened sorely for all his iniquities he has commited against me. nevertheless the sin which he hath sined against me is not even now more grevious than the sin with which my servant David W. Patten and my servant Orson Hyde and my servant Wm E. McLellen have sinned against me, and the residue are not sufficiently humble before me, behold the parable which I spake concerning a man having twelve Sons, for what man amon[g] you having twelve Sons and is no respecter to them and they serve him obediantly and he saith unto the one be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here, and to the other be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there, and looketh upon his sons and saith I am just, ye will answer and say no man, and ye answer truly, therefore Verely thus saith the Lord your God I appointed these twelve that they should be equal in their ministry and in their portion and in their evangelical rights, wherefore they have sin[n]ed a verry grevious sin, in asmuch as they have made themselves unequal and have not hearkned unto my voice therfor let them repent speedily and prepare their hearts for the solem[n] assembly page 18 and for the great day which is to come Verely thus saith the Lord Amen.
I then went to assist in organizing the Elders School called to order and I made some remarks upon the object of this School, and the great necessity there is of our rightly improving our time and reigning up our minds to the a sense of the great object that lies before us, viz, that glorious endowment that God has in store for the faithful I then dedicated the School in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. after the School was dismissed I attended a patriarchal meeting at Br Samuel Smiths, his wifeses parents were blessed also his child & named Susanah, at evening I preach[e]d at the Schoolhouse to a crowded congregation
in morning, at home attended school all during the school hours, made rapid progress in our studies, in the evening, lectured on grammar, at home on this day King Follet arived at this place from Zion
attended School all day Isaac Morley came in from the east this morning I was called to visit Thomas Burdick who was sick, I took my scribe with me and we p[r]ayed for and laid our hands on him in the name of the Lord Jesus and rebuked his affliction Wm E. McLellen & Orson Hyde came in and desired to hear the revelation concerning the Twelve, my scribe read to him them they expressed some little dissatisfaction but after examining their own hearts, they acknowledged it to be the word of the Lord page 19 and said they were satisfied; after School Brigham Young came in and desired also to hear, it read also after hearing it he appeared perfectly satisfied; in the evening lectured on Grammar
at home. attended School during the school hours returned and spent the evening at home I was this morning introduced to a man from the east, after hearing my name he replied remarked that I was nothing but a man: indicating by this expression that he had supposed that a person, to whom the Lord should see fit to reveal his will, must be something more than a man, he seems to have forgotten the saying that fell from the lips of St. James, that Elias was a man of like passions like unto us, yet he had such power with God that He in answer to his prayer, shut the heavens that they gave no rain for the space of three years and six months, and again in answer to his prayer the heavens gave forth rain and the earth brought forth fruit; and indeed such is the darkness & ignorance of this generation that they look upon it as incredible that a man should have any intercourse with his Maker.
spent the day at home attending to my domestic concerns; The word of the Lord came to me saying, behold I am well pleased with my servant Isaac Morley and my servant Edward Partridge, because of the integrity of their harts in laboring in my vinyard for the salvation of the souls of men, Verely I say unto you their sins are page 20 forgiven them, therefore say unto them in my name that it is my will that they should tarry for a little season and attend the school, and also the solem assembly for a wise purpose in me, even so amen
went to meeting in the morning at the us[u]al hour, Z[erubbabel]. Snow preached a verry interesting discourse, in the after noon J[oseph]. Young preached; after preaching Isaac Hill came forward to make some remarks by way of confession, he had been previously excommunicated from the church for lying & for an attempt to seduce a female; his confession was not satisfactory to my mind Uncle John Smith arose and made some remarks respecting the dealings of the high council on the case of the said Hill, that is that he should make a public confession of his crime and have it published in the messenger and Advocate, he proposed that Mr Hill should now make his confession before the congregation and then immediately observed that he had forgiven Mr Hill, which was in contradiction to the sentiment he first advanced, this I attributed to an error in Judgment not in design President Rigdon then arose and verry abruptly militated against the sentiment of Uncle John, which had a direct tendency to destroy his influence and bring him into disrepute in the eyes of the church, which was not right, he also misrepresented Mr Hills case wh and spread darkness rather than light upon the subject a vote was then called of the church was then called on his case and he was restored without any further confession; that he should page 21 be received into the church by babtism which was administered acordingly. after I came home I took up a labour with uncle John and convinced him that he was wrong & he made his confession to my satisfaction; I then went and laboured with President Rigdon and succeded in convincing him also of his error which he confessed to my satisfaction.
The word of the Lord cam[e] unto me saying that President Phelps & President J[ohn] Whitmer are under condemnation before the Lord, for their errors for which they made satisfaction the same day; I also took up a labour with John Carrill [Corrill] for leaving the meeting before not partaking of the sacrament, he made his confession; also my wife for the same leaving the meeting before sacrament she made no reply, but manifested contrition by weeping
[this may well be the most controversial topic I have ever written about. As with all my posts, you are encouraged to search out the passages of scriptures and history for yourself and take the Holy Ghost as your guide.]
In the series on the LAST TESTIMONY, which is still not finished I cover the importance of the testimony of the Father and the Son contained in section 76.
I hope to finish that series someday.
In the mean time, I would like to point out that the last testimony that is going to be sealed up in the 3rd watch, originally provided the foundational experience that resulted in the true explanation of the Godhead.
Section 93 speaks of the importance of knowing how to worship God
However, despite the myriad of scriptures that refer to God as a who, section 93 reminds us that God is also a what!
And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.
16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know WHAT you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.
Obviously, “the Father” appears to be a WHO, if we accept the term “Father” to represent a person, personage, personality, etc.
Numerous scriptures verify that God the Father is a who.
But the passage above also informs us that the God we worship is a WHAT.
In fact, it seems to be putting emphasis in the fact that God is a WHAT… perhaps it is necessary to understand that he is a what in order to know HOW to worship him…. or at the very least it assures us that we will better comprehend the WHAT nature of God after we obtain the record that is to come forth.
I long for the time when that record spoken of in section 93 will come forth but I think we need to be searching for additional truth in the mean time.
What does the Lord mean when he uses the term WHAT in describing the nature of God in that scriptural context?
One thought is that it might be referring to the following definition of what, as contained in the 1828 version of the Websters
“What is used as an adjective, of BOTH GENDERS“
That is very intriguing.
In Moses 2:26, 27 God informs us that he created man, male and female, in his own image and in the image of his Son. In otherwords, God is telling us that He himself ane His Son are both composed of both male and female intelligence.
But I have already addressed the composite gender of exalted souls and the Gods in another article.
I think that is an important part of the puzzle, but I want to focus on the bigger picture in this post.
Another thought that I have had is that WHAT could be speaking about the glory of God as a power, or essence that permeates the universe instead of pointing out the personal, or personality aspect of his attributes.
Section 76 points out that the Son resides in the bosom of the Father.
Other passages in scripture inform us that the Father resides in the Son.
InLuke 10:22 the King James Version of the Bible quotes Jesus as saying
“All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”
However Joseph Smith changed that in the Inspired Version to say-
“All things are delivered to me of my Father; and no man knoweth that the Son is the Father, and the Father is the Son, but him to whom the Son will reveal it.“
Pretty metaphysical don’t you think?
Part of the mystery of Godliness is in understanding that although the Father and Son can manifest themselves independently as distinct beings, and although God is independently described in Lectures on Faith and in the scriptures as a personage of Spirit, while the Son is independently described in Lectures on Faith and in the scriptures as a personage of tabernacle, they dwell in each other and constitute ONE GOD!
Section 88 speaks of the “face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things.“
It points out that God “comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.”
It goes on to provide a rather esoteric, all encompassing characterization of the fact that if you have seen anything God has created, you have seen God.
The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
46 Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
47 Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.
Let me suggest those mystical passages contained in sections 76, 88, and 93 are not there for their poetry. They are literally true. More on that later.
Anyway, those verses in section 93 seem to be saying that if we are faithful we shall receive the fullness of the RECORD of John.
Section 93 has been a source of controversy because some people think it is speaking about the testimony from heaven that John the Baptist received when he bore witness of Christ at the baptism, while others believe that it is speaking about the testimony from heaven that John the Revelator received, possibly during his visions on Patmos, from which we get the information contained in the Book of Revelation.
Section 93 contains passages from both of the John’s.
So, if we are faithful, we can receive the fullness of the record of John.
What is the record of John?
Is that speaking about his written testimony of what he saw and heard when the heavens were opened to John or is it saying that we ourselves can receive the same open vision and the same TESTIMONY that John had?
Or, is it saying both?
Perhaps it is the written RECORD that will come forth of what John saw and heard that will ignite sufficient faith in each of the elect to initiate our own experience in rending the veil of unbelief and seeing the Father and the Son, just as John, the Brother of Jared and the Seer and the Spokesman and many other prophets have all seen and heard.
The LAST TESTIMONY
of the Seer and the Spokesman
reveals the Godhead
After having the heavens opened to them and seeing the Father and the Son, the Seer and the Spokesman bore testimony that they had seen the Father and the Son.
In a desire to bring others to that same testimony, and by commandment, they published their own record containing a testimony and description of the Godhead and had it canonized.
Then they formed the school of the prophets to teach these concepts to others.
The primary goal of the school of the prophets was to facilitate others of the elect to comprehend God and see him and Know him so that they could become Saviors on Mt Zion and help to bear testimony and bring others to the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the Lectures on Faith which appears to have been written and taught by Rigdon in the school of the Prophets but approved and endorsed by Joseph Smith, the following distinctions were made.
(The following passages may well be the most profound knowledge ever given about the Godhead and about the nature of who and what God is that has been given to our generation)
Lectures on Faith
There are two personages who constitute the great, matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things, by whom all things were created and made…
They are the Father and the Son, the Father being a personage of spirit, glory, and power, possessing all perfection and fullness, the Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, a personage of tabernacle, made, or fashioned like unto man….
And He being the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fullness of the glory of the Father, possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit, that bears record of the Father and the Son, and these three are one; or, in other words, these three constitute the great, matchless, governing and supreme power over all things; by whom all things were created and made that were created and made, and these three constitute the Godhead, and are one;
the Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power, and fullness…filling all in all; the Son being filled with the fullness of the mind, glory, and power; or, in other words, the spirit, glory, and power, of the Father, possessing all knowledge and glory, and the same kingdom, sitting at the right hand of power, in the express image and likeness of the Father, mediator for man, being filled with the fullness of the mind of the Father; or, in other words, the Spirit of the Father, which Spirit is shed forth upon all who believe on His name and keep His commandments;
and all those who keep His commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ;
possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of Him who fills all in all; being filled with the fullness of His glory, and become one in Him, even as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.… power over all things, by whom all things were created and made…they are the Father and the Son: The Father being a personage of spirit, glory, and power…The Son…a personage of tabernacle…The Only Begotten of the Father…possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit…”
The above passage from lectures on Faith is making a distinction between the Father who is a “personage of spirit, glory and power“ vs. the “personage of tabernacle” we refer to as the Son, vs. the Holy Spirit which is a intelligent spirit essence that is NOT A PERSONAGE at all.
Mosiah 15 reminds us that that the reason Christ was called the Son is because he dwelt in a tabernacle of flesh-
“And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father” mosiah 15
Another great key given to us in those passages from Lectures on Faith is that “The Holy Ghost is the Mind of God.”
At first blush that seems problematic because we Latter day Saints have been conditioned to think of the Holy Ghost as the third member of the Godhead who is a spirit personage and is subject to the Father and the Son, and below them in authority, hence, it seems odd that he is the intelligence powering their thoughts.
We learn from the scriptures however, that the term Holy Ghost, like many other terms, such as “soul”, “redemption”, “resurrection, etc. is used in separate and distinct ways in the scriptures depending on context. Which is why the things of God must be discerned by the power of the God.
The term Holy Ghost is sometimes used in modern LDS terminology to refer to a third personage in the Godhead.
And yet Lectures does not acknowledge three personages in the Godhead, clearly, the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit, according to Lectures, is the spiritual essence that powers the two personages who constitute the great, matchless, governing, and supreme power over all things. It fills the immensity of space and is in all things and through all things.
According to Lectures on Faith, the following three entities are separate, distinct and different from each other, and yet they form a composite God that is ONE.
Lectures clearly distinguishes the Father and Son as a personage of SPIRIT and a personage of TABERNACLE respectively. It also reveals that the Holy Spirit is not a personage-
The Father is a “personage of spirit, glory and power“
The Son is a “personage of tabernacle“
The Holy Spirit is a spiritual essence which is the mind of God and which bears witness of the Father and the Son.
The testimony of the Father and the Son as contained in section 76 resulted in the School of the Prophets and the inspired content contained in Lectures on Faith.
So important were the Lectures on Faith that they were originally included in the Book of Commandments and the Doctrine and Covenants.
In fact, they represented the “Doctrine” part of the Doctrine and Covenants.
The Revelations received by Joseph Smith represented the “Covenants” part of the Doctrine and Covenants.
The light and truth contained in the Lectures on Faith was so bright and glorious that the gentiles could not comprehend it and they began to doubt the accuracy of many of the things contained therein.
Shortly after the gentiles rejected the fulness of the gospel, they took the Lectures on Faith out of the D&C because leaders of the church doubted many of the things contained therein.
Technically, the current Doctrine and Covenants should be called “The Covenants” or the “Book of Covenants” because the doctrine that God commanded the Seer and the Spokesman to give to the Saints has been removed.
The Proof is in the Pudding
The vision of the Father and the son documented in section 76 resulted in the school of the Prophets and the Lectures on Faith, which in turn resulted in several of the believing gentiles seeing the Father and the Son for themselves. Shortly thereafter, the heavens closed and the fulness of the gentiles came to an end in the 2nd watch.
Zebedee Coltrin is one of several remarkable High Priests who attended the school of the prophets that gave an account of seeing the Father and the Son while attending the school of the prophets.
His testimony is 100% congruent with the doctrine about the Godhead in the Lectures on faith and in the other sections of the Doctrine and Covenants-
His testimony confirms that the Father and the Son are two different types of personages.
Christ is a personage of tabernacle while the Father is a glorious “personage of spirit, glory and power“
His testimony might just be one of the most important corroborating descriptions of the Father and the Son that has been given to our generation because it parrots what Joseph and Sidney described in modern revelation and what they taught in the lectures on Faith-
REMARKS OF ZEBEDEE COLTRIN
Source: Minutes, Salt Lake City School of the Prophets, October 3, 1883.
Presidents John Taylor and George Q. Cannon, Apostles Erastus Snow, Brigham Young, Francis M. Lyman, and Heber J. Grant, and Elders L. John Nuttall and Zebedee Coltrin present.
Brother Zebedee Coltrin said: I believe I am the only living man now in the church who was connected with the School of the Prophets when it was organized in 1833, the year before we went up in Zion’s Camp.
President Taylor: How many were then connected with the School at that time?
Brother Coltrin: When the Word of Wisdom [D&C 89] was first presented by the Prophet Joseph (as he came out of the translating room) and was read to the School, there were twenty out of the twenty-one who used tobacco and they all immediately threw their tobacco and pies into the fire.
There were members as follows: Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, William Smith, Frederick G. Williams, Orson Hyde (who had the charge of the school), Zebedee Coltrin, Sylvester Smith, Joseph Smith, Sr., Levi Hancock, Martin Harris, Sidney Rigdon, Newel K. Whitney, Samuel H. Smith, John Murdock, Lyman Johnson and Ezra Thayer.
The salutation as written in the Doctrine and Covenants [D&C 88:136-141] was carried out at that time, and at every meeting, and the washing of feet was attended to, the sacrament was also administered at times when Joseph appointed, after the ancient order; that is, warm bread to break easy was provided and broken into pieces as large as my fist and each person had a glass of wine and sat and ate the bread and drank the wine; and Joseph said that was the way that Jesus and his disciples partook of the bread and wine. And this was the order of the church anciently and until the church went into darkness. Every time we were called together to attend to any business, we came together in the morning about sunrise, fasting and partook of the sacrament each time, and before going to school we washed ourselves and put on clean linen.
At one of these meetings after the organization of the school, (the school being organized_ on the 23rd of January, 1833, when we were all together, Joseph having given instructions, and while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, with our hands uplifted each one praying in silence, no one whispered above his breath, a personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw him. I saw him and suppose the others did and Joseph answered that is Jesus, the Son of God…. Afterward Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we did. Another person came through; he was surrounded as with a flame of fire. He (Brother Coltrin) experienced a sensation that it might destroy the tabernacle as it was of consuming fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph said this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I saw Him.
When asked about the kind of clothing the Father had on, Brother Coltrin said: I did not discover his clothing for he was surrounded as with a flame of fire, which was so brilliant that I could not discover anything else but his person.
I saw his hands, his legs, his feet, his eyes, nose, mouth, head and body in the shape and form of a perfect man. He sat in a chair as a man would sit in a chair, but this appearance was so grand and overwhelming that it seemed I should melt down in his presence, and the sensation was so powerful that it thrilled through my whole system and I felt it in the marrow of my bones.
The Prophet Joseph said: Brethren, now you are prepared to be the apostles of Jesus Christ, for you have seen both the Father and the Son and know that they exist and that they are two separate personages.
From the account of brother Coltrin it is obvious that the Father is a personage of spirit power and glory while the Son is a personage of tabernacle.
These two separate personages make up one God in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.
The Son had been created in the same image of God the Father.
Both of them have the same mind, it is the Holy Spirit which is in all things and through all things.
These three form a composite entity which the scriptures refer to as the one eternal God.
This composite entity makes up the only true God that is the creator of all things!
It appears, from what we have covered, that Christ is a “who” personage of tabernacle that resides in the bosom of the Father. The Father is a “who” personage of spirit that resided in the bosom of eternity.
Both can manifest themselves to men.
The Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost is the “what”, intelligent light force that is the mind of both the father and the Son. It empowers and actuates and bears witness of them both.
It is in all things and through all things
Why is this important?
Because according to section 93, we must understand who and what God is, in order to properly worship him.
In my own personal experience, I have found that if I ponder the truths about the Godhead that have been revealed in the TESTIMONY of the FATHER and the SON given by the prophet and the Seer as contained in section 76, other sections of the D&C, their associated teachings in Lectures on Faith and the testimony of those who have also seen the Father and the Son, that my prayers seem to have much more power.
We are to pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Although it is futile to explain infinite concepts in finite terms, the above graphic was created in an effort to resemble the mystical relationship between the three entities that comprise the Godhead as revealed by Joseph, Sidney and Zebedee.
It may well be that the term “throne” is a term representing the power, authority and intelligence.
I believe that if you picture the Father as a personage of Spirit, glory and power that is plugged into the light force that is in all things and through all things, you will be more capable of exercising enough faith to believe that God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent.
But wait…
If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, you are probably feeling a little conflicted in your mind right now after reading the above descriptions of the Godhead.
Why?
Because you have been taught all your life that-
“The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s..”
That passage from section 130 of the D&C has probably had a profound effect on your perspective of God.
The above passage contradicts the testimony of Joseph, Sidney, Zebedee, Lectures on Faith and modern revelation.
So how did this conflicting doctrine it get into the scriptures, when was it put there and who put it there?
When was the D&C defiled with the above passage?
The reminisced statements of Joseph Smith were put into the D&C in 1876 by Orson Pratt under the direction of Brigham Young.
These statements were never considered to be a revelation before that.
Those statements were taken from a journal entry. It was supposedly entered into the journal two days after the date that Joseph Smith gave some instructions at a friends house.
The original entry is in the hand writing of Williard Richards who apparently was not even present when the remarks were given.
Secondly, Joseph never made public mention of those remarks in a sermon and in fact was killed shortly after these statements were supposedly made.
Historians tell us that the original version of the manuscript is different than what shows up in the D&C, with verses 10, 11, 16, and 17 being added at later times.
Verses 9 and 14 are entirely different in the original than what is in the D&C.
It is now understood that the instructions given by Joseph Smith as recorded in section 130 is a composite of statements he made on two separate occasions.
We simply don’t know how historically accurate the alleged statements from Joseph Smith are.
We know that under the direction of Brigham Young and the members of the 12 that chose to follow him, much of the journal entries that make up the current sanitized history of the church were doctored up. Some events were deleted while others were revised.
I don’t pretend to know if Joseph really made those statements or not.
If he did, he was contradicting what he had taught a decade earlier.
The biggest concern of course is not whether Joseph actually stated those things.
The concern is whether those things are true.
The next question is, why did Brigham and Orson want to canonize the doctrine that the Father has a body of flesh and bones?
Was it to justify another doctrine they had been teaching?
Mary was not a Virgin?
Brigham, Orson and others of the Masonic 12 apostles had rejected the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth that is taught in the New Testament.
Despite the fact that Joseph Smith validated the doctrine of the virgin birth contained in the New Testament using both the Book of Mormon and the JST, Brigham and Orson apparently didn’t get the memo.
They taught that the Father came to earth in a physical body and had carnal sexual intercourse with Mary.
That, they pontificated, is how the baby Jesus was conceived. The biblical and Book of Mormon accounts of her being overshadowed by the Holy Spirit apparently seemed a little to impractical to them.
Their teaching lacked credibility in light of what the Lectures on Faith and the scriptures taught about the Father being a personage of spirit, so they needed to canonize a statement, allegedly from Joseph Smith that would back them up.
Lets return to the verse in question that was canonized into scripture by Brigham and Orson.
“The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s the Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of spirit, were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us“
WOW!
Two false doctrines contained in two short verses.
The Father has a body of flesh and bones?
Not according to the original doctrines of the restoration
The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit?
Not according to the original doctrines of the restoration!
Again, the alleged statements now contained in section 130 were supposedly made by Joseph Smith at a friends house in 1843.
They were made after Hyrum was called to be the Prophet Seer and Revelator of the Church and Joseph publicly acknowledged in a general conference that he was no longer acting as the prophet of the church.
The alleged statements were made after the gentiles had rejected the fullness of the gospel
The alleged statements were made after the church had been rejected with its dead.
Most importantly, the new doctrines contradicted the testimony of Joseph, Sidney Zebedee and the four standard works.
Which doctrine pertaining to the Godhead should we believe?
The one taught by the scriptures and by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and Zebedee Coltin who all were personally transfigured and saw the Father and the Son, or the teachings of Brigham Young, someone who openly admitted that he had never seen God and did not expect to until after he died.
Joseph Smith clearly believed in the miraculous conception and the doctrine of the Virgin Birth, as taught in the New Testament, the inspired version and the Book of Mormon.
Nevertheless, Brigham, Orson and company were apparently a little too wise to believe such nonsense.
The doctrine they chose to believe and teach required a God with a physical tabernacle, hence, section 130.
In a previous post I referred to the Gospel of Brigham Young.
Indeed, Brigham Young introduced numerous doctrines that contradicted the original doctrines taught by Joseph Smith.
This may sound strange to you because TPTB have done an incredible job of giving the general perception that the doctrines of Brigham were congruent with the doctrines taught by Joseph.
However, a close analysis will show that they were not harmonious.
Just to name a few-
The Gospel according to Brigham Young
Joseph taught that a prophet is only speaking as a prophet when the spirit of prophecy descends upon him and that the person was otherwise giving their personal opinion. Brigham taught that everything in all his sermons were worthy of being called scripture.
Joseph accepted the literal interpretation of the creation story, with Adam being created from the dust of the earth. He even provided other books of scripture to verify it. Brigham taught that the creation story in Genesis was a fairytale and that Adam was transported to this earth as a resurrected being.
Joseph taught that the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible would be an integral part of Gospel Law and needed to be published to the world before Zion could be redeemed but Brigham scoffed at the importance of the inspired version and taught that the King James version of the Bible was sufficient for the Saints.
Joseph taught the literal New Testament account that Mary conceived the baby Jesus as a virgin as a result of the Holy Spirit overshadowing her. Brigham and Orson taught that the Father descended in a physical body and had carnal sexual intercourse with her.
Joseph taught that the Father was a personage of Spirit. Brigham, using the alleged words of Joseph, taught that the Father is a personage of tabernacle.
Joseph taught that the Holy Spirit is the mind of the God and not a personage of spirit. Brigham taught that the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit.
Joseph taught that Christ created Adam. Brigham taught that Adam was the father of Christ.
Joseph taught that it was contrary to gospel law to take a persons life. He openly worried that some of his enemies might die in their sins before they had the opportunity to repent. Brigham, on the other hand, taught that if someone was evil, it was a merciful act under his version of the law of blood atonement to send them on their way.
Joseph taught that God knows all things and that there is not anything that he does not know. In fact he taught that it is impossible to have enough faith to be saved if you did not believe that God knows all things… and could make a mistake. Brigham taught that God does not know all things and that God is always learning new things.
Let me acknowledge that the above teachings of Joseph were all documented during the early period of church history when the fullness of the Gentiles was taking place… during the 3 1/2 years that the fulness of the gospel was being offered to the gentiles.
There are lots a apocryphal accounts of statements from Joseph in the later Nauvoo years that seem to contradict some of these early doctrines in Lectures in faith.
Clearly, the scriptures and the Holy Ghost must be the foundational guide as we sift through the doctrinal maze of the restoration movement.
The atonement statute and scapegoat doctrine in the later years may have had a part to play in how Joseph handed the idolatrous Saints over to the God they wanted to worship.
Let me apologize to those of you who accept Brigham Young as a Prophet Seer and Revelator and find him to be a credible gospel scholar, I am sure these statements are offensive to you, but time is short.
I believe the servants are going to return shortly and they are not going to mince words. They will boldly declare the TRUTHS found in the foundational doctrines of the kingdom.
They will bear the last testimony.
They will teach the true nature of the Godhead.
It is important to understand the truths taught about each of the three entities discussed, but then, as the scripture continually remind us, we must remember that these three ARE ONE GOD.
If we think of these three entities as a composite God, then all of the scriptures about God that appeared to contradict each other are now congruent.
God is a spirit.
God did come down and take on flesh in the form of the Son.
The father dwells in the tabernacle of the Son just as the tabernacle of the Son dwells in the spiritual dimension of the Father.
The Father dwells in all of our tabernacles, indeed, as one of the Book of Mormon prophets noted, the “great spirit” that created the earth also dwells in men-
“And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.“
And yet section 130 dismisses the word of this Book of Mormon prophet by telling us that “the idea that the Father and the Son dwell in a man’s heart is an old sectarian notion“
I guess one of the reasons that Brigham spent very little time reading and expounding the doctrines in the D&C and Book of Mormon is because he felt they were full of old sectarian notions.
As stated earlier in this post, God “comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.”
The Servants will return and teach these great foundational truths again.
They will seal up the TESTIMONY of the Father and the Son for those who will accept it.
Those who reject their testimony, will be rejecting the Lords Servants and the Marvelous Work and will not be included in the upcoming true endowment and in seeing the Face of God.
“VERILY, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am
And that I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;
And that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—
The Father because he gave me of his fulness, [by receiving the same mind and power of the Holy Spirit?] and the Son because I was in the world and made flesh my tabernacle, [It is his tabernacle of flesh that distinguishes him from the Father!] and dwelt among the sons of men.
I was in the world and received of my Father, and the works of him were plainly manifest.” (93:1-5)
“1 AND now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. 2 And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son— 3 The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son— Mosiah 15 4 And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth.
In the last two parts of this series, we used the prophecy given by Christ in 3rd Nephi and a prophecy by Moroni in conjunction with the grafting in of the branches scenario described in the parable contained in Jacob to show the three part sequence of events-
1- The Gentiles received the fulness of the Gospel at the time the fullness of the priesthood was revealed at the special conference at the Morley Farm which brought in the fulness of the Gentiles as prophesied by Moroni when he visited Joseph Smith.
Shortly after that, they stumbled and rejected the fulness of the priesthood and the fullness of the gospel bringing the times of the Gentiles to an end as was prophesied by Christ.
2- God remembers his covenant with the House of Israel and takes the gospel from the Gentiles to the House of Israel. Section 110 documents the restoration of the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham and the restoration of the keys of the gathering of Israel. This was all prophesied by Christ when he said God would remember his covenant with Abraham and the house of Israel.
3- Eventually, the Marvelous Work begins and the servants return with the priesthood keys again. At that time, a portion of the Gentiles Repent
Dual Fulfillment of Prophecy
One of the things one needs to know about prophecy is that virtually all prophesies have a dual fulfillment- A shadow fulfillment and a literal fulfillment. (Types and Shadows)
The scenario of the gentiles first getting the gospel followed by the house of Israel getting the gospel takes place both in the 2nd watch and also the 3rd watch.
The difference is that in the 2nd watch the gentiles and the house of Israel both stumble after getting it. In the 3rd watch there is a righteous remnant in both groups that repent and receives the fulness.
A great key that is given having to do with this prophecy is in understanding the following distinction:
In the 2nd watch the gentiles get the gospel delivered to them in WORD.
In the 3rd watch they get the gospel delivered in WORD and in POWER and in VERY DEED.
The word power is pretty much self explanatory.
Although there were a few brief glimpses of partial power during the LDS restoration movement, there is a stark difference between those events and many of the amazing miracles and the gospel power that took place in the Book of Mormon and New Testament churches. The LDS restoration movement that took place four generations ago was not a work of POWER.
The word DEED is worthy of evaluating in closer scrutiny as well.
1. That which is done, acted or effected; an act; a fact; a word of extensive application, including whatever is done, good or bad, great or small.
And Joseph said to them, what deed is this which ye have done? Gen. x1iv.
We receive the due reward of our deeds. Luke xxv.
2. Exploit; achievement; illustrious act.
Whose deeds some nobler poem shall adorn.
3. Power of action; agency.
With will and deed created free.
4. A writing containing some contract or agreement, and the evidence of its execution; particularly, an instrument on paper or parchment, conveying real estate to a purchaser or donee. This instrument must be executed, and the execution attested, in the manner prescribed by law.
As you can see, the final great work is very different from the laying of the foundation of the great work in that it comes forth not only in word, but also in POWER and DEED.
Let us now take a look at 1st Nephi 14.
The majority of the time, the Book of Mormon skips right over the LDS foundation movement when the gentiles stumbled and goes right to the Marvelous Work and a Wonder in the 3rd watch-
1 And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks
2 And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded.
Did you catch that?
“THAT DAY” that is being spoken of is the Marvelous Work and a Wonder in the 3rd Watch. How do we know? Because the Marvelous Work is the time when the Lamb of God shall manifest himself to the Gentiles, not only in WORD, but also in POWER and VERY DEED!
Four generations ago the restored church was offered the fulness of the gospel but they only received it in word, they, as a collective group, could not receive it in power and in deed.
They could only embrace it in word and with words.
This is why the Lord chastened the Saints and warned them that they would remain under condemnation until they remembered the New and Everlasting Covenant, the Book of Mormon and the revelations received by Joseph Smith…”not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—”
Lip service doesn’t cut it.
Stating in a temple ceremony that you are willing to consecrate everything is not the same as consecrating everything!
Our generation is currently living during the time when we only have the WORDS in scripture that describe the fullness of the gospel and we use words to give lip service about our willingness to live it!
We don’t have POWER. The fulness of the gospel is not being manifest among us in VERY DEED.
We are the ones that need to have our stumbling blocks removed!
Our stumbling blocks will be taken away when the Marvelous Work is ushered in IF WE ARE AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS PORTION OF THE GENTILES AND HOUSE OF ISRAEL THAT REPENT!
We are informed that the one mighty and strong is characterized as one who does much good not only in WORD but also in DEED… even in POWER by doing MIGHTY WORKS.
“And there shall rise up one mighty among them, who shall do much good, both in word and in deed, being an instrument in the hands of God, with exceeding faith, to work mighty wonders, and do that thing which is great in the sight of God, unto the bringing to pass much restoration unto the house of Israel, and unto the seed of thy brethren.” 2nd ne 3:24
Clearly the restoration being spoken of in the above verses is a future restoration.
Ether chapter five speaks of the “three witnesses” and yet it is clearly speaking about the testimony of the witnesses during the marvelous work in the 3rd watch because the testimony of the three witnesses and the work comes forth in POWER, not just in WORD!
1 And now I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God.
2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;
3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.
4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.
5 And if it so be that they repent and come unto the Father in the name of Jesus, they shall be received into the kingdom of God.
6 And now, if I have no authority for these things, judge ye; for ye shall know that I have authority when ye shall see me, and we shall stand before God at the last day. Amen.
The first ministry of Joseph Smith was to bring forth the word and lay the foundation for when the work of the Lord would come forth in power. His second commission with be a time of power.
The gentiles stumbled during the laying of the foundation of the great work and then God remembered the covenant he had with the house of Israel.
Ok now, lets bring this thing full circle and get back to our mysterious character that we began this series with, James Jesse Strang.
It is a shocking fact that many and according to some, the vast majority of the leaders of the church in Nauvoo initially chose to follow this new convert to Mormonism that was virtually unknown in the church in Nauvoo.. He joined the church in about February of 1844, the same year Joseph was martyred..
How likely is it that Joseph Smith would commission a brand new member of the Church to be his successor?
Strang reigned for six years as the crowned “king” of an ecclesiastical monarchy that he established on Beaver Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. Building an organization that eventually rivaled Young’s in Utah, Strang gained nearly 12,000 adherents prior to his murder in 1856, which brought down his kingdom and all but extinguished his sect.
In addition to his ecclesiastical calling, Strang served one full term and part of a second as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, and assisted in the organization of Manitou County. He was also at various times an attorney, educator, temperance lecturer, newspaper editor, Baptist minister, correspondent for the New York Tribune, and amateur scientist. (excerpt taken from wiki)
As previously mentioned, some historians claim that more saints in Nauvoo followed Strang than Brigham young.
It is, in my opinion, even more significant to note that very possibly a greater majority of the original foundational Saints from the Kirtland era followed Strang than Brigham Young.
In addition to the entire remaining members of the Smith Family, including apostle William Smith, people like William Marks, George Miller, William E. McLellin, William Cowdery, George Adams, Martin Harris, Jared Carter, John E Page, Ezra Thayer chose to follow Strang.
About 150 famous people who lived beside Joseph Smith during the early Kirtland years, chose to follow Strang. These people personally knew Joseph Smith and the revelations he brought forth much better than the new converts coming form foreign lands. They chose to follow James Strang instead of Brigham Young and the 12..
The Significance of James Strang
Obviously, the significance of the impact of James Strang and how so many of the gentiles resonated with him over the quorum of the 12 is simply an indicator of how the Gentiles and the House of Israel parted ways during the general time frame that the Gentiles who had rejected the fullness, were were now taking to the preparatory gospel to the House of Israel.
Regarding Strang’s succession claims, one only need read the letter from Joseph Smith to Strang to see that it makes no claims regarding priesthood succession.
It said nothing about handing the keys of the kingdom over to a new president of the church.
It was simply a response to James Strang’s request to plant a stake of Zion in Wisconsin.
At best, Strang was called to be the president of a stake of Zion… and not even the center stake.
Technically, from a doctrinal point of view, it seems impossible to me, to plant a legitimate stake of Zion somewhere in Gods vineyard until after the center of Zion has been established or is at least in the process of being established with an organized church there that is attempting consecration.
In short, you cannot be establishing new stakes of Zion when the Saints had been rejected as a Church and failed to establish Zion.
Kirtland was never referred to as a stake of Zion until AFTER the Saints began settling in Jackson County and the land was dedicated, even though Kirtland was established first.
After revealing Jackson County as the center place of Zion and Kirtland as the latter day Jerusalem that was to be a stake of Zion, the Lord later revealed that no additional stakes would actually be valid until AFTER the pure in heart return to claim their inheritances and build up the waste places of the center stake of Zion.
Only after there is no more room in the center stake of Zion will the Lord appoint new stakes.
“Zion shall not be moved out of her place, notwithstanding her children are scattered. They that remain, and are pure in heart, shall return, and come to their inheritances, they and their children, with songs of everlasting joy, to build up the waste places of Zion—
And all these things that the prophets might be fulfilled.
And, behold, there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed; neither shall there be any other place appointed than that which I have appointed, for the work of the gathering of my saints—
Until the day cometh when there is found no more room for them; and then I have other places which I will appoint unto them, and they shall be called stakes, for the curtains or the strength of Zion.” (section 101)
That is why the Lord referred to Nauvoo as the cornerstone of Zion but made it perfectly clear that the Saints were on probation and that Zion could not proceed forth from the designated cornerstone of Zion and usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times until the saints repented of their abominations and the Nauvoo Temple was completed.
That makes the establishing of additional “stakes” outside the boundaries of Zion, after the Jackson period, somewhat problematic to me.
It also makes the calling of James Strang to establish a new stake somewhat problematic to begin with. The same goes for Lyman Wight.
Secondly, we must keep in mind that the Lord had already fulfilled the succession prophecy in section 43 and replaced Joseph Smith with his brother Hyrum as his successor to be the prophet seer and revelator of the church.
See section 124 and the Nauvoo discourse provided in previous posts wherein Joseph announced that Hyrum was now the sole prophet of the church and that Joseph would not prophesy any more.
That makes the petition from Strang to Joseph somewhat irrelevant without the intervention or endorsement of Hyrum.
The replacement of Joseph with Hyrum as the prophet seer and revelator of the church and Joseph’s own admission in a general conference that he would not prophesy anymore, is not only validated by historical data, additionally, Joseph acknowledges in the letter to Strang that after his personal inclination to reject the request by Strang, it was actually Hyrum who overruled his rejection of the request and said that Strang should be allowed to plant a stake in Zion.
Clearly Hyrum was attempting to act as the Presiding Officer of the Church per his calling in section 124.
The Strang letter provides yet another witness that the succession prophecy in section 43:3-4 was fulfilled by the replacement of Joseph Smith with Hyrum Smith. Yet the murder of Hyrum along with Joseph created a huge dilemma. ( I might interject here that Isaiah provided commentary regarding this time period “…the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity..” 2 Ne. 27: 5)
Despite the dichotomies created by this event, most historians seem to agree that the letter of appointment does appear to be authentic as far as being signed by Joseph Smith.
For that reason, I believe the serious seeker of truth must take the letter seriously enough to study and ponder its contents to see what was going on in the mind of the folks and for providing greater context for the events of this time period.
Nevertheless, the church was in a state of complete apostasy before the Saints ever got to Nauvoo.
The Lord had informed the Saints that the fullness of the priesthood had been lost and that the church would be rejected with their dead if they failed to repent, refuse to be moved out of their place and complete the temple.
Most scholars concur that the letter appears to be authentic. And I don’t doubt it.
It probably was written by Joseph and it is consistent with the following prophecy from Joseph-
“I prophecy that the day will come when you will say Oh that we had given heed… the people will not hearken nor hear and bondage, death and destruction are close at our heels. The kingdom will not be broken up but we shall be scattered and driven, gathered again and then dispersed , reestablished & driven abroad and so on until the Ancient of days shall sit and the kingdom and power thereof shall be given to the Saints and they shall possess it forever and ever…” (words of Joseph pg 67)
Fascinating.
Joseph prophesied that before the kingdom would be given to the Saints, they would first be scattered, driven, gathered again, reestablished, etc.
Is that not exactly what happened to the Latter day Saints following the succession crisis?
Were they not scattered seven different ways and eventually establishing wards and branches in all the kingdoms of the earth according to the prophecy of Moses?
(The above graphic of the seven main factions of the Latter day Saints that scattered in different directions at the time of the succession crisis is provided by wikipedia. I simply numbered them to illustrate how it seems to match the prophecy of Moses. If I were creating the chart, I would be tempted to count the Strangites and the RLDS church as on group and I would insert the Lyman Wight group.)
After giving the prophecy Joseph then helped the saints to fulfill the prophecy of Moses and to flee seven different ways by commissioning multiple people to lead the Saints.
The Saints did flee and scatter with a little help from Joseph.
The purpose of providing information about James Strang and the huge role he played in leading away the majority of the remaining gentiles is obviously not to imply that I believe that he was the legitimate successor of Joseph Smith.
Clearly he was not.
When we study the lives and events surrounding people like David Whitmer and James Strang in light of prophecy, several things begin to materialized-
The gentiles received and rejected the fullness of the gospel between June of 1831 and late 1834
The saints were rejected as a church with their dead in Nauvoo for failing to complete the temple.
The restoration of the gospel of Abraham and the keys to gather Israel marked the time that God remembered his covenant with the House of Israel and began grafting in the those branches into the mother tree. That tribal organization, the preparatory gospel and the Aaronic priesthood was to remain and play an important part when God remembered his covenant with Abraham and the House of Israel and in the ushering in of the Marvelous Work
The converts coming to Nauvoo and later to Utah from foreign lands are referred to as the House of Israel in the Book of Mormon, not as Gentiles.
The sanitized version of the LDS church history has largely been manipulated to down play how many of the Nauvoo Saints chose to not follow Brigham Young and the quorum of the 12.
The vast majority of the early American Gentile converts to Mormonism did not stay with the body of saints that went to Utah. The Utah Saints were mainly composed of illiterate farmers and laborers from Great Britain.
Although many of us that think we are gentiles may be surprised to find out that we are of the House of Israel and visa versa. At the end of the day it really doesn’t matter because the Book of Mormon informs us that there will be some from both groups who repent and receive the greater things.
Nevertheless, it does provide something interesting to consider.
In my personal case, my father was a descendant of Brigham Young through his mother, who would be defined as a gentile according to my interpretation of the Book of Mormon. And yet others on his father’s side came to America from foreign lands after 1836 as a result of the missionary effort.
My mother on the other hand comes from Edward Bunker who would probably be classified as a gentile, but she also is a descendant of from Miles Romney. He and his wife Elizabeth heard Orson Hyde preaching on a street corner in 1837 and were baptized in 1839. They left England in 1841 to join the Saints in Nauvoo.
The family left England in 1841 to gather with the Saints in Nauvoo.
It appears that the Romneys would be classified as House of Israel.
So what would the Book of Mormon classify me as, a Gentile or House of Israel?
It is interesting to note that all religious denominations of Judaism agree that a person may be a Jew either by birth based on Leviticus 24:10. A Jew or member of the House of Israel is a person born to a Jewish mother. (or who is a convert to Judaism)
Happily, the book of Mormon informs us that there will be some among both the Gentiles and the House of Israel that repent when the Marvelous Work begins in the 3rd watch.
The only thing that matters is whether we are ready to repent and accept the fullness of the gospel when the second great work takes place.
I love taking the scriptures literally during the 95%+ time they are intended to be taken literally.
I also love meshing the ancient prophecies with modern prophecies and then connecting the dots to see what things have happened and are happening around us that may not be obvious to the casual observer.
I guess there is a part of me that gets a little satisfaction out of antagonizing people and watching them squirm when a little too much disruptive information is presented to them. This is one of the many flaws I really need to work on. Unfortunately, there are so many that this particular one is not real high on the list of things I need to repent of.
There has been in the church, a growing tension regarding Book of Mormon geography.
Some believe the geography relative to the descendants of Lehi and the events that took place in the Book of Mormon took place in North America.
The majority of the highly educated seem to believe it was South America.
I believe most main stream members of the church have been successfully indoctrinated by the wise and learned in Mormonism to believe that South America is the place.
Such people as Wayne May, the publisher of the Ancient American, a Wisconsin-based magazine and Rod Meldrum of http://www.bookofmormonevidence.org/ the guiding force behind the FIRM Foundation, are considered by many to be heretics, espousing the North America theory.
It is an unfortunate dichotomy that many of the most passionate people with an important story to tell end up needing or wanting to make a profitable enterprise out of their passions. Such has the potential of creating a conflict of interest.
Oh… the love of money!
Several years ago I sent this article entiled “A Mystical Look at the LDS Restoration Movement” to Rod, just as he was in the early part of establishing what has become known as the FIRM foundation.
His response was one of interest and excitement and he commented on how impressed he was with the many references that were provided with my hypothesis.
I could tell the theological part of it was way over his head.
He said he wanted to study it further and get back to me.
I suspect he ran it past his buddy and fellow board member of his new project, Hartman Rector Jr., to get his stamp of approval on some of the disruptive and controversial content provided therein.
Needless to say, I never heard back from Rod…
What I have learned over the years is that many people with an agenda will not cross the line of perceived credibility and politically correct diplomacy.
There is huge social and religious pressure to not cross over the line into too much controversy and to not offend the sensibilities of mainstream members and/or the brethren. That goal is often higher up on the list of priorities than digging deep, deep down to discover and expose the truth at all costs regardless of the collateral damage done to the dearly beloved false traditions of our fathers.
I know of prophecy scholars for example who never acknowledge the latter day apostasy in their writings because they don’t want to alienate members of the church and they don’t want to get in trouble with the brethren.
The problem, of course, is that a prophecy scholar that cannot introduce and expose the latter day apostasy is about as useful as a neutered stud if breeding is the goal.
You simply cannot begin to provide a credible discourse on end times events without understanding and exposing the latter day apostasy, virtually all of the prophecy scriptures are directly or indirectly related to the topic however disruptive and controversial it may be.
And by the way…
If there is no latter day apostasy, there is no need for a last restoration.
If there has been a latter day apostasy, another restoration is mandatory, or we have no hope.
Anyway… enough blabbering for now, the picture below is an illustration of the primary cubed geography of where the New Jerusalem will be located based on Jackson County/ Independence being the center place (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/57/3#3 )and Nauvoo being the cornerstone. (D&C 124: 2, 23, 60, 131.)
I have no idea how or if this relates to the description and dimensions of the holy city provided in Rev 21
Just a little food for thought.
I cannot remember if I have provided this before… if I have … please disregard, dementia is a terrible thing.
Having used the prophecy of Moroni to clarify that a righteous portion of the Gentiles do ultimately repent prior to the second coming of the Lord in glory, let us now go back to the prophecy of Christ in 3rd Nephi.
We shall see that Christ was actually giving a three part sequence in his prophecy, first the Gentiles will reject the gospel, secondly, the fullness of the gospel will be taken from them and the gospel will be taken to the house of Israel… but only the knowledge of the fullness of the gospel will be given to the House of Israel as they are being grafted in.
Third and lastly, a portion of the believing gentiles will repent and become clean before the Lord
As you can see, the prophecy of Christ in 3rd Nephi is totally consistent with the prophecy of Moroni. A portion of believing gentiles will repent when the Marvelous Work commences.
Why is it that Moroni assures us that the gentiles will categorically repent and yet Christ says IF the gentiles repent?
It is because the context of Moroni’s remarks was only referring to the repentant believing gentiles. They, will repent.
Christ was making a broader declaration concerning all of the gentiles in the 3rd watch, realizing that some would repent while others would not when the marvelous work is ushered it.
He understood that the vast majority of the gentiles will reject the gospel when the final restoration takes place. Only a small portion of the gentiles will repent.
The Secret Appearance of Christ,
Moses, Elias and Elijah
The Secret Restoration of the Dispensation
of the Gospel of Abraham
Yes, I believe that Christ’s three part prophecy which is depicted in the image above, is related to the secret appearance of Christ and ministering angels to Joseph and Oliver in the Kirtland Temple.
God was remembering his covenant with the House of Israel when he sent messengers to restore the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham and the keys of gathering Israel.
The restoration of the gospel of Abraham was done secretly allowing a great delusion to take place while resulting in the preparatory gospel being taken to the House of Israel.
This began the grafting in of the House of Israel to the restored gentile church!’
The prophet Mormon also provides an additional witness that just after the Lamanites are scattered by the gentiles, the Lord will remember his covenant with Abraham-
“But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and AFTER they have been driven and scattered by the gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel” (Mormon 5)
The Trail of Tears and related events having to do with the scattering of the Lamanites by the Gentiles began in 1831.
In 1836 Elias came to the Kirtland Temple to restore the “Gospel of Abraham” and Moses came to restore the “keys of the gathering of Israel”.
Can this possibly be a coincidence?
Was God not remembering his covenant with Abraham and with the house of Israel?
Would the real Gentiles please stand up?
I am suggesting that the originating American gentiles from pilgrim stock from England that were instrumental in laying the foundation of the church are not from the same branch of Israel as those who began converting to the church and migrating to America from Great Britain and other foreign lands a decade later during the Nauvoo era.
The American Gentiles from pilgrim stock were primarily from Joseph/Ephraim.
Yet Joseph smith referred to the new converts from foreign lands as the “outcasts of Israel” and the “dispersed of Judah“.
One could make a strong argument that the new converts migrating to Nauvoo from foreign lands from which most current latter days saints descend from, are not even technically referred to as gentiles in the Book of Mormon based on the Saviors statement in 3rd Nephi.
He continued to refer to them as the house of Israel even though they had mingled among the gentiles nations.
Perhaps that is why so many Caucasian members of the church innately despise the gentile once they begin to dig deep into the scriptures even though they falsely assume themselves to be one.
I am suggesting that the early and prominent gentile players in the restoration movement such as the Whitmer family, the Cowdery family, the Luke Johnson family and hundreds of other gentiles descending from pilgrim stock from England, were the gentiles that the Book of Mormon refers to.
They embraced the Book of Mormon but ultimately left the church during the Kirtland, Jackson, Far West and Nauvoo era’s over things pertaining to the fulness.
David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery personify the early originating gentile members of the church.
They continued to bear testimony of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ, but they and the rest of their American gentile brethren stumbled and just couldn’t accept the fullness of the higher light at that particular time.
The baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost were not being manifest abundantly during those trying years.
David Whitmer eventually rejected his own missionary work.
He essentially renounced the validity of the baptisms of tens of thousands of LDS converts that were brought into the church as the direct or indirect result of his missionary efforts and the testimony above his name in the opening cover of the Book of Mormon to this very day.
He rejected his own calling as an apostle.
He rejected the calling of the quorum of the twelve apostles that he and Oliver Cowdery had been instrumental in choosing and ordaining.
He rejected the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood and his own ordination as a high priest.
It was because of his actions and hundreds of others of his gentile brethren, that the Lord announced in section 124 that the fullness of the priesthood had been taken away from the gentiles!
Whitmer is one of the Great men of the Kingdom
Now then, have I been unreasonably hard on brother Whitmer and his fellow gentiles that rejected the fullness in this series?
Not at all.
Why?
Because what I am saying is the truth. I am simply quoting the prophecies of Jesus Christ and acknowledging their fulfillment regarding the preliminary rejection of the fullness of the Gospel by the Gentiles.
Furthermore, I am much kinder in my perception of these founding members of the restored church than most latter day Saints because I accept the unconditional promises that were given to people like David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery.
I am claiming that David Whitmer and Oliver Cowdery and many others of the early gentiles are also the very same gentiles that Moroni prophesied about.
They are also the gentiles that will repent in the 3rd watch.
They REPENT and return to fulfill their callings!
Look at the UNCONDITIONAL promise given to Oliver and David
44 And by your hands I will work a marvelous work among the children of men, unto the convincing of many of their sins, that they may come unto repentance, and that they may come unto the kingdom of my Father.
45 Wherefore, the blessings which I give unto you are above all things.
Holy Cow, David and Oliver will be instrumental (along with others) in bringing to pass the Marvelous Work and a Wonder that is still a future event!
I would submit that David and Oliver have still not completed their callings as witnesses to the Book of Mormon. Perhaps they will witness about additional records as well.
It is because of their final testimony that many of the gentiles in the third watch will REPENT and enter the kingdom of the Father!
During the same month in 1829 that the above revelation was given to David and Oliver, the Lord gives a revelation directed exclusively at David Whitmer.
Are you sitting down?
I hope so because this might just blow your mind.
In it, He commands David Whitmer to seek to bring forth and establish Zion, a task that required the priesthood keys of the kingdom.
In the revelation given to Whitmer, Christ paraphrases his own prophecy in 3rd Nephi, telling David exactly what is going to happen to him and his fellow gentiles. He lets Whitmer know that the fullness of the gospel will be taken from him and his gentile brethren-
1 A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.
2 Behold, I am God; give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my word.
3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
4 Yea, whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God.
5 Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you.
6 Seek to bring forth and establish my Zion. Keep my commandments in all things.
7 And, if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.
8 And it shall come to pass, that if you shall ask the Father in my name, in faith believing, you shall receive the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance, that you may stand as a witness of the things of which you shall both hear and see, and also that you may declare repentance unto this generation.
9 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, a flight which cannot be hid in darkness;
10 Wherefore, I must bring forth the fulness of my gospel from the Gentiles unto the house of Israel.
11 And behold, thou art David, and thou art called to assist; which thing if ye do, and are faithful, ye shall be blessed both spiritually and temporally, and great shall be your reward. Amen. ( section 14)
Undoubtedly, David and many others probably interpreted “bringing the fullness of the gospel FROM the gentiles to the house of Israel” with a positive spin. Meaning that the righteous gentiles who had embraced the fullness of the gospel would then share it with the House of Israel.
It is Obvious four generations later to those of us that have scripture search capabilities that the the Lord was paraphrasing his prophecy in 3rd Nephi and the SPIN was just the opposite of what it appeared to be.
The fullness of the gospel would be taken away from the gentiles because of their rejection of it!
Then the preparatory gospel and the Book of Mormon and D&C containing a description of the fullness of the gospel would be taken by an unsuspecting portion of well meaning Gentiles, to the House of Israel.
Praise God for David and Oliver and others of the gentiles who initially stumbled but have been covered by the grace of Jesus Christ and by the grafting in of the other branches of Israel and by the scapegoat offering of the atonement statute of God’s servants!
They will return and repent and testify.
Now then, was it only those early American gentiles who apostatized in Kirtland that rejected the fullness of the gospel?
NO!
The early gentiles that stayed with the church and went to Nauvoo ALSO rejected the fullness of the gospel.
They also could only embrace a portion of the gospel. This is what section 124:25 was telling the Nauvoo saints. They had failed to retain the fullness!
The entire church failed to embrace the fullness of the gospel in the 2nd watch and the fullness of the gospel was taken from all of them.
The issue was’t just whether a person stayed in the church or not, it was whether they lived the law of the gospel contained in section 42 and magnified the office of high priest which was restored at the Morley Farm and established Zion.
The entire gentile church collectively rejected the fullness of the gospel.
Now then, you might be surprised to find out that as the remaining portion of the early gentiles from the Kirtland church mingled with the converts to the church that began pouring into Nauvoo from foreign lands, who were being graphed into the church, that something very fascinating took place when the great succession debate took place.
There is evidence to suggest that 90% of the early Kirtland saints that followed Joseph Smith to Nauvoo rejected Brigham Young and the 12 and refused to follow them to Utah.
The primary demographic that followed Brigham were the new converts. The poor farmers and laborers from foreign lands who were still babes in the gospel. Many were illiterate. Most did not own a copy of the Book of Mormon or D&C.
If you were not seasoned in the scriptures and had just come over to the promised land, who would you follow? If you had been converted to the gospel by the preaching of one of the 12 or their assistance and then you were forced to put your trust in the one group of men or another, would it not be the apostles that you had come to love and trust?
Listen to the statement of Brigham Young that was being directed to those who could not really think for themselves-
“You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without apostles..” Times and Seasons 5:618
Those words would calculated to appeal to the new converts that had not yet been weaned from the breast.
They would not have been very impressive to the seasoned leadership of the church who understood that the 12 were not even allowed to preside in stakes!
It was primarily the branches of the House of Israel from foreign lands that were being graphed into the restored church that had embraced the preparatory gospel of Abraham, that chose to follow Brigham Young and the quorum of the 12 to Utah… and then continued taking it to the nations of the earth.
Few things Stranger than Strang
This brings us back to the mysterious character in the picture at the beginning of this series.
Truth is often stranger than fiction. And so it is with the life of James Jesse Strang, our mystery guy in the picture at the beginning of this article.
If you agree with him concerning his view that Joseph should not have restored the office of apostle to the earth, then you are on a slippery slope and ultimately, you may end up concluding that the other things he taught were true as well.
He has rejected many of the most important revelations that Joseph Smith received.
In fact, since virtually all of the canonized revelations have to do with the restored church, church protocol, gospel law, the establishment of Zion and priesthood keys, you would need to reject virtually all of the revelations in the D&C. Are you prepared to do that?
Here is a passage from section 84 given in September of 1832 being directed to the first laborers of the last kingdom that had been ordained High Priests.
62 Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature.
63 And as I said unto mine apostles, even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even God’s high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me; ye are my friends;
64 Therefore, as I said unto mine apostles I say unto you again, that every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost
Needless to say, Whitmer rejected section 84 as a valid revelation from God didn’t he?
The Lord would never have made that declaration before June of 1831 because the office of High Priest had not been restored at the Morley Farm by then.
I’m sorry that David Whitmer lost faith in the greater part of the restoration movement of the 1820′s and 30′s, and was only able to testify of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, but I firmly believe that section 84 and other sections of the D&C are inspired and true.
If ever there was a true revelation from God, it would be section 84.
The modern revelations are true, even if Whitmer needed to reject them to keep his sanity.
Ironically, the Lord was addressing the leaders of the church when he gave the following warning in that same section of scripture-
your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—
55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
56 And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—
58 That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion.
As you can see, the Lord was upset with David Whitmer and many of the other early leaders of the church for taking the “former commandments” lightly… such as to live consecration, redeem Zion and to magnify their priesthood as an Apostle and a High Priest until they become clean and see the face of God, etc.
You see, David Whitmer’s hindsight observations led him to conclude that the spiritual phenomena and restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood at the special conference at the Morley Farm was all a deception. (If you are not familiar with the special conference at the Morley Farm you have missed out on the foundational and pivotal event that explains the context behind every section in the D&C from section 38 to 133. please click here to view the other half of LDS history that you have missed out on)
Whitmer had been doing missionary work for about two years BEFORE the Lord revealed that a special endowment of greater priesthood was now going to be bestowed at a special conference at the Morley Farm.
The announcement made in section 44 and other comments from Joseph Smith about the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood perplexed David because he had previously assumed that the priesthood that he had been ordained with, that was restored by Peter James and John, was the highest priesthood there was.
When Joseph announced that the highest Melchizedek priesthood was restored for the first time in June of 1831 at the Morley farm, David and others were confused. It seemed like a contradiction to them because these brethren already thought they had the highest priesthood, from Peter James and John.
One thing led to another and eventually Whitmer and a group of other saints dissented.
They even tried to form a new church in Kirtland that failed. A few years later Whitmer tried again, unsuccessfully.
The reason I am spotlighting David Whitmer is not just because his views are often quoted and embraced by those who are trying to figure things out, it is because his views are representative of most of the gentile converts who apostatized during the early Kirtland era.
Did you realize that, according to some historians, nearly 50% of the gentile members of the church in Kirtland apostatized and left the Church between 1831 and 1839? About 30% of the leaders did as well.
Most of these people had similar doubts and issues that David had.
Many of the saints that left the church still believed the Book of Mormon just like David and Oliver did, they simply could not accept the fulness of all of the other things that Joseph was revealing and restoring.
As mentioned in previous posts, the real problem had to do with the tares being mingled among the wheat, making it impossible for the collective body of Christ to accomplish what they needed to. The spiritual gifts were therefore largely withheld.
David Whitmer and the early gentiles who apostatized in Kirtland were literally fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus Christ revealing that the gentiles would reject the fullness of the gospel.
Initially David went with the flow and allowed himself to be ordained a High Priest.
He even accepted his calling to go on a mission on the way to Jackson County. He then became the president of the church in Zion during the failed attempt to redeem Zion.
But after the discouraging attempt to redeem Zion, he had his falling out with Joseph and eventually rejected the whole experienced as a deception.
His soul became cankered toward the Seer and the Spokesman even while remaining true to his testimony of the Book of Mormon.
His mind became darkened against the work of God just as the Lord had indicated in section 84.
If you accept these same teachings of David Whitmer, how can your state of mind be any different than the darkened state of mind that David had?
It is difficult to understand exactly what all of David’s issues were at first.
We do know that he was among the twenty three originally ordained high priests.
We also know that he and most of the other high priests failed to see the face of God, which was promised to all of those who became pure before God.
That was a very difficult thing for many of them.
It was difficult to see people like Lyman Wight having the heavens opened and seeing the father and the Son while most of the quorum of High Priests struggled.
Jealousies crept into the church.
We also know that he felt highly threatened and jealous of the new-comer Sidney Rigdon who was getting much more adoration from the membership than the three witnesses to the book of Mormon and the other originating elders of the church.
The revelation to Sidney in section 35 was unbelievably gushing with incredible future promises and validation of Rigdon’s previous ministry.
David seemed to see Sidney as the cause of many of the problems in the church.
He claimed that Sidney had an unhealthy influence on Joseph and blamed the introduction of the various priesthoods into the church on Sidney.
Whatever the reasons, David eventually rebelled at the teaching that the church and the priesthoods had been restored.
He eventually found himself teaching that the only commandment that God had given Joseph Smith was to translate the Book of Mormon.
Yes, that is right, if you have decided to side doctrinally with David Whitmer, you may as well burn your doctrine and covenants because David rejected virtually everything of importance in it from the restoration of the church to the restoration of all three priesthoods, to the commandment to redeem Zion.
Years ago when I first read An Address to all believers in the Book of Mormon, I began to see the logic of what Whitmer was saying and I could see how people could be seduced into believing that Joseph should have been limited to just translating the Book of Mormon.
I had to reread many of the incredible, light filled revelations in the D&C to jolt myself back into the realization that Whitmer’s mind had been darkened and was denying modern revelation.
Think about the ramifications of what Whitmer was teaching!
He rejected the articles of the church in section 20 and the law of the gospel given in section 42. These were the two revelations that he and others of the early missionaries took with them during the first missionary campaigns.
He rejected section 29 containing the great secret of how the elect will be gathered BEFORE the wrath of God hits.
He rejected section 35 regarding the Rigdon ministry that Joseph and Oliver brought to light and the future calling of Rigdon.
He rejected section 38 regarding the commandment for the church to go to Kirtland to get the law of the gospel.
Section 43 on the law of succession,
45 containing invaluable insight on Matthew 24, section
59 revealing that Sunday is the true day of worship, section
64 prophesying that Kirtland only would be a stronghold for five more years and that the appointed time for the redemption of Zion would expire on September 11th 1836, the prophetic dream known as section
65 revealing that the keys of the Kingdom would need to be restored again to man on the earth,
76 revealing the plan of salvation and the three degrees of glory, section
84 revealing amazing things about the priesthood,
88 revealing how the first elders of the last kingdom would be called again to go forth for the last time and how the sequence of things would take place in the last generation of time,
93 on the eternal nature of light and the spirit of truth, etc,
01 and 103 providing the parable of the redemptions of Zion and how that would take place, etc. etc. etc.
The list goes on and one… he rejected all of the great infusions of light coming forth from Gods latter day prophet!
Again, I am spotlighting the views of David Whitmer not because I want to pick on him, rather, because he is really the poster child of the latter day gentile apostasy that Christ prophesied about..
Many of the views of David Whitmer were the personification of most of the other early gentiles who left the church.
Nearly 50% of the gentile Church apostatized in Kirtland because they ultimately decided they could not accept the further light, knowledge and priesthood keys that followed the translation of the Book of Mormon, let alone consecration.
These gentiles were fulfilling the prophecy given by Christ in 3rd Nephi!
They were accepting the Book of Mormon and parts of the gospel, but they were rejecting the fullness of the gospel!
This is why there were so few documented events pertaining to the full baptism of water, fire and Holy Ghost during the 15 year ministry of the prophet Joseph Smith. The gentiles just could not embrace the fullness.
It is the same David Whitmer mindset along with many misinterpreted passages of scripture in the Book of Mormon that has infected many LDS seekers who don’t know how to interpret the string of failures in the restored church and the awful situation the restored church finds itself in today!
Why is it that so many people begin to embrace the teachings of David Whitmer after they begin to realize that the church is in apostasy?
In part, it is because they misinterpret many of the passages in the Book of Mormon.
Do the Gentiles Reject or Accept the Gospel?
I want to review two sets of passages in the book of Mormon that initially appear to contradict each other.
After one realizes that they are referring to two separate and distinct events, that take place in two different and distinct time periods, it all makes sense.
However it is common to get the chronology of these events backwards.
I am going to review these two passages in an effort to highlight what I think is a large part of the disconnect is, with people who turn against the gentiles.
Many of them refuse to believe that the Marvelous Work is yet a future event. If they get the chronology of events wrong, it is easy to see why they reject the Marvelous Work as a future event.
The Gentiles will REPENT and ACCEPT the fullness of the Gospel
The following passage tells us that in the latter days the gentiles will repent and accept the fullness of the gospel-
Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared. Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up.. For the Lord said unto me: They [the sealed portion] shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
The gentiles will REJECT the fullness fo the gospel
This passage indicates that he gentiles will reject the fullness of the gospel-
” At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations… I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.
Ok, so which passage is correct?
Do the latter day gentiles sin against the gospel as prophesied by Christ in 3rd Nephi or do they repent and become clean before the Lord and accept the fullness of the gospel as prophesied by Moroni in the book of Ether?
The obvious answer to this is that both prophetic statements are true.
They simply speak of different events that take place at different times in the last days.
It is true that the latter day gentiles do collectively sin and reject the fullness of the gospel AND it is true that the righteous among the latter day gentiles eventually repent and accept the fullness of the gospel and become clean before the Lord.
The real issue to be addressed, is, which prophetic event comes first, the repentance or the apostasy?
Many Mormons have been conditioned to assume that the repenting of the gentiles took place at the time Joseph Smith restored the church and that the ultimate rejection of the gentiles is something that eventually takes place sometime before the second coming.
In other words, the church begins as a righteous organization that successfully embraces the fullness of the Gospel with very few if any real problems and then, through the process of many generations, it eventually rejects the gospel.
Hence, many people are looking critically at the church right now wondering if they have rejected the fullness of the gospel yet, fulfilling the prophecy given by Christ.
This is why most Mormons think we have been in the dispensation of the fullness of times ever since the restoration of the church four generations ago and that the next phase will be the “fullness of the gentiles” when they think the gentiles will finally reject the fullness of the gospel.
This is incorrect!!!!!
A careful analysis of the passages above will verify that the true sequence is actually reversed!
The first event was not the repentance of the gentiles; it was their rejection of the fullness of the gospel back at the time of Joseph Smith.
The second event that takes place among the believing gentiles, just prior to the second coming is not apostasy, it is repentance and redemption. (yes it is true that the unbelieving gentiles will reject it, but the believing ones repent!)
Notice how the passages from Christ in 3rd Nephi associate the rejection of the gospel with the time that the gentile nation smites and afflicts and slays the descendants of Lehi-
9 And because of the mercies of the Father unto the Gentiles, and also the judgments of the Father upon my people who are of the house of Israel, verily, verily, I say unto you, that after all this, and I have caused my people who are of the house of Israel to be smitten, and to be afflicted, and to be slain, and to be cast out from among them, and to become hated by them, and to become a hiss and a byword among them—
10 And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.
11 And then will I remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel unto them. [as show in previous posts, this was fulfilled shortly after the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham was restored in 1836]
As you can see, “That day” when the gentiles reject the fullness of the gospel is NOT referring to the last generation of time spoken of in Matthew 24, it is speaking of a previous time, when the book of Mormon first comes forth.
It is speaking about a time when the descendants of Lehi are smitten and afflicted by the gentiles in the 1830-40′s. (trail of tears, etc.)
The affliction of the descendants of Lehi happened primarily during the LDS restoration movement.
It is also speaking of a time when the restored church begins a new missionary effort to the house of Israel after the Lord remembers the covenant of Abraham that he had previously made with his people in Old Testament times!
Ok, now let’s look closer at the words of Moroni-
The Gentiles will repent and accept the fullness of the Gospel
4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They [the greater things in the sealed portion] shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
8 And he that will contend against the word of the Lord, let him be accursed; and he that shall deny these things, let him be accursed; for unto them will I show no greater things, saith Jesus Christ; for I am he who speaketh.
Clearly, the time when the gentiles finally repent is not when the unsealed portion of the Book of Mormon came forth four generations ago, but rather it will be when the sealed portion comes forth in the future!
As you can see, the prophecy made by Christ and the prophecy made by Moroni do not contradict each other, they simply speak of two different events that take place at two different times.
In fact they provide the proper sequence of events pertaining to the role of the latter day gentiles.
First, in the 2nd watch, the restored church would bring forth a portion of the record of the Nephites and then collectively stumble and ultimately reject the fullness of the gospel.
This would necessitate that something new be done for the salvation of the church.
Hence, the restoration of the gospel of Abraham (as documented in section 110) then the commission to take the preparatory gospel to the nations of the world (as documented in the words of Joseph Smith and also section 112).
This made possible the grafting in of additional branches of the house of Israel from foreign nations to keep the tree alive as revealed in the parable in Jacob.
Many generations later in the 3d watch, the Lord would do a Marvelous Work and a Wonder among the gentiles in the 3rd watch and the righteous gentiles will repent and become clean.
Now for the rest of the story regarding the identity of
The Gentiles and the House of Israel
Back in 1989 Dallin H. Oaks gave a talk entitled “Alternate Voices,” (Ensign, May 1989, 27)
In it he warned the members of the church to beware of those who speak about gospel topics who do not have the authority to do so.
“My remarks will refer to those voices that speak of God, of his commandments, and of the doctrines, ordinances, and practices of his church. Some of those who speak on these subjects have been called and given divine authority to do so. Others, whom I choose to call alternate voices, speak on these subjects without calling or authority.”
Of course the main purpose of the talk was to do damage control since Sunstone and other symposiums and publications were raising controversial issues and waking people up about church history and the original gospel taught in the early church history and in the scriptures.
Some issues were being raised by intellectuals from academia while others were being raised by LDS fundamentalists and renegade historians.
Since that time I am happy to observe that there have been many new alternate voices that have educated Mormons and challenged them to search church history and the scriptures.
I think that agency is very important and I think those that have inquiring minds have a right to seek out additional information and to share their views of history and the gospel with others.
The internet has changed the world and it has certainly changed the world of Mormonism.
Information is being rediscovered and disseminated at a rapid pace and it is creating indigestion for a lot people in high places.
There are numerous bloggers out there that I enjoy reading from time to time that do a great job of exposing the apostasy of the latter day church.
It seems like more and more of these types of blogs are popping up all the time.
I believe this is a sign of the times.
There is a lot of good that comes out of these types of blogs and there is a lot of bad as well.
More and more people are waking up to the fact that all in not well in Zion.
That is good.
Most of these alternate voices focus on the PROBLEM (apostasy of the latter day church) and only talk about the obvious signs that the church is in apostasy, and do not reveal the SOLUTION (how the redemption of the latter day church and the establishment of Zion is going to take place).
Most of these alternate voices do not discuss how the Lord is going to bring the believing gentiles out of apostasy and redeem Zion. Some of them still assume the church still holds all of the keys Joseph Smith held despite the countless problems that are discussed.
Many of these sites end up leaving their readers in a state of confusion and despair because they only harp on the awful state that we are in.
Often times the result of these blogs on the readers is the loss of testimony in the gospel, the latter day work, the calling of Joseph Smith, and in Gods word.
Many of these sites point their readers down what the Book of Mormon refers to as forbidden paths by promoting false doctrines, rather than hanging on to the iron rod.
The problem, in my opinion with only harping on the apostasy is that even though it gives many readers an “ah hah” moment and helps them wake up and understand the insanity being experienced in the corporate church, it leaves many readers in a state of confusion and anger and despair regarding the state of Gods people and their own salvation.
This makes lots of people ripe for entering into forbidden paths.
But it is all good.
Everyone with a voice has a calling.
For some it is to spread a little light and ultimately point people on the right path.
For others it is to spread a little light and ultimately point people into a forbidden path.
It is all part of the program, those who are the elect will ultimately make it through the maze, they will know the voice of God’s servants when the Marvelous Work begins.
In addition to those who blog about the apostasy, there are those at the other extreme who continue the myth that leaders and members of the restored church continue to have the heavens opened and enjoy direct communion with God and receive the second comforter despite the fact that we as a individuals and collectively as a people have been rejected as a church and have failed to keep the law of the gospel, have not sacrificed all things, (which is required before one can receive their calling and election), and we no longer have the keys of the kingdom on the earth.
Joseph Smith taught that a man cannot have his calling and election, or the second comforter until AFTER they have been thoroughly tested-
“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.“
What does it mean to be thoroughly tested?
According to Lectures on faith, it means you have to sacrifice all things-
“A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 69).
There is no bypassing the system. You cannot have your calling and election made sure at this time on the earth without doing what all of the great prophets have done. You must consecrate and sacrifice all things.
Those of us living during these times of hidden darkness kid ourselves if we assume that we have sacrificed all things for the Lord or even come close to making the sacrifices that some of the early saints of the restoration movement have made.
I believe the people of this generation who think they have made great sacrifices for the Lord deceive themselves. I am skeptical that there are members of the latter day church that have sacrificed all things and made their calling and election sure.
Indeed, if there are such people then indeed the many evidences I have provided of the last restoration of the gospel would be invalid since there would clearly be know need for a gospel restoration if people are still getting their calling and election made sure.
We as a people have miserably failed to live consecration.
If someone in this day in age of our generation is claiming to have had their calling and election made sure and is now claiming that they are receiving the second comforter, I believe they are either deceived or they are intentionally deceiving others. Most of the alternate voice that come along making these claims are pretty easy to spot by some of the false doctrines they teach.
Even if they have not directly made that claim and have been misunderstood by their followers but they knowingly allow their followers to continue thinking that they have had their calling and election made sure, their motives are suspect and they are dangerous people in my opinion. I am very skeptical of those kinds of people.
Nevertheless, they have an important calling, to weed out those who don’t know the voice of the Master.
Along the same lines, although Presidents of the Church from Brigham Young to the present time have clearly not been claiming to be parting the veil and communicating directly with God, but the fact that some of them have knowing allowed the gullible among the saints to assume they continuously communed directly with God, is, in my opinion, a very serious sin of omission. I don’t think God condones this practice.
The doctrine of the Three Watches exposes the fact that we live in deceptive times when the fulness of the gospel appears to be on the earth to those who have not been weened from the breast in their gospel study. The scriptures refer to this time that we are living in as a time of “hidden darkness”
The Book of Mormon explains that after the fulness of the gospel is taken from the Gentiles, the house of Israel simply comes to a knowledge of the fulness of the gospel, but do not receive the fulness.
If indeed we do not currently have the fulness of the gospel, how can people personally receive of the fulness of the gifts of God?
Although we live in times of darkness, we are deluded into thinking we live in times of great light. Many of us rationalize that the fulness of the gospel is still on the earth even though virtually all of the gifts of the spirit and the baptism of fire is never truly being experienced by anyone.
I have pondered long and hard about why I and a few others have been ineffectual in teaching the third watch doctrine.
Although I concede that I have probably not done a very good job, I have come to the conclusion that the issue is much deeper than my shortcomings in articulating this doctrine.
I am not overly concerned however because the Lord tells us he can do his own work.
The Gentiles are Destined to Fail Virus
Another outgrowth of this situation is that many of the alternate voices who are warning about the latter day apostasy seem to have turned against the latter day gentiles.
They interpret the scriptures with a huge bias against the role of the gentiles and against the eventual outcome of the gentiles.
It is becoming more common to hear certain groups of people make disparaging remarks about the role and outcome of the gentiles in the last days.
Categorical statements to the effect that “we gentiles are in big trouble”, and “the gentiles will reject the fullness of the gospel” and “the Lord will raise up another people since the the gentiles will reject the fullness of the gospel”, etc. seem to keep popping up with frequent regularity.
Related to this phenomenon is their embracing of the Book of Mormon while rejecting modern revelation… or at least, having a clear preference to the Book of Mormon over modern revelation whenever they appear to differ on doctrinal issues.
One of the common signs of this infectious attitude is that many of these bloggers spend most of their time reading and quoting from the Book of Mormon almost exclusively instead of including and giving preference to the modern revelations directed at the latter day gentiles.
In fact, they often seem to hold the modern revelations in contempt because of their inability to reconcile several of the apparent discrepancies between the D&C and the Book of Mormon depictions of the gospel and the church.
Any time protocol or doctrine seems to differ a little between that which is contained in the Book of Mormon and modern revelation, they seem to default to the Book of Mormon as their guide.
Again, although this virus sends people on forbidden paths, it is all good. It all leads to the eventual separation that takes place when the Marvelous Work takes place.
David Whitmer- The Poster Child for the Gentiles
I was reading a recent blog in which the author was emphasizing that those ordained by Christ in 3rd Nephi with priesthood power were called disciples instead of apostles.
He then deemed it important to acknowledge that David Whitmer questioned whether the office of apostle should ever have been restored..
Of course the blogger did not come out and blatantly commit himself on the issue one way or the other, but the fact that he referenced Whitmer and couched his remarks the way he did, it was obvious how he felt.
He is typical of those that have been inflicted with the “Gentiles are Destined to Fail Virus”.
He has begun to question many things that took place in the initial establishment of the church.
He noted that the 12 who were chosen in 3rd Nephi were consistently referred to as “disciples” and claimed that there isn’t a single apostle in the Book of Mormon record.
Actually the Book of Mormon does in fact acknowledge the office of apostle and reveals the fact that the 12 in Jerusalem will return in the 3rd watch.
I suppose what he really must have meant, is that there is not a single person who was called to the office of apostle when Christ visited the Nephites.
It is indeed significant that the Book of Mormon makes the distinction between the calling of the 12 disciples vs the calling of 12 apostles.
Obviously, the 12 apostles in Jerusalem had been commissioned to take the gospel to the entire world while the disciples in the Book of Mormon appear to be somewhat more directed toward serving the descendants of Lehi.
Additionally, the 12 apostles had been commissioned to pass their apostolic administrative keys of the kingdom to the gentiles, not the Nephites.
As we have discussed in several posts, the gentiles have been given the administrative responsibility over all of the tribes of Israel.
This is why Joseph Smith and his associates who have been “identified with the gentiles” (D&C 109:60) were given the keys of the kingdom and the mandate to take the gospel to the whole world.
This is why remnants of Israel are carried on the shoulders of the gentiles in the last days.
This is why the Book of Mormon points out that the gentiles have care for the house of Israel.
“And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come.” Morm. 5: 10
This is why the two administrative gifts of the spirit are given to the gentiles but withheld from the House of Israel.
As you can see, it is the gentiles and not the House of Israel that have been given the spiritual gifts of understanding the differences of administration and to know the diversities of operations and whether they be of God.
The implication that the restored church should not have modern apostles based on the fact that the Book of Mormon 12 were called disciples is shaky at best.
To further establish the point via the words of David WHitmer is, simply ridiculous.
I have noticed that it has become increasingly fashionable to quote from David Whitmer among some of those who are waking up to the problems in the latter day church and digging into history.
I love and admire David Whitmer as much as the next guy and I quote from him from time to time to illustrate what the early gentiles were going through and thinking, but I have challenged much of the false doctrine he taught after he became disaffected from Joseph Smith and the church.
I consider his teachings after he left the church to be less than credible. I do not consider them to be a good reason for throwing out the modern day calling of apostles.
In it he throws out the baby with the bathwater by denying virtually everything that Joseph Smith was called to do except for the translation of the Book of Mormon.
I believe all serious students of the restoration should read it.
However, before you read it, you should have a little historical context so that they can see the errors in the things he taught.
Please note that he did not publish this thesis until 1887 many many years after he had humiliated himself by personally trying to start his own church two separate times.
After his falling out with Joseph Smith, and eventually, many years after the martyrdom, David Whitmer deduced that Joseph had been deceived and that he had never been commissioned to restore the church and priesthoods.
I want to spend a little time focusing on Whitmer because understanding his plight contains the key to unlocking some incredible information regarding some prophesies about the gentiles.
Whitmer must have felt a burden and perhaps some guilt knowing that he would be accountable before God for his testimony of the Book of Mormon and, in later years, he must have felt awful about how flaky his life looked to the world with the breaking up of the restored church and his own two failures in starting his own church.
It was in the above mentioned document that David Whitmer taught that God never commissioned Joseph Smith to restore the office of apostle or the office of High Priest, or any priesthood at all..
He even claims that Joseph was never commissioned to restore the church.
The Second Great Work
It is easy to see how Brother Whitmer arrived at some of his conclusions. After all, he knew that the Book of Mormon was true, but he participated in a disastrous attempt to organize Gods kingdom and establish Zion. He had been the president of the church in Zion during that failed attempt.
As he looked at the many failures of the restoration movement and all of the splinter groups that sprang forth from the cause he had been involved in, it was obvious to him that all of them had taken forbidden paths.
He must have felt extreme pressure to stand faithful as a witness of the Book of Mormon despite the failure of the saints to live up to the callings and commandments in modern revelation.
Possibly the only explanation he could arrive at was that Joseph had simply been deceived and gotten ahead of himself.
Whitmer was quite aware of many of the third watch references in the Book of Mormon. It appears that he understood that the Marvelous Work was to be a future event because he taught that there was going to be A SECOND GREAT WORK like the one Joseph did.
That would be another reason for his deduction that Joseph got ahead of himself in doing some of the things he did.
Here is what Whitmer said about the future work-
The following excerpts are taken from an interview with David Whitmer.
It was published in the Deseret News on August 16 1878;
Q- When will the temple be built? (referring to Jackson County Temple)
A- Right after the great tribulation is over.
Q- What do you mean by that? A- A civil war more bloody and cruel than the rebellion. (first civil war) It will be a smashing up of this nation, about which time the SECOND GREAT WORK has to be done, a work like Joseph did, and the translation of the sealed plates, and peace all over.”
One has to give him credit for understanding that there is to be one more last great work.
Few Latter day Saints understand that!
Nevertheless, Whitmer’s mind had become darkened and he and his fellow gentiles rejected the fullness that was being offered during the Kirtland years.
Those who embrace the false doctrines that Whitmer taught as a credible light in understanding the events of the LDS restoration movement would do well to remember that he not only rejected the restoration of the office of apostle, he rejected the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood and the calling of High Priest.
Now then, why do I take issue with these beliefs taught by David Whitmer?
In my early days of the church I used to believe the Brigham Young definition of the term gentile.
He referred to non-members of the church as gentiles and members of the church as Israel.
Years later after studying the Book of Mormon much deeper I realized that the Book of Mormon refers to the non-indian, Caucasians who rejected the Book of Mormon at the time when it came forth, as the unbelieving of the Gentiles while referring to those who accepted it, at the time it came forth, as the believing gentiles.
Because of this I have assumed that the book of Mormon use of the term gentile always includes all Caucasian people living in America during the time of Joseph Smith to the present.
I have now come to believe that is not the case.
In fact, I now believe that most Latter day Saints living in 2010 are NOT gentiles according to Book of Mormon theology.
In 1836 the Savior, Moses, Elias and Elijah came to the Kirtland Temple in secret.
During this time the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham was restored to the earth along with the keys of the gathering of Israel.
This event initiated the establishment of foreign missions and a worldwide missionary movement.
It also represented the beginning of the grafting in of the natural branches of Israel into the restored church.
This event which is currently documented in section 110 of the D&C, was intentionally kept secret from the Kirtland latter day Saints who had sacrificed so much to build the temple.
Only Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Oliver’s brother who recorded the event in a journal appear to have known about it during the 15 year public ministry of Joseph Smith.
It does not appear that the event was ever mentioned publically during the life of Joseph Smith.
Many years after the appearance of the Savior, Elijah and Elias, Joseph Smith even gave a discourse entitled Elias, Elijah and Messiah. Yet in this Nauvoo sermon he made no mention of the appearance of Elias, Elijah and Messiah that had taken place previously in the Kirtland Temple.
Although the Lord apparently did not want the Latter day Saints living at that time to know about the event when it took place, it also appears that the Lord did want the Latter Day Saints to know about it at a later time.
It appears he also eventually wanted some of us to understand the deep hidden significance of that event.
I have felt for a long time that there must be a very significant secret meaning behind what took place in section 110 and I have wondered why the Lord wanted it kept secret initially.
I have also been curious to know why He did want it known by future generations.
It has only been within the last year or two that I have begun to more fully understand the deeper meaning of that event.
Although this article is going to be lengthy and will cover several topics, one of the primary things I am going to suggest is that the restoration of the gospel of Abraham and the keys of the gathering of Israel, and the taking of the gospel to the nations of the world that began in 1836-1838, represented the literal fulfillment of the following prophecy that Christ gave in 3rd Nephi.
“I will remember my covenant which I have made unto my people, O house of Israel, and I will bring my gospel to them” (3 Nephi 16:10)
If my supposition is correct, it proves that the rejection of the gospel by the gentiles did in fact take place in Kirtland before the foreign missions were established and it proves that the foreign converts that began migrating to Nauvoo and eventually to Utah, along with the majority of latter day saints today are referred to in the Book of Mormon as the House of Israel, NOT gentiles.
Because this article is lengthy, I am going to make a short series out of it.
If you find the topic and first part of this series intriguing, you might enjoy the remaining portions of this series.
Reconnecting with Forgotten Personalities of the Past
I then informed them that they were looking at one of the most amazing figures of the LDS foundation movement.
That is the look a person has that has been enraptured in the celestial burnings of the baptism of fire. Few people in religious history have claimed to see the Father and the Son, but he is one of them.
Hopefully you read the article and familiarized yourself with him. He is one of the first laborers of the last kingdom and he is coming back to play a key role in the Marvelous Work and a Wonder.
I believe he will be a major player in the last generation of mortal probation.
I now want to show you a picture of another historical personality that has largely been forgotten by Latter day Saints.
This guy also played a huge role in the LDS restoration movement-
Do you recognize him?
He is another guy besides Lyman Wight that led a large group of saints from Nauvoo to establish a stake of Zion.
It is curious that Joseph commissioned two separate people to lead a group of saints away from Nauvoo to establish stakes of Zion just before his martyrdom.
If you are a card carrying main stream member of the LDS church there is a good chance you don’t have a clue who he is..
..which is odd, since he was the prophet seer and revelator of the largest group of the latter day saints for many years following the martyrdom.
It is amazing how many significant people have been trivialized or completely written out of the sanitized version of the history of the church!
Would you be surprised if I told you that more latter day saints followed him after the martyrdom of Joseph smith than Brigham Young?
More significantly, what if I told you that more of the seasoned, early gentile members of the church from the Kirtland days followed him than Brigham Young?
Hard to believe that the Saints who had intimately known Joseph Smith for over a decade, who had years to study the Book of Mormon and the modern revelations and were more exercised in the gospel than the new converts coming from great Britain, would follow this nobody rather than to follow Brigham Young and the majority of the quorum of the twelve don’t you think?
What if I told you that the man in the above picture was a recent convert who had only been a member of the church for a short period of time when he was commissioned by Joseph Smith to establish a stake of Zion?
He had not held any significant positions in the church when the prophet Joseph Smith was martyred and yet he “was supported by all of the family of Joseph Smith” as the successor to Joseph Smith!
“He was joined by the mother, wife, and three sisters of Joseph Smith. He was sustained by the only surviving brother of Joseph Smith, and his brothers-in-law. He was believed by all of the living Book of Mormon witnesses, except one who was no longer a member of the church.”
What if I told you that the majority of the “free-thinkers, the intellectuals, and the leaders of the church” followed this guy instead of Brigham Young?
Would it surprise you to find out that ” Many of the significant writers, publishers, and editors from the early church sustained” him rather than Brigham Young?
This “included a dozen people that wrote what are now rare books or other imprints from the Joseph Smith period, and four who edited church-sanctioned newspapers. Five people joined who had authored separate hymn books under Joseph Smith. The artists, including the only two artists to paint Joseph Smith from life, and the only photographer of the intact Nauvoo temple, also associated with him…
The brightest and most capable people in the church” chose to follow the fellow above.
The people who followed Brigham Young were largely illiterate farmers and laborers from Great Britain where the twelve apostles had converted them, and only a small fraction of the church emigrated to Utah with Brigham Young in 1847. There were not enough copies of the Doctrine and Covenants printed before Joseph Smith was killed in 1844, that there was only one copy per one hundred members. So whether they could read or not, most members could not study the revelations on succession.
Those that could, tended to believe” this new comer, “rather than blindly follow a familiar person.”
The “church was larger under” the above person “when he was killed in 1856 than at any other time since 1844.”
It is amazing how many of the leaders of the church in Nauvoo accepted him as the successor of Joseph Smith instead of Brigham Young-
The man in the above picture “was sustained as prophet by two other members of the first presidency, three members of the quorum of twelve, five presidents of the seventies, the president of the high priests quorum and his counselor, four men in presidencies of elders quorums, the president of the priests quorum, and eight bishops at the largest church locations including the bishop over the whole church, the patriarch over the whole church, and seven members of major stake presidencies including the Nauvoo stake president and the Kirtland stake president.
He was also sustained by the presidents of the largest branches of the church, including Boston, Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia.” The mystery person in the above picture “was believed by at least seventeen people who were personally addressed by name in the Doctrine and Covenants.”
For the record, I am not making any of the above claims.
This guy is-
Although I find some of his claims to be a bit exaggerated or embellished, nevertheless, there is enough credible information available to take many of the above claims seriously.
His name is John Hajicek.
I met him many years ago at a Sunstone convention in Salt Lake.
He is a fascinating personality.
He is a very successful and wealthy entrepreneur who happens to own the largest collection of LDS historical documents in the world.
He also claims to be a real-life living apostle of Jesus Christ who was ordained through a priesthood line that comes directly from Joseph Smith and the mystery guy in the picture.
We’ll get back to the mysterious guy in the picture, from whom Mr Hajicek derives his apostolic authority later in this series, by now you probably know who I am talking about.
But first I want to cover a few other topics to show why the mysterious guy is so significant.
In the first part of this series we reviewed the five parts of the early history of the church and how the two higher priesthoods (Patriarchal and Melchizedek) were taken from the earth while the lesser priesthood (Aaronic) remained.
In the second post, we discussed how the Aaronic Priesthood keys to the ministering of angels constituted the priesthood keys necessary for ushering in the dispensation of the fullness of times in the 3rd watch.
We reviewed the amazing prophecy that Joseph Smith gave in Nauvoo in 1840 explaining in unquestionable detail how the parable of the redemption of Zion in section 101 was referring to a future event in Nauvoo.
It was not referring to the earlier years in Jackson County nor did it have to do with the failed Zions Camp fiasco.
It was referring to the future commandment to build the Nauvoo Temple and the eventual failure to complete it.
His prophecy foretold that the Nauvoo Temple would be the literal fulfillment of the TOWER in the parable and that it would not be completed during the 2nd watch, and that the Saints would be scattered by the ENEMY.
The parables in section 101 and in Jacob both assure us that the servants will return and be victorious in the 3rd watch.
Notwithstanding this amazing prophecy by the latter day Seer, and the fulfillment of it down to every detail in the parable, many LDS histories and lesson manuals fail to acknowledge this incredible prophecy and its implications and they associate the parable in section 101 with the failure to build the temple in Jackson county back in the 1830′s, even though the foundation of the Jackson County Temple was never even laid.
If these histories and manuals were to acknowledge the prophecy, it would let the cat out of the bag about what really took place in Nauvoo, regarding the failure to complete the temple, the rejection of the church with their dead, the scattering of Gods people by the ENEMY and how these events reduced the church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints into a tribal organization functioning under Levitical priesthood.Lets review the chronology of events in the last days as given in the parable in 101 and in the prophecy by Joseph smith-
The Lord of the vineyard commanded his people to build a tower (temple)
His servants were not valiant, rather they were at variance with each other and questioned the urgency of the project
The enemy came as a thief in the night, broke down the hedge and scattered the servants
Many who were the friends of Joseph become his enemy and plotted his assassination
The wicked will come to make war with the Saints and that will begin the “battle of the Lord”
After the battle of the Lord and the destruction of the wicked, the poor, lame, blind and deaf will gather to the marriage of the lamb and partake of the supper of the Lord, for the great day of the Lord
Point five brings us to what is about to take place in America, probably within a few years if not months.
Associated with the waking up of the nations will be opening up of the Marvelous Work and a Wonder and the ushering in of the dispensation of the fullness of times which will involve the introduction of additional ancient scripture, the publishing of the inspired version of the Bible and the sending forth of the proclamation to the kings and leaders of the nations of the world as detailed in section 124.
Please notice the interesting wording of Josephs pronouncements below and see if they remind you of a prophesy in the Book of Mormon-
“when the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff up which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear away the constitution away from the very verge of destruction Then shall the Lord say go tell all my servants who are the strength of mine house my young men and middle aged &c come to the Land of my vineyard and fight the battle of the Lord“
Now compare the above prophetic declarations of Joseph Smith to this following admonition to the gentiles in Ether chapter 8 of the book of Mormon-
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
26 Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.
As you can see, Joseph was bringing greater clarity to the prophecy in the Ether.
It had been shown to Joseph during the visions of the night that the admonition in Ether to the latter day gentiles to repent and awake to the sense of their awful situation would take place at the time that the servants of the vineyard return.
It appears as if when they return, they will awake the righteous among the gentiles who in turn will awake the nations of the earth!
I mentioned in the last post that Joseph began his Nauvoo discourse by reading the prophecy in section 101 to provide context for what he was about to reveal about the events that would shortly be taking place in Nauvoo.
What I did not mention is that he also read another prophecy out of the Old Testament along with the prophecy in section 101 BEFORE detailing what was about to happen in Nauvoo regarding the attempt to build the temple.
The other passage of scripture that he read was Ezekiel 33.
This is rather fitting because in that chapter it outlines the law pertaining to the watchman on the tower.
Obviously, the Nauvoo Temple is the tower, and Joseph was the watchman on the tower.
I won’t take time to review the entire chapter in detail, but here are a few nuggets to consider-
1 Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman;
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
Pretty simple and straight forward.
If the watchman warns the people and they don’t take the warning, the blood is upon the head of the rebellious people.
On the other hand, if the watchman is negligent and fails to warn the people, the blood is upon his own head.
Please realize the dual application to this chapter in Ezekiel.
In Joseph Smith’s prophetic discourse, he was warning the Nauvoo Saints that the enemy was going to scatter them before it even happened.
He continued to warn them by giving section 124 to them which warned them of their sins and abominations and warned them of the consequences if they failed to repent be obedient to the commandments
As documented in previous articles, the Prophet continued to exhort the saints to complete both the temple and the Nauvoo House and warned them of the consequences if they failed to do so.
Later in the chapter Ezekiel details a serious problem that took place in Nauvoo-
26 Ye stand upon your sword; ye work abominations, and ye defile everyone his neighbor’s wife; and shall ye possess the land?
Obviously, the Saints would ultimately need to flee from Nauvoo. The Lord could not allow the Saints to inherit the holy land of Nauvoo at that time for they were in the process of being enticed into a false doctrine that involved the defiling of their neighbors wives.
I would submit that the false doctrine and false revelation would continue with the Saints right up until the time of the return of the Servants and indeed would be interrelated with the secret combination that had created the awful situation that the world was in.
Please note that Ether was telling the repentant gentiles about an evil combination that had infiltrated their own organization. The first thing they were to do was to repent of their involvement in this secret combination-
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of YOUR sins-
By doing so, they could prevent the murderous combinations to get ABOVE them.
-and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you;
Ah ha! These combinations were not just in the same nation as the believing gentiles, they had infiltrated the latter day church of the believing gentiles themselves!.
Gods people were actually involved in these secret combinations!
This topic is covered in greater detail in the series dealing with the EVIL GIFT.
Suffice it to say that as a result of the apostasy and the infiltration of secret combinations into the church, many latter day saints who think they have received an endowment from heaven, have received a counterfeit endowment.
But for now, lets continue on with Ezekiel-
29 Then shall they know that I am the Lord, when I have laid the land most desolate, because of all their abominations, which they have committed.
Ezekiel observes the same abominations among Gods apostate people that Ether speaks of.
The ending passage of this chapter is so profound-
33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Joseph Smith made the following prophecy in Nauvoo-
“I prophecy that the day will come when you will say Oh that we had given heed… the people will not hearken nor hear and bondage, death and destruction are close at our heels. The kingdom will not be broken up [because those keys will remain with him even after he is dead!] but we shall be scattered and driven, gathered again and then dispersed , reestablished [The First Presidency was reestablished and everyone that went to Utah was compelled to get rebaptized under the supervision of the new presidency] & driven abroad [missionaries were sent to establish the Saints in the nations abroad] and so on until the Ancient of days shall sit and the kingdom and power thereof shall be given to the Saints and they shall possess it forever and ever…” (words of Joseph pg 67)
Clearly Joseph Smith knew the whole time in Nauvoo that the Saints would fail to complete the temple and would be scattered. They would then be REESTABLISHED and eventually the doctrine of the gathering would by denied and the saints would be told that Zion is in your heart and you can live anywhere in the world you want.
They would not receive the kingdom and the power thereof until the Ancient of Days returns with the other servants.
The Saints have been driven abroad!
We are to remain in this scattered situation until the main SERVANT (the Ancient of Days) returns and commissions the other servants (the Seer and Spokesman and the first laborers of the last kingdom) to finish their work.
Shortly before his death Joseph Smith mentioned that he had seen in vision that the Saints would be moved out of their place in Nauvoo and scattered because of their abominations.
He saw that the majority of the Latter day Saints would initially flee to the Rocky Mountains.
As he lamented to a few of his friends he exclaimed-
“oh the apostasy that will take place BEFORE my brethren reach that land“.
Here is a portion of the journal entry containing that quote-
On the 14th of July, 1843, with quite a number of his (Joseph Smith brethren, he (Joe) crossed the Mississippi River to the town of Montrose… Joseph Smith remained under the bowery. Jose] as he was tasting of the cold water, warned the brethren not to be fret with it. With the tumbler still in his hand he prophesied that the Saint would yet go to the Rocky Mountains; and, said he, ‘this water tastes much like that of the crystal streams that are running from the snow capped mountains…..
…. Mr. Call describe (sic) this prophetic scene: I had before seen him in a vision and now saw while he was talking his countenance changed to white: not the deadly white of a bloodless face, but a living brilliant white.
He seemed absorbed in gazing at something at a great distance and said, ‘I am gazing upon the valleys of those mountains’. This was followed by a vivid description of the scenery of these mountains as I have since become acquainted with it.
Pointing to Shadrach Roundy and others, he said, ‘There are some men here who shall do a great work in that land.’ Pointing to me he said, ‘There is Anson, he shall go and shall assist in building cities from one end of that country to the other, and you’ rather extending the idea to all those he had spoken of, ‘shall perform as great a work as has been done by man, so that the nation of the earth shall be astonished and many of them will be gathered in that land and assist in building cities and temples, and Israel shall he made to rejoiced’.
“It is impossible to represent in words this scene which is still vivid in my mind, of the grandeur of Joseph’s appearance, his beautiful descriptions of this land and his wonderful prophetic utterances as they emanated from the glorious inspirations that over shadowed him.
There was a force and power in his exclamations of which the following is but a faint echo. ‘Oh the beauty of those snow capped mountains. The cool refreshing streams that are running down through theose (sic ?) mountains gorges’
Then gazing in another direction, as if there was a change and locality; ‘oh the scenes that this people will pass through’ The dead that will lay between here and there.’
From the above statement, it is obvious that Joseph Smith knew that thousands of Saints would die in the trek to Utah.
Then turning in another direction as if the scene had again changed: ‘Oh the apostasy that will take place before my brethren reach that land‘.
Joseph understood that the Saints would be in an even deeper apostasy before they fled to the Rocky Mountains!
But he continued, ‘the Priesthood shall prevail over all it’s enemies, triumph over the devil and be established upon the earth never more to be thrown down.”
(Life Sketch of Anson Call 1810-1890, Pioneer in the building of the west.)
So how is it possible for the priesthood to prevail if the Saints were clearly in a state of apostasy when they were scattered from Nauvoo?
According to the above quote, it appears that the priesthood was to be established at a future time, which is consistent with 100 evidences I have provided pertaining to the restoration of the higher priesthood in the 3rd watch!
It informs us that the priesthood would prevail at a future time.
This is consistent with the following promise of the Lord-
5 But verily I say unto you, that I have decreed a decree which my people shall realize, inasmuch as they hearken from this very hour unto the counsel which I, the Lord their God, shall give unto them.
6 Behold they shall, for I have decreed it, begin to prevail against mine enemies from this very hour.
7 And by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever.
8 But inasmuch as they keep not my commandments, and hearken not to observe all my words, the kingdoms of the world shall prevail against them. (section 103)
We know from the history of the church and from modern revelation that the Saints did not prevail over the world at that time and that the world prevailed over the Saints.
Furthermore, we know from the above prophecy of Joseph Smith and other prophecies and revelations, that the Saints don’t get the kingdom delivered to them UNTIL the Ancient of Days and the other servants return in the third watch!
I would again suggest, as the theme of this series points out, that the Aaronic priesthood did indeed remain with the apostate Saints and that it will be instrumental in ESTABLHISHING the higher priesthood and prevailing over all enemies.
Despite the fact that the saints were moved out of their place and scattered and gathered and reorganized and scattered abroad in the earth, they still retained the Aaronic priesthood.
This same Aaronic priesthood provides the keys that will enable a righteous remnant of the believing gentiles to entertain ministering angels in the 3rd watch and to receive ALL OF THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM.
Speaking of the gathering of the Saints to the Rocky Mountains, Joseph, while speaking to a few of the humble followers of Christ in Nauvoo prophetically observed-
“You will gather many people into the fastness of the Rocky Mountains, and many of those who will come in under your ministry because of their learning will seek for position and they will gain eminence over you, and you will walk in low places unnoticed“
Praise God almighty for the spirit of prophecy!
Joseph knew that many oppressive personalities seeking power and the glory of the world, some from the kingdom of Judah would respond to the preparatory gospel and gather as the Latter day Saints missionaries took the gospel of Abraham to the nations.
He understood that the tares would rule over the wheat in the latter day church and that the wheat would not be called to the highest positions but rather would walk quietly in low places unnoticed.
Yet he assured them that the wheat would know what was going on.
“Yet you will know all that transpires in your midst.”
Finally, he leaves the following promise-
“Those who are your friends are my friends and I promise you when I come again I will lead you forth, that where I am you shall be with me..”
It is comforting to know that a small remnant of believing and repentant gentiles will come out of the apostate church when it is time to redeem Zion.
Interestingly, most Mormons believe we have been in the times of the gentiles from the restoration of the church up until today and they are waiting for the times of the gentiles to come to an end so that the gospel can be taken to the Jews.
For this reason they assume that verse 28 in section 45 referred to the time of the restoration of the church in 1830.
Although that verse did have a typological application to the 2nd watch, the literal fulfillment will be in the third watch.
In section 112 the Lord reveals what dispensation the quorum of the 12 had been given as they were being sent to the nations of the world-
“For verily I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received have come down from the fathers, and last of all, being sent down from heaven unto you.” (D&C 112:32)
It was clearly NOT the dispensation of the fullness of times nor the time of the gentiles that the quorum of the twelve were being given.
It was the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham- The dispensation that had been handed down from the patriarchal fathers from Old Testament times and had been conferred by ministering angels from heaven in the Kirtland Temple.
Of course, it is easy for us to see this with 20-20 hindsight and scripture crunching software that links the above verse to the transferring of the keys of the gathering of Israel and the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham that took place in the Kirtland Temple.
But keep in mind, Joseph Smith was keeping a great secret within his bosom.
When section 112 was given, the apostles were unaware of the event described in section 110 wherein the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham was given to the saints!
Why would the Lord downgrade the saints to the gospel of Abraham when the goal was the dispensation of the fullness of times without clearly telling them what was happening?
Why did he require Joseph and Oliver to keep section 110 a secret from the saints for decades?
Isaiah 66 informs us that when God’s apostate people have chosen to go their own way and they delight in abominations, He chooses their delusions-
“Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. I also will choose their delusions..”
Clearly the latter day church is delusional. They are declaring to the world and themselves that they hold the Melchizedek priesthood and that they are taking the fullness of the gospel to the nations when in fact, they have rejected the fullness of the gospel and the fullness of the priesthood.
Section 45 reveals that at a later time, in the third watch, the times of the gentiles would come in AGAIN.
Section 90 reveals that after the times of the gentiles comes in again and the gospel is taken to the believing gentiles in the 3rd watch, then once again the gospel will be taken to the Jews-
“That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as believe; that through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration the sword may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews” (90:8-9)
The first shall be last and the last shall be first
The Jews that were first to get the gospel in the first watch will be the last to get it in the third watch.
The gentiles that were the last to get it in the first watch will be the first to get it in the third watch.
Then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
I would submit that once the servants return, the repentant Saints will already be aware of or will be made aware of and finally understand the profound prophecies given by Joseph Smith in Nauvoo and will realize to a much greater extent that indeed, a prophet had been among the Saints in Nauvoo.
Furthermore, after the Seer and Spokesman return to warn this nation when it is on the brink of destruction, again, many of the believing gentiles will finally realize with much greater clarity that he was and is a true prophet and that he did raise the warning voice in Nauvoo and will once again raise the warning voice in the 3rd watch, just in time, before the calamity hits.
Chapter 34 of Ezekiel addresses the false shepherds that led the Saints into the wilderness of Utah and scattered the sheep globally as well their predecessors that are leading the sheep just before the return of the true servants-
1 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock.
4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd; and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill; yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
8 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord;
10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves anymore, for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
11 For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where thy have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. (please notice the same phrase in section 109)
13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be; there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God.
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
I encourage you to read Ezekiel 33 and 34 very carefully.
The Nauvoo temple was the TOWER spoken of in the parable of the redemption of Zion in section 101.
The tower on the Nauvoo temple was symbolically and literally representing the tower that the watchman was to watch from. This would be true with regard to watching for the enemy in war and also regarding watching out for the great deceiver who wants to lead the Saints astray.
Have you ever noticed how unusually high the original steeple on the Nauvoo Temple was?
Joseph Smith published the following statement in the Times and Seasons vol 5 p 759-
“The steeple of our temple will be high enough to answer for a TOWER- between 100 and 200 feet high.”
In closing, let me share an experience I had a long time ago.
Several decades ago, as I was beginning this amazing journey of discovery, I purchased a book at Deseret Book called the Doctrine and Covenants commentary by Hyrum M Smith and Janne M. Sjodahl.
In 1917, Smith and LDS Church Apostle Hyrum M. Smith, who was the president of the church’s European Mission, together worked on A Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants. While Sjödahl wrote most of the text, it was reviewed and approved by Smith. When Doctrine and Covenants Commentary was first published in 1919 in Liverpool, it was a church-approved publication and only Smith was listed as an author. However, subsequent publications of Doctrine and Covenants Commentary have acknowledged Sjödahl as its coauthor. Doctrine and Covenants Commentary is still cited frequently by Latter-day Saint authors and commentators.
I loved the commentary because it provided each of the modern revelations in the D&C in the historical context in which they took place.
I studied it thoroughly.
One day while I was perusing the Church Historical Library looking for pearls of great price, I noticed a very large and very old copy of the D&C Commentary by Smith and Sjodahl,.
Although I had a more recent copy of the publication of my own, I felt compelled to take it off the shelf and take it to my chair to peruse it.
To my shock and horror, I began noticing numerous changes that had been made in it.
After doing a little research and comparing the original version with the modern one, I found that in later years much of the content in it had been deleted or altered!
I want to leave this following definition of what the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil is according to the original authors of the commentary-
Great and Abominable Church of the Devil: “A church which has discarded the principles of Church governments established by our Lord and adopted those of Lucifer” (page 202 original D&C commentary by Smith and Sjodahl.
That definition had a great impact on me.
The fact that the presiding leaders of the modern corporate church were later offended by it and deleted it from the commentary also has had a great impact on me.
Why would that definition be so threatening or offensive to the leaders of the church that they would delete it from the commentary?
Is it because the procedure leading up to baptism had been discarded in favor of adopting a procedure that requires no public confession?
Is it because the original wording in the baptismal ordinance found in the Book of Mormon and the early revelations had been discarded and an altered text had been adopted?
Is it because the definition of “New and Everlasting Covenant” that originally had reference to the Baptismal ordinance had been discarded and a new definition pertaining to the requirement to take on multiple spiritual wives had been adopted?
Is it because the Lectures on Faith that were originally the “Covenants” part of the “Doctrine and Covenants” had been discarded and somewhat discredited or at least downgraded… perhaps to lessen the credibility of the person primarily responsible for authoring and teaching it.
Is it because the article on marriage which agreed with section 42 and 49 was discarded and section 132 which contradicted the previous revelations pertaining to monogamy had been adopted?
Is it because the law of the gospel contained in section 42 requires the living of consecration had been discarded while the lesser law of paying one tenth and a generous fast offering had been adopted?
Is it because the commandment to publish the inspired version of the bible was discarded and the acceptance of the King James version of the Bible as the official bible of the Church.
I could keep going with this list, but you get the general idea.
Joseph Smith once said-
“The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the Devil takes power” (Words of Joseph Smith Pg 60)
The testimony of the NAME of Christ has gone forth to the nations.
The Book of Mormon and many of the modern revelations have gone forth unto the nations.
The Aaronic Priesthood which holds the keys to the ministering of angels is still on the earth.
Something new has been done for the eventual salvation of the church.
Something was done to preserve the roots.
The stage has been set for the opening up of the 3rd watch.
A year and a half ago I did a short blog showing how the allegory in Jacob proves the doctrine of the three watches by clearly identifying each of the three watches.
That post was followed up by a three part series that provided an in depth analysis-
In it I demonstrated that the allegory was divided into several main parts.
Part 1 of the allegory is described by verses 1-14 and it addresses the Old Testament events leading up to the first watch that began in the meridian of time.
Part 2 is described by verses 15-28 and it describes the 1st watch when the Saviors earthly ministry first took the gospel to the Jews and then established the New Testament church which was taking the gospel to the gentiles. Eventually that church went into apostasy and what we refer to as the dark ages.
Part 3 is described by verses 29-69 . It describes the 2nd watch, which we commonly refer to as the LDS restoration movement, when the latter day gentile church was restored to the earth. Eventually it began to go into apostasy as well, however, the Lord and his servant decided to do SOMETHING to preserve the roots for an extended period of time so that Zion can spring forth in the last watch.
In that section it also describes the strategy for bringing forth the fullness of the Gospel at a later time, in the 3rd watch by grafting in the corrupted branches from the nethermost part of the vineyard into the tree of the restored church which had also become corrupted.
Part 4 is described by verses 70-77. It describes the 3rd watch, which the Book of Mormon describes as the Marvelous Work and a Wonder. Other scriptures in the New Testament and modern revelation refer to it as the dispensation of the fullness of times. Included in those few verses are an account of the return of Gods servants into the vineyard followed by a brief mention of the millennium and the little season.
It points out that the main servant brings other servants into the vineyard to nourish the vineyard for the last time in the 3rd watch. It also points out that the Lord himself returns to the vineyard AFTER the servants begin the last work.
It points out that in the 3rd watch there begins to be natural fruit in the vineyard again and the root and the top become EQUAL, and the tree becomes like unto ONE BODY, referring to the establishment of Zion.
It is interesting to note the following verse in section 100-
“For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve me in righteousness”
It would appear that although there are a few gentiles and other righteous remnants of the house of Israel that will repent and become a pure people, this period of time probably also includes the literal raising up of all of the righteous saints who have died in previous times and had not yet been resurrected.
Daniel speaks of this event as well, noting that at the final time of trouble, many of them that sleep in the dust shall awaken, some awaken to shame while others awake unto everlasting life-
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
It would appear as if this last great battle of the Lord, as Joseph described it in his prophecy, possibly begins between mortals but eventually involves many of the righteous and the wicked that are returned from the dead.
In the parable in Jacob, eventually all of the bad branches were cast away… referring to the burning and cleansing of the telestial world in the day of transfiguration as it transitions into a terrestrial world.
In verse 36 the Lord says he has “preserved the roots” for his own purposes.
In one sense, the roots have been reserved in the spirit world, to come forth at the time of the great battle.
On the other hand, Joseph refers to the seed of the 12 olive trees which appears to be referring to the mortal descendants of the Nauvoo Saints who were of the twelve tribes of Israel.
This ties in well with section 86 wherein he tells his anointed servants that “your life and the priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restoration of all things…”
Indeed, there always have been and always will be the literal descendants of the patriarchal priesthood on the earth until Father Adam and the other servants return.
Verse 36 reveals that some good fruits did initially come out of the gentile Church, the roots had “hitherto brought forth from the wild branches good fruit” yet in verse 37 we are informed that ultimately the wild branches have grown and “overrun the roots“.
It repeats the indictment with a little different terminology; “the wild branches have overcome the roots“. This results in the bringing forth of much evil fruit!
The initial bringing forth of good fruit took place during the 3 1/2 year period between 1831 and 1834 when the highest priesthood was restored to the earth and the light began to shine forth among a few of the righteous saints.
But ultimately, the church collectively failed to live the higher law and redeem Zion because of the tares that were mingled among the wheat.
From 1834 up until the Kirtland apostasy and the defiling of the Kirtland Temple, and beyond, all the way to the rejection of the church in Nauvoo, the wild branches of the restored church began to overcome the roots.
As the wild branches were overcoming the roots the incredible pronouncement by the Lord in the allegory is made that the tree was becoming ripened and would need to be cast into the fire unless they do SOMETHING to preserve it!
“…it will soon become ripened that it may be cast into the fire except we should do SOMETHING for it to preserve it….”
Interestingly, the word “something” is not a common word in the four standard works. It only shows up 10 times total.
During the 2nd watch, after the gentiles had rejected the greater light of the fullness of the gospel, Joseph Smith stated that the Lord had revealed to him that SOMETHING NEW must be done for the salvation of the Church!
“the Lord has revealed to me that SOMETHING new must be done for the Salvation of the Church”
Of course, he was referring to the same thing that verse 37 of the parable in Jacob was referring to.
He realized that something must be done to preserve the testimony of Christ, the Book of Mormon and the D&C.
He also knew that the keys of the ministering of angels and Aaronic priesthood also needed to be preserved so that mortal man could eventually make contact with the higher light again in the 3rd watch.
According to the parable, the Lord also checked on his natural branches that were in the nethermost parts of the vineyard and sure enough, they had also become corrupt and brought forth evil fruit also.
All of the trees of the vineyard had become corrupted, including the restored church which had previously brought forth good fruit but had since become corrupted.
Just as the Lord of the vineyard was about to go with his servant and burn the vineyard, the servant pleaded with the Lord to spare the vineyard a little longer.
This is telling us about the incredible type of how the latter day Moses would make an intercessory offering that was similar to the one that Moses made in behalf of the children of Israel.
The SOMETHING that needed to be done for the salvation of the God’s people, which would preserve the roots of the restored church in the vineyard, had to do with the scapegoat offering that the latter day Moses would make which would enable the grafting in of the branches of the nethermost parts of the vineyard into the restored church from which they originally came.
The branches in the nethermost part of the vineyard represents the dispersed of Judah and the outcasts of Israel that were living in foreign lands.
These are the people that the quorum of the twelve and other missionaries were sent to take the preparatory gospel to.
52 Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof.
53 And this will I do that the tree may not perish, that, perhaps, I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine own purpose.
54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft them in unto them. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.
55 And it came to pass that they took from the natural tree which had become wild, and grafted in unto the natural trees, which also had become wild.
56 And they also took of the natural trees which had become wild, and grafted into their mother tree.
57 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto the servant: Pluck not the wild branches from the trees, save it be those which are most bitter; and in them ye shall graft according to that which I have said.
58 And we will nourish again the trees of the vineyard, and we will trim up the branches thereof; and we will pluck from the trees those branches which are ripened, that must perish, and cast them into the fire.
59 And this I do that, perhaps, the roots thereof may take strength because of their goodness; and because of the change of the branches, that the good may overcome the evil.
60 And because that I have preserved the natural branches and the roots thereof, and that I have grafted in the natural branches again into their mother tree, and have preserved the roots of their mother tree, that, perhaps, the trees of my vineyard may bring forth again good fruit; and that I may have joy again in the fruit of my vineyard, and, perhaps, that I may rejoice exceedingly that I have preserved the roots and the branches of the first fruit—
The above passages in the parable are a remarkable explanation of what took place after the latter day gentile church rejected the fullness of the gospel.
The Lord sent ministering angels to the Kirtland Temple with the keys of the gathering of Israel and the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham containing the preparatory gospel.
As a result, Joseph then set up foreign missions and began gathering the other remnants of Israel from the nethermost part of the vineyard into the mother church in America.
He was also sending missionaries to establish branches right there in the nethermost parts of the vineyard.
The grafting in of the branches from the nethermost part of the vineyard is what was happening in Nauvoo when the converts from foreign lands began gathering to America.
61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.
62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.
63 Graft in the branches; begin at the last that they may be first, and that the first may be last, and dig about the trees, both old and young, the first and the last; and the last and the first, that all may be nourished once again for the last time.
64 Wherefore, dig about them, and prune them, and dung them once more, for the last time, for the end draweth nigh. And if it be so that these last grafts shall grow, and bring forth the natural fruit, then shall ye prepare the way for them, that they may grow.
65 And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereof; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard.
67 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft in again into the natural tree;
68 And the branches of the natural tree will I graft into the natural branches of the tree; and thus will I bring them together again, that they shall bring forth the natural fruit, and they shall be one.
69 And the bad shall be cast away, yea, even out of all the land of my vineyard; for behold, only this once will I prune my vineyard.
70 And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few.
71 And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come.
72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
73 And there began to be the natural fruit again in the vineyard; and the natural branches began to grow and thrive exceedingly; and the wild branches began to be plucked off and to be cast away; and they did keep the root and the top thereof equal, according to the strength thereof.
74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
75 And it came to pass that when the Lord of the vineyard saw that his fruit was good, and that his vineyard was no more corrupt, he called up his servants, and said unto them: Behold, for this last time have we nourished my vineyard; and thou beholdest that I have done according to my will; and I have preserved the natural fruit, that it is good, even like as it was in the beginning. And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard.
Those last passages provide an incredibly beautiful explanation of how Zion is going to be redeemed in the near future.
Although the bad overcame the good during the 2nd watch, the good will overcome the bad during the 3rd watch.
Looking through the lens of the history of the church, the grafting in of the natural branches was obviously taking place through the establishment of foreign missions!
Here is an interesting excerpt from the LDS Church website regarding this amazing pronouncement from Joseph Smith;
“During the last few years the Saints lived in Kirtland, many members and even some leaders of the Church apostatized.
The Church seemed to be passing through a time of crisis.
‘In this state of things,’ the Prophet wrote,
‘God revealed to me that something new must be done for the salvation of His Church.’
This ‘something new’ was linked to a revelation to send missionaries to England to preach the gospel.
Heber C. Kimball, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, recalled:
‘About the first day of June 1837, the Prophet Joseph came to me, while I was seated in … the Temple, in Kirtland, and whispering to me, said, ‘Brother Heber, the Spirit of the Lord has whispered to me, “Let my servant Heber go to England and proclaim my gospel and open the door of salvation to that nation.’
Elder Kimball was overwhelmed by the thought of such an undertaking:
‘I felt myself one of the very weakest of God’s servants. I asked Joseph what I should say when I got there; he told me to go to the Lord and He would guide me, and speak through me by the same spirit that [directed] him.‘
The Prophet also extended calls to Orson Hyde, Willard Richards, and Joseph Fielding in Kirtland, and to Isaac Russell, John Snyder, and John Goodson in Toronto, Canada.
These brethren were to join Elder Kimball on his mission to England. Gathering in New York City, they sailed on the ship Garrick for Great Britain on July 1, 1837.
This first mission outside of North America brought some 2,000 converts into the Church during the missionaries’ first year in England. Elder Kimball wrote joyfully to the Prophet: ‘Glory to God, Joseph, the Lord is with us among the nations!’
A second apostolic mission to Britain, involving most members of the Twelve under the leadership of Brigham Young, was directed by the Prophet from Nauvoo.
Leaving in the fall of 1839, the Twelve arrived in England in 1840. There they began a labor that by 1841 would bring over 6,000 converts into the Church, fulfilling the Lord’s promise that He would do ‘something new’ for the salvation of His Church.
From Nauvoo, Joseph Smith continued to send missionaries throughout the world.
Elder Orson Hyde landed in England in 1841 and later continued his assigned mission to Jerusalem.
On May 11, 1843, the Prophet called Elders Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers, Benjamin F. Grouard, and Knowlton F. Hanks to perform missions to the islands of the South Pacific. This was the first mission of the Church anywhere in that vast region. Elder Hanks died at sea, but Elder Pratt traveled to the Austral Islands, where he taught the gospel on the island of Tubuai. Elders Rogers and Grouard continued to Tahiti, where hundreds of people were baptized as a result of their labors.
Under the direction of Joseph Smith, the Saints were moving forward to fulfill the Lord’s command: “Go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature” (D&C 84:62).”
Joseph Smith was being cryptic when he said something new must be done for the Salvation of the Church. The Church membership did not realize that he was declaring that the gospel was now going from the Gentiles to the remnants of Judah and other branches… Joseph Smith was establishing foreign missions for the purpose of, in the terms used by Brother Zenos, grafting into the restored church which had become a wild tree, the natural branches which had also become wild, from the nethermost part of the vineyard.
During this time a large portion of the Gentile leadership and membership, including two of the three gentile witnesses to the book of Mormon started rebelling against Joseph the Seer.
At this time, the Lord makes it known that the Church has undergone a name change, he reveals that from this time forth, those who gather to the appointed places of refuge and live the higher law of consecration are to be called the Church in Zion while all other branches of the church that have not entered into the Law of Zion and are in a scattered condition are to be called the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints“.
Instead of accepting the fullness of the gospel, redeeming Zion and ushering in the dispensation of the fullness of times, the latter day church digressed and was given the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, which is the preparatory gospel.
The mandate given to the quorum of the twelve apostles as they were being sent to gather in the natural branches which had become wild from the nethermost part of the vineyard is most revealing.
In section 112 they were told to-
Bear Testimony of the NAME of Jesus Christ
Send that testimony abroad among all nations kindreds tongues and people
Send forth His word unto the ends of the earth
The above mandate is very important; however it is quite different from what the mandate will be when the fullness of the gospel is sent forth during the dispensation of the fulness of times.
Verse 32 provides a veiled reference to the fact that the twelve were dispensing the preparatory gospel… even the dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham to the inhabitants of the world
“For verily, I say unto you, the keys of the dispensation, which ye have received, have come down from the fathers, and last of all being sent down from heaven unto you.”
The DISPENSATION OF THE FATHERS refers to a past dispensation, one that was had during Old Testament Times. It refers to the gospel of Abraham.
It does NOT refer to the dispensation of the fullness of times!
The LDS missionnaries being sent to the nethermost parts of the vineyard were not ushering in the dispensation of the fulness of times. They were functioning under the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham which takes place in the dispensation of the last times.
The dispensation of the fullness of times never existed anciently. It comes forth for the first time at the end of times because it incorporates all previous dispensations.
Clearly, the SOMETHING NEW that was going to preserve the tree and enable the fullness of the gospel to be ushered in during the third watch was the turning of the hearts of the children to their fathers, and the hearts of the fathers to the children which, according to modern revelation means, turning “the hearts of the Jews unto the prophets, and the prophets unto the Jews”
Does the turning of the hearts of the Jews to the Prophets mean genealogy work like some people teach?
No!
The turning of the hearts of the Jews to the prophets is referring to the sending forth of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and the publishing of his word among the nations to gather the outcasts of Israel and the dispersed of Judah!
It also has to do with the preservation of the Aaronic Priesthood so that the keys of receiving the ministering of angels would be available to actuate the final restoration of the fullness of the gospel in the 3rd watch!
The Aaronic priesthood was to remain upon the earth until the sons of Levi offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.
In the final part of this series we shall review another Old Testament prophecy that Joseph read to the people during his Nauvoo discourse on the parable of the olive trees.
Virtually every D&C commentary Including the one by Smith and Sjodahl, will tell you that the parable of the Nobleman and his Vineyard, otherwise known as the parable of the redemption of Zion, given in section 101, is speaking about the failure of the Saints to build the Jackson county Temple during 1831-1834.
“DC 101:43-62 The Parable of the Nobleman and his Vineyard”
“This parable is given to explain why the saints in Jackson County suffered persecution and affliction. Interestingly, the Lord is speaking to his faithful saints and still uses parables to illustrate his point.”
All of these commentaries give a false explanation of what the parable had reference to.
That parable was not speaking about the Jackson county temple nor was it speaking about the early years of the restoration movement.
As you know, the commandment to build the Nauvoo Temple was given in section 124 in 1841.
What you might not be aware of, is the fact that Joseph gave a discourse in Nauvoo on July 19, 1840 in which he prophesied that the great and high watch tower would be built in Nauvoo.
He began is discourse by reading the parable in section 101.
Following that, he went on to prophesy that the Saints would not be committed to urgently building the tower.
The spirit of prophecy within him showed him that the Saints would be somewhat complacent in building the temple because the initial years in Nauvoo would be peaceful.
The Saints would not be under the persecution they had become accustomed to in Kirtland and Jackson County.
He further predicted that the enemy would come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad.
Of course, the rest is history. The Saints did not complete the temple. The enemy did scatter the Saints abroad.
“We shall build the Zion of the Lord in peace until the servants of that Lord shall begin to lay the foundation of a great and high watch Tower and then shall they begin to say within themselves what need hath my Lord of this tower seeing this is a time of peace & Then the Enemy shall come as a thief in the night and scatter the servants abroad…”
According to Joseph Smith, the great and high watch tower in the parable had reference to the temple that the Lord would command them to build in Nauvoo.
As you can see, everything I have been telling you about the temple never being completed resulting in the church being rejected with its dead is not only verifiable according to historical documents, it is also actually validated by this incredible prophecy by Joseph Smith.
But the prophesy gets even more interesting.
Let us continue-
“when the seed of these 12 Olive trees are scattered abroad they will wake up the Nations of the whole Earth Even this Nation will be on the very verge of crumbling to pieces and tumbling to the ground and when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin this people will be the Staff up which the Nation shall lean and they shall bear away the constitution away from the very verge of destruction Then shall the Lord say go tell all my servants who are the strength of mine house my young men and middle aged &c come to the Land of my vineyard and fight the battle of the Lord“
The prophet reveals that the posterity of the LDS Saints four generations ago will play an important part in waking up the nation when the Servants return. It will be under the direction of the Servants of the Lord that return according to the parable.
He points out that the waking up takes place at the time when the constitution is upon the brink of ruin. Could we be getting close to that point in time?
In fact, according to the prophecy, it is only because of Gods people that the constitution is preserved.
But notice how the Prophet refers to the posterity of the early Saints as the “Seed of the Olive Trees” instead of as a church.
This is, of course, because section 124 points out that the church will be rejected as a church at the time that the Saints fail to build the tower in the sufficient time allotted.
The prophecy of Joseph’s is referring to the posterity of the Saints as the SEED of the TWELVE OLIVE TREES, or in other words, as the latter day tribes of Israel.
Praise God almighty even though they lose their status as a church, they retain their tribal entity!
Thank goodness for patriarchal blessings.
The prophecy then speaks of the Kings and Queens and the rulers of the earth that will come, which is referencing the parts of section 124 that speak of the proclamation that will go forth to the kings and rulers of the earth.
Remember, section 124 had not even been given yet!
Praise God for the spirit of prophecy found in Joseph Smith, one of the greatest prophets that has ever lived!
Let us continue with one of the greatest prophesies ever recorded. A prophecy that has been rejected by official commentaries of the apostate church.
“Then the Kings & Queens shall come then the rulers of the Earth shall come..”
It appears to me that the next event in the sequence has to do with the gathering of the “rich and the learned, the wise and the noble”, as mentioned in section 58. Don’t jump to conclusions about what section 58 is speaking about.
I have mentioned the subliminal message regarding that event previously… hopefully you understand what it is really referring to.
After that great feast, there will be another one-
Section 58 spins it this way-
“And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.”
Compare that to the next statement in Joseph’s prophecy-
“then shall all saints come yea the Foreign saints shall come to fight for the Land of my vineyard for in this thing shall be their safety and they will have no power to choose but will come as a man fleeth from a sudden destruction“
Of course Joseph is referring to the second harvest of the terrestrials. He is speaking about those who did not respond to the first invitation but waited for the second one. (holy first, righteous second)
The next part of the prophecy addresses an event to take place in Nauvoo just a few years after his prophecy wherein his alludes to his own martyrdom-
“But before this the time shall be when these who are now my friends shall become my enemies and shall seek to take my life and shall be m there are those now before me who will more furiously pursue me and the more dilligently seek to my life and be more blood thirsty upon my track than ever were the Missouri Mobbers You say among yourselves as did them of old time it is I & is it I But I know these things by the visions of the Almighty.”
Yes that is right. Joseph knew that some of his most loyal brethren like William Law and his brother and the Higbies and others who were so loyal to Joseph when they first began establishing Nauvoo, would eventually turn against him and seek his life.
So, how is it that the latter day tribes are able to make contact with the servants when they return?
Why is it the privilege of the latter day tribes to do so and by what priesthood keys are they able to accomplish this?
Obviously, according to what I have demonstrated in the history of the church, the Aaronic priesthood was the only of the three priesthoods that remained in the church after the martyrdom…
..and the church had been condemned and rejected… left with the law of carnal commandments and telestial law.
In fact the Aaronic priesthood was the only one of the three priesthoods that came with the promise that it would remain on the earth for an extended period of time-
“and this [priesthood] shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.” (D&C 13)
We know from doing scriptural key word searches that the time when the sons of Levi offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness is when the 3rd watch opens up. (see Malachi and section 128)
Have you ever wondered why it was so important for the Aaronic priesthood to remain on the earth?
In fact, have you ever wondered why it even needed to be restored?
After all, the patriarchal priesthood can officiate in all of the ordinances that the Aaronic priesthood can, plus officiate in the ordinances that actually have the ability to save us in a higher kingdom.
Why did the Lord even bother to restore the ancient order of the Levitical priesthood to the latter day Gentile church?
I would submit to you that in fact, the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints does have in its possession and does administer the priesthood keys that will be instrumental in making contact with the servants of the Lord and in ushering in the greater light when the next restoration begins.
What keys are those that I am speaking of?
“…the keys of the ministering of angels“
I hate to contradict a faith promoting story that was recently given in general conference, but the keys of the ministering of angels has nothing to do with the Aaronic priesthood boys doing kind acts of service.
They actually have to do with the literal reception of ministering angels who are sent with messages, information and additional priesthood keys.
A text book example of how Joseph and Oliver were ministered to by angels would be the restoration of the first two priesthoods.
Another would be found in section 110, when four angels appeared to Joseph and Oliver to give them information as well as priesthood keys and dispensational keys.
Since there are precious few documented cases where the ministering of real angels has taken place during the last four generations, it is, I suppose, understandable that our leaders might be tempted to morph the doctrine of ministering angels and redefine what it means.
Let me suggest however, that even though the keys of the ministering of angels has largely been dormant in previous generations, they are still here, and when the appointed time comes and faith is increased in the earth, the keys of the kingdom will once again be given to mortal man on the earth through these Aaronic priesthood keys.
This is what section 65 is referring to-
1 Hearken, and lo, a voice as of one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the ends of the earth, yea, whose voice is unto men—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
2 The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.
3 Yea, a voice crying—Prepare ye the way of the Lord, prepare ye the supper of the Lamb, make ready for the Bridegroom.
4 Pray unto the Lord, call upon his holy name, make known his wonderful works among the people.
5 Call upon the Lord, that his kingdom may go forth upon the earth, that the inhabitants thereof may receive it, and be prepared for the days to come, in the which the Son of Man shall come down in heaven, clothed in the brightness of his glory, to meet the kingdom of God which is set up on the earth.
6 Wherefore, may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come, that thou, O God, mayest be glorified in heaven so on earth, that thine enemies may be subdued; for thine is the honor, power and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Think about those words that have been highlighted.
Joseph, Sidney and Oliver are going to need to commit the keys of the kingdom of God upon mortal men when they return just the same way that they received them… via the ministration of angels.
That is what Joseph was referring to when he said,
“Men and angels are to be co-workers in bringing to pass this great work…” TPJS page 84.
We often read section 65 as if it is a revelation referring to a past event. However it is actually a prophecy pertaining to a future event.
The chapter heading says
Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Hiram, Ohio, October 1831. HC 1: 218. The Prophet designates this revelation as a prayer.
This is a prophetic prayer about a future event!
And the future event was not something that would be taking place during the life of Joseph Smith, in fact, there was no need for it to take place at the time it was given because the keys of the kingdom had already been committed unto men on the earth by angels!
Yes it is true that all prophecies have a dual fulfillment, and in that sense, the prophetic prayer had a typological application to the keys of the kingdom that had already been given to Joseph Smith by the ministering of angels, however, the literal fulfillment of the prophetic dream had reference to the restoration of those same keys, to mortal men, in the 3rd watch, when the final restoration takes place!
Indeed, the Seer and the Spokesman will return as ministering angels to commit the keys of the kingdom to mortal men living on the earth at this time.
And I am suggesting that the mortal men that will be the first to entertain Joseph, Sidney, Oliver and others and to receive the keys of the kingdom, will be among the literal seed of the twelve tribes of Israel who have received the Aaronic priesthood from the priesthood tribe that is called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.
In the next part of this series, I will drill down a little further into the Parable of the Olive Trees contained in the Book of Mormon to show that the SOMETHING that the Lord and his Servant did to PRESERVE the roots from the 2nd watch to the 3rd watch was synonymous with the SOMETHING NEW that the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that needed to be done for the temporal I(and eventually the spiritual) SALVATION of the apostate latter day church.
If I were to tell you that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints holds the priesthood keys that will be instrumental in ushering in the Marvelous Work and a Wonder in the 3rd watch, would that surprise you?
After all, I am the heretic that teaches that the Melchizedek Priesthood was only on the earth for 3 ½ years during the LDS foundation movement. It was lost in the church by late December of 1834.
And I am the one that claims that the priesthood offices within the Patriarchal Priesthood that have the right to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel were lost from the earth by the time the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred… Because of the failure of the church of repent and finish the Nauvoo temple within the “sufficient time” allotted by the Lord.
That failure to complete the temple and the decision to flee from the cornerstone of Zion against the will of the Lord caused the church to be rejected with its dead.
So… how in the world could the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints hold and disperse the priesthood keys necessary to usher in the Marvelous Work and a Wonder and the dispensation of the fullness of times?
JURIES ARE ALLOWED TO JUDGE THE LAW, NOT JUST THE FACTS
(taken from 50 things you are not supposed to know)
In order to guard citizens against the whims of the King, the right to
a trial by jury was established by the Magna Carta in 1215, and it
has become one of the most sacrosanct legal aspects of British and
American societies.
We tend to believe that the duty of a jury is
solely to determine whether someone broke the law. In fact, it’s not
unusual for judges to instruct juries that they are to judge only the
facts in a case, while the judge will sit in judgment of the law itself.
Nonsense.
Juries are the last line of defense against the power abuses of the authorities. They have the right
to judge the law.
Even if a defendant committed a crime, a jury can refuse to render a guilty
verdict.
Among the main reasons why this might happen, according to attorney Clay S. Conrad:
When the defendant has already suffered enough, when it would be unfair or against the
public interest for the defendant to be convicted, when the jury disagrees with the law
itself, when the prosecution or the arresting authorities have gone “too far” in the singleminded
quest to arrest and convict a particular defendant, when the punishments to be
imposed are excessive or when the jury suspects that the charges have been brought for
political reasons or to make an unfair example of the hapless defendant…
Some of the earliest examples of jury nullification from Britain and the American Colonies were
refusals to convict people who had spoken ill of the government (they were prosecuted under
“seditious libel” laws) or who were practicing forbidden religions, such as Quakerism.
Up to the time of the Civil War, American juries often refused to convict the brave souls who helped
runaway slaves. In the 1800s, jury nullifications saved the hides of union organizers who were
being prosecuted with conspiracy to restrain trade. Juries used their power to free people charged
under the anti-alcohol laws of Prohibition, as well as antiwar protesters during the Vietnam era.
Today, juries sometimes refuse to convict drug users (especially medical marijuana users), tax
protesters, abortion protesters, gun owners, battered spouses, and people who commit “mercy
killings.”
Judges and prosecutors will often outright lie about the existence of this power, but centuries of
court decisions and other evidence prove that jurors can vote their consciences.
When the US Constitution was created, with its Sixth Amendment guarantee of a jury trial, the
most popular law dictionary of the time said that juries “may not only find things of their own
knowledge, but they go according to their consciences.” The first edition of Noah Webster’s
celebrated dictionary (1828) said that juries “decide both the law and the fact in criminal
prosecutions.”
Jury nullification is specifically enshrined in the constitutions of Pennsylvania, Indiana, and
Maryland. The state codes of Connecticut and Illinois contain similar provisions.
The second US President, John Adams, wrote: “It is not only [the juror's] right, but his duty…to
find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgment, and conscience, though in
direct opposition to the direction of the court.” Similarly, Founding Father Alexander Hamilton
declared: “It is essential to the security of personal rights and public liberty, that the jury should
have and exercise the power to judge both of the law and of the criminal intent.”
Legendary Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay once instructed a jury:
It may not be amiss, here, Gentlemen, to remind you of the good old rule, that on questions
of fact, it is the providence of the jury, on questions of law, it is the providence of the court
to decide. But it must be observed that by the same law, which recognizes this reasonable
distribution of jurisdiction, you have nevertheless the right to take upon yourselves to
judge of both, and to determine the law as well as the fact in controversy.
The following year, 1795, Justice James Irdell declared: “[T]hough the jury will generally
respect the sentiment of the court on points of law, they are not bound to deliver a verdict
conformably to them.” In 1817, Chief Justice John Marshall said that “the jury in a capital case
were judges, as well of the law as the fact, and were bound to acquit where either was doubtful.”
In more recent times, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously held in 1969:
If the jury feels that the law under which the defendant is accused is unjust, or that exigent
circumstances justified the actions of the accused, or for any reason which appeals to their
logic and passion, the jury has the power to acquit, and the courts must abide that decision.
Three years later, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals noted: “The pages of history shine on
instances of the jury’s exercise of its prerogative to disregard uncontradicted evidence and
instructions of the judge.”
In a 1993 law journal article, federal Judge Jack B. Weinstein wrote: “When juries refuse to
convict on the basis of what they think are unjust laws, they are performing their duties as
jurors.”
Those who try to wish away the power of jury nullification often point to cases in which racist
juries have refused to convict white people charged with racial violence. As attorney Conrad
shows in his book, Jury Nullification: The Evolution of a Doctrine, this has occurred only in very
rare instances. Besides, it’s ridiculous to try to stamp out or deny a certain power just because it
can be used for bad ends as well as good. What form of power hasn’t been misused at least once
in a while?
The Fully Informed Jury Association (FIJA) is the best-known organization seeking to tell all
citizens about their powers as jurors. People have been arrested for simply handing out FIJA
literature in front of courthouses. During jury selections, FIJA members have been excluded
solely on the grounds that they belong to the group.
FIJA also seeks laws that would require judges to tell jurors that they can and should judge the
law, but this has been an uphill battle, to say the least. In a still-standing decision (Sparf and
Hansen v. US, 1895), the Supreme Court ruled that judges don’t have to let jurors know their full
powers. In cases where the defense has brought up jury nullification during the proceedings,
judges have sometimes held the defense attorney in contempt. Still, 21 state legislatures have
introduced informed-jury legislation, with three of them passing it through one chamber (ie,
House or Senate).
Quite obviously, the justice system is terrified of this power, which is all the more reason for us
to mow about it.
In part 5 of this series I told you that we were going to have a little Bible Study Session that would prove that the plan of salvation contained in section 76 had already been taught in the New Testament, including the four categories of souls and varying levels of salvation.
In part four we briefly discussed the how the elect among Israel are saved in the highest kingdom through the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ while the remainder of Israel are saved through the preparatory gospel, even the gospel of Abraham.
If that concept is still gelling… hopefully this little bible study will help.
Please turn to Revelation 22:11
“He that is unjust 91 , let him be unjust 91 still: and he which is filthy 4510 , let him be filthy 4510 still: and he that is righteous 1342, let him be righteous 1344 still: and he that is holy 40, let him be holy 37 still.”
Notice that four categories of souls are being spoken of by the apostle John here. The descriptive used are as follows-
Holy….. Righteous…. Unjust….. Filthy….
I challenge you to check your Strongs concordance and your Websters dictionary on each of these four words and then read chapters 20, 21 and 22 of the book of revelation for context.
I think you will find that although a holy man is also a righteous man, a righteous man is not necessarily a holy man… hence, these two terms represent two classes of people that John is speaking about.
Secondly, an unjustified man is not defined as righteous.
And lastly, although a filthy man is also classified among the unjust, an unjust man is not necessarily defined as filthy in biblical terminology.
My point?
John was not referring to just two groups of people, the saved and the damned.
He was specifically identifying the four categories of souls that come to this earth and eventually inherit one of four different rewards and/or punishments in the hereafter.
Let me say that again, John the Revelator was identifying four separate and distinct groups of beings, not just two… and he was making reference to multiple levels of salvation and/or damnation.
He was not repeating himself using synonymous terms; he was making a clear distinction about the four classes of beings.
When I first noticed that verse I struggled with it a little bit because I had never made the distinction between holy and righteous.
As we continue this study, we shall see that these four categories of souls make up three separate and distinct redemptions as well as those that are doomed to live eternally in outer darkness.
As you accept my challenge to search these things and then compare what you find with the additional light contained in section 76 I believe you will find a surprising consistency between section 76 and the holy word of God in the Bible.
I think you will find that a being that fails to become holy by grace through faith, through the atonement of Christ, by receiving the testimony of Jesus during probation, can still become righteous by conforming to the law.
By eventually becoming righteous and being baptized and conforming themselves to the gospel, they are blessed to dwell in the presence of Christ, yet damned from ever receiving the fullness of the father (being assimilated into the likeness of the Father with his name in their forehead.)
I think you will find that an unjust being who fails to become clean from their filthiness, can never receive a kingdom of glory, while the unjust who do become clean after suffering for a thousand years, can dwell in a kingdom of glory even though they are damned from ever dwelling in the presence of Christ, or receiving the fullness of the Father.
So why do the scriptures often appear to separate God’s people into just two categories?
It all depends on the context of any given passage.
Here are a few things to consider-
In one sense, section 76 is informing us that three of the four categories of beings are those who are SAVED from eternal darkness, hence, one general group is “saved” from eternal damnation while the other isn’t.
On the other hand, it is informing us that three out of the four categories will be DAMNED from receiving the fullness of the Father and entering into his presence in the Celestial Kingdom. Hence, one general group of souls are “damned” from receiving the fullness of the Father in the highest kingdom.
There is yet another way to look at this.
When Christ descends with his elect, who had been caught up to meet him in the cloud… and have already been saved, they are not among those on the earth who are being judged .
The elect of God that descend with Christ are not even included in the judgment because when he descends to earth because they were justified in the morning of the first resurrection, which is why it is referred to as the resurrection of the Just!
Joseph Smith once revealed that while the celestial elect are in the cloud with Christ, after being caught up, those of the wicked left behind on earth will experience the wrath of God on earth-
Sunday 29th “Meeting at own house After others had spoken, Spoke and explained concerning uselessness of preaching to the world about great judgments but rather to preach the simple gospel–Explained concerning the coming of the son of Man &c that all will be raised to meet him but the righteous will remain with him in the cloud whilst all the proud and all that do wickedly will have to return to the earth, and suffer his vengeance which he will take upon them.”
Section 88 informs us that the terrestrial souls must be JUDGED according to men in the flesh before they are eventually allowed to conform to the preparatory gospel and be baptized and cleansed.
When the scriptures refer to those on his right hand and those on his left hand at the time of judgment, it may not even be referring to those who were caught up in the cloud.
Those on his right hand may very well be limited to the terrestrial souls who have become righteous by conforming to gospel law, while the other two groups who are unjustified and filthy are on his left hand. (the elect have become equal with him according to scripture)
Either way you look at it, depending on which terms you are emphasizing, there is a division of two general groups, but context is critical in discerning which two groups the four groups have been divided into.
Nevertheless, there are four distinct divisions of beings and four different and distinct eternal inheritances as John the Revelator observed..
Modern revelation appears to be giving us a break down of the three laws by which the four classes of beings are reconciled.
And they who are not sanctified through the law which I have given unto you, even the law of Christ, must inherit another kingdom, even that of a terrestrial kingdom, or that of a telestial kingdom.
22 For he who is not able to abide the law of a celestial kingdom cannot abide a celestial glory.
23 And he who cannot abide the law of a terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial glory.
24 And he who cannot abide the law of a telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory; therefore he is not meet for a kingdom of glory. Therefore he must abide a kingdom which is not a kingdom of glory.
Section 88 possibly provides a further clarification of the three laws
“That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.” D&C 88: 35, 40
The HOLY CELESTIAL are sanctified by the LAW OF MERCY according to God’s grace.
The RIGHTEOUS TERRESTRIAL are sanctified by the LAW OF JUSTICE according to God’s grace after they have suffered during the hour of judgment and have conformed to terrestrial law.
The UNJUST TELESTIAL are ultimately cleansed by the LAW OF JUDGMENT through their 1,000 years of suffering according to God’s grace after they are judged according to their works.
The FILTHY SONS OF PERDITION who are also judged according to their works, are ultimately never sanctified or cleansed by any law because they will not submit to any of the above three laws that exist within the grace of God.
Now then lets get back to Johns statement in the Book of Revelation because I don’t want you to take my word for the interpretation of the four descriptive in the passage I introduced.
Does John give us an example in his narrative of who the holy people are that he is speaking about?
Yes, he tells us “blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection” 20:6 he then identifies them as the “holy city… coming down from God out of heaven” in 21:2
He previously identified these people as those who have the name of God in their foreheads
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Rev. 3: 12 )
Other scriptures in the New Testament explain vividly how these holy people are caught up to meet Christ in the cloud and then they descend with him to meet his people on earth.
I don’t believe the scriptures ever refer to these holy beings again as men or people after they are caught up in the cloud and then return with Christ to earth because they have been quickened and caught up into heaven and they return with Christ and his angels in a quickened and holy state, having the name of God written in their foreheads.
Does John give us an example in his narrative of who the righteous people are that have conformed themselves to his gospel law”?
Yes, he informs us that after the tabernacle of God containing the holy city touches down on the earth that “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with MEN” (21:3)
He then refers to those MEN on earth that greet Christ and the holy city and tells us that “He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God“
The righteous terrestrial are allowed to enter into the tabernacle to commune with Christ and the elect of God.
Those passages in the Book of Revelation clearly show the distinct nature between the inhabitants of the holy city which descend with Christ vs those MEN who are on earth to greet Christ and the holy city when they descend.
(as we have discussed in a previous post, these two cities are mentioned in Ether 13 where it is clearly apparent that the Holy City that descends with Christ had accepted the New and Everlasting Covenant of the fullness of the Gospel while the city of the righteous men that greets Christ at his coming are saved via the Covenant of Abraham)
What about the second two groups of people?
Does John mention the unjust and the filthy?
Yes, he lumps them together since they are not separated out until after the millennium.
He informs us that the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (21:8)
These people are not allowed to enter into the tabernacle of the holy city even though those that have become righteous are allowed to enter in.
If you are a protestant or ex-Mormon skeptic that has rejected the TESTIMONY contained in section 76, can you dispute the fact that we have just identified more than two categories of people and more than one salvation in the holy Bible?
If you want to choose to reject the testimony of the prophet and the spokesman, it cannot be because it contradicts the Bible because it doesn’t. It is totally congruent with the holy and infallible word of God.
You will notice in sections 76 and 88 verses 96—101 that these four groups, the holy, righteous, unjust and filthy, are clearly identified and their eternal rewards are clearly explained .
There you have it!
It is very clear that Christ meets his holy people in the cloud. Those people are very separate and distinct from his righteous people that he meets on earth when he descends out of heaven with those who are holy.
Both of these groups are saved from the torment of hell during the millennium and yet they clearly do not receive the same eternal reward.
Lastly, you have the unjust and the filthy who are not quickened, to dwell with Christ.
There goes your simple doctrine of heaven or hell in the Bible.
Hopefully it is becoming apparent to you that Joseph and Sidney were having a vision that provided additional clarification to what john the revelator and his brethren had already seen and written about.
There are clearly different classifications of souls who receive varying degrees of salvation according to varying degrees or classifications of gospel LAW.
Are there places in the scriptures that actually speak of and give greater clarification regarding the three levels of law and associated glories mentioned in section 88?
Yes
Where?
First of all, lets remember that the terrestrial and telestial souls that come forth in the afternoon of the first resurrection are those who do not avoid some level of pain which is associated with the cleansing they must experience.
Section 82 provides the two descriptives pertaining to the terrestrial and telestial redemptions
4 Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and justice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.
It appears that those that transgress celestial law must full under either the law of justice or the law of judgment.
Ok, but is there a passage that actually addresses the fact that sons of perditions cannot be redeemed under gospel law and also lists all three descriptives pertaining to the three levels of redemption?
Yes
35 That which breaketh a law, and abideth not by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself, and willeth to abide in sin, and altogether abideth in sin, cannot be sanctified by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment. Therefore, they must remain filthy still.
40 For intelligence cleaveth unto intelligence; wisdom receiveth wisdom; truth embraceth truth; virtue loveth virtue; light cleaveth unto light; mercy hath compassion on mercy and claimeth her own; justice continueth its course and claimeth its own; judgment goeth before the face of him who sitteth upon the throne and governeth and executeth all things. D&C 88: 35, 40
I find that passage to be truly incredible because it condenses the plan of salvation into such simplicity.
Sons of Perditions cannot be reclaimed into a kingdom of law because they will not conform to any of the three levels of law.
The telestials cannot be redeemed into the presence of Christ but they can be reclaimed from outer darkness because after they are judged according to their works, they are finally cleansed through the judgments they experience for a thousand years.
The Terrestrials fall under the law of justification because even though they did not repent and accept the fulness of the gospel during probation, they are eventually baptized and they conform to the law after Satan is bound and after they are brought forth, to be judged according to men in the flesh.
They finally come forth to receive their blessings after their pain.
By conforming to law, they become justified.
The Celestial souls essentially avoid the type of judgment and justice the others experience because they came forth in the resurrection of the Just and therefore do not fall under the law of carnal commandments
As Paul said when speaking to the elect, “ye are not under the law [of carnal commandments], but under grace” Rom. 6: 14-15 and “if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law [of carnal commandments]“. Gal. 5: 18
Once these concepts are understood, other passages in the Bible make so much more sense and provide further witness.
Paul was caught up into the third heaven… the Savior speaks about many mansions, etc.
As these concepts begin to gel, I think you will also begin to see that the long standing debate among Christians about faith vs works does not need to be reconciled, with the one doctrine proving the other doctrine false.
Both doctrines are true, depending on which kind of soul is redeemed.
There are varying laws of the gospel.
Celestial law is by grace ye are saved through faith… and it makes you holy.
Terrestrial law is by grace ye are saved through works… it eventually makes you righteous
The doctrine of salvation through grace and faith is true for celestaial souls who become holy.
The doctrine of salvation through grace and works is true for those who become righteous and dwell on earth with Christ during the millennium.
Those of the Holy City of New Jerusalem are those that were saved by grace through faith via the NEW COVENANT even the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their mantra during probation was to take the Holy spirit as their guide and become prophets
Those in white robes of the Old Jerusalem are those saved by grace through works via the preparatory gospel of carnal commandments, even the ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
Their mantra during probation was to keep the commandments and follow the prophet.
Terrestrial souls become Righteous through works while Celestial souls become Holy through faith and grace.
Terrestrial souls believe on the testimony of others while the Celestial souls are valiant in obtaining the testimony of Jesus for themselves.
Terrestrial Law creates righteous souls
Celestial Law creates holy souls
“He who is righteous shall be righteous still”
“He who is holy is holy still”
Justification
Justification & Sanctification
Faith- belief-baptism of water- endure to end
Faith belief-baptism of water-fire-holy ghost
Not valiant in testimony during probation
Valiant in testimony- sees the face of God
Submission to law- children of Christ
Transformed into image of God- fullness of Father
Covenant of Abraham- preparatory gospel
New and Everlasting covenant-fulness of Gospel
Name of Christ in forehead
Name of Father in forehead
When the servants bring forth additional records including the Bible in its uncorrupted form, those terrestrial souls functioning under the gospel of Abraham will be unable to discern if new scriptures are true because they don’t receive that level of personal revelation. They will blindly follow those they have accepted as their prophets and many will say, ” a bible, a bible we have a bible and we need no other bible”.
Those celestial souls who have accepted the fullness of the gospel will be eagerly looking for additional ancient records and the uncorrupted version of the Bible to devour and discern and rejoice in. They will gladly prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.
I admonish you to read and study and ponder section 76 very closely while doing key word searches with the Bible, Book of Mormon and the other revelations in the D&C because in the near future you are going to be called upon to accept or reject the LAW AND THE TESTIMONY that are contained in sections 42 and 76 when the Seer and the Spokesman return.
Gods servants are going to return and seal up the law and bind up the testimony.
Praise God
In part seven of this series we shall review what the modern corporate church is doing to testify of Christ in missionary work and in their PR campaigns.
In part eight, we shall revisit Lyman Wights declaration that the Book of Commandments represents Celestial Law while the Doctrine and Covenants represents Telestial Law. In that post we shall see that after the church collectively rejected the fulness of the gospel, God commanded the 12 apostles to bear a TELESTIAL TESTIMONY to the world. We will also discuss how we can detect the false prophets and false testimonies that are currently in our midst.
Finally, we will identify what the evil gift is that Moroni warns us to not touch and how the return of the servants to bind up the law and seal the testimony will have the power to break all of the evil BONDS that we have entered into.
Now lets review a little history about the coming forth of the vision (testimony) which is contained in section 76
When section 76 was first published it created a huge contention in the church because many members of the church initially rejected it.
Particularly some of the more doctrinally astute members of the restored church could not wrap their minds around it and reconcile it with what they thought the holy bible taught.
Joseph Smith fully understood that section 76 and many other sections of modern revelation were meant to become more relevant and applicable once the WORK had been ESTABLISHED and faith increased during a future time in the 3rd watch.
He understood that the RESTORATION of the fullness of the Gospel would be a future event and that much of the content in modern revelation would not be fully understood by the Saints until the Marvelous Work began.
Note the counsel of Joseph Smith to the missionaries.
“The same evening, while I was engaged in giving some special instructions to Elders Kimball and Hyde, and President Joseph Fielding, concerning their mission to England, President Brigham Young came into my house, where we were sitting, accompanied by Dr. Willard Richards, who had just returned from a special business mission to New York, Boston, and other Eastern cities, on which he started with President Young the 14th March:
Dr. Richards having been ordained an Elder on the 6th of March, and President Young having returned from the mission a few days previous. My instructions to the brethren were, when they arrived in England, to adhere closely to the first principles of the Gospel, and remain silent concerning the gathering, the vision, and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, until such time as the work was fully ESTABLISHED, and it should clearly be made manifest by the Spirit, &c.” hc Hc v 2 492
As you can see, Joseph Smith clearly understood that the time for investigators (and even many of the Saints) to fully understand and comprehend the TESTIMONY contained in the VISION as well as many other revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants had not yet come.
ESTAB’LISH, v.t. [L. stabilio; Heb. to set, fix, establish.]
1. To set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently.
I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant. Gen.17.
After the foundation of the Marvelous Work was laid in the 2nd watch, the MARVELOUS WORK was to be ushered in at a future time.
In the 3rd watch, the work was to be ESTABLISHED.. PERMANENTLY.
You might think that it is a little strange that Joseph Smith did not think the WORK had been ESTABLISHED by the time that foreign missionaries were being sent to England in about 1838.
After all, the Aaronic, Patriarchal and Melchizedek priesthoods had all been restored to the earth, the church had been restored, the law of the gospel had been given, the keys of administering the saving ordinances of the new and everlasting covenant had been restored and the keys of the kingdom had been given to the Saints..
…and yet the WORK had not been fully ESTABLISHED?
What WORK had not been established permanently?
A cryptic statement by the Lord in section one foretold that the EVERLASTING COVENANT would need to be ESTABLISHED AGAIN at a later time because it had not be established permanently during the 2nd watch.
Section one had prophesied that the Saints were going to stray from the everlasting covenant, (verses 12- 15) but it also prophesied that at a future time after a worldwide calamity takes place the everlasting covenant would be restored and ESTABLISHED-
17 Wherefore, I the Lord, knowing the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth, called upon my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., and spake unto him from heaven, and gave him commandments;
18 And also gave commandments to others, that they should proclaim these things unto the world; and all this that it might be fulfilled, which was written by the prophets—
19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—
20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;
21 That faith also might increase in the earth;
22 That mine everlasting covenant might be ESTABLISHED;
23 That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.
As you can see, the EVERLASTING COVENANT would need to be ESTABLISHED AGAIN in the third watch when the weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones.
The Lord had told the Saints that got pushed out of Jackson County that at a future time, after their tribulation, they would return and ESTABLISH Zion
“For after much tribulation, as I have said unto you in a former commandment, cometh the blessing.
Behold, this is the blessing which I have promised after your tribulations, and the tribulations of your brethren—your redemption, and the redemption of your brethren, even their restoration to the land of Zion, to be established, no more to be thrown down.” D&C 103: 13, 35
If you do a key word search on the word ESTABLISH, you will find that in modern revelation it primarily has to do with the ESTABLISHMENT of ZION and the EVERLASTING COVENANT.
6 Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and ESTABLISH the cause of Zion.
7 Behold, I speak unto you, and also to all those who have desires to bring forth and ESTABLISH this work; D&C 12: 6-7
Realizing that the work would not be established during the dark times that the Saints were living in, Joseph Smith warned them to not even mention section 76 and the D&C to investigators when he sent the elders on foreign missions.
Here is a prophecy found in modern revelation that corresponds with the testimony that Isaiah was prophesying about-
77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand;
79 Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—
80 That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you.
81 Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.
82 Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads.
83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.
84 Therefore, tarry ye, and labor diligently, that you may be perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as many as the mouth of the Lord shall name, to bind up the law and seal up the testimony, and to prepare the saints for the hour of judgment which is to come;
85 That their souls may escape the wrath of God, the desolation of abomination which awaits the wicked, both in this world and in the world to come. Verily, I say unto you, let those who are not the first elders continue in the vineyard until the mouth of the Lord shall call them, for their time is not yet come; their garments are not clean from the blood of this generation.
There you have it.
Just a few years later, after Joseph and Oliver did bring to light the existing ministry of Sidney Rigdon, Joseph and Sidney did in fact provide the TESTIMONY to their generation and ours!
The above revelation was given shortly thereafter and it prophesies that God will SEND JOSEPH AND SIDNEY AND OTHERS AGAIN in their second commission in the 3rd watch, to magnify their calling and to seal up the TESTIMONY that they had previously given during their first commission in the 2nd watch.
The amazing final event was mentioned again in the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple-
45 We know that thou hast spoken by the mouth of thy prophets terrible things concerning the wicked, in the last days—that thou wilt pour out thy judgments, without measure;
46 Therefore, O Lord, deliver thy people from the calamity of the wicked; enable thy servants to seal up the law, and bind up the testimony, that they may be prepared against the day of burning. D&C 109: 46
It appears that the final sealing of the testimony given in section 76 does not take place until the NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT IS FINALLY ESTABLISHED FOR THE LAST TIME, IN THE FINAL WATCH WHEN ZION IS FINALLY ESTABLISHED… at the time when a great calamity is about to take place..
But getting back to the historical aspect of section 76… It is interesting to note that some of the missionaries did not heed the counsel of the prophet and they lost converts because they allowed them to read the contents of section 76.
You see, the world was not yet ready to comprehend and accept the testimony contained in section 76.
It would take decades before many members of the restored church would begin to feel comfortable with the contents of section 76… and the Christian world has totally rejected the testimony in section 76.
It is considered by most to be a total and complete fraud and a contradiction of the simple, heaven or hell depiction of the judgment and after life that most people interpret the Bible to be speaking about.
Here is an interesting example from dairies of the early foreign missionaries that demonstrates just how disastrous it was back in that time to use section 76 in missionary work-
“The Elders at Bedfore continued to lecture in the basement of Mr. Matthews’ chapel from evening to evening, with the most flattering prospects until this evening, when Elder Goodson, contrary to the most positive instructions of President Kimball, and without advising with any one, read publicly the vision from the Doctrine and Covenants, which turned the current of feeling generally, and nearly closed the door in all that region. Mr. Matthews wished the meetings to be removed from his house, but continued to attend the meetings occasionally and investigated the subject to considerable extent.” V2 505
Additional information on the event is contained below-
“A minister by the name of Timothy R. Matthews, a brother-in-law to Joseph Fielding, received them very kindly, and invited them to preach in his church, which was accepted, and in it they preached several times, when a number, amongst whom were Mr. Matthews and his lady, believed their testimony, and the truths which they proclaimed. Mr. Matthews had likewise borne testimony to his congregation of the truth of these things, and that they were the same principles that were taught by the Apostles anciently; and besought his congregation to receive the same. Forty of his members went forward and were baptized, and the time was appointed when he was to be baptized. In the interval, however, Brother Goodson, contrary to my counsel and positive instructions, and without advising with any one, read to Mr. Matthews the vision seen by President Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, which caused him to stumble, and darkness pervaded his mind ; so much so, that at the time specified he did not make his appearance, but went and baptized himself in the river Ouse; and from that time he began to preach baptism for the remission of sins. He wrote to Rev. James Fielding saying that his best members had left him.” (Heber C Kimball Journal 94c pg 66 )
The problem posed by the content of section 76 was not limited to missionary work. Members of the church really struggled with it as well.
Joseph Smith had so much more revealed to him during that vision but he could not share it with the Saints. He once said-
“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.” HC vol 5 402
“There has been a great difficulty in getting anything into the heads of this generation. It has been like splitting hemlock knots with a corn-dodger [a piece of corn bread] for a wedge, and a pumpkin for a beetle [a wooden mallet]. Even the Saints are slow to understand.
“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. 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”
God was not allowing Joseph Smith to elaborate any further on what he and Rigdon had seen during their vision. He understood that the Saints were not ready to receive the deeper mysteries of the kingdom.
What does all of this have to do with the sealing up of the testimony when the servants return?
Well, the time must come when there will be a repentant group of elect Saints who will finally accept the TESTIMONY and receive their own… and the plan of salvation appears to be an integral part of the TESTIMONY.
This needs to happen so that the works can finally be established in the 3rd watch.
Now then, for any Non-Mormon Bible Scholars that might have found their way to this post, if you have rejected the plan of salvation contained in section 76 it is understandable… after all, it appears that it contradicts the Bible, right?
Wrong!
In the next post I am going to invite you to have a little Bible study session with me. I will show you that the plan of salvation and the four categories of souls described in section 76 had already been taught in the New Testament, by John the Revelator.
In previous posts we have discussed the difference between a faith or belief in the testimony of others which has been expanded by the emanations of the Holy Ghost, as opposed to the sure knowledge that one receives when they are filled with the spirit, transfigured, have the heavens opened and see the Son standing on the right hand of the Father bearing witness of the Son.
Unfortunately many members of the church confuse their faith-based testimony for a knowledge-based testimony.
We reviewed how section 6 had prophesied that Joseph and Oliver would bring to light the existing ministry of Sidney Rigdon which would result in the TESTIMONY that came forth during the LDS foundation movement.
We also briefly highlighted the actual testimony that came forth as contained in section 76.
We reviewed how section 1 & 58 both foretell how that same testimony will play an incredible role in the 3rd watch
Finally, lets recall that Isaiah and sections 88 and 109 all prophesy about how the Lords servants need to return and BIND up the LAW and SEAL up the TESTIMONY to prepare the Saints for the return of the Lord.
As you can see, the testimony that the Seer and Spokesman gave to the world, is still going to play an incredible role in the 3rd watch. It is the same testimony that the elect will each receive for themselves that enables them to become exalted.
That is why I believe this topic of testimony is of paramount importance.
This is why this topic has become a series instead of just one post.
Speaking of the Morley Farm incident, this series on testimony should help to reinforce just how significant it was that Lyman Wight was transfigured by the Holy Spirit and beheld the Father and the Son.
It is significant in part, because it demonstrates that such of testimony is a Melchizedek Priesthood function. It is also significant because it shows just how grievous it was that Lyman Wight’s testimony was NOT taken very seriously by many of the Saints who witnessed it. It was taken very lightly by some… and mocked by others.
Between the testimony of the Father and Son born by Wight and the testimony by the Seer and the Spokesman that followed closely thereafter, it can truly be said that a light shined in a dark place, but it was not comprehended by the cumulative church… which brings me to the topic of this post.
“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received—”
All of the ancient prophets and apostles were looking forward to the time when the testimony would come forth out of Zion.
The testimony that the Marvelous Work and a Wonder largely centers around was first given to the world during the 2nd watch, but it was collectively rejected by the church!
Why is it that the Latter day Saints have changed the definition of what a true testimony is and why do they take the testimony of the Seer and the Spokesman in section 76 lightly.
Why it is that NO latter day saints have been valiant in receiving this testimony since the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith?
Yes, I said that.
I even mentioned it on a blog the other day.
I said I am not convinced that there are any living mortals on the earth, between the martyrdom and the until the return of Gods servants in the 3rd watch, that have the sure testimony of the Father and the Son as documented by Joseph and Sidney in section 76,
I am suggesting that there has not been one Latter day Saint since the time of the Martyrdom that has experienced what Joseph , Sidney and Lyman ( and a few others ) received when the heavens departed and they were transfigured before the Lord to see the father and the Son.
I know what some of you are probably thinking how judgmental and arrogant it is of me to declare my skepticism that there are living mortals who have received this testimony.
right?
Actually, I make that ominous statement because I believe the word of God makes it very clear that the sure testimony of the Father and the Son is withheld from both the gentiles and the whole house of Israel for a period of time… until an appointed time…
..from the time the church went into apostasy in the 2nd watch, until the appointed time in the 3rd watch.
I suspect there were a lot of pious ministers and others who were angry with Joseph when, shortly after establishing the restored church to the earth, he produced the following revelation from the Lord-
“And my vineyard has become corrupted every whit; and there is none which doeth good save it be a few; and they err in many instances because of priestcrafts, all having corrupt minds.”
How absurd it must have seemed to many to claim that of the hundreds of millions of people living on the earth in 1830, that not one of them was doing good in the sight of the Lord…
During this time of darkness four generations following the rejection of the fullness of the Gospel, I believe we find ourselves once again in a similar situation where there are NONE WHICH DOETH GOOD. (or at least none except those that are preparing themselves to accept the fulness of the gospel when it returns)
In a future post in this series I will demonstrate additional passages showing why I believe that no living mortals have been transfigured and seen the Father and the Son in our generation.
I will also show you a definition of what a false prophet is and how you can discern who some of the false prophets are that are among us today . You see, there are only two gifts by which people attempt to part the veil, one is a HOLY GIFT from God. The other is a counterfeit gift from Satan. It is referred to as the EVIL GIFT.
The main topic for this part of this series however, has to do with the fact that we latter day saints don’t seem to comprehend the definition or the importance of what a true knowledge-based testimony really is.
Why Do Missionaries Focus on the Book of Mormon instead of the D&C?
Have you ever wondered why the modern corporate church hierarchy makes some of the decisions that they make?
Have you ever wondered how the church hierarchy makes many of the decisions they make?
Apparently one of the inspired tools they use in modern times is FOCUS GROUPS.
I found this out when I was living in Holiday Utah nearly 25 years ago.
I was the home teacher of a very highly educated person whom I believe was a sociologist. He was employed by the church to do research on numerous issues.
He would tell me about numerous changes and improvements that would come about in the church teaching curriculum and in the church missionary program that were initiated by focus groups and other very sophisticated forms of marketing research, etc.
Have you ever wondered why LDS missionaries exclusively promote and bear witness of the Book of Mormon instead of the modern revelations contained in the D&C when approaching potential investigators?
Why do they seldom mention the Doctrine and Covenants?
Why do they not encourage investigators to read and study the Doctrine and Covenants?
Yes, they quote a few selected scriptures out of the D&C during the discussions and mention how wonderful it is to have modern revelation, but they would never hand a new investigator a D&C and ask them to read and pray about it the way they do a Book of Mormon.
Think about it.
The book of Mormon is a wonderful book of scripture and it provides a second witness of Jesus Christ along with the Bible BUT… it is an ancient record about God’s dealings with an ancient civilization.
Why isn’t the Doctrine and Covenants at least equally promoted in missionary work?
In fact, why isn’t it the main focus of the message when missionaries knock on doors?
The Book of Mormon is about the posterity of Lehi, an ancient prophet, and it speaks about events that took place between God and them over a thousand years ago.
Yes there is very important information and prophesies contained in it that pertain to those of our generation and to the remnants of Lehi’s posterity…
But the Doctrine and Covenants speaks directly to our generation about us, the gentiles living in the last days.
It contains Gods commandments and covenants and dealings between the God of Israel and the people of our generation and it contains the revelations to living prophets for our time… for our dispensation!
As we noticed in the commentary on Moroni Ten, the promise contained therein on how to know if the record is true that our missionaries always quote to gentiles, was actually specifically being directed to the Lamanites, not the gentiles.
Now I, Moroni, write somewhat as seemeth me good; and I write unto my brethren, the Lamanites; and I would that they should know that *more than four hundred and twenty years have passed away since the sign was given of the coming of Christ.
2 And I seal up these records, after I have spoken a few words by way of exhortation unto you.
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.
Obviously the same principles of prayerful asking in faith in the above admonition apply to us gentiles in gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but it is interesting that Moroni felt inspired to direct that admonition to his brethren the Lamanites instead of including the gentiles in his admonition.
I believe it is because he understood that the primary testimony directed to the latter day gentiles of this dispensation of the last times, that we are currently in, does not come from ancient prophets in the Book of Mormon, it comes from the Seer and the Spokesman, the Lords two anointed latter day prophets.
According to modern revelation, the primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is to provide a testimony to the Lamanites, not the Gentiles-
“Nevertheless, my work shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the testimony of the Jews, even so shall the knowledge of a Savior come unto my people—
17 And to the Nephites, and the Jacobites, and the Josephites, and the Zoramites, through the testimony of their fathers—
18 And this testimony shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites, and the Lemuelites, and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquity of their fathers, whom the Lord has suffered to destroy their brethren the Nephites, because of their iniquities and their abominations.
19 And for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these records—that the promises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his people;
20 And that the Lamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the promises of the Lord, and that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be glorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.” (section 3)
The testimony to the latter day gentiles comes primarily from the mouth of two witnesses, the latter day Seer and Spokesman, the two prophets that were instrumental in restoring the church to the earth.
The Most Important Testimony to Latter day Gentiles is found in Section 76
Their last testimony to the world is contained in the vision now known as section 76.
The contents of the vision contain three components. They are as follows-
An eye and ear witness testimony of the Father and the Son
A detailed explanation and definition of the fulness of the Gospel
A brief summary of the plan of salvation including a narration of the fall of Satan, the war in heaven, a future event when Satan will encompass the Saints round about on this earth, and the four classifications of souls and their eternal reward.
Although there is a segment within section 76 that seems to specifically and succinctly define what the fullness of the gospel is with regard to the saving ordinances of the gospel, arguably, the entire section could be classified as a general description of the fulness of the gospel because the context of who Satan is, his role in tempting and trying us, the war in heaven and the fall are essential in understanding the necessity of the atonement.
Although the vision that Joseph and Sidney had became known and referred to as THE VISION, I would suggest that it is just as appropriate to refer to it as THE TESTIMONY.
I say this because, I believe there is compelling evidence to suggest that the testimony of the Father and the Son and the testimony of the fullness of the gospel and the testimony of the plan of salvation contained in the vision known as section 76, represents the FINAL TESTIMONY that this world will be accountable for when the 3rd watch is ushered in.
Again, it is the testimony that Isaiah and section 88 refer to.
It is the testimony that will need to be sealed up by the servants of God when they return to the earth to complete their second commission. At that time they will also bind up the law.
Section 76 contains the TESTIMONY that EVERYONE in our generation will be held accountable for when the dispensation of the fullness of times is successfully ushered in…
By the way, verse 29 in section 76 is usually interpreted to be referring to the pre-existent war in heaven, however in a poem written by Joseph Smith, he clarified that Satan was going to encompass the Saints at a future time-
“And while I was yet in the spirit of truth,
The commandment was: write ye the vision all out;
For Satan, old serpent, the devil’s for war,-
And yet will encompass the saints round about.”
But again, the main point here is that EVERYONE is going to have to make a decision about this TESTIMONY.
Think seriously about this.
Is it more important for new investigators who are investigating the restoration of the gospel in these latter days to hear about the LAW of the GOSPEL and the TESTIMONY OF GOD THE FATHER AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST from an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon, or is it more important to hear the testimony of latter day prophets living in our own dispensation?
Is the testimony of Lehi’s or Nephi’s communications with God going to be more important to this generation or is a testimony of God’s communications to the prophet Joseph Smith more important to those of this generation?
Section one of the Doctrine and Covenants was about the 65th revelation given in modern times that was published, however God commanded the Saints to make it the preface of the modern book of scripture.
It was to be the very first revelation presented in this incredible book of modern revelation.
This is how the Lord chose to begin it-
“ 1 Hearken, O ye people of my church, saith the voice of him who dwells on high, and whose eyes are upon all men; yea, verily I say: Hearken ye people from afar; and ye that are upon the islands of the sea, listen together.
2 For verily the voice of the Lord is unto all men, and there is none to escape; and there is no eye that shall not see, neither ear that shall not hear, neither heart that shall not be penetrated.
3 And the rebellious shall be pierced with much sorrow; for their iniquities shall be spoken upon the housetops, and their secret acts shall be revealed.
4 And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days.
5 And they shall go forth and none shall stay them, for I the Lord have commanded them.
6 Behold, this is mine authority, and the authority of my servants, and my preface unto the book of my commandments, which I have given them to publish unto you, O inhabitants of the earth.
7 Wherefore, fear and tremble, O ye people, for what I the Lord have decreed in them shall be fulfilled.
8 And verily I say unto you, that they who go forth, bearing these tidings unto the inhabitants of the earth, to them is power given to seal both on earth and in heaven, the unbelieving and rebellious;
9 Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure—“
That opening statement makes it unquestionably clear that the modern book of scripture is being directed to EVERYONE!
The Doctrine and Covanants has been published unto the INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH!
It also makes it clear that the message is very important and urgent, containing a message of warning!
If the D&C is true and if it is important and if it is addressed to ALL OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH, why are the Mormon missionaries only focusing on an ancient record and skipping over the most current and most important and pertinent book of scripture that speaks directly to us and to our time?
And why don’t they pass on that urgent message of warning anymore?
Why aren’t they presenting the testimony from the Seer and the Spokesman?
Interestingly, before the Book of Commandments (and later the D C ) was even published, the very first missionaries of this dispensation were given hand written copies of section 20 and section 42 to read to prospects that were investigating the church.
That was the most important content that they wanted to provide to those investigating the restored gospel.
The book of Mormon was also made available when possible and when people could afford it, but it was more of a second witness of Christ along with the Bible and for purposes of missionary work, it was a witness of the fruits of a modern seer. The Book of Mormon gave credibility to the role of Joseph Smith as a modern day prophet and seer and directed people to the restoration of the Church, the importance of gathering and of establishing Zion.
It seems to me that the essence of the original message from Mormon Missionaries was, “Christ is the Savior of the world and he lives and has begun speaking to prophets again”…. “we have a prophet on the earth who has restored the ancient church of Christ and the authority to administer the ordinances of salvation! You are invited to COME UNTO CHRIST!”
The fact that God had spoken to people in America anciently and given them the fullness of the gospel was secondary in importance to the message that God was now prepared to reveal the fullness of the gospel to the gentiles through a modern prophet.
Section 20 announces the restoration of the Lords church, the appearance of angels, the translation of a book having to do with the history of the ancient inhabitants of America, “proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as generations of old… by these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, and from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them“
Section 20 then goes on to detail how the ordinances of salvation are to be administered and how the church is to be set up and how it is to function.
After demonstrating those most important issues the missionaries would review section 42 which reveals the law of the gospel as contained in the four standard works, including the law of consecration.
It is pretty amazing that the law of consecration was being taught to investigators by the first Mormon missionaries and yet in the modern corporate church today missionaries seldom if ever speak of the law of consecration as if it is one of the more important laws and as if we actually take it seriously!
The main purpose of the Book of Mormon in missionary work was to point peoples attention to the fact that God was again speaking to and revealing information through a modern PROPHET and SEER that enable people to come unto Christ, gather together, consecrate and establish Zion.
Interestingly, after the Saints fled Nauvoo and came to Utah, sections 20 and 42 were no longer part of the main focus and the Book of Mormon became the primary focus for four generations even though the D&C had been published….
I don’t know how much the use of focus groups and marketing research has been used in the modern church to determine why sections 20 and 42 and the majority of the D&C is NOT being used in missionary work in modern times.
But this issue is an intriguing one-
Here is what Joseph Fielding Smith says about why he feels the D&C is much more important to us than the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture
“In my judgment there is no book on earth yet come to man as important as the book known as the Doctrine and Covenants, with all due respect to the Book of Mormon, and the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price, which we say are our standards in doctrine.
The book of Doctrine and Covenants to us stands in a peculiar position above them all. I am going to tell you why. When I say that, do not for a moment think I do not value the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and the Pearl of Great Price, just as much as any man that lives; I think I do. I do not know of anybody who has read them more, and I appreciate them; they are wonderful; they contain doctrine and revelation and commandments that we should heed;
but the Bible is a history containing the doctrine and commandments given to the people anciently. That applies also to the Book of Mormon. It is the doctrine and the history and the commandments of the people who dwelt upon this continent anciently.
But this Doctrine and Covenants contains the word of God to those who dwell here now. It is our book. It belongs to the Latter-day Saints. More precious than gold, the Prophet says we should treasure it more than the riches of the whole earth.
I wonder if we do? If we value it, understand it, and know what it contains, we will value it more than wealth; it is worth more to us than the riches of the earth.” (Doctrines of Salvation 3:198-199)
I agree 100% with the above words of Joseph Fielding Smith.
I believe the Doctrine and Covenants is infinitely more important to our salvation than any other book of scripture.
I feel this is true because it contains the LAW and the TESTIMONY by the prophets of our dispensation and it is the record containing the fullness of the gospel by which we will be judged in these last days.
So… back to the original question. Why has the church spent so much time, effort and money promoting the Book of Mormon to potential investigators instead of the Doctrine and Covenants?
Do you realize how many millions of dollars the church corporation and membership has spent on promoting the book of Mormon in door to door missionary labors and supporting TV and radio commercials and pamphlets, etc.
The Book of Mormon is listed in the top ten most published books in the history of the world. (estimated at over 150 MILLION copies) .
In the area of religious Christian literature, it is probably second only to the Holy Bible in sales, yet, outside of the membership of the church, the Doctrine and Covenants is virtually unknown compared to the Book of Mormon.
The church and the missionary department have never done anything to encourage investigators to read the D&C.
In fact, if a missionary were to give a D&C to a new investigator and ask him to study it and pray about it, I suspect they would get in trouble with their mission president… and the results would not be good regarding the response of the investigator.
You may be thinking it is because the Book of Mormon contains the milk of the gospel while the D&C contains the meat of the gospel and therefore it is more appropriate to start new investigators off on milk instead of meat.
Perhaps that is part of the reasoning… but I think there is a greater reason!
I believe the primary reason why our missionaries use the Book of Mormon in presenting the restored gospel instead of the Doctrine and Covenants has to do with timing….
It has to do with the fact that most of the prophecies contained in modern revelation are directed to and specifically applicable to the third watch… and very few people understand the doctrine of the third watch.. therefore the book is very confusing to people.
If our missionaries were to start handing out copies of the D&C to new investigators and ask them to pray about the contents thereof, the missionary work would come to a complete stop. Virtually none of the investigators would join the church and the questions that investigators would ask missionaries after reading the D&C would cause many of the missionaries to leave the church.
Here are some of the questions investigators would ask the missionaries if they were asked to read and pray about the Doctrine and Covenants-
“Why aren’t modern day missionaries giving the voice of warning according to the mandate in section one of the D&C?”
“Why is there no longer any urgency about an impending calamity and why Is the voice of warning no longer applicable?”
“Why hasn’t the message of warning gone forth in power to every nation as promised in section one of the D&C? It has been over 160 years and yet the impending doom has never materialized… why!”
Why is the establishment of Zion no longer the major theme of the church and missionary work? Has the church given up on Zion?
“Why didn’t Joseph Smith and the other six laborers of the last kingdom gather the Saints into the holy places and prepare them for the tribulation as unconditionally promised in section 29?”
“Since the Lord tells the saints they cannot be his people if they reject the law of consecration, why don’t Mormons live the law of consecration, or even talk about living it anymore?”
“Why didn’t Joseph Smith lead latter day Israel forth in power as unconditionally promised in section 101 and 103?”
“How come the saints never returned to redeem Zion as promised?” (103)
“Why didn’t the bishop and other first laborers of the last kingdom clearly and understandably explain to the world what the abomination of desolation is that is going to go in the earth as promised in section 88.”
“Why don’t you feel the testimony of the Father and the Son is not worth focusing on?
The list of embarrassing questions like these would go on and on…
You see… in addition to giving the laws and doctrines and covenants pertaining to the latter day restored church, the D&C is primarily a book of prophecy about events that don’t come to pass until the 3rd watch…
And until one realizes that the “marvelous work and a wonder” is a future event and did not begin when the church was restored… until one learns about the doctrine of the three watches, the doctrine and covenants appears to be a book of failed prophecies.
Of course those who understand the doctrine of the three watches understand why the D&C is in fact currently a book of UNFULFILLED prophecies, however, we know that every single unconditional prophecy contained in the D&C will yet be fulfilled, to the letter, just as promised by the Lord.
Just as the Book of Mormon has a declaration to the Lamanites on how they can understand and gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, the D&C also has a declaration and promise to the latter day gentiles and the inhabitants of the world on how they can understand and gain a testimony of modern revelation.
It is contained in section one
37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
39 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen.
So…. For those who don’t understand the doctrine of the three watches, and don’t accept the above noted unconditional promise in section one, the D&C is largely a sealed book.
It appears to be a book of failed prophesies.
It simply doesn’t make sense to those who read it.
Can you see why it is so critical to understand the doctrine of the three watches?
The book is a sealed book to those who think the marvelous work began four generations ago.
The prophetic promises in the book cannot be unsealed and cannot be understood until you understand the doctrine of the three watches.
Until your spiritual eyes have been opened to understand that the marvelous work is a future event and that all of the unconditional promises and prophecies are still going to be fulfilled by those who will be returning from the dead, the book will be a testimony destroyer rather than a testimony builder.
Since the majority of people in the restored church do not yet understand the doctrine of the three watches and therefore do not have the faith to believe the unconditional promises in the D&C, how can we expect investigators to believe it?
For that reason, it is very wise for the church to be very low key about the D&C in relation to missionary work…
We live in a time when God has put blindness over Israel…. The current church is functioning under grace while in a time of hidden darkness and administering the preparatory gospel, even the gospel of Abraham, until the third watch opens…..
I suspect that all of the sociology PHD’s and marketing executives on the payroll of the LDS church have conducted countless research studies and have all of the research to verify that what I have just said it true… namely, that encouraging new investigators to read the D&C would be disastrous to the missionary effort.
The D&C creates enough problems for seasoned members of the church who seriously study the unconditional prophesies in it!
In the past, the book of Mormon has been a good focus and foundation for people to learn about Christ until the time comes when the light shines forth and the voice of warning is declared by messengers who are raised from the dead.
Interestingly, now that so much negative publicity is made available about the Book of Mormon by anti-Mormon websites and videos, the sociologists and marketing executives employed by the church appear to be encouraging the church to do a marketing test… and to change the focus away from the Book of Mormon and toward focusing on happy and successful members of the church.
Again, the latest marketing strategy of the church appears to be getting away from the Book of Mormon and away from the first principles of the gospel and away from testifying of Christ. It appears to be focusing on happy, successful people who are Mormons.
I encourage you to go to www.mormon.org and watch some of the video profiles of the happy successful Mormons.
These are by far the best marketing videos I have ever seen! They might just bring a tear to your eye!
Although they throw in a few token stories of people who have struggled or are currently struggling, most of the heartwarming videos are about the happy successful people in the church… after people tell a little about themselves and what interests they have or what they do for a living, they all end by the person being spotlighted as saying “I am a Mormon”.
The majority of the videos are about extremely successful, happy people. The many of these people are the “poster children of Mormonism”…People who may be very successful in business or who are reporters for national networks or who work for the United Nations, etc.… the type of people the WORLD admires.
The messages are meant to appeal to the worldly. Which is the demographic the church is going for… right?
The message of the videos is not “Christ has been crucified for our sins” or “Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world” or “The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth”, or even “read the Book of Mormon it is a 2nd witness of Christ” etc.
Those types of messages just aren’t pulling a good response from people in the dark times.
The message is, I am happy and successful and I am a Mormon. My religious culture and community breads success and happy people, don’t you want to be like me? Come join the club!
In this dark world, people are looking for success, happiness and for COMMUNITY.
They want to belong to a group of good looking successful happy people.
And that is what the marketing folks at the church have very perceptibly determined.
Believe it or not, I am not being critical.
Why?
I think the church is probably marketing itself in the best possible way they can considering the preparatory gospel they have to offer and considering the current state of the world they are trying to appeal to.
Obviously, if they had the keys of the kingdom and were truly offering the fulness of the gospel, the wrath of God would probably destroy them for blasphemy.
However, their current approach is probably a good teaser approach for introducing people to the preparatory gospel and getting them to begin reading the Book of Mormon and hopefully, eventually the D&C. From there, those who have the light to begin comprehending the deeper things will be led to their personal journey of awakening.
The point is, the fulness of the gospel will be available when the 3rd watch opens upand the final restoration takes place for the last time.
I mentioned earlier in this post that the testimony that the inhabitants of this world will be held accountable for would be the testimony given by the Seer Joseph Smith and the Spokesman Sidney Rigdon.
If you are a non-member or ex-member visiting this blog I assume that you are familiar with section 76, however, if you are not, please review this amazing vision and testimony here.
If you did not read the last post in this series you need to. In it we show how John the Revelator referenced the four classes of souls and the two separate and distinct resurrections that take place prior to the millennium.
In the eighth and final post in this series we will review what the EVIL GIFT is, why it is very unlikely that people are currently parting the heavens and we will revisit Lyman Wights proclamation that the Book of Commandments represented Celestial Law and the Doctrine and Covenants represented Telestial Law.
The Terrestrial Souls are Saved without Repentance during Probation
Paul reveals the great mystery that Gods people have had a blindness put upon them that has obscured their vision and prevented them from accepting the fullness of the gospel until a set time when the fullness of the Gentiles finally comes in and Gods deliverer triumphantly comes out of Zion to turn away ungodliness from Jacob!
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Rom 11
Have you ever wondered how ALL Israel can be saved from UN-RIGHTEOUSNESS into RIGHTEOUSNESS?
After all, the children of Israel rejected the higher law when Moses tried to get them to see the face of God were a very wicked and rebellious people.
After Moses plead with God to not wipe them off the face of the earth, God told them that he was only going to delay their punishment… he warned that in the last days they would feel his wrath.
Modern revelation tells us that the Jews [kingdom of Judah] only come forth to their salvation AFTER THEIR PAIN.
“And they also of the tribe of Judah after their pain shall be sanctified in holiness before the Lord, to dwell in his presence day and night for ever and ever.” (section 133:35)
Incredible.
It appears the holiness of the Lord will sanctify the terrestrials after they endure their pain.
Although they will not receive the fulness of the father, they will be able to dwell in the presence of Christ forever.
The Book of Mormon and other ancient documents testify that most of latter day Israel will be just as wicked as ancient Israel, their forefathers, and will make war against the Lamb of God prior to his second coming.
“behold the house of Israel hath gathered together to fight against the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (1 Nephi 11)
Also, did you catch the last verse in Rom 11?
This particular set of gifts and eternal calling that is given to terrestrial Israel comes without repentance.
This is a specific reference to the incredible truth taught in sections 76&88, that the terrestrial souls do not repent and accept the fulness of the gospel during probation, they conform with, and comply to the law after they are brought forth from the dead to be judged according to men in the flesh.
They are not valiant in gaining the TESTIMONY of Jesus during probation.
This is an amazing concept that God is going to save the portion of Israel who are clearly not the elect and who apparently don’t even repent during probation.
Paul was paraphrasing what Isaiah had prophesied about the deliverer that would come to Zion
“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
20 ¶ And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.
21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.” Isa 59
As strange as it seems the whole house of Israel will be saved (from outer darkness), we are told that, time after time in the scriptures, not just from those two passages from Isaiah and Paul.
Here are a few more
17 But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. Isa. 45: 17
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jer. 23: 6
13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. Zech. 8: 13
25 And Israel shall be saved in mine own due time; and by the keys which I have given shall they be led, and no more be confounded at all. D&C 35: 25
33 And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand. D&C 38: 33
12 And in that day all who are found upon the watch-tower, or in other words, all mine Israel, shall be saved. D&C 101: 12
Notice from the Book of Mormon how Christ spoke about the fulfilling of the covenant of the Lord to the house of Israel
4 And I command you that ye shall write these sayings after I am gone, that if it so be that my people at Jerusalem, they who have seen me and been with me in my ministry, do not ask the Father in my name, that they may receive a knowledge of you by the Holy Ghost, and also of the other tribes whom they know not of, that these sayings which ye shall write shall be kept and shall be manifested unto the Gentiles, that through the fulness of the Gentiles, the remnant of their seed, who shall be scattered forth upon the face of the earth because of their unbelief, may be brought in, or may be brought to a knowledge of me, their Redeemer.
5 And then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth; and then will I fulfil the covenant which the Father hath made unto all the people of the house of Israel.
6 And blessed are the Gentiles, because of their belief in me, in and of the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father.
7 Behold, because of their belief in me, saith the Father, and because of the unbelief of you, O house of Israel, in the latter day shall the truth come unto the Gentiles, that the fulness of these things shall be made known unto them. (3rd Nephi 16)
The First and Second Harvest
Why is it that sometimes the scriptures only talk about the REMNANT of Israel that will be saved and other times it assures us that ALL of Israel will be saved?
Because there are two separate covenants, two separate salvations… two separate harvests being talked about.
The elect of Israel are first gathered out from among the tares during the first harvest. ( Culminating in the resurrection of the Just)
These are they that were valiant in the testimony of Jesus.
The remainder of Israel will be gathered out by the elect, during the second or third harvest.
He then will turn all of Jacob from transgression even though they did not accept the fulness of the gospel during probation.
How can he do this?
God says “this is my covenant with them“
What covenant is God referring to?
Under what covenant is terrestrial Israel saved?
It is done under the covenant he had with Abraham their Father.
That is right, there are two gospel laws and two gospel covenants and two levels of salvation at play in the end times. It does not have to do with whether a person was living in Old Testament times or New Testament times, indeed there were people who lived according to the new and everlasting covenant during the Old Testament and there are people living the Gospel of Abraham right now, in these latter days.
The Fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ
The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the covenant that saves the elect and makes them HOLY by grace through faith. Indeed they “overcome by faith and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise which the Father sheds upon all those who are just and true” (76:53+) “the Just shall live by faith”
The Preparatory Gospel of Abraham
The preparatory gospel, even the Abrahamic Covenant is the covenant that saves the terrestrials and makes them RIGHTEOUS by grace through works.
These are they who “died without law” and “who received not the TESTIMONY of Jesus in the flesh but after wards received it”.
“These are they who are not valiant in the TESTIMONY of Jesus wherefore they receive not the crown over the kingdom” Why? “because they were deceived by the craftiness of men”.
They are “the spirits of men kept in prison” who are brought forth at the time of redemption to “receive the gospel” and “be judged according to men in the flesh“.
After receiving the gospel and conforming to gospel law and being baptized, they will be righteous and will “receive of the presence of the Son but not the fulness of the father.” (76:72-77 & 88)
The existence of two saving covenants is revealed in Ether 13 where the two levels of salvation and the two groups or cities of saved beings are identified as the “New Jerusalem” (Celestial) and the “Old Jerusalem” (Terrestrial).
The New Jerusalem is the holy city that descends with Christ at his coming. It is inhabited by those who became NEW creatures through the new and everlasting covenant established by Christ.
The Old Jerusalem is the righteous city that meets Christ at his coming, after their pain, when he descends with his Elect. They are those who come under the OLD covenant established through Abraham.
The New Jerusalem
Notice how the elect of God are described in verves 3 & 10 of chapter 13 of Ether and are referred to as the “New Jerusalem” and how they come down from heaven, descending with Christ at his coming in the holy sanctuary of the Lord. They are MADE WHITE THROUGH THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB because they received the testimony and accepted the fullness of the gospel during probation.
The Old Jerusalem
The Terrestrial portion of Israel is referred to in verse 11 of chapter 13 as the “Old Jerusalem“. They have BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB and have entered into their portion of salvation because they were “PARTAKERS OF THE FULFILLING OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD MADE WITH THEIR FATHER ABRAHAM“
If you did not already understand this concept pertaining to the two gospel covenants and gospel laws, and yet have still not experienced an epiphany, I suggest you read the above paragraphs again.
This is incredible.
It will explain a multitude of scriptures that have previously been confusing and it proves that both the gospel of works and the gospel of faith are both taught in the scriptures as separate and distinct doctrines and as separate and distinct levels of salvation.
Something New Must be Done for the Salvation of the Church
As explained in previous posts, the restored church had a 3 1/2 year period during which they attempted to comprehend the Celestial Light of the Celestial Law from mid June 1831 to late December 1834. Shortly after they cumulatively rejected the FULNESS of the Gospel, the Prophet Joseph Smith proclaimed that the Lord had revealed to him that “Something new must be done for the Salvation of the Church“.
All of this coincided with the restoration of the Gospel of Abraham that took place in the Kirtland Temple in 1836.
This enabled the Church to live a lesser gospel law.
Now, instead of striving to-
1- be baptized of water, fire and Holy Ghost,
2- gain the testimony of Jesus by being transfigured and to see and hear the Father testify of the Son, and
3- to establish Zion,
the new goal of the church was to-
1- believe,
2- be baptized and to
3- endure to the end.
Shortly after the restoration of the Gospel of Abraham, the apostles were sent to foreign missions to take the preparatory gospel of Abraham to the world. (if you read their mandate of the Lord to them in section 112 and compare it to the mandate he gave to the 12 apostles in other places you will be amazed at the difference)
Later in this series we shall see that there are two levels of salvation, three degrees of glory and four categories of souls spoken of in the NEW TESTAMENT.
Section 76 was actually not revealing a complex plan of salvation that was not already taught in the New Testament!
The New Testament actually lists all four categories of souls that inhabit this earth.
One level of salvation has to do with becoming RIGHTEOUS while the other level has to do with becoming HOLY.
We shall see that the TESTIMONY given by the Seer and the Spokesman in section 76 contained the plan of salvation that had already been taught in the New Testament. (more on this in part six)
In order to fully appreciate the role of the TESTIMONY given by the Seer and the Spokesman in the 3rd watch, we not only need to understand what a true testimony is, we also need to understand what it is not.
A TESTIMONY of Christ
is not just a BELIEF in Christ
Nor is it Faith or Belief
in Someone Else’s TESTIMONY
As briefly touched on in part two of this series, there is a significant difference between a belief in Christ which is inspired by the Holy Ghost and a knowledge that Jesus if the Son of God which is also made possible by the Holy Ghost.
There is, what appears to be a false teaching in the church today, that one has a testimony once they feel the “promptings of the Spirit” or the “manifestations of the spirit” or “burning in the bosom”.
I don’t believe this teaching was prevalent in the early history of the LDS church.
I believe it originated after the church went into apostasy.
It is not supported in scripture.
The burning in the bosom and the promptings that we get from the spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost does not constitute a testimony of Christ that the scriptures are referring to .
Those feelings from the spirit are simply strengthening our faith and our belief in the testimony of someone.
In Alma 34 you can read about how the spirit enables our faith and desire to grow and sprout and swell within your breast.
It is that feeling that members of the latter day church confuse as a sure testimony from the Holy Ghost
In that chapter we are informed that faith is not to have a perfect knowledge.
It is during the process of desiring to know, that you “awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon” the words of Christ. It is when you “exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe” and you “let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of” his words.
If you allow the true seed to sprout within your heart, the “Spirit of the Lord” will cause it to “begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”
It is these incredible swelling motions and enlarging of the soul and spiritual enlightenment that is you are experiencing when you hear other written or verbal TESTIMONIES from those who have actually seen Christ!
While expounding upon the spiritual gifts, Paul reminds us that “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” Ref
Alma continues-
“Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.”
He is helping us to make a distinction. A true TESTIMONY of Christ is a perfect knowledge while a faith based belief is not a perfect knowledge..
“But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.“
Just because we are having a wonderful experience feeling the spirit and feeling our faith sprout and grow doesn’t mean that we should flatter ourselves into thinking that we have a literal sure knowledge that Jesus is the Christ.
People sometimes assume the following passages referring to Olive Cowdery’s “burning in the bosom” and “manifestations of the spirit” are describing what it feels like to gain a spiritual testimony of Christ-
8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me.
1 Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit.
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.
Those passages are not speaking about gaining a testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. It was long before those revelations that Oliver had testified that he heard the voice of God.
Recently I made comment on another blog that I don’t think there is a mortal living on this earth today that has had the heavens opened and seen the Father bearing testimony of the Son like Joseph and Sidney did… therefore, there is not a living mortal that has a true testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. Indeed there has not been on the earth since the death of Joseph Sidney, Lyman and those very few individuals who participated in the school of the prophets in Kirtland.
Obviously this offended a few of those individuals who are still playing button, button, whose got the priesthood button.
It is natural to want to believe that there are always people on the earth who are rending the veil of unbelief and seeing the Father and the Son. It is a comforting thought… it justifies the belief that all of the keys are still on the earth.
As we progress in this series, I will show from the scriptures that it is a fallacy to believe such folly.
In previous posts we have discussed modern scriptures that foretold how a testimony would result after the Lords Seer identified the existing ministry of Rigdon and how it would eventually need to come forth out of Zion.
There is an incredible type of this account of Oliver and Joseph identifying the ministry of Sidney Rigdon.
Let me call your attention to the Gospel of John. (which the JST calls the Testimony of John)
Now look closely at the story line of how John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for and then identify one who was greater than him.
The major distinction I would call your attention to is that even though John baptized with water, Jesus baptized with water and the holy Ghost-
24 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as saith the prophet Esaias.
25 And they who were sent were of the Pharisees.
26 And they asked him, and said unto him; Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not the Christ, nor Elias who was to restore all things, neither that prophet?
27 John answered them, saying; I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
28 He it is of whom I bear record. He is that prophet, even Elias, who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose, or whose place I am not able to fill; for he shall baptize, not only with water, but with fire, and with the Holy Ghost.
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and said; Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world!
30 And John bare record of him unto the people, saying, This is he of whom I said; After me cometh a man who is preferred before me; for he was before me, and I knew him, and that he should be made manifest to Israel; therefore am I come baptizing with water.
31 And John bare record, saying; When he was baptized of me, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
32 And I knew him; for he who sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me; Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
33 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Now then, as you know, Joseph and Oliver were involved in their own ministry when the Lord told them to identify a minister of another existing ministry. Just as John Identified Christ, Joseph through revelation, revealed who Sidney was.
Joseph and Oliver were typological of John the Baptist-
Eventually, Joseph would reveal that Sidney is the latter day servant who is to declare the acceptable day of the Lord, just as the Savior did.
And, as we have already discussed, in the very first revelation given to Sidney, the Lord told him that he had been inspired to do what he had already been doing.
He was then told that he had been prepared to do a greater work and that his work would carry over into the third watch when the folly of the Gentiles would be manifest.
But here is where it gets really interesting again, as far as the parallel of the account of how John the Baptist was the forerunner who was to identify Christ and how John baptized with water But Christ would baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost….
Now look at what the Lord says in the next revelation given to Edward Partridge
“..I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servcant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit , the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom, and you shall declare it with a loud voice, saying, Hosanna, blessed be the name of the most high God..”
Incredible!
Just as John the Baptist was sent to identify and bear witness of Jesus Christ, the one who would baptize with greater authority and with the holy Ghost, Joseph and Oliver were commissioned to Identify Sidney Rigdon’s ministry. On the same day that Rigdon was identified, the Lord commissions Rigdon, not Smith, to be the one to baptize Partridge with the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands!
What an incredible type!
The implications of this are huge regarding Rigdon and his role in the future, but this is not the focus of this series.
Let me suggest however, that when the Lord promises Partridge that the Holy Ghost, even the comforter will teach him the peaceable things of the kingdom, that is a direct reference to having the heavens opened and becoming an eye witness that Jesus is the Son of God.
In a later revelation, we are informed that the “peaceable things of the kingdom” are shown by the Holy Ghost AFTER the candidate has received the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost- More to come.
And this is my gospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom.
In other words, the true baptism of the spirit fills a person with the Holy Ghost enabling them to having the heavens opened and gaining the testimony of Jesus.
Rigdon was foreordained to be one of the two last witnesses who would send the TESTIMONY to the world.
“In the mouth of two witnesses shall every word be established”.
Virtually every time the word TESTIMONY is used in modern revelation pertaining to knowing that Jesus is the Son of God, it has to do with having the heavens opened and being transformed so that one can literally see the Father and the Son and hear and know for themselves that Jesus is the Son of the Father.
In part three of this series we shall discuss the difference between a faith orb elief that Jesus is the Son of God vs a knowledge that Jesus is the Son of God.
In the last chapter in the unsealed portion of the record that Joseph Smith translated known as the Book of Mormon, Moroni speaks to his brethren the Lamanites who will be living in the last days and tells them that the records that he is sealing up will come forth to them and he tells them how to know that they are true.
Those passages about how to unlock the knowledge that the ancient records are true have become perhaps the most talked about passages in Mormonism… particularly in missionary work.
Some people are a little perplexed at the fact that the Indian nations, as a whole, categorically rejected the Book of Mormon during the 2nd watch, when Oliver Cowdery, Parley Pratt and others introduced to them.
However, the term “THESE RECORDS” in verse 2 is referring to the sealed portion as well as the unsealed portion.
That is one of the reasons we know that Moroni was speaking to the Lamanites of the 3rd watch, when the Marvelous Work and a Wonder begins and brings forth all of the plates, not the 2nd watch when the foundation of the Marvelous Work was laid.
There are a number of interesting subtleties in this chapter that I want to point out just in case you haven’t noticed them.
One is the amazing simplicity of the sequence that follows after the righteous latter day Lamanites accept the record.
Following his admonition and instructions on how to know the records are true, Moroni tells them-
The power of the Holy Ghost can tell them the truth of all things
They can KNOW that Jesus is the Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost
They should not DENY the GOODS GIFTS.
He then lists the good gifts
He speaks about the importance of faith hope and charity.
After that amazingly simple counsel, he directs his remarks to ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH who are living at the time that the records come forth.
“And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth, that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of UNBELIEF. And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there shall be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God“
Notice how the Lord uses the term “doeth good” when speaking to the Saints of the LDS foundation movement-
12 And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this generation. (D&C 35:1)
6 And the anger of God kindleth against the inhabitants of the earth; and none doeth good, for all have gone out of the way. (D&C 82:6)
Despite the bone chilling warning to all the ends of the earth that are living at the time the rest of the records begin to come forth, we know that there will be a remnant of gentiles that repent and rend the veil of unbelief at the same time that the righteous Lamanites do.
Either 4 informs us that a righteous portion of the gentiles will also repent and rend the veil of unbelief in the 3rd watch
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
Ether clarifies that a portion of the righteous gentiles and a portion of the righteous house of Israel (who have not be classified among the gentiles) will repent of their unbelief at the same approximate time, although other scriptures inform us that it is the gentiles that receive it first and take it to the Lamanites-
13 Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief.
14 Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.
15 Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.
16 And then shall my revelations which I have caused to be written by my servant John be unfolded in the eyes of all the people. Remember, when ye see these things, ye shall know that the time is at hand that they shall be made manifest in very deed.
17 Therefore, when ye shall receive this record ye may know that the work of the Father has commenced upon all the face of the land.
18 Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name.
19 And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it. Amen.
We know from this chapter and many other passages that the entire world will be in a state of darkness and apostasy at the time that the Marvelous Work finally commences. It is not until the appointed time that the plates come forth that any of the gentiles or house of Israel fully repent and rend the veil of unbelief and gain the testimony that Jesus is the Son of God. Prior to that time, those of us that believe in Christ have a faith and belief in the testimony of other that has been inspired by the Holy Ghost.
As I was reading this chapter and studying the gifts that the Lord had promised the Lamanites that are going to accept the gospel within the next few years, I was struck by the fact that their list of gifts did not seem to match up exactly with the gifts promised to us gentiles in section 46.
Notice the comparison on the graphic below.
Although about nine of the gifts are promised to both groups, the Lamanites are promised the gift of “exceeding faith” which is not expressly mentioned to the Gentiles.
Another fascinating thing is how the Gentiles get the discerning of spirits while the Lamanites get the gift of beholding angels and ministering spirits… are those gifts the same?
Interestingly, the gentiles are given the gifts pertaining to “administration” and “diversities of operations“.
Notice how the Gentiles are given the gifts of knowing the differences of administration and the diversities of operations while the Lamanites don’t.
In my opinion, when you compare the complexities of the things stated about church administration and the way it is to operate in modern revelation to the simplicity of the gospel and how the Lord conducted the affairs of the church among the decedents of Lehi in the Book of Mormon, it makes sense that the gentiles are promised those gifts and the Lamanites are not.
After all, it is the first laborers of the last kingdom (identified among the gentiles) that have been given the keys of the kingdom and stewardship to bring forth the records and the keys of the gathering that they have been given and to administer the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This why we are informed in modern revelation that the righteous remnant of Ephraim from among the gentiles will act in an administrative capacity, bestowing the blessings of the gospel upon the others of the elect.
Another very striking difference between the two sets of gifts is that one of the gifts the gentiles get is the gift to be able to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, on the words of those who have a knowledge that he is.
That gift is not given to the repentant Lamanites, they appear to all gain the Knowledge from heaven through the power of the holy Ghost.
That is a striking difference, and I believe it has to do with the fact that the gentiles have mixed blood and the fact that they are comprised of varying tribes of the house of Israel with varying spiritual dna, while the Lamanites have maintained their tribal state and identity.
As Joseph Smith said, the gospel net gathers all sorts of fish.
I believe those who “believe” and “endure to the end” without receiving the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost (being valiant in getting the spiritual testimony that Jesus is the Son of God by the power of the Holy Ghost) will receive their salvation in the terrestrial kingdom.
when we resume the series about the significance of the TESTIMONY that will be sealed up when the servants return, we will discuss this in more detail. Another thing I hope to discuss in that series is the EVIL GIFT.
Please notice verse 30
30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing. (Moro 10:30)
Moroni is speaking to everyone in the 3rd watch and he is not only beseeching them to come unto Christ and lay hold upon every good gift, he is warning them to not touch the EVIL GIFT!
Did you know that there is an evil gift that Satan has introduced in the world?
Do you know what the evil gift is?
Have you partaken of the evil gift?
Many Latter Day Saints have.
I believe the Book of Mormon is the only book of scripture that explains what this evil gift is, in detail.
We will probably address this most important topic in one of the parts of the series on the sealing up of the Testimony.
I have decided to divide this topic into different parts for the wimps that can’t read a 50 page rant in one sitting… LOL
After the Saints transgressed the laws and changed the ordinances and were forced to flee from Jackson, and Kirtland, he gave them yet another chance to consecrate and build a temple in the Far West portion of his vineyard.
After failing to successfully consecrate and build the temple in Far West, they were forced to flee from that holy place as well.
They finally settled in Nauvoo, the cornerstone of Zion, where the Lord, in his infinite mercy gave them another chance to repent, build the Nauvoo Temple and usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times.
Unfortunately the Saints failed to consecrate, finish the Nauvoo temple and redeem Zion and eventually had to flee from Nauvoo as well.
This is why the book of Mormon refers to the 2nd watch generation of gentiles as those who “SEEK” to bring forth Zion, not as those that would bring forth Zion in that generation.
37 And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be. 1 Ne. 13: 37
The Lord knew that the righteous saints of the 2nd watch would not be successful in consecrating and establishing Zion during that particular gospel generation when the wheat and the tares would be mingled together, and yet the promise was that if they endured to the end, they would be lifted up and saved in the everlasting kingdom of God.
In the third watch they would finally “PUBLISH PEACE“, a clear reference to the publishing of the Bible in its pure form along with the remainder of the ancient records that need to come forth.
We have discussed in a previous blog how it appears that the Lord acknowledged the atonement OFFERING that Joseph Smith had made in the opening verse of section 124.
“I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments“
From time to time Joseph made a few interesting comments that implied that he understood that he was making an atonement and acting as a intercessor.
One such time was when he told the Saints in 1840 that they could no longer attempt consecration. The high council was so shocked and concerned about that statement, given the unconditional commandments and warnings from the Lord in modern revelation that they said they would only accept that council based on Joseph’s acknowledgement that the counsel had come from God and that Joseph was personally willing to take responsibility for it.
“This council will coincide with President Joseph Smith, Jun’s decision concerning the consecration law, on the principle of it’s being the will of the Lord, and of President Smith’s taking the responsibility on him self“
“Joseph agree that “he assumed the whole responsibility of not keeping it until proposed by himself” (HC 4:93-4)
After referring to the offering that Joseph had made in section 124 the revelation continued and the Lord then acknowledged that he had raised Joseph Smith up for the eventual purpose of showing forth his wisdom through the “weak things of the earth“. Clearly Joseph Smith and his associates were typical of weak mortal souls whom God was continually chastising but preparing to work a miracle through them .
God then said to Joseph Smith “…you are now called immediately to make a solemn proclamation of my gospel, and of this stake which I have planted to be a cornerstone of Zion, which shall be polished with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace.”
That commandment to write the solemn proclamation appears to have been something Joseph was to do at that time or at least the calling to do so was immediately made at that time.
Nevertheless, the Lord, in his infinite foreknowledge could foresee that the Saints would not be prepared to usher in the dispensation of the fulness of times and send the proclamation to the kings of the earth at the “set time” in the 2nd watch.
It would need to take place at the “set time” in the third watch-
“This proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and the high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad.“
“Let it be written in the spirit of meekness and by the power of the Holy Ghost, which shall be in you at the time of the writing of the same;
For it shall be given you by the Holy Ghost to know my will concerning those kings and authorities, even what shall befall them in a time to come.
For, behold, I am about to call upon them to give heed to the light and glory of Zion, for the set time has come to favor her.”
The Testimony that shall go Forth
It is the next commandment mentioned in section 124 that is the focus of this particular blog post.
“Call ye, therefore, upon them with loud proclamation, and WITH YOUR TESTIMONY, fearing them not, for they are as grass, and all their glory as the flower thereof which soon falleth, that they may be left also without excuse—
And that I may visit them in the day of visitation, when I shall unveil the face of my covering, to appoint the portion of the oppressor among hypocrites, where there is gnashing of teeth, if they reject my servants and my TESTIMONY which I have revealed unto them.”
In a future time, Joseph and Sidney and their brethren will call upon the kings and authorities of the world with LOUD PROCLAMATION and with what?
“WITH THEIR TESTIMONY“
What testimony is the Lord speaking about?
It is the testimony that was received during the vision that is now recorded in part, in section 76!!!!!
“and now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the TESTIMONY last of all which we give of him that he lives, for was saw him even on the right hand of God and heard the voice bearing witness that he is the only begotten of the Father“
Embedded within the above declaration is the definition of what a true and complete testimony is. A full and complete testimony is to have the heavens opened and to SEE and to HEAR for ones self. One must see God and hear his voice bearing witness.
That testimony given in section 76 and mentioned in section 124 is also mentioned in section 58-
“And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God— “(Section 58)
Again, that was speaking of the same testimony… the testimony that the Seer and the Spokesman gave to the world in section 76.
A few posts ago I provided a primer for this post. In it we reviewed how God used Joseph and Oliver to bring to light the exiting, preparatory ministry of Sidney Rigdon.
Once they received section 35 and 36 identifying who Rigdon was and the preparatory ministry he had been involved it, the Lord proclaimed that he had prepared Sidney for a GREATER WORK.
“..I have heard thy prayers and prepared thee for a greater work”
The Lord then commanded Sidney to baptize people with water AND the holy Ghost by the laying on of hands just like the apostles of old.
This GREATER WORK that Sidney had been prepared to do was to take also take place in the third watch when the folly of the gentiles would finally be manifest in the eyes of all people-
“And it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people.”
The revelation goes on to observe that during this future work that Sidney would be involved in, the Lord would show forth miracles, signs and wonders unto all those who believe on Gods name.
As mentioned in the primer that I published a few posts ago, one of the amazing things that I only recently picked up on in section 6 was the prophecy that the bringing to light of Rigdon’s existing ministry would result in a TESTIMONY.
This was obviously prophesying about the TESTIMONY contained in the VISION that Joseph and Sidney would have after Sidney was identified.
Joseph and Sidney were to be valiant in seeking the face of God and in gaining the TESTIMONY they would bear to the world.
I am going to suggest that modern Mormonism has lost sight of what THE testimony of Jesus Christ really is.
According to section 76 and the Book of Revelation, it is to be filled with the spirit of prophecy and to see God with your eyes and hear his voice with your ears.
In our apostate LDS culture we confuse a faith in Christ and a belief in Christ with a TESTIMONY OF CHRIST.
We are taught that if we feel the “promptings of the spirit” regarding the divinity of Christ, then we have a testimony of Christ… Sometimes we even think that believing on some one else’s words is a testimony of Christ… but is that definition really scriptural?
I believe it is not.
We often see parents whispering the words of a testimony in the ears of their JR Sunday School toddlers in fast and testimony meeting to the effect of “I know that Jesus lives and the church is true” so that the kids will parrot the testimony to the audience and grow up thinking they have a testimony.
Missionaries are told that when they come upon evangelical Christians who challenge the credibility of the doctrines and history of the church that instead of entering into an honorable and intelligent debate of the issues, they should simply bear their testimony that they know the gospel and the church is true.
Usually the testimony they provide is the exact same one their parents began whispering in their ears before the age of accountability.
I have come to believe, after studying section 76 and doing key word searches on the word TESTIMONY, that belief and faith in God does not constitute a full and complete testimony of Jesus according to the holy word of God in the scriptures… furthermore I believe God does not smile upon the practice of bearing testimony when a valid testimony does not in fact exist.
I believe that practice ranks somewhere between highly disrespectful and inappropriate, to downright blasphemous, in the eyes of God.
I believe that God is not pleased or amused by it.
On an even more sobering note, It is not uncommon to hear general authorities state something to the effect of “If Christ were to come and stand before me in the flesh, I would not know more then, than I know now that Jesus is the Christ and that he lives”
Foolishness!
Absurdity!
Frankly, that statement is simply false in my opinion.
Being filled with the spirit and transformed before God to behold his face and hear the Father bear witness of the Son produces a significantly greater knowledge and testimony of him than the warmth of the spirit testifying to us, even though the whisperings of the spirit may strengthen our belief.
Sidney Rigdon was the main speaker in the last general conference that he and Joseph Smith attended just two months before the martyrdom on the 6, 7, 8 and 9th of April in 1844
Wanting to emphasis the importance and power of being an eye and hear witness of Jesus Christ he said,
“there is men in your midst who have learned there is a great God who can do as He pleases-
He can take up the hills as a little things, and such men do not fear death…
they know about heaven.
They have seen it and know all about it.
There is men in your midst which you must sustain or go to Hell.
Save them and you save yourselves.
Reject them and you go to Hell..
You have just men in your midst…”.
Three of the men Sidney was obviously speaking about were Joseph, Sidney and Lyman. These three had received the holy Melchizedek Priesthood and had had the heavens opened and seen the Father bearing witness of the Son.
The testimony those three men gave to the world compares with the words of Brigham Young who claimed he had never seen God and didn’t expect to until after he died.
The importance of having the heavens opened obviously represents a greater witness than the testimony from another man, angel or the subtle promptings of the Holy Spirit, otherwise the Lord would not put so much emphasis on the importance of seeking to see his face.
“And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life.” (section 101)
Indeed the very definition of eternal life is in the literal, first hand knowing of the Father and Son-
“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.“
Please notice in the following prophecy in the Book of Mormon how the vision and testimony of the Brother of Jared (which contained a similar testimony of God as the visions of John the Revelator and the vision of Joseph and Sidney) would not go forth unto the gentiles until the day when they repent.
However notice the subtle distinction between those written words about the vision that will go forth vs. the actual unfolding of those same revelations that will be revealed to the elect of God once they repent of their iniquity and become clean before the Lord, when they finally EXCERCIZE THE SAME FAITH as the Brother of Jared.
Anyone that exercises the same faith as the Brother of Jared, will receive the exact same results.
The 144,000 Saviors on Mt. Zion will all have personally seen what Joseph, Sidney, Lyman, John and the Brother of Jared saw and will be able to bear the same record because of the MANIFESTATIONS OF THE SPIRIT, that enable them to be transfigured before God and to see him and hear his voice.
4 Behold, I have written upon these plates the very things which the brother of Jared saw; and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared.
5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in that day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that they may become sanctified in me, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
11 But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good.
Additionally, one must remember the admonition given to the quorum of the 12 after they were called in this dispensation which we have addressed in previous posts.
Joseph warned them that their calling would not be complete until Christ appeared to them and ordained them apostles himself.
“He then read the revelation, (regarding the calling of 12 apostles by Oliver and David) and said: Have you desired this ministry with all your hearts? If you have desired it you are called of God, not of man, to go into the world.
He then read again, from the revelation, what the Lord said unto the Twelve. Brethren, you have had your duty presented in this revelation. You have been ordained to this holy Priesthood, you have received it from those who have the power and authority from an angel; you are to preach the Gospel to every nation. Should you in the least degree come short of your duty, great will be your condemnation; for the greater the calling the greater the transgression. I therefore warn yon to cultivat great humility; for I know the pride of the human heart. Beware, lest the flatterers of the world lift you up; beware, lest your affections be captivated by worldly objects. Let your ministry be first. Remember, the souls of men are committed to your charge; and if you mind your calling, you shall always prosper.
You have been indebted to other men, in the first instance, for evidence; on that you have acted; but it is necessary that you receive a testimony from heaven for yourselves; so that you can bear testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon, and that you have seen the face of God. That is more than the testimony of an angel. When the proper time arrives, you shall be able to bear this testimony to the world. When you bear testimony that you have seen God, this testimony God will never suffer to fall, but will bear you out; although many will not give heed, yet others will. You will therefore see the necessity of getting this testimony from heaven.
Never cease striving until you have seen God face to face. Strengthen your faith; cast off your doubts, your sins, and all your unbelief; and nothing can prevent you from coming to God. Your ordination is not full and complete till God has laid His hand upon you. We require as much to qualify us as did those who have gone before us; God is the same. If the Savior in former days laid His hands on His disciples, why not in latter days?
Clearly there are levels of knowing, and therefore levels of testimony, however, a testimony in the ultimate sense, as virtually always used in scripture, is the testimony of having the heavens opened and of seeing and hearing for one’s self, not just to believe on the testimony of others.
It is perhaps the mother of all apologetic statements for general authorities to imply that seeing God and hearing his voice is not a greater gnosis and a greater witness than to feel the subtle warmth of the spirit witness to the soul that God lives..
Whenever the church no longer has people who can bear witness that they have seen God and heard the Father bearing witness of the Son, it is a major red flag.
The commandment to seek the face of God is a very real and sobering one that is to be taken seriously and the calling of apostle requires one to see the face of God before that calling is complete and final.
Once a person has been valiant in getting a true testimony, they are required to be valiant in testifying of seeing Christ, just as Lyman, Sidney, Joseph, John and the Brother of Jared all did.
Since Mrs Watcher is out of town visiting relatives, I will be alone by the campfire tonight pondering the prophetic possibilities of September and October of this year whilst waiting, watching and weeping for Zion as the feast of Trumpets is upon us.
I plan on having lots of these “Zion Watch” sessions during the next two months.
Will I be watching and weeping for Zion alone or will you be joining me in whatever part of the vineyard you find yourself in?
Phases
New moon:
12:30 Wednesday, 08 September
First quarter:
07:50 Wednesday, 15 September
Full moon:
11:17 Thursday, 23 September
Last quarter:
05:52 Friday, 01 October
New moon:
20:45 Thursday, 07 October
Full moon:
01:36 Thursday, 23 October
Although the above dates are found in a post on the internet, I have found conflicting interpretations as to whether the feast actually begins on the 8th, 9th or 10th… and then of course, there is always the ominous date of September 11th which is rooted deeply in LDS historicity and other historical events not the least of which are a) the date section 64 was given, b) the date Zion was to be redeemed by, in the 2nd watch, c) the Mountain meadows Massacre and d) the 9/11 attach of the twin towers in 2001..
But let us also not forget the significance of the two following feasts in this month and October, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (10 Tishri) and Sukkot or “Booths” the feast of Tabernacles.
And lastly, let us not forget the ongoing, annual prophetic significance of September 22nd… more on that later.
This will be my third and final post having to do with, among other things, the curse that Malachi, Isaiah and other ancient prophets spoke about that I believe is associated with the global calamity mentioned in section one of the D&C and which I also believe is related to the current crisis in the gulf of Mexico.
This could be long winded so pop some corn, heat up the hot chocolate, stoke the fire and make yourself comfortable.
We live in one of the most remarkable prophetic times in the history of the world.
I believe we are not only living in the last generation spoken of by Christ in Matthew 24, but more specifically, I think we have already entered into a major seven year prophetic time sequence of the last days.
Now that most of the masses have been lulled back to sleep by the mainstream media and are under the delusion that the gulf crisis has been or is currently being resolved, this nation is set up for the great calamity mentioned in section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenant.
He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword
You will recall that I quoted from and provided videos of Matthew Simmons warning about the gulf crisis in my last post.
(Picture of the “heart attack gun” at congressional hearings. It shoots a poisonous dart into the victim without them knowing it, which mimics, or causes a heart attack and kills the victim while looking like the victim died of natural causes.)
Those of us who are tuned into alternative medias, realize that the PTB would not have orchestrated the death of Brother Matt Simmons if there was not some truth to the voice of warning that he gave concerning the desolating sickness that is in the process of coming out of the gulf.
My condolences to the family of Brother Simmons for his untimely death on August 8 2010.
Matt was a prominent of peak oil and an advocate of the policies of the Club of Rome.
Although he was part of the global elite, very good friends with the Bush family, having served as he served as energy adviser to U.S. President George W. Bush and was a member of the council on foreign relations, he was, nevertheless sounding the warning voice about the seriousness of the situation in the gulf.
My condolences also go to the family of Gareth Williams, A British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS, also known as MI6) spy who is believed by some to be part of the ‘hit team’ ordered to assassinate brother Simmons.
It is believed that Gareth had returned to London on August 11th from the United States on a flight from Boston a little less than 36 hours after Simmons was believed to have been “murdered” in his Maine vacation home.
Gareth’s body was discovered murdered and stuffed into a sports bag in the bathtub of his flat on August 23rd.
Some believe that Gareth was dispatched to his next assignment in the dark regions of the abyss by his counterparts from the CIA or the NSA for the deed he had done to Simmons.
Apparently the PTB were not in harmony as to whether Simmons should be silenced or not about the horrendous transgressions of BP and the serious threat to our health the gulf has become.
When secret societies are having their spy agencies assassinate members of other spy agencies controlled by sister societies, it is certainly a sign that Satan’s kingdom is divided.
The book of Mormon prophesies that at the time that the Lord God proceeds to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel and begins to gather together his people out of obscurity and darkness for the final time, that the whore of all the earth would begin to war among themselves.
“… the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.” 1 Ne. 22: 13-14
Although the literal fulfillment of the above prophecy is yet a future event, the contention and division among Satan’s minions is increasing.
The long term effects of the gulf stream upon the bloodstream are as yet unknown to the majority of the sleeping American people.
One of the fascinating curiosities of the LDS foundation movement is how Moroni met with Joseph Smith year after year on September 22nd despite the fact that that particular date did not always fall mark the feast of trumpets in following years.
That begs the question of whether the start of the Marvelous Work will be marked by the New Moon and the actual feast of trumpets or if it will be marked by the annual trigger date of September 22nd which seems to be linked with the fall, autumnal equinox (which falls on September 22 this year according to one site and September 23 according to another site)
I pose this question because the Marvelous Work and a Wonder is in fact a continuation or outgrowth of the “foundation of the Marvelous Work” that was laid in the 1800′s.
In other words, the LDS foundation movement represented the “dispensation of the last days” or “last time(s)” in the which is the “dispensation of the fullness of times”. D&C 112: 30
The point I am making is that even though the dispensation of the last times is not synonymous with the dispensation of the fullness of times, it contains it. It continues on even when the fulness of times comes in.
It is therefore not inconceivable that the feast of Trumpets trigger point was fulfilled during the foundation movement and the birthing of the fullness of times could be marked by the annual marker of September 22nd as noted and kept by Moroni.
Just a possibility… something to ponder.
The Book of Mormon, September 22nd and the Feast of Trumpets
As you know, Joseph Smith received the golden plates on the Israelite Day of Remembrance called Rosh ha-Shanah.
Known as the Feast of Trumpets which is followed in quick succession by the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Some excellent articles regarding these feasts have been written by Lenet Hadley Read and John Pratt…
I strongly suggest you review them again. (keep in mind that neither of them seem to comprehend the doctrine of the third watch and therefore, their articles only provide a portion of the big picture, although, to Pratt’s credit, he does acknowledge that the coming forth of additional plates in the future plays an important event in all of this.)
For context of what I am going to speak about in this post I want to provide a brief summary of what the feast of trumpets represents and its interrelationship with the coming forth and translation of the unsealed portion of the golden plates during the start of the LDS foundation movement as well as its interrelationship with the coming forth of the rest of the ancient records when the Marvelous Work and a Wonder begins.
According to biblical references, Jewish tradition and yours truly, these three successive prophetic Jewish feasts represent-
The day the trumpet blasts signaling that God is once again speaking to his prophets
The day the voice of warning goes forth for Israel to repent
The sound of the gospel goes forth as with the sound of the trump
The day God remembers his covenants with Israel
The day God begins the process of gathering his people and bringing them out of exile
The day the final time of harvest begins
The first appearance of Moroni to the prophet Joseph occurred on the evening of September 21-22 1823 and Moroni’s visit was repeated every following year until the plates were received in September of 1827.
You probably already knew that.
But did you know that after the prophet Joseph sinned by allowing Martin Harris to take some of the translation manuscript, the plates were taken from him for a time and the angel Moroni told Joseph that he would not get them back until September 22 1829?
Here is his account of that conversation with the angel.’
“On leaving you, said Joseph, I returned immediately home. Soon after my arrival I commenced humbling myself in mighty prayer before the Lord, and, as I was pouring out my soul in supplication to God, that if possible I might obtain mercy at his hands and be forgiven of all that I had done contrary to his will, an angel stood before me, and answered me saying, that I had sinned in delivering the manuscript into the hands of a wicked man, and , as I had ventured to become responsible for his faithfulness, I would of necessity have to suffer the consequence of his indiscretion, and I must now give up the Urim and Thummim into his (the angels) hands.
This I did as I was directed and as I handed them to him, he remarked, If you are very humble and penitent, it may be you will receive them again; if so, it will be on the twenty-second of next September.”
I find this truly amazing.
Even the return of the Urim and Thummin for the purpose of resuming the work of translation, six years after the first visit from the angel Moroni had to take place on the annual date which began on a holy Jewish feast day.
We know however that time periods of prophet events often take place in 3 ½ and 7 year cycles. For that reason, it is not unlikely that on September 22nd one year after Joseph was able to start translating again, that something profound might have taken place on that sacred date to bring the seven year cycles to completion.. and sure enough, we find that on September 22nd 1830, Joseph Smith and six elders were promised that they would be the ones to declare the gospel and gather Gods people at the time that the voice of the trump takes place, and the other things that the feast of trumpets represents. (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/29/7#7 )
It has been observed that the day on which the angel Moroni delivered the plates to Joseph Smith, Sat 22 Sep 1827, occurred on the Hebrew Feast of Trumpets, also called Rosh Hashanah (1 Tishri).[9] That timing seems significant because of the symbolism. According to Hebrew tradition, trumpets is the annual Judgment Day on which God judges each person for deeds of the last year and current state of righteousness. It is a day of warning and calling to repentance, because one then has nine days to repent before the judgment is finalized on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement (10 Tishri) which is followed by Sukkot or “Booths” the feast of Tabernacles.
Three Seven Year Prophetic Time sequences
Amazing…
I love seeing the signature of God in the exactness of his date sequences pertaining to his dealings with his people.
We know of events that took place on every annual date except the fifth year and also the midpoint date.
I have not taken the time to research these dates yet.
But lets not stop there.
Is it possible that another seven year sequence follows that one?
In section 29, given September of 1830, the Lord warns Joseph to “remember to sin no more, lest perils shall come upon you“.
Sure enough, seven years later in September of 1837 Joseph and his brethren find themselves in peril as a result of the failed Kirtland Safety Society. They are forced to flee Kirtland for their safety, ending the Kirtland era of the church and beginning the Far West era.
Of course, significant events undoubtedly continued to happen each year during the course of the 2nd seven year cycle and possibly on the 3 ½ year midpoint as well.
I haven’t taken the time to research and document each of those dates either, although we have already reviewed, in previous posts, some of the significant events that happened on or within a week or two of these prophetic trigger dates, including section 84 which is also addressed to seven elders, just as section 29 was. It also promises them that God will use them to topple Babylon.
So… If indeed a second seven year prophetic cycle followed the first one, is it possible that a third set followed the second?
What exactly happens seven years from the end of the 3nd seven year cycle?
If we go seven years from the perilous flight from Kirtland, it takes us to just a few months after the martyrdom and into the middle of the succession debate.
Although I have not taken the time to research this final date and many of the other ones contained in the seven year period, it may be possible that the “set time” when the temple needed to be completed before the church was rejected with their dead was on that date, bringing the ominous warning of God contained in section 124 into fulfillment.
Again, I have not done any extensive research to see what I can dig up on the sequence of trigger dates that take place between during this seven year period not can I provide hard documentation to prove that the climax of the seven year period does in fact fall on the acceptable time by which the temple was to be complete.
I am simply looking for trends and types and making speculations.
What is a “Sufficient Time”
Again, I don’t know for sure what is significant about the trigger date of September 22nd 1844 but I have a hunch it marked the completion of the SUFFICIENT TIME that God gave the Saints to build the temple.
You will recall that the Lord announce to the Saints that the fullness of the priesthood had been lost and he gave them a mandate to build a temple with a baptismal font for doing baptisms for the dead that would make possible the restoration of the fullness of the priesthood.
He also gave them a warning to build the temple within a certain predetermined time, during which baptisms for the dead outside of the temple would be allowed and said that the consequences of not doing building the temple within the sufficient time would result in the saints being rejected as a church with their dead.
“…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.
32 But behold, at the end of this appointment your baptisms for your dead shall not be acceptable unto me; and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment ye shall be rejected as a church, with your dead, saith the Lord your God.
33 For verily I say unto you, that after you have had sufficient time to build a house to me, wherein the ordinance of baptizing for the dead belongeth, and for which the same was instituted from before the foundation of the world, your baptisms for your dead cannot be acceptable unto me;
34 For therein are the keys of the holy priesthood ordained, that you may receive honor and glory.
35 And after this time, your baptisms for the dead, by those who are scattered abroad, are not acceptable unto me, saith the Lord. (section 124 Jan 19, 1841)
From the above passages we learn the following things
The Saints are commanded to build a NEW temple in Nauvoo
The FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD had been lost
The completion of the temple would restore the FULNESS OF THE PRIESTHOOD
The new temple would enable the holy work of baptisms for the dead to continue
The temple must be completed within a SUFFICIENT TIME
Baptisms for the dead were allowed outside the temple during the SUFFICIENT TIME
If the temple was not finished within a SUFFICIENT TIME, THE CHURCH WOULD BE REJECTED WITH ITS DEAD!
I am going to suggest that the SUFFICIENT TIME period mentioned by the Lord in section 124 ended on the trigger date of September 22 1844. I believe that is when the “Acceptable Time of the Lord” would have been announced by Rigdon had the Saints repented and obeyed the commandments.
It is when the MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER and the DISPENSATION OF THE FULNESS OF TIMES was to officially begin.
That would make perfect sense for that third seven year sequence to end at the opening of the Marvelous Work and a Wonder, subject to the completion of the temple… when additional records were to come forth and the proclamation would go forth to the kings and authorities of the earth, setting the stage for things..
Now I realize that this contradicts what Lyman Wight said. He said that the sufficient time ended in October of 1841 when Joseph Smith announced that the Lord would no longer accept baptisms for the dead outside of the temple.
HOWEVER let me explain why I think there is some confusion on this point.
First, lets look at the historical record from the official history of the church.
As shown from the revelation, the Lord had said that baptisms for the dead would be allowed outside until the sufficient time for the temple to be completed was finished.
You note from the following passages from the history of the Church and the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith that the Prophet publicly declared that baptisms for the dead would no longer be allowed –
“President Smith then announced; “there shall be no more baptism fo the dead, until the ordinance can be attended to in the Lord’s house; and the Church shall not hold another General Conference, until they can meet in said house. FOR THUS SAITHT HE LORD!” (October 3, 1841 DHC 4:424-6)
Ok… I realize it looks rather ominous and it could imply that the sufficient time had elapsed.
The Lord states very clearly in section 124, in January 19 1841 that baptisms for the dead can only be done outside the temple until it is completed… then, in a public sermon Joseph Smith says “thus saith the Lord…” the Lord will no longer accept baptisms for the dead until the they can be performed in the temple.
That certainly looks as if the Saints had failed to complete the temple within the SUFFICIENT TIME that the Lord had allotted.
The following declaration of Lyman Wight (someone I think very highly of) seems to agree with the above interpretation of the events-
“… We were to have a sufficient time to build that house, during which time our baptisms for our dead should be acceptable in the river. If we did not build within this time we were to be rejected as a church, we and our dead together. Both the temple and baptizing went very leisurely, till the temple was somewhere in building the second story, when Bro. Joseph from the stand announced the alarming declaration that baptism for our dead was no longer acceptable in the river. As much to say the time for building the temple had passed by, and both we and our dead were rejected together..”
“The church now stands rejected together with their dead. The church being rejected now stands alienated from her God in every sense of the word.” (ref )
Lyman Wight made the observation in a letter he wrote in 1851, several years after the martyrdom, as he was looking back retrospectively to try and figure out when things came to an end.
While I agree with Lyman that the refusal by the Lord to accept baptisms for the dead is an ominous omen that potentially implies that God was not happy with the Saints and possibly and an alienation between the Saints and God, I am not sure about his assumption that the predetermined time period for the completion of the temple had fully lapsed.
Here are the reasons I partially disagree with Lyman’s assessment of the situation.
First of all, Joseph Smith continued to admonish the Saints to keep working on the temple which they did, however leisurely, up until his death. If the Lord had revealed to Joseph that the Saints could no longer perform baptisms for the dead, would he have not revealed that they had been rejected with their dead and to stop working on the temple altogether in the same revelation? And would it not be announced in the same sermon?
It seems inconsistent for the prophet to stop the baptisms and yet continue to admonish the Saints to build the temple if they had been completely rejected.
In fact here is what Joseph said in late 1842 about a year after he declared that the Lord would no longer allow baptisms for the dead in the river-
“The building of the Temple of the Lord in the city of Nauvoo, is occupying the first place in the exertions and prayers of many of the Saints at the present time, knowing, as they do, that if this building is not completed speedily, “we shall be rejected as a Church with our dead;” for the Lord our God hath spoken it.” (Joseph Smith, History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7 vols., introduction and notes by B. H. Roberts [Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1932-1951], 4: 472.)
Clearly Joseph and the Saints were still taking the warning from God seriously and were concerned about it.
Joseph was clearly still admonishing the Saints to continue on the temple long after he informed them that their baptisms for the dead in the river were not longer acceptable.
Secondly, The laying of the cornerstone for the temple did not even take place until April 6th 1841.
That means that they had only been working on the temple about six months until the ominous declaration from the Lord took place.
I don’t hardly think that 6 months is a reasonable or sufficient time period in which to build such an edifice.
I find it extremely hard to believe that the Lord in his generosity and mercy would only give them six months time to accomplish such a task. It took three years to build the Kirtland Temple and seven years for Solomon to build that temple!
Obviously, the church membership was much smaller in Kirtland, but that temple was not as big a project as the Nauvoo Temple.
Keep in mind also that Joseph had let the Saints know that both the temple and the Nauvoo House had to BOTH be finished expeditiously according to Josephs interpretation of the revelation and/or additional revelation that he received!
“The building of the Nauvoo House is just as sacred in my view as the Temple. I want to the Nauvoo House built; It must be built. Our salvation depends on it.” (Restoring the Joseph Smith discourses ( Words of Joseph Smith ) pg 179-88)
“… and the first great object before us, and the Saints generally, is to help forward the completion of the Temple and the Nauvoo House- buildings which are now in progress according the revelations, and which must be completed to secure the salvation of the church in the last days…” (HC 4:449
They were currently working on the second floor of the building at that time of the announcement and while it may be true that they could have been working harder and faster than they did, I am not convinced that they could have had it completely finished in that amount of time without supernatural help.
I think the reason that the Saints had become alienated from God and prevented from doing baptisms for the dead, is because of something else.
In section 124 God utters the following prophecy-
“47 AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord.
48 For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practise before me, saith the Lord.”
I think the above prophecy tells the real story.
It appears to be stating that because of abominations practiced among the Saints between January of 1841 , when the revelation was given and October of 1841 , when the announcement was made, the Saints had brought a cursing upon their own heads and God was no longer allowing them to resume an ordinance that pertains to the dispensation of the fullness of times that the Saints were attempting to usher in…
Hence, Lyman was right in his observation that God was angry with the Saints and that their actions had been cursed, however I believe it was related to the practice of abominations, not the failure to complete the temple in the appointed time.
I believe God, in his great mercy continued laboring with the Saints for a while after that point in time and would have allowed them to complete the temple and usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times and the marvelous work and a wonder had they repented of their abominations and finished the temple by the sufficient period of time which had been allotted.
Which I believe was on or about September 22 1844 or possibly September 11 1844 (September 11th had been the appointed time in Kirtland to redeem Zion).
If indeed the appointed time for the Marvelous Work to begin had been September 11th or 22nd 1844, that would have given the Saints over three years to complete the temple and the Nauvoo house which would have been sufficient time based on how much they accomplished during the first six months, had they been united striving in the effort with all of their might and all of their resources.
Please don’t get me wrong.
I am not trying to minimize the serious consequences of not finishing the temple. Clearly, it was not ever finished in that generation despite what LDS apologists and historical revisionists say.
And regardless of what the actual “sufficient time” frame was, the church obviously failed to finish and dedicate the temple by the required date which resulted in the rejection of the church with their dead.
My point is simply that I believe the sufficient time period was not six months ending in October of 1841, it was obviously at least a few years later.
And I am speculating that it possibly came to an end on September 22nd 1844.
I believe the reason the Lord rejected baptisms for the dead in the river had to do with the abominations being practiced in Nauvoo.
I would elaborate on what I think those abominations were, but I have beat that poor horse sufficiently in previous posts.
The ultimate failure to complete the temple in that generation would result in the Saints having to flee from Nauvoo even though the Lord had promised that the Saints “would not be moved out of their place” if they would “hearken unto my voice..”
Interestingly, in a sermon given in March of 1841 Joseph prophesied that the Saints would not give heed and hearken to the voice of God and that they would be scattered and driven from Nauvoo.. unable to receive again the kingdom of God and its POWER until the Ancient of Days returns-
“I prophesy that the day will come when you will say, ‘Oh that we had given heed… the people will not hearken nor hear and bondage, death and destruction are close at our heels. The kingdom will not be broken up but we shall be scattered and driven, gathered again & then dispersed, reestablished & driven abroad and so on until the Ancient of day shall sit and the kingdom and power thereof shall be given to the Saints and they shall possess it forever and ever…” Words of Joseph Smith pg 67
But I digress…
Again, the main point I want to make is simply that it appears that there may have been three consecutive prophetic seven year sequences during the LDS foundation movement, the last of the three may very probably ended on September 22nd 1844.
You might be wondering why these past time sequences are of worth to us. And you are probably really wondering what any of this has to do with the current crises in the gulf.
I’ll address this later in this post… be patient.
Using the Prophetic Past to Understand the Prophetic Future
Typological Templates
So, why is the feast of trumpets and these three consecutive seven years cycles of prophecy that uses the feast of trumpets trigger dates important to us who are living four generations later?
Because God repeatedly warned the Saints that his judgments would fall on the wicked of the 3rd and 4th generation and these seven year cycles may possibly provide us with a typological template by which to identify when the final feast of trumpets takes place, heralding the start of the Marvelous Work and a Wonder!
I have blogged several times about the 400 year prophesy in Genesis and how I believe the literal fulfillment had to do with the Israelite pilgrims from England that landed on the shores of America and 1607, planted the cross in this land and dedicated it to Jesus Christ.
Indeed latter day Israel has been wondering in this strange new promised land for 400 years up until 2007.
Is it possible that the year 2007 is the trigger date for beginning a seven year prophetic time sequence?
Is it a coincidence that 2007 was a Sabbatical Year in the Jewish Calendar and that a second Sabbatical year began in September of 2008.
After the completion of the seven year cycle beginning in 2007, the next Sabbatical Year is in 2014/15 according to some scholars.
Many prophecy scholars agree that the bible speaks of a seven year period of prophecy in the end times which is divided into two 3 ½ year periods, yet no one seems to be able to identify exactly when this seven year cycle begins.
There is no shortage of speculation on when the seven year prophetic cycle begins and ends.
Pastor Mark Biltz is a fascinating prophecy scholar that relies heavily on the feasts of Israel in interpreting the latter day signs of the times as well as the times of the signs… he has pointed out that Daniel’s seventieth week will be a seven-year Sabbatical cycle. Students of biblical prophecy have long compared Daniel’s seventieth week with the Tribulation Period as laid out in the book of Revelation.
Intrigued with the Scriptures that repeat over and over again that our Savior’s Second Coming will be heralded with signs in the heavens, in which the sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, Pastor Mark Biltz went on the Internet, to a U.S. Government web site, to see if he could find any solar or lunar eclipses over the next few years that might be significant.
To his surprise, he found four lunar eclipses and two solar eclipses in the Sabbatical Year of 2014 and 2015. Also, he noticed that they all appear on Jewish Holy Days!
Lunar Eclipses
According the Biltz, the four lunar eclipses will occur on:
Passover, April 15, 2014
The Feast of Tabernacles, October 8, 2014
Passover, April 4, 2015 and
The Feast of Tabernacles, September 28, 2015
This is most unusual. It is a rare occurrence for four lunar cycles to happen on successive Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) observances.
It will not happen again for hundreds of years.
Identifying the Seven year Prophetic Sequence
Although it is possible that amazing things will happen on the above dates, my immediate concern has to do with identifying the beginning of the last seven year cycle. By doing so, I can identify the midpoint of that cycle which very possibly marks a major prophetic event as well as identifying the general time frame in which the Marvelous Work and a Wonder begins.
I have speculated for some time that the seven year prophecy cycle began immediately after the 400 years of the Genesis prophecy came to its completion, but I have not been able to find any hard scriptural evidence to back that feeling up… until now.
The prophetic time line I am about to present to you is based on an incredible prophecy in the controversial Book of Joseph.
I’ll get to that prophecy in a minute but first, a little context to help you see why the prophecy in the Book of Joseph provides may provide a compelling key to the time line…
Documenting the historical fact that 2007 marked the beginning of the current global financial meltdown, here is what Wikipedia has to say on the topic-
The financial crisis of 2007 to the present is a crisis triggered by a liquidity shortfall in the United States banking system caused by the overvaluation of assets.[1] It has resulted in the collapse of large financial institutions, the bailout of banks by national governments and downturns in stock markets around the world. In many areas, the housing market has also suffered, resulting in numerous evictions, foreclosures and prolonged vacancies. It is considered by many economists to be the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s.[2] It contributed to the failure of key businesses, declines in consumer wealth estimated in the trillions of U.S. dollars, substantial financial commitments incurred by governments, and a significant decline in economic activity.[3] Many causes have been suggested, with varying weight assigned by experts.[4] Both market-based and regulatory solutions have been implemented or are under consideration,[5] while significant risks remain for the world economy over the 2010–2011 periods.[6]
The collapse of a global housing bubble, which peaked in the U.S. in 2006, caused the values of securities tied to real estate pricing to plummet thereafter, damaging financial institutions globally.[7] Questions regarding bank solvency, declines in credit availability, and damaged investor confidence had an impact on global stock markets, where securities suffered large losses during late 2008 and early 2009. Economies worldwide slowed during this period as credit tightened and international trade declined.[8] Critics argued that credit rating agencies and investors failed to accurately price the risk involved with mortgage-related financial products, and that governments did not adjust their regulatory practices to address 21st century financial markets.[9] Governments and central banks responded with unprecedented fiscal stimulus, monetary policy expansion, and institutional bailouts. (click here for the rest of the article)”
The best predictor of the future is the past
As you can see, it is a commonly accepted fact that the global financial crisis began in 2007.
Interestingly, the first year of the crisis culminated a week later in the week of September. 15-22, 2008 beginning with Lehman Brothers filing for bankruptcy and culminating on September 29, 2008 which was on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Jewish New Year or The Feast of Trumpets.
“Because of this, I found it very much intriguing when the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJIA being the most watched index in the U.S.A.) closed down -777.68 (and when rounded to the nearest tenth, this becomes 777.7). Now, this could be brushed on off as just merely a coincidence if it wasn’t for the fact that this -777.7 drop occured on the Feast of Trumpets. Not only this though, but what was not discussed in the recent write-up on GLP was the fact that this -777.68 drop made the DJIA @ 10,365.45. The 365 as the base number is intriguing because 365 is Days per Year. Now, this could be signalling a year(s) for the Gregorian calendar or for the Jewish calendar. For the Jewish calendar, this would be on a future Feast of Trumpets, such as like on 9/9/2010.”
The Plundering of the nations of the World
Although it is common knowledge that the global meltdown began in 2007, what many people don’t understand is that the melt down does not simply represent the loss of wealth, it represents the transfer of wealth!
You may be shocked to find out that during the last three years the wealthy elite have been robbing the nation of America and all of the nations of the world. They have been transferring wealth from the masses to themselves by manipulating currencies and the stock market and by using sophisticated investment vehicles.
The largest crime in the history of the world has been taking place during the last three years from 2007 to 2010.
Some of the wealthy elite have doubled their fortunes annually since the global financial crises began.
If you know what is going to happen before it happens, it is not hard to make the right investments and maneuvers and to accumulate an obscene amount of wealth.
Here is a portion of a commentary on the internet regarding this amazing event that we are currently witnessing by an astute person that recognizes this event in biblical prophecy.
The author notes that …”our coffers have been raided and our treasury has been plundered” and he associates it with the alarming prophecy in Isaiah 10 wherein Isaiah foresaw that America would have their treasures robbed like someone taking the eggs from a nest without moving the wing of the sleeping bird.
SURPRISE!!! During last year’s period of “economic crisis” the richest individuals of the world (it’s “Billionaires”), somehow, statistically, managed to become 50% more wealthy–while the Common Man lost his job and subsequently his home…
…this, in itself, is great cause for Revolution against the current World system–but we just sit on our intellectually lazy ars and abide by the old cliche’;–”Oh well, the Rich get Richer”–this statistic of 2009′s results makes my case here highly plausible within itself; in the midst of a terrible economic crisis the majority became less wealthy while the most wealthy increased their wealth by 50%–might they be the true “ruling portion of the community“??
…our coffers have been raided and our treasury has been plundered and now the (puppet-entity)Fed is considering taking our IRA’s and 401K’s and converting them–via legislation–into US Treasury bond backed assets–which means they might end up being worth less than toilet paper after their true value has been likewise transferred into pockets of the already most wealthy…
And you think that these things have not been foreseen!?!–”For he says, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds (=boundaries=Globalism) of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man; and my hand has found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathers eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped?” (Isaiah 10:13,14)… btw According to the Associated Press, experts believe that 2009 saw the largest single year increase in the U.S. poverty rate since the U.S. government began calculating poverty figures back in 1959 and yet, The 50 wealthiest members of Congress saw their collective fortunes increase from 85.1 million dollars to $1.4 billion in 2009.
Isaiah informs us that the reason that this great nation of America is being robbed and spoiled by the elite banksters is because this nation was not obedient to his law
Isaiah notes that in the last days, Gods people are robbed and spoiled because they were not obedient to the law!
This is a people robbed and spoiled
17 ¶ They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
19 For I will send my servant unto those who are blind
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. (Isa 42)
Isaiah speaks of a time right before he destroys the wicked when the nation is robbed of its riches”
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. (Isa 10)
“The Wicked shall be Exceedingly Prosperous Seven Years”
Ok, having reviewed that the 400 year prophesy came to an end in 2007 and that 2007 was the beginning of the global financial meltdown as well as the global plundering of the nations by the wealthy elite, we are now ready to review the amazing prophecy in the Book of Joseph.
Remember, the huge increase in wealth by the wealthy began in 2007.
Here is what the Book of Joseph has to say-
2:10 For thou hast dealt deceitfully with Jacob. And hast made him serve thee unjustly seven years. And know thou this: that the Lord shall rescue the oppressed and judge the unjust in due season, to reward the righteous and to destroy the wicked.
2:11 Yea, the righteous shall inherit the wealth of the wicked and the fatness of all the earth: for the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.
2:12 The wicked shall prosper for a season, howbeit the Lord keepeth his eye on the righteous and on the wicked, and shall judge them in the time which he hath appointed for his own purpose.
2:13 And in the latter time, the wicked shall be exceedingly prosperous seven years. And then the Lord shall come suddenly and pronounce swift judgment upon them and destroy them all. Yea, the God of heaven and earth shall smite them with the fury of his wrath which shall be poured out upon their heads without mixture. Then shall the wealth of those who do wickedly be given unto the the sons of righteousness who shall shine like the stars. And the sons of righteousness shall inherit the earth forever, yea, even shall they shine upon it forever and ever. And the earth shall not pass into the hand of another.
I find the above prophecy in the Book of Joseph to be astounding.
It would appear, if this book is a credible and authentic translation of the words of Joseph of Egypt, and if the seven years of increased wealth of the wealthy is indeed referring to the beginning in 2007, that at the end of the seven year period, the Lords wrath will descend on the wicked!
That would seem to correspond with the Passover, April 4, 2015 and The Feast of Tabernacles, September 28, 2015 as pointed out by Paster Biltz.
When does the Marvelous Work Begin?
(the above speculative time line assumes that the beginning of the global financial crisis is associated with the feast of trumpets in September rather than the feast of Passover in April.)
Again, I am not as interested in the latter part of the seven year prophecy and the wrath of God that descends on the wicked at the completion of the seven years as I am with identifying the beginning, and midpoint of the seven years because that is where we appear to be right now!
If in fact the seven year time period began in 2007 at the close of the 400 year prophecy, they likely began in April or September of 2007 since those are the major prophetic trigger points of the year in which the ancient feasts of Israel and the LDS general conferences are held to this very day.
If in fact the seven year prophetic time period began in 2007… then the midpoint of the two 3 ½ year periods is upon us very soon!
If the time period began in April, then this October marks the midpoint. If it began in October of 2007, then the midpoint begins in April of 2011.
Either way, the midpoint is very close, within 2 to 8 months.
I believe that the midpoint very possibly marks the beginning of one or both of the 3 ½ year prophetic events mentioned by John the Revelator in the Book of Revelation.
If that is the case, then God needs to REMEMBER HIS COVENANT and send his servants to raise the warning voice and declare the gospel with the sound of a trump BEFORE the midpoint in October of 2010 or April of 2011!
That would mean that the marvelous Work and a Wonder and the dispensation of the fullness of times would be ushered in VERY SOON!
By the way, the seven year prophecy in the book of Joseph seems to be typological of the seven years of famine that Joseph of Egypt was instrumental in gathering wheat into the storehouses, for it mentions that event in the Book as well.
“The dream hath troubled me that sleep is fled far away from me; and I lay troubled on my bed. Therefore I pray thee, Joseph, shew me the meaning thereof, that I may have peace.
7:9 And Joseph, said, may peace be unto thee, O king. Thus saith the Lord who is the Most High God over all the earth:
7:10 It shall come to pass, there shall be seven years of bounteous harvest. And after the seven years are passed, a fearsome woe shall overtake the land.(Gen 41:26-30)
7:11 And Joseph fell on his face before Pharoah and cried, after the seven years of bounteous harvest are passed, there shall be seven years of famine; yea, even a sore famine which hath not ever been in Egypt nor in all the earth.
7:12 Thus saith the Most High God, take of thy bounteous harvest and lay up unto the seven years of famine, and the life of thee and those of thy kingdom shall not utterly perish.Gen 41:36)
7:13 And if thou heedest not, thy people shall become a great abborance unto the whole earth. There shall be death of man and beast such as there has never been on the face of the whole earth.
7:14 And so Pharoah took his seal and placed it upon Joseph.(Gen 41:42)
7:15 And there was not anyone in the land of Egypt who was greater than Joseph save Pharoah. Thus did the Lord bless Joseph.”
10. “The Lord do thee good, and bring peace and blessings among thy house as he brought them upon the house of Joseph the Seer, who was raised up of a choice vine from the stem of Jacob through the root of Joseph, even that Joseph who was separated from his brethren;”
11. For like Joseph of old shall he be; he shall save the just from desolation by the wise counsel of the Almighty;
12. For by his direction shall they gather into store houses and barns till they overflow with the richness of the fruit of the harvest;
13. And by this means shall the just be saved from famine, while the nations of the wicked are distressed and faint.
14. In due time shall he go forth toward the north, and by the power of his word shall the deep begin to give way; and the ice melt before the Sun.
15. By the keys of the kingdom shall he lead Israel into the land of Zion, while the house of Jacob shouts in the dance and in the song-
Realizing that many people would doubt this patriarchal blessing Oliver made the following statement;
“And accordingly I besought the Lord with prayer and fasting, who opened the heavens upon me, And thus, while in the heavenly vision, I wrote the following blessing, which is a part of that which was shown and declared should come upon my brother. Therefore, let no one doubt of their correctness and truth, for they will verily be fulfilled.” (signed) Oliver Cowdery.”
Unbe-freakin-believable!
BTW…. Want to guess what date Oliver gave that patriarchal blessing to Joseph?
You guessed it.. it was on September 22nd.
Oliver gave Joseph Smith that patriarchal blessing on September 22, 1835 on one of the key dates of the second seven year cycle of the foundation movement!
It was interesting timing because the 3 ½ years during which the fullness of the gospel was ultimately rejected had just expired in late 1834 and so the Lord was providing comfort by foretelling that Joseph would be returning during the 3rd watch to make preparations for the elect during the time of tribulation and famine.
So… if the past provides keys to the future and if the prophecy in the book of Joseph is authentic, this September could be a very significant prophetic time period… and if not this September, then possibly the next one.. or the next… LOL!
Now…
Please understand…
I am not claiming to be a prophet.
I have not been visited by an angel.
I have not had a vision or a dream.
I have not had the heavens open and the voice of God speak to me.
I am simply observing a few current historical facts in the context of an obscure prophecy from an apocryphal ancient document that very few people believe is authentic.
In short, my observation is total speculation by someone who is simply watching for the preparatory events that precede the Saviors return as a thief in the night, followed by his return in glory….
Those preparatory events have to do with Father Adam and the first laborers of the last kingdom returning to the vineyard to prepare us for the coming of the Lord.
I suspect that you are still wondering what in the world the feast of trumpets and any of this time line stuff has to do with the crisis in the gulf and the curse that ancient prophets have spoken about.
Please… BE PATIENT!
The Servant Returns with a Whirlwind and a Destroying Storm
If in fact the seven year period during which the wealthy elite become exceedingly richer did in fact begin in 2007 and if the midpoint of that seven year period is coming up shortly….And If the Servants much return before the midpoint…..And if they return in September, during the feast of trumpets…
Then we know, according to modern revelation that there is going to be a great whirlwind at the time of the servants return.
“Behold, vengeance cometh speedily upon the inhabitants of the earth, a day of wrath, a day of burning, a day of desolation, of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation; and as a whirlwind it shall come upon all the face of the earth, saith the Lord.” (D&C 112: 24)
It is only fitting that the latter day Elijah would return to the earth with a whirlwind just as the ancient Elijah was carried away into the heavens in a whirlwind.
We also know according to Isaiah that his return is accompanied by a destroying storm.
“Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.”
Jeremiah calls it a destroying wind….
“Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind;
2 And will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about.
3 Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host.
4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets.
5 For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.
7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.”
This destroying storm that Gods servant brings with him appears to bring a desolating sickness that will empty the land along with the other natural disasters and war that take place.
With this in mind, brother Simmons and others have warned that a hurricane could carry the toxic substances contained in the gulf across many parts of America which would cause a desolating sickness to cover the land!
THAT’S WHAT THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS AND THE SEVEN YEAR PROPHETIC TIME SEQUENCE HAS TO DO WITH THE CURRENT GULF CRISES WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF THE CURSE THAT ISAIAH AND OTHER ANCIENT PROPHETS HAVE PROPHESIED OF.
So..
Is the trump is going to sound this September?
I don’t know.
Is the destroying storm coming off of the gulf going to materialize this September?
I don’t know.
Is the One Mighty and Strong and his fellow laborers going to return this September to raise the warning voice, declare the gospel as with (and at the time of) the sound of a trump?
I don’t know.
Am I going to be watching for it?
Yep
Cuz that’s what I do.
PS for those interested, I have posted the entire Book of Joseph below with highlighting in places I thought were extremely significant. Also contained is some background info on this document of questionable origin.
“Origin of the “Record of Abraham and Joseph”
From: The Personal History of a Modern Prophet
By Joseph Smith, Jr.
“The public mind has been excited of late, by reports which have been circulated concerning certain Egyptian mummies and ancient records, which were purchased by certain gentlemen of Kirtland, last July. It has been said that the purchasers of these antiquities pretend they have the bodies of Abraham, Abimelech (the king of the Philistines), Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, & c., & c., for the purpose of attracting the attention of the multitude, and gulling the unwary; which is utterly false. Who these ancient inhabitants of Egypt were, I do not at present say. Abraham was buried on his own possession “in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohah, the Hittite, which is before Mamre,” (Genesis 49:29-31) which he purchased of the sons of Heth. Abimelech lived in the same country, and for aught we know, died there; and the children of Israel carried Joseph’s bones from Egypt (Genesis 50:25),when they went out under Moses; consequently, these could not have been found in Egypt, in the nineteenth century. The record of Abraham and Joseph, found with the mummies, is beautifully written on papyrus, with black, and a small part red, ink or paint, in perfect preservation. The characters are such as you find upon the coffins of mummies—hieroglyphics, etc.; with many characters of letters like the present (though probably not quite so square) form of the Hebrew without points.
The records were obtained from one of the catacombs in Egypt, near the place where once stood the renowned city of Thebes, by the celebrated French traveler, Antonio Sebolo, in the year 1831. He procured license from Mehemet Mi, then Viceroy of Egypt, under the protection of Chevalier Drovetti, the French Consul, in the year 1828, and employed four hundred and thirty-three men, four months and two days (if I understand correctly)—Egyptian or Turkish soldiers, at from four to six cents per diem, each man. He entered the catacomb June 7, 1831, and obtained eleven mummies. There were several hundred mummies in the same catacomb; about one hundred embalmed after the first order, and placed in niches, and two or three hundred after the second and third orders, and laid upon the floor or bottom of the grand cavity. The two last orders of embalmed were so decayed, that they could not be removed, and only eleven of the first, found in the niches.
On his way from Alexandria to Paris, he put in at Trieste, and, after ten days’ illness, expired. This was in the year 1832. Previous to his decease, he made a will of the whole, to Mr. Michael H. Chandler, (then in Philadelphia, Pa.,) his nephew, whom he supposed to be in Ireland. Accordingly, the whole were sent to Dublin, and Mr. Chandler’s friends ordered them to New York, where they were received at the Custom House, in the winter or spring of 1833. In April, of the same year, Mr. Chandler paid the duties and took possession of his mummies.
Up to this time, they had not been taken out of the coffins, nor the coffins opened. On opening the coffins, he discovered that in connection with two of the bodies, was something rolled up with the same kind of linen, saturated with the same bitumen, which, when examined, proved to be two rolls of papyrus, previously mentioned. Two or three other small pieces of papyrus, with astronomical calculations, epitaphs, &c., were found with others of the mummies. When Mr. Chandler discovered that there was something with the mummies, he supposed or hoped it might be some diamonds or valuable metal, and was no little chagrined when he saw his disappointment.
“He was immediately told, while yet in the custom house, that there was no man in that city who could translate his roll: but was referred, by the same gentleman, (a stranger,) to Mr. Joseph Smith, Jun., who, continued he, possesses some kind of power or gifts, by which he had previously translated similar characters.”
I was then unknown to Mr. Chandler, neither did he know that such a book or work as the record of the Nephites, had been brought before the public. From New York, he took his collection on to Philadelphia, where he obtained the certificate of the learned, and from thence came on to Kirtland, as before related, in July.
Thus I have given a brief history of the manner in which the writings of the fathers, Abraham and Joseph, have been preserved, and how I came in possession of the same—a correct translation of which I shall give in its proper place.”
(“History of the Church”, Vol. 2, p 348)
Oliver Cowdery wrote about the Egyptian records in an 1835 letter to William Frye. In this letter, which was printed in the Messenger and Advocate in December 1835, we have Oliver’s impression of some of the unpublished contents of the books of Joseph and Abraham:
“The language in which this record is written is very comprehensive, and many of the hieroglyphics exceedingly striking. The evidence is apparent upon the face, that they were written by persons acquainted with the history of the creation, the fall of man, and more or less of the correct ideas of notions of the Deity. The representation of the god-head—three, yet in one, is curiously drawn to give simply, though impressively, the writers views of that exalted personage. The serpent, represented as walking, or formed in a manner to be able to walk, standing in front of, and near a female figure, is to me, one of the greatest representations I have ever seen upon paper, or a writing substance; and must go so far towards convincing the rational mind of the correctness and divine authority of the holy scriptures, and especially that part which has ever been assailed by the infidel community, as being a fiction, as to carry away, with one mighty sweep, the whole atheistical fabric, without leaving a vestage sufficient for a foundation stone.
Enoch’s Pillar, as mentioned by Josephus, is upon the same roll.—True, our present version of the bible does not mention this fact, though it speaks of the righteousness of Abel and the holiness of Enoch,—one slain because his offering was ac-cepted of the Lord, and the other taken to the regions of everlasting day without being confined to the narrow limits of the tomb, or tasting death; but Josephus says that the descendants of Seth were virtuous, and possessed a great knowledge of the heavenly bodies, and, that, in consequence of the prophecy of Adam, that the world should be destroyed once by water and again by fire, Enoch wrote a history or an account of the same, and put into two pillars one of brick and the other of stone; and that the same were in being at his (Josephus’) day.
The inner end of the same roll, (Joseph’s record,) presents a representation of the judgment: At one view you behold the Savior seated upon his throne, crowned, and holding the sceptres of righteousness and power, before whom also, are assembled the twelve tribes of Israel, the nations, languages and tongues of the earth, the kingdoms of the world over which satan is represented as reigning. Michael the archangel, holding the key of the bottomless pit, and at the same time the devil as being chained and shut up in the bottomless pit. But upon this last scene, I am able only to give you a shadow, to the real picture. I am certain it cannot be viewed without filling the mind with awe, unless the mind is far estranged from God: and I sincerely hope, that mine may never go so far estray, nor wander from those rational principles of the doctrine of our Savior, so much, as to become darkened in the least, and thereby fail to have that, to us, the greatest of all days, and the most sublime of all transactions, so impressively fixed upon the heart, that I become not like the beast, not knowing whither I am going, nor what shall be my final end!
I might continue my communication to a great length upon the different figures and characters represented upon the two rolls, but I have no doubt my subject has already become sufficiently prolix for your patience: I will therefore soon cease for the present.—When the translation of these valuable documents will be completed, I am unable to say; neither can I give you a probable idea how large volumes they will make; but judging from their size, and the comprehensiveness of the language, one might reasonably expect to see a sufficient to develop much upon the mighty acts of the ancient men of God, and of his dealing with the children of men when they saw him face to face. Be there little or much, it must be an in-estimable acquisition to our present scriptures, fulfilling, in a small degree, the word of the prophet: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
(H. Donl Peterson, The Story of the Book of Abraham: Mummies, Manuscripts, and Mormonism [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 128.)
I found the following alledged translation of the Book of Joseph on the internet about 6 years ago. After researching the origin of this document, the information and opinions I have received from various BYU professors and LDS Church archivists has lead me to the conclusion that it is most likely a forgery. Most are of the opinion that Joseph Smith never had time to translate the Book of Joseph. (See CLINT for more information)
However in light of what Oliver Cowdery related above, it is clear that there was at least some preliminary attempt at a partial translation, but nothing that was ever published. I present this alledged translation here only as a reference for anyone interested in such historical documents.
I have added related Bible references in parenthses at the end of each verse.
Joel Hardy
August 2006
The Book of Joseph
An account of Joseph, the son of Jacob, the son of Issac, the son of Abraham; which account was written by the hand of Moses by the word of the Lord while he dwelt in the house of Jethro the Midianite.
Chapter 1
1:1 And it came to pass, Rachel, the wife of Jacob, was drawing water from a well and suddenly two angels of the Lord with shining garments stood before her saying, Fear not handmaiden of the Lord, for thou art a chosen vessel to bear a choice branch unto the Lord. And Rachel said, I know not what ye say, my lord.
1:2 And one of the angels said unto her, Jacob shall be a tree of life reaching unto all the earth. Over the high walls shall his branches reach. Even unto the isles of the sea which are afar off. And his seed shall rule all lands and trample down all people, for the Lord God Almighty shall make strong his seed. 1:3 Rachel, thy reproach is taken away from thee and thou shalt bare a son, and thou shalt call his name Joseph, for the Lord thy God shall make him two great nations, yea, even mighty nations before him.
1:4 And immediately Rachel ran down unto Jacob and sayeth unto him, the Lord hath taken away my reproach, and openeth my womb, and I shall bare thee a son which shall be two great and mighty nations before the Lord.
1:5 And when Jacob heard this he rejoiced and did offer a burnt offering unto the Lord saying: O Lord God, yea, even the Most High God of heaven and earth, surely through my seed shalt thou show thyself faithful of the promises made unto my fathers.
1:6 And as the sweetsmelling aroma did ascend unto heaven which did fill the nostrils of the Lord. And the Lord did hear Jacob.
1:7 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto Jacob over the burnt offering and said: Jacob, Jacob, the Lord is well pleased with thee. Thou shalt be given a son and shalt call his name Joseph. For he shall be a great and mighty nation before the Lord. And out of the loins of Joseph shall the Lord bring many sons into His glory. (Gen 30:23-24)
1:8 And it came to pass Jacob said unto Laban, Suffer me to take my wives and my children for whom I have served thee and let me go down and dwell in own country. For I have served thee well and my time is at hand.(Gen 30:25)
1:9 And Laban said unto him, I beg thee abide with me, if I have found favor with thee. For I know of a surety that the gods have blessed me and my house for thy sake and for the sake of thy seed. (Gen.30:30)
1:10 And Jacob said, I am sore desirous to depart unto mine own land. And Laban said, what shall I give unto thee, that thou abide with me? (Gen.30:31)
1:11 And Jacob answered Laban, saying: If thou wilt suffer me this day to pass though thine herds and take of the spotted and speckled and striped cattle; and of the spotted and speckled and striped goats;Gen(30:32)
1:12 and of the spotted and speckled and striped sheep, yea, of any speckled and spotted and striped beast which liveth among thy flocks, I shall stay and serve thee. And Laban said, so be it as thou sayest.(Gen.30:33-34)
1:13 And so Jacob took possession of all the livestock which Laban had given unto him.
Chapter 2
2:1 And it came to pass, while Jacob was tending his flocks the angel of the Lord appeared unto him saying: take sticks of this tree which The Lord hath prepared and set them before the cisterns of which the livestock drinketh that they may conceive.(Gen.30:37-38)
2:2 And so Jacob set the sticks before the cisterns as the angel of the Lord had commanded. And when the flocks were come to drink, they conceived before the sticks.(Gen 30:39)
2:3 And it came to pass, the flocks brought forth speckled and spotted and striped offspring. And Jacob put his own flocks in a yonder place, and allowed them not to mingle with Laban’s flocks.(Gen 30:40)
2:4 And it came to pass, when the stronger cattle conceived, Jacob did lay the sticks before their eyes one each side of the cistern, that they might conceive between the sticks and bare speckled and spotted and striped offspring according to the word of the Lord.(Gen 30:41)
2:5 Now when Laban discovered this he was wroth, and came against Jacob saying, why hast thou dealt deceitfully with me, that thou mightest get gain deceitfully? Have I not been a gracious provider unto thee and all thine house? (Gen 31:1-2)
2:6 And in this manner did Laban severely accuse Jacob that he might persuade him to give unto him a portion of Jacob’s increase.
2:7 And lo, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them as they were speaking.
2:8 And Laban fell to the ground and hid his face for he was sore afraid at the sight.
2:9 And the Angel of the Lord said unto Laban, I have commanded Jacob to do this thing that thou mayest know that The Lord respecteth Jacob and not Laban.
2:10 For thou hast dealt deceitfully with Jacob. And hast made him serve thee unjustly seven years. And know thou this: that the Lord shall rescue the oppressed and judge the unjust in due season, to reward the righteous and to destroy the wicked.
2:11 Yea, the righteous shall inherit the wealth of the wicked and the fatness of all the earth: for the earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof.
2:12 The wicked shall prosper for a season, howbeit the Lord keepeth his eye on the righteous and on the wicked, and shall judge them in the time which he hath appointed for his own purpose.
And in the latter time, the wicked shall be exceedingly prosperous seven years. And then the Lord shall come suddenly and pronounce swift judgment upon them and destroy them all.
2:13 And in the latter time, the wicked shall be exceedingly prosperous seven years. And then the Lord shall come suddenly and pronounce swift judgment upon them and destroy them all. Yea, the God of heaven and earth shall smite them with the fury of his wrath which shall be poured out upon their heads without mixture. Then shall the wealth of those who do wickedly be given unto the the sons of righteousness who shall shine like the stars. And the sons of righteousness shall inherit the earth forever, yea, even shall they shine upon it forever and ever. And the earth shall not pass into the hand of another.
2:14 When Laban heard this he did heap dust upon his head and said, forgive me this wrong, my Lord. If there is anything which Jacob desireth, the same may he freely take. I pray thee, lord, spare my life and my house.
2:15 And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Jacob and said, take thy wives and all thy possessions and return to thine own land. And take the gods of Laban that he may know that the Lord is the Most High God over all the earth. And so did Jacob as the Lord had commanded.
2:16 And when Laban had perceived that his idols were removed, he was hot with fury. And said to his kindred and slaves, who hath removed the gods from before the altar?
2:17 And none in Laban’s house knew whither they had been taken.
2:18 And Laban went to the place where Jacob had dwelt, and finding him not, Laban uttered cursings against him in the names of his gods.
2:19 And Laban and his kin and all of his slaves did pursue Jacob. And when they had found Jacob and his kin, Laban seized Jacob by the throat and said, I have offered thee that thou mayest take any of my possessions. Yea, even of my gold and silver, and mine own daughters mayest thou freely take.
2:20 Why didst thou dishonor me by taking my gods and thereby bring a curse upon my head and upon my house? 2:21 And behold the word of the Lord came unto Jacob and Laban in the midst of their disputation and said, the Lord hast commanded Jacob to take thine idols that the house of Laban might know that the Lord is the Most High God over all the earth, yea, even the Most High over the house of Laban.
2:22 Yea, the Lord is God even over all nations and kindreds of the earth. For the earth is mine, and the fulness thereof, sayeth the Lord. And there is no other. And I, the Lord, exalteth as many as I will, and debaseth as many as I will: for men are as grasshoppers unto me. And none can stay my hand. Who has an arm like unto the Lord’s? Who hath frustrated Him when he hath decreed his decree?
2:23 And Laban began to tremble exceedingly before the Lord. And his countenance became exceedingly fearful.
2:24 And the Lord said, Behold thy gods! And the idols of Laban did melt before the eyes of Jacob and Laban as they stood by. 2:25 And a chariot of the Lord did he cause to pass by. And the noise thereof was like the sound of mighty rushing waters. Awesome and terrible was the sound of it. And the chariot had the appearance of lightning and fire was in his mouth. Awesome and terrible was the sight to behold in the eyes of Jacob and Laban.
2:26 And the Lord did cause a violent whirlwind to appear which did scatter the ashes of the idols of Laban whereby they could be found no more at all. And Jacob and Laban fell to their faces and cried out: how marvelous and terrible is the hand of the Lord God!
2:26 And the Lord said unto Laban, Behold, thou and thine house also shall likewise perish if ye do not repent before the Lord this day, and forsake the gods of gold, and the gods of silver, and the gods of wood, and the gods of stone:
2:27 Gods which are fashioned by the hand of a man when he sayeth in his heart: I shall fashion a god and bring my hand upon it; and use my tools upon it. And I shall bow down before it.
2:28 Behold, they are gods which can neither see, nor can they hear; neither can they speak. They are gods that are no gods, for the Lord Most High is the one true living God who dwelleth in the heavens and who reigns over all the earth.
2:29 And He did make the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and yea, even all of the sons of men. And they are merely dust in his hand and breath from his mouth.
2:30 And Jacob and Laban were astonished at all the things which the Lord had said and done before them. And Laban made a vow that he and his house should serve the true and living God for ever.
2:31 And after the angel of the Lord had departed, Jacob offered a choice lamb unto the Lord for a sacrifice for the sake of Laban and his house. And Laban returned unto his house.
Chapter 3 3:1 And it came to pass, Rachel did bring forth a son. And she called his name Joseph.(Gen 30:24)
3:2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared unto Jacob in a dream saying, Joseph shall be two great and mighty nations in the hand of the Lord.
3:3 These nations shall be greater than any nations upon the face of the earth. Howbeit, only a remnant shall see my face and live.
3:4 Behold, wisdom shall increase in the latter time. And men shall make weapons of war; yea, even terrible weapons which shall touch the power of the Most High.
3:5 And the seed of Joseph shall believe a lie, wherein the terrible weapons shall be for the protection of their lands. And wo unto them, for the people shall be deceived.
3:6 And the Lord showed Jacob a vision, and said: behold, the mighty men of the earth shall lay an awful scheme by the word of their god, that they should destroy the Lord when he shall visit men at the appointed time when he shall reward the sons of men according to their works.
3:7 And all nations shall gather together in the heart of the earth to make war with the Lord, even the almighty king of heaven and earth. Wo, wo, wo unto the chief princes of the earth, even unto the seed of Dan, who hath made gold their god and a lie their refuge:
3:8 Who have said among themselves: the Lord is no god wherein we should fear him, for by our mighty power have we become gods ourselves and have spread abroad ourselves over all the earth. Yet shall they be judged and cut off from among the sons of Jacob. 3:9 Thus sayeth the Lord: The wicked plot in vain. And they shall drink from the cup of vanity which they have grasped: for the Lord himself shall utterly destroy them all by the brightness of his terrible presence.
3:10 And lo, those who plot in vain have over them a king; even he whose name is the liar from the beginning, even Azaziel, he who was a guardian of the presence 3:11 Yea, Azaziel shall be bound; even he who hath granted them their great authority and their seat and who hath whispered lies into their ears like a cunning serpent which lieth in the dust. The Lord himself shall come and bind him with cords which cannot be loosed, and seal him up with a seal which cannot be broken.
3:12 For Azaziel hath led them astray by his corrupted wisdom which hath become folly in the sight of heaven. Wo unto him for he hath laid waste the cities of the garden of God and made the inhabitants of the earth stumble exceedingly, causing them to be drunk from the cup of blindness, yea, even to feast from the table of rebellion.
3:13 Comfort thyself with these words, thou beloved Jacob. For verily, the Lord reigns supreme over all the gods and shall swiftly mete out justice which cannot be overthrown. Amen.
3:14 And Jacob was astonished at all the Lord had shown him: for weak was his understanding, and without strength was his soul in the presence of the Lord.
Chapter 4 4:1 And it came to pass, Joseph, the son of Jacob, grew in stature unto a man. And Joseph was a peculiar child, full of knowledge and wisdom.
4:2 And is came to pass the angel of the Lord appeared to Jacob and said, make a tunic for thy son Joseph, and place on it the holy emblems of the priesthood of the Lord thy God.
4:3 And lay thine hands on him and grant unto him to be a priest unto the Most High God. And instruct him in the hidden wisdom of the Lord, even the hidden treasures of knowledge which have been known among thy fathers: 4:4 For I shall cause Joseph to go down into the land of the sun, a land full of idolatry and iniquity, and I shall cause him to be a savior among the people for the sake of thy seed. 4:5 And he shall bare the priesthood of the Most High, and become a mighty ruler among the Egyptians. And the Lord shall bless whomsoever he shall bless, and curse whomsoever he shall curse: for my name shall be in him. And great shall be his name in the land. Wherefore Pharaoh shall know that he is a prince with God.
4:6 And behold, he shall seal up the blessings of the priesthood for the generations which are afar off, that the Most High may have witness for Himself in the latter time, before the great and final day when the Lord himself shall come and reward the sons of men according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. Even so. Amen.
4:7 And so Jacob made a tunic according to the word of the Lord. And he did place it upon his son Joseph. And blessed him with all of the hidden blessings of wisdom.(Gen. 37:3)
4:8 And Jacob instructed him in the hidden wisdom of the Lord, whereunto Joseph should be a priest of the Most High God.
4:9 Now when the brothers of Joseph had discovered that Jacob had made Joseph a priest unto the Most High God they were filled with the spirit of jelousy. (Gen. 37:4)
4:10 And they gathered unto their father Jacob saying, why hast thou given that Joseph should receive a tunic and become a priest unto the Lord and not us also?
4:11 And Jacob rebuked them saying, Joseph is a chosen vessel whom the Lord hath chosen, and it is according to his purposes. Who are ye that ye dare accuse God?
4:12 Verily, the Lord hath chosen him for his own purposes and ye shall well abide under it. For this is the word of the Lord.
4:13 And when Jacob had finished speaking, his sons murmured among themselves.
4:14 And it came to pass, Joseph dreamed a dream, wherein he saw all of the flocks of his brothers bowing down to his flocks. And Joseph boasted of this before his brothers.(Gen 37:5)
4:15 And his brothers mocked him saying, shalt thou become a prince over us? And his brothers murmured among themselves.(Gen 37:8)
4:16 And it came to pass, Joseph dreamed another dream. And said unto his brothers, I have dreamed a dream wherein the sun, and the moon and the stars did bow low before me.(Gen 37:9)
4:17 And his brothers mocked him saying, as the Lord liveth and as we live, thy blood shall be spilt on the ground before we fear thee.
4:18 And his brothers murmured among themselves how they might kill Joseph. And a servant of Jacob secretly spied them.(Gen 37:18) 4:19 And when Jacob heard of this he said unto Joseph: do not fear my son: as the Lord hath decreed his decree, thou shalt be a prince over me and all mine house. 4:20 Yet pride hath filled thine heart. Let no boasting be found at all in thy mouth, yea, neither in thine heart, lest thou fall under condemnation: for the Lord God doth hate a proud and boastful heart.
4:21 Thou didst come into this world naked and thou shalt leave it naked.
4:22 And remember this, my son, the Lord exalteth whom he will, and the Lord abaseth whom he will. Therefore thou shalt keep thine heart humble before him all the days of thy life.
4:23 And Joseph was pierced in his heart, and durst not open his mouth again for to boast.
Chapter 5 5:1 And it came to pass, Joseph was in the desert seeking his brethren and they seized upon him, and mocked him, saying: behold, our prince is come unto us. Mayest thou live long, and may thy kingdom be forever!
5:2 And they worshipped him in mocking fashion, saying, have mercy on us O king! Save us, O mighty one!
5:3 And they seized upon Joseph to kill him. And Dan drew his sword and thrust it into the side of Joseph, howbeit it pierced not his flesh.
5:4 And all who stood by were astonished. And Reuben said, Verily, the Lord hath surely chosen him, and the power of the Most High dwelleth with him.
5:5 Suffer not our hands to shed his blood, for his blood should surely cry up to the Lord against us, and great would be the curse against our children unto seven generations.
5:6 Yea, rather, let us cast him into a pit wherein he may perish for lack of meat or may be eaten by wild beasts, and thus shall our hands be free of his blood. And so they seized the tunic which Jacob had made for Joseph and cast Joseph into a pit naked for to die.(Gen 37:24)
5:7 Now, after Joseph’s brothers had departed from the pit into which they had cast Joseph, a band of Midianites came nigh unto it.
5:8 And Hanok, the chief of the Midianites, said unto Joseph, I perceive that a great evil hath befallen thee. What shalt thou give unto me that I remove thee from this pit. 5:9 And Joseph said unto them, I shall serve thee all the days of my life if thou removest me from this pit. Therefore, I pray thee, go unto my Father’s house and tell my father whereunto thou shalt take me, for it is the will of the Most High God that I should go with thee.
5:10 And Hanok said, so shall it be. And so Hanok commanded his sons to remove Joseph from the pit.(Gen 37:28)
5:11 And Hanok sent one of his servants to Jacob that Jacob might know of the thing which had befallen Joseph. And after the servant had spoken the thing which had befallen Joseph, Jacob said unto him: this thing is by the hand of God.
5:12 And Jacob wept bitterly. And Jacob bade the servant of Hanok to stay with him.
5:13 And while Joseph’s brothers were eating the evening meat, Reuben said, let us not suffer our brother to die. For the Lord shall surely avenge his death upon our heads and our children.
5:14 Therefore let us sell him to that yonder band of the sons of Ishmael that his blood be not upon us. And so they were agreed as one and bound themselves by an oath.
5:15 Howbeit when Reuben returned to the pit whereunto they had cast Joseph he saw that Joseph was not there.(Gen.37:29)
5:16 Then Reuben rent his tunic and said, what hath befallen our brother Joseph? May the Lord forgive us this evil which we have done unto our own brother whom the Lord hath chosen! And Reuben was bitterly sorrowful. 5:17 And the brothers of Joseph took a goat and slew it. And they took of the blood of the goat and put it on the tunic which Jacob had made for Joseph.(Gen 37:31)
5:18 And when they had returned to their father, they said unto Jacob that Joseph had been overcome by a wild beast. And when Jacob heard this he rent his tunic, and put on sackcloth, and cast ashes upon his head for many days crying out, O my son, O my son!(Gen 37:32-34)
5:19 Howbeit Jacob knew that Joseph had not suffered the evil. And he kept the matter in his heart. 5:20 And Jacob took Joseph’s tunic and folded it up in a cloth and gave it unto the servant of Hanok and said:
5:21 Deliver unto Joseph this tunic and all shall be well with thee and thine house: for the Most High God hath ordained it so. And the servant of Hanok said, I shall surely do it.
5:22 And Joseph(Jacob?) said, thou must swear an oath that thou keepest the matter in thine heart. And thou must not suffer thine eyes to gaze upon the tunic lest thou be cursed: for it is holy unto the Most High God.
5:23 And so they took a ram and made an covenant to keep the matter secret. And Jacob said unto the servant of Hanok: so shall it be unto thee if thou shalt break this covenant.
5:24 And so the servant of Hanok departed and delivered the tunic unto Joseph.
Chapter 6
6:1 And it came to pass, Hanok the Midianite sold Joseph to an Egyptian whose name was Potifar.(Gen 37:36)
6:2 And Potifar had respect for Joseph seeing that he was a stout man and full of knowledge and wisdom. And so Potifar made Joseph the master over his whole house.(Gen 39:4)
6:3 And Joseph served Potifar well. And the Lord greatly blessed the house of Potifar on account of Joseph.(Gen 39:5)
6:4 And Joseph taught wisdom unto Potifar, yea, even in all the ways of the Lord. And Potifar did forsake the gods of Egypt to serve the living God, even the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6:5 And Joseph taught Potifar the hidden wisdom of the Lord, even of the holy priesthood of God. And Potifar became a priest unto the Most High God at the hand of Joseph.
6:6 And it came to pass, Shinmin, the wife of Potifar, did set her eyes upon Joseph. And Shinmin said unto Joseph, come and lie with me.(Gen 39:7) 6:7 And Joseph said unto her, I shall surely not lie with thee, for I have made a oath unto the Lord. Who art thou tempt the Lord?(Gen 39:8-9)
6:8 Howbeit Shinmin relented not. And so Shinmin said unto Joseph, if thou liest not with me, I shall cause thee to be cast into the prison until thou repent.
6:9 And Joseph said, by my head and by the Lord of Hosts, I shall never lie with thee.
6:10 And it came to pass, one day while Joseph was walking in Potifar’s house, Shinmin seized his garment, saying, I beg thee, lie with me. For my master hath utterly forsaken me.(Gen 39:12)
6:11 Howbeit Joseph refused to lie with the woman, that he fled naked out of the house.(Gen 39:12)
6:12 And after Joseph had fled, Shinmin called for Potifar. And when Potifar had returned to the house, she cried unto him saying:
6:13 The Hebrew which thou didst bring into this house, seized me saying, lie with me. Howbeit I lied not with him, and he became wroth and did struggle against me; and I seized his tunic that he hath fled naked out of the house.(Gen 39:17-18)
6:14 So Potifar commanded his slaves to seek after Joseph and deliver him up.
6:15 And when Joseph was delivered unto Potifar, he said, I have given thee to be the master over my whole house. Yea, there is save I alone over thee. Why hast thou dealt with me in this manner, to bring shame upon my house?
6:16 And Joseph said, I have done no evil unto thee, my lord. The wife of thy youth did seize my tunic and did plead with me to lie with her. And for righteousness sake and because of mine oath, I lied not with her.
6:17 And Potifar said unto Joseph: of a surety, I know that the thing which thou speakest is true.
6:18 And Potifar said, Of a truth, thou hast not sinned. Yet for the sake of reproach, I must deliver thee to prison for a little season, for thou art an Hebrew slave in Egypt, and Pharoah shall be sore displeased if he heareth of the matter, and lest he take away my name and my house I must do this thing. 6:19 So Potifar delivered Joseph to the prison saying to the master, fear him as thou fearest me, for he is full of the spirit of the living God over all the earth.(Gen 39:20) 6:20 Inasmuch as thou entreat him like a brother, the living God shall bless thee and thine house.
6:21 And so the master of the prison feared Joseph. And when the master had perceived that Joseph was full of wisdom he made him chief over all the prisoners.(Gen 39:22)
6:22 And Joseph became known unto the house of Pharoah.
Chapter 7
7:1 And it came to pass, Pharoah sent for Jacob(Joseph?): for he had become renown in Egypt as one having the spirit of the gods, and an interpreter of dreams.
7:2 And Pharoah said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and in all of the land of my kingdom neither my wise men nor my watchers have been able to tell the meaning thereof.(Gen 41:15)
7:3 Howbeit I perceive that thou, Joseph, art filled with the wisdom of the lofty ones.
7:4 I pray thee, tell me the meaning of my dream and thou shalt be greatly rewarded, for verily, all of Egypt lieth in mine hand.
7:5 And Joseph said, mayest thou live forever, O king. Verily, I am dust and ashes, and there is no wisdom in me. Howbeit the Spirit of the Lord Most High who is with me can tell the meaning thereof.
7:6 And Pharoah said, this is the dream which I have dreamed:
7:7 There were seven fatted heifers drinking from a brook. And behold seven sickly heifers appeared and did devour the seven fatted heifers. And thus were the seven fatted heifers no more.(Gen 41:18-21)
7:8 The dream hath troubled me that sleep is fled far away from me; and I lay troubled on my bed. Therefore I pray thee, Joseph, shew me the meaning thereof, that I may have peace.
7:9 And Joseph, said, may peace be unto thee, O king. Thus saith the Lord who is the Most High God over all the earth: 7:10 It shall come to pass, there shall be seven years of bounteous harvest. And after the seven years are passed, a fearsome woe shall overtake the land.(Gen 41:26-30)
7:11 And Joseph fell on his face before Pharoah and cried, after the seven years of bounteous harvest are passed, there shall be seven years of famine; yea, even a sore famine which hath not ever been in Egypt nor in all the earth.
7:12 Thus saith the Most High God, take of thy bounteous harvest and lay up unto the seven years of famine, and the life of thee and those of thy kingdom shall not utterly perish.Gen 41:36)
7:13 And if thou heedest not, thy people shall become a great abborance unto the whole earth. There shall be death of man and beast such as there has never been on the face of the whole earth.
7:14 And so Pharoah took his seal and placed it upon Joseph.(Gen 41:42)
7:15 And there was not anyone in the land of Egypt who was greater than Joseph save Pharoah. Thus did the Lord bless Joseph.
Chapter 8
8:1 And it came to pass, the angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph in a dream saying, Joseph, thou art a chosen vessel from among the children of men and a great blessing unto all the earth.
8:2 Thou shalt become two great and mighty nations in the hand of the Lord: for the Lord exalteth whom he will, and the Lord abaseth whom he will. And who can stay his mighty hand?
8:3 And the Lord performeth this that he may richly reward his faithful among the sons of men with the riches of the earth. For the Lord delighteth in the righteousness of his children, that he may prosper them with all blessing.
8:4 Therefore walk humbly before thy God; for this day I have ordained thee to be a savior in the land of Egypt, wherein the Egyptians shall bare thee on their shoulders and call thee blessed; Moreover, thou shalt preserve thine house and the holy wisdom of the Lord from destruction.
8:5 And when many days have passed, thy seed shall be cause for a great work of the Lord in the sight of the heathen unto the glory of the Lord.
8:6 And when Joseph did awaken from his sleep, he was astonished at all the Lord had said unto him.
Chapter 9
9:1 And it came to pass, the Lord gave Asenath the daughter of Potifar to Joseph. And Asenath became the wife of Joseph at the hand of Potifar.(Gen 41:45)
9:2 And the Lord placed his seal upon them. 9:3 And it came to pass, Joseph knew his wife and she conceived. And Asenath bare Joseph two sons. And they named the first Manasseh and the second Ephraim according to the word of the Lord.(Gen 41:50-52) 9:4 And the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, thy sons Manasseh and Ephraim shall be two mighty nations before the Lord.
9:5 And they shall be as two stiffnecked and rebellious goats which runneth away when they heareth the voice of the shepherd. In the latter time they shall be a scourge and a terror and shall fight the Lord when he comes to reward the sons of men. 9:6 Howbeit, a remnant shall be faithful unto the Lord. And the He shall give them the earth as an inheritance with thee after I have raised up thy bones from the dust. 9:7 And the Lord spake again unto Joseph saying, Behold, the famine which shall overtake the land is at hand. When the famine hath become a sore burden on thy kindred, thy brothers shall appear unto thee. Be thou merciful unto them, as I am merciful unto thee, and all shall be well with thee and thy masters house.
Chapter 10
10:1 And it came to pass, according to the word of the Lord, that a famine fell upon the land of Egypt and upon the lands of Jacob.(Gen 41:54)
10:2 And the sons of Jacob said among themselves, we have little to eat; wherefore shall we suffer ourselves to perish with hunger in this place which hath been forsaken by the Lord?
10:3 And thus they did murmur against the Lord their God.
10:4 Howbeit Jacob knew of the honor which the Lord had given unto his son Joseph at the hand of Pharoah.
10:5 And it came to pass, Jacob said unto his sons, make haste and go down unto Egypt for the Lord hath made known unto me that there is a ruler among the Egyptians who is full of wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.
10:6 He shall have mercy on our souls, and shall sell grain unto you, that we live and not perish. This hath the Lord provided.(Gen 42:2)
10:7 And so Jacob sent all of his sons, save the youngest, from their lands; and they went down to the land of Egypt.(Gen 42:3-4)
10:8 And when the brothers of Joseph were come to Egypt, they sought to buy grain.
10:9 And a man by the way said unto them, go and seek ye Joseph the prince, for he selleth grain.
10:10 And when the brothers of Joseph did find Joseph, they bowed down low to the earth, and said, we beg thee, O prince, sell thy servants grain that we may live and not perish.(Gen 42:6) 10:11 And immediately Joseph knew that they were his brothers who had left him for to die in the pit.(Gen 42:7)
10:12 Howbeit the brothers of Joseph knew him not for his appearance and language was according to the Egyptians.
10:13 And Joseph answered coarsely unto them saying, are ye of the land of Egypt?(Gen 42:9)
10:14 And they said, no lord, we are twelve brothers save the younger who are come out of the land of Canaan to buy grain at the word of our father, lest we die.(Gen 42:13)
10:15 And Joseph said unto them angrily: wherefore do you come unto me? Are ye spies come to spy this land? What shall I do with you?(Gen 42:14)
10:16 And they answered, not so, lord; we have need of grain that we perish not, for this great famine hath reached unto our land, and hath become a scourge unto us.
10:17 And Joseph was bitter in his heart, yet he remembered the commandment of the Lord. 10:18 Therefore Joseph had pity on his brothers, and forgave them in his heart of the evil which they had done unto him, yet spake he coarsely unto them saying: bring unto me your younger brother and I shall sell you grain.(Gen 42:15)
10:19 And the brothers counciled among themselves that they might bring the younger brother unto Joseph. And Joseph heard it, howbeit the brothers knew it not, for Joseph had spoken unto them by his interpreter.
10:20 And when Joseph beheld them counciling among themselves, he had compassion on them.
10:21 And so Joseph said unto them, go unto thy land and bring thy father and thy brother. Yet Joseph kept Simeon and bound him hand and foot that he should remain.(Gen 42:20)
10:22 And Joseph commanded his servants that they should bring unto him sacks of grain for to give his brothers.(Gen 42:25)
10:23 And after they had mounted the sacks of grain onto their beasts, he sent them on their way.(Gen 42:26)
Chapter 11
11:1 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph saying, Here I Am!(Gen 46:2)
11:2 And when Joseph turned he beheld the angel of the Lord standing in a flame of fire. And Joseph cried out saying, I am a dead man. For mine eyes have seen the glory of the king of heaven!
11:3 And immeadiately the strength of Joseph left him and he fell to the ground as a dead man.
11:4 And the angel of the Lord touched Joseph saying, Joseph, Joseph, stand up on thy feet as a man and fear not. 11:5 For thou hast been chosen from among all thy brethren; yea, even from all the sons of men which dwelleth on the earth, to be a chosen branch unto the Lord.(Gen 46:3)
11:6 And through thy seed all the nations shall be blessed with the fruit of bounty: where the wine shall overflow the vats; and where the milk shall overflow unto the dung hills.
11:7 And after Joseph had arisen to his feet the Lord said: Behold the handiwork of the Lord!
11:8 And suddenly a strange and marvelous vision appeared before Joseph. And Joseph began to quake exceedingly, for marvelous and terrible to behold was the vision which the Lord had opened unto him. “marvelous work” 11:9 And the angel of the Lord said unto Joseph: This is the kingdom which I have created for mine own purpose and it is very great. Is it not marvelous to behold?
11:10 And the vision multiplied before Joseph eyes. And Joseph said: what is the meaning of this, my Lord? It is great to behold and marvelous in mine eyes.
11:11 And the Lord said, these are lands upon which my seed abide. The land on which thou standest is one land among all of the lands which I have created by mine own my hand. And I set them on nothing, for I the Lord am the foundation of them. 11:12 Behold, the lands which number more than the sands of the sea. And this is my work and my great glory: to give unto my children that which I have prepared for them, yea, even all I possess.
11:13 And Joseph said, how great and mighty is the Lord, full of wisdom and strength and mercy: for I have never at any time considered that this could be.
11:14 And Joseph fell down and worshipped the Lord. 11:15 And the Lord said, Joseph if thou art faithful to the Lord all the days of thy life, and walk circumspectly before my face, thou shalt be lifted up, even to the throne of God, and thou shalt be a master workman in all wisdom, yea, even in all of the hidden wisdom which is the Lord’s.
11:16 And thou shalt inherit, with thy faithful seed with thee, the glory of the Lord. And thus shalt thou have great joy. For the Lord delights to give his children the works of his hands. 11:17 And thou shalt sit in my throne, yea, even the throne of God. And thou shalt be my son, and I shall be thy father, forever. Yea, even forever and ever.
11:18 And Joseph fell on his face and cried out, depart from me Lord, for I am not worthy to be called to such a great and marvelous honor.
11:19 And the Lord said unto Joseph, the Lord hath seen thy great faithfulness. Thou art more faithful than any of the sons of men upon on the face of the whole earth:
11:21 For the Lord casteth the proud to the dust and exalteth the humble. The power of the wicked shall be completely destroyed, yet the Lord delights in the throne of the faithful.
11:20 And the Lord said: look up. And when Joseph had looked up, he beheld a great multitude which had the appearance of the sons of men. And they did shine like the sun.
11:21 And every one of them had a golden crown on his head. And they were singing and praising God around his glorious throne. And there was one in the midst of the throne which had a name written on him: and his name was ……., which intepreted means Wisdom of God. 11:22 And the Lord said unto Joseph: Joseph, my son, these are those who have glorified my name. They shall be my sons forever. And at the latter time thou shalt rise from the dust and take thy inheritance in the midst of mine holy congregation forever. Even forever and ever. Amen.
Chapter 12
12:1 And it came to pass, Joseph was reasoning with the priests of On. 12:2 And the priests said unto him, surely hast thou communed with the gods, for there hath never been a wiser man in all of Egypt. 12:3 And Joseph taught the priests the knowledge of the Lord. And Joseph continued to gain favor in their eyes because of his exceedingly great wisdom which the Lord given unto him.
12:4 And some of priests secretly worshipped the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and said, if the Lord would have us be an ensample to the people, so be it, for we know that the Lord is God over all the earth. 12:5 And Joseph said, see that thou do it not. For the time is not fully come. Not many days hence shall you and your children openly serve the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Nevertheless, the time is not yet.
12:6 And Joseph taught unto those faithful to the Lord the hidden wisdom of the fathers saying: of a truth, this wisdom was given to Adam, and it has come down to us by the hands of my fathers. And many things did Joseph teach unto the faithful which cannot be written.
12:7 And, yea, it is not to be had among the wicked and unbelieving. For the Lord shall not suffer his holy wisdom to be defiled.
12:8 And Joseph taught them all things pertaining to the priesthood of the Most High.
12:9 And Joseph taught them knowledge concerning the sun, the moon, and the stars, saying, they are nothing save merely the works of hands of the Lord God.
12:10 And they were astonished that the sun was not a god, saying: if the sun being so marvelous is not a god, then surely how strong is the Lord Most High who hath formed it. 12:11 And Joseph said, not many years hence there shall arise a Pharoah which hath not respect for my people. They shall be treated with contempt and become slaves unto the people of Egypt. They shall become a stench and an abhorrance in the nostrils of the Most High.
12:12 And when the oppression becomes a burden too hard to bare, the Lord God will have mercy on them; and one shall arise at the word of the Lord who shall lead his people out of this place.
12:13 He shall be a prince in the king’s house notwithstanding he shall spring from the loins of my father.
12:14 When he opens his mouth he shall roar as a lion roareth. And when he standeth up, he shall speak with the voice of God almight.
12:15 And he shall shew forth the mighty wonders of God unto you. And he shall confound all of the wisdom of Egypt. And he shall lead you to a land which the Lord shall give unto you as an inheritance.
12:16 Him must you hear.
12:17 And there shall be great weeping and wailing in that day, for the Lord shall visit the iniquity of the fathers in Egypt upon the heads of the sons except they repent. 12:18 And when you are led out of this place, you must bare my bones on your shoulders. For I desire not to stand before the Lord in this place when He shall visit the earth and reward the sons of men according to their works in the great last day. Amen.(Gen 47:30)
Misc Notes
The reason that this nation is being robbed and spoiled by the elite banksters is because this nation was not obedient to his law
17 ¶ They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
19 For I will send my servant unto those who are blind
20 Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
21 The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. (Isa 42)
Isaiah speaks of a time right before he destroys the wicked when the nation is robbed of its riches”
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. (Isa 10)
Here is a portion of a commentary on the internet regarding this prophetic topic
SURPRISE!!! During last year’s period of “economic crisis” the richest individuals of the world (it’s “Billionaires”), somehow, statistically, managed to become 50% more wealthy–while the Common Man lost his job and subsequently his home…
…this, in itself, is great cause for Revolution against the current World system–but we just sit on our intellectually lazy ars and abide by the old cliche’;–”Oh well, the Rich get Richer”–this statistic of 2009′s results makes my case here highly plausible within itself; in the midst of a terrible economic crisis the majority became less wealthy while the most wealthy increased their wealth by 50%–might they be the true “ruling portion of the community“??
…our coffers have been raided and our treasury has been plundered and now the (puppet-entity)Fed is considering taking our IRA’s and 401K’s and converting them–via legislation–into US Treasury bond backed assets–which means they might end up being worth less than toilet paper after their true value has been likewise transferred into pockets of the already most wealthy…
And you think that these things have not been foreseen!?!–”For he says, “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds (=boundaries=Globalism) of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man; and my hand has found as a nest the riches of the people; and as one gathers eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped?” (Isaiah 10:13,14)…
I believe the seven year prophecy contained in the Book of Joseph matches up perfectly with many other historical event happening before our eyes, including the robbing of the treasures of this nation by the wealthy elite.
What Mark Biltz also discovered, was that beginning seven years prior to 2015 the sun will become darkened three years in a row on the same day on the Biblical calendar: the first day of Av. A solar eclipse usually speaks of judgment on the nations, and exactly two months after the first of these solar eclipses, on the Feast of Trumpets, which is also called the Day of Judgment, God judged the world economy. The Dow Jones index on Wall Street fell 777.7 points, a 7% drop and a 700 billion dollar loss on a failed 700 billion dollar bail out package on the first day of the 7th month on God’s calendar, 7 years before the final blood red moon in 2015!
Pastor Bengt Berggren, a Swedish friend of ours, has pointed out that this financial crash on Wall Street on the Feast of Trumpets, was undoubtedly a clear message from God. It was written on the wall on the banquet hall of finances, just like it was in the banquet hall of King Belshazzar in Babylon. A small detail is that when Wall Street opens there is always a sound from a clock on the wall. This day for some unknown reason it never sounded. We read in Daniel 5:25-28,
“This is the inscription that was written:
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN
“This is what these words mean:
Mene : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”
Pastor Berggren points out that according to David Flynn in his bookTemple at the Center of Time, the words that were written on the wall are also measurements of money. You can see this as well in the notes of the NASB Bible. Mene is a mina, which normally equaled 50 shekels of silver.Tekel is another word for a shekel. And Parsin is half a mina. A shekel is 20 gerah. Together Mene, mene, tekel, parsin equals 2520 gerahs, which is the number of days in one prophetic week of years, or seven years!
Well known author Bill Koenig, has pointed out that ten days later, the last day of the Ten Days of Awe leading up to Yom Kippur symbolizing the time of God’s judgments over the earth, the Dow Jones index fell another 678.910 (6,7,8,9,10) points. Notice the sequence of the numbers! The chances that this is a coincidence are less than 1 in 99,999. Koenig interprets this to mean that God has begun to judge all nations according to the commandments number 6 to 10 of the Ten Commandments. When the G20 nations met last November in London, to deal with the global financial crisis, the text portion from the Torah for that day was about the flood of Noah. It is too late! The judgment has already begun.
The Biblical Holidays are found in Leviticus 23 and spell out the Plan of YHVH (God). There are seven Festivals divided into two main seasons; 4 Spring Festivals and 3 Fall Festivals. The first four Festivals revealed the First Coming of the Messiah and the last three Festivals will be fulfilled by the Messiah’s Second Coming.
The end of Ephraim’s scattering judgment (Fullness of the gentiles) shown Ezekiel (390 years X seven
for continued disobedience and worship on pagan dates of winter solstice sun god day worship (Dec
25) and goddess of fertility easter (Astarte) worship= 2730 years of scattering Ephraim- the lost
northern tribes of Israel) I believe that scattering judgment ended Aviv 1, 2010 based on YHWH’s
astronomical and Biblical calendar; which now requires us to repent or face a greater judgment. If I
understand correctly, the next judgment now comes on the harlot church first (harlotry based on
keeping pagan feasts and refusing to repent and come out of her my people or receive her plagues); 6
months later at the Feast of Trumpets 2010 which is the September/October time frame of 2010. (The Feast that no man knows the day or hour of which is a Hebrew idiom for this shadow picture) Rockets
fly (Zech 5 and Ezekiel 38-9) to lands of liars and thieves as judgment falls on His church first. (Those
that claim they love Him but will not obey Him- claiming the “Law” is done away with wrongly assuming
ALL has been fulfilled. There will be civil unrest and financial collapse and even martial law along with
famine and sword before “rockets fly”.
Daniel 11:43, “Antichrist will capture the treasures of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians
I am going to be doing a post about the LAST TESTIMONY, what it is and the role it plays when the Marvelous Work begins.
Before doing so, I am providing a primer, in the form of an old post I did last year on my other blog site.
This concept of bringing an existing ministry to light evolved a little as a result of comments made by NEPT, the Anarchist and my Wife.
Even if you have read it, it wouldn’t hurt to review it. Plus, I have since inserted an incredible thing I have recently noticed in section 6 pertaining to the ministry that Oliver and Joseph brought to light.
The other day as I was doing some random searches pertaining to Brother Sidney and I came across http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/ which is a great resource filled with historical information pertaining to LDS Church History and Sidney Rigdon. I had visited the site many time over the years but not spent as much time there as I should have.
The person that keeps up the site apparently was once a member of the RLDS Church (Community of Christ).
For some reason I felt I should send him the link to this blog and to my surprise and utter delight he responded and said;
“I will be away from my computer for a while — in the meantime, you have my permission to reproduce material from the 1863 Sidney Rigdon book: http://sidneyrigdon.com/books/Appl1863.htm“
Thank you Uncle Dale!
As I began perusing the online book I was blown away with some of the information that it contained. I guess the fellows that wrote it firmly believed that Sidney still had a future calling…. of course they were right… they didn’t understand about the 3rd watch but they were right about the fact that he has a future calling.
Although I don’t agree with all of their conclusions, I was really impressed with their scholarship and passion.. and it was nice to get some validation of things that I had discovered in the scriptures from a few guys that lived back in the 1860′s.
Unfortunately, they are very hostile and accusative towards Brother Joseph because they felt Sidney was treated harshly by Joseph and the Smith Family and of course, they did not have the missing pieces to the prophet puzzle.
I found out a long time ago that you can’t allow yourself to become offended just because someone is wrong about something.. that is how I feel about this book.. there are offensive things in it but there are also pearls of great price…
In my final part of the tribute to Sidney Rigdon I am going to provide the missing pieces of the prophet puzzle. After you read it, you will either be incensed at what I propose and will flee from this site in disgust or you will rejoice and finally understand why Joseph Smith did some of the disconcerting things that he did and virtually all of the problematic parts of the restoration movement will make perfect sense to you.. it all depends on you and whether your heart and mind has been prepared to believe the incredible prophecies that will be unveiled.. and whether you are ready to repent of your sins.. even sins you didn’t know you had.
So… getting back to this online book… as I am reading one particular chapter and loving the fact that the authors totally take Gods word very seriously and very literally… very refreshing. They outlined all the reasons why they felt Sidney had a very special mission in the future… at some points in the chapter I felt as if I was reading my own blog because they were extracting the same information that I had extracted from the same verses!
Anyway, as I am reading this online book I came across an amazing tid-bit. The authors quoted from section 6 of our D&C that they pointed out a very subtle statement that I had missed all these years. It confirms some things I had noticed previously by connecting other dots together and I am excited to add it and some related stuff to the final tribute that I am working on….
but for now I am going to share this one thing with you for you to be pondering because this is a hugely important witness to the general premise of my blog pertaining to who Sidney Rigdon was, the special priesthood that he held and the distinction between his role and priesthood vs Joseph’s role and priesthood. Here is an excerpt from the book-
“Turn to the Book of Mormon and the former commandments,” 8th section and 13th paragraph of Doctrine and Covenants, we read thus: “And now behold I give unto you (O. Cowdery), and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry.” What ministry? Surely the ministry which was to finish the work of bringing to pass the restoration of Israel, and through these means prepare the way for the coming of Christ. It is worthy of remark here, that the Spirit did not say, I give to you this ministry, but the keys to bring it to light. Did they bring it to light? In the 11th section and 2nd paragraph, the following things on this subject are found. Let us here state a fact in relation to this revelation. It was written the first time that Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon met; they had never seen each other till then. “Behold, verily, verily I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy
24
prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth even as John, to prepare the way before me and before Elijah which should come.”
Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith were told that they had the keys of this gift which should bring to light this ministry; and they say of Sidney Rigdon: “Thou art the man;” and who dare say they falsified? Here the great question is settled. Those to whom it was given to point out this ministry, have pointed to the very man, calling him by name. No dispute can ever exist among those who turn to the Book of Mormon and the former commandments about it. Sidney Rigdon.. is the one who is to gether up the residue, after all others are broken and scattered.
It appears further that he was called to this work before he and Joseph ever saw each other, for the Spirit says: “Thou was sent forth even as John to prepare the way,” &c. It does not say, I will send thee forth, but thou wast sent forth before this time… He (Joseph) had the gift to make known who it was the Lord had chosen …. But was not the man himself to do it…”
Did you catch the significance of that? Joseph and Oliver were given the gift and the calling to bring to light an existing ministry! A separate one from their own.
There is a little more to this than the authors wanted to point out because of their bias against Joseph.. lets look at both verses;
“And now I command you, that if you have good desires—a desire to lay up atreasures for yourself in heaven—then shall you assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my bscriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity.
28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the akeys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three bwitnesses shall every word be established.”
Joseph and Oliver were given the gift and the calling to bring to light an existing ministry! A separate one from their own.They were to identify the ministry (and minister) that was currently doing a work! And then they were to assist in that ministry… in both the 2nd and 3rd watch!
What happens next?
1) Oliver Cowdery takes a Book of Mormon to Sidney Rigdon who declares it to be a revelation from God.
2) Oliver Cowdery baptizes Rigdon.
3) Rigdon visits Joseph Smith during their first meeting… the first time they ever met, Joseph pronounces a blessing upon Sidneys head and the Lord identifies Sidney as the one like John the Baptist who had previously been sent forth doing a work that was a preparatory work. He was preparing the way before Elijah and the Lord.
4) Shortly thereafter the Lord identifies (through the Prophet Joseph Smith) Sidney Rigdon as the Spokesman from the loins of Judah prophesied about in the Book of Mormon.
What is a ministry?
According the Webster-
Ecclesiastical function; agency or service of a minister of the gospel or clergyman in the modern church, or of priests, apostles and evangelists in the ancient. Acts 1. Rom.12. 2 Tim.4. Num.4.
Did Joseph and Oliver use the keys of revelation Oliver had been given and the keys of Seership Joseph had been given to bring to light the existing ministry and the existing minister who God had previously called to do a preparatory work?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please remember that anciently, King David had a seer who worked in concert with him;
“All these which were chosen to be porters in the gates were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by their genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the aseer did bordain in their set office. “
Are we seeing a pattern here? The priests had to come before King David and Samuel the Seer to be ordained. Remember how the Lord said in the D&C that all those who would go forth to preach the gospel much come before Sidney and Joseph?
Is it beginning to make a little more sense why Joseph Smith was “partly” a descendant of King David but Sidney was a full blooded descendant of King David?
The King and his Seer…. hmmm
BTW.. did you also catch in the two verses quoted from section 6 that this work would include bringing forth additional records?
I wish I had time to put together a similar tribute for Oliver Cowdery, another much maligned and misunderstood individual.. I firmly believe he will be among the first laborers of the last kingdom who return to the vineyard in the 3rd watch.
“..then shall you assist in bringing to light, with your gift, those parts of my bscriptures which have been hidden because of iniquity.”
There is much to feast on here… more later.
Praise the Lord God
[EDITORIAL NOTE: I have since noticed that section six also speaks of a future TESTIMONY that will come forth as a result of bringing the ministry to light! I'll cover this in my next post, in the mean time, see if you can find it.]
In previous articles including the final tribute to Sidney Rigdon I have tried to develop the relationship between Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon and their respective callings. This duo has been characterized in different ways in the scriptures and in Jewish tradition.
In last days prophecy they appear to be the two Sons spoken of in the 2 Ne. 8: 19-20 version of Isa. 51: 19.
Jewish tradition appears to refer to them as Joseph Ben Messiah and Judah Ben Messiah.
Zechariah (and John the Revelator) calls them the two Olive Trees Zech. 4: 11-12
Isaiah 28 speaks of the prophet and the priest who erred in spirit and stumbled in judgment during the 2nd watch before the Lord finally begins the marvelous work and sends the one who is mighty and strong along with his counterpart.
Isaiah 11 and Zechariah use terms like branch and brand, rod and root two describe these two.
According to the words of Jesus Christ, those embracing the calling and commandment to preach the gospel needed to come before BOTH Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to be ordained and sent forth.
In the Book of Mormon and the inspired version these two servants are referred to as the Seer and the Spokeman.
When the scriptures speak about the “LAW and the PROPHETS” it seems to be speaking about the two aspects of the gospel by which the saints are governed and judged. The tem, law, refers to how God expects us to live, the term, prophets, refers to the conduit by which God reveals his law and gives testimony of himself and his law. As John points out, The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
It is therefore no surprise that section 88 informs us that Gods servants of the 2nd watch need to return to BIND UP THE LAW and SEAL UP THE TESTIMONY.
What exactly is the LAW that needs to finally be bound up?
It is the law of the gospel that was given in section 42. That is the LAW that people will be judged by.
What testimony needs to finally be sealed by the original two prophets that saw the father and the son and bore witness of what the fullness of the gospel is?
It is the last testimony of the father and the son and the fullness of the gospel that was given in section 76.
Section 76 contains that last testimony of the dispensation of the fulness of times. That is the testimony that needs to be accepted during probation in order to come forth in the first resurrection of the Just.
I am going to suggest that one of these last two servants represent the human personification of the TESTIMONY while the other servant represents the human personification, or representative of the LAW.
The Seer testifies and reveals Gods word. The Spokesman presides in judgment over the law and expounds on it.
According to modern revelation, the Lord made Sidney Rigdon equal with Joseph Smith in holding the keys of the kingdom.
Sidney is commanded to write for Joseph and to tarry and journey with him.
Sidney Rigdon is the great scriptorian and theologian of the restoration movement who was commanded to scripturally prove the validity of the revelations brought forth by the Prophet Joseph Smith .
Sidney and Joseph jointly held the keys of the School of the Prophets for the purpose of perfecting the Elders in their ministry for the salvation of Zion to take the gospel to those who believe among the nations of Israel and the Gentiles. Sidney was the principle instructor of the school and is probably the primary if not exclusive author of what is known today as the Lectures on Faith.
Sidney Rigdon was given the honor and privilege of proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord in the 2nd watch and shall do it again in the 3rd watch thereby bringing the elect who repent to salvation and those that reject the Servants of the Lord and fail to recognize the day of visitation under condemnation.
A very strong case can be made for the fact that the two prophets that torment Gods people during a 3 ½ period of time in the end times are these same two servants of God.
After all, they appear to be commissioned to finish their TESTIMONY in the 3rd watch, so that the final testimony by which the world will be judged can be sealed up, yet we have been told in modern revelation that the last testimony of all the prophets was given during the 2nd watch, (see section 76) hence, the two final witnesses spoken of in the 3rd watch very possibly represent the return of the two witnesses from the 2nd watch who must finish sealing the testimony of the second watch, during the third watch;
3 And I will give power unto my TWO WITNESSES, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their TESTIMONY, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
Although I have always been open to the possibility that the two witnesses in the book of revelation were the same two witnesses of the second watch, I have had a difficult time wrapping my mind around the thought that Joseph could die twice, once with his brother Hyrum, as a blood sacrifice pertaining to the atonement statue, and again, with the spokesman, for the purpose of binding up the law and sealing up the last testimony with their own blood.
I must confess however that I have been swayed in that direction of late.
“For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood” Heb. 9: 16
(Regardless of whether the two witnesses mentioned in the Book of Revelation are Joseph and Sidney, Sidney and Lyman, Elijah and Enoch, two mortals of our generation, etc., I am convinced that the testimony that they will be bearing witness of is the LAST testimony given in section 76 by the Seer and the Spokesman.)
The Moses and Aaron Type
Just as Joseph was characterized as the latter day type of Moses, Sidney is characterized in the Book of Mormon and Old Testament JST as the latter day spokesman type of Aaron.
This is significant because Aaron and his seed represent the keepers of the law and the keepers of the temple and it needs to be a literal first born descendant of Aaron through the lineage of David that holds the keys of and sits on the seat of the temporal judgment seat.
In previous blogs we have addressed the fact that according to modern revelation, Sidney had been called to oversee a preparatory ministry BEFORE his ministry and followers merged with the restored church. One of the trademark characteristics of his ministry was that of living the New Testament Communal Law of having all things in common. (something rather appropriate for a literal descendant of Aaron to do)
The restoration of this law and the associated outgrowth of righteous judges or bishops to oversee the common storehouse began with Sidney long before Joseph ever received a revelation about this ancient practice.
Indeed, Joseph and his small flock were commanded by revelation to migrate to “the Ohio” where they would be given the LAW.
Is it a coincidence that Sidney and his two congregations were already living and practicing a form of biblical consecration in the very spot where God was commanding the restored church to assemble so that they could live the law?
Section 35 provides an amazing summary of how God had called Sidney to do what he had already done in his preparatory ministry. It is not surprising that he compares Sidney to John the Baptist, who was apparently a direct descendant of Aaron, who held the priesthood by right in the meridian of time and who prepared the way of the Savior in the first watch.
While the preliminary ministry of Sidney had already begun to address the restoration of the LAW of CONSECRATION AND THAT OF GOSPEL LAW, The preliminary ministry of Joseph, on the other hand, was that of receiving and bearing witness of the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy.
Hence, the merging together of Joseph the prophet and Sidney the Priest was necessary so that eventually the law could be made binding and the testimony could be sealed up.
According to the law of witnesses where everything must be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses, it is fitting that Joseph and Sidney jointly bore witness of the father and the son… with Lyman Wight adding a third witness… one that was apparently rejected by many of the leading elders of the church, as prophesied in the Book of Mormon.
It is with this context that I and some of the readers of this blog have previously likened Joseph and Sidney to Nathan the prophet and David the King who sat on the judgment seat.
Nevertheless, in the dispensation of the fulness of times, the elect of God will be both kings and priests, just as Sidney and Joseph are, nevertheless they each exemplified one of those primary functions.
In this article I want to suggest that the office of Bishop or Bishopric might be linked to the true modern day version of the judgment seat held by righteous judges and kings anciently in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon
Before I had began connecting some of the above pieces of the puzzle together, I found it curious years ago to note that Sidney Rigdon was being referred to as “Bishop Sidney Rigdon of Pittsburgh” by himself, his followers and by Alexander Campbell…
It seems to me that with the exception of the Catholic Church, most other churches, (reformation churches) seldom used this term of bishop to describe there minsters. They usually referred to the Sheppard’s of their congregations as “ministers”, “pastors” “evangelists” “deacons” and “elders”, etc.
This is fitting since, as we shall find out, Bishops only exist when the law of consecration is being introduced or lived.
The new testament gives us precious little information about the office of the Bishop, however it does reveal that the Bishop, along with being blameless and the husband of one wife, in conformity to the gospel law of monogamy, was the temporal STEWARD OF GOD.
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Modern revelation provides additional information
“The office of the Bishop is in administering all temporal things“.
LDS Church historian Michael Quinn made the following observations about the development of the office of Bishop in LDS theology-
“The Presiding Bishopric was the fifth quorum of the hierarchy to develop. Of all the presiding quorums , the historical development of this office has been the most complex and the least understood. Joseph Smith established the possibility of a supreme, presiding bishop, but no one functioned in this capacity until after his death.
Smith first appointed “general bishops with broad geographical jurisdiction. Only later did he introduce the possibility of local bishops for smaller geographical units and a Presiding Bishop for the entire church….The two 1831 revelations which appointed Partridge and Whitney promised further instruction about the bishops duties (41:10 & 72:7) A later presiding Bishop, Edward Hunter, commented that in 1831 whitney “did not know at the time nor Joseph either what the position of a Bishop was.” Hunter significantly added that Whitney “thought like the Catholics and Episcopalians a Bishop was the highest office in the church“. Later revelation would (107:69-73) required a man to be ordained a high priest before he could be ordained a bishop. However Partridge served as bishop without high priest ordination. [for four month before the office of High Priest was restored to the church](pg 70) [this probably indicates that he was a literal descendent of Aaron.]
In a very veiled message contained within section 58 the Lord revealed several fascinating things about the law and the testimony that are to be lived on his consecrated land.
See if you can identify what they are.
11 And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.
12 Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.
13 And that the testimony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God—
14 Yea, for this cause I have sent you hither, and have selected my servant Edward Partridge, and have appointed unto him his mission in this land.
15 But if he repent not of his sins, which are unbelief and blindness of heart, let him take heed lest he fall.
16 Behold his mission is given unto him, and it shall not be given again.
17 And whoso standeth in this mission is appointed to be a judge in Israel, like as it was in ancient days, to divide the lands of the heritage of God unto his children;
18 And to judge his people by the testimony of the just, and by the assistance of his counselors, according to the laws of the kingdom which are given by the prophets of God.
19 For verily I say unto you, my law shall be kept on this land.
20 Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.
21 Let no man break the laws of the land, for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land.
22 Wherefore, be subject to the powers that be, until he reigns whose right it is to reign, and subdues all enemies under his feet.
23 Behold, the laws which ye have received from my hand are the laws of the church, and in this light ye shall hold them forth. Behold, here is wisdom.
24 And now, as I spake concerning my servant Edward Partridge, this land is the land of his residence, and those whom he has appointed for his counselors; and also the land of the residence of him whom I have appointed to keep my storehouse;
Here are some of the observations I have made-
It is not until the day of power that the law of God will be successfully lived on Gods land
The testimony will go forth from Zion (the law from Jerusalem)
Bishops like Edward Partridge are to be Judges in Israel like in ancient times to divide the lands of heritage and to make temporal judgments according to the testimony of the just
A temporal representative of Jesus Christ who holds the proper keys of a temporal judge or king will reign by right of lineage prior to the reign of Christ
“AND ALSO THE LAND OF THE RESIDENCE OF HIM WHO I HAVE APPOINTED TO KEEP MY STOREHOUSE” In addition to Edward Partridge and his counselors who hold the office of Bishopric, there is another person who has been appointed to keep the Lords storehouse!
Who is this mystery person that had been appointed by God to keep the Lords storehouse? And why is it that God did not want to reveal who this person was during the second watch?
It appears that either Joseph, Sidney, Lyman or someone else was to act as the presiding bishop over the entire church and to eventually live in Zion, but God did not want that person to take their rightful place until the appointed time, after the purging and after the tribulation, in the third watch.
Below is what modern revelation says about the right of the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood.
KEYS OF BISHOP
D&C 68: 17-18; 107: 16, 70
17 For the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same.
18 No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of Aaron.
70 For unless he is a literal descendant of Aaron he cannot hold the keys of that priesthood.
In the latter day corporate church the office of bishop is considered to be the spiritual, priesthood head of each individual congregation or “ward”.
As such, one would assume that the office of Bishop would have been one of the first priesthood offices to be restored in this dispensation.
However such an assumption appears to be wrong. The office of a bishop according to scripture, has no right to preside over spiritual things.
Although the office of elder was present in the restored church from the time that Peter James and John restored the patriarchal/evangelical priesthood (making Joseph and Oliver the first and second elders of the restoration) it was about one year after the restoration of the priesthood and the legal organization of the church before the Lord acknowledged the office of bishop and began calling people to that holy calling.
At that time, he called Edward Partridge to be the first bishop that we know of according to published revelations.
His place of stewardship in Gods vineyard was to preside as the local Bishop in Zion.
Shortly after that, Newel K. Whitney was called to preside as the Bishop in Kirtland.. this set a bishop over the land of Zion as well as one over the land of the latter day Jerusalem.
The reason that bishops were not called to serve in the church for nearly a year after the priesthood was restored is that the office of Bishop only becomes applicable when the FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL AND THE FULNESS OF THE LAW OF GOD have been restored to the earth and God is requiring the establishment of the law of consecration and a Bishops storehouse are on the earth.
Indeed, the office of Bishop only exists as a singular office when Gods people are going to consecrate and have a Bishops storehouse.
In other words, it is only after the law of the gospel, containing the law of consecration, as contained in section 42, has been restored and is being lived, that the office of Bishop is necessary.
Prior to the church living consecration, there is no need for the office of bishop. The church is simply presided over by elders who preside over spiritual things.
After the church has rejected the law of consecration, or has decided, for any reason, to not live it, the Bishops Storehouse becomes obsolete in its proper and full organization along with the active office of Bishop since there is no storehouse to preside over.
Some have assumed that the office of bishop was revealed as early as April 1830 when section 20 was given because it addresses the office of the bishop, however, it is important to understand that the term bishop was added to that section after the fact, at a later time.
The Unpublished Revelation Expounding the Office of a Bishop
The very first published revelation mentioning the office of bishop is section 41, (given in Feb of 1831) in which the office is mentioned in preparation for the LAW which was given five days later, as revealed in section 42.
The LAW which was revealed in section 42 required the office of a bishop to preside over the consecrated storehouse.
In an unpublished revelation given in march 1832 the Lord revealed to the Lords two anointed servants, Joseph and Sidney, what the specific duty of the Bishop is. I don’t know why the revelation was not published in the D&C or why its contents has been obscured in the history of the church.
In this amazing revelation, the Lord revealed to Joseph and Sidney that the primary responsibility of a Bishop is to
“To administer the benefits of the Church or the overplusses of all who are in their stewardships”
The Bishop’s calling was quite singular. He was to deal exclusively with the saints in his geographical stewardship that had entered into the law of God, had consecrated and received their inheritances and stewardships. His responsibility in that calling had to do exclusively with judging temporal matters of the saints who were “in their stewardships“.
The Bishop was to
Receive the overplusses of everyone who entered into consecration
Put the overplusses into the storehouse and make sure the store house was kept full
Sit as a temporal judge, determining who of the widows, orphans and poor needed the temporal assets from the storehouse.
Interestingly, the term “judgment seat” according to this revelation simply has to do with righteously judging who qualified for and was in need of the temporal overplusses of those who had already consecrated and helped to fill the storehouse.
The judgment seat of the Bishop, according to this revelation, has nothing to do with giving spiritual counsel nor does it have to do with presiding over disciplinary courts pertaining to spiritual matters or making spiritual judgments or condemnations about the spiritual standing of other saints, men or women.
It specifically has to do with judging who is in need of the temporal assets of the storehouse.
The above definition of the judgment seat that a Bishop sits on provides a stark contrast to the judgment seat that worldly rulers sit on as they pass judgment on others, such as the judgment seat Pilot sat on (Matt. 27: 19 John 19: 13 ) and the judgment seat Ceasor sat on. (Acts 25: 6, 10, 17)
The scriptures do of course speak of different types of judgment seats including the judgment seat of righteous kings and ecclesiastical leaders as well which are a type of the great Judgment seat of Christ that is spoken of pertaining to the great day of judgment, however many of these scriptural references pertaining to judgment are quite different from the judgment seat that Bishops sit on in their temporal stewardships of watching over the storehouse and judging the needs of the poor.
The above mentioned unpublished revelation is in perfect harmony with the ancient prophecies that speak about judging the poor and fatherless. It is the ominous responsibility of the bishop to make temporal judgments about who is in need of the surpluses of the storehouse.
When the saints consecrate and the storehouse is filled, a righteous bishop will sit in the JUDGMENT SEAT and make sure that the widows and orphans never go without the temporal necessities of life.
I have provided a copy of this amazing unpublished revelation below. Read it carefully with a discerning eye, you might be surprised at the simplicity of the stewardship of the bishop and the blatant lack of jurisdiction he has over spiritual matters-
Historically it appears that Bishops in the latter day gentile church did in fact sit in judgment over spiritual matters during the laying of the foundation, however it is not because of their calling as a bishop, rather it is because they were also High Priests as well as Bishops.
Anciently, the office of bishop was given to those who were direct descendants of Aaron, whose birthright is to administer in temporal affairs, however the gentile church was told by the Lord that High Priests could serve in lesser callings, including that of a Bishop.
The literal first born among the sons of Aaron hold the right to preside as Bishops
“There remain hereafter, in the due time of the Lord, other bishops to be set apart unto the church, to minister even according to the first; Wherefore they shall be high priests who are worthy, and they shall be appointed by the First Presidency of the Melchizedek Priesthood, except they be literal descendants of Aaron. And if they be literal descendants of Aaron they have a legal right to the bishopric, if they are the firstborn among the sons of Aaron; For the firstborn holds the right of the presidency over this priesthood, and the keys or authority of the same. No man has a legal right to this office, to hold the keys of this priesthood, except he be a literal descendant and the firstborn of Aaron.” D&C 68:16-18
The above passage brings us back to the cryptic statements in section 58.
There was someone living on the earth at the time that Joseph and Sidney were organizing the church and trying to establish Zion that had been appointed by God to be the presiding bishop.. even the prophesied one who right is was to reign in temporal judgment over Israel.
The first chapter of Isaiah speaks of the time when God would separate the wheat from the tares and restore the judges of Israel and their counselors so that Zion could finally be redeemed with JUDGMENT-
25 ¶ And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
Modern revelation tells us that when the servants return, and are restored to their previous stewardships, the Bishop who was also a high priest plays a significant role in warning the people to flee to Zion before the destruction hits.
114 Nevertheless, let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things.
115 For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate.
116 Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed.
117 And verily I say unto you, the rest of my servants, go ye forth as your circumstances shall permit, in your several callings, unto the great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days.
118 For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall tremble.
119 For I, the Lord, have put forth my hand to exert the powers of heaven; ye cannot see it now, yet a little while and ye shall see it, and know that I am, and that I will come and reign with my people.
120 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Amen.
Section 85 speaks of the time when this mysterious presiding bishop will return to take his rightful place and to “set the church in order” and give people their inheritances. This righteous judge is referred to as the ONE MIGHTY AND STRONG.
The counterpart or antagonist of the one mighty and strong is referred to as the one who was CALLED OF GOD but tried to STEADY THE ARK OF GOD. He took authority unto himself that was never his right to take, despite the fact that he had been called to a high position and was simply trying to be a caretaker of the church and keep the dogs and wolves out of the flock.
His ultimate fate is that he shall FALL BY THE SHAFT OF DEATH.
High Priests who serve as Bishops can also act in spiritual things as well as temporal things.
The office of a Bishop is an awesome responsibility. It will be an incredible blessing to the poor when the true office of bishop and high priest is restored to the earth.
Malachi speaks of the messenger of the Lord who will sit as a refiner and purifier of the sons of Levi so that they can offer an offering in righteousness.
He notes that Israel has previously neglected the ordinances and the storehouse resulting in the robbing of God.
He speaks of a time when the storehouse will be set up in righteousness.
Finally there will be meat in the Lords storehouse again and the accompanying blessings of living the law will be obtained.
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
7 ¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
Isaiah spoke prophetically about how the latter day restored church would transgress from being a faithful city into a harlot!
At first it had righteous judges but then, murderers who did not provide righteous judgment for the fatherless and widows.
21 ¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22 Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24 Therefore saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
25 ¶ And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
28 ¶ And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the Lord shall be consumed.
Again and again the prophets fortold how the latter day church would trespass against the law and the covenant.
Hosea notes that latter day Israel would set up her own kings but not according to the will of God
1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
2 Israel shall cry unto me, My God, we know thee.
3 Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him.
4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. Hosea 8: 1
Hosea saw the time when God would cut of the unrighteous judge because latter day Israel has despised the law of the Lord.
1 Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime:
2 But I will send a fire upon Moab, and it shall devour the palaces of Kirioth: and Moab shall die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:
3 And I will cut off the judge from the midst thereof, and will slay all the princes thereof with him, saith the Lord.
4 ¶ Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:
5 But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem.
A theme throughout Isaiah is how his latter day church would reject the Law of the Lord. In Isaiah 5 we are informed that Gods wrath would devoure the stubble because Gods people “they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel“. Isa. 5: 24
8 ¶ Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Isa. 30: 9
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
23 Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
25 Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
The one mighty and strong in section 85 and Isaiah 28 is also mentioned in Isaiah 11. This person will judge the poor and the meek of the earth in righteousness.
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Truly latter day Israel has broken the everlasting covenant and despised the law of the gospel and many have rejected the testimony. We have lost sight of what the office of the Bishop really is and we have denied what the real office of the High Priest really is.
The time is coming however when the God of Israel is going to return our judges and their councilors as at first. The real office of bishop and the real office of High Priest will be returned to the earth and the law will again be established.
The servants of God will bind up the law and seal up the testimony.
He whose right to reign will reign preparatory to the reign of Christ on this earth during the millennium.
“Marriage is ordained of God… It is Lawful that he should have one wife”
“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away…. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
The above words of Paul seem somewhat appropriate for the topic of this post. In the words of the apostle, mortal man sees through a glass darkly. We have a very incomplete understanding of the spiritual creation, the eternal world, and many of the details regarding the plan of salvation.
Nevertheless we have been commanded to search the mysteries and seek the face of God and we have the hope that we shall someday know even as we are known.
Paul speaks of a time when “that which is in part shall be done away” “when that which is perfect is come“.
Christ was of course the archetype and prototype of perfection. Yet he commanded us to be perfect.
In this post I am going to discuss several scriptures that I have addressed in previous posts but I want to approach the subject beginning with a more historical perspective.
I want to address the eternal role and relationship of the male and female genders as it relates to the plan of salvation.
Recently the following diatribe showed up on a popular chat board-
Landover Baptist Creation Scientist, Dr. Jonathan Edwards, announced findings related to his research into the female soul early this week. “The absence of either salvation or condemnation for women finds extensive support in the Word of God.” He reported. “Jesus said that the sole reason God created women in the first place was to provide company and service to men (1 Corinthians 11:9), God determined that men would be lonely living alone, so he created women purely to keep men company and serve their needs (Genesis 2:18-22). Women are therefore completely subordinate to men (1 Corinthians 11:3). It stands to reason, though, that once men enter the Kingdom of Heaven, they will be one with God, and will no longer be lonely and in need of mortal companionship. Thus, the reason behind having women will no longer exist. Women, like the members of the animal kingdom, will fall by the wayside.”
I was taken back a little bit by the above statements on the chat board by a protestant (even though the Landover Baptist Church is a PARODY) because the content and conclusions contained therein so closely resembled some of the remarks that Brigham Young had made concerning the female gender and their incapacity to fall as far or excel as high in the eternal world as their counterpart male gender.
Perhaps one of the most important and dynamic aspects of this mortal existence is the male, female dynamic of human sexuality pertaining to the roles and relationship between the two genders and yet very little about it is openly discussed and understood.
For some strange reason I have felt impressed to attempt this topic once more.
Jesse Gause, Leman Copley & the Shaking Quakers
Two of the many interesting figures to initially embrace the restored gospel in early LDS history were Jesse Gause and Lemon Copley.
Jesse was called to be a member of the original first Presidency of the Church and within a very short time, he disappear, creating the necessity for Joseph Smith to literally replace his name with the name of Fredrick G. Williams in section 81.
Leman was the one who came flying across the room during the special conference at the Morley Farm when the “man of sin” was revealed and many people became possessed.
Both of these fascinating characters from Quaker backgrounds played significant roles in the history of the LDS restoration (foundation) movement.
The thing Jesse and Lemon had in common with each other was their prior involvement in the Shaker movement which taught, among other heresies, that celibacy was a way to become more consecrated and closer to God.
Jesse Gause- The Lost Counselor
The son of William Gause and Mary Beverly, Gause was born in 1785 in East Marlborough, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Gause followed the faith of his parents and in 1806, apparently still single at twenty-one, he requested and was received into the Society of Friends, becoming a Quaker.
Although a Quaker in good standing, Gause’s Quaker pacificism did not prevent him from joining the Delaware militia in 1814 during the War of 1812. Upon leaving the military in 1815 he moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he married Martha Johnson.
In 1822 the family finally settled in Chester County where he become a teacher in a Friends’ school. Martha died in 1828 after the birth of their fourth child.
In the same year of Martha’s death, Gause quickly remarried a woman named Minerva, and they settled in Hancock, Massachusetts. Shortly after the birth of a daughter, Gause resigned from the Quakers on January 30, 1829, and joined the Hancock “family” of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Coming, or the Shakers.
Gause’s new wife followed him, apparently accepting the Shaker practice of celibacy, even for married couples. In 1831, Gause, his wife, and infant daughter moved to the Shaker community near North Union, Ohio, leaving Martha’s four children in the care of his sister, who was also a Shaker.” (Ref)
For decades Gause was generally unknown to LDS historians, and so could be considered Mormonism’s lost counselor of the First Presidency.
At the same time that Gause was moving to North Union, Latter Day Saints from New York were also emigrating to Ohio, settling in the environs of Kirtland, some fifteen miles east of North Union. It is not known when Gause came into contact with these new settlers, but some time after October 1831 he was baptized a Latter Day Saint; this time his wife refused to follow him.
Gause rose quickly to a position of prominence in his new faith; in an early record book it states that on March 8, 1832, Joseph Smith “[c]hose this day and ordained brother Jesse Gause and Broth[er] Sidney [Rigdon] to be my counsellors of the ministry of the presidency of the High Priesthood” (Kirtland Revelation Book, p. 10, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah).
A week later, Smith received a revelation concerning Gause’s selection as a counselor in what later became known as the First Presidency, as well as giving him additional instructions concerning his new assignment.[1] Smith may have chosen a recent convert for such a responsible position due to Gause’s experience with the Shaker communal society, because the Latter Day Saints had recently commenced their own communal experiment, the Law of Consecration. Both Gause and Smith’s other counselor, Sidney Rigdon, had previous experience living in communal societies.
Gause settled into his new role, accompanying Smith to Jackson County, Missouri, between April and June 1832, in order to set up the Law of Consecration. Upon returning to Kirtland, Gause started on a mission with Zebedee Coltrin on August 1, 1832. The two missionaries traveled to North Union, where six days later Gause attempted to persuade Minerva to accept Mormonism, but she continued to refuse to join him. He then attempted unsuccessfully to take their daughter, but had to leave “very much [e]nraged.”
Within a short time Coltrin became ill and decided to return to Kirtland. The two men “parted in the fellowship of the gospel” on August 20. From this date Gause simply disappears from Mormon history. It is not known what occurred to sour him on Mormonism, but by the end of 1832 he had “denied the faith” and was probably the “Jesse” excommunicated on December 3.
Gause’s role in Mormon history went unacknowledged for decades. The revelation given to him in 1832 was altered by replacing his name with his replacement in the First Presidency, Frederick G. Williams. His name was only recognized in the 1980 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants, but then only in the historical introduction to the revelation; his replacement’s name remained in the text itself.
Leman was, present at the special conference at the Morley Farm when the man of sin was revealed and the Melchizedek Priesthood was restored to the earth.
Leman was the one who was thrown across the room by an evil spirit during that conference. The following was a recollection of the event by Philo Dibble-
“Next thing I saw a man came flying through the window from outside. He was straight as a man’s arm as he sailed into the room over two rows of seats filled with men, and fell on the floor between the seats and was pulled out by the brethren. He trembled all over like a leaf in the wind. He was soon apparently calm and natural. His name was Leman Copley. He weighed over two hundred pounds. This I saw with my own eyes and know it is all true, and bear testimony to it.”
As noted earlier, Leman had been a Shaker. (also known as the “Shaking Quakers” and as the “United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing).
Ann Lee and the Quaking Shakers
“Founded upon the teachings of Ann Lee, the Shakers were known for their emphasis on social equality and rejection of marriage, which led to their precipitous decline in numbers after their heavy involvement in the running of orphanages was curtailed. With few surviving members, Shakers today are mostly known for their cultural contributions (especially style of music and furniture).”
Wikipedia provides the following information about Ann Lee, the founder of the shaking quakers.
“Ann Lee’s father was a blacksmith during the day and a tailor at night. Her father’s name was John Lees. Little is known about her mother other than she was a very religious woman. Originally Ann Lee’s name was probably Ann Lees but somewhere through time it changed to Ann Lee. When Ann was young she worked in a cotton factory, then she worked as a cutter of hatter’s fur and later as a cook in a Manchester infirmary.
Beginning during her youth, Ann Lee was uncomfortable with sexuality, especially her own. This repulsion towards sexual activity continued and manifested itself most poignantly in her repeated attempts to avoid marriage and remain single. Eventually her father forced her to marry Abraham Standley. They were married at Manchester Cathedral on 5 January 1761[2]. She became pregnant eight times, experiencing four stillbirths and four living children, none of whom lived past the age of 6.
Her difficult pregnancies and the loss of eight children were traumatic experiences that contributed to Ann Lee’s dislike of sexual relations.[3] Lee developed radical religious convictions that advocated celibacy and the abandonment of marriage, as well as the importance of pursuing perfection in every facet of life. She differed from the Quakers, who, though they supported gender egalitarianism, allowed for marriage and sexual relations.
In 1758 she joined the Wardleys, an English sect founded by Jane and preacher James Wardley; this was the precursor to the Shaker sect.[4] She believed in and taught her followers that it is possible to attain perfect holiness by giving up sexual relations. Like her predecessors, the Wardleys, she taught that the shaking and trembling were caused by sin being purged from the body by the power of the Holy Spirit, purifying the worshipper. Ann Lee eventually decided to leave England for America in order to escape the persecution (i.e. multiple arrests and stays in prison) she experienced in the hostile religious climate of the United Kingdom.
Distinctively, the followers of Mother Ann came to believe that she embodied all the perfections of God in female form. The fact that Ann Lee considered herself to be Christ’s female counterpart was unique. She preached that sinfulness could be avoided by not only treating men and women equally, but also by keeping them separated so as to prevent any sort of temptation leading to impure acts.
Lee often was characterized as a virago (a woman with masculine, domineering attributes) because most English and Americans could not accept her ideals of gender equality. Lee recognized how revolutionary her ideas were when she said, “We [the Shakers] are the people who turned the world upside down.” Lee was also a neutralist during the revolution. She did not side with the British nor the colonists. If it had been necessary she may have sided with the Colonists due to religious freedom in the colonies, unlike Britain.”
The beginning of her ministry began with a vision she had while incarcerated-
“During a lengthy incarceration in 1770, Lee beheld the “grand vision of the very transgression of the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden, the cause wherein all mankind was lost and separated from God.” It was further revealed to her that she was the female successor to Jesus, the incarnation of the second coming of Christ. She felt filled and united with Christ in such completeness that from then on she referred to herself as Mother Ann or Ann the Word. Ann Lee emerged from this experience with a confidence born of mysticism, the status of a martyr within the society, and the undisputed new leader of the sect. As Mother Ann, she boldly proclaimed her gospel at every opportunity. The message was uncomplicated: life with God begins by confession and is perfected by denial of the lusts of the flesh through celibacy.”
“The Shakers reject the Trinity; instead they believe in a God made up of female and male elements.. The requirement of celibacy is based on the belief that sin arose from Adam and Eve’s sexual behavior in the Garden of Eden, although they do not feel that non-Shakers who marry and have sexual relations are sinners.”
“The Deity is dual in nature. God is both male and female”
The Shakers believe “The Deity is dual in nature. God is both male and female.
They also believe the male principle of Christ came to earth as Jesus, the son of a Jewish carpenter. The female principle is represented in ‘Mother Ann’ [Ann Lee, founder of the Shakers, and in her the promise of our Lord's Second Advent was fulfilled. Incidentally, the Shakers believe that even angels and spirits are both male and female." (Ref)
A little context for Section 49
After embracing the gospel and joining the church, Leman Copley continued to hold on to some of his shaker beliefs.
At the insistence of Copley, The Lord gave a revelation in March of 1831 through Joseph Smith commanding him and Sidney Rigdon and Parley Pratt to take the message of the restored gospel to the shakers. In the revelation, the Lord corrected several of the prominent teachings of the Shakers (section 49... more on this later)
Leman Copley … was anxious that some of the elders should go to his former brethren and preach the gospel. He also teased to be ordained to preach himself, and desired that the Lord should direct in this and all matters & thus saith the Lord:
Leman shall be ordained unto this work, that he may reason with them, not according to that which he has received of them, but according to that which shall be taught him by you, my servants [Sidney and Parley], and by so doing I will bless him, otherwise he shall not prosper: ¶ D&C 49:4, March [20–26], 1831. Shaker mission
Sidney reads revelation According to Shaker leader Ashbel Kitchell, Sidney and Leman arrive Saturday and agree not to interrupt the Sunday morning service, but (they later explain to him) when Parley arrives Sunday morning, he insists that they fulfill their responsibilities by reading the prophet’s revelation to the congregation. So at the end of the meeting, Sidney rises and requests permission to read a statement. Permission is granted and he reads D&C 49. D&C 49
Shaker interview, 96–97. At the close of the reading, he asked if they could be permitted to go forth in the exercise of their gift and Office. Shakers and Mormons, Ashbel denies permission and the congregation votes against hearing more. Sidney quietly retires, but: Shaker interview, 98. Parley shakes coat tail Parley Pratt arose and commenced shaking his coattail; he said he shook the dust from his garments as a testimony against us, that we had rejected the word of the Lord Jesus. Shaker reprimand Before the words were out of his mouth, I was to him, and said;—You filthy Beast, dare you presume to come in here, and try to imitate a man of God by shaking your filthy tail; confess your sins and purge your soul from your lusts, and your other abominations before you ever presume to do the like again, &c. While I was ministering this reproof, he settled trembling into his seat, and covered his face; Leman in tears and I then turned to Leman who had been crying while the message was reading, and said to him, you hypocrite, you knew better;—you knew where the living work of God was; but for the sake of indulgence, you could consent to decieve yourself and them, but you shall reap the fruit of your own doings, &c.— This struck him dead also, and dryed up his tears; … Parley leaves Parleys horse had not been put away, as he came too late; he mounted and started for home without waiting for any one.— Sidney stays for supper Sidney stayed for supper, and acknowledged that we were the purest people he had ever been acquainted with but he was not prepared to live such a life. He was treated kindly and let go after supper. Leman stays overnight Leman stays overnight and starts for home in the morning
Needless to say, the call to repentance did not go very well.
Frankly, the circumstances didn’t seem ideal to me. It seems like you would want to provide some context about the restoration of the gospel before entering into their worship service, reading a revelation, and demanding to know if they are willing to deny their current belief system…
In hind sight, it is interesting to see how differently Sidney, Leman and Parley all responded to the rejection of their message by the Shaker community.
Leman was quite distraught. Possibly wondering what he had got himself into in his persistent whining to take the gospel to the Shakers.
Sidney was quite composed and stayed for dinner and was quite complimentary of the people and their communal lifestyle.
Parley was angry and dusted them off. He then rushed off, not even waiting for his brethren.
Years ago I would have felt that Parley did the right thing and that Sidney was not being very passionate and valiant in the faith.
I see things a little differently now however.
Also, I can’t help but see a little irony in the rebuke that Parley Pratt received from Ashbell, about being lustful, given his future propensity for acquiring lots of wives, while Sidney would hold fast to the marital law of monogamy according to the law of the gospel.
“confess your sins and purge your soul from your lusts, and your other abominations before you ever presume to do the like again…”
Prominent Shaker Beliefs
Five of the more unusual and prolific teachings of the shakers were as follows-
Baptism by water is not considered essential
Eating pork is forbidden
The second appearing of Christ had already occurred in the form of Ann Lee
A celibate life was considered a higher spiritual life than marriage.
God is composed of both male and female elements, as are spirits and angels.
Section 49 addresses the topic of meat, the appearance of Christ in the form of a woman and the necessity of water baptism.
It also addresses the topic of marriage.
Although the Shaker congregation collectively rejected section 49 and the message of the restored gospel and Lemon eventually became estranged from the church, Section 49 is very instructive because in it the Lord addresses four areas of doctrine that were taught by the shakers.
In prefacing this revelation, the Prophet wrote, “In order to have a more perfect understanding on the subject, I inquired of the Lord, and received the following.”
The Mystical Doctrine of Marriage
Section 49 provides a more perfect understanding on the doctrine of marriage within just three short verses and for that reason, we are going to dissect them in this article for more clarity on the topic.
Interestingly the Lord declares that the Shakers “desire to know the truth in part, but not all because they are not right before me“
It is fascinating to read section 49 in the context of what the shakers believed because the Lord acknowledges that they desired to know the “truth in part“
It would appear that not all of their heretical teachings were false.
In particular, part of their teachings regarding the eternal role and relationships of the genders might be true.
For that reason it is not only important to review section 49 to see what they taught that was wrong, but also to review what part of their beliefs were true!
Although the revelation goes on to explain away and correct four prominent falsehoods taught by the religion, including the belief in celibacy, the revelation actually declines to correct the shakers belief that God is composed of both male and female spirit, which was taught by the Shakers. It also declines to challenge the teaching that angels are composed of both male and female spirit, which was also taught by the shakers..
I would submit that the revelation actually upholds and confirms the shakers belief that God is a composite being and that those who become one in Christ are not just one designated gender… they are “neither male nor female”.
Let us take a close look at one of the greatest mysteries of the gospel which has been hidden in plain sight for about six thousand years in ancient scripture and is reiterated in verses 15-17 of section 49-
“Whoso forbiddeth to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God“
Obviously this verse is not only reiterating what the creation story teaches, it is also reiterating what the LAW of the GOSEPEL contained in section 42 states about marriage;
“Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else” (42:22)
After declaring that marriage is ORDAINED of God, the Lord informs us that
“Wherefore it is LAWFUL that he should have ONE wife…”
The 1828 Websters dictionary states this about the term LAWFUL.
1. Agreeable to law; conformable to law; allowed by law; legal; legitimate. That is deemed lawful which no law forbids, but many things are lawful which are not expedient.
2. Constituted by law; rightful; as the lawful owner of lands.
I would submit, based on the fact that marriage is ORDAINED of GOD and that it is CONFORMABLE to and CONSTITUTED by gospel law, that gospel law does not just allow, permit and tolerate marriage but rather that gospel law actually requires marriage.
This is further backed up by the fact that one of the very first commandments that God gives us in Genesis is for the man and woman to leave their parents and to multiply and replenish the earth by uniting with someone of the opposite gender.
After noting that gospel law requires being married to ONE wife, the passage in section 49 continues-
“…and they twain shall be ONE FLESH…”
Again, this of course is reiterating what God said in Genesis.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”" Gen. 2: 24
I have mentioned in other blogs that I believe this statement is literal when it commands the man and wife to become one flesh. – ( See also Matt. 19: 5-6 Mark 10: 8)
After God separated the female part of Adam out of his body to create his female helpmate, he commanded them to eventually become “one flesh” again. I believe this will happen with Adam and Eve if it has not already happened.
(it is interesting to note that Eve is never mentioned again after Gen 4 even though Adam is. Additionally, she is conspicuously missing at the baptism of Adam baptism in the Pearl of Great Price. We have no account of her death, baptism or her presence at the baptism of Adam. This seems a little odd since she is the mother of the human race…. could this be because Adam and Eve had already fulfilled the commandment of God to become one flesh again? End times prophesies telling about the Ancient of Days return to the earth to bless his posterity also say nothing about the presence of Eve at this great family gathering in the end times… is she really that insignificant? I think not. I believe she is the Ancient of Days along with her male counterpart….)
Let us now review an amazing scripture in Galations that provides part of the doctrinal documentation for one of the undisputed beliefs that Ann Lee and the Shakers taught.
” For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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.”
Interestingly, despite the fact that the apostle Paul provides some controversial statements about marriage which some people use to question the merit of the marital relationship (see 1 Cor. 7: 9) it is actually Paul himself that teaches the wonderful mystery that after one has been baptized into Christ, they lose their distinction of being singularly male or female!
Imagine the ramifications of people no longer being a distinctive gender after the resurrection!
This brings us to a most remarkable change that Joseph Smith appears to have made in the Inspired Version of the New Testament.
When the Sadducees came to Christ asking which of the seven husbands would be married to the wife during the resurrection, that they had all been married to in succession, in mortality, the Saviour stated,
“…Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
The above rendering of the scripture is out of the King James Version of the scriptures.
Notice however how Joseph Smith deleted the “s”on the end of the word angels in the JST
“…Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angel of God in heaven.” (oddly, that change is noted in the online JST, but not in some of the hard cover books.. I don’t know for sure which is correct)
We often quote the above scripture to prove that marriages must be sealed during time and cannot take place after mortal probation, however the inspired version of this passages reveals another great truth-
Christ was also teaching that the man and wife are no longer separate and single individual entities. The two of them jointly become AN ANGEL, singular, not angels plural!
Not ANGELS!
SINGULAR!
As additional context for the above passage, we are reminded of what Joseph said about angels.
There are only two types of beings in heaven, angels and the spirits of just men made perfect (who are waiting to become resurrected angels!)
“There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones….— Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same glory.” (D&C 129)
This scriptural modification in Galations confirms the commandment in Genesis and section 49 for the righteous man and woman in Christ to become ONE FLESH.
ONE ANGEL!
From this we see the literal truth in Pauls statement in Corinthians that
“Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” (1 Cor 11:11)
Those who become baptized into Christ and receive the complete three part baptism of water fire and the holy ghost cannot enter into the presence of God as an independent gender.
From the above testimony of ancient and modern scripture we learn that
Gospel law requires a man to marry ONE wife.
There are only two types of beings in heaven, spirits and angels. Angels are resurrected personages of flesh and bone.
Angels are neither male or female
The man and wife who are baptized into Christ are to become ONE FLESH. ONE ANGEL.
The possibility that we were created as a composite male/female spirit brings up lots of interesting questions in my mind.
One is, how many married couples in mortality ended up with their original partner from the spiritual creation?
Another is, will everyone ultimately end up with their original partner even if they did not marry them in this probation?
Paul brings up another possible ramification that if one is a believer in this life and their partner is not, perhaps they will sanctify that other one. (admittedly, this interpretation of the following passage may be a stretch but it is worth pondering)
“But to the rest speak I, not the Lord; If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
And the woman which hath a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” (1 Cor. 7: 14 see also D&C 74: 1)
But lets not get carried away with speculation on this magnificent doctrine..
Lets continue dissecting the passages on marriage in section 49
“..and they shall be one flesh, AND ALL THIS THAT THE EARTH MIGHT ANSWER THE END OF ITS CREATION; AND THAT IT MIGHT BE FILLED WITH THE MEASURE OF MAN….”
Did you catch that?
Eventually the earth will be filled with the MEASURE of man!
1. The whole extent or dimensions of a thing, including length, breadth and thickness.
The point being made in the passage of scripture is that eventually the earth will be filled with the WHOLE EXTENT of man in his completeness!
The natural man living on this earth is currently incomplete!
The mortal man and woman are each incomplete beings.
Eventually the earth will be filled with men in their complete form… in their “whole extent or dimension”!
Just to make sure that we understand what the Lord is saying, he continues with a clarification-
THAT IT MIGHT BE FILLED WITH THE MEASURE OF MAN ACCORDING TO HIS CREATION BEFORE THE WORLD WAS MADE“
There you have it.
The earth is not going to be filled with incomplete men like those of us that are living after the FALL OF ADAM.
It will be filled with men who are organized in the same way they were ORIGINALLY created BEFORE THE WORLD WAS MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is not speaking about fallen man.
The earth will not be filled with the natural man who is incomplete and is an enemy to God.
It won’t even be filled with repentant mortal males and females who have been filled with the holy spirit. Why? Because they have not reached their full measure yet!
It will be filled with the measure of men who have been completed and perfected by uniting with their female counterpart.
It will be filled with perfected men who are not singularly male or female but rather they are complete.
In the spiritual creation, before this world was made, God created man as a whole, complete composite being containing both male and female spirit. A meshing of male and female spirit is necessary for completion.
Completion is necessary for perfection.
It is only during this temporal probation that the elect male and female spirits are separated with the commandment for men to marry one wife and become one flesh so that they can return to the whole extent in which they were originally created.
The prophet Joseph was quoted as saying,
“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 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.” D&C 131: 2
Brigham Young later had the following insertion put into the D&C to clarify what the highest order of the priesthood is-
[meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]
That phrase erroneously implies that one must experience a special mortal marital sealing ceremony. However the accurate clarifying insertion according to the scriptures would be as follows-
[meaning the new and everlasting covenant of baptism]
It is through the ordinance of baptism (of water, fire and the Holy Ghost) that a person enters into the highest order of the Melchizedek Priesthood and the associated celestial kingdom of glory.
It appears to be this same ordinance that seals the righteous candidate to their spiritual counterpart. This spiritual uniting makes them both complete.
Of course to LDS fundamentalists the insertion by Brigham Young also implies the necessity of being sealed in a temporal ceremony to multiple wives… which is diametrically opposed to the law of marriage contained in the gospel law given in section 42, 49 and other places in the standard works!
Section 131 claims that those who do not enter into the everlasting covenant may enter into another kingdom of glory but will not have increase..
Other sources attribute Joseph Smith as stating that Angels that do not live gospel law and enter into the everlasting covenant will “remain separately and singly, without exaltation, in their saved condition, to all eternity; and from henceforth are not gods, but are angels of God forever and ever.“
If indeed the above claim is true, it would appear that only celestial souls are composite beings while all others do live separately and singly without merging with the other gender element.
The creation Story is literally true!
Although Brigham Young passed the creation story in Genesis as a fairytale, Joseph Smith obviously took it quite literally. He preached about it as being literal and produced additional revelation pertaining to the creation story to prove it was.
Once one comprehends the truthfulness of this marriage doctrine that is being reiterated in section 49, the beauty and reality of the literalness of the creation story begins to unfold in its magnificent splendor.
This is why the complete man Adam and all of the animals were first created from the dust of the earth but Eve was not created separately from the dust of the earth.
She was not an independent entity.
She was taken out of Adam because she was originally created as part of the man Adam.
He was created physically from the dust of this earth in the same manner that he and Eve had originally been created… as a composite being consisting of both genders.
Adam and Eve were one being. They were male and female spirit meshed together to make a complete MAN without singular gender.
This is why God named THEM ADAM, instead naming THEM Adam and Eve.
8 Now this prophecy Adam spake, as he was moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and a genealogy was kept of the children of God. And this was the book of the generations of Adam, saying: In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
9 In the image of his own body, male and female, created he them, and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created and became living souls in the land upon the footstool of God. (Moses 6:8-9)
Allow me to paraphrase,
In the image of Gods own body which was composed of male and female spirit, God created man during the spiritual creation. Each of these composite spirit children was called ADAM.
Initially both Adam and Eve were BOTH created as one being and were called ADAM.
The spirit children of God are all created the same way… they are “begotten sons and daughters unto God” (76:24) in like manner during the spirit creation.
Before being separated, the composite sons of God were called Adam.
God had to separate the female intelligence from the male intelligence in order for our father Adam to become incomplete and for the fall to take place.
This is explained in some of the ancient texts-
“When Eve was still in Adam death did not exist, When she was separated from him death came into being. If he again becomes complete and attains his former self, death will be no more.”
“My God my God why have you forsaken me?” It was on the cross that he said these words, for it was there that he was divided.
“If the woman had not separated from the man, she would not die with the man. His separation became the beginning of death. Because of this Christ came to repair the separation which was from the beginning and again unite the two and to give life to those who died as a result of the separation and unite them. But the woman is united to her husband in the bridal chamber. Indeed those who have united in the bridal chamber will no longer be separated. ” (The Nag Hammadi Library James M. Robinson General Editor)
The gospel of Thomas quotes Peter as saying to Christ ‘Make Mary leave us, for females don’t deserve life.’
Jesus said, ‘Look, I will guide her to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every female who makes herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Thomas 114).
The first and Last Adam were both composite beings
Realizing that the term Adam is a generic term for the sons of God before they have their female element separated out of them, it is interesting to note that Christ is referred to as the “last Adam”.
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit… The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”
The above passages appear to be implying that Christ was not a mortal human being nor was he an incomplete, singular gender.
He was a composite being just as our father Adam was when he was initially placed in the garden, before the Lord took the Eve portion of him out.
This is why he could not be born from the act of lust resulting in the uniting of a sperm and an egg. Such would produce an incomplete mortal male or female.
Christ was a composite God who had to provide an infinite and eternal atonement for a fallen race of people who needed to be restored to a state of spiritual completion.
I will not take the time in this article to develop the supposition that Christ was a God who condescended to take on a physical body. I have blogged about this concept before, those wanting doctrinal proof that Christ was NOT mortal but was literally God in the flesh, please click here.
Being CONFORMED into the image and likeness of Christ
In a discourse given on July 9th 1843 the prophet Joseph Smith said;
“And through the atonement of Christ and the resurrection and obedience in the Gospel we shall again be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ, then we shall have attained to the image, glory and charactor of God.” ( HC 5:498-500)
Fulness of the Father
“And he being the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and having overcome, received a fulness of the glory of the Father-possessing the same mind with the Father, which mind is the Holy Spirit,”
“…The Father and the Son possessing the same mind, the same wisdom, glory, power and fulness: Filling all in all–the Son being filled with the fulness of the Mind, glory and power, or, in other words, the Spirit, glory and power of the Father–possessing all knowledge and glory, and the same kingdom: sitting at the right hand of power, in the express image and likeness of the Father–a Mediator for man–being filled with the fulness of the Mind of the Father, or, in other words, the Spirit of the Father: which Spirit is shed forth upon all who believe on his name and keep his commandments:
and all those who keep his commandments shall grow up from grace to grace, and become heirs of the heavenly kingdom, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ; possessing the same mind, being transformed into the same image or likeness, even the express image of him who fills all in all: being filled with the fulness of his glory, and become one in him, even as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one.”
At-ONE-Ment
This mystery pertaining to composite beings provides much greater meaning to the term ATONEMENT.
At-ONE-ment. To return back into agreement or conformity… a state of oneness.
So what about Joseph Smith, did he understand that the destiny of man is to become angels in a world where the man is neither without the woman neither the woman without the man?
He obviously understood this doctrine.
As the inspired prophet who received and obviously understood section 49, as the one who made the above noted changes in the inspired version of the bible pertaining to the man and woman becoming an angel, as one of the two witnesses that saw the three degrees of glory, bore witness of the Father and Son and comprehended the nature of the angels around the throne, he obviously understood the deeper mysteries relating to the eternal relationship and roles of the two genders.
Joseph once said,
“We shall by and by learn that we were with God in another world, and had our agency: that we came into this world and have our agency, in order that we may prepare ourselves for a kingdom of glory; become archangels, even the sons of God where the man is neither without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord“. (The Mormon Hierarchy Pg 623)
Not only does the above statement make it clear that Joseph understood the doctrine of composite beings, he taught it in a very veiled way because he understood that the time was not right for most people to comprehend it.
“we shall by and by learn….”
Clearly many of the Saints of his generation were not ready to embrace that much light… but “by and by” it would happen… Sometime in the future.
It is possible that Joseph tried to teach these doctrines in other discourses and that they have been lost or covered over.
There are however general authorities in later years who clearly understood the scriptures relating to this doctrine.
“God… is composed of the man and woman united”
Interestingly enough the concept that God is a composite/androgynous being composed of male and female, although a mystery to most people, was actually taught by Erastus Snow, an LDS general authority:
“What,” says one, “do you mean we should understand that deity consists of man and woman?”
Most certainly I do.
If I believe anything that God has ever said about himself, and anything pertaining to the creation and organization of man upon the earth, I must believe that Deity consists of man and woman.
Now this is simplifying it down to our understanding, and the great Christian world will be ready to open their mouths and cry, “Blasphemy! Sacrilege!” Open wide their eyes and wide their mouths in the utmost astonishment. What! God a man and woman? . . .
I sometimes illustrate this matter by taking up a pair of shears, if I have one, but then you all know they are composed of two halves, but they are necessarily parts, one of another, and to perform their work for each other, as designed, they belong together, and neither one of them is fitted for the accomplishment of their works alone. And for this reason says St. Paul, “the man is not without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord.
In other words, there can be no God except he is composed of the man and woman united, and there is not in all the eternities that exist, nor ever will be, a God in any other way. I have another description: There never was a God, and there never will be in all eternities, except they are made of these two component parts; a man and a woman; the male and the female..
. . and there is no Lord, there is no God in which the two principles are not blended, nor can be; and we may never hope to attain unto the eternal power and the Godhead upon any other principle. . . ” (ES, JD 19:266-270)
Is it possible that the elect of our generation who will help to redeem Zion are preparing themselves to accept this grand doctrine?
An understanding of the doctrine of marriage puts the eternal relationship of the man and wife into perspective along with many other issues including the false doctrines relating to homosexuality, polygamy and celibacy in the eternal perspective of the genders.
The time is coming when the elect of God will need to be weaned from the milk and to ingest the meat of the gospel.
Until then, as Paul prophesied, we truly we live in a time when people can no longer endure sound doctrine. The quest for greater enlightenment is attempted via such heresies as polygamy and celibacy.
To summarize part one of this series, I believe the CURSE that goes forth and eventually devours the earth and makes it desolate, spoken of by Isaiah in chapter 24 may be related to the gulf of Mexico crisis.
I also believe that the curse spoken of by Isaiah and Malachi is what D&C 1:17 refers to as the CALAMITY that comes upon the inhabitants of the earth!
The curse, according to Isaiah is caused as a result of the everlasting covenant previously being broken by Gods people.
It is only because of an intercessory offering, that the curse (which very possibly began to go forth four generations ago) was stopped and delayed until our generation.
Why do I believe this sign of the curse going forth is so important if indeed my speculation on these issues is correct?
Because-
This calamity/curse verifies that the Marvelous Work is about to begin and the servants are about to show up and Zion is about to be redeemed. Hence we have entered or are in the process of entering into the time spoken of as Jacobs trouble.
This calamity/curse verifies that the everlasting covenant spoken of by Isaiah has already been broken by the restored church and that the covenant breach must be restored again so that after the wicked are removed from the holy places of gathering, the waste places may be inhabited again by God’s people as spoken in Isaiah 58. It also refers to the time when the Zion will put on her strength and be restored to the power she has lost.
This calamity/curse also provides perhaps one of the most powerful witnesses that the doctrine of the three watches is true and that there needs to be a third watch, or, DISPENSATION, besides the dispensation of the last times, even the dispensation of the fulness of times.
There are lots of conflicting reports and misinformation and disinformation regarding the current status of the crisis in the gulf.
Some reports are optimistic about the new temporary cap, most are realistic about the fact that the integrity of the well casing has been seriously compromised… the major problem now is not even located at the well head. It is all the leaks along the bottom of the sea bed that are leaking crude, methane, benzene, etc. that pose an astronomical problem and that many feel that no human technology can adequately address.
Add to that the corexit (dispersant) that many feel is four times more toxic than the oil and gases coming out of the gulf, which appear to be causing some forms of sea life and some cases of humans to become sick and hemorrhage internally.
For those who have been getting their information from the main stream media and from the statements of government and BP officials, I highly encourage you to check out alternate news sites to get a little closer to the truth.
Interestingly, one of the most informed and knowledgeable people on the topic of the gulf disaster just happens to be LDS, or at least he grew up in Utah in an LDS home. I don’t know what is current religious status is.
He since became a major player in the oil industry. His name is Matthew Simmons
Matt Simmons is the long-time oil financier who has been an outspoken critic of how the Gulf crisis is being handled. (I think he is the son of Roy Simmons of the Zions Bank, banking family)
He has been saying that the real serious problem is not what is being reported in the main stream media or what we’ve been seeing on the video cameras provided by BP, but rather a leak or leaks that are coming directly from the ocean floor about 10 kilometers from the well..
Although many have been skeptical about some of his claims, both BP and the government have recently begun to confirm some of what he has been saying all along.
“This is NOT good! As far as I know no technology exists that can seal a leak that’s coming directly from the ocean floor. We really may not be out of the woods yet on this thing.”
Here is a segment of an interview that he did-
SIMMONS: …when you look at the riser [on the live BP video], you realize that you’re looking at a twenty-one-and-a-half inch circumference riser, and there looks like somewhere between a six and seven inch rip on the top. So the stuff coming out — it looks like a lot, but I actually saw a white fish go through it and come out white. So I said, this isn’t the same as this brown, gooey, orange stuff that they found in the plume seven miles away. And I still believe that what happened is that the riser blew off the wellhead, and it’s hooked onto the rig; so you’ve got a mile of oil inside that that’s pretty light concentrate. So that’s what they’re actually trying to get out. So it’s not sure that — luckily they placed the top kill correctly. But now they have to see if it will take mud. It probably will take mud. But then they shouldn’t delude themselves that they’ve stopped the spill; they should now go and say, ‘Let’s figure out what the plume was all about,’ because if THAT’S the hole, and the casing blew out, we have an enormous problem.
RATIGAN: …so you’re saying that the video we’re all now looking at right now is not the only leak, is that what you’re saying?
SIMMONS: That’s a tiny leak, and what the scientists are saying watching this stain spread — it’s now bigger, I gather, than Maryland and Delaware, and several hundred feet thick, and it’s gooey stuff — that’s NOT coming out of there; they think that it’s flowing at 120,000 barrels a day. It would almost have to be that big to flow that wide.
RATIGAN: And where do you believe the second outlet is relative to what we’re seeing on the video, Matt?
SIMMONS: What the research vessel found a week ago Sunday [referring to news reports of May 16, 2010] was this giant plume about six miles away, and then this huge layer of goo on the ocean floor… that’s almost certain- I mean, maybe it’s a natural fracture — I think that’s where the wellhead is.
The link below is a very interesting recent three part interview with Simmons-
There are some reports saying that the military has removed all ships from the gulf and all major assets in the gulf states have been moved at least 100 miles inland.
Other reports claim that not only dolphans, but people involved in the clean up are hemmoraging internally as a result of the toxic dispersant that BP insists on continuing to use-
“we have dolphins that are hemorrhaging. People who work near it are hemorrhaging internally. And that’s what dispersants are supposed to do… Congressman Markey and Nadler, as well as Senator Mikulski, have been heroes… Mark Kaufman, EPA whistleblower, Democracy Now!”
Poisoning millions of people
In its report, EPA Whistleblower Accuses Agency of Covering Up Effects of Dispersant in BP Oil Spill Cleanup, Democracy Now! states that “many lawmakers and advocacy groups say the Obama administration is not being candid about the lethal effects of dispersants,” so Amy Goodman interviewed Hugh Kaufman, a senior policy analyst at the EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response and a leading critic of the decision to use Corexit” who disclosed how the officials are lying about many things related to the catastrophe poisoning “millions of people.” (Listen: Real Audio Strea or MP3 Download)
The rushed transcript includes Kaufman saying, “And I think the media now has to follow the money, just as they did in Watergate, and tell the American people who’s getting money for poisoning the millions of people in the Gulf. (Emphasis added)
Yet other reports are claiming that the government has made plans for the evacuation of some 20 million people that live in the Gulf States once the desolating sickness from the gulf begins to wreak havoc. (possibly complicated and spread by a hurricane)
I have seen some interesting reports that indicate that upper level management at BP had been previously been warned by scientists that they should not drill where the current calamity is taking place. Research had already been done, previous to the drilling of the well, which showed that the high pressure oil volcano would erupt if they did.
Other reports indicate that President Obama has turned down many many offers of help from other countries who have offered man power, physical assets and technology to help clean up the oil.
Many believe that BP is not making a serious effort to clean up the gulf, either because they feel the effort would be futile or because the devastation taking place has been planned.
Ex-president Clinton and others including Simmons have intimated that a nuclear detonation is the only way to seal off the leaks to contain the oil gusher… although many, including Simmons, claim that a nuclear detonation is safe, there is a curious prophecy, pointed out to me by a friend, that might apply to the real use behind such an explosion-
The Book of Joseph 3:4-5 “Behold [knowledge] shall increase in the latter time. And men shall make weapons of war; yea, even terrible weapons which shall touch the power of the Most High. The Seed of Jacob shall believe a lie, wherein the terrible weapons shall be for the protection of their lands. And wo unto them for the people shall be deceived..“
Could it possibly be that the use of a nuclear detonation under the guise of protecting the lands of America from this oil gusher could actually be used to destroy and collapse the ocean floor and create an astronomical catastrophe?
Some conspiracy theorists are convinced that this is an intentional act of war (perhaps by a worldwide secret combination) and that the events that are transpiring before our very eyes are part of a plan to destroy and enslave the people of America and bring some to destruction and others into total submission.
It is very ironic that BRITISH petroleum is behind this catastrophe. How odd that remnants of the gentiles initially left England to get away from oppression only to be oppressed in secret ways from that time until the present, ultimately resulting in this crisis.
A look at who owns stock in BP is revealing, yet, the deeper part of the story is that those in whose hearts Satan reigns ultimately take their orders from corporations and governments that to the bidding of the Crown and the Crown takes it orders from the Vatican.
As you all know, I have never heard a conspiracy theory I didn’t absolutely love! LOL
The storyline being presented above suggests perhaps the mother of all conspiracy theories nevertheless, I am not providing much documentation about any of the things mentioned above because at this point, I don’t feel a need to try to convince anyone of my general premise.
I am simply documenting from a scriptural point of view why I feel that the disaster in the gulf represents, at least in part, the beginning of the going forth of the curse spoken of in Isaiah and Malachi as well as the worldwide calamity mentioned in section one.
My goal is simply to document what scripture tells us about these events that are unfolding before our eyes.
We can look back at these statements at some point in the future and people will be able to see that my speculations were wrong or that these contentions were correct.
Now then, for the scriptural meat in part two of this series on the curse and calamity in the gulf of Mexico-
I want to look at the gulf crisis today through a different lens of prophetic utterances in the Book of Mormon.
The passages of prophecy that I am going to address are probably considered by most gospel scholars to be non-literal.
I suspect they consider them to be an ALLEGORY.
An allegory is an abstract representation of principals or ideas through the use of characters, figures or events. It is an extended metaphor, especially a story in which fictional characters and actions are used to understand and express aspects of concepts relating to human existence. It is a figurative mode of representation conveying meaning other than the literal. Allegory communicates its message by means of symbolic figures
Having reviewed what an allegory is, I am now going to address a prophecy that I have always considered to be an allegory until just a few short months ago.
The PIT that is digged for the destruction of men by the great and abominable church
I am referring to the passages of scripture that foretell about the GREAT PIT that is dug by the great and abominable church for the destruction of Gods people.
According to prophecy, the pit is dug BEFORE the marvelous work and a wonder goes forth!
scripture informs us that eventually the Lord turns the tables on the great church and they end up falling into the great pit that they had dug.
Can you imagine anything more ridiculous that to believe that a literal, physical pit could ever be large enough to destroy Gods people… or big enough for the church of the devil to fall into?
Laughable right?
Perhaps…
But perhaps not.
Lets take a look at two separate prophetic passages that speak literally of a pit that is digged as a preparatory and preliminary event to the marvelous work and a wonder.
1st Nephi 14 The Marvelous Work and the Pit
Notice the literal context laid out in the beginning of the chapter-
1 And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks—
2 And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of God, they shall be numbered among the seed of thy father; yea, they shall be numbered among the house of Israel; and they shall be a blessed people upon the promised land forever; they shall be no more brought down into captivity; and the house of Israel shall no more be confounded.
That is pretty straight forward… and literal right?
Chapter 14 is a prophecy about a literal event that is going to take place in the latter days.
We know, from previous discussions that the foundation work of the 1800′s was not a time of POWER… only a time of the coming forth of Gods WORD.
In the third watch, God will manifest himself in both WORD and POWER.
The time is going to come when God will take away the stumbling blocks of the gentiles and the repentant among them that do not harden their hearts against the Lamb of God will be numbered among the seed of the house of Israel and they will be blessed upon the land of promise forever.
But look at the rest of the passage, there is nothing to indicate that all of the sudden the prophesy is changing into an allegory and no longer being literal!
3 And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great and abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end.
4 For behold, this is according to the captivity of the devil, and also according to the justice of God, upon all those who will work wickedness and abomination before him.
This is really quite astounding.
If we simply take the second part of this passage of prophecy to be literal like unto the first part of the prophecy, then we are led to believe that the great church of the devil will literally dig a literal whole in the earth for the purposes of destroying the saints of God and perhaps even mankind.
Remember some of the previous posts and other articles about the Denver airport, the seed vault, and the many underground places of refuge that the elite have built so that they can hide from the tribulation while the inhabitants of the earth are destroyed?
Can it really be possible that the secret combination is that sinister that they are attempting to destroy mankind from off the face of the earth?
Now look at verse seven
For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken.
The marvelous work is not just about the spiritual separation between those who accept the gospel and those who don’t… it is about the literal, temporal, captivity and eventual destruction of those who are not convinced because of the hardness of their hearts!
Notice in verse13 how the great mother of abomination gathers multitudes from all nations to fight against the lamb of God!
And it came to pass that I beheld that the great mother of abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth, among all the nations of the Gentiles, to fight against the Lamb of God.
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of the Lamb of God, that it descended upon the saints of the church of the Lamb, and upon the covenant people of the Lord, who were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.
Lets take another look at a passage from the controversial Book of Joseph to see a possible correlating scripture pertaining to the gathering of the wicked to make war against the Lord-
The Book of Joseph 3:6 “And the Lord showed Jacob a vision, and said: behold, the mighty men of the earth shall lay an awful scheme by the word of their god, that they should destroy the Lord when he shall visit men at the appointed time when he shall reward the sons of men according to their works.
And all nations shall gather in the heart of the earth [Jackson county?] to make war with the Lord, even the almighty king of heaven and earth.
Wo, wo wo unto the chief princes of the earth, even unto the seed of Dan, who hath made gold their god and a lie their refuge. Who have said among themselves: the Lord is no god wherein we should fear him, for by our mighty power have we become gods ourselves and have spread abroad ourselves over all the earth. yet shall they be judged and cut off from among the sons of Jacob.
Thus sayeth the Lord: the wicked plot in vain. And they shall drink from the cup of vanity which they have grasped: for the Lord himself shall utterly destroy them all by the brightness of his terrible presence. And lo, those who plot in vain have over him a king; even he whose name is the liar from the beginning…”
Not only does this agree with the BofM about the wicked gathering to make war against Christ, it seems to imply that the wicked already know when the appointed time of his arrival is and they are already devising their strategy to use their weaponry to destroy him and his people!
Remarkable!
Now lets look at how the 22nd chapter of 1st Nephi picks up on the PIT storyline without skipping a beat and again, there is no indication that the story about the pit is any less literal than everything else being spoken of-
10 And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations.
11 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.
12 Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
13 And the blood of that great and abominable church, which is the whore of all the earth, shall turn upon their own heads; for they shall war among themselves, and the sword of their own hands shall fall upon their own heads, and they shall be drunken with their own blood.
14 And every nation which shall war against thee, O house of Israel, shall be turned one against another, and they shall fall into the pit which they digged to ensnare the people of the Lord. And all that fight against Zion shall be destroyed, and that great whore, who hath perverted the right ways of the Lord, yea, that great and abominable church, shall tumble to the dust and great shall be the fall of it.
15 For behold, saith the prophet, the time cometh speedily that Satan shall have no more power over the hearts of the children of men; for the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble; and the day cometh that they must be burned.
16 For the time soon cometh that the fulness of the wrath of God shall be poured out upon all the children of men; for he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.
17 Wherefore, he will preserve the righteous by his power, even if it so be that the fulness of his wrath must come, and the righteous be preserved, even unto the destruction of their enemies by fire. Wherefore, the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by fire.
18 Behold, my brethren, I say unto you, that these things must shortly come; yea, even blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke must come; and it must needs be upon the face of this earth; and it cometh unto men according to the flesh if it so be that they will harden their hearts against the Holy One of Israel.
19 For behold, the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off.
Do a key word search on obscurity and darkness. This is the time, according to section one, that the only true and living church comes forth! That is correct, the living church that is mentioned in D&C 1: 30 is speaking of a ZION CHURCH! It is not referring to the 2nd watch, it is referring to the third watch!
Compare the following passes from section one and 1st Nephi 22. They are both speaking about the time when the only true church comes forth as the LIVING church. In other words, the church is actually living gospel law, living consecration, establishing Zion, experiencing the full baptism of water, fire and holy ghost!
Lets look at the two passages of scripture and how they are speaking about the same event in the 3rd watch-
1 Nephi 22
10 And I would, my brethren, that ye should know that all the kindreds of the earth cannot be blessed unless he shall make bare his arm in the eyes of the nations.
11 Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to make bare his arm in the eyes of all the nations, in bringing about his covenants and his gospel unto those who are of the house of Israel.
12 Wherefore, he will bring them again out of captivity, and they shall be gathered together to the lands of their inheritance; and they shall be brought out of obscurity and out of darkness; and they shall know that the Lord is their Savior and their Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.
D&C 1:30
29 And after having received the record of the Nephites, yea, even my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., might have power to translate through the mercy of God, by the power of God, the Book of Mormon.
30 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth [at a future time] out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—
Both passages of scripture are speaking of the 3rd watch when the servants unite all of the believing remnants of Israel into the LIVING CHURCH when Zion is redeemed!
Now, to wrap things up-
Both 1st Nephi 14 & 22 appear to speak about the digging of a huge pit as a literal event.
I believe the pit that has been digged by the great church may just have something to do with the curse that is going forth.
It just may have to do with the great calamity that is to be taking place when the servants return.
And it may just have to do with the calamity taking place in the Gulf of Mexico.
Debate between Art Bulla and OneWhoIsWatching on the subject of the Spiritual Wife doctrine
Over a year ago an LDS fundamentalist by the name of Art Bulla agreed to debate me on the subject of the Spiritual Wife Doctrine. (actually, the original agreement may have had to do with debating whether or not Art is the “one mighty and strong” as mentioned in section 85 and Isaiah 28, however the debate has morphed into the spiritual wife doctrine since the falseness of that doctrine automatically proves that he would not be the one mighty and strong if that doctrine that he preaches if false)
He assured me that he had never lost a debate on this topic before and I felt that posting both of our arguments and challenges on my blog would be a good exercise in helping those interested in the topic to see two opposing sides of this historical and doctrinal issue.
Before we could begin the debate I got distracted while writing some posts and doing some searching into parts of LDS history that I was not as familiar with as I wanted to be. Those historical searches led me to the series I wrote regarding the restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood at the special conference at the Morley Farm held in June of 1831.
I became obsessed with the doctrine and history relating to that study as it filled in the holes and provided further clarification pertaining to much of the doctrinal and historical study I had previously done.
I began to focus on the events of LDS church history relating to the 3 ½ year period beginning with the special conference held in June of 1831 and also became somewhat obsessed with writing a series of article pertaining thereto.
Sometime during or after that series, I found myself in an informal debate with another blogger who in my opinion, made an outstanding attempt to justify section 132 and the spiritual wife doctrine that surfaced during the Nauvoo period of LDS Church history.
Given the fact that he was not very knowledgeable about church history or the general topic to begin with and was simply attempting to defend his faith as a member of the LDS church, I felt he did a well as could be expected. Nevertheless, I personally felt that his arguments were inadequate in defending section 132 and the spiritual wife doctrine as credible doctrines consistent with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
During this period of time I believe the above mentioned blogger attempted to invite someone else, who was more of an expert on the topic (and was probably a practicing fundamentalist) to debate me but for some reason that person apparently declined.
It has since occurred to me that I never gave Art Bulla the opportunity to defend the other side of the argument.
Since Art is a practicing polygamist who claims to receive direct revelation from God and he claims to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and since he has been involved in LDS fundamentalist apologetics for many, many years, I feel that it is only fair to allow someone of his credentials to have the opportunity to defend section 132 and the spiritual wife doctrine.
I want to apologize to Art for leaving him in the lurch for so long, ironically, I feel the research I have done and the series I wrote pertaining to the Morley Farm has better prepared me to be more specific and precise in explaining and documenting why I must reject section 132 as a false revelation and the spiritual wife doctrine as a false doctrine and heresy that originated in Nauvoo, after the full-blown apostasy of the restored church.
Any and all other LDS fundamentalists are also invited to weigh in on this debate… the more the merrier.
This is the brief which lays out my contention that section 132 and the Spiritual Wife Doctrine that originated among the latter day saints in Nauvoo are false doctrines that contradict the fulness of the gospel that is taught in the scriptures.
I will post Arts preliminary response to my opening arguments and all other dialogue that the two of us have on this topic as well as any other intelligence and respectful comments anyone else wants to make.
Below you will find-
a six point summary which clarifies and identifies critical historical events and doctrine that pertain to this argument.
a brief explanation of why section 132 and the practice of the spiritual wife doctrine are false and out of harmony with the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the scriptures.
lastly, please find links to articles I have previously written which document the six point summation.
Six Point Summary
1…THERE WERE THREE PRIESTHOODS RESTORED TO THE EARTH, NOT JUST TWO: During the 15 year ministry of Joseph Smith three divisions or levels of priesthood were restored to the earth. (Most Latter-day Saints erroneously believe and teach that there are only two priesthoods, the Aaronic and Melchizedek. Some LDS fundamentalists acknowledge three priesthoods but erroneously believe that the patriarchal (evangelical) priesthood is higher than the Melchizedek priesthood.)
John the Baptist restored the lesser priesthood which is sometimes referred to as the priesthood of Aaron. It holds the key of the ministering of angels and the right to administer the preparatory gospel and the law of carnal commandments.
Peter James and John restored the higher priesthood which is sometimes referred to as the priesthood of Abraham or patriarchal priesthood. It is also sometimes referred to as the “evangelical priesthood“. That priesthood holds the keys to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel or in other words it holds the keys to administer the ordinances that contain the fulness of the Gospel. Since the patriarchal priesthood administers the saving ordinances of the gospel including baptism and confirmation, it therefore holds the “keys to the kingdom” because it is through the baptism of water, fire and the Holy Ghost that one enters into the kingdom and receives the fulness of the Melchizedek priesthood. It contains the power to seal on heaven and on earth. Righteous holders of the patriarchal priesthood may see the face of Christ.
The first two priesthoods were restored to the earth by angels and can be conferred from one mortal to another. They were both restored to the earth in 1829. Because of this, modern revelation informs us that the fulness of the gospel and the keys of the kingdom had been restored to the earth by the time the church was legally restored in 1830.
The highest priesthood which governs the first two priesthoods and all other powers beneath the celestial kingdom is sometimes called the priesthood of Melchizedek or the priesthood of Enoch.
The Mechizedek Priesthood was restored to the earth in June of 1831 at the special conference held at the Morley Farm. 23 people were CALLED to this priesthood by the voice of God out of heaven on that occasion.
According to the scriptures, people must be called to this highest priesthood according to the voice of God himself, not by mortals or angels. It is sometimes received by the righteous who are both CALLED and CHOSEN by God as a person is born again spiritually after the water baptism, (however, we are informed in scripture that the Lord sometimes CALLS those who are not CHOSEN to allow them to condemn themselves) This spiritual rebirth wherein the New and Everlasting Covenant is made between God and man is referred to as the baptism of the fire and the Holy Ghost.
Upon being called by the voice of God out of heaven, the candidate is ordained to the OFFICE of a high priest within the Melchizedek priesthood by Gods anointed servant(s). Those holding this priesthood that are worthy may have the heavens opened and see the father and the son or hear the voice of God bearing witness of his Son.
Those that hold the fullness of this highest priesthood can command the elements and have power over unclean spirits as Melchizedek and Enoch did as well as having the power and authority to establish ZION. (Those who seriously want to understand this priesthood and the fruits thereof would do well to read about the life and ministry of Enoch in the Pearl of Great Price and the life and ministry of Melchizedek as contained in the inspired version of the Bible.)
The fact that the spiritual wife doctrine and the practice of polygamy were introduced AFTER the fulness of the gospel and the highest priesthood were rejected and the church was condemned, provides strong evidence that the spiritual wife doctrine is false and the practice of biblical polygamy was not required for the highest salvation and is at best a carnal commandment and a lesser law.
2… SHORTLY AFTER THE RESTORATION OF THE FIRST TWO PRIESTHOODS AND THE LEGAL ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH, THE SAINTS WERE COMMANDED TO GATHER TO OHIO TO RECEIVE THE LAW OF THE GOSPEL: the law of the gospel that they received in section 42 contained the law of consecration and the law of monogamy. The LAW of the GOSEPEL as given in section 43 was not a temporary law, it was to be lived until the Savior returns according to section 43.
The LAW of the GOSPEL in section 42 also required the translation and publishing of the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible so that the content thereof could be part of the LAW by which Zion would be established. The Saints were commanded to obey these commandments… not only to say, but to do. This law of the gospel is also referred to as celestial law and the LAW OF ZION. It is the highest law of the gospel. Any other law that contradicts it, such as biblical polygamy or the spiritual wife doctrine would be a false law or a lesser law.
3… DURING A 3 ½ YEAR PERIOD THE SAINTS COLLECTIVELY REJECTED THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL AS PROPHECIED IN THE BOOK OF MORMON: Beginning at the special conference at the Morley Farm in June of 1831 and ending approximately 3 ½ years later in 1834, the Saints had the opportunity to comprehend and embrace the greater light of the fulness of the gospel and the New and Everlasting Covenant. During this highly revelatory time 90% of the revelations were received including the vision of the father and the Son contained in section 76, as well as sections 84, 88, etc. (the testimony given in section 76 is the LAST testimony of all of the great prophets and is the same testimony that is given in the 3rd watch (dispensation of the fulness of times). It appears to be the same testimony spoken of in Rev 11:7)
Unfortunately several of the original 23 high priests fell away during the 3 ½ year period of time while others began denying that the Melchizedek priesthood had been restored… others maintained that it was only the “office” of “High Priest” within the “higher” patriarchal (evangelical) priesthood restored by peter James and John that had been restored at the Morley Farm.
During this 3 1/2 year period of time many of the newly ordained high priests became discouraged, disenchanted and jealous of others when they failed to see the Face of God as is promised to high priests that are worthy.
During this three and half year period the Lord warned the Saints that if they did not consecrate, redeem Zion and live the higher law which mandates monogamy they were not his. By the end of the 3 ½ year period the saints had fled Jackson County, failed to live consecration in Kirtland and had been warned by the lord that they were under condemnation for taking the things they had been given lightly.
At the end of the 3 ½ year period the Lord gave an unpublished revelation telling the leaders and members of the church that they were condemned and that a repentance and reformation in all things would be required at some point in time.
“Verily condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my Church, and to be saviors of men; and also upon the church; And there must needs be a repentance and a reformation among you, in all things…” (Page 73 Unpublished Revelations)
That unpublished revelation is consistent with the Book of Mormon prophesy that the additional ancient records will not go forth in the third watch until after the gentiles repent: “For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.” Ether 4: 6
The fact that the saints were in a state of apostasy in 1834 and that modern revelation and the Book of Mormon testify that the gentiles will not repent until the additional records come forth in the 3rd watch, testifies against the practice of polygamy and the spiritual wife doctrine that began during the Nauvoo period, during a period of apostasy.
4…BY JULY OF 1837 ALL FLESH UPON THE EARTH HAD BECOME CORRUPT. In Sept of 1831 the Lord informed the Saints that Kirtland would only be a stronghold for five more years however the apostasy that followed the rejection of the fulness of the gospel continued to get worse. Shortly after that, the Lord revealed that SOMETHING NEW MUST BE DONE FOR THE SALVATION OF THE CHURCH which resulted in the restoration of the gospel of Abraham in 1836, just prior to the completion of the five year stronghold in Kirtland.
Shortly thereafter, in July of 1837, the Lord announced that “GROSS DARKNESS” covered the minds of “ALL PEOPLE” and that ‘ALL FLESH HAS BECOME CORRUPT” . Soon after that, the Saints fled Kirtland, then fled Far West and eventually established Nauvoo as the cornerstone of Zion where the Lord made the ominous announcement that the “fullness of the Priesthood” had been “LOST” and would need to be “RESTORED AGAIN“.
The Lord then warned the Saints that if the Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House were not built by the appointed time, the Saints would be rejected as a church with their dead. Neither the temple or the Nauvoo House were ever finished.
Sections 110, 112 and 124 testify that the Saints were in apostasy at the time that the spiritual wife doctrine was being introduced. The quorum of the 12 inparticular were under condemnation. In an unpublished revelation in Nov 1835 the Lord declared that the 12 were all under condemnation. (see unpublished rev page 79) It appears that they remained under condemnation until section 112 was given in July of `1837 and remained under this condemnation during their missionary assignments and right up until the martyrdom.
5…THE TERM NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT EXCLUSIVELY HAS TO DO WITH THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL WHICH RESULTS IN THE SPIRITUAL REBIRTH: the scriptures make it very clear that the terms “New and Everlasting Covenant” and “Fulness of the Gospel” are synonymous and that both had been restored to the earth by the time that the LAW OF ZION (which requires monogamy) was given in 1831. Hence, polygamy and the spiritual wife doctrine that were introduced secretly TEN YEARS LATER and publicly several years later in Utah under the direction of Brigham Young, were clearly not part of the LAW of Zion nor is it accurate to refer to polygamy or the spiritual wife doctrine as the new and everlasting covenant.
This provides additional evidence that the spiritual wife doctrine constitutes a false or lesser gospel.
6… SECTION 132 IS A FALSE REVELATION THAT IS NOT CONGRUENT WITH THE RELATED DOCTRINES TAUGHT IN THE BIBLE, BOOK OF MORMON OR THE REMAINING VERIFIABLE, UNALTERED REVELATIONS IN THE D&C. (see my article on that topic as referenced below)
Summary:
The restored church of Christ had rejected the fulness of the gospel by the end of 1834 just as the Book of Mormon foretold. Additionally, the new and everlasting covenant had been entered into and broken by the end of 1834 as prophesied by Isaiah.
The saints had fallen under condemnation instead of collectively receiving the greater light as documented in section 84.
As a result, they failed to redeem Zion on or before the appointed time of September 11 1836 which brought about a literal fulfillment of the bridegroom deciding to tarry as contained in the parable of the ten virgins.
The entire church and the whole world were in gross darkness and had become corrupt again by 1837. From that point on, the restored church was unable to endure sound doctrine
In 1841 The Lord announced that the fulness of the priesthood (which is sometimes named after Melchizedek) had been lost from the earth.
Section 113 clarifies the words of Isaiah to informs us that in the end times latter day Israel would again “put on the priesthood, which, she, Zion has a right to by lineage and to return to that power which she had lost“. That is clearly a future event and it further clarifies that the church is in a state of darkness and apostasy at the present time.
From the evidence contained above and the related documentation provided below, it is clearly demonstrated that section 132 is a false revelation with false doctrines in it.
Furthermore, the teaching and practicing of the spiritual wife doctrine entered into the church long after it had lost the fulness of the priesthood. It was introduced at a time when the church could no longer endure sound doctrine.
Documentation for the above thesis is contained in the articles provided below.
The following graphic provides a prophetic time line illustrating how the restored church was legally organized in 1830, then had the light of the fulness of the gospel and the everlasting covenant begin to shine forth in June of 1831.
This greater light attempted to shine forth as the Saints attempted to establish Zion and live consecration for a period of 3 ½ years at which time the greater light went out as the fullness of the gospel and the law of consecration had been cumulatively rejected by the church.
God continued to labor with the church and gave them the opportunity to redeem themselves, complete the building of the Nauvoo Temple, restore the fullness of the priesthood and usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times during the Nauvoo period.
After failing to build the temple and usher in the fullness of times, the following generation began when Brigham Young was sustained as the President of the church in Dec 1947 and again in April of 1848. Exactly four generations (160 years) after the sustaining of Brigham Young brings us to the end of the 400 year prophesy contained in Genesis 15. (1607 -2007)
The 3 ½ year period inside the red circle identifies the time we are currently living in which is witnessing the collapse of the financial system and the going forth of the curse that Isaiah, Malachi and Moses prophesied of.
Prior to that, a 3 1/2 year period marked in red shows the period of time from June 1831 to the end of 1834 when the fulness of the gospel was being rejected by the gentiles.
The timeline graphic below testifies against the spiritual wife doctrine because the fulness of the gospel began to shine forth in June of 1831 and had been rejected by the gentile church nearly 10 years before the spiritual wife doctrine was revealed and practiced in Nauvoo. The latter day saints had cumulatively rejected the fulness of the gospel and broken the everlasting covenant by the end of 1834, long before the Spiritual Wife heresy surfaced in Nauvoo .
Lastly, here is a link to an article showing how the introduction of the spiritual wife wife doctrine in the last days was prophesied by ancient prophets and also explains why and how Joseph Smith got involved in it as an intercessor for an apostate people.
Perhaps one of the most poignant bible stories for illustrating the need for personal revelation and the fact that God DOES allow prophets to lead people astray in order to test them, is found in 1 Kings 13.
The story line is so remarkable that I am not going to tell it in detail, you simply need to read it yourself. To summarize however, in my own words with perhaps the taking of a little literary license, a man of God who had received direct revelation from God had been commanded to NOT do something while on a journey.
He was then approached by another prophet during his journey and told that he should in fact do it.
When the first prophet declared that the Lord had commanded him not to do it, the second prophet assured him that the Lord had changed his mind and told him that an angel of the Lord had thus appeared and rescinded the commandment of the Lord.
At this, the first prophet accepted the invitation to do what the Lord had commanded him to NOT do.
As a result, the Lord had a lion destroy the first prophet from off the face of the earth for disobedience and for putting his trust in the arm of flesh and in the appearance of an angel, over the word of God.
So much for God never allowing prophets to lead anyone astray.
So much for angels appearing to revoke a previous commandment of God.
So much for the God that has been created by Modern Mormonism and his teachings, neither of which can be found in the holy and infallible word of God.
[editorial note: See the comments for observations by NEPT. I forgot to follow my own rules and consult the JST version of 1 Kings 13 first. It provides greater clarity to the point of the storyline]
A Brief Chronology of Events Pertaining to the Latter-day Apostasy.
Appendix 1
Historical Documents and Modern Revelation
Provide a Pattern
Although much history has been altered and deleted in the official history of the church, nevertheless, it is truly miraculous and amazing how much critical information was left in it which testifies of the latter day apostasy as well as the doctrine of the three watches.
This is in part because those who fled from Nauvoo to Utah were oblivious to the reality of the apostasy and did not understand the doctrine of the three watches and therefore did not comprehend the significance of many of the events and statements documented in the official history of the church!
It is also incredible how modern revelation sheds light on these issues as well.
Using the official history of the church, some additional credible historical sources and modern revelation I have created a chronological listing of events and pronouncements by the Lord and his anointed prophet to document various trigger dates and important events that took place in the apostasy of the restored church between 1828 and 1844.
As you review this chronological profile, please notice that 37 published revelations came in 1831!
1831 was by far and a way the most revelatory year!
1832 had 18 published revelations and 1833 had 12.
1831 contains over 1/3 of all of the revelations that came during the 15 year period of Joseph’s public ministry!
The months leading up to the special conference at the Morley Farm which finally culminated in the breaking of the existing covenant and the new covenant that Joseph and Oliver entered into represent about a four year period in which 90% of the doctrines of the kingdom were revealed by the Lord during the entire 15 years!
This further demonstrates that the 3 ½ year period that the greater light of the fullness of the gospel was being extended to the Saints was by far the most revelatory period.
It is interesting how the Lord was continually chastising Joseph and other leaders of the church from the very beginning, from the time the Book of Mormon was being translated up until the saints fled to Nauvoo, when they were severely chastened for the abominations they were practicing.
Perhaps the point of all of this apostasy is that anytime human beings lose the spirit and take over, the heavens withdraw and failure is the result.
We can’t do it by our own works, it has to be by faith and by obedience to God.
In the third watch, God will show us that He delivered us over to Satan in the 2nd watch, and that He can do his own work in the 3rd watch… he will humble us. We will see very clearly that we tried to do it by works instead of faith.
Finally, after Joseph and Hyrum were taken from our midst, we chose to be ruled over by those who acted more like judges and kings than revelation receiving prophets.
God provided the law of common consent that allows us to deviate from prophets to rulers.
Cursed is he who puts his trust in the arm of flesh.
The following information in the bullet points below will verify that after the restoration of the first two priesthoods and the church, the fullness of the Gospel had still not be actuated on the earth, even though the priesthood keys that can unlock the fulness of the gospel had been restored to the earth.
The light of the fulness of the gospel did not actually begin to shine forth on the earth until the special conference at the Morley Farm when the heavens were opened and God began calling people to the Melchizedek priesthood. Additionally, the Man of Sin was revealed at the same time the greater light of the fulness of the gospel began shining forth.
The following profile of events will also show that after the Saints ultimately collectively rejected the higher light and higher law, they were forced to flee from Kirtland. They had rejected the fulness of the gospel as prophesied in the Book of Mormon.
When read in the context of the ATONEMENT STATUTE that was discussed in part six of this series, the following listing will hopefully enhance your understanding and appreciation about how God deals with his people, the latter day apostasy, the doctrine of the three watches, the prophetic intercession and reconciliation for sins and the history of the church during the Kirtand and Nauvoo eras..
(Of course, this exercise will be much more informative and meaningful to you if you will add to it your own findings and create your own listing of significant events that you have identified in modern revelation and historical accounts.
Hopefully reading this one will get you started documenting your own significant sequence of events if you are interested in such an endeavor, assuming you have not already done it.
While reading it, you may want to get out your D&C to follow along and read the associated verses in context… also, you may want to see if you can locate the 3 ½ year period that Daniel and John prophesied about as you read through the following listing!
As you read, you will notice color coding that highlights three intertwining topics, the important events of the restoration, the references to the 3rd watch and references pertaining to apostasy.
Brief Chronology of Events
Pertaining to the Latter-day Apostasy red text relates to important parts of restoring priesthoods,
keys spiritual gifts and laying foundation of marvelous work Blue text usually pertains to third watch yellow highlight usually pertains to apostasy issues
[this post is not finished and some of the references are not yet included]
1828
“Satan thinketh to overpower your testimony in this generation, that the [marvelous] work may not come forth in this generation..” that particular context had to do with the stolen portion of the translation, but as we will see in future sections, Satan was successful in overpowering his testimony and preventing the marvelous work from going forth in that generation. The work was hindered! ( section 10)
1829
The Lord warns- that generation of saints will be delivered over to Satan if they harden hearts. (BofC 5)
Aaronic priesthood is restored- and shall not be taken UNTIL Sons of Levi offer righteous offering (D&C 13)
The Patriarchal priesthood is restored by Peter James and John (Date not officially recorded in the history of the church, however, Daniel may be giving us a clue to finding this mysterious date by having us back up 2300 days from the time that the Kirtland Temple was accepted and cleansed by the Lord)
1830
The Church of Christ is legally organized according to the laws of man ( section 20)
Seven Elders were promised they would eventually “bring to pass the gathering of the elect” to prepare the Saints against the day of tribulation and desolation. (section 29)
9 months after restoration of church the Lord foretells future work to come forth “And it shall come to pass that there shall be a GREAT WORK in the land, even among the gentiles, for their folly and their abomination shall be made manifest” again we are informed that the fullness of the gospel was still not yet on the earth! For additional info click here- “None doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fullness of the Gospel” The only way to escape the power of the enemy is to “go to the Ohio and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high…. I have a GREAT WORK laid up in store..” “when men are endowed with power from on high and sent forth, all these things shall be gathered unto the bosom of the church” (section 35)
1831
10 months after the restoration of the church the Lord announced “For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth…” Since ALL flesh which includes the saints was corrupted, the cleansing power of the fullness of the gospel was not yet restored! (38)
“go forth crying with a loud voice, saying; the kingdom of heaven is at hand; crying with a loud voice crying hosanah, blessed be the name of the Most High God. Go forth baptizing with water, preparing the way before my face for the time of my coming… AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS [at a future time, in the 3rd watch] ye shall lay your hands and they shall receive the gift of the holy ghost and shall be looking forth for the signs of my coming and shall know me“. The Lord reveals that after the restoration of the church and the first two patriarchal priesthoods, the elders were acting like John the Baptist as forerunners, preparing the way BEFORE the fullness of the gospel was manifest. They only had the preparatory gospel! It was not until the special conference several months later that the fullness of the gospel was made manifest! (section 39)
“he that recieveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he receiveth it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you.” This amazing declaration leaves little wiggle room. Those of the wicked who intentionally did not live the law of consecration after receiving it are to be cast out from among the church! They rejected the fullness of the gospel(section 41)
The Law of the Gospel is given which incorporates the marital law of monogamy. It is also referred to as the law of Zion and Celestial Law or consecration. (section 42)
The Law of succession is given so that the Saints can avoid being deceived by any person or quorum claiming to have the right to preside over the church who had not specifically been ordained to preside over the church- The church is commanded to not accept the teachings and revelations of imposters who had not been ordained, based on signs. In the revelation, a prophecy alludes to the eventual replacing of Joseph with Hyrum, by revelation and ordination. The law of Succession is based on REVELATION AND ORDINATION not signs and wonders, like a person being transformed to look like someone else. ( See section 43, see also 90:4… Nevertheless, if an apostate people want to disregard the law of succession by ordination, and live a lesser law, they may do so by overruling the law of succession by the law of common consent)
The Lord commands the elders to gather for a special conference that their enemies may not have power over them, however it becomes apparent that the special conference at the Morley Farm in 1831 was only a shadow fulfillment because they failed to organize themselves. Another possibility is that the restoration of the fullness of the gospel made possible the intercessory atonement which ultimately PRESERVED the saints; “Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, it is expedient in me that the elders of my church should be called together, from the east and from the west, and from the north and from the south, by letter or some other way. And it shall come to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together. And it shall come to pass that they shall go forth into the regions round about, and preach repentance unto the people. And many shall be converted, insomuch that ye shall obtain power to organize yourselves according to the laws of man; That your enemies may not have power over you; that you may be preserved in all things; that you may be enabled to keep my laws; that every bond may be broken wherewith the enemy seeketh to destroy my people. Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be done according to my law which ye have received. Amen. (Section 44)
It is during the final generation of the Lords coming that “a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men” (45:28-29) Prior to the great day of the Lord the elect will be gathered in holy places (in Zion… see 32) and the remnant (of latter day Jews (51-53) ) will be gathered to “this place” (where the revelation was given (43) Additional information concerning matt 24 and section 45 will not be given until the New Testament is published to the world! (60)
“I have sent unto you mine everlasting covenant, even that which was from the beginning” “it is lawful that you he should have ONE wife” (49:9 & 17) The everlasting covenant is entered into at the time of water baptism and the laying of on hands. HOWEVER, it is not actuated UNTIL the PROMISE OF THE FATHER takes place. Hence the everlasting covenant was restored in 1829 but not actuated for the group of saints until the Promise of the Father was endowed at the special conference in June of 1831.
“I the Lord have looked upon you, and have seen abomination in the church that profess my name” (D&C 50:4)
Special Conference at Morley Farm- The Fulness of the Gospel is finally manifest for the first time! The Mechizedek priesthood is restored, the heavens are opened and the Father and Son are seen by Lyman Wight and …..- The Man of Sin is Revealed and the latter day falling away begins in fulfillment of Pauls prophecy. (See article on Special conference at the Morley Farm also section 51 was given the day after the conference.)
GODS PEOPLE TO BE CUT OFF IF THEY AREN’T ORGANIZED ACCORDING TO HIS LAWS! “Hearken unto me, saith the Lord your God, and I will speak unto my servant Edward Partridge, and give unto him directions; for it must needs be that he receive directions how to organize this people. For it must needs be that they be organized according to my laws; if otherwise, they will be cut off.” (51:1-2)
“I WILL CUT MY WORK SHORT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS” Multiple fulfillment- the first work was cut short in righteousness in that it was during the greater light that the Saints were cut off…. And it was with the righteous covenant Joseph and Oliver made leading up to the Lord of righteiousness accepting the temple in section 110, AGAIN, in the 3rd watch the Marvelous Work shall be cut short in righteousness as well (52:11 see also 109: 59 and Matt 24:22)
Some of the high priests from the special conference break the covenant within days while others have not (54:4-6)
“Thus saith the lord unto my people you have many things to do and to repent of for behold, your sins have come up unto me, and are not pardoned, because you seek to counsel in your own ways…. Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls…” (56:14-16)
“The sound must go forth from this place [jackson] into all the world, unto the uttermost parts of the earth“ (58:64 also, interestingly, the sound will go forth at some time from Kirtland as well ” “…It was a Pentecost and an endowment indeed, long to be remembered, for the sound shall go forth from this place [Kirtland] into all the world, and the occurrences of this day shall be handed down upon the pages of sacred history, to all generations; as the day of Pentecost, so shall this day be numbered and celebrated as a year of jubilee, and time of rejoicing to the Saints of the Most High God.” –History of the Church, 2:432-33
Kirtland will only be a priesthood “stronghold” for five years, after that, apostasy and eviction! “Ye are laying the foundation of a GREAT WORK” “For it shall come to pass that the inhabitants of Zion shall judge all things pertaining to Zion. And liars and hypocrites shall be proved by them, and they who are not apostles and prophets shall be known.“ (section 64)
the Lord acknowledges that the Saints already have, or will in the near future, break the everlasting covenant and that it will need to be established again in the earth. He foretells that if his servant erred, it will be known (section 1)
The Lord that shall “suddenly come to his temple… with a curse to judgment” That happened in the 2nd watch and will happen again in the 3rd. Let the LDS members who are among the gentiles flee unto Zion and let the LDS members who are of Judah, flee unto Jerusalem (133)
“The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto MAN on the earth, and from THENCE (those men) shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth like a stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands…”
Many of the elders who had been ordained high priests at the special conference at the Morley Farm and others that were subsequently ordained were disappointed and distraught that they had not yet had the heavens opened and seen the face of God which had been promised, subject to worthiness. Some of them began to doubt the ordination they had received- “Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive…. Again, verily I say unto you that it is your privilege, and a promise I give unto you that have been ordained unto this ministry, that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me, for ye are not sufficiently humble, the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am – …. You are not able to abide the presence of God now, neither the ministering of angels; therefore, continue in patience until ye are perfected. Let not your minds turn back; and when ye are worthy, in mine own due time ye shall see and know that which was conferred upon you by the hands of my servant Joseph Smith, Jun. Amen” (67)
1832
Vision of the three degrees of glory (section 76). This causes a great stir in the church and some apostatize because of its rejection of the universalist concept of heaven and hell.
“There must be.. an organization of my people, in regulating and establishing the affairs of the storehouse for the poor… both in this place and in the land of Zion…that you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for ht obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things…. Organize yourselves by a bond or everlasting covenant that cannot be broken. And he who breaketh it shall lose his office and standing in the church and shall be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption” (78)
At special conference in Jackson County the Lord tells several High Priests that “none doeth good and all have gone out of the way“. It appears that the light of the fullness of the gospel is indeed going out! The Lord binds Joseph & Sidney and seven others into consecration order for Kirtland and Jackson county at conference in JC- They are warned that if they fail to keep the storehouse they will be turned over to the buffetings of satan. If they transgression, judgment will fall upon each of their stewardships (82:6)
Keys given to those who will ultimately bring forth the kingdom
1832 Vanity and unbelief have brought the WHOLE church under condemnation. This condemnation shall remain on the WHOLE church until they repent and remember the New Covenant contained in the Book of Mormon and the former commandments. (84:54-57) That indictment is followed by a cryptic message revealing how the Marvelous Work is going to begin in the 3rd watch when the High Priest and his fellows are returned to the earth, forgiven of their sins, made clean and sent forth to take the fullness of the gospel into all the world; “I will forgive your sins [in the 3rd watch] with this commandment- that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you. Therefore go into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature. And as I said unto my apostles even so I say unto you, for you are mine apostles, even Gods’ high priests; ye are they whom my Father hath given me ; ye are my friends; Therefore, as I said unto mine apostle I say unto you again, that every soul who believeth on your words, and is baptized by water for the remission of sins, shall receive the Holy Ghost. And these signs shall follow them that believe— In my name they shall do many wonderful works; In my name they shall cast out devils; In my name they shall heal the sick; In my name they shall open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf; And the tongue of the dumb shall speak; And if any man shall administer poison unto them it shall not hurt them; And the poison of a serpent shall not have power to harm them….. let the bishop go unto the city of New York, also to the city of Albany, and also to the city of Boston, and warn the people of those cities with the sound of the gospel, with a loud voice, of the desolation and utter abolishment which await them if they do reject these things. For if they do reject these things the hour of their judgment is nigh, and their house shall be left unto them desolate. Let him trust in me and he shall not be confounded; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And verily I say unto you, the rest of my servants, go ye forth as your circumstances shall permit, in your several callings, unto the great and notable cities and villages, reproving the world in righteousness of all their unrighteous and ungodly deeds, setting forth clearly and understandingly the desolation of abomination in the last days. For, with you saith the Lord Almighty, I will rend their kingdoms; I will not only shake the earth, but the starry heavens shall tremble.” (Joseph Smith and the first elders never went into the world with the fullness of the gospel at the time of this revelation or any time following this commandment in section 84! Although he probably did forgive their sins temporarily at that time in the 2nd watch clearly, this commandment pertains to the return of the servants in the 3rd watch when they will take the fulness of the gospel to the world)
“and it shall come to pass that I the Lord God, will send one mighty and strong, holding the scepter of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, shoes mouth shall utter words eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth to set in order the house of God…” (85)
The Lord reveals why the saints could not be successful in living consecration and establishing zion in the 2nd watch, it is because the tares are allowed to mingle with the wheat until the harvest if fully ripe in the 3rd watch- “But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender— Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields; But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also. Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.” (86)
“the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of the sanctified, even them of the celestial world. Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John. This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom; Which glory is that of the church of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ his Son—” Is this promise of eternal life not calling and election? Joseph and others had to be sanctified and have their calling and elections made sure in order to offer themselves as intercessory atonement offerings for others! The revelation goes on to provide a profile of events that will take place when the servant return to be sent AGAIN for the LAST TIME to WARN the people and BIND UP THE LAW and SEAL UP THE TESTIMONY and PREPARE the SAINTS for the HOUR of JUDGMENT to COME (88:80-85)
1833
“And again, verily I say unto thy brethren, Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, their sins are forgiven them also, and they are accounted as equal with thee in holding the keys of this last kingdom; As also through your administration [Joseph] the keys of the school of the prophets, which I have commanded to be organized; That thereby they [Sidney and Fredrick] may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as will believe; That through your administration [Joseph's] they [Sidney and Frederick] may receive the word, and through their administration [Sidney and Frederick's ] the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews. And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen nations, the house of Joseph, of the gospel of their salvation. For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (90)
“And it shall come to pass that if you are faithful you shall receive the fullness of the record of John” Sidney is to “proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the gospel of Salvation” (93)
The Lord commands the Saints to build the temples in the Land of Zion and Kirtland. This date is 139 weeks prior to the accepting and cleansing of the Kirtland Temple by Christ in accordance with Daniels prophecy (sections 94 & 97 Daniel 9 see also the following article) (The correct date for both revelations is August 2nd 1833 although listed as May 6 for section 94 in D&C)
High Priests who have been ordained are commanded to tarry in Kirtland (Jerusalem) just as the NT apostles were commanded to tarry in Jerusalem until they receive POWER FROM ON HIGHT which is the PROMISE OF THE FATHER (Pentecost) when the Kirtland Temple is completed. This endowment is a preparation for when the servants prune the Lords vineyard for the last time… many of the high priests have been called but NOT chosen! (95)
“And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be a spokesman unto this people; yea, verily, I will ordain you unto this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph. And I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony. And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth” Sidney was to be the spokeman for the revelation Joseph brought forth and to know the certainty of them! (100)
The Jackson count Saints have been afflicted, persecuted and cast out because of their transgressions but God will remember mercy in the day of wrath- “all mine Israel shall be saved” “they that have been scattered shall be gathered” (compare 45:24-25 and section 113) “Zion shall not be moved out of her place” “there is none other place appointed than that which I have appointed” Those who worship God according the everlasting covenant will gather in the 3rd watch and stand in holy places. The parable of the redemption of Zion- The enemy came by night and broke down the hedge and the servants of the nobleman arose and were affrighted and fled and the enemy destroyed their works and broke down the olive trees. the servants will return to break down their walls and throw down their tower of the enemy. “it is contrary to my commandment and my will that my servant Sidney Gilbert should sell my storehouse which I have appointed unto my people, into the hands of mine enemies.” “… and if the president heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come forth out of his hiding place, and in his fury vex the nations and… cut off those wicked, unfaithful, and unjust stewards, and appoint them their portion among hypocrites and unbelievers.. that I may proceed to bring to pass my act, my strange act and perform my work, my strange work that men may discern between the righteous and the wicked,..”(101)
Smith finishes the translation of the KJV of the bible.
“And now verily I say unto Joseph Smith, Jun.- You have not kept the commandments, and must needs stand rebuked before the Lord…”
1834
Joseph Smith announces that Sept 11 1836 is the appointed time or the redemption of Zion and prophesies that- “If we do not exert ourselves to the utmost in gathering up the strength of the Lord’s house that this thing may be accomplished, behold there remaineth a scourge for the Church, even that they shall be driven from city to city …” Within a very short time after their failure to redeem Zion on the appointed time, the Saints were driven from Kirtland and various places in Missouri to Adom ondi amen, then to Far west, then to Nauvoo and then they were scattered into many divisions which were driven from Nauvoo.
the First Presidency obtains sustaining vote of a conference to change the name of the church to the church of the latter day saints Which means they were being classified as an unconsecrated people.(TMH 621)
Kingdoms of the world begins to prevail over Saints ( D&C 102)
Jackson Country Saints who broke covenant have been cursed
Zions Camp unsuccessful in redeeming Jackson County and disbanded (TMH 622)
JS reveals that section 64 meant that appointed time for Zion was to be Sept 11 1836
If zion not redeemed church will be destroyed and scattered
the Saints are the children of Israel
The covenant has been broken. Revelation ends United Order comes to an end in Kirtland (104 & `105)
1834 November Joseph and Oliver enter into a covenant of consecration exclusive of the bond which they had previously entered into with 7 others to oversee consecration and the storehouses in Jackson and Kirtland. It appears the Kirtland covenant of consecration for the Bishops storehouse had now been broken just like the one in Jackson was. This new covenant that Joseph and Oliver entered into with the Lord leads up to the acceptance of the temple when Christ visits Joseph and Oliver. Those dates are the exact same dates of Daniels prophecy pertaining to the reconciliation for sins. It appears that Joseph and Oliver were possibly actuating the atonement statute and thereby accessing a period of grace for the saints leading to the dedication and acceptance of the Temple.
December 5th 1834- The following revelation was recieved but not published in the Book of Commandments: “Verily, condemnation resteth upon you, who are appointed to lead my church and to be saviors of men; and also upon the church. And there must be a repentence and a reformation among you in ALL things,in your examples before the church and before the world, in all your manners, habits and customs, and salutations…” (DHC 2:177)
1835
Redemption of Zion is delayed because Saints transgressed
Something new must be done
1836
dedicatory prayer- promise that at future time truth will go to ends of the earth from Kirtland Temple
Christ accepts temple in secret,(section 110) for future purpose- restoration of Gospel of Abraham (cursing/blessing)
1836 Appointed time of Sept 11 1836 came and went without even an attempt being made by the Saints to redeem zion.
Church to come forth out of the wilderness AT FUTURE TIME( It appears that atonement ordinance)
Kirtland Safety Society organized- would fail six months later.
1837
Despite some people thinking the millennium had begun… JS warned that apostasy is going to break out in the church
Orson Pratt & Lyman Johnson accuse Smith of lying, financial fraud and extortion… this would be the beginning of an apostasy that would overwhelm church headquarters and cause its abandonment by Smith seven months later (Quinn 626)
Kirtland Safety Society Failure- Fight in the Temple- Temple is defiled
Mass apostasy- between 1/3 and ½ of church and leadership apostatize
The twelve are admonished in all their sins- darkness covers the whole earth- all flesh has become corrupt- Judgment shall begin at the house of God
May Mass apostasy breaks out in church at the tail end of the Kirtland safety society debacle. “No Quorum was entirely exempt from the influence of those false spirits who are striving against me for the mastery; even some of the Twelve were so far lost to their high and responsible calling, as to begin to take sides, secretly, with the enemy“ (period 1 vol 2 page 488 HC)
“God revealed to me that something new must be done for the salvation of His Church and on or about the first of June, Heber C Kimball one of the Twelve, was set apart by the spirit of prophecy and relation, prayer and laying on of hands, of the First Presidency, to preside over a mission to England, to be the first foreign mission of the Church of Christ in the last days. While we were about ordaining him, Orson Hyde, another of the Twelve, came in and upon listening to what was passing, his heart melted within him, (for he had begun to drink of the cup filled with the overflowing of speculation) , he acknolwledged all his faults, asked forgiveness, and offered to accompany President Kimball to England. His offer was accepted and he was set apart for that purpose” (period 1 vol 2pg 490 HC)
1837 June Young, Kimball, Hyde and other leave for the first mission to Europe. 626
1837 December Joseph Smith flees from Kirtland
1838
1838 The Church begins to flee from Kirtland to Far West- The Danites are formed
1838 August The Mormon Missouri War- The specific dates of the war are from August 6, 1838 (the Gallatin election battle) to November 1, 1838 when Joseph Smith surrendered at Far West. During the conflict 22 people were killed (3 Mormons and 1 non-Mormon at Crooked River and 18 Mormons at Haun’s Mill). The conflict was preceded by the eviction of the Mormons from Jackson County, Missouri (in July of 1833 In august of 1833 the Lord commanded the Saints to “renounce war and proclaim peace” the rules of war are given see section 98 Joseph’s prophesy was coming true that the saints would be scattered and smitten for not redeeming zion)
1838 Name change of church which had previously been voted on is acknowledged in revelation- “latter day Saints” = those who are scattered not gathered
1838 JS reveals that in future when Zion is redeemed
Oct-nov Smith and other danites surrender and barely escape execution and are incarcerated in Liberty Jail.
1839
The brethren spend time in Liberty Jail- Three published revelations received
1840
No published revelations received!
1841
1841 section 124 The Lord acknowledges the OFFERING Joseph has made. (I believe this is referring to the latter day ATONEMENT OFFERING that he and Sidney made.)
1841 The Lord announces fullness of the priesthood is lost- warns saints to not flee from Nauvoo
1841 warning to build temple by appointed time
1841 April 6 cornerstones of Nauvoo Temple are laid
1842
1842 the appointed time has expired? According to some diary accounts
1842 march Joseph is initiated into freemasonry 633
When Don Carlos Smith (one of Joseph’s younger brothers) realized that Joseph was secretly teaching and practicing the spiritual wife doctrine. He rejected it and said- “Any man who will teach and practice the doctrine of spiritual wifery will go to hell; I don’t care if it is my brother Joseph“. He was so upset and repulsed that he began preparing to leave Nauvoo and move his family back to Kirtland. While making preparations he mysteriously dies. Supposedly of bilious fever. Don Carlos had served as the President of the High Priests Quorum in Kirtland and had been described by Ebeneser Robinson as “one of the most perfect men I ever knew“. (In sacred Loniness pg 152 It is truly sad that this man has been virtually written out of the history of the church along with his brother Samuel Smith!
1842Joseph Smith began taking plural wives under the guise of the “spiritual wife” revelation (section 132) Takes approximately 33 wives in three years- then abruptly obstains during last 7 months. Tells two people he has sinned
1844 April Smith is anointed and ordained by the Council of fifty as King Priest and ruler over Israel on earth. (643)
1844 may 21 The apostles leave to go on political missions to campaign for Joseph Smith run for the presidency of the United States
1844 June 7 the first and only edition of the Nauvoo Expositor is published with references to 1843 polygamy revelation and the anointing of Joseph Smith as the “King on Earth”
Hyrum Smith tells the city council that the 1843 polygamy revelation has to do with “ancient polygamy” not modern times. By Joseph Smiths orders the as mayor the council destroys the expositor as a “public nuisance” and William Law and his associates flea from Nauvoo shortly thereafter fearing for their lives because of threats that have been made.
June 20 Smith writes the apostles and tells them to return to Nauvoo and to destroy their endowment garments
June 23 Smith tells Clayton to burn or bury the minutes of the Council of Fifty and he and Hyrum flea Nauvoo. Their departure cause near panic in Nauvoo Accused of cowardly abandoning Nauvoo, they return later that evening. According to some accounts he and Emma burn the 1843 revelation on polygamy. (William Clayton preserves a copy)
Joseph Smith tells Stephen Markham that he [Joseph smith] has lost the spirit of God for disobedience in returning to Nauvoo
Samuel H. Smith the brother of Joseph Smith dies under very questionable circumstances. His daughter and brother William would later accuse Hosea Stout of poisoning him under the orders of Willard Richards.
Emma Smith declares that “secret things… cost Joseph and Hyrum their lives“
THE MARTYRDOM
Hopefully you found the above chronology of events helpful in better understanding 1- the KEY EVENTS PERTAINING TO THE RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH AND THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE FUTURE MARVELOUS WORK, 2- THE INTERRELATED REFERENCES TO THE 3RD WATCH and 3- the APOSTASY REFERENCES.
Appendix 2
The Testimony and Example
of the Smith Family
It is interesting to note that as beloved as Joseph and Hyrum were by Mother Smith, Samuel, Don Carlos, William and Joseph’s three sisters, all seven of them along with Emma initially and ultimately rejected the spiritual wife doctrine and chose not to follow Brigham Young and his associates of the twelve into the wilderness, to Utah.
With that in mind, her is a very important visionary experience that Mother Smith had at the general time of the succession issue is presented below-
MOTHER SMITH’S FIRST VISION.
Brothers and children, I was much troubled and felt as if I had the sins of the whole world to bear, and the burden of the Church; and I felt that there was something wrong. I called on the Lord to show me what was wrong, and if it was I. I called upon him until I slept. I then heard a voice calling on me saying, awake, awake, awake, for the only son that thou hast living, they for his life have laid a snare. My aged servant Joseph who was the first Patriarch of this Church, and my servant Hyrum who was the second Patriarch, my servant Joseph who was Prophet and Seer, and my servants Samuel, William and Don Carlos—they were the first founders, fathers and heads of this Church, raised up in these last days, and thou art the mother, and thy daughters have helped, and they are the daughters in Israel, and have helped raise up this Church. Arise, arise, arise, and take thy place, you know not what has been in the hearts of some; hut he said thou shalt know. He told me what it was; but I shall not tell. (I saw William in a room full of armed men and he having no weapons. They would have crushed him down, if it had not been for the power of God; and many of the family would have been cut off— [the] Lord having softened their hearts. Two of them had blacker hearts than the rest, and I know who they are, and I will tell them if they will come to me. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball know it is so, and dare not deny it.) Call upon the Twelve, let all things be set in order, and keep their hearts pure from this time hence forth; the voice saith be merciful, and then Zion shall arise and flourish as a rose. What I was told I cannot tell.
Thou art the mother in Israel, and tell thy children all to walk uprightly. Thy son William, he shall have power over the churches, he is father in Israel over the patriarchs and the whole of the Church; he is the last of the lineage that is raised up in these last days. He is Patriarch to regulate the affairs of the Church. He is President over all the Church, they can’t take his apostleship away from him. The Presidency of the Church belongs to William, he being the last of the heads of the Church, according to the lineage, he having inherited it from the family from before the foundation of the world. Thou art a mother in Israel. Thy spirit arose and said in eternity that it would take a body to be a mother to prophet [s] who should be raised up to save the last dispensation. And the spirit said unto me to be faithful, (and that I was faithful,) and tell the Church to be faithful. And the spirit said I should live until I was satisfied with life.
Brothers and children, I want you to take notice that the burden of the Church rests [on William].
SECOND VISION.
Joseph came to me and said: “That day is coming when I shall wave the scepter of power over my enemies. Be patient my brothers and sisters, the day is coming when you shall have eternal life and be rewarded for all your troubles (Succession in the Presidency BH Roberts)
Appendix 3
The Utah Mormon culture that looks down upon those
who desire the promised spiritual gifts
Once the saints got to Utah it occurred to some that the church was not experiencing the spiritual experiences that it had enjoyed during the early days in Kirtland.
Furthermore, the vast majority of the early saints who had experienced the supernatural gifts of the spirit, ie, healings, prophesying, speaking in tongues, visions, visitation of angels, having the heaven open to see the Father and or the son, etc. had either left the church in Kirtland or decided not to follow Brigham Young and his followers when the left Nauvoo to flee to Utah.
Brigham Young addressed this dilemma in a general conf talk after they got to Utah. In the talk he characterizes those early saints that witnessed “powerful manifestations” as the questionable ones who were sign seekers that ultmately denied the faith and quoted Elder Cannon who used an old adage to describe them “soon ripe, soon rotten“.
He infers that the ones with “powerful manifestations” are the gentiles who have a much greater reaction to the spirit because their blood is being purged.
He infers that those who came to the Rocky Mtns are the pure blood of Israel and therefore the affects of the spirit upon them is more subtle.
He went on to suggest that those who came to the rocky mountains who appeared to be devoid of the powerful spiritual manifestations were in actuality the more spiritually stable ones of the kingdom who were holding up the banner of Zion. He assures us that God wants to develop his saints GRADUALLY!
This is perhaps at least partly why the LDS culture teaches that the baptism of fire is a subtle, gradual experience and discourages powerful outward spiritual manifestations and looks down upon those who seek to have them or claim to have them.
“The question has often Arisen among us, why it is that we do not see more angels, have more visions, that we do not see greater and more manifestations of power. Any of the brethren that were there [early days in Kirtland] could have heard testimonies of manifestations in abundance.
On the first day of the dedication [of the Kirtland Temple] , President Frederick G. Williams, one of the Council of the Prophet, and who occupied the upper pulpit, bore testimony that the Savior, dressed in his vesture without seam, came into the stand and accepted of the dedication of the house, that he saw him, and gave a description of his clothing and all things pertaining to it.
That evening there was a collection of Elders, Priests, Teachers and Deacons, etc., amounting to four hundred and sixteen, gathered in the house; there were great manifestations of power, such as speaking in tongues, seeing visions, administration of angels.
Many individuals bore testimony that they saw angels, and David Whitmer bore testimony that he saw three angels passing up the south aisle, and there came a shock on the house like the sound of a mighty rushing wind, and almost every man in the house arose, and hundreds of them were speaking in tongues, prophesying or declaring visions, almost with one voice.
The question arises, where are those men?
A number of them who manifested the greatest gifts, and had the greatest manifestations have fallen out by the way side, you look around among us and they are not here.
Many who received the knowledge of the things of God by the power of his spirit, and sought not after signs and wonders, and when the spirit rested upon them seemed to produce no visible demonstration, you look around among the Saints in the valleys of the mountains, and you find they are here with us bearing on high the standard of Zion, or have descended into honorable graves.
But where you find men who have turned away, and have got terribly afflicted with self conceit, you will find those, who, on that occasion and similar occasions, received great and powerful manifestations, and when the spirit came on them it seemed to distort the countenance, and caused them to make tremendous efforts in some instances. Sylvester Smith bore testimony of seeing the hosts of heaven and the horsemen. In his ‘ exertion and excitement it seemed as though he would jump through the ceiling.
Brother Cannon in speaking on the subject this morning referred to the old adage, soon ripe, soon rotten. God has laid the foundation of his kingdom never to be destroyed, and it appears wisdom in him to develop gradually power and glory and strength.
I have always heard it suggested that as the spirit of “Mormonism” gathered together the seed of Abraham—mostly the sons of Abraham that are mixed among the nations; that the Holy Spirit falling upon men, who are not of the pure blood, who had the predominance of other blood in their veins, that the manifestation is greater, and when great manifestations fall on men, great trials immediately follow.” (JD)
To summarize what we have discussed in the previous six parts of this series, I have categorized the latter day apostasy into four phases or eras, each having their own unique flavor and distinct issues-
The Kirtland Apostasy- 1831-1838
The Gentile Church of Christ Rejects the fullness of the Gospel and Breaks the Everlasting Covenant At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel…
I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws,
changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
The Nauvoo Apostasy 1839-1844
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Fails to Restore that which was lost and usher in the Fulness of times and if you do not these things at the end of the appointment ye shall be rejected as a church, with your dead
The First Utah Period of Apostasy-1845-1989
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints cast out of Nauvoo but if the salt have lost his savour… it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men
The Second Utah Period of Apostasy 1989-to present
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints becomes Popular with the World and Builds Temples For the time speedily shall come that all churches.. who are built up to become popular in the eyes of the world, For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples”
The original apostasy in Kirtland had to do with the restored Church of Christ which briefly brought forth the Church of God after the greater light of the fullness of the gospel shone forth in 1831 at the special conference at the Morley Farm. This general period of apostasy took place between 1830 and 1837. The exact start of the latter day falling away began with the revealing of the Man of Sin at the special conference according to prophetic utterances of the prophet Joseph Smith and the apostle Paul.
It appears from the prophecies of John and Daniel that the greater light of the fullness of the gospel was on the earth for a period of 3 ½ years although the “grace and supplication” of the Saints was extended as a result of the covenant entered into by Joseph and Oliver. Shortly after the appointed time of September 11th, 1836, the period known as the apostasy in Kirtland took place. From the time of the Kirtland apostasy, the church was always in some degree of apostasy, I have taken the liberty of categorizing these phases into four identifiable periods tied to various events that I have addressed.
If I were to pick a few scriptures to characterize the first apostasy in Kirtland, I would pick the following two-
“And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them.” 3 Ne. 16: 10
Referring to the 2nd watch the Lord says “I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among” indicating that he takes it from them because they rejected it. We know that when the saints started taking the gospel to the foreign nations if was the gospel of Abraham not the fullness of the gospel that they had rejected. Yet in the 3rd watch the book of Mormon prophesies that the fullness of the gospel “came forth from the Gentiles unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren.”
This proves that the gentiles are successful in accepting the fullness of the gospel and taking it to other remnants of Israel in the 3rd watch. (see also sections 90 and 133 which verify that in the 3rd watch the gentiles will take the gospel to the Jews.)
Another passage pertaining to the Kirtland apostasy is as follows;
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Isa 24:5-6
The above prophecy obviously does not have to do with the apostasy of the Church of Christ in the meridian of time. It is clearly speaking about the end times. One would be justified in assuming it is a future apostasy that takes place when the servants return and in fact, that is the culmination point. But the beginning point was Kirtland. Section one clarifies this point.
(We have briefly touched on the fact that the latter day atonement statute is an enactment of an intercessory atonement that the latter day servants make to prolong the latter day saints upon the face of the earth. One thing we have not adequately discussed is that when the reset button is hit, when the servant return, the curse, spoken of by Malachi and Isaiah proceeds going forth desolating the earth…
Fortunately, the Servants will quickly explain all of this to the elect and gather them out just before they are destroyed by it. more on these later in this article if I remember to address it)
The Second era of apostasy took place roughly between 1839 and 1844 having largely to do with the Saints committing abominations before the Lord while failing once again to finance the publishing of the fulness of the scriptures and failing to complete the Nauvoo Temple and then choosing to flee from the holy place and scatter abroad once again, contrary to the Lord’s admonition in section 124..
The Third era of apostasy took place shortly after the succession issue in Nauvoo and led to the saints fleeing to Utah. The time period was roughly 1845 to 1889. It had to do with the introduction of various false doctrines and also included the sustaining of the spiritual wife doctrine and section 132 by the law of common consent.
The last and most ambiguous period of apostasy was during the “modernization of the church” . A major tipping point took place during the administration of Wilford Woodruff when pressure on the church by the government to discontinue the practice of plural marriage finally brought about the change. Another great turning point in the worldly popularity of the church took place during the administration of President McKay. During this final era of apostasy pressure from the government would arise again during the administration of President Kimball when the doctrine of the priesthood regarding blacks would be forced to change.
It should be noted that it is during this last period of apostasy that the church was motivated by internal and external forces to self correct regarding numerous practices, such as the practice of the spiritual wife doctrine and the withholding of the priesthood from the blacks.
This modern apostasy is very hard for me to categorize succinctly because it was so multi-dimensional and it covers such a long period of time and the forces involved kept swinging the pendulum different ways.
In short, however I would suggest that one way of characterizing it is to say that the modern church left many of its conservative, dogmatic religious and political views and became much more liberal enabling it to become popular with the world.
An Intercessory Offering Is Made
In Behalf of Israel
After briefly touching on those four phases of the apostasy during the first five parts of this series, part six addressed the ATONEMENT STATUTE contained in Lev 16 and how ancient prophecy foretold that several servants in the latter days including the Seer and the Spokesman would offer up an intercessory atonement in behalf of latter day Israel.
It appears that the intercession of these good brethren prevented the first generation of saints in this dispensation from being wiped of the face of the earth, just as the atonement of Moses and Aaron prevented the judgments of God from falling upon the ancient children of Israel.
It delayed the curse from going forth that is prophesied of by Malachi and Isaiah. But that curse is about to be unleashed on the unsuspecting inhabitants of the earth!
Although this incredible intercession was kept secret from the church at the time, the cryptic scriptural evidence is now surfacing as people begin to understand this information that has been hidden in previous generations.
We have the advantage of hindsight and the fact that God is slowly beginning to take the blindness off of latter day Israel in preparation for the opening up of the dispensation of the fulness of times and the Marvelous Work and a Wonder in the 3rd watch.
In part six I limited the documentation of the profile of the latter day intercessory prophet and his fellows to the Old and New Testament because I wanted to make a point that the divine calling and mission of the prophet Joseph Smith could easily be proven biblically without the need of using the Book of Mormon or the modern revelations in the Doctrine and covenants.
I could easily provide just as much additional documentation using the scriptures of the restoration if I needed to.
One thing I would like to address in this final part, relating to the atonement statute however is this,
One might ask,
“is there anything in modern revelation that makes reference to an intercessory OFFERING that was made by the prophet Joseph Smith.”
I would suggest that there is!
But first, a little context-
As demonstrated in previous posts, after the secret appearance of the Savior in 1836 documented in section 110, the heavens continued to close up significantly.
Aside from a wild goose chase that the brethren went on as documented in section 111, It was over a year later in 1837, before the next published revelation is given. In it, this devastating declaration was made,
“darkness covereth he earth and gross darkness the minds of the people, and ALL FLESH HAS BECOME CORRUPT BEFORE MY FACE” ( See section 112)
The Lord was putting the church on notice that since they had rejected the fulness of the gospel, failed to redeem Zion by the appointed time and gone into apostasy, they along with the whole world had become corrupt. Their baptismal covenants were not cleansing them. The fulness of the gospel had been taken from the earth!
The next major revelation came yet another year later in section 115, in 1838 in which the Lord explains that those who failed to gather to the appointed places and consecrate themselves according to the law given in section 42, are to be called the “church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints“.
He explains that the very name of that church has specific reference to those who had been unfaithful in gathering and consecrating themselves, thereby becoming again, a SCATTERED people instead of a GATHERED, Zion people.
Finally, three years later in Nauvoo, after a long period without any published revelations, section 124 is given. That is a long time to go without revelation in contrast to the earlier years of the church!
Section 124 is an amazing revelation given to a fallen people. In it the Lord reveals that the fullness of the priesthood had been lost!
But it is also in this incredible revelation that the Lord makes a cryptic acknowledgement that Joseph Smith had made himself an atonement OFFERING just as Moses of old had done and that the Lord is pleased with the offering that Joseph has offered.
Notice how this most unusual revelation begins,
“Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph Smith, I am well pleased with your OFFERING and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth”
UNBE-FREAKIN-LIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There it is!
I believe God is referencing the OFFERING that Joseph had made back in Kirtland BEFORE the announcements that the church had become corrupted and scattered from Kirtland and Jackson.
Unless you understand about the atonement statute and what happened with the saints in Kirtland, verse one of section 124 makes absolutely no sense, historically or religiously!
It is without context and logic.
It is irrational.
Why would the Lord tell the saints they had become corrupted three years earlier, after they had failed to redeem Zion by the appointed time and then abstain from giving them any significant revelations for three years and then begin a revelation once they flee Far West and begin establishing Nauvoo telling Joseph that the Lord was pleased with his OFFERING!
The last previously documented offering that Joseph had made prior to section 124 began in November of 1834 when he and Oliver had entered into a covenant with the Lord. As I have discussed in previous posts, the prophet Daniel appears to identify the time period associated with that sacred covenant as relating to the reconciliation for sins!
The Latter day Apostasy is
Interrupted when the Light
shines forth for 3 ½ Years
Section 124 goes on to give the apostate Saints a chance to redeem themselves and usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times and reestablish the covenant and restore the fullness of the priesthood that had been lost by keeping the commandments and building the Nauvoo temple by the appointed time.
The rest is history as they say, is history, or, if you are reading the official history of the church, the rest is revised history! LOL
We are now able to look back on the events in church history and begin to see the fulfillment of several ancient prophecies pertaining to the last days.
The Old Testament prophet Daniel and the New Testament apostle John both prophesied about a three and a half year period of time that would take place in the latter days-
During the 15 Year ministry of the Prophet Joseph Smith, it appears the
Light of the Fulness of the Gospel shown forth for 3 ½ years!
Click on Pic to enlarge
When studying the continuous chastisements that God gives to Joseph and the saints in modern revelation, one begins to wonder if the church ever came out of apostasy during those years that the foundation of the Marvelous Work was being laid!
A careful reading of the following prophecy in Daniel, informs us that after coming out of apostasy, there would only be a 3 ½ year period of time until the saints were back in apostasy again, followed by a short period of grace!
“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand UNTIL a time and times and the dividing of time.” Dan 7:25
According to Daniel, Satan would wear out the new testament saints, having control over them during the dark ages, the reformation and continuing into the latter days UNTIL a three and a half year period when the FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL is restored to the earth!
But after that 3 ½ year period that the fullness of the gospel is on the earth, the saints would lose the higher- Melchizedek level of gospel light and would descend to a lesser degree of light.
While some had seen the Father and the Son at the higher- Melchizedek level during the 3 ½ year period, others would see only Christ at the patriarchal level during the period of grace that followed the 3 ½ year period when the fullness was being offered.
In the 12 chapter of Daniel he would acknowledge that some of the time lines talked about in his prophesies would key off of the “time, times, and a half” (3 1/2 years) period of time during which events and the result of which events would SCATTER THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE!
“…How long shall it be until the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people , all these things shall be finished” (Da 12:6-7)
From this we learn that the highest power of the holy people was scattered at the time of and as the result of what happened during the 3 1/2 year period. (virtually all prophecies have a dual fulfillment. Some actually appear to take on a reverse meaning in the second fulfillment. This particular prophecy will probably have its literal fulfillment in the 3rd watch and the meaning will be reversed. The scattering of the power of the Holy people in the 3rd watch will probably have to do with dispersing the power of the Holy People when the Marvelous Work begins and the stone rolls forth…more on that in another post)
Old Scratch according to ancient prophecy would overcome them and they would reject the greater light! ! (However,the Lord put the spirit of grace upon the saints until the appointed time for the establishment of Zion came and went)
Time of Nourishing
There is a similar prophecy in the 12th chapter of John that appears to be speaking of the same event wherein the woman (the Church) flees into “HER PLACE” and is nourished from the face of the serpent for 3 ½ years AFTER the apostasy of the New Testament saints yet BEFORE the return of father Adam.
The 3 1/2 year time of nourishing that took place apparently had to do with Pentecostal experiences and other confirming events that took place when the heavens were opened and the Father and the Son were seen by at least two people at the Morley Farm, when Joseph and Sidney saw the father and the son and experienced the vision known as section 76, and when several of the elders received the CONFIRMATION of the highest priesthood (84:42) and also when several of the first laborers of the last kingdom had their names enrolled in the names of the sanctified and recieved the OTHER COMFORTER which if the promise of ETERNAL LIFE. ( 88:1-4)
It is know coincidence that the edowment from on high at the Special Conference and the events documented in sections 76, 84 and 88 all took place during the 3 1/2 year period between June of 1831 and December of 1834.
For a broader contextual understanding of the significance of the 3 1/2 year time of nourishing, do a key word search in modern revelation on THIS PLACE and also on STRONGHOLD see also the context in which the wordNOURISHED is used in the parable in Jacob)
It is amazing to realize that during the 15 year public ministry of Joseph Smith, from 1829 to 1844, the fullness of the gospel only shown forth on the earth for 3 ½ years!
The Commandment to Build Jerusalem
to Messiah the Prince
Another Fascinating prophecy by Daniel has to do with the “commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to Messiah to the Prince”.
We have discussed in a previous post how modern day revelation identifies Kirtland as the modern day Jerusalem.
With this in mind, a commandment was given on August 2nd 1833 in section 94 to “commence the work of laying out and preparing a beginning and foundation of the city“
click on pic to enlarge
For additional information on the above prophecy and the mystical role of Kirtland in ancient prophecy please see the following article.
Joseph Smith taken out of their Midst
& Holy Melchizedek Priesthood Also
I have mentioned in other posts that in my opinion, the official history of the church has been altered and sanitized to hide, down play, and “spin” certain events, portray certain people in a poor light and exalt others in a better light.
Unfortunately, some people and their involvement have virtually been deleted from church history all together.
Back in 1992 when I published “The Apostasy and Redemption of Latter Day Israel“, I was basically summarizing some of my investigative research on the status of the Church and identifying when the apostasy took place in the latter days during the 2nd watch and how it would eventually come out of apostasy in the 3rd watch.
My research had taken me backwards in time beginning with our current modern apostasy era.
After losing a portion of my worldly innocence studying the status of the modern church, from there I went back to the Brigham Young apostasy era and spent considerable time losing a little more of my innocence while researching LDS Fundamentalism.
Eventually I got through that maze and found my way to the Nauvoo apostasy era. After losing a little more of my naiveté and innocence studying section 124 and the events that took place in Nauvoo, finally I ended up at the Kirtland apostasy era.
During my research I was able to identify Kirtland as the originating place and time period of the foundational apostasy from which the following three eras of apostasy sprang forth.
During my study of the Kirtland and Nauvoo eras, I dug deep into the controversial life of Joseph Smith and became very disconcerted.
He became a bit of a stone of stumbling for me and I realized that there were missing pieces of the puzzle regarding Joseph Smith.
Eventually I was led to the missing pieces of the prophet puzzle and was able to understand how the atonement statute in Leviticus 16 was an enactment of the intercessory offering that Gods latter day servants would make in behalf of the restoration saints… and everyone that followed after them…. Including you and I.
During the amazing journey it occurred to me that the church had been downgraded from the fullness of the gospel to the preparatory gospel as typologically depicted in the history of ancient Israel in section 84.
One could replace a few words in the following passage to get a pretty good idea of what happened during the Kirtland-Nauvoo era-
“And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
Now this [Joseph Smith] plainly taught to the [latter day] children of Israel and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;
But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest [during the lds foundation movement] , which rest is the fulness of his glory.
Therefore, he took [Joseph Smith ] out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;
And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;
Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the [Latter day Saints until the seer and the spokesman] should be raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost [at the time of the Marvelous Work in the third watch]….” (See section 84:- minor changes made in the above passages by OWIW)
The Second Great Work must take Place
Once one begins to understand that the fulness of the gospel was taken from the Saints, it becomes apparent that section 110 alludes to the fact that the “Gospel of Abraham” was restored since the fulness of the gospel had been rejected.
Something new had to be done for the salvation of the saints and it involved an intercessory atonement offering and the restoration of the Gospel of Abraham.
As the above mentioned prophesies begin to make sense and one realizes that the fulness of the gospel and fulness of the priesthood were taken from the earth during the Kirtland years, the need for a final restitution of all things begins to make sense.
The servants need to return and bring forth the rest of the records that contain the fullness of the gospel. They need to build the temples in Far West, Nauvoo and Jackson County. They need to give the final warning.
The following excerpts are taken from an interview with David Whitmer.
It was published in the Deseret News on August 16 1878;
Q- When will the temple be built? (referring to Jackson County Temple) A- Right after the great tribulation is over.
Q- What do you mean by that? A- A civil war more bloody and cruel than the rebellion. (first civil war) It will be a smashing up of this nation, about which time the SECOND GREAT WORK has to be done, a work like Joseph did, and the translation of the sealed plates, and peace all over.”
As you can see, the marvelous work is referred to by Whitmer as the “second great work“. He is distinguishing it from the preparatory “foundation work” that took place in the 1800′s.
The second great work comes forth at a time when the hypocritical nation of America is being broken up and civil war results. At this time a second translation of words from the gold plates takes place.
A Second Translation is about to
be Published to the World
As I mentioned in a previous post, the prophecy contained in Isaiah 29 and 2nd Nephi 27 is not even referring to the unsealed portion of the golden plates nor is it referring to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon in the 2nd watch. (except as a shadow, typological fulfillment)
It is specifically referring to the coming forth of the sealed plates in the 3rd watch when the fullness of the gospel and the fullness of the priesthood will be restored to the earth.
click on pic to enlarge
Our Generation Inherited
the Latter day Apostasy!
As I began to understand that the fullness of the gospel had been rejected in Kirtland, it also occurred to me that many of the converts coming into the apostate church after that event, during the Nauvoo era, and all the way down to the present time as well as the generations of Saints born into the church during all four eras of the latter day apostasy, did not actually reject the truth and go into apostasy, rather, they inherited the apostasy.
This is a very important distinction.
Are those of us of this generation that inherited the apostasy from the false traditions of our fathers under that same condemnation as those who actually witnessed the light shine forth at the Morley Farm?
Or do we get some slack since we were not actively participating when the original apostasy took place?
I don’t pretend to know…
Nevertheless, it is a distinction worth noting.
I don’t personally think the best of our generation are any better than the best of the generation Joseph Smith grew up in.
If you are an active Latter-day Saint who is just recently in the process of losing your innocence regarding the current status of God’s church, you have probably been feeling a wide range of emotions.
Perhaps you are still struggling with denial.
Perhaps you feel as if you have lost your personal identity or at least your religious identity.
Perhaps you feel angry.. betrayed.. embarrassed.. shell shocked.. a little shaky?
Perhaps you feel like you need a drink even though you don’t drink.
Perhaps you are ANGRY and want to ask for your membership dues back… perhaps you want to take your marbles and go home.
Perhaps you feel enraged and want to kill somebody. (Figuratively speaking)
Some people who begin studying the latter day apostasy end up losing their faith in God altogether.
While you are going through these emotions and trying to sort things out, it is important to view everyone living in our generation, from your parents and local ward and stake leaders to the general authorities, in the context that we have all inherited the apostasy and false traditions from our forefathers.
There is no individual or group of individuals living in this generation that you can legitimately blame for this current situation.
When the early saints rejected the higher light, God, in his mercy, put blindness over latter day Israel just as he did with ancient Israel after they refused the greater light.
From time to time I see people who are in the process of waking up to a realization of the apostasy who become angry at the church that postulate dark ominous catastrophes that will befall the wicked leadership at any time within the near future.
Such prognostications often reject the necessity for these leaders to be warned by true priesthood messengers and to have the opportunity to repent. They also presuppose that the current leadership and membership of the church has been guilty of rejecting the fulness of the gospel and leading the church into darkness, which is not the case, since the fullness of the gospel has not been on the earth for over 170 years!
This gives us the opportunity to practice charity towards the leaders of the church and others who have not yet awaked to our awful situation.
Once you have lost your innocence and gotten over the initial shock and other emotions, you will begin to gain a very deep appreciation that the grace of God has opened your eyes and begun preparing you for the amazing events that are about to take place in the 3rd watch.
There is an exquisite feeling of comfort in understanding why this crazy world is going through the distressing times it is going through and in understanding how God is going to gather his elect just in the nick of time.
You will undoubtedly begin to desire sharing this information with those you care about as you begin to spiritually discern the signs of the times.
Be sure to listen to the promptings of the spirit when this happens. Some people may not be ready for this information and will not respond very well. There may be others who are ready for it that you will pass over if you are not listening to the spirit.
Reading about the Keys
does not Confer the Keys
The Book of Mormon provides an explanation of what the fulness of the gospel is as it presents the history of an ancient people, but that does not mean that the priesthood keys to administer the fullness of the gospel are here just because we can read about them in a book.
Just because one owns and reads and even understands the Book of Mormon which contains an account of what the fulness of the Gospel is, doesn’t mean that they actually have the fulness of the gospel and have been born of the water and of the fire and of the spirit!
As mentioned in a previous post, one can even hold the keys of the kingdom without actually entering into the kingdom!
Further, the church can lose the fulness of the priesthood and only have the records explaining what the fulness of the priesthood is.
Just as the Protestants don’t have the keys to administer the saving ordinances and don’t enjoy the full gifts of the fullness of the gospel just because they can read about them in the Bible, Mormons have the same dilemma.
The Doctrine and Covenants also provides a record of what the fulness of the Gospel is as revealed to the early saints of this dispensation but that does not mean that the fullness of the gospel is here on the earth today. If it was, you would be seeing the fruits of the fulness of the gospel in the lives of worthy members (See this article for more information about the seven signs that accompany the true and LIVING church)
If the current leadership was guilty of recently rejecting the fullness of the gospel, it is understandable to feel that God might choose to destroy them at any time, HOWEVER you cannot reject something that is not being offered.. something you don’t have access to, therefore, blaming current leaders for our situation may not be an accurate viewpoint in my opinion.
One could surmise that the fulness of the Gospel is plainly before us in the scriptures and therefore everyone living in all four eras of apostasy should have been able to see the deception and will be responsible for living in darkness without knowing it. But I would contend that the higher light has not been on the earth since it was rejected during the Kirtland Era and, according to scripture, God put the blindness over us for our own good, just as he did with ancient Israel.
I would further suggest that just as the fullness of the Gospel and many of the covenants were taken from the Bible and obscured in the eyes of those of the reformation and the churches that sprang from that movement, the fullness of the Gospel has also been obscured from the view of Latter day Saints.
After all, we never brought forth and published the complete inspired version according to Gods commandment and the law contained in section 42 requires us to have that record in order to have the complete law of the Gospel.
Most saints use the same corrupted versions of the Bible that the Protestants use. In fact the official bible of the LDS church is the King James Version. That is a disgrace and an abomination after having had the opportunity to publish the inspired version.
God enabled Joseph to translate the bible and yet it was never published and made available to the saints of that generation because they would not provide the funds to do so after a decade of being admonished to!
Please understand I am not judging the Kirtland Saints more harshly than those of the world wide apostasy of our current generation.
The point is that God has allowed the wheat to be mingled among the tares in the latter days which prevented the righteous portion of the church from bringing forth the inspired version, establishing Zion at the appointed time in the 2nd watch or completing the Nauvoo temple when the saints were given the opportunity to redeem themselves.
Those who would have valiantly established Zion in the 2nd watch had they not be hampered and hindered by the tares, will come forth triumphantly in the 3rd watch. This is true of the righteous of all generations. (see section 86)
Conversely, I believe the small remnant of the truly believing gentiles among us today will be gathered in and will help to establish Zion once the tares have been separated out.
Until the light shines forth again, all members of the church and everyone else are all in the same boat, at the mercy of God to send forth divine deliverance….. leaders, members and non members alike.
The scriptures indicate that all of us living at this time will have the opportunity to be warned by the first elders of the last kingdom and/or their fellow servants when they return BEFORE the consummation hits.
Some people are currently having the blindness that God has put upon latter day Israel slowly begin to be removed regarding the current state of the church. I believe this is because we are getting very very close to the opening up of the Marvelous Work.
Some of us are starting to lose our worldly innocence and blindness that we inherited from the false traditions of our fathers with regard to the general state of things in the church and world. We are beginning to see that the whole world is indeed in apostasy just as Daniel, John and Paul and others prophesied it would be just prior to the start of the last work.
The restoration of priesthood keys and divine deliverance is going to be the solution for those who will repent.
The fact that the grace of God is upon us in beginning to wake us up in this one small area of our spiritual growth is no cause to think that we are actually more enlightened than others in the general scheme of things or that we will have a higher place in the kingdom. Indeed this little awakening may end up being our downfall if we become proud of our knowledge and judgmental of others who are at a different place on the learning curve.
Perhaps the parable of the workers in the field is applicable.
The fact of the matter is that there may still be a great separation among those that believe the Lords servants when they return. A similar event is very possibly going to be taking place that took place in Kirtland. Many of those that embraced the light when it began to shine forth ultimately rejected it and fell.
Will that happen again?
That is one of the serious problems with this awakening that we are experiencing. It may give us a sense of false security thinking we will not stumble and fall when the light shines forth. We may be thinking our newly acquired understanding represents the finish line in the great test when in fact it actually represents the start of the race.
Perhaps we should not assume that because we initially accept the servants that we will remain faithful as they unfold the greater portion of light, when the test really begins. There are many things that will be revealed that will undoubtedly try the souls of men.
Joseph once said,
“We shall by and by learn that we were with God in another world, and had our agency: that we came into this world and have our agency, in order that we may prepare ourselves for a kingdom of glory; become archangels, even the sons of God where the man is neither without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord“.
(The Mormon Hierarchy Pg 623)
Joseph knew of some very deep truths having to do with our eternal progression. He noted that after this probation we will become archangels and be in an eternal state where the man is not without the woman, neither the woman without the man in the Lord.
He knew something about the eternal relationship between the two genders.
He understood how the female gender could become archangels even though the scriptures are silent about female angels and nobody has legitimately ever seen one. (that actually looked like a female)
He understood some deep eternal principles about the composite make up of archangels and Gods and the literal commandment for a man and woman to eventually become one flesh again. This eternal relationship of the male and female genders is something that he could not speak freely about at that time…. He understood it was something the saints would need to learn by and by…
That and other mysteries will no doubt try the souls of men. (for more on that topic see this article )
Keys to enter into the New and Everlasting Covenant VS. the actual Endowment
As you study the latter day apostasy, remember that there is a difference between having the fulness of the gospel in written form as contained in the scriptures, vs having the priesthood authority to administer the saving ordinances of the gospel that allow us to enter into the new and everlasting covenant.
Realize also that there is a difference between having the patriarchal priesthood authority to administer the saving ordinances and enter into the everlasting covenant vs the actual breaking forth of the endowment that is shed forth by the will of the father!
In other words, the keys to enter into the new and everlasting covenant were restored to the earth in 1829 when the patriarchal priesthood was restored by Peter james and John. However, the first documented instance of the actual endowment of the new and everlasting covenant upon the church as a group did not take place until 1831 when the melchizedek priesthood was restored and the heavenly endowment was manifested at the special conference at the Morley Farm.
The precedence for this is given in the New Testament when the apostles who had been baptized and confirmed, were told by the resurrected Lord to tarry in Jerusalem until they received the PROMISE OF THE FATHER which resulted in the Pentecostal endowments.
After the day of Pentecost, the apostles finally could go forth in power!
They had entered into the covenant before the ascension but they did not receive the endowment of the covenant until after the ascension. (more on this later)
We are all at the Mercy
of Divine Deliverance
Until the light shines forth to begin the marvelous work, we are all in the same boat… that includes leaders, members, estranged believers who have left or been kicked out of the church, protestants, Catholics, atheists and heathens.
Those who are among that rather broad group (of everyone) who repent when the light shines forth, and pass the test and make it through the refiners fire, will be gathered out and will help establish Zion, those who don’t will not be gathered out to Zion, or, if they make it to Zion, they will be weighed in the balance and cast out of it.
God will warn the legal lease holders of the vineyard and invite them to repent along with all of the rest of us BEFORE he will destroy those among them and us that reject the fullness of the gospel. It is not clear whether those that he has “let” the kingdom out to has reference to the mortal leaders at the helm when the work first begins or if it refers to the anti-Christ and his fellows that return to deceive, if possible, the very elect.
The scriptures inform us that the light will shine forth among those who sit in darkness first, then, after the gentiles cumulatively reject the light, bringing the times of the gentiles to their fullness, the stone will fall on them and crush them. (see JST Matt 21)
Nevertheless, a remnant of believing gentiles will be gathered in and saved.
The Whore, The Harlots
and the Adulterous Wife
According to scripture, there are basically three general categories of apostate Christianity on the earth in the last days prior to the return of the Lord in glory.
This includes the great church that claims direct priesthood succession from Peter, the protesting factions that broke away from the whore during the reformation, from which virtually all of evangelical Christianity comes from (Protestantism) and finally those of the latter day restored church.
The Lord characterizes these three groups using the following imagery
the WHORE, that claims unbroken succession from Peter
the HARLOTS of the reformation that were spawned by the WHORE, and
the UNFAITHFUL, ADULTEROUS WIFE of the restoration
Those of us who are latter day saints are categorized as the bride of Christ, albeit, at this period, the unfaithful, adulterous wife!
Keep in mind however, that the unfaithful wife is still the wife!
She may have been put away for a while because of her unfaithfulness, but once she has the filthiness removed from her at the appointed time when the filthy clothes are removed from Gods servants and the “resent button” is pushed at the time of the “restitution of all things”, that part of the church that embraces the fullness of the gospel will put on her beautiful garments and enter into the chamber.
“For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.” Isaiah 54
The Seer, Spokesman
and Seven Others
In the previous part of this series we reviewed the remarkable prophecy in Zechariah where the Seer (Branch Prophet) and the Spokesman (Brand Prophet) and seven others of their fellows would come forth and begin the Marvelous Work and a Wonder.
A passage of scripture that may relate to this event is found in section 82 wherein, nine high priests are bound together by a bond and covenant that cannot be broken by transgression except judgment shall immediately follow.
These two groups of people made up the two organizations that had stewardships over the Bishops storehouses for Kirtland and Zion
Edward Partrige……………………….. Zion
Newel K Whitney………………………. Kirtland
Sidney Gilbert……………………………. Zion
Sidney Rigdon……………………………. Kirtland
Joseph Smith……………………………… Kirtland
John Whitme……………………………… Zion
Oliver Cowdery………………………….. Kirtland
WW Phelps………………………………… Zion
Martin Harris……………………………… Kirtland
I bring up these nine servants and the bond they entered into partly to enhance your appreciation of the possible players described in Zechariah and partly to point out that the covenant that Joseph and Oliver entered into in November of 1833 provides proof that these nine mean and the Kirtland and Jackson Saints had failed in their attempt to consecrate by that time.
Of course we don’t know how many if any of these brethren have lost their office and will need to be replaced.
The covenant these men entered into appears to have been at least temporarily broken which necessitated the new covenant between Joseph, Oliver and the Lord.
Daniel refers to the timeframe that the covenant that Joseph and Oliver entered into prior to the dedication and acceptance of the Kirtland temple as “The reconciliation for sins“
What exactly did the restored church apostatize from?
The Fulness of the Gospel which is the Everlasting Covenant!
In my thesis on the apostasy of latter day Israel back in 1992, I never once attempted to define what exactly it was that the church membership apostatized from in Kirtland!
It never even occurred to me to do it.
Among the many deficiencies in that thesis, I consider that to be one of the most significant.
However it really is important to define exactly what it is that we are speaking about because some people may define the apostasy as leaving the established organization while others may define it as rejecting Gods anointed servants, and others may define it as rejecting the spiritual gifts of the gospel, and others my define it as rejecting the true doctrines in favor of unsound doctrines, etc. There are undoubtedly many definitions and components of what apostasy is and many of them apply.
For the purposes of this article I am defining the apostasy as the time when the fullness of the gospel (which is synonymous with the everlasting covenant) was rejected.
Furthermore, even though I was able to identify and document that the Kirtland apostasy was complete by September 11 1836, during the Kirtland era, I never really documented exactly when it was complete nor when it BEGAN!
The reason for this is not because I did not go backwards in time far enough, it was partly because the potentially single most important event from which the apostasy sprang was hidden from my view in the official history of the church!.
It has been underplayed and obscured and spun incorrectly in the official church history books and lesson manuals.
As much as I would love to leave it at that and just play the part of the victim of those well-meaning historical revisionists, there is another reason. It was because I was still in too much darkness to have it revealed to me. Blindness was upon my head and it was not my time to have it taken off. It is only by the grace of God that any of us have these things revealed to us.
It was not until last year when the events at the special conference at the Morley Farm were brought to my attention during the series I did entitled “Searching for the Holy Order and 23 High Priests” that I began to feel like I could see EXACTLY when the later day apostasy BEGAN and WHAT the Saints apostatized from in the ultimate sense!
Joseph Smith had prophesied that the “man of Sin” would be revealed on a predetermined date. He actually foretold that the latter day apostasy as prophesied by the apostle Paul in 2nd Thes. would begin during the special conference that began on June 3rd 1831 and ended on June 6th and was followed by the revelation given on June 7th contained in section 52..
..And it verily did, although it has taken me months to digest what happened after reading about it.
That was the beginning of the cumulative restoration and rejection of the fulness of the Gospel by the latter day gentiles.
The 3 ½ year period appears to have begun at the time of that special conference at the Morley Farm.
It appears to have ended when the law of consecration was broken by both the Kirtland Saints and the Jackson Saints. Shortly after that the bond was broken that had been entered into by the nine high priests, which resulted in Joseph and Oliver entering into a covenant of tithing to enable them to resolve the debts they were left with.
The above 3 ½ year period was the period of time when the light of the fullness of the gospel broke forth and began dividing the church.
Whenever the wheat and tares are combined instead of being separated, the tares usually win.
The greater light was cumulatively rejected by the gentile church.
Even though it was the time the heavens were opened and the greater light descended upon some, it was also the time Paul spoke of when the Man of Sin was revealed and unleashed! It was the time of a blessing and a cursing.
There must be opposing forces in all things.
Yes it is true that the Lord eventually declared the covenant to be broken in sections 104 and 105 linking it to the breaking of the law and covenant of consecration, but their failure to keep that covenant began with their rejection of THE covenant beginning at the special conference.
Section 1 which is given on November 1 1831 acknowledges that the Latter day Saints would fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah and break the everlasting covenant. (See 1:10-15 this reveals that the prophecy of Isaiah was a future event having to do with the latter day saints)
The failure of the Saints to redeem Zion at the appointed time on September 11 1836 clearly identifies that the completion of the apostasy from the fulness of the gospel took place sometime on or before that date and the beginning of the apostasy was at the special conference in 1831.
In early 1834 Joseph Smith encouraged the Saints to prepare to retake the lands in Jackson County that they had been scattered from, however, curiously, it does not appear that he continued with the admonition in 1835 and 1836. He seemed to understand by that time it would not be redeemed in that generation and that something new must be done to nourish and preserve the saints and their posterity until the light would shine forth again in the 3rd watch.
After the Saints failed to redeem Zion by the appointed time and were forced to flee from Kirtland, the prophet Joseph Smith made the following observation several years later when the Saints migrated to Nauvoo.
Please read it very closely several times over… it pretty much says it all,
“We have been chastened by the hand of God heretofore for not obeying His commands… we have treated lightly His commands, AND DEPARTED FROM HIS ORDINANCES, and the Lord has chastened us sore, and we have felt His arm and kissed the rod…“ (History of the Church, 5:65; from “The Government of God,” an editorial published in Times and Seasons, July 15, 1842, p. 857; Joseph Smith was the editor of the periodical.)
Given the huge denial the Saints have been in for four generations, it is hard to believe the above quote from Joseph Smith made it into the official history of the church. I have no doubt that many other similar ominous declarations from him and others were omitted.
Joseph Smith was acknowledging that the transgressions of the Saints and the persecutions and afflictions that forced the Saints to flee from Jackson and eventually Kirtland were caused or at least allowed to happen by the chastening hand of God because the Saints were disobedient in keeping the commandments and the ordinances.
In the above declaration the Prophet was acknowledging that the Saints DEPARTED FROM THE ORDINANCES during the Kirtland apostasy!
What ordinances?
The ordinances of salvation!
The ordinances of the fulness of the Gospel! The everlasting covenant.
But we still have the ordinance of baptism and the associated ordinance of the sacrament, right?
Sure we have changed those ordinances around a little, but we still have them… right?
In this last and final portion of this series I am suggesting that the Saints apostatized from and ultimately REJECTED THE FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL and BROKE THE EVERLASTING COVENANT by departing from the ORDINANCES OF SALVATION during the Kirtland era and I am going to attempt to allude to a much more specific and deeper explanation and definition of what the fullness of the Gospel and its ordinances really are.
It is critical that we understand exactly when the fullness of the gospel light began to shine forth and when it was officially extinguished 3 ½ years later. It is also important to understand that the following time of grace appears to have ended at or shortly after September 11th, 1836, the appointed time for the redemption of Zion.
It is also critical that we understand the status of the inspired version of the bible at the time of the LDS restoration and the part it will play in the reformation and the restoration.
The Bible was Passed through
the Hands of the Whore
One of the ongoing debates between Protestants and Mormons has to do with the status of the Bible. A foundational theme of the LDS restoration movement was that the Bible had come through the hands of the Great Whore and had been corrupted before the reformation ever began.
Conversely, Protestants maintain that the Bible is complete, perfect and infallible.
The Infinity Bible Code The Perfection of Imperfection
I want to share a fascinating video about the Infinity Bible Code that will either bolster your testimony of the LDS restoration and apostasy or perhaps destroy it all together. (this may be a good time to check out if you feel you are still weak in the faith)
In this video Al Neal presents what he refers to as the “INFINITY BIBLE CODE” to members of the prophesy club and shows an amazing numeric testimony embedded within the bible that would appear to provide mathematical evidence that the bible is complete and perfect.
Ironically, he is going to admit within his and other lectures that witches and satanists and those involved in the occult have a much better knowledge of the Bible than most Christians. It is an important part of their religion.
He admits that they use the bible in their own religions and their own religious time-lines!
I would suggest that perhaps his acknowledgment very possibly condemns his own assumptions of what the infinity code is really providing evidence of.
One needs to ask the question, has Satan been involved in the current translations of the Bible and is Satan a master mathematician?
Now, after reviewing the amazing evidence that Al has brought to light, and in the context of his own admission that the forces of darkness and the occult rely heavily upon the Bible for their own religious guidance, let us review what the Book of Mormon teaches us about the history and current status of the Bible-
“And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that they did prosper in the land; and I beheld a book, and it was carried forth among them.
And the angel said unto me: Knowest thou the meaning of the book?
And I said unto him: I know not.
And he said: Behold it proceedeth out of the mouth of a Jew. And I, Nephi, beheld it; and he said unto me: The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save there are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the house of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the Gentiles.
And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God.
Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.
And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.
Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.
And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.”
From the above passages we find that the holy, perfect and infallible word of God was taken and modified and distorted by Satan’s church for the purpose of taking many of the plain precious things out of the book so that the Gentiles would stumble!
Let me ask you a question. If Satan has been smart enough to rule this world during the 6,000 year probation and to bring the whole world into apostasy, was he smart enough to change the Bible so that many of the covenants are taken out of the Book?
And if so, is it possible that he was smart enough to make those changes in such a way as to make it appear that the Bible is mathematically perfect and complete using special numeric codes and principles of gematria?
Could he have massaged the book in such a way as to provide an embedded numeric testimony in it that appears to testify that the current bible translations that came through the hands of the whore is perfect and complete?
We learn from the Book of Mormon that God allowed Satan to take important things out of the Bible. It was to be part of the test in the 2nd and 3rd watches.
Another intriguing possibility regarding the infinity code is that God himself showed forth his majesty in allowing the mathematical gematria to remain in the bible despite the alterations that were made.
This is amazing stuff!
The infinity code is powerful stuff.
The implications of the infinity code are indeed profound.
However with the context that the Book of Mormon provides us concerning the corrupted versions of the bible, there are two completely different messages you can derive from the infinity code presentation depending on how well versed you are in Gods word and in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I don’t doubt that the above presentation may cause some who are weak in the faith to question the restored church. Yet, those of you that feel the power and truthfulness in the above passages in the Book of Mormon will no doubt come away from the infinity code presentation with a much stronger testimony of the gospel and a greater, more sobering appreciation for the craftiness of old scratch and the strong delusion that God has sent upon Israel.
Indeed, the Bible is a mystical document that was originally pure and then came through the hands of the Great and Abominable Church.
The Bible, by itself, is a two edged sword.
Reading the Bible in the context of the Book of Mormon and the D&C brings an astounding dimension to gospel study and the life of Christ and his gospel.
For the humble follower of Christ that is receiving personal revelation and accepts, by personal revelation that the Book of Mormon is true, the bible does in fact provide evidence of the fulness of the Gospel and the LDS restoration movement and that the Book of Mormon is true. It provides many missing pieces of the puzzle.
For those who love darkness rather than light, whether in the occult or any of the flavors of apostate Christianity, it provides a blue print for them as well.
It provides a blueprint for disaster.
(BTW, I sent an email to Al asking him to enter the term “scapegoat” into his infinity code equation to see where it leads him… I was not surprised to NOT get a response back from him… I suspect he did not know how to interpret and react to the results he got! LOL)
Please understand I love the Bible. I am not trying to discredit the incredible information it contains in its current condition as long as the context of the other scriptures is used. I think part six of this series should provide a formidable witness to how much I love the Bible and how much I ponder and study it and how much evidence it provides of the truth.
The Bible still provides amazing truth… God put limitations on the alterations that Satans minions put in it, hence the Catholic Churches attempted to try to prevent the lay membership from having access to it… nevertheless, when it was made available, it effectively not only paved the way for the reformation and eventually the restoration of the gospel, it also opened Pandora’s box among the children of darkness.
And the occult went wild!
One of the purposes of this series is to identify and acknowledge the four phases of the apostasy of the latter day restored church with particular emphasis on the first, original apostasy in Kirtland from which the following three phases grew out of.
By doing so, we can at least begin to lose our worldly naiveté and innocence that comes from darkened minds caused by the false teachings of our fathers and by personal pride and sin.
From a biblical perspective, God caused blindness to come upon Israel because of their stiff necks and unbelief.
This awakening and loss of worldly innocence that I am referring to is a painful one.
Those of you who have been active and faithful members of the restored church, who then began to learn about the latter day apostasy, have no doubt experienced this pain, at least to some extent.
Many of those of you who are very active in the church who have been reading this and/or similar other articles and have, by the grace of God begun to have your innocence lost, have no doubt felt your heart breaking.
That is good.
The acquisition of a broken heart and a contrite spirit is excruciatingly painful but it is necessary and it will enable us to return to a state of true spiritual innocence before God.
If we are going to identify the EXACT time and CIRCUMSTANCES pertaining to when the latter day apostasy really began, we need to identify and define exactly what it was that the restored church apostatized from!
I am going to suggest that according to the scriptures, the latter day church apostatized from and ultimately rejected the FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL.
The exact phrase “fullness of the gospel” or “fullness of the everlasting gospel” or a variation thereof shows up at least eleven times in the scriptures that I am aware of, four times in the Book of Mormon, six times in the D&C and once in the account of Moroni’s visit to Joseph smith.
It never shows up in the Bible!
That is a very significant fact. Let me say that again,
It never shows up in the Bible!
Interestingly, of the 11 passages, most of them are only making reference to the fullness of the Gospel. Only two of them actually summarize what it is.
One definition comes from the Book of Mormon, the other comes from the last testimony of the Seer and the Spokesman as contained in section 76.
We will review some of these verses in this part of the series because understanding this phrase is critical if we are going to understand when, how and why the latter day apostasy took place.
According to the book of Mormon, the Bible originally contained the fullness of the Gospel when it went forth in purity but the great church perverted it and took many plain and precious parts of the gospel out of it.
When the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, he informed him that there was a book deposited in the ground that contained the fulness of the gospel as given to the Nephites by the Savior.
“He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants“; (ref #1…..)
The church often teaches that the purpose of the Book of Mormon is to be a second witness to the Bible.
That is certainly true, however if they are referring the King James Version of the Bible which is currently the official Bible endorsed and published by the church, it is a misleading statement because it implies that both books of scripture contain the fullness of the gospel.
They don’t.
Only the Book of Mormon does.
Another scripture in modern revelation is also confusing and misleading if not properly understood, it is contained in section 42,
“And again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.”
It is easy to assume that the above passage is saying that the corrupted King James and other contemporary versions of the bible contain the fullness of the gospel as well as the Book of Mormon, however, as we will see in a minute, that would contradict what the Book of Mormon teaches.
The book of Mormon teaches that the fullness of the gospel was taken out of the Bible when it passed through the hands of the Great Church which is the Whore.
With that in mind, it becomes apparent that the above verse is either saying that the corrupted bible and the Book of Mormon contain the fullness of the gospel when read jointly
Or, another possible interpretation is that it could be referring to the Bible in its original condition which Joseph Smith was currently working on restoring through the process of translation.
Notice a few verses later in section 20 how it refers to the “fullness of the scriptures” which are forthcoming,
“And all this ye shall observe to do as I have commanded concerning your teaching, until the fulness of my scriptures is given“
The fullness of the scriptures appears to be speaking about the Joseph Smith translation of the Bible that Joseph Smith was currently working on and possibly the additional words contained in the sealed portion.
Notice also the following passages that show up even later in the same section,
Thou shalt ask, and my scriptures shall be given as I have appointed, and they shall be preserved in safety;
And it is expedient that thou shouldst hold thy peace concerning them, and not teach them until ye have received them in full. And I give unto you a commandment that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people.
We know from this that Joseph Smith and the first elders were commanded not to teach from the Joseph Smith Translation, otherwise known as the inspired version of the Bible until they could be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people.
Hence, the Saints would need to provide the means for financing the publishing of the inspired version of the Bible before the fullness of the Gospel contained in it could be taught to the church and the whole world.
It is interesting to note that even though the specific, detailed “definition” and “how to” pertaining to the fullness of the gospel was taken out of the Bible, once you have found out what the fullness of the Gospel really is, you can very easily use the Bible to document what it is even though the original plainness and clarity of it has been taken out.
In other words, even though the Bible does not explain the fullness of the gospel in detail, it does provide several accounts that contain the various elements and fruits of the fullness of the Gospel and it documents that it existed back then.
You may be thinking that you already know what the phrase fullness of the Gospel means, but I am going to suggest that there might be a deeper, more detailed definition that is very important to understand.
Notice the following statement about the prophesying of Lehi,
Wherefore, he said it must needs be that we should be led with one accord into the land of promise, unto the fulfilling of the word of the Lord, that we should be scattered upon all the face of the earth.
And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive-tree, or the remnants of the house of Israel, should be grafted in, or come to the knowledge of the true Messiah, their Lord and their Redeemer. (2nd ref: 1st Nephi 1:10)
The above passages are somewhat cryptic if you don’t understand the doctrine of the three watches.
I have been harping on the fact in other posts that after the apostasy in Kirtland, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that “something new must be done for the salvation of the Church” and then the apostles were sent to establish foreign missions and to take the gospel to the dispersed of Judah and the outcasts of Israel. Since then many tens of thousands of the house of Israel have gathered to America and to the church.
HOWEVER, it was the priesthood power and gifts of the preparatory gospel, also possibly referred to as the gospel of Abraham that was taken to foreign missions at that time in the second watch, the fullness of the Gosepl of Christ was only spoken about in those missionary efforts!
The above passages in the Book of Mormon are referring to the time when the light of the fulness of the gospel shines forth again among the gentiles in the 3rd watch. At that time the first laborers of the last kingdom return and the rest of the house of Israel will be grafted in!
We need to ask ourselves, did the gentiles as a group ultimately receive the fullness of the gospel in the 2nd watch or did they as a group ultimately reject the fullness of the gospel in the 2nd watch?
Notice the following passages in 3rd Nephiti-
And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them. (3rd ref: 3 Ne. 16: 10)
The above passages seem to be saying that in the second watch the gentiles will reject the fullness of the gospel when it is offered to them and therefore the Father will take the fullness of the gospel from them. It could be referring to the entire day of the gentiles… from the first watch to the 3rd watch, for indeed it appears that the majority of gentiles will reject the fulness of the gospel in the 3rd watch as well! (However we do know that a portion of the righteous gentiles will become established in the fulness of the gospel.)
As painful as it is to admit, the above passages are directed more towards the believing gentiles than the unbelieving gentiles. They are referencing the gentiles that first begin to receive the light and then sin against it.
This is further verified later in 3rd Nephi. Notice the chronology of events contained in the following passages.
First the gentiles receive power from the Holy Ghost that makes them mighty above all nations unto the scattering and scourging of the remnants of this land.
Secondly, the gentiles receive the fullness of the Gospel
Thirdly the gentiles harden their hearts.
Fourth, the Father returns their iniquities upon their own heads. .
And after that ye were blessed then fulfilleth the Father the covenant which he made with Abraham, saying: In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed—unto the pouring out of the Holy Ghost through me upon the Gentiles, which blessing upon the Gentiles shall make them mighty above all, unto the scattering of my people, O house of Israel.
And they shall be a scourge unto the people of this land. Nevertheless, when they shall have received the fulness of my gospel, then if they shall harden their hearts against me I will return their iniquities upon their own heads, saith the Father. (4th ref: 3 nephi 20)
Clearly, the gentiles that sin against the gospel are the believing gentiles that initially receive it, not the gentiles that refused to receive it.
This ominous sequence of events is further confirmed in the following passages in 1st Nephi where it clarifies that the final grafting in of the house of Israel into the true fold of God is represented as the gentiles who bring the fullness of the gospel to them. These events obviously did not take place in the 2nd watch, they are to take place in the 3rd watch when the first laborers of the last kingdom return and begin the Marvelous Work.
13 And now, the thing which our father meaneth concerning the grafting in of the natural branches through the fulness of the Gentiles, is, that in the latter days, when our seed shall have dwindled in unbelief, yea, for the space of many years, and many generations after the Messiah shall be manifested in body unto the children of men, then shall the fulness of the gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed—
14 And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.
15 And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and their salvation? Yea, at that day, will they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? (5th ref: 1st Nephi 15:13)
From the above passages and others we learn that during the 2nd watch the gospel taken from the gentiles because they rejected it. However in the 3rd watch a righteous portion of the gentiles will repent and accept the fulness of the gospel. They will then take it to the other remnants of the house of Israel.
The Gentiles- In the 2nd watch it is taken from them… in the 3rd watch it is restored to them and they take it to the rest of the world!
Many assume that all of the gentiles during the 3rd watch will reject the gospel and have it taken from them and that the remnants of the Nephites will then take over and administer the gospel and take it to the world but this is clearly not the case. It is in fact the first elders of the last kingdom who are identified among the gentiles that will successfully return and administer and deliver the fulness of the gospel to the gentiles nations and to all other remnants of Israel.
In a sense it is really a matter of semantics in that the Book of Mormon tells us that the righteous believing gentiles are the covenant people of the Lord, so regardless of whether you choose to refer to the first laborers of the last kingdom that return, as gentiles, Israel, the sons of Jacob or Ephraim, it is still those who were classed among the gentiles that will return, repent, and administer the gospel. They will take it to the gentiles first and then to the other remnants of Israel. (See also D&C 90:6-10)
The ACTUAL Fruits of the Fullness of the Gospel VS. the Description in the Written Word.
So far, every passage we have observed has been speaking about the fullness of the Gospel, yet none of them have provided a detailed definition of what the fullness of the gospel is.
Here is another very important passage that references the fullness of the gospel, yet is simply stating that the Bible, in its original form contained the fullness of the Gospel.
24 And the angel of the Lord said unto me: Thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fulness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God. (Ref #6 1 Ne. 13: 24)
Again we have a passage that is only speaking about the fullness of the gospel, not defining what it is!
By the way as mentioned previously, the fact that a person or group of people have the uncorrupted bible or the book of Mormon and can read about how the fullness of the Gospel once existed among an ancient people, or even read a detailed description of what the fullness of the Gospel is, does not mean that they themselves actually have it, or that they have the authority to administer the ordinances thereof.
Reading about the fullness of the Gospel is not the same as having actuated the fullness of the gospel endowment.
This is the shaky foundation that Protestantism finds itself on.
The subtle implication is that the Protestants got their authority to preach and administer the Gospel and enjoy the fruits thereof either through the act of protesting against the corrupt gospel and the whore, or by virtue of the fact that they have the bible and can read about the Gospel.
NOT!
Furthermore, they can’t even read about the fullness of the Gospel in their bible because the plain explanation of what it is has been taken out! The key to extracting that veiled information out of the Bible is contained in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon.
We understand from the Book of Mormon that the Bible actually no longer contains a clear description of what the fullness of the gospel really is. Let us continue reading from where the last passage left off,
25 Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the Gentiles, according to the truth which is in God.
26 And after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
27 And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.
28 Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.
29 And after these plain and precious things were taken away it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the nations of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity, thou seest—because of the many plain and precious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the children of men, according to the plainness which is in the Lamb of God—because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceedingly great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.” (1st Nephi 13)
We have been conditioned to think that many plain and precious parts of the bible have been taken out in general but according to the above passages, the more poignant point being made is the many plain and precious parts of the FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL (verse 24) and OF THE GOSPEL OF THE LAMB (verse 29) have been taken out of the bible.
From this we understand that one cannot even gain an understanding of what the fullness of the gospel is from reading the bible….
but even if the Bible still did contain a complete description of all of the covenants and ordinances of the fullness of the gospel, it would still be incapable of empowering people with the fullness of the gospel without the literal restoration of priesthood by God and/or angels because priesthood authority is not conferred simply through the reading of a Book and by an intellectual understanding of what the necessary covenants and ordinances of the gospel are.
Reading about the ordinances of the gospel and reading about those who were authorized to administer them does not transfer priesthood authority and power to the reader.
Notice how the revelation that Oliver received known as section 20 makes the distinction between the fullness of the gospel in the written word, in the Book of Mormon, vs the priesthood authority which is ordained by God, angels and humans to actually administer the fullness of the Gospel-
1 The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April—
2 Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church;
3 And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand;
4 And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever. Amen.
5 After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world;
6 But after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy angel, whose countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness;
7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him;
8 And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon;
9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;
10 Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them—
11 Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old;
12 Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen. (Ref 7 section 20)
Ok, there is a difference between the fulness of the Gospel as contained in the written word, vs being ordained to the priesthood authority to administer the fullness of the Gospel.
Now that we understand that the fullness of the gospel is no longer contained in the bible, we are ready to better understand why many of the great biblical scholars at the time of the restoration movement did not comprehend the spiritual baptism that must attend the baptism of water.
The Baptism of Water Fire and the Holy Ghost
Prior to the legal restoration of the church in 1830 while Joseph Smith was meeting yearly with the angel Moroni and eventually translating the Book of Mormon, Sidney Rigdon and his long time associate Alexander Campbell were involved in a ministry of their own.
Both Rigdon and Campbell had become known as formidable biblical scholars and both of them were having a formidable impact on Protestantism in America.
Little did they know that they would eventually have a huge theological parting of the ways and become great adversaries of each other.
Even before Rigdon accepted the restored gospel, he had a theological falling out with Campbell.
Rigdon believed that the gift of prophesy and all of the other spiritual gifts enjoyed by the Saints in the New Testament needed to be restored in the latter days.
Campbell believed that the spiritual and Pentecostal phenomena of New Testament times only had to do with that dispensation and would not return to the earth in the latter days.
While Rigdon’s conversion to Mormonism played an invaluable role in lending credibility to the church since he was a highly esteemed biblical scholar who maintained that there was doctrinal congruency between the bible and Book of Mormon, Alexander Campbell went on to become perhaps the greatest doctrinal adversary of Joseph Smith and the restored Church.
Although there were apostates that left the church and enemies from the outside that fabricated stories and did things to thwart the work of God, arguably, Alexander Campbell did more damage to the growth of the kingdom than any other individual from a antagonistic theological and scholarly point of view.
Many people were able to justify their decisions to reject the gospel message based on the strength of written and verbal diatribes generated by the revered Campbell.
He was relentless in his doctrinal criticisms of the restoration movement.
It appears to me that one of the main issues that he argued was that the ordinance of baptism was limited to what the bible clearly refers to in the following declaration.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned.”
Campbell took issue with the belief that a discernible spiritual baptism (rebirth), brought about by the laying on of hands, was necessary to accompany water baptism. He also challenged the notion that the spiritual gifts mentioned in the bible were a necessary part of the Lords church in the latter days. (to get a better idea of what Campbell taught you can read a fascinating debate on this topic involving one of his disciples and a believer in the LDS restoration here)
It is in this context that in 1843, in the middle of the funeral sermon, Joseph Smith publically lashed out at Alexander Campbell with the following question,
“Alexander Campbell how are you going to save people with water only?”
The doctrinal disconnect between Joseph Smith and Alexander Campbell was caused by virtue of the fact that Campbell considered the Bible to be complete and without error and it did not clearly specify a mandatory secondary spiritual baptism, nor did it clearly establish that such a spiritual baptism must be initiated by the laying on of hands.
Notice how the revelation given to Sidney Rigdon on the first day he met Joseph Smith states,
“Behold, verily, verily, I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works. I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work.
Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and before Elijah which should come, and thou knewest it not.
Thou didst baptize by water unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost;
But now I give unto thee a commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and they shall receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, even as the apostles of old.”
Notice how the Lord quickly jumps to a prophesy about the third watch in that revelation to Sidney-
“And it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the Gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people.
For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name.
And whoso shall ask it in my name in faith, they shall cast out devils; they shall heal the sick; they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, and the lame to walk.
And the time speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men;”
Now look closely at how curious the following passage in this same revelation to Sidney is,
“And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fulness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this generation.”
Read the above passage several times.
It is curious.
It is telling the existing church membership and the world at large that the fullness of the Gospel has already been sent forth on the one hand, yet it does not indicate that anyone has received the fullness of the Gospel yet. It simply says blessed are those who are READY to receive it.
In other words, many people had been baptized by water and received the ordinance of the laying on of hands, and they had the Book of Mormon which provides a detailed description of the fullness of the gospel, but none of them had received the second part of baptism. None of them had been endowed with power from on high and become born of the spirit.
These passages are setting the stage for the significance of the Special Conference at the Morley Farm that would be taking place about six months AFTER this revelation is given when the fullness of the gospel would be manifest in the eyes of the priesthood body of the church that would gather to the special conference.
Blessed are those who are READY to receive it.
The first two priesthoods that had already been restored to the earth had the power and authority to baptize with water and administer the laying on of hands. HOWEVER, the second spiritual part of baptism which is called the baptism of FIRE, which is also referred to as the PROMISE OF THE FATHER had not yet been given to the church membership since the church had been legally organized nor had the third part of baptism wherein the Father sends the Holy Ghost to dwell in the heart of the recipient and seal them up unto eternal life.
It was Gods intention for this spiritual endowment to take place in a group setting at the special conference similar to the day of Pentecost in New Testament times.
It took David Whitmer and several others of the first elders by surprise when Joseph Smith received a revelation January of 1831 telling the church that all of the members of the church who had been baptized and confirmed were still corrupted and needed to gather to the Ohio to receive the LAW and to be endowed with power from on high! (see section 38)
In section 41 the Lord warns the Saints that he is getting ready to give them the LAW and that it would result in a blessing to those who accept it and a cursing to those who reject it.
After arriving in Ohio, the Lord gave the revelation containing the Law of the Gospel on Feb 9th 1831. It is also referred to as the law of the Church, containing the law of consecration and the marital law of monogamy. (see section 42)
Later that month the Lord gave a commandment for the elders of the church to assemble. The promise was that God would Pour out is Spirit upon those who were faithful and exercise faith in Christ (see section 44)
Do you see a type here?
Remember in Acts chapter one how the apostles who had been baptized, confirmed and ordained spent 40 days with the resurrected Lord and yet just before Christ’s ascension into heaven he commanded them to tarry in Jerusalem until they received power from on high-
THE former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
The apostles had been baptized and had received the laying on of hands (or been breathed on by the Lord) but they had not yet received the PROMISE OF THE FATHER which is contained in the FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL!
They were commanded to tarry in Jerusalem and wait for the day of Pentecost when God would pour out his spirit and baptize them with fire and the Holy Ghost!
This endowment was called the PROMISE OF THE FATHER!
From this we realize that the special conference at the Morley farm was to be the appointed day of Pentecost in the latter days where the promise of the Father would be realized by the faithful while those who rejected it would be cursed!
Lets read further in the book of Acts,
AND when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (is there a type her?)
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
We read further how the endowment of power from on high brought about a great conversion by those who witnessed it. We also read how it was associated with the doctrine of having all things in common and how it was accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Truly the apostles and converts did receive power from on high from the promise of the Father and the pouring out of the holy ghost.
This was the endowment that Christ wanted the apostles to receive before they went forth preaching the gospel.
We read in the next chapter of Acts about the amazing priesthood power that the apostles had as a result of the baptism of fire and the holy Ghost,
“NOW Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
That is an example of the power that comes when the second two parts of baptism are received. That is the fullness of the Gospel!
That endowment of power is what was being offered to the elders of the Church at the special conference at the Morley Farm!
But Joseph had also prophesied that the “man of sin would be revealed” as well.
It is evident from historical records (see the following series of articles for additional info) that Joseph Smith was prophesying that the apostasy of the restored church as contained in 2nd Thes. would begin at the latter day, day of Pentecost because of those whose minds were darkened that would deny the experience.
Truly a blessing and a cursing did begin to take place at the special conference at the Morley Farm and it continued for 3 ½ years.
For a duration of 3 ½ years, those who were called to be high priests along with all other saints, were given the opportunity to accept the greater light of the fulness of the gospel or reject it. According the historical and scriptural accounts, some accepted it while the majority rejected it.
Some people like Lyman Wight, Sidney rigdon and Joseph Smith did receive the promise of the Father on that occasion and have the heavens opened and according to sections 84 and 88 they went on to have the covenant of the Father conferred upon them (84:48) and to receive the other comforter of the Holy Ghost which is the PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE. (88:3-5).
Unfortunately, it appears that many began to question the validity of the experience and denied what had happened. David Whitmer became an outspoken critic of what had taken place at the Morley Farm!
Jealousy eventually broke out among many of the newly ordained high priests when they failed to see the face of God. Seeing the face of God is one of the promises contained in the fullness of the gospel to those who are faithful.
Some of these men became darkened in their minds and rejected the light that had shined forth because of the fears in their hearts and jealousies towards their brethren. (see section 67)
The Old Testament prophecy of Moses about the latter days had come to pass. The blessing and the cursing had begun.
An understanding of what took place at the special conference and the typology of the meridian apostles and the day of Pentecost is helpful in understanding what the fullness of the gospel is and how and when it was rejected by the Saints of the latter days.
Within the same month that the blessing and the cursing of the fulness of the gospel was initiated at the Morley Farms some of the newly ordained high priests broke the everlasting covenant they had entered into. Others broke their covenants during the months and years to come.
During that same month that the special conference took place, the Lord revealed that some of the high priests had kept the everlasting covenant that they had entered into while others had broken it,
“BEHOLD, thus saith the Lord, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, even he who was crucified for the sins of the world—
Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, my servant Newel Knight, you shall stand fast in the office whereunto I have appointed you.
And if your brethren desire to escape their enemies, let them repent of all their sins, and become truly humble before me and contrite.
And as the covenant which they made unto me has been broken, even so it has become void and of none effect.
And wo to him by whom this offense cometh, for it had been better for him that he had been drowned in the depth of the sea.
But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy.” (see section 54)
FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL IS SYNONOMOUS WITH EVERLASTING COVENANT
Modern revelation informs us that the everlasting covenant is synonymous with the fullness of the gospel.
“Verily I say unto you, blessed are you for receiving mine everlasting covenant, even the fulness of my gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old.” ( D&C 66: 2 see also D&C 101: 39)
In October the Lord revealed that the fulness of the gospel is synonymous with the EVERLASTING COVENANT and tells William McLellin he is blessed for receiving it,
“BEHOLD, thus saith the Lord unto my servant William E. McLellin—Blessed are you, inasmuch as you have turned away from your iniquities, and have received my truths, saith the Lord your Redeemer, the Savior of the world, even of as many as believe on my name.
2 Verily I say unto you, blessed are you for receiving mine everlasting covenant, even the fulness of my gospel, sent forth unto the children of men, that they might have life and be made partakers of the glories which are to be revealed in the last days, as it was written by the prophets and apostles in days of old.”
This is incredible!
We know from this and other passages that the following passage from Isaiah is speaking about the rejection of the fullness of the gospel and the everlasting covenant that was established in the latter days beginning with the special conference at the Morley Farm,
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isa 24)
This ties the ominous pronouncement above with the prophecies in the Book of Mormon that the gentiles would reject the fulness of the gospel!
The following passages are quoted often in articles about the apostasy of the church and was even quoted by President Benson but unfortunately most people quoting them are clueless to the fact they have specific reference to the rejection of the NEW [AND EVERLASTING] COVENANT of the FULNESS OF THE GOSPEL, even the light that began to shine forth at the Morley Farm, which is clearly outlined in the Book of Mormon!
And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— [He is speaking specifically to the newly ordained high priests who have doubted the significance of the events that took place at the Morley Farm when the endowment associated with their baptismal covenants was being offered by the FATHER to those who were faithful and believing]
Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.
And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all.
And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written—
Interestingly, even though the church was to remain under the condemnation the servants of God being addressed in this revelation appear to be forgiven at that time-
“For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.”
(The promise of forgiveness based on the associated commandment has a dual fulfillment! The literal, final fulfillment of it comes in the 3rd watch. We know this because those first elders being addressed never went into all of world with the fullness of the gospel at that time as commanded! Those passages actually detail how the Marvelous Work begins with the servant and his fellows being forgiven and sent forth with the fulness of the gospel when they return!)
But getting back to Alexander Campbell, during my mission in the Bible Belt, as I would debate with church of Christ preachers they would continuously quote the following couplet that I believe was originated by Alexander Campbell,
“Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent“
On the other hand, Joseph Smith was teaching that the bible was not complete and that some things were missing from it.
He taught that water baptism was not complete by itself.
As previously mentioned, according to the Book of Mormon, the Bible had originally contained the fulness of the Gospel when it originally went forth in purity however after going through the hands of the great and abominable church, many plain and precious truths and covenants had been taken out of it.
Have you ever wondered what exactly was removed from the Bible?
Lets review a passage from the Book of Mormon,
“…they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.
Can you identify what the “many covenants” are that pertain to the Gospel of the Lamb?
Three Baptismal Covenants Constitute the Full baptism
I will now provide three separate quotes from the prophet Joseph smith wherein he taught that the baptismal covenant is composed of three separate covenants-
I am now going to provide you with three separate quotes by Joseph smith when he emphasized that the full baptism consists of three baptismal covenants-
Now lets go back to the King Follett funeral sermon and read a little broader portion of Joseph Smiths declaration again.
“Alexander Campbell, how are you going to save them with water alone? For John said his baptism was nothing without the baptism of Jesus Christ. There is one God, one Father, one Jesus, one hope of our calling, one baptism all these three baptisms only make one. I have the truth and am at the defiance of the world to contradict me if they can. I have now preached a little Latin, a little Hebrew, Greek, and German; and I have fulfilled all. I am not so big a fool as many have taken me to be. The Germans know that I read the German correctly.?”
There you have the first quote.
Joseph Smith nailed it down in that funeral sermon. He succinctly identified one of the doctrines that had been taken from the Bible pertaining to the fulness of the gospel. He shows that there are multiple covenants associated with the fullness of the gospel as stated in the Book of Mormon!
The true baptism is composed of a three part covenant made to three separate and distinct Gods that mystically make up one God.
According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Baptismal covenant is more than just the baptism by water.
He went on to clarify that the full baptism is actually three baptismal covenants that make up the complete ordinance.
Baptism of water only represents one of three baptisms that make up the complete baptismal covenant!
Alexander Campbell did not accept this because this doctrine was clearly explained in the corrupted bible.
Here is a second documented quote from Joseph Smith as recalled by Daniel Tyler, demonstrating that Joseph taught the doctrine of the three part baptism
“Here we have baptism with water, baptism with the Holy Ghost, and baptism with fire, three in number…. Joseph Smith… said, there is but one baptism; it takes the baptism of water, of the Holy Ghost, and of fire to constitute one full baptism” (They knew the Prophet” Page 51)
From the above account we can see that Joseph interpreted all of the scriptures that speak of the baptism of water, fire and Holy Ghost as referring to three distinct portions of the baptismal covenant!
Now for the third quote that become apparent now that we know that the “fullness of the gospel” is synonymous with the term “everlasting covenant”-
“An Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth, and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth; these personages, according to Abraham’s record, are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the witness or Testator.“ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.190 Extracts from Wm Clayton’s Private Book, 10-11, Nuttall collection, BYU Library].
That is amazing!
Joseph Smith was using the Book of Abraham to illustrate that the baptismal covenant represented three covenants with the three pre-existent Gods that presided over our creation and this probation!
He even alludes to who the third member of the Godhead is that we are covenanting with!
Three baptisms that make up one baptism
Three covenants that make up one covenant
I always thought it was curious how the Bible and Book of Mormon refer to being baptized unto Christ and being baptized in the name of Christ, yet instead of the actual wording of the ordinance saying “I baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ…” it says, “I baptize you in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost“.
In other words, I baptize you in the name of the Father who you make covenant with, and also in the name of the Son who you make a covenant with and I baptize you in the name of the Holy Ghost who make a covenant with.
These three Gods constitute one God!
Don’t you just love how the scriptures continually alternate back and forth in reminding us that the mystery of God incorporates the distinctness and interaction between the three members of the Godhead and yet the oneness and singleness of the Godhead?
According to Joseph Smith and the scriptures he was instrumental in bringing forth a knowledge of the mystical triune of the Godhead which requires a mystical covenant with each member of the trinity!
From this we can see that when the Book of Mormon speaks of the baptism of water and of fire and of the Holy Ghost, it is literally speaking of the three parts of baptism!
Water- Christ the Son
Fire- God the Father
Holy Ghost
Hence, if you have not received the promise of the Father previously described, you have not received the full baptismal endowment!
One of the best descriptions of what the fullness of the Gospel is, is found in section 76
Elaborate on the significance of why the testimony of Joseph and Sidney in 76 becomes THE LAST TESTIMONY.
It is because this was the last witness to the world under the influence of the spirit by which the complete definition of what the fullness of the gospel really is, was given!
The fullness of the gospel is a brief explanation of what is required to come forth in the resurrection of the just.
15 For while we were doing the work of translation, which the Lord had appointed unto us, we came to the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth chapter of John, which was given unto us as follows—
16 Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice of the Son of Man:
17 And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust.
50 And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just—
51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given—
52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;
53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.
That is it right there.
Covenant with Christ being buried in the water after the manner of his example
Promise of the Father resulting in Fire
Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise- calling and election-
Three baptisms that make one baptism
Once a person has received the full complete three part baptism, they have the POWER FROM ON HIGH.
Have you received power from on high?
How many people in your ward have received power from on high?
How many people in the church have you met that have received power from on high with the appointed signs following them?
Once we know what the commandments and ordinances of the fullness of the Gospel are, we need to identify the fruits of the true church that has the fullness of the gospel.
We have already covered this in the following blog post entitled the Exclusivity of Priesthood and the Seven Signs of the True Church but we need to briefly review the seven fruits that always accompany the Lords Church when they have the fullness of the Gospel
Seven fruits of the True Church
Interestingly, Christ actually gave such a list of how we can recognize the true church.
It focused on fruits and power.
He gives this list three times in the scriptures.
First He gave it to the New Testament Saints so that they could easily identify who the true believers of Christ’s church were. (Mark 16)
Secondly, He gave it to the Nephites so that they could identify who the true believers in Christ really were. (3rd Nephi)
Finally, He gave it to the Saints in modern revelation so that we who are waiting for the messengers to return in the 3rd watch will know how to identify the true servants and the true believers in Christ. (Section 84)
In all three passages referenced above in the Bible, Book of Mormon and D&C he begins by commanding his servants to take and preach the gospel into all the world. (possibly a veiled reference to the fact that all three groups of apostles will be returning in the 3rd watch to literally fulfill the commandment to take the gospel into ALL THE WORLD)
Here are the points contained in his list that identifies how to identify the true followers of Christ that constitute the true and living church,
They believe
They are baptized (with the full, complete three part baptism)
They cast out devils
They speak with new tongues
They take up serpents with out getting hurt
They drink any deadly thing without getting hurt
They lay hands on the sick and they recover (power over the elements)
In giving us the points by which we might identify the true and living church, Christ was focusing not just on the primary belief in Christ and the primary ordinance of the gospel, but also on the associated POWER and FRUITS that always accompany the fulness of the Gospel and those who embrace it.
Notice that 5 of the 7 points had to do with Melchizedek priesthood POWER over devils, poison and, sickness.
Please remember the above seven fruits because we need to understand this to identify when the fullness of the Gospel shines forth in the Marvelous Word that is about to come forth.
This concludes this series on losing ones innocence during the process of waking up to the various phases of the latter day apostasy although I will be posting an appendix showing a Brief Chronology of Events Pertaining to the Latter-day Apostasy.
The Chronology of Events that I will be posting will show a pattern that testifies of the information contained in this series. The events listed are taken from historical documents and passages from modern revelation .
It is so critical that we understand that we have not received the full gospel endowment until we have received the baptism of fire which is associated with the promise of the Father. The endowment is not complete until we have been sealed up by the Holy Spirit of Promise which is sent by the Father.
We need to be watching for the signs of the times and also the the signs that follow the true servants that will be returning and the true believers that heed their words and are gathered out.
Connecting the dots pertaining to just how huge this ongoing oil spill really is.
It is being greatly underplayed in the mainstream media just how catastrophic this problem really is….
This is probably the largest man-caused pollution in the history of the world and they have absolutely no proven way of solving the problem. Most of the ideas that are powerful enough to move the ocean floor enough to cover it back up would potentially make the problem much worse.
They are literally frantically trying to INVENT a solution for this problem as the clock ticks and the fish die, the oil spreads and approaches the coasts and the ocean turns blood red..
[update The British Petroleum oil spill is threatening the entire eastern half of the North American continent with "total destruction," reports say.
An ominous report by Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources warned of the impending disaster resulting from the British Petroleum (BP) oil and gas leak in the Gulf of Mexico, calling it the worst environmental catastrophe in all of human history, the European Union Times reported.
Russian scientists believe BP is pumping millions of gallons of Corexit 9500, a chemical dispersal agent, under the Gulf of Mexico waters to hide the full extent of the leak, now estimated to be over 2.9 million gallons a day.
Experts say Corexit 9500 is a solvent four times more toxic than oil.
The agent, scientists believe, has a 2.61ppm toxicity level, and when mixed with the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, its molecules will be able to “phase transition.”
This transition involves the change of the liquid into a gaseous state, which can be absorbed by clouds. The gas will then be released as “toxic rain” leading to “unimaginable environmental catastrophe” destroying all life forms from the “bottom of the evolutionary chart to the top,” the report said. ]
In part one we reviewed a deeper, contextual interpretation of Malachi 3:1 based on the fact that the previous two chapters were identifying ancient and latter day Israel as being in an apostate condition;
“..the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the [false] covenant, whom ye delight in.”
As we can see from a deeper, contextual interpretation of Malachi 3, it hardly makes sense that an apostate people are delighting in the true covenant… obviously, they would be delighting in a false covenant…
In part two we reviewed the hard reality that the accepting of a false covenant by the Saints in the 2nd watch followed the breaking of the everlasting covenant that had been revealed and ultimately rejected by the church collectively during the 2nd watch,
Isaiah reveals that the true Covenant would be broken by latter day Israel. Additional related scriptures reveal that an atonement offering would be made by the Seer, the Spokesman and others that would prolong the days of latter day Israel on the earth until the 3rd watch shines forth, similar to the atonement that Moses and Aaron made anciently for Israel. Nevertheless, because the reestablishment of the everlasting covenant will largely be rejected during the 3rd watch as well, the earth is defiled and during the 3rd watch, the curse goes forth and the inhabitants of the earth are burned;
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” Isa 24
Of course, as with virtually all prophecies, the one above has a dual fulfillment. The everlasting covenant was rejected in the 2nd watch and many will reject it again in the 3rd watch when the Marvelous Work begins and the fulness of the scriptures are brought forth, nevertheless, a remnant will repent and be pulled out in the 3rd watch BEFORE the final judgments hit.
Isaiah prophesied about the refuge of lies that would need to be swept away and the false covenant that would need to be disannulled as the Lord begins his marvelous work, his strange work, even his strange Act;
“Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act” Isaiah 28
Again, as we reviewed in the first and second parts of this series we find that things are not always as they appear in the scriptures from a surface reading, hence the admonition to “search” the scriptures…. for the hidden treasures.
We know that Satan will possesses the vessels of wicked men in the last days and will work through them to deceive people.
He will do this using a false covenant/endowment involving signs and tokens and, eventually, lying wonders.
He will do this with a false covenant which is after the manner of the covenant that Satan and Cain originally entered into. This covenant will be a sign and token of the secret combinations that rule the governments and economies of the world as well as the religions of the world. The secret handshake of the secret societies is being swapped between bankers, politicians, those wearing the black robes in the judicial system and those wearing the white robes in various religions across the world.
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According to ancient prophecy, apostate Israel will have been seduced into a false covenant before the man of sin returns and makes his final appearance.
One cannot defend themselves from the enemy and his devices if one does not know who the enemy is and what his devices are.
In 1831 section 38 warned the Saints that the enemy was already combined and meeting in the secret chambers to bring about the destruction of the church. Months later Joseph Smith prophesied that the “Man of Sin” (Satan) would be revealed at the special conference at the Morley Farm bringing to pass the fulfillment of the prophesy contained in 2nd Thes verse 3.
This brought to pass the beginning of the “falling away” of the latter day church as foretold in that verse,
“Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition“
At the Morley Farm, at the time that the fulness of the everlasting covenant was shining forth upon some, Satan was possessing others. The special conference at the Morley Farm was the beginning of the prophesied time by Moses when the Saints would realize a great blessing and a great cursing.
The revealing of the man of Sin in verse 3 was to result in the falling away, or apostasy of the latter day saints. According to a prophecy that Joseph uttered to several people, the man of sin prophecy took place at the Morley Farm in 1831!
This is amazing since Verse 4 appears to be applicable during the same general time period as verse 3, in the 2nd watch.
It informs us that the events at the Morley Farm and the beginning of the falling away and rejection of the fulness of the gospel would ultimately result in the events mentioned in verse 4.
This would indicate that the common, protestant interpretation of a man of sin/son of perdition standing in a temple and commanding people to worship him is not an accurate interpretation. (no surprise there!)
Another way to interpret verse 4 in the context of what grew out of the rejection of the fulness of the gospel and the true spiritual endowment that was offered at the Morley Farm, and what eventually took place during the laying of the foundation in the 1830-40′s is that a strange temple ritualenactment would take place wherein an actor is sitting in the temple, acting as if he is God! Telling the Saints how to worship God.
Actors are recruited to play each member of the Godhead.
Additionally an actor is playing the role of Satan and acting in behalf of Satan, the great man of sin.
History indicates that indeed, within a little over a decade of when the falling away began, the apostate Saints did formulate an enactment within their temples where actors would take on the roles of the three members of the Godhead. Additionally, another actor would imitate Satan for the purpose of putting the Latter Day Saints under a curse… under the power of Satan, by covenant.
In the temple ritual enactment the participating initiates knowingly and willingly agree to have themselves placed under the power of the man of sin if they fail in any way to live up to the covenants they agree to. (this appears to put them under the preparatory gospel and the law of works instead of the law of grace)
Amazingly, the ceremony requires people, after willingly entering into covenant to be bound under the power of Satan if they violate any of the other covenants they make in any way, to enter through a veil by taking the hand of an unseen entity who is not revealed to the initiate until after they enter into their presence and it is to late to turn back.
With these bazaar historical events in mind, notice Verse 4
“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God shewing himself that he is God“
While verse 3 and 4 are speaking about an event in the 2nd watch, later in the chapter, in verse 8 we are informed that at a later time, in the 3rd watch, God will ultimately destroy the wicked anti-Christ who is possessed by Satan as a result of this false covenant.
“AND then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and sign and lying wonders.”
This is pretty sobering because it reveals that the mystery of iniquity is Satan possessing mortals to do his evil deeds and to deceive people.
Verses 9 through 12 explain that God uses people to try and deceive the Saints. He allows the man of sin to inhabit the souls of men via the principle of possession. It appears there is one person in particular, who comes forth during the 3rd watch, showing the works of Satan and showing signs and wonders.
God allows Satan to work through people via the principle of possession to test the Saints to see if they will honor and obey the established laws of God or if they will follow false brethren, false gods and false doctrines. God does this to prove those who are righteous and those who are wicked by seeing who will honor God’s law despite the seductive miracles used to lead people to leave the truth and worship false Gods. (See Deuteronomy 12:32 and also part six of four steps in losing your innocence article)
When the Saints reject the truth, God sends them strong delusion that gets them to believe a lie
continuing on in 2nd Thess.-
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.“
Understanding the Vital Elements of Satans Covenant
To better understand what this false covenant is that people will be seduced into at the time of the end, we must go to the time of the beginning to study the originating covenant.
We have done this to some extent already in this series and other posts however, we need to refresh our memories in laying the foundation for the rest of this post.
Who was the first human to be identified as the Son of Perdition?
It was Cain, the first murderer.
“For from this time forth thou shalt be the father of his lies; thou shalt be called Perdition; for thou wast also before the world.”
Cain was a Son of Perdition BEFORE he was ever born into this earth life.
“And it came to pass that Cain took one of his brothers’ daughters to wife, and they loved Satan more than God.
And Satan said unto Cain: Swear unto me by thy throat, and if thou tell it thou shalt die; and swear thy brethren by their heads, and by the living God, that they tell it not; for if they tell it, they shall surely die; and this that thy father may not know it; and this day I will deliver thy brother Abel into thine hands.
And Satan sware unto Cain that he would do according to his commands. And all these things were done in secret.
And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness.” Moses 5
The above account is so incredibly important in understanding Satan and how he interrelates with his minions.
It describes in vivid detail how he commits his disciples to obey him.
The elements described in that original covenant can be tailored for different purposes but at the deepest levels of the secret societies, it virtually ALWAYS involves a blood oath whereby one swears by their neck/head upon the penalty of death… and the greatest underlying secret is that one can get gain through secret murders or assassinations.
Once the other dark manipulations and conspiring efforts fail, then the secret act of murder is unleashed.
Those who have studied about the the secret society behind all secret societies understand that our government and the governments of the world along with the central banks that control the monetary systems of the world are currently controlled by secret combinations that use variations of this covenant.
The secret covenants of secret societies usually incorporate
-secret signs and tokens
-special handshakes
-oaths pertaining to the taking lives, etc.
the taking of other peoples lives through assassination for the purpose of getting gain is the foundation upon which the CIA is built.
Our own government sponsors secret organizations that specialize in the art of assassination… all for the purpose of gaining and retaining power and getting gain.
Many people have been “suicided” by various secret organizations as well as the secret cabal that does Satans bidding for him.
Virtually every organization and institution of any size is heavily influenced by the great combination that originates in the bowels of the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil or one of its subsidiaries.
False Brethren
Secret Combinations infiltrate Gods New Testament Church
The fact that God warned the Saints in section 38 that Satan’s minions were planning their destruction should not surprise us. It happened during New Testament times.
In the 2nd chapter of Galations the apostle Paul exclaims,
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel; which is not another ; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed“
Paul’s dismay at the fact that the Saints he had worked with had been led away from the truth is followed by the following observation,
“..and that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they night bring us to bondage..“
May I suggest that Paul is not attributing the cause of apostasy to naivete or well intentioned, but misinformed converts. He is making an incredible accusation here.
He is identifying a covert operation of the enemy.
He believes that a clandestine operation had successfully planted spies and agents of destruction within the church membership among the new converts!
These amazing passages almost read like a spy novel based in ancient times.
Paul attributes supernatural powers to those who have infiltrated the church.. suggesting that they have seductive powers of persuasion given them by Satan,
“O foolish Galations, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth...”
False Brethren
Secret Combinations infiltrate Gods Restoration Church
The book of Mormon prophesies that in the latter days, the gentiles will stumble because of conspiring men who have altered the word of God in the Bible. Eventually, because much of the truth has been taken from the Bible when it goes forth among the Gentiles, remnants of the Satanic endowment that began with Satan and Cain will infest the latter day Gentile church,
20 And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor.
21 And there are many churches built up which cause envyings, and strifes, and malice.
22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
23 For behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you that the Lord God worketh not in darkness.
24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.“
The above passages are clearly prophesying that the secret acts of darkness that started with Satan and Cain will be found among the Gentiles of the LDS foundation movement.
Notice that in the same passages describing how the Gentiles deny the power of God, that the infiltration of secret combinations also are found among them.
Is it any wonder that within about few short years after the Saints deny the priesthood of God that was restored at the Morley Farm, that the Danite secret combination is established in the church after it is forced to flee from Kirtland… as a way for the church to protect itself from enemies and take spoils from them… to get gain?
Is it any wonder that shortly after that, the church embraces the ancient esoteric order of masonry that had originated with the endowment that Satan initiated Cain with?
The Book of Mormon had warned that this sinister false covenant would be introduced into the Lords true Church.
Note how the parable described in section 86 reiterates what Paul had observed and explains how the New Testament Church would eventually be driven into the wilderness of apostasy after the apostles died off because Satan plants the tares among the wheat to choke the wheat.
The tares obviously began choking the wheat even before the apostles had all died off. It then confirms that in the latter day church the same thing would happen during the foundation movement.
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you my servants, concerning the parable of the wheat and of the tares:
2 Behold, verily I say, the field was the world, and the apostles were the sowers of the seed;
3 And after they have fallen asleep the great persecutor of the church, the apostate, the whore, even Babylon, that maketh all nations to drink of her cup, in whose hearts the enemy, even Satan, sitteth to reign—behold he soweth the tares; wherefore, the tares choke the wheat and drive the church into the wilderness.
4 But behold, in the last days, even now while the Lord is beginning to bring forth the word, and the blade is springing up and is yet tender—
5 Behold, verily I say unto you, the angels are crying unto the Lord day and night, who are ready and waiting to be sent forth to reap down the fields;
6 But the Lord saith unto them, pluck not up the tares while the blade is yet tender (for verily your faith is weak), lest you destroy the wheat also.
7 Therefore, let the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest is fully ripe; then ye shall first gather out the wheat from among the tares, and after the gathering of the wheat, behold and lo, the tares are bound in bundles, and the field remaineth to be burned.“
Now is a good time to review a passage in the Book of Commandments that warned that if the Saints hardened their hearts against Gods word, .. he would turn them over to Satan..
And thus, if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a reformation among them, and I will put down all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts, and envyings, and strifes, and idolatries, and sorceries, and all manner of iniquities, and I will establish my church, like unto the church which was taught by my disciples in the days of old.
And now if this generation do harden their hearts against my word, behold I will deliver them up unto Satan, for he reigneth and hath power at this time, for he hath got great hold upon the hearts of the people of this generation: and not far from the iniquities of Sodom and Gomorrah, do they come at this time: and behold the sword of justice hangeth over their heads, and if they persist in the hardness of their hearts, the time cometh that it must fall upon them. Behold I tell you these things even as I also told the people of the destruction of Jerusalem, and my word shall be verified at this time as it hath hitherto been verified.. ” (originally contained in section 5)
What better way to deliver Gods people over to Satan than for the secret combination to infiltrate the Church and help in the initiation of the Saints into a secret oath patterned after the original one made between Satan and Cain?
Remember how Paul used the term “false brethren” to describe evil men who had been intentionally planted within the church in a clandestine operation for the express purpose of destroying it? Latter day revelation reveals that Joseph Smith would also rub shoulders with false brethren,
“If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea..”
This brings us back to the incredible warning in section 38.
Although we have read it so many times over the years, hopefully the reality of just how literal it is may sink in a little more with the foundation that has just been laid.
God reveals an incredible mystery about a secret combination that is already organized and making plans to infiltrate the church and destroy it,
“Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased;
11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—
12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined.
13 And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not;”
God is telling the Saints that the Enemy is combined!
The enemies of the church are well organized!
They are aware of the restoration of the church of Christ and they have been in the secret chambers plotting the destruction of it!
Unbe-freakin-lievable!
The Lord continues revealing this incredible mystery,
And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.
29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
31 And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless— 32 Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high;
33 And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.“
As we have documented in other posts, although the Saints did assemble in Ohio to receive the Law and although some of them did receive true spiritual endowments from on high at the Morley Farm, at various times during the school of the prophets and at the dedication of the temple, the Saints collectively failed to ultimately receive the final group endowment that is promised to take place in the last days. (which the New Testament refers to as the “Promise of the Father“)
They also ultimately failed to gather and consecrate and were therefore overcome by the enemy in the secret chambers. The establishment of Zion was to be the refuge that would ultimately purge the tares from among them and protect the righteous Saints from having their power scattered by the enemy.
Now, let me ask a few uncomfortable questions.
Were there some early converts to the church who had previously been involved in secret organizations that swore secret oaths?
Is it possible that some of them were planted by the enemy in secret chambers that the Lord had warned about? Is that not exactly what happened during the 1st watch, as documented by Paul?
It is interesting to note that some of the early converts had deep ties into the dark practice of masonry before joining the church.
It appears that many of these early converts either suspended or hid their involvement in secret societies during the first six years of Joseph Smith ministry when he was preaching about the evils of such fraternities.
During that time the book of Mormon was referred to by some as an anti-masonic book because of the warnings it contained about secret oaths and secret combinations… yet when the Saints finally fled to Nauvoo, a great doctrinal reversal took place within the leading brethren of the church and masonry was embraced and encouraged within the church.
Once Masonry was publicly embraced by the leadership, these early masonic converts jumped back into the dark practices without skipping a beat. There is reason to believe that some of these Saints were in fact false brethren and that they may have had direct or indirect ties to Albert Pike, the Father of Jesuit Masonry in America who was, according to some accounts, a Satanist. According to several accounts, he was one of the most evil, insidious characters that ever came forth from the bowels of hell.
Gods ordinances are not done in secret, they are done openly.
“We do most solemnly protest against the doctrine of secret oaths and covenants and we also view this as among the principal causes that have overthrown our brethren…” (Zions STandard March 24, 1848 “A Voice from the Smith Family”)
Emma Smith astutely warned that “it was secret things which had cost Joseph and Hyrum their lives” (William Clayton Journal)
The ominous warning from William Smith came just a few years after the following prophecy in section 124
“And it shall come to pass that if you build a house unto my name, and do not do the things that I say, I will not perform the oath which I make unto you, neither fulfil the promises which ye expect at my hands, saith the Lord. For instead of blessings, ye, by your own works, bring cursings, wrath, indignation, and judgments upon your own heads, by your follies, and by all your abominations, which you practise before me, saith the Lord.”
Secret Societies and the False Covenant become a Stumbling Block
Please understand that the practice of swearing by ones neck upon the penalty of death and the associated blood oaths, originated with Satan, not with the true God of Israel.
The passages we reviewed from the Book of Moses reveals that Satan is the originator of blood oaths upon the swearing by ones neck/throat upon the penalty of death.
Yes, there are well meaning LDS apologists, who are defenders of the “church” and the “institution” rather than defenders of the “gospel” that would have you believe that God originally created blood oaths and the swearing by ones neck as part of the fulness of the Gospel. They would have you believe that Satan copied the main elements contained within the Masonic rituals from God’s true covenant, but this is one of the most insidious lies ever perpetuated.
Ask them to prove this in the scriptures.
They cannot.
You can search in vain throughout the inspired version of the Bible, the Book of Mormon and Modern Revelation but you will never find a covenant/endowment that involves these insidious practices that was authored or authorized by the one true God of Israel.
The fulness of the Gospel is simple and strait forward. It is practiced in the light, not in darkness. It has never involved blood oaths, swearing by ones neck, secret handshakes, different ways of taking life or assassinating people, etc.
One might ask, why then did God not make it more clear in the Bible that oaths, penalties, secret hand shakes, flowing robes and swearing by ones neck are not part of the fulness of the Gospel?
I suspect the answer is that he originally did. But the more detailed and graphic warnings about avoiding the secret covenants crafted by Satan had been removed from the bible when it passed through the hands of the Whore.
That is one of the reasons it became a stumbling block to the Gentiles.
Please note the following statement from the passage in Ether,
“And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block..”
Do you remember what the stumbling block was?
Among other things, it was that much of the plain and precious truths had been taken out of the Bible! That is why the Gentiles stumble!
This is why the book of Mormon teaches about and warns against the secret oaths administered by Satan but the Bible doesn’t!
The Book of Mormon provides additional warnings about secret combinations, documenting their existence in ancient America and providing a sobering warning to those of modern America,
15 And it came to pass that thus they did agree with Akish. And Akish did administer unto them the oaths which were given by them of old who also sought power, which had been handed down even from Cain, who was a murderer from the beginning.
16 And they were kept up by the power of the devil to administer these oaths unto the people, to keep them in darkness, to help such as sought power to gain power, and to murder, and to plunder, and to lie, and to commit all manner of wickedness and whoredoms.
17 And it was the daughter of Jared who put it into his heart to search up these things of old; and Jared put it into the heart of Akish; wherefore, Akish administered it unto his kindred and friends, leading them away by fair promises to do whatsoever thing he desired.
18 And it came to pass that they formed a secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;
19 For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man.
20 And now I, Moroni, do not write the manner of their oaths and combinations, for it hath been made known unto me that they are had among all people, and they are had among the Lamanites.
21 And they have caused the destruction of this people of whom I am now speaking, and also the destruction of the people of Nephi.
22 And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed; for the Lord will not suffer that the blood of his saints, which shall be shed by them, shall always cry unto him from the ground for vengeance upon them and yet he avenge them not.
23 Wherefore, O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning.
26 Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved.” (ether 8)
The Secret Brotherhood of the Founding Fathers of this Nation
One of the main purposes for this part of this series is to focus on the role that the false covenant plays in prophecy and specifically, in America.
We are going to address the implications of this secret combination at the time of the founding of this nation, at the time of the LDS foundation movement and at the time of the ushering in of the Marvelous Work in the third watch.
As we get deeper into our searching of the scriptures it becomes even more apparent that God, and sometimes God’s servants frequently utter cryptic statements that have a surface meaning that hides the deeper interpretation… just as we noticed with regard to Mal 3.
Here is another example of a cryptic statement that perhaps has two meanings,
“And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of WISE men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (101:80)
Our Sanitized version of the gospel and church history along with the sanitized version of the history of this nation would indicate that many of the founders of our nation including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others were wise in the sense that they were Godly men of high morals and receiving inspiration from the only true God.
However, I would suggest that there is another definition of “wise” that might be a little more appropriate for those looking beneath the surface… for those looking for hidden treasures of knowledge regarding the origins of our great nation.
Another definition of wise, according to the 1828 Strongs, is
“Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. 2 Samuel 14.”
The Hebrew lexicon provides addition clarity to this particular definition
“shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle“.
Could it possibly be that God involved shrewd, crafty, cunning men to found this nation? Is it possible that he used men that were skilled in arts, science, philosophy and divination?
Is it possible that God allow a combination of both Godly men and ungodly men to create a constitutional foundation that could either become a blessing or a cursing depending upon the cumulative righteousness of the people of this nation and how vigilant they would be in participating in the process and watching out for their God given rights?
You are no doubt aware that George Washington was participating in and highly influenced by masonry and that he and his brethren in the esoteric arts were in fact backed by a secret society that had a secret agenda for America.
The picture below shows him in his masonic apron,
The pic below is a Statue of Washington in his masonic apron,
What many people don’t realize is that it appears that there were secret societies that were backing many of the founding fathers in their quest to break away from England. This backing very possibly came in the form of both funding and philosophy. The philosophy had to do with the secret worship of Lucifer and the belief that America was a nation destined to bring forth the luciferian anti-Christ embodied in human form at a predetermined time and place.
Benjamin Franklin is known within our sanitized version of American history, among other things, for his great wisdom and morality.
Here is a sample of the cunning wisdom that Franklin displayed in a private communication to a close friend as he opined on the art of fornication,
June 25. 1745 “My dear Friend,” “I know of no Medicine fit to diminish the violent natural Inclinations you mention; and if I did, I think I should not communicate it to you. “…in all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones. You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these:
1. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are better stor’d with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreable.” 2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good…. They learn to do a thousand Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. 3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc’d may be attended with much Inconvenience.
4. Because thro’ more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin’d to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes.”
5… And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of corporal enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement.
6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy.
7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend the making an old Woman happy.
8. [thly and Lastly] They are so grateful!!
Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly;
being sincerely
Your affectionate Friend.
B. Franklin
This letter is just one example of how wise and pious Old Ben really was.
It should be a sobering reminder to us of what God meant when he said he raised up “wise” men.
Let us review a little more about this very wise man. The following brief is taken from the same site as the above letter,
“Franklin was appointed the agent of Colonies of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey in 1757, to the court of England. While in this position, he began his friendship with Sir Francis Dashwood (Lord Le Despencer), who was the founder of the Medmenham Monks. This later became known as the Hell Fire Club. Dashwood was at one point the Postmaster of England, at a time when Franklin was Postmaster of the Colonies. They first got to know each other on Franklin’s trip to England in 1752.
In 1765, Franklin was again asked to return to England as the representative of the Colonies to Great Britain. Franklin’s exposure to the Hell Fire Club is described as follows by Cecil B. Currey, in Road to Revolution, Benjamin Franklin in England, 1765-1775:
“… Franklin knew Le Despencer very well. He was fully aware of an enterprise which the Englishman had been conducting for some years more or less surreptitiously, known as the Hell Fire Club. Its activities were familiar to Franklin and he occasionally joined in them… In his youth, Le Despencer had been a member of … rakes’ groups. In later years, … he determined to form a secret society that would express his interest in architecture, literature, and religion. Only the cleverest and most humorous of his friends would be asked to join. … The perfect location for such a society was soon found. Only six miles from the baron’s estate, on the bank of the Thames River near Marlow in Buckinhamshire, lay the ruins of Medmenham Abbey. It had been founded by Cistercian monks in 1145. The abbey was well located in a grove of trees, which nearly concealed it from view. The nearest road was some distance away, but members would be able to approach it easily in private boats… and … could return to their homes in complete privacy. … Workmen were sent in and the abbey was rebuilt and the grounds landscaped … to make them into a `garden of lust.’
Marble pillars were erected on which were carved pornographic inscriptions in bastard, or `macaroni’ Latin. Small Grecian-styled temples were put up here and there. The groves were filled with statuary in indecent poses. … Hollowed from a hill was the Cave of Trophonius. A fresco within it pictured sexually robust animals, a crowing cock, and a laughing nun… The buildings were designed also to carry out the theme of sexuality. … To one side of the main door sat a statue of Harpocrates, the god of silence… Opposite was … Volupian Angerone, goddess of secret passion. Rooms adjacent to the chapel were designed to heighten the sexual utility of the place. There was a Roman Room, its wall hung with paintings copied from ancient and indecent Roman frescoes. Also on the walls were paintings of famous English prostitutes… Small statues of Egyptian gods and goddesses sat in niches in the walls. The abbey’s library was situated near the Roman Room. It supposedly contained one of the most complete collections of pornography in England…
Somewhere between 1752 and 1755, Dashwood … opened his society, known as the Medmenham Monks, and later referred to as the Hell Fire Club. For his monks there was to be a goodly number of nuns… – the main reason many belonged to the club. Most were prostitutes… some were local girls wanting excitement, but many were ladies of society. Of the last group, one of the best known was Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Many nuns were wives, mothers, sisters, or the betrothed of members… The members, or monks, were `dabblers in art and literature’, and many were among the most prominent men in the kingdom. There were two orders of monks; the superior and the inferior – twelve superiors and perhaps as many as forty to fifty inferior members. …
… superior members included … Lord Sandwich…John Wilkes…Charles Churchill A group with a membership of this scope … could wield tremendous power should they wish to act in unison for political ends. It was for this reason that Benjamin Franklin became a monk … sometime after his arrival in England in 1765. … Sir Francis had a huge and elaborate cave dug in the side of a hill on his grounds. It was in this underground headquarters that the monks met after 1762. …
… Franklin wrote…: ‘The exquisite sense of classical design, charmingly reproduced… whimsical and puzzling as it may be in its imagery, is as evident below the earth as above it.’ … Others known to be present at the time were Lady Mary Wortley Montague, and the household of Frederick, Prince of Wales. …” (Currey)
I am not qualified to pass judgment on any individuals as far as what their current standing is before God nor what their final reward will be nor do I desire to do so, however, we all have a responsibility to avoid setting ANY mortals as our idols and we have a responsibility to scrutinize the works and the teachings and the fruit that they bring forth lest we and our posterity be deceived.
There in now evidence coming forth that suggests that many of the founding fathers were part of an elite group who intended the constitution and bill of rights to exclusively protect their rights and the rights of their posterity and not to the equal rights of all people. This would explain the apparent contradiction in the fact that many of them continued having slaves despite the curious wording in some of the inspired documents they wrote.
Perhaps this is why the Lord admonished the Saints to BEFRIEND the law which is the constitutional law of the land,
“Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the land“
The need to befriend the constitutional law implies that there was not currently a friendship between the Saints and the constitutional law of the land at that time.
In section 38 the Lord proclaims “Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you SHALL be a free people, a ye shall have no laws but my laws when I come for I am your lawgiver, ad what can stay my hand?”
If the laws of the land were current friendly towards the saints and if they were currently a free people because of them, why was the Lord telling them that they would be made FREE at a future time by following after him?
Could it be that sinister powers were already controlling the nation back at that time?
I am not suggesting that all of the founding fathers of this nation were evil. I am not even suggesting that all of the ones involved in masonry were knowingly conspiring in behalf of the dark forces..
Many may have been deceived into their involvement into the secret societies simply believing their involvement would provide them with the connections they needed to promote their agenda.
One of the very few Presidents of the United States that at least sounded the warning voice and gave lip service to the importance of not allowing secret societies and secretiveness to infiltrate government was John F. Kennedy.
Despite the fact that he had loose personal morals, he seemed to understand and appreciate the principles of liberty and he refused to take orders from the Jesuit/Masonic powers that were controlling the currency of the United States.
The following speech he gave, was given just days before that secret organization assassinated him.
The words he spoke were deeply profound.
Kennedy was so hated by the Whore because of his love for freedom and his desire to break free from the various tentacles of the Whore, and Bush Jr. was so loved by the Whore (even though he was not a baptized catholic at the time) that at a Catholic sponsored breakfast, Bush was facetiously referred to as the first Catholic president of the US, blatantly neglecting the fact that Kennedy had served as a US president many years before Bush.
The Whore rejected Kennedy as one of their own and embraced Bush. (Bush has since converted to Catholicism)
I encourage you to listen to this brief talk. It is one of the the greatest speeches ever given by a US president.
The following video might be of interest as well.
The word “wise” is used in two different ways in the scriptures. One must discern by the context and by the spirit which definition is being used.
For instance, notice how it is used in the following passages in section 52,
Yea, a supper of the house of the Lord, well prepared, unto which all nations shall be invited.
“First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble;
And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.” (See section 58 and also Isa 25, 34, 39 Ezek 21, Zeph 1)
Two completely different groups of people are being described in the passages above.
The first group comes to the great supper first.
You must do some key word searches to see what really happens when the rich, learned, wise and noble come. Once you realize who they are, you realize that the term “wise” is referring to people who are “Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. These are people who are “shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle“.
After God deals with them and feeds their carcasses to the birds, he then gathers the second group of people unto the marriage of the Lamb.
In recent times several authors such as Dan Brown, Tom Horn and others have begun revealing bits and pieces of truth about the fact that a secret organization was very much involved in the founding of this nation. They had very specific plans for it. those plans have to do with the bringing forth of a kingdom… and it is not the kingdom of the only true God! It is the kingdom of the Devil.
This is why section 38 informed Joseph that the secret combination wanted to destroy the Church of Christ. They wanted to prevent the kingdom of God from rolling forth.
One of the greatest masons produced by America was Albert Pike.
According to internet sources, Albert Pike was a Harvard graduate and was said to be a genius. He was able to read and write in 16 different languages. During his life he was a poet, philosopher, frontiersman, soldier, humanitarian and a philanthropist. In short, he was “Skilled in arts, science, philosophy, or in magic and divination. He was “shrewd, crafty, cunning, wily, subtle“.
He was also a 32 degree Mason and was a top leader in the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
Among other things, Albert Pike was said to be a Satanist, who indulged in the occult. It was said that he possessed a bracelet which he used to summon Lucifer and had communication with him. Due to his communicating with the devil, Pike received a vision which he described in a letter that he wrote to Mazzini dated August 15, 1871.
Many people dispute the credibility of the supposed vision that he had, however, if it has been fabricated, it seems to have been a pretty lucky guess by someone.
In this letter, Pike describes three world wars that will occur in the future. World War Three pits the christian world against the Muslim World.
Much more could be said in this article to fill in the blanks about what the founding fathers had in mind and how the kingdom of the God of this world is to be ushered in… additionally much more could be said to connect the dots between the relationships between the secret fraternities in England and other foreign countries and those in America during the war with England.
Other dots could be connected between the secret organization in the bowels of the Vatican and the various secret organizations that it controls. More could be said about the secret organizations and witchcraft that have guided the white house and other governing bodies of this nation, as well as the role played by Pike and other Americans, including LDS masons.
But it is really not necessary…. you get the idea.
The thing you need to realize is that in the very near future two separate kingdoms are going to emerge on this earth as they become complete.
One is currently waiting for the missing cornerstone.
The other is currently waiting for the missing capstone.
In closing out this topic, let me suggest that many prophesies and warning have a dual application.
I have said in a previous post that many of the revelations that Joseph Smith received have a dual fulfillment. They are just as applicable when the first laborers of the last kingdom return as they were back when they were given during the 2nd watch.
Gods revelations give us a pattern in all things.
The following words of admonition and everything else contained in section 38 may be just as applicable when Joseph returns as it was when it was given.
Please read them very carefully in the context of what is happening in today’s world,
“Verily I say unto you, ye are clean, but not all; and there is none else with whom I am well pleased;
11 For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven—
12 Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained, and the angels are waiting the great command to reap down the earth, to gather the tares that they may be burned; and, behold, the enemy is combined.
13 And now I show unto you a mystery, a thing which is had in secret chambers, to bring to pass even your destruction in process of time, and ye knew it not;”
And again, I say unto you that the enemy in the secret chambers seeketh your lives.
29 Ye hear of wars in far countries, and you say that there will soon be great wars in far countries, but ye know not the hearts of men in your own land.
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but ifye are prepared ye shall not fear.
31 And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless— 32 Wherefore, for this cause I gave unto you the commandment that ye should go to the Ohio; and there I will give unto you my law; and there you shall be endowed with power from on high;
33 And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them whithersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand.“
Don’t think for one minute that the enemy is not watching closely for the return of the Servants and ready to try to prevent the ushering in of the Kingdom of God.
Beware of secret combinations in high places.
Be watching waiting and willing to repent and be baptized and be gathered out when the appointed time arrives.
But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who had not a wedding garment.
And he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
Then said the king unto his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take and cast him away into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
For many are called, but few chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment. (Matt 22:11-14)
The certification of constitutional qualification for the office of president
DC Knows that Obama is Ineligible for Office By JB Williams Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Members from all three branches of the Federal government already know that Barack Hussein Obama is ineligible for the office of President. National leaders, to include members of the US Supreme Court, already know that Barack Hussein Obama is not a “natural born citizen” of the United States of America, and therefore, is ineligible for the office he currently holds.
What they don’t know is how long it will take for most Americans to figure it out, or what to do about it.
The diversionary search for an authentic birth certificate is ongoing and Obama has now spent in excess of $2 million in legal fees to keep that search alive.
Eric Holder’s Department of Justice continues to deploy taxpayer funded attorneys around the country to file dismissals on behalf of Obama, denying all American citizens access to the courts as a peaceful remedy, which only fuels the fire of discontent and the questions about Obama persist.
Michelle Obama states that Kenya is Barack’s “home country.” She knows, after twenty years with Barack. The Ambassador or Kenya has confirmed the same His family friends all know it, and are in fact quite proud of the fact that Americans had no hesitation in electing a “black man from Kenya” as President of the United States.
The US Supreme Court knows what the constitutional condition of “natural born citizen” means. Even the most far left member of that court, Justice Ginsberg, is on record proclaiming that a “natural born citizen” is a birth child of TWO legal US citizens.
Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi knows that Barack Hussein Obama is not eligible for the office of president, which is why she refused to certify the following language when certifying Obama as the DNC candidate for president in 2008.
This is the normal language for certification of nomination for president and vice president, filed by the DNC only in the state of Hawaii…
This is the language filed by the DNC in the other 49 states, however…
Note that the language which certifies that Barack Hussein Obama meets all constitutional qualifications is missing in the DNC documents filed in 49 of the 50 states. The certification of constitutional qualification for the office of president was filed only in Hawaii. That text is missing in the DNC certification filings for all other states.
Whereas the RNC filed the exact same certification document, including the constitutional text for John McCain in all 50 states, Obama was technically certified in only one state, Hawaii. A mere inconvenient technicality, I’m sure…
The US Congress knows that Barack Hussein Obama is not constitutionally qualified for the office he holds. Although the congress passed a resolution proclaiming Senator John McCain a “natural born citizen” as the son of two US citizens, no such congressional resolution exists for Barack Hussein Obama.
The press knows that Obama is not a “natural born citizen,” having written on several occasions about the “Kenyan born” senator from Chicago. A number of citizens have already been arrested and jailed for asking these questions.
Over four-hundred law suits have been filed across the country asking the courts to force Obama to become the “transparent president” he promised to be, and all four-hundred are being dismissed before discovery, all on the basis that “no citizen has proper legal standing” to ask who and what their president really is…
Over a half-million citizens have now signed a petition demanding to see Obama’s birth records.
Numerous members of the US Military have refused deployment orders from Obama, on the basis that he refuses to evidence his constitutional qualifications to issue such orders. In most cases, the soldiers have simply been reassigned, so as to avoid any disciplinary action that could end in “defense discovery” which might finally force Obama to open up his files once and for all.
Now an eighteen year veteran flight surgeon and active Lt. Colonel faces court martial as he makes his demands for proof that Obama is constitutionally eligible to issue orders as Commander-in-Chief. Obama’s entire domestic, foreign and national defense agenda has proven to be wholly anti-American
Obama’s entire domestic, foreign and national defense agenda has proven to be wholly anti-American on every possible level. Still, the answers concerning who and what Barack Hussein Obama Jr. really is remain elusive in the face of unprecedented efforts to ask the right questions.
No matter who asks, how they ask or where they ask, not one single individual in Washington DC or even state government seems willing to weigh in on the most important issue of our era. Who and what is the man sitting in the people’s White House?
How in the hell did we get an overtly anti-American resident of the people’s White House without so much as a simple birth certificate to prove who this person really is?
And why won’t a single elected representative of the people engage in the effort to force an answer to this question?
The answers to these and many more questions are likely very simple and equally chilling… The Speaker of the House does not refuse to certify her candidate as “constitutionally qualified” in forty-nine of fifty states by accident
Nobody spends $2 million in legal fees to hide an authentic birth certificate. The Speaker of the House does not refuse to certify her candidate as “constitutionally qualified” in forty-nine of fifty states by accident. A press that knew he was the “first Kenyan born senator” didn’t forget that he was Kenyan born when he decided to run for president.
Most importantly, the people DO have a right (read – proper standing) to ask who and what their president really is, in any court, any time. And soldiers are court-martialed for refusing orders, unless those orders were issued by an illegitimate Commander-in-Chief.
DC knows what most Americans have yet to figure out…
Obama is NOT a natural born citizen no matter where he might have been born. Obama’s birth father was at no time an American citizen and on this basis alone, Obama cannot be a constitutionally qualified resident of the White House.
They know something else that the American people have yet to figure out…
The US Constitution no longer stands as the governing law of this land. Obama’s many unconstitutional policies, Czars, executive orders and statements provide the proof, and the fact that nobody in DC cares whether or not Obama is constitutionally qualified to be president of the United States should send a shiver down the spine of every red blooded American citizen, no matter their partisan agendas.
The people willing to ask the tough questions are deemed crackpots and conspiracy theorists, racists or bigots. But those tough questions should be obvious questions to all Americans and every president should have to answer those questions, no matter race, creed, color or party affiliation.
I fear that those questions will only be answered at the tip of pitch forks and torches one day. Sooner or later, the people will run out of patience with a system built to exclude them. When that day comes, I fear what methods will be employed and whether or not there will be a country left to save by then.
But sooner or later, one way or another, Obama will have to answer those questions. One day, the world will know who and what this man is and there will be a day of reckoning like no other in American history.
The longer it takes for that day to arrive, the more dangerous the situation will become. A man not even qualified to hold the office is using that office to destroy the greatest nation on earth. How much patience can the people be expected to display?
Obama is not eligible for the office he currently holds and everyone in a position to know – already know.
What they don’t know is how much longer they can keep it all a secret, or what will happen next.
Is this not a brand pulled out of the fire? Identifying the Missing Pieces
of the Prophet Puzzle
[Editorial Note: This was going to be the final part of this series with the major focus on what the fulness of the gospel is, and reviewing how the shining forth of the fulness of the Gospel in the 3rd watch will bring the repentant out of apostasy.
However it has occurred to me that some viewers may not have read all my other articles and/or may not be familiar with or understand the "atonement statute" and the roles Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon play as the two "sin offering" goats as depicted in the atonement statute in Lev 16..
Understanding about the initial apostasy in Kirtland and the three following phases of the apostasy as well as the general doctrine of the third watch pertaining to the redemption of latter day Israel is of little use if you don't understand the intercessory atonement offering.
If you have read my fourth and final tribute to Sidney Rigdon and feel you fully understand these concepts as they pertain to the Seer, Joseph Smith (Rod of Jesse) and the Spokesman, Sidney Rigdon (Root of Jesse) you may want to bypass this part of the series.
Otherwise, prepare yourself for the further loss of innocence and the shedding of the false doctrine pertaining to the role of prophets you have been indoctrinated into believing.
God actually uses prophets to test his people. Sometimes he uses prophets to give an idolatrous people what they want and to turn them over to animate and inanimate idols. Sometimes he uses them to see if they can seduce those claiming to be Gods people into accepting another gospel. He also uses his prophets as intercessors and atonement offerings for the sins of his people.]
A Stone of Stumbling
During my experience moving back-ass-wards in time losing a little more of my worldly innocence each time I identified an earlier phase of the modern day apostasy of the restored church, I was able to identify the following four general time periods pertaining to the history of the restored church which we have briefly touched on in this series-
Phase one- The Kirtland/Jackson County Apostasy- 1831-1838
Phase two- The Far West/Nauvoo Apostasy 1839-1844
Phase three- The First Utah Period of Apostasy-1845-1889
Phase four- The Second Utah Period of Apostasy 1889-to present
Initially, I viewed the apostasy of the latter day church in the context of the church as a collective body of believers, the revelations they received, the commandments and covenants they broke, the spiritual gifts they did and did not have and the fruits they brought forth in general.
Eventually however, I felt a need to view things through a different or at least a broader lens.
I finally gained a desire to view the events through the context of one of the biggest stumbling block of the LDS restoration movement….
JOSEPH SMITH.
Yes, I am suggesting that just as Christ became a stone of stumbling to the Jews during the 1st watch, Joseph Smith became a stone of stumbling to the Latter-day Saint gentiles in the 2nd watch.
The prophet Joseph Smith is perhaps one of the most controversial religious personalities in the history of the world.
His life provides a polarizing effect on those that seriously study it.
Most people that take the time to study his life and ministry in depth end up at one of two ends of the spectrum, they either come to hate and despise him as a liar and deceiver or they come to love him and revere him as Gods anointed prophet refusing to believe that he was ever guilty of any malignant sins.
As prophesied by the angel Moroni, his name has become known for both good and evil.
The deeper I got into the history of the church during my journey, the more of a stumbling block he became to me.
Prior to my journey and subsequent loss of innocence, few people loved and revered the prophet Joseph Smith more than I did. I suspect I was guilty of participating in prophet worship.
Nevertheless, the deeper I delved into the history of the church the more perplexed I became with his life and ministry.
His involvement in masonry, polygamy and other things were very troubling to me and they seemed so inconsistent with the scriptures he brought forth. The Book of Mormon is not even subtle about its warnings against both polygamy and secret societies that swear by their necks.
Since the third watch and the marvelous work revolves around the return of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, who hold the keys of the kingdom in this dispensation, and since there is so much troubling information about their lives and ministry particularly during the second half of Joseph’s public ministry, it is very hard for some people to have faith in the doctrine of the three watches…
I was no exception.
It is hard to believe that God would call forth a servant with such a disturbing history from the dead to complete the marvelous work even if there is so much scriptural documentation that it is going to occur.
Even Sidney Rigdon and Brigham Young two of Joseph’s closest associates and admirers made strong comments expressing their beliefs about Joseph loosing the spirit sometime prior to the martyrdom.
Rigdon felt the spiritual wife doctrine and the practice of polygamy was a sign he had lost the spirit.
It appears that Young possibly felt that Joseph’s decision to return to Nauvoo and go to Carthage along with his decision to repent of polygamy and several other things just prior to his death were signs that he had lost the spirit.
If one has doubts about the character and eternal welfare of the prophet Joseph Smith, and wonders if perhaps he was a fallen prophet, it is very difficult to not have anything but doubts about the final ministry that he will preside over in the 3rd watch.
I am therefore going to address the status of Joseph Smith by sharing with you a little more about another segment of my own journey backwards in time in what felt like a crazy, twilight zone, alternate reality, that I was experiencing, as I was trying to understand the status of the church and the true status of the prophet Joseph Smith.
Joseph Smith saw himself as having a very unique calling. One that was mentioned in prophecy and one that is almost impossible to comprehend.
He did not consider himself just a prophet, he considered himself THE LAST AND GREATEST PROPHET spoken of in the scriptures.
He seemed to have some knowledge about himself which he needed to keep hidden within his breast, yet at times he seemed to want to blurt it out to his followers.
Here are a few remarkable statements that he made during a time of incredible controversy in his life as the time of his death was quickly approaching.
“You don’t know me; you never knew my heart. No man knows my history. I cannot tell it: I shall never undertake it. I don’t blame anyone for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I could not have believed it myself. . . . When I am called by the trump of the archangel and weighed in the balance, you will all know me then.” (king Follet Discourse)
“If I revealed all that has been made known to me, scarcely a man on this stand would stay with me.”
“Brethren, if I were to tell you all I know of the kingdom of God, I do know that you would rise up and kill me.”
“Would to God I could tell you what I know! But you would call it blasphemy, and there are me upon this stand who would want to take my life.” (Joseph Smith, Jr., as quoted by Heber C. Kimball, Life of Heber C. Kimball, by Orson F. Whitney, pg. 322-323.)(capitals added for emphasis)
It was only a matter of time before several leaders of the church, probably some that were indeed sitting on the stand that day, did in fact play a part in taking his life!
The Prophet Puzzle
In her provocative 1974 essay, “The Prophet Puzzle, religious historian Jan Shipps states that:
“The mystery of Mormonism cannot be solved until we solve the mystery of Joseph Smith”.
Shipps is one of a number of scholars, researchers, and even some members of the LDS and other various restoration churches who appear to be troubled by much of the historical evidence pertaining to Smith and the restoration movement yet they can’t bring themselves to completely write him off either because of the incredible light and fruits he brought forth.
As I have already indicated, I had become aware of the third watch doctrine and written about it way back in 1992. This doctrine explained many of my concerns about the latter day apostasy and brought great peace and assurance to my soul, nevertheless, I knew that there were missing pieces to the prophet puzzle that Shipps so eloquently opined.
Despite the reassurance I had that the gospel was true and that the marvelous work would yet take place, I was nevertheless plagued with the dilemma of the inconsistencies in Joseph Smiths life and ministry. I did not know how to reconcile these things with his prophesied return during the 3rd watch to usher in the Marvelous Work.
The thought that he might be the lead servant when the first laborers of the last dispensation return was a little unsettling to me given the fact that many of his actions during the Far West and Nauvoo years did not appear to be congruent with the gospel and the scriptures he brought forth.
Some time ago, after months of reading many books about Joseph Smith and the history of the church and many of the very disturbing and controversial things that took place after the appointed time for the redemption of Zion expired, particularly in Nauvoo, I became even more perplexed about the life and ministry of Joseph Smith than I had previously been.
I was concerned about the apparent discrepancies, particularly having to do with the Kirtland Safety Society, the Danites, his involvement in Masonry, the doctrine of “exaltation” and progression of the Gods contained in the King Follett discourse the completely controdicted what he and Rigdon had taught in the Lectures on Faith, the possibilities of some failed prophecies and perhaps most disconcerting to me, the spiritual wife doctrine and the blatant inconsistencies and contradictions that section 132 is plagued with.
One day while reading a book documenting Joseph Smiths involvement in polygamy and the devastating effect it appeared to have on the lives of those plural wives and, in some cases, their offspring, I became overwhelmed with grief and anxiety and I threw the book across the room in a fit of anger and despair.
I was angry with Joseph Smith
I was angry with God.
I knew the gospel was true as contained in the book of Mormon and modern revelation because the spirit had born witness to me of the truthfulness of the gospel while doing thousands of key word searches and other types of prayerful gospel study..
..but I also knew that there was a serious problem with the current church and the originating apostasy that appeared to take place in Kirtland resulting in the defiling of the Kirtland Temple, the loss the fullness of the priesthood, the restoration of the lesser gospel of Abraham and the expulsion of the Saints.
Again, although I had a pretty good idea of how the eventual redemption of Zion would take place, I was having a difficult time understanding how God was still going to be able to use the prophet Joseph Smith. For me, he was an industrial strength stone of stumbling.
After all, God has his laws that we all have to go by, and Joseph Smith is no exception I reasoned to myself. If he violates those laws he must be held accountable just like the rest of us… right?
At that time I could not reconcile in my own mind how JS could avoid being cast into hell for eternity, let alone how he could possibly be restored to his prior position as the last and greatest prophet of the dispensation of the fullness of times.
During that point in my gospel study, having spent over ten years doing intense key word searches on countless topics, I was arrogant enough to think that I was quite familiar with all four standard works and I felt like I had a fairly good understanding of them. For that reason I didn’t think the answer to my dilemma about Joseph Smith would be found in the scriptures.
But I was quite mistaken.
I was about to have my eyes opened to a whole new level of scriptural understanding and gospel study.
I think I had to hit rock bottom regarding Joseph Smith before I was sufficiently humble enough to actually identify and believe what some of the amazing prophecies about him were saying.
I don’t remember exactly how I came across the following passages of scripture that I am about to share with you, or the exact chronology in which I found them. My memory has never been very good, and has gotten progressively worse in recent years. .
So I will simply try to logically recreate the chronology of learning that I experienced the best I can.
The scriptures and associated interpretations I am about to share with you may seem quite strange, illogical and perhaps even mystical and metaphysical.
I admit that I have never seen these passages and interpretations I am about to share with you in any book or spoken by any LDS scholars or general authorities and for that reason alone I understand why you may approach the information in this article with great skepticism.
Please understand that the only credibility to what I am about to disclose can only be gained via a spiritual witness from the Holy Ghost.
There actually may be a reason why this information can only be spiritually discerned and why it has been kept hidden up until recent times.
These passages, and the associated interpretations I am about to share with you will probably violate the sanitized perception you may have of how God should function and how he uses his prophets.
Again, if you have previously read my final tribute to Sidney Rigdon then you are already familiar with some of what I am about to share, although I am going to get into greater detail… and, I am going to drill down a little deeper and show that ancient prophets prophesied that the false spiritual wife doctrine would be the reason that Joseph Smith died.
As you read what I am about to share with you, please remember the following passages in Isaiah,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isa 55:8-9
The other thing you need to realize is that it was the rejection of the fulness of the Gospel by the saints and their apostacy from the truth that caused Joseph and the leading elders of the church to do what they did!
Isaiah tells us that the prophets, rulers and seers of the restoration movement would have their eyes covered.
Notice verse 10 of Chapter 29 in the King James version-
“For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered“
Although that is really revealing, the Book of Moromon give us greater clarity-
For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have closed your eyes and ye have rejected the prophets; and your rulers, and the seers hath he covered because of your iniquity“
In the second part of Joseph’s ministry, he began doing some very strange things that contradicted many of the scriptures and doctrines he had revealed in the earlier part of his ministry, but it was because of the wickedness of the saints who rejected the fulness of the gospel which he delivered to them.
We are going to now review what I prefer to call, the FIVE major missing pieces of the prophet puzzle. They make up what I refer to as the FOUR prophetic CORNERSTONES and the CAPSTONE that unlocks the biblical profile of Joseph Smith that has been sealed.
Once these five prophesies are understood, the rest of the pieces of the prophet puzzle will fall into place.
I hope you will have a prayer in your heart as you read what I am about to convey because it is only by the power of the spirit that you will ever comprehend and/or believe the following passages that otherwise remain sealed to the understanding of most people.
I would submit that those of us that have this understanding revealed to us through the grace of God may have a remarkable opportunity and responsibility to bear witness of it once the Marvelous Work begins, for it appears that when the Lords anointed servants return, kings shall shut their mouths when these concepts are revealed to them and it will be uttered, “Who hath believed our report and to whom is the ARM OF THE LORD revealed?
We are now going to review some ancient scriptures primarily in the Old Testament that will help us connect the dots pertaining to whom Joseph Smith really was and is and they will explain his very strange behavior and the transgressions he committed during the 2nd half of his ministry during the 2nd watch. Ultimately, they are going to reveal much about the mystical calling of the Lords Servant who Isaiah refers to the ARM OF THE LORD.
Brace yourself for an amazing experience.
“wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”
One day I was reading in Acts 1 where the apostles asked Christ when he would restore the kingdom to Israel.
“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”
Realizing that the Jewish apostles who had descended from the kingdom of Judah knew that the keys of the kingdom would need to be restored to a Davidic Servant whose has descended from the kingdom of Israel, I was marveling how Peter, James and John eventually gave the keys of the kingdom to Joseph Smith in fulfillment of that very prophecy.
“..Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things”
I marveled also at the following prophecy given by Peter to the Jews in the temple on the day he healed the crippled man-
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Clearly, there was yet a time AFTER the meridian dispensation (1st watch) and after the latter day restoration and falling away, (2nd watch) when ALL THINGS including the keys of the kingdom and the fullness of the Gospel would need to be restored to the earth. (3rd watch). This would require a REFRESHING and a RESTITUTION.
Peter James and John were obviously very familiar with the Old Testament prophecies and thereby probably knew about the necessity of transferring the keys of the priesthood to someone in the last days who would be a descendent of king David from the second kingdom of Israel, when the kingdom of Judah became divided from the kingdom of Israel.
Obviously the prophecies of Daniel about the kingdom rolling forth in the last days must have been on the mind of Peter James and John however I wondered if they were also aware of additional scriptures pertaining to kingdom theology that I had missed.
I therefore started doing some key word searches to see if I could find some prophecies relating to this event.
“I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever”
By punching in the terms “establish” AND “kingdom” I was led to one of the most remarkable and astonishing prophesies I had ever read.
It is contained in 2nd Samuel 7.
It is a prophecy given to King David from the Lord God of Israel as delivered though the prophet Nathan.
In the following passages I found a seven point profile of the latter day Davidic Servant that blew my mind.
Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
11 And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house.
12 ¶ And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David 2nd Samuel 10-17
As I read this amazing prophecy contained in those eight short verses I understood full well that many scholars interpret this to be referring to Christ, however I knew it could not be speaking about Christ as the literal fulfillment of the prophecy because he did not build a temple nor did he commit iniquity.
I also knew that some scholars interpret these passages to be referring to Solomon, one of Davids Sons who DID build a temple and DID commit iniquity.
HOWEVER, Solomon could not represent a literal fulfillment of the above passages because he did not plant the children of Israel in the appointed land nor did he establish the kingdomFOREVER, as evidenced by the prophecy of Peter and the prophecies of Daniel revealing that there would need to be a restitution of ALL THINGS in the latter days that would strike the foot of the worldly kingdoms causing them to fall.
Clearly the descendant of King David that would appoint the place of the latter day gathering of Israel, build the temple, establish the kingdom forever in the latter days, be sealed up as a Son of God and then commit iniquity, could not possibly be referring to Solomon or Christ as the literal fulfillment although either of them might be considered typological or shadow fulfillments.
As I began identifying the seven points contained in the profile of this latter day prophet I was shocked because it was identifying a latter day prophet that would do a great work and then commit iniquity. This violated my sanitized definition of what a true prophet should be and how I felt God should interact with his people… and it made me feel a little uncomfortable about the prophet worship I had been guilty of most of my life.
Notice the seven point profile below.
The Davidic King will Appoint the Place and Eventually Plant Israel in it. There is nothing in this passage that indicates that the appointing of the place and the planting of the people are done at the same time but the appointing of the place obviously appears to take place before the building of the temple. “Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more”
The Davidic King will Establish the Kingdom Forever. A descendent of David will establish the kingdom after his death. “when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom…. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever“
The Davidic King will build the House of the Lord. After the death of David someone from his posterity will build the House. “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever…. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever”
The Davidic King will be sealed up to Eternal Life and thereby Become a Son of God. (calling and election) “ I will be his father, and he shall be my son”.
The Davidic Servant will Commit Iniquity. AFTER appointing the latter day place of gathering, establishing the kingdom and building the House of the Lord, the Davidic Servant will commit iniquity. “If [when] he commit iniquity,
The Davidic King will be Chastened by Men for the iniquity. I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
The Davidic King retains the Mercy of the Lord. Unlike, wicked King Saul who will receive justice and judgment for his wicked acts, the mercy of the Lord will not depart from the latter day Davidic Servant, despite his iniquity. “But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
It became obvious to me that Joseph Smith is the only religious figure in the latter days that even comes close to fitting the profile contained above… and he fits it perfectly.
I realize you may not interpret the above passages the way I am interpreting them at this point.
I understand that.
I only ask you to read this entire thesis before making a judgment on the interpretations and conclusions provided herein for they do not rest solely on the passage above.
I would not have accepted the above interpretation back when I was blissfully unaware of the apostasy of the church.
I had to lose my worldly innocence, learn about the apostasy of latter day Israel and have my heart broken reading about certain historical events before I could be humbled enough to be open to the implications of the passages in that remarkable prophecy.
As initially stated, I am going to show you four other remarkable prophecies, and other supporting scriptures that will provide greater clarification and testimony to the mind-blowing prophecy in 2nd Samuel.
Once you have viewed each of these five prophecies, and understood them in the context of the other four, all of the pieces of the prophet puzzle will begin to fall into place.
I am asking you to review ALL of the evidence for this amazing prophetic scenario that is emerging.
One of the things that you may be thinking is that the transgression mentioned in the above passages is predicated as an IF rather than a WHEN.
However, if you accept Gods own testimony of his own attributes you must surely agree that God knows all things including the future and the past and that all time, past present and future is continually before his eyes, which is what makes the spiritual gift of prophecy possible.
That being the case, God obviously knew whether this last days descendent of David would transgress or not.
Therefore, one needs to ask, If God knew the above servant would be valiant, why would he put doubt in the minds of people about that valiancy by throwing that contingency clause into the prophecy?
More importantly, why would he continue a second level down in the story line by revealing that the Davidic Servant would be chastened by the rod of men because of his transgression and furthermore why would he provide a third level to the storyline by acknowledging that after transgressing, he would retain the mercy of God?
I would submit to you that when read in the light of prophetic understanding, as well as in the context of the additional prophecies we will review, it is not just IF the servant transgresses, it is WHEN he transgresses.
Although it was difficult and painful at first for me to change my paradigm of Joseph Smith and the role of prophets in general, I was also ecstatic because this prophecy was providing an incredible testimony that Joseph Smith was who he claimed to be. It even proves that the transgressions that he committed were foretold by the Lord via the prophet Nathan!
This obviously changes the complexion of the Joseph Smith dilemma significantly.
In light of the above passages, any iniquities committed by Joseph Smith provide additional testimony that he was exactly who he claimed to be… the last and greatest prophet. One who according the prophecy appointed the place of gathering for latter day Israel, built the temple and became a Son of God and then committed iniquity.
He is clearly the one that laid the foundation for the Marvelous Work and obtained his calling and election before transgressing.
It was very hard for me, being raised as a Mormon, to believe that prophets were “fallible” since I worshiped them much as the Catholic Church places their popes on a pedestal as being infallible
I was perplexed because the modern church teaches that God never allows a prophet to lead people astray. That false doctrine contradicts the word of God, but I never really understood that because I had not search it out.
Nevertheless, in my blissful years I did not believe that the Lord would ever allow a righteous prophet to commit iniquity.
I had been taught the sanitized version of what a prophet should be instead of the scriptural version
I continued searching for additional scriptural witnesses to verify the accuracy of the passages and my interpretation of them.
I found the same prophecy with less detail in 1 Chronicles 17.
What really perplexed me is how the seven point profile claimed that AFTER committing transgression, the Lord would allow the prophet to be chastened by the rod of men and yet, the sinful prophet would still remain in the MERCY of God.
That really seemed totally inconsistent with the Old Testament.
The sinful prophet should fall under the law of JUSTICE and JUDGEMENT not MERCY. Saul transgressed and did not retain the mercy of God, right?
I looked to see if there was an example of a righteous Old Testament prophet that sinned and yet remained in the mercy of God.
I was led to the account of Moses who sinned before God and was chastened severely. The consequences of his sin resulted in his death and even prevented him from crossing the Jordan to enter the promised land. Yet after the death of Moses the scriptures and the Lord continue to refer to Moses as a righteous prophet! He retained the mercy of God!
I realized that the ministry of Moses very possibly provided a great key to unlocking this mystery particularly since modern revelation identifies Joseph Smith as one like Moses.
Digging a little deeper I discovered that Moses sinned because he took the sins of Israel upon himself by offering himself as atonement in their behalf.
I then was reminded of the prophesy by Peter in Acts 3 about a latter day servant that would be like Moses,
“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you..”
The above prophecy is paraphrasing a prophecy in Deuteronomy 18.
Yes, I realize everyone accepts that prophecy as referring to Christ, even Mormons, however, we shall find as we study it that it is actually speaking about two separate servants that are like Moses. Verse 15 is referring to Christ and verse 18 is referring to Joseph Smith.
Now let us go to the Old Testament version of the prophecy that Peter was paraphrasing,
15 ¶ The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16 According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17 And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like
unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Those prophetic passages in verses 18-20 mirror the prophecy in 2nd Samuel in that they speak of a prophet of God that does speak as he is commanded of God, but eventually, he presumptuously speaks falsely in the name of God and, as a result, is put to death.
That is obviously not referring to Christ as he always spoke the truth.
One of the reasons Latter day Saints don’t relate the above prophecy to Joseph Smith is because the Book of Mormon tells us that Moses was speaking of Christ!-
20 And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people, unto the fulfilling of the words of Moses, which he spake, saying: A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass that all those who will not hear that prophet shall be cut off from among the people.
21 And now I, Nephi, declare unto you, that this prophet of whom Moses spake was the Holy One of Israel; wherefore, he shall execute judgment in righteousness. 1 Ne. 22: 20-21
Again, a careful review of the above prophecies reveals however, that Moses was prophesying of two separate and distinct individuals that would be typological of Moses and would come forth at future times.
The prophet spoken of in verse 15 is clearly speaking about Christ as clarified in the Book of Mormon. Hence the admonition to categorically obey everything he says,
“unto him ye shall hearken”
Since Christ was perfect and never taught a false doctrine, the admonition from Moses was to hearken to his words… period.
Please notice that verse 18 on the other hand is speaking about another one who is like Moses, but that particular prophet, after speaking all the words that God puts in his mouth, shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak”
Holy Moly! The second prophet teaches a false doctrine that God did not command him to teach!!!!!!!!!!!
What is the consequence?
“even that prophet shall die.”
Unbe-freakin-lievable!
If you are familiar with how President William Law and others printed an expose of Joseph Smith secret polygamy doctrine and how it led to the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith, you may be falling off your chair about now!
Just as 2nd Samuel prophesies that the Davidic Servant will transgress and therefore be chastised by the rod of man, Deuteronomy 18 confirms that as a result of speaking presumptuously, he must die.
Another thing we learn from these passages is that the prophet is held accountable when the people reject his words! “whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him [referring to the prophet!]
Lastly,
The prophecy in Deuteronomy 18 provides a second witness to the prophecy in 2nd Samuel!
However it provides four additional points to the prophetic profile that we derived from 2nd Samuel. They are as follows
UNIQUE TYPE OF SCRIPTURE: From Deuteronomy 18 we learn that the scripture this second prophet like Moses brings forth is somewhat different from traditional scripture. The Bible and Book of Mormon contain historical narrative by mortals and they also provide inspired statements from mortals and an occasional direct “thus sayeth the Lord” quote, but the Book of Commandments and Doctrine and Covenants provides the EXACT WORDS OF CHRIST continuously, revelation after revelation.
INTERCESSORY ATONEMENT: The one like Moses is acting as an intercessory servant and must have the sins of the people upon his garments until he has bound up the testimony and the law per his requirement as a watchman on the tower.
THE SERVANT MUST DIE: Although 2nd Samuel informs us that the servant would be chastened, it was not clear if he was put to death. Deuteronomy 18 makes this clarification.
CHASTENED FOR TEACHING FALSE DOCTRINE: Additionally, 2nd Samuel did not clarify what the transgression would be that would result in his death. This prophecy informs us that after delivering all of the words that the Lord commanded him to deliver; he would then speak presumptuously and teach something the Lord did not command him to teach!
The irony of verses 20 through 22 is that they are frequently used by critics of Joseph Smith to prove that Joseph Smith could not have been a true prophet because he spoke falsely and some of his prophesies did not come true.
However they fail to see those verses in the context of the prophecy from the previous verses and therefore misinterpret what those verses are saying.
Those three verses are not providing a generic law stating that false prophets were required to be put to death when they prophesy falsely. A careful study of those passages reveals that they actually represent a continuation of the prophecy contained in the previous five verses! They are simply acknowledging that the presumptuous teaching of a false doctrine will result in the death of the latter day prophet that is like Moses.
Ironically, those passages actually provide a compelling witness that Joseph Smith was who he claimed to be!
They are referring to a specific latter day prophet that would first speak what the Lord commanded him to speak and then be put to death because he presumptuously speaks falsely in the name of the Lord!
Those passages are speaking of the same latter day prophet that 2nd Samuel prophesies of… they speak of a prophet that does a great work, but eventually sins by speaking presumptuously and, as a result, is put to death!
Not only do they provide a second witness of the prophecy in 2nd Samuel, they also provide more clarification and more details for the prophetic profile provided in 2nd Samuel!
They inform us that the latter day prophet is LIKE Moses in that he will provide an intercessory atonement for a rebellious people.
They clarify that the chastisement by the rod of men spoken of in 2nd Samuel, results in the prophets death.
They inform us that when the congregation rejects the words of the prophet, God requires it of the intercessory prophet!
In other words, the latter day prophet acts as an intercessory sin offering for an apostate people that reject the word of the Lord!
This alludes to why the mercy of God does not depart from this prophet despite the fact that he commits sin. It is because the transgression committed by the prophet was caused by the atonement he offered in behalf of the people, as we shall scripturally prove as we proceed in this last part of this series.
Let us refresh our memories regarding some key points in the ministry of Moses that many overlook-
The Atonement of Moses
After reading the prophecy in Deuteronomy about the latter day prophet that would be like Moses I was reminded of the modern revelations that stated that Joseph Smith would be like Moses however, I was not that familiar with the atonement that Moses provided for the rebellious children of Israel so I decided to review those passages.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
35 And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. Ex. 32: 30
It is interesting that Moses offered to have his name blotted out of the book! The Lord did not accept that offer but did accept the atonement.
Very sobering is the fact that the atonement offering was only a temporary temporal one. Notice that the wrath of God was only delayed. It would be visited upon the rebellious Israel when the LORD visits then at a future time!
The Sin of Moses
After realizing that Moses had to provide an atonement for rebellious Israel, I wanted to further understand exactly what the sin was that Moses committed.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
9 And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.
12 ¶ And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify ME in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Num. 20: 10-11
Moses Prevented from Entering the Promised Land and Must Die
From the above passages we learn that Moses disobeyed the commandment of the Lord and spoke directly to the people instead of looking at the rock. Additionally, he sinned by taking credit unto himself and his brother Aaron for the miracle instead of sanctifying the Lord (giving credit to the Lord). That is the act of encouraging the children of Israel to put their trust in the arm of flesh which is IDOLOTRY.
Interestingly, it is the same sin they had been guilty of when they were worshipping the golden calf!
The Consequences of the Sin of Moses
By providing an atonement for the people, Moses and Aaron had taken the sins of the people upon themselves and therefore began acting out their sins. The consequence of those sins was “ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
The Intercession of Moses
In Deuteronomy 4 Moses clarifies that the anger of the Lord was for the sake of the people because of the atonement offering and also that Moses as a consequence of his sin he must die and not enter into Jordan.
21 Furthermore the Lord was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:
22 But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land. Deut. 4: 21
In the book of Numbers we find that after Moses was allowed to climb a mountain and view the promised land, he was required to die and be gathered unto his people, just as Aaron had died, because of their rebellion against the Lords commandment,
And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. Num. 27: 13
The God of Modern Mormonism does not Exist
If you are somewhat mortified by the storyline presented in the prophesies we have reviewed in 2nd Samuel 7 and Deuteronomy 18 it is probably because you have been indoctrinated falsely about how God interrelates with his people and you have been taught to put your trust in the arm of flesh.
The thought that the Lord might allow a true prophet to teach a false doctrine or teach something presumptuously that God did not reveal to him is a terrifying thought because it puts the responsibility of discerning truth and error back on to YOU When in fact you have been given a false sense of security that you can just blindly follow the brethren to keep on the straight and narrow.
This brings us to one of the most solemn commandments that God has given to his people. It is contained in the closing passage in the 12th chapter of Deuteronomy.
It is as follows-
“What thing soever I command you,
observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto,
nor diminish from it.”
From the following chapter which we are about to review, we find that God sometimes actually uses true prophets to reveal his true commandments and then he allows them to speak presumptuously and contradict his previous commandment.
He does this to test whether his people will stay true and faithful to the true commandments the Lord has already revealed or whether they can be seduced into adding to or diminishing from established commandments!
For instance, the law of the gospel which was revealed in 1831 in section 42 clearly states that men are to have ONE WIFE.
That is part of celestial law and the law of consecration.
It was reiterated in section 49 and eventually reiterated again in a section prepared by Oliver Cowdery, but later replace with section 132.
In Nauvoo, Joseph Smith began teaching a different, law that requires multiple wives. It contradicted the celestial law of monogamy contained in the LAW laid out in section 42. It was presented as a higher law.
When the contradictory doctrine began to be introduced, some people held firm and stayed true to the covenants they entered into in Kirtland when section 42 was revealed while others chose to “add thereto or diminish from” that which had previously been taught by the Lord God of Israel.
The above commandment at the end of chapter 12 was the preliminary commandment leading up to another missing piece of the prophet puzzle. I refer to it as the 3rd cornerstone prophecy.
It is as follows-
The Lord Your God Proveth You
If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
4 Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the Lord thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
The above prophecy and warning teaches that God sometimes uses his prophets to try and deceive us to see if we will be true to God and his commandments or to the messenger.
It also provides a third forewarning about the death of the last servant!
It adds yet another point to the biblical profile of the Davidic Servant we have been creating.
It informs us that God uses this last great servant to TEST the Saints, to see if his servant can turn them away from the Lord God.
He uses his servant to see if the saints will remain true and faithful to the true commandments and covenants contained in the word of God or if they will depart from them by putting their faith in the prophet.
The lesson we need to learn is that we are responsible to discern the MESSAGES that come from God through his messenger, we are NOT supposed to categorically and blindly worship and obey the MESSANGER!
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
The fulness of the Gospel, the New and Everlasting Covenant and the LAW of the Gospel had all been given long before the defilement of the Kirtland Temple in 1836, yet in 1842 Joseph Smith began teaching a secret doctrine about the need to have multiple wives, a doctrine that stated that instead of having only one wife, priesthood holders needed to be sealed to multiple wives in order to gain the highest salvation.
This strange new doctrine contradicted the previous revelations and doctrines contained in the revelations Joseph Smith had already given as well as the rest of the four standard works.
Section 132 is full of contradictions and falsehoods. It contradicts the law of the gospel that had been given in 1831 and it changes the definition of several gospel terms. It added new doctrine and changes previous doctrine.
Section 132 adds thereto and diminishes from the holy and infallible word of God.
It resulted in another gospel being taught.
Paul warned us that another gospel would be introduced. He knew that “signs” would be produced and that the strength of the testimony of an angel would be used to persuade people to depart from the truth.
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1: 8-9
Speaking of the mystery of iniquity and how God will eventually consume the wicked one in the latter days, Paul reveals that God will send a strong delusion upon those that believe not the truth but rather take pleasure in unrighteousness.
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thes. 2: 11
The God of the Bible uses prophets to test us
Perhaps one of the most poignant bible stories for illustrating the need for personal revelation and the fact that God does allow prophets to lead people astray in order to test them, is found in 1 Kings 13.
The story line is so remarkable that I am not going to tell it in detail, you simply need to read it yourself. To summarize however, a man of God who had received direct revelation from God had been commanded to NOT do something while on a journey.
He was then approached during his journey by another prophet who told him that he should in fact do it.
When the first prophet declared that the Lord had commanded him not to do it, the second prophet assured him that the Lord had changed his mind and told him that an angel of the Lord had thus appeared and rescinded the commandment of the Lord.
At this, the first prophet accepted the invitation to do what the Lord had commanded him to NOT do.
As a result, the Lord had a lion destroy the first prophet from off the face of the earth.
So much for God never allowing prophets to lead anyone astray.
So much for angels legitimately appearing to revoke a previous commandment of God without God himself revoking it.
So much for the God of Modern Mormonism and his associated teachings regarding the infallibility of prophets. That doctrine cannot be found in the holy and infallible word of God.
[BTWread the above passages from the JST. It provides clarification as to why the Lord had the angel and the prophet tempt the first prophet.... "that I may prove him"]
Succession
Those that dig deeply enough into church history realize that the succession issue was really not about priesthood right or seniority or office, it was about the spiritual wife doctrine that had been introduced into the church.
People like Samuel Smith, William Marks and Sidney Rigdon were a threat to those other leading brethren who had embraced the spiritual wife doctrine and refused to acknowledge their sin and repent.
If you are well acquainted with the life of Joseph Smith, you may be aware of the fact that his introduction of the spiritual wife doctrine contained in section 132 is what caused him to be chastened by the rod of angry men and to be put to death by a secret combination of people from both in and out of the church.
One of the amazing things that we learn from the history of the church is that when people like Hyrum Smith and Mary Ann Lightner were initially skeptical about the doctrine and questioned Joseph about it, instead of proving it from the scriptures, Joseph would promise them a SIGN or a WONDER to prove it.
Lets review the first two verses of Deuteronomy 13 again-
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet“
A prophet can teach false doctrine and provide signs and wonders in an effort to seduce people to follow after false doctrines and false Gods.
The above three prophesies in 2nd Samuel 7, Deuteronomy 13 and Deuteronomy 18 provide an amazing biblical profile of the David Servant who was to be like Moses in the latter days, however, there is one more that provides the forth cornerstone which vividly supports this theme and prepares us for the final capstone prophecy.
It is provided in the 16th chapter of Leviticus and it is called the atonement statute.
It is in this amazing chapter that we are given a prophecy about how two prophets depicted as two goats as well as other offerings depicting other servants would provide an intercessory atonement offering in behalf of apostate latter day Israel in the latter days.
This is where the tables are turned on each of us and all of the critics that are passing judgment on the prophet Joseph Smith, because it is in this prophetic enactment and other supporting prophecies that we are informed that the reason the latter day prophet and his spokesman are committing transgression is because the sins of the rebellious, apostate latter day children of Israel. Is there any reason why this would not include you and me? Those sins were artificially placed on the two servants.
It is OUR sins, the sins of latter day Israel that Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon and others of their associates were acting out!
This should be very humbling for each of us to take into consideration. It isn’t just the outward sins of Joseph Smith that are really being revealed and judged, it is ours!
Once you come to this realization, you need to repent of any anger and judgment that you currently have towards God’s Seer, Spokesman and others of the first elders of the last kingdom.
Here are a few passages from the atonement statute.
AND the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;
2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering,
and a ram for a burnt offering.
4 He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, (a joint sin offering! ) and one ram for a burnt offering.
6 And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
7 And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
8 And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; (both goats were equally clean and acceptable) one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
9 And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’s lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
10 But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.
11 And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which is for himself:
16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. (section 110 reveals that God accepted the offering of the Seer and the Spokesman because of and despite the transgressions and sins of latter day Israel and in the midst of the uncleanness of the congregation.)
20 ¶ And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.
33 And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
34 And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.
Most prophecy scholars try to force the above prophecy to fit the atonement of Christ. Some claim both goats represent Christ which is inconsistent within the storyline enactment since they are both chosen at the same time to fill different offerings at the same time. It is illogical and inconsistent to have two physical goats simultaneously doing two different things. One requiring a blood sacrifice while the other requiring a living sacrifice.
Other interpretations acknowledge that two separate individual are represented in the two goats and claim the scapegoat represents Satan while the blood sacrifice goat represents Christ. The problems with that are significant and numerous. Suffice it to say that Satan does not qualify as a perfect and acceptable offering that began on equal footing with the Savior of the world… Nor could he have easily had his calling switched with that of Christ as that interpretation would have us believe!
Once I began to read each of the above mentioned four cornerstone prophesies in context of the other three, other Old Testament prophecies began jumping out of the woodwork and the pieces of the prophet puzzle began to fall in place.
Ezekiel 14 began to make perfect sense to me.
Interestingly enough, Joseph Smith taught a sermon to the Relief Society in May of 1842 using Ezekiel 14 as his text during the time when he was apparently taking some of them as plural wives! This is interesting in view of the fact that the relief society had to be suspended later in 1842 because Emma was using it as a platform for preaching against polygamy!
The history of the church records-
“Prest. Smith rose; read the 14th Chap. Of Ezekiel–Said the Lord had declared by the prophet that the people should each one stand for himself and depend on no man or men in that state of corruption of the Jewish Church–that righteous persons could only deliver their own souls–applied it to the present state of the church of Latter Day Saints“
How interesting that Joseph appeared to be warning the Relief Society about relying on others when each person must deliver their own souls as far as discerning truth!
A passage from the text of Ezekiel is worth reiterating to provide context to the prophets remarks and the four cornerstone prophesies we have reviewed-
1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
2 And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face; should I be inquired of at all by them?
4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh, [thru that prophet] according to the multitude of his idols;
5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols.
6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
Amazing.
If you inquire of a prophet with an impure and idolatrous heart, God will have the prophet answer you according to the desire of your sinful heart!
Interestingly, one of the plural wives of Joseph Smith, while speaking on the subject in Utah, admitted that she had dreamed of being the wife of Joseph Smith and felt guilty of it, long before he proposed to her.
If this seems like hard doctrine, and you are thinking that the Old Testament is harsher than the New Testament and modern revelation, please review the prophetic revelation and stern warning below that was given in the book of commandments in 1829.
“And thus, if the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a reformation among them, and I will put down all lyings, and deceivings, and priestcrafts, and envyings, and strifes, and idolatries, and sorceries, and all manner of iniquities, and I will establish my church, like unto the church which was taught by my disciples in the days of old.
And now if this generation do harden their hearts against my word, behold I will deliver them up unto Satan, for he reigneth and hath power at this time, for he hath got great hold upon the hearts of the people of this generation: and not far from the iniquities of Sodom and Gomorrah, do they come at this time: and behold the sword of justice hangeth over their heads, and if they persist in the hardness of their hearts, the time cometh that it must fall upon them.
Behold I tell you these things even as I also told the people of the destruction of Jerusalem, and my word shall be verified at this time as it hath hitherto been verified..” (Book of Commandments Chapter 4)
Just as Moses provided an atonement, took upon him the sins of Israel and was prevented from entering into the promised land and then put to death for his transgression, so would the latter day one like Moses!
The following doctrine and prophesy contained in section 132 contradicts the Bible, Book of Mormon and all of the other published revelations that Joseph Smith brought forth-
“Therefore, prepare thy heart to receive and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same. For behold, I reveal unto you a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory.”
Imagine that, a false prophecy embedded in a false doctrine foretelling that those who have had this new doctrine revealed to them about the necessity of having plural wives sealed to them, preventing them from entering into the highest glory if they refuse to live it! In other words, a false commandment is being given here.
Is it a true doctrine and a true commandment or was Joseph Smith speaking presumptuously?
Do you fear the Lords anointed more than you fear God?
Will it become an issue again when the marvelous work begins?
Will it become a stumbling block for many?
After debating with people who are to wise to be taught for years on this issue, I can guarantee this is going to become an issue when the strange act takes place. The natural man is inherently polygamous by nature.
There may be other false doctrines introduced as well but this particular one seems to be the one that ancient prophecy points out as the primary one that was at the center of controversy in getting latter day Ephraim to act out their whoring spirit.
Read the entire book of Hosea to see how latter day Ephraim, like ancient Ephraim, would commit whordom and depart from the Lord (1:2) because they have forgotten the law of God (3:6). Indeed the spirit of whoredoms would cause them to err (3:12) because “they walked after the COMMANDMENT!“ (511) Which commandment? Obviously a false commandment which caused them to err!
We have now reviewed from Deuteronomy 18 that a latter day prophet like Moses would first utter the true word of the Lord that the people are to receive and then he will prophesy falsely and die!
We have also reviewed three other prophecies that provide confirmation.
Do you think the prophecies in 2nd Samuel and Deuteronomy 18 and Deuteronomy 13 and the prophetic enactment in the atonement statute in Leviticus 16 are the only passages that suggest that a prophet of God can transgress and yet retain the mercy of God and even be restored to their calling?
We also have the example of how Moses transgressed.
Posted by onewhoiswatching 
This was not the beginning of a prayer, because Joseph Smith did not pray in that manner. This brave, young man who knew that death was near, started to repeat the distress signal of the Masons, expecting thereby to gain the protection its members are pledged to give a brother in distress.”
